W.18 – PPEA

<lg>

<l> <hi><hi>W</hi></hi>olleward and weetshoed . wente I forþ after</l>

<l> As a recchelees renk . þat of no wo roughte</l>

<l> And yede forþ lik a lorel . al my lif<seg>-</seg>tyme</l>

W.18.4KD.18.4

<l> Til I weex wery of þe world . and wilned eft to slepe</l>

<l> And lened me to a lenten . and longe tyme I slepte</l>

<l> And of cristes passion and penaunce . þe peple þat of<seg>-</seg>rauȝte</l>

<l> Reste me þere and rutte faste . til <hi><foreign><hi>Ramis palmar<expan>um</expan></hi></foreign></hi></l>

W.18.8KD.18.7

<l> Of gerlis and of <hi><foreign><hi>Gloria laus</hi></foreign></hi> . gretly me dremed</l>

<l> And how <hi><hi>Osanna</hi></hi> by . Organye . olde folk songen</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Oon semblable to þe Samaritan . and som<seg>-</seg>deel to Piers þe Plow<damage><supplied>man</supplied></damage><note>W.18.10: The first lobe of <w> is visible; the rest of the word has been cropped.</note></l>

<l> Bare<seg>-</seg>foot on an Asse bak . bootles cam prikye</l>

W.18.12KD.18.12

<l> Wiþ<seg>-</seg>outen spores oþer spere . spakliche he lokede</l>

<l> As is þe kynde of a knyght . þat comeþ to be dubbed</l>

<l> To geten hym gilte spores . or galoches y<seg>-</seg>couped</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thanne was feiþ in a fenestre . and cryde a <hi><foreign><hi>fili dauid</hi></foreign></hi></l>

W.18.16KD.18.16

<l> As dooþ an heraud of armes . whan Auentrous comeþ to Iustes</l>

<l> Olde Iewes of Ierusalem . for ioye þei songen</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>B</hi>enedictus qui venit in no<expan>m</expan>i<expan>n</expan>e d<expan>omi</expan>ni</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thanne I frayned at Feiþ . what al þat fare bymente</l>

W.18.20KD.18.19

<l> And who sholde Iuste in Ierusalem . <expan>Iesus</expan> he seide</l>

<l> And fecche þat þe fend claymeþ . Piers fruyt þe Plowman</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Is Piers in þis place quod I . and he preynte on me</l>

<l> This <expan>Iesus</expan> of his gentries . wol Iuste in Piers armes</l>

W.18.24KD.18.23

<l> In his helm and in his haubergeon . <hi><foreign><hi>humana natura</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> That crist be noȝt biknowe here . for <hi><foreign><hi>consu<expan>m</expan>matus deus</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> In Piers paltok þe Plowman . þis prikier<expan>e</expan> shal ryde</l>

<l> For no dynt shal hym dere . as <hi><foreign><hi>in deitate patris</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

W.18.28KD.18.27

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Who shal Iuste wiþ <expan>Iesus</expan> quod I . Iewes or Scrybes</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> <hi>N</hi>ay quod he þe foule fend . and fals doom and deeþ</l>

<l> Deeþ seiþ he shal fordo . and adoun brynge</l>

<l> Al þat lyueþ and lokeþ . in londe and<note>W.18.31: W alone reads <hi>and</hi>; F has <hi>eyþer</hi>, and all other manuscripts have <hi>or</hi>.</note> in watre</l>

<lg>

W.18.32KD.18.31

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Lif seiþ þ<expan>a</expan>t he lieþ . and leieþ his lif to wedde</l>

<l> That for al þat deeþ kan do . wiþ<seg>-</seg>Inne þre daies</l>

<l> To walke and fecche fro þe fend . Piers fruyt þe Plowman</l>

<l> And legge it þer hym likeþ . and Lucifer bynde</l>

W.18.36KD.18.35

<l> And forbete and adoun brynge . bale deeþ for eu<expan>er</expan>e</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thanne cam Pilatus w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> muche peple . <hi><foreign><hi>sedens p<expan>ro</expan> tribunali</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> To se how doghtiliche deeþ sholde do . and deme hir boþeres right</l>

<lg>

W.18.40KD.18.38

<l> <hi>¶</hi> The Iewes and þe Iustice . ayeins <expan>Iesu</expan> þei weere</l>

<l> And al þe court on hym cryde . <hi><foreign><hi>crucifige</hi></foreign></hi> sharpe</l>

<l> Tho putte hym forþ a pilour . bifore Pilat and seide</l>

<l> This <expan>Iesus</expan> of oure Iewes temple . haþ<note>W.18.43: W alone reads <hi>haþ</hi>; all other manuscripts omit it.</note> Iaped and despised</l>

W.18.44KD.18.42

<l> To fordoon it on o day . and in þre dayes after</l>

<l> Edifie it eft newe . here he stant þat seide it</l>

<l> And ȝit maken it as muche . in alle manere poyntes</l>

<l> Boþe as long and as large . bi lofte and by grounde</l>

<lb/>

W.18.48KD.18.46

<l> <hi>¶</hi> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>C</hi>rucifige</hi></foreign></hi> quod a Cachepol . I warante hym a wicche</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>T</hi>olle tolle</hi></foreign></hi> quod anoþer . and took of kene þornes</l>

<l> And bigan of kene þorn . a garland to make</l>

<l> And sette it sore on his heed . and seide in enuye</l>

W.18.52KD.18.50

<l> <foreign><hi>Aue raby</hi></foreign> quod þat rybaud . and þrew reedes at hym</l>

