W.15 – PPEA

<lg>

<l> <hi><hi>A</hi></hi>C after my wakynge . it was wonder longe</l>

<l> Er I koude kyndely . knowe what was dowel</l>

<l> And so my wit weex and wanyed . til I a fool weere</l>

W.15.4KD.15.4

<l> And some lakkede my lif . allowed it fewe</l>

<l> And lete me for a lorel . and looþ to reu<expan>er</expan>encen</l>

<l> Lordes or ladies . or any lif ellis</l>

<l> As p<expan>er</expan>sons in pelure . wiþ pendauntz of siluer</l>

W.15.8KD.15.8

<l> To sergeauntz ne to swiche . seide I noȝt ones</l>

<l> God loke yow lordes . ne loutede faire</l>

<l> That folk helden me a fool . and in þat folie I raued</l>

<l> Til reson hadde ruþe on me . and rokked me a<seg>-</seg>slepe</l>

W.15.12KD.15.12

<l> Til I seiȝ as it sorcerie were . a sotil þyng wiþ<seg>-</seg>alle</l>

<l> Oon wiþ<seg>-</seg>outen tonge and teeþ . tolde me whider I sholde</l>

<l> And wher<seg>-</seg>of I cam & of what kynde . I coniured hym at þe laste</l>

<l> If he were cristes creature . anoon me to tellen</l>

</lg>

<lg>

W.15.16KD.15.16, 17

<l> <hi>¶</hi> I am cristes creature quod he . and cristene in many a place</l>

<l> In cristes court yknowe wel . and of his kyn a party</l>

<l> Is neiþ<expan>er</expan> Peter þe Porter . ne Poul wiþ his fauchon</l>

<l> That wole defende me þe dore . dynge I neuer so late</l>

W.15.20KD.15.20

<l> At mydnyght at mydday . my vois so is knowe</l>

<l> That ech a creature of his court . welcomeþ me faire</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>W</hi>hat are ye called quod I in þat court . among cristes peple<note>W.15.22: A smudged <add><hi>What are ye cald</hi></add> is written in a later hand in the space between this line and the next.</note></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> The whiles I quykne þe cors quod he . called am I <hi><foreign><hi>anima</hi></foreign></hi></l>

W.15.24KD.15.24

<l> And whan I wilne . and wolde <hi><foreign><hi>animus</hi></foreign></hi> ich hatte</l>

<l> And for þ<expan>a</expan>t I kan knowe<note>W.15.25: W alone reads <hi>kan knowe</hi>; other manuscripts have <hi>can and knowe</hi>.</note> . called am I <hi><foreign><hi>mens</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> And whan I make mone to god . <hi><foreign><hi>memoria</hi></foreign></hi> is my name</l>

<l> And whan I deme domes . and do as truþe techeþ</l>

W.15.28KD.15.28

<l> Thanne is <hi><foreign><hi>Racio</hi></foreign></hi> my riȝte name . reson on englissh</l>

<l> And whan I feele þat folk telleþ . my firste name is <hi><foreign><hi>sensus</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> And þat is wit and wisdom . þe welle of alle craftes</l>

<l> And whan I chalange or chalange noȝt . chepe or refuse</l>

W.15.32KD.15.32

<l> Thanne am I <hi>Conscience</hi> ycalled . goddes clerk and his Notarie</l>

<l> And whan I loue leelly . oure lord and alle oþere</l>

<l> Thanne is lele loue my name . and in latyn <hi><foreign><hi>Amor</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> And whan I flee fro þe flessh . and forsake þe careyne</l>

W.15.36KD.15.36

<l> Thanne am I a spirit spechelees . <hi><foreign><hi>Spiritus</hi></foreign></hi> þanne ich hatte</l>

<l> <hi><hi>Austyn</hi></hi> and <hi><hi>Ysodorus</hi></hi> . eiþer of hem boþe</l>

<l> Nempnede me þus to name . and<note>W.15.38: W alone has <hi>and</hi> before <hi>now</hi>.</note> now þow myȝt chese</l>

<l> How þow coueitest to calle me . for<note>W.15.39: W alone has <hi>for</hi>, which is omitted by other manuscripts.</note> now þow knowest my names</l>

<lg>

W.15.40KD.15.39α

<l> <note>W.15.40: Another hand has inserted in black ink in the left margin inside a box the following note: <add><foreign><hi><hi>no<expan>ta</expan> . q<expan>uod</expan> a<expan>n</expan>i<expan>m</expan>a<lb/>
h<expan>ab</expan>et ix no<expan>m</expan>i<expan>n</expan>a</hi></hi></foreign></add></note> <hi>¶</hi> <hi><foreign><hi>Anima p<expan>ro</expan> diu<expan>er</expan>sis accionib<expan>us</expan> diu<expan>er</expan>sa no<expan>m</expan>i<expan>n</expan>a sortitur : dum </hi></foreign></hi><lb/>
<hi><foreign><hi>viuificat corpus . anima est  dum vult . anim<expan>us</expan> est . </hi></foreign></hi><lb/>
<hi><foreign><hi>dum scit . mens est  dum recolit . memoria est . du<expan>m</expan> </hi></foreign></hi><lb/>
<hi><foreign><hi>iudicat . racio est  dum sentit . sensus est  dum amat . </hi></foreign></hi><lb/>
<hi><foreign><hi>Amor est  dum negat vel consentit . consciencia est </hi></foreign></hi><lb/>
<hi><foreign><hi>dum spirat . spiritus est </hi></foreign></hi></l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ye ben as a bisshop quod I . al bourdynge þat tyme</l>

<l> For bisshopes yblessed . þei bereþ manye names</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Presul</hi></foreign></hi> and <hi><foreign><hi>Pontifex</hi></foreign></hi> . and <hi><foreign><hi>Metropolitanus</hi></foreign></hi></l>

W.15.44KD.15.43

<l> And oþere names <orig>anheep</orig><reg>an heep</reg> . <hi><foreign><hi>Ep<expan>iscop</expan>us</hi></foreign></hi> and <hi><foreign><hi>Pastor</hi></foreign></hi><note>W.15.44: Between this line and the next a fifteenth-century hand (the same as on folios 1r and 147v) has written <add><hi>Jon Ryc</hi></add>.</note></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> That is sooþ seide he . now I se þi wille</l>

<l> Thow woldest knowe and konne . þe cause of alle my names</l>

<l> And of me<note>W.15.47: W alone has <hi>me</hi>; other manuscripts have <hi>myne</hi>.</note> if þow myȝtest . me þynkeþ by þi speche</l>

<lg>

W.15.48KD.15.47

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ye sire I seide . by so no man were greued</l>

<l> Alle þe sciences vnder sonne . and alle þe sotile craftes</l>

<l> I wolde I knewe and kouþe . kyndely in myn herte</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thanne artow inparfit quod he . and oon of prides knyȝtes</l>

W.15.52KD.15.51

<l> For swich a lust and likyng . Lucifer fel from heuene</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>P</hi>onam pedem meum in aquilone & similis ero altissimo</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> It were ayeins kynde quod he . and alle kynnes reson</l>

<l> That any creature sholde konne al . except crist oone</l>

W.15.56KD.15.54

<l> Ayein swiche Salomon spekeþ . and despiseþ hir wittes</l>

<l> And seiþ . <hi><foreign><hi>Sicut qui mel comedit multu<expan>m</expan> non est ei bonu<expan>m</expan> </hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Sic qui scrutator est maiestatis . opprimitur a gloria</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> To englisshe men þis is to mene . þat mowen speke and here</l>

W.15.60KD.15.57

<l> The man þat muche hony eteþ . his mawe it engleymeþ</l>

<l> And þe moore þ<expan>a</expan>t a man . of good matere . hereþ</l>

<l> But he do þer<seg>-</seg>after . it dooþ hym double scaþe</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Beatus est</hi></foreign></hi> seiþ Seint Bernard . <hi><foreign><hi>qui scripturas legit</hi></foreign></hi></l>

W.15.64KD.15.61

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Et verba vertit in opera</hi></foreign></hi> . fulliche to his power</l>

