L.6 – PPEA

<lg>

t

<l> <note>L.6.1: Three dots in brown ink arranged in a triangle appear in the left margin.</note> <hi><hi>T</hi></hi>his<note>L.6.1: The ornamental character is six lines high and in blue with red flourishes and three sprays. A small guide letter <t> appears in the left margin amidst the flourishes.</note> were a wikked way · but who<seg>-</seg>so hadde a gyde</l>

<l> That wolde folwen vs eche a fote · þus þis folke he<expan>m</expan> mened</l>

<l> Quatȝ Perkyn þe plouman · bi seynt Peter of Rome</l>

L.6.4KD.6.4

<l> Hadde I eried þis half acre · and sowen it after</l>

<l> I wil<note>L.6.6: LCYR read <hi>wil</hi> while other <hi>B</hi> witnesses have <hi>wolde</hi>.</note> wende with ȝow · and þe way teche</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Þis were a longe lett<del>i</del><add>y</add>nge · q<expan>uo</expan>d a lady in a sklayre</l>

L.6.8KD.6.8

<l> What sholde we wo<expan>m</expan>men · worche þ<expan>er</expan>e<seg>-</seg>whiles<note>L.6.8: The lection <hi>þere</hi> appears only in LMRF; most other <hi>B</hi> witnesses have <hi>þe</hi>.</note></l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> So<expan>m</expan>me shal sowe sakke<note>L.6.9: <hi>Sowe sakke</hi> appears only in L; most other <hi>B</hi> witnesses have <hi>sowe þe sak</hi>.</note> q<expan>uo</expan>d Piers · for shedyng of þe whete</l>

<l> And ȝe louely ladyes · with ȝoure longe fyngres</l>

<l> Þat ȝe han silke and sendal · to sowe whan tyme is</l>

L.6.12KD.6.12

<l> Chesibles for chapelleynes · cherches to honoure</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Wyues and wydwes · wolle & flex spynneth</l>

<l> Maketh cloth I conseille ȝow · and kenneth so ȝowre douȝtres</l>

<l> Þe nedy and þe naked · nymmeth hede how hij<note>L.6.15: LM alone have the <hi>hij</hi> form at this point; most other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have some form of <hi>þei</hi>.</note> liggeth</l>

L.6.16KD.6.16

<l> And casteth hem clothes · for so comaundeth treuthe</l>

<l> For I shal lene hem lyflode · but ȝif þe londe faille</l>

<l> Flesshe and bred bothe · to riche and to pore<note>L.6.18: A large area in the right margin has been scraped. What was there is not legible.</note></l>

<l> As longe as I lyue · for þe lordes loue of heuene</l>

</lg>

<lg>

L.6.20KD.6.19

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And alle manere of men · þat þorw mete and drynke lybbeth</l>

<l> Helpith hym to worche wiȝtliche · þat wynneth ȝowre fode</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Bi crist quod a knyȝte þo · he kenneth vs þe best<note>L.6.22: A large area in the right margin has been scraped. What was there is not legible.</note></l>

<l> Ac on þe teme trewly · tauȝte was I neuere</l>

L.6.24KD.6.23

<l> Ac kenne me q<expan>uo</expan>d þe knyȝte · and bi cryst I wil assaye</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Bi seynt Poule q<expan>uo</expan>d Perkyn · ȝe profre ȝow so faire</l>

<l> Þat I shal swynke and swete · and sowe for vs bothe</l>

<l> And oþer laboures do for þi loue · al my lyf<seg>-</seg>tyme</l>

L.6.28KD.6.27

<l> In couenau<expan>n</expan>t þat þow kepe · holikirke and my<seg>-</seg>selue</l>

<l> Fro wastoures and fro wykked men · þat þis worlde struyeth</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And go hunte hardiliche to hares and to foxes</l>

<l> To bores and to brockes · þat breketh adown myne hegges</l>

L.6.32KD.6.31

<l> And go affaite þe faucones · wilde foules to kille</l>

<l> For suche cometh to my croft · and croppeth my whete</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Curteislich þe knyȝte þanne · comsed þise wordes</l>

<l> By my power Pieres q<expan>uo</expan>d he · I pliȝte þe my treuthe</l>

L.6.36KD.6.35

<l> To fulfille þis forward · þowȝ I fiȝte sholde</l>

<l> Als longe as I lyue · I shal þe mayntene</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ȝe and ȝit a poynt q<expan>uo</expan>d Pieres · I preye ȝow of more</l>

