W.3 – PPEA

fol. 13r (cont.)I

Passus tercius de visione vt supra

NOw is Mede þe mayde . and namo of hem alle

Wiþ Bedeles and with baillies . brouȝt bifore þe kyng

W.3.3KD.3.3  The kyng called a clerk . kan I noȝt his name
W.3.4KD.3.4  To take Mede þe maide . and maken hire ateseat ese
W.3.5KD.3.5  I shal assayen hire my-self . and sooþliche appose
                  
W.3.6KD.3.6  What man of þis moolde . þat hire were leuest
                  
W.3.7KD.3.7  And if she werche bi wit . and my wil folwe
W.3.8KD.3.8  I wol forgyuen hire þis gilt . so me god helpe

¶ Curteisly þe clerk þanne . as þe kyng hiȝte

Took Mede bi þe myddel . and broȝte hire in-to chambre

And þer was murþe & Mynstralcie . Mede to plese

W.3.12KD.3.12  ¶ They þat wonyeþ in westmynstre . worshipeþ hire alle
                  
W.3.13KD.3.13  Gentilliche wiþ ioye . þe Iustices somme
                  
W.3.14KD.3.14  Busked hem to þe bour . þer þe burde dwellede
W.3.15KD.3.15  To conforten hire kyndely . by clergies leue
W.3.16KD.3.16  And seiden mourne noȝt Mede . ne make þow no sorwe
W.3.17KD.3.17  For we wol wisse þe kyng . and þi wey shape
W.3.18KD.3.18  To be wedded at þi wille . and wher þee leef likeþ
W.3.19KD.3.19  For al Consciences cast . or craft as I trowe

W.3.20KD.3.20

¶ Mildely Mede þanne . merciede hem alle

Of hire grete goodnesse . and gaf hem echone

fol. 13vI

Coupes of clene gold . and coppes of siluer

Rynges wiþ Rubies . and richesses manye

W.3.24KD.3.24

The leeste man of hire meynee . a moton of golde

Thanne lauȝte þei leue . þise lordes at Mede

¶ Wiþ þat comen clerkes . to conforten hire þe same

And beden hire be bliþe . for we beþ þyne owene

W.3.28KD.3.28

For to werche þi wille . þe while þow myȝt laste

W.3.29KD.3.29  ¶ Hendiliche heo þanne . bihiȝte hem þe same
                  
W.3.30KD.3.30  To louen hem lelly . and lordes to make
W.3.31KD.3.31  And in þe Consistorie at þe court . do callen hire names
W.3.32KD.3.32  Shal no lewednesse lette . þe leode þat I louye
                  
W.3.33KD.3.33  That he ne worþ first auaunced . for I am biknowen
W.3.34KD.3.34  Ther konnynge clerkes . shul clokke bihynde

W.3.35KD.3.35  ¶ Thanne cam þer a Confessour . coped as a frere
                  
W.3.36KD.3.36  To mede þe mayde . he mened þise wordes
W.3.37KD.3.37  And seide ful softely . in shrift as it were
W.3.38KD.3.38  Theiȝ lewed men and lered men . hadde leyen by þee boþe
W.3.39KD.3.39  And Falsnesse hadde yfolwed þee . alle þise fifty wynter
W.3.40KD.3.40  I shal assoille þee my-self . for a seem of whete
                  
W.3.41KD.3.41  And also be þi bedeman . and bere wel þi message
W.3.42KD.3.42  Amonges knyȝtes and clerkes . Conscience to torne

¶ Thanne Mede for hire mysdedes . to þat man kneled

W.3.44KD.3.44

And shrof hire of hire sherewednesse . shamelees I trowe

Tolde hym a tale . and took hym a noble

For to ben hire Bedeman . and hire brocour als

¶ Thanne he assoiled hire soone . and siþen he seide

W.3.48KD.3.48

We haue a wyndow in werchynge . wole sitten vs ful hye

Woldestow glaze þat gable . & graue þer-Inne þy name

Syker sholde þi soule be . heuene to haue

fol. 14rI

¶ Wiste I þat quod þat womman . I wolde noȝt spare

W.3.52KD.3.52

For to be youre frend frere . and faile yow neuere

While ye loue lordes . þat lecherie haunten

And lakkeþ noȝt ladies . þat louen wel þe same

It is a freletee of flessh . ye fynden it in bokes

W.3.56KD.3.56

And a cours of kynde . wher-of we comen alle

Who may scape sclaundreW.3.57: W alone reads sclaundre. All other B manuscripts read þe/that sclaundre. . þe scaþe is soone amended

