§ 8 #### &3: rº, ： ！ ¡ ¿ $¢ £ © ® ¿sºs ſingfiſhtitiķiſ, ● ſaeae ſºſiae #### ***** }: Říšſi ſae; mae aer ≡ §§ ！ ∞ };rº ¡ſ œ · · · · ， ' *: º ： » 3 ¿.* ſºſyº: ț¢ *** … º gº， º gº， º ſº º ſae #####x; *********** ºffraeſe， º：* ！→º : · · · · * *„“ ， ، ، ، ، ، ،º.· ·+ ' * * * * ， ， ， , º * * : « * * · · · · ·： ：·-§ （* * *~º º، · ·s º× × ·:·º·：·º·：·º·nas·tris， a.ſ.， …..…………--gaeaf， 2 ºsº-ºſassaewees eºs: «retterste， sºsººwººzºosesºres---- ezerve！！！--**********---------+---+---+-ºestessºrs！---*ve，…，.，，，，，，，，,，，，s）,j，: § 3 . . » ≡ ≈ ≠ ≤± - . ::. ， … ::: *： ●ſae- ---->° - 3 , . ） § → · §∞§ 3º 33 ， ：‘ “ …--* ¿**ſae8e , i t r ≠ ≤ ≥ ± − ×·-§§§§ ° -º- + · · · · · · · · · * , ， ， ºſ ≡≡≡≡≡≡ ：-ſae≡º *№. ¿§§§）， *¿.*;. & . \，:） ſ ≡ ≈ ≠ ≤ ≥√∞ſaeſaei ¿?， ¿ ， ， ， '！ ， , （*.*, * * · · · · * * * ~ * ·świaeisiriſiſ: °tiºns. . º 3. PPl.A.(1) Passus , line for the rest, For early occurrence quote PEl...A in preference to B, l and B in preference to C. MS designation Will always be given. Ref. : Prol.line for the Prologue =cl590 FPl:A(l) (Vrn) pp. 1-131 Pref. ed.Tof non-pref. MS. (Prol.- as marked Passus ll.180) = MS V. Use if 4 *- : **i. e tº g | >> * **t earlier date is desired.) --- MS Trin-C, pp.l:3l (line l8l) – 136 (line 303), and readings passim in text, in square brackets and vrr . in footnotes = MS T. Transfer to No. 138B. Quote Kane ed. . ...-----------, - . . | | - vrr. in footnotes: USE KANEED. FOR WRR. WHENEVER A – alli?5 PPl,A(l) (Ashm:Skeat) POSSIBT,E. D -clh'75 PPl.A(l) (ºc Skeat) H - all,75 PP.A.(1) (Hrl 875:Skeat) H(2) - clºo PP1.A(l) (Hrl 60ll:Skeat) | T – Transfer to No. h38B. | U all 25 PP1.A.(1) (UC:Skeat) * - ----- *~ * * *** - * * *-- ~ * → ~~ * * * :- - *** * * * * *- - --~~~~~.---, - ... --- - -, ... . . FFl.A(2) ?cliffo PPl.A.(2) (Ing.) pp. 29–31 i Ref. : passus.line / | Pref. ed. Of non-pref. MS. Incomplete; ends With line 88. º | ſ MS Rwl, pp.137% – llllk, transfer to No. 138B, pn. 1127– lºl. Wrr. in footnotes : U - all 25 PPL.A.(2) (UC: Skeat) USE KANE ED. FOR WRR. WHENEWER POSSIBLE . BARALLEL EXTERACTS FORTY-FIVE was TJSCRIPTS - OE' £ittà, plowman. BERLIN: ASHER & CO., 13, UNTER DEN LINDEN. NEW YORK; C. SCRIBNER & CO. ; LEYPOLDT & HOLT. PHILADELPHIA : J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. PARALLEL EXTRACTS FROM FORTY-FIVE MANUSCRIPTS pier8 plouman, WITH NOTES UPON THEIR RELATION TO THE SOCIETY'S THREE-TEXT EDITION OF THIS POEM. BY THE REW, WALTER W. SKEAT, M.A., EDITOR OF LAN CELOT OF THE LAIK, [šttomb (£bition, ſuit, alterations amb abhiſions, 1885.] LONDON : PUBLISHED FOR THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY By KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRüBNER & CO., LIMITED, DRYDEN HOUSE, 43, GERRARD STREET, SOHO, W. 1866. [Reprinted 1893, 1905.] Øriginal $tries, 17. RICHARD CLAY & sons, LIMITED, LONDON AND BUNGAY. INTRODUCTORY NOTICE. THE former edition of “Parallel Extracts from twenty-nine MSS. of Piers Plowman" was published by the E. E. T. S. in 1866, in the form of a thin tract containing 16 pages. Instead of reprinting this tract in its original form, I take the present opportunity of making it more complete, though at the same time I omit certain remarks which are no longer of importance. The former edition may be thus briefly described. It began by requesting all who were interested in the Poem to assist me in the endeavour to obtain a complete list of the MSS., and to ascertain, as far as practicable, the general character of each. At Mr. Furnivall's suggestion, the passage of the Poem corresponding to lines 1508– 1529 in Wright's edition, 1856, vol. i. p. 47, was selected as a test- passage, and an appeal was made for copies of this passage from every known MS. In answer to this appeal, extracts from 29 MSS. were obtained. The Rev. H. O. Coxe kindly supplied extracts “from [most of] the Oxford Bodleian MSS., and Mr. W. Aldis Wright those from the Cambridge University Library and Trinity College; whilst the editor contributed those from Corpus and Caius Colleges, and from the Oxford colleges, and Mr. Furnivall was responsible for the British Museum extracts, the dates of the MSS. of which were kindly fixed by Mr. E. A. Bond, of the MS. department, whose valued help is here gratefully acknowledged. The Dublin extract was kindly furnished by Dr. Lottner.” I then proceeded to shew that the texts of the poem are really three, rather than two, as generally stated. I also said that the num- bering of the Passus differed in various MSS., so that we find Passus VI beginning in three distinct ways, viz. either with the words “Bote ther wer fewe men so wys,” or with “This were a wikked way,” or “Thus ich a-waked, wot "god;’ see pp. 32, 33, 34 below. These varying types of the Poem I called, respectively, the Vernon type (as being contained in the Vernon MS.), the Crowley type (as agreeing with the text printed by Crowley in 1550), and the Whitaker type (as agreeing with the text printed by Whitaker in 1813). I have since briefly denoted them by the names A-text, B-text, and C-text, the first of these being the earliest, and the last the latest version, in point of time. I then pointed out numerous variations between the B-text and C-text, which it is now needless to recapitulate, and drew particular attention to the following passages, 2 INTRODUCTORY NOTICE. viz. (1) A. iii. 67–77; B. iii. 76–86; C. iv. 77–85; (2) B. xiii. 264—271, which helps to fix the date of the B-text; (3) C. vi. 1–108, which is peculiar to the C-text; (4) B. iii. 188—204, which alludes to Edward's wars in Normandy; and (5) C. xxi. 283–296, which contains an allusion to guns, and should be compared with Milton, Paradise Lost, vi. 470. A short table was added showing the different arrangement of the Passus in the B-text and C-text. Finally, I gave the “parallel extracts” from 29 MSS., the MSS. thus illustrated being those which I have since denoted by the following numbers, viz. I. II. III. IV. V. IX. X. XIII. XV. XVIII. XIX. XXI. XXII. XXIII. XXIV. XXV. XXVI. XXVII. XXIX. XXX. XXXIII. XXXIV. XXXV. XXXVI. XXXVII. XXXIX, XL. IXLI. XLII.1 • I have now to thank many kind helpers for the great success of our appeal. No less than sixteen MSS. were afterwards pointed out to me, or were observed by myself in various catalogues. The most important of these were the following. In the Bodleian Library, MSS. Douce 323, Ashmole 1468, Rawlinson Poet. 137 and 38, Bodley 851, and Douce 104. Mr. Yates Thompson sent me an account of an excellent MS. in his own possession, which proved of great service. Lord Ashburnham kindly shewed me his two MSS., both of which are now in the British Museum. The Earl of Ilchester's MS. turned out to be of the highest interest, and the loan of it was most acceptable and helpful. Other MSS. were the MS. in Lincoln's Inn, the MS. in Trinity College, Dublin, marked D. 4. 12, MSS. 8231 and 9056 in the possession of Sir Thomas Phillipps; and, at a later period, the Historical MS. Commission brought to light the MSS. belonging to the Duke of Westminster and Sir H. Ingilby, which are more particularly described at pp. 25 and 28 below. By the kindness of the librarians and owners, every facility has been afforded to me for inspecting all the MSS. of any value. Indeed, I have carefully examined every MS. personally, with only two exceptions, viz. MSS. VIII. and XLI. The former of these was sufficiently described to me by Mr. Furnivall, and the latter" by Frofessor Dowden. To all who have given me such hearty assistance I am deeply grateful. With these few remarks, I beg leave to submit my completed set of “Parallel Extracts” from all the known MSS. Of the Poem. 1 These were, however, arranged in a different order, as follows: I. XV. XXIII, XXIV. XIII. XXII. II. XXV. IX. IV, III. XVIII. XIX. XXVI. V. X. XXVII. XXI. XXXIII. XXIX, XXXVI. XL. XXXIX, XXX. XLI. XXXVII. XXXIV. XXXV. XLII. BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. WITH PARALLEL EXTRACTS. THE seventeenth publication of the E. E. T. S. was my edition of “Parallel Extracts from twenty-nine manuscripts of Piers Plowman,” published with the view of obtaining further information about the MSS. and their contents." This led to further discoveries, and has enabled me to describe many more than those there noticed, and at the same time to do so more fully. I now take the opportunity of printing a more complete set of these “parallel extracts,” so as to give some notion of the general appearance of the spelling, &c. of the various MSS. Owing to the finding of new MSS., the numbers used in the former edition of parallel extracts are no longer available. Even the “roman” numerals given to the MSS. in the three Prefaces do not strictly express the correct order, when we come to compare the MSS. in the exactest manner possible. I arrange them below in such a way as to show which MSS. are most closely related to each other, but retain, for convenience, the “roman” numerals which have already been assigned to them. Many of the MSS. are also indicated, in the footnotes, by capital letters; and I now give tables, showing what the “ roman” numerals and the capital letters represent. The MS. marked no. XLV (below) has not been mentioned before. LIST OF MISS. DESCRIBED IN THE PREFACES. Nos. I–XII and nos. XLIV, XLV belong to the A-text. Of these, nos. I–X are described in vol. i. pp. xv to xxiv.; no. XI is described in vol. i. p. 142* ; no. XII in vol. ii. p. vi., footnote; no. XLIV in vol. iii. p. 1, and at p. 25 below ; and no. XLV at p. 28. Nos. XIII—XXVIII belong to the B-text. Of these, nos. XIII—XXVII are described in vol. ii. pp. vi to xxx; and no. XXVIII is described in vol. iii. p. xix, footnote. 4. Nos. XXIX—XLIII belong to the C-Text. They are described in vol. iii. pp. xix to 1. * The present publication takes the place of a second edition of this no. 17, which, in its original form, is now out of print. IBut MSS., and is only assumed for convenience. are of a mia!ed character. MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. this is only a first approximation to the real values of the As a fact, some MSS. There is a set in which the former part belongs to the A-text, and the latter to the C-text; and another set in which the former part belongs to the C-text, and the latter part to the B-text. A-text. We thus get a more exact classification, as follows: NOS. I. II. IV. VI. VII. VIII. IX. XI. XII. XILV. (Ten.) l3-text. by XXVI. XXVII. XXVIII. C-text. Nos. XIII. XIV. XV. XV* (i. e. the lost MS. printed Crowley) XVI. XVII. XVIII. XIX. XX. XXI, XXII. (Fourteen.) Nos. XXIX. XXX. XXXI. XXXII. XXXIII. XXXIV. XXXV. XXXVI. XXXVII. XXXVIII, XXXIX. XL. XLI. XLII. XLIII. (Fifteen.) Mixed text ; A and C. Nos. III. V. X. XLIV. (Four.) Mixed text; C and B. Nos. XXIII, XXIV. XXV. (Three.) NAMES OF THE MSS., AS NUMBERED. I. Vernon MS., Bodleian Library. (A-text.) II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XV. XV%. XVI. XVII. XVIII. XIX. |XX. XXI. |XXII. XXIII. Harleian MS., no. 875; B. M. (A-text.) MS. Trin. Coll. Cam. R. 3. 14. (Mixed; A and C.) Univ. College, Oxford. (A-text.) Harleian MS., no. 6041; B. M. (Mixed; A and C.) MS. Douce 323; Bodleian Library. (A-text.) MS. Ashmole 1468, Bodl. Library. (A-text.) Lincoln's Inn, London. (A-text.) Harleian MS., no. 3954; B. M. (A-text.) MS. Digby 145, Bodl. Library. (Miced ; A and C.) MS. Rawlinson, Poet. 137, Bodl. Library. (A-text.) |MS. Trin. Coll. I)ublin, D. 4. 12. (A-text.) MS. Laud Misc. 581, Bodl. Library. (B-text.) MS. Rawlinson, Poet. 38, Bodl. Library; 4 leaves of which are bound up in MS. Lansdowne 398, in the British Museum. (B-text. MS. Trin. Coll. Cam. B. 15. 17. Wright.) MS. printed by Crowley. Mr. Yates Thompson’s MS. (B-text.) Ashburnham MS. no. 129. (B-text.) Oriel College, Oxford. (B-Text.) MS. Camb. Univ. Library, Ll. 4. 14. Ashburnham MS. no. 130. (B-text.) MS. Camb. Univ. Library, Gg. 4. 31. (B-text.) MS. Camb. Univ. Library, Dd. 1. 17. (B-text.) MS. Bodley 814, Oxford. (Mixed; C and B.) (B-text ; printed by (Lost.) (B-text.) MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. 5 XXIV. MS. Additional 10574; B. M. (Mixed; C and B.) XXV. MS. Cotton, Calig. A. xi.; B. M., (Mixed; C and B.) XXVI. Corpus Christi College, Oxford. (B-text.) XXVII. Caius College, Cambridge. (B-text.) XXVIII. MS. Phillipps 8252; at Cheltenham. (B-text.) XXIX, MS. Phillipps 8231. (C-text.) XXX. MS. Laud 656; Bodl. Library. (C-text.) XXXI. MS. Bodley 851. (C-text.) XXXII. The Earl of Ilchester's MS. (C-text.) XXXIII. MS. Cotton, Vesp. B. xvi; B. M. (C-text.) XXXIV. MS. Camb. Univ. Library, Ff. 5. 35. (C-text.) XXXV. M.S. Corpus Christi Coll. Cambridge, no. 293. (C-text.) XXXVI. M.S. Camb. Univ. Library, Dd. 3. 13. (C-text.) XXXVII. MS. Digby 171, Bodl. Library. (C-text.) XXXVIII. MS. Douce 104, Bodl. Library. (C-text.) XXXIX. MS. Digby 102, Bodl. Library. (C-text.) XL. Harleian MS., no. 2376; B. M. (C-text.) XLI. MS. Trin. Coll. Dublin, D. 4. 1. (C-text.) XLII. Royal MS., 18. B. xvii; B. M. (C-text.) XLIII. MS. Phillipps 9056. (C-text.) XLIV. The Duke of Westminster's MS. (Miced ; A and C.) XLV.” MS. belonging to Sir Henry Ingilby, of Ripley Castle, Yorkshire. (A-text.) LETTERS DENOTING WARIOUS MSS. Some of the above MSS. are denoted in the footnotes and else- where by letters. In the A-text, the letters employed are V, H, T, U and U.” H2, D, and A. They denote the first seven MSS. (I to VII) in the above list, and are chosen as representing the words Vernon, Harley, Trinity, University, Harley, Douce, and Ashmole. In the B-text, the letters employed are T, R, W, Y, O, C2, C, and B. They denote MSS. XIII—XVI, XVIII, XIX, XXII, and XXIII in the above list, and are chosen as representing the words Laud, Rawlinson, Wright," Yates-Thompson, Oriel, Cambridge (no. 2), Cambridge, and Bodley. In the C-text, the letters employed are P, E, Z, I and I.” M, F, S, G, and K. (Also B and T, which, as being mixed texts, have been already mentioned.) These letters denote MSS. XXIX—XXXVII in the above list. Most of them can be remembered by connecting * Some account of this MS. is given below ; see p. 25. * Some account of this MS. is given below ; see p. 28. * The italic letter U is used to denote the variations in a certain passage (Pass. ii. 1–23) which occurs thrice in the MS. * Because Mr. Thomas Wright printed this Trinity MS. in eactenso. * The italic letter I is used to denote the variations in a certain passage (C. x. 75–281) which occurs twice in the MS. º - 6 MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. them with the word they are meant to symbolise; but a few are arbitrarily chosen. Thus P, I, M, K represent, respectively, Phil- lipps, Ilchester, Museum, Kenelm-Digby. F represents MS. Ff. 5. 35 (Camb. Univ. Library). S is the last letter of Corpus. Only E (= Laud 656), Z (= Bodley 851), and G (= Camb. Univ. Dd. 3. 13) have no symbolic meaning. I had intended to use N to denote MS. Harl. 2376, but it was not worth collating. The above letters, when arranged in alphabetical order, are as follows. . MS. Ashmole; no. VII. (A-text.) . Bodley 814; no. XXIII. (Mia!ed; C and B.) Cambridge; no. XXII. (B-text.) Cambridge (later MS.); no. XIX. (B-text.) Douce 323; no. VI. (A-text.) Laud 656; no. XXX. (C-text.) Ff. 5. 35, in Camb. Univ. Library; no. XXXIV. (C-text.) Dd. 3. 13, in the same; no. XXXVI. (C-text.) Harl. 875; no. II. (A-text.) . Harl. 6041; no. V. (Mia!ed; A and C.) Ilchester; no. XXXII. (C-text.) Renelm-Digby 171; no. XXXVII. (C-text.) Laud Misc. 581; no. XIII. (B-text.) Adopted as the teact. Museum MS. ; Cott. Vesp. B. xvi; no. XXXIII. (C-text.) . HarleiaN MS. 2376; no. XL. (C-text.) . Oriel MS. ; no. XVIII. (B-text.) Phillipps MS. 8231; no. XXIX. (C-text). Adopted as the teact. Rawlinson MS. Poet. 38. 2 + o-r {{..., 398. }No. XIV. (B-text.) . Corpus MS. Camb. ; no. XXXV. (C-text.) Trinity MS. R. 3. 14; no. III. (Mixed; A and C.) University Coll., Oxford; no. IV. (A-text.) Vernon MS., Oxford; no. I. (A-text.) Adopted as the teacf. MS. printed by Wright; no. XV. (B-text.) Mr. Yates Thompson's MS. ; no. XVI. (B-text.) MS. Bodley 851; no. XXXI. (C-text.) I may add that “Cr.”, in the notes to the B-text, stands for Crowley; and that “Whit.”, in the notes to the C-text, stands for Whitaker. Whitaker printed his edition from MS. P. i SPECIMIENS OF PARALLEL EXTRAUTS FROM THE WARIOUS MSS. *** The passage selected for illustration is A. iii. 67-77; B. iii. 76–86 ; C. iv. 77–85. * The only good example of the C-text in the (British) Museum. MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. 7 Text A.; sub-class a. Printed as the Text, as far as xi. 180; denoted by V. I. MS. Vernon, in the Bodleian Library; described in Pref. A. p. xv. The best text, but imperfect at the end. It occasionally omits necessary lines. The dialect in which the poem was first written has been modified by a Southern scribe. “T Meires and Maistres and 3e bat beob mene Bitwene be kyng and be Comuns to kepe be lawes 68 As to punisschen on pillories or on pynnyng stoles Brewesters Bakers Bochers and Cookes Tor peose be Men vppon Molde bat most harm worchen To be pore people bat al Schal a-buggen 72 ‘ſ pei punisschen be peple priueliche and ofte And rechep porw Regatorie (sic) & Rentes hem buggeb With bat be pore peple schulde puten in heore wombe T For toke bei on trewely bei timbrede not so hye 76 Ne bougte none Borgages beo 3e certeyne” Text A ; sub-class a. Collated; denoted in the footnotes by H. II. MS. Harl. 875; described in Pref. A. p. xvii. Imperfect, having lost vi. 52—vii. 2, and all after viii. 144. Contains some lines not found in other copies; agrees more closely than any other copy with the text of the preceding MS. “3e meyres & maysters bat beob ordeyned meenes - by-twene be kynge & be comyns be lawe for to kepe 68 to ponysche on pylorye & on pynynge stoolis Brewesteres & bakers bochers and Cokes For bese ben men on molde bat moost harme worchen to be pore peple bat al most abyggen 72 For bei pylen be pore pepul priuely & ofte & waxen ryche regratoures & rentes hem byggen wip bat be pore peple schuld putt in her wombes for if bei token with trouthe bei tymburyd not so hye 76 ne shulde bye noo burgagis be 3e certeyn.” [The foot-note to Text A, p. 31, ll. 71, 72, is wrong.] Text A ; sub-class b. The only copy which contains the whole of Passus xii, and from which that Passus is therefore printed. XI. MS. Rawl. Poet. 137; described at p. 142* of A-text. Many of its readings resemble those of MS. IV; and it retains the passage x. 205—xi. 47, which is wanting in that MS. “Meyrys and maysteres 3e bat bep mene by-twyche be king & be common to kepe be lawes 68 As punschin on pylorijs and on pynnyng stolys breweres bakeres bocheres and kokes Eor pes are men on molde pat most harme werkyn to bis pore puple bat parcel mele beggen 72 for bey poysome be puple pryuyly wel ofte 8 MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. and rechyn borw regratyng and rentes hem buggen Of bat be pore puple Schulde pote in her wombes for ne tok he on trewely he tymbred not so hye 76 me bougte none bargayns be bou wel certeyne” Text A ; sub-class b. Not collated. XII. M.S. Dublin D. 4. 12; described in a footnote in Pref. B. p. vi., as it was not at first discovered to be of the A-text. Imperfect, ending at vii. 45. Some of the text is transposed, nearly as in MSS. XI and IV. Closely resembles MSS. XI and IV, particularly the former ; but is much corrupted in places, whilst the dialect has been turned into Northumbrian. “Mayres & mercers pater be menes Bitwix be kyng & be comons to kepe be lawes 68 For punyschyng on pilory's or pynyng stolys Baksters & bowchers brewsters & kukez For bees er men of bis molde bat most wrong wirkis Tharfore pure peple pair part sare abyssel 72 For bai poson be peple preualy full ofte And riche borow regratery rentis pain byes With bat at be peple suld put in pair wanbe For toke pai trewly pai temberd noght so hye 76 Ne boght pai no Burgage be pou full certail” Text A ; sub-class b. Collated; and denoted in the footnotes by U. A fragment of a different A-text (Pass. ii. 1–23) also occurs in this M.S., and is denoted in the footnotes by U. IV. M.S. no. 45 in Univ. Coll. Oxford; described in Pref. A. p. xx. Some of the text is transposed, just as in MS. XI. It is also remarkable as containing a few lines of the beginning of Pass. xii, the whole of which occurs in MS. XI only. “Meires & macerys bei pat ben mene by twene be kyng & his comowns to kepe be lawes 68 As to punysche on pylorie and pynynge stoles Breworis and bakeres bocheris and cokes For pese arn men in his world bat most harm wurchen To be pore peple bat parcel mele biggen 72 For bei poysene be peple priueyly wol ofte And richen purw regratrie & rentes hem biggen Of pat be pore peple Schuld putten in here wombes For ne toke bei so wrongwisly bei tymbrid not so hie 76 Ne bougte none bargaynes be pou wol certayn’ Text A ; sub-class b (!). Not collated, except (recently) throughout Passus xii. 1–83. See p. 29. * I. e. “Therefore poor people sorely a-buy (pay for) their part.” Abysse = abyis, the Northern form of a-buy, i.e. buy back, redeem, pay for. But this reading is quite corrupt. MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. 9 XLV. M.S. in the possession of Sir Henry Ingilby, of Ripley Castle, Yorkshire. This MS. is remarkable as containing a large portion of Passus xii, the whole of which is found in MS. Tawl. Poet. 137 only. For a fuller description, see p. 28 below. “Meyres & macers 3e bat bene mene Be-twyxen be kyng & be comen to kepyn be lawes 68 As to puneschyn on pyloryes & On pynyng stoles Bruers & bakers bochers & kokes For pisarn men of bis molde bat moste harm wyrchyn To be powre peple bat parcelmel byggen 72 For bei poysyn be peple pryuyly wel ofte And richyn per (sic) regratry & rentes hem bygge Of bat be pouer peple schulde puttyn in her wombe For tokym he on trewly he tymbrede mouth so hye 76 Ne bowhtyn hem no burges be 3e certeyn’ Mæed teacf: partly Text A ; sub-class c. Used to form the Text in xi. 181—303. Collated, and denoted in the footnotes by T. Contains also a portion of the C-text ; viz. xii. 297 to the end. III. MS. Trin. Coll. Cam. R. 3. 14 ; described in Pref. A. p. xviii. Apparently the oldest MS. of this (the largest) sub-class. “Meiris & maistris hij bat ben mene Betwyn be king & be comunes to kepe p" lawis 68 As to puniſſchen on pillories & On pynning stolis Breweris & bakeris bocheris & cokes For biſe arn men of biſe molde bat moſt harm werchip To be pore peple bat parcel mel biggen 72 For bei poisone be peple preuyly wel ofte And risen Vp porug regratrie & rentis hem biggen Of pat be pore peple shulde putte in here wombe For tok he on trewely he tymbride not so heige 76 Ne bougte none burgages be 3e wel certayn’ Mixed Teact : partly Text A ; sub-class c. Partly collated, and denoted in the footnotes by H2. Contains also a portion of C-text, viz. xii. 297 to the end. W. MS. Harl. 6041; described in Pref. A. p. xx. It is remark- ably like MS. III (above), but certainly of later date. “Meyres and maystres / hij bat ben menene dwellyn Betwene be kyng and be comyns | to kepe be lawes 68 As to ponySchen on pileries / and on pynnyng stolis Breweris and bakers | bochers and cokes Eor bese arn men of bis molde / bat most harme worchip To be pore peple bat / parcel mel biggeth 72 For bei poysome be peple | priuily wel ofte And risen vp borug regratrie / and rentis hem biggen Of bat be pore peple / schuld put in here wombe For took he but trewly / he tymberid nat so hye 76 Ne bougte non bargages | be 3e wel certayn.” 10 MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. Mized Tect: partly A-text (slightly amplified); sub-class c (). Contains also a part of Text C : viz. Pass. xiii—end. XLIV. M.S. in the possession of the Duke of Westminster. See Pref. C. p. 1. Not collated." “3e Mairs and maistres bat beh menes Be-tweyn be kyng and be comunes to kepe be lawes 68 As to ponyshe on pelorie or pynnyg (sic) stole Bakers and brewers bochers and cokes This ben men on pis mold bat most harm worchen To be pore peple bat parcelmele biggen 72 For bei appose [altered to appresse] be peple ful priuyly oft And bep riche by regratrie & rentes hem byggen Of bat be pore peple shold putte in here wombe For” toke bei on treuly thei tymbred not so hye 76 Ne bought no burgage be 3e wel seure” Text A; sub-class c. Partly collated, and denoted in the footnotes by D. VI. MS. Douce 323, in the Bodleian Library; described in Pref. A. p. xxi. An inferior copy, and full of blunders. Contains Pro- logue and Pass. i-xi. I had intended to observe, in describing the MS., that some of the matter in it is transposed. Thus, in Pass. iii, the order is thus: lines 1–79, 143—167, 80–127 (128–142 omitted), 143—end. “Meyres & Maystres bey pat ben mene Be-twen be kyng & be comunes to kepe be lawes 68 As to punysshen on pyloryes & on pynyng stoles Brewers & bakers Bochers & Cokes For pese ben be men on bis molde bat most harm werchen To be pore peple bat parcelmel Beggyn 72 For bey poysoun be peple preuely wel ofte And Richen thorust Regratrie, & rentes hem beggyn Of bat pore peple shuld put in here wombe For tooke bey vntrewlyche tymbred bey moust so heye 76 Ne bou;te none burgages be bou wel certeyn.” Text A ; sub-class c. Not collated. - VII. MS. Ashmole 1468, in the Bodleian Library; described in Bref. A. p. xxi. Quoted a few times, when it is denoted by A. Imperfect at the beginning; begins at i. 142, and ends with Pass. xi. In some readings it agrees with MS. IX. “Meyris & maceris : bat ben bece menis Be-twyn be kyng & comouneris : to kepe bese lawis 68 To ponyschin on pelory : & on pymyng stolis Breusteris & baxteris : bocheris & kokis * See further remarks upon this MS. below, p. 25. * Here a later hand has (needlessly) inserted me. MANUSCRIPTS OF DIERS PLOWMAN. 11 Thece arn be men on bis molde : most harm werchis To be pore puple : bat parcel-mele bigge 72 For bei prechyn be puple : preuyly fol ofte e And rechyn with regatris regratrie (sic) : & rentis hem byggyn Of pat be pore puple : schuld puttyn in here wombe Toke bai on treweliche : bai tymberid not so hye 76 Ne boute no burgace : bis is certayn’ Text A ; sub-class c. Imperfect ; not collated. VIII. MS. No. 150 in Lincoln's Inn; described in Pref. A. p. xxii. Contains Prologue and Pass. i-viii only. The readings frequently agree with those of MS. III, but many corruptions have been introduced by the scribe's excessive love of alliteration. Perhaps some of it may have been written out from memory, and half-lines supplied from the scribe's own head; as only thus can we account for such a version of A. v. 161—164 as the following:— “Hykke be hakeneyman bat coude wel heue be coppe, Clarice of kockeslane bat klatre can faste, Dawe per was dº dolfyn & a doseyn othir.” The following extract was kindly made for me by Mr. Furnivall. “Meires & macers 3e bat beon mad mene By-twene peo kyng & be comunes to kepe the lawes 68 As to punyschen on pillories & on pynyng stoles Breowesters & baxsters bochers and cokes Por peose arn men on bis molde bat most harm worchen To peo pore people bat parcymel buggen 72 Eor bey poisen be people pryueliche wel ofte And richen borgh regraterye & rentes bey buggen Of pat be pore people Schulde putte in heore wombe For toke bey on treowely bey tymbred not so hyghe 76 No boghten no borgaces beo 3e wel certayne" A-text, amplified; sub-class d. Not collated. IX. MS. Harl. 3954, in the British Museum ; described in Pref. A. p. xxiii. Contains the “council of the rats,” belonging to the Prologue of the B-text, and other amplifications. But it ends with Pass. xi. Several passages appear to have been corrupted. “Meyres & macers ' bat meene ben be-twen be kyng & be comoun to kepe be lawe 68 To pounche on be pyllary & on pynynge stolys Brusterys & baxterys bucherys & kokys For bese” arn men on erthe bat most harm werkyn To be pouer puple bat parcel meel byge 72 Eor bei poysyń ye puple priuyly & oftyn bei rychyn thorw regratry;e & rentys hem byen with bat be pore puple Xuld put in her wombys For toke beinouth vntreuly bei xuld nout byggye so heyje" * Apparently nºritten borgates. * The “p" is written like “y.” 12 MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. Mixed Teacf: partly A-text, amplified; sub-class d. Not collated. X. MS. Digby 145, in the Bodleian Library, described in Pref. A. p. xxiv. This is an amplification of the A-text, as it contains the “council of the rats,” belonging to the Prologue of the B-text. In this respect it resembles the preceding. It also contains a portion of Text C, viz. from xii. 297 to the end, in which respect it resembles MSS. III and V. It is a poor copy. “Mayers & masters' & thay that bone meano Betwene the kyng & the commen to kepe the lawes 68 As to ponische on pylory & on pynyngstoles Brewars & bakars bochars & cokis For thay arn men on this molde that most harme worchen To the pore people that parcelmele beggyn 72 For thay poyson the people privylich well ofte And Rychen through regraterye & Rentis hem byen Of that the pore people Schuld putt in her wombe For toke thay not vntrewly thay tymberid not so hye 76 Ne bowghte no burgages be ye well certeyne’’ Text B; sub-class a MS. adopted as the basis of the text, and denoted in the footnotes by L. XIII. MS. Laud Misc. 581 (Oxford); described in Pref. B. p. vi. The best copy of the B-text, carefully corrected. I still adhere to my opinion that it may indeed be the author's autograph copy. “‘ſ Meires and maceres that menes ben bitwene 76 pe kynge and be comune to kepe the lawes To punySchen on pillories and pynynge stoles Brewesteres and bakesteres bocheres and cokes |Por bise aren men on bis molde bat moste harme worcheth 80 To the pore peple bat parcel mele buggen * For they poysoun be peple priueliche and oft Theirychen borw regraterye and rentes hem buggen With bat be pore people shulde put in here wombe 84 For toke bei on trewly bei tymbred nough so heige Ne bougte non burgages be 3e ful certeyne” Text B; sub-class a (!). Not collated. XVII. MS. Ashburnham CXXIX; described in Pref. B. p. xv. This MS. agrees closely (as far as I have observed it) with the B-text as printed from MS. XIII. It retains the passage (B. xvi. 56–91) which MS. XXII and others onlit. It has plurals in -us occasionally, and sometimes the verbal-endings -un and -ud for -en and -ed. “Meires and macers bat menes be bitwene 76 pe kyng and be comune to kepen be lawes To punisshen on pilories and pynynge stoles Brewsters and baksteres bochers and cokus For bise arn men on bis molde bat most harm worcheth 80 To be pore peple pat parcelmele buggen MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. I 3 For bei poysoun be peple priueliche and ofte pei richen porw regraterie ' and rentes hem biggen With bat be pore peple shulde putte in hire wombes 84 For took bei on truly bei tymbred nou;t so heige Ne bougte non burgages be ye ful certéin’ ” Text B; sub-class a ; but with additional (genuine) passages, which nearly agree with Text C. Collated throughout, and denoted by R. XIV. MS. Rawl. Poet. 38, in the Bodleian Library; described in Pref. B. p. xi. Four leaves of this M.S. are in MS. Lansdowne 398, in the British Museum. “Meyres and maceeres : bat menes ben by-twene. 76 pe kyng and be comowne : to kepe be lawes. To ponysch vppon pilaries : and pynynge stoles. Brewsteres and bakesteres : bocheres and kokes. For bese aren men vppon bis molde : bat moste harme werchen. 80 To be pouere poeple : bat parcelmel buggen. And also poysene be poeple : priuelich and ofte. pei richen thor; regratrie : and rentes hem buggeth. with that be pouer poeple : Schulde putte in here wombe. 84 For toke bei on trewely : bei tymbrede noujt so hey3e. Ne bougte none burgage : be ye ful certeyne” Text B; sub-class b. Partly collated, and denoted by Y. XVI. MS. in the possession of H. Yates Thompson, Esq., of Iiverpool; described in Pref. B. p. xiv. A fair text, the spelling of which resembles the printed text, but it has a few various readings, in which it resembles those of the same sub-class. “Maires and maceres that menes ben bitwene 76 The kyng & the comune to kepe the lawes To punysshen on pilories and pynyng stoles Erewesters and Baxsters bochers and Cookes Eor thise aren men on this molde pat most harme worcheth 80 To the pore peple that parcelmele buggen For they poysen the peple priueliche and ofte They richen thorugh regraterie and rentes hem buggen With that be pouere peple sholde put in hir wombe 84 For took they on trewely they tymbred nougt so heigh Ne boughte non burgages be ye ful certeyn" Text B; sub-class b. Not collated. XXI. MS. Camb. Univ. Lib. Gg. 4. 31 ; described in Prof. B. p. xxiii. A late and sometimes faulty copy from a fair text, which has many readings in common with the preceding. “meyres & maces that meynes be betwene 76 the kyng & the commvnes to kepe the lawes to punnyſſhen on pylloryes & pynyng ſtoles P. PLOWMAN, NO. 17. I3 14 MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. brewſters & baksters bochers and kokes for thes are men on thys mold bat moſt hvrte worchen 80 to the pore people that percellmeyle beggen - for they poyſen the poeple pryuyleche & oft they ryſen thrvgh regratrye & rentes them byggen with that p" poere poeple ſhvld pytt In theyre wombes 84 For tooke they not vntryely they tymbred not ſo hye ne boght no byrgagys by p" certeyne.” Text B; sub-class b ; imperfect. Collated throughout ; see footnotes marked C. XXII. MS. Camb. Univ. Lib. Dd. 1. 17 ; described in Pref. B. p. xxiii. Remarkable for its omission of the passage in B. xvi. 56–91; for some other omissions, for additions of a few lines of doubtful authority, and for the frequent occurrence in it of Northern forms. See e.g. worches in 1.80 below. “Maires and maceres that menes ben bitwene 76 The kyng and be comune to kepe the lawes To puniſſhen on pilories and pynyng ſtoles Breweſters and baxters bowchers and cookes For thyſe aren men of this molde bat moſt harm worches 80 To the pore pepyle that percelmele buggen For thay poiſon the pepyle priueliche and oft bey richen thurgh regraterie and rentes hem buggen With bat be pore pepyle shulde put in hir wombe 84 For tooke thay on trewely thay tymbred nough ſo hei; Ne bougte non burgages be ye ful certeyne.” Mia!ed Teact: part of Text B, sub-class b, imperfect; together with part of Text C. See footnotes marked B both in B-text and C-text, and some of the Critical Notes, B. pp. 391—395. XXIII. MS. Bodley 814; described in Pref. B. p. xxv ; cf. Critical Note on B. ii. 121, p. 391. Remarkable for its omission of the passage in B. xvi. 56–91; for the mixture of C-text (Passus i, Pass. ii and part of Pass. iii) with B-text (part of Pass. ii and Pass. iii—xx); and for numerous corrupt readings. “Maires and maceris ' bat menes ben bitwene 76 be kyng and be comune to kepe be lawis To punische on pilories and pynyng stolis Brewsteris and baksteris bocheris and cokis For pise arn men of bis molde bat most harm worchip 80 To be pore peple bat parcelle mele biggen For bei poisone be peple priuelyche and ofte bei richen burgh regratrie and rentis hem bieggen Wip bat be pore peple shulde putte in her wombe 84 For toke bei on trewely bei tymbrid not so hige Ne boughten none burgagis bi be ful certeyne.” MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. 15 Mia!ed Teact : part of Text B, sub-class b, imperfect ; together with part of Text C. Not actually collated, yet practically repre- sented by the footnotes marked B both in B-text and C-text. XXIV. MS. Additional 10574; described in Pref. B. p. xxvi. This is little else than a mere duplicate of the preceding, and written by the same scribe. The note in Mr. Wright's edition, Introd. p. xxxvii (note 24), as to the identity of this MS. with that used by Dr. Whitaker, is erroneous; see Pref. C. Observe how closely this extract agrees with the preceding, especially in the odd spelling bleggem in 1. 83, and in the false reading bi be in l. 86. “Maires and maceris bat menes ben b1twene 76 The kyng and be comune to kepe be lawes To punche on pilories and pynyng stolis Brewsters and baksteris bocheris and cokis For pise arm men of pis molde pat most harm worchip 80 To be pore peple pat parcelle mele bieggen For bei poisone be peple priueliche and ofte pei richen purgh regratrie and rentis hem bieggen Wip bat be pore peple shulde putte in hire wombe 84 For toke bei on trewely , bei tymbrid not so hige Ne bougten none burgagis bi be fulle certeyne.” Mixed Teact : part of Text B, sub-class b, imperfect; together with part of Text C. Not actually collated, yet practically repre- sented by the footnotes marked B both in B-text and C-text. XXV. M.S. Cotton, Caligula A. xi (B. M.); described in Pref. B. p. xxvii. Apparently a copy of one of the two preceding, with both of which it very closely agrees. In the readings brewsteris (1.79) and her (l. 84) it follows MS. XXIII, not MS. XXIV. “Meires and maceris that menys ben by twen 76 the kyng and the commune to kepe the lawes to punsche on pilories and pynyng stolis brewsteris & bakesteris bocheris and cokes for these arn men of this molde that most harm worcheth 80 to the pore peple that parcelle mele byggen for thei poysen the peple priuylich and ofte theirichen thorgh regraterie and rentis hym byggen with that the pore peple shulde putte in her wombe 84 for tok thei on trewly thei tymbred mat so hy;e ne boughtte none burgages by the ful certeyne.” Text B; sub-class c. Collated throughout, and denoted in the foot- notes by 0. XVIII. MS. Oriel LXXIX; described in Pref. B. p. xvi. A neat and good copy, of which four leaves have been unfortunately Iost, so that the passages in xvii. 96–340, and xix. 276–355 are wanting. JB 2 16 MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. “Meires & mayStres bat menes been bitwene 76 pe kyng & be comunes to kepe wel be lawes To punySchen on pyleries & pynynge stoolis Breusters & bakesters bochers & cokis For beise arn men on bis molde bat moost harm worchen 80 To be pore peple bat parcelmele biggen For bei punyschen be peple priueylich & ofte pei richen poru; regraterie & rentis hem biggen Wib bat be pore peple schulde putte in her wombe 84 For toke bei on º bei tymbreden not so hye Ne bougte moon burgages be 3e ful certeyn.” Text B; sub-class c. Collated wherever the Oriel MS. fails, and denoted by C2. See also vol. ii. p. 421. XIX, MS. Ll. 4. 14 in the Cambridge University Library. Apparently copied from the Oriel MS. when perfect, thus preserving the passages which are wanting in that MS. Comparison of the two copies at once shows many similarities in the spelling. “Meyrs and may ſtres menes be bitwyne 76 The kynge & p" Comunes to kepe well p" lawes To punnyſſhen on pyleries & pynynge ſtolis brouſters & bakers bocheris and cokis For beſe arn men on bis molde bat moſte harm worchen 80 To be pore peple pat parcellmele biggen For bei punnyſchen p" peple preuylich & ofte bei richen poru; regraterie & rentes hem biggin With bat bº pore peple ſhuld put in here wombe 84 For toke bei on truly bei tymbred not ſo hie Ne bougte non burgages be 3e Full Certeyne.” s- Text B; sub-class d. Most of the important readings are given in the Critical Notes; B. pp. 387–420. XV.” MS. first printed by Robert Crowley A.D. 1550; now lost. See Pref. B. p. xxxi.; and p. xiv, footnote 2. The extract is here given as it stands in Crowley's first edition. Erom ‘The Vision of Pierce Plowman, now fyrste imprynted by Roberte Crowley, 1505 [1550].” “Maires and Maceris that meanes be betwene 76 The Kynge and the comon to kepe the lawes To punnyshen on pyleries and pynning stoles IBrusterrs and bakesters, bochers and cokes Eor these ar men on this mold y' most harme worketh 80 To the pore people that percel mele byghe For they poyson the people priuilie and ofte They richen thrughe Regratrie & rentis hem bighen With y' the pore people should put in here wombes 84 For toke they all trulie they tymbred not so high Ne bought no burgages be they full certen.” MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. 17 The following variations occur in the second impression, also dated 1550. 76. Mayres and masters, 77. common. 78. punnyshe, pylaries, pyrºnynge. 79. Brusters, bouchers. 81. percell meale. 82. poysen, prively, oft. 83. through regratry, rentes. 84. her. 85. #ruely, tºmbred, hygh. 86. be ye. The third impression, also dated 1550, has all these variations, except that it has punyshe (with one m) in l. 78; moreover, it has byſſhen in 1. 83. The edition printed by Owen Rogers in 1561 has all the variations of the above third impression, and these following additional ones. 81. poore. 84. shoulde. 85. truly. Text B; sub-class d. A mere transcript (not quite an exact one) of Rogers's edition of 1561, and therefore a more corrupt copy of the foregoing. XXVII. MS. No. 201 in Caius College, Cambridge; described in Pref. B. p. xxx. Of no value. “Mayres and maiſters that meanes be betwene 76 The king & the common to kepe the lawes To punysche on pyluries and pynnyng stoles Bruſters and bakeſters bouchers and cokes For theſe ar men on this mould yat most harme worketh 80 To the poore people that percell-meale bigge For they poyſon the people privily and ofte They richen through regratry & rentes hem biggen With that the poore people ſhould put in her wombes 84 For tooke they all truly they tymbrid not ſo high Ne bought no burgages be ye full certen.” Text B; sub-class d. Collated throughout ; see footnotes marked W. XV. MS. Trin. Coll. Camb. B. 15. 17; described in Pref. B. p. xiii. Printed in extenso by Mr. Wright." A remarkably good MS. “Maires and Maceres pat menes ben bitwene 76 The kyng and be comune to kepe be lawes To punysshe on Pillories and pynynge stooles Brewesters and Baksters Bochiers and Cokes For bise are men on bis molde bat moost harm werchep 80 To be pouere peple bat percelmele buggen For bei enpoisone be peple pryueliche and ofte Thei richen poru; regratrie and rentes hem biggen Wip bat be pouere peple sholde putte in hire wombe S4 For toke bei on trewely bei tymbred nougt so heige Ne bou;te none burgages be ye ful certeyne.” * The few errata in Mr. Wright's edition are enumerated in Pref. B. pp. xxxvii, Xxxviii. 18 MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. Text B; Sub-class uncertain, but either a, b, c, or d. Not collated. XX. MS. Ashburnham CXXX; described in Preface B. p. xxi. A faulty copy, with attempted “corrections,” which seem to be taken from Crowley's printed edition. It contains also a fragment of Piers the Plowman, viz. B. ii. 208—iii. 72, which is quite distinct (and different) from the complete copy. “Meyres and mercers' that menes ben by twene 76 The kyng and the comune to kepe the lawes To punyūchc on pyloryco and pynyngo Stoles Brewesters and baksters bochers & cokes For bese arne men of this molde that moste harme wurcheth 80 To the poore peple that parcelmel beggen . . . . . . . . . no gap in the MS.] Wyth that the poore peple Schulde putten in here wombe 84 For tooke they on treuly they tymbred nougth so hye Ne bouhten no burgages be 3e fuh certayn.” Text T3; sub-class e. Not collated. XXVI. MS. Corpus Christi Coll. (Oxford) CCI; described in Pref. B. p. xxvii. Contains several additional lines, which are often spurious. The manner of division of the poem into Passus is wholly different from that of every other MS. “Mey}res with here Macerys' bat meenys been be-twene 76 be kyng & be Commonys to kepen wel be lawys & punySSchyn Vpoil pylory & on pynynge stolys Bobe websteres & bakesterys & bocheres & Cooky's For po are men vpon moolde bat mest harm wirche 80 To be poore peple bat percel-meel byggyn & poysene be peple pryvyly & softe pey richen borou regratrye & rentys hem byggyn with bat be pore peple sholde pytte in here wombe 84 For tooke bey on trewly bey tymbred not so hy;e Ne bowhte no bargayn be be fulle serteyn.” Text B; sub-class f. With alterations. Not collated. XXVIII. MS. Phillipps 8252; described in Pref. C. p. xix; as it was not at first perceived to belong to the B-type. In fact, it is a mixed teat, being chiefly of the B-type, with a few additions from the C-text, made in quite a different way to those which appear in MS. Tawl. 38. This is well shown by the description of “Wrath” printed by Dr. Whitaker; see my remarks. It is much corrupted, and of little value. “Mayres & macers that menes are by twene 76 pe kyng & be comunes to kepe be lawes Shold ponysshe on pylories and pynnyng stoles * “mercers” is written over an erasure. MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. 19 Brewers and bakers bochers and kokes For bes are men in bis world bat moost harm warky's 80 To be pore peple [.. . . . . . . . . . o e ... no gap in MS.] pryvily and ofte pei were riche burgh regratrye & bye hem meny rentes With bat bat be pore peple shold put in here wombe 84 Toke bei on trewly bei tymbryd not so hye Ne boght so meny bargaynes be 3e wele certeyn.” Text C ; sub-class a. Taken as the basis of C-text, and denoted by P. XXIX, MS. Phillipps 8231 (formerly Heber 973); described in Pref. C. p. xix. Printed (not without many mistakes) by Dr. Whitaker, and now reprinted. The best MS. of this type. “3ut mede myldeliche be meyre hure bysouhte, #. shereues" and seriauns” and suche as kepep lawes To punyshen on pillories and on pynyng stoles As bakers and brewers bouchers and 8 Cokes 80 For bees men dop most harme to be mene puple Richen borw regratrye and rentes hem byggen Whit bat be poure puple sholde putten in hure womben For toke bey on triweliche they tymbrid mat so heye 84 Noper bouhten hem burgages be 3e ful certayn.” Text C ; sub-class a. Collated throughout, and denoted by E. XXX. MS. Laud 656, in the Bodleian Library; described in Pref. C. p. xxiv. Almost a duplicate of the preceding. The auto- type fac-simile issued with vol. iii, represents a page of this MS. “3ut mede myldelich : be mere 30 bysougt i. schereues & seriauns : & Stiche as kepeb lawes To punyschen on pillories : & on pynynge stoles As bakers & breweres : boucheres & cokes 80 For pis men dop most harme : to be mene peple Richen pro; regraterie ; and rentes hem biggen With bat be pore peple : scholde puten in here women (sic) For toke bey on trewelich : bei tymbred most so heye 84 Nober bogten burgages : be 3e ful certayn.” Mixed teact: partly Text C, sub-class a. Denoted by Z. Not fully collated. XXXI. MS. Bodley 851; described in Pref. C. p. xxx. A remarkable MS., agreeing very closely (in the latter part) with the printed text. But the former part, which approaches the B-type, is corrupt and valueless. The C-text begins with Pass. xi. [The selected passage is not extant in this MS.] * “shereves" in Whitaker. * “serjiauns” in Whitaker. 3 “& '' in Whitaker. 20 MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS IPLOWMAN. Text C ; sub-class a. Imperfect. Collated as far as it goes, and denoted by S. XXXV. M.S. no. 293 in the library of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. Described in Pref. C. p. xli. Observe the forms askup, ſtepun, kokus, buggun, burgagus, &c. , 66 3. men ſcholde leue mede & do bat reſoun aſkub ope ſchereues & ſeriauntes & ſwiche as kepun lawes To punchen on piloryus & pynnynge ſtoles As lakeles & lyreuerés bochcres & kokud For peſe men dop moſt harm to be comune peple Ryche poru; regraterye rentes hem buggun With bat pé pore peple ſcholde putte in here wombe For toke bey ſo trewly bey tymbred nat ſo hye 84 Noper boghte burgagus be 3e ful certayn.” 8 ſ) --- Text C ; sub-class a, Imperfect. Partly collated; denoted by G. XXXVI. MS. Dd. 3. 13 in the Camb. Univ. Library. Often resembles the Corpus MS. above. Described in Pref. C. p. xlii. “3et mede myldely mayrys by soughte i. ſchereuys & seriaunty's and suche as kepyb lawes To puneſchen upon pyleryes & pennynge ſtoles Ase bakers & brewers bochers & cokys 80 For bees men don moſt harm to be mene peple Ryche men bourgh regratrye & rentys hem biggen Wyb bat be poure peple ſcholde put yn here wombes For tok bey on trewly bey timbred nouxt so hy;e - 84 Noper bow;ten burgagys beo 3eo ful certain.” Text C ; sub-class a. Not collated. ; XLI. MS. D. 4. 1 in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin ; described in Pref. C. p. xlviii. “And mede myldely be meyre scho by-Sowte Bothe schereues and sergans and suche as kepep lawes To punySchen on pylory's and on pynnyngstoles As bakeres and brewers bochcres and kokes 80 For pes men dop most harm to be mene people Rechen throw regraterye and rentes hem buggen With bat be poere people schold putten in here wombe For tok bei on trewly bey tymbred nat so hye 84 Nowper bowten borgages be 3e ful certayn.” * Text C ; sub-class a. The latest MS. of this type, but occasionally exhibiting a fair text. Not collated. XLII. MS. Bibl. Reg. 18 B. xvii, in the British Museum. [Contains also the “Crede.”] Described in Pref. C. p. xlviii. “Yet mede myldlich the mayre she be-sought bothe shryves and sergans and such that kepeth lawes MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. to punyshen on pylloryes & on pynyng stoles As bakers and brewers Bochers and Cokes 21 80 1 for these are men on this mowlde that moste harm woorketh 1 for they pey to the poore people that percell meale bighe *for they poyson the people pryvely and ofte They enrichen thorugh regratry and rentis hem bighen with that the pore puple shulde putten in her wombes for toke they on trewly they tymbreden nought so hye neyther boughten no burgages be ye full certeyne.” 84 Mized Teact : but mostly a C-text, sub-class b ; from C. ii. 1 onwards. Denoted by I. A passage in it (C. x. 75–281) occurs twice over ; readings from the second copy are denoted by I. XXXII. MS. Ilchester; described in Pref. C. p. xxxiii. perfect and peculiar, but of considerable value. “3it meede be mayr myldeliche he bisoghte #. Schirrifs and Sergeantz and suche as kepeb bº lawes To punySchen Vpon pylories and vpon pynyng stoles as bakers and brewers bochers and Cookes * For these men don most harme to be mene peple Richen thurgh regraterye and rentes hem beggep Wip bat be pouere poeple Schulde putten in here wombe For tooke pay on trewely pay tymbred nat so heie me boghten none burgages be 3e ful certeyn.” Text C ; sub-class b. Not collated. Im. 80 84 XXXIX, MS. Digby 102, in the Bodleian Library; described in Pref. C. p. xlvi. Imperfect at the beginning, and the lines are written continuously (like prose), but divided into lines by red strokes, and into half-lines by red marks like inverted semi-colons. Begins with the words “of notaries” (iii. 156). Exhibits many readings similar to those of the Ilchester MS. above. “3ut mede the mayre : myldeliche sche by-souhte/ Bote Shyreues and Seriaunt; ; and suche as kepeth lawes/ To puneschen v3pen pylories ; and Vppon pynyng stoles/ As bakeres & brewers : bocheres & cokes | For thyse men don most harm : to the mene peple / Rychen thorw regraterye : and rentes hem biggeth | With that the pore peple : sholde putte in here wombes | For tok they on trewly : they tymbrede mat so heye / Ne bouhte none burghgages : be 3e ful certeyn ſ” Text C ; sub-class b. Not collated. 80 84 XXXVIII. MS. Douce 104; described in Pref. C. p. xlv. Abounds with rudely drawn pictures. “3it mede be meyre mildely be-so;th Bob shereues & Sariauntes & Such as kepep be law * These three lines are reduced to one in the C-text proper. Cf. B-text, 22 - MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. To punchen oppon pilories & oppon pynnyng stoles" As bakers & brewers bouchers & kokes 80 For bos men dop most harme to be mene pepil Ry3th progth regratry rentes ham byggip With bat be pore pepil schuld put in har wombe For tok bei euer trewly bai tymbrid no;th so hey 84 Nebojth no;th burgages be 3e ful certayn.” Mia!ed Teact: partly Text, C, sub-class b. Only in the latter part, beginning at C. xii. 297. Collated from p. 213 onwards. Denoted by T. III. MS. Trin. Coll. Cam. R. 3. 14; described in Pref. A. p. xviii, and Pref. C. p. xxxviii. See p. 9 above. [Eactract already given.] Mia!ed Teact : partly Text C, sub-class b. Only in the latter part, beginning at C. xii. 297. Not collated for the C-text. W. MS. Harl. 6041, in the British Museum ; described in Pref. A. p. xx; and Pref. C. p. xxxviii. See p. 9 above. Closely resembles the preceding. [Extract already given.] Mixed Teact: partly Text C, sub-class b (!). From C. xiii. 1 to the end. Not collated. XLIV. MS. in the possession of the Duke of Westminster. Closely resembles the two preceding MSS. See p. 10 above. |Ea:tract already given.] Mæed Teat: partly Text C, sub-class b (!). Only in the latter part, beginning at C. xii. 297. Not collated. X. MS. Digby 145, in the Bodleian Library; described in Pref. A. p. xxiv, and Pref. C. p. xxxviii. See p. 12 above. [Extract already given.] Maced Teact : partly Text C, sub-class b. Only near the beginning, as far as C. iii. 128. Denoted by B. XXIII. MS. Bodley 814; described in Pref. B. p. xxv, and IPref. C. p. xxxviii. See p. 14 above. [Ea:tract already given.] 1 Indistinct; apparently “stokes,” instead of “stoles;" due to the next line ending with “kokes.” MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. 23 Mia!ed Teact: partly Text C, sub-class b: Only near the beginning, as far as C. iii. 128. XXIV. MS. Additional 10574; described in Pref. B. p. xxvi, and Pref. C. p. xxxix. See p. 15 above. [Eactract already given.] Mixed Teact : partly Text C, sub-class b, as above. XXV. MS. Cotton, Caligula A. xi (British Museum); described in Pref. B. p. xxvii, and Pref. C. p. xxxix. See p. 15 above. [Eactract already given.] Text C ; (perhaps) sub-class a. A disappointing MS. Not collated ; or it would have been denoted by N. XL, MS. Harl. 2376, in the British Museum ; described in Pref. C. p. xlvii. It is there shown to be a faulty copy. “3it mede myldely be mayr hyre by-sought Bob Scherefys & seriauntes & hem bat kepep lawes Some punysseheb op-on pileryes & on pynyng stoles As bakers & brewers bouchers & koukes 80 For bes men dop most harm to be comen peple Rycheb borow regratrye & rentes hem bygges With bat be powre peple scholde put in here wombe For hy touke so vntruly hy tymbred noub so hye;e 84 Some bougte burgages be 3e ful certayne.” Text C ; sub-class c. Intermediate to sub-classes a and b. Imperfect. Partly collated; denoted by K. XXXVII. MS. Digby 171, in the Bodleian Library, Oxford. Described in Pref. C. p. xliii. “3ut Mede myldely marie heo by-sougt Bobe ſchereues and ſeriauns and ſuche as kepeb lawes To punyſchen vpon be pilories and on pynyngſtoles As bakeres and bruweres bochours and cokes 80 For beſe men dop moſt harm to be mene people Richen pour; regraterie and rentes hem biggen wib bat be poure people ſchulde putten in here wombe For toke bei truwely bey tymbred not ſo hey; 84 Nother bougten borgages beo 3ee fulcertayn.” Text C ; sub-class d. Approaches more nearly to sub-class a than to sub-class b. Collated throughout, and denoted by M. XXXIII. MS. Cotton, Vespasian B. xvi, in the British Museum. Described in Pref. C. p. xxxix. “I gut mede bat maide be meir sche bi-sou;te Bobe Schereues and sergauntz and swiche as lawes kepen 24 MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. To punissche on pilaries and in penyng stoles As bakers and brueres bocheres and cokes 80 For bese men don most harm to be mene peple Rechen borw regratrie ' and rentes hem biggen Wip bat be pore peple schulde putte in hedre wombe * For token bei treweli bei stieden nougt so hige 84 And bougten hem no burgages be he wel sure.” Text C ; sub-class e. Varies considerably from sub-classes a and b. Imperfect; collated as far as it goes; denoted by F. XXXIV. MS. Ff. 5. 35 in the Camb. Univ. Library. Missing passages—C. viii. 265 to x. 181, and C. xiv. 94 to xvi. 178. Described in Pref. C. p. xl. - - “But 3it mede myldely be meyr heo befougte bobe ſchereues & ſeriauntes and ſuche as kepeth lawes to puny ſche on pileryes & on pynnyng ſtoles bakers & brewers bocheres & cokes 80 for beſe doth moſt harm to be commune peple: richen burw regraterye & rentes hem biggeth with bat be pore peple ſcholde putte in herº wombe for toke bei al trewly bei tymbred mat ſo hye 84 nober bigge burgages be 3e ful certayn.” Text C ; sub-class doubtful. Not collated. XLIII. MS. Phillipps 9056 (formerly Heber 974). Described in Pref. C. p. xlix. “3et mede be maide mildeliche bisou;t Bobe shire-reues and sergauntes and suche as kepep be lawes To punishen vppan pileries & pynyng stoles Ac (sic) bakers and brewers bochers and cokes 80 For bese men don most harme to be mene peple Richen bru; regratrie and rent hem biggep Wip bat be pore peple schuld putte in her wombe For But bei wonne so vntrewly bei build noujt so heige 84 Ne her auncestres neiper be 3e ful certein Boujt non Burgages ne suché gret places.” 1 The last two lines are corruptly spun out of one line in the original. MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. 25 DESCRIPTIONS OF Mss. XLIV AND XLV. XLIV. In the Preface to the C-text, p. 1, I explained that this MS. was not accessible at the time of writing the descriptions of the MSS. I have lately applied again to the Duke of Westminster, who has most courteously allowed me the full use of the MS., so that I am now enabled to describe it accurately, as well as to give the extract printed above. There are three vellum fly-leaves at the beginning and end, but these form no part of the original MS. ; on one of them is written “Richard Grosvenor,” in a hand of the seventeenth century. The MS. itself is neatly written on parchment, in a handwriting of (as I suppose) the former half of the fifteenth century. It con- sists of 9 quires of 8 leaves each, followed by a quire of 6 leaves; thus the whole number of leaves is 78. The size of each page is 11 inches by 7% inches, and the usual number of lines in a page is 41. The poem ends on the front of leaf 76, and is succeeded by 7 lines in alliterative verse in a later hand, of no value. At the end is the colophon—Explicit tractatus uiri' piers plowman nominatus. Leaves 77 and 78 are blank, as well as the back of leaf 76. The text, like that of MS. T., is not all of one type, but has been made up from two others. The former part is of the A-type, which ends on fol. 31a with the line (A. xi. 303)— Wip-oute penance at here partyng in-to be hie blysse. The Latin quotation breuis oratio penetrat celum is wanting, though there is just room for one more line on the page. On turning over the leaf we find the line (C. xiii. 1)— Allas I say quod olde (sic) and holynesse bobe. The former part of the MS. tends to agreement with MSS. T and D, but the text is somewhat disappointing, with numerous variations and corruptions. Yet the copy must have been made (ultimately at least) from an excellent original, and many of the readings are of con- siderable interest, at any rate to myself. The very peculiarities of the MS. give it a special value. The scribe sometimes omits lines, amongst which I may notice A. i. 5 (and part of 6), A. i. 168, A. iii. 262, 263, A. v. 96, 163, 167, 197, A. vi. 31, A. vii. 96, 125, 227, 228, 282– 284, 286, A. viii. 105, 106, A. ix. 12, A. x. 64, 67, 81, 82, 117, 186, 210; besides the lines which are marked in the footnotes as existing “in H only.” But he also inserts lines, most of which really belong to the B-text. Thus, in place of A. i. 112, he gives us B. i. 113– 116; after A. i. 129, he inserts B. i. 139 (and Latin) and 140; after A. ii. 68, he inserts B. ii. 79–82, 84, 87, 93–95, 99, 100; in place * This word is almost illegible, and I only guess at it. The MS. seems to have 3 down-strokes (= ui), with a fourth down-stroke (= contraction for in 7) above the central one. 26 MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. of A. ii. 93, he gives us B. ii. 124; in place of A. iv. 100–108, he gives us B. iv. 113–125; after A. iv. 145, he inserts B. iv. 165— 170; after A. v. 33, he inserts B. v. 36–41 ; after A. v. 39, we get IB. v. 49–56; after A. v. 42, we get B. v. 60; after A. v. 69, we get B. v. 84–93; and so on. What is still more extraordinary, is the occasional introduction of lines of the C-type; thus, after A. ii. 20, we find the insertion of two lines answering to C. iii. 28, 29; and after A. ii. 143, we find C. iii. 185–188. These insertions are the more remarkable because they do not occur in MS. T., to which the MS. here described bears a tolerably close general resemblance. The scribe has made a singular mistake at the beginning of Passus VII, which commences thus:— Cessep now quod be kyng I suffre 3ow no lengere. This is the first line of Passus IV, wrongly repeated, as if he was going to rewrite a portion of his task. But he at once discovered the error, and proceeds with A. vii. 1 at Once, as if nothing had happened. The most noteworthy variation occurs at A. xi. 163, where the scribe makes Passus XI come to an end, and inserts a new rubric ; thus:— Tercius passus de dowel. I went wightly my way wip-oute more lettyng ; &c. In some instances the scribe has inferior readings which impair the alliteration; in others, he supports many of the emendations which I have already made in the text. It would be tedious to give further details about the various readings; I will therefore merely cite a few specimens. In A. prol. 34, this MS. has gylously (for giltles); in A. i. 10, the latter half of the line is—so faire was here lyre"; in A. V. 14, the latter half of the line is—pat so loude blew”; in A. v. 67, the former half of the line is—Al forbolme * for angre; A. v. 88 runs thus—after pat I crie as cofº pat god guf hem sorwe; A. v. 166 ends with—and kitte pe kempstere”; A. v. 242 begins with—Robyn." pe robbour. A. vi. begins with— it were pere fewe men be way peder coupe, ut blostred forb as bestes progh baches" and hilles. At the end of Passus VIII there is a rubric of some importance, viz. Sequitur prologus de dowel, dobett, et dobest. This shows that Passus ' lyre = lere, hue, mien. * This loses the mark of the date of the poem. * forbolme = forbollen, greatly swollen; from Icel. bolginn, swollen, with the intensive prefix for-; a forcible and rare word. * Again, A. vii. 104 strangely ends with—carped of cof worde. Cof (A.S. cdf) = keen, quick; as cof, very quickly; cof occurs nowhere else in Pier8 Plowman. e- * kempstere = kembstere, a woman who combs wool; see Prompt. Parv. ; nowhere else in our poem. * Seems like an allusion to Robin Hood ; so again in A. vii. 66. * For progh read ouer ; but baches is the right reading. See C. viii. 159. MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. 27 IX (A) is really a new Prologue, and accounts for the counting of Passus X as Passus primus de dowel. Of the latter part of the MS. it may suffice to say that many of its readings agree with those of S and G, sometimes with those of T, M, or F; it almost invariably differs from P and E, wherever these differ from the rest. A few lines are occasionally omitted in this portion also, viz. C. xiii. 3, 94, 105–107, 206; xiv. 45, 82, 242; xv. 18, 19, 63, 78, 122, 145; xvi. (part of) 111 and 112, 126, 210, 259, 263, 280, 281, 285, 288, 289, 303; xvii. 129, 264, 267; xviii. 116, 164, 178–180, 283, 290; xix. 159; xx. 69; xxi. 100, 255; &c. Some of these lines are omitted in other MSS., as has been already noted. The most important omission is on the back of leaf 35, where there is a gap of 66 lines (C. xiv. 110–175 inclusive) just before the fifth line from the bottom of the page. This affords positive proof that the latter part of this MS. was copied from an older one which had lost a leaf here, each page of which contained 33 lines (a common number). I note a few curious readings. We find Vpholsters, C. xiii. 218; and chynchen" but pei geten, xiii. 227 (latter half); I se wymmen misdo in werk and in Speche bothe,” xiv. 190; or pe licour in his coppe, xv. 185 (latter half); bodyngs” (for poddynges), xvi. 66; twynkeled * (for preymte), xvi. 121; Ne citalon" me gitaron" ne synge wip be crowpe," xvi. 208; Odibile bonum (instead of Distinctio paupertatis), xvii. 121 ; and here tail- ends als, xvii. 258 (latter half); shoris" (for shoriers), xix. 20, 25; Sondrylopes” (for surlepes), xix. 193; smother,” smoper (for smorpre), xx. 305, 323; antrous,” xxi. 14; teyned” (for tenden), xxi. 250; patred 14 (for parled), xxi. 281 ; astaroth” (for astrot), xxi. 289; deceyuedest 19 (for troiledest), xxi. 321 ; ytrolled (for troiled)," xxi. 334; &c. 1 chynchen, are niggardly; see Prompt. Parv. Not the right reading, but a curious word, occurring nowhere else in our poem. * A very remarkable and unfair variation. * I. e. puddings; F. bouding. 4 I. e. winked; see Prompt. Parv. * Play on the cittern ; a rare verb, occurring nowhere else in our poem. * Play on the gittern (the same instrument); a rare verb. 7 Fiddle ; a Welsh word; nowhere else in our poem. * I. e. marking on a tally, reckoning ; see the Glossary. ° Mod. E. shores, i. e. props. * For Sundrilepes, with the same force as surlepes = Serlepes; a rare * This gives the etymology of smother, which stands for smoºther. * Showing that auntrous is the right reading. * A strange form. * See Pierce the Ploughman's Crede, l. 4. Hence astrot really means Ashtaroth, A gloss upon froiledest, * Cf. B. xviii. 296. 28 MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. The following lines are curious. And ban frayned I at a byrde as he sat in his nest, 1 To knowe dowel, quod bat byrde and who it is, he saide (xiv. 220, 221). After C. xv. 194, the following five lines are inserted (as in S):— Iob was a panym ' & plesed atte best, And Aristotle also sewed be same sect, And ladde ful holy lyf aftre be lawe of kynde ; Wherfor it semeth Soply Sondre Sotels to sliewe That he was Saued so was Iob I can not say be sobe. These lines can hardly be genuine; they seem to be due to imperfect reminiscence of C. xiv. 15, xii. 216–220. XLV. A. M.S. in the possession of Sir Henry Ingilby, of Ripley Castle, Yorkshire. I am much indebted to Sir Henry Ingilby for kindly allowing me to inspect this MS. carefully, thus enabling me to give the extract printed above, and the very remarkable passage which I give in full below. The date of the MS. can hardly be earlier than the middle of the fifteenth century, and there can be little doubt (I am informed) that it once belonged to a collection of MSS. in Fountains Abbey. It contains other pieces besides Piers Plowman. 1. per woned a berne in babeloyne in pat burgh riche : ends— Of pe prophete. 44 pages. This is the piece commonly called the ‘Pistyl of Sweet Susan ; ' see the Select Remains of Scottish Poetry, ed. D. Laing, 1822. 2. In ilke synful man or woman bat is bounden in dedly synne.” 3. A treatise on the Active and Contemplative Life. (Probably by Hampole, as printed in English Prose Treatises of Richard Rolle de Hampole, ed. G. G. Perry, E. E. T. S., 1866.) The pieces 2 and 3 occupy about 21 pages. 4. Piers Plowman ; begins—In a summer sesyn whanne softe was pe Sumne. This copy, which appears to be imperfect in the middle, clearly belongs to the A-text; and, as far as I can judge without a very close examination, belongs to sub-class b, possessing several points of similarity with MS. U and with MS. Rawl. Poet. 137. It contains one passage of much value, viz. a large portion of I’assus XII, which I give at length below, on account of the great rarity of copies of this Passus. Hitherto, I have only found one complete copy, viz. that in MS. Rawl. Poet. 137, already printed (A-text, pp. 137*—141*). MS. U contains the first 19 lines, already collated. The Ingilby MS. contains 87 lines, answering to the first 83 lines of the Rawlinson MS. ; it omits one of these (l. 55), but, on the other hand, has five new lines, which are unique, not being extant in any other copy. At the first glance, 1 nest is due to misunderstanding muste. i. e. knew not. Hence the scribe had to alter both lines, without obtaining much sense after all. * Another copy in MS. W.; see B-text, Pref. p. xiii. MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. 29 I had hopes of recovering a new copy of the whole of this rare twelfth Passus, and was particularly anxious to see the exact point at which the Passus was completed; it was somewhat disappointing to find that just the last few lines, the most important, are wanting. It is clear that the scribe had an imperfect copy before him. He did his best, writing the last line upon a new page; but he evidently had no more to copy from, and had to leave the rest of the page blank. We want just 17 lines more, but they are not to be had from this Source. It is, however, a considerable gain that he has given us so much ; for we are now assured that this “Passus Tercius de Dowel” was the Passus with which the A-text originally concluded. As every scrap of information about this Passus is important from its rarity, I here give it as it stands in this MS., ? & twº...º.º.º.º. ) Passistercüş"de dowel. “Crist wote,” quod clergy,” “know it 3if the like, I haue don my deuer the dowele to teche ; Anſd] ho-so couetyth bene beter than the boke tellyth, He passyth the apostillis lyue & peryth to angelis. 4 But I se now, Iseye as mesoth thinkyth, The were leue for to lerne but loth for to stodye; Thou woldyst conym that I can & carpyn it after, Presumptuusly, par auenture aposyn so manye, 8 That myht turn me to tene & theologye bothin. 3if I wist witterly thou wyldyst don ther-after, Al that thou axist asoylyn I wolde.” Scornfullyche scripture tho schet vp her browes, 12 And on clergye criyd on cristye holy halue, That he it schewe me nout schold but I schriuen were Of the kynde cardenal & cristenyd in a founte ; And Seyd [it] so lowyd that schame me thowte, - 16 “That it wer scathe & Sclaunder to al holy cherche, Sethin teologye, that true is to tellyn it defendyth ; Dauid, goddy's derlyng defendith it also, Vidi prewaricantes, et tabescebam : “I sayhe synful,” he seyde therfor I Seyde no-thing, 20 Til tho wrecches ben in wille her synne to lete; - And powle preched it oftyn prestys it redyn, Audiwi archana verba, que non licet homini loqui : ‘I am not hardy,’ quod he of that I herd with erys - Tellyn it with tong ' to synful schrewys. 4. 24 And god grauntyd neuer the gospel it witnessith In the passyoun, how pylat aposyd god almyht, And axed iesu on hye ther herdyn it an hunderith, * Quid est veritas, quod he “veriliche tel vs " ' 28 4. Peryth, is a peer (to); a good puncted ; but name is right. reading. * 14. The reading I schºiuen is perhaps 9. Thorn, written “turun.” the right one. 12. Schet ; read set, 16. We must supply it. 13. MS. name halue, with name ea:- 22. Préched seems the better reading. P. PLOWMAN, No. 17. C 32. 33. 34. 41. 46. 48. ? & /4 ºz. MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. God 3af him none answere but gan his tung holde. Riſh]t so I rede,” quod sche “rede thou no ferthere Of that he 3ernyth to wyte wysse him no beter; For he cannouth be cause to lernym to dowele, 32 But als ho Seyth, swyche I am qwan he with men Iangelyth.” And qwan scripture the scolde had this scole schewyd, Clergy in-to caban crepe anone after, And drowe the dore to him & bad me go dowele, 36 Or wykly, 3if I wolde qwethir that me lykyd Than held vp myn hondes to scripture the wyse, To bene her man, 3if I most for euere-1110Fe aſler, With that sche wolde me wissyn qwere the toune were 40 That kynd wytte the confessoure her kynnysman was Inne That lady than lowheon me • & lawht me in her armys, And Seyd, “my cosyn kynd wit knowyn is ful wyde And is lyggyng with lyfe that lorde is of erthe. 44 And 3if thou desyre with him for to dwelle, I schâl the wyssyn wynlyche qwere that he dwellyth.” And than I knelyd on my knes' & kyssyd here fete Sone, A thowsyng tymes I thankyd hire with throbbyng hert. 48 Sche callyd a clergyn than that hiſh]te Omnia-probate a pore thing with-alle ; “Thou schalt wendyn with wille” quod sche, “qwyl him lykyth, Tyl 3e come to the bo[rojwhe quod-bonum-est-tenete; 52 Kenne him to my cosynys howce that kynde wit hiſh]te ; Sey I sent him this segge & that he schew him dowele.” I went forth in my wey with omnia-probate; 56 Er I kam to the contreyys quod-bonum-est-temete, Many ferlyys me befel in a fewe 3eris, The fyrst ferly I fonde an-hunger[d] it me made, And I than [3ede] thorow 3owthe ageyn prime dayes. 60 I stode stil in a stody & stared a-boute ; “Al heyle,” quod on thoo I Seyd, “welcom and with hom be Owe ?” “I * dwellyng with deth & hunger I hyſh]te ; To lyf & his lordschep longyth my weye, 64 To kyllyn him, 3if I can ; thei kynde wit helpe, I schalle fellyn that freyke in a fewe dayes.” ” quod I “but fayntys me hentith, “I wold folwyn the fayne, For can read cam, i.e. came. Perhaps als ho is the better read- ing. For scole read skile (perhaps writ- ten scele): this is certainly the correct reading. It means ‘this reason.” The insertion of That makes the sense clear. The insertion of wynlyche renders the line complete. For thowsyng read thousand. 49. This line is still faulty. MS. hite (and in 1. 53). . MS. bomyhe for boromwhe. . This line is missing. . MS. an hunger. . MS, omits 3ede. . For hom, read whom. . MS. hyte ; cf. li. 49, 53. . A new line. thei = though, al- though. . The insertion of quod I makes the Sense clear. º gº \ vº tºº. … | ... 3. º, d PPi, A ( * j, Ž MANUSCRIPTS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. 3] Me folwyth such a fayntyse I may not forth walke.” (58 “Go we forth,” quod the gome “I haue a gret boyste Of battys & brokyn bred thi bely to fille, A bagge-ful, of a beggar • I bowht it at onys.” Than maungyd I with him vp to the fulle; 72 For myssyng of mete none mesur I cowthe, But ete as hunger me hete til my belly swellyd. Ther bad me hunger ‘haue gode day’ but I helde me stille; For gronyng of my guttys - I durst gon no ferther. 76 With that kam a knaue' with a confessours face, Lene & rewlyche with leggys ful smale ; I haylsyd hym hendely & axid him after, Of qwennys that he were & qvedyr that he wolde. 80 “With deth I dwelle,” quod he “dayys & nyhetys; My name is feuer; on the ferthe day ‘ I am athirst euere. I am mensenger of deth men haue I twayne. That on is callyd cotidian a currur of oure howce ; 84 Tertyen that othyr true drinkers bothen ; We haue letterys of his lyf he schal his lyf tyne, Fro deth, that is oure duke swyche dedys we bryng. Myht I se,” quod he, “god wote 3oure gatys wold I holdyn, 88 [The rest is wanting.] 70. Battys, fragments, pieces; a good 79. A much better line than that in word. the other copy. 72. This line is still unsatisfactory. 82. For athirst read afurst. 74–76. Three new lines, 86. tyme, the right reading, as I ex- 78. A new line. 4 pected. 88. For se read so : for he read I. r: ~ * * * * * REY TO THE ABOVE LIST OF MSS. 1. For the numbers of the MSS., see p. 4. 2. For the meanings of the letters denoting certain MSS., see p. 6. 3. In the Parallel Extracts, pp. 6—24, the MSS. are arranged in the following order, according to their actual value. A-text. Sub-class a, I. II. Sub-class b. XI. XII. IV. XLV. Sub- class c. III. W. XLIV. VI. VII. VIII. Sub-class d. IX. X. B-text. a. XIII. XVII. XIV. b. XVI. XXI. XXII, XXIII. XXIV. XXV. c. XVIII. XIX. d. XV.4 XXVII. XV. a, b, c, or d. XX. e. XXVI. f. XXVIII. C-text. a. XXIX. XXX. XXXI. XXXV. XXXVI. XIII. XIII. b. XXXII. XXXIX. XXXVIII. (III. V. XLIV. X; also XXIII—XXV). a, or b. XL. c. XXXVII. d. XXXIII. e. XXXIV. XLIII. C 2 32 LIST OF FIRST LINES OF THE PASSUS OF PIERS PLOWMAN. Since Passus of the Poem are often not numbered in the MSS., or else, perhaps, so numbered as not to adhere to the same system throughout, the following list of first lines is added, as likely to be of great use to the reader of a MS. in finding his place. It will be noticed that those of the Vernon type (A-text) divide Passus W. of the Crowley type (B-text) into two Passus; whilst Passus VI. of the Whitaker type (C-text) begins with 108 lines which are peculiar to MSS. of that type. - A. Passus of the Vernon MS. Prol. In A Somer Sesun whom softe was be sonne. I. What bis Mountein be-Menep and bis derke Dale. II. Yit kneled I on my knees and cried hire of grace. III. Now is Meede be Mayden I-nomen and no mo of hem alle. IV. Seseb seide be kyng I suffre 3ou no more. W. pe kyng and his knihtes' to be Churche wenten. WI. Bote per were fewe men so wys bat coupe be wei bider." VII. pis weore a wikked wei bote hose hedde a gyde. VIII. Treube herde telle her-of ' And to Pers sende. Incipit hic Dowel. Dobet. and Dobest. (IX). Prol. pus I-Robed in Russet Romed I a-boute. (X). I. (Do-wel) Sire Do-wel dwellep quod wit not a day hennes. (XI). II. (Do-wel) penne hedde wit A wyf was hoten dam Studie. (XII). III. (Do-wel) Crist wot quod clergie knowe hit 3if he lyke.” * MS. H. alone prefixes two lines to the line here quoted, viz. Now riden bis folk & walken on fote To seche bat seint in selcoupe londis. * Not in the Vernon MS.; found in MS. Rawl. Poet. 137. Some MSS., instead of this Passus, actually have Pass. XIII—XXIII of the C-text. See vol. i. p. xviii., and p. 29 above. LIST OF FIRST LINES OF THE PASSUS. 33 B. Passus of the Crowley Type of MSS. (MS. Laud 581.) Prol. In a Somer Seson whan soft was the sonne. I. What this montaigne bymeneth and be merke dale. II. Yet I courbed on my knees and cryed hir of grace. III. Now is Mede the Mayde and namo of hem alle. IV. Cesseth, seith the kynge I suffre 3ow no lengere. W. The kyng and his knightes to the kirke wente. VI. This were a wikked way but who-so hadde a gyde. VII. Treuthe herde telle her-of and to peres he sent. ends—Eaglicit visio willelmi de petro plowman: et sequitur via de dowell, dobett et do-beste Secundum, wytt et reson ; MS. C2. VIII. (or Prologus to Do-wel) Thus y-robed in russet I romed aboute. IX. (T. Do-wel) Sire Do-wel dwelleth, quod witte nougt a day hennes. X. (II. Do-wel) Thanne hadde witte a wyf was hote dame studye. XI. (III. Do-wel) Thanne scripture scorned me and a skile tolde. XII. (IV. Do-wel) I am ymaginatyf, quod he Idel was I neuere. XIII. (V. Do-wel) And I awaked pere-with witles merehande. XIV. (VI. Do-wel) I haue but one [hool] hatere quod haukyn ‘ I am be lasse to blame. ends—Finit dowel, et incipit dobet. XV. (Prologus to Do-bet) Ac after my wakyng it was wonder longe. XVI. (I. Do-bet) Now faire falle 3ow quod I bo for 3owre faire shew- ynge. XVII. (II. Do-bet) I am spes quod he a spye and spire after a kny;te. XVIII. (III. Do-bet) Wolleward and weteshoed went I forth after. ends—Eacplicit do-bet, et incipit do-best. XIX. (Prologus to Do-best) Thus I awaked & wrote what I had dremed. XX. (I. Do-best) Thanne as I went by be way whan I was bus awaked. ends—Eaglicit hic dialogus petri plowman. C. Passus of the MS. printed by Whitaker. (Hic Incipit Visio Willelmi de Petro Plouhman.) I. In a somere seyson whan softe was be sonne. II. What be montayne by-menep and be merke dale. III. And banne ich knelede on my knees and cryede to hure of grace." IV. Now is mede the mayde and no mo of hem alle. 1. Some MSS. follow the C-text as far as iii. 13, after which they follow the B-text, beginning with B. ii. 121. See vol. ii. p. 392. VII. WIII. IX. X. (XI). I. (XII). II. (XIII). III. (XIV). IV. (XV). V. (XVI). VI. (XVII). VII. (XVIII). I. (XIX). II. (XX). III. (XXI). IV. (XXII). I. (XXIII). II. LIST OF FIRST LINES OF THE PASSUS. . Cesseb, saide be kyng ' ich soffre 3ow no lenger. . Thus ich a-waked wot god wanne ich wonede on corne- hulle. With bat ran repentaunce and reherced hus teme. Tho cam sleuthe alby-slobered wit to slymed eyen. Tho sayde perken plouhman by Seynt peter of rome. Treuthe herde telle here-of and to peers sente. ends—Hvc eacplicit Visio Willi de Petro Plouhman. Incipit visio ejusdem Willi de Dowel. Thus robed in russett ich romede a-boute. Thenne hadde wit a wif was hote dame studie. Alas eye quath elde and holynesse bobe. Ac wel worth pouerte for he may walke vnrobbede, Ich am ymaginatif quab he ydel was ich neuere. And ich awakede per-with wittlees ner hande. Alas that richeſsse] shal reue and robbe mannes soule. ends—-Hic eacplicit Passus Septimus et Ultimus de Dowc. Incipit Passus Primus de Dobet. Ther is no suche ich seide bat som tyme ne borweth. Leue liberum arbitrium quab ich ich leyue as ich hope. Ich am spes quab he and spirr after a knyght. Wo-werie and wetschode " wente ich forth after. ends—Hic explicit Passus Quartus et Ultimus de Dobet. Hic incipit Passus Primus de Dobest. Thus ich awakede and wrot what ich had de dremed. And as ich wente by be waye when ich was bus awakede. ends—IIic eaſplicit Passus Secundus de Dobest. Eacplicit Peeres Plowheman. RICHARD CLAY & SoNs, LIMITED, BREAD STREET HILL, E.C.; AND BUNGAY, SUFFOLK. ¥angland's 19tsium of pit 15 plot man. (It ſtrum Utst; St Jºxt 3. BERLIN ; ASHER & CO., 13, UNTER DEN LINDEN. NEW YORK : C, SCRIBNER & CO., LEYPOLDT & HOLT. PHILADELPHIA : J. B. LIPPIN COTT & CO. Ǻt jision ºf Ülilliam t on terming pier8 plowman, TOGETHER WITH bit de Jourl, Qubºt, ºf Qubtfit, Šetumbum iſłit ºf Šešoum, BY WILLIAM L.A.N GL AND. (ABOUT 1362–1380 A.D.) EDITED FROM NUMEROUS MANUSCRIPTS, WITH PREFACES, NOTES, AND A GLOSSARY, BY THE REW, WALTER W. SKEAT, M.A., LATE FELLOW OF CHRIST'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE ; EDITOR OF “LANCELOT OF THE LAIK,” AND “THE ROMANS OF PARTENAY ; ” AND TRANSLATOR OF THE “SONGS AND BALLADS OF UHLAN D.” §m four parts.