Bx.10 – PPEA

<lg>

<l> Thanne hadde witte a wyf · was hote<note>Bx.10.1: <hi>hote</hi>: Alpha has <hi>called</hi> (R) or <hi>klepid</hi> (F), but beta is supported by <hi>AC</hi> (K.11.1; RK.11.1).</note> dame studye</l>

<l> Þat lene was of lere · and of liche bothe</l>

<l> She was wonderly wroth · þat witte me þus tauȝte</l>

Bx.10.4KD.10.4

<l> And al starynge dame studye · sternelich seyde</l>

<l> Wel artow wyse quod she to witte · any wysdomes to telle</l>

<l> To flatereres or to folis · þat frantyk ben of wittes</l>

<l> And blamed hym and banned hym · and badde hym be stylle</l>

Bx.10.8KD.10.8

<l> With suche wise wordes · to wissen any sottes</l>

<l> And seyde <foreign>noli mittere</foreign> man · margerye perlis</l>

<l> Amanges hogges þat han · hawes at wille</l>

<l> Þei don but dryuele þer-on [·] draffe were hem leuere</l>

Bx.10.12KD.10.12

<l> Þan al þe precious perre · þat in paradys wexeth</l>

<l> I sey it bi suche quod she [·] þat sheweth bi her werkes</l>

<l> Þat hem were leuer londe · and lordship on erthe<note>Bx.10.14: <hi>on erthe</hi>: Alpha reads <hi>here</hi>, but beta is supported by <hi>Ax</hi>. The line is rewritten in <hi>Cx</hi>.</note></l>

<l> Or ricchesse or rentis · and reste at her wille<note>Bx.10.15: In this passage F omits ll. 15 and 21-2, and supplies two spurious lines after l. 25.</note></l>

Bx.10.16KD.10.16

<l> Þan alle þe sothe sawes · þat salamon seyde euere</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Wisdome and witte now [·] is nouȝt worth a carse</l>

<l> But if it be carded with coueytise · as clotheres kemben here<note>Bx.10.18: <hi>here</hi>: Omitted by alpha and CGO, perhaps to lighten a heavy b-verse. It is supported by <hi>Ax</hi> and the X family of <hi>C</hi>, though the P family also omit it.</note> wolle</l>

<l> Who-so can contreue deceytes · an<note>Bx.10.19: <hi>an</hi>: "and".</note> conspire wronges</l>

Bx.10.20KD.10.20

<l> And lede forth a loue-day · to latte with<note>Bx.10.20: <hi>to latte with</hi>: R's <hi>and letten þe</hi> may be right; <hi>Ax</hi> has <hi>to lette þe treuþe</hi>, and cf. K.3.146 <hi>& lettiþ þe treuþe</hi>. On the other hand, "to hinder truth with (the loveday)" makes excellent and slightly more difficult sense, and seems to be the basis of the revision in <hi>Cx</hi>: "And lette with a loueday treuthe and bigile" (RK.11.17).</note> treuthe</l>

<l> He þat suche craftes can · to conseille is clepid</l>

<l> Þei lede lordes with lesynges · and bilyeth treuthe</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Iob þe gentel [·] in his gestes witnesseth</l>

Bx.10.24KD.10.24

<l> Þat wikked men þei<note>Bx.10.24: <hi>þei</hi>: Omitted in HmCGOF, though Hm probably included it before erasure. The line is not in <hi>AC</hi>.</note> welden · þe welthe of þis worlde</l>

<l> And þat þei ben lordes of<note>Bx.10.25: <hi>of</hi> (1): Hm and R (= alpha?) have <hi>in</hi>; F rewrites. The line is not in <hi>AC</hi>.</note> eche a londe · þat oute of lawe libbeth</l>

<l> <foreign>Quare impij viuunt bene est omnibus qui preuaricantur & inique agunt</foreign></l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Þe sauter seyth þe same · bi suche þat don ille</l>

Bx.10.28KD.10.26α

<l> <foreign>Ecce ipsi peccatores habundantes in seculo optinuerunt diuicias<note>Bx.10.28: <hi><foreign>diuicias</foreign></hi>: Omitted in alpha. <hi>C</hi> mss. end with <hi>peccatores</hi> or <hi>habundantes</hi>.</note></foreign></l>

<l> Lo seith holy letterrure [·] whiche lordes beth þis shrewes</l>

<l> Þilke þat god moste<note>Bx.10.30: <hi>god moste</hi>: So LG and alpha. M has <hi>moost good god</hi>; O has <hi>god most good</hi> which is the reading of <hi>Cx</hi>. See next note.</note> gyueth<note>Bx.10.30: <hi>gyueth</hi>: Alpha and C have <hi>greueth</hi>, which loses the sharp contrast with the b-verse. There seems to have been some confusion in <hi>Bx</hi> since, in revising the line for <hi>Cx</hi>, the poet had a text with both verbs, and recast to <hi>Tho þat god most goed ȝeueth greueth most riht and treuthe</hi> (RK.11.25). Schmidt restores <hi>B</hi> by including both verbs, but the resultant a-verse seems impossibly heavy; see Schmidt (2008), 386-7. It may be that <hi>Bx</hi> wrote <hi>greueth</hi>, corrected to <hi>gyueth</hi> (in the margin?), with alpha following one and beta the other.</note> · leste good þei deleth</l>

<l> And moste vnkynde to þe comune · þat moste catel weldeth</l>

Bx.10.32KD.10.29α

<l> <foreign>Que perfecisti destruxerunt · iustus autem &c ·</foreign></l>

<l> Harlotes for her harlotrye · may haue of her godis</l>

<l> And iaperes and iogeloures · and iangelers of gestes</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Ac he þat hath holy writte · ay in his mouth</l>

Bx.10.36KD.10.33

<l> And can telle of Tobye · and of þe twelue apostles</l>

<l> Or prechen of þe penaunce · þat pilat wrouȝt</l>

<l> To Ihesu þe gentil · þat Iewes to-drowe</l>

<l> Litel is he loued · þat suche a lessoun scheweth</l>

Bx.10.40KD.10.38

<l> Or daunted or drawe forth · I do it on god hym-self</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ But þo þat feynen hem folis · and with faityng libbeth</l>

<l> Aȝein þe lawe of owre lorde · and lyen on hem-selue</l>

<l> Spitten and spewen · and speke foule wordes</l>

Bx.10.44KD.10.42

<l> Drynken and dryuelen · and do men for to gape</l>

<l> Lickne men and lye on hem · þat leneth hem no ȝiftes</l>

<l> Þei conne namore mynstralcye · ne musyke men to glade</l>

<l> Than Munde þe mylnere · of <foreign>multa fecit deus</foreign></l>

Bx.10.48KD.10.46

<l> Ne were here vyle harlotrye · haue god my treuthe</l>

<l> Shulde neuere Kyng ne kniȝt · ne chanoun of seynt Poules</l>

<l> Ȝyue hem to her ȝeresȝiue · þe [worth]<note>Bx.10.50: <hi>worth</hi>: Alpha is closer to the <hi>Ax</hi> reading <hi>value</hi> (whence perhaps GO), and the alliteration aaa/xx is satisfactory. Beta's <hi>ȝifte</hi> is prompted by alliterative attraction to <hi>ȝeresȝiue</hi>; for the collocation see <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.3.101</ref> and <ref>13.195</ref>. The line is not in <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> of a grote</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Ac murthe and mynstralcye · amonges men is nouthe</l>

Bx.10.52KD.10.50

<l> Leccherye [and]<note>Bx.10.52: <hi>and</hi> (1): Supported by <hi>Ax</hi>, but lost in L and (coincidentally?) in CrW.</note> losengerye · and loseles tales</l>

<l> Glotonye and grete othes · þis murthe<note>Bx.10.53: <hi>murthe</hi>: Secure for <hi>Bx</hi>. Both M and F alter for the alliteration. <hi>Ax</hi> has a different b-verse.</note> þei louieth</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶<note>Bx.10.54: <hi>¶</hi>: The paraph is in beta and F.</note> Ac if þei carpen of cryst · þis clerkis and þis lewed</l>

<l> Atte mete in her murthes<note>Bx.10.55: <hi>murthes</hi>: The plural is secure for <hi>Bx</hi>, though beta2 shares the sg. with <hi>Ax</hi>.</note> · whan mynstralles ben stille</l>

Bx.10.56KD.10.54

<l> Þanne telleth þei of þe trinite · a tale other tweyne</l>

<l> And bringen forth a balled resoun · and taken Bernard to witnesse</l>

<l> And putten forth a presumpsioun · to preue þe sothe</l>

<l> Þus þei dryuele at her deyse [·] þe deite to knowe</l>

Bx.10.60KD.10.58

<l> And gnawen god with þe gorge · whan her gutte is fulle<note>Bx.10.60: <hi>gutte is fulle</hi>: So LR, and probably M before correction. <hi>AC</hi> read <hi>guttis fullen</hi>, "are full", as do WHm.</note></l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Ac þe careful may crye · and carpen atte ȝate</l>

<l> Bothe afyngred and a-thurst<note>Bx.10.62: <hi>a-thurst</hi>: CrW alter to <hi>a-furst</hi> for the alliteration; it is the dominant form in <hi>C</hi> mss., while <hi>A</hi> has a different a-verse. The collocation with <hi>afyngred</hi> is repeated at <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.14.174</ref>, where most mss. have <hi>A-fyrst</hi>.</note> · and for chele quake</l>

<l> Is none to nymen hym nere<note>Bx.10.63: <hi>nere</hi>: Presumably the meaningless <hi>Bx</hi> reading is a corruption of <hi>Ax</hi> <hi>in ne</hi>, which the M corrector adopts by conjecture or contamination as <hi>In nor</hi>. This and the next line are rewritten in <hi>C</hi>.</note> · his noye amende<note>Bx.10.63: <hi>amende</hi>: It is likely that F and beta supply <hi>to</hi> before <hi>amende</hi> in the b-verse to make some sense of the line, and that R's omission (as in <hi>Ax</hi>) represents <hi>Bx</hi>.</note></l>

Bx.10.64KD.10.62

<l> But heon<note>Bx.10.64: <hi>heon</hi>: "shout out" (<title>MED</title> <hi>heuen</hi> v.(3)); the reading of L, beta4 and alpha. The commonplace variant <hi>hunten</hi> in Beta2 (CrWHm), with M corrected to that reading, is less appropriate.</note> on hym as an hounde · and hoten hym go þennes</l>

<l> Litel loueth he þat lorde · þat lent hym al þat blisse</l>

<l> Þat þus parteth with þe pore · a parcel whan hym nedeth</l>

<l> Ne were mercy in mene men · more þan in riche</l>

Bx.10.68KD.10.66

<l> Mendinantz meteles · miȝte go to bedde</l>

<l> God is moche in þe gorge<note>Bx.10.69: <hi>gorge</hi>: Alpha has the pl., but beta's sg. is supported by <hi>AC</hi> (K.11.44; RK.11.39)</note> · of þise grete maystres</l>

<l> Ac amonges mene men · his mercy and his werkis</l>

<l> And so seith þe sauter · I haue yseye<note>Bx.10.71: <hi>yseye</hi>: For the same b-verse see <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.11.455</ref>.</note> it ofte</l>

