W.12 – PPEA

<lg>

<l> <hi><hi>I</hi></hi> am ymaginatif quod he . ydel was I neu<expan>er</expan>e</l>

<l> Thouȝ I sitte by my<seg>-</seg>self . in siknesse nor<note>W.12.2: W alone reads <hi>nor</hi>; LMR read <hi>ne</hi>; F has <hi>or</hi>; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>and</hi>.</note> in helþe</l>

<l> I haue folwed þee in feiþ . þise fyue and fourty wynter</l>

W.12.4KD.12.4

<l> And manye tymes haue meued þee . to þynke on þyn ende</l>

<l> And how fele fernyeres are faren . and so fewe to come</l>

<l> And of þi wilde wantownesse . þo þow yong were</l>

<l> To amende it in þi myddel age . lest myȝt þe failled</l>

W.12.8KD.12.8

<l> In þyn olde elde . þat yuele kan suffre</l>

<l> Pouerte or penaunce . or preyeres to bidde</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>S</hi>i non in prima vigilia nec in s<expan>e</expan>c<expan>un</expan>da &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Amende þee while þow myȝt . þow hast ben warned ofte <note>W.12.11:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

W.12.12KD.12.11

<l> Wiþ poustees of pestilences . wiþ pou<expan>er</expan>te and w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> angres</l>

<l> And wiþ þise bittre baleises . god beteþ his deere children</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>Q</hi>uem diligo castigo</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And Dauid in þe Sauter seiþ . of swiche þat loueþ <expan>Iesus</expan></l>

W.12.16KD.12.13α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>V</hi>irga tua & baculus tuus ip<expan>s</expan>a me consolata sunt</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Al<seg>-</seg>þouȝ þow strike me wiþ þi staf . wiþ stikke or wiþ yerde <note>W.12.17:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> It is but murþe as for me . to amende my soule <note>W.12.18:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> And þow medlest þee wiþ makynges . and myȝtest go seye þi sauter</l>

W.12.20KD.12.17

<l> And bidde for hem þ<expan>a</expan>t ȝyueþ þee breed . for þer are bokes yknowe<note>W.12.20: W alone reads <hi>yknowe</hi>, "known"; most other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>ynowe</hi>, "enough."</note></l>

<l> To telle men what dowel is . dobet and dobest boþe</l>

<l> And p<expan>re</expan>chours to preuen what it is . of many a peire freres</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> I seiȝ wel he seide me sooþ . and som<seg>-</seg>what me to excuse</l>

W.12.24KD.12.21

<l> Seide Caton conforted me his sone . þ<expan>a</expan>t clerk þouȝ he were</l>

<l> To solacen hym som<seg>-</seg>tyme . as I do whan I make</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>I</hi>nterpone tuis interdum gaudia curis</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And of holy men I herde quod I . how þei ouþ<expan>er</expan><seg>-</seg>while</l>

W.12.28KD.12.24

<l> Pleyden þe parfiter . to ben in manye places</l>

<l> Ac if þer were any wight . þat wolde me telle</l>

<l> What were do<seg>-</seg>wel . and dobet . and do<seg>-</seg>best at þe laste</l>

<l> Wolde I neu<expan>er</expan>e do werk . but wende to holichirche</l>

W.12.32KD.12.28

<l> And þ<expan>er</expan>e bidde my bedes . but whan ich ete or slepe</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Poul in his pistle quod he . preueþ what is dowel</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Fides / spes / caritas</hi></foreign></hi><hi><foreign><hi> . et maior hor<expan>um</expan> &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> Feiþ / hope / and Charite . and alle ben goode</l>

W.12.36KD.12.31

<l> And sauen men sondry tymes . ac noon so soone as Charite</l>

<l> For he dooþ wel wiþ<seg>-</seg>outen doute . þat dooþ as lewte techeþ</l>

<l> That is if þow be man maryed . þi make þow louye</l>

<l> And lyue forþ as lawe wole . while ye lyuen boþe</l>

<lg>

W.12.40KD.12.35

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Riȝt so if þow be Religious . ren þow neu<expan>er</expan>e ferþer</l>

