 |
[Headnote: SHE TELLS HIM OF HER BLISS.]
[Sidenote: The rose that he had lost is become a pearl of price. The pearl blames his rash speech.] Bot Iueler gente if {o}u schal lose y ioy for a ge{m}me at e wat[gh] lef, Me ynk e put i{n} a mad porpose, & busye[gh][9] e aboute a raysou{n} bref, 268 For at {o}u leste[gh] wat[gh] bot a rose, at flowred & fayled as kynde hyt gef; Now ur[gh] kynde of e kyste {a}t hyt con close, To a perle of prys hit is put i{n} pref; 272 & {o}u hat[gh] called y wyrde a ef, at o[gh]t of no[gh]t hat[gh] mad e cler; {o}u blame[gh] e bote of y meschef, {o}u art no kynde Iueler." 276
[Sidenote 9: Looks like husye[gh] in MS.]
[Sidenote: The father begs the maiden to excuse his speech, for he really thought his pearl was wholly lost to him.] A Iuel to me en wat[gh] ys geste, & iuele[gh] wern hyr ge{n}tyl sawe[gh], "I-wyse," q{uod} I, "my blysfol beste, My grete dystresse {o}u al to-drawe[gh], 280 To be excused I make requeste; I trawed my perle don out of dawe[gh], Now haf I fonde hyt I schal ma feste, & wony w{i}t{h} hyt i{n} schyr wod schawe[gh], 284 & loue my lorde & al his lawe[gh], at hat[gh] me bro[gh][t] ys blys ner; Now were I at yow by-[gh]onde ise wawe[gh], I were a ioyfol Iueler." 288
[Sidenote: [Fol. 43a.]] [Sidenote: The maiden tells her father that he has spoken three words without knowing the meaning of one. The first word. The second. The third.] "Iueler," sayde at ge{m}me clene, "Wy borde [gh]e men, so madde [gh]e be? re worde[gh] hat[gh] {o}u spoken at ene, Vn-avysed, for soe, wern alle re, 292 ou ne woste in worlde quat on dot[gh] mene, y worde byfore y wytte con fle. ou says {o}u trawe[gh] me i{n} is dene, By cawse {o}u may w{i}t{h} y[gh]en me se; 296 Ano{er} {o}u says, i{n} ys cou{n}tre y self schal won w{i}t{h} me ry[gh]t here; e rydde, to passe ys wat{er} fre, at may no ioyfol Iueler. 300
[Headnote: DEATH IS THE ROAD TO PARADISE.]
VI.
[Sidenote: He is little to be praised who loves what he sees. To love nothing but what one sees is great presumption.] I halde at iueler lyttel to prayse. at loue[gh] wel {a}t he se[gh] wyth y[gh]e, & much to blame & vn-cortoyse, at loue[gh][10] oure lorde wolde make a ly[gh]e, 304 at lelly hy[gh]te yo{ur} lyf to rayse, a[gh] fortune dyd yo{ur} flesch to dy[gh]e; [Gh]e setten hys worde[gh] ful westernays at loue[gh][11] no y{n}k bot [gh]e hit sy[gh]e, 308 & at is[12] a poy{n}t o sorquydry[gh]e, at vche god mon may euel byseme To leue no tale be t{ru}e to try[gh]e, Bot at hys one skyl may dem[e]. 312
[Sidenote 10: Looks at first sight like lyue[gh]—MS. rubbed, but read leue[gh].] [Sidenote 11: Read leue[gh].] [Sidenote 12: The MS. reads ɨs.]
[Sidenote: To live in this kingdom (i.e. heaven) leave must be asked. This stream must be passed over by death.] Deme now y-self, if {o}u con, dayly As man to god worde[gh] schulde heue. {o}u sayt[gh] {o}u schal won i{n} is bayly; Me ynk e burde fyrst aske leue, 316 & [gh]et of grau{n}t {o}u my[gh]te[gh] fayle; {o}u wylne[gh] ou{er} ys water to weue, Er moste {o}u ceuer to o{er} cou{n}sayl, y corse i{n} clot mot calder keue, 320 For hit wat[gh] for-garte, at paradys greue Oure [gh]ore fader hit con mysse[gh]eme; ur[gh] drwry deth bo[gh] vch ma dreue, Er ou{er} ys dam hy{m} dry[gh]ty{n} deme." 324
[Sidenote: [Fol. 43b.]] [Sidenote: The father asks his pearl whether she is about to doom him to sorrow again. If he loses his pearl he does not care what happens to him.] "Deme[gh] {o}u me," q{uod} I, "my swete To dol agayn, e{n}ne I dowyne; Now haf I fonte at I for-lete Schal I efte for-go hit er eu{er} I fyne? 328 Why schal I hit boe mysse & mete? My p{re}cios perle dot[gh] me gret pyne, What serue[gh] tresor, bot gare[gh] men grete When he hit schal efte w{i}t{h} tene[gh] tyne? 332 Now rech I neu{er} forto declyne, Ne how fer of folde at man me fleme, When I am partle[gh] of perle[gh] myne. Bot durande doel what may men deme?" 336
[Headnote: ALL MUST ABIDE GOD'S DOOM.]
[Sidenote: The maiden tells her father to suffer patiently. Though he may dance as any doe, yet he must abide God's doom.] "Thow deme[gh] no[gh]t bot doel dystresse," enne sayde at wy[gh]t "why dot[gh] {o}u so? For dyne of doel, of lure[gh] lesse, Ofte mony mon for-gos e mo; 340 e o[gh]te better y seluen blesse, & loue ay god &[13] wele & wo, For anger gayne[gh] e not a cresse. Who nede[gh] schal ole be not so ro; 344 For o[gh] {o}u dau{n}ce as any do Brau{n}dysch & bray y brae[gh] breme, When {o}u no fyrre may, to ne fro, {o}u moste abyde at he schal deme. 348
[Sidenote 13: in or an (?).]
[Sidenote: He must cease to strive. All lies in God's power to make men joyful or sad.] Deme dry[gh]tyn, euer hy{m} adyte, Of e way a fote ne wyl he wrye, y mende[gh] mou{n}te[gh] not a myte, a[gh] {o}u for sor[gh]e be neu{er} blye; 352 Sty{n}st of y strot & fyne to flyte, & sech hys blye ful swefte[14] & swye, y prayer may hys pyte byte, at mercy schal hyr crafte[gh] kye; 356 Hys comforte may y lango{ur} lye, & y lure[gh] of ly[gh]tly leme, For marre o{er} madde, morne & mye, Al lys i{n} hym to dy[gh]t & deme." 360
[Sidenote 14: MS. sweste.]
[Headnote: THE BEREAVED PARENT ASKS HIS CHILD'S PITY.]
VII.
[Sidenote: [Fol. 44a.]] [Sidenote: The father beseeches the pearl to have pity upon him.] Thenne demed I to at damyselle, Ne wore no wrath e vnto my lorde, If rapely raue[15] spornande i{n} spelle. My herte wat[gh] al w{i}t{h} mysse remorde, 364 As wallande water got[gh] out of welle; I do me ay i{n} hys myserecorde. Rebuke me neu{er} w{i}t{h} worde[gh] felle, a[gh] I forloyne my dere endorde, 368 Bot lye[gh] me kyndely yo{ur} cou{m}forde, Pytosly enkande vpon ysse; Of care & me [gh]e made acorde, at er wat[gh] grou{n}de of alle my blysse; 372
[Sidenote 15: rane (?).]
[Sidenote: He says that she has been both his bale and bliss. And when he lost her, he knew not what had become of her.] My blysse, my bale [gh]e han ben boe, Bot much e bygger [gh]et wat[gh] my mon, Fro {o}u wat[gh] wroken fro vch a woe. I wyste neu{er} quere my perle wat[gh] gon; 376 Now I hit se, now lee[gh] my loe, & quen we departed we wern at on, God forbede we be now wroe, We meten so selden by stok o{er} ston; 380 a[gh] cortaysly [gh]e carp con, I am bot mol & marere[gh] mysse, Bot crystes mersy & mary & Ion, ise arn e grou{n}de of alle my blysse. 384
[Sidenote: And now that he sees her in bliss, she takes little heed of his sorrow. He desires to know what life she leads.] In blysse I se e blyely blent & I a man al mornyf mate, [Gh]e take {er}-on ful lyttel tente, a[gh] I hente ofte harme[gh] hate. 388 Bot now I am here i{n} yo{ur} p{re}sente, I wolde bysech wythouten debate, [Gh]e wolde me say i{n} sobre asente, What lyf [gh]e lede, erly & late, 392 For I am ful fayn at yo{ur} astate Is woren to worschyp & wele I wysse, Of alle my Ioy e hy[gh]e gate Hit is i{n} grou{n}de of allemyblysse." 396
[Headnote: SHE DESCRIBES HER MODE OF LIFE.]
[Sidenote: [Fol. 44b.]] [Sidenote: The maiden tells him that he may walk and abide with her, now that he is humble. All are meek that dwell in the abode of bliss.] "Now blysse burne mot e bytyde;" en sayde at lufsou{m} of lyth & lere, "& welcu{m} here to walk & byde, For now y speche is to me dere; 400 Maysterful mod & hy[gh]e pryde I hete e arn heterly hated here; My lorde ne loue[gh] not forto chyde, For meke arn alle {a}t wone[gh] hy{m} nere, 404 & when i{n} hys place {o}u schal apere, Be dep deuote i{n} hol mekenesse; My lorde e lamb, loue[gh] ay such chere, at is e grou{n}de of alle my blysse. 408
[Sidenote: All lead a blissful life. She reminds her father that she was very young when she died. Now she is crowned a queen in heaven.] A blysful lyf {o}u says I lede, ou wolde[gh] knaw {er}-of e stage; ow wost wel when y perle con schede, I wat[gh] ful [gh]ong & tender of age, 412 Bot my lorde e lombe, ur[gh] hys god-hede, He toke my self to hys maryage, Corou{n}de me quene i{n} blysse to brede, I{n} lengh{e} of daye[gh] at eu{er} schal wage, 416 & sesed i{n} alle hys herytage Hys lef is, I am holy hysse; Hys prese, hys prys & hys parage, Is rote & grou{n}de of alle my blysse." 420
[Headnote: MARY IS THE EMPRESS OF HEAVEN.]
VIII.
[Sidenote: The father of the maiden does not fully understand her. Mary, he says, is the queen of heaven. No one is able to remove the crown from her.] "Blysful," q{uod} I, "may ys be trwe, Dysplese[gh] not if I speke erro{ur}; Art ou e quene of heuene[gh] blwe, {a}t al ys worlde schal do hono{ur}? 424 We leuen on marye at grace of grewe, at ber a barne of vyrgyn flo{ur}, e croune fro hyr quo mo[gh]t remwe, Bot ho hir passed i{n} su{m} fauo{ur}? 428 Now for synglerty o hyr douso{ur}, We calle hyr fenyx of arraby, at freles fle[gh]e of hyr fasor, Lyk to e quen of cortaysye." 432
[Sidenote: [Fol. 45a.]] [Sidenote: The maiden addresses the Virgin. She then explains to her father that each has his place in heaven.] "Cortayse quen" e{n}ne s[a]yde at gaye, Knelande to grou{n}de, folde vp hyr face, "Makele[gh] moder & myryest may, Blessed bygy{n}ner[16] of vch a grace!" 436 e{n}ne ros ho vp & con restay, & speke me towarde i{n} at space: "S{ir} fele here porchase[gh] & fonge[gh] pray Bot supplantore[gh] none w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne ys place; 440 at emp{er}ise al heue{n}[gh] hat[gh], & vre & helle i{n} her bayly; Of erytage [gh]et non wyl ho chace, For ho is quen of cortaysye. 444
[Sidenote 16: MS. reads bɏgyner.]
[Sidenote: The court of God has a property in its own being. Each one in it is a king or queen. The mother of Christ holds the chief place.] The co{ur}t of e kyndom of god alyue, Hat[gh] a p{ro}perty i{n} hyt self bey{n}g; Alle at may er-i{n}ne aryue Of alle e reme is quen o{er} ky{n}g, 448 & neu{er} o{er} [gh]et schal depryue, Bot vchon fayn of o{er}e[gh] hafy{n}g, & wolde her corou{n}e[gh] wern wore o fyue, If possyble were her mendy{n}g. 452 Bot my lady of quom Iesu con spry{n}g, Ho halde[gh] e empyre ou{er} v{us} ful hy[gh]e, & at dysplese[gh] non of oure gy{n}g, For ho is quene of cortaysye. 456
[Sidenote: We are all members of Christ's body. Look that each limb be perfect.] Of co{ur}taysye, as sayt[gh] say{n}t poule, Al arn we me{m}bre[gh] of ih{es}u kryst, As heued & arme & legg & naule, Temen to hys body ful trwe & t[r]yste; 460 Ry[gh]t so is vch a krysten sawle, A longande lym to e mayster of myste; e{n}ne loke what hate o{er} any gawle, Is tached o{er} ty[gh]ed y ly{m}me[gh] by-twyste, 464 y heued hat[gh] nauer greme ne gryste, On arme o{er} fynger, a[gh] {o}u ber by[gh]e; So fare we alle wyth luf & lyste, To ky{n}g & quene by cortaysye." 468
[Sidenote: [Fol. 45b.]] [Sidenote: The father replies that he cannot understand how his pearl can be a queen. He desires to know what greater honour she can have.] "Cortayse," q{uod} I, "I leue & charyte grete be yow amo{n}g, Bot my speche at yow ne greue, . . . . . 472 y self in heuen ou{er} hy[gh] {o}u heue, To make e quen at wat[gh] so [gh]onge, What more-hond mo[gh]te he acheue at hade endured i{n} worlde stronge, 476 & lyued i{n} penau{n}ce hys lyue[gh] longe, W{i}t{h} bodyly bale hy{m} blysse to byye? What more worschyp mo[gh]t ho fonge, en corou{n}de be ky{n}g by cortayse? 480
[Headnote: THE PARABLE OF THE LABOURERS IN THE VINEYARD.]
IX.