Bx.10.72KD.10.69α

<l> <foreign>Ecce audiuimus eam<note>Bx.10.72: <hi><foreign>eam</foreign></hi> (1 & 2): So <hi>AC</hi> against alpha's <hi>eum</hi>. At <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.15.511</ref> (R only), R again has <hi>eum</hi>. See Alford (1992), 64, and Schmidt (1995), 443.</note> in effrata · inuenimus eam in campis silue</foreign></l>

<l> Clerkes and other kynnes men<note>Bx.10.73: <hi>other kynnes men</hi>: So beta, with alpha dropping <hi>kynnes</hi>. <hi>Ax</hi> has <hi>kete men</hi>, while <hi>Cx</hi> has <hi>knyhtes</hi>. Perhaps alpha reproduces <hi>Bx</hi> which has avoided the rare adjective <hi>kete</hi>, with beta then supplying the alliteration.</note> · carpen of god faste</l>

<l> And haue [hym]<note>Bx.10.74: <hi>hym</hi>: Not in LHm. Easily lost, of course, and four <hi>A</hi> mss. omit it, as does the X family of <hi>C</hi>.</note> moche in þe mouthe · ac mene men in herte</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Freres and faitoures · han founde suche questiouns</l>

Bx.10.76KD.10.73

<l> To plese with proude men · sithen þe <app><rdg>pestilence tyme</rdg><rdg>pestilence</rdg></app><note>Bx.10.76: <hi>pestilence tyme / pestilence</hi>: Alpha omits <hi>tyme</hi>. Beta is supported by <hi>Ax</hi>; however <hi>Cx</hi> reads <hi>pestelences</hi>. Cf. l. <ref>81</ref> below.</note></l>

<l> And prechen at seint poules · for pure enuye of clerkis</l>

<l> Þat folke is nouȝte fermed in þe feith · ne fre of her goodes</l>

<l> Ne sori for her synnes · so is pryde<note>Bx.10.79: <hi>is pryde</hi>: Beta's word-order is supported by <hi>Cx</hi>. Lines 77-110 are not in <hi>A</hi>.</note> waxen</l>

Bx.10.80KD.10.77

<l> In religioun and in alle þe rewme · amonges riche & pore</l>

<l> Þat preyeres haue no power · þ[is] pestilence[s]<note>Bx.10.81: <hi>þis pestilences</hi>: Beta has <hi>þe pestilence</hi>, presumably understanding the noun as sg., although the form can also represent the plural (see <title>MED</title> <hi>pestilence</hi>). Alpha and <hi>Cx</hi> have the demonstrative article followed by an unambiguous plural. Cf. l. <ref>76</ref> and note.</note> to lette</l>

<l> <note>Bx.10.82-3: These two lines are in <hi>Cx</hi>. KD, p. 66, suggest that beta dropped them through eyeskip (<hi>Þat</hi> ... <hi>Þat</hi>); censorship is another possible explanation.</note> [For god is def now-a-days . and deyneth not vs to here<note>Bx.10.82: <hi>not vs to here</hi>: The readings diverge in the b-verse. Most unusually, F is supported by <hi>Cx</hi>, and so we adopt its reading. It must be observed, however, that R offers the less commonplace reading. In F <hi>deinen</hi> has the sense "condescend"; in R it means "disdain". See <title>MED</title> <hi>deinen</hi> v.(1) & (2) for these two related verbs, and cf. note to <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.6.315</ref>. The most authoritative <hi>C</hi> mss. read <hi>deyneth nat vs to here</hi> (i.e. <hi>deinen</hi> (1)) but as many omit <hi>nat</hi> (i.e. <hi>deinen</hi> (2)), allowing for the possibility that <hi>Bx</hi> was also without <hi>not</hi>.</note></l>

<l> Þat gerles<note>Bx.10.83: <hi>gerles</hi>: R only. F's <hi>gystys</hi> is probably a misreading. <hi>Cx</hi> has <hi>gode men</hi> instead.</note> for here gyltes . he for-grynt<note>Bx.10.83: <hi>for-grynt</hi>: "grinds to pieces". The compound is not recorded in <title>MED</title>; <hi>Cx</hi> has <hi>togrynt</hi>.</note> hem alle]</l>

Bx.10.84KD.10.81

<l> And ȝette þe wrecches of þis worlde · is none ywar bi other</l>

<l> Ne for drede of þe deth · withdrawe nouȝt her pryde</l>

<l> Ne beth plentyuous to þe pore · as pure charite wolde</l>

<l> But in gaynesse and in<note>Bx.10.87: <hi>in</hi> (2): LCrWHmR; others omit. <hi>C</hi> mss. divide similarly.</note> glotonye · for-glotten her goode hem-selue</l>

Bx.10.88KD.10.85

<l> And breken nouȝte to þe beggar · as þe boke techeth</l>

<l> <foreign>Frange esurienti panem tuum &c ·</foreign></l>

<l> And þe more he wynneth and welt · welthes & ricchesse<note>Bx.10.90: <hi>ricchesse</hi>: The form may be sg. or plural. For other examples see notes to <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.3.23</ref>, <ref>19.73</ref>. </note></l>

<l> And<note>Bx.10.91: <hi>And</hi>: Beta is supported by <hi>Cx</hi> against alpha's <hi>Euere as he</hi>.</note> lordeth in londes · þe lasse good he deleth</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.10.92KD.10.88

<l> ¶ Thobye te[ch]eth<note>Bx.10.92: <hi>techeth</hi>: Alpha is supported by <hi>Cx</hi> against beta's <hi>telleth</hi>.</note> ȝow nouȝt so · take hede ȝe riche</l>

<l> How þe boke bible<note>Bx.10.93: <hi>boke bible</hi>: For the expression, altered by CrHm, beta4 and F, see <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.7.166</ref> and note.</note> · of hym bereth witnesse</l>

<l> <foreign>Si tibi sit copia habundanter tribue · si autem exiguum illud impertir[e] [libenter stude]<note>Bx.10.94: <hi><foreign>impertire libenter stude</foreign></hi>: Alpha's form of the infinitive verb is supported by most <hi>C</hi> mss., and the order of the last two words is that of <hi>Cx</hi>. Alford (1992), 64, quotes the last three words in the verse from Tob.4.9 in the form <hi>impertiri stude libenter</hi>, as in beta.</note></foreign></l>

<l> Who-so hath moche spene manliche · so meneth Thobie</l>

Bx.10.96KD.10.91

<l> And who-so litel weldeth · reule him þer-after</l>

<l> For we haue no lettre of owre lyf · how longe it shal dure</l>

<l> Suche lessounes lordes shulde ·<note>Bx.10.98: LWCR punctuate after <hi>shulde</hi>; MHmO after <hi>lordes</hi>. F rewrites. Lines 95-110 are not in <hi>AC</hi>, and ll. <ref>111-45</ref> are not in <hi>C</hi>.</note> louie to here</l>

<l> And how he myȝte moste meyne [·] manliche fynde</l>

Bx.10.100KD.10.95

<l> <note>Bx.10.100: Beta has a paraph, but it interrupts the argument.</note>Nouȝt to fare as a fitheler or a frere ·<note>Bx.10.100: LMWOF punctuate the line before <hi>forto</hi>, with <hi>forto</hi> supplying the long dip in the b-verse. CrHmGR have <hi>to</hi> instead. </note> forto seke festes</l>

<l> Homelich at other mennes house[s]<note>Bx.10.101: <hi>houses</hi>: LF have <hi>house</hi>, probably in error, though possibly derived from the OE unchanged plural; see <title>MED</title>. Elsewhere both scribes use the marked plural.</note> · and hatyen her owne</l>

<l> Elyng is þe halle [·] vche daye in þe wyke</l>

<l> Þere þe lorde ne þe lady [·] liketh nouȝte to sytte</l>

Bx.10.104KD.10.99

<l> Now hath vche riche a reule · to eten bi hym-selue</l>

<l> In a pryue pa[r]loure · for pore mennes sake</l>

<l> Or in a chambre with a chymneye · and leue þe chief halle</l>

<l> Þat was made for meles · men to eten Inne</l>

Bx.10.108KD.10.103

<l> And al to spare to spille · þat spende shal an other</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ I haue yherde hiegh men [·] etyng atte table</l>

<l> Carpen as þei clerkes were · of cryste and of his miȝtes</l>

<l> And leyden fautes vppon þe fader · þat fourmed vs alle</l>

Bx.10.112KD.10.107

<l> And carpen aȝeine clerkes · crabbed wordes</l>

<l> Whi wolde owre saueoure suffre [·] suche a worme in his blisse</l>

<l> Þat bigyled þe womman · and þe man after</l>

<l> Þorw whiche wyles and wordes · þei went[en]<note>Bx.10.115: <hi>wenten</hi>: Only LCr have <hi>went</hi>; WHmG have <hi>wente</hi>, the others <hi>wenten</hi>. The second syllable avoids a b-verse stressed x / x / x. See Introduction <xref>V.3.5</xref>.</note> to helle</l>

Bx.10.116KD.10.111

<l> And al her sede for here synne · þe same deth suffred</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Here lyeth ȝowre lore · þise lordes gynneth dispute</l>

<l> Of þat ȝe<note>Bx.10.118: <hi>ȝe</hi>: So LMOR against <hi>þe</hi> in CrWHmCGF, which misses the switch back to reported speech.</note> clerkes vs kenneth · of cryst by þe gospel</l>

<l> <foreign>Filius non portabit iniquitatem patris &c ·</foreign></l>

Bx.10.120KD.10.115

<l> Whi shulde we þat now ben · for þe werkes of Adam</l>

<l> Roten and to-rende<note>Bx.10.121: <hi>to-rende</hi>: LW (<hi>to-rent</hi> Hm); the most probable origin of the variants <hi>rende</hi> MCGOF, <hi>to reade</hi> Cr, and <hi>to-reue</hi> R.</note> · resoun wolde it neuere</l>

<l> <foreign>Vnusquisque portabit onus suum<note>Bx.10.122: <hi><foreign>portabit onus suum</foreign></hi>: Alpha has the order <hi>honus suum portabit</hi> cited by Alford (1992), 64, from Gal.6.5.</note> &c</foreign></l>

<l> Suche motyues þei moeue · þis maistres in her glorie</l>

Bx.10.124KD.10.118

<l> And maken men in mysbileue · þat muse moche on her wordes</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Ymaginatyf her-after-ward · shal answere to ȝowre purpos</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Augustyne<note>Bx.10.126: <hi>Augustyne</hi>: The form of the name in <hi>Bx</hi> is not determinable. As at l. <ref>485</ref>, LM (so beta?) have the full form, but alpha has the more usual <hi>Austyn</hi>. <hi>Ax</hi> has a quite different line with the short form. Cf. note to l. <ref>485</ref> below.</note> to suche argueres · he telleth hem<note>Bx.10.126: <hi>he ... hem</hi>: The two words are omitted by WCGO. Cr omits <hi>hem</hi>.</note> þis teme</l>