It is synne of þe seuene . sonnest relessed

W.3.59KD.3.59  ¶ Haue mercy quod Mede . of men þat it haunteþ
                  
W.3.60KD.3.60  And I shal couere youre kirk . youre cloistre do maken
W.3.61KD.3.61  Wowes do whiten . and wyndowes glazen
W.3.62KD.3.62  Do peynten and portraye . and paie for þe makynge
W.3.63KD.3.63  That euery segge shal seye . I am suster of youre house

W.3.64KD.3.64  ¶ Ac god to alle good folk . swich grauynge defendeþ
                  
W.3.65KD.3.65  To writen in wyndowes . of hir wel-dedes
                  
W.3.66KD.3.66  AnauentureAn auenture pride be peynted þere . and pomp of þe world
                  
W.3.67KD.3.67  For crist knoweþ þi conscience . and þi kynde wille
W.3.68KD.3.68  And þi cost and þi coueitise . and who þe catel ouȝte

¶ For-þi I lere yow lordes . leueþ swiche werkes

To writen in wyndowes . of youre wel-dedes

Or to greden after goddesmengoddes men . whan ye dele doles

W.3.72KD.3.72

On auenture ye haue youre hire here . and youre heuene als

Nesciat sinistra quid faciat dextra

¶ Lat noȝt þi left half . late ne raþe

Wite what þow werchest . wiþ þi riȝt syde

W.3.76KD.3.75

For þus byW.3.76: W alone reads by. All other B manuscripts read byddeþ or bit. þe gospel . goode men doon hir almesse

W.3.77KD.3.76  ¶ Maires and Maceres . þat menes ben bitwene
                  
W.3.78KD.3.77  The kyng and þe comune . to kepe þe lawes
fol. 14vI
W.3.79KD.3.78  To punysshe on Pillories . and pynynge stooles
W.3.80KD.3.79  Brewesters and Baksters . Bochiers and Cokes
W.3.81KD.3.80  For þise are men on þis molde . þat moost harm wercheþ
W.3.82KD.3.81  To þe pouere peple . þat parcelmele buggen
                  
W.3.83KD.3.82  For þei enpoisoneW.3.83: W alone reads enpoisone.  All other B manuscripts read poisone, except OC2 which have punyschen. þe peple . pryueliche and ofte
                  
W.3.84KD.3.83  Thei richen þoruȝ regratrie . and rentes hem biggen
                  
W.3.85KD.3.84  Wiþ þat þe pouere peple . sholde putte in hire wombe
                  
W.3.86KD.3.85  For toke þei on trewely . þei tymbred nouȝt so heiȝe
W.3.87KD.3.86  Ne bouȝte none burgages . be ye ful certeyne

W.3.88KD.3.87  ¶ Ac Mede þe mayde . þe Mair haþ bisouȝt
                  
W.3.89KD.3.88  Of alle swiche Selleris . siluer to take
W.3.90KD.3.89  Or presentz wiþ-outen pens . as pieces of siluer
                  
W.3.91KD.3.90  Rynges or ooþer richesse . þe Regratiers to mayntene
                  
W.3.92KD.3.91  For my loue quod þat lady . loue hem echone
W.3.93KD.3.92  And suffre hem to selle . somdel ayeins reson

¶ Salomon þe sage a sermon . he made

For to amenden Maires . and men þat kepen lawes

W.3.96KD.3.95

And tolde hem þis teme . þat I telle þynke

Ignis deuorabit tabernacula eorum qui libenter accipiunt munera &c

¶ Among þise lettrede leodes . þis latyn is to mene

That fir shal falle & brenne . al to bloo askes

W.3.100KD.3.99

The houses and homes . of hem þat desireþ

Yiftes or yeresyeues . by-cause of hire Offices

¶ The kyng fro þe conseil cam . and called after Mede

And ofsente hire as swiþe . wiþ sergeauntz manye

W.3.104KD.3.103

AndW.3.104: W alone reads And. All other B manuscripts read That. brouȝte hire to boure . wiþ blisse and wiþ ioye

