l. 1141

_Þe lombe delyt non lyste to wene_, The lamb’s delight none desired to doubt. 1146 _laste and lade_, followed and preceded (?). 1161 _Bot of þat munt I watȝ bi-talt_, But from that purpose I was aroused (shaken). 1163 _bi-calt_ = _bi-called_ (?), called away.

P. 35.

l. 1165 _flonc_ = _flong_ (?), flung. 1193 _helde_, willingly (inclined).

Errata (noted by transcriber)

Minor spelling variations-- such as added or missing final “e”-- between the main text and endnotes were left as printed.

[61 Sidenote] ... where the rocks and cliffs ... [Where] [278] & iueleȝ wern hyr ge{n}tyl saweȝ, [saweȝ”] [373 Sidenote] ... his bale and bliss. [bliss,] [775] So mony a cumly on v{n}der cambe, [vu{n}der] [_spelling changed to agree with Note_] [993 Sidenote] the foundation composed of twelve stones. [The] [1059 Sidenote] it flowed through each street. [It] [1205] Ou{er} þis hyl[50] þis lote I laȝte, [Sidenote 50] MS. _hyiil_. [_1864 edition had “hyiil” in the body text, with note “_hye-hil_ or _hyul_?”]

ORPHANED QUOTATION MARKS [396] Hit is i{n} grou{n}de of alle my blysse.” [501] “My regne, he saytȝ, is lyk on hyȝt, [602] Þat gentyl sayde “lys no Ioparde, [744] & porchace þy perle maskelles.” [902] Q{uod} I, “my perle þaȝ I appose, [939] “Þat is þe cyte þat þe lombe con fonde [966] “Þ{o}u may not enter w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne hys tor,

NOTES 78 _on vch a tynde_, on each branch. [vcha] 213 _schorne golde schyr_, refined gold pure. [_, missing_] 223-4 _A manneȝ dom myȝt dryȝly demme, [_. for ,_] 343 For anger avails the not a cress [_modern text unchanged: error for “thee”?_] Cf. the following passage from “Piers Ploughman,” [Piers’] 536 [535] 865 [864] 1026 [1025]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

CLEANNESS.

[Headnotes: THE PARABLE OF THE MARRIAGE FEAST. THOSE INVITED TO THE FEAST REFUSE TO COME. THE HALT AND THE BLIND ARE INVITED. THE MAN WITHOUT A WEDDING GARMENT. GOD IS DISPLEASED WITH THE WICKED. THE FALL OF THE ANGELS. THE WICKEDNESS OF THE ANTEDILUVIAN WORLD. GOD DETERMINES TO DESTROY ALL FLESH. NOAH IS COMMANDED TO BUILD AN ARK. THE RAIN DESCENDS. ALL ROT IN THE MUD. THE ARK RESTS ON MOUNT ARARAT. NOAH SENDS FORTH A DOVE. NOAH LEAVES THE ARK. THE BEASTS ARE DISPERSED. GOD’S HATRED OF WICKEDNESS. ABRAHAM RECEIVES THREE GUESTS, AND ENTERTAINS THEM. GOD DISCLOSES HIS PURPOSE TO ABRAHAM. THE FILTHINESS OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH. ABRAHAM PLEADS FOR THE CITIES. MESSENGERS ARE SENT TO LOT. LOT ENTERTAINS THE MESSENGERS. LOT’S HOUSE IS BESET. THE MEN OF SODOM SMITTEN WITH BLINDNESS. LOT IS SENT OUT OF THE CITY. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CITIES. LOT’S WIFE BECOMES A STIFF STONE. THE DEAD SEA COVERS THE FIVE CITIES. IT IS A TOKEN OF WICKEDNESS AND VENGEANCE. CHRIST WAS EVER PURE. PENANCE MAKES MAN PURE AS A PEARL. GOD PUNISHES IMPURITY. NEBUCHADNEZZAR BESIEGES JERUSALEM. THE KING OF JUDAH IS MADE PRISONER. NEBUZARDAN PILLAGES THE TEMPLE. NEBUCHADNEZZAR IS PLEASED WITH THE SPOIL. HE PRIZES GREATLY THE SACRED JEWELRY. BELSHAZZAR PROCLAIMS A FEAST, TO WHICH KINGS AND EMPERORS ARE INVITED. BELSHAZZAR BRINGS OUT THE SACRED VESSELS TO DECK THE FESTIVE HALL. THE SACRED VESSELS ARE DEFILED. THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL. THE KING CONSULTS HIS DIVINERS. DANIEL IS SENT FOR. DANIEL DESCRIBES HOW NEBUCHADNEZZAR WAS PUNISHED FOR HIS PRIDE. THE INTERPRETATION OF THE HANDWRITING. DARIUS LAYS SIEGE TO BABYLON. BELSHAZZAR IS BEATEN TO DEATH.]

I.

[Sidenote: [Fol. 57a.]] [Sidenote: Cleanness discloses fair forms.] Cla{n}nesse who-so kyndly cowþe co{m}ende, & rekken vp alle þe resou{n}ȝ þ{a}t ho by riȝt askeȝ, Fayre formeȝ myȝt he fy{n}de i{n} foreri{n}g his speche, & in þe co{n}traré, kark & co{m}brau{n}ce huge; 4 [Sidenote: God is angry with the unclean worshipper, and with false priests.] For wonder wroth is þe wyȝ þ{a}t wroȝt alle þi{n}g{es}, Wyth þe freke þat i{n} fylþe folȝes hy{m} aft{er}, As renkeȝ of relygiou{n} þat reden & sy{n}gen, & aprochen to hys presens, & presteȝ arn called; 8 Thay teen vnto his te{m}mple & teme{n} to hy{m} seluen, Reken w{i}t{h} reu{er}ence þay r[ec]hen his auter, Þay hondel þer his aune body & vsen hit boþe. [Sidenote: The pure worshipper receives great reward.] If þay in cla{n}nes be clos þay cleche gret mede, 12 Bot if þay conterfete crafte, & cortaysye wont, [Sidenote: The impure will bring upon them the anger of God, Who is pure and holy.] As be honest vtwyth, & i{n}-with alle fylþeȝ, Þen ar þay synful hemself & sulped altogeder, Boþe god & his gere, & hy{m} to greme cachen. 16 He is so clene in his co{ur}te, þe ky{n}g þ{a}t al weldeȝ, & honeste in his ho{us}-holde & hagherlych serued, With angeleȝ eno{ur}led in alle þat is clene, [Sidenote: It would be a marvel if God did not hate evil.] Boþe w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne & w{i}t{h}-outen, i{n} wedeȝ ful bryȝt. 20 Nif he nere scoym{us} & skyg & non scaþe louied, Hit were a meruayl to much, hit moȝt not falle; [Sidenote: Christ showed us that himself.] Kryst kydde hit hym self i{n} a carp oneȝ, Þer as he heuened aȝt happeȝ & hyȝt hem her medeȝ; 24 [Sidenote: St. Matthew records the discourse.] Me myneȝ on one amo{n}ge oþ{er}, as maþew recordeȝ, Þat þ{us} of clannesse vn-closeȝ a ful cler speche. [Sidenote: The clean of heart shall look on our Lord.] Þe haþel clene of his hert hapeneȝ ful fayre, For he schal loke on oure lorde w{i}t{h} a bone chere, 28 As so saytȝ, to þat syȝt seche schal he neu{er}, Þat any vncla{n}nesse hatȝ on, anwhere[1] abowte: For he þ{a}t flem{us} vch fylþe fer fro his hert, May not byde þat burne[2] þat hit his body neȝen; 32 For-þy hyȝ not to heuen i{n} hatereȝ to-torne, Ne i{n} þe harloteȝ hod & handeȝ vnwaschen; [Sidenote: What earthly noble, when seated at table above dukes, would like to see a lad badly attired approach the table with “rent cockers,” his coat torn and his toes out?] For what vrþly haþel þat hyȝ hono{ur} haldeȝ Wolde lyke, if a ladde com lyþ{er}ly attyred, 36 [Sidenote: [Fol. 57b.]] When he were sette solempnely i{n} a sete ryche, Abof dukes on dece, w{i}t{h} dayntys serued, Þen þe harlot w{i}t{h} haste helded to þe table W{i}t{h} rent cokreȝ at þe kne & his clutte trasches, 40 & his tabarde to-torne & his toteȝ oute; [Sidenote: For any one of these he would be turned out with a “big buffet,” and be forbidden to re-enter, and thus be ruined through his vile clothes.] Oþ{er} ani on of alle þyse he schulde be halden vtt{er}, With mony blame ful bygge, a boffet, p{er}au{n}t{er}, Hurled to þe halle dore & harde þ{er}-oute schowued, 44 & be forboden þat borȝe to bowe þider neu{er}, On payne of enprysonment & putty{n}g i{n} stokkeȝ; & þ{us} schal he be schent for his schrowde feble, Þaȝ neu{er} i{n} talle ne in tuch he trespas more. 48

[Headnote: THE PARABLE OF THE MARRIAGE FEAST.]

[Sidenote: The parable of the “Marriage of the King’s Son.”] & if vnwelcu{m} he were to a worþlych prynce Ȝet hy{m} is þe hyȝe ky{n}g harder i{n} her euen, As maþew meleȝ in his masse of þat man ryche, Þat made þe mukel mangerye to marie his here dere, 52 & sende his sonde þen to say þat þay samne schulde, & in comly quoyntis to com to his feste; [Sidenote: The king’s invitation.] “For my boles & my boreȝ arn bayted & slayne, & my fedde fouleȝ fatted w{i}t{h} sclaȝt, 56 My polyle þat is pe{n}ne-fed & partrykes boþe, Wyth scheldeȝ of wylde swyn, swaneȝ & croneȝ; Al is roþeled & rosted ryȝt to þe sete, Comeȝ cof to my corte, er hit colde worþe.” 60

[Headnote: THOSE INVITED TO THE FEAST REFUSE TO COME.]

[Sidenote: Those invited begin to make excuses.] When þay knewen his cal þ{a}t þider com schulde, Alle ex-cused hem by þe skyly he scape by moȝt: [Sidenote: One had bought an estate and must go to see it.] On hade boȝt hym a borȝ he sayde by hys t{ra}wþe, Now t[ur]ne I þeder als tyd, þe tou{n} to by-holde; 64 [Sidenote: Another had purchased some oxen and wished to see them “pull in the plough.”] An oþ{er} nayed also & nurned þis cawse: I haf ȝerned & ȝat ȝokkeȝ of oxen, & for my hyȝeȝ hem boȝt, to bowe haf I mest{er}, To see hem pulle in þe plow aproche me byhoueȝ; 68 [A third had married a wife and could not come.] & I haf wedded a wyf, sower[3] hy{m} þe þryd, Excuse me at þe co{ur}t, I may not com þere; Þ{us} þay droȝ hem adreȝ w{i}t{h} dau{n}g{er} vchone, Þat non passed to þe place[4] þaȝ he prayed were. 72 [Sidenote: [Fol. 58a.]] [Sidenote: The Lord was greatly displeased, and commanded his servants to invite the wayfaring, both men and women, the better and the worse, that his palace might be full.] The{n}ne þe ludych lorde lyked ful ille & hade dedayn of þat dede, ful dryȝly he carpeȝ: He saytȝ “now for her owne sorȝe þay for-saken habbeȝ, More to wyte is her wrange, þen any wylle gentyl; 76 Þe{n}ne gotȝ forth my gomeȝ to þe grete streeteȝ, & forsetteȝ on vche a syde þe cete aboute; Þe wayferande frekeȝ, on fote & on hors, Boþe burneȝ & burdeȝ, þe bett{er} & þe wers, 80 Laþeȝ hem alle luflyly to lenge at my fest, & bry{n}geȝ hem blyþly to borȝe as barou{n}eȝ þay were, So þat my palays plat-ful be pyȝt al aboute, Þise oþ{er} wrecheȝ I-wysse worþy noȝt wern.” 84 [Sidenote: The servants brought in bachelors and squires.] Þe{n} þay cayred & com þat þe cost waked, Broȝten bachlereȝ hem wyth þat þay by bonkeȝ metten, Swyereȝ þat swyftly swyed on blonkeȝ, & also fele vpon fote, of fre & of bonde. 88 [Sidenote: When they came to the court they were well entertained.] When þay com to þe co{ur}te keppte wern þay fayre, Styȝtled w{i}t{h} þe stewarde, stad i{n} þe halle, Ful man{er}ly w{i}t{h} marchal mad forto sitte, As he watȝ dere of de-gre dressed his seete. 92 [Sidenote: The servants tell their lord that they have done his behest, and there is still room for more guests.] Þe{n}ne seggeȝ to þe souerayn sayden þer-aft{er}, “Lo! lorde w{i}t{h} yo{ur} leue at yo{ur} lege heste, & at þi ba{n}ne we haf broȝt, as þ{o}u beden habbeȝ, Mony renischche renkeȝ & ȝet is rou{m} more.” 96

[Headnote: THE HALT AND THE BLIND ARE INVITED.]

[Sidenote: The Lord commands them to go out into the fields, and bring in the halt, blind, and “one-eyed.”] Sayde þe lorde to þo ledeȝ, “layteȝ ȝet ferre, Ferre out i{n} þe felde, & fecheȝ mo gesteȝ, Wayteȝ gorsteȝ & greueȝ, if ani gomeȝ lyggeȝ, What-kyn folk so þer fare, fecheȝ hem hider, 100 Be þay fers, be þay feble for-loteȝ[5] none, Be þay hol, be þay halt, be þay onyȝed, & þaȝ þay ben boþe blynde & balt{er}ande cruppeleȝ, [Sidenote: For those who denied shall not taste “one sup” to save them from death.] Þat my ho{us} may holly by halkes by fylled; 104 For certeȝ þyse ilk renkeȝ þat me renayed habbe & de-nou{n}ced me, noȝt now at þis tyme, Schul neu{er} sitte in my sale my sop{er} to fele, Ne suppe on sope of my seve, þaȝ[6] þay swelt schulde.” 108 [Sidenote: [Fol. 58b.]] [Sidenote: The palace soon became full of “people of all plights.”] The{n}ne þe sergau{n}teȝ, at þat sawe, swengen þ{er}-oute, & diden þe dede þat [is] demed, as he deuised hade, & w{i}t{h} peple of alle plyteȝ þe palays þay fyllen; [Sidenote: They were not all one wife’s sons, nor had they all one father.] Hit weren not alle on wyueȝ su{n}eȝ, wonen w{i}t{h} on fader; 112 Wheþ{er} þay wern worþy, oþ{er} wers, wel wern þay stowed, [Sidenote: The “brightest attired” had the best place.] Ay þe best byfore & bryȝtest atyred, Þe derrest at þe hyȝe dese þat dubbed wer fayrest; [Sidenote: Below sat those with “poor weeds.”] & syþen on lenþe biloogh{e} ledeȝ inogh, 116 & ay a segge soerly[7] semed by her wedeȝ; So with marschal at her mete mensked þay were, Clene men i{n} compaynye for-knowen wern lyte, [Sidenote: All are well entertained “with meat and minstrelsy.”] & ȝet þe symplest in þ{a}t sale watȝ serued to þe fulle, 120 Boþe with menske, & w{i}t{h} mete & mynstrasy noble, & alle þe laykeȝ þat a lorde aȝt i{n} londe schewe. [Sidenote: Each with his “mate” made him at ease.] & þay bigo{n}ne to be glad þat god dri{n}k haden, & vch mon w{i}t{h} his mach made hy{m} at ese. 124

[Sidenote 1: _aywhere_ (?).] [Sidenote 2: Looks like _burre_ in MS.] [Sidenote 3: _swer_ (?).] [Sidenote 4: MS. _plate_.] [Sidenote 5: _forleteȝ_ (?).] [Sidenote 6: MS. þaȝ þaȝ.] [Sidenote 7: _soberly_ (?).]

[Headnote: THE MAN WITHOUT A WEDDING GARMENT.]

II.

[Sidenote: The lord of the feast goes among his guests.] Now i{n}-myddeȝ þe mete þe mayst{er} hym biþoȝt, Þat he wolde se þe semblé þ{a}t samned was þ{er}e, & re-hayte rekenly þe riche & þe pou{er}en,[8] & cherisch hem alle w{i}t{h} his cher, & chaufen her Ioye, 128 Þen he boweȝ fro his bour i{n} to þe brode halle, [Sidenote: Bids them be merry.] & to þe best on þe bench, & bede hy{m} be myry, Solased hem w{i}t{h} semblau{n}t & syled fyrre; Tron fro table to table & talkede ay myrþe, 132 [Sidenote: On the floor he finds one not arrayed for a holyday.] Bot as he ferked ou{er} þe flor he fande w{i}t{h} his yȝe, Hit watȝ not for a haly day honestly arayed, A þral þryȝt i{n} þe þrong vnþryuandely cloþed, Ne no festiual frok, bot fyled with werkkeȝ. 136 Þe gome watȝ vn-garnyst w{i}t{h} god me{n} to dele, & gremed þ{er}-w{i}t{h} þe grete lord & greue hy{m} he þoȝt; [Sidenote: Asks him how he obtained entrance, and how he was so bold as to appear in such rags.] “Say me, frende,” q{uod} þe freke w{i}t{h} a felle chere, “Hov wan þ{o}u into þis won i{n} wedeȝ so fowle? 140 Þe abyt þat þ{o}u hatȝ vpon, no haly day hit menskeȝ; Þ{o}u burne for no brydale art busked i{n} wedeȝ! How watȝ þ{o}u hardy þis ho{us} for þyn vnhap [to] neȝe, I{n} on so ratted a robe & rent at þe sydeȝ? 144 [Sidenote: [Fol. 59a.]] Þow art a gome vn-goderly i{n} þat gou{n} febele; Þ{o}u praysed me & my place ful pou{er} & ful [g]nede, [Sidenote: Does he take him to be a harlot?] Þat watȝ so prest to aproche my p{re}sens here-i{n}ne; Hopeȝ þ{o}u I be a harlot þi erigant to prayse?” 148 Þat oþ{er} burne watȝ abayst of his broþe wordeȝ, [Sidenote: The man becomes discomfited.] & hurkeleȝ dou{n} with his hede, þe vrþe he bi-holdeȝ; He watȝ so scou{m}fit of his scylle, lest he skaþe hent, [Sidenote: He is unable to reply.] Þat he ne wyst on worde what he warp schulde. 152 [Sidenote: The lord commands him to be bound, and cast into a deep dungeon.] Þe{n} þe lorde wonder loude laled & cryed, & talkeȝ to his tormentto{ur}eȝ: “takeȝ hym,” he biddeȝ, “Byndeȝ byhynde, at his bak, boþe two his handeȝ, & felle fett{er}eȝ to his fete festeneȝ bylyue; 156 Stik hym stifly i{n} stokeȝ, & stekeȝ hy{m} þ{er}-aft{er} Depe i{n} my dou{n}gou{n} þ{er} doel eu{er} dwelleȝ, Greui{n}g, & grety{n}g, & gryspy{n}g harde Of teþe tenfully to-geder, to teche hy{m} be quoy{n}t.” 160 [Sidenote: This feast is likened to the kingdom of heaven, to which all are invited.] Thus comparisu{n}eȝ kryst þe kyndom of heueñ, To þis frelych feste þat fele arn to called, For alle arn laþed luflyly, þe luþ{er} & þe bett{er}, Þat eu{er} wern fulȝed i{n} font þat fest to haue. 164 [Sidenote: See that thy weeds are clean.] Bot war þe wel, if þ{o}u wylt, þy wedeȝ ben clene, & honest for þe haly day, lest þ{o}u harme lache, For aproch þ{o}u to þat prynce of parage noble. He hat{es} helle no more þe{n} hem þat ar sowle.[9] 168

[Headnote: GOD IS DISPLEASED WITH THE WICKED.]

