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Title: Chaucer's Translation of Boethius's 'De Consolatione Philosophiae'

Author: Geoffrey Chaucer

Editor: Richard Morris

Release Date: February 12, 2013 [EBook #42083]

Language: English

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  Chaucer's Translation of
  BOETHIUS'S "DE CONSOLATIONE
  PHILOSOPHI"


  EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY

  Extra Series, No. 5

  1868
  (Reprinted 1889, 1894, 1895, etc., 1969)

  Price 40s.




  Chaucer's Translation of
  BOETHIUS'S "DE CONSOLATIONE
  PHILOSOPHI"

  Edited From
  British Museum Additional MS. 10,340
  Collated With
  Cambridge University Library MS. Ii.3.21

  By

  RICHARD MORRIS


  _Published for_
  THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY
  _by the_
  OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
  London New York Toronto




  First Published 1868

  Reprinted 1889, 1894, 1895, etc.,
  and 1969


  Extra Series, No. 5

  Originally printed by
  Richard Clay & Sons Ltd., London and Bungay
  and now reprinted lithographically in Great Britain
  at the University Press, Oxford
  by Vivian Ridler
  Printer to the University




INTRODUCTION.


When master hands like those of Gibbon and Hallam have sketched the life
of _Boethius_, it is well that no meaner man should attempt to mar their
pictures. They drew, perhaps, the most touching scene in Middle-age
literary history,--the just man in prison, awaiting death, consoled by
the Philosophy that had been his light in life, and handing down to
posterity for their comfort and strength the presence of her whose
silver rays had been his guide as well under the stars of Fortune as the
mirk of Fate. With Milton in his dark days, Boece in prison could say,--

                                  'I argue not
  Against Heaven's hand or will, nor bate a jot
  Of heart or hope; but still bear up and steer
  Right onward. What supports me, dost thou ask?
  The conscience, friend, to have lost them overplied
  In liberty's defence, my noble task,
  Of which all Europe rings from side to side.'

For, indeed, the echoes of Boethius, Boethius, rang out loud from every
corner of European Literature. An Alfred awoke them in England, a
Chaucer, a Caxton would not let them die; an Elizabeth revived them
among the glorious music of her reign.[I-1] To us, though far off, they
come with a sweet sound. 'The angelic' Thomas Aquinas commented on him,
and many others followed the saint's steps. Dante read him, though,
strange to say, he speaks of the Consolation as 'a book not known by
many.'[I-2] Belgium had her translations--both Flemish[I-3] and
French[I-4]; Germany hers,[I-5] France hers,[I-6] Italy hers.[I-7] The
Latin editors are too numerous to be catalogued here, and manuscripts
abound in all our great libraries.

No philosopher was so bone of the bone and flesh of the flesh of
Middle-age writers as Boethius. Take up what writer you will, and you
find not only the sentiments, but the very words of the distinguished
old Roman. And surely we who read him in Chaucer's tongue, will not
refuse to say that his full-circling meed of glory was other than
deserved. Nor can we marvel that at the end of our great poet's life, he
was glad that he had swelled the chorus of Boethius' praise; and 'of the
translacioun of Boece de Consolacioun,' thanked 'oure Lord Ihesu Crist
and his moder, and alle the seintes in heuen.'

The impression made by Boethius on Chaucer was evidently very deep. Not
only did he translate him directly, as in the present work, but he read
his beloved original over and over again, as witness the following list,
incomplete of course, of passages from Chaucer's poems translated more
or less literally from the _De Consolatione_:

    [Footnote I-1: Other translations are by John Walton of Osney, in
    verse, in 1410 (Reg. MS. 18, A13), first printed at Tavistock in
    1525, and to be edited some time or other for the E.E.T.S. An
    anonymous prose version in the Bodleian. George Coluile, alias
    Coldewel, 1556; J.T. 1609; H.Conningesbye, 1664; Lord Preston,
    1695, 1712; W.Causton, 1730; Redpath, 1785; R.Duncan, 1789;
    anon. 1792 (Lowndes).]

    [Footnote I-2: Dante, in his _Convito_, says, "Misimi a legger
    quello _non conosciuto da molti_ libro di Boezio, nel quale
    captivo e discacciato consolato s'avea."]

    [Footnote I-3: Printed at Ghent, 1485.]

    [Footnote I-4: By Reynier de Seinct Trudon, printed at Bruges,
    1477.]

    [Footnote I-5: An old version of the 11th cent., printed by Graff,
    and a modern one printed at Nuremberg, 1473.]

    [Footnote I-6: By Jean de Mung, printed at Paris, 1494.]

    [Footnote I-7: By Varchi, printed at Florence, 1551; Parma, 1798.]


I. LOVE.

  Wost thou nat wel the olde clerkes sawe,
  That who schal yeve a lover eny lawe,
  Love is a grettere lawe, by my pan,
  Then may be yeve to (of) eny erthly man?

    (_Knightes Tale, Aldine Series_, vol. ii. p. 36, 37.)

  But what is he at may [gh]eue a lawe to loueres. loue is a gretter
  lawe and a strengere to hym self an any lawe at men may [gh]euen.

    (_Chaucer's Prose Translation_, p. 108.)

  _Quis legem det amantibus?
  Major lex amor est sibi._

    (Boeth., lib. iii. met. 12.)


II. A DRUNKEN MAN.

  A dronke man wot wel he hath an hous,
  But he not[I-8] which the righte wey is thider.

    (_Knightes Tale_, vol. ii. p. 39.)

  _Ry[gh]t as a dronke man not nat[I-9] by whiche pae he may retourne
  home to hys house._

    (Chaucer's Trans., p. 67.)

  _Sed velut ebrius, domum quo tramite revertatur, ignorat._

    (Boeth., lib. iii. pr. 2.)

    [Footnote I-8: The Harl. MS. reads _not nat_, to the confusion of
    the metre.]

    [Footnote I-9: = ne wot nat = knows not.]


III. THE CHAIN OF LOVE.

  The firste moevere of the cause above,
  Whan he first made the fayre cheyne of love,
  Gret was theffect, and heigh was his entente;
  Wel wist he why, and what therof he mente;
  _For with that faire cheyne of love he bond
  The fyr, the watir, the eyr, and eek the lond
  In certeyn boundes, that they may not flee._

    (_Knightes Tale_, p. 92.)

  That e world with stable feith / varieth acordable chaungynges //
  at the contraryos qualite of element[gh] holden amonge hem self
  aliaunce perdurable / at phebus the sonne with his goldene
  chariet / bryngeth forth the rosene day / at the mone hath
  commaundement ouer the nyhtes // whiche nyhtes hesperus the eue
  sterre hat[h] browt // at e se gredy to flowen constreyneth with
  a certeyn ende hise floodes / so at it is nat l[e]ueful to
  strechche hise brode termes or bowndes vp-on the erthes // at is
  to seyn to couere alle the erthe // Al this a-cordaunce of thinges
  is bownden with looue / at gouerneth erthe and see / and [he]
  hath also commaundement[gh] to the heuenes / and yif this looue
  slakede the brydelis / alle thinges at now louen hem to-gederes /
  wolden maken a batayle contynuely and stryuen to fordoon the
  fasoun of this worlde / the which they now leden in acordable
  feith by fayre moeuynges // this looue halt to-gideres poeples /
  ioygned with an hooly bond / and knytteth sacrement of maryages of
  chaste looues // And loue enditeth lawes to trewe felawes // O
  weleful weere mankynde / yif thilke loue at gouerneth heuene
  gouerned yowre corages /.

    (_Chaucer's Boethius_, bk. ii. met. 8.)

  Quod mundus stabili fide
  Concordes variat vices,
  Quod pugnantia semina
  Foedus perpetuum tenent,
  Quod Phoebus roseum diem
  Curru provehit aureo,
  Ut quas duxerit Hesperus
  Phoebe noctibus imperet,
  Ut fluctus avidum mare
  Certo fine coerceat,
  Ne terris liceat vagis
  Latos tundere terminos;
  _Hanc rerum seriem ligat,
  Terras ac pelagus regens,
  Et coelo imperitans amor._
  Hic si frna remiserit,
  Quicquid nunc amat invicem,
  Bellum continuo geret:
  Et quam nunc socia fide
  Pulcris motibus incitant,
  Certent solvere machinam.
  Hic sancto populos quoque
  Junctos foedere continet,
  Hic et conjugii sacrum
  Castis nectit amoribus,
  Hic fidis etiam sua
  Dictat jura sodalibus.
  O felix hominum genus,
  Si vestros animos amor,
  Quo clum regitur, regat.

    (_Boeth._, lib. ii. met. 8.)

  Love, that of erth and se hath governaunce!
  Love, that his hestes hath in hevene hye!
  Love, that with an holsom alliaunce
  Halt peples joyned, as hym liste hem gye!
  Love, that knetteth law and compaignye,
  And couples doth in vertu for to dwelle!

    (_Troylus & Cryseyde_, st. 243, vol. iv. p. 296.)

  That, that the world with faith, which that is stable
  Dyverseth so, his stoundes concordynge;--
  That elementz, that ben so discordable,
  Holden a bond, perpetualy durynge;--
  That Phebus mot his rosy carte forth brynge,
  And that the mone hath lordschip overe the nyghte;--
  Al this doth Love, ay heryed be his myght!

  That, that the se, that gredy is to flowen,
  Constreyneth to a certeyn ende so
  Hise flodes, that so fiersly they ne growen
  To drenchen erth and alle for everemo;
  And if that Love aught lete his brydel go,
  Al that now loveth asonder sholde lepe,
  And lost were al that Love halt now to kepe.

    (_Ibid._ st. 244, 245.)


IV. MUTABILITY DIRECTED AND LIMITED BY AN IMMUTABLE AND DIVINE
INTELLIGENCE.

  That same prynce and moevere eek, quod he,
  Hath stabled, in this wrecched world adoun,
  Certeyn dayes and duracioun
  To alle that er engendrid in this place,
  Over the whiche day they may nat pace,
  Al mowe they yit wel here dayes abregge;
  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .
  Than may men wel by this ordre discerne
  That thilke moevere stabul is and eterne.
  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .
  And therfore of his wyse purveaunce
  He hath so wel biset his ordenaunce,
  That spices of thinges and progressiouns
  Schullen endure by successiouns
  And nat eterne be, withoute any lye.

    (_Knightes Tale_, vol. ii. p. 92, 93.)

  e engendrynge of alle inges quod she and alle e progressiouns
  of muuable nature. and alle at moeue in any manere taki hys
  causes. hys ordre. and hys formes. of e stablenesse of e deuyne
  ou[gh]t [and thilke deuyne thowht] at is yset and put in e toure.
  at is to seyne in e hey[gh]t of e simplicite of god. stablisi
  many manere gyses to inges at ben to don.

    (_Chaucer's Boethius_, bk. iv. pr. 6, p. 134.)


V. THE PART IS DERIVED FROM THE WHOLE, THE IMPERFECT FROM THE PERFECT.

  Wel may men knowe, but it be a fool,
  That every partye dyryveth from his hool.
  For nature hath nat take his bygynnyng
  Of no partye ne cantel of a thing,
  But of a thing that parfyt is and stable,
  Descendyng so, til it be corumpable.

    (_Knightes Tale_, vol. ii. p. 92.)

  For al ing at is cleped inperfit . is proued inperfit by e
  amenusynge of perfeccioun . or of ing at is perfit . and her-of
  come it . at in euery ing general . yif at . at men seen any
  ing at is inperfit . certys in ilke general er mot ben somme
  ing at is perfit. For yif so be at perfeccioun is don awey .
  men may nat inke nor seye fro whennes ilke ing is at is cleped
  inperfit . For e nature of inges ne token nat her bygynnyng of
  inges amenused and inperfit . but it procedi of ingus at ben
  al hool . and absolut . and descende so doune in-to outerest
  inges and in-to ingus empty and wi-oute fruyt . but as I haue
  shewed a litel her byforne . at yif er be a blisfulnesse at be
  frele and vein and inperfit . er may no man doute . at er nys
  som blisfulnesse at is sad stedfast and perfit.'

    (bk. iii. pr. 10, p. 89.)

  Omne enim quod imperfectum esse dicitur, id deminutione perfecti
  imperfectum esse perhibetur. Quo fit ut si in quolibet genere
  imperfectum quid esse videatur, in eo perfectum quoque aliquod
  esse necesse sit. Etenim perfectione sublata, unde illud, quod
  imperfectum perhibetur, extiterit, ne fingi quidem potest. _Neque
  enim ab diminutis inconsummatisque natura rerum cepit exordium,
  sed ab integris absolutisque procedens in hc extrema atque effoeta
  dilabitur._ Quod si, uti paulo ante monstravimus, est qudam boni
  fragilis imperfecta felicitas, esse aliquam solidam perfectamque
  non potest dubitari.

    (_Boeth._, lib. iii. pr. 10.)


VI. GENTILITY.

  For gentilnesse nys but renom
  Of thin auncestres, for her heigh bount
  Which is a straunge thing to thy persone.

    (_The Wyf of Bathes Tale_, vol. ii. p. 241.)

  For if e name of gentilesse be referred to renoun and clernesse
  of linage. an is gentil name but a foreine ing.

    (_Chaucer's Boethius_, p. 78.)

  _Qu_ [nobilitas], _si ad claritudinem refertur, aliena est._

    (_Boethius_, lib. iii. pr. 6.)


VII. NERO'S CRUELTY.

  No teer out of his eyen for that sighte
  Ne cam; but sayde, a fair womman was sche.
  Gret wonder is how that he couthe or mighte
  Be domesman on hir dede beaut.

    (_The Monkes Tale_, vol. iii. p. 217.)

  Ne no tere ne wette his face, but he was so hard-herted at he
  my[gh]te ben domesman or iuge of hire dede beaut.

    (_Chaucer's Boethius_, p. 55.)

  Ora non tinxit lacrymis, sed esse
  Censor extincti potuit decoris.

    (_Boethius_, lib. ii. met. 6.)


VIII. PREDESTINATION AND FREE-WILL.

In 'Troylus and Cryseyde' we find the following long passage taken from
Boethius, book v. prose 2, 3.

Book iv. st. 134, vol. iv. p. 339.

  (1) Syn God seth every thynge, out of doutaunce,
      And hem disponeth, thorugh his ordinaunce,
      In hire merites sothely for to be,
      As they shul comen by predesteyn

136

  (2) For som men seyn if God seth al byforne,
      Ne God may not deseyved ben pard!
      Than moot it fallen, theigh men hadde it sworne,
      That purveyaunce hath seyn befor to be,
      Wherfor I seye, that, from eterne, if he
      Hathe wiste byforn our thought ek as oure dede,
      We have no fre choys, as thise clerkes rede.