¶ Curteisly þe kyng þanne . comsed to telle

To Mede þe mayde . he meneþW.3.106: W alone reads he meneþ. OCrYC2CBLMR read melleþ, while other B manuscripts read he meled F, he menyd H, and meneth Hm, and mouthed G. þise wordes

Vnwittily womman . wroȝt hastow ofte

fol. 15rI

W.3.108KD.3.107

Ac worse wroȝtestow neuere . þan þo þow Fals toke

But I forgyue þee þat gilt . and graunte þee my grace

Hennes to þi deeþ-day . do so namoore

¶ I haue a knyȝt Conscience . cam late fro biyonde

W.3.112KD.3.111

If he wilneþ þee to wif . wiltow hym haue

¶ Ye lord quod þat lady . lord forbede it ellis

But I be holly at youre heste . lat hange me soone

¶ And þanne was Conscience called . to come and appere

W.3.116KD.3.115

Bifore þe kyng and his conseil . as clerkes and oþere

¶ Knelynge Conscience . to þe kyng louted

To wite what his wille were . and what he do woldeW.3.118: W alone reads wolde. All other B manuscripts read sholde.

¶ Woltow wedde þis womman quod þe kyng . if I wole assente

W.3.120KD.3.119

For she is fayn of þi felaweshipe . for to be þi make

W.3.121KD.3.120  ¶ Quod Conscience to þe kyng . crist it me forbede
                  
W.3.122KD.3.121  Er I wedde swich a wif . wo me bitide
W.3.123KD.3.122  For she is frele of hire feiþ . fikel of hire speche
W.3.124KD.3.123  And makeþ men mysdo . many score tymes
W.3.125KD.3.124  Trust of hire tresor . bitrayeþ ful manye           W.3.125:nota

W.3.126KD.3.125  ¶ Wyues and widewes . wantounes she techeþ
                  
W.3.127KD.3.126  And lereþ hem lecherie . þat loueþ hire ȝiftes
W.3.128KD.3.127  Youre fader she felled . þoruȝ false biheste
W.3.129KD.3.128  And haþ enpoisonedW.3.129: W alone reads enpoisoned.  All other B manuscripts read (a)poisoned or (y)poysoned. popes . and peired holy chirche
                  
W.3.130KD.3.129  Is noȝt a bettre baude . by hym þat me made
W.3.131KD.3.130  Bitwene heuene and helle . in erþe þouȝ men souȝte
W.3.132KD.3.131  For she is tikel of hire tail . and talewis of hire tonge           W.3.132:nota
W.3.133KD.3.132  As commune as a Cartwey . to ech a knaue þat walkeþ           W.3.133:nota
W.3.134KD.3.133  To Monkes to Mynstrales . to Meseles in hegges

fol. 15vI

¶ Sisours and Somonours . swiche men hire preiseþ

W.3.136KD.3.135

Sherreues of Shires . were shent if she ne were

For she dooþ men lese hire lond . and hire lif boþe

She leteþ passe prisoners . and paieþ for hem ofte

And gyueþ þe Gailers gold . and grotes togidres

W.3.140KD.3.139

To vnfettre þe fals . fle where hym likeþ W.3.140:nota

And takeþ þe trewe bi þe top . and tieþ hem faste

And hangeþ hem for hatrede . þat harm dide neuere

W.3.143KD.3.142  ¶ To be corsed in Consistorie . she counteþ noȝt a bene
                  
W.3.144KD.3.143  For she copeþ þe Commissarie . and coteþ hise clerkes           W.3.144:nota
W.3.145KD.3.144  She is assoiled as soone . as hire-self likeþ
                  
W.3.146KD.3.145  And may neiȝ as muche do . in a Monþe one
W.3.147KD.3.146  As youre secret seel . in sixe score dayes
W.3.148KD.3.147  For she is pryuee wiþ þe pope . prouisours it knoweþ
                  
W.3.149KD.3.148  For Sire Symonie and hir-selue . seleþ hire bulles
                  

W.3.150KD.3.149  ¶ She blesseþ þise Bisshopes . þeiȝ þei be lewed
                  
W.3.151KD.3.150  Prouendreþ persones . and preestes maynteneþ
                  
W.3.152KD.3.151  To haue lemmans and lotebies . alle hire lif-daies
                  
W.3.153KD.3.152  And bryngeþ forþ barnes . ayein forbode lawes
W.3.154KD.3.153  Ther she is wel wiþ þe kyng . wo is þe Reaume
W.3.155KD.3.154  For she is fauourable to fals . and defouleþ truþe ofte
                  

