[Headnote: THE BEASTS ARE DISPERSED.]

e{n} wat[gh] a skylly skyualde, quen scaped alle e wylde; [Sidenote: Each fowl takes its flight.] Vche fowle to e fly[gh]t at fyere[gh] my[gh]t serue, [Sidenote: Each fish goes to the flood.] Vche fysch to e flod at fy{n}ne coue nayte, [Sidenote: Each beast makes for the plain.] Vche beste to e bent at[24] byt{es} on erbe[gh]; 532 [Sidenote: Wild worms wriggle to their abodes in the earth.] Wylde worme[gh] to her won wrye[gh] i{n} e ere, [Sidenote: The fox goes to the woods.] e fox & e folmarde to e fryth wynde[gh], [Sidenote: Harts to the heath, and hares to the gorse.] Hertt{es} to hy[gh]e hee, hare[gh] to gorste[gh], [Sidenote: Lions and leopards go to the lakes.] & lyou{n}e[gh] & lebarde[gh] to e lake ryft{es}, 536 [Sidenote: Eagles and hawks to the high rocks.] Herne[gh] & haueke[gh] to e hy[gh]e roche[gh]; e hole-foted fowle to e flod hy[gh]e[gh], & vche best at a brayde er hy{m} best lyke[gh]; [Sidenote: The four 'frekes' take the empire.] e fowre freke[gh] of e folde fonge[gh] e empyre. 540 [Sidenote: [Fol. 64b.]] [Sidenote: Behold what woe God brought on mankind for their hateful deeds!] Lo! suche a wrakful wo for wlatsu{m} dede[gh] Parformed e hy[gh]e fader on folke at he made; at he chysly hade cherisched he chastysed ful hardee, I{n} de-voydy{n}ge e vylanye {a}t venkquyst his ewe[gh]. 544 For-y war e now, wy[gh]e, at worschyp desyres, I{n} his comlych co{ur}te at ky{n}g is of blysse, [Sidenote: Beware of the filth of the flesh.] I{n} e fyle of e flesch at {o}u be fou{n}den neu{er}, Tyl any wat{er} i{n} e worlde to wasche e fayly, 548 For is no segge vnder su{n}ne so seme of his crafte[gh], If he be sulped i{n} sy{n}ne, at [ne] sytte[gh] vnclene. [Sidenote: "One speck of a spot" will ruin us in the sight of God.] On spec of a spote may spede to mysse Of e sy[gh]te of e sou{er}ayn at sytte[gh] so hy[gh]e, 552 For at schewe me schale i{n} o schyre howse[gh], [Sidenote: The beryl is clean and sound,—it has no seam.] As e beryl bornyst byhoue[gh] be clene, at is sou{n}de on vche a syde & no sem habes, W{i}t{h}-outen maskle o{er} mote as margerye p{er}le. 556

[Sidenote 24: MS. at at.]

[Headnote: GOD'S HATRED OF WICKEDNESS.]

VII.

[Sidenote: When God repented that he had made man, he destroyed all flesh.] Sye{n} e sou{er}ayn i{n} sete so sore for-o[gh]t at eu{er} he man vpon molde merked to lyuy, For he i{n} fyle wat[gh] fallen, felly he uenged, Quen fo{ur}ferde[25] alle e flesch at he formed hade, 560 [Sidenote: But afterwards He was sorry, and made a covenant with mankind that He would not again destroy all the living.] Hy{m} rwed at he hem vp-rerde & ra[gh]t hem lyflode, & efte at he he{m} vndyd, hard hit hym o[gh]t; For quen e swemande sor[gh]e so[gh]t to his hert, He knyt a couenau{n}de cortaysly w{i}t{h} monkynde {er}e, 564 In e mesure of his mode & mee of his wylle, at he schulde neu{er} for no syt smyte al at one[gh], As to quelle alle quyke[gh] for qued at my[gh]t falle, Whyl of e lene of e londe laste[gh] e t{er}me. 568 at ilke skyl for no scae ascaped hy{m} neu{er}, Wheder wonderly he wrak on wykked men aft{er}; [Sidenote: For the filth of the flesh God destroyed a rich city.] Ful felly for at ilk faute forferde a kyth ryche, I{n} e anger of his ire at ar[gh]ed mony; 572 & al wat[gh] for is ilk euel, at vn-happen glette, e venym & e vylanye & e vycios fyle, at by-sulpe[gh] ma{n}ne[gh] saule i{n} vnsou{n}de hert, at he his saueour ne see w{i}t{h} sy[gh]t of his y[gh]en, 576 [Sidenote: [Fol. 65a.]] [Sidenote: God hates the wicked as "hell that stinks."] at alle ille[gh] he hates as helle at stynkke[gh]; Bot non nuye[gh] hy{m}, on na[gh]t ne neu{er} vpon daye[gh], [Sidenote: Especially harlotry and blasphemy.] As harlottrye vn-honest, hey{n}g of seluen; at schame[gh] for no schrewedschyp schent mot he wore! 580 Bot sauyo{ur} mon i{n} y self, a[gh] {o}u a sotte lyuie, a[gh] {o}u bere y self babel, by-enk e su{m}-tyme, Wheer he at stykked vche a stare i{n} vche steppe y[gh]e, [Gh]if hy{m} self[26] be bore blynd{e} hit is a brod wonder; 584 & he at fetly i{n} face fettled alle eres If he[27] hat[gh] losed e lysten hit lyfte[gh] meruayle; [Sidenote: Nothing is hidden from God.] Trave {o}u neu{er} at tale, vn-trwe {o}u hit fynde[gh], er is no dede so derne at ditte[gh] his y[gh]en; 588 er is no wy[gh]e i{n} his werk so war ne so stylle at hit ne rawe[gh] to hym re[28] er he hit o[gh]t haue; [Sidenote: God is the ground of all deeds.] For he is e gropande god, e grou{n}de of alle dede[gh], Rypande of vche a ri{n}g[29] e reynye[gh] & hert; 592 [Sidenote: He honours the man that is honest and whole.] & ere he fynde[gh] al fayre a freke wyth-i{n}ne at hert honest & hol, at hael he hono{ur}e[gh], Sende[gh] hy{m} a sad sy[gh]t to se his auen face, & harde honyse[gh] ise o{er} & of his erde fleme[gh]. 596 [Sidenote: But for deeds of shame He destroys the mighty ones.] Bot of e dome of e doue for dede[gh] of schame He is so skoymos of at skae, he scarre[gh] bylyue, He may not dry[gh]e to draw allyt, bot drepe[gh] i{n} hast & at wat[gh] schewed schortly by a scae one[gh]. 600

[Sidenote 25: for-ferde (?).] [Sidenote 26: MS. sele.] [Sidenote 27: MS. he he.] [Sidenote 28: er (?).] [Sidenote 29: rink or renk (?).]

[Headnote: ABRAHAM RECEIVES THREE GUESTS, AND ENTERTAINS THEM.]

VIII.

[Sidenote: Abraham is sitting before his house-door under a green oak.] Olde Abraham i{n} erde one[gh] he sytte[gh] Euen byfore his ho{us}-dore vnder an oke grene; Bry[gh]t blykked e bem of e brode heuen, I{n} e hy[gh]e hete {er}-of Abraham bide[gh], 604 He wat[gh] schu{n}t to e schadow vnder schyre leue[gh]; [Sidenote: He sees three men coming along, and goes toward them.] e{n}ne wat[gh] he war on e waye of wlonk wy[gh]e[gh] ry{n}ne. If ay wer farande & fre & fayre to beholde, Hit is ee to leue by e last ende; 608 For e lede at er laye e leue[gh] an-vnder, When he hade of hem sy[gh]t he hy[gh]e[gh] bylyue, & as to god e good mon gos hem agayne[gh] & haylsed hem i{n} onhede & sayde, "hende lorde 612 [Sidenote: [Fol. 65b.]] [Gh]if eu{er} y mon vpon molde merit disserued, [Sidenote: He entreats them to rest awhile, that he may wash their feet, and bring them a morsel of bread.] Lenge a lyttel with y lede I lo[gh]ly bi-seche; Passe neu{er} fro i pou{er}e, [gh]if I hit pray durst, Er {o}u haf biden with i burne & vnder bo[gh]e restted; 616 & I schal wy{n}ne yow wy[gh]t of wat{er} a lyttel, & fast aboute schal I fare yo{ur} fette wer waschene; Restte[gh] here on is rote & I schal rachche aft{er} & bry{n}ge a morsel of bred to banne yo{ur} hertte." 620 "Fare forthe," q{uod} e freke[gh], "& fech as {o}u segge[gh]; By bole of is brode tre we byde e here." [Sidenote: Abraham commands Sarah to make some cakes quickly, and tells his servant to seethe a tender kid.] e{n}ne orppedly i{n}-to his ho{us} he hy[gh]ed to Sar Comau{n}ded hir to be cof & quyk at is one[gh]; 624 "re mette[gh] of mele menge & ma kake[gh], Vnder aske[gh] ful hote happe hem byliue; Quyl I fete su{m}quat fat {o}u e fyr bete, Prestly at is ilke poynte su{m} polment to make." 628 He cached to his cobho{us}[30] & a calf bry{n}ge[gh] at wat[gh] tender & not to[gh]e; bed tyrne of e hyde, & sayde to his seruau{n}t {a}t he hit see faste & he deruely at his dome dy[gh]t hit bylyue. 632 [Sidenote: Abraham appears bare-headed before his guests.] e burne to be bare-heued buske[gh] hy{m} e{n}ne, [Sidenote: He casts a clean cloth on the green, and sets before them cakes, butter, milk, and pottage.] Cleche[gh] to a clene cloe & keste[gh] on e grene, rwe ryftyly {er}-on o re erue kake[gh], & bry{n}ge[gh] butt{er} wyth-al, & by e bred sette[gh] 636 Mete; messe[gh] of mylke he merkke[gh] bytwene, Sye{n} potage & polment i{n} plater honest; As sewer i{n} a god assyse he serued hem fayre, Wyth sadde semblau{n}t & swete of such as he hade, 640

[Headnote: GOD DISCLOSES HIS PURPOSE TO ABRAHAM.]

[Sidenote: God praises his friend's feast, and after the meat is removed, He tells Abraham that Sarah shall bear him a son.] & god as a glad gest mad god chere, at wat[gh] fayn of his frende & his fest praysed. Abraham, al hodle[gh] w{i}t{h} arme[gh] vp-folden, Mynystred mete byfore o men at my[gh]tes al welde[gh]; 644 e{n}ne ay sayden, as ay sete same{n} alle ry{n}ne, When e mete wat[gh] remued & ay of mensk speken, "I schal efte here away abram," ay sayden, "[Gh]et er y lyue[gh] ly[gh]t lee vpon ere, 648 [Sidenote: [Fol. 66a.]] & e{n}ne schal sar consayue & a su{n} bere, at schal be abrahame[gh] ayre, & aft{er} hy{m} wy{n}ne W{i}t{h} wele & wyth worschyp e worely peple at schal halde i{n} heritage, at I haf men [gh]ark." 652 [Sidenote: Sarah, who is behind the door, laughs in unbelief.] e{n}ne e burde byhynde e dor for busmar la[gh]ed; & sayde sothly[31] to hir-self sar e madde: "May {o}u traw for tykle at {o}u to{n}ne mo[gh]te[gh], & I so hy[gh]e out of age & also my lorde," 656 For soely, as says e wryt, he wern of sadde elde, Boe e wy[gh]e & his wyf, such werk wat[gh] hem fayled, Fro mony a brod day by-fore ho barayn ay byene,[32] at selue sar w{i}t{h}-outen sede i{n}-to at same tyme. 660 [Sidenote: God tells Abraham that Sarah laughs at His words.] e{n}ne sayde oure syre er he sete "se! so sar la[gh]es, Not trawande e tale at I e to schewed; Hope[gh] ho o[gh]t may be harde my honde[gh] to work? & [gh]et I a-vow v{er}ayly e avau{n}t at I made, 664 I schal [gh]eply a[gh]ayn & [gh]elde at I hy[gh]t, & sothely sende to sar a so & an hayre." [Sidenote: Sarah denies that she laughed.] e{n}ne swenged forth sar & swer by hir trawe, at for lot at ay lansed[33] ho la[gh]ed neu{er}. 668 "Now i{n}nogh{e} hit is not so" e{n}ne n{ur}ned e dry[gh]tyn, "For {o}u la[gh]ed alo[gh], bot let we hit one." [Sidenote: Abraham's guests set out towards Sodom, two miles from Mamre.] With at ay ros vp radly as ay rayke schulde, & setten toward sodamas her sy[gh]t alle at-one[gh]; 672 For at Cite {er} bysyde wat[gh] sette i{n} a vale, No myle[gh] fro mambre mo e{n} tweyne, Where-so wonyed is ilke wy[gh] at wende[gh] w{i}t{h} oure lorde, For to tent hy{m} w{i}t{h} tale & teche hy{m} e gate, 676 [Sidenote: The patriarch accompanies them.] en glyde[gh] forth god, e godmo{n} hy{m} fol[gh]e[gh]. Abraham helde[gh] hem wyth, he{m} to co{n}ueye, I{n} towarde e Cety of sodamas at sy{n}ned had e{n}ne I{n} e faute of is fyle; e fader hem retes, 680 & sayde {us} to e segg at sued hy{m} aft{er}: [Sidenote: God determines to reveal to Abraham his secret purposes.] "How my[gh]t I hyde myn hert fro habraham e trwe, at I ne dyscou{er}ed to his corse my cou{n}sayl so dere. Syen he is chosen to be chef chyldryn fader, 684 [Sidenote: [Fol. 66b.]] at so folk schal falle fro, to flete alle e worlde, & vche blod i{n} at burne blessed schal wore. Me bos telle to at tolk e tene of my wylle & alle myn atly{n}g to abraham vn-haspe bilyue. 688

[Sidenote 30: cov-hous = cow-house (?).] [Sidenote 31: ? softly or sotly = foolishly] [Sidenote 32: ? bycame.] [Sidenote 33: laused (?).]

[Headnote: THE FILTHINESS OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH.]

IX.