<l> To Rome ne to Rochemador . but as þi rule techeþ</l>

<l> And hold þee vnder obedience . þat heigh wey is to heuene</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And if þow be maiden to marye . and myȝt wel continue</l>

W.12.44KD.12.39

<l> Seke þow neuere Seint ferþer . for no soule helþe</l>

<l> For what made lucifer . to lese þe heiȝe heuene</l>

<l> Or Salomon his sapience . or Sampson his strengþe</l>

<l> Iob þe Iew his ioye . ful deere<note>W.12.47: W alone reads <hi>ful deere</hi>; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts omit <hi>ful</hi> and follow <hi>dere</hi> with <hi>it</hi>, <hi>he</hi>, or both.</note> abouȝte</l>

W.12.48KD.12.43

<l> Aristotle and oþ<expan>er</expan>e mo . ypocras and virgile</l>

<l> Alisaundre þat al wan . elengliche ended</l>

<l> Catel and kynde wit . was combraunce to hem alle</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Felice hir fairnesse . fel hire al to sclaundre</l>

W.12.52KD.12.47

<l> And Rosamounde riȝt so . reufulliche to bileue</l>

<l> The beaute of hir body . in baddenesse she despended</l>

<l> Of manye swiche I may rede . of men and of wo<expan>m</expan>men <note>W.12.54:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> That wise wordes wolde shewe . and werche þe cont<expan>ra</expan>rie <note>W.12.55:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

W.12.56KD.12.50α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>S</hi>unt ho<expan>m</expan>i<expan>n</expan>es neq<expan>ua</expan>m bene de virtute loquentes</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And riche renkes riȝt so . gaderen and sparen</l>

<l> And þo men þat þei moost haten . mynistren it at þe laste</l>

<l> And for þei suffren and see . so manye nedy folkes</l>

W.12.60KD.12.54

<l> And loue hem noȝt as oure lord bit . þei lesen hir soules</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>D</hi>ate & dabitur vobis</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And Richesse riȝt so . but if þe roote be trewe</l>

<l> Ac grace is a gras þ<expan>er</expan><seg>-</seg>of . þo greuaunces to abate</l>

W.12.64KD.12.60

<l> Ac grace ne groweþ noȝt . but amonges lowe</l>

<l> Pacience and pouerte . þe place hiȝte<note>W.12.65: W alone reads <hi>hiȝte</hi>; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>is</hi>.</note> þer it groweþ</l>

<l> And in lele lyuynge men . and in lif<seg>-</seg>holy</l>

<l> And þoruȝ þe gifte of þe holy goost . as þe gospel telleþ</l>

W.12.68KD.12.63α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>S</hi>piritus vbi vult spirat</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Clergie and kynde wit . comeþ of siȝte and techyng</l>

<l> As þe book bereþ witnesse . to burnes þat kan rede</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>Q</hi>uod scim<expan>us</expan> loquim<expan>ur</expan> . quod vidim<expan>us</expan> testamur</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

W.12.72KD.12.66

<l> <hi>¶</hi> <hi><hi>O</hi>f</hi> <hi><foreign><hi>quod scimus</hi></foreign></hi> comeþ Clergie . and konnynge of heuene</l>

<l> And of <foreign><hi>quod vidim<expan>us</expan></hi></foreign> comeþ kynde wit . of siȝte of diu<expan>er</expan>se peple</l>

<l> Ac g<expan>ra</expan>ce is a gifte of god . and of greet loue spryngeþ</l>

<l> Knew neu<expan>er</expan>e clerk how it comeþ forþ . ne kynde wit þe weyes</l>

W.12.76KD.12.69α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>Ne</hi>scit aliquis vnde venit . aut quo vadit</hi></foreign></hi><note>W.12.76: To the right of the box, the scribe has written a decorative <hi>nota</hi> abbreviation followed by <hi>&c</hi>. Manuscripts CrCBRF lack <hi>&c</hi>.</note> &c</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ac yet is Clergie to comende . and kynde wit boþe</l>

<l> And namely Clergie for cristes loue . þat of Clergie is roote</l>

<l> For Moyses witnesseþ þ<expan>a</expan>t god wroot . for to wisse þe peple</l>

