<div1>
<div1>fol. 98v (cont.)I</div1>
<del><hi>pass<expan>us</expan> xx<expan>us</expan> et primus de dobeste</hi></del>
<head><lb/>
<hi><foreign>Passus <orig>xx<expan>us</expan></orig><reg>vicesimus</reg></foreign></hi><note>M.20.0: The guide to the rubricator in the left margin has been erased, though <hi>pass<expan>us</expan> xx<expan>us</expan> et primus de dobeste</hi> is still legible under ultra-violet.</note></head>
<lb/>
<lg>
t
<l><hi><hi>T</hi></hi>Hanne as I wente by þe wey . whan I was þus awaked</l>
<l>Heuy chered I <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>ede . and elenge in herte</l>
<l>I ne wiste where to ete . ne at what place</l>
M.20.4KD.20.4
<l>And it neiȝed neiȝe þe noon . and with nede I mette . </l>
<l>That afrounted me foule . and faitour me called</l>
<l>Kanstow nouȝt excuse the . as dede þe kyng<del>e</del> and oþere</l>
<l>That þow took to þi by<del>ly</del><add>li</add>ue<note>M.20.7: The reading of a number of manuscripts, including Cr, is <hi>bileue</hi>, yet it seems clear that it is a <y> and not an <e> that has been erased here.</note> . to cloþes and to sustenaunce</l>
M.20.8KD.20.8
<l>As by techinge and by tellynge . of <hi><foreign><hi>spiritus temp<expan>er</expan>ancie .</hi></foreign></hi></l>
<l>And þow <add>nome</add> <orig>nomore</orig><reg>no more</reg> . þan<del>ne</del><add><seg></seg></add> nede þe tauȝte</l>
<l>And nede haþ no lawe . ne neuere shal falle in dette</l>
<l>For þre þinges he takeþ . his lif for to saue</l>
M.20.12KD.20.12
<l>That is mete whanne men hym werneth . and he no moneye weldeþ . </l>
<l>Ne wight noon wol ben his borwe . ne wed<del>de</del><add><seg></seg></add> haþ non to legge</l>
<l>And he cauȝte in þat cas . and come þerto by sleightes<note>M.20.14: M's <hi>sleightes</hi> agrees with Cr; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts except have the singular.</note></l>
<l>He synneþ nouȝt sothely . þat so wynneþ his fode</l>
M.20.16KD.20.16
<l>And þouȝ he cam<note>M.20.16: M shares the reading <hi>cam</hi> with Cr; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>come</hi> or <hi>comeþ</hi>.</note> so to a cloþ<del>e</del><add> .</add> and kan<del>..</del><add>ne</add> no bettre cheuysaunce . </l>
<l>Nede a<seg>-</seg>noon riȝt . nymeþ <add>him</add> vnder maymprise</l>
<l>And if hym lust for to lape . þe lawe of kynde wolde</l>
<l>That he dronke at <del>.</del><add>e</add>ch<del>e</del> <add>a</add><note>M.10.19: M's altered reading agrees with YC<hi>2</hi>. As at M.19.399, the added <hi>a</hi> is written over the erased <-e>.</note> dich<del>e</del> er he for th<del>......</del><add>urst<del>e</del></add> dey<del>e..</del><add>de</add></l>
M.20.20KD.20.20
<l>So nede at grete nede . may nymen as for his owene</l>
<l>With<seg>-</seg>outen conseille of conscience . <del>...</del><add>or</add><note>M.20.21: M's original reading, concealed by the revision <hi>or</hi>, is likely to have been <hi>and</hi>, shared with G.</note> cardynale vertues</l>
<l>So þat he suwe and saue . <hi><foreign><hi>Spiritus temp<expan>er</expan>ancie</hi></foreign></hi></l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>For is no vertue by fer . to <hi><foreign><hi>Spiritus temp<expan>er</expan>ancie</hi></foreign></hi></l>
M.20.24KD.20.24
<l>Neyther <hi><foreign><hi>Sp<expan>irit</expan>us iusticie</hi></foreign></hi> . ne <hi><foreign><hi>Spiritus fortitudinis</hi></foreign></hi></l>
<l>For <hi><foreign><hi>Sp<expan>irit</expan>us fortitudinis</hi></foreign></hi> . forfeteþ ful ofte</l>
<l>He shal do more þan mesure . many tyme and ofte</l>
<l>And bete men ouer bittre . and so<expan>m</expan>me of hem to lytul</l>
M.20.28KD.20.28
<l>And greueth men gretter . þan<del>ne</del><add><seg></seg></add> go<del>.</del><add>od</add> faith it wolde</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>And <hi><foreign><hi>Sp<expan>irit</expan>us iusticie</hi></foreign></hi> . shal iuggen wol he nel he . </l>
<milestone>fol. 99rI</milestone>
passus xx<expan>us</expan>
<l>After þe kynges conseille . and þe Comune like</l>
<l>And <hi><foreign><hi>Spiritus prudencie</hi></foreign></hi> . in many a point shal faille</l>
M.20.32KD.20.32
<l>Of þat he weneþ wolde falle . if his wit ne were</l>
<l>Wenynge is no wysdome . ne wy<del>se</del><add>s</add> ymagynaciou<expan>n</expan></l>
<l><hi><foreign><hi>Homo p<expan>ro</expan>ponit deus disponit </hi></foreign></hi> . and gou<expan>er</expan>neþ alle goode vertues</l>
<l>Ac nede is next<del>e</del> hym . for a<seg>-</seg>non he meketh <add>hym</add><note>M.20.35: M's addition of <hi>hym</hi> brings it into agreement with Cr.</note></l>
M.20.36KD.20.36
<l>And as lowe as a lomb<del>e</del> . for lakkyng of þat hym nedeþ</l>
<l>Wise men forsooke wele . for þei wolde be nedy . </l>
<l>And woneden in wildernesse . and wolden not be ryche</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>And god al his grete ioye . goostly he lefte</l>
M.20.40KD.20.41
<l>And cam and took mankynde . and bycom<del>e</del> nedy</l>
<l>So nedy he was as seith þe book . in many sondry places . </l>
<l>That he saide in his sorwe . on þe selue <hi>Roode</hi></l>
<l>Boþe fox and fo<del>....</del><add>wl</add> . may flee . and<note>M.20.43: M's syntax agrees with Cr; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts supply <hi>and</hi> before <hi>crepe</hi> rather than before <hi>to</hi>.</note> to hole crepe</l>
M.20.44KD.20.45
<l>And þe Fissh haþ fynne . to flete with to reste</l>
<l>There nede haþ ynome <add>me</add> . þat I moot nede abide</l>
<l>And suffre sorwes ful soure . þat shul to ioy tourne</l>
<l>For<seg>-</seg>þi be nouȝt abasshed . to byde and to be nedy</l>
M.20.48KD.20.49
<l>Sith he þat wrouȝte al þe world . was willefulliche nedy . </l>