<l> Coueitise to konne . and to knowe sciences</l>

<l> Putte out of Paradis . Adam and Eue</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Sciencie appetitus ho<expan>m</expan>i<expan>n</expan>em inmortalitatis gloria spoliauit</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

W.15.68KD.15.64

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And riȝt as hony is yuel to defie . and engleymeþ þe mawe</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Right so he þat þoruȝ reson . wolde þe roote knowe</l>

<l> Of god and of hise grete myȝtes . hise g<expan>ra</expan>ces it letteþ</l>

<l> For in þe likynge liþ a pride . and licames coueitise</l>

W.15.72KD.15.68

<l> Ayein cristes counseil . and alle clerkes techynge</l>

<l> That is <hi><foreign><hi><hi>N</hi>on plus sapere q<expan>ua</expan>m oportet sapere</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Freres and fele oþ<expan>er</expan>e maistres . þat to lewed men p<expan>re</expan>chen</l>

<l> Ye moeuen materes vnmesurable . to tellen of þe Trinite</l>

W.15.76KD.15.72

<l> That ofte<seg>-</seg>tymes þe lewed peple . of hir bileue doute</l>

<l> Bettre it were to manye doctours . to leuen swich techyng<note>W.15.77: The variants are complex, and W's version of the line is unique. M is closest with <hi>Bettre were many docto<expan>ur</expan>s . bileue suche techinge</hi>. Most other manuscripts have <hi>bettre to leyve were many doctovrs seyche teychyng</hi> (in the spelling of G).</note></l>

<l> And tellen men of þe ten comaundementz . and touchen þe seuene synnes</l>

<l> And of þe braunches þ<expan>a</expan>t burioneþ of hem . and bryngen men to helle</l>

W.15.80KD.15.76

<l> And how þ<expan>a</expan>t folk in folies . mysspenden hir fyue wittes</l>

<l> As wel freres as ooþ<expan>er</expan> folk . foliliche spenden</l>

<l> In housynge / in haterynge . and in to heigh clergie shewynge</l>

<l> Moore for pompe þan for pure charite . þe peple woot þe soþe</l>

W.15.84KD.15.80

<l> That I lye noȝt loo . for lordes ye plesen</l>

<l> And reuerencen þe riche . þe raþer for hir siluer</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>C</hi>onfundant<expan>ur</expan> om<expan>n</expan>es qui adorant sculptilia / Et alibi</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Vt quid diligitis vanitatem & queritis mendaciu<expan>m</expan></hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

W.15.88KD.15.82

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Gooþ to þe glose of þise vers . ye grete clerkes</l>

<l> If I lye on yow to my lewed wit . ledeþ me to brennyng</l>

<l> For as it semeþ ye forsakeþ . no mannes almesse</l>

<l> Of vsurers of hoores . of Auarouse chapmen</l>

W.15.92KD.15.86

<l> And louten to þise lordes . þat mowen lene yow nobles</l>

<l> Ayein youre rule and Religion . I take record at <expan>Iesus</expan></l>

<l> That seide to hise disciples . <hi><foreign><hi><hi>N</hi>e sitis p<expan>er</expan>sonar<expan>um</expan> acceptores</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> Of þis matere I myȝte . make a long bible</l>

W.15.96KD.15.90

<l> Ac of curatours of cristen peple . as clerkes bereþ witnesse</l>

<l> I shal tellen it for truþes sake . take hede who<seg>-</seg>so likeþ</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> As holynesse and honeste . out of holy chirche spredeþ</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> Thoruȝ lele libbynge men . þat goddes lawe techen</l>

W.15.100KD.15.94

<l> Right so out of holi chirche . alle yueles spryngeþ<note>W.15.100: W alone has <hi>spryngeþ</hi>; all other manuscripts have <hi>spredeth</hi>.</note></l>

<l> There inparfit preesthode is . p<expan>re</expan>chours and techeris</l>

<l> I se it by ensaumple . in somer tyme on trowes</l>

<l> Ther some bowes ben leued . and some bereþ none</l>

W.15.104KD.15.98

<l> Ther is a meschief in þe more . of swiche man<expan>er</expan>e bowes</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Right so <add>bi</add><note>W.15.105: All other manuscripts omit <hi>bi</hi>, added above the line in W.</note> p<expan>er</expan>sons and preestes . and p<expan>re</expan>chours of holi chirche</l>

<l> That aren roote of þe right feiþ . to rule þe peple</l>

<l> And þer þe roote is roten . reson woot þe soþe</l>

W.15.108KD.15.102

<l> Shal neuere flour ne fruyt . ne fair leef be grene</l>

<l> For<seg>-</seg>þi wolde ye lettrede leue . þe lecherie of cloþyng</l>

<l> And be kynde as bifel for clerkes . and curteise of cristes goodes</l>

<l> Trewe of youre tonge . and of youre tail boþe</l>

W.15.112KD.15.106

<l> And hatien to here harlotrie . and noȝt to vnderfonge</l>

<l> Tiþes but of trewe þyng . ytilied or chaffared</l>

<l> Loþe were lewed men . but þei youre loore folwede</l>

<l> And amendeden hem þat mysdoon . moore for youre ensaumples</l>

W.15.116KD.15.110

<l> Than for to prechen and preuen it noȝt . ypocrisie it semeþ</l>

<l> The which<note>W.15.117: W alone has <hi>The which</hi>; all other manuscripts have <hi>For ypocrisie</hi>.</note> in latyn . is likned to a dongehill<expan>e</expan></l>

<l> That were bisnewed wiþ snow . and snakes wiþ<seg>-</seg>Inne</l>

<l> Or to a wal þat were whitlymed . and were foul wiþ<seg>-</seg>Inne</l>

<lg>

W.15.120KD.15.114

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Right so manye preestes . p<expan>re</expan>chours and p<expan>re</expan>lates</l>

<l> Ye aren enblaunched wiþ <foreign>bele p<expan>ar</expan>oles</foreign> . and wiþ cloþes also</l>

<l> Ac your<expan>e</expan> werkes and your<expan>e</expan> wordes þer<seg>-</seg>vnder . aren ful vnloueliche</l>

<l> <hi><hi><hi>I</hi>oh<expan>an</expan>nes Crisostomus .</hi></hi> of clerkes spekeþ and preestes</l>

<lg>

W.15.124KD.15.118

<l> <hi>¶</hi> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>S</hi>icut de templo om<expan>n</expan>e bonu<expan>m</expan> p<expan>ro</expan>gredit<expan>ur</expan> . sic de templo</hi></foreign></hi><note>W.15.124: A later fifteenth-century hand has written <add><hi><hi><foreign>no<expan>ta</expan></foreign></hi></hi></add> in the right margin, as on fol. 56r.</note><lb/>
<hi><foreign><hi>om<expan>n</expan>e malu<expan>m</expan> p<expan>ro</expan>cedit  Si sacerdociu<expan>m</expan> integru<expan>m</expan> fuerit tota</hi></foreign></hi><lb/>
<hi><foreign><hi>floret eccl<expan>es</expan>ia  Si aute<expan>m</expan> corruptu<expan>m</expan> fuerit om<expan>n</expan>i<expan>um</expan> fides mar<seg>-</seg></hi></foreign></hi><lb/>
<hi><foreign><hi>cida est  Si sacerdociu<expan>m</expan> fuerit in peccatis . totus popu<seg>-</seg></hi></foreign></hi><lb/>
<hi><foreign><hi>lus conuertitur ad peccandum . Sicut cum videris</hi></foreign></hi><lb/>
<hi><foreign><hi>arborem pallidam & marcidam / intelligis q<expan>uo</expan>d vicium </hi></foreign></hi>

<hi><foreign><hi><hi>h</hi><expan>ab</expan>et in radice . Ita cu<expan>m</expan> videris populu<expan>m</expan> indisciplinatu<expan>m</expan> & irre<seg>-</seg></hi></foreign></hi><lb/>
<hi><foreign><hi>ligiosu<expan>m</expan> sine dubio sacerdociu<expan>m</expan> eius non est sanum </hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> If lewed men wiste . what þis latyn meneþ</l>