W.12.80KD.12.73

<l> In þe olde lawe as þe lettre telleþ . þat was þe lawe of Iewes</l>

<l> That what wo<expan>m</expan>man were in auoutrye taken . where she<note>W.12.81: WF read <hi>where she</hi>; HmLM read <hi>were sche</hi> (<hi>were he</hi> in R); other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts omit. W's <hi>where</hi> is either a unique spelling of <hi>were</hi> or the contracted form of <hi>whether</hi>: "whether she (were)."</note> riche or poore</l>

<l> Wiþ stones men sholde hir strike . and stone hire to deþe</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> A wo<expan>m</expan>man as I fynde<note>W.12.83: W alone reads <hi>I fynde</hi>; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>we fynden</hi>.</note> . was gilty of þat dede</l>

W.12.84KD.12.77

<l> Ac crist of his curteisie . þoruȝ clergie hir saued</l>

<l> And þoruȝ caractes þat crist wroot . þe Iewes knewe hem<seg>-</seg>selue</l>

<l> Giltier as afore god . and gretter in synne</l>

<l> Than þe wo<expan>m</expan>man þat þ<expan>er</expan>e was . and wenten awey for shame</l>

</lg>

<lg>

W.12.88KD.12.81

<l> <hi>¶</hi> The Clergie þat þ<expan>er</expan>e was . conforted þe womman</l>

<l> Holy kirke knoweþ þis . þat cristes writyng saued hire</l>

<l> So clergie is confort . to creatures þat repenten</l>

<l> And to mansede men . meschief at hire ende</l>

<lg>

W.12.92KD.12.85

<l> <hi>¶</hi> For goddes body myȝte noȝt ben . of breed wiþ<seg>-</seg>outen clergie <note>W.12.92:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> The which body is boþe . boote to þe riȝtfulle <note>W.12.93:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> And deeþ and dampnacion . to hem þat deyeþ yuele <note>W.12.94:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> As cristes caracte confortede . and boþe coupable shewed</l>

W.12.96KD.12.89

<l> The wo<expan>m</expan>man þat þe Iewes brouȝte . þat <expan>Iesus</expan> þouȝte to saue</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>N</hi>olite iudicare & non iudicabimini</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> Riȝt so goddes body breþ<expan>er</expan>en . but if it be worþili taken</l>

<l> Dampneþ vs at þe day of dome . as þe caractes dide þe Iewes</l>

<lg>

W.12.100KD.12.92

<l> <hi>¶</hi> For<seg>-</seg>þi I counseille þee for cristes sake . clergie þ<expan>a</expan>t þow louye</l>

<l> For kynde wit is of his kyn . and neiȝe Cosynes boþe</l>

<l> For boþe ben as Mirours . to amenden oure defautes</l>

W.12.104KD.12.96

<l> And lederes for lewed men . and for lettred boþe</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> For<seg>-</seg>þi lakke þow neu<expan>er</expan>e logik . lawe ne hise custumes</l>

<l> Ne countreplede clerkes . I counseille þee for euere</l>

<l> For as a man may noȝt see . þat mysseþ hise eiȝen <note>W.12.107:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

W.12.108KD.12.100

<l> Namoore kan no Clerk . but if he cauȝte it first þoruȝ bokes <note>W.12.108:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> Al<seg>-</seg>þouȝ men made bokes . god was þe maister <note>W.12.109:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> And seint Spirit þe Samplarie . & seide what men sholde write<note>W.12.110: After this WHmCr omit the line <hi>And riȝt as syȝte serueth a man . to se þe heighe strete</hi> (as in L).</note></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Riȝt so ledeþ lettrure . lewed men to Reson <note>W.12.111:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

W.12.112KD.12.105

<l> And as a blynd man in bataille . bereþ wepne to fiȝte <note>W.12.112:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> And haþ noon hap wiþ his ax . his enemy to hitte <note>W.12.113:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> Namoore kan a kynde witted man . but clerkes hym teche <note>W.12.114:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> Come for al his kynde wit . to cristendom and be saued <note>W.12.115:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