<l> Loke ȝe tene no tenau<expan>n</expan>t · but treuthe wil assent</l>

L.6.40KD.6.39

<l> And þowgh ȝe mowe amercy he<expan>m</expan> · late m<expan>er</expan>cy be taxoure</l>

to landlordes

<l> And mekenesse þi mayster · maugre medes chekes</l>

<l> And þowgh pore men profre ȝow · presentis and ȝiftis</l>

<l> Nym it nauȝte an auenture · ȝe mowe it nauȝte deserue</l>

L.6.44KD.6.43

<l> For þow shalt ȝelde it aȝein · at one ȝeres ende</l>

<l> In a ful p<expan>er</expan>illous place · purgatorie it hatte</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And mysbede nouȝte þi bonde<seg>-</seg>men · þe better may þow spede</l>

<l> Þowgh he be þyn vnderlynge here · wel may happe in heuene</l>

L.6.48KD.6.47

<l> Þat he worth worthier sett<expan>e</expan> · and with more blisse</l>

<l> <foreign><hi>Amice ascende sup<expan>er</expan>ius</hi></foreign></l>

<l> For in charnel atte<note>L.6.50: LHmM read <hi>atte</hi>, "at the," against all other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts' <hi>at</hi>. Since Hm routinely writes <hi>atte</hi> for <hi>at</hi>, only the agreement of LM is significant.</note> chirche · cherles ben yuel to knowe</l>

<l> Or a kniȝte fram a knaue þere · knowe þis in þin herte</l>

L.6.52KD.6.50

<l> And þat þow be trewe of þi tonge · and tales þat þow hatie</l>

<l> But if þei ben of wisdome or of witt · þi werkmen to chaste</l>

<l> Holde with none harlotes · ne here nouȝte her tales</l>

<l> And nameliche atte mete · suche men eschue</l>

L.6.56KD.6.54

<l> For it ben þe deueles disoures · I do þe to vnderstande</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> I assente bi seynt Iame · seyde þe kniȝte þanne</l>

<l> Forto worche bi þi wordes · þe while my lyf dureth</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And I shal apparaille me q<expan>uo</expan>d P<expan>er</expan>kyn · in pilgrimes wise</l>

L.6.60KD.6.58

<l> And wende with ȝow I wil · til we fynde treuthe</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And cast on me<note>L.6.61: LR alone read <hi>me</hi>; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts omit it.</note> my clothes · yclouted and hole</l>

<l> My cokeres and my coffes · for colde of my nailles</l>

<l> And hange myn hoper at myn hals · in stede of a scrippe</l>

L.6.64KD.6.62

<l> A busshel of bredcorne · brynge me þerinne</l>

<l> For I wil sowe it my<seg>-</seg>self · and sitthenes wil I wende</l>

<l> To pylgrymage as palmers don · pardou<expan>n</expan> forto haue</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ac who<seg>-</seg>so helpeth me to erie · or sowen here ar I wende</l>

L.6.68KD.6.66

<l> Shal haue leue bi owre lorde · to lese here in heruest</l>

<l> And make hem mery þere<seg>-</seg>mydde · maugre who<seg>-</seg>so bigruccheth it</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And alkyn crafty men · þat konne lyuen in treuthe</l>

<l> I shal fynden hem fode · þat feithfulliche libbeth</l>

</lg>

<lg>

L.6.72KD.6.70

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Saue Iakke þe iogeloure · and Ionet of þe stues</l>

<l> And danyel þe dys player<expan>e</expan> · and denote þe baude</l>

<l> And frere þe faytour<expan>e</expan> and folke of his ordre</l>

<l> And Robyn þe Rybaudour<expan>e</expan> · for his rusty wordes</l>

L.6.76KD.6.74

<l> Treuthe tolde me ones · and bad me tellen<note>L.6.76: The lection <hi>tellen</hi> appears only in LR; other <hi>B</hi> witnesses have <hi>telle</hi>, permitting elision of the final <e> and a metrical half-line.</note> it after</l>

<l> <foreign><hi>Deleant<expan>ur</expan> de libro viuenciu<expan>m</expan></hi></foreign> I shulde nouȝte dele with hem</l>

<l> For holicherche is hote of hem · no tythe to take</l>

<l> <foreign><hi>Quia cum iustis non scribant<expan>ur</expan></hi></foreign></l>

L.6.80KD.6.77

<l> They ben ascaped good auent<expan>ur</expan>e · now<note>L.6.80: The lection <hi>now</hi> appears only in LMRF; most other <hi>B</hi> witnesses omit it.</note> god hem amende</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Dame worche whan tyme is · Pieres wyf hiȝte</l>