W.3.156KD.3.155  ¶ By Iesus . wiþ hire Ieweles . youre Iustices she shendeþ
                  
W.3.157KD.3.156  And liþ ayein þe lawe . and letteþ hym þe gate
W.3.158KD.3.157  That feiþ may noȝt haue his forþ . hire floryns go so þikke
W.3.159KD.3.158  She ledeþ þe lawe as hire list . and louedaies makeþ
W.3.160KD.3.159  And doþ men lese þoruȝ hire loue . þat lawe myȝte wynne
W.3.161KD.3.160  The maze for a mene man . þouȝ he mote hire euere
W.3.162KD.3.161  Lawe is so lordlich . and looþ to maken ende
W.3.163KD.3.162  Wiþ-outen presentz or pens . she pleseþ wel fewe
                  

W.3.164KD.3.163

¶ Barons and Burgeises . she bryngeþ in sorwe

fol. 16rI

¶ And al þe comune in care . þat coueiten lyue in truþe W.3.165:nota

For clergie and coueitise . she coupleþ togidres

This is þe lif of þat lady . now lord ȝyue hire sorwe

W.3.168KD.3.167

And alle þat maynteneþ hire men . meschaunce hem bitide

For pouere men may haue no power . to pleyne hem þouȝ þei smerte

Swich a maister is Mede . among men of goode

¶ Thanne mournede Mede . and mened hire to þe kynge

W.3.172KD.3.171

To haue space to speke . spede if she myȝte

¶ The kyng graunted hire grace . wiþ a good wille

Excuse þee if þow kanst . I kan namoore seggen

For Conscience accuseþ þee . to congeien þee for euere

W.3.176KD.3.175  ¶ Nay lord quod þat lady . leueþ hym þe werse
                  
W.3.177KD.3.176  Whan ye witen witterly . wher þe wrong liggeþ
W.3.178KD.3.177  Ther þat meschief is gret . Mede  may helpe           W.3.178:nota
W.3.179KD.3.178  And þow knowest Conscience . I kam noȝt to chide
                  
W.3.180KD.3.179  Ne depraue þi persone . wiþ a proud herte
                  
W.3.181KD.3.180  Wel þow woost wernard . but if þow wolt gabbe
W.3.182KD.3.181  Thow hast hanged on myn half . elleuene tymes
W.3.183KD.3.182  And also griped my gold . gyue it where þee liked
W.3.184KD.3.183  And whi þow wraþest þee now . wonder me þynkeþ
W.3.185KD.3.184  Yet I may as I myȝte . menske þee wiþ ȝiftes
W.3.186KD.3.185  And mayntene þi manhode . moore þan þow knowest

¶ Ac þow hast famed me foule . bifore þe kyng here

W.3.188KD.3.187

For killed I neuere no kyng . ne counseiled þer-after

Ne dide as þow demest . I do it on þe kynge

¶ In Normandie was he noȝt . noyed for my sake

Ac þow þi-self sooþly . shamedest hym ofte

W.3.192KD.3.191

Crope in-to a Cabane . for cold of þi nayles

Wendest þat wynter . wolde han ylasted euere

fol. 16vI

And dreddest to be ded . for a dym cloude

And hyedest homward . for hunger of þi wombe

W.3.196KD.3.195  ¶ Wiþ-outen pite Pilour . pouere men þow robbedest
                  
W.3.197KD.3.196  And bere hire bras at þi bak . to Caleis to selle
W.3.198KD.3.197  Ther I lafte wiþ my lord . his lif for to saue
W.3.199KD.3.198  I made his men murye . and mournynge lette
W.3.200KD.3.199  I batred hem on þe bak . and boldede hire hertes
W.3.201KD.3.200  And dide hem hoppe for hope . to haue me at wille
W.3.202KD.3.201  Hadde I ben Marchal of his men . by Marie of heuene
W.3.203KD.3.202  I dorste haue leyd my lif . and no lasse wedde
W.3.204KD.3.203  He sholde haue be lord of þat lond . in lengþe and in brede
W.3.205KD.3.204  And also kyng of þat kiþ . his kyn for to helpe
W.3.206KD.3.205  The leeste brol of his blood . a Barones piere