<l> <foreign>Non plus sapere quam oportet</foreign></l>

Bx.10.128KD.10.122

<l> Wilneth neuere to wite · whi þat god wolde</l>

<l> Suffre sathan [·] his sede to bigyle</l>

<l> Ac bileue lelly · in þe lore of holicherche</l>

<l> And preye hym of pardoun · and penaunce in þi lyue</l>

Bx.10.132KD.10.126

<l> And for his moche mercye · to amende ȝow here</l>

<l> <note>Bx.10.133: Hm and alpha have a paraph.</note>For alle þat wilneth to wyte · þe weyes<note>Bx.10.133: <hi>weyes</hi>: The reading of LCrWHm and alpha, as well as the <hi>Ax</hi> reading. M, joined by GO and a 16th-century <hi>A</hi> ms., have the reading <hi>whyes</hi> (cf. <hi>whi</hi> in 135). The adoption of the latter reading by K (see K, pp. 163-4), KD and Schmidt is a classic case of modern sensibilities overcoming the logic of attestation. Contrast <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.12.238</ref>, where the noun <hi>whyes</hi> is secure, despite variants.</note> of god almiȝty</l>

<l> I wolde his eye were in his ers · and his fynger after</l>

<l> Þat euere wilneth to wite · whi þat god wolde</l>

Bx.10.136KD.10.130

<l> Suffre sathan · his sede to bigile</l>

<l> Or iudas þe iuwe<note>Bx.10.137: <hi>þe iuwe</hi>: Alpha supported by <hi>Ax</hi> against beta's <hi>to þe iuwes</hi>.</note> · ihesu bytraye</l>

<l> Al was as [he] wolde<note>Bx.10.138: <hi>he wolde</hi>: Alpha supported by <hi>Ax</hi> against L's <hi>þow wolde</hi>, which the other beta scribes correct to <hi>þow woldest</hi>.</note> · lorde yworschiped be þow</l>

<l> And al worth as þow wolte · what-so we dispute</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.10.140KD.10.134

<l> ¶ And þo þat vseth þis hauelounes · to blende<note>Bx.10.140: <hi>blende</hi>: "mislead". Cr, beta4 and F have the related verb <hi>blinde</hi>.</note> mennes wittes</l>

<l> What is dowel fro dobet · now def mote he worthe</l>

<l> Sitthe he wilneth to wyte · whiche þei ben [alle]<note>Bx.10.142: <hi>alle</hi>: Referring to the triad including <hi>dobest</hi> as in l. <ref>145</ref> below. Alpha is supported by <hi>Ax</hi> against beta's <hi>bothe</hi>, which does, however, logically follow from the previous line.</note></l>

<l> But if he lyue in þe lyf · þat longeth to dowel</l>

Bx.10.144KD.10.138

<l> For I dar ben his bolde<note>Bx.10.144: <hi>bolde</hi>: Dropped by alpha, but supported by <hi>Ax</hi>.</note> borgh · þat dobet wil he neuere</l>

<l> Þeigh dobest drawe on hym [·] day after other</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ And whan þat witte was ywar [·] what<note>Bx.10.146: <hi>what</hi>: Beta's reading has support from <hi>Cx</hi>, <hi>what studie menede</hi> (RK.11.81). Alpha's reading, <hi>how dame studie tolde</hi>, loses the b-verse alliteration which in <hi>Ax</hi> <hi>how his wif tolde</hi> (K.11.93) is carried by the noun.</note> dame studye tolde</l>

<l> He bicome so confus · he couth nouȝte loke</l>

Bx.10.148KD.10.142

<l> And as doumbe a[s] deth · and drowe hym arrere</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ And for no carpyng I couth after · ne knelyng to þe grounde</l>

<l> I myȝte gete no greyne · of his grete wittis</l>

<l> But al laughyng he louted · and loked vppon studye</l>

Bx.10.152KD.10.146

<l> In signe þat I shulde · biseche hir of grace</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ And whan I was war of his wille · to his wyf gan I loute</l>

<l> And seyde mercy madame [·] ȝowre man shal I worthe</l>

<l> As longe as I lyue · bothe late & rathe</l>

Bx.10.156KD.10.150

<l> <app><rdg>Forto</rdg><rdg>And forto</rdg></app><note>Bx.10.156: <hi>Forto / And forto</hi>: Beta's reading is that of <hi>Ax</hi> (K.11.102) while alpha's <hi>And forto</hi> is that of <hi>Cx</hi> (RK.11.88)</note> worche ȝowre wille · þe while my lyf dureth</l>

<l> With þat ȝe kenne me kyndely · to knowe what is dowel</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ For þi mekenesse man quod she · and for þi mylde speche</l>

<l> I shal kenne þe to my cosyn · þat clergye is hoten</l>

Bx.10.160KD.10.154

<l> He hath wedded a wyf · with-Inne þis syx monethes</l>

<l> Is sybbe to þe seuene artz · scripture is hir name</l>

<l> Þei two as I hope · after my techyng</l>

<l> Shullen wissen þe to dowel · I dar [wel]<note>Bx.10.163: <hi>wel</hi>: R's reading, which carries the alliteration, is that of <hi>Ax</hi>. That F agrees with beta in reading <hi>it</hi> probably indicates independent substitution, since the R scribe rarely corrects for alliteration. The line is not in <hi>C</hi>.</note> vndertake</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.10.164KD.10.158

<l> ¶ Þanne was I also fayne · as foule of faire morwe</l>

<l> And gladder þan þe gleman · þat golde hath to ȝifte</l>

<l> And axed hir þe heighe weye · where þat clergye dwelte</l>

<l> And telle me some token quod I · for tyme is þat I wende</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.10.168KD.10.162

<l> ¶ Axe þe heighe waye quod she · hennes to suffre</l>

<l> Bothe wel & wo · ȝif þat þow wolt lerne</l>

<l> And ryde forth by ricchesse · ac rest þow nauȝt þerinne</l>

<l> For if þow couplest þe þer-with · to clergye<note>Bx.10.171: <hi>clergye</hi>: R's odd <hi>cherche</hi> probably represents alpha, with F varying further. Beta is supported by <hi>AC</hi>.</note> comestow neuere</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.10.172KD.10.166

<l> ¶ And also þe likerouse launde · þat leccherye hatte<note>Bx.10.172: <hi>hatte</hi>: Beta's reading is confirmed by <hi>Ax</hi> against <hi>is hote</hi> in alpha.</note></l>

<l> Leue hym<note>Bx.10.173: <hi>hym</hi>: So LMHmR and <hi>Ax</hi>; unsurprisingly altered to <hi>it</hi> in other <hi>B</hi> mss.</note> on þi left halue · a large myle or more</l>

<l> Tyl þow come to a courte · kepe wel þi tonge</l>

<l> Fro lesynges and lither speche · and likerouse drynkes</l>

Bx.10.176KD.10.170

<l> Þanne shaltow se sobrete · and symplete of speche<note>Bx.10.176: <hi>speche</hi>: Beta is supported by <hi>Ax</hi> against alpha's <hi>berynge</hi>. </note></l>

<l> Þat eche wiȝte be in wille · his witte þe to shewe</l>

<l> And þus shaltow come to clergye · þat can many þinges</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶<note>Bx.10.179: <hi>¶</hi>: The paraph is in beta only. In R the line is at the foot of the page.</note> Saye hym þis signe · I sette hym to scole</l>

Bx.10.180KD.10.174

<l> And þat I grette<note>Bx.10.180: <hi>grette</hi>: The unambiguously past tense form is supported for <hi>Bx</hi> by LMOR. <hi>Ax</hi> has <hi>grete</hi> as does the P family of <hi>C</hi>, but the X family has <hi>grette</hi>.</note> wel his wyf · for I wrote hir many bokes</l>

<l> And sette hir to sapience · and to þe sauter glose<note>Bx.10.181: <hi>glose</hi>: Hm (as well as BmBoCot) has the ppl. <hi>glosyd</hi>; this cannot be archetypal, even though <hi>AC</hi> both have <hi>sauter yglosid</hi>. Cf. <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.5.284</ref>.</note></l>

<l> Logyke I lerned hir · and many other lawes</l>

<l> And alle þe musouns in mu[si]ke · I made hir to knowe</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.10.184KD.10.178

<l> ¶ Plato þe poete · I put hym fyrste to boke</l>

<l> Arestotle and <app><rdg>other moo</rdg><rdg>other</rdg></app><note>Bx.10.185: <hi>other moo / other</hi>: Beta has the former, alpha the latter. Beta's reading is that of <hi>Ax</hi>, while alpha's is that of <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> · to argue I tauȝte</l>

<l> Grammer for gerles · I garte first wryte<note>Bx.10.186: <hi>wryte</hi>: M and Beta2(CrWHm) add <hi>to</hi>, as do a few mss. in all three versions.</note></l>

<l> And bette hem with a baleis · but if þei wolde lerne</l>

Bx.10.188KD.10.182

<l> Of alkinnes craftes · I contreued toles</l>

<l> Of carpentrie of<note>Bx.10.189: <hi>carpentrie of</hi>: The <hi>Bx</hi> reading is also that of <hi>Cx</hi>. GF have the reading of <hi>Ax</hi>, <hi>carpenteris &</hi>.</note> kerueres [·] and compassed masouns</l>

<l> And lerned hem leuel and lyne · þough I loke dymme</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶<note>Bx.10.191: <hi>¶</hi>: The paraph is in beta and F.</note> Ac theologie hath tened me · ten score tymes</l>

Bx.10.192KD.10.186

<l> The more I muse þereInne · þe mistier it semeth</l>

<l> And þe depper I deuyne · þe derker me it þinketh</l>

<l> It is no science for-sothe · forto sotyle<note>Bx.10.194: <hi>sotyle</hi>: Beta's reading is that of <hi>Ax</hi>, while the b-verse is rewritten in <hi>Cx</hi>. Alpha's reading <hi>sauȝtele</hi> (<title>MED</title> <hi>saughtelen</hi>) means "become reconciled, settle".</note> Inne</l>

<l> A ful lethy þinge it were · ȝif þat loue nere</l>

Bx.10.196KD.10.190

<l> Ac for it let best by loue · I loue it þe bettre</l>

<l> For þere þat loue is leder · ne lacked neuere grace</l>

<l> Loke<note>Bx.10.198: <hi>Loke</hi>: R's <hi>Love</hi> probably reflects an alpha error which F rewrites for sense.</note> þow loue lelly · ȝif þe lyketh<note>Bx.10.198: <hi>þe lyketh</hi>: Alpha's <hi>þow thenke</hi> is an easy error, but (coincidentally?) it is shared with <hi>Ax</hi> (K.11.144), which itself is deficient in alliteration. The line is revised in <hi>Cx</hi> as <hi>Lerne for to louie yf þe like dowel</hi> (RK.11.132). </note> dowel</l>

<l> For dobet and dobest · ben of loues kynne</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.10.200KD.10.194

