Piers Plowman Electronic Archive

Piers Plowman Electronic Archive

Cambridge MS B.15.17 (W)

Passus 3

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Passus tercius de visione vt supra

W3.1 (KD3.1)NOw is Mede þe mayde · and namo of hem alle
W3.2 (KD3.2) Wiþ Bedeles and with baillies · brouȝt bifore þe kyng

W3.3 (KD3.3) The kyng called a clerk · kan I noȝt his name
W3.4 (KD3.4) To take Mede þe maide · and maken hire at ese
W3.5 (KD3.5) I shal assayen hire my-self · and sooþliche appose
W3.6 (KD3.6) What man of þis moolde · þat hire were leuest
W3.7 (KD3.7) And if she werche bi wit · and my wil folwe
W3.8 (KD3.8) I wol forgyuen hire þis gilt · so me god helpe

W3.9 (KD3.9)¶ Curteisly þe clerk þanne · as þe kyng hiȝte
W3.10 (KD3.10) Took Mede bi þe myddel · and broȝte hire in-to chambre
W3.11 (KD3.11) And þer was murþe & Mynstralcie · Mede to plese

W3.12 (KD3.12)¶ They þat wonyeþ in westmynstre · worshipeþ hire alle
W3.13 (KD3.13) Gentilliche wiþ ioye · þe Iustices somme
W3.14 (KD3.14) Busked hem to þe bour · þer þe burde dwellede
W3.15 (KD3.15) To conforten hire kyndely · by clergies leue
W3.16 (KD3.16) And seiden mourne noȝt Mede · ne make þow no sorwe
W3.17 (KD3.17) For we wol wisse þe kyng · and þi wey shape
W3.18 (KD3.18) To be wedded at þi wille · and wher þee leef likeþ
W3.19 (KD3.19) For al Consciences cast · or craft as I trowe

W3.20 (KD3.20)¶ Mildely Mede þanne · merciede hem alle
W3.21 (KD3.21) Of hire grete goodnesse · and gaf hem echone

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W3.22 (KD3.22) Coupes of clene gold · and coppes of siluer
W3.23 (KD3.23) Rynges wiþ Rubies · and richesses manye
W3.24 (KD3.24) The leeste man of hire meynee · a moton of golde
W3.25 (KD3.25) Thanne lauȝte þei leue · þise lordes at Mede
W3.26 (KD3.26)¶ Wiþ þat comen clerkes · to conforten hire þe same
W3.27 (KD3.27) And beden hire be bliþe · for we beþ þyne owene
W3.28 (KD3.28) For to werche þi wille · þe while þow myȝt laste

W3.29 (KD3.29)¶ Hendiliche heo þanne · bihiȝte hem þe same
W3.30 (KD3.30) To louen hem lelly · and lordes to make
W3.31 (KD3.31) And in þe Consistorie at þe court · do callen hire names
W3.32 (KD3.32) Shal no lewednesse lette · þe leode þat I louye
W3.33 (KD3.33) That he ne worþ first auaunced · for I am biknowen
W3.34 (KD3.34) Ther konnynge clerkes · shul clokke bihynde

W3.35 (KD3.35)¶ Thanne cam þer a Confessour · coped as a frere
W3.36 (KD3.36) To mede þe mayde · he mened þise wordes
W3.37 (KD3.37) And seide ful softely · in shrift as it were
W3.38 (KD3.38) Theiȝ lewed men and lered men · hadde leyen by þee boþe
W3.39 (KD3.39) And Falsnesse hadde yfolwed þee · alle þise fifty wynter
W3.40 (KD3.40) I shal assoille þee my-self · for a seem of whete
W3.41 (KD3.41) And also be þi bedeman · and bere wel þi message
W3.42 (KD3.42) Amonges knyȝtes and clerkes · Conscience to torne

W3.43 (KD3.43)¶ Thanne Mede for hire mysdedes · to þat man kneled
W3.44 (KD3.44) And shrof hire of hire sherewednesse · shamelees I trowe
W3.45 (KD3.45) Tolde hym a tale · and took hym a noble
W3.46 (KD3.46) For to ben hire Bedeman · and hire brocour als