¶ Cowardly þow Conscience . conseiledest hym þennes

W.3.208KD.3.207

To leuen his lordshipe . for a litel siluer

That is þe richeste Reaume . þat reyn ouer-houeþ

¶ It bicomeþ to a kyng . þat kepeþ a Reaume W.3.210:nota

To yeue mede to men . þat mekely hym serueþ

W.3.212KD.3.211

To aliens and to alle men . to honouren hem with ȝiftes

Mede makeþ hym biloued . and for a man holden

¶ Emperours and Erles . and alle manere lordes

For ȝiftes han yonge men . to renne and to ryde

W.3.216KD.3.215

¶ The Pope and alle þe prelates . presentz vnderfongen

And medeþ men hem-seluen . to mayntene hir lawes

¶ Sergeauntz for hire seruyce . we seeþ wel þe soþe

Taken Mede of hir maistres . as þei mowe acorde

W.3.220KD.3.219

¶ Beggeres for hir biddynge . bidden men Mede

Mynstrales for

fol. 17rI

¶ Mynstrales for hir myrþe . Mede þei aske

¶ The kyng haþ mede of his men . to make pees in londe W.3.222:nota

¶ Men þat teche children . crauen after Mede W.3.223:nota

W.3.224KD.3.223

¶ Preestes þat prechen þe peple . to goode . asken Mede W.3.224:nota

And massepens and hire mete . at þe meeltymes

¶ Alle kynne craftes men . crauen Mede for hir Prentices W.3.226:nota

¶ Marchauntz and Mede . mote nede go togideres

W.3.228KD.3.227

No wiȝt as I wene . wiþ-outen Mede may libbe

¶ Quod þe kyng to Conscience . by crist as me þynkeþ

Mede is wel worþi . þe maistrie to haue

¶ Nay quod Conscience to þe kyng . and kneled to þe erþe

W.3.232KD.3.231

Ther are two manere of Medes . my lord wiþ youre leue

¶ That oon god of his grace . graunteþ in his blisse

To þo þat wel werchen . while þei ben here

The prophete precheþ þer-of . and putte it in þe Sauter

W.3.236KD.3.234α

¶ Domine quis habitabit in tabernaculo tuo

¶ Lord who shal wonye in þi wones . and wiþ þyne holy seintes

Or resten in þyne holy hilles . þis askeþ Dauid

And Dauid assoileþ it hym-self . as þe Sauter telleþ

W.3.240KD.3.237α

Qui ingreditur sine macula & operatur Iusticiam

¶ Tho þat entren of o colour . and of one wille

And han ywroght werkes . wiþ right and wiþ reson

fol. 17vI

AndW.3.243: There is an elaborate version of top-line decoration on <A>. he þat vseþ noȝt . þe lyf of vsurie