<l> ¶ In other science it seyth · I saye it in catoun</l>

<l> <foreign>Qui similat<note>Bx.10.201: <hi><foreign>similat</foreign></hi>: The spelling of L and alpha is found also in mss. of <hi>A</hi>. Lines 200-31 are not in <hi>C</hi>.</note> verbis vel<note>Bx.10.201: <hi><foreign>vel</foreign></hi>: Alford (1992), 64, quotes the line from Cato with <hi>nec</hi>, the reading of M (corrected from <hi>vel</hi>) CrHmCGO and most <hi>A</hi> mss., but LWR and original M establish <hi>Bx</hi> (at the expense of Cato's meaning).</note> corde est fidus amicus</foreign></l>

<l> <foreign>Tu quoque fac simile · sic ars deluditur arte</foreign></l>

<l> Who-so gloseth as gylours don · go me to þe same</l>

Bx.10.204KD.10.198

<l> And so shaltow false folke [·] and faythlees bigyle</l>

<l> Þis is catounes kennyng · to clerkes þat he lereth</l>

<l> Ac theologye techeth nouȝt so · who-so taketh [gome]<note>Bx.10.206: <hi>gome</hi>: "notice". R's rare word is a synonym of beta's <hi>ȝeme</hi> and F's <hi>heede</hi> (<title>MED</title> <hi>gome</hi> n.(4)). Cf. <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.17.13</ref>, where R again has <hi>gome</hi>, supported in that case by <hi>C</hi>.</note></l>

<l> He kenneth vs þe contrarye [·] aȝein catones wordes</l>

Bx.10.208KD.10.202

<l> For he bit vs be as bretheren · and bidde for owre enemys</l>

<l> And louen hem þat lyen on vs · and lene hem whan hem nedeth</l>

<l> And do good aȝeines yuel · god hym-self it hoteth</l>

<l> <foreign>Dum tempus [est]<note>Bx.10.211: <hi><foreign>est</foreign></hi>: The alpha reading is supported by the majority of <hi>A</hi> mss. where the same quotation is given at a later point (K.11.245a). Alford (1992), 64 cites the Vulgate as <hi>habemus</hi>, to which beta corrects.</note> operemur bonum ad omnes maxime autem ad domesticos fidei</foreign></l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.10.212KD.10.205

<l> ¶ Poule preched þe peple [·] þat parfitnesse loued</l>

<l> To do good for goddes loue · and gyuen men þat asked<note>Bx.10.213: <hi>asked</hi>: Beta has the past tense, (though HmGO have the present); alpha has the present. The past is perhaps slightly less obvious, but it may have been prompted by the verbs of the previous line, just as the present might have been suggested by the next line. There is nothing in <hi>AC</hi> to correspond until l. <ref>220</ref>. We follow copy-text.</note></l>

<l> And nameliche to suche · þat sueth<note>Bx.10.214: <hi>sueth</hi>: "conform to"; cf. <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.17.113</ref>, <hi>as suwen owre werkis</hi>. G and alpha less appropriately have <hi>scheweth</hi>.</note> owre bileue</l>

<l> And alle þat lakketh vs<note>Bx.10.215: <hi>vs</hi> (1): Beta must have had <hi>vs</hi> twice in the a-verse, though beta2 (CrWHm) dropped the second. Alpha has the second but not the first.</note> or lyeth vs · owre lorde techeth vs to louye</l>

Bx.10.216KD.10.209

<l> And nouȝt to greuen hem þat greueth vs · god hym-self for-badde it</l>

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

<l> For-þi loke þow louye · as longe as þow durest</l>

<l> For is no science vnder sonne · so souereyne for þe soule</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.10.220KD.10.212

<l> [¶]<note>Bx.10.220: <hi>¶</hi>: The paraph is in WC and alpha. In L, which lacks the usual line-space, the scribe's paraph marker is unrubricated. Cf. ll. <ref>260</ref>, <ref>265</ref>.</note> Ac astronomye is harde<note>Bx.10.220: <hi>harde</hi>: Alpha's reading without an article is supported by <hi>Ax</hi> against beta.</note> þynge · and yuel forto knowe</l>

<l> Geometrie and geomesye [·] is<note>Bx.10.221: <hi>is</hi>: Supported by <hi>Ax</hi> against beta2 (CrWHm) <hi>so</hi>.</note> ginful of speche</l>

<l> Who-so thenketh werche with þo two · thryueth ful late</l>

<l> For sorcerye is þe souereyne boke · þat to þ[o] science<note>Bx.10.223: <hi>þo science</hi>: This is the R reading, in substance that of F also. The noun is an unmarked plural (see l. <ref>227</ref> below, and variants at <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.13.132</ref> and <ref>15.49</ref>). It may also be the reading of beta; note that Hm alters it by adding <hi>-s</hi>, while other beta scribes, apart from W, probably take it as sg. and so misread the plural determiner as <hi>þe</hi>. <hi>Ax</hi> also has the demonstrative pronoun, but the noun is sg., <hi>þat science</hi>. The plural is more appropriate in context.</note> longeth</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.10.224KD.10.216

<l> ¶ Ȝet ar þere fybicches in forceres · of fele mennes makyng</l>

<l> Experimentz of alkamye<note>Bx.10.225: <hi>alkamye</hi>: We keep the form of copy-text, even though the form in <hi>Bx</hi> and <hi>Ax</hi> presumably had the extra syllable, as M's <hi>Alkenamye</hi>. See <title>MED</title> <hi>alkamie</hi>.</note> · þe poeple to deceyue</l>

<l> If þow þinke to dowel · dele þer-with neuere</l>

<l> Alle þise science<note>Bx.10.227: <hi>science</hi>: Plural; see note to l. <ref>223</ref>.</note> I my-self · sotiled and ordeyned</l>

Bx.10.228KD.10.221

<l> And founded<note>Bx.10.228: <hi>founded</hi>: Beta is supported by <hi>Ax</hi> against alpha's <hi>(by-)fond</hi>.</note> hem formest · folke to deceyue</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Telle clergye þise tokenes · and [to]<note>Bx.10.229: <hi>to</hi>: Alpha's rather awkward preposition is necessary to the alliteration, and was dropped by beta. There is no <hi>Ax</hi> parallel.</note> scripture after</l>

<l> To conseille þe kyndely · to knowe what is<note>Bx.10.230: <hi>to knowe what is</hi>: Beta's wording of the b-verse is supported by the exact parallel of <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.10.157</ref>. Cf. also <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.15.2</ref>.</note> dowel</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ I seide graunt mercy madame · and mekeliche hir grette</l>

Bx.10.232KD.10.225

<l> And went wiȝtlich [my] wey<note>Bx.10.232: <hi>my wey</hi>: Beta has <hi>awey</hi>, but alpha (R only, since F misses the line) is supported by <hi>Ax</hi> <hi>And wente wiȝtly my wey</hi>, as well as <hi>Cx</hi> <hi>Tho wente y my way</hi> (RK.12.134). With <hi>miȝteliche</hi> for <hi>wiȝtliche</hi>, R creates alliteration on /m/, but without support from <hi>AC</hi>.</note> · with-oute more lettynge</l>

<l> And til I come to clergye · I couthe neuere stynte</l>

<l> [I]<note>Bx.10.234: <hi>I</hi>: Only R breaks the series of initial <hi>And</hi>, but it is supported by <hi>Ax</hi> and the X family of <hi>C</hi>; the P family reads <hi>And ich</hi>. </note> gret þe good man · as [þe good wif]<note>Bx.10.234: <hi>þe good wif</hi>: Again R is the only witness to the reading of <hi>Bx</hi>, supported both by alliteration and by <hi>Ax</hi> (<hi>Cx</hi> has a different b-verse). Probably F revised to avoid the repetition of both <hi>good</hi> and <hi>wif</hi>, and beta perhaps picked up <hi>studye</hi> from a gloss.</note> me tauȝte</l>

<l> And afterwardes þe wyf · and worshiped hem bothe</l>

Bx.10.236KD.10.229

<l> And tolde hem þe tokenes · þat me tauȝte were</l>

<l> Was neuere gome vppon þis grounde · sith god made þe worlde</l>

<l> Fairer vnder-fongen · ne frendeloker at ese</l>

<l> Þan my-self sothly · sone so he wist</l>

Bx.10.240KD.10.233

<l> Þat I was of wittis hous · and with his wyf dame studye</l>

<l> I seyde to hem<note>Bx.10.241: <hi>hem</hi>: M and beta4 have <hi>hym</hi>, but cf. l. <ref>236</ref>. The line is not in <hi>AC</hi>. Lines 241-313 have no parallel in <hi>A</hi>, and <hi>C</hi> is heavily revised.</note> sothely · þat sent was I þider</l>

<l> Dowel and dobet · and dobest to lerne</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ It is a comune lyf quod clergye · on holycherche to bileue</l>

Bx.10.244KD.10.239

<l> With alle þe artikles of þe feithe · þat falleth to be knowe</l>

<l> And þat is to bileue lelly · bothe lered and lewed</l>

<l> On þe grete god · þat gynnyng had neuere</l>

<l> And on þe sothfaste sone · þat saued mankynde</l>

Bx.10.248KD.10.243

<l> Fro þe dedly deth · and þe deueles power</l>

<l> Þorwgh þe helpe of þe holy goste · þe whiche goste is of bothe</l>

<l> Three [propre]<note>Bx.10.250: <hi>propre</hi>: Yet again R is the only witness to the reading of <hi>Bx</hi>. All other mss. have dropped the alliterating adjective; F fills out the short a-verse in the usual manner. There is no parallel in <hi>AC</hi>.</note> persones · ac nouȝt in plurel noumbre</l>

<l> For al is but on god · and eche is god hym-selue</l>

Bx.10.252KD.10.246α

<l> <foreign>Deus pater deus filius · deus spiritus sanctus</foreign></l>

<l> God þe fader god þe sone · god holigoste of bothe</l>

<l> Maker of mankynde · and of bestes bothe</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Austyn þe olde · here-of he<note>Bx.10.255: <hi>he</hi>: L is supported by alpha against omission in other beta mss. The passage is revised in <hi>C</hi>; the line without <hi>he</hi> appears at RK.11.146, but the b-verse, this time with <hi>he</hi>, is repeated at RK.11.152. See Adams (2000), 183.</note> made bokes</l>

Bx.10.256KD.10.250

<l> And hym-self ordeyned · to sadde vs in bileue</l>

<l> Who was his autour · alle þe foure euangelistes</l>

<l> And cryst clepid hym-self so · þe ewangelistes<note>Bx.10.258: <hi>ewangelistes</hi>: R's <hi>euaungeliez</hi> is pl. of <title>MED</title> <hi>evangelie</hi>, "gospel". F has the sg. There is no <hi>AC</hi> parallel.</note> bereth witnesse</l>

<l> <foreign>Ego in patre & pater in me<note>Bx.10.259: <hi><foreign>me</foreign></hi> (1): So alpha, and also the P family of <hi>C</hi>. Beta and the X family correct this very familiar quotation from John 14.9-10 to <hi>me est</hi>. The line is dropped by beta2 (CrHmW).</note> & qui [me vidit<note>Bx.10.259: <hi><foreign>vidit</foreign></hi> (1 & 2): R's less classical spelling is actually that of the pre-Clementine Vulgate text edited by Wordsworth and White (1911), as well as most <hi>C</hi> mss.</note> · patrem meum vidit]<note>Bx.10.259: <hi><foreign>patrem meum vidit</foreign></hi>: Alpha's word-order is also that of <hi>Cx</hi>.</note></foreign></l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.10.260KD.10.253