[Sidenote: Thy weeds are thy works that thou hast wrought.] Wich arn þe{n}ne þy wedeȝ þ{o}u wrappeȝ þe i{n}ne, Þat schal schewe he{m} so schene schrowde of þe best? Hit arn þy werkeȝ wyt{er}ly, þ{a}t þ{o}u wroȝt haueȝ, & lyued w{i}t{h} þe lyky{n}g þ{a}t lyȝe in þy{n} hert, 172 Þat þo be frely & fresch fonde i{n} þy lyue, & fetyse of a fayr forme, to fote & to honde, & syþe{n} alle þy{n} oþ{er} lymeȝ lapped ful clene, [Sidenote: For many faults may a man forfeit bliss.] Þe{n}ne may þ{o}u se þy sauior & his sete ryche. 176 For fele fauteȝ may a freke forfete his blysse, [Sidenote: For sloth and pride he is thrust into the devil’s throat.] Þat he þe sou{er}ayn ne se þen, for slauþe one, As for bobau{n}ce & bost & bolnande p{r}iyde, Þroly i{n}-to þe deueleȝ þrote man þry{n}geȝ bylyue, 180 [Sidenote: [Fol. 59b.]] [Sidenote: He is ruined by covetousness, perjury, murder, theft, and strife.] For couetyse, & colwarde & croked dedeȝ, For mon-sworne, & men-sclaȝt, & to much drynk, For þefte, & for þrepy{n}g, vn-þonk may mon haue; [Sidenote: For robbery and ribaldry, for preventing marriages, and supporting the wicked, for treason, treachery, and tyranny, man may lose eternal bliss.] For roborrye, & riboudrye & resou{n}eȝ vntrwe, 184 & dysheriete & depryue dowrie of wydoeȝ, For marry{n}g of maryageȝ & may{n}tnau{n}ce of schreweȝ, For traysou{n}, & trichcherye, & tyrau{n}tyré boþe,[10] & for fals famacions & fayned laweȝ; 188 Man may mysse þe myrþe, þat much is to prayse, For such vnþeweȝ as þise & þole much payne, & i{n} þe creatores cort com neu{er} more, Ne neu{er} see hym with syȝt for such sour to{ur}neȝ. 192

[Sidenote 8: MS. poueu{er}.] [Sidenote 9: _fowle_ (?).] [Sidenote 10: loþe (?).]

[Headnote: THE FALL OF THE ANGELS.]

III.

Bot I haue herkned & herde of mony hyȝe clerkeȝ, & als i{n} resou{n}eȝ of ryȝt red hit my seluen, [Sidenote: The high Prince of all is displeased with those who work wickedly.] Þ{a}t þat ilk prop{er} prynce þat paradys weldeȝ Is displesed at vch a poy{n}t þat plyes to scaþe. 196 Bot neu{er} ȝet i{n} no boke breued I herde Þat eu{er} he wrek so wyþ{er}ly on werk þat he made, Ne venged for no vilté of vice ne sy{n}ne, Ne so hastyfly watȝ hot for hatel of his wylle, 200 Ne neu{er} so sodenly soȝt vn-sou{n}dely to weng, As for fylþe of þe flesch þat foles han vsed; For as I fynde þ{er} he forȝet alle his fre þewes, [Sidenote: For the first fault the devil committed, he felt God’s vengeance.] & wex wod to þe wrache, for wrath at his hert, 204 For þe fyrste felonye þe falce fende wroȝt. Whyl he watȝ hyȝe i{n} þe heuen houen vpon lofte, Of alle þyse aþel au{n}geleȝ attled þe fayrest, [Sidenote: He, the fairest of all angels, forsook his sovereign, and boasted that his throne should be as high as God’s.] & he vnkyndely as a karle kydde areward, 208 He seȝ noȝt bot hym self how semly he were, Bot his sou{er}ayn he forsoke & sade þyse wordeȝ: “I schal telde vp my trone i{n} þe tra mou{n}tayne & by lyke to þat lorde þat þe lyft made. 212 With þis worde þat he warp, þe wrake on hy{m} lyȝt, [Sidenote: For these words he was cast down to hell.] Dryȝtyn w{i}t{h} his dere dom hym drof to þe abyme, I{n} þe mesure of his mode, his metȝ neu{er} þe lasse, Bot þer he tynt þe tyþe dool of his to{ur} ryche, 216 [Sidenote: [Fol. 60a.]] Þaȝ þe felou{n} were so fers for his fayre wedeȝ & his glorio{us} glem þat glent so bryȝt; As sone as dryȝtyneȝ dome drof to hy{m} seluen, [Þi]kke þowsandeȝ þro þrwen þer-oute 220 [Sidenote: The fiends fell from heaven, like the thick snow, for forty days.] Fellen fro þe fyrmame{n}t, fendeȝ ful blake Weued[11] at þe fyrst swap as þe snaw þikke, Hurled i{n}-to helle-hole as þe hyue swarmeȝ; Fyltyr fenden folk forty dayeȝ lencþe, 224 Er þat styngande storme stynt ne myȝt; Bot as smylt mele vnder smal siue smokes for-þikke, [Sidenote: From heaven to hell the shower lasted.] So fro heuen to helle þat hatel schor laste, On vche syde of þe worlde aywhere ilyche. 228 Þis[12] hit watȝ a brem brest & a byge wrache, [Sidenote: The devil would not make peace with God.] & ȝet wrathed not þe wyȝ, ne þe wrech saȝtled, Ne neu{er} wolde, for wylnesful, his worþy god knawe, Ne pray hym for no pité, so proud watȝ his wylle, 232 [Sidenote: Affliction makes him none the better.] For-þy þaȝ þe rape were rank, þe rawþe watȝ lyttel;[13] Þaȝ he be kest into kare he kepes no bett{er}. [Sidenote: For the fault of one, vengeance alighted upon all men.] Bot þat oþ{er} wrake þat wex on wyȝeȝ, hit lyȝt Þurȝ þe faut of a freke þat fayled i{n} trawþe. 236 [Sidenote: Adam was ordained to live in bliss.] A{da}m i{n} obedyent[14] ordaynt to blysse, Þer pryuely i{n} paradys his place watȝ de-vised, To lyue þer i{n} lyky{n}g þe lenþe of a terme, & þe{n}ne en-herite þat home þat au{n}geleȝ for-gart, 240 [Sidenote: Through Eve he ate an apple.] Bot þurȝ þe eggy{n}g of eue he ete of an apple Þat en-poysened alle pepleȝ þat parted fro hem boþe, [Sidenote: Thus all his descendants became poisoned.] For a defence þat watȝ dyȝt of dryȝtyn seluen, & a payne þer-on put & pertly halden; 244 Þe defence watȝ þe fryt þat þe freke towched, & þe dom is þe deþe þat drepeȝ v{us} alle. [Sidenote: A maiden brought a remedy for mankind.] Al i{n} mesure & meþe watȝ mad þe vengiau{n}ce, & efte amended w{i}t{h} a mayden þat make hade neu{er}. 248

[Sidenote 11: _wened_ (?).] [Sidenote 12: _ȝis_ (?).] [Sidenote 13: MS. _lyttlel_.] [Sidenote 14: _obedience_ (?).]

[Headnote: THE WICKEDNESS OF THE ANTEDILUVIAN WORLD.]

IV.

Bot in þe þryd watȝ forþrast al þat þryue schuld, [Sidenote: Malice was merciless.] Þer watȝ malys mercyles & mawgre much scheued, Þat watȝ for fylþe vpon folde þ{a}t þe folk vsed, [Sidenote: A race of men came into the world, the fairest, the merriest, and the strongest that ever were created.] [Þ]at þen wonyed i{n} þe worlde w{i}t{h}-outen any mayst{er}ȝ; 252 [Sidenote: [Fol. 60b.]] Hit wern þe fayrest of forme & of face als, Þe most & þe myriest þat maked wern euer, Þe styfest, þe stalworþest þat stod eu{er} on fete; & lengest lyf i{n} hem lent of ledeȝ alle oþ{er}, 256 For hit was þe forme-foster þat þe folde bred, [Sidenote: They were sons of Adam.] Þe aþel au{n}cetereȝ su{n}eȝ þat ad{a}m watȝ called, To wham god hade geuen alle þat gayn were, Alle þe blysse boute blame þat bodi myȝt haue, 260 & þose lykkest to þe lede þat lyued next aft{er}, For-þy so semly to see syþe{n} wern none. [Sidenote: No law was laid upon them.] Þer watȝ no law to hem layd bot loke to kynde, & kepe to hit, & alle hit cors clanly ful-fylle; 264 [Sidenote: Nevertheless they acted unnaturally.] & þe{n}ne fou{n}den þay fylþe i{n} fleschlych dedeȝ & controeued agayn kynde contraré werkeȝ, & vsed hem vn-þryftyly vchon on oþ{er}, & als with oþ{er}, wylsfully, vpon a wrange wyse. 268 [Sidenote: The “_fiends_” beheld how fair were the daughters of these mighty men, and made fellowship with them and begat a race of giants.] So ferly fowled her flesch þat þe fende loked, How þe deȝt{er} of þe douþe wern dere-lych fayre, & fallen i{n} felaȝschyp w{i}t{h} hem on folken wyse & en-gendered on hem ieau{n}teȝ w{i}t{h} her Iapeȝ ille. 272 Þose wern men meþeleȝ & maȝty on vrþe, Þat for her lodlych laykeȝ alosed þay were. He watȝ famed[15] for fre þat feȝt loued best, [Sidenote: The greatest fighter was reckoned the most famous.] & ay þe bigest i{n} bale þe best watȝ halden; 276 & þe{n}ne eueleȝ on erþe ernestly grewen & multyplyed mony-folde i{n}-mongeȝ mankynde, [Sidenote: The Creater of all becomes exceedingly wroth.] For þat þe maȝty on molde so marre þise oþ{er}. Þat þe wyȝe þat al wroȝt ful wroþly bygy{n}neȝ. 280

[Headnote: GOD DETERMINES TO DESTROY ALL FLESH.]

When he knew vche contre corupte i{n} hit seluen, & vch freke forloyned fro þe ryȝt wayeȝ, [Sidenote: Fell anger touches His heart.] Felle temptande tene towched his hert; As wyȝe, wo hy{m} with-i{n}ne werp to hy{m} seluen: 284 [Sidenote: It repents Him that He has made man.] “Me for-þy{n}keȝ ful much þat eu{er} I mon made, Bot I schal delyu{er} & do away þat doten on þis molde, [Sidenote: He declares that all flesh shall be destroyed, both man and beast.] & fleme out of þe folde al þat flesch wereȝ, Fro þe burne to þe best, fro bryddeȝ to fyscheȝ; 288 [Sidenote: [Fol. 61a.]] Al schal dou{n} & be ded & dryuen out of erþe, Þat eu{er} I sette saule i{n}ne; & sore hit me rweȝ Þat eu{er} I made hem my self; bot if I may her-aft{er}, I schal wayte to be war her wrencheȝ to kepe.” 292 [Sidenote: There was at this time living on the earth a very righteous man: Noah was his name.] Þe{n}ne i{n} worlde watȝ a wyȝe wonyande on lyue, Ful redy & ful ryȝtwys, & rewled hy{m} fayre; In þe drede of dryȝtyn his dayeȝ he vseȝ, & ay glydande wyth his god his g{ra}ce watȝ þe more. 296 Hy{m} watȝ þe nome Noe, as is i{n}noghe knawen, [Sidenote: Three bold sons he had.] He had þre þryuen su{n}eȝ & þay þre wyueȝ; Sem soþly þat on, þat oþ{er} hyȝt cam & þe Iolef Iapheth watȝ gendered þe þryd. 300 [Sidenote: God in great anger speaks to Noah.] Now god i{n} nwy to Noe co{n} speke, Wylde wrakful wordeȝ i{n} his wylle greued: “Þe ende of alle-kyneȝ flesch þat on vrþe meueȝ, Is fallen forþ wyth my face & forþ{er} hit I þenk, 304 W{i}t{h} her vn-worþelych werk me wlateȝ w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne, Þe gore þ{er}-of me hatȝ greued & þe glette nwyed; [Sidenote: Declares that He will destroy all “that life has.”] I schal strenkle my distresse & strye al to-geder, Boþe ledeȝ & londe & alle þat lyf habbeȝ. 308

[Headnote: NOAH IS COMMANDED TO BUILD AN ARK.]

[Sidenote: Commands him to make “a mansion” with dwellings for wild and tame.] Bot make to þe a manciou{n} & þat is my wylle, A cofer closed of tres, clanlych planed; Wyrk woneȝ þ{er}i{n}ne for wylde & for tame, & þe{n}ne cleme hit w{i}t{h} clay comly w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne[16] 312 & alle þe endentur dryuen daube w{i}t{h}-outen. [Sidenote: To let the ark be three hundred cubits in length, and fifty in breadth, and thirty in height, and a window in it a cubit square.] & þ{us} of lenþe & of large þat lome þ{o}u make, Þre hundred of cupydeȝ þ{o}u holde to þe lenþe, Of fyfty fayre ou{er}-þwert forme þe brede; 316 & loke euen þat þyn ark haue of heȝþe þretté, & a wyndow wyd vpon, wroȝt vpon lofte, In þe compas of a cubit kyndely sware, [Sidenote: Also a good shutting door in the side, together with halls, recesses, bushes, and bowers, and well-formed pens.] A wel dutande dor, don on þe syde; 320 Haf halleȝ þer-i{n}ne & halkeȝ ful mony, Boþe boskeȝ & bo{ur}eȝ & wel bou{n}den peneȝ; For I schal waken vp a wat{er} to wasch alle þe worlde, & quelle alle þat is quik w{i}t{h} quauende flodeȝ. 324 [Sidenote: [Fol. 61b.]] [Sidenote: For all flesh shall be destroyed, except Noah and his family.] Alle þat glydeȝ & gotȝ, & gost of lyf habbeȝ, I schal wast with my wrath þat wons vpon vrþe; Bot my forwarde w{i}t{h} þe I festen on þis wyse, For þ{o}u in reysou{n} hatȝ rengned & ryȝtwys ben eu{er}; 328 Þ{o}u schal ent{er} þis ark w{i}t{h} þyn aþel barneȝ & þy wedded wyf; with þe þ{o}u take Þe makeȝ of þy myry su{n}eȝ; þis meyny of aȝte [Sidenote: Noah is told to take into the ark seven pairs of every clean beast, and one of unclean kind, and to furnish the ark with proper food.] I schal saue of mo{n}neȝ sauleȝ, & swelt þose oþ{er}. 332 Of vche best þat bereȝ lyf busk þe a cupple, Of vche clene comly kynde enclose seuen makeȝ, Of vche horwed, i{n} ark halde bot a payre, For to saue me þe sede of alle ser kyndeȝ; 336 & ay þ{o}u meng w{i}t{h} þe maleȝ þe mete ho-besteȝ, Vche payre by payre to plese ayþ{er} oþ{er}; W{i}t{h} alle þe fode þat may be fou{n}de frette þy cofer, For sustnau{n}ce to yow self & also þose oþ{er}.” 340 [Sidenote: Noah fills the ark.] Ful grayþely gotȝ þis god ma{n} & dos godeȝ hestes, In dryȝ dred & dau{n}ger, þat durst do non oþer. Wen hit watȝ fettled & forged & to þe fulle grayþed, Þe{n}n con dryȝttyn hym dele dryȝly þyse wordeȝ: 344

[Sidenote 15: _fained_ (?).] [Sidenote 16: MS. w{i}t{h}i{n}me]

[Headnote: THE RAIN DESCENDS.]

V.

[Sidenote: God asks Noah whether all is ready.] “Now Noe,” q{uod} oure lorde, “art þ{o}u al redy? Hatȝ þ{o}u closed þy kyst w{i}t{h} clay alle aboute?” [Sidenote: Noah replies that all is fully prepared.] “Ȝe lorde w{i}t{h} þy leue,” sayde þe lede þe{n}ne, “Al is wroȝt at þi worde, as þ{o}u me wyt lanteȝ.” 348 [Sidenote: He is commanded to enter the ark, for God tells him that he will send a rain to destroy all flesh.] “Enter in þe{n}n,” q{uod} he, “& haf þi wyf w{i}t{h} þe, Þy þre su{n}eȝ w{i}t{h}-outen þrep & her þre wyueȝ; Besteȝ, as I bedene haue, bosk þ{er}-i{n}ne als, & when ȝe arn staued, styfly stekeȝ yow þ{er}i{n}ne; 352 Fro seuen dayeȝ ben seyed I sende out by-lyue, Such a rowtande ryge þat rayne schal swyþe, Þat schal wasch alle þe worlde of werkeȝ of fylþe; Schal no flesch vpon folde by fonden onlyue; 356 [Sidenote: Noah stows all safely in the ark.] Out-taken yow aȝt i{n} þis ark staued, & sed þat I wyl saue of þyse ser besteȝ.” Now Noe neu{er} stysteȝ[17] (þat niyȝ[t] he bygy{n}neȝ), Er al wer stawed & stoken, as þe steuen wolde. 360 [Sidenote: [Fol. 62a.]] [Sidenote: Seven days are passed.] The{n}ne sone com þe seuenþe day, when samned wern alle, & alle woned i{n} þe whichche þe wylde & þe tame. [Sidenote: The deep begins to swell, banks are broken down, and the clouds burst.] Þe{n} bolned þe abyme & bonkeȝ con ryse, Walt{es} out vch walle-heued, i{n} ful wode stremeȝ, 364 Watȝ no bry{m}me þat abod vnbrosten bylyue, Þe mukel lauande logh{e} to þe lyfte rered. Mony clust{er}ed clowde clef alle i{n} clowteȝ, To-rent vch a rayn-ryfte & rusched to þe vrþe; 368 [Sidenote: It rains for forty days, and the flood rises, and flows over the woods and fields.] Fon neu{er} i{n} forty dayeȝ, & þe{n} þe flod ryses, Ou{er}-walteȝ vche a wod & þe wyde feldeȝ; For when þe wat{er} of þe welkyn w{i}t{h} þe worlde mette, Alle þat deth moȝt dryȝe drowned þer-i{n}ne; 372 Þer watȝ moon forto make when meschef was cnowen, [Sidenote: All must drown.] Þat noȝt dowed bot þe deth in þe depe stremeȝ. Wat{er} wylger ay wax, woneȝ þat stryede, Hurled i{n}-to vch ho{us}, hent þat þer dowelled. 376 [Sidenote: The water enters the houses.] Fyrst feng to þe flyȝt alle þat fle myȝt, Vuche burde w{i}t{h} her barne þe byggy{n}g þay leueȝ, [Sidenote: Each woman with her bairns flees to the hills.] & bowed to þe hyȝ bonk þer brentest hit wern, & het{er}ly to þe hyȝe hylleȝ þay [h]aled on faste; 380 [Sidenote: The rain never ceases.] Bot al watȝ nedleȝ her note, for neu{er} cowþe stynt Þe roȝe raynande ryg [&] þe raykande waweȝ, [Sidenote: The valleys are filled.] Er vch boþom watȝ brurd-ful to þe bonkeȝ eggeȝ, & vche a dale so depe þat de{m}med at þe brynkeȝ. 384 Þe moste mou{n}tay{n}eȝ on mor þe{n}ne watȝ no more dryȝe, [Sidenote: People flock to the mountains.] & þ{er}-on flokked þe folke, for ferde of þe wrake, Syþen þe wylde of þe wode on þe wat{er} flette; [Sidenote: Some swim for their lives.] Su{m}me swy{m}med þ{er}-on þat saue hemself trawed, 388 Su{m}me styȝe to a stud & stared to þe heuen, [Sidenote: Others roar for fear.] Rwly wyth a loud rurd rored for drede. [Sidenote: Animals of all kinds run to the hills.] Hareȝ, hertteȝ also, to þe hyȝe ru{n}nen, Bukkeȝ, bauseneȝ & buleȝ to þe bonkkeȝ hyȝed, 392 [Sidenote: All pray for mercy.] & alle cryed for care to þe ky{n}g of heuen, Re-cou{er}er of þe creator, þay cryed vchone, [Sidenote: God’s mercy is passed from them.] Þat amou{n}ted þe masse, þe mase his mercy watȝ passed, & alle his pyte departed fro peple þat he hated. 396 [Sidenote: [Fol. 62b.]] Bi þat þe flod to her fete floȝed & waxed, [Sidenote: Each sees that he must sink.] Þen vche a segge seȝ wel þat synk hy{m} byhoued; Frendeȝ fellen i{n} fere & faþmed togeder To dryȝ her delful deystyné & dyȝen alle samen; 400 [Sidenote: Friends take leave of one another.] Luf lokeȝ to luf & his leue takeȝ, For to ende alle at oneȝ & for eu{er} twy{n}ne. [Sidenote: Forty days have gone by, and all are destroyed.] By forty dayeȝ wern faren, on folde no flesch styryed, Þat þe flod nade al freten w{i}t{h} feȝtande waȝeȝ[18], 404 For hit clam vche a clyffe cubit{es} fyftene, Ou{er} þe hyȝest hylle þat hurkled on erþe.