W3.47 (KD3.47)¶ Thanne he assoiled hire soone · and siþen he seide
W3.48 (KD3.48) We haue a wyndow in werchynge · wole sitten vs ful hye
W3.49 (KD3.49) Woldestow glaze þat gable · & graue þer-Inne þy name
W3.50 (KD3.50) Syker sholde þi soule be · heuene to haue


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W3.51 (KD3.51)¶ Wiste I þat quod þat womman · I wolde noȝt spare
W3.52 (KD3.52) For to be youre frend frere · and faile yow neuere
W3.53 (KD3.53) While ye loue lordes · þat lecherie haunten
W3.54 (KD3.54) And lakkeþ noȝt ladies · þat louen wel þe same
W3.55 (KD3.55) It is a freletee of flessh · ye fynden it in bokes
W3.56 (KD3.56) And a cours of kynde · wher-of we comen alle
W3.57 (KD3.57) Who may scape sclaundre69 · þe scaþe is soone amended
W3.58 (KD3.58) It is synne of þe seuene · sonnest relessed
W3.59 (KD3.59)¶ Haue mercy quod Mede · of men þat it haunteþ
W3.60 (KD3.60) And I shal couere youre kirk · youre cloistre do maken
W3.61 (KD3.61) Wowes do whiten · and wyndowes glazen
W3.62 (KD3.62) Do peynten and portraye · and paie for þe makynge
W3.63 (KD3.63) That euery segge shal seye · I am suster of youre house

W3.64 (KD3.64)¶ Ac god to alle good folk · swich grauynge defendeþ
W3.65 (KD3.65) To writen in wyndowes · of hir wel-dedes
W3.66 (KD3.66)An auenture pride be peynted þere · and pomp of þe world
W3.67 (KD3.67) For crist knoweþ þi conscience · and þi kynde wille
W3.68 (KD3.68) And þi cost and þi coueitise · and who þe catel ouȝte

W3.69 (KD3.69)¶ For-þi I lere yow lordes · leueþ swiche werkes
W3.70 (KD3.70) To writen in wyndowes · of youre wel-dedes
W3.71 (KD3.71) Or to greden after goddes men · whan ye dele doles
W3.72 (KD3.72) On auenture ye haue youre hire here · and youre heuene als
W3.73 (KD3.72α)Nesciat sinistra quid faciat dextra

W3.74 (KD3.73)¶ Lat noȝt þi left half · late ne raþe
W3.75 (KD3.74) Wite what þow werchest · wiþ þi riȝt syde
W3.76 (KD3.75) For þus by70 þe gospel · goode men doon hir almesse

W3.77 (KD3.76)¶ Maires and Maceres · þat menes ben bitwene
W3.78 (KD3.77) The kyng and þe comune · to kepe þe lawes

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W3.79 (KD3.78) To punysshe on Pillories · and pynynge stooles
W3.80 (KD3.79) Brewesters and Baksters · Bochiers and Cokes
W3.81 (KD3.80) For þise are men on þis molde · þat moost harm wercheþ
W3.82 (KD3.81) To þe pouere peple · þat parcelmele buggen
W3.83 (KD3.82) For þei enpoisone71 þe peple · pryueliche and ofte
W3.84 (KD3.83) Thei richen þoruȝ regratrie · and rentes hem biggen
W3.85 (KD3.84) Wiþ þat þe pouere peple · sholde putte in hire wombe
W3.86 (KD3.85) For toke þei on trewely · þei tymbred nouȝt so heiȝe
W3.87 (KD3.86) Ne bouȝte none burgages · be ye ful certeyne
W3.88 (KD3.87)¶ Ac Mede þe mayde · þe Mair haþ bisouȝt
W3.89 (KD3.88) Of alle swiche Selleris · siluer to take
W3.90 (KD3.89) Or presentz wiþ-outen pens · as pieces of siluer
W3.91 (KD3.90) Rynges or ooþer richesse · þe Regratiers to mayntene
W3.92 (KD3.91) For my loue quod þat lady · loue hem echone
W3.93 (KD3.92) And suffre hem to selle · somdel ayeins reson