[Sidenote: She was only two years old when she died, and could do nothing to please God. She might be a countess or some great lady but not a queen.] That cortayse is to fre of dede, [Gh]yf hyt be soth at {o}u cone[gh] saye, {o}u lyfed not two [gh]er i{n} oure ede, {o}u cowe[gh] neu{er} god nau{er} plese ne pray, 484 Ne neu{er} nawer pater ne crede, & quen mad on e fyrst day! I may not traw, so god me spede, at god wolde wrye so wrange away; 488 Of cou{n}tes damysel, par ma fay, Wer fayr i{n} heuen to halde asstate A{er} elle[gh] a lady of lasse aray, Bot a quene, hit is to dere a date." 492
[Sidenote: The maiden informs her father that there is no limit to God's power. The parable of the labourers in the vineyard.] "er is no date of hys god-nesse," en sayde to me at wory wy[gh]te, "For al is trawe at he con dresse, & he may do no ynk bot ry[gh]t, 496 As mathew mele[gh] i{n} yo{ur} messe, I{n} sothfol gospel of god al-my[gh]t I{n} sample he can ful grayely gesse, & lykne[gh] hit to heuen ly[gh]te." 500 "My regne, he sayt[gh], is lyk on hy[gh]t, To a lorde at hade a uyne I wate, Of tyme of [gh]ere e terme wat[gh] ty[gh]t, To labor vyne wat[gh] dere e date, 504
[Sidenote: [Fol. 46a.]] [Sidenote: The lord of the vineyard hires workmen for a penny a day. At noon the lord hires other men standing idle in the market place.] at date of [gh]ere wel knawe ys hyne; e lorde ful erly vp he ros, To hyre werkmen to hys vyne, & fynde[gh] {er} su{m}me to hys porpos, 508 Into acorde ay con de-clyne, For a pen on a day & forth ay got[gh], Wryen & worchen & don gret pyne, Keruen & caggen & man hit clos; 512 Aboute vnder, e lorde to marked tot[gh] & ydel men stande he fynde[gh] er-ate, "Why stande [gh]e ydel" he sayde to os, Ne knawe [gh]e of is day no date? 516
[Sidenote: He commands them to go into his vineyard, and he will give them what is right.] "Er date of daye hider arn we won{n}e," So wat[gh] al samen her answar so[gh]t; "We haf standen her syn ros e su{n}ne, & no mo{n} bydde[gh] v{us} do, ry[gh]t no[gh]t." 520 "Gos i{n}-to my vyne, dot[gh] at [gh]e co{n}ne." So sayde e lorde & made hit to[gh]t. "What resonabele hyre be na[gh]t be ru{n}ne, I yow pray i{n} dede & o[gh]te." 524 ay wente i{n} to e vyne & wro[gh]te, & al day e lorde {us} [gh]ede his gate, & nw men to hys vyne he bro[gh]te; Wel ne[gh] wyl day wat[gh] passed date, 528
[Sidenote: At an hour before the sun went down the lord sees other men standing idle. Tells them to go into the vineyard.] At e day of date of euen-songe, On oure byfore e so{n}ne go dou{n} He se[gh] er ydel men ful stronge & sa[y]de to hem[17] w{i}t{h} sobre sou{n}; 532 "Wy stonde [gh]e ydel ise daye[gh] longe." ay sayden her hyre wat[gh] nawhere bou{n}. "Got[gh] to my vyne [gh]emen [gh]onge & wyrke[gh] & dot[gh] {a}t at [gh]e mou{n}." 536 Sone e worlde by-com wel brou{n}, e su{n}ne wat[gh] doun &[18] hit wex late; To take her hyre he mad su{m}ou{n}; e day wat[gh] al apassed date. 540
[Sidenote 17: MS. hen.] [Sidenote 18: MS. & &.]
[Headnote: THE PAYMENT OF THE LABOURERS.]
X.
[Sidenote: [Fol. 46b.]] [Sidenote: As soon as the sun was gone down the "reeve" was told to pay the workmen. To give each a penny. The first began to complain.] The date of e daye e lorde con knaw, Called to e reue "lede pay e meyny, Gyf hem e hyre at I hem owe, & fyrre, at non me may repreue, 544 Set hem alle vpon a rawe, & gyf vchon i{n}-lyche a peny. Bygyn at e laste at sta{n}de[gh] lowe, Tyl to e fyrste at {o}u atteny;" 548 & e{n}ne e fyrst by-go{n}netopleny & sayden at ay hade trauayled sore, ese bot an [h]oure hem con streny, V{us} y{n}k v{us} o[gh]e totake more. 552
[Sidenote: Having borne the heat of the day he thinks that he deserves more. The lord tells him that he agreed only to give him a penny.] More haf we serued v{us} y{n}k so, at suffred han e daye[gh] hete, e{n}n yse at wro[gh]t[e] not houre[gh] two, & {o}u dot[gh] hem v{us} to cou{n}terfete. 556 e{n}ne sayde e lorde to on of o, "Frende no wrang[19] I wyl e [gh]ete, Take at is yn owne & go; & I hyred e for a peny a grete, 560 Quy bygy{n}ne[gh] {o}u now to rete; Wat[gh] not a pen y couenau{n}t ore? Fyrre e{n} couenau{n}de is no[gh]ttoplete, Wy schalte ou e{n}ne ask more? 564
[Sidenote 19: MS. wanig.]
[Headnote: THE APPLICATION OF THE PARABLE.]
[Sidenote: The last shall be first, and the first last. The maiden applies the parable to herself.] More we{er} louyly is me my gyfte To do wyth myn quat so me lyke[gh]? O{er} elle[gh] yn y[gh]e to ly{er} islyfte, For I am goude & no{n} by-swyke[gh]." 568 "{us} schal I," q{uod} kryste, "hit skyfte, e laste schal be e fyrst at stryke[gh], & e fyrst e laste, be he neu{er}soswyft, For mony ben calle[d] a[gh] fewe be myke[gh]." 572 {us} pore men her part ay pyke[gh], a[gh] ay com late & lyttel wore, & a[gh] her sweng wyth lyttel at-slyke[gh], e merci of god is much e more. 576
[Sidenote: [Fol. 47a.]] [Sidenote: She came to the vine in eventide, and yet received more than others who had lived longer.] "More haf I of ioye & blysse here-i{n}ne, Of ladyschyp gret & lyue[gh] blom, en alle e wy[gh]e[gh] i{n} e worlde my[gh]t wy{n}ne By e way of ry[gh]t to aske dome. 580 Wheer wel nygh[t] now I con bygy{n}ne, In euentyde in-to e vyne I come, Fyrst of my hyre my lorde con my{n}ne, I wat[gh] payed anon of al & sum; 584 [Gh]et o{er} er werne {a}t toke more tom, at swange & swat for long [gh]ore, at [gh]et of hyre no ynk ay nom, Parau{n}t{er} no[gh]t schal to [gh]ere more." 588
[Sidenote: The father says that his daughter's tale is unreasonable.] Then more I meled & sayde apert, "Me ynk y tale vnresou{n}able, Godde[gh] ry[gh]t is redy & eu{er} more rert,[20] O{er} holy wryt is bot a fable; 592 I{n} sauter is sayd a verce ouerte at speke[gh] a poy{n}t determynable, '{o}u quyte[gh] vchon as hys desserte, {o}u hy[gh]e ky{n}g ay p{re}termynable,'[21] 596 Now he at stod e long day stable, & {o}u to payment com hym byfore, e{n}ne e lasse i{n} werke to take more able, & eu{er} e lenger e lasse e more." 600
[Sidenote 20: ert (?).] [Sidenote 21: MS. p{er}termynable.]
[Headnote: GOD IS NO NIGGARD.]
XI.
[Sidenote: In heaven, the maiden says, each man is paid alike. God is no niggard. The grace of God is sufficient for all.] "Of more & lasse in gode[gh] ryche," at gentyl sayde "lys no Ioparde, For er is vch mon payed inliche, Wheer lyttel o{er} much be hys rewarde, 604 For e gentyl cheuentayn is no chyche, Que{er}-so-eu{er} he dele nesch o{er} harde, He laue[gh] hys gyfte[gh][22] as wat{er} of dyche, O{er} gote[gh] of golf at neu{er} charde; 608 Hys frau{n}chyse is large {a}t eu{er} dard, To hy{m} at mat[gh] i{n} sy{n}ne no scogh{e}[23] No blysse bet[gh] fro hem reparde, For e grace of god is gret I-nogh{e}. 612
[Sidenote 22: MS. gyste[gh].] [Sidenote 23: In the MS. it looks like rescoghe.]
[Sidenote: [Fol. 47b.]] [Sidenote: Those who live long on the earth often forfeit heaven by sinning.] Bot now {o}u mote[gh] me for to mate at I my peny haf wrang tan here, {o}u say[gh] at I at com to late, Am not wory so gret lere. 616 Where wyste[gh] {o}u eu{er} any bourne abate Euer so holy i{n} hys prayere, at he ne forfeted by su{m}kyn gate, e mede su{m}-tyme of heuene[gh] clere; 620 & ay e ofter, e alder ay were, ay laften ry[gh]t & wro[gh]ten wogh{e} Mercy & g{ra}ce moste hem e{n} stere, For e g{ra}ce of god is gret i{n}-no[gh]e. 624
[Sidenote: Innocents are saved by baptism. Why should not God allow their labour.] Bot i{n}-nogh{e} of grace hat[gh] i{n}nocent, As sone as ay arn borne by lyne I{n} e water of babtem ay dyssente, {en} arne ay boro[gh]t i{n}-to e vyne, 628 Anon e day w{i}t{h} derk endente, e my[gh]t of deth dot[gh] to en-clyne at wro[gh]t neuer wrang er e{n}ne ay wente; e gentyle lorde e{n}ne paye[gh] hys hyne, 632 ay dyden hys heste, ay wern ere-ine, Why schulde he not her labo{ur} alow, [Gh]y[rd] & pay hem[24] at e fyrst fyne For e grace of god is gret i{n}-nogh{e}? 636
[Sidenote 24: MS. hym.]
[Headnote: PARADISE WAS LOST THROUGH AN APPLE.]
[Sidenote: Our first father lost heaven by eating an apple. And all are damned for the sin of Adam. But there came one who paid the penalty of our sins.] Ino[gh]e is knawen {a}t man-kyn grete, Fyrste wat[gh] wro[gh]t to blysse parfyt; Oure forme-fader hit con forfete, ur[gh] an apple at he vpon con byte; 640 Al wer we dampned for at mete, To dy[gh]e i{n} doel out of delyt, & syen wende to helle hete, {er}-i{n}ne to won w{i}t{h}-oute respyt; 644 Bot er on com a bote as-tyt. Ryche blod ran on rode so rogh{e}, & wy{n}ne [&] wat{er}, e{n} at at plyt e g{ra}ce of god wex gret i{n}-nogh{e}. 648
[Sidenote: [Fol. 48a.]] [Sidenote: The water that came from the pierced side of Christ was baptism.] Innogh{e} er wax out[25] of at welle, Blod & wat{er} of brode wou{n}de; e blod v{us} bo[gh]t fro bale of helle, & delyu{er}ed v{us} of e deth secou{n}de; 652 e water is baptem e soe to telle; at fol[gh]ed e glayue so gry{m}ly grou{n}de, at wasche[gh] away e gylte[gh] felle, at adam wyth i{n}ne deth v{us} drou{n}de. 656 Now is {er} no[gh]t i{n} e worlde rou{n}de Bytwene v{us} & blysse bot at he w{i}t{h}-dro[gh] & at is restored i{n} sely stou{n}de, & e grace of god is gret i{n}-nogh. 660
[Sidenote 25: MS. out out.]
XII.
[Sidenote: Repentance must be sought by prayer with sorrow and affliction. The guilty may be saved by contrition.] Grace i{n}-nogh e mon may haue, at sy{n}ne[gh] e{n}ne new, [gh]if hy{m} repente, Bot w{i}t{h} sor[gh] & syt he mot hit craue, & byde e payne er-to is bent, 664 Bot resou{n} of ry[gh]t at con not raue, Saue[gh] eu{er} more e i{n}nosse{n}t; Hit is a dom {a}t neu{er} god gaue, at eu{er} e gyltle[gh] schulde be schente. 668 e gyltyf may contryssyou{n} hente & be ur[gh] mercy to grace ry[gh]t; Bot he to gyle at neu{er} glente, At i{n}-oscente is saf & ry[gh]te. 672
[Headnote: INNOCENTS ARE SAVED BY RIGHT.]
[Sidenote: Two sorts of people are saved, the righteous and the innocent. The words of David. The innocent is saved by right.] Ry[gh]t {us}[26] I knaw wel i{n} is cas, Two men to saue is god by skylle; e ry[gh]t-wys man schal se hys face,[27] e harmle[gh] hael schal com hym tylle, 676 e saut{er} hyt sat[gh] {us} i{n} a pace: "Lorde quo schal klymbe y hy[gh] hylle[gh] O{er} rest w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne y holy place?" Hymself to on-sware he is not dylle; 680 "Hondely{n}ge[gh] harme at dyt not ille, at is of hert boe clene & ly[gh]t, er schal hys step stable stylle," e i{n}nosent is ay saf by ry[gh]t. 684
[Sidenote 26: MS. {us} {us}.] [Sidenote 27: MS. fate.]
[Sidenote: [Fol. 48b.]] [Sidenote: The words of Solomon.] The ry[gh]twys man also sertayn Aproche he schal {a}t proper pyle, at take[gh] not her lyf in vayne Ne glauere[gh] her nie[gh]bor wyth no gyle; 688 Of ys ry[gh]t-wys sa[gh][28] salamon playn, How kyntly oure con aquyle By waye[gh] ful stre[gh]t he con hym strayn, & scheued hy{m} e rengne of god a whyle, 692 As quo says "lo [gh]on louely yle, {o}u may hit wy{n}ne if {o}u be wy[gh]te," Bot hardyly w{i}t{h}-oute peryle, e i{n}nosent is ay saue by ry[gh]te! 696
[Sidenote 28: sat[gh] (?).]
[Sidenote: David says no man living is justified. Pray to be saved by innocence and not by right.] An-ende ry[gh]twys men, [gh]et sayt[gh] a gome Dauid in sauter, if eu{er} [gh]e se[gh] hit, "Lorde y seruau{n}t dra[gh] neuer to dome, For[29] non lyuyunde to e is Iustyfyet." 700 For-y to corte quen {o}u schal com, er alle oure cause[gh] schal be tryed, Alegge e ry[gh]t {o}u may be i{n}-nome, By ys ilke spech I haue asspyed; 704 Bot he on rode at blody dyed, Delfully ur[gh] honde[gh] ry[gh]t Gyue e to passe when {o}u arte tryed By in{n}ocens & not by ry[gh]te. 708
[Sidenote 29: MS. sor.]
[Headnote: CHRIST BLESSED LITTLE CHILDREN.]
[Sidenote: When Jesus was on earth, little children were brought unto him. The disciples rebuked the parents. Christ said, "Suffer little children to come unto me," etc.] Ry[gh]t-wysly quo con rede, He loke on bok & be awayed How Ih{esu}c hy{m} welke in are ede, & burne[gh] her barne[gh] vnto hy{m} brayde, 712 For happe & hele at fro hy{m} [gh]ede, To touch[30] her chylder ay fayr hym prayed. His dessypele[gh] w{i}t{h} blame let be hy{m} bede, & wyth her resou{n}e[gh] ful fele restayed; 716 Ih{esu}c e{n}ne hem swetely sayde, "Do way, let chylder vnto me ty[gh]t. To suche is heuen-ryche arayed," e i{n}nocent is ay saf by ry[gh]t. 720
[Sidenote 30: MS. touth.]
XIII.
[Sidenote: [Fol. 49a.]] [Sidenote: No one can win heaven except he be meek as a child.] Ih{esu}c con calle to hy{m} hys mylde & sayde hys ryche no wy[gh] my[gh]t wy{n}ne. Bot he com yder ry[gh]t as a chylde, O{er} elle[gh] neu{er} more com er-i{n}ne, 724 Harmle[gh], trwe & vnde-fylde, W{i}t{h}-outen mote o{er} mascle of sulpande sy{n}ne; Quen such er cnoken on e bylde, Tyt schal hem men e [gh]ate vnpy{n}ne, 728 er is e blys at con not bly{n}ne, at e Iueler so[gh]te ur[gh] perre pres & solde alle hys goud boe wolen & ly{n}ne, To bye hy{m} a perle [at] wat[gh] mascelle[gh]. 732
[Headnote: FORSAKE THE MAD WORLD.]