[Headnote: ALL ROT IN THE MUD.]

[Sidenote: All rot in the mud, except Noah and his family, who are safe in the ark.] Þe{n}ne mo{ur}kne i{n} þe mudde most ful nede Alle þat spyrakle i{n}-spranc,[19] no sprawly{n}g awayled, 408 Saue þe haþel vnder hach & his here strau{n}ge, Noe þat ofte neuened þe name of oure lorde, Hy{m} aȝt-su{m} i{n} þat ark as aþel god lyked, Þer alle ledeȝ i{n} lome lenged druye, 412 [Sidenote: The ark is lifted as high as the clouds, and is driven about, without mast, bowline, cables, anchors, or sail to guide its course.] Þe arc houen watȝ on hyȝe w{i}t{h} hurlande goteȝ, Kest to kytheȝ vncouþe þe clowdeȝ ful nere. Hit walt{er}ed on þe wylde flod, went as hit lyste, Drof vpon þe depe dam, i{n} dau{n}g{er} hit semed, 416 With-oute{n} mast, oþ{er} myke, oþ{er} myry bawelyne, Kable, oþ{er} capstan to clyppe to he{r} ankreȝ, Hurrok, oþ{er} hande-helme hasped on roþ{er}, Oþ{er} any sweande sayl to seche aft{er} hauen, 420 [Sidenote: At the mercy of the winds.] Bot flote forthe w{i}t{h} þe flyt of þe felle wyndeȝ; Wheder-warde so þe wat{er} wafte, hit rebou{n}de. [Sidenote: Oft it rolled around and reared on end.] Ofte hit roled on-rou{n}de & rered on ende, Nyf oure lorde hade ben her lodeȝ-mon he{m} had lu{m}pen harde. 424 [Sidenote: The age of the patriarch Noah.] Of þe lenþe of noe lyf to lay a lel date, Þe sex hundreth of his age & none odde ȝereȝ, Of seco{n}de monyth, þe seue{n}þe day ryȝteȝ, [Sidenote: Duration of the flood.] To-walten alle þyse welle-hedeȝ & þe wat{er} flowed, 428 & þryeȝ fyfty þe flod of folwande dayeȝ, Vche hille watȝ þer hidde w{i}t{h} yreȝ[20] ful graye; [Sidenote: The completeness of the destruction.] Al watȝ wasted þat þer wonyed þe worlde w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne, Þer eu{er} flote, oþ{er} flwe, oþ{er} on fote ȝede, 432 [Sidenote: [Fol. 63a.]] That roȝly watȝ þe remnau{n}t þat þe rac dryueȝ, Þat alle gendreȝ so ioyst wern ioyned wyth-i{n}ne. [Sidenote: God remembers those in the ark.] Bot quen þe lorde of þe lyfte lyked hymseluen For to my{n}ne on his mon his meth þat abydeȝ, 436 [Sidenote: He causes a wind to blow, and closes the lakes and wells, and the great deep.] Þe{n} he wakened a wynde on watt{er}eȝ to blowe; Þe{n}ne lasned þe llak[21] þat large watȝ are, Þen he stac vp þe stangeȝ, stoped þo welleȝ, Bed bly{n}ne of þe rayn, hit batede as fast, 440 Þe{n}ne lasned þe loȝ lowkande to-geder. Aft{er} harde dayeȝ wern out an hundreth & fyfté, As þat lyftande lome luged aboute, Where þe wynde & þe weder warpen hit wolde, 444 Hit saȝtled on a softe day synkande to grou{n}de.

[Headnote: THE ARK RESTS ON MOUNT ARARAT.]

[Sidenote: The ark settles on Mount Ararat.] On a rasse of a rok, hit rest at þe laste, On þe mou{n}te of mararach of armene hilles, Þat oþ{er}-wayeȝ on ebrv hit hat þe thanes. 448 Bot þaȝ þe kyste in þe crageȝ wern closed to byde, Ȝet fyned not þe flod ne fel to þe boþemeȝ, [Sidenote: Noah beholds the bare earth.] Bot þe hyȝest of þe eggeȝ vnhuled wern a lyttel, Þat þe burne by{n}ne borde byhelde þe bare erþe; 452 [Sidenote: He opens his window and sends out the raven to seek dry land.] Þe{n}ne wafte he vpon his wyndowe, & wysed þ{er}-oute A message fro þat meyny hem moldeȝ to seche, Þat watȝ þe rauen so ronk þat rebel watȝ eu{er}; He watȝ colored as þe cole, corbyal vn-trwe. 456 & he fongeȝ to þe flyȝt, & fa{n}neȝ on þe wyndeȝ, Houeȝ hyȝe upon hyȝt to herken tyþy{n}ges. [Sidenote: The raven “croaks for comfort” on finding carrion.] He croukeȝ for comfort when carayne he fyndeȝ; Kast vp on a clyffe þer costese lay drye, 460 He hade þe smelle of þe smach & smolt{es} þeder sone, [Sidenote: He fills his belly with the foul flesh.] Falleȝ on þe foule flesch & fylleȝ his wombe, & sone ȝederly for-ȝete ȝister-day steuen, How þe cheuetayn hy{m} charged þ{a}t þe kyst ȝemed. 464 Þe rauen raykeȝ hy{m} forth þat reches ful lyttel How alle fodeȝ þer fare, elleȝ he fynde mete;

[Headnote: NOAH SENDS FORTH A DOVE.]

[Sidenote: The lord of the ark curses the raven, and sends out the dove.] Bot þe burne by{n}ne borde[22] þat bod to hys come, Ba{n}ned hy{m} ful bytt{er}ly w{i}t{h} best{es} alle samen, 468 [Sidenote: [Fol. 63b.]] He secheȝ an oþ{er} sondeȝmon & setteȝ on þe dou{n}e;[23] Bry{n}geȝ þat bryȝt vpon borde blessed & sayde, “Wende worþelych wyȝt v{us} woneȝ to seche, Dryf ou{er} þis dy{m}me wat{er}; if þ{o}u druye fyndeȝ 472 Bry{n}g bodworde to bot blysse to v{us} alle; Þaȝ þat fowle be false, fre be þ{o}u euer.” [Sidenote: The bird wanders about the whole day.] Ho wyrl{e} out on þe weder o{n} wy{n}geȝ ful scharpe, Dreȝly alle a longe day þ{a}t dorst neu{er} lyȝt; 476 [Sidenote: Finding no rest, she returns about eventide to Noah.] & when ho fyndeȝ no folde her fote on to pyche, Ho vmbe-kesteȝ þe coste & þe kyst secheȝ, Ho hitteȝ on þe euentyde & on þe ark sitteȝ; Noe ny{m}mes hir anon & naytly hir staueȝ. 480 [Sidenote: Noah again sends out the dove.] Noe on anoþ{er} day ny{m}meȝ efte þe dovene, & byddeȝ hir bowe ou{er} þe borne efte bonkeȝ to seche; & ho skyrmeȝ vnder skwe & skowteȝ aboute, Tyl hit watȝ nyȝe at þe naȝt & noe þe{n} secheȝ. 484

[Sidenote 17: _stynteȝ_ (?).] [Sidenote 18: _waweȝ_ (?).] [Sidenote 19: _in-sprang_ (?).] [Sidenote 20: _yþeȝ_ (?).] [Sidenote 21: So in MS.] [Sidenote 22: MS. _lorde_.] [Sidenote 23: _douue_ or _douene_ (?).]

[Headnote: NOAH LEAVES THE ARK.]

VI.

[Sidenote: The dove returns with an olive branch in her beak.] On ark on an euentyde houeȝ þe downe, On stamyn ho stod & stylle hy{m} abydeȝ; What! ho broȝt i{n} hir beke a bronch of olyue, G{ra}cyo{us}ly vmbe-grouen al w{i}t{h} grene leueȝ; 488 [Sidenote: This was a token of peace and reconciliation.] Þat watȝ þe sy{n}gne of sauyté þ{a}t sende he{m} oure lorde, & þe saȝtly{n}g of hy{m}-self w{i}t{h} þo sely besteȝ. [Sidenote: Joy reigns in the ark.] Þe{n} watȝ þer ioy i{n} pat gyn where Iu{m}pred er dryȝed, & much comfort i{n} þat cofer þat watȝ clay-daubed. 492 [Sidenote: The people therein laugh and look thereout.] Myryly on a fayr morn, monyth þe fyrst, Þat falleȝ formast i{n} þe ȝer, & þe fyrst day, Ledeȝ loȝen i{n} þat lome & loked þ{er}-oute, How þat watt{er}eȝ wern woned & þe worlde dryed. 496 Vchon loued oure lorde, bot lenged ay stylle, Tyl þay had tyþy{n}g fro þe tolke þat tyned he{m} þ{er}-i{n}ne; [Sidenote: God permits Noah and his sons to leave the ark.] Þe{n} godeȝ glam to hem glod þat gladed hem alle, Bede hem drawe to þe dor, delyu{er} hem he wolde; 500 Þe{n} went þay to þe wykket, hit walt vpon sone, Boþe þe burne & his barneȝ bowed þ{er}-oute; Her wyueȝ walkeȝ hem wyth & þe wylde aft{er}, Þroly þrublande i{n} þronge, þrowen ful þykke; 504 [Sidenote: [Fol. 64a.]] [Sidenote: Noah offers sacrifice to God.] Bot Noe of vche honest kynde nem out an odde & heuened vp an auter & halȝed hit fayre, & sette a sakerfyse þ{er}-on of vch a ser kynde, Þat watȝ comly & clene, god kepeȝ non oþ{er}. 508 When bremly brened þose besteȝ, & þe breþe rysed, [Sidenote: It is pleasing to Him that “all speeds or spoils.”] Þe sauo{ur} of his sacrafyse soȝt to hym euen Þat al spedeȝ & spylleȝ; he spek{es} w{i}t{h} þat ilke I{n} comly comfort ful clos & cortays wordeȝ: 512 [Sidenote: God declares that He will never destroy the world for the sin of man.] “Now noe no more nel I neu{er} wary, Alle þe mukel mayny [on] molde for no ma{n}neȝ sy{n}neȝ, For I se wel þat hit is sothe, þat alle ma{n}neȝ wytteȝ To vn-þryfte arn alle þrawen w{i}t{h} þoȝt of her hertteȝ, 516 & ay hatȝ ben & wyl be ȝet fro her barnage; Al is þe mynde of þe man to malyce enclyned, For-þy schal I neu{er} schende so schortly at ones, As dysstrye al for maneȝ sy{n}ne [in] dayeȝ of þis erþe. 520 Bot waxeȝ now & wendeȝ forth & worþeȝ to monye, Multyplyeȝ on þis molde & menske yow by-tyde. [Sidenote: That summer and winter shall never cease.] Sesou{n}eȝ schal yow neu{er} sese of sede ne of heruest, Ne hete, ne no harde forst, vmbre ne droȝþe, 524 Ne þe swetnesse of somer, ne þe sadde wynt{er}, [Sidenote: Nor night nor day, nor the new years.] Ne þe nyȝt, ne þe day, ne þe newe ȝereȝ, Bot eu{er} re{n}ne restleȝ rengneȝ ȝe þ{er}-i{n}ne.” [Sidenote: God blesses every beast.] Þ{er}wyth he blesseȝ vch a best, & bytaȝt hem þis erþe. 528

[Headnote: THE BEASTS ARE DISPERSED.]

Þe{n} watȝ a skylly skyualde, quen scaped alle þe wylde; [Sidenote: Each fowl takes its flight.] Vche fowle to þe flyȝt þat fyþereȝ myȝt serue, [Sidenote: Each fish goes to the flood.] Vche fysch to þe flod þat fy{n}ne couþe nayte, [Sidenote: Each beast makes for the plain.] Vche beste to þe bent þat[24] byt{es} on erbeȝ; 532 [Sidenote: Wild worms wriggle to their abodes in the earth.] Wylde wormeȝ to her won wryþeȝ i{n} þe erþe, [Sidenote: The fox goes to the woods.] Þe fox & þe folmarde to þe fryth wyndeȝ, [Sidenote: Harts to the heath, and hares to the gorse.] Hertt{es} to hyȝe heþe, hareȝ to gorsteȝ, [Sidenote: Lions and leopards go to the lakes.] & lyou{n}eȝ & lebardeȝ to þe lake ryft{es}, 536 [Sidenote: Eagles and hawks to the high rocks.] Herneȝ & hauekeȝ to þe hyȝe rocheȝ; Þe hole-foted fowle to þe flod hyȝeȝ, & vche best at a brayde þer hy{m} best lykeȝ; [Sidenote: The four ‘frekes’ take the empire.] Þe fowre frekeȝ of þe folde fongeȝ þe empyre. 540 [Sidenote: [Fol. 64b.]] [Sidenote: Behold what woe God brought on mankind for their hateful deeds!] Lo! suche a wrakful wo for wlatsu{m} dedeȝ Parformed þe hyȝe fader on folke þat he made; Þat he chysly hade cherisched he chastysed ful hardee, I{n} de-voydy{n}ge þe vylanye þ{a}t venkquyst his þeweȝ. 544 For-þy war þe now, wyȝe, þat worschyp desyres, I{n} his comlych co{ur}te þat ky{n}g is of blysse, [Sidenote: Beware of the filth of the flesh.] I{n} þe fylþe of þe flesch þat þ{o}u be fou{n}den neu{er}, Tyl any wat{er} i{n} þe worlde to wasche þe fayly, 548 For is no segge vnder su{n}ne so seme of his crafteȝ, If he be sulped i{n} sy{n}ne, þat [ne] sytteȝ vnclene. [Sidenote: “One speck of a spot” will ruin us in the sight of God.] On spec of a spote may spede to mysse Of þe syȝte of þe sou{er}ayn þat sytteȝ so hyȝe, 552 For þat schewe me schale i{n} þo schyre howseȝ, [Sidenote: The beryl is clean and sound,--it has no seam.] As þe beryl bornyst byhoueȝ be clene, Þat is sou{n}de on vche a syde & no sem habes, W{i}t{h}-outen maskle oþ{er} mote as margerye p{er}le. 556

[Sidenote 24: MS. _þat þat_.]

[Headnote: GOD’S HATRED OF WICKEDNESS.]

VII.

[Sidenote: When God repented that he had made man, he destroyed all flesh.] Syþe{n} þe sou{er}ayn i{n} sete so sore for-þoȝt Þat eu{er} he man vpon molde merked to lyuy, For he i{n} fylþe watȝ fallen, felly he uenged, Quen fo{ur}ferde[25] alle þe flesch þat he formed hade, 560 [Sidenote: But afterwards He was sorry, and made a covenant with mankind that He would not again destroy all the living.] Hy{m} rwed þat he hem vp-rerde & raȝt hem lyflode, & efte þat he he{m} vndyd, hard hit hym þoȝt; For quen þe swemande sorȝe soȝt to his hert, He knyt a couenau{n}de cortaysly w{i}t{h} monkynde þ{er}e, 564 In þe mesure of his mode & meþe of his wylle, Þat he schulde neu{er} for no syt smyte al at oneȝ, As to quelle alle quykeȝ for qued þat myȝt falle, Whyl of þe lenþe of þe londe lasteȝ þe t{er}me. 568 Þat ilke skyl for no scaþe ascaped hy{m} neu{er}, Wheder wonderly he wrak on wykked men aft{er}; [Sidenote: For the filth of the flesh God destroyed a rich city.] Ful felly for þat ilk faute forferde a kyth ryche, I{n} þe anger of his ire þat arȝed mony; 572 & al watȝ for þis ilk euel, þat vn-happen glette, Þe venym & þe vylanye & þe vycios fylþe, Þat by-sulpeȝ ma{n}neȝ saule i{n} vnsou{n}de hert, Þat he his saueour ne see w{i}t{h} syȝt of his yȝen, 576 [Sidenote: [Fol. 65a.]] [Sidenote: God hates the wicked as “hell that stinks.”] Þat alle illeȝ he hates as helle þat stynkkeȝ; Bot non nuyeȝ hy{m}, on naȝt ne neu{er} vpon dayeȝ, [Sidenote: Especially harlotry and blasphemy.] As harlottrye vn-honest, heþy{n}g of seluen; Þat schameȝ for no schrewedschyp schent mot he worþe! 580 Bot sauyo{ur} mon i{n} þy self, þaȝ þ{o}u a sotte lyuie, Þaȝ þ{o}u bere þy self babel, by-þenk þe su{m}-tyme, Wheþer he þat stykked vche a stare i{n} vche steppe yȝe, Ȝif hy{m} self[26] be bore blynd{e} hit is a brod wonder; 584 & he þat fetly i{n} face fettled alle eres If he[27] hatȝ losed þe lysten hit lyfteȝ meruayle; [Sidenote: Nothing is hidden from God.] Trave þ{o}u neu{er} þat tale, vn-trwe þ{o}u hit fyndeȝ, Þer is no dede so derne þat ditteȝ his yȝen; 588 Þer is no wyȝe i{n} his werk so war ne so stylle Þat hit ne þraweȝ to hym þre[28] er he hit þoȝt haue; [Sidenote: God is the ground of all deeds.] For he is þe gropande god, þe grou{n}de of alle dedeȝ, Rypande of vche a ri{n}g[29] þe reynyeȝ & hert; 592 [Sidenote: He honours the man that is honest and whole.] & þere he fyndeȝ al fayre a freke wyth-i{n}ne Þat hert honest & hol, þat haþel he hono{ur}eȝ, Sendeȝ hy{m} a sad syȝt to se his auen face, & harde honyseȝ þise oþ{er} & of his erde flemeȝ. 596 [Sidenote: But for deeds of shame He destroys the mighty ones.] Bot of þe dome of þe douþe for dedeȝ of schame He is so skoymos of þat skaþe, he scarreȝ bylyue, He may not dryȝe to draw allyt, bot drepeȝ i{n} hast & þat watȝ schewed schortly by a scaþe oneȝ. 600

[Sidenote 25: _for-ferde_ (?).] [Sidenote 26: MS. _sele._] [Sidenote 27: MS. _he he._] [Sidenote 28: _þer_ (?).] [Sidenote 29: _rink_ or _renk_ (?).]

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

VIII.