<l> Nailed hym w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> þre nailes . naked on þe roode</l>

<l> And poison on a poole . þei putte vp to hise lippes</l>

<l> And beden hym drynken his deeþ yuel . hise daies were ydone</l>

W.18.56KD.18.54

<l> And if þ<expan>a</expan>t þow sotil be . help now þi<seg>-</seg>selue</l>

<l> If þow be crist and kynges sone . com down of þe roode</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>T</hi>hanne shul we leue þ<expan>a</expan>t lif þee loueþ . and wol noȝt lete þee deye</l>

<lb/>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>C</hi>onsu<expan>m</expan>matu<expan>m</expan> est</hi></foreign></hi> quod crist . and comsede for to swoune</l>

W.18.60KD.18.58

<l> Pitousliche and pale . as a prison þat deieþ</l>

<l> The lord of lif and of light . þo leide hise eighen togideres</l>

<l> The day for drede wiþ<seg>-</seg>drouȝ . and derk bicam þe sonne</l>

<l> The wal waggede and cleef . and al þe world quaued</l>

W.18.64KD.18.62

<l> Dede men for þat dene . come out of depe graues</l>

<l> And tolde why þat tempeste . so longe tyme durede</l>

<l> For a bitter bataille . þe dede body seide</l>

<l> Lif and deeþ in þis derknesse . hir oon fordooþ hir ooþer</l>

W.18.68KD.18.66

<l> Shal no wight wite witterly . who shal haue þe maistrie</l>

<l> Er sonday aboute sonne risyng . and sank wiþ þat til erþe</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Some seide þat he was goddes sone . þat so faire deide</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>V</hi>ere filius dei erat iste</hi></foreign></hi></l>

W.18.72KD.18.69

<l> And some seide he was a wicche . good is þ<expan>a</expan>t we assaye</l>

<l> Wher he be deed or noȝt deed . doun er he be taken</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Two þeues also . þoled deeþ þat tyme</l>

<l> Vp<seg>-</seg>on a croos bisides crist . so was þe comune lawe</l>

W.18.76KD.18.73

<l> A Cachepol cam forþ . and craked boþe hir legges</l>

<l> And þe armes after . of eiþer of þo þeues</l>

<l> Ac was no body so boold . goddes body to touche</l>

<l> For he was knyȝt and kynges sone . kynde foryaf þat tyme</l>

W.18.80KD.18.77

<l> That noon harlot were so hardy . to leyen hond vp<seg>-</seg>on hym</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ac þer cam forþ a knyȝt . wiþ a kene spere ygrounde</l>

<l> Highte <hi><hi>Longeus</hi></hi> as þe lettre telleþ . and longe hadde lore his sight<damage>.</damage><note>W.18.82: The leaf has been cropped and <e> may have been lost on <hi>sight</hi>. Elsewhere the word is twenty-six times spelt <hi>sighte</hi> or <hi>siȝte</hi>, and once <hi>siȝt</hi>.</note></l>

<l> Bifore Pilat and ooþ<expan>er</expan> peple . in þe place he houed</l>

W.18.84KD.18.81

<l> Maugree his manye teeþ . he was maad þat tyme</l>

<l> To take þe spere in his hond . and Iusten wiþ <expan>Iesus</expan></l>

<l> For alle þei were vnhardy . þat houed on horse or stode</l>

<l> To touchen hym or to tasten hym . or taken doun of roode</l>

</lg>

<lg>

W.18.88KD.18.85

<l> But þis blynde bacheler . baar hym þoruȝ þe herte</l>

<l> The blood sprong doun by þe spere . and vnspered þe knyȝtes eiȝen</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thanne fil þe knyȝt vp<seg>-</seg>on knees . and cryde hym m<expan>er</expan>cy</l>

<l> Ayein my wille it was lord . to wownde yow so soore</l>

W.18.92KD.18.89

<l> He sighed and seide . soore it me aþynkeþ</l>

<l> For þe dede þ<expan>a</expan>t I haue doon . I do me in youre g<expan>ra</expan>ce</l>

<l> Haue on me ruþe riȝtful <expan>Iesu</expan> . and riȝt wiþ þat he wepte</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thanne gan Feiþ felly . þe false Iewes despise</l>

W.18.96KD.18.93

<l> Callede hem caytyues . acorsed for euere</l>

<l> For þis foule vileynye . vengeaunce to yow falle</l>

<l> To do þe blynde bete hym ybounde . it was a boyes counseille</l>

<l> Cursede caytif . knyghthood was it neu<expan>er</expan>e</l>

W.18.100KD.18.97

<l> To mysdo a deed body . by daye or by nyȝte</l>

<l> The gree ȝit haþ he geten . for al his grete wounde</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> For youre champion chiualer . chief knyȝt of yow alle</l>

<l> Ȝilt hym recreaunt rennyng . riȝt at <expan>Iesus</expan> wille</l>

W.18.104KD.18.101

<l> For be þis derknesse ydo . his deeþ worþ avenged</l>

<l> And ye lurdaynes han ylost . for lif shal haue þe maistrye</l>

<l> And your<expan>e</expan> fraunchise þat fre was . fallen is in þraldom</l>

<l> And ye cherles and your<expan>e</expan> children . cheue shulle<note>W.18.107: W alone omits <hi>ye</hi> after <hi>shulle</hi>.</note> neu<expan>er</expan>e</l>

