W.20 – PPEA

<lg>

<l> <hi><hi>T</hi></hi><hi>h</hi>anne as I wente by þe wey . whan I was thus awaked</l>

<l> Heuy chered I yede . and elenge in herte</l>

<l> I ne wiste wher to ete . ne at what place</l>

W.20.4KD.20.4

<l> And it neghed neiȝ þe noon . and wiþ nede I mette</l>

<l> That afrounted me foule . and faitour me called</l>

<l> Kanstow noȝt excuse þee . as dide þe kyng and oþ<expan>er</expan>e</l>

<l> That þow toke to þi bilyue . to cloþes and to sustenaunce</l>

W.20.8KD.20.8

<l> And by techynge and by tellynge . of <hi><foreign><hi>Spiritus temp<expan>er</expan>ancie</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> And þow nome namoore . þan nede þee tauȝte</l>

<l> And nede ne haþ no lawe . ne neuere shal falle in dette</l>

<l> For þre þynges he takeþ . his lif for to saue</l>

<lg>

W.20.12KD.20.12

<l> <hi>¶</hi> That is mete whan men hym werneþ . and he no moneye weldeþ</l>

<l> Ne wight noon wol ben his boruȝ . ne wed haþ noon to legge</l>

<l> And he cauȝte in þat caas . and come þer<seg>-</seg>to by sleighte</l>

<l> He synneþ noȝt sooþliche . þat so wynneþ his foode</l>

<lg>

W.20.16KD.20.16

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And þouȝ he come so to a clooþ . and kan no bettre cheuyssaunce</l>

<l> Nede anoon righte . nymeþ hym vnder maynprise</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And if hym list for to lape . þe lawe of kynde wolde</l>

<l> That he dronke at ech dych . er he for þurst deide</l>

W.20.20KD.20.20

<l> So nede at gret nede . may nymen as for his owene</l>

<l> Wiþ<seg>-</seg>outen conseil of Conscience . or Cardynale v<expan>er</expan>tues</l>

<l> So þ<expan>a</expan>t he sewe and saue . <hi><foreign><hi>Spiritus temperancie</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> For is no v<expan>er</expan>tue bi fer . to <hi><foreign><hi>Spiritus temperancie</hi></foreign></hi></l>

W.20.24KD.20.24

<l> Ne<note>W.20.24: W alone reads <hi>Ne</hi>; all other manuscripts have <hi>Neiþer</hi>.</note> <hi><foreign><hi>Spiritus Iusticie</hi></foreign></hi> . ne <hi><foreign><hi>Spiritus fortitudinis</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> For <hi><foreign><hi>Spiritus fortitudinis</hi></foreign></hi> . forfeteþ ful ofte</l>

<l> He shal do moore þan mesure . many tyme and ofte</l>

<l> And bete men ouer bittre . and some of hem to litel</l>

W.20.28KD.20.28

<l> And greue men gretter . þan good feiþ it wolde</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And <hi><foreign><hi>Spiritus Iusticie</hi></foreign></hi> . shal Iuggen wole he nel he</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> After þe kynges counseil . and þe comune like</l>

<l> And <foreign><hi>Spiritus prudencie</hi></foreign> . in many a point shal faille</l>

W.20.32KD.20.32

<l> Of þat he weneþ wolde falle . if his wit ne weere</l>

<l> Wenynge is no wysdom . ne wys ymaginacion</l>

<l> <foreign><hi>Homo p<expan>ro</expan>ponit & deus disponit</hi></foreign> . and gou<expan>er</expan>neþ alle goode v<expan>er</expan>tues</l>

<l> Ac nede is next hym . for anoon he mekeþ</l>

W.20.36KD.20.36

<l> And as lowe as a lomb . for lakkyng of þat hym nedeþ</l>

<l> Wise men forsoke wele . for þei wolde be nedy</l>

<l> And woneden in wildernesse . and wolde noȝt be riche</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And god al his grete Ioye . goostliche he lefte</l>

W.20.40KD.20.41

<l> And cam and took mankynde . and bicam nedy</l>

<l> So nedy he was as seiþ þe book . in manye sondry places</l>

<l> That he seide in his sorwe . on þe selue roode</l>

<l> Boþe fox and fowel . may fle to hole and crepe</l>

W.20.44KD.20.45

<l> And þe fissh haþ fyn . to flete wiþ to reste</l>

<l> Ther nede haþ ynome me . þ<expan>a</expan>t I moot nede abide</l>

<l> And suffre sorwes ful soure . þat shal to Ioye torne</l>

<l> For<seg>-</seg>þi be noȝt abasshed . to bide and to be nedy</l>

W.20.48KD.20.49

<l> Siþ he þat wroȝte al þe world . was wilfulliche nedy</l>

<l> Ne neu<expan>er</expan>e noon so nedy . ne pou<expan>er</expan>er deide</l>

<lb/>

<l> <hi><hi>W</hi></hi>han nede haþ<note>W.20.50: W alone reads <hi>haþ</hi>; all other manuscripts have <hi>hadde</hi>.</note> vndernome me þus . anoon I fil aslepe</l>