<l> His douȝter hiȝte do riȝte so · or þi dame shal þe bete</l>

<l> His sone hiȝte suffre þi souereynes · to hauen her wille</l>

L.6.84KD.6.81

<l> Deme he<expan>m</expan> nouȝte for if þow doste · þow shalt it dere abugge</l>

<l> Late god yworth with al · for so his worde techeth</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> To penaunce and to pilgrimage · I wil passe with þise other</l>

L.6.88KD.6.85

<l> For<seg>-</seg>þi I wil or I wende · do wryte my biqueste</l>

piers testament

<l> <foreign><hi>In dei no<expan>m</expan>i<expan>n</expan>e amen · </hi></foreign> I make it my<seg>-</seg>seluen<note>L.6.89: A sixteenth-century scribe has written <hi>piers testament</hi> in the right margin. The end of <hi>testament</hi> has been cropped, perhaps removing <hi>-um</hi>.</note></l>

<l> He shal haue my soule · þat best hath yserued it</l>

<l> And fro þe fende it defende · for so I bileue</l>

L.6.92KD.6.89

<l> Til I come to his acountes · as my <foreign>credo</foreign> me telleth</l>

<l> To haue a relees and a remissiou<expan>n</expan> · on þat rental I leue</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Þe kirke shal haue my caroigne · and kepe my bones</l>

<l> For of my corne and catel · he craued þe tythe</l>

L.6.96KD.6.93

<l> I payed it hym p<expan>re</expan>stly · for p<expan>er</expan>il of my soule</l>

<l> For<seg>-</seg>thy is he holden I hope · to haue me in his masse</l>

<l> And mengen in his memorye · amonge alle crystene</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> My wyf shal haue of þat I wan · with treuthe and nomore</l>

L.6.100KD.6.97

<l> And dele amonge my douȝtres · and my dere children</l>

<l> For þowgh I deye to<seg>-</seg>daye · my dettes ar quitte</l>

<l> I bare home þat I borwed · ar I to bedde ȝede</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And with þe residue and þe remenaunte · bi þe Rode of Lukes</l>

L.6.104KD.6.101

<l> I wil worschip þer<seg>-</seg>with · treuthe bi my lyue</l>

<l> And ben his pilgryme atte plow · for pore mennes sake</l>

<l> My plow<seg>-</seg>fote shal be my pyk<seg>-</seg>staf · and picche atwo þe rotes</l>

<l> And helpe my culter to kerue · and clense þe forwes</l>

</lg>

<lg>

L.6.108KD.6.105

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Now is perkyn and his pilgrymes · to þe plowe faren</l>

<l> To erie þis halue acre · holpyn hym manye</l>

<l> Dikeres & delueres · digged vp þe balkes</l>

<l> Þere<seg>-</seg>with was p<expan>er</expan>kyn apayed · and preysed hem faste</l>

L.6.112KD.6.109

<l> Other werkemen þere were · þat wrouȝten ful ȝerne</l>

<l> Eche man in his manere · made hym<seg>-</seg>self to done</l>

<l> And some to plese per<damage>kyn</damage> · piked vp þe wedes</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> At heighe pryme peres · lete þe plowe stonde</l>

L.6.116KD.6.113

<l> To ouersen hem hym<seg>-</seg>self · and who<seg>-</seg>so best wrouȝte</l>

<l> He shulde be huyred þer<seg>-</seg>after · whan heruest tyme come</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And þanne seten so<expan>m</expan>me · and songen atte nale</l>

<l> And hulpen erie his half acre · with how trolli lolli</l>

</lg>

<lg>

L.6.120KD.6.117

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Now bi þe p<expan>er</expan>il of my soule q<expan>uo</expan>d Pieres · al in pure tene</l>

<l> But ȝe arise þe rather · and rape ȝow to worche</l>

<l> Shal no greyne þat groweth · glade ȝow at nede</l>

<l> And þough ȝe deye for dole · þe deuel haue þat reccheth</l>

</lg>

<lg>

L.6.124KD.6.121

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Tho were faitoures aferde · and feyned hem blynde</l>

<l> So<expan>m</expan>me leyde here legges aliri as suche loseles conneth</l>

<l> And made her mone to pieres · and preyde hym of g<expan>ra</expan>ce</l>

<l> For we haue no lymes to laboure with · lorde ygraced be ȝe</l>

</lg>

<lg>

L.6.128KD.6.125

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ac we preye for ȝow pieres · and for ȝowre plow bothe</l>

