<div1>
<head><foreign>Passus septimus decimus et secundus de dobet</foreign></head>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l> I am <foreign>spes</foreign> [a spye] quod he<note>Bx.17.1: <hi>a spye quod he</hi>: Alpha's word-order is supported by <hi>Cx</hi> (RK.19.1).</note> · and<note>Bx.17.1: <hi>and</hi>: Omitted by R, but supported by <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> spire after a knyȝte</l>
<l> That toke me a maundement [·] vpon þe mounte of synay</l>
<l> To reule alle rewmes [þere-]with<note>Bx.17.3: <hi>þere-</hi>: Omitted by beta, but supported by <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> · I bere þe writte here</l>
</lg>
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<lg>
Bx.17.4KD.17.4
<l> [¶]<note>Bx.17.4: <hi></hi>: A paraph is indicated by MW and alpha.</note> Is it asseled<note>Bx.17.4: <hi>asseled</hi>: The form is supported by <hi>Cx</hi> against CrWG <hi>enseled</hi>.</note> I seyde · may men se þi<note>Bx.17.4: <hi>þi</hi>: Supported by LWHmR. MCrCGOF have <hi>þe</hi>. <hi>Cx</hi> is split.</note> lettres</l>
</lg>
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<lg>
<l> [¶]<note>Bx.17.5: <hi></hi>: The paraph is supported by WC and alpha. L misplaces it at the start of the following line.</note> Nay he sayde I seke hym · þat hath þe sele to kepe</l>
</lg>
<lg>
<l> And þat is crosse and crystenedome · and cryst þere-on to hange</l>
<l> <note>Bx.17.7-8: Beta's two lines are supported by the revised lines in <hi>Cx</hi> (RK.19.9-10). R reflects a corrupt alpha, conflating the two lines into one and adding a half-line for a smooth transition to l. 9: "And whan it is aseled so sathanas power schal last no lenger / And þus my lettre meneth". F typically fills out the orphan half-line: "& whan it ys a<seg>-</seg>selyd soo sathenas haþ lost his power / & þus myn lettre meneþ men mowe knowe yt alle". KD adopt F's expanded line.</note> And whan it is asseled<note>Bx.17.7: <hi>asseled</hi>: Supported by <hi>Cx</hi>. CrWG again have <hi>enseled</hi>.</note> so · I wote wel þe sothe</l>
Bx.17.8KD.17.8
<l> Þat Lucyferes lordeship · laste shal no lenger</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l> [¶]<note>Bx.17.9: <hi></hi>: The paraph is supported by WHmC and alpha.</note> Late se þi lettres<note>Bx.17.9: <hi>þi lettres</hi>: Beta is supported by <hi>Cx</hi> against alpha's <hi>þat lettre</hi>.</note> quod I · we miȝte þe lawe knowe</l>
</lg>
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<lg>
<l> ¶ [A] plokked<note>Bx.17.10: <hi>A plokked</hi>: So alpha. Beta begins <hi>Þanne plokked he</hi>, but is not supported by <hi>Cx</hi>. The form <hi>A</hi>, "He" (cf. F <hi>& he</hi>) is in <hi>C</hi> mss. and may represent <hi>Bx</hi>. See note to <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.16.79</ref>.</note> forth a patent · a pece of an harde roche</l>
<l> Wher-on was<note>Bx.17.11: <hi>was</hi>: L and alpha, supported by <hi>Cx</hi>, but altered to <hi>were</hi> in other beta mss. as elsewhere. Cf. <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.5.13</ref>, <ref>13.368</ref>, <ref>19.47</ref>, <ref>19.96</ref>.</note> writen two wordes · on þis wyse yglosed</l>
Bx.17.12KD.17.13
<l> <foreign>Dilige deum & proximum tuum &c</foreign></l>
<l> Þis was þe tixte trewly · I toke ful gode [gome]<note>Bx.17.13: <hi>gome</hi>: "heed" (<title>MED</title> <hi>gome</hi> n. (4)), with citations from Robert of Gloucester and elsewhere. The reading of R, with F substituting easier <hi>keepe</hi> and beta the cognate <hi>ȝeme</hi>. In <hi>C</hi> <hi>gome</hi> has strong support, with <hi>ȝeme</hi>, <hi>kepe</hi> and <hi>hede</hi> as easier variants. Cf. <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.10.206</ref>.</note></l>
<l> Þe glose was gloriousely writen · with a gilte penne</l>
<l> <foreign>In hijs duobus mandatis [pendet] tota lex<note>Bx.17.15: <hi><foreign>pendet tota lex</foreign></hi>: This is R's order, as in most <hi>C</hi> mss., with the other <hi>B</hi> mss. correcting to the Vulgate order. See next note.</note> & prophetia<note>Bx.17.15: <hi><foreign>prophetia</foreign></hi>: "prophesy"; so LWHmR. The other mss. correct to <hi>prophete</hi>, "prophets", as in Matt. 22.40.</note></foreign></l>
</lg>
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<lg>
Bx.17.16KD.17.17
<l> ¶ Is<note>Bx.17.16: <hi>Is</hi>: LRF supported by <hi>Cx</hi> (though note that F consequently alters <hi>lawes</hi> to sg.). Other scribes correct to <hi>Ben</hi>.</note> here alle þi lordes lawes quod I · ȝe leue me<note>Bx.17.16: <hi>me</hi>: Beta adds <hi>wel</hi>, but CrG and alpha and <hi>Cx</hi> are without it.</note> he seyde</l>
<l> And who-so worcheth after þis writte · I wil vndertaken</l>
<l> Shal neuere deuel hym dere · ne deth in soule greue</l>
<l> For þough I seye it my-self · I haue saued with þis charme</l>
Bx.17.20KD.17.21
<l> Of men & of wommen · many score þousandes</l>
</lg>
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<lg>
<l> ¶ He<note>Bx.17.21: <hi>He</hi>: Supported by <hi>Cx</hi> against WHm <hi>Ye</hi>.</note> seith soth seyde<note>Bx.17.21: <hi>seyde</hi>: As in <hi>Cx</hi>. MO repeat the present tense.</note> þis heraud · I haue yfounde it ofte</l>
<l> Lo here in my lappe · þat leued on þat charme</l>
<l> Iosue and Iudith · and Iudas Macabeus</l>
Bx.17.24KD.17.25
<l> [A]nd<note>Bx.17.24: <hi>And</hi>: Beta begins <hi>Ȝe and</hi>, which is idiomatic but not supported by <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> sexty þousande bisyde-forth · þat ben nouȝt seyen here</l>
</lg>
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<lg>
<l> ¶ Ȝowre wordes aren wonderful quod I tho<note>Bx.17.25: <hi>tho</hi>: Dropped by beta4 and F and by the majority of <hi>C</hi> mss.</note> · which of ȝow is trewest</l>
<l> And lelest to leue on · for lyf and for soule</l>
<l> Abraham seith þat he seigh ·<note>Bx.17.27: Puzzled by the alliterative pattern, CrWO punctuate after <hi>seiþ</hi>, with O having a second punctuation after <hi>seyȝ</hi>.</note> holy þe Trinite</l>
Bx.17.28KD.17.29
<l> Thre persones in parcelles · departable fro other</l>
<l> And alle þre but o god · þus abraham me tauȝte</l>
<l> And hath saued þat bileued<note>Bx.17.30: <hi>bileued</hi>: G and alpha have the present, but beta is supported by most <hi>C</hi> mss.</note> so · and sory for her synnes</l>
<l> He can nouȝte segge þe somme · and some aren in his lappe</l>
Bx.17.32KD.17.33
<l> What neded it þanne · a newe lawe to b[rynge]<note>Bx.17.32: <hi>brynge</hi>: Alpha is supported by <hi>Cx</hi> against beta's <hi>begynne</hi>.</note></l>
<l> Sith þe fyrst sufficeth · to sauacioun & to blisse</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l> ¶ And now cometh <foreign>spes</foreign> and speketh · þat hath aspied þe lawe</l>