[Sidenote: He informs him of the destruction about to fall upon the cities of the plain, for their great wickedness, in abusing the gifts bestowed upon them.] "The grete sou{n} of sodamas synkke[gh] i{n} my{n} ere[gh], & e gult of gomorre gare[gh] me to wrath; I schal ly[gh]t i{n}-to at led & loke my seluen, If[34] ay haf don as e dyne dryue[gh] on-lofte, 692 ay han lerned a lyst at lyke[gh] me ille, at ay han fou{n}den i{n} her flesch of faute[gh] e werst, Vch male mat[gh] his mach a man as hy{m} seluen, & fylt{er} folyly i{n} fere, on fe{m}male[gh] wyse. 696 I compast hem a kynde crafte & kende hit hem derne, [Sidenote: The ordinance of marriage had been made for them, but they foully set it at nought.] & amed hit i{n} my{n} ordenau{n}ce oddely dere, & dy[gh]t drwry er-i{n}ne, doole al{er}-swettest, & e play of paramore[gh] I portrayed my seluen; 700 & made er-to a man{er} myriest of o{er}, When two true togeder had ty[gh]ed hem seluen, By-twene a male & his make such m{er}e schulde conne;[35] Wel ny[gh]e pure paradys mo[gh]t preue no bett{er}, 704 Elle[gh] ay mo[gh]t honestly ay{er} o{er} welde. At a stylle stollen steuen, vnstered wyth sy[gh]t, [Sidenote: The flame of love.] Luf lowe hem bytwene lasched so hote, at alle e meschefe[gh] on mold mo[gh]t hit not sleke; 708 Now haf ay skyfted my skyl & scorned natwre, [Sidenote: Therefore shall they be destroyed as an example to all men for ever.] & hentte[gh] hem i{n} hey{n}g an vsage vn-clene; Hem to smyte for at smod smartly I enk at wy[gh]e[gh] schal be by hem war, worlde w{i}t{h}-outen ende." 712

[Headnote: ABRAHAM PLEADS FOR THE CITIES.]

[Sidenote: Abraham is full of fear, and asks God whether the "sinful and the sinless" are to suffer together.] e{n}ne ar[gh]ed abraham & alle his mod chau{n}ge[d], For hope of e harde hate at hy[gh]t hat[gh] oure lorde; Al sykande he sayde "s{ir} w{i}t{h} yor leue, Schal synful & sakle[gh] suffer al on payne; 716 We{er} eu{er} hit lyke my lorde to lyfte such dome[gh], at e wykked & e wory schal on wrake suffer, & weye vpon e worre half at wrathed e neu{er}? at wat[gh] neu{er} y won at wro[gh]te[gh] v{us} alle. 720 [Sidenote: [Fol. 67a.]] [Sidenote: Whether he will spare the cities provided fifty righteous are found in them?] Now fyfty fyn frende[gh] wer fou{n}de i{n} [gh]onde toune In e Cety of Sodamas & also gomorr at neu{er} lakked y laue, bot loued ay traue, & re[gh]t-ful wern & resou{n}able & redy e to serue, 724 Schal ay falle i{n} e faute at o{er} freke[gh] wro[gh]t & ioyne to her iuggement her iuise to haue? at nas neu{er} yn note, vnneuened hit wore, at art so gaynly a god & of goste mylde!" 728 [Sidenote: For the sake of fifty the cities shall be spared.] "Nay for fyfty," q{uod} e fader, "& y fayre speche, &[36] ay be fou{n}den i{n} at folk of her fyle clene, I schal for-gyue alle e gylt ur[gh] my g{ra}ce one, & let hem smolt al unsmyten smoely atone[gh]." 732 [Sidenote: The patriarch beseeches God to spare the city for the sake of forty-five righteous.] "AA! blessed be ow," q{uod} e burne, "so boner & ewed, & al halde[gh] i{n} y honde, e heuen & e ere, Bot for I haf is talke tat[gh] to non ille, [Gh]if I mele a lyttel more at mul am & aske[gh]; 736 What if fyue faylen of fyfty e nou{m}bre, & e remnau{n}t be reken, how restes y wylle?" [Sidenote: For the lack of five the cities shall not be destroyed.] "And fyue wont of fyfty," q{uod} god, "I schal for[gh]ete alle & wyth-halde my honde for horty{n}g on lede." 740 "& quat if faurty be fre & fauty yse o{er} Schalt ow schortly al schende & schape non o{er}." [Sidenote: For forty the cities shall be spared.] "Nay a[gh] faurty forfete [gh]et fryst I a whyle, & voyde away my vengau{n}ce, a[gh] me vyl ynk." 744 e{n} abraham obeched hym & lo[gh]ly hi{m} onkke[gh], "Now sayned be ou sauio{ur}, so symple i{n} y wrath! I am bot ere ful euel & vsle so blake, [Sidenote: Abraham entreats God's forbearance for his speech.] Forto mele wyth such a mayst{er} as my[gh]te[gh] hat[gh] alle, 748 Bot I haue by-go{n}nen wyth my god, & he hit gay{n} ynke[gh], [Gh]if I for-loyne as a fol y frau{n}chyse may serue; What if retty ryuande be rad i{n} [gh]on tou{n}e[gh], What schal I leue if my lorde, if he hem lee wolde?" 752 e{n}ne e godlych god gef hy{m} onsware, [Sidenote: Thirty righteous, found in the cities, shall save them from destruction.] "[Gh]et for retty i{n} rong I schal my ro steke, & spare spakly of spyt i{n} space of my ewe[gh], & my rankor refrayne fo{ur} y reken worde[gh]." 756 [Sidenote: [Fol. 67b.]] "What for twenty," q{uod} e tolke, "vntwyne[gh] {o}u hem e{n}ne?" "Nay, [gh]if {o}u [gh]erne[gh] hit, [gh]et [gh]ark I hem g{ra}ce; [Sidenote: For the sake of twenty guiltless ones God will release the rest.] If at twenty be trwe I tene hem no more, Bot relece alle at regiou{n} of her ronk werkke[gh]." 760 "Now ael lorde," q{uod} Abraham, "one[gh] a speche & I schal schape no more o schalkke[gh] to helpe; If ten trysty i{n} toune be tan i{n} i werkke[gh] [Sidenote: Or if ten only should be found pure.] Wylt {o}u mese y mode & menddy{n}g abyde?" 764 "I grau{n}t," q{uod} e grete god, "grau{n}t mercy," {a}t o{er}. & e{n}ne arest e renk & ra[gh]t no fyrre; & godde glyde[gh] his gate by ose grene waye[gh] & he co{n}ueyen hy{m} con w{i}t{h} cast of his y[gh]e, 768 [Sidenote: The patriarch intercedes for Lot.] & als he loked along ere as oure lorde passed, [Gh]et he cryed hy{m} aft{er} w{i}t{h} careful steuen: "Meke mayst{er} on y mon to my{n}ne if e lyked, Loth lenge[gh] i{n} [gh]on leede at is my lef bro{er}, 772 He sytte[gh] er i{n} sodomis, y seruau{n}t so pou{er}e Among o mansed men at han e much g{r}eued; [Sidenote: Beseeches Him to "temper His ire," and then departs weeping for sorrow.] [Gh]if {o}u tyne[gh] at tou{n}, te{m}pre yn yre As y mersy may malte y meke to spare." 776 e{n} he wende[gh], wende[gh] his way wepande for care To-warde e mere of mambre wepande for so[r[gh]e,][37] & ere i{n} longy{n}g al ny[gh]t he lenge[gh] i{n} wones, Whyl e sou{er}ayn to sodamas sende to spye. 780

[Sidenote 34: MS. i{n}f.] [Sidenote 35: come (?).] [Sidenote 36: An (?).] [Sidenote 37: sorewe is written by a late hand over the original word.]

[Headnote: MESSENGERS ARE SENT TO LOT.]

X.

[Sidenote: God's messengers go to Sodom.] His sondes i{n}-to sodamas wat[gh] sende i{n} at tyme, I{n} at ilk euentyde, by au{n}gels tweyne, Meuand meuande[38] mekely togeder as myry me{n} [gh]onge, [Sidenote: Lot is sitting alone at the "door of his lodge."] As loot i{n} a loge dor lened hy{m} alone, 784 I{n} a porche of at place py[gh]t to e [gh]at{es}, at wat[gh] ryal & ryche, so wat[gh] e renk{es} seluen. [Sidenote: Staring into the street he sees two men.] As he stared i{n}-to e strete {er} stout men played He sy[gh]e er swey i{n} asent swete men tweyne; 788 [Sidenote: Beardless chins they had, and hair like raw silk.] Bolde burne[gh] wer ay boe w{i}t{h} berdles chy{n}ne[gh], Royl rollande fax to raw sylk lyke, Of ble as e brere flo{ur} where-so e bare scheweed, Ful clene wat[gh] e cou{n}tenau{n}ce of her cler y[gh]en; 792 [Sidenote: [Fol. 68a.]] [Sidenote: Beautifully white were their weeds.] Wlonk whit wat[gh] her wede & wel hit hem semed. Of alle feture[gh] ful fyn & fautle[gh] boe; Wat[gh] non autly i{n} ou{er}, for aungels hit wern, & at e [gh]ep vnder-[gh]ede at i{n} e [gh]ate sytte[gh]. 796

[Headnote: LOT ENTERTAINS THE MESSENGERS.]

[Sidenote: Lot runs to meet them.] He ros vp ful radly & ran hem to mete & lo[gh]e he loute[gh] hem to, loth, to e grou{n}de, & syen soberly [sat[gh]] "syre[gh] I yow by-seche, [Sidenote: Invites them to remain awhile in his house, and in the morning they may take their way.] at [gh]e wolde ly[gh]t at my loge & lenge {er}-i{n}ne, 800 Come[gh] to yo{ur} knaues kote I craue at is one[gh]; I schal fette yow a fatte yo{ur} fette forto wasche; I norne yow bot for on ny[gh]t ne[gh]e me to lenge, & i{n} e myry morny{n}g [gh]e may yo{ur} waye take." 804 & ay nay at ay nolde ne[gh] no howse[gh], Bot stylly er i{n} e strete as ay stadde wern, ay wolde lenge e long na[gh]t & logge {er}-oute; Hit wat[gh] ho{us} inno[gh]e to hem e heuen vpon lofte. 808 [Sidenote: Lot invites them so long that at last they comply.] Loth laed so longe wyth luflych worde[gh], at ay hy{m} grau{n}ted to go & gru[gh]t no leng{er}. e bolde to his byggy{n}g brynge[gh] hem bylyue, [Sidenote: The wife and daughters of Lot welcome their visitors.] at ryally [wat[gh]] arayed, for he wat[gh] ryche eu{er}. 812 e wy[gh]e[gh] wern welcom as e wyf coue, His two dere do[gh]t{er}e[gh] deuoutly he{m} haylsed, at wer maydene[gh] ful meke, maryed not [gh]et, & ay wer semly & swete, & swye wel arayed. 816 [Sidenote: Lot admonishes his men to prepare the meat, and to serve no salt with it.] Loth e{n}ne ful ly[gh]tly loke[gh] hy{m} aboute, & his me{n} amonest{es} mete forto dy[gh]t, Bot enkke[gh] on hit be refte what ynk[39] so [gh]e make, For wyth no so{ur}[40] ne no salt serue[gh] hy{m} neu{er}. 820 Bot [gh]et I wene at e wyf hit wroth[41] to dyspyt, & sayde softely to hir self "is vn-sau{er}e[42] hyne Loue[gh] no salt i{n} her sauce [gh]et hit no skyl were at o{er} burne be boute a[gh] boe be nyse." 824 [Sidenote: Lot's wife disregards the injunction.] e{n}ne ho sau{er}e[gh] w{i}t{h} salt her seue[gh] vchone Agayne e bone of e burne at hit forboden hade, & als ho scelt he{m} i{n} scorne at wel her skyl knewen. Why wat[gh] ho wrech so wod, ho wrathed oure lorde! 828 [Sidenote: [Fol. 68b.]] [Sidenote: The guests are well entertained.] e{n}ne seten ay at e soper, wern serued by-lyue, e gest{es} gay & ful glad, of glam debonere, Welawy{n}nely wlonk tyl ay waschen hade, e trest{es} tylt to e wo[gh]e & e table boe. 832

[Headnote: LOT'S HOUSE IS BESET.]

[Sidenote: But before they go to rest the city is up in arms.] Fro e segge[gh] haden souped & seten bot a whyle, Er eu{er} ay bosked to bedde e bor[gh] wat[gh] al vp; Alle at weppen my[gh]t welde, e wakker & e stronger, To vmbe-ly[gh]e lothe[gh] ho{us} e lede[gh] to take, 836 In grete flokke[gh] of folk, ay fallen to his [gh]ate[gh], As a scowte-wach scarred, so e asscry rysed; [Sidenote: With "keen clubs" the folk clatter on the walls, and demand that Lot should deliver up his guests.] W{i}t{h} kene clobbe[gh] of at clos ay clat[gh] on e wowe[gh], & wyth a schrylle scharp schout ay schewe yse worde: 840 "If {o}u louye[gh] y lyf loth i{n} yse wone[gh] [Gh]ete v{us} out ose [gh]ong men at [gh]ore-whyle here entred, at we may lere hym[43] of lof, as oure lyst bidde[gh], As is e asyse of Sodomas to segge[gh] {a}t passen." 844 Whatt! ay sputen & speken of so spito{us} fyle, What! ay [gh]e[gh]ed & [gh]olped of [gh]estande sor[gh]e, [Sidenote: The wind yet stinks with their filthy speech.] at [gh]et e wynd, & e weder, & e worlde stynk{es} Of e brych at vp-brayde[gh] ose broelych worde[gh]. 848 e god man glyfte w{i}t{h} {a}t glam & gloped for noyse, So scharpe schame to hy{m} schot, he schrank at e hert, For he knew e costou{m} at kyed ose wreche[gh], He doted neu{er} for no doel so depe i{n} his my{n}de. 852 [Sidenote: Lot is in great trouble.] Allas! sayd hy{m} e{n}ne loth, & ly[gh]tly he ryse[gh] & bowe[gh] forth fro e bench i{n}-to e brode [gh]at{es}. What! he wonded no woe of wekked knaue[gh], at he ne passed e port e p{er}il[44] to abide. 856 [Sidenote: He leaves his guests and addresses the Sodomites.] He went forthe at e wyket & waft hit hy{m} aft{er}, at a clyket hit cle[gh]t clos hy{m} byhynde. e{n}ne he meled to o men mesurable worde[gh], For harlote[gh] w{i}t{h} his hendelayk he hoped to chast; 860 "Oo! my frende[gh] so fre, yo{ur} fare is to strange, Dot[gh] away yo{ur} derf dyn & dere[gh] neu{er} my gest{es}, Avoy! hit is yo{ur} vylaynye, [gh]e vylen yo{ur} seluen; &[45] [gh]e ar iolyf gentylmen yo{ur} iapes ar ille. 864 [Sidenote: [Fol. 69a.]] Bot I schal ke{n}ne yow by kynde a crafte at is bett{er}; [Sidenote: He offers to give up to them his two daughters.] I haf a tresor i{n} my telde of tow my fayre de[gh]t{er}, at ar maydene[gh] vnmard for alle men [gh]ette; In sodamas, a[gh] I hit say, non semloker burdes, 868 Hit arn ronk, hit arn rype & redy to ma{n}ne; To samen wyth o semly e solace is bett{er}, I schal biteche yow o two at tayt arn & quoy{n}t, & layke[gh] wyth hem as yow lyst & lete[gh] my gest{es} one." 872 [Sidenote: The rebels raise a great noise, and ask who made him a justice to judge their deeds, who was but a boy when he came to Sodom.] e{n}ne e rebaude[gh] so ronk rerd such a noyse, at a[gh]ly hurled i{n} his ere[gh] her harlote[gh] speche; "Wost {o}u not wel {a}t {o}u wone[gh] here a wy[gh]e strange, An out-comly{n}g, a carle, we kylle of yn heued. 876 Who Ioyned e be iostyse oure iape[gh] to blame, at com a boy to is bor[gh], a[gh] {o}u be burne ryche?" {us} ay robled & rong & rwe vmbe his ere[gh], & distresed hy{m} wonder strayt, w{i}t{h} strenke i{n} e prece, 880

[Headnote: THE MEN OF SODOM SMITTEN WITH BLINDNESS.]