-part 3. LONDON : PUBLISHED FOR THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY By KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRü BNER & Co., PATERNOSTER HOUSE, CHARING-CROSS ROAD, W.C. MDCCCLXVII. [Reprinted 1898.] Gºt tisin ºf William to mttriting pier8 ploumam, tita de Quittl, Qubºt, ºf Qubºt, §rtunbum Šlit tº §tsoum, BY WILLIAM LANGLAND. (1362 A.D.) EDITED FROM THE “VERNON” MS., COLLATED WITH MS. R. 3. 14. IN THE LIBRARY OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, MSS. HARL. 875 & 6041, THE MS. IN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, OXFORD, MS. DOUCE 828, &c. J3Y THE REW, WALTER W. SKEAT, M.A., LATE FELLOW OF CHRIST's COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. THE “VERNON " TEXT ; OR TEXT A. LONDON : PUBLISHED FOR THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY By KEGAN PAUL, TREN CH, TRU B NER & Co., PATERNOSTER HOUSE, CHARING-CROSS ROAD, W.C. MDCCCLXVII. [Reprinted 1898.] (ºriginal Štries, 28. R. CLAY & SONS, LIMITED, LONDON & BUNGAY. C 0 NT ENTS INTRODUCTION PREFACE I. § 1. Numerous MSS. of “Piers Plowman.” $ 2. The three forms of it. § 3. The earliest form. § 4. Descrip- tion of MSS.: 1. MS. V; II. MS. H.; III. MS. T.; Iv. MS. U; v. MS. H., ; VI. MS. D.; VII. MS. A ; VIII. Lincoln's Inn MS. ; Ix. Harl. 3954; x. Digby 145. § 5. Discussion of the extent of the early MSS. § 6. The exact point of their termi- nation. $ 7. Unique lines found in MS. U. S 8. Method of printing the text. § 9. The foot-notes. § 10. Alliterative Verse. § 11. Date of the poem. § 12. Author's name and life. § 13. Argument of the poem PROLOGUE TO PIERs PLow MAN (109 lines) PASSUs I. (185 lines) PASSUs II. (212 lines) PASSUs III. (282 lines) PAssus IV. (158 lines) PASSUs W. (263 lines) PASSUs VI. (126 lines) PAssus VII. (311 lines) PASSUs VIII. (187 lines) . . PASSUs IX, or PROLOGUE TO DowRL (118 lines) BASSUs X., OR PASSUs I. OF DowPL (213 lines) PASSUs XI., or PAssus II. of Dowel (303 lines) CRITICAL NOTES PA (, E iii xii GENERAL COMPARISON OF TEXTs A AND B 17 28 43 67 74 103 J 10 122 137 156 INTRODUCTION. HAVING more than once been asked the question—“What is Piers Plowman?”—it occurs to me that it will be useful to many readers to have this question, answered for them in a few words. Many persons, even scholars and antiquaries, have loosely used the title Pier8 Plowman as though it were the name of an author, instead of remembering that it is the name or subject of a poem; it would be a mistake exactly similar to this, to attribute the “Pilgrim's Progress” to Christian. But the author's name is Langland, probably William Langland, and the name of his poem is—The Vision of William concerning Piers Plowman, which has been more briefly expressed as-The Vision of Piers Plowman. But this shorter title is most misleading ; so few apprehend the fact that the word of in this case is a translation of the Latin de, and not the sign of the genitive case ; and the confusion has been made far worse by the circumstance that there is another and distinct poem, by another author, the name of which is “Pierce Ploughman's Crede,” or “The Crede of Pierce Ploughman,” in which the word “of” is the sign of the genitive case. If the reader will only bear in mind these two, uses of the word of, he need never go wrong in this matter. Having thus cleared the way by this preliminary explanation, the whole matter may be briefly stated thus. A poet of the reign of Edward the Third, of whom scarcely anything is known but the name (and even that is uncertain), wrote a poem in alliterative verse which he threw into the form of several successive visions; in one of these he describes his favourite ideal character—Piers —and in course of time * The character of Piers, in its highest form of development, is identified by Langland with that of Christ the Saviour—“Petrus est Christus.” ſ iv. INTRODUCTION. the name was used as a common title for the whole series of them. His vivid descriptions and earnest language caused the poem to be very popular, and the fertile imagination of the author induced him to rewrite the whole poem twice over, so that what may fairly be called three editions of it still exist in manuscript. The first or earliest of these is given in this volume, and is of great interest." It is the scarcest of the three, and yet suſliciently common ; the whole number of MSS. of the poem being very large. The poem—in all its shapes—abounds with passages which we could ill afford to lose; the vivid truthfulness of its delineations of the life and manners of our forefathers has been often praised, and it is difficult to praise it too highly. “Everywhere it gives flesh and blood to its abstractions by the most vigorous directness of familiar detail, so that every truth might, if possible, go home, even by the cold hearth-stone of the hungriest and most desolate of the poor, to whom its words of a wise sympathy might be recited.”* As indicating the true temper and feelings of the English mind in the fourteenth century, it is worth volumes of history; and the student who is desirous of understanding this period aright cannot possibly neglect Langland and Chaucer. Strangely too, and fortunately, these two authors are, in a great neasure, each the supplement of the other. Chaucer describes the rich much more fully than the poor, and shews the holiday-making, cheerful, genial phase of English life; but Langland pictures the homely poor in their ill-fed, hard-working condition, battling against hunger, famine, injustice, oppression, and all the stern realities and hardships that tried them as gold is tried in the fire. Chaucer's satire often raises a good-humoured laugh ; but Langland's is that of a man who is constrained to speak out all the bitter truth, and it is as earnest as is the cry of an injured man who appeals to heaven for vengeance. Each, in his own way, is equally admirable, and worthy to be honoured by all who prize highly the English character and our own dear native land. There is a danger that some who take up “Piers Plow- * In particular, Passus X. and XI. contain much that has never been printed before. * Professor Morley, English Writers, vol. 1, p. 758; see also p. 775. The reader will also find some most valuable remarks upon Langland’s poem in Dean Milman's History of Latin Christianity. INTRODUCTION. V man” may be at first somewhat repelled by the allegorical form of it, or by an apparent archaism of language," and some passages are sufficiently abstruse to require a little thought and care to be taken before one can seize their full meaning; but there are few books that so thoroughly repay a little painstaking consideration, and, when once the spirit of the poem is fully entered into, it is found to be replete with interest and instruction. The reader who does not throw it aside at first will hardly do so afterwards; and so it must ever be with the works of a true poet, when once the mind is attuned to his thoughts and feelings. Such, then, is “Piers Plowman,” a poem written with as intense an earnestness and as untiring a search after truth—which is the ever-recurring burden of it—as any in the English language. The extreme earnestness of the author and the obvious truthful- ness and blunt honesty of his character are in themselves attractive and lend a value to all he utters, even when he is evolving a theory or wanders into abstract questions of theological speculation. But we are the more pleased when we perceive, as we very soon do, that he is evidently of a practical turn of mind, and loves best to exercise his shrewd English common sense upon topics of every-day interest. How often does the student of history grow weary of mere accounts of battles and sieges and the long Series of plunders and Outrages re- venged by other plunders and outrages which require to be again revenged in their turn, and so on without end, and long to get an insight into the inner every-day life of the people, their dress, their diet, their wages, their strikes, and all the minor details which picture to us what manner of men they really were ! And it is in such a poem as the present that we find all this, and find it, too, not * To acquire a thorough knowledge of old English is, indeed, almost the work of a lifetime. But some familiarity with it, enough to enable one to understand a large portion of our early literature, may be picked up in a few weeks—almost in a few days. It is amazing to find what a bugbear “old English ’’ is to many Englishmen; they look upon it as harder to learn than Chinese. Yet any one who will take the trouble to master one or two of the Canterbury Tales has the key to much of the wealth of our early English literature; and the man who will not take the trouble to do this deserves to be guided by guesswork rather than by evidence in his notions of English grammar; as he probably will be. vi INTRODUCTION. merely hinted at or presupposed, but sketched out vividly and to the life by a master-hand. That this is really the case might be shewn by numberless quotations, but the reader will probably prefer to see a few good instances of it only, that he may be tempted to find out more for himself. To plunge at once in medias res. Here is the interior of a beer- house in the time of Edward the Third, and a description of the company therein." “Cisse the sutor's" wife sat on the bench, Wat the warrener and his wife both, Tomkin the tinker and twain of his knaves, Hick the hackney-man and Hogg the neelder,3 Clarice of Cook's lane and the clerk of the church, Sir Piers of Pridie and Pernel of Flanders, Daw the ditcher and a dozen other. A ribibour,4 a rattoner” a raker of chepe,” A roper, a reding-king " ' and Rose the disher, Godfrey of Garlickshire and Griffin the Welsh, And of upholders a heap early by the morrow Give the Glutton with good will good ale to hansel. Then Clement the Cobbler cast off his cloak, And at the new fair he laid it to sell; And Hick the ostler hit 8 his hood after, And bade Bet the butcher be on his side. There were chapmen chosen the ware to appraise ; Whoso had the hood should have [some] amends. They rise up rapely * and rowned 19 together, Appraising the pennyworths and parted [them] by themselves, There were They could oaths a heap whoever them heard not, for their conscience accord to-gether, In these extracts, I have modernized the spelling, and where words are printed in italics, have slightly altered the language. Words between brackets are inser- tions of my own. With such slight changes how easy the language becomes | The first extract is a passage of unusual difficulty. 2 cobbler’s. * Needle-seller. *ribibe-player. * rat-catcher. * a vagrant chapman. " one of a certain class of feudal retainers. 8 Here used in the sense of “cast.” ° rapidly, in a hurry. 19 whispered, buzzed. INTRODUCTION. vii Till Robin the roper was red to arise, And named for a numpire that no debate were. Then Hick the ostler had the cloak, | In covenant that Clement should the cup fill And have Hick's hood—the ostler's and hold himself paid ; And he that repented rathest * should arise thereafter, And greet Sir glutton with a gallon of ale. There was laughing and lotering * and ‘let go the cup ;’ Bargains and beverages began to arise, And [they] sat so till evensong and sung some while, Till Glutton had gulpèd a gallon and a gill,” &c.—W. 158—191. Not so unlike modern English common life—these “bargains and beverages,” and the “ oaths a heap !” Mark, on the other hand, how our author praises temperance. “Eat not, I hote * thee till hunger thee take, And send thee some of his sauce to savour thee the better. Reep some till supper time and sit thou not too long ; Arise up ere appetite hath eaten his fill; Let not Sir Surfeit sit at thy board. And if thou diet thee thus I dare lay both my ears, That Physic shall his furred hood for his food sell, And eke his cloak of Calabre with knobs of gold, And be fain, by my faith ! his physic to leave, And learn to labour with land lest livelihood fail.” VII. 24.8—259. That is, if men were only temperate and consented to diet them- selves, doctors would have to turn farm-labourers to get a living ! A lesson as valuable as it is true, and men are nearly as far off as ever from learning it. Or suppose, again, that we would know somewhat as to the diet of the poor. Here is the explicit statement of it. “‘I have no penny,' quoth Piers “pullets to buy, Neither geese nor grice” - but two green cheeses, 1 told, bidden. * Soonest. 3 badinage, “chaffing.” 4 bid. * pigs. viii INTRODUCTION. And a few curds and cream and a therfl cake, And a loaf of beans and bran baked for my children. And I say, by my soul | I, have no salt bacon, Nor no cokeneys,” by Christ collops to make. But I have porets * and parsley and many cole 4-plants, And eke a cow, and a calf and a cart-mare To draw afield the dung while the drought lasteth. By this livelihood must I live till Lammas time, By that, I hope to have harvest in my croft, Then may I dight thy dinner as thee best liketh.’ All the poor people peas-cods fetched, Baked beans in bread they brought in their laps, Chibolles, chief meat" () and ripe cherries many, And proffered Piers this present therewith to please Hunger.” VII. 267–282. This bread made of beans is the same, I suppose, as the horses and dogs ate :- “With hounds’ bread and horse-bread hold up their hearts . " VII. 203. This was all very palatable when wages were low, but as soon as the poor got higher wages, as they did at harvest time, nothing would serve them but the finest wheat-bread, and the best and brownest ale ; none of your “half-penny ale" then, or “penny ale” either. “Labourers that have no land to live on but their hands, Deign not to dine a-day [on] a-night-old worts, May no penny-ale them please nor no piece of bacon, But only fresh flesh or else fried fish, Both “chaud” and “plus-chaud.” against chilling of their maw Except he be highly hired else will he chide, That he was a workman wrought [he will] warie the time,” And curse deeply the king and all his council after, Such laws to make labourers to chasten.”—VII. 295—302. * unleavened. * lean fowls. 3 a kind of leek. 4 cabbage. * What is “cheef mete” . Another reading is “kernels,” or else “chervils” (Wright), and another “chest-nuts.” Chibolles are leeks. 6 curse the hour. INTRODUCTION. ix Langland is peculiarly at home when he adopts a satirical vein, and I select the following among many instances of it. He describes how the king made up his mind to punish Falsehood, Guile, and Liar, if he could possibly catch hold of them, whereon the three delinquents made off as fast as they could, and could meet with no kindly reception but with the friars, the pardoners, and cheating tradesmen. No one else would have anything to do with them “Then Falsehood for fear fled to the friars; And Guile doth him to go aghast for to die, But merchants met with him and made him abide, Besought him in their shops ' to sell their ware, Apparelled him as a 'prentice the people to serve. Lightly Liar leapt away thence, Lurking through lanes - to-lugged” by many. He was nowhere welcome for his many tales, But everywhere hunted and hote to truss.” Pardoners had pity and put him to house, Washed him and wrung him and wound him in clouts, And sent him on Sundays with seals to churches, And [he] gave pardon for pence pound-mele aboute,” &c. II. 186–198. Not that the pardoners were quite allowed to monopolize Liar; the quack-doctors and grocers wanted to press him into their service just as much. Still better is the poet's indignant reproof of the pert boys who think to shew off their cleverness by scoffing at God and His just ways. “Now is each boy bold brothelsº and others, To talk of the Trinity to be holden a sire, And findeth forth fancies our faith to impair, And eke defameth the Father that us all made, And talks against the clergy crabbed words. ‘Why would God our Saviour suffer such a worm In such a wrong wise the woman to beguile ! * prepares himself to depart. * lugged about, teased. *bidden to pack. * by whole pounds at a time. * reprobates. X. INTRODUCTION. Both hir husband and she to hell through him went, And their seed for that sin the same woe suffer 2' Such motives they move these masters in their glory, And make men misbelieve that muse on their words.” XI. 61—69. But to pick out all the interesting passages would be to tran- scribe half the poem; and 1 may refer the reader to the Preface following—pp. xxxiii., xxxiv., and xxxviii.-forfurther remarks on the character of the work and of its author, and to pp. xxxix.-xliii. for an “argument” of the whole of the earliest version. I now merely add one more extract, in quite a different strain, which is especially interesting as indicating the dawn of the Reformation, and which (towards the end) is hardly less distinctly and vigorously put than it would have been by Luther himself. “Now hath the pope power pardon to grant, For people without penance to pass into joy. This is a leaf of our belief as lettered men teach us, Quodcunque ligaveris Super terram, erit ligatum et in coelis. And so I believe leally (our Lord forbid it else ) That pardon and penance and prayers do save Souls that have sinned seven times deadly. But to trust to Triennials truly, me thinketh, Is not so sure for the soul certes, as Do-well. Wherefore I rede' you, rinks” that rich be on earth, Upon trust of your treasure triennials to have, Be ye never the bolder to break the ten hests; And, namely, ye mayors and ye master judges, (That have the wealth of the world' and wise men are holden), To purchase you pardons and the pope's bulls | At the dreadful day of doom when the dead shall arise, And come all before Christ and accounts yield [Him], How thou leddest thy life and His law keptest, What thou diddest day by day the doom will” rehearse. 1 advise. 2 men. s Here I have omitted “pe” = for thee, as relates to thee. INTRODUCTION. i xi A pack full of pardon there with Provincials' letters, Though thou be found in Fraternity among the Four Orders, And have indulgence doubled but Do-well thee help, I would give for thy pardon not one pie's" heel ! Wherefore I counsel all Christians to cry Christ mercy, And Mary his mother to be mean * between, That God give us grace ere we go hence, Such works to work while that we are here, That, after our death-day Do-well [may] rehearse That at the Day of Doom we did as He hight*.” IPassus VIII., ll. 160—187. * unless. * magpie's 2 8 mediator. * commanded; omitting “us,” as in MS. T. PREFACE I. TEXT A. § 1. THE MSS. of “Piers Plowman” are indeed numerous. Extracts from twenty-nine have already been exhibited in my tract published for the E. E. T. S. in 1866. Besides these, I have seen or heard of several others, viz. a second M.S. at Dublin, two belonging to Lord Ashburnham,” one in the library of Lincoln's Inn, two among the Douce MSS. at Oxford (numbered 104 and 323), MS. Ashmol. No. 1468, one in the possession of H. Yates Thompson, Esq., of Tiverpool, and a fragment of four leaves only (but of a fair text), in MS. Lansdowne 398, fol. 77.” In MSS. Additional (B. M.), 6399, there is a piece called “Langland, commentary on his Piers Plowman,” but it is only a fragment of about three leaves in a modern hand. I feel sure there are yet more in various parts of the country, many probably in private hands, and I should be much obliged for any information concerning them. I have to thank Lord Ashburnham and H. Yates Thompson, Esq., for the kind way in which they have assisted me, by sending me transcripts of the passage printed in the “Extracts,” and for further information concerning their MSS. § 2. The poem takes no less than five different shapes, but two of these are merely owing to differences of arrangement made by the scribes; and there are really no more than three forms of it. Before discussing these, I shall give to them the following names, for distinct- * One of these seems to have belonged to Dr Adam Clarke; but Dr Clarke had two. Where is the other * I think Sir Thos. Phillipps has two other MSS., besides the one from which Whitaker printed his edition. PREFACE I.—TEXT A. xiii ness' sake. Those of the first or earliest form I shall speak of as being of Type A, or of the “Vernon” type, because the best example of it is furnished by the Vernon MS. at Oxford; those of the Second or meat earliest form belong to Type B, or the “Crowley” type, so named because the earliest printed edition was taken from one of these, and was printed by Robert Crowley in 1550;' those of the latest form belong to Type C, or the “Whitaker” type, of which only one has ever been printed, viz. by Dr Whitaker, in 1813. It will also be convenient to speak of Text A, Text B, and Teact C, meaning by these the texts which I am now editing; thus Text A means the text given in the present volume, the text of the best MS. of the Vernon type. The present preface, for the most part, concerns MSS. of this type only. § 3. Of this earliest and most interesting form of the poem very little seems to have been hitherto known. The only reference to it in Mr Wright's preface to his edition is where he tells us that “a few readings are added from a second MS. in Trinity College Library (R. 3. 14),” of which more presently ; and he speaks of only “two classes” of MSS. But in Warton's Hist. of Engl. Poetry, vol. 2, appendix, p. 482, is the following noteworthy passage. “Among the Harley MSS. there is a fragment of this poem written upon vellum (No. 875),” of an equally early date with Vespasian B. xvi.,” and in a character nearly resembling it. Unhappily this fragment extends only to the 151st line of the 8th passus, nor is it free from lacunae even thus far.” Our loss is however in some measure repaired—perhaps wholly So"—by the preservation of a transcript on paper, in the same collection (No. 6041), which, though considerably younger, and some- What modernized in its orthography, exhibits a much more correct 6 * The excellent edition by Mr Wright exhibits this form of the poem. * Described below; see description of MS. No. III. * This MS. is very old and very good; but it belongs to Type C; I can find nothing better of its kind, and shall therefore probably use it to form Text C. * Some leaves are lost; but there are no other lacunae, except such as it has in common with Harl. 6041 and all the MSS. of the earliest type. * What would Warton have said had he seen some of the MSS. described below ! In particular, MS. T closely resembles the one he is here speaking of, but is jar better. * It is sometimes less correct; as the reader may see for himself. B xiv. PREFACE I.—TEXT A. and intelligible text. From this manuscript it is evident, that another and a third version was once in circulation ; and ºf the first draught of the poem be still in existence, it is here perhaps that we must look for it. For in this, the narrative is considerably shortened, many passages of a decidedly episodic cast—such as the tale of the cat and the ratons, and the character of Wrath—are wholly omitted ; others, which in tho lator worsions are given with condidorablo detail of cir- cumstance, are here but slightly sketched ; and though evidently the teact-book of Dr Whitaker's and Crowley's versions, it may be said to agree with neither, but to alternate between the ancient and modern printed copies.” . The italics are mine, intended to draw attention to the truth and importance of the above note, in which most of the characteristics of the early MSS. are so well hit off. I would add further that (as the reader will soon see), we now know of many more MSS. of this type ; that we have abundant evidence of its being really the first and original draught of the poem, that Type B is obviously derived from it almost wholly by amplification and addition, and preserves nearly the same order in the narrative, even where C wanders away from both ; and that (which greatly helps the argument) the Latin quotations occurring in A are much fewer than those found in the corresponding parts of B and C, even when all allowance is made for the amplification of the story. More than this, such Latin quotations as do occur in A are nearly all from the Bible, and chiefly from the more familiar parts of it, the Psalms and the Gospels; in the later texts, they have a wider range. It is also to be noted that the oldest and best MS. yet found, the Vernon MS., belongs to the earliest type. But the great feature of MSS. of the A type is this, that they do not extend beyond eleven passus. They contain considerably less than one half, perhaps not much more than a third of the whole poem. As there is, in the case of three of them, an apparent contradiction to this, this point will be best discussed after the MSS. have been fully described; and, to make the matter clear as briefly as possible, I here at Once enter on the description of all the MSS. of this class with which I am acquainted. - * He means, between Crowley's and Whitaker's copies. To “alternate" is scarcely the right word; it is far closer to the former of these than the latter. Still, it sometimes comes closer to the latter in a few points. PREFACE I.—TEXT A. XV § 4. DESCRIPTION OF THE MSS. I. Vernon MS. ; denoted throughout this volume by the letter V, and used to form Text A.! Its date is about 1370–1380. This MS. is indeed a noble and an admirable one. Its immense size, and the beauty of the vellum, of the writing, and of the illuminated letters have long since attracted notice, and it has already been made con- siderable use of by editors, and several extracts from it are in print. It would be a good deed to print it all, and it will receive considerable attention from our Society. It has received the name of “Sowle- hele,” as containing things useful for the soul's health , and the name is a good One: the poems and treatises in it, which are very numerous, being chiefly of a religious cast. On a square slip, pasted inside the cover, are the words, somewhat defaced, “Bibliothecae Bodleianae Dono dedit Edvardus Vernon Armiger olim ex col. Trin. in hac universitate Superioris ordinis Commensalis in nupero bello civili a partibus regijs strenue propugnabat Militum tribuſnus].” It contains considerably more than 400 large leaves, each containing two columns, and each column, when written without breaks, contains about 80 lines.” The “Piers Plowman” occupies but a small space in it, beginning at fol. 394 b, col. 2, and ending with fol. 401 b, taking up just 28 columns and a half. The initial letters, denoted in this volume by large capitals, are illuminated in gold and colours. The Passus are not numbered, but are denoted by leaving a blank line above them, and these divisions exactly agree with those of the other MSS. of the same type. The poem is written in long lines, as here printed, and each line is divided into two by a metrical dot, here denoted by an inverted full stop, indicating a pause of the voice, such as is often equivalent to a comma in punctuation, but which must sometimes be disregarded as a punctuating mark, just as we some- times so disregard a colon in the Prayer-book version of the Psalms. Besides these dots, it has others occasionally inserted, as, for instance, after me in l. 2, after bed-heold in l. 13, dich (l. 16), feld (l. 17), worchinge (l. 18), &c. These also have reference to the pauses in 1 In the “Parallel Extracts” it is numbered 1. * For some account of the MS. see the description of it by J. O. Halliwell, Esq., published by J. R. Smith, 1848. B 2 xvi. PREFACE I.—TEXT A. recitation, and subdivide the half-verses into quarter-verses; but they are introduced so sparingly, upon the whole, that I have omitted them, as only tending to confuse. The word I is always followed by a point, as (I.), and the word and (..and.) has a point both before and after it; these slight peculiarities I have not preserved. In other respects, however, it has been very faithfully followed, its capital letters preserved, and all expansions of contractions marked by the use of italics." The paragraph marks (*) are, in the MS., painted red and blue alternately. Among the illuminated letters we oftem meet with the thorn-letter (p), but never a capital 3. This is owing to the illuminator, who has made a capital Y more than once where a small 3 can be detected as having been written to tell him what to do. This MS. was taken for the text, not solely because it is the oldest and best written, but also because a careful collation of it with the rest has shewn that its readings are, on the whole, better than those of any other. It seems to me to be the best known MS. of “Piers Plowman” in every respect. Still, it is not perfect. It is a peculiar difficulty, in writing out alliterative poems, to avoid missing a line. This is easily ascertained by mere practice in transcription, and I have especially noticed that hardly any MS. of “Piers Plow- man” is free from this defect. It very frequently happens that the missing lines are most obviously needed to complete the sense. On this account, and also because it is best to shew every line that can be found in the early MSS., lines have been inserted from other MSS: wherever they occur. Only one or two bad ones have been relegated to the foot-notes. The reader will observe how very few of these extra lines there are, after all, and how very closely all the MSS. of 1 Much trouble has been saved me by the extreme correctness of the transcript made for me by Mr Geo. Parker, of Rose Hill, Oxford, to whom I am much indebted ; as also to Mr E. Brock, who assisted me in the collation of the Text with the Harleian MSS. But I have not omitted to compare either the transcript or the proof-sheets with the MS. throughout, and both of these again with the extracts from this poem so lately printed in Mr Morris's “Specimens of Early English Poetry.” That there are a few (unimportant) variations of spelling between his text and mine I am aware; and I have ascertained that mine is, in such instances, correct. Much pains has been bestowed upon the present text, and I think the printer's errors in it cannot but be very few. That whatever do occur are utterly unimportant, I am most fully confident. PREFACE I.—TEXT A. xvii. Type A agree together in their general contents, their differences being chiefly verbal. The text has also been emended by help of the other MSS. where it seemed to need it; the amended word being inserted between square brackets, and account of it rendered in the foot-notes. In a very few cases, a word occurring in MS. V has been suppressed in the text, notice being of course given of this in the foot-notes. The MS. has but one great defect. It is, that a single leaf has been cut out of it with a sharp knife, the extreme inner edge of the leaf being still visible. Most unfortunately, this leaf is the very one which contains the concluding portion of the last Passus; so that we cannot certainly say how it ended. At the same time, it is very evident that it never contained much beyond these eleven Passus, for a leaf can only contain 320 lines at most, and there are about 140 lines lost from the eleventh Passus, which would very nearly fill up the one side of the leaf. But the poem which follows “Piers Plowman.” has lost its beginning, so that the contents of this leaf can be nearly accounted for." The abundance of my materials has enabled me to remedy this defect in a great measure, by giving the missing portion of the poem from MS. T, with collations from four others. II. MS. Harl. 875, denoted in this volume by the letter H.; of early date, about 1400.” - This valuable MS. is the one alluded to by Warton. It is of vellum, and consists of 21 leaves only (size, about 10 inches by 6%), with about 40 lines to the page. One leaf, the 17th, is lost, and it is imperfect at the end, terminating at 1. 144 of Passus VIII. I greatly doubt if it ever went further than the end of this Passus, as will be shewn presently, in discussing the probable point of termination of the ! I have not succeeded in finding out how much of the succeeding poem is lost. It seems to be on the subject of Joseph (of Arimathea 3) and is written in allitera- tive verse; but the verses are run together, so that the folio begins in the middle of a line, thus: e * . . . . sire, he seis and sonenday is nowe; And bei lenden of be toun and leuen hit pere.” Mr Halliwell's description is here wrong; he calls the piece succeeding “Piers Plowman,” Judas and Pilate; but the beginning of this poem—“Judas was a luper brid”—is on fol. 404 verso. 3, not, as he says, on fol. 403 recto. a. * Numbered 7 in the “Parallel Extracts.” xviii PREFACE. I.-TEXT A. MSS. of this type. This MS. is, in general, very close to the “Vernon,” and pairs off with it better than any other does, as will Soon appear by studying the foot-notes. It contains additional lines occasionally, and seems to be the fullest of the series. It is therefore very useful for completing the sense, in passages that seem incomplete. It may be, however, that a few of these extra lines are spurious; at any rate, the two long parentheses, Pass. II. ll. 136—139, and ll. 141–143, are very awkward, and seem peculiar to this MS. It has been collated with the text throughout as far as it goes, and all its important variations of reading will be found in the foot-notes, and the proof-sheets have been compared with the MS. - III. MS. in Trinity College, Cambridge, marked R. 3. 14, denoted in this volume by T ; date, near the beginning of the fifteenth century." This is a very remarkable and valuable MS., and has been used to complete the text, at the end of Passus XI. It contains 72 written leaves of vellum, containing about 42 to 46 lines on a page ; the size of each page being 11% by 6% inches. On the fly-leaf preceding the poem is a coloured drawing, with the motto “God spede be ploug & sende us korne I-now.” A copy of this drawing is given, as a frontis- piece, in Mr Wright's edition of the poem. The volume contains the whole of “Piers Plowman,” but this has only been achieved by fitting on a part of a MS. of Type C to the earlier text. There would be nothing remarkable in this were it not that the same peculiarity occurs in two other MSS.” Hence arises the question—Are the texts A and C merely joined in all three MSS. ; or is it that Text A was originally completed by, what was afterwards the latter part of Text C'. The latter supposition is altogether out of the question, as will be seen in the sequel, and hence we are sure that the texts are joined; and, indeed, on closer inspection, the signs of junction become obvious. The system of division into Passus and of numbering the Passus is not the same in A and C ; and this furnishes an easy test; for the former part of this MS. follows the A-text system, the latter the C-text system ; and, as a necessary consequence, we find that the 1 Numbered 11 in the “Parallel Extracts.” * Both described below, and numbered W and X. PREFACE I.—TEXT A. xix. numbering of the Passus is all wrong at the point of junction. At this point we find written Passus tercius de dowel,' and only eighteen lines below comes the title Passus secundus de dobet ; * the next Passus has no title, but the next after that is Passus quartus de dowel; after which the numbering is more consistent and regular. The insertion of the title Passus tercius de dowel above what is really the mere end of a Passus shews that at this point the junction was made;” and it is at this very point that the Douce and Ashmolean MSS. (D and A) break off. The texts are, however, joined exactly at the right place, which was easily done merely by looking for the quotation Brevis oracio penetrat celum, which forms an excellent catchword. To remove, however, all doubts in the reader's mind, it is proper to add that, though the junction of the two texts has been effected as well perhaps as it could have been effected, there are certain differences of arrangement of the subject-matter in texts A and C, which interfere with the continuousness of the story, so that the patching becomes at Once obvious upon comparison. Briefly, eacternal evidence indicates that two quite different texts are here joined, and the internal evidence proves it, as I think, beyond a doubt. This is the best place to note that this MS. abounds with tags at the end of words, which some would consider as equivalent to a final e. I am not myself of this opinion (at any rate as regards this MS. in particular); but, that they may not be disregarded, I have printed an italic e wherever they occur. Such a spelling as “life” seems, however, inferior to “lif.” The MS. has been collated with the text down to the point where it is itself used to complete the text. Having had ready access to it at all times, the proof-sheets have been compared with it several times OWeI’. IV. MS. belonging to University College, Oxford, denoted in this volume by U ; date, the early part of the fifteenth century.* 1 The seventeen lines with this title belong to Passus II. of Do-wel, which, how- ever, the scribe ought to have reckoned as Passus I., according to the method he adopts farther on. * Dobet is a mere error for dowel; this is consistent then with the scribe’s sub- sequent way of numbering, which differs from that in Dr Whitaker's edition. 3 See description of MS. No. X. * Numbered 10 in the “Parallel Extracts.” XX PREFACE. I.--TEXT A. Desides “Piers Plowman,” it contains many pieces in Latin. The English portion comes first, and consists of 31 vellum leaves, followed by 5 on paper ; the size of the page is about 8 inches by 6, and each page contains about 33 lines. The 3rd leaf is missing. It is an important and valuable MS., especially from its evident independence of the rest, agreeing sometimes with one and sometimes with another, sometimes even with none, yet corroborating them in the main. It must have been copied from an older and imperfect one, or still more probably, from two others, some of the leaves in which were out of place. Hence some of its text is most absurdly transposed, and takes the following order. From the beginning it is regular down to Passus II. I. 25, which is immediately followed (on the same page) by Passus VII. ll. 71—213, and then returns to 1. 182 of Passus I., the last four lines of Passus T. and some twenty lines of Passus II. occurring twice over. It then goes on down to Passus VII. l. 70, when the passage which has already occurred is omitted. The vellum portion is better than the paper, and apparently by an earlier hand, though both are of the earliest type. The paper portion begins with “But homysche hym as an hound & hote hym go pennes” (Passus XI. 1. 48), and is of less value, and its readings less to be relied on. Still, it has been collated with the text throughout, and repeatedly compared with the proof-sheets. W. MS. Harl. 6041 ; denoted hereafter by the symbol H, ; date. scarcely earlier than 1450." This is the MS. to which Warton has drawn attention in the passage above quoted, and his conjecture, that it belongs to the earliest class, is perfectly right. Yet it is but a poor one, compared with the four already mentioned. It is on paper (size, about 9 inches by 6), and the writing is loose and not very careful; mistakes are not unfrequent. On fol. 96 b we find the note; “This boke perteynet to my dAne william holyngborne.” Several leaves are partly torn out. It is remarkably close to MS. T.; and, hence, after collating it closely with the text from the beginning down to 1. 146 of Passus II., I ceased doing so ; finding that it is, practically, little else than an inferior duplicate of T, and may be neglected without much loss. Yet it has occasionally been consulted in difficult 1 Numbered 15 in the “Parallel Extracts.” PREFACE I.—-TEXT A. xxi passages, and readings from it will be found here and there throughout the book. It was especially useful for collation throughout the last portion of Passus XI. It resembles T also in its being a mixture of types A and C ; the point of junction is the same, but the only indi- cation of it is that, seventeen lines lower down, there is a marginal note, “primus passus deficit hic,” which, seeing that Passus tercius is in question, is a mark of confusion as well as of deficiency. - VI. MS. Douce 323; denoted hereafter by D. This is in a comparatively late hand (about 1480?), clearly written upon paper, each leaf about 11 inches by 8, with a very wide margin, about 31 lines to the page. Contents, fol. 1–101. A history of England, printed by Wynkyn de Worde, 1515. folio, under the title of “Fructus y Temporum.” Begins—“In the noble lande of Surrye;” ends— “withoute eny chalange of eny man. Amen. Deo gracias.” Fol. 102–140 a ; “Piers Plowman;” begins—“In A somer sesoun,” &c.; ends— “Percen with a pater noster be paleys of heuene With-oute penaunce at here partyng in-to heye blysse. Now of pis litel book y haue makyd an ende, Goddis blessyng mote he haue bat drinke wil me sende. JEa:plicit liber petri plowman.” Fol. 140 b—159 b. The Abbey of the Holy Ghost, with a drawing of the Abbey on fol. 159 b. Fols. 160–167. Sir Ypotyce, beginning “Alle pat will of wysdom lere ; ” ending—“And bankep god al his wille;” (imperfect (). This MS. follows T rather closely, but is full of gross blunders. On this account, after collating with Passus I.- IV., I desisted, finding that it only tended to choke the foot-notes with inferior readings. But it was useful again for the latter part of Passus XI. VII. MS. Ashmole 1468; denoted by A. Imperfect, on paper, of no very early date, and has many corrupt readings. It begins at Passus I. l. 142, and ends with the line— “Withoute penauns at here partyng into pe blisse of heuyn. Amen. Amen. Amen.” A few Latin quotations are scribbled below, which have occurred xxii PREFACE I.—TEXT A. in Piers Plowman. Very little use has been made of this, as it seems an inferior MS. ; yet it furnished a few good readings at the end of |Passus XI. The above are the only MSS. of which I have made use; but there are others of Type A ; viz. the following ones: VIII. MS. in the library of Lincoln's Inn ; date, about 1450 It contains—1. Part of Le Beau Desconus; 2. Merlin; 3. Alexander; 4. Bellum Trojanum ; 5. Piers Plowman, and is incomplete at the beginning and end. See Hunter's “Three Catalogues,” p. 399. The Piers Plowman is contained in 17 leaves, containing about 52 or 53 lines in a page. It is imperfect, and the last page is much defaced, rubbed, and discoloured ; the last words on the page that can be traced are . . . bischopis lettres . . . ; i.e. about 20 lines from the end of Passus VIII., and only some 14 lines beyond the point where H ends; probably neither of them ever went further than the end of this Passus, i. e. than the end of the Vision of Piers Plowman, properly so called. On comparing a transcript of a considerable number of lines kindly made for me by Mr Furnivall, I found that the text has been much corrupted by the scribe, and that to collate it would only fill the foot-notes with false readings, except in places where the text is sufficiently ascertained without it. The corruptions are due to an inordinate love of alliteration, so that a new word is often incorrectly put for an old one for the mere sake of getting a fourth word in the line beginning with the rime-letter, contrary to the rules of an alliterative verse, which does not require this, but on the contrary seeks, as a rule, to avoid it.' Hence we get such lines as, “Went wyde into pis worlde wondres to wayte,” (l. 4); “Vndur a brod banke by a borne brymme,” (1.8); “I sagh a tour on a tofte treowliche ytymbred,” (l. 14). The scribe has made yet one more mistake ; he sometimes separates the line into two half-lines, each alliterative in itself; as, “In abite as an hermyte, Vn-worthy of werkes,” (l. 3). “For to seche Seynt Iame & rerykes” at rome, (l. 47). 1 Of course, some lines of this form are genuine; and notably l. 1, in which nearly all the MSS. of all types agree. 3 Sic ; an error for relykes. PREFACE I.—TEXT A. xxiii Careful examination of the MS. shews, in fact, that it is best dismissed. There are yet two more MSS., which though not strictly agreeing with those of the earliest type, are yet mere modifications of it ; they are a little amplified, yet much less full than Text B. I also consider them here, because but little further use will be made of them. IX. MS. Harl. 3954 ; date about 1420. The “Piers Plowman" extends from fol. 92 to fol. 123 b. The MS. is on vellum ; and the pages are of a peculiar shape, about 11 inches long by a little less than 6 inches wide ; each page contains about 40 lines. It has some very peculiar spellings, as quat for what, and acal for shall, which are marks of an East-Midland dialect. At the beginning, it follows Type B, giving a long prologue which contains the “story of the rats,” but it omits many passages which occur in such MSS., and, towards the end, approaches Type A. I do not con- sider it of much value, and believe it to be frequently corrupted. The concluding lines are noteworthy, and illustrate the above remark. They should be compared with the concluding lines in this volume. Den non rathere I-rauysched fro the ryth beleue pan arn pese grete clerkys bat know many bokys; Ben non somere I-sauyd, nofi saddere of concyens Joan pore puple as plowmeſ, & pasturers of bestys, Sawerys & Sowerys & sweche leude Tottys; IFor pei leuyn as pei be leryd, & oper-wyse nouth, Musyn in no materes but holdyn pe ryth be-leue. He pat redyth pis book & ryth haue it in mende, Preyit for pers pe plowmans soule, With a pater-noster to be paleys of heuene, With-outyn gret penans at hys partynge to comyn to blys. Explicit tractus de perys plowman, q. herú 2 (); Qui cum patre & spiritu sancto viuit et regnat per omnia secula seculorum. Amen. These lines are a sad jumble, and the “praying for pers be plow- mans soule” is particularly out of place, as Piers is not the author of 1 Numbered 9 in the “Parallel Extracts.” * i.e. “quoth herun,” I suppose, intimating that Herun was the scribe's name. xxiv. IPREFACE I. TEXT A. the poem, but the subject of it ; and it is clear that the author had always in his mind the resemblance of his Piers Plowman to Christ. This is shewn, curiously enough, by the Latin colophon, where the Quº certainly refers to perys plowman, and as certainly means Christ himself and no other. This MS. may be now dismissed without more words. X. MS. Digby 145, late 15|ll century, on paper." This is but a poor copy, and is a mixture of texts. The early part of it is, like the last one, an amplification of Text A ; the latter part follows Text C. The junction is effected, as in MSS. III. and V., at the quotation Brevis oracio penetrat celum ; and it is worth noting how the pre- ceding line has been altered about, shewing the scribe's difficulty. This line runs, “without penaunce at her partyng * into hye blisse,” but is “cooked ” in four ways. It has “ & " prefixed to it in the margin; it has “passyn” written over it at the mark “; it is followed by “Amen” with a stroke through it ; and also by “P. III. de () dowell” partly erased, the dowell alone being distinctly legible. I have made no use of this MS. and do not think it worth much attention. § 5. DISCUSSION OF THE EXTENT OF THE EARLY MSs. It will now be readily apparent what strong grounds we have for supposing that the early draught of the poem contained no more than eleven Passus. For of these 10 MSS., none go any further;” although an attempt has been made in three of them, Nos. III., W., and X., to supplement them by help of MSS. of Type C ; which attempt, however, failed in two respects, viz. through the difficulty of recom- ciling the two ways of numbering the Passus, and the difficulty of making the story continuous, owing to the different ways in which the subject-matter is arranged in the two types. But one point of great importance must now be noticed. The whole poem is called “Piers Plowman" only by a certain latitude of phrase, and the IPassus have been in this volume numbered from I. to XT. merely as a 1 Numbered 16 in the “Parallel Extracts.” * With one remarkable exception, discussed in § 7. PREFACE I.—TEXT A. XXV matter of convenience. Strictly speaking, this is incorrect. There are really two poems, each perfectly distinct from the other, with different titles, and separate prologues. The first has for its true title, “The Vision of William concerning Piers the Plowman;" the second is—“Vita de Do-wel, Do-bet, et Do-best.” ". Each poem is complete in itself, and the concluding passages of each are wrought with peculiar care with a view to giving them such completeness, by stating, at the end of each, the result which in each case the author wished to bring out strongly. The only connection between them is that the second is a sort of continuation of the first, and supposes that the dreamer, not being wholly satisfied with the first result of his inquiries, sets out once more to renew and extend them. It is a mark of the later forms of the poems that the distinction between them is less heeded, as though the author had accepted the necessity of their being written and considered as one. This is very clearly shewn by the titles of the different Passus in the A-type MSS. In none of them is there any title to the Prologue to the first poem, but the succeeding Passus are numbered from I. to VIII. in MSS. T, H, U, H2, and D, except where a title is occasionally lost, or where (once only in H) it is miswritten. But the Prologue to “Dowel, &c.” has the following titles: Incipit hic dowel . dobet . and dobest V ; Explicit hic visio willelmi de Petro de Plougman : Eciam incipit vita de do-wel do-bet et do-best, Secundum wyt et resoun T; Explicit hic visio willelmi de petro plowman, Et hic incipit dowel dobet et dobest Secundum wit et resoun U ; Explicit hic visio willelmi de petro the plougman; Eciam incipit uita de dowel and dobest, secundum wit et reson H2 ; Vita de Dowel Dobet and Dobest secundum wyt and resoun D. The last two Passus are called Passus primus (and Secundus) de dowel, &c., in T and H2, and the same in U, omitting the &c. In D the former of them has the very significant title, Primus passus in secundo libro. Hence it appears that there is here no thought of reckoning in Or, in full, “Vita de dowel, dobet, et dobest, secundum wit et resoun.” It is also called, “The Vision of the same concerning Dowel, Dobet, and Dobest.” xxvi PREFACE I.—TEXT A. the Passus of Dowel as being any part of Piers Plowman, as was afterwards done in MSS. of the later types, especially in the one printed by Mr Wright, where we find such titles as Passus Decimus de Visione, et Secundus de Dowel, and the like." It follows that the numbering of the last three Passus in this volume as IX., X., and XI. is quite incorrect in theory, but of course the advantages of it in practice (CSpecially in constructing a glossarial index) are so obvious as to outweigh all other considerations. § 6. Two points then are established: (1) that our MSS. of this type have but eleven Passus, and (2.) that the first eight of these, with their prologue, belong to Piers Plowman, the last three to the Vita de T}owel. It should further be noted that the exact point of termina- tion is clearly indicated by the Douce and Ashmolean MSS., and by MS. Harl. 3954, and there is every probability that the Vernon MS. terminated here also. But the Lincoln's Inn M.S. and Harl. 875 do not go nearly so far, and it is a significant circumstance that they just stop short of the end of “Piers Plowman,” properly so called. Considering this, and remembering how often MSS. have just their last leaf wanting, I think it exceedingly likely that they never contained the “Vita de Dowel” at any time; another slight indication of the real distinctness of the two poems. § 7. But there is one strange exception. Perhaps the reader may have noticed how careful I have been to say nothing as to where the University College MS. (U, No. IV.) terminates. This is because any previous mention of it would have tended greatly to confusion. If the reader will turn to the end of the “Critical Notes,” he will see 18 lines printed in eactenso which form the beginning of a “Passus tercius de dowel,” and continue the poem beyond the last line of the other texts. These 18 lines are a puzzle; as far as I can ascertain, they are unique, and resemble nothing in any other MS. whatsoever.” They do not agree with either Text B or C. What then can be made of them? I can only offer the suggestion, either that they were added by some person not the author of the poem (though they are very * Of course, this is yet one more proof that Type A is older than Type B. * Should this statement be wrong, I should be much obliged by having a corre- sponding passage pointed out to me. The eleventh line seems to answer to the first line of Passus Undecimus in Text B; see Wright's edition, vol. i. p. 202. PREFACE. I. —TEXT A. xxvii much in his manner), who attempted a continuation of it; or else that the author himself began a continuation which he afterwards abandoned, betaking himself first to an expansion of the part already written, and afterwards adding thereto a continuation different to the one he at first contemplated. The latter supposition seems to me very probable; especially as there must have been a little more of this Passus, and yet not much more. The MS. has here lost two leaves, or four pages, so that the utmost that is lost is probably not more than 112 lines, as there are 28 lines to the page. Supposing we were to add 112 to 19, we should get 131 lines, a fair average length for a Passus, thus giving three Passus to “Dowel” instead of two. And some of these lines may have been used again. § 8. METHOD OF PRINTING THE TEXT. This has been already in a great measure explained in describing the Vernon MS. ; see § 4. I. The text is mainly from that MS., but has additional lines and emendations inserted between square brackets. The concluding portion of the last Passus is from MS. T.; see § 4. III. On a careful consideration of Mr Wright's arguments for printing the poem in short or half-lines, I am not convinced by them. There is no MS. authority for any such practice, all early Inglish alliterative poems (at any rate after the time of Edward II.) being written in long lines invariably. Certainly, the metre was imitated from the Anglo-Saxon poems of Beowulf and Caedmon, and those were written in short lines; but it is a question of chronology, and to recur to the Anglo-Saxon method is an anachronism. For the same reason, the arrangement of the lines in Layamon has little to do with it, as that belongs to the reign of Richard I. or John. The argument that the use of the dots in the middle of the lines by the scribes is a clear indication that each line was really made up of two, quite falls through on examination. For the scribes were very care- less about the insertion of these dots, and MSS. of “Piers Plowman.” in which they are preserved throughout are rare, but those in which they are wholly neglected very numerous. In the 10 MSS. above described, the metrical point is carefully preserved in only one, viz. the Vernon ; and it is some proof of the value of MS. T that it is xxviii PREFACE I.—TEXT A. often preserved throughout whole pages, though in other pages it does not appear. In none of the rest does it appear at all, save very rarely. The Latin verses which appear in the prologue of Text B are not in short rimed lines, but are long lines, or Leonine verses, i.e. hexameters and pentameters, and should be printed, Sum rea, sum princeps, neutrum fortasse deinceps, &c. But the discussion of which way is the more correct is not very material; the practical question is, which is the more convenient. Mr Wright did well in adopting the method that suited his purpose best, and for a like reason I have adopted the system of printing in long lines, viz. because it renders the poem uniform with the “Early English Alliterative Poems” and the “Morte Arthur.” At the same time, I by all means advocate the retention of the metrical dot, as greatly helping the reader to perceive the rhythm ; which was, after all, the real reason for its use. The lines of each Passus are numbered separately ; the great con- venience of this will appear hereafter, when the different texts come to be compared. But I have not reckoned in the Latin quotations as counting for lines, except where they are designedly thrown into the shape of alliterative verses. For these quotations are sometimes written in the margin of a MS., or are merely indicated by their first few words, added at the beginning or ending of a line ; and a modern poet would print them as foot-notes. If reference to them is to be made, they may be indicated by the number of the line preceding them. When they are not reckoned in, this is pointed out by their being “set back.” For the punctuation of the text I am, of course, responsible. § 9. METHOD of PRINTING THE FOOT-NOTEs. The MSS. T., H, and U have been collated throughout as far as they go. MS. D has been collated throughout the Prologue, Pass. I.-IV., and part of Pass. VI. and Pass. XI. ; MS. H., from the beginning to Pass. II. l. 146 (with occasional references to it through- out the poem), and throughout Passus IX, X., and XI. The Ashmolean MS. furnished a couple of good readings in Pass. XI. The foot-notes will be very readily understood ; they exhibit in FIREFACE I.—TEXT A. .* xxix general the variations of the other MSS. from the text. Thus the foot-note at l. 20 of the Prologue—and pleiden hem] pleigede TUD. hem ful] but H.-simply shews the substitution in TUD of the one word pleijede for the three words of the text; and that, in H, the last part of the line is of the form “and pleiden but seldene,” though not perhaps with exactly that spelling. In quoting from TUD at once, I mean that the spelling of the MS, first mentioned (in this case MS. T) is given, and that U and D differ from it but very slightly. The real readings are—ploisede T; pleiden U ; pleyed D. To have given all such variations of spelling would have been impossible, and would have caused more trouble and expense than printing all these texts at full length. But I have endeavoured to give all useful information by noting down the various spellings of unusual or note- worthy words, even when the differences are but slight; thus, at 1. 40 will be found the various spellings of eoden = went ; at 1. 52 those of lobres = lubbers or loobies, though even here I did not consider it worth while to note that MS. U uses a y for an i, and spells the word lobyes. Again, a good deal of space has been saved by not noticing the use of ac for but, and vice versá, these words are used indiscriminately as equivalent ones in several of the MSS. A few other slight variations of a similar kind have been left unnoticed. Where a reading is obviously absurd, the mark (!) has been appended to it; and some few absurd readings in the Douce MS. have been passed over with the sole remark, “D is corrupt.” The expansions of contractions are generally marked by italics; but in a few common words this has not been done. The metrical dots are inserted in the lines quoted at length in the notes, for the reader's convenience ; they do not, in general, occur in the MSS. It will sometimes happen that the reader, if he tries (by help of the foot-notes) to reproduce the line as it stands in any given MS., as e.g. in MS. T, will find that he produces a line which is obviously absurd. But I cannot help that ; the scribe of MS. T ought to have known better, but he did not. The object, throughout, has been to crowd into the foot-notes as much information as possible, so that the amount of additional information which might be gained from a perusal of the MSS. them- selves should be the smallest possible, and that they may be found to C XXX PREFACE I. —TEXT A. be well represented in print as far as need be. From a conviction that all such information, if not accurately rendered, is simply value- less, great care has been taken in revising the proof-sheets, which are, I hope, free from material faults. § 10. A FEW WORDS ON ALLITERATIVE VERSE. I hope to give, in a later volume, a tolerably full account of alliterative verse. Meanwhile, I would refer the reader to my note on the metre of “Morte Arthure,” prefixed to Mr Perry's edition of that poem, for a brief account of it. It is a metre in which the number of actual syllables is not much regarded, but where all depends on the occurrence of four (or sometimes five) strongly accented syllables in each line. Of these, two should be in the second section of the verse, and two (or three) in the first. The strongest accent should generally fall on the first strongly-accented syllable in the second section, and the initial letter of that syllable is called the rime-letter, and the strongly-accented syllables of the first section should begin with the same letter, or be alliterated with it. It is a metre peculiarly fitted for recitation, and addressed, almost more than any other, to the ear, and one the Swing of which is very easily caught. Believing that a plain and easily-understood example of it in modern language is really a better guide to it than precise rules, I quote the following, pointed after the same manner as in “Piers Plowman.” “Lightly down-leaping he loosens his helmet ; Lightly down-leaping he lappeth the cool wave : He feels that his forces wax faint, as he drinketh ; He slumbers and sleeps as he sinks on the boulders. He rests on his rock-bed naught recking, for ages; His head, with his hoar locks still heaves with its breathing. When flameth and flasheth the flare of the lightning, When rustle the rain-drops and rolleth the thunder, Lol Harold the hero still handles his sword-hilt, Seeking to seize it ‘ tho' sunk in his slumber.”” Any one who can perceive the rhythm of these lines (and it is not * See “Songs and Ballads of Uhland,” by the Rev. W. W. Skeat, p. 304. I quote this literally faute de mieux, not knowing where else to find an example; and I quote PREFACE I. —TEXT A. xxxi very easy to miss it), has a key to a right scansion of Piers Plowman ; it being remembered that in this poem also, as in Chaucer, many final e'-s, &c., must be pronounced fully; which a modern reader is very apt to overlook. The first line is, e. g. In a somer sesun whon softe was be sonnè, where sonnè is a dissyllable. Yet even if this be disregarded, and the language partly modernized, the first four lines of the poem remain very fair lines still, and have a distinct and obvious melody in them ; as thus— In a summer season when soft was the sun, I shop me into a shroud a sheep' as I were, In habit of an hermit unholy of works, Went I wide in this world wonders to hear. § 11. DATE OF THE POEM. We are indebted to Tyrwhitt for having pointed out that the “Southwestern wind on a Saturday at even” mentioned near the beginning of Passus V. refers to the storm of wind which occurred on Jan. 15, 1362, which day was a Saturday.” There may have been more than one Saturday marked by a furious tempest, but the remark is rendered almost certainly true by observing that other indications in the poem point nearly to the same date, especially the allusion to the treaty of Bretigny in 1360, and to Edward's wars in Normandy;” as also the mention of the “pestilence,” no doubt that of 1361.4 These things put together leave no doubt that Tyrwhitt is right, and as the “wind” is spoken of as being something very recent, the true only these lines, because the preceding ones are, some of them, less regular. I believe that this rhythm, in the hands of a poet of true genius, might be found capa- ble of great things, and far more worthy of cultivation than are “barbarous hexa- meters.” * Mr Morris explains “scheep” by shepherd; and “schepherde” is the reading of Text C. * “A.D. M.C.C.C.LXII.-XV die Januarii, circa horam vesperarum, ventus vehe- mens notus Australis Afrious tantã rabie erupit, &c.; ” quoted by Tyrwhitt (in a note to the Advertisement of his Glossary to Chaucer), from the Continuator of Adam Murimuth, p. 115; Cf. P. Pl., Pass. W. l. 14. * Pass. III. 182; see Fabyan's Chronicles, p. 470. * Pass. W. 13. There were three great pestilences, in 1348, 1361-2, and 1369; clearly, the second one is meant. O 2 XXXii PREFACE. I.--TEXT A. date of the poem is doubtless 1362. But how much was then written ? Not all certainly, possibly only the Vision of Piers Plow- man, i.e. only the first eight Passus. The first few lines of the Vita de Dowel seem to imply that there was a short interval between the two poems, i. e. if we take them literally, and I can see no reason why we should not. This would assign the early part of 1362 as the date of the former poem, and the end of the same year or the beginning of 1363 as the date of Dowel. In all probability, the expansion of the poem into the form it assumes in Text B was not immediately begun, and it would necessarily take some time and deliberation to render it nearly three times as long as at first, and to multiply the number of Latin quotations by seven. The latter fact, in particular, implies some considerable time spent in study. Now such a consideration as this seems to me altogether to remove a chronological difficulty which has hitherto been a puzzle. It is, that the mention of John Chichester as mayor of London contradicts the date 1362, inasmuch as he was not mayor till the year 1369. But observe, that this mention of him does not occur in any MS. of the A-type, so that the contradiction ceases to exist if we suppose the later Passus of the second version of the poem not to have been composed till after 1370;” perhaps, indeed, not till 1375 or 1376, if we observe that * Fabyan says John Chychester, goldsmith, was sheriff-of London in 1358-9, and mayor in 1368-9. - - - ° Our author seems to be a year wrong; he says, “A thousand and thre hundred twies thretty and ten.” MS. Laud 581. Pass. XIII. (Text B.) Nearly all other MSS. read “twies twenty and ten; ” which is not alliterative. I do not see why Mr Wright is so dissatisfied with this date, and assumes Stowe to be wrong because, in his Survey of London, p. 159, he has the passage—“More- over, in the 44, of Edward the third, John Chichester being maior of London, I read in the Visions of Pierce Plowman, a book so called, as followeth. There was a careful commune when no cart came to towne with baked bread from Stratford : tho gan beggers weepe, and workemen were agast, a little this will be thought long in the date of our Drite, in a drie Averell, a thousand and three hundred twise thirtie and ten, &c.” He thinks Stowe may have altered the date, because the “drye Aprill” must mean the drought of 1351 mentioned by Fabyan, and that Chichester may have been mayor more than once. But the same Fabyan gives a list of mayors, and makes Chichester mayor once only, in 1368-9. I think it more likely that there were two “dry Aprils.” Stowe does not stand alone in his reckoning, Bale gives the date 1369 ; so does Wood (Hist, and Antiq, Univ. Oxon. l. ii. p. PREFACE I.—TEXT A. xxxiii the language used in referring to this circumstance is such as we should use in speaking of a thing that happened five or six years ago rather than recently. To this supposition I can see no objection; and I therefore propose the theory that we should refer the first 8 Passus of Text A to the early part of 1362; the Vita de Dowel, in its short and original form, to the end of 1362 or the beginning of 1363; and the revision of the whole poem, and expansion of it into its second shape, to about 1376." The second revision of it, and its alteration into the third form, may have been four or five years later still. It seems to be in the natural order of things that a poem, originally struck off in perhaps no long time, should afterwards have been elaborated with much care and diligence when its popularity was well established. That most of the additional matter in both the later forms of the poem was by Langland himself I have little doubt ; his style is very peculiar, and many of the subsequently interpolated passages are the very best of the whole. It is easy to say that others may have added to it; but the question is, who could have done so There were not two Langlands, surely ; and though there are other (anonymous) alliterative poems of considerable merit, such as, for instance, “William of Palerne,” I greatly doubt if they reach the high standard of poetical power which is conspicuous in Piers Plow- man. Conspicuous, that is, after some study ; for his phraseology is, at first, difficult to follow, and there are some words which are very unfamiliar to all but those who are fairly well versed in the language of the period; and hence it has come to pass, as it would seem, that though this poem has often been very highly praised—more praised, perhaps, than read—the author has still had but scanty justice done to him. At a first perusal, the poem, though often striking, seems 107); and so does Buchanan (De Scriptoribus Scotis. MS. Bibl. Univ. Edin.). Mr Wright's difficulty arose from supposing that the poem was written all at once; whereas Langland almost expressly states the contrary (Text B. xiii. 3). - * Tyrwhitt says, “Indeed, from the mention of the kitten in the tale of the Rattons, I should suspect that the author wrote at the very end of the reign of Edward III., when Richard was become heir-apparent ; ” Chaucer ; Essay, &c., note 57. With this I entirely agree. * Otherwise called, “William and the Werwulf,” but it is only a translation of Guillaume de Palerne. The poem on the “Deposition of Richard II.” (Wright's Political Poems, vol. i. p. 368) is the only one in Langland's style. xxxiv. FREFACE I.—TEXT A. rather heavy, upon the whole, and somewhat wearisome ; but when Some insight is gained into it, it becomes more pleasing and attractive, and its power and truth become more apparent. The astonishing vigour and force of the language begins to dawn upon one, and a greater familiarity with it continually increases our admiration. Con- tinual re-perusal of it proves a constant source of pleasure and of profit, and it is not too muclı to say that when we speak of the great poets of England, of Chaucer, Spenser, Shakespeare, and Milton, there are few who better deserve to be named together with these than one whose very name we scarcely know, the author of “The Vision of Piers Plowman’—WILLIAM LANGLAND. § 12. THE AUTHOR's NAME AND LIFE. I have just spoken of the author's name as being probably William Langland. That his surname was Langland, Langelande, Langlond, or Longland (it is spelt all ways) seems to be generally agreed. His Christian name has been given as John, Robert, and William. The first of these seems to have been a mere guess of Stowe's (Ann. p. 238), who speaks of John Malverne, Fellow of Oriel College, in Oxford, as having “made and finished his book, entitled, the Visions of Peers Plowman,” in 1342; where, besides assigning an obviously wrong date, he seems to attribute the book to the wrong author. Bale has the following passage, containing all that is known of the author's life. “Robertus Langelande, Sacerdos, ut apparet,” natus in comitatu Salopiae, in villa vulgó dicta Mortymers Clibery, in terra lutea, octavo a Malvernis montibus milliario fuit. Num tamen eo in loco, incondito et aegresti, in bonis litteris ad maturam aetatem usque informatus fuit, certö adfirmare non possum. Ut neque, an Oxonijaut Cantabrigiae illis insudaverit; quum apud eorum locorum magistros, studia præcipue vigerent. Illud veruntamen liquidô constat, eum fuisse ex primis Joannis Wiclevi discipulis unum, atgue in spiritus fervore, contra apertas papistarum blasphemias adversus Deum et ejus Christum, sub amoenis coloribus et typis edidisse in sermone Anglico pium opus, ac bonorum virorum lectione * I do not think it at all clear that he was a priest; on the contrary, one would glean from the poem that he was a married man, and therefore not a priest. PREFACE I. —TEXT A. XXXV dignum, quod vocabat Visionem Petri Ayatoris, lib. 1. In aestivo tempore cum Sol caleret." Nihil aliud ab ipso editum novi. In hoc opere condito, praeter similitudines varias et jucundas, propheticë plura prædixit,” quae nostris diebus impleri vidimus. Complevit suum opus anno domini 1369, dum Joannes Cicestrius Londini praetor esset.” Balei, Script. Illustr. majoris Britanniae. Cent. vi. p. 474. Basileae, apud Oporinum, 1559. Meagre, indeed, is this account, and obviously gleaned, for the most part, from the poem itself. . The same information is repeated in a piece of writing inside the cover of Lord Ashburnham's MS. cxxx. “Robertus Langlande, natus in comitatu Salopie in villa Mortimers Clybery in the Clayland and within viij miles of Malvern hills, scripsit piers ploughman, li. 1. In somer season, &c.” This is in the handwriting of John Bale, and is no new testimony. David Buchanan also calls him “Robertus Langland,” but claims him as a Scotchman, and a Benedictine monk of Aberdeen, which is out of the question.” For all this, I prefer to suppose that his name was really William. Bale's testimony only takes us back to the sixteenth century, but Sir F. Madden found a note in a hand of the fifteenth century in one of the Dublin MSS. to this effect, “Memorandum, quod Stacy de Rokayle, pater Willielmi de Langlond, qui Stacius fuit generosus, et morabatur in Schiptone under Whicwode,” tenens domini le Spenser in comitatu Oxon., qui praedictus Willielmus fecit librum qui vocatur Perys Ploughman.” Still more to the purpose are the numerous titles found in the MSS. themselves, where the name Willelmus or Willielmus occurs again and again,” in MSS. of every class. Tyrwhitt notes this in the case of MS. Vesp. B xvi., and quotes the line (verse 5 of Pass. 2), “And sayde, Wille, slepest thou,” &c., where other MSS. have “sone.” But I would rely yet more on 1. 118 of Pass. IX., “Oure Wille wolde I-witen 3if wit coupe hym techen.” 1 A translation of l. 1 of the Prologue. * He refers to the prophecy about the abbot of Abingdon. Text B. Passus X. * Wright's Piers Plowman, pref. p. ix. * Shipton-under-Wychwood, 4 miles N.N.E. of Burford, Oxon. * See three examples of it quoted in § 5, p. xxv. * See Pass. I. l. 5; cf. VIII. 43. xxxvi PREFACE I.—TEXT A. The phrase “oure Wille" is exactly the colloquial way of speak- ing of a friend or relation which may be heard any day in Shropshire still, as I can well testify, having been called “our Wat " many a time in former days; and it seems to me so utterly unlikely that a man would use a feigned name whilst he was speaking of himself in So familiar a manner. Hence the balance of evidence seems to me in ſavour of the name William Langland, and we may perhaps further accept the probability that he was born at Cleobury Mortimer, in Shropshire, whilst it is certain that he was familiar enough with Malvern hills, and that he composed the first part of his poem there." He probably afterwards resided a time in London, as he states in the opening lines of Passus VI. (Text C), and was there perhaps “when Chichester was mayor.” It is an open question whether he was a monk and unmarried, or whether his wife Kitte and his daughter Calote * were real personages. The latter supposition seems to me so very much the more natural that I do not see why it should not be adopted. I can see no reason why we should think that the author is always trying to deceive us about himself; and certainly, Langland is the last man one would suspect of not speaking everything straight out. The opening passage of Passus VI. (Text C)” contains many hints which we need not suppose untrue. He has been supposed a monk because of his learning, but his own simple account seems Only to mean that he was well educated, probably in a monastery. “When i yong was, quod I many 3er hennes, Mi fader and my frendes founden me to scole Tili wiste with turli what holi writ bi-menede And what is best for be bodi as pebok tellep,” &c. In the same passage he calls himself a clerk, though he has only just mentioned Kitte his wife, so that clerk here means no more than a scholar. In another passage he seems to speak of himself as being 45 years old, “I have folwed thee, in feith ! This fyve and fourty wynter,” (ed. Wright, p. 228). 1 Prol. 1, 8; Passus VIII. 130. * Kitte is mentioned twice at least; see Wright's ed. p. 395 and p. 514. * Quoted in Wright's ed. vol. ii. p. 514. * Text C ; Passus WI, 35. PREFACE I.—TEXT A. XXxvii but the requirements of alliteration are such that no stress can be laid upon this. If true, it would go far to shew that some time probably elapsed before he shaped Text A into Text B. It is in itself quite probable; for, if he wrote the “story of the rattons” in 1376 | (which seems extremely probable from the very significant quotation “We terre ubi puer rea, est”), and was then forty-five years old, the date of his birth would be 1331, and he would have been 31 years old when first undertaking his poem, a by no means unlikely age. The poem on the “Deposition of Richard II.” was written, of course, in 1399, when he would be 68 according to this theory, if still alive. This poem, in the only MS. in which it occurs, follows “Piers Plowman,” and is written as a sort of continuation of it. Its author must have been extremely familiar with the “Vision,” as he has many half-lines in common with it, and at least one line is quoted from it without alteration, viz. “Tho ben men of this molde that most harm worchen.” (Wright, Pol. Poems, i. 408.)? And there are many others where the alteration is very slight, as in “Trouthe hathe determyned the tente to the ende” (id. p. 385).3 To point out all the many points of resemblance between these poems would take up too much space, but we may safely conclude either that the later one was written by some one exceeding familiar with the “Vision ” from constant perusal of it, or else by Langland himself at an advanced age. That it was written by an old man seems to be hinted at plainly enough in the lines, “For it fallith as well to ffodis [lads] of xxiiij 3eris, Or yonge men of yistèrday to 3eue good redis, As becometh a kow to hoppe in a cage /* (Pol. Poems, i. 405.) And even were Langland as old as 68 years, this is not equal to the feat performed by Gower, who finished his “Confessio Amantis” in 1393, when he seems to have been upwards of 70, and who had written French ballads in 1350, full 43 years before.” Nor does it * The Black Prince died in June, 1376, when Richard became heir-apparent. * See Passus III. l. 71. 3 See Passus I. 95. “Warton, Hist. Eng. Poetry, ii. 338. xxxviii PREFACE I.—TEXT A. appear that Chaucer even began his Canterbury Tales till he was upwards of 60. It is worth noting that the poem now under con- sideration terminates abruptly, either because (as Mr Wright suggests) the Scribe did not partake in the political sentiments of the author, as seems indicated by a marginal note, or because he discovered that it did not form a part of Piers Ploughman. It should be observed, lowever, that its Passus are numbered from one to four, so that the latter supposition is hardly tenable, and we are quite as much at liberty to suppose that it was never finished. Lastly, if Langland was really the author of this poem, his death probably took place in the very beginning of the reign of Henry IV. Scanty indeed are these notes of his life ; but the loss of informa- tion about him is, after all, of little moment. His poem is a true autobiography in the highest sense of the word. It abounds with his opinions, political and religious, from end to end, all expressed in the most decided language and evidently the result of much thought. The allusions to his poverty and the care taken with his education are certainly true ; and while he satirizes the friars, he seems not much more friendly to the monks. On two points he is especially clear, viz. on the duty of every man to use his own common sense, and on the simplicity which should characterize a plain Christian man's religion. Better, he says, to do well than to have a whole sackful of pardons, which are but unsafe things to trust to. The law of Love is, with him, the one thing most worthy, the only thing in theology worth knowing. But for the Love which theology enjoins, the study of it would be worthless indeed. He shews himself to us as a man of simple, noble, and pure faith, strong in Saving common sense, full of love for his fellows, the friend of the poor, the adviser of the rich, with strong views on the duties of a king towards his subjects, together with a feeling of deep reverence for the kingly character, fearless, unprejudiced, and ever willing to be taught. He does not write to please, but to express earnest and deep convictions, and from a love of contemplating the great problem of life ; and there is much that may teach a reader to be earnest, pure, loving, and simple-minded, much that may profit all such as care to be instructed in such things. One point especially deserves attention, the purity W PREFACE I. —TEXT A. XXXix of his writings, the great freedom they exhibit from all that is of a prurient tendency. Sometimes, indeed, he speaks out in plain terms, once or twice, but not often, in words that to us are coarse ; but it is invariably in a tone of reproof or indignation. In his character of the glutton, he does not scruple to excite our disgust and loathing, but it is in order to shew how debasing and detestable a thing gluttony really is. This passage and one other near the end of the poem are the only ones which Dr Whitaker, who was somewhat scrupulous, thought it at all necessary to omit; and I think that the way in which the poet so frequently insists on the sanctity of the marriage-tie, and on the evil of ill-advised marriages, is greatly against the supposition that he was himself unmarried. To sum up all, his life and thoughts can be easily learnt from his poem, and they seem well worth the learning, § 13. ARGUMENT OF THE POEM. (TEXT A.) The poem is distinctly divisible into two parts, the “Vision of Piers Plowman,” and “Vita de Dowel.” Of these, the first is again divisible into two distinct visions, which may be called: (1.) The Vision of the field full of folk, of Holy Church, and of Lady Meed, occupy- ing the Prologue and Passus I.