<l> And telleth nouȝte of þe Trinitee · þat toke hym his lettres</l>
Bx.17.36KD.17.37
<l> To byleue and louye · in o lorde almyȝty</l>
<l> And sitthe riȝt as my-self · so louye alle<note>Bx.17.37: <hi>alle</hi>: MCrF have <hi>alle þe</hi>. The <hi>C</hi> text is revised.</note> peple</l>
</lg>
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<lg>
<l> <note>Bx.17.38-48: Eleven lines omitted by alpha, probably skipping a paraph. The <hi>C</hi> text is heavily revised, running parallel again from <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.17.47</ref>.</note> ¶ Þe gome þat goth with o staf · he semeth in gretter hele</l>
<l> Þan he þat goth with two staues · to syȝte of vs alle</l>
Bx.17.40KD.17.41
<l> And riȝte so by þe Rode · resoun me sheweth</l>
<l> It is lyȝter to lewed men · a lessoun to knowe</l>
<l> Þan for to techen hem two · and to harde to lerne þe leest</l>
<l> It is ful harde for any man · on abraham byleue</l>
Bx.17.44KD.17.45
<l> And welawey worse ȝit · for to loue a shrewe</l>
<l> It is liȝtor to leue · in þre louely persones</l>
<l> Þan for to louye and lene · as wel lorelles as lele</l>
</lg>
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<lg>
<l> [¶]<note>Bx.17.47: <hi></hi>: The paraph is in WHmC, with a new line group in M. Alpha is not present.</note> Go þi gate quod I to<note>Bx.17.47: <hi>to</hi>: Omitted by beta4, but supported by <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> <foreign>spes</foreign> · so<note>Bx.17.47: <hi>so</hi>: MCr have <hi>for so</hi>, but this has no support from <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> me god helpe</l>
Bx.17.48KD.17.49
<l> Þo þat lerneth þi lawe · wil<note>Bx.17.48: <hi>wil</hi>: Supported by <hi>Cx</hi> against MCrHm <hi>wel</hi>.</note> litel while vsen it</l>
</lg>
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<lg>
<l> [¶]<note>Bx.17.49: <hi></hi>: Alpha resumes. The paraph is in alpha. In LM it has been missed at the top of the page. See note to ll. <ref>38-48</ref> and see Burrow (2010), 26.</note> And as we wenten þus<note>Bx.17.49: <hi>þus</hi>: This is presumably the placement of the word in <hi>Bx</hi>, though CrF and <hi>Cx</hi> postpone it to the start of the b-verse.</note> in þe weye · wordyng togyderes</l>
<l> Þanne seye we a samaritan · sittende<note>Bx.17.50: <hi>sittende</hi>: This form of the present ppl. is shared by LRF, and so is probably that of <hi>Bx</hi>. All mss. generally have -<hi>yng(e)</hi>. L has -<hi>ende</hi> just three times, -<hi>enge</hi> once, -<hi>ande</hi> twice, and all these forms occur from <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.16.269</ref>. R has -<hi>ende</hi> on the same three occasions, -<hi>ande</hi> once, and -<hi>ynde</hi> (a south-west midland form) once, in l. <ref>52</ref> below. M and W never have these forms. See variants at ll. <ref>51</ref> and <ref>212</ref> below. For distribution see <title>LALME</title> i, dot maps 345-9.</note> on a mule</l>
<l> Rydynge<note>Bx.17.51: <hi>Rydynge</hi>: F's <hi>Rydende</hi> may represent alpha, giving rise to R's <hi>Ryden</hi>. See note to l. <ref>50</ref>.</note> ful rapely · þe riȝt weye we ȝeden</l>
Bx.17.52KD.17.53
<l> Comynge fro a cuntre · þat men called Ierico</l>
<foreign>id est cristus</foreign><note>Bx.17.53: <hi><foreign>id est cristus</foreign></hi>: This is written in the margin by the main hand in LM, and at the end of the line in R. Hm has it in the margin in another hand.</note>
<l> To a iustes in iherusalem · he chaced awey faste</l>
<l> Bothe þe heraud and hope · and he mette at ones</l>
<l> Where a man was wounded · and with þeues taken</l>
Bx.17.56KD.17.57
<l> He myȝte neither steppe ne stonde · ne stere fote ne handes</l>
<l> Ne helpe hym-self sothely · for semiuyf he semed</l>
<l> And as naked as a nedle · and none helpe aboute<note>Bx.17.58: <hi>aboute</hi>: Beta adds <hi>hym</hi>, as does the P family of <hi>C</hi>, but alpha is supported by the most reliable X family mss. It is easier to see why the word was added than how it might have been lost.</note></l>
</lg>
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<lg>
<l> ¶ Feith had first siȝte of<note>Bx.17.59: <hi>of</hi>: Again the <hi>C</hi> mss. are divided, with the best of the X family supporting beta, while the others have alpha's <hi>on</hi>.</note> hym · ac he flegh on syde</l>
Bx.17.60KD.17.61
<l> And nolde nouȝt neighen hym · by nyne londes lengthe</l>
</lg>
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<lg>
<l> ¶ Hope cam hippyng after · þat hadde so ybosted</l>
<l> How he with Moyses maundement · hadde many men yholpe</l>
<l> Ac whan he hadde siȝte of þat segge · a-syde he gan hym drawe</l>
Bx.17.64KD.17.65
<l> Dredfully by þis day as duk · doth fram þe faucoun</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l> ¶ Ac so sone so þe samaritan · hadde siȝte of þis lede</l>
<l> He liȝte adown of lyard · and ladde hym in his hande[s]<note>Bx.17.66: <hi>handes</hi>: Alpha's rather more difficult plural is supported by <hi>Cx</hi>.</note></l>
<l> And to þe wye he went · his woundes to biholde</l>
Bx.17.68KD.17.69
<l> And parceyued bi his pous · he was in peril to deye</l>
<l> And but if<note>Bx.17.69: <hi>if</hi>: Dropped by CrWGF and the P family of <hi>C</hi>, but supported by the best of the X family.</note> he hadde recourere<note>Bx.17.69: <hi>recourere</hi>: L's form is supported by R. Both LR follow the word with a punctus.</note> · þe rather · þat rise shulde he neure</l>
<l> [And breyde to his boteles . and bothe he atamede]<note>Bx.17.70: The line, the last of a series beginning <hi>And</hi>, is lost in beta. R's wording is supported by <hi>Cx</hi>, with <hi>breyde to</hi> revised as <hi>vnbokelede</hi>.</note></l>
<l> Wyth wyn & with oyle · his woundes he wasshed</l>
Bx.17.72KD.17.73
<l> Enbawmed hym and bonde his hed · & in his lappe hym layde</l>
<l> And ladde hym so forth on lyard · to <foreign>lex cristi</foreign> a graunge</l>
<l> Wel six myle or seuene · biside þe newe market</l>
<l> Herberwed hym at an hostrye · and to<note>Bx.17.75: <hi>to</hi>: The beta reading; alpha is without it. The line is revised in <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> þe hostellere called</l>
Bx.17.76KD.17.77
<l> And sayde haue kepe þis man · til I come fro þe iustes</l>
<l> And lo here syluer he seyde · for salue to his woundes</l>
<l> And he toke hym two pans · to lyflode as it were</l>
<l> And seide what he speneth more · I make þe good hereafter</l>
Bx.17.80KD.17.81
<l> For I may nouȝt lette quod þat leode · & lyarde he bistrydeth</l>
