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Piers Plowman Electronic Archive

Cambridge MS B.15.17 (W)

Passus 2

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Passus secundus de visione vt supra

W2.1 (KD2.1)YEt I courbed on my knees · and cried hire of grace
W2.2 (KD2.2) And seide mercy madame · for Marie loue of heuene
W2.3 (KD2.3) That bar þat blisful barn · þat bouȝte vs on þe Rode
W2.4 (KD2.4) Kenne me by som craft · to knowe þe false

W2.5 (KD2.5)¶ Loke vp-on þi left half · and lo where he stondeþ
W2.6 (KD2.6) Boþe Fals and Fauel · and hire feeres manye

W2.7 (KD2.7)¶ I loked on my left half · as þe lady me tauȝte
W2.8 (KD2.8) And was war of a womman · worþiliche y-cloþed

W2.9 (KD2.9)54(c) Purfiled wiþ Pelure · þe fyneste vp-on erþe
W2.10 (KD2.10) Ycorouned wiþ a coroune · þe kyng haþ noon bettre
W2.11 (KD2.11) Fetisliche hire fyngres · were fretted with gold wyr
W2.12 (KD2.12) And þer-on rede Rubies · as rede as any gleede
And diamaundes

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W2.13 (KD2.13) And Diamaundes of derrest pris · and double manere Saphires
W2.14 (KD2.14) Orientals and Ewages · enuenymes to destroye
W2.15 (KD2.15)¶ Hire Robe was ful riche · of reed scarlet engreyned
W2.16 (KD2.16) Wiþ Ribanes of reed gold · and of riche stones
W2.17 (KD2.17) Hire array me rauysshed · swich richesse sauȝ I neuere
W2.18 (KD2.18) I hadde wonder what she was · and whos wif she were

W2.19 (KD2.19)¶ What is þis womman quod I · so worþili atired

W2.20 (KD2.20)¶ That is Mede þe mayde quod she · haþ noyed me ful ofte
W2.21 (KD2.21) And ylakked my lemman · þat leautee is hoten
W2.22 (KD2.22) And bilowen hire to lordes · þat lawes han to kepe

W2.23 (KD2.23)¶ In þe popes Paleis · she is pryuee as my-selue
W2.24 (KD2.24) But sooþnesse wolde noȝt so · for she is a Bastard
W2.25 (KD2.25) For Fals was hire fader · þat haþ a fikel tonge           55(n)
W2.26 (KD2.26) And neuere sooþ seide · siþen he com to erþe
W2.27 (KD2.27) And Mede is manered after hym · riȝt as kynde askeþ
W2.28 (KD2.27α)Qualis pater talis filius · Bonus arbor bonum fructum facit           56(n)

W2.29 (KD2.28)¶ I ouȝte ben hyere þan she · I kam of a bettre
W2.30 (KD2.29) My fader þe grete god is · and ground of alle graces
W2.31 (KD2.30) Oo god wiþ-outen gynnyng · and I his goode douȝter
W2.32 (KD2.31) And haþ yeuen me mercy · to marie wiþ my-selue
W2.33 (KD2.32) And what man be merciful · and leelly me loue
W2.34 (KD2.33) Shal be my lord and I his leef · in þe heiȝe heuene

W2.35 (KD2.34)¶ And what man takeþ Mede · myn heed dar I legge           57(n)
W2.36 (KD2.35) That he shal lese for hire loue · a lappe of Caritatis

W2.37 (KD2.36)¶ How construeþ Dauid þe kyng · of men þat takeþ Mede
W2.38 (KD2.37) And men of þis moolde · þat maynteneþ truþe
W2.39 (KD2.38) And how ye shul saue your-self · þe Sauter bereþ witnesse

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W2.40 (KD2.39)Domine quis habitabit in tabernaculo tuo &c
W2.41 (KD2.40)¶ And now worþ þis Mede ymaried · vn-to a mansed sherewe
W2.42 (KD2.41) To oon fals fikel tonge · a fendes biyete
W2.43 (KD2.42) Fauel þoruȝ his faire speche · haþ þis folk enchaunted           58(n)
W2.44 (KD2.43) And al is lieres ledynge · þat she is þus ywedded