[Sidenote: The pearl of price is like the kingdom of heaven, pure and clean. Forsake the mad world and purchase the spotless pearl.] This makelle[gh] perle at bo[gh]t is dere, e Ioueler gef fore alle hys god, Is lyke e reme of heuenesse clere So sayde e fader of folde & flode, 736 For hit is we{m}le[gh], clene & clere, & endele[gh] rou{n}de & blye of mode, & co{m}mune to alle at ry[gh]twys[31] were, Lo! euen i{n} mydde[gh] my breste hit stode; 740 My lorde e lombe at schede hys blode, He py[gh]t hit ere i{n} token of pes; I rede e forsake e worlde wode, & porchace y perle maskelles." 744
[Sidenote 31: MS. ry[gh]tywys.]
[Sidenote: The father of the maiden desires to know who formed her figure and wrought her garments. Her beauty, he says, is not natural. Her colour passes the fleur-de-lis.] "O maskele[gh] perle i{n} perle[gh] pure at bere[gh]," q{uod} I, "e perle of prys, Quo formed e y fayre fygure? at wro[gh]t y wede, he wat[gh] ful wys; 748 y beaute com neu{er} of nature, Pymalyon paynted neu{er} y vys, Ne arystotel naw{er} by hys lettrure Of carpe e kynde ese p{ro}perte[gh]. 752 y colo{ur} passe[gh] e flo{ur}-de-lys, yn angel hauy{n}g so clene corte[gh] Breue me bry[gh]t, quat-kyn of p{r}iys[32] Bere[gh] e perle so maskelle[gh]." 756
[Sidenote 32: The MS. has triys.]
[Sidenote: [Fol. 49b.]] [Sidenote: The maiden explains to her father that she is a bride of Christ. She is without spot or blemish. Her weeds are washed in the blood of Christ.] "My makele[gh] lambe at al may bete," Q{uod} scho, "my dere destyn Me ches to hys make al-a[gh] vnmete, Su{m} tyme semed {a}t assembl 760 When I wente fro yor worlde wete. He calde me to hys bon{er}t, 'Cu{m} hyder to me my le{m}man swete, For mote ne spot is non i{n} e:' 764 He gef me my[gh]t & als bewt. I{n} hys blod he wesch my wede on dese, & coronde clene i{n} v{er}gynt, & py[gh]t me i{n} perle[gh] maskelle[gh]." 768
[Sidenote: The father asks the nature of the Lamb that has chosen his daughter, and why she is selected as a bride.] "Why maskelle[gh] bryd at bry[gh]t con flambe at reiate[gh] hat[gh] so ryche & ryf, Quat-kyn y{n}g may be at lambe, at e wolde wedde vnto hys vyf? 772 Ou{er} alle o{er} so hy[gh] {o}u clambe, To lede w{i}t{h} hy{m} so ladyly lyf So mony a cumly on v{n}der cambe, For kryst han lyued i{n} much stryf, 776 & {o}u con alle o dere out-dryf, & fro at maryag al o{er} depres, Al only yself so stout & styf, A makele[gh] may & maskelle[gh]." 780
[Headnote: THE LAMB AND HIS BRIDES.]
XIV.
[Sidenote: The Lamb has one hundred and forty thousand brides. St. John saw them on the hill of Sion in a dream, in the new city of Jerusalem.] "Maskelles," q{uod} at myry quene, "Vnblemyst I am wyth-outen blot, & at may I w{i}t{h} mensk me{n}teene; Bot makele[gh] quene e{n}ne sade I not, 784 e lambes vyue[gh] i{n} blysse we bene, A hondred & forty owsande flot As i{n} e apocalyppe[gh] hit is sene; Sant Ioh{a}n hem sy[gh] al i{n} a knot, 788 On e hyl of syon at semly clot. e apostel hem segh i{n} gostly drem Arayed to e weddy{n}g i{n} {a}t hyl coppe, e nwe cyte u I{e}r{usa}l{e}m. 792
[Sidenote: [Fol. 50a.]] [Sidenote: Isaiah speaks of Christ or the Lamb. He says that He was led as a lamb to the slaughter.] Of I{e}r{usa}l{e}m I in speche spelle. If {o}u wyl knaw what-kyn he be, My lombe, my lorde, my dere Iuelle, My ioy, my blys, my le{m}man fre, 796 e p{ro}fete ysaye of hy{m} con melle, Pitously of hys debonert at gloryo{us} gyltle[gh][33] {a}t mon con quelle, W{i}t{h}-outen any sake of felonye, 800 As a schep to e sla[gh]t {er} lad wat[gh] he & as lombe at clypper i{n} lande nem,[34] So closed he hys mouth fro vch query, Quen Iue[gh] hy{m} iugged i{n} Ih{erusal}em. 804
[Sidenote 33: MS. reads gystle[gh].] [Sidenote 34: MS. men.]
[Sidenote: In Jerusalem was Christ slain. With buffets was His face flayed. He endured all patiently as a lamb. For us He died in Jerusalem.] In I{e}r{usa}l{e}m wat[gh] my le{m}man slayn & rent on rode w{i}t{h} boye[gh] bolde; Al oure bale[gh] to bere ful bayn, He toke on hy{m} self oure care[gh] colde, 808 W{i}t{h} boffete[gh] wat[gh] hys face flayn, at wat[gh] so fayr on to byholde; For sy{n}ne he set hy{m} self i{n} vayn, at neu{er} hade non hym self to wolde, 812 For v{us} he lette hy{m} fly[gh]e & folde & brede vpon a bostwys bem, As meke as lomb[35] at no playnt tolde. For v{us} he swalt i{n} I{e}r{usa}l{e}m: 816
[Sidenote 35: The MS. reads lomp.]
[Headnote: THE LAMB WAS SLAIN IN JERUSALEM.]
[Sidenote: The declaration of St. John, "Behold the Lamb of God," etc. Who can reckon His generation, that died in Jerusalem?] I{e}r{usa}l{e}m, Iordan & galalye, er as baptysed e goude say{n}t Ion, His worde[gh] acorded to ysaye; When Ih{esu}c con to hy{m} warde gon 820 He sayde of hy{m} ys p{ro}fessye, "Lo gode[gh] lombe as trwe as ston, at dot[gh] away e sy{n}ne[gh] dry[gh]e!" at alle ys worlde hat[gh] wro[gh]t vpon, 824 Hy{m} self ne wro[gh]t neu{er} [gh]et non, Whe{er} on hym self he con al clem, Hys generacyou{n} quo recen con, at dy[gh]ed for v{us} i{n} I{e}r{usa}l{e}m? 828
[Sidenote: [Fol. 50b.]] [Sidenote: In the New Jerusalem St. John saw the Lamb sitting upon the throne.] In I{e}r{usa}l{e}m {us} my le{m}man swatte, Twye[gh], for lombe wat[gh] taken ere, By trw recorde of ay{er} p{ro}phete, For mode so meke & al hys fare, 832 e ryde tyme is {er}-to ful mete In apokalype[gh] wryten ful [gh]are. In myde[gh] e trone ere saynte[gh] sete, e apostel ioh{a}n hy{m} sayt[gh] as bare, 836 Lesande e boke with leue[gh] sware, ere seuen sy{n}gnette[gh] wern sette i{n}-seme & at {a}t sy[gh]t vche douth con dare, In helle, i{n} ere & I{e}r{usa}l{e}m. 840
XV.
[Sidenote: The Lamb is without blemish. Every spotless soul is a worthy bride for the Lamb. No strife or envy among the brides.] Thys I{e}r{usa}l{e}m lombe hade neu{er} pechche Of o{er} huee bot quyt Iolyf at mot ne masklle mo[gh]t on streche For wolle quyte so ronk & ryf, 844 For-y vche saule at hade neu{er} teche,[36] Is to at lombe a worthyly wyf; And a[gh] vch day a store he feche, Among v{us} co{m}me[gh] non o{er} strot ne stryf, 848 Bot vchon enle[37] we wolde were fyf, e mo e myryer so god me blesse. I{n} compayny gret our luf con ryf In hono{ur} more & neu{er} e lesse. 852
[Sidenote 36: MS. tethe.] [Sidenote 37: vch onlepi (?).]
[Sidenote: None can have less bliss than another. Our death leads us to bliss.] Lasse of blysse may non v{us} bry{n}g at beren ys perle vpon oure bereste, For ay of mote coue neu{er} my{n}ge, Of spotle[gh] perle[gh] a[y] beren e creste, 856 Al-a[gh] oure corses i{n} clotte[gh] cly{n}ge, & [gh]e remen for raue wyth-outen reste, We ur[gh]-outly hauen cnawy{n}g; Of [o]n dethe ful oure hope is drest, 860 e lonbe v{us} glade[gh], oure care is kest; He myre[gh] v{us} alle at vch a mes, Vchone[gh] blysse is breme & beste, & neu{er} one[gh] hono{ur} [gh]et neu{er} e les. 864
[Headnote: THE VISION OF SAINT JOHN.]
[Sidenote: [Fol. 51a.]] [Sidenote: What St. John saw upon the Mount of Sion. About the Lamb he saw one hundred and forty thousand maidens. He heard a voice from heaven, like many floods.] Lest les {o}u leue my tale[38] farande, I{n} appocalyppece is wryten i{n} wro I segh{e}, says Ioh{a}n, e lou{m}be hy{m} stande, On e mou{n}t of syon ful ryuen & ro, 868 & wyth hym mayde{n}ne[gh] an hu{n}dree owsande & fowre & forty owsande mo On alle her forhede[gh] wryten I fande, e lombe[gh] nome, hys fadere[gh] also. 872 A hue fro heuen I herde oo, Lyk flode[gh] fele laden, ru{n}ne{n} on resse, & as u{n}der rowe[gh] i{n} torre[gh] blo, at lote I leue wat[gh] neu{er} e les. 876
[Sidenote 38: MS. talle, but tale in the catchwords.]
[Sidenote: He heard the maiden sing a new song. So did the four beasts and the elders "so sad of cheer."] Naueles a[gh] hit schowted scharpe, & ledden loude al-a[gh] hit were. A note ful nwe I herde hem warpe, To lysten at wat[gh] ful lufly dere, 880 As harpore[gh] harpen in her harpe, at nwe songe ay so{n}gen ful cler. In sou{n}ande note[gh] a gentyl carpe, Ful fayre e mode[gh] ay fonge i{n} fere 884 Ry[gh]t byfore gode[gh] chayere, & e fowre beste[gh] at hy{m} obes, & e alder-men so sadde of chere, Her songe ay songen neu{er} e les; 888
[Sidenote: This assembly was like the Lamb, spotless and pure.] Nowe-lese non wat[gh] neu{er} so quoy{n}t, For alle e crafte[gh] at eu{er} ay knewe. at of at songe my[gh]t sy{n}ge a poy{n}t, Bot at meyny e lombe ay swe, 892 For ay arn bo[gh]t fro e vre aloynte. As newe fryt to god ful due & to e gentyl lombe hit arn amoy{n}t, As lyk to hym self of lote & hwe, 896 For neu{er} lesy{n}g ne tale vn-trwe, Ne towched her tonge for no dysstresse. at moteles meyny may neu{er} remwe, Fro at maskele[gh] mayster neu{er} e les." 900
[Sidenote: [Fol. 51b.]] [Sidenote: The father replies to the maiden. He says he is but dust and ashes. He wishes to ask one question,] "Neuer e les let be my onc," Q{uod} I, "my perle a[gh] I appose, I schulde not tempte y wyt so wlonc, To kryste[gh] chambre at art Ichose, 904 I am bot mokke & mul amo{n}g, & {o}u so ryche a reken rose, & byde[gh] here by ys blysful bonc er lyue[gh] lyste may neu{er} lose, 908 Now hynde at sympelnesse co{n}e[gh] enclose, I wolde e aske a y{n}ge expresse, & a[gh] I be bustwys as a blose Let my bone vayl neu{er} e lese. 912
[Headnote: THE ABODE OF CHRIST'S BRIDES.]
XVI.
[Sidenote: whether the brides have their abode in castle-walls or in manor. Jerusalem, he says, in Judea. But the dwelling of the brides should be perfect.] Neuer e lese cler I yow by-calle If [gh]e con se hyt be to done, As {o}u art gloryo{u}s w{i}t{h}-outen galle, W{i}t{h}-nay {o}u neu{er} my ruful bone. 916 Haf [gh]e no wone[gh] i{n} castel walle, Ne man{er} er [gh]e may mete & won? {o}u telle[gh] me of I{e}r{usa}l{e}m e ryche ryalle, er dauid dere wat[gh] dy[gh]t on trone, 920 Bot by yse holte[gh] hit con not hone Bot in Iudee hit is {a}t noble note; As [gh]e ar maskele[gh] vnder mone, Yo{ur} wone[gh] schulde by wyth-outen mote. 924
[Sidenote: For such "a comely pack" a great castle would be required.] ys motele[gh] meyny {o}u cone[gh] ofmele, Of ousande[gh] ry[gh]t so gret a route, A gret cete, for [gh]e arn fele, Yow by-hod haue w{i}t{h}-outen doute; 928 So cu{m}ly a pakke of Ioly Iuele, Wer euel don schulde ly[gh] {er}-oute; & by yse bonke[gh] er I con gele & I se no bygy{n}g nawhere aboute, 932 I trowe al-one [gh]e lenge & loute, To loke on e glory of ys g{ra}c[i]o{us} gote; If {o}u hat[gh] oer lygy{n}ge[gh] stoute, Now tech me to at myry mote. 936
[Sidenote: [Fol. 52a.]] [Sidenote: The city in Juda, answers the maiden, is where Christ suffered, and is the Old Jerusalem. The New Jerusalem is where the Lamb has assembled his brides.] "That mote {o}u mene[gh] in Iudy londe," at specyal spyce en to me spakk, "at is e cyte at e lombe con fonde To soffer i{n}ne sor for mane[gh] sake, 940 e olde I{e}r{usa}l{e}m tovnder-stonde, For ere e olde gulte wat[gh] don to slake, Bot e nwe at ly[gh]t of gode[gh] sonde, e apostel in apocalyppce i{n} theme con take. 944 e lombe[39] {er}, w{i}t{h}-outen spotte[gh] blake, Hat[gh] feryed yder hys fayre flote, & as hys flok is w{i}t{h}-outen flake, So is hys mote w{i}t{h}-outen moote. 948
[Sidenote 39: The MS. reads lompe.]
[Headnote: THE OLD AND NEW JERUSALEM.]
[Sidenote: Jerusalem means the city of God. In the Old city our peace was made at one. In the New city is eternal peace.] Of motes two to carpe clene & I{e}r{usa}l{e}m hy[gh]t boe naweles, at nys to yow no more to mene, Bot cete of god o{er} sy[gh]t of pes. 952 I{n} at on oure pes wat[gh] mad at ene, W{i}t{h} payne to suffer e lombe hit chese, In at o{er} is no[gh]t bot pes to glene, at ay schal laste w{i}t{h}-outen reles, 956 at is e bor[gh] at we to pres, Fro {a}t oure flesch[40] be layd torote; er glory & blysse schal eu{er} encres, To e meyny {a}t is w{i}t{h}-outen mote. 960
[Sidenote 40: MS. fresth.]
XVII.