<l> [¶]<note>Bx.10.260: <hi>¶</hi>: The paraph is in WC and alpha. In L, which lacks the usual line-space, the scribe's paraph marker is unrubricated. Cf. ll. <ref>220</ref>, <ref>265</ref>.</note> Alle þe clerkes vnder cryst · ne couthe þis assoille</l>

<l> But þus it bilongeth<note>Bx.10.261: <hi>bilongeth</hi>: Beta is supported by <hi>Cx</hi> against <hi>longeth</hi> in GO and alpha.</note> to bileue · to lewed þat willen dowel</l>

<l> For had neuere freke fyne wytte · þe feyth to dispute</l>

<l> Ne man had no merite<note>Bx.10.263: <hi>merite</hi>: Beta is supported by <hi>Cx</hi> and by the Latin quotation in the following line. Alpha has <hi>mercy</hi>.</note> · myȝte it ben yproued</l>

Bx.10.264KD.10.256α

<l> <foreign>Fides non habet meritum vbi humana racio prebet experimentum<note>Bx.10.264: <hi><foreign>prebet experimentum</foreign></hi>: R omits the last two words from Gregory's Homily. <hi>C</hi> mss. break off at different points. After this line <hi>B</hi> is without parallel in <hi>AC</hi> until <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.10.314</ref>.</note></foreign></l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> [¶]<note>Bx.10.265: <hi>¶</hi>: L has an unrubricated paraph marker, MW have a line-space but no paraph. HmC and alpha have paraphs. Cf. ll. <ref>220</ref>, <ref>260</ref>.</note> Þanne is dobet to suffre · for þi soules helth</l>

<l> Al þat þe boke bit · by holycherche techyng</l>

<l> And þat is man bi þi miȝte · for mercies sake</l>

Bx.10.268KD.10.260

<l> Loke þow worche it in werke · þat þi<note>Bx.10.268: <hi>þi</hi>: So beta; R's <hi>þis</hi> points to the ensuing quotation. F has <hi>þe</hi>.</note> worde sheweth</l>

<l> Suche as þow semest in syȝte · be in assay yfounde</l>

<l> <foreign>Appare quod es vel<note>Bx.10.270: <hi><foreign>vel</foreign></hi>: Alford (1992), 65, quotes this commonplace with the alpha reading <hi>aut</hi>.</note> esto quod appares</foreign></l>

<l> And lat no-body be · bi þi beryng bygyled<note>Bx.10.271: <hi>bygyled</hi>: Hm and alpha have <hi>be bygiled</hi>.</note></l>

Bx.10.272KD.10.263

<l> But be suche in þi soule · as þow semest with-oute</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Þanne is dobest to be bolde · to blame þe gylty</l>

<l> Sithenes þow seest þi-self · as in soule clene</l>

<l> Ac blame þow neuere body · and þow be blame-worthy</l>

Bx.10.276KD.10.266α

<l> <foreign>Si culpare velis · culpabilis esse cauebis</foreign></l>

<l> <foreign>Dogma tuum sordet · cum te tua culpa remordet</foreign></l>

<l> God in þe gospel · grymly<note>Bx.10.278: <hi>grymly</hi>: Beta2 and F share the reading <hi>greuously</hi>.</note> repreueth</l>

<l> Alle þat lakken any lyf · and lakkes han hem-selue</l>

Bx.10.280KD.10.268α

<l> <foreign>Quid consideras festucam in oculo fratris tui trabem in oculo tuo &c</foreign><note>Bx.10.280: Beta breaks off the quotation (Luke 6.41) which alpha completes. The wording is something between Matt. 7.3 and Luke 6.41.</note></l>

<l> Why meuestow þi mode for a mote · in þi brotheres eye</l>

<l> Sithen a beem in þine owne · ablyndeth þi-selue</l>

<l> <foreign>Eice primo trabem de oculo tuo &c</foreign></l>

Bx.10.284KD.10.271

<l> Whiche letteth þe to loke · lasse other more</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ I rede eche a blynde bosarde · do bote to hym-selue</l>

<l> For abbotes and for prioures · and for alle manere prelates</l>

<l> As parsones and parissh prestes · þat preche shulde and teche</l>

Bx.10.288KD.10.274

<l> Alle manere<note>Bx.10.288: <hi>manere</hi>: So LCrWGR. The M corrector adds <hi>of</hi> to come into line with HmCOF. Cf. ll. <ref>286</ref> and <ref>299</ref>.</note> men · to amenden by here myȝte</l>

<l> This tixte was tolde ȝow · to ben war ar ȝe tauȝte</l>

<l> Þat ȝe were suche as ȝe seyde · to salue with othere</l>

<l> For goddis worde wolde nouȝt be boste<note>Bx.10.291: <hi>boste</hi>: Though nonsensical, LR share the reading, indicating a corruption in <hi>Bx</hi>. The L scribe subsequently made the obvious correction to <hi>loste</hi>, thereby bringing his text into agreement with all other mss. See Introduction <xref>V.3.6</xref>.</note> · for þat worcheth euere</l>

Bx.10.292KD.10.278

<l> If it auailled nouȝt þe comune · it myȝte auaille ȝow-seluen</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Ac it semeth now<note>Bx.10.293: <hi>now</hi>: Probably R represents alpha's <hi>no</hi>, which F unreflectingly expanded to <hi>not</hi>. That M originally wrote <hi>not</hi> is presumably coincidental.</note> sothly · to þe worldes syght</l>

<l> Þat goddes worde<note>Bx.10.294: <hi>worde</hi>: R has the plural; F omits.</note> worcheth nauȝte · on lered ne on lewede</l>

<l> But in suche a manere as Marke ·<note>Bx.10.295: Beta (or possibly <hi>Bx</hi>) misplaced the punctuation to follow <hi>manere</hi>, as in LWC. In OR punctuation correctly precedes <hi>meneth</hi>, while MF have it twice.</note> meneth in þe gospel</l>

Bx.10.296KD.10.281α

<l> <foreign>Dum cecus ducit cecum ambo in foueam cadunt</foreign></l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Lewed men may likne ȝow þus · þat þe beem lithe in ȝowre eyghen</l>

<l> And þe festu is fallen · for ȝowre defaute</l>

<l> In alle manere men · þourgh mansed prestes</l>

Bx.10.300KD.10.285

<l> Þe bible bereth witnesse [·] þat alle þe folke of israel</l>

<l> Byttere abouȝte þe gultes · of two badde prestes</l>

<l> Offyn and Fynes · for her coueytise</l>

<l> <foreign>Archa dei</foreign> myshapped · and ely brake his nekke</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.10.304KD.10.289

<l> ¶ For-þi ȝe corectoures claweth her-on · and corecteth fyrst ȝow-seluen</l>

<l> And þanne mowe ȝe [man]ly<note>Bx.10.305: <hi>manly</hi>: Beta's <hi>saufly</hi> alliterates rather unconvincingly on /s/, and F improves on this with <hi>soþly</hi> in the a-verse and <hi>seiþ in</hi> (for <hi>made</hi>) in the b-verse. Both avoid R's difficult adverb, which Kane (2005) glosses "boldly, w. confidence". <title>MED</title> <hi>manli</hi> adv.(1), gives no instance of this sense, though "strongly" is close. Possibly <title>MED</title> <hi>mainli</hi>, which seems to have been used as a loose intensifier, is relevant.</note> seye · as dauid made þe sauter</l>

<l> <foreign>Existimasti inique quod ero tui similis · arguam te & statuam contra faciem tuam ·</foreign></l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ And þanne shal borel clerkes ben abasched · to blame ȝow or to greue<note>Bx.10.307: <hi>or to greue</hi>: Alpha has lost the last three words of the line.</note></l>

Bx.10.308KD.10.293

<l> And carpen nouȝte as þei carpen now · and calle ȝow doumbe houndes</l>

<l> <foreign>Canes non valentes latrare</foreign></l>

<l> And drede to wratthe ȝow in any worde · ȝowre werkemanship to lette</l>

<l> And be prestiore at ȝowre prayere · þan for a pounde of nobles</l>

Bx.10.312KD.10.296

<l> And al for ȝowre holynesse · haue ȝe þis in herte</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <note>Bx.10.313-25: These thirteen lines are in alpha only. Lines 314-21 are in <hi>Ax</hi> (K.11.204-10); ll. 314-15, 317-24, revised in places, are moved to a different context in <hi>Cx</hi> (RK.5.146-55). Eyeskip from the paraph recorded by R at l. 313 to that at l. 326 is the most likely explanation. See Burrow (2010): 25-6. KD, p. 66, point to homeoteleuton (<hi>al...-nesse...herte, al...-nesse...lerne</hi>). We have altered R's spelling to that of L.</note> [¶ Amonges riȝtful religiouse · þis reule shulde be holde</l>

<l> Gregorie<note>Bx.10.314: <hi>Gregorie</hi>: F begins <hi>Seynt Gregory</hi>, but R is supported by <hi>AC</hi>.</note> þe grete clerke · and þe good pope</l>

<l> Of religioun þe reule · [he]<note>Bx.10.315: <hi>he</hi>: F is supported by <hi>Ax</hi> against omission in R.</note> reherceth in his morales<note>Bx.10.315: <hi>morales</hi>: <hi>Moralia</hi>. R is supported by <hi>Ax</hi> against F's <hi>bookis</hi>, though <hi>Cx</hi> also refers to them as <hi>bokes</hi> (RK.5.146).</note></l>

Bx.10.316KD.10.300

<l> And seyth it<note>Bx.10.316: <hi>it</hi>: R is supported by <hi>Ax</hi>.</note> in ensaumple · [þat]<note>Bx.10.316: <hi>þat</hi>: F receives some support from <hi>Ax</hi>, <hi>þat þei shulde do þe betere</hi>. R has <hi>for</hi>.</note> þei shulde do þere-after</l>

<l> Whanne fisshes failen þe flode · or<note>Bx.10.317: <hi>or</hi>: R is supported by <hi>Ax</hi>; <hi>Cx</hi> revises.</note> þe fressh water</l>

<l> þei deyen for drouthe · whanne þei drie ligge</l>

<l> Riȝt so quod Gregori · religioun rolleth<note>Bx.10.319: <hi>rolleth</hi>: This seems to be alpha's reading, replaced in F by the partly synonymous <hi>trollyþ</hi>, "wander" (cf. <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.18.305</ref>). It is, however, an error for <hi>roileth</hi>, "totter, flop" (so Kane (2005)) in either <hi>Bx</hi> or alpha, and the line is suspiciously short. This and the following line in alpha expand one line in the other versions. <hi>Ax</hi> has: <hi>Riȝt so be religioun it roileþ</hi> (one ms. <hi>rolleþ</hi>) <hi>and steruiþ</hi>; <hi>Cx</hi> has <hi>Ryht so religioun roteth and sterueth</hi> (RK.5.150).</note></l>