<l> And who was myn Auctour . muche wonder me þinkeþ</l>

<l> But if many a preest beere . for hir baselardes and hir broches</l>

W.15.128KD.15.122

<l> A peire of bedes in hir hand . and a book vnder hir arme</l>

<l> Sire Ioh<expan>a</expan>n and sire Geffrey . haþ a girdel of siluer</l>

<l> A baselard or a ballokknyf . wiþ botons ouer<seg>-</seg>gilte</l>

<l> Ac a Porthors þat sholde be his Plow . <hi><foreign><hi>Placebo</hi></foreign></hi> to sigge</l>

W.15.132KD.15.126-127

<l> Hadde he neu<expan>er</expan>e seruice to saue siluer þer<seg>-</seg>to . seiþ it w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> ydel wille</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Allas ye lewed men . muche lese ye on preestes</l>

<l> Ac þing þat wikkedly is wonne . and wiþ false sleightes</l>

<l> Wolde neu<expan>er</expan>e þe wit of witty god . but wikkede men it hadde</l>

W.15.136KD.15.131

<l> The whiche arn preestes inparfite . and p<expan>re</expan>chours after siluer</l>

<l> Executours and Sodenes . Somono<expan>ur</expan>s and hir lemmannes</l>

<l> That þ<expan>a</expan>t wiþ gile was geten . vng<expan>ra</expan>ciousliche is despended<note>W.15.138: W alone has <hi>despended</hi>. Most other manuscripts have <hi>spended</hi>.</note></l>

<l> So harlotes and hores . arn holpe wiþ swiche goodes</l>

W.15.140KD.15.135

<l> And goddes folk for defaute þ<expan>er</expan><seg>-</seg>of . forfaren and spillen</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Curato<expan>ur</expan>s of holy kirke . as clerkes þat ben auarouse</l>

<l> Lightliche þat þei leuen . losels it habbeþ</l>

<l> Or deieþ intestate . and þanne þe bisshop entreþ</l>

W.15.144KD.15.139

<l> And makeþ murþe þer<seg>-</seg>myd . and hise men boþe</l>

<l> And seyen he was a nygard . þat no good myȝte aspare</l>

<l> To frend ne to fre<expan>m</expan>med . þe fend haue his soule</l>

<l> For a wrecchede hous held he<note>W.15.147: W alone has <hi>held he</hi>; most other manuscripts have <hi>he held</hi>.</note> . al his lif<seg>-</seg>tyme</l>

W.15.148KD.15.143

<l> And þat he spared <damage>a</damage>nd bisperede . dispende<note>W.15.148: W alone has <hi>dispende</hi>. Other manuscripts have <hi>spende</hi> or <hi>spene</hi>.</note> we in murþe</l>

<l> By lered / by lewed . þat looþ is to despende<note>W.15.149: W alone reads <hi>despende</hi>; most other manuscripts have <hi>spende</hi>.</note></l>

<l> Thus goon hire goodes . be þe goost faren</l>

<l> Ac for goode men god woot . greet doel men maken</l>

W.15.152KD.15.147

<l> And bymeneþ goode mete<seg>-</seg>ȝyueres . and in mynde haueþ</l>

<l> In preieres and in penaunces . and in parfit charite .</l>

<hi><hi>W</hi>hat is charite</hi>

<l> <hi>W</hi>hat is charite quod I þo . a childissh þyng he seide</l>

<l> <note>W.15.155-156: The scribe has added in the left margin boxed in red the words <add><hi><hi><foreign>quid est<lb/>
caritas</foreign></hi></hi></add>.</note> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>N</hi>isi efficiamini sicut p<expan>ar</expan>uuli . non intrabitis in regnu<expan>m</expan> celor<expan>um</expan></hi></foreign></hi></l>

W.15.156KD.15.150

<l> Wiþ<seg>-</seg>outen fauntelte or folie . a fre liberal wille</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Where sholde men fynde swich a frend . wiþ so fre an herte</l>

<l> I haue lyued in londe quod he<note>W.15.158: WHmCr<hi>1</hi> have <hi>he</hi>; all other manuscripts read <hi>I</hi>.</note> . my name is <hi>longe wille</hi></l>

<l> And fond I neuere ful charite . bifore ne bihynde</l>

W.15.160KD.15.154

<l> Men beþ merciable . to mendinauntz and to poore</l>

<l> And wollen lene þer þei leue . lelly to ben paied</l>

<l> Ac charite þat Poul preiseþ best . and moost plesaunt to oure lord</l>

<l> Is <hi><foreign><hi>Non inflatur . non est ambiciosa . non querit que sua sunt &c<note>W.15.163: W alone has <hi>&c</hi>.</note></hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

W.15.164KD.15.158

<l> <hi>¶</hi> I seiȝ neu<expan>er</expan>e swich a man . so me god helpe</l>

<l> That he ne wolde aske after his . and ouþ<expan>er</expan>while coueite</l>

<l> Thyng þat neded hym noȝt . and nyme it if he myȝte</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Clerkes kenne me . þ<expan>a</expan>t crist is in alle places</l>

W.15.168KD.15.162

<l> Ac I seiȝ hym neu<expan>er</expan>e sooþly . but as my<seg>-</seg>self in a Mirour</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>I</hi>n enigmate tunc facie ad faciem</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> And so I trowe trewely . by þat men telleþ of charite</l>

<l> It is noȝt chaumpions fight . ne chaffare as I trowe</l>

<lg>

W.15.172KD.15.165

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Charite quod he ne chaffareþ noȝt . ne chalangeþ ne craueþ</l>

<l> As proud of a peny . as of a pound of golde</l>

<l> And is as glad of a gowne . of a gray russet</l>

<l> As of a tunycle of tarse . or of trie scarlet</l>

W.15.176KD.15.169

<l> He is glad wiþ alle glade . and good til alle wikkede</l>

<l> And leneþ<note>W.15.177: The word could, of course, be <hi>leueþ</hi>, the reading chosen by Skeat. Modern editors have chosen <hi>leneþ</hi>.</note> and loueþ alle . þat oure lord made</l>

<l> Corseþ he no creature . ne he kan bere no wraþe</l>

<l> Ne no likynge haþ to lye . ne laughe men to scorne</l>

W.15.180KD.15.173

<l> Al þat men seyn he leet it sooþ . and in solace takeþ</l>

<l> And alle man<expan>er</expan>e meschiefs . in myldenesse he suffreþ</l>

<l> Coueiteþ he noon erþely good . but heuene<seg>-</seg>riche blisse</l>

<l> Haþ he anye rentes or richesse . or any riche frendes</l>

<lg>

W.15.184KD.15.177

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Of rentes nor<note>W.15.184: W alone has <hi>nor</hi>; other manuscripts have <hi>ne</hi>.</note> of richesse . ne rekkeþ he neu<expan>er</expan>e</l>

<l> For a frend þat fyndeþ hym . failed hym neu<expan>er</expan>e at nede</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>F</hi>iat voluntas tua</hi></foreign></hi> . fynt hym euere<seg>-</seg>moore</l>

<l> And if he soupeþ eteþ but a sop . of <hi><foreign><hi>Spera in deo</hi></foreign></hi></l>

W.15.188KD.15.181

<l> He kan portreye wel þe <hi>Pat<expan>er</expan> nost<expan>er</expan> .</hi> and peynte it w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> <hi><hi>Aues</hi></hi></l>

<l> And ouþ<expan>er</expan>while he is woned . to wenden on pilgrymages</l>

<l> Ther poore men and prisons liggeþ . hir pardon to haue</l>

<l> Thouȝ he bere hem no breed . he bereþ hem swetter liflode</l>

W.15.192KD.15.185

<l> Loueþ hem as oure lord biddeþ . and lokeþ how þei fare</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And whan he is wery of þat werk . þan wole he somtyme</l>

<l> Labouren in lauendrye . wel þe lengþe of a Mile</l>

<l> And yerne in<seg>-</seg>to youþe . and yepeliche speke</l>

W.15.196KD.15.189

<l> Pride wiþ al þe app<expan>ur</expan>tenaunces . and pakken hem togideres</l>

<l> And bouken hem at his brest . and beten hem clene</l>

<l> And leggen on longe . wiþ <foreign><hi>Laboraui in gemitu meo</hi></foreign></l>