<l> And raped hym to iherusalem-ward · þe riȝte waye to ryde</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l> ¶ Faith folweth<note>Bx.17.82: <hi>folweth</hi>: The agreement of LR is generally sufficient to secure the <hi>Bx</hi> reading, and the alteration to the past tense in all other mss. is easily explained as influence of the surrounding verbs. Nevertheless, <hi>Cx</hi> in a revised line (RK.19.80) also has <hi>folewede</hi>.</note> after faste · and fonded to mete hym</l>
<l> And <foreign>spes</foreign> spa[r]klich<note>Bx.17.83: <hi>sparklich</hi>: So alpha, a metathesised form of <title>MED</title> <hi>sprakli</hi>, and cf. <hi>sprak</hi>; a rare word, for which beta substitutes synonymous <hi>spaklich</hi> (<title>MED</title> <hi>spakli</hi>, and cf. <hi>spak</hi> and <hi>spake</hi>). Both are ON. See <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.18.12</ref> and note there.</note> hym spedde · spede if he myȝte</l>
Bx.17.84KD.17.85
<l> To ouertake hym and talke to hym · ar þei to toun come</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l> ¶ And whan I seyȝ þis I soiourned nouȝte · but shope me to renne</l>
<l> And suwed þ[e]<note>Bx.17.86: <hi>þe</hi>: So alpha, which is supported by the same a-verse in <hi>Cx</hi> against beta's <hi>þat</hi>.</note> samaritan · þat was so ful of pite</l>
<l> And graunted hym to ben his grome<note>Bx.17.87: <hi>grome</hi>: It would be logical to adopt alpha's <hi>gome</hi> as difficilior, and that might be right. And yet <hi>gome</hi> appears 18 times in <hi>Bx</hi>, and is not a word avoided by either alpha or beta, whereas <hi>grome</hi> is used only here, where the sense "servant, attendant" is particularly appropriate, especially in view of the contrast with "friend" and "fellow" in the next line. There is no <hi>Cx</hi> parallel.</note> · gramercy he seyde</l>
Bx.17.88KD.17.89
<l> Ac þi frende and þi felawe quod he · þow fyndest me at nede</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l> ¶ And I thanked hym þo · and sith<note>Bx.17.89: <hi>sith</hi>: F adds <hi>þus</hi>, which KD adopt on metrical grounds (p. 173). But F lost elision alliteration on <hi>sith I</hi> by altering to <hi>sytthyn</hi>. The line is not in <hi>C</hi>.</note> I hym tolde</l>
<l> How þat feith fleigh awey · and <foreign>spes</foreign> his felaw bothe</l>
<l> For siȝte of þe sorweful man · þat robbed was with þeues</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
Bx.17.92KD.17.93
<l> [¶]<note>Bx.17.92: <hi></hi>: The paraph has been omitted from L at the top of the page, but is supported by MWHm and alpha.</note> Haue hem excused quod he · her help may litel auaille</l>
<l> May no medcyn [vnder]<note>Bx.17.93: <hi>vnder</hi>: Alpha's reading is supported by <hi>Cx</hi> against beta's <hi>on</hi>. The readings are discussed by KD, pp. 111-12.</note> molde · þe man to hele brynge</l>
<l> Neither feith ne fyn hope · so festred ben his woundis</l>
<l> With-out þe blode of a barn · borne of a mayde</l>
Bx.17.96KD.17.97
<l> And be he<note>Bx.17.96: <hi>And be he</hi>: "And if he be"; supported by LWHm. The other beta mss. have <hi>And he be</hi>, where <hi>And</hi> means "If". Alpha loses <hi>he</hi>, necessary for the syntax.</note> bathed in þat blode · baptised as it were</l>
<l> And þanne plastred with penaunce · and passioun<note>Bx.17.97: <hi>passioun</hi>: Alpha adds the definite article, creating a b-verse with two long dips.</note> of þat babi</l>
<l> He shulde stonde and steppe · ac stalworth worth he neure<note>Bx.17.98: O has lost 17.98-354.</note></l>
<l> Tyl he haue eten al þe barn · and his blode ydronke</l>
Bx.17.100KD.17.101
<l> For went neuere wy in þis worlde [·] þorw þat wildernesse</l>
<l> Þat he ne was robbed or rifled · rode he þere or ȝede</l>
<l> Saue faith & his felaw · <foreign>spes</foreign> and my-selue</l>
<l> And þi-self now<note>Bx.17.103: <hi>now</hi>: All mss. punctuate after <hi>now</hi>, rather than after <hi>such</hi>. <hi>Cx</hi> has no parallel up to l. <ref>127</ref>.</note> · and such as suwen owre werkis</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
Bx.17.104KD.17.105
<l> ¶ For outlaw[e is]<note>Bx.17.104: <hi>outlawe is</hi>: Misled by the lack of an article, beta misreads as pl. <hi>outlawes</hi> and F adds <hi>an</hi>. It is, however, to be taken as a proper name. See notes to next line.</note> in þe wode · and vnder banke lotyeth</l>
<l> And may<note>Bx.17.105: <hi>may</hi>: The <hi>Bx</hi> reading is altered to pl. <hi>mowe(n)</hi> by MWHmCG following their misunderstanding of the previous line. Alpha naturally retains <hi>may</hi>, as does L, typically following his copy, and also Cr, for whom it was the standard sg. form.</note> vch man se · and gode merke take[th]<note>Bx.17.105: <hi>taketh</hi>: So alpha. Again it is likely that beta altered the sg. verb to pl. <hi>take</hi>, though it works very well as an infinitive.</note></l>
<l> Who is bihynde and who bifore · and who ben on hors</l>
<l> For he halt hym hardyer on horse · þan he þat is a-fote<note>Bx.17.107: <hi>a-fote</hi>: L's form is also that of R.</note></l>
Bx.17.108KD.17.109
<l> For he seigh<note>Bx.17.108: <hi>seigh</hi>: G and alpha have <hi>seith</hi>, but it makes poor sense.</note> me þat am samaritan · suwen feith & his felaw</l>
<l> On my caple þat hatte <foreign>caro</foreign> · of mankynde I toke it</l>
<l> He was vnhardy þat harlot<note>Bx.17.110: <hi>vnhardy þat harlot</hi>: Alpha, copied blindly by R, skips from <hi>-har</hi> to <hi>har-</hi>, hence <hi>vnharlot</hi>. F makes sense of this with <hi>but an harlot</hi>.</note> · and hudde hym <foreign>in inferno</foreign></l>
<l> Ac ar þis day þre dayes · I dar vndertaken</l>
Bx.17.112KD.17.113
<l> Þat he worth fettred þat feloune · fast with cheynes</l>
<l> And neure eft greue [g]ome<note>Bx.17.113: <hi>gome</hi>: In this case L's <hi>grome</hi> is shared only with C. The only other occurrence of <hi>grome</hi> in L is l. <ref>87</ref> above; see note there.</note> · þat goth þis ilke gate</l>
<l> <note>Bx.17.114-26: Line 114 is only in alpha and ll. 115-26 are only in beta. The whole passage, <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.17.104-26</ref>, is without parallel in <hi>Cx</hi>, which runs parallel again from <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.17.127</ref>.</note> [<foreign>O mors ero mors tua &c</foreign>]<note>Bx.17.114: The line is only in alpha, and possibly not <hi>Bx</hi>. Cf. <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.18.37</ref>. F expands the quotation.</note></l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l> ¶ And þanne shal feith be forester here · and in þis fritth walke<note>Bx.17.115-26: Twelve lines only in beta: alpha has skipped from paraph to paraph.</note></l>
Bx.17.116KD.17.116
<l> And kennen out<note>Bx.17.116: <hi>out</hi>: Lost in beta4. For <hi>kennen out</hi>, "guide out", see <title>MED</title> <hi>kennen</hi> v. (1), 1b (c).</note> comune men · þat knoweth nouȝte þe contre</l>
