0001	PRIMUS VEXILLATOR. Glorious God, in all degres lord most of myth,	

0002	žat heuene and erthe made of nowth, bože se and lond,	

0003	že aungelys in heuene hym to serue bryth	

0004	And mankynde in mydylerd he made wyth hys hond,	

0005	And our lofly Lady, žat lanterne is of lyth,	

0006	Save oure lege lord že kynge, že leder of žis londe,	

0007	And all že ryall of žis revme and rede hem že ryth,	

0008	And all že goode comowns of žis towne žat beforn us stonde	

0009	In žis place.	

0010	We mustyr 3ou wyth menschepe	

0011	And freyne 3ou of frely frenchepe.	

0012	Cryst safe 3ou all fro schenchepe	

0013	žat knowyn wyl our case.	

0014	SECUNDUS VEXILLATOR. že case of oure comynge 3ou to declare,	

0015	Euery man in hymself forsothe he it may fynde:	

0016	Whou Mankynde into žis werld borne is ful bare	

0017	And bare schal beryed be at hys last ende.	

0018	God hym 3euyth to aungelys ful 3ep and ful 3are,	

0019	že Goode Aungel and že Badde to hym for to lende.	

0020	že Goode techyth hym goodnesse, že Badde synne and sare;	

0021	Whanne že ton hath že victory, že tožyr goth behende,	

0022	Be skyll.	

0023	že Good Aungel couetyth euermore Mans saluacion	

0024	And že Badde bysytyth hym euere to hys dampnacion,	

0025	And God hathe govyn Man fre arbitracion	

0026	Whežyr he wyl hymself saue or hys soule spyll.	

0027	PRIMUS VEXILLATOR. Spylt is Man spetously whanne he to synne asent.	

0028	že Bad Aungel žanne bryngyth hym thre enmys so stout:	

0029	že Werlde, že Fende, že foul Flesche so joly and jent.	

0030	žei ledyn hym ful lustyly wyth synnys al abowt.	

0031	Pyth wyth Pride and Couetyse, to že Werld is he went,	

0032	To meynten hys manhod all men to hym lout.	

0033	Aftyr Ire and Envye že Fend hath to hym lent,	

0034	Bakbytynge and endytynge wyth all men for to route,	

0035	Ful evyn.	

0036	But že fowle Flesch, homlyest of all,	

0037	Slawth, Lust and Leccherye gun to hym call,	

0038	Glotony and ožyr synnys bože grete and small.	

0039	žus Mans soule is soylyd wyh synnys moo žanne seuyn.	

0040	SECUNDUS VEXILLATOR. Whanne Mans sowle is soylyd wyth synne and wyth sore,	

0041	žanne že Googe Aungyl makyth mykyl mornynge	

0042	žat že lofty lyknesse of God schulde be lore	

0043	žorwe že Badde Aungelys fals entysynge.	

0044	He sendyth to hym Concyens, pryckyd ful pore,	

0045	And clere Confescyon wyth Penauns-doynge.	

0046	žei mevyn Man to mendement žat he mysdyd before.	

0047	žus žei callyn hym to clennesse and to good levynge,	

0048	Wythoutyn dystaunce.	

0049	Mekenesse, Pacyense, and Charyte,	

0050	Sobyrnesse, Besynesse, and Charyte,	

0051	And Largyte, uertuys of good degre,	

0052	Man callyth to že Castel of Good Perseueraunce.	

0053	PRIMUS VEXILLATOR. že Castel of Perseuerauns wanne Mankynde hath tan,	

0054	Wel armyd wyth vertus and ouyrcome all vycys,	

0055	žere že Good Aungyl makyth ful mery žanne	

0056	žat Mankynde hath ouyrcome hys gostly enmiis.	

0057	že Badde Aungyl mornyž žat he hath myssyd Man.	

0058	He callyth že Werld, že Fende, and že foule Flesch iwys	

0059	And all že seuene synnys to do žat žey canne	

0060	To brynge Mankynd ageyn to bayle out of blys,	

0061	With wronge.	

0062	Pride asayleth Meknesse wyth all hys myth,	

0063	Ire ageyns Paciensse ful fast ganne he fyth,	

0064	Envye ageyn Charyte strywyth ful ryth,	

0065	But Covytyse ageyns Largyte fytyth ouyrlonge.	

0066	SECUNDUS VEXILLATOR. Coveytyse Mankynd euere coueytyth for to qwell.	

0067	He gaderyth to hym Glotony a3eyns Sobyrnesse,	

0068	Leccherye wyth Chastyte fyteth ful fell	

0069	And Slawthe in Goddys seruyse ageyns Besynesse.	

0070	žus vycys ageys vertues fytyn ful snelle.	

0071	Euery buskyth to brynge Man to dystresse.	

0072	But Penaunce and Confescion wyth Mankynd wyl melle,	

0073	že vycys arn ful lyckely že vertues to opresse,	

0074	Saun dowte.	

0075	žus in že Castel of Good Perseuerance	

0076	Mankynd is maskeryd wyth mekyl varyaunce.	

0077	že Good Aungyl and že Badde be euere at dystaunce;	

0078	že Goode holdyth hym inne, že Badde wold brynge hym owte.	

0079	PRIMUS VEXILLATOR. Owt of Good Perseueraunce whanne Mankynde wyl not come,	

0080	3yt že Badde Aungyl wyth Coveytyse hym gan asayle,	

0081	Fyndende hym in pouerte and penaunce so benome,	

0082	And bryngyth hym in beleue in defaute for to fayle.	

0083	žanne he profyrth hym good and gold so gret a sowme,	

0084	žat if he wyl come ageyn and wyth že Werld dayle,	

0085	že Badde Aungyl to že Werld tollyth hym downe	

0086	že Castel of Perseueraunce to fle fro že vayle	

0087	And blysse.	

0088	žanne že Werld begynnyth hym to restore.	

0089	Haue he neuere so mykyl, 3yt he wold haue more;	

0090	žus že Badde Aungyl leryth hym hys lore.	

0091	že more a man agyth, že harder he is.	

0092	SECUNDUS VEXILLATOR. Hard a man is in age and covetouse be kynde.	

0093	Whanne all ožyr synnys Man hath forsake,	

0094	Euere že more žat he hath že more is in hys mynde	

0095	To gadyr and to gete good wyth woo and wyth wrake.	

0096	žus že Goode Aungyl caste is behynde	

0097	And že Badde Aungyl Man to hym takyth,	

0098	žat wryngyth hym wrenchys to hys laste ende	

0099	Tyl Deth comyth foul dolfully and loggyth hym in a lake	

0100	Ful lowe.	

0101	žanne is Man on molde maskeryd in mynde.	

0102	He sendyth afftyr hys sekkatours, ful fekyl to fynde,	

0103	And hys eyr aftyrward comyth euere behynde,	

0104	I Wot Not Who is hys name, for he hym nowt knowe.	

0105	PRIMUS VEXILLATOR.  Man knowe not who schal be hys eyr and gouerne hys good.	

0106	He caryth more for hys catel žanne for hys cursyd synne.	

0107	To putte hys good in gouernaunce he mengyth hys mod,	

0108	He wolde žat it were scyfftyd amongys hys ny kynne.	

0109	But žer schal com a lythyr ladde wyth a torne hod,	

0110	I Wot Neuere Who schal be hys name, hys cložis be ful žynne,	

0111	Schal eryth že erytage žat neuere was of hys blod,	

0112	Whanne al hys lyfe is lytyd upon a lytyl pynne	

0113	At že laste.	

0114	On lyue whanne he may no lenger lende,	

0115	Mercy he callyth at hys laste ende:	

0116	"Mercy, God! be now myn frende!"	

0117	Wyth žat Mans spyryt is paste.	

0118	SECUNDUS VEXILLATOR. Whanne Manys spyryt is past, že Badde Aungyl ful fell	

0119	Cleymyth žat for couetyse Mans sowle schuld ben hys	

0120	And for to ber it ful boysowsly wyth hym into hell.	

0121	že Good Aungyl seyth nay, že spyryt schal to blys	

0122	For at hys laste ende of mercy he gan spell	

0123	And žerfore of mercy schal he nowth mysse,	

0124	And oure lofly Ladi if sche wyl for hym mell,	

0125	Be mercy and be menys in purgatory he is,	

0126	In ful byttyr place.	

0127	žus mowthys confession	

0128	And hys hertys contricion	

0129	Schal saue Man fro dampnacion	

0130	Be Goddys mercy and grace.	

0131	PRIMUS VEXILLATOR. Grace if God wyl graunte us of hys mykyl myth,	

0132	žese parcellys in propyrtes we purpose us to playe	

0133	žis day seuenenyt before 3ou in syth	

0134	At...on že grene in ryal aray.	

0135	3e haste 3ou žanne žedyrward, syrys, hendly in hyth,	

0136	All goode neyborys ful specyaly we 3ou pray,	

0137	And loke žat 3e be žere betyme, luffely and lyth,	

0138	For we schul be onward be vnderne of že day,	

0139	Dere frendys.	

0140	We thanke 3ou of all good dalyaunce	

0141	And of all 3oure specyal sportaunce	

0142	And preye 3ou of good contynuaunce	

0143	To oure lyuys endys.	

0144	SECUNDUS VEXILLATOR. Os oure lyuys we loue 3ou, žus takande oure leue.	

0145	3e manly men of..., žer Crist saue 3ou all!	

0146	He maynten 3oure myrthys and kepe 3ou fro greve	

0147	žat born was of Mary myld in an ox stall.	

0148	Now mery be all...and wel mote 3e cheve,	

0149	All oure feythful frendys, žer fayre mote 3e fall!	

0150	3a, and welcum be 3e whanne 3e com prys for ro preve	

0151	And worži to be worchepyd in boure and in hall	

0152	And in euery place.	

0153	Farewel, fayre frendys,	

0154	žat lofly wyl lystyn and lende.	

0155	Cryste kepe 3ou fro fendys!	

0156	Trumpe up and lete vs pace.	

0157	MUNDUS. Worthy wytys in al žis werd wyde,	

0158	Be wylde wode wonys and euery weye-went,	

0159	Precyous prinse, prekyd in pride,	

0160	žorwe žis propyr pleyn place in pes be 3e bent!	

0161	Buske 3ou, bolde bacheleyrs, vndyr my baner to abyde	

0162	Where bryth basnetys be bateryd and backys ar schent.	

0163	3e, syrys semly, all same syttyth on syde,	

0164	For bothe be see and be londe my sondys I haue sent,	

0165	Al že world myn name is ment.	

0166	Al abowtyn my bane is blowe,	

0167	In euery cost I am knowe,	

0168	I do men rawyn on ryche rowe	

0169	Tyl žei be dyth to dythys dent.	

0170	Assarye, Acaye, and Almayne,	

0171	Cauadoyse, Capadoyse, and Cananee,	

0172	Babyloyne, Brabon, Burgoyne, and Bretayne,	

0173	Grece, Galys, and to že Gryckysch See,	

0174	I meue also Masadoyne in my mykyl mayne,	

0175	Frauns, Flaundrys, and Freslonde, and also Normande,	

0176	Pyncecras, Parys, and longe Pygmayne,	

0177	And euery toun in trage, euyn to že Dreye Tre,	

0178	Rodys and ryche Rome.	

0179	All žese londys at myn avyse	

0180	Arn castyn to my werdly wyse.	

0181	My tresorer, Syr Couetyse,	

0182	Hath sesyd hem holy to me.	

0183	žerfor my game and my gle growe ful glad.	

0184	žer is no wythe in žis werld žat my wytte wyl me warne.	

0185	Euery ryche rengne rapyth hym ful rad	

0186	In lustys and in lykyngys my lawys to lerne.	

0187	Wyth fayre folke in že felde freschly I am fadde.	

0188	I dawnse doun as a doo be dalys ful derne.	

0189	What boy bedyth batayl or debatyth wyth blad	

0190	Hym were betyr to ben hangyn hye in hell herne	

0191	Or brent on lyth leuene.	

0192	Whoso spekyth a3eyn že Werd	

0193	In a presun he schal be sperd.	

0194	Myn hest is holdyn and herd	

0195	Into hy3e heuene.	

0196	BELYAL. Now I sytte, Satanas, in my sad synne,	

0197	As deuyl dowty, in draf as a drake.	

0198	I champe and I chafe, I chocke on my chynne,	

0199	I am boystows and bold, as Belyal že blake.	

0200	What folk žat I grope žei gapyn and grenne,	

0201	Iwys fro Carlylle into Kent my carpynge žei take,	

0202	Bothe že bak and že buttoke brestyth al on brenne,	

0203	Wyth werkys of wreche I werke hem mykyl wrake.	

0204	In woo is al my wenne.	

0205	In care I am cloyed	

0206	And fowle I am anoyed	

0207	But Mankynde be stroyed	

0208	Be dykys and be denne.	

0209	Pryde is my prince in perlys ipyth;	

0210	Wretthe, žis wrecche, wyth me schal wawe;	

0211	Enuye into werre wyth me schal walkyn wyth;	

0212	Wyth žese faytourys I am fedde, in feyth I am fawe.	

0213	As a dyngne deuyl in my dene I am dyth.	

0214	Pryde, Wretthe, and Enuye, I sey in my sawe,	

0215	Kyngys, kayserys, and kempys and many a kene knyth,	

0216	žese louely lordys han lernyd hem my lawe.	

0217	To my dene žei wyl drawe.	

0218	Alholy Mankynne	

0219	To helle but I wynne,	

0220	In bale is my bynne	

0221	And schent vnder schawe.	

0222	On Mankynde is my trost, in contre iknowe,	

0223	Wyth my tyre and wyth my tayl tytly to tene.	

0224	žorwe Flaundris and Freslonde faste I gan flowe,	

0225	Fele folke on a flokke to flappyn and to flene.	

0226	Where I graspe on že grounde, grym žer schal growe.	

0227	Gadyr 3ou togedyr, 3e boyis, on žis grene!	

0228	In žis brode bugyl a blast wanne I blowe,	

0229	Al žis werld schal be wood iwys as I wene	

0230	And to my byddynge bende.	

0231	Wythly on syde	

0232	On benche wyl I byde	

0233	To tene, žis tyde,	

0234	Alholy Mankende.	

0235	CARO. I byde as a brod brustun-gutte abouyn on žese tourys.	

0236	Euerybody is že betyr žat to myn byddynge is bent.	

0237	I am Mankyndys fayre Flesch, florchyd in flowrys.	

0238	My lyfe is wyth lustys and lykynge ilent.	

0239	Wyth tapytys of tafata I tymbyr my towrys.	

0240	In myrthe and in melodye my mende is iment.	

0241	žou I be clay and clad, clappyd vndir clowrys,	

0242	3yt wolde I žat my wyll in že werld went,	

0243	Ful trew I 3ou behyth.	

0244	I loue wel myn ese,	

0245	In lustys me to plese;	

0246	žou synne my sowle sese	

0247	I 3eue not a myth.	

0248	In Glotony gracyous now am I growe;	

0249	žerfore he syttyth semly here be my syde.	

0250	In Lechery and Lykynge lent am I lowe,	

0251	And Slawth, my swete sone, is bent to abyde.	

0252	žese thre are nobyl, trewly I trowe,	

0253	Mankynde to tenyn and trecchyn a tyde.	

0254	Wyth many berdys in bowre my blastys are blowe,	

0255	Be weys and be wodys, žorwe žis werld wyde,	

0256	že sothe for to seyne.	

0257	But if mans Flesch fare wel	

0258	Bothe at mete and at mele,	

0259	Dyth I am in gret del	

0260	And browt into peyne.	

0261	And aftyr good fare in feyth žou I fell,	

0262	žou I drywe to dust, in drosse for to drepe,	

0263	žow my sely sowle were haryed to hell,	

0264	Woso wyl do žese werkys iwys he schal wepe	

0265	Euyr wythowtyn ende.	

0266	Behold že Werld, že Deuyl, and me!	

0267	Wyth all oure mythis we kyngys thre	

0268	Nyth and day besy we be	

0269	For to distroy Mankende	

0270	If žat we may.	

0271	žerfor on hylle	

0272	Syttyth all stylle	

0273	And seth wyth good wylle	

0274	Oure ryche aray.	

0275	HUMANUS GENUS. Aftyr oure forme-faderys kende	

0276	žis nyth I was of my modyr born.	

0277	Fro my modyr I walke, I wende,	

0278	Ful feynt and febyl I fare 3ou beforn.	

0279	I am nakyd of lym and lende	

0280	As Mankynde is schapyn and schorn.	

0281	I not wedyr to gon ne to lende	

0282	To helpe myself mydday nyn morn.	

0283	For schame I stonde and schende.	

0284	I was born žis nyth in blody ble	

0285	And nakyd I am, as 3e may se.	

0286	A, Lord God in trinite,	

0287	Whow Mankende is vnthende!	

0288	Whereto I was to žis werld browth	

0289	I ne wot, but to woo and wepynge	

0290	I am born and haue ryth nowth	

0291	To helpe myself in no doynge.	

0292	I stonde and stodye al ful of žowth.	

0293	Bare and pore is my clothynge.	

0294	A sely crysme myn hed hath cawth	

0295	žat I tok at myn crystenynge.	

0296	Certys I haue no more.	

0297	Of erthe I cam, I wot ryth wele,	

0298	And as erthe I stande žis sele.	

0299	Of Mankende it is gret dele.	

0300	Lord God, I crye žyne ore!	

0301	To aungels bene asynyd to me:	

0302	že ton techyth me to goode;	

0303	On my ryth syde 3e may hym se;	

0304	He cam fro Criste žat deyed on rode.	

0305	Anožyr is ordeynyd her to be	

0306	žat is my foo, be fen and flode;	

0307	He is about in euery degre	

0308	To drawe me to žo dewylys wode	

0309	žat in helle be thycke.	

0310	Swyche to hath euery man on lyue	

0311	To rewlyn hym and hys wyttys fyue.	

0312	Whanne man doth ewyl, že ton wolde schryue,	

0313	že tothyr drawyth to wycke.	

0314	But syn žese aungelys be to me falle,	

0315	Lord Jhesu, to 3ou I bydde a bone	

0316	žat I may folwe, be strete and stalle,	

0317	že aungyl žat cam fro heuene trone.	

0318	Now, Lord Jesu in heuene halle,	

0319	Here whane I make my mone.	

0320	Coryows Criste, to 3ou I calle.	

0321	As a grysly gost I grucche and grone,	

0322	I wene, ryth ful of thowth.	

0323	A, Lord Jhesu, wedyr may I goo?	

0324	A crysme I haue and no moo.	

0325	Alas, men may be wondyr woo	

0326	Whanne žei be fyrst forth browth.	

0327	BONUS ANGELUS. 3a forsothe, and žat is wel sene.	

0328	Of woful wo man may synge,	

0329	For iche creature helpyth hymself bedene	

0330	Saue only man ay hys comynge.	

0331	Neuyrželesse turne že fro tene	

0332	And serue Jhesu, heuene kynge,	

0333	And žou shalt, be greuys grene,	

0334	Fare wel in all thynge.	

0335	žat Lord Xi lyfe hath lante.	

0336	Haue hym alwey in ži mynde	

0337	žat deyed on rode for Mankynde	

0338	And serue hym to ži lyfes ende	

0339	And sertys žou schalt not wante.	

0340	MALUS ANGELUS. Pes, aungel, ži wordys are not wyse.	

0341	žou counselyst hym not aryth.	

0342	He schal hym drawn to že Werdys seruyse	

0343	To dwelle wyth caysere, kynge, and knyth,	

0344	žat in londe be hym non lyche.	

0345	Cum on wyth me, stylle as ston.	

0346	žou and I to že Werd schul goon	

0347	And žanne žou schalt sen anon	

0348	Whow sone žou schalt be ryche.	

0349	BONUS ANGELUS. A, pes, aungel, žou spekyst folye.	

0350	Why schuld he coveyt werldys goode,	

0351	Syn Criste in erthe and hys meynye	

0352	All in pouert here žei stode?	

0353	Werldys wele, be strete and stye,	

0354	Faylyth and fadyth as fysch in flode,	

0355	But heueryche is good and trye,	

0356	žer Criste syttyth bryth as blode,	

0357	Wythoutyn any dystresse.	

0358	To že World wolde he not flyt	

0359	But forsok it euery whytt.	

0360	Example I fynde in holy wryt,	

0361	He wyl bere me wytnesse.	

0361a	Diuicias et paupertates ne dederis michi, Domine.	

