Pierce the Ploughmans Crede, ed. by Walter W. Skeat
Author: Unknown
Date: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Corpus of Middle English Prose and VerseTitle:Pierce the Ploughmans Crede Editor:Rev. Walter W. Skeat, M.A.

Publisher: Early English Text Society

Date:1867

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Peres The Ploughmans Crede

[Lines 1 through 100]

1 CROS, AND Curteis Crist ˇ ţis begynnynge spede,

2 For ţe faderes frendchipe ˇ ţat fourmede Heuene,

3 And ţoru ţe speciall spirit ˇ ţat sprong of hem tweyne, 4 And alle in on godhed ˇ endles dwelleţ !

5 A and all myn A.b.c ˇ after haue y lerned,

6 And [patred] in my pater-noster ˇ iche poynt after oţer, 7 And after all, myn Aue-marie ˇ almost to ţe ende ; 8 But all my kare is to comen ˇ for y can noht my Crede.

9 Whan y schal schewen myn schrift ˇ schent mote y worţen, 10 Ţe prest wil me punyche ˇ & penaunce enioyne ;

11 Ţe Lengţe of a Lenten ˇ flech moot y leue

12 After ţat Estur ys ycomen ˇ and ţat is hard fare ; 13 And Wedenes-day iche wyke ˇ wiţ-outen flech-mete.

14 And also Jesu hym-self ˇ to the Jewes he seyde,

15 ” He ţat leeueţ nout on me ˇ he leseţ ţe blisse.”

16 Ţerfor lerne ţe byleue ˇ leuest me were,

17 And if any werldly wit ˇ wille me couţe,

18 Oţer lewed or lered ˇ ţat lyueţ ţerafter,

19 And fulliche folweth ţe feyţ ˇ and feyneţ non oţer ; 20 Ţat no worldliche wele ˇ wilneţ no tyme,

21 But lyueţ in louynge of God ˇ and his lawe holdeţ, 22 And for no getynge of good ˇ neuer his God greueţ, 23 But follow[e]ţ him ţe full wey ˇ as he ţe folke taughte.

24 But to many maner of men ˇ ţis matter is asked,

25 Boţe to lered and to lewed ˇ ţat seyn ţat ţey leueden 26 Hollich on ţe grete god ˇ and hoden alle his hestes ; 27 But by a fraynyng for-ţan ˇ faileţ ţer manye.

28 For first y fraynede ţe freres ˇ and ţey me fulle tolden, 29 Ţat all ţe frute of ţe fayţ ˇ was in here foure ordres, 30 And ţe cofres of cristendam ˇ & ţe keye boţen,

31 And ţe lok [of beleve ˇ lyeth] loken in her hondes.

32 Ţanne [wende] y to wyten ˇ & wiţ a whit y mette, 33 A Menoure in a morow-tide ˇ & to ţis man I saide, 34 ” Sire, for grete god[e]s loue ˇ ţe graiţ ţou me telle, 35 Of what myddelerde man ˇ myte y best lerne

36 My Crede ? For I can it nout ˇ my kare is ţe more ; 37 & ţerfore, for Cristes loue ! ˇ ţi councell y praie.

38 A Carm me haţ y-couenaunt ˇ ţe Crede me to teche ; 39 But for ţou knowest Carmes well ˇ ţi counsaile y aske.”

40 Ţis Menour loked on me ˇ and lawyng he seyde,

41 ” Leue Cristen man ˇ y leue ţat ţou madde !

42 Whou schulde ţei techen ţe God ˇ ţat con not hemselue?

43 Ţei ben but jugulers ˇ and iapers, of kynde,

44 Lorels and Lechures ˇ & lemmans holden ;

45 Neyţer in order ne out ˇ but vn-neţe lybbeţ,

46 And byiapeţ ţe folke ˇ wiţ gestes of Rome !

47 It is but a faynt folk ˇ i-founded vp-on iapes,

48 Ţei makeţ hem Maries men ˇ (so ţei men tellen),

49 And lieţ on our Ladie ˇ many a longe tale.

50 And ţat wicked folke ˇ wymmen bitraieţ,

51 And bigileţ hem of her good ˇ wiţ glauerynge wordes, 52 And ţerwiţ holden her hous ˇ in harlotes werkes.

53 And, so saue me God ! ˇ I hold it gret synne

54 To yuen hem any good ˇ swiche glotones to fynde, 55 To maynteyne swiche maner men ˇ ţat mychel good destruyeţ.

56 et seyn they in here sutilte ˇ to sottes in townes, 57 Ţei comen out of Carmeli ˇ Crist for to followen, 58 & feyneţ hem with holynes ˇ ţat yuele hem bisemeţ.

59 Ţei lyuen more in lecherie ˇ and lieth in her tales 60 Ţan suen any god liife ; ˇ but [lurken] in her selles, 61 [And] wynnen werldliche god ˇ & wasten it in synne.

62 And if ţei couţen her credo ˇ oţer on Crist leueden, 63 Ţei weren nout so hardie ˇ swich harlotri vsen.

64 Sikerli y can nout fynden ˇ who hem first founded, 65 But ţe foles foundeden hem-self ˇ freres of the Pye, 66 And maken hem mendynauns ˇ & marre ţe puple.

67 But what glut of ţo gomes ˇ may any good kachen, 68 He will kepen it hym-self ˇ & cofren it faste,

69 And ţei his felawes fayle good ˇ for him he may steruen.

70 Her money may bi-quest ˇ & testament maken,

71 And no obedience bere ˇ but don as [hem] luste.

72 [And] ryt as Robertes men ˇ raken aboute,

73 At feires & at ful ales ˇ & fyllen ţe cuppe,

74 And precheţ all of pardon ˇ to plesen the puple.

75 Her pacience is all based ˇ & but out to ferme,

76 And pride is in her pouerte ˇ ţat litell is to preisen.

77 And at ţe lulling of oure Ladye ˇ ţe wymmen to lyken, 78 And miracles of mydwyves ˇ & maken wymmen to wenen 79 Ţat ţe lace of oure ladie smok ˇ liteţ hem of children.

80 Ţei ne prechen nout of Powel ˇ ne penaunce for synne, 81 But all of mercy & mensk ˇ ţat Marie maie helpen.

82 Wiţ sterne staues and stronge ˇ ţey ouer lond strakeţ

83 Ţider as her lemmans liggeţ ˇ and lurkeţ in townes, 84 (Grey grete-hedede quenes ˇ wiţ gold by ţe eien), 85 And seyn, ţat here sustien ţei ben ˇ ţat soiourneţ aboute ; 86 And ţus about ţey gon ˇ & godes folke by-traieţ.

87 It is ţe puple ţat Powel ˇ preched of in his tyme ; 88 He seyde of swich folk ˇ ţat so aboute wente,

89 ” Wepyng, y warne ow ˇ of walkers aboute ;

90 It beţ enemyes of ţe cros ˇ ţat crist opon ţolede.

91 Swiche slomerers in slepe ˇ slauţe is her ende,

92 And glotony is her God ˇ wiţ g[l]oppyng of drynk, 93 And gladnes in glees ˇ & gret ioye y-maked ;

94 In ţe schendyng of swiche ˇ schall mychel folk lawe.’

95 Ţperfore, frend, for ţi feyţ ˇ fond to don betere, 96 Leue nout on ţo losels ˇ but let hem forţ pasen, 97 For ţei ben fals in her feiţ ˇ & fele mo oţere.”

98 ” Alas ! frere,” quaţ I ţo ˇ ” my purpos is i-failed, 99 Now is my counfort a-cast ! ˇ canstou no bote,

100 Where y myte meten wiţ a man ˇ ţat myte me [wissen]

[Lines 101 through 200]

101 For to connne my Crede ˇ Crist for to folwen ?”

102 “CERTEYNE, felawe,” quaţ ţe frere ˇ ” wiţ-outen any faile.