<l> Which is þe weye þat ich went · and wherforth to iherusalem</l>
<l> And hope þe hostelleres man shal be · þere þe man lith an helynge</l>
<l> And alle þat fieble and faynt be · þat faith may nouȝt teche</l>
Bx.17.120KD.17.120
<l> Hope shal lede hem forth with loue · as his lettre telleth</l>
<l> And hostel hem and hele · þorw holicherche bileue</l>
<l> Tyl I haue salue for alle syke · and þanne shal I retourne<note>Bx.17.122: <hi>retourne</hi>: WHm have synonymous <hi>turne</hi>.</note></l>
<l> And come aȝein bi þis contree · and confort alle syke</l>
Bx.17.124KD.17.124
<l> Þat craueth it or coueiteth it · and cryeth þere-after</l>
<l> For þe barne was born in bethleem · þat with his blode shal saue</l>
<l> Alle þat lyueth in faith · and folweth his felawes techynge</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l> ¶ A swete syre I seyde<note>Bx.17.127: <hi>I seyde</hi>: Supported by <hi>Cx</hi>. CrHmGF reverse the word-order.</note> þo · wher I shal<note>Bx.17.127: <hi>I shal</hi>: So LWR; the others reverse the word-order. <hi>Cx</hi> is different.</note> byleue</l>
Bx.17.128KD.17.128
<l> As feith and his felawe · enfourmed me bothe</l>
<l> In þre persones departable · þat perpetuel were euere</l>
<l> And alle þre but o god · þus abraham me tauȝte</l>
<l> And hope afterwarde · he bad me to louye</l>
Bx.17.132KD.17.132
<l> O god wyth al my good · and alle gomes after</l>
<l> Louye hem lyke my-selue · ac owre lorde aboue alle</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l> ¶ After abraham quod he · þat heraud of armes</l>
<l> Sette faste<note>Bx.17.135: <hi>faste</hi>: WHm read <hi>fully</hi>. </note> þi faith · and ferme bileue</l>
Bx.17.136KD.17.136
<l> And as hope hiȝte<note>Bx.17.136: <hi>hiȝte</hi>: Alpha's <hi>behiȝt</hi> avoids the repetition of the verb in the b-verse, but its usual sense in the poem, "vow, promise", is not appropriate here (cf. l. <ref>131</ref>).</note> þe · I hote þat þow louye</l>
<l> Thyn euene-crystene euermore · euene-forth with þi-self</l>
<l> And if conscience carpe þere-aȝein · or kynde witte oyther</l>
<l> Or heretykes with argumentz · þin honde þow h[e]m<note>Bx.17.139: <hi>hem</hi>: So alpha supported by <hi>Cx</hi>, with beta presumably reading <hi>him</hi>, corrected by WHm.</note> shewe</l>
Bx.17.140KD.17.140
<l> For god is after an hande · yhere now and knowe it</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l> ¶ Þe fader was fyrst as a fyst · with o fynger fold[en]<note>Bx.17.141: <hi>folden</hi>: The past ppl. as in alpha is supported by the revised line in <hi>Cx</hi> (RK.19.115), and by <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.17.171</ref>.</note></l>
<l> Tyl hym loued<note>Bx.17.142: <hi>hym loued</hi>: Clearly the beta reading, though Hm alters to <hi>hym lykede</hi>, which is also the reading of <hi>Cx</hi>. On impersonal uses of personal verbs see Mustanoja (1960), 436. <title>MED</title> does not record impersonal use of <hi>louen</hi>, but cf. <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.16.209</ref>, <hi>hym lyked & loued</hi>; the WCr reading in <ref>13.333</ref>, <hi>me loueþ</hi> as against <hi>I louye</hi> in others. Alpha may have had the same reading as beta, with R misreading as <hi>hym leued</hi> and F altering to <hi>he lyþed</hi>, perhaps (very oddly) influenced by the collocation <hi>lithe</hi> and <hi>lust</hi> (<title>MED</title> <hi>lithen</hi> v. (3)).</note> and lest · to vnlosen his fynger</l>
<l> And profre[d]<note>Bx.17.143: <hi>profred</hi>: Beta has the infinitive, but alpha's past tense is supported by <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> it forth as with a paume · to what place it sholde</l>
Bx.17.144KD.17.144
<l> Þe paume is purely þe hande · and profreth forth þe fyngres</l>
<l> To mynystre and to make · þat myȝte of hande knoweth</l>
<l> And bitokneth trewly · telle who-so liketh</l>
<l> Þe holygost of heuene · he is as þe paume</l>
Bx.17.148KD.17.148
<l> Þe fyngres þat fre ben · to folde and to serue</l>
<l> Bitokneth sothly þe sone · þat sent was til erthe</l>
<l> Þat<note>Bx.17.150: <hi>Þat</hi>: Alpha makes weaker sense with <hi>And</hi> (R) or <hi>& þorghȝ</hi> (F). The line in <hi>Cx</hi> is as beta's, but without <hi>Þat</hi>.</note> toched and tasted · a[t]<note>Bx.17.150: <hi>at</hi>: Beta is supported by <hi>Cx</hi>. Only L has <hi>atte</hi>, "at the". Alpha has <hi>and</hi>.</note> techynge of þe paume</l>
<l> Seynt Marie a Mayde · and mankynde lauȝte</l>
Bx.17.152KD.17.151α
<l> <foreign>Qui conceptus est de spiritu sancto &c</foreign></l>
<l> Þe fader is þanne as a fust · with fynger to touche</l>
<l> <foreign>Quia omnia traham ad me ipsum &c</foreign></l>
<l> Al þat þe paume parceyueth · profitable to fele</l>
Bx.17.156KD.17.154
<l> Thus ar þei alle but one · as it an hande<note>Bx.17.156: <hi>hande</hi>: Supported by <hi>Cx</hi> and by alliteration. Alpha repeats <hi>fust</hi> from l. <ref>153</ref>.</note> were</l>
<l> And þre sondry siȝtes · in one shewynge</l>
<l> Þe paume for he<note>Bx.17.158: <hi>he</hi>: WF have <hi>it</hi>; R repeats <hi>þe paume</hi>. There is no parallel in <hi>Cx</hi> until l. <ref>171</ref>.</note> putteth forth fyngres [·] and þe fust bothe</l>
<l> Riȝt so redily · reson it sheweth</l>
Bx.17.160KD.17.158
<l> How he þat is holygoste · sire & sone preueth</l>
<l> And as þe hande halt harde · and al þynge faste</l>
<l> Þorw foure fyngres and a thombe · forth with þe paume</l>
<l> Riȝte so þe fader and þe sone · & seynt spirit þe þridde</l>
Bx.17.164KD.17.162
<l> Halt<note>Bx.17.164: <hi>Halt</hi>: W moves the verb to the end of the line; Cr does the same, also reversing the a- and b-verses, and M is revised to match Cr.</note> al þe wyde worlde · with-in<note>Bx.17.164: <hi>with-in</hi>: Alpha reads <hi>with</hi>, and F adds <hi>to-gydres</hi> at line-end to make up for the loss.</note> hem thre</l>
<l> Bothe welkne<note>Bx.17.165: <hi>welkne</hi>: CrHmGF add the definite article.</note> and þe wynde · water and erthe</l>
<l> Heuene & helle · and al þat þere is Inne<note>Bx.17.166: <hi>þere is Inne</hi>: L's word-order is supported by alpha.</note></l>
<l> Þus it is<note>Bx.17.167: <hi>is</hi>: Dropped by Hm, beta4 and alpha. LW both clarify the syntax by punctuating after <hi>is</hi>.</note> · nedeth no man · to<note>Bx.17.167: <hi>to</hi>: Attested by L and alpha, but dropped by others.</note> trowe non other</l>
Bx.17.168KD.17.166
<l> That thre þinges bilongeth · in owre lorde of heuene</l>
<l> And aren serelepes by hem-self · asondry were<note>Bx.17.169: <hi>were</hi>: All except L and alpha read <hi>were þei</hi>. The line is marked for correction in L, with the corrector perhaps supposing that a pronoun is missing.</note> neure</l>