Bx.10.320KD.10.303.1

<l> Sterueth and stynketh · and steleth lordes almesses</l>

<l> þat oute of couent and cloystre · coueyten to libbe</l>

<l> For if heuene be on þis<note>Bx.10.322: <hi>on þis</hi>: R is supported by <hi>Cx</hi> against F's <hi>in</hi>.</note> erthe · and ese to any<note>Bx.10.322: <hi>ese to any</hi>: <hi>C</hi> mss. have <hi>eny ese to þe</hi> (or <hi>for</hi>) (RK.5.152).</note> soule</l>

<l> It is in cloistre or in scole · be many<note>Bx.10.323: <hi>many</hi>: R is supported by <hi>Cx</hi>. F alters to <hi>fele</hi> to increase alliteration.</note> skilles I fynde</l>

Bx.10.324KD.10.307

<l> For in cloistre cometh [no]<note>Bx.10.324: <hi>no</hi>: R's obvious omission is confirmed by <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> man · to chide ne to fiȝte<note>Bx.10.324: <hi>chide ne to fiȝte</hi>: R's b-verse word-order is supported by <hi>Cx</hi>.</note></l>

<l> But alle is buxomnesse þere<note>Bx.10.325: <hi>þere</hi>: F omits. The line is not in <hi>AC</hi>.</note> and bokes · to rede and to lerne]</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ In scole þere is [skile · and] scorne but if [he]<note>Bx.10.326: <hi>skile and scorne but if he</hi>: R evidently represents alpha, mangled by F. If right, the reading involves a play on <hi>skilles</hi> three lines above in l. 323. Beta, on this argument, having lost <hi>skile and</hi>, added <hi>a clerke</hi> in place of <hi>he</hi>. The alliteration is weaker, though KD p. 132 n. 9 cite l. 323 as evidence that /sk/ can alliterate with /k/. <hi>Cx</hi> revises this and the next line to <hi>In scole is loue and louhnesse and lykyng to lerne</hi> (RK.5.155).</note> lerne</l>

<l> And grete loue and lykynge · for eche of hem loueth other</l>

Bx.10.328KD.10.311

<l> Ac now is religioun a ryder · a rowmer<note>Bx.10.328: <hi>rowmer</hi>: F's <hi>rennere</hi> is the <hi>A</hi> reading.</note> bi stretes</l>

<l> A leder of louedayes · and a londe-bugger</l>

<l> A priker on a palfray · fro manere to maner<note>Bx.10.330: <hi>manere to maner</hi>: Cf. <hi>Ax</hi> <hi>toune to toune</hi> (K.11.213), <hi>Cx</hi> <hi>places to maneres</hi> (RK.5.159).</note></l>

<l> An heep of houndes at his ers · as he a lorde were</l>

Bx.10.332KD.10.315

<l> And but if his knaue knele · þat shal his cuppe brynge</l>

<l> He loureth on hym and axeth<note>Bx.10.333: <hi>axeth</hi>: Both F and Hm supply alliteration; the line is not in <hi>Ax</hi> and rewritten in <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> hym · who tauȝte hym curteisye</l>

<l> Litel had lordes to donn · to ȝyue londe fram her heires</l>

<l> To Religious þat haue no reuthe · þough it reyne on here auteres</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.10.336KD.10.319

<l> ¶ In many places þer hij persones ben · be hem-self at ese</l>

<l> Of þe pore haue þei no pite · and þat is her [pure]<note>Bx.10.337: <hi>pure</hi>: Beta omits, but alpha is supported by <hi>Cx</hi> and the b-verse alliteration.</note> charite</l>

<l> Ac þei leten hem as lordes · her londe lith so brode</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Ac þere shal come a kyng · and confesse ȝow religiouses</l>

Bx.10.340KD.10.323

<l> And bete ȝow as þe bible telleth · for brekynge of ȝowre reule</l>

<l> And amende monyales · monkes and chanouns</l>

<l> And putten hem to her penaunce · <foreign>ad pristinum statum ire</foreign></l>

<l> And Barounes with Erles beten hem · þorugh <foreign>beatus virres</foreign> techynge</l>

Bx.10.344KD.10.327

<l> Þat here barnes claymen · and blame ȝow foule</l>

<l> <foreign>Hij in curribus [et]<note>Bx.10.345: <hi><foreign>et</foreign></hi>: Omitted by LM, so perhaps supplied by other beta scribes on the basis of the Psalm.</note> hij in equis ipsi obligati sunt &c</foreign></l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ And þanne Freres in here freitoure [·] shal fynden a keye</l>

<l> Of costantynes coffres · in which is þe catel</l>

Bx.10.348KD.10.330

<l> Þat Gregories god-children · han yuel dispended</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ And þanne shal þe abbot of Abyndoun · and alle [his]<note>Bx.10.349: <hi>his</hi>: Dropped in L.</note> issu for euere</l>

<l> Haue a knokke of a kynge · and incurable þe wounde</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ That þis worth soth seke ȝe · þat oft ouer-se þe bible</l>

Bx.10.352KD.10.333α

<l> <foreign>Quomodo cessauit exactor · quieuit tributum · contriuit dominus baculum impiorum et virgam dominancium cedencium plaga insanabili &c</foreign></l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Ac ar þat kynge come · cayme shal awake</l>

<l> Ac<note>Bx.10.354: <hi>Ac</hi>: The common <hi>Ac/And/But</hi> variation, with LMHmR attesting to <hi>Ac</hi>. Lines 354-401 are not in <hi>C</hi>.</note> dowel shal dyngen hym adoune · and destruyen his myȝte</l>

<l> Þanne is dowel and dobet quod I · <foreign>dominus</foreign> and kniȝthode</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.10.356KD.10.337

<l> ¶ I nel nouȝt scorne quod scripture · but if scryueynes lye</l>

<l> Kynghod ne knyȝthod · by nauȝt I can awayte</l>

<l> Helpeth nouȝt to heueneward · one heres ende</l>

<l> Ne ricchesse riȝt nouȝt · ne reaute of lordes</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.10.360KD.10.341

<l> ¶ Poule preueth it inpossible · riche men haue heuene</l>

<l> Salamon seith also · þat syluer is worst to louye</l>

<l> <foreign>Nichil iniquius quam amare peccuniam</foreign></l>

<l> And caton kenneth vs to coueiten it ·<note>Bx.10.363: In MCF the punctuation follows <hi>nauȝt</hi>. </note> nauȝt but as nede techeth<note>Bx.10.363: <hi>as nede techeth</hi>: LMCrWHm represent beta, with CO reading <hi>as it nedes</hi> and G corrupting further to <hi>vs nedithe</hi>. Beta's phrase receives some support from <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.20.9</ref>. KD reject R (= alpha?) <hi>at pure nede</hi> on the grounds that it is "more emphatic" (p. 144). The line is not in <hi>AC</hi>.</note></l>

Bx.10.364KD.10.343α

<l> <foreign>Dilige denarium set parce dilige formam</foreign></l>

<l> And patriarkes and prophetes · and poetes bothe</l>

<l> Wryten to wissen vs · to wilne no ricchesse</l>

<l> And preyseden pouerte with pacience · þe apostles bereth witnesse</l>

Bx.10.368KD.10.347

<l> Þat þei han heritage in heuene · and bi trewe riȝte</l>

<l> Þere riche men no riȝte may clayme · but of reuthe and grace</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ <foreign>Contra</foreign> quod I bi cryste · þat can I repreue</l>

<l> And preue it bi Peter · and bi poule bothe</l>

Bx.10.372KD.10.351

<l> Þat is baptized beth sauf · be he<note>Bx.10.372: <hi>he</hi>: MGOF have the plural following the plural <hi>ben</hi> for <hi>is</hi> in their a-verse.</note> riche or pore</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Þat is <foreign>in extremis</foreign> quod scripture · amonges saracenes and iewes</l>

<l> Þei mowen be saued so · and þat is owre byleue</l>

<l> Þat an vncristene in þat cas · may crysten an hethen</l>

Bx.10.376KD.10.355

<l> And for his lele byleue · whan he þe lyf tyneth</l>

<l> Haue þe heritage of heuene · as any man crystene</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Ac crysten men with-oute more · may nouȝt come to heuene</l>

<l> For þat cryst for cristen men deyde ·<note>Bx.10.379: The position of the line-break causes uncertainty, so that L has a punctus after <hi>men</hi> and a punctus elevatus after <hi>deyde</hi>. WHm have the former punctuation, MCrCO and alpha the latter, which we follow.</note> and confermed þe lawe</l>

Bx.10.380KD.10.359

<l> Þat who-so wolde and wylneth · with cryste to aryse</l>

<l> <foreign>Si cum cristo surrexistis &c ·</foreign></l>

<l> He shulde louye & lene · and þe lawe fulfille</l>

<l> Þat is loue þi lorde god<note>Bx.10.383: <hi>þi lorde god</hi>: For a precise parallel see <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.5.583</ref>. Since F omits the line, R's word-order may represent alpha. Lines 378-89 have no parallel in <hi>AC</hi>.</note> · leuest aboue alle<note>Bx.10.383: <hi>alle</hi>: Cr and beta4 have <hi>al thyng</hi>.</note></l>

Bx.10.384KD.10.362

<l> And after alle crystene creatures · in comune eche man other</l>

<l> And þus bilongeth to louye · þat leueth to be saued</l>

<l> I[t]<note>Bx.10.387: <hi>It</hi>: A corrector has noted the omission of <t> in L.</note> shal bisitten vs ful soure · þe siluer þat we kepen</l>

Bx.10.388KD.10.366

<l> And owre bakkes<note>Bx.10.388: <hi>bakkes</hi>: "clothes", as observed by the L scribe who writes above it <hi>id est panni</hi>. M has a different gloss: <hi>id est vestes</hi>.</note> þat moth<note>Bx.10.388: <hi>moth</hi>: Alpha has <hi>mote</hi> which F makes sense of with great imagination.</note>-eten be · and sen beggers go naked</l>

<l> Or delyte in wyn and wylde foule · and wote any in defaute</l>

<l> For euery cristene creature [·] shulde be kynde til other</l>

<l> And sithen hethen to helpe · in hope of amendement</l>

Bx.10.392KD.10.370

<l> God hoteth bothe heigh and lowe [·] þat no man hurte other</l>

<l> And seith slee nouȝt þat semblable is · to myne owen liknesse</l>

<l> But if I sende þe sum tokne · and seith <foreign>non [m]ecaberis<note>Bx.10.394: <hi><foreign>mecaberis</foreign></hi>: WHmCG and alpha, supported by <hi>Ax</hi> (K.11.254). L and G have been altered to <hi>necaberis</hi> (and CrO more grammatically to <hi>necabis</hi>); M is altered to <hi>occides</hi>. See Luke 18.20: "non occides, non moechaberis", i.e. "Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not commit adultery". Langland has confused <hi>moechari</hi> with <hi>necare</hi>, "to slay". See Skeat (1886), 2.160; Alford (1992), 68-9.</note></foreign></l>

<l> Is<note>Bx.10.395: <hi>Is</hi>: CO have <hi>I</hi>, and M is altered to that reading.</note> slee nouȝt but suffre · and al for þe beste</l>