<l> And wiþ warm water at hise eiȝen . wasshen hem after</l>

W.15.200KD.15.193

<l> And þanne he syngeþ whan he doþ so . and som<seg>-</seg>tyme seiþ wepynge</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Cor contritu<expan>m</expan> & humiliatu<expan>m</expan> deus non despicies</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> By crist I wolde þ<expan>a</expan>t I knewe hym quod I . no creature leu<expan>er</expan>e</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Wiþ<seg>-</seg>outen help of Piers Plowman quod he . his p<expan>er</expan>sone sestow neu<expan>er</expan>e</l>

<lg>

W.15.204KD.15.197

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Wheiþ<expan>er</expan> clerkes knowen hym quod I . þat kepen holikirke</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Clerkes haue no knowyng quod he . but by werkes and by wordes</l>

<l> Ac Piers þe Plowman . parceyueþ moore depper</l>

<l> What is þe wille and wher<seg>-</seg>fore . þ<expan>a</expan>t many wight suffreþ</l>

W.15.208KD.15.200α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Et vidit deus cogitaciones eor<expan>um</expan></hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> For þer are ful proude<seg>-</seg>herted men . pacient of tonge</l>

<l> And buxome as of berynge . to burgeises and to lordes</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And to poore peple . han pepir in þe nose</l>

W.15.212KD.15.204

<l> And as a lyoun he lokeþ . þer men lakken hise werkes</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> For þ<expan>er</expan> are beggeris and bidderis . bedemen as it were</l>

<l> Loken as lambren . and semen ful<note>W.15.214: W alone has <hi>ful</hi>; all other witnesses have <hi>lif</hi>.</note> holy</l>

<l> Ac it is moore to haue hir mete . wiþ swich an esy manere</l>

W.15.216KD.15.208

<l> Than for penaunce and p<expan>ar</expan>fitnesse . þe pouerte þat swiche takeþ</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ther<seg>-</seg>fore by colour ne by clergie . knowe shaltow neu<expan>er</expan>e</l>

<l> Neiþ<expan>er</expan> þoruȝ wordes ne werkes . but þoruȝ wil oone</l>

<l> And þat knoweþ no clerk . ne creature on erþe</l>

W.15.220KD.15.212

<l> But Piers þe Plowman . <hi><foreign><hi><hi>P</hi>etrus .i<expan>d est</expan>. <expan>christus</expan></hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> For he nys noȝt in lolleris . ne in lond<seg>-</seg>leperis heremytes</l>

<l> Ne at Ancres þ<expan>er</expan>e a box hangeþ . alle swiche þei faiten</l>

<l> Fy on faitours . and <hi><foreign><hi>in fautores suos</hi></foreign></hi></l>

W.15.224KD.15.216

<l> For charite is goddes champion . and as a good child hende</l>

<l> And þe murieste of mouþ . at mete where he sitteþ</l>

<l> The loue þat liþ in his herte . makeþ hym liȝt of speche</l>

<l> And is compaignable and confortatif . as crist bit hym<seg>-</seg>selue</l>

W.15.228KD.15.219α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>N</hi>olite fieri sicut ypocrite tristes &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> For I haue seyen hym in silk . and somtyme in russet</l>

<l> Boþe in grey and in grys . and in gilt harneis</l>

<l> And as gladliche he it gaf . to gomes þat it neded</l>

<lg>

W.15.232KD.15.223

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Edmond and Edward . boþe were kynges</l>

<l> And seintes yset . for charite hem folwede</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> I haue yseyen charite also . syngen and reden</l>

<l> Riden and rennen . in raggede wedes</l>

W.15.236KD.15.227

<l> Ac biddynge as beggeris . biheld I hym neu<expan>er</expan>e</l>

<l> Ac in riche robes raþest he walkeþ .</l>

<l> Ycalled and ycrymyled . and his crowne yshaue</l>

<l> And in a freres frokke . he was yfounden ones</l>

W.15.240KD.15.231

<l> Ac it is fern ago . in Seint Fraunceis tyme</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> In þat secte siþþe . to selde haþ he ben founde<note>W.15.241: W alone reads <hi>founde</hi>; all other manuscripts have <hi>knowe(n)</hi>.</note></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Riche men he recomendeþ . and of hir robes takeþ</l>

<l> That wiþ<seg>-</seg>outen wiles . ledeþ hir lyues</l>

W.15.244KD.15.234α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>B</hi>eatus est diues qui &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> In kynges court he comeþ ofte . þer þe counseil is trewe</l>

<l> Ac if coueitise be of þe counseil . he wol noȝt come þ<expan>er</expan><seg>-</seg>Inne</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> In court amonges Iaperis . he comeþ noȝt but selde</l>

W.15.248KD.15.238

<l> For braulynge and bakbitynge . and berynge of fals witnesse</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> In þe Consistorie bifore þe Co<expan>m</expan>missarie . he comeþ noȝt ful ofte</l>

<l> For hir lawe dureþ ouer<seg>-</seg>longe . but if þei lacchen siluer</l>

<l> And matrimoyne for moneie . maken and vnmaken</l>

W.15.252KD.15.242

<l> And þat Conscience and crist . haþ yknyt faste</l>

<l> Thei vndoon it vnworþily . þo doctours of lawe</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ac I ne lakke no lif . but lord amende vs alle</l>

<l> And gyue vs g<expan>ra</expan>ce goode god . charite to folwe</l>

W.15.256KD.15.251

<l> For who<seg>-</seg>so myȝte meete myd<note>W.15.256: W alone has <hi>myd</hi>; other manuscripts have <hi>wiþ</hi>.</note> hym . swiche man<expan>er</expan>es hym eileþ</l>

<l> Neiþ<expan>er</expan> he blameþ ne banneþ . bosteþ ne preiseþ</l>

<l> Lakkeþ ne loseþ . ne lokeþ vp sterne</l>

<l> Craueþ ne coueiteþ . ne crieþ after moore</l>

W.15.260KD.15.254α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>I</hi>n pace in id<seg>-</seg>ip<expan>su</expan>m dormiam &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> The mooste liflode þat he lyueþ by . is loue in goddes passion</l>

<l> Neiþer he biddeþ ne beggeþ . ne borweþ to yelde</l>

<l> Misdooþ he no man . ne wiþ his mouþ greueþ</l>

<lg>

W.15.264KD.15.258

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Amonges cristene men . þis myldenesse sholde laste</l>

<l> In alle manere angres . haue þis at herte</l>

<l> That þeiȝ þei suffrede al þis . god suffrede for vs moore</l>

<l> In ensample we sholde do so . and take no vengeaunce</l>

</lg>

<lg>

W.15.268KD.15.262

<l> Of oure foes þat dooþ vs falsnesse . þat is oure fadres wille</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> For wel may euery man wite . if god hadde wold hym<seg>-</seg>selue</l>

<l> Sholde neuere Iudas ne Iew . haue <expan>Iesu</expan> doon on roode</l>

<l> Ne han martired Peter ne Poul . ne in prison holden</l>

W.15.272KD.15.266

<l> Ac he suffrede in ensample . þ<expan>a</expan>t we sholde suffren also</l>

<l> And seide to swiche þ<expan>a</expan>t suffre wolde . þ<expan>a</expan>t <hi><foreign><hi><hi>P</hi>acientes vincunt</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> <hi><foreign><hi>Verbi gracia</hi></foreign></hi> quod he . and verray ensamples manye</l>

<l> <hi><hi>In <foreign>legenda s<expan>an</expan>c<expan>t</expan>or<expan>um</expan></foreign></hi></hi> . þe lif of holy Seintes</l>

W.15.276KD.15.270

<l> What penaunce and pouerte . and passion þei suffrede</l>

<l> In hunger / in hete . in alle manere angres</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Antony and Egidie . and oþ<expan>er</expan>e holy fadres</l>