<l>Ne neu<expan>er</expan>e noon so nedy . ne porer<add><expan>e</expan></add> deyde . </l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>Whanne nede hadde vndurnome <add>me</add><note>M.20.50: M's original reading without <hi>me</hi> agreed with OR.</note> þus . a<seg>-</seg>noon I fell on slepe</l>
<l>And mette ful merueillousliche . þat in ma<add><expan>n</expan></add>n<del>.</del><add>e</add>s <del>..kkenesse</del><add>forme</add><note>M.20.51: M's original reading must have been <hi>likkenesse</hi> (for the spelling cf. 19.202, 205), a reading not shared by any <hi>B</hi> or <hi>C</hi> manuscripts.</note></l>
M.20.52KD.20.53
<l>An<expan>te</expan>crist<del>e</del> cam þanne . and al þe crop of treuþe . </l>
<l>Turned it vpso<seg>-</seg>doun . and ouer<seg>-</seg>tilte þe Roote</l>
<l>And fals springe and sprede . and spede me<add><expan>n</expan></add>nus nedes</l>
<l>In <del>.</del><add>e</add>ch<del>e</del> a countre þer<del>e</del> he cam . he kutte a<seg>-</seg>way treuþe<note>M.20.55: The text of <hi>a<seg>-</seg>way treuþe</hi> is damaged as a result of staining and/or erasure.</note></l>
M.20.56KD.20.57
<l>And gerte gile growe þere . as he a god were</l>
<l>Freres folwed þat fend<del>e</del> . <del>...?...?...</del><add>for he gaf hem copes</add><note>M.20.57: Presumably the erasure is the anticipated b-verse of M.20.58. There are no variants at this point.</note></l>
<l>And religiouse reu<expan>er</expan>enced hym . and rongen hire belles</l>
<l>And al þe couent forþ cam . to welcome þat tyraunt</l>
M.20.60KD.20.61
<l>And alle hise as wel as hym . saue onelyche fooles</l>
<l>W<del>..</del><add>hic</add>he foles were wel leuere . to deye þan<del>ne</del><add><seg></seg></add> to lyue</l>
<l>Lengere . sith lenton . was so rebuked</l>
<l>And a fals feend antecrist . ouer alle folk regned . </l>
M.20.64KD.20.65
<l>And þat were mylde men and holy . þat no meschief dredden . </l>
<l>Deffieden alle falsnesse . and folk<del>e</del> þat it vsed . </l>
<l>And what kyng þat hem conforted . knowynge hem any while</l>
<milestone>fol. 99vI</milestone>
<l>Thei cursed and hire counseille . were it clerk or lewede</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
M.20.68KD.20.69
<l>Antecrist hadde þus soone . hundredes at his baner</l>
<l>And pride it bar . boldely aboute . </l>
<l>With a lord þat lyueth after . þe<note>M.20.70: M's <hi>þe</hi> agrees with Cr; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts omit the word.</note> likynge of his body</l>
<l>That cam aȝein conscience . þat keper was and gyour</l>
M.20.72KD.20.73
<l>Ouer kynde Cristene . and cardynale vertues</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>I counseille quod conscience<note>M.20.73: M's <hi>conscience</hi> agrees with Cr; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts follow the word with <hi>þo</hi> or <hi>ye</hi>.</note> . comeþ w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> me fooles<note>M.20.73: M's <hi>fooles</hi> agrees with Cr; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts read <hi>ye/you fooles</hi>.</note></l>
<l>In<seg>-</seg>to vnite hol<del>ly</del><add>y</add> churche . and holde we vs þere</l>
<l>And crye we to kynde . þat he come and defende vs</l>
M.20.76KD.20.77
<l>Fooles from þise feendes lymes . for Piers loue þe plowman</l>
<l>And crye we to al þe comune . þat þei come to vnite</l>
<l>And þere abyde and bykere a<del>.</del><add>y</add>ein . Beliales children</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>Kynde conscience þo herde . and com out of þe planetes</l>
M.20.80KD.20.81
<l>And sente forth his Forreours . feueres and fluxes</l>
<l>Koughes and cardiacles . crampes and tothaches</l>
<l>Rewmes and radegoundes . and roynouse scalles</l>
<l>Biles and bocches . and bren<del>.</del><add>n</add>ynge agues</l>
M.20.84KD.20.85
<l>Frensyes and foule <del>.</del><add>y</add>ueles . foragers of kynde</l>
<l>Hadde y<seg>-</seg>prikked and prayed . polles of þe p<del>.</del><add>e</add>ple</l>
<l>That largelich<add>e</add> a legion . loren hire lif <del>after</del><add>soone</add><note>M.20.86: M's original reading <hi>after</hi> was not attested in other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts.</note></l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>There was harrow and help<del>e</del> . here comeþ kynde</l>
M.20.88KD.20.89
<l>With deth þat is dredful . to vndoon vs alle</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>The lord þat lyued aftur lust . tho aloud cryde</l>
<l>After confort a kniȝt . to come and bere his baner</l>
<l>Alarme alarme quod þat lord . <del>.</del><add>e</add>ch<del>e</del> lif kepe his owne</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
M.20.92KD.20.93
<l>And þanne mette þise men . <del>hire</del><add>or</add><note>M.20.92: M's original reading <hi>hire</hi>, as in the next line, is paralleled by Cr's <hi>their</hi>. Other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>er</hi>. This is a rare example of M moving away from a Cr reading, but the revising hand is crude and late. See also the note to M.20.101.</note> mynstrales myȝte pipe</l>
<l>And <del>hire</del><add>or</add><note>M.20.93: M's original reading <hi>hire</hi> is shared with Cot (also corrected) and paralleled by Cr's <hi>their</hi>. See note to previous line. Other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>er</hi>.</note> heraudes of armes . had descryued lord<del>.</del><add>e</add>s . </l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>Elde þe hore he was . in þe vauntward<add>e</add></l>
<l>And bar þe baner bifore deþ . by riȝt he it cleymed . </l>
M.20.96KD.20.97
<l>Kynde cam after . with many kene soores</l>
<l>As pokkes and pestilences . and muche p<del>.</del><add>e</add>ple shente</l>
<l>So kynde þoruȝ corupciouns . kulled ful manye . </l>