137

  (3) For other thoughte, nor other dede also,
      Myghte nevere ben, but swich as purveyaunce,
      Which may nat ben deceyved nevere moo,
      Hath feled byforne, withouten ignoraunce;
      For if ther myghte ben a variaunce,
      To wrythen out fro Goddes purveyinge,
      Ther nere no prescience of thynge comynge;

138

  (4) But it were rather an opinyon
      Uncertein, and no stedfast forseynge;
      And certes that were an abusyon
      That God shold han no parfit clere wetynge,
      More than we men, that han douteous wenynge,
      But swich an erroure upon God to gesse
      Were fals, and foule, and wikked corsednesse.

139

  (5) They seyn right thus, that thynge is nat to come,
      For that the prescience hath seyne byfore
      That it shal come; but they seyn that therfore
      That it shal come, therfor the purveyaunce
      Woot it bifore, withouten ignorance.

140

  (6) And in this manere this necessit
      Retourneth in his part contrarye agayn;
      For nedfully byhoveth it not to be,
      That thilke thynges fallen in certeyn
      That ben purveyed; but nedly, as they seyne,
      Bihoveth it that thynges, which that falle,
      That thei in certein ben purveied alle.

141

  (7) I mene as though I labourede me in this,
      To enqueren which thynge cause of whiche thynge be;

  (8) As, whether that the prescience of God is
      The certein cause of the necessit
      Of thynges that to comen ben, pard!
      Or, if necessit of thynge comynge
      Be cause certein of the purveyinge.

142

  (9) But now nenforce I me nat in shewynge
      How the ordre of causes stant; but wel woot I
      That it bihoveth that the bifallynge
      Of thynges, wiste bifor certeinly,
      Be necessarie, al seme it nat therby
      That prescience put fallynge necessaire
      To thynge to come, al falle it foule or faire.

143

 (10) For, if ther sit a man yonde on a see, [seat]
      Than by necessit bihoveth it,
      That certes thyn opinioun soth be,
      That wenest or conjectest that he sit;
      And, further over, now ayeinwarde yit,
      Lo right so is it on the part contrarie,
      As thus,--nowe herkene, for I wol nat tarie:--

144

 (11) I sey, that if the opinion of the
      Be soth for that he sit, than seye I this,
      That he moot sitten by necessit;
      And thus necessit in either is,
      For in hym nede of sittynge is, ywis,
      And in the, nede of soth; and thus forsoth
      Ther mot necessit ben in yow bothe.

145

 (12) But thow maist seyne, the man sit nat therfore,
      That thyn opinioun of his sittynge sothe is;
      But rather, for the man sat there byfore,
      Therfor is thyn opinioun soth, ywys;
      And I seye, though the cause of soth of this
      Cometh of his sittynge, yet necessit
      Is interchaunged both in hym and the.

146

 (13) Thus in the same wyse, out of doutaunce,
      I may wel maken, as it semeth me,
      My resonynge of Goddes purveiaunce,
      And of the thynges that to comen be; . . .

147

 (14) For although that for thynge shal come, ywys,
      Therfor it is purveyed certeynly,
      Nat that it cometh for it purveied is;
      Yet, natheles, bihoveth it nedfully,
      That thynge to come be purveied trewly;
      Or elles thynges that purveied be.
      That they bitiden by necessit.

148

 (15) And this sufficeth right ynough, certeyn,
      For to distruye oure fre choys everydele.

  (1) Qu tamen ille ab terno cuncta prospiciens providenti cernit
  intuitus, et suis quque meritis prdestinata disponit.....
  (_Boethius_, lib. v. pr. 2.) . . . . . . . . . . . .

  (2) Nam si cuncta prospicit Deus neque falli ullo modo potest,
  evenire necesse est, quod providentia futurum esse prviderit.
  Quare si ab terno non facta hominum modo, sed etiam consilia
  voluntatesque prnoscit, nulla erit arbitrii libertas;

  (3) Neque enim vel factum aliud ullum vel qulibet existere
  poterit voluntas, nisi quam nescia falli providentia divina
  prsenserit. Nam si res aliorsum, quam provis sunt detorqueri
  valent, non jam erit futuri firma prscientia;

  (4) Sed opinio potius incerta; quod de Deo nefas credere judico.

  (5) Aiunt enim non ideo quid esse eventurum quoniam id providentia
  futurum esse prospexerit; sed e contrario potius, quoniam quid
  futurum est, id divinam providentiam latere non possit.

  (6) Eoque modo necessarium est hoc in contrariam relabi partem;
  neque enim necesse est contingere qu providentur, sed necesse est
  qu futura sunt provideri.

  (7) Quasi vero qu cujusque rei causa sit,

  (8) Prscientiane futurorum necessitatis an futurorum necessitas
  providenti, laboretur.

  (9) At nos illud demonstrare nitamur, quoquo modo sese habeat ordo
  causarum, necessarium esse eventum prscitarum rerum, etiam si
  prscientia futuris rebus eveniendi necessitatem non videatur
  inferre.

  (10) Etenim si quispiam sedeat, opinionem qu eum sedere conjectat
  veram esse necesse est: at e converso rursus,

  (11) Si de quopiam vera sit opinio quoniam sedet eum sedere
  necesse est. In utroque igitur necessitas inest: in hoc quidem
  sedendi, at vero in altero veritatis.

  (12) Sed non idcirco quisque sedet, quoniam vera est opinio: sed
  hc potius vera est, quoniam quempiam sedere prcessit. Ita cum
  causa veritatis ex altera parte procedat, inest tamen communis in
  utraque necessitas.

  (13) Similia de providentia futurisque rebus ratiocinari patet.

  (14) Nam etiam si idcirco, quoniam futura sunt, providentur: non
  vero ideo, quoniam providentur, eveniunt: nihilo minus tamen a Deo
  vel ventura provideri, vel provisa evenire necesse est:

  (15) Quod ad perimendam arbitrii libertatem solum satis est.

    (lib. v. pr. 3.)

See _Chaucer's Boethius_, pp. 154-6.


IX. THE GRIEF OF REMEMBERING BYGONE HAPPINESS.

  For, of fortunes scharp adversit,
  The worste kynde of infortune is this,
  A man to han ben in prosperit,
  And it remembren, when it passed is.

     (_Troylus and Cryseyde_, bk. iii. st. 226, vol. iv. p. 291.)

  Sed hoc est, quod recolentem me vehementius coquit. Nam in omni
  adversitate fortun infelicissimum genus est infortunii, fuisse
  felicem.[I-10]

    (_Boethius_, lib. ii. pr. 4.)

    [Footnote I-10: Cf. Dante, _Inferno_, V. 121.

              Nessun maggior dolore
      Che ricordarsi del tempo felice
      Nella miseria; e ci sa 'l tuo Dottore.]


X. VULTURES TEAR THE STOMACH OF TITYUS IN HELL.

  ----Syciphus in Helle,
  Whos stomak fowles tyren everemo,
  That hyghten volturis.

    (_Troylus and Cryseyde_, book i. st. 113, p. 140.)

  e fowel at hy[gh]t voltor at eti e stomak or e giser of ticius.

    (_Chaucer's Boethius_, p. 107.)


XI. THE MUTABILITY OF FORTUNE.

  For if hire (Fortune's) whiel stynte any thinge to torne
  Thanne cessed she Fortune anon to be.

    (_Troylus and Cryseyde_, bk. i. st. 122, p. 142.)

  If fortune bygan to dwelle stable. she cesed[e] an to ben fortune.

    (_Chaucer's Boethius_, p. 32.)

(Compare stanzas 120, 121, p. 142, and stanza 136, p. 146, of 'Troylus
and Cryseyde' with pp.31, 33, 35, and p.34 of Chaucer's Boethius.)

  At omnium mortalium stolidissime, si manere incipit, fors esse
  desistit.

    (_Boethius_, lib. ii. prose 1.)


XII. WORLDLY SELYNESSE

  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .
  Imedled is with many a bitternesse.
  Ful angwyshous than is, God woote, quod she,
  Condicion of veyn prosperit!
  For oyther joies comen nought yfeere,
  Or elles no wight hath hem alwey here.

    (_Troylus and Cryseyde_, bk. iii. st. 110, p. 258.)

  e swetnesse of mannes welefulnesse is yspranid wi many[e]
  bitternesses.

    (_Chaucer's Boethius_, p. 42.)

  --ful anguissous ing is e condicioun of mans goodes. For eyer
  it come al to-gidre to a wy[gh]t. or ellys it laste not perpetuely.

    (_Ib._ p. 41.)

  Quam multis amaritudinibus human felicitatis dulcedo respersa
  est!

    (_Boethius_, lib. ii. prose 4.)

  Anxia enim res est humanorum conditio bonorum, et qu vel nunquam
  tota proveniat, vel nunquam perpetua subsistat.

    (_Ib._)

  O, brotel wele of mannes joie unstable!
  With what wight so thow be, or how thow pleye,
  Oither he woot that thow joie art muable,
  Or woot it nought, it mot ben on of tweyen:
  Now if he woot it not, how may he seyen
  That he hath veray joie and selynesse,
  That is of ignoraunce ay in distresse?

  Now if he woote that joie is transitorie,
  As every joie of worldly thynge mot fle,
  Thanne every tyme he that hath in memorie,
  The drede of lesyng maketh hym that he
  May in no parfyte selynesse be:
  And if to lese his joie, he sette not a myte,
  Than semeth it, that joie is worth ful lite.

    (_Troylus and Cryseyde_, bk. iii. st. 111, 112, vol. iv. p.258.)

  (1) What man at is toumblyng welefulnesse leedi, eier he woot
  at [it] is chaungeable. or ellis he woot it nat. And yif he woot
  it not. what blisful fortune may er be in e blyndenesse of
  ignoraunce.

  (2) And yif he woot at it is chaungeable. he mot alwey ben adrad
  at he ne lese at ing. at he ne doute nat but at he may
  leesen it.  .  .  .  .  . For whiche e continuel drede at he ha
  ne suffri hym nat to ben weleful. Or ellys yif he leese it he
  wene[] to be dispised and forleten hit. Certis eke at is a ful
  lytel goode at is born wi euene hert[e] whan it is loost.

    (_Chaucer's Boethius_, pp. 43, 44.)

  (1) Quem caduca ista felicitas vehit, vel scit eam, vel nescit
  esse mutabilem. Si nescit, qunam beata sors esse potest
  ignoranti in ccitate?

  (2) Si scit, metuat necesse est, ne amittat, quod amitti posse non
  dubitat; quare continuus timor non sinit esse felicem. An vel si
  amiserit, negligendum putat? Sic quoque perexile bonum est, quod
  quo animo feratur amissum.

    (_Boethius_, lib. ii. prose 4.)


XIII. FORTUNE.

         ----Fortune
  That semeth trewest when she wol bigyle,
  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .
  And, when a wight is from hire whiel ithrowe,
  Than laugheth she, and maketh hym the mowe.

    (_Troylus and Cryseyde_, bk. iii. st. 254, vol. iv. p. 299.)

  She (Fortune) vse ful flatryng familarit wi hem at she
  enforce to bygyle.

    (_Chaucer's Boethius_, p. 30.)

  . . . . . . .  She lau[gh]e and scorne e wepyng of hem e
  whiche she ha maked wepe wi hir free wille . . . . Yif at a
  wy[gh]t is seyn weleful and ouerrowe in an houre.

    (_Ib._ p. 33.)

In book v., stanza 260, vol. v. p. 75, Chaucer describes how the soul of
Hector, after his death, ascended 'up to the holughnesse of the seventhe
spere.' In so doing he seems to have had before him met.1, book4, of
Boethius, where the 'soul' is described as passing into the heaven's
utmost sphere, and looking down on the world below. See _Chaucer's
Boethius_, p.110, 111.

tas Prima is of course a metrical version of lib. ii. met. 5.

Hampole speaks of the wonderful sight of the Lynx; perhaps he was
indebted to Boethius for the hint. --(See _Boethius_, book 3, pr. 8,
p. 81.)

I have seen the following elsewhere:

  (1) Value not beauty, for it may be destroyed by a three days'
  fever.

    (See _Chaucer's Boethius_, p. 81.)

  (2) There is no greater plague than the enmity of thy familiar
  friend.

    (See _Chaucer's_ translation, p. 77.)

       *       *       *       *       *

Chaucer did not English Boethius second-hand, through any early French
version, as some have supposed, but made his translation with the Latin
original before him.

Jean de Mung's version, the only early French translation, perhaps,
accessible to Chaucer, is not always literal, while the present
translation is seldom free or periphrastic, but conforms closely to the
Latin, and is at times awkwardly literal. A few passages, taken
haphazard, will make this sufficiently clear.

  _Et dolor tatem jussit inesse suam._ And sorou ha comaunded his
  age to be in me (p. 4).

  Et ma douleur {com}ma{n}da a vieillesse
  Entrer en moy / ains quen fust hors ieunesse.

  _Mors hominum felix, qu se nec dulcibus annis
  Inserit, et mstis spe vocata venit._

  ilke dee of men is welful at ne come not in [gh]eres at ben
  swete (i. _mirie_). but come to wrecches often yclepid. (p.4)

  On dit la mort des ho{m}es estre eureuse
  Qui ne vie{n}t pas en saiso{n} pla{n}tureuse
  Mais des tristes mo{u}lt souue{n}t appellee
  Elle y affuit nue / seche et pelee.

  _Querimoniam lacrymabilem._ Wepli compleynte (p. 5). Fr. ma
  complainte moy esmouuant a pleurs.

  _Styli officio._ Wi office of poyntel (p. 5). Fr. (que ie
  reduisse) p{ar} escript.

  _Inexhaustus._ Swiche . . . at it ne my[gh]t[e] not be emptid (p.
  5). Fr. inconsumptible.

  _Scenicas meretriculas._ Comune strumpetis of siche a place at
  men clepen e theatre (p. 6). Fr. ces ribaudelles fardees.

  _Prcipiti profundo._ In ouer-rowyng depnesse (p. 7).

  [L]As que la pensee de lomme
  Est troublee et plongie comme
  En _abisme precipitee_
  Sa propre lumiere gastee.

  _Nec pervetusta nec incelebris._ Neyer ouer-oolde ne vnsolempne
  (p. 11). Fr. desquelz la memoire nest pas trop ancienne ou no{n}
  recitee.

  _Inter secreta otia._ Among my secre restyng whiles (p. 14). Fr.
  entre mes secrettes {et} oyseuses estudes.

  _Palatini canes._ e houndys of e palays (p. 15). Fr. les chiens
  du palais.

  _Mascul prolis._ Of i masculyn children (p. 37). Fr. de ta
  lignie masculine.

  _Ad singularem felicitatis tu cumulum venire delectat._ It
  delite me to comen now to e singuler vphepyng of i welefulnesse
  (p. 37). Fr. Il me plait venir au singulier monceau de ta
  felicite.

  _Consulare imperium._ Emperie of consulers (p. 51). Fr. le{m}pire
  consulaire.