-IV. ; and (2.) The Vision of the Deadly Sins and of “Pers the Plouhmon,” occupying Passus W.- VIII. The remaining Passus (IX.—XI.) form the Prologue and Passus of the “Vita de Dowel.” I. VISION OF THE FIELD FULL OF FOLK, OF Holy CHURCH, AND OF LADY MEED. In the PROLOGUE, the author describes how, weary of wandering, he sits down to rest upon the Malvern Hills, and there falls asleep and dreams. In his vision, the world and its people are represented to him by a field full of folk, busily engaged in their avocations. The field was situate between the tower of Truth, who is God the Father, and the dungeon which is the abode of the evil spirits. In it there were ploughmen and spendthrifts, hermits, minstrels, beggars, pilgrims, friars, a pardoner with bulls,law-sergeants, bishops, and all kinds of craftsmen. Passus I. Presently, he sees a lovely lady, of whom he asks the ! So spelt in MS. V. xl PREFACE. I.--TEXT A. meaning of the tower. She tells him it is the abode of the Creator, who provides men with the necessaries of life. The dungeon is the castle of Care, where lives the Father of Falseness. He next asks her name, and she says she is Holy Church, and instructs him how great a treasure Truth is, how Lucifer fell through Pride, and that the way to heaven lies through Love. Passus II. He asks how lie Luay know Falsehood. She bids him turn and see Falsehood and Flattery. Looking aside he sees, not them alone, but a woman in glorious apparel. He is told she is the Lady Meed (i.e. Bribery) who is going to be married to Falsehood on the morrow. Holy Church then leaves him. The wedding is pre- pared, and Simony and Civil read a deed respecting the property with which Falsehood and Meed are to be endowed. Theology objects to the marriage, and disputes its legality ; whereupon it is agreed that all must go to Westminster to have the question decided. Thus all come to the King's court, who vows that he will punish Falsehood if he can catch him. On hearing this, Falsehood flees to the friars, who pity him and house him for their own purposes. Passus III. Lady Meed is arrested and brought before the king. A justice assures her all will go well. To seem righteous, she con- fesses and is shriven, offering to glaze a church-window by way of amendment ; and, immediately afterwards, advises mayors and judges to take bribes. The king proposes she shall marry Conscience, and she is willing to do so ; but Conscience refuses, and exposes her faults. She attempts to retaliate and to justify herself; but Con- science refutes her arguments, quotes the example of Saul to shew the evil of covetousness, and declares that Reason will one day reign upon earth, and punish all wrongdoers. Pass. IV. Acting upon this hint, the king orders Reason to be sent for ; who comes, accompanied by Wit and Wisdom. At this moment, Peace enters, with a complaint against Wrong. Wrong, knowing the complaint is true, gets Wisdom and Wit on his side by Meed's help, and offers to buy Peace off with a present. Reason, however, is firm and will show no pity, but advises the king to act with strict justice. The king is convinced, and prays Reason to remain with him for ever after. PREFACE I. —TEXT A. xli II. THE VISION OF THE DEADLY SINs, AND OF PERS THE PLOUHMON. Pass. V. The king goes to church, and afterwards to meat, and at this point of the vision the dreamer awakes. But it is not for long; he soon falls asleep again, and has a second vision, in which he again sees the field full of folk, and Conscience preaching to the assembled people, reminding them that the late storm and pesti- lence were judgments of God. Repentance seconds the efforts of Conscience, and many begin to repent. Of these the first is Pride, who makes a vow of humility. The second is Luxury, who vows to drink only water. The third is Envy, who is described with much particularity, and who confesses his evil thoughts and his attempts to harm his neighbours." The fourth, Avarice, who confesses how he lied and cheated, and taught his wife to cheat. The fifth, Gluttony, who (on his way to church) is tempted into a beerhouse, of the interior of which the author gives a life-like and perfect picture. He too repents, though not till he has first become completely drunk and afterwards felt the ill effects of drinking. Lastly, Sloth declares his resolution to amend and to make all due restitution. Robert the robber is also introduced, praying earnestly for forgiveness. Pass. VI. All the penitents set out in search of Truth, but no one knows the way. Soon they meet with a palmer, who has met with many saints, but never with one named Truth. At this juncture Piers the Ploughman “puts forth his head,” declaring that he knows Truth well, and will tell them the way, which he then describes. Pass. VII. The pilgrims think the way long, and want a guide. Piers says he will come himself and shew them, when he has ploughed his half-acre. Meanwhile, he gives good advice to the rich ladies and to the knight. Before starting, Piers makes his will, and then sets all who come to him to hard work. Many shirk their work, but are reduced to subordination by the sharp treatment of Hunger. Next follow most curious and valuable passages respecting the diet of the poor, striking for higher wages, and the discontent caused by prosperity. Pass. VIII. At this time, Truth (i. e. God the Father) sends | The character of Wrath is strangely omitted. Perceiving his mistake, the author, in Text B (his second edition), elaborated this character with much care. xlii PREFACE I. —TEXT A. Piers a bull of pardon, especially intended for kings, bishops, honest tradesmen, and the labouring poor, and (in the least degree of all) for even the lawyers. A priest disputes the validity of this pardon, and Wants to read it. The dispute becomes so violent between this priest and Piers that the dreamer awakes, and the poem of Piers Ploughman (properly so called) ends with a fine peroration on the small value of popod' pardons, and the superiority of a righteous life over mere trust in indulgences. III. VITA DE DowPL, DOBET, AND DoEEST. Pass. IX. In introducing a new poem, the Vita de T)o-wel, the author begins by describing a dialogue that passed between himself and two Minorite friars upon the doctrine of free-will. After this, he describes himself as again falling asleep, and perceiving a man named Thought. He asks Thought where Do-wel, Do-bet, and Do-best live, and Thought gives him some account of these, but says that the best person to give him further information is Wit. Soon after this, the dreamer (William) and Thought meet with Wit. Pass. X. Wit tells William that Do-wel dwells in a castle called Caro, wherein also is enclosed the lady Anima, and they are guarded by constable In-wit and his five sons. Do-wel, he tells him further, consists in fearing God; Do-bet, in suffering patiently ; and Do-best, in humility. Then follow very interesting discussions upon the good there is in well-assorted and lawful wedlock, and the evil there is in marriages that are ill-advised or mercenary, and in adulterous connections. Pass. XI. The dreamer applies to yet one more adviser, viz. Dame Study, the wife of Wit. She inveighs with great justice and force against the way in which shallow would-be theologians cavil about the mysterious things of God, and unworthily amuse them- selves with vain quibbles. At last, she commends the dreamer to Clergy and Scripture, from whom he may hope to learn yet more. Accordingly, he seeks these, and is favourably received. Clergy explains that Do-wel is nearly coincident with Vita Activa (the Active Life), that Do-bet consists in visiting the sick and those in prison, and that Do-best is—to relieve the poor by means of such vast wealth as was possessed by ecclesiastics for that purpose. But the PREFACE I. —TEXT A. xliii ecclesiastics were far from doing their duty, and seemed to lie under the ban which declares the impossibility for rich men to enter heaven. Upon this, a dispute arises between Clergy and William, which gives William the opportunity of declaring the insufficiency of mere wisdom to obtain admittance into heaven, and the greater likelihood which honest but ignorant poor men have of attaining to the life eternal; “Souteris and seweris such lewide iottis Percen wip a pater noster pe paleis of heuene, Wipoute penaunce, at here partyng into heige blisse " THE VISION OF WILLIAM CONCERNING “PERS THE PLOUHMON.” [Prologus.] IN A somer sesun whon softe was be sonne, I Schop me in-to a Schroud A scheep as I were ; In Habite of an Hermite vn-holy of werkes, Wende I wydene in pis world wondres to here. Bote in a Mayes Morwnynge on Maluerne hulles Me bi-fel a ferly A Feyrie me pouhte; I was weori of wandringe and wente me to reste Vndur a brod banke - bi a Bourne syde, 8 And as I lay and leonede and lokede on pe watres, [f. 394, b. col. 2.] One summer season, clothed as a hermit, I went abroad in the 4. world to hear wonders. On Malvern hills, a strange thing befel me. Being tired of wander- ing, I rested me by a bourne's side, where I soon fell asleep. I slumberde in A slepyng hit sownede so murie, "I penne gon I Meeten A Meruelous sweuene, pat I was in A Wildernesse. wuste I neuer where, 12 And as I bed-heold in-to be Est an-heig to be sonne, I sauh a Tour on A Toft . [trigely] I-maket ; A Deop Dale bi-neope A dungun per-Inne, With deop dich and derk and dredful of siht. 16 Prologus; not in any of the MSS. 1. myhon, softe ºvas be sonne] as y South wente U. 2. into] vndur H; in U ; to D. A scheep, &c.] as I a shep were TH UH.D. 3. of] as TUH.D. . 4. Wende I mydene] Wente wyde TH2D ; I wente wide UH. 6. A Feyrie] of fairie THUH.D. 7. of mandring and of-wandrit & T; forwandred H2, forwandryd y U; for wandryng & D. w Then dreamt I a wondrous dream, that I was in a strange wilder- ness, and saw on the east side of it a tower on a toft, and beneath it a deep dale with a dungeon. 9. leonede] lened me U. 10, sonnede] swigede Tº swyed H2; schewed D. hit sonnede] I swe- uenyd U. 12. wuste Il y wyste UH. 13. And] Ac TD ; H omits; But U. an heigl up U. 14. [trigely T; triely U; tryelyche H2] wonderliche VII; trewliche D. imaket] a-tired U. 16. dich] dikes T ; diches UH2. and dredful, &c.] bat dredeful was of Syghte H. 2 A FAIR FIELD FULL OF FOLK. There was also a fair field, full of all manner of folk. ploughed, sowed, and worked hard ; Seldene, [PROL. * A Feir feld ful of folk fond I per bi-twene, Of alle maner of men be mene and be riche, Worchinge and wondringe as be world askeb. Some of them Sº putten hem to be ploug and pleiden hem ful 20 In Eringe and in Sowynge • Swonken ful harde, pat 11101lie of peos wasturs . In Glotonye distruen. but some were clad in gay apparel. per-after, In Cuntinaunce of clopinge queinteliche de-Gyset; Others prayed, and led an austere life, like anchorites. *| And summe putten hem to pruide apparaylden hem 24 To preyere and to penaunce putten heom monye, For loue of Vr lord liueden ful harde, In Hope for to haue Heuene-riche blisse; As Ancres and Hermytes pat holdep hem in heore Celles, 28 Coueyte not in Cuntre to carien a-boute, For non likerous lyflode heore licam to plese. Some chose merchandise, whilst some were minstrels. * And summe chosen Chaffare to cheeuen pe bettre, As hit semep to vre siht pat suche men scholden ; 32 And summe Murphes to maken as Munstrals cunne, [And gete gold wip here gle giltles, I trowe.] some were jesters * Bote Iapers and Iangelers Iudas Children, and slanderers, against whom Founden hem Fantasyes and fooles hem maaden, 36 *** And habbep wit at heor wille to worchen 3if hemluste. 17. fond I] I fonde H. 19. H. omits this line. nondringe] wandringe TUDH, as] so D. 20, and pleiden hem] pleigede TUD. Jem ful] but H. 21. eringe] settyng TH2D; seed tyme U. harde] sore HH2. 22, bat monie of] whom that T; And wommen bat U ; whamme pat D. Inj wib TUDH2. 24. cuntinawneel quoyntyse H. queinteliche degySet] comen disgisid TUH2D ; bei conen hem disgyse H. 25. To) In THD. preyere] preyers HTUD. to] HD om. 26, ful harde] wel streite TD ; ful strayte HUHz. 29. carien] cairen T; cayren H2. 30, non] no THU. licam] lykames U; lyke hem (!) D. 31. Chaffare] to chaffare TUD. to cheeuen] bei cheuide TU; to preue H; pey cheuen D. 32. hit semep to] esseen in U. Suche men] bei so H. scholden] briuen TH2U ; bryueth D. 34. From T : also in HUH.D. giltles] synles HUD; synfullyche H. 35. Judas] Iudases U. 36. Founden] pa faymen H ; Gon fynden U ; fynden II. maaden] maken HUTD. s 37. 3if hem lustel 3if bei wolde H ; what hem liketh U. PROL.] BEGGARS, PILGRIMS, HERMITS, FRIARS. pat Poul prechep of hem I dar not preouen heere; Qui loquitur turpiloquium Hee is Luciferes hyme. Bºº and Beggers faste a-boute eoden, 40 Til hear Bagges and heore Balies weren [bratful] T-crom met ; * Feyneden her ſor hedre foode fou;ter, atte alle ; In Glotonye, God wot gon hed to Bedde, And ryseth vp wip ribaudye pis Roberdes knaues; 44 Sleep and Sleu;pe suwep hem euere. * Pilgrimes and Palmers Plihten hem to-gederes For to seche seint Teme and seintes at Roome ; Wenten forb in hedre wey with mony wyse tales, 48 And hedden leue to lygen al heare lyf [aftir]. [Ermytes on an hep wip hokide staues, Wenten to Walsyngham & here wenchis aftir ; * Grete lobres and longe pat lop weore to swynke 52 Clopeden hem in Copes to beo knowen for breperen; And summe Schopen [hem] to hermytes heore ese to haue. Font pere Freres all be Foure Ordres, Prechinge be peple for profyt of hedre wombes, 56 Glosynge pe Gospel as hem good likep, [f. 395 a.. col. 1.] There were beggars, too, dissembling knaves, who lived in gluttony, sleep, and sloth. Pilgrims and palmers were there, who went to Rome, and had leave to lie ever after. Hermits, too, went to Walsing- ham, and their wenches with them; great long lubbers were they, and loath to Work. 4% I found friars there, of all four orders, glozing the Gospel, 38. dar] wol U. preouen] proue it TH, ; sey H.; proue yt D. 39. Qui, &c.] Qui turpe loquitur D. Hee is] is HUH.D; his T. 40. Bidders and beggers] beggeris and bydderes U. eoden] 3ede THz; 3eden H; 3edyn U. 41. bagges—Balies] bely & here bagge TH2D; belyes and here bagges U. [bratful T; bretful H.; bredful UD] faste VH. 42. Feyneden hem] Flite banne T.; bei fliten U; Fayteden H.; Faytours H, ; Flytteden & D. atte alle] at be ale TD ; at be nale UH ; at nale H2. 44. pis] as TUD ; tho H2. 46. Plihten] pyghten H. 48. mysel vayn H. 49. [aftir THUH2D] tyme V. 50, 51. From T ; also in UH2D; 2007 ºn VH. 52. lobres] lobies TUHAD; loburs H. bat lop neore] loth for U. 53. for breperen] from opere TU B.D 54. om. the mºhole line U. And summe] TH2D om. ; summe H. [hem THD.] W omits. OBs. After l. 54 the two following lines occur, in H2 only ; t Who-so 3eueth for godes loue wyl nat 3eue his bankis But pere his mede may be most and most merytorye. - 55. Font] fond TUH. H.; But I fonde D. 56. heore nombes] be wombe TH2. 57. Glosynge] gloside TUHz; gloseth D. good, silf H. likebl likide TUH2. 1 * 4 A PARDONER AND HIS BULLS. covetous cheats, whose traffic had much to do with money. to-gedere. For since charity has taken to trading, many strange things have happened. lordes, For Moneye and heore Marchaundie [PROL. For Couetyse of Copes Construep hit ille ; For monye of pis Maistres mowen clopen hem at lyking, meeten ofte 60 Seppe charite hap be chapmon [and] cheef to schriuen Mony ferlyes han bi-falle in a fewe 3eres. But holychirche bi-ginne holde bef to-gedere, pe moste Mischeef on molde mountep vp faste. There preached a pardoner, and shewed a bull, saying he could assoil everyone. 64 "I per prechede a pardoner as he a prest were, And brougt vp a Bulle with Bisschopes seles, And Seide pat him-self mihte a-soylen hem alle Of Falsnesse and Fastinge and of vouwes I-broken. .68 pe lewede Men likede him wel and leeuep his speche, Men came and kissed it; and he blinded their eyes with it, and got rings and brooches. eigen, And comen vp knelynge and cusseden his Bulle ; He bonchede hem with his Breuet and blered heore And rauhte with his Ragemon Ringes and Broches. 72 pus 3e 3iuep Oure gold Glotonye to helpen, And leuep hit to losels pat lecherie haunten. Were the bishop worth his ears, this would not be suffered. 58. ille] ful yuel H; as bei wolde TUH, ; at wille D. 59. elopen—lyking] be clothed the better H, 60. For moneye] For here mony TUH.D. oft] THUHAD omit. 61. charite—chapmon.] freeris han ben chapmen H. [and THUH2D] V omits. 62. bifalle] fallen TUD; fallery3t 2 * 63. biginne] and bei T; and he U |H.D. holde—togedere] be better to holde togedre H ; holde togidre U. 64 mountep, &c.] is mountyng up faste T; is mowntynge vp welfaste H. H.D. 65. as–were] a prest as he were U; a prest as it were H. Weore be Bisschop I-blesset and worp bope his Eres, Heo scholde not beo so hardi to deceyue so pe peple. Saue hit nis not bipe Bisschop pat be Boye prechep ; 66. v.pl forth THUH,. 69. likedel Teuide T; leued HD; lyueden U. him] DH om. nel] U om. leeueb] likide TU ; lykeden H ; liked D; leued H2. 70, and cusseden] to kissen TU H.D. 71. bonchedel bunchip T.; bunched H., ; blessid UH ; bonches D. 72. And rauhtel Raughte hym U. Ringes and broches] broches and rynges UD. 73. bus—gold] bus bei 3ouen here geld TD ; bus 3e 3yuen 3oure goodus H. Glotonyel glotonis THUH2D. 76. Heo—hardi] His sel shulde not be sent TUH.D. to decey we so] to bigyle so H; TUH.D omit so. 77. Saue—bi] It is not al be TH; PROL.] LAW-SERGEANTS, BISHOPS, ARCHDEACONS. 78 pat haue Schulde pe pore parisschens 3if pat heo me WeOre. Bote be Parisch prest and he de-parte be seluer, Persones and parisch prestes playnep to heore Bis- Schops, 80 pat heare Parisch ha} ben pore seppe be Pestilence [tyme], And askep leue and lycence at londun to dwelle, To singe per for Simonye for seluer is swete. Er houep an Hundret In Houlies of selk, 8 Seriauns hit semep to seruen atte Barre; 4 Pleden for pons and poundes pe lawe, Not for loue of vr lord ‘ vn-losep hedre lippes ones. pow mihtest beter meten pe Myst on Maluerne hulles, pen geten a Mom of hedre Moup til moneye wedre schewed. 89 * I sauh per Bisschops Bolde and Bachilers of diuyn Bi-coome Clerkes of A-Counte pe kyng for to seruen ; 92 5. Parish-priests complain that their parishes are poor now since the pesti- lence, and so they go to London. There were a hundredsergeants in silk hoods, law-pleaders, who never spoke till they saw their Imoney. I saw there T bishops who became clerks of account, and archdeacons who Erchedekenes and Deknes pat Dignite hauen, To preche pe peple and pore men to feede, Beon lopen to londun bi leue of hedre Bisschopes, left the feeding of the poor to be clerks of the king's bench. To ben Clerkes of be kynges Benche pe Cuntre to schende. y trowe it is noght for U; It is nough be H.; He is nougt al by D. be Boye] bey bobe D. 78. hel be pardoner THUH, D. departe] parte THU ; departid H. ; parteth D. 79. haue—parisschens] bepore peple of be parissh shulde haue TH2D; be poore of be parysche schuld haue H ; be pore peple Schuld haue U. 80. parisch prestes] prouenders H. playnebl playned H.; pleynide hem TD; playnen hem U. Bisschops] bisshop TU. * 81. Parisch] parischens H.U. hab ben] was T; ben U; were H.D. [tyme THUH,Dj V omits. 82. And — lycence] To haue a licence & leue TUH2. askeb] han H. D omits this line. 84. Jouebj houide THUH.D. - 85. hit semeb) it semide THEI, ; bei Semeden U ; it semedyn D. to seruen atte] bat seruide at be T; pletiden at be U. 86. Pleden—poundes] Pleten for penis & poyntep T; For penyes & for powndis pladden H ; bei pletide for pens and poundide U; plededen for pens & poundes D. 87. vnlosep — ones] openyd his lippes U ; not open her lyppus oonus 89. neore] be TH, UD. 90. Bisschops] erchebisschopes U. 92. Erchedekenes] I saw bere erchedeknes U. Deknes] denis THUD; dekenes H2. 6 BAKERS, BREWERS, MASONS, COOKS. I saw too barons, burgesses, bond- men, [PROL. *I Barouns and Burgeis and Bonde-men also 96 I sau; in pat Semble as 3e schul heren her-aftur. bakers, butchers, ºf Bakers, Bochers and Breusters monye, brewsters, and ottlers; and ditchers who lead ill lives, and sing idle songs. [Wollene websteris and weueris of lynen, Taillours, tanneris & tokkeris bope, Masons, Minours and mony oper craftes, 100 Dykers, and Deluers pat don heore dedes ille, And driuep forb be longe day with “deu vous saue, dam Emme !” Cooks were cry- ing “hot pies,” and taverners were praising their wine. 103 * Cookes and heore knaues Cryen “hote pies, hote Goode gees and grys Gowe dyne, [Gowel ; ” - Tauerners to hem tolde be same tale Wip good wyn of Gaskoyne And wyn of Oseye, Of Ruyn aſn]d of Rochel be Rost to defye. 108 [Al pis I sau; slepynge & Seue sipes more.] 96. and Burgeis] TU omit and. Bondemen] bondage THz; bondeage D; bondages U. 97. semble] semele T. heren her- aftur] heer aftir TU; seen aftur H.; here after D. 98. Bakers] Baxteris & T; bakeris and HHAU; Baksteres & D. 99, 100. From T; also in UH.D. [tanneris & tokkeris] toucheris and tolleris U; towkers and tollers H2 ; & souters and tokkeres D. 102. Jeore dedes] here dede T. here wer: U. ille] yuol H. 103. vous] THU om. mith—saue] dieu gard D. - 105. [Gove THUH, ; W has Gouwe) 106. to hem] tollid hem U. Tolde— tale] and tolde hem be same U; tolde pe same TD ; tolde hem the same H2. 107. Wip wyn of osay & wyn of gascoyne TH2D (but D reads Asay); wip white wyn of oseye and gas- coyne U. 108. Ruyn] be ryn THDUH2. Rochel] be rochel THUH2. 109. From T. Also in UD and H2. PASS. I.] TASSUS I. THE VISION OF HOLY CHURCH. 7 [Primus passus de visione.] hat pis Mountein be-Menep . and pis derke Dale, And bis feire feld, ful of folk ferre I schal ow schewe. A louely ladi on leor In linnene I-cloped, Com a-doun from be [clyf) and clepte me feire, 4 And seide, “sone ! slepest pou? Sixt pou pis peple I now tell the meaning of the mountain, the dale, and the field. A lovely lady came down from that cliff, and bade me look at the people: Al hou bisy pei ben A-boute be Mase? & pe moste parti of pe peple pat passep nou on eorpe, Hauen heo worschupe in bis world kepe pei no betere; Of oper heuene pen heer [holde] pei no tale.” * Ich was a-ferd of hire Face bauh heo feir weore, And seide, “Merci, Madame ' What is pis to mene?” * “pis Tour and pis Toft,” quod heo “treube is per- Inne, most of whom seek only worship in this world (here imaged by a 9 field). I was afraid, and asked what it all meant. “In the tower,” she said, “is Truth, i. e. God the Creator, 12 And wolde bat 3e wrougten as his word techep; For he is Fader of Fei pat formed ow alle [f. 395 a. col. 2.] Bobe with Fel and with Face and 3af ow fyue wittes, Forte worschupen him [perwith] while 3e beop heere. Primus, &c.] found in TUD. 1. bememepl menip TD; may mene U. bis darke] pis deope H ; ek be derke TD. 2. feire feld] THUH2D omit feire; but see prol. 1. 17. 3. on leor] of lire THUD; of lore H2. I-cloped] was clothid U. 4. [clyf) so in UDH, ; V and H have loft; T reads fro bat kib. clepte] clepid H.; callide TUH.D. 5. slepest pow] slepistow U. sest T; seest HUD. 7. nou onlon bis TH2 ; vpon HU; sia’t] here on D. 8. in bis] of bis HD; of be U. 9. [holde] so in TUDH, ; 3euep V; 3yue H. 11. is bis to mene] may bis by- meene HU. • 12. and bis] of be T; on be HDH, ; in be U. 13. And] he H ; bat U : D om. 14. Fei] feib THUD. on 3ow TUHAD ; 3ou H. 16. Forte] For to THEI.DU. [ber- mib V omits this nord; but it occurs in THUH, ; D has with. 8 who gives men wool and linen sufficient. Three things are really needful,- clothes, meat, and drink. But beware of drink, and re- 111ember Lot's sin, THREE THINGS NEEDFUL FOR LIFE. [PASS. I. And for he hihte be eorpe to seruen ow vehone 17 Of wollene, Of linnene To lyflode at neode, In Mesurable Maner to maken ow at ese ; And Comaundet of his Cortesye In Comune preo 20 Heore nomes bep neodful and nempnen hem I benke, Bi Rule and bi Resun Rohersen heill lier-aſlur. * pat on Clothing is from Chele ow to saue: And pat opur Mete at Meel" formeseise of piseluen: 24 And drink whon pou druigest but do hit not out of Resun, pat pou weor[p]e pe worse whom pou worche scholdest, pinges; * For Lot in his lyf-dayes for lyking of drinke, Dude bi his douhtren pat be deuel louede, Dilytede him in drinke as be deuel wolde, which was caused by drunkenness. 28° And lecherie him lauhte and lay bi hem bope; t And al he witede hit wyn pat wikkede dede. Dreede dilitable drinke . And pou Schall do be bettre; 32 Moderation is wholesome, though the appetite be keen. Believe not thy W Leef not pilicam 17. for—eorbe] perfore he bad gow eche U. for he hilte] therefore hooteth H; perfore he higte TH.D. to— wchome] to helpe 3ow ichone TDH2; an helpen oper U. 18. Of-of] And wollen & D. 21. Heore—meodful] Narn (Are H2) none medful, but po TH2 ; Arn non nedful but bei U ; Nearn non nedful but bo D. 22. Bi-bij And rekne hem in TD ; And rekene hem be H2; And rekne hem 30w by U. Rehersen reherse pou TD ; reherse 3ow H2; reherce 3e U. heraſtur] aftir UD. 23. eloping is] is vesture TH, ; is vesture verrailiche U. from chele] fro cold U. on be THz. D reads, That on is cloping for cold bat it may bee Salle. * 24. And—meel] be tober is mete at Mesure is Médicine - pauh pou muche 3eor[n]e. Al nis not good to be gost pat pe bodilykep, Ne lyflode to be licam • pat leof is to pe Soule. for ly;ere him techep, 36 3our meel U. meseise] myschief UH. biseluen] 3ow selue U. 25, bon druisest] be drigep TH2 ; 3ow drieth U. 26. pou neore] bou worpe THD; be worth H.; 3e wurche U. pow— seholdest] 3e swynke scholde U. 27. for lyking] boroug lykynge H. 28. lowede] lykide THUH.D. 29. Tomits this line ; but it occurs in H2 as mell as in HD and U. OBS. A whole folio is here lost Out of U; from l. 33 down to l. 99. 33. 3eornel V_3eore; but T has erne; so H and D. 34. bodil gut TD ; gutt H, ; which is perhaps a better reading, as regards the alliteration. lykep] askep HH2D. 36. ly;ere] lyar H; a liber T : a lyere H, ; a leder D. techeb) ledith H. : . !o a -# *20 Cº/ * , arriº PASS. I.] pat is be Wikkede word be to bi-traye. For pe Fend and pi Flesch folewen to-gedere, THE TREASURES OF THE WORLD. 9 body, which is leagued with the fiend; therefore beware.” And schendep pi soule seo hit in pin herte; And for pou scholdest beo war I wisse be be bettre. 40 “A Madame, Merci!” quap I: “me likep wel biwordes. I thanked her, and asked her to Bote pe Moneye on pis Molde pat men so faste whom the holden, treasures of the world belonged. Tel me to whom bat Tresour appendep?” “(YO to be gospel,” quap heo Seluen, “pat god seip him- She bade me go to the gospel, and 44 read how Christ was tempted by Whon be peple him a posede with a peny in pe Temple, being shown a 3if heo Schulden worschupe per-with Cesar heare kyng. penny. ºf And he asked of hem of whom spac pe lettre, And whom peymage was lyk pat per-Inne stod. 48 * “Ceesar, peiseiden We seop wel vehone.” “Render unto Caesar,” &c. (Matt. [Reddite ergo que sunt cesaris cesari, et que Sunt xxii. 21). dei deo.] “penne Reddite,” quap God “pat to Cesar fallep, Et que sunt dei deo or elles do 3e ille.” tºº. For Rihtfoliche Resoun 'schulde rulen ou alle, 52 should rule you. And kuynde wit be wardeyn oure wedlpe to kepe, And tour of vr tresour to take hit [3ow] at nede; For husbondrie and he holden to-gedere.” Then I asked her Enne I fraynede hire feire for him bat hire made, 56 ...” “pat[dungun]in bat deope dale patdredfulis of siht, What may hit Mene, Madame Ich be bi-seche 7" 37. mikkede] wrecchide nord] world THEI.D. 38. folenen) foloweb bee H. 39. Seo] set T; I see H.; & set D; and seith H2. 40. bettre] best HTH.D. 44. bat godj per god H. seip] seyde HD. 46. hed schulden] pei wile T. heore] be TD. 48. And—lyk] And be imagis like T; Andymage lyk DH2. Stod] standis T; stondeth H.H., ; standes D. 49. The Latin quotation folloning is found in H. TH.D. dale meant. 50. benne Reddite] Reddite cesari TH.D ; 3eldeb to cesar H. fallebj befalle THz (mºhich also om. to); apendip H ; he longep (be-longeb 2) D. 51. Et—deo] & to god his deel H; Et que sunt dei digno D. do 3e] 3e don THH, ; also D (n:hich om. elles). 54. tour] toure H; tutour TH.D. [30m TH, ; 3ou HD] V omits. 55. hel witte H. 57. bat—dale] be dungeon in be dale TDH, ; be dale & be dongown H. [dungun] V has doun ; but see prol. l. 15. 58. hit mene] bat bymeene H. I0 “That is the castle of care,” she said, “the . abode of Satan, who deceived Adam and Eve, and Cain, and Judas. HOLY CHURCH DECLARES HERSELF. [PASS. I. “|YAt is pe Castel of care,” quod heo per-Inne, Mai Banne pat he born was to Bodi or to soule. 60 per-Inne wonep a wiht pat wrong is I-hote, Fader of Falsness he foundede [it] him-seluen; Adam and Eue he eggede to don ille ; Counseilede Caym to cullen his Broper; 64 Judas he Iapede with pe Tewes seluer, And on an Ellerne treo hongede him after. “hose comep He hinders love. He is a lettere of loue and ly;ep hem alle and deceives all that trust in vain bat trustep in heor tresour per no trupe is Inne.” 68 treasure.’ Then I wondered "ſ penne hedde I wonder in my wit - what wommon hit who she was, and conjured her to tell me her name. “I am Holy Church, who received thee in infancy; thou broughtest me then pledges, to weore, pat suche wyse wordes of holy writ me schewede; And halsede hire in pe heige nome erheo peonne 3eode, What heo weore witerly pat [wisside] me so feire. 72 & C Hºli churche Icham,” quaphed “pou ouhtest me to knowe : Ich be vndurfong furst and pi feip be taugte. work my will.” pow brougtest me Borwes my biddyng to worche, And to loue me leelly While pilyf durede.” 76 Then I prayed her to teach me Christ's will, grace, *I penne knelede I on my kneos and crised hire of And preiede hire pitously to preye for vr sumnes, And eke to teche me kuyndely on crist to bi-leeue, 59. quod hed] TH, and D omit. hose] who bat THEI2. 61. niht] wy TH.; wey D. 62. falsnes] falshed TH.D. [it T; yt D] WHH, omit. 63. to don] hem to TD; to HHz. 64. Caym he cownseyled, &c., H. 65. nip] porogh H. Jenes] Iewene T; Iewyne H, ; Iuen D. 66. on–treo] sipen on an eldir T; sethen on An yllern D; sithen on an eldren H2. ~~... 67, a lettere] leder D. ly;eb] by- ly;eth H. 68. in heor] on his TH.D. per] pat H. per—Inne] betraid arm sounest TH, ; betrayed bub sounest D. 70. mel TDH, omit. 72. [nºisside TH, ; wysed D] techep V; tawght H. 74. Ich—furst] I undirfange be ferst TH2D; I pee furst undurfonge H.pe] D omits. 76. durede] durip TH, ; lasted H.; dureth D. 77. origed] prayed H. 78. And—to To haue pytee on be pepul & to H. vr sunnes] my sennes T; my synnes H.D. 79. eke to teche] to teche H ; ek kenne THz. PASS. I.] TRUTH THE GREATEST TREASURE. 11 pat Ich his wille mihte worche pat wrouhte me to ...ºno Mon. “Tech me to no Tresour bote tel me pis ilke, Hou I may saue my soule bat seint art I-holde.” * “Whon alle tresour is I-triged Treube is be Beste; I do hit on Deus Caritas to doome be sope. 84 Hit is as derworpe a drurie as deore god him-seluen. For hose is trewe of his tonge tellep not elles, Dop his werkes per-with and dop no mon ille, He is a-counted to be gospel on grounde and on lofte, sº And eke I-liknet to vr lord bi seint Tucus wordes. 89 Clerkes pat knowen hit scholde techen hit aboute, For Cristene and vn-cristene him cleymep vehone. Kºº. and knihtes scholde kepen hem bi Reson, 92 And Rihtfuliche Raymen pe Realmes a-bouten, And take trespassours and [teigen] hem faste, Til treupe hedde I-termynet petrespas to pe ende. For Dauid, in his dayes he Dubbede knihtes, 96 For David dubbed Dude hem swere on heor swerd to serue treupe euere. pat is be perte profession pat a-pendep to knihtes, And not to faste a Friday In Fyue score 3eres, But holden with hem and with heore-pat asken petreupe, 80, his—worohe] migte werchen his wil TH.D. 81. to no Tresour] no tresour, quop I H. tel] teche H. 82. I-holde] yhoten TH, ; D has, pat Senne had y-holden. 83. , tresour is 1-trijed] tresours arn triged THH, ; to mhich H also adds quod heo. 85. Hyt is derworthe & dreury, &c. D. al H om. 86. hose] whoso THPI. non oper THH.D. 87. and dop] & wilnep T; & wyllith H2 ; willep D. 88. acounted—gospel] a god be pe gospel TD ; good be gospel H. on — lofte] in heuen & in erbe H. 89. Iliknet) lyke THH2D. 90. techen hit] kenne it TH2D. 91. him cleymepl cleymep it TH, ; mot elles] treasure but my 80 Soul's salvation. “Truth is the best of treasures; whoever is true in word and work is like our Lord. Luke viii. 21. [f. 395 b. col. 1.] Rings and knights should govern rightfully, and bind transgressors. knights to serve Truth: and to do so is far better than to fast on Fridays. claymen it HD. 92. hem] it THEI.D. 93. And—Raymenj And riden & rappe doun TH2 ; And ryden at ran- doun D. Raymen] rule H. be Realmes; in reaumes TH2 ; her rewmes H ; in reames D. 94. trºspassours] hem pat trespas- sen H. [teigen T; tyen H.; teyen D] bynden V; bynde H. 95. petrespas]here trespas THEI.D. 96. dayes] lyfdayes D. 97. Dude] made TH, D; & made H. heor] his TH, ; a D. 98. perte profession] professioun apertly TH. D.; perfyt professyoum H. 99, a] oon H. 3eres] wynter TH H.D. 100, hem—heore] hym and wip hire TUH.D.; hem and with hers H. 12 THE FALL OF LUCIFER. And leuen for no loue ne lacching of 3iftus; [PASS. I. 101 And he pat passep pat poynt is a-postata in be ordre. [For crist, kyngene kyng knyhtide tene, And Christ, too, knighted Cherubim and Seraphim, and taught, them Truth and Obedience. Lucifer was most lovely till he "| Cherubin and Seraphin an al pe foure ordres, "I Lucifer with legiouns lerede hit in heuene ; 104 And 3af hem maystrie and miht in his Maieste, [And ouer his meyne made hem Archaungelis, And taugle [lieuſ] porw pe Trinite treupe for to knowen, And beo boxum at his biddynge he bad hem not elles. 109 brake obedience: He was louelokest of siht aftur vr lord, and then he and his fellows became Til he brak Boxumnes : porw bost of him-seluen. * pene fel he with his felawes and fendes bi-comen, fiends. Out of heuene in-to helle hobleden faste, 113 Summe in pe Eir, and summe in pe Eorpe and summe in helle deope. Lucifer, for his exceeding pride, T Bote Lucifer louwest lish of hem alle ; isiºji, For pruide pat he put out his peyne hap non ende; 116 with him all wrongdoers shall dwell. And alle pat wrong worchen wende pei Schulen After heore dep-day and dwellen with pat schrewe. But they that do || Acheo pat worchen pat word ' patholi writ techep, after the word may be sure of 101. leuen——loue] neuere leue hym for loue TH, ; neither leef hem for loue U; neuer leue hem for loue D. me— 3%ffus] ne for lakkynge of siluer U; me lachesse of gyftes D ; ne no lach- ynge of 3yftus H. 102. And] For H. Jie bat] whoso TUH.D. be] his THUDH. 103. This line is a made up one, from H and U. The readings are, For crist kynge of kny;tus knytted Somtyme H. And kyng, kyngene kyng knyhtide tene U. And crist king of kinges knigtide tene THz. And crist kyng of kny;tes kny;ted ten D. 104. an—ordres] such seuene & a noper TH2 ; and siche mo opere U ; such seuene & oper D. 105. maystrix—milit] migt in his mageste § And endep as Ich er Seide in profitable werkes, ; honour and my;te 120 H. in-Maiestel be meryere hern bougte TUH.; be meryere hym bougte D 106. From T. Also in UH, and D. 107. [hem. THUH,Dj V omits. treube] be troupe THUH.D. 108. biddynge] heste U. 109. lerede] lernyd UD; also D omits hit. 110. louelokest] be louelyst U. of siht] to loke on THz. 113. hobleden] hobelide bei TH, UHD; hobleden wel H. 115. ligh] light U. 116. pat—out] he was putte out H.; he putte out U; pat he put out was D. mende] wende bedyr H. - 117. mºrong worchen] werchen wip wrong TUH2; wurche with wronges D. 119. bał nord bat] in bis world as H (n:ritten over an erasure). 120. profitable] perfite TH.D. PASS. I.] THE TEACHING OF CONSCIENCE, Mouwen be siker patheore soules Schullen to heuene, , per Treupe is in Trinite and Corounephem alle. * For I sigge sikerli - bi siht of be textes, Whon alle tresor is I-triget Treube is be beste. Lerep hit pis lewed men for lettrede hit knoweb, pat treupe is tresour triedest on eorpe.” 46 Yi. haue Inokuynde knowing,” quod I “pou most teche me betere, Biwhat Craft in my Corps hit cumsep, and where.” 128 “HOu dotest daffe,” quaphed “Dulle are pi wittes. Hit is a kuynde knowynge pat kennep be in herte For to loue pilouerd leuere pen pi-seluen; No dedly sunne to do dy3e pau; pou scholdest. 132 pis I trouwe beo treupe hose con teche be betere, Loke pou suffre him to Seye and seppe teche hit forbure! For pus techep us his word ' (worch pou per-aftur) pat loue is pe leuest ping pat vr lord askep, And eke be playnt of pees; prechet [in] pin harpe I 36 124 13 heaven; and therefore say I that Truth is the best treasure.” “But I have no natural knowledge of it,” said I. “Thou fool.” Said she, “it is thy natural conscience, teaching you to love God, and leave deadly sin. If any can teach you better, let him For Love is what God likes best, and eke the plant of Peace. Say per pou art Murie at pi mete 3edde ; whom me biddep pe 121. Schullen] shalwende THUH.D. 122. Corownep hem] tronen hym. T; tryeste of U ; trowe him H., ; crownen hem D ; crownephem H. 123. For—sikerli] For-bi Iseye as I seide er TUH.D ; For I saye as I er sayde H. be] pise T; bese U. 124. tresor—I-triget] tresours arn (ben H) triged THUH, 125. pis] bus TH, ; to H; U omits; also D omits hit, lettrede] lettered men H. 126. is tresour] is be tr. TD; is a tr. H. triedest] trigest here TH, ; be trieste U; tryest D. 127. quod Tj UD omit. bou— betere] 3et mote 3e bet kenne T; 3e mot me betere kenne UHz; but 3e me bet kenne D. 128. Craft] kynne craft U. cumsep] compsip T; bicomsep H; comseth UHz; comsit D. this in thy songs, When men ask thee to sing. 129. dotest] dotide TUH, ; dootest H; doted D. 130. kennep—in comseth in bin U. inj in bin THDH. 131. leuere] betere U. 132, to do) bat pou do H. dy;e— bowl poghe pou deye U. 133. hose conj who can TUH.D. 134. teche—forbure] lere it aftir TH, ; lerne it aftir U ; leret after D. 135. techep us] askip wytnesse TH, ; witnesseth U.D. 137. eke be playmt] eke be plante T; eke be plaunte HH, ; also plante U; eke be plonte D. prechet— harpel preche it in bin harpe THH, ; put it in pin herte U; preche it in by herte D ; but V has, prechet be pin harpe. 138, whom—3edde] in bi most myrthe (over an erasure) H. me] men TUHz. The line in D is corrupt. 14. CHRIST TEACHES MEN LOVE. [PASS. I. For bikuynde knowynge in herte Cumseſp) per a Fitte. Love began with God the Father, who let His Son die for us; At Fallep to be Fader pat formede vs alle. He lokede on vs with loue and lette his sone dye 140 Mekeliche for vre misdedeſs] forte amende vs alle. And 3it wolde he hem no wo pat [wrougte] him pat pyne, even as Christ prayed for His euelilles, But Mekeliche with moube Merci he by-souste, To laue pite on pat peple pat pynede him to depe. 144 | Her pou miht seon ensaumple in [hymselfe) one, granting mercy to them that pierced his heart. Therefore I advise the rich to have pity on the poor; for “with the same measure,” &c. (Matt. vii. 2). g wobis ;) [For-pi I rede be riche haue reupe on pe pore; Joei; 3e ben mixty to mote bep meke of 30ar werkis;] Hou he was mihtful and Meke pat merci gon graunte To hem pat heengen him heige and his herte purleden. 149 [Eadem mensura qua mensi fueritis, reme ciſe]tur For pe same Mesure pat 3e Meten A-mis oper elles, 3e schul be weyen per-with whon 3e wenden hennes. For though ye be true in word and deed, except ye love the poor, and give alms, 139. bij in TD; H omits. in herte] U omits. Cumse—Fitte] per comsip a migt T; bygynne suche H; per comséth it right U ; conseyue pou my;te D ; per comeb a migt H2. 140. pat] And bat TUH.D. 141. He] bat U : THAD omit, andl be H. 142. misdedel misdedis THUH.D. forte] to THUH.D. 143. [ wrougte THUDH.] V has wolde, copied from the first part of the line. 144. hel H and U omit. 145–147 are omitted in H. 146. Her—ensaumple] Here migt bou sen ensaumplis TDH, ; Here myght se ensamples U. [hymselfe TUDH.] V has bi-self. 147. How] bat TUH.D. TUH.D. 148. To-heengen] For hem pat honged H. heige] by THADU (by mis- bat] and * For pau; 3e ben trewe of tonge and treweliche winne, And eke as chast as a child patin Chirche wepep, 154 Bote 3e liuen trewely and eke loue pe pore, And such good as God sent Treweliche parten, 156 take). 149, 150. From T; also in HUD and H2. V has only one line, viz. For- pi I rede be Mihtful of Mayn be Meke of pi wordes. nerkis] hertes D. The Latin quotation is found in H only. OBS. MS. H. is here much tampered ovith and of little value, for about nine lines. 151. Pat 3e meten] bat bou metest (over erasure) H; 3e metyn here U. Amis] a-rigt (over erasure) H. 152, 3e venden] bat 3e gon U. 153. For —3e] For pi TH, ; For by D. of] of 3oure TUH.D. 154. as chast] U omits. 155. liven tremely] loue lelly T : loue lely UH.D. eke lowej lene (or leue) TU; 3eue to loue H, ; loue D. 156. And] Of TUH.D. sent] hap sent U. Then-eliche parten] goodliche parteth UTH2 ; godliche parte D. PASS. I.] 3e naue no more merit In Masse ne In houres CHASTITY USELESS WITHOUT CHARITY. 15 ye have no merit in your prayers. pen Malkyn of hire Maydenhod pat no Mon desyreb. * For Iames be gentel bond hit in his Book, pat [Fey] withouten [fait] ‘ Is febelore pen nougt, 160 And ded as a dore-nayl but be deede folewe. Chastite withouten Charite (wite hou forsope), Is as lewed as a Laumpe pat no liht is Inne. *| Moni Chapeleyns ben chast but Charite is aweye; Beo no men hardore pen bei whom hed beop avaunset; St James tells us that Faith with- Out Works is dead; so chastity without charity is but an unlighted lamp. 163 Many chaplains are chaste, but have not charity; Vn-kuynde to heore kun and to alle cristene ; Chewen heore charite and chiden after more Such [Chastite] withouten [Charite] worp claymed in helle * Curatours bat schulden kepe hem : bodies, they eat up what they should give away, and ask for In Ore., 168 pei bedp Cumbred in care and cunnen not out-crepe; So harde heo beop with Auarice I-haspet to-gedere. bat nis no treube of Trinite but tricherie of helle, 172 And a leornyng for lewed men be latere forte dele. "I For peos bep wordes I-writen In pe Ewangelye, 157, naue] ne haue TUH, ; haue D. Masse] Matynes TUH. houres] masse TH2 ; oures UD. 158. desyreb] desired U. 159. bond hit] ioynide TH, ; Iug- gid U; hath wryten D. 160. [Fey] feib THUH, ; fay D. [fait TH, ; feet D] werk U; warkis H. W misreads, bat Treube withouten Fey. 161. ded] as ded TH2. but 3if be THUH.D. OBS. After folewe H inserts the ºveak line, bat is, to sokoure be sorow- ful & haue charite to alle. 162. nyite—forsobel worth cheynide in helle THz ; wurb schryned in helle U; worth shewed in helle D. (See l. 168.) - 163. Is] bat is U; Hit is DT. 164. Moni] Now many U. 165. Beo no men] Arn none TUH, ; per bedb noon H. - 166, 167. Transposed in H. but bel clene of heore Curators that should be chaste are encumbered with avarice. This treachery teaches the laity to put off giving a Way. See what is in the 166. and to] and ek to TUH.D. 167. Chen'en] bei chewen H; Chiwen U. 168. [Chastite, &c.] chastite with- oute charite THUH.D ; V absurdly transposes chastite and charite ; see l. 162. claymed] cheynid TH2 ; schryned U ; shewed D. 169. Curatours] 3e curatours TU H.D. schulden—hem] kepe 3ow TU H.D.; Schulden 3ou kepe H. of heare] of 30ur TUH.D. H. has, in 3oure soules. 170, bei—care] 3e ben acumbrid wib couetise TUH.D. & cunnen) 3e mowe Ti 3e cunne UH, ; 3e can D; pei con H. 171. harde—wip] faste hab THAD : harde hab U. I./aspet] haspide 3ow TUH.D. 172. pat be trewe tresoure of troupe is almost forzete H. 173. latere forte]lattere to THUH, ; latter for to D. 16 LOVE THE WAY TO HEAVEN. [PASS. I. Gospel (Luke vi. Date et dabitur vobis for I dele Ow alle. 38). [3oure grace & 3oure good happe 3oure welpe for to wynne, 176 & perwip knoweb me kyndely of pat I 3ou sende.] .*** [pat is be lok of loue pat letip out my grace To counſorte be carful Acumbrid wip synne. tºw Loue is pe leueste pinge pat our lord askip, 180 heaven ; And eke pe graip gate pat gop into heuene. For-pi I seige as I Seide er be sixte of pise tixtes, and Truth is the Whan alle tresouris arn trigede treupe is pe beste. best of all e tº treasures. Now haue I tolde pe what treupe is pat no tresour is betere, 184 I may no lengere lenge now loke pe oure lord.”] 175. After vobis, 3euep to myne of 179. U omits. nip] in H. 3oure goodus for I dele, &c. H. 181. graib gate] redyest waye H ; OBS. The rest is not in W. greytheste gate U. e 176, 177. These two lines are in H 182. For-pil perfore U. Seide er] only. er seyde H; sayde here D. 178–185. from T; nith mhich D 184. pat] H omits. and H, very closely agree also found 185. lenge] lende H.; duellen U; in H; and (partly) in U. lengen D. non] but H ; D om. be] 178. letip—myl lyth in 30ure H. pouloue H ; by D. PASS. II.] THE VISION PASSUS II. OF LADY [Passus Secundus de visione.] Yi kneled I on my knees and cried hire of grace, And seide, “Merci, Madame heuene pat Bar pe blisful Barn pat bougt vs on be Roode, Teche me pe kuynde craft forte knowe be false.” “Loke on be lufthond,” quod heo “and seo wher ...". [he] stondep! Bobe Fals and Fauuel and al his hole Meyne !”- Ilokede on pe luft half as pe ladi me tauhte; penne was I war of a wommon wonderliche cloped, 8 .''...'. Purfylet with pelure be ricchest vppon eorpe, I-Corouned with a Coroune pe kynghap no bettre ; Alle hir Fyue Fyngres weore frettet with Rynges, Of pe preciousest perre pat prince wered euere; 12 Title; found in TH2 UD; H has Ter- cius Passus by mistake, as it also calls the meat Passus by the same 02.0//?? 6. OBS. The first 23 lines occur twice in U; readings from the fragment are distinguished by the italic letter U. 1. cried] prayed H. 2. Merci, Madame] V has Madame Merci, with marks for transposition. 3. blisful] blisside TU ; blessyd D. on be Roode] wip his blood H. 4. Teohe-kuynde] kenne me be sum TU U H.D.; teche me by kynde H. forte knowel to kenne TH, ; to knowe U UD. 5. lufthond] left U; left half TU. quod hed] TDU omit ; quod sche U. seo] lo TH.. [he TUH.D] bei HU; V has heo. MEED. 17 [f. 395 b. col. 2.1 for Maries loue of ºn Iwº 4 to teach me how to know She bade me turn and see him. I looked, and, first of all, beheld richly clothed, decked with a crown and costly rings. 6. his her H. al–Meyne] hise feris manye TU U H.D. 8. eloped) atired U : clothid U. OBS. After cloped H inserts, In reed scarlet heo rode rybande wip gold (see l. 13). 9, ricchest vppon] pureste on UUD; purest in H2. OBS. Here H inserts, py;te ful of perrye & of preciouse stoones (see 1. 12). 11. U omits this line ; so also does U. 12. preciousest] pureste TU U H.D. H reads, Of reed gold so ryche I-dy3te Wip preciouse stoones so stoute 'stond- ynge per-ynne. redilyche 18 MEED BETROTHED TO FALSEHOOD. |PASS. II. In Red Scarlet heo Rod I-Rybaunt with gold; ber nis no Qweene qveyntore bat quik is alyue. “Who is this?” I asked. }} A-tyret : “That is Meed (Bribery),” she * “What is bis wommon,” Quod I “pus wonderliche * “bat is Meede be Mayden,” quod hed “pat hap me said, “who has marred ofte, 16 º me much A[n]d 1-lakked my lore to lordes aboute. In pe pope paleys hed is as priue as my-seluen; #. * was And so Schulde heo nou;t for wrong was hir syre; [Out of] wrong heo wox to wroperhele monye. 20 Ich ouhte ben herre pen heo I com of a bettre. To-morrow shall Meed be married to Falsehood, by help of Flattery and Guile. fals; "I To-morwe worp be Mariage I-mad . Of Meede and of I Fauuel with feir speche hap brougt hem to-gedere, And Gyle hap bi-gon hire so heo grauntep al his wille ; 24 And al is ligeres ledynge pat heo leuen to-gedere. To-morrow you may see the whole "| To-Morwe worth pe Mariage I-mad sop as I be telle, .*.*.* pat pou miht [wyte] 3if pou wolt whuche pei ben alle beware of them, lest thou fail of bliss. alle, [bat longith to pat'lordschipe pelasse and pe more. 28 Know hem pere 3if pou canst and kepe pe fro hem 3if pou wilnest to wone with treuthe in his blisse; [lerne his lawe pat is so lele & sippe teche it furper.] 13. H inserts above ; see obs. on 1.8. heo rod] robid TU UD ; robe H2. I- Rybaunt] & ribande TH, D; rybanyd U U. 14. mis] is HUU. goveyntore] koynter H. alyue] on lyue HU UDH, ; o lyue T. 15. nonderlichel worpily TH.D. 16. quod hed] TU UDH, omit. me marred] noigede me , ful TVH, ; anoyged me H.; noyed me wol U; noyed me wel D. 19. Neo moust] it not be TD. 20. U omits this line. [Out of TH UH,D] V has In-to; U reads, Out of wrong wente sche wrotherhele manye. 21. Herre] higere T; heyser H.; heyere U U D. 23, brougt] forgid TU VDH. 24, 25. U omits. * 25. leuen] ligen TH.D ; lyue so H. 26. To-Morrive—I-mad] To-morne schal bei make be mariage H. sob) TUH.D omit : D also om. I-mad. 27, bat—nolt] bere migte bou wyte 3if bou wilt (wolt H) THUH.D; V has seo instead of wyte. 28, 29, 30. From U; also in TH.D ; V has only l. 30, running thus, Bote 3if bow wilne to wone with treupe in his Blisse, with which H closely agrees. 31. This occurs in H only. PASS. II.] I may no lengore lette wr lord Ich pe bi-kenne; TENTS ARE PITCHED FOR THE COMPANY. 19 32 I now commend thee to God.” And bi-come a good mon for eny couetyse, ich rede.” [When heo was me fro Iloked & byhelde] lle bis Riche [Retenaunce] pat Regneden with Fals Weoren bede to pe Bruyt-ale Sydes. Sir Simonye is of sent to asseale pe Chartres, pat Fals opur Fauuel bi eny [fyn] healden, Afterwards, I beheld the bridal. on Bo two pe 36 Sir Simony was sent for to seal the charters. And Feffe Meede per-with In Mariage for euere. * Bote per nas halle ne hous pat miht herborwe pe. But there was not peple, house-room for 40 all. pat vehe feld nas ful of Folk al a-boute. * In middes on a Mountayne at Midmorwe tyde Was piht vp a Pauilon A Proud for be nones; And Ten pousend of Tentes T-tilled be-sydes, So a pavilion was pitched, and 10,000 tents, for knights, sellers, 44 and buyers. For knihtes of Cuntre and Comers aboute, * For Sisours, for Sumnors, cºfor Sullers, for Buggers, For lewede, for lerede for laborers of propes, [& for the flaterynge freeris alle be foure orders], Alle to witnesse wel . What be writ wolde, In what manere pat Meede - In Mariage was [I-feffed], 48 All came to see the marriage. To beo fastnet with fals' pe fyn was arered. "I penne Fauuel fet hire forp and to fals takep, 32. lette] lende H; dwelle D. wr] TD and U omit. bi-kenne] by-take H. 33. And] Loke pou H. ich rede] H omiffs. 34. Occurs in H only. 35. [Retenawnee THUH.D] Rete- nauntes V. bat—Fals] pat with false reigneth U. 36. Bruyt-ale] bedale T; bridale UHH.D. Bo two be] bobe two THUH.D. 37. U omits. is of sent] is assent T; is a-sent H, ; was aftur sent H ; is A-sert D. assedle] a-sele T : Seele H; ensele H, ; sele D. 38. If/n) THUH.D.; W has peyne. 40. bat miſt] to THUH,D. 41. mas] was D. ful] filled H. 52 Then Flattery led 42. on of HD; T and U omit. 43. A proud] prow U ; T and U omit A ; was proud D. 44. I-tilled] I-teldyde forb H ; teldit TH2 ; tight per U; teled D. 45. For] Of TUD. and Comers] of comeres TUH.D. 46. Buggers] biggeres UH; beggeris TH.D. 47, lemºede—lerede] lerid for lewid. THUH.D. propes] prepis U; borpes D. 48. Occurs in H only. 50. man ere] manere and howe H. In Mariage] H omits. [I feffed Hj feffid TUH.D. V omits, evidently by 7mistake. 51. fastnet] feffed U. 52. takep) hir toke H; toket D. 2 * 20 THE DEED OF ENDOWMENT. Meed to Falsehood, [PASS. II. In Forwarde pat Falsnesse schal fynden hire for euere, To be Boxum and Boun his Biddyng to folfulle, promising that she will obey his will. In Bedde and at Borde Boxum and hende, And as sir Simonye wol sigge [to suwen] his wille. 56 Now Simonye and Siuyle stondep forb bope, Simony and Civil unfold the deed. CARTA. “Know all men that I, Flattery, pledge Falsehood to Meed, and grant them the earl- dom of Envy, the kingdom of Avarice, and the Isle of Usury, Vn-Foldyng pe Feffement pat Falsnes made, [& pus bygonnen pegomes & gradden wel hyge]: “LI It witen and witnessen pat wonepvpponeorpe, 60 pat I, Fauuel, Feffe Fals' to pat Mayden Meede, To be present in pruyde for Pore or for riche, Wip be Erldam of Envye euer forto laste, Wip alle be lordschupe of lengpe and of brede, Wip pe kingdom of Couetise I Croune hem to-gedere; Wip be Yle of vsure And Auarice pe False, 64 Glotonye and grete opus Ich 3iue hem I-feere, Wip alle delytes and lustes be deuel for to serue, 68 º t to have and to hold all their lives, they yielding their souls to º In alpe seruyse of Sloupe I sese hem to-gedere: * To habben and to holden and al hedre heyres aftur, Wip be purtinaunce of purgatorie ' in-to be pyne of helle: 3eldynge for pis ping at pe 3eres ende, 72 Heore soules to Sathanas to senden in-to pyne; 53. Falsnesse] falshed THAD; false L. 54. To-Boun And he (she D) be bounde at his bode TH, D; & be buxum at his bode U. 56. And—sigge] & at Syre sy- monyes wille UD. to sunen) HTH, ; to suyen U; to sewen D; V has schewen. 57. Stondep] stoden H. forb bobel forb in-fere H.; vp bobe U. 58. Vn-Foldyng] & vn-foldeden H; And vnfolde TH2D ; And vnfoldith U. made] had made H.; hab yumakid TUH2; hap maked D. 59. From H ; also in TUHAD. 60. In the margin of H is here written, Carta ; in the margin of D, Fauor. 61. Feife—Meede] feffe falsnesse to mede TH D ; haue [feffed ?] fals- nesse to mede U. 64. lordschup—brede] lordsshipe of leccherie in lengbe and in brede TH2 ; worschipe of lecherye in, &c. UD ; H resembles T, but it is myritten in a later hand. 65. hem] 3ow U. 66. Pe Yle] al be Ile TD; al be isle H2 ; alle be vices U. False] faste TU. 67. hem. I feere] hem togidere TH,D; 3ow togidres U. 68, delytes—lustes] delites of lust TH2D; be delytes of deedly synne H.; be delices of lust U. 69. Seruyse] seignourie UD. Sese] ceese H ; set TD. 71. nip] wip al H. in-to] & H. 72. ping] D omits. pejoon H; o T; one UH2. 73. senden into] synken in TH2D : synke into U. * PASS. II.] per to Women with Wrong whil god is in heuene.” * In witnesse of whuche ping wrong was pe furste, THEOLOGY RAISES OBJECTIONS. 21 Pers be pardoner Paulynes [doctor], 76 Piers the Bette be Budul of Bokynghames schire, Rondulf be Reue of Rotelondes sokene, [Taberes & tomblers & tapesters fele], Monde pe Mulnere and moni mo. opure 80 . . . - In pe Date of pe deuel pe Deede was a-selet, , The deed was then e º e © {e . . " sealed and signed. Be siht of sir Symoni and Notaries signes. ~~ ! En teonede him Teologye whom he pis tale herde, And seide to Siuyle “serwe on pilokkes, Such Weddyng to worche to [wrappe] with trupe; And ar pis weddyngbeo wrougt wo be beo-tyde For Meede is a Iuweler • A Mayden of goode, God graunte vs to 3iue hire per treupe wol a-signe, 88 should be wedded And pou hast 3iuen hire [to] a Gilour God 3iue be serwe! wills. Jºe Tixt tellep not so Treube wot be sope; Dignus est operarius mercede sua, Worpi is be Werkmon his hure to haue; And pou hast feffet hire with fals - fy on pi lawe 92 Fº lechours and ly;ers lihtliche pou leeuest, Simonie and bi-self Schenden holichirche; 74. U omits. 76. Pers] And piers THEI. Pauly- mes doctor] poulynes doctor TH2; paulynes dottour (or doctour) U ; paulynes doctou’re D. V and H have douhter, dou;ter; see 1. 152. 78. of sokene] oute of Rotelonde H. 79. occurs in H and H2 only ; H, 'reads, Taylours, tapsters and tauer- ners many. 80. Mulnere] myllere TH, ; mylnere UH ; mellere D. and—opure] of mal- wiche strete U. 81. pe—aselet] bis dede I assele U; bis dede is seled D. 82. and—signes] and signes of notories TUH, ; in seals of notoryes D. 83. teonede] tenide TH, ; tenyd U; tened D, mehich om. him. 84. serve] now sorewe THH.D. Satan at a year's end.” The witnesses were Wrong, Pardoner, Pauline's doctor, Bette the beadle, and many others. But Theology was 84 wroth, and said to Civil, “Wo betide thee! , [f. 396 a... col. 1.] Meed is rich, and where Truth Remember the text (Luke x. 7). Thou believest lokkes] lockes H.; bokes TUH.D. 85. [wrappe THUH,D] teone V. 87. a ſurveler] molere T ; muliere U; a medeler H.; a medlere H., ; mulyer D. A-goode] of frendis engendrit TUH.D. 88. graunte — asigne] grauntide (graunt H, grauntep UD) to gyue mede to treube TUH.D. asigne] assente H. 89. And] For H ; D omits. [to THUD] V omits. God] oure lord H.; now god TUH2. 90. tellebj telleb pee H. 91. Jºure] huyre H.; mede TUH.D. 92, feffet] festnyd U; fastnid TH.D. lame] lawes TU. 93. The readings are, for lesyngis & lecheryes suche warkes poulouest H. : lechers and liars; but ye shall & y 3A **. .* ** * (* s * * * *. &ews". " (, ---ºr- &: & " | § 22 IS SUCH A WEDDING LEGAL 7 [PAss. II. --~ * ~ : * -º- &= - zº --- \\? − abide it at the year's end [3e Schule abygge it bope by god pat me made, Worcheb biwisdam and bi Wit aftur ; Then take her to London, and see if the law will permit this. Fals. Ledep hire to londone per lawe is I-hondlet, 3if eny leute wol loken pat pei liggen to-gedere, And 3if pe Iustise wol Iugge hire : 104 to be Ioynet with 3it be-war of pe weddyng for witti is treube; For Concience is of his [counseil] vchone ; If Conscience For al ben lesynges bou leuest and lecherus workes H. 95, 96. From H ; l. 95 occurs in TUH.D after l. 97. 95. it] TDUH, omit. 97. He and beose] for 3e and bese H; 3e and be THAD; 3e and 3e (by mistake for be) U. [Wotaries] See THUH.D.; W has the spelling Nataries, which looks 'n'rong ; for see 1. 115. 98. or 3oure TH, ; 30ur UD. 99. a faylere] feyntles THAD; and feythles UH. 100. Belsa bubbes] belsaboukis T. 101. a, Zumeler] mulere T ; moliere TJ ; a medelar H; mulyer D ; mened H2. a-gent] of maides engendrit T; amonge men of goode H ; a maiden of gode UH.D. .102. hea schulde] he wolde THAD; sche wolde U. and knowep ou 108 And 3if he fynde such defaute pat 3e with Fals holden, rvº / / ~" wysedam bope H. 105. leute mol loken] leaute wile loke TH, ; lewte willoke U. pat] TU om. liggen] lybbe H; D reads, yf ony liaunce willoke hem legge to-gidere. 106. 3if—hire] iustise iuggen here U; yf be Iustice Iugge here DH2. 108. of his] of his counseil TUH.D ; his counseloure H. W reads, For Con- cience is on of his and, &c. 109. such—mith]3ow in defaute & wip be TUH.D. - 110. bisitten] sitt H.; be set on U; be-set DT. sore atte] wel (ful H) sore at be THUD. H., omits the line. 111–127. From H. Also in TUD and H2, eacept line 118, which they omit. 112. his—selynge'] his selis & signes TDH2; selis & signes U. find this out, & tº gº j tººd Hit Schal bi-sitten oure soules sore atte laste.” witny —-º- * : A –tº–P [herto assentid syuyle but symonye ne wolde 2 * * tyle he had syluer for his sawes & his selynge. 112 For al be (by U) lesinges pou lyuest 103. Worcheb) perfore worchep. & leccherous werkis TUD; H. misdam] wytte H. nºt aftur] at oo 3eris ende Whan 3e reken Schull; 96 – He and peose [Notaries] anuygen be peple. For wel 3e witen, wernardes but 3if or wit fayle, #º. pat fals is a faytur a faylere of werkes, º And a Bastard I-boren of Belsahmibbes kunno. 100 ...” And Meede is a Iuweler a Mayden ful gent; º Heo mihte Cusse be kyng for Cosyn 3if hed schulde. y { ALL REPAIR To WESTMINSTER. PASS. II.] -TEC was FEEyn and Falueſ.I., ETFE, Jhen fet fauel forth floreynes I-nowe, & bad gyle go to & 3yue gold aboute, & namely to pis notaries pathem non lacked ; & feffe false witnesse with florens I-nowe, 116 For he may mede a-maysteren & make hir at his Wylle ; For where falsenes is oft fownden pere ſeip faylep boo pe gold was 30uen grete were be thonkes to false & to fauel for her feyre 3yftus. many comen, from care to counſorte be false, & sworen on be hoolydom ' pat “cesse schul we neuere or mede be pi weddud wyf boroug witte of vs alle. for we han mede a-maysterd wip oure myri wordis 124 patheograuntep to goo wip a good wille, to london to loke if pe lawe wole Iugge 3ou Ioyntely to be Toyned for euer”]. 120 128 And lette Sompne alle men . In Cuntre a-boute, To Arayen hem redi Bope Burgeys and Schirreues, To weende with hem to westmunster to Witnesse pe deede. *I penne careden heo for Caples to carien hem pider; 132 Bote Fauuel fette forb Foles of be beste, Then Flattery fetched out florins, and bade". Guile give it to the notarieg. Great were the thanks for these bribes. Meed consents to go to London. Then were False- hood and Flattery glad, and bade all be ready to go to Westminster. 7% * ~ Then they all 3. A (? º tºº. ( “2. ^-) */392, 113. fett] fecchide U. 114. go to &J go TUH.D. - 115. lacked] failede U ; ne failip T; nefayle H, ; fayle D. 117. hir at his] at my T; here at our U; at his D. 118. In H only. 119. mere be thonkes] was be bonk- ing TUH.D. 121. many—counforte] And comen to counſorte fro care TUH.D. 122. snorén—hoolydom) seide certis TUH.D. - 123. orj Til TUH.D. 124. myri n'ordis] mery speche TH.D.; faire speche U. 126. be lane] pat lawe TH, D; bat be lawe U. 127. Judge] Ioyne U. to—euer] in ioye for euere TH2D ; in lawe for euere U. 129. lette] bad H. men] be segges TUH, ; be pepul H. cuntre] schyres HTUH2. D reads, And let Symonye seche “ al about in shires. 130. The other readings are, bat alle bei my;ten be bowne beggers & oper H; And alle [to H.] be boun * beggeris & opere TUH.D. 132. careden hed] cariede hy. T; caareden bei H; cared bei UD. caples] cables D. 133. Bote—fette] banne fette fauel TUH,D 24 THE STRUGGLE TO GET HORSES. a sheriff's back, ******::: *-*.*.*.* and Falsehood on an assizer's; g75 Flattery rides upon Fair-speech; [PASS. II. [& fals on a sysoures backe pat softly trotted; (for falsnes ageyn be feip sisoures he defoulep, poru; comburance of couetyse clymben ageyn trupe, pat be feip is defouled & falsly defamed, & falsnes is a lord I-woxe & lyuep as hym lykep): Fauel on a feyre speche ful feyntly a-tyred ; 136 140 (For feire speche pat is feiples is falsnes broper; weore, but Simony and Civil had to go on foot. & pus sysoures ben sompned be false to serue, & feire-speche fauel pat moche folke desceyueth)]. *I penne Notaries none Hors hedden 144 pat Symonie and Siuile 'schulden go on foote. *I penne seide. Siuile and swor bipe Roode, Summoners are to pat Sompnors schulde ben Sadelet and seruen hem be saddled, vchone; “And lette apparayle prouisours on Palfreis wyse, 148 [Sire symonye hym-selfe shal sitte on here bakkis], and provisors and And alle Denes and Sodenes as Destreres dihten, deans to be used as horses. reste. “Pauline's people shall serve my- self,” said Civil. 134. Schirreues bak] shirreue TUH.D. 135–143. These lines are quoted from H.; and those in parentheses occur in H only. V has only the one line, And Fauuel on a Feir speche Feynt- liche atyret. T and D have only the two lines, And fals sat on a sisour bat softe- liche trottide, And fauel vpon fair speche fetis- liche atirid. h U has the same, omitting sat; He has also trvo similar lines. 144. Wotaries — hedden] hadde notories none TUD ; Notaries had noo horses H.; per hadde notories mon hors H2. * Paulines peple for playntes in Constorie Schal seruen my-self pat Siuile hette ; For pei schullen beren Bisschops and bringen hem to 152 145. Symonie—sixtile] siuile and Symonie H. go on foote] on here fet gange TUD; on fote gange H2. 146. Seidel swor TH. D. Snor] seide TH.D. OBS. Hº has been closely collated only thus far ; see the Preface. 147. seruen] beren U. * 148. prouisours] bise prouisours THD; be prouisours U. on in THD. 149. From T; also in HUD and H2. here backes] hym oone H. 150. Denes–Sodenes] be denis & southdenis TH, ; be denes and sudenes U; pise officyales & deemys H ; the denys sodenys D. Destreres] palfreyes H (in later hand). dihten] hem digte THUH.D. 152. Constorie] be constrye H. 2 ºv g \ } Meed was set.gn. And sette Meede on a Schirreues Bak I-schood al newe, ‘ § \ * , anuyed pei - . * *. º PASS. II.] Let Cart-Sadele Vr Commissarie vr Cart he schal drawe, Yoke our THE KING IS ANGRY WITH FALSEHOOD. *\/\ -" sº y commissary, And fetten vr vitayles of be Fornicatours; And make ligere a long cart to leden alle bis opure 156 and make of Liar Fabulers and Faytours pat on Fote rennen.” a long cart. Now Fals and Fauuel fareb forb to-gedere, * forth 1) And Meede in pe Middel and al pe Meyne aftur. I haue no [tome] to telle be Tayl pathem folwep, 160 - ... t \ Of so mony Maner Men pat on Molde liuen. C. º * Bote gyle was for-goere and [gyede] hem alle. Guileled the Sopnesse Sauh hem wel and seide bote luyte, | | ~~ sº Bote prikede on his palfrey and passede hem alle, 164 told conscience. And com to pe kynges Court and Concience tolde, And Concience to be kyng Carpede hit aftur. “NOw be crist,” quod be kyng Fals opur Fauwel or eny of his Feeres, I wolde be wreken on pis wrecches pat worchen soille, And don hem hongen bi pe hals and al pat hem Meyntenen ; Schal neuer [mon] vppon Molde Meyntene peleste, But riht as be lawe lokep let fallen of hem alle. And Comaunde be Cunstable pat Com at pe furste, To a-Tache be Traytours for eny Tresour, 154. Cart-sadele] sadele U; carte- sadil T. commissarie] comysaries H. wr—drane] oure long carte bei Schul drawe H. 155. of be] at H ; fro T; of UD. 156. make] makip of TUD. 157. Fabulers] flaterers H.; As folis TUD. rennen] iotten T. 158. Won:l TUD omit. fareb] gop U. 159. middel] myddes U ; myddis TD. W. 160. [tome TJ tyme for H ; tunge UD ; V has while. 161. Of-men] Of many maner of men TD ; of alle manere of men U. Molde] bis molde TUD. - 162. [gyede TUD] bygyed H (with by partly erased). V has gilede, a J mistake evidently due to the nord gyle preceding. “3if I mihte Chacche “If I could but catch Falsehood, or Flattery,” said the king, “I would hang them both. 168 *Č 172 Command the constable to attach them, 163. mel] D omits. luyte] a lytel HU; litel TD. 164. prikede] prikede forb TU. 167. 3if] And THD. milite] mowe 168. His] her H. 169. on bis] on boo H.; of bise T; on “bo UD. nºrecches] U omits. ºvorchen] wroughten U. - 170. H omits this line, al] bey D. 171. neuer—wppon] neuer man of bis T; no man on H.; neuer [man] on bis UD ; quhere man is (in U) omitted ; for mon V has non. meyn- tene be lestej meymprise be lest H ; meynprise be beste TUD. * 172. lokeb) wola loke H ; wele D. of] on TUD. 173. Comaundel comaunded HTUD. be] a THUD. bat com] he com U. 174. a-Tache] take U. be Tray- - | \ 25 & A 26 fetter Falsehood, and cut off Guile's head. Simony and Civil I.warn ; and let not Liar escape.” Dread was at the door, and heard the doom, and bade Falsehood flee. Then fled Falsehood and Guile; but tradesmen prayed Guile to keep their shops for them. Liar leapt away through by-lanes, being nowhere welcome. [f. 396 a. col. 2.] tours] bis tiraunt T; besetirauntes U; bese tyrans D. hote TUD. 175. Ich hote 3el THUD omit, eny kunnes] ony kynne U; any Skynes T; eny kynnes D; ony kynnes H. 176. gurdebJ gederith T; gadereth U; gurde D. FALSEHOOD FLEES TO THE FRIARs. [PASS. II. Ich hote, 3e Fetere Fals faste for enykunnes 3iftus, And gurdep of gyles hed let him go no forber; 176 And bringep Meede to me • Maugre hem alle. * Symonye and Siuile ‘ I seende hem to warne, patholichirche for hem worp harmet for euere. And 3if 3e chacche lyzere lef him not a-skape, 180 To ben set on pe pillori for eny preyere; [I bydde pee awayte hem wele let non of hem ascape].” reede at be dore stood and pe [dume] herde, D And wihtliche wente to Warne be False, 184 And bad him faste to fle and his feeres eke. (A penne Fals for fere fleih to be Freeres, A A And gyle dop him to go a-gast for to dyge; # 't Bote Marchaundes Metten with him and maaden him to abyden, 188 Bi-sougten him in heore schoppes to sullen heore ware, Apparayleden him as a prentis be Peple for to serue. Listliche Ly;ere leop a-wey pennes, Lurkede porw lones - to-logged of Monye ; He nas nougwher wel-come for his mony tales, Bote ouvral I-hunted and hote to trusse. Pardoners hedden pite and putten him to house, 192 has dune, clearly by mistake for dume; bis dome H.; bat doom TD; be domè U. 184, ºvente] wente he bo H 185. faste to fle] fleo fast H; fle for fere UTD. eke] alle TUD. 186. fals] falsnesse TUD. 187, dob] dide H. to go] awey U. a-gast for] and gast D. Tresour] tresour, I 177. to me] forth U. OBS. In the margin of D is here written, Falsitas Deceptura Merces Simonia Mendax. 178, seende] sente TD., n-arme] seye 180, chacche] take H; lacche TUD. 181. To ben set] Er he be put TD; Sette him H.; Til he be set U. preyere] preyour, I hote TD ; tresour, y hote U. 182. Occurs in H only. 183. stood] stant U. [dume] V 189. Bi-sou?ten] & busscheden H; besshette TD; By-schytten U. sullen] shewen TD. 192. Lurkedel lurkynge TUD; H om. lones] hyrnes & lanus H.; lanes TUD. to-logged] to-luggid THUD. 194. Bote] TUD omit. ouvr al I-hunted] honsched as an hounde H. hote to] y-hote T; yhote go U. 195, pite] pytee of him H. putten] pulden TD ; pullid UH. PASS. II.] LIAR IS RECEIVED BY PARDONERS. Wosschen him and wrongen him and wounden him in 196 And senden him on Sonendayes with seales to churches, cloutes, And 3af pardun for pons poundmele a-boute. "I pis leornden pis loches and lettres him senden For to [wome] with [hem] watres to loke. 200 Spicers speeken with him to a-spien hedre ware, For he kennede him in heore craft and kneu; mony gummeS. - * Munstrals and Messagers metten with him ones, And with-heol]de him half a 3er and elleuene wykes. * Freres with feir speches fetten him pennes; 205 |For knowynge of Comers kepten him as a Frere ; Bote he hap leue to lepen out as ofte as him lykep, 207 And is wel-come whom he wole and wonep with hem ofte. And alle fledden for fere and flowen in-to huirnes; Saue Meede be Mayden no mon dorste abyde; IBut trewely to telle heo tremblede for fere, And eke wepte and wrong hire hondes whom heo was a-tachet. - 212 27 But pardoners took him in, washed him, clothed him, and sent him to church with pardons. Then leeches begged him to (lWell Willi Llïem; and spicers asked him to be shopkeeper. Minstrels entertained him half a year; but Friars fetched him thence, and clothed him as a Friar. Thus all fled into corners for fear, and only Meed durst stay; and even she wept when taken prisoner. A - 196. Wosschen] wysshen TD; was- chid U. myrongen] wypide TUD. mounden] leyden H. cloutes] clobis TUD 197. senden] senten T; sent U. churches] be churche H; chirche TUD. 198. pons] pans H.; panis T; pens |UD. 199. pis—leches] bannelouride lechis TUD; perof herden leches H. him. senden] besente T; he sente U; ben sent D. 200. [none THUD] ben W. For— wome] bat he schuld wone H. [hem. THD] hym U. V has him, but the i is over an eras?!?'é. 201. In H this line follon's 1. 208; and the lines ansmyering to ll. 201, 202 run differently, viz. as follows:– Spicers aspieden him & Speken wip him feyre, & preyeden him priuely to putte forb her ware, & he asured hem forSope to serue .3 *... hem for euer. 202. kennede—craft] knewe her craft H; coude on here craft TUD. Anew'? —gwmmes] coupe many Iapes H.; knowith many gommes D. 203. Munstrals, &c.] Messangers and mynstrels, &c. H. 204. with-heo(l)de] wip-helden H; of-heeld U; withheld T; helden D. half a 3er] an half 3er H.; half 32r TU. ovykes] dayes TUD. - 205. Freres, &c.] wip faire speche freres, &c. U 206. keptem] copide TUD; copeden H { 207. lykep] luste H. 208. mole] cometh HU. 209. And—fere] Alle obur fledde for ferd H. huipnes] hernis T; hyrnes HU; hernes D. - 210. no mon] no mo TUD; none H. 211. fere] drede HU. ſº 212. mºepte] wep T; wepe HD; wee U. hire hondes] TUD omit, ...” tº * 28 ARREST AND TRIAL OF LADY MEED. |PASS. | Iº. TASSUS III. [Passus Tercius de Visione.] Now is Meed, all alone, brought to the king. alle, Now is Meede be Mayden I-nomen and no mo of hem Wip Beodeles and Baylyfs I-brouht to be kyng. be kyng clepet a Clerkel (I knowe not his nome), To take Meede pe Mayden and Maken hire at ese. 4 “I shall ask her,” said the king, “whom she wishes to wed; and perhaps I may forgive her.” So a clerk brought her to the chamber. chaumbre. “Ichulle assayen hire my-self and sopliche aposen What Mon in pis world pat hire webre leouest. And 3if heo worche be my wit and my wil folewe, Ischal for-3iue hire be gult so me god helpe l’’ 8 "I Corteisliche pe Clerk po as be kyng hihte, Tok pe Mayden bi be Middel and brouhte hire to "I per was Murpe and Munstralsye Meede with to plese; . Heo pat wonep at westmunstre worschipep hire alle. 12 Gladly the Justice went to see her, and said, “Mourn Passus, &c.; found in THUD. 1. I-momen and no moj I-nomen H.; and no mo TD ; name U. 2. ºvip] And with U. Baylyfs] with bayles H; baillys U. I-browht] & brou2t H. 3. º callip TD; called HU. cler(ke)] clerke THUD. knome] con H; can TUD. 4. To take] & bade him take H. 5. Ichulle] I wolde U; I wile TD; I wole H. After my-self H inserts seyd be kyng. Soplichel softly hir H. 6. in bis norld] of pis moolde U. 7. 3if] H omits. my mit] wyt TD. (* with Toye be Tustise soone Busked him in-to be Bour perpe Buyrde was Inne, 8. I schalj I wile TD; I wole HU. be gult] bis gulte H; bis mysgilt D. 9. bo) banne TU; ben H ; ban D. as he king hiſite] as his kynde wolde H. 10. He mayden] mede TUD. 11. orith] TUD omit. 12. Heo] pei H; TUD omit. alle] ychoone H. 13. Iustise] Iustices THD. soonej wel soone H ; to sowpen U. 14. him] hem THD. in-to] to TUD. Bour] chaumbur H. buyrde mas Inne] burde dwellip TUD. PASS. III.] THE JUSTICE COMFORTS HER. Cumfortede hire kuyndely and made hire good chere, And seide, “Mourne pou not, Meede, ne make pou no serwe, 16 For we wolen wysen pe kyng and pi wey Schapen, For alle Concience Craft and Casten, as I trouwe, [bat pou Schall haue bope myst & mayStrye & make what be likep wip be kynge & be comyns & be courtebope]." 20 * Mildeliche penne Meede Merciede hem alle Of heoregrete goodnesse and 3af hem vehone Coupes of clene Gold and peces of seluer, Rynges with Rubyes and Richesses I-nouwe, 24 [pe leste man of here mayne a mutoun of gold]. ‘ſ penne [laugten] pei leue pis lordynges, at Meede. Wip pat per come Clerkes to Cumforte pe same : “We biddeb be be blipe for we beap pin owne, 28 Forte worche biwil while vr lyf durep.” * Hendeliche penne heo be-hihte hem be same, To louen hem lelly and lordes to maken, And in Constorie at Court to tellen heore names. 32 “Schal no lewednesse hem lette be lewedeste pat I loue pat he ne worp avaunset; for Icham I-knowe 15. good cheere] at eese H. and— not, Meed, we will get thee . clear off.” Then Meed thanked them all, and gave them gold cups and ruby rings. Then came clerks, and said, “Be blithe, Meed, we will work thy will.” She promised to love them, and make them lords. “Naught shall prevent one wholm I love 24. I-nowne] manye THUD. chere] be clergie leue TD. U reads, Curteisly confortide mede by clergies leue. 16. Mourne pow] ne mowrne pou H; mourne TUD. 17. Schapen] make TUD. 18. The readings are, For al consiences cast a craft as I trowe T. For al concience caste a crafto can we schewe H. For al consciences cast or craft as y trowe U. For Al concience cast a craft as I trowe D. 19, 20. In H only. 21. Mildelichel Mekely H. penne Meede] mede panne TD; mede U. 22. gretel U omits. 25. From T.; occurs also in HUD. 26, [lausten HD] laugte TU; tok V. leue) her leue H. lordynges] lordis TUD. 27. ber] THUD omit. Cumforte] conforten hire TUD. 28. We biddeb be] And bidden hire TD; & bade here U. 29. wr] biTD. dureb) lastip THD. 31, hem] 3ow U, leſly] truly H. to maken] hem make TH; 30w make UD. 32. at at be U. H reads, In courte & in constrye, &c. to tellen heare] callen here T; calle 3our U; telleb D. 33. Sehal] per schal HU. lemºedeste) lede TU ; ladde D. 34. hel bei H. worp] worp ferst TUD. I-knone] beknowe TUD. 30 SHE IS SHRIVEN BY A CONFESSOR. from being advanced.” Then came a confessor, and Said, [PASS. III. per Cunnynge Clerkes schul Couche be-hynde.” pº com per a Confessour I-Copet as a Frere ; 36 To Meede be Mayden ful Mekeliche he loutede, And seide ful softely in schrift as hit wedre, “Though learned “pauh lerede and lewede hedden leyen bipe alle, and lay had all lain by thee, I would assoil thee for a luaul Uſ Wheat.” And pau; Fals hedde folewed pe pis Fiftene winter, 40 Ischal asoyle pe my-self for a summe of whete, And eke be pi Baude and Bere wel pin ernde Among Clerkes and knihtes Concience to falle.” 43 Then Meed knelt to him, and shrove her, and gave him a noble. trouwe. Enne Meede For hire misdede to bat Mon knelede, And Schrof hire of hir Sumnes Schomeliche, I Heo tolde him a tale and tok him a noble, For to ben hire bedde-mon and hire Baude after. 47 Then he assoiled "I pene he asoylede hire soone and [sip] to hire Seide, her, and said that if she would glaze a window, she should be saved. heige: “We han a wyndow in worching wol stonden vs ful Woldustow Glase pe Gable and graue perinne pinome, Siker schulde pi soule ben for to dwellen in heuene.” She said that, were that only sure, she would glaze all she could. * “Wust I bat,” quod be wommon Wyndou ne Auter, 52 pat Ine schulde maken opur mende and my nome write, “ per nis moupur pat vehe mon schulde Seye Ich were suster of house.” 35. ber] bere as H. Couche] clokke TUD. 37. ful] THUD omit. 38. ful] wol U; wil D. 39. alle] ichone T; bobe H; echone D. - 40. Fals] falsnesse UH; falshed TD. Fiftene] four score U. 41. summe of] sem of T; seem U; seme of D. 42. Baude] baudekyn TU ; bawd- strot H. ermde] armede T; erande HD; arende U. 43. falle] felle THUD. 44. knelede) lowtide U. 45. Sunnes] shrewidnesse THD. schomelichel shameles THUD 46. Heol TUD omit. tale] tokne U. 47. Theodeman—after] bawde and bere wel hir erand H. 48. V omits sip; but H has sip, TU siben, D sethen. 49. in) of T. ful] wel T; wol U. 50. Wolduston, woldist pou THUD. perinne] pere TUD. 51. for—heuene] heuen to haue TUD; heuen for to haue H. 52. nouburj THUD omit. 53. pat—mende] bat I schulde mende or make H ; bat I ne schulde graue and mende U. Domvits ne. 54. Hat—seye) pat iche segge shal se T; bat men Schulden sey H.; pat eche segge Schulde wite U; That eche man shal se D. Ich ºvere] bat I were H; bat I am D; I am T. of] of 30ar TUD; of be H. PASS. III.] - ALMS-DEEDS SHOULD BE DONE IN SECRET. 31 * Bote god to alle good folk such grauynge defendet, Butremember And Seip, Nesciat sinistra quid faciat deatera. Lete not pi luft hond late ne rape, 56 ye the text, Matt. vi. 3. Beo war what pi riht hond worchep or delep; Bote parte hit so priueli pat pruide beo not segen Nouper in siht, ne in Soule for god him-self knoweb Ho is Corteis, or kuynde Couetous, or elles. * For-pi Ilere 3ou, lordynges such writynge 3e leue, To writen in Wyndouwes of 30ure wel dedes, Or to greden aftur Godus folk whom 3e 3iuen or doles; Parauenture 3e han . Oure hure perfore here. * For vr saueour hit seip and him-seluen prechep, Amen dico vobis, receperunt mercedem Suam, Give alms without pride, for God knowefh the heart. 60 Cease, lords, to Write on Windows, and to shout when ye give alms. 64 [Here forsope pei fongen her mede forb-wip]. * Meires and Maistres and 3e bat beob mene Bitwene pe kyng and be Comuns to kepe be lawes, 68 As to punisschen on pillories or on pynnyng stoles Brewesters, Bakers Bochers and Cookes ; For peose be Men vppon Molde pat most harm worchen, ºr they lºud To pe pore people pat [percel-mel] buggen. 55. to] and UD; Tomits. defendet] defendip THUD. sinistra] sinister TD. deactera] dexter TD. 56. hond] halfe U, 57. Beo ovar] wite U. U. or] me U, 58. Bote—priweli] And (Ac D) so preuyliche parte it TUD; so priuely be it parted H. 61. lere] rede HU. lordynges] lor- dis TUD. such—leue] leuip such wrytyng TD ; such lernyngus to leue H; to leue swiche writynge U. 63. folk] men TUD. or] THUD omit. 64. Paraventure] An aunter TU; In auntur lest H; On Awnter. D. oure] goure THUD. before] berof TD. oure—here] 3our mede for 3our gode U. 65. Seip] seide TUD. prechebl prechid TUD. H. reads, For of suche men oure sauyoure • Seib hond] half [f. 396 b. col. 1.] For what saith Christ 2 see Matt. Wi. 2. Hear this, mayors and masters, and punish butchers and bakers on the pillory. the poor that buy 72 by retail. in be gospel. Amen] Amen, amen U. TD read, Amen, amen, recipiebant, &c. 66. Occurs in H only. OBS.: ll. 67–77 comprise the passage of ºvhich readings from 29 MSS. are given in a pamphlet entitled “Par- allel extracts from 29 MSS. Of Piers Plowman,” &c.; by the Rev. W. W. Skeat (published for the E. E. T. S.). 67. Meires]3e meyres H. Maistres] macerys U. and—mene] hij pat ben mene T; bat beop ordeyned meenes H; bei pat ben mene UD; hij bat ben menene dwellyn H2. 68. be] his U. to kepe be lanes] be lawe for to kepe H. 70. Brenvesters] Breweris TUH.D. 71, 72. H omits these lines. 