[Sidenote: Abraham is sitting before his house-door under a green oak.] Olde Abraham i{n} erde oneȝ he sytteȝ Euen byfore his ho{us}-dore vnder an oke grene; Bryȝt blykked þe bem of þe brode heuen, I{n} þe hyȝe hete þ{er}-of Abraham bideȝ, 604 He watȝ schu{n}t to þe schadow vnder schyre leueȝ; [Sidenote: He sees three men coming along, and goes toward them.] Þe{n}ne watȝ he war on þe waye of wlonk wyȝeȝ þry{n}ne. If þay wer farande & fre & fayre to beholde, Hit is eþe to leue by þe last ende; 608 For þe lede þat þer laye þe leueȝ an-vnder, When he hade of hem syȝt he hyȝeȝ bylyue, & as to god þe good mon gos hem agayneȝ & haylsed hem i{n} onhede & sayde, “hende lorde 612 [Sidenote: [Fol. 65b.]] Ȝif eu{er} þy mon vpon molde merit disserued, [Sidenote: He entreats them to rest awhile, that he may wash their feet, and bring them a morsel of bread.] Lenge a lyttel with þy lede I loȝly bi-seche; Passe neu{er} fro þi pou{er}e, ȝif I hit pray durst, Er þ{o}u haf biden with þi burne & vnder boȝe restted; 616 & I schal wy{n}ne yow wyȝt of wat{er} a lyttel, & fast aboute schal I fare yo{ur} fette wer waschene; Restteȝ here on þis rote & I schal rachche aft{er} & bry{n}ge a morsel of bred to banne yo{ur} hertte.” 620 “Fare forthe,” q{uod} þe frekeȝ, “& fech as þ{o}u seggeȝ; By bole of þis brode tre we byde þe here.” [Sidenote: Abraham commands Sarah to make some cakes quickly, and tells his servant to seethe a tender kid.] Þe{n}ne orppedly i{n}-to his ho{us} he hyȝed to Saré Comau{n}ded hir to be cof & quyk at þis oneȝ; 624 “Þre metteȝ of mele menge & ma kakeȝ, Vnder askeȝ ful hote happe hem byliue; Quyl I fete su{m}quat fat þ{o}u þe fyr bete, Prestly at þis ilke poynte su{m} polment to make.” 628 He cached to his cobho{us}[30] & a calf bry{n}geȝ Þat watȝ tender & not toȝe; bed tyrne of þe hyde, & sayde to his seruau{n}t þ{a}t he hit seþe faste & he deruely at his dome dyȝt hit bylyue. 632 [Sidenote: Abraham appears bare-headed before his guests.] Þe burne to be bare-heued buskeȝ hy{m} þe{n}ne, [Sidenote: He casts a clean cloth on the green, and sets before them cakes, butter, milk, and pottage.] Clecheȝ to a clene cloþe & kesteȝ on þe grene, Þrwe þryftyly þ{er}-on þo þre þerue kakeȝ, & bry{n}geȝ butt{er} wyth-al, & by þe bred setteȝ 636 Mete; messeȝ of mylke he merkkeȝ bytwene, Syþe{n} potage & polment i{n} plater honest; As sewer i{n} a god assyse he serued hem fayre, Wyth sadde semblau{n}t & swete of such as he hade, 640

[Headnote: GOD DISCLOSES HIS PURPOSE TO ABRAHAM.]

[Sidenote: God praises his friend’s feast, and after the meat is removed, He tells Abraham that Sarah shall bear him a son.] & god as a glad gest mad god chere, Þat watȝ fayn of his frende & his fest praysed. Abraham, al hodleȝ w{i}t{h} armeȝ vp-folden, Mynystred mete byfore þo men þat myȝtes al weldeȝ; 644 Þe{n}ne þay sayden, as þay sete same{n} alle þry{n}ne, When þe mete watȝ remued & þay of mensk speken, “I schal efte here away abram,” þay sayden, “Ȝet er þy lyueȝ lyȝt leþe vpon erþe, 648 [Sidenote: [Fol. 66a.]] & þe{n}ne schal saré consayue & a su{n} bere, Þat schal be abrahameȝ ayre, & aft{er} hy{m} wy{n}ne W{i}t{h} wele & wyth worschyp þe worþely peple Þat schal halde i{n} heritage, þat I haf men ȝark.” 652 [Sidenote: Sarah, who is behind the door, laughs in unbelief.] Þe{n}ne þe burde byhynde þe dor for busmar laȝed; & sayde sothly[31] to hir-self saré þe madde: “May þ{o}u traw for tykle þat þ{o}u to{n}ne moȝteȝ, & I so hyȝe out of age & also my lorde,” 656 For soþely, as says þe wryt, he wern of sadde elde, Boþe þe wyȝe & his wyf, such werk watȝ hem fayled, Fro mony a brod day by-fore ho barayn ay byene,[32] Þat selue saré w{i}t{h}-outen sede i{n}-to þat same tyme. 660 [Sidenote: God tells Abraham that Sarah laughs at His words.] Þe{n}ne sayde oure syre þer he sete “se! so saré laȝes, Not trawande þe tale þat I þe to schewed; Hopeȝ ho oȝt may be harde my hondeȝ to work? & ȝet I a-vow v{er}ayly þe avau{n}t þat I made, 664 I schal ȝeply aȝayn & ȝelde þat I hyȝt, & sothely sende to saré a soñ & an hayre.” [Sidenote: Sarah denies that she laughed.] Þe{n}ne swenged forth saré & swer by hir trawþe, Þat for lot þat þay lansed[33] ho laȝed neu{er}. 668 “Now i{n}nogh{e} hit is not so” þe{n}ne n{ur}ned þe dryȝtyn, “For þ{o}u laȝed aloȝ, bot let we hit one.” [Sidenote: Abraham’s guests set out towards Sodom, two miles from Mamre.] With þat þay ros vp radly as þay rayke schulde, & setten toward sodamas her syȝt alle at-oneȝ; 672 For þat Cite þ{er} bysyde watȝ sette i{n} a vale, No myleȝ fro mambre mo þe{n} tweyne, Where-so wonyed þis ilke wyȝ þat wendeȝ w{i}t{h} oure lorde, For to tent hy{m} w{i}t{h} tale & teche hy{m} þe gate, 676 [Sidenote: The patriarch accompanies them.] Þen glydeȝ forth god, þe godmo{n} hy{m} folȝeȝ. Abraham heldeȝ hem wyth, he{m} to co{n}ueye, I{n} towarde þe Cety of sodamas þat sy{n}ned had þe{n}ne I{n} þe faute of þis fylþe; þe fader hem þretes, 680 & sayde þ{us} to þe segg þat sued hy{m} aft{er}: [Sidenote: God determines to reveal to Abraham his secret purposes.] “How myȝt I hyde myn hert fro habraham þe trwe, Þat I ne dyscou{er}ed to his corse my cou{n}sayl so dere. Syþen he is chosen to be chef chyldryn fader, 684 [Sidenote: [Fol. 66b.]] Þat so folk schal falle fro, to flete alle þe worlde, & vche blod i{n} þat burne blessed schal worþe. Me bos telle to þat tolk þe tene of my wylle & alle myn atly{n}g to abraham vn-haspe bilyue. 688

[Sidenote 30: _cov-hous_ = cow-house (?).] [Sidenote 31: ? _softly_ or _sotly_ = foolishly] [Sidenote 32: ? _bycame_.] [Sidenote 33: _laused_ (?).]

[Headnote: THE FILTHINESS OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH.]

IX.

[Sidenote: He informs him of the destruction about to fall upon the cities of the plain, for their great wickedness, in abusing the gifts bestowed upon them.] “The grete sou{n} of sodamas synkkeȝ i{n} my{n} ereȝ, & þe gult of gomorre gareȝ me to wrath; I schal lyȝt i{n}-to þat led & loke my seluen, If[34] þay haf don as þe dyne dryueȝ on-lofte, 692 Þay han lerned a lyst þat lykeȝ me ille, Þat þay han fou{n}den i{n} her flesch of fauteȝ þe werst, Vch male matȝ his mach a man as hy{m} seluen, & fylt{er} folyly i{n} fere, on fe{m}maleȝ wyse. 696 I compast hem a kynde crafte & kende hit hem derne, [Sidenote: The ordinance of marriage had been made for them, but they foully set it at nought.] & amed hit i{n} my{n} ordenau{n}ce oddely dere, & dyȝt drwry þer-i{n}ne, doole alþ{er}-swettest, & þe play of paramoreȝ I portrayed my seluen; 700 & made þer-to a man{er} myriest of oþ{er}, When two true togeder had tyȝed hem seluen, By-twene a male & his make such m{er}þe schulde conne;[35] Wel nyȝe pure paradys moȝt preue no bett{er}, 704 Elleȝ þay moȝt honestly ayþ{er} oþ{er} welde. At a stylle stollen steuen, vnstered wyth syȝt, [Sidenote: The flame of love.] Luf lowe hem bytwene lasched so hote, Þat alle þe meschefeȝ on mold moȝt hit not sleke; 708 Now haf þay skyfted my skyl & scorned natwre, [Sidenote: Therefore shall they be destroyed as an example to all men for ever.] & hentteȝ hem i{n} heþy{n}g an vsage vn-clene; Hem to smyte for þat smod smartly I þenk Þat wyȝeȝ schal be by hem war, worlde w{i}t{h}-outen ende.” 712

[Headnote: ABRAHAM PLEADS FOR THE CITIES.]

[Sidenote: Abraham is full of fear, and asks God whether the “sinful and the sinless” are to suffer together.] Þe{n}ne arȝed abraham & alle his mod chau{n}ge[d], For hope of þe harde hate þat hyȝt hatȝ oure lorde; Al sykande he sayde “s{ir} w{i}t{h} yor leue, Schal synful & sakleȝ suffer al on payne; 716 Weþ{er} eu{er} hit lyke my lorde to lyfte such domeȝ, Þat þe wykked & þe worþy schal on wrake suffer, & weye vpon þe worre half þat wrathed þe neu{er}? Þat watȝ neu{er} þy won þat wroȝteȝ v{us} alle. 720 [Sidenote: [Fol. 67a.]] [Sidenote: Whether he will spare the cities provided fifty righteous are found in them?] Now fyfty fyn frendeȝ wer fou{n}de i{n} ȝonde toune In þe Cety of Sodamas & also gomorré Þat neu{er} lakked þy laue, bot loued ay trauþe, & reȝt-ful wern & resou{n}able & redy þe to serue, 724 Schal þay falle i{n} þe faute þat oþ{er} frekeȝ wroȝt & ioyne to her iuggement her iuise to haue? Þat nas neu{er} þyn note, vnneuened hit worþe, Þat art so gaynly a god & of goste mylde!” 728 [Sidenote: For the sake of fifty the cities shall be spared.] “Nay for fyfty,” q{uod} þe fader, “& þy fayre speche, &[36] þay be fou{n}den i{n} þat folk of her fylþe clene, I schal for-gyue alle þe gylt þurȝ my g{ra}ce one, & let hem smolt al unsmyten smoþely atoneȝ.” 732 [Sidenote: The patriarch beseeches God to spare the city for the sake of forty-five righteous.] “AA! blessed be þow,” q{uod} þe burne, “so boner & þewed, & al haldeȝ i{n} þy honde, þe heuen & þe erþe, Bot for I haf þis talke tatȝ to non ille, Ȝif I mele a lyttel more þat mul am & askeȝ; 736 What if fyue faylen of fyfty þe nou{m}bre, & þe remnau{n}t be reken, how restes þy wylle?” [Sidenote: For the lack of five the cities shall not be destroyed.] “And fyue wont of fyfty,” q{uod} god, “I schal forȝete alle & wyth-halde my honde for horty{n}g on lede.” 740 “& quat if faurty be fre & fauty þyse oþ{er} Schalt þow schortly al schende & schape non oþ{er}.” [Sidenote: For forty the cities shall be spared.] “Nay þaȝ faurty forfete ȝet fryst I a whyle, & voyde away my vengau{n}ce, þaȝ me vyl þynk.” 744 Þe{n} abraham obeched hym & loȝly hi{m} þonkkeȝ, “Now sayned be þou sauio{ur}, so symple i{n} þy wrath! I am bot erþe ful euel & vsle so blake, [Sidenote: Abraham entreats God’s forbearance for his speech.] Forto mele wyth such a mayst{er} as myȝteȝ hatȝ alle, 748 Bot I haue by-go{n}nen wyth my god, & he hit gay{n} þynkeȝ, Ȝif I for-loyne as a fol þy frau{n}chyse may serue; What if þretty þryuande be þrad i{n} ȝon tou{n}eȝ, What schal I leue if my lorde, if he hem leþe wolde?” 752 Þe{n}ne þe godlych god gef hy{m} onsware, [Sidenote: Thirty righteous, found in the cities, shall save them from destruction.] “Ȝet for þretty i{n} þrong I schal my þro steke, & spare spakly of spyt i{n} space of my þeweȝ, & my rankor refrayne fo{ur} þy reken wordeȝ.” 756 [Sidenote: [Fol. 67b.]] “What for twenty,” q{uod} þe tolke, “vntwyneȝ þ{o}u hem þe{n}ne?” “Nay, ȝif þ{o}u ȝerneȝ hit, ȝet ȝark I hem g{ra}ce; [Sidenote: For the sake of twenty guiltless ones God will release the rest.] If þat twenty be trwe I tene hem no more, Bot relece alle þat regiou{n} of her ronk werkkeȝ.” 760 “Now aþel lorde,” q{uod} Abraham, “oneȝ a speche & I schal schape no more þo schalkkeȝ to helpe; If ten trysty i{n} toune be tan i{n} þi werkkeȝ [Sidenote: Or if ten only should be found pure.] Wylt þ{o}u mese þy mode & menddy{n}g abyde?” 764 “I grau{n}t,” q{uod} þe grete god, “grau{n}t mercy,” þ{a}t oþ{er}. & þe{n}ne arest þe renk & raȝt no fyrre; & godde glydeȝ his gate by þose grene wayeȝ & he co{n}ueyen hy{m} con w{i}t{h} cast of his yȝe, 768 [Sidenote: The patriarch intercedes for Lot.] & als he loked along þere as oure lorde passed, Ȝet he cryed hy{m} aft{er} w{i}t{h} careful steuen: “Meke mayst{er} on þy mon to my{n}ne if þe lyked, Loth lengeȝ i{n} ȝon leede þat is my lef broþ{er}, 772 He sytteȝ þer i{n} sodomis, þy seruau{n}t so pou{er}e Among þo mansed men þat han þe much g{r}eued; [Sidenote: Beseeches Him to “temper His ire,” and then departs weeping for sorrow.] Ȝif þ{o}u tyneȝ þat tou{n}, te{m}pre þyn yre As þy mersy may malte þy meke to spare.” 776 Þe{n} he wendeȝ, wendeȝ his way wepande for care To-warde þe mere of mambre wepande for so[rȝe,][37] & þere i{n} longy{n}g al nyȝt he lengeȝ i{n} wones, Whyl þe sou{er}ayn to sodamas sende to spye. 780

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

[Headnote: MESSENGERS ARE SENT TO LOT.]

X.

[Sidenote: God’s messengers go to Sodom.] His sondes i{n}-to sodamas watȝ sende i{n} þat tyme, I{n} þat ilk euentyde, by au{n}gels tweyne, Meuand meuande[38] mekely togeder as myry me{n} ȝonge, [Sidenote: Lot is sitting alone at the “door of his lodge.”] As loot i{n} a loge dor lened hy{m} alone, 784 I{n} a porche of þat place pyȝt to þe ȝat{es}, Þat watȝ ryal & ryche, so watȝ þe renk{es} seluen. [Sidenote: Staring into the street he sees two men.] As he stared i{n}-to þe strete þ{er} stout men played He syȝe þer swey i{n} asent swete men tweyne; 788 [Sidenote: Beardless chins they had, and hair like raw silk.] Bolde burneȝ wer þay boþe w{i}t{h} berdles chy{n}neȝ, Royl rollande fax to raw sylk lyke, Of ble as þe brere flo{ur} where-so þe bare scheweed, Ful clene watȝ þe cou{n}tenau{n}ce of her cler yȝen; 792 [Sidenote: [Fol. 68a.]] [Sidenote: Beautifully white were their weeds.] Wlonk whit watȝ her wede & wel hit hem semed. Of alle fetureȝ ful fyn & fautleȝ boþe; Watȝ non autly i{n} ouþ{er}, for aungels hit wern, & þat þe ȝep vnder-ȝede þat i{n} þe ȝate sytteȝ. 796

[Headnote: LOT ENTERTAINS THE MESSENGERS.]

[Sidenote: Lot runs to meet them.] He ros vp ful radly & ran hem to mete & loȝe he louteȝ hem to, loth, to þe grou{n}de, & syþen soberly [satȝ] “syreȝ I yow by-seche, [Sidenote: Invites them to remain awhile in his house, and in the morning they may take their way.] Þat ȝe wolde lyȝt at my loge & lenge þ{er}-i{n}ne, 800 Comeȝ to yo{ur} knaues kote I craue at þis oneȝ; I schal fette yow a fatte yo{ur} fette forto wasche; I norne yow bot for on nyȝt neȝe me to lenge, & i{n} þe myry morny{n}g ȝe may yo{ur} waye take.” 804 & þay nay þat þay nolde neȝ no howseȝ, Bot stylly þer i{n} þe strete as þay stadde wern, Þay wolde lenge þe long naȝt & logge þ{er}-oute; Hit watȝ ho{us} innoȝe to hem þe heuen vpon lofte. 808 [Sidenote: Lot invites them so long that at last they comply.] Loth laþed so longe wyth luflych wordeȝ, Þat þay hy{m} grau{n}ted to go & gruȝt no leng{er}. Þe bolde to his byggy{n}g bryngeȝ hem bylyue, [Sidenote: The wife and daughters of Lot welcome their visitors.] Þat ryally [watȝ] arayed, for he watȝ ryche eu{er}. 812 Þe wyȝeȝ wern welcom as þe wyf couþe, His two dere doȝt{er}eȝ deuoutly he{m} haylsed, Þat wer maydeneȝ ful meke, maryed not ȝet, & þay wer semly & swete, & swyþe wel arayed. 816 [Sidenote: Lot admonishes his men to prepare the meat, and to serve no salt with it.] Loth þe{n}ne ful lyȝtly lokeȝ hy{m} aboute, & his me{n} amonest{es} mete forto dyȝt, Bot þenkkeȝ on hit be þrefte what þynk[39] so ȝe make, For wyth no so{ur}[40] ne no salt serueȝ hy{m} neu{er}. 820 Bot ȝet I wene þat þe wyf hit wroth[41] to dyspyt, & sayde softely to hir self “þis vn-sau{er}e[42] hyne Loueȝ no salt i{n} her sauce ȝet hit no skyl were Þat oþ{er} burne be boute þaȝ boþe be nyse.” 824 [Sidenote: Lot’s wife disregards the injunction.] Þe{n}ne ho sau{er}eȝ w{i}t{h} salt her seueȝ vchone Agayne þe bone of þe burne þat hit forboden hade, & als ho scelt he{m} i{n} scorne þat wel her skyl knewen. Why watȝ ho wrech so wod, ho wrathed oure lorde! 828 [Sidenote: [Fol. 68b.]] [Sidenote: The guests are well entertained.] Þe{n}ne seten þay at þe soper, wern serued by-lyue, Þe gest{es} gay & ful glad, of glam debonere, Welawy{n}nely wlonk tyl þay waschen hade, Þe trest{es} tylt to þe woȝe & þe table boþe. 832

[Headnote: LOT’S HOUSE IS BESET.]