<l> And mette ful m<expan>er</expan>ueillously . þat in mannes forme</l>

W.20.52KD.20.53

<l> Antecrist cam þanne . and al þe crop of truþe</l>

<l> Torned it vp<seg>-</seg>so<seg>-</seg>doun . and ouer<seg>-</seg>tilte þe roote</l>

<l> And fals sprynge and sprede . and spede mennes nedes</l>

<l> In ech a contree þer he cam . he kutte awey truþe</l>

W.20.56KD.20.57

<l> And gerte gile growe þ<expan>er</expan>e . as he a god weere</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Freres folwede þat fend . for he gaf hem copes</l>

<l> And Religiouse reu<expan>er</expan>enced hym . and rongen hir belles</l>

<l> And al þe Couent forþ cam . to welcome þat tyraunt</l>

W.20.60KD.20.61

<l> And alle hise as wel <add>as</add> hym . saue oonly fooles</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Whiche foolis were wel leuere . to deye þan to lyue</l>

<l> Lenger siþ Lenten . was so rebuked</l>

<l> And as<note>W.20.63: W alone reads <hi>as</hi>; all other manuscripts omit it.</note> a fals fend Antecrist . ouer alle folk regnede</l>

W.20.64KD.20.65

<l> Saue<note>W.20.64: W alone reads <hi>Saue</hi>; all other manuscripts have <hi>And</hi>.</note> þ<expan>a</expan>t were mylde men and holye . þ<expan>a</expan>t no meschief dradden</l>

<l> Defyed alle falsnesse . and folk þat it vsede</l>

<l> And what kyng þ<expan>a</expan>t hem conforted . knowynge hem any while</l>

<l> They cursed and hir conseil . were it clerk or lewed</l>

<lg>

W.20.68KD.20.69

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Antecrist hadde þus soone . hundredes at his baner</l>

<l> And pride it bar . boldely aboute</l>

<l> Wiþ a lord þat lyueþ . after likyng of body</l>

<l> That kam ayein conscience . þat kepere was and gyour</l>

W.20.72KD.20.73

<l> Ouer kynde cristene . and Cardynale v<expan>er</expan>tues</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> I conseille quod Conscience þo . comeþ wiþ me ye fooles</l>

<l> In<seg>-</seg>to <hi>vnite</hi> holy chirche . and holde we vs þere</l>

<l> And crye we to kynde . þ<expan>a</expan>t he come and defende vs</l>

W.20.76KD.20.77

<l> Fooles . fro þise fendes lymes . for Piers loue þe Plowman</l>

<l> And crye we to al þe comune . þ<expan>a</expan>t þei come to <hi>vnitee</hi></l>

<l> And þ<expan>er</expan>e abide and bikere . ayeins Beliales children</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Kynde / Conscience þo herde . and cam out of þe planetes</l>

W.20.80KD.20.81

<l> And sente forþ his forreyours . Feu<expan>er</expan>es and Fluxes</l>

<l> Coughes and Cardiacles . Crampes and tooþaches</l>

<l> Rewmes and Radegundes . and roynouse scabbes<note>W.20.82: W alone reads <hi>scabbes</hi>; all other manuscripts have <hi>scalles</hi>.</note></l>

<l> Biles and bocches . and brennynge Agues</l>

W.20.84KD.20.85

<l> Frenesies and foule yueles . forageres of kynde</l>

<l> Hadde ypriked and prayed . polles of peple</l>

<l> That largeliche a legion . loste hir lif soone</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> There was harrow and help . here comeþ kynde</l>

W.20.88KD.20.89

<l> Wiþ deeþ þ<expan>a</expan>t is dredful . to vndo vs alle</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> The lord þat lyued after lust . þo aloud cryde</l>

<l> After Confort a knyght . to come and bere his baner</l>

<l> A<seg>-</seg>larme a<seg>-</seg>larme quod þat lord . ech lif kepe his owene</l>

<lg>

W.20.92KD.20.93

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And þanne mette þise men . er Mynstrals myȝte pipe</l>

<l> And er heraudes of Armes . hadden discryued lordes</l>

<l> Elde þe hoore . þat<note>W.20.94: W alone reads <hi>þat</hi>; all other manuscripts have <hi>he</hi>.</note> was in þe vauntwarde</l>

<l> And bar þe baner bifore deeþ . bi riȝt he it cleymede</l>

<lg>

W.20.96KD.20.97

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Kynde cam after . wiþ many kene soores</l>

<l> As pokkes and pestilences . and muche peple shente</l>

<l> So kynde þoruȝ corrupcions . kilde ful manye</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Deeþ cam dryuynge after . and al to duste passhed</l>

