Chapter 17

++Þe vle. one hwile hi bihouhte. 155 And after þan þis word up brouhte. | Ich graunti wel þa`t´ he vs d{e}me. [f. 230v¹ For þeyh he were hwile breme. [&] leof him wre Nihtingale. And oþer wyhte gent [&] smale. 160 Ich wot. he is nu þe acoled. Nis he vor þe nouht afoled.

++Þo hule one wile hi bi{}þo[gh]te. 155 [&] aft{er} þan þis word up bro[gh]te. Ich granti wel þat he us deme. vor þe[gh] he were wile breme. [&] lof him were ni[gh]tingale. [&] oþer wi[gh]te gente [&] smale. 160 Ich wot he is nu suþe acoled. | Nis he vor þe no[gh]t afoled. [f. 234v¹

þat he vor þine olde luue. Me a dun legge [&] þe a buue. N[e] schaltu. neuer so him queme. 165 þat he vor þe fals dom deme. he is nv ripe. [&] fast rede. Ne luste hym nv to non vnred{e}. Nv him ne lust namore pleye he wile gon a rihte weye. 170

þat he for þine olde lo`u´ue. Me adun legge [&] þe buue. Ne schaltu neure so him queme. 165 þat he forþe fals dom deme. He is him ripe [&] fastrede. Ne lust him nu to none unrede. Nu him ne lust na more pleie. He wile gon a ri[gh]te weie. 170

[Linenote: 167. A mark in margin apparently calling attention to _him_, MS.]

++Þe nihtegale· wes al ware. heo hedde ileorned· wel ihware. vle heo seyde seye me soþ. hwi dostu þat vnwihtes doþ. þu singest a nyht [&] nouht a{}day. 175 And al þi song is way{}laway. þu miht mid þine songe afere. Alle þat hereþ þine ibere.

++Þe ni[gh]tingale was al [gh]are. Ho hadde ilorned wel aiware. Hule ho sede seie me soþ. wi dostu þat un{}wi[gh]tis doþ. þu singist ani[gh]t [&] no[gh]t adai. 175 [&] al þi song is wailawai. þu mi[gh]t mid þine songe afere. alle þat ihereþ þine ibere.

Þ[u] scrichest [&] yollest to þine fere þat hit is gryslich to ihere. 180 hit þincheþ boþe wise [&] snepe. Nouht þat þu singe. at þu wepe. þu flyhst a nyht and noht a day. þar of ich wundri [&] wel may. For vych þing þat schonyeþ riht. 185 hit luuyeþ þust{er} [&] hateþ lyht. [&] euych þing. þat luueþ misded{e}. hi luueþ þust{er} to his dede. . . . . . . [Linenote: 188. _hi_ corr. out of _his_ MS.]

þu schirchest [&] [gh]ollest to þine fere. þat hit is grislich to ihere. 180 Hit þinchest boþe wise [&] snepe. No[gh]t þat þu singe ac þat þu wepe. þu fli[gh]st a{}ni[gh]t [&] no[gh]t adai. þar{}of ich wndri [&] wel mai. vor eurich þing þat schuniet ri[gh]t. 185 Hit luueþ þust{er} [&] hatiet li[gh]t. [&] eurich þing þat is lof misdede. Hit luueþ þust{er} to his dede. . . . . . .

++Þeos vle luste swiþe longe. [f. 230v² [&] wes of{}teoned swiþe stronge. 190 heo quaþ þu hattest Nihtegale. þu mihtest bet hote galegale. vor þu hauest to monye tale. let þine tunge habbe spale. þu wenest þat þes day beo þin owe. 195 let me nv habbe myne þrowe. Beo nv stille [&] let me speke. Ich wile beo of þe a wreke. [&] lust hw ich con me bi{}telle. Mid rihte soþe wiþ{}vte spelle. 200

++Þos hule luste suþe longe. [f. 234v² [&] was of{}toned suþ`e´ stronge. 190 quaþ Ho þu `h´attest ni[gh]tingale. Þu mi[gh]test bet hoten galegale. Vor þu hauest to monie tale. Lat þine tunge habbe spale. þu wenest þat þes dai bo þino[gh]e. 195 Lat me nu habbe mine þro[gh]e. Bo nu stille [&] lat me speke. Ich wille bon of þe awreke. [&] lust hu ich con me bitelle. Mid ri[gh]te soþe wit{}ute spelle. 200

[Linenote: 191. _Ho quaþ_ with marks of inversion MS.]