[Sidenote: The young men bring Lot within doors, and smite those outside with blindness.] Bot at e [gh]onge me{n}, so [gh]epe, [gh]ornen {er}-oute, Wapped vpon e wyket & wo{n}nen hem tylle, & by e honde[gh] hy{m} hent & horyed hy{m} w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne, & steken e [gh]at{es} ston-harde wyth stalworth barre[gh]. 884 ay blwe a boffet i{n} blande at ba{n}ned peple, at ay blust{er}ed as blynde as bayard wat[gh] eu{er}; [Sidenote: In vain they try to find the door of Lot's house.] ay lest of lote[gh] loggi{n}g any lysou{n} to fynde, Bot nyteled {er} alle e ny[gh]t for no[gh]t at e last; 888 e{n}ne vch tolke ty[gh]t hem at hade of tayt fayled, & vchon roeled to e rest at he reche mo[gh]t; Bot ay wern wakned al wrank[46] at {er} i{n} won lenged, Of on e vglokest vnhap at eu{er} on erd suffred. 892

[Sidenote 38: So in MS.] [Sidenote 39: yng (?).] [Sidenote 40: savo{ur} (?).] [Sidenote 41: wro[gh]t (?).] [Sidenote 42: MS. vnfau{er}e.] [Sidenote 43: hem (?).] [Sidenote 44: MS. pil.] [Sidenote 45: And = An (?).] [Sidenote 46: wrang (?).]

[Headnote: LOT IS SENT OUT OF THE CITY.]

XI.

[Sidenote: Early in the morning the angels command Lot to depart from Sodom, with his wife and two daughters, and to look straight before him, for Sodom and Gomorrah shall be destroyed.] Ruddon of e day-rawe ros vpon v[gh]ten, When merk of e mydny[gh]t mo[gh]t no more last, Ful erly ose aungele[gh] is hael ay ruen & glopnedly on gode[gh] halue gart hy{m} vpryse, 896 Fast e freke ferke[gh] vp ful ferd at his hert; ay comau{n}ded hy{m} cof to cach at he hade, "Wyth y wyf & y wy[gh]e[gh] & y wlone de[gh]tters, For we lae e, s{ir} loth, at {o}u y lyf haue; 900 [Sidenote: [Fol. 69b.]] Cayre tid of is kythe er combred {o}u wore, With alle i here vpon haste, tyl {o}u a hil fynde; Fou{n}de[gh] faste on yo{ur} fete, bifore yo{ur} face lokes, Bot bes neu{er} so bolde to blusch yow bihynde, 904 & loke [gh]e ste{m}me no stepe, bot streche[gh] on faste, Til [gh]e reche to a reset, rest [gh]e neu{er}; For we schal tyne is tou{n} & trayely disstrye, Wyth alle ise wy[gh]e[gh] so wykke wy[gh]tly de-voyde 908 & alle e londe w{i}t{h} ise lede[gh] we losen at one[gh]; Sodomas schal ful sodenly synk i{n}-to grou{n}de, & e grou{n}de of gomorre gorde i{n}-to helle, & vche a koste of is kyth{e} clater vpon hepes. 912 [Sidenote: Lot asks what is best to be done, that he may escape.] e{n} laled loth, "lorde what is best? If I me fele vpon fote at I fle mo[gh]t, Hov schulde I huyde me fro hem {a}t hat[gh] his hate ky{n}ned, I{n} e brath of his breth at bre{n}ne[gh] alle i{n}ke[gh],[47] 916 To crepe fro my creato{ur} & know not wheder, Ne wheer his fooschip me fol[gh]e[gh] bifore o{er} bihynde?" e freke sayde "no foschip oure fader hat[gh] e schewed, Bot hi[gh]ly heuened i hele fro hem at arn combred: 920 [Sidenote: He is told to choose himself a dwelling which shall be saved from destruction.] Nov walle e a wo{n}ny{n}g at e warisch my[gh]t, & he schal saue hit for y sake at hat[gh] v{us} sende hider, For {o}u art oddely yn one out of is fyle, & als Abraham yn em[48] hit at hi{m} self asked." 924 "Lorde, loued he wore," q{uod} loth, "vpon ere! [Sidenote: He chooses Zoar.] e{n} is a cite herbisyde at segor hit hatte, Here vtt{er} on a rou{n}de hil hit houe[gh] hit one, I wolde, if his wylle wore, to at won scape." 928 [Sidenote: The angels command Lot to depart quickly.] "e{n}n fare forth," q{uod} at fre, "& fyne {o}u neu{er} W{i}t{h} ose ilk at ow wylt {a}t renge e aft{er}, & ay goande on yo{ur} gate, wyth-outen agayn-tote, For alle is londe schal be lorne, longe er e son{n}e rise." 932 [Sidenote: He wakes his wife and daughters.] e wy[gh]e wakened his wyf & his wlonk de[gh]t{er}es, & o{er} two myri men o maydene[gh] schulde wedde; & ay token hit as tyt & tented hit lyttel, a[gh] fast laed hem loth, ay le[gh]en ful stylle. 936 [Sidenote: [Fol. 70a.]] [Sidenote: All four are hastened on by the angels, who "preach to them the peril" of delay.] e aungele[gh] hasted ise o{er} & a[gh]ly hem ratten, & enforsed alle fawre forth at e [gh]ate[gh], o wern loth & his lef, his luflyche de[gh]t{er}, er so[gh]t no mo to sauement of cities ael fyue. 940 ise aungele[gh] hade hem by hande out at e [gh]ate[gh], Prechande hem e perile, & beden hem passe fast. "Lest [gh]e be taken i{n} e teche of tyrau{n}te[gh] here, Loke [gh]e bowe now bi bot, bowe[gh] fast hence!" 944 [Sidenote: Before daylight Lot comes to a hill.] & ay kayre-ne con & kenely flowen; Erly, er any heuen glem, ay to a hil comen.

[Headnote: THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CITIES.]

[Sidenote: God aloft raises a storm.] e grete god i{n} his greme bygy{n}ne[gh] onlofte; To wakan wedere[gh] so wylde e wynde[gh] he calle[gh], 948 & ay wroely vp-wafte & wrastled togeder, Fro fawre half of e folde, flytande loude. Clowde[gh] clust{er}ed bytwene kesten vp torres, at e ik u{n}der rast irled hem ofte. 952 [Sidenote: A rain falls thick of fire and sulphur.] e rayn rueled adou{n}, ridlande ikke, Of felle flau{n}kes of fyr & flakes of soufre, Al in smolderande smoke smachande ful ille, [Sidenote: Upon the four cities it comes, and frightens all folks therein.] Swe[49] aboute sodamas & hit syde[gh] alle, 956 Gorde to gomorra at e grou{n}de lansed; Abdama & syboym, ise ceteis alle faure, Al birolled wyth e rayn, rostted & bre{n}ned, & ferly flayed at folk at i{n} ose fees lenged; 960 For when at e helle herde e hou{n}de[gh] of heuen He wat[gh] ferlyly fayn, vnfolded bylyue. [Sidenote: The great bars of the abyss do burst.] e grete barre[gh] of e abyme he barst vp at one[gh], at alle e regiou{n} to-rof i{n} riftes ful grete, 964 [Sidenote: Cliffs cleave asunder.] & clouen alle i{n} lyttel cloutes e clyffe[gh] aywhere, As lance leue[gh] of e boke at lepes i{n} twy{n}ne. [Sidenote: The cities sink to hell.] e brethe of e brynston bi at hit blende were, Al o citees & her sydes sunkken to helle. 968 Rydelles wern o grete rowtes of renkkes w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne, When ay wern war of e wrake {a}t no wy[gh]e achaped, [Sidenote: Such a cry arises that the clouds clatter again.] Such a [gh]om{er}ly [gh]arm of [gh]elly{n}g er rysed; er-of clat{er}ed e cloudes at kryst my[gh]t haf rawe. 972 [Sidenote: [Fol. 70b.]] e segge herde at sou{n} to segor at [gh]ede, & e wenches hy{m} wyth at by e way fol[gh]ed; [Sidenote: Lot and his companions are frightened, but continue to follow their face.] Ferly ferde wat[gh] her flesch, at flowen ay ilyche, Trynande ay a hy[gh]e trot at torne neu{er} dorsten. 976 Loth & o luly-whit his lefly two de[gh]t{er}, Ay fol[gh]ed here face, bifore her boe y[gh]en; Bot e balleful burde, at neu{er} bode keped,

[Headnote: LOT'S WIFE BECOMES A STIFF STONE.]

[Sidenote: Lot's wife looks behind her, and is turned to a stiff stone "as salt as any sea."] Blusched by-hynden her bak, at bale forto herkken; 980 Hit wat[gh] lusty lothes wyf at ou{er} he[r] lyfte schulder. Ones ho bluschet to e bur[gh]e, bot bod ho no lenger, at ho nas stadde a stiffe ston, a stalworth image Al so salt as ani se & so ho [gh]et stande[gh]. 984 [Sidenote: Her companions do not miss her till they reach Zoar.] ay slypped bi & sy[gh]e hir not at wern hir samen feres, Tyl ay i{n} segor wern sette, & sayned our lorde; Wyth ly[gh]t loue[gh] vplyfte ay loued hy{m} swye, at so his seruau{n}tes wolde see & saue of such woe. 988 [Sidenote: By this time all were drowned.] Al wat[gh] dampped & don, & drowned by e{n}ne; [Sidenote: The people of Zoar, for dread, rush into the sea and are destroyed.] e lede[gh] of at lyttel tou{n} wern lopen out for drede, I{n}-to at malscrande mere, marred bylyue, at no[gh]t saued wat[gh] bot segor at sat on a lawe, 992 [Sidenote: Only Zoar with three therein (Lot and his daughters) are saved.] e re lede[gh] er-i{n}, loth & his de[gh]ter; For his make wat[gh] myst, at on e mou{n}t lenged In a stonen statue at salt sauor habbes, [Sidenote: Lot's wife is an image of salt for two faults: 1. She served salt before the Lord at supper. 2. She looked behind her.] For two fautes at e fol wat[gh] fou{n}de i{n} mistraue; 996 On, ho serued at e soper salt bifore dry[gh]tyn & syen, ho blusched hir bihynde, a[gh] hir forboden were; For on ho standes a ston, & salt for at o{er}, & alle lyst on hir lik at arn on launde bestes. 1000 [Sidenote: Abraham is up full early on the morn.] Abraham ful erly wat[gh] vp on e morne, at alle na[gh]t [so] much niye hade no mon i{n} his hert, Al i{n} longi{n}g for loth leyen i{n} a wache, er he lafte hade oure lorde, he is on lofte wo{n}nen; 1004 [Sidenote: He looks towards Sodom, now only a pit filled with pitch, from which rise smoke, ashes and cinders, as from a furnace.] He sende toward sodomas e sy[gh]t of his y[gh]en, at eu{er} hade ben an erde of ere e swettest As aparau{n}t to paradis at plantted e dry[gh]tyn, Nov is hit plu{n}ged i{n} a pit like of pich fylled. 1008 [Sidenote: [Fol. 71a.]] Suche a rou{n} of a reche ros fro e blake, Aske[gh] vpe i{n} e ayre & vselle[gh] er flowen, As a fornes ful of flot at vpon fyr boyles, When bry[gh]t bre{n}nande bronde[gh] ar bet {er} an-vnder. 1012 is wat[gh] a uengau{n}ce violent at voyded ise places, at fou{n}dered hat[gh] so fayr a folk & e folde sonkken.

[Headnote: THE DEAD SEA COVERS THE FIVE CITIES.]