[Sidenote: The father prays his daughter to bring him to the blissful bower. His daughter tells him that he shall see the outside, but not a foot may he put in the city.] "Motele[gh] may so meke & mylde," en sayde I to at lufly flor, "Bry{n}g me to at bygly bylde, & let me se y blysful bor." 964 at schene sayde, at god wyl schylde, "{o}u may not enter w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne hys tor, Bot of e lombe I haue e aquylde For a sy[gh]t er-of ur[gh] gret fauor. 968 Vt-wyth to se at clene cloystor, {o}u may, bot i{n}wyth not afote, To strech in e strete {o}u hat[gh] novygo{ur}, Bot {o}u wer clene w{i}t{h}-outen mote. 972
[Headnote: A DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW JERUSALEM.]
XVIII.
[Sidenote: [Fol. 52b.]] [Sidenote: The maiden then tells her father to go along the bank till he comes to a hill. He reaches the hill, and beholds the heavenly city.] If I is mote e schal vn-hyde, Bow vp to-warde ys borne[gh] heued, & I an-ende[gh] e on is syde Schal sve, tyl {o}u to a hil be veued, 976 e{n} wolde [I] no lenger byde, Bot lurked by lau{n}ce[gh] so lufly leued, Tyl on a hyl at I asspyed & blusched on e burgh{e}, as I forth dreued, 980 By-[gh]onde e brok fro me warde keued, at schyrrer en su{n}ne w{i}t{h} schafte[gh] schon; I{n} e apokalypce is e fasou{n} preued, As deuyse[gh] hit e apostel Iho. 984
[Sidenote: As St. John saw it, so he beheld it. The city was of burnished gold. Pitched upon gems, the foundation composed of twelve stones.] As Ioh{a}n e apostel hit sy[gh] w{i}t{h} sy[gh]t I sy[gh]e at cyty of gret renou{n}, I{e}r{usa}l{e}m so nwe &ryally dy[gh]t, As hit wat[gh] ly[gh]t fro e heuen adou{n}. 988 e bor[gh] wat[gh] al of brende golde bry[gh]t, As glemande glas burnist brou{n}, W{i}t{h} gentyl ge{m}me[gh] an-vnder py[gh]t; W{i}t{h} bantele[gh] twelue on basy{n}g boun, 992 e fou{n}demente[gh] twelue of riche tenou{n}; Vch tabelment wat[gh] a serlype[gh] ston, As derely deuyse[gh] is ilk tou{n}, I{n} apocalyppe[gh] e apostel Ioh{a}n. 996
[Sidenote: The names of the precious stones.] [Sidenote: i. Jasper. ii. Sapphire. iii. Chalcedony. iv. Emerald. v. Sardonyx. vi. Ruby.] As ise stone[gh] i{n} writ con ne{m}me I knew e name aft{er} his tale; Iasper hy[gh]t e fyrst ge{m}me, at I on e fyrst basse con wale, 1000 He glente grene i{n} e lowest he{m}me. Saffer helde e secou{n}de stale, e calsydoyne e{n}ne w{i}t{h}-outen we{m}me, I{n} e ryd table con purly pale; 1004 e emerade e fure so grene of scale; e sardonyse e fyfe ston; e sexte e rybe he con hit wale, I{n} e apocalyppce e apostel Ioh{a}n. 1008
[Sidenote: [Fol. 53a.]] [Sidenote: vii. Chrysolite. viii. Beryl. ix. Topaz. x. Chrysoprasus. xi. Jacinth. xii. Amethyst.] [Gh]et Ioyned Ioh{a}n e crysolyt, e seuene ge{m}me i{n} fundament; e a[gh]te e beryl cler & quyt e topasye twy{n}ne how e ne{n}te endent; 1012 e crysopase e tene is ty[gh]t; e Iacy{n}gh[41] e enleuene gent; e twelfe e gentyleste i{n} veh a plyt, e amatyst purpre w{i}t{h} ynde blente; 1016 e wal abof e bantels bent, Masporye as glas at glysnande schon, I knew hit by his deuysement, I{n} e apocalyppe[gh] e apostel I{o}h{a}n. 1020
[Sidenote 41: Iacynth (?).]
[Sidenote: The city was square. The wall was of jasper. Twelve thousand furlongs in length and breadth.] As Ioh{a}n deuysed [gh]et sa[gh] I are. ise twelue de-gres wern brode & stayre, e cyte stod abof ful sware, As longe as brode as hy[gh]e ful fayre; 1024 e strete[gh] of golde as glasse al bare, e wal of Iasper at glent as glayre; e wone[gh] w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne enurned ware Wyth alle ky{n}ne[gh] perre at mo[gh]t repayre, 1028 e{n}ne helde vch sware of is manayre, Twelue forlonge space er eu{er} hit fon, Of he[gh]t, of brede, of lene to cayre, For meten hit sy[gh] e apostel Ioh{a}n. 1032
[Headnote: NO SUN NOR MOON IN HEAVEN.]
XIX.
[Sidenote: Each "pane" had three gates. Each gate adorned with a pearl. Such light gleamed in all the streets, that there was no need of the sun or moon.] As Ioh{a}n hy{m} wryte[gh] [gh]et more I sy[gh]e Vch pane of at place had re [gh]ate[gh], So twelue i{n} po{ur}sent I con asspye e portale[gh] pyked of rych plate[gh] 1036 & vch [gh]ate of a margyrye, A parfyt perle at neu{er} fate[gh]; Vchon i{n} scrypture a name con plye, Of isr{ae}l barne[gh] folewande her date[gh], 1040 at is to say as her byr whate[gh]; e aldest ay fyrst {er}-on wat[gh] done. Such ly[gh]t er lemed i{n} alle e strate[gh] Hem nedde naw{er} su{n}ne ne mone. 1044
[Sidenote: [Fol. 53b.]] [Sidenote: God was the light of those in the city. The high throne might be seen, upon which the "high God" sat. A river ran out of the throne;] Of su{n}ne ne mone had ay no nede e self god wat[gh] her lompe[42] ly[gh]t, e lombe her lantyrne w{i}t{h}-outen drede, ur[gh] hy{m} blysned e bor[gh] al bry[gh]t. 1048 ur[gh] wo[gh]e & won my loky{n}g [gh]ede, For sotyle cler mo[gh]t[43] lette no ly[gh]t; e hy[gh]e trone er mo[gh]t [gh]e hede W{i}t{h} alle e apparaylmente vmbe-py[gh]te, 1052 As Ioh{a}n e appostel in terme[gh] ty[gh]te; e hy[gh]e gode[gh] self hit set vpone. A reu{er} of e trone er ran out-ry[gh]te Wat[gh] bry[gh]ter en boe e su{n}ne & mone. 1056
[Sidenote 42: MS. lombe.] [Sidenote 43: MS. no[gh]t.]
[Headnote: NO CHURCH IN HEAVEN.]
[Sidenote: it flowed through each street. No church was seen. God was the church; Christ the sacrifice. The gates were ever open.] Su{n}ne ne mone schon neu{er} so swete; A! at foysou{n} flode out of at flet, Swye hit swange ur[gh] vch a strete, W{i}t{h}-outen fyle o{er} galle o{er} glet. 1060 Kyrk er-i{n}ne wat[gh] non [gh]ete, Chapel ne temple at eu{er} wat[gh] set, e al-my[gh]ty wat[gh] her mynyster mete, e lombe e saker-fyse er to reget; 1064 e [gh]ates stoken wat[gh] neu{er} [gh]et, Bot eu{er} more vpen at vche a lone; er entre[gh] non to take reset, at bere[gh] any spot an-vnder[44] mone. 1068
[Sidenote: There is no night in the city. The planets, and the sun itself, are dim compared to the divine light. Trees there renew their fruit every month.] The mone may er-of acroche no my[gh]te To spotty, ho is of body to grym, & al-so {er} ne is neu{er} ny[gh]t. What schulde e mone er compas clym 1072 & to euen wyth at worly ly[gh]t[45], at schyne[gh] vpon e broke[gh] brym? e planete[gh] arn i{n} to pou{er} a ply[gh]t, & e self su{n}ne ful fer to dym. 1076 Aboute at wat{er} arn tres ful schym, at twelue fryte[gh] of lyf con bere ful sone; Twelue sye[gh] on [gh]er ay beren ful frym & re-nowle[gh] nwe i{n} vche a mone. 1080
[Sidenote: [Fol. 54a.]] [Sidenote: The beholder of this fair city stood still as a "dased quail."] An-vnder mone so gret m{er}wayle No fleschly hert ne my[gh]t endeure, As quen I blusched vpon at baly, So ferly {er}-of wat[gh] e falure. 1084 I stod as stylle as dased quayle, For ferly of at french[46] fygure, at felde I naw{er} reste ne t{ra}uayle, So wat[gh] I rauyste wyth gly{m}me pure; 1088 For I dar say, w{i}t{h} conciens sure, Hade bodyly burne abiden at bone, a[gh] alle clerke[gh] hy{m} hade i{n} cure, His lyf wer loste an-vnder mone. 1092
[Sidenote 44: MS. an-vnde[gh].] [Sidenote 45: Or sy[gh]t.] [Sidenote 46: fresch (?).]
[Headnote: A PROCESSION OF VIRGINS.]
XX.
[Sidenote: As the moon began to rise he was aware of a procession of virgins crowned with pearls, in white robes, with a pearl in their breast.] Ry[gh]t as e maynful mone con rys, Er e{n}ne e day-glem dryue al dou{n}, So sodanly on a wonder wyse, I wat[gh] war of a prosessyou{n}, 1096 is noble cite of ryche enpresse Wat[gh] sodanly ful w{i}t{h}-outen so{m}mou{n} Of such v{er}gyne[gh] i{n} e same gyse at wat[gh] my blysful an-vnder crou{n}, 1100 & coronde wern alle of e same fasou{n} Depaynt i{n} perle[gh] & wede[gh] qwyte, I{n} vchone[gh] breste wat[gh] bou{n}den bou{n}, e blysful perle w{i}t{h} gret[47] delyt. 1104
[Sidenote 47: MS. with outen.]
[Sidenote: As they went along they shone as glass. The Lamb went before them. There was no pressing.] W{i}t{h} gret delyt ay glod i{n} fere, On golden gate[gh] at glent as glasse; Hu{n}dreth owsande[gh] I wot er were, & alle in sute her liure[gh] wasse, 1108 Tor to knaw e gladdest chere. e lombe byfore con proudly passe, Wyth horne[gh] seuen of red golde[48] cler, As praysed perle[gh] his wede[gh] wasse; 1112 Towarde e throne ay trone a tras. a[gh] ay wern fele no pres i{n} plyt, Bot mylde as maydene[gh] seme at mas, So dro[gh] ay forth w{i}t{h} gret delyt. 1116
[Sidenote: [Fol. 54b.]] [Sidenote: The "alder men" fell groveling at the feet of the Lamb. All sang in praise of the Lamb.] Delyt {a}t hys come encroched, To much hit were of for to melle; ise alder men quen he aproched, Grouely{n}g to his fete ay felle; 1120 Legyou{n}es of au{n}gele[gh] togeder uoched, er kesten ensens of swete smelle, en glory & gle wat[gh] nwe abroched. Al songe to loue at gay Iuelle, 1124 e steuen mo[gh]t stryke ur[gh] e vre to helle, at e v{er}tues of heuen of Ioye endyte, To loue e lombe his meyny in melle, I-wysse I la[gh]t a gret delyt; 1128
[Sidenote 48: MS. glode.]
[Sidenote: The Lamb wore white weeds. A wide wound was seen near his breast.] Delit e lo{m}be forto deuise, W{i}t{h} much meruayle in mynde went. Best wat[gh] he, blyest & moste to pryse, at eu{er} I herde of speche spent, 1132 So worly whyt wern wede[gh] hys; His loke[gh] symple, hy{m} self so gent, Bot a wou{n}de ful wyde & weete con wyse An-ende hys hert ur[gh] hyde to-rente; 1136 Of his quyte syde his blod out-sprent, A-las! o[gh]t I, who did at spyt? Ani breste for bale a[gh]t haf for-brent, Er he er-to hade had delyt, 1140
[Sidenote: Joy was in his looks. The father perceives his little queen.] The lombe delyt non lyste to wene, a[gh] he were hurt & wou{n}de hade, I{n} his sembelau{n}t wat[gh] neu{er} sene, So wern his glente[gh] gloryo{us} glade. 1144 I loked amo{n}g his meyny schene, How ay wyth lyf wern laste & lade, e{n} sa[gh] I er my lyttel quene, at I wende had standen by me i{n} sclade; 1148 Lorde! much of mire wat[gh] at ho made, Amo{n}g her fere[gh] at wat[gh] so quyt! at sy[gh]t me gart to enk to wade, For luf longy{n}g i{n} gret delyt. 1152
[Headnote: HE WISHES TO CROSS THE STREAM.]
XXI.
[Sidenote: [Fol. 55a.]] [Sidenote: Great delight takes possession of his mind. He attempts to cross the stream. It was not pleasing to the Lord.] Delyt me drof i{n} y[gh]e & ere, My mane[gh] mynde to maddy{n}g malte; Quen I se[gh] my frely I wolde be ere, By[gh]onde e water, a[gh] ho were walte, 1156 I o[gh]t at no y{n}g my[gh]t me dere To fech me bur & take me halte; & to start in e strem schulde non me stere, To swy{m}me e remnau{n}t, a[gh] I er swalte, 1160 Bot of at mu{n}t I wat[gh] bi-talt; When I schulde start i{n} e strem astraye, Out of at caste I wat[gh] by-calt; Hit wat[gh] not at my prynce[gh] paye, 1164
[Headnote: THE FATHER OF THE MAIDEN AWAKES.]
[Sidenote: The dreamer awakes, and is in great sorrow.] Hit payed hym not at I so flonc, Ou{er} meruelo{us} mere[gh] so mad arayde, Of raas a[gh] I were rasch & ronk, [Gh]et rapely er-i{n}ne I wat[gh] restayed; 1168 For ry[gh]t as I sparred vn-to e bonc, at brathe out of my drem me brayde; en wakned I i{n} at erber wlonk, My hede vpon at hylle wat[gh] layde, 1172 er as my perle to grou{n}de strayd; I raxled & fel i{n} gret affray, & syky{n}g to my self I sayd: "Now al be to at prynce[gh] paye." 1176
[Sidenote: He addresses his pearl; laments his rash curiosity.] Me payed ful ille to be out-fleme, So sodenly of at fayre regiou{n}, Fro alle o sy[gh]te[gh] so quyke[gh] & queme. A longey{n}g heuy me strok i{n} swone, 1180 & rewfully e{n}ne I con to reme; "O perle," q{uod} I, "of rych renou{n}, So wat[gh] hit me dere {a}t {o}u con deme, I{n} ys v{er}ay avysyou{n}; 1184 If[49] hit be ueray & soth sermou{n}, at {o}u so styke[gh] i{n} garlande gay, So wel is me i{n} ys doel dou{n}gou{n}, at {o}u art to at prynse[gh] paye." 1188
[Sidenote 49: MS. inf.]
[Sidenote: [Fol. 55b.]] [Sidenote: Men desire more than they have any right to expect.] To at prynce[gh] paye hade I ay bente, & [gh]erned no more en wat[gh] me geuen, & halden me er in trwe entent, As e perle me prayed at wat[gh] so ryuen, 1192 As helde drawen to godde[gh] p{re}sent, To mo of his mysterys I hade ben dryuen. Bot ay wolde man of happe more hente en mo[gh]ten by ry[gh]t vpon hem clyuen; 1196 er-fore my ioye wat[gh] sone to-riuen, & I kaste of kythe[gh] at laste[gh] aye. Lorde! mad hit arn at agayn e stryuen, O{er} proferen e o[gh]t agayn y paye; 1200
[Headnote: GOD GIVE US GRACE TO SERVE HIM.]