  _Hoc ipsum brevis habitaculi._ Of ilke litel habitacle (p. 57).
  Fr. de cest trespetit habitacle.

  _Late patentes plagas._ e brode shewyng contreys (p. 60).

  QVico{n}ques tend a gloire vaine
  Et le croit estre souueraine
  Voye _les regions pate{n}tes_
  Du ciel  .  .  .  .  .  .

  _Ludens hominum cura._ e pleiyng besines of men (p. 68).

  Si quil tollist par doulz estude
  Des hommes la solicitude  .  .

  _Hausi coelum._ I took heuene (p. 10). Fr. ie . . . regarday le
  ciel.

  _Certamen adversum prfectum prtorii communis commodi ratione
  suscepi._ I took strif a[gh]eins e prouost of e pretorie for comune
  profit (p. 15). Fr. ie entrepris lestrif a lencontre du prefect du
  parlement royal a cause de la commune vtilite.

  _At cujus criminis arguimur summam quris?_ But axest ou in somme
  of what gilt I am accused? (p. 17). Fr. Mais demandes tu la somme
  du pechie duquel pechie nous so{m}mes arguez?

  _Fortuita temeritate._ By fortunouse fortune (p. 26). Fr. par
  fortuite folie.

  _Quos premunt septem gelidi triones._ Alle e peoples at ben
  vndir e colde sterres at hy[gh]ten e seuene triones (p. 55). Fr.
  ceulx de septentrion.

  _Ita ego quoque tibi veluti corollarium dabo._ Ry[gh]t so wil I
  [gh]eue e here as a corolarie or a mede of coroune (p. 91). Fr.
  semblablement ie te donneray ainsi que vng correlaire.

  _In stadio._ In e stadie or in e forlonge (p. 119). Fr. ou (for
  au) champ.

  _Conjecto._ I coniecte (p. 154). Fr. ie coniecture.

  _Nimium . . . adversari ac repugnare videtur._ It seme . . . to
  repugnen and to contrarien gretly. Fr. Ce semble chose trop
  contraire et repugnante.

  _Universitatis ambitum._ Envirounynge of e vniuersite (p. 165).
  Fr. lauironnement de luniuersalite.

  _Rationis universum._ Vniuersite of resoun (p. 165). Fr.
  luniuersalite de Raison.

  _Scientiam nunquam deficientis instanti rectius stimabis._ ou
  shalt demen [it] more ry[gh]tfully at it is science of presence or
  of instaunce at neuer ne fayle (p. 174). Fr. mais tu la diras
  plus droittement et mieulx science de instante p{re}sentialite non
  iamais defaillant mais eternelle.

Many of the above examples are very bald renderings of the original, and
are only quoted here to show that Chaucer did not make his translation
from the French.

Chaucer is not always felicitous in his translations:--thus he
translates _clavus atque gubernaculum_ by _keye and a stiere_ (p.103),
and _compendium_ (gain, acquisition) by _abreggynge_ (abridging,
curtailment), p.151. Many terms make their appearance in English for
the first time,--and most of them have become naturalized, and are such
as we could ill spare. Some few are rather uncommon, as _gouernaile_
(gubernaculum), p.27; _arbitre_ (arbitrium), p.154. As Chaucer takes
the trouble to explain _inestimable_ (instimabilis), p.158, it could
not have been a very familiar term.

Our translator evidently took note of various readings, for on p.31 he
notes a variation of the original. On p.51 he uses _armurers_
(=armures) to render _arma_, though most copies agree in reading
_arva_.

There are numerous glosses and explanations of particular passages,
which seem to be interpolated by Chaucer himself. Thus he explains what
is meant by the _heritage of Socrates_ (p.10, 11); he gives the
meaning of _coemption_ (p.15); of _Euripus_ (p.33); of the _porch_
(p.166).[I-11] Some of his definitions are very quaint; as, for
instance, that of Tragedy--'_a dit of a prosperit for a tyme at endi
in wrechednesse_' (p.35). One would think that the following definition
of Tragedian would be rather superfluous after this,--'_a maker of dites
at hy[gh]ten_ (are called) _tregedies_' (p.77).

  _Melliflui . . . oris Homerus_

is thus quaintly Englished: _Homer wi e hony moue, at is to seyn.
homer wi e swete dites_ (p.153).

       *       *       *       *       *

The present translation of the _De Consolatione_ is taken from
Additional MS. 10,340, which is supposed to be the _oldest_ manuscript
that exists in our public libraries. After it was all copied out and
ready for press, Mr Bradshaw was kind enough to procure me, for the
purpose of collation, the loan of the Camb. University MS. Ii. 3. 21,
from which the various readings at the foot of the pages are taken.

Had I had an opportunity of examining the Cambridge MS. carefully
throughout before the work was so far advanced, I should certainly have
selected it in preference to the text now given to the reader. Though
not so ancient as the British Museum MS., it is far more correct in its
grammatical inflexions, and is no doubt a copy of an older and very
accurate text.

The Additional MS. is written by a scribe who was unacquainted with the
force of the final _-e_. Thus he adds it to the preterites of strong
verbs, which do not require it; he omits it in the preterites of weak
verbs where it is wanted, and attaches it to passive participles (of
weak verbs), where it is superfluous. The scribe of the Cambridge MS. is
careful to preserve the final _-e_ where it is a sign (1)of the
definite declension of the adjective; (2)of the plural adjective;
(3)of the infinitive mood; (4)of the preterite of weak verbs; (5)of
present participles;[I-12] (6)of the 2nd pers. pret. indic. of strong
verbs; (7)of adverbs; (8)of an older vowel ending.

The Addit. MS. has frequently _thilk_ (singular and plural), and _-nes_
(in _wrechednes_, &c.), when the Camb. MS. has _thilke_[I-13] and
_-nesse_.

For further differences the reader may consult the numerous collations
at the foot of the page.

If the Chaucer Society obtains that amount of patronage from the
literary public which it deserves, but unfortunately has yet not
succeeded in getting, so that it may be enabled to go on with the great
work which has been so successfully commenced, then the time may come
when I shall have the opportunity of editing the Camb. MS. of Chaucer's
Boethius for that Society, and lovers of Early English Literature will
have two texts instead of one.

    [Footnote I-11: See pages 39, 50, 61, 94, 111, 133, 149, 153,
    159.]

    [Footnote I-12: In the Canterbury Tales we find participles in
    _-yng_.]

    [Footnote I-13: It is nearly always _thilk_ in the Canterbury
    Tales.]




APPENDIX TO INTRODUCTION.


The last of the ancients, and one who forms a link between the classical
period of literature and that of the middle ages, in which he was a
favourite author, is Boethius, a man of fine genius, and interesting
both from his character and his death. It is well known that after
filling the dignities of Consul and Senator in the court of Theodoric,
he fell a victim to the jealousy of a sovereign, from whose memory, in
many respects glorious, the stain of that blood has never been effaced.
The _Consolation of Philosophy_, the chief work of Boethius, was written
in his prison. Few books are more striking from the circumstances of
their production. Last of the classic writers, in style not impure,
though displaying too lavishly that poetic exuberance which had
distinguished the two or three preceding centuries, in elevation of
sentiment equal to any of the philosophers, and mingling a Christian
sanctity with their lessons, he speaks from his prison in the swan-like
tones of dying eloquence. The philosophy that consoled him in bonds, was
soon required in the sufferings of a cruel death. Quenched in his blood,
the lamp he had trimmed with a skilful hand gave no more light; the
language of Tully and Virgil soon ceased to be spoken; and many ages
were to pass away, before learned diligence restored its purity, and the
union of genius with imitation taught a few modern writers to surpass in
eloquence the Latinity of Boethius. --(Hallam's _Literature of Europe_,
i. 2, 4th ed. 1854.)

The Senator Boethius is the last of the Romans whom Cato or Tully could
have acknowledged for their countryman. As a wealthy orphan, he
inherited the patrimony and honours of the Anician family, a name
ambitiously assumed by the kings and emperors of the age; and the
appellation of Manlius asserted his genuine or fabulous descent from a
race of consuls and dictators, who had repulsed the Gauls from the
Capitol, and sacrificed their sons to the discipline of the Republic. In
the youth of Boethius the studies of Rome were not totally abandoned; a
Virgil is now extant, corrected by the hand of a consul; and the
professors of grammar, rhetoric, and jurisprudence, were maintained in
their privileges and pensions by the liberality of the Goths. But the
erudition of the Latin language was insufficient to satiate his ardent
curiosity; and Boethius is said to have employed eighteen laborious
years in the schools of Athens, which were supported by the zeal, the
learning, and the diligence of Proclus and his disciples. The reason and
piety of their Roman pupil were fortunately saved from the contagion of
mystery and magic, which polluted the groves of the Academy, but he
imbibed the spirit, and imitated the method, of his dead and living
masters, who attempted to reconcile the strong and subtle sense of
Aristotle with the devout contemplation and sublime fancy of Plato.
After his return to Rome, and his marriage with the daughter of his
friend, the patrician Symmachus, Boethius still continued, in a palace
of ivory and [glass] to prosecute the same studies. The Church was
edified by his profound defence of the orthodox creed against the Arian,
the Eutychian, and the Nestorian heresies; and the Catholic unity was
explained or exposed in a formal treatise by the _indifference_ of three
distinct though consubstantial persons. For the benefit of his Latin
readers, his genius submitted to teach the first elements of the arts
and sciences of Greece. The geometry of Euclid, the music of Pythagoras,
the arithmetic of Nicomachus, the mechanics of Archimedes, the astronomy
of Ptolemy, the theology of Plato, and the logic of Aristotle, with the
commentary of Porphyry, were translated and illustrated by the
indefatigable pen of the Roman senator. And he alone was esteemed
capable of describing the wonders of art, a sun-dial, a water-clock, or
a sphere which represented the motions of the planets. From these
abstruse speculations, Boethius stooped, or, to speak more truly, he
rose to the social duties of public and private life: the indigent were
relieved by his liberality; and his eloquence, which flattery might
compare to the voice of Demosthenes or Cicero, was uniformly exerted in
the cause of innocence and humanity. Such conspicuous merit was felt and
rewarded by a discerning prince: the dignity of Boethius was adorned
with the titles of consul and patrician, and his talents were usefully
employed in the important station of master of the offices.
Notwithstanding the equal claims of the East and West, his two sons were
created, in their tender youth, the consuls of the same year. On the
memorable day of their inauguration, they proceeded in solemn pomp from
their palace to the forum amidst the applause of the senate and people;
and their joyful father, the true Consul of Rome, after pronouncing an
oration in the praise of his royal benefactor, distributed a triumphal
largess in the games of the circus. Prosperous in his fame and fortunes,
in his public honours and private alliances, in the cultivation of
science and the consciousness of virtue, Boethius might have been styled
happy, if that precarious epithet could be safely applied before the
last term of the life of man.

A philosopher, liberal of his wealth and parsimonious of his time, might
be insensible to the common allurements of ambition, the thirst of gold
and employment. And some credit may be due to the asseveration of
Boethius, that he had reluctantly obeyed the divine Plato, who enjoins
every virtuous citizen to rescue the state from the usurpation of vice
and ignorance. For the integrity of his public conduct he appeals to the
memory of his country. His authority had restrained the pride and
oppression of the royal officers, and his eloquence had delivered
Paulianus from the dogs of the palace. He had always pitied, and often
relieved, the distress of the provincials, whose fortunes were exhausted
by public and private rapine; and Boethius alone had courage to oppose
the tyranny of the Barbarians, elated by conquest, excited by avarice,
and, as he complains, encouraged by impunity. In these honourable
contests his spirit soared above the consideration of danger, and
perhaps of prudence; and we may learn from the example of Cato, that a
character of pure and inflexible virtue is the most apt to be misled by
prejudice, to be heated by enthusiasm, and to confound private enmities
with public justice. The disciple of Plato might exaggerate the
infirmities of nature, and the imperfections of society; and the mildest
form of a Gothic kingdom, even the weight of allegiance and gratitude,
must be insupportable to the free spirit of a Roman patriot. But the
favour and fidelity of Boethius declined in just proportion with the
public happiness; and an unworthy colleague was imposed to divide and
control the power of the master of the offices. In the last gloomy
season of Theodoric, he indignantly felt that he was a slave; but as his
master had only power over his life, he stood without arms and without
fear against the face of an angry Barbarian, who had been provoked to
believe that the safety of the senate was incompatible with his own. The
Senator Albinus was accused and already convicted on the presumption of
_hoping_, as it was said, the liberty of Rome.

"If Albinus be criminal," exclaimed the orator, "the senate and myself
are all guilty of the same crime. If we are innocent, Albinus is equally
entitled to the protection of the laws." These laws might not have
punished the simple and barren wish of an unattainable blessing; but
they would have shown less indulgence to the rash confession of
Boethius, that, had he known of a conspiracy, the tyrant never should.
The advocate of Albinus was soon involved in the danger and perhaps the
guilt of his client; their signature (which they denied as a forgery)
was affixed to the original address, inviting the emperor to deliver
Italy from the Goths; and three witnesses of honourable rank, perhaps of
infamous reputation, attested the treasonable designs of the Roman
patrician. Yet his innocence must be presumed, since he was deprived by
Theodoric of the means of justification, and rigorously confined in the
tower of Pavia, while the senate, at the distance of five hundred miles,
pronounced a sentence of confiscation and death against the most
illustrious of its members. At the command of the Barbarians, the occult
science of a philosopher was stigmatized with the names of sacrilege and
magic. A devout and dutiful attachment to the senate was condemned as
criminal by the trembling voices of the senators themselves; and their
ingratitude deserved the wish or prediction of Boethius, that, after
him, none should be found guilty of the same offence.