<l> Woneden in wildernesse . among wilde beestes</l>

W.15.280KD.15.274

<l> Monkes and mendinauntz . men by hem<seg>-</seg>selue</l>

<l> In spekes and in spelonkes . selde speken togideres</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ac neiþ<expan>er</expan> Antony ne Egidie . ne heremyte þat tyme</l>

<l> Of leons ne of leopardes . no liflode ne toke</l>

W.15.284KD.15.278

<l> But of foweles þat fleeþ . þus fyndeþ men in bokes</l>

<l> Except þ<expan>a</expan>t Egidie . after an hynde cride</l>

<l> And þoruȝ þe mylk of þat mylde beest . þe man was sustened</l>

<l> And day bi day hadde he hire noȝt . his hunger for to slake</l>

W.15.288KD.15.282

<l> But selden and sondry tymes . as seiþ þe book and techeþ</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Antony a<seg>-</seg>dayes . aboute noon<seg>-</seg>tyme</l>

<l> Hadde a brid þat brouȝte hym breed . þat he by lyuede</l>

<l> And þouȝ þe gome hadde a gest . god fond hem boþe</l>

<lg>

W.15.292KD.15.286

<l> <hi><hi><hi>¶</hi> <hi>P</hi>oul <foreign>p<expan>ri</expan>m<expan>us</expan> heremita</foreign></hi></hi> . hadde parroked hym<seg>-</seg>selue</l>

<l> That no man myȝte hym se . for mosse and for leues</l>

<l> Foweles hym fedde . fele wyntres wiþ<seg>-</seg>alle</l>

<l> Til he foundede freres . of Austynes ordre</l>

W.15.296KD.15.290

<l> Poul after his p<expan>re</expan>chyng . paniers he made</l>

<l> And wan wiþ hise hondes . þat his wombe neded</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Peter fisshed for his foode . and his felawe Andrew</l>

<l> Som þei solde and som þei soden . and so þei lyued boþe</l>

<lg>

W.15.300KD.15.294

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And also Marie Maudeleyne . by mores lyuede and dewes</l>

<l> Ac moost þoruȝ deuocion . and mynde of god almyghty</l>

<l> I sholde noȝt þise seuen daies . siggen hem alle</l>

<l> That lyueden þus for oure lordes loue . many longe yeres</l>

<lg>

W.15.304KD.15.298

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ac þer ne was leou<expan>n</expan> ne leopard . þat on laundes wenten</l>

<l> Neiþer bere ne boor . ne ooþ<expan>er</expan> beest wilde</l>

<l> That ne fil to hir feet . and fawned wiþ þe tailles</l>

<l> And if þei kouþe han ycarped . by crist as I trowe</l>

W.15.308KD.15.302

<l> Thei wolde haue yfed þat folk . bifore wilde foweles</l>

<l> Ac god sente hem foode by foweles . and by no fierse beestes</l>

<l> In menynge þ<expan>a</expan>t meke þyng . mylde þyng sholde fede</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> As who seiþ Religiouses . rightfulle men sholde fede</l>

W.15.312KD.15.308

<l> And lawefulle men to lifholy men . liflode sholde brynge</l>

<l> And þanne wolde lordes and ladies . be looþ to agulte</l>

<l> And to taken of hir tenauntz . moore þan trouþe wolde</l>

<l> Founde þei þ<expan>a</expan>t freres . wolde forsake hir almesses</l>

W.15.316KD.15.312

<l> And bidden hem bere it . þere it was yborwed</l>

<l> For we ben goddes foweles . and abiden alwey</l>

<l> Til briddes brynge vs . þat we sholde lyue by</l>

<l> For hadde ye potage and payn ynogh . and peny ale to drynke</l>

W.15.320KD.15.316

<l> And a mees þer<seg>-</seg>myd . of o maner kynde</l>

<l> Ye hadde riȝt ynoȝ ye Religiouse . and so your<expan>e</expan> rule me tolde</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>N</hi>u<expan>m</expan>q<expan>ua</expan>m dicit Iob rugit onager cu<expan>m</expan> herbam h<expan>ab</expan>uerit </hi></foreign></hi><lb/>
<hi><foreign><hi>aut mugiet bos cu<expan>m</expan> ante plenu<expan>m</expan> p<expan>re</expan>sepe steterit . brutor<expan>um</expan> </hi></foreign></hi><lb/>
<hi><foreign><hi>a<expan>n</expan>i<expan>m</expan>aliu<expan>m</expan> natura te condempnat . quia cu<expan>m</expan> eis pabulu<expan>m</expan> </hi></foreign></hi>

<hi><foreign><hi>co<expan>m</expan>mune sufficiat ex adipe p<expan>ro</expan>dijt iniquitas tua </hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> If lewed men knewe þis latyn . þei wolde loke whom þei yeue<note>W.15.323-329: A rough decorative line runs down the left margin from 15.323-329.</note></l>

W.15.324KD.15.320

<l> And auisen hem bifore . a fyue dayes or sixe</l>

<l> Er þei amortisede . to monkes or Chanons hir rente<note>W.15.325: W alone has <hi>rente</hi>; all other manuscripts have plural <hi>rentes</hi>.</note></l>

<l> Allas lordes and ladies . lewed counseil haue ye</l>

<l> To ȝyue from your<expan>e</expan> heires . þat youre Aiels yow lefte</l>

W.15.328KD.15.324

<l> And ȝyueþ it to bidde for yow . to swiche þat ben riche</l>

<l> And ben founded and feffed ek . to bidde for oþere</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Who p<expan>ar</expan>fo<expan>ur</expan>neþ þis p<expan>ro</expan>phecie . of þe peple þat now libbeþ</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>D</hi>ispersit dedit paup<expan>er</expan>ib<expan>us</expan></hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

W.15.332KD.15.328

<l> <hi>¶</hi> If any peple p<expan>ar</expan>fo<expan>ur</expan>ne þat text . it are þise poore freres</l>

<l> For þat þei beggen aboute . in buyldynge þei spende it</l>

<l> And on hem<seg>-</seg>self som . and swiche as ben hir laborers</l>

<l> And of hem þat habbeþ þei taken . and ȝyueþ hem þat habbeþ</l>

<lg>

W.15.336KD.15.332

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ac clerkes and knyȝtes . and co<expan>m</expan>muners þat ben riche</l>

<l> Fele of yow fareþ . as if I a forest hadde</l>

<l> That were ful of faire trees . and I fondede and caste</l>

<l> How I myȝte mo þ<expan>er</expan><seg>-</seg>Inne . amonges hem sette</l>

<lg>

W.15.340KD.15.336

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Right so ye riche . ye robeþ þat ben riche</l>

<l> And helpeþ hem þat helpeþ yow . and ȝyueþ þer no nede is</l>

<l> As who<seg>-</seg>so filled a tonne . of a fressh ryuer</l>

<l> And wente forþ wiþ þat water . to woke wiþ Temese</l>

W.15.344KD.15.340

<l> Right so ye riche . ye robeþ and fedeþ</l>

<l> Hem þat han as ye han . hem ye make <orig>atese</orig><reg>at ese</reg></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ac Religiouse þat riche ben . sholde raþer feeste beggeris</l>

<l> Than burgeises þat riche ben . as þe book techeþ</l>

W.15.348KD.15.343α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>Q</hi>uia sacrilegiu<expan>m</expan> est res pauperu<expan>m</expan> non paup<expan>er</expan>ib<expan>us</expan> dare</hi></foreign></hi> <note>W.15.348: A later hand has written <add><hi><hi><foreign>no<expan>ta</expan></foreign></hi></hi></add> in the right margin.</note></l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>I</hi>tem peccatorib<expan>us</expan> dare est demonib<expan>us</expan> immolare</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>I</hi>tem monache si indiges & accipis pocius das q<expan>ua</expan>m accipis</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Si autem non eges & accipis rapis</hi></foreign></hi></l>

W.15.352KD.15.343α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Porro non indiget monachus si h<expan>ab</expan>eat quod nature sufficit</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> For<seg>-</seg>þi I counseille alle cristene . to conformen hem to charite</l>

<l> For charite wiþ<seg>-</seg>outen chalangynge . vnchargeþ þe soule</l>

<l> And many a prison fram p<expan>ur</expan>gatorie . þoruȝ hise preieres he deliu<expan>er</expan>eþ</l>