þu seyst þat ich me hude a{}day þar to ne segge ich nyk no nay [&] lust ich telle hwer{}vore Al hwi hit is [&] hware{}vore. | Ich habbe bile stif [&] strong{e}. [f. 231r¹ 205 [&] gode cleures scharp [&] longe. So hit bycumeþ to hauekes cunne. hit is myn hyhte· [&] my ynne. þat ich me drawe to mine cund{e}. Ne may me no mo{n} þar{}for send{e}. 210

þu seist þat ich me hude adai. þar{}to ne segge ich nich ne nai. [&] lust ich telle þe wareuore. al wi hit is [&] wareuore. Ich habbe bile stif [&] stronge. 205 [&] gode cliuers scharp [&] longe. So hit bi{}cumeþ to hauekes cunne. Hit is min hi[gh]te hit is mi wune. þat ich me dra[gh]e to mine cunde. | Ne mai noman þareuore schende. [f. 235r¹ 210

on me hit is wel i sene. For rihte cunde ich am so kene. vor þi ich am loþ smale vowele. Þat fleoþ bi g{ru}nde [&] bi þuuele. hi me bichirmeþ [&] bi{}gredeþ. 215 [&] heore flockes to me ledeþ. Me is leof to habbe reste. And sitte stille in myne neste. . . . . . .

On me hit is wel isene. vor ri[gh]te cunde ich am so kene. vor{}þi ich am loþ smale fo[gh]le. þat floþ bi grunde an bi þuuele. Hi me bichermet [&] bigredeþ. 215 [&] hore flockes to `m´e ledeþ. Me is lof to habbe reste. [&] sitte stille in mine neste. . . . . . . [Linenote: 216. _me_] _[n..]e_ with _i_ added above: _me_ in margin.]

wenestu þat hauek beo þe wrse. [f. 231r² Þe crowe bi{}grede him bi þe m{er}sche. 220 [&] goþ to him myd heore chyrme. Riht so hi wille. wiþ hi{m} schirme. þe hauek foleweþ gode rede. He flyhþ his wey [&] let hi grede.

wenestu þat haueck bo þe worse. þo[gh] crowe bi{}grede him bi þe m{er}she. 220 [&] goþ to him mid hore chirme. Ri[gh]t so hi wille wit him schirme. þe hauec fol[gh]eþ gode rede. | [&] fli[gh]t his wei [&] lat he{m} grede. [f. 235r²

[Linenotes: 223. _[f.][l.] fol[gh]eþ_ MS. || 224. _hem_ corr. out of _hi_ MS.]

++Þet þu me seyst of oþer þinge. 225 [&] tellest þat ich ne can nouht singe. Ac al my reorde is wonyng. And to ihere gryslych þing. þat nis nouht soþ. ich singe efne. Mid fulle dreme· [&] lude stefne. 230 þu wenest þat eoch song beo g{ri}slich. þat þine pipinge nis ilich.

++[Gh]et þu me seist of oþ{er} þinge. 225 [&] telst þat ich ne can no[gh]t singe Ac al mi rorde is woning [&] to `i´hire grislich þing þat nis no[gh]t soþ ich singe efne. Mid fulle dreme [&] lude stefne. 230 þu wenist þat ech song bo grislich. þat þine pipinge nis ilich.

Mi stefne is bold· [&] nouht vnorne. heo is ilich one grete horne. [&] þin is iliche one pype. 235 of one smale weode vnripe. Ich [singe] bet þan þu dest. Þu chaterest so doþ on yris p{re}st.

Mi stefne is bold [&] no[gh]t un{}orne. ho is ilich one grete horne. [&] þin is ilich one pipe. 235 Of one smale w`e´ode un{}ripe. Ich singe bet þan þu dest. Þu chat{er}est so doþ on irish pr`e´ost.