103 Of all men opon mold ˇ we Menures most scheweţ

104 Ţe pure Apostell[e]s life ˇ wiţ penance on erţe, 105 And suen hem in saunctite ˇ & suffren well harde.

106 We haunten none tauernes ˇ ne hobelen abouten ; 107 At marketts & myracles ˇ we medleţ vs nevere ;

108 We hondlen no money ˇ but menelich faren,

109 And haven hunger at [the] meate ˇ at ich a mel ones.

110 We hauen forsaken the worlde ˇ & in wo lybbeţ,

111 In penaunce & pouerte ˇ & precheţ ţe puple,

112 By ensample of oure life ˇ soules to helpen ;

113 And in pouertie praien ˇ for all oure parteners 114 Ţat yueţ vs any good ˇ god to honouren,

115 Oţer bell oţer booke ˇ or breed to our fode,

116 Oţer catell oţer cloţ ˇ to coveren wiţ our bones, 117 Money or money-worthe ; ˇ here mede is in heven.

118 For we buldeţ a burw ˇ a brod and a large,

119 A Chirche and A Chapaile ˇ with chambers a-lofte, 120 Wiţ wide windowes y-wrout ˇ & walles well heye, 121 Ţat mote bene portreid and paynt ˇ & pulched ful clene, 122 Wiţ gaie glittering glas ˇ glowing as ţe sonne.

123 And mytestou amenden vs ˇ wiţ money of ţyn owne, 124 Ţou chuldest enely bifore Crist ˇ in compas of gold 125 In ţe wide windowe westwarde ˇ wel nio in the myddell, 126 And seynt Fraunces himself ˇ schall folden the in his cope, 127 And presente the to the trynitie ˇ and praie for thy synnes ; 128 Ţi name schall noblich ben wryten ˇ & wrout for the nones, 129 And, in remembrance of ţe ˇ y-rade ţer for euer.

130 And, broţer, be ţou nout aferd ; ˇ [bythenk in] thyn herte, 131 Ţou ţou conne nout ţi Crede ˇ kare ţou no more.

132 I schal asoilen ţe, syre ˇ & setten it on my soule, 133 And ţou maie maken ţis good ˇ ţenk ţou non oţer.”

134 ” SIRE,” y saide, ” in certaine ˇ y schal gon & asaye ;”—

135 And he sette on me his honde ˇ & asoilede me clene, 136 And ţeir y parted him fro ˇ wiţ-outen any peine, 137 In couenant ţat y come aen ˇ Crist he me be-taute.

138 ţanne saide y to my-self ˇ ” here semeţ litel trewţe !

139 First to blamen his broţer ˇ and bacbyten him foule, 140 Ţeire-as curteis Crist ˇ clereliche saide,

141 ” Whow myt-tou in thine broţer eie ˇ a bare mote loken, 142 And in ţyn owen eie ˇ nout a bem toten?

143 See fyrst on ţi-self ˇ and siţen on anoţer,

144 And clense clene ţi syt ˇ and kepe well ţyn eie, 145 And for anoţer mannes eie ˇ ordeyne after.’

146 And also y sey coueitise ˇ catel to fongen,

147 Ţat Crist haţ clerliche forboden ˇ & clenliche destruede, 148 And saide to his sueres ˇ forsoţe on ţis wise,

149 ” Nout ţi neibours good ˇ couet yn no tyme.’

150 But charite & chastete ˇ ben chased out clene,

151 But Crist seide, ” by her fruyt ˇ men shall hem ful knowen.’ “

152 Ţanne saide y, ” certeyn, sire ˇ ţou demest full trewe ! “

153 ŢANNE ţout y to frayne ţe first ˇ of ţis foure ordirs, 154 And presede to ţe prechoures ˇ to proven here wille.

155 [Ich] hiede to her house ˇ to herken of more ;

156 And whan y cam to ţat court ˇ y gaped aboute.

157 Swich a bild bold, y-buld ˇ opon erţe heite

158 Say i nout in certeine ˇ siţţe a longe tyme.

159 Y emede vpon ţat house ˇ & erne ţeron loked,

160 Whou ţe pileres weren y-peynt ˇ and pulched ful clene, 161 And queynteli i-coruen ˇ wiţ curiouse knottes,

162 Wiţ wyndowes well y-wrout ˇ wide vp o-lofte.

163 And ţanne y entrid in ˇ and even-forţ went,

164 And all was walled ţat wone ˇ ţou it wid were,

165 Wiţ posternes in pryuytie ˇ to pasen when hem liste ; 166 Orcheardes and erberes ˇ euesed well clene,

167 And a curious cros ˇ craftly entayled,

168 Wiţ tabernacles y-tit ˇ to toten all abouten.

169 Ţe pris of a plou-lond ˇ of penyes so rounde

170 To aparaile ţat pyler ˇ were pure lytel.

171 Ţanne y munte me forţ ˇ ţe mynstre to knowen,

172 And a-waytede a woon ˇ wonderlie well y-beld

173 Wiţ arches on eueriche half ˇ & belliche y-corven, 174 Wiţ crochetes on corners ˇ wiţ knottes of golde, 175 Wyde wyndowes y-wrout ˇ y-written full ţikke,

176 Schynen wiţ schapen scheldes ˇ to schewen aboute, 177 Wiţ merkes of marchauntes ˇ y-medled bytwene,

178 Mo ţan twenty and two ˇ twyes y-noumbered.

179 Ţer is none heraud ţat haţ ˇ halt swich a rolle, 180 Rit as a rageman ˇ haţ rekned hem newe.

181 Tombes opon tabernacles ˇ tyld opon lofte,

182 Housed in hirnes ˇ harde set abouten,

183 Of armede alabaustre ˇ clad for ţe nones,

184 [Made vpon marbel ˇ in many maner wyse,

185 Knyghtes in her conisantes ˇ clad for ţe nones,]

186 All it semed seynteg ˇ y-sacred opon erţe ;

187 And louely ladies y-wrout ˇ leyen by her sydes

188 In many gay garmentes ˇ ţat weren gold-beten.

189 Ţou ţe tax of ten er ˇ were trewly y-gadered,

190 Nolde it nout maken ţat hous ˇ half, as y trowe.

191 Ţanne kam I to ţat cloister ˇ & gaped abouten

192 Whou it was pilered and peynt ˇ & portred well clene, 193 All y-hyled wiţ leed ˇ lowe to ţe stones,

194 And y-paued wiţ peynt til ˇ iche poynte after oţer ; 195 Wiţ kundites of clene tyn ˇ closed all aboute,

196 Wiţ lauoures of latun ˇ louelyche y-greithed.

197 I trowe ţe gaynage of ţe ground ˇ in a gret schire 198 Nolde aparaile ţat place ˇ oo poynt til other ende.

199 Ţanne was ţe chaptire-hous wrout ˇ as a greet chirche, 200 Coruen and couered ˇ and queyntliche entayled ; 201 Wiţ semlich selure ˇ y-set on lofte ;

[Lines 201 through 300]

202 As a Parlement-hous ˇ y-peynted aboute.

203 Ţanne ferd y into fraytour ˇ and fond ţere an oţer, 204 An halle for an hey kinge ˇ an housholde to holden, 205 Wiţ brode bordes aboute ˇ y-benched wel clene,

206 Wiţ windowes of glas ˇ wrout as a Chirche.

207 Ţanne walkede y ferrer ˇ & went all abouten,

208 And sei halles full hye ˇ & houses full noble,

209 Chambers wiţ chymneyes ˇ & Chapells gaie ;

210 And kychens for an hye kinge ˇ in castells to holden, 211 And her dortour y-dite ˇ wiţ dores ful stronge ; 212 Fermery and fraitur ˇ with fele mo houses,

213 And all strong ston wall ˇ sterne opon heiţe,

214 Wiţ gaie garites & grete ˇ & iche hole y-glased ; 215 [And oţere] houses y-nowe ˇ to herberwe ţe queene.

216 And et ţise bilderes wilne beggen ˇ a bagg-ful of wheate 217 Of a pure pore man ˇ ţat maie oneţe paie

218 Half his rente in a er ˇ and half ben behynde !

219 Ţanne turned y aen ˇ whan y hadde all y-toted,

220 And fond in a freitour ˇ a frere on a benche,

221 A greet cherl & a grym ˇ growen as a tonne,

222 Wiţ a face as fat ˇ as a full bledder,

223 Blowen bretfull of breţ ˇ & as a bagge honged

224 On boţen his chekes, & his chyn ˇ wiţ a chol lollede, 225 As greet as a gos eye ˇ growen all of grece ;

226 Ţat all wagged his fleche ˇ as a quyk myre.