W.15.356KD.15.347

<l> Ac þer is a defaute in þe folk . þat þe feiþ kepeþ</l>

<l> Wher<seg>-</seg>fore folk is þe febler . and noȝt ferm of bileue</l>

<l> As in lussheburwes is a luþer alay . and yet lokeþ he lik a sterlyng</l>

<l> The merk of þat monee is good . ac þe metal is feble</l>

<lg>

W.15.360KD.15.351

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And so it fareþ by som folk now . þei han a fair speche</l>

<l> Crowne and cristendom . þe kynges mark of heuene</l>

<l> Ac þe metal þat is mannes soule . wiþ synne is foule alayed</l>

<l> Boþe lettred and lewed . beþ alayed now wiþ synne</l>

W.15.364KD.15.355

<l> That no lif loueþ ooþer . ne oure lord as it semeþ</l>

<l> For þoruȝ werre and wikkede werkes . and wederes vnresonable</l>

<l> Wederwise shipmen . and witty clerkes also</l>

<l> Han no bileue to þe lifte . ne to þe loore of Philosofres</l>

<lg>

W.15.368KD.15.359

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Astronomiens alday . in hir Art faillen</l>

<l> That whilom warned bifore . what sholde falle after</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> <hi>S</hi>hipmen and shepherdes . þat wiþ ship and sheep wenten</l>

<l> Wisten by þe walkne . what sholde bitide</l>

W.15.372KD.15.363

<l> As of wedres and wyndes . þei warned men ofte</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Tilieris þat tiled þe erþe . tolden hir maistres</l>

<l> By þe seed þat þei sewe . what þei selde<note>W.15.374: W alone has <hi>selde</hi>; other manuscripts have <hi>selle</hi>.</note> myȝte</l>

<l> And what to leue and what to lyue by . þe lond was so trewe</l>

<lg>

W.15.376KD.15.367

<l> <hi>¶</hi> <hi>N</hi>ow faileþ þe folk of þe flood . and of þe lond boþe</l>

<l> Shepherdes and shipmen . and so do þise tilieris</l>

<l> Neiþ<expan>er</expan> þei konneþ ne knoweþ . oon cours bifore anoþ<expan>er</expan></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Astronomyens also . aren at hir wittes ende</l>

W.15.380KD.15.371

<l> Of þat was calculed of þe element . þe cont<expan>ra</expan>rie þei fynde</l>

<l> Grammer þe ground of al . bigileþ now children</l>

<l> For is noon of þise newe clerkes . who<seg>-</seg>so nymeþ hede<note>W.15.382: WHmCr omit the following line attested by other witnesses: <hi>Þat can versifye faire . ne formalich enditen</hi> (in the spelling of L).</note></l>

<l> Nauȝt oon among <orig>anhundred</orig><reg>an hundred</reg> . þat an Auctour kan construwe</l>

W.15.384KD.15.376

<l> Ne rede a lettre in any langage . but in latyn or in englissh</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Go now to any degree . and but if gile be maister</l>

<l> And Flaterer<expan>e</expan> his felawe . vnder hym to fourmen</l>

<l> Muche wonder me þynkeþ . amonges vs alle</l>

W.15.388KD.15.380

<l> Doctours of decrees . and of diuinite maistres</l>

<l> That sholde konne and knowe . alle kynnes clergie</l>

<l> And answere to Argumentz . and also to a <hi><foreign><hi>Quodlibet</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> I dar noȝt siggen it for shame . if swiche were apposed</l>

W.15.392KD.15.384

<l> Thei sholde faillen of hir Philosophie . and in Phisik boþe</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Wher<seg>-</seg>fore I am afered . of folk of holy kirke</l>

<l> Lest þei ou<expan>er</expan>huppen as ooþ<expan>er</expan>e doon . in office and in houres</l>

<l> And if þei ou<expan>er</expan>huppe as I hope noȝt . oure bileue suffiseþ</l>

W.15.396KD.15.388

<l> As clerkes in <hi><foreign><hi>Corpus <expan>Christi</expan></hi></foreign></hi> feeste . syngen and reden</l>

<l> That <hi><foreign><hi>sola fides sufficit .</hi></foreign></hi> to saue wiþ lewed peple</l>

<l> And so may Sarzens be saued . Scribes and Iewes</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Allas þanne but oure looresmen . lyue as þei leren vs</l>

W.15.400KD.15.392

<l> And for hir lyuynge þ<expan>a</expan>t lewed men . be þe loþer god agulten</l>

<l> For Sarzens han somwhat . semynge to oure bileue</l>

<l> For þei loue and bileue . in o p<expan>er</expan>sone almyghty</l>

<l> And we lered and lewed . in oon god almyȝty</l>

W.15.404KD.15.397

<l> And oon Makometh a man . in mysbileue brouȝte</l>

<l> Sarzens of Surree . and see in what manere</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> This Makometh was a cristene . and for he moste noȝt ben a pope</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> In<seg>-</seg>to Surrie he souȝte . and þoruȝ hise sotile wittes</l>

W.15.408KD.15.401

<l> He daunted a dowue . and day and nyȝt hire fedde</l>

<l> The corn þat she croppede . he caste it in his ere</l>

<l> And if he among þe peple p<expan>re</expan>ched . or in places come</l>

<l> Thanne wolde þe colu<expan>er</expan>e come . to þe clerkes ere</l>

W.15.412KD.15.405

<l> Menynge as after mete . þus Makometh hire enchauntede</l>

<l> And dide folk þanne falle on knees . for he swoor in his p<expan>re</expan>chyng</l>

<l> That þe coluere þat com so . com from god of heuene</l>

<l> As messager to Makometh . men for to teche</l>

W.15.416KD.15.409

<l> And þus þoruȝ wiles of his wit . and a whit Dowue</l>

<l> Makometh in mysbileue . men and wo<expan>m</expan>men brouȝte</l>

<l> That lyued þo þere and lyue ȝit . leeue<del>..</del><add>n</add><note>W.15.418: Letters have been erased between <hi>leeue</hi> and <hi>on</hi>, with <n> added to <hi>leeue</hi> and followed by a dash, probably in the scribal hand.</note> on hise lawes</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And siþþe oure Saueour suffred . þe Sarzens so bigiled</l>

W.15.420KD.15.413

<l> Thoruȝ a cristene clerk . acorsed in his soule</l>

<l> For drede of þe deeþ . I dar noȝt telle truþe</l>

<l> How englisshe clerkes a colu<expan>er</expan>e fede . þat coueitise hiȝte</l>

<l> And ben manered after Makometh . þat no man vseþ trouþe</l>

<lg>

W.15.424KD.15.417

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ancres and heremytes . and Monkes and freres</l>

<l> Peeren to þe Apostles . þoruȝ hire parfit lyuynge</l>

<l> Wolde neu<expan>er</expan>e þe feiþful fader . þ<expan>a</expan>t hise Ministres sholde</l>

<l> Of tirauntz þat teneþ trewe men . taken any almesse</l>

W.15.428KD.15.421

<l> But doon as Antony dide . dominyk and Fraunceys</l>

<l> Beneit and Bernard . þe whiche hem first tauȝte</l>

<l> To lyue by litel and in lowe houses . by lele mennes almesse</l>

<l> Grace sholde growe and be grene . þoruȝ hir goode lyuynge</l>

W.15.432KD.15.425

<l> And folkes sholden fare<note>W.15.432: W alone has <hi>fare</hi>, though Hm has <hi>faren</hi> with the last four letters written over an erasure in a different ink. Other manuscripts have <hi>fynde</hi>.</note> . þat ben in diuerse siknesse</l>

<l> The bettre for hir biddynges . in body and in soule</l>

<l> Hir preieres and hir penaunces . to pees sholde brynge</l>

<l> Alle þat ben at debaat . and bedemen were trewe</l>

W.15.436KD.15.428α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>P</hi>etite & accipietis &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> Salt saueþ þe catel . siggen þise wyues</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Vos estis sal terre &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> The heuedes of holy chirche . and þei holy were</l>