[Sidenote: The good Christian knows how to make peace with God. God give us grace to be his servants!] To pay e p{r}ince o{er} sete sa[gh]te, Hit is ful ee to e god krystyin; For I haf fou{n}den hym boe day & na[gh]te, A god, a lorde, a frende ful fyin. 1204 Ou{er} is hyl[50] is lote I la[gh]te, For pyty of my perle enclyin, & syen to god I hit by-ta[gh]te, In kryste[gh] dere blessy{n}g & myn, 1208 at in e forme of bred & wyn, e preste v{us} schewe[gh] vch a daye; He gef v{us} to be his homly hyne, Ande precio{us} perle[gh] vnto his pay. Amen. Amen. 1212
[Sidenote 50: MS. hyi[i]l.] [[Second "i" appears to be printed without dot.]]
NOTES: The Pearl.
Page 1.
l. 2, to, very. 8 sengeley in synglure, ever in singleness (uniqueness). Now is Susan in sale sengeliche arayed. Pistel of Susan, Vernon MS., fol. 317. 11 dewyne, pine; for-dolked, for-wounded (severely hurt). 16 heuen my happe, increase my happiness. 17 rych my hert range, through my heart pierce. 20 stylle stounde, a secret sorrow. 23 O moul ou marre[gh] a myry mele, O mould (earth) thou spoilest a merry discourse.
P. 2.
l. 27 Blome[gh] blayke & blwe & rede, Flowers yellow, blue, and red. 49 spenned, wrung. 51, 52 A secret grief in my heart dinned (resounded), Though reason set myself at peace. 53 spenned, allured, enticed away. 54 Wyth fyrte skylle[gh] at faste fa[gh]t, With trembling doubts that fast fought (struggled).
P. 3.
l. 76 bolle[gh] = bole[gh], trunks of trees. 78 on vch a tynde, on each branch. 92 reken myre, pleasant, joyous mirth.
P. 4.
l. 99 e dere er-of, the value (preciousness) thereof. 101 in wely wyse, in joyful mood. 102 dere[gh], injuries, harms. 103 fyrre, farther. 105 rawe[gh] & rande[gh], borders and paths. 107 I wan to, I reached. Winne in O.E. was used much in the same way as we now employ the word get. 112 Wyth a rownande rourde raykande ary[gh]t, With a murmuring (whispering) sound flowing aright. 113 founce, bottom; stepe, bright. 114 glente, shone; gly[gh]t, glistened. 115 A[s] stremande sterne[gh], as glittering stars; stroe, stout, brave. 119 lo[gh]e, deep. 125 dry[gh]ly hale[gh], strongly (or deeply) flows. 126 bred ful = bred-ful = bretful (?), full to the brim.
P. 5.
l. 131 wayne[gh], grants. 132 hitte[gh], seeks. 138 gayn, opposite. 142 I hopede at mote merked wore, I supposed that building was devised. 149 stote & stare, stand (loiter) and gape. 150-1 To fynde a fore, faste con I fonde, Bot woe[gh] mo I-wysse er ware, To find a way fast did I go, But paths more indeed there were. 153 wonde, cease, abstain (from fear). 155 nwe note, a new matter. 163 blysnande whyt, glistening white. See 197.
P. 6.
l. 165 schere, purify, refine. 169 e more I frayste hyr fayre face. The more I examined her fair face. frayst (fraist) usually signifies to try, tempt. 170 fonte, tried, examined, found. 176 Such a burre my[gh]t make myn herte blunt, Such a blow might make mine heart faint. 179 at stonge myn hert ful stray atount, Should we not read—at stonge myn hert ful stray a stount (?), "full stray a stount" = a blow full stray. 187 chos, was following, was seeking. 188 Er I at steuen hir mo[gh]t stalle, Before I could place her within reach of discourse. 190 seme = semely, seemly.
P. 7.
l. 208 flurted, figured. Cf. flurt-silk, figured-silk. 210 Her here heke al hyr vmbe-gon, Her hair eke (also) all her about gone. 212 Her ble more bla[gh]t, her complexion whiter. 213 schorne golde schyr, refined gold pure. 216 porfyl, hem of a dress, or rather an embroidered hem. 217 poyned, ornamented, trimmed. 223-4 A manne[gh] dom my[gh]t dry[gh]ly demme, Er mynde mo[gh]t malte in hit mesure, A man's judgment might greatly dim, Before (his) mind could discourse of it in sufficient terms of praise. 226 No = ne (nor) would be a better reading. 230 wyer half, opposite side.
P. 8.
l. 243 myn one, myself. 244 layned, kept secret, hidden. 251 Fro, from the time that. towen & twayned, made two and separated.
P. 9.
l. 272 is put in pref, has been proved. 275 bote of y meschef, the remedy of thy misfortune (misery). 290 Wy borde [gh]e men so madde [gh]e be? Why should you talk, so foolish you are?
P. 10.
l. 307 westernays, wrongly, in vain? It may be another form of westernways, from the A.Sax. wste, barren, empty; wstern, a desert place. Or is it connected with A.Sax. winstre, the left hand? 320 y corse in clot mot colder keue, Thy body in earth (clods) must colder plunge. 321 for-garte forfeited. 322 [gh]ore fader for form-fader, first-father. 323 drwry = drery, dreary (?). bo[gh] (= bos = bus ?) vch ma (man ?) dreue, behoves each man to drive (go). See B. l.687. 327-8 Now haf I fonte at I for-lete Schal I efte forgo hit er euer I fyne? Now I have found what I have lost. Shall I again forego it ere ever I die?
P. 11.
l. 336 durande doel, lasting grief. 343 For anger gayne[gh] e not a cresse, For anger avails the not a cress, (i.e. not a mite). Cf. the following passage from "Piers Ploughman," p.174, l.5629: "Wisdom and wit now Is noght worth a kerse." 353 Stynst (stynt?) of y strot & fyne to flyte, Leave off thy complaining and cease to chide. 354 blye is here used as a substantive in the sense of bliss, joy. swefte = swift. 356 hyr crafte[gh] kye, manifest her powers. 359-60 For marre oer madde, morne & mye, Al lys in him to dy[gh]t & deme. For to ruin, or make foolish, grieve or to soothe, All lies in him to order and doom. 363 If rapely raue, etc. = If rapely I raue, etc. (?) 368 Though I go astray, my dear, adored one.
P. 12.
l. 369 lye[gh], grant. 374 Bot much e bygger [gh]et wat[gh] my mon, Fro ou wat[gh] wroken fro vch a woe. But much the greater yet was my moan (sorrow), From (the time) thou wast banished from every path. 377 now lee[gh] my loe, now my sorrow ceases (is softened). 382 marere[gh] = mare[gh] (?). 386 mate, dejected. 402 I hete e, I promise the.
P. 14.
l. 446 in hyt self beyng, in its very being. 455 gyng, company. 460 Temen, are united, joined. tryste, trusty, faithful, firm.
P. 16.
l. 511 wryen, toil, literally to turn, twist. 512 keruen, dig. caggen, draw. man = maken, make. Cf. ma = make, ta = take, tan = taken. 522 to[gh]t, binding, firm. 524 pray (so in MS.), read pay. 536 at [gh]e moun, that ye are able.
P. 17.
l. 560 a grete, in the gross, a head. 563 plete, plead, ask for. 572 be = he (?).
P. 18.
l. 575 a[gh] her sweng wyth lyttel at-slyke[gh], Though their labour (blow) with little falls off (fails to accomplish much). 605 chyche, niggard. 608 gote[gh], streams; charde, past tense of charre, to turn, deviate.
P. 19.
l. 617 bourne abate = burne abade, man continued. 626 by lyne, by lineage descent.
P. 20.
l. 645 Bot er on com a bote as-tyt, But there came one as a remedy at once. 659 in sely stounde, in a happy moment. 671 glente, fell, slided.
P. 21.
l. 680 dylle, slow, sluggish. 681 dyt = dyde, did (?), or dot[gh], does (?). 690 oure, prayer.
P. 22.
l. 726 sulpande synne, defiling, polluting, sin. 727 bylde, building. 735 reme, realm.
P. 23.
l. 752 Of carpe, discourse of. 754 hauyng, condition, behaviour. 757 bete, save, ransom. 759 make, wife. 775 vnder cambe = under-cam, came under, took an inferior position (?).
P. 24.
l. 802 & as a lombe at clypper in lande nem, And as a lamb that a shearer has taken, etc. 813-4 For us he let himself be scourged and buffetted, and stretched upon a rough tree (i.e. nailed to the cross).
P. 25.
l. 836 as bare, (?) al bare, openly. See 1025. 837 Lesande e boke with leue[gh] sware, Opening the book with leaves square. 839 & at at sy[gh]t vche douth con dare, And at that sight each doughty (one) did tremble (with fear). 849 enle = eneli = onely or onlepi (?) = singly, alone.
P. 26.
l. 865 talle farande = tale farande, pleasing story. 873 hue, cry, voice. 876 lote, sound.
P. 27.
l. 896 lote, features. 909 hynde = hende, gentle, courteous (one). 911 bustwys as a blose, boisterous (wild) as a blaze (flame). 916 With nay ou neuer my ruful bone, Do thou never refuse my mournful request.
P. 28.
l. 948 So is hys mote with-outen moote, So is his building without mote (blemish).
P. 29.
ll. 975-6 & I an-ende[gh] e on his syde Schal sve, tyl ou to a hil be veued, And I opposite thee on this side Shall go, till thou to a hill be passed. 980-81 & blusched on e burghe, as I forth dreued, By[gh]onde e brok fro me warde keued, And looked on the city, as I forth drove (urged), Beyond the brook that cut me off from (the object of my desire).
P. 30.
l. 1018 Masporye = was pure (?). 1022 brode & stayre, broad and steep (high). 1026 at glent as glayre, that shone as amber.
P. 31.
l. 1030 fon, ceased, the preterite of fine. 1038 fate[gh] = fade[gh], fades. 1041 whate[gh] = wat[gh], was.
P. 32.
ll. 1065-66 e [gh]ates stoken wat[gh] neuer [gh]et, Bot euer more vpen at vche a lone. The gates shut were never yet, But ever more open at every lane. 1073 to euen with, to equal with, to match with. 1084 falure = fasure, form (?).
P. 33.
l. 1124 to loue, to praise. 1127 in melle = in-melle = i-melle, among. Cf. in-lyche and i-lyche, etc.
P. 34.
l. 1141 e lombe delyt non lyste to wene, The lamb's delight none desired to doubt. 1146 laste and lade, followed and preceded (?). 1161 Bot of at munt I wat[gh] bi-talt, But from that purpose I was aroused (shaken). 1163 bi-calt = bi-called (?), called away.
P. 35.
l. 1165 flonc = flong (?), flung. 1193 helde, willingly (inclined).
Errata (noted by transcriber)
Minor spelling variations— such as added or missing final "e"— between the main text and endnotes were left as printed.
[61 Sidenote] ... where the rocks and cliffs ... [Where] [278] & iuele[gh] wern hyr ge{n}tyl sawe[gh], [sawe[gh]"] [373 Sidenote] ... his bale and bliss. [bliss,] [775] So mony a cumly on v{n}der cambe, [vu{n}der] [_spelling changed to agree with Note_] [993 Sidenote] the foundation composed of twelve stones. [The] [1059 Sidenote] it flowed through each street. [It] [1205] Ou{er} is hyl[50] is lote I la[gh]te, [Sidenote 50] MS. _hyiil_. [_1864 edition had "hyiil" in the body text, with note "_hye-hil_ or _hyul_?"]
ORPHANED QUOTATION MARKS [396] Hit is i{n} grou{n}de of allemyblysse." [501] "My regne, he sayt[gh], is lyk on hy[gh]t, [602] at gentyl sayde "lys no Ioparde, [744] & porchace y perle maskelles." [902] Q{uod} I, "my perle a[gh] I appose, [939] "at is e cyte at e lombe con fonde [966] "{o}u may not enter w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne hys tor,
NOTES 78 _on vch a tynde_, on each branch. [vcha] 213 _schorne golde schyr_, refined gold pure. [_, missing_] 223-4 _A manne[gh] dom my[gh]t dry[gh]ly demme, [_. for ,_] 343 For anger avails the not a cress [_modern text unchanged: error for "thee"?_] Cf. the following passage from "Piers Ploughman," [Piers'] 536 [535] 865 [864] 1026 [1025]
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CLEANNESS.
[Headnotes: THE PARABLE OF THE MARRIAGE FEAST. THOSE INVITED TO THE FEAST REFUSE TO COME. THE HALT AND THE BLIND ARE INVITED. THE MAN WITHOUT A WEDDING GARMENT. GOD IS DISPLEASED WITH THE WICKED. THE FALL OF THE ANGELS. THE WICKEDNESS OF THE ANTEDILUVIAN WORLD. GOD DETERMINES TO DESTROY ALL FLESH. NOAH IS COMMANDED TO BUILD AN ARK. THE RAIN DESCENDS. ALL ROT IN THE MUD. THE ARK RESTS ON MOUNT ARARAT. NOAH SENDS FORTH A DOVE. NOAH LEAVES THE ARK. THE BEASTS ARE DISPERSED. GOD'S HATRED OF WICKEDNESS. ABRAHAM RECEIVES THREE GUESTS, AND ENTERTAINS THEM. GOD DISCLOSES HIS PURPOSE TO ABRAHAM. THE FILTHINESS OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH. ABRAHAM PLEADS FOR THE CITIES. MESSENGERS ARE SENT TO LOT. LOT ENTERTAINS THE MESSENGERS. LOT'S HOUSE IS BESET. THE MEN OF SODOM SMITTEN WITH BLINDNESS. LOT IS SENT OUT OF THE CITY. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CITIES. LOT'S WIFE BECOMES A STIFF STONE. THE DEAD SEA COVERS THE FIVE CITIES. IT IS A TOKEN OF WICKEDNESS AND VENGEANCE. CHRIST WAS EVER PURE. PENANCE MAKES MAN PURE AS A PEARL. GOD PUNISHES IMPURITY. NEBUCHADNEZZAR BESIEGES JERUSALEM. THE KING OF JUDAH IS MADE PRISONER. NEBUZARDAN PILLAGES THE TEMPLE. NEBUCHADNEZZAR IS PLEASED WITH THE SPOIL. HE PRIZES GREATLY THE SACRED JEWELRY. BELSHAZZAR PROCLAIMS A FEAST, TO WHICH KINGS AND EMPERORS ARE INVITED. BELSHAZZAR BRINGS OUT THE SACRED VESSELS TO DECK THE FESTIVE HALL. THE SACRED VESSELS ARE DEFILED. THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL. THE KING CONSULTS HIS DIVINERS. DANIEL IS SENT FOR. DANIEL DESCRIBES HOW NEBUCHADNEZZAR WAS PUNISHED FOR HIS PRIDE. THE INTERPRETATION OF THE HANDWRITING. DARIUS LAYS SIEGE TO BABYLON. BELSHAZZAR IS BEATEN TO DEATH.]
I.