<l> Þat god of his grace · ȝowre grayne multiplye</l>

<l> And ȝelde ȝow of ȝowre almesse · þat ȝe ȝiue vs here</l>

<l> For we may nouȝte swynke ne swete · suche sikenesse vs eyleth</l>

</lg>

<lg>

L.6.132KD.6.129

<l> <hi>¶</hi> If it be soth q<expan>uo</expan>d pieres þat ȝe seyne · I shal it sone asspye</l>

<l> Ȝe ben wastoures I wote wel · and treuthe wote þe sothe</l>

<l> And I am his olde hyne · and hiȝte hym to warne</l>

<l> Which þei were in þis worlde · his werkemen appeyred</l>

</lg>

<lg>

L.6.136KD.6.133

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ȝe wasten þat men wynnen · with t<expan>ra</expan>uaille and with tene</l>

<l> Ac treuthe shal teche ȝow · his teme to dryue</l>

<l> Or ȝe shal ete barly bred · and of þe broke drynke</l>

<l> But if he be blynde and<note>L.6.139: L uniquely has <hi>and</hi>. Other <hi>B</hi> witnesses have <hi>or</hi>.</note> broke<seg>-</seg>legged · or bolted with yrnes</l>

L.6.140KD.6.137

<l> He shal ete whete bred · and drynke with my<seg>-</seg>selue</l>

<l> Tyl god of his goodnesse · amendement hym sende</l>

<l> Ac ȝe myȝte t<expan>ra</expan>uaille as treuthe wolde · and take mete & huyre</l>

<l> To kepe kyne in þe felde · þe corne fro þe bestes</l>

L.6.144KD.6.141

<l> Diken or deluen or dyngen vppon sheues</l>

<l> Or helpe make morter · or bere mukke afelde</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> In lecherye an<add><hi>d</hi></add><note>L.6.146: The <d> is inserted in red ink.</note> in losengerye · ȝe lyuen and in sleuthe</l>

<l> And al is þorw suffrance · þat venIau<expan>n</expan>ce ȝow ne taketh</l>

</lg>

<lg>

L.6.148KD.6.145

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ac ancres and h<expan>er</expan>emytes · þat eten but at nones</l>

<l> And namore er morwe · myne almesse shul þei haue</l>

<l> And of my<note>L.6.150: LMRF alone have <hi>And of my</hi>; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have either <hi>And</hi> alone or <hi>And of</hi>.</note> catel to cope hem with · þat han cloistres and cherches</l>

<l> Ac robert renneaboute · shal nouȝte haue of myne</l>

L.6.152KD.6.149

<l> Ne posteles but þey p<expan>re</expan>che conne · and haue power<expan>e</expan> of þe bisschop</l>

<l> They shal haue payne and potage · and make hem<seg>-</seg>self at ese</l>

<l> For it is an vnresonable Religioun · þat hath riȝte nouȝte of c<expan>er</expan>teyne</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And þanne gan a wastour<expan>e</expan> to wrath hym · and wolde haue yfouȝte</l>

L.6.156KD.6.153

<l> And to Pieres þe plowman · he profered his gloue</l>

<l> A Brytoner<expan>e</expan> a bragger<expan>e</expan> · <orig>abosted</orig><reg>a bosted</reg><note>L.6.157: <hi>he</hi>, "he."</note> pieres als</l>

<l> And bad hym go pissen with his plow · for<seg>-</seg>pyned schrewe</l>

<l> Wiltow or neltow · we wil haue owre wille</l>

L.6.160KD.6.157

<l> Of þi flowre and of þi flessche · fecche whan vs liketh</l>

<l> And make vs myrie þer<seg>-</seg>myde · maugre þi chekes</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thanne Pieres þe plowman · pleyned hym to þe knyȝte</l>

<l> To kepe hym as couenaunte was · fram cursed shrewes</l>

L.6.164KD.6.161

<l> And fro þis wastoures wolueskynnes · þat maketh þe worlde dere</l>

<l> For þo waste and wynnen nouȝte · and þat ilke while</l>

<l> Worth neuere plente amonge þe poeple · þ<expan>er</expan><note>L.6.166: LCM have <hi>þer</hi>. Most other <hi>B</hi> witnesses read <hi>þe</hi>.</note> while my plow liggeth</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Curteisly þe knyȝte þanne · as his kynde wolde</l>