<milestone>fol. 100rI</milestone>
passus xx<expan>us</expan>
<l>Deth cam dryuynge after . and al to dust passhed</l>
M.20.100KD.20.101
<l>Kynges and kaysers . knyghtes<note>M.20.100: M's <hi>kaysers knyghtes</hi> agrees with Cr; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts reverse the order.</note> . and popes</l>
<l>Lered ne lewede . he <del>ne</del><add><seg></seg></add><note>M.20.101: In erasing <hi>ne</hi> M again departs from a Cr reading. Cf. notes to M.20.92-93.</note> leet no man stonde</l>
<l>That he hit euene . þat euere stood<note>M.20.102: M's <hi>stood</hi> agrees with Cr; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>stired</hi>.</note> aftur</l>
<l>Many a louely lady . and lemmans of knyghtes</l>
M.20.104KD.20.105
<l>Swoneden and swelten<note>M.20.104: M's <hi>swelten</hi> agrees with Cr<hi>1</hi>; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have the past tense.</note> . for sorwe of deþes dyntes</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>Conscience of his curtesye . to kynde he bisouȝte</l>
<l>To cesse and suffre . and se where þei wolde</l>
<l>Leue pride priuely . and be p<expan>ar</expan>fite cristene</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
M.20.108KD.20.109
<l>And kynde cessed þo . to se þe p<del>.</del><add>e</add>ple amende</l>
<l>Fortune gan flateren þanne . þo fewe þat weren alyue</l>
<l>And by<seg>-</seg>highte hem long<del>e</del> lif . and leccherye he sente</l>
<l>Amonges alle manere men . wedded and vnwedded</l>
M.20.112KD.20.113
<l><del>.</del><add> & </add> gadred a gret<del>e</del> hoost : al again conscience</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>This leccherye leide on . with a laughynge chiere</l>
<l>And with a<note>M.20.114: Only MCr read <hi>a</hi>.</note> pryue speche . and peintede wordus</l>
<l>And armed hym in ydelnesse . and in heighe berynge</l>
M.20.116KD.20.117
<l>He bar a bowe in his hand . and many blody ar<del>r</del>wes</l>
<l>Weren fetherd<del>e</del> wiþ faire biheste . and many a fals treuþe</l>
<l>Wiþ his vntydy tales . he tened ful ofte</l>
<l>Conscience and his compaignye . of holy churche þe techers</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
M.20.120KD.20.121
<l>Thanne com<del>e</del> coue<add>i</add>tise . and caste how he miȝte</l>
<l>Ouercome conscience . and cardynale vertues</l>
<l>And armede hym in auarice . and hungriliche lyuede . </l>
<l>His wep<del>..</del><add>ene</add> was al wyles . to wynne<expan>n</expan> and to hiden</l>
M.20.124KD.20.125
<l>With glosynges and with gabbynges . he giled þe p<del>.</del><add>e</add>ple . </l>
<l>Symonye him sente . to assaille conscience</l>
<l>And preched to þe p<del>.</del><add>e</add>ple . and p<expan>re</expan>lates þei maden<note>M.20.126: All <hi>B</hi> manuscripts except MCr read <hi>hem maden</hi>.</note></l>
<l>To holden with antecrist . hire temp<expan>er</expan>altees to sauen</l>
M.20.128KD.20.129
<l>And com<del>e</del> to þe kynges conseill . as a kene baroun</l>
<l>And kneled to conscience . in court afore hem alle</l>
<l>And garte good<del>e</del> feith<del>e</del> flee . and fals to abide</l>
<l>And boldliche bar adoun . with many a bright noble</l>
M.20.132KD.20.133
<l>Muche of þe wit and wisdom<del>e</del> . of westm<del>u</del><add>y</add>nstre halle</l>
<l>He iugged til a Iustice . and iusted in his ere</l>
c<expan>or</expan>
<milestone>fol. 100vI</milestone>
<l><note>M.20.134: The decoration to the left of the first letter resembles a paraph, but is presumably not intended as one.</note>And ouertilte al his <del>.......</del><add>treuthe</add> . with take þis vp amendement</l>
<l>And to þe arches in haste . he <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>ede anoon aft<del>.</del><add>er</add></l>
M.20.136KD.20.137
<l>And turne<add>d</add> cyuyle in<seg>-</seg>to symonye . and sith he took þe official<del>e</del></l>
# the mantell off Mynever
<l>For a man<del>.y</del><add>te</add>l of Menyuer . he made lele matrimoigne</l>
<l>Dep<expan>ar</expan>ten er deth cam . and diuorse shapte</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>Allas quod conscience þo<note>M.20.139: M's <hi>þo</hi> agrees with Cr; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>and cryde þo</hi>.</note> . wolde crist of his grace</l>
M.20.140KD.20.141
<l>That coue<add>i</add>tyse were a<note>M.20.140: Only MCr read <hi>a</hi>.</note> cristene . þat is so kene fiȝther<note>M.20.140: M's reading of <hi>fiȝther</hi> agrees with G. All other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts read <hi>a fightere</hi>, except for RF which read <hi>to fiȝte</hi>.</note></l>
<l>And bold<del>e</del> and bidynge . while his bagge lasteþ . </l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>And þanne lough<del>e</del> lif . and leet dagge hise cloþes . </l>
<l>And armed hym in haste . in harlotes wordes</l>
M.20.144KD.20.145
<l>And h<del>.</del><add>e</add>ld holynesse a iape . and heendnesse a wastour</l>
<l>And leet leautee a cherle . and lyer a freman</l>
<l>Conscience and counseill<del>e</del> . he counted it a foly</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>Thus relyed lyf . for a litel fortune</l>
M.20.148KD.20.149
<l>And priked forth with pride . praised he no vertue</l>
<l>He careþ nouȝt how kynde slow<del>e</del> . and shal come at þe laste</l>
<l>And kulle alle erþely creature<add>s</add><note>M.20.150: M's original reading <hi>creature</hi> agreed with YLR. All other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts attest the plural.</note> . saue conscience oone . </l>
<l>Lyf l<del>...</del><add>eep</add> a<seg>-</seg>side . and cauȝte<note>M.20.151: M shares the reading <hi>cauȝte</hi> with Cr<hi>1</hi>; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>lauȝte</hi>.</note> hym a lemman . </l>