72. Ipercel-mel] TUD (and 14 other MSS.); V reads, bat al schal a-buggen. * 32 MEED ADVISES MEN TO TAKE BRIBES. [PASS. III. *I bei punisschen pe peple priueliche and ofte, And rechep porw Regſratorie and Rentes hem buggep, With pat pe pore people Schulde puten in heore wombe. Were they true men, they would not be so rich. But Meed advised the mayor to take Uribes, Or presentes withouten pons as peces of seluer, * For toke pei on trewely pei timbrede not so hye, 76 Ne bougte none Borgages beo 36 certeyne. Ote Meede pe Mayden be Meir heo bi-souste, Of alle suche sullers seluer to taken, 80 Rynges with Rubyes pe Regratour to fauere. and to suffer them to cheat. “For my loue,” quod pe ladi ‘ “loue hem wel vehone And soffre hem to sulle sumdel ageyn Resoun.” But Solomon thus speaks against all receivers of bribes; (see Jo xv. 34). * Bote Salamon pe Sage a Sarmoun he made, 84 To a-Mende Meires and men bat kepep be lawe; h And tolde hem pis teeme pat I wol telle noupe : Ignis deuorabit tabernacula eorum qui libenter accipiunt munera. This Latin means, Among pis lewede men pis latin Amountep, that fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery. pat Fuir Schal falle and brenne atte laste 8 be houses and pe homes of hem bat desyrep 8 For to haue 3iftes in 3oupe or in elde. [Now beop 3e war, if 3e wole 3e maysturs of be lawe; 73. punisschen] poisone TUH.D.; pylen H. peple] pore pepul H. and ofte] wel ofte TUH.D. 74. recheb) risen vp TH, ; richen UD. H. reads, & waxen ryche regra- toures, &c. 75. With bat] Of bat TUH.D. wombe] wombes H.U. 76. toke—tremely] if bei token with trouthe H.; ne toke bei so wrongwisly U; took he but trewly H. 77. bou;te none] schulde oyenoo H. borgages] bargaynes U; bargages H2. 3e] 3e wel TH.;, bou wol UD. 79. Suche sullers] selleris U. Seluer to taken] for to take syluer H. 80–127. Transposed in D; see pre- face. 80. nVithouten pons] oper pens U; withoute panis T. as] os H.; or U. 81. with Rubyes] or oper richesse T; or richesses U ; or other richesses D. pe—fauere] pat regratour to meynteyne T; pese regratoures to fauoure H ; bese regratours to meyn- tene U ; Regratours to mayntene D. 82. U omits this line. mel] THD omit. 84. Bote] TUD omit. 85. To-meires] For to amende men TD; to amende wip pise meyres H. and men] TD omit. 86. And—teeme] And tok hym bis teeme TUD ; lo, bis was his teme H. ovol—nowbel telle benke THUD. 87. lensede men] lettride lordis TD; lettride men U. 88. brenne] forbrenne TD; brenne right U. 90. For—3iftes] To haue 3eftis for here seruice TD; to take 3yftes amysse H; to haue mede for here seruyse U. 91—94. Occur in H only. for- PASS. III.] MEED CONSENTS TO MARRY CONSCIENCE. for pe Sope Schale be sougte of 30ure soules so me god 92 pe suffraunce pat 3e suffre such wrongus to be wrougt; helpe, While be chaunce is in 3oure choyse cheose 3e be best]. E king com from Counseyl and cleped aftur Meede, And of scnte hire a-swipe Seriauns hire ſo felte, 96 And brougte hire to boure with Blisse and with Toye ; [wipmyrpe & wipmynstrasye ‘pei pleseden hirychoone]. Corteisliche be kyng Cumsep to telle, To Meede be Mayden [melep peose] Wordes: “[Unwittily, y\wys, wrouht hastou ofte; Bote worse wrouhtest pou neuere pen whon pou fals toke. Ac I forgiue be pis gult and graunte be my grace; Hennes to pi dep day do so no more. * Ichaue a kniht hette Concience bi-3onde, 3if he wilne be to wyf wolt pou him haue?” * “3e, lord,” quap bat ladi : “[Lord] for-beode hit elles Bote Ich holde me to oure heste honge mesone!” 108 100 104 33 Ye who permit Wrong must answer for it. Then the king sent for Meed, who was brought with mirth and SOI!g. Then the king courteously spake thus: “Never hast thou done worse than now ; but do so no more. com late from I have a knight; named Conscience; wilt thou marry him 2" “Yes,” said she, “I will do your Will.” 95. pe—counsey!] be kinge fro coun- seil com T; ban be kyng fro Counceil come D; Then cam, he kyng from pe counseyle H ; be king & his conseil com U. eleped] callide THUD. 96. The readings are, And of sente hire as swipe seriauntis hire fecche (fette D) TD; And sent aftur hir asswipe seriawntis hir fette H; & of-sente here swithe wip seriauntes here fette U. In the latter, fette is transferred by mistake to the beginning of the line folloning. 97. boure] borugh T; be boure H. mith—Ioye] pere be king was ynne H. 98. Occurs in H only. 99. Corteislichel Certis TD. cum- sep to telle] booseyde to mede H. 100. H omits this line. [meleb peosel There is no doubt that such should be the reading ; but in V the scribe has mis-m'ritten it melodyes, which is nonsense ; in T and H, ove find melis bise; in U it is moueb bese; D corruptly has mekely bese. 101. From T. V has the inferior reading, Qweynteliche, quab be kyng; mhich makes the king begin to talk a third time. The other readings are, Certis unwysely H; Vmwittily wrought. hast pou wol ofte UD. 103. H omits by mistake the last half of this line, and the first half of l. 104. my] TU omit. 104. do so] do bou so TUD; so bou do H. 105. hette] U omits; D is here again corrupt. 106, him have] assente H. 107. 3el 3a TU; 3ea H. [Lord TUD] V and H have God, which spoils the alliteration. hit] TH omit : U reads, lord it forbede elles. 108, TDH, omit this line. The 34 CONSCIENCE REFUSES TO MARRY MEED. Then Was Conscience called, who knelt and asked the king's Will. [PASS. III. "I penne was Concience I-clepet to comen and apeeren To-fore pe kyng and his Counsel Clerkes and obure. Kneolynge Concience to be kyng loutede, [to Wyte what his wille were & what he do schulde]. “Wilt, thou Wed this WOman 2 ” said the king. Wol assente ; " “Woltou wedde pis wommon," quod be kyng “3if I 113 Heo is ſayil Uſ pi felawschupe for to boo bi make.” “Nay, Christ forbid l’ quoth Conscience. forbeode Er Tch wedde such a wyf wo me bi-tyde * Heo is frele of hire Flesch Fikel of hire tonge; Heo makep men misdo moni score tymes; “She is frail and fickie, and makes men sin. * “Nay,” quap Concience to be kyng “Crist hit me 116 In trust of hire tresour teonep ful monye. She teaches WOIOleIn wantonness. She caused Adam's fall ; and harms Holy Church. "I Wyues and widewes wantounesse heo techep, 120 Lerep hem lecherie ' pat louep hire 3iftes; Wr Fader Adam heo falde wip Feire biheste; Apoysende Popes and peyrep holy chirche. Jher nis no beter Baude (bi him pat me made ) 124 Bitwene heuene and helle In eorpe paug men souhte. She is frail, and a tale-bearer ; COIIll]] ()]] 3.S. 3, others give, Bote ich hoolly be at 30ure heest gurd off my nek H. But y be holy at 30ur heste hange me elles U. 109. I-clepet] callid THD; yoalled U. D omits concience. 110. Tofore] Before THUD. 111. to] pen to H. 112. From H. What bat his wille were, &c. TD; What his wille were, &c. U. Omitted in V by mistake, for it Zeaves the sentence incomplete. 113. quod be kyng] THUD omit. I] he D. 114. Heo] for sche UD; for heo TH. 115. Way] TUD omit. mel Tomits. 117, Flesch] feib TUD, tonge] speche TUD; feip H. 119. teonebl she tenip T; heo teonep H; sche troytep U; sche tenes D. * Heo is Tikel of hire Tayl Talewys of hire tonge, As Comuyn as pe Cart-wei to knaues and to alle; 120. Jeo] TUD omit. 121. Lerep hem] leride hem TUD ; lerep hem to H. loueb] louiden TD ; louedyn U. bat—3iſtes] & lecching of 3eftis H. 122. 30ure fadir he fellide boru; false behest T; fele men hed fallip wip faire behestis H.; our fadir sche fellide purw false by hestes U; oure fader sche felde fals be-hestes D. 123. Apoysendel Apoisonide TD ; Apoſi]sowned U. H reads, & popes heo poiseneb. and peyrebl apeiride al TU; Apeyred D. 124 per mis no] I not a TD; Is noght a U. 125. Inj & TU. 127. knaues—alle] knaue & to monke TU ; knaues & to monkes D. with PASS. III.] To Preostes, to Minstrals to Mesels in hegges. Sisours and Sumpnours Suche men hire preisen ; CoNSCIENCE ENUMERATES MEED's MISDEEDS. 35 128 cartway to every knave. Assizers and summoners and sheriffs praise Schirreues of schires weore schent 3if heo mere. her. * Heo dop men leosen heore lond’ and heorelyues after, And letep passe prisons and payep for hem ofte. 132 Heo 36 uep be Tayler Gold and grotes to-gedere, She makes men lose both land and life, and releases prisoners by bribes. Town-Feiere pe False and fleo where hem lykep. Heo takep be trewe bipe top and tigep him faste, And hongep him for hate pat harmede neuere. She ties true men fast, and hangs the innocent. 136 Heo pat ben Curset in Constorie countep hit not at a Russche ; For hed Copeppe Comissarie and Cotep pe Clerkes; Heo is asoyled as some as hire-self lykep. H" may as muche do In a Moonep ones, She is assoiled when she pleases. 140 As [30ure] secre seal In Seuen score dayes. Heo is priue with pe Pope • Prouisours hit knowen ; Sir Simonie and hire-self asselen pe Bulles; She is intimate with the pope, and seals bulls. Heo Blessede pe Bisschopes pou; pat bei ben lewed. 144 * Prouendreres, persuns Preostes hed meyntenep, al hedr lyf-dayes, To holde Lemmons and Lotebyes 128–142. Omitted in D. 128. To-minstrals] To mynstrelis, to messangeris TUH, ; To monkis, to minstrals H. to mesels] many tyme U. 129. sumpnours] schereues U. 130. U omits this line. mere] ne were T. 131. lond] lyf U. lyues] lond U; life T. after] eke H; bobe T. 132. passe prisons] prisouns passe H; passe prisoner's T; passe be pri- soneres U. 133. Heo] And THU. Tayler] gaileris TU. to-gedere] among H. 134. And—lykebl fle where hym likep TU. 135, be trene] treube HU. tigeb him] teiep hym vp U. 136. hate] hattrede THU. harmede] harm dide H. 137. Heo bat ben] bei; heo be H ; To be TU. countep] hed countib TH; She maintains priests in concubinage. sche 3yuep U. at]THU omit. Russehel cresse H. 138. cotep be] clobip hise TU. 140. Heo may] She may nei; T; Sche may ny U. as muche do] do as myche H. 141. [3oure TH] vre V; be U. Seven —dayes foure score wintris H. 143. asselen] selen HU; selip TD. 144. Heo—pej She blissip pise. TUD ; Heo examynep be H. boug— ben] gif bei be T; if bei bep H; bobat ben D. 145. Prouendrours, prestis & per- sones she mayntenip to holde T; (D same, omitting prestis &); Prouendrours, persones pres- tes sche meyntenep to holde TJ. 146. TUD omit to holde here ; see l, 145. 3 * 36 [f. 396 b. col. 2.] She brings barons and burgesses to SOrr OW. Slie lies against the laws, and appoints love- days. Law will not make an end without bribes. Such is her evil life. The puor cannot make their complaints known.” Then Meed was sorry, and asked leave to speak. The king bids her MEED IS CALLED UPON TO REPLY. [PASS. III. And bringep forb Barnes ageyn forbodene lawes. per heo is wel with pe kyng wo is pe Reame ! 148 For hea is Fauerable to Fals and foulep Treube ofte. *I Barouns and Burgeis heo bringep to serwe, Heo Buggep with heore Iuweles; vr Iustises hed schendep. Heo lihp ageyn pe lawe and lettep so faste, 152 pat Feip may not han his forb hir Florins gon so pikke. Heo ledep pe lawe as hire luste and loue-dayes makep, pe Mase for a Mene mon pau; he mote euere. Lawe is so lordlich and lop to maken eende, 156 With-outen presentes or pons heo plesep ful fewe. Clergye an Couetise heo Couplep to-gedere. pis is be lyf of be ladi ‘ vr lord 3if hire serwe 159 And alle pat Meyntenep hire [myschaunce hem bytide) For [be] pore may haue no pouwer to playne, pau; hem. Smerte, Such a Mayster is Meede 'A-Mong Men of goode.” Enne Mornede Meede and Menede hire to pe kyng To haue space to speken spede 3if heo mihte. 164 penne be kyng graunted hire grace with a good wille : excuse herself. “Excuse pe, 3if pou const I con no more seye ; For Concience hap a-cuiset pe to Congeye for euere.” 147. bringebj bringen TUD. for- bodene] forbode HU. 148. mel] U omits. 149. foulebl fallip H.; foloweb D. 150. Burgeis] bachelers H. to] in D 151. Be Ihesu, wip hire Iuelx 3oupe Iustice she shendip TUD; mºhere for Iuelx U has ſeweles, D Iuels. hem H. 152. Heo lihp| And leib TD; Sche leyth U; Makib hem lige H. lettep so faste] lettip be treube T; lettep treuthe ofte U; lettep it so fast H. D corrupt, here and in meat line. 153. not—forbl haue no forb H. 154. Heo—be] She let T. Jºire lustel hed wol H. 155. Mene] pore U. pau5–euere] pei he plede euere H. heo] & 156. so lordlich] now lordschipe D. 157. pons] panis T; penyes H.; pens UD. ful] wel H. 158. anj & THD; and U. 159. pel bat TUD; by H. 160. Meyntenep hire] hire meyn- tenep H ; meintene here men UT. [mysehaunce hem bytidel From H; TUD have the same. V merely repeats, vr lord 3if hem care. 161. W omits be, but it is found in H. TUD have, For pouere men, &c. to—smerte] to pleyne hem beige bei smerte U. 163. menede] pleyned HU. 165. penne] THUD omit. 166. no more seyel sey no more H. 167. hap a-cuiset] acusip TUD. congeye) cunge T ; couieye pe H ; conge be D ; cunge be U. pASS. III.] “Nay, lord,” quap bat ladi “leef him pe worse Whon 3e witen witerliche Wher pe wrong lihp. THE KING's waRS IN NORMANDY. 37 “Disbelieve Conscience,” said she 168 *I per Mischef is gret lord ' Meede may helpe, And bou knowest, Concience I com not to chyde, Ne to depraue pi persone with a proud herte. * Wel bou wost, Concience : (But 3iſ pou wolt lyse), pow hast honged on my Nekke Enleue tymes; And eke I-gripen of my gold and 3iuen per pe lykede. Whi pou wrappest be now wonder me pinkep ! 172 “for well knowest thou, Conscience, thou hast hung on my neck eleven times, and taken money from me, 176 For 3it I may as I mihte menske pe wip 3iftes, And Meyntene pi Monhede more pen pou knowest, And bou hast famed me foule : bifore the kyng heere. * For Culde I neuere no kyng ºne counseilede per-after; Ne dude i neuere as pou dust . I do hit on pe kyng! 181 and hast defamed me. And yet I never killed a king, as thow didst. * In Normandie nas he not a-nuy3ed for my sake; Ac pou bi-self sopliche schomedest him pere, Creptest in-to a Caban for Colde of pi mayles, 'Twas thou, who madest him return from Normandy, 184 Wendest bat wynter wolde haue last euere, And dreddest to haue ben ded for a dim Cloude, And hastedest hamward for hunger of pi wombe | hastening home for hunger * Withouten pite, pilour ! : pore Men pou robbedest, 169. likpl liggep TD; lip H.; duel- lith U. 170. grete lord] gret TUD; most H. mede—helpe] mede it may amende H; mede mayde may helpe D. 171. And pou knowest] pou know- ist wel H. com not] can nougt for T. 172. depraue] dispise U. 174. Wekke] half TUD (one mould easpect to find halſ (= hals, a neck) but it is plainly half). Enleuel en- Heuene TU; elleuen DH. 175. I-gripen of J grepe TD; gripen U. 3/uen her] gyue it where TD. lyhedel list H.; likip TD. 177. For] THUD omit, myſde U; audºunce TD. 179. And] But H. heere] now be H. 180. Culde] kilde TU; kelled D. H reads, - & I agult hym neuer ne his counsel 'menskel neper. 181. We—dust] Ne dide as pou demist TUD ; for I dede neuer as pou didest H. pe kyng] by-silue H. 182. anuyged—sake] noied for me 183. Schomedest] asshamidest T.; aschamyd H.; Schamed D. pere] ofte TD. U reads, Ac pou self sikerly conseiledest hym pennes: see 1. 199. 184. Creptest] bou creptest H.; Crope TD ; creep U. 185. Wendest] bou wendest H. have] UD omit. last] y-last H. 186. to—ded] be to be deed U ; to be ded T; for to be ded D. 187. And hastedest] And hastide be TD; pou hastedest pee H.; & hasti- dest be U. - 188, pite] rigt H. pilour] bou pilour HU. 38 KINGS OlyGHT TO GIVE MEED TO MEN. [PASS. III. And beere heor bras on pi Bac to Caleys to sulle. 189 But I laughed, and made my lord merry, and made his men hopeful. Had I been marshal then, he Ghould have boul lord of all the land 1 per I laſté with my lord ' his lyfforto saue, Maade him murpe ful muche Mournynge to lete, Battede hem on be Bakkes to bolden heore hertes, Dude hem hoppe for hope to haue me at wille. Hedde I be Marchal of his Men (bi Marie of heuene) I durste haue I-leid my lyf and no lasse wed, He hedde beo lord of pat lond in lenkpe and in brede; 193 And eke kyng of pat cuppe his cun for to helpe; 197 pe leeste barn of his blod a Barouns pere. But thow, Conscience, didst counsel him to leave that richest realm. A king should reward them that serve him. To leue pat lordschupe for a luitel seluer, pat is pe Riccheste reame pat Reyn ouer houep Hº bicomep For a kyng pat kepep a Reame To 3iue meede to men pat mekeliche him seruen'; * Sopliche, pou Concience pou counseildest him pennes, 200 To Aliens, to alle Men to honoure hem with 3iftes. 204 Meede makep him bed bilouet and for a Mon I-holden. Tirus emperors and earls get their young servants. Thus, too, the pope gives rewards to men. 190. laſte] lefte TU. 191. & made him merie morn- ynge to lete H.; And made hym murbe mourn- yng to leue TD ; And made hym mirthes fro morwe til eue U. 192. Battede—Bakkes] And bater- ide hym on be bak T; & batrid mem. on here backis H. ; I batride on be bak UD. to—hertes] boldite his herte TUD. 193. Dude hem] Dede hym TD ; & dide hym U; I made hem H. hoppel D omits, hope] ioige H. ville] here wille H.; his wille U. 194. Marchall marchaunt. (I) TD. Men] oost H. Marie] maries loue H; mary loue U. 195, lyf) heed U. lasse] wors D. 196. hedde be] schuld haue be Emperours and Eorles and alle maner lordes porw 3iftes han 30nge men to renne and to ride. *I be pope and his prelates presentes vnderfongen, 208 And Meedep men hem-seluen to meyntene heore lawes. THUD. 197. cupbel kip TH, ; kytthe U; cuntrey H.; kyth D. cum] kyn THUD. 198. barn] brol TUD. 199. Soplichel but sobely H.; Cowardliche UD. T omits this very 7tecessary line. 200. Pat] his TUD. Selue, j disese H. 201. kat—houebl bat regnip ouer on T; bat regnep ouer one D. 202. for] to H.; TUD omit. 203. mede—men] hise men mede TUD. mekeliche] menskly H. 204. Tol And U, hem] U omits. 205. Jim] U omits. bed] H omits. 206. Emperours] dukis H. 208. and wip TUD. 209. men hemseluen] men hymselfe T; gretly men H.; hem hym-selue U; men here-self D. heare] here THD; his U. PAss. III.] whAT ARE THE Two KINDS OF MEED. 39 Servants receive * Seruauns for heore seruise (3e seon wel pe. Sope), WageS. Takep Meede of heore Maystres as pei mowen a-corde. Beggers for heore biddyng Biddep Men [meede]; 212 Munstrals for heor Murpe Meede pei asken. ºf pe kyng Meedep his Men to maken pees in londe; Men pal, knoweb Clerkos Meede hem craneh. * Prestes pat prechep pe peple to goode 216 Askep Meede and Masse-pons - and hedre Mete eke. Alle kunne craftes men crauep Meede for hedre prentys; Meede and Marchaundie mot [nede] go to-gedere. 219 per may no wiht, as I wene with-outen Meede libbe.” Beggars ask for , , gifts, and so do minstrels. The king pays his men to keep the peace. Priests expect mass-pence. Trade and payment go together; none can live without reward.” “NOw,” quod pe kyng to Concience “be crist, as me “Then Meed is. pinkep, Yº..." Meede is Worpi . Muche Maystrie to haue !” “Nay,” quod Concience to pe kyng and knelede to º grounde 5 ºthere are two kinds of Meed; “per bed}, twey maner of Meedes my lord, bi pileue. pat on, good God of his grace 3iuep, in his blisse, 225 To hem pat wel worchen whilpat pei ben here. the one, such as God gives men on earth pe Prophete hit prechede and put hit in pe psauter, Quº peccuniam Swam non dedić ad vsuram, &c. 210. Seruauns] seruauntis THUD. 3e—sobe] we se wel be sobe TUD; wite 3e for sobe H. 212. U omits this line. biddyng] bedis H. [mede THEI, D] W has mete, ovhich is out of place entirely. 214. Meedepl hap mede of U; hap nede (sic) of TD. 215. Men pat ben clerkis crauen of hym mede TUD ; & bese kunnynge clerkis crauen vpon mede H. 217. Masse-pons] messe-penis TUD; maspenyes H. eke] alse TUD. 218. Alle—craftes] Of alle kyn crafty T; Alle kynne crafty U : & alle manere craftis H. ; alle kende crafty D. for] to H. 219. [nede] V has not, myhich is contrary to the sense ; the others have these half-lines : mote nede go to- dat H; dedit TH.D. (Ps. xv. 5); gidere TH2D ; most nede holde to- gedris H.; mot nede mete to-gidres U. 220. No wigt as I wene wipoute mede migte libbe TU. mede] mete D. libbe] lyue H. 221. Wonj bo H; TUD omit. me pinkeb bat me made H. 222. muche] be TUD. 223. groundel be grounde H.; be erpe TUD. 224. my] U omits. pil 300 THUD. 225. pat onj be ton U. good] THU omit. 3iuebl hab grauntid H. D is corrupt. 226. mel ovorchen] werchen wel TUD, bat] THUD omit. 227. hit prechedel prechip it T; prechide it UD. and—psauter] and preued it in be sauter H. mon, dedit] ad] in H. (US f 40 [f. 397 a. col. 1.] and such as God will give you if you love good Inell ; the other, such as maintains misdoers, and of which the psalter speaks (PS. xxvi. 1ö). Such as take bribes will have to answer for it. LABOURERS RECEIVE NOT MEED, BUT HIRE. [PASS. III. Tak no Meede, mi lord of Men pat beob trewe; 228 Loue hem, and leeue hem for vr lordes loue of heuene; Godes Meede and his Merci per-with pou maiht winne. * Bote per is a Meede Mesureles pat Maystrie desyret, To Meyntene Misdoers Meede pei taken ; 232 And perof Seip pe psauter in be psalmes eende, II, quorum manºbus iniquitates Sunt; dextera eorum Tepleta est mumeribus ; [pat here rigthond is hepid ful of 3eftis], And heo pat gripep heore 3iftus (so me God helpe ) pei Schullen a-Bugge bitterly or pe Bok ly;ep 236 Priests that take money shall have the reward St Matthew speaks of (Matt. vi. 5). Syngen, "| Preostes and Persones bat plesyng desyreb, And takep Meede and moneye for Massen pat pei Schullen han Meede in pis Molde pat Matheu hap I-grauntet ; Amen dico vobis, receperunt mercedem suam. But that which labourers receive is not Meed (Bribery), but 'wages. In trading is no 228. men] hem T. 230. bou maiht] migte bou THD; myghtow U. - 231. Bote] TUD omit. Maystrie desyret] maystrie desirep H ; maistris desirip TD ; maistres desyren U. 233. And perof Seide be sauter in a salmis ende T.; And bat witnessip wel be sauter of wicked men H; |UD like T, but myith seith for seide. In quorum] Inimicorum (!) H. 234. In H only. 235. And—3iftus] But he bat grip- ep siche 3eftis H. 3iſtus] gold U. 236. Fei] he H; TUD omit. pei— bitterly] he schal abigge it bitterly H.; Schal abye ful bitere U. 237. Preostes—Persones] Persouns & prestis H. bat — desyrebl pat penyes desiren H ; pat plesynges de- pat laborers and louh folk taken of hedre Maystres, 240 Nis no Maner Meede bote Mesurable huyre. * In Marchaundise nis no Meede I may hit wel avoue; Hit is a permutacion a peni for anoper. siren U. 238. And takeb] to take H ; Schal take U; bat take TD. D omits & moneye. 239. Schullen] bei H. Meede] be mede U; here mede H. inj on THD; of U. pat—I-grauntet] with- outem, eny more H. H. omits the Latin quotation. Amen — vobis] Amen, amen TD. receperunt] recipie- bant TUD. 240. louh folk] lewid men H.; loud (or lond) folk U. 241. Wis] hit nis H.; It is UD; Is T. Meede] of mede T. bote] but a TUD. 242. nis] is TUD. 243. It is a permutacion apertly, &c. TD; but a-pert permy tacion as a, &c. H.; It is apertly a permutacion, &c. U. penij peny-worth UD. PASS. III.] But Raddest pou neuer Regum [pou] recreigede Meede, Whi pat veniaunce fel on Saul and his chill]dren'ſ 245 (;" sendo to seie Bi Samuels moupe, pat Agag and Amalec and al his peple aftur, Schulden dye for a dede pat don hedde his eldren A3eynes Israel and Aaron and Moyses his broper. 249 | Samuel Seide to Saul God seendep be and hotep To beo boxum and boun his biddyng to worche; “Weend pider with pin host wymmen to Culle, 252 Children and Cheorles Chop hem to depe, Loke pow culle pe kyng Coueyte not his goodes For Milions of Moneye; Morper hem vehone. Bernes and Beestes Brenne hem al to askes.” 256 * And for he calde not be kyng as crist him-self hihte, Coueytede feir catel and ſculde] not his Beestes, Bote brouhte wip him pe Beestes as be Bible tellep, * God sende to seye pat [Saul] schulde dye, 260 And al his seed for pat Sunne schendfulliche ende. Such a Mischef Meede made pe kyng to haue, pat God hatede him euere and his heires after. 244. [bou TUH.D] bat VH. 245, ovhill how H. and and on TU ; and eke on D. HOW SAUL WAS RUIN ED BY COVETOUSNESS. 41 246. Sende—Seie] sente hym to segge TU; sende him to say H ; sent hym to sayne D. 247. Agag) achar U. and Amaleej of amaleg TH; for Amalec D. al] TD omit. 248. his] here T. 249. TUD omit this line. 250. and hotep] to say H. 251. boun] bold U. ovorche] ful- fille TUD. 252. Wend pou to amalek wib pine ost be cuntre to quelle H. 253. chop] dryue H ; schap D. 254. U omits this line, and also ll. 255, 256. 255. Milions] any mylionis THD. morper] murdre T; molde H.; morder H., ; muldre D. 256. burwes & bernes & bestis pou brenne H. Meed, but only barter. Hast thou not read, in Kings, how God told Saul to slay Agag for Annalek's sim against Israel ? (I Sann. xv.; Exod. xviii. 8). Samuel said to Saul, “Go and kill women and children, and king Agag ; but covet not his goods. burn both barns and beasts.” But because he did not so, God sent to say that he should die. Thus did Meed make God hate him. al to askes] to debe TD. 257. Jim-self hiſite] hymself sende H; hym selue bad U; bode sente T'; hym bobe sente D. g 258. Coueyfede] but coueyted UH. feir] here TU; be H; his D. his] here H. and—Beestes] kilde not hire bestis T.H.UD ; hence culde is the weading ; W and H read slouh, slow. 259. him—Beestes] hem here goodis H. telleb] techip H.; hym tolde (!) T; tolde D. 260. God Seide to samuel bat saul shulde deige TUD. [Saul) So in THUH,D; V has Samuel, which is obviously ºvrong. 261. Schendfullichel senfully schulde T; schendfully schuld D. 262. Mischef] mysdede U. 263. hatede—euere] hatip bat kinge T; hateth be kyng D ; hatid hym for euer H.; hatide be kyng for euere U. his] alle hise THUD. 42 REASON SHALL ONE DAY BANISH MEED. [PASS. III. pe Culorum of pis [clause kepe I not to schewe, 264 In Auenture hit [nuy3ed] me an ende wol I make : Saul shall be blamed, and David diademed. "| And riht as Agag hedde hapne Schulle summe; Samuel Schal slen him and Saul Schal be blamet, Dauid Schal ben Dyademed and daunten hem alle, 268 And on Cristene kyng kepen vs vehone. I, CU11scleuce, Well know that Reason shall reign ; Schal no more Meede be Mayster vppon eorpe, and there shall be Love, Humility, and Loyalty; Loyalty shall punish trespassers. Culicience kilowep pis; for kuynde wit me tau5te pat Resun Schal regne and Reames gouerne ; 272 Bote loue and louhnesse and leute to-gedere. " And heo pattrespassep to troupe' or dop ageyn his wille, Leute schal don him lawe or leosen his lyfelles. Schal no seriaunt for pat seruise were a selk houlue, Ne no Ray Robe wip Riche pelure. * Meede of misdoers makep men so riche, Meed makes Law rich, and Loyalty poor. 277 pat lawe is lord I-waxen and leute is pore. Vnkuyndeſn]esse is Comaundour and kuyndenesse is Banescht. But Common Sense shall yet return, and make Law a labourer. 264. culorum] coloure H. [clause] Inserted on the authority of T and H, ; not in WHU; D has the para- phrase, The ende of bis terme : y oute to schewe. 265, 266. Omitted in H. 265. In-me] An Aunter it me noi- 3ide T; An aunter 3if it noiede me U: On Aunter it noyed me now D. [nuyged] Such should be the reading ; cf. 1, 182. In W it is mismºitten munged. 266—269. In TUD these four lines follon, 1.271, ll. 270, 271 being made to follon: 1. 265. 266. hapne—Summe] happe shal Somme T; hap men Schul se som tyme TJ ; happed ende Schul somme D. 267. pen Samuel slowe agag and Saul was y-blamyd H. 268. & dauid was diademyd and daunted hem alle H. daunten] dam- men D. 269. on o T; one U. kepen vs] kept hem H.; to kepen vs U. 280 [Ac]kuynde witschalcome 3it and Concience to-gedere, And make of lawe a laborer such loue schal aryse ". 270. Concience knomebj In con- sience knowe I TU ; I consciens knew H. Kuynde nºit, kynde it TD ; resoun it U. 273. leute] leaute T; lyaunce D. 274. And who-so trespassip trewely & takip to be wronge T.; And who trespaseth treuliche and taketh agens right U; And ho-so trespaced treube ‘ & takep ony byng D. º 275. His wykkide leaute shal do hym lawe or lese his lif ellis TU; D simi- lar, mith liaunce for leaute, and and . for or. 276. a-houwel no selk gowne U. 277. mib of HT; with no D. 278. Meede—misdoers] meede wip her mysdedis H. men] hem THUD. 279, leute] lyaunce D. 280. Whkuynde(n)esse] wickednes HU; vnkymdenesse TD. 281. [Ac] V has And ; but Ac (TUD) gives far better sense, and H has but. PASS. IV.] PASSUs IV. THE KING COMMANDS REASON TO APPEAR. 43 [Passus Quartus de Visione.} 64 Sº seide pe kyng “I suffre 3ou no more. 3e schulle Saustene forsope and serue me bope. Cusse hire,” quap pe kyng “Concience, Ich hote.” “Nay, be Crist,” quod Concience “Congeye me raper Bote Reson Rede me per-to Arst wol I dye l’’ 5 * “And I comaunde pe,” quod be kyng to Concience penne, “pat pou Rape pe to ride And Reson pou fette; “Be reconciled,” said the king, “and kiss her, Conscience.” “Not unless Reason advises Ime SO to do.” “Then ride and fetch Reason here,” said the king Comaunde him pat he come my Counseil to here. 8 For he schal reule my Reame and Rede me pe beste “He shall give us good advice.” Of Meede, and of oper mo and what mon schal hir wedde ; And A-Counte with Concience (so me [Crist] helpe () How pou ledest my peple Lered and Lewed.” 12 * “I am Fayn of pat foreward” seide be Freike penne, Cºngºlº And Rod riht to [Reson] and Rouned in his Ere, [Passus, &c.] THUD. 1. suffre 3ou] ne mote 3e H. more] lengere TUD. 2. Sauştene] sau;te T'; saghtlyn U; in H acoorde is myritten, as a gloss, above Sagtene; saghten D. 3. Cussel Kisse TH; kys D. 4. Crist] god TUD. congeye] cunge TU ; counge D. 5. Rede] radde H; rewle D. arst] erst T; first U. arst—dye] leuer hadde I deyge H. 6. benne] as swipe H. 7. bat bouj TUD omit. and H omits. pow] bat bou TD; pou me U; rode off, and gave to H. 9. me] me for H. 10. oper moj mo opere TU. and what] what TUD. medde] haue H. 11. a-counte] counte TUD. with] wib bee H. [Crist TJ god VHUD. 12. ledest my] lerist be TD; lernest my H.; rewliste be U. 13. Seide) quod H. Freike] frek ATH; freek U ; frayk D. 14. Rod riſt] ridep rigt H. rigt rennep TUD. [Reson] So in THUD; V has Concience, myhich is clearly wrong. Rouned] rounip TH; rownes UD. 44 REASON, WIT, AND WISDOM COME TO THE COURT. [PASS. IV. Reason the king's Seyde as pe kyng sende and seppe tok his leue. IlleSSage. * “I schal araye me to Ride,” quod Reson : a while ”— And clepte Caton his knaue Curteis of speche— Reason bids his knave Cato saddle his horse called Suffer-till-I-See- my-time. “Reste pe 16 “Sette my Sadel vppon Soffre- til-I-seo-my-tyme, And loke pou warroke him wel wip swipe feole gurphes; Hong on him an heui Bridel to bere his hed lowe, 20 3it wol he make moni a whi er he come pere.” Then Conscience and Reason rode to the king, and [f. 397 a. Col. 2.] Wisdom and Wit; followed them in a wain, for they wanted Reason's advice. pinge S ; Bote on a wayn [witti] and wisdame I-feere Folweden hem faste for pei hedden to done In Esscheker and Chauncelrie to ben descharget of Enne Concience on his Capul Cariep forb Faste, And Resun with him Ridep Rappynge Swipe ; 24 And Riden faste, for Reson schulde Reden hem pe beste For to sauen hem-self from schome and from harme. * Bote Concience com arst to Court bi A Myle, 29 And Romede forb bi Reson Riht to be kyng. The king receives them courteously. Cºlº be kyng penne com to Resoun, IBitwene himself and his some sette him on Benche, 15. Seyde] Seide hym TD; & seide H. sende] him sente U; bade H. seppe) sippe TH; sitthe U; sethen D. 17. And] he H. clepte] calde TUD. Caton] conscience U. 18. Soffre] soffre, quop he H. 19. Zoke bow ovarroke] let warroke TUD. snipe—gurphes] rigtful gerbis TU ; wytful gartys D. 20. anj be THD. to bere] to holde TD; & hoold U. 21. he we TD (nºrongly). moni a mhil many wehe TU; many a wehe H; many wey D. er he er we TU; or he H ; or we D. 22. cariepl cairip T; caried HD. 23. Ridebj rit T; right U. Rap- pynge snipe) & rapip hym 3erne TH; & rapide hym faste U; & hastid hem swipe H. D omits this line. 24. Ac vnwary wisdom & witty his (wyt his owne D) fere TD; Ac on-were wysdom & wytty his fere U ; & in a wayn wysdome witty his fere H. W has Bote on a wayn wyd, &c. which gives no sense ; see Folweden in meat line. N.B. V has witti in l. 141 belony. 25, hem faste] faste forb U. 26. Esseheker] cheker TUH.D; court HU. chauncelrie] in chauncelrie H; in chauncerie TD ; in be chancerye U. ben descharget] deschargen hem H. 27. & for reson shulde reule hem • & rede hem for be best H. 28. & Saue hem fram harme & fram shame also H. 29. Myle] myle wey TUD. 30. Homede] rombide T; rowned U. bi] wip THU; D omits. Riht] & raugt H. 31. penne—Resoun] panne com in to resoun TU ; welcomed resoun H. 32. Bitn-ene] And betwyn T.D. him- and PASS. IV.] PEACE BRINGS A COMPLAINT And wordeden a gret while wysliche to-gedere. 33 pene Pees com to parlement and put vp a Bille, Hou pat Wrong ageyn his wille his wyf hedde I-take, And [hou] he Rauischede Rose Reynaldes lemmon, 36 And Mergrete of hire Maydenhod maugre hire chekes. “Bobe my Gees and my Grys [his] gadelynges fetten; I dar not for dreede of hem fihtene chide. He Borwede of me Bay3ard and brouhte him neuer ageyn, 40 Ne no Ferping him fore for nougt pat I con plede. He meyntenep his Men to Morpere myn owne, Forstallep my Feire Fihtep in my chepynges, Brekep vp my Berne-dore and berep awei my whete, And takep me bote a tayle of Ten quarter oten; 45 AGAINST WRON G. 45 Enter Peace, with a plea against Wrong. “Wrong (Said he] has stolen my geese and pigs, and my horse Bayard, murdered my men, stolen my wheat, and beaten myself.” And 3it he bat me perto and ligh be my Mayden. Imam not so hardi for him vp for to loke.” pe kyng kneuh he seide soop for Concience him tolde. T Wrong was a-Fert po and Wisdam souhte To Make his pees with pons Moneye, self] hym U. on a T. H. omits this line. 33. mordeden] speken H. myslichel wel wisly TU. 34. Pees com] com pes THD. ºp] forth U. Bille] bulle H. 35. his—I-take] hadde his wyf take THU; D omits hadde. 36. W omits hou, but it is in THUD. lemmon.] loue TUD; dougter H. 37. Mergrete] molde H. 38. [his] V has be, but this is in- ferior to his, myhich is in THUD. fetten] feechen THU. gadelynges fet- ten] gadlyng fecches D. 39. dar] durst H.; ber D. dreede of J U omits; fer of TD. 41. Ferbing—fore] ferping perfore TD; ferthyngworth perfore U; ferping for hym H. nougt—plede], nou;t I coupe plete T; ougt bat I cowde pleden H; ought I coude plete U; nougt y coupe plede D. 49 and proferde forb Then was Wrong afraid, and tried to bribe Wisdom to plead for him. z 42. to morbere] forto sle H. hynen TD; hyme U. 43. Feire] feires HTD. chepynges] chepynge THUD. 44. dore] dores HTUD. 45. bote] pen H. of ten] for ten TUD. oten] of otis T; otes U; ootis H; otys D. 46. bat] betip THUD. 47. vp for vnepis H. And I am not hardy vnnepe on hym for to loke TD ; And I am noght so hardy ones on hym to loke U. 48, be—knew/ºl bo kneu; be kinge TU ; That knewe be kyng D. H. has, be king seide, pis is sop for conscience hit me tolde. 49. a-fert] aferd THD; aferid U. soulte] he sougte THD; bysoughte U. 50. pons] his panis T; penyes H.; his pens U; his pans D. forb Moneye] hym manye TD; manye U. onne] 46 WISDOM AND WIT SIDE WITH MEED. [PASS. IV. And Seide, “Hedde I loue of be kyng luite wolde I recche pauh pees and his pouwer playneden on me euere !” .*W* I Wisdam wente po and so dude Wit, 53 And for wrong hedde I-do - so wikked a dede. And warnede wrong po with such a wys tale; “Whose worchep biwil wrappe makeb ofte; 56 that, unless he could get Meed to help, he was I sigge hit bi pi-seluen pou Schalt hit some fynde. Bote 3if Meede make hit pi Mischef is vppe, ruined. For bope pilyf and pilond ligh in be kynges grace.” ...t Wººls penne Vppon Wisdom wepte to helpe, 60 ..º.º. Him for his handidandi • Rediliche he payede. them. pene wisdam and wit wente to-gedere, And nomen Meede with hem Merci to wynne. :::::::...” “I Pees putte for his hed and his ponne blodi: 64 head. “Withouten gult, god wot gat I pis scape.” * Concience and pe kyng knewen be sope; . Wusten wel pat wrong was a schrewe euere. But wisdom and T. But wisdam and wit weorem 3eorne aboute faste 68 51. H omits. TUD read, And Seide, hadde I loue of my lord be kinge litil wolde I recohe; but in UD the last half-verse is at the Öeginning of the meat line ; in W me should perhaps read, of my lord. 52. but pes wip his powere play- ned on hym euere H. pauh] if U. on me] hem T; hym, UD. D omits and his pouwer. 53. wentej wan to T; wan U; ran D. dude mit] dede wyt also TUD; dide hym witt H. 54. And for] For bat THUD. I.-dol ywrougt H; wrougt TD; don U. 55. bol U omits, a mys tale] wyse talys D. 56. nºrabbe makebl makib wrappe 57. I sigge] we say H. bi-seluen] my-self TUD. 58. Bote—hit] But mede bi pee, make U. pil TD omit. 59. lond] lyme H. ligh—kynges] lip in his TD; lip in here H ; ben in his U. 60. Wrong] THUD. ºppon] on TU. ovepte] wepip TD. to helpej to helpe. hym at mede U; to hym helpe ; hym to helpe T. 61. For of hise penys he proffride • handy dandy to paye T.; For right ber of is handy dandy payd U; - For of his handy-dandy payd (sic) D. 63. momen] toke THD; token U. . 64. ponne] panne TUDH, ; hode H. pomne blodil blody panne U. (In D Blody begins the meat line.) 65. gat] hent H. 66. U omits. Concience—kyng] be king & conscience H. knenven] kneu; wel TD. 67. Wusten] And wisten THUD. 68. neoren 3eornej were THUD. PASS. IV.] To ouercome pe kyng with ſcatel] 3if hed mihten. *I be kyng swor po bi crist and bi his Coroune bope, pat wrong for his werkes' schulde wo pole, MEED TRIES TO BUY WRONG OFF. . 47 Wit tried to over- come the king. The king swears Wrong shall suffer, and shall be cast into irons. And Comaundede A Constable to casten him in Irens. “IIe no Schal pis seuen 3er seon his feel, ones.” * “God wot,” quab wisdam “pat weare not be besle; And he amendes make let Meymprise him haue; 73 Wisdom offers bail, and says Wrong will pay damages. And beo borw of his bale and buggen him bote, 76 And a-Menden his misdede and euer-more pe bettre.” * Wit a-Cordede herwith and seide him be same : Wit seconds this “Hit is betere bat boote Bale a-doun bringe pen Bale be beten and boote neuer pe better.” 80 Enne Meede Meokede hire • And Merci bi-souhte, And profrede pees a present ' al of pure Red gold: “to Amende with pi “Haue pis of me,” quod hed Scape, . Then Meed proffers Peace a present of gold, and engages that Wrong shall keep the peace. For Ichul wage for wrong he wol do so no more.” 84 Pees penne pitously preyede pe kyng To haue merci on pat Mon pat mis-dude him ofte: “For he hap waget me a-mendes tauhte, I Forgiue him pat gult with a good wille ; JPeace begs Wrong off, and forgives him, since Meed wº e has made amends. as wisdam him. 88 So pat 3e assented beo I con no more sigge; 69. [catel TUD Meede VH. 70. bo) THUD omit. 71. TUD omit this line. 72. T omits this line ; domyn, to Constable. 73. me schall shal not H ; shulde not T. to casten hym, in yrens he schal bis vij 3er sen his fet onys (!) U; D similar, but has he schal not. 75. And] 3ef H. make] mowe make TU ; wol make H. 76. born of] borugh for T; brougt of H; borw for U; borow for D. buggen] bringen T; bigge HU; beggyn D UD 00mit '77. And] TUD omit, his] bat UD; pat he T. be] do be U. 78. him] TUD omit. D is corrupt. 79. Hit is betere] Betere is THUD. 80. beten] bote U. 81. Meede Meokede] gan mede to meke TUD. 82. pure Red] purid TH; pure U : pured D. 83. me] me, man TUD. mith] TUD omit. 84. Ichul] y wile T; y wol HU; I wyl D. mol) shal TUD. 87. For—a-mendes] For he hab wagid me wel TUD; For he hadde wagid hym wel H. , 88, him—gult] bee bis gult quod pees H. 89, bat—peo] 3e assente perto TU; 3e Assente D; bat 3e assent, my lord H. no—sigge] sey no more TUD. 48 REASON SAYS HE WILL SHOW WRONG NO PITY. [PASS. IV. For Meede hap maad me amendes I may no more aske.” But the king swears that Wrong shall not get off so lightly. ‘ſ “Nay," quod be kyng po “(so god 3iue me blisse ) Wrong went not so awei til ich wite more; 92 Lope he so lihtliche awei lau;when he wolde, And eft be pe baldore forte heten mymo [hymen ;] Bote Reson haue reupe of him he restep in be stokkes Also longe as Ilyue bote more loue hit make.” Then some advised Reason to take pity on Schrewe, Wrong. 96 i penne summe Radde Reson to haue reube of bat And to Counseile be kyng and Concience bope, bat Meede moste be Meympernour Reson heo bi-sougte. “Nay,” says Reason, “not till all lords and ladies love truth, & 6 Rº me not,” quod Reson “Reube to haue, Til lordes, and ladies louen alle treube, 100 And perneles porfyl be put in heore whucche : Til children Chereschinge be chastet wib 3erdes, Til harlotes holynesse be holden for an hyme; Til Clerkes and knihtes ben Corteis of heore Moupes, And haten to don heor harlotrie and vsun hiſ no [fol. 397 b. col. 1.] rioters are holy, clerks and knights Courteous, and more ; 90. Homits this line. Meede] he U. me amendes] my mendis TD. aske] axen TU ; axe D. 91. god] crist U. 92. ment] wendip THU; wendes D. til] er TU; or D. 93, for yf he lept soli;tly he wolde vs alle scorn H. amweij U omits. laugſvhen] lau;en T; laghen U; lawhen ID 94. eſt] ofte THUD. baldore] boldere HTD; baldere U. forte, &c.] to bete my hynen TUI); to mysdo my puple H. W. omits hymen. 95. of on TDHU. restep in be] shal reste hym in be TD; schal resten in U; shal into be H. 96. Also longe] As long TUD; be as longe H. 97. penne] TD omit. summe men TD ; U omits. THUD. summel of] on 104 98. to counseile] po conseilede U. 99. hea bisou;te] bei besou;te TUD; bei preied H. 100. Rede] Redip H. Reube] no reupe TUD ; reupe for H. 102. porfyl] purfile TH; pupfil U ; purfyl D. myhucchel hucche TU; whicche H ; huche D. 103. children] childris T; childrens H; childrenes U. chereschinge] chiding H. chastet] chastid U; chasted D : chastisid TH. 104. Tilj And THUD. holynesse] harlotrie U. be—hymel be preised ful hige H. (TUH.D like V). an any D. 105. Clerkes—knihtes] knigtes & clerkis H. 106. to don] TD omit. don] U omits. hear] H omits. and—more] oper moube it with tungis T; & no more it vsen H ; or mouthe it hem- selue U; oper hit mouben D. {PASS. IV.] WRONG MUST BE PUNISHED. Til prestes heore prechyng preuen hit in hem-seluen, And don hit in dede to drawen vs to gode; 108 Til'seint Iame beo I-souht per I Schal a-signe, And no mon go to Galys bote he go for euere ; And alle Rome Renners for Robbeours of bi-3onde Iłere no seluer ouer see pal, berep signe of pe kyng, Nouper Grotes negold I-graue with be kynges Coroume, Vppon Forfet of pat Fe hose hit fynde at douere, Bote hit beo Marchaund opur his men or Messager 49 priests practise what they preach. till men go no more to Galicia, and Rome-seekers no more bear the king's coin over the sea, unless they be merchants, with lettres, Or Prouisours or Preestes pat Popes a-vaunset. * And 3it (quod Reson) bipe Roode I Schal no reupe haue, messengers, pro- visors, or priests. 116 I will have no pity while Meed is here. While Meede hap eny Maystrie to Mooten in pis halle; {Ac y mai schewe 3ow ensamples y Seie be myselue]. * For I sigge hit for my soule And hit so weare 120 jpat Ich weore kyng with Croume to kepen a Reame, Scholde neuer wrong in pis world pat Ich I-wite mihte, Were I king, no Wrong should go unpunished, or get grace by bribes. Ben vn-punissched beo my pouwer for peril of my soule ! Negete grace porw 3ift (so me [god] helpe () 107. U omits the line, inj TH comit. preven hit inj preued D. 108. vs—gode] men to goode H. 109, 110. Homiffs these lines. 110. And] bat TUD. bote] but 3if T; but yf D. 111. And] til H. alle] alle be T. Jēobbedurs] Robberis THUD. 112. berep—kyng] signe of kinge shewide T; coyn of kyng schewith U; syne of kyng schewith D. 113. Neiper grotis me gold ygraue wip kinges coyn TUI). 114. Vppon Fonſet] For faytour D. pat] be H. Jose—dowere] who fynt hym do euere TD ; whoso fynt hit at 'douere H.; who fynt bym diuense U. 115. Marchaund] messingere H. men] man TUD. Messager] mes- Sangeris T. or—lettres] pat wip hym berip lettris H. 124 116. Or—Preestes] oper prestis ober prouisours H.; oper prouisour or p?’est TUD. Popes avaunset] be pope auawncip TUD ; popis dopauaunce H. 117. 3iff] D omits. Schalj wol U. 118. eny] be TUD. Mooten] moten U; mo T; moo D. 119. From U. Also in T, which has Ac I may shewe ensaumplis as I se forsobe; D like T, but omits forsobe. The line is not in V or H. 120. U omits domin, to soule. for— soule] be myself T; myself H. 121. kyng—crowne] a king crown- ed H. Kepen] gouern H. UD mis- written, including part of l. 120. 122. newer] no D. mºrong] U omits., Inite mihte] my;te wete D. *~ 123. bed] be U; by D; at THH. 124. grace bornj my grace by H.; my grace Poru; T; my grace with 50 No evil ought to go unpunished, nor good unre- warded. GOOD SHOULD BE REWARDED. [PASS. Iv. Ne for Meede haue Merci but Mekenesse hit make. For nullum malum pe Mon mette [with] inpunitum, And bad nullum bonum be irremuneratum. Let pi Clerk, sire kyng Construe pis in Englisch ; Were this rule kept, Law might go and cart manure, and Love should lult: UWCT all.” Eres, And 3if pou worchest hit in wit . Ich wedde bope myn 129 baflaweschal ben a laborer and leden a feld dounge, And loue schalleden pilond as be leof lykep.” lerkes pat were confessours Coupled hem to-gedere, Forte Construe pis Clause and distinkte hit after. When Reason said this, all thought he was right, and that Meed was a Wretch. Wrecche. As for Love, he laughed her to scorn, and said, Whon Resun to pis Reynkes Rehersede peose wordes, Nas non in pat Moot-halle more ne lasse, pat ne held Reson a Mayster po And Meede a muche 136 Loue lette of Meede luite and louh hire to scorn, And Seide hit so loude pat sopnesse hit herde, “Whoevermarries “Hose wilnep hire to wyue for weolpe of hire godes, her will surely prove a cuckold." Bote he bed A Cokewold I-kore cut of bope myn Eresſ" "I Was nouper wisdam po me witti his feere, UD. 3ift] giftes TD; 3eftis H.; 3iftes U. [god] So in THUD; V has gold. 125. H varies, reading, for loke what pese wordis seyn pat writen bep in latyn. Meede] no mede TUD. made TUI). 126, 127. In these lines H has only the Latin mords. 126. For mullum malum he may mete with Inpunitum TD; For mullum malum inpunitum be may mete with U. [mith TUD) with-outen W. 127. bad] bad quod (!) D. TUD 07?ºit. 128. Clerk] clerkis H. ; confessour TUD. bis in] it be on TD ; it be in U. 129. Avorchest—wit] werche bis werk T; worche it in werk UD; werchest per-after H. Ich wedde] y lay H. bope] TD omit. 130. a-feld] to feld U; on felde D. 131. be leof] pe lefe T; be best U ; make] be] 141 by self H; be lef D. 132. Clerkes—confessours] po alle pe grete clerkis H. 133. and—after] declymede fast THz; & declyne aftir U; & wite what it mened H. ; declyned it faste D. 134. Whon—reynkes] Ac resoun amonge bise renkis . T; Ac whan resoun, among be renges U ; but when resoun, among herm H ; Ac resoun among be reules had D. 135. Was mon] per mas no man TD; per nas man HU. bat Moot-hallel be court H. 136. pol TUD omit. shrewe H. 137. Maede luite] hire ligt TUD; hire ligtly H. 138. Seide) gredde U. 139. Twyue] wyf H. 140. I-kore] yeald TU; ykyd H.; I-callid H.; called D. bobe myn eres] myne eeris H.; my nose TUD. 141, Was—pol Warne wisdom bo wrecche] so] to D. PASS. IV.] THE KING ELECTS TO LIVE WITH REASON. pat coupe warpen a word to with-siggem Reson; Bote stareden for studiing and stooden as Bestes. *I pe kyng acordede, bi crist to Resons Connynge, And rehersede pat Reson hedde Rihtfoliche I-schewet: “Bote hit is hard, be myn hed herto hit bringe, 146 Al my lige leodes to lede pus euene.” * “Bi him pat rauhte on pe Roode,” quod Reson to pe kyng, 148 “Bote I Rule pus pi Reame Rend out my Ribbes 3if hit beo so pat Boxumnesse beo at myn assent.” * “Ich assente,” quod pe kyng “bi seinte Marie mi ladi, Beo my counseil I-come of Clerkes and of Erles. 152 * Bote Rediliche Reson pou Rydest not heonnes. For as longe as Iliue lette pe I nulle.” * “Icham Redi,” quod Reson “to Reste with be euere; So pat Concience beo vr counseiler kepe I no betere.” * “Igraunte gladly,” quod pe kyng “God forbeode he fayle 157 And also longe as Ilyue leue we to-gedere.” 51. Neither Wisdom nor Wit could gainsay Reason's speech. The king decreed that Reason was right, but said it was hard to govern S0, Reason declares it is easy. The king says he assents to Reason's counsel; and hopes he will stay with him. “I will stay if Conscience be your counsellor.” “Yes,” said the king, “let us live together till I die. TD; I warne bat wysdom H; Vmwar was wisdom U. ovitti] no wyt T; ynwit U. me—feere] & wyt his owne fere D. 142. U omits this line. pat— ovarpen] me coupe seie H ; coupe nougt warpen T.D. with-siggen] agen- seie H. 143. stareden—studiing] stareden & studeden H ; staringe & stodyenge TD; starende & studiande U. and stooden] stoden TD; stode forb U. 144. acordedej a-cord H. con- nymge] kunnyng H ; sawis TUD. 145. hedde] TD omit. 146. hard] wel hard T; wol hard U; ful hard D. herto—bringe] herto to bringe it T; it per to to brynge U : herto to brynge D. 147. bat eny lyuyng men shulde lede hem bus euen H. All And alle T. leodes] ledes TUD. bus] hem bus TUD. 148, rauhte] deigede T; rest hym H; deyde D. 149. Botel But 3if TD. pil 30ure D. out] of U. 150. Sol TD omit. FIUD. 151. quod be kyng] H omits. 152. of erles] erlis T; of knigtis H. 153. Rydest, &c.] shalt not wende henne T.; Schalt not riden henne U; shalt wende henne D (sic). 154. H varies, reading For into my depday we mele not depart. lette—nulle] loue be I wile TUD. 156. pat] TUD omit, vrcounseiler] of oure counseil HU; of 30ur counseil TD. 157. gladly] wel H; TUD omit. God—fayle] godis forbode he faille (failed U) TU; god forbede I fayle D. 158. And also] As TUD; for as H. I] we H. leue] libbe TUH.D.; loue H. beo at] be of 4 * 52 THE VISION OF THE DEADLY SINs. [PASS. v. PASSUS W. [Passus quintus de visione.] The king goes to matins. The FIRST VISION ends. * E kyng and his knihtes to pe Churche wenten To heere Matyns and Masse and to be Mete aftur. penne Wakede I of my wink me was wo with alle pat I medde sadloker I-slept and I-sege more. 4. Here begins the SECOND VISION, Er I a Furlong hedde I-fare : A Feyntise me hente, Yiº of the Pºdly pat Forper mihti not a-fote for defaute of Sleep. Sins, and of PERS THE PLOUHMON. I sat Softeliche a-doun and Seide my bed-leeue, And so I blaberde on my Beodes pat brouhte me a-Slepe. 8 pen sauh I muche more pen I bedfore tolde, For I sauh be Feld ful of Folk pat ich of bi-fore schewede, And Concience with a Crois com for to preche. The sermon of Conscience upon "I He preide be peple haue pite of hem-selue, 12 the pestilence and And preuede pat pis pestilences weore for puire synne, the violent wind of Jan. 15, 1362. Passus, &c. In THUD. 1. his] T omits. 2. to be] sithe to U. 3. wink] wynkyng TUH. me—ºvo) & wo was TU ; wo was me H. Twith alle] perfore H. 4. nedde] me hadde TU. I-slept] yslepe saddere TU. yseyn TH; yseie U. 5. a-I-fare] hadde faren a fur- longe THU. AJ swiche U; TH omit. Feyntise] fantesie U. Mentel hadde T. 6. Forber—al I ne migte ferbere a TU; ferber ne migte y one H. sleep) slepynge TU. 7. a-down] in my bedis T (wrongly; J-sege] Sadloker And his soup-Westerne wynt on a Seterday at euen see l. 8), 8. blaberde] babelide T; bablide U; blaberid H. pat] pei TU. 9. Saul II y sawe H. muche] meke T. toldej shewid H. 10. TH omit. For] U omits. of schemºede] by fore nempnyd U. 11. And] & how H. com] bygan EI. 12. He] And TH. preide] prechide U. hauel to haue U. of on THU. 13. p is pestilences] be pestilence H; bis pestilence U. ºveore] wern T; was HU, 14, bis] be THU. TU. al TU omit. mynt] wynd PASS. V.] CONSCIENCE PREACHES A SERMON. 53 Was a-perteliche for pruide and for no poynt elles. * Piries and Plomtres weore passchet to be grounde, 16 In ensaumple to Men pat we scholde do pe bettre. Pear-trees, plum-trees, beeches, and oaks Were blown down. Deches and brode okes weore blowen to peeorpe, And turned vpward pe tayl In toknying of drede pat dedly Synne or domesday alle. * Of bis Matere I mihte Momele ful longe, Bote I sigge as I sauh (so me god helpe) • Schulde fordon hem 20 How Concience with a Cros • Comsede to preche. * He bad wastors go worche what pei best coupe, 24 And wynne bat pei wasteden with sum maner craft. * He preijede Pernel hire Porfil to leue, And kepen hit in hire Cofre for Catel at neode. Thomas he taugte to take twey [staues], And fette hom Felice From wyuene pyne. * He warnede watte his wyf was to blame, pat hire hed was worp a Mark and his hod worp A Grote, " He chargede Chapmen to Chasten heore children;32 Let hem wonte non eige while pat pei ben 3onge. 15. pruidel Synne U. mo polynt) nothyng U. 16. Piries] peretrees H. Plomtres] plantes T. passchet] possid H.; put TU. grounde] erpe TU. 17. to men] sent god T; Seith god U. pat wel bat 3e T; bat bei H; 3e U 18. be eorpel grounde ‘T; be grounde U. 19. v.pniard] vp U. be tayl] here tail T; here tailes H. . 20. dedly symmel deth U. schuldej shal TU. hem alle] pe world H. 21. of mihtel vpon pisilke matere y H.; Of pis matere myght y U. momele] mamele T; mamle U; momelid H. ful] wel TU. 22. Bote-sigge] Ac I shal seige TU; but y say H. sauh] sai; T; sau; H; Seide U. 23. comsede] cumside T; bygan for The dreamer gives an Outline of Conscience's SCIIIl()]]. Conscience bids wasters work, [fol. 397 b. col. 2.] and tells Pernel to put her finery 28 away. Thomas is to fetch home his wife Felice; and Wat's wife is to blame. Chapmen are to chastise their children, and H; com for U. 24. Hel & H. wastors] wastour TU. beil he TU. 25, bei masteden] bei wasted H; he wastide TU; W has peine wasteden, but I propose to omit me. maner] maner of T; kynne U. 26. He] And TH. preijede] pre- chid U. 27. kepen] kepte T. cofre] whicche H. for—neode] lest rattis hit eten H. 28. [staues THUH, V has stauenes; prob. from wyuene in l, belony. 29. hom. Felice] felis his wyf T; home his wyf H. nyuene] heuene wyuene U, with stroke through heuene. See Critical Notes. 30. matte] also watte H. 31. worp (2)] not worp TII; not a U. 32, chasten] chastice TU. 33. Let] & lete H. Let—eige] let no wynnyng for-wanye hem T.; let no 54 priests to practise what they preach. Religion should rule strictly. Pilgrims should PRIDE AND LUXURY REPENT. [PASS. v. | He preyede Preestes and Prelates to-gedere, pat pei prechen pe peple to preuen hit in hem-seluen— “And libben as 3e lerep vs we wolen loue ow pe betere.” 36 * And Seppe he Radde Religioun be Rule for to holde— “Leste pe kyng and his Counseil 3or Comunes apeire, And beo stiward in oure stude til 3e be stouwet betere. * And 3e pat sechep Seynt Iame and seintes at Roome, seek St Truth. Sechep Seint Treupe for he may sauen ow alle ; 41 . Qui cum patre et filio feire mote you falle.” Enne Ron Repentaunce and Rehersed pisteeme, And made William to weape watur with his eyen. I. PRIDE. Pernel repents her pride, Pernel proud-herte platte hire to grounde, And lay longe ar heo lokede and to wr ladi criede, 45 And beo-higte to him ' pat vs alle maade, and vows to wear a hair shirt, and to be ever humble. Heo wolde vn-souwen hire smok and setten per an here Forte fayten hire Flesch pat Frele was to synne: 49 “Schal neuer libt herte me hente bote holde me lowe, And suffre to beo mis-seid— and so dude I neuere. And nou I con wel meke me and Merci be-seche 52 Of al pat Ichaue I-had envye in myn herte.” welthe for-wany hem U. mykile hat) whiles bat U ; whiles T. 34. preyedel prechip T; prechide U. Preestes—prelates] prelatis & prestis THU. 35. prechen] shulde preche H. & THU. in THU omiſ. 36. 3e—ws] bei taugte hem H.; 3e lerne vs U. ºne molem] bei wolde H; for we wol U. lowe on] leue 3ow T; loue hem H.; loue 3ou |U. 37. be—for] here reweles T; here rule HU. holde] kepe U. 38. Kyng and his] kyngis H. 307.) here H. apeire] apeirip T; apeired H. 39. bed] were H ; be TU. in- stude] of 3oure stede T5 in 3ore stede U; in here stude H. til—betere] til 2e be stewid betere T ; til bei were améndid H; so bat 3e cheue be betore to] 40, at] in U. 41. Sechebl Sekib at hom T. 42. feire] bat faire UH. falle] be- falle TU. 43. Ron] ran H.; TU omit. TU omit. bis] his TU. 44. William] wil T; wille U. his] V has bobe his ; but bobe is best omitted, as in THU. 45. groundel be erpe TU. 46. to wr ladi] lord mercy THU. 48. nolde] shulde TU. Smok] serke TU; shert H. 49. Forte fayten] For to affaiten TH; To affayten U. frele] fers T; fresch HU. 50. liht] heig T; hye U. hente, quop heo H. - 52. And—nel] But now wile ITU; Now wol y H. me] myself H. andl hentel PASS. v.] | Lechour seide “Allas !” and to vr ladi criede DESCRIPTION OF ENVY. - 55 II. LECHERY. Lechour repents, To maken him han Merci for his misdede, Bitwene god almihti and his pore soule, Wip-pat he schulde be seterday seuen 3er after 56 and vows henceforth to drink only with the ducks. Drinken bote with be Doke and [dynen] but ones. * Envye wip heui herte asket aftur schrift, And gretliche his gultus bi-ginnep to schewe. 60 III. ENvy. Envy Confesses his misdeeds. As pale as a pelet In a palesye he seemede, I-cloped in A Caurimauri ‘ I coupe him not discreue; [A kertil & a courtepy a knyf be his side; Of a Freris frokke were be fore sleuys]. He is pale, paralytic, and like a dried leek for leanness. 64 As a leek pat hedde I-leigen longe In pe sonne, So loked he with lene chekes; lourede he foule. . His Bodi was Bolled for wrappe he bot his lippes, Wropliche he wrong his fust he bougte him a-wreke 68 He bites his lips, and wrings his fist. Wip werkes or with Wordes whom he sei; his tyme. “Venim or vernisch or vinegre, I trouwe, Wallep in my wombe or waxep, ich wene. “There is venom,” he says, “in my belly, filling me with wind. I ne mihte mony day don' as a mon ouhte, 72 54. Leehour] be lechours H. to— criedel lord mercy bad H; on our lady cride U. 55, 56. As one line in H.; so also ºve find To make mercy for his mys- dede betwyn god & hym T; To make amendes for his mysdede by twene god & hym U. 57. Schulde] Tomits. saterdayes U. 58. Drinken] Schulde drinke T. doke] goos U. [dymen] dyne TU; eten WH. 59. heuil hige H. 60. gretlichel carfulliche THU. guitus] cope T; coupe U. biginneb] begynnep he T; he gynnep U. 61. As] He was as TU. peleſ] palet T ; pelat U. As—pelet] pe pelour was pelled H. In all & on pe T; in be H. In a palesye] & peralatik U. 62. I-cloped] He was clobid TU; clopid H. caul'ima wri] caury maury T; cawrymawry H (which omits a); pe seterday] caurymawry U; caurimauri Hz. cowpe hym] can it T. 63, 64. From T.; also in HUH2. 64. frokke] frogge U. before] his two H.; be forme U. & 65. As—pat] like as he H. 66. Zene] his lene H. low rede hel lourande T; lourynge U; lowring ful H. foule] lowe H. 67. bolled] bolnid TU. he bot] bat he bot TU ; he bote bobe H. 68. myrong] wrop TU. he—ahºreke] to wreke hym he bougte TU; he bougte hym to wreke H - 69. nerkes—mordes] werkis & wordis T; werk or wip word U. seigl sai; T; sey U; sawe H. 70. vernisch] verious T : vergeous U; verdegrese H. 71. Wallebj walewip T; walweb U. mombe] wombe, quop he II. or waa’ebl & waxip as TU. 72. I—mony] I migte not many TU; I migt not many a H. ouhte] mişte TU. I annoy my Ileighbour, blame him behind his back, injure and revile him. I stir up strife between him and his household, yet I pretend to be his friend. When I kneel in church, I pray Christ to curse them that have borne away my bowl. ENVY CONFESSES HIS SIN. [PASS. v. Such Wynt in my wombe waxep, er I dyſn]e. * Ichaue a neih;ebor me neih I haue anuyged him. ofte, Ablamed him be-hynde his bak to bringe him in dis- claundre, And peired him bi my pouwer I-punissched him ful ofte, - 76 IBi-lowen him to lordes to make him leose Seluer, I-don his Frendes ben his fon with my false tonge; His grase and his good hap greuep me ful sore. 79 * Bitwene him and his Meyne Ichaue I-Mad wrappe, Bope his lyf and his leome was lost porw my tonge. Whon I mette him in be Market pat I most hate, Ich heilede him as hendely . [as I his frend] weore. He is dougtiore pen I i dar non harm don him. 84 Bote hedde I maystrie and miht I Morperde him for euere ! * Whom I come to be churche and knele bi-fore pe Roode, And scholde preige for pe peple as pe prest vs techep, penne I crie Vppon my knes pat crist 3iue hem serwe 88 73. mynt] wynd TU. dy(m)e] dyne 80, 81. H omits. - THUH, ; V has dye, by mistake. 74, a neih;ebor] negeboris H. ºne neill nei; me TU; many H. him] hem H. 75. After 1. 74, H inserts l. 77, slightly varied. Ablamed] And blamide THU. him] hem H. his] here H. him] hem H. disclaundre] fame TU ; defaut H. 76. And—him] To apeire hym TU; to apeiren hem H. J-punissched, &c.] I pursuide wel ofte T'; y pursuyed ofte U; y preued ful oft H. - 77. Bilomen] And belowen T; And yley on U. make] don TU. H reads, & eke y-bulled hem to be lord to make hem lese silue" (see mote to 7.75). 78. J-don] And don TU. mith my] borug my T; burw his U. H reads, I made here frendis be here foon, &c. 80. I-mad] mad T; mad ofte U. S. 81. lyf-leome] lyme & his life TU. 82. Avhon) but when H. in be] in a T; in U. hate] hatide THU. 83. heilede] hailside THUH. [as —frend] So in THU; W has his frend as I. - 84. He is] but he was H. i–him] y durst bede hym none harm H. 85. Bote—I] Ac hadde I TU; 3if y had H. Z morberde] I wold murdre T; I wolde murthre U; y hadde maymed H. 86. and to H. Knele] knelide T. bifore] afore U; to TH. - 87. And scholde] To THU. vs techip] techip T; me techith U; pre- chip H. 88. Aftir banne I crise on my knes pat crist gyue hym sorewe T; Aſtir B7 PASS. v.] ENVY LAMENTS HIS BITTER FEELINGS, pat hap I-bore a-wei my Bolle and my brode schete. * From the Auter I turne myn eige, and bi-holde Hou heyne hap a newe Cote and his wyfanoper; T penne I wussche hit webre myn and al pe web aftºur. - º 92 Of his leosinge I lauhwe hit likep me in myn herte; Ac for his wynnynge I wepe and weile be tyme. * I deme men bat don ille and 3it I do wel worse, 95 For Iwolde pat veh a wint in pis world were mi knaue, [And who-so hap more panne I pat angrip myn herte]. I envy Heyne his. new clothes, laugh. When he loses, weep when he Wins, judge ill-doers, and do Worse myself. T pus Iliue loueles lyk A. luper dogge, pat al my breste Bollep for bitter of my galle; May no Suger so swete a-swagen hit vnnepe, So live I loveless, and my breast SWells with bitterness, which nothing can assuage.” 100 Ne no Diopendion dryue hit from myn herte ; 3ifschriſfit schulde hit penne Swopen out a gret wonder hit were.” * “3us, rediliche,” quod Tepentaunce to goode, “Serw for heore summes sauep men ful Monye.” bat I pray on my knees our lady 3yue hym sorwe U; penne bidde I wip my moup bat crist, &c. H. 89. hab Ibore] bar THU. broken TH. 90. Fro be auter myn eige I turne & beholde T.; Fram be auté, I turne me, & bypolde heyne H. 91, 92. T one line, How heyne hap a newe cote, I wysshe it were myn howne (howue !); U has two lines, Bow hayne hap a newe cote, y wysche it were mym owen, And al be wele bat he hap greueth me wol sore, mith myhich cf. l. 94. heyne] he II. be myeb] his wele H. 93. lauhrbel Smyle U. hit—inj perof in T; and perof lawhep U ; it likep H. 94. Ao for Ac of TU; & for H. 95. pat—ille] pere bei don ille T; per y do ille U; bei don yuel H. ovel] THU omit. 96. veh-milit] iche wigt TU; alle wištes H. in-world] in world H; brode] and Radde him Repentance bids him be sorry 104. TU omit. knaue] knaues H. 97. From T; also in HUH2. 98. lykj as T. luber] lyper T ; lither UH, ; leper H. 99. pat] And T. my—bolleb] my brest bolnip T; bolnyth my breste U. 100, 101. This arrangement suits the alliteration, and 6ccurs in TUH, ; V has May no suger so swete dryue, &c.; Ne no Diopendion aswagen, &c.; which H resembles. 100. so snete] ne swet binge THU. wnnebel An vnche TU ; vnep H. . . 101. Diopendion] dyapendyon TH; diapenydion UH, 102. schrift] THU; W has schrit. hit—out it shop T : U (ºwrongly) omits ; aswage it (cf. l. 100) H. a- overe] a gret wondir T; it were a gret wondir U; wonder me pinkep H. 103. 3/s] 3is TH; 3ys U. goode] be best H. 104. Jeore summes] synne TU. men ful] wel TU; ful H. [PASS. v. “I ne am but seldene And pat Makep me so mad for I ne may me venge.” 58 DESCRIPTION OF AVARICE. “I am never * “Icham sori,” quod Envye otherwise,” said he. oper, [IV. WRATH ; caret.] W. AvARICE. Then So hungri and so holewe sire herui him loked. came Avarice, *] penne com Couetyse I coupe him not discreue, 108 If gosa, col. 1.] He was bitel-brouwed with twei blered eigen, And lyk a leperne pors lullcdo his chekes; with a threadbare and torn coat. *] In A toren Tabart of twelue Wynter Age ; But 5if a lous coupe lepe I con hit not I-leue II 2 Heo scholde wandre on pat walk hit was so pred-bare. “I acknowledge I ºf “Ichaue ben Couetous,” quod pis Caityf “I be- am covetous, for I once served Sim at the Oak, where I learnt lying and false weights. knowe hit heere ; For sum tyme I Seruede Simme atte noke, And was his pliht prentys his profyt to loke. * Furst I leornede to Lyge A lessun or tweyne, 116 And wikkedliche for to wéie was myn oper lessun. I Went to Winchester and * To Winchestre and to Wych 'Ich wente to be Feire Weyhill fair, and With mony maner marchaundise as my mayster hihte ; sold my wares by cheating. Bote nedde pe grace of gyle I-gon a-mong my ware, 121. Hit hedde ben vn-sold pis seuen 3er so me god helpe 105. me am] mam H.; am TU. seldene] selde TH; seldom U. 106. And] U omits. 107. coupe) can THU. him] U omits. 108. hungrill hungrily T. Sol TH omit. herwil heruy THU. 109, 110. He was bittirbrowid & babirlippid bobe Wip two bleride eigen as a lipene purs lollide his chekis T; He was bitelbrowid & babirlippid wip two brode i3en And as a leperne pors lollide his chekes H.; He was babir- lippid and eek biterbrowed Wip two blerid eygen as a lethern purse U; (TU faulty). - 111. toren] broun H; tore U. age] Old H. 112. 3if] U om. con] may THU. I-leue] yleue H.; leue T; trowe U. 113. Heo] he T; how hed H.; pat he ne U. ovandre—malk] wandre on pat walsshe scarlet T; walke on pat Wede H; slideren peron U. hit—so so was it T ; so was U. 114. Thwo lines in U, viz. I haue louyd couetise al my lif tyme, I knowe it here by fore crist & his clene modir; T has, I haue ylouid coueitise, quab he, al my lif tyme, and also I knowe hire at begin. of l. 115; H and W shen, the true old form. 115. simme] symoun H. be THU. 116. H omits. pliht prentys] pren- tisyplist T: prentis aplight U. 117. lesswn or] lef oper T.; leef oper |U. 118. meie) wynne U. ºvas—lessun.] was my ferste lesson TU ; certis was be pridde H. 119. Wych] wy TU; wellis H. 120. hilte] me higte T; me bad H; me taugte U. 121. Bote medde] Ne hadde TU. 122. ben—3er] ofte be vnsold H. atte] at pAss. v.] HOW AVARICE LEARNT TO CHEAT. *I penne I drous me a-mong bis drapers my Donet to leorne, - To drawe be lyste wel along pe lengore hit semede ; Among pis Riche Rayes lernde I a Lessun, 125 Drochede hem with a pak-neelde and pletede hem to- gedere, Putte hem in a pressour and pinnede hem per-Inne Til ten 3erdes oper twelue tolden out prettene. 128 * And my WyfatWestmunstre pat Wollene clop made, Spak to be spinsters for to spinne hit softe. pe pound patheo peysede [by] peisede a quartrum more pen myn Auncel dude whom I weyede treupe. 132 * I Bouhte hire Barly heo breuh hit to sulle ; Peni Ale and piriwhit heo pourede to-gedere For laborers and louh folk • pat liuen be hem-seluen. *I be Beste in be Bed-chaumbre lay bipe wowe, 136 Hose Bummede perof Bougte hit per-after, A Galoun for a Grote God wot, no lasse, Whon hit com in Cuppemel ; such craftes me vsede. * Rose pe Regratour 'Is hire rihte name; 140 Heo hap holden hoxterye ‘pis Elleuene wynter. * Bote I swere nou [sopely] pat Sunne wol I lete, 123. among bis] among T; among bese H ; to U. leorne] lere TU. 124, lyste well list TH ; lysour U. IT; whan sche U. 59 Then I went to the drapers, and learnt from them false measure. There I learnt to fasten pieces of stuff together, and press them out till they seemed longer My wife made Woollen cloth, and sold it by false weight. She brewed barley, and made mixed drinks for poor people, and sold ale at a groat a gallon. Her name is Rose the regrater. 132. myn–dude] any aunsel dede T; ony almesdede (!) U. ºvhon II & semede] semyth U. 125. His] be THU. rendrit TU. 126. Brochedel Prochid U. pak- neelde] pacneld H.; pakke medle TU. pletedel pleit T. 127. pressour] presse H. pinnede] peymed H. 128. U omits. out] H om. 129. And — bat] my wyf was a wynstere & T ; my wif was a breu- .stere & U. 130. Spak] And spake TU. sters] spynstere TU. 131. be] two H. peysede] weid by TU; WH omit by. Apeisede] was U; “Weied H. lernde II I Spin- 133. Jºire] hire also H. . 134. pirinhit] pile-whey T; pile- whew U ; pilwhay H2. 135. and louh] & lou; T & lewid H; for lob U. liven] lay T 136. be] my TU. Bed] H om. lay—none] lith by be wowes U. 137. Bummede] dronke H. Bou;te] he bougt U; shulde bye H. 139. com] comep HU. cºppemel] cop-mele H ; cuppemale U. Such— vsede] bat craft my wyf vside TU; such crafte heo vsip H. 140. Is] was TH. 141. Hoasterye] osterye U. bis elleuene] elleuene T.; all pis xxxti H. 142. I—sobely] now I swere Sopely 60 GLUTTON THINKS OF REPENTING. [PASS. V. But nºw I ºpent And neuere wikkedliche weye ne falschaffare vsen, and will make restitution ” VI. GLUTTONY. Glutton goes to church to confess, but on the way Betun the brewster hails - him. She offers him ale; he asks if it , is spiced; She Says, yes. Glutton goes in. There were Cis the shoemaker’s wife, Wat the warrener, Tomkyn the H. TU. 143. And] oveye] wickedly forto weye H ; wynne wykkidly U. D. FI. telle] shewe T.H.U. 148. ben,776 TU ; bele H. T; pere bad him U; pen bade hym H. 149. seppenj THU om. bat] wheber bat H; whidirward TU. 151. Ichule] I wile THU. symme THU. 152. gossibl U om. [sopely HTU] V (wrongly) omits. wol—letel wole I leue H; shal I lete vsen.] make TU. 145. bringe me] to brynge vs U. 146. pej TU om. 147. carieb] cariede TU; wendip schrift] symmes T; Bote weende to Walsyngham and my wyfalse, 144 And bidde pe Rode of Bromholm bringe me out of dette.” No. ginnep be Gloton for to go to schrifte, And cariep him to chircheward his schrift forte telle. penne Betun pe Breustere bad him gode morwe, 148 And seppen heo asked of him : “Whoder pat he wolde?”- * “To holi chirche,” quod he “for to here Masse And seppen I-chule ben I-schriuen - and sunge no more.” * “Ichaue good ale, gossib,” quod heo “gloten, woltou 152 “eny hote spices!” asaye 1 ° “Hastou ougt I pi pors,” quod he “3e, glotun, gossip,” quod heo “god wot, ful goode; I haue peper and piane and a pound of garlek, 155 A Ferping-worp of Fenel-seed for pis Fastyng dayes.” *I pene gep Gloton in and grete opus after ; - Sesse be souters wyf sat on pe Benche, Watte be warinar and his wyf bope, Tomkyn be Tinkere and tweyne of his knaues, 160 153. I pi pors] in by pors H; U omits. ougt–pors] T omits. 154. 36]3he Hi 3a TU, quod heol U om. ful goode] wel hote TU. H weads, ghe, god wot, quod heo, ful hote I haue. 155. I haue] Hom. piane] peynye T; pianye HU. pound—garlek] pomgarnade (!) H. 156. Forbingn-orb pound T. Fenel seed] felkene sedis T; fenkil seed U. bis] bese H ; TU om. 157. gebl gop TH; goop (sic) U. 158. Sesse] Cisse T: Cesse U : Symme H. Souters myſ] soutere TH; Sousten'e U. 159. ovarinar] waffrer TU. bobe) after H. 160. Tomkyn] Symme T; Thomme tneyne] two HU. Ne TU. ovik/edliche fals] wykkide T; no go to] Tom. synne U. 5 JBetun] And Betoun bad him] per bad he ovhode?" sunge] gloten] H om. U. * PASS. v.] SCENE IN A PUBLIC-HOUSE. Hikke pe hakeney mon and hogge pe meldere, Clarisse of Cokkes lone and pe Clerk of pe churche, Sire Pers of pridye and pernel of Flaundres, Dauwe pe disschere and a doseyn opere. [A] Ribibor, [a] Ratoner a Rakere of chepe, A Ropere, a Redyng-kyng and Rose pe disschere, Godfrei of Garlesschire and Griffin pe walsche, 164 -61 tinker, Hick the ostler, Hogge the needle-seller, Clarice of Cook’s lane, the clerk of the church, Sir Pers of Pridye, Pernel of Flanders, Daw the ditcher, a ribibo player, a ratcatcher, and many others, And of vp-holders an hep erly bipe morwe who all welcomed Glutton. 168 3iue be gloton with good wille good ale to honsel, Enne Clement be Cobelere caste of his cloke, And atte newe Feire he leyde hire to sulle ; And Hikke be Ostiler hutte his hod aftur, Clement the cobbler offers to barter his cloak, I 72 and Hick the ostler his hood. And bad bette pe Bocher ben on his bi-syde. per weore chapmen I-chose pe chaffare to preise; Hose hedde be hod schulde haue Amendes. Jºei Risen vp Raply and Rouneden to-gedere, And preiseden be peniworpus and parteden bi hem- Seluen; Then all rose together, and chaffered, and SWOré. 176 per weorem opes an hep hose pat hit herde. pei coupe not bi heore concience a-corde to-gedere, Til Robyn pe Ropere weore Rad forte a-ryse, 161. Jakeney mon] hakeneman U. hogge—meldere] hobbe be meldere H ; hogge be myllere T; hobbe be mylner U 162. Clarisse] Claris T; Clares U; Clarice H. Zone] lane TU. churche] werkis H. 163. TU omit. H reads, Sire peris of pryde, pernel of flaundris. I64. disschere] dykere TU. 165. [A] so in TU. [a] so in TU; V reads, And Ribibor be R. ; H reads, Robyn be r. a Rakere] & a rakiere T; a rakiere H. 166. al & a H. disschere] ribbere H. 167. TU omit. Garlessehire] garle- kipe H. Griffin] gruffib H, 168. And of] And HU; Of T. an hep] U om. 169. 3iue be] 3eue T; Gaf U. good wille] glad chiere TU. honsel] hansele T ; drinke HU. Robyn the roper is made 180 170. Bennej TU omit. 171. atte] at be THU. he—hire] nempnide it TU. sulle] selle TU. 172. And] THU omit. hutte] hitte TU; cast H. - 173. bad] U omits. THU. 175. Hose] bat who so U. 'mendes] amendis of be cloke TU. 176. pei—ap) bo risen bei vp T. JRaply] in a rape T; in rape U. Towneden] rombeden T. - 177. H omits. and parteden.] apertly TU. 178. anj on an U. Jose—herde] panne pei ne coupe T; bei couthe not 3it iugge U; ouer be ware H. 179. bei—heore] Be here T ; bei coupe not by H.; Ne by here clene U. 180. neore] was THU. forte aryse] to arisen TH; vp to rise U. bi-syde] side A- 62 GLUTTON DRINKS A GALLON AND A GILL. umpire, who [PASS. v. And nempned for a noumpere pat no de-bat neore, [for he schulde preise pe penyworpes as hym good pou%tſ. lººk iſ penne Hikke be Ostiler hedde be cloke, should have the cloak, and Clement have the hood and fill the cup. Serilet : P'- 1 -Lº v 3 In Couenaunt pat Clement schulde be Cuppe fulle, And habbe hikkes hod pe ostiler. and hold him wel I- 185 And he pat repentep Tapest schulde arysen aftur, And greten Sir gloten with a galun of ale. Then came much "ſ per was laug whing and lotering laughing and drinking, till cuppe ; ” Glutton had -- and “let go pe 188 swanowed more Bargeyns and Beuerages bi-gonne to aryse, [f 898 a col. 2.1 And seeten so til Euenson than he could well hold. g And Songen sum while, Til Gloten hedde I-gloupet A Galoun and a gille. He pissede a potel In a pater-noster while, 192 And Bleuh pe Ronde Ruwet atte Rugge-bones ende, pat alle pat herde pe horn heolden heore neose after, And weschte pat hit weore I-wipet Firsen. with a wesp of He could scarce . " He hedde no strengpe to stonde til he his staf stand, and walked all ways, like a gleeman’s bitch, hedde ; 181. nempned] nempnide hym T. And—for] bei named hym H. neore] nere T; were HU. 182. In H only. 184. clement] clement be coupere T. schulde—fulle] shulde felle pe cuppe T; be cuppe Schulde fille U. 185. welj TU omit. H reads, And klement hadde hickis hood • & held hym wel apaied. 186. And he bat] And whoso TU ; whoso H. repentep Rapest] repentid hym rapest H ; repentist rapere U. aftur afore U. 187. of TH omit. 188. laugſvhing—lotering] myche laughing H; lawhynge & lurkynge U; lauginge and lourynge THz. I89. Bewerages] beuerechis TU. to aryse] for to arise T; po to rise H ; 196 penne gon he for to go lyk A gleo-monnes bicche, to rise U. 190. Buensong] mydnyyt H. 191. Igloupet] ygloppid H.; y- gulpid T; y-golped U. 193. Runet) rewet H ; ryuet TU. 194. herde be] herden bat THU. 195. The readings are, And wisshide it hadde be wezid " wip a wysp of firsen T; And wyzschid it hadde be waxed wip a wips of ferse H ; And wysschide it hadde waxid wip a wyspe of fyre (!) U. 196. til] er T. 197. penne--go] pen bygan he to go H.; & pan gan he go U. lyk] as H. OBS. In T ll. 197, 198 are miased wp, thus :- And banne gan he to go sum tyme asid & sum tyme arere. <-º Ö -:) ~, */ º PASS. v.] GLUTTON WOWS AMENDMENT. Sumi tyme asyde and sum tyme arere, As hose leip lynes to [lacche] wip Foules. "I Whon he drouh to be dore pen dimmede his eigen, He prompelde atte prex wolde and preuh to pe grounde. [elsºn pe coblere caugte glotoun by pe mydle, 202 And for to lyfte hym aloft leide hym on his knees; And glotoun was a gret cherl and grym in pe lyſtynge, And cowhede vp a cawdel in clementis lappe, 205 pat be hungriest hound of hertforde schire * lf \ .. " Ne durst lape of pat laueyne so vnloveli.it mºſ 2 * * à pat with al pe wo of pis world his wyf and hi wenche 208 Beeren him hom to his bed and brouhten him per- Inne. And after alpis surfet an Accesse he hedde, pat he slepte Seturday and Sonenday til sonne wente to reste. ‘ſ penne he wakede of his wynk and wypede his 212 pe furste word pat he spac [was] : “Wher is be Cuppe?” His wyf warnede him po of wikkednesse and of sinne. eigen ; - | penne was he a-schomed, pat Schrewe and Schraped his eren, And gon to grede grimliche and gret deol to make For his wikkede lyf pat he I-liued hedde. 217 198. asyde] auaunt H. 199. leibl leide TU. [lacche] So in TU ; VHſ have the mis-reading cacche. ovip Foules] wip larkes T.; wip briddis H. ; wilde foules U. 201. He—atte] He stumblide on be TU; he stumblid to be H. preacnolde] presshewold T; preschfold H.; throsch- fold U. brew].] fel TH; stey U. groundel erpe TU. 202–207. In U only. 208. bat] U omits. bis] pe TH. wynkynge T.H.U. TH] V omits. 214. marnede—boj 213. word] word was H. spak was T ; Spak, what U. cuppe] bolle TU. 63 or a man setting bird-catching lines. He stumbled at the threshold, when Clement caught him and carried lii111, for which service he was ill repaid. 3 . . . . , , , His wife put him to bed, and he slept all Saturday and Sunday. Then he woke up, rubbed his eyes, and asked where the cup Was, but soon feels ashamed. 212. he-m/nk] wakide he of his spac] [was shamide T.H.U. 216. bygan to be sory H. 209. hom] TU omit. TU. 210, accesse] axesse TH; accidie U. 217, his] be HU. 211. wente] 3ede TU, TU. blamide hym panne THU. 3 of] of H; & TU. 215, he—schremzej bat schrewe as- schraped] robbed H. gon—grimlichel gan grete grymly T; gan to grete grymly U; to make] made wikkede] liber 64 SLOTH CONFESSES HIS SINS. [PASS. v. “I vow,” said he, * henceforth to observe abstinence.” & 4 Fº hungur oper for Furst I make myn A-vou, Schal neuer ſtysch] on Frydai defyen in my Imawe, Er Abstinence myn Aunte haue I-3iue me leue ; 220 And 3it Ichaue I-hated hire al my lyf tyme.” VII. SLOTH. :Sloth falls down. -swooning, but Vigilate wakes him, * Sleupe for serwe fel doun I-swowene Til vigilate be veil fette water at his eigen, And flatte on his face and faste on him crijede, 224 and bids him repent. And seide, “war pe for wonhope bat Wol pe bi-traye. * “Icham sori for my sunnes’’ sei to pi-seluen, And bet pi-self on be Breste and bidde god of grace, Por nis no gult her so gret his Merci nis wel more.” Then Sloth sat aup and sighed, *I penne sat sleupe vp and sikede sore, 229 And made a-vou bi-fore god for his foule sleupe; and vowed he would always go to church early make), and regularly, “Schal no somenday pis seuen 3er (bote seknesse hit . pat I me schal do me ar day to pe de]ore churche, 232 And here Matins and Masse as I a Monk were. * Schal non ale after mete holde me pennes, Til ichaue Euensong herd I bed-hote to be Rode. 218. The readings are, And auowide to faste for any hungir or prist T; bo to fast he made a uow for hunger or for burst H.; And avowed to faste for hungir or for priste U. 219. W omits fysch ; but it is in HTU. After Frydai H inserts quod he, mane] wombe T. 220. Er—auntej er into tyme bat abstinence H. 221. I-hated hire) hire hatid H. 222. Sleube] po sleube H. Isn'on-ene] a swowe TH ; as woune U. 223. pe veil] per while T; U omits. fette] wolfecche U. atl to TU. OBS. H. makes two lines of this, thus:– til he woke & wept water wip his izen, & vigilate be wakere him bo. warned 224. And flatte] hed flat H ; And . flattide it T. 225. war be for] pat H. bat—bel wile pe T; wolde hym H.; he wil be U. 226. U omits this line. 227. be] by H. god] hym TU. 228. U omits. For] per H. her] H omits. his] bat H. his—more] pat his goodnesse nis more T. 229. Sikede sore] seide to hymsiluen H; seynide hym faste TU. 230. bifore] tofore T; to H.; to verrey U. foule] wicked H. 231. bis] be bis TU. 3er] U omits. 232. do me ar] euery H. to—deore] to the dere T; rise erly to H; to be parische U. 233. Matins—Masse] masse & matynes TH. as–Monk] a monk as I H. 234. non ale] no riot H. 235. bedhote to] behote TU; swere by H. º, sº .* $ a * *** * * t t p --- * { i a ſº \\_y !. /* “A l 'f PASS. v.] ROBERT THE ROBBER PRAYS FOR MERCY. And 3it I-chulle 3elden ageyn 3if I so muche haue, Al pat I wikkedliche won seppe I wit hade. 237 *| And pauh my lyflode lakke letten I nulle pat vehe mon Schal habben his er ich henne wende : And with pe Residue and pe remenaunt (bipe Rode of Chester ) 240 I Schal Seche Seynt Treupe er Iseo Rome !” *I Robert 3e Robbour on Reddite he lokede, And for per nas not Wher-with he wepte ful sore. But 3it be sunfol Schrewe Seide to him-seluen: “Crist, pat vppon Caluarie on pe Cros digedest, 244 po Dismas my broper bi-sougte pe of grace, And heddest Merci of pat mon for Memento sake, pi wille worp vppon me as Ich haue wel deseruet To haue helle for euere 3if pat hope neore. So rewe on me, Robert pat no Red haue, Ne neuere weene to wynne for Craft pat I knowe. Bote for pi muchel Merci mitigacion I be-seche; 252 Dampne me not on domes day for I dude so ille.” * Ak what fel of bis Feloun ' I con not feire schewe, But wel Ich wot he wepte faste watur with his eigen, And knouhlechede his gult to Crist 3it eft-sones, 256 249 65 attend evensong, and make amends. Robert the robber thought to make restitution, and prayed to Christ,” saying, “Christ, that saved Dismas on the cross, thy will be done upon me; have mercy upon me!” What became of him I know not ; yet he wept sore, 236. Zohulle 3elden] wile I gelde T; y wold 3elde H3 y wol 3elde U. 237. All U omits. 