W.12.116KD.12.109

<l> Which is þe cofre of cristes tresor . and clerkes kepe þe keyes</l>

<l> To vnloken it at hir likyng . and to þe lewed peple</l>

<l> Ȝyue mercy for hire mysdedes . if men it wole aske</l>

<l> Buxomliche and benigneliche . and bidden it of g<expan>ra</expan>ce</l>

<lg>

W.12.120KD.12.113

<l> <hi>¶</hi> <hi><foreign><hi>Archa dei</hi></foreign></hi> in þe olde lawe . leuytes it kepten</l>

<l> Hadde neu<expan>er</expan>e lewed man leue . to leggen hond on þat cheste</l>

<l> But he were preest or preestes sone . Patriark or p<expan>ro</expan>phete</l>

<l> For Clergie is kepere . vnder crist of heuene</l>

W.12.124KD.12.127

<l> Was þ<expan>er</expan> neu<expan>er</expan>e no knyȝt . but clergie hym made</l>

<l> Ac kynde wit comeþ . of alle kynnes siȝtes</l>

<l> Of briddes and of beestes . of tastes of truþe and of deceites</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Lyueris toforn vs . vseden to marke</l>

W.12.128KD.12.131

<l> For selkouþes þ<expan>a</expan>t þei seiȝen . hir sones for to teche</l>

<l> And helden it an heiȝ science . hir wittes to knowe</l>

<l> Ac þoruȝ hir science<note>W.12.130: The scribe has written <hi>science</hi> in a darker ink, perhaps over an erasure.</note> sooþly . was neu<expan>er</expan>e no soule ysaued</l>

<l> Ne broȝt by hir bokes . to blisse ne to ioye</l>

W.12.132KD.12.135

<l> For alle hir kynde knowynges come . but of diu<expan>er</expan>se siȝtes</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Patriarkes and p<expan>ro</expan>phetes . repreueden hir science</l>

<l> And seiden hir wordes and hir wisdomes . nas but a folye</l>

<l> And<note>W.12.135: W alone reads <hi>And</hi>; other manuscripts have <hi>As</hi>.</note> to þe clergie of crist . counted it but a trufle</l>

W.12.136KD.12.138α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>S</hi>apiencia huius mundi stulticia est apud deum</hi></foreign></hi> <note>W.12.136:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> For þe heiȝe holy goost . heuene shal to<seg>-</seg>cleue</l>

<l> And loue shal lepen out after . in<seg>-</seg>to þe<note>W.12.138: W alone reads <hi>þe</hi>; most other manuscripts have <hi>þis</hi>.</note> lowe erþe</l>

<l> And clennesse shal cacchen it . and clerkes shullen it fynde</l>

W.12.140KD.12.142

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>P</hi>astores loquebantur <orig>adinuicem</orig><reg>ad inuicem</reg></hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> He spekeþ þ<expan>er</expan>e of riche men riȝt noȝt . ne of riȝt witty</l>

<l> Ne of lordes þat were lewed men . but of þe hyeste lettred oute</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>I</hi>bant magi ab oriente</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

W.12.144KD.12.145

<l> <hi>¶</hi> If any frere were founde þ<expan>er</expan>e . I ȝyue þee fyue shillynges</l>

<l> Ne in none burgeises<note>W.12.145: W alone reads <hi>burgeises</hi>; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>beggers</hi>.</note> cote . was þat barn born</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> But in a Burgeises place . of Bethlem þe beste</l>

<lb/>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>S</hi>et non erat ei locus in diu<expan>er</expan>sorio . et paup<expan>er</expan> non h<expan>ab</expan>et diu<expan>er</expan>sor<expan>ium</expan><note>W.12.147: The word-terminal suspension ordinarily represents <e>. We have expanded to supply the required sense and to match the readings of other manuscripts.</note></hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

W.12.148KD.12.148

<l> <hi>¶</hi> To pastours and to poetes . appered þe Aungel</l>

<l> And bad hem go to Bethlem . goddes burþe to honoure</l>

<l> And songe a song of solas . <foreign><hi>Gloria in excelsis deo</hi></foreign></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Clerkes knewen it wel . and comen wiþ hir p<expan>re</expan>sentz</l>