M.20.152KD.20.153
<l>Hele and I quod he . and heynesse of herte</l>
<l>Shal do <add>þe</add> nouȝt drede . neyther deþ ne elde</l>
<l>And to<del>r</del> forȝete deþ<note>M.20.154: M shares the reading <hi>deþ</hi> only with Cr<hi>1</hi>. Other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts read <hi>sorwe</hi>.</note> . and <del>...</del><add>yeue</add> nouȝt of synne</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>This liked lif . and his lemman fortune</l>
M.20.156KD.20.157
<l>And geten in hire glorie . a gadlynge at þe <del>..</del><add>la</add>ste</l>
<l>Oon þat muche wo wrouȝte . slewþe was his name</l>
<l>Slewþe wex<del>e</del> <del>...?...</del><add>wo<del>u</del><del>n</del><add>n<seg></seg></add>dur</add><note>M.20.158: The correction was orginally written <hi>woundur</hi> and has been corrected a second time.</note> <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>erne . and soone was of age</l>
<l>And wedded on wanhope . a wenche of þe stewes . </l>
M.20.160KD.20.161
<l>Hire sire was a Sisour / þat neuere swor treuþe</l>
# Tom twotong<expan>e</expan>
<l>Oon tho<expan>m</expan>me twotonge . atteint<del>e</del> of<note>M.20.161: M shares the reading <hi>of</hi> with Cr<hi>1</hi>; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>at</hi>; F reads <hi>in</hi>.</note> <del>.</del><add>e</add>ch<del>e</del> a queste . </l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>This sleuþe was war of werre . and a slynge made</l>
mordon<note>M.20.163: See Introduction, I.11 "Provenance."</note>
<l>And þrew<del>e</del> drede of despair . a dozeyne myle a<seg>-</seg>boute</l>
M.20.164KD.20.165
<l>For care conscience þo . cryed vpon elde</l>
<l>And bad<del>e</del> hym fonde to fiȝte . and <add>a</add>fere wanhope . </l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>And <del>....</del><add>elde</add> hente gode hope . and hastliche he shifte hym . </l>
<milestone>fol. 101rI</milestone>
passus xx<expan>us</expan>
<l>And wayued a<seg>-</seg>way wan<del>ne</del><add><seg></seg></add>hope . and with lif he fiȝteth</l>
M.20.168KD.20.169
<l>And lif fleigh<del>e</del> for feere . to phisyk<del>e</del> aftur helpe</l>
<l>And bysouȝte hym of his socour . and of his salue hadde . </l>
<l>And gaf hym gold good woon . þat gladed his herte</l>
<l>And þei geuen hym agayn . a glasen howue</l>
M.20.172KD.20.173
<l>Lyf leued þat lechecraft<del>e</del> . lette sh<del>u</del><add>o</add>lde elde</l>
# <foreign><expan>con</expan><expan>tra</expan> phisicos</foreign>
<l>And dryuen awey deth . with <hi>Dyas</hi> and dragges </l>
<l>And elde auntered hym on lyf . and at þe laste he h<del>u</del><add>y</add>tte</l>
<l>A phisicien with a furred hood . þat he fel in <add>þe</add><note>M.20.175: M's original reading was shared by O. M's addition of <hi>þe</hi> brings it into agreement with CrYC<hi>2</hi>CB. Others have <hi>a</hi>.</note> pallesye</l>
M.20.176KD.20.177
<l>And þere deied þat doctour . er three daies after</l>
<l>Now I see saide lif . þat surgienrye ne phisik<del>e</del></l>
<l>May nouȝt a myte auaille . to medle a<del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>ein elde</l>
<l>And in hope of his hele . good herte he hente</l>
M.20.180KD.20.181
<l>And rood so to Reuel . a ryche place and a murye</l>
<l>The compaignye of confort . men cleped it s<del>u</del><add>o</add>m<seg>-</seg>tyme</l>
<l>And elde <del>an</del>anoon after me . and ouer myn hed <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>ede</l>
<l>And made me balled by<seg>-</seg>fore . and bare on þe cro<del>u</del><add>v</add>ne</l>
M.20.184KD.20.185
<l>So harde he ȝede ouer myn hed . it wol be seene euere</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>Sire <del>.</del><add>y</add>uel<add>e</add> y<seg>-</seg>tauȝt Elde quod I . vnhiende go wiþ þe</l>
<l>Siþ whanne was þe wey<del>e</del> . ouer menn<del>.</del><add>e</add>s hedes</l>
X
<l>Haddest þow ben hende quod I . þow woldest haue asked leue</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
M.20.188KD.20.189
<l><del>Ȝe</del><add>Ye</add> leue lordeyn quod he . and layde on me with age</l>
<l>And h<del>u</del><add>y</add>tte me vnder þe <del>.</del><add>e</add>ere . vnnethe may ich heere</l>
<l>He buffeted me a<seg>-</seg>boute þe mouth<del>e</del> . and beet out my <del>....e</del><add>teth</add></l>
<l>And gyued me in goutes . I may not goo at large</l>
M.20.192KD.20.193
<l>And of þe wo þat I was ynne . <del>.</del><add>m</add>y wyf hadde reuthe</l>
<l>And whisshede ful w<del>it</del><add>y</add>t<del>.</del><add>e</add>rly . þat I were in heuene</l>
<l>For þe lyme þat she loued me fore . and leef was to feele</l>
<l>On nyȝtes namely . whan we naked were</l>
M.20.196KD.20.197
<l>I ne myȝte in no manere . maken it at hire wille</l>
<l>So Elde and she soþly . hadden <add>it</add> forbeten <del>..</del><add><seg></seg></add><note>M.20.197: M's original reading was probably close to that of Cr, which has <hi>had beaten it</hi>. The alteration brings M into agreement with most <hi>B</hi> manuscripts.</note></l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>And as I sat in þis sorwe . I seigh<del>e</del> kynde passed</l>
<l>And deþ drouȝ<del>e</del> neer<del>e</del> me . for drede gan I quake</l>
M.20.200KD.20.201
<l>And cryde to k<del>.</del><add>y</add>nde . out of care me brynge</l>
<l>Loo Elde þe hoore . haþ me by<seg>-</seg>se<del></del><add>y</add>e . </l>
<l>A<seg>-</seg>wreke me if <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>owre wille be . for I wolde ben henn<del>..</del><add>es</add></l>
<milestone>fol. 101vI</milestone>
<l>If þow wolt<del>e</del> been y<seg>-</seg>wroken . weende in<seg>-</seg>to vnitee</l>
M.20.204KD.20.205
<l>And holde þe þere euere / til I seende for þe</l>