L.6.168KD.6.165

<l> Warned wastour<expan>e</expan> · and wissed hym bettere</l>

<l> Or þow shalt abugge by þe lawe · by þe ordre þat I bere</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> I was nouȝt wont to worche q<expan>uo</expan>d wastour · and now wil <add>I</add> nouȝt bigynne</l>

<l> And lete liȝte of þe lawe : and lasse of þe knyȝte</l>

L.6.172KD.6.169

<l> And sette Pieres at a pees · and his plow bothe</l>

<l> And manaced pieres and his men · ȝif þei mette eft<seg>-</seg>sone</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Now by þe p<expan>er</expan>il of my soule q<expan>uo</expan>d Pieres · I shal apeyre ȝow alle</l>

<l> And houped after hunger · þat herd hym atte firste</l>

L.6.176KD.6.173

<l> Awreke me of þise wastoures q<expan>uo</expan>d he · þat þis worlde schendeth</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Hunger in haste þo · hent wastour bi þe mawe</l>

<l> And wronge hym so bi þe wombe · þat bothe his eyen wattered</l>

<l> He buffeted þe Britoner aboute þe chekes</l>

L.6.180KD.6.177

<l> Þat he loked like a lanterne · al his lyf after</l>

<l> He bette hem so bothe · he barste nere here guttes</l>

<l> Ne hadde Pieres with a pese lof · preyed hunger to cesse</l>

<l> They hadde ben doluen bothe · ne deme þow non other</l>

L.6.184KD.6.181

<l> Suffre hem lyue he seyde · and lete hem ete with hogges</l>

<l> Or elles benes and bren · ybaken togideres</l>

<l> Or elles melke and mene ale · þus preyed pieres for hem</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Faitoures for fere her<seg>-</seg>of · flowen in<seg>-</seg>to bernes</l>

L.6.188KD.6.184

<l> And flapten on with flayles · fram morwe til euen</l>

<l> That hunger was nouȝt so hardy · on hem forto loke</l>

<l> For a potful of peses · þat peres hadde ymaked</l>

<l> An heep of heremites · henten hem spades</l>

L.6.192KD.6.188

<l> And ketten here copes · and courtpies hem made</l>

<l> And wenten as werkemen · with spades and with schoueles</l>

<l> And doluen and dykeden · to dryue aweye hunger</l>

</lg>

<lg>

+

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Blynde and bedreden · were botened a þousande</l>

L.6.196KD.6.192

<l> Þat <sic>seten to seten to</sic><corr>[seten to]</corr><note>L.6.196: This line has a <+> in the left margin, but the dittographic error was never corrected.</note> begge syluer · sone were þei heled</l>

<l> For þat was bake for bayarde · was bote for many hungry</l>

<l> And many a begger<expan>e</expan> for benes · buxome was to swynke</l>

<l> And eche a pore man wel apayed · to haue pesen for his huyre</l>

L.6.200KD.6.196

<l> And what pieres preyed hem to do · as prest as a sperhauke</l>

<l> And þere<seg>-</seg>of was peres proude · and put hem to werke</l>

<l> And ȝaf hem mete as he myȝte aforth · and mesurable huyre</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Þanne hadde peres pite · and preyed hunger to wende</l>

L.6.204KD.6.200

<l> Home in<seg>-</seg>to his owne erd<note>L.6.204: LR alone have <hi>erd</hi>, though HmMW have the related spelling <hi>yerd</hi>. Other <hi>B</hi> witnesses have <hi>erthe</hi> (BCC<hi>2</hi>OY).</note> · and holden hym þere</l>

<l> For I am wel awroke now · of wastoures þorw þi myȝte</l>

<l> Ac I preye þe ar þow passe · q<expan>uo</expan>d Pieres to hunger</l>

<l> Of beggeres and of bidderes · what best be<note>L.6.207: L uniquely has <hi>be</hi>, omitting <hi>to</hi>, though the other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts vary between <hi>be to</hi> and <hi>is to</hi>.</note> done</l>

L.6.208KD.6.204

<l> For I wote wel be þow went · þei wil worche ful ille</l>

<l> For myschief it maketh · þei beth so meke nouthe</l>

<l> And for defaute of her fode · þis folke is at my wille</l>

<l> Þey are my blody bretheren q<expan>uo</expan>d pieres · for god bouȝte vs alle</l>

L.6.212KD.6.208

<l> Treuthe tauȝte me ones · to louye hem vchone</l>

<l> And to helpen hem of alle þinge · ay as hem nedeth</l>

<l> And now wolde I witen of þe · what were þe best</l>

+

<l> An<note>L.6.215: The corrector's <+> marks the scribe's <hi>An</hi> for <hi>And</hi>.</note> how I myȝte amaistrien hem · and make hem to worche</l>