0362	MALUS ANGELUS. 3a, 3a, man, leue hym nowth,	

0363	But cum wyth me, be stye and strete.	

0364	Haue žou a gobet of že werld cawth,	

0365	žou schalt fynde it good and swete.	

0366	A fayre lady že schal be tawth	

0367	žat in bowre ži bale schal bete.	

0368	Wyth ryche rentys žou schalt be frawth,	

0369	Wyth sylke sendel to syttyn in sete.	

0370	I rede, late bedys be.	

0371	If žou wylt haue wel žyn hele	

0372	And faryn wel at mete and mele,	

0373	Wyth Goddys seruyse may žou not dele	

0374	But cum and folwe me.	

0375	HUMANUM GENUS. Whom to folwe wetyn I ne may.	

0376	I stonde and stodye and gynne to raue.	

0377	I wolde be ryche in gret aray	

0378	And fayn I wolde my sowle saue.	

0379	As wynde in watyr I wave.	

0380	žou woldyst to že Werld I me toke,	

0381	And he wolde žat I it forsoke.	

0382	Now so God me helpe and že holy boke	

0383	I not wyche I may haue.	

0384	MALUS ANGELUS. Cum on, man, whereof hast žou care?	

0385	Go we to že Werld, I rede že, blyue,	

0386	For žer žou schalt mow ryth wel fare,	

0387	In case if žou žynke for to thryue,	

0388	No lord schal be že lyche.	

0389	Take že Werld to žine entent	

0390	And late ži loue be žeron lent.	

0391	Wyth gold and syluyr and ryche rent	

0392	Anone žou schalt be ryche.	

0393	HUMANUM GENUS. Now syn žou hast behetyn me so,	

0394	I wyl go wyth že and asay.	

0395	I ne lette, for frende ner fo,	

0396	But wyth že Werld I wyl go play,	

0397	Certys a lytyl žrowe.	

0398	In žis World is al my trust	

0399	To lyuyn in lykyng and in lust.	

0400	Haue he and I onys cust,	

0401	We schal not part, I trowe.	

0402	BONUS ANGELUS. A, nay, man, for Cristys blod,	

0403	Cum agayn, be strete and style.	

0404	že Werld is wyckyd and ful wod	

0405	And žou shalt leuyn but a whyle.	

0406	What coueytyst žou to wynne?	

0407	Man, žynke on žyn endynge day	

0408	Whanne žou schalt be closyd vndyr clay,	

0409	And if žou thenke of žat aray,	

0410	Certys žou schalt not synne.	

0410a	Homo, memento finis et in eternum non peccabis.	

0411	MALUS ANGELUS. 3a, on ži sowle žou schalt žynke al betyme.	

0412	Cum forth, man, and take non hede,	

0413	Cum on, and žou schalt holdyn hym inne.	

0414	ži flesch žou schalt foster and fede	

0415	Wyth lofly lyuys fode.	

0416	Wyth že Werld žou mayst be bold	

0417	Tyl žou be sexty wyntyr hold.	

0418	Wanne ži nose waxit cold,	

0419	žanne mayst žou drawe to goode.	

0420	HUMANUM GENUS. I vow to God, and so I may	

0421	Make mery a ful gret throwe.	

0422	I may leuyn many a day;	

0423	I am but 3onge, as I trowe,	

0424	For to do žat I schulde.	

0425	Myth I ryde be sompe and syke	

0426	And be ryche and lorlyke,	

0427	Certys žanne schulde I be fryke	

0428	And a mery man on molde.	

0429	MALUS ANGELUS. 3ys, be my feyth, žou schalt be a lord,	

0430	And ellys hange me be že hals!	

0431	But žou must be at myn acord.	

0432	Ožytwhyle žou muste be fals	

0433	Amonge kythe and kynne.	

0434	Now go we forth swythe anon,	

0435	To že Werld us must gon,	

0436	And bere že manly euere among	

0437	Whanne žou comyst out or inne.	

0438	HUMANUM GENUS. 3is, and ellys haue žou my necke,	

0439	But I manly be downe and dyche;	

0440	And žou I be fals, I ne recke,	

0441	Wyth so žat I be lordlyche.	

0442	I folwe že as I can.	

0443	žou schalt be my bote of bale,	

0444	For were I ryche of holt and hale	

0445	žanne wolde I 3eue neuere tale	

0446	Of God ne of good man.	

0447	BONUS ANGELUS. I weyle and wrynge and make mone.	

0448	žis man wyth woo schal be pylt.	

0449	I sye sore and grysly grone	

0450	For hys folye schal make hym spylt.	

0451	I not wedyr to gone.	

0452	Mankynde hath forsakyn me.	

0453	Alas, man, for loue of the!	

0454	3a, for žis gamyn and žis gle	

0455	žou schalt grocchyn and grone.	

0455a	Pipe vp musyk	

0456	MUNDUS. Now I sytte in my semly sale;	

0457	I trotte and tremle in my trew trone;	

0458	As a hawke I hoppe in my hendee hale;	

0459	Kyng, knyth, and kayser to me makyn mone.	

0460	Of God ne of good man 3yf I neuere tale.	

0461	As a lukynge lord I leyke here alone.	

0462	Woso brawle any boste, be downe or be dale,	

0463	žo gadlyngys schal be gastyd and gryslych grone	

0464	Iwys.	

0465	Lust, Foly, and Veynglory,	

0466	All žese arn in myn memory.	

0467	žus begynnyth že nobyl story	

0468	Of žis werldys blys.	

0469	Lust, Lykyng, and Foly,	

0470	Comly knytys of renoun,	

0471	Belyue žorwe žis londe do crye	

0472	Al abowtyn in toure and toun.	

0473	If any man be fer or nye	

0474	žat to my seruyse wyl buske hym boun,	

0475	If he wyl be trost and trye	

0476	He schal be kyng and were že croun	

0477	Wyth rycchest robys in res.	

0478	Woso to že Werld wyl drawe	

0479	Of God ne of good man 3euyt he not a hawe,	

0480	Syche a man, be londys lawe,	

0481	Schal syttyn on my dees.	

0482	VOLUPTAS. Lo, me here redy, lord, to faryn and to fle,	

0483	To sekyn že a seruaunt dynge and dere.	

0484	Whoso wyl wyth foly rewlyd be	

0485	He is worthy to be a seruaunt here	

0486	žat drawyth to synnys seuene.	

0487	Whoso wyl be fals and covetouse	

0488	Wyth žis werld he schal haue lond and house.	

0489	žis werldys wysdom 3euyth not a louse	

0490	Of God nyn of hye heuene.	

0490a	Tunc descendit in placeam pariter	

0491	Pes, pepyl, of pes we 3ou pray.	

0492	Syth and sethe wel to my sawe.	

0493	Whoso wyl be ryche and in gret aray	

0494	Toward že Werld he schal drawe.	

0495	Whoso wyl be fals al žat he may,	

0496	Of God hymself he hath non awe,	

0497	And lyuyn in lustys nyth and day	

0498	že Werld of hym wyl be ryth fawe,	

0499	Do dwelle in his howse.	

0500	Whoso wyl wyth že Werld haue hys dwellynge	

0501	And ben a lord of hys clothynge	

0502	He muste nedys, ouyr al žynge,	

0503	Eueremore be couetowse.	

0503a	Non est in mundo diues qui dicit "habundo".	

0504	STULTICIA. 3a, couetouse he must be	

0505	And me, Foly, muste haue in mende,	

0506	For whoso wyl alwey foly fle	

0507	In žis werld schal ben vnthende.	

0508	žorwe werldys wysdom of gret degre	

0509	Schal neuere man in werld moun wende	

0510	But he haue help of me	

0511	žat am Foly fer and hende.	

0512	He muste hangyn on my hoke.	

0513	Werldly wyt was neuere nout	

0514	But wyth foly it were frawt.	

0515	žus že wysman hath tawt	

0516	Abotyn in his boke.	

0516a	Sapiencia penes Domini.	

0517	VOLUPTAS. Now all že men žat in žis werld wold thryue,	

0518	For to rydyn on hors ful hye,	

0519	Cum speke wyth Lust and Lykynge belyue	

0520	And hys felaw, 3onge Foly.	

0521	Late se whoso wyl vs knowe.	

0522	Whoso wyl drawe to Lykybge and Luste	

0523	And as a fole in Foly ruste,	

0524	On vs to he may truste	

0525	And leuyn louely, I trowe.	

0526	MALUS ANGELUS. How, Lust, Lykyng, and Folye,	

0527	Take to me good entent!	

0528	I haue browth, be downys drye,	

0529	To že Werld a gret present.	

0530	I haue gylyd hym ful qweyntly,	

0531	For syn he was born I haue hym blent.	

0532	He schal be serwaunt good and try,	

0533	Amonge 3ou his wyl is lent,	

0534	To že Werld he wyl hym take.	

0535	For syn he cowde wyte, I vndirstonde,	

0536	I haue hym tysyd in euery londe.	

0537	Hys Good Aungel, be strete and stronde,	

0538	I haue don hym forsake.	

0539	žerfor, Lust, my trewe fere,	

0540	žou art redy alwey iwys	

0541	Of worldly lawys žou hym lere	

0542	žat he were browth in werldly blys.	

0543	Loke he be ryche, že sože to tell.	

0544	Help hym, fast he gunne to thrywe,	

0545	And whanne he wenyth best to lywe	

0546	žanne schal he deye and not be schrywe	

0547	And goo wyth vs to hell.	

0548	VOLUPTAS. Be Satan, žou art a nobyl knawe	

0549	To techyn men fyrst fro goode.	

0550	Lust and Lykynge he schal haue,	

0551	Lechery schal ben hys fode,	

0552	Metys and drynkys he schal haue trye.	

0553	Wyth a lykynge lady of lofte	

0554	He schal syttyn in sendel softe	

0555	To cachen hym to helle crofte	

0556	žat day žat he schal deye.	

0557	STULTICIA. Wyth ryche rentys I schal hym blynde	

0558	Wyth že Werld tyl he be pytte,	

0559	And žanne schal I, longe or hys ende,	

0560	Make žat caytyfe to be knytte	

0561	On že Werld whanne he is set sore.	

0562	Cum on, man, žou schalt not rewe	

0563	For žou wylt be to vs trewe.	

0564	žou schalt be clad in clothys newe	

0565	And be ryche eueremore.	

0566	HUMANUM GENUS. Mary, felaw, gramercy!	

0567	I wolde be ryche and of gret renoun.	

0568	I 3eue no tale trewly	

0569	So žat I be lord of toure and toun,	

0570	Be buskys and bankys broun.	

0571	Syn žat žou wylt make me	

0572	Bothe ryche of gold and fee,	

0573	Goo forthe, for I wyl folow že	

0574	Be dale and euery towne.	

0574a	Trumpe vp.  Tunc ibunt VOLUPTAS	

0574b	et STULTICIA, MALUS ANGELUS et	

0574c	HUMANUM GENUS ad mUNDUM, et dicet	

0575	VOLUPTAS. How, lord, loke owt! for we haue browth	

0576	a serwant of nobyl fame.	

0577	Of worldly good is al hys žouth,	

0578	Of lust and folye he hath no schame.	

0579	He wolde be gret of name.	

0580	He wolde be at gret honour	

0581	For to rewle town and toure.	

0582	He wolde haue to hys paramoure	

0583	Sum louely dynge dame.	

0584	MUNDUS. Welcum, syr, semly in syth!	

0585	žou art welcum to worthy wede.	

0586	For žou wylt be my serwaunt day and nyth,	

0587	Wyth my seruyse I schal že foster and fede.	

0588	ži bak schal be betyn wyth besawntys bryth,	

0589	žou shalt haue byggyngys be bankys brede,	

0590	To ži cors schal knele hayser and knyth	

0591	Where žat žou walke, be sty or be strete,	

0592	And ladys louely on lere.	

0593	But Goddys seruyse žou must forsake	

0594	And holy to že Werld že take	

0595	And žanne a man I schal že make	

0596	žat non schal be ži pere.	

0597	HUMANUM GENUS. 3ys, Werld, and žerto here myn honde	

0598	To forsake God and hys seruyse.	

0599	To medys žou 3eue me howse and londe	

0600	žat I regne rychely at my enprise.	

0601	So žat I fare wel be strete and stronde	

0602	Whyl I dwelle here in werldly wyse,	

0603	I recke neuere of heuene wonde	

0604	Nor of Jhesu, žat jentyl justyse.	

0605	Of my sowle I haue non rewthe.	

0606	What schulde I recknen of domysday	

0607	So žat I be ryche and of gret aray?	

0608	I schal make mery whyl I may,	

0609	And žerto here my trewthe.	

0610	MUNDUS. Now sertys, syr, žou seyst wel.	

0611	I holde že trewe fro top to že too.	

0612	But žou were ryche it were gret del	

0613	And all men žat wyl fare soo.	

0614	Cum up, my serwaunt trew as stel.	

0614a	Tunc ascendet HUMANUM GENUS ad MUNDUM	

0615	žou schalt be ryche, whereso žou goo.	

0616	Men schul seruyn že at mel	

0617	Wyth mynstralsye and bemys blo,	

0618	Wyth metys and drynkys trye.	

0619	Lust and Lykynge schal be žin ese.	

0620	Louely ladys že schal plese.	

0621	Whoso do že any disesse	

0622	He schal ben hangyn hye.	

0623	Lykynge, beluye	

0624	Late clothe hym swythe	

0625	In robys ryve	

0626	Wyth ryche aray.	

0627	Folye, žou fonde,	

0628	Be strete and stronde,	

0629	Serue hym at honde	

0630	Bothe nyth and day.	

0631	VOLUPTAS. Trostyly,	

0632	Lord, redy,	

0633	Je vous pry,	

0634	Syr, I say.	

0635	In lyckynge and lust	

0636	He schal rust	

0637	Tyl dethys dust	

0638	Do hym to day.	

0639	STULTICIA. And I, Folye,	

0640	Schal hyen hym hye	

0641	Tyl sum enmye	

0642	Hym ouyrgoo.	

0643	In worldys wyt	

0644	žat in Foly syt	

0645	I žynke 3yt	

0646	Hys sowle to sloo.	

0646a	Trumpe vp	

0647	DETRACCIO. All žyngys I crye agayn že pes	

0648	To knyt and knaue, žis is my kende.	

0649	3a, dyngne dukys on her des	

0650	In byttyr balys I hem bynde.	

0651	Cryinge and care, chydynge and ches	

0652	And sad sorwe to hem I sende,	

0653	3a, lowde lesyngys lacchyd in les,	

0654	Of talys vntrewe is al my mende.	

0655	Mannys bane abowtyn I bere.	

0656	I wyl žat 3e wetyn, all žo žat ben here,	

0657	For I am knowyn fer and nere,	

0658	I am že Werldys messengere,	

0659	My name is Bacbytere.	

0660	Wyth euery wyth I walke and wende	

0661	And euery man now louyth me wele.	

0662	Wyth lowde lesyngys vndyr lende	

0663	To dethys dynt I dresse and dele.	

0664	To speke fayre beforn and fowle behynde	

0665	Amongys men at mete and mele	

0666	Trewly, lordys, žis is my kynde,	

0667	žus I renne upon a whele,	

0668	I am feller žanne a fox.	

0669	Fleterynge and flaterynge is my lessun,	

0670	Wyth lesyngys i tene bože tour and town,	

0671	Wyth letterys of defanacyoun	

0672	I bere in my box.	

0673	I am lyth of lopys žorwe euery londe,	

0674	Myn holy happys may not ben hyd.	

0675	To may not togedyr stonde	

0676	But I, Bakbyter, be že thyrde.	

0677	I schape 3one boyis to schame and schonde,	

0678	All žat wyl bowyn whanne I hem bydde.	

0679	To lawe of londe in feyth I fonde.	

0680	Whanne talys vntrewe arn betydde	

0681	Bakbytere is wyde spronge.	

0682	žorwe že werld, be downe and dalys,	

0683	All abowtyn I brewe balys.	

0684	Euery man tellyth talys	

0685	Aftyr my fals tunge.	

0686	žerfore I am mad massenger	

0687	To lepyn ouyr londys leye	

0688	žorwe all že world, fer and ner,	

0689	[ON nsayd sawys for to seye.	

0690	In žis holte I hunte here	

0691	For to spye a preuy pley,	

0692	For whanne Mankynde is cložyd clere,	

0693	žanne schal I techyn hym že wey	

0694	To že dedly synnys seuene.	

0695	Here I schal abydyn wyth my pese	

0696	že wronge to do hym for to chese,	

0697	For I thynke žat he schal lese	

0698	že lyth of hey heuene.	

0699	VOLUPTAS. Worthy World, in welthys wonde,	

0700	Here is Mankynde ful fayr in folde.	

0701	In bryth besauntys he is bownde	

0702	And bon to bowe to 3ou so bolde.	

0703	He leuyth in lustys euery stounde;	

0704	Holy to 3ou he hathe hym 3olde.	

0705	For to makyn hym gay on grounde,	

0706	Worthy World, žou art beholde.	

0707	žis werld is wel at ese.	

0708	For to God I make avow	

0709	Mankynde had leuer now	

0710	Greue God wyth synys row	

0711	žanne že World to dysplese.	

0712	STULTICIA. Dysplese že he wyl for no man.	

0713	On me, Foly, is al hys žowth.	

0714	Trewly Mankynde nowth nen can	

0715	žynke on God žat hathe hym bowth.	

0716	Worthy World, wyth as swan,	

0717	In ži loue lely is he lawth.	

0718	Sythyn he cowde and fyrste began	

0719	že forsakyn wolde he nowth,	

0720	But 3eue hym to Folye.	

0721	And syžyn he hathe to že be trewe,	

0722	I rede že forsakyn hym for no newe.	

0723	Lete us plesyn hym tyl žat he rewe	

0724	In hell to hangyn hye.	

0725	MUNDUS. Now, Foly, fayre že befall,	

0726	And Luste, blyssyd be žou ay!	

0727	3e han browth Mankynde to myn hall	

0728	Sertys in a nobyl aray.	

0729	Wyth werldys welthys wythinne žese wallys	

0730	I schal hym feffe if žat I may.	

0731	Welcum, Mankynde! to že I call,	

0732	Clenner cložyd žanne any clay,	

0733	Be downe, dale, and dyche.	

0734	Mankynde, I rede žat žou reste	

0735	Wyth me, že Werld, as it is beste.	

0736	Loke žou holde myn hende heste	

0737	And euere žou schalt be ryche.	

0738	HUMANUM GENUS. Whou schuld I but I ži hestys helde?	

0739	žou werkyst wyth me holy my wyll.	

0740	žou feffyst me wyth fen and felde	

0741	And hye hall, be holtys and hyll.	

0742	In werldly wele my wytte I welde,	

0743	In joye I jette wyth juelys jentyll,	

0744	On blysful banke my boure is bylde,	

0745	In veynglorye I stonde styll.	

0746	I am kene as a knyt.	

0747	Whoso ageyn že Werld wyl speke	

0748	Mankynde schal on hym be wreke,	

0749	In stronge presun i schal hym steke,	

0750	Be it wronge or ryth.	

0751	MUNDUS. A, Mankynde, wel že betyde	

0752	žat ži loue on me is sette!	

0753	In my bowrys žou schalt abyde	

0754	And 3yt fare mekyl že bette.	

0755	I feffe že in all my wonys wyde	

0756	In dale of dros tyl žou be deth.	

0757	I make že lord of meekyl pryde,	

0758	Syr, at žyn owyn mowthis mette.	

0759	I fynde in že no tresun.	

0760	In all žis worlde, be se and sonde,	

0761	Parkys, placys, lawnde and londe,	

0762	Here I 3yfe že wyth myn honde,	

0763	Syr, an opyn sesun.	

0764	Go to my tresorer, Syr Couetouse.	

0765	Loke žou tell hym as I seye.	

0766	Bydde hym make že maystyr in hys house	

0767	Wyth penys and powndys for to pleye.	

0768	Loke žou 3eue not a lous	

0769	Of že day žat žou schalt deye.	

0770	Messenger, do now žyne vse;	

0771	Bakbytere, teche hym že weye.	

0772	žou art swetter žanne mede.	