<l>And loke þow konne som<del><expan>m</expan>e</del> craft<del>e</del> . er þow come þennes . </l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>Counseille me kynde quod I . what craft<del>e</del> is best<del>e</del> to lerne</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>Lerne to loue quod kynde . and leue of alle oþur</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
M.20.208KD.20.209
<l>How shal <add>.I.</add> come to catel so . to cloþe me and <del>to</del><add><seg></seg></add><note>M.20.208: The erasure of <hi>to</hi> brings M into agreement with HmGF.</note> fede . </l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>And þow loue lelly quod he . lakke shal þe neuere</l>
<l>Mete ne worldly wede . whil þi lif lasteth . </l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>And þere by conseill<del>e</del> of kynde . I comsed to rome</l>
M.20.212KD.20.213
<l>Thoruȝ contriciou<expan>n</expan> and confessiou<expan>n</expan> . til I com<del>e</del> to vnite . </l>
<l>And þere was conscience Conestable . cristene to saue</l>
<l>And biseged soþly w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> seuen grete gyauntes</l>
<l>That with Antecrist helden . harde a<del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>ein conscience</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
M.20.216KD.20.217
<l>Slewþe was<note>M.20.216: M's <hi>was</hi> agrees with Cr; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>wiþ</hi>.</note> his slynge . and <add>an</add><note>M.20.216: M's original reading of <hi>and</hi> without <hi>an</hi> agreed with Cr<hi>1,3</hi>YCBoR. The other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts read <hi>an</hi> but no others have <hi>and an</hi>.</note> hard<del>e</del> assaut made</l>
<l>Proude preestes come with hym . mo þan a þousand</l>
<l>In paltokes and piked shoes . and pissers longe knyues</l>
<l>Comen a<del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>ein conscience . w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> coue<add>i</add>tyse þei h<del>.</del><add>e</add>lden</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
# the prest off Irlond
M.20.220KD.20.221
<l>By marie quod a mansed preest . of þe marche of Irlond</l>
<l>I counte namore conscience . by so I cacche siluer</l>
<l>Than<del>ne</del><add><seg></seg></add> I do to drynke . a draughte of gode ale . </l>
<l>And so saiden sixty . of þe same countre</l>
M.20.224KD.20.225
<l>And shoten a<del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>ein with sho<del>..e</del><add>t</add> . many a shef of othes</l>
<l>And broode hoked arwes . godes herte and his nailes</l>
<l>And hadden<del>e</del> almoost vnyte . and holynesse a<seg>-</seg>downe</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>Conscience cryed help<del>e</del> clergye . <orig>orelles</orig><reg>or elles</reg> I falle</l>
M.20.228KD.20.229
<l>Thoruȝ inp<expan>ar</expan>fite preestes . and prelates of holy churche</l>
<foreign>b<expan>e</expan>n<expan>e</expan> vales consc<expan>ienc</expan>ia</foreign>
<l>Freres herden hym crye . and comen hym to helpen</l>
<l>Ac for þei koude nouȝt wel hire craft<del>e</del> . conscience forsook hem . </l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>Nede neighed þo neer . and conscience he toolde</l>
M.20.232KD.20.233
<l>That þey come for coue<add>i</add>tyse . to haue cure of soules</l>
<milestone>fol. 102rI</milestone>
passus xx<expan>us</expan>
<l>And for þei arn pou<expan>er</expan>e p<expan>ar</expan>auenture . for pat<expan>ri</expan>moigne hem failled<note>M.20.233: M alone among <hi>B</hi> manuscripts attests the past tense of the verb. Other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts attest the present.</note></l>
#
<l>Thei<note>M.20.234: M's <hi>Thei</hi> agrees with Cr; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>They wol</hi>.</note> flatere to fare wel . folk þat ben riche</l>
<l>And sithe þei chosen chele . and cheitif pou<expan>er</expan>te . </l>
M.20.236KD.20.237
<l>Lat hem chewe as þei chosen . and charge hem with no cure . </l>
<space>     </space><foreign>.i<expan>d est</expan>. sepius</foreign><note>M.20.237: This gloss on <hi>lomer</hi> also appears in L.</note>
<l>For lomer he lyeþ . þat liflode moot begge</l>
#
<l>Than<del>ne</del><add><seg></seg></add> he þat laboureþ for liflode . and leueþ it beggers</l>
<l>And sith Freres forsook<add>e</add> . þe felicitee of <del>þe</del><note>M.20.239: M's original reading <hi>þe</hi> was also attested in CrG.</note> erþe . </l>
M.20.240KD.20.241
<l>Lat hem be as beggers . or lyue by angeles foode . </l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>Conscience of þis conseille þo . comsed to laughe</l>
<l>And curteislich conforted hem . and called in alle Freres . </l>
<l>And saide sires soþly . welcome be <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>e alle</l>
M.20.244KD.20.245
<l>To vnite and holychurche . ac <orig>oþing<del>e</del></orig><reg>o þing<del>e</del></reg> I <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>ow praie</l>
<l>Holdeþ <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>ow in vnite . and haueþ noon enuye</l>
<l>To lered ne to lewed . but lyueth aftur <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>oure rule</l>
<l>And I wol be <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>owre borwe . <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>e shul haue breed <del>..</del><add> & </add> clothes</l>
M.20.248KD.20.249
<l>And oþer<add>e</add> necessaries y<seg>-</seg>nowe . <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>ow shal no þing<del>e</del> faille</l>
<l>With <add>þat</add> <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>e leue logyk<del>e</del> . and l<del>.</del><add>e</add>rneþ to<note>M.20.249: M's <hi>to</hi> agrees with Cr; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>for to</hi>.</note> lo<del>...</del><add>uye</add></l>