While Boethius, oppressed with fetters, expected each moment the
sentence or the stroke of death, he composed in the tower of Pavia the
_Consolation of Philosophy_; a golden volume not unworthy of the leisure
of Plato or Tully, but which claims incomparable merit from the
barbarism of the times and the situation of the author. The celestial
guide, whom he had so long invoked at Rome and Athens, now condescended
to illumine his dungeon, to revive his courage, and to pour into his
wounds her salutary balm. She taught him to compare his long prosperity
and his recent distress, and to conceive new hopes from the inconstancy
of fortune. Reason had informed him of the precarious condition of her
gifts; experience had satisfied him of their real value; he had enjoyed
them without guilt; he might resign them without a sigh, and calmly
disdain the impotent malice of his enemies, who had left him happiness,
since they had left him virtue. From the earth, Boethius ascended to
heaven in search of the SUPREME GOOD; explored the metaphysical
labyrinth of chance and destiny, of prescience and free-will, of time
and eternity; and generously attempted to reconcile the perfect
attributes of the Deity with the apparent disorders of his moral and
physical government. Such topics of consolation, so obvious, so vague,
or so abstruse, are ineffectual to subdue the feelings of human nature.
Yet the sense of misfortune may be diverted by the labour of thought;
and the sage who could artfully combine in the same work the various
riches of philosophy, poetry, and eloquence, must already have possessed
the intrepid calmness which he affected to seek. Suspense, the worst of
evils, was at length determined by the ministers of death, who executed,
and perhaps exceeded, the inhuman mandate of Theodoric. A strong cord
was fastened round the head of Boethius, and forcibly tightened till his
eyes almost started from their sockets; and some mercy may be discovered
in the milder torture of beating him with clubs till he expired. But his
genius survived to diffuse a ray of knowledge over the darkest ages of
the Latin world; the writings of the philosopher were translated by the
most glorious of the English kings, and the third emperor of the name of
Otho removed to a more honourable tomb the bones of a Catholic saint,
who, from his Arian persecutors, had acquired the honours of martyrdom
and the fame of miracles. In the last hours of Boethius, he derived some
comfort from the safety of his two sons, of his wife, and of his
father-in-law, the venerable Symmachus. But the grief of Symmachus was
indiscreet, and perhaps disrespectful; he had presumed to lament, he
might dare to revenge, the death of an injured friend. He was dragged in
chains from Rome to the palace of Ravenna; and the suspicions of
Theodoric could only be appeased by the blood of an innocent and aged
senator.--Gibbon's _Decline and Fall_, 1838, vol. vii. p.45-52 (without
the notes).




INDEX


_(Giving the first line of each Metre, the first words of each Prose,
and the corresponding page of the translation)._

Book  Metre  Prose                                              Page

  I     1     --    Carmina qui quondam studio florente peregi     4
  "    --      1    Hc dum mecum tacitus ipse reputarem           5
  "     2     --    Heu, quam prcipiti mersa profundo             7
  "    --      2    Sed medicin, inquit, potius tempus est        8
  "     3     --    Tunc me discussa liquerunt nocte tenebr       9
  "    --      3    Haud aliter tristiti nebulis dissolutis,
                      hausi coelum                                10
  "     4     --    Quisquis composito serenus vo                12
  "    --      4    Sentisne, inquit, hc, atque animo
                      illabuntur tuo?                             13
  "     5     --    O stelliferi conditor orbis                   21
  "    --      5    Hc ubi continuato dolore delatravi           23
  "     6     --    Cum Phoebi radiis grave                       25
  "    --      6    Primum igitur paterisne me pauculis
                      rogationibus                                26
  "     7     --    Nubibus atris                                 29
 II    --      1    Posthc paulisper obticuit                    29
  "     1     --    Hc cum superba verterit vices dextra         33
  "    --      2    Vellem autem pauca tecum fortun ipsius       33
  "     2     --    Si quantas rapidis flatibus incitus           35
  "    --      3    His igitur si pro se tecum fortuna
                      loqueretur                                  36
  "     3     --    Cum polo Phoebus roseis quadrigis             39
  "    --      4    Tum ego, Vera, inquam, commemoras             39
  "     4     --    Quisquis volet perennem                       44
  "    --      5    Sed quoniam rationum jam in te mearum
                      fomenta                                     45
  "     5     --    Felix nimium prior tas                       50
  "    --      6    Quid autem de dignitatibus, potentiaque
                      disseram                                    51
  "     6     --    Novimus quantas dederit ruinas                55
  "    --      7    Tum ego, Scis, inquam, ipsa                   56
  "     7     --    Quicumque solam mente prcipiti petit         60
  "    --      8    Sed ne me inexorabile contra fortunam         61
  "     8     --    Quod mundus stabili fide                      62
 III    --     1    Jam cantum illa finierat                      63
  "     1     --    Qui serere ingenuum volet agrum               64
  "    --      2    Tum defixo paululum visu                      64
  "     2     --    Quantas rerum flectat habenas                 68
  "    --      3    Vos quoque, o terrena animalia                69
  "     3     --    Quamvis fluente dives auri gurgite            71
  "    --      4    Sed dignitates honorabilem reverendumque      72
  "     4     --    Quamvis se Tyrio superbus ostro               74
  "    --      5    An vero regna regumque familiaritas
                      efficere potentem valent?                   75
  "     5     --    Qui se volet esse potentem                    77
  "    --      6    Gloria vero quam fallax spe,
                      quam turpis est!                            77
  "     6     --    Omne hominum genus in terris                  78
  "    --      7    Quid autem de corporis voluptatibus loquar?   79
  "     7     --    Habet omnis hoc voluptas                      80
  "    --      8    Nihil igitur dubium est, quin                 80
  "     8     --    Eheu, quam miseros tramite devio              81
  "    --      9    Hactenus mendacis formam felicitatis
                      ostendisse                                  82
  "     9     --    O qui perpetua mundum ratione gubernas        87
  "    --     10    Quoniam igitur qu sit imperfecti             88
  "    10     --    Huc omnes pariter venite capti                94
  "    --     11    Assentior, inquam.                            95
  "    11     --    Quisquis profunda mente vestigat verum       100
  "    --     12    Tum ego, Platoni, inquam, vehementer
                      assentior                                  101
  "    12     --    Felix qui potuit boni                        106
 IV    --      1    Hc cum Philosophia, dignitate               108
  "     1     --    Sunt etenim penn volucres mihi              110
  "    --      2    Tum ego, Pap, inquam, ut magna promittis!   112
  "     2     --    Quos vides sedere celso                      118
  "    --      3    Videsne igitur quanto in coeno probra
                      volvantur                                  119
  "     3     --    Vela Neritii ducis                           122
  "    --      4    Tum ego, Fateor, inquam, nec injuria
                      dici video                                 123
  "     4     --    Quid tantos juvat excitare motus             130
  "    --      5    Hic ego, Video, inquam, qu sit vel
                      felicitas                                  131
  "     5     --    Si quis Arcturi sidera nescit                132
  "    --      6    Ita est, inquam.                             133
  "     6     --    Si vis celsi jura tonantis                   143
  "    --      7    Jamne igitur vides, quid hc omnia
                      qu diximus, consequatur?                  144
  "     7     --    Bella bis quinis operatus annis              147
  V    --      1    Dixerat, orationisque cursum ad alia qudam  149
  "     1     --    Rupis Achmeni scopulis, ubi versa
                      sequentum                                  151
  "    --      2    Animadverto, inquam, idque uti tu dicis,
                      ita esse consentio.                        152
  "     2     --    Puro clarum lumine Phoebum                   153
  "    --      3    Tum ego, En, inquam, difficiliori rursus
                      ambiguitate confundor.                     154
  "     3     --    Qunam discors foedera rerum                 159
  "    --      4    Tum illa, Vetus, inquit, hc est de
                      Providentia querela                        161
  "     4     --    Quondam porticus attulit                     166
  "    --      5    Quod si in corporibus sentiendis, quamvis    168
  "     5     --    Quam variis terras animalia permeant
                      figuris!                                   170
  "    --      6    Quoniam igitur, uti paulo ante
                      monstratum est                             171

  Appendix.--tas Prima                                          180
      "      Balades de Vilage sanz Peinture                     182




TABLE OF CONTENTS.

++[I]NCIPIT TABULA LIBRI BOICII DE CONSOLAC{I}O{N}E PHILOSOPHIE.

  [_Additional MS. 10,340, fol. 3._]


    [Sidenote: [fol. 3.]]

LIBER PRIMUS.

   1 Carmina qui quondam studio flore{n}te p{er}egi.
   2 Hic dum mecum tacitus.
   3 Heu q{ua}m precipiti.
   4 Set medicine inquit tempus.
   5 Tunc me discussa.
   6 Haut[C-1] aliter tristicie.
   7 Quisquis composito.
   8 Sentis ne inquit.
   9 O stelliferi conditor orbis.
  10 Hic ubi continuato dolore.
  11 Cum phebi radijs.
  12 Primu{m} igit{ur} pateris rogac{i}o{n}ib{us}.
  13 Nubib{us} atris condita.

EXPLICIT LIBER PRIMUS.


LIBER SECUNDUS.

   1 Postea paulisper[C-2] conticuit.
   2 Hec cum superba.
   3 Uellem autem pauca.
   4 Si quantas rapidis.
   5 His igitur si {et} pro se.
   6 Cum primo polo.
   7 Tunc ego uera inq{ua}m.
   8 Contraq{ue}.
   9 Quisq{ui}s ualet p{er}hennem cantus.
  10 Set cum racionu{m} iam in te.
  11 Felix i{n} miru{m} iam prior etas.
  12 Quid au{tem} de dignitatib{us}.
  13 Nouim{us} quantos dederat.
  14 Tu{m} ego scis inq{ua}m.
  15 Quicu{n}q{ue} solam mente.
  16 Set ne me inexorabile.
  17 Q{uo}d mu{n}dus stabile fide.

EXPLICIT LIBER S{E}C{UN}DUS.


LIBER TERCIUS.

   1 Iam tantu{m} illa.
   2 Qui serere ingeniu{m}.
   3 Tunc defixo paululu{m}.
   4 Quantas reru{m} flectat.
   5 Uos quoq{ue} terrena a{n}i{m}alia.
   6 Qua{m}uis fluenter diues.
   7 Set dignitatib{us}.
   8 Qua{m}uis se tirio.
   9 An uero regna.
  10 Qui se ualet esse potentem.
  11 Gloria uero q{uam} fallax.
  12 Omne hominu{m} genus in terris.
  13 Quid au{tem} de corporib{us}.
  14 Habet hoc uoluptas.
  15 Nichil igit{ur} dubiu{m} est.
  16 Heu q{ue} miseros tramite.
  17 Hacten{us} me{n}dacio forma{m}.
  18 O qui p{er}petua.
  19 Q{uonia}m igit{ur} qui scit.
  20 Nunc omnes pariter.
  21 Assencior inq{ua}m cuncta.
  22 Quisq{ue} profunda.
  23 Tunc ego platoni inq{ua}m.
  24 Felix qui poterit.

EXPLICIT LIBER T{ER}CIUS.


LIBER QUARTUS.

   1 Hec cum philosophia.
   2 Sunt eteni{m} penne.
   3 Tunc ego pape inq{uam}.
   4 Quos uides sedere celsos.
   5 Uides ne igitur quanto.
   6 U[e]la naricij ducis.
   7 Tunc ego fateor inq{ua}m.
   8 Quid tantos iuuat.
   9 Huic ego uideo inq{ua}m.
  10 Si quis arcturi[C-3] sydera.
  11 Ita est inq{ua}m.
  12 Si uis celsi iura.
  13 Iam ne igit{ur} uides.
  14 Bella bis quinis.

EXPLICIT LIBER QUARTUS.


INCIPIT LIBER QUINTUS.

   1 Dixerat orac{i}onis q{ue} cursu{m}.
   2 Rupis achemenie.
   3 Animaduerto inq{ua}m.
   4 Puro claru{m} lumine.
   5 Tamen ego en inq{ua}m.
   6 Que nam discors.
   7 Tamen illa uetus.
   8 Quonda{m} porticus attulit.
   9 Quod si i{n} corporib{us}.
  10 Qua{m} uarijs figuris.
  11 Quonia{m} igit{ur} uti paulo ante.

EXPLICIT LIBER QUI{N}TUS {ET} ULTIMUS.

    [Footnote C-1: MS. hanc.]

    [Footnote C-2: MS. luper.]

    [Footnote C-3: MS. arituri.]




                                                                [[pg 4]]
    [Headnote:
    BOETHIUS DEPLORES HIS MISFORTUNES.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 3 _b_.]]

*LIBER PRIMUS.


INCIPIT LIBER BOICII DE CO{N}SOLAC{I}O{N}E PHILOSOPHIE.

Car{m}i{n}a qui q{u}onda{m} studio flore{n}te p{er}egi.

  [Sidenote: [The fyrste Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: Boethius deplores his misfortunes in the following
    pathetic elegy.]

  ++Allas I wepyng am constreined to bygynne vers of
  sorouful matere.  at whilom in florysching
  studie made delitable ditees. For loo rendyng muses
  of poetes enditen to me inges to be writen. and drery               4
  v{er}s of wrecchednes weten my face wi v{er}ray teers.
   At e leest no drede ne my[gh]t[e] ouer-come o muses.
  at ei ne were{n} felawes {and} folweden my wey. at is
  to seyne when I was exiled.

    [Sidenote: ypalage antithesis]

          ei at weren glorie of                                      8
  my you[gh]th whilom weleful {and} grene co{n}forten now e
  sorouful werdes of me olde man.

    [Sidenote: Laments his immature old age.]

          for elde is comen vnwarly
  vpon me hasted by e harmes at I haue. {and}
  sorou ha comau{n}ded his age to be in me.  Heeres                 12
  hore ben schad ouertymelyche vpon myne heued. and
  e slak[e] skyn tremble vpon myn emty body.

    [Sidenote: Death turns a deaf ear to the wretched.]

          ilk[e]
  dee of men is welful at ne come not in [gh]eres at
  ben swete (.i. mirie.) but come to wrecches often                  16
  yclepid.

    [Linenotes:
    1 _of_--MS. of of.
    2 _florysching_--floryssynge
    3 _rendyng_--rendynge
    4 _be_--ben
    5 _wrecchednes_--wrecchednesse
      _teers_--teeres
    6 _leest_--leeste
      _my[gh]t[e] ouer-come_--myhte ouercomen
    8 _seyne when_--seyn whan
    9 _you[gh]th_--MS. o[gh]t, C. yowthe
    10 _sorouful werdes_--sorful wierdes [i. fata]
    12 _sorou_--sorwe
       _ha_--MS. hae
       _be_--ben
    13 _hore_--hoore
       _ben_--arn
       _myne_--myn
    14 _slak[e]_--slake
       _vpon_--of
       _emty_--emptyd
       _ilk[e]_--thilke
    15 _welful_--weleful
       _come not_--comth nat
    16 _.i. mirie_--omitted]

   Allas allas wi how deef an eere dee cruel
  to{ur}ne awey fro wrecches {and} naie to closen wepyng
  eyen.

    [Sidenote: When Fortune was favourable Death came near Boethius,
    but in his adversity life is unpleasantly protracted.]

           While fortune vnfeiful fauored[e] me                     20
  wi ly[gh]te goodes (.s. temp{or}els.) e sorouful houre at
  is to seyne e dee had[de] almost dreynt myne heued.
   But now for fortune clowdy ha chaunged hir disceyuable
  chere to me warde. myn vnpitouse lijf drawe                        24
  a long vnagreable dwellynges in me.

    [Sidenote: Why did his friends call him happy? He stood not firm
    that hath thus fallen.]

           O [gh]e my
  frendes what or wherto auaunted[e] [gh]e me to be weleful:    [[pg 5]]
  for he at ha fallen stood not i{n} stedfast degree.