W.20.100KD.20.101

<l> Kynges and knyghtes . kaysers and popes</l>

<l> Lered and lewed . he leet no man stonde</l>

<l> That he hitte euene . þ<expan>a</expan>t eu<expan>er</expan>e stired after</l>

<l> Manye a louely lady . and lemmans of knyȝtes</l>

W.20.104KD.20.105

<l> Swowned and swelted . for sorwe of hise<note>W.20.104: W alone reads <hi>hise</hi>; most other manuscripts have <hi>deþes</hi>.</note> dyntes</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Conscience of his curteisie . to kynde he bisouȝte</l>

<l> To cesse and suffre . and see wher þei wolde</l>

<l> Leue pride pryuely . and be parfite cristene</l>

<lg>

W.20.108KD.20.109

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And kynde cessede þo . to se þe peple amende</l>

<l> Fortune gan flatere þanne . þo fewe þ<expan>a</expan>t were alyue</l>

<l> And bihighte hem long lif . and lecherie he sente</l>

<l> Amonges alle manere men . wedded and vnwedded</l>

W.20.112KD.20.113

<l> And gaderede a greet hoost . al agayn Conscience</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> This lecherie leide on . wiþ a Ianglynge chiere</l>

<l> And wiþ pryuee speche . and peyntede wordes</l>

<l> And armede hym in ydelnesse . and in heigh berynge</l>

W.20.116KD.20.117

<l> He bar a bowe in his hand . and manye brode arewes</l>

<l> Weren feþered wiþ fair biheste . and many a fals truþe</l>

<l> Wiþ hise vntidy tales . he tened ful ofte</l>

<l> Conscience and his compaignye . of holy chirche þe techeris</l>

<lg>

W.20.120KD.20.121

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thanne cam Coueitise . and caste how he myȝte</l>

<l> Ouer<seg>-</seg>come Conscience . and Cardinale v<expan>er</expan>tues</l>

<l> And armed hym in Auarice . and hungriliche lyuede</l>

<l> His wepne was al wiles . to wynnen and to hiden</l>

W.20.124KD.20.125

<l> Wiþ glosynges and wiþ gabbynges . he giled þe peple</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Symonye hym sente . to assaille Conscience</l>

<l> And p<expan>re</expan>ched to þe peple . and p<expan>re</expan>lates þei hem maden</l>

<l> To holden wiþ Antecrist . hir temporaltees to saue</l>

W.20.128KD.20.129

<l> And cam to þe kynges counseille . as a kene baroun</l>

<l> And kneled to Conscience . in Court afore hem alle</l>

<l> And garte good feiþ flee . and fals to abide</l>

<l> And boldeliche bar adoun . wiþ many a bright Noble</l>

W.20.132KD.20.133

<l> Muche of þe wit and wisdom . of westmynstre halle</l>

<l> He Iogged<note>W.20.133: W alone reads <hi>Iogged to</hi>, a nonce usage which apparently means "spurred his horse towards" (<title>MED</title> <hi>jaggen</hi> v. 2(b)). Most other scribes wrote <hi>Iug(g)ed til</hi>, presumably understanding the phrase to mean "condemned" (<title>MED</title> <hi>jugen</hi>, v. 2(b)).</note> to a Iustice . and Iusted in his eere</l>

<l> And ouer<seg>-</seg>tilte al his truþe . wiþ tak þis vp amendement</l>

<lb/>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> <sic>An</sic><corr>An[d]</corr><note>W.20.135: W alone reads <hi>An</hi>; all other manuscripts have <hi>And</hi>. The W scribe nowhere else uses this form for <hi>And</hi>.</note> to þe Arches in haste . he yede anoon after</l>

W.20.136KD.20.137

<l> And tornede Cyuyle in<seg>-</seg>to Symonye . and siþþe he took þe Official</l>

<l> For a Mantel of Meneuer . and<note>W.20.137: W alone reads <hi>and</hi>; all other manuscripts have <hi>he</hi>.</note> made lele matrymoyne</l>

<l> Departen er deeþ cam . and deuors shapte</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Allas quod Conscience and cryde þo . wolde crist of his g<expan>ra</expan>ce</l>

W.20.140KD.20.141

<l> That Coueitise were cristene . þat is so kene a fighter<expan>e</expan></l>

<l> And boold and bidynge . while his bagge lasteþ</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And þanne lough lyf . and leet daggen hise cloþes</l>

<l> And armed hym <orig>anhaste</orig><reg>an haste</reg> . wiþ<note>W.20.143: W alone reads <hi>anhaste wiþ</hi>; all other manuscripts have <hi>in haste in</hi>.</note> harlotes wordes</l>

W.20.144KD.20.145

<l> And heeld holynesse a Iape . and hendenesse a wastour</l>

<l> And leet leautee a cherl . and lyere a fre man</l>

<l> Conscience and <add>his</add><note>W.20.146: W alone reads <hi>his</hi>, which is inserted above the line; all other manuscripts omit it.</note> counseil . he counted at a flye<note>W.20.146: W alone reads <hi>at a flye</hi>; all other manuscripts have <hi>it</hi> (or <hi>it a</hi>/<hi>it but</hi>/<hi>at</hi>) <hi>folye</hi>.</note></l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thus relyede lif . for a litel fortune</l>