<l>For loue lafte<note>M.20.250: It is possible that <hi>lafte</hi> has been altered from <hi>loste</hi>, the reading of CrBmCot.</note> þei lordshipe . boþe lond and scole</l>
<l>Frere Fraunceys . and Domynyk . for loue to ben holy</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
M.20.252KD.20.253
<l>And if <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>e coueiteþ cure . kynde wil <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>ow teche</l>
<l>That in mesure god made . alle man<expan>er</expan>e þinges</l>
<l>And sette it at a certein . and at a siker nombre</l>
<l>And nempned names newe . and nombred þe sterres</l>
M.20.256KD.20.256α
<l><hi><foreign><hi>Qui num<expan>er</expan>at multitudinem stellarum . & o<expan>mn</expan>ib<expan>us</expan> eis & c<expan>etera</expan> .</hi></foreign></hi></l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>Kynges and knyghtes . þat kepen and defenden</l>
<l>Han officers vnder hem . and <del>.</del><add>e</add>ch of hem <add>a</add><note>M.20.258: M's original reading without <hi>a</hi> was shared by CrGYC<hi>2</hi>CLR.</note> certeyn</l>
<l>And if þei wage men to werre . þei wryte hem in nombre</l>
M.20.260KD.20.260
<l><del>Wol</del><add>Or þei</add> <add>wil</add><note>M.20.260: M's revised reading <hi>Or þei wil</hi> is shared only with Cr. Most <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>Wol</hi>, which was M's original reading, but F has <hi>Ellys will</hi> and B has <hi>And þerfore wollen</hi>.</note> no tresour hem paye . trauaille þei neu<expan>er</expan>e so soore</l>
<l>Alle oþur in bataille . ben holden bribours</l>
<l>Pilours and pikehernois . in ech<del>e</del> a place a<seg>-</seg>cursed</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>Monkes and monyales . and alle men of Religiou<expan>n</expan></l>
M.20.264KD.20.265
<l>Hire ordre and hire rule wolde<note>M.20.264: M's <hi>wolde</hi> agrees with Cr; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>wole</hi> or <hi>wel</hi>.</note> . to han a certein nombre</l>
<l>Of lered and of lewed . þe lawe wol and axeth . </l>
<l>A certein for a certein . saue oonly of freres . </l>
<l>For<seg>-</seg>þi quod conscience by crist . kynde wit me telleþ . </l>
<milestone>fol. 102vI</milestone>
M.20.268KD.20.269
<l>It is wikked to wage <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>ow . <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>e wex<add>e</add> out of nombre</l>
<l>Heuene haþ euene nombre . and helle is with<seg>-</seg>oute nombre</l>
<l>For<seg>-</seg>þi I wolde witt<del>u</del><add>e</add>rly . þat <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>e were in <del>þe</del><add><seg></seg></add><note>M.20.270: The erasure of <hi>þe</hi> brings M into agreement with O and most <hi>C</hi> manuscripts.</note> Registre<del>s</del><note>M.20.270: M's original plural agreed with Cr.</note></l>
<l>And <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>owre nombre vndur notaries signe . and neither mo ne lasse</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
M.20.272KD.20.273
<l>Enuye herde þis and <add>bad<note>M.20.272: The addition of <hi>bad</hi> brings M into agreement with Cr. Most other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts read <hi>heet</hi>.</note> . </add> Freres go to scole</l>
<l>And l<del>.</del><add>e</add>rne logyk<del>e</del> and lawe . and ek<del>e</del> contemplacioun</l>
<l>And preche men of plato . and p<expan>ro</expan>ue it by <hi>Seneca</hi></l>
<l>That alle þinges vndur heuene . ouȝten to ben in comune</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
M.20.276KD.20.277
<l>And <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>et he lieþ as I leue . þat to þe lewed so precheþ . </l>
<l>For god made men<note>M.20.277: M's <hi>men</hi> agrees with Cr; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>to men</hi>.</note> / a lawe / . and Moyses it tauȝte</l>
<l><hi><foreign><hi>Non concupisces rem p<expan>ro</expan>ximi tui .</hi></foreign></hi></l>
#
<l>And <del>.</del><add>y</add>uele is þis y<seg>-</seg>holde . in p<expan>ar</expan>isshes of Inglond<del>e</del></l>
M.20.280KD.20.281
<l>For p<expan>er</expan>sones and parissh preestes . þat shulde þe p<del>.</del><add>e</add>ple shriue</l>
<l>Ben curato<expan>ur</expan>s called . to knowe and to hele</l>
<l>Alle þat ben hire parisshenes . penaunce to enioigne</l>
<l>And sholden ben ashamed in hire shrifte . ac shame makeþ hem wende</l>
M.20.284KD.20.285
<l>And fleen to þe Freres . as fals folk to westm<del>u</del><add>y</add>nstre</l>
<l>Þat borweþ and bereþ þider . and þanne biddeþ freendes</l>
<l><del>Ȝ</del><add>Y</add>erne of for<del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>euenesse . or lenger <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>eres loone</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>Ac whil he is in westm<del>u</del><add>y</add>nstre . he wol be bifore</l>
M.20.288KD.20.289
<l>And maken hym merie . with oþur me<add><expan>n</expan></add>n<del>u</del><add>e</add>s goodes</l>
<l>And so it fareþ w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> muche folk<del>e</del> . þat to þe Freres shryueþ</l>
<l>As sisours and Executours . þei wol <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>eue þe Freres</l>
<l>A p<expan>ar</expan>cel to pray for hem . and make hem<seg>-</seg>selue murye</l>
M.20.292KD.20.292.1
<l>With <add>þe</add> residue and þe rem<del>.</del><add>e</add>naunt . þat oþer men byswonke</l>
<l>And suffre þe dede in dette . to þe day of dome . </l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>Enuye herfore . hated conscience . </l>