W.18.108KD.18.105

<l> To haue lordshipe in londe . ne no lond tilye</l>

<l> But al barayne be . and vsurie vsen</l>

<l> Which is lif þ<expan>a</expan>t oure lord . in alle lawes acurseþ</l>

<l> Now youre goode dayes arn doon . as daniel p<expan>ro</expan>phecied</l>

W.18.112KD.18.109

<l> Whan crist cam of hir kyngdom . þe crowne sholde cesse</l>

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

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> What for feere of þis ferly . and of þe false Iewes</l>

<l> I drow me in þat derknesse . to <hi><foreign><hi>descendit ad inferna</hi></foreign></hi></l>

W.18.116KD.18.112

<l> And þere I sauȝ sooþly . <hi><foreign><hi>secundum scripturas</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> Out of þe west coste . a wenche as me þouȝte</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Cam walkynge in þe wey . to helleward she loked</l>

<l> Mercy highte þat mayde . a meke þyng wiþ<seg>-</seg>alle</l>

W.18.120KD.18.116

<l> A ful benigne burde . and Buxom of speche</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Hir suster as it semed . cam sooþly walkynge</l>

<l> Euene out of þe Est . and westward she lokede</l>

<l> A ful comely creature . truþe she highte</l>

W.18.124KD.18.120

<l> For þe v<expan>er</expan>tue þat hire folwede . afered was she neu<expan>er</expan>e</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Whan þise maydenes mette . mercy and truþe</l>

<l> Eiþer asked ooþer . of þis grete wonder</l>

<l> Of þe dyn and of þe derknesse . and how þe day rowed</l>

W.18.128KD.18.124

<l> And which a light and a leme . lay bifore helle</l>

<l> Ich haue ferly of þis fare . in feiþ seide truþe</l>

<l> And am wendynge to wite . what þis wonder meneþ</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Haue no m<expan>er</expan>ueille quod m<expan>er</expan>cy . murþe it bitokneþ</l>

W.18.132KD.18.128

<l> A maiden þat highte Marie . and moder wiþ<seg>-</seg>outen felyng</l>

<l> Of any kynnes creature . conceyued þoruȝ speche</l>

<l> And grace of þe holy goost . weex greet wiþ childe</l>

<l> Wiþ<seg>-</seg>outen wem . in<seg>-</seg>to þis world she broȝte hym</l>

W.18.136KD.18.132

<l> And þ<expan>a</expan>t my tale be trewe . I take god to witnesse</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Siþ þis barn was ybore . ben <orig>xxx<hi>ti</hi></orig><reg>þritti</reg> wynter passed</l>

<l> Which deide and deeþ þoled . þis day aboute mydday</l>

<l> And þat is cause of þis clips . þat closeþ now þe sonne</l>

W.18.140KD.18.136

<l> In menynge þ<expan>a</expan>t man shal . fro merknesse be drawe</l>

<l> The while þis light and þis leme . shal Lucifer ablende</l>

<l> For patriarkes and p<expan>ro</expan>phetes . han p<expan>re</expan>ched her<seg>-</seg>of ofte</l>

<l> That man shal man saue . þoruȝ a maydenes helpe</l>

W.18.144KD.18.140

<l> And þat was tynt þoruȝ tree . tree shal it wynne</l>

<l> And þat deeþ adown<note>W.18.145: W alone reads <hi>adown</hi>. All other manuscripts have <hi>doun</hi>.</note> brouȝte . deeþ shal releue</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> That þow tellest quod Truþe . is but a tale of waltrot</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>F</hi>or Adam and Eue . and Abraham wiþ oþ<expan>er</expan>e</l>

W.18.148KD.18.144

<l> Patriarkes and p<expan>ro</expan>phetes . þat in peyne liggen</l>

<l> Leue þow neu<expan>er</expan>e þ<expan>a</expan>t yon light . hem alofte brynge</l>

<l> Ne haue hem out of helle . hold þi tonge mercy</l>

<l> It is but a trufle þ<expan>a</expan>t þow tellest . I truþe woot þe soþe</l>

W.18.152KD.18.148

<l> For he þat is ones in helle . out comeþ he neu<expan>er</expan>e</l>

<l> Iob þe p<expan>ro</expan>phete patriark . repreueþ þi sawes</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>Q</hi>uia in Inferno nulla est redempcio</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thanne M<expan>er</expan>cy ful myldely . mouþed þise wordes</l>

W.18.156KD.18.151

<l> Thoruȝ exp<expan>er</expan>ience quod she . I hope þei shul be saued</l>

<l> For venym fordooþ venym . and þat preue I by reson</l>

<l> For of alle venymes . foulest is þe scorpion</l>

<l> May no medicyne helpe . þe place þer he styngeþ</l>

W.18.160KD.18.156

<l> Til he be deed and do þ<expan>er</expan>to . þe yuel he destruyeþ</l>

<l> The firste venymouste . þoruȝ venym of hym<seg>-</seg>selue</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> So shal þis deeþ fordo . I dar my lif legge</l>

<l> Al þat deeþ fordide first . þoruȝ þe deueles entisyng</l>

W.18.164KD.18.160

<l> And riȝt as þoruȝ gile . man was bigiled</l>

<l> So shal g<expan>ra</expan>ce þat bigan . make a good sleighte</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>A</hi>rs vt artem falleret</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Now suffre we seide Truþe . I se as me þynkeþ</l>

W.18.168KD.18.164

<l> Out of þe nyppe of þe North . noȝt ful fer hennes</l>

<l> Rightwisnesse come rennynge . reste we þe while</l>

<l> For he woot moore þan we . he was er we boþe</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> That is sooþ seide Mercy . and I se here by Sowþe</l>