[Sidenote: A sea now occupies the place of the four cities.] er faur{e} citees wern set, nov is a see called, at ay is drouy & dym, & ded i{n} hit kynde, 1016 Blo, blubrande, & blak, vnblye to ne[gh]e, [Sidenote: It is a stinking pool, and is called the Dead Sea.] As a stynkande stanc at stryed sy{n}ne, at eu{er} of sy{n}ne & of smach, smart is to fele; For-y e derk dede see hit is demed eu{er} more, 1020 For hit dede[gh] of dee duren ere [gh]et. For hit is brod & boe{m}le[gh], & bitter as e galle, [Sidenote: Nothing may live in it.] & no[gh]t may lenge i{n} at lake at any lyf bere[gh], & alle e coste[gh] of kynde hit combre[gh] vchone; 1024 [Sidenote: Lead floats on its surface.] For lay {er}-on a lump of led & hit on loft flete[gh], [Sidenote: A feather sinks to the bottom of it.] & folde {er}-on a ly[gh]t fy{er} & hit to fou{n}s synkke[gh]. [Sidenote: Lands, watered by this sea, never bear grass or weed.] & {er} wat{er} may walt{er} to wete any ere, Schal neu{er} grene {er}-on growe, gresse ne wod naw{er}. 1028 If any schalke to be schent wer schowued {er}-i{n}ne, a[gh] he bode i{n} at boe{m} broely a monyth, [Sidenote: A man cannot be drowned in it.] He most ay lyue i{n} at lo[gh]e i{n} losy{n}g eu{er}-more, & neu{er} dry[gh]e no dethe, to dayes of ende; 1032 & as hit is corsed of kynde & hit cooste[gh] als, [Sidenote: The clay clinging to it is corrosive, as alum, alkaran, sulphur, etc., which fret the flesh and fester the bones.] e clay at clenges {er}-by arn corsyes strong, As alu{m} & alkaran,[50] at angr[51] arn boe, Soufre so{ur}, & sau{n}dyu{er}, & o{er} such mony; 1036 & er walte[gh] of at wat{er} i{n} waxlokes grete, e spuniande[52] aspaltou{n} at spysere[gh] sellen; & suche is alle e soyle by at se halues, at fel fretes e flesch & festred[53] bones. 1040 [Sidenote: On the shores of this lake grow trees bearing fair fruits, which, when broken or bitten, taste like ashes.] & er ar tres by at terne of trayto{ur}es; & ay borgou{n}e[gh] & beres blome[gh] ful fayre, & e fayrest fryt at may on folde growe, As orenge & o{er} fryt & apple garnade 1044 [Sidenote: [Fol. 71b.]] Also red & so ripe & rychely hwed, As any dom my[gh]t deuice of dayntye[gh] oute; Bot quen hit is brused o{er} broken, o{er} byten i{n} twy{n}ne, No worlde[gh] goud hit wyth-i{n}ne, bot wydowande[54] askes; 1048

[Headnote: IT IS A TOKEN OF WICKEDNESS AND VENGEANCE.]

[Sidenote: All these are tokens of wickedness and vengeance.] Alle yse ar teches & tokenes to trow vpon [gh]et, & wittnesse of at wykked werk & e wrake aft{er}, at oure fader forferde for fyle of ose ledes. [Sidenote: God loves the pure in heart.] e{n}ne vch wy[gh]e may wel wyt at he e wlonk louies, 1052 & if he louyes clene layk at is oure lorde ryche, [Sidenote: Strive to be clean.] & to be coue i{n} his co{ur}te {o}u coueytes e{n}ne To se at semly i{n} sete & his swete face, Clerrer cou{n}seyl, cou{n}sayl con I non, bot at {o}u clene wore. 1056 [Sidenote: Jean de Meun tells how a lady is to be loved.] For clopy{n}gnel i{n} e compas of his clene rose, er he expoune[gh] a speche, to hy{m} at spede wolde, Of a lady to be loued, loke to hir sone, [Sidenote: By doing what pleases her best.] Of wich bery{n}g at ho be, & wych ho best louyes, 1060 & be ry[gh]t such i{n} vch a bor[gh]e of body & of dedes, & fol[gh] e fet of at fere at {o}u fre haldes. & if {o}u wyrkkes on is wyse, a[gh] ho wyk were, Hir schal lyke at layk at lyknes hir tylle. 1064 If {o}u wyl dele drwrye wyth dry[gh]tyn e{n}ne, [Sidenote: Love thy Lord!] & lelly louy y lorde & his leef wore. [Sidenote: Conform to Christ, who is polished as a pearl.] e{n}ne co{n}fo{ur}me e to kryst, & e clene make, at eu{er} is polyced als playn as e p{er}le seluen. 1068 For loke fro fyrst at he ly[gh]t w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne e lel mayden! [Sidenote: By how comely a contrivance did he enter the womb of the virgin!] By how comly a kest he wat[gh] clos ere, When venkkyst wat[gh] no v{er}gynyt, ne vyole{n}ce maked, Bot much clener wat[gh] hir corse, god ky{n}ned eri{n}ne; 1072 [Sidenote: In what purity did he part from her!] & efte when he borne wat[gh] i{n} beelen e ryche, I{n} wych puryt ay dep{ar}ted; a[gh] ay pou{er} were, Wat[gh] neu{er} so blysful a bo{ur} as wat[gh] abos[55] e{n}ne [Sidenote: No abode was better than his.] Ne no schroude ho{us} so schene as a schepon are, 1076 Ne non so glad vnder god as ho at grone schulde; [Sidenote: The sorrow of childbirth was turned to joy.] For er wat[gh] seknesse al sou{n}de at sarrest is halden, & er wat[gh] rose reflayr where rote hat[gh] ben eu{er}, & er wat[gh] solace & songe wher sor[gh] hat[gh] ay cryed; 1080 [Sidenote: [Fol. 72a.]] [Sidenote: Angels solaced the virgin with organs and pipes.] For au{n}gelles w{i}t{h} i{n}strumentes of organes & pypes, & rial ry{n}gande rotes & e reken fyel, & alle hende at honestly mo[gh]t an hert glade, Aboutte my lady wat[gh] lent, quen ho delyu{er} were. 1084

[Headnote: CHRIST WAS EVER PURE.]

[Sidenote: The child Christ was so clean that ox and ass worshipped him.] e{n}ne wat[gh] her blye barne burnyst so clene, at boe e ox & e asse hym hered at-ones; ay knewe hy{m} by his clannes for ky{n}g of nature, For non so clene of such a clos com neu{er} er e{n}ne; 1088 & [gh]if clanly he e{n}ne com, ful cortays {er}-aft{er}, [Sidenote: He hated wickedness, and would never touch ought that was vile.] at alle at longed to lu{er} ful lodly he hated; By nobleye of his norture he nolde neu{er} towche O[gh]t at wat[gh] vngoderly o{er} ordure wat[gh] i{n}ne. 1092 [Sidenote: Yet there came to him lazars and lepers, lame and blind.] [Gh]et comen lodly to at lede, as la[gh]ares monye, Su{m}me lepre, su{m}me lome, & lom{er}ande blynde, Poysened & parlatyk & pyned i{n} fyres, [Sidenote: Dry and dropsical folk.] Drye folk & ydropike, & dede at e laste; 1096 Alle called on at cortayse & claymed his g{ra}ce. [Sidenote: He healed all with kind speech.] He heled hem wyth hynde speche of at ay ask aft{er}, For what-so he towched also-tyd to{ur}ned to hele, Wel cla{n}ner en any crafte cowe devyse; 1100 So clene wat[gh] his hondely{n}g vche ordure hit schonied, [Sidenote: His handling was so good, that he needed no knife to cut or carve with.] & e gropy{n}g so goud of god & man boe, at for fetys of his fyngeres fonded he neu{er} Nau{er} to cout[56] ne to kerue, w{i}t{h} knyf ne wyth egge, 1104 For-y brek he e bred blades wyth-outen; [Sidenote: The bread he broke more perfectly than could all the tools of Toulouse.] For hit ferde freloker i{n} fete i{n} his fayre honde, Displayed more pryuyly when he hit part schulde, e{n}ne alle e toles of tolowse mo[gh]t ty[gh]t hit to kerue, 1108 [Sidenote: How can we approach his court except we be clean?] {us} is he kyryo{us} & clene at {o}u his cort askes; Hov schulde {o}u com to his kyth bot if {o}u clene were? Nov ar we sore & synful & sov[er]ly[57] vch one, How schulde we se, e{n} may we say, {a}t syre vpon throne? 1112 [Sidenote: God is merciful.] [Gh]is, at mayst{er} is mercyable; a[gh] {o}u be man fe{n}ny, & al to-marred i{n} myre whyl {o}u on molde lyuyes, {o}u may schyne ur[gh] schryfte, a[gh] {o}u haf schome serued,

[Headnote: PENANCE MAKES MAN PURE AS A PEARL.]

[Sidenote: Through penance we may shine as a pearl.] & pure e with penau{n}ce tyl {o}u a perle wore. 1116 [Sidenote: [Fol. 72b.]] [Sidenote: Why is the pearl so prized?] Perle praysed is prys, {er} perre is schewed, a[gh] hy{m} not derrest be demed to dele for penies, Quat may e cause be called, bot for hir clene hwes, at wy{n}nes worschyp, abof alle whyte stones? 1120 For ho schynes so schyr at is of schap rou{n}de, Wyth-outen faut o{er} fyle [gh]if ho fyn were; [Sidenote: She becomes none the worse for wear.] & wax eu{er} i{n} e worlde i{n} wery{n}g so olde, [Gh]et e perle payres not whyle ho i{n} pyese lasttes 1124 [Sidenote: If she should become dim, wash her in wine.] & if hit cheue e chau{n}ce vncheryst ho wore, at ho blyndes of ble i{n} bo{ur} {er} ho lygges, No-bot wasch hir wyth wo{ur}chyp i{n} wyn as ho askes, [Sidenote: She then becomes clearer than before.] Ho by kynde schal be-com clerer en are; 1128 So if folk be defowled by vnfre chau{n}ce, [Sidenote: So may the sinner polish him by penance.] at he be sulped i{n} sawle, seche to schryfte & he may polyce hym at e prest, by penau{n}ce taken, Wel bry[gh]t{er} en e beryl o{er} browden perles. 1132 [Sidenote: Beware of returning to sin.] Bot war e wel, if {o}u be waschen wyth wat{er} of schryfte, & polysed als playn as parchmen schauen, Sulp no more e{n}ne i{n} sy{n}ne y saule {er}-aft{er}, [Sidenote: For then God is more displeased than ever.] For e{n}ne {o}u dry[gh]tyn dyspleses w{i}t{h} dedes ful sore, 1136 & entyses hy{m} to tene more trayly e{n} eu{er} & wel hatt{er} to hate e{n} hade {o}u not waschen; [Sidenote: The reconciled soul God holds as His own.] For when a sawele is sa[gh]tled & sakred to dry[gh]tyn, He holly haldes hit his & haue hit he wolde, 1140 e{n}ne efte lastes hit likkes, he loses hit ille, [Sidenote: Ill deeds rob Him of it.] As hit were rafte wyth vn-ry[gh]t & robbed wyth ewes.[58] War e e{n}ne for e wrake, his wrath is achaufed,

[Headnote: GOD PUNISHES IMPURITY.]

[Sidenote: God forbids us to defile any vessels used in His service.] For at at ones wat[gh] his schulde efte be vn-clene, 1144 a[gh] hit be bot a bassy{n}, a bolle, o{er} a scole, A dysche o{er} a dobler {a}t dry[gh]tyn one[gh] serued, To defowle hit eu{er} vpon folde fast he for-bedes, So is he scoym{us} of scae at scylful is eu{er}. 1148 [Sidenote: In Belshazzar's time, the defiling of God's vessels brought wrath upon the king.] & at wat[gh] bared i{n} babyloyn i{n} Balta[gh]ar tyme, Hov harde vnhap er hy{m} hent & hastyly sone, For he e vesselles avyled at vayled i{n} e temple I{n} seruyse of e sou{er}ayn su{m} tyme byfore. 1152 [Sidenote: [Fol. 73a.]] [Gh]if [gh]e wolde ty[gh]t me a tom telle hit I wolde, Hov charged more wat[gh] his chau{n}ce at he{m} cherych nolde en his fader forloyne at feched he{m} wyth strene, & robbed e relygiou{n} of relykes alle. 1156

[Sidenote 47: i{n}ge[gh].] [Sidenote 48: broer is written over in a later hand.] [Sidenote 49: Sweyed (?).] [Sidenote 50: alkatran (?).] [Sidenote 51: augre = aigre (?).] [Sidenote 52: spinnande (?).] [Sidenote 53: festres (?).] [Sidenote 54: MS. wy{n}dowande.] [Sidenote 55: abof (?).] [Sidenote 56: cut (?).] [Sidenote 57: MS. sovly.] [Sidenote 58: eues. (?).]

XII.

[Sidenote: Daniel in his prophecies tells of the destruction of the Jews.] Danyel i{n} his dialoke[gh] de-vysed su{m} tyme, As [gh]et is proued ex-presse i{n} his p{ro}fecies, Hov e gentryse of Iuise & Ih{e}r{usa}l{e}m e ryche Wat[gh] disstryed wyth distres, & drawen to e ere, 1160 [Sidenote: For their unfaithfulness in following other gods, God allowed the heathen to destroy them, in the reign of Zedekiah, who practised idolatry.] For at folke i{n} her fayth wat[gh] fou{n}den vntrwe, at haden hy[gh]t e hy[gh]e god to halde of hy{m} eu{er}; & he hem hal[gh]ed for his & help at her nede In mukel meschefes mony, at meruayl [is] to here; 1164 & ay forloyne her fayth & fol[gh]ed o{er} goddes, & at wakned his wrath & wrast hit so hy[gh]e, at he fylsened e faythful i{n} e falce lawe To for-fare e falce i{n} e faythe trwe; 1168 Hit wat[gh] sen i{n} at sye at [gh]edechyas[59] re{n}gned, I{n} Iuda, at iustised e iuyne ky{n}ges. He sete on Salamones solie, on solemne wyse, Bot of leaute he wat[gh] lat to his lorde hende; 1172 He vsed abominaciones of idolatrye, & lette ly[gh]t bi e lawe at he wat[gh] lege tylle; For-i oure fader vpon folde a foman hy{m} wakned,

[Headnote: NEBUCHADNEZZAR BESIEGES JERUSALEM.]