Bx.10.396KD.10.374

<l> [For <foreign>Michi vindictam & ego retribuam</foreign>]<note>Bx.10.396: The quotation from Rom. 12.19 is omitted in beta but supported by <hi>Ax</hi> (K.11.255).</note></l>

<l> For I shal punysshen<note>Bx.10.397: <hi>punysshen</hi>: Alpha's omission of <hi>hem</hi> is supported by <hi>Ax</hi>.</note> in purgatorie · or in þe putte of helle</l>

<l> Vche man for his mysdedes · but mercy it lette</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Þis is a longe lessoun quod I · and litel am I þe wyser</l>

Bx.10.400KD.10.378

<l> Where dowel is or dobet · derkelich ȝe shewen</l>

<l> Many tales ȝe tellen · þat theologye lerneth</l>

<l> And þat I man made was · and my name yentred</l>

<l> In þe legende of lyf · longe er I were</l>

Bx.10.404KD.10.382

<l> Or elles vnwriten<note>Bx.10.404: <hi>vnwriten</hi>: "not recorded", as in <hi>AC</hi> (K.11.263; RK.11.207). MGOF have <hi>writen</hi>.</note> for somme wikkednesse [·] as holywrit wytnesseth<note>Bx.10.404: <hi>wytnesseth</hi>: So beta; alpha has <hi>telleth</hi>, probably picked up from l. <ref>410</ref> below. <hi>Ax</hi> has <hi>as witnessiþ þe gospel</hi>; <hi>Cx</hi> has <hi>as holy writ shewith</hi> (RK.11.207). For the same b-verse as in beta, see <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.11.416</ref>; for that as in alpha, see <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.1.130</ref>, <ref>3.342</ref>, etc.</note></l>

<l> <foreign>Nemo ascendit ad celum nisi qui de celo decendit</foreign></l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ [And]<note>Bx.10.406: <hi>And</hi>: R only, since F substitutes <hi>For</hi> and beta omits. <hi>Ax</hi> and the X group of <hi>C</hi> support <hi>And</hi>, but the P group omits it.</note> I leue it wel<note>Bx.10.406: <hi>wel</hi>: Beta adds <hi>quod I</hi> (in CGO it follows <hi>lord</hi>), but there is no support from <hi>AC</hi>.</note> bi owre lorde [·] and on no letterure bettere</l>

<l> For salamon þe sage · þat sapience tauȝte</l>

Bx.10.408KD.10.385

<l> God gaf hym grace of witte · and alle his<note>Bx.10.408: <hi>his</hi>: Alpha omits, perhaps rightly. The b-verse is rewritten from <hi>Ax</hi>. In <hi>Cx</hi> it is instead <hi>and of goed aftur</hi> (cf. F's <hi>& of alle goodis after</hi>).</note> godes after</l>

<l> [To reule þe reume · and riche to make]<note>Bx.10.409: Beta omits the line. In <hi>Ax</hi> the line reads <hi>For to reule his reaum riȝt at his wille</hi> (K11267); <hi>Cx</hi> has <hi>To reule alle reumes and ryche to make</hi> (RK.11.212). F may therefore be right with <hi>his rewme</hi>, or it may be contamination from the <hi>A</hi> tradition.</note></l>

<l> He demed wel & wysely [·] as holy writte telleth</l>

<l> Aristotle & he · who wissed men bettere</l>

Bx.10.412KD.10.389

<l> Maistres þat of goddis mercy · techen men and prechen</l>

<l> Of here wordes þei wissen vs · for wisest in<note>Bx.10.413: <hi>in</hi>: Beta reads <hi>as in</hi>, possibly rightly, but <hi>Cx</hi>, with a different a-verse, has <hi>and wisest in here tyme</hi>. This use of <hi>as in</hi> is not well exemplified in the poem; perhaps the closest is <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.15.609</ref>: <hi>ferme as in þe faith</hi>.</note> here tyme</l>

<l> And al holicherche · holdeth hem bothe ydampned</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ And if I shulde worke bi here werkes [·] to wynne me heuene</l>

Bx.10.416KD.10.393

<l> Þat for her werkes and witte<note>Bx.10.416: <hi>witte</hi>: Alpha reads <hi> here witt</hi>, supported by a majority of <hi>A</hi> mss.; beta is however supported by <hi>Cx</hi>. We follow copy-text.</note> · now wonyeth in pyne</l>

<l> Þanne wrouȝte I vnwysely · what-so-euere ȝe preche</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Ac of fele witty in feith · litel ferly I haue</l>

<l> Þough her goste be vngraciouse · god for to plese</l>

Bx.10.420KD.10.397

<l> For many men on þis molde · more sette here hert[e]<note>Bx.10.420: <hi>Cx</hi> supports beta's <hi>men</hi> in the a-verse and alpha's <hi>herte</hi> in the b-verse, which may be regarded as generic sg. or as an unchanged pl. of part of the body. Cf. <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.7.68</ref>. Even so, alpha's unmarked form needs to be seen in the context of its sg. <hi>man</hi> in the a-verse. Lines 418-43 are not in <hi>A</hi>.</note></l>

<l> In good þan in god · for-þi hem grace failleth</l>

<l> At here moste myschief · whan þei shal lyf lete</l>

<l> As salamon dede and such other<note>Bx.10.423: <hi>dede and such other</hi>: Alpha reads <hi>and other dede</hi>, losing the alliteration. There is no parallel in <hi>AC</hi>.</note> · þat shewed gret wittes</l>

Bx.10.424KD.10.402

<l> Ac her werkes as holy wrytte seyth · was euere þe contrarye</l>

<l> For-þi wyse witted men · and wel ylettred clerkes</l>

<l> As þei seyen hem-self · selden done þer-after</l>

<l> <foreign>Super cathedra<note>Bx.10.427: <hi><foreign>cathedra</foreign></hi>: <hi>C</hi> mss. split between abl. <hi>cathedra</hi> (in the X family) and acc. <hi>cathedram</hi> (in the P family). The Vulgate has the latter (Matt. 23.3), although the former is more "correct" (with abl. denoting rest).</note> moysy &c ·</foreign></l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.10.428KD.10.405

<l> ¶ Ac I wene it worth of many · as was in Noes tyme</l>

<l> Þo he shope þat shippe · of shides and<note>Bx.10.429: <hi>and</hi>: This is probably the beta reading, with CrW and alpha reading <hi>and of</hi>. <hi>C</hi> mss. also split, with the X family having the beta reading, while the P family has that of alpha. We follow copy-text.</note> bordes</l>

<l> Was neuere wriȝte saued þat wrouȝt þer-on · ne oþer werkman elles</l>

<l> But briddes and bestes · and þe blissed Noe</l>

Bx.10.432KD.10.409

<l> And his wyf with his sones · and also here wyues</l>

<l> Of wriȝtes<note>Bx.10.433: <hi>wriȝtes</hi>: The line is lost (presumably by eyeskip from l. <ref>430</ref>) by beta4 and added in M. Beta2 has <hi>wightes</hi>.</note> þat it wrouȝte [·] was none of hem ysaued</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ God lene<note>Bx.10.434: <hi>lene</hi>: As usual, this is indistinguishable in L and other mss. from the easier <hi>leue</hi>, as recorded in CrF. G alters to <hi>leve</hi>. Cf. <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.5.265</ref>.</note> it fare nouȝt so bi folke · þat þe feith techen</l>

<l> Of holicherche þat he[r]berwe is · and goddes hous to saue</l>

Bx.10.436KD.10.413

<l> And shelden vs fram shame þer-inne · as noes shippe did bestes</l>

<l> And men þat maden it · amydde þe flode adreynten</l>

<l> <note>Bx.10.438: Alpha has a paraph.</note>Þe culorum of þis clause · curatoures is<note>Bx.10.438: <hi>curatoures is</hi>: The b-verse as in beta is the reading of <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> to mene</l>

<l> Þat ben carpenteres holykirke<note>Bx.10.439: <hi>kirke</hi>: R's non-alliterating form <hi>cherche</hi> may represent alpha, as at <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.5.106</ref>, <ref>271</ref>, etc., inspiring F to rewrite. See Introduction <xref>IV.1</xref>.</note> to make · for crystes owne bestes</l>

Bx.10.440KD.10.416α

<l> <foreign>Homines & iumenta saluabis domine · &c ·</foreign></l>

<l> <note>Bx.10.441-3: These three lines are preserved in alpha only. The first is in <hi>Cx</hi>, and ll. <ref>442-3</ref> are revised as RK.11.250, with a new line added. We have revised R's spellings to those of L.</note> [At domes-day þe deluuye worth · of deth and fyre<note>Bx.10.441: <hi>fyre</hi>: R's line is supported by <hi>Cx</hi> against F's revisions. R has <hi>feer</hi> as a spelling for "fire" at <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.3.99</ref>.</note> at ones</l>

<l> For-þi I conseille ȝow clerkes · of holy cherche<note>Bx.10.442: <hi>cherche</hi>: It may seem obvious that, as at l. <ref>439</ref>, <hi>Bx</hi> had <hi>kirke</hi> for the alliteration. However, <hi>Cx</hi> has <hi>churche</hi> in a line alliterating on /w/, suggesting that Langland revised the line to improve the alliteration of <hi>Bx</hi>.</note> þe wriȝtes</l>

<l> Worcheth ȝe as<note>Bx.10.443: <hi>as</hi>: R's line is verbose and clumsy throughout, here reading <hi>werkes as</hi>. We take <hi>werkes</hi> to be an addition to strengthen alliteration and follow F, while recognising the slightness of the evidence. In <hi>Cx</hi> the line reads: <hi>Worcheth ȝe wrihtus of holy churche as holy writ techeth</hi> (RK.11.250).</note> ȝe se writen · lest ȝe worth nauȝt þerinne<note>Bx.10.443: <hi>worth nought þerinne</hi>: F's <hi>worth ydrenkled</hi>, "are drowned", is more emphatic. Cf. F's reading at l. <ref>437</ref>, suggesting that <hi>Bx</hi> might have read <hi>worth adreynte</hi> or similar. Again it is impossible to be confident of either reading.</note>]</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.10.444KD.10.420

<l> ¶ On<note>Bx.10.444: <hi>On</hi>: Alpha begins <hi>For a</hi> (R) or <hi>for on</hi> (F), but beta is supported by <hi>AC</hi>.</note> gode fridaye I fynde · a feloun was ysaued</l>

<l> Þat had lyued al his lyf [·] with lesynges and with thefte</l>

<l> And for he biknewe on þe crosse · and to cryste s[h]rof hym</l>

<l> He was sonnere saued · þan seynt Iohan [þe]<note>Bx.10.447: <hi>þe</hi>: Lost in LHm, but supported by <hi>AC</hi>.</note> Baptiste</l>

Bx.10.448KD.10.424

<l> And or<note>Bx.10.448: <hi>or</hi> (1): "before". See spelling variants.</note> Adam or ysaye · or eny of þe prophetes</l>

<l> Þat hadde yleine with Lucyfer · many longe ȝeres</l>

<l> A robbere was yraunceouned · rather þan þei alle</l>

<l> With-outen any penaunce of purgatorie · to perpetuel blisse</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.10.452KD.10.428