W.18.172KD.18.168

<l> Where pees comeþ pleyinge . in pacience ycloþed</l>

<l> Loue haþ coueited hire longe . leue I noon ooþer</l>

<l> But he sente hire som lettre . what þis light bymeneþ</l>

<l> That ouer<seg>-</seg>houeþ helle þus . she vs shal telle</l>

</lg>

<lg>

W.18.176KD.18.172

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Whan Pees in Pacience ycloþed . app<expan>ro</expan>ched ner hem tweyne</l>

<l> Rightwisnesse hire reu<expan>er</expan>enced . by hir riche cloþyng</l>

<l> And preide pees to telle hire . to what place she wolde</l>

<l> And in hire gaye garnementz . whom she grete þouȝte</l>

<lg>

W.18.180KD.18.176

<l> <hi>¶</hi> My wil is to wende quod she . and welcome hem alle</l>

<l> That many day myȝte I noȝt se . for merknesse of synne</l>

<l> Adam and Eue . and oþere mo in helle</l>

<l> Moyses and many mo . mercy shul haue</l>

W.18.184KD.18.180

<l> And I shal daunce þer<seg>-</seg>to . do þow so suster</l>

<l> For <expan>Iesus</expan> Iustede wel . Ioye bigynneþ dawe</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>A</hi>d vesperum demorabitur fletus & ad matutinu<expan>m</expan> leticia<note>W.18.186: The leaf is cropped immediately after the final character, but no text appears to have been lost.</note></hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Loue þat is my lemman . swiche lettres me sente</l>

W.18.188KD.18.183

<l> That mercy my suster and I . mankynde sholde saue</l>

<l> And þat god haþ forgyuen . and graunted me pees & m<expan>er</expan>cy</l>

<l> To be mannes meynp<expan>er</expan>no<expan>ur</expan> . for euere<seg>-</seg>moore after</l>

<l> Lo here þe patente quod Pees . <hi><foreign><hi>In pace in idip<expan>su</expan>m</hi></foreign></hi></l>

W.18.192KD.18.187

<l> And þ<expan>a</expan>t þis dede shal dure <hi><foreign><hi>. dormiam & requiescam</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> What rauestow quod <del>.............</del><add>Rightwisnesse</add><note>W.18.193: <hi>Rightwisnesse</hi> is written over an erasure.</note> . or þow art right dronke</l>

<l> Leuestow þ<expan>a</expan>t yond light . vnlouke myȝte helle</l>

<l> And saue mannes soule . suster wene it neu<expan>er</expan>e</l>

W.18.196KD.18.191

<l> For god<note>W.18.196: W alone reads <hi>For god</hi>; most other manuscripts have <hi>At</hi>.</note> þe bigynner<expan>e</expan><note>W.18.196: W alone reads <hi>bigynnere</hi>; other manuscripts have <hi>bigynnyng god</hi>.</note> . gaf þe doom hym<seg>-</seg>selue</l>

<l> That Adam and Eue . and alle þat hem suwede</l>

<l> Sholden deye down<seg>-</seg>righte . and dwelle in pyne after</l>

<l> If þ<expan>a</expan>t þei touchede a tree . and þe fruyt eten</l>

<lg>

W.18.200KD.18.195

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Adam afterward . ayeins his defence</l>

<l> Freet of þat fruyt . and forsook as it weere</l>

<l> The loue of oure lord . and his loore boþe</l>

<l> And folwede þat þe fend tauȝte . and his felawes wille</l>

W.18.204KD.18.199

<l> Ayeins Reson and rightwisnesse . recorde þus wiþ truþe</l>

<l> That hir peyne be p<expan>er</expan>petuel . and no preiere hem helpe</l>

<l> For<seg>-</seg>þi lat hem chewe as þei chosen . and chide we noȝt sustres</l>

<l> For it is botelees bale . þe byte þat þei eten</l>

<lg>

W.18.208KD.18.203

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And I shal preue quod Pees . hir peyne moot haue ende</l>

<l> And from wo in<seg>-</seg>to wele . mowe wenden at þe laste</l>

<l> For hadde þei wist of no wo . wele hadde þei noȝt knowen</l>

<l> For no wight woot what wele is . þat neu<expan>er</expan>e wo suffrede</l>

W.18.212KD.18.207

<l> Ne what is hoot hunger . þat hadde neu<expan>er</expan>e defaute</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> If no nyȝt ne weere . no man as I leeue</l>

<l> Sholde neu<expan>er</expan>e wite witterly . what day is to meene</l>

<l> Sholde neu<expan>er</expan>e riȝt riche man . þat lyueþ in reste and ese</l>

W.18.216KD.18.211

<l> Wite what wo is . ne were þe deeþ of kynde</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> So god þat bigan al . of his goode wille</l>

<l> Bicam man of a mayde . mankynde to saue</l>

<l> And suffrede to be sold . to se þe sorwe of deying</l>

W.18.220KD.18.215

<l> The which vnknytteþ alle care . and comsynge is of reste</l>

<l> For til <hi><foreign><hi>modicum</hi></foreign></hi> mete w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> vs . I may it wel auowe</l>

<l> Woot no wight as I wene . what ynogh is to mene</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> For<seg>-</seg>þi god of his goodnesse . þe firste gome Adam</l>

W.18.224KD.18.219

<l> Sette hym in solace . and in souereyn murþe</l>

<l> And siþþe he suffred hym synne . sorwe to feele</l>

<l> To wite what wele was . kyndeliche and<note>W.18.226: W alone reads <hi>and</hi>; most other manuscripts have <hi>to</hi>.</note> knowe it</l>