W3.94 (KD3.93)¶ Salomon þe sage a sermon · he made
W3.95 (KD3.94) For to amenden Maires · and men þat kepen lawes
W3.96 (KD3.95) And tolde hem þis teme · þat I telle þynke

W3.97 (KD3.96)Ignis deuorabit tabernacula eorum qui libenter accipiunt munera &c

W3.98 (KD3.97)¶ Among þise lettrede leodes · þis latyn is to mene
W3.99 (KD3.98) That fir shal falle & brenne · al to bloo askes
W3.100 (KD3.99) The houses and homes · of hem þat desireþ
W3.101 (KD3.100) Yiftes or yeresyeues · by-cause of hire Offices

W3.102 (KD3.101)¶ The kyng fro þe conseil cam · and called after Mede
W3.103 (KD3.102) And ofsente hire as swiþe · wiþ sergeauntz manye
W3.104 (KD3.103) And72 brouȝte hire to boure · wiþ blisse and wiþ ioye

W3.105 (KD3.104)¶ Curteisly þe kyng þanne · comsed to telle
W3.106 (KD3.105) To Mede þe mayde · he meneþ73 þise wordes
W3.107 (KD3.106) Vnwittily womman · wroȝt hastow ofte

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W3.108 (KD3.107) Ac worse wroȝtestow neuere · þan þo þow Fals toke
W3.109 (KD3.108) But I forgyue þee þat gilt · and graunte þee my grace
W3.110 (KD3.109) Hennes to þi deeþ-day · do so namoore
W3.111 (KD3.110)¶ I haue a knyȝt Conscience · cam late fro biyonde
W3.112 (KD3.111) If he wilneþ þee to wif · wiltow hym haue

W3.113 (KD3.112)¶ Ye lord quod þat lady · lord forbede it ellis
W3.114 (KD3.113) But I be holly at youre heste · lat hange me soone

W3.115 (KD3.114)¶ And þanne was Conscience called · to come and appere
W3.116 (KD3.115) Bifore þe kyng and his conseil · as clerkes and oþere

W3.117 (KD3.116)¶ Knelynge Conscience · to þe kyng louted
W3.118 (KD3.117) To wite what his wille were · and what he do wolde74

W3.119 (KD3.118)¶ Woltow wedde þis womman quod þe kyng · if I wole assente
W3.120 (KD3.119) For she is fayn of þi felaweshipe · for to be þi make

W3.121 (KD3.120)¶ Quod Conscience to þe kyng · crist it me forbede
W3.122 (KD3.121) Er I wedde swich a wif · wo me bitide
W3.123 (KD3.122) For she is frele of hire feiþ · fikel of hire speche
W3.124 (KD3.123) And makeþ men mysdo · many score tymes
W3.125 (KD3.124) Trust of hire tresor · bitrayeþ ful manye           75(n)

W3.126 (KD3.125)¶ Wyues and widewes · wantounes she techeþ
W3.127 (KD3.126) And lereþ hem lecherie · þat loueþ hire ȝiftes
W3.128 (KD3.127) Youre fader she felled · þoruȝ false biheste
W3.129 (KD3.128) And haþ enpoisoned76 popes · and peired holy chirche
W3.130 (KD3.129) Is noȝt a bettre baude · by hym þat me made
W3.131 (KD3.130) Bitwene heuene and helle · in erþe þouȝ men souȝte
W3.132 (KD3.131) For she is tikel of hire tail · and talewis of hire tonge           77(n)
W3.133 (KD3.132) As commune as a Cartwey · to ech a knaue þat walkeþ           78(n)
W3.134 (KD3.133) To Monkes to Mynstrales · to Meseles in hegges