<l> Namore þan [may an hande]<note>Bx.17.170: <hi>may an hande</hi>: So alpha. Beta's possessive pronoun, <hi>myn hande may</hi>, anticipates the next line.</note> [·] meue with-outen fyngeres<note>Bx.17.170: <hi>fyngeres</hi>: Following on from the a-verse, beta mss. apart from LHm add <hi>my</hi>.</note></l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l> ¶ And as my fust is ful honde · yfolde togideres</l>
Bx.17.172KD.17.170
<l> So is þe fader a ful god · formeour and shepper</l>
<l> <foreign>Tu fabricator omnium &c</foreign></l>
<l> And al þe myȝte myd hym is [·]<note>Bx.17.174: L omits the punctus, MCrHm punctuate after <hi>hym</hi>, but WC agree with alpha in putting it after <hi>is</hi>.</note> in makyng of þynges</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l> ¶ The fyngres fourmen a ful hande · to purtreye or peynten</l>
Bx.17.176KD.17.173
<l> Keruynge and<note>Bx.17.176: <hi>and</hi>: Alpha reads <hi>or</hi>, probably following the construction of the previous b-verse. The line is not in <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> compassynge · as<note>Bx.17.176: <hi>as</hi>: Alpha (together with Cr) reads <hi>is</hi>, adopted by both KD and Schmidt without comment.</note> crafte of þe fyngres</l>
<l> Riȝt so is þe sone · þe science of þe fader</l>
<l> And ful god as is þe fader · no febler ne no better</l>
<l> Þe paume is purelich þe hande · hath power bi hym-selue</l>
Bx.17.180KD.17.177
<l> Otherwyse þan þe wrythen<note>Bx.17.180: <hi>wrythen</hi>: Alpha's misunderstanding <hi>writen</hi> is shared with three <hi>C</hi> mss. (RK.19.142).</note> fuste [·] or werkmanschip of fyngres</l>
<l> For þe paume hath powere [·] to pu[l]t<note>Bx.17.181: <hi>pult</hi>: <title>MED</title> <hi>pilten</hi>, 3 "extend". R is supported by the X family of <hi>C</hi>, though as elsewhere most mss. alter to <hi>putte</hi> as beta does here. Cf. notes to <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.1.128</ref>, <ref>8.97</ref>, <ref>11.167</ref>, <ref>15.66</ref>.</note> oute þe<note>Bx.17.181: <hi>þe</hi> (2): Beta reads <hi>alle þe</hi>, but alpha is supported by <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> ioyntes</l>
<l> And to vnfolde þe fuste<note>Bx.17.182: <hi>fuste</hi>: Beta has <hi>folden fuste</hi>, but <hi>Cx</hi> supports alpha. Beta, skipping from <hi>fuste</hi> to <hi>fuste</hi>, then drops the b-verse of l. 182, l. 183, and the a-verse of l. 184.</note> [· for hym it bilongeth<note>Bx.17.182: <hi>for hym it bilongeth</hi>: R's form of the b-verse (lost in beta) is supported by <hi>Cx</hi>.</note></l>
<l> And receyue þat þe fyngres recheth · and refuse bothe<note>Bx.17.183: <hi>bothe</hi>: <hi>Cx</hi> reads <hi>yf hym liketh</hi>.</note></l>
Bx.17.184KD.17.181
<l> Whan he feleth þe fuste · and<note>Bx.17.184: <hi>and</hi>: So alpha. Beta's <hi>at</hi> (as in beta4) links 182a with 184b. The line is revised in <hi>Cx</hi>.</note>] þe fyngres wille</l>
<l> So is þe holygoste god · nother gretter ne lasse</l>
<l> Þan is þe sire [or]<note>Bx.17.186: <hi>or</hi>: Alpha is supported by <hi>Cx</hi> against beta's <hi>and</hi>.</note> þe sone · & in þe same myȝte</l>
<l> And alle ar þei but o god · as is myn hande & my fyngres</l>
Bx.17.188KD.17.185
<l> Vnfolden or folden · my fuste & myn paume</l>
<l> Al is [it]<note>Bx.17.189: <hi>it</hi> (1): Lost in beta. Alpha is supported by <hi>Cx</hi>, though several <hi>C</hi> mss. also omit it.</note> but an hande · how-so I torne it<note>Bx.17.189: <hi>how-so I torne it</hi>: 189b and 190a are lost in beta mss. apart from LCr, skipping from <hi>hande</hi> to <hi>hande</hi>. The M corrector adds the missing words, which are in <hi>Cx</hi>.</note></l>
<l> Ac who is herte in þe hande · euene in þe myddes</l>
<l> <note>Bx.17.191: Beta4 drops this line, and F loses 191b-196a through eyeskip.</note> He may receyue riȝt nouȝte · resoun it sheweth</l>
Bx.17.192KD.17.189
<l> For þe fyngres þat folde shulde · and þe fuste make</l>
<l> For peyne of þe paume · powere hem failleth</l>
<l> To clicche or to clawe · to clyppe or to holde</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l> ¶ Were þe myddel of myn honde · ymaymed or ypersshed<note>Bx.17.195: <hi>ypersshed</hi>: "pierced" (R has <hi>ypersed</hi>). The other beta mss. have <hi>perisshed</hi> etc., which <title>MED</title> <hi>percen</hi> lists as a variant spelling, though it seems more probable that scribes took it to be <hi>perishen</hi>. Lines 195b-8a are not in <hi>Cx</hi>.</note></l>
Bx.17.196KD.17.193
<l> I shulde receyue riȝte nouȝte · of þat I reche myȝte</l>
<l> Ac þough my thombe & my fyngres [·] bothe were to-shullen<note>Bx.17.197: <hi>to-shullen</hi>: This is evidently the beta reading, with M altering to the easier <hi>to-swollen</hi> in agreement with Hm and alpha. <title>MED</title> <hi>?toshellen</hi>, "shatter", cites no other instances.</note></l>
<l> And þe myddel of myn hande · with-oute male-ese</l>
<l> In many kynnes maneres · I myȝte my-self helpe</l>
Bx.17.200KD.17.197
<l> Bothe meue and amende · þough alle my fyngres oke</l>
<l> Bi þis skil [he seide]<note>Bx.17.201: <hi>he seide</hi>: Alpha is supported by alliteration and the reading of <hi>Cx</hi> against beta's <hi>me þynketh</hi>.</note> · I se an euydence</l>
<l> Þat who-so synneth in þe seynt spirit [·] assoilled worth he neure</l>
<l> Noither here ne elles-where · as I herde telle</l>
Bx.17.204KD.17.200α
<l> <foreign>Qui peccat in spiritu sancto<note>Bx.17.204: <hi><foreign>in spiritu sancto</foreign></hi>: <hi>Bx</hi> has ablatives here and in l. <ref>205</ref>, as does the X family of <hi>C</hi>, which other <hi>C</hi> mss. "correct" to accusative. See Schmidt (1995), 401, and cf. <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.16.49</ref>.</note> &c</foreign></l>
<l> For he prikketh god as in þe paume · þat <foreign>peccat in spiritu sancto</foreign></l>
<l> For god þe fader is as a fuste [·] þe sone is as a fynger</l>
<l> The holy goste of heuene · is as it were þe pawme</l>
Bx.17.208KD.17.204
<l> So who-so synneth [aȝeins þe]<note>Bx.17.208: <hi>aȝeins þe</hi>: Beta's <hi>in</hi> (with MWC adding <hi>þe</hi>) is a literal translation of ll. <ref>204-05</ref>. Alpha is supported by <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> seynt spirit · it semeth þat he greueth</l>
<l> God þat he grypeth with · and wolde his grace quenche</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l> ¶ [For]<note>Bx.17.210: <hi>For</hi>: Beta has <hi>And</hi>, but alpha is supported by <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> to a torche or [to]<note>Bx.17.210: <hi>to</hi> (2): Omitted by beta, but supported by <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> a tapre · þe trinitee is lykned</l>
<l> As wex and a weke · were twyned togideres</l>
Bx.17.212KD.17.208