[Sidenote: Nebuchadnezzar becomes his foe.] Nabigo-de-no[gh]ar nuyed hy{m} swye. 1176 He pur-sued i{n} to palastyn w{i}t{h} proude men mony, & er he wast wyth[60] werre e wones of orpes. He her[gh]ed vp alle isr{ae}l & hent of e beste, [Sidenote: He besieges Jerusalem, and surrounds the walls.] & e gentylest of Iudee i{n} I{e}r{usa}l{e}m biseged, 1180 Vmbe-walt alle e walles wyth wy[gh]es ful stronge, At vche a dor a do[gh]ty duk, & dutte hem wyth-i{n}ne; [Sidenote: The city is stuffed full of men.] For e bor[gh] wat[gh] so bygge baytayled alofte, & stoffed wyth-i{n}ne w{i}t{h} stout men to stalle hem {er}-oute. 1184 e{n}ne wat[gh] e sege sette e Cete aboute, [Sidenote: Brisk is the skirmish.] Skete skarmoch skelt, much skae lached; At vch brugge a berfray on basteles wyse, [Sidenote: [Fol. 73b.]] [Sidenote: Seven times a day are the gates assailed.] at seuen sye vch a day asayled e [gh]ates, 1188 Trwe tulkkes i{n} to{ur}es teueled wyth-i{n}ne, In bigge brutage of borde, bulde on e walles; [Sidenote: For two years the fight goes on, yet the city is not taken.] ay fe[gh]t & ay fende of, & fylt{er} togeder Til two [gh]er ou{er}-torned, [gh]et tok ay hit neu{er}. 1192 [Sidenote: The folk within are in want of food.] At e laste vpon longe, o ledes wyth-i{n}ne, Faste fayled hem e fode, enfaminied monie; e hote hunger wyth-i{n}ne hert hem wel sarre, en any dunt of at douthe at dowelled {er}-oute. 1196 e{n}ne wern o rowtes redles i{n} o ryche wones, [Sidenote: Meager they become.] Fro at mete wat[gh] myst, megre ay wexen, [Sidenote: For so shut up are they that escape seems impossible.] & ay stoken so strayt, {a}t ay ne stray my[gh]t A fote fro at forselet to forray no goudes. 1200 e{n}ne e ky{n}g of e kyth a cou{n}sayl hy{m} takes, Wyth e best of his burnes, a blench forto make; [Sidenote: But on a quiet night they steal out, and rush through the host.] ay stel out on a stylle ny[gh]t er any steuen rysed, & harde hurles ur[gh] e oste, er enmies hit wyste, 1204 Bot er ay at-wappe ne mo[gh]t e wach wyth-oute, [Sidenote: They are discovered by the enemy.] Hi[gh]e skelt wat[gh] e askry e skewes an-vnder, [Sidenote: A loud alarm is given.] Loude alarom vpon lau{n}de lulted wat[gh] e{n}ne; Ryche, rued of her rest, ran to here wedes, 1208 Hard hattes ay hent & on hors lepes; Cler claryou{n} crak cryed onlofte. [Sidenote: They are pursued and overtaken.] By at wat[gh] alle on a hepe hurlande swyee, Fol[gh]ande at o{er} flote, & fonde hem bilyue, 1212 Ou{er}-tok hem, as tyd, tult hem of sadeles, Tyl vche prynce hade his per put to e grou{n}de;

[Headnote: THE KING OF JUDAH IS MADE PRISONER.]

[Sidenote: Their king is made prisoner.] & er wat[gh] e ky{n}g ka[gh]t wyth calde pry{n}ces, & alle hise gentyle for-iusted on ierico playnes, 1216 [Sidenote: His chief men are presented as prisoners to Nebuchadnezzar.] & presented wern as presoneres to e prynce rychest, Nabigo-de-no[gh]ar noble i{n} his chayer, & he e faynest freke at he his fo hade, & speke spito{us}ly hem to & spylt {er}aft{er}. 1220 [Sidenote: His sons are slain.] e ky{n}g{es} su{n}nes i{n} his sy[gh]t he slow eu{er} vch one, [Sidenote: His own eyes are put out.] & holkked out his auen y[gh]en het{er}ly boe [Sidenote: He is placed in a dungeon in Babylon.] & bede e burne to be bro[gh]t to babyloyn e ryche, [Sidenote: [Fol. 74a.]] & ere i{n} dongou{n} be don to dre[gh]e {er} his wyrdes. 1224 Now se, so e sou{er}ay[n] set hat[gh] his wrake; Nas hit not for nabugo ne his noble nau{er}, at o{er} depryued wat[gh] of pryde with paynes stronge, [Sidenote: All for his "bad bearing" against the Lord, who might otherwise have been his friend.] Bot for his bery{n}g so badde agayn his blye lorde; 1228 For hade e fader ben his frende at hy{m} bifore keped, Ne neu{er} trespast to him i{n} teche of mysseleue. To Colde wer alle Calde & kythes of ynde, [Gh]et take torkye hem wyth her tene hade ben little; 1232 [Sidenote: Nebuchadnezzar ceased not until he had destroyed Jerusalem.] [Gh]et nolde neu{er} nabugo is ilke note leue, Er he hade tuyred is tou{n} & torne hit to grou{n}de; He ioyned vnto I{e}r{usa}l{e}m a gentyle duc e{n}ne, [Sidenote: Nebuzaradan was "chief of the chivalry."] His name wat[gh] nabu-[gh]ardan, to noye e iues; 1236 He wat[gh] mayster of his men & my[gh]ty hi{m} seluen, e chef of his cheualrye his chekkes to make, He brek e bareres as bylyue, & e bur[gh] aft{er}, & enteres i{n} ful ernestly, i{n} yre of his hert. 1240 What! e maysterry wat[gh] mene, e me{n} wern away, [Sidenote: The best men were taken out of the city.] e best bo[gh]ed wyth e burne at e bor[gh] [gh]emed; & o at byden wer so[61] biten with e bale hunger, at on wyf hade ben wore e welgest fo{ur}re; 1244 [Sidenote: Nevertheless Nebuzaradan spared not those left.] Nabi[gh]ardan no[gh]t for-y nolde not spare, Bot bede al to e bronde vnder bare egge. ay slowen of swettest semlych burdes, [Sidenote: Brains of bairns were spilt.] Baed barnes i{n} blod & her brayn spylled; 1248 [Sidenote: Priests pressed to death.] Prestes & prelates ay presed to dee, [Sidenote: Wives and wenches foully killed.] Wyues & wenches her wombes tocoruen, at her boweles out-borst aboute e diches, [Sidenote: All that escaped the sword were taken to Babylon, and were made to drag the cart or milk the kine.] & al wat[gh] carfully kylde at ay cach my[gh]t, 1252 & alle [at] swypped vnswol[gh]ed of e sworde kene, ay wer cagged & ka[gh]t on capeles al bare, Festned fettres to her fete vnder fole wombes, & broely bro[gh]t to babyloyn er bale to suffer, 1256 To sytte i{n} seruage & syte; at su{m}tyme wer ge{n}tyle, Now ar chau{n}ged to chorles & charged wyth werkkes, Boe to cayre at e kart & e kuy mylke, [Sidenote: [Fol. 74b.]] at su{m}tyme sete i{n} her sale syres & burdes. 1260

[Headnote: NEBUZARDAN PILLAGES THE TEMPLE.]

[Sidenote: Nebuzaradan burst open the temple, and slew those therein.] & [gh]et nabu[gh]ardan nyl neu{er} stynt, Er he to e tempple tee wyth his tulkkes alle; Betes on e barers, brestes vp e [gh]ates, Slouen alle at a slyp at serued er-i{n}ne, 1264 [Sidenote: Priests, pulled by the poll, were slain along with deacons, clerks, and maidens.] Pulden prestes bi e polle & plat of her hedes, Di[gh]ten dekenes to dee, dungen dou{n} clerkkes, & alle e maydenes of e mu{n}st{er} ma[gh]tyly hokyllen Wyth e swayf of e sworde at swol[gh]ed he{m} alle. 1268 [Sidenote: The enemy pillages the temple of its pillars of brass, and the golden candlestick from off the altar.] e{n}ne ran ay to e relykes as robbors wylde, & pyled alle e apparement at pented to e kyrke, e pure pyleres [o]f bras po{ur}trayd i{n} golde, & e chef chau{n}deler charged with e ly[gh]t, 1272 at ber e lamp vpon lofte, at lemed eu{er} more, Bifore [e] sancta s{an}c{t}or{um} er selcouth wat[gh] ofte. ay ca[gh]t away at condelstik, & e crowne als, at e aut{er} hade vpon, of ael golde ryche; 1276 [Sidenote: Goblets, basins, golden dishes, all are taken by Nebuzaradan, and hampered together.] e gredirne & e goblot{es} garnyst of sylu{er}, e bases of e bry[gh]t postes & bassynes so schyre; Dere disches of golde & dubleres fayre, e vyoles & e vesselment of v{er}tuo{us} stones. 1280 Now hat[gh] nabu[gh]ardan nome{n} alle yse noble y{n}ges, & pyled at p{re}cio{us} place & pakked ose godes; e golde of e ga[gh]afylace to swye gret nou{m}bre, Wyth alle e vrnmentes of at ho{us}, he hamppred to-geder. 1284 Alle he spoyled spito{us}ly i{n} a sped whyle, [Sidenote: Solomon had made them with much labour.] at salomon so mony a sadde [gh]er so[gh]t to make, Wyth alle e coyntyse at he cowe clene to wyrke; De-uised he e vesselment, e vestures clene, 1288 Wyth sly[gh]t of his ciences, his sou{er}ayn to loue, e ho{us} & e ano{ur}nementes he hy[gh]tled to-gedere. Now hat[gh] nabu[gh]ardan nu{m}ne{n}d[62] hit al samen, [Sidenote: The temple he beats down, and returns to Babylon.] & syen bet dou{n} e bur[gh] & brend hit i{n} askes; 1292 e{n}ne wyth legiou{n}es of ledes ou{er} londes he rydes, Her[gh]e[gh] of Israel e hyrne aboute. Wyth charged chariotes e cheftayn he fynde[[gh]], [Sidenote: [Fol. 75a.]] [Sidenote: Presents the prisoners to the king, among whom were Daniel and his three companions.] Bike{n}nes e catel to e ky{n}g, at he ca[gh]t hade, 1296 P{re}sented him e p{r}isoneres i{n} pray at ay token, Moni a worly wy[gh]e whil her worlde laste, Moni semly syre son{e}, & swye rych maydenes, e pruddest of e p{ro}uince, & p{ro}phetes childer, 1300 As Ananie & a[gh]arie & als Mi[gh]ael, & dere daniel also, at wat[gh] deuine noble, With moni a modey moder chylde mo e{n} i{n}-noghe.

[Headnote: NEBUCHADNEZZAR IS PLEASED WITH THE SPOIL.]

[Sidenote: Nebuchadnezzar has great joy, because his enemies are slain.] & nabugo-de-no[gh]ar makes much ioye, 1304 Nov he e ky{n}g hat[gh] c{on}quest & e kyth wu{n}nen, & dreped alle e do[gh]tyest & derrest i{n} armes, & e lederes of her lawe layd to e grou{n}de, & e pryce of e p{ro}fecie p{r}isoners maked; 1308

[Headnote: HE PRIZES GREATLY THE SACRED JEWELRY.]

[Sidenote: Great was his wonder when he saw the sacred jewelry.] Bot e ioy of e iuelrye so gentyle & ryche, When hit wat[gh] schewed hy{m} so schene, scharp wat[gh] his wonder, Of such vessel auayed at vayled so huge, Neu{er} [gh]et nas nabugo-de-no[gh]ar er e{n}ne. 1312 [Sidenote: He praises the God of Israel.] He sesed hem w{i}t{h} solemnet, e sou{er}ayn he praysed, at wat[gh] ael ou{er} alle, israel dry[gh]tyn; [Sidenote: Such vessels never before came to Chaldea.] Such god, such gomes, such gay vesselles Comen neu{er} out of kyth, to Caldee reames. 1316 [Sidenote: They are thrust into the treasury.] He trussed hem i{n} his tresorye i{n} a tryed place Rekenly wyth reu{er}ens, as he ry[gh]t hade; & {er} he wro[gh]t as e wyse, as [gh]e may wyt here-aft{er}, For hade he let of hem ly[gh]t, hy{m} mo[gh]t haf lu{m}pen worse. 1320 at ryche i{n} gret rialt rengned his lyue, [Sidenote: Nebuchadnezzar reigns as emperor of all the earth, through the "doom of Daniel," who gave him good counsel.] As {con}quero{ur} of vche a cost he cayser wat[gh] hatte, Emp{er}o{ur} of alle e ere & also e saudan, & als e god of e grou{n}de wat[gh] grauen his name 1324 & al ur[gh] dome of daniel, fro[63] he deuised hade, at alle goudes com of god, & gef hit hy{m} bi samples, at he ful clanly bi-cnv[64] his carp bi e laste, & ofte hit mekned his my{n}de, his mayst{er}ful werkkes. 1328 Bot al drawes to dy[gh]e w{i}t{h} doel vp[o]n ende; Bi[65] a hael neu{er} so hy[gh]e he heldes to grou{n}de, [Sidenote: Nebuchadnezzar dies and is buried.] & so nabugo-de-no[gh]ar as he nedes moste; [Sidenote: [Fol. 75b.]] For alle his empire so hi[gh]e i{n} ere is he g{ra}uen. 1332 [Sidenote: Belshazzar succeeds him.] Bot e{n}n e bolde balta[gh]ar, at wat[gh] his barn aldest, He wat[gh] stalled i{n} his stud, & stabled e rengne; [Sidenote: He holds himself the biggest in heaven or on earth.] I{n} e bur[gh] of babiloyne e biggest he trawed, at nau{er} i{n} heuen ne no[66] ere hade no pere; 1336 For he bigan i{n} alle e glori at hy{m} e gome lafte, Nabugo-de-No[gh]ar, at wat[gh] his noble fader; So kene a ky{n}g i{n} Caldee com neu{er} er e{n}ne. [Sidenote: He honours not God, but worships false phantoms.] Bot hono{ur}ed he not hy{m} at in heuen wonies, 1340 Bot fals fantu{m}mes of fendes, formed with handes Wyth tool out of harde tre, & telded on lofte, & of stokkes & stones, he stoute goddes call[gh] When ay ar gilde al with golde & gered wyth sylu{er}, 1344 & ere he kneles & calle[gh], & clepes after help. [Sidenote: He promises them rewards if good fortune befal.] &[67] ay reden hi{m} ry[gh]t rewarde he hem hetes, & if ay gruchen hi{m} his grace to gremen his hert, [Sidenote: If they vex him he knocks them in pieces.] He cleches to a gret klubbe & knokkes hem to peces; 1348 {us} in pryde & oliprau{n}ce his Empyre he haldes, In lust & i{n} lecherye, & loelych werkkes; [Sidenote: He has a wife, and many concubines.] & hade a wyf forto welde, a worelych quene, & mony a le{m}man, neu{er} e lat{er}, at ladis wer called. 1352 In e clernes of his {con}cubines & curio{us} wede[gh], [Sidenote: The mind of the king was fixed upon new meats and other vain things.] In noty{n}g of nwe metes & of nice gettes, Al wat[gh] e mynde of at man, o{n} misschapen i{n}ges, Til e lorde of e lyfte liste hit abate. 1356

[Sidenote 59: MS. [gh]edethyas.] [Sidenote 60: MS. wyth with.] [Sidenote 61: The MS. reads fo.] [Sidenote 62: nummen (?).] [Sidenote 63: for (?).] [Sidenote 64: Looks like bicuv{er} in MS.] [Sidenote 65: be (?).] [Sidenote 66: on (?).] [Sidenote 67: An (?).]