[Linenotes: 233. MS. _blod_ corr. in margin to _bold_. || 236. _woede_ _e_ added by corrector MS.]

Ich singe an efne. a{}ryhte time. [&] seþþe hwenne hit is bedtime. 240 þe þridde syþe a middel{}nyhte. [&] so ich myne songe a{}dihte. hwenne ich iseo arise veorre oþer day{}rewe· oþer day{}steorre. Ic do god myd myne þrote. 245 And warny men to heore note. Ac þu singest alle longe nyht. From eue þat hit is day{}liht.

Ich singe an eue ari[gh]te time [&] soþþe won hit is bedtime. 240 þe þridde siþe ad middelni[gh]te. [&] so ich mine song adi[gh]te. wone ich i{}so arise vorre. Oþer dairim oþer daisterre. Ich do god mid mine þrote. 245 [&] warni men to hore note. Ac þu singest alle longe ni[gh]t. From eue fort hit is daili[gh]t.

[Linenote: 247. _allelonge_ MS.]

[&] euer lesteþ þin o song, so longe so þe nyht is long. 250 [&] eu{er} croweþ þi wrecche crey. Þat he ne swikeþ nyht ne day. | Mid þine pipinge þu adunest. [f. 231v¹ þas mo{n}nes eren. þar þu wunest. [&] makest þi song, so vnwiht. 255 þat me ne telleþ. of þe nowiht.

[&] eure seist þin o song. So longe so þe ni[gh]t is long. 250 [&] eure croweþ þi wrecche crei. þat he ne swikeþ ni[gh]t ne dai. Mid þine pipinge þu a{}dunest. þas monnes earen þar þu wunest. [&] makest þine song so unwrþ. 255 þa`t´ me ne telþ of þar no[gh]t wrþ.

Eurych mureþe may so lo{n}ge leste. þat heo schal liki wel vnwreste. for harpe. [&] pipe. [&] foweles song. Mislikeþ. if hit is to long. 260 Ne beo þe song ne so murie. þat he ne sal þinche vnmurie. If he i{}lesteþ ouer vnwille. So þu myht þi song aspille. for hit is soþ Alured hit seyde. 265 [&] me hit. may i{n} boke rede. Eurich þing may lesen his godhed{e}. Mid vnmeþe and ouerdede. . . . . . .

+E+urich mur[gh]þe mai so longe ileste. þat ho shal liki wel unwreste. [f. 235v¹ vor harpe [&] pipe [&] fu[gh]eles songe. Mislikeþ [gh]if hit is to long. 260 Ne bo þe song neu{er} so murie. þat he ne shal þinche wel unmurie. [gh]ef he ilesteþ ouer unwille. So þu mi[gh]t þine song aspille. vor hit is soþ alured hit seide. 265 [&] me hit mai ine boke rede. Eurich þing mai losen his godhede Mid unmeþe [&] mid ouerdede. . . . . . .

[Linenote: 265. _sei[d.]de_ MS.]

++Þe nyhtegale i{n} hire þouhte. [f. 231v² At{}heold al þis. [&] longe þouhte. 270 hwat heo þar after myhte segge, vor heo ne myhte noht a{}legge. þat þe vle hedde hire i{}seyd. vor ho spak boþe riht [&] red. [&] hire of þuhte þat heo hadde. 275 þe speche so feor{}uorþ iladde. [&] wes aferd þat hire answare Ne wrþe nouht a riht ivare.

++Þe ni[gh]tingale in hire þo[gh]te. [f. 235v² Athold al þis [&] longe þo[gh]te. 270 wat ho þar{e} aft{er} mi[gh]te segge. vor ho ne mi[gh]te no[gh]t alegge. þat þe hule hadde hire ised. vor he spac boþe ri[gh]t an red. An hire ofþu[gh]te þat ho hadde. 275 þe speche so foruorþ iladde. An was oferd þat hire answare. Ne wrþe no[gh]t ari[gh]t i{}fare.

[Linenote: 270. _alþis_ MS.]