fol.15v

W3.135 (KD3.134)¶ Sisours and Somonours · swiche men hire preiseþ
W3.136 (KD3.135) Sherreues of Shires · were shent if she ne were
W3.137 (KD3.136) For she dooþ men lese hire lond · and hire lif boþe
W3.138 (KD3.137) She leteþ passe prisoners · and paieþ for hem ofte
W3.139 (KD3.138) And gyueþ þe Gailers gold · and grotes togidres
W3.140 (KD3.139) To vnfettre þe fals · fle where hym likeþ           79(n)
W3.141 (KD3.140) And takeþ þe trewe bi þe top · and tieþ hem faste
W3.142 (KD3.141) And hangeþ hem for hatrede · þat harm dide neuere
W3.143 (KD3.142)¶ To be corsed in Consistorie · she counteþ noȝt a bene
W3.144 (KD3.143) For she copeþ þe Commissarie · and coteþ hise clerkes           80(n)
W3.145 (KD3.144) She is assoiled as soone · as hire-self likeþ
W3.146 (KD3.145) And may neiȝ as muche do · in a Monþe one
W3.147 (KD3.146) As youre secret seel · in sixe score dayes
W3.148 (KD3.147) For she is pryuee wiþ þe pope · prouisours it knoweþ
W3.149 (KD3.148) For Sire Symonie and hir-selue · seleþ hire bulles

W3.150 (KD3.149)¶ She blesseþ þise Bisshopes · þeiȝ þei be lewed
W3.151 (KD3.150) Prouendreþ persones · and preestes maynteneþ
W3.152 (KD3.151) To haue lemmans and lotebies · alle hire lif-daies
W3.153 (KD3.152) And bryngeþ forþ barnes · ayein forbode lawes
W3.154 (KD3.153) Ther she is wel wiþ þe kyng · wo is þe Reaume
W3.155 (KD3.154) For she is fauourable to fals · and defouleþ truþe ofte

W3.156 (KD3.155)¶ By Iesus · wiþ hire Ieweles · youre Iustices she shendeþ
W3.157 (KD3.156) And liþ ayein þe lawe · and letteþ hym þe gate
W3.158 (KD3.157) That feiþ may noȝt haue his forþ · hire floryns go so þikke
W3.159 (KD3.158) She ledeþ þe lawe as hire list · and louedaies makeþ
W3.160 (KD3.159) And doþ men lese þoruȝ hire loue · þat lawe myȝte wynne
W3.161 (KD3.160) The maze for a mene man · þouȝ he mote hire euere
W3.162 (KD3.161) Lawe is so lordlich · and looþ to maken ende
W3.163 (KD3.162) Wiþ-outen presentz or pens · she pleseþ wel fewe

W3.164 (KD3.163)¶ Barons and Burgeises · she bryngeþ in sorwe

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W3.165 (KD3.164)¶ And al þe comune in care · þat coueiten lyue in truþe           81(n)
W3.166 (KD3.165) For clergie and coueitise · she coupleþ togidres
W3.167 (KD3.166) This is þe lif of þat lady · now lord ȝyue hire sorwe
W3.168 (KD3.167) And alle þat maynteneþ hire men · meschaunce hem bitide
W3.169 (KD3.168) For pouere men may haue no power · to pleyne hem þouȝ þei smerte
W3.170 (KD3.169) Swich a maister is Mede · among men of goode
W3.171 (KD3.170)¶ Thanne mournede Mede · and mened hire to þe kynge
W3.172 (KD3.171) To haue space to speke · spede if she myȝte

W3.173 (KD3.172)¶ The kyng graunted hire grace · wiþ a good wille
W3.174 (KD3.173) Excuse þee if þow kanst · I kan namoore seggen
W3.175 (KD3.174) For Conscience accuseþ þee · to congeien þee for euere