W.15.440KD.15.431

<l> Crist calleþ hem salt . for cristene soules</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Et si sal euanuerit in quo salietur &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> For fressh flessh ouþer fissh . whan it salt failleþ</l>

<l> It is vnsauory for<seg>-</seg>soþe . ysoden or ybake</l>

W.15.444KD.15.434

<l> So is mannes soule sooþly . þat seeþ no goode ensamples<note>W.15.444: W alone has plural <hi>ensamples</hi>. Other manuscripts have the singular.</note></l>

<l> Of hem of holi chirche . þat þe heighe wey sholde teche</l>

<l> And be gide and go bifore . as a good Banyer</l>

<l> And hardie hem þat bihynde ben . and ȝyue hem good euidence</l>

<lg>

W.15.448KD.15.438

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Elleuene holy men . al þe world tornede</l>

<l> In<seg>-</seg>to lele bileue . þe lightloker me þinkeþ</l>

<l> Sholde alle maner men . we han so manye maistres</l>

<l> Preestes and prechours . and a pope aboue</l>

W.15.452KD.15.442

<l> That goddes salt sholde be . to saue mannes soule</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Al was hethynesse somtyme . Engelond and Walis</l>

<l> Til Gregory garte clerkes . to go here and preche</l>

<l> Austyn at Caunterbury . cristnede þe kyng</l>

W.15.456KD.15.446

<l> And þoruȝ miracles as men mow rede . al þat marche he tornede</l>

<l> To crist and to cristendom . and cros to honoure</l>

<l> And follede folk faste . and þe feiþ tauȝte</l>

<l> Moore þoruȝ miracles . þan þoruȝ muche p<expan>re</expan>chyng</l>

W.15.460KD.15.450

<l> As wel þoruȝ hise werkes . as wiþ hise holy wordes</l>

<l> And seide hem . what fullynge and feiþ was to mene</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Clooþ þat comeþ fro þe weuyng . is noȝt comly to were</l>

<l> Til it be fulled vnder foot . or in fullyng stokkes</l>

W.15.464KD.15.454

<l> Wasshen wel wiþ water . and wiþ taseles cracched</l>

<l> Ytouked and yteynted . and vnder taillo<expan>ur</expan>s hande</l>

<l> Right<note>W.15.466: W alone reads <hi>Right</hi>. All other manuscripts have <hi>And</hi>.</note> so it fareþ by a barn . þat born is of a wombe</l>

<l> Til it be cristned in cristes name . and confermed of þe bisshop</l>

W.15.468KD.15.458

<l> It is heþene as to heueneward . and helplees to þe soule</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Heþen is to mene after heeþ . and vntiled erþe</l>

<l> As in wilde wildernesse . wexeþ wilde beestes</l>

<l> Rude and vnresonable . rennynge wiþ<seg>-</seg>outen cropiers<note>W.15.471: W alone has the spelling <hi>cropiers</hi>, "cruppers, straps" (French <foreign><hi>cropiere</hi></foreign>). R alone has the probably correct <hi>keperes</hi>, while other manuscripts have variations on <hi>creperes</hi> (GC<hi>2</hi>LYO) and <hi>cropers</hi> (HmCrCBM).</note></l>

<lg>

W.15.472KD.15.462

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ye mynnen wel how Mathew seiþ . how a man made a feste</l>

<l> He fedde hem wiþ no venyson . ne fesauntz ybake</l>

<l> But wiþ foweles þat fram hym nolde . but folwede his whistlyng</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>E</hi>cce altilia mea & omnia parata sunt</hi></foreign></hi></l>

W.15.476KD.15.465

<l> And wiþ calues flessh he fedde . þe folk þat he louede</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> The calf bitokneþ clennesse . in hem þat kepeþ lawes</l>

<l> For as þe Cow þoruȝ kynde mylk . þe calf norisseþ til an Oxe</l>

<l> So loue and leaute . lele men susteneþ</l>

W.15.480KD.15.469

<l> And maidenes and mylde men . mercy desiren</l>

<l> Right as þe cow calf . coueiteþ melk swete<note>W.15.481: W alone reads <hi>melk swete</hi>. Other manuscripts have <hi>swete mylke</hi> (in the spelling of L).</note></l>

<l> So doon riȝtfulle men . mercy and truþe</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ac who beþ þ<expan>a</expan>t excuseþ hem . þ<expan>a</expan>t ben p<expan>er</expan>sons and preestes</l>

W.15.484KD.15.487

<l> That heuedes of holy chirche ben . þat han hir wil here</l>

<l> Wiþ<seg>-</seg>outen t<expan>ra</expan>uaille þe tiþe deel . þat trewe men biswynken</l>

<l> They wol be wrooþ for I write þus . ac to witnesse I take</l>

<l> Boþe Mathew and Marc . and <foreign><hi>Memento d<expan>omi</expan>ne dauid</hi></foreign></l>

<lg>

W.15.488KD.15.491

<l> <hi>¶</hi> What pope or p<expan>re</expan>lat now . p<expan>ar</expan>fo<expan>ur</expan>neþ þat crist highte</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>I</hi>te in vniuersum mundum & predicate &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Allas þ<expan>a</expan>t men so longe . on Makometh sholde bileue</l>

<l> So manye p<expan>re</expan>lates to p<expan>re</expan>che . as þe Pope makeþ</l>

W.15.492KD.15.494

<l> Of Nazareth of Nynyue . of Neptalym and Damaske</l>

<l> That þei ne wente as crist wisseþ . siþen þei wille haue name</l>

<l> To be pastours and p<expan>re</expan>che . þe passion of <expan>Iesus</expan></l>

<l> And as hym<seg>-</seg>self seide . to lyue and to<note>W.15.495: W alone has <hi>to</hi> which is omitted by the other witnesses.</note> dye</l>

W.15.496KD.15.497α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>B</hi>onus pastor animam suam ponit &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> And seide it in saluacion . of Sarzens and oþere</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> For cristene and vncristene . crist seide to p<expan>re</expan>chours</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>I</hi>te vos in vineam meam &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

W.15.500KD.15.501

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And siþ þ<expan>a</expan>t þise Sarzens . Scribes and Iewes</l>

<l> Han a lippe of oure bileue . þe lightlier me þynkeþ</l>

<l> Thei sholde turne who<seg>-</seg>so t<expan>ra</expan>uailed . to teche hem of þe Trinite</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Querite & inuenietis &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

W.15.504KD.15.533

<l> <hi>¶</hi> It is ruþe to rede . how riȝtwise men lyuede</l>

<l> How þei defouled hir flessh . forsoke hir owene wille</l>

<l> Fer fro kyth and fro kyn . yuele ycloþed yeden</l>

<l> Baddely ybedded . no book but conscience</l>

W.15.508KD.15.537

<l> Ne no richesse but þe roode . to reioisse hem Inne</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Absit nob<expan>is</expan> gloriari nisi in cruce d<expan>omi</expan>ni n<expan>ost</expan>ri &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And þo was plentee and pees . amonges poore and riche</l>

<l> And now is rouþe to rede . how þe rede noble</l>

W.15.512KD.15.540

<l> Is reu<expan>er</expan>enced er þe Roode . and receyued for worþier<note>W.15.512: W alone omits <hi>þe</hi> before <hi>worþier</hi>.</note></l>

<l> Than cristes cros þat ou<expan>er</expan>cam . deeþ and dedly synne</l>

<l> And now is werre and wo . and who<seg>-</seg>so why askeþ</l>

<l> For coueitise after cros . þe croune stant in golde</l>

W.15.516KD.15.544

<l> Boþe riche and Religious . þat roode þei honoure</l>

<l> That in grotes is ygraue . and in gold nobles</l>

<l> For coueitise of þat cros . men of holy kirke</l>

<l> Shul torne as templers dide . þe tyme app<expan>ro</expan>cheþ faste</l>

<lg>

W.15.520KD.15.548

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Wite ye noȝt ye wise men . how þo men honoured</l>

<l> Moore tresor þan trouþe . I dar noȝt telle þe soþe</l>

<l> Reson and rightful doom . þe Religiouse demede</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Right so ye clerkes . for your<expan>e</expan> coueitise er longe</l>