[Sidenote: But before they go to rest the city is up in arms.] Fro þe seggeȝ haden souped & seten bot a whyle, Er eu{er} þay bosked to bedde þe borȝ watȝ al vp; Alle þat weppen myȝt welde, þe wakker & þe stronger, To vmbe-lyȝe lotheȝ ho{us} þe ledeȝ to take, 836 In grete flokkeȝ of folk, þay fallen to his ȝateȝ, As a scowte-wach scarred, so þe asscry rysed; [Sidenote: With “keen clubs” the folk clatter on the walls, and demand that Lot should deliver up his guests.] W{i}t{h} kene clobbeȝ of þat clos þay clatȝ on þe woweȝ, & wyth a schrylle scharp schout þay schewe þyse worde: 840 “If þ{o}u louyeȝ þy lyf loth i{n} þyse woneȝ Ȝete v{us} out þose ȝong men þat ȝore-whyle here entred, Þat we may lere hym[43] of lof, as oure lyst biddeȝ, As is þe asyse of Sodomas to seggeȝ þ{a}t passen.” 844 Whatt! þay sputen & speken of so spito{us} fylþe, What! þay ȝeȝed & ȝolped of ȝestande sorȝe, [Sidenote: The wind yet stinks with their filthy speech.] Þat ȝet þe wynd, & þe weder, & þe worlde stynk{es} Of þe brych þat vp-braydeȝ þose broþelych wordeȝ. 848 Þe god man glyfte w{i}t{h} þ{a}t glam & gloped for noyse, So scharpe schame to hy{m} schot, he schrank at þe hert, For he knew þe costou{m} þat kyþed þose wrecheȝ, He doted neu{er} for no doel so depe i{n} his my{n}de. 852 [Sidenote: Lot is in great trouble.] Allas! sayd hy{m} þe{n}ne loth, & lyȝtly he ryseȝ & boweȝ forth fro þe bench i{n}-to þe brode ȝat{es}. What! he wonded no woþe of wekked knaueȝ, Þat he ne passed þe port þe p{er}il[44] to abide. 856 [Sidenote: He leaves his guests and addresses the Sodomites.] He went forthe at þe wyket & waft hit hy{m} aft{er}, Þat a clyket hit cleȝt clos hy{m} byhynde. Þe{n}ne he meled to þo men mesurable wordeȝ, For harloteȝ w{i}t{h} his hendelayk he hoped to chast; 860 “Oo! my frendeȝ so fre, yo{ur} fare is to strange, Dotȝ away yo{ur} derf dyn & dereȝ neu{er} my gest{es}, Avoy! hit is yo{ur} vylaynye, ȝe vylen yo{ur} seluen; &[45] ȝe ar iolyf gentylmen yo{ur} iapes ar ille. 864 [Sidenote: [Fol. 69a.]] Bot I schal ke{n}ne yow by kynde a crafte þat is bett{er}; [Sidenote: He offers to give up to them his two daughters.] I haf a tresor i{n} my telde of tow my fayre deȝt{er}, Þat ar maydeneȝ vnmard for alle men ȝette; In sodamas, þaȝ I hit say, non semloker burdes, 868 Hit arn ronk, hit arn rype & redy to ma{n}ne; To samen wyth þo semly þe solace is bett{er}, I schal biteche yow þo two þat tayt arn & quoy{n}t, & laykeȝ wyth hem as yow lyst & leteȝ my gest{es} one.” 872 [Sidenote: The rebels raise a great noise, and ask who made him a justice to judge their deeds, who was but a boy when he came to Sodom.] Þe{n}ne þe rebaudeȝ so ronk rerd such a noyse, Þat aȝly hurled i{n} his ereȝ her harloteȝ speche; “Wost þ{o}u not wel þ{a}t þ{o}u woneȝ here a wyȝe strange, An out-comly{n}g, a carle, we kylle of þyn heued. 876 Who Ioyned þe be iostyse oure iapeȝ to blame, Þat com a boy to þis borȝ, þaȝ þ{o}u be burne ryche?” Þ{us} þay þrobled & þrong & þrwe vmbe his ereȝ, & distresed hy{m} wonder strayt, w{i}t{h} strenkþe i{n} þe prece, 880

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

[Sidenote: The young men bring Lot within doors, and smite those outside with blindness.] Bot þat þe ȝonge me{n}, so ȝepe, ȝornen þ{er}-oute, Wapped vpon þe wyket & wo{n}nen hem tylle, & by þe hondeȝ hy{m} hent & horyed hy{m} w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne, & steken þe ȝat{es} ston-harde wyth stalworth barreȝ. 884 Þay blwe a boffet i{n} blande þat ba{n}ned peple, Þat þay blust{er}ed as blynde as bayard watȝ eu{er}; [Sidenote: In vain they try to find the door of Lot’s house.] Þay lest of loteȝ loggi{n}g any lysou{n} to fynde, Bot nyteled þ{er} alle þe nyȝt for noȝt at þe last; 888 Þe{n}ne vch tolke tyȝt hem þat hade of tayt fayled, & vchon roþeled to þe rest þat he reche moȝt; Bot þay wern wakned al wrank[46] þat þ{er} i{n} won lenged, Of on þe vglokest vnhap þat eu{er} on erd suffred. 892

[Sidenote 38: So in MS.] [Sidenote 39: _þyng_ (?).] [Sidenote 40: savo{ur} (?).] [Sidenote 41: _wroȝt_ (?).] [Sidenote 42: MS. vnfau{er}e.] [Sidenote 43: _hem_ (?).] [Sidenote 44: MS. _pil_.] [Sidenote 45: _And_ = _An_ (?).] [Sidenote 46: _wrang_ (?).]

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

XI.

[Sidenote: Early in the morning the angels command Lot to depart from Sodom, with his wife and two daughters, and to look straight before him, for Sodom and Gomorrah shall be destroyed.] Ruddon of þe day-rawe ros vpon vȝten, When merk of þe mydnyȝt moȝt no more last, Ful erly þose aungeleȝ þis haþel þay ruþen & glopnedly on godeȝ halue gart hy{m} vpryse, 896 Fast þe freke ferkeȝ vp ful ferd at his hert; Þay comau{n}ded hy{m} cof to cach þat he hade, “Wyth þy wyf & þy wyȝeȝ & þy wlone deȝtters, For we laþe þe, s{ir} loth, þat þ{o}u þy lyf haue; 900 [Sidenote: [Fol. 69b.]] Cayre tid of þis kythe er combred þ{o}u worþe, With alle þi here vpon haste, tyl þ{o}u a hil fynde; Fou{n}deȝ faste on yo{ur} fete, bifore yo{ur} face lokes, Bot bes neu{er} so bolde to blusch yow bihynde, 904 & loke ȝe ste{m}me no stepe, bot strecheȝ on faste, Til ȝe reche to a reset, rest ȝe neu{er}; For we schal tyne þis tou{n} & trayþely disstrye, Wyth alle þise wyȝeȝ so wykke wyȝtly de-voyde 908 & alle þe londe w{i}t{h} þise ledeȝ we losen at oneȝ; Sodomas schal ful sodenly synk i{n}-to grou{n}de, & þe grou{n}de of gomorre gorde i{n}-to helle, & vche a koste of þis kyth{e} clater vpon hepes. 912 [Sidenote: Lot asks what is best to be done, that he may escape.] Þe{n} laled loth, “lorde what is best? If I me fele vpon fote þat I fle moȝt, Hov schulde I huyde me fro hem þ{a}t hatȝ his hate ky{n}ned, I{n} þe brath of his breth þat bre{n}neȝ alle þi{n}keȝ,[47] 916 To crepe fro my creato{ur} & know not wheder, Ne wheþer his fooschip me folȝeȝ bifore oþ{er} bihynde?” Þe freke sayde “no foschip oure fader hatȝ þe schewed, Bot hiȝly heuened þi hele fro hem þat arn combred: 920 [Sidenote: He is told to choose himself a dwelling which shall be saved from destruction.] Nov walle þe a wo{n}ny{n}g þat þe warisch myȝt, & he schal saue hit for þy sake þat hatȝ v{us} sende hider, For þ{o}u art oddely þyn one out of þis fylþe, & als Abraham þyn em[48] hit at hi{m} self asked.” 924 “Lorde, loued he worþe,” q{uod} loth, “vpon erþe! [Sidenote: He chooses Zoar.] Þe{n} is a cite herbisyde þat segor hit hatte, Here vtt{er} on a rou{n}de hil hit houeȝ hit one, I wolde, if his wylle wore, to þat won scape.” 928 [Sidenote: The angels command Lot to depart quickly.] “Þe{n}n fare forth,” q{uod} þat fre, “& fyne þ{o}u neu{er} W{i}t{h} þose ilk þat þow wylt þ{a}t þrenge þe aft{er}, & ay goande on yo{ur} gate, wyth-outen agayn-tote, For alle þis londe schal be lorne, longe er þe son{n}e rise.” 932 [Sidenote: He wakes his wife and daughters.] Þe wyȝe wakened his wyf & his wlonk deȝt{er}es, & oþ{er} two myri men þo maydeneȝ schulde wedde; & þay token hit as tyt & tented hit lyttel, Þaȝ fast laþed hem loth, þay leȝen ful stylle. 936 [Sidenote: [Fol. 70a.]] [Sidenote: All four are hastened on by the angels, who “preach to them the peril” of delay.] Þe aungeleȝ hasted þise oþ{er} & aȝly hem þratten, & enforsed alle fawre forth at þe ȝateȝ, Þo wern loth & his lef, his luflyche deȝt{er}, Þer soȝt no mo to sauement of cities aþel fyue. 940 Þise aungeleȝ hade hem by hande out at þe ȝateȝ, Prechande hem þe perile, & beden hem passe fast. “Lest ȝe be taken i{n} þe teche of tyrau{n}teȝ here, Loke ȝe bowe now bi bot, boweȝ fast hence!” 944 [Sidenote: Before daylight Lot comes to a hill.] & þay kayre-ne con & kenely flowen; Erly, er any heuen glem, þay to a hil comen.

[Headnote: THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CITIES.]

[Sidenote: God aloft raises a storm.] Þe grete god i{n} his greme bygy{n}neȝ onlofte; To wakan wedereȝ so wylde þe wyndeȝ he calleȝ, 948 & þay wroþely vp-wafte & wrastled togeder, Fro fawre half of þe folde, flytande loude. Clowdeȝ clust{er}ed bytwene kesten vp torres, Þat þe þik þu{n}der þrast þirled hem ofte. 952 [Sidenote: A rain falls thick of fire and sulphur.] Þe rayn rueled adou{n}, ridlande þikke, Of felle flau{n}kes of fyr & flakes of soufre, Al in smolderande smoke smachande ful ille, [Sidenote: Upon the four cities it comes, and frightens all folks therein.] Swe[49] aboute sodamas & hit sydeȝ alle, 956 Gorde to gomorra þat þe grou{n}de lansed; Abdama & syboym, þise ceteis alle faure, Al birolled wyth þe rayn, rostted & bre{n}ned, & ferly flayed þat folk þat i{n} þose fees lenged; 960 For when þat þe helle herde þe hou{n}deȝ of heuen He watȝ ferlyly fayn, vnfolded bylyue. [Sidenote: The great bars of the abyss do burst.] Þe grete barreȝ of þe abyme he barst vp at oneȝ, Þat alle þe regiou{n} to-rof i{n} riftes ful grete, 964 [Sidenote: Cliffs cleave asunder.] & clouen alle i{n} lyttel cloutes þe clyffeȝ aywhere, As lance leueȝ of þe boke þat lepes i{n} twy{n}ne. [Sidenote: The cities sink to hell.] Þe brethe of þe brynston bi þat hit blende were, Al þo citees & her sydes sunkken to helle. 968 Rydelles wern þo grete rowtes of renkkes w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne, When þay wern war of þe wrake þ{a}t no wyȝe achaped, [Sidenote: Such a cry arises that the clouds clatter again.] Such a ȝom{er}ly ȝarm of ȝelly{n}g þer rysed; Þer-of clat{er}ed þe cloudes þat kryst myȝt haf rawþe. 972 [Sidenote: [Fol. 70b.]] Þe segge herde þat sou{n} to segor þat ȝede, & þe wenches hy{m} wyth þat by þe way folȝed; [Sidenote: Lot and his companions are frightened, but continue to follow their face.] Ferly ferde watȝ her flesch, þat flowen ay ilyche, Trynande ay a hyȝe trot þat torne neu{er} dorsten. 976 Loth & þo luly-whit his lefly two deȝt{er}, Ay folȝed here face, bifore her boþe yȝen; Bot þe balleful burde, þat neu{er} bode keped,

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

[Sidenote: Lot’s wife looks behind her, and is turned to a stiff stone “as salt as any sea.”] Blusched by-hynden her bak, þat bale forto herkken; 980 Hit watȝ lusty lothes wyf þat ou{er} he[r] lyfte schulder. Ones ho bluschet to þe burȝe, bot bod ho no lenger, Þat ho nas stadde a stiffe ston, a stalworth image Al so salt as ani se & so ho ȝet standeȝ. 984 [Sidenote: Her companions do not miss her till they reach Zoar.] Þay slypped bi & syȝe hir not þat wern hir samen feres, Tyl þay i{n} segor wern sette, & sayned our lorde; Wyth lyȝt loueȝ vplyfte þay loued hy{m} swyþe, Þat so his seruau{n}tes wolde see & saue of such woþe. 988 [Sidenote: By this time all were drowned.] Al watȝ dampped & don, & drowned by þe{n}ne; [Sidenote: The people of Zoar, for dread, rush into the sea and are destroyed.] Þe ledeȝ of þat lyttel tou{n} wern lopen out for drede, I{n}-to þat malscrande mere, marred bylyue, Þat noȝt saued watȝ bot segor þat sat on a lawe, 992 [Sidenote: Only Zoar with three therein (Lot and his daughters) are saved.] Þe þre ledeȝ þer-i{n}, loth & his deȝter; For his make watȝ myst, þat on þe mou{n}t lenged In a stonen statue þat salt sauor habbes, [Sidenote: Lot’s wife is an image of salt for two faults: 1. She served salt before the Lord at supper. 2. She looked behind her.] For two fautes þat þe fol watȝ fou{n}de i{n} mistrauþe; 996 On, ho serued at þe soper salt bifore dryȝtyn & syþen, ho blusched hir bihynde, þaȝ hir forboden were; For on ho standes a ston, & salt for þat oþ{er}, & alle lyst on hir lik þat arn on launde bestes. 1000 [Sidenote: Abraham is up full early on the morn.] Abraham ful erly watȝ vp on þe morne, Þat alle naȝt [so] much niye hade no mon i{n} his hert, Al i{n} longi{n}g for loth leyen i{n} a wache, Þer he lafte hade oure lorde, he is on lofte wo{n}nen; 1004 [Sidenote: He looks towards Sodom, now only a pit filled with pitch, from which rise smoke, ashes and cinders, as from a furnace.] He sende toward sodomas þe syȝt of his yȝen, Þat eu{er} hade ben an erde of erþe þe swettest As aparau{n}t to paradis þat plantted þe dryȝtyn, Nov is hit plu{n}ged i{n} a pit like of pich fylled. 1008 [Sidenote: [Fol. 71a.]] Suche a roþu{n} of a reche ros fro þe blake, Askeȝ vpe i{n} þe ayre & vselleȝ þer flowen, As a fornes ful of flot þat vpon fyr boyles, When bryȝt bre{n}nande brondeȝ ar bet þ{er} an-vnder. 1012 Þis watȝ a uengau{n}ce violent þat voyded þise places, Þat fou{n}dered hatȝ so fayr a folk & þe folde sonkken.

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

[Sidenote: A sea now occupies the place of the four cities.] Þer faur{e} citees wern set, nov is a see called, Þat ay is drouy & dym, & ded i{n} hit kynde, 1016 Blo, blubrande, & blak, vnblyþe to neȝe, [Sidenote: It is a stinking pool, and is called the Dead Sea.] As a stynkande stanc þat stryed sy{n}ne, Þat eu{er} of sy{n}ne & of smach, smart is to fele; For-þy þe derk dede see hit is demed eu{er} more, 1020 For hit dedeȝ of deþe duren þere ȝet. For hit is brod & boþe{m}leȝ, & bitter as þe galle, [Sidenote: Nothing may live in it.] & noȝt may lenge i{n} þat lake þat any lyf bereȝ, & alle þe costeȝ of kynde hit combreȝ vchone; 1024 [Sidenote: Lead floats on its surface.] For lay þ{er}-on a lump of led & hit on loft fleteȝ, [Sidenote: A feather sinks to the bottom of it.] & folde þ{er}-on a lyȝt fyþ{er} & hit to fou{n}s synkkeȝ. [Sidenote: Lands, watered by this sea, never bear grass or weed.] & þ{er} wat{er} may walt{er} to wete any erþe, Schal neu{er} grene þ{er}-on growe, gresse ne wod nawþ{er}. 1028 If any schalke to be schent wer schowued þ{er}-i{n}ne, Þaȝ he bode i{n} þat boþe{m} broþely a monyth, [Sidenote: A man cannot be drowned in it.] He most ay lyue i{n} þat loȝe i{n} losy{n}g eu{er}-more, & neu{er} dryȝe no dethe, to dayes of ende; 1032 & as hit is corsed of kynde & hit coosteȝ als, [Sidenote: The clay clinging to it is corrosive, as alum, alkaran, sulphur, etc., which fret the flesh and fester the bones.] Þe clay þat clenges þ{er}-by arn corsyes strong, As alu{m} & alkaran,[50] þat angré[51] arn boþe, Soufre so{ur}, & sau{n}dyu{er}, & oþ{er} such mony; 1036 & þer walteȝ of þat wat{er} i{n} waxlokes grete, Þe spuniande[52] aspaltou{n} þat spysereȝ sellen; & suche is alle þe soyle by þat se halues, Þat fel fretes þe flesch & festred[53] bones. 1040 [Sidenote: On the shores of this lake grow trees bearing fair fruits, which, when broken or bitten, taste like ashes.] & þer ar tres by þat terne of trayto{ur}es; & þay borgou{n}eȝ & beres blomeȝ ful fayre, & þe fayrest fryt þat may on folde growe, As orenge & oþ{er} fryt & apple garnade 1044 [Sidenote: [Fol. 71b.]] Also red & so ripe & rychely hwed, As any dom myȝt deuice of dayntyeȝ oute; Bot quen hit is brused oþ{er} broken, oþ{er} byten i{n} twy{n}ne, No worldeȝ goud hit wyth-i{n}ne, bot wydowande[54] askes; 1048

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

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

[Headnote: CHRIST WAS EVER PURE.]

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

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

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

[Headnote: GOD PUNISHES IMPURITY.]

[Sidenote: God forbids us to defile any vessels used in His service.] For þat þat ones watȝ his schulde efte be vn-clene, 1144 Þaȝ hit be bot a bassy{n}, a bolle, oþ{er} a scole, A dysche oþ{er} a dobler þ{a}t dryȝtyn oneȝ serued, To defowle hit eu{er} vpon folde fast he for-bedes, So is he scoym{us} of scaþe þat scylful is eu{er}. 1148 [Sidenote: In Belshazzar’s time, the defiling of God’s vessels brought wrath upon the king.] & þat watȝ bared i{n} babyloyn i{n} Baltaȝar tyme, Hov harde vnhap þer hy{m} hent & hastyly sone, For he þe vesselles avyled þat vayled i{n} þe temple I{n} seruyse of þe sou{er}ayn su{m} tyme byfore. 1152 [Sidenote: [Fol. 73a.]] Ȝif ȝe wolde tyȝt me a tom telle hit I wolde, Hov charged more watȝ his chau{n}ce þat he{m} cherych nolde Þen his fader forloyne þat feched he{m} wyth strenþe, & robbed þe relygiou{n} of relykes alle. 1156

[Sidenote 47: þi{n}geȝ.] [Sidenote 48: _broþer_ is written over in a later hand.] [Sidenote 49: _Sweyed_ (?).] [Sidenote 50: _alkatran_ (?).] [Sidenote 51: _augre_ = _aigre_ (?).] [Sidenote 52: _spinnande_ (?).] [Sidenote 53: _festres_ (?).] [Sidenote 54: MS. wy{n}dowande.] [Sidenote 55: _abof_ (?).] [Sidenote 56: _cut_ (?).] [Sidenote 57: MS. _sovly_.] [Sidenote 58: _þeues_. (?).]

XII.

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

[Headnote: NEBUCHADNEZZAR BESIEGES JERUSALEM.]