W3.176 (KD3.175)¶ Nay lord quod þat lady · leueþ hym þe werse
W3.177 (KD3.176) Whan ye witen witterly · wher þe wrong liggeþ
W3.178 (KD3.177) Ther þat meschief is gret · Mede may helpe           82(n)
W3.179 (KD3.178) And þow knowest Conscience · I kam noȝt to chide
W3.180 (KD3.179) Ne depraue þi persone · wiþ a proud herte
W3.181 (KD3.180) Wel þow woost wernard · but if þow wolt gabbe
W3.182 (KD3.181) Thow hast hanged on myn half · elleuene tymes
W3.183 (KD3.182) And also griped my gold · gyue it where þee liked
W3.184 (KD3.183) And whi þow wraþest þee now · wonder me þynkeþ
W3.185 (KD3.184) Yet I may as I myȝte · menske þee wiþ ȝiftes
W3.186 (KD3.185) And mayntene þi manhode · moore þan þow knowest

W3.187 (KD3.186)¶ Ac þow hast famed me foule · bifore þe kyng here
W3.188 (KD3.187) For killed I neuere no kyng · ne counseiled þer-after
W3.189 (KD3.188) Ne dide as þow demest · I do it on þe kynge

W3.190 (KD3.189)¶ In Normandie was he noȝt · noyed for my sake
W3.191 (KD3.190) Ac þow þi-self sooþly · shamedest hym ofte
W3.192 (KD3.191) Crope in-to a Cabane · for cold of þi nayles
W3.193 (KD3.192) Wendest þat wynter · wolde han ylasted euere

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W3.194 (KD3.193)And dreddest to be ded · for a dym cloude
W3.195 (KD3.194) And hyedest homward · for hunger of þi wombe
W3.196 (KD3.195)¶ Wiþ-outen pite Pilour · pouere men þow robbedest
W3.197 (KD3.196) And bere hire bras at þi bak · to Caleis to selle
W3.198 (KD3.197) Ther I lafte wiþ my lord · his lif for to saue
W3.199 (KD3.198) I made his men murye · and mournynge lette
W3.200 (KD3.199) I batred hem on þe bak · and boldede hire hertes
W3.201 (KD3.200) And dide hem hoppe for hope · to haue me at wille
W3.202 (KD3.201) Hadde I ben Marchal of his men · by Marie of heuene
W3.203 (KD3.202) I dorste haue leyd my lif · and no lasse wedde
W3.204 (KD3.203) He sholde haue be lord of þat lond · in lengþe and in brede
W3.205 (KD3.204) And also kyng of þat kiþ · his kyn for to helpe
W3.206 (KD3.205) The leeste brol of his blood · a Barones piere

W3.207 (KD3.206)¶ Cowardly þow Conscience · conseiledest hym þennes
W3.208 (KD3.207) To leuen his lordshipe · for a litel siluer
W3.209 (KD3.208) That is þe richeste Reaume · þat reyn ouer-houeþ

W3.210 (KD3.209)¶ It bicomeþ to a kyng · þat kepeþ a Reaume           83(n)
W3.211 (KD3.210) To yeue mede to men · þat mekely hym serueþ
W3.212 (KD3.211) To aliens and to alle men · to honouren hem with ȝiftes
W3.213 (KD3.212) Mede makeþ hym biloued · and for a man holden

W3.214 (KD3.213)¶ Emperours and Erles · and alle manere lordes
W3.215 (KD3.214) For ȝiftes han yonge men · to renne and to ryde

W3.216 (KD3.215)¶ The Pope and alle þe prelates · presentz vnderfongen
W3.217 (KD3.216) And medeþ men hem-seluen · to mayntene hir lawes

W3.218 (KD3.217)¶ Sergeauntz for hire seruyce · we seeþ wel þe soþe
W3.219 (KD3.218) Taken Mede of hir maistres · as þei mowe acorde

W3.220 (KD3.219)¶ Beggeres for hir biddynge · bidden men Mede

Mynstrales for
W3.221 (KD3.220)¶ Mynstrales for hir myrþe · Mede þei aske

W3.222 (KD3.221)¶ The kyng haþ mede of his men · to make pees in londe           84(n)

W3.223 (KD3.222)¶ Men þat teche children · crauen after Mede           85(n)

W3.224 (KD3.223)¶ Preestes þat prechen þe peple · to goode · asken Mede           86(n)
W3.225 (KD3.224) And massepens and hire mete · at þe meeltymes