<l>And Freres to philosophye . he fond<del>e</del> hem to scole</l>
X
M.20.296KD.20.296
<l>The while coue<add>i</add>tise and vnkyndnesse . conscience assailled</l>
<l>In vnite holy churche . conscience held<del>e</del> hym</l>
<l>And made pees porter . to pynne þe <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>ates</l>
<l>Of alle tale<seg>-</seg>tellers . and titerers in ydel</l>
M.20.300KD.20.300
<l>Ypocrysye and he . an hard assaut þei made</l>
<l><del>.</del><add>Y</add>pocrisye at þe <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>ate . harde gan to fighte</l>
<l>And wounded wel wikkedly . many wise techeres</l>
<milestone>fol. 103rI</milestone>
passus xx<expan>us</expan>
<l>That with conscience acorded . and cardynale vertues</l>
M.20.304KD.20.304
<l>Conscience called a leche . þat koude wel shryue</l>
<l><del>G</del><add>T</add>o<note>M.20.305: M's original reading <hi>Go</hi> agreed with HmCrYOLR; the altered reading agrees with C<hi>2</hi>CBF; W's <hi>To go</hi> attests both readings.</note> salue þo þat seke ben . <add>and</add><note>M.20.305: M's original reading without <hi>and</hi> agreed with GYOC<hi>2</hi>CBL.</note> þoruȝ synne y<seg>-</seg>wounded</l>
<l>Shrifte shoop sharpe salue . and made men do penaunce</l>
<l>For hire misdedes . þat þei wrouȝt<del>e</del> hadden</l>
M.20.308KD.20.308
<l>And þat Piers were paied . <hi><foreign><hi>Redde quod debes</hi></foreign></hi></l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>So<expan>m</expan>me liked nouȝt þis leche . and lettres þei senten</l>
<l>If any surgyen w<del>h..</del><add>ere</add> þe segge . þat softer coude plastre</l>
# syr leff to live in lecherye
<l>Sire l<del>i</del>ef to lyue in leccherie . lay þere and groned</l>
M.20.312KD.20.312
<l>For fastynge of a Fryday . he ferde as he wolde deye</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>There is a surgien in þis <del>.....</del><add>segge .</add><note>M.20.313: In place of M's altered reading <hi>segge</hi> ("man"), all other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts except Hm have <hi>sege</hi> ("place"). Confusion was perhaps prompted by M.20.310 above.</note> þat softe kan handle</l>
<l>And more of phisik he can<note>M.20.314: M's <hi>he can</hi> agrees with Cr; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>be fer</hi>. F has <hi>he can be feer</hi>.</note> . & fairer he plastereþ</l>
<hi>no<expan>t</expan>a</hi>
<l>Oon Frere flaterer . is phisicien and surgien</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
M.20.316KD.20.316
<l>Quod contricion to conscience . do hym come to vnite</l>
<l>For here is many a man . hurt<del>e</del> þoruȝ ypocrisie . </l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>We haue no nede quod conscience . I woot no bettre leche</l>
<l>Than<del>ne</del> p<expan>er</expan>son or parissh preest . penitauncer or bisshop</l>
.i<expan>d est</expan>. papa
M.20.320KD.20.320
<l>Saue Piers þe plowman . þat haþ power ouer hem alle</l>
<l>And indulgence <del>.......</del><add>may do</add> . but if dette lette it</l>
<l>I may wel suffre saide conscience . syn <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>e desiren</l>
<l>That Frere flaterer<expan>e</expan> be fet . and phisike <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>ow syke</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
M.20.324KD.20.324
<l>The Frere hereof herde . and hiede ful faste</l>
<l>To a lord for a l<expan>ett</expan>re . leue to haue to curen</l>
<l>As a curatour he were . and cam with hise l<expan>ett</expan>res . </l>
<l>Baldly to þe Bisshop . and his brief hadde</l>
M.20.328KD.20.328
<l>In countrees þ<expan>er</expan>e <add>he</add> com<del>e</del> <del>ii</del><add>y</add>nne<note>M.20.328: The first two minims have been corrected by converting them to a <y>. See Introduction III.1.</note> . confessiouns to here</l>
<l>And cam þere conscience was . and knokked at þe <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>ate</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>Pees vnpynned it . was porter of vnite</l>
<l>And in haste asked . what is wille were</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
M.20.332KD.20.332
<l>I faith quod þis Frere . for profit and for helthe</l>
<l>Carpe I wolde with contriciou<expan>n</expan> . and þerfore <del>I</del> com<del>e</del> <add>.I.</add><note>M.20.333: M's original word order agreed with C<hi>2</hi>Cr.</note> hider</l>
<milestone>fol. 103vI</milestone>
<l>He is seek saide pees . and so is many a<seg>-</seg>noþer<note>M.20.334: M's <hi>is many a<seg>-</seg>noþer</hi> agrees with Cr; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>are manye oþer</hi>.</note></l>
<l>Ipocrysie haþ hurt<del>e</del> hym . ful harde is if he coeuere</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
M.20.336KD.20.336
<l>I am a surgien seyde þe segge . and salues can make</l>
<l>Conscience knoweþ me wel . and what I kan do boþe</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>I pray þe quod pees þo . er þow passe ferther</l>
<l>What h<del>......</del><add>ightest /</add><note>M.20.339: M's altered reading <hi>hightest</hi> is shared only with Cr. Other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>hattest</hi>.</note> þow I pray þe . hele nouȝt þ<del>in</del><add>y</add> name</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
M.20.340KD.20.340
<l>Cert<del>..</del><add>es</add> seide his felawe . sire <hi><foreign><hi>Penetrans domos</hi></foreign></hi></l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l><del>Ȝe</del><add>Ye</add> go þi gate quod pees . by god for al þi phisik</l>
<l>But þow konne som<del><expan>m</expan>e</del> craft<del>e</del> . þow comest not here<seg>-</seg>inne</l>
<l>I knewe such oon ones . nouȝt eighte wynt<del>re</del><add>er</add> passed</l>
