Piers Plowman Electronic Archive

Piers Plowman Electronic Archive

Cambridge MS B.15.17 (W)

Passus 2

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Passus secundus de visione vt supra

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

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

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

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

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

W2.19 What is þis womman quod I · so worþili atired

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

W2.68 Whan Symonye and Cyuylle · seighe hir boþer wille

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

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

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

W2.86 And þe Erldom of Enuye · and wraþe togideres
W2.87 Wiþ þe Chastilet of cheste · and chaterynge out of reson

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

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

W2.95 Glotonye he gaf hem ek · and grete oþes togidere

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

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

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

W2.115 In þe date of þe deuel · þis dede I ensele
W2.116 By siȝte of sire Symonie · and Cyuyles leeue

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

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

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

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

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

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

W2.151 Tho þis gold was ygyue · gret was þe þonkyng
W2.152 To Fals and to Fauel · for hire fire ȝiftes

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

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

W2.167 And Fals sat on a Sisour · þat softeli trotted
W2.168 And Fauel on a Flaterere · fetisly atired

W2.169 Tho hadde Notaries none · anoyed þei were
W2.170 For Symonye and Cyuylle · sholde on hire feet gange

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

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

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W2.180 Paulynes pryuees · for pleintes in Consistorie
W2.181 Shul seruen my-self · þat Cyuyle is nempned

W2.182 And Cartsadle þe Commissarie · oure cart shal he lede
W2.183 And fecchen vs vitailles · at Fornicatores

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

W2.186 And thus Fals and Fauel · fareþ forþ togideres
W2.187 And Mede in þe myddes · and alle þise men after

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

W2.229 And Mynstrales and Messagers · mette with hym ones
W2.230 And helden hym an halfyeer · and elleuene dayes

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

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

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