W.12.152KD.12.154

<l> And diden homage hon<expan>ur</expan>ably . to hym þat was almyȝty</l>

<lg>

<l> How þow cont<expan>ra</expan>riedest clergie . wiþ crabbede wordes</l>

<l> How þ<expan>a</expan>t lewed men liȝtloker . þan lettrede were saued</l>

W.12.156KD.12.158

<l> Than clerkes or kynde witted men . of cristene peple</l>

<l> And þow seidest sooþ of so<expan>m</expan>me . ac se in what manere</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Tak two stronge men . and in Themese cast hem <note>W.12.158:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> And boþe naked as a nedle . hir noon sikerer þan ooþ<expan>er</expan> <note>W.12.159:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

W.12.160KD.12.162

<l> That oon haþ konnynge and kan . swymmen and dyuen <note>W.12.160:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> That ooþer is lewed of þat labour . þat<note>W.12.161: W alone reads <hi>þat</hi>, omitted by other manuscripts.</note> lerned neu<expan>er</expan>e swymme <note>W.12.161:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> Which trowestow of þo two . þat<note>W.12.162: W alone reads <hi>þat</hi>; other witnesses have <hi>in Themese</hi>.</note> is in moost drede <note>W.12.162:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> He þat neu<expan>er</expan>e ne dyued . ne noȝt kan of swymmyng <note>W.12.163:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

W.12.164KD.12.166

<l> Or þe swymmer<expan>e</expan> þat is saaf . by so hym<seg>-</seg>self like <note>W.12.164:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> Ther his felawe fleteþ forþ . as þe flood likeþ <note>W.12.165:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> And is in drede to drenche . þat neuere dide swymme <note>W.12.166:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>T</hi>hat swymme kan noȝt I seide . it semeþ to my wittes</l>

<lg>

W.12.168KD.12.170

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Right so quod þe renk . Reson it sheweþ</l>

<l> That he þat knoweþ clergie . kan sonner arise <note>W.12.169:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> Out of synne and be saaf . þouȝ he synne ofte <note>W.12.170:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> If hym likeþ and lest . þan any lewed leelly <note>W.12.171:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

W.12.172KD.12.174

<l> For if þe clerk be konnynge . he knoweþ what is synne <note>W.12.172:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And how contricion wiþ<seg>-</seg>oute confession . conforteþ þe soule <note>W.12.173:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> As þow seest in þe Sauter . in Salmes oon or tweyne <note>W.12.174:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> How contricion is comended . for it cacheþ awey synne <note>W.12.175:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<lg>

W.12.176KD.12.177α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>B</hi>eati quor<expan>um</expan> remisse su<expan>n</expan>t i<expan>n</expan>iquitates . & quor<expan>um</expan> tecta su<expan>n</expan>t &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And þis co<expan>n</expan>forteþ ech a clerk . and cou<expan>er</expan>eþ hym fro wanhope</l>

<l> In which flood þe fend . fondeþ a man hardest</l>

<l> Ther þe lewed liþ stille . and lokeþ after lente</l>

W.12.180KD.12.181

<l> And haþ no contricion er he come to shrifte . & þanne kan he litel telle</l>

<l> But as his lores<seg>-</seg>man lereþ hym . bileueþ and troweþ</l>

<l> And þat is after p<expan>er</expan>son or parissh preest . þe whiche ben<note>W.12.182: W alone reads <hi>þe whiche ben</hi>, omitted by F; other manuscripts have <hi>and</hi>.</note> p<expan>ar</expan><seg>-</seg>auent<expan>ur</expan>e</l>

<l> Vnkonnynge to lere lewed men . as luc bereþ witnesse</l>

W.12.184KD.12.185

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>D</hi>um cecus ducit cecum &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Wo was hym marked . þat wade moot wiþ þe lewed</l>

<l> Wel may þe barn blesse þat man<note>W.12.186: W alone reads <hi>þat man</hi>; omitted in other manuscripts.</note> . þ<expan>a</expan>t hym to book sette <note>W.12.186:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> That lyuynge after lettrure . saueþ hym lif and soule <note>W.12.187:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

W.12.188KD.12.189

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>D</hi><expan>omin</expan>us pars hereditatis mee .</hi></foreign></hi> is a murye v<expan>er</expan>set</l>