<l> ¶ Þanne Marye Magdaleyne · what womman dede worse</l>

<l> Or who worse [dede]<note>Bx.10.453: <hi>worse dede</hi>: R (and cf. F) is supported by alliteration and by <hi>Ax</hi> <hi>dede wers</hi>. <hi>C</hi> rewrites.</note> þan dauid · þat vries deth conspired</l>

<l> Or Poule þe apostle · þat no pitee hadde</l>

<l> Moche crystene kynde · to kylle to deth<note>Bx.10.455: Alpha omits the line. <hi>AC</hi> have it without <hi>Moche</hi> (K.11.290; RK.11.268). <hi>C</hi> mss. vary, incorporating an abbreviated version of the line into the previous line, as in X: <hi>Poul þe apostel no pite ne hadde cristene peple to culle to dethe</hi>.</note></l>

Bx.10.456KD.10.432

<l> And ben<note>Bx.10.456: Hm begins with rewritten <hi>And ȝit been</hi>; all others have <hi>And now ben</hi> except LR that omit the adverb, and F which reverses the order. The omission is almost certainly an error, since the adverb is in <hi>Cx</hi>, but the combined testimony of LR implies that it was an omission in <hi>Bx</hi>, with other scribes correcting by conjecture or contamination. See Adams (2000), 184.</note> þise as souereynes · wyth seyntes in heuene</l>

<l> Þo þat wrouȝte wikkedlokest · in worlde þo þei were</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ And þo þat wisely wordeden · and wryten many bokes</l>

<l> Of witte and of wisdome · with dampned soules wonye</l>

Bx.10.460KD.10.436

<l> Þat salamon seith I trowe be soth · and certeyne of vs alle</l>

<l> <foreign>S[unt]<note>Bx.10.461: <hi><foreign>Sunt</foreign></hi>: Beta's <hi>Sine</hi> or <hi>Siue</hi> is an obvious misreading. Alpha is supported by <hi>Cx</hi> and the source (Ecclesiastes 9.1). Lines 462-71 have no parallel in <hi>AC</hi>.</note> iusti atque sapientes · & opera eorum in manu dei sunt &c</foreign></l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶<note>Bx.10.462: <hi>¶</hi>: The paraph is in beta and F.</note> Þere aren witty and wel libbyng [·] ac her werkes ben yhudde</l>

<l> In þe hondes of almiȝty god · and he wote þe sothe</l>

Bx.10.464KD.10.439

<l> Wher for<note>Bx.10.464: <hi>Wher for</hi>: "whether for". Beta2 and G mistake this as <hi>Wherefore</hi>, and CrW drop <hi>loue</hi>.</note> loue a man worth allowed þere · and his lele werkes</l>

<l> Or elles for his yuel wille · &<note>Bx.10.465: <hi>&</hi>: L initially read <hi>or</hi>, corrected to <hi>&</hi>. Beta2 has <hi>and for</hi>.</note> enuye of herte</l>

<l> And be allowed as<note>Bx.10.466: <hi>as</hi>: R has <hi>for</hi>; F rewrites the line.</note> he lyued so<note>Bx.10.466: <hi>so</hi>: Dropped by Cr and beta4 (O has <hi>þere</hi>).</note> · for bi lyther men knoweth þe gode</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ And wherby wote<note>Bx.10.467: <hi>wote</hi>: So LR, and probably M before correction to conform to CrW <hi>wiste</hi>. Hm may also have had <hi>wote</hi> before revision.</note> men whiche is whyte · if alle þinge blake were</l>

Bx.10.468KD.10.443

<l> And<note>Bx.10.468: <hi>And</hi>: Alpha probably read <hi>Or</hi>, altered by F to <hi>For</hi>.</note> who were a gode man · but if þere were some shrewe</l>

<l> For-þi lyue we forth with lither<note>Bx.10.469: <hi>lither</hi>: Beta2 reads <hi>other</hi> and loses alliteration.</note> men · I leue fewe ben gode</l>

<l> For <foreign>qant</foreign> <foreign>oportet</foreign> <foreign>vyent en place · yl ny</foreign><foreign>ad que pati</foreign></l>

<l> And he þat may al amende · haue mercy on vs alle</l>

Bx.10.472KD.10.447

<l> For sothest worde þat euere god seyde · was þo he seyde <foreign>nemo bonus</foreign></l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> [¶]<note>Bx.10.473: <hi>¶</hi>: The paraph is in WHmR, with a new line-group in M. In L, which lacks the usual line-space, the scribe's paraph marker is unrubricated.</note> Clergye þo of crystes mouth · commended was it litel</l>

<l> For he seyde to seynt Peter · and to suche as he loued</l>

<l> <foreign>Dum<note>Bx.10.475: <hi><foreign>Dum</foreign></hi>: Beta2 alters to <hi>Cum</hi>, but <hi>Cx</hi> supports the others.</note> steteritis ante Reges et presides &c ·</foreign></l>

Bx.10.476KD.10.451

<l> Þough ȝe come bifor kynges · and clerkes of þe lawe</l>

<l> Beth nouȝte abasched · for I shal be in ȝoure mouthes</l>

<l> And ȝyue ȝow witte at<note>Bx.10.478: <hi>at</hi>: L is supported by alpha; all others have <hi>and</hi>. The line is revised in <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> wille · and kunnynge to conclude</l>

<l> Hem alle þat aȝeines ȝow · of<note>Bx.10.479: <hi>of</hi>: Alpha omits, though F has a different object for alliteration's sake. Though this is attractive, it might be noted that the verb <hi>disputen</hi> is elsewhere used transitively only at <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.10.260</ref>; it is usually ~ <hi>with</hi>.</note> crystenedome disputen</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.10.480KD.10.454

<l> ¶ Dauyd maketh mencioun · he spake amonges kynges</l>

<l> And<note>Bx.10.481: <hi>And</hi>: <hi>Cx</hi> supports beta against R <hi>Al</hi> and F <hi>Þere</hi>.</note> miȝte no kynge ouercome hym · as bi kunnyng of speche</l>

<l> But witte ne wisdome · wan neuere þe maystrye</l>

<l> Whan man was at myschief · with-oute þe more grace</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.10.484KD.10.458

<l> ¶ Þe doughtiest doctour · and deuynoure of þe trinitee</l>

<l> Was augustyn<note>Bx.10.485: <hi>augustyn</hi>: As at l. <ref>126</ref> above, the form of the name in <hi>Bx</hi> is not determinable. LMG (so beta?) have the full form, but alpha has the more usual <hi>Austyn</hi>. Both <hi>AC</hi> have the abbreviated form. We follow copy-text.</note> þe olde · and heighest of þe<note>Bx.10.485: <hi>þe</hi> (2): <hi>AC</hi> do not support R's <hi>hem</hi>.</note> foure</l>

<l> Sayde þus in a sarmoun · I seigh it writen ones</l>

<l> <foreign>Ecce ipsi idioti<note>Bx.10.487: <hi><foreign>idioti</foreign></hi>: <hi>Bx</hi> and most <hi>A</hi> mss. make the fools masculine, though CrCGOF correct to feminine.</note> rapiunt celum · vbi nos sapientes in inferno mergimur ·</foreign></l>

Bx.10.488KD.10.462

<l> And is to mene to englissh men · more ne lasse</l>

<l> Aren none rather yrauysshed · fro þe riȝte byleue</l>

<l> Þan ar þis cunnynge clerkes · þat conne<note>Bx.10.490: <hi>conne</hi>: Beta has the support of <hi>Ax</hi> against alpha's <hi>knowe</hi>.</note> many bokes</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶<note>Bx.10.491: <hi>¶</hi>: The paraph is in LW (in M the line is at the top of the page).</note> Ne none sonner saued · ne sadder of bileue</l>

Bx.10.492KD.10.466

<l> Þan plowmen and pastoures · & pore<note>Bx.10.492: <hi>pore</hi>: W and beta4 read <hi>oþere</hi> and lose the alliteration.</note> comune laboreres</l>

<l> Souteres and sheperdes · suche<note>Bx.10.493: <hi>suche</hi>: So LR and Cr, as well as the majority of <hi>A</hi> mss. Others have added <hi>and</hi>.</note> lewed iottes<note>Bx.10.493: <hi>iottes</hi>: A nonce word, variously recorded as <hi>iottes</hi> and <hi>iuttes</hi> by <hi>A</hi> and <hi>B</hi> scribes. It may be the same word as modern <hi>jot</hi>, "small amount".</note></l>

<l> Percen with a pater noster [·] þe paleys of heuene</l>

<l> And passen purgatorie penaunceles · at her hennes-partyng</l>

Bx.10.496KD.10.470

<l> In-to þe blisse of paradys · for her pure byleue<note>Bx.10.496: Here ends comparison with <hi>A</hi>.</note></l>

<l> Þat inparfitly here<note>Bx.10.497: <hi>here</hi>: This line is obviously defective in R, which uniquely drops <hi>here</hi>. In the b-verse R's loss of <hi>eke</hi> may represent alpha, since F rewrites. Lines 497-501 are not in <hi>C</hi>.</note> · knewe and eke lyued</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Ȝee men knowe clerkes · þat han cursed<note>Bx.10.498: <hi>þat han cursed</hi>: R alone has <hi>cursen</hi>.</note> þe tyme</l>

<l> Þat euere þei couth or knewe more · þan <foreign>credo in deum patrem</foreign></l>

Bx.10.500KD.10.474

<l> And pryncipaly her<note>Bx.10.500: <hi>her</hi>: So beta; alpha might equally be right with <hi>þe</hi>. </note> pater noster · many a persone hath wisshed</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ I se ensamples my-self · and so may many an other</l>

<l> Þat seruauntes þat seruen lordes · selden falle in arrerage<note>Bx.10.502: <hi>arrerage</hi>: Beta is supported by <hi>Cx</hi>. F regularly reads <hi>rerage</hi>; cf. esp. <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.11.133</ref>, <ref>135</ref> (final position), <ref>138</ref>, <ref>14.117</ref>.</note></l>

<l> But þo þat kepen þe lordes<note>Bx.10.503: <hi>þe lordes</hi>: R has <hi>lordes</hi>; F has <hi>here</hi>. The line is not in <hi>C</hi>.</note> catel · clerkes and reues</l>

Bx.10.504KD.10.478

<l> Riȝt so lewed men · & of litel knowyng<note>Bx.10.504: <hi>knowyng</hi>: Alpha reads <hi>kunnynge</hi>. <hi>Cx</hi> has <hi>vnderstondyng</hi> in a revised line (RK.11.299).</note></l>

<l> Selden falle<note>Bx.10.505: <hi>falle</hi>: So alpha, supported by <hi>Cx</hi>; beta reads <hi>falle þei</hi>.</note> so foule · and so fer in synne</l>

<l> As clerkes of holikirke<note>Bx.10.506: <hi>kirke</hi>: Beta2 and GR alter to <hi>chirche</hi> and lose alliteration.</note> · þat kepen crystes tresore</l>

<l> Þe which is mannes soule to saue · as god seith in þe gospel</l>

Bx.10.508KD.10.481α

<l> <foreign>Ite vos in vineam meam</foreign></l>

</lg>