[Headnote: BELSHAZZAR PROCLAIMS A FEAST, TO WHICH KINGS AND EMPERORS ARE INVITED.]

XIII.

[Sidenote: Belshazzar, to exhibit his vainglory, proclaims throughout Babylon, that all the great ones should assemble on a set day, at the Sultan's feast.] The{n}ne is bolde Balta[gh]ar bienkkes hy{m} ones, To vouche on a vayment of his vayne g[l]orie; Hit is not i{n}nogh{e} to e nice al no[gh]ty i{n}k[68] vse, Bot if alle e worlde wyt his wykked dedes. 1360 Balta[gh]ar ur[gh] babiloyn his ba{n}ne gart crye, & ur[gh] e cu{n}tre of caldee his cally{n}g con spry{n}g, at alle e grete vpon grou{n}de schulde geder hem samen & assemble at a set day at e saudans fest. 1364 [Sidenote: Kings, dukes, and lords were commanded to attend the court.] Such a mangerie to make e man wat[gh] auised, at vche a kythyn ky{n}g schuld com ider; Vche duk wyth his duthe & o{er} dere lordes, [Sidenote: [Fol. 76a.]] Schulde com to his co{ur}t to kye hy{m} for lege, 1368 & to reche hy{m} reu{er}ens & his reuel herkken; [Sidenote: To do the king honour many nobles came to Babylon.] To loke on his lemanes & ladis hem calle, To rose hy{m} i{n} his rialty rych me{n} so[gh]tten, & mony a barou{n} ful bolde, to babyloyn e noble. 1372 er bowed toward babiloyn burnes so mony, Ky{n}ges, Cayseres ful kene, to e co{ur}t wo{n}nen, Mony ludisch lordes at ladies bro[gh]ten, [Sidenote: It would take too long to name the number.] at to neuen e nou{m}bre to much nye were. 1376 [Sidenote: The city of Babylon is broad and big.] For e bo{ur}[gh] wat[gh] so brod & so bigge alce, Stalled i{n} e fayrest stud e sterre[gh] an-vnder, [Sidenote: It is situated on a plain, surrounded by seven streams, a high wall, and towers.] Prudly on a plat playn, plek al{er}-fayrest, Vmbe-sweyed on vch a syde w{i}t{h} seuen grete wat{er}es, 1380 W{i}t{h} a wonder wro[gh]t walle wruxeled ful hi[gh]e, W{i}t{h} koy{n}t carneles aboue, coruen ful clene, Troched toures bitwene twenty spere lene, & iker rowen vmbe o{ur}[69]-w{i}t{h} ou{er}-wert palle. 1384 [Sidenote: The palace was long and large, each side being seven miles in length.] e place, at plyed e pursau{n}t wyth-i{n}ne, Wat[gh] longe & ful large & eu{er} ilych sware, & vch a syde vpon soyle helde seuen myle, & e saudans sete sette i{n} e myddes; 1388 at wat[gh] a palayce of pryde passande alle o{er}, Boe of werk & of wu{n}der & walle al aboute; [Sidenote: High houses were within the walls.] He[gh]e houses w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne e halle to hit med, So brod bilde i{n} a bay, {a}t blonkkes my[gh]t re{n}ne. 1392 [Sidenote: The time of the feast has come.] When e terme of e tyde wat[gh] to vsched of e feste, Dere dro[gh]en {er}-to & vpon des metten, [Sidenote: Belshazzar sits upon his throne: the hall floor is covered with knights.] & balta[gh]ar vpon bench was busked to sete, Stepe stayred stones of his stoute throne. 1396 e{n}ne wat[gh] alle e halle flor hiled w{i}t{h} kny[gh]tes, & barou{n}es at e side-bordes bounet ay-where, For non wat[gh] dressed vpon dece bot e dere seluen, & his clere concubynes i{n} cloes ful bry[gh]t. 1400 [Sidenote: When all are seated, service begins.] When alle segges were {er} set, e{n} seruyse bygy{n}nes, [Sidenote: Trumpets sound everywhere.] Sturnen trumpen strake steuen i{n} halle, Aywhere by e wowes wrasten krakkes, [Sidenote: [Fol. 76b.]] & brode baneres er-bi blusnande of gold; 1404 [Sidenote: Bread is served upon silver dishes.] Burnes berande e[70] bredes vpon brode skeles, at were of sylu{er}en sy[gh]t & se{er}ved[71] {er}-wyth, Lyfte logges er-ou{er} & on lofte coruen, Pared out of paper & poynted of golde,[72] 1408 Broe baboynes abof, besttes an-vnder, Foles i{n} foler flakerande bi-twene, & al i{n} asure & ynde enaumayld ryche, [Sidenote: All sorts of musical instruments are heard in the hall.] & al on blonkken bak bere hit on honde. 1412 & ay e nakeryn noyse, notes of pipes, Ty{m}bres & tabornes, tulket amo{n}g, Sy{m}bales & sonete[gh] sware e noyse, & bougou{n}[gh] busch bat{er}ed so ikke; 1416 So wat[gh] serued fele sye e sale alle aboute, [Sidenote: The king, surrounded by his loves, drinks copiously of wine.] W{i}t{h} solace at e sere course, bifore e self lorde, er e lede & alle his loue lenged at e table. [Sidenote: It gets into his head and stupifies him.] So faste ay we[gh]ed to hi{m} wyne, hit warmed his hert 1420 & breyed vppe i{n} to his brayn & blemyst his my{n}de, & al waykned his wyt, & wel ne[gh]e he foles, For he wayte[gh] onwyde, his wenches he byholdes, & his bolde baronage, aboute bi e wo[gh]es; 1424 [Sidenote: A cursed thought takes possession of him.] e{n}ne a dotage ful depe drof to his hert, & a caytif cou{n}sayl he ca[gh]t bi hy{m} seluen.

[Headnote: BELSHAZZAR BRINGS OUT THE SACRED VESSELS TO DECK THE FESTIVE HALL.]

[Sidenote: He commands his marshal to bring him the vessels taken from the temple by Nebuchadnezzar, and to fill them with wine.] Maynly his marschal e mayst{er} vpon calles, & comau{n}des hym cofly coferes to lance, 1428 & fech fore vessel {a}t his fader bro[gh]t Nabugo-de-no[gh]ar, noble i{n} his strene, Conquerd with his kny[gh]tes & of kyrk rafte I{n} iude, i{n} i{e}r{usa}l{e}m i{n} gentyle wyse: 1432 "Bry{n}g hem now to my borde, of beu{er}age he{m} fylles, Let ise ladyes of hem lape, I luf he{m} i{n} hert; at schal I cortaysly kye & ay schi{n} knawe sone, er is no bou{n}t i{n} burne lyk balta[gh]ar ewes." 1436 [Sidenote: The marshal opens the chests.] e{n}ne towched to e treso{ur} is tale wat[gh] sone, & he w{i}t{h} keyes vn-closes kystes ful mony; Mony buren ful bry[gh]t wat[gh] bro[gh]t i{n}-to halle, [Sidenote: [Fol. 77a.]] [Sidenote: Covers the cupboard with vessels.] & cou{er}ed mony a cupborde with cloes ful quite. 1440 e iueles out of i{e}r{u}s{a}l{e}m[73] w{i}t{h} ge{m}mes ful bry[gh]t, [Sidenote: The Jewels of Jerusalem deck the sides of the hall.] Bi e syde of e sale were semely arayed; [Sidenote: The altar and crown, blessed by bishop's hands, and anointed with the blood of beasts, are set before the bold Belshazzar.] e ael auter of brasse wat[gh] hade i{n}-to place; e gay corou{n} of golde gered on lofte, 1444 at hade ben blessed bifore wyth bischopes hondes & wyth besten blod busily anoynted, In e solempne sacrefyce at goud sauor hade, Bifore e lorde of e lyfte i{n} louy{n}g hy{m} seluen, 1448 Now is sette for to serue satanas e blake, Bifore e bolde balta[gh]ar wyth bost & wyth pryde. [Sidenote: Upon this altar were noble vessels curiously carved, basins of gold, cups arrayed like castles with battlements, and towers with lofty pinnacles.] Houen vpon is auter wat[gh] ael vessel, at wyth so[74] curio{us} a crafte coruen wat[gh] wyly; 1452 Salamon sete him s[eue]n [gh]ere & a sye more, W{i}t{h} alle e syence at hy{m} sende e sou{er}ayn lorde, For to compas & kest to haf hem clene wro[gh]t; For er wer bassynes ful bry[gh]t of brende golde clere, 1456 En-aumaylde w{i}t{h} a[gh]er & eweres of sute; Cou{er}ed cowpes foul[75] clene, as casteles arayed, Enbaned vnder batelment w{i}t{h} bantelles quoy{n}t, & fyled out of fygures of ferlyle[76] schappes. 1460 e cop{er}ou{n}es of e canacles at on e cuppe reres, Wer fetysely formed out i{n} fylyoles longe, [Sidenote: Upon them were pourtrayed branches and leaves, the flowers of which were white pearls, and the fruit flaming gems.] Pinacles py[gh]t er apert at p{ro}fert bitwene, & al boiled abof w{i}t{h} brau{n}ches & leues, 1464 Pyes & papeiayes purtrayed with-i{n}ne, As ay prudly hade piked of pomgarnades; For alle e blomes of e bo[gh]es wer blyknande perles & alle e fruyt i{n} o formes of flau{m}beande ge{m}mes, 1468 Ande safyres, & sardiners, & semely topace, Alabau{n}derynes, & amarau{n}[gh] & amaffised stones, Casydoynes, & crysolytes, & clere rubies, Penitotes, & pynkardines, ay perles bitwene, 1472 So trayled & tryfled a trau{er}ce wer alle, Bi vche bekyrande e bolde, e brurdes al vmbe; e gobelotes of golde grauen aboute, [Sidenote: [Fol. 77b.]] [Sidenote: The goblets were ornamented with flowers of gold.] & fyoles fretted w{i}t{h} flores & flee[gh] of golde, 1476 Vpon at avter wat[gh] al aliche dresset. [Sidenote: The candlestick was brought in, with its pillars of brass, and ornamental boughs, upon which sat birds of various hues.] e candelstik bi a cost wat[gh] cayred ider sone, [V]pon e pyleres apyked at praysed hit mony, Vpon hit base[gh] of brasse at ber vp e werkes, 1480 e bo[gh]es bry[gh]t er abof, brayden of golde, Brau{n}ches bredande er-on, & bryddes er seten Of mony kyndes, of fele-kyn hues, As ay w{i}t{h} wy{n}ge vpon wynde hade waged her fy{er}es, 1484 [Sidenote: Lights shone bright from the candlestick, which once stood before the "Holy of Holies."] In-mo{n}g e leues of e lampes wer grayed; & o{er} louelych[77] ly[gh]t at lemed ful fayre, As mony mort{er}es of wax merkked w{i}t{h}-oute, W{i}t{h} mony a borlych best al of brende golde. 1488 Hit wat[gh] not wonte i{n} at wone to wast no serges, Bot i{n} te{m}ple of e traue trwly to stonde; Bifore e s{an}c{t}a, s{an}c{t}or{um} soefast dry[gh]tyn, Expouned his speche sp{irit}ually to special p{ro}phetes. 1492 [Sidenote: The pollution of the sacred vessels is displeasing to God.] Leue {o}u wel at e lorde {a}t e lyfte [gh]emes Displesed much, at at play i{n} at plyt stronge, at his ineles so gent wyth iaueles wer fouled, at p{re}syo{us} i{n} his presens wer proued su{m} whyle. 1496 Soberly i{n} his sacrafyce su{m}me wer anoynted, ur[gh] e somones of him selfe at syttes so hy[gh]e; [Sidenote: For "a boaster on bench" drinks from them till he is as "drunken as the devil."] Now a bost{er} on benche bibbes erof Tyl he be dronkken as e deuel, & dotes {er} he syttes; 1500 [Sidenote: God is very angry.] So e worcher of is worlde wlates er-wyth, at i{n} e poynt of her play he poruayes a mynde; [Sidenote: Before harming the revellers He sends them a warning.] Bot er harme hem he wolde i{n} haste of his yre, He wayned hem a warny{n}g at wonder hem o[gh]t. 1504 Nov is alle is guere geten glotou{n}es to serue; Stad i{n} a ryche stal & stared ful bry[gh]t[gh],[78]

[Headnote: THE SACRED VESSELS ARE DEFILED.]

[Sidenote: Belshazzar commands the sacred vessels to be filled with wine.] Balta[gh]ar i{n} a brayd bede v{us} {er}-of. "We[gh]e wyn i{n} is won, wassayl!" he cryes. 1508 Swyfte swaynes ful swye swepen {er}-tylle, [Sidenote: The cups and bowls are soon filled.] Kyppe kowpes i{n} honde ky{n}ge[gh] to serue, I{n} bry[gh]t bolle[gh], ful bayn birlen ise o{er}, [Sidenote: [Fol. 78a.]] & vche mon for his mayst{er} machches alone. 1512 [Sidenote: Music of all kind is heard in the hall.] er wat[gh] ry{n}gi{n}g, on ry[gh]t, of ryche metalles, Quen renkkes i{n} at ryche rok re{n}nen hit to cache, Clat{er}i{n}g of conacle[gh] at kesten o burdes, As sonet out of sau[t]{er}ay songe als myry. 1516 en e dotel on dece drank at he my[gh]t, [Sidenote: Dukes, princes, concubines, and knights, all are merry.] & e{n}ne arn dressed duke[gh] & prynces, Concubines & kny[gh]tes, bi cause of at m{er}the; As vchon hade hy{m} i{n} helde he haled of e cuppe, 1520 [Sidenote: Drinking of the sweet liquors they ask favours of their gods, who, although dumb, are as highly praised "as if heaven were theirs."] So long likked ise lordes ise lykores swete, & gloryed on her falce goddes & her g{ra}ce calles, at were of stokkes & stones, stille euer more; Neu{er} steuen hem astel, so stoken is[79] hor tonge, 1524 Alle e goude golden goddes e gaule[gh] [gh]et neuenen, Belfagor & belyal & belssabub als, Heyred hem as hy[gh]ly as heuen wer ayres, Bot hy{m} at alle goudes giues, at god ay for-[gh]eten, 1528 [Sidenote: A marvel befals the feasters.] For er a ferly bifel at fele folk se[gh]en; [Sidenote: The king first saw it.] Fyrst knew hit e ky{n}g & alle e cort aft{er},

[Headnote: THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL.]