<l> That haþ take fro Tybo<expan>ur</expan>ne . twenty stronge þeues</l>

<l> Ther lewed þeues ben lolled vp . loke how þei be saued</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> The þef þat hadde g<expan>ra</expan>ce of god . on <orig>goodfryday</orig><reg>good fryday</reg> as þow spekest</l>

W.12.192KD.12.193

<l> Was for he yald hym creaunt . to c<expan>ri</expan>st on þe cros . & knewliched hym gilty</l>

<l> And g<expan>ra</expan>ce asked of god . þat to graunten it is redy<note>W.12.193: W alone reads <hi>þat to graunten it is redy</hi>; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>and he is euere redy</hi>.</note></l>

<l> To hem þat<note>W.12.194: W alone reads <hi>To hem þat</hi>; most other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>That</hi>.</note> buxomliche biddeþ it . and ben in wille to ame<expan>n</expan>de<expan>n</expan> hem</l>

<l> Ac þouȝ þat þeef hadde heuene . he hadde noon heiȝ blisse</l>

W.12.196KD.12.197

<l> As Seint Ioh<expan>a</expan>n and oþ<expan>er</expan>e Seintes . þat des<expan>er</expan>ued hadde bettre</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Riȝt as som man yeue me mete . and amydde þe floor sette me<note>W.12.197: W alone reads <hi>amydde þe floor sette me</hi>; most other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>sette me amydde þe flore</hi>.</note> <note>W.12.197:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> And<note>W.12.198: W alone reads <hi>And</hi>; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>I</hi>.</note> hadde mete moore þan ynouȝ . ac noȝt so muche worshipe <note>W.12.198:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> As þo þat seten at þe syde<seg>-</seg>table . or wiþ þe sou<expan>er</expan>eynes of þe halle <note>W.12.199:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

W.12.200KD.12.201

<l> But sete as a beggere bordlees . by my<seg>-</seg>self on þe grounde <note>W.12.200:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> So it fareþ by þat felon . þat a good friday was saued <note>W.12.201:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> <hi>H</hi>e sit neiþ<expan>er</expan> wiþ Seint Ioh<expan>a</expan>n . Symond ne Iude <note>W.12.202:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> Ne wiþ maydenes ne w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> martires . Confesso<expan>ur</expan>s ne wydewes <note>W.12.203:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

W.12.204KD.12.205

<l> But by hym<seg>-</seg>self as a soleyn . and serued on erþe <note>W.12.204:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> For he þat is ones a þef . is eu<expan>er</expan>e<seg>-</seg>moore in daunger <note>W.12.205:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> And as lawe likeþ . to lyue or to deye <note>W.12.206:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>D</hi>e peccato p<expan>ro</expan>piciato . noli esse sine metu</hi></foreign></hi></l>

W.12.208KD.12.208

<l> And for to seruen a seint . and swich a þef togideres</l>

<l> It were neiþ<expan>er</expan> reson ne riȝt . to rewarde hem boþe yliche</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And riȝt as Troianus þe trewe knyȝt . dwelte noȝt depe in helle</l>

<l> That oure lord ne hadde hym liȝtly out . so leue I þe þef be in heuene</l>

W.12.212KD.12.212

<l> For he is in þe loweste of heuene . if oure bileue be trewe</l>

<l> And wel loselly he lolleþ þ<expan>er</expan>e . by þe lawe of holy chirche</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>Q</hi>ui reddit vnicuiq<expan>ue</expan> iuxta op<expan>er</expan>a sua &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And why þat oon þeef on þe cros . creaunt hym yald</l>

W.12.216KD.12.215

<l> Raþ<expan>er</expan> þan þat ooþ<expan>er</expan> þeef . þouȝ þow woldest appose</l>

<l> Alle þe clerkes vnder crist . ne kouþe þe skile assoille</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>Q</hi>uare placuit quia voluit</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And so I seye by þee . þat sekest after þe whyes</l>

W.12.220KD.12.218

<l> And a<seg>-</seg>resonedest Reson . a rebukynge as it were</l>

<l> And of þe floures in þe Fryth . and of hire faire hewes</l>

<l> Wher<seg>-</seg>of þei cacche hir colours . so clere and so briȝte</l>

<l> And willest of briddes & of beestes . and of hir bredyng to knowe</l>

W.12.224KD.12.220

<l> Why some be alouȝ & some aloft . þi likyng it were</l>

<l> And of þe stones and of þe sterres . þow studiest as I leue</l>

<l> How euere beest ouþ<expan>er</expan> brid . haþ so breme wittes</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Clergie ne kynde wit . ne knew neu<expan>er</expan>e þe cause</l>