0773	Mankynde, take wyth že Bakbytynge.	

0774	Lefe hym for no maner thynge.	

0775	Flepergebet wyth hys flaterynge	

0776	Standyth Mankynde in stede.	

0777	DETRACCIO. Bakbytynge and Detracion	

0778	Schal goo wyth že fro toun to toun.	

0779	Haue don, Mankynde, and cum doun.	

0780	I am žyne owyn page.	

0781	I schal bere že wyttnesse wyth my myth	

0782	Whanne my lord že Werlde it behyth.	

0783	Lo, where Syr Coueytyse sytt	

0784	And bydith us in his stage.	

0785	HUMANUM Genus. Syr Worlde, I wende,	

0786	In Couetyse to chasyn my kende.	

0787	MUNDUS. Haue hym in mende,	

0788	And iwys žanne schalt žou be ryth žende.	

0789	BONUS ANGELUS. Alas, Jhesu, jentyl justyce,	

0790	Whedyr may mans Good Aungyl wende?	

0791	Now schal careful Coueytyse	

0792	Mankende trewly al schende.	

0793	Hys sely goste may sore agryse;	

0794	Bakbytynge bryngyth hym in byttyr bonde.	

0795	Worldly wyttys, 3e are not wyse,	

0796	3our louely lyfe amys 3e spende	

0797	And žat schal 3e sore smert.	

0798	Parkys, ponndys, and many pens	

0799	žei semyn to 3ou swetter žanne sens,	

0800	But Goddys seruyse nyn hys commaundementys	

0801	Stondyth 3ou not at hert.	

0802	MALUS ANGELUS. 3a, whanne že fox prechyth, kepe wel 3ore gees!	

0803	He spekyth as it were a holy pope.	

0804	Goo, felaw, and pyke of žo lys	

0805	žat crepe žer upon ži cope!	

0806	ži part is pleyed al at že dys	

0807	žat žou schalt heue here, as I hope.	

0808	Tyl Mankynde fallyth to podys prys,	

0809	Coueytyse schal hym grype and grope	

0810	Tyl sum schame hym schende.	

0811	Tyl man be dyth in dethys dow	

0812	He seyth neuere he hath inow.	

0813	žerfore, goode boy, cum blow	

0814	At my nežer ende!	

0815	DETRACCIO. Syr Couetyse, God že saue,	

0816	ži pens and ži poundys all!	

0817	I, Bakbyter, žyn owyn knaue,	

0818	Haue browt Mankynde vnto žine hall.	

0819	že Werlde bad žou schuldyst hym haue	

0820	and feffen hym, whatso befall.	

0821	In grene gres tyl he be graue	

0822	Putte hym in ži precyous pall,	

0823	Coueytyse, it were ell rewthe.	

0824	Whyl he walkyth in worldly wolde	

0825	I, Bakbyter, am wyth hym holde.	

0826	Lust and Folye, žo barouns bolde,	

0827	To hem he hath plyth hys trewthe.	

0828	Ow, Mankynde, blyssyd, mote žou be!	

0829	I haue louyd že derworthly many a day,	

0830	And so I wot wel žat žou dost me.	

0831	Cum up and se my ryche aray.	

0832	It were a gret poynte of pyte	

0833	But Coueytyse were to ži pay.	

0834	Sit up ryth here in žis se.	

0835	I schal že lere of werldys lay	

0836	žat fadyth as a flode.	

0837	Wyth good inow I schal že store,	

0838	And 3yt oure game is but lore	

0839	But žou coueyth mekyl more	

0840	žanne euere schal do že goode.	

0841	žou muste 3yfe že to symonye,	

0842	Extorsion, and false asyse.	

0843	Helpe no man but žou haue why.	

0844	Pay not ži serwauntys here serwyse.	

0845	ži neyborys loke žou dystroye.	

0846	Tythe not on non wyse.	

0847	Here no begger žou he crye;	

0848	And žanne schalt žou ful sone ryse.	

0849	And whanne žou vsyste marchaundyse	

0850	Loke žat žou be sotel of sleytys,	

0851	And also swere al be deseytys,	

0852	Bye and sell be fals weytys,	

0853	For žat is kynde coueytyse.	

0854	Be not agaste of že grete curse.	

0855	žis lofly lyf may longe leste.	

0856	Be že peny on ži purs,	

0857	Lete hem cursyn and don here beste.	

0858	What deuyl of hell art žou že wers	

0859	žow žow brekyste Goddys heste?	

0860	Do aftyr me, I am ži nors.	

0861	Alwey gadyr and haue non reste.	

0862	In wynnynge be al ži werke.	

0863	To pore men take none entent,	

0864	For žat žou haste longe tyme hent	

0865	In lytyl tyme it may be spent;	

0866	žus seyth Caton, že gret clerke.	

0866a	Labitur exiguo quod partum tempore longo.	

0867	HUMANUM GENUS. A, Auarryce, wel žou spede!	

0868	Of werldly wytte žou canst iwys.	

0869	žou woldyst not I hadde nede	

0870	And schuldyst be wrothee if I ferd amys.	

0871	I schal neuere begger bede	

0872	Mete nyn drynke, be heuene blys;	

0873	Rather or I schulde hym clože ot fede	

0874	He schulde sterue and stynke iwys.	

0875	Coueytyse, as žou wylt I wyl do.	

0876	Whereso žat I fare, be fenne or flod,	

0877	I make avow be Goddys blod	

0878	Of Mankynde getyth no man no good	

0879	But if he synge si dedero.	

0880	AUARICIA. Mankynd, žat was wel songe.	

0881	Sertys now žou canst sum skyll.	

0882	Blyssyd be ži trewe tonge!	

0883	In žis bowre žou schalt syde and byll.	

0884	Moo synnys I wolde žou vndyrfonge:	

0885	Wyth coveytyse že feffe I wyll;	

0886	And žanne sum pryde I wolde spronge,	

0887	Hy3e in ži hert to holdyn and hyll	

0888	And abydyn in ži body.	

0889	Here I feffe že in myn heuene	

0890	Wyth gold and syluyr lyth as leuene.	

0891	že dedly synnys, all seuene,	

0892	I schal do comyn in hy.	

0893	Pryde, Wrathe, and Envye,	

0894	Com forthe, že Deuelys chyldryn žre!	

0895	Lecchery, Slawth, and Glotonye,	

0896	To mans flesch 3e are fendys fre.	

0897	Dryuyth downne ouyr dalys drye,	

0898	Beth now blyže as any be,	

0899	Ouyr hykk and holtys 3e 3ou hy3e	

0900	To com to Mankynde and to me	

0901	Fro 3oure dowty dennys.	

0902	As dukys dowty 3e 3ou dresse.	

0903	Whanne 3e sex be comne, I gesse,	

0904	žanne be we seuene and no lesse	

0905	Of že dedly synnys.	

0906	SUPERBIA. Wondyr hy3e howtys on hyll herd I houte;	

0907	Koueytyse kryeth, hys karpynge I kenne.	

0908	Summe lord or summe lordeyn lely schal loute	

0909	To be pyth wyth perlys of my proude penne.	

0910	Bon I am to braggyb and buskyn abowt,	

0911	Rapely and redyly on rowte for to renne.	

0912	Be doun, dalys, nor dennys no duke I dowt,	

0913	Also fast for to fogge, be flodys and be fenne.	

0914	I rore whanne I ryse.	

0915	Syr Belyal, bryth of ble,	

0916	To 3ou I recomaunde me.	

0917	Haue good day, my fadyr fre,	

0918	For I goo to Coveytyse.	

0919	IRA. Whanne Coveytyse cried and carpyd of care,	

0920	žanne must I, wod wreche, walkyn and wend	

0921	Hy3e ouyr holtys, as hound aftyr hare.	

0922	If I lette and were že last, he schuld me sore schend.	

0923	I buske my bold baston, be bankys ful bare.	

0924	Sum boy schal be betyn and browth vndyr bonde.	

0925	Wrath schal hym wrekyn and weyin hys ware.	

0926	Forlorn schal al be for lusti laykys in londe,	

0927	As a lythyr page.	

0928	Syr Belyal, blak and blo,	

0929	Haue good day, now I goo	

0930	For to fell ži foo	

0931	Wyth wyckyd wage.	

0932	INVIDIA. Whanne Wrath gynnyth walke in ony wyde wonys,	

0933	Envye flet as a fox and folwyth on faste.	

0934	Whanne žou steryste or staryste or stumble upon stonys,	

0935	I lepe as a lyon; me is loth to be laste.	

0936	3a, I breyde byttyr balys in body and in bonys,	

0937	I frete myn herte and in kare I me kast.	

0938	Goo we to Coveytyse, all žre at onys,	

0939	Wyth oure grysly gere a grome for to gast.	

0940	žis day schal he deye.	

0941	Belsabubbe, now haue good day,	

0942	For we wyl wendyn in good aray,	

0943	Al žre in fere, As I že say,	

0944	Pride, Wrath, and Envye.	

0945	BELIAL. Farewel now, chyldryn fayre to fynde!	

0946	Do now wel 3oure olde owse.	

0947	Whanne 3e com to Mankynde	

0948	Make hym wroth and envyous.	

0949	Leuyth not lytly vndyr lynde;	

0950	To his sowle brewyth a byttyr jous.	

0951	Whanne he is ded I schal hym bynde	

0952	In hell, as catte dothe že mows.	

0953	Now buske 3ou forže in brede.	

0954	Imay be blythe as any be,	

0955	For Mankynde in euery cuntre	

0956	Is rewlyd be my chyldyr žre,	

0957	Envye, Wrathe, and Pryde.	

0958	GULA. A grom gan gredyn gayly on grounde.	

0959	Of me, gay Glotoun, gan al hys gale.	

0960	I stampe and I styrte and stynt upon stounde,	

0961	To a staunche deth I stakyr and stale.	

0962	What boyes wyth here belys in my bondys ben bownd,	

0963	Bože here bak and here blod I brewe al to bale.	

0964	I fese folke to fyth tyl here flesch fond.	

0965	Whanne summe han dronkyn a drawth žei drepyn in a dale;	

0966	In me is here mynde.	

0967	Mans florchynge flesch,	

0968	Fayre, frele, and fresch,	

0969	I rape to rewle in a rese	

0970	To kloye in my kynde.	

0971	In mans kyth I cast me a castel to kepe.	

0972	I, Lechery, wyth lykynge, am lovyd in iche a lond.	

0973	Wyth my sokelys of swettnesse I sytte and I slepe.	

0974	Many berdys I brynge to my byttyr bonde.	

0975	In wo and in wrake wyckyd wytys schal wepe	

0976	žat in my wonys wylde wyl not out wende.	

0977	Whanne Mankynde is castyn undyr clourys to crepe,	

0978	žanne žo ledrouns for here lykynge I schal al to-schende,	

0979	Trewly to tell.	

0980	Syr Flesch, Now I wende,	

0981	Wyth lust in my lende,	

0982	To cachyn Mankynde	

0983	To že Devyl of hell.	

0984	ACCIDIA. 3a, what seyst žou of Syr Slawth, wyth my soure syth?	

0985	Mankynde louyth me wel, wys as I wene.	

0986	Men of relygyon I rewle in my ryth;	

0987	I lette Goddys seruyse, že sože may be sene.	

0988	In bedde I brede brothel wyth my berdys bryth;	

0989	Lordys, ladys, and lederounnys to my lore leene.	

0990	Mekyl of Mankynd in my clokys schal be knyth	

0991	Tyl deth dryuyth hem down in dalys bedene.	

0992	We may non lenger abyde.	

0993	Syr Flesch, comly kynge,	

0994	In že is al oure bredynge.	

0995	3eue us now ži blyssynge,	

0996	For Coveytyse hath cryde.	

0997	CARO. Glotony and Slawth, farewel in fere,	

0998	Louely in londe is now 3our lesse;	

0999	And Lecherye, my dowtyr so dere,	

1000	Dapyrly 3e dresse 3ou so dyngne on desse.	

1001	All žre my blessynge 3e schal haue here.	

1002	Goth now forth and gyue 3e no fors.	

1003	It is no nede 3ou for to lere	

1004	To cachyn Mankynd to a careful clos	

1005	Fro že bryth blysse off heuene.	

1006	že Werld, že Flesch, and že Devyl are knowe	

1007	Grete lordys, as we wel owe,	

1008	And žorwe Mankynd we settyn and sowe	

1009	že dedly synnys seuene.	

1009a	Tunc ibunt SUPERBIA, IRA, INVIDIA, GULA, LUXURIA, et	

1009b	ACCIDIA ad AVARICIAM et dicet SUPERBIA:	

1010	SUPERBIA. What is ži wyll, Syr Coveytyse?	

1011	Why hast žou afftyr vs sent?	

1012	Whanne žou creydyst we ganne agryse	

1013	And come to že now par asent.	

1014	Oure loue is on že lent.	

1015	I, Pryde, Wrath, and Envye,	

1016	Gloton, Slawth, and Lecherye,	

1017	We arn cum all sex for ži crye	

1018	To be at ži commaundement.	

1019	AUARICIA. Welcum be 3e, brežeryn all,	

1020	And my systyr, swete Lecherye!	

1021	Wytte 3e why I gan to call?	

1022	For 3e must me helpe and žat in hy.	

1023	Mankynde is now com to myn hall	

1024	Wyth me to dwell, be downys dry.	

1025	žerfore 3e must, whatso befall,	

1026	Feffyn hym wyth 3oure foly,	

1027	And ell 3e don hym wronge.	

1028	For whanne Mankynd is kendly koueytous	

1029	He is provd, wrathful, and envyous;	

1030	Glotons, slaw, and lecherous	

1031	žei arn ožyrwhyle amonge.	

1032	žus euery synne tyllyth in ožyr	

1033	And makyth Mankynde to ben a foole.	

1034	We seuene fallyn on a fodyr	

1035	Mankynd to chase to pynyngys stole.	

1036	žerfore, Pryde, good brožyr,	

1037	And brežyryn all, take 3e 3our tol.	

1038	Late iche of vs take at othyr	

1039	And set Mankynd on a stomlynge stol	

1040	Whyl he is here on lyve.	

1041	Lete vs lullyn hym in oure lust	

1042	Tyl he be dreuyn to dampnynge dust.	

1043	Colde care schal ben hys crust	

1044	To deth whanne he schal dryve.	

1045	SUPERBIA. In gle and game I growe glad.	

1046	Mankynd, take good hed	

1047	And do as Covytyse že bad,	

1048	Take me in žyn hert, precyous Pride.	

1049	Loke žou be not ouyrlad,	

1050	Late no bacheler že mysbede,	

1051	Do že to be dowtyd and drad,	

1052	Bete boyes tyl žey blede,	

1053	Kast hem in careful kettys.	

1054	Frende, fadyr and modyr dere,	

1055	Bowe hem not in non manere,	

1056	And hold no maner man ži pere,	

1057	And vse žese new jettys.	

1058	Loke žou blowe mekyl bost	

1059	Wyth longe crakows on ži schos.	

1060	Jagge ži clothis in euery cost,	

1061	And ell men schul lete že but a goos.	

1062	It is žus, man, wel žou wost,	

1063	žerfore do as no man dos	

1064	And euery man sette at a thost	

1065	And of žiself make gret ros.	

1066	Now se žiself on euery syde.	

1067	Euery man žou schalt schende and schelfe	

1068	And holde no man betyr žanne žiselfe.	

1069	Tyl dethys dynt ži vody delfe	

1070	Put holy žyn hert in Pride.	

1071	HUMANUM GENUS. Pryde, be Jhesu, žou seyst wel.	

1072	Whoso suffyr is ouyrled al day.	

1073	Whyl I reste on my rennynge whel	

1074	I schal not suffre, if žat I may.	

1075	Myche myrthe at mete and mel	

1076	I loue ryth wel, and ryche aray.	

1077	Trewly I žynke, in euery sel,	

1078	On grounde to be graythyd gay	

1079	And of myselfe to take good gard.	

1080	Mykyl myrthe žou wylt me make,	

1081	Lordlyche to leue, be londe and lake.	

1082	Myn hert holy to že I take	

1083	Into žyne owyn award.	

1084	SUPERBIA. I ži bowre to abyde	

1085	I com to dwelle be ži syde.	

1086	HUMANUM GENUS. Mankynde and Pride	

1087	Schal dwell togedyr euery tyde.	

1088	IRA. Be also wroth as žou were wode.	

1089	Make že be dred, be dalys derne.	

1090	Whoso že wrethe, be fen or flode,	

1091	Loke žou be avengyd 3erne.	

1092	Be redy to spylle mans blod.	

1093	Loke žou hem fere, be feldys ferne.	

1094	Alway, man, be ful of mod.	

1095	My lothly lawys loke žou lerne,	

1096	I rede, for any žynge.	

1097	Anon take venjaunce, man, I rede,	

1098	And žanne schal no man že ouyrlede,	

1099	But of že žey schul haue drede	

1000	And bowe to ži byddynge.	

1101	HUMANUM GENUS. Wrethe, for ži councel hende,	

1102	Haue žou Goddys blyssynge and myn.	

1103	What caytyf of al my kende	

1104	Wyl not bowe, he schal abyn.	

1105	Wyth myn venjaunce I schal hym schende	

1106	And wrekyn me, be Goddys yne.	

1107	Ražyr or I schulde bowe or bende	

1108	I schuld be stekyd as a swyne	

1109	Wyth a lothly launce.	

1110	Be it erly or late,	

1111	Whoso make wyth me debate	

1112	I schal hym hyttyn on že pate	

1113	And takyn anon venjaunce.	

1114	IRA. Wyth my rewly rothyr	

1115	I com to že, Mankynde, my brožyr.	

1116	HUMANUM GENUS. Wrethe, ži fayr fožyr	

1117	Makyth iche man to be vengyd on ožyr.	

1118	INVIDIA. Envye wyth Wrathe muste dryve	

1119	To haunte Mankynde also.	

1120	Whanne any of žy neyborys wyl žryve	

1121	Loke žou haue Envyee žerto.	

1122	On že hey name I charge že belyue	

1123	Bakbyte hym, whowso žou do.	

1124	Kyll hym anon wythowtyn knyue	

1125	And speke hym sum schame were žou go,	

1126	Be dale or downys drye.	

1127	Speke ži neybour mekyl schame,	

1128	Pot on hem sum fals fame,	

1129	Loke žou vndo hys nobyl name	

1130	Wyth me, žat am Envye.	

1131	HUMANUM GENUS. Envye, žou art bože good and hende	

1132	And schalt be of my counsel chefe.	

1133	ži counsel is knowyn žorwe mankynde,	

1134	For ilke man callyth ožyr hore and thefe.	

1135	Envye, žou art rote and rynde,	

1136	žorwe žis werld, of mykyl myschefe.	

1137	In byttyr balys I schal hem bynde	

1138	žat to že puttyth any reprefe.	

1139	Cum vp to me above.	

1140	For more envye žanne is now reynynge	

1141	Was neuere syth Cryst was kynge.	

1142	Cum vp, Envye, my dere derlynge.	

1143	žou hast Mankyndys love.	

1144	INVIDIA. I clymbe fro žis crofte	

1145	Wyth Mankynde to syttyn on lofte.	

1146	HUMANUM GENUS. Cum, syt here softe,	

1147	For in abbeys žou dwellyst ful ofte.	

1148	GULA. In gay Glotony a game žou begynne,	

1149	Ordeyn že mete and drynkys goode.	

1150	Loke žat no tresour žou part atwynne	

1151	But že feffe and fede wyth al kynnys fode.	

1152	Wyth fastynge schal men neuere heuene wynne,	

1153	žese grete fasterys I holde hem wode.	

1154	žou žou ete and drynke, it is no synne.	

1155	Fast no day, I rede, be že rode,	

1156	žou shyde žese fastyng cherlys.	