Ac noþeles heo spak boldeliche vor heo is wis þat hardeliche. 280 wiþ his fo berþ grete ilete. {þ}at he for arehþe hit ne for{}lete. vor suych worþ bold if þu flyhst. þa`t´ wile fleo if þu swykst. | If he isihþ þat þu {n}art areh. [f. 232r¹ 285 he wile of bore wurche bareh. [&] for þi· þey `þe´ nyhtegale. Were a{}ferd· heo spak bolde tale.

[Linenotes: 282. _þat_] _hwat_ MS. || 285. _art_ MS. || 287. _þe_ added in margin.]

Ac noþeles he spac boldeliche. vor he is wis þat hardeliche. 280 wiþ is uo berþ grete ilete. þat he uor are[gh]þe hit ne forlete. vor suich worþ bold [gh]if þu fli[gh]ste. þat wle flo [gh]if þu svicst. [Gh]if he isiþ þat þu nart are[gh]. 285 He wile of bore wrchen bare[gh]. [&] forþi þe[gh] þe ni[gh]tingale. | were aferd ho spac bolde tale [f. 236r¹

[Linenotes: 284. _[i.][s.]vicst_ MS. || 286. _bare[gh]_] _a_ corr. out of _r_ MS.]

++Hvle heo seyde· hwi dostu so. þu singest a wynter wolawo. 290 þu singest so doþ hen a{}snowe. Al þat heo singeþ hit is for wowe. A wint{er} þu singest wroþe [&] yom{er}e. [&] eu{er} þu art. dumb a sumere. hit is for þine fule nyþe 295 þat þu ne myht. myd vs be bliþe. vor þu forbernest· neyh for onde. hwenne vre blisse cumeþ to lond{e}.

[Linenote: 289. Þule]

++Hule ho seide wi dostu so. þu singest awint{er} wolawo. 290 þu singest so doþ hen asnowe. Al þat ho singeþ hit is for wowe. A wint{er}e þu singest wroþe and [gh]om{er}e. An`d´ eure þu art dumb a{}sum{er}e. Hit is for þine fule niþe. 295 þat þu ne mi[gh]t mid us be bliþe. vor þu forbernest welne[gh] for onde, wane ure blisse cumeþ to londe.

[Linenotes: 289. _Þule_ MS. || 297. _foronde_ MS.]

þu farest so doþ þe ille. Euer{}ich blisse him is vnwille. 300 Grucching· [&]· luryng. hi{m} beoþ rade. If he iseoþ. þat men beoþ glade. he wolde þat he iseye. Teres i{n} eu{er}iche monnes eye. Ne roughte þe. þeyh flockes were. 305 Imeynd bi toppes· [&] bi here.

þu farest so doþ þe ille. Evrich blisse him is un{}wille. 300 Grucching [&] luring him boþ rade. [Gh]if he isoþ þat men boþ glade. he wolde þat he ise[gh]e. Teres in evrich monnes e[gh]e. Ne ro[gh]te he þe[gh] flockes were. 305 Imeind bi toppes [&] bi here.

Al{}so þu dost on þire syde. For hwanne snouh liþ þikke [&] wid{e}. [&] alle wihtes habbeþ sorewe. þu singest from eue to amorewe. 310 Ac ich mid me alle blisse bringe. Ech wiht is glad· for myne þinge. [&] blesseþ hit· hwenne ich cume. [&] hihteþ a{}yeyn myne cume. þe blostme. gynneþ sp{ri}nge [&] sp{re}d{e}. 315 Boþe i{n} treo [&] ek in mede.

Al{}so þu dost on þire side. vor wanne snov liþ þicke [&] wide. an`d´ alle wi[gh]tes habbeþ sor[gh]e. þu singest from eue fort amor[gh]e. 310 Ac ich alle blisse mid me bringe. Ech wi[gh]t is glad for mine þinge. [&] blisseþ hit wanne ich cume. [&] hi[gh]teþ a[gh]en mine kume. þe blostme ginneþ sp{ri}nge [&] sp{re}de 315 Boþe ine tro [&] ek on mede.

[Linenote: 315. _þe blostme_ on an erasure MS.]