W.12.228KD.12.226

<l> Ac kynde knoweþ þe cause hym<seg>-</seg>self . and no creature ellis</l>

<l> He is þe pies patron . and putteþ it in hir ere</l>

<l> There<note>W.12.230: W alone reads <hi>There</hi>; other manuscripts have <hi>That þere</hi>.</note> þe þorn is þikkest . to buylden and brede</l>

<l> And kynde kenned þe pecok . to cauken in swich a kynde</l>

W.12.232KD.12.230

<l> And kenned <hi>A</hi>dam .<note>W.12.232: The punctus is small and obviously misplaced.</note> to knowe <hi>h</hi>ise pryue membres</l>

<l> And tauȝte hym and Eue . to helien hem wiþ leues</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Lewed men many tymes . maistres þei apposen</l>

<l> Why Adam ne hiled noȝt first . his mouþ þat eet þe Appul</l>

W.12.236KD.12.234

<l> Raþer þan his likame alogh . lewed asken þus clerkes</l>

<lg>

<l> Kynde knoweþ whi he dide so . ac no clerk ellis</l>

<l> Ac of briddes and of beestes . men by olde tyme</l>

<l> Ensamples token and t<expan>er</expan>mes . as telleþ þe poetes</l>

W.12.240KD.12.238

<l> And þ<expan>a</expan>t þe faireste fowel . foulest engendreþ</l>

<l> And feblest fowel of fliȝt is . þat fleeþ or swymmeþ</l>

<l> And þ<expan>a</expan>t þe pecok & þe Pehen . proude riche men bitokneþ <note>W.12.242:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> For þe Pecok and men pursue hym . may noȝt flee heiȝe <note>W.12.243:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

W.12.244KD.12.244

<l> For þe trailynge of his tail . ouer<seg>-</seg>taken is he soone <note>W.12.244:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> And his flessh is foul flessh . and his feet boþe <note>W.12.245:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> And vnlouelich of ledene . and looþ for to here</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Right so þe riche . if he his richesse kepe <note>W.12.247:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

W.12.248KD.12.248

<l> And deleþ it noȝt til his deeþ<seg>-</seg>day . þe tail of alle sorwe <note>W.12.248:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> Riȝt so as þe pennes of þe pecok . peyneþ hym in his fliȝt <note>W.12.249:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> So is possession peyne . of pens and of nobles <note>W.12.250:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> To alle hem þat it holdeþ . til hir tail be plukked <note>W.12.251:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<lg>

W.12.252KD.12.252

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And þouȝ þe riche repente þanne . and birewe þe tyme</l>

<l> That euere he gadered so grete . and gaf þ<expan>er</expan><seg>-</seg>of so litel</l>

<l> Thouȝ he crye to crist þanne . wiþ kene wil I leue</l>

<l> His ledene be in oure lordes ere . lik a pies chiteryng</l>

W.12.256KD.12.256

<l> And whan his caroyne shal come . in caue to be buryed</l>

<l> I leue it flawme ful foule . þe fold al aboute</l>

<l> And alle þe oþ<expan>er</expan>e þ<expan>er</expan> it lith . enuenymeþ þoruȝ his attre</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> By þe po feet is vnderstande . as I haue lerned in Auynet</l>

W.12.260KD.12.260

<l> Executo<expan>ur</expan>s false frendes . þat fulfille noȝt his wille</l>

<l> That was writen and þei witnesse . to werche riȝt as it wolde</l>

<l> Thus þe Poete preueþ . þ<expan>a</expan>t þe pecok . for hise feþeres is reu<expan>er</expan>enced <note>W.12.262:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> Riȝt so is þe riche . by reson of hise goodes <note>W.12.263:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<lg>