[Sidenote: [Fol. 57a.]] [Sidenote: Cleanness discloses fair forms.] Cla{n}nesse who-so kyndly cowe co{m}ende, & rekken vp alle e resou{n}[gh] {a}t ho by ri[gh]t aske[gh], Fayre forme[gh] my[gh]t he fy{n}de i{n} foreri{n}g his speche, & in e co{n}trar, kark & co{m}brau{n}ce huge; 4 [Sidenote: God is angry with the unclean worshipper, and with false priests.] For wonder wroth is e wy[gh] {a}t wro[gh]t alle i{n}g{es}, Wyth e freke at i{n} fyle fol[gh]es hy{m} aft{er}, As renke[gh] of relygiou{n} at reden & sy{n}gen, & aprochen to hys presens, & preste[gh] arn called; 8 Thay teen vnto his te{m}mple & teme{n} to hy{m} seluen, Reken w{i}t{h} reu{er}ence ay r[ec]hen his auter, ay hondel er his aune body & vsen hit boe. [Sidenote: The pure worshipper receives great reward.] If ay in cla{n}nes be clos ay cleche gret mede, 12 Bot if ay conterfete crafte, & cortaysye wont, [Sidenote: The impure will bring upon them the anger of God, Who is pure and holy.] As be honest vtwyth, & i{n}-with alle fyle[gh], en ar ay synful hemself & sulped altogeder, Boe god & his gere, & hy{m} to greme cachen. 16 He is so clene in his co{ur}te, e ky{n}g {a}t al welde[gh], & honeste in his ho{us}-holde & hagherlych serued, With angele[gh] eno{ur}led in alle at is clene, [Sidenote: It would be a marvel if God did not hate evil.] Boe w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne & w{i}t{h}-outen, i{n} wede[gh] ful bry[gh]t. 20 Nif he nere scoym{us} & skyg & non scae louied, Hit were a meruayl to much, hit mo[gh]t not falle; [Sidenote: Christ showed us that himself.] Kryst kydde hit hym self i{n} a carp one[gh], er as he heuened a[gh]t happe[gh] & hy[gh]t hem her mede[gh]; 24 [Sidenote: St. Matthew records the discourse.] Me myne[gh] on one amo{n}ge o{er}, as maew recorde[gh], at {us} of clannesse vn-close[gh] a ful cler speche. [Sidenote: The clean of heart shall look on our Lord.] e hael clene of his hert hapene[gh] ful fayre, For he schal loke on oure lorde w{i}t{h} a bone chere, 28 As so sayt[gh], to at sy[gh]t seche schal he neu{er}, at any vncla{n}nesse hat[gh] on, anwhere[1] abowte: For he {a}t flem{us} vch fyle fer fro his hert, May not byde at burne[2] at hit his body ne[gh]en; 32 For-y hy[gh] not to heuen i{n} hatere[gh] to-torne, Ne i{n} e harlote[gh] hod & hande[gh] vnwaschen; [Sidenote: What earthly noble, when seated at table above dukes, would like to see a lad badly attired approach the table with "rent cockers," his coat torn and his toes out?] For what vrly hael at hy[gh] hono{ur} halde[gh] Wolde lyke, if a ladde com ly{er}ly attyred, 36 [Sidenote: [Fol. 57b.]] When he were sette solempnely i{n} a sete ryche, Abof dukes on dece, w{i}t{h} dayntys serued, en e harlot w{i}t{h} haste helded to e table W{i}t{h} rent cokre[gh] at e kne & his clutte trasches, 40 & his tabarde to-torne & his tote[gh] oute; [Sidenote: For any one of these he would be turned out with a "big buffet," and be forbidden to re-enter, and thus be ruined through his vile clothes.] O{er} ani on of alle yse he schulde be halden vtt{er}, With mony blame ful bygge, a boffet, p{er}au{n}t{er}, Hurled to e halle dore & harde {er}-oute schowued, 44 & be forboden at bor[gh]e to bowe ider neu{er}, On payne of enprysonment & putty{n}g i{n} stokke[gh]; & {us} schal he be schent for his schrowde feble, a[gh] neu{er} i{n} talle ne in tuch he trespas more. 48
[Headnote: THE PARABLE OF THE MARRIAGE FEAST.]
[Sidenote: The parable of the "Marriage of the King's Son."] & if vnwelcu{m} he were to a worlych prynce [Gh]et hy{m} is e hy[gh]e ky{n}g harder i{n} her euen, As maew mele[gh] in his masse of at man ryche, at made e mukel mangerye to marie his here dere, 52 & sende his sonde en to say at ay samne schulde, & in comly quoyntis to com to his feste; [Sidenote: The king's invitation.] "For my boles & my bore[gh] arn bayted & slayne, & my fedde foule[gh] fatted w{i}t{h} scla[gh]t, 56 My polyle at is pe{n}ne-fed & partrykes boe, Wyth schelde[gh] of wylde swyn, swane[gh] & crone[gh]; Al is roeled & rosted ry[gh]t to e sete, Come[gh] cof to my corte, er hit colde wore." 60
[Headnote: THOSE INVITED TO THE FEAST REFUSE TO COME.]
[Sidenote: Those invited begin to make excuses.] When ay knewen his cal {a}t ider com schulde, Alle ex-cused hem by e skyly he scape by mo[gh]t: [Sidenote: One had bought an estate and must go to see it.] On hade bo[gh]t hym a bor[gh] he sayde by hys t{ra}we, Now t[ur]ne I eder als tyd, e tou{n} to by-holde; 64 [Sidenote: Another had purchased some oxen and wished to see them "pull in the plough."] An o{er} nayed also & nurned is cawse: I haf [gh]erned & [gh]at [gh]okke[gh] of oxen, & for my hy[gh]e[gh] hem bo[gh]t, to bowe haf I mest{er}, To see hem pulle in e plow aproche me byhoue[gh]; 68 [A third had married a wife and could not come.] & I haf wedded a wyf, sower[3] hy{m} e ryd, Excuse me at e co{ur}t, I may not com ere; {us} ay dro[gh] hem adre[gh] w{i}t{h} dau{n}g{er} vchone, at non passed to e place[4] a[gh] he prayed were. 72 [Sidenote: [Fol. 58a.]] [Sidenote: The Lord was greatly displeased, and commanded his servants to invite the wayfaring, both men and women, the better and the worse, that his palace might be full.] The{n}ne e ludych lorde lyked ful ille & hade dedayn of at dede, ful dry[gh]ly he carpe[gh]: He sayt[gh] "now for her owne sor[gh]e ay for-saken habbe[gh], More to wyte is her wrange, en any wylle gentyl; 76 e{n}ne got[gh] forth my gome[gh] to e grete streete[gh], & forsette[gh] on vche a syde e cete aboute; e wayferande freke[gh], on fote & on hors, Boe burne[gh] & burde[gh], e bett{er} & e wers, 80 Lae[gh] hem alle luflyly to lenge at my fest, & bry{n}ge[gh] hem blyly to bor[gh]e as barou{n}e[gh] ay were, So at my palays plat-ful be py[gh]t al aboute, ise o{er} wreche[gh] I-wysse wory no[gh]t wern." 84 [Sidenote: The servants brought in bachelors and squires.] e{n} ay cayred & com at e cost waked, Bro[gh]ten bachlere[gh] hem wyth at ay by bonke[gh] metten, Swyere[gh] at swyftly swyed on blonke[gh], & also fele vpon fote, of fre & of bonde. 88 [Sidenote: When they came to the court they were well entertained.] When ay com to e co{ur}te keppte wern ay fayre, Sty[gh]tled w{i}t{h} e stewarde, stad i{n} e halle, Ful man{er}ly w{i}t{h} marchal mad forto sitte, As he wat[gh] dere of de-gre dressed his seete. 92 [Sidenote: The servants tell their lord that they have done his behest, and there is still room for more guests.] e{n}ne segge[gh] to e souerayn sayden er-aft{er}, "Lo! lorde w{i}t{h} yo{ur} leue at yo{ur} lege heste, & at i ba{n}ne we haf bro[gh]t, as {o}u beden habbe[gh], Mony renischche renke[gh] & [gh]et is rou{m} more." 96
[Headnote: THE HALT AND THE BLIND ARE INVITED.]
[Sidenote: The Lord commands them to go out into the fields, and bring in the halt, blind, and "one-eyed."] Sayde e lorde to o lede[gh], "layte[gh] [gh]et ferre, Ferre out i{n} e felde, & feche[gh] mo geste[gh], Wayte[gh] gorste[gh] & greue[gh], if ani gome[gh] lygge[gh], What-kyn folk so er fare, feche[gh] hem hider, 100 Be ay fers, be ay feble for-lote[gh][5] none, Be ay hol, be ay halt, be ay ony[gh]ed, & a[gh] ay ben boe blynde & balt{er}ande cruppele[gh], [Sidenote: For those who denied shall not taste "one sup" to save them from death.] at my ho{us} may holly by halkes by fylled; 104 For certe[gh] yse ilk renke[gh] at me renayed habbe & de-nou{n}ced me, no[gh]t now at is tyme, Schul neu{er} sitte in my sale my sop{er} to fele, Ne suppe on sope of my seve, a[gh][6] ay swelt schulde." 108 [Sidenote: [Fol. 58b.]] [Sidenote: The palace soon became full of "people of all plights."] The{n}ne e sergau{n}te[gh], at at sawe, swengen {er}-oute, & diden e dede at [is] demed, as he deuised hade, & w{i}t{h} peple of alle plyte[gh] e palays ay fyllen; [Sidenote: They were not all one wife's sons, nor had they all one father.] Hit weren not alle on wyue[gh] su{n}e[gh], wonen w{i}t{h} on fader;112 Whe{er} ay wern wory, o{er} wers, wel wern ay stowed, [Sidenote: The "brightest attired" had the best place.] Ay e best byfore & bry[gh]test atyred, e derrest at e hy[gh]e dese at dubbed wer fayrest; [Sidenote: Below sat those with "poor weeds."] & syen on lene biloogh{e} lede[gh] inogh, 116 & ay a segge soerly[7] semed by her wede[gh]; So with marschal at her mete mensked ay were, Clene men i{n} compaynye for-knowen wern lyte, [Sidenote: All are well entertained "with meat and minstrelsy."] & [gh]et e symplest in {a}t sale wat[gh] serued to e fulle, 120 Boe with menske, & w{i}t{h} mete & mynstrasy noble, & alle e layke[gh] at a lorde a[gh]t i{n} londe schewe. [Sidenote: Each with his "mate" made him at ease.] & ay bigo{n}ne to be glad at god dri{n}k haden, & vch mon w{i}t{h} his mach made hy{m} at ese. 124
[Sidenote 1: aywhere (?).] [Sidenote 2: Looks like burre in MS.] [Sidenote 3: swer (?).] [Sidenote 4: MS. plate.] [Sidenote 5: forlete[gh] (?).] [Sidenote 6: MS. a[gh] a[gh].] [Sidenote 7: soberly (?).]
[Headnote: THE MAN WITHOUT A WEDDING GARMENT.]
II.
[Sidenote: The lord of the feast goes among his guests.] Now i{n}-mydde[gh] e mete e mayst{er} hym bio[gh]t, at he wolde se e sembl {a}t samned was {er}e, & re-hayte rekenly e riche & e pou{er}en,[8] & cherisch hem alle w{i}t{h} his cher, & chaufen her Ioye, 128 en he bowe[gh] fro his bour i{n} to e brode halle, [Sidenote: Bids them be merry.] & to e best on e bench, & bede hy{m} be myry, Solased hem w{i}t{h} semblau{n}t & syled fyrre; Tron fro table to table & talkede ay myre, 132 [Sidenote: On the floor he finds one not arrayed for a holyday.] Bot as he ferked ou{er} e flor he fande w{i}t{h} his y[gh]e, Hit wat[gh] not for a haly day honestly arayed, A ral ry[gh]t i{n} e rong vnryuandely cloed, Ne no festiual frok, bot fyled with werkke[gh]. 136 e gome wat[gh] vn-garnyst w{i}t{h} god me{n} to dele, & gremed {er}-w{i}t{h} e grete lord & greue hy{m} he o[gh]t; [Sidenote: Asks him how he obtained entrance, and how he was so bold as to appear in such rags.] "Say me, frende," q{uod} e freke w{i}t{h} a felle chere, "Hov wan {o}u into is won i{n} wede[gh] so fowle? 140 e abyt at {o}u hat[gh] vpon, no haly day hit menske[gh]; {o}u burne for no brydale art busked i{n} wede[gh]! How wat[gh] {o}u hardy is ho{us} for yn vnhap [to] ne[gh]e, I{n} on so ratted a robe & rent at e syde[gh]? 144 [Sidenote: [Fol. 59a.]] ow art a gome vn-goderly i{n} at gou{n} febele; {o}u praysed me & my place ful pou{er} & ful [g]nede, [Sidenote: Does he take him to be a harlot?] at wat[gh] so prest to aproche my p{re}sens here-i{n}ne; Hope[gh] {o}u I be a harlot i erigant to prayse?" 148 at o{er} burne wat[gh] abayst of his broe worde[gh], [Sidenote: The man becomes discomfited.] & hurkele[gh] dou{n} with his hede, e vre he bi-holde[gh]; He wat[gh] so scou{m}fit of his scylle, lest he skae hent, [Sidenote: He is unable to reply.] at he ne wyst on worde what he warp schulde. 152 [Sidenote: The lord commands him to be bound, and cast into a deep dungeon.] e{n} e lorde wonder loude laled & cryed, & talke[gh] to his tormentto{ur}e[gh]: "take[gh] hym," he bidde[gh], "Bynde[gh] byhynde, at his bak, boe two his hande[gh], & felle fett{er}e[gh] to his fete festene[gh] bylyue; 156 Stik hym stifly i{n} stoke[gh], & steke[gh] hy{m} {er}-aft{er} Depe i{n} my dou{n}gou{n} {er} doel eu{er} dwelle[gh], Greui{n}g, & grety{n}g, & gryspy{n}g harde Of tee tenfully to-geder, to teche hy{m} be quoy{n}t." 160 [Sidenote: This feast is likened to the kingdom of heaven, to which all are invited.] Thus comparisu{n}e[gh] kryst e kyndom of heue, To is frelych feste at fele arn to called, For alle arn laed luflyly, e lu{er} & e bett{er}, at eu{er} wern ful[gh]ed i{n} font at fest to haue. 164 [Sidenote: See that thy weeds are clean.] Bot war e wel, if {o}u wylt, y wede[gh] ben clene, & honest for e haly day, lest {o}u harme lache, For aproch {o}u to at prynce of parage noble. He hat{es} helle no more e{n} hem at ar sowle.[9] 168
[Headnote: GOD IS DISPLEASED WITH THE WICKED.]