<l> And þanne a fyre flaumende<note>Bx.17.212: <hi>flaumende</hi>: The unusual present ppl. form is shared by LR. See note to l. <ref>50</ref> above.</note> · forth oute of bothe</l>
<l> And as wex and weyke · and [warme]<note>Bx.17.213: <hi>warme</hi>: Alpha's reading, supported by alliteration and by <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> fyre togyderes</l>
<l> Fostren forth a flaumbe · and a feyre leye</l>
<l> So doth þe sire & þe sone · & also <foreign>spiritus sanctus</foreign></l>
Bx.17.216KD.17.213
<l> <note>Bx.17.216: The line is omitted by WHm.</note> Fostren forth amonges folke · loue & bileue</l>
<l> Þat alkyn crystene [·] clenseth of synnes</l>
<l> And as þow seest some-tyme [·] sodeynliche a torche</l>
<l> The blase þere-of yblowe out · ȝet brenneth þe weyke</l>
Bx.17.220KD.17.217
<l> With-oute leye or liȝte · þat þe macche brenneth</l>
<l> So is þe holygost god · & grace with-oute mercy</l>
<l> To alle vnkynde creatures · þat coueite to destruye</l>
<l> Lele loue other lyf · þat owre lorde shapte</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
Bx.17.224KD.17.221
<l> <note>Bx.17.224-50: These 27 lines are omitted by alpha, skipping from paraph to paraph. The passage as in beta is almost identical in <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> ¶ And as glowande<note>Bx.17.224: <hi>glowande</hi>: The <hi>-ande</hi> form of the present ppl. is used only once elsewhere in L, <hi>pleyande</hi> <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.16.269</ref>. See note to l. <ref>50</ref> above.</note> gledes · gladieth nouȝte þis werkmen</l>
<l> Þat worchen & waken [·] in wyntres niȝtes</l>
<l> As doth a kex or a candel · þat cauȝte hath fyre & blaseth</l>
<l> Namore doth sire ne sone · ne seynt spirit togyderes</l>
Bx.17.228KD.17.225
<l> Graunte<note>Bx.17.228: <hi>Graunte</hi>: L has the <hi>-eth</hi> ending of the present plural, but the infinitive (as in all other mss. and <hi>Cx</hi>) is required after <hi>doth</hi>.</note> no grace · ne forȝifnesse of synnes</l>
<l> Til þe holi goste gynne · to glowe and to blase</l>
<l> So þat þe holygoste · gloweth but as a glede</l>
<l> Tyl þat lele loue · ligge on hym & blowe</l>
Bx.17.232KD.17.229
<l> And þanne flaumbeth he as fyre [·] on fader & on <foreign>filius</foreign></l>
<l> And melteth her myȝte in-to mercy · as men may se in wyntre</l>
<l> Ysekeles in eueses<note>Bx.17.234: <hi>eueses</hi>: The form is supported by LMCrHm. WCG have <hi>euesynges</hi>, which is the form in <hi>C</hi> mss.</note> [·] þorw hete of þe sonne</l>
<l> Melteth in a mynut-while · to myst & to watre</l>
Bx.17.236KD.17.233
<l> So grace of þe holygoste · þe grete myȝte of þe trinite</l>
<l> Melteth to<note>Bx.17.237: <hi>to</hi> (1): L has <hi>in-to</hi>, picked up from l. <ref>233</ref>. <hi>Cx</hi> supports <hi>to</hi>.</note> mercy · to mercyable & to non other</l>
<l> And as wex with-outen more · on a warme glede</l>
<l> Wil brennen & blasen · be þei<note>Bx.17.239: <hi>be þei</hi>: Supported by <hi>Cx</hi> against <hi>all</hi> in MCr.</note> to-gyderes</l>
Bx.17.240KD.17.237
<l> And solacen hem þat may<note>Bx.17.240: <hi>may</hi>: Clearly an error for <hi>may not</hi> as in <hi>Cx</hi> (RK.19.203). In the absence of alpha, it is impossible to determine whether beta or <hi>Bx</hi> is responsible for the mistake.</note> se · þat sitten in derkenesse</l>
<l> So wole þe fader forȝif [·] folke of mylde hertes</l>
<l> Þat reufulliche repenten · & restitucioun make</l>
<l> In as moche as þei mowen · amenden & payen</l>
Bx.17.244KD.17.241
<l> And if it suffice nouȝte for assetz<note>Bx.17.244: <hi>assetz</hi>: "reparation" (sg.). The form in CrHmC ending <hi>-eth</hi> is a variant spelling.</note> · þat in suche a wille deyeth</l>
<l> Mercy for his mekenesse · wil make good þe remenaunte</l>
<l> And as þe weyke and fyre · wil make a warme flaumbe</l>
<l> For to myrthe men with<note>Bx.17.247: <hi>with</hi>: Supported by <hi>Cx</hi>. CrW have <hi>myd</hi>. W alone has <hi>myd</hi> at <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.P.147</ref>, <ref>1.117</ref>, <ref>15.261</ref>.</note> · þat in merke sitten</l>
Bx.17.248KD.17.245
<l> So wil cryst of his curteisye · and men crye hym mercy</l>
<l> Bothe forȝiue & forȝete · & ȝet bidde for vs</l>
<l> To þe fader of heuene · forȝyuenesse to haue</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l> ¶ Ac hew fyre at a<note>Bx.17.251: <hi>at a</hi>: Beta is supported by the X family of <hi>C</hi>, while the P family has <hi>of a</hi>.</note> flynte · fowre hundreth wyntre</l>
Bx.17.252KD.17.249
<l> Bot þow haue [tacche]<note>Bx.17.252: <hi>tacche</hi>: Alpha is supported by <hi>Cx</hi>, with confusion among some scribes. <title>MED</title> <hi>tach(e</hi> n. (2), "tinder", has no other citations of the word.</note> to take it with · tondre or broches</l>
<l> Al þi laboure is loste · and al þi longe trauaille</l>
<l> For may no fyre flaumbe make · faille it his kynde</l>
<l> So is þe holy gost god · & grace with-outen mercy</l>
Bx.17.256KD.17.253
<l> To alle vnkynde creatures · cryst hym-self witnesseth</l>
<l> <foreign>Amen dico vobis nescio vos &c ·</foreign></l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l> ¶ Be vnkynde to þin euene-cristene · and al þat þow canst bidden</l>
<l> Delen & do penaunce · day & nyȝte euere</l>
Bx.17.260KD.17.256
<l> And purchace al þe pardoun [·] of Pampiloun & Rome</l>
<l> And indulgences ynowe · & be <foreign>ingratus</foreign><note>Bx.17.261: <hi><foreign>ingratus</foreign></hi>: The X family of <hi>C</hi> generally supports this beta reading, while the P family supports alpha's <hi>ingrat</hi>.</note> to þi kynde<note>Bx.17.261: <hi>kynde</hi>: Beta is supported by <hi>Cx</hi> against alpha's <hi>kynne</hi>.</note></l>
<l> Þe holy goste hereth þe nouȝt · ne helpe may þe by resoun</l>
<l> For vnkyndenesse quencheth hym · þat he can nouȝte shyne</l>
Bx.17.264KD.17.260
<l> Ne brenne ne blase clere · for blowynge of vnkyndenesse</l>
<l> Poule þe apostle [·] preueth wher<note>Bx.17.265: <hi>wher</hi>: "whether".</note> I lye</l>
<l> <foreign>Si linguis hominum loquar &c</foreign></l>
<l> For-thy beth war ȝe wyse men · þat with þe wo[r]lde<note>Bx.17.267: <hi>worlde</hi>: The corrector has noted the error in L.</note> deleth </l>
Bx.17.268KD.17.263
<l> That riche ben & resoun knoweth · reuleth wel ȝowre soule</l>
<l> Beth nouȝte vnkynde I conseille ȝow · to ȝowre euene-crystene</l>
<l> For many of ȝow riche men · bi my soule men telleth</l>
<l> Ȝe brenne but ȝe blaseth nouȝte · [&]<note>Bx.17.271: <hi>&</hi>: Alpha is supported by <hi>Cx</hi> against beta's omission of the word.</note> þat is a blynde bekene</l>
Bx.17.272KD.17.266α
<l> <foreign>Non omnis qui dicit domine domine intrabit &c ·</foreign></l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l> ¶ Diues deyed dampned · for his vnkyndenesse</l>