W2.45 (KD2.44)¶ Tomorwe worþ ymaked · þe maydenes bridale
W2.46 (KD2.45) And þere myȝtow witen if þow wilt · whiche þei ben alle
W2.47 (KD2.46) That longen to þat lordshipe · þe lasse and þe moore
W2.48 (KD2.47) Knowe hem þere if þow kanst · and kepe þow þi tonge
W2.49 (KD2.48) And lakke hem noȝt but lat hem worþe · til leaute be Iustice
W2.50 (KD2.49) And haue power to punysshe hem · þanne put forþ þi reson
W2.51 (KD2.50) Now I bikenne þee crist quod she · and his clene moder
W2.52 (KD2.51) And lat no conscience acombre þee · for coueitise of Mede           59(n)

W2.53 (KD2.52)¶ Thus lefte me þat lady · liggynge aslepe
W2.54 (KD2.53) And how Mede was ymaried · in Metels me þouȝte
W2.55 (KD2.54) That al þe riche retenaunce · þat regneþ with þe false
W2.56 (KD2.55) Were boden to þe bridale · on boþe two sides
W2.57 (KD2.56) Of alle manere of men · þe meene and þe riche
W2.58 (KD2.57) To marien þis mayde · were many men assembled
W2.59 (KD2.58) As of knyȝtes and of clerkes · and ooþer commune peple
W2.60 (KD2.59) As Sisours and Somonours · Sherreues and hire clerkes
W2.61 (KD2.60) Bedelles and baillifs · and Brocours of chaffare
W2.62 (KD2.61) Forgoers and vitaillers · and Aduokettes of þe Arches
W2.63 (KD2.62) I kan noȝt rekene þe route · þat ran aboute Mede

W2.64 (KD2.63)¶ Ac Symonie and Cyuylle · and Sisours of courtes
W2.65 (KD2.64) Were moost pryuee with Mede · of any men me þouȝte
W2.66 (KD2.65) Ac Fauel was þe firste · þat fette hire out of boure
W2.67 (KD2.66) And as a Brocour brouȝte hire · to be wiþ fals enioyned

W2.68 (KD2.67)¶ Whan Symonye and Cyuylle · seighe hir boþer wille

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W2.69 (KD2.68) Thei assented for siluer · to seye as boþe wolde
W2.70 (KD2.69)¶ Thanne leep liere forþ · and seide · lo here a chartre
W2.71 (KD2.70) That Gile wiþ hise grete oþes · gaf hem togidere
W2.72 (KD2.71) And preide Cyuylle to see · and Symonye to rede it

W2.73 (KD2.72)¶ Thanne Symonye and Cyuylle · stonden forþ boþe
W2.74 (KD2.73) And vnfoldeþ þe feffement · that Fals hath ymaked
W2.75 (KD2.74) And þus bigynnen þise gomes · to greden ful heiȝe
W2.76 (KD2.74α)Sciant presentes & futuri &c

W2.77 (KD2.75)¶ Witeþ and witnesseþ · þat wonieþ vp-on þis erþe
W2.78 (KD2.76) That Mede is y-maried · moore for hire goodes           60(n)
W2.79 (KD2.77) Than for any vertue or fairnesse · or any free kynde
W2.80 (KD2.78) Falsnesse is fayn of hire · for he woot hire riche
W2.81 (KD2.79) And Fauel wiþ his fikel speche · feffeþ by þis chartre
W2.82 (KD2.80) To be Princes in pride · and pouerte to despise
W2.83 (KD2.81) To bakbite and to bosten · and bere fals witnesse
W2.84 (KD2.82) To scorne and to scolde · and sclaundre to make
W2.85 (KD2.83) Vnbuxome and bolde · to breke þe ten hestes

W2.86 (KD2.84)¶ And þe Erldom of Enuye · and wraþe togideres
W2.87 (KD2.85) Wiþ þe Chastilet of cheste · and chaterynge out of reson

W2.88 (KD2.86)¶ The Countee of Coueitise · and alle þe costes aboute
W2.89 (KD2.87) That is vsure and Auarice · al I hem graunte
W2.90 (KD2.88) In bargaynes and in brocages · wiþ al þe Burgh of þefte

W2.91 (KD2.89)¶ And al þe lordshipe of leccherie · in lengþe and in brede
W2.92 (KD2.90) As in werkes and in wordes · and in waitynges with eiȝes
W2.93 (KD2.91) And in wedes and in wisshynges · and wiþ ydel þouȝtes
W2.94 (KD2.92) There as wil wolde · and werkmanshipe fayleþ           61(n)