227 His cope ţat biclypped him ˇ wel clene was it folden, 228 Of double worstede y-dyt ˇ doun to ţe hele ;

229 His kyrtel of clene whijt ˇ clenlyche y-sewed ; 230 Hyt was good y-now of ground ˇ greyn for to beren.

231 I haylsedo ţat herdeman ˇ & hendliche y saide,

232 ” Gode syre, for Godes loue ˇ canstou me graiţ tellen 233 To any worţely wijt ˇ ţat [wissen] me couţe

234 Whou y schulde conne my Crede ˇ Crist for to folowe, 235 Ţat leuede lelliche himself ˇ & lyuede ţerafter, 236 Ţat feynede non falshede ˇ but fully Crist suwede ?

237 For sich a certeyn man ˇ syker wold y trosten,

238 Ţat he wolde telle me ţe trewţe ˇ and turne to none oţer.

239 And an Austyn ţis ender daie ˇ egged me faste ; 240 Ţat he wolde techen me wel ˇ he plyt me his treuţe, 241 And seyde me, ” serteyne ˇ syţen Crist died

242 Oure ordir was [euelles] ˇ & erst y-founde.’ “

243 ” FYRST, felawe !” quaţ he ˇ ” fy on his pilche !

244 He is but abortijf ˇ eked wiţ cloutes !

245 He holdeţ his ordynaunce ˇ wiţe hores and ţeues, 246 And purchaseţ hem pryuileges ˇ wiţ penyes so rounde ; 247 It is a pur pardoners craft ˇ proue & asaye !

248 For haue ţei ţi money ˇ a moneţ ţerafter,

249 Certes, ţei ţou come aen ˇ he nyl ţe nout knowen.

250 But, felawe, our foundement ˇ was first of ţe oţere, 251 And we ben founded fulliche ˇ wiţ-outen fayntise ; 252 And we ben clerkes y-cnowen ˇ cunnynge in scole, 253 Proued in procession ˇ by processe of lawe.

254 Of oure ordre ţer beţ ˇ bichopes wel manye,

255 Seyntes on sundry stedes ˇ ţat suffreden harde ; 256 And we ben proued ţe prijs ˇ of popes at Rome,

257 And of gretest degre ˇ as godspelles telleţ.”

258 ” A ! syre,” quaţ y ţanne ˇ ” ţon seyst a gret wonder, 259 Siţen Crist seyd hym-self ˇ to all his disciples, 260 ” Which of ou ţat is most ˇ most schal he werche, 261 And who is goer byforne ˇ first schal he seruen.’

262 And seyde, ” he sawe satan ˇ sytten full heye

263 And ful lowe ben y-leyd ;’ ˇ in lyknes he tolde, 264 Ţat in pouernesse of spyrit ˇ is spedfullest hele, 265 And hertes of heynesse ˇ harmeţ ţe soule.

266 And ţerfore, frere, fare well ˇ here fynde y but pride ; 267 Y preise nout ţi preching ˇ but as a pure myte.”

268 And anger[l]ich y wandrede ˇ ţe Austyns to proue, 269 And mette wiţ a maister of ţo men ˇ & meklich y seyde, 270 ” Maister, for ţe moder loue ˇ ţat Marie men kalleţ, 271 Knowest ţou out ţer ţou comest ˇ a creatour on erţe, 272 Ţat coude me my Crede teche ˇ and trewliche enfourme, 273 Wiţ-outen flaterynge fare ˇ & noţing feyne ?

274 Ţat folweţ fulliche ţe feiţ ˇ and none other fables, 275 Wiţ-outen gabbynge of glose ˇ as ţe godspelles telleţ ?

276 A Menour haţ me holly by-hyt ˇ to helen my soule, 277 For he seiţ ţat her sekte ˇ is sykerest on erţe, 278 And ben kepers of ţe keye ˇ ţat Cristendome helpeţ, 279 And pur[l]iche in pouerte ˇ ţe apostells ţey suweţ.”

280 ” ALAS ! ‘ quaţ ţe frier ˇ ” almost y madde in mynde, 281 To sen hou ţis Minoures ˇ many men begyleth !

282 Soţli, somme of ţo gomes ˇ haţ more good him-selue 283 Ţan ten knytes ţat y knowe ˇ of catell in cofers !

284 In fraytour ţei faren best ˇ of all ţe foure orders, 285 And [vsen] ypocricie ˇ in all ţat ţey werchen,

286 And prechen all of parfitnes ˇ but loke now, y ţe praye, 287 Nout but profre hem in pryvite ˇ a [peny] for a masse, 288 And, but his cnaue be prest ˇ put out myne eie, 289 Ţou he hadde more money hid ˇ ţan marchantes of wolle !

290 Loke hou ţis loresmen ˇ lordes bytrayen,

291 Seyn ţat ţey folwen fully ˇ Fraunceses rewle,

292 Ţat in cotynge of his cope ˇ is more cloţ y-folden 293 Ţan was in Fraunces froc ˇ whan he hem first made.

294 And et, vnder ţat cope ˇ a cote haţ he furred,

295 Wiţ foyns, or wiţ fitchewes ˇ oţer fyn beuer,

296 And ţat is cutted to ţe kne ˇ & queyntly y-botend, 297 Lest any spirituall man ˇ aspie ţat gile.

298 Fraunces bad his breţeren ˇ barfote to wenden ; 299 Non han ţei bucled schon ˇ for bleynynge of her heles, 300 And hosen in harde weder ˇ y-hamled by ţe ancle, [Lines 301 through 400]

301 And spicerie sprad in her purse ˇ to parten where hem lust.

302 Lordes loueth hem well ˇ for ţei so lowe crouchen ; 303 But knewen men her cautel ˇ & her queynt wordes, 304 Ţei wolde worchyhen hem ˇ nout but a litel,

305 Ţe image of ybocricie ˇ ymped vpon fendes.