W.12.264KD.12.264

<l> <hi>¶</hi> The larke þat is a lasse fowel . is moore louelich of ledene <note>W.12.264:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> And wel a<seg>-</seg>wey of wynge . swifter þan þe Pecok <note>W.12.265:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> And of flessh by fele fold . fatter and swetter <note>W.12.266:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<l> To lowe libbynge men . þe larke is resembled <note>W.12.267:<add><foreign>n<expan>ota</expan></foreign></add></note></l>

<lg>

W.12.268KD.12.268

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Aristotle þe grete clerk . swiche tales he telleþ</l>

<l> Thus he likneþ in his logik . þe leeste fowel oute</l>

<l> And wheiþ<expan>er</expan> he be saaf or noȝt saaf . þe soþe woot no clergie</l>

<l> Ne of Sortes ne of Salomon . no scripture kan telle</l>

W.12.272KD.12.272

<l> Ac god is so good I hope . þat siþþe he gaf hem wittes</l>

<l> To wissen vs weyes þer<seg>-</seg>wiþ . þat wissen vs to be saued</l>

<l> And þe bettre for hir bokes . to bidden we ben holden</l>

<l> That god for his g<expan>ra</expan>ce . gyue hir soules reste</l>

W.12.276KD.12.276

<l> For lettred men were lewed men yet . ne were loore of hir bokes</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Alle þise clerkes quod I þo . þat in<note>W.12.277: W alone reads <hi>in</hi>; other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>on</hi>.</note> crist leuen</l>

<l> Seyen in hir Sermons . þ<expan>a</expan>t neiþ<expan>er</expan> Sarsens ne Iewes</l>

<l> Ne no creature of cristes liknesse . w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan><seg>-</seg>outen c<expan>ri</expan>stendom worþ saued</l>

<lg>

W.12.280KD.12.280

<l> <hi>¶</hi> <foreign>Contra</foreign> q<expan>uo</expan>d ymaginatif þoo . and comsed for to loure</l>

<l> And seide <hi><foreign><hi><hi>S</hi>aluabitur vix Iustus in die Iudicij</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>E</hi>rgo saluabitur</hi></foreign> quod he . and seide namoore latyn</hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Troian<expan>us</expan> was a trewe knyght . and took neu<expan>er</expan>e cristendom</l>

W.12.284KD.12.284

<l> And he is saaf so seiþ þe book . and his soule in heuene</l>

<l> For þer is fullynge of Font . and fullynge in blood shedyng</l>

<l> And þoruȝ fir is fullyng . and þat is ferme bileue</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>Ad</hi>uenit ignis diuinus non co<expan>m</expan>burens set illuminans &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

W.12.288KD.12.287

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ac truþe þat trespased neu<expan>er</expan>e . ne t<expan>ra</expan>uersed ayeins his lawe</l>

<l> But lyueþ as his lawe techeþ . and leueþ þ<expan>er</expan> be no bettre</l>

<l> And if þ<expan>er</expan> were he wolde amende . and in swich wille deieþ</l>

<l> Ne wolde neu<expan>er</expan>e trewe god . but truþe were allowed</l>

W.12.292KD.12.291

<l> And wheiþ<expan>er</expan><note>W.12.292: W alone reads <hi>wheiþer</hi>; other <hi>B</hi> witnesses have <hi>wher</hi> or <hi>were</hi>.</note> it be worþ or noȝt worþ . þe bileue is gret of truþe</l>

<l> And an hope hangynge þ<expan>er</expan><seg>-</seg>Inne . to haue a mede for his truþe</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> For <hi><foreign><hi>Deus dicit<expan>ur</expan> quasi</hi></foreign> <foreign><hi>dans</hi></foreign> <foreign><hi>vitam et<expan>er</expan>nam . suis . hoc est fidelib<expan>us</expan></hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Et alibi . si ambulauero in medio vmbre mortis</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

W.12.296KD.12.294

<l> <hi>¶</hi> The glose graunteþ vp<seg>-</seg>on þat vers . a greet mede to truþe</l>

<l> And wit and wisdom quod þat wye . was som<seg>-</seg>tyme tresor</l>

<l> To kepe wiþ a co<expan>m</expan>mune . no catel was holde bettre</l>

<l> And muche murþe and manhod . and riȝt wiþ þat he vanysshed</l>

</lg>