[Sidenote: Thy weeds are thy works that thou hast wrought.] Wich arn e{n}ne y wede[gh] {o}u wrappe[gh] e i{n}ne, at schal schewe he{m} so schene schrowde of e best? Hit arn y werke[gh] wyt{er}ly, {a}t {o}u wro[gh]t haue[gh], & lyued w{i}t{h} e lyky{n}g {a}t ly[gh]e in y{n} hert, 172 at o be frely & fresch fonde i{n} y lyue, & fetyse of a fayr forme, to fote & to honde, & sye{n} alle y{n} o{er} lyme[gh] lapped ful clene, [Sidenote: For many faults may a man forfeit bliss.] e{n}ne may {o}u se y sauior & his sete ryche. 176 For fele faute[gh] may a freke forfete his blysse, [Sidenote: For sloth and pride he is thrust into the devil's throat.] at he e sou{er}ayn ne se en, for slaue one, As for bobau{n}ce & bost & bolnande p{r}iyde, roly i{n}-to e deuele[gh] rote man ry{n}ge[gh] bylyue, 180 [Sidenote: [Fol. 59b.]] [Sidenote: He is ruined by covetousness, perjury, murder, theft, and strife.] For couetyse, & colwarde & croked dede[gh], For mon-sworne, & men-scla[gh]t, & to much drynk, For efte, & for repy{n}g, vn-onk may mon haue; [Sidenote: For robbery and ribaldry, for preventing marriages, and supporting the wicked, for treason, treachery, and tyranny, man may lose eternal bliss.] For roborrye, & riboudrye & resou{n}e[gh] vntrwe, 184 & dysheriete & depryue dowrie of wydoe[gh], For marry{n}g of maryage[gh] & may{n}tnau{n}ce of schrewe[gh], For traysou{n}, & trichcherye, & tyrau{n}tyr boe,[10] & for fals famacions & fayned lawe[gh]; 188 Man may mysse e myre, at much is to prayse, For such vnewe[gh] as ise & ole much payne, & i{n} e creatores cort com neu{er} more, Ne neu{er} see hym with sy[gh]t for such sour to{ur}ne[gh]. 192
[Sidenote 8: MS. poueu{er}.] [Sidenote 9: fowle (?).] [Sidenote 10: loe (?).]
[Headnote: THE FALL OF THE ANGELS.]
III.
Bot I haue herkned & herde of mony hy[gh]e clerke[gh], & als i{n} resou{n}e[gh] of ry[gh]t red hit my seluen, [Sidenote: The high Prince of all is displeased with those who work wickedly.] {a}t at ilk prop{er} prynce at paradys welde[gh] Is displesed at vch a poy{n}t at plyes to scae. 196 Bot neu{er} [gh]et i{n} no boke breued I herde at eu{er} he wrek so wy{er}ly on werk at he made, Ne venged for no vilt of vice ne sy{n}ne, Ne so hastyfly wat[gh] hot for hatel of his wylle, 200 Ne neu{er} so sodenly so[gh]t vn-sou{n}dely to weng, As for fyle of e flesch at foles han vsed; For as I fynde {er} he for[gh]et alle his fre ewes, [Sidenote: For the first fault the devil committed, he felt God's vengeance.] & wex wod to e wrache, for wrath at his hert, 204 For e fyrste felonye e falce fende wro[gh]t. Whyl he wat[gh] hy[gh]e i{n} e heuen houen vpon lofte, Of alle yse ael au{n}gele[gh] attled e fayrest, [Sidenote: He, the fairest of all angels, forsook his sovereign, and boasted that his throne should be as high as God's.] & he vnkyndely as a karle kydde areward, 208 He se[gh] no[gh]t bot hym self how semly he were, Bot his sou{er}ayn he forsoke & sade yse worde[gh]: "I schal telde vp my trone i{n} e tra mou{n}tayne & by lyke to at lorde at e lyft made. 212 With is worde at he warp, e wrake on hy{m} ly[gh]t, [Sidenote: For these words he was cast down to hell.] Dry[gh]tyn w{i}t{h} his dere dom hym drof to e abyme, I{n} e mesure of his mode, his met[gh] neu{er} e lasse, Bot er he tynt e tye dool of his to{ur} ryche, 216 [Sidenote: [Fol. 60a.]] a[gh] e felou{n} were so fers for his fayre wede[gh] & his glorio{us} glem at glent so bry[gh]t; As sone as dry[gh]tyne[gh] dome drof to hy{m} seluen, [i]kke owsande[gh] ro rwen er-oute 220 [Sidenote: The fiends fell from heaven, like the thick snow, for forty days.] Fellen fro e fyrmame{n}t, fende[gh] ful blake Weued[11] at e fyrst swap as e snaw ikke, Hurled i{n}-to helle-hole as e hyue swarme[gh]; Fyltyr fenden folk forty daye[gh] lence, 224 Er at styngande storme stynt ne my[gh]t; Bot as smylt mele vnder smal siue smokes for-ikke, [Sidenote: From heaven to hell the shower lasted.] So fro heuen to helle at hatel schor laste, On vche syde of e worlde aywhere ilyche. 228 is[12] hit wat[gh] a brem brest & a byge wrache, [Sidenote: The devil would not make peace with God.] & [gh]et wrathed not e wy[gh], ne e wrech sa[gh]tled, Ne neu{er} wolde, for wylnesful, his wory god knawe, Ne pray hym for no pit, so proud wat[gh] his wylle, 232 [Sidenote: Affliction makes him none the better.] For-y a[gh] e rape were rank, e rawe wat[gh] lyttel;[13] a[gh] he be kest into kare he kepes no bett{er}. [Sidenote: For the fault of one, vengeance alighted upon all men.] Bot at o{er} wrake at wex on wy[gh]e[gh], hit ly[gh]t ur[gh] e faut of a freke at fayled i{n} trawe. 236 [Sidenote: Adam was ordained to live in bliss.] A{da}m i{n} obedyent[14] ordaynt to blysse, er pryuely i{n} paradys his place wat[gh] de-vised, To lyue er i{n} lyky{n}g e lene of a terme, & e{n}ne en-herite at home at au{n}gele[gh] for-gart, 240 [Sidenote: Through Eve he ate an apple.] Bot ur[gh] e eggy{n}g of eue he ete of an apple at en-poysened alle peple[gh] at parted fro hem boe, [Sidenote: Thus all his descendants became poisoned.] For a defence at wat[gh] dy[gh]t of dry[gh]tyn seluen, & a payne er-on put & pertly halden; 244 e defence wat[gh] e fryt at e freke towched, & e dom is e dee at drepe[gh] v{us} alle. [Sidenote: A maiden brought a remedy for mankind.] Al i{n} mesure & mee wat[gh] mad e vengiau{n}ce, & efte amended w{i}t{h} a mayden at make hade neu{er}. 248
[Sidenote 11: wened (?).] [Sidenote 12: [gh]is (?).] [Sidenote 13: MS. lyttlel.] [Sidenote 14: obedience (?).]
[Headnote: THE WICKEDNESS OF THE ANTEDILUVIAN WORLD.]
IV.
Bot in e ryd wat[gh] forrast al at ryue schuld, [Sidenote: Malice was merciless.] er wat[gh] malys mercyles & mawgre much scheued, at wat[gh] for fyle vpon folde {a}t e folk vsed, [Sidenote: A race of men came into the world, the fairest, the merriest, and the strongest that ever were created.] []at en wonyed i{n} e worlde w{i}t{h}-outen any mayst{er}[gh]; 252 [Sidenote: [Fol. 60b.]] Hit wern e fayrest of forme & of face als, e most & e myriest at maked wern euer, e styfest, e stalworest at stod eu{er} on fete; & lengest lyf i{n} hem lent of lede[gh] alle o{er}, 256 For hit was e forme-foster at e folde bred, [Sidenote: They were sons of Adam.] e ael au{n}cetere[gh] su{n}e[gh] at ad{a}m wat[gh] called, To wham god hade geuen alle at gayn were, Alle e blysse boute blame at bodi my[gh]t haue, 260 & ose lykkest to e lede at lyued next aft{er}, For-y so semly to see sye{n} wern none. [Sidenote: No law was laid upon them.] er wat[gh] no law to hem layd bot loke to kynde, & kepe to hit, & alle hit cors clanly ful-fylle; 264 [Sidenote: Nevertheless they acted unnaturally.] & e{n}ne fou{n}den ay fyle i{n} fleschlych dede[gh] & controeued agayn kynde contrar werke[gh], & vsed hem vn-ryftyly vchon on o{er}, & als with o{er}, wylsfully, vpon a wrange wyse. 268 [Sidenote: The "fiends" beheld how fair were the daughters of these mighty men, and made fellowship with them and begat a race of giants.] So ferly fowled her flesch at e fende loked, How e de[gh]t{er} of e doue wern dere-lych fayre, & fallen i{n} fela[gh]schyp w{i}t{h} hem on folken wyse & en-gendered on hem ieau{n}te[gh] w{i}t{h} her Iape[gh] ille. 272 ose wern men meele[gh] & ma[gh]ty on vre, at for her lodlych layke[gh] alosed ay were. He wat[gh] famed[15] for fre at fe[gh]t loued best, [Sidenote: The greatest fighter was reckoned the most famous.] & ay e bigest i{n} bale e best wat[gh] halden; 276 & e{n}ne euele[gh] on ere ernestly grewen & multyplyed mony-folde i{n}-monge[gh] mankynde, [Sidenote: The Creater of all becomes exceedingly wroth.] For at e ma[gh]ty on molde so marre ise o{er}. at e wy[gh]e at al wro[gh]t ful wroly bygy{n}ne[gh]. 280
[Headnote: GOD DETERMINES TO DESTROY ALL FLESH.]
When he knew vche contre corupte i{n} hit seluen, & vch freke forloyned fro e ry[gh]t waye[gh], [Sidenote: Fell anger touches His heart.] Felle temptande tene towched his hert; As wy[gh]e, wo hy{m} with-i{n}ne werp to hy{m} seluen: 284 [Sidenote: It repents Him that He has made man.] "Me for-y{n}ke[gh] ful much at eu{er} I mon made, Bot I schal delyu{er} & do away at doten on is molde, [Sidenote: He declares that all flesh shall be destroyed, both man and beast.] & fleme out of e folde al at flesch were[gh], Fro e burne to e best, fro brydde[gh] to fysche[gh]; 288 [Sidenote: [Fol. 61a.]] Al schal dou{n} & be ded & dryuen out of ere, at eu{er} I sette saule i{n}ne; & sore hit me rwe[gh] at eu{er} I made hem my self; bot if I may her-aft{er}, I schal wayte to be war her wrenche[gh] to kepe." 292 [Sidenote: There was at this time living on the earth a very righteous man: Noah was his name.] e{n}ne i{n} worlde wat[gh] a wy[gh]e wonyande on lyue, Ful redy & ful ry[gh]twys, & rewled hy{m} fayre; In e drede of dry[gh]tyn his daye[gh] he vse[gh], & ay glydande wyth his god his g{ra}ce wat[gh] e more. 296 Hy{m} wat[gh] e nome Noe, as is i{n}noghe knawen, [Sidenote: Three bold sons he had.] He had re ryuen su{n}e[gh] & ay re wyue[gh]; Sem soly at on, at o{er} hy[gh]t cam & e Iolef Iapheth wat[gh] gendered e ryd. 300 [Sidenote: God in great anger speaks to Noah.] Now god i{n} nwy to Noe co{n} speke, Wylde wrakful worde[gh] i{n} his wylle greued: "e ende of alle-kyne[gh] flesch at on vre meue[gh], Is fallen for wyth my face & for{er} hit I enk, 304 W{i}t{h} her vn-worelych werk me wlate[gh] w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne, e gore {er}-of me hat[gh] greued & e glette nwyed; [Sidenote: Declares that He will destroy all "that life has."] I schal strenkle my distresse & strye al to-geder, Boe lede[gh] & londe & alle at lyf habbe[gh]. 308
[Headnote: NOAH IS COMMANDED TO BUILD AN ARK.]
[Sidenote: Commands him to make "a mansion" with dwellings for wild and tame.] Bot make to e a manciou{n} & at is my wylle, A cofer closed of tres, clanlych planed; Wyrk wone[gh] {er}i{n}ne for wylde & for tame, & e{n}ne cleme hit w{i}t{h} clay comly w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne[16] 312 & alle e endentur dryuen daube w{i}t{h}-outen. [Sidenote: To let the ark be three hundred cubits in length, and fifty in breadth, and thirty in height, and a window in it a cubit square.] & {us} of lene & of large at lome {o}u make, re hundred of cupyde[gh] {o}u holde to e lene, Of fyfty fayre ou{er}-wert forme e brede; 316 & loke euen at yn ark haue of he[gh]e rett, & a wyndow wyd vpon, wro[gh]t vpon lofte, In e compas of a cubit kyndely sware, [Sidenote: Also a good shutting door in the side, together with halls, recesses, bushes, and bowers, and well-formed pens.] A wel dutande dor, don on e syde; 320 Haf halle[gh] er-i{n}ne & halke[gh] ful mony, Boe boske[gh] & bo{ur}e[gh] & wel bou{n}den pene[gh]; For I schal waken vp a wat{er} to wasch alle e worlde, & quelle alle at is quik w{i}t{h} quauende flode[gh]. 324 [Sidenote: [Fol. 61b.]] [Sidenote: For all flesh shall be destroyed, except Noah and his family.] Alle at glyde[gh] & got[gh], & gost of lyf habbe[gh], I schal wast with my wrath at wons vpon vre; Bot my forwarde w{i}t{h} e I festen on is wyse, For {o}u in reysou{n} hat[gh] rengned & ry[gh]twys ben eu{er}; 328 {o}u schal ent{er} is ark w{i}t{h} yn ael barne[gh] & y wedded wyf; with e {o}u take e make[gh] of y myry su{n}e[gh]; is meyny of a[gh]te [Sidenote: Noah is told to take into the ark seven pairs of every clean beast, and one of unclean kind, and to furnish the ark with proper food.] I schal saue of mo{n}ne[gh] saule[gh], & swelt ose o{er}. 332 Of vche best at bere[gh] lyf busk e a cupple, Of vche clene comly kynde enclose seuen make[gh], Of vche horwed, i{n} ark halde bot a payre, For to saue me e sede of alle ser kynde[gh]; 336 & ay {o}u meng w{i}t{h} e male[gh] e mete ho-beste[gh], Vche payre by payre to plese ay{er} o{er}; W{i}t{h} alle e fode at may be fou{n}de frette y cofer, For sustnau{n}ce to yow self & also ose o{er}." 340 [Sidenote: Noah fills the ark.] Ful grayely got[gh] is god ma{n} & dos gode[gh] hestes, In dry[gh] dred & dau{n}ger, at durst do non oer. Wen hit wat[gh] fettled & forged & to e fulle grayed, e{n}n con dry[gh]ttyn hym dele dry[gh]ly yse worde[gh]: 344
[Sidenote 15: fained (?).] [Sidenote 16: MS. w{i}t{h}i{n}me]
[Headnote: THE RAIN DESCENDS.]
V.