<l> And after . god Auntrede hym<seg>-</seg>self . and took Adames kynde<note>W.18.227: Kane-Donaldson speculate that the final <e> of <hi>kynde</hi> is cropped. This is, however, a verso, and the <e> is visible in the gutter (though not in the image).</note></l>

W.18.228KD.18.223

<l> To wite what he haþ suffred . in þre sondry places</l>

<l> Boþe in heuene and in erþe . and now til helle he þenkeþ</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> So it shal fare by þis folk . hir folie and hir synne</l>

W.18.232KD.18.227

<l> Shal lere hem what langour is . and lisse wiþ<seg>-</seg>outen ende</l>

<l> Woot no wight what werre is . þer þat pees regneþ</l>

<l> Ne what is witterly wele . til weylawey hym teche</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thanne was þer a wight . wiþ two brode eiȝen</l>

W.18.236KD.18.231

<l> Book highte þat beaupeere . a bold man of speche</l>

<l> By goddes body quod þis book . I wol bere witnesse</l>

<l> That þo þis barn was ybore . þer blased a sterre</l>

<l> That alle þe wise of þis world . in o wit acorden</l>

W.18.240KD.18.235

<l> That swich a barn was ybore . in Bethleem þe Citee</l>

<l> That mannes soule sholde saue . and synne destroye</l>

<l> And alle þe elementz quod þe book . her<seg>-</seg>of beren witnesse</l>

<l> That he was god þat al wroȝte . þe wolkne first shewed</l>

<lg>

W.18.244KD.18.239

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Tho þat weren in heuene . token <hi><foreign><hi>stella cometa</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> And tendeden it<note>W.18.245: W alone reads <hi>it</hi>; other manuscripts have <hi>hire</hi>.</note> as a torche . to reuerencen his burþe</l>

<l> The light folwede þe lord . in<seg>-</seg>to þe lowe erþe</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> The water witnessed þ<expan>a</expan>t he was god . for he wente on it</l>

W.18.248KD.18.243

<l> Peter þe Apostel . parceyued his gate</l>

<l> And as he wente on þe water . wel hym knew and seide</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>I</hi>ube me venire ad te sup<expan>er</expan> aquas</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And lo how þe sonne gan louke . hire light in hir<seg>-</seg>selue</l>

W.18.252KD.18.246

<l> Whan she seiȝ hym suffre . þat sonne and see made</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> The Erþe for heuynesse . þ<expan>a</expan>t he wolde suffre</l>

<l> Quaked as quyk þyng . and al biquasshed þe roche</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Lo helle myȝte nat holde . but opnede þo god þolede</l>

W.18.256KD.18.250

<l> And leet out Symondes sone . to seen hym hange on roode</l>

<l> And now shal Lucifer leue it . þouȝ hym looþ þynke</l>

<l> For <hi><foreign><hi>gigas</hi></foreign></hi> þe geaunt . wiþ a gyn haþ<note>W.18.258: W alone reads <hi>haþ</hi>; other manuscripts omit it.</note> engyned</l>

<l> To breke and to bete adoun . þat ben ayeins <expan>Iesus</expan></l>

W.18.260KD.18.255

<l> And I book wole be brent . but <expan>Iesus</expan> rise to lyue</l>

<l> In alle myȝtes of man . and his moder gladie</l>

<l> And conforte al his kyn . and out of care brynge</l>

<l> And al þe Iewene Ioye . vnioynen and vnlouken</l>

</lg>

<lg>

W.18.264KD.18.259

<l> <hi>A</hi>nd but þei <sic>reu<expan>er</expan>sen</sic><corr>reu<expan>er</expan>[en]sen</corr><note>W.18.264: WCr<hi>1</hi>S read <hi>reuersen</hi>; all other manuscripts have <hi>reuerensen</hi>.</note> his roode . and his Resurexion</l>

<l> And bileue on a newe lawe . be lost lif and soule</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Suffre we seide truþe . I here and see boþe</l>

<l> How a spirit spekeþ to helle . and biddeþ vnspere þe yates</l>

W.18.268KD.18.262α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Attollite portas &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> A vois loude in þat light . to lucifer crieþ</l>

<l> Prynces of þis place . vnpynneþ and vnloukeþ</l>

<l> For here comeþ wiþ crowne . þat kyng is of glorie</l>

<lg>

W.18.272KD.18.266

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thanne sikede Sathan . and seide to hem alle</l>

<l> Swich a light ayeins oure leue . lazar out fette</l>

<l> Care and encombraunce . is comen to vs alle</l>

<l> If þis kyng come In . mankynde wole he fecche</l>

W.18.276KD.18.270

<l> And lede it þer hym likeþ . and lightliche me bynde</l>

<l> Patriarkes and p<expan>ro</expan>phetes . han parled her<seg>-</seg>of longe</l>

<l> That swich a lord and light . sholde lede hem alle hennes</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Listneþ quod lucifer . for I þis lord knowe</l>