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

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

[Sidenote: Their king is made prisoner.] & þer watȝ þe ky{n}g kaȝt wyth calde pry{n}ces, & alle hise gentyle for-iusted on ierico playnes, 1216 [Sidenote: His chief men are presented as prisoners to Nebuchadnezzar.] & presented wern as presoneres to þe prynce rychest, Nabigo-de-noȝar noble i{n} his chayer, & he þe faynest freke þat he his fo hade, & speke spito{us}ly hem to & spylt þ{er}aft{er}. 1220 [Sidenote: His sons are slain.] Þe ky{n}g{es} su{n}nes i{n} his syȝt he slow eu{er} vch one, [Sidenote: His own eyes are put out.] & holkked out his auen yȝen het{er}ly boþe [Sidenote: He is placed in a dungeon in Babylon.] & bede þe burne to be broȝt to babyloyn þe ryche, [Sidenote: [Fol. 74a.]] & þere i{n} dongou{n} be don to dreȝe þ{er} his wyrdes. 1224 Now se, so þe sou{er}ay[n] set hatȝ his wrake; Nas hit not for nabugo ne his noble nauþ{er}, Þat oþ{er} depryued watȝ of pryde with paynes stronge, [Sidenote: All for his “bad bearing” against the Lord, who might otherwise have been his friend.] Bot for his bery{n}g so badde agayn his blyþe lorde; 1228 For hade þe fader ben his frende þat hy{m} bifore keped, Ne neu{er} trespast to him i{n} teche of mysseleue. To Colde wer alle Calde & kythes of ynde, Ȝet take torkye hem wyth her tene hade ben little; 1232 [Sidenote: Nebuchadnezzar ceased not until he had destroyed Jerusalem.] Ȝet nolde neu{er} nabugo þis ilke note leue, Er he hade tuyred þis tou{n} & torne hit to grou{n}de; He ioyned vnto I{e}r{usa}l{e}m a gentyle duc þe{n}ne, [Sidenote: Nebuzaradan was “chief of the chivalry.”] His name watȝ nabu-ȝardan, to noye þe iues; 1236 He watȝ mayster of his men & myȝty hi{m} seluen, Þe chef of his cheualrye his chekkes to make, He brek þe bareres as bylyue, & þe burȝ aft{er}, & enteres i{n} ful ernestly, i{n} yre of his hert. 1240 What! þe maysterry watȝ mene, þe me{n} wern away, [Sidenote: The best men were taken out of the city.] Þe best boȝed wyth þe burne þat þe borȝ ȝemed; & þo þat byden wer so[61] biten with þe bale hunger, Þat on wyf hade ben worþe þe welgest fo{ur}re; 1244 [Sidenote: Nevertheless Nebuzaradan spared not those left.] Nabiȝardan noȝt for-þy nolde not spare, Bot bede al to þe bronde vnder bare egge. Þay slowen of swettest semlych burdes, [Sidenote: Brains of bairns were spilt.] Baþed barnes i{n} blod & her brayn spylled; 1248 [Sidenote: Priests pressed to death.] Prestes & prelates þay presed to deþe, [Sidenote: Wives and wenches foully killed.] Wyues & wenches her wombes tocoruen, Þat her boweles out-borst aboute þe diches, [Sidenote: All that escaped the sword were taken to Babylon, and were made to drag the cart or milk the kine.] & al watȝ carfully kylde þat þay cach myȝt, 1252 & alle [þat] swypped vnswolȝed of þe sworde kene, Þay wer cagged & kaȝt on capeles al bare, Festned fettres to her fete vnder fole wombes, & broþely broȝt to babyloyn þer bale to suffer, 1256 To sytte i{n} seruage & syte; þat su{m}tyme wer ge{n}tyle, Now ar chau{n}ged to chorles & charged wyth werkkes, Boþe to cayre at þe kart & þe kuy mylke, [Sidenote: [Fol. 74b.]] Þat su{m}tyme sete i{n} her sale syres & burdes. 1260

[Headnote: NEBUZARDAN PILLAGES THE TEMPLE.]

[Sidenote: Nebuzaradan burst open the temple, and slew those therein.] & ȝet nabuȝardan nyl neu{er} stynt, Er he to þe tempple tee wyth his tulkkes alle; Betes on þe barers, brestes vp þe ȝates, Slouen alle at a slyp þat serued þer-i{n}ne, 1264 [Sidenote: Priests, pulled by the poll, were slain along with deacons, clerks, and maidens.] Pulden prestes bi þe polle & plat of her hedes, Diȝten dekenes to deþe, dungen dou{n} clerkkes, & alle þe maydenes of þe mu{n}st{er} maȝtyly hokyllen Wyth þe swayf of þe sworde þat swolȝed he{m} alle. 1268 [Sidenote: The enemy pillages the temple of its pillars of brass, and the golden candlestick from off the altar.] Þe{n}ne ran þay to þe relykes as robbors wylde, & pyled alle þe apparement þat pented to þe kyrke, Þe pure pyleres [o]f bras po{ur}trayd i{n} golde, & þe chef chau{n}deler charged with þe lyȝt, 1272 Þat ber þe lamp vpon lofte, þat lemed eu{er} more, Bifore þ[e] sancta s{an}c{t}or{um} þer selcouth watȝ ofte. Þay caȝt away þat condelstik, & þe crowne als, Þat þe aut{er} hade vpon, of aþel golde ryche; 1276 [Sidenote: Goblets, basins, golden dishes, all are taken by Nebuzaradan, and hampered together.] Þe gredirne & þe goblot{es} garnyst of sylu{er}, Þe bases of þe bryȝt postes & bassynes so schyre; Dere disches of golde & dubleres fayre, Þe vyoles & þe vesselment of v{er}tuo{us} stones. 1280 Now hatȝ nabuȝardan nome{n} alle þyse noble þy{n}ges, & pyled þat p{re}cio{us} place & pakked þose godes; Þe golde of þe gaȝafylace to swyþe gret nou{m}bre, Wyth alle þe vrnmentes of þat ho{us}, he hamppred to-geder. 1284 Alle he spoyled spito{us}ly i{n} a sped whyle, [Sidenote: Solomon had made them with much labour.] Þat salomon so mony a sadde ȝer soȝt to make, Wyth alle þe coyntyse þat he cowþe clene to wyrke; De-uised he þe vesselment, þe vestures clene, 1288 Wyth slyȝt of his ciences, his sou{er}ayn to loue, Þe ho{us} & þe ano{ur}nementes he hyȝtled to-gedere. Now hatȝ nabuȝardan nu{m}ne{n}d[62] hit al samen, [Sidenote: The temple he beats down, and returns to Babylon.] & syþen bet dou{n} þe burȝ & brend hit i{n} askes; 1292 Þe{n}ne wyth legiou{n}es of ledes ou{er} londes he rydes, Herȝeȝ of Israel þe hyrne aboute. Wyth charged chariotes þe cheftayn he fynde[ȝ], [Sidenote: [Fol. 75a.]] [Sidenote: Presents the prisoners to the king, among whom were Daniel and his three companions.] Bike{n}nes þe catel to þe ky{n}g, þat he caȝt hade, 1296 P{re}sented him þe p{r}isoneres i{n} pray þat þay token, Moni a worþly wyȝe whil her worlde laste, Moni semly syre son{e}, & swyþe rych maydenes, Þe pruddest of þe p{ro}uince, & p{ro}phetes childer, 1300 As Ananie & aȝarie & als Miȝael, & dere daniel also, þat watȝ deuine noble, With moni a modey moder chylde mo þe{n} i{n}-noghe.

[Headnote: NEBUCHADNEZZAR IS PLEASED WITH THE SPOIL.]

[Sidenote: Nebuchadnezzar has great joy, because his enemies are slain.] & nabugo-de-noȝar makes much ioye, 1304 Nov he þe ky{n}g hatȝ c{on}quest & þe kyth wu{n}nen, & dreped alle þe doȝtyest & derrest i{n} armes, & þe lederes of her lawe layd to þe grou{n}de, & þe pryce of þe p{ro}fecie p{r}isoners maked; 1308

[Headnote: HE PRIZES GREATLY THE SACRED JEWELRY.]

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

[Sidenote 59: MS. _ȝedethyas_.] [Sidenote 60: MS. _wyth with_.] [Sidenote 61: The MS. reads _fo._] [Sidenote 62: _nummen_ (?).] [Sidenote 63: _for_ (?).] [Sidenote 64: Looks like bicuv{er} in MS.] [Sidenote 65: _be_ (?).] [Sidenote 66: _on_ (?).] [Sidenote 67: _An_ (?).]

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

XIII.

[Sidenote: Belshazzar, to exhibit his vainglory, proclaims throughout Babylon, that all the great ones should assemble on a set day, at the Sultan’s feast.] The{n}ne þis bolde Baltaȝar biþenkkes hy{m} ones, To vouche on a vayment of his vayne g[l]orie; Hit is not i{n}nogh{e} to þe nice al noȝty þi{n}k[68] vse, Bot if alle þe worlde wyt his wykked dedes. 1360 Baltaȝar þurȝ babiloyn his ba{n}ne gart crye, & þurȝ þe cu{n}tre of caldee his cally{n}g con spry{n}g, Þat alle þe grete vpon grou{n}de schulde geder hem samen & assemble at a set day at þe saudans fest. 1364 [Sidenote: Kings, dukes, and lords were commanded to attend the court.] Such a mangerie to make þe man watȝ auised, Þat vche a kythyn ky{n}g schuld com þider; Vche duk wyth his duthe & oþ{er} dere lordes, [Sidenote: [Fol. 76a.]] Schulde com to his co{ur}t to kyþe hy{m} for lege, 1368 & to reche hy{m} reu{er}ens & his reuel herkken; [Sidenote: To do the king honour many nobles came to Babylon.] To loke on his lemanes & ladis hem calle, To rose hy{m} i{n} his rialty rych me{n} soȝtten, & mony a barou{n} ful bolde, to babyloyn þe noble. 1372 Þer bowed toward babiloyn burnes so mony, Ky{n}ges, Cayseres ful kene, to þe co{ur}t wo{n}nen, Mony ludisch lordes þat ladies broȝten, [Sidenote: It would take too long to name the number.] Þat to neuen þe nou{m}bre to much nye were. 1376 [Sidenote: The city of Babylon is broad and big.] For þe bo{ur}ȝ watȝ so brod & so bigge alce, Stalled i{n} þe fayrest stud þe sterreȝ an-vnder, [Sidenote: It is situated on a plain, surrounded by seven streams, a high wall, and towers.] Prudly on a plat playn, plek alþ{er}-fayrest, Vmbe-sweyed on vch a syde w{i}t{h} seuen grete wat{er}es, 1380 W{i}t{h} a wonder wroȝt walle wruxeled ful hiȝe, W{i}t{h} koy{n}t carneles aboue, coruen ful clene, Troched toures bitwene twenty spere lenþe, & þiker þrowen vmbe þo{ur}[69]-w{i}t{h} ou{er}-þwert palle. 1384 [Sidenote: The palace was long and large, each side being seven miles in length.] Þe place, þat plyed þe pursau{n}t wyth-i{n}ne, Watȝ longe & ful large & eu{er} ilych sware, & vch a syde vpon soyle helde seuen myle, & þe saudans sete sette i{n} þe myddes; 1388 Þat watȝ a palayce of pryde passande alle oþ{er}, Boþe of werk & of wu{n}der & walle al aboute; [Sidenote: High houses were within the walls.] Heȝe houses w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne þe halle to hit med, So brod bilde i{n} a bay, þ{a}t blonkkes myȝt re{n}ne. 1392 [Sidenote: The time of the feast has come.] When þe terme of þe tyde watȝ to vsched of þe feste, Dere droȝen þ{er}-to & vpon des metten, [Sidenote: Belshazzar sits upon his throne: the hall floor is covered with knights.] & baltaȝar vpon bench was busked to sete, Stepe stayred stones of his stoute throne. 1396 Þe{n}ne watȝ alle þe halle flor hiled w{i}t{h} knyȝtes, & barou{n}es at þe side-bordes bounet ay-where, For non watȝ dressed vpon dece bot þe dere seluen, & his clere concubynes i{n} cloþes ful bryȝt. 1400 [Sidenote: When all are seated, service begins.] When alle segges were þ{er} set, þe{n} seruyse bygy{n}nes, [Sidenote: Trumpets sound everywhere.] Sturnen trumpen strake steuen i{n} halle, Aywhere by þe wowes wrasten krakkes, [Sidenote: [Fol. 76b.]] & brode baneres þer-bi blusnande of gold; 1404 [Sidenote: Bread is served upon silver dishes.] Burnes berande þe[70] bredes vpon brode skeles, Þat were of sylu{er}en syȝt & se{er}ved[71] þ{er}-wyth, Lyfte logges þer-ou{er} & on lofte coruen, Pared out of paper & poynted of golde,[72] 1408 Broþe baboynes abof, besttes an-vnder, Foles i{n} foler flakerande bi-twene, & al i{n} asure & ynde enaumayld ryche, [Sidenote: All sorts of musical instruments are heard in the hall.] & al on blonkken bak bere hit on honde. 1412 & ay þe nakeryn noyse, notes of pipes, Ty{m}bres & tabornes, tulket amo{n}g, Sy{m}bales & soneteȝ sware þe noyse, & bougou{n}ȝ busch bat{er}ed so þikke; 1416 So watȝ serued fele syþe þe sale alle aboute, [Sidenote: The king, surrounded by his loves, drinks copiously of wine.] W{i}t{h} solace at þe sere course, bifore þe self lorde, Þer þe lede & alle his loue lenged at þe table. [Sidenote: It gets into his head and stupifies him.] So faste þay weȝed to hi{m} wyne, hit warmed his hert 1420 & breyþed vppe i{n} to his brayn & blemyst his my{n}de, & al waykned his wyt, & wel neȝe he foles, For he wayteȝ onwyde, his wenches he byholdes, & his bolde baronage, aboute bi þe woȝes; 1424 [Sidenote: A cursed thought takes possession of him.] Þe{n}ne a dotage ful depe drof to his hert, & a caytif cou{n}sayl he caȝt bi hy{m} seluen.

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

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

[Headnote: THE SACRED VESSELS ARE DEFILED.]

[Sidenote: Belshazzar commands the sacred vessels to be filled with wine.] Baltaȝar i{n} a brayd bede v{us} þ{er}-of. “Weȝe wyn i{n} þis won, wassayl!” he cryes. 1508 Swyfte swaynes ful swyþe swepen þ{er}-tylle, [Sidenote: The cups and bowls are soon filled.] Kyppe kowpes i{n} honde ky{n}geȝ to serue, I{n} bryȝt bolleȝ, ful bayn birlen þise oþ{er}, [Sidenote: [Fol. 78a.]] & vche mon for his mayst{er} machches alone. 1512 [Sidenote: Music of all kind is heard in the hall.] Þer watȝ ry{n}gi{n}g, on ryȝt, of ryche metalles, Quen renkkes i{n} þat ryche rok re{n}nen hit to cache, Clat{er}i{n}g of conacleȝ þat kesten þo burdes, As sonet out of sau[t]{er}ay songe als myry. 1516 Þen þe dotel on dece drank þat he myȝt, [Sidenote: Dukes, princes, concubines, and knights, all are merry.] & þe{n}ne arn dressed dukeȝ & prynces, Concubines & knyȝtes, bi cause of þat m{er}the; As vchon hade hy{m} i{n} helde he haled of þe cuppe, 1520 [Sidenote: Drinking of the sweet liquors they ask favours of their gods, who, although dumb, are as highly praised “as if heaven were theirs.”] So long likked þise lordes þise lykores swete, & gloryed on her falce goddes & her g{ra}ce calles, Þat were of stokkes & stones, stille euer more; Neu{er} steuen hem astel, so stoken is[79] hor tonge, 1524 Alle þe goude golden goddes þe gauleȝ ȝet neuenen, Belfagor & belyal & belssabub als, Heyred hem as hyȝly as heuen wer þayres, Bot hy{m} þat alle goudes giues, þat god þay for-ȝeten, 1528 [Sidenote: A marvel befals the feasters.] For þer a ferly bifel þat fele folk seȝen; [Sidenote: The king first saw it.] Fyrst knew hit þe ky{n}g & alle þe cort aft{er},

[Headnote: THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL.]

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

[Headnote: THE KING CONSULTS HIS DIVINERS.]

[Sidenote: The king recovers his speech and sends for the “book-learned;” but none of the scholars were wise enough to read it.] Sone so þe ky{n}ge for his care carpi{n}g myȝt wy{n}ne, He bede his burnes boȝ to þat wer{e} bok lered, To wayte þe wryt þat hit wolde & wyt{er} hym to say, 1552 “For al hit frayes my flesche þe fyngres so gry{m}me.” Scoleres skelten þeratte þe skyl forto fynde, Bot þer watȝ neu{er} on so wyse couþe on worde rede, Ne what ledisch lore ne langage nauþ{er} 1556 What tyþy{n}g ne tale tokened þo draȝtes. [Sidenote: Belshazzar is nearly mad.] Þe{n}ne þe bolde baltaȝar bred ner wode. [Sidenote: Commands the city to be searched throughout for the “wise of witchcraft.”] & ede[82] þe Ceté to seche segges þurȝ-out, Þat wer wyse of wyche-crafte & warlaȝes oþ{er}, 1560 Þat con dele wyth dem{er}layk, & deuine lettres: “Calle hem alle to my cort þo calde clerkkes, Vn-folde hem alle þis ferly þat is bifallen here, [Sidenote: He who expounds the strange letters, shall be clothed in “gowns of purple.”] & calle wyth a hiȝe cry; ‘he þat þe ky{n}g wysses, 1564 In expouny{n}g of speche þat spredes i{n} þise lettres, & make þe mat{er} to malt my mynde wyth-i{n}ne, Þat I may wyt{er}ly wyt what þat wryt menes, He schal þe gered ful gaye i{n} gounes of porpre, 1568 [Sidenote: A collar of gold shall encircle his throat.] & a coler of cler golde clos vmbe his þrote; [Sidenote: He shall be the third lord in the realm.] He schal be prymate & prynce of pure clergye, & of my þreuenest lordeȝ þe þrydde he schal & of my reme þe rychest to ryde wyth myseluen, 1572 Out-taken bare two & þe{n}ne he þe þrydde.’” [Sidenote: As soon as this cry was upcast, to the hall came clerks out of Chaldea, witches and diviners, sorcerers and exorcists.] Þis cry watȝ vp-caste, & þer comen mony Clerkes out of caldye þat ke{n}nest wer knauen, As þe sage sathrapas þat sorsory couþe; 1576 Wycheȝ & walkyries wo{n}nen to þat sale, Deuinores of demorlaykes þat dremes cowþe rede, Sorsers & exorsism{us} & fele such clerkes; [Sidenote: But after looking on the letters they were as ignorant as if they had looked into the leather of the left boot.] & alle þat loked on þat lett{er} as lewed þay were, 1580 As þay had loked i{n} þe leþ{er} of my lyft bote. Þe{n}ne cryes þe ky{n}g & kerues his wedes; [Sidenote: The king curses them all and calls them churls.] What! he corsed his clerkes & calde hem chorles, [Sidenote: [Fol. 79a.]] [Sidenote: He orders the harlots to be hanged.] To henge þe harlotes he heȝed ful ofte, 1584 So watȝ þe wyȝe wytles, he wed wel ner. [Sidenote: The queen hears the king chide.] Ho herde hy{m} chyde to þe chambre þat watȝ þe chef quene; [Sidenote: She inquires the cause.] When ho watȝ wyt{er}ed bi wyȝes what watȝ þe cause, Suche a chau{n}gande chau{n}ce i{n} þe chef halle, 1588 Þe lady to lauce[83] þat los þat þe lorde hade, [Sidenote: Goes to the king, kneels before him, and asks why he has rent his robes for grief, when there is one that has the Spirit of God, the counsellor of Nebuchadnezzar, the interpreter of his dreams, through the holy Spirit of God.] Glydes dou{n} by þe grece & gos to þe ky{n}g; Ho kneles on þe colde erþe & carpes to hy{m} seluen, Wordes of worchyp wyth a wys speche. 1592 “Kene ky{n}g,” q{uod} þe quene, “kayser of vrþe, Eu{er} laste þy lyf i{n} lenþe of dayes; Why hatȝ þou rended þy robe for redles here-i{n}ne, Þaȝ þose ledes ben lewed lettres to rede, 1596 & hatȝ a haþel i{n} þy holde, as I haf herde ofte, Þat hatȝ þe gostes of god þat gyes alle soþes; His sawle is ful of syence, saȝes to schawe, To open vch a hide þy{ng} of aunt{er}es vn-cowþe; 1600 Þat is he þat ful ofte hatȝ heuened þy fader Of mony ang{er} ful hote w{i}t{h} his holy speche. When nabugo-de-noȝar watȝ nyed i{n} stou{n}des, He de-vysed his dremes to þe dere trawþe, 1604 He keu{er}ed hy{m} w{i}t{h} his cou{n}sayl of caytyf wyrdes; Alle þat he spured hym i{n} space he expowned clene, Þurȝ þe sped of þe spyryt þat sprad hy{m} w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne, Of þe godelest goddeȝ þat gaynes ay-where. 1608 For his depe diuinité & his dere sawes, [Sidenote: The name of this man is Daniel, who was brought a captive from Judæa.] Þy bolde fader baltaȝar bede by[84] his name, Þat now is demed danyel of derne coni{n}ges, Þat caȝt watȝ i{n} þe captyuidé i{n} cu{n}tre of iues; 1612 Nabuȝardan hy{m} nome & now is he here, A prophete of þat prouince & pryce of þe worlde.