W.3.244KD.3.241

And enformeþ pouere men . and pursueþ truþe

Qui pecuniam suam non dedit ad vsuram . et munera super Innocentem &c

¶ And alle þat helpen þe Innocent . and holden with þe riȝtfulle

Wiþ-outen Mede doþ hem good . and þe truþe helpeþ

W.3.248KD.3.244

Swiche manere men my lord . shul haue þis firste Mede

Of god at a gret nede . whan þei gon hennes

¶ Ther is anoþer Mede mesurelees . þat maistres desireþ

To mayntene mysdoers . Mede þei take

W.3.252KD.3.248

And þer-of seiþ þe Sauter . in a Salmes ende

In quorum manibus iniquitates sunt . dextra eorum repleta est muneribus

¶ And he þat gripeþ hir gold . so me god helpe

Shal abien it bittre . or þe book lieþ

W.3.256KD.3.252

¶ Preestes and persons . þat plesynge desireþ

That taken Mede and moneie . for masses þat þei syngeþ

Taken hire Mede here . as Mathew vs techeþ

Amen amen . Recipiebant mercedem suam

W.3.260KD.3.255

¶ That laborers and lowe folk . taken of hire maistres

It is no manere Mede . but a mesurable hire W.3.261:nota

¶ In marchaundise is no Mede . I may it wel auowe

It is a permutacion apertly . a penyworþ for anoþer

W.3.264KD.3.259

¶ Ac reddestow neuere Regum . þow recrayed Mede

Whi þe vengeaunce fel . on Saul and on his children

God sente to Saul . by Samuel þe prophete

fol. 18rI

That Agag of Amalec . and al his peple after

W.3.268KD.3.263

Sholden deye for a dede . þat doon hadde hire eldres

W.3.269KD.3.264  ¶ For-þi seide Samuel to Saul . god hym-self hoteþ
                  
W.3.270KD.3.265  Thee . be buxom at his biddynge . his wil to fulfille
W.3.271KD.3.266  Weend to Amalec with þyn oost . & what þow fyndest þere sle it
                  
W.3.272KD.3.267  Burnes and beestes . bren hem to deþe
W.3.273KD.3.268  Widwes and wyues . wommen and children
                  
W.3.274KD.3.269  Moebles and vnmoebles . and al þow myȝt fynde
W.3.275KD.3.270  Bren it . bere it noȝt awey . be it neuer so riche
W.3.276KD.3.271  For Mede ne for monee . loke þow destruye it
W.3.277KD.3.272  Spille it and spare it noȝt . þow shalt spede þe bettre

W.3.278KD.3.273  ¶ And for he coueited hir catel . and þe kyng spared
                  
W.3.279KD.3.274  Forbar hym and his beestes boþe . as þe bible witnesseþ
W.3.280KD.3.275  Ooþer-wise þan he was . warned of þe prophete
                  
W.3.281KD.3.276  God seide to Samuel . þat Saul sholde deye
                  
W.3.282KD.3.277  And al his seed for þat synne . shenfulliche ende
W.3.283KD.3.278  Swich a meschief Mede made . Saul þe kyng to haue
W.3.284KD.3.279  That god hated hym for euere . and alle hise heires after
                  

¶ The culorum of þis cas . kepe I noȝt to telle

On auenture it noyed men . noon ende wol I make

For so is þis world went . wiþ hem þat han power W.3.287:nota

W.3.288KD.3.283

That who-so seiþ hem soþest . is sonnest yblamed

W.3.289KD.3.284  ¶ I Conscience knowe þis . for kynde wit it me tauȝte
                  
W.3.290KD.3.285  That Reson shal regne . and Reaumes gouerne
                  
W.3.291KD.3.286  And riȝt as Agag hadde . happe shul somme
                  
W.3.292KD.3.287  Samuel shal sleen hym . and Saul shal be blamed
W.3.293KD.3.288  And Dauid shal be diademed . and daunten hem alle
                  
W.3.294KD.3.289  And oon cristene kyng . kepen hem alle .
W.3.295KD.3.290  Shal namoore Mede be maister . as she is nouþe
W.3.296KD.3.291  Ac loue and lowenesse . and leautee togideres
fol. 18vI
W.3.297KD.3.292  Thise shul ben Maistres on moolde . truþe to saue

W.3.298KD.3.293  ¶ And who-so trespaseþ ayein truþe . or takeþ ayein his wille
                  
W.3.299KD.3.294  Leaute shal don hym lawe . and no lif ellis
W.3.300KD.3.295  Shal no sergeant for his seruice . were a silk howue
                  
W.3.301KD.3.296  Ne no pelure in his cloke . for pledynge at þe barre
W.3.302KD.3.297  Mede of mysdoeres . makeþ manye lordes           W.3.302:nota
W.3.303KD.3.298  And ouer lordes lawes . ruleþ þe Reaumes

W.3.304KD.3.299  ¶ Ac kynde loue shal come ȝit . and Conscience togideres
                  
W.3.305KD.3.300  And make of lawe a laborer . swich loue shal arise
W.3.306KD.3.301  And swich a pees among þe peple . and a parfit truþe
                  
W.3.307KD.3.302  That Iewes shul wene in hire wit . and wexen wonder glade
W.3.308KD.3.303  That Moyses or Messie . be come in-to þis erþe
                  