W.18.280KD.18.274

<l> Boþe þis lord and þis light . is longe ago I knew hym</l>

<l> May no deeþ hym dere . ne no deueles queyntise</l>

<l> And where he wole is his wey . ac ware hym of þe p<expan>er</expan>ils</l>

<l> If he reueþ me my riȝt . he robbeþ me by maistrie</l>

W.18.284KD.18.278

<l> For by right and by reson . þe renkes þat ben here</l>

<l> Body and soule beþ myne . boþe goode and ille</l>

<l> For hym<seg>-</seg>self seide . þat Sire is of heuene</l>

<l> If Adam ete þe Appul . alle sholde deye</l>

W.18.288KD.18.282

<l> And dwelle wiþ vs deueles . þis þretynge he made</l>

<l> And he þat Sooþnesse is . seide þise wordes</l>

<l> And siþen I seised . Seuene hundred wynter</l>

<l> I leeue þ<expan>a</expan>t lawe nyl noȝt . lete hym þe leeste</l>

<lg>

W.18.292KD.18.286

<l> <hi>¶</hi> That is sooþ seide Sathan . but I me soore drede</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>F</hi>or þow gete hem wiþ gile . and his Gardyn breke</l>

<l> And in semblaunce of a serpent . sete vp<seg>-</seg>on þe Appultree</l>

<l> And eggedest hem to ete . Eue by hir<seg>-</seg><del>.....</del><add>selue</add><note>W.18.295: <hi>selue</hi> is written over an erasure.</note></l>

W.18.296KD.18.290

<l> And toldest hire a tale . of treson were þe wordes</l>

<l> And so þow haddest hem out . and hider at þe laste</l>

<l> It is noȝt graiþly geten . þer gile is þe roote</l>

<l> For god wol noȝt be bigiled . quod Gobelyn ne byiaped</l>

W.18.300KD.18.294

<l> We haue no trewe title to hem . for þoruȝ treson were þei dampned</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Certes I drede me quod þe deuel . lest truþe wol hem fecche</l>

<l> Thise þritty wynter as I wene . haþ he gon and p<expan>re</expan>ched</l>

<l> I haue assailled hym w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> synne . and som<seg>-</seg>tyme y<seg>-</seg>asked</l>

W.18.304KD.18.298

<l> Wheiþ<expan>er</expan> he were god or goddes sone . he yaf me short answer<expan>e</expan></l>

<l> And þus haþ he trolled forþ . þise two and þritty wynter</l>

<l> And whan I seiȝ it was so . lepynge I wente</l>

<l> To warne Pilates wif . what done man was <expan>Iesus</expan></l>

W.18.308KD.18.302

<l> For Iewes hateden hym . and han doon hym to deþe</l>

<l> I wolde haue lengþed his lif . for I leued if he deide</l>

<l> That his soule wolde suffre . no synne in his sighte</l>

<l> For þe body while it on bones yede . aboute was eu<expan>er</expan>e</l>

W.18.312KD.18.306

<l> To saue men from synne . if hem<seg>-</seg>self wolde</l>

<l> And now I se wher a soule . comeþ hiderward seillynge</l>

<l> Wiþ glorie and w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> gret light . god it is I woot wel</l>

<l> I rede þ<expan>a</expan>t we fle quod he . faste alle hennes</l>

W.18.316KD.18.310

<l> For vs were bettre noȝt be . þan biden his sighte</l>

<l> For þi lesynges Lucifer . lost is al oure praye</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> First þoruȝ þe we fellen . fro heuene so heiȝe</l>

<l> For we leued on þi lesynges . ylorn we haue Adam</l>

W.18.320KD.18.315

<l> And al oure lordshipe I leue . a<seg>-</seg>londe and a<seg>-</seg>watre</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>N</hi>unc princeps hui<expan>us</expan> mundi eicietur foras</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Eft þe light bad vnlouke . and Lucifer answerde</l>

<l> What lord artow quod Lucifer . <foreign><hi>Quis est iste</hi></foreign></l>

W.18.324KD.18.317α, 317

<l> <hi>¶</hi> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>R</hi>ex glorie</hi></foreign></hi> . þe light soone seide</l>

<l> And lord of myght and of man . and alle man<expan>er</expan>e v<expan>er</expan>tues <hi><foreign><hi>. d<expan>omin</expan>us virtutu<expan>m</expan></hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> Dukes of þis dymme place . anoon vndo þise yates</l>

<l> That crist may come In . þe kynges sone of heuene</l>

<lg>

W.18.328KD.18.321

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And wiþ þat breeþ helle brak . with Belialles barres</l>

<l> For any wye or warde . wide opned þe yates</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Patriarkes and p<expan>ro</expan>phetes . <hi><foreign><hi>Populus in tenebris</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> Songen seint Iohanes song . <hi><foreign><hi>Ecce agnus dei</hi></foreign></hi></l>

W.18.332KD.18.325

<l> Lucifer loke ne myȝte . so light hym ablente</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And þo þat oure lord louede . in<seg>-</seg>to his light he laughte</l>

<l> And seide to Sathan . lo here my soule to amendes</l>

<l> For alle synfulle soules . to saue þo þ<expan>a</expan>t ben worþi</l>

W.18.336KD.18.329

<l> Myne þei ben and of me . I may þe bet hem cleyme</l>

<l> And þouȝ Reson recorde . and riȝt of my<seg>-</seg>selue</l>

<l> That if he<note>W.18.338: WHm alone read <hi>he</hi>; all other manuscripts have <hi>þei</hi>.</note> ete þe Appul . alle sholde deye</l>

<l> I bihiȝte hem noȝt here . helle for eu<expan>er</expan>e</l>

W.18.340KD.18.333

<l> For þe dede þat þei dide . þi deceite it made</l>

<l> Wiþ gile þow hem gete . ageyn alle reson</l>

<l> For in my paleis Paradis . in p<expan>er</expan>sone of an Addre</l>

<l> Falsliche þow fettest . þyng þat I louede</l>

<lg>

W.18.344KD.18.337

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thus ylik a Lusard . wiþ a lady visage</l>