W.20.148KD.20.149

<l> And prikeþ<note>W.20.148: W alone reads <hi>prikeþ</hi>; all other manuscripts have <hi>priked</hi>.</note> forþ wiþ pride . preiseþ he no v<expan>er</expan>tue</l>

<l> Ne careþ noȝt how Kynde slow . and shal come at þe laste</l>

<l> And kille alle erþely creatures . saue conscience oone</l>

<l> Lyf lepte aside . and lauȝte hym a lemman</l>

W.20.152KD.20.153

<l> Heele and I quod he . and heighnesse of herte</l>

<l> Shal do þee noȝt drede . neiþ<expan>er</expan> deeþ ne elde</l>

<l> And to forȝyte sorwe . and ȝyue noȝt of synne</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> This likede lif . and his lemman fortune</l>

W.20.156KD.20.157

<l> And geten in hir glorie . a gadelyng at þe laste</l>

<l> Oon þat muche wo wroȝte . Sleuþe was his name</l>

<l> Sleuþe wax wonder yerne . and soone was of age</l>

<l> And wedded oon wanhope . a wenche of þe Stuwes</l>

W.20.160KD.20.161

<l> Hir sire was a Sysour . þat neu<expan>er</expan>e swoor truþe</l>

<l> Oon Tomme two tonge . atteynt at ech enqueste<note>W.20.161: W alone reads <hi>enqueste</hi>; all other manuscripts save F have <hi>a queste</hi>.</note></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> This Sleuþe was war of werre . and a slynge made</l>

<l> And threw drede of dispair . a dozeyne myle aboute</l>

<lg>

W.20.164KD.20.165

<l> <hi>¶</hi> For care Conscience þo . cryde vp<seg>-</seg>on Elde</l>

<l> And bad hym fonde to fighte . and afere wanhope</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And Elde hente good hope . and hastiliche he shifte hym</l>

<l> And wayued awey wanhope . and wiþ lif he fighteþ</l>

W.20.168KD.20.169

<l> And lif fleiȝ for feere . to phisik after helpe</l>

<l> And bisouȝte hym of socour . and of his salue he hadde</l>

<l> He<note>W.20.170: W alone reads <hi>He</hi>; all other manuscripts have <hi>And</hi>.</note> gaf hym gold good woon . þ<expan>a</expan>t gladede his herte</l>

<l> And þei gyuen hym ageyn . a glazene howue</l>

<lg>

W.20.172KD.20.173

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Lyf leeued þat lechecraft . lette sholde Elde</l>

<l> And dryuen awey deeþ . wiþ Dyas and drogges<note>W.20.173: W alone reads <hi>drogges</hi>, "drugs"; most other manuscripts have <hi>dragges</hi>, "sweet medicines." Scribes are apt to confuse the two words (e.g. Chaucer, <title>Canterbury Tales</title> Prologue 426).</note></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And Elde auntred hym on lyf . and at þe laste he hitte</l>

<l> <hi>A</hi> Phisicien wiþ a furred hood . þ<expan>a</expan>t he fel in a palsie</l>

W.20.176KD.20.177

<l> And þere dyed þat doctour . er þre dayes after</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Now I se seide lif . þ<expan>a</expan>t Surgerie ne phisik .</l>

<l> May noȝt a myte auaille . to mede<note>W.20.178: W alone reads <hi>mede</hi>, "bribe, reward"; other manuscripts have <hi>medle</hi>, "take action."</note> ayein Elde</l>

<l> And in hope of his heele . good herte he hente</l>

W.20.180KD.20.181

<l> And rood forþ to a<note>W.20.180: W alone reads <hi>forþ to a</hi>; all other manuscripts have <hi>so to</hi>.</note> reuel . a ryche place and a murye</l>

<l> The compaignye of confort . men cleped it som<seg>-</seg>tyme</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And Elde anoon after me . and ouer myn heed yede</l>

<l> And made me balled bifore . and bare on þe croune</l>

W.20.184KD.20.185

<l> So harde he yede ouer myn heed . it wole be sene eu<expan>er</expan>e</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Sire yuele ytauȝt Elde quod . I . vnhende go wiþ þe</l>

<l> Siþ whanne w<del>h</del><add>a</add>s<note>W.20.186: The scribe has begun by writing an <h> and changed it to an <a>.</note> þe wey . ouer mennes heddes</l>

<l> Haddestow be hende quod . I . þow woldest haue asked leeue</l>

<lg>

W.20.188KD.20.189

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ye leue lurdeyn quod he . and leyde on me wiþ Age</l>