1157	Loke žou haue spycys of goode odoure	

1158	To feffe and fede žy fleschly floure	

1159	And žanne mayst žou bultyn in ži boure	

1160	And serdyn gay gerlys.	

1161	HUMANUM GENUS. A, Glotony, wel I že grete!	

1162	Soth and sad it is, žy sawe.	

1163	I am no day wel, be sty nor strete,	

1164	Tyl I haue wel fyllyd my mawe.	

1165	Fastynge is fellyd vndyr fete,	

1166	žou I neuere faste, I ne rekke an hawe,	

1167	He seruyth of nowth, be že rode, I lete,	

1168	But to do a mans guttys to gnawe.	

1169	To faste I wyl not fonde.	

1170	I schal not spare, so haue I reste,	

1171	To haue a mossel of že beste.	

1172	že lenger schal my lyfe mow leste	

1173	Wyth gret lykynge in londe.	

1174	GULA. Be bankys on brede,	

1175	Ožyrwhyle to spew že spede!	

1176	HUMANUM GENUS. Whyl I lyf lede	

1177	Wyth fayre fode my flesche schal I fede.	

1178	LUXURIA. 3a, whanne ži flesche is fayre fed,	

1179	žanne schal I. louely Lecherye,	

1180	Be bobbyd wyth že in bed;	

1181	Hereof serue mete and drynkys trye.	

1182	In loue ži lyf schal be led;	

1183	Be a lechour tyl žou dye.	

1184	ži nedys schal be že better sped	

1185	If žou 3yf že to fleschly folye	

1186	Tyl deth že downdrepe.	

1187	Lechery syn že werld began	

1188	Hath avauncyd many a man.	

1189	žerfore, Mankynd, my leue lemman,	

1190	I my cunte žou schalt crepe.	

1191	HUMANUM GENUS. A, Lechery, wel že be.	

1192	Mans sed in že is sowe.	

1193	Fewe men wyl forsake že	

1194	In any cuntre žat I knowe.	

1195	Spousebreche is a frend ryth fre,	

1196	Men vse žat mo žanne inowe.	

1197	Lechery, cum syt be me.	

1198	Xi banys be ful wyd iknowe,	

1199	Lykynge is in ži lende.	

1200	On nor ožyr, i se no wythte	

1201	žat wyl forsake že day ner nyth.	

1202	žerfore cum vp, my berd bryth,	

1203	And reste že wyth Mankynde.	

1204	LUXURIA. I may soth synge	

1205	"Mankynde is kawt in my slynge".	

1206	HUMANUM GENUS. For ony erthyly žynge,	

1207	To bedde žou muste me brynge.	

1208	ACCIDIA. 3a, whanne 3e be in bedde bože,	

1209	Wappyd wel in worthy wede,	

1210	žanne I, Slawthe, wyl be wrothe	

1211	But to brothelys I may brede.	

1212	Whanne že messe-belle goth	

1213	Lye stylle, man, and take non hede.	

1214	Lappe žyne hed žanne in a cloth	

1215	And take a swet, I že rede,	

1216	Chyrche-goynge žou forsake.	

1217	Losengerys in londe I lyfte	

1218	And dyth men to mekyl vnthryfte.	

1219	Penaunce enjoynyd men in schryfte	

1220	Is vndone, and žat I make.	

1221	HUMANUM GENUS. Owe, Slawthe, žou seyst me skylle.	

1222	Men vse že mekyl, God it wot.	

1223	Men lofe wel now to lye stylle	

1224	In bed to take a morowe swot.	

1225	To chyrcheward is not here wylle;	

1226	Here beddys žei žynkyn goode and hot.	

1227	Herry, Jofferey, Jone, and Gylle	

1228	Arn leyd and logyd in a lot	

1229	Wyth žyne vnžende charmys.	

1230	Al mankynde, be že holy rode,	

1231	Are now slawe in wekys goode.	

1232	Com nere žerfore, myn fayre foode,	

1233	And lulle me in žyne armys.	

1234	ACCIDIA. I make men, I trowe,	

1235	In Goddys seruyse to be ryth slowe.	

1236	HUMANUM GENUS. Com up žis žrowe.	

1237	Swyche men žou schalt fynden inowe.	

1238	HUMANUM GENUS. Mankynde I am callyd be kynde,	

1239	Wyth curssydnesse in costys knet.	

1240	In sowre swettenesse my syth I sende,	

1241	Wyth seuene synnys sadde beset.	

1242	Mekyl myrže I moue in mynde,	

1243	Wyth melody at my mowžis met.	

1244	My prowd pouer schal I not pende	

1245	Tyl I be putte in peynys pyt,	

1246	To helle hent fro hens.	

1247	In dale of dole tyl we are downe	

1248	We schul be clad in a gray gowne.	

1249	I se no man but žey vse somme	

1250	Of žese seuene dedly synnys.	

1251	For comounly it is seldome syne,	

1252	Whoso now be lecherows	

1253	But of ožyr men he schal haue dysdeyne	

1254	And ben prowde or covetous.	

1255	In synne iche man is founde.	

1256	žer is pore nor ryche, be londe ne lake,	

1257	žat alle žese seuene wyl forsake,	

1258	But wyth on or ožyr he schal be take	

1259	And in here byttyr bondys bownde.	

1260	BONUS ANGELUS. So mekyl že werse, weleawoo,	

1261	žat euere good aungyl was ordeynyd že.	

1262	žou art rewlyd aftyr že fende žat is ži foo	

1263	And nožynge certys aftyr me.	

1264	Weleaway, wedyr may I goo?	

1265	Man doth me bleykyn blody ble.	

1266	Hys swete sowle he wyl now slo.	

1267	He schal wepe al hys game and gle	

1268	At on dayes tyme.	

1269	3e se wel all sothly in syth	

1270	I am abowte bože day and nyth	

1271	To brynge hys sowle into blis bryth,	

1272	And hymself wyl it brynge to pyne.	

1273	MALUS ANGELUS. No, Good Aungyl, žou art not in sesun,	

1274	Fewe men in že feyth žey fynde.	

1275	For žou hast schewyd a ballyd resun,	

1276	Goode syre, cum blowe myn hol behynde.	

1277	Trewly man hath non chesun	

1278	On ži God to grede and grynde,	

1279	For žat schuld cunne Cristis lessoun	

1280	In penaunce hus body he muste bynde	

1281	And forsake že worldys mende.	

1282	Men arn loth on že to crye	

1283	Or don penaunce for here folye.	

1284	žerfore haue I now maystrye	

1285	Welny ouyr al mankynde.	

1286	BONUS ANGELUS. Alas, Mankynde	

1287	Is bobbyd and blent as že blynde.	

1288	In feyth, I fynde,	

1289	To Crist he can nowt be kynde.	

1290	Alas, Mankynne	

1291	Is soylyd and saggyd in synne.	

1292	He wyl not blynne	

1293	Tyl body and sowle parte atwynne.	

1294	Alas, he is blendyd,	

1295	Amys mans lyf is ispendyd,	

1296	Wyth fendys fendyd.	

1297	Mercy, God, žat man were amendyd!	

1298	CONFESSIO. What, mans Aungel, good and trewe,	

1299	Why syest žou and sobbyst sore?	

1300	Sertys sore it schal me rewe	

1301	If I se že make mornynge more.	

1302	May any bote ži bale brewe	

1303	Or any žynge ži stat astore?	

1304	For all felechepys olde and newe	

1305	Why makyst žou grochynge vndyr gore	

1306	Wyth pynynge poyntys pale?	

1307	Why was al žis gretynge gunne	

1308	Wyth sore syinge vndyr sunne?	

1309	Tell me and I schal, if I cunne,	

1310	Brewe že bote of bale.	

1311	BONUS ANGELUS. Of byttyr balys žou mayste me bete,	

1312	Swete Schryfte, if žat žou wylt.	

1313	For Mankynde it is žat I grete;	

1314	He is in poynt to be spylt.	

1315	He is set in seuene synnys sete	

1316	And wyl certys tyl ne be kylt.	

1317	Wyth me he žynkyth neuermore to mete,	

1318	He hath me forsake, and I haue no gylt.	

1319	No man wyl hym amende.	

1320	žerfore, Schryfte, so God me spede,	

1321	But if žou helpe at žis nede	

1322	Mankynde getyth neuere ožyr mede	

1323	But peyne wythoutyn ende.	

1324	CONFESCIO. What, Aungel, be of counfort stronge,	

1325	For ži lordys loue žat deyed on tre.	

1326	On me, Schryfte, it schal not be longe	

1327	And žat žou schalt že sothe se.	

1328	If he wyl be aknowe hys wronge	

1329	And nožynge hele, but telle it me,	

1330	And don penaunce sone amonge,	

1331	I schal hym stere to gamyn and gle	

1332	In joye žat euere schal last.	

1333	Whoso schryue hym of hys synnys alle	

1334	I behete hym heuene halle.	

1335	žerfor go we hens, whatso befalle,	

1336	To Mankynde fast.	

1336a	Tunc ibunt ad HUMANUM GENUS et dicet	

1337	CONFESSIO. What, Mankynde, whou goth žis?	

1338	What dost žou wyth žese deuelys seuene?	

1339	Alas, alas, man, al amys!	

1340	Blysse in že name of God in heuene,	

1341	I rede, so haue I rest.	

1342	žese lotly lordeynys awey žou lyfte	

1343	And cum doun and speke wyth Schryfte	

1344	And drawe že 3erne to sum thryfte.	

1345	Trewly it is že best.	

1346	HUMANUM GENUS. A, Schryfte, žou art wel be note	

1347	Here to Slawthe žat syttyth here-inne.	

1348	He seyth žou mytyst a com to mannys cote	

1349	On Palme Sunday al betyme.	

1350	žou art com al to sone.	

1351	žerfore, Schryfte, be ži fay,	

1352	Goo forthe tyl on Good Fryday.	

1353	Tente to že žanne wel I may;	

1354	I haue now ellys to done.	

1355	CONFESCIO. Ow, žat harlot is now bold!	

1356	In bale he byndyth Mankynd belyue.	

1357	Sey Slawthe I preyd hym žat he wold	

1358	Fynd a charter of ži lyue.	

1359	Man, žou mayst ben vndyr mold	

1360	Longe or žat tyme, kyllyd wyth a knyue,	

1361	Wyth podys and froskys manyfold.	

1362	žerfore schape že now to schryue	

1363	If žou wylt com to blys.	

1364	žou synnyste, or sorwe že ensense.	

1365	Behold žynne hert, ži preue spense,	

1366	And žynne owyn consyense,	

1367	Or sertys žou dost amys.	

1368	HUMANUM GENUS. 3a, Petyr, so do mo!	

1369	We haue etyn garlek euerychone.	

1370	žou schulde to helle go,	

1371	I wot wel I schal not gon alone,	

1372	Trewly I tell že.	

1373	I dyd neuere so ewyl trewly	

1374	But ožyr han don as ewyl as I.	

1375	žerfore, syre, lete be žy cry	

1376	And go hens fro me.	

1377	PENITENCIA. Wyth poynt of penaunce I schal hym prene	

1378	Mans pride for to felle.	

1379	Wyth žis launce I schal hym lene	

1380	Iwys a drope of mercy welle.	

1381	Sorwe of hert is žat I mene;	

1382	Trewly žer may no tunge telle	

1383	What waschyth sowlys more clene	

1384	Fro že foul fend of helle	

1385	žanne swete sorwe of hert.	

1386	God, žat syttyth in heuene on hye,	

1387	Askyth no more or žat žou dye	

1388	But sorwe of hert wyth wepynge eye	

1389	For all ži synnys smert.	

1390	žei žat syh in synnynge,	

1391	In sadde sorwe for here synne,	

1392	Whanne žei schal make here endynge,	

1393	Al here joye is to begynne.	

1394	žanne medelyth no mornynge	

1395	But joye is joynyd wyth jentyl gynne.	

1396	žerfore, Mankynde, in žis tokenynge,	

1397	Wyth spete of spere to že I spynne,	

1398	Goddys lawys to že I lerne.	

1399	Wyth my spud of sorwe swote	

1400	I reche to žyne hert rote.	

1401	Al ži bale schal torne že to bote.	

1402	Mankynde, go schryue že 3erne.	

1403	HUMANUM GENUS. A sete of sorwe in me is set;	

1404	Sertys for synne I syhe sore.	

1405	Mone of mercy in me is met;	

1406	For werldys myrže I morne more.	

1407	In wepynge wo my wele is wet.	

1408	Mercy, žou muste myn stat astore.	

1409	Fro oure lordys lyth žou hast me let,	

1410	Sory synne, žou grysly gore,	

1411	Owte on že, dedly synne!	

1412	Synne, žou haste Mankynde schent.	

1413	In dedly synne my lyfe is spent.	

1414	Mercy, God omnipotent!	

1415	In 3oure grace I begynne.	

1416	For žou Mankynde haue don amys,	

1417	And he wyl falle in repentaunce,	

1418	Crist schal hym bryngyn to bowre of blys	

1419	If sorwe of hert lache hym wyth launce.	

1420	Lordyngys, 3e se wel alle žys,	

1421	Mankynde hathe ben in gret bobaunce.	

1422	I now forsake my synne iwys	

1423	And take me holy to Penaunce.	

1424	On Crist I crye and calle.	

1425	A, mercy, Schryfte! I wyl no more.	

1426	For dedly synne myn herte is sore.	

1427	Stuffe Mankynde wyth žyne store	

1428	And haue hym to žyne halle.	

1429	CONFESCIO. Schryffte may no man forsake.	

1430	Whanne Mankynde cryeth I am redy.	

1431	Whanne sorwe of hert že hathe take	

1432	Schryftee profytyth veryly.	

1433	Whoso for synne wyl sorwe make	

1434	Crist hym heryth whanne he wyl criye.	

1435	Now, man, lete sorwe žyn synne slake	

1436	And torne not ageyn to ži folye,	

1437	For žat makyth dystaunce.	

1438	And if it happe že turne ageyn to synne,	

1439	For Goddys loue lye not longe žerinne.	

1440	He žat dothe alwey ewyl and wyl not blynne,	

1441	žat askyth gret venjaunce.	

1442	HUMANUM GENUS. Nay sertys žat schal I not do,	

1443	Schryfte, žou schalte že sothe se;	

1444	For žow Mankynde be wonte žerto	

1445	I wyl now al amende me.	

1445a	Tunc descendit ad CONFESSIONEM	

1446	I com to že, Schryfte, alholy, lo!	

1447	I forsake 3ou, synnys, and fro 3ou fle.	

1448	3e schapyn to man a sory scho;	

1449	Whanne he is begylyd in žis degre	

1450	3e bleykyn al hys ble.	

1451	Synne, žou art a sory store.	

1452	žou makyst Mankynd to synke sore.	

1453	žerfore of 3ou wyl I no more.	

1454	I aske schryfte for charyte.	

1455	CONFESCIO. If žou wylt be aknowe here	

1456	Only al ži trespas,	

1457	I schal že schelde fro helle fere	

1458	And putte že fro peyne vnto precyouse place.	

1459	If žou wylt not make žynne sowle clere	

1460	But kepe hem in žyne hert cas,	

1461	Anožyr day žey schul be rawe and rere	

1462	And synke ži sowle to Satanas	

1463	In gastful glowynge glede.	

1464	žerfore, man, in mody monys,	

1465	If žou wylt wende to worži wonys,	

1466	Schryue že now, al at onys,	

1467	Holy of ži mysdede.	

1468	HUMANUM GENUS. A, 3ys, Schryfte, trewly I trowe,	

1469	I schal not spare, for odde nor even,	

1470	žat I schal rekne al on a rowe	

1471	To lache me up to lyuys leeuene.	

1472	To my Lord God I am aknowe	

1473	žat syttyth abouen in hey heuene	

1474	žat I haue synnyd many a žrowe	

1475	In že dedly synnys seuene,	

1476	Bože in home and halle.	

1477	Pride, Wrathe, and Envye,	

1478	Coueytyse and Lecherye,	

1479	Slawth and also Glotonye,	

1480	I haue hem vsyd alle.	

1481	že ten comaundementys brokyn I haue	

1482	And my fyue wyttys spent hem amys.	

1483	I was žanne wood and gan to raue.	

1484	Mercy, God, forgeue me žys!	

1485	Whanne any pore man gan to me craue	

1486	I gaf hym nowt, and žat foržynkyth me iwys.	

1487	Now, Seynt Saueour, 3e me saue	

1488	And brynge me to 3our boure of blys!	

1489	I can not alle say.	

1490	But to že erthe I knele adown,	

1491	Bože wyth bede and orisoun,	

1492	And aske myn absolucioun,	

1493	Syr Schryfte, I 3ou pray.	

1494	CONFESCIO. Now Jhesu Cryste, God holy,	

1495	And all že seyntys of heuene hende,	

1496	Petyr and Powle, apostoly,	

1497	To whom God 3afe powere to lese and bynde,	

1498	He for3eue že ži foly	

1499	žat žou hast synnys wyth hert and mynde.	

1500	And I up my powere že asoly	

1501	žat žou hast ben to God vnkynde,	

1502	Quantum peccasti.	

1503	In Pride, Ire, and Envye,	

1504	Slawthe, Glotony, and Lecherye,	

1505	And Coveytyse continuandelye	

1506	Vitam male continuasti.	

1507	I že asoylee wyth goode entent	

1508	Of alle že synnys žat žou hast wrowth	

1509	In brekynge of Goddys commaundement	

1510	In worde, werke, wyl, and žowth.	

1511	I restore to že sacrament	

1512	Of penauns weche žou neuere rowt;	

1513	ži fyue wyttys mysdyspent	

1514	In synne že weche žou schuldyst nowt,	

1515	Quicquid gesisti,	

1516	Wyth eyne sen, herys herynge,	

1517	Nose smellyd, mowthe spekynge,	

1518	And al ži bodys bad werkynge,	

1519	Vicium quodcumque fecisti.	

1520	I že asyle wyth myle mod	

1521	Of al žat žou hast ben ful madde	

1522	In forsakynge of žyn aungyl good,	

1523	And ži fowle Flesche žat žou hast fadde,	

1524	že Werld, že Deuyl žat is so woode,	

1525	And folwyd žyne aungyl žat is so badde.	

1526	To Jhesu Crist žat deyed on rode	

1527	I restore že ageyn ful sadde.	

1528	Noli peccare.	

1529	And all že goode dedys žat žou haste don	

1530	And all ži tribulacyon	

1531	Stonde že in remyssion.	

1532	Posius noli viciare.	

1533	HUMANUM GENUS. Now, Syr Schryfte, where may I dwelle	

1534	To kepe me fro synne and woo?	

1535	A comly counseyl 3e me spelle	

1536	To fende me now fro my foo.	

1537	If žese seuene synnys here telle	

1538	žat I am žus fro hem goo,	

1539	že Werld, že Flesche, and že Deuyl of hell	

1540	Schul sekyn my soule for to sloo	

1541	Into balys bowre.	

1542	žerfore I pray 3ou putte me	

1543	Into sum place of surete	

1544	žat žei may not harmyn me	

1545	Wyth no synnys sowre.	

1546	CONFESCIO. To swyche a place I schal že kenne	

1547	žer žou mayst dwelle wythoutyn dystaunsce	

1548	And alwey kepe že fro synne,	

1549	Into že Castel of Persueraunce.	

1550	If žou wylt to heuene wynne	

1551	And kepe že fro werldly dystaunce,	

1552	Goo to 3one castel and kepe že žerinne,	

1553	For it is strenger žanne any in Fraunce.	

1554	To 3one castel I že sende.	

1555	žat castel is a precyous place,	

1556	Ful of vertu and of grace;	

1557	Whoso leuyth žere hys lyuys space	

1558	No synne schal hym schende.	

1559	HUMANUM GENUS. A, Schryfte, blyssyd mote žou be!	

1560	žis castel is here but at honde.	