þe lilie myd hire fayre wlite. welcomeþ me þeyh þu hit wite. Bid me myd hire fayre bleo. | þat ich schulle to hire fleo. [f. 232r² 320 þe rose also myd hire rude. þat cumeþ of þe þorne wode. Bit me þat ich schulle singe. For hire luue one skentynge. . . . . . .

þe lilie mid hire faire wlite. Wolcumeþ me þat þu hit wte. Bit me mid hire faire blo. Þat ich shulle to hire flo. 320 þe rose al{}so mid hire rude. | þat cumeþ ut of þe þorne wode. [f. 236r² Bit me þat ich shulle singe vor hire luue one skentinge. . . . . . . [Linenotes: 319. _Bit_] _t_ corr. out of _d_ MS. || 324. _[o.][n.][e.]_ _one_ MS.]

[V]le þu axest me heo seyde. [f. 234r¹ 325 [I]f ich con eny oþer dede. Bute syngen in sume tyde. [&] bringe blisse veor [&] wyde. hwy axestu of craftes myne. Beter is myn on þan alle þine. 330 Bet{er} is o song of myne muþe. þan al þat þi kun kuþe.

++Hule þu axest me ho seide. 325 [gh]if ich kon eni oþer dede. Bute singen in sume tide. an bringe blisse for [&] wide. wi axestu of craftes mine. Betere is min on þan alle þine. 330 Bet{er}e is o song of mine muþe. þan al þat eure þi kun kuþe.

[Linenote: 325. _Hule_] _Nule_ MS.]

[&] lust. ich telle þe hwar{}vore. wostu to hwan· mon wes ibore. To þare blisse of heueryche. | 335 þar eu{er} is song. [&] Murehþe ilyche. [f. 234r² þider fundeþ euer ich man. þat eny þing of gode can. for þi me syngþ i{n} holy chireche. [&] clerekes gynneþ songes wrche. 340 þat mon yþenche. bi þe songe. hwider he shal. [&] þar beon longe.

An lust ich telle þe wareuore. | wostu to wan man was ibore. [f. 238r² To þare blisse of houene{}riche. 335 þar eu{er} is song [&] mur[gh]þe iliche. þid{er} fundeþ eurich man. þat eniþing of gode kan. vor þi me singþ in holi chirche. an clerkes ginneþ songes wirche. 340 þat man iþenche biþe songe. wid{er} he shal [&] þar bon longe.

þat he þe murehþe ne vor{}yete. Ac þar of þenche. [&] bi{}gete. [&] nyme yeme of chirche stefne. 345 hw Murie is þe blisse of heuene. Clerekes· Munekes· [&] canúnes. þar beoþ þos gode wike{}tunes. Ariseþ vp to middel{}nyhte. [&] singeþ of þon heuene{}lyhte. 350 [&] preostes vpe londe singeþ. [Hwenne þe liht of daye springeþ.] [&] ich heom helpe hwat ic may. . . . . . . [Linenotes: 344. _bi gete_] _bi gethe_ MS. || 352. Wanting in MS.]

þat he þe mur[gh]þe ne uor[gh]ete. Ac þar of þenche and bi{}[gh]ete. An nime [gh]eme of chirche steuene. 345 Hu murie is þe blisse of houene. Clerkes munekes [&] kanunes. þar boþ þos gode wicke tunes. Ariseþ up to midel{}ni[gh]te. An singeþ of þe houene li[gh]te. 350 An prostes upe londe singeþ. wane þe li[gh]t of daie springeþ. An ich hom helpe wat i mai. . . . . . .

++Þe Nihtegale myd sweche worde. [f. 241r² for monymo{n} myd speres orde. 355 haueþ lutle strengþe. [&] mid his schelde. Ah naþeles in one felde. þurh belde worde [&] myd ilete. Deþ his iuo· for arehþe swete. þe wrenne for heo cuþe singe. 360 þar com i{n} þare moreweninge. To helpe þare nyhtegale. vor heo hadde stefne smale.