<l> And hitte me vnder þe ere . vnneþe myȝte<note>W.20.189: W alone reads <hi>myȝte</hi>; all other manuscripts have <hi>may</hi>.</note> ich here</l>

<l> He buffetted me so<note>W.20.190: W alone reads <hi>so</hi>; all other manuscripts omit it.</note> aboute þe mouþ . þ<expan>a</expan>t out my teeþ he bette<note>W.20.190: W alone reads <hi>þat out my teeþ he bette</hi>; most manuscripts have either <hi>and bet out my teth</hi> or <hi>& bett me on þe teth</hi>.</note></l>

<l> And gyued me in goutes . I may noȝt goon at large</l>

W.20.192KD.20.193

<l> And of þe wo þ<expan>a</expan>t I was Inne . my wif hadde ruþe</l>

<l> And wisshed ful witterly . þ<expan>a</expan>t I were in heuene</l>

<l> For þe lyme þ<expan>a</expan>t she loued me fore . and leef was to feele</l>

<l> On nyghtes namely . whan we naked weere</l>

W.20.196KD.20.197

<l> I ne myghte in no manere . maken it at hir wille</l>

<l> So Elde and she sooþly . hadden it forbeten</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And as I seet in þis sorwe . I sauȝ how kynde passede</l>

<l> And deeþ drogh neiȝ me . for drede gan I quake</l>

W.20.200KD.20.201

<l> And cryde to kynde . out of care me brynge</l>

<l> Lo Elde þe hoore . haþ me biseye</l>

<l> Awreke me if youre wille be . for I wolde ben hennes</l>

<l> <hi>I</hi>f þow wolt be wroken . wend in<seg>-</seg>to <hi>vnitee</hi></l>

W.20.204KD.20.205

<l> And hold þee þere euere . til I sende for þee</l>

<l> And loke þow konne som craft . er þow come þennes</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Counseille me kynde quod I . what craft is best to lerne</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Lerne to loue quod kynde . and leef of alle oþere</l>

<lg>

W.20.208KD.20.209

<l> <hi>¶</hi> How shal I come to catel so . to cloþe me and to feede</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And þow loue lelly quod he . lakke shal þee neu<expan>er</expan>e</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Mete ne worldly weede . while þi lif lasteþ</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And þ<expan>er</expan>e by conseil of kynde . I comsed to rome</l>

W.20.212KD.20.213

<l> Thoruȝ Contricion and Confession . til I cam to <hi>vnitee</hi></l>

<l> And þ<expan>er</expan>e was Conscience Conestable . cristene to saue</l>

<l> And bisegede sooþly . wiþ seuene grete geauntz</l>

<l> That wiþ Antecrist helden . harde ayein Conscience</l>

<lg>

W.20.216KD.20.217

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Sleuþe wiþ his slynge . an hard assaut he made</l>

<l> Proude preestes coome w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> hym . mo þan a þousand</l>

<l> In paltokes and pyked shoes . and pisseris longe knyues</l>

<l> Coomen ayein Conscience . wiþ Coueitise þei helden</l>

<lg>

W.20.220KD.20.221

<l> <hi>¶</hi> By Marie quod a mansed preest . of þe March of walys<note>W.20.220: W alone reads <hi>walys</hi>; all other manuscripts have <hi>Irlonde</hi>. An Irish manuscript of the C-Text, Douce 104, fol. 109v, also has the reading <hi>Wales</hi>. See the comment by Derek Pearsall in <title>Piers Plowman: A Facsimile of Bodleian Library, Oxford, MS Douce 104</title> (Cambridge: D.S. Brewer, 1992), p. xiv.</note></l>

<l> I counte namoore Conscience . by so I cacche siluer</l>

<l> Than I do to drynke . a drauȝte of good ale</l>

<l> And so seiden sixty . of þe same contree</l>

W.20.224KD.20.225

<l> And shotten ayein wiþ shot . many a sheef of oþes</l>

<l> And brode hoked arwes . goddes herte and hise nayles</l>

<l> And hadden almoost <hi>vnitee</hi> . and holynesse adown</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Conscience cryede help Clergie . or ellis I falle</l>

W.20.228KD.20.229

<l> Thoruȝ inparfite preestes . and p<expan>re</expan>lates of holy chirche</l>

<l> <hi>F</hi>reres herden hym crye . and comen hym to helpe</l>

<l> Ac for þei kouþe noȝt wel hir craft . Conscience forsook hem</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Nede neghede þo neer . and Conscience he tolde</l>

W.20.232KD.20.233

<l> That þei come for coueitise . to haue cure of soules</l>

<l> And for þei are pou<expan>er</expan>e p<expan>ar</expan>auenture . for patrymoyne þei faille</l>

<l> They wol flatere and fare wel . wiþ<note>W.20.234: W alone reads <hi>and fare wel wiþ</hi>. Hm has <hi>and fare wel</hi>; most other manuscripts have <hi>to fare wel</hi>.</note> folk þ<expan>a</expan>t ben riche</l>