1561	žedyr rapely wyl I tee,	

1562	Sekyr ouyr žis sad sonde.	

1563	Good perseueraunce God sende me	

1564	Whyle I leue here in žis londe.	

1565	Fro fowle fylthe now I fle,	

1566	Forthe to faryn now I fonde	

1567	To 3one precyous port.	

1568	Lord, what man is in mery lyue	

1569	Whanne he is of hys synnys schreue!	

1570	Al my dol adoun is dreue.	

1571	Criste is myn counfort.	

1572	MALUS ANGELUS. Ey, what deuyl, man, wedyr schat?	

1573	Woldyst drawe now to holynesse?	

1574	Goo, felaw, ži goode gate,	

1575	žou art forty wyntyr olde, as I gesse.	

1576	Goo ageyn, že deuelys mat,	

1577	And pleye že a whyle wyth Sare and Sysse.	

1578	Sche wolde not ellys, 3one olde trat,	

1579	But putte že to penaunce and to stresse,	

1580	3one foule feterel fyle.	

1581	Late men žat arn on že pyttys brynke	

1582	Forberyn bože mete and drynke	

1583	And do penaunce as hem good žynke,	

1584	And cum and pley že a whyle.	

1585	BONUS ANGELUS. 3a, Mankynde, wende forthe ži way	

1586	And do nožynge aftyr hys red.	

1587	He wolde že lede ouyr londys lay	

1588	In dale of dros tyl žou were ded.	

1589	Of cursydnesse he kepyth že key	

1590	To bakyn že a byttyr bred.	

1591	In dale of dol tyl žou schuldyst dey	

1592	He wolde drawe že to cursydhed,	

1593	In synne to haue myschaunce.	

1594	žerfor spede now my pace	

1595	Pertly to 3one precyouse place	

1596	žat is al growyn ful of grace,	

1597	že Castel of Perseueraunce.	

1598	HUMANUM GENUS. Good Aungyl, I wyl do as žou wylt,	

1599	In londe whyl my lyfe may leste,	

1600	For I fynde wel in holy wryt	

1601	žou counseylyste euere for že beste.	

1602	CARITAS. To Charyte, man, haue an eye	

1603	In al žynge, man, I rede.	

1604	Al ži doynge as dros is drye	

1605	But in Charyte žou dyth ži dede.	

1606	I dystroye alwey Envye;	

1607	So dyd ži God whanne he gan blede;	

1608	For synne he was hangyn hye	

1609	And 3yt synnyd he neuere in dede,	

1610	žat mylde mercy welle.	

1611	Poule in hys pystyl puttyth že prefe,	

1612	"But charyte be wyth že chefe".	

1613	žerfore, Mankynde, be now lefe	

1614	In Charyte for to dwelle.	

1615	ABSTINENCIA. In abstinens lede ži lyf,	

1616	Take but skylful refeccyon;	

1617	For Gloton kyllyth wythoutyn knyf	

1618	And dystroyeth ži complexion.	

1619	Whoso ete or drynke ouyrblyue	

1620	It gaderyth to corrupcion.	

1621	žis synne browt us alle in stryue	

1622	Whanne Adam fel in synne down	

1623	Fro precyous paradys.	

1624	Mankynd, lere now of oure lore.	

1625	Whoso ete or drynke more	

1626	žanne skylfully hys state astore,	

1627	I holde hym nožynge wys.	

1628	CASTITAS. Mankynd, take kepe of Chastyte	

1629	And moue že to maydyn Marye.	

1630	Fleschly foly loke žou fle,	

1631	At že reuerense of Oure Ladye.	

1631a	Quia qui in carne viuunt Domino placere non possunt.	

1632	žat curteys qwene, what dyd sche?	

1633	Kepte hyre clene and stedfastly,	

1634	And in here was trussyd že Trinite;	

1635	žorwe gostly grace sche was worthy,	

1636	And al for sche was chaste.	

1637	Whoso kepyt hym chast and wyl not synne,	

1638	Whanne he is beryed in bankys brymmne	

1639	Al hys yoye is to begynne.	

1640	žerfore to me take taste.	

1641	SOLICITUDO. In Besynesse, man loke žou be,	

1642	Wyth worži werkys goode and žykke.	

1643	To Slawthe if žou cast že	

1644	It schal že drawe to žowtys wyckke.	

1644a	Osiositas parit omne malum.	

1645	It puttyth a man to pouerte	

1646	And pullyth hym to penyns prycke.	

1647	Do sumwhat alwey for loue of me,	

1648	žou žou schuldyst but thwyte a stycke.	

1649	Wyth bedys sumtyme že blys	

1650	Sumtyme rede and sumtyme wryte	

1651	And sumtyme pleye at ži delyte.	

1652	že deuyl že waytyth wyth dyspyte	

1653	Whanne žou art in idylnesse.	

1654	LARGITAS. In Largyte, man, ley ži loue.	

1655	Spende ži good, as God it sent.	

1656	In worchep of hym žat syt above	

1657	Loke ži goodys be byspent.	

1658	In dale of dros whanne žou schalt droue	

1659	Lytyl loue is on že lent;	

1660	že sekatourys schul seyn it is here behoue	

1661	To make us mery, for he is went	

1662	žat al žis good gan owle.	

1663	Ley ži tresour and žy trust	

1664	In place where no ruggynge rust	

1665	May it destroy to dros ne dust	

1666	But al to helpe of sowle.	

1667	HUMANUM GENUS. Ladys in londe, louely and lyt,	

1668	Lykynge lelys, 3e be my leche.	

1669	I wyl bowe to 3our byddynge bryth;	

1670	Trewe tokenynge 3e me teche.	

1671	Dame Meknes, in 3our myth	

1672	I wyl me wryen fro wyckyd wreche.	

1673	Al my purpos I haue pyt,	

1674	Paciens, to don as 3e me preche;	

1675	Fro Wrathe 3e schal me kepe.	

1676	Charyte, 3e wyl to me entende.	

1677	Fro fowle Envye 3e me defende.	

1678	Manns mende 3e may amende,	

1679	Whethyr he wake or slepe.	

1680	Abstynens, to 3ou I tryst;	

1681	Fro Glotony 3e schal me drawe.	

1682	In Chastyte to leuyn me lyst,	

1683	žat is Oure Ladys lawe.	

1684	Besynes, we schul be cyste;	

1685	Slawthe, I forsake ži sleper sawe.	

1686	Largyte, to 3ou I tryst,	

1687	Coveytyse to don of dawe.	

1688	žis is a curteys cumpany.	

1689	What schuld I more monys make?	

1690	že seuene synnys I forsake	

1691	And to žese seuene vertuis I me take.	

1692	Maydyn Meknes, now mercy!	

1693	HUMILITAS. Mercy may mende al ži mone.	

1694	Cum in here at žynne owyn wylle.	

1695	We schul že fende fro ži fon	

1696	If žou kepe že in žis castel stylle.	

1696a	Cum sancto sanctus eris, et cetera.    Tunc intrabit	

1697	Stonde hereinne as stylle as ston;	

1698	žanne schal no dedly synne že spylle.	

1699	Whežyr žat synnys cumme or gon,	

1700	žou schalt wyth us ži bourys bylle,	

1701	Wyth vertuse we schul že vaunce.	

1702	žis castel is of so qweynt a gynne	

1703	žat whoso euere holde hym žerinne	

1704	He schal neuere fallyn in dedly synne;	

1705	It is že Castel of Perseueranse.	

1705a	Qui perseuerauerit usque in finem, his saluus erit.	

1705b	Tunc cantabunt "Eterne rex altissime", et dicet	

1706	HUMILITAS. Now blyssyd be Oure Lady, of heuene Emperes!	

1707	Now is Mankynde fro foly falle	

1708	And is in že Castel of Goodnesse.	

1709	He hauntyth now heuene halle	

1710	žat schal bryngyn hym to heuene.	

1711	Crist žat dyed wyth dyen dos	

1712	Kepe Mankynd in žis castel clos	

1713	And put alwey in hys purpos	

1714	To fle že synnys seuene!	

1715	MALUS ANGELUS. Nay, be Belyals bryth bonys,	

1716	žer schal he no whyle dwelle.	

1717	He schal be wonne fro žese wonys	

1718	Wyth že Werld, že Flesch, and že Deuyl of hell.	

1719	žei schul my wyl awreke.	

1720	že synnys seuene, žo kyngys thre,	

1721	To Mankynd haue enmyte.	

1722	Scharpely žei schul helpyn me	

1723	žis castel for to breke.	

1724	Howe, Flypyrgebet, Bakbytere!	

1725	erne oure message loke žou make.	

1726	Blythe about loke žou bere.	

1727	Sey Mankynde hys synnys hath forsake.	

1728	Wyth 3ene wenchys he wyl hym were,	

1729	Al to holynesse he hath hym take.	

1730	In myn hert it doth me dere,	

1731	že bost žat žo moderys crake;	

1732	My galle gynnyth to grynde.	

1733	Flepyrgebet, ronne upon a rasche.	

1734	Byd že Werld, že Fend, and že Flesche	

1735	žat žey com to fytyn fresche	

1736	To wynne a3eyn Mankynde.	

1737	DETRACCIO. I go, I go, on grounde glad,	

1738	Swyftyr žanne schyp wyth rodyr.	

1739	I make men masyd and mad	

1740	And euery man to kyllyn odyr	

1741	Wyth a sory chere.	

1742	I am glad, be Seynt Jamys of Galys,	

1743	Of schrewdnes to tellyn talys	

1744	Božyn in Ingelond and in Walys,	

1745	And feyth I haue many a fere.	

1745a	Tunc ibit ad BELIAL	

1746	Heyl, set in žyn selle!	

1747	Heyl, dynge Deuyl in ži delle!	

1748	Heyl, lowe in helle!	

1749	I cum to že talys to telle	

1750	BELYAL. Bakbyter, boy,	

1751	Alwey be holys and hothe,	

1752	Sey now, I sey,	

1753	What tydyngys? Telle me že sothe.	

1754	DETRACCIO. Teneful talys I may že sey,	

1755	To že no good, as I gesse:	

1756	Mankynd is gon now awey	

1757	Into že Castel of Goodnesse.	

1758	žer he wyl bože lyuyn and deye	

1759	In dale of dros tyl deth hym dresse;	

1760	Hathe že forsakyn, forsože I sey,	

1761	And all ži werkys more and lesse;	

1762	To 3one castel he gan to crepe.	

1763	3one modyr Meknes, sothe to sayn,	

1764	And all 3ene maydnys on 3one playn	

1765	For to fytyn žei be ful fayn	

1766	Mankynd for to kepe.	

1765a	Tunc vocabit SUPERBIAM, INUIDIAM, et IRAM	

1767	SUPERBIA. Syr kynge, what wytte?	

1768	We be redy žrotys to kytte.	

1769	BELYAL. Sey gadelyngys--ha 3e harde grace	

1770	And euyl deth mote 3e deye!--	

1771	Why lete 3e Mankynd fro 3ou pase	

1772	Into 3ene castel fro us aweye?	

1773	Wyth tene I schal 3ou tey.	

1774	Harlotys, at onys	

1775	Fro žis wonys!	

1776	Be Belyals bonys,	

1777	3e schul abeye.	

1777a	Et verberabit eos super terram	

1778	DETRACCIO. 3a, for God, žis was wel goo,	

1779	žus to werke wyth bakbytynge.	

1780	I werke bože wrake and woo	

1781	And make iche man ožyr to dynge.	

1782	I schal goo abowte and makyn moo	

1783	Rappys for to route and rynge.	

1784	3e bakbyterys, loke žat 3e do so.	

1785	Make debate abowtyn to sprynge	

1786	Betwene systyr and brožyr.	

1787	If any bakbyter here be lafte,	

1788	He may lere of me hys crafte.	

1789	Of Goddys grace he schal be rafte	

1790	And euery man to kyllyn ožyr.	

1790a	Ad CARNEM:	

1791	Heyl, kynge, I calle!	

1792	Heyl, prinse, proude prekyd in palle!	

1793	Heyl, hende in halle!	

1794	Heyl, syr kynge, fayre že befalle!	

1795	CARO. Boy Bakbytynge,	

1796	Ful redy in robys to rynge,	

1797	Ful glad tydynge,	

1798	Be Belyals bonys, I trow žow brynge.	

1799	DETRACCIO. 3a, for God, owt I crye	

1800	On ži too sonys and ži dowtyr 3ynge:	

1801	Glotoun, Slawthe, and Lechery	

1802	Hath put me in gret mornynge.	

1803	žey let Mankynd gon up hye	

1804	Into 3ene castel at hys lykynge,	

1805	žerin for to leue and dye,	

1806	Wyth žo ladys to make endynge,	

1807	žo flourys fayre and fresche.	

1808	He is in že Castel of Perseuerauns	

1809	And put hys body to penauns.	

1810	Of hard happe is now ži chauns,	

1811	Syre kynge, Mankyndys Flesche.	

1811a	Tunc CARO clamabit ad GULAM, ACCIDIAM, ET LUXURIAM	

1812	LUXURIA. Sey now ži wylle.	

1813	Syr Flesch, why cryest žou so schylle?	

1814	CARO. A, Lechery, žou skallyd mare!	

1815	And žou Gloton, God 3eue že wo!	

1816	And vyle Slawth, euyl mote žou fare!	

1817	Why lete 3e Mankynd fro 3ou go	

1818	In 3one castel so hye?	

1819	Euele grace com on ži snowte!	

1820	Now I am dressyd in gret dowte.	

1821	Why ne had 3e lokyd betyr abowte?	

1822	Be Belyalys bonys, 3e schul abye.	

1822a	Tunc uerberabit eos in placeam	

1823	DETRACCIO. Now, be God, žis is good game!	

1824	I, Bakbyter, now bere me wel.	

1825	If I had lost my name,	

1826	I vow to God it were gret del.	

1827	I schape žese schrewys to mekyl schame;	

1828	Iche rappyth on ožyr wyth rowtynge rele.	

1829	I, Bakbyter, wyth fals same	

1830	Do brekyn and brestyn hodys of stele.	

1831	žorwe žis cuntre I am knowe.	

1832	Now wyl I gynne forth to goo	

1833	And make Coueytyse haue a knoke or too,	

1834	And žanne iwys I haue doo	

1835	My deuer, as I trowe.	

1835a	Ad MUNDUM:	

1836	Heyl, styf and stounde!	

1837	Heyl, gayly gyrt upon grounde!	

1838	Heyl, fayre flowr ifounde!	

1839	Heyl, Syr Werld, worži in wedys wonde!	

1840	MUNDUS. Bakbyter in rowte,	

1841	žou tellyst talys of dowte,	

1842	So styf and so stowte.	

1843	What tydyngys bryngyst žou abowte?	

1844	DETRACCIO. Nožynge goode, žat schalt žou wete.	

1845	Mankynd, Syr Werld, hath že forsake.	

1846	Wyth Schryfte and Penauns he is smete	

1847	And to 3ene castel he hath hym take	

1848	Amonge 3ene ladys whyt as lake.	

1849	Lo, Syr Werld. 3e moun agryse	

1850	žat 3e be seruyd on žis wyse.	

1851	Go pley 3ou wyth Syr Coyeytyse	

1852	Tyl hys crowne crake.	

1852a	Tunc buccunabit cornu ad AUARICIAM	

1853	AUARICIA. Syr bolnynge bowde,	

1854	Tell me why blowe 3e so lowde!	

1855	MUNDUS. Lewde losel, že Deuel že brenne!	

1856	I prey God 3eue že a fowl hap!	

1857	Sey, why letyst žou Mankynd	

1858	Into žene castel for to skape?	

1859	I trowe žou gynnyst to raue.	

1860	Now, for Mankynd is went,	

1861	Al oure game is schent.	

1862	žerfore a sore dryuynge dent,	

1863	Harlot, žou schalt haue.	

1863a	Tunc Verberabit eum	

1864	AUARICIA. Mercy, mercy! I wyl no more.	

1865	žou hast me rappyd wyth rewly rowtys.	

1866	I snowre, I sobbe, I sye sore.	

1867	Myn hed is clateryd al to clowtys.	

1868	In al 3oure state I schal 3ou store	

1869	If 3e abate 3oure dyntys dowtys.	

1870	Mankynd, žat 3e haue forlore,	

1871	I schal do com owt fro 3one skowtys	

1872	To 3oure hende hall.	

1873	If 3e wyl no more betyn me,	

1874	I schal do Mankynd com out fre.	

1875	He schal forsake, as žou schalt se,	

1876	že fayre vertus all.	

1877	MUNDUS. Haue do žanne, že Deuyl že tere!	

1878	žou schalt ben hangyn in hell herne.	

1879	Byleue my baner up žou bere	

1880	And besege we že castel 3erne	

1881	Mankynd for to stele.	

1882	Whanne Mankynd growyth good,	

1883	I, že Werld, am wyld and wod.	

1884	žo bycchys schul bleryn in here blood	

1885	Wyth flappys felle and fele.	

1886	3erne lete flapyr up my fane	

1887	And schape we schame and schonde.	

1888	I schal brynge wyth me žo bycchys bane;	

1889	žer schal no vertus dwellyn in my londe.	

1890	Mekenes is žat modyr žat I mene,	

1891	To hyre I brewe a byttyr bonde.	

1892	Sche schal dey upon žis grene	

1893	If žat sche com al in myn honde,	

1894	3ene rappokys wyth here rumpys.	

1895	I am že Werld. It is my wyll	

1896	že Castel of Verty for to spyll.	

1897	Howtyth hye upon 3ene hyll,	

1898	3e traytours, in 3oure trumpys.	

1898a	Tunc MUNDUS, CUPIDITAS, et STULTICIA ibunt ad castellum	

1898b	cum vexillo et dict DEMON:	

1899	BELYAL. I here trumpys trebelen al of tene.	

1900	že worži Werld walkyth to werre	

1901	For to clyuyn 3one castel clene,	

1902	žo maydnys meyndys for to merre.	

1903	Sprede my penon upon a prene	

1904	And stryke we forthe now vndyr sterre.	

1905	Schapyth now 3oure scheldys schene	

1906	3ene skallyd skoutys for to skerre	

1907	Upon 3one grene grese.	

1908	Buske 3ou now, boyes, belyue.	

1909	For euere I stonde in mekyl stryue;	

1910	Whyl Mankynd is in clene lyue	

1911	I am neuere wel at ese.	

1912	Make 3ou redy, all žre,	

1913	Bolde batayl for to bede.	

1914	To 3one feld let us fle	

1915	And bere my baner forth on brede.	

1916	To 3one castel wyl I te;	

1917	žo mamerynge modrys schul haue here mede.	

1918	But žei 3eld up to me,	

1919	Wyth byttyr balys žei schul blede,	

1920	Of here reste I schal hem reue.	

1921	In woful watyrs I schal hem wasche.	

1922	Haue don felaus, and take 3oure trasche	

1923	And wende we žedyr on a rasche	

1924	žat castel for to cleue.	

1925	SUPERBIA. Now, now, now, go now!	

1926	On hye hyllys lete us howte;	

1927	For in pride is al my prow	

1928	ži bold baner to bere abowte.	

1929	To golyas I make avow	

1930	For to schetyn 3one iche skowte.	

1931	On hyr ars, raggyd and row,	

1932	I schal bože clatyr and clowte	

1933	And 3eue Meknesse myschanse.	

1934	Belyal bryth, it is žyn hest	

1935	žat I, Pride, goo že nest	

1936	And bere ži baner beforn my brest	

1937	Wyth a comly contenaunce.	

1938	CARO. I here an hydows whwtynge on hyt.	

1939	Belyue byd my baner forth for to blase.	

1940	Whanne I syt in my sadyl it is a selkowth syt;	

1941	I gape as a gogmagog whanne I gynne to gase.	

1942	žis worthy wylde werld I wagge wyth a wyt;	

1943	3one rappokys I ruble and al to-rase;	

1944	Bože wyth schot and wyth slynge I caste wyth a sleyt	

1945	Wyth care to 3one castel to crachen and to crase	

1946	In flode.	

1947	I am mans Flesch; where I go	

1948	I am mans most fo;	

1949	Iwys I am euere wo	

1950	Whane he drawyth to goode.	

1951	žerfore, 3e bolde boyes, buske 3ou abowte.	