M.20.344KD.20.344
<l>Com<del>e</del> in þus ycoped . at a court<del>e</del> where I dwelled</l>
<l>And was my lordes leche . and my ladyes boþe</l>
<l>And at þe laste þis lymitour . þo my lord was oute</l>
<l>He salued so oure wymmen . til some weren with childe</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
M.20.348KD.20.348
<l>Heende speche heet pees . opene þe <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>ates</l>
<l>Lat in þe frere and his felawe . and make hem fair<del>e</del> chere</l>
<l>He may see and here . so it may bifalle</l>
<l>That lif þoruȝ his loore . shal leue coue<add>i</add>tyse</l>
M.20.352KD.20.352
<l>And be <del>...?...</del><add>adrad of det</add>h . and withdrawe hym from pride</l>
<l>And acorde with conscience . and kisse hire either other</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>Thus þoruȝ heende speche . entred þe frere . </l>
<l>And com<del>e</del> in to conscience . and curtey<del>...?... hi<expan>m</expan> gret</del><add>sely hym grete</add></l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
M.20.356KD.20.356
<l>Thow art welcome quod conscience . <orig>kanstthow</orig><reg>kanst thow</reg> hele þe seke</l>
<l>Here is contriciou<expan>n</expan> quod conscience . my cosyn y<seg>-</seg>wou<expan>n</expan>ded</l>
<l>Conforte hym quod conscience . and take keep to his soores</l>
<l>The plastres of þe p<expan>er</expan>son . and poudres biten to soore . </l>
M.20.360KD.20.360
<l>He let hem ligge ouer<seg>-</seg>longe . and loth is to chaunge<expan>n</expan> hem . </l>
<l>From lent<del>ou<expan>n</expan></del><add>en<expan>n</expan></add> to lent<del>ou<expan>n</expan></del><add>en<expan>n</expan></add><note>M.20.361: In both instances, the second vowel <hi>lentou<expan>n</expan></hi> has been altered from <o> to <e>.</note> . he let his plastres biten . </l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>That is ouer<seg>-</seg>longe quod þis lymyto<expan>ur</expan> . I leue I shal ame<expan>n</expan>de<expan>n</expan> it</l>
<l>And gooth and gropeþ contriciou<expan>n</expan> . and gaf hym a plastre</l>
M.20.364KD.20.364
<l>Of a pryuie paiement . and I shal praye for <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>ow</l>
<milestone>fol. 104rI</milestone>
passus xx<expan>us</expan>
<l>For alle þat <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>e ben holden to . al<del>le</del><add><seg></seg></add> my lif<seg>-</seg>tyme</l>
<l>And make <del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>ow my lady . in masses<note>M.20.366: M's <hi>masses</hi> agrees with Cr; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have the singular.</note> and in matyns</l>
<l>As freres of oure frat<expan>er</expan>nite . for a litel siluer</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
M.20.368KD.20.368
<l>Thus he gooth and gadereþ . and gloseþ þere he shryueþ</l>
<l>Til contriciou<expan>n</expan> hadde clene for<del>ȝ</del><add>y</add>eten . to crye and to wepe</l>
<l>And wake for hise werkes<note>M.20.370: M's <hi>werkes</hi> agrees with Cr; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>wikked werkes</hi>.</note> . as he was wont to doone</l>
<l>For confort<del>e</del> of his confessour . contriciou<expan>n</expan> he loste</l>
M.20.372KD.20.372
<l>That is þe souereigneste salue . for alle kynne synnes</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>Sleuwthe seigh<del>e</del> þat . and so d<del>.</del><add>i</add>d<add>e</add> pryde</l>
<l>And come with a kene wille . conscience to assaille</l>
<l>Conscience cryed<del>e</del> eft<del>e</del> . and bad clergye helpe hym</l>
M.20.376KD.20.376
<l>And also contricioun . for to kepe þe ȝate . </l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l>He lyth and dremeþ . saide pees  and so do many oþere</l>
<l>The Frere with his phisik . þis folk haþ en<seg>-</seg>chaunted</l>
<l>And plastred hem so esely . þei drede no synne . </l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
M.20.380KD.20.380
<l>By crist quod conscience þo . I wol bycome a pilgrym<del>e</del></l>
<l>And walken as wide . as al þe world lasteth</l>
<l>To seke piers þe plowman . þat p<del>...</del><add>ry</add>de may destruye</l>
<l>And þat freres hade a fyndynge . þat for nede flateren</l>
M.20.384KD.20.384
<l>And contrepledeth me conscience . now kynde me auenge</l>
<l>And sende me hap and hele  til I haue piers þe plowman</l>
<l>And sith he gradde after grace . til I gan a<seg>-</seg>wake</l>
</lg>
<trailer><foreign><hi><hi>E</hi>xplicit hic dialogus petri plowman </hi></foreign><note>M.20.386: This form of explicit occurs also in <hi>B</hi> manuscripts CC<hi>2</hi>GLOWY.</note></trailer>
<trailer><foreign><hi>Penna precor siste  quoniam liber explicit iste </hi></foreign><note>M.20.386: The <title>Colophons de manuscrits occidentaux des origines au XVIe siècle</title> (Fribourg, 1965-) lists four other manuscripts, two in Britain, two on the continent, that include this explicit.</note></trailer>
<trailer><add><foreign>Explicit iste liber . q<expan>ui</expan> obsecro transeat liber</foreign></add><note>M.20.386: The third explicit, in a different hand, is also found as the first line of the explicit to Gower's <title>Confessio Amantis</title>, as was pointed out to us by George Shuffleton. See Siân Echard, "Last Words: Latin at the End of the Confessio Amantis" in <title>Interstices: Studies in Middle English and Anglo-Latin Texts in Honour of A. G. Rigg</title>, ed. Richard Firth Green and Linne R. Mooney (Toronto, 2004) pp. 99-121. This includes an appendix listing the witnesses to the explicit. It is likely that the scribe of this third explicit in M took the line from a Gower manuscript, and therefore that he had London connections.</note></trailer>
</div1>
MED