[Sidenote: God asks Noah whether all is ready.] "Now Noe," q{uod} oure lorde, "art {o}u al redy? Hat[gh] {o}u closed y kyst w{i}t{h} clay alle aboute?" [Sidenote: Noah replies that all is fully prepared.] "[Gh]e lorde w{i}t{h} y leue," sayde e lede e{n}ne, "Al is wro[gh]t at i worde, as {o}u me wyt lante[gh]." 348 [Sidenote: He is commanded to enter the ark, for God tells him that he will send a rain to destroy all flesh.] "Enter in e{n}n," q{uod} he, "& haf i wyf w{i}t{h} e, y re su{n}e[gh] w{i}t{h}-outen rep & her re wyue[gh]; Beste[gh], as I bedene haue, bosk {er}-i{n}ne als, & when [gh]e arn staued, styfly steke[gh] yow {er}i{n}ne; 352 Fro seuen daye[gh] ben seyed I sende out by-lyue, Such a rowtande ryge at rayne schal swye, at schal wasch alle e worlde of werke[gh] of fyle; Schal no flesch vpon folde by fonden onlyue; 356 [Sidenote: Noah stows all safely in the ark.] Out-taken yow a[gh]t i{n} is ark staued, & sed at I wyl saue of yse ser beste[gh]." Now Noe neu{er} styste[gh][17] (at niy[gh][t] he bygy{n}ne[gh]), Er al wer stawed & stoken, as e steuen wolde. 360 [Sidenote: [Fol. 62a.]] [Sidenote: Seven days are passed.] The{n}ne sone com e seuene day, when samned wern alle, & alle woned i{n} e whichche e wylde & e tame. [Sidenote: The deep begins to swell, banks are broken down, and the clouds burst.] e{n} bolned e abyme & bonke[gh] con ryse, Walt{es} out vch walle-heued, i{n} ful wode streme[gh], 364 Wat[gh] no bry{m}me at abod vnbrosten bylyue, e mukel lauande logh{e} to e lyfte rered. Mony clust{er}ed clowde clef alle i{n} clowte[gh], To-rent vch a rayn-ryfte & rusched to e vre; 368 [Sidenote: It rains for forty days, and the flood rises, and flows over the woods and fields.] Fon neu{er} i{n} forty daye[gh], & e{n} e flod ryses, Ou{er}-walte[gh] vche a wod & e wyde felde[gh]; For when e wat{er} of e welkyn w{i}t{h} e worlde mette, Alle at deth mo[gh]t dry[gh]e drowned er-i{n}ne; 372 er wat[gh] moon forto make when meschef was cnowen, [Sidenote: All must drown.] at no[gh]t dowed bot e deth in e depe streme[gh]. Wat{er} wylger ay wax, wone[gh] at stryede, Hurled i{n}-to vch ho{us}, hent at er dowelled. 376 [Sidenote: The water enters the houses.] Fyrst feng to e fly[gh]t alle at fle my[gh]t, Vuche burde w{i}t{h} her barne e byggy{n}g ay leue[gh], [Sidenote: Each woman with her bairns flees to the hills.] & bowed to e hy[gh] bonk er brentest hit wern, & het{er}ly to e hy[gh]e hylle[gh] ay [h]aled on faste; 380 [Sidenote: The rain never ceases.] Bot al wat[gh] nedle[gh] her note, for neu{er} cowe stynt e ro[gh]e raynande ryg [&] e raykande wawe[gh], [Sidenote: The valleys are filled.] Er vch boom wat[gh] brurd-ful to e bonke[gh] egge[gh], & vche a dale so depe at de{m}med at e brynke[gh]. 384 e moste mou{n}tay{n}e[gh] on mor e{n}ne wat[gh] no more dry[gh]e, [Sidenote: People flock to the mountains.] & {er}-on flokked e folke, for ferde of e wrake, Syen e wylde of e wode on e wat{er} flette; [Sidenote: Some swim for their lives.] Su{m}me swy{m}med {er}-on at saue hemself trawed, 388 Su{m}me sty[gh]e to a stud & stared to e heuen, [Sidenote: Others roar for fear.] Rwly wyth a loud rurd rored for drede. [Sidenote: Animals of all kinds run to the hills.] Hare[gh], hertte[gh] also, to e hy[gh]e ru{n}nen, Bukke[gh], bausene[gh] & bule[gh] to e bonkke[gh] hy[gh]ed, 392 [Sidenote: All pray for mercy.] & alle cryed for care to e ky{n}g of heuen, Re-cou{er}er of e creator, ay cryed vchone, [Sidenote: God's mercy is passed from them.] at amou{n}ted e masse, e mase his mercy wat[gh] passed, & alle his pyte departed fro peple at he hated. 396 [Sidenote: [Fol. 62b.]] Bi at e flod to her fete flo[gh]ed & waxed, [Sidenote: Each sees that he must sink.] en vche a segge se[gh] wel at synk hy{m} byhoued; Frende[gh] fellen i{n} fere & famed togeder To dry[gh] her delful deystyn & dy[gh]en alle samen; 400 [Sidenote: Friends take leave of one another.] Luf loke[gh] to luf & his leue take[gh], For to ende alle at one[gh] & for eu{er} twy{n}ne. [Sidenote: Forty days have gone by, and all are destroyed.] By forty daye[gh] wern faren, on folde no flesch styryed, at e flod nade al freten w{i}t{h} fe[gh]tande wa[gh]e[gh][18], 404 For hit clam vche a clyffe cubit{es} fyftene, Ou{er} e hy[gh]est hylle at hurkled on ere.
[Headnote: ALL ROT IN THE MUD.]
[Sidenote: All rot in the mud, except Noah and his family, who are safe in the ark.] e{n}ne mo{ur}kne i{n} e mudde most ful nede Alle at spyrakle i{n}-spranc,[19] no sprawly{n}g awayled, 408 Saue e hael vnder hach & his here strau{n}ge, Noe at ofte neuened e name of oure lorde, Hy{m} a[gh]t-su{m} i{n} at ark as ael god lyked, er alle lede[gh] i{n} lome lenged druye, 412 [Sidenote: The ark is lifted as high as the clouds, and is driven about, without mast, bowline, cables, anchors, or sail to guide its course.] e arc houen wat[gh] on hy[gh]e w{i}t{h} hurlande gote[gh], Kest to kythe[gh] vncoue e clowde[gh] ful nere. Hit walt{er}ed on e wylde flod, went as hit lyste, Drof vpon e depe dam, i{n} dau{n}g{er} hit semed, 416 With-oute{n} mast, o{er} myke, o{er} myry bawelyne, Kable, o{er} capstan to clyppe to he{r} ankre[gh], Hurrok, o{er} hande-helme hasped on ro{er}, O{er} any sweande sayl to seche aft{er} hauen, 420 [Sidenote: At the mercy of the winds.] Bot flote forthe w{i}t{h} e flyt of e felle wynde[gh]; Wheder-warde so e wat{er} wafte, hit rebou{n}de. [Sidenote: Oft it rolled around and reared on end.] Ofte hit roled on-rou{n}de & rered on ende, Nyf oure lorde hade ben her lode[gh]-mon he{m} had lu{m}pen harde. 424 [Sidenote: The age of the patriarch Noah.] Of e lene of noe lyf to lay a lel date, e sex hundreth of his age & none odde [gh]ere[gh], Of seco{n}de monyth, e seue{n}e day ry[gh]te[gh], [Sidenote: Duration of the flood.] To-walten alle yse welle-hede[gh] & e wat{er} flowed, 428 & rye[gh] fyfty e flod of folwande daye[gh], Vche hille wat[gh] er hidde w{i}t{h} yre[gh][20] ful graye; [Sidenote: The completeness of the destruction.] Al wat[gh] wasted at er wonyed e worlde w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne, er eu{er} flote, o{er} flwe, o{er} on fote [gh]ede, 432 [Sidenote: [Fol. 63a.]] That ro[gh]ly wat[gh] e remnau{n}t at e rac dryue[gh], at alle gendre[gh] so ioyst wern ioyned wyth-i{n}ne. [Sidenote: God remembers those in the ark.] Bot quen e lorde of e lyfte lyked hymseluen For to my{n}ne on his mon his meth at abyde[gh], 436 [Sidenote: He causes a wind to blow, and closes the lakes and wells, and the great deep.] e{n} he wakened a wynde on watt{er}e[gh] to blowe; e{n}ne lasned e llak[21] at large wat[gh] are, en he stac vp e stange[gh], stoped o welle[gh], Bed bly{n}ne of e rayn, hit batede as fast, 440 e{n}ne lasned e lo[gh] lowkande to-geder. Aft{er} harde daye[gh] wern out an hundreth & fyft, As at lyftande lome luged aboute, Where e wynde & e weder warpen hit wolde, 444 Hit sa[gh]tled on a softe day synkande to grou{n}de.
[Headnote: THE ARK RESTS ON MOUNT ARARAT.]
[Sidenote: The ark settles on Mount Ararat.] On a rasse of a rok, hit rest at e laste, On e mou{n}te of mararach of armene hilles, at o{er}-waye[gh] on ebrv hit hat e thanes. 448 Bot a[gh] e kyste in e crage[gh] wern closed to byde, [Gh]et fyned not e flod ne fel to e boeme[gh], [Sidenote: Noah beholds the bare earth.] Bot e hy[gh]est of e egge[gh] vnhuled wern a lyttel, at e burne by{n}ne borde byhelde e bare ere; 452 [Sidenote: He opens his window and sends out the raven to seek dry land.] e{n}ne wafte he vpon his wyndowe, & wysed {er}-oute A message fro at meyny hem molde[gh] to seche, at wat[gh] e rauen so ronk at rebel wat[gh] eu{er}; He wat[gh] colored as e cole, corbyal vn-trwe. 456 & he fonge[gh] to e fly[gh]t, & fa{n}ne[gh] on e wynde[gh], Houe[gh] hy[gh]e upon hy[gh]t to herken tyy{n}ges. [Sidenote: The raven "croaks for comfort" on finding carrion.] He crouke[gh] for comfort when carayne he fynde[gh]; Kast vp on a clyffe er costese lay drye, 460 He hade e smelle of e smach & smolt{es} eder sone, [Sidenote: He fills his belly with the foul flesh.] Falle[gh] on e foule flesch & fylle[gh] his wombe, & sone [gh]ederly for-[gh]ete [gh]ister-day steuen, How e cheuetayn hy{m} charged {a}t e kyst [gh]emed. 464 e rauen rayke[gh] hy{m} forth at reches ful lyttel How alle fode[gh] er fare, elle[gh] he fynde mete;
[Headnote: NOAH SENDS FORTH A DOVE.]
[Sidenote: The lord of the ark curses the raven, and sends out the dove.] Bot e burne by{n}ne borde[22] at bod to hys come, Ba{n}ned hy{m} ful bytt{er}ly w{i}t{h} best{es} alle samen, 468 [Sidenote: [Fol. 63b.]] He seche[gh] an o{er} sonde[gh]mon & sette[gh] on e dou{n}e;[23] Bry{n}ge[gh] at bry[gh]t vpon borde blessed & sayde, "Wende worelych wy[gh]t v{us} wone[gh] to seche, Dryf ou{er} is dy{m}me wat{er}; if {o}u druye fynde[gh] 472 Bry{n}g bodworde to bot blysse to v{us} alle; a[gh] at fowle be false, fre be {o}u euer." [Sidenote: The bird wanders about the whole day.] Ho wyrl{e} out on e weder o{n} wy{n}ge[gh] ful scharpe, Dre[gh]ly alle a longe day {a}t dorst neu{er} ly[gh]t; 476 [Sidenote: Finding no rest, she returns about eventide to Noah.] & when ho fynde[gh] no folde her fote on to pyche, Ho vmbe-keste[gh] e coste & e kyst seche[gh], Ho hitte[gh] on e euentyde & on e ark sitte[gh]; Noe ny{m}mes hir anon & naytly hir staue[gh]. 480 [Sidenote: Noah again sends out the dove.] Noe on ano{er} day ny{m}me[gh] efte e dovene, & bydde[gh] hir bowe ou{er} e borne efte bonke[gh] to seche; & ho skyrme[gh] vnder skwe & skowte[gh] aboute, Tyl hit wat[gh] ny[gh]e at e na[gh]t & noe e{n} seche[gh]. 484
[Sidenote 17: stynte[gh] (?).] [Sidenote 18: wawe[gh] (?).] [Sidenote 19: in-sprang (?).] [Sidenote 20: ye[gh] (?).] [Sidenote 21: So in MS.] [Sidenote 22: MS. lorde.] [Sidenote 23: douue or douene (?).]
[Headnote: NOAH LEAVES THE ARK.]
VI.
[Sidenote: The dove returns with an olive branch in her beak.] On ark on an euentyde houe[gh] e downe, On stamyn ho stod & stylle hy{m} abyde[gh]; What! ho bro[gh]t i{n} hir beke a bronch of olyue, G{ra}cyo{us}ly vmbe-grouen al w{i}t{h} grene leue[gh]; 488 [Sidenote: This was a token of peace and reconciliation.] at wat[gh] e sy{n}gne of sauyt {a}t sende he{m} oure lorde, & e sa[gh]tly{n}g of hy{m}-self w{i}t{h} o sely beste[gh]. [Sidenote: Joy reigns in the ark.] e{n} wat[gh] er ioy i{n} pat gyn where Iu{m}pred er dry[gh]ed, & much comfort i{n} at cofer at wat[gh] clay-daubed. 492 [Sidenote: The people therein laugh and look thereout.] Myryly on a fayr morn, monyth e fyrst, at falle[gh] formast i{n} e [gh]er, & e fyrst day, Lede[gh] lo[gh]en i{n} at lome & loked {er}-oute, How at watt{er}e[gh] wern woned & e worlde dryed. 496 Vchon loued oure lorde, bot lenged ay stylle, Tyl ay had tyy{n}g fro e tolke at tyned he{m} {er}-i{n}ne; [Sidenote: God permits Noah and his sons to leave the ark.] e{n} gode[gh] glam to hem glod at gladed hem alle, Bede hem drawe to e dor, delyu{er} hem he wolde; 500 e{n} went ay to e wykket, hit walt vpon sone, Boe e burne & his barne[gh] bowed {er}-oute; Her wyue[gh] walke[gh] hem wyth & e wylde aft{er}, roly rublande i{n} ronge, rowen ful ykke; 504 [Sidenote: [Fol. 64a.]] [Sidenote: Noah offers sacrifice to God.] Bot Noe of vche honest kynde nem out an odde & heuened vp an auter & hal[gh]ed hit fayre, & sette a sakerfyse {er}-on of vch a ser kynde, at wat[gh] comly & clene, god kepe[gh] non o{er}. 508 When bremly brened ose beste[gh], & e bree rysed, [Sidenote: It is pleasing to Him that "all speeds or spoils."] e sauo{ur} of his sacrafyse so[gh]t to hym euen at al spede[gh] & spylle[gh]; he spek{es} w{i}t{h} at ilke I{n} comly comfort ful clos & cortays worde[gh]: 512 [Sidenote: God declares that He will never destroy the world for the sin of man.] "Now noe no more nel I neu{er} wary, Alle e mukel mayny [on] molde for no ma{n}ne[gh] sy{n}ne[gh], For I se wel at hit is sothe, at alle ma{n}ne[gh] wytte[gh] To vn-ryfte arn alle rawen w{i}t{h} o[gh]t of her hertte[gh], 516 & ay hat[gh] ben & wyl be [gh]et fro her barnage; Al is e mynde of e man to malyce enclyned, For-y schal I neu{er} schende so schortly at ones, As dysstrye al for mane[gh] sy{n}ne [in] daye[gh] of is ere. 520 Bot waxe[gh] now & wende[gh] forth & wore[gh] to monye, Multyplye[gh] on is molde & menske yow by-tyde. [Sidenote: That summer and winter shall never cease.] Sesou{n}e[gh] schal yow neu{er} sese of sede ne of heruest, Ne hete, ne no harde forst, vmbre ne dro[gh]e, 524 Ne e swetnesse of somer, ne e sadde wynt{er}, [Sidenote: Nor night nor day, nor the new years.] Ne e ny[gh]t, ne e day, ne e newe [gh]ere[gh], Bot eu{er} re{n}ne restle[gh] rengne[gh] [gh]e {er}-i{n}ne." [Sidenote: God blesses every beast.] {er}wyth he blesse[gh] vch a best, & byta[gh]t hem is ere. 528 |
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