1952	Scharply on scheldys 3our schaftys 3e scheuere.	

1953	And Lechery ledron, schete žou a skoute.	

1954	Help we Mankynd fro 3one castel to keuere.	

1955	Helpe we moun hym wynne.	

1956	Schete we all at a schote	

1957	Wyth gere žat we cunne best note	

1958	To cache Mankynd fro 3ene cote	

1959	Into dedly synne.	

1960	GULA. Lo, Syr Flesch, whov I fare to že felde,	

1961	Wyth a faget on myn hond for to settyn on a fyre.	

1962	Wyth a wrethe of že wode wel I can me welde;	

1963	Wyth a longe launce žo loelys I schal lere.	

1964	Go we wyth oure gere.	

1965	žo bycchys schul bleykyn and blodyr;	

1966	I schal makyn swyche a powdyr,	

1967	Bože wyth smoke and wyth smodyr,	

1968	žei schul schytyn for fere.	

1968a	Tunc descendent in placeam	

1968b	MALUS ANGELUS dicet ad Belyal:	

1969	As armys! as an herawd, hey now I howte.	

1970	Deuyl, dyth že as a duke to do žo damyselys dote.	

1971	Belyal, as a bolde boy ži brodde I bere abowte;	

1972	Helpe tp cache Mankynd fro caytyfys cote.	

1973	Pryd, put out ži penon of raggys and of rowte.	

1974	Do žis modyr Mekenes meltyn to mote.	

1975	Wrethe, prefe Paciens, že skallyd skowte.	

1976	Envye, to Charyte schape žou a schote	

1977	Ful 3are.	

1978	Wyth Pryde, Wrethe, and Envye,	

1979	žese deuelys, be downys drye,	

1980	As comly kyngys I dyscrye	

1981	Mankynd to kachyn to care.	

1981a	Ad CARNEM:	

1982	Flesche, frele and fresche, frely fed,	

1983	Wyth Gloton, Slawthe, and Lechery mans sowle žou slo.	

1984	As a duke dowty do že to be dred.	

1985	Gere že wyth gerys fro toppe to že too.	

1986	Kyth žis day žou art a kynge frely fedde.	

1987	Gloton, sle žou Abstynensce wyth wyckyd woo.	

1988	Wyth Chastyte, žou Lechour, be not ouyrledde.	

1989	Slawthe, bete žou Besynes on buttokys bloo.	

1990	Do now ži crafte, in coste to be knowe.	

1990a	Ad MUNDUM:	

1991	Worthy, wytty, and wys, wondyn in wede,	

1992	Lete Coueytyse karpyn, cryen, and grede.	

1993	Here ben bolde bacheleris batyl to bede,	

1994	Mankynd to tene, as I trowe.	

1995	HUMANUM GENUS. žat dynge Duke žat deyed on rode	

1996	žis day my sowle kepe and safe!	

1997	Whanne Mankynd drawyth to goode	

1998	Beholde what enmys he schal haue!	

1999	že Werld, že Deuyl, že Flesche arn wode;	

2000	To men žei casten a careful kaue;	

2001	Byttyr balys žei brewyn on brode	

2002	Mankynd in wo to weltyr and waue,	

2003	Lordyngys, sothe  to sey.	

2004	žerfore iche man be war of žis,	

2005	For whyl Mankynd clene is	

2006	Hys enmys schul temptyn hym to don amys	

2007	If žei mown be any wey.	

2007a	Omne gaudium existimate cum variis temptacionibus insideritis.	

2008	žerfore, lordys, beth now glad	

2009	Wyth elmesdede and orysoun	

2010	For to don as Oure Lord bad,	

2011	Styfly wythstonde 3oure temptacyoun.	

2012	Wyth žis foul fende I am ner mad.	

2013	To batayle žei buskyn hem brown.	

2014	Certys I schuld ben ouyrlad,	

2015	But žat I am in žis castel town,	

2016	Wyth synnys sore and smerte.	

2017	Whoso wyl leuyn oute of dystresse	

2018	And ledyn hys lyf in clennesse	

2019	In žis Castel of Vertu and of Goodnesse	

2020	Hym muste haue hole hys hert.	

2020a	Delectare in Domino et dabit tibi peticiones cordis tui.	

2021	BONUS ANGELUS. A, Mekenesse, Charyte, and Pacyens,	

2022	Prymrose pleyeth parlasent.	

2023	Chastyte, Besynes, and Abstynens,	

2024	Myn hope, ladys, in 3ou is lent.	

2025	Socoure, paramourys, swetter žanne sens,	

2026	Rode as rose on rys irent.	

2027	žis day 3e dyth a good defens.	

2028	Whyl Mankynd is in good entent	

2029	His žoutys arn vnhede.	

2030	Mankynd is browt into žis walle	

2031	In freelte to fadyn and falle.	

2032	žerfore, ladys, I pray 3ou alle,	

2033	Helpe žis day Mankynde.	

2034	HUMILITAS. God, žat syttyth in heuene on hy,	

2035	Saue al Mankynd be se and sonde!	

2036	Lete hym dwellyn here and ben vs by	

2037	And we schul puttyn to hym helpynge honde.	

2038	3yt forsože neuere I sy	

2039	žat any fawte in vs he fonde	

2040	But žat we sauyd hym fro synne sly	

2041	If he wolde bee us styfly stonde	

2042	In žis castel of ston.	

2043	žerfore drede že not, manys aungel dere.	

2044	If he wyl dwellyn wyth vs here	

2045	Fro seuene synnys we schul hym were	

2046	And his enmys ichon.	

2047	Now my seuene systerys swete,	

2048	žis day fallyth on us že lot	

2049	Mankynd for to schylde and schete	

2050	Fro dedly synne and schamely schot.	

2051	Hys enmys strayen in že strete	

2052	To spylle man wyth spetows spot.	

2053	žerfor oure flourys lete now flete	

2054	And kepe we hym, as we haue het,	

2055	Among vs in žis halle.	

2056	žerfor, seuene systerys swote,	

2057	Lete oure vertus reyne on rote.	

2058	žis day we wyl be manys bote	

2059	Ageyns žese deuelys alle.	

2060	BELYAL. žis day že vaward wyl I holde.	

2061	Avaunt my baner, precyous Pride,	

2062	Mankynd to cache to karys colde.	

2063	Bold batayl now wyl I byde.	

2064	Buske 3ou, boyes, on brede.	

2065	Alle men žat be wyth me wytholde,	

2066	Bože že 3onge and že olde,	

2067	Envye, Wrathe, 3e boyes bolde,	

2068	To rounde rappys 3e rape, I rede.	

2069	SUPERBIA. As armys, Mekenes! I brynge ži bane,	

2070	Al wyth pride peyntyd and pyth.	

2071	What seyst žou, faytour? be myn fayr fane,	

2072	Wyth robys rounde rayed ful ryth,	

2073	Grete grounse, I schal že gane.	

2074	To marre že, Mekenes, wyth my myth,	

2075	No werldly wyttys here ar wane.	

2076	Lo, ži castel is al beset!	

2077	Moderys, whov sschul 3e do?	

2078	Mekenes, 3eld že to me, I rede.	

2079	Myn name in londe is precyous Prede.	

2080	Myn bolde baner to že I bede.	

2081	Modyr, what seyste žerto?	

2082	HUMILITAS. Ageyns ži baner of pride and bost	

2083	A baner of meknes and mercy	

2084	I putte ageyns pride, wel žou wost,	

2085	žat schal schende ži careful cry.	

2086	žis meke kynge is knowyn in euery cost	

2087	žat was croysyd on Caluary.	

2088	Whanne he cam doun fro heuene ost	

2089	And lytyd wyth mekenes in Mary,	

2090	žis lord žus lytyd lowe.	

2091	Whanne he cam fro že Trynyte	

2092	Into a mayden lyted he,	

2093	And al was for to dystroye že,	

2094	Pride, žis schalt žou knowe.	

2094a	Deposuit potentes de sede et ceters.	

2095	For whanne Lucyfer to helle fyl,	

2096	Pride, žerof žou were chesun,	

2097	And žou deuyl, wyth wyckyd wyl	

2098	In paradys trappyd us wyth tresun.	

2099	So žou us bond in balys ille,	

2100	žis may I preue be ryth resun,	

2101	Tyl žis duke žat dyed on hylle	

2102	In heuene man myth neuere han sesun;	

2103	že gospel žus declaryt.	

2104	For whoso lowe hym schal ben hy,	

2105	žerfore žou schalt not comen us ny,	

2106	And žou žou be neuere so sly,	

2107	I schal felle al ži fare.	

2107a	Qui se eexaltat humiliabitur et cetera.	

2108	IRA. Dame Pacyens, what seyt žou to Wrathe and Ire?	

2109	Putte Mankynd fro ži castel clere,	

2110	Or I schal tappyn at ži tyre	

2111	Wyth styffe stonys žat I haue here.	

2112	I schal slynge at že many a vyre	

2113	And ben avengyd hastely here.	

2114	žus Belsabub, oure gret syre,	

2115	Bad me brenne že wyth wyld fere,	

2116	žou bycche blak as kole.	

2117	žerfor fast, fowle skowte,	

2118	Putte Mankynd to us owte,	

2119	Or of me žou schalt haue dowte,	

2120	žou modyr, žou motyhole!	

2121	PACIENCIA. Fro ži dowte Crist me schelde	

2122	žis iche day, and al mankynde!	

2123	žou wrecchyd Wrethe, wood and wylde,	

2124	Pacyens schal že schende.	

2124a	Quia ira viri justiciam Dei non operatur.	

2125	For Marys sone, meke and mylde,	

2126	Rent že up, rote and rynde,	

2127	Whanne he stod meker žanne a chylde	

2128	And lete boyes hym betyn and bynde,	

2129	žerfor, wrecche, be stylle.	

2130	For žo pelourys žat gan hym pose,	

2131	He myth a dreuyn hem to dros,	

2132	And 3yt, to casten hym on že cros,	

2133	He sufferyd al here wylle.	

2134	žowsentys of aungellys he myth han dad	

2135	To a wrokyn hym žer ful 3erne,	

2136	And 3yt to deyen he was glad	

2137	Us oacyens to techyn and lerne.	

2138	žerfor, boy, wyth ži boystous blad,	

2139	Fare awey be feldys ferne.	

2140	For I wyl do as Jhesu bad,	

2141	Wrecchys fro fro my wonys werne	

2142	Wyth a dyngne defens.	

2143	If žou fonde to comyn alofte	

2144	I schal že cacche fro žis crofte	

2145	Wyth žese rosys swete and softe,	

2146	Peyntyd wyth pacyens.	

2147	INUIDIA. Out, myn herte gynnyth to breke,	

2148	For Charyte žat stondyth so stowte.	

2149	Alas, myn herte gynnyth to wreke.	

2150	3elde up his castel, žou hore clowte,	

2151	It is myn offyce fowle to speke,	

2152	Fals sklaundrys to bere abowte.	

2153	Charyte, že Deuyl mote že cheke	

2154	But I že rappe wyth rewly rowte,	

2155	ži targe for to tere.	

2156	Let Mankynde cum to us doun	

2157	Or I schal schetyn to žis castel town	

2158	A ful fowle defamacyoun.	

2159	žerfore žis bowe I bere.	

2160	CARITAS. žou žou speke wycke and fals fame,	

2161	že wers schal I neuere do my dede.	

2162	Whoso peyryth falsly anožyr mans name,	

2163	Crystys curs he schal haue to mede.	

2163a	Ve homini illi per quem scandalum venit.	

2164	Whoso wyl not hys tunge tame,	

2165	Take it sothe as mes-crede,	

2166	Wo wo to hym and mekyl schame!	

2167	In holy wrytte žis I rede.	

2168	For euere žou art a schrewe.	

2169	žou žou speke euyl, I ne 3eue a gres;	

2170	I schal do neuere že wers.	

2171	At že last že sothe vers	

2172	Certys hymself schal schewe.	

2173	Oure louely Lord wythowtyn lak	

2174	3af example to charyte,	

2175	Whanne he was betyn blo and blak	

2176	For trespas žat neuere dyd he.	

2177	In sory synne had he no tak	

2178	And 3yt for synne he bled blody ble.	

2179	He toke hys cros upon hys bak,	

2180	Synful man, and al for že.	

2181	žus he mad defens.	

2182	Envye, wyth ži slaundrys žycke,	

2183	I am putte at my Lordys prycke;	

2184	I wyl do good a3eyns že wycke	

2185	And kepe in sylens.	

2186	BELYAL. What, for Belyals bonys,	

2187	Whereabowtyn chyde 3e?	

2188	Haue don, 3e boyes, al at onys.	

2189	Lasche don žese moderys, all žre.	

2190	Werke wrake to žis wonys.	

2191	že vaunward is grauntyd to me.	

2192	Do žese moderys to makyn monys.	

2193	3oure dowty dedys now lete se.	

2194	Dasche hem al to daggys.	

2195	Haue do, boyes blo and blake,	

2196	Wirke žese wenchys wo and wrake.	

2197	Claryouns, cryeth up at a krake,	

2198	And blowe 3our brode baggys!	

2198a	Tunc pugnabunt diu	

2199	SUPERBIA. Out, my proude bak is bent!	

2200	Mekenes hath me al forbete.	

2201	Pride wyth Mekenes is forschent.	

2202	I weyle and wepe wyth wondys wete;	

2203	I am betyn in že hed.	

2204	My prowde pride adoun is dreuyn;	

2205	So scharpely Mekenes hath me schreuyn	

2206	žat I may no lengyr leuyn,	

2207	My lyf is me bereeuyd.	

2208	INVIDIA. Al myn enmyte is not worth a fart;	

2209	I schyte and schake al in my schete.	

2210	Charyte, žat sowre swart,	

2211	Wyth fayre rosys myn hed gan breke.	

2212	I brede že malaundyr.	

2213	Wyth worthi wordys and flourys swete	

2214	Charyte makyth me so meke	

2215	I dare neyžyr crye nore crepe,	

2216	Not a achote of sklaundyr.	

2217	IRA. I, Wrethe, may syngyn weleawo.	

2218	Pacyens me 3af a sory dynt.	

2219	I am al betyn blak and blo	

2220	Wyth a rose žat on rode was rent.	

2221	My speche is almost spent.	

2222	Hyr rosys fel on me so scharpe	

2223	žat myn hed hangyth as an harpe.	

2224	I dar neyžyr crye nor carpe,	

2225	Sche is so pacyent.	

2226	MALUS ANGELUS. Go hens, 3e do not worthe a tord.	

2227	Foule falle 3ou, alle foure!	

2228	3erne, 3erne, let fall on bord,	

2229	Syr Flesch, wyth žyn eyn soure.	

2230	For care I cukke and koure.	

2231	Syr Flesch, wyth žyn company,	

2232	3erne, 3erne, make a cry.	

2233	Helpe we haue no velony	

2234	žat žis day may be oure.	

2235	CARO. War, war, late mans Flesche go to!	

2236	I com wyth a company.	

2237	Haue do, my chyldryn, now haue do,	

2238	Glotoun, Slawth, and Lechery.	

2239	Iche of 3ou wynnyth a scho.	

2240	Lete not Mankynde wynne maystry.	

2241	Lete slynge hem in a fowl slo	

2242	And fonde to feffe hym wyth foly.	

2243	Dothe now wel 3oure dede.	

2244	3erne lete se whov 3e schul gynne	

2245	Mankyndto temptyn to dedly synne.	

2246	If 3e muste žis castelle wynne	

2247	Hell schal be 3our mede.	

2248	GULA. War, Syr Gloton schal makyn a smeke	

2249	A3eyns žis castel, I vowe.	

2250	Abstynens, žou žou bleyke,	

2251	I loke on že wyth byttyr browe.	

2252	I haue a faget in myn necke	

2253	To settyn Mankynd on a lowe.	

2254	My foul leye schalt žou not let,	

2255	I wou to God, as I trowe.	

2256	žerfor putte hym out here.	

2257	In meselynge flotonye,	

2258	Wyth goode metys and drynkys trye,	

2259	I norche my systyr Lecherye	

2260	Tyl man rennyth on fere.	

2261	ABSTINENCIA. ži metys and drynkys arn vnthende	

2262	Whanne žei are out of mesure take.	

2263	žei makyn men mad and out of mend	

2264	And werkyn hem bothe wo and wrake.	

2265	žat for ži fere žou žou here kyndyl,	

2266	Certys I schal ži wele aslake	

2267	Wyth bred žat browth us out of hell	

2268	And on že croys sufferyd wrake:	

2269	I mene že sacrament.	

2270	žat iche blysful bred	

2271	žat hounge on hyl tyl he was ded	

2272	Schal tempere so myn maydynhed	

2273	žat ži purpos schal be spent.	

2274	In abstynens žis bred was browth,	

2275	Certys, Mankynde, and al for že.	

2276	Of fourty dayes ete he nowth	

2277	And žanne was naylyd to a tre.	

2277a	Cum jejunasset quadraginta diebus et cetera.	

2278	Example us was betawth,	

2279	In sobyrnesse he bad us be.	

2280	žerfor Mankynd schal not be cawth,	

2281	Glotony, wyth žy degre.	

2282	že sothe žou schalt se.	

2283	To norysch fayre žou žou be fawe,	

2284	Abstynens it schal wythdrawe	

2285	Tyl žou be schet vndyr schawe	

2286	And fayn for to fle.	

2287	LUXURIA. Lo, Chastyte, žou fowle skowte!	

2288	žis ilke day here žou schalt deye.	

2289	I make a fer in mans towte	

2290	žat launcyth up as any leye.	

2291	žese cursyd colys I bere abowte	

2292	Mankynde in tene for to teye.	

2293	Men and wommen hathe no dowte	

2294	Wyth pyssynge pokys for to pleye.	

2295	I bynde hem in my bondys.	

2296	I haue no reste, so I rowe,	

2297	Wyth men and wommen, as I trowe,	

2298	Tyl I, Lechery, be set on a lowe	

2299	In al Mankyndys londys.	

2300	CASTITAS. I Chastyte, haue power in žis place	

2301	že, Lechery, to bynd and bete.	

2302	Maydyn Marye, well of grace,	

2303	Schal qwenche žat fowle hete.	

2303a	Mater et Virgo, extingue carnales concupiscentias!	

2304	Oure Lord God mad že no space	

2305	Whanne his blod strayed in že strete.	

2306	Fro žis castel he dyd že chase	

2307	Whanne he was crounyd wyth žornys grete	

2308	And grene.	

2309	To drery deth whanne he was dyth	

2310	And boyes dyd hym gret dyspyth,	

2311	In lechery had he no delyth,	

2312	And žat was ryth wel sene.	

2313	At Oure Lady I lere my lesun	

2314	To haue chaste lyf tyl I be ded.	

2315	Sche is qwene and beryth že croun,	

2316	And al was for hyr maydynhed.	

2317	žerfor go fro žis castel toun,	

2318	Lechery, now I že rede,	

2319	For Mankynd getyst žou nowth doun	

2320	To soloyen hym wyth synful sede.	

2321	In care žou wouldys hym cast.	

2322	And if žou com up to me,	

2323	Trewly žou schalt betyn be	

2324	Wyth že 3erde of Chastyte	

2325	Wyl my lyf may last.	

2326	ACCIDIA. Ware, war, I delue wyth a spade.	

2327	Men calle me že lord Syr Slowe.	

2328	Gostly grace I spylle and schade;	

2329	Fro že watyr of grace žis dyche I fowe.	

2330	3e schulyn com ryth inowe	

2331	Be žis dyche drye, be bankys brede.	

2332	Thyrti thousende žat I wel knowe	

2333	In my lyf louely I lede	

2334	žat hed leuere syttyn at že ale	

2335	Thre mens songys to syngyn lowde	

2336	žanne toward že chyrche for to crowde.	

2337	žou Besynesse, žou bolnyd bowde,	

2338	I brewe to že žyne bale.	

2339	SOLICITUDO. A, good men, be war now all	

2340	Of Slugge and Slawthe, žis fowl žefe!	

2341	To že sowle he is byttyrer žanne gall;	

2342	Rote he is of mekyl myschefe.	

2343	Goddys seruyse, žat ledyth us to heuene hall,	

2344	žis lodeyn for to lettyn us is lefe.	