306 But, sone, if ţou wilte ben syker ˇ seche ţou no ferther, 307 We friers be ţe first ˇ and founded vpon treuţe.

308 Paul primus [heremita] ˇ put vs him-selue

309 Awey into wildernes ˇ ţe werlde to dispisen ;

310 And ţere we leng[e]den full longe ˇ & lyueden full harde, 311 For-to all ţis freren folke ˇ weren founded in townes, 312 And tauten vntrulie ; ˇ and ţat we well aspiede, 313 And for chefe charitie ˇ we chargeden vs seluen ; 314 In amending of ţis men ˇ we maden oure celles

315 To ben in cyties y-set ˇ to stytle ţe people,

316 Preching & praying ˇ as profetes schulden ;

317 And so we holden vs ţe heued ˇ of all holy chirche.

318 We haue power of the pope ˇ purliche assoilen

319 All ţat helpen our hous ˇ in helpe of her soules, 320 To dispensen hem wiţ ˇ in dedes of synne ;

321 All ţat amendeth oure hous ˇ in money oţer elles, 322 Wiţ corne oţer catell ˇ or cloţes of beddes,

323 Oţer-bedys or broche ˇ or breed for our fode.

324 And if ţou hast any good ˇ & wilt ţi-selfe helpen, 325 Helpe vs hertliche ţerwiţe ˇ & here I vndertake, 326 Ţou schalt ben broţer of our hous ˇ & a boke habben 327 (At ţe next chaptire) ˇ clereliche ensealed ;

328 And ţanne oure prouinciall ˇ haţ power to assoilen 329 Alle sustren & breţeren ˇ ţat beţ of our order.

330 And ţou ţou conne nout ţi Crede ˇ knele downe here ; 331 My soule y sette for ţyn ˇ to asoile ţe clene,

332 In Couenaunt ţat ţou come againe ˇ & katell vs bringe.”

333 And ţanne loutede y adoun ˇ & he me leue grauntede, 334 And so I partid him fro ˇ & ţe frere left.

335 Ţanne seid I to my-self ˇ ” here is no bote ;

336 Heere pride is ţe pater-noster ˇ in preyinge of synne ; 337 Here Crede is coueytise ; ˇ now can y no ferţer, 338 et will y fonden forţ ˇ & fraynen ţe Karmes.”

339 ŢANNE totede into a tauerne ˇ & ţer y aspyede

340 Two frere Karmes ˇ wiţ a full coppe.

341 Ţere y auntrede me in ˇ & ai[s]liche y seide,

342 ” Leue syre, for ţe lordes loue ˇ ţat ţou on leuest, 343 Lere me to som man ˇ my Crede for to lerne,

344 Ţat lyueţ in [lel] lijf ˇ and loueţ no synne,

345 And gloseţ nout ţe godspell ˇ but halt Godes he[s]tes, 346 And neţer money ne mede ˇ ne may him nout letten 347 But werchen after Godes worde ˇ wiţ-outen any faile.

348 A prechour y-professed ˇ haţ plit me his trewţe 349 To techen me trewlie ; ˇ but woldest ţou me tellen 350 For ţei ben certayne men ˇ & syker on to trosten, 351 Y wolde quyten ţe ţi mede ˇ as my mite were.”

352 ” A TREFLE quaţ he ” trewlie ! ˇ his treuţ is full litell !

353 He dyned nout wiţ Domynike ˇ siţe Crist deide !

354 For wiţ ţe princes of pride ˇ ţe prechours dwellen ; 355 Ţei bene as digne as ţe devel ˇ ţat droppeţ fro heuene.

356 Wiţ hertes of heynesse ˇ wou halwen ţei chirches 357 And deleţ in devynitie ˇ as dogges doţ bones !

358 Ţei medleth wiţ messages ˇ & mariages of grete ; 359 Ţey leeuen wiţ lordes ˇ wiţ lesynges y-nowe ;

360 Ţey biggeţ hem bichopryches ˇ wiţ bagges of golde ; 361 Ţei wilneţ worchipes— ˇ but waite on her dedes !

362 Herken at Herdforţe ˇ hou ţat ţey werchen,

363 And loke whou ţat ţei lyven ˇ & leeue as ţou fyndest.

364 Ţey [ben] counseilours of kinges ˇ Crist wot ţe soţe, 365 Whou ţey [curry] kinges ˇ & her back claweţ !

366 God lene hem leden well ˇ in lyvinge of heven,

367 And glose hem nout for her good ˇ to greven her soules !

368 Y pray ţe, where ben ţei pryue ˇ wiţ any pore wites, 369 Ţat maie not amenden her hous ˇ ne amenden hem-seluen ?

370 Ţei prechen in proude harte ˇ & preiseţ her order, 371 And werdliche worchype ˇ wilneţ in erţe.

372 Leeue it well, lef man ˇ & men ryt-lokede,

373 Ţer is more pryue pride ˇ in prechours hertes

374 Ţan ţer lefte in Lucyfer ˇ er he were lowe fallen ; 375 Ţey ben digne as dich water ˇ ţat dogges in bayteţ

376 Loke a ribaut of hem ˇ ţat can nout wel reden

377 His rewle ne his respondes ˇ but be pure rote,

378 Als as he were a connynge Clerke ˇ he casteţ ţe lawes, 379 Nout lowli but lordly ˇ & leesinges lyeţ.

380 For ryt as Menoures ˇ most ypocricie vseţ,

381 Ryt so ben Prechers proude ˇ purlyche in herte.

382 But, Cristen creatour ˇ we Karmes first comen

383 Even in Elyes tyme ˇ first of hem all,

384 And lyven by our Lady ˇ & lelly hir seruen

385 In clene comun life ˇ kepen vs out of synne ;

386 Nowt proude as prechours beţ ˇ but prayen full still 387 For all ţe soules and ţe lyves ˇ ţat we by lybbeth.

388 We connen on no queyntyse ˇ (Crist wot ţe soţe !) 389 But bysieţ vs in oure bedes ˇ as vs best holdeţ.

390 And ţerfore, leue leel man ˇ leeue ţat ich sygge, 391 A masse of vs mene men ˇ is of more mede

392 And passeth all praiers ˇ of ţies proude freers.

393 And ţou wilt yuen vs any good ˇ y would ţe here graunten 394 To taken all ţy penance ˇ in peril of my soule ; 395 And ţou ţou conne nout ţy crede ˇ clene ţe assoile, 396 So ţat ţou mowe amenden our hous ˇ wiţ money oţer elles, 397 Wiţ som katell oţer corne ˇ or cuppes of siluer.”

398 ” TREWELY, frere,” quaţ y ţo ˇ ” to tellen ţe ţe soţe, 399 Ţer is no peny in my palke ˇ to payen for my mete ; 400 I haue no good ne no gold ˇ but go ţus abouten, [Lines 401 through 500]

401 And travaile full trewlye ˇ to wynnen withe my fode.

402 But woldest ţou for godes loue ˇ lerne me my Crede, 403 Y schuld don for ţy will ˇ whan I wele hadde.”

404 ” Trewlie,” quaţ ţe frere ˇ ” a fol y ţe holde !

405 Ţou woldest not weten ţy fote ˇ & woldest fich kacchen !

406 Our pardon & oure preiers ˇ so beţ ţey nouŢt parted, 407 Oure power lasteţ nout so feer ˇ but we some peny fongen.

408 Fare well,” quaţ ţe frere ˇ ” for y mot heţen fonden, 409 And hyen to an houswife ˇ ţat haţ vs bequeţen

410 Ten pounde in hir testament ˇ to tellen ţe soţe.

411 Ho draweţ to ţe deţe-warde ˇ but et I am in drede 412 Lest ho turne her testament ˇ & ţerfore I hye

413 To hauen hir to our hous ˇ and henten if y mite 414 An Anuell for myn owen [vse] ˇ to helpen to cloţe.”

415 ” Godys forbode,” quaţ [his] fellawe ˇ ” but ho forţ passe 416 Wil ho is in purpose ˇ wiţ vs to departen ;

417 God let her no lenger lyven ˇ for letteres ben manye.”

418 ŢANNE turned y me forţe ˇ and talked to my-selue 419 Of ţe falshede of ţis folk ˇ whou feiţles they [weren].

420 And as y wente be ţe Ţaie ˇ wepynge for sorowe, 421 [I] sei a sely man me by ˇ opon ţe plow hongen.

422 His cote was of a cloute ˇ ţat cary was y-called, 423 His hod was full of holes ˇ & his heer oute,

424 Wiţ his knopped schon ˇ clouted full ţykke ;

425 His ton toteden out ˇ as he ţe londe treddede,

426 His hosen ouerhongen his hokschynes ˇ on eueriche a side, 427 Al beslombred in fen ˇ as he ţe plow folwede ;

428 Twey myteynes, as mete ˇ maad all of cloutes ;

429 Ţe fyngers weren for-werd ˇ & ful of fen honged.