<l> Thefliche þow me robbedest . and<note>W.18.345: W alone reads <hi>and</hi>; other manuscripts omit it.</note> þe olde lawe graunteþ</l>

<l> That gilours be bigiled . and þat is good reson</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Dentem p<expan>ro</expan> dente & oculum p<expan>ro</expan> oculo</hi></foreign></hi></l>

W.18.348KD.18.340

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Ergo</hi></foreign></hi> soule shal soule quyte . and synne to synne wende</l>

<l> And al þat man haþ mysdo . I man wole amende</l>

<l> Membre for membre . by þe olde lawe was amendes</l>

<l> And lif for lif also . and by þat lawe I clayme it</l>

W.18.352KD.18.344

<l> Adam and al his issue . at my wille her<seg>-</seg>after</l>

<l> And þat deeþ in hem fordide . my deeþ shal releue</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>A</hi>nd boþe quykne and quyte . þat queynt was þoruȝ synne</l>

<l> And þ<expan>a</expan>t g<expan>ra</expan>ce gile destruye . good feiþ it askeþ</l>

W.18.356KD.18.348

<l> So leue I noȝt lucifer . ayein þe lawe I fecche hem</l>

<l> But by right and by reson . raunsone here my liges</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Non veni soluere legem . set adimplere</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thow fettest myne in my place . ayeins alle resou<expan>n</expan></l>

W.18.360KD.18.351

<l> Falsliche and felonliche . good feiþ me it tauȝte</l>

<l> To recou<expan>er</expan>e hem þoruȝ raunsou<expan>n</expan> . and by no reson ellis</l>

<l> So þat þoruȝ gile þow gete . þoruȝ g<expan>ra</expan>ce it is ywonne</l>

<l> Thow lucifer in liknesse . of a luþer Addere</l>

W.18.364KD.18.355

<l> Getest bi gile . þo þat god louede</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And I in liknesse of a leode . þat lord am of heuene</l>

<l> Graciousliche þi gile haue quyt . go gile ayein gile</l>

<l> And as Adam and alle . þoruȝ a tree deyden</l>

W.18.368KD.18.359

<l> Adam and alle þoruȝ a tree . shul turne ayein to lyue</l>

<l> And gile is bigiled . and in his gile fallen</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>E</hi>t cecidit in foueam quam fecit</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Now bigynneþ þi gile . ageyn þee to turne</l>

W.18.372KD.18.362

<l> And my grace to growe . ay gretter and widder<note>W.18.372: W alone omits the next line, which reads in beta (in the spelling of L): <hi>Þe bitternesse þat þow hast browe . brouke it þi-seluen</hi>.</note></l>

<l> That art doctour of deeþ . drynk þat þow madest</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> For I þat am lord of lif . loue is my drynke</l>

<l> And for þat drynke today . I deide vp<seg>-</seg>on erþe</l>

W.18.376KD.18.367

<l> I fauȝt so me þursteþ ȝit . for mannes soule sake</l>

<l> May no drynke me moiste . ne my þurst slake</l>

<l> Til þe vendage falle . in þe vale of Iosaphat</l>

<l> That I drynke riȝt ripe Must . <hi><foreign><hi>Resureccio mortuor<expan>um</expan></hi></foreign></hi></l>

W.18.380KD.18.371

<l> And þanne shal I come as a kyng . crouned wiþ Aungeles</l>

<l> And haue out of helle . alle mennes soules</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Fendes and fyndekynes . bifore me shul stande</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>A</hi>nd be at my biddyng . wher<seg>-</seg>so<seg>-</seg>eu<expan>er</expan>e me likeþ</l>

W.18.384KD.18.375

<l> And to be merciable to man . þanne my kynde askeþ</l>

<l> For we beþ breþeren of blood . but noȝt in baptisme alle</l>

<l> Ac alle þat beþ myne hole breþeren . in blood and in baptisme</l>

<l> Shul noȝt be dampned to þe deeþ . þat is wiþ<seg>-</seg>outen ende</l>

W.18.388KD.18.378α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>T</hi>ibi soli peccaui &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> It is noȝt vsed in erþe . to hangen a feloun</l>

<l> Ofter þan ones . þouȝ he were a tretour</l>

<l> And if þe kyng of þat kyngdom . come in þat tyme</l>

W.18.392KD.18.382

<l> There<note>W.18.392: W alone omits <hi>þe</hi> after <hi>There</hi>.</note> feloun þole sholde . deeþ or ooþer Iuwise</l>

<l> Lawe wolde he yeue hym lif . if he loked on hym</l>

<l> And I þat am kyng of kynges . shal come swich a tyme</l>

<l> Ther doom to þe deeþ . dampneþ alle wikked</l>

W.18.396KD.18.386

<l> Wheiþ<expan>er</expan> þei deye or deye noȝt . for þat þei diden ille</l>

<l> Be it any þyng abouȝt . þe boldnesse of hir synnes</l>

<l> I do mercy þoruȝ rightwisnesse . and alle my wordes trewe</l>

W.18.400KD.18.390

<l> And þouȝ holy writ wole þ<expan>a</expan>t I be wroke . of hem þat diden ille</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>N</hi>ullum malum impunitum &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> Thei shul be clensed clerliche . and wasshen of hir synnes</l>

<l> In my prisone Purgatorie . til <hi><foreign><hi>parce</hi></foreign></hi> it hote</l>