2345	Whoso wyl schryuyn hym of hys synnys all,	

2346	He puttyth žis brethel to mykyl myschefe,	

2347	Mankynde he žat myskaryed.	

2348	Men moun don no penauns for hym žis,	

2349	Nere schryue hem whanne žey don amys,	

2350	But euyr he wold in synne iwys	

2351	žat Mankynd were taryed.	

2352	žerfor he makyth žis dyke drye	

2353	To puttyn Mankynde to dystresse.	

2354	He makyth dedly synne a redy weye	

2355	Into že Castel of Goodnesse.	

2356	But wyth tene I schal hym teye,	

2357	žorwe že helpe of heuene emperesse.	

2358	Wyth my bedys he schal abeye,	

2359	And ožyr ocupacyons more and lesse	

2360	I schal schape hym to schonde,	

2361	For whoso wyle Slawth putte doun	

2362	Wyth bedys and wyth orysoun	

2363	Or sum oneste ocupacyoun,	

2364	As bokee to haue in honde.	

2364a	Nunc lege nunc ora nunc disce nuncque labora.	

2365	CARO. Ey, for Belyalys bonys, že kynge,	

2366	Whereabowte stonde 3e al-day?	

2367	Caytyuys, lete be 3our kakelynge	

2368	And rappe at rowtys of aray.	

2369	Glotony, žou fowle gadlynge,	

2370	Sle Abstynens, if žou may.	

2371	Lechery, wyth ži werkynge,	

2372	To Chastyte make a wyckyd aray	

2373	A lytyl žrowe.	

2374	And whyl we fyth	

2375	For owre ryth,	

2376	In bemys bryth	

2377	Late blastys blowe.	

2377a	Tunc pugnabunt diu	

2378	GULA. Out, Glotoun, adown I dryue.	

2379	Abstynens hathe lost my myrth.	

2380	Syr Flesch, i schal neuere thryue;	

2381	I do not worthe že deuelys dyrt;	

2382	I may not leuyn longe.	

2383	I am al betyn, toppe and tayl;	

2384	Wyth Abstynens wyl I no more dayl;	

2385	I wyl gon cowche qwayl	

2386	At hom in 3our gonge.	

2387	LUXURIA. Out on Chastyte, be že rode!	

2388	Sche hathe me dayschyd and so drenchyd.	

2389	3yt haue sche že curs of God	

2390	For al my fere že qwene hath qwenchyd.	

2391	For ferd I fall and feynt.	

2392	In harde ropys mote sche ryde!	

2393	Here dare I not longe abyde.	

2394	Sumwhere myn hed I wolde hyde	

2395	As an irchoun žat were schent.	

2396	ACCIDIA. Out, I deye! ley on watyr!	

2397	I swone, I swete, I feynt, i drulle!	

2398	3ene qwene wyth hyr pytyr-patyr	

2399	Hath al to-dayschyd my skallyd skulle.	

2400	It is as softe as wulle.	

2401	Or I haue here more skathe,	

2402	I schal lepe awey, be lurkynge lathe,	

2403	žere I may my ballokys bathe	

2404	And lekyn at že fulle.	

2405	MALUS ANGELUS. 3a, že Deuyl spede 3ou, al že packe!	

2406	For sorwe I morne on že mowle,	

2407	I carpe, I crye, I coure, I kacke,	

2408	I frete, I fart, I fesyl fowle.	

2409	I loke lyke an howle.	

2409a	Ad MUNDUM:	

2410	Now, Syr World, whatso it cost,	

2411	Helpe now, or žis we haue lost;	

2412	Al oure fare is not worth a thost;	

2413	žat makyth me to mowle.	

2414	MUNDUS. How, Coveytyse, banyour avaunt!	

2415	Here comyth a batayl nobyl and newe;	

2416	For syth žou were a lytyl faunt,	

2417	Coveytyse, žou hast ben trewe.	

2418	Haue do žat damysel, do hyr dawnt.	

2419	Byttyr balys žou hyr brewe.	

2420	že medys, boy, I že graunt,	

2421	že galows of Canwyke to hangyn on newe,	

2422	žat wolde že wel befalle.	

2423	Haue don, Syr Coueytyse.	

2424	Wyrke on že best wyse.	

2425	Do Mankynde com and aryse	

2426	Fro 3one vertuse all.	

2427	AUARICIA. How, Mankynde! I am atenyde	

2428	For žou art žere so in žat holde.	

2429	Cum and speke wyth ži best frende,	

2430	Syr Coueytyse, žou knowyst me of olde.	

2431	What deuyl schalt žou žer lenger lende	

2432	Wyth grete penaunce in žat castel colde?	

2433	Into že werld if žou wylt wende,	

2434	Amonge men to bere že bolde,	

2435	I rede, be Seynt Gyle.	

2436	How, Mankynde! I že prey.	

2437	Com to Coueytyse, I že prey.	

2438	We to schul togedyr pley,	

2439	If žou wylt, a whyle.	

2440	LARGITAS. A, God helpe! I am dysmayed,	

2441	I curse že, Coveytyse, as I can;	

2442	For certys, treytour, žou hast betrayed	

2443	Nerhand now iche erthely man.	

2444	So myche were men neuere afrayed	

2445	Wyth Coueytyse, syn že werld began.	

2446	God almythy is not payed.	

2447	Syn žou, fende, bare že Werldys bane,	

2448	Ful wyde žou gynnyst wende.	

2449	Now arn men waxyn ner woode;	

2450	žey wolde gon to helle for werldys goode.	

2451	žat Lord žat restyd on že rode	

2452	Is maker of an ende.	

2452a	Maledicti sunt auariciosi hujus temporis.	

2453	žer is no dysese nor debate	

2454	žorwe žis wyde werld so rounde,	

2455	Tyde nor tyme, erly nor late,	

2456	But žat Coveytyse is že grounde.	

2457	žou norchyst pride, envye, and hate,	

2458	žou coueytyse, žou cursyd hounde.	

2459	Criste že schelde fro oure gate	

2460	And kepe us fro že saf and sounde	

2461	žat žou no good here wynne!	

2462	Swete Jhesu, jentyl justyce,	

2463	Kepe Mankynde fro Coueytyse,	

2464	For iwys he is, in al wyse,	

2465	Rote of sorwe and synne.	

2466	AUARICIA. What eylyth že, Lady Largyte,	

2467	Damysel dyngne upon ži des?	

2468	And I spak ryth not to že,	

2469	žerfore I prey že holde ži pes.	

2470	How, Mankynde! cum speke wyth me,	

2471	Cum ley ži ;oue here in my les.	

2472	Coueytyse is a frend ryth fre,	

2473	ži sorwe, man, to slake and ses.	

2474	Coueytyse hathe many a 3yfte.	

2475	Mankynd, žyne hande hedyr žou reche.	

2476	Coueytyse schal be ži leche.	

2477	že ryth wey I schal že teche	

2478	To thedom and to žryfte.	

2479	HUMANUM GENUS. Coueytyse, whedyr schuld I wende?	

2480	What wey woldyst žat I sulde holde?	

2481	To what place woldyst žou me sende?	

2482	I gynne to waxyn hory and olde.	

2483	My bake gynnyth to bowe and bende,	

2484	I crulle and crepe and wax al colde.	

2485	Age makyth man ful vnthende,	

2486	Body and bonys and al vnwolde;	

2487	By bonys are febyl and sore.	

2488	I am arayed in a sloppe,	

2489	As a 3onge man I may not hoppe,	

2490	My nose is colde and gynnyth to droppe,	

2491	Myn her waxit al hore.	

2492	AUARICIA. Petyr! žou hast že more nede	

2493	To haue sum good in žyn age;	

2494	Markys, poundys, londys and lede,	

2495	Howsys and homys, castell and cage.	

2496	žerfor do as I že rede;	

2497	To Coueytyse cast ži parage.	

2498	Cum, and I schal žyne erdyn bede;	

2499	že worthi Werld schal 3eue že wage,	

2500	Certys not a lyth.	

2501	Com on, olde man, it is no reprefe	

2502	žatCoueytyse be že lefe.	

2503	If žou deye at any myschefe	

2504	It is žiselfe to wyth.	

2505	HUMANUM GENUS. Nay, nay, žese ladys of goodnesse	

2506	Wyl not lete me fare amys,	

2507	And žou I be a whyle in dystresse,	

2508	Whanne I deye I schal to blysse.	

2509	It is but foly, as I gesse,	

2510	Al žis werldys wele iwys.	

2511	žese louely ladys, more and lesse,	

2512	In wyse wordys žei telle me žys.	

2513	žus seyth že bok of kendys.	

2514	I wyl not do žese ladys dyspyt	

2515	To forsakyn hem for so lyt.	

2516	To dwellyn here is my delyt;	

2517	Here arn my best frendys.	

2518	AUARICIA. 3a, up and don žou take že wey	

2519	žorwe žis werld to walkyn and wende	

2520	And žou schalt fynde, sothe to sey,	

2521	ži purs schal be ži best frende.	

2522	žou žou syt al-day and prey,	

2523	No man schal com to že nor sende,	

2524	But if žou haue a peny to pey,	

2525	Men schul to že žanne lystyn and lende	

2526	And kelyn al ži care.	

2527	žerfore to me žou hange and helde	

2528	And be coueytous whylys žou may že welde.	

2529	If žou be pore and nedy in elde	

2530	žou schalt oftyn euyl fare.	

2531	HUMANUM GENUS. Coueytyse, žou seyst a good skyl.	

2532	So grete God me avaunce,	

2533	Al ži byddynge don I wyl.	

2534	I forsake že Castel of Perseueaunce.	

2535	In Coueytyse I wyl me hyle	

2536	For to grete sum sustynaunce.	

2537	Aforn mele men mete schul tyle;	

2538	It is good for al chaunce	

2539	Sum good owhere to hyde.	

2540	Certys žis 3e wel knowe,	

2541	It is good, whouso že wynde blowe,	

2542	A man to haue sumwhat of hys owe,	

2543	What happe so-euere betyde.	

2544	BONUS ANGELUS. A, ladyse, I prey 3ou of grace,	

2545	Helpyth to kepe here Mankynne.	

2546	He wyl forsake žis precyous place	

2547	And drawe a3eyn to dedly synne.	

2548	Helpe, ladys, louely in lace.	

2549	He goth fro žis worthi wonnynge.	

2550	Couetyse awey 3e chace	

2551	And schyttyth Mankynd sumwhere here-inne,	

2552	In 3oure worži wyse.	

2553	Ow, wrechyd man, žou schalt be wroth,	

2554	žat synne schal be že ful loth.	

2555	A, swete ladys, helpe, he goth	

2556	Awey wyth Coueytyse.	

2556a	Tunc descendit ad AUARICIAM	

2557	HUMILITAS. Good Aungyl, what may I do žerto?	

2558	Hymselfe may hys sowle spylle.	

2559	Mankynd to don what he wyl do,	

2560	God hath 3ouyn hym a fre wylle.	

2561	žou he drenche and hys sowle slo,	

2562	Certys we may not do žeretylle.	

2563	Syn hee cam žis castel to,	

2564	We dyd to hym žat vs befelle	

2565	And now he hath us refusyd.	

2566	As longe as he was wythinne žis castel walle,	

2567	We kepte hym fro synne, 3e sawe wal alle;	

2568	And now he wyl a3eyn to synne falle,	

2569	I preye 3ou holde us excusyd.	

2570	PACIENCIA. Resun wyl excusyn us alle.	

2571	He helde že ex be že helue.	

2572	žou he wyl to foly falle,	

2573	It is to wytyn but hymselue.	

2574	Whyl he held hym in žis halle,	

2575	Fro dedly synne we dyde hym schelue.	

2576	He brewyth hymselfe a byttyr galle;	

2577	In dethys dynt whanne he schal delue	

2578	žis game he schal begrete.	

2579	He is endewyd wyth wyttys fyue	

2580	For to rewlyn hym in hys lyue.	

2581	We vertuse wyl not wyth hym stryue,	

2582	Avyse hym and hys dede.	

2583	CARITAS. Of hys dede haue we nowt to done;	

2584	He wyl no lenger wyth us be lad.	

2585	Whanne he askyd out, we herd hys bone,	

2586	And of hys presens we were ryth glad.	

2587	But, as žou seste, he hath forsakyn us sone;	

2588	He wyl not don as Crist hym bad.	

2589	Mary, ži Sone abouyn že mone	

2590	As make Mankynd trewe and sad,	

2591	In grace for to gon.	

2592	For if he wyl to foly flyt,	

2593	We may hym not wthsyt.	

2594	He is of age and can hys wyt,	

2595	3e knowe wel euerychon.	

2596	ABSTINENCIA. Ichon 3e knowyn he is a fole,	

2597	In Coueytyse to dyth hys dede.	

2598	Werldys wele is lyke a thre-fotyd stole,	

2599	It faylyt a man at hys most nede.	

2599a	Mundus transit et concupiscencia ejus.	

2600	Whanne he is dyth in dedys dole,	

2601	že ryth regystre I schal hym rede;	

2602	He schal be tore wyth teneful tole;	

2603	Whanne he schal brenne on glemys glede	

2604	He schal lere a new lawe.	

2605	Be he neuere so ryche of werldys wone,	

2606	Hys seketouris schul makyn here mone:	

2607	"Make us mery and lete hym gone!	

2608	He was a good felawe."	

2609	CASTITAS. Whanne he is ded here sorwe is lest.	

2610	že ton sekatour seyth to že tothyr:	

2611	"Make we mery and a ryche fest	

2612	And lete hym lyn in dedys fodyr."	

2612a	Et sic relinquent alienis diuicias suas.	

2613	So hys part schal be že lest;	

2614	že systyr seruyt žus že brothyr.	

2615	I lete a man no betyr žanne a best,	

2616	For no man can be war be ožyr	

2617	Tyl he hathe al ful spunne.	

2618	žou schalt se žat day, man, žat a bede	

2619	Schal stonde že more in stede	

2620	žanne al že good žat žou mytyst gete,	

2621	Certys vndyr sunne.	

2622	SOLICITUDO. Mankynde, of on žynge haue I wondyr:	

2623	žat žou takyst not into žyn mende,	

2624	Whanne body and sowle schul partyn on sundr	

2625	No werldys good schal wyth že wende.	

2625a	Non descendet cum illo gloria ejus.	

2626	Whanne žou art ded and in že erthee leyd vudyr	

2627	Mysgotyn good že schal schende;	

2628	It schal že weyen as peys in pundyr	

2629	ži sely sowle to bryngyn in bende	

2630	And make it ful vnžende.	

2631	And 3yt Mankynd, as it is sene,	

2632	Wyth Coueytyse goth on žis grene.	

2633	že treytor doth us al žis tene	

2634	Aftyr hys lyuys ende.	

2635	LARGITAS. Out, I crye, and nožynge lowe,	

2636	On Coueytyse, as I wel may.	

2637	Mankynd seyth he hath neuere inowe	

2638	Tyl hys mowthe be ful of clay.	

2638a	Auarus numquam repleitur pecunia.	

2639	Whanne he is closyd in dethis dow	

2640	What helpyt ryches or gret aray?	

2641	It flyet awey as any snow	

2642	Anon aftyr žye endynge day,	

2643	To wylde werldys wyse.	

2644	Now good men alle žat here be,	

2645	Haue my systerys excusyd and me,	

2646	žou Mankynde fro žis castel fle.	

2647	Wyte it Coueytyse.	

2648	MALUS ANGELUS.  3a, go forthe and lete že qwenys cakle!	

2649	žer wymmen arn are many wordys.	

2650	Lete hem gon hoppyn wyth here hakle!	

2651	žer ges syttyn are many tordys.	

2652	Wyth Coueytyse žou renne on rakle	

2653	And hange žyne hert upon hys hordys.	

2654	žou schalt be schakyn in myn schakle;	

2655	Vnbynde ži baggys on hys bordys,	

2656	On hys benchys aboue.	

2657	Parde, žou gost owt of Mankynde	

2658	But Coueytyse be in ži mende.	

2659	If euere žou žynke to be thende,	

2660	On hym žou ley ži loue.	

2661	HUMANUM GENUS. Nedys my loue muste on hym lende,	

2662	Wyth Coueytyse to waltyr and wave.	

2663	I knowe non of al my kynde	

2664	žat he ne coueytyth for to haue.	

2665	Penyman is meekyl in mynde;	

2666	My loue in hym I leye and laue.	

2667	Where žat euere I walke or wende	

2668	In wele and woo he wyl me haue;	

2669	He is gret of grace.	

2670	Whereso I walke in londe or lede	

2671	Penyman best may spede;	

2672	He is a duke to don a dede	

2673	Now in euery place.	

2674	BONUS ANGELUS. Alas, žat euere Mankynde was born!	

2675	On Coueytyse is al hys lust.	

2676	Nyth and day, mydnyth and morn,	

2677	In Penyman is al hys trust.	

2678	Coueytyse schal makyn hym lorn	

2679	Whanne he is doluen al to dust;	

2680	To mekyl schame he schal be schorn,	

2681	Wyth foule fendys to roten and rust.	

2682	Alas, what schal I do?	

2683	Alas, alas, so may I say.	

2684	Man goth wyth Coueytyse away.	

2685	Haue me excusyd, for I ne may	

2686	Trewly not do žerto.	

2687	MUNDUS. A, a, žis game goth as I wolde.	

2688	Mankynde wyk neuere že Werld forsake.	

2689	Tyl he be ded and vndyr molde	

2690	Holy to me he wyl hym take.	

2691	To Coveytyse he hath hym 3olde;	

2692	Wyth my wele he wyl awake;	

2693	For a thousende pounde I nolde	

2694	But Coveytyse were Mans make,	

2695	Certys on euery wyse.	

2696	All žese gamys he schal bewayle,	

2697	For I, že Werld, am of žis entayle,	

2698	In hys moste nede I schal hym fayle,	

2699	And al for Coveytyse.	

2700	AUARICIA. Now, Mankynd, be war of žis:	

2701	žou art a-party wele in age.	

2702	I wolde not žou ferdyst amys;	

2703	Go we now knowe my castel cage.	

2704	In žis bowre I schal že blys;	

2705	Worldly wele schal be ži wage;	

2706	More mucke žanne is žyne iwys	

2707	Take žou in žis trost terage	

2708	And loke žat žou do wronge.	

2709	Coveytyse, it is no sore,	

2710	He wyl že feffen ful of store,	

2711	And alwey, alwey sey "more and more",	

2712	And žat schal be ži songe.	

2713	HUMANUM GENUS. A, Coveytyse, haue žou good grace!	

2714	Certys žou beryst a trewe tonge.	

2715	"More and more", in many a place,	

2716	Certys žat songe is oftyn songe.	

2717	I wyste neuere man, be bankys bace,	

2718	So seyn in cley tyl he were clonge:	

2719	"Inow, inow" hadde neuere space,	

2720	žat ful songe was neuere songe,	

2721	Nor I wyl not begynne.	

2722	Goode Coveytyse, I že prey	

2723	žat I myth wyth že pley.	

2724	3eue me good inow, or žat I dey,	

2725	To wonne in werldys wynne.	

2726	AUARICIA. Haue here, Mankynd, a thousend marke.	

2727	I, Coveytyse, haue že žis gote.	

2728	žou mayst purchase žerwyth bothe ponde and parke	

2729	And do žerwyth mekyl note.	

2730	Lene no man hereof, for no karke,	

2731	žou he schulde hange be že žrote,	

2732	Monke nor frere, prest nor clerke,	

2733	Ne helpe žerwyth chyrche nor cote,	

2734	Tyl deth ži body delue.	

2735	žou he schuld sterue in a caue,	

2736	Lete no pore man žerof haue.	

2737	In grene gres tyl žou be graue	

2738	Kepe sumwhat fore žiselue.	

2739	HUMANUM GENUS. I vow to God, it is gret husbondry.	

2740	Of že I take žese noblys rownde.	

2741	I schal me rapyn, and žat in hye,	

2742	To hyde žis gold vndyr že grownde.	

2743	žer schal it ly tyl žat I dye,	

2744	It may be kepte žer saue and sownde.	

2745	žou my neybore schuld be hangyn hye,	

2746	žerof getyth he neythyr peny nor pownde.	