W.3.309KD.3.304  And haue wonder in hire hertes . þat men beþ so trewe
                  

¶ Alle þat beren baselard . brood swerd or launce

Ax ouþer hachet . or any wepene ellis

W.3.312KD.3.307

Shal be demed to þe deeþ . but if he do it smyþye

In-to sikel or to siþe . to shaar or to kultour

Conflabunt gladios suos in vomeres &c

¶ Ech man to pleye with a plow . Pykoise or spade

W.3.316KD.3.310

Spynne or sprede donge . or spille hym-self with sleuþe

W.3.317KD.3.311  ¶ Preestes and persons . wiþ Placebo to hunte
                  
W.3.318KD.3.312  And dyngen vp-on Dauid . eche day til eue
                  
W.3.319KD.3.313  Huntynge or haukynge . if any of hem vse
W.3.320KD.3.314  His boost of his benefice . worþ bynomen hym after
W.3.321KD.3.315  Shal neiþer kyng ne knyght . Constable ne Meire
W.3.322KD.3.316  Ouerlede þe commune . ne to þe Court sompne
                  
W.3.323KD.3.317  Ne putte hem in panel . to doon hem pliȝte hir truþe
W.3.324KD.3.318  But after þe dede þat is doon . oon doom shal rewarde
fol. 19rI
W.3.325KD.3.319  Mercy or no mercy . as Truthe wole acorde           W.3.325:nota

W.3.326KD.3.320  ¶ Kynges Court and commune Court . Consistorie and Chapitle
                  
W.3.327KD.3.321  Al shal be but oon court . and oon baron be Iustice
W.3.328KD.3.322  Thanne worþ Trewe tonge a tidy man . þat tened me neuere
                  
W.3.329KD.3.323  Batailles shul none be . ne no man bere wepene
W.3.330KD.3.324  And what smyth þat any smyþeþ . be smyte þerwiþ to deþe
                  

¶ Non leuabit gens contra gentem gladium &c

W.3.332KD.3.325

And er þis fortune falle . fynde men shul þe worste

By sixe sonnes and a ship . and half a shef of Arwes

And þe myddel of a Moone . shal make þe Iewes to torne

And Sarzynes for þat siȝte . shul synge . Gloria in excelsis &c

W.3.336KD.3.329

For Makometh and Mede . myshappe shul þat tyme

For Melius est bonum nomen quam diuicie multe W.3.337:nota

W.3.338KD.3.331  ¶ Al-so wroþ as þe wynd . weex Mede in a while
                  
W.3.339KD.3.332  I kan no latyn quod she . clerkes wite þe soþe
W.3.340KD.3.333  Se what Salomon seiþ . in Sapience bokes
W.3.341KD.3.334  That þei þat ȝeyuenW.3.341: The scribe has begun by writing an <e> and changed it to a <y>.  All other spellings are with ȝyu-. ȝiftes . þe victorie wynneþ
                  
W.3.342KD.3.335  And moost worshipe hadde þer-wiþ . as holy writ telleþ
                  

¶ Honorem adquiret qui dat munera . &c

W.3.344KD.3.337  ¶ I leue wel lady quod Conscience . þat þi latyn be trewe
                  
W.3.345KD.3.338  Ac þow art lik a lady . þat radde a lesson ones
W.3.346KD.3.339  Was omnia probate . and þat plesed hire herte           W.3.346:nota
W.3.347KD.3.340  For þat lyne was no lenger . at þe leues ende
W.3.348KD.3.341  Hadde she loked þat ooþer half . and þe leef torned
W.3.349KD.3.342  She sholde haue founden fele wordes . folwynge þer-after
                  
W.3.350KD.3.343  Quod bonum est tenete . truþe þat text made
                  
W.3.351KD.3.344  And so ferde ye madame . ye kouþe namoore fynde
W.3.352KD.3.345  Tho ye loked on Sapience . sittynge in youre studie
fol. 19vI
W.3.353KD.3.346  This text þat ye han told . were good for lordes
                  
W.3.354KD.3.347  Ac yow failed a konnynge clerk . þat kouþe þe leef han torned
W.3.355KD.3.348  And if ye seche Sapience eft . fynde shul ye þat folweþ
W.3.356KD.3.349  A ful teneful text . to hem þat takeþ Mede
W.3.357KD.3.350  And þat is Animam autem aufert accipientium &c
W.3.358KD.3.351  And þat is þe tail of þe text . of þat þat she shewed
                  
W.3.359KD.3.352  That þeiȝ we wynne worship . and with Mede haue victorie
                  
W.3.360KD.3.353  The soule þat þe soude takeþ . by so muche is bounde