[Headnote: DANIEL IS SENT FOR.]

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

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

[Sidenote: Daniel addresses the king, and reminds him how that God supported his father, and gave him power to exalt or abase whomsoever he pleased.] Derfly þe{n}ne danyel deles þyse wordes: “Ryche ky{n}g of þis rengne rede þe oure lorde, Hit is surely soth, þe sou{er}ayn of heuen Fylsened eu{er} þy fader & vpon folde cheryched, 1644 Gart hy{m} grattest to be of gou{er}nores alle, & alle þe worlde i{n} his wylle welde as hy{m} lykes. Who-so wolde wel do, wel hy{m} bityde, & quos deth so he deȝyre he dreped als fast; 1648 Who-so hy{m} lyked to lyft, on lofte watȝ he sone, & quo-so hy{m} lyked to lay, watȝ loȝed bylyue. [Sidenote: Nebuchadnezzar was established on account of his faith in God.] So watȝ noted þe note of nabugo-de-noȝar, Styfly stabled þe rengne bi þe stronge dryȝty{n}, 1652 For of þe hyȝest he hade a hope i{n} his hert, Þat vche pou{er} past out of [þ]at prynce euen; [Sidenote: So long as he remained true, no man was greater.] & whyle þat watȝ cleȝt clos i{n} his hert, Þere watȝ no mon vpon molde of myȝt as hy{m} selue{n}, 1656 [Sidenote: [Fol. 80a.]] [Sidenote: But at last pride touches his heart.] Til hit bitide on a tyme, towched hy{m} pryde For his lordeschyp so large, & his lyf ryche; He hade so huge an insyȝt to his aune dedes, [Sidenote: He forgets the power of God, and blasphemes His name.] Þat þe power of þe hyȝe prynce he purely forȝetes. 1660 Þe{n}ne bly{n}nes he not of blasfemyon to blame þe dryȝty{n}, His myȝt mete to goddes he made w{i}t{h} his wordes: [Sidenote: He says that he is “god of the ground,” and the builder of Babylon.] “I am god of þe grou{n}de, to gye as me lykes, As he þat hyȝe is i{n} heuen his au{n}geles þ{a}t weldes; 1664 If he hatȝ formed þe folde & folk þ{er} vpone, I haf bigged babiloyne, burȝ alþ{er}-rychest, Stabled þer-i{n}ne vche a ston i{n} strenkþe of my{n} armes, Moȝt neu{er} myȝt bot myn make such anoþ{er}.” 1668 [Sidenote: Hardly had Nebuchadnezzar spoken, when God’s voice is heard, saying, “Thy principality is departed.] Watȝ not þis ilke worde wo{n}nen of his mowþe one, Er þe{n}ne þe sou{er}ayn saȝe souned i{n} his eres, “Now nabugo-de-noȝar i{n}noȝe hatȝ spoken, Now is alle þy pryncipalté past at ones, 1672 [Sidenote: Thou, removed from men, must abide on the moor, and walk with wild beasts, eat herbs, and dwell with wolves and asses.”] & þ{o}u, remued fro mo{n}nes su{n}es, on mor most abide, & in wast{ur}ne walk & wyth þe wylde dowelle, As best, byte on þe bent of braken & erbes, W{i}t{h} wroþe wolfes to won & wyth wylde asses.” 1676 In mydde þe poynt of his pryde de-parted he þere, Fro þe soly of his solempneté, his solace he leues, [Sidenote: For his pride he becomes an outcast.] & carfully is out-kast to contré vnknawen, Fer i{n}-to a fyr fryth þere frekes neu{er} comen. 1680 [Sidenote: He believes himself to be a bull or an ox.] His hert heldet vnhole, he hoped non oþ{er} Bot a best þat he be, a bol oþ{er} an oxe. [Sidenote: Goes “on all fours,” like a cow, for seven summers.] He fares forth on alle faure, fogge watȝ his mete, & ete ay as a horce when erbes were fallen, 1684 Þus he cou{n}tes hy{m} a kow, þat watȝ a ky{n}g ryche, Quyle seuen syþeȝ were ou{er}-seyed som{er}es I trawe. [Sidenote: His thighs grew thick.] By þat, mony þik thyȝe þryȝt vmbe his lyre, Þat alle watȝ dubbed & dyȝt i{n} þe dew of heuen; 1688 [Sidenote: His hair became matted and thick, from the shoulders to the toes.] Faxe fylt{er}ed, & felt flosed hy{m} vmbe, Þat schad fro his schulderes to his schyre wykes, & twenty-folde twyna{n}de hit to his tos raȝt Þer mony clyuy as clyde hit clyȝt to-geder. 1692 [Sidenote: His beard touched the earth.] His berde I-brad alle his brest to þe bare vrþe, [Sidenote: [Fol. 80b.]] [Sidenote: His brows were like briars.] His browes bresed as breres aboute his brode chekes; [Sidenote: His eyes were hollow, and grey as the kite’s.] Holȝe were his yȝen & vnder campe hores, & al watȝ gray as þe glede, w{i}t{h} ful gry{m}me clawres 1696 Þat were croked & kene as þe kyte paune;[86] [Sidenote: Eagle-hued he was.] Erne-hwed he watȝ & al ou{er}-brawden, Til he wyst ful wel who wroȝt alle myȝtes, & cowþe vche kyndam tokerue & keu{er} when hy{m} lyked; 1700 [Sidenote: At last he recovered his “wit,” and believed in God.] Þe{n}ne he wayned hy{m} his wyt þat hade wo soffered, Þat he com to knawlach & ke{n}ned hy{m} seluen, Þe{n}ne he laued[87] þat lorde & leued i{n} trawþe, Hit watȝ non oþ{er} þen he þat hade al i{n} honde. 1704 [Sidenote: Then soon was he restored to his seat.] Þe{n}ne sone watȝ he sende agayn, his sete restored; His barou{n}es boȝed hy{m} to, blyþe of his come, Haȝerly i{n} his aune hwe his heued watȝ cou{er}ed, & so ȝeply watȝ ȝarked & ȝolden his state. 1708 [Sidenote: But thou, Belshazzar, hast disregarded these signs, and hast blasphemed the Lord, defiled his vessels, filling them with wine for thy wenches, and praising thy lifeless gods.] Bot þ{o}u baltaȝar his barne & his bolde ayre, Seȝ þese sy{n}gnes w{i}t{h} syȝt & set hem at lyttel, Bot ay hatȝ hofen þy hert agaynes þe hyȝe dryȝt[y]n, W{i}t{h} bobau{n}ce & w{i}t{h} blasfamye bost at hy{m} kest, 1712 & now his vessayles avyled i{n} vanyté vnclene, Þat i{n} his hows hy{m} to hono{ur} were heue{n}ed of fyrst; Bifore þe barou{n}ȝ hatȝ hom broȝt, & byrled þ{er}i{n}ne Wale wyne to þy wenches i{n} waryed stou{n}des; 1716 Bifore þy borde hatȝ þ{o}u broȝt beu{er}age i{n} þede, Þat blyþely were fyrst blest w{i}t{h} bischopes hondes, Louande þeron lese goddeȝ, þat lyf haden neu{er}, Made of stokkes & stoneȝ þat neu{er} styry moȝt. 1720 [Sidenote: For this sin God has sent thee this strange sight, the fist with the fingers writing on the wall.] & for þat froþande fylþe, þe fader of heuen Hatȝ sende[88] i{n}-to þis sale þise syȝtes vncowþe, Þe fyste w{i}t{h} þe fy{n}g{er}es þat flayed þi hert, Þat rasped renyschly þe woȝe w{i}t{h} þe roȝ pe{n}ne. 1724

[Headnote: THE INTERPRETATION OF THE HANDWRITING.]

[Sidenote: These are the words: “Mene, Tekel, Peres.] Þise ar þe wordes here wryten w{i}t{h}-oute werk more, By vch fygure, as I fynde, as oure fader lykes. “Mane, techal, phares, merked i{n} þry{n}ne, Þat þretes þe of þy{n} vnþryfte vpon þre wyse; 1728 Now expowne þe þis speche spedly I þenk. [Sidenote: [Fol. 81a.]] [Sidenote: Mene.-- God has counted thy kingdom and finished it.] Mane menes als much as, maynful gode Hatȝ cou{n}ted þy kyndam bi a clene nou{m}bre, & ful-fylled hit i{n} fayth to þe fyrre ende. 1732 [Sidenote: Tekel.-- Thy reign is weighed and is found wanting in deeds of faith.] To teche þe of techal, þat terme þ{us} menes, Þy wale rengne is walt i{n} weȝtes to heng, & is fu{n}de ful fewe of hit fayth dedes. & phares folȝes for þose fawtes to frayst þe trawþe, 1736 [Sidenote: Peres.-- Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Persians.] In phares fynde I forsoþe þise felle saȝes; De-parted is þy pryncipalté, depryued þ{o}u worþes, Þy rengne rafte is þe fro, & raȝt is þe perses, [Sidenote: The Medes shall be masters here.”] Þe medes schal be mayst{er}es here, & þ{o}u of menske schowued.” 1740 [Sidenote: The king commands Daniel to be clothed in a frock of fine cloth.] Þe ky{n}g comau{n}ded anon to cleþe þ{a}t wyse, In frokkes of fyn cloþ, as forward hit asked; [Sidenote: Soon is he arrayed in purple, with a chain about his neck.] Þe{n}ne sone watȝ danyel dubbed i{n} ful dere porpor & a coler[89] of cler golde kest vmbe his swyre. 1744 Þe{n} watȝ demed a de-cre bi þe duk seluen, [Sidenote: A decree is made, that all should bow to him, as the third lord that followed Belshazzar.] Bolde baltaȝa[r] bed þat hy{m} bowe schulde Þe comynes a lof calde þat to þe ky{n}g lo{n}ged, As to þe prynce pryuyest preued þe þrydde, 1748 Heȝest of alle oþ{er}, saf onelych tweyne, To boȝ aft{er} baltaȝar i{n} borȝe & i{n} felde. [Sidenote: The decree was made known, and all were glad.] Þys watȝ cryed & knawen i{n} cort als fast, & alle þe folk þer-of fayn þat folȝed hy{m} tylle; 1752 [Sidenote: The day, however, past.] Bot how-so danyel watȝ dyȝt, þat day ou{er}-ȝede, [Sidenote: Night came on.] Nyȝt neȝed ryȝt now w{i}t{h} nyes fol mony, [Sidenote: Before another day dawned, Daniel’s words were fulfilled.] For daȝed neu{er} an oþ{er} day þat ilk derk aft{er}, Er dalt were þat ilk dome þat danyel deuysed, 1756 [Sidenote: The feast lasts till the sun falls.] Þe solace of þe solempneté i{n} þat sale dured Of þat farand fest, tyl fayled þe su{n}ne; [Sidenote: The skies become dark.] Þe{n}ne blykned[90] þe ble of þe bryȝt skwes, Mo{ur}kenes þe mery weder, & þe myst dryues 1760 Þorȝ þe lyst of þe lyfte, bi þe loȝ medoes; [Sidenote: Each noble hies home to his supper.] Vche haþel to his home hyȝes ful fast, Seten at her sop{er} & songen þ{er}-aft{er}, Þen fou{n}deȝ vch a felaȝschyp fyrre at forþ naȝtes. 1764 [Sidenote: Belshazzar is carried to bed, but never rises from it, for his foes are seeking to destroy his land, and are assembled suddenly.] Baltaȝar to his bedd with blysse watȝ caryed, [Sidenote: [Fol. 81b.]] Reche þe rest as hy{m} lyst, he ros neu{er} þer-aft{er}; For his foes i{n} þe felde i{n} flokkes ful grete Þat longe hade layted þat lede his londes to strye, 1768 Now ar þay sodenly assembled at þe self tyme, Of hem wyst no wyȝe þat i{n} þat won dowelled.

[Headnote: DARIUS LAYS SIEGE TO BABYLON.]

[Sidenote: The enemy is Darius, leader of the Medes.] Hit watȝ þe dere daryus þe duk of þise medes, Þe prowde prynce of perce & porros of ynde, 1772 [Sidenote: He has legions of armed men.] W{i}t{h} mony a legiou{n} ful large, w{i}t{h} ledes of armes, Þat now hatȝ spyed a space to spoyle caldeeȝ. [Sidenote: Under cover of the darkness, they cross the river.] Þay þrongen þeder i{n} þe þest{er} on þrawen hepes, Asscaped ou{er} þe skyre watt{er}es & scaþed þe walles, 1776 [Sidenote: By means of ladders they get upon the walls, and within an hour enter the city, without disturbing any of the watch.] Lyfte laddres ful longe & vpon lofte wonen, Stelen stylly þe tou{n} er any steue{n} rysed, W{i}t{h}-i{n}ne an oure of þe nyȝt[91] an entré þay hade; Ȝet afrayed þay no freke, fyrre þay passen, 1780 & to þe palays pry{n}cipal þay aproched ful stylle; [Sidenote: They run into the palace, and raise a great cry.] Þe{n}ne ran þay i{n} on a res, on rowtes ful grete, Blastes out of bryȝt brasse brestes so hyȝe, Ascry scarred on þe scue þat scomfyted mony. 1784 [Sidenote: Men are slain in their beds.] Segges slepande were slayne er þay slyppe myȝt, Vche ho{us} heyred watȝ, w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne a honde-whyle;

[Headnote: BELSHAZZAR IS BEATEN TO DEATH.]

[Sidenote: Belshazzar is beaten to death, and caught by the heels, is foully cast into a ditch.] Baltaȝar i{n} his bed watȝ beten to deþe, Þat boþe his blod & his brayn blende on þe cloþes; 1788 The ky{n}g i{n} his cortyn watȝ kaȝt bi þe heles, Feryed out bi þe fete & fowle dispysed; Þat watȝ so doȝty þat day & drank of þe vessayl, Now is a dogge al so dere þat in a dych lygges; 1792 [Sidenote: Darius is crowned king, and makes peace with the barons.] For þe mayst{er} of þyse medes on þe morne ryses, Dere daryo{us} þat day dyȝt vpon trone, Þat ceté seses ful sou{n}de, & saȝtly{n}g makes Wyth alle þe barou{n}ȝ þ{er}-aboute, þat bowed hy{m} aft{er}. 1796 [Sidenote: Thus the land was lost for the king’s sin.] & þ{us} watȝ þat londe lost for þe lordes sy{n}ne, & þe fylþe of þe freke þat defowled hade Þe orne-mentes of goddeȝ ho{us} þat holy were maked; [Sidenote: He was cursed for his uncleanness, and deprived of his honour, as well as of the joys of heaven.] He watȝ corsed for his vn-cla{n}nes, & cached þ{er}-i{n}ne, 1800 Done dou{n} of his dy{n}gneté for dedeȝ vnfayre, & of þyse worldes worchyp wrast out for eu{er}, & ȝet of lyky{n}ges on lofte letted, I trowe, [Sidenote: Thus in three ways has it been shown, that uncleanness makes God angry.] To loke on oure lofly lorde late bitydes. 1804 Þus vpon þry{n}ne wyses I haf yow þro schewed, Þat vn-cla{n}nes to-cleues i{n} corage dere Of þat wy{n}nelych lorde þat wonyes i{n} heuen, Entyses hy{m} to be tene, telled[92] vp his wrake; 1808 [Sidenote: Cleanness is His comfort.] Ande cla{n}nes is his comfort, & coyntyse he louyes, [Sidenote: The seemly shall see his face.] & þose þat seme arn & swete schy{n} se his face. [Sidenote: God give us grace to serve in His sight!] Þat we gon gay i{n} oure gere þat g{ra}ce he v{us} sende, Þat we may serue i{n} his syȝt, þ{er} solace neu{er} bly{n}neȝ. Amen.

[Sidenote 68: _þing_ (?).] [Sidenote 69: _þore_ (?).] [Sidenote 70: MS. þe þe.] [Sidenote 71: MS. sev{er}ed.] [Sidenote 72: MS. _glolde_ (?).] [Sidenote 73: MS. i{e}s{u}r{a}l{e}m.] [Sidenote 74: MS. _fo_.] [Sidenote 75: _ful_ (?).] [Sidenote 76: _ferlyke_ (?).] [Sidenote 77: Looks like _louflych_.] [Sidenote 78: ? _bryȝte_.] [Sidenote 79: MS. īs.] [Sidenote 80: MS. ler{n}s.] [Sidenote 81: MS. _strof_.] [Sidenote 82: _bede_ (?).] [Sidenote 83: _lance_ (?).] [Sidenote 84: _be_ (?).] [Sidenote 85: MS. _as as_.] [Sidenote 86: ? _panne_.] [Sidenote 87: _loued_ (?).] [Sidenote 88: MS. _hatȝ sende hatȝ sende_.] [Sidenote 89: MS. _cloler_.] [Sidenote 90: _blaykned_ (?)] [Sidenote 91: MS. _myȝt_.] [Sidenote 92: _telles_ (?).]

NOTES: _Cleanness_.

P. 37.

l. 3 _forering_ = _for-bering_. (?) 10 _reken_, reverently, solemnly. 12 _cleche gret mede_, take great reward. 16 _& hym to greme cachen_, and him to wrath drive. 18 _hagherlych_, fitly, decently. 21 _scoymous & skyg_, scrupulous and particular; _skyg_ implies dread, fear, shyness. 23 _in a carp_, in a discourse. 24 _heuened aȝt happeȝ_, exhibited eight blessings. 25 _me myneȝ_, I remember.

P. 38.

l. 27 _hapeneȝ_, is happy, blessed. 29 _as so saytȝ_, as one says. 32 _May not byde þat burne_ (? _burre_) _þat hit his body neȝen_, May not abide (suffer) that man (? blow), that it (? he) should approach his body. 39 _helded_, approached. 41 _toteȝ_ = _totȝ_ = toes. 49 _worþlych_, worshipful (? _worldlych_, worldly). 50 _in her_ (? _herin_). 52 _here dere_, beloved heir. 54 _comly quoyntis_, comely attire. 56 _with sclaȝt_, against (for) slaughter. 59 _roþeled_, ready prepared, literally hastened. 62 _skyly_, device, excuse.

P. 39.

l. 65 _nayed_, refused; _nurned_, uttered. 71 _a-dreȝ_, aback, aside. 76 _More to wyte is her wrange, þen any wylle gentyl_, More to blame is their fault, than any forlorn gentile. _Wylle_ has the significations of wandering, astray; as “_wyl dremes_,” wandering dreams, “_wylle of wone_,” astray from human habitations, having lost one’s way; and hence _wylle_ is often used to denote uncertainty, bewilderment. 81 _laþeȝ_, invite. 90 _styȝtled_, established, placed. 91 _þe marchal_, i.e. the marshal of the hall, whose duty it was, at public festivals, to place every person according to his rank and station. 95 _at þi banne_, at thy command. 96 _renischche renkeȝ_, strange men. 97 _layteȝ ȝet ferre_, search yet farther.