<l> Of his mete & his<note>Bx.17.274: <hi>& his</hi>: So LMC. The reading is uncertain. The other beta copies have <hi>and of his</hi>, R has <hi>and</hi>, and F rewrites. <hi>C</hi> mss. are split between the two beta versions.</note> moneye [·] to men that it neded</l>
<l> Vch a riche I rede · rewarde at hym take</l>
Bx.17.276KD.17.271
<l> And gyueth ȝowre good to þat god · þat grace of ariseth</l>
<l> For þat<note>Bx.17.277: <hi>þat</hi>: WHmCG have <hi>þei þat</hi> (F <hi>þo þat</hi>). The P family of <hi>C</hi> also add a pronoun, with <hi>ȝe þat</hi> (RK.19.253).</note> ben vnkynde to his · hope I none other</l>
<l> But þei dwelle þere diues is · dayes with-outen ende</l>
<l> Þus is vnkyndenesse þe contrarie · þat quencheth as it were</l>
Bx.17.280KD.17.275
<l> Þe grace of þe holy gooste · goddes owne kynde</l>
<l> For þat kynde dothe vnkynde fordoth ·<note>Bx.17.281: LWHmCG punctuate after <hi>fordoth</hi>, R after <hi>deth</hi>, while MF punctuate at both points.</note> as þese cursed theues</l>
<l> Vnkynde cristene men · for coueityse & enuye</l>
<l> Sleeth a man for his moebles · wyth mouth or wyth handes</l>
Bx.17.284KD.17.279
<l> For þat þe holygoste hath to kepe · þo harlotes destroyeth</l>
<l> Þe which is lyf & loue · þe leye of mannes bodye</l>
<l> For euery manere good man · may be likned to a torche</l>
<l> Or elles to a tapre · to reuerence þe Trinitee</l>
Bx.17.288KD.17.283
<l> And who-[so]<note>Bx.17.288: <hi>who-so</hi>: LW have <hi>who</hi>, perhaps representing the beta reading, with MCr reading <hi>who þat</hi>. However HmCG and alpha and <hi>Cx</hi> agree on <hi>who-so</hi>.</note> morthereth a good man · me thynketh by myn Inwyt</l>
<l> He fordoth þe leuest lyȝte · þat owre lorde loueth</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l> ¶ Ac ȝut in many mo maneres · men offenden þe holygoste</l>
<l> Ac þis is þe worste wyse · þat any wiȝte myȝte</l>
Bx.17.292KD.17.287
<l> Synnen aȝein þe seynt spirit · assenten to destruye</l>
<l> For coueityse of any kynnes þinge · þat cryst dere bouȝte</l>
<l> <note>Bx.17.294: The line is omitted in beta3 and beta4.</note> How myȝte he axe mercy · or any mercy hym helpe</l>
<l> Þat wykkedlich & willefullich · wolde mercy anynte</l>
Bx.17.296KD.17.291
<l> Innocence is nexte god · & nyȝte and day it crieth</l>
<l> Veniaunce veniaunce · forȝiue be it neuere</l>
<l> That shent vs<note>Bx.17.298: <hi>vs</hi> (1): Dropped by alpha, but attested in <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> & shadde owre blode · forshapte vs as it [semed]<note>Bx.17.298: <hi>semed</hi>: Beta has <hi>were</hi>, but R is supported by most <hi>C</hi> mss., with a few reading <hi>semeth</hi> as in F.</note></l>
<l> <foreign>Vindica sanguinem iustorum</foreign></l>
Bx.17.300KD.17.294
<l> Thus veniaunce veniaunce [·] verrey charite asketh</l>
<l> And sith holicherche & charite [·] chargeth þis so sore</l>
<l> Leue I neure that owre lorde [·] wil loue þat charite lakketh</l>
<l> Ne haue pite for any preyere · þere þat he pleyneth</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
Bx.17.304KD.17.299
<l> ¶ I pose I hadde synned so · and shulde now deye</l>
<l> And now<note>Bx.17.305: <hi>now</hi>: Alpha's <hi>nouȝt</hi> is an obvious misreading, perhaps of archetypal <hi>nouthe</hi>.</note> am sory þat [I]<note>Bx.17.305: <hi>I</hi>: The placement of the pronoun is supported by <hi>Cx</hi>. However, it may not represent <hi>Bx</hi>. L omits it entirely, R postpones it to the b-verse, MWHm have it twice in the a-verse. It is possible that <hi>Bx</hi> omitted it, as in L.</note> so · þe seint spirit agulte</l>
<l> Confesse me & crye his grace · god þat al made</l>
<l> And myldliche his mercy axe · myȝte I nouȝte be saued</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
Bx.17.308KD.17.303
<l> ¶ Ȝus seide þe Samaritan · so þow myȝte[st]<note>Bx.17.308: <hi>so þow myȝtest</hi>: Construed with <hi>Þat</hi> in the next line: "in such a way that". Alpha is supported by <hi>Cx</hi>. Beta has <hi>so wel þow myȝte</hi> (subjunctive).</note> repente</l>
<l> Þat riȝtwisnesse þorw<note>Bx.17.309: <hi>þorw</hi>: Beta is supported by <hi>Cx</hi> against alpha's <hi>to</hi>.</note> repentance · to reuthe myȝte torne</l>
<l> Ac it is but selden yseye · þere sothenesse bereth witnesse</l>
<l> Any creature [be]<note>Bx.17.311: <hi>be</hi>: Alpha supported by <hi>Cx</hi>. Beta is presumably trying to smooth a difficult construction.</note> coupable · afor<note>Bx.17.311: <hi>afor</hi>: This is apparently the beta reading, with MCr and alpha regressing to the commonplace <hi>bifore</hi> as elsewhere. See note to <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.5.12</ref> for other examples. Nevertheless the reading of <hi>Bx</hi> is doubtful, since <hi>Cx</hi> has <hi>bifore</hi>.</note> a kynges iustice</l>
Bx.17.312KD.17.307
<l> Be raunsoned for his repentaunce<note>Bx.17.312: <hi>repentaunce</hi>: Beta, as in <hi>Cx</hi>. Lost by R (= alpha), with F repairing.</note> · þere alle resoun hym dampneth</l>
<l> For þere þat partye pursueth · þe pele<note>Bx.17.313: <hi>pele</hi>: "accusation". So L + alpha, supported by <hi>Cx</hi>'s <hi>apele</hi>. Cr has <hi>plee</hi>, with M altered to that reading; the other beta mss. have nonsensical <hi>peple</hi>.</note> is so huge</l>
<l> Þat þe kynge may do no mercy · til bothe men acorde</l>
<l> And eyther haue equite · as holywrit telleth</l>
Bx.17.316KD.17.310α
<l> <foreign>Numquam dimittitur peccatum &c</foreign></l>
<l> Þus it fareth bi suche folke · þat falsely al her lyues<note>Bx.17.317: <hi>lyues</hi>: Alpha has the distributive sg., perhaps rightly. The b-verse is rewritten in <hi>Cx</hi>.</note></l>
<l> Euel lyuen & leten nouȝte · til lyf hem forsake</l>
<l> <note>Bx.17.319-20: These two lines omitted by beta are supported by <hi>Cx</hi> (RK.19.293-4).</note> [Drede of desperacioun · þanne<note>Bx.17.319: <hi>þanne</hi>: F's placement at the start of the b-verse is supported by <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> dryueth awey<note>Bx.17.319: <hi>awey</hi>: Supported by the P family of <hi>Cx</hi>; the X family is without it.</note> grace</l>
Bx.17.320KD.17.314
<l> Þat mercy in her mynde · may nauȝt þanne falle]</l>
<l> Good hope þat helpe shulde · to wanhope torneth</l>
<l> Nouȝt of þe nounpowere<note>Bx.17.322: <hi>nounpowere</hi>: "impotence", beta as <hi>Cx</hi>. Alpha mistakes it for <hi>nounper</hi>, "umpire".</note> of god · þat he ne is myȝtful</l>
<l> To amende al þat amys is · and his mercy grettere</l>
Bx.17.324KD.17.318
<l> Þan alle owre wykked werkes · as holiwrit telleth</l>