430 Ţis whit waselede in ţe [fen] ˇ almost to ţe ancle, 431 Foure roţeren hym by-forn ˇ ţat feble were [worţen] ; 432 Men myte reken ich a ryb ˇ so reufull ţey weren.

433 His wijf walked him wiţ ˇ wiţ a longe gode,

434 In a cutted cote ˇ cutted full heye,

435 Wrapped in a wynwe schete ˇ to weren hire fro weders, 436 Barfote on ţe bare ijs ˇ ţat ţe blod folwede.

437 And at ţe londes ende laye ˇ a litell crom-bolle, 438 And ţeron lay a litell childe ˇ lapped in cloutes, 439 And tweyne of tweie eres olde ˇ opon a-noţer syde, 440 And alle ţey songen o songe ˇ ţat sorwe was to heren ; 441 Ţey crieden alle o cry ˇ a carefull note.

442 Ţe sely man siede sore, & seide ˇ ” children, beţ stille !”

443 Ţis man loked opon me ˇ & leet ţe plow stonden, 444 And seyde, ” sely man, why syest ţou so harde ?

445 if ţe lakke lijflode ˇ lene ţe ich will

446 Swich good as God haţ sent ˇ go we, leue broţer.”

447 Y saide ţanne, ” naye, sire ˇ my sorwe is wel more ; 448 For y can nout my Crede ˇ y kare well harde ;

449 For y can fynden no man ˇ ţat fully byleueţ,

450 To techen me ţe heye weie ˇ & ţerfore I wepe.

451 For y haue [fonded] ţe freers ˇ of ţe foure orders, 452 For ţere I wende haue wist ˇ but now my wit lakkeţ ; 453 And all my hope was on hem ˇ & myn herte also ; 454 But ţei ben fully feiţles ˇ and ţe fend sueţ.”

455 ” A ! broţer,” quaţ he ţo ˇ ” beware of ţo foles !

456 For Crist seyde him-selfe ˇ “of swiche y ou warne,’

457 And false profetes in ţe feiţ ˇ he fulliche hem calde, 458 ” In vestimentis ouium ˇ but onlie wiţ-inne

459 Ţei ben wilde wer-wolues ˇ ţat wiln ţe folk robben’

460 Ţe fend founded hem first ˇ ţe feiţ to destroie, 461 And by his craft ţei comen in ˇ to combren ţe chirche, 462 By ţe coueiteise of his craft ˇ ţe curates to helpen ; 463 But now ţey hauen an hold ˇ ţey harmen full many.

464 Ţei don nout after Domynick ˇ but dreccheţ ţe puple, 465 Ne folwen nout Fraunces ˇ but falslyche lybben, 466 And Austynes rewle ˇ ţei rekneţ but a fable,

467 But purchaseţ hem pryuylege ˇ of popes at Rome.

468 Ţei coueten confessions ˇ to kachen some hire,

469 And sepultures also ˇ some wayten to cacchen ;

470 But oţer cures of Cristen ˇ ţei coveten nout to haue, 471 But ţere as wynnynge lijţ ˇ he lokeţ none oţer.”

472 ” Whou schal y nemne ţy name ˇ ţat neiboures ţe kalleţ ?”

473 ” Peres,” quaţ he, ” ţe pore man ˇ ţe plowe-man y hatte.”

474 ” A ! Peres,” quaţ y ţo ˇ ” y pray ţe, ţou me telle 475 More of ţise tryflers ˇ hou trechurly ţei libbeţ ?

476 For ichon of hem haţ told me ˇ a tale of ţat oţer, 477 Of her wicked lijf ˇ in werlde ţat hy lybbeţ.

478 I trowe ţat some wikked wyt ˇ wroute ţis orders 479 [Ţoru] ţat gleym of ţat gest ˇ ţat Golias is y-calde, 480 Oţer ells Satan himself ˇ sente hem fro hell

481 To cumbren men wiţ her craft ˇ Cristendome to schenden ? “

482 ” Dere broţer,” quaţ Peres ˇ ” ţe devell is ful queynte ; 483 To encombren holy Churche ˇ he casteţ ful harde, 484 And fluricheţ his falsnes ˇ opon fele wise,

485 And fer he casteţ to-forn ˇ ţe folke to destroye.

486 Of ţe kynrede of Caym ˇ he caste ţe freres,

487 And founded hem on Farysens ˇ feyned for gode ; 488 But ţei wiţ her fals faiţ ˇ michel folk schendeţ, 489 Crist calde hem himself ˇ kynde ypocrites ;

490 How often he cursed hem ˇ well can y tellen

491 He seide ones himself ˇ to ţat sory puple,

492 ” Wo worţe ou, wytes ˇ wel lerned of ţe lawe !’

493 Eft he seyde to hem-selfe ˇ ” wo mote ou worţen, 494 Ţat ţe toumbes of profetes ˇ tildeţ vp heie !

495 oure faderes fordeden hem ˇ & to ţe deţ hem broute.’

496 Here y touche ţis two ˇ twynnen hem I ţenke ;

497 Who wilneţ ben wisere of lawe ˇ ţan lewde freres, 498 And in multitude of men ˇ ben maysters y-called, 499 And wilneţ worchips of ţe werlde ˇ & sitten wiţ heye, 500 And leueţ louynge of God ˇ and lownesse behinde ?

[Lines 501 through 600]

501 And in beldinge of tombes ˇ ţei trauaileţ grete 502 To chargen her chirche-flore ˇ and chaungen it ofte.

503 And ţe fader of ţe freers ˇ defouled hir soules, 504 ţat was ţe dygginge devel ˇ ţat dreccheţ men ofte.

505 Ţe divill by his dotage ˇ dissaueţ ţe chirche,

506 And put in ţe prechours ˇ y-paynted wiţouten

507 And by his queyntise ţey comen in ˇ ţe curates to helpen, 508 But ţat harmede hem harde ˇ and halp hem full litell !

509 But Austines ordynaunce ˇ was on a good trewţe, 510 And also Domynikes dedes ˇ weren [deruelich] y-vsed, 511 And Frauncis founded his folke ˇ fulliche on trewţe, 512 Pure parfit prestes ˇ in penaunce to lybben,

513 In loue and in lownesse ˇ & lettinge of pride,

514 Grounded on ţe godspell ˇ as God bad him-selue.

515 But now ţe glose is so greit ˇ in gladding tales 516 Ţat turneţ vp two-folde ˇ vnteyned opon trewţe, 517 Ţat ţei bene cursed of Crist ˇ y can hem well proue ; 518 Wiţ-outen his blissinge ˇ bare beţ ţey in her werkes.

519 For Crist seyde him-selfe ˇ to swiche as him folwede, 520 ” Y-blessed mote ţei ben ˇ ţat mene ben in soule ;”

521 And alle pouere in gost ˇ God himself blisseţ.

522 Whou fele freers fareţ so ˇ fayn wolde y knowe !

523 Proue hem in proces ˇ & pynch at her ordre,

524 And deme hem after ţat ţey don ˇ & dredles, y leue 525 Ţei willn wexen pure wroţ ˇ wonderliche sone,

526 And schewen ţe a scharp will ˇ in a schort tyme, 527 To wilne wilfully wraţţe ˇ & werche ţerafter.

528 Wytnesse on Wycliff ˇ ţat warned hem wiţ trewţe ; 529 For he in goodnesse of gost ˇ grayţliche hem warned 530 To wayuen her wik[e]dnesse ˇ & werkes of synne.

531 Whou sone ţis sori men ˇ [seweden] his soule,

532 And oueral lollede him ˇ wiţ heretykes werkes !

533 And so of ţe blessinge of God ˇ ţei bereţ litel mede.

534 Afterward anoţer ˇ onliche he blissede,

535 Ţe meke of ţe [myddelerde] ˇ ţouru myt of his fader.