    [Linenotes:
    19 _tourne_--torneth
       _naie_--nayteth
       _wepyng_--wepynge
    20 _While_--Whil
       _fauored[e]_--fauorede
    21 _ly[gh]te_--lyhte
       _.s. temporels_--omitted
       _sorouful houre_--sorwful howr{e}
    22 _seyne_--seyn
       _had[de]_--hadde
       _myne_--myn
    23 _ha_--MS. hae
       _chaunged hir disceyuable_--chaungyd hyre deceyuable
    24 _vnpitouse lijf_--vnpietous lyf]


    [Headnote:
    PHILOSOPHY APPEARS TO BOETHIUS.]

HIC DUM MECUM TACITUS.

  [Sidenote: [The firste p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: Philosophy appears to Boethius, like a beautiful woman,
    and of great age.]

  ++IN e mene while at I stille recorded[e] ise inges             28
  wi my self. {and} markede my wepli compleynte wi
  office of poyntel. I saw stondyng aboue e hey[gh]t of my
  heued a woman of ful greet reuerence by semblaunt
  hir eyen brennyng {and} clere seing ouer e comune                  32
  my[gh]t of men. wi a lijfly colo{ur} {and} wi swiche vigoure
  {and} strenke at it ne my[gh]t[e] not be emptid.  Al
  were it so at sche was ful of so greet age. at men ne
  wolde not trowe i{n} no manere at sche were of oure                36
  elde.

    [Sidenote: Her height could not be determined, for there were
    times when she raised her head higher than the heavens.]

          e stature of hir was of a doutous iugement. for
  su{m}tyme sche constreyned[e] {and} schronk hir selue{n}
  lyche to e comune mesure of men. {and} su{m}tyme it
  semed[e] at sche touched[e] e heuene wi e hey[gh]te             40
  of hir heued. and when sche hef hir heued heyer sche
  p{er}ced[e] e selue heuene. so at e sy[gh]t of men lokyng
  was i{n} ydel.

    [Sidenote: Her clothes were finely wrought and indissoluble, but
    dark and dusky, like old besmoked images.]

           Hir cloes weren maked of ry[gh]t delye
  redes {and} subtil crafte of p{er}durable matere. e wyche         44
  cloes sche hadde wouen wi hir owen hondes: as I
  knew wel aftir by hir selfe. declaryng {and} schewyng
  to me e beaute. e wiche cloes a derkenes of a forleten
  and dispised elde had[de] duskid {and} dirkid as                    48
  it is wo{n}t to dirken by-smoked ymages.

    [Sidenote: On the lower hem of her garment was the letter Pi
    and on the upper Theta.]

           In e neerest[e]
  hem or bordure of ese cloes me{n} redden                   [[pg 6]]
  ywouen in swiche a gregkysche .P. at signifie e lijf
  actif. And abouen {a}t l{ett}re in e hey[gh]est[e] bordure        52
  a grekysche T. at signifie e lijf contemplatif.

    [Linenotes:
    26 _auaunted[e]_--auauntede
       _be_--ben
    27 _ha_--MS. hae
       _not_--nat
       _stedfast_--stidefast
    28 _In e mene_--omitted
       _recorded[e]_--recordede
    30 _saw_--MS. sawe, C. sawh
       _stondyng above_--MS. studiyng aboue, C. stondinge abouen
       _hey[gh]t_--heyhte
       _my_--myn
    31 _greet_--gret
    32 _brennyng_--brennynge
       _clere seing_--cleer seynge
    33 _swiche_--swych
    34 _strenke_--strengthe
       _it----emptid_--it myhte nat ben emted
       _Al_--alle
    36 _wolde----trowe_--wolden nat trowen
    37 _iugement_--Iuggement
    38 _sumtyme_--somtyme
       _constreyned[e]_--constreynede
       _schronk_--MS. schronke, C. shronk
    39 _lyche_--lyk
    40 _semed[e]_--semede
       _touched[e]_--towchede
    41 _when_--whan
       _hef_--MS. heued, C. hef
       _heyer_--hyere
    42 _perced[e]_--percede
       _sy[gh]t_--syhte
       _lokyng_--lookynge
    44 _crafte_--craft
    45 _wouen_--MS. wonnen, C. wouen
       _owen hondes_--owne handes
    46 _knew_--MS. knewe, C. knewh
       _selfe declaryng_--self declarynge
       _schewyng_--shewynge
    47 _derkenes_--dirknesse
       _forleten_--forletyn
    48 _dispised_--despised
       _had[de] duskid_--hadde dusked
       _dirkid_--derked
    49 _by-smoked_--the smokede
       _neerest[e]_--nethereste
    50 _ese_--thise
    51 _swiche_--omitted
       _gregkysche_--grekyssh{e}
       _signifie_--syngnifieth
    52 _hey[gh]est[e]_--heyeste]

    [Headnote:
    A DESCRIPTION OF PHILOSOPHY.]

    [Sidenote: Between the letters were steps like a ladder.]

   And by-twene ese two l{ett}res ere weren seien degrees
  nobly wrou[gh]t in manere of laddres. By wyche
  degrees men my[gh]t[en] clymbe fro e neemast[e] l{ett}re          56
  to e ouermast[e].

    [Sidenote: Philosophy's garments were tattered and torn, and
    pieces had been carried violently off.]

           Naeles hondes of su{m} men
  hadde korue {a}t cloe by vyolence {and} by strenke.
   And eueryche man of hem hadde born away syche
  peces as he my[gh]te geet[e].

    [Sidenote: In her right hand she bore her books, and in her left a
    sceptre.]

           And forsoe is forsaide                                  60
  woman ber bookes in hir ry[gh]t honde. {and} in hir lefte
  honde sche ber a ceptre.  And when sche sau[gh] ese
  poetical muses ap{ro}chen aboute my bedde. {and} endytyng
  wordes to my wepynges. sche was a lytel ameued                      64
  and glowed[e] wi cruel eyen.

    [Sidenote: Philosophy bids the Muses leave Boethius, as they only
    increase his sorrow with their sweet venom.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 4.]]

           Who q{uo}d sche ha
  suffred ap{ro}chen to is seek[e] man ise comune strumpetis
  of siche a place at *men clepen e theatr{e}.
   e wyche only ne asswagen not his sorowes. wi no                 68
  remedies. but ei wolde fede {and} norysche hem wi
  swete venym.  Forsoe ise ben o at wi ornes
  {and} prykkynges of talent[gh] or affecciou{n}s wiche at
  ben no ing frutefiyng nor p{ro}fitable destroyen e                72
  cornes plenteuouse of frutes of reson.

    [Sidenote: They may accustom the mind to bear grief, but cannot
    free it from its malady.]

           For ei
  holden e hertes of men i{n} usage. but ei ne delyuere
  not folk fro maladye. but if [gh]e muses hadde widrawen
  fro me wi [gh]oure flateries. any vnkonnyng
                  {and} vnp{ro}fitable                          [[pg 7]]
  man as men ben wont to fynde comunely amonges                       77
  e peple. I wolde wene suffre e lasse greuously.

    [Linenotes:
    54 _by-twene ese_--bytwixen thise
       _ere_--ther
       _seien_--seyn
    55 _nobly wrou[gh]t_--nobely ywroght
       _wyche_--whiche
    56 _my[gh]t[en] clymbe_--myhten clymbyn
       _neemast[e]_--nethereste
    57 _ouermast[e]_--vppereste
       _sum_--some
    58 _hadde korue_--hadden koruen
       _cloe_--cloth
       _strenke_--strengthe
    59 _born_--MS. borne, C. born
       _away syche_--awey swiche
    60 _geet[e]_--geten
       _forsaide_--forseide
    61 _ber_--MS. bere, C. bar
       _bookes_--smale bookes
       _honde_--hand
       _lefte honde_--left hand
    62 _ber_--MS. bere, C. baar
       _sau[gh] ese_--say thise
    63 _bedde_--bed
       _endytyng_--enditynge
    64 _ameued_--amoued
    65 _glowed[e]_--glowede
       _ha_--MS. hae, C. hath
    66 _seek[e]_--sike
       _ise_--the
       _strumpetis_--strompetes
    67 _siche_--swich
       _clepen_--clepyn
    68 _only ne_--nat oonly ne
       _not his_--nat hise
       _no_--none
    69 _wolde fede_--wolden feeden
       _norysche hem_--noryssyn hym
    72 _ben_--ne ben
       _frutefiyng_--fructefiynge
    73 _cornes plenteuouse_--corn plentyuos
    74 _e_ and _ne_--both omitted
    75 _not_--nat
       _if [gh]e_--MS. if e, C. yif ye
       _hadde_--hadden
    76 _vnkonnyng_--vnkunnynge
    78 _peple_--poeple]

    [Headnote:
    PHILOSOPHY REBUKES THE MUSES.]

    [Sidenote: Philosophy is deeply grieved, because they have not
    seduced one of the profane, but one who has been brought up in
    Eleatic and Academic studies.]

   For-why in syche an vnp{ro}fitable man myne ententes
  weren no ing endamaged.  But [gh]e widrawen me                   80
  is man at ha ben norysched in studies or scoles of
  Eleaticis {and} of achademicis in grece.

    [Sidenote: She bids the syrens begone.]

           But go now
  raer awey [gh]e meremaydenes wyche ben swete til it
  be at e laste. {and} suffre is man to be cured {and}             84
  heled by myne muses. at is to say by notful sciences.

    [Sidenote: Blushing for shame they pass the threshold.]

   And us is compaygnie of muses I-blamed casten
  wroely e chere adou{n}ward to e ere {and} schewyng
  by redenesse hir schame ei passeden sorowfuly e                   88
  reschefolde.  And I of whom e sy[gh]t plonged i{n}
  teres was derked so at I ne my[gh]t[e] not knowe what
  at woman was of so i{m}perial auctorite.

    [Sidenote: Boethius is astonished at the presence of the august
    dame.]

           I wex al
  a-besid {and} astoned. {and} caste my sy[gh]t adoune in to e       92
  ere. {and} bygan stille forto abide what sche wolde don
  afterwarde.  o come sche nere {and} sette hir doun
  vpon e vterrest[e] corner of my bedde.

    [Sidenote: Philosophy expresses her concern for Boethius.]

          {and} sche byholdyng
  my chere at was cast to e ere heuy {and}                         96
  greuous of wepyng. co{m}pleinede wi ise wordes {a}t I
  schal sey e p{er}t{ur}bac{i}ou{n} of my ou[gh]t.

    [Linenotes:
    79 _syche_--swhiche
       _myne_--myn
    80 _weren_--ne weeren
       _[gh]e_--ye
    81 _ha_--MS. hae, C. hath
       _ben_--be
       _scoles_--schooles
    82 _go_--MS. goe, C. goth
    83 _wyche_--whiche at
    85 _say_--seyn
       _notful_--noteful
    86 _I-blamed_--Iblamyd
    87 _wroely_--wrothly
       _adounward_--downward
    88 _redenesse_--rednesse
       _sorowfuly_--sorwfully
    89 _reschefolde_--thresshfold
       _sy[gh]t_--syhte
    90 _derked_--dyrked
       _my[gh]t[e]----knowe_--myhte nat knowen
    91 _wex_--wax
    92 _a-besid_--abaysshed
       _caste_--cast
       _adoune in to_--down to
    93 _don_--MS. done
    95 _vterrest[e] corner_--vttereste corner{e}
       _bedde_--bed
    97 _compleinede_--compley[n]de
    98 _sey_--seyen]


    [Headnote:
    PHILOSOPHY ADDRESSES BOETHIUS.]

HEU Q{UAM} PRECIPITI MERSA PROFUNDO.

  [Sidenote: [The 2de Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: Drowned in the depth of cares the mind loses its proper
    clearness.]

  ++Allas how e ou[gh]t of man dreint in ouer rowyng
  depnesse dulle {and} forleti hys p{ro}pre clerenesse.            100
  myntynge to gone in to foreyne derknesses as
  ofte as hys anoious bisines wexi wi-oute{n} mesure.
  {a}t is dryuen to {and} fro wi worldly wyndes.              [[pg 8]]

    [Sidenote: Man in his freedom knew each region of the sky, the
    motions of the planets, and was wont to investigate the causes of
    storms, the nature and properties of the seasons, and the hidden
    causes of nature.]

           is
  man at su{m}tyme was fre to who{m} e heuene was open             104
  {and} knowen {and} was wont to gone in heuenelyche
  paes. {and} sau[gh] e ly[gh]tnesse of e rede sunne. {and} sau[gh]
  e sterres of e colde moone. {and} wyche sterre i{n}
  heuene vse wandryng risorses yflit by dyuerse speres.             108
   is man ouer comere hadde co{m}p{re}hendid al is by
  noumbre. of accountyng in astronomye.  And ouer
  is he was wont to seche e causes whennes e sounyng
  wy{n}des moeuen {and} bisien e smoe water of e                  112
  see. {and} what spirit turne e stable heuene. {and}
  whi e sterre ryse oute of e reede eest. to falle
  in e westren wawes. and what attempri e lusty
  houres of e fyrste somer sesou{n} at hi[gh]te {and} apparaile  116
  e ere wi rosene floures.  And who
  make at plenteuouse autu{m}pne in fulle [gh]eres fleti
  wi heuy grapes.  And eke is ma{n} was wont to
  telle e dyuerses causes of nature at weren yhid.                 120

    [Sidenote: But now, alas, he is constrained to keep his face to
    the ground.]

   Allas now lie he emptid of ly[gh]t of hys ou[gh]t. {and}
  hys nekke is p{re}ssid wi heuy cheynes {and} bere his
  chere enclined adoune for e greet[e] wey[gh]t. and is
  constreyned to loke on foule ere.                                 124

    [Linenotes:
    101 _gone_--goon
    102 _bisines_--bysynesse
        _outen_--owte
    103 _worldly_--wordely
    104 _sumtyme_--whilom
    105 _gone_--goon
    106 _paes_--paathes
        _sau[gh]_--sawh
        _ly[gh]tnesse_--lythnesse
        _sunne_--sonne
        _sau[gh]_--MS. sue, C. sawgh
    107 _wyche_--which
    108 _risorses_--recourses
    111 _seche_--seken
        _sounyng_--sownynge
    114 _ryse oute_--aryseth owt
        _falle_--fallen
    115 _westren_--westrene
    116 _fyrste_--fyrst
    119 _eke_--ek
    120 _dyuerses_--diuerse
        _yhid_--MS. yhidde
    121 _lie_--lith
        _emptid_--emted
    123 _adoune_--adown
        _greet[e] wey[gh]t_--grete weyhte
    124 _loke----foule_--looken on the fool]


    [Headnote:
    PHILOSOPHY ENLIGHTENS BOETHIUS.]

SET MEDICINE INQUIT TEMPUS.

  [Sidenote: [The ij^de p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: More need of medicine than of complaint.]

  ++Bvt tyme is now q{uo}d sche of medicine more en of
  compleynte.  Forsoe en sche entendyng to
  me warde wi al e lokyng of hir eyen saide.

    [Sidenote: Philosophy addresses Boethius.]