[Sidenote: Upon the plain wall, "a palm with pointel in fingers" is seen writing.] I{n} e palays pryncipale vpon e playn wowe, I{n} contrary of e candelstik at clerest hit schyned. 1532 er apered a paume, w{i}t{h} poyntel i{n} fyngres at wat[gh] grysly & gret, & grymly he wrytes, Non o{er} forme bot a fust faylande e wryste, Pared on e parget, purtrayed lettres. 1536 [Sidenote: The bold Belshazzar becomes frightened.] When at bolde balta[gh]ar blusched to at neue, Such a dasande drede dusched to his hert, at al falewed his face & fayled e chere; e stronge strok of e stonde strayned his ioy{n}tes, 1540 [Sidenote: His knees knock together.] His cnes cachches to close & cluchches his ho{m}mes, & he w{i}t{h} plat-ty{n}g his paumes displayes his lers,[80] [Sidenote: He roars for dread, still beholding the hand, as it wrote on the rough wall.] & romyes as a rad ryth at rore[gh] for drede, Ay biholdand e honde til hit hade al g{ra}uen, 1544 & rasped on e ro[gh] wo[gh]e runisch saue[gh]. When hit e scrypture hade scraped wyth a scrof[81] pe{n}ne, As a colto{ur} i{n} clay cerues {o} for[gh]es, [Sidenote: [Fol. 78b.]] [Sidenote: The hand vanishes but the letters remain.] e{n}ne hit vanist v{er}ayly & voyded of sy[gh]t, 1548 Bot e lettres bileued ful large vpon plast{er}.

[Headnote: THE KING CONSULTS HIS DIVINERS.]

[Sidenote: The king recovers his speech and sends for the "book-learned;" but none of the scholars were wise enough to read it.] Sone so e ky{n}ge for his care carpi{n}g my[gh]t wy{n}ne, He bede his burnes bo[gh] to at wer{e} bok lered, To wayte e wryt at hit wolde & wyt{er} hym to say, 1552 "For al hit frayes my flesche e fyngres so gry{m}me." Scoleres skelten eratte e skyl forto fynde, Bot er wat[gh] neu{er} on so wyse coue on worde rede, Ne what ledisch lore ne langage nau{er} 1556 What tyy{n}g ne tale tokened o dra[gh]tes. [Sidenote: Belshazzar is nearly mad.] e{n}ne e bolde balta[gh]ar bred ner wode. [Sidenote: Commands the city to be searched throughout for the "wise of witchcraft."] & ede[82] e Cet to seche segges ur[gh]-out, at wer wyse of wyche-crafte & warla[gh]es o{er}, 1560 at con dele wyth dem{er}layk, & deuine lettres: "Calle hem alle to my cort o calde clerkkes, Vn-folde hem alle is ferly at is bifallen here, [Sidenote: He who expounds the strange letters, shall be clothed in "gowns of purple."] & calle wyth a hi[gh]e cry; 'he at e ky{n}g wysses, 1564 In expouny{n}g of speche at spredes i{n} ise lettres, & make e mat{er} to malt my mynde wyth-i{n}ne, at I may wyt{er}ly wyt what at wryt menes, He schal e gered ful gaye i{n} gounes of porpre, 1568 [Sidenote: A collar of gold shall encircle his throat.] & a coler of cler golde clos vmbe his rote; [Sidenote: He shall be the third lord in the realm.] He schal be prymate & prynce of pure clergye, & of my reuenest lorde[gh] e rydde he schal & of my reme e rychest to ryde wyth myseluen, 1572 Out-taken bare two & e{n}ne he e rydde.'" [Sidenote: As soon as this cry was upcast, to the hall came clerks out of Chaldea, witches and diviners, sorcerers and exorcists.] is cry wat[gh] vp-caste, & er comen mony Clerkes out of caldye at ke{n}nest wer knauen, As e sage sathrapas at sorsory coue; 1576 Wyche[gh] & walkyries wo{n}nen to at sale, Deuinores of demorlaykes at dremes cowe rede, Sorsers & exorsism{us} & fele such clerkes; [Sidenote: But after looking on the letters they were as ignorant as if they had looked into the leather of the left boot.] & alle at loked on at lett{er} as lewed ay were, 1580 As ay had loked i{n} e le{er} of my lyft bote. e{n}ne cryes e ky{n}g & kerues his wedes; [Sidenote: The king curses them all and calls them churls.] What! he corsed his clerkes & calde hem chorles, [Sidenote: [Fol. 79a.]] [Sidenote: He orders the harlots to be hanged.] To henge e harlotes he he[gh]ed ful ofte, 1584 So wat[gh] e wy[gh]e wytles, he wed wel ner. [Sidenote: The queen hears the king chide.] Ho herde hy{m} chyde to e chambre at wat[gh] e chef quene; [Sidenote: She inquires the cause.] When ho wat[gh] wyt{er}ed bi wy[gh]es what wat[gh] e cause, Suche a chau{n}gande chau{n}ce i{n} e chef halle, 1588 e lady to lauce[83] at los at e lorde hade, [Sidenote: Goes to the king, kneels before him, and asks why he has rent his robes for grief, when there is one that has the Spirit of God, the counsellor of Nebuchadnezzar, the interpreter of his dreams, through the holy Spirit of God.] Glydes dou{n} by e grece & gos to e ky{n}g; Ho kneles on e colde ere & carpes to hy{m} seluen, Wordes of worchyp wyth a wys speche. 1592 "Kene ky{n}g," q{uod} e quene, "kayser of vre, Eu{er} laste y lyf i{n} lene of dayes; Why hat[gh] ou rended y robe for redles here-i{n}ne, a[gh] ose ledes ben lewed lettres to rede, 1596 & hat[gh] a hael i{n} y holde, as I haf herde ofte, at hat[gh] e gostes of god at gyes alle soes; His sawle is ful of syence, sa[gh]es to schawe, To open vch a hide y{ng} of aunt{er}es vn-cowe; 1600 at is he at ful ofte hat[gh] heuened y fader Of mony ang{er} ful hote w{i}t{h} his holy speche. When nabugo-de-no[gh]ar wat[gh] nyed i{n} stou{n}des, He de-vysed his dremes to e dere trawe, 1604 He keu{er}ed hy{m} w{i}t{h} his cou{n}sayl of caytyf wyrdes; Alle at he spured hym i{n} space he expowned clene, ur[gh] e sped of e spyryt at sprad hy{m} w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne, Of e godelest godde[gh] at gaynes ay-where. 1608 For his depe diuinit & his dere sawes, [Sidenote: The name of this man is Daniel, who was brought a captive from Juda.] y bolde fader balta[gh]ar bede by[84] his name, at now is demed danyel of derne coni{n}ges, at ca[gh]t wat[gh] i{n} e captyuid i{n} cu{n}tre of iues; 1612 Nabu[gh]ardan hy{m} nome & now is he here, A prophete of at prouince & pryce of e worlde.

[Headnote: DANIEL IS SENT FOR.]

[Sidenote: The queen tells the king to send for Daniel.] Sende i{n}-to e cet to seche hy{m} bylyue, & wy{n}ne hy{m} w{i}t{h} e worchyp to wayne e bote, 1616 & a[gh] e mat{er} be merk at merked is [gh]ender, He schal de-clar hit also, as hit on clay stande." [Sidenote: Her counsel is accepted.] at gode cou{n}seyl at e quene wat[gh] cached as[85] swye, [Sidenote: [Fol. 79b.]] e burne byfore balta[gh]ar wat[gh] bro[gh]t i{n} a whyle, 1620 [Sidenote: Daniel comes before Belshazzar.] When he com bifore e ky{n}g & clanly had halsed, Balta[gh]ar vmbe-brayde hy{m} & "leue s{ir}," he sayde, [Sidenote: The king tells him that he has heard of his wisdom, and his power to discover hidden things, and that he wants to know the meaning of the writing on the wall.] "Hit is tolde me bi tulkes, at {o}u trwe were Profete of at prouynce at prayed my fader, 1624 Ande at {o}u hat[gh] i{n} y hert holy co{n}ny{n}g, Of sapyence i sawle ful soes to schawe; Goddes gost is e geuen at gyes alle y{n}g{es}, & {o}u vnhyles vch hidde at heuen ky{n}g my{n}tes; 1628 & here is a ferly byfallen, & I fayn wolde Wyt e wytte of e wryt, at on e wowe clyues, For alle calde clerkes han cowwardely fayled; [Sidenote: Promises him, if he can explain the text of the letters and their interpretation, to clothe him in purple and pall, and put a ring about his neck, and to make him "a baron upon bench."] If {o}u w{i}t{h} quay{n}tyse co{n}quere hit, I quyte e y mede. 1632 For if {o}u redes hit by ry[gh]t & hit to resou{n} bry{n}ges, Fyrst telle me e tyxte of e tede lettres, & syen e mat{er} of e mode, mene me {er}-aft{er}, & I schal halde e e hest at I e hy[gh]t haue; 1636 Apyke e i{n} porpre cloe, palle aler-fynest, & e by[gh]e of bry[gh]t golde abowte y{n} nekke, & e ryd ryuenest at ry{n}ges me aft{er}, {o}u schal be barou{n} vpon benche, bede I e no lasse." 1640

[Headnote: DANIEL DESCRIBES HOW NEBUCHADNEZZAR WAS PUNISHED FOR HIS PRIDE.]

[Sidenote: Daniel addresses the king, and reminds him how that God supported his father, and gave him power to exalt or abase whomsoever he pleased.] Derfly e{n}ne danyel deles yse wordes: "Ryche ky{n}g of is rengne rede e oure lorde, Hit is surely soth, e sou{er}ayn of heuen Fylsened eu{er} y fader & vpon folde cheryched, 1644 Gart hy{m} grattest to be of gou{er}nores alle, & alle e worlde i{n} his wylle welde as hy{m} lykes. Who-so wolde wel do, wel hy{m} bityde, & quos deth so he de[gh]yre he dreped als fast; 1648 Who-so hy{m} lyked to lyft, on lofte wat[gh] he sone, & quo-so hy{m} lyked to lay, wat[gh] lo[gh]ed bylyue. [Sidenote: Nebuchadnezzar was established on account of his faith in God.] So wat[gh] noted e note of nabugo-de-no[gh]ar, Styfly stabled e rengne bi e stronge dry[gh]ty{n}, 1652 For of e hy[gh]est he hade a hope i{n} his hert, at vche pou{er} past out of []at prynce euen; [Sidenote: So long as he remained true, no man was greater.] & whyle at wat[gh] cle[gh]t clos i{n} his hert, ere wat[gh] no mon vpon molde of my[gh]t as hy{m} selue{n}, 1656 [Sidenote: [Fol. 80a.]] [Sidenote: But at last pride touches his heart.] Til hit bitide on a tyme, towched hy{m} pryde For his lordeschyp so large, & his lyf ryche; He hade so huge an insy[gh]t to his aune dedes, [Sidenote: He forgets the power of God, and blasphemes His name.] at e power of e hy[gh]e prynce he purely for[gh]etes. 1660 e{n}ne bly{n}nes he not of blasfemyon to blame e dry[gh]ty{n}, His my[gh]t mete to goddes he made w{i}t{h} his wordes: [Sidenote: He says that he is "god of the ground," and the builder of Babylon.] "I am god of e grou{n}de, to gye as me lykes, As he at hy[gh]e is i{n} heuen his au{n}geles {a}t weldes; 1664 If he hat[gh] formed e folde & folk {er} vpone, I haf bigged babiloyne, bur[gh] al{er}-rychest, Stabled er-i{n}ne vche a ston i{n} strenke of my{n} armes, Mo[gh]t neu{er} my[gh]t bot myn make such ano{er}." 1668 [Sidenote: Hardly had Nebuchadnezzar spoken, when God's voice is heard, saying, "Thy principality is departed.] Wat[gh] not is ilke worde wo{n}nen of his mowe one, Er e{n}ne e sou{er}ayn sa[gh]e souned i{n} his eres, "Now nabugo-de-no[gh]ar i{n}no[gh]e hat[gh] spoken, Now is alle y pryncipalt past at ones, 1672 [Sidenote: Thou, removed from men, must abide on the moor, and walk with wild beasts, eat herbs, and dwell with wolves and asses."] & {o}u, remued fro mo{n}nes su{n}es, on mor most abide, & in wast{ur}ne walk & wyth e wylde dowelle, As best, byte on e bent of braken & erbes, W{i}t{h} wroe wolfes to won & wyth wylde asses." 1676 In mydde e poynt of his pryde de-parted he ere, Fro e soly of his solempnet, his solace he leues, [Sidenote: For his pride he becomes an outcast.] & carfully is out-kast to contr vnknawen, Fer i{n}-to a fyr fryth ere frekes neu{er} comen. 1680 [Sidenote: He believes himself to be a bull or an ox.] His hert heldet vnhole, he hoped non o{er} Bot a best at he be, a bol o{er} an oxe. [Sidenote: Goes "on all fours," like a cow, for seven summers.] He fares forth on alle faure, fogge wat[gh] his mete, & ete ay as a horce when erbes were fallen, 1684 us he cou{n}tes hy{m} a kow, at wat[gh] a ky{n}g ryche, Quyle seuen sye[gh] were ou{er}-seyed som{er}es I trawe. [Sidenote: His thighs grew thick.] By at, mony ik thy[gh]e ry[gh]t vmbe his lyre, at alle wat[gh] dubbed & dy[gh]t i{n} e dew of heuen; 1688 [Sidenote: His hair became matted and thick, from the shoulders to the toes.] Faxe fylt{er}ed, & felt flosed hy{m} vmbe, at schad fro his schulderes to his schyre wykes, & twenty-folde twyna{n}de hit to his tos ra[gh]t er mony clyuy as clyde hit cly[gh]t to-geder. 1692 [Sidenote: His beard touched the earth.] His berde I-brad alle his brest to e bare vre, [Sidenote: [Fol. 80b.]] [Sidenote: His brows were like briars.] His browes bresed as breres aboute his brode chekes; [Sidenote: His eyes were hollow, and grey as the kite's.] Hol[gh]e were his y[gh]en & vnder campe hores, & al wat[gh] gray as e glede, w{i}t{h} ful gry{m}me clawres 1696 at were croked & kene as e kyte paune;[86] [Sidenote: Eagle-hued he was.] Erne-hwed he wat[gh] & al ou{er}-brawden, Til he wyst ful wel who wro[gh]t alle my[gh]tes, & cowe vche kyndam tokerue & keu{er} when hy{m} lyked; 1700 [Sidenote: At last he recovered his "wit," and believed in God.] e{n}ne he wayned hy{m} his wyt at hade wo soffered, at he com to knawlach & ke{n}ned hy{m} seluen, e{n}ne he laued[87] at lorde & leued i{n} trawe, Hit wat[gh] non o{er} en he at hade al i{n} honde. 1704 [Sidenote: Then soon was he restored to his seat.] e{n}ne sone wat[gh] he sende agayn, his sete restored; His barou{n}es bo[gh]ed hy{m} to, blye of his come, Ha[gh]erly i{n} his aune hwe his heued wat[gh] cou{er}ed, & so [gh]eply wat[gh] [gh]arked & [gh]olden his state. 1708 [Sidenote: But thou, Belshazzar, hast disregarded these signs, and hast blasphemed the Lord, defiled his vessels, filling them with wine for thy wenches, and praising thy lifeless gods.] Bot {o}u balta[gh]ar his barne & his bolde ayre, Se[gh] ese sy{n}gnes w{i}t{h} sy[gh]t & set hem at lyttel, Bot ay hat[gh] hofen y hert agaynes e hy[gh]e dry[gh]t[y]n, W{i}t{h} bobau{n}ce & w{i}t{h} blasfamye bost at hy{m} kest, 1712 & now his vessayles avyled i{n} vanyt vnclene, at i{n} his hows hy{m} to hono{ur} were heue{n}ed of fyrst; Bifore e barou{n}[gh] hat[gh] hom bro[gh]t, & byrled {er}i{n}ne Wale wyne to y wenches i{n} waryed stou{n}des; 1716 Bifore y borde hat[gh] {o}u bro[gh]t beu{er}age i{n} ede, at blyely were fyrst blest w{i}t{h} bischopes hondes, Louande eron lese godde[gh], at lyf haden neu{er}, Made of stokkes & stone[gh] at neu{er} styry mo[gh]t. 1720 [Sidenote: For this sin God has sent thee this strange sight, the fist with the fingers writing on the wall.] & for at froande fyle, e fader of heuen Hat[gh] sende[88] i{n}-to is sale ise sy[gh]tes vncowe, e fyste w{i}t{h} e fy{n}g{er}es at flayed i hert, at rasped renyschly e wo[gh]e w{i}t{h} e ro[gh] pe{n}ne. 1724