W3.226 (KD3.225)¶ Alle kynne craftes men · crauen Mede for hir Prentices           87(n)

W3.227 (KD3.226)¶ Marchauntz and Mede · mote nede go togideres
W3.228 (KD3.227) No wiȝt as I wene · wiþ-outen Mede may libbe

W3.229 (KD3.228)¶ Quod þe kyng to Conscience · by crist as me þynkeþ
W3.230 (KD3.229) Mede is wel worþi · þe maistrie to haue

W3.231 (KD3.230)¶ Nay quod Conscience to þe kyng · and kneled to þe erþe
W3.232 (KD3.231) Ther are two manere of Medes · my lord wiþ youre leue

W3.233 (KD3.232)¶ That oon god of his grace · graunteþ in his blisse
W3.234 (KD3.233) To þo þat wel werchen · while þei ben here
W3.235 (KD3.234) The prophete precheþ þer-of · and putte it in þe Sauter

W3.236 (KD3.234α)Domine quis habitabit in tabernaculo tuo

W3.237 (KD3.235)¶ Lord who shal wonye in þi wones · and wiþ þyne holy seintes
W3.238 (KD3.236) Or resten in þyne holy hilles · þis askeþ Dauid
W3.239 (KD3.237) And Dauid assoileþ it hym-self · as þe Sauter telleþ
W3.240 (KD3.237α)Qui ingreditur sine macula & operatur Iusticiam

W3.241 (KD3.238)¶ Tho þat entren of o colour · and of one wille
W3.242 (KD3.239) And han ywroght werkes · wiþ right and wiþ reson

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W3.243 (KD3.240) And88(c) he þat vseþ noȝt · þe lyf of vsurie
W3.244 (KD3.241) And enformeþ pouere men · and pursueþ truþe
W3.245 (KD3.241α)Qui pecuniam suam non dedit ad vsuram · et munera super Innocentem &c

W3.246 (KD3.242)¶ And alle þat helpen þe Innocent · and holden with þe riȝtfulle
W3.247 (KD3.243) Wiþ-outen Mede doþ hem good · and þe truþe helpeþ
W3.248 (KD3.244) Swiche manere men my lord · shul haue þis firste Mede
W3.249 (KD3.245) Of god at a gret nede · whan þei gon hennes

W3.250 (KD3.246)¶ Ther is anoþer Mede mesurelees · þat maistres desireþ
W3.251 (KD3.247) To mayntene mysdoers · Mede þei take
W3.252 (KD3.248) And þer-of seiþ þe Sauter · in a Salmes ende

W3.253 (KD3.249)In quorum manibus iniquitates sunt · dextra eorum repleta est muneribus

W3.254 (KD3.250)¶ And he þat gripeþ hir gold · so me god helpe
W3.255 (KD3.251) Shal abien it bittre · or þe book lieþ

W3.256 (KD3.252)¶ Preestes and persons · þat plesynge desireþ
W3.257 (KD3.253) That taken Mede and moneie · for masses þat þei syngeþ
W3.258 (KD3.254) Taken hire Mede here · as Mathew vs techeþ

W3.259 (KD3.254α)Amen amen · Recipiebant mercedem suam

W3.260 (KD3.255)¶ That laborers and lowe folk · taken of hire maistres
W3.261 (KD3.256) It is no manere Mede · but a mesurable hire           89(n)

W3.262 (KD3.257)¶ In marchaundise is no Mede · I may it wel auowe
W3.263 (KD3.258) It is a permutacion apertly · a penyworþ for anoþer

W3.264 (KD3.259)¶ Ac reddestow neuere Regum · þow recrayed Mede
W3.265 (KD3.260) Whi þe vengeaunce fel · on Saul and on his children
W3.266 (KD3.261) God sente to Saul · by Samuel þe prophete