           Art
  not ou he q{uo}d sche at su{m}tyme I-norschid wi my             128
  mylke {and} fostre[d] wi my meetes were ascaped {and}
  comen to corage of a p{er}fit man.  Certys I [gh]af e
  syche armures at [gh]if ou i self ne haddest first caste   [[pg 9]]
  hem away. ei schulden haue defendid e in sykernesse              132
  at may not be ouer-comen.  Knowest ou me not.

    [Sidenote: She fears his silence proceeds from shame rather than
    from stupidity.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 4 _b_.]]

  *Why art ou stille. is it for schame or for astonynge.
  It were me leuer at it were for schame. but it seme
  me at astony{n}ge ha opp{re}ssed e.

    [Sidenote: She finds him, however, in a lethargy, the distemper of
    a disordered mind.]

           And whan                                                 136
  sche say me not oonly stille. but wi-outen office of
  tonge {and} al doumbe. sche leide hir honde softely vpon
  my brest {and} seide.  Here nis no p{er}il q{uod} sche.
   He is fallen in to a litargie. whiche at is a comune            140
  sekenes to hertes at ben desceiued.  He ha a litel
  for[gh]eten hym self. but certis he schal ly[gh]tly reme{m}bren
  hym self.  [Gh]if so be at he ha knowe{n} me or now.

    [Sidenote: To make his recovery an easy matter, she wipes his
    eyes, which were darkened by the clouds of mortal things, and
    dries up his tears.]

  {and} at he may so done I wil wipe a litel hys eyen.      144
  at ben derked by e cloude of mortel inges  ise
  wordes seide sche. and wi e lappe of hir garment
  yplitid in a frounce sche dried[e] myn eyen at were
  ful of e wawes of my wepynges.                                    148

    [Linenotes:
    125, 126 _en_--than
    127 _al_--alle
        _saide_--seyde
    128 _sumtyme_--whilom
        _I-norschid_--MS. I-norschide, C. noryssed
    129 _fostre[d]_--fostered
        _my_--myne
    130 _Certys_--Certes
        _[gh]af_, yaf
    131 _syche_--swiche
        _[gh]if_--yif
        _caste_--C. cast
    132 _away_--awey
        _schulden haue_--sholden han
    133 _not be_--nat ben
        _Knowest ou_--knowestow
    134 _art ou_--artow
    136 _ha_--MS. hae
    138 _tonge_--tunge
        _doumbe_--dowmb
        _honde_--hand
    139 _Here_--her
    140 _litargie whiche_--litarge which
    141 _sekenes_--sykenesse
    141, 143 _ha_--MS. hae
    144 _done_--doon
        _wil wipe_--wol wypen
    146 _garment_--garnement
    147 _dried[e]_--dryede
        _were_--weeren
    148 _ful_--fulle]


    [Headnote:
    BOETHIUS RECOGNIZES HIS PHYSICIAN.]

TUNC ME DISCUSSA.

  [Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: Her touch dispels the darkness of his soul, just as the
    heavy vapours, that darken the skies and obscure the sunlight, are
    chased away by the north wind, causing the return of the hidden
    day, when the sun smites our wondering sight with his sudden
    light.]

  ++us when at ny[gh]t was discussed {and} chased awey.
  derknesses forleften me. {and} to myn eyen repeyre
  a[gh]eyne her firste strenke. and ry[gh]t by ensample as
  e sonne is hid when e sterres ben clustred. at is to            152
  sey whe{n} sterres ben couered wi cloudes by a swifte
  wynde at hy[gh]t chorus. {and} at e firmame{n}t stont
  derked by wete ploungy cloudes. and at e sterres not
  apperen vpo{n} heuene.  So at e ny[gh]t seme sprad             156
  vpo{n} ere.  Yif an e wynde at hy[gh]t borias
  sent out of e kaues of e contre of Trace beti is         [[pg 10]]
  ny[gh]t. at is to seyn chasi it away {and} descouere e
  closed day.  an schine pheb{us} yshaken wi                     160
  sodeyne ly[gh]t {and} smyte wi hys bemes i{n} m{er}uely{n}g
  eyen.

    [Linenotes:
    149 _when_--whan
    150 _myn_--myne
        _repeyre_--repeyrede
    151 _a[gh]eyne_--omitted
        _her firste_--hir fyrst
    152 _hid_--MS. hidde, C. hid
        _when_--whan
    153 _sey_--seyn
        _when_--whan
    154 _hy[gh]t_--heyhte
        _chorus_--MS. thorus
        _stont_--MS. stonde, C. stant
    157 _an_--thanne
        _wynde_--wynd
        _hy[gh]t_--hyhte
    158 _sent_--isent
    160 _an_--thanne
    161 _sodeyne_--sodeyn]


    [Headnote:
    THE TRIALS OF PHILOSOPHY AND PHILOSOPHERS.]

HAUT[1] ALITER TRISTICIE.

    [Footnote 1: MS. hanc.]

  [Sidenote: [The 3^de p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: The clouds of sorrow being dispelled, Boethius
    recollects the features of his Physician, whom he discovers to be
    Philosophy.]

  ++Ry[gh]t so {and} none oer wyse e cloudes of sorowe
  dissolued {and} don awey.  I took heuene. {and}                   164
  receyuede mynde to knowe e face of my fyciscien.
   So at I sette myne eyen on hir {and} festned[e] my
  lokyng. I byholde my norice philosophie. in whos
  houses I hadde conuersed {and} haunted fro my [gh]oue.            168
  {and} I seide us.

    [Sidenote: He addresses her.]

           O ou maistresse of alle uertues
  descendid fro e souereyne sete. Whi art ou comen
  in to is solitarie place of myn exil.  Art ou comen
  for {o}u art mad coupable wi me of fals[e] blames.               172

    [Sidenote: She expresses her concern for him, and tells him that
    she is willing to share his misfortunes.]

   O q{uod} sche my norry scholde I forsake e now. and
  scholde I not parte wi e by comune trauaille e charge
  at ou hast suffred for envie of my name.  Certis
  it nar[e] not leueful ne sittyng to philosophie to leten           176
  wi-outen compaignie e wey of hym at is i{n}nocent.

    [Sidenote: She fears not any accusation, as if it were a new
    thing.]

   Scholde I an redoute my blame {and} agrisen as ou[gh]
  er were byfallen a newe ing. q.d. non.  For
  trowest ou at philosophi be now alerfirst assailed              180
  i{n} p{er}ils by folk of wicked[e] maneres.

    [Sidenote: For before the age of Plato she contended against
    folly, and by her help Socrates triumphed over an unjust death.]

           Haue I not
  stryuen wi ful greet strife in olde tyme byfore e
  age of my plato a[gh]eins e foolhardines of foly {and}
  eke e same plato lyuyng. hys maistre socrates                     184
  deserued[e] victorie of vnry[gh]tful dee in my presence.

    [Sidenote: Of the inheritance of Socrates the rout of Epicureans
    and Stoics wanted to get a part.]

   e heritage of wyche socrates. e h{er}itage is to seyne
  e doctrine of e whiche soc{ra}tes in hys oppiniou{n} of    [[pg 11]]
  felicite at I clepe welfulnesse  Whan at e people              188
  of epicuriens {and} stoyciens {and} many oer enforceden
  hem to go rauische eueryche man for his part at is
  to seyne. at to eueryche of hem wolde drawen to e
  defence of his oppiniou{n} e wordes of socrates.                  192

    [Sidenote: Philosophy withstood them, whereupon they tore her
    robe, and, departing with the shreds, imagined that they had got
    possession of her.]

           ei
  as in p{ar}tie of hir preye todrowe{n} me criynge {and}
  debatyng er a[gh]eins. {and} tornen {and} torente{n} my cloes
  at I hadde woue{n} wi myn handes. {and} wi e
  cloutes at ei hadden arased oute of my cloes. ei               196
  wenten awey wenyng at I hadde gon wi he{m} euery
  dele.

    [Sidenote: Thus, clothed with her spoils, they deceived many.]

          In whiche epicuryens {and} stoyciens. for as
  myche as er semed[e] so{m}me traces {and} steppes of
  myne habit.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 5.]]

          e folye of men wenyng o epicuryens                       200
  {and} stoyciens my *familers p{er}uertede (.s. p{er}sequend{o})
  so{m}me oru[gh] e errour of e wikked[e] or vnkunnyng[e]
  multitude of hem.

    [Sidenote: Philosophy adduces examples of wise men, who had
    laboured under difficulties on account of being her disciples.]

           is is to seyne for ei
  semeden philosophres: ei weren p{ur}sued to e dee               204
  and slayn.  So yif ou hast not knowen e exilynge
  of anaxogore. ne e empoysenyng of socrates. ne e
  to{ur}ment[gh] of [gh]eno for ei [weren] straungers.  [Gh]it
  my[gh]test ou haue knowe{n} e senectiens {and} e Canyos         208
  {and} e sorancis of wyche folk e renou{n} is neyer ouer
  oolde ne vnsolempne.  e whiche men no ing ellys
  ne brou[gh]t[e] hem to e dee but oonly for ei weren
  enfourmed of my maneres. {and} semede{n} moste vnlyke              212
  to e studies of wicked folk.  And fori ou au[gh]test
  not to wondre ou[gh] {a}t I in e bitter see of is lijf be
  fordryuen wi tempestes blowyng aboute.                      [[pg 12]]

    [Sidenote: It is the aim of Philosophy to displease the wicked,
    who are more to be despised than dreaded, for they have no
    leader.]

          in e whiche
  te{m}peste is is my most p{ur}pos at is to seyn to displese      216
  to wikked[e] men.  Of whiche schrews al be
  e oost neuer so grete it is to dispyse. for it nis gouerned
  wi no leder of resoune. but it is rauysched only by
  flityng errour folyly {and} ly[gh]tly.

    [Sidenote: If Philosophy is attacked by the wicked, she retires
    within her fortress, leaving the enemy busy among the useless
    baggage, and laughing to scorn such hunters of trifles.]

           And if ei somtyme                                       220
  maky{n}g an ost a[gh]eynest vs assaile vs as strengere. oure
  leder drawe to gedir hys rycchesse i{n} to hys toure.
  {and} ei ben ententif aboute sarpulers or sachels vnp{ro}fitable
  forto taken. but we at ben hey[gh] abouen syker                   224
  fro al tumulte {and} wode noise. ben stored {and} enclosed
  in syche a palays. whider as at chateryng or anoying
  folye ne may not attayne.  We scorne swiche
  rauiners {and} honters of foulest[e] inges.                       228

    [Linenotes:
    163 _none oer_--non oother
        _sorowe_--sorwe
    165 _knowe_--knowen
    166 _myne_--myn
        _festned[e]_--fastnede
    170 _fro_--from
    170, 171 _art ou_--artow
    172 _mad_--MS. made, C. maked
        _fals[e]_--false
    174 _parte_--parten
    176 _nar[e]_--nere
        _sittyng_--sittinge
    178 _an_--thanne
    179 _ing_--thing
        _q.d. non_--omitted
    180 _trowest ou_--trowestow
        _alerfirst_--alderfirst
    181 _wicked[e]_--wikkede
    182 _strife_--strif
    183 _a[gh]eins_--ayenis
        _foolhardines_--foolhardinesse
        _foly_--folie
    184 _eke_--ek
    185 _deserued[e]_--desseruede
    186 _wyche_--the which
        _seyne_--seyn
    188 _welfulnesse_--welefulnesse
    189 _oer_--oothre
    190 _go_--gon
        _eueryche_--euerich
    191 _seyne_--seyn
        _to_--omitted
        _eueryche_--euerich
    194 _tornen_--_read_ coruen, C. koruen
    195 _wouen_--MS. wonne{n}, C. wouen
    196 _arased_--arraced
    197 _gon_--MS. gone, C. gon
    198 _dele_--del
    199 _myche_--moche
        _semed[e]_--semede
        {and}--or
    200 _myne_--myn
        _wenyng_--MS. wevyng, C. weninge
    202 _oru[gh]_--thorw
        _wikked[e]_--wikkede
        _vnkunnyng[e]_--vnkunnynge
    203 _seyne_--seyn {a}t
    204 _semeden_--semede
        _pursued_--MS. pursuede, C. pursued
    205 _slayn_--MS. slayne, C. slayn
    207 [_weren_]--weeren
    208 _my[gh]test ou haue_--myhtestow han
    209 _sorancis_--sorans
        _wyche_--which
        _is_--nis
    210 _oolde_--MS. colde, C. old
    211 _brou[gh]t[e]_--browhte
    212 _enfourmed_--MS. vnfourmed, C. enformyd
        _my_--myne
        _vnlyke_--vnlyk
    213 _wicked folk_--wikkede foolk{e}
        _au[gh]test_--owhtest
    214 _wondre_--wondren
        _bitter_--bittre
    216 _displese_--displesen
    217 _wikked[e]_--wikkede
        _schrews_--shrewes
    218 _oost_--glossed _acies_ in C.
        _grete_--gret
    219, 222 _leder_--leder{e}
    220 _flityng_--fleetynge
        _ly[gh]tly_--lythly
        _if_--yif
    221 _a[gh]eynest_--ayenis
    222 _to----rycchesse_, to gydere hise rychesses
        _toure_--towr
    224 _hey[gh]_--heye
    225 _al_--alle
        _ben_--omitted
        _stored_--warnestored
    226 _syche_--swich
        _at_--omitted
    227 _scorne_--schorne
    228 _rauiners----inges_--rauyneres & henteres of fowleste thinges]


    [Headnote:
    THE AIM OF PHILOSOPHY.]

QUISQ{UI}S COMPOSITO.

  [Sidenote: [The ferthe Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: He who hath triumphed over fate, and remained
    insensible to the changes of Fortune, shall not be moved by
    storms, nor by the fires of Vesuvius, nor by the fiercest
    thunderbolts.]

  ++Who so it be at is clere of vertue sad {and} wel ordinat
  of lyuyng. at ha put vnderfote e prowed[e]
  wierdes {and} loki vpry[gh]t vpon eyer fortune. he may
  holde hys chiere vndiscomfited.  e rage ne e manace             232
  of e co{m}moeuyng or chasyng vpwarde hete fro e
  botme. ne schal not moeue at man. ne e vnstable
  mountaigne at hy[gh]t veseuus. at wirche oute oru[gh]
  hys broken[e] chemineys smokyng fires.  Ne e wey                 236
  of onder ly[gh]t at is wont to smyte hey[gh]e toures ne
  schal not mouene at man.

    [Sidenote: Fear not the tyrant's rage.]

           Wherto en wrecches
  drede [gh]e tyrauntes at ben wode {and} felownes wi-outen
  ony strenke.

    [Sidenote: He who neither fears nor hopes for anything disarms the
    tyrant.]

           Hope after no ing ne drede nat. {and}                   240
  so schalt ou desarmen e ire of ilke vnmy[gh]ty tyraunt.   [[pg 13]]

    [Sidenote: He whose heart fails him, yields his arms, and forges
    his own fetters.]