238. And Paul] bei; T. my— lakkejlyflode me faile U. mulle] ne wolle U. 239. vehe] euery HU; iche A T. 241. Seynt] TU omit, seo] seke T; se H.; see U. 242. on—he] rufulliche H. TU omit. 243. And—mºkernith] for bat he was wicked H. full swipe THU. 244. But 3it] And 3et TU; But H. 245, vppon] on THU. on vpon TH, cros] rode T. digedest] deide HU. 246, be] hym U. 247. And] And pou TU ; as Fou he] H. of on THU. memento] memen- to-is TH. 248. worp] werche TU. as] for H. nvel] U omits. • 250. mel bis TU. no Red hauel red non ne hauip T; no reed ne haue H ; reed non hauep U. 251. ºveene] wenip TU. for— Anone] wip craft bat he knowib TU. 252. muchel] grete U. H reads, bote for pi mytigacion mercy y by-seche. 253, 254. H omits these limes. 253, onj at TU. for] for bat TU. 254, fel] befel TU. 255. But] THU omit. faste] H 07nits. w 256. to—3it] berto H; 3it U. … " 66 A THOUSAND MEN SET OUT TO FIND TRUTH. and vowed penitence. [PASS. W. pat Penitencia is ſpike he] schulde polissche newe, And lepe with him ouerlond al his lyf tyme, For he hapleigen bilatro lucifers brother. Then a thousand men thronged together, weeping and * A pousent of Men po prongen to-geders, Weopyng and weylyng for hedre wikkede dedes, 260 wailing, that they Crisinge vpward to Crist and to his clene moder might have grace to find St Truth. mote | 257. W reads, pat Penitencia is prest Schulde polissche him newe. Put this is probably nºrong ; gf. pat penitencia his pike he shulde pulsshe newe T.; bat penaunce his piked staf shulde be polischid al new 2 bat penitencia his pyke schulde pulsche newe U. 258. leepj go H. 259, hap leijen) haddeleige TU; To haue grace to Seche Seint troupe god lenc pci so hadde leyn H. Aunte U. 260. Al And T. of bol of men T; men H.; men & mo po U. prongen.] be wronge (!) T. 261. meylyng] wringing H. heare— dedes] here mysdedis H. 262. Crizinge] Criede T; Cryden U. clene] dere T. 263. seint] THU omit, god—mote] god lene pathy moten T; so god lene brother] hyne T.; pat pei mote U. PASS. VI.] PASSUS WI. THEY MEET WITH A PALMER. 67 [Passus Seatus de visione, vt privs.] [NOw riden bis folk & walken on fote to seche pat seint in selcoupe londis). They all set out on a pilgrimage to find Truth; Ote per were fewe men so wys pat coupe be wei pider, BOte bustelyng for; as bestes ouer valeyes and hulles, but no one know8 the way. [for while pei wente here owen wille pei wente alle amys]. Til [hit] was late and longe pat pei a Leod metten, Apparayled as a Palmere In pilgrimes wedes. 5 At last they met a Palmer in pilgrim’s Weeds, He bar a bordun I-bounde wip a brod lyste, 8 In A wepe-bondes wyse I-wripen aboute. A Bagge and a Bolle he bar bi his syde ; An hundred of ampolles on his hat seeten, Signes of Synay and Schelles of Galys; Moni Cros on his cloke and keiges of Rome, a staff in his hand, a bag and a bowl by his side, ampullae in his hat, and marked with crosses and keys on his cloak. 12 And pe vernicle bi-fore for men schulde him knowe, Title from T; also called Passus Sextus in, HUD. 1, 2. These two lines are in H only. 3. nyere] was T. men] U omits. bat—pider] bat bei bider coupe T; be wey pider coude U ; bat be wey coupen H. - 4. bustelyng] blustrid T; blustren U; bolstride H. forb as] as blynd H. and] or U. 5. In H only. 6. (hit) was] So in H; TU omit; V omits hit. leod] lede TU; man H. 7. Palmere] paynym TU. medes] wyse THU. 8. He bar a burdoun in his hond bounde wip a lyste H. 9. U omits, ovebebondes] wode- byndes H ; way wendis T. Jºvripen] he bond hym T. 11. Seeten] seten THU. OBS. In this l. He has apples (!) for ampolles. 13. Moni cros on] And many crouch in T; & many crosses on H. ; And many a cros on U. 14. . bifore] to-fore H ; hym by- form U. hym knone] y-knowe H; knowe T 5 * 68 [fol. 398 b. col. 1.] They asked him whence he came ; coome and he said, From Sinai, the sepulchre, Bethlehem, and Babylon. “PERS THE PLOUHMON " APPEARs. “From Synay,” he seide, [PASS. VI. And seo be his signes whom he souht hedde. "I pis Folk fraynede him feire from whenne pat he /6 “ and from the Sepulcre; From Bethleem and Babiloyne I haue ben in bope, In Ynde and in Assye and in momy oper places. 3e illuuwe seo be my Signes pat Sittep on myn hat, 20 pat I haue walked ful wyde In weete and in druye, And Souht goode Seyntes for my soule hele.” ** Knowest, thou a saint named Truth; where dwells he p * Treube? }He answers that he cannot. schrippe *| “Knowest pou ouht A Corseynt . Men callep Seynt Const pou wissen vs be wey wher pat he dwelleb!” 24 46 Nº. so God glade me !” Seide pegome penne, +" “Sauh I neuere Palmere with pyk ne with Such a seint seche bote now in bis place.” Enter PERS THE *LOUH VION'. “Peter | * quoth he, “I know him well, Conscience and Common Sense told me where he lives. I haue ben his felawe pis fiftene wynter; Bope T-sowed his seed and suwed his beestes, I have sown his seed, carried his 16. Earpanded in U into two lines : pis folk frayneth him faire for hym pat hym made, Fro whennes pat he come & whiderward he schulde. from whenne] whenis T. 18. at bedlem & at babilon haue y ben also H. From-Babiloyne] At bedlem (bethlem U) at babiloyne TU. 19. In-Assye) In Armonye, in Alisaundre THU. and TU om. 21. ful] wel T; U omits. 23. ouht—corseynt] oust a cor- seint, quod bei TU ; a Seint, quop bei H. Men—seynt] bat men callen THU. 24. ovissen] teche H. he wy T. dwelleb] walkep H. “Peter 1" quod a Ploug-Mon and putte forb his hed, “I knowe him as kuyndeliche as Clerk dop his bokes; Clene Concience and wit [kende] me to his place, 30 And dude enseure me seppe to serue him for euere. * Bope to sowen and to setten while I swynke mihte, 33 25, God—me] god mote me helpe T; god me helpe H ; me god helpe U. gome] man T; pilgrym H. 26. Sauh II I sau; TH. pyk— schrippel scrip me wip pyk H. 27. Such—sechel Axen aftir hym TU ; aske after seint treube H. bote] er T; eer ban U. 30. Cleme] kynde H. and nitj H. omits. [kende] So in TU; VH read tauge. to] rigt to H. sº 31. enseure—seppel me to sure hy TU ; me assure H. 32. to—setten] sowe his seed T; now and sithe U. 33. felance] folowere TU; holdere H. bis fiftene] alpis fourty TU. 34. sumed) kepid U; folewid H. PASS, V1.] THE PILGRIMS ASK HIM THE WAY. And eke I-kept his Corn I-caried hit to house, I-dyket and I-doluen I-don what he hihte, With-Innen and withouten I-wayted his profyt; per nis no laborer in his leod pat he louep more, For pauh I Sigge hit my-self - I serue him to paye. * I haue myn hure of him wel and operwhile more ; He is pe presteste payere pat pore men habbe; ; 41 He with-halt non hyne his huire pat he hit nap at €llêI). He is as louh as A lomb louelich of speche, ū And 3if 3e wollep I-wite wher pat he dwellep, I wolwissen ow be wey hom to his place.” 36 44 “WE, leue pers,” quod pis palmers and profreden him huire. “Nai, bipe peril of my soule,” quod pers and bigon to swere, “Inolde fonge a ferping for seynt Thomas schrine ! Treube wolde loue me be lasse a gret while after 49 * Bote 3e pat wendep to him pis is pe wei pider: 3e mote go porw mekenesse bope Mon and wyf, Til 3e come in-to Concience pat crist knowe pesope 69 corn, and everywhere watched his profit; and I please him well. He pays me well.” The pilgrims then offer Piers money, which he refuses. But he tells them to go through Meekness, till they come to Conscience, 35. eke] TH omit. cariede THU. J-caried] & 36. I haue dichid & doluen & do what he bad H. Idon] and do THU. 37. I-mayted] waytide T ; to wayten U. 38. nis] is H. laborer] laboure H. bis leod] his lordsshipe TU; lordschip H. he louep more] he louip betere T; hym likep betere U. 39. payel plese U. 40. I] And T. mel] TH omit. 41. presteste] rediest H. habbebl knowen TU ; knowip H. 42. with-halt] me halt TU. hit nabj ne hap it TU. H reads, he with-holdip no mannys huyre he paiep hem at €U1672. 43. louelich] & loueliche TU. 44. And 3if] 3if bat H. , 36– I. wite] bat 3e wille wite U. helwy T. * 45. I shal wisse 3ow wel he ri;t way to his place T.; I shal teche 3ou ful rigt home to his house H ; I schal wisse 3ow be wey right to his place U. 46. pis palmers] be pilgrimes THU. 47. Waij H om. pers] he H. bigon to gan to T; gan for to U; fast he dide H. * 48. fonge] take H. 49. Treube] For treube TU. lasse] wers THU. a-after] a longe time aftir TU; a gret while here after H. 50, ºvendep—him] wilnep to wende TU ; wole to hym wende H. 51. mon—wyf] men & wyues TU. OBS. 52—Pass. VII. l. 2, MS. H has here lost a folio : the rest of the Passus is collated mºth D. 52. knowe] wyte TUD. 70 THE PLOUGHMAN DESCRIBES THE RIGHT WAY. [PASS. VI. pat 3e louep him leuere pen be lyf in oure hertes, 53 And penne Oure neihebors next In none wyse apeire Operweys pen pou woldest men wrougten to pi-seluen. “Next (says he) cross the brook called Be-buxom- of-speech by the ford called Honnur-your- fathers. * So Bouwep forb bi a brok beo-boxum-of-speche, [Forp til 3e fynde a forde 30ur-fadres-honoureth]; 57 Wadeb in pat water wasschep ow wel pere, And 3e Schul lepepe lihtloker aloure lyf tyme. * Sone Schaltou penue I-seo swere-not-but-pou-haue neode- T’ass by Swear- not-in-wain and the croft called Covet-not; Inne ; pe Croft hette coueyte-not- wyues- 60 And-nomeliche-In-Idel- be-nome-of-God-Almihti. "I penne schul 3e come bi a Croft but cum 3e not per- • Mennes-catel-ne-heore- Ne-non-of-heore-seruauns- pat-nuygen-hem-mihte ; 64 Loke pou breke no Bou; pere but 3if hit beo pin owne. also by the stocks named Slay-not and Steal-not. bope; Lef hem on piluft half loke hem not aftur, * Twei stokkes per stondeb - but stunt pou not pere, pei hetten, Sle-not, ne-stel-not stryk forb bi hem 68 And hold wel pin haly-day euere til euen. Turn aside from the brook Bear- no-false-witness, witnesse, 54. apeire] apeirip T : to apeire 56. So bounebl And so boug T; And so bowep U; And so bowe D. brok] banke T. 57. From U; also in TD. Forp til] For to T; For D. 58. Wadip] Wades U. massheb— bere] & wassche 3ou berynne U. 59. liſhtloker] ligtliere T. 60. Some—Iseo] So shalt pou Se TD; So schul 3e se U. bou haue] it be for TUD. be] U om. 61. In Idel] an ydel T; on ydel D; on be ydel U. be mome] name U. 62. schul 3e] shalt bou TD. but— 36] ac comé pou T ; but come D; penne Schaltou Blenchen at a brok ber-no-fals- cometh U. 63. pel bat T. hatte U; higte D. 64. nuyzen] noige T.; noye UD. 65. Bou?] bowis TUD. 3if hit, it TD; bei U. bin] 3our U. 66. Stunt poul stynte pou TD; stynte 3e U. 67. Thetten—not] hote stele nougt ne sle nougt TUD, stryk—hem] but strike forb by UT. 68. bill be U. luft] left TUD. loke— aftur] & loke nougt bere-aftir TUD. 69. U omits. euer til] heig til be T; eyliche to D. 70. blenchen at] see blenche U. brok] bourne T; bak U; berwe D. hette] hattip T; PASS. VI.] He is frettet with-Innen with Floreyns and opes wel monye ; Loke pou plokke no plonte per for peril of pi soule. T penne schaltou [se] sei-sop- so-hit-beo-to-done- And-loke-pat-pou-lyze-not-' for-no-monnes-bidyng. 74 1-Enne schaltou come to a Court Cleer as pe Sonne, pe Mot is of Merci pe maner al abouten, 76 And alle be walles bep of wit to holde wil peroute; pe Carnels bep of Cristendam pe kuynde to saue, Brutaget with be bileeue wher-porw we moten beo Sauet. Alle be houses beop I-hulet Halles and Chaumbres, Wip no led bote with loue-' as-Breperen-of-o-wombe. *I be Tour per treupe is Inne I-set Is aboue pe sonne, He may do with be day-sterre what him deore lykep; Deth dar not do ping pat he defendep. 84 * Grace hette be 3ate-ward ' A good mon forsope, His Mon hette a-Mende-pou for mony men him knoweb; Tel him pistokene for treupe wot pesope: ‘I performede be penaunce pat peprest me en-Toynede; * I am sori for my sunnes and so schal I euere 89 Whon I penke per-on pau; I weore a pope.” GRACE IS PORTER TO THE TOWER OF TRUTH. and then shall ye see Say-sooth. So shall ye come to a court, with walls of Wit, and battlements of Christendom, with houses that are roofed with Love-as-brethren. There is Truth’s tower, set above the Sun. Grace is the gate- keeper, and his man is called Amend-thou, to whom give a token. 71. frettet ovithinnen] frettid in T; frethid yn U ; frybed in D. mith floreyns] white floures (!) D. opes ovel] opere flouris TD; opere fee; U. 72. Loke] And loke TD. plonte] plantis TUD. 73. penne] And banne TD. [se] in UD only, yet required. Seil D omits. so hit V has so bat hit; but pat is best omitted, as in TUD. 74. And loke] loke TD. 75, cleer] as clere U; as chere D. 76. mot] moot U; mote D. 77. nyil) wel U. 78. carnels] kirnelis TU ; cornels D. pej bat TD. 79. Brutaget] And boterasid TD ; And briteschid U. be] TUD om. ovherborn-beo] oper pou worst not T; or elles pou best noght U ; so elles pou worst nouqt D. 80. pel U om. Thulet] helid TUD. halles] halle U. 81. with loue] loue & lougnesse TD; al wip loue U. 82. is inne] is hymselfe TD ; him- Selue is U. Iset—aboue) is vp to TUD. - 83. him deore] hym good U ; bat hym D. 84. not—bing, do no ping D. 85. 3aterward] porter TD ; gate- ward U. 86. amende boul amende 3ow TU; amendes D. him] he T. 87. for TUD om. 88. be—pat] D om. pat] Tom. 89. I] And TD ; And y U. 90, penke peron] peron penke U. * 72 THE SEVEN SISTERS AT THE POSTERNs. [PASS. VI. * Anºthº Bidde a-Mende [-pou] Meken him to his Mayster ones, to pray his master to open the wicket-gate of Paradise. To Wynne Wp pe wiket-3at pat pewey schutte, po pat Adam and Eue eeten heore bone; 92 For he happe keye of pe cliket pau; pe kyng slepe. * And 3if grace pe graunte to gon in in pis wyse, - [f 898 b. col. 2.1 pou Schalt seo treube him-self sitten in pin herte. 96 Take heed that ye | penne loke pat pouloue him wel and his lawe holde; love Truth, lest ye be driven out, Bote beowel I-war of wrappe - [pat wykkide] Schrewe, For he hap Envye to him pat [in byn herte sittep ; And puitep for; pruide to preisen pi-seluen. "I be boldnesse of pi benfes blendep pin eigen, And so worpestou I-driuen out and pe dore I-closet, and the door be closed and locked against you 100 I-keiget and I-kliketed to ſkepel be per-oute; Hapliche, an Hundred 3er er pou eft entre. 104 *I bus maihtouleosen his loue to leten wellbi pi-seluen, Dote gete hit ageyn bi grace and bi no 3ift elles. But there are also seven sisters there at the gates, called Abstinence, Humility, Charity, Chastity, 91. amende pow] See l. 86; amende 3ow TU; amendis D; a-Mende V, ones] Begins 7, 92 in TUD. 92. rvynne vp) weue out TD, miket- 3at] wyket TUD. be—schutte] he with shette TD ; be wight schettep U. 93. Po pat] bo TUD. bone] bane TUD. 94, keye of] keiges & TUD. 95. be grawmte] graunte be TUD. in inj in on U; in TD. 96. sitten] wel sitte T; wil sette D. 97. penne—ºvel] And lere be for to loue TUD. - 98. Bote—nm'appel Ac be war panne of wrappe T ; Ac be war of wretthe noght U : Ac be waar panne wrape nougt D. [bat ºvykhide TUDJ for he is a V. 99. [in pyn herte sittep] So in TUD; sittep in byn herte V. 100. puitep forbl pokip be for TD; lokith for U. A* per beop seuen sustren pat seruen treupe euere, And ben porters at posternes pat to be place longen. pat on hette Abstinence And Humilitie a-noper, 109 Charite And Chastite beop tweyne ful Choyse Maidenes, 101. bi benfes] pi bien fait T; bat ben feet U; by benfet D. blendep— eigen] makib be blynd banne TUD. 102. rvorpestow] worst pou TUD.- out] out as dew TUD. 103. [kepel TD; holden V; holde 104. Haplichel Happily TUD. 3er] wynter TUD. 105. maihtou] migt bou TUD. 106. Botel And TUD. bill horu; T; burw U; with D; (in both places). 3ift] ping D. 107. Sustren] doutres U. Tom. (by mistake). 108. at posternes] to be posternis T; at be posterne U; of be posternes D. 109. bat onl be ton U. and J U om. humilitie] meknesse TD. anober] a noper T.; an oper U; bat oper D. 110. Charite—Chastite] Chastite and charite U. trueyne—choyse] hire chief TUD. maidenes] U om. seruen] PASS. VI.] Pacience and Pees • Muche peple helpen, Largesse be ladi ‘ ledep in ful monye. THE DIFFICULTY OF OBTAINING ADMISSION. 73 Patience, Peace and Bounty. 112 * Bote hose is sib to pis sustren so me god helpe Is wonderliche wel-comen and feire vnderfonge. And bote 3e ben sibbe to summe of peos seuene, Hit is ful hard, bi myn hed! - eny of ow alle Without their aid it is hard to gain entrance at that gate.” 116 To gete in-goynge at pat 3at bote grace beo pe more.” * “Bi Crist,” quap a Cutte-pors : “I haueno kun pere “No,” quap an Apeward “for nout bat I knowe " “I-wis,” quap a waferer “wust I pis for sobe, !” The cut-purse, the ape-ward, and wafer-maker declare they have no kindred there ; 120 Schulde Ineuere forbere a fote for no freres prechinge.” ‘ſ “3us,” quap pers be ploug-mon and prechede hire to goode, “Merci is a Mayden per and hap miht ouer hem alle; Heo is sib to alle synful men an hire sone alse; And porw be help of hem two (hope pou non oper), but Piers tells them Mercy dwells there also, who is of kin to all sinful men. 124 pou maigt gete grace per so pat pou [go] bi-tyme.” 111. U omits. muche peple] mekil folke pei T; many folk bei D. 112. Largessel Largite U. pel bat UD. ledepl letith U; let TD. ful] Wel TUD. - 113. hose] who so T; ho so D; sche U. pis] be U. 114. Is] He is TUD. ºvel-comen.] welcome T ; wolcome D; vnwolcome (!) U. feire] vnfair (!) U. 115. And–3e] But 3if3e T; But 3e D; But if he U. 116. Hit—hed] He is wel hard to ben had D. ful] wel TUD. 117. To—3at] Gete ingate at eny U. in-goyngel ingange TD. at pat] at any T.; atte D. 118. all be D. kunj kyn TUD. 119. Wol Ne ITUD. for mout] be au3t TUD. 120. Invis] Wyte god TUD. bis for bat for TD ; bat be U. 121. neuere] no D. 122. 31s] 3is TU ; bus D. prechede hire] pukidé hym T; pokid hym U; poked hem. D. 123. is] hab TD ; hadde U. ber] Tom. and hapl hap TD; bat U. 124. Heo] And she TUD. men.] TUD om. an] and UTD. 125. two.] TD om. 126. ber] TU om. pat] TUD om. [go TUD) come V. have] me haue T. shall we women 74 THE PEOPLE ASK PIERS TO GUIDE THEM. [PASS. VII. PASSUS WII. [Passus septimus de visione, viprius.] The pilgrims say 6% that they need a guide; pere.” Piers says he will guide them, when Is were a wikked wei: bote hose hedde a gyde, pat mihte folwen usvch a fote forte pat we come Quap perkyn pe plougmon “bi peter pe Apostel, he has ploughed I haue an half Aker to herie bipe heige weye; 4 Weore he wel I-Eried penne with ou wolde I Wende, And wissen ou be rihte weye ‘til 3e founden treupe.” his half-aere. “That were long ‘ſ “pat weore a long lettynge” quap a ladiin a skleir, to wait,” said a lady, and what “What schul we wimmen worche pe while !” 8 do meanwhile 9 ° “Summe schul souwe sakkes for schedyng of Whete, And 3e wyues pat habbey wolle worchep hit faste, Piers tells them to Sew, to spin, naked ; [Spynneth it spedily sparep noght 3Our fyngres], and to elothe the Bote 3if hit beo haly day or elles holy euen. Lokep forb or Linnene And laberep per-on faste. 12 pe Neodi and pe Nakede - nym 3eeme hou pei liggen, Title from T; also called P. Septimus in UD. 2. veh a] iche T : ech U. forte— come] til pat we were T ; til we were OBS. Collation with H here recom- 772,67266 S. - 3. peter] Seint peter H; seint poule U 4. herie] ere H ; erie U; ern T. bi] by-side H. 5. Hadde y herd pat halfe akir so me god helpe T; hadde y erid bat ben wolde y wip 30u wende H. : Hadde eryed myn halue acre • I schal brynge 3ou pere U. 6. U omits. nissen ou] teche 3ow H. founden treube] come pere H. T reads, I wolde wende wip 3ow til 3e were pere. 7. Pat] bis TU. in a skleir] in a scleire TU; wip a sleyre H. 8. Schul] schulde T. 9. Sowne sakkes] sewe be sake TU. of] of be THU. 10. 3e] TU om. nolle] wollene T. norchéb—fastelwurche it 3e schulle U. 11. From U ; also in TH. 12. or elles] oper T. 13. or] 3oure THU. 14. pe Neodi] per medy ben U. be] U om. nym 3eeme] nymep hed T; nym hede U; takip kepe H. H. trans- poses neodi and nakede. PASS. VII.] PIERs TELLs THEM WHAT TO BE DOING, And cast on hem clopes for colde for so wolde treupe ; For I schallene hem lyflode . But 3if be lond fayle, 16 As longe as Iliue for vr lordes loue of heuene. *| And 3e, loueli Ladies with oure longe Fyngres, pat habbeb selk, and sendel souwep, whon tyme is, Chesybles for Chapeleyns and Churches to honoure; And alle maner of Men pat bi Mete liuen, 21 Helpep him worche wihtliche pat winnep oure fode.” “T) I Crist,” quap a kniht po “pou [kennest] vs pe beste to labour. Saue o tyme trewely bus tauht was I neuere! 24 Bote [kenne] me,” quod pe kniht “and I-chul conne erie ; [I wol helpe pee to labore whil my lyf lastip.”] “Bi seint peter,” quod Pers “for pou profrest be so to sew chasubles, and to help the poor labourers. A knight declares he will help Piers Piers says he will work for both, if the knight will guard the church from wasters, lowe, I schal swynken and sweten and sowen for us bope, 29 In Couenaunt pat pou kepe Holi chirche and my-seluen From wastors and Wikkede men pat Wolden vs destruyen. And go pou hunte hardily to Hares and to Foxes, 32 And eke labre for piloue al my lyf tyme, and hunt hares and foxes, and 15. And] THU om. onlTU om. eren T; y wollere to erye U. ovolde] wile T; wole HU. 16. leme] fynde H. 17. vrl our U ; be T. loue] U om. 18, oure longe] 3our louely TU. 19. sowniepl sewib it TU. 20. Chesybles] chesiples H. Chape- leyns] chapellis TU ; churchis H. and Tom. Churches] chapels H. 21. of] H om. bill by be HTU. 22. him] hem TU. morche] forb H. oure] 30we THU. 23. pol U om. [kennest HUD techest V; techist T; the allit. re- quires kennest. 24. Saue—tyme] but otyme H.; Ac on be tem TU. pus] so H ; TU om. 25. H omits. [Kenne TUJ tech. W: see l. 23. Ichul—erie] I wile lerne to 26. From H; in H only; perhaps aredundant : see 1. 29. 27, peter] poule TU. Pers] perkyn THU. 28. Smynken—sneten] swete and swynke U. 29. eke] U om. labre] labore H.; laboure T; labouren U. Spelt labore in l. 117; but see U 221, 259. 30, kepel kepe wel U. and my- seluen] right And me (the two last mords in meat line) U; And myself (in neart line) T. 31. nastors] watris (sic) U. and— men] Tom. vs] me TU. 32. boul THU om. to—Fowes] be hare & pe fox TU. 76 kill the small birds with falcons. PIERs' ADVICE TO THE KNIGHT. [PASS. VII. To Beores and to Bockes pat brekep menne hegges, And fecche be hom Faucuns pe Foules to quelle; For pei comen in-to my croft And Croppen my Whete.” The knight gladly Consents. * Ful Curteisliche be kniht conseiued peose wordes; “Be my pouwer, pers I plihte be my troupe 37 To folfulle be Foreward ' while pat I may stonde l’’ Piers further bids him to harm no tenant, to take no gifts from the p00r, * “But 3it 0 poynt,” quod pers : Loke pou teone no tenaunt bote treupe wol assente : And 3if pore men profrep ou presentes or 3iftes, “I preye pe no more; 41 Takep hem not, in auenture 3e mouwen hem not de- seruen ; For pou Schalt 3elden hit a-3eyn at one 3eeres ende, In a wel perilous place pat Purgatorie hette. to injure no labourer, to be true of tongue, schalt spede, 44 And mis-beode pou not pi bonde-men be beter pou And bat bi-self be trewe of tonge and tales pou hate, Bote hit beo wisdam or wit pi werkmen to chaste. and to avoid ribalds. Hold not pou with harlotes here not hedre tales, 48 And nomeliche atte Mete suche Men eschuwe ; For peiben be deueles disours I do be [to] vndurstonde.” [f. 399 a. col. 1.] The knight again assentS. 33. To Beores] to beris H.; And be boris T : And to brokkys U. to Boekes] be bukkes T : to bukkes U. menne] mennys H ; myn TU. 34, be Fowles] foules U. quelle] kille THU. 35. bei) bise TU. Croppen] crepen in H. 36. Full THU om. conseiued] comsed H.; compsip T. peose] his U. 38. folfulle] folewe H. . pel bis H.; bat U. bat I] IT; my lyf H. 39. But—O] 3e, 3it a H; 3a, & 3et a T; And a U. pers] perkyn THU. no] sire H; TU om. 40. assente] Accorde U. 41. 3if] bei Ti; beige U. profrep ow] profre be TU ; presentip bee H. presentes or] wip H. in-to] to TH. * “Ich a-sente, be seint Iem ”’ seide be kniht penne, “For to worche bi pi word ' while my lyf durep.” 42. Takeb] Nyme TU. in auenture] an aunter TU. 3e moun'enl bou mowe TU ; pou maist H. 45. pow] TU om. bow schalt pou mi2t HU; shalt pou T. - 46. And—piself] And bat pou TU; & H. of 1 of by HU. and J H om. 47. bed] be of TU. orj or of TU; & H. pil H om. merkmen] wicked men H. 48. not—mith] wip none TU. boul H om. here] ne here TU 49. atte] at pe HU; at T. suche] for suche T (badly). Men] men pou U. 50. bei ben] it arm TU ; it bep H. [to THUj V om. 52. nord] wordis H. PAss, vii.] . PIERs PREPAREs To sow HIS HALF-ACRE, * “And Ischal A-paraile me,” quod perkin “In pil- grimes wyse, 53 And wende with ou be rihte wei til 3e treupe fynde.” He caste on his clopes I-clouted and I-hole, His Cokeres and his Coffus for Colde of his nayles, He heng an Hoper on his Bac In stude of a Scrippe, A Busschel of Bred corn he bringep per-Inne: 58 “For I wol souwen hit my-self and seppen with ou Wende. For hose helpep me to heren or eny ping to Swynken, He schal haue, bed vr lord pe more huyre in heruest, And make him murie with pe Corn hose hit euere bi- 77 Piers gets ready to go, and takes with him corn to SOW, promising that all who help him shall have the more hire in harvest, grucchep. And alle kunnes Craftus men pat cunne lyuen with treupe, and that he will find all their food, 63 I schal fynden hem heore fode pat Feipfuliche lyuen ; "I Saue Iacke pe Togelour And Ionete of be stuyues, And Robert be Ribaudour for his Rousti wordes. Treupe tauhte hit me ones and bad me telle hit forther, Deleantur de libro . [I ne shulde not dele wip hem, 68 except Jack the jongleur, and Janet of the stews, and Robert the tale- teller, a worthless Sct. Holi churche is holden of hem no tipe to taken ; 53. mel U om. pilgrimes] pilgrym T; a palmerys H. 54. wende] U om. ow—rihte] 3ow be TU; bee on be H., 36—fynde], 3e fynde treuthe U; we fynde treube T.H. 55. I-hole] hole TU. H reads, He cast on his cloutid clopis & his olde cokeris. 56. His cokeres] H om. (see 1. 55). coffus] coffis also H; cuffis T; cuffes U. 57. He] And T. anj his THU. on—bacl at his hals T; on his rugge H. stude] stede THU. al his U. 58. busschel] boyschel H. he bringeb] brougte he T; he brougte Hi bryng me U. 59. myself] my-self, quop he H. mith ou] wile I THU. 60. For hose] And who-so THU. heren] eren T; erie HU. to] TU om. 61. He] TU om. huyre] here T ; mede U. inj at U. 62. mith—corn] perwith U. euere] 0770. 63. Aunnes craftus] manere craftis H; kyne crafty TU. with] in THU. 64. heare] THU om. pat] H om. Feibfulichel skilfulliche U. lyuen ] to lyuen H. 65. Ionete] Ienot H. of J at U. Stuyues] styves H.; stywes U ; stewis T 66. Robert] Robyn TU. 67. tauhte hit] tolde THU. me] me bus U. telle] teche H. forther] forb T. 68. I have made this an allit. line, as it stands in T; W has only De- leantur de libro viuencium ; H has the myhole quotation Deleantur—scribantur, and omits 69, 70; U has deleantur de libro viuencium y schulde noght dele with hem; mºhich is too long. 69. H omits. Holi] For holy TU. 78 Piers’ wife is named Work- when-time-is, his daughter is Do- as-you-are-bid, and his son is Obey-your-king. Piers says he is old, and must make his will. THE TESTAMENT. “I bequeath my Soul to Him that best deserves it, and may body to the church, that takes tithe of my COTIn. tipel tibes T. U PIERS MAKES HIS WILL AND TESTAMENT. [PAss. VII. Et cum Iustis non Scribantur ! pei ben a-scaped good prift god hem amende l’’ I). [werche]-whon-tyme-is Hette Pers Wyf, His douhter hette do-riht-so- or-pi-dame-wol-pe- bete, 72 His sone hette Soffre-pi-souereyns- for-to-han-heor- wille- * And-deeme-hem-not-for-3if-pou-do-' pou-schalt-hit-deore- abugge. [“Let god worpe wip al for so his woord techip;] For nou Icham old and hor and haue of myn owne, To Penaunce and to pilgrimage I wol passe with pis opure. - For-pi I wole, ar I Wende write my Testament. In del nomine, Amen ‘ I make hit mi-seluen. He schal haue my soule pat best hap deseruet, And defende hit from pe fend for so I bed-leeue, Til I come to myn A-Countes as my Crede me telleh, To ha Reles and Remission on pat Rental I be-leeue. pe Chirche schal haue my Careyne And kepe mi Bones; For of my Corn and Catel heo Crauep be Tibe. I Payede him prestly for peril of my soule, 80 85 T. testament] bequest T; byguestes U. taken] asken T; axen • 79. In—amen] In be name of god 70. H omits. prift] Auntir T.; auntour U. god] now god T. 71. Inverche THUI Wom. Hette— 'n'ſſf] piers wyf hatte THU. 72. Sol Tom. nol] shal TU. 73. for to] to TU. 74. dol doist H; dost TU. deore abugge] dere abigge TH ; sore abie U. 75. From T; also in HU. morpe) wurche U. * 76. now] now HU; Tom. Icham] I am THU. and hor] and hoor U; H om. haue] y-now haue H. 77. I moll wile I.T. bis] TU om. 78. Forbi] For U. ar] er TU; or H. Write] do writen U; do wyte (sic) H (nihich has here in margin, In dei mo.). 80. He For he TU. 81. II is my U. 82. myn] his THU. techip TU.; techip H. 83. haj haue THU. reles] a relese H. and and a H. on) of H. I beleeue] I leue T ; for euer H. 84. kepel kepe per H. 85. corn—catel] catel & my corn H. heo craweb] I crauide T. tipe] tibes me tellebj me TU. hed] IT; he HU. 86. I payedel I haue paied H ; It payd it U; And payede T. him] U 0???, PASS. VII.] MANY SET TO WORK IN EARNEST. He is holden, Ich hope to haue me in Muynde, And munge me in his memorie Among alle cristene, 88 * Mi wyf schal haue pat I won with treupe, and no more, - And dele A-mong my Frendes and my deore children. For pauh I dye pis day my dettes beop I-quit ; I Bar hom pat I Borwede er I to bedde eode, 92 And with pe Residue and pe Remenaunt by pe Rode of Chestre I wol Worschupe per-Wip Treupe in my lyue, And ben his pilgrym atte ploug for pore Mennes sake. Mi plouh-pote schal be my pyk and posshen atte Rootes, .* 96 And helpe my coltre to kerue and close pe vorwes.” Nº. is Pers and pe pilgrimes to pe plouh I-fare ; To heren pis half-Acre helpen him ful monye. Dykers and Deluers Dikeden vp pe Balkes; 100 per-with was perkyn a-payed And preisede hem 3erne. Opur werk-men per weren pat Wrougten ful monye, WChe Mon in his maner Made him to done ; And Summe, to plese perkyn pykeden Vp peweodes. * At heig prime perkyn lette be ploug stonde, 105 While pat he ouer-sege him-self ‘ho pat best wrouhte; 79 My wife shall have my lawful winnings, for my debts are all paid. With the residue will I worship Truth, and be His pilgrim.” Piers and the pilgrims set about ploughing, and many workmen help him. At high prime * Piers looked at 87. inj in his U. muynde] mynde |U. 88. mºunge] momewe T.; mynwe H; menewe U. 89. nith treube] trewliche U. 90. Frendes] children H. deore children] frendis bobe H. 91, dye–day] deige to day TU; deied to day H. Iquit] quyt TH; yguytte U. 92. to—eode] went to bedde H. eode] gede TU. 93. with be] wip U. Rememaunt] remelaunt H. w 94. inl be U. 95. atte] at his U ; at be T. 96. plouh-pote] plowbat H.; plow TJ. pykl pykstaf U; pilgrimstaf H. and—atte] & putte at be T; picche vp pe U ; to posse at be H. 97. vormes] forewis T; forwis H.; furwes U. 98. and—pilgrimes] be pilgryme H. Ifare] faren THU. 99. heren] erien TU. bis] be U; his H. ful] THU om. 100. dikeden] dykep T; dyggen U; digten H. balkes] baukis H. 101. hem] hem ful H. 102. pat] & T. monye) faste THU. 103. Vehe] Eche TH; Euery U. inj on TU. him] hymself T. 104. vpl out U. 105. At-prime] At hye prime of be day U; An hast ben H. perkyn piers U; peris T. - 106. While—ouerseye) To ouersen hem TU ; to ouerse H. 80 what the work- men had done. COIſlē. But some helped "I penne Seten summe ' And Songen atte ale, him only by drinking and singing, wrappe, SOME SHIRK WORK, AND FEIGN BLINDNESS. [PASS. VII. He schulde ben huyred per-aftur whom heruest tyme 108 And holpen him to herien wip “Hey trolly-lolly l’’ * “Now, be pe prince of paradys " . quap pers po in “Roſe 3e Rysen be raper and Rapc 3ow to worelle, till Piers threatened them with famine. Recche ''' Schal no greyn pat heer growep gladen ow at neode, And pauh 3e dyen for de-faute be deuel haue pat | 13 Then the shirkers "I penne weore pe faytors a-ferd ' And feynede hem feigned to be blind, or lame, blynde, And summe leiden pe legges a-liri as suche losels cunne, and said all they And playneden hem to pers with Suche pitouse wordes: could do was to pray for him, ponken, “We haue no lymes to labore with vr lord we hit 117 Bote we preyep for ou, pers and for Oure plouh bope, pat God for his grace oure greyn multiplye, And 3elde ow for oure Almus pat 3e 3iuen vs here ! 120 since they could For we mowe noupur swynke ne swete such seknes vs not work. eilep.” “I shall soon find ‘ſ “ 3if hit beo sop pat 3e Seyen,” quod pers “sone out if what you say is true,” said Piers. 107. He] bei H; TU om. 108, atte ale] at be ale T; at be nale HU. 109. Jim] TU om. to herien] ere be half akir T; to erye be halue acre U. hey—lolly] dieu sa dame emme U. 110. Won] TU om. 111. be] vp be H. 112. heer] H om. 113. pauh] 3if U. defaute] be de- faut H.; doel T ; dool U. have] hange U. 114. pel per H ; TU om. aferd] fele H. and bat H. 115. And TU om. be legges] here lege T : be leg U. alirija lery TH; a lyry U. losels] lorellis T. Ischal a-spye 3e bedp wastors, I wot and treupe wot be sope 116. Jem] U om. 117. no lymes] none hondis T. wr] oure H. vr—ponken] lord, ygracid be 3e T; lord, y-graced be be |U. 118. ou] 30w TU; bee H. oure] 3oure TU ; by H. 119. H omits. for of T. oure] 3oure TU. 120. H omits. for of TU. oure] 3oure TU. almºus] almesse T; almes U 121. now pur] not T. Snymke me smete) swete ne swinke U. Seknes] feblesse U. 122. sop] so U. bat 3e segem.J HU orm. Some—schall I shal it some TU. 123. not] wot wel TU. A- -- ** § §. *…* | \, º ,- * !' ... " Y º /h tº fl PASS, VII.] onE OF THE IDLERs Is CONTUMACIOUS. Icham his holdehyne and ougte him to warne 124 Whuche wastors In world his werk-Men distruygen. 3e eten pat pei schulden eten pat [heren] for vs alle ; Bote Treupe schal techen ow his Teeme for to dryue, Bope to sowen and to setten and sauen his tilpe, 128 Gaste Crowen from his Corn and kepēn his Beestes, Or 3e schulle ete Barly Bred and of pe Brok drynke. Bote heo bed blynde or broke-schonket or bedreden liggen, pei schul haue as good as I so me god helpe, [Til god of his grace gare [hem] to arise]. 132 T. Ancres and Hermytes pat holdephem in heore Celles. Schulen habben of myn Almus Alpe while Iliue, I-nouh vehe day at Non but no more til a morwe, 136 Leste pe Fend and heore flesch fouleden heore soules; Ones at Noon Is I-nou; pat no werk me vsep, He abydep wel pe bet pat Bommep not to ofte.” Enne wastours gunne arise and wolden han I-fouhte; To Perspe plouh Mon [one] profrede his gloue, A Brutiner, A Braggere A-Bostede him. Alse, 142 And bad go pisse him with his plouh pillede screwe 124. Ioham] And I am TU. holde] olde TU. and I U. 125. Whuche] Suche TH; Whiche U. Inj in bis TU; in be H. god of his grace 136. but] & H. 81 “Truthshall teach you to drive his team, to sow, and to scare crows ; [f. 399 a. col. 2.] but those who are really blind I will help. Anchorites and hermits I will feed, but only once a day, for once is enough.” Then the wasters began to resist, and one of them threatened Piers, gare hym to arise ; ovhere hym should be hem. 135. Al—m/tile] while pat H. ti! all til on be T.; 126. bei] I T. [heren] Such should be the reading ; eren T; erien HU; W has swynken. See ll. 60, 99. vs] 3ow H. 128. to—setten] to setten & to sowen TH; setten & sowe U. tilpe) telpe TH. 129. Gaste crowen] Chase gees TU. from his] fro be HU. 130. Brok] brod T (wrong). 131. heol he TU; 3e H. broke- schonket—liggen] bedrede or ellis broke-shankid H. . 132. pei—have] bei shulm ete T'; 3e schul eten U; pen shulle 3e haue H. good—I] I seie U. 133. In T is here an eactra line, Til til be H.; er U. 137. pe—flesch] his flessh & be fend T; be feend and his flesche U. foule- den—soules] foulide his soule T'; fole- wen here soulis H. ; folewed togidre U. 138. ne] U om. 139. Bommepl ne bommep H. 140. mastours gunnel gan be was- tour T ; gan wastour U ; bygan was- tour to H. 141. [one HJ he TU; W has And. 142. Brutiner] bretoner T; bry- toner UH. A-Bostedel he bostide T.; bostide U. alse] also THU. 143. bad] bade hym H. mith] & H. pillede) olde pilede H. Screwel shrewe TH; schrewe U. 82 PIERS GETS HUNGER TO PUNISH HIM. [PASS. VII. “For we wolen habbe of pi Flour 'wol pou so nulle pou, And of pi Flesch fecche whon bat vs lykep, 145 [And make vs merye perwip maugre pi chekes 1”] who prayed the knight to keep his promise. The knight sternly warns them. *] penne Pers plouh-mon playnede him to be kniht, To kepen him as Couenaunt was from cursede schrewes, From wastors pat wayten winners to schende. Curfeisliche he kniht as his knynde wolde, 149 Warnede wastors and wissede hem do betere ; “Or 3e schul a-bugge hit bi [be] lawe' bipe Ordre pat I bere !” But one of them cared nothing for Piers or the knight, and threatened them. 152 * “I was not wont to worche,” quod a wastour “3it wol I not biginne !”— And lette luytel of be lawe and lasse of be kniht, And countede pers at a peose and his plouh bope, And Manasede him and his men whon pat pei next metten. Piers swears he will punish them yet, and calls in Hunger. 156 “MTOu be pe peril of my soule,” quap Perspe plouh-Mon, Ischal a-peiren ow alle for oure proude wordes 1’’ And hoped aftur hunger po pat herde him atte furste: “A-wrek me on pis wastors,” quod pers “pat pis world schendep !” Hunger caught Waster, and 144. Wilt bou, nilt bou, we wile haue oure wil of pis flour T; Woltou, meltou, we wole haue y-now of by floure H ; Wil bou, nyl bou, we wol’ haue of pi floure U. 145, of] Tom. fecche] fecche awey TU ; & by fysch H. nihon bat] whanne T; whan so U. 146. From U; also in TH. 150, be] po be H. Kniht] knigt banne TU. 151. nastors] be wastour T.; wast- our U. missede] bade H. hem] hym TU. do betere] betere TU ; go werche FI. 152. 3e schul] bou shalt TU ; bei shulde H. a-bugge hit] abigge TH; 160 * Hongur in haste - hente [wastor] bipe mawe, abye U. [be THU] V om. ordre] lord (!) U. I bere] he bere H; I welde U. 153. al THU om. 3it] nowe TU. 154, luytell list THU. - 155. peose] pese TH. countede— peose] bad piers go pisse U. 156, bat] THU om. 157. be plouhmon] I shall appeire 3ow alle THU. 158. THU omit ; see l. above. * 159. hoped] houpide T; howpide U; huntid H. pol THU om. 160. Anºrek] Wreke UH. pis (1)]TH om. bis (2)] be U. schendep) apeirip T. 161. Hongurj & hunger U. haste] haste banne T. [wastor] wastour THU; W has wastors. § . . . N h \,...? / W A • - LW/T any *::Iº s/ pass. VII.] And wrong him so be be wombe pat bope his eyen watreden, ALL ARE MADE TO EARN THEIR LIVING. 83 wrung and buffeted him so, And Buffetede be [brutiner] aboute bope his chekes; He lokede lyk a Lanterne al his lyf After. 164 He Beot so be Boyes he barst neih heore Ribbes, Nedde Pers wip a peose lof I-preyed him to leue ; And with a Benene Bat I-bot hem by-twene, that Piers had to interfere, and beat Hunger off. 167 And hutte hongur per-with A-midde bope his lippes, And he bledde in-to be Bodiward a Bolleful of gruwel; Nedde pe Fisicien furst defendet him water To Abate pe Barli bred and be Benes I-grounde, pei hedden beo ded bipis day and doluen al warm. Enne Faytors for fere flowen to Bernes, And flapten on with fleiles from morwe til euen, Then the shirkers flew to the barns to thrash; 173 pat Honger nas not hardi ‘ vp for to loke, For A potful of peoSun pat pers hedde I-mad. An Hep of Hermytes henten heom spades, 176 Hermits seized Spades and dug. And doluen drit and donge to dutte honger oute. * Blynde and Bedraden weore Botned a pousent, pat lygen for blynde and for broke-legget 162. And—wombe) U om. bohe- natreden] al watride his eigen TU. 163. [brutiner (see 1. 142)] bre- toner TH; brytomer U ; W has boye (by mistake); see Z. 165. bobe his] pe TU. 164. He] bat he THU. 165. He—boyes] He beet hem so bobe TH; And beet hym bobe U. he—neih] pat he brast ner T ; and brak mere U. ribbes] mawis THU. 166. Wedde] Nehadde HU; Nhadde T. ºvip] but T. J-preyed—leue] ypreied hem to lyue H ; bei preyede hym beleue T; prayed hym by-lyue U. 167. benene bat] bene batte T'; beny batte U. I-bot hem] he hadde TU; 3ede hem H. 168. hutte] hitte THU. ber-with] |U, om. bobe his hise T ; be U. 169, he—bodinard] bledde in-to be bodyward TU; made hym blede The blind, bedridden, and I80 inward H. grunel] growel TU; gruel H. 170. Wedde] Ne hadde TU; Nadde H. furst] U om. 173. bennel THU om. fere] ferde pen H. to] into THU. 174. flapten] flappid H.; flappe U ; flatte T. morne] morne UH. 175. nas] was TU. not] noght so U. vp for] on hem for T; on hem H; ones on hem U. 176. potful] potel THU. peosum) pesen H ; pesyn U; pecis T. hedde I-mad] let make H. 177. An Hep] & an hepe H ; In helpe T. hedm] hem TU; here H. 178. dutte—oute] ditte out hunger TH; dryuen hungir out U. 179. bedraden] bedrede T; blereey- 3ed U. botned] botind T; aboute U. 180. T omits. for broke-legget] brokelegged by be hye weie U. 6 * 84 lame received assistance. Lame men asked to keep Piers’ beasts, for which he gave them meat. Theri had Piers pity, yet"fears they will do ill when Hunger departs, though they are meek enough In OW. PIERS ASKS HUNGER TO GO HOME. . [PASS. VII. Vppon softe Sonenday bipe heige weye; Hungur hem helede wip an hot Cake. * Lome mennes limes weore lypet bat tyme, 183 And bi-come knaues to kepe pers beestes, And preyeden for Charite with pers for to dwelle, [All for Couetyse of his corn to caste a-wey hunger. *| Pers was proud per-of ' And put hem in offys, 187 And 3af hem mete and moneye as pei mihte deseruen. *| penne hedde peers pite and preiede hunger to wende Hom to his oune hurde And holden him perfor euere. * “And 3it I preye pe,” quod pers “er pou passe henne, Of Bidders and of beggers what is best to done? 192 I wot wel whon pou art I-went bei wol worchen ful ille ; And Mischef hit makep pei becp so meke noupe, And for de-faute of foode bus faste pei worchen ; And hed beop my blodi breperen for god bougte vs alle. Treupe tauhte me ones to louen hem vehone, 197 And helpen hem of alle pyng aftur pathem neodep. So he asks * 3it wolde I witen 3if pou wustest what were pe Hunger to give him advice. beste, And hou I mihte A-Maystren hem and maken hem to worche.” 200 181. Tomits ; U omits part (see l. 180). Somenday] sonedaies H. 182. hot] oten H.; ote U. 183. Lome] And lame THU. lypet] lipnid T; libed HU. 185. for hym for U; pur T. pers] hym U. 186. [Al THUI V has And, re- peated from 184, 185. caste] chase TU. 187. Pers] & pieris THU. ber-of] perfore H. - 188. deseruen] asserue TU. 190. Hom to] Hom into TU; into H. hurde] erpe TH; 3erde U. for) TU om. 191. And 3it] Ac 3et T; but H. henne] ferberê THU. 192. bidders—beggers] beggeris & bidderis T; beggeres and of bydderis U; bedreden & beggeris H. is best] best is T. 193. Z–Z-ment] For I wot wel, be bou ywent T; I woot, be pou went Hº For I wot wel by 3e went U. ful] TU om. 194. And] TU om. And—makeb] by-self makip it iwis H. pei] hym. T. 196. And—breperen] bei beb myne breperen of one blood H. hed beob) it ben TU. bougie) made H. 198. aftur-hem] pat hem of T; what pat hem U. 199. 3it—I j now wolde I HU; I wolde T. roustest] wistest THU. 200. And] H om. * ... . . ſh aſ ... , \{ *ff ---.” PASS. VII.] BEGGARS OlyGHT TO HAVE ONLY COARSE FOOD. 85 “TIEre nou,” quod hunger “and holde hit for Hunger tells him te to feed the able- wisdam, \, bodied beggars *. $º ... with horse’s bread Bolde Bidders and Beggers pat mowen her mete bi- and beams, Swinke, With houndes bred and horse bred hold vpheor hertes, And Bamme hem with bones for bollyng of hedre wombes ; And 3if pegomes grucchen bidde hem go swynke, 204 and to make them work. And pei schule soupe pe Swettore whon pei han hit deseruet. And 3if pou fyndest eny Freik pat fortune hap a-peiret With fuir, or with fals folk fonde suche to knowe; Men who have been unfortunate should be comes forted. Cumforte hem with pi Catel' for cristes loue of heuene, Loue hem, and lene hem so be lawe of kuynde wole. And alle manere of Men pat pou may3t aspye, pat neodi ben, or naket and nougt haue to spende, With Mete or with Moneye mak hem fare be betere, 2] I The needy and naked should be helped with meat and money. - [f. 399 b. col. 1.] Or with word or with Werk while bat pou art here. Mak pe Frendes per-with for so Seint Matheu techep, Huke xvi. 9. Facite vobis amicos de mammona iniquitatis.” * “I wolde not greue god,” quod pers “for al pe gold on ground ; 201. for for a THU. 202. bidders—beggers] beggeris & bigge TU. mete] breed T. bisminke] swynke U. 203. houndes bred] houndes U. hold —hertes] holde bow here mawes H. • 204. And bamme] And bane TU; a-bane H. bones] benys U. bollyng] bollnynge TH ; swellynge U. 205. And—be] 3if eny H. gomes] gromes THU. 206, be] Tom. Swettore] betere U. han hit it hap T; haue H ; it han U. 207. fºndest] fynde THU. 208. fuir] fure H ; fyre U. folk] men THU. to] Tom. ; forto H ; men to U. 210. lene] lone U. so be] & so be T; for so H; for so be U. mole] wolde TU. Piers wants to know if it is right 216 211—216. These lines are in U made into only four lines, Avith omissions and false arrangements. 211, of] H om. may3t] migte TH. 212. neodi—or] ben medy & H. nouji haue] naue not H. 213, or—moneyel or mone T. mak] lete H. mak—betere] let make hem at ese T. - 214. TU omit. H has, wip werke oper wip wordis whils bou art here. 215. H. puts the Lat. Quotation before this line. mak be] And make be T.; lat make bi U. permith] permip T; permyde U. Seint—techeb) matheu vs techip TU ; Seip be gospel H. 216. TU here corruptly arranged. grewel wrappe H. gold—ground] good on erpe H. onj on bis T. - 86 to make men work Hunger refers him to Gen. iii. 19; - ly;ep ; THE BIBLE REPROVES IDLENESS. [PASS. VII. Miht I sunneles don as pou seist?” seide pers penne. ‘ſ “3e, I be-hote be,” quod hunger “ or elles be Bible Go to Genesis pe Teaunt engendrure of vs alle ; In Sudore and swynk pou Schalt pi mete tilie, 220 And labre for pilyflode” - for so vr lord higte. ‘ſ And Sapiens seip be same I saih hit in be Bible; and to Prov. xx. 4. ‘Piger propter frigus no feld nolde he tilie, He schal go bidde and begge and no mon beete his } hunger. The slothful ser- vant, Mat. xxv. 28; Lu. xix. 22, 24. * VSen, 224 * Matheu be Monnes face he Mommep peose wordes, .l. talentum * Seruws nequam hedde npnam and for he nolde hit He hedde Maugre of his Maister euere more aftur ; Auferte ab illo mnam, & date illi, &c.] besaunt, * He bi-nom him his npnam for he nolde not worche, And 3af hit him in haste pat hedde ten bi-fore ; 229 And seppen he bus seide his seruauns hit herden, Mat. xxv. 29; Lu. xix. 26. " He pat hap schal haue to helpe per neod is, And he pat nougt hap, nougt Schal haue ne no mon him helpe ; 217. Miht] May U. I—don] y do synles H. 218. be-hote be] hote be T; hote god U. Bible] book H. 219–221. H arranges in the order 220, 221, 219. 219. Go to] So in TU; W has Go to be; so seib H. Zeaunt] geaunt TU; gent H. engendru're] gendrer H. 220. Sudore—smºymk] sudore &c., & Swynke T; sudore wultus tui swynke U; Sweting & swinking H. tilie] begins neart line in TU 221. Mixte] biddith UH. 222. Homits. sail) sai; T; seie U. 223. hel TU om. no—tilie] arare moluit H.; no feld wolde tilie TU, 224. He—gol perfore he shal H. bidde—begge] begge and bidde U. beete] bete TU. 225. pel wip be T. he mommepl 232 mowbed H.; nempnip T. he—nordes] mouthith vs be same U. 226. H reads, Serue nequam, scie- bas quia, &c. be wicked seruaunt made a couenaunt, & for he molde it vse. npmam] a nam. TU. 227. maugrel a maugre T. euere] for euere T. aftour] peraftir UH. The Latin is in H only. 228. He bi-noml And benom TU ; & byraft H. mpnam] nam, TU ; besaunt H. not] TU om. 229. U omits. hit] Tom. pere T. 230. bus] THU om. Seidel seide hym to bat H. serwauns—herden] seruaunt it hadde T. After this line H has Omni habenti dabitur. 231. neod is] it nedip H. 232, now;t schall shal nough TU. 70 mon] none shal H. ten] ten z 2. º, º *:::::::: ſ Q-22 W. '. // º * ſ h A […" PASS. VII.] MEN WHO EAT TOO MUCH BECOME IDLE. And he bat hopep forte haue hit him bed bi-reuet.' For kuynde wit Wolde pat vehe mon wrouhte Wip techinge or with tilynge or trauaylynge of hondes, Actyflyf or Contemplatyf Crist wolde hit alse. 236 For so seippe Sauter . In Psalm of beati omnes, [Labores manuum tuarum quia manducabis, &c.] * He pat get his fode her with trauaylinge in Treupe, God 3iuep him his blessyng pat his lyflode so swynkep.” & 4 Yi. I preye pe,” quod pers “par Charite, 3if pou Conne 240 Eny lyf of leche Craft lere hit me, my deore. For summe of my seruauns beop seke oper-while, Of alle be wike heo Worchep not so hear wombe akep.” * “I wot wel,” quod Hungur “What seknesse hem eilep, 244 pei han I-Maunget ouvr muche pat makep hem grone ofte. | Ac Ich hote pe,” quod Hungur “and pou pin hele wylne, - pat pou drynke no dai til pou haue dynet sum what ; * Ete not, Ich hote pe til hunger pe take, 248 And sende pe sum of his sauce to sauer pepe betere; 233. And pathe (he bat H) wenib wel to haue' I wile it be hym bereuid THU. 234. For] THU omit. mon] wigt 87 Common senso tells men to work. Ps. cxxvii. 2; (Vulg.) Piers complains that some of his men are always ill. Hunger says it comes from their over-eating. They should not eat till they are hungry. ' 240. pel U om. cunne U ; kenne T. sn'ynkep] so wynnep TU ; wynnep H. Conne] canst H ; T. |U wehe mon] euery man for his fode 235. U omits. Wip] oper wib TH. or—tilyngeloper tellinge T. trauay- lynge] wip trauel H. 236. Crist] so crist H. hit alse] it were H ; it were so U. 237. For—In] The sauter seib in pe T ; be sauter seith it in a U ; H Teads, as be sauter hymself seip in a psalme. The Latin is from TH; also in U, n hich adds, beatus es, & bene tibi erit. 238. get] getip HU. trauaylinge —Treube] trauaile of his hondis THU. 239. him] Tom. his lyflode] here liflode here T ; so his lyuelood H. so 241. lºſf] life T; leef U.; lessoun H. lere] lerne H ; teche U. hit] H om. my] H om. 242. oper-nyhile] som tyme U. 243. nyikelwyke T; weke H ; wowke U. hed] Tom.; bei HU. 245. Z-maunget] mangid THU. muche] mykil U. hem] U om. grone oftel oft grone H. 246. hotel bidde U. and j as TU ; 3ef H. nylne] wilnest TH; desirest U. 247. til] er T. haue—Sumnſhat] dyne sum what TU ; haue ydyned H. 248. Ete not] And ete nougt T; And noght U. hotel bidde U. til] er TU. 249. be] U om. sum] THU om. be pe betere] pilippes TH; wip pilippes U. 88 They should not let Sir Surfeit sit beside them. Were men thus moderate, Phy- sic would sell his cloak, and turn farm- labourer. Piers thanks Hunger for such advice. Hunger says he must dine ere he goes away. Piers says he has no geese or pigs, only cheese, curds, 250. Keep And kep THU. TEMPERANCE STARVES THE DOCTORS, [PASS. VII. Reep sum til Soper tyme And [sit] pou not to Longe, A-Rys vp ar appetyt habbe I-3eten his Fulle. * Let not sir Surfet sitten at pi Bord; 252 Loue him not, for he is a lechour and likerous of Tonge, And aftur mony Metes his Mawe is a-longet. And 3if pou digete pe pus I dar legge bope myn Eres, pat Fisyk schal his Forred hod for his [foode] sulle, And eke his cloke of Calabre with knappes of Gold, And beo Fayn, be my Feip his Fisyk to lete, 258 And leorne to labre wip lond leste lyflode Faile; per bedp molyzers pen leches vr lord hem amende pei don men dygen poru; heor drinke er destenye wolde.” “T)I seint Poul I’’ quod pers “peos beop prophitable wOrdes | 262 pis is a loueli lesson vr lord hit pe for-3elde Wend nou whon pi wille is . Wel be beo for euere !” “I bed-hote be,” quod hungur “heonnes nul I wende Er I haue I-dynet bipis day and I-dronke bope.” * “I haue no peny,” quod pers “Poletes to bugge, Nouper gees negrys bote twey grene cheeses, 268 And a fewe Cruddes and Craym ' and a perf Cake, - sum] 258. U om. Fayn—my] fulfayn in H. som-what U. [sit TU) V and H have faste, nihich is clearly wrong. pow] THU om. to] U om, 251. vp] U om. habbe I-3eten] hab eten T; haue eten HU. Fulle] fille TEIU. 253, Louel Leue TU. 254. 'mony] many maner of T ; many maner U. a-longet] alongid TU is a-longet] H om. 255. digete] diete U; vsest H. legge—Eres] ley myn armes T.; leye my lyf H; leyn myn eres U. * 256. [foode. THUJ W has lyflode, which spoils the metre ; see 1. 259. 257. his—of] his cloke wib T; his clokis of H; be clokis of U. mith knappes] & be knoppis TU ; , & his coppis H, 259. lond] hondes U. lyflode] liflode hym. TU ; his lyuelode H. - 260, beop—ly;ers] arn molligeris TU ; ne beb nor more losels H. vr lord] oure lord H.; lord T; god U.” 261, borus] with U. drinkel drynkes T. molde] it wolde TU. 262. Poul] pernel TH. pers] perkyn U. bedb] arn TU. 263. vr lord] lord T; crist U. H om. 264. now] H om. ovel—bed] bat wel be bou T; pat wel be be U. forl THU 077). 265. bed-hotel hote U. be] god T. 267. I hauel & y naue H. peny] penyes U. Poletes] pulettis T; pulty U. to] with to U. * 269. And] T om. a-Cake] non hit] -: PAss. VII.] § * Ø ... / /. } % * * **) ". A5. | cº And a lof of Benes and Bren I-Bake for my Children. *| And I sigge, bi my soule ‘ I haue no salt Bacon, Ne no Cokeneyes, bi Crist Colopus to maken. * Bot I haue porettes and percyl plontes HOW THE POOR. APPEASED HUNGER. 89 Cream, an oat- cake, and a loaf of beans and bran, 272 and moni Col- also leeks, parsley, and cabbages, And eke a Cou, and a Calf and a Cart-Mare To drawe a-feld my donge Whil pe drouhpe lastep. *I Bipis lyflode I mot lyuen til lammasse tyme; 276 which must last out till harvest. Bi pat, Ich hope forte haue heruest in my Croft; penne may I dihte pi dyner as pe deore lykep.” * Al be pore peple pese-coddes fetten, Bake Benes in Bred pei brouhten in heor lappes, 280 Chibolles, Cheef mete and ripe chiries monye, - The poor people brought peascods, beans, and cherries to feed Hunger. And proferde pers pis present to plese with hungur. * Honger eet pis in haste and asked aftur more. penne pis folk for fere fetten him monye Poretes, and Peosen for pei him plese wolden; From pat tyme pat pulke weore eten take he schulde his leue Hunger wanted more, and they brought peas and leeks, 284 to keep him away till harvest. Til hit to heruest higede pat newe corn com to chep- ynge. oper cake T ; an hauir cake U ; two Jhauere cakis H. 270. And] Tom. And—Bren] al of benys & of bran H. 271. And] And 3it U. have] naue BI. 272. cokeneyes] cokenay T; cokeney |U. colopus) colopis T : colhoppis H.; colopes with U. 273. porettes—percyl] persile & poret T ; persil, porrette U; persely & poretis H. col-J cole-T; caul- H. 274. eke] H om. 275. afeld my] on feld my T; on felde U ; a-feld be H. -- 276—278. U omits. 276. mot] most H. 278. penne] And panne T. 279. fetten] bei fetten HU. 280. H reads, benys & bacoun wip hem bei brougten. Bake—bred] Benes & blake (sic) applis T ; Benys and 287 baken apples U. lappes] lappe T. 281. Inserted by H after 284. Chibolles] chibollis T : chibols H ; chybolys U. Cheef metel & chirinellis T; chernelys U; chesteyns H. ripel riche T. momyel also H. - 282, proferde] offriden H. bis] a T. mith] perewip TU. 283. Honger] And hungir T. eet bis] hente bis T; eet hit H ; ete alpis U. 284. penne bis] & be H. fere] ferd H. - 285. T omits. H reads, Poretis & peris applis & plowmes; U reads, Grene porret and pesen to poysen him bei bougte. 286. THU omit. 287. Be bat it neigide ner herues newe corn com to chepynge (towne U) TU; by bat it neiged heruest, bat newe corn riped H. 90 Eut in harvest- time they fed Hunger plentifully, WELL-FED LABOURERS STRIKE FOR WAGES. [PASS. VII. pº was pat folk fayn and fedde hunger 3eorne With good Ale, and glotonye and gart him to slepe, And po nolde pe wastor worche but wandren aboute, Ne no Beggere eten Bred pat Benes Inne coome, [f. 399 b. col. 2.] and beggars would out only the finest bread. Bote Coket and Cler Matin an of clene whete; 292 Ne non halfpeny Ale In none wyse drynke, Bote of pe Beste and be Brouneste pat Brewesters T Laborers pat haue no lond to liuen on Bote heore. 296 Mai no peny Ale hem paye ne no pece of Bacun, Bote hit webre Fresch Flesch - or elles Fisch I-Friget, Bope chaud and pluschaud for chele of hedre Mawe. * Bote he beo heihliche I-huret elles wol he chide, Sullen. Labourers were - dainty, , honden, Deyne not to dyne a day niht-olde wortes. and wanted fresh flesh and fried fish, and grumbled about wages, pat he was werkmon I-wrougt warie be tyme, 301 And Corse 3erne be kyng" and al his Counseil aftur, Suche lawes to loke laborers to chaste. except when hungry. chyde, | Ac while hunger was Mayster heer wolde per non 304 Ne striue ageyn pe statues so steorneliche he lokede. 288. nas] were H. pat] THU omit. 3eorne] with be beste TU; fast H. 289. and gart] he gart T ; & made H ; bei dyden U. 290. molde—mastor] nolde wastour not T ; wolde wastour not H ; wolde no wastours U. mandren] wandrite T ; wandriden U ; wandrid H. 291. Beggere] lengere U. eten] ete no U. Inne coome] comen ynne U. 292. andj or TU. an] or TU ; & H. - 293, 294. H omits. 293. none] no T. 294, and be] and of U. 295. haue] hadde U. to—honden] but lyue on here handis T ; but lyue by hemsilue H ; to lyue by but here handes U. 296. Deynel Deynep T; Deygned U. mot] H om. dyne—day] dynen wib U. 298. hit neore] 3if it be T; it be UH. Fresch] rostid U. elles] Tom.; fresch H. - 299. Bobel And TU. chele] chil. lyng THU. heare mane] his mawe T; here mawes H ; here chekys U. 300. H reads, but bei, be higely y-huyred, ellis wollen bei chide. The] 3if he T. heihliche] lyliche U(wrong). 301–304. U omits. 301. he was] bei were H. In rougt] bycome H. 302. Corse 3ernel banne curse T; curse H. his] be T. 303. chaste] chastise T. 304. mayster heer] here maister T per non] pei not H. 305. statues] statut T; statutes UH, 4 - U V Zºº, Pass. VII.] A PROPHECY OF FAMINE. 91 I warne 30u, alle werk-men winnep while 3e mowe, Awarning to Hunger hiderward ageyn higep him 3eorne. T He wole a-wake porw watur pe wastours alle, Er Fyue 3er ben folfult such Famyn Schal a-Ryse Workmen, 307 and a prophecy of famine. porw Flodes and foul weder Fruites schul fayle; And so seip [Saturne] and sent vs to warne. U reads, And stryue agens be statutes' and sternely loken. 306. allel THU omit. werchep H. . 307. Hunger] For hungir THU. ažeyn] THU om. higép–3eorne] hastip hym faste T'; hastip ful fast H; hyeth hym faste U. 308. mole—natur] shal awake bis water T; wol wade pur; watris H; minneb) 3II schal awake 3our wele U. be] his U.; TH om. allé] to chaste THU. 309. f.yue] fewe H. Schalj wol H. 310. flodes] flood T; tempestes U. andl oper poru; T. meder] wederis TU. fruites] flodis U. fayle] falle TU. 311. [Saturne] satourne T; saturne HU; W has Saturnes. sent vs] sente 3ow T; sende 3ow H; sendith 30w U. 92 TRUTH SENDS PIERS A BULL OF PARDON, [PASS. VIII. PASSUS VIII. [Passus Octauus de Visione, vi prius.] Truth bids Piers labour before the famine comes, Reupe herde telle her-of ' And to Pers sende, To taken his teeme and tilyen peeorpe ; And purchasede him a pardoun A pena et a culpa For him, and for his heires euer more aftur. 4 And bad holden hem at hom and heren heore ley3es, and promises pardon to all who help him to work. Just kings and knights pass lightly through purgatory. And al pat euere hulpen him to heren or to sowen, Or eny maner mester pat mihte Pers helpen, Part in pat pardoun pe Pope hap I-graunted. 8 * Kynges and knihtes' pat kepen holi churche, And Rihtfuliche Rulen be Reame and be peple, Han pardoun porw Purgatorie to passen ful sone, Wip patriarkes in paradys to pleyen per-aftur. 12 Bishops who observe the commandments, Title ; from T. Also called P. Octavus in HUD. 2. tilyen—eorbel his erbe tilien T. 3. purchasede] purchace TH ; pur- chasen U. al U om. 4. for his] his U. euer] for euere T. aftur beraftir U. - 5. holden hem] hym holde hym THU. heare le/3es] his laizes TU; here leies H. 6. al] bo T. euere] THU om. Jim] Tom. orj & H. 7. or eny] & alle H. maner] maner of T. mester] myster men H. milite Pers] piers myghte U. * Busschops pat blessen and bope be lawes cunnen, Lokep on pat on lawe and lerep men pat oper, 8. in) of H. bat] be T. Igraunted] hem grauntid TU. 9. kepen] helpen U. 10. Rihtfullichel rewfulliche (!) T. oulen—bel in reaum rewlip be T; in here rewme rewlen here U; reulen be rewmes & be H. 11. ful] wel TU. 12. ployen) pleyen hem U. 13. be] TU om. cunnen] kenne TU ; knowen H. 14. bat onj pat o T; be to U. lereb] lere T; leren H.; lerne U. bat oper] be tothir U. Aff 4 * * * tº + 3 -- ( ; }: ? . *3-ry A} *.* = 2 PASS, VIII.] TRADESMEN ARE TO MEND THEIR WAYS. And berep hem bobe on hedre bac as heore baner schewep, And prechep heore persouns pe peril of sunne, Hou heare schabbede schep schal heare wolle saue, Han Pardoun with pe Apostles whon peipassen hennes, And atte day of dom with hem on deis setten. * Marchauſn]s in bis Margin hedden mony 3eres, 20 Bote non A pena et a culpa pe pope noldehem graunte, For pei holdep not heore haly-day as holy churche techep, And for bei sworen bi heare soule —“so God hem moste helpe l’— A3eyn heore clene Concience heore catel to sulle. 24 Bºº vndur his secre seal Treupe sende a lettre, And Bad hem Bugge Boldely what hem best lykede, And seppen sullen hit a-3eyn And saue pewynnynge, And make Meson dew per-with Meseyse to helpe, 28 And wikkede wones wihtly to amende ; * Beete Brugges a-Boute patto-Broke were, Marie Maydens or Maken hem. Nonnes; T Pore widewes pat wolde bed none wyues aftur, 32 Fynde suche heore foode for Godes loue of heuene ; 16 93 and preach to their parsons the peril of sin, sit with the Apostles at doomsday. Merchants have not plenary pardon, because they keep not holidays and SWe:AI’s Truth bade them trade fairly and build hospitals, repair broken bridges, and dower maidens, 15. baner schenweb.] dedis shewyn H. 16. persouns] paryschens U. 17, heore] bat TU; bat here H. schabbede] shabbide TH; scabbide U. schall schulde H. 19. And atte] And at be T; On pe U; at be H. mith—deis] at here deis to TU ; on hige deis to H. 20, bis] be THU. mony 3ares]3eris many H. 21. nolde hem] wolde hym T.; wolde U. 22. holdeb) helde T. Jeore haly- day] here haly-dayes TH; be haly- day U. 23. Sivoren] swere THU. Soule] soulis H. sol & so T. hem mostel muste hem TU ; shulde hem H. 24. heare] THU om. catelj ware U. 25. Sende] sente hym T.; sente U. 26, hem (I) hym] T. Rem best] bat hym T. lykedel likep TU. 27. U omits. 28. make] be U (myrong). meson deul mesonis deux T; mesoun dieux H. meseyse] myseises T; mesels H; pe myseyse U. 29. U reads, Wightliche wikkide weyes for to don amende. Amd— womes] Wykkide weyes T : & also wicked weies H. - 30. U omits. Beete Brugges] And bynde brugges T : & bigge brigges H. 31. Marie] & marien H. orj also & T; or ellis H. nonnes] wyues U. 32. Wydewis bat wiln not be wyues • helpe hem per aftir T ; bat pore wydewes wol ben and none wyues aftir U. mone] no more H. . 33. Godes] oure lordis THU. 94 and assist widows and poor scholars. THE LAWYERS GET LEAST PARDON. [PASS. VIII. T Sette scolers to scole or to sum oper craft, Rule Religion and Rente hem Betere; - “And I Schal sende ow my-self seint Mihel myn Aungel, 36 bat no deuel Schal 30u dere whon 3e dye schulle, Then they would reach heaven. pat I ne schal sende 3or soules saaf in-to heuene, .* And bi-foren he Face of my Fador fourmen or seeles. Vsure And Auarice and opes I defende, 40 pat no gile go with ou Bote be grace of treube.” Then the merchants wept for joy, and rewarded William for copying the bull. p onk. Lawyers had least pardon; for they take bribes. bº were Marchaundes Murie pei wopen for Ioye, And 3eeuen wille for his writynge wollene clopes; For he Copiede pusheore Cause pei couden him gret 44 Men of lawe hedden lest for hed beop [lop To mote for mene men but 3if pei hadde money; So seippe Sauter and sapience bope, Super Innocentes munera non Accipiunt. A Regibus Ps. xiv. 5 (Vulg.) ſet principibus erit merces (eorum).] Of ſprinces] and Prelatus heor pencion schulde aryse, And of pe pore peple no peneworp to take. 34. Sette] & sett HU. to—craft] summe skynes craftis T; to somme kynne crafte U. 35. Rule] Releue T; Reule wel U; & releue H. Religion] religiouse HU. Rente—betere] rede hem be beste U. 36. on 3ow UH; Tom. myself] selue U. Mihel] Michel TU; my;hel H. 37, whom—schulle], dige whan 3e dige TU; when 3e bep dede H. 38. bat IJ for I H; bat he U. ne] H om. 30r soules] his soule T. saaf into] sauely to H. 39. And] H om. be—Fader] my fadir face U. fourmen—seetes] frely ow sette H. 40. Il y 30u H. 41. grace of I graib T.; grete HU. 42. bei ºvopen] many wepe T; & wepten H ; and wepyn U. 43, 3eeuen] 3af TH. wille] william H. nollene] wel newe H. 44. For] And for T, he copiede] 49 to copie H. hoore cause] here clause TU; bis clause H. bei—bonk] bei 3eue hymgret mede T; bei coupe hym gret bank H.; cowde hym gret mede U. 45. Men] And men U. hedden, lest] were laſt oute H ; bei haddyn lest U. hed—lob] lewid bei ben alle T; bey bep lob H.; lettrid bei ben alle U; heo beob lettred alle W. 46. This line, and the nord lob pre- ceding, are from H. The other MSS. omit it, and are hardly intelligible. 47. Soj For so T; as H.; And so U. seip] in H follows sauter. and J & be H. Innocentes] innocentem TU. Accipiunt] accipies TU. Regibus] W has Regibus, &c.; T has donym to principibus; U donºn to erit; eorum I have supplied. H quotes loosely. 48. [princes THUJ W has Parisches (wrong). 49. be] no TU. penenorbl peny- worp HU; peny T. º, sº - * + \, /// * } PASS, VIII.] HUMBLE LABOURERS GET MOST PARDON. | Ac he pat spendep his speche and spekep for pe pore - pat is Innocent and neodi and no mon hap apeyret, Cumfortep him in his caas' Coueitep not his goodes, 52 Bote for vr lordes loue lawe for him schewep, Schal no deuel at his dep-day deren him worp a Myte, pat he ne worp siker Saaf and so seip pe psauter, [Qui facit hec, non mouebitur in eternum.] . T Ac to bugge water, ne wynt . [ne] wit, (is be pridde), Nolde neuer holy writ God wot be sope 57 T peos preo for pralles beo priuen a-mong vs alle, To waxen or to wonien wheper God lykep. His pardoun. In purgatorie ' is petit, I trouwe, 60 Joat eny Meede of mene Men for Motynge receyuep. * 3e Legistres and lawyers 3e witen wher Ilyge; Seppe 3e seon pat hit is so seruep to pe Beste. Lº Laborers pat libben bi heore hondes, bat treuliche taken and treuliche tipen, And liuen in loue and in lawe for hedre lowe hertes, 64 Hedde pe same Absolucion pat sent was to pers. * Bidders and Beggers - Beop not in be Bulle, 68 Bote pe suggestion be sop pat Schapep hem to Begge. 95 But he that pleads the cause of the poor— no devil shall harm him at his death-day. Ps. xiv. 5 (Vulg. Water, air, and wit ought never to be bought, being servants common to all IOleIl. [fol. 400 a. col. 1.] Ye lawyers, serve men well. Labourers that are true, loving, and meek had the Same pardon as Piers. Beggars are not pardoned if they feign. 50. Ac] For U; but H. pore] pore peple U. 51. bat—neodil Also for an Inno- cent H ; bat innocentis ben and nedy U. and bat HU. hap apeyret] apeirip TH; hem apeire U. 52. him] hem U. his caas] bat cas TH; bat caas U. his] here HU. 53. lowe] loue of heuen H. hem HU. 54. norb] TU omit. 55. Siker Saaf) saufe sykirly T; sikerly sauf U. [Qui, &c.] In H only. him] 56. ne nynt] ne wynd T; or wind H; wynd U. [me] Supplied from T; or H.; W om. U reads, Ac to bigge water, wynd or wit is ydel, y rede (nhich gives the sense). 57. Wolde] Ne wolde THU. writ] cherche U. lyuynge HU. 58. briuen] prowe T; throwen U; y-3euen H. among] H om. 59. or—monien] & wanyen T; or to wanye H ; and wanym U. mykeper] where bat TU ; wheper pat H. 60, is petit] ful litel is H ; wel litel is TU. 62. lanyers] lawisteris T. 3e] T om. niher] gif TU. 63. bat—so it is bus TU. seruebl sewip T; sueth U. 64. Libbindel Alle libbyng T; Alle libben] lyuen THU. 65. tipen] wynnen THU. 66. hertes] herte TU. 67. Hedde] shul haue H. same] H om. Sent—pers] was sent to pers plowman U. - 68. and ne U. be] bat U. 69. Bote] But 3if TU. pe—sobe] 96 SHAM BEGGARS AND TRUE ONES. [PASS. VIII. |For he pat beggep or biddep bote he habbe neode, He is Fals with pe Fend and defraudeb be neodi, And eke gyleppe 3iuere al ageyn his wille. 72 Such are loveless and lawless, and Seducers of WOIOleIl. pei libben [not in loue ne] no lawe holden ; pei weddeb no wommon pat bei with delep; Bote as [wilde] Beestes, [wip] wo worchep to-gedere, And bringep for Barnes bat Bastardog boon holdon. Some break a bone, and beg ever after. They are always meeting with accidents. * Or his Bac, or his Bon heo brekeh inheore 3oupe, 77 And gop, Faytep with heore Fauſn]tes euer-more after. ber ben mo mis-happes amongus hem 'hose takep heede, pen of alle opure men pat on Molde wandren. 80 bei pat lyuen pusheore lyf mouwe lobe be tyme, bat euere pei weore Men I-wrougt whon bei schul henne fare. But the old and feeble, women with child, blind and maimed, that are meek, Bºº olde Men and hore pat helples beop of strengpe, And Wymmen with childe pat worchen ne mowen, Blynde and Bedreden And Broken heare membres, 85 pat taken Meschef Mekeliche as Meseles or opere, Han as pleyn pardoun as pe plouh-mon him-seluen ; have their purgatory on earth. graunted here destenye be so U. bat—Begge] pat bei fore begge T.H. 70. biddeb bit T; byt U. habbe] til he haue H. 71, with] as U. defraudeb] kilip T. 72. eke] Tom. 3iuere] kende U. al —his] ageyns his TH; ageyn godis U. 73. [mot—me UT] not in loue bat H; V has (by mistake) in no lawe bat. 74. meddeb—nvommon] me wedde no womman T; wedde none wyues U. 75. [milde—wo.] wilde bestis wip wehe T ; wilde bestis wip woo H; wilde bestes bat wib wo U; W reads, Beestes bat wo; but me should insert wilde and wip (THU); and omit pat bote— (not in TH). Ovorchop] & worp vp T; worpen. H; wurchen vp U. 76. Barnes] children U. Bas- tardes] bois T. 77. or his] oper here H. his bon] For [loue of] heare lowe hertes vr lord hap hem 88 here boonys H. heore] his TU. 78. gobj gon & TH; U om. fautes V (nºrongly)] fauntis THU. euer] for euere T. 79. mishappes] mysshapen TU. 80. of opurel of alle oper maner T; of alle manere H ; oper maner of U. on moldel on pis molde T; in pis World U. 81. lobel curse U. 82. pei—neore] he was TU. bei] he TU. 83. 3 hore] trewly U. 85. blynde] Blynde men U. bedre- den] blereyed U. heare] of here H.; pe U. 86. bat] & po bat H. meschef] his meschiefe T; meschefs H. or opere] & opere T; oper ellis H.; & siche opere U. 88. [loue of THUJ W omits. hertes] ... .". f , - # &- ſ/ * . /| W ... trºl * > PASS, VIII.] THE PRIEST ASKS TO SEE THE PARDON. Heore penaunce and heare purgatorie is her vppon eorpe. * “Pers,” quod a prest po “pi pardon most I reden, For I wol construe veh a clause and knowen hit in Englisch.” * And Pers at his preyere be pardon vnfoldep, And I bi-hynden hem bobe bi-heold al be Bulle. In two lynes hit lay and not a lettre more, And was I-writen riht bus . In witnesse of treube: *| Et qui bona egerunt, Ibunt in vitam eternam; Qui vero mala, in ignem eternum. & 4 Pº !” quod pe preost po “Icon no pardoun fynde, Bote dowel, and haue wel and god Schal haue pi 97 92 Soule, And do vuel, and haue vuel hope pou non opur, pat aftur pi dep day to helle schaltou wende!” * And Pers, for puire teone pollede hit a-sonder, 100 [& Sippe he seide to hem pese semely sawis, “S. Ambulauero in medio vmbre mortis, non timebo [mala, quoniam tu mécum es.] * Ischalsese of my sowynge,” quod pers “and swynke not so harde, Ne aboute my lyflode so bisy bed no more Of preyere and of penaunce my plouh schal ben her- 97 A priest asks to See Piers’ pardon. Piers shows it ; it had but two lines, quoted from Mat. XXV. 46. The priest says it is no pardon at all. Piers, for pure vexation, tears it asunder, quoting Ps. xxii. 4 (Vulg.). Piers says he shall give himself aftur 104 herte TU. vr lord] oure lord TH; 96. pol HU om. bat god U. 89. Heore] be H. and heare] of here H. is—vppon] upon bis pur TU ; here vpon H. 90. bol Tom. 91. For—ovol] For I shal T; & H. vch a] it iche T; it euery HU. knomen hit] kenne it be TU; vndo it H. 92. vnfoldeb] vnfeld H. 93. II U om. biheold] he hylde U. in ignem eternum.J H om. OBs. H inserts this quotation after l. 98. 94. not a no H. 98. hope pow] & hope bou T'; & hope to H. 99. Schaltou] ne shalt bou T'; pou schalt U; shalt pou H. 100. And] bo H. puire] Tom. 101. In H only ; in place of it, VTU have and seide, at end of l. 100. [mala—es] From T; W has m. q. t. m. es; U has mala, &c.; H ends at mortis, and inserts the quotation after 1. 103. 102. quod pers] HU om. more H. & 104. preyere] preieres UTH, H om. 'not] no of] 98 THE PRIEST AND PIERS DISPUTE. up to prayer and penance. “David ate his bread with weeping, Ps. xli. 4 (Vulg.) [PASS. VIII. And bi-loure pat I beo-louh er my lyffayle. T be ſprophete his paymeet]. In penaunce and wepyng; As pe psauter vs seip so dude moni opere, bat louep God lelly his lyflode is wel muche : Fuerunt michi lacrime mee panes, die ac mocłe. 108 " And bote [3if luke] ly;e he lerep vs a-nober; bat to bisi we ne schulde beo her vppon eorpe, While we wonep in pis world to make vs wombe Ioye. Mat. vi. 25. * Ne Solicit sitis he seip in his godspel, I 12 And schewep hit by ensaumple vr soules to wisse. Who feeds the birds in winter? they have no garner.” winter 7 Whon be Forst fresep foode hem bi-houep; *I be Foules in be Firmament . [who ſynt] hem in 115 Haue pei no gerner to go to 3it God fynthem Alle.” The priest asks Piers who taught him all this. pinkep, C & hat ?” quod pe prest to Perkyn “peter as me pow art lettret a luyte holered pe on Boke?” “Abstinence and Conscience,” he replies. “Abstinence pe Abbesse myn A-b-ce me tau;te, And Concience com aftur and [kennide] me betere.” 119 * “Weore pou a prest,” quod he “pou mihtest preche, whon pe luste, 105. biloure] lowren U; by-loure H. beolouh] lou; T; by-lou; H ; er by- lowheu. er—liſſ] bei; liflode me TU; or lyuelode me H. 106. Thus in U (cf. quot. be- lony); other MSS. myrong ; ºve find be prophetes peyneden hem V ; pe prophet his peyned T; per is profyt in peyne H. and & in THU. 107. As] By bat UTH. seip] techith U. so dude] & so dede T; & dop H. 108. lelly] wel U: his] H om. ovel muche] pe more T ; myche H. 109. [3;f luke UT; luk H] be Bok V. Zerep) lernep HU. anober] mon oper H. 110, 111. bat we ne schuln nougt be besy aboute be bely ioye T.; he biddep vs we shuld not here be to besy In no maner wise aboute oure wombe ioije II; By fowles he vs techith bat we schulde besy ben For to make wombe ioye in bis wonynge here U. 112, in) it in T. he—godspel] H omits, 113. hit byl it vs be T; vs by U; vs by an H. vr sowles] oure selue T; vs selue U. 114. [who fynt THUJ heo feedep V (see 1. 116). • 115. forst] frost THU. 116. Haue bei] bei haue U. gerner] berne U. to go to] berto T; greip H. 3ff) but THU. 118. lettret] lernid T. luyte] litel THU, lered] lernide THU. onlin H. 116. After Abbesse H inserts quod he. A-b-ce] a.b.c THU. 120, aftur aftirward U. [kennide TU] taugte VH. betere] mochemore U. 121. prest] prest, piers TU. lustel likip T; liked HU. } ºff - PASS. VIII.] Quoniam literaturam non cognou? | 7, Teeme “Lewede lorel !” quod he “luite lokestou on pe Bible, On Salamones sawes [seldom] pou bi-holdest : ...~~- * * * [slynge awey bese scorners, he seip wip here shrewid fliting, THE DREAMER AWAKES. 99 “You should take Ps. lxx. 15 [Vulg.] for your text,” says the priest. mihte be [by] 124 ... . “I refer you to Prov. xxii. 10,” quoth Piers. for wip hem redely y kepe not to rest ;] . ... - “** * * [Effice] derisores et Iurgia cum eis, [ne crescant].” | be Prest and Perkin po Apposeden eiper oper, And porw hedre wordes I a-wok and [waitide] a- boute They disputed so, that I awoke. I28 And sauh he sonne sitte soup euene pat tyme Meteles and Moneyeles on Maluerne hulles, [Musyng] on pis Meeteles . A myle wei Ich 3eode. Mony tyme pis Metels han made me to studie 132 Wandering over Malvern hills, I, mused on this dream. For pers loue, pe plouh-mon ful pensyf in myn herte; For pat I sauh slepynge 3if hit so be mihte. * Bote Catoun construwep hit may 'An Canonistres bope, And siggen bi hem-seluen Sompnia ne cures. Cato (Dist. ii. 31) bids us despise dreams. 136 Ac for pe Bible berep witnesse hou 122. H reads, For pou knowist no lettrure mi;t be by teme, and them adds the Latin, mihtel pat mişte TU. [by HTU] W nºrongly has my. 123. lore!] losel H. hel peris T. luite] litel THU. lokestow] lokest bou THU. 124. [seldom Ujluitel V; litel TH; but the alteration is clearly right. 125, 126. In H only. [Effice] Ecce WTHU (all myrong). Iurgia] uirga or iurga U; virga. H. [ne crescant] So in TU ; nunc crescunt V ; non quies- cam H. 127. be] And be T; bus be U. pol THU om. po-oper] eiper apposid oper U. 128. [waitide THU) lokede W. . 129, sitte—tymel euene soup sitte bat tyme TU ; bat tyme sitte euen soup H. 130, and moneyeles] on merueilles (!) T. 131. [Musyng THUI Mony elynge V. Meeteles] metelis T; matere U ; meting H. meil weies U. 132. metels] meting H; metelis T. han] hap HU. 133. For] And for THU. pers] peris his H. loue be] lyf U. ful] wel T; U om. pensſf] pitously U. myn] THU omn. 134, 3if] if bat U. 135. Gonstrumeb) construed U. may] Tom. canonistres] catonistris U. 136. The readings are, Sompnia ne cures T.; And by hem selue Sompnia me cures (sic) U; Sompnia ne cures nam mens est humana quod (?) optat, & Seip pat we shulde charge no sweuenys H. 137—139. W is here misdivided, and omits part of l. 139, having for it only pat Nabugodonosor hette. 7 * 100 THE DREAMS OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR AND JOSEPH. [PASS, VIII. [fol. 400 a. ool. 2.) Daniel deuymede pe Dremels of a kyng, Yet Daniel interpreted that of Nebuchadnezzar (Belshazzar), clayme; Among lower lordes which turned out As Daniel diuinede hit fel in dede after, quite true. Daniel seide, “Sir kyng pi sweuene is to mene, pat Nabugodonosor [nempne pese clerkes.] 140 pat vnkoupe knihtes Schul come pi king]dam to pi lond schal be departet.” 143 pe kyng laste his lordschupe and lassemen hit hadden. Joseph too had a And Ioseph Mette Metels ful Meruilous alse, dream, How pe sonne and pe Mone and enleuene sterres which his father interpreted, Falden bi-fore his Feet and heileden him alle. 147 * “Beu fiz, quod his Fader for defaute we schulle, I my-self, and my somes Seche pe for neode.” and so it came to Hit fel as be Fader seide . In Pharaones tyme, pass. per Ioseph was Iustise Egipte to kepen. Wherefore I offen T Alpis makep me on Metels to penken mused upon Piers and the priest, 152 Mony tyme at Midniht whon [men] schulde slepe, On Perspe plouh-mon and whuch a pardoun he hedde, And hou pe preost inpugnede hit albi pure Resoun, and concluded that Do-Well And diuinede pat Dowel Indulgence passede, 156 Bienals and Trienals and Busschopes lettres 137. After how U has daniel be prophete. H reads, but daniel dampnep it, & be bible bope (!) 138. Daniel] Dauid T. deuynede] demide T dremels] drem T; dremys U. kyng] kyng onys U. H has, & berip witnes per of a kingis dremyng. 139. pat] H om. [nempne—clerkes] from U; also in T; bese clerkis hym nempnep H. 141. vnkoupe knihtes] an vnkynde knigt T; vncouthe kynges U. king- dam] kindam V ; kingdom THU. 142. loner] lewide T. lond] londis THU. 143. diuinede] demide T; deuysed H. hit—dedej in dede it fel T ; in dede it byfel UH. 144. kyng] lord U. laste] les T : lost HU. lordschupe lond H. lasse] lesse T ; false U. men hadden] lordis hadden it H. OBS. H ends here. - 145, 6, 7. In T and U only two lines. And Iosep mette merueillously how be mone & be sonne And be en- leuene sterris halsiden hym alle T'; And Ioseph mette merueilousliche how be mone & be sonne And seuene sterres hailsede hym al abowtyn U. 150, fel] befel TU. be] his TU. 151. per] bat TU. Egipte] al egipte U. 152, 153. Transposed in U. 152, me] me mochil U. 153. Mony tyme] Manye tymes T. [men] T; VU have I. 154. and—al whiche a T ; & whiche a U. hedde] hauip T. 155. bi pure] before T. 156. diuinede] he leuide T. pas- sede] passip T. ** * * -? * , t & *. º A. ** * &:º ſ PASS. VIII.] ropes' PARDONS ARE UNSAFE TO TRUST TO. Dowel on Domesday Is digneliche I-preiset, 101 surpassed indulgences. He passepal be pardouns of seint Petrus churche. Nºw happe pope pouwer pardoun to graunte, pe peple with-oute penaunce to passe to Ioye. 160 The pope, I fully believe, can grant pardon. pis is a lef of vre bileeue as lettret men vs techep, Quodcunque ligaueris Super terram, erit ligatum et in cells. Mat. xvi. 19. And so bileeue I lelly (vr lord forbeode hit elles') 163 pat pardoun and penaunce and preyers don sauen Soules pathan sunget seuen sipes dedlich. * Bote trustene to Trienals treuly me pinkep Is not so syker for pe Soule sertes, as do-wel. But to trust to Triennials is very unsafe. 167 * For-pi I rede 3ow Renkes pat Riche ben on eorpe, Wppon trust of oure tresour Trienals to haue, Beo 3e neuer pe Baldore to Breke pe ten hestes; *| And nomeliche, 3e Meires and 3e Maister Iuges, pat han pe welpe of pis world holden, Ye mayors, and wealthy judges, for wyse men ben who purchase pardons, 172 To purchasen pardoun and pe popes Bulles. At pe dredful day of dom per dede schullen a-rysen, And comen alle bi-fore crist and a-Countes 3elden, How pou laddest pi lyf and his lawe keptest, . 