<l> And siþen þei chosen chele . and cheitiftee pouerte</l>

W.20.236KD.20.237

<l> Lat hem chewe as þei chose . and charge hem w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> no cure</l>

<l> For lomer<expan>e</expan> he lyeþ . þat liflode moot begge</l>

<l> Than he þat laboureþ for liflode . and leneþ<note>W.20.238: The reading could as well be <hi>leueþ</hi>.</note> it beggeris</l>

<l> And siþen freres forsoke . þe felicite of erþe</l>

W.20.240KD.20.241

<l> Lat hem be as beggeris . or lyue by Aungeles foode</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Conscience of þis counseil þo . comsede for to laughe</l>

<l> And curteisliche conforted hem . and called in alle freres</l>

<l> And seide sires sooþly . welcome be ye alle</l>

W.20.244KD.20.245

<l> To <hi>vnitee</hi> and holy chirche . ac o þyng I yow preye</l>

<l> Holdeþ yow in <hi>vnitee</hi> . and haueþ noon enuye</l>

<l> To lered ne to lewed . but lyueþ after your<expan>e</expan> reule</l>

<l> And I wol be your<expan>e</expan> boruȝ . ye shal haue breed and cloþes</l>

W.20.248KD.20.249

<l> And oþere necessaries ynowe . yow shal no þyng faille</l>

<l> Wiþ þat ye leue logik . and lerneþ for to louye</l>

<l> For loue lafte þei lordshipe . boþe lond and scole</l>

<l> Frere Fraunceys and Domynyk . for loue to be holye</l>

<lg>

W.20.252KD.20.253

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And if ye coueite cure . kynde wol yow teche</l>

<l> That in mesure god made . alle maner<expan>e</expan> þynges</l>

<l> And sette hem at a c<expan>er</expan>tein . and a siker nombre</l>

<l> And nempnede names newe . and noumbrede þe sterres</l>

<lg>

W.20.256KD.20.256α

<l> <hi>¶</hi> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>Q</hi>ui num<expan>er</expan>at multitudine<expan>m</expan> stellar<expan>um</expan> . et om<expan>n</expan>ib<expan>us</expan> eis &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Kynges and knyghtes . þat kepen and defenden</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Han Officers vnder hem . and ech of hem a c<expan>er</expan>tein</l>

<l> And if þei wage men to werre . þei write hem in noumbre</l>

W.20.260KD.20.262

<l> Alle oþ<expan>er</expan>e in bataille . ben yholde Brybours</l>

<l> Pylours and Pykeharneys . in ech a place y<seg>-</seg>cursed</l>

<l> Wol no man tresore<note>W.20.262: W alone reads <hi>no man tresore</hi>; most other manuscripts have <hi>no tresorer</hi>.</note> hem paie . t<expan>ra</expan>uaille þei neu<expan>er</expan> so soore<note>W.20.262: Apart from WHmB, the other scribes copied this line after W.20.259.</note></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Monkes and Moniales . and alle men of Religion</l>

W.20.264KD.20.265

<l> Hir ordre and hir reule wole . to han a c<expan>er</expan>tein noumbre</l>

<l> Of lewed and of lered . þe lawe wole and askeþ</l>

<l> A c<expan>er</expan>tein for a c<expan>er</expan>tein . saue oonliche of freres</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> For<seg>-</seg>þi quod Conscience by crist . kynde wit me telleþ</l>

W.20.268KD.20.269

<l> It is wikked to wage yow . ye wexen out of noumbre</l>

<l> Heuene haþ euene noumbre . and helle is wiþ<seg>-</seg>oute noumbre</l>

<l> For<seg>-</seg>þi I wolde witterly . þ<expan>a</expan>t ye were in þe Registre</l>

<l> And your<expan>e</expan> noumbre vnder Notaries signe . and neiþ<expan>er</expan> mo ne lasse</l>

<lg>

W.20.272KD.20.273

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Enuye herde þis . and heet freres to go to scole</l>

<l> And lerne logyk and lawe . and ek contemplacion</l>

<l> And p<expan>re</expan>che men of Plato . and preue it by Seneca</l>

<l> That alle þynges vnder heuene . ouȝte to ben in comune</l>

<lg>

W.20.276KD.20.277

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And yet he lyeþ as I leue . þat to þe lewed so p<expan>re</expan>cheþ</l>

<l> For god made to men a lawe . and Moyses it tauȝte</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>N</hi>on concupisces rem p<expan>ro</expan>ximi tui</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And yuele is þis yholde . in parisshes of Engelonde</l>

W.20.280KD.20.281

<l> For p<expan>er</expan>sons and parissh preestes . þat sholde þe peple shryue</l>