   But who so at quakyng drede or desire ing at
  nis not stable of his ry[gh]t. at man at so do ha cast
  awey hys schelde {and} is remoeued fro hys place. {and}            244
  enlace hym i{n} e cheyne wi whiche he may be
  drawen.

    [Linenotes:
    229 _clere_--cleer
    230 _lyuyng_--leuynge
        _ha_--MS. hae
        _vnderfote_--vndir-foot
        _prowed[e]_--prowde
    231 _may----chiere_--may his cheere holde
    232 _manace_--manesses
    233 _e_--e see
    235 _hy[gh]t_--hihte
        _veseuus_--MS. vesenus
        _wirche_--writith
    236 _broken[e]_--brokene
        _smokyng_--smokynge
    237 _smyte_--smyten
    238 _Wherto en_--wharto thanne
    239 _felownes----ony_--felonos withowte any
    241 _schalt ou desarmen_--shaltow deseruien
    243 _do_--MS. doe, C. doth
        _ha_--MS. hae, C. hath
        _cast_--MS. caste, C. cast
    244 _schelde_--sheld
        _remoeued fro_--remwed from
    245 _whiche_--the which
        _be_--ben]


    [Headnote:
    BOETHIUS SPEAKS OF HIS TROUBLES.]

SENTIS NE INQUIT.

  [Sidenote: [The verthe p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: Philosophy seeks to know the malady of Boethius.]

  ++FElest ou q{uod} sche ise inges {and} entren ei ou[gh]t
  in i corage.  Art ou like an asse to e harpe.                  248
  Whi wepest ou whi spillest ou teres.  Yif ou
  abidest after helpe of i leche. e byhoue discouere i
  wounde.

    [Sidenote: Boethius complains of Fortune's unrelenting rage.]

           o .I. at hadde gadered strenke in my
  corage answered[e] {and} seide. {and} nede it [gh]itte q{uod}     252
  .I. of rehersyng or of amonic{i}ou{n}. {and} schewe it not
  ynou[gh] by hym self e scharpnes of fortune at wexe
  woode a[gh]eynes me.

    [Sidenote: Is not she moved, he asks, with the aspect of his
    prison?]

           Ne moeue it nat e to seen e
  face or e man{er}e of is place (.i. p{r}isou{n}.).

    [Sidenote: His library, his habit, and his countenance are all
    changed.]

           Is is                                                   256
  e librarie wyche at ou haddest chosen for a ry[gh]t
  certeyne sege to e i{n} myne house.  ere as ou
  desputest of[te] wi me of e sciences of inges touching
  diuinitee {and} touchyng mankynde.  Was an                       260
  myn habit swiche as it is now. was an my face or
    [Interlinear: quasi d{ice}ret non.]
  my chere swiche as now.

          Whan I sou[gh]t[e] wi e
  secretys of nature. whan ou enfo{ur}medest my maners
  {and} e resou{n} of al my lijf. to e ensaumple of e ordre       264
  of heuene.

    [Sidenote: Is this, he asks, the reward of his fidelity?]

    [Interlinear: ironice]
           Is nat is e gerdou{n} at I refere to e
  to whom I haue be obeisaunt.  Certis ou enfo{ur}medist
  by e moue of plato is sentence.

    [Sidenote: Plato (de Rep. v.) says that those Commonwealths are
    most happy that are governed by philosophers, or by those who
    study to be so.]

          at is to
  seyne at co{m}mune inges or comunabletes weren                   268
  blysful yif ei at haden studied al fully to wisdom         [[pg 14]]
  gouerneden ilke inges.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 5 _b_.]]

          or ellys yif it so by-felle at
  e gouernours *of co{m}munalites studieden in grete wisdomes.

    [Linenotes:
    247 _Felest ou_--Felistow
        _ou[gh]t_--awht
    248 _art ou_--artow
    249 _wepest ou_--wepistow
        _spillest ou_--spillestow
    252 _answered[e]_--answerede
    255 _woode_--wood
    257 _wyche_--which
    258 _myne house ere_--myn hows ther
    259 _desputest of[te]_--desputedest ofte
    260 _an_--thanne
    261 _it_ and _an_--both omitted
    261, 262 _swiche_--swich
    262 _sou[gh]t[e]_--sowhte
    263 _secretys_--secret[gh]
        _my_--MS. me, C. my
    264 _al_--alle
    265 _gerdoun_--gerdouns
    266 _enfourmedist_--conformedest
    267 _moue_--mowht
    268 _comunabletes_--comunalitees
    270 _by-felle_--byfille
    271 _in grete wisdomes_--to geten wysdom]

    [Headnote:
    PHILOSOPHERS TO BE POLITICIANS.]

    [Sidenote: The same Plato urged philosophers to take upon them the
    management of public affairs, lest it should fall into the hands
    of unprincipled citizens.]

   ou saidest eke by e moue of e same                           272
  plato at it was a necessarie cause wyse men to taken
  {and} desire e gou{er}nau{n}ce of comune i{n}ges. for at e
  gou{er}nementes of comune citees y-left in e hondes of
  felonous to{ur}mento{ur}s Citi[gh]enis ne scholde not brynge       276
  inne pestile{n}ce {and} destrucc{i}ou{n} to goode folk.

    [Sidenote: Boethius declares that he desired to put in practice
    (in the management of public affairs) what he had learnt in his
    retirement.]

           And
  erfore I folowynge ilk auctoritee (.s. platonis). desiryng
  to put[te] fure in execusiou{n} {and} in acte of comune
  admi{ni}st{ra}c{i}ou{n} o inges at .I. hadde lerned of e       280
  among my secre restyng whiles.  ou {and} god {a}t
  put[te] ee in e ou[gh]tis of wise folk ben knowen wi
  me at no ing brou[gh]t[e] me to maistrie or dignite: but
  e comune studie of al goodenes.

    [Sidenote: He sought to do good to all, but became involved in
    discord with the wicked.]

           And er-of come                                         284
  it at by-twixen wikked folk {and} me han ben greuouse
  discordes. at ne my[gh]ten not be relesed by p{ra}yeres.

    [Sidenote: Consciousness of integrity made him despise the anger
    of the most powerful.]

   For is libertee ha fredom of conscience at e wrae
  of more my[gh]ty folk ha alwey ben despised of me for             288
  saluac{i}ou{n} of ry[gh]t.

    [Sidenote: He opposed Conigastus, and put a stop to the doings of
    Triguilla.]

           How ofte haue .I. resisted {and}
  wistonde ilk man at hy[gh]t[e] conigaste at made
  alwey assautes a[gh]eins e p{ro}pre fortunes of poure feble
  folke.  How ofte haue .I. [gh]itte put of. or cast out            292
  hy{m} trigwille p{ro}uost of e kynges hous boe of e
  wronges at he hadde bygon[ne] to done {and} eke fully
  p{er}formed.  How ofte haue I couered {and} defended
  by e auctorite of me put a[gh]eins p{er}ils.

    [Sidenote: He put his authority in peril for the defence of poor
    folk.]

          at is to seine put                                        296
  myne auctorite in peril for e wreched pore folke. at
  e couetise of straungeres vnpunysched to{ur}mentid alwey    [[pg 15]]
  wi myseses {and} greuaunces oute of noumbre.

    [Linenotes:
    272 _eke_--ek
    275 _comune_--omitted
        _y-left_--MS. ylefte, C. yleft
    276 _Citi[gh]enis_--citesenes
        _brynge inne_--bryngen in
    278 _erfore_--therfor
        _ilk_--thilke
        _desiryng_--desired
    279 _put[te] fure_--putten forth
    280 _o_--thilke
    282 _put[te]_--putte
    283 _brou[gh]t[e]_--ne browhte
    284 _e_--omitted
        _al goodenes_--alle goodnesse
        _come_--comth
    287, 288 _ha_--MS. hae
    289 _saluacioun_--sauacioun
    290 _ilk_--thilke
        _hy[gh]t[e]_--hyhte
    290 _conigaste_--MS. coniugaste
    292 _ofte_--ofte ek
        _[gh]itte_--omitted
    294 _bygon[ne]_--bygunne
        _done_--don
    295 _couered_--MS. couerede, C. couered
    296 _put_--MS. putte, C. put
        _seine_--seyn
    297 _myne_--myn
    298 _vnpunysched_--vnpunyssed
    299 _myseses_--myseyses]

    [Headnote:
    BOETHIUS DEFENDS HIS OWN CONDUCT.]

    [Sidenote: I never deviated, he says, from the path of justice.]

   Neuer man drow me [gh]itte fro ry[gh]t to wro{n}g. When I say e 300
  fortunes {and} e rychesse of e people of e p{ro}uinces
  ben harmed eyer by p{r}iue rauynes or by comune
  tributis or cariages.

    [Sidenote: I felt for those that were wrongfully oppressed.]

          as sory was I as ei at suffred[e]
  e harme. _Glosa._  Whan at theodoric e kyng of                 304
  gothes in a dere [gh]ere hadde hys gerners ful of corne
  {and} comaundede at no ma{n} ne schold[e] bie no corne
  til his corne were solde {and} at at a dere greuous pris.
   But I w{i}t{h}stod at ordinaunce {and} ouer-com it              308
  knowy{n}g al is e kyng hym self.  Coempciou{n} at
  is to seyn comune achat or bying to-gidere at were
  establissed vpon poeple by swiche a manere imposiciou{n}
  as who so bou[gh]t[e] a busshel corn he most[e] [gh]eue e         312
  ky{n}g e fifte p{ar}t. _Textus._

    [Sidenote: I opposed successfully Coemption in Campania.]

           Whan it was in e
  soure hungry tyme ere was establissed or cried greuous
  {and} inplitable coempciou{n} at men seyn wel it schulde
  greetly to{ur}me{n}tyn {and} endamagen al e p{ro}uince of         316
  co{m}paigne I took strif a[gh]eins e p{ro}uost of e pretorie
  for comune p{ro}fit.  And e kyng knowyng of it I
  ouercom it so at e coempciou{n} ne was not axed ne
  took effect.

    [Sidenote: I saved Paulinus out of the hands of the hounds of the
    palace (_Palatini canes_).]

           Paulyn a counseiller of Rome e rychesse                 320
  of e whyche paulyn e houndys of e palays. at is to
  seyn e officeres wolde han deuoured by hope {and}
  couetise  [Gh]it drow I hym out of e Iowes .s. faucib{us}
  of hem at gapede{n}.

    [Sidenote: I defended Albinus against Cyprian.]

           And for as myche as e peyne                             324
  of e accusac{i}ou{n} aiuged byforn ne scholde not sodeynly
  henten ne punischen wrongfuly Albyn a counseiller of
  Rome. I put[te] me a[gh]enis e hates
          {and} indignac{i}ou{n}s                              [[pg 16]]
  of e accuso{ur} Ciprian.  Is it not an ynought yseyn            328
  at I haue p{ur}chased greet[e] discordes a[gh]eins my self.

    [Sidenote: For the love of justice I forfeited all favour at
    Court.]

  but I aughte be more asseured a[gh]enis alle oer folk at
  for e loue of ry[gh]twisnesse .I. ne reserued[e] neuer no
  ing to my self to hem ward of e kynges halle .s. officers.       332
  by e whiche I were e more syker.  But oru[gh] e
  same accuso{ur}s accusyng I am co{n}dempned.

    [Linenotes:
    300 _drow_--MS. drowe, C. weth drowh
        _[gh]itte_--yit
        _wrong_--wronge
    301 _rychesse_--richesses
        _e_ (2)--omitted
    302 _harmed eyer_--harmyd or amenused owther
    303 _tributis_--tribut[gh]
        _suffred[e]_--suffreden
    304 _harme_--harm
    305 _[gh]ere_--yer
        _hys_--hise
    305, 306, 307 _corne_--corn
    306 _schold[e] bie_--sholde byen
    308 _But I withstod_--Boece withstood (MS. withstode)
        _com_--MS. come, C. com
    311 _swiche_--swich
    312 _bou[gh]t[e]_--bowhte
        _busshel_--bossel
        _most[e] [gh]eue_--moste yeue
    315 _inplitable_--vnplitable
        _seyn_--sayen
    319 _ouercom_--MS. ouercome, C. ouer com
    320 _counseiller_--consoler
        _rychesse_--rychesses
    321 _whyche_--which
    322 _wolde_--wolden
    323 _drow_--MS. drowe, C. drowh
    324 _myche_--moche
    326 _punischen_--punisse
    327 _putt[e]_--putte
    328 _yseyn_--MS. yseyne
    329 _greet[e]_--grete
    330 _aughte be_--owhte be the
        _oer_--oothre
    333 _by e whiche_--by which
        _oru[gh] e_--thorw tho]

    [Headnote:
    THE ACCUSERS OF BOETHIUS.]

    [Sidenote: Boethius makes mention of his accusers, Basilius,
    Opilio, Gaudentius, men who had been commanded to leave the city
    on account of their many crimes.]

   Of e noumbre of whiche accuso{ur}s one basilius at somtyme
  was chased out of e kynges seruice. is now co{m}pelled            336
  i{n} accusyng of my name for nede of foreine
  moneye.  Also opilion {and} Gaudenci{us} han accused
  me. al be it so at e Iustice regal hadde su{m}tyme demed
  hem boe to go in to exil. for her treccheries {and} fraudes       340
  wi-outen noumbre.  To whiche iugement ei wolde
  not obeye. but defended[e] hem by sykernesse of holy
  houses.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 6.]]

          *at is to seyne fledden in to seyntuaries. {and}
  whan is was ap{er}ceiued to e kyng. he comaunded[e]              344
  but at ei voided[e] e citee of Rauenne by certeyne
  day assigned at men scholde merken hem on e forheued
  wi an hoke of iren {and} chasen hem out of toune.
   Now what ing seme e my[gh]t[e] be lykned to is               348
  cruelte.

    [Sidenote: But, on the day this sentence was to be executed, they
    accused him, and their testimony against him was accepted.]

          For certys ilk same day was receyued e accusyng
  of my name by ilk[e] same accuso{ur}s.  What
  may be seid herto. ha my studie {and} my konnyng
  deserued us. or ellys e forseide dampnaciou{n} of me.            352
  made at hem ry[gh]tful accuso{ur}s or no (q.d. no{n}).

    [Sidenote: Fortune, if not ashamed at this, might at least blush
    for the baseness of the accusers.]

   Was not fortune asshamed of is. [Certes alle hadde
  nat fortune ben asshamyd] at i{n}nocence was accused.             355
  [gh]it au[gh]t[e] sche haue had schame of e file of myn accuso{ur}s.