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W3.267 (KD3.262) That Agag of Amalec · and al his peple after
W3.268 (KD3.263) Sholden deye for a dede · þat doon hadde hire eldres
W3.269 (KD3.264)¶ For-þi seide Samuel to Saul · god hym-self hoteþ
W3.270 (KD3.265) Thee · be buxom at his biddynge · his wil to fulfille
W3.271 (KD3.266) Weend to Amalec with þyn oost · & what þow fyndest þere sle it
W3.272 (KD3.267) Burnes and beestes · bren hem to deþe
W3.273 (KD3.268) Widwes and wyues · wommen and children
W3.274 (KD3.269) Moebles and vnmoebles · and al þow myȝt fynde
W3.275 (KD3.270) Bren it · bere it noȝt awey · be it neuer so riche
W3.276 (KD3.271) For Mede ne for monee · loke þow destruye it
W3.277 (KD3.272) Spille it and spare it noȝt · þow shalt spede þe bettre

W3.278 (KD3.273)¶ And for he coueited hir catel · and þe kyng spared
W3.279 (KD3.274) Forbar hym and his beestes boþe · as þe bible witnesseþ
W3.280 (KD3.275) Ooþer-wise þan he was · warned of þe prophete
W3.281 (KD3.276) God seide to Samuel · þat Saul sholde deye
W3.282 (KD3.277) And al his seed for þat synne · shenfulliche ende
W3.283 (KD3.278) Swich a meschief Mede made · Saul þe kyng to haue
W3.284 (KD3.279) That god hated hym for euere · and alle hise heires after

W3.285 (KD3.280)¶ The culorum of þis cas · kepe I noȝt to telle
W3.286 (KD3.281) On auenture it noyed men · noon ende wol I make
W3.287 (KD3.282) For so is þis world went · wiþ hem þat han power           90(n)
W3.288 (KD3.283) That who-so seiþ hem soþest · is sonnest yblamed

W3.289 (KD3.284)¶ I Conscience knowe þis · for kynde wit it me tauȝte
W3.290 (KD3.285) That Reson shal regne · and Reaumes gouerne
W3.291 (KD3.286) And riȝt as Agag hadde · happe shul somme
W3.292 (KD3.287) Samuel shal sleen hym · and Saul shal be blamed
W3.293 (KD3.288) And Dauid shal be diademed · and daunten hem alle
W3.294 (KD3.289) And oon cristene kyng · kepen hem alle ·
W3.295 (KD3.290) Shal namoore Mede be maister · as she is nouþe
W3.296 (KD3.291) Ac loue and lowenesse · and leautee togideres

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W3.297 (KD3.292) Thise shul ben Maistres on moolde · truþe to saue
W3.298 (KD3.293)¶ And who-so trespaseþ ayein truþe · or takeþ ayein his wille
W3.299 (KD3.294) Leaute shal don hym lawe · and no lif ellis
W3.300 (KD3.295) Shal no sergeant for his seruice · were a silk howue
W3.301 (KD3.296) Ne no pelure in his cloke · for pledynge at þe barre
W3.302 (KD3.297) Mede of mysdoeres · makeþ manye lordes           91(n)
W3.303 (KD3.298) And ouer lordes lawes · ruleþ þe Reaumes

W3.304 (KD3.299)¶ Ac kynde loue shal come ȝit · and Conscience togideres
W3.305 (KD3.300) And make of lawe a laborer · swich loue shal arise
W3.306 (KD3.301) And swich a pees among þe peple · and a parfit truþe
W3.307 (KD3.302) That Iewes shul wene in hire wit · and wexen wonder glade
W3.308 (KD3.303) That Moyses or Messie · be come in-to þis erþe
W3.309 (KD3.304) And haue wonder in hire hertes · þat men beþ so trewe

W3.310 (KD3.305)¶ Alle þat beren baselard · brood swerd or launce
W3.311 (KD3.306) Ax ouþer hachet · or any wepene ellis
W3.312 (KD3.307) Shal be demed to þe deeþ · but if he do it smyþye
W3.313 (KD3.308) In-to sikel or to siþe · to shaar or to kultour

W3.314 (KD3.308α)Conflabunt gladios suos in vomeres &c

W3.315 (KD3.309)¶ Ech man to pleye with a plow · Pykoise or spade
W3.316 (KD3.310) Spynne or sprede donge · or spille hym-self with sleuþe