</lg>

<lg>

L.6.216KD.6.212

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Here now q<expan>uo</expan>d hunger · and holde it for a wisdome</l>

<l> Bolde beggeres and bigge · þat mowe her bred biswynke</l>

<l> With houndes bred and hors<seg>-</seg>bred · holde vp her hertis</l>

<l> Abate hem with benes · for bollyng of her wombe</l>

L.6.220KD.6.216

<l> And ȝif þe gomes grucche · bidde hem go swynke</l>

<l> And he shal soupe swettere · whan he it hath deseruid</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And if þow fynde any freke · þat fortune hath appeyred</l>

<l> Or any maner fals men · fonde þow suche to cnowe</l>

L.6.224KD.6.220

<l> Conforte hym with þi catel · for crystes loue of heuene</l>

<l> Loue hem and lene hem · so lawe of god techeth</l>

<l> <foreign><hi>Alter alterius onera portate</hi></foreign></l>

<l> And alle maner of men · þat þow myȝte asspye</l>

L.6.228KD.6.223

<l> That nedy ben and nauȝty · helpe hem with þi godis</l>

<l> Loue hem and lakke hem nouȝte · late god take þe venIaunce</l>

<l> Theigh þei done yuel · late þow<note>L.6.230: LR alone read <hi>þow</hi>; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts omit it.</note> god aworthe<note>L.6.230: LMR alone have <hi>aworthe</hi>. Other <hi>B</hi> witnesses have <hi>yworþe</hi>, <hi>worthe</hi>, or <hi>worche</hi>.</note></l>

<l> <foreign><hi>Michi vindictam & ego retribuam ·</hi></foreign></l>

L.6.232KD.6.227

<l> And if þow wil<note>L.6.232: L uniquely has <hi>wil</hi>; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>wilt</hi>.</note> be graciouse to god · do as þe gospel techeth</l>

+

<l> And bilow<note>L.6.233: LMR alone have <hi>bilow</hi>; most other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>biloue</hi>. The corrector has noted this difference with a marginal <+>.</note> þe amonges low men · so shaltow lacche g<expan>ra</expan>ce</l>

<l> <foreign><hi>Facite vobis amicos de mamona iniquitatis</hi></foreign></l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> I wolde nouȝt greue god q<expan>uo</expan>d piers · for al þe good on grounde</l>

L.6.236KD.6.230

<l> Miȝte I synnelees do as þow seist · seyde pieres þanne</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ȝe I bihote þe q<expan>uo</expan>d hunger · or ellis þe bible lieth</l>

<l> Go to <hi>Genesis</hi> þe gyaunt · þe engendrour<expan>e</expan> of vs alle</l>

<l> <foreign>In sudore</foreign> and swynke · þow shalt þi mete tilye</l>

L.6.240KD.6.234

<l> And laboure for þi lyflode · and so owre lorde hyȝte</l>

<l> And sapience seyth þe same · I seigh it in þe bible</l>

<l> <foreign>Piger pro frigore</foreign> · no felde nolde tilye</l>

<l> And þerfore he shal begge and bidde · and no man bete his hunger</l>

</lg>

<lg>

L.6.244KD.6.238

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Mathew with mannes face · mouthed þise wordis</l>

<space> </space>a besaunt

<l> Þat <hi><foreign>seruus nequa<expan>m</expan></foreign></hi> had a <hi><foreign>nam</foreign> · </hi><note>L.6.245: The scribe added <hi>a besaunt</hi> (<hi>besaunt</hi>, "coin" or "talent") above the line to gloss <foreign><hi>nam</hi></foreign> or <foreign><hi>mnam</hi></foreign>, "a Biblical coin." He was, perhaps, drawing attention to the source of the tale, the parable of the talents in Matthew 25. A similar gloss appears in HmMW.</note> and for he wolde nouȝte chaffare</l>

<l> He had maugre of his maistre · for euermore after</l>

<l> And binam his<note>L.6.247: L uniquely omits <hi>hym</hi> before <hi>his</hi>.</note> <hi><foreign>Mnam</foreign></hi> · for he ne wolde worch<del>.</del><add>e</add></l>

L.6.248KD.6.242

<l> And ȝaf þat <hi><foreign>Mnam</foreign></hi> to hym · þat ten Mnames hadde</l>