158. on Domesday] at be day of dome TU. digneliche] ferforbliche U. J-preiset] vindirfongen TU. 159. pardowns] pardoun TU. of J at T. churche] chirche at rome U. OBS. U here inserts the Latin line, Quodcunque, &c.; see l. 162. 161. to—Joyel a pena & a culpa T. 162. a lef] be lif T ; a leef U. techebl shewip T. 163. 80–lelly] so I leue lelly T; y byleue it wel U. vr] TU omit. hit] T omits. 164. don sauen do salue T; to- gidres Mown saue U, (the last two nords being in 1. 165.) J65. sunget] ysynned T; synned U. 166. Bote—tol And to triste on pis T; Ac to traste on pese U. treuly] certes U. - when ye stand before Christ at doomsday, 176 167. Is] It is T. sertes] trewly U (see l. 166). as] as is TU. 168. Forbi—Renkes] perforey rede pat lordes U. 170. Beo 36] Be bou UT. 171. Meires—Iuges] maistris, as meiris & iuggis T; maistres, bat men Pat Jugge; holden U. 172. pat—for] bat han be world at wille & T; bei to haue welthe of bis world U. 173. T omits this line, U. 174, day—dom] dom day T. ber] whanne be T; whan U. 175. allel T omits. aCOuntes to TU. OBS. U omits to end of Passus, leav- ing a small blank space. 176. lyfj life here T. Tol For to and acountes] 102 GOD GIVE US GRACE TO DO WELL | [PASS. VIII. and yºur deeds What pou dudest daybi day be Doom be wol rehersen; are rehearsed; though you had a * A powheful of pardoun per with Prouincials lettres, sackful of auh OUI b € t w - ºn , e - Or provincial letters, }) p founden in Fraternite a mong pe foure - Ordres, . 179 1 win give little And habbe Indulgence I-doubled bote Dowel pe helpe, ...” Inolde 3eue for pi pardoun one pye hele ! help you ! Qrpi I coungeilo alle C, isleue to crie crist merci, And Marie his Moder to beo mene bi-twene, God give us grace pat God 3iue vs grace er we gon hennes, 184 º:ºb. Such werkes to worche while pat we ben here, wº * pat aftur vr dep day Dowel reherce, God’s will. pat atte day of dom we duden as he us hişte. [Ea.plicit hic visio willelmi de Petro de Plougman. Ecíam Incipit Vita de do-wel, do-bet, & do- best, secundum wyt & resoun.] 177, day—day] day T (by mistake). patent T. be nol] wile T. 182. to—orist] crije god T. 178, ponhe full pokeful T. with] 185. while pat] whiles T. ne be T. 187. atte] at pe T. us] T omits. 179. inj in be T. [Eaglicit, &c.] From T ; so also 180. I doubled] double-fold T. UH.D ; see Critical Notes and Preface. 181. nolde] newolde T. pardown] PASS. IX.] * PASSUS IX. proLogue. To “VITA DE Dowell." 103 §ntipit bit Joſuel, Jobet, alth ºoliest. * Uplus I-Robedin Russet Romed I a-boute Al a somer sesoun For to seche Dowel, Everywhere I wandered, to find Do-well. And [fraynide] ful ofte of [folk] pat I mette [3if any wist wiste where do-wel was at Inne, 4 And what man he mişte be of many man I askidel. Was neuer wiht as I wente pat me wisse coupe Wher pis ladde loggede Lasse ne more ; * Til hit fel on a Friday twei Freres I mette, 8 Maistres of pe Menours Men of grete wittes. None knew where he dwelt. One Friday, I met two Minorites, Ich heilede hem hendeli as Ich hedde I-leorned, And preiede hem, par Charite er pei [passede furre, and asked them to tell me where “3if pei [knewen any] Cuntre or Coostes a-boute 12 powen awaii. Wher pat Dowel dwellep do me to wisse.” * “Mari,” quod [be] Menour “A-mong vs he dwellep, times,” said one. Incipit hic, &c. This is the only title that occurs in W. The large initial p is omitted by mistake, and a blank space left for it. OBS. H2 is collated with the rest to the end of the volume. 1. Romed I] I rombide T; y romy al U; I rome H2. - 3. [fraynide TH, ; y frayned Ul askede V; see l. 5. [folk TUH.] Men W; see l. 5. 4, 5. From T.; also in UH, ; V omits. 5. hel it U. askidel frayned U. 6. rvente] wene TUH. 7. loggedel lengide TH, ; lengith U. “With us, at Lasse ne more] be lesse ne be more TH2. 8. fel] befel T.; byfel U ; befil H. 9. mittes] wyt T; witte UH, 10. heiledel hailside TU ; halside H2. 11, par] for U. [passede furre] furre passede V; passide ferbere TUH2. 12. [knerven any TI knewe ony U; knewen ony H2; V has knewe, omit- ting any. 13. dnvellebl dwellide THz. 14. V has a Menour; TH2 be maistris; U bese maistres; cf. ll. 22, 24. Among] at hom wip U; see l. 20. I04 “Nay,” said I, * even the righteous man sins Seven times a day, (Prov. xxiv. 16.) so he cannot always be with you.” “I’ll explain that about the righteous man,” said he. *Put a man in a boat in open sea, and the wagging of the boat will make him stumble, though he is safe. Yet if he neglects the helm, he will be upset by his own fault. [fol. 400 b. col. 1.] Even so on earth. 15. as TH, omit. V omits the Latin quotation ; 16. TUH, give it. 17. a day] on be day U; TH, omit. sungep] fallip TUH2. omit. 18, Iseide] I seige TH, ; he seip U. THE PARABLE OF THE WAGGING BOAT. [PASS. IX. And euer hap, as Ich hope and euer Schal her-after.” * “Contra,” quod I as a Clerk and comsede to dis- puite, 16 [“Sepcies in die caditiustus ;..] Seue sipes a day, Seip pe Bok sungep perihtful mon; And hose sungep,” I seide “certes, as me pinkep, pat Dowol and do vuele 1110 we not dwelle togedere. Ergo, he mis not alwey [at hom] among ow Freres, 20 He is or while elles-wher to wisse be peple.” * “I schal seie pe, my sone” - seide be Frere penne, “Hou Seuen sipes pesadde mon sungep in a day; Bi [a forebisene],” Seide pe frere “I schal pe feire schewe. 24 * Let bringe a Mon In A bot A-midde a Brod water, And pe wint and pe watur and pe waggyng of pe. Bot Makep pe Mon Mony tyme to stomble and to falle; (For stonde he neuere so stif he stumblep in pe wag- gyng); 28 And 3it he is saaf and sound and so him bi-houep ; For 3if he ne rise be raper and rauhte to pesteorne, pe wynt wolde with pe water pe. Bot ouer-prowe; per weore pe Monnes lyf I-lost porw [lachesse] of himselue. 32 Riht pus hit farep,” quod pe Frere “bi folk her on eorpe ; 24. [a forebisene TUH.] ensaumple seide) quod TUH2. 25. a Brod] the brode H2 26. And be ºvint] be wynd TUHz. mon.] TUHe waggyng—Bot] wawes eke H2. º: 27. pe—tyme] many tyme be man U. to—fallej to falle & to stande. V. as] TUH, omit. 19. pat] TH2 omit. 20. [at hom TH...] a tom V ; U omits ; see l. 14. 21. or ovhile] oper while THz; som tyme U. 22. Some] sawe U. Seidel seib U. 23. How seuen sithes on be day pe sadde man synnes U. TUH2. 29. and sound] U omits. 30. rise] arise TUH. and— steornel, & arist sterede TH, ; and raughte be stere U. 31. onterprone] ouertorne H2. 32. born) for TUH. [lachesse TUH.] sleube V. 33. hit. TH2 omit. & d f tº.9 §§ #T PASS. IX.] THE DOCTRINE OF FREE-WILL. *I be watur is liknct to be world bat woniep and waxep; pe goodes in pis world ben lyk pis grete wawes, Riht as wyndes and watres walewep aboute. 36 *I pe Bot is liknet to be Bodi" pat Brutel is of kuynde; And porw be fend and his Flesch and pe False world Sungep be sadde Mon seuen sipes in pe day. 39 * But dedly sunne dop he not for Dowel him helpep, pat is charite pe Champion cheef help ageyn sunne; For he strengpeppe to stonde he sturep pi soule, pat pau; pi bodi Bouwe as a Bot in pe Water, Euer is pi soule saaf . Bote 3if pi-self wolle. "I Folewe pi Flessches wil and pe fendes aftur, And do dedlich sunne and drenche pi-seluen, God wolsoffre pe dye so for [pi-self hast pe maistrie].” * “I haue no kynde knowyng,” quod I “to conceyue pi wordes, 48 But 3if I may liuen and loken I schal go lerne betere. I beo-take 3ou to crist pat on [be] Crois digede.” And jeiseiden pe same “God saue pe from mischaunce, And 3iue pe grace vppon grounde In good lyf to ende.” p". I wente wyden wher' Dowel to seche; 53 And as I wente bi a wode walkyng myn one, Blisse of pe Briddes made me to Abyde, 44 34, liknet] lyk U. moniebl wanip 105 The waves are this world’s fluctuating riches. The boat is the frail body. Yet the just man doth no deadly sin, and is safe. If thou do deadly, sin, thout art justly drowned.” * I Can’t follow that,” said I; “so farewell.” Again I wandered wide, seeking Do-well, and came to a grove, U omits. wolle] wilt TH, ; wolt U. T; wanyeth UH2. Also, U reads wax- eth and wanyeth. 35. in pis mºorld] of bis ground TUHz. ben—grete] arn lyk to be U. 36. Riht] That HAT; And U. ovale- web) wawen TH, ; waves U. 37. likmet] like TU ; liken H2. Brutel] britel TUH. 38. And] That H.TU. his] be TUH. 39. Sipes] tymes THz. inj on U. 41. pat] And bat THz. is] He om. age/n sunnel of alle U. 42. Agens synne for to synne he stireth be soule U (corruptly). sturebl & sterib TH2, 43. a Bot] bot dop TH, ; a boot dop Lſ. 44. Euer] Ay TUH, 3if] bouTH, ; he 45. fendes] feend U ; fende H. 46. bi-seluen] pi soule U. 47, dye sol to deige so THz; to dey U. biself—maistrie] so in TH, ; pou hast be maistry U; pou art pin owne Mayster V. 48. Quod I] U omits. 50. bootake—to belxenne pe [be TUH.,.] V omits. *. 51. God] TUH, omit. 52. vppon groundel on pis erpe TUH, 53. nyden ºvher] wyde where TH, ; wide whare U. 54. And] T omits. alone U. 55, to] TUH, omit. TUH. "myn one] me 106 THE DREAMER, AGAIN FALLS ASLEEP. [PASS. IX. and listened to the sweet birds’ And Vnder A Lynde, vppon A launde leonede I a lays. stounde, 56 For to leorne pe layes pat louely foules maden. Blisse of pe Briddes Brougten me a slepe; tºº 8, pe Meruiloste Meetynge Mette I me penne wondrous dream, pat euere dremede driht In drecchynge, I wene. 60 One like myself came, and called me by name, * A Muche Mon, Iſle puulile lyk Lo my-seluen, Com and clepede me be my kuynde nome. * “What art pou,” quod I “pat my nome knowest 7" “pat pow wost wel,” quod he “and no [wigt] betero.” “Wot I,” quod I, “ho art pou?”. [“thought,” seide he] penne, 65 “I haue suwed be pisseuen 3er sege [pou] me no rapere?” who said, he was Thought. “Thought,” said I, “tell me where is Do-well.” pridde * “Art pou bougt 7” quod I po Wher pat dowel dwellep do me to wisse?” * “Dowel,” quod he, “and Dobet “const pou me telle, 68. and Dobest pe Beop preo faire vertues and beop not fer to fynde. * Whoever is meek, mild, and true,” said he, Hº! is Meke of his Moup Mylde of his speche, Trewe of his tonge and of his two hondes, 72 And bi his labur or bi his lond his lyflode wynnep, And trusti of his taylende takep bote his owne, 56. leomede II lenide I me TH, ; y lened me U. 57. For to leorme] To lerne TH, ; To lithen U. pat] be U. foules] briddis TUH. 58. be] pise T. a slope] on slepe 2* 59. Il TUH, omit. 60. Pat euere dright in doute drempte, as I wene U. In drecchynge] in doute as TH2. 61. Muche] muchel TH. ; mykil U. 62. clepede] callide TUH. kuynde] kynde T; righte UHz. 63. III po TH2. 64. pom, most wost pou U; thou He (by mistake). ...[wixt TUH.] bodi V. 65. Here W is corrupt, having phougte I me seide I penne; T reads, bougt, I-Seide he banne; He has, thougt, seyde he than ; the reading given is from U ; see note. 66, sunsed] swyed U. pis] THz om. sexe] seige bou TH, ; Seye pou U; V omits pou. 67. Quod I boj po quod I TH2 ; bo, quod he U (nºrongly). const pow] bou coupest TH2 ; coudest pou U. 68. Wher bat] Where TUH. & do TH2. 70. fer] for THz (n'rongly). 71. Hol V has He, by mistake : Who-so TUHz. 72. Threne] Treuthe H2 (corruptly). 73. And—lond] And boru; his labour or his lond TII, ; And purw pe laboure of his handes U. 74. U omits. And] TII, omit. do] . . ] * ..? } Wºº º, ſº \\ o {- Aſ A. ‘Ā’i, / PASS. IX.] AN ACCOUNT OF DO-WEL, DO-BET, AND DO-BEST. 107 And is not dronkeleuh ne deymous Dowel him folewep. him Powell Dº doppus : bote he dop muche more ; He is as louh as a lomb louelich of speche; follows. Do-bet does even nore, and gives While he hap ou?t of his owne he helpep per neod is, tº he neºdy, and hath rendered the pe Bagges and pe Bi-gurdeles he hap broken hem alle Bible, pat pe Auerous hedde or eny of his heires; 80 And wip Mammonas moneye hap maked him frendes, And is Ronnen in-to Religiun And hap Rendret pe |Bible, And prechep pe peple • Seint poules wordes, Libenter sufferte. and preaches from the text, 2 Cor. xi. 19. "I ‘3e wyse, soffrep be vn-wyse’’ wip ow for to libbe, And with glad wille dop hem good for so god him- self hişte. Dº is a-boue bope And Berep A Busschopes cros, Is hoket atte ende to holden [hem] in good lyf. 85 Do-best is above both, and bears a bishop's crosier. A pyk is in pe ſpotent] ‘ to punge a-doun pe wikkede, J2at Wayten eny wikkednesse Dowel to teone. And as Dowel and Dobet duden hem to vnderstonde, pei han I-Corouned A kyng to kepen hem Alle, 89 Do-well and Do- bet have crowned a king, At 3if Dowel or Dobet dude ageyn Dobest, 92 [And were vnbuxum at his biddinge and bold to don ille], 75, is not nougt TH, de/nows— folencebl deignous of speche U (see 1. 77), omitting l. 76, and part of l. 77. 76. U omits, dop bus] bus dob TH. 78. Quºt] U omits. helpeb per] delith per moste U. 79. Bigurdeles] bygirdles U ; breigerdlis T : breiguſrjdelis H. broken hem] so in TUH, ; W has hem broken, which spoils the line. - 80. Pat be Erl Auerous hadde, o his eires TUH. 81. hap maked] he hap mad TH2 ; hap mad U. 82, into] to TH, 83.gufferte] so in TH2 ; U omits this qºrotation ; W is indistinct. 84. 36] The TH,. 85. glad] good U. god—higte] our lord highte U; god bit hym T.H. 86. bohe] hem bobe TUH. 87. atte] at bat on TH, ; at be ton U. [hem UJ him V; men TH, 88, in-potent] in bat potent TH, (but H2 omits in); in be potente U; V has in be ende, copied by mistake from 1. 87, punge] pynche U. 89, ºvayton] hauntep U. 90. duden hem] dede hem T; don hem H., ; dop him U. 91. AJ o T. 92. pat] And U. orj and TH2. 93. From T.; also in UH. 108 TIIE DREAMER WANTS TO LEARN MORE. [PASS. IX. pen schulde be kyng comen And casten hem in prison, And puiten [hem] per In penaunce with-outen pite or Bote 3if Dobest beede for [hem] a-byde per for euere! "I pus Dowel and Dobet . And Dobest be pridde 97 Crounede on to beo kyng ' And bi heor counseil worche, And Rule he Reame bi Rod of hem Alle, And operwyse elles not bute as bei preo assenten.” grace, ** with consent of Do-best.” I thanked him, and asked him where these three dwelt, " I ponkede [poust po pat] he me so tau5te, “But 3it Sauerep not me pi siggynge so me God helpe, [01 More kuynde knowynge I coueyte to here, Hou Dowel and Dobet and dobest bep on eorpe.” 104 “Only Wit can tell thee,” said he. dwellep, * “But wit con wisse pe,” quod pou;t “wher peos pre Elles not no Mon pat nou is alyue.” So Thought and I went on till we met Wit. "I pus bougt and I also proly we eoden Disputyng on Dowel day aftur oper, 108 And er we weoren war with Wit conne we meeten. * He was long and lene to loken on ful symple, [Was no pride on his apparail ne no pouert noper], Sad of his semblaunt and of softe speche. I durste meue no mateere to make him to Iangle, I asked Thought 94. bcm) bat banne THz. schulde— ſyng] be kyng Schulde U. 95. puiten] putten TUH. [hem. TUH2] him W. per—penaunee) in prisone U. 96. Bote, 3if] But TH, ; & but 3if U. beede] bede TU; bidde H. [hem. TUH2.] 98. hear] his TUH, ; him. V. 99. bi Red] be red T; be rede Ha; for reed U. 100. opernyse elles] opere wise & ellis TUH. pell bese U. assenten] assentide T. 101. [bough—bat] so in TH, ; bougte so bat U (where so is an error for bo); W has him, feire bo. 102. not me] menougt TH, ; me not 112 103. here] lere TH, ; lerne U. 104. How do-wel, do-bet, & do- best don on bis erpe TH2 ; How do- wel and do-bet don on biserpe U. 105. Quod] U omits (by mistake). peos] bo TUHz. 106. not] wot T; woot UH2. 107. bougt & I bus bre dayes we 3eden TUH, eoden] V really has eodem, by mere mistake. 109. Oveoren war] ywar were T; I-war were H. mith] U om. conne] gonne TH2 ; gunne U. 110. to—simple] lyk to non oper TUH. 111. From T.; also in H, ; VU omit. 112. softe] a softe TH, ; a sad U. 113, durstel ne durste THz. —ºn tº i. trº V/tº . . … -º /. PASS. IX.] WILLIAM AND THOUGHT MEET WITH WIT. 109 Bote as [I bad bougt] po to beo mene bi-twene, ſºlº To putte forb sum purpos “to preuen his wittes. question for me, "I penne pou;t pat tyme seide peose wordes, 116 and he asked him where Do-well, “Wher Dowel and Dobet and Dobest beop in londe, i. Oure wille wolde I-witen 3if wit coupe [hym] techen.” ”* 114. But as Ibad bougt bo' be mene 116. boughl Haom, bat] in bat TUH, betwene TH2U ; but U has to be me 117. Wher] Where bat TUH. bytwene; V has bougt bad, omitting I. 118. Oure wille] Here is wil TUH. 115. to preuen] & prouen T. [hym TH,U] Vomits. 110 LADY ANIMA AND THE CASTLE OF CARO. [PASS. x. PASSUS X. [Passus primus de dowel, &c.] “Do-well dwells,” said Wit, “in a castle made by Kind of four e things, pinges, earth, air, wind, and water. Ire Dowel dwellep,” quod wit.’ “not a day hennes, In A Castel, of kuynde I-mad of foure kunne Of Erpe and Eir hit is mad I-medelet to-gedere, Wip wynt and wip watur ful wittiliche I-Meint. 4 Cuynde hap Closet per-In Craftiliche wip alle, Within the castle. A loueli lemmon lyk [to] him-self, Kind has enclosed the lady Anima, Anima hed hette ; " To hire hap Envye whom the prince A proud prikere of Fraunce Princeps huius mundi, 8 of this world' hates. And wolde wynnen hire a-wei with wiles 3if he mihti. Bote kuynde knowep hit wel and kepep hire pe betere, Dowell, Dºbet, And hap I-don hire to Sire [Dowel duke of pese and Do-best are her appointed keepers, marches. Dobet is hire damysele sire] Doweles doubter, 12 And seruep pat ladi lelly bope late and rape. Passus, &c.] so named in TUH2. OBS. Throughout this Passus the Teadings of H, agree mith those of T, eaccept where specially given. 1. dwellebl U omits. 2. of Imad] bat kynde made TU. foure kunne] foure skenis T ; foure Skynnes H2. 3. Eir] of eyr UH, 4. ful—Imeint] wiztliche enjoymede T; wittyly enjoyned U. 6. A–lemmon.] A lemman pat he louip TU. [to] in TUH2; W omits. 7. U resembles V ; TH, are corrupt ; Anima he hab to hire enuye T ; Anima, he hath to hem enuye H2. 8. Princeps] sire princeps H2. 10. hit] bis U; hire T. 11. 12. V omits the ovords within, brackets by mistake, oning to the Tepetition of sire ; they are supplied Jºrom U ; l. 11 is alike in TH2, but in 1. 12 TH, have sistir instead of doubter. 13. pat] bis TU. PASS. X.] CONSTABLE IN-WIT AND HIS FIVE SONS. 111 pus Dowel and Dobot and Dobest be pridde Beob Maystres of bis Mamere pat Mayden to kepen. * But be Cunstable of be Castel bat kepep hem alle, 16 Is a wys kniht wip alle Sire Inwit he hette, The constable of the Castle is In- wit [Conscience], And hap fyue feire somes - bi his furste wyf; *| Sire seowel and seywel . And herewel pe [h]ende, Sire worche-wel-with-pin-hond A wiht mon of strengpe, And sire Godfrei Gowel grete lordes alle. whose sons are See-well, Say- well, Hear-well, Work-well, and 21 Go-well.” *I peose sixe ben I-set to Saue pe Castel; To kepe pis wommon pis wyse men ben Charget, Til bat kuynde come or sende • And kepe hire him- seluen.” * “What calle 3e pe Castel,” quod I “pat kuynde hap I-maket, - And what cunnes ping is kuynde con 3e me telle?” 24 * “Ruynde,” quap he, “is C[r]eatour of alle kunne “Kind is the [beestes], Fader and Foormere pe furste of alle ping; 28 pat is pegrete God pat bigynnyng hedde neuere, pe lord of lyf and of liht of [lisse] and of peyne. Angeles and alle ping [arn] at his wille, Bº Mon is him. Most lyk of Marke and of schap ; For wip word pat he warp woxen forb Beestes, 33 And alle ping at his wille was wrougt wip a speche, Diacit et facta sunt : 15. bis] be U. pat] bis T'; be U. 17. Immit] bouqt T (wrongly). 18. And] He U. 19. and sire U (twice). so in TUH2 ; V has ende. 20. Al and UT (nºrongly); a H. 22. siae] vij U (oning to and in l. 20). 23. bis mysel wise U. 24. Til bat] Til TU. And] to T. 25, be] pat T ; bis U; be H. hab] so in TUH, ; W really has hab bus, but bus is best omitted. + 26. Tomits; U has, Of what kynne thinge cumne 3e me telle; H, agrees hendel * What is the castle’s name p * said I, “and who is Kind P '' great Creator, who made all things; man being most like Himself. Ps. cxlviii. 5, (Vulg.) qvith, W. 27. Creatour] creatours U. Kumne beestes] kenis bestis T; kynne bestis |U ; V has best, but see I. 33. 28, be] U omits. alle] H, omits. 29. bat] And bat TU. is be] he is U. bigynºnyng] gynnynge TU. 30. liſt] lip T. [lisse TH, Blisse WU. peyne] pyne U. 31. [arn TUH2] ben W. 33, wip] borug TU. - 34. bing] TUH2 om. diarit—sunt] Faciamus hominem ad ymaginem et similitudinem nostram U ; see 1. 41. 112 TIHE CREATION OF MAN. [PASS. X. Saue Mon pat he Made • Ymage to him-seluen, 3af him goost of his Godhede and grauntede him. Blisse, Lyf pat euer Schal lasten and al his lynage aftur. "I pat is pe castel pati kuynde made • Caro hit hette, And is as muche to mene As Mon wip a soule, pat he wrouhte with Werk and wip word bope; The castle is called Caro. 37 40 Orw miht of his Maiosto Mon was I-makct, Gen. i. 26. [Faciamus hominem ad ymaginem et similitudi- nem nostram.] Inwit and alle wittes ben closet per-Inne, For loue of pat ladi • pat lyf is I-nempnet; The lady is Life, or Anima, and dwells in man’s heart; pat is Anima pat ouer al in pe Bodi wandurep, But in pe herte is hire hom higest of alle ; Heo is lyf and ledere and a lemmon of heuene. 44 Inwit is pe help pat Anima desyrep; After pe grace of God pegretteste is Inwit. * Inwit in pe hed is and helpeppe soule, For porw his connynge he ſkepep) - Caro et Anima In-wit is in his head, and rules Caro and Anima. 48 In Rule and in Reson bote Recheles hit make. * He eggep pe ſeige-siht and herynge] to goode, 52 Of good speche and of cunnynge he is pe biginnere, He is most in the brain, and 37. euer] ay TU. al] U om. 38. hette] hatte TU; hattith H. 39. And is] Is U; TH, omit. to] forto H. As] bat T. a his T; be U. 40. U omits. Overk] werkis T. nord] wordis T. 41. his] be TU. Mon] whan (!) U. Faciamus, &c.] From U above, at l. 34; TH2 insert it here, but omit et similitudinem. 42. ben closet] enclosid ben T; bien I-closid H2. 44. in U omits. 46. and a] and U ; a T. 47. help] halle T. 48. be—Innvit] Inwyt is be grettest TU. 49, and helpebl & an help to T; In Monnes Brayn he is most and mihtiest to knowe, per he is Bremest But 3if blod hit make. an help to UH. 50. he kepeth] is kept TU ; hence the reading of V, viz. he clepep, is a mere mistake for he kepep ; see l. 16. 52. The readings are, He eggep be ipe siht Bringeb to goode V; He (It H.) eggib eige-sigt & herynge to gode TH, ; He eggide eye to sighte and herynge to gode U. In V, ipe is probably myritten for iye or eiye. 53. Ofl Ofte H2. good—cºnnyngel Speche & of goynge U. 3if] and 55, he is] is his bour TU. hoot U. e #/\, t , , ... We º PASS, X.] For whonne Blod is Bremore pen Brayn pen is Inwit I-bounde, THE HOME OF “INWIT " IS IN THE BRAIN. 113 contends against the passions. 56 And eke wantoun and wylde withouten eny Resoun. N 30nge Fauntes and Fooles with hem Faylep Inwit, And eke in [sottes] pou miht seo pat sittep atte Ale; Children, idiots, and Sots have but little In-wit. pei heldep Ale in heore...hed til Inwit beo a-dreynt, 60 And [ben] Brayn-wode as Beestes' so hedre Blod waxep. "I penne hap be Pouke pouwer Sire Princeps huius mundi, Over sots the devil has power, Ouer suche Maner Men Miht in heore soules. Bote In Fauntes ne in Fooles be Fend hap no miht For no werk bat pei worchen wikked or elles; 65 Bote pe Fadres and pe Frendes' For Fauſn]tes schul be Blamet but not over children and idiots, whose guardians are responsible for them, Bote pei witen hem from wantounesse whilpat pei ben 3Onge. | And 3if pat pei ben pore or Catelles to kepen hem from ille, penne is holy chirche a-signet to helpen hem and sauen From Folyes, and Fynden hem til bat bei ben wysore. - * Bote vehe [wigt] in bis world pat hap wys vnder- stondinge, Is Cheef souereyn [of] him-self his soule for to 3eme, 56. Bremore ben] brent in U. Innvit] be wit U. 58. 30nge] U om. mith] in U. 59. Isottes] UTH, ; W has wrecches, atte ale] at be nale TU ; at be ale 2* 60. heldebl helde T; heeld U; holde H. adreynt] drenchit TU. 61. [ben] So in TU ; bien H, ; V omits. Braymnode] brayned U. 62. princeps—mundi] omitted in U ; see note. 63. men] of men T. in) is in U. 64. ne inj and U. Fend] deuil T. miht] wit U. 65, no] to U (myrongly). 68 or else the Church protects them. Each man who is Sane has charge over himself, and is responsible. 66. Faderes] fadir TU. Fauntes TU) V has Fautes, 67. Bote] But 3if T. witen] wone U. 30nge]3oupe T (sic); 30nge H. 68. And 3 fl And H, ; acif U. bat] TU om. to] and U. 69. asignet] owynge T ; awynge U. 70. Fynden] fende H. pat— mysore] bei ben wise T. U reads, And for to fynde hem forb 'til beiben wisere. 71. Bote] And TU. Ini;t T; night U] mon W. bis] be U. hab] H, omits by mistake. 72. [of H.] ouer TU ; W omits, for to] to TU. 114 [fol. 401 a. col. 1.] Do-well destroys vices, and saves the Soul. Proy. ix. 10. I)O-WELL BEGINS WITH THE FEAR OF THE LORD. [PASS. X. And Cheuesschen him from charge whom he childhode passep, 73 Saue him-self from sunne for so him bi-houep; For worche he wel oper wrong pe wit is his oune. Ene is Dowel a Duyk pat distruiep vices, 76 And Sauep pe Soule pat Sumne hap no miht To Route ne to Reste me to Rooten in be herte ; And pat is drede of God for Dowel hit makep, Hit is biginnynge of goodnesse God for to drede ; 80 [Salamon it seide for a sop tale], Innicium Sapiencie, timor domini. - Eor doute, Men doppe Bet; drede is such a Mayster pat he makep Men Meoke and Mylde of hedre speche, And alle kunne scolers In Scoles forte lerne ; 84 100-bet is to beware of punishment; see Ps. xxii. 4 (Vulg.) penne is Dobet to beo war for betynge of 3erdes, And perof Seip pe Sauter pi-seluen pou miht reden, Virga tua ſet baculus tuus, ipsa me consolata Sunt.] [Ac 3if clene consience acorde pat pi-selfe dost well, Wilne pou neuere in pis world forte Dobetere ; 88 For, Intencio [indicat hominem]. Act always by advice of Conscience. churche, "| Bi Counseil of Concience a-Cordynge with holy Loke pou wisse pi wit and pi werkes aftur ; For 3if pou comest agein Concience pou Cumbrest pi- Seluen, 73. cheuesschem] from] for any TU. - 74. Saue] To saue U. behouid H2. 75, wit] wyte U. 76. patj and U. 77. U omits. 78. Tol Ne U. bin T. 79. for TU omit, 80. And is be begynnynge god for to doute U. drede] douten TU. 81. From T.; also in UH, timor] est timor T. ! 83. bat he] And bat U. 84. kunne] kynne U ; cheuisship TU. bihouebj lo—pel roren in kynde T. scoles—lerne] scole to lerne T'; scole to lere U. 85. Dobet—mar] do-bet to benywar T; do-bet ywar H2 ; dowel to drede U. 3erdes] be 3arde TU. 86. borof] bere U. biseluen] be salme TU. The Latin is from TU'; W has only virga tua, &c. 87. From T; so also UH, ; W has a corrupt line, Bote Clene Concience a- Corde • Bote bi-self Dowel. clene] pi clene U. w 88, forte] why for to UH3, [indicat hominem TUH.] V indistinct. 89. Bill Wip U. with] of H, ; T omits, PASS. X.] IDO-BETTER IS TO SUFFER PATIENTLY. And so witnessep Godes Word ' And holiwrit bope; 92 [Qui agit contra conscientiam, edificatadiehennam.] Bote 3if pow worche bi godus word ' I warne be for pe beste, What so men worden of pe wrappe be neuere; Catoun Counseilep so tak ſkepel of his teching, 115 Cato (Dist. iii. 3) advises us to Cum recte viwas, me cures verba malorum ; despise calumny. * Bote suffre and sitte stille And sech pou no furre, And beo glad of pe grace pat God happe I-sent ; 97 For 3if poucumse to Clymbe and Coueyte herre, pou miht leose pilouhnesse for a luitel pruyde. * I haue lerned hou lewede men children, bat selden Mosep pe Marbelston pat men ofte treden; Men say, the stone men oft tread on gathers no moss; han lered heore 100 * And Riht so walkers pat walken A-bouten From Religion to Religion Recheles ben pei euere. And men pat Cunne mony Craftes Clergie hit tellep, pruft or peodam with hem • Selden is I-seye ; and he who is Jack of all trades, is master of none. 105 Qui circuit omne genus, [nullius est generis.] Pº pe Apostel . In his pistel wrot Remember Paul’s advice, In ensaumple of suche Rennars a-boute, And for wisdam Is writen as witnessep Clerkes, 108 92. T omits, but not H”. holinºrit bobe holi chirche aftir U. The Latin quotation is from U ; TH2 have only the first four n'ords of it. 93. for pe] be T. 94. Ovorden] seyn U. 95. Sol T omits. [kepe UTH2] hede W. Catoun conseilep pe to take kepe on bis binge U. 96. And] U om. furre] ferbere TU. 97. be Isent] I-sent be T; be sent U. 98. Herre] to ben heiere U; higere H2. 100, lerned] herd TU. how] 30u H2. Zered] lernid T. 101. Pat Selde men Sep be marbil' pat men ofte dreden T; (corrupt); bat Seelde men seen be marbil mose' pat men oftemouen U; That Selde men seth the marbul that ofte men tredith H2. - 102. malkers] be romberis T; by renneres U. malken] rennen TU. 104—162. Omitted in H2. 104. And] Ne T. mony] alle U. Clergie—telleb! clergie techip euere T; and clergie bobe U. - 105. peodam] bedom TU. " hem] bo TU. selden is] is seldom U. [nul- lius—generis] in U; &c. T; W omits. 106. myrot] wrot it TU. 107. of Rennars] of suche schulde not renne T; , pat siche : schulde not renne U. 108. U omits. as—Clerkes] & witnessid in chirches T. The JLatin, is from U; T has, In eadern vocacione qua vocati estis, state, &c.; W omits. 8 * 116 1 Cor. vii. 20. Murillur 110ſ, against God, but be content. Luke xiv. 11. As the sweet red rose grows on a rough briar, or wheat grows from a weed, so Do-well, Do-bet, and Do-best spring out of the lowly. BE CONTENTED WITH THY LOT. [PASS, X. [In ea vocacione qua vocati estis, in eadem perma- neatis]. l 3if pou bed Mon I-Mariet Monk, opur chanoun, Hold pe stable and studefast And strengpe pi-seluen To bed blesset for pi beryng 3e, Beggere pauh pou weore - "I Loke you grucelle àot ou god Jau; lie je 3eue luytel, Beo payed wip pi porcion porore or Ricchore. pus in drede lyp Dowel . And Dobet to soffren, For porw soffraunce seo pou miht hou souereynſes] Arisep; Qui se humiliat, ſea altabitur, &c.]; 113 And so lerede vs luc pat lysede neuere. 116 And pus of drede and his dede Dobest arysep, Whuch is Flour and Fruit I-fostred of Bope. T Riht as pe Rose pat Red is and swote, As Out of a Ragged Roote and of Rouwe Breres 120 Springep and spredep pat spicers desyrep. ." Or as whete out of a wedd waxep vppon eorpe, So Dobest out of Dowel and Dobet dop springe 123 A-Mong men of pis [molde] pat Meke ben, or ſ kuynde ; Por loue of heore louhnesse vr lord 3iuep hem grace Such werkes to worche pat he is with apayet. 118. Flour—Fruit] be flour & be 110. biseluen] pi soule U. 111. 3e—poul be biggere peig pou T; 3if pou a beggere U. 112. 3eue] gyue be T. 113. porore—ricchore] pore oper riche T; be it pore or riche U. 114. And] Tomits. º 115. porn) bus purw U. souereyn V] soueraynes TU. U has a blank space for the Latin, exaltabitur, &c., is from T. 116. U omits this line, and Tinserts it before the quotation. lepede] lerip T 117. his] here T; of our U. fruyt TU. of J on U. 119–121. Wrongly made into two lines in TU. be Itose] a Rose TU. . pat—and] Tomits. 120, of Breres] as a rowhebrere U; a roug brere T. 121. Springebl pat springep U. 122. al TU omit, vppon] out of be TU. 123. TU transpose Dowel and Dobet, dopj gynnep TU. 124. [molde TU) World W. TU. 126. or] & bat] as T. -** { // w *:::=} º "J PASS. X.] Fº and foreward to folk pat ben I-weddet, TRUE WEDLOCK IS PLEASING TO GOD. 117 They that keep wedlock please And libbep as heare lawe wole hit likep God God. almihti; 128 For borw wedlac be world stont hose wol hit I-knowe. pei ben Ricchest in Reame and be Rote of dowel; For of heore kuynde pei come pat confessours bep of such come nempned, confessors, martyrs, monks, Bobe Maydens and Martires Monkes an Ancres, 132 &c. Kynges and Knihtes and alle cunne Clerkes, Barouns and Burgeis and Bonde Men of tounes. | Fals folk and Feiples peoues and lyzers False folk are conceived in an Ben Conseyuet in Curset tyme as Caym was on Eue, in hour, like Cain, After pat Adam and Eue hedden eten of pe Appel 137 A3eyn be heste of him pathem of nougt made. * An Angel in haste pennes hem tornde In-to pis wrecchede world to wonen and to libben [In tene & in trauaile to here lyues ende]; who was conceived just after the Fall. 141 In pat Corsede Constellacion pei knewen to-gedere, And Brougten for? [a barn] pat muche bale [wrougte.] "I Caym men cleped him In Cursed tyme engendret, And so seippe Sauter Seo hit whon be likep, Concepit in dolore, ſet peperit iniquitatem, &c.] 145 Ps, vii. 15 (Vulg.). And alle pat come of pat Caym Crist hem hatede Aftur, And Mony Milions mo of Men and of Wymmen 127. Fºrst—fornward] And formest & ferst T; Formest and first U. 128. lane mole] lawis wiln T. hit] bat U. 129. For] bat T; And U. whoSO TU. 130. Ricchest—Reame] be riccheste of reaumes TU. 131. kuynde] kynde T; kyn U. 132. martires] nonnes TU. 134. tounes] towne U. 135. Fals] Ac falsTU. peoues] as peuis TU. 136. onj and U (n'rongly). 137. Euel she T. hedden] TU omit, of] TU omit. 138. U omits. hose] 139. haste] angir T. pennes— torndel higte hym (hem U) to wende TU. 141. From U ; also in T. in trauaile] trauaille T. 142, bei] pat bei U. 143. [a barn TUI Barnes W. [wrougte TU) wrougten W; cf. newt Zine. 144. men—him] bei hym callide TU. 145. Part of the Latin is from T; U here inserts a 'n'rong quotation, Quare via, &c.; for myhich see Pass. XI. I. 23. 146. And] TU omit. hatide hem U; hatid T. hem hatedel 118 Seth's kindred inter-married with Cain's, kuynde. SETH's SEED DID ILL IN MARRYING CAIN's. pat of Seth and his Suster seppen forb coome; For pei Marieden to corsed Men pat comen of Caymes [pass. X. 148 For alle pat comen of pat Caym A-Cursed pei weren, And alle pat couplede hem to pat kun crist hem hatede dedliche. though God warned Seth against it. e to-gedere. Fº he sende to [Seth] And Seide him bi an Angel, To kepe his cun from Caymes pat pei coupled not 153 T And seppen [Seth] and his suster sed weren spoused to Caymes, A-3eyn Godes heste Gurles pei geeten, God was wroth with them, * Seide, Gen. vi. 7. pat God was wrop with heor werk And suche wordes 156 Penitet me [fecisse hominem]; And is pus muche to Mene A-monges 3ou alle, [fol. 401 a. col, 2.] pat I makede Mon nou hit me for-pinkep; * And com to Noe Anon And bad him not lette Wherefore He bade Noah build the ark, Swipe to schapen A Schup of schides and Bordes; 160 Him-self and his somes pre And seppen heore wyues, Bringen hem to pe. Bot And byden per-Inne, for the flood should destroy Cain's seed. 148, pat] And TU. bei U. 149. to] hem wip T : hem wib be U. bat—kuynde] of caymes kyn TU. 150. acursed—nyeren] crist hatide hem euere U ; see meat line. 151. U omits. to] with T. hem] T om. dedlichel euére T. 152, he—Seth] he sente hym to seyn T; y sente hem to seye U. [Seth] W has Sem by mistake : see 1. 148. 153. cum] kynrede TU. Caymes] caym U. pat] T omits. coupled] couple U. 154. [Seth] Seeb U; Sem VT; see ll. 148, 152, sed] TU omit. to Caymes] wip caymes kynne U. 156, bat] And U. nerk] werkis TU, suche—seidel Seide Suche wordis seppen] sitthe Till'ourtidawes ben folfuld [pat] peſiod haue I-wassche Clene awey pe cursede blod pat Caym hap I-maket. T; seide pese wordis U. The quotation is in TU ; V has only Penitet me, &c.; occurring after l. 158. 157. And] bat U. pus] as TU. 3ou] vs TU. 158. makede Mon] man makide T; man made U. moul sore U. 159. Woe] nowel U. 160. Schapen] schapen him U. schides] shidis T; sides U. 161. heore] alle here U. 162. Bringen hem] Buskide T; Buskide hem U. pel bat T. And byden] to abide U. OBS. Here collation myith H, recom- mences; see note to l. 104. 163, danjes] dayes T : U omits. [bat] TH2 have bat, but omit pe. Invassche] y-waschide U. ... } **** ſº .*** eff PASS, X.] THE FLOOD WASHED AWAY THE SINNERS. I 19 * “Becstes bat now ben mouwen [banne] be tyme 165 All the hºsts must die for pat euere pat Cursede Caym Com vppon eorpe ; Cain’s sin, Alle Schulen dye for his dedes Bi Dounes and hulles, Bope Fisch and Foules forb wip oper beestes, 168 Out-taken Eihte soules “And of vehe beest A Couple, ºº of each kind a pat in peschynglede Schup Schullen ben I-Saued; couple.” Elles schal al dye and to helle weende.’ p. porw Cursede Caym Com Care vppon alle ; 172 This was all - * * g because Seth's For [Seth] and his suster children spouseden eiper seed married oper, Cain's. A3eyn pe lawe of vr lord lygen to-gedere, And wedren Maried at Mischef as Men dop now heore children. For summe as I seo nou sop for to tellen, 176 For Couetise of Catel vnkuyndeliche bedp maried, . ** And Careful Concepcion comep of such weddyng, or money, * Also bifel of bat folk pat I bed-fore schewede. Hit is an vn-Comely Couple be Cryst, as me pinkep, To 3euen a 3ong wenche to an old feble Mon, 181 or a young wench is wedded to an Or to wedden an Old widewe for weolpe of hire old feeble man. goodes, pat neuer schal Child bere bote hit beo in hire Armes. * In Ielesye Ioyeles and Ianglynge in Bedde 184 165, mounven] shulm TU. [banne 174, ly;en] ley hem T; leyen U. TUH.] curse W. 175, neoren maried] mariede T. 166. bat cursede] curside T ; be 176. U omits. curside U. vppon] on bis T; to be U. 177. For] bat for U. 168. Fisch] fisshis TU. forb] for 178. And] A TU. t H. nip] mib T; with H. oper] be U. 179. Also bifel] As fel TU. bat] be 169. Eihte] be eigte T; be souen U. T; bis U. bat I] as T. And] bat U (myrongly). 180. me pinkeb] I wene TU. 170. Put pat in be same ship pat 181. mon] TU omit, retained in shal ben ysauid T; Hz. * pat in be sengle Schyppe bat 182. Or wedde any wydewe for tyme schal be saued U. any wele of godis TU. 171. Schall schulde U. 183, child bere] bere child TU. 172, bus—caym] borug curside hire]TU omit. caym bus T. 184. W inserts and before Ioyeles, 173. For] And al for TU. [Seth] but it is best omitted, as it is in seeth U; Sem VT; see I. 148. chil- TUHz, in Bedde] of bedde T; abedde dren] Uom. Spouseden] spousid here U. U. - 120 Many, since the pestilence, have married ill, gedere ; THE GREAT EVIL OF UNEQUAL MARRIAGES. [PASS. x Mony peire seppen pe pestilence han pliht hem to- be Fruit pat pei bringen forb ben mony foule wordes, and have no children but Strifes. bitwene. Though they go to Dunmow, they never fotch the flitch. Han pei none children bote chestes and choppes hem 187 ºf bau; pei don hem to [donmowe - but be deuel helpel To folewon aftur pe Flucchen fecche bei hit neuere; Bote 3if pei bope ben forswore : [bat bacoun pei tyne]. Then wed not for T Forpi I Counseile alle Cristene coueite not ben I- money, but marry well, and God bless you! weddet For Couetyse of Catel ne of kun Riche; 192 Bote Maydens and [Maydens macchep ou ysamme, Widewers and widewes [werchep rigt] also, And penne glade 3e god pat alle goodes sendep None but the pure should live together, *|| For in Vn-tyme treweli bi-twene Mon and wommon Schulde no Bed-bourde be ‘bote Bope weore clene 197 Of lyf and eke in loue and in lawe alse. pat deede derne do no mon scholde, and each man 185. be] bis T. pliht] pi;t T. 186. ben mony] arn manye T ; arn but U. 187. chestes] chidinge T; cheste U. hem bitmene] togidere T ; by-twene 188, bei; bei don hem to dunmowe.’ but 3if be deuil helpe T; bei hiden hem to donmowe but be deuel helpe U ; bau; bei don hem to done al pat bei monwen W; myhere done and mowen are corrupted from donmowe. 189. Flucchen] flicche TU. 190. Bote 3if] but U. [bat—tyne TUH.] and Cursen bat tyme V. 192. ne—kwn] or of kynrede T; or for kynrede U. 193, 194. W is here apparently corrupt; see various readings belony. 193. [maydens—ysammel maidenis' macche 3ow ysamme T ; maydenis " marie 3ou to-gyderis H.; maydenes" As is vset, bi-twene 200 Sengle and Sengle ; 3ou to-same take U : V has vn- Maydens clene ow save. 194. [werchep rigt] werchip rigt T; wurche 3e U; W has worschupep ; He ends the line ovith werchith the Sal (162. 195. And] U om. penne] T om. goodes] good T. 196. vntyme] my tyme TU (also U omits in). mon—wommon.] men & wommen T. 197. Bed-bourdej bedborde U. JBope oveore] pei were bope TU; if thei were bothe H2. 198. eke inj of TU. inj of TU. 199. deede derne] derne dede U. scholde] ne shulde T. 200–202. Only two lines in TUH, thus: As betwyn Sengle & sengle • sippe lawe hap y-grauntid pat iche man haue a make in maner of wedlak THz (where H2 omits As]; PASS. X.] BASE-BORN CHILDREN COME TO NO GOOD. Seppen lawe hap I-loket bat vehemon haue a make In Mariage and Matrimoyne I-Medlet to-gedere, And worche pat with his wyf and with no wommon elles. 202 should keep to his own wife. * pat oper-gates ben I-geten' [for gadelynges ben holden, pat ben false folke and false heires] fyndlynges and ly;ers, Vn-Gracios to gete loue or eni good elles, Bastards are commonly false, liars, ungracious, and wasters. 206 | Bote wandren as wolues and wasten 3if pei mouwen. A-3eyn Dowel pei don vuele and pe deuel plesen, And aftur heore dep day schul dwelle wip be schrewe, Bute God 3iue hem Grace heer to A-Mende. *I penne is Dowel to dreden and Dobet to suffren, And so comep Dobest aboute And bringep a-doun Modi, And pat is wikkede wil pat Mony [werke] schendep.” Ac by twene sengle and sengle " sippe lawe hap y-graunted pat euery man haue a make in mariage of wedlok U. 203. norche—mith] do bat werk on T; wurche on U. mith noj on no T; no U. 204, 205. V has only one line, bat opergates ben I-geten ben fyndlynges and lyzers; I give 1. 204 as it stands in TUHz; for 1. 205 me find, pat ben false folke and false heires also U. And pat ben fals folke & fals 210 Thus, Do-well is, to fear God; Do- bet, to suffer, and Dobest, to be lowly of heart. eires alse foundlynges & folis THz. OBS. The vellum (better) portion of U ends here ; the rest is on paper; and begins at 1. 48 of Passus XI. 207. But wandrib & wastip what pat bei mowe T. 209. be schrene] be same T ; bat Same H2. 210. Bute.] But 3if T hem] hym T. 212. modi) mody THz. 213, is] He omits. men W. [nerke H.T] 122 DAME STUDY REPROVES HER HUSBAND wit. [PAss. xi. PASSUS XI. [Passus Secundus de dowel, &c.] Then had Wit, a Enne hedde wit A wyf was hoten dam Studie, º J2at [lene was of lich] and of louh chere. Heo was wonderliche wrop pat wit me bus tauhte, who sternly said And al starinde Dam Studie stoorneliche Seide, 4 to him, • , , , º *T. art wise ºf “Wel artou witti,” quod heo “wisdom to telle to teach fools! º º ** To Fayturs or to Fooles bat Frentik ben of wittes 1" And Blamede him for his Beere And Bad him beo stille Wip suche wyse wordes to wisse eny fooles. 8 cast not pearls [ And Seide, “Noli mittere Margeri perles before swine -> (Mat. vii. 6). Among hogges pat han hawes at heore wille ; pei don bot drauele peron draf weare hem leuere pen alpe presciouse Peerles pat in paradys waxen. 12 speak ºf those Isigge hit bi bulke,” quod hed “pat biheore werkes that prefer - - riches to wisdom. schewen pathem weore leuere lond and lordschupe on eorpe, Richesse, Rentes or Reste at heore wille pen Al pesop sawes pat Salamon Seide euere. 16 Passus, &c.] so in THz. - 6. Fayturs] flatereris T. OBS. The readings of H, are the same 7. for his Beere] bitterly T. as those of T, eaccept when specially 9. Woli mittere] Nolite mittere, given as different. man T. 1. mas hoten] bat hatte T. 10. heare] T omits. 2. [lene—lich] so in TH, ; W has 12. presciouse Peerles] precious euer was I-liche. louh] lobly T. perrie T. maa’en) werip T.; wezit H. 3. me pus] so me H2 ; so T. 13. hit—bulke] be po T. bi— 4. And sterneliche staringe dame schemwen] shewen be here werkis T; studie Seide T. schewen here werkis H2. 5. artow ovitti] art pou wys, wyt T. 15. Or ricchesse or rentis & reste wisdome] any wisdomis T. at here wille T. PASS. XI.] WISDOM IS WORTH LITTLE NOW-A-DAYS. "I Wisdam and wit nou is not worp a Russche But hit beo [cardet] with Couetise as clopers dop heor wolle, pat Conterfetep disseites and Conspiret wronges, And ledep forb Aloueday to lette be trewepe; 20 pat suche craftes cunnen to counseil beop I-clept, And ben serued as syres pat serueppe deuel. | Iob pe Ientel in his Ieestes Seide, Quare via Žmpiorum prosperatºr, bene est omnibus quº praue et inique agunt 2 * Ac he pat holy writ hap euer in his moupe, And con tellen of Tobie ' And be Twelue Apostles, And prechen of pe penaunce pat Pilatus wrouhte To Iesu pe Ientil pat Iewes to-drowe On Cros vppon Caluarie as Clerkes vs tellep;- 28 * Luytelis he loued or leten bi' pat such a lessun Redep, Or Daunseled or Drawen forb pis Disours witen pesope; For 3if Harlotrie ne Holpe hem pe bet (haue God my soule !) More pen Musyk or Makyng of Crist, 32 Wolde neuer kyng ne kniht ne Canoun of Seynt poules 3euen hem to heore 3eres-3iue pe value of a grote Ote Munstralsye and Murpe A-Mong Men is noupe; Lecherie and losengrie and loseles tales, 36 And geten gold with grete opes beop gamus nou A 24 123 Wisdom is worth. nothing now-a- days, unless it is carded with Covetousness, like wool. Jer. xii. I. [fol. 401 b. col. 1.] Teachers of holy things are now little loved. But minstrelsy and mirth are now the games best liked. . And] Or T. Pilatus] pilatis T. dayes. 18, [cardet] cardit TH, ; carket V. 25. And be] & of be T. 19. Conterfetep] can construe be T.; 26 conspiret] conspire T. 28. telleb) techip T. 20. ledepl lede T. 29. Redepl techip T. 21. to—Iolept] ben yelepid to counseil T. 22. pat] and H2. 23. Seidel Seide it T. bene] ve TU. praue] peruerse U. (This quotation oc- ours in U elsewhere ; see mote to Pass. X. l. 145.) 24, holy—euer] hap holy writ ay T. 32. my3ty H2. 35. Bote] T omits, beob) pise arn T. . Daunseled] dauntid T. ... be bet] betere T. soule] troupe T. Crist] god almigt T; god al- 37. And—with] Glotonye & T. 124 Now-A-DAYS, MEN SCOFF AT THE TRINITY. [PAss. xi. º But 3if pei Carpen of Crist' (bis Clerkes and bislewede) malºck of Atte Mete in heor Murpe whon Munstrals beob stille, the Trinity. "I penne tellep pei of pe Trinite hou two slowen be pridde, 40 And Bringep forb Ballede Resouns tak Bernard to witnesse, And puytep for p presumpciun to preue pesope. Thus they talk, "I pus pei drauelen on heore deys be Deite to knowe, at the daís, and gº are full ; And demep God in-to pe gorge whon heore Gottus follen. 44 but the needy But Carful Mon may crien and clepen atte 3ate man is driven ** Bope of hungur and of purst and for chele quake; lice a CiOg. Nis no Mon him neih his nuy to Amende, Bote honesschen him as an hound and hoten him go pennes 48 Lº louep he pat lord ' pat lenep him pat Blisse, pat pus partep with pe pore A parcel whon him neodep. were not the poor Neore Merci In Mene Men More pen in Riche, kinder than the rich, many would Wip Mony defauti Meeles Mihte pei go to bedde. 52 want a meal. * & God is muche in pe gorge of peose grete Maystres, Bote A-Mong Mene Men his Merci and his werkes; And so seippe psauter 'sech hit. In “Memento,” See the Psalm Ecce Audiuimus eam in effrata, inuenimus [eam] in Memento Domine, g o Ps. cxxxi. 6 campis Silue. (Vulg.). *| Clerkes and kete men Carpen of God ofte, 56 39. Atte—munbel At be mete & at mences. mwrpe T. 48. honesschen] honysche U; hunsen 41. Ballede—tak) a ballid resoun T. toke T. 49, pat blisse] al bat blisse T. 42. puytep] putte T. 51. Neore.] Ne were U. 43. drauelen on] dryuelen at T. 52. Manye men meteles migte go 44. And gnawen god in here prote to bedde T; Manye mendinaw[n]tes whanne here guttis fullen T. meteles my;te go to bedde U. 45. But—Mon] Ac be carful T. 53. be] his U. gorge] prote T.; clepen atte] carpe at be T. gorge H2. 46. of I for T. of J for T. quake] 54. U omits, mene] TH, omit. quakip T. 55. Sech] seek U ; se T. [eam 47. Is non to nymen him. In ne his TUH.] eum V. anguyssh amende T; H, omits him. 56. kete] kid T; kedde U; kyd Hz. OBS. Here collation mith U recom- ofte] faste TU. PASS. XI.] MEN AMUSE THEMSELVES WITH PROFANE QUIBBLES. 1 And han him muche in heore Moup bote Mene men in herte. 2 5 Freres and Faytors han founden suche questions To plese with pis proude men seppe pestilence tyme ; bei de-Foulen vre Fey at Festes per pei sitten. 60 Fº nou is vehe Boye Bold Bropel an oper, To talken of be Trinite to beon holden A syre, And fyndep for fantasyes vr feip to Apeyre; And eke de-Famep pe Fader pat vs alle made, 64 *And Craken ageyn pe Clergie Crabbede wordes. *|| “Whi wolde God vr saueour suffre such a worm In such a wrong wyse be wommon to bi-gyle Î to helle porw him Bope hir hosebonde and heo wenten, And heore seed for pat sunne be same wo drien.’ 69 *| Suche Motyues bei meuen pis Maistres in hear and the men who glorie, And makep Men Misbileeue pat [musen on] heare wordes. B" Austin pe Olde for alle suche prechep, And for suche tale tellers such a teeme schewep, Non plus Sapere quam oportet Sapere. pis wilnep 3e neuer to wite whipat God wolde Soffre Sathan his sed to bi-gyle ; 57. him] TU omit; H, retains. 58, founden] founden vp TU; fonden H2. 59. bis] TU omit. seppe) sipen be T; sip be U. 60. bei] bat TU. Fey] false (!) T; feyth U. festes] be feste T. 61. Bropel—oper] & he be riche TU. 62. talken] tellen TU. 64. eke defamepl defame T ; to de- fame U. - 65, craken—be] carpide agens T; carpen of U. 66. God] TU omit. in his blisse TU. 67. pat he gilide he womman & pe norm] worm Clerks have Christ in the 7mouth, but poor men in the heart. Now every boy talks about the Trinity, and cavils against God, asking why God let the serpent deceive Ewe ; believe them, disbelieve. 72 Augustine refers us to Rom. xii. 3. wy aftir T; bat begyles be womman & be man after U. 68. boru; whiche a werke & wille pei wenten to helle TU. 69. And] And alle TU. pat] here T. drien] suffride TU. 70. motywes] motifs T; motes U. 71. [ºnusen on TJ mousen on U ; leeuen in V; He torn anay. 72. prechebl prechide T; prechet U. 73, schenebl shewide T. Won] Nolite U. oportet] V really has oportep, of course by mistake. - 74. That is to seyn ne wilnep neuere' for to wyte why TU ; see neart line, and l, 81. 75. Soffre] That god wold suffre TU. 126 Believe and pray. HOW CAN ANY MAN FATHOM GOD'S WILL } * But lecuep on bat lore bat lerep holichirche, [PASS. XI. 76 And preye him of pardoun and penaunce in pi lyue, And for his muchele Merci to amenden vs heere. Evil be to him who blames God’s ways. For alle pat wilnep [to wite pe] weyes of god Almihti, I Wolde his eye wcore in his ers and his heele aftur ; pat euer eft Wilnep to wite whi bat God wolde 81 Soffre Sathan his sood to bi-gyle, Or Iudas pe Ieu3 Iesu bi-traye; Praised be Thou, O God! Thy will be done And now—here is a fellow who Wants to lºnow Do-well from Do- bet { wittes, Al was as he wolde lord, I-heried be pou ! And al [worp] as pou wolt what so we tellen "| And nou comep a Conioun and wolde cacchen of [my] 84 What is Dowel from Dobet ! : nou daffe mot he worpe, [Sipen] he wilnep to wite whuche pei ben allel 88 Let him seek Do- well, and the rest follows.” Bote he liue in pe leste degre pat longep to Dowel, I dar ben his borw pat Dobet nul he neuere, pau; Dobest drawe on him day aftur opur.” Wit, hearing Study so talk, Was confounded, A". whon pat wit was I-war hou his wyf tolde, 92 He bi-com so confoundet he coupe not [mele], And as doumbe as a dore droug him asyde. Bote for no Craft pat I coupe ne knelyng to grounde, I mihte gete no greyn of [his] grete wittes, 96 and signed to me to beseech her. 76. Ac beleue lelly of lore of holy chirche T; And be-leeflely on be lord of holy chyrche U. 77. him] H, omits. inj be TU. 79. [to mite be UTH...] two V ; see ll. 73, 81, 88. Tveyes] werkes T. 80. eye were] eigen wern T. s 81. nihi bat] why T. pat—nolde] Begins 1.82 in U ; cf. 1. 74. 83. Orj Er T. bitrayel betrayede T. 84. Theried—pou? yworsshipid be bou T'; I-wyrchepid pou be U. - 85. al] U om. [norp TUH.] bed W. 86. [my TH2] me V. . 87. nouj U om. daffe] defe TU. of] of his U. 88. [Sipen T. sippe U ; sithen H2 ; But al lau;whinge he loutede and lokede vppon Studie, In signe pat I schulde bi-Sechen hire of grace. W has Sire, 89. Bote—degre] But 3if he lyue lely in be last day U. 90. I] For I U. bornlbolde boru; TU. pat] TU omit, null wile TU. 93. He-confoundet] He becomeb so confus T ; He come so confuse U. [mele TUH.] medle W. 94. And as] Also T; And also U. dore] dore-nayl and H2. 95. Bote—pat] Ac for nocarpinge T.; And for no carpyng U. to to be TU. 96. greyn] gayn T. [his TUH2] hire W. * 97. laugnkinge] lauginge T.; lour- yng U. - 98. of J of his T; of H2. PASS, XI.] THE POET BESEECHES STUDY TO HELP HIM. *| And whom Iwuste of his wil to his wyf con I knele, And Seide, “ Merci, Madame, 30ure mon Schal I [worpe), To worchen 30ure wille while my lyf durep; 101 [Kenne] me kuyndely to knowen what Is Dowel.” * “For pi Mekenesse, Mon,” quod hed “and for pi Milde speche, I schal [kenne] pe to my Cosyn pat Clergye is I-hoten. He hap wedded a wyf wip-Inne pis wikes sixe, 105 Is sib to be seuen Ars : pat scripture is I-nempnet ; pei two, as Ich hope after my be sechyng, Schulwisse be to Dowel . I dar vndertake.” - 109 Gladdore pen pegleo-Mon is of his grete 3iftes, Enne was I as Fayn as Foul on feir morwen, And askede hire be heige wey wher Clergye dwellep, “And tel me sum tokne to him for tyme is pat I I 12 * “I schal teche be be heige wey,” quod heo “from wende.” hennes to soffre- Bope-wedle-and-wo 3if pat pou wolt leorne, And Ryd forb bi Richesse Reste be nougt per-Inne; For 3if pou Couple pe to him to Clergie comestou Ilêll627°6. 116 And eke pe longe launde pat Lecherie hette, Leue him on piluft half A large myle or more, Forte pou come to a Court kep-wel-pi-tonge- 119 From-lesynges-and-lyzeres-speche- ' and-lykerous-drinke. "| penne Schaltou seo Sobre . And Symple-of-speche, 99. Avuste) was war TU. 100. [morpe TUH.] bed V ; see 1.85. 101. nihile] per whiles T. 102. [Kenne TH,) To kenne U ; Teche W. 104. [kenne TUH.] teche W. hoten] hotep U. 106. Is] bat is U. 107. as] TU omit. 108. dar] dar wel TU. 109, onl of TU. TU wonide T ; wonde U. is J- 116. 3if] U om. |U om. 121. Sobre—symple] 127 I knelt to Study, and asked her to teach me about Do-well. [fol. 401 b. col. 2.] She said she would recommend me to Clergy, (Learning), whose wife was Scripture (Writing). “The way thither is through Suffer-weal-and- WO, passing by Riches and Lechery, till thou come to the court câlled Keep-thy-tongue. Then shalt thou 110, is—3iftes] bat gold hab to 3ifte 111. askedel axide TU. dnvellebj 113. I–teche be] Axe TU. to] with UH. 119. Forte] Foor til U ; Til T. 120. From] For T; fro U. Speche] Sobirte & sim- plite T ; Soberte of symplesse U. 128 See Sober and Simple. tell him it was I who put him to School. Say I taught his wife the Psalter and Wisdom, logic and music. SHE COMMENDS HIM TO CLERGY AND scFIPTURE. [PASS. XI. bat ſeche wyst] bed in wil his wit be to schewe. Coming to Clergy, S’ schalt pou come to Clergye pat con mony pinges; Sei him pis [signe] pat I sette him to scole, And pat I grette wel his wyf for I wrot hire a Bulle, And sette hire to sapience and to hire psauter I-gloset. T Lo logyk I lered hire and al be lawe after, 124 And alle Musons In Musyk T made hire to knowc. 128 º Plato pe Poyete I put him furste to Boke, Aristotle and oper mo " to Arguen I taugte; Gramer for [gurles] ‘ I gon furste to write, And Beot hem wip a Baleys But 3if bei wolde lernen. *|| Of alle Maner Craftus I con Counterfeten heor tooles, - I 33 I also taught Of Carpunters and keruers; . I [kende] furst Masouns, masons the use of level and line. But Theology has Vexed me often ; musing on it only makes it mistier. semep, And lered hem liuel and lyne - pau; I loke dimme. Bº. Teologye hap teoned me ' ten score tymes; 136 For pe more I [muse] peron pe [mistiloker] hit And be deppore I diuinede pe [derkore] me použte. Hit is no science forsope to Sotilen per-Inne, But for the love that is in it, it 122. [eche wy;t UTH, euerimon V. 123. pinges] wyttes T. 124. [signe TUH.] tokene V. bafl TU omit, 125. U omits. And—grette] And bat pou grete T ; And if thou grete H. a Bulle] be bible T. d 126. to hire] to be U. 127. Lol TUH, omit. 128. alle—in alle be musons of T ; alle be musonys of U. to knowel knowe alse T. 130 to—tauştel I tawte ferst to argue U. 131. [gurles H.TUI children W.; see P. X. l. 155. to] TU omit. 133, 134. And alle kynne craftis I contreuide here, Tolis of carpenteris & kerućris' Neore be loue bat lyhp perinne a lewed ping hit weore. Bote for hit [let] best biloue I leeue hit pe betere; 141 & kende ferst masons T; And alle kynne craftis I con- strued hure ferst to lere, Tolis of carpenteris, & kerue I taupte (sic) ferst masouns U. [kende TH2] taugte V 135, lered] lernide TU. livel— lyne] lyne & leuel U. loke] lokyd U. 137, 138. The mords mistiloker and derkore both occur in V, but in the wrong lines ; see various readings. 137. [muse TUH.] studie V. [mis- tiloker] mistlokere TU ; derkore V. 138. [derkore] derkere T; deppere U; mistiloker W. me] I U. 140. U omits. lemed] wel lewid T. 141. [let] lat T; last U ; see 1. 29. leeue] loue TU. - PASS. XI.] Fºr pat loue is be lord ' pat lakkede neuer grace; * Leef wel per-vppon 3if pou penke Dowel; For Dobet and Dobest beop drawen of [loue] scole. In oper science hit seip Seo hit in Catoun, Qui simulat verbis, nec corde est [fidus] Amicus, [Tu quoque facsimile, sic ars deluditur arte.] But Theologie techep not so hose takep kepe, He [kennep us be contrarie ageyn Catons wordes, ASTRONOMY AND GEOMETRY ARE DIFFICULT. were a sorry thing. Believe in love, if * thou think to Do- well. 145 Cato (Dist. i. 26) says differently, but Theology bids us love And biddep[vs] ben as Breperen and Blessen vr enemys, And louen hem pat lygen on vs 'lellyche at heor neode, And do good ageyn vuel; God him-self hotep, and return good for evil. 150 And seide hit him-self . In ensaumple for pe beste, Necesse est vf veniant scandala. * Bote Astronomye is hard ping and vuel to knowe, Gemetrie and Gemensye is gynful of speche, pat worchep with peose preo priuep he late, For sorcerye Is be souereyn [bok pat to pat science longip, Mat. xviii. 7. Astronomy, geometry, and geomancy are three evil things, 153 and deal with sorcery. 3et arn pere febicchis of Forellis] of mony mennes wittes. T Experimentis of Alconomye Of Alberdes makynge, Nigromancye and perimancie be pouke to Rise makep; 142. For pere bat loue is lord lakkip neuere grace TU ; H, the same, but mith, lakkede for lakkip. 143. mel pervppon] lelly peron TU. 144. [loue scole UI lore in scole V; louis skile T ; loues skyle H, ; see note. 145. Seo] I sai; T; I saw U. [fidus TU) fidelis W. [Tu-arte] Omitted in WTUHz, but given in D. 146. techebl techip vs TU ; techit it H2. hose] who T; who so U. kepel heed TU. 147. [kennep, kennip T; kennes U; techep W. us] U om. 148. biddepl bit U; biddith H, ; T omits. [vs TUIſ...] W om. 149. hem] U om. lellychel & lenen hem, TU. 151, hit himself] himself hit V; TH, 9 156 Deal not with alchemy, nigromancy, or pyromancy; transpose the nords ; see note. Wecesse —Scandalaj Dilige dominum deum tuum ex toto corde tuo U (see 1. 236). 152. Bote] Ac U; T omits. - 153. Gemetrie] Geometrie TU. Gemensye) geomesie T; gemessie U. gymful] gryfful U. 154. norcheb—beose pinkeb werche wip po T'; benkep to werche with po U; thynkist dele with tho H. hel wel T ; wol U. - 155, 156. [bok—forellis] From T.; also in UH, ; W omits, febiechis] fibeches U ; febucches H2. 156, 157. U omits the last half of 1. 156, and the first half of l. 157. al- conomyel alkenemye T.; alknamye H. 158. Rise makeb) reisen TU ; a-reysen H2. 130 THE DREAMER GREETS CLERGY AND STUDY. [PASS. IXI. 3if pou penche Dowel dele with hem neuere. I invented them Alle peose sciences siker, I my-seluen 160 to deceive men. Haue I-founded hem furst folk to deceyue. Farewell * be-take pe to crist,” quod hed . “I con teche be no betere.” I Seide, “graunt Merci, Madame " ' And Mekeliche hire grette, e so I went on qui And wente forb on my wei' withouten more lettynge, i.” And fond as hed fore-folde and forb gon I wende, 165 * And ar I coome to clergye coupe I neuer stunte. I grette pe goode mon as pegode wyf me taugte, And afterward his wyf I worschupet hem bope, 168 And tolde hire pe tokenes pat me I-taugt were. who received me Was neuer gome vppon grounde seppen God made gladly. heuene, Feirore vndurfonge me frendloker maad at ese, pen I my-self sopli so some as hed wuste 172 pat I was of wittes hous and with his wif Dam Studie. Clergy asked after ſlurteisliche Clergye Clupte me and Custe, Wit and Study, And asked hou wit ferde and eke his wyf Studie. And I said they And I seide soplyche “pei sende me hider 176 tº Toleorne at 3ou Dowel and Dobet after, well, Do-bet, and DO-best. And seppen Afturward to seo sum what of Dobest.” ‘Dowell,” he ‘ſ “Hit is a welfeir lyf.” quod heo “Among pelewed said, “is an active life, such as that peple, 159. nyith hem] berwith TU. heo it T. 160, siker] sykerly U. my-seliterºl 173. with] U om. my-self foundit TU. 174. Clergyel clergise T : clergie H2. 161. Hem formest folke for to Cluptel collide Hº ; callide T; calde U. desceyue T; burw hem formest folk 175. asked] axide T.; asked me U. to deceyuen U (see note to 1. 160). ferde] U omits (by mistake); it also 162, betake—tol bekenne pe TU. omits wyf. eke—nyf] his wif T ; his 164, forb on] wigtly T; wixth in U. wif dame H2. 165, foretolde] fayre tolde U. 176. seidel seige T.; Seide H, ; Seyde 167. II. And U. hem U. sende] sente TU. hider] 168. ET & U. hem] T omits. peder U. 170. gone vppon] grom vpon bis TU. 177. leorne] lere TU. Donel] to 171, frendiohenji frendliere T : dowel U. . after] bere aftir TU. frendlekere (sic) U; frendloker H2. 179. fair] lelly T; lely U. 172. I] TU omit, so] as U. as hed] | PP. A (Vºx) - -, -º-º::::::=-“.<>2<^***, *:Tºº, mº T L *- * = ...: E -- tº-ºº: E-zº- === == c (340 PASS. XI.] FURTHER ACCOUNT OF Do-WEL, Do-BET, AND Do-BEST. 131 |Actif it is I-hoten hosebondes hit vsen ; 180 º: * * [Trewe tilieris on Erpe-tailſóőrs & souteris, É. :* /N , IO; * ! And alle kyne crafty men pat cunne here foode wynne, ; Wip any trewe trauaille toille for here foode, C-H+6-6 éa: Hº-k } Diken or deluen do-wel it hatte 184 ++ * rve 5 To breke beggeris bred & bakken hem with clopis, .º feed Counſorte pe carful pat in castel ben fetterid, beggars, to 7: . . . comfort those in And seken out be seke & sende hem pathem medip;, prison, and the 73 ge - sick: sº 42 Obedient as breperen & Sustren to opere; 188 “” 3& bus bed be do-bet so berip witnesse he sauter; & e and to live in Ecce quam bonum et quam locundum, habitaré, unity º, g Ps. cxxxii. 1 Fratres, in vnum. * (Vulg.). Sike with pe sory singe with pe glade, - Gaudere cum gaudentibus ; Et fiere cum flentibus, (Rom, xii. 15.) [Dredles, is dobet dobest wot pesothe ſ] Sire dobest hap benefices so is he best worpi, 192 Do-best i o-best is to teach be pat god in pe gospel grauntip & techip ; º:º g § & ſº e hing, & Qui facit et docuerit, magnus vocabitur in regno v.19. celorum. .* Forpi is dobest : [a] bisshopis pere, Prince ouergodis peple to prechen or to chaste. Dobet dop ful wel & dewid he is also, 196 IFol. 51 a.] tº * - e Do-bet has And hap possessions & pluralites for pore menis sake. ... and 180. [Actif it TUH.D] A lyf W ; 187. Seke] D omits (by mistake). (by mere mistake). hosebondes] lewide 188. breperen] broper D; brothren men T. H2. Sustren] sistres U. opere] alle OBS. Here, most unfortunately, the othir H2, . . . Vernon teart ceases ; for the rest, the 189, bus—be] Thus byt D3 Thus Trinity MS. (T) is taken to form the bad the H, ; bese ben bat U. sol bus U. teart, and it is collated nith UDH. 191. From MS. Harl. 3954, fol. 122. 181, taillours] as taliours U. 3] or TH.UD have only a half-line, viz. e God wot, bis is dobet ; and they 182, here foode] with here craft U. divide ll. 192, 193 wrongly. 183. toille] tilie U. 193. U omits this line, and the 184. hatte] hygte U; hattith H2. Latin. docuérit] docuit D. 185. bakken hem] bak hym D ; 194. For bis dobest is a bysschopis bachem U. pere U. [a UD] TH, omit. 186. Counforte] confortid H. 195. ouer] of U. or—chaste] & to (n'rongly). bat in pat in be U; techyn U. g . . . in D. ben] is U. 196. denid] dewyd H. ; dowel UI). 9 * 132 endowments to relieve the poor with. Gregory the pope HayS, POMP AND ARROGANCE OF THE MONES. [PASS. XI. For mendynaunt; at mischiefe be men were dewid; And pat is rigtful religioun none renneris aboute, Ne no leperis ouer lond ladies to shryue. Gregory pegrete clerke a good pope in his tyme, Of religioun pe rewele he reherside in his morals, 200 And seide it in ensaumple bat peishulde do he hetere: * as fish die out nf water, so does Religion when out of a convent.” ‘Whalue ſlsshes faile be flood or be fresshe watir, pei dige for pe drougte whanne pei dreige lengen; 205 Rigt so be religioun it roilep and steruip, pat out of couent & cloistre coueiten to libben’. But now Religion is a rider, a land- buyer, and wears a dagger. Ac now is religioun a ridere & a rennere aboute, 208 A ledere of [louedayes] and a lond biggere, Poperip on a palfrey to toune & to toune, A bidowe or a baselard he berip be his side ; Godis flessh & his fet & hise fyue woundis 212 Arn more in his mynde pan be memorie of his found- O?!?’S. Such bad lives these lords lead. pis is be lif of pis lordis pat lyuen shulde wip do-bet, And wel-a-wey wers and I shulde al telle. Kings and knights and earls ought to be very good men ; I wende pat kinghed & knigthed & caiseris wip Erlis Wern do-wel & do-bet & do-best of hem alle; For I haue seize it my-selfe & sippen red it aftir, 217 How Crist counseillip pe comune & kennep hem pis tale, Mat. xxiii. 2. Super cathedram moisi Sederunt principes. For-pi I wende bat powyes wern do-best of alle ! 220 198. pe—denid] bo men were I- dued U ; bat men were sum tyme D. 203. Seide it] seip hym U. bei] men U. do pel do D. 204. or pe] of be H2. 205. bei–lengen.] bey drye lyggyn D; thei dreige leggen H, ; it dryhep longe U. 206, it roilep] bat roxleb, (loosely written for royleb) U. 208. aboute] be strete D; bestretis U. 209. [lowedayes H. ; luſdayes Ul ladies TD; see 1. 20. lond biggere] fond-beggere D. 210. to—to] fro toun to H.UD. 212. fet] feet H.UD. 213. Arn] Bup D. pan be] pan |UD. - 215. shºulde] wold D; see note. 216. D transposes knigthed and kinghed ; U reads, I wende kyngis & knythis and kayseres and Erles. 217. of Jouer U. 218. seize it] it sen U; seyn it H.D. red it] i-rad U. 219. counseillip] conseylede U. pis tale] bese lawes U. In U a blank space is left for the Latin. f - - k- * - ... --...--—-------tº- --- --5 = s ; fj-,-, * lº, Tººr ~.” *—º--> - - º & 2493 PASS. XI.] RICH MEN SHALL HARDLY ENTER HEAVEN. 133 I mile not scorne,” quod scripture “but scryueyns lige; Kinghod & knigthod for aust I can aspie, Helpip nouxt to heuene at one 3eris ende, Ne richesse ne rentis ne realte of lordis. Poul prouip it is vmpossible riche men in heuene, Ac pore men in pacience & penaunce togidere Hauen eritage in heuene ac riche men non.”— “Contra,” quod I, “be Crist pat can I be wisse, 228 And prouen it be pe pistik pat petir is nempnid; Qui crediderit et baptizatus fuerit, Saluus erit.” “pat is in extremis,” quod scripture “as sarisines & Iewis Where as king- hood and knight- hood help not to 22 4 heaven. Paul says the rich cannot win heaven (1 Tim. vi. 9).” “I deny it,” I said, “I refer you to Peter’’ (Mark xvi. 16). **That refers to Saracens and Jews,” said sho. Mowe be sauid so & so is oure beleue ; pat [an] vneristene in pat cas' may cristene an hepene, And for his lele beleue whanne he his liftynep, 233 Haue eritage in heuene as an hei; cristene. Ac cristene men, god wot comip not so to heuene ; For cristene han a degre & is pe comun speche, Dilige deum, etc., Et proacimum tuum sicut teipsum. “The rule for Christians is given in Lu. X. 7 27; Godis word witnessip we shulm 3iue & dele Oure enemyS, And alle men pat arm medy [as] pore men & Suche, Dum tempus est, operemur bonum ad Ommes, maacime 237 [Fol. 51 b.] and in Gal. vi. 10. autem ad domesticos fidei. Alle kynne creatures pat to crist beleuip 221. 999 * * * * mile] nel D.; wele U. aust] nouxt D. 223. heuene] hefne-ward U. 225. it is] U om. is] D om. riche— heuene] be riche to comen in heſne U. 226. men] D omits. penaw.nce] U arepeats pacience. ' 227. Hauen] han here U. and U. 228. bat—nºisse] i kan be withseye U. be] D omits. 229. be pistill apostil U. nid] it nemnyp D. omits. ac is nemp- saluus erit] U 230. is] U omits, as among U. 231. So is] bat U (omitting is). 232. bat—cas] pat oon cristen in cas U. [an] oon U; arn THz; bup D; see note. 234. Hauel Haue an U. 236. degre] dirige U. is bel our U. Dilige, &c.] Nemo, &c. U (see l. 255). 237. mºe—3ive] bat we schal peue (!) U (by error for yeue). 238. [as H.U] & T; D omits. fidei] H2 omits. 239, Alle kynde creatours bat crist ben y-lyche U. belewip] longen D. Tºv, 134 THE DOCTRINE OF PREDESTINATION. [PASS. X}. We be holde heigly to herie & honoure, 240 And 3iuen hem of Oure good as good as Oure seluen, And souereynliche to suche pat sewen oure beleue ; Christians ought pat is, iche Cristene man be kynde to oper, º each And sipen hem to helpe in hope hem to amende. 244 To harme hem ne slen hem god higte vs neuere; Por he sei), it lyin-selfe in his ten hestis, see Lu.xviii.20; [Won] mecaberis, ne sle nou;t is pe kynde englissh, and Rom. xii. 19.” For, Michi [windictal, et ego retribuam; I shal punisshen in purcatory or in pe put of helle Eche man for his misdede but mercy it make.” 249 “But I am no “3et am I neuere pener for nougt I haue walkid nearer than I * º - was,” said I. To wyte what is do-wel witterly in herte ; For how so I werche in bis world [wrong] oper ellis, “I am saved, if I was markid, withoute mercy & myn name entrid 253 saved, by - predestination. In pe legende of lif longe er I were ; Or ellis Vndir-writen for wykkid as witnessip be gospel, John iii. 13. Nemo ascendet ad celum nisi qui de celo descendit. And I leue on oure lord & on no lettrure betere ; 256 Solomon, who e jwisdom— For Salamon pe Sage pat Sapience made, God 3af [hym] grace & richesse to-gidere For to reule his reaum rigt at his wille ; did henot well? Dede he not wel & wisly as holy chirche techip, 260 Bope in werke & in woord in world in his tyme? Yet he and Aristotle & he who wrougte betere? 240. We—holde] We ben I-holde 249. Echel Euery U. U; Ben holde D. 250, now;t] nowth bat U. 241. oure] here D. oure selwen] 252. So the line stands in D; THz hem-seluen D. omit wrong; U reads, For how so I 242. pat serven] as Suen U. werche wrong or ellis. 243. is] U omits. kynde] kende U. 253. withoute] with U. 244. to helpe] helpyn D. to] D 254, be]H, omits, ºvere] ded ware U. omits. 255. whdirnyriten] vnwrite U. 245. ne] ne to Ho; or to U. mykkid—gospel] wiled bus seib be 246. For] U omits. gospel U. 247. [Non UD] Ne THz. mecaberis] 256. And—on] And I leue it, be Sic ; (the mistake is the author's). D.; And beleue on H. lettrure] Hynde] D om. [vindictal vindictam lettere U. TH.UD (all wrong). - 258. [hym UDI hem TH2. 248. punisshen] pyne U. 260. & misly] ne wysly D. | __&_--—º- l- f = - *- § -——º *—, , , wº-: 5–2. h PAss. XI.] NEITHER SOLOMON NOR ARISTOTLE WERE SAVED. 135 And al holy chirche holden hem in helle ! * are IIl And was pere neuere in pis world to wysere of Werkis; For alle cunnynge clerkis sippe crist 3ede on erpe 265 All clerks follow Taken ensaumples of here sawis in Sarmonis pat pei maken, their advice; And be here werkis & here wordis 'wissen vs to dowel; And 3if I shal werke be here werkis to wynne me and were I to do heuene, the same, and yet 268 go to hell, I were unwise indeed And for here werkis & for here wyt wende to pyne, panne wrougte Ivnwisly wip alle pe wyt pat Ilere ! A goode friday, I fynde a feloun was Sauid But the thief on the cross was pat hadde lyued al his lyf wip lesinges & beftis; 272 saved, because he shrove him to And for he kneu3 on pe crois & to crist shref hym, christ, Sonnere hadde he saluacion panne Seint Ion pe baptist, Or Adam or ysaye or any of pe prophetis, pat haddeleyn with lucifer manye longe 3eris; 276 A robbere hadde remission rapere panne pei alle, [Fol. 52 a..] Withoute penaunce of purcatorie to haue paradis for *.*.* robber escaped €U167’e. purgatory. panne marie pe maudeleyn who mixte do wers? Who did worse : A • © than Mary . Or who dede wers panne dauid pat vrie destroyede? ..., Or poule be apostil pat no pite ne hadde, 281 Paul ? Cristene kynde to kille to depe? And arn [none] for Sope • Souereynes in heuene, Yet they are now in heaven. As pise pat wrougte wykkidly in world whanne pei Were. 284 And 3et I forget [ferbere] of fyue wyttis techinge, 263. al] U omits. hem] hym D. 264. pere] U omits. to two D; ino U. - 266. ensawmples] ensaumple H, ; -exsample U. maken] maden H2. 268. merkis] werk U; wordes D. 269. And I for here werkis wende to pyne U. 270. banne—II ban wroutty U. .vnnisly] vnwittily U. bat] D om. 272. U omits this lime. 273. And—on] For he knelyd to U. knew;] knew H.D. shref] so in TDH, ; schrof U. 274. 275. 276. 278. 279. 280. 281. 283. he] UD omit. be] bese U; those H, nvith] be U. of] in U. be] UD omit. nºho] U omits. ne] UD omit. [none U; non D.H.] now T. souereynes] souereyn D. Arn none for sothe so fer in hefne U. 7~%, CLERKS LOSE HEAVEN ; PLOUGHMEN WIN IT. Christ never commended "--"s; ºr A * z—s –4–4 h : xy - * 23.93 1 – =<--——". | • S, |PASS. XI. pat clergie of Cristis moup comendite [was euer); clergy (learning); For he seide it hym-selfe to summe of his disciplis, see Mark xiii. 9, 11, [Cum] steteritis ante presides, nolite cogitare ſquid loquamini]; And is as muche to mene to men pat ben lewid, 288 “Wheper 3e ben aposid of princes or of prestis of pe which says, “When ye are brought before kings,’ &c. lawe, For to answere hem haue 3e no doute, For I shal graunte 3ow grace of god pat 3e seruen, pe help of pe holy gost to answere hem at wille.’ 292 pe douxtiest doctour or dyuynour of petrinite, Augustine says, Seide pis for a sarmoun Ecce ipsi ſydiote] rapiunt celum, wbi nos Sapientes (Confess. Lib. viii. c. 8), pat Austyn pe olde & higeste of pe foure, so me god helpe 85 p £n infernum mergemur ; And is to mene in Oure moup more ne lesse, 296. ‘Arn none rapere yrauisshid fro periste beleue * Wise clerks are often sunk in hell, panne arn pise grete clerkis pat conne many bokis; Ne none sonnere ysauid ne saddere of consience, whilst poor ploughmen and shepherds attain heaven,” by help of but one Paten'-noster / " Souteris & seweris suche lewide iottis Percen wip a pater noster pe paleis of heuene, Wipoute penawnce, at here partynge in-to heige blisse panne pore peple as plougmen and pastours of bestis.” 301 Breuis oracio penetrat celum.” 285–287. U omits. 285, 286. These two lines corruptly given in all the MSS. Critical Note. 287. [Cum. UJ Dum T.H.D. [quid loquamini] In U only. 288. And] It U. as] H, omits. 289. Wheber] Whar D; Whan U. or of Jothir of H., ; or UD. 290. hem] hym D. 292. at wille] alle UD. 293. or—trinite] dempnour of be lawe U 294, pat] pat was U. heist U. 295. Seide pis] And seide bus U. 0.7% See higeste] be [ydiote UT ydioti TH2 ; Idioti D. 7-apiunt] rapuerunt Hz. v.bi—merge- mur] et nos cum doctrinis nostris demergemur in infernum U. 297. Arn] Bup D. fro] for D. 298. banne—pise] ban pese U ; Than bub D. 300. and or D. 301. Suche] and swiche U. Iuttis U. 302. Percen] Pasen U. 303. heige] be heye U; the hege H. Brewis—célum] UD omit. OBS. See Critical Notes as to this ending. iottis] \s PASS, XII.] (To follow page 136.) w — — — . tº: 4328, ºp. 44.27- 431, 137 * SUPPLEMENT TO “PIERS PLOWMAN,” PART I. TEXT A. [MS. Rawl. Poet. 137. Fol. 40.] PASSUS XII. Passus tercius de dowel. & 4 Cº. wot,” quod clergie “knowe hit 3if pe lyke, I haue do my deuer pe dowel to teche; And who-so coueytep don betere pan be boke tellep, “Christ knows,” said Clergy, “I have tried to teach you Do-wel. He passep pe apostolis lyf and put him to aungelys 4 But Ise now as I Seye as me sop thinkyty, pe were lef to lerne but lop for to stodie. pou woldest konne pat I can and carpen hit after, Presumptuowsly, parauenture a-pose so manye, You want to learn in order to cavil.” 8 That [hit] my;the turne men to tene & theologie bope. 3if I wiste witterly pou woldest don per-after, Al pat pou askest a-soylen I wolde.” Skornfully po scripture [set vp here] browes, And on clergie criep on cristes holy name, That he shewe me hit ne sholde but 3if [hit] stryf were 12 Scripture set up her brows, and told Clergy not to tell me YūOlſe. Of be kynde cardinal wit and cristned in a font ;- And Seyde [hit] so loude pat shame me thougthe, “pat hit were bope skape and sklaundre to holy cherche, [NOTE. See the account at the end of the Passus, shewing whence this Twelfth Passus is derived.] Pass. XII. Called Passus tercius de dowel in MS. U and MS. Rawlinson 137. See the note to Pass, XI. I. 303, on p. 154. 1. be] ye U; but the y represents b. 3. coueſ/tep don] coueite to don U. 4. pel. U om. him] hem U; cor- ruptly. 6. U omits. 9. [hit] it U; M.S. Rawlinson omits. 16 “Theology men] me U. 12. pol mismyritten be in MS. Raw- linson; U has yo = bo. [set up here] So in U; MS. Rawlinson has sherte vp his, where at least his is myrong. 13. crieb] cryede U. cristes] godis U. 14, shewe me hit schewist U (cor- ruptly). [hit] it U; M.S. Rawl, om. 15. kynde] U om. 16. [hit] it U; MS. Rawl, om. me] me it U. 17. bohel U om. 138 % forbids me to teach sinners. SCRIPTURE FORBIDS CLERGY TO SAY MORE. [PASS, XII. Sitthe theologie be trewe to tellen hit defendep; Dauid godes derling defendyp hit al-so: Ps. cxviii. 158 (Vulg.). I saw synful, he seyde per-fore I Seyde no-ping, Vidi [prewaricantes] et tabescebam : 20 Til po wrecches ben in wil here synne to lete. And poul prechep hit often prestes hit redyn, 2 Cor. xii. 4. Audiº archane que mon licet homini loqui : I am not hardy, quod he pat I herde with erys, Telle hit with tounge to synful wrecches. 24 And god graunted hit neuere be gospel hit witnessep, In be passioun, whan pilat a-posed god al-myºthi, [Fol. 40 b.] Jo, xviii. 38. And asked Ihesu on hy pat herden hit an hundred, Quid est weritas 2 quod he verilyche tel vs; 28 God gaf him non answere but gan his tounge holde. So do not tell him any more ” Rigt so I rede,” quod she “red pou no ferber; Of pat he wolde wite wis him no betere. For he cam not by cause to lerne to dowel, 32 13ut as he seyp, such I am when he with me carpep.” At this, Clergy withdrew. And when scripture pe skolde hadde pus wyt y-sheued, Clergie in-to a caban crepte anon after, - And drow pe dore after him and bad me go dowel, 36 Or wycke, 3if I wolde wheper me lyked But I prayed Scripture to tell me where her cousin Kind Wit. (Common Sense) lived. With pat she wolde me wisse wher pe toun were, pan held I vp myn handes to scripture be wise, To be hure man 3if I most for euere-more after, 40 Kynde (wit hure confessour hure cosyn was Inne. pat lady pan low and lau5the me in here armes, And Sayde, “my cosyn kynde wit knowen is wel wide, And his loggyng is with lyf pat lord is of erpe. 44 And 3if pou desyre with him for to a-byde, 18. Sitthe] Scihop (sic) U. be treme] yat trèwe is U. to U om. 19. [preuaricantes] So in U ; MS. Rawl. corruptly has preuaricationes. 20. MS. U ends with tabescebam ; and from this line to the end, ºve have only MS. Rawl. to trust to. Seyde no- ping] It is clear that the poet con- struestabesceba ºn as if it were tacebam. The same idea recurs in ll. 23 and 29. 22. Audiwi, &c. Quoted again in Text B. Pass. XVIII. 33. such I am) i. e. I am not to be commended; alluding to Pass. XI. l. 286. 41. wit..] The MS. has wi, the usual contraction for with ; but see ll. 43 and 53; and hit for hit, l. 25. :-- tºº * Q. z 4393, pp. 437-43/ PASS, XII.] I shal pe wisse where pat he dwellep.” And panne I kneled on my knes and kyste her wel SOne, And panked hure a pousand sypes with probbant herte. 48 She called [to ken] me a clerioun pathy;t Omnia-probate a pore ping with alle, “pou shalt wende with wil,” quod she “whiles pat him lykyp, -- Til 3e come to be burghe quod-bonum-est-tenete. 52 Ren him to my cosenes hous' pat kinde wit hy;th, Sey I sente him pis segge and pat he shewe hym dowel.” pus we lau;pe oure leue lowtyng at onys, And wente forb on my way with omnia-probate, 56 And ere I cam to pe court quod-bonum-est-tenete, Many ferlys me by-fel in a fewe 3eris. The fyrste ferly I fond a-fyngrid me made ; As I 3ede thurgh 30upe a-3en prime dayes, 60 I stode stille in a stodie and stared a-bowte ; “Al hayl,” quod on po, and I answered “welcome and with whom be 3e 7" “I am dwellyng with deth and hunger I hatte, To lyf in his lordshepe longyt my weye, I shal felle bat freke in a fewe dayes 1" “I wolde folwe pefayn but fentesye me hendep, Me folwep such a fentyse I may no ferper walke.” “Go we forb,” quod pe gom “I haue a gret boyste 68 At my bak, of broke bred pi bely for to fylle; 64 TIIE AUTHOR GOES TO SEEK OUT KIND WIT, 139 # “I will tell you,” she said. She said to Omnia-probate, “Go and show Will the way.” So we went to the court called Quod-bonwºm-est- Čenété. [Fol. 41.] As I went through Youth, I met a man and hailed him. I'e said he lived with Death, and his name was Hunger. He offered me some scraps of bread. 49, 50. These two lines are myritten as one in the MS. Some such phrase as to ken me seems to have been lost ; see 1. 53. 50. Omnia probate] Compare Text B. Pass. III. l. 335. 52. burghe] 1 burgher MS. But burghe - borough is meant ; it is call- ed a court in l. 57. 58. Cf. Prologue; l. 62. Here fol- lon's the catch nord—be ſerste ferly. 60. 30whe] miswritten gou be in MS.; the metrical dot being inserted by mistake after the letter u. But the 7'eading is certain ; cf. Text B. Pass. XI. 17, 34, 59; and especially observe the nyhole drift of Text B. Pass. XI. 62. A half-line has probably been lost here. 66. Cf. Pass. V. 5. 140 % PIE MEETS WITH EIUNGER AND FEVER. [PASS. XII. A bagge ful, of a beggere I boughe hit at onys.” Than maunged I wit vp at be fulle, For pe myssyng of mete no mesour I coude. 