536 Fynd foure freres in a flok ˇ ţat folweţ ţat rewle, 537 Ţanne haue y tynt all my tast ˇ touche and assaie !

538 Lakke hem a litil wit ˇ & here lijf blame,

539 But he lepe vp on hei ˇ in hardynesse of herte, 540 And nemne ţe anon nout ˇ & ţi name lakke

541 Wiţ proude wordes apert ˇ ţat passeth his rule, 542 Boţe wiţ ” ţou leyest, & ţou lext’ ˇ in heynesse of sowle, 543 And turne as a tyrant ˇ ţat turmenteţ him-selue, 544 A lord were loţere ˇ for to leyne a k[n]aue

545 Ţanne swich a beggere ˇ ţe beste in a toun !

546 Loke nowe, leue man ˇ beţ nout ţise i-lyke

547 Fully to ţe Farisens ˇ in fele of ţise poyntes ?

548 Al her brod beldyng ˇ ben belded withe synne,

549 And in worchipe of ţe werlde ˇ her wynnynge ţei holden ; 550 Ţei schapen her chapolories ˇ & streccheţ hem brode, 551 And launceţ heie her hemmes ˇ wiţ babelyng in stretes ; 552 Ţei ben y-sewed wiţ whit silk ˇ & semes full queynte, 553 Y-stongen wiţ stiches ˇ ţat stareţ as siluer.

554 And but freres ben first y-set ˇ at sopers & at festes, 555 Ţei wiln ben wonderly wroţ ˇ ywis, as y trowe ; 556 But ţey ben at ţe lordes borde ˇ louren ţey willeţ, 557 He mot bygynne ţat borde ˇ a beggere, (wiţ sorwe !

558 And first sitten in se ˇ in her synagoges,

559 Ţat beţ here heye helle-hous ˇ of Kaymes kynde !

560 For ţou a man in her mynster ˇ a masse wolde heren, 561 His sit schal so [be] set ˇ on sundrye werkes,

562 Ţe penounes & ţe pomels ˇ & poyntes of scheldes 563 Wiţ-drawen his deuocion ˇ & dusken his herte ;

564 I likne it to a lym-erde ˇ to drawen men to hell, 565 And to worchipe of ţe fend ˇ to wraţţen ţe soules.

566 And also Crist him-selfe seide ˇ to swiche ypocrites, 567 ” He loueţ in markettes ben met ˇ wiţ gretynges of pouere, 568 And lowynge of lewed men ˇ in Lent[e]nes tyme.’

569 For ţei han of bichopes y-bout ˇ wiţ her propre siluer, 570 And purchased of penaunce ˇ ţe puple to assoile.

571 But money may maken ˇ mesur of ţe peyne,

572 (After ţat his power is to payen) ˇ his penance schal faile.

573 (God lene it be a good help ˇ for hele of ţe soules !

574 And also ţis myster men ˇ ben maysters icalled, 575 Ţat ţe gentill Iesus ˇ generallyche blamed,

576 And ţat poynt to his apostells ˇ purly defended.

577 But freres hauen foretten ţis ˇ (and ţe fend suweţ, 578 He ţat maystri louede ˇ Lucifer ţe olde),

579 Wher Fraunceis or Domynik ˇ oţer Austen ordeynide 580 Any of ţis dotardes ˇ doctur to worţe,

581 Masters of dyvinitie ˇ her matens to leue,

582 And chereliche as a cheueteyne ˇ his chambre to holden 583 Wiţ chymene & chapell ˇ & chesen whan him liste, 584 And serued as a souereine ˇ & as a lorde sitten.

585 Swiche a gome godes wordes ˇ grysliche gloseţ ; 586 Y trowe, he toucheţ nout ţe text ˇ but takeţ it for a tale.

587 God forbad to his folke ˇ & fullyche defended

588 Ţey schulden nout stodyen biforn ˇ ne sturen her wittes, 589 But sodenlie ţe [same] word ˇ with her mowţ schewe 590 Ţat weren euen hem of God ˇ ţoru gost of him-selue.

591 Now mot a frere studyen ˇ & stumblen in tales,

592 And leuen his matynes ˇ & no masse singen,

593 And loken hem lesynges ˇ ţat likeţ ţe puple,

594 To purchasen him his pursfull ˇ to paye for ţe drynke.

595 And broţer, when bernes ben full ˇ & holly tyme passed, 596 Ţanne comen cursed freres ˇ & croucheţ full lowe ; 597 A losel, a lymitour ˇ ouer all ţe lond lepeţ,

598 And loke, ţat he leue non house ˇ ţat somwhat he ne lacche ; 599 And ţer ţei gilen hem-self ˇ & godes worde turneţ.

600 Bagges and beggyng ˇ he bad his folk leuen,

[Lines 601 through 700]

601 And only seruen himself ˇ & hijs rewle sechen, 602 And all ţat nedly nedeţ ˇ ţat schuld hem nout lakken.

603 Whereto beggen ţise men ˇ and ben nout so feble ; 604 (Hem faileţ no furrynge ˇ ne cloţes at full),

605 But for a lustfull lijf ˇ in lustes to dwellen ?

606 Wiţ-outen any trauaile ˇ vntrewliche [hy] lybbeth.

607 Hy beţ nout maymed men ˇ ne no mete lakkeţ,

608 Y-cloţed in curious cloţ ˇ & clenliche arayed.

609 It is a laweles lijf ˇ as lordynges vsen,

610 Neyţer ordeyned in ordir ˇ but onlie libbeţ.

611 Crist bad blissen ˇ bodies on erţe

612 Ţat wepen for wykkednes ˇ ţat he byforne wroute ;—

613 Ţat ben fewe of ţo freres ˇ for ţei ben ner dede 614 And put all in pur [claţ] ˇ wiţ pottes on her hedes ; 615 Ţanne [he] waryeţ & wepeţ ˇ & wicheţ after heuen, 616 And fyeţ on her falshedes ˇ ţat ţei bifore deden ; 617 And ţerfore of ţat blissinge ˇ trewlie, as y trowe, 618 Ţei may trussen her part ˇ in a terre powe !

619 All ţo blissed beţ ˇ ţat bodyliche hungreţ ;—

620 Ţat ben ţe pore penyles ˇ ţat han ouer-passed

621 Ţe poynt of her pris lijf ˇ in penaunce of werkes, 622 And mown nout swynken ne sweten ˇ but ben swyţe feble, 623 Oţer maymed at myschef ˇ or meseles syke,

624 And here good is a-gon ˇ & greueţ hem to beggen.

625 Ţer is no frer in feiţ ˇ ţat fareţ in ţis wise ; 626 But he maie beggen his bred ˇ his bed is ygreiţed ; 627 Vnder a pot he schal be put ˇ in a pryvie chambre, 628 Ţat he schal lyuen ne last ˇ but litell while after !

629 Al-miti god & man ˇ ţe merciable blessed

630 Ţat han mercy on men ˇ ţat misdon hem here ;—

631 But whoso for-gabbed a frere ˇ y-founden at ţe stues, 632 And broute blod of his bodi ˇ on bak or on side, 633 Hym were as god greuen ˇ a greit lorde of rentes.

634 He schulde sonner bene schryven ˇ (schortlie to tellen 635 Ţou he kilde a comlye knyt ˇ & compased his morţer, 636 Ţanne a buffet to beden ˇ a beggere frere.

637 Ţe clene hertes Crist ˇ he curtey[s]liche blissed, 638 Ţat [coueten] no katel ˇ but Cristes full blisse, 639 Ţat leeueţ fulliche on God ˇ & lellyche ţenkeţ

640 On his lore and his lawe ˇ & lyueţ opon trewţe ;—

641 Freres han foreten ţis ˇ & folweţ an oţer ;

642 Ţat ţei may henten, ţey holden ˇ by-hirneţ it sone.