[Headnote: THE INTERPRETATION OF THE HANDWRITING.]

[Sidenote: These are the words: "Mene, Tekel, Peres.] ise ar e wordes here wryten w{i}t{h}-oute werk more, By vch fygure, as I fynde, as oure fader lykes. "Mane, techal, phares, merked i{n} ry{n}ne, at retes e of y{n} vnryfte vpon re wyse; 1728 Now expowne e is speche spedly I enk. [Sidenote: [Fol. 81a.]] [Sidenote: Mene.— God has counted thy kingdom and finished it.] Mane menes als much as, maynful gode Hat[gh] cou{n}ted y kyndam bi a clene nou{m}bre, & ful-fylled hit i{n} fayth to e fyrre ende. 1732 [Sidenote: Tekel.— Thy reign is weighed and is found wanting in deeds of faith.] To teche e of techal, at terme {us} menes, y wale rengne is walt i{n} we[gh]tes to heng, & is fu{n}de ful fewe of hit fayth dedes. & phares fol[gh]es for ose fawtes to frayst e trawe, 1736 [Sidenote: Peres.— Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Persians.] In phares fynde I forsoe ise felle sa[gh]es; De-parted is y pryncipalt, depryued {o}u wores, y rengne rafte is e fro, & ra[gh]t is e perses, [Sidenote: The Medes shall be masters here."] e medes schal be mayst{er}es here, & {o}u of menske schowued." 1740 [Sidenote: The king commands Daniel to be clothed in a frock of fine cloth.] e ky{n}g comau{n}ded anon to clee {a}t wyse, In frokkes of fyn clo, as forward hit asked; [Sidenote: Soon is he arrayed in purple, with a chain about his neck.] e{n}ne sone wat[gh] danyel dubbed i{n} ful dere porpor & a coler[89] of cler golde kest vmbe his swyre. 1744 e{n} wat[gh] demed a de-cre bi e duk seluen, [Sidenote: A decree is made, that all should bow to him, as the third lord that followed Belshazzar.] Bolde balta[gh]a[r] bed at hy{m} bowe schulde e comynes a lof calde at to e ky{n}g lo{n}ged, As to e prynce pryuyest preued e rydde, 1748 He[gh]est of alle o{er}, saf onelych tweyne, To bo[gh] aft{er} balta[gh]ar i{n} bor[gh]e & i{n} felde. [Sidenote: The decree was made known, and all were glad.] ys wat[gh] cryed & knawen i{n} cort als fast, & alle e folk er-of fayn at fol[gh]ed hy{m} tylle; 1752 [Sidenote: The day, however, past.] Bot how-so danyel wat[gh] dy[gh]t, at day ou{er}-[gh]ede, [Sidenote: Night came on.] Ny[gh]t ne[gh]ed ry[gh]t now w{i}t{h} nyes fol mony, [Sidenote: Before another day dawned, Daniel's words were fulfilled.] For da[gh]ed neu{er} an o{er} day at ilk derk aft{er}, Er dalt were at ilk dome at danyel deuysed, 1756 [Sidenote: The feast lasts till the sun falls.] e solace of e solempnet i{n} at sale dured Of at farand fest, tyl fayled e su{n}ne; [Sidenote: The skies become dark.] e{n}ne blykned[90] e ble of e bry[gh]t skwes, Mo{ur}kenes e mery weder, & e myst dryues 1760 or[gh] e lyst of e lyfte, bi e lo[gh] medoes; [Sidenote: Each noble hies home to his supper.] Vche hael to his home hy[gh]es ful fast, Seten at her sop{er} & songen {er}-aft{er}, en fou{n}de[gh] vch a fela[gh]schyp fyrre at for na[gh]tes. 1764 [Sidenote: Belshazzar is carried to bed, but never rises from it, for his foes are seeking to destroy his land, and are assembled suddenly.] Balta[gh]ar to his bedd with blysse wat[gh] caryed, [Sidenote: [Fol. 81b.]] Reche e rest as hy{m} lyst, he ros neu{er} er-aft{er}; For his foes i{n} e felde i{n} flokkes ful grete at longe hade layted at lede his londes to strye, 1768 Now ar ay sodenly assembled at e self tyme, Of hem wyst no wy[gh]e at i{n} at won dowelled.

[Headnote: DARIUS LAYS SIEGE TO BABYLON.]

[Sidenote: The enemy is Darius, leader of the Medes.] Hit wat[gh] e dere daryus e duk of ise medes, e prowde prynce of perce & porros of ynde, 1772 [Sidenote: He has legions of armed men.] W{i}t{h} mony a legiou{n} ful large, w{i}t{h} ledes of armes, at now hat[gh] spyed a space to spoyle caldee[gh]. [Sidenote: Under cover of the darkness, they cross the river.] ay rongen eder i{n} e est{er} on rawen hepes, Asscaped ou{er} e skyre watt{er}es & scaed e walles, 1776 [Sidenote: By means of ladders they get upon the walls, and within an hour enter the city, without disturbing any of the watch.] Lyfte laddres ful longe & vpon lofte wonen, Stelen stylly e tou{n} er any steue{n} rysed, W{i}t{h}-i{n}ne an oure of e ny[gh]t[91] an entr ay hade; [Gh]et afrayed ay no freke, fyrre ay passen, 1780 & to e palays pry{n}cipal ay aproched ful stylle; [Sidenote: They run into the palace, and raise a great cry.] e{n}ne ran ay i{n} on a res, on rowtes ful grete, Blastes out of bry[gh]t brasse brestes so hy[gh]e, Ascry scarred on e scue at scomfyted mony. 1784 [Sidenote: Men are slain in their beds.] Segges slepande were slayne er ay slyppe my[gh]t, Vche ho{us} heyred wat[gh], w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne a honde-whyle;

[Headnote: BELSHAZZAR IS BEATEN TO DEATH.]

[Sidenote: Belshazzar is beaten to death, and caught by the heels, is foully cast into a ditch.] Balta[gh]ar i{n} his bed wat[gh] beten to dee, at boe his blod & his brayn blende on e cloes; 1788 The ky{n}g i{n} his cortyn wat[gh] ka[gh]t bi e heles, Feryed out bi e fete & fowle dispysed; at wat[gh] so do[gh]ty at day & drank of e vessayl, Now is a dogge al so dere at in a dych lygges; 1792 [Sidenote: Darius is crowned king, and makes peace with the barons.] For e mayst{er} of yse medes on e morne ryses, Dere daryo{us} at day dy[gh]t vpon trone, at cet seses ful sou{n}de, & sa[gh]tly{n}g makes Wyth alle e barou{n}[gh] {er}-aboute, at bowed hy{m} aft{er}. 1796 [Sidenote: Thus the land was lost for the king's sin.] & {us} wat[gh] at londe lost for e lordes sy{n}ne, & e fyle of e freke at defowled hade e orne-mentes of godde[gh] ho{us} at holy were maked; [Sidenote: He was cursed for his uncleanness, and deprived of his honour, as well as of the joys of heaven.] He wat[gh] corsed for his vn-cla{n}nes, & cached {er}-i{n}ne, 1800 Done dou{n} of his dy{n}gnet for dede[gh] vnfayre, & of yse worldes worchyp wrast out for eu{er}, & [gh]et of lyky{n}ges on lofte letted, I trowe, [Sidenote: Thus in three ways has it been shown, that uncleanness makes God angry.] To loke on oure lofly lorde late bitydes. 1804 us vpon ry{n}ne wyses I haf yow ro schewed, at vn-cla{n}nes to-cleues i{n} corage dere Of at wy{n}nelych lorde at wonyes i{n} heuen, Entyses hy{m} to be tene, telled[92] vp his wrake; 1808 [Sidenote: Cleanness is His comfort.] Ande cla{n}nes is his comfort, & coyntyse he louyes, [Sidenote: The seemly shall see his face.] & ose at seme arn & swete schy{n} se his face. [Sidenote: God give us grace to serve in His sight!] at we gon gay i{n} oure gere at g{ra}ce he v{us} sende, at we may serue i{n} his sy[gh]t, {er} solace neu{er} bly{n}ne[gh]. Amen.

[Sidenote 68: ing (?).] [Sidenote 69: ore (?).] [Sidenote 70: MS. e e.] [Sidenote 71: MS. sev{er}ed.] [Sidenote 72: MS. glolde (?).] [Sidenote 73: MS. i{e}s{u}r{a}l{e}m.] [Sidenote 74: MS. fo.] [Sidenote 75: ful (?).] [Sidenote 76: ferlyke (?).] [Sidenote 77: Looks like louflych.] [Sidenote 78: ? bry[gh]te.] [Sidenote 79: MS. ɨs.] [Sidenote 80: MS. ler{n}s.] [Sidenote 81: MS. strof.] [Sidenote 82: bede (?).] [Sidenote 83: lance (?).] [Sidenote 84: be (?).] [Sidenote 85: MS. as as.] [Sidenote 86: ? panne.] [Sidenote 87: loued (?).] [Sidenote 88: MS. hat[gh] sende hat[gh] sende.] [Sidenote 89: MS. cloler.] [Sidenote 90: blaykned (?)] [Sidenote 91: MS. my[gh]t.] [Sidenote 92: telles (?).]



NOTES: Cleanness.

P. 37.

l. 3 forering = for-bering. (?) 10 reken, reverently, solemnly. 12 cleche gret mede, take great reward. 16 & hym to greme cachen, and him to wrath drive. 18 hagherlych, fitly, decently. 21 scoymous & skyg, scrupulous and particular; skyg implies dread, fear, shyness. 23 in a carp, in a discourse. 24 heuened a[gh]t happe[gh], exhibited eight blessings. 25 me myne[gh], I remember.

P. 38.

l. 27 hapene[gh], is happy, blessed. 29 as so sayt[gh], as one says. 32 May not byde at burne (? burre) at hit his body ne[gh]en, May not abide (suffer) that man (? blow), that it (? he) should approach his body. 39 helded, approached. 41 tote[gh] = tot[gh] = toes. 49 worlych, worshipful (? worldlych, worldly). 50 in her (? herin). 52 here dere, beloved heir. 54 comly quoyntis, comely attire. 56 with scla[gh]t, against (for) slaughter. 59 roeled, ready prepared, literally hastened. 62 skyly, device, excuse.

P. 39.

l. 65 nayed, refused; nurned, uttered. 71 a-dre[gh], aback, aside. 76 More to wyte is her wrange, en any wylle gentyl, More to blame is their fault, than any forlorn gentile. Wylle has the significations of wandering, astray; as "wyl dremes," wandering dreams, "wylle of wone," astray from human habitations, having lost one's way; and hence wylle is often used to denote uncertainty, bewilderment. 81 lae[gh], invite. 90 sty[gh]tled, established, placed. 91 e marchal, i.e. the marshal of the hall, whose duty it was, at public festivals, to place every person according to his rank and station. 95 at i banne, at thy command. 96 renischche renke[gh], strange men. 97 layte[gh] [gh]et ferre, search yet farther.

P. 40.

l. 99 wayte[gh], watch. 103 balterande cruppele[gh], limping cripples. Balter signifies to jump, skip, hop, etc. 110 demed, decreed. 112 Hit weren not alle on wyue[gh] sune[gh], wonen with on fader, They were not all one wife's sons, begotten with one father. 127 & rehayte rekenly e riche & e poueren, And cheer, prince-like (nobly), the rich and the poor. Rehete is the most common form of the word: "Him would I comforte and rehete." —Rom. Rose, l.6509. 131 syled fyrre, proceeded farther. 132 Tron fro table to table, went from table to table. Tron is the pret. of the verb tryne, to go, walk.