W.18.404KD.18.393

<l> And my mercy shal be shewed . to manye of my breþeren</l>

<l> For blood may suffre blood . boþe hungry and a<seg>-</seg>cale</l>

<l> Ac blood may noȝt se blood . blede but hym rewe</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>A</hi>udiui archana verba que non licet ho<expan>min</expan>i loqui</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

W.18.408KD.18.396

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ac my rightwisnesse and right . shul rulen al helle</l>

<l> And mercy al mankynde . bifore me in heuene</l>

<l> For I were an vnkynde kyng . but I my kynde helpe</l>

<l> And nameliche at swich a nede . þer nedes help bihoueþ</l>

W.18.412KD.18.399α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>N</hi>on intres in Iudicium cum seruo tuo</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> <hi>T</hi>hus by lawe quod oure lord . lede I wole fro hennes</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Tho þat me louede . and leued in my comynge</l>

<l> And for þi lesynge lucifer . þ<expan>a</expan>t þow leighe til Eue</l>

W.18.416KD.18.403

<l> Thow shalt abyen it bittre . and bond hym wiþ cheynes</l>

<l> Astroth and al þe route . hidden hem in hernes</l>

<l> They dorste noȝt loke on oure lord . þe boldeste of hem alle</l>

<l> But leten hym lede forþ whom<note>W.18.419: W alone reads <hi>whom</hi>; most other manuscripts have <hi>what</hi>, though C has <hi>who</hi>.</note> hym liked . and lete whom<note>W.18.419: W's <hi>whom</hi> is shared with S; all other manuscripts have <hi>what</hi>.</note> hym liste</l>

<lg>

W.18.420KD.18.407

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Manye hundred of Aungeles . harpeden and songen</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Culpat caro purgat caro . regnat deus dei caro</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thanne pipede pees . of Poesie a note</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>C</hi>larior est solito post maxima nebula phebus  Post inimicicias &<damage><supplied>c</supplied></damage><note>W.18.423: The manuscript is cropped after <hi>&</hi>. The reading <hi>&c</hi> is supported by HmLM.</note></hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

W.18.424KD.18.409

<l> <hi>¶</hi> After sharpe shoures quod pees . moost shene is þe sonne</l>

<l> Is no weder warmer . þan after watry cloudes</l>

<l> Ne no loue leuere . ne leuer frendes</l>

<l> Than after werre and wo . whan loue and pees ben maistres<note>W.18.427: In the right margin, partly trimmed, is a rough drawing of a true-love plant inside a heart. C. David Benson and Lynne S. Blanchfield, <title>The Manuscripts of Piers Plowman: the B-version</title> (Cambridge: D. S. Brewer, 1997), p. 59 n. 67, suggest a possible connection with the <title>Quatrefoil of Love</title> though there is no evidence to support this.</note></l>

W.18.428KD.18.413

<l> Was neu<expan>er</expan>e werre in þis world . ne wikkednesse so kene</l>

<l> That ne loue and hym liste . to laughynge ne brouȝte</l>

<l> And Pees þoruȝ pacience . alle p<expan>er</expan>ils stoppeþ</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Trewes quod Truþe . þow tellest vs sooþ by <expan>Iesus</expan></l>

W.18.432KD.18.417

<l> Clippe we in couenaunt . and ech of vs clippe<note>W.18.432: W alone reads <hi>clippe</hi>; other manuscripts have <hi>kisse</hi>.</note> ooþer</l>

<l> And leteþ no peple quod pees . p<expan>ar</expan>ceyue þ<expan>a</expan>t we chidde</l>

<l> For inpossible is no þyng . to hym þat is almyghty</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thow seist sooþ quod Rightwisnesse . and reu<expan>er</expan>entliche hire kiste</l>

W.18.436KD.18.421

<l> Pees and pees here . <hi><foreign><hi>per secula seculor<expan>um</expan></hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>M</hi>isericordia & veritas obuiaueru<expan>n</expan>t sibi Iusticia & pax osculate su<damage><supplied>nt</supplied></damage><note>W.18.437: One minim is visible after <hi>su</hi>, and the remainder is cropped. HmGYOC<hi>2</hi>C read <hi>sunt &c</hi>.</note></hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Truþe trumpede þo . and song <hi><foreign><hi><hi>T</hi>e deum laudam<expan>us</expan></hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> And þanne lutede<note>W.18.439: WHm alone omit <hi>loue</hi> after <hi>lutede</hi>.</note> . in a loud note</l>

W.18.440KD.18.423α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>E</hi>cce q<expan>ua</expan>m bonu<expan>m</expan> & q<expan>ua</expan>m iocundum &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Til þe day dawed . þise damyseles dauncede</l>

<l> That men rongen to þe resurexion . and riȝt wiþ þat I wakede</l>

<l> And callede Kytte my wif . and Calote my doghter</l>

W.18.444KD.18.427

<l> And bad hem rise<note>W.18.444: W alone reads <hi>And bad hem rise</hi>; all other manuscripts have an imperative form of <hi>Arise</hi>.</note> and reu<expan>er</expan>ence . goddes resurexion</l>

<l> And crepe to þe cros on knees . and kisse it for a Iuwel</l>

<l> For goddes blissede body . it bar for oure boote</l>

<l> And it afereþ þe fend . for swich is þe myȝte</l>

W.18.448KD.18.431

<l> May no grisly goost . glide þere it walkeþ<note>W.18.448: W alone reads <hi>walkeþ</hi>; most other manuscripts have <hi>shadweth</hi>, while Hm has <hi>schawyþ</hi>.</note></l>

</lg>