W.15.524KD.15.552

<l> Shal þei demen <hi><foreign><hi>dos eccl<expan>es</expan>ie</hi></foreign></hi> . and youre pride depose</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>D</hi>eposuit potentes de sede &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> If knyghthod and kynde wit . and þe<note>W.15.526: W alone reads <hi>þe</hi>, which is omitted in other manuscripts. In many manuscripts the b-verse reads <hi>and co<expan>mun</expan>e conscience</hi> (in the spelling of L).</note> co<expan>m</expan>mune by conscience</l>

<l> Togideres loue leelly . leueþ it wel ye bisshopes</l>

W.15.528KD.15.555

<l> The lordshipe of your<expan>e</expan><note>W.15.528: W alone has <hi>youre</hi>; other manuscripts omit it.</note> londes . for euere shul ye lese</l>

<l> And lyuen as <hi><foreign><hi><hi>L</hi>euitici</hi></foreign></hi> . as oure lord<note>W.15.529: W alone omits <hi>yow</hi> after <hi>lord</hi>.</note> techeþ</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Per primicias & decimas &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Whan Costantyn of curteisie . holy kirke dowed</l>

W.15.532KD.15.558

<l> Wiþ londes and ledes . lordshipes and rentes</l>

<l> An Aungel men herden . an heigh at Rome crye</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>D</hi>os eccl<expan>es</expan>ie</hi></foreign></hi> þis day . haþ ydronke venym</l>

<l> And þo þat han Petres power . arn apoisoned alle</l>

<lg>

W.15.536KD.15.562

<l> <hi>¶</hi> A medicyne moot þer<seg>-</seg>to . þat may amende p<expan>re</expan>lates</l>

<l> That sholden preie for þe pees . possession hem letteþ</l>

<l> Takeþ hire landes ye lordes . and leteþ hem lyue by dymes</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> If possession be poison . and inparfite hem make</l>

W.15.540KD.15.566

<l> Good were to deschargen hem . for holy chirches sake</l>

<l> And purgen hem of poison . er moore p<expan>er</expan>il falle</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi><hi>¶</hi></hi> If preesthode were parfit . þe peple sholde amende</l>

<l> That cont<expan>ra</expan>rien cristes lawe . and cristendom dispise</l>

W.15.544KD.15.504

<l> For alle paynymes preieþ . and parfitly bileueþ</l>

<l> In þe holy grete god . and his grace þei asken</l>

<l> And make hir mone to Makometh . hir message to shewe</l>

W.15.548KD.15.508

<l> And þat is rouþe for riȝtful men . þ<expan>a</expan>t in þe Reawme wonyen</l>

<l> And a p<expan>er</expan>il to þe pope . and p<expan>re</expan>lates þat he makeþ</l>

<l> That bere bisshopes names . of Bethleem and Babiloigne</l>

<l> That huppe aboute in Engelond . to halwe mennes Auteres</l>

W.15.552KD.15.530

<l> And crepe amonges curatours . and confessen ageyn þe lawe</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>N</hi>olite mittere falsem in messem alienam &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi><hi>¶</hi></hi> Many man for cristes loue . was martired in Romayne</l>

<l> Er any cristendom was knowe þ<expan>er</expan>e . or any cros honoured</l>

<lg>

W.15.556KD.15.570

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Euery bisshop þat bereþ cros . by þat he is holden</l>

<l> Thoruȝ his p<expan>ro</expan>uince to passe . and to his peple to shewe hym</l>

<l> Tellen hem and techen hem . on þe Trinite to bileue</l>

<l> And feden hem wiþ goostly foode . and gyue þere it nedeþ</l>

W.15.560KD.15.576α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>I</hi>n domo mea non est panis neq<expan>ue</expan> vestimentum</hi></foreign></hi><lb/>
<hi><foreign><hi>et ideo nolite constituere me Regem</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ozias seiþ for swiche . þat sike ben and feble</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>I</hi>nferte om<expan>n</expan>es<note>W.15.562: W alone omits <hi><foreign>decimas</foreign></hi> after <hi><foreign>omnes</foreign></hi>.</note> in orreum meum vt cibus in domo mea</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ac we cristene creatures . þat on þe cros bileuen</l>

W.15.564KD.15.580

<l> Arn ferme as in þe feiþ . goddes forbode ellis</l>

<l> And han clerkes to kepen vs þ<expan>er</expan><seg>-</seg>Inne . & hem þ<expan>a</expan>t shul come after vs</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And Iewes lyuen in lele lawe . oure lord wroot it hym<seg>-</seg>selue</l>

<l> In stoon for it stedefast was . and stonde sholde euere</l>

W.15.568KD.15.584

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Dilige deum & p<expan>ro</expan>ximu<expan>m</expan></hi></foreign></hi> . is parfit Iewen lawe</l>

<l> And took it Moyses to teche men . til Messie coome</l>

<l> And on þat lawe þei lyue ȝit . and leten it þe beste</l>

<l> And ȝit knewe þei crist . þat cristendom tauȝte</l>

W.15.572KD.15.588

<l> For a p<expan>ar</expan>fit p<expan>ro</expan>phete . þat muche peple sauede</l>

<l> Of selkouþe sores . þei seiȝen it ofte</l>

<l> Boþe of miracles and m<expan>er</expan>ueilles . and how he men festede</l>

<l> Wiþ two fisshes and fyue loues . fyue þousand peple</l>

W.15.576KD.15.592

<l> And by þat mangerie men myȝte wel se . þ<expan>a</expan>t Messie he semede</l>

<l> And whan he lifte vp Lazar . þat leid was in graue</l>

<l> And vnder stoon deed and stank . wiþ stif vois hym callede</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>L</hi>azare veni foras .</hi></foreign></hi></l>

W.15.580KD.15.595

<l> Dide hym rise and rome . riȝt bifore þe Iewes</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ac þei seiden and sworen . wiþ sorcerie he wrouȝte</l>

<l> And studieden to struyen hym . and struyden hem<seg>-</seg>selue .</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> And þoruȝ his pacience hir power . to pure noȝt <add>he</add> brouȝte</l>

W.15.584KD.15.598α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>P</hi>acientes vincunt</hi></foreign> .</hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> <hi>D</hi>aniel of hire vndoynge . deuyned and seide</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>C</hi>um s<expan>an</expan>c<expan>t</expan>us s<expan>an</expan>c<expan>t</expan>or<expan>um</expan> veniat cessabit vnxio v<expan>est</expan>ra</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> And wenen þo wrecches . þ<expan>a</expan>t he were <hi><foreign><hi>pseudo p<expan>ro</expan>pheta</hi></foreign></hi></l>

W.15.588KD.15.602

<l> And þ<expan>a</expan>t his loore be lesynges . and lakken it alle</l>

<l> And hopen þ<expan>a</expan>t he be to come . þat shal hem releue</l>

<l> Moyses eft or Messie . hir maistres ȝit deuyneþ</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ac pharisees and Sarzens . Scribes and Iewes</l>

W.15.592KD.15.606

<l> Arn folk of oon feiþ . þe fader god þei honouren</l>

<l> And siþen þ<expan>a</expan>t þe Sarzens . and also þe Iewes</l>

<l> Konne þe firste clause of oure bileue . <hi><foreign><hi>Credo in deu<expan>m</expan> p<expan>at</expan>rem o<expan>mn</expan>ipotente<expan>m</expan></hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> Prelates of cristene p<expan>ro</expan>uinces . sholde preue if þei myȝte</l>

W.15.596KD.15.610

<l> To lere hem litlum and litlum . <hi><foreign><hi>et in <expan>Iesum</expan> <expan>Christum</expan> filiu<expan>m</expan></hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> Til þei kouþe speke and spelle . <hi><foreign><hi>et in Sp<expan>iritu</expan>m s<expan>an</expan>c<expan>tu</expan>m</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> And reden it and recorden it . wiþ <hi><foreign><hi>remissionem peccator<expan>um</expan></hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>C</hi>arnis resurreccionem . et vitam eternam amen</hi></foreign></hi></l>

</lg>