P. 40.

l. 99 _wayteȝ_, watch. 103 _balterande cruppeleȝ_, limping cripples. _Balter_ signifies to jump, skip, hop, etc. 110 _demed_, decreed. 112 _Hit weren not alle on wyueȝ suneȝ, wonen with on fader_, They were not all one wife’s sons, begotten with one father. 127 _& rehayte rekenly þe riche & þe poueren_, And cheer, prince-like (nobly), the rich and the poor. _Rehete_ is the most common form of the word: “Him would I comforte and _rehete_.” --Rom. Rose, l. 6509. 131 _syled fyrre_, proceeded farther. 132 _Tron fro table to table_, went from table to table. _Tron_ is the pret. of the verb _tryne_, to go, walk.

P. 41.

l. 134 _Hit watȝ not_, there was one (who) was not. 135 _þryȝt_, thrust; _unþryuandely_, badly. 144 _ratted_, rent, torn. 145 _goun febele_. Cf. _feble wede_, bad or poor clothing. --Havelok the Dane, l. 418. 149 _broþe wordeȝ_, angry (fierce) words. 150 _Hurkele_, cower, hang. _Hurkele_ signifies, literally, to squat, nestle, rest. 153 _laled_, spoke (quickly). 164 _fulȝed_, baptised. 166 _harme lache_, take hurt.

P. 42.

l. 179 _As_, also; _bolnande priyde_, swelling pride. 180 _Þroly in-to þe deueleȝ þrote man þryngeȝ bylyue_, Roughly into the devil’s throat man is thrust soon. 181 _colwarde_, deceitful, treacherous. I have not been able to meet with the word _colle_ used as noun or verb in any writer of the 14th or 15th century. _Col_ occurs, however, as a prefix, in _Col-prophet_ (false prophet), _Col-fox_ (crafty fox), used by Chaucer; _Col-knyfe_ (treacherous knife), which occurs in the “Townley Mysteries.” 200 _hatel of his wylle_, anger of his will.

P. 43.

l. 207 _attled_, endowed. 215 _metȝ_ = _mess_ (?), pity. 216 _tynt þe tyþe dool_, lost the tenth part. 222 _weued_, cut off. _swap_, blow. 230 _þe wrech saȝtled_, appeased the vengeance. 231 _wylnesful_, wilfulness. 233 _For-þy þaȝ þe rape were rank, þe rawþe watȝ lyttel_, Wherefore, though the blow were smart, the sorrow was little. 237 _in obedyent_ = _in-obedyent_ (?), disobedient.

P. 44.

l. 246 _drepe_, destroy (slay). 257 _forme-foster_ should be _forme-fostereȝ_, being in apposition with _auncetereȝ_. 261 For _lede_ read _ledeȝ_ (?). 270 _deȝter of þe douþe_, the daughters of the mighty (doughty) ones. 271 _on folken wyse_, after the manner of men.

P. 45.

l. 273 _meþeleȝ_, immoderate, intemperate. 274 _alosed_, (? noted). 298 _þryuen_, grown up, adult. 306 _nwyed_ = annoyed, _i.e._ displeased.

P. 46.

l. 320 _dutande_, shutting. 321 _halkeȝ_, recesses. 331 _þis meyny of aȝte_, this company (household) of eight. 335 _horwed_, unclean.

P. 47.

l. 350 _with-outen þrep_, without contradiction, gainsaying. 354 _a rowtande ryge_, a rattling shower. 359 _stysteȝ_ = _stynteȝ_ stops, ceases. 362 _& alle woned in þe whichche_, and all abode in the ark. _Whichche_ is another (and genuine) form of _hutch_. 364 _Waltes out vch walle-heued, in ful wode stremeȝ_, Bursts out each well-head (spring, fountain) in full wild streams. 365 _brymme_, stream. 366 _þe mukel lauande loghe_, the great flowing deep. 369 _fon_, ceased. 373 _moon_, moan, sorrow. 374 _dowed_, availed. 375 _wylger_, wilder, fiercer. 376 _dowelled_ = _dwelled_. 377 _feng to þe flyȝt_, took to flight. 378 _Vuche burde with her barne_, each woman with her child (bairn).

P. 48.

l. 379 _bowed_, hastened; _brentest_, highest, steepest. 380 _heterly_, quickly, (hotly); _haled_, rushed. 381 _Bot al watȝ nedleȝ her note_, but their device was altogether in vain. 382 _þe roȝe raynande ryg_, the rough raining shower; _raykande waweȝ_, flowing waves. 383 _boþom_, a _bottom_ or valley. 384 _demmed_, collected, accumulated. 391 _þe hyȝe_, the heights, high grounds. 392 _bauseneȝ_, badgers. 394 _re-coverer_, succour, refuge. 395 _Þat amounted_, etc., read _Þat amounted þe mase_, etc., that the astonishment increased. (Professor Child). 397 _Bi þat_, by that time. This phrase is still preserved in the North of England. 399 _Frendeȝ, fellen in fere, faþmed to-geder_. Friends, fallen in company, _embraced_ (fathomed) together. The verb _faþme_ in Early English also signifies to _grope_. 400 _dryȝ_, suffer; _delful_, doleful. 404 _freten_, devoured; _waȝeȝ_, waves. 406 _hurkled_, rested. This word is still preserved in the local dialects of the North of England, with the sense of “to cower,” “squat.” 407 _mourkne_, rotten. 409 _here_, company. 411 _aȝt-sum_, in care, sorrowful. 413 _hurlande goteȝ_, rushing streams. 414 _kytheȝ vncouþe_, unknown regions.

P. 49.

l. 421 _flyt_, current, flitting. 424 _lumpen_, the passive participle of _lympen_, to befal, happen. 430 _yreȝ_ is evidently an error for _yþeȝ_, waves. 433 _Rac_, moving clouds, mists. Still in provincial use. 436 _meth_, pity, mercy. 438 _lasned_, lessened, became smaller. 439 _stac vp þe stangeȝ_, closed up the pools. _Stang_ = _stanc_, _stank_, a word still used in the North of England. 441 _loȝ_ = _logh_, deep. 443 _lome_ = _loom_, i.e., the ark. 446 _rasse_ = the provincial _raise_, a mound. 449 _kyste_ = chest (ark); _wern_ = _were_ (?).

P. 50.

l. 451 _eggeȝ_, _edges_, banks, hills; _vnhuled_, uncovered. 452 _bynne_, within. Cf. _boute_, without. 461 _smach_ smack, scent; _smoltes_ (? _smolte_, i.e. smelt). 463 _ȝederly_, quickly, soon; _steuen_, command, literally voice. 466 _fodeȝ_, persons; _elleȝ_, provided that. 469 _doune_ = _dovene_, a female dove (see line 481). 476 _dreȝly_, drearily, sorrowfully. 480 _naytly_, dexterously (neatly). 482 _borne_ = _burne_, stream. 483 _skwe_, sky, cloud; _skowteȝ_, looks.

P. 51.

l. 485 _downe_ = _dovene_ (see ll. 469, 481). 487 _What!_ lo! 490 _saȝtlyng_, reconciliation. 496 _woned_ = _waned_, decreased, gone down. 498 _tyned_, enclosed. 499 _godeȝ glam_, God’s message (word); _glod_, came, literally glided. 501 _walt_ _wafte_ (?) (see B. l. 857). 504 _þroly þrublande in þronge_, quickly pressing in throng (crowd), _i.e._, huddling together. 509 _breþe_, steam, savour. 511 _spedeȝ & spylleȝ_, prospers (speeds) and spoils. 517 _barnage_, childhood.

P. 52.

l. 525 _sadde_, sharp, bitter. 529 _þen watȝ a skylly skyualde_, then was a design (purpose) manifested (ordered). 531 _nayte_, use, employ. 533 _wryþeȝ_, crawl, creep. 534 _folmarde_, polecat. 536 _lake ryftes_, fissures of the lake. 537 _Herneȝ_ = _erneȝ_, eagles. 539 _at a brayde_, in a moment.

P. 53.

l. 558 _merked_, ordained. 561 _raȝt_, extended to, gave. 566 _syt_, fault. 567 _quykeȝ_, living (things); _qued_, wickedness. 573 _vnhappen glette_, unfortunate filth, unhappy sin. 579 _heþyng of seluen_, contempt of [God’s] self. 583 _steppe yȝe_, bright eye; _steppe_ = _stepe_ is often explained by steep, deep set; but we often meet with such phrases as “_stepe_ stones,” bright stones, “_stepe_ starres,” bright stars. 586 _losed þe listen_, lost the hearing; _lysten_, in O.E. has frequently the meaning of _to hear_. 587 _trave_ = _trawe_, trow, believe. 588 _þer is no dede so derne þat ditteȝ his yȝen_. There is no deed so secret that closes His eyes (_i.e._ that He does not see).

P. 54.

l. 591 _gropande_, searching, examining. 592 _Rypande of vche a ring þe reynyeȝ & hert_ Trying (probing) the reins and heart of every man. _Rype_ is still used in the North of England in the sense of to plunder. Cf. our modern use of the word _ransack_ with its earlier meanings of to try, probe, search. 596 _honyseȝ_, disgraces, ruins, destroys. 598 _scarreȝ_, literally _scares_, is frightened, startled. 599 _to drawe allyt_ = _to draw a lyte_ = to draw back a little. 603 _blykked_, shone, glared. 605 _schunt_, aside, from _schunt_, to slip away, retreat.

P. 55.

l. 623 _orppedly_, quickly, hastily. 626 _happe_, cover, still in use in the north provincial dialects. 627 _som quat fat_, some sort of a vessel; _þe fyr bete_, make up the fire; _bete_ signifies, literally, to mend. 632 _deruely_ = _derfely_, quickly. 635 _þerue kakeȝ_ = _therfe_ or _tharfe_ cakes, _i.e._, cakes made without leaven. 646 _mensk_, thanks. 648 _leþe_, cease. 652 _ȝark_, select, chosen. 653 _for busmar_, in scorn. 655 _May þou traw for tykel þat þou tonne moȝteȝ_, Mayst thou trow (believe) for the uncertainty (of such a thing) that thou mightest conceive; _for tykel_, on account of the uncertainty. 654 _sothly_ = truly (? _sotly_, foolishly or _softly_).

P. 56.

l. 659 _byene_ = _ben_, been or _bycame_. The sense would require _hade_ before _byene_, if _byene_ = _ben_. 668 _Þat for lot þat þay lansed ho laȝed neuer_, That for (any) sound that they uttered, she never laughed; _lot_ = late, in the sense of _sound_, is not very common in Old English authors. 670 _a-loȝ_ = lowly, softly. 686 _blod_, child. 687 _bos_, behoves. 688 _atlyng_, intention, purpose; _vn-haspe_, disclose.

P. 57.

l. 696 _fylter_, join. 698 _amed_, placed; _oddely dere_, singularly dear. _Oddely_ occurs in some northern works with the sense of illustriously, nobly. 699 _drwry_, love; _doole alþer-swettest_, the sweetest of all gifts; gift the sweetest of all. 703 _conne_ is probably an error for _come_, but it may signify, be kindled, produced, begotten. 706 _stollen_, stealthy, secret. 711 _smod_ = the Scotch _smot_, _smad_, stain, filth. 719 _þe worre half_, the weaker portion, literally, the worse half. 723 _laue_, law.

P. 58.

l. 732 _smolt_, be at peace. 740 _for hortyng_, for hurting = for fear of hurting. This sense of _for_ is very common in writers of the 16th and 17th centuries. 743 _fryst_, delay, put off. 747 _vsle_, ashes, cinders. 752 _leþe_, destroy. 754 _I schal my þro steke_, I shall moderate (literally, shut up) my anger. 756 _reken_, wise.

P. 59.

l. 764 _mese þy mode_, temper thy wrath. 778 _mere_, boundary, _meer_. 784 _lened_ = leaned, reclined; but we may read _leued_ = _beleued_, remained.

P. 60.

l. 796 _vnder-ȝede_ = _vnder-ȝete_, understood. 801 _knaueȝ kote_, servant’s house. It looks at first sight like _kuchieȝ kote_. 802 _fatte_ = _vat_, vessel. 803 _norne_ = _nurne_, request. 810 _gruȝt_, gruched = begrudged. 813 _couþe_, knew. 814 _haylsed_, saluted. 824 _boute_, without. 830 _of glam debonere_, of pleasant, courteous conversation. 831 _wela-wynnely_, very joyfully.

P. 61.

l. 832 _woȝe_ = _wowe_, wall. 835 _wakker_ comp. _wayk_, weak. 836 _vmbe-lyȝe_, surround. 838 _scowte-wach_, sentinel; _asscry_, cry, shout, noise. 846 _ȝeȝed_ = chattered, gaggled; _ȝestande sorȝe_, afflicting (or frothing) sorrow. 848 _brych_ = what is low, vile, filthy (? _bryth_, breath); _vpbraydeȝ_, raises. 849 _glyfte with þat glam_, was frightened at that speech. 855 _wonded no woþe_, avoided no danger (hurt). 859 _meled_, spoke. 860 _hendelayk_, courtesy, civility.

P. 62.

l. 871 _tayt_ = lively. 874 _aȝly_ = _awly_, fearfully. 876 _out-comlyng_, a stranger. In this form it is still known in the North of England. _Comlyng_ is the more usual form of the word in our early literature; _carle = churl_. 881 _ȝornen_, ran. 882 _wapped_, beat. 885 _in blande_ = together (?); _banned_, cursed. 888 _nyteled_, laboured, toiled. 889 _of tayt_, from fear. _Teyt_, fear, alarm, occurs in the northern romance of Alexander. 890 _roþeled_, hastened. 892 _vglokest vnhap_, the most dreadful misfortune. 893 _Ruddon of þe day-rawe ros vpon vȝten_. The light of the day-break rose on the morn. 894 _merk_, darkness. 895 _ruþen_, rouse. 901 _cayre tid of þis kythe_, depart quickly from this land.

P. 63.

l. 905 _stemme no stepe_, stop (keep back), no step. Cf. our modern phrase “_stem_ the tide.” 909 _losen_, destroy. 911 _gorde_, rush. 912 _clater_, shatter. 915 _kynned_, kindled. 916 _þe brath of his breth_, the fierceness of his wrath. 918 _foo-schip_, enmity. 921 _walle_ = _wale_, choose; _wonnyng_, dwelling, abode. 927 _vtter_, without. 928 _wore_ = _ware_ = were. Cf. _thore_ = _thare_ = there. 931 _agayn-tote_, looking back; _tote_ (toot) occurs frequently with the sense of “to peep,” “look,” in Early English.

P. 64.

l. 944 _Loke ȝe bowe now bi bot_, Look ye go now by (according to) command. 947 _greme_, wrath. 948 _wakan_, arouse, stir up. 950 _flytande_, chiding, murmuring. 955 _smachande_, savouring, smelling. 964 _riftes_, fissures. 965 _cloutes_, pieces. 969 _Rydelles_ = _redeless_ = without counsel, helpless; _rowtes_, companies. 971 _Such a ȝomerly ȝarm of ȝellyng þer rysed_, Such a mournful (pitiful) outcry of yelling there rose.

P. 65.

l. 976 _Trynande ay a hyȝe trot_, going ever (at) a great pace. 987 _loueȝ_, not _loaves_, but = the provincial _looves_ = hands. 989 _dampped_ = _dumped_, beaten down. 991 _malscrande mere_, accursed lake. 992 _on a lawe_, on a hill. 1000 _& alle lyste on hir lik_ (i.e. _lick_) _þat arn on launde bestes._ “Als so sco loked hir behind, A stan sco standes bi þat way And sua sal do to domesday; In a salt stan men seis hir stand Þat best likes o þat land; Þat anes o þe wok day, Þan is sco liked al away And þan þai find hir on þe morn, Hale als sco was ar beforn.” (Cott. MS. Vesp. A. iii. fol. 17b.) 1002 _niye_, anguish.

P. 66.

l. 1009 _a roþun of a reche_, a rush of smoke, a mass of vapour; _blake_, the black (pit). 1011 _flot_, fat, grease. 1016 _drouy_, turbid, from _droue_, to trouble. 1024 _costeȝ of kynde_ = natural properties. 1030 _boþem broþely_, filthy pit. 1031 _losyng_, perdition. 1033 _coosteȝ_ = properties. 1035 _alkaran_, Mandeville employs the term _alkatran_; _angré_ = poisonous or grievous, or _augre_ = _aigre_, sharp. 1036 _saundyuer_ = _sandiver_, glass-gall. 1037 _waxlokes_, waves. 1038 _spuniande_, cleaving, sticky. 1039 _se halues_, sea coasts. 1041 _terne_ = _tarne_, lake. 1044 _apple garnade_ = pomegranate.

P. 67.

l. 1072 _kynned_, conceived. 1076 _a schepon_ = a stable.

P. 68.

l. 1079 _reflayr_, smell, odour; _rote_, decay. 1082 _þe reken fyþel_, the merry fiddle. 1094 _lomerande blynde_, the hesitating (slow, creeping), blind. The primitive meaning of _lomerande_ seems to be that of _slow_, sluggish. 1108 _tyȝt_, endeavour.

P. 69.

l. 1113 _fenny_, dirty, filthy, and hence sinful. 1118 _to dele_, to exchange. 1123 For “_& wax euer_,” etc., the sense seems to require that we should read “_& wax ho euer_,” etc. 1124 _in pyese_ = whole. 1126 _blyndes of ble_, becomes dull of hue, loses its colour. 1127 _No-bot_, only. 1141 _lastes_, vices. 1142 _þewes_ = _þeues_ (?), thieves, or _unþewes_, vices (?)

P. 70.

l. 1153 _tyȝt me a tom_ = give me an opportunity; _tom_ has the sense of _leisure_ and not of _time_. 1167 _fylsened_, helped, aided. 1172 _lat_, late, slow. 1178 _þorpes_, cities.

P. 71.

l. 1186 _skete skarmoch_, _skelt_, brisk skirmish, hastened (came on quickly). 1190 _brutage_ = _bretage_, parapets of a wall. 1202 _blench_, stratagem. 1205 _at-wappe_, escape. 1206 _skelt_, spread. 1208 _ruþed_, roused. 1209 _hard hattes_, (?) hats made of tow; _herd_, _hard_ (_harden_, _hards_), in O. English signify cloth made of tow.

P. 72.

l. 1219 _faynest_, gladdest. 1224 _dreȝe þer his wyrdes_, endure there his destiny. 1246 _to þe bronde_, to the sword.

P. 73.

l. 1254 _on capeles_, on horses. 1255 _fole wombes_, bellies of foals. 1259 _to cayre at þe kart & þe kuy mylke_, to drag at the cart and milk the cows. 1265 _plat of_, strike off. 1284 _hamppred_ = _hampered_, packed up for removal.

P. 74.

l. 1290 _hyȝtled_, ornamented. 1303 _modey_ = _moody_, proud. 1313 _sesed_, took possession of.

P. 75.

l. 1327 _bi-cnv_ = _bicneu_, acknowledged. 1330 _heldes_, descends. 1332 _grauen_, buried. 1334 _stalled in his stud_, placed in his stead (position). 1342 _tre_, wood; _telded_, raised. 1344 _gered_, covered, decked. 1346 _reden_, advise. 1354 _notyng_, devising, contriving; _gettes_, devices.

P. 76.

l. 1358 _avayment_, exhibition. 1361 _banne_, proclamation. 1362 _callyng_, decree. 1366 _vche a kythyn kyng_, every king of countries. 1375 _ludisch lordes_, lords of nations. 1379 _plek_, spot (plot of ground).

P. 77.