<l> And with þat he seyde · þat holicherche it herde</l>

<l> He þat hath shal haue · and helpe þere it nedeth</l>

<l> And he þat nouȝt hath shal nouȝt haue · and no man hym helpe</l>

L.6.252KD.6.246

<l> And þat he weneth wel to haue · I wil it hym bireue</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Kynde witt wolde · þat eche a wyght wrouȝte</l>

<l> Or in dykynge or in deluynge · or trauaillynge in preyeres</l>

<l> Contemplatyf lyf or actyf lyf · cryst wolde men wrouȝte<note>L.6.255: LMRY alone read <hi>men wrouȝte</hi>; most other <hi>B</hi> witnesses have <hi>þei wroȝte</hi>.</note></l>

L.6.256KD.6.250

<l> Þe sauter seyth in þe psalme · of <foreign><hi>beati om<expan>n</expan>es</hi></foreign></l>

<l> Þe freke þat fedeth hym<seg>-</seg>self · with his feythful labour<expan>e</expan></l>

<l> He is blessed by þe boke · in body and in soule</l>

<l> <foreign><hi>Labores manuu<expan>m</expan> tuar<expan>um</expan> &c ·</hi></foreign></l>

</lg>

<lg>

L.6.260KD.6.253

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ȝet I prey ȝow q<expan>uo</expan>d pieres · <foreign>par charite</foreign> and ȝe kunne</l>

<l> Eny leef of lechecraft · lere it me my dere</l>

<l> For so<expan>m</expan>me of my s<expan>er</expan>uauntz · and my<seg>-</seg>self bothe</l>

<l> Of al a wyke worche nouȝt · so owre wombe aketh</l>

</lg>

<lg>

L.6.264KD.6.257

<l> <hi>¶</hi> I wote wel q<expan>uo</expan>d hunger · what sykenesse ȝow eyleth</l>

<l> Ȝe han maunged ouer<seg>-</seg>moche · and þat maketh ȝow grone</l>

X

<l> Ac I hote þe q<expan>uo</expan>d hunger · as þow þyne hele wilnest <note>L.6.266: A corrector's <X> appears in the right margin which is atypically large and oddly placed, extending two lines in height.</note></l>

<l> Þat þow drynke no day · ar þow dyne somwhat</l>

L.6.268KD.6.261

<l> Ete nouȝte I hote þe · ar hunger þe take</l>

<l> And sende þe of his sauce · to sauoure with þi lippes</l>

<l> And kepe some tyl sop<expan>er</expan> tyme · and sitte nouȝt to longe</l>

<l> Arise<note>L.6.271: LMR alone have <hi>Arise</hi>; most other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>And rys</hi>.</note> vp ar appetit · haue eten his fulle</l>

L.6.272KD.6.265

<l> Lat nouȝt sire surfait sitten at þi borde</l>

<l> Leue him nouȝt for he is lecherous · and likerous of tonge</l>

<l> And after many maner<expan>e</expan> metes · his maw is afyngred</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And ȝif þow diete þe þus · I dar legge myne eres</l>

L.6.276KD.6.269

<l> Þat phisik shal his furred hodes · for his fode selle</l>

<l> And his cloke of calabre · with alle þe knappes of golde</l>

<l> And be fayne bi my feith · his phisik to lete</l>

<l> And lerne to laboure with londe · for lyflode is swete</l>

L.6.280KD.6.273

<l> For morthereres aren mony leches · lorde he<expan>m</expan> amende</l>

<l> Þei do men deye þorw her<expan>e</expan> drynkes · ar destine it wolde</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> By seynt Poule q<expan>uo</expan>d pieres · þise aren profitable wordis</l>

<l> Wende now hunger whan þow wolt · þat wel be þow euere</l>

L.6.284KD.6.276

<l> For þis is a louely lessou<expan>n</expan> · lorde it þe forȝelde</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> By<seg>-</seg>hote god q<expan>uo</expan>d hunger · hennes ne wil I wende</l>

<l> Til I haue dyned bi þis day · and ydronke bothe</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> I haue no peny q<expan>uo</expan>d peres · poletes · forto bigge</l>