72 With pat cam a knaue with a confessoures face, He halsed me and I asked him after, Of when pat he were and wheder pat he wolde. Next I met one Ualled Fever, “With dep I duelle,” quod he “dayes and nystos ;70 Mi name is feuere, on pe ferbe day I am a-prest euere; I am masager of dep men haue I tweyne, pat on is called cotidian a cowrour of oure hous, Tercian pat oper trewe drinkeres bope 80 We han letteres of lyf he shal his lyf ſtyne;] Fro dep, pat is oure duk swyche dedis we brynge.” “My3th I so, god wot 3oure gates wolde I holden.” * Do not, follow me, Will,” he said. WT * ---- here, ** But do well while your days last.” [Fol. 41 b.] Whil his lyf and his lykhame lesten to-gedere. And per-fore do after do-wel whil pi dayes duren, pat pi play be plentevous in paradys with aungelys. “Nay, will” quod pat wy;th “wend pou no ferther, 84 But lyue as pis lyf is ordeyned for the, And mannes merpe wrough no mor pan he deseruyp 88 pou shalt be lau5th into ly;th with loking of an eye, So bat pou werke be word ' pat holy wryt techep, 92 And be prest to preyerés and profitable werkes.”. So Will made haste to write his Do-wel; and he also wrote his Peres the Plowman. bope 70. boughe] ºf wrough, 1.87; laugbe, 1. 55; &c. 71. Corrupt ; probably two half- lines lost. 78. Fevers and Death appear in Text B. Pass. XX. 81. [tyne] The MS. has tyme, cor- puptly. See Pass. XI. 233. 86., bowl misn'ritten be in the MS. ; the being the preceding ºvord. Wille [wiste) purgh in-wit— pou wost wel be sope— pat pis speche was spedelich and sped him welfaste, And wrougthe pat here is wryten and oper werkes 96 87. wrough] = wrougte. Cf. J. 70. The reading worpe would make better S670S63. 94. The word wiste has evidently been dropped here, probably on account of wost following. 96. This means that, besides the Vita de Do-wel, Do-bet, et Do-best, the author ºvrote Peres the Plowman. PASS. XII.] THE AUTHOR's WORKS AND DEATH. 14.1 % Of peres pe plowman and mechel puple al-So ; And whan pis werk was wrougt ere wille my;te a-spie, Dep delt him a dent and drof him to peerpe, Now he lies e g te buried under the And is closed vnder clom crist haue his soule ! 100 j And so bad Iohan but busily wel ofte, John But added When he saw pes sawes busyly a-legged this ending. By Iames and by Ierom by Iop and by opere, And for he medlep of makyng he made pis ende. 104 Now alle kenne creatures pat cristene were euere, God for his goudnesse gif hem swyche happes, To lyue as pat lord lykyp pat lyf in hem putte. Furst to rekne Richard kyng of pis rewme, 108 God save King And alle lordes pat louyn him lely in herte, º: - God Saue hem sound by se and by land; him Marie moder and may for man pou by-seke; pat barn bryng vs to blys pat bled vp-on pe rode 1 Amen. - - * 112 (£xplicit no-àel. Nomen scriptoris tisot plenus amoris. ~. . . . . . . . . . . . . 98–100. These are the author's John But, who made a second “end,” own words; he kills himself off, by because he was accustomed to “meddle way of finishing his poem, but he lived with makyng,” i. e. to compose verses. to re-write it, nevertheless. 102. busyly] Read sothely 2 Busyly 101–112. Obviously added, as is repeated from the line above. stated, by another hand, viz. that of 142 % NOTE ON PASSUS XII. THE discovery of the unique copy of the greater part of this Passus is due to Mr Geo. Parker, assistant in the Bodleian Library, from observa- tion of my note at p. 154 of the volume containing Text A of Piers Plowman. It is a most important and satisfactory discovery, as offering the complete solution of the problem as to the true termination of Text A. I had made out this much ; (1) that there was once a Passus XII., or more strictly a Passus tertius de dowel, of which 18 lines were pre- served in MS. U (belonging to University College, Oxford); (2) that this Passus must have been the concluding one of the Poem of Dowel in its earliest form; (3) that it must have contained considerably less than 180 lines, as shown by the state of the Vernon MS.; (4) that it must, in fact, have consisted of less than 131 lines, as shown by the state of the University College MS. All these suppositions are now fulfilled ; the missing portion—100 lines long—was found by Mr Parker in MS. Rawl. Poet. 137, in the Bodleian Library, the very existence of which was unknown to me until the Rawlinsonian MSS. were recently catalogued. This is now here printed, with various readings of the first 19 lines, one of which, the sixth, is omitted in the University College copy. This Rawlinson MS. is corrupt in places; in fact, every MS. of Piers Plowman is corrupt occasionally; —but it is sufficiently good to show us clearly how the poem ended. I here add a formal description of it, to supple- ment the descriptions on pp. xv-xxiv. XI. M.S. Rawlinson Poet. 137; on vellum ; of the early part of the fifteenth century. Size, about 9% in. by 5%. It consists of 41 leaves bound together, containing the whole of Piers Plowman, Text A. The four loose leaves, mentioned below as forming part of the old cover, are numbered 42—45. It is very remarkable as being the only perfect copy of its kind. At the beginning is the important heading—“Hic incipit liber qui uocatur pers plowman. Prologus; ” and this is the only copy of any kind I have yet seen wherein the word Prologus occurs. See Page 1, first footnote. At the end is the very important colophon— Explicit Do-wel, shewing that the poem really did end here, in its ear- NOTE ON PASS. XII. 143 * liest form. It is beyond a doubt copied from an earlier MS., viz. the very same one that MS. U (No. IV) was copied from. The text is in pre- cisely the same wrong order, the misarrangement of which is explained at p. xx. It has nearly the same readings, such as when I south wente (Prol. l. 1)—y wente wyde (l. 4)—I sweuenede (l. 10)—tryly onlyrid (where MS. U has a-tired; l. 14); and so on. But it nevertheless varies slightly from that MS. occasionally, the most curious instance which I have noticed being in the Prologue, at 1.54, where MS. Rawl. has the lines— Schopyn hem ermytes here ese to haue. on fele halue fonden hem to done, Lederes pei be of louedayes and with pe lawe medle. All these MS. U omits, possibly on account of an undecipherable word in the second line, where MS. Rawl. has a blank space. But the most curious point about the two latter lines is their non-appearance in other copies. After Piers Plowman follow “Fragments of the old French Ro- mance of Guy earl of Warwick, four leaves on vellum.” ff. 42—45 (end of MS.) Ces ciz li quice ad riame. Assez sur donc or e argent. Del son meint vesselment. Sire qās Jonas dit li rei. Entendez ore vers moi. Ma vie me auez ore garri Parceo cher ke esta ici, &c. On fol. 42 b is written in an old and large hand, Hoc volumen conceditur ad vsum fratrum minorum de obseruantia cantuarie. The name of the scribe was one Tisot. I have not the slightest doubt of the entire genuineness of the new portion. It is Langland's beyond a doubt, every word of it, from line 1 down to the end of line 100. All these lines are not only in his manner, but contain his favourite words, phrases, and turns of expression, and have the same changes of rhythm as we find in his works elsewhere. We obtain also a new proof that the author's name was “Will; ” as had been already ascertained by observing that Thought calls the author “Wille” in Pass. IX. l. 118, just after it had been noted (l, 62) that the same Thought was acquainted with the author's “kind" or Christian name. We learn further that the author's original idea was to conclude the poem in the following way. “I met,” he says, “with a man named Fever, who was the messenger of Death.” Fever brought a letter from Death, and was authorized to slay Life. “If I may ”—says our author —“I would go with you on your way.” But Fever tells him to live on, as God has ordained, to continue to do well, and to look for a reward '. These probably formed part of the old cover, the MS. having now a modern binding. 144 & NOTE ON PASS, XII. in Paradise, if he will only be regular at prayers, and ready to do pro- fitable works. “Now William (i. e. the author) knew by his conscience that this speech required immediate attention, and so he made haste and completed the poem here written ; and besides this Poem of Do-wel, he wrote the poem about Piers Plowman and many others; and when this work was wrought, ere Will might spy, Death dealt him a dint, and drove him to the earth ; and he is enclosed under clay; now Christ have his soul | " It is obvious that this notice of his own death is a mere flourish, intro- duced for the sake of winding up the poem at a moment when he had no idea of expanding and rewriting it ; which, however, he certainly did, and even used again some of the phrases and thoughts contained in. this very portion at the end of which he kills himself off. And with these words—“Christ have his soul!”—the poem, in its first form, truly ends. But in the present copy we have 12 superfluous lines, added by one “Johan But,” who, having read the whole poem, and being satisfied that most of the ideas in it could be well supported by quotations from James, Jerome, Job, and others, was pleased to dignify it with an end- ing of his own, as he had been accustomed to metrical composition him- self, having before then “meddled in making,” i. e. dabbled in verse. But he has very little more to say than to hope that God will bless all men and teach them to do right ; and So God save King Richard and all his lords, and may Mary, mother and maiden, beseech for man, and may Christ bring us all to bliss. The commonplaceness of these lines, and the smallness of their number, is of some importance. It shews us how men fared who attempted to add to the master-poet's words, and it affords some proof of the genuineness of the numerous additions which Langland made in his later versions, and which are not in the “Johan But " style by any means. - CRITICAL NOTES, ETC, 138 CRITICAL NOTES. [The following notes explain a few things more at length with respect to the various readings of the MSS. ; to have inserted them in the footnotes would have been inconvenient.] PROLOGUE, l. 14. In the word I-makeſ in the text, the MS. has a short tag to the final f ; a similar tag occurs twice elsewhere, one instance being in the word prechet (Pass. I. l. 137). It has no significance. I have altered wonderliche to trigely, to preserve the alliteration, although MS. H. supports the reading of W. The fuller alliterations found in the later copies were no doubt due, partly to corrections by the author himself, and partly to emendations (often ignorantly made) by copyists. Thus in l. 20, Eringe was soon changed (no doubt by the author) into seſſyng, but it does not follow that the alteration should be made in this early text. Nevertheless, I have ventured to write trigely here, for the reason given by Mr Wright in making a similar change. “Though we find instances of irregularity in the sub-letters (or alliterative letters in the first [part of the line) in Pierce Plowman, the chief-letter is not so often neglected.” In other places, I have not always given my reason for making alterations in the text, but the foot- notes will generally supply one ; and besides, I have always had regard to Text B. 22. Alliteration is here at fault. Even if we write And wommen bat for paſſ monie of, it is still imperfect. 28. This line is repeated at Pass. VII. l. 134. 39. The two parts of this line are (in V) written in separate lines. 41. See mote to l. 14. 54. The omission of hem is a mere mistake; it is certainly required, and assists the alliteration. 63. The reading and he is perhaps the best; it improves both the sense and the alliteration, and it is supported by Pass. I. l. 55. 68. I have here missed noting a small, yet important variation; instead of “and Fastinge” MSS. T and U read “ of Fastinge; ” in the former case, Falsnesse and Fastinge are considered separately ; but in the latter case, the phrase Falsnesse of Fastinge means the “breaking of vows made that they would fast.” 71. Mr Morris (following Mr Wright) has printed bouchede, but the u's CRITICAL NOTES (PROL. 75–1. 148). 139 and n's in this MS. are often distinguishable, and in this case the n is quite plain. Cf. the readings bunchip and bunchid, which are quite clear also. The reading bonches is open to doubt. “Bunchon, tundo, frudo.” Prompt. Parv. 75. The reading of the text is supported by MS. H, but the alliteration is improved by the alteration, His sel shulde not be sent. 79. The chief-letter of the alliteration is wanting. 8l. The word #yme should certainly be inserted, for even MS. V has the phrase seppe Pestilence tyme elsewhere. See Pass. XI. l. 59. 108. For and the MS. has ad, by mistake; another form, am, is not uncommon. The mistake is repeated in Pass, II. l. 17. PAssus I. l. l. For derke a great improvement is to read merke, as in Text B. 4. The reading loff is altogether wrong; even ſoft would have been better, as that would agree with Prol. l. 14, and Pass. I. l. 12. 8. The chief-letter of the alliteration is missing. 37. The same remark applies here. Word = world; there is no need of am l ; we also find, in old English, the spellings werd and ward. 39. Seo = see, in the imperative mood, and the sentence means, “per- ceive it well inwardly;” but set is a simpler and perhaps better reading. 46. The alliteration is defective, as also in ll. 50, 58, 120. 69. For hit weare MS. H has pis was. 79. Instead of teche we might with advantage read kenne, both here and in ll. 90 and 127, and the alteration would be supported by l. 130; but I have preferred leaving the text intact to making three alterations. 87. The second dop seems repeated by mistake; I prefer willeb, with which cf. Text B. 121. I am not sure that “wende’’ is required, and have therefore not inserted it. 122. There is no doubt about the reading of W, as Coroumep is spelt with a capital letter; but c and # are hardly distinguishable in some MSS., so that &ronen and cronen would look very much alike: still, MS. T has fronen, which suits the alliteration. 128. For Corps MS. H has body, written over an erasure. 135. For techep the true reading is probably wissep, and this would explain how such readings arose as witnesseth and askip toyſnesse, the latter of which is not very intelligible. Cf. Pass. XI. l. 8. 137. The reading of V-prechet be pin harpe—must surely be wrong, being meaningless; prechet seems to be a contraction of preche it. 139. The omission of the final b in Cumsep is probably due to the word per following. 143. MS. U omits the word wo, evidently by mistake. 148. The wrong reading by (for heige) is easily explained; the scribe must have been thinking of the mercy shewn by Christ to the penitent thief; but this idea does not agree with the statement that they “pierced his heart.” 140 CRITICAL NOTES (I, 149—II. 23). 149, 150. Though V has only one lime, it is so long as to suggest that it is made up of parts of two; it must have been originally, Forbi I rede be [riche 'haue reube on be pore, pau; bou bec] Mihtful of Mayn be Meke of bi wordes. MS. H has, perfore I rede bee ryºte haue rewpe of be pore, pei; pou be mystful of mayn be meke of bi warkys. 152. For 3e schul MS. H. has pou Schal, and for 3e wenden it has bow wendest, both variations being written over erased words. There are several erasures and alterations in MS. H hereabouts, and the alterations are all for the worse, judging by what can be traced, or guessed at by comparison with the present text. 155, 156. In the first of these lines it would improve the metre to write !el// for fretoely ; and in the second, to write goodliche for Treweliche. But there is a certain propriety in the continuous repetition of frewe and trewe- liche, which is destroyed by these alterations. 160. MS. V is here clearly wrong, but I have kept the word Fey, merely altering its place. Fey = faith, as in l. 14 of this Passus; fait or feet = feat, i. e. deeds or works. 175. MS. V abruptly ends the Passus here, but the remaining lines seem required, and are found in THUH.D. 182, 183. These lines have occurred before ; see ll. 123, 124, by help of which we might write them thus, according to the spelling adopted in W; For-pi I sigge as I seide er bi siht of be textes, Whon alle tresor is I-triget Treuhe is be beste. PASSUs II. l. 5. I have altered the reading hea of MS. V to he, because the next line has the appearance of being added as an after-thought. The meaning of “heo stondeb’ would be “they stand; ” but what seems to be intended is—“Look on thy left hand (quoth she) and see where he (i.e. IFalsehood) stands; (there are) both, Falsehood and Flattery, and all his (i. e. Flattery’s) whole company.” The chief reason for supposing that stondeb is here in the singular number is that the form of the question is such as to lead one to suppose so. He in MS. V means he, hea = she or they. 9. I since find that I omitted to insert that MS. T (as well as H2) has the reading pureste in ; this would certainly improve the alliteration, but MS. H supports the reading given, having richest. Still, the alteration should, perhaps, have been made. 21. Here the “chief-letter” is certainly lacking in all the MSS. ; and this is what renders the propriety of altering such lines as line 9 so doubtful. 23. Forgid is only better than brough because of the alliteration. In Mr Wright's edition we find Favel thorugh his faire speche Hath this folk enchaunted, where the line is mended another way. | CRITICAL NOTES (II. 27—183). 141 27. Here wyſe is better than seo on every account. 28, 29. These lines must have been left out in W by mistake, because the lines as they stand, - “bat bou miht seo 3if pou wolt whuche bei ben alle, Bote 3if bow wilne to wome with treube in his Blisse,” hardly make sense. Line 31, on the contrary, being found in MS. H. only, may be an interpolation; it is but a poor line. - 34. This line, occurring in H only, may be an interpolation, but something of the sort is greatly wanted to make the sense clearer; and this is why I have inserted it, notwithstanding that it fails to be an alliterative line. I ought to have added that, in MS. H., the next line begins with And sawe al patryche retenaunce, &c. 38. The reading ſyn is supported by MS. V itself; for see 1, 51;-“be ſyn was arered.” 56. The reading of W-schewen (omitting to)—seems to be a mere error. 59. This line is much wanted; probably omitted in W accidentally. - 64. Perhaps the words “ of leccherie” should have been inserted; read Wip alle be lordschupe [of leccherie] of lengbe and of brede. 76. It should have been added that MS. H inserts and, having the read- ing “and paulyns dougter.” It thus appears that “Pers be pardoner” and “Paulynes doctor” were probably different persons. 87. Compare l. 101. All the various readings, in both lines, are clearly due to attempts at improving the alliteration. 88. In all the MSS. the chief-letter is wanting. 97. MS. T has the spelling “notories,” but it is only the first a in “Nataries” that need be altered. 108. The reader will observe that I have omitted the word “on, needed any longer, when “counseil " is inserted. 118. This line (like ll. 136–139, and 141—143) is a sort of explanatory gloss, and is almost certainly spurious. It means that men cease to believe those who often deceive them ; a remark which has nothing to do with the context. 121. Part of this line is written in a later hand, and the words are ill arranged; the true reading is probably, Many comem to counforte from care be false. 129. For “Cuntre’ we should probably read “Schires.” l36–143. See mote to l. ll 8. 160. Tome, meaning leisure, is no doubt the reading; see Text B. 175. The curious reading of T is easily explained; any shynes is there written for anys hymes or amyshynys (any kinds of); the forms alleskynnes (all kinds of) and noskynnes (no kind of) also sometimes occur in Early English, and these are instances of the genitives anys (of any), alles (of all), and nones (of none); see also the footnote to Passus X. l. 2. 183. The reading of V (dune) might stand, as it gives sense, viz. “ and 53 aS not 142 CRITICAL NOTES (II. 200–III. 151). the din heard.” But the alteration to dume seems preferable, considering the various readings. 200. It would appear that hem was originally the reading in V, and that it was inconsiderately altered to him, owing to the frequent occurrence of him, as in il. 199, 201, 202, 203, 204, &c. 206. The right reading is probably not kepten, but copeden; cf. Text B. PASSUs III. l. 15. The reading “be clergie leue * suits the alliferation, and is supported by Text B. 19, 20. These lines are absolutely necessary to the sense, if the reading of V is to be retained in l. 18; they were probably omitted in V by mere mistake. 23. The chief-letter is wanting. 26, Here laugſen is the past tense of lacchen, to take; thus V gives the right sense, but the wrong word; cf. Text B. 32. H supports V in the reading fellen ; but callen is better, and occurs in Text B. 43. In H this line ends a page, and the scribe has given two readings of the first half of the line, viz. “ A-monge bese courteors & be comyns,” and “A-monge bese clerkes and knyt;tes’’ (sic). 45. Though W alone reads schomeliche, it should be retained as more forcible than schameles ; it is, of course, to be understood as ironical, 48. Sip must be inserted, metri gratié, it is in Text B. 51. The chief-letter is wanting. 67–72. This sentence is incomplete, having no principal verb; we should, for the sense, supply “I lere 3ou,” from l. 61, before “As to punisschem; ” i.e. “I instruct you to punish.” Cf. ll. 91–94 80. H reads “presentes withoute pans.” The sense is “other presents besides pence,” or, “presents that are not given in actual money.” 88. H supports the reading “brenne;” but “forbrenne" supplies the chief-letterſ, though not at the beginning of a strongly accented syllable. 91. The chief-letter is wanting here, and also in 1.98; and in 1.93 it is badly placed. 100. The reading melodyes of the Vernon MS. can be thus accounted for; the y and b are, throughout, only distinguishable by careful inspection; and thus melodyes is put for melod bes, i.e. spake these. Nevertheless, it seems better to use the present tense melep (as in the other MSS.), and to adopt the usual spelling peose. 105. It would greatly improve the alliteration to read late com instead of com laſe ; but the chief-letter is not unfrequently thus badly placed; see ll. 93, 124. 133, 134. False is here a plural adjective, but trewe is singular. 141. Wre means our ; the sense requires your, spelt 30ure in l. 62. Another spelling of your is oure (see l. 64), and for this, vre is miswritten. 15l. For the second heo H reads & hem, which improves the sense. CRITICAL NOTES (III. 167—IV, 94). 143. 167. Congeye may be miswritten for Conge be, the y and p being so much alike; but Pass. IV. l. 4 is against this supposition. 174. I could hardly insert hals instead of Nekke, as the MSS. have half; but yet hals is probably the right reading, and occurs in MSS. of type B. 189, 224. The alliteration is defective. 243. This line does not run well, probably because the word apert is lost; read, Hit is apert permutacion. 244. bou is the reading of Text B. 245. The alliteration seems to be altogether lost. 260. I have since observed that the m in Samuel in MS. V is partly erased, thus leaving Sauel, i. e. Saul. 264. clause ; in Text B we here find cas – case. 265. The reading of W-munged—is a mere mistake, and it has also caused the scribe to write In Auenture for In Aunter or An Aunter; the alliteration resides in the letter n, the words being run together, much as: though it ran, I naunter hit nuyged me; a mende wol I make ; compare male and noke for ale and oke after the article pe. Text B has, An auenture if noyed men. 266—269. I have little doubt that these lines ought to be put lower, having ll. 270, 271 above them, as in TUD and in Text B. But as H. pre- serves the order of V (though it omits ll. 265, 266), I have not made the transposition. The sense is much the same either way. 274. No MS. has here the right reading; it should be, or takeſ ageyn his wille, as in Text B. W. and H are right, except in putting dob for takep (which spoils the alliteration); the other MSS. are right in suggesting fakeb, but wrong otherwise. PAssus IV. l. ll. I insert Crist for god on the sole authority of T, because it is the reading of Text B, and supplies the chief-letter. 15. For sende T has senſe. 51. Text B resembles TUD ; the words And seide do not count in scan- sion, but even then the line, as in TUD, is very long, and the best line would be made by reading, And seide, “Hedde I loue of my lord luite wolde I recche.” 68. The word 3eorne seems wanted; yet it does not occur in Text B, and only in MS. V of type A. 69. catel suits the alliteration, and is in Text B. 73. The note means that the quotation from U is written all in one long line ; and so it is in D; clearly owing to the omission of the first half of 1. 72, 91. The reading Crist is better for the alliteration, but only appears in U; Text B says, “so me Crist helpe.” 94. hymen was probably omitted in V because of myne preceding ; the scribe may have thought he had finished writing hyme, when he had only finished myne ; Text B has “myne hewen ; ” cf. l. 42 above. 144 CRITICAL NOTES (IV. 114—v. 165). ll4. The misreading do euere in T and D is a mere corruption of the word Dover. 124. That gold in MS. V is an error is plain enough; the context shews that gold is the very last thing that “Reson” would swear by. 126. Whatever be the meaning of this line, withouſen must be a mis- reading; Texts B and C have with , and with-oufen seems peculiar to W. 151. The alliteration is defective ; Text B shews that quod should be seide, and the leading letter of the line is an S. 158. This is a good example of the variations of spelling; lyue and leue are the same word, repeated. PAssus W. l. 29. w/uene. Mr Wright prints wyneme, and in several MSS. it is doubtful; but in MS. T the u is made with peculiar care, and so is the m following. The misreading in U is owing to the fact that the scribe first wrote heuene, and then drew the pen through if and substituted wyvene, which suggests a similarity in sound between the words heuene and wyuene. Again, the misreading in W in the line above, Słauenes for staues, seems due to this same word wyvene, and to confusion between the endings of staue and coyuene, which also points to the probability of the letter being u. The wyuene pyne, or punishment for women, is intelligible, and may mean the cucking-stool (cf. pynnyng-stoles, Pass. III. 69); but wymene pyne is inex- plicable. 58. dynen ; so in Text B. 83. As I his frend were is the right order of words, and is used in Text B. For the syllable I gives the chief-letter of the alliteration, and we must lay a slight stress on it, as also on the first syllables of heilede and hendely. 100, 101. Text B also has these lines rightly arranged; hence it is certain that the arrangement in W and H is a mere mistake. 109, 110. I mark T as faulty because such a long line is inadmissible; and even the first line of H is somewhat of the longest. But the fact is that all the early MSS. seem here wrong, owing to the omission of a half line— (as a blynde hagge)—for which see Text B. The confusion arose from there being two lines following having the same rime-letter (b). The arrangement in the Vernon MS., though perhaps not really right, scans well and makes good sense. 114. Text B also gives this line rightly, in the same shape. 125. lernde I should perhaps have been I rendrif, as in T, U, and Text B; but I let it stand because H agrees with W, and my object is to avoid alteration as much as possible, 131. Here, however, the word by must be inserted because it is necessary to the sense. W seems to have a quarfrun more peisede, but there are marks shewing that the words are to be transposed. 142. Sopely ; Text B, however, has so the ik, so thrive I. 165. The reading in W is absurd; the ribibor and rafoner are distinct personages. CRITICAL NOTES (v. 182—VI. 114). 145 182. Partly imitated from l. 177; not in Text B, and probably spurious. 188. lotering. It is to the credit of MS. V that it has preserved this word; for Text B, like T and H2, has lowryng, which is inferior. It is from the French losterie, badinage. 195. I-wipeſ. I suppose the true reading to be wered, as in Text B, and in T, H, and U. Mr Wright guessed the meaning of wered to be washed, but in that case it is unlikely that so many MSS. would have preserved the letter w. It probably means wated, i.e. stopped up, as one would stop with wax, much as in the following:— “But to ende the hole were stopped and faste made, A litell cloute cute he without delay, With war melled, stopped the hole alway,” &c. Romans of Parſenay (E.E.T. S.), l. 2817. The metaphor is rather a bold one, to talk of waxing a thing up with furze, but this seems to me the only way of getting any sense out of the passage. Cf. the spellings of the word in H and U. 199. lacche : so in Text B. 202–207. Though these lines are in U only, they appear in all later versions of the poem, and are certainly genuine. 232. deore, dear. There is no doubt about the reading ; see Text B. W. has dore miswriten for deore, for which spelling see Pass. WI. l. 83. 257. The meaning is, “ that he should polish anew his pike mamed Pemi- tence; ” where a pike means a staff with a spike to it, such as is used by pilgrims. Compare Text B, “bat penitencia his pyke he shulde polsche newe.” If the word him be retained, it either means polish up for himself, for his own use; or it merely signifies it, the word pyke being masculine, as the next line clearly shews. PASSUs WI. Passus W. and VI. are in most MSS. considered all as one Passus. It is one of the simplest and best tests of a MS. of the earliest form, that they are separated, and numbered as distinct. It is curious that only MS. H has preserved the first two limes, the first of which scans but poorly. 30. kende ; Text B has kenned; the alliteration shews it is right. 57. Also in Text B. 73. Text B also inserts se, which is necessary to the sense. 98, 99. The alterations are authorized by Text B. 103, kepe ; so in Text B, and required by the alliteration. 114. The curious readings in U, viz. unwelcome and unfair, instead of welcome and fair, can be explained by arranging the subject-matter in a differ- ent order, i.e. by altering the punctuation. Lines 114, 115 are taken together, and stand thus:– “He is wondirly vnwolcome and vnfair vndirfongen But if he be sib to some of pese seuene.” This arrangement, however, is very awkward. 10 146 CRITICAL NOTES (VII. 22—197). PAssus VII. ll. 22, 25. Kennesſ, kenne. So also in Text B. 29. I quoted here the various spellings of labre, from an idea that it was misspelt for labore ; but it seems to have been intentional, judging by ll. 221, 259 of this very Passus. 54. The reading we ſynde freube, as in T and H, suits the alliteration better, and is the reading of Text B; but the alteration seemed hardly worth making. 57. The alliteration of each half-line is kept separate, h being adupled in the first part of the line, and s in the second. A similar example occurs again very soon, at 1.69; and perhaps at 1. 73. Cf. W. 125, and the note. 68. It should be moted that “Deleamtur de libro viventium ; et cum Justis mon scribantur” is all one quotation. 71. The reader who consults MS. U must remember to turn back here some 18 folios to fol. 5 b, or he will not find ll. 71—215. 85. hed; MSS. H. and U have Chirche is properly feminine, so that him in l. 86 may mean the parson (persona ecclesiæ). 94. The chief-letter is wanting. 109. The reading of U, dieu sa (= sawe) dame emme, is borrowed from the Prologue, l, 103. - 124. The word holde may mean faithful, and it is very probable that the other reading olde is corrupt, but it is difficult to make sure of this, because holde may be written for olde in the same way that heren is for eren in ll. 60, 99. Text B has olde. 130. The word brod in T has a small / written over the d, evidently by way of correction. 133. The word gare is uncommon in this version of the poem, but occurs in 1. 289 below. 134. Repeated from Prol. 1. 28. 140, 141. The reading given in the text is the only one that satisfies all the requirements of the case. It is better to put wasfours in the plural, because of ll. 144, 149, 151; and at the same time the word one is wanted in the singular, to denote the particular ringleader who speaks again in l. 153, and of whom Hunger made a special example in l. 161, where W errs in . using the plural number. 145. Faulty in scansion. 159. hoped, hopped: but none of the MSS. double the p, 181. somenday may not mean Sunday ; the expression reminds us of the very first line of the Prologue—whom softe was pe sonne ; and a “softe sonen- day” is a day when the sum is mild and warm. -* 182. hot may = hote, i.e. oaten; cf. the various readings, and note to 1. 124. 186. Al seems to make better sense, but the line is not in Text B. 197. The chief-letter seems wanting, unless we put a little stress on the word to; but the MSS. all agree, and it is the same in Text B. CRITICAL NOTES (VII. 202—VIII. 58). 147 202. meſe ; I let this word stand, as it is in WHU, and we have bred twice in the next line; still Text B has bred, and T has breed. - - 204. Bamme; so in W; but I hardly understand it or the word bane. The reading of H-a-bane—seems to hint at a-baſe, which is the actual read- ing of several MSS.; see Text B. - 215. Seint Matheu is really St Luke, but it is the author's own mis- take. The reading permyde for berwith should be noticed; it gives a sort of alliteration to the line, (Mak, bermyde, Matheu), which is otherwise wanting. 226, 228. The words in small print are written over the word mpnam in W. 239. There is little alliteration here, except in the words him, and his (repeated). 241. The words l/ſ, lif, leef certainly end with f(very plainly written), not with a long s (f). - 25l. I-3eten = eaten, not gotten. The very soft y sound of the 3 does not destroy the alliteration, which is made up of vowel-sounds. * 287. The alliteration is obtained either by supposing each half-line com- plete in itself (the first half having h and the second c), or by adopting the reading in T and U, which is given in Text B. 311. At the end of the Passus, we find, in MS. T, the following entry in a later hand. - “Here is lefte oute v. versis whiche is in the olde coppi, & ar set benethe. and when you se the sune amisse & to mynkes heades, and a mayde have the masteri And mvltiply by (eight) hight, (sic) than shall deathe withdraw and derthe be Justice, and davi the diker shall die for hunger, But if god of his goodness gravnte vs a trewe.” But the writer of this makes a slight mistake; for these lines belong to MSS. of Class B, and do not appear in any of Class A. See Text B. PASSUs VIII. I. We must lay a slight stress on to, for the alliteration's sake. - 5, 6. heren has no h prefixed in any MS. but W ; see Pass. VII. ll. 4, 60. 45, 46. This reading of MS. H is doubtless right; see 1.61 below. Text B gives little help, but Text C has the lines, “Men of lawe hadden lest bat lob weren to plede But bai pre manibus werem ipaid for pledyng at be barre,” which gives the sense, and authorizes the word “lob.” - 47. Ps. xiv. 5. “Qui pecuniam suam nom dedit ad usuram, et munera super innocentem non accepit. Qui facit haec, non movebitur in aeternum.” For the latter part of the quotation, see l. 55 below. The wordeorum is from Text B. I cannot quite trace the quotation, A Regibus, &c. It seems to be a reminiscence of Ecclesiasticus xxxviii. 2—“A Deo est enim omnis medela, et a rege accipiet donationem.” - 58. briuen, thriven; hence, bed briuen = are thriven, i.e. thrive. But * 10 * 148 CRITICAL NOTES (VIII. 73—187). though this seems quite right, it is proper to note that the reading is un- supported. Texts B and C vary from A here-abouts. 73. The reading given is quite satisfactory, and is in Text B. 75. wo here does not mean woe, but is equivalent to the woo of MS. H., and the wehe of MS. T., a word used to denote the sound made by animals; the usual reading of MSS. is zoehe. See whi, wey, or weheim IV. 21. 78. The misreading Fautes in W is merely owing to the omission of the mark of contraction for n : if should be “Fatites; ” see Pass. X. ll. 58, 64. 88. loue of. The omission of these words in V is a mere accident; the line is left far too short, 106. This reading is confirmed by Text B. 109. So in Text B; here the author, quoting Matthew, refers to Luke ; just above (Pass. VII. 1, 215) he makes the exactly reverse error. 114, who ſynt, i. e. who findeth or provideth for them; so in Text B. 125, 126. These lines are of very doubtful authenticity, and may have been added by the scribe of MS. H. to explain the Latin quotation. Most MSS. have Ecce for Effice, owing probably to confusion between Ecce and the less common and curious-looking word Eiice, as it would be spelt. 128. waitide, looked; so in Text B. 136. The quotation as given in H is corrupt ; the word esſ should not appear : quod (which seemed to me indistinct) is right, but optaff should be opfans. “Somnia me cures, nam mens humama quod optans, Dum vigilat, sperat, per somnum cernit id ipsum.” Dionysius Cato; Distich. II. 31. The English translation of it in H is almost certainly a spurious line. 136–139. MSS. T and U and Text B help us out here. W reads, “Ac for the Bible berep witnesse hou daniel deuynede be Dremels of a kyng pat Nabugodomosor hette.” The confusion arose from the shortness of l. 137, which is lengthened in U by writing “how daniel be prophete.” And then, this line being once miswritten, the next line had to be shortened by cutting away part of it. 153. Not in Text B; hence men depends on MS. T only, but would suit the alliteration excellently. 177. A small cross is prefixed to this line in MS. T., no doubt as a mark that it is imperfect. A few other imperfect lines are marked in the same way, the marks being as old as the rest of the writing. 187. Evplicit, &c. This important note, for which we have the authority not only of MSS. T., U, H, and D, but of many others, gives us the right titles of the poems, and shews that the first one, the “Vision of William concerning Piers the Plougman,” ends here, and that the remaining verses form a second and distinct poem, which is, however, a sort of continuation of the former. This is very clearly pointed out even in MS. W.; for we here meet with the only title which can be found in it; see Passus IX. l. 1. CRITICAL NoTES (IX. 1–111). 149 It is pretty clear that Langland had intended to wind up his poem here by discoursing on the excellences of Doing Well; and in this concluding passage, the word Do-wel accordingly occurs four times, without any hint of Doing Better or Doing Best. But an afterthought suggested that Do-well, if supplemented by Do-bet and Do-best, deserved that much more should be said about it, and that, in fact, here was matter for a whole new poem. The opening lines of Passus IX. (which, it should be remembered, is only a prologue, and therefore, like the first prologue, much shorter than the other Passus) seem to indicate a short lapse of time between the conclusion of the one poem and the commencement of the other. The poet's adventure with the two Minorite friars may possibly have had some foundation in fact; at any rate, it is very naturally introduced, and serves admirably to introduce a new vision. PASSUs IX. Observe that the Title to this Passus is given at the end of Pass. VIII. It is the Prologue to the Vita de Do-well, as has just been said above. 3, 4, 5. For the alterations here, and in ll. 11, 12, 24, 32, see Text B. 11. The change of place of ſurre and passede greatly improves the metre; it is amply authorized. 20. The reading of W-a tom—is very curious; it is an evident corruption of af hom. It is also curious that MSS. of class B omit these two words. 47. The alteration is necessary in order to obtain the chief-letter of the alliteration, which is the s in self; and there is no s in the latter half of the line, as given in W. 50. be occurs also in Text B. 64, wigſ occurs in Text B, and is needed for the alliteration. 65. The corrupt reading in V probably arose from taking I-Seide, the past participle, to mean I Seide. Text B has the same as I have given, which is certainly right. In MS. T., we find the word Seide, and just over it and in front of it the letter .I., the alteration having been made by the scribe himself. º 66. sexe bou, sawest thou. It seems better to insert bou, as in Text B. 80 The expression, Erl Auerous, is in Text B. 83. The Vulgate has, “Libenter enim suffertis insipientes, cum sitis ipsi sapientes;” but it is clear by the next line that the poet took the reading to be sufferſe in the imperative mood. But in Text B we find suffertis, and a cor- responding alteration of the following line. 95. puiten ; sic in MS. V, both here and elsewhere. The alteration of him into hem in this line and the next seems required; but it is just possible that the scribe of MS. V considered him as a plural. The alteration, however, would still be justified by the occurrence of hem in 1.94. 101. So in Text, B. 107. proly, quickly. This reading seems to be preserved in V only. 111. Also in Text B. 150 CRITICAL NOTES (IX. I 14—x. 152). s 114. So in Text B. 118. hym techen ; Text B has teche hym. PASSUs X. Here the “Vita de Dowel” properly begins. 6–8. Miswritten in W after this manner; A loueli lemmon lyk him-self Anima hed hette, To hire hap Envye A proud prikere of Fraunce, Princeps huius mundi. This mistake arose (1) from the shortness of l. 6; (2) from the fulness of the stop in the middle of 1.7; and (3) from supposing Princeps huius mundi to be an independent quotation. In order to make these three lines into two, the scribe had to omit to after lyk, and to neglect the alliteration altogether. 9. mihá; ; sic in MS. W.; so I let it stand. 11, 12. The missing words are also in Text B. 27. Ceafour in MS. W., by mistake. 30. The meaning of lisse and Blisse is the same, but lisse is required for the alliteration, and appears in very many MSS., although they give the word JBlisse afterwards, in l. 36. 31. arn, not ben, must be the reading, and is supported by Text B. 50. The reading kepeth is also supported by ll. 10, 15, 24. 52, I have little doubt the reading given is right, but there is hardly any more evidence than that given, for this line does not appear in Text B. Still we have the evidence of MSS. TUH, and it is clear that W is corrupt, as Bringep spoils the alliteration, besides affording but little sense. 53. The reading in U, goynge, may have been suggested by mistaking cummynge for cumynge, and it would then strike the scribe that goynge would suit the alliteration better than cumynge. 61. ben is wanted to complete the sense. 71. The reluctance of the scribe of V to write the word wi;t is curious; a similar correction has been often made before; see, for example, Pass. IX. l. 64; and cf. XI. 122. 72. Either of or ouer must be inserted; the former suits the flow of the line better. 75. Anyte (MS. U) means blame. 86. It may be doubted whether David really meant to praise the consola- tion to be found in a birch-rod 89, I have not yet traced this quotation. MS. V has, Intencio I hoà. 95. hepe, not hede, suits the alliteration. 106. I cannot yet trace this quotation. 107. The alliteration is defective; it is somewhat better preserved in MSS. T and U, but not so much better as to justify alteration. 124. molde is of course right; cf. Pass. III. l. 71. 135. The chief-letter is wanting. 143. The readings a barn, and wrougfe are made certain by observing the line following, “ Caym men cleped him.” 152. Sem was no doubt written for Seth as being a more familiar name; else it is obviously wrong. - - CRITICAL NOTES (X. 154—XI. 111). 151 154. suster sed, i.e. sister's seed; see l. 173. 165. banne (not curse) suits the alliteration. 190. The misreading in V here was a necessary consequence of the mis- reading in 1. 188. The scribe clearly did not understand the allusion to Dunmow. 193. The reading given is from T, slightly modified; for it is usual in MS. V to use -ep as the plural ending of the imperative, and to write ow instead of 3ow, and it is better to adhere to a uniform system, where it can so easily be preserved. 197. The punctuation is difficult. In Text B, there seems to be almost a full stop in the middle of this line; but then, the subsequent lines vary considerably. 204, 205. The alliteration and Text B both shew that these lines are rightly restored. 213. werke , so also in Text B. PASSUs XI. 2. In Text B we find, “ pat lene was of lere and of liche bothe.” 13. The alliteration seems to be formed either by the initials of hit, heo, and heare, or by those of sigge and schewen. 18. cardeč carded in Text B. 23. bene est. If the mark of interrogation be omitted, it is very natural that bene here should be turned into ve, as in MSS. TU. The Vulgate how- ever (Jer. xii. 1) has “Quare via impiorum prosperatur: bene est omnibus qui praevaricantur et inique agunt P” where the sentence is an interrogative OY!62. 28. Observe how the voice is to be sustained at the end of this line; i. e. as for him, he is but little loved. 30. Daunseled seems peculiar to MS. W.; cf. prov. Eng. dawnſled, fondled, made much of Text B has daunted, tamed, put down, made little of, which does not suit the context. 46. The alliteration is hardly perceptible; it is probably formed by dwelling on the f. Thus, in Mr Wright's text, we find, Bothe a-fyngred and a-furst and for chele quake, which is probably the correct reading, aſyngred and afurst being a provincial pronunciation of of hungred and of...thurst, i.e. afflicted by hunger and thirst. 71. musen on, &c. Text B ends the line with, “bat muse moche on her wordes.” - 79. to wife : so in Text B; cf. l. 81. 85. worp, so too in Text B; it greatly improves the line. Cf. Pass. T. l.26. 96. his ; so in Text B ; the reading hire is clearly wrong. s 100. worpe ; see 1.85. 102, 104. This is another of the many instances where MS. V wrongly uses teche instead of kenne. Cf. Pass. VI. 30; VII. 22, 25. 1ll. The alliteration is defective. 152 CRITICAL NOTES (XI. 131—232). 131. gurles. It must be remembered that this means boys quite as much as girls ; see Pass, X. l. 155. 134, kende ; this surely must be the true reading, for e or k is required for the alliteration; it is supported by MS. T only, but we should compare ll. 102, 104, and the many passages where kenne is wrongly replaced by teche : see, e.g. Pass. I. 79; II. 4; VIII. 120. Text B varies, reading, “and com- passed masouns.” 137, 138. The alliteration helps us to restore these lines with certainty. 144. The word loue being feminine, the genitive may very well end in e : very numerous examples of this are given in Morris’s “Specimens of Early English;” Introduction, p. lvii. 145. In some editions of Cato we find simules for simile, to the improve- ment of the prosody. 147. See note to ll. 102, 134. 151. The position of the words in V, viz. himself hit, makes the line halt instead of flowing smoothly. 155, 156. Text B has two lines very like these. 180. Text B varies here; but there is no doubt but that Actif it is 1-hofen is the true reading. The subject of the poem is Wita de Do-wel, the “wel feir lyf.” as it is called in l. 179; and the poet is merely repeating what he has already said in Pass. VII. 234-236. A great deal more is said about Activa Wiża in Pass. XIII. of Text B. 181. The reader will observe by this extract that the Trinity MS. pre- sents an excellent text. 191, 192, 193. These lines stand thus in MS. T. “God wot, bis is dobet sire dobest hap benefices, So is he best worpi be bat god in the gospel grauntip & techip.” The great length of the second line shews something wrong; next, the alliteration tells that benefices and best occur in the same line, and then only the words “God wot, bis is dobet ’’ remain to form l. 191; whence it is plain that a half-line has here been lost. This has been recovered by help of the Ashmolean MS. and MS. Harl. 3954, and found to be —dobest wot be sobe : for the readings there given are, “Sekyrly, bis is dobet dobest wot be sobe; ” (A.) “Dredles, is dobet dobest wot be sothe (H.) The omission of this half-line, and the confusion in the division of limes, arose from the fact of ll. 191 and 192 both having the same letter b as the rime-letter. The alliteration and rhythm also shew that the reading “Dredles” is the correct one, and it is a favourite word with Langland. “Sekyrly ’’ is a mere gloss upon it. 215. wolde suits the alliteration, but shulde seems to be better grammar. 232. The reading of MS. T., “bat arm vncristene,” &c., is a mere mistake of arm for an. But the reading vneristene is very curious, and is exactly contrary to what we should expect, viz. cristene. Yet MS. authority forbids alteration. Thus, we find in Harl. MS. 3954, CRITICAL NOTES (XI. 247–285). 153 “bat vn-krystem in bat case may cristenen a hethene,” and the line occurs in Text B in the same shape. 247. Mecaberis seems to be the author’s own mistake, the seventh com- mandment being put for the sixth. The words of which “ne sle nou;t" is the “ kynde englissh ’ are “Non occides.” I have ventured to write vindicta (though all the MSS. seem to have vindictam), because vindicta is the actual reading of the Vulgate. 253. markid withouſe mercy, pre-ordained to life, without any need of a subsequent act of mercy; so most MSS. ; but the reading of U, markid with mercy, is simpler. 273. Shreſe, shrived. It ought to be shreſ, and the tag to the feam hardly mean a final e. It is another form of Shrof, the more usual past tense of shrive or shrieve. 283. The misreading now probably arose from confusing non with now. 285. The readings are, And 3et any I forget for of fyue wyttis techinge bat clergie of cristis moup comendite what is neuere T.; And 3ef am (or ani) I forget of fyue wittes techynge That Clergie of Cristes moub comonded hit neuere D; And 3it any I forget for of fyue wittes techyng That clergie of cristes mou;t comendite what is neuere H, ; And 3it I forgat ferbere of fyue wittis techyng Wat clergie of cristis mouth comendid was A(shmole); And 3et haue I forgete ferthere of v wittys techynge bat clergy;e of crystys mowth comandyd was neuer. Harl. 3954; Text B has the single line, Clergye po of crystes moub commonded was it litel. MS. U omits both lines. From all these the sense intended is plain enough, and as regards the former line, it is clear that Ashmole and Harl. 3954 MSS. supply the word really wanted, viz. ferbere, owing to the absence of which TH absurdly introduce any and for to fill up the line. Again, as regards the latter line, the true form is shewn in Harl. 3954, only it is necessary to alter neuer to euer in order to preserve the sense. The reading neuer arose from considering the line as a simple statement instead of that which it really is, viz. a dependent clause. The reading what is in TH, is a curious and mean- ingless corruption of was. The lines, as given in the text, mean—“And yet I forget further—by help of the teaching of my five wits—that learning was ever commended by Christ's mouth; ” i.e. “my five wits do not enable me to remember that Christ ever commended learning.” * Mr Wright says, “A mistake in the original MS. for necaberis, as it is rightly printed in Crowley's edition.” But surely, non necaberis means—“thou shalt not be killed.” 154 CRITICAL NOTES (XI. 303). 303. In the preface, abundant reason is given in support of the view that the early version must have ended here, as is actually the case with MSS. Douce, Harl. 3954, and Ashmole, 1468; and this is where the poem probably ended also in the Vermon MS. The only MSS. that go beyond this point are TH*U. Of these, the two former are supplemented by what is really a por- tion of the C-class of MSS., and there is a consequent jumble in the number- ing of the subsequent Passus and a very abrupt transition in the sense, suffi- cient to shew clearly that the junction of the A and C texts is but clumsily effected after all. It ought also to be noted that the quotation “ Brevis oracio penetraff celum ” does not strictly belong to the A-class of MSS., but to the C-class. But I have introduced it for two reasons: (1) because it is very appropriate and makes an excellent concluding line, and is closely connected with the sense of the lines before it, and (2) because it is useful as indicating the point of junction of the A and C texts, as the reader will find when he consults Text C. If the poem in its earliest form was ever continued beyond this point, it was probably continued in the manner indicated by MS. U, which has 18 lines of a “passus tercius” which are, as far as I can make out, wnique." Perhaps the poet may really have begun a third passus in this manner, which he afterwards gave up, and turned his attention to re-casting and expanding the whole poem. The 18 lines in MS. U are as follows: IPassus tercius de dowel, &c. “Cryst wot,” quod clergie know it 9 yif ye likeb, I haue don my deuer ye” dowel to teche; And who-so coueite to dom betere ban ye bok telleb, He pasith apostlis lif and put hem in-to angelis 4. But y se now as i Seie as me sop bymkep, you “woldist kunne yat " i can and carpyn it after, Presumptuously par auenture appose so manye, bat it myste turne me to tene & theologie bope. 8 ;if i wiste witterly you woldist donyer-after Al yat you askest assoilen I wolde.” Scornfulliche yo scripture set vp here browes, And on clergie cryede on godis holy name, 12 yat he schewijt’ me schulde but if it stryf were Of ye cardymal wit & cristenyd in a font; And seide it so loude yat Schame me it poute, bat it were scathe & slaundre to holy cherche, 16 Scihop theologie yat trewe is tellen it defendep; 1 If there exists any other copy of these lines, I should be glad to have it pointed out to me. * MS. ‘‘ knowit.” 3 “ye" for “be.” * “you” for “bou.” * “yat" for “bat; ” so too we have below “yer-after,” “yo,” for “per-after’’ and “po.” * Should we read “ schew it 2 ” 7 Probably an error for “Sib.” CRITICAL NOTES (XI. 303). 155 Dauyd godis derlyng defendep it also, Wid; prewaricaníes & thabescebam. This may be thus briefly paraphrased : “Christ knows,” said Clergy, “I have dome my duty in teaching you to do well ; and to do better is for angels to attain to. But I fear you want to learn all I know merely in order to cavil and vex me and Theology. If I thought you were in earnest, I would grant all you ask.” But Scripture scornfully told him to be quiet, and talked so loud that I thought it a slight upon holy church; as David says, “It grieveth me when I see the trans- gressors, because they keep not thy law.” What the exact meaning of lines 13 and 14 is, I can only dimly guess. Perhaps it is—“that he should not shew (declare it) unless it were considered as a dispute between supreme knowledge and one who is christened in a font.” That is—in allusion to line 7, where Clergy thinks that the dreamer will perhaps, after being taught, become presumptuous and ask trying questions—Clergy ought not therefore to teach William anything at all unless he at the same time remembers that any discussion between them would but be a dispute between supreme know- ledge (Clergy) and a mere infant (William). But the passage is certainly hazy. It is pretty clear that this passage is supplanted in Text B by the first three lines of the Passus immediately following the passage with which Text A ends. The three lines are these :— “Thamme scripture scorned me and a skile tolde, And lakked me in latyne and liste by me she sette, And Seyde, multi multa sciumf effseipsos mesciumſ.” And there are similar lines in Text C, in the middle of Passus II. de Do-wel. “ panne Scripture scornede me and many skyles schewede, And contynaunce made to clergize to conge me, hit semede, And lackede me in latyn and lith bime sette, And Seide, mulff multa Seiunt,” eff seipsos mesciumſ.” * Ps. cxix. 158 (Prayer-Book version); but prewaricantes must here mean scoffers. * MS. Vesp. B. xvi. reads sapiunt. 156 GENERAL COMPARISON OF TEXTS A AND B. THE following is a list of parallel passages, and shews also where the texts differ. A few minor variations are not noticed. PROLOGUE. Lines 1–49. So in B. Here B inserfs three lines. Lines 50–83. So in B. Here B inserfs about 120 lines, containing the fable of the Cat and Rattons. Lines 84–89. So in B. Lines 90–95. Peculiar to A, but the sense of them is found in B, differently expressed, and at an earlier place. Lines 96–109. So in B, with an extra line after 1. 101. PASSUs I. So in B, for the most part. The chief variations are that B inserts two lines after l. 31, puts ll. 96, 97 after 1. 101, expands ll. 112, 113 into about 10 lines, and ll. 135–138 into about 17 lines. PASSUs II. Substantially the same as Passus II. of B. The chief variations are in ll. 11–14, 19–74, which are expanded in B, and somewhat differently expressed. Lines 75–2.12 agree very closely, except that ll. 150, 151 are expanded in B into 5 lines, and B has two more lines after 1, 183. PASSUs III. Lines 1–51. So in B, but ll. 18–20 somewhat vary. Lines 52–66. The variations here are worth remarking. Lines 67–282. So in B, very nearly ; but ll. 228—231 have their place supplied by a longer passage ; also ll. 252—259 vary. After 1. 282 B inserts more than 50 lines. PAssus IV. Somewhat expanded in Text B, especially in the following passages, viz. ll. 16–30, ll. 105–108, ll. 134–136, ll. 141–145. Other- wise, the texts substantially agree. GENERAL COMPARISON OF TEXTS A AND B. 157 PASSUS W. Lines 1–33. So in B; except at ll. 11, 12, and 31. Here B inserts about 6 lines. Lines 34–39. So in B, with a new line after l. 35. Here B inserfs about 8 lines. Lines 40–69. So in B, nearly Lines 70–73. Differently expressed in B; the variation is worth notice. Lines 74–99. So in B, nearly. Here B inserfs a couple of lines. Lines 100–106. So in B, nearly. Here B inserts a long and most important passage, descriptive of Wrath; altogether some 60 lines, Lines 107–145. So in B, nearly, but note ll. 109—113. Here B inserts a long and important passage, about the sins of Covetousness, and how he skinned the poor ; more than 70 lines. Lines 146–221. So in B, nearly; but note that l. 215 is expanded in B into fifteen lines. Here B inserts another long and important passage, containing the confession of Sloth, and his regrets for his mis-spenſ youth, nearly 60 lines. Lines 222—259. So in B, nearly. Here B again inserts about 40 lines, concerning the Crucifixion and Resur- rection of Christ. Line s 260–263. So in B, nearly. But note, that Passus W. of tect B does not terminate here. PASSUS WI. This forms, in B, the concluding portion of Passus W.; the agreement is pretty close. However, there are some variations about ll. 36— 38, 82–84, and line 97, and B has an extra line after l. 112. After I. 126, B inserts four new lines. PASSUs VII. Agrees substantially with B, Passus VI., but the occasional variations are very numerous. Observe, e.g. ll. 9–20, and the insertion of two lines after l. 40, of four lines after l. 46, of a line after l. 59, and of two lines after 1.65. Observe also the slight variations and insertions at ll. 128– 139, l. 149, ll. 167—172; ll. 178–188, l. 190, ll. 212—215, ll. 238, 239, and after 1. 301. - At the end of the Passus B adds 5 lines, containing a curious prophecy; see the Critical Notes, p. 147. PASSUs VIII. Called Passus VII. in B. Lines 1–72. In B, but there are numerous variations, best observed by actual comparison. It is worth noting that ll. 13–17 and 38–44 seem to be fuller and better expressed in the earlier version. - After 1. 72, B inserts some 20 lines about Beggars. Lines 73–187. In B, but with a few variations, e.g. at ll. 132, 147, 151, and 153–155. PAssus IX., or PROLOGUE To Dowel, Called Passus VIII. in B, and the two agree pretty closely. 158 GENERAL COMPARISON OF TEXTS A AND B. B has four eafra lines after l. 13, and five eafra lines after 1. 47, one eatra line after l. 115, and two more lines at the end of the Passus. PASSUs X., XI. Called in B Passus IX. and X. Here all close re- semblance soon ceases, and the variations become numerous and important. Text B is far the fullest on the whole, but there are a few passages which are fuller and better expressed in the earlier version. Both versions are very good, and it would be a pity to lose or pass over either of them. Ll. 180–303 of Passus XI., for instance, are variod and oxpanded in B at gleal leuglli, aud it is here that we meet with the curious prophecy (a mere chance guess, but mone the less notable) that a king should come, and amend monks and canons, and the abbot of Abingdom should have a knock of the king, and incurable should be the wound. Of all this there is, in Text A, no hint whatever. Text C is much farther removed from Text A than B is, and as the varia- tions between B and C will be pointed out hereafter, it is not necessary to say much about it here. R. CLAY & SONS, LIMITED, LONDON & BUNGAY. (Early (ſinglish Jºxt $ority. Original Series, 17. 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REV. PROF. WALTER W. SKEAT, LITT. REv. PROF. J. E. B. MAYOR, M.A. DR. HENRY SWEET, M.A. DR. J. A. H. MURRAY, M.A. DR. W. ALDIS WRIGHT, M.A. (With power to add JVorkers to their number.) Bankers: THE UNION BANK OF LONDON, 2, PRINCES STREET, E.C. THE Early English Text Society was started by Dr. Furnivall in 1864 for th purpose of bringing the mass of Old English Literature within the reach of t ordinary student, and of wiping away the reproach under which England had lon rested, of having felt little interest in the monuments of her early language and life. On the starting of the Society, so many Texts of importance were at once taken i hand by its Editors, that it became necessary in 1867 to open, besides the Origin Series with which the Society began, an Eactra Series which should be mainly devote to fresh editions of all that is most valuable in printed MSS. and Caxton's and oth black-letter books, though first editions of MSS. will not be excluded when the co venience of issuing them demands their inclusion in the Extra Series. During the forty-one years of the Society’s existence, it has produced, wit whatever shortcomings, an amount of good solid work for which all students of ol Language, and some of our Literature, must be grateful, and which has rendered po sible the beginnings (at least) of proper Histories and Dictionaries of that Langua and Literature, and has illustrated the thoughts, the life, the manners and customs ( our forefathers and foremothers. But the Society's experience has shown the very small number of those inherito of the speech of Cynewulf, Chaucer, and Shakspere, who care two guineas a year f the records of that speech. ‘Let the dead past bury its dead’ is still the cry of Gret Britain and her Colonies, and of America, in the matter of language. The Society ha never had money enough to produce the Texts that could easily have been got rea for it; and many Editors are now anxious to send to press the work they have pr pared. The necessity has therefore arisen for trying to increase the number of th Society's members, and to induce its well-wishers to help it by gifts of money, eith in one sum or by instalments. The Committee trust that every Member will brin before his or her friends and acquaintances the Society’s claims for liberal suppo Until all Early English MSS. are printed, no proper History of our Language or Soci Life is possible. The Subscription to the Society, which constitutes membership, is £1 18. a ye for the ORIGINAL SERIES, and £1 1s. for the EXTRA SERIES, due in advance on the 1st JANUARY, and should be paid by Cheque, Postal Order, or Money-Order, crost ‘Uni Bank of London,’ to the Hon. Secretary, W. A. DALZIEL, Esq., 67, Victoria Rd., Fin bury Park, London, N. Members who want their Texts posted to them, must add their prepaid Subscriptions 18. for the Original Series, and 18. for the Extra Serie yearly. The Society's Texts are also sold separately at the prices put after them the Lists; but Members can get back-Texts at one-third less than the List-prices sending the cash for them in advance to the Hon. Secretary. Original and Extra Series Books, 1903-1906. 3 tº The Society intends to complete, as soon as its funds will allow, the Reprints of its out-of-print Texts of the year 1866, and also of nos. 20 and 26. Dr. Otto Glauning has undertaken Seinte Marherete; and Dr. Furnivall has Hali Meidenhad in type. As the cost of these Reprints, if they were not needed, would have been devoted to fresh Texts, the Reprints will be sent to all Members in lieu of such Texts. Though called ‘Reprints,’ these books are new editions, generally with valuable additions, a fact not noticed by a few careless receivers of them, who have complained that they already had the volumes. As the Society's copies of the Facsimile of the Epimal MS. issued as an Extra Volume in 1883 are exhausted, Mr. J. H. Hessels, M.A., of St. John's Coll., Cambridge, has kindly undertaken an edition of the MS. for the Society. This will be substituted for the Facsimile as an 1883 book, and will be also issued to all the present Members. Feb. 1905. The Original-Series Texts for 1904 were 1. No. 124, Twenty-sia, Political (t. Hen. W) and other Poems from the Digby MS. 102, &c., edited by Dr. J. Kail; 2. No. 125, Part I of the Medieval Records of a London City Church (St. Mary-at-Hill), A.D. 1420– 1559, copied and edited by Mr. Henry Littlehales from the Church Records in the Guildhall, the cost of the setting and corrections of the text being generously borne by its Editor. This book has shown the income and outlay of the church; the drink provided for its Palm-Sunday players, its officers’ excursions into Kent and Essex, its dealing with the Plague, the disposal of its goods at the Reformation, &c., &c., and has helpt our members to realize the church-life of its time. The third Text was Part I of Am Alphabet of Tales, a very interesting collection of stories for Sermons, &c., englisht in the Northern Dialect, about 1440, from the Latin Alphabetwm Narrationwm, and edited by Mrs. M. M. Banks from the unique MS. in the King's Library in the British Museum. The Original-Series Texts for 1905 will be, 1. No. 127, Part II of the Alphabet of Tales, edited by Mrs. M. M. Banks; 2. No. 128, Part II of the Medieval Records of a London City Church, edited by Mr. Henry Littlehales, who will pay for its setting, as he did for that of Part I as well as its 5 Facsimiles; 3. No. 129, Part I of the englishing, ab. 1450 A.D., of the Deeds in the Registers of Godstow Priory and Oseney Abbey, edited from the unique MSS. by the Rev. Andrew Clark, LL.D. These deeds throw much light on the early social state of England. Among the Texts for 1906 and 1907 will be Part III of the Alphabet of Tales, edited by Mrs. M. M. Banks, and Part I of the Coventry Leet Book, copied and edited for the Society by Miss M. Dormer Harris—helpt by a contribution from the Common Council of the City, and will be publisht by the Society as its contribution to our know- ledge of the provincial city life of the 15th century. Future Texts will be Part III of Robert of Brunne's Handlyng Symme, edited by Dr. Furnivall, with a Glossary of Wm. of Wadington's French words in his Manuel des Pechez, and comments on them, by Prof. Dickson-Brown; Part II of the Ea'eter Book—Anglo-Saxon Poems from the unique MS. in Exeter Cathedral—re-edited by Israel Gollancz, M.A.; Part II of Prof. Dr. Holthausen’s Vices and Virtues ; Part II of Jacob's Well, edited by Dr. Brandeis; the Alliterative Siege of Jerusalem, edited by the late Prof. Dr. E. Kölbing and Prof. Dr. Kaluza; an Introduction and Glossary to the Minor Poems of the Vernon MS. by H. Hartley, M.A.; Alain Chartier's Quadrilogue, edited from the unique MS. Univ. Coll. Oxford M.S. No. 85, by Mr. J. W. H. Atkins of Owen’s College ; a Northern Verse Chronicle of England to 1327 A.D., in 42,000 lines, about 1420 A.D., edited by M. L. Perrin, B.A.; Prof. Bruce's Introduction to The English Conquest of Ireland, Part II; and Dr. Furnivall's edition of the Lichfield Gilds, which is all printed, and waits only for the Introduction, that Prof. E. C. K. Gonner has kindly undertaken to write for the book. Canon Wordsworth of Marlborough has given the Society a copy of the Leofric Canonical Rule, Latin and Anglo-Saxon, Parker MS. 191, C. C. C. Cambridge, and Prof. Napier will edit it, with a fragment of the englisht Capitula of Bp. Theodulf: it is now at press. The Extra-Series Texts for 1904 were 1. the Macro Plays of Mankind, Wisdom, and the Castle of Perseverance, edited from Mr. Gurney’s MS. by Dr. Furnivall and A. W. Pollard, M.A.; 2. Lydgate's DeGwilleville's Pilgrimage of the Life of Man, Part III, edited by Miss Katharine Locock; and Dr. E. A. Kock’s edition of Lovelich's Merlin from the unique MS. in Corpus Christi Coll., Cambridge, Part I. Those for 1906 and 1907 will be chosen from Lovelich’s History of the Holy Grail, Part IV, edited by Dr. Furnivall, for which Miss Dorothy Kempe has written a capital summary of the rise and development of the Legend of the Graal; Myrc's Festial, re-edited from the MSS. by Dr. Erbe ; The Owl and Nightingale, two parallel Texts, edited by Mr. G. F. H. Sykes; Dr. M. Konrath's re-edition of William of Shoreham's Poems, Part II; Prof. Erdmann's re-edition of Lydgate's Siege of Thebes (issued also by the Chaucer Society); Miss Rickert's re-edition of the Romance of Emare ; Prof. I. Gollancz's re-edition of two Alliterative Poems, Winner and Waster, &c., ab. 1360, lately issued for the Roxburghe Club; Dr. Norman Moore's re-edition of The Book of the Foundation of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, from the unique MS. ab. 1425, which gives an account of the Founder, Rahere, and the miraculous cures wrought at the Hospital; The Craft of Nombrynge, with other of the earliest englisht Treatises on Arithmetic, edited by R. Steele, B.A.; and Miss Warren's two-text edition of The Dance of Death from the Ellesmere and other MSS. 4 Teacts preparing : The Teacts for 1906, 1907, &c. Deguilleville. Dr. Brie of Berlin has undertaken to edit the prose Brut or Chronicle of Britain attributed to Sir John Mandeville, and printed by Caxton. He has already examined more than 100 English MSS. and several French ones, to get the best text, and find out its source. These Extra-Series Texts ought to be completed by their Editors: the Second Part of the prose Romance of Mclugine—Introduction, with ten facsimiles of the best woodblocks of the old foreign black-letter editions, Glossary, &c., by A. K. Donald, B.A. (now in India); and a new edition of the famous Early-English Dictionary (English and Latin), Promptorium Parvulorum, from the Winchester MS., ab. 1440 A.D.: in this, the Editor, the Rev. A. L. Mayhew, M.A., will follow and print his MS. not only in its arrangement of nouns first, and verbs second, under every letter of the Alphabet, but also in its giving of the flexions of the words. The Society's edition will thus be the first modern one that really represents its original, a point on which Mr. Mayhew’s insistence will meet with the sympathy of all our Members. The Texts for the Extra Series in 1906 and 1907 will be chosen from The Three Kings' Sons, Part II, the Introduction &c. by Prof. Dr. Tann Kellner; Part II of The Chester Plays, re-edited from the MSS., with a full collation of the formerly missing Devonshire MS., by Mr. G. England and Dr. Matthews; the Parallel-Text of the only two MSS. of the Owl and Nightingale, edited by Mr. G. F. H. Sykes (at press); Prof. Jespersen’s editions of John Hart's Orthographie (MS. 1551 A.D. ; blackletter 1569), and Method to teach Reading, 1570 ; Deguilleville's Pilgrimage of the Sowle, in English prose, edited by Prof. Dr. L. Kellner. (For the three prose versions of The Pilgrimage of the Life of Man—two English, one French—an Editor is wanted.) Members are askt to realise the fact that the Society has now 50 years' work on its Lists, at its present rate of production,-and that there is from 100 to 200 more years’ work to come after that. The year 2000 will not see finisht all the Texts that the Society ought to print. The need of more Members and money is pressing. Offers of help from willing Editors have continually to be declined because the Society has no funds to print their Texts. An urgent appeal is hereby made to Members to increase the list of Subscribers to the E. E. Text Society. It is nothing less than a scandal that the Hellenic Society should have nearly 1000 members, while the Early English Text Society has not 300 ! Before his death in 1895, Mr. G. N. Currie was preparing an edition of the 15th and 16th century Prose Versions of Guillaume de Deguilleville's Pilgrimage of the Life of Man, with the French prose version by Jean Gallopes, from Lord Aldenham's MS., he having generously promist to pay the extra cost of printing the French text, and engraving one or two of the illuminations in his MS. But Mr. Currie, when on his deathbed, charged a friend to burn all his MSS. which lay in a corner of his room, and unluckily all the E. E. T. S.’s copies of the Deguilleville prose versions were with them, and were burnt with them, so that the Society will be put to the cost of fresh copies, Mr. Currie having died in debt. Guillaume de Deguilleville, monk of the Cistercian abbey of Chaalis, in the diocese of Senlis, wrote his first verse Pèlerinaige de l’Homme in 1330-1 when he was 36.” Twenty-five (or six) years after, in 1355, he revised his poem, and issued a second version of it,” a revision of which was printed ab. 1500. Of the prose representative of the first version, 1330-1, a prose Englishing, about 1430 A.D., was edited by Mr, Aldis Wright for the Roxburghe Club in 1869, from MS. Ff. 5. 30 in the Cambridge University Library. Other copies of this prose English are in the Hunterian Museum, Glasgow, Q. 2. 25 ; Sion College, London; and the Laud Collection in the Bodleian, no. 740.” A copy in the Northern dialect is MS. G. 21, in St. John's Coll., Cambridge, and this is the MS. which will be edited for the E. E. Text Society. The Laud M.S. 740 was somewhat condenst and modernised, in the 17th century, into MS. Ff. 6. 30, in the Cambridge University Library: * “The Pilgrime or the Pil- grimage of Man in this World,” copied by Will, Baspoole, whose copy “was verbatim written by Walter Parker, 1645, and from thence transcribed by G. G. 1649; and from thence by W. A. 1655.” This last copy may have been read by, or its story reported to, Bunyan, and may have been the groundwork of his Pilgrim's Progress. It will be edited for the E. E. T. Soc., its text running under the earlier English, as in Mr. Herrtage’s edition of the Gesta Romanorum for the Society. In February 1464,” Jean Gallopes—a clerk of Angers, afterwards chaplain to John, Duke of Bedford, Regent of France—turned Deguilleville's first verse Pèlerinaige into a prose Pèlerinage de la vie hºwmaine." By the kindness of Lord Alden- ham, as above mentiond, Gallopes's French text will be printed opposite the early prose northern Englishing in the Society’s edition. The Second Version of Deguilleville's Pèlerinaige de l’Homme, A.D. 1355 or -6, was englisht in verse by Lydgate in 1426. Of Lydgate's poem, the larger part is in the Cotton MS. Vitellius C. xiii (leaves 2-308). This MS. leaves out Chaucer's englishing of Deguilleville's 1 He was born about 1295. See Abbé Gouj ET's Bibliothèque française, Vol. IX, p. 73-4.—P. M. The Roxburghe Club printed the 1st version in 1893. 2 The Roxburghe Club's copy of this 2nd version was lent to Mr. Currie, and unluckily burnt too with his other MSS. 3 These 3 MSS. have not yet been collated, but are believed to be all of the same version. 4 Another MS. is in the Pepys Library. 5 According to Lord Aldenham's MS. 6 These were printed in France, late in the 15th or early in the 16th century. Anglo-Saacon Psalters. More Money wanted. Saints' Lives. - 5 A B C or Prayer to the Virgin, of which the successive stanzas start with A, B, C, and run all : the alphabet ; and it has 2 main gaps, besides many small ones from the tops of leaves eing burnt in the Cotton fire. All these gaps (save the A BC) have been fild up from the Stowe MS. 952 (which old John Stowe completed) and from the end of the other imperfect S. Cotton, Tiberius A. vii. Thanks to the diligence of the old Elizabethan tailor and anuscript-lover, a complete text of Lydgate's poem has been given. The British Museum rench MSS. (Harleian 4399", and Additional 22,937° and 25,594*) are all of the First Version. Besides his first Pèlerinaige de l'homme in its two versions, Deguilleville wrote a second, ‘ de l'ame separee du corps,” and a third, “de nostre seigneur Iesus.” Of the second, a prose nglishing of 1413, The Pilgrimage of the Sowle (with poems by Hoccleve, already printed for the Society with that author's Regement of Princes), exists in the Egerton MS. 615,4 at atfield, Cambridge (Univ. Kk. 1; 7, and Caius), Oxford (Univ. Coll. and Corpus), and in Cax- on's edition of 1483. This version has ‘somewhat of addicions’ as Caxton says, and some shortenings too, as the maker of both, the first translater, tells us in the MSS. Caxton leaves ut the earlier englisher's interesting Epilog in the Egerton MS. This prose englishing of he Sowle will be edited for the Society by Prof. Dr. Leon Kellner after that of the Man is nisht, and will have Gallopes's French opposite it, from Lord Aldenham's MS., as his gift jo the Society. Of the Pilgrimage of Jesus, no englishing is known. As to the MS. Anglo-Saxon Psalters, Dr. Hy. Sweet has edited the oldest MS., the Vespasian, in his Oldest English Teats for the Society, and Mr. Harsley has edited the atest, c. 1150, Eadwine's Canterbury Psalter. The other MSS., except the Paris one, being nterlinear versions,—some of the Roman-Latin redaction, and some of the Gallican,—Prof. Logeman has prepared for press, a Parallel-Text edition of the first twelve Psalms, to start the :omplete work. He will do his best to get the Paris Psalter—tho' it is not an interlinear ne—into this collective edition; but the additional matter, especially in the Verse-Psalms, S very difficult to manage. If the Paris text cannot be parallelised, it will form a separate olume. The Early English Psalters are all independent versions, and will follow separately n due course. J . Through the good offices of the Examiners, some of the books for the Early-English Ex- minations of the University of London will be chosen from the Society's publications, the ommittee having undertaken to supply such books to students at a large reduction in price. he net profits from these sales will be applied to the Society’s Reprints. Members are reminded that fresh Subscribers are always wanted, and that the Committee an at any time, on short notice, send to press an additional Thousand Pounds’ worth of work. The Subscribers to the Original Series must be prepared for the issue of the whole of the arly English J.ives of Saints, sooner or later. The Society cannot leave out any of them, ven though some are dull. The Sinners would doubtless be much more interesting. But in any Saints' Lives will be found valuable incidental details of our forefathers’ social state, nd all are worthful for the history of our language. The Lives may be lookt on as the eligious romances or story-books of their period. The Standard Collection of Saints’ Lives in the Corpus and Ashmole MSS., the Harleian S. 2277, &c. will repeat the Laud set, our No. 87, with additions, and in right order. (The joundation MS. (Laud 108) had to be printed first, to prevent quite unwieldy collations.) The Supplementary Lives from the Vernon and other MSS. will form one or two separate volumes. Besides the Saints' Lives, Trevisa's englishing of Bartholomoents de Proprietatibus Rerum, ſhe mediaeval Cyclopædia of Science, &c., will be the Society’s next big undertaking. Dr. R. von Fleischhacker will edit it. Prof. Napier of Oxford, wishing to have the whole of bur MS. Anglo-Saxon in type, and accessible to students, will edit for the Society all the unprinted and other Anglo-Saxon Homilies which are not included in Thorpe's edition of £lfric's prose,” Dr. Morris's of the Blickling Homilies, and Prof. Skeat's of Ælfric's Metrical Homilies. The late Prof. Kölbing left complete his text, for the Society, of the Ancrem Riwle, from the best MS., with collations of the other four, and this will be edited for the Society by Dr. Thiimmler. Mr. Harvey means to prepare an edition of the three MSS. of the Earliest English Metrical Psalter, one of which was edited by the late Mr. Stevenson for the Surtees Society. Members of the Society will learn with pleasure that its example has been followed, not only by the Old French Text Society which has done such admirable work under its founders Profs. Paul Meyer and Gaston Paris, but also by the Early Russian Text Society, which was set on foot in 1877, and has since issued many excellent editions of old M.S. Chronicles, &c. Members will also note with pleasure the annexation of large tracts of our Early English territory by the important German contingent, the late Professors Zupitza and Kölbing, the 1 15th cent., containing only the Vie hºwmaine. 