643 Heir hertes ben clene y-hid ˇ in her hie cloistre, 644 As kurres from kareyne ˇ ţat is cast in dyches !

645 And parfite Crist ˇ ţe pesible blissed,

646 Ţat bene suffrant & sobre ˇ & susteyne anger ;—

647 A-say of her sobernesse ˇ & ţou mit y-knowen,

648 Ţer is no waspe in ţis werlde ˇ ţat will wilfullok[e]r styngen, 649 For stappyng on a too ˇ of a styncande frere !

650 For neţer souereyn ne soget ˇ ţei ne suffreţ neuer ; 651 All ţe blissing of God ˇ beouten ţei walken ;

652 For of her suffraunce, for soţe ˇ men seţ but litell !

653 Alle ţat persecution ˇ in pure lijf suffren,

654 Ţei han ţe benison of god ˇ blissed in erţe ;—

655 Y praie, parceyue now ˇ ţe pursut of a frere,

656 In what measure of meknesse ˇ ţise men deleţ.

657 Byhold opon Wat Brut ˇ whou bisiliche ţei pursueden 658 For he seyde hem ţe soţe ˇ & et, syre, ferţere, 659 Hy may no more marren [hym] ˇ but men telleţ

660 Ţat he is an heretike ˇ and yuele byleueţ,

661 And prechiţ it in pulpit ˇ to blenden ţe puple ; 662 Ţei wolden awyrien ţat wit ˇ for his well dedes ; 663 And so ţei chewen charitie ˇ as chewen schaf houndes.

664 And ţei pursueţ ţe pouere ˇ & passeţ pursutes,

665 Boţe ţey wiln & ţei wolden ˇ y-worţen so grete

666 To passen any mans mit ˇ to morţeren ţe soules ; 667 First to brenne ţe bodye ˇ in a bale of fijr,

668 And syţen ţe sely soule slen ˇ & senden hyre to helle !

669 And Crist clerlie forbadde ˇ his Cristene, & defended 670 Ţei schulden nout after ţe face ˇ neuer ţe folke demen ; “—

671 ” Sur ” y seide my-self ˇ ” ţou semest to blamen.

672 Why dispisest ţou ţus ˇ ţise sely pore freres

673 None oţer men so mychel ˇ monkes ne preistes,

674 Chanons ne Charthous ˇ ţat in chirche serueth ?

675 It semeţ ţat ţise sely men ˇ han somwhat ţe greved 676 Oţer wiţ word or wiţ werke ˇ & ţerfore ţou wilnest 677 To schenden oţer [schamen] hem ˇ wiţ ţi sharpe speche, 678 And harmen holliche ˇ & her hous greuen ?”

679 ” I praie ţe ” quaţ Peres ˇ ” put ţat out of ţy mynde ; 680 Certen for sowle hele ˇ y saie ţe ţis wordes.

681 Y preise nout possessioners ˇ but pur lytel ;

682 For falshed of freres ˇ haţ fulliche encombred

683 Manye of ţis maner men ˇ & maid hem to leuen

684 Here charite & chastete ˇ & [chesen] hem to lustes, 685 And waxen to werldly ˇ and wayuen ţe trewţe,

686 And leuen ţe loue of her God ˇ and ţe werlde seruen.

687 But for falshed of freres ˇ y fele in my soule, 688 (Seynge ţe synfull lijf) ˇ ţat sorweţ myn herte 689 How ţei ben cloţed in cloţ ˇ ţat clennest scheweţ ; 690 For aungells & Arcangells ˇ all ţei whijt vseţ, 691 And alle Aldermen ˇ ţat bene ante tronum.

692 Ţise tokens hauen freres taken ˇ but y trowe ţat a fewe 693 Folwen fully ţat cloţ ˇ but falsliche ţat vseţ.

694 For whijt in trowţe bytokneţ ˇ clennes in soule ; 695 if he haue vnder-neţen whijt ˇ ţanne he aboue wereţ, 696 Blak, ţat bytokneţ ˇ bale for oure synne,

697 And mournynge for misdede ˇ of hem ţat ţis vseţ, 698 And serwe for synfull lijf ; ˇ so ţat cloţ askeţ.

699 Y trowe ţer ben nout ten freres ˇ ţat for synne wepen, 700 For ţat lijf is here lust ˇ & ţereyn ţei libben [Lines 701 through 794]

701 In fraitour & in fermori ˇ her fostringe is synne ; 702 It is her mete at iche a mel ˇ her most sustenaunce.

703 Herkne opon Hyldegare ˇ hou homliche he telleţ

704 How her sustenaunce is synne ; ˇ & syker, as y trowe, 705 Weren her confessiones ˇ clenli destrued,

706 Hy schulde nout beren hem so bragg ˇ ne [belden] so heye, 707 (For ţe fallynge of synne ˇ socoureţ ţo foles) ; 708 And bigileţ ţe grete ˇ wiţ glauerynge wordes,

709 Wiţ glosinge of godspells ˇ ţei gods worde turneţ, 710 And pasen all ţe pryuylege ˇ ţat Petur after vsed.

711 Ţe power of ţe Apostells ˇ ţei pasen in speche, 712 For to sellen ţe synnes ˇ for siluer oţer mede, 713 And purlyche a pena ˇ ţe puple assoileţ,

714 And a culpa also ˇ ţat ţey may kachen

715 Money oţer money-worthe ˇ & mede to fonge,

716 And bene at lone & at bode ˇ as burgeses vsithe.

717 Ţus ţey seruen Satanas ˇ & soules bygileţ,

718 Marchantes of malisons ˇ mansede wreches !

719 Ţei vsen russet also ˇ somme of ţis freres,

720 Ţat bitokneţ trauaile ˇ & trewţe opon erţe ;—

721 Bote loke whou ţis lorels ˇ labouren ţe erţe,

722 But freten ţe frute ţat ţe folk ˇ full lellich biswynkeţ ; 723 Wiţ trauail of trewe men ˇ ţei tymbren her houses, 724 And of ţe curious cloţe ˇ her copes ţei biggen ; 725 And [als] his getynge is greet ˇ he schal ben good holden, 726 And ryt as dranes doţ nout ˇ but drynkeţ vp ţe huny, 727 Whan been wiţe her bysynesse ˇ han brout it to hepe, 728 Rit so, fareţ freres ˇ wiţ folke opon erţe ;

729 Ţey freten vp ţe fu[r]ste-froyt ˇ & falsliche lybbeţ.

730 But alle freres eten nout ˇ y-lich good mete,

731 But after ţat his wynnynge is ˇ is his well-fare ; 732 And after ţat he bringeţ home ˇ his bed schal ben grayţed ; 733 And after ţat his rychesse is raut ˇ he schal ben redy serued.

734 But see ţi-self in ţi sit ˇ whou somme of hem walkeţ

735 Wiţ cloutede schon ˇ & cloţes ful feble,

736 Wel nei for-werd ˇ & ţe wlon offe ;

737 And his felawe in a froke ˇ worţ swiche fiftene, 738 A-rayd in rede sc[h]on ˇ (& elles were reuţe !

739 And sexe copes or seven ˇ in his celle hongeţ.

740 Ţou for fayling of good ˇ his fellawe schulde sterue, 741 He wolde nout lenen him a peny ˇ his lijf for to holden.