2747	3yt am I not wel at ese.	

2748	Now wolde I haue castel wallys,	

2749	Stronge stedys and styf in stallys.	

2750	Wyth hey holtys and hey hallys,	

2751	Coveytyse, žou muste me sese.	

2752	AUARICIA. Al schalt Xou haue al redy, lo,	

2753	At žyn owyn dysposycyoun.	

2754	Al žis good take že to,	

2755	Clyffe and cost, toure and toun.	

2756	žus hast žou gotyn in synful slo	

2757	Of žyn neyborys be extorcyoun.	

2758	"More and more" sey 3yt, haue do,	

2759	Tyl žou be ded and drepyn dounn;	

2760	Werke on wyth werldys wrenchys.	

2761	"More and more" sey 3yt, I rede,	

2762	To more žanne inow žou hast nede.	

2763	Al žis werld, bothe lenthe and brede,	

2764	ži coveytyse may not qwenche.	

2765	HUMANUM GENUS. Qwenche neuere no man may;	

2766	Me žynkyth neuere I haue inow.	

2767	žer ne is werldys wele, nyth nor day,	

2768	But žat me thynkyth it is to slow.	

2769	"More and more" 3it I say	

2770	And schal euere whyl I may blow;	

2771	On Coveytyse is al my lay	

2772	And schal tyl deth me ouyrthrow.	

2773	"More and more", žis is my steuene.	

2774	If I myth alwey dwellyn in prosperyte,	

2775	Lord God, žane wel were me.	

2776	I wolde, že medys, forsake že	

2777	And neuere to comyn in heuene.	

2778	MORS. Ow, now it is tyme hye	

2779	To castyn Mankynd to Dethys dynt.	

2780	In all hys werkys he is vnslye;	

2781	Mekyl of hys lyf he hath myspent.	

2782	To Mankynd I ney ny,	

2783	Wyth rewly rappys he schal be rent.	

2784	Whanne I com iche man drede forži,	

2785	But 3yt is žer no geyn-went,	

2786	Hey hyl, holte, nyn hethe.	

2787	3e schul me drede euerychone;	

2788	Whanne I come 3e schul grone;	

2789	My name in londe is lefte alone:	

2790	I hatte drery Dethe.	

2791	Drery is my deth-drawth;	

2792	Ageyns me may no man stonde.	

2793	I durke and downbrynge to nowth	

2794	Lordys and ladys in euery londe.	

2795	Whomso I haue a lessun tawth,	

2796	Onethys sythen schal he mowe stonde;	

2797	In my carful clothys he schal be cawth,	

2798	Ryche, pore, fre and bonde;	

2799	Whanne I come žei goo no more.	

2800	Whereso I wende in any lede,	

2801	Euery man of me hat drede.	

2802	Lette I wyl for no mede	

2803	To smyte sadde and sore.	

2804	Dyngne dukys arn adred	

2805	Whanne my blastys arn on hem blowe.	

2806	Lordys in londe arn ouyrled;	

2807	Wyth žis launce I leye hem lowe.	

2808	Kyngys kene and knytys kyd,	

2809	I do hem deluyn in a throwe,	

2810	In banke I buske hem abed,	

2811	Sad sorwe to hem I sowe,	

2812	I tene hem koltys žow žey kynse,	

2813	As kene koltys žow žey kynse,	

2814	Ageyns me is no defens.	

2815	In že grete pestelens	

2816	žanne was I wel knowe.	

2817	But now almost I am for3ete;	

2818	Men of Deth hold no tale.	

2819	In coveytyse here good žey gete;	

2820	že grete fyschys ete že smale.	

2821	But whanne I dele my derne dette	

2822	žo prowde men I schal avale.	

2823	Hem schal helpyn nožyr mel or metee	

2824	Tyl žey be drewyn to dethys dale;	

2825	My lawe žei schul lerne.	

2826	žer ne is peny nor pownde	

2827	žat any of 3ou schal saue sownde.	

2828	Tyl 3e be grauyn vndyr grownde	

2829	žer may no man me werne.	

2830	To Mankynde now wyl I reche;	

2831	He hathe hole hys hert on Coveytyse.	

2832	A newe lessun I wyl hym teche	

2833	žat he schal bothe grwcchyn and gryse.	

2834	No lyf in londe schal ben hys leche;	

2835	I schal hym proue of myn empryse;	

2836	Wyth žis poynt I schal hym broche	

2837	And Wappyn hym in a woful wyse.	

2838	Nobody schal ben hys bote.	

2839	I schal že schapyn a schenful schappe.	

2840	Now I kylle že wyth myn knappe!	

2841	I reche to že, Mankynd, a rappe	

2842	To žyne herte rote.	

2843	HUMANUM GENUS. A, Deth, Deth! drye is ži dryfte.	

2844	Ded is my desteny.	

2845	Myn hed is cleuyn al in a clyfte;	

2846	For clappe of care now I crye;	

2847	Myn eyeledys may I not lyfte;	

2848	Myn braynys waxyn al emptye;	

2849	I may not onys myn hod up schyfte;	

2850	Wyth Dethys dynt now I dey!	

2851	Syr Werld, I am hent.	

2852	Werld, Werld, haue me in mende!	

2853	Goode Syr Werld, helpe now Mankend!	

2854	But žou me helpe, Deth schal me schende.	

2855	He hath dyth to me a dynt.	

2856	Werld, my wyt waxyt wronge;	

2857	I chaunge bože hyde and hewe;	

2858	Myn eyeledys waxyn al outewronge;	

2859	But žou me helpe, sore it schal me rewe.	

2860	Now holde žat žou haste behete me longe,	

2861	For all felachepys olde and newe,	

2862	Lesse me of my peynys stronge.	

2863	Sum bote of bale žou me brewe	

2864	žat I may of že 3elpe.	

2865	Werld, for olde aqweyntawns,	

2866	Helpe me fro žis sory chawns.	

2867	Dethe hathe lacchyd me wyth hys launce.	

2868	I deye but žou me helpe.	

2869	MUNDUS. Owe, Mankynd, hathe Dethe wyth že spoke?	

2870	Ageyns hym helpyth no wage.	

2871	I wolde žou were in že erthe beloke	

2872	And anožyr hadde žyne erytage.	

2873	Oure bonde of loue schal sone be žy cage;	

2874	In colde clay schal be žy cage;	

2875	Now schal že Werld on že be wroke	

2876	For žou hast don so gret outrage.	

2877	ži good žou schalt forgoo.	

2878	Werldys good žou hast forgon	

2879	And wyth tottys žou schalt be torn.	

2880	žus haue I seruyd here-beforn	

2881	A hundryd thousend moo.	

2882	HUMANUM GENUS. Ow, Werld, euere worthe wo!	

2883	And žou, synful Coveytyse!	

2884	Whanne žat a man schal fro žou go	

2885	3e werke wyth hym on a wondyr wyse.	

2886	že wytte of žis werld is sorwe and wo.	

2887	Be ware, good men, of žis gyse!	

2888	žus hathe he seruyd many on mo.	

2889	In sorwe slakyth al hys asyse;	

2890	He beryth a tenynge tungge.	

2891	Whyl I leyd wyth hym my lott	

2892	3e seyn whou fayre he me behott;	

2893	And now he wolde I were a clott	

2894	In colde cley for to clynge.	

2895	MUNDUS. How, boy, aryse! now žou muste wende	

2896	On myn erdyn, be steppe and stalle.	

2897	Go brewe Mankynd a byttyr bende	

2898	And putte hym oute of hys halle.	

2899	Lete hym žerinne no lenger lende.	

2900	Forbrostyn, I trowe, be hys galle	

2901	For žou art not of hys kende.	

2902	All hys erytage wyl že wele befalle.	

2903	žus faryth myn fayre feres.	

2904	Oftyn tyme I haue 3ou told,	

2905	žo men žat 3e arn to lest behold	

2906	Comynly schal 3oure wonnynge wold	

2907	And ben 3oure next eyrys.	

2908	GARCIO. Werld worthy, in wedys wounde,	

2909	I žanke že for ži grete 3yfte.	

2910	I go glad upon žis grounde	

2911	To put Mankynde out of hys žryfte.	

2912	I trowe he stynkyth žis ilke stounde.	

2913	Into a lake I schal hym lyfte.	

2914	Hys parkys, placys, ahd penys rounde,	

2915	Wyth me schul dryuen in žis dryfte	

2916	In baggys as žei ben bownde.	

2917	For I žynke for to dele,	

2918	I vow to God, neythyr corn nore mele.	

2919	If he haue a schete he beryth hym wele	

2920	Whereinne he may be wounde.	

2920a	Tunc iet ad HUMANUM GENUS	

2921	Whou faryst, Mankynde? art žou ded?	

2922	Be Goddys body, so I wene.	

2923	He is heuyer žanne any led.	

2924	I wold he were grauyn vndyr grene.	

2925	HUMANUM GENUS. Abyde, I breyd uppe wyth myn hed.	

2926	What art žou? what woldyst žou mene?	

2927	Whedyr comyst žou for good or qwed?	

2928	Wyth peynys prycke žou dost me tene,	

2929	že sothe for to sey.	

2930	Telle me now, so God že saue,	

2931	Fro whom comyst žou, good knaue?	

2932	What dost žou here? what woldyst žou haue?	

2933	Telle me or I deye.	

2934	GARCIO. I am com to haue al žat žou hast,	

2935	Ponndys, parkys, and euery place.	

2936	Al žat žou hast gotyn fyrst and last,	

2937	že Werld hathe grauntyd it me of hys grace	

2938	For I haue ben hys page.	

2939	He wot wel žou schalt be ded,	

2940	Neuermore to ete bred;	

2941	žerfore he hath for že red	

2942	Who schal haue žyne erytage.	

2943	HUMANUM GENUS. What deuyl! žou art not of myn kyn.	

2944	žou dedyst me neuere no maner good.	

2945	I hadde leuer sum nyfte or sum cosyn	

2946	Or sum man hadde it of my blod.	

2947	In sum stede I wold it stod.	

2948	Now schal I in a dale be delue	

2949	And haue no good žerof myselue.	

2950	Be God and be hys apostelys twelue,	

2951	I trowe že Weerld be wod.	

2952	GARCIO. 3a, 3a, Xi parte schal be žee leste.	

2953	Deye on, for I am maystyr here.	

2954	I schal že makyn a nobyl feste	

2955	And žanne haue I do myn deuere.	

2956	že Weerld bad me žis gold areste,	

2957	Holt and hallys and castell clere.	

2958	že Werldys joye and hys jentyll jeste	

2959	Is now žyne, now myn, bože fere and nere.	

2960	Go hens, for žis is myne.	

2961	Syn žou art ded and browth of dawe,	

2962	Of ži deth, syr, I am ryth fawe.	

2963	žou žou knowe not že Werldys lawe,	

2964	He hath 3oue me al žat was žyne.	

2965	HUMANUM GENUS. I preye že now, syn žou žis good schalt gete,	

2966	Telle ži name or žat I goo.	

2967	GARCIO. Loke žat žou it not for3ete:	

2968	My name is I Wot Neuere Whoo.	

2969	HUMANUM GENUS. I Wot Neuere Who! so welaway!	

2970	Now am I sory of my lyf.	

2971	I haue purchasyd many a day	

2972	Londys and rentys wyth mekyl stryf.	

2973	I haue purchasyd holt and hay,	

2974	Parkys and ponndys and bourys blyfe,	

2975	Goode gardeynys wyth gryffys gay,	

2976	To myne chyldyr and to myn wyfe	

2977	In dethe whanne I were dyth.	

2978	Of my purchas I may be wo,	

2979	For, as žout, it is not so,	

2980	But a gedelynge I Wot Neuere Who	

2981	Hath al žat že Werld me behyth.	

2982	Now, alas, my lyf is lak.	

2983	Bittyr balys I gynne to brewe.	

2984	Certis a vers žat Dauid spak	

2985	I že sawter I fynde it trewe:	

2985a	Tesauri3at et ignorat cui congregabit ea.	

2986	Tresor, treso, it hathe no tak;	

2987	It is ožyr mens, olde and newe.	

2988	Ow, ow, my good gothe al to wrak!	

2989	Sore may Mankynd rewe.	

2990	God kepe me fro dyspayr!	

2991	Al my good, wythout fayle,	

2992	I haue gadryd wyth gret trauayle,	

2993	že Werld hathe ordeynyd of hys entayle	

2994	I Wot Neuere Who to be myn eyr.	

2995	Now, good men, takythe example at me.	

2996	Do for 3ourself whyl 3e han spase.	

2997	For many men žus seruyd be	

2998	žorwe že werld in dyuerse place.	

2999	I bolne and bleyke in blody ble	

3000	And as a flour fadyth my face.	

3001	To helle I schal bothe fare and fle	

3002	But God me graunte of hys grace.	

3003	I deye certeynly.	

3004	Now my lyfe I haue lore.	

3005	Men hert brekyth, I syhe sore.	

3006	A word may I speke no more.	

3007	I putte me in Goddys mercy.	

3008	ANIMA. "Mercy", žis was my last tale	

3009	žat euere my body was abowth.	

3010	But Mercy helpe me in žis vale,	

3011	Of dampnynge drynke sore I me doute.	

3012	Body, žou dedyst brew a byttyr bale	

3013	To ži lustys whanne gannyst loute.	

3014	ži sely sowle schal ben akale;	

3015	I beye ži dedys wyth rewly rowte,	

3016	And al it is for gyle.	

3017	Euere žou hast be coueytows	

3018	Falsly to getyn londe and hows.	

3019	To me žou hast browyn a byttyr jows.	

3020	So welaway že whyle!	

3021	Now, swet Aungel, what is ži red?	

3022	že ryth red žou me reche.	

3023	Now my body is dressyd to ded	

3024	Helpe now me and be my leche.	

3025	Dyth žou me fro deuelys drede.	

3026	žy worthy weye žou me teche.	

3027	I hope žat God wyl helpyn and be myn hed	

3028	For "mercy" was my laste speche;	

3029	žus made my body hys ende.	

3030	MALUS ANGELUS. Wytnesse of all žat ben abowte,	

3031	Syr Coueytyse he had hym owte.	

3032	žerfor he schal, wythoutyn dowte,	

3033	Wyth me to helle pytt.	

3034	BONUS ANGELUS. 3e, alas, and welawo!	

3035	A3eyns Coueytyse can I not telle.	

3036	Resun wyl I fro že goo,	

3037	For, wrechyd sowle, žou muste to helle.	

3038	Coueytyse, he was ži fo;	

3039	He hathe že schapyn a schameful schelle;	

3040	žus hathe seruyd many on mo	

3041	Tyl žei be dyth to dethys delle,	

3042	To byttyr balys bowre.	

3043	žou muste to peyne, be ryth resun,	

3044	Wyth Coveytyse, for he is chesun.	

3045	žou art trappyd ful of tresun	

3046	But Mercy be ži socowre.	

3047	For ryth wel žis founde I haue	

3048	A3eyns Rythwysnesse may I not holde.	

3049	žou muste wyth hym to careful caue	

3050	For grete skyllys žat he hathe tolde.	

3051	Fro že awey I wandyr and waue;	

3052	For že I clynge in carys colde.	

3053	Alone now I že laue	

3054	Whylyst žou fallyst in fendys folde,	

3055	In helle to hyde and hylle.	

3056	Rytwysnesse wyl žat žou wende	

3057	Forthe awey wyth že fende.	

3058	But Mercy wyl to že sende,	

3059	Of že I can no skylle.	

3060	ANIMA. Alas, Mercy, žou art to longe!	

3061	Of sadde sorwe now may I synge.	

3062	Holy wryt it is ful wronge	

3063	But Mercy passe alle žynge.	

3064	I am ordeynyd to peynys stronge,	

3065	In wo is dressyd myn wonnynge,	

3066	In helle on hokys I schal honge,	

3067	But mercy fro a welle sprynge.	

3068	žis deuyl wyl haue me away.	

3069	Weleaway! I was ful wod	

3070	žat I forske myn Aungyl Good	

3071	And wyth Coueytyse stod	

3072	Tyl žat day žat I schuld dey.	

3073	MALUS ANGELUS. 3a, why woldyst žou be coueytous	

3074	And drawe že agayn to synne?	

3075	I schal že brew a byttyr jous;	

3076	In bolnynnge bondys žou schalt brenne.	

3077	In hye helle schal be žyn hous,	

3078	In pycke and ter to grone and grenne;	

3079	žou schalt lye drenkelyd as a movs;	

3080	žer may no man žerfro že werne	

3081	For žat ilke wyll.	

3082	žat day že ladys žou forsoke	

3083	And to my counsel žou že toke,	

3084	žou were betyr anhangyn on hoke	

3085	Upon a jebet hyll.	

3086	Farter fowle, žou schalt be frayed	

3087	Tyl žou be frettyd and al forbled.	

3088	Foule mote žou be dysmayed	

3089	žat žou schalt žus ben ouyrled.	

3090	For Coueytyse žou hast asayed	

3091	In byttyr balys žou schalt be bred.	

3092	Al mankynd may be wel payed	

3093	Whou Coueytysee makyth že adred.	

3094	Wyth rappys I že rynge.	

3095	We schul to helle, bothe to,	

3096	And bey in inferno.	

3097	Nulla est redempcio.	

3098	For no kynnys žynge.	

3099	Now dagge we hens a dogge trot.	

3100	In my dongion I schal že dere.	

3101	On že is manya synful spot;	

3102	žerfore žis schame I schal že schere	

3103	Whanne žou comyst to my neste.	

3104	Why woldyst žou, schrewe schalt neuere že,	

3105	But in ži lyue don aftyr me?	

3106	And ži Good Aungyl tawth že	

3107	Alwey to že beste.	

3108	3a, but žou woldyst hym not leue;	

3109	To Coueytyse alwey žou drow.	

3110	žerfore schalt žou euyl preue;	

3111	žat foul synne ži soule slow.	

3112	I schal fonde že to greue	

3113	And putte že in peynnys plow.	

3114	Haue žis, and euyl mote žou scheue,	

3115	For žou seydyst neuere "inow, inow"	

3116	žus lacche I že žus lowe.	

3117	žou žou kewe as a kat,	

3118	For ži coueytyse haue žou žat!	

3119	I schal že bunche wyth my bat	

3120	And rouge že on a rowe.	

3121	Lo, synful tydynge,	

3122	Boy, on ži bak I brynge.	

3123	Spedely žou sprynge.	

3124	ži placebo I schal synge.	

3125	To deuylys delle	

3126	I schal že bere to helle.	

3127	I wyl not dwelle.	

3128	Haue good day! I goo to helle.	

3129	MISERICORDIA. A mone I herd of mercy meve	

3130	And to me, Mercy, gan crye and call;	

3131	But if it haue mercy, sore it schal me greve,	

3132	For ell it schal to hell fall.	

3133	Rythwysnes, my systyr cheve,	

3134	žys 3e herde; so dyde we all.	

3135	For we were mad frendys leve	

3136	Whanne že Jevys proferyd Criste eysyl and gall	

3137	On že Good Fryday.	

3138	God grauntyd žat remission,	

3139	Mercy, and absolicion,	

3140	žorwe vertu of hys passion,	

3141	To no man schuld be seyd nay.	

3142	žerfore, my systyr Rytwysnes,	

3143	Pes, and Trewth, yo 3ou I tell,	

3144	Whanne man crieth mercy, and wyl not ses,	

3145	Mercy schal be hys waschynge-well:	

3146	Wytnesse of Holy Kyrke.	

3147	For že leste drope of blode	

3148	žat God bledde on že rode	

3149	It hadde ben satysfaccion goode	

3150	For al Mankyndys werke.	

3151	JUSTICIA. Systyr, 3e sey me a good skyl,	

3152	žat mercy pasyt mannys mysdede.	

3153	But take mercy whoso wyl	

3154	He muste it aske wyth love and drede;	

3155	And eueryman žat wyl fulfyll	

3156	že dedly synnys and folw mysdede,	

3157	To graunte hem mercy me žynkyth it no skyl;	

3158	nd žerfore, systyr,