<l> Ben Curatours called . to knowe and to hele</l>

<l> Alle þ<expan>a</expan>t ben hir parisshens . penaunce to enioigne</l>

<l> And sholden <sic>ashamed</sic><corr>[be] ashamed</corr><note>W.20.283: W alone reads <hi>ashamed</hi>; most other manuscripts read <hi>be ashamed</hi>.</note> in hir shrift . ac shame makeþ hem wende</l>

W.20.284KD.20.285

<l> And fleen to þe freres . as fals folk to westmynstre</l>

<l> That borweþ and bereþ it þider . and þanne biddeþ frendes</l>

<l> Yerne of forȝifnesse . or lenger yeres loone</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ac while he is in westmynstre . he wol be bifore</l>

W.20.288KD.20.289

<l> And maken hym murie . wiþ ooþer mennes goodes</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And so it fareþ w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> muche folk . þat to þe freres hem shryueþ</l>

<l> As Sisours and executours . þei wol ȝyue þe freres</l>

<l> A parcel to preye for hem . and make hem<seg>-</seg>self murye</l>

W.20.292KD.20.292.1

<l> Wiþ þe residue and þe remenaunt . þat oþ<expan>er</expan>e men biswonke</l>

<l> And suffre þe dede in dette . to þe day of doome</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Enuye herfore . hatede Conscience</l>

<l> And freres to philosophie . he fond þanne<note>W.20.295: W alone reads <hi>þanne</hi>; most other manuscripts read <hi>hem</hi>.</note> to scole</l>

W.20.296KD.20.296

<l> The while coueitise and vnkyndenesse . Conscience assaillede</l>

<l> In <hi>vnitee</hi> holy chirche . Conscience held hym</l>

<l> And made pees porter . to pynne þe yates</l>

<l> Of alle tale<seg>-</seg>telleris . and titeleris in ydel</l>

W.20.300KD.20.300

<l> Ypocrisie and he . an hard assaut þei made<note>W.20.300: Following this line, all other manuscripts have <hi>Ypocrysie atte ȝate . hard gan fiȝte</hi> (in the spelling of L).</note></l>

<l> And woundede wel wikkedly . many a wys techer<expan>e</expan></l>

<l> That wiþ Conscience acordede . and Cardynale v<expan>er</expan>tues</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Conscience called a leche . þat koude wel shryue</l>

W.20.304KD.20.305

<l> To go<note>W.20.304: W alone reads <hi>To go</hi>; HmCrGYOLMR omit <hi>To</hi>. C<hi>2</hi>CBF omit <hi>go</hi>.</note> salue þo þat sike ben . and þoruȝ synne ywounded</l>

<l> Shrift shoop sharp salue . and made men do penaunce</l>

<l> For hir mysdedes . þat þei wroȝt hadde</l>

<l> And þ<expan>a</expan>t Piers were ypayed . <hi><foreign><hi>redde quod debes</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

W.20.308KD.20.309

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Some liked noȝt þis leche . and lettres þei sente</l>

<l> If any surgien were þe segg<expan>e</expan> . þ<expan>a</expan>t softer koude plastre</l>

<l> Sire leef to lyue in lecherie . lay þ<expan>er</expan>e and gronede</l>

<l> For fastynge of a fryday . he ferde as he wolde deye</l>

<lg>

W.20.312KD.20.313

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ther is a Surgien in þis sege . þat softe kan handle</l>

<l> And moore of phisik bi fer . and fairer he plastreþ</l>

<l> Oon frere Flaterer<expan>e</expan> . is phisicien and surgien</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Quod Contricion to Conscience . do hym come to <hi><hi>V</hi>nitee</hi></l>

W.20.316KD.20.317

<l> For here is many a man . hurt þoruȝ ypocrisye</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> We han no nede quod Conscience . I woot no bettre leche</l>

<l> Than p<expan>er</expan>son or parisshe preest . penitauncer or bisshop</l>

<l> Saue Piers þe Plowman . þat haþ power ouer hem alle</l>

W.20.320KD.20.321

<l> And Indulgence may do . but if dette lette it</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> I may wel suffre seide Conscience . syn ye desiren</l>

<l> That frere flaterer<expan>e</expan> be fet . and phisike yow sike</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> The frere her<seg>-</seg>of herde . and hiede faste</l>

W.20.324KD.20.325

<l> To a lord for a lettre . leue to haue to curen</l>

<l> As a Curatour he were . and cam w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> hise l<expan>ett</expan>res</l>

<l> Boldely to þe bisshop . and his brief hadde</l>

<l> In contrees þer he coome . confessions to here</l>

W.20.328KD.20.329

<l> And cam þ<expan>er</expan>e Conscience was . and knokked at þe yate</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Pees vnpynned it . was Porter of <hi>vnitee</hi></l>

<l> And in haste askede . what his wille were</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> In faiþ quod þis frere . for p<expan>ro</expan>fit and for helþe</l>

W.20.332KD.20.333

<l> Carpe I wolde wiþ contricion . and þ<expan>er</expan><seg>-</seg>fore cam I hider</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> He is sik seide Pees . and so are manye oþ<expan>er</expan>e</l>