L.6.288KD.6.281

<l> Ne neyther gees ne grys · but two grene cheses</l>

<l> A fewe cruddes and creem · and an hauer cake</l>

<l> And two loues of benes and bran · ybake for my fauntis</l>

<l> And ȝet I sey by my soule · I haue no salt bacou<expan>n</expan></l>

L.6.292KD.6.285

<l> Ne no kokeney bi cryst coloppes forto maken</l>

<l> Ac I haue p<expan>er</expan>cil and porettes · and many kole plantes</l>

<l> To drawe afelde my donge · þe while þe drought lasteth</l>

L.6.296KD.6.289

<l> And bi þis lyflode we mot lyue · til lammasse tyme</l>

<l> And bi þat I hope to haue · heruest in my croft</l>

<l> And þanne may I diȝte þi dyner · as me dere liketh</l>

<l> Alle þe pore peple þo · pesecoddes fetten</l>

L.6.300KD.6.293

<l> Benes and baken apples · þei brouȝte in her lappes</l>

<l> Chibolles and cheruelles · and ripe chiries manye</l>

<l> And p<expan>ro</expan>fred peres þis p<expan>re</expan>sent · to plese with hunger</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Al hunger eet in hast · and axed after more</l>

L.6.304KD.6.297

<l> Þanne pore folke for fere · fedde hunger ȝerne</l>

<l> With grene poret and pesen · to poysou<expan>n</expan> hunger þei þouȝte</l>

<l> By þat it neighed nere heruest · newe corne cam to chepynge</l>

<l> Þanne was folke fayne · and fedde hunger with þe best</l>

L.6.308KD.6.301

<l> With good ale as glotou<expan>n</expan> tauȝte · and gerte hunger go slepe</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And þo wolde wastour <del>..</del><add>no</add>uȝt werche · but wandren aboute</l>

<l> Ne no begger ete bred · þat benes Inne were</l>

<l> But of coket or clerematyn · or elles · of clene whete</l>

L.6.312KD.6.305

<l> Ne none halpeny ale · in none wise drynke</l>

<l> But of þe best and of þe brounest · þat in borgh is to selle</l>

<l> <note>L.6.314: The scribe's paraph indicator in the left margin was not executed by the rubricating scribe, probably because the original scribe failed to skip a line.</note> ¶ Laboreres þat haue no lande · to lyue on but her handes</l>

<l> Deyned nouȝt to dyne a<seg>-</seg>day · nyȝt<seg>-</seg>olde wortes</l>

L.6.316KD.6.309

<l> May no peny<seg>-</seg>ale hem paye · ne no pece of bakou<expan>n</expan> ·</l>

<l> But if it be fresch flesch other fische · fryed other bake</l>

<l> And þat <foreign>chaude</foreign> or <foreign>plus chaud</foreign> · for chillyng of here mawe</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And but if he be hieghlich huyred · ellis wil he chyde</l>

L.6.320KD.6.313

<l> And þat he was werkman wrouȝt · waille þe tyme</l>

<l> Aȝeines catones conseille · comseth he to iangle</l>

<l> <foreign><hi>Paup<expan>er</expan>tatis on<expan>us</expan> pacienter ferre memento</hi></foreign></l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> He greueth hym aȝeines god · and gruccheth aȝeines resou<expan>n</expan></l>

L.6.324KD.6.317

<l> And þanne curseth he þe kynge · and al his conseille after</l>

<l> Suche lawes to loke · laboreres to greue</l>

<l> Ac whiles hunger was her maister · þere wolde none of hem chyde</l>

<l> Ne stryue aȝeines his statut · so sterneliche he loked<note>L.6.327: A later hand put a bracket in the right margin which extends to include the next line. The ink is darker than the text.</note></l>

</lg>

<lg>

L.6.328KD.6.321

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ac I warne ȝow werkemen · wynneth while ȝe mowe<note>L.6.328: A later hand has bracketed this verse paragraph and added a <foreign><hi><expan>nota</expan></hi></foreign> in the form of a pointing hand. The bracket includes all but the first and last lines of the line group. The ink is lighter than text ink and of a finer pen stroke with three cross hatches and a final loop.</note></l>

<l> For hunger hideward · hasteth hym faste</l>

<l> He shal awake with water · wastoures to chaste</l>

<l> Ar fyue be fulfilled · suche famyn shal aryse</l>

L.6.332KD.6.325

<l> Thorwgh flodes and þourgh foule wederes · frutes shul faille</l>

<l> And so sayde saturne · and sent ȝow to warne</l>

<l> Whan ȝe se þe sonne amys · and two monkes hedes</l>

<l> And a Mayde haue þe maistrie · and multiplied<note>L.6.335: LMRF alone have the preterite form. All other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>multiplie</hi>.</note> bi eight</l>

L.6.336KD.6.329

<l> Þanne shal deth withdrawe · and derthe be iustice</l>

<l> And dawe þe dyker · deye for hunger</l>

<l> But if god of his goodnesse · graunt vs a trewe</l>

</lg>