742 Y mit tymen ţo troiflardes ˇ to toilen wiţ ţe erţe, 743 Tylyen & trewliche lyven ˇ & her flech tempren !

744 Now mot ich soutere his sone ˇ setten to schole, 745 And ich a beggers brol ˇ on ţe booke lerne,

746 And worţ to a writere ˇ & wiţ a lorde dwell,

747 Oţer falsly to a frere ˇ ţe fend for to seruen !

748 So of ţat beggers brol ˇ a bychop schal worţen, 749 Among ţe peres of ţe lond ˇ prese to sitten,

750 And lordes sones lowly ˇ to ţo losells aloute,

751 Knytes croukeţ hem to ˇ & crucheţ full lowe ;

752 And his syre a soutere ˇ y-suled in grees,

753 His teeţ wiţ toylinge of leţer ˇ tatered as a sawe !

754 Alaas ! ţat lordes of ţe londe ˇ leueţ swiche wrechen, 755 And leneţ swiche lorels ˇ for her lowe wordes !

756 Ţey schulden maken bichopes ˇ her owen breţren childre, 757 Oţer of some gentil blod ˇ & so it best semed,

758 And foster none faytoures ˇ ne swiche false freres 759 To maken fatt & full ˇ & her fleche combren !

760 For her kynde were more ˇ to y-clense diches

761 Ţan ben to sopers y-set first ˇ and serued wiţ siluer !

762 A great bolle-full of benen ˇ were betere in his wombe, 763 And wiţ ţe randes of bakun ˇ his baly for to fillen, 764 Ţan pertriches or plouers ˇ or pekokes y-rosted, 765 And comeren her stomakes ˇ wiţ curious drynkes, 766 Ţat makeţ swiche harlottes ˇ hordome vsen,

767 And wiţ her wicked worde ˇ wymmen bitraieţ !

768 God wold her wonynge ˇ were in wildernesse,

769 And fals freres forboden ˇ ţe fayre ladis chaumbres !

770 For knewe lordes her craft ˇ trewlie, y trowe,

771 Ţey schulden nout haunten her hous ˇ so homly on nites, 772 Ne bedden swiche broţels ˇ in so brode schetes, 773 But scheten her heued in ţe stre ˇ to scharpen her wittes ; 774 Ne ben kynges confessours of custom ˇ ne ţe counsell of ţe rewme knowe !

775 For Fraunces founded hem nout ˇ to faren on ţat wise, 776 Ne Domynik dued hera neuer ˇ swiche drynkers to worţe, 777 Ne Helye ne Austen ˇ swiche lijf neuer vsed,

778 But in pouerte of spirit ˇ spended her tyme.

779 We haue sene our-self ˇ in a schort tyme,

780 Whou freres wolden no flech ˇ among ţe folke vsen ; 781 But now ţe harlottes ˇ han hid thilke rewle,

782 And, for ţe loue of oure lorde ˇ haue leyd hire in water.

783 Wenest ţou ţer wold so fele ˇ swiche warlawes worţen, 784 Ne were wordlyche wele ˇ & her welfare ?

785 Ţei schulden deluen & diggen ˇ & dongen ţe erţe, 786 And mene-mong corn bred ˇ to her mete fongen,

787 And wortes flechles wroughte ˇ & water to drinken, 788 And werchen & wolward gon ˇ as we wrecches vsen ; 789 An aunter if ţer wolde on ˇ amonge an hol hundred 790 Lyuen so for godes loue ˇ in tyme of a wynter !”

791 ” Leue Peres” quaţ y ţo ˇ ” y praie ţat ţou me tell 792 Whou y maie conne my Crede ˇ in Cristen beleue ?”

793 ” Leue broţer,” quaţ he ˇ ” hold ţat y segge,

794 I will techen ţe ţe trewţe ˇ & tellen ţe ţe soţe.”

CREDO.

795 LEUE ţou on oure Louerd God ˇ ţat all ţe werlde wroute, 796 Holy heuen opon hey ˇ hollyche he fourmede,

797 And is almiti himself ˇ ouer all his werkes,

798 And wrout as his will was ˇ ţe we[r]lde and ţe heuen ; 799 And on gentyl Jesu Crist ˇ engendred of him-seluen, 800 His own onlyche sonne ˇ Lord ouer all y-knowen, 801 [Ţat] was clenly conseued ˇ clerlye, in trewţe, 802 Of ţe hey Holy Gost ˇ ţis is ţe holy beleue ;

803 And of ţe mayden Marye ˇ man was he born,

804 Wiţ-outen synnfull sede ˇ ţis is fully ţe beleue ; 805 Wiţ ţorn y—crouned, crucified ˇ & on ţe crois dyede, 806 And syţen his blessed body ˇ was in a ston byried, 807 And descended a-doune ˇ to ţe derk helle,

808 And fet oute our formfaderes ˇ & hy full feyn weren ; 809 Ţe ţridde daye rediliche ˇ himself ros fram deeţ, 810 And on a ston ţere he stod ˇ he stei vp to heuene, 811 And on his fader rit hand ˇ redeliche he sitteţ, 812 Ţat al-miti god ˇ ouer all oţer whytes ;

813 And is hereafter to komen ˇ Crist, all him-seluen, 814 To demen ţe quyke and ţe dede ˇ wiţ-outen any doute ; 815 And in ţe heie holly gost ˇ holly y beleue,

816 And generall holy chirche also ˇ hold ţis in ţy mynde ; 817 [The communion of sayntes ˇ for soth I to the sayn ; 818 And for our great sinnes ˇ forgiuenes for to getten, 819 And only by Christ ˇ clenlich to be clensed ;

820 Our bodies again to risen ˇ right as we been here, 821 And the liif euerlasting ˇ leue ich to habben ; Amen.]

822 And in ţe [sacrement] also ˇ ţat soţfast God on is, 823 (Fullich his fleche & his blod) ˇ ţat for vs deţe ţolede.—

824 And ţou ţis flaterynge freres ˇ wyln for her pride, 825 Disputen of ţis deyte ˇ as dotardes schulden,

826 Ţe more ţe matere is moved ˇ ţe [masedere hy] worţen.

827 Lat ţe losels alone ˇ & leue ţou ţe trewţe,

828 For Crist seyde it is so ˇ so mot it nede worţe ; 829 Ţerfore studye ţou nout ţeron ˇ ne stere ţi wittes, 830 It is his blissed body ˇ so bad he vs beleuen.

831 Ţise maystres of dyvinitie ˇ many, als y trowe, 832 Folwen nout fully ţe feiţ ˇ as fele of ţe lewede.

833 Whou may mannes wijt ˇ ţoru werk [of] him-selue, 834 Knowen Cristes pryuitie ˇ ţat all kynde passeţ ?

835 It mot ben a man ˇ of also mek an herte,

836 Ţat myte wiţ his good lijf ˇ ţat Holly Gost fongen ; 837 And ţanne nedeţ him nout ˇ neuer for to studyen ; 838 He mite no maistre [ben] kald ˇ (for Crist ţat defended), 839 Ne puten [no] pylion ˇ on his pild pate ;

840 But prechen in parfite lijf ˇ & no pride vsen.

841 But all ţat euer I haue seyd ˇ soţ it me semeţ, 842 And all ţat euer I haue writen ˇ is soţ, as I trowe, 843 And for amending of ţise men is most ţat I write ; 844 God wold hy wolden ben war ˇ & werchen ţe better !

845 But, for y am a lewed man ˇ paraunter y mite

846 Passen par auenture ˇ & in som poynt erren,

847 GOD AMEND ALL FALSE FRIARS !

848 Y will nout ţis matere ˇ maistrely auowen ;

849 But if ich haue myssaid ˇ mercy ich aske,

850 & praie all maner men ˇ ţis matere amende,

851 Iche a word by himself ˇ & all, if it nedeţ.

852 God of his grete myte ˇ & his good grace

853 Saue all freres ˇ ţat faiţfully lybben,

854 And alle ţo ţat ben fals ˇ fayre hem amende,

855 And yue hem wijt & good will ˇ swiche dedes to werche 856 Ţat ţei maie wynnen ţe lif ˇ ţat euer schal lesten !

AMEN.

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