2 15th cent., containing all the 3 Pilgrimages, the 3rd being Jesus Christ's. 3 14th cent., containing the Vie hºwmaine and the 2nd Pilgrimage, de l’Ame: both incomplete. 4 Ab. 1430, 106 leaves (leaf 1 of text wanting), with illuminations of nice little devils—red, green, tawny, &c.—and damnd souls, fires, angels &c. - 5 Of these, Mr. Harsley is preparing a new edition, with collations of all the MSS. Many copies of Thorpe's book, not issued by the AElfric Society, are still in stock. e - Of the Vercelli Homilies, the Society has bought the copy made by Prof. G. Lattanzi. 6 The Original Series of the “Early English Teat Society.” living Hausknecht, Einenkel, Haenisch, Kaluza, Hupe, Adam, Holthausen, Schick, Herzfel Brandeis, Sieper, Konrath, Wülfing, &c. Scandinavia has also sent us Prof. Erdmann an Dr. E. A. Kock ; Holland, Prof. H. Logeman, who is now working in Belgium ; France, Proj Paul Meyer—with Gaston Paris as adviser (alas, now dead);—Italy, Prof. Lattanzi; Austri Dr. von Fleischhacker; while America is represented by the late Prof. Child, by Dr. Mary Noy Colvin, Miss Rickert, Profs. Mead, McKnight, Triggs, Perrin, Craig, &c. The sympathy, th ready help, which the Society’s work has cald forth from the Continent and the Unite States, have been among the pleasantest experiences of the Society's life, a real aid and chee amid all troubles and discouragements. All our Members are grateful for it, and recogni that the bond their work has woven between them and the lovers of language and antiquit across the seas is one of the most welcome results of the Society’s efforts. ORIGINAL SERIES. 1. Early English Alliterative Poems, ab. 1360 A.D., ed. Rev. Dr. R. Morris. 168. 18 2. Arthur, ab. 1440, ed. F. J. Furnivall, M.A. 4s. x 3 3. Lauder on the Dewtie of Kyngis, &c., 1556, ed. F. Hall, D.C.L. 48. 3. 4. Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight, ab. 1860, ed. Rev. Dr. R. Morris. 108. 3. 5. Hume's Orthographie and Congruitie of the Britan Tongue, ab. 1617, ed. H. B. Wheatley. 48. 18 6. Lancelot of the Laik, ab. 1500, ed. Rev. W. W. Skeat. 8s. 33 7. Genesis & Exodus, ab. 1250, ed. Rev. Dr. R. Morris. 88. 3. 8. Morte Arthure, ab. 1440, ed. E. Brock. 7s. 9 3 9. Thynne on Speght's ed. of Chaucer, A.D. 1599, ed. Dr. G. Kingsley and Dr. F. J. Furnivall. 108. 3. 10. Merlin, ab. 1440, Part I., ed. H. B. Wheatley. 2s. 6d. - 4. 11. Lyndesay’s Monarche, &c., 1552, Part I., ed. J. Small, M.A. 3s. 3. 12. Wright's Chaste Wife, ab. 1462, ed. F. J. Furnivall, M.A. 18. - 18. Seinte Marherete, 1200-1330, ed. Rev. O. Cockayne : re-edited by Dr. Otto Glauning. [Out of print. 18 14. Kyng Horn, Floris and Blancheflour, &c., ed. Rev. J. R. Lumby, D.D., re-ed. Dr. G. H. McKnight. 58. , 15. Political, Religious, and Love Poems, ed. F. J. Furnivall. 7s.6d. 16. The Book of Quinte Essence, ab. 1460-70, ed. F. J. Furnivall. 18. 17. Parallel Extracts from 45 MSS. of Piers the Plowman, ed. Rev. W. W. Skeat. 1s: 18. Hali Meidenhad, ab. 1200, ed. Rev. O. Cockayne, re-edited by Dr. F. J. Furnivall. [At Pre38. 19. Lyndesay’s Monarche, &c., Part II., ed. J. Small, M.A. 38. 6d. 20. Hampole's English Prose Treatises, ed. Rev. G. G. Perry. 1s. [Out of print. 21. Merlin, Part II., ed. H. B. Wheatley. 48. 22. Partenay or Lusignen, ed. Rev. W. W. Skeat. 6s. 23. Dam Michel's Ayenbite of Inwyt, 1340, ed. Rev. Dr. R. Morris. 10s. 6d. 24. Hymns to the Virgin and Christ; the Parliament of Devils, &c., ab. 1430, ed. F. J. Furnivall. 8s. 1 25. The Stacions of Rome, the Pilgrims' Sea-voyage, with Glene Maydenhod, ed. F. J. Furnivall. 18. 26. Religious Pieces in Prose and Verse, from R. Thornton’s MS., ed. Rev. G. G. Perry. 28. [0wt of print. 27. Levins's Manipulus Vocabulorum, a ryming Dictionary, 1570, ed. H. B. Wheatley. 128. 28. William’s Vision of Piers the Plowman, 1362 A.D.; Text A, Part I., ed. Rev. W. W. Skeat. 6s. 29. Old English Homilies (ab. 1220-30 A.D.). Series I, Part I. Edited by Rev. Dr. R. Morris. 7s. 30. Pierce the Ploughmans Crede, ed. Rev. W. W. Skeat. 28. 31. Myrc's Duties of a Parish Priest, in Verse, ab. 1420 A.D., ed. E. Peacock. 48. 1 32. Early English Meals and Manners: the Boke of Norture of John Russell, the Bokes of Keruynge, - Curtasye, and Demeanor, the Babees Book, Urbanitatis, &c., ed. F. J. Furnivall. 12s. 33. The Knight de la Tour Landry, ab. 1440 A.D. A Book for Daughters, ed. T. Wright, M.A.. [Reprinting. 34. Old English Homilies (before 1300 A.D.). Series I, Part II., ed. R. Morris, LL.D. 8s. [Reprinting. 35. Lyndesay’s Works, Part III. : The Historie and Testament of Squyer Meldrum, ed. F. Hall. 2s. 36. Merlin, Part III. Ed. H. B. Wheatley. On Arthurian Localities, by J. S. Stuart Glennie. 12s. 18 37. Sir David Lyndesay’s Works, Part IV., Ane Satyre of the Three Estaits. Ed. F. Hall, D.C.L. 48. 38. William's Vision of Piers the Plowman, Part II. Text B. Ed. Rev. W. W. Skeat, M.A. 10s. 6d. 39. Alliterative Romance of the Destruction of Troy. Ed. D. Donaldson & G. A. Panton. Pt. I. 10s. 6d. 40. English Gilds, their Statutes and Customs, 1389 A.D. Edit. Toulmin Smith and Lucy T. Smith, with an Essay on Gilds and Trades-Unions, by Dr. L. Brentano. 218. - 1 41. William Lauder's Minor Poems. Ed. F. J. Furnivall. 3s. 42, Bernardus De Gura Reil'amuliaris, Early Scottish Prophecies, &c. Ed. J. R. Lumby, M.A. 2s. 43. Ratis Raving, and other Moral and Religious Pieces. Ed. J. R. Lumby, M.A. 3s. - 44. The Alliterative Romance of Joseph of Arimathie, or The Holy Grail: from the Vernon MS.; with W. de Worde's and Pynson’s Lives of Joseph :, ed. Rev. W. W. Skeat, M.A. 5s. I 45. King Alfred's West-Saxon Version of Gregory's Pastoral Care, edited from 2 MSS., with an English translation, by Henry Sweet, Esq., B.A., Balliol College, Oxford. Part I. 10s. 46. Legends of the Holy Rood, Symbols of the Passion and Cross Poems, ed. Rev. Dr. R. Morris. 108. 47. Sir David Lyndesay’s Works, Part W., ed. Dr. J. A. H. Murray. 3s. 48. The Times' Whistle, and other Poems, by R. C., 1616; ed. by J. M. Cowper, Esq. 6s. 49. An Old English Miscellany, containing a Bestiary, Kentish Sermons, Proverbs of Alfred, and Religious Poems of the 13th cent., ed. from the MSS. by the Rev. R. Morris, LL.D. 10s. 1 50. King Alfred's West-Saxon Version of Gregory's Pastoral Care, ed. H. Sweet, M.A. Part II. 10s. - 3. The Original Series of the “Early English Teat Society.” 7 ;1. The Life of St Juliana, 2 versions, A.D. 1230, with translations; ed. T. O. Cockayne & E. Brock. 28. 1872 2. Palladius on Husbondrie, englisht (ab. 1420 A.D.), ed. Rev. Barton Lodge, M.A. Part I. 108. 3 y 3. Old-English Homilies, Series II., and three Hymns to the Virgin and God, 13th-century, with the music to two of them, in old and modern notation; ed. Rev. R. Morris, LL.D. 88. 1873 4. The Vision of Piers Plowman, Text C : Richard the Redeles (by William, the author of the Vision) and The Crowned King; Part III., ed. Rev. W. W. Skeat, M.A. 188. - 2 3 . Generydes, a Romance, ab. 1440 A.D., ed. W. Aldis Wright, M.A. Part I. 38. 3 * . The Gest Hystoriale of the Destruction of Troy, in alliterative verse ; ed. by D. Donaldson, Esq., and the late Rev. G. A. Panton. Part II. 10s. 6d. 1874 . The Early English Version of the “Cursor Mundi”; in four Texts, edited by the Rev. R. Morris, M.A., LL.D. 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Dr. Lorenz Morsbach. Gilbert Banastre’s Poems, and other Boccaccio englishings, ed. by Prof. Dr. Max Förster. Lanfranc's Cirurgie, ab. 1400 A.D., ed. Dr. R. von Fleischhacker, Part II. William of Nassington’s Mirror of Life, from Jn. of Waldby, edited by J. A. Herbert, M.A. More Early English Wills from the Probate Registry at Somerset House. (Editor wanted.) Early Lincoln Wills and Documents from the Bishops' Registers, &c., edited by Dr. F. J. Furnivall. Early Canterbury Wills, edited by William Cowper, B.A., and J. Meadows Cowper. Early Norwich Wills, edited by Walter Rye and F. J. Furnivall. The Cartularies of Oseney Abbey and Godstow Nunnery, englisht ab. 1450, ed. Rev. A. Clark, M.A. Early Lyrical Poems from the Harl. MS. 2253, re-edited by Prof. Hall Griffin, M.A. Alliterative Prophecies, edited from the MSS. by Prof. Brandl, Ph. D. Miscellaneous Alliterative Poems, edited from the MSS. by Dr. L. Morsbach. Bird and Beast Poems, a collection from MSS., edited by Dr. K. D. Buelbring. Scire Mori, &c., from the Lichfield MS. 16, ed. Mrs. L. Grindon, LL.A., and Miss Florence Gilbert. Nicholas Trivet's French Chronicle, from Sir A. Acland-Hood’s unique MS., ed. by Miss Mary Bateson. Early English Homilies in Harl. 2276 &c., c. 1400, ed. J. Friedländer. Extracts from the Registers of Boughton, ed. Hy. Littlehales, Esq. The Diary of Prior Moore of Worcester, A.D. 1518-35, from the unique MS., ed. Henry Littlehales, Esq. The Pore Caitif, edited from its MSS., by Mr. Peake. Thomas Berkley's englisht Vegetius on the Art of War, MS. 30 Magd. Coll. Oxf., od. L. C. Wharton, M.A. Poems attributed to Richard Maydenstone, from MS. Rawl. A 389, edited by Dr. W. Heuser. Early Middle-English Charters, cdited by Dr. W. Houser. IEXTRA SERIES. Bp. Fisher's English Works, Pt. II., with his Life and Letters, ed. Rev. Ronald Bayne, B.A. [At Press. Sir Tristrem, from the unique Auchinleck MS., edited by George F. Black. John of Arderne's Surgery, c. 1425, ed. J. F. Payne, M.D. De Guilleville's Pilgrimage of the Sowle, edited by Prof. Dr. Leon Kellner. Vicary’s Anatomie, 1548, from the unique MS. copy by George Jeans, caited by F. J. & Percy Furnivall. Vicary's Anatomie, 1548, ed. 1577, edited by F. J. & Percy Furnivall. Part II. [At Press. A Compilacion of Surgerye, from H. de Mandeville and Lanfrank, A.D. 1392, ed. Dr. J. F. Payne, William Staunton's St. Patrick's Purgatory, &c., ed. Mr. G. P. Krapp, U.S.A. Trevisa’s Bartholomaeus de Proprietatibus Rerum, re-edited by Dr. R. von Fleischhacker. Bullein's Dialogue against the Feuer Pestilence, 1564, 1573, 1578. Ed. A. H. and M. Bullon. Part II. The Romance of Boctus and Sidrac, edited from the MSS. by Dr. K. D. Buelbring. The Romance of Clariodus, and Sir Amadas, re-edited from the MSS. by Dr. K. D. Buelbring. Sir Degrevant, edited from the MSS. by Dr. K. Luick. Robert of Brunne's Chronicle of England, from the Inner Temple MS., ed. by Prof. W. E. Mead, Ph.D. Maundeville's Woiage and Travaile, re-edited from the Cotton MS. Titus C. 16, &c., by Miss M. Bateson. Avowynge of Arthur, re-edited from the unique Ireland MS. by Dr. K. D. Buelbring. Guy of Warwick, Copland's version, edited by a pupil of the late Prof. Zupitza, Ph.D. Awdelay's Poems, re-edited from the unique MS. Douce 302, by Prof. Dr. E. Wülfing. The Wyse Chylde and other early Treatises on Education, Northwich School, Harl. 2099 &c., ed. G. Collar, Caxton's Dictes and Sayengis of Philosophirs, 1477, with Lord Tollemache's MS. version, ed. S.I. Butler, Caxton's Book of the Ordre of Chyualry, collated with Loutfut's Scotch copy. (Editor wanted.) Lydgate's Court of Sapience, ed. by Dr. Borsdorf. Lydgate's Dance of Death, ed. Miss Florence Warrel Lydgate's Lyfe of oure Lady, ed. by Prof. Georg Fiedler, Ph.D. Lydgate’s Life of St. Edmund, edited from the MSS. by Dr. Axel Erdmann. Lydgate's Triumph Poems, edited by Dr. E. Sieper. Lydgate's Minor Poems, edited by Dr. Otto Glaur Richard Goer de Lion, re-edited from Harl. MS. 4690, by Prof. Hausknecht, Ph.D. - The Romance of Athelstan, re-edited by a pupil of the late Prof. J. Zupitza, Ph.D. The Romance of Sir Degare, re-edited by Dr. Breul. The Gospel of Nichodemus, edited by Ernest Ried Mulcaster's Positions 1581, and Elementarie 1582, ed. Dr. Th. Klaehr, Dresden. Walton's verse Boethius de Consolatione, edited by Mark H. Liddell, U.S.A. Sir Landeval and Sir Laumfal, edited by Dr. Zimmermann. Rolland's Seven Sages, the Scottish version of 1560, edited by George F. Black. The Subscription to the Society, which constitutes membership, is £1 1s. a year for the ORIGI SERIES, and £1 1s. for the ExTRA SERIES, due in advance on the 1st of J ANUARY, and shoul paid by Cheque, Postal Order, or Money-Order, crost ‘Union Bank of London,’ to the Hon. S tºry, W. A. DALZIEL, Esq., 67, Victoria Road, Finsbury Park, London, N. Members who their Texts posted to them must add to their prepaid Subscriptions 1s. for the Original Series, an for the Extra Series, yearly. The Society's Texts are also sold separately at the prices put them in the Lists; but Members can get back-Texts at one-third less than the List-prices by sen the cash for them in advance to the Hon. Secretary. MSS. and Books that Editors are wanted for. 11 Among the MSS. and old books which need copying or re-editing, are:— ! ORIGINAL SERIES. English Inventories and other MSS. in Canterbury Cathedral (5th Report, Hist. MSS. Com.). Maumetrie, from Lord Tollemache's MS. The Romance of Troy. Harl. 525. Biblical MIS., Corpus Cambr. 434 (ab. 1375). Hampole's unprinted Works. pe Clowde of Unknowyng, from Harl. MSS. 2373, 959, Bibl. Reg. 17 C 26, &c. Univ. Coll. Oxf. 14. A Lanterne of List, from Harl. MS. 2324. Soule-hele, from the Vermon MS. Lydgate's unprinted Works. Boethius de Consol. ; Pilgrim, 1426, &c. &c. Early Treatises on Music: Descant, the Gamme, &c. Skelton's englishing of Diodorus Siculus. Boethius, in prose, MS. Auct. F. 3. 5, Bodley. Penitential Psalms, by Rd. Maydenstoon, Brampton, &c. (Rawlinson, A. 389, Douce 232, &c.). Documents from the early Registers of the Bishops of all Dioceses in Great Britain. Ordinances and Documents of the City of Worcester. Chronicles of the Brute. T. Breus's Passion of Christ, 1422. Harl. 2338. Jn. Crophill or Crephill's Tracts, Harl. 1735. Burgh's Cato. Memoriale Credencium, &c., Harl. 2398. Book for Recluses, Harl. 2372. Lollard Theological Treatises, Harl. 2343, 2330, &c. H. Selby's Northern Ethical Tract, Harl. 2388, art. 20 IEXTRA Erle of Tolous. Ypotis. Sir Eglamoure. Miscellaneous Miracle Plays. Sir Gowther. Dame Siriz, &c. Orfeo (Digby, 86). Dialogues between the Soul and Body. Barlaam and Josaphat. Amis and Amiloun. Ipomedon. Sir Generides, from Lord Tollemache’s MS. The Troy-Book fragments once cald Barbour's, in the Cambr. Univ. Library and Douce MSS. Poems of Charles, Duke of Orleans, Carols and Songs. Songs and Ballads, Ashmole MS. 48. Hilton's Ladder of Perfection, Cott. Faust. B 6, &c. Supplementary Early English Lives of Saints. The Early and Later Festialls, ab. 1400 and 1440 A.D Cotton, Claud. A 2; Univ. Coll. Oxf. 102, &c. Select Prose Treatises from the Vernon MS. Jn. Hyde's MS. of Romances and Ballads, Balliol 354. Metrical Homilies, Edinburgh MS. Lyrical Poems from the Fairfax MS. 16, &c. Prose Life of St. Audry, A.D. 1595, Corp. Oxf. 120. English Miscellanies from MSS., Corp. Oxford. Miscellanies from Oxford College MSS. Disce Mori, Jesus Coll. Oxf. 39; Bodl. Iaud 99. The Romance of Raymond of Toulouse, MS. in Trin. Coll. Cambridge. Mirrour of the blessed lijf of Ihesu Crist. MSS. of Sir Hy. Ingilby, Bart., Tord Aldenham, Univ. Coll. Oxf. 123, &c. Poem on Virtues and Vices, &c., Harl. 2260. Maundevyle's Legend of Gwydo, Queen’s, Oxf, 383. Book of Warrants of Edw. VI., &c., New Coll. Oxf.328. Adam Loutfut's Heraldic Tracts, Harl. 6149-50. Rules for Gunpowder and Ordnance, Harl. 6355. John Watton's englisht Speculum Christiani, Corpus, Oxf. 155, Laud G.12, Thoresby 530, Harl. 2250, art. 20. Verse and Prose in Harl. MS. 4012. A booke of goode Maneres, by Frere Jaques the grete, Augustinian, Harl. MS. 149, lſ. 183-251. SERIES. The Siege of Rouen, from Harl. MSS. 2256, 753, Eger- ton 1995, Bodl. 3562, E. Museo 124, &c. Octavian. Ywain and Gawain. Libeaus Desconus. * Aunturs of Arther. Avowyng of King Arther. Sir Perceval of Gallas. Sir Isumbras. f Parton.ope of Blois, Univ. Coll. Oxf. 188, &c. Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Queen's Coll. Oxf. 357. Other Pilgrimages to Jerusalem, Harl. 2333, &c. Horae, Penitential Psalms, &c., Queen’s Coll. Oxf. 207. St. Brandon's Confession, Queen’s Coll. Oxf. 210. Scotch Heraldry Tracts, copy of Caxton's Book of Chivalry, &c., Queen’s Coll. Oxford 161. Stevyn Scrope's Doctryne and Wysedome of the Auncyent Philosophers, A.D. 1450, Harl. 2266. The Founder and Director of the E. E. T. Soc. is Dr. F. J. Furmivall, 3, St. George's Sq., Primrose Hill, London, N.W. Its Hon. Sec. is W. A. Dalziel, Esq., 67, Victoria Road, Finsbury Park, London, N. The Subscription to the Society is 21s, a year for the Original Series, and 21s. for the Extra Series of re-editions. (Ballu (English Jext society. —sºm- ORIGINAL SERIES. The Publications for 1903 are :- & sº 122. The Laud Troy-Book, edited from the unique MS. Laud 595, by Dr. J. Ernst Wülfing. . Part II. 208. 123. Robert of Brunne's Handlyng Synne (1303), and its French original, re-ed. by Dr. Furnivall. Pt. II. 108. The Publications for 1904 are :- 124. Twenty-six Political and other Poems from Digby MS. 102, &c., edited by Dr. J. Kail. Part I. 103. 125. The Medieval Records of a London City Church (St. Mary-at-Hill), edited by Hy. Littlehales. Pt. I. 108. 126. An Alphabet of Tales, in Northern English from Latin, ed. Mrs. M. M. Banks. Part I. 10s. The Publications for 1905 are :- 127. An Alphabet of Tales, in Northern English from Latin, ed. Mrs. M. M. Banks. Part II. 10s. 128. The Medieval Records of a London City Church (St. Mary-at-Hill), ed. by Hy. Littlehales. Pt. II. [At Press. 129. The Godstow and Oseney Registers, edited from the MSS. by the Rev. Dr. Andrew Clark. Pt. I. [At Press. Tha Pºbjč03:30:00 for 1906 &nd 1907 will be chosen ſlum :— The Coventry Leet Book, edited by Miss M. Dormer Harris. Part I. [At Press. Twenty-six Political and other Poems from Digby MS. 102, &c., edited by Dr. J. Kail. Part II. The Laud Troy-Book, edited from the unique MS. Laud 595, by Dr. J. Ernst Wülfing. Part 111. The Old-English Rule of Bp. Chrodegang, and the Capitula of Bp. Theodulf, edited from the unique MS. 191 A C. C. C. Camb., by Prof. Napier, Ph.D. [At Press. Robert of Brunne's Handlyng Synne (1303), and its French original, re-ed. by Dr. Furnivall. Part III. The Passion of Christ, with Hendyng's and other Proverbs, ed. Dr. W. Heuser. [At Press. The Alliterative Siege of Jerusalem, edited by Prof. E. Kölbing, Ph.D., and Prof. Kaluza, Ph.D. [At Press. Minor Poems of the Vernon MS. Part III. Introduction and Glossary. Sir David Lyndesay's Works. Part VI. and last. Edited by the Rev. Wm. Bayne, M.A. (At Press. Jacob's Well, edited from the unique Salisbury Cathedral MS. by Dr. A. Brandeis. Part II. [At Press. Vices and Wirtues, from the unique MS., ab. 1200 A.D., ed. Prof. Dr. F. Holthausen, Part II. [At Press. The Exeter Book (Anglo-Saxon Poems), re-ed. from the unique MS., by Prof. Gollancz, M.A. Part II. [At Press. A Chronicle of England to 1327 A.D., Northern verse (42,000 lines), ab. 1400 A.D., ed. M. L. Perrin, B.A. ‘Prayers and Devotions, from the unique MS. Cotton Titus C. 19, ed. Hy. Littlehales, Esq. [Copied. North-English Metrical Homilies from Ashmole MS. 42 &c., ed. G. H. Gerould, D.Litt. Vegetius on the Art of War, edited from the MSS. by L. C. Wharton, M A. EXTRA SERIES. The Publications for 1903 (one guinea) are :- LXXXVIII. Le Morte Arthur, in 8-line stanzas, re-edited from Harl MS. 2252, by Prof. Bruce, Ph.D. 10s. LXXXIX. Lydgate's Reason and Sensuality, edited by Ernst Sieper, Ph.D. Part II. 15s. XC. English Fragments from Latin Medieval Service-Books, ed. by Hy. Littlehales. 5s. The Publications for 1904 (one guinea) are:— XCI. The Macro Plays, ed. from Mr. Gurney’s unique MS. by Dr. Furnivall and A. W. Pollard, M.A. 108. XCII. Lydgate's DeGuileville's Pilgrimage of the Life of Man. Pt. III, Introd., &c., by Miss Locock. 10s. XCIII. Lovelich's Romance of Merlin, edited from the unique MS. by Dr. E. A. Kock. Part I. 108. The Publications for 1905 and 1906 will be chosen from :— Lovelich's Romance of Merlin, edited from the unique MS. by Dr. E. A. Kock. Part II. Myrc's Festial, edited from the best MSS. by Dr. Erbe. [At Press. -- The Legend of the Holy Grail, by Miss Dorothy Kempe, Pt. IV of Lovelich's History of Holy Grail. [At Press. The Owl and Nightingale, 2 Texts parallel, ed. G F. H. Sykes, Esq. [At Press. William of Shoreham's Poems, re-edited by Dr. M. Konrath. Part II. [At Press. Mandeville's prose Brut, or Chronicle of England, edited from the MSS. by Dr. Brie. Melusine, the prose Romance, from the unique MS., ab. 1500, ed. A. K. Donald, B.A. Part II. [At Press. Promptorium Parvulorum, c. 1440, from the Winchester MS., ed. Rev. A. L. Mayhew, M.A. Part I. [At Press. Lydgate's Siege of Thebes, re-edited from the MSS. by Prof. Dr. A. Erdmann. [At Press. Lydgate's Troy-Book, edited from the best MSS. by Dr. Berger. Lydgate's Dance of Death, edited from the MSS. by Miss Florence Warren. Wynkyn de Worde's English and French Phrase-book, etc., edited by Dr. Hermann Oelsner. Shirley's Gode Maners, englisht from ‘Les bones Mures, ed. from the unique MS. by Dr. H. Oelsner. Secreta Secretorum : three prose Englishings, ab. 1440, ed. R. Steele, B.A. Part II. [At Press. The Craft of Nombrynge, the earliest English Treatise on Arithmetic, ed. R. Steele, B.A. [At Press. The Book of the Foundation of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, MS. ab. 1425, ed. Dr. Norman Moorc. [Set. The Chester Plays, Part II., re-edited by Dr. Matthews. [At Press. Lichfield Gilds, ed. Dr. F. J. Furnivall; Introduction by Prof. E. C. K. Gonner. [Text done. John Hart's Orthographie, from his unique MS. 1551, and his black-letter text, 1569, ed. Prof. Otto Jespersen, Ph.D. John Hart's Methode to teach Reading, 1570, ed. Prof. Otto Jespersen, Ph.D. Extracts from the Rochester Diocesan Registers, ed. Hy. Littlehales, Esq. The Three Kings' Sons, Part II, French collation, Introduction, &c., by Dr. L. Kellner. The Coventry Plays, re-edited from the unique MS. by Dr. Matthews. Emare, re-edited from the MSS. by Miss Rickert. The Andren Riwle, edited from its five MSS., by the late Prof. E. Rölbing, Ph.D., and Dr. Thümmler. LONDON : KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRUBNER & Co., Ltd BERLIN : ASHER & CO., 13, UNTER DEN LINDEN. Garly English Jºst $ority, .. original Series, 28. º - Clt tim ºf William to it terming u ità de Quitºl, - Jobt, ºf Jobts, setumum &tif ºf $ºgoum, - BY WILLIAM LANGLAND. - (1362 A.D.) + EDITED FROM THE “VERNON” Ms., COLLATED WITH MS. R. 3. 14. IN THE LIBRARY OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, MSS. HARL. 875 & 6041, THE MS. IN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, OXFORD, MS. DOUCE 828, &c. BY THE REV. WALTER W. SKEAT, M.A., LATE FELLow of CHRIST's CoILEGE, CAMBRIDGE. THE “VERNON” TEXT ; OR TEXT A. LONDON : - • . PUBLISHED FOR THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY By KEGAN PAUL, TREN CH, TRU B NER & Co., PATERNOSTER HOUSE, CHARING-CROSS ROAD, W.C. . MDCCCLXVII. [Reprinted 1898.] Price Seven Shillings. (Bally (ſºullish Jext $Uritt). Committee of Management, : * Director : DR. FREDERICK J. FURNIVALL, M.A. Treasurer: HENRY B. W HEATLEY, Esq. , Hon. Sec.; W. A. DALZIEL, Esq., 67 VICTORIA ROAD, FINSBURY PARK, N. Hon. Secs. | North & East: Prof. G. L. KITTREDGE, Harvard Coll., Cambr., Mass. for America : } South & West: Prof. J. W. BRIGHT, Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore. Rev. DR, ANDREW CLARK, M.A. PROF. NAPIER, M.A., Ph.D. PROF. ISRAEL GOLLANCZ, D.LIT, ALFRED W. POLLARD, M.A. SIDNEY L. LEE, M.A., D.L.I.T. PROF. J. SCHICK, PH.D. HENRY LITTLEHALES, Esq. REV. PROF. WALTER W. SKEAT, LITT.D. Rev. Prof. J. E. B. MAYOR, M.A. DR. HENRY SWEET, M.A. SIR. J. A. H. MURRA Y, D.Litt. DR. W. ALDIS WRIGHT, M.A. (With power to add IVorkers to their number.) Bankers : THE UNION OF LONDON AND SMITH'S BANK, 2, PRINCES STREET, E.C. THE Early English Text Society was started by Dr. Furnivall in 1864 for the purpose of bringing the mass of Old English Literature within the reach of the ordinary student, and of wiping away the reproach under which England had long rested, of having felt little interest in the monuments of her early language and life. On the starting of the Society, so many Texts of importance were at once taken in hand by its Editors, that it became necessary in 1867 to open, besides the Original Series with which the Society began, an Eastra Series which should be mainly devoted to fresh editions of all that is most valuable in printed MSS. and Caxton's and other black-letter books, though first editions of MSS. will not be excluded when the con- venience of issuing them demands their inclusion in the Extra Series. During the forty-four years of the Society’s existence, it has produced, with whatever shortcomings, and at a cost of nearly £30,000, an amount of good solid work for which all students of our Language, and some of our Literature, must be grateful, and which has rendered possible the beginnings (at least) of proper Histories and Dictionaries of that Language and Literature, and has illustrated the thoughts, the life, the manners and customs of our forefathers and foremothers. x- But the Society's experience has shown the very small number of those inheritors of the speech of Cynewulf, Chaucer, and Shakspere, who care two guineas a year for the records of that speech. ‘Let the dead past bury its dead” is still the cry of Great Britain and her Colonies, and of America, in the matter of language. The Society has never had money enough to produce the Texts that could easily have been got ready for it; and many Editors are now anxious to send to press the work they have pre- pared. The necessity has therefore arisen for trying to increase the number of the Society's members, and to induce its well-wishers to help it by gifts of money, either in one sum or by instalments. The Committee trust that every Member will bring before his or her friends and acquaintances the Society’s claims for liberal support, Until all Early English MSS. are printed, no proper History of our Language or Social Life is possible. The Subscription to the Society, which constitutes membership, is £1 18. a year for the ORIGINAL SERIES, and £1 1s. for the EXTRA SERIES, due in advance on the 1st of JANUARy, and should be paid by Cheque, Postal Order, or Money-Order, crost ‘Union of London and Smith's Bank,’ to the Hon. Secretary, W. A. DALZIEL, Esq., 67, Victoria Rd., Finsbury Park, London, N. Members who want their Texts posted to them, must add to their prepaid Subscriptions 18. for the Original Series, and 18. for the Extra Series, yearly. The Society's Texts are also sold separately at the prices put after them in the Lists; but Members can get back-Texts at one-third less than the List-prices by sending the cash for them in advance to the Hon. Secretary. Original and Eatra Series Books, 1897-1900. 3 April 1898. For this year the Original-Series Texts were issued in 1896. Those for 1899 are now ready. The texts of several other works are now printed. Members are askt to send their two- or three-years' subscriptions for both Series at once in advance. For 1897, the Original-Series Texts are, No. 108, Child-Marriages and -1Divorces, Troth- plights, Adulteries, Affiliations, Libels, Wills, Miscellanea, Clandestine Marriages, Deposi- tions in Trials in the Bishop's Court, Chester, A.D. 1561-6, with Entries from the Chester Mayors' Books, 1558-1600, ed. Dr. F. J. Furnivall,—a most curious volume, full of the social life of its time;—and Part II of the Pryºner or Lay-Folks' Prayer-book, edited by Mr. Henry Littlehales, with a Paper by Mr. Bishop on the Origin and Growth of the Prymer. For 1897, the Extra-Series Texts are LXXI, The Towneley Plays, re-edited from the unique MS. by Mr. George England, with sidenotes and Introduction by Alfred W. Pollard, M.A. ; LXXII, Hoccleve's Regement of Princes, A.D. 14.11-12, with 14 Minor Poems, now first assigned to Hoccleve, from the De Guilleville MS. Egerton 615, re-edited from the MSS. by Dr. Furnivall; the latter forms Part III of Hoccleve's Works; LXXIII, Part II of Hoccleve’s Works is Hoccleve's Minor Poems II, from the Yates Thompson (late Ashburnham) MS., edited by Mr. Israel Gollancz, M. A. The Original-Series Texts for 1898 are Nos. 110, 111,–Part II, Sections 1 and 2, of Dr. # Miller's Collations of Four MSS. of the Old-English Version of Bede's Ecclesiastical istory. The Extra-Series Texts for 1898 are No. LXXIV, Secreta Secretorum, 3 prose Englishings, one by Jas. Yonge with interesting passages about Ireland, edited by Robert Steele, B.A., Part I; and No. LXXV, Miss Morrill's edition of the Speculum Guidonis in the Society's Guy-of-Warwick Series. - The Extra-Series Texts for 1899 ought to be the Second Part of the prose Romance of Melugine—Introduction, with ten facsimiles of the best woodblocks of the old foreign black- letter editions, Glossary, &c., by A. K. Donald, B.A., if he can be found; and a new edition of the famous Early-English Dictionary (English and Latin), Promptorium Parvulorum, from the Winchester MS., ab. 1440 A.D.: in this, the Editor, the Rev. A. L. Mayhew, M.A., will follow and print his MS. not only in its arrangement of nouns first, and verbs second, under every letter of the Alphabet, but also in its giving of the flexions of the words. The Society’s edition will thus be the first modern one that really represents its original, a point on which Mr. Mayhew’s insistance will meet with the sympathy of all our Members. But if neither of these Texts is forthcoming in 1899, a substitute for it will be found in the probable 1900 Texts mentioned below. The Original-Series Texts for 1899 will be No. 112, Merlin, Part IV, Prof. W. E. Mead's Outlines of the Legend of Merlin, with Glossary, &c., and No. 113, Queen Elizabeth’s Eng- lishings of Boethius de Consolatione, Plutarch's De Curiositate, and part of Horace, De Arte Poetica, edited from the unique MS. (a portion in the Queen's own hand) in the Public Record Office, London, by the late Miss C. Pemberton, with a Facsimile, and a note on the Queen's use of i for long e. The Original-Series Texts for 1900 will be No. 114, Part IV (the last) of Prof. Skeat's edition of Aelfric's Metrical Lives of Saints; and No. 115, Jacob's Well, a quaint allegorical treatise on the cleansing and building-up of Man's Conscience, edited from the unique MS. in Salisbury Cathedral, by Dr. J. W. Brandeis, Part I. The Extra-Series Texts for 1900 will be chosen from Mr. I. Gollancz's re-edition of two Alliterative Poems, Winner and Waster, &c., ab. 1360, just issued for the Roxburghe Club ; Dr. Norman Moore's re-edition of The Book of the Foundation of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, from the unique MS. ab. 1425, which gives an account of the Founder, Rahere, and he miraculous cures wrought at the Hospital; or The Craft of Nombrynge, with other of ;he earliest englisht Treatises on Arithmetic, edited by R. Steele, B.A., or Alexander Scott's Poems, 1568, from the unique Edinburgh MS., ed. A. K. Donald, B.A. ; or Miss Mary Bate- ion's edition of George Ashby's Active Policy of a Prince, &c., from the unique MS., A.D. 1463. - An urgent appeal is hereby made to Members to increase the list of Subscribers to the F. E. Text Society. It is nothing less than a scandal that the Hellenic Society should have learly 1000 members, while the Early English Text Society has only about 300 ! The Original-Series Texts for 1901 and 1902 will be chosen from books already at press: *art II of the Minor Poems of the Vernon MS., edited by Dr. F. J. Furnivall; Mr. Gollancz's e-edited Ea'eter-Book—Anglo-Saxon Poems from the unique MS. in Exeter Cathedral— *art II; Dr. Bruce's Introduction to The English Conquest of Ireland, Part II; Dr. 'urnivall's edition of the Lichfield Gilds, which is all printed, and waits only for the troduction, that Prof. E. C. K. Gonner has kindly undertaken to write for the book. Dr. ł. Herzfeld’s re-edition of the Anglo-Saxon Martyrology is all in type. Part II of Dr. Holt- ausen’s Vices and Virtues needs only its Glossary. 4 Teats preparing : The Ectra Series for 1901 & 1902. Deguilleville. The Texts for the Extra Series in 1901 and 1902 will be chosen from The Three Kings' Sons, Part II, the Introduction &c. by Prof. Dr. Leon Kellner; Part II of The Chester Plays, re-edited from the MSS., with a full collation of the formerly missing Devonshire MS., by Mr. G. England and Dr. Matthews; the Parallel-Text of the only two MSS. of the Owl and Nightingale, edited by Mr. G. F. H. Sykes (at press); Robert of Brunne's Handlyng Symme, edited by Dr. Furnivall; Deguilleville's Pilgrimage of the Life of Man, in English verse by Lydgate. (For the three prose versions—two English, one French—an Editor is wanted.) Mr. Steele has also in type the earliest Treatise on Arithmetic, englisht from Johannes de Sacro Bosco. Some of these Texts will be ready in 1899. Members are therefore askt to send Advance Subscriptions for 1899 and 1900, in order that the 1899-1900 books may be issued to them as soon as the editions are finisht. The Society's experience has shown that Editors must be taken when they are in the humour for work. All real Students and furtherers of the Society’s purpose will be ready to push-on the issue of Texts. Those Members who care only a guinea a year (or can afford only that sum) for the history of our language and our nation’s thought, will not be hurt by those who care more, getting their books in advance ; on the contrary, they will be benefited, as each successive year's work will then be ready for issue on New Year's Day. Members are askt to realise the fact that the Society has now 50 years' work on its Lists, at its present rate of production,-an that there is from 100 to 200 more years’ work to come after that. The year 2000 will no See finisht all the Texts that the Society ought to print. Before his death in 1895, Mr. G. N. Currie was preparing an edition of the 15th and 16th century Prose Versions of Guillaume de Deguilleville's Pilgrimage of the Life of Man, wit the French prose version by Jean Gallopes, from Lord Aldenham's MS., he having generousl promist to pay the extra cost of printing the French text, and engraving one or two of th illuminations in his MS. But Mr. Currie, when on his deathbed, charged a friend to bur all his MSS. which lay in a corner of his room, and unluckily all the E. E. T. S.'s copies o the Deguilleville prose versions were with them, and were burnt with them, so that th Society will be put to the cost of fresh copies, Mr. Currie having died in debt. Guillaume de Deguilleville, monk of the Cistercian abbey of Chaalis, in the diocese Senlis, wrote his first verse Pelerinaige de l’Homme in 1330-1 when he was 36.” Twenty-fiv (or six) years after, in 1355, he revised his poem, and issued a second version of it, and thi is the only one that has been printed. Of the prose representative of the first version, 1330-1 a prose Englishing, about 1430 A.D., was edited by Mr. Aldis Wright for the Roxburghe Clu in 1869, from MS. Ff. 5. 30 in the Cambridge University Library. Other copies of this pros English are in the Hunterian Museum, Glasgow, Q. 2. 25 ; Univ. Coll. and Corpus Christ: Oxford”; and the Laud Collection in the Bodleian, no. 740. A copy in the Northern diale is MS. G. 21, in St. John's Coll., Cambridge, and this is the MS. which will be edited for th E. E. Text Society. The Laud MS. 740 was somewhat condenst and modernised, in the 17t century, into MS. Ff. 6. 30, in the Cambridge University Library: * “The Pilgrime or t Pilgrimage of Man in this World,” copied by Will, Baspoole, whose copy “was verbati written by Walter Parker, 1645, and from thence transcribed by G. G. 1649; and from then by W. A. 1655.” This last copy may have been read by, or its story reported to, Bunyal and may have been the groundwork of his Pilgrim's Progress. It will be edited for the F E. T. Soc., its text running under the earlier English, as in Mr. Herrtage's edition of th Gesta Romanorum for the Society. In February 1464,4 Jean Gallopes—a clerk of Anger afterwards chaplain to John, Duke of Bedford, Regent of France—turned Deguilleville's fir verse Pelerinaige into a prose Pèlerinage de la vie humaine.” By the kindness of Lord Aldel ham, as above mentiond, Gallopes's French text will be printed opposite the early pro northern Englishing in the Society’s edition. The Second Version of Deguilleville's Pelerinaige de l'Homme, A.D. 1355 or -6, was englis in verse by Lydgate in 1426. Of Lydgate's poem, the larger part is in the Cotton M Witellius C. xiii (leaves 2-308). This MS. leaves out Chaucer's englishing of Deguillevill A B C or Prayer to the Virgin, of which the successive stanzas start with A, B, C, and run thro’ the alphabet; and it has 2 main gaps, besides many small ones from the tops of leav being burnt in the Cotton fire. All these gaps (save the A BC) will be fild up from the Stoy MS. 952 (which old John Stowe completed) and from the end of the other imperfect M Cotton, Tiberius A. vii. The British Museum French MSS. (Harleian 4399,9 and Addition 1 He was born about 1295. See Abbé Gouj ET's Bibliothèque française, Vol. IX, p. 73-4.—P. M. 2 These 3 MSS. have not yet been collated, but are believed to be all of the same version. 3 Another MS. is in the Pepys Library. 4. According to Lord Aldenham's MS. 5. These were printed in France, late in the 15th or early in the 16th century. 6 15th cent., containing only the Vie hºwmaine. Anglo-Saacon Psalters. More Money wanted. Saints' Lives. 5 22,937* and 25,594*) are all of the First Version. Lydgate's text is in the press for the Society, edited by Dr. Furnivall. Besides his first Pelerinaige de l'homme in its two versions, Deguilleville wrote a second, de l'ºme separee du corps,” and a third, “de nostre seigneur Iesus.” Of the second, a prosé Englishing of 1413, The Pilgrimage of the Sowle (with poems by Hoccleve), exists in the Egerton MS. 615,” at Hatfield, Cambridge (Univ. Kk, 1.7, Caius), Oxford (Univ. Coll. and Corpus), and in Caxton's edition of 1483. This version has ‘somewhat of addicions’ as Caxton says, and some shortenings too, as the maker of both, the first translator, tells us in the MSS. Caxton leaves out the earlier englisher's interesting Epilog in the Egerton MS. This prose englishing of the Sowle will be edited for the Society by Prof. Dr. Leon Kellner after that of the Maº is finisht, and will have Gallopes's French opposite it, from Lord Aldenham's MS., as his gift to the Society. Of the Pilgrimage of Jesus, no englishing is known. As to the MS. Anglo-Saxon Psalters, Dr. Hy. Sweet has edited the oldest MS., the Vespasian, in his Oldest English Teats for the Society, and Mr. Harsley has edited the latest, c. 1150, Eadwine's Canterbury Psalter. The other MSS., except the Paris one, being interlinear versions,—some of the Roman-Latin redaction, and some of the Gallican,—Prof. Logeman has prepared for press, a Parallel-Text edition of the first twelve Psalms, to start the complete work. He will do his best to get the Paris Psalter—tho' it is not an interlinear one—into this collective edition; but the additional matter, especially in the Verse-Psalms, is very difficult to manage. If the Paris text cannot be parallelised, it will form a separate º The Early English Psalters are all independent versions, and will follow separately II]. Cille COUITSé. Through the good offices of the Examiners, some of the books for the Early-English Ex- aminations of the University of London will be chosen from the Society's publications, the Committee having undertaken to supply such books to students at a large reduction in price. The profits from these sales, after the payment of costs arising out of the issuing of such Texts to Students, will be applied to the Society's Reprints. Five of its 1866 Texts, and one of its 1867 (now at press), still need reproducing. Donations for this purpose will be welcome. #. º be paid to the Hon. Sec., Mr. W. A. Dalziel, 67 Victoria Rd., Finsbury Park, London, N. Members are reminded that fresh Subscribers are always wanted, and that the Committee can at any time, on short notice, send to press an additional Thousand Pounds’ worth of work. The Subscribers to the Original Series must be prepared for the issue of the whole of the Early English Lives of Saints, sooner or later. The Society cannot leave out any of them, even though some are dull. The Sinners would doubtless be much more interesting. But in many Saints' Lives will be found valuable incidental details of our forefathers’ social state, and all are worthful for the history of our language. The Lives may be lookt on as the religious romances or story-books of their period. - The Standard Collection of Saints' Lives in the Corpus and Ashmole MSS., the Harleian MS. 2277, &c. will repeat the Laud set, our No. 87, with additions, and in right order. (The foundation MS. (Laud 108) had to be printed first, to prevent quite unwieldy collations.) The Supplementary Lives from the Vernon and other MSS. will form one or two separate volumes. Besides the Saints' Lives, Trevisa's englishing of Bartholomoews de Proprietatibus Rerum, the mediaeval Cyclopædia of Science, &c., will be the Society’s next big undertaking. Dr. R. von Fleischhacker will edit it. Prof. Napier of Oxford, wishing to have the whole of our MS. Anglo-Saxon in type, and accessible to students, will edit for the Society all the unprinted and other Anglo-Saxon Homilies which are not included in Thorpe's edition of Ælfric's prose,” Dr. Morris's of the Blickling Homilies, and Prof. Skeat's of Ælfric's Metrical Homilies. Prof. Kölbing has also undertaken for the Society’s Extra Series a Parallel-Text of all the six MSS. of the Ancrem. Rºwle, one of the most important foundation-documents of Early English. Mr. Harvey, too, means to prepare an edition of the three MSS. of the Earliest English Metrical Psalter, one of which was edited by the late Mr. Stevenson for the Surtees Society. I 15th cent., containing all the 3 Pilgrimages, the 3rd being Jesus Christ's. g 2 14th cent., containing the Vie humaine and the 2nd Pilgrimage, de l’Ame: both incomplete. 3 Ab. 1430, 106 leaves (leaf 1 of text wanting), with illuminations of mice little devils—red, green, tawny &c.—and damnd Souls, fires, angels &c. e 4 Of these, Mr. Harsley is preparing a new edition, with collations of all the MSS. Many copies of Thorpe's book, not issued by the AElfric Society, are still in stock. tº Of the Vercell Homilies, the Society has bought the copy made by Prof. G. Lattanzi.’ 6 The Original Series of the “Early English Teact Society.” In case more Texts are ready at any time than can be paid for by the current year's in- come, they will be dated the next year, and issued in advance to such Members as will pay advance subscriptions. The 1886-7 delay in getting out Texts must not occur again, if it can possibly be avoided. The Director has in hand for future volunteer Editors, copies of 2 or 3 MSS. Members of the Society will learn with pleasure that its example has been followed, not only by the Old French Text Society which has done such admirable work under its founders Profs. Paul Meyer and Gaston Paris, but also by the Early Russian Text Society, which was set on foot in 1877, and has since issued many excellent editions of old M.S. Chronicles &c. Members will also note with pleasure the annexation of large tracts of our Early English territory by the important German contingent under General Zupitza, Colonel Kölbing, volun- teers Hausknecht, Einenkel, Haenisch, Kaluza, Hupe, Adam, Holthausen, Schick, Herzfeld, Brandeis, &c. Scandinavia has also sent us Prof. Erdmann ; Holland, Prof. H. Logeman, who is now working in Belgium ; France, Prof. Paul Meyer—with Gaston Paris as adviser; —Italy, Prof. Lattanzi; Hungary, Dr. von Fleischhacker; while America is represented by the late Prof. Child, by Dr. Mary Noyes Colvin, Profs. Mead, Perrin, McClintock, Triggs, &c. The sympathy, the ready help, which the Society’s work has cald forth from the Continent and the United States, have been among the pleasantest experiences of the Society’s life, a real aid and cheer amid all troubles and discouragements. All our Members are grateful for it, and recognise that the bond their work has woven between them and the lovers of language and antiquity across the seas is one of the most welcome results of the Society's efforts. ORIGINAL SERIES. Half the Publications for 1866 (13, 14, 15, 18, 22) are out of print, but will be gradually reprinted. Subscribers who desire the issue for 1866 should send their guineas at once to the Hon. Secretary, in order that other Texts for 1866 may be sent to press. The Publications for 1864-1897 (one guinea, each year, save those for 1866 now half owt of print, two guineas) are :- 1. Early English Alliterative Poems, ab, 1860 A.D., ed. Rev. Dr. R. Morris. 16s. 1864 2. Arthur, ab. 1440, ed. F. J. Furnivall, M.A. 4s. 5 y 3. Lauder on the Dewtie of Kyngis, &c., 1556, ed. F. Hall, D.C.L. 4s. 5 * 4. Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight, ab. 1360, ed. Rev. Dr. R. Morris. 10s. 5 y 5. Hume's Orthographie and Congruitie of the Britan Tongue, ab 1617, ed. H. B. Wheatley. 4s. 1865 6. Lancelot of the Laik, ab. 1500, ed. Rev. W. W. Skeat. 8s 3 2 7. Genesis & Exodus, ab. 1250, ed. Rev. Dr. R. Morris. 8s. 3 y S. Morte Arthure, ab. 1440, ed. E. Brock. 7s. 3 y 9. Thynne on Speght's ed. of Chaucer, A.D. 1599, ed. Dr. G. Kingsley and Dr. F. J. Furnivall. 10s. $ 5 10. Merlin, ab. 1440, Part I., ed. H. B. Wheatley. 2s. 6d. s ) 11. Lyndesay’s Monarche, &c., 1552, Part I., ed. J. Small, M.A. 38. 3 * 12. Wright's Chaste Wife, ab. 1462, ed. F. J. Furnivall, M.A. 1s. 3 * 13. Seinte Marherete, 1200-1330, ed. Rev. O. Cockayne : to be re-edited by Prof. Herford, M.A., Ph.D. 1866 14. Kyng Horn, Floris and Blancheflour, &c., ed. Rev. J. R. Lumby, B.D. 3 y 15. Political, Religious, and Love Poems, ed. F. J. Furnivall. 5 y 16. The Book of Quinte Essence, ab. 1460-70, ed. F. J. Furnivall. 13. [In print.] 3 y 17. Parallel Extracts from 45 MSS. of Piers the Plowman, ed. Rev. W. W. Skeat. 1s. [In print.] 3 y 18. Hali Meidenhad, ab. 1200, ed. Rev. O. Cockayne. • ? 19. Lyndesay’s Monarche, &c., Part II., ed. J. Small, M.A. 38. 6d. [In print.] 9 3 20. Hampole's English Prose Treatises, ed. Rev. G. G. Perry. 18. [In print.] $ 3 21. Merlin, Part II., ed. H. B. Wheatley. 48. [In print.] • 3 y 22. Partenay or Lusignen, ed. Rev. W. W. Skeat. 5 § 23. Dan Michel's Ayenbite of Inwyt, 1840, ed. Rev. Dr. R. Morris. 10s. 6d. [In print.] 3 3 24. Hymns to the Virgin and Christ; the Parliament of Devils, &c., ab. 1430, ed. F. J. Furnivall. [At Press. 1867 25. The Stacions of Rome, the Pilgrims' Sea-voyage, with Clene Maydenhod, ed. F. J. Furnivall. Is. 3 3 26. Religious Pieces in Prose and Verse, from R. Thornton’s MS. (ab. 1440), ed. Rev. G. G. Perry. 2s. 3 y 27. Levins's Manipulus Vocabulorum, a ryming Dictionary, 1570, ed. H. B. Wheatley. 12s. 3 3 28. William's Vision of Piers the Plowman, 1362 A.D.: Text A, Part I., ed. Rev. W. W. Skeat. 68. 3 y 29. Old English Homilies (ab. 1220-30 A.D.). Part I. Edited by Rev. Dr. R. Morris. 7s. 3 y 30. Pierce the Ploughmans Crede, ed. Rev. W. W. Skeat. 28. $ 9 31. Myro's Duties of a Parish Priest, in Verse, ab. 1420 A.D., ed. E. Peacock. 48. 186S 32. Early English Meals and Manners: the Boke of Norture of John Russell, the Bokes of Keruynge, Curtasye, and Demeanor, the Babees Book, Urbanitatis, &c., ed. F. J. Furnivall. 12s. 5 y 33. The Knight dé la Tour Landry, ab. 1440 A.D. A Book for Daughters, ed. T. Wright, M.A. 8s. 3 * 34. Old English Homilies (before 1300 A.D.). Part II., ed. R. Morris, LL.D. 8s. 3 y 35. Lyndesay’s Works, Hart III. : The Historie and Testament of Squyer Meldrum, ed. F. Hall. 28. $ 5 The Original Series of the “Early English Teat Society.” 36. Merlin, Part III. Ed. H. B. Wheatley. On Arthurian Localities, by J. S. Stuart Glennie. 12s. 37. Sir David Lyndesay’s Works, Part IV., Ane Satyre of the Three Estaits. Ed. F. Hall, D.C.L. 48. 38. William's Vision of Piers the Plowman, Part II. Text B. Ed. Rev. W. W. Skeat, M.A. 10s. 6d. 39. Alliterative Romance of the Destruction of Troy. Ed. D. Donaldson & G. A. Panton. Pt. I. 10s. 6d. 40. English Gilds, their Statutes and Customs, 1389 A.D. Edit. Toulmin Smith and Lucy T. Smith, with an Essay on Gilds and Trades-Unions, by Dr. L. Drentano. 21s. 41. William Lauder's Minor Poems. Ed. F. J. Furnivall. 3s. 42. Bernardus De Cura Reifamuliaris, Early Scottish Prophecies, &c. Ed. J. R. Lumby, M.A. 2s 43. Ratis Raving, and other Moral and Religious Pieces. Ed. J. R. Lumby, M.A. 3s. 44. The Alliterative Romance of Joseph of Arimathie, or The Holy Grail : from the Vernon MS. ; with W. de Worde's and Pynson’s Lives of Joseph : ed. Rev. W. W. Skeat, M.A. 5s. 45. King Alfred's West-Saxon Version of Gregory's Pastoral Care, edited from 2 MSS., with an English translation, by Henry Sweet, Esq., B.A., Balliol College, Oxford. Part I. 108. 46. Legends of the Holy Rood, Symbols of the Passion and Cross Poems, ed. Rev. Dr. R. Morris. 10s. 47. Sir David Lyndesay’s Works, Part W., ed. Dr. J. A. H. Murray. 38. 48. The Times’ Whistle, and other Poems, by R. C., 1616'; ed. by J. M. Cowper, Esq. 6s. - 49. An Old English Miscellany, containing a Bestiary, Kentish Sermons, Proverbs of Alfred, and Religious Poems of the 13th cent., ed. from the MSS. by the Rev. R. Morris, LL.D. 10s. 50. King Alfred's West-Saxon Version of Gregory's Pastoral Care, ed. H. Sweet, M. A. Part II. 10s. 51. The Life of St Juliana, 2 versions, A.D. 1230, with translations; ed. T. O. Cockayne & E. Brock. 28. 52. Palladius on Husbondrie, englisht (ab. 1420 A.D.), ed. Rev. Barton Lodge, M.A. Part I. 10s. 53. Old-English Homilies, Series II., and three Hymns to the Virgin and God, 13th-century, with the music to two of them, in old and modern notation; ed. Rev. R. Morris, LL.D. 8s. 4. The Vision of Piers Plowman, Text C : Richard the Redeles (by William, the author of the Vision) and The Crowned King; Part III., ed. Rev. W. W. Skeat, M.A. 18s. 55. Generydes, a Romance, ab. 1440 A.D., ed. W. Aldis Wright, M.A. Part I. 38. 6. The Gest Hystoriale of the Destruction of Troy, in alliterative verse ; ed. by D. Donaldson, Esq., and the late Rev. G. A. Panton. Part II. 10s. 6d. 7. The Early English Version of the “Cursor Mundi”; in four Texts, edited by the Rev. R. Morris, M.A., LL.D. Part I, with 2 photolithographic facsimiles. 10s. 6d. 8. The Blickling Homilies, 971 A.D., ed. Rev. R. Morris, LL.D. Part I. 8s. 59. The “Cursor Mundi,” in four Texts, ed. Rev. Dr. R. Morris. Part II. 15s. 50. Meditacyuns on the Soper of our Lorde (by Robert of Brunne), edited by J. M. Cowper. 2s. 6d. 1S69 2 3 3 y 3 y 1S70 3 y 3 3 3 y 1S7] 2. The “Cursor Mundi,” in four Texts, ed. Rev. Dr. R. Morris. Part III. 15s. 3. The Blickling Homilies, 971 A.D., ed. Rev. Dr. R. Morris. Part II. 7s. 4. Francis Thynne's Embleames and Epigrams, A.D. 1600, ed. F. J. Furnivall. 7s. 5. Be Domes Daege (Bede's De Die Judicii), &c., ed. J. R. Lumby, B.D. 2s. 6. The “Cursor Mundi,” in four Texts, ed. Rev. Dr. R. Morris. Part IV., with 2 autotypes. 108. 7. Notes on Piers Plowman, by the Rev. W. W. Skeat, M.A. Part I. 21s. 8. The “Cursor Mundi,” in 4 Texts, ed. Rev. Dr. R. Morris. Part W. 25s. 9. Adam Davie's 5 Dreams about Edward II., &c., ed. F. J. Furnivall, M.A. 5s. 0. Generydes, a Romance, ed. W. Aldis Wright, M.A. Part II. 4s. 1. The Lay Folks Mass-Book, four texts, ed. Rev. Canon Simmons. 25s. . Palladius on Husbondrie, englisht (ab. 1420 A.D.). Part II. Ed. S. J. Herrtage, B.A. 15s. . The Blickling Homilies, 971 A.D., ed. Rev. Dr. R. Morris. Part III. 108. . English Works of Wyclif, hitherto unprinted, ed. F. D. Matthew, Esq. 20s. - Introduction & Notes, by S. J. Herrtage, B.A.; and with a Preface by H. B. Wheatley. 20s. . Aelfric’s Metrical Lives of Saints, in MS. Cott. Jul. E 7., ed. Rev. Prof. Skeat, M.A. Part I. 10s. . Beowulf, the unique MS. autotyped and transliterated, edited by Prof. Zupitza, Ph.D. 25s. . King Alfred's Orosius, from Lord Tollemache's 9th century MS., Part I, ed. H. Sweet, M.A. 138. actra Volume. Facsimile of the Epinal Glossary, 8th cent., ed. H. Sweet, M.A. 15s. . The Early-English Life of St. Katherine and its Latin Original, ed. Dr. Einenkel. 128. . The Oldest English Texts, Charters, &c., ed. H. Sweet, M.A. 20s. . Additional Analogs to “The Wright's Chaste Wife,” No. 12, by W. A. Clouston. 1s. . The Three Kings of Cologne. 2 English Texts, and 1 Latin, ed. Dr. C. Horstmann. 17s. . Prose Lives of Women Saints, ab. 1610 A.D., ed. from the unique MS. by Dr. C. Horstmann. 12s. . Early English Verse Lives of Saints (earliest version), Laud MS. 108, ed. Dr. C. Horstmann. 208. . Hy. Bradshaw's Life of St. Werburghe (Pynson, 1521), ed. Dr. C. Horstmann. 10s. . Vices and Virtues, from the unique MS., ab. 1200 A.D., ed. Dr. F. Holthausen. Part I. 8s. . Anglo-Saxon and Latin Rule of St. Benet, interlinear Glosses, ed. Dr. H. Logeman. 12s. . Two Fifteenth-Century Cookery-Books, ab. 1430-1450, edited by Mr. T. Austin. 10s. . Eadwine's Canterbury Psalter, from the Trin. Cambr. MS., ab. 1150 A.D., ed. F. Harsley, B.A. Pt. I. 12s . Defensor's Liber Scintillarum, edited from the MSS. by Ernest Rhodes, B.A. 12s. - i| . Catholicon Anglicum, an early English Dictionary, from Lord Monson’s MS. A.D. 1483, ed., with . The Fifty Earliest English Wills, in the Court of Probate, 1387-1439, ed. by F. J. Furnivall, M.A. 78. . Piers Plowman : Notes, Glossary, &c. Part IV, completing the work, ed. Rev. Prof. Skeat, M.A. 18 . Aelfric's Metrical Lives of Saints, MS. Cott. Jul. E 7., ed. Rev. Prof. Skeat, M.A., LL.D. Part II. 12s. 1885 1872 1874 2 3 3 y 1875 3 3 1. The Romance and Prophecies of Thomas of Erceldoune, from 5 MSS. ; ed. Dr. J. A. H. Murray. 10s. 6d. ,, 1S76 3 × 3 5 1877 3 5 1878 3 y 5 5 I879 3 5 1880 9 3 I SS1 3 y ISS2 5 * 18S3 1884 8. , , I SS6 33 3 * 1SS7 ISSS 3 * 3 * . 1889 3 y S 94. 95. The Ectra Series of the “Early English Text Society.” Aelfric's Metrical Lives of Saints, MS. Cott. Jul. E 7, Part III., ed. Prof. Skeat, Litt.D., LL.D. 12s. 1890 The Old-English version of Bede’s Ecclesiastical History, re-ed. by Dr. Thomas Miller. Part I, § 1. 18s. , , (With Reprints of No. 16, The Book of Quinte Essence, and No. 26, Religious Pieces, from R. Thornton’s MS.) 96. The Old-English version of Bede’s Ecclesiastical History, re-ed. by Dr. Thomas Miller. Pt. I, § 2. 15s. 1891 97. The Earliest English Prose Psalter, edited from its 2 MSS. by Dr. K. D. Buelbring. Part I. 15s. 3 3 98. Minor Poems of the Vernon MS., Part I., ed. Dr. C. Horstmann. 20s. 1892 99. Cursor Mundi. Part VI. Preface, Notes, and Glossary, ed. Rev. Dr. R. Morris. I0s. 35 100. Capgrave's Life of St. Katharine, ed. Dr. C. Horstmann, with Forewords by Dr. Furnivall. 20s. 1893 101. Cursor Mundi. Part VII. Essay on the MSS., their Dialects, &c., by Dr. H. Hupe. I0s. 3 * 102. Lanfranc's Cirurgie, ab. 1400 A.D., ed. Dr. R. von Fleischhacker. Part I. 208. 1894 103. The Legend of the Cross, from a 12th century MS., &c., ed. Prof. A. S. Napier, M.A., Ph.D. 7s.6d. 3 5 104. The Exeter Book (Anglo-Saxon Poems), re-edited from the unique MS. by I. Gollancz, M.A. Part I. 20s. 1895 105. The Prymer or Lay-Folks' Prayer-Book, Camb. Univ. MS., ab. 1420, ed. Henry Littlehales. Part I. 10s. , , 106. R. Misyn's Fire of Love and Mending of Life (Hampole), 1434, 1435, ed. Rev. R. Harvey, M.A. 15s. 1896 107. The English Conquest of Ireland, A.D. 11bb-1185, 2 Texts, 1425, 1440, TL. I., ed. Dr. Turnivall. 158, 5 J 108. Child-Marriages and -Divorces, Trothplights, &c. Chester Depositions, 1561-6, ed. Dr. Furnivall. 15s. 1897 109. The Prymer or Lay-Folks' Prayer-Book, ab. 1420, ed. Henry Littlehales. Part II. 10s. 5 3 110. The Old-English Version of Bede’s Ecclesiastical History, ed. Dr. T. Miller. Part II, § 1. 15s. 1898 III. The Old-English Version of Bede's Ecclesiastical History, ed. Dr. T. Miller. Part II, § 2. 15s. 3 y 112. Merlin, Part IV: Outlines of the Legend of Merlin, by Prof. W. E. Mead, Ph.D. 15s. 1899 113. Queen Elizabeth's Englishings of Boethius, Plutarch &c. &c., ed. Miss C. Pemberton. I5s. 33 114. Aelfric's Metrical Lives of Saints, Part IV and last, ed. Prof. Skeat, Litt.D., LL.D. 15s. 1900 II5. Jacob’s Well, edited from the unique Salisbury Cathedral MS. by Dr. J. W. Brandeis. Part I. 15s. 2 3 EXTRA SERIES. The Publications for 1867-1895 (one guinea, each year) are :- I. William of Palerne; or, William and the Werwolf. Re-edited by Rev. W. W. Skeat, M.A. 13s. 1S67 II. Early English Pronunciation with especial Reference to Shakspere and Chaucer, by A. J. Ellis, R. R.S. Part I. 10s. . 3 * III. Caxton’s Book of Gurtesye, in Three Versions. Ed. F. J. Furnivall. 5s. I868 IV. Havelok the Dane. Re-edited by the Rev. W. W. Skeat, M.A. 10s. 3 y V. Chaucer’s Boethius, Edited from the two best MSS. by Rev. Dr. R. Morris 12s. 5 * VI. Chevelere Assigne. Re-edited from the unique MS. by Lord Aldenham, M.A. 3s. 2 3 VII. Early English Pronunciation, by A. J. Ellis, F.R.S. Part II. 10s. 1869 VIII. Queene Elizabethes Achademy, &c. Ed. F. J. Furnivall. Essays on early Italian and German IX. Awdeley’s Fraternitye of Vacabondes, Harman's Caveat, &c. Ed. E. Wiles & F. J. Furnivall. 7s.6d. , X. Andrew Boorde's Introduction of Knowledge, 1547, Dyetary of Helth, 1542, Barnes in Defence of the Berde, 1542-3. Ed. F. J. Furnivall. 18s. 187 XI. Barbour's Bruce, Part I. Ed. from MSS. and editions, by Rev. W. W. Skeat, M.A. 12s. 3 3 XII. England in Henry VIII.’s Time: a Dialogue between Cardinal Pole & Lupset, by Thom. Starkey, Chaplain to Henry VIII. Ed. J. M. Cowper. Part II. 12s. (Part I. is No. XXXII, 1878, 8s.) 1871 XIII. A Supplicacyon of the Beggers, by Simon Fish, 1528-9 A.D., ed. F. J. Furnivall; with A Suppli- cation to our Moste Soueraigme Lorde; A Supplication of the Poore Commons; and The Decaye of England by the Great Multitude of Sheep, ed. by J. M. Cowper, Esq. 68. 5 3 XIV. Early English Pronunciation, by A. J. Ellis, Esq., F.R.S. Part III. 108. 5 5 XV. Robert Crowley's Thirty-One Epigrams, Woyce of the Last Trumpet, Way to Wealth, &c., A.D. 1550-1, edited by J. M. Cowper, Esq. 12s. 1872 XVI. Chaucer's Treatise on the Astrolabe. Ed. Rev. W. W. Skeat, M.A. 6s. 3 2 XVII. The Complaynt of Scotlande, 1549 A.D., with 4 Tracts (1542–48), ed. Dr. Murray. Part I. 10s. 33 XVIII. The Complaynt of Scotlande, 1549 A.D., ed. Dr. Murray. Part II. 8s. 1873 XIX. Oure Ladyes Myroure, A.D. 1530, ed. Rev. J. H. Blunt, M.A. 248. 3 2 XX. Lonelich’s History of the Holy Grail (ab. 1450 A.D.), ed. F. J. Furnivall, M.A., Ph.D. Part I. SS. 1874 XXI. Barbour's Bruce, Part II., ed. Rev. W. W. Skeat, M.A. 48. 3 5 XXII. Henry Brinklow's Complaynt of Roderyck Mors (ab. 1542): and The Lamentacion of a Christian against the Citie of London, made by Roderigo Mors, A.D. 1545. Ed. J. M. Cowper. 9s. 3 × XXIII. Early English Pronunciation, by A. J. Ellis, F.R.S. Part IV. 108. 5 3 XXIV. Lonelich’s History of the Holy Grail, ed. F. J. Furnivall, M.A., Ph.D. Part II. 108. 187, XXV. Guy of Warwick, 15th-century Version, ed. Prof. Zupitza. Part I. 20s. 3 5. XXVI. Guy of Warwick, 15th-century Version, ed. Prof. Zupitza. Part II. I.4s. 187t XXVII. Bp. Fisher's English Works (died 1535), ed. by Prof. J. E. B. Mayor. Part I, the Text. 16s. 3 * XXVIII. Lonelich’s Holy Grail, ed. F. J. Furnivall, M.A., Ph.D. Part III. 10s, 187 XXIX. Barbour's Bruce. Part III., ed. Rev. W. W. Skeat, M.A. 218. w 3 * XXX. Lonelich’s Holy Grail, ed. F. J. Furnivall, M.A., Ph.D. Part IV. 158. 187: XXXI. The Alliterative Romance of Alexander and Dindimus, ed. Rev. W. W. Skeat. 63. 3 3 XXXII. Starkey’s “England in Henry VIII's time.” Pt. I. Starkey’s Life and Letters, ed. S. J. Herrtage. Ss. , , Books of Courtesy, by W. M. Rossetti and Dr. E. Oswald. 138. 2 3 Works preparing for the “Early English Teat Society.” 9 XXXIII. Gesta Romanorum (englisht ab. 1440), ed. S. J. Herrtage, B.A. 158. 1879 xxx TV. The Charlemagne Romances:–1. Sir Ferumbras, from Ashm. MS. 33, ed. S. J. Herrtage. 158. 3 3 xxxv. Charlemagne Romances:—2. The Sege off Melayne, Sir Otuell, &c., ed. S. J. Herrtage. 128. 1880 XXXVI. Charlemagne Romances:—3. Lyf of Charles the Grete, Pt. I., ed. S. J. Herrtage. 168. 2 3 XXXVII. Charlemagne Romances:–4. Lyf of Charles the Grete, Pt. II., ed. S. J. Herrtage. 15s. 1881 XXXVIII. Charlemagne Romances:—5. The Sowdone of Babylone, ed. Dr. Hausknecht. 158. 3 y XXXIX. Charlemagne Romances:–6. Rauf Golyear, Roland, Otuel, &c., ed. S. J. Herrtage, B.A. 158. 1882 XL. Charlemagne Romances:–7. Huon of Burdeux, by Lord Berners, ed. S. L. Lee, B.A. Part I. 158. 3 * XLI. Charlemagne Romances:—8. Huon of Burdeux, by Lord Berners, ed. S. L. Lee, B.A. Pt. II. 158. 1883 XLII. Guy of Warwick: 2 texts (Auchinleck MS. and Caius M.S.), ed. Prof. Zupitza. Part I. 158. 3 y XLIII. Charlemagne Romances:–9. Huon of Burdeux, by Lord Berners, ed. S. L. Lee, B.A. Pt. III. 158. 1884 XLIV. Charlemagne Romances:–10. The Four Sons of Aymon, ed. Miss Octavia Richardson. Pt. I. 158. , , XLV. Charlemagne Romances:—11. The Four Sons of Aymon, ed. Miss O. Richardson. Pt. II. 208. 1885 XLVI. Sir Bevis of Hamton, from the Auchinleck and other MSS., ed. Prof. E. Kölbing, Ph.D. Part I. 10s. , , XLVII. The Wars of Alexander, ed. Rev. Prof. Skeat, Litt.D., LL.D. 208. 1886 XLVIII. Sir Bevis of Hamton, ed. Prof. E. Kölbing, Ph.D. Part II. 108. 33 XLIX. Guy of Warwick, 2 texts (Auchinleck and Caius MSS.), Pt. II., ed. Prof. J. Zupitza, Ph.D. 158. 1887 L. Charlemagne Romances:—12. Huon of Burdeux, by Lord Berners, ed. S. L. Lee, B.A. Part IV. 58. LI. Torrent of Portyngale, from the unique MS. in the Chetham Library, ed. E. Adam, Ph.D. 108. 33 LII. Bullein’s Dialogue against the Feuer Pestilence, 1578 (ed. 1, 1564). Ed. M. & A. H. Bullen. 10s. 1888 LIII. Vicary’s Anatomie of the Body of Man, 1548, ed. 1577, ed. F. J. & Percy Furnivall. Part I. 15s. LIV. Caxton's Englishing of Alain Chartier's Curial, ed. Dr. F. J. Furnivall & Prof. P. Meyer. 5s. 5 * LW. Barbour’s Bruce, ed. Rev. Prof. Skeat, Litt.D., LL.D. Part IV. 5s. 1889 LVI. Early English Pronunciation, by A. J. Ellis, Esq., F.R.S. Pt. W., the present English Dialects. 258. , , LVII. Caxton's Eneydos, A.D. 1490, coll. with its French, ed. M. T. Culley, M.A. & Dr. F. J. Furnivall. 13s. 1890 LVIII. Caxton’s Blanchardyn & Eglantine, c. 1489, extracts from ed. 1595, & French, ed. Dr. L. Kellner. 17s. ,, LIX. Guy of Warwick, 2 texts (Auchinleck and Caius MSS.), Part III., ed. Prof. J. Zupitza, Ph.D. 15s. 1891 LX. Lydgate’s Temple of Glass, re-edited from the MSS. by Dr. J. Schick. 15s. 5 * LXI. Hoccleve's Minor Poems, I., from the Phillipps and Durham MSS., ed. F. J. Furnivall, Ph.D. 15s. 1892 LXII. The Chester Plays, re-edited from the MSS. by the late Dr. Hermann Deimling. Part I. 158. 5 y LXIII. Thomas a Kempis's De Imitatione Christi, englisht ab. 1440, & 1502, ed. Prof. J. K. Ingram. 158. 1893 LXIV. Caxton's Godfrey of Boloyne, or Last Siege of Jerusalem, 1481, ed. Dr. Mary N. Colvin. 158. 2 3 2 3 3 * LXV. Sir Bevis of Hamton, ed. Prof. E. Kölbing, Ph.D. Part III. 158. 1894 LXVI. Lydgate's and Burgh's Secrees of Philisoffres, ab. 1445—50, ed. R. Steele, B.A. 158. 2 3 LXVII. The Three Kings' Sons, a Romance, ab. 1500, Part I., the Text, ed. Dr. Furnivall. 10s. 1895 LXVIII. Melusine, the prose Romance, ab. 1500, Part I, the Text, ed. A. K. Donald. 20s. 3 5 LXIX. Lydgate’s Assembly of the Gods, ed. Prof. Oscar L. Triggs, M.A., Ph.D. 158. 1896 LXX. The Digby Plays, edited by Dr. F. J. Furnivall. 15s. 5 3 LXXI. The Towneley Plays, ed. Geo. England and A. W. Pollard, M.A. 15s. 1897 LXXII. Hoccleve’s Regement of Princes, 1411–12, and 14 Poems, edited by Dr. F. J. Furnivall. 158. LXXIII. Hoccleve's Minor Poems, II., from the Ashburnham MS., ed. I. Gollancz, M.A. [At Press. 2 3 LXXIV. Secreta Secretorum, 3 prose Englishings, by Jas. Yonge, 1428, ed. R. Steele, B.A. Part I. 208. 1898 LXXV. Speculum Guidonis de Warwyk, edited by Miss R. L. Morrill. 108. 2 3 ? Melusine, the Prose Romance, ab. 1500, Part II., Introduction by A. K. Donald. IOs. 1899 ? Promptorium Parvulorum, c. 1440, from the Winchester MS., ed. Rev. A. L. Mayhew, M.A. Part I. 20s. 3 3 5 y EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY TEXTS PREPARING. Besides the Texts named as at press on p. 12 of the Cover of the Early English Text Society's last books, the following Texts are also slowly preparing for the Society:— ORIGINAL SERIES. Thomas Robinson’s Life and Death of Mary Magdalene, from the 2 MSS. ab. 1620 A.D. The Earliest English Prose Psalter, ed. Dr. K. D. Buelbring. Part II. The Earliest English Verse Psalter, 3 texts, ed. Rev. R. Harvey, M.A. Anglo-Saxon Poems, from the Wercelli MS., re-edited by I. Gollancz, M.A. Anglo-Saxon Glosses to Latin Prayers and Hymns, edited by Dr. F. Holthausen. Aelfric's Metrical Lives of Saints, MS. Cott. Jul. E 7, Part IV, ed. Prof. Skeat, Litt.D., LL.D. All the Anglo-Saxon Homilies and Lives of Saints not accessible in English editions, including those of the Wercelli M.S. &c., edited by Prof. Napier, M.A., Ph.D. The Anglo-Saxon Psalms; all the MSS. in Parallel Texts, ed. Dr. H. Logeman and F. Harsley, B.A. Beowulf, a critical Text, &c., edited by a Pupil of the late Prof. Zupitza, Ph.D. - Byrhtferth's Handboc, edited by Prof. G. Hempl. The Rule of St. Benet: 5 Texts, Anglo-Saxon, Early English, Caxton, &c. (Editor wanted.) The Seven Sages, in the Northern Dialect, from a Cotton MS., edited by Dr. Squires. The Master of the Game, a Book of Huntynge for Hen. W. when Prince of Wales, (Editor wanted.) (Teact in type.) 10 Works preparing for the “Early English Teact Society.” Ailred's Rule of Nuns, &c., edited from the Vernon MS., by the Rev. Canon H. R. Bramley, M.A. Lonelich's Merlin (verse), from the unique MS., ed. by Prof. E. Kölbing, Ph.D. Merlin (prose), Part IV., containing Preface, Index, and Glossary. Edited by Prof. W. E. Mead, Ph.D. Early English Verse Lives of Saints, Standard Collection, from the Harl. MS. Early English Confessionals, edited by Dr. R. von Fleischhacker. A Lapidary, from Lord Tollemache's MS., &c., edited by Dr. R. von Fleischhacker. Early English Deeds and Documents, from unique MSS., ed. Dr. Lorenz Morsbach. Gilbert Banastre’s Poems, and other Boccaccio englishings, ed. by a pupil of the late Prof. J. Zupitza, Ph.D. Lanfranc's Cirurgie, ab. 1400 A.D., ed. Dr. R. von Fleischhacker, Part II. William of Nassington’s Mirror of Life, from Jn. of Waldby, edited by J. T. Herbert, M.A. A Chronicle of England to 1327 A.D., Northern verse (42,000 lines), ab. 1400 A.D., ed. M. L. Perrin, B.A. More Early English Wills from the Probate Registry at Somerset House. (Editor Wanted.) Early Lincoln Wills and Documents from the Bishops' Registers, &c., edited by Dr. F. J. Furnivall. Early Canterbury Wills, edited by William Cowper, B.A., and J. Meadows Cowper. Early Norwich Wills, edited by Walter Rye, and F. J. Furnivall. The Cartularies of Oseney Abbey and Godstow Nunnery, englisht ab. 1450, ed. Rev. A Clark, M.A. The Macro Moralities, edited from Mr. Gurney’s unique MS., by Alfred W. Pollard, M.A. A Troy-Book, edited from the unique Laud MS. 595, by Dr. E. Wülfing. Alliterative Prophecies, edited from the MSS. by Prof. Brandl, Ph. D. Miscellaneous Alliterative Poems, edited from the MSS. by Dr. L. Morsbach. Bird and Beast Poems, a collection from MSS., edited by Dr. K. D. Buelbring. Scire Mori, &c., from the Lichfield MS. 16, ed. Mrs. L. Grindon, LL.A., and Miss Florence Gilbert. Nicholas Trivet's French Chronicle, from Sir A. Acland-Hood’s unique MS., ed. by Miss Mary Bateson.' Stories for Sermons, edited from the Addit. MS. 25,719 by Dr. Wieck of Coblentz. Early English Homilies in Harl. 2276 &c., c. 1400, ed. J. Friedländer. Extracts from the Registers of Boughton, ed. Hy. Littlehales, Esq. The Diary of Prior Moore of Worcester, A.D. 1518-35, from the unique MS., ed. Henry Littlehales, Esq. The Pore Caitif, edited from its MSS., by Mr. Peake. IEXTRA SERIES. Bp. Fisher's English Works, Pt. II., with his Life and Letters, ed. Rev. Ronald Bayne, B.A. [At Press. John of Arderne's Surgery, c. 1425, ed. J. F. Payme, M.D., and Anderson, F.R.C.S. De Guilleville's Pilgrimage of the Sowle, edited by Prof. Dr. Leon Kellner. Vicary’s Anatomie, 1548, from the unique MS. copy by George Jeans, edited by F. J. & Percy Furnivall. Vicary's Anatomie, 1548, ed., 1577, edited by F. J. & Percy Furnivall. Part II. [At Press. A Compilacion of Surgerye, from H. de Mandeville and Lanfrank, A.D. 1392, ed. Dr. J. F. Payne. William Staunton's St. Patrick’s Purgatory, &c., ed. Mr. G. P. Krapp, U.S.A. A Parallel-text of the 6 MSS. of the Ancren Rivle, ed. Prof. Dr. E. Kölbing. Trevisa’s Bartholomaeus de Proprietatibus Rerum, re-edited by Dr. R. von Fleischhacker. Bullein's Dialogue against the Feuer Pestilence, 1564, 1573, 1578. Ed. A. H. and M. Bullen. Pt. II. The Romance of Boctus and Sidrac, edited from the MSS. by Dr. K. D. Buelbring. The Romance of Clariodus, re-edited by Dr. K. D. Buelbring. Sir Amadas, re-edited from the MSS. by Dr. K. D. Buelbring. Sir Degrevant, edited from the MSS. by Dr. K. Luick. Robert of Brunne’s Chronicle of England, from the Inner Temple MS., ed. by Prof. W. E. Mead, Ph.D. Maundeville's Woiage and Travaile, re-edited from the Cotton MS. Titus C. 16, &c., by Miss M. Bateson. Avowynge of Arthur, re-edited from the unique Ireland MS. by Dr. K. D. Buelbring. Guy of Warwick, Copland’s version, edited by a pupil of the late Prof. Zupitza, Ph.D. The Sege of Jerusalem, Text A, edited from the MSS. by Prof. Dr. E. Kölbing. Liber Fundacionis Ecclesie Sancti Bartholomei Londoniarum : englisht ab. 1425, ed. Norman Moore, M.D. Awdelay’s Poems, re-edited from the unique MS. Douce 302, by Dr. E. Wülfing. William of Shoreham's Works, re-edited by Professor Konrath, Ph.D. The Wyse Chylde and other early Treatises on Education, Northwich School, Harl. 2099 &c., ed. G. Collar, B.A. Caxton’s Dictes and Sayengis of Philosophirs, 1477, with Lord Tollemache’s MS. version, ed. S.I. Butler, Esq. Caxton’s Book of the Ordre of Chyualry, collated with Loutfut’s Scotch copy, ed., F. S. Ellis, Esq. Lydgate's Court of Sapience, edited by Dr. Borsdorf. Lydgate's Lyfe of oure Lady, ed. by Prof. Georg Fiedler, Ph.D. Lydgate's Reason and Sensuality, englisht from the French, edited by Dr. Sieper. Lydgate's Dance of Death, edited by Miss Florence Warren. Lydgate’s Life of St. Edmund, edited from the MSS. by Dr. Axel Erdmann. Richard Goer de Lion, re-edited from Harl. MS. 4690, by Prof. Hausknecht, Ph.D. The Romance of Athelstan, re-edited by a pupil of the late Prof. J. Zupitza, Ph.D. The Romance of Sir Degare, re-edited by Dr. Breul. Mulcaster's Positions 1581, and Elementarie 1582, ed. Dr. Th. Klaehr, Dresden. Caxton’s Recuyell of the Histories of Troye, edited by H. Halliday Sparling. Walton's verse Boethius de Consolatione, edited by Mark H. Liddell, U. S. A. The Gospel of Nichodemus, edited by Ernest Riedel. The Society is anxious to hear of more early Dialect MSS. John Lacy's copy, in the Newcastle-on-Tyne dialect, 1434, of some theological tracts in MS. 94 of St. John's College, Oxford, is to be edited by Prof. McClintock. More Hampoles in the Yorkshire dialect will follow. The Lincoln and Norfolk Wills, already copied by or for Dr. Furnivall, unluckily show but little traces of dialect. More members (to bring money) and Editors (to bring brains) are wanted by the Society, MSS. and Books that Editors are two. Among the MSS. and old books which meed copying or re-editing, are :- ORIGINAL SERIES. English Inventories and other MSS. in Canterbury H. Selby's Northern Ethical Tract, Harl. 2388, art. 20. Cathedral (5th Report, Hist. MSS. Com.). Hilton's Ladder of Perfection, Cott. Faust. B 6, &c. Maumetrie, from [lord Tollemache's MS. Supplementary Early English Lives of Saints. The Romance of Troy. Harl. 525, Addit. Br. Mus. Select Prose Treatises from the Vernon MS. Biblical MIS., Corpus Cambr. 434 (ab. 1375). Metrical Homilies, Edinburgh MS. Hampole's unprinted Works. Lyrical Poems from the Fairfax MS. 16, &c. be Clowde of Unknowyng, from Harl. MSS. 2373, 959, Prose Life of St. Audry, A.D. 1595, Corp. Oxf. 120. Bibl. Reg. 17 C 26, &c. Univ. Coll. Oxf. 14. English Miscellanies from MSS., Corp. Oxford. A Lanterne of List, from Harl. MS. 2324. Miscellanies from Oxford College MSS. Soule-hele, from the Vernon MS. Disce Mori, Jesus Coll Oxf. 39; Bodl. I laud 99. Boethius de Consol. : Pilgrim, 1426, &c. &c. Mirrour of the blessed lijf of Ihesu Crist. MSS. of Early Treatises on Music : Descant, the Gamme, &c. Sir Hy. Ingilby, Bart., Lord Aldenham, Univ. Coll. Skelton's englishing of Diodorus Siculus. Oxf. 123, &c. Boethius, in prose, MS. Auct. F. 3. 5, Bodley. Poem on Virtues and Vices, &c., Harl. 2260. Penitential Psalms, by Rd. Maydenstoon, Brampton, Maundevyle's Legend of Gwydo, Queen’s, Oxf, 383. &c. (Rawlinson, A. 389, Douce 232, &c.). Book of Warrants of Edw. VI., &c., New Coll. Oxf. 328 Documents from the early Registers of the Bishops of Adam Loutfut's Heraldic Tracts, Harl. 6149-50. all Dioceses in Great Britain. Rules for Gunpowder and Ordnance, Harl. 6855. Ordinances and Documents of the City of Worcester. John Watton's englisht Speculum Christiani, Corpus, T. Breus's Passion of Christ, 1422. Harl. 2338. Oxf, 155, Laud G. 12, Thoresby 530, Harl. 2250, art. 20, Jn. Crophill or Crephill's Tracts, Harl. 1735. Verse and Prose in Harl. MS. 4012. Memoriale Credencium, &c., Harl. 2398. Nicholas of Hereford's English Bible. Book for Recluses, Harl. 2372 The Prickynge of Love, Harl. 2254, Vernon, &c. Lollard Theological Treatises, Harl. 2343, 2830, &c. EXTRA SERIES. Erle of Tolous Alexander. - The Siege of Rouen, from Harl. MSS. 2256, 753, Eger- Ypotis. tou 1995, Bodl. 3562, E. Museo 124, &c. • -- Sir Eglamoure. Octavian. Sir Gowther. Libeaus Desconus. Dame Siriz, &c. Ywain and Gawain. Orfeo (Digby, 86). Sir Perceval of Gallas. Dialogues between the Soul and Body Sir Isumbras. Barlaam and Josaphat. Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Queen's Coll. Oxf. 357. Amis and Amiloun. Other Pilgrimages to Jerusalem, Harl. 2333, &c. Sir Generides, from Lord Tollemache’s M. S. Horae, Penitential Psalms, &c., Queen’s Coll, Oxf. 207. The Troy-Book fragments once cald Barilour's, in the St. Brandan's Confession, Queen’s Coll. Oxf. 210. Cambr. Univ. Library and 1)ouce MSS. Scotch Heraldry Tracts, copy of Caxton's Book of Poems of Gharles, Duke of Orleans. Chivalry, &c., Queen’s Coll. Oxford 161. Carols and Songs. Stevyn Scrope's Doctryne and Wysedome of the Songs and Ballads, Ashmole MS. 48 Aum cyent Philosophers, A.D. 1450, Harl. 2266. §: The Subscription to the Society, which constitutes membership, is £1 1s. a year for the ORIGINAL SERIES, and £1 1s. for the Extra SERIES, due in advance on the 1st of JANUARY, and should be paid by Cheque, Postal Order, or Money-Order, crost ‘Union of London and Smith's Bank,’ to the Hon. Secretary, W. A. DA1,zIEL, Esq., 67, Victoria Road, Finsbury Park, London, N. Members who want their Texts posted to them must add to their prepaid Subscriptions 1s. for the Original Series, and 1s. for the Extra Series, yearly. The Society’s Texts are also sold separately at the prices put after them in the Lists; but Members can get back-Texts at one-third less than the List- prices by sending the cash for them in advance to the Hon. Secretary, Foreign Subscriptions can be paid, and the Society’s Texts deliverd, thru Asher & Co., 56, Unter den Linden, Berlin. sh Jext society, • \ original. SERIES. . Jew...wns for 1908 (one guinea) will be:— - - ... ºne Coventry Leet Book, edited from the unique MS. by Miss M. Dormer Harris. Part II. 158. 136. The Brut, or The Chronicles of England, edited from the best MSS. by Dr. F. Brie. Part II. 15s. 1360. Ectra Issue, Prof. Manly’s Piers Plowman and its Sequence, proving the fivefold authorship of the Vis. ... The Publications for 1909 and 1910 will be chosen from :- The Coventry Leet Book, edited from the unique MS. by Miss M. Dormer Harris. Part III. Capgrave's Lives of St. Augustine and St. Gilbert of Sempringham, A.D. 1451, edited by J. J. Munro. [At P. The Wars of Alexander the Great, Thornton MS., ed. J. S.Westlake, M.A., and L.A. Magnus, Ll, B. [At P Twelfth-Century Homilies in MS. Bodley 343, edited by A. O. Balfour, M.A. [At Press. - - , The Brut, or The Chronicles of England, edited from the best MSS. by Dr. F. Brie. Part III. Notes, &c. The English Register of Godstow Nunnery, edited by the Rev. Dr. Andrew Clark. Part III. [At Press. The English Register of Oseney Abbey, by Oxford, ed. by the Rev. Dr. Andrew Clark. Part II. [At Press. An Alphabet of Tales, in Northern English, from the Latin, ed. Mrs. M. M. Banks. Part III. Twenty-six Political and other Poems from Digby MS. 102, &c., edited by Dr. J. Kail. Part II. The Laud Troy-Book, edited from the unique MS. Laud 595, by Dr. J. Ernst Wülfing. Part III. The Old-English Rule of Bp. Chrodegang, and the Capitula of Bp. Theodulf, ed. Prof. Napier, Ph.D. [At P. Robert of Brunne's Handlyng Synne (1303), and its French original, re-ed. by Dr. Furnivall. Part III. The Alliterative Siege of Jerusalem, edited by Prof. E. Kölbing, Ph.D., and Prof. Kaluza, Ph.D. [At P. Alain Chartier's Quadrilogue, englisht, edited from the unique MS. by Prof. J. W. H. Atkins, M.A. Minor Poems of the Vernon MS. Part III. Introduction and Glossary by H. Hartley, M.A. - Sir David Lyndesay’s Works. Part VI. and last. Edited by the Rev. Wm. Bayne, M.A. [At Press. Jacob's Well, edited from the unique Salisbury Cathedral MS. by Dr. A. Brandeis. Part II. [A Press. Vices and Virtues, from the unique MS., ab. 1200 A.D., ed. Prof. Dr. F. Holthausen, Part II. [At Press. The Exeter Book (Anglo-Saxon Poems), re-ed. from the unique MS., by Prof. Gollancz, M.A. Part II. [At . Prayers and Devotions, from the unique MS. Cotton Titus C. 19, ed. Hy. Littlehales, Esq. [Copied. North-English Metrical Homilies, from Ashmole MS. 42 &c., ed. G. H. Gerould, D.Litt. Vegetius on the Art of War, edited from the MSS. by L. C. Wharton, M.A. Shirley's Book of Gode Mamers, edited from the unique MS. by Hermann Oelsner, Ph.D. Verse and Prose from the Harleian MS. 2253, edited by Miss Hilda Murray of the Royal Holloway Coll. EXTRA SERIES. The Publications for 1908 (one guinea) are :— - CII. Promptorium Parvulorum, e. 1440, the 1st English-Latin Dictionary, cd. Rev. A. L. Mayhew, M.A. CIII. Lydgate's Troy Book, edited from the best MSS. by Dr. Hy. Bergen. Part II. 108. The Publications for 1909 and 1910 will be chosen from : — The Non-Cycle Mystery Plays re-edited by O. Waterhouse, B.A. [At Press. De Medicina, a 12th-century Englishing, re-edited by Prof. Joseph Delcourt. Lydgate's Dance of Death, edited from the MSS. by Miss Florence Warren. Lydgate's Troy Book, edited from the best MSS. by Dr. Hy. Bergen. Part III. * Lydgate's Minor Poems, with the Lydgate Canon, edited by Dr. H. N. MacCracken. Part I [At Press. Lydgate's Siege of Thebes, re-edited from the MSS. by Prof. Dr. A. Erdmann. FAt Press. - The Owl and Nightingale, 2 Texts parallel, ed. G. F. H. Sykes, Esq. [Al Pre38. The Court of Sapience, once thought Lydgate's, edited by Dr. Jaeger. Mirk's Festial, edited from the best MSS. by Dr. Erbe. Part II. William of Shoreham's Poems, re-edited by Dr. M. Konrath. Part II. [At Press. Winner and Waster, &c., two Alliterative Poems, re-edited by Prof. I. Gollancz, Litt.D. Melusine, the prose Romance, from the unique MS., ab. 1500, ed. A. K. Donald, B.A. Part II. [At Press Lovelich's Romance of Merlin, edited from the unique MS. by Dr. E. A. Kock. Par II. [At Press. Wynkyn de Worde's English and French Phrase-book, etc., edited by Hermann Oelsner, Ph.D. Secreta Secretorum : three prose Englishings, ab. 1440, ed. R. Steele, B.A. Part II. [At Press. The Craft of Nombrynge, the earliest English Treatise on Arithmetic, ed. R. Steele, B.A. (At Press. ... The Book of the Foundation of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, MS. ab. 1425, ed. Dr. Norman Moore. Caxton's Mirror of the World, with 27 Woodcuts, edited by O. H. Prior, M.A. | The Chester Plays, Part II., re-edited by Dr. Matthews. . [At Press. - Lichfield Gilds, ed. Dr. F. J. Furnivall : Introduction by Prof. E. C. K. Gouner. [Text done. John Hart's Orthographie, from his unique MS. 1551, and his black-letter text, 1569, ed. Prof. Otto Jespersen, John Hart's Methode to teach Reading, 1570, ed. Prof. Otto Jespersen, Ph.D. Extrapts from the Rochester Diocesan Registers, ed. Hy. Littlehales, Esq. The Three Kings' Sons, Part II, French collation, Introduction, &c., by Dr. L. Kellner. The Coventry Plays, re-edited from the unique MS. by Dr. Matthews. The Anorem Riwle, edited from its five MSS., by the late Prof. E. Kölbing, Ph.D., and Dr. Thimmler. Lovelich's History of the Holy Grail, Part VI, ed. F. J. Furnivall, M.A., Ph.D. Ipomedon, edited by Dr. A. T. Bödtker. The Awmtürs of Arthur, 2 Texts from the 3 MSS., edited by Wilhelm Wolff. 1. - Caxton's Book of the Order of Chyualry, edited by Miss Alice H. Davies. - Early English Fabliaux, edited by Prof. George H. McKnight, Ph.D. z *. * LONDON : KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRUBNER & Co., Ltd OXFORD ; HENRY FROWDE, UNIVERSITY PRESS, BERLIN; ASHER & Co., 13, UNTER DEN LINDEN. T- Iliſiúill 39015.08476 1694 ſ-º ！！***！&\ſ**|-*ț¢|::：·***ğš{{Æ№ "...!.！?«-& g * s;**** };&##############-… º- º £**** } （）- *** （º. % （* w: *** §§§§ *z - º ， ， ！ º. :：:：::：:: ſºſ， ***， :：: *）（. ;） ∞ √°. * ** ， -， :'， ſr ſº; ***