<l> <foreign>Misericordia eius<note>Bx.17.325: <hi><foreign>eius</foreign></hi> (1): So beta, supported by <hi>Cx</hi> and its source, Psalm 114.9. This may, however, be a correction, since alpha has <hi>domini</hi>, as previously in <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.5.293</ref> (where F is lacking). See that note.</note> super omnia opera eius</foreign></l>
<l> Ac ar his riȝtwisnesse to reuthe tourne · some restitucioun bihoueth </l>
<l> <note>Bx.17.327: The line is in beta only. It lacks b-verse alliteration. The revised line in <hi>Cx</hi> has <hi>suche as</hi> or <hi>suche þat</hi> for beta's <hi>hym þat</hi>.</note> His sorwe is satisfaccioun [·] for hym þat may nouȝte paye</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
Bx.17.328KD.17.321
<l> ¶ Thre þinges þere ben · þat doth a man by strengthe</l>
<l> Forto fleen his owne hous · as holy wryt sheweth</l>
<l> Þat one is a wikked wyf · þat wil nouȝt be chasted<note>Bx.17.330: <hi>chasted</hi>: So LCR, supported by <hi>Cx</hi>. See again l. <ref>341</ref>. The form (<title>MED</title> <hi>chasten</hi>) appears earlier than <title>MED</title> <hi>chastisen</hi>.</note></l>
<l> Her fiere fleeth<note>Bx.17.331: <hi>fleeth</hi>: Beta has <hi>fleeth fro</hi>. Alpha, with the transitive verb as two lines above, is supported by the X family of <hi>C</hi>, while beta shares the reading with the P family.</note> hyr · for fere of her tonge</l>
Bx.17.332KD.17.325
<l> And if his hous be vnhiled · and reyne on his bedde</l>
<l> He seketh and seketh · til he slepe drye</l>
<l> And whan smoke & smolder [·] smyt in his syȝte</l>
<l> It doth hym worse þan his wyf · or wete to slepe</l>
Bx.17.336KD.17.329
<l> For smoke & smolder · sm[er]teth<note>Bx.17.336: <hi>smerteth</hi>: Beta repeats <hi>smyteth</hi> from l. <ref>334</ref>, or anticipates l. <ref>355</ref>. Alpha is supported by <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> his eyen</l>
<l> Til he be blerenyed<note>Bx.17.337: <hi>blerenyed</hi>: The form (though misdivided in L) is supported by R's <hi>blereneyed</hi>. See <title>MED</title> <hi>blere-eied</hi>.</note> or blynde · and [þe borre]<note>Bx.17.337: <hi>þe borre</hi>: This is clearly the authorial reading, attested by <hi>Cx</hi>. <title>MED</title> <hi>burre</hi> n.(1), 2(b), "hoarsness", cites only this instance of the phrase. Beta's <hi>hors</hi> and alpha's <hi>cowȝhe</hi> avoid a difficult phrase, and F restores alliteration by adding <hi>a bold</hi>.</note> in þe throte</l>
<l> Cougheth<note>Bx.17.338: <hi>Cougheth</hi>: R begins <hi>He</hi>, and F rewrites, but <hi>Cx</hi> supports beta.</note> and curseth · þat cryst gyf h[y]m<note>Bx.17.338: <hi>hym</hi>: Beta probably read <hi>hem</hi>, corrected by MCG, but alpha is supported by <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> sorwe</l>
<l> Þat sholde brynge in better wode · or blowe it til it brende</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
Bx.17.340KD.17.333
<l> ¶ Þise thre þat I telle of · [þus ben]<note>Bx.17.340: <hi>þus ben</hi>: So R. Beta has <hi>ben þus to</hi>, and F has <hi>þus ben to</hi>, with <hi>vnderstonde</hi> therefore infinitive rather than past ppl. In <hi>C</hi> the X family supports R, the P family supports F.</note> vnderstonde</l>
<l> The wyf is owre wikked flesshe · wil<note>Bx.17.341: <hi>wil</hi>: Only R omits the relative <hi>þat</hi>, which is partly prompted by the same b-verse in l. <ref>330</ref>. Although a number of <hi>C</hi> mss. have <hi>þat</hi>, the best do not.</note> nouȝt be chasted<note>Bx.17.341: <hi>chasted</hi>: LMCrCR supported by <hi>Cx</hi>. See note to l. <ref>330</ref>.</note></l>
<l> For kynde cleueth on hym euere · to contrarie þe soule</l>
<l> And þowgh it falle it fynt skiles · þ[at]<note>Bx.17.343: <hi>þat</hi>: LHm read <hi>þe</hi>, but sense requires <hi>þat</hi>, which is the reading of <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> frelete it made</l>
Bx.17.344KD.17.337
<l> And þat is liȝtly forȝeuen · and forȝeten bothe</l>
<l> To man þat mercy asketh · and amende þenketh</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l> ¶ The reyne þat reyneth · þere we reste sholde</l>
<l> Ben sikenesses<note>Bx.17.347: <hi>sikenesses</hi>: The form without <hi>-es</hi> in CrWCG may also be plural.</note> & [other]<note>Bx.17.347: <hi>other</hi>: The reading depends on R alone, with the support of <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> sorwes · þat we suffren [ouȝte]<note>Bx.17.347: <hi>ouȝte</hi>: Alpha is supported by the more reliable <hi>C</hi> mss., though many have beta's easier reading <hi>oft</hi>. Confusion is likely, since <hi>oft</hi> is a possible spelling of "ought" in south-western texts. See Jordan (1974), para. 196, remark, and para. 294.</note></l>
Bx.17.348KD.17.341
<l> As Powle þe Apostle · to þe peple tauȝte</l>
<l> <foreign>Virtus in infirmitate perficitur &c ·</foreign></l>
<l> And þowgh þat men make · moche deol in her angre</l>
<l> And [be]<note>Bx.17.351: <hi>be</hi>: So alpha and <hi>Cx</hi>, but apparently lost by beta, and added on grounds of sense by beta2.</note> inpacient in here penaunce · pure resoun knoweth</l>
Bx.17.352KD.17.344
<l> Þat þei han cause<note>Bx.17.352: <hi>cause</hi>: Alpha repeats <hi>resoun</hi> from the previous line and loses the alliteration.</note> to contrarie · by kynde of her sykenesse</l>
<l> And liȝtlich owre lorde · at her lyues ende</l>
<l> Hath mercy on suche men · þat so yuel may suffre</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l> ¶ Ac þe smoke and þe smolder [·] þat smyt in owre eyghen<note>Bx.17.355: Here O resumes.</note></l>
Bx.17.356KD.17.348
<l> Þat is<note>Bx.17.356: <hi>is</hi>: R drops the verb and consequently drops the relative in the b-verse. Beta4 has <hi>Is</hi> for <hi>Þat is</hi>. LMF and beta2 are supported by <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> coueityse and vnkyndenesse · þat quencheth goddes mercy</l>
<l> For vnkyndenesse is þe contrarie · of alkynnes resoun</l>
<l> For þere nys syke ne sori · ne non so moche wrecche</l>
<l> Þat he ne may louye & hym lyke · and lene<note>Bx.17.359: <hi>lene</hi>: Cr has <hi>leue</hi>; the others are ambiguous.</note> of his herte</l>
Bx.17.360KD.17.352
<l> Goed wille<note>Bx.17.360: <hi>wille</hi>: Beta reads <hi>wille &</hi>, but alpha is supported by <hi>Cx</hi>.</note> good worde · bothe wisshen and wil[n]en<note>Bx.17.360: <hi>wilnen</hi>: Alpha is supported by <hi>Cx</hi> against beta's <hi>willen</hi>.</note></l>
<l> Alle manere men<note>Bx.17.361: <hi>men</hi>: Lost in MCr, which read <hi>of</hi>.</note> · mercy & forȝifnesse</l>
<l> And louye hem<note>Bx.17.362: <hi>hem</hi>: MCr have <hi>hym</hi>.</note> liche hym-self · and his lyf amende</l>
<l> I may no lenger lette quod he · and lyarde he pryked</l>
Bx.17.364KD.17.356
<l> And went away as wynde · and þere-with I awaked</l>
</lg>
</div1>
MED