W2.95 (KD2.93)¶ Glotonye he gaf hem ek · and grete oþes togidere

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W2.96 (KD2.94) And al day to drynken · at diuerse Tauernes
W2.97 (KD2.95) And þere to Iangle and Iape · and Iugge hir euencristen
W2.98 (KD2.96) And in fastynge-dayes to frete · er ful tyme were
W2.99 (KD2.97) And þanne to sitten and soupen · til sleep hem assaille
W2.100 (KD2.98) And breden as Burgh swyn · and bedden hem esily
W2.101 (KD2.99) Til Sleuþe and sleep · sliken hise sydes
W2.102 (KD2.100) And þanne wanhope to awaken hem so · wiþ no wil to amende
W2.103 (KD2.101) For he leueþ be lost · þis is hir laste ende
W2.104 (KD2.102)¶ And þei to haue and to holde · and hire heires after
W2.105 (KD2.103) A dwellynge wiþ þe deuel · and dampned be for euere
W2.106 (KD2.104) Wiþ alle þe appurtinaunces of Purgatorie · in-to þe pyne of helle

W2.107 (KD2.105)¶ Yeldynge for þis þyng · at one dayes tyme62
W2.108 (KD2.106) Hire soules to Sathan · to suffre with hym peynes
W2.109 (KD2.107) And with hym to wonye with wo · while god is in heuene

W2.110 (KD2.108)¶ In witnesse of which þyng · wrong was þe firste
W2.111 (KD2.109) And Piers þe Pardoner · of Paulynes doctrine
W2.112 (KD2.110) Bette þe Bedel · of Bokyngham-shire
W2.113 (KD2.111) Reynald þe Reue · of Rutland Sokene
W2.114 (KD2.112) Maud þe Millere · and many mo oþere

W2.115 (KD2.113)¶ In þe date of þe deuel · þis dede I ensele
W2.116 (KD2.114) By siȝte of sire Symonie · and Cyuyles leeue

W2.117 (KD2.115)Thanne tened hym Theologie · whan he þis tale herde
W2.118 (KD2.116) And seide vn-to63 Cyuyle · now sorwe mote þow haue
W2.119 (KD2.117) Swiche weddynges to werche · to wraþe wiþ truþe
W2.120 (KD2.118) And er þis weddynge be wroȝt · wo þee bitide

W2.121 (KD2.119)¶ For Mede is muliere · of Amendes engendred
W2.122 (KD2.120) And god graunteþ to gyue · Mede to truþe
W2.123 (KD2.121) And þow hast gyuen hire to a gilour · now god gyue þee sorwe

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W2.124 (KD2.122) Thi text telleþ þee noȝt so · Truþe woot þe soþe
W2.125 (KD2.123) For Dignus est operarius · his hire to haue           64(n)
W2.126 (KD2.124) And þow hast fest hire to Fals · fy on þi lawe
W2.127 (KD2.125) For al bi lesynges þow lyuest · and lecherouse werkes ·
W2.128 (KD2.126) Symonye and þi-self · shenden holi chirche
W2.129 (KD2.127) The Notaries and ye · noyen þe peple
W2.130 (KD2.128) Ye shul abiggen it boþe · by god þat me made
W2.131 (KD2.129)¶ Wel ye witen wernardes · but if youre wit faille
W2.132 (KD2.130) That Fals is feiþlees · and fikel in hise werkes           65(n)
W2.133 (KD2.131) And was a Bastard ybore · of Belsabubbes kynne
W2.134 (KD2.132) And Mede is muliere · a maiden of goode
W2.135 (KD2.133) And myȝte kisse þe kyng · for cosyn and she wolde

W2.136 (KD2.134)¶ For-þi wercheþ by wisdom · and by wit also
W2.137 (KD2.135) And ledeþ hire to Londoun · þere it is yshewed
W2.138 (KD2.136) If any lawe wol loke · þei ligge togideres
W2.139 (KD2.137) And þouȝ Iustices Iuggen hire · to be Ioyned to Fals
W2.140 (KD2.138) Yet be war of weddynge · for witty is truþe
W2.141 (KD2.139) And Conscience is of his counseil · and knoweþ yow echone
W2.142 (KD2.140) And if he fynde yow in defaute · and with þe false holde
W2.143 (KD2.141) It shal bisitte youre soules · ful soure at þe laste