<l> Ypocrisie haþ hurt hem . ful hard is if þei keuere</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> I am a Surgien seide þe segge . and salues kan make</l>

W.20.336KD.20.337

<l> Conscience knoweþ me wel . and what I kan do boþe</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> I praye þee quod Pees þo . er þow passe ferþer</l>

<l> What hattestow I praye þee . hele noȝt þi name</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Certes seide his felawe . sire <hi><foreign><hi>Penetrans domos</hi></foreign></hi></l>

</lg>

<lg>

W.20.340KD.20.341

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ye go þi gate quod Pees . by god for al þi phisik</l>

<l> But þow konne som ooþ<expan>er</expan><note>W.20.341: W alone reads <hi>ooþer</hi>; other manuscripts omit it.</note> craft . þow comest nouȝt her<seg>-</seg>Inne</l>

<l> I knew swich oon ones . noȝt eighte wynter hennes</l>

<l> Coom in þus ycoped . at a Court þ<expan>er</expan>e I dwelde</l>

W.20.344KD.20.345

<l> And was my lordes leche . and my ladies boþe</l>

<l> And at þe laste þis lymyto<expan>ur</expan> . þo my lord was oute</l>

<l> He saluede so oure wo<expan>m</expan>men . til some were wiþ childe</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Hende speche heet . Pees . opene þe yates</l>

W.20.348KD.20.349

<l> Lat in þe frere and his felawe . and make hem fair cheere</l>

<l> He may se and here . so it may bifalle</l>

<l> That lif þoruȝ his loore . shal leue coueitise</l>

<l> And be adrad of deeþ . and wiþ<seg>-</seg>drawe hym fram pryde</l>

W.20.352KD.20.353

<l> And acorde wiþ Conscience . and kisse hir eiþ<expan>er</expan> ooþer</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thus þoruȝ hende speche . entred þe frere</l>

<l> And cam in to Conscience . and curteisly hym grette</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thow art welcome quod Conscience . kanstow heele þe sike</l>

W.20.356KD.20.357

<l> Here is Contricion quod Conscience . my cosyn ywounded</l>

<l> Conforte hym quod Conscience . and tak kepe to hise soores</l>

<l> The plastres of þe p<expan>er</expan>son . and poudres biten <add>to</add> soore</l>

<l> He lat hem ligge ouer<seg>-</seg>longe . and looþ is to chaunge hem</l>

W.20.360KD.20.361

<l> Fro lenten to lenten . he lat hise plastres bite</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> That is ouer<seg>-</seg>longe quod þis Lymyto<expan>ur</expan> . I leue I shal amende it</l>

<l> And gooþ and gropeþ Contricion . and gaf hym a plastre</l>

<l> Of a pryuee paiement . and I shal praye for yow</l>

W.20.364KD.20.365

<l> For al þat ye ben holden to . al my lif<seg>-</seg>tyme</l>

<l> And make yow my lady . in masse and in matyns</l>

<l> As frere of oure Frat<expan>er</expan>nytee . for a litel siluer</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thus he gooþ and gadereþ . and gloseþ þ<expan>er</expan>e he shryueþ</l>

W.20.368KD.20.369

<l> Til Contricion hadde clene foryeten . to crye and to wepe</l>

<l> <hi>A</hi>nd wake for hise wikked werkes . as he was wont to doone</l>

<l> For confort of his confessour . Contricion he lafte</l>

<l> That is þe souerayneste salue . for alle kynne synnes</l>

<lg>

W.20.372KD.20.373

<l> <hi>¶</hi> <hi>S</hi>leuþe seigh þat . and so dide pryde</l>

<l> And comen wiþ a kene wille . Conscience to assaille</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Conscience cryed eft . and bad Clergie helpe hym</l>

<l> And also Contricion . for to kepe þe yate</l>

<lg>

W.20.376KD.20.377

<l> He lyþ and dremeþ seide Pees . and so do manye oþere</l>

<l> The frere wiþ his phisyk . þis folk haþ enchaunted</l>

<l> And plastred hem so esily . þei drede no synne</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> By crist quod Conscience þo . I wole bicome a pilgrym</l>

W.20.380KD.20.381

<l> And walken as wide . as þe world lasteþ</l>

<l> To seken Piers þe Plowman . þat pryde may destruye</l>

<l> And þ<expan>a</expan>t freres hadde a fyndyng . þat for nede flateren</l>

<l> And countrepledeþ me Conscience . now kynde me avenge</l>

W.20.384KD.20.385

<l> And sende me hap and heele . til I haue Piers þe Plowman</l>

<l> And siþþe he gradde after Grace . til I gan awake<note>W.20.385: A final, formal <hi>nota</hi> abbreviation ends the text. We have ordinarily taken this form to represent a flourish. The explicit is written in ornamented letters touched in red and about twice normal size.</note></l>

</lg>