W3.317 (KD3.311)¶ Preestes and persons · wiþ Placebo to hunte
W3.318 (KD3.312) And dyngen vp-on Dauid · eche day til eue
W3.319 (KD3.313) Huntynge or haukynge · if any of hem vse
W3.320 (KD3.314) His boost of his benefice · worþ bynomen hym after
W3.321 (KD3.315) Shal neiþer kyng ne knyght · Constable ne Meire
W3.322 (KD3.316) Ouerlede þe commune · ne to þe Court sompne
W3.323 (KD3.317) Ne putte hem in panel · to doon hem pliȝte hir truþe
W3.324 (KD3.318) But after þe dede þat is doon · oon doom shal rewarde

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W3.325 (KD3.319) Mercy or no mercy · as Truthe wole acorde           92(n)
W3.326 (KD3.320)¶ Kynges Court and commune Court · Consistorie and Chapitle
W3.327 (KD3.321) Al shal be but oon court · and oon baron be Iustice
W3.328 (KD3.322) Thanne worþ Trewe tonge a tidy man · þat tened me neuere
W3.329 (KD3.323) Batailles shul none be · ne no man bere wepene
W3.330 (KD3.324) And what smyth þat any smyþeþ · be smyte þerwiþ to deþe

W3.331 (KD3.324α)Non leuabit gens contra gentem gladium &c
W3.332 (KD3.325) And er þis fortune falle · fynde men shul þe worste
W3.333 (KD3.326) By sixe sonnes and a ship · and half a shef of Arwes
W3.334 (KD3.327) And þe myddel of a Moone · shal make þe Iewes to torne
W3.335 (KD3.328) And Sarzynes for þat siȝte · shul synge · Gloria in excelsis &c
W3.336 (KD3.329) For Makometh and Mede · myshappe shul þat tyme
W3.337 (KD3.330) For Melius est bonum nomen quam diuicie multe           93(n)

W3.338 (KD3.331)¶ Al-so wroþ as þe wynd · weex Mede in a while
W3.339 (KD3.332) I kan no latyn quod she · clerkes wite þe soþe
W3.340 (KD3.333) Se what Salomon seiþ · in Sapience bokes
W3.341 (KD3.334) That þei þat ȝyuen94(c) ȝiftes · þe victorie wynneþ
W3.342 (KD3.335) And moost worshipe hadde þer-wiþ · as holy writ telleþ

W3.343 (KD3.336)Honorem adquiret qui dat munera · &c

W3.344 (KD3.337)¶ I leue wel lady quod Conscience · þat þi latyn be trewe
W3.345 (KD3.338) Ac þow art lik a lady · þat radde a lesson ones
W3.346 (KD3.339) Was omnia probate · and þat plesed hire herte           95(n)
W3.347 (KD3.340) For þat lyne was no lenger · at þe leues ende
W3.348 (KD3.341) Hadde she loked þat ooþer half · and þe leef torned
W3.349 (KD3.342) She sholde haue founden fele wordes · folwynge þer-after
W3.350 (KD3.343)Quod bonum est tenete · truþe þat text made
W3.351 (KD3.344) And so ferde ye madame · ye kouþe namoore fynde
W3.352 (KD3.345) Tho ye loked on Sapience · sittynge in youre studie

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W3.353 (KD3.346)This text þat ye han told · were good for lordes
W3.354 (KD3.347) Ac yow failed a konnynge clerk · þat kouþe þe leef han torned
W3.355 (KD3.348) And if ye seche Sapience eft · fynde shul ye þat folweþ
W3.356 (KD3.349) A ful teneful text · to hem þat takeþ Mede
W3.357 (KD3.350) And þat is Animam autem aufert accipientium &c
W3.358 (KD3.351) And þat is þe tail of þe text · of þat þat she shewed
W3.359 (KD3.352) That þeiȝ we wynne worship · and with Mede haue victorie
W3.360 (KD3.353) The soule þat þe soude takeþ · by so muche is bounde

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