W2.144 (KD2.142)¶ Her-to assenteþ Cyuyle · ac Symonye ne wolde
W2.145 (KD2.143) Til he hadde siluer for his seruice · and also þe Notaries

W2.146 (KD2.144)¶ Thanne fette Fauel forþ · floryns ynowe
W2.147 (KD2.145) And bad gile to gyuen · gold al aboute
W2.148 (KD2.146) And namely to þe Notaries · þat hem noon ne faille
W2.149 (KD2.147) And feffe false witnesses · wiþ floryns ynowe
W2.150 (KD2.148) For þei may Mede amaistrye · and maken at my wille

W2.151 (KD2.149)¶ Tho þis gold was ygyue · gret was þe þonkyng
W2.152 (KD2.150) To Fals and to Fauel · for hire fire ȝiftes

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W2.153 (KD2.151) And comen to conforten · from care þe false
W2.154 (KD2.152) And seiden certes sire · cessen shul we neuere
W2.155 (KD2.153) Til Mede be þi wedded wif · þoruȝ wittes of vs alle
W2.156 (KD2.154) For we haue Mede amaistried · wiþ oure murie speche
W2.157 (KD2.155) That she graunteþ to goon · wiþ a good wille
W2.158 (KD2.156) To london to loken · if þe lawe wolde
W2.159 (KD2.157) Iuggen yow ioyntly · in ioie for euere
W2.160 (KD2.158)¶ Thanne was Falsnesse fayn · and Fauel as bliþe
W2.161 (KD2.159) And leten somone alle segges · in shires aboute
W2.162 (KD2.160) And bad hem alle to be bown · beggers and oþere
W2.163 (KD2.161) To wenden wiþ hem to westmynstre · to witnesse þis dede

W2.164 (KD2.162)¶ Ac þanne cared þei for caples · to carien hem þider
W2.165 (KD2.163) And Fauel fette forþ þanne · foles ynowe
W2.166 (KD2.164) And sette Mede vp-on a Sherreue · shoed al newe

W2.167 (KD2.165)¶ And Fals sat on a Sisour · þat softeli trotted
W2.168 (KD2.166) And Fauel on a Flaterere · fetisly atired

W2.169 (KD2.167)¶ Tho hadde Notaries none · anoyed þei were
W2.170 (KD2.168) For Symonye and Cyuylle · sholde on hire feet gange

W2.171 (KD2.169)¶ Ac þanne swoor Symonye · and Cyuylle boþe
W2.172 (KD2.170) That Somonours sholde be Sadeled · and seruen hem echone
W2.173 (KD2.171) And late apparaille þise prouisours · in palfreyes wise
W2.174 (KD2.172) Sire Symonye hym-self · shal sitte vp-on hir bakkes

W2.175 (KD2.173)¶ Denes and Southdenes · drawe yow togideres
W2.176 (KD2.174) Erchedekenes and Officials · and alle youre Registrers
W2.177 (KD2.175) Lat sadle hem wiþ siluer · oure synne to suffre
W2.178 (KD2.176) As Auoutrye and diuorses · and derne vsurie
W2.179 (KD2.177) To bere Bisshopes aboute · abrood in visitynge

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W2.180 (KD2.178)¶ Paulynes pryuees · for pleintes in Consistorie
W2.181 (KD2.179) Shul seruen my-self · þat Cyuyle is nempned

W2.182 (KD2.180)¶ And Cartsadle þe Commissarie · oure cart shal he lede
W2.183 (KD2.181) And fecchen vs vitailles · at Fornicatores

W2.184 (KD2.182)¶ And makeþ of lyere a lang cart · to leden alle þise oþere
W2.185 (KD2.183) As Freres and Faitours · þat on hire feet rennen ·

W2.186 (KD2.184)¶ And thus Fals and Fauel · fareþ forþ togideres
W2.187 (KD2.185) And Mede in þe myddes · and alle þise men after

W2.188 (KD2.186)¶ I haue no tome to telle · þe tail þat hire folwed66
W2.189 (KD2.188) Ac Gyle was Forgoer · and gyed hem alle           67(n)