++Þe ni[gh]tegale mid swucche worde. [f. 245v¹ for moniman mid speres orde. 355 haueþ lutle strencþe [&] mid his [s]chelde. Ah neoþeles in one felde. Þ{urh} belde worde an mid ilete. Deþ his iuo for arehþe swete. þe wranne for heo cuþe singe. 360 þar com in þare more[gh]e{n}[i]nge. To helpe þare ni[gh]tegale. For þah heo hadde steuene smale.

[Linenote: 361. _more [gh]eunge_ MS.]

heo hadde gode þrote [&] schille. [&] fale mo{n}ne song a wille. 365 þe wrenne· wes wel wis iholde. vor þeih heo nere ibred a wolde. heo wes itowen. am{on}g mankunne [&] hire wisdo{m} brouhte þenne. heo myhte speke hwar heo wolde. 370 To{}fore þe kinge· þah heo scholde. lusteþ· heo queþ· leteþ me speke. hwat wille ye. þis pays to breke.

Heo hadde gode þrote [&] schille. An fale manne song awille. 365 þe wranne was wel wis iholde. `Vor þeg heo nere ibred awolde.´ Ho was ito[gh]en among menne. An hire wisdom brohte þenne. Heo mi[gh]te speke hwar heo walde. 370 To{}uore þe king þah heo scholde. Lusteþ heo cwaþ lateþ me speke. Hwat wulle [gh]e þis pes to{}breke.

[Linenotes: 364. _þorte_ MS. || 367. This line comes after l. 378 in MS. || 368. _menne_] _mann[-e]ne_ MS.]

[&] do þan [kinge] such schome. yet nys heo nouþer ded ne lome. 375 hunke schal i{}tyde harm [&] schonde. If we doþ gryþ{}bruche on his lond{e}. Leteþ beo and beoþ isome. [&] fareþ riht to eure dome. [&] leteþ do{m} þis playd to breke. 380 Al{}so hit wes erure bi{}speke.

[Linenote: 374. _þan kinge_] _þanne_ MS.]

An do þan [kinge] swuch schame. [Gh]e[t] nis he nouþer ded ne lame. 375 Hunke schal i{}tide harm [&] scho{n}de. [Gh]ef [gh]e doþ griþ{}bruche on his londe. Lateþ beo [&] beoþ isome. | An fareþ riht to ower dome. [f. 245v² An lateþ dom þis plaid to breke. 380 Al swo hit was erur bispeke.

[Linenote: 374. _þan kinge_] _þanne_ MS.]

+I+ch vnne wel queþ þe Nihtegale. Ah wrenne· nouht for þine tale. Ac do for myre lauhfulnesse. Ic nolde þat vnrihtfulnesse. 385 Me at þen ende· me ouercome. Ic nam of dred. of none dome. Bi{}hote ic habbe· soþ hit is. þat ma[.y]ster Nichole. [þ/] is wis. Bi{}twihen eu deme schulle. 390 [&] yet ic wene þat he wulle. |

++Ich an wel cwað þe ni[gh]tegale. Ah wranne nawt for þire tale. Ah do for mire lahfulnesse. Ich nolde [þ/] unriht{}fulnesse. 385 Me at þen ende ouer{}kome. Ich nam of{}drad of none dome. Bi{}hote ich habbe soþ hit is. þat maister nichole [þ/] is wis. Bi{}tuxen vs deme schulde. 390 An [gh]ef ich wene [þ/] he wule.

Ah {w}ar myhte we hine fynde. [f. 241v¹ þe wrenne sat in hore lynde. hwat mihte yet quaþ heo his hom. heo wuneþ at portes{}hom. 395 At one tune in dorsete. Bi þare séé in ore vt{}lete. þar he demeþ mony riht dom. [&] diht [&] wryt mony wisdom. [&] þurh his muþe. [&] þurh his honde. 400 hit is þe betere in{}to scotlonde.

Ah war mihte we hine finde. þe wranne sat in ore linde. Hwat nu[gh]te [gh]e cwaþ heo his hom. He wuneþ at portes{}hom. 395 At one tune ine dorsete. Bi þar{e} see in ore ut{}lete. þar he demeþ manie ri[gh]te dom. An diht [&] writ mani wisdom. An þ{urh} his muþe [&] þ{urh} his honde. 400 Hit is þe betere into scot{}londe.