W2.190 (KD2.189)¶ Sothnesse seiȝ hem wel · and seide but litel
W2.191 (KD2.190) And priked his palfrey · and passed hem alle
W2.192 (KD2.191) And com to þe kynges court · and Conscience it tolde
W2.193 (KD2.192) And Conscience to þe kyng · carped it after

W2.194 (KD2.193)¶ Now by crist quod þe kyng · and I cacche myȝte
W2.195 (KD2.194) Fals or Fauel · or any of hise feeris
W2.196 (KD2.195) I wolde be wroken of þo wrecches · þat wercheþ so ille
W2.197 (KD2.196) And doon hem hange by þe hals · and alle þat hem maynteneþ
W2.198 (KD2.197) Shal neuere man of þis molde · meynprise þe leeste
W2.199 (KD2.198) But riȝt as þe lawe wol loke · lat falle on hem alle

W2.200 (KD2.199)¶ And comaunded a Constable · þat com at þe firste
W2.201 (KD2.200) To attachen þo Tyrauntz · for any þyng I hote
W2.202 (KD2.201) And fettreþ faste Falsnesse · for any kynnes ȝiftes
W2.203 (KD2.202) And girdeþ of Gyles heed · and lat hym go no ferþer
W2.204 (KD2.206) And if ye lacche lyere · lat hym noȝt ascapen
W2.205 (KD2.207) Er he be put on þe Pillory · for any preyere I hote
W2.206 (KD2.203) And bryngeþ Mede to me · maugree hem alle

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W2.207 (KD2.208)¶ Drede at þe dore stood · and þe doom herde
W2.208 (KD2.209) And how þe kyng comaunded · Constables and sergeauntz
W2.209 (KD2.210) Falsnesse and his felawship · to fettren and to bynden

W2.210 (KD2.211)¶ Thanne Drede wente wyȝtliche · and warned þe False
W2.211 (KD2.212) And bad hym fle for fere · and hise felawes alle

W2.212 (KD2.213)¶ Falsnesse for fere þanne · fleiȝ to þe Freres
W2.213 (KD2.214) And Gyle dooþ hym to go · agast for to dye
W2.214 (KD2.215) Ac Marchauntz metten with hym · and made hym abyde
W2.215 (KD2.216) And bishetten hym in hire shoppes · to shewen hire ware
W2.216 (KD2.217) Apparailed hym as Apprentice · þe peple to serue

W2.217 (KD2.218)¶ Liȝtliche Lyere · leep awey þanne
W2.218 (KD2.219) Lurkynge þoruȝ lanes · tolugged of manye
W2.219 (KD2.220) He was nowher welcome · for his manye tales
W2.220 (KD2.221) Ouer al yhonted · and yhote trusse
W2.221 (KD2.222) Til Pardoners hadde pite · and pulled hym in-to house
W2.222 (KD2.223) They wesshen hym & wiped hym · & wounden hym in cloutes
W2.223 (KD2.224) And senten hym wiþ seles · on Sondayes to chirches
W2.224 (KD2.225) And yeuen68 pardoun for pens · poundemele aboute

W2.225 (KD2.226)¶ Thanne lourede leches · and lettres þei sente
W2.226 (KD2.227) That he sholde wonye with hem · watres to loke

W2.227 (KD2.228)¶ Spycers speken with hym · to spien hire ware
W2.228 (KD2.229) For he kouþe of hir craft · and knew manye gommes

W2.229 (KD2.230)¶ And Mynstrales and Messagers · mette with hym ones
W2.230 (KD2.231) And helden hym an half yeer · and elleuene dayes

W2.231 (KD2.232)¶ Freres wiþ fair speche · fetten hym þennes
W2.232 (KD2.233) And for knowynge of comeres · coped hym as a Frere
W2.233 (KD2.234) Ac he haþ leue to lepen out · as ofte as hym likeþ

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W2.234 (KD2.235) And is welcome whan he wile · and woneþ with hem ofte ·
W2.235 (KD2.236)Alle fledden for fere · and flowen in-to hernes
W2.236 (KD2.237) Saue Mede þe mayde · namo dorste abide
W2.237 (KD2.238) Ac trewely to telle · she trembled for drede
W2.238 (KD2.239) And ek wepte and wrong · whan she was attached

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