    [Linenotes:
    335 _whiche_--the whiche
        _one_--oon
        _somtyme_--whilom
    339 _sumtyme_--whilon
    340 _go_--gon
        _her_--hir
    341 _wi-outen_--withowte
        _wolde not_--nolden nat
    342 _defended[e]_--defendedyn
        _by_--by the
    343 _seyne_--seyn
        _seyntuaries_--sentuarye
    344 _was_--omitted
        _comaunded[e]_--comaundede
    345 _voided[e]_--voidede
        _certeyne_--certeyn
    346 _men_--me
        _merken_--marke
    347 _hoke of iren_--hoot yren
    348 _e_--omitted
        _my[gh]t[e] be_--myhte ben
    349 _ilk_--thilke
    350 _ilk[e]_--thilke
    351 _be_--ben
        _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd
        _ha_--MS. hae
    354, 355 [_Certes----asshamyd_]--from C.
    356 _au[gh]t[e]_--owte
        _haue had_--han had, MS. hadde]

                                                               [[pg 17]]
    [Headnote:
    THE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST BOETHIUS.]

   But axest ou in so{m}me of what gilt .I.
  am accused.

    [Sidenote: Boethius says he is accused of trying to save the
    Senate, and of having embarrassed an informer against the Senate.]

          men seyne at I wolde sauen e co{m}paignie
  of e senato{ur}s.  And desirest ou to here
  in what manere .I. am accused at I scholde han distourbed         360
  e accuso{ur} to beren l{ett}res. by whiche he
  scholde han maked e senatours gilty a[gh]eins e kynges
  Real maieste.  O meistresse what demest ou of
  is. schal .I. forsake is blame at I ne be no schame to          364
  e (q. d. no{n}).

    [Sidenote: It is true that he tried to save the Senate, for he has
    and will have its best interests always at heart.]

           Certis .I. haue wold it. at is to
  seyne e sauuaciou{n} of e senat. ne I schal neuer leten
  to wilne it. {and} at I confesse {and} am a-knowe. but
  e entent of e accusour to be destourbed schal cese.              368
   For schal I clepe it a felonie an or a synne at I
  haue desired e sauuaciou{n} of e ordre of e senat.
  and certys [gh]it hadde ilk same senat don by me oru[gh]
  her decret[gh] {and} hire iugementys as ou[gh] it were a synne    372
  or a felonie at is to seyne to wilne e sauuaciou{n} of
  he{m} (.s senat{us}).

    [Sidenote: (Folly cannot change the merit of things.]

           But folye at lieth alwey to hym
  self may not chaunge e merit of inges.

    [Sidenote: According to Socrates' judgment it is not lawful to
    hide the truth nor assent to a falsehood.)]

           Ne .I.
  trowe not by e iugement of socrates {a}t it were leueful         376
  to me to hide e soe. ne assent[e] to lesynges.
   But certys how so euer it be of is I put[te] it to gessen
  or p{re}ise{n} to e iugeme{n}t of e {and} of wise folk. Of
  whiche ing al e ordinaunce {and} e soe for as moche            380
  as folk at ben to comen aftir our{e} dayes scholle{n}
  knowen it.

    [Sidenote: Boethius determines to transmit an account of his
    prosecution to posterity.]

           I haue put it in scripture {and} remembraunce.
  for touching e l{ett}res falsly maked. by
  whiche l{ett}res I am accused to han hooped e fredom of           384
  Rome. What app{er}tene me to speken er-of.

    [Sidenote: Boethius says that he could have defeated his accusers
    had he been allowed the use of their confessions.]

  Of whiche l{ett}res e fraude hadde ben schewed ap{er}tly if
  I hadde had libertee forto han vsed {and} ben at e          [[pg 18]]
  co{n}fessiou{n} of myn accuso{ur}s.  e whiche ing in            388
  alle nedys ha grete strenke.  For what o{er} fredo{m}
  may men hopen.

    [Sidenote: But there is now no remains of liberty to be hoped
    for.]

          Certys I wolde at some o{er} fredom
  my[gh]t[e] be hoped.  I wolde an haue answered by
  e wordes of a man at hy[gh]t[e] Canius. for whan he was          392
  accused by Gayus Cesar Germeins son at he (cani{us})
  was knowyng {and} consentyng of a coniurac{i}ou{n} maked
  a[gh]eins hym (.s. Gai{us}).  is Canius answered[e]
  us.  Yif I had[de] wist it ou haddest not wist it.              396

    [Linenotes:
    357 _axest ou_--axestow
    358 _seyne_--seyn
        _sauen_--saue
    359 _desirest ou_--desires thow
        _here_--hereen
    362 _maked_--MS. maken, C. makyd
    363 _demest ou_--demestow
    365 _wold_--MS. wolde, C. wold
    366 _seyne_--seyn
    367 _at_--omitted
        _am_--I am
    368 _be_--ben
    369 _it_--it thanne
        _an_--omitted
    371 _ilk_--thilke
    372 _her_--hir
        _hire_--hir
        _ou[gh]_--thogh
    373 _or_--and
        _seyne_--seyn
    374 _lieth_--MS. liee, C. lieth
    377 _assent[e]_--assente
    381 _schollen_--shellen
    382 {and}--{and} in
    385 _speken_--speke
    385-86 _of----lettres_--C. omits
    386 _if_--yif
    387 _had_--MS. hade, C. had
    388 _myn_--myne
    389 _ha_--MS. hae, C. hath
        _grete_--gret
        _what_--omitted
    390 _some_--som
    391 _my[gh]t[e] be_--myhte ben
        _an haue_--thanne han
    392 _hy[gh]t[e]_--hyhte
    394 _maked_--ymaked
    395 _answered[e]_--answerede
    396 _had[de]_--hadde]

    [Headnote:
    BOETHIUS COMPLAINS TO PHILOSOPHY.]

    [Sidenote: It is not strange that the wicked should conspire
    against virtue.]

  In whiche ing sorwe ha not so dulled my witte
  {a}t I pleyne oonly at schrewed[e] folk apparailen
  folies a[gh]eins vertues.  But I wondre gretly how at
  ei may p{er}forme inges at ei had[de] hoped forto              400
  done.

    [Sidenote: The will to do ill proceeds from the defects of human
    nature.]

          For why. to wylne schrewednesse at come
  p{ar}auenture of oure defaute.  But it is lyke to a
  monstre {and} a meruaille.

    [Sidenote: It is a marvel how such evil acts can be done under the
    eye of an Omniscient God.]

           How at in e p{re}se{n}t
  sy[gh]t of god may ben acheued {and} p{er}formed swiche            404
  inges. as euery felonous man ha conceyued in hys
  ou[gh]t a[gh]eins i{n}nocent.  For whiche ing oon of i
  familers not vnskilfully axed us.

    [Sidenote: If there be a God, whence proceeds evil? If there is
    none, whence arises good?]

           [Gh]if god is. whennes
  comen wikked[e] inges. {and} yif god ne is whennes                408
  comen goode inges. but al hadde it ben leueful at
  felonous folk at now desiren e bloode {and} e dee of
  alle goode men. {and} eke of al e senat han wilned to
  gone destroien me. whom ei han seyn alwey bataile{n}              412
  {and} defenden goode men {and} eke al e senat. [Gh]it
  hadde I not desserued of e fadres. at is to seyne of
  e senatours at ei scholde wilne my destrucc{i}ou{n}.

    [Sidenote: Boethius defends the integrity of his life.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 6 _b_.]]

   ou remembrest wele as I gesse at whan I wolde            [[pg 19]]
  don or *seyn any ing. ou i self alwey p{re}sent reweledest me.  417

    [Sidenote: He defended the Senate at Verona.]

   At e citee of verone wha{n} at e
  kyng gredy of comune slau[gh]ter. caste hym to t{ra}nsporten
  vpon al e ordre of e senat. e gilt of his real                  420
  maieste of e whiche gilt at albyn was accused. wi
  how grete sykernesse of p{er}il to me defended[e] I al
  e senat.

    [Sidenote: He spake only the truth, and did not boast.]

           ou wost wel at I seide soe. ne I
  auaunted[e] me neuer in preysyng of my self.                       424

    [Sidenote: (Boasting lessens the pleasure of a self approving
    conscience.)]

           For
  alwey when any wy[gh]t resceiue p{re}ciouse renou{n} in
  auauntyng hym self of hys werkes: he amenusi e
  secre of hys conscience.  But now ou mayst wel
  seen to what ende I am comen for myne i{n}nocence.                 428

    [Linenotes:
    397 _whiche_--which
        _sorwe_--sorw
        _ha_--MS. hae
        _witte_--wit
    398 _schrewed[e]_--shrewede
    399 _folies_--felonies
        _vertues_--vertu
    400 _had[de]_--han
    401 _done_--don
        _come_--comth
    402 _lyke to a_--lyk a
    404 _sy[gh]t_--syhte
    405 _ha_--MS. hae
    406 _innocent_--innocent[gh]
        _whiche_--which
    408 _wikked[e]_--wykkede
    410 _bloode_--blod
    411 _eke_--ek
    412 _gone_--gon {and}
        _seyn_--seyen
    413 _eke_--ek
    414 _seyne_--seyn
    415 _scholde_--sholden
    416 _wele_--wel
    417 _don_--MS. done, C. doon
        _seyn_--seyen
    418 _e_ (1)--omitted
    419 _slau[gh]ter_--slawhtre
    420 _transporten vpon_--transpor vp
    422 _grete_--gret
        _defended[e]_--deffendede
    423 _seide soe_--seye soth
    424 _auaunted[e]_--auauntede
    425 _when_--whan
        _preciouse_--presious]

    [Headnote:
    OF HIS FALSE ACCUSERS.]

    [Sidenote: But as the reward of his innocence he is made to suffer
    the punishment due to the blackest crime.]

  I receiue peyne of fals felonie in gerdou{n} of verray
  vertue.  And what open co{n}fessiou{n} of felonie
  had[de] euer iugis so accordaunt i{n} cruelte. at is to
  seyne as myne accusyng ha.  at oer errour of                   432
  mans witte or ellys co{n}diciou{n} of fortune at is vncerteyne
  to al mortal folk ne submytted[e] su{m}me of he{m}. at is
  to seyne at it ne cheyned[e] su{m}me iuge to han pitee
  or compassiou{n}.                                                  436

    [Sidenote: Had he been accused of a design to burn temples,
    massacre priests, he would have been allowed to confront his
    accusers.]

           For al ou[gh] I had[de] ben accused
  at I wolde brenne holy houses. {and} strangle p{re}stys
  wi wicked swerde.  or at .I. had[de] grayed dee
  to alle goode men algatis e sentence scholde han
  punysched me p{re}sent confessed or co{n}uict.

    [Sidenote: But now this is denied him, and he is proscribed and
    condemned to death.]

           But                                                      440
  now I am remewed fro e Citee of rome almost fyue-hundre
  ousand pas. I am wi outen defence dampned
  to p{ro}sc{ri}pciou{n} {and} to e dee. for e studie {and}
  bountees at I haue done to e senat.  But o wel ben              444
  ei wori of mercye (as who sei nay.) er my[gh]t[e] neuer
  [gh]it non of hem ben conuicte. Of swiche a blame as         [[pg 20]]
  myn is of swiche t{r}espas myn accuso{ur}s seyen ful wel e dignitee.

    [Linenotes:
    429 _in_--for
    430 _vertue_--vertu
    431 _had[de]_--hadde
    432 _seyne_--seyn
        _myne_--myn
        _ha_--MS. hae
    433 _witte_--wit
        _vncerteyne_--vncerteyn
    434 _al_--alle
        _submytted[e]_--submittede
    435 _seyne_--seyn
        _cheyned[e]_--enclinede
    436 _had[de]_--hadde
    438 _wicked_--wykkede
        _had[de]_--hadde
    441 _almost_--almest
    442 _ousand_--MS. ousas
        _wi outen_--withowte
    444 _done_--doon
    445 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte
    446 _ben_--be
        _swiche_--swich
    447 _myn_ (_both_)--myne
        _swiche_--whiche
        _seyen_--sayen]

    [Headnote:
    BOETHIUS ACCUSED OF SORCERY.]

    [Sidenote: Boethius says that his enemies accused him of sorcery.]

  e wiche dignite for ei wolde derken it                           448
  wi medelyng of some felonye. ei beren me on honde
  {and} lieden. at I hadde polute {and} defouled my conscience
  wi sacrelege. for couetise of dignite.  And
  certys ou i self at art plaunted in me chacedest oute           452
  e sege of my corage al couetise of mortal inges. ne
  sacrilege ne had[de] no leue to han a place in me byforne
  ine eyen.

    [Sidenote: He affirms that he has always followed the golden maxim
    of Pythagoras,-- #hepou The#.]

           For ou drouppedest euery day in myn
  eer{e}s {and} in my ou[gh]t ilk comaundement of pictogoras.      456
  at is to seyne men schal seruen to god. {and} not to
  goddes.  Ne it was no couenaunt ne no nede to
  taken helpe of e foulest spirites.  I at ou hast
  ordeyned or set in syche excellence {a}t [ou] makedest           460
  me lyke to god. and ouer is e ry[gh]t clene secre
  chaumbre of myn house.

    [Sidenote: His family and friends could clear him from all
    suspicion of the crime of sorcery.]

          at is to seye my wijf {and} e
  co{m}paignie of myn honeste frendis. {and} my wyues
  fadir as wel holy as wori to ben reuerenced oru[gh]              464
  hys owen dedis. defenden me of al suspecciou{n} of syche
  blame. But o malice.  For ei at accusen me
  taken of e philosophie feie of so grete blame.

    [Sidenote: Because he has given himself up to Philosophy, his
    enemies accuse him of using unlawful arts.]

           For                                                      467
  ei trowen at .I. haue had affinite to malyfice or
          enchau{n}tement[gh]
  by cause at I am replenissed {and} fulfilled
  wi i techynges. {and} enformed of i maners.
   And us it suffice not only at i reuerence ne auayle
  me not. but [gh]if at ou of i fre wille raer be blemissed      472
  wi myne offensiou{n}.  But certys to e harmes at I
  haue ere bytyde [gh]it is encrece of harme.

    [Linenotes:
    448 _wolde_--wolden
    449 _some_--som
        _beren_--baren
        _on honde_--an hand
    450 _polute_--polut
    451 _sacrelege_--C. _has_ sorcerie _as a gloss to_ sacrilege
    453 _al_--alle
    454 _had[de]_--hadde
        _byforne_--byforn
    455 _drouppedest_--droppedest
        _myn_--myne
    456 _ilk_--thilke
    457 _seyne_--seyn
        _seruen_--serue
        _god_--godde
    459 _helpe_--help
        _spirites_--spirite
    460 _set_--MS. sette, C. set
        _syche_--swiche
        [_ou_]--thow
    461 _lyke_--lyk
    462 _house_--hows
        _seye_--seyn
    463 _myn_--my
    465 _owen_--owne
        _of al_--from alle
        _syche_--swich
    467 _philosophie_--philosophre
        _feie_--feyth
        _grete_--gret
    468 _had_--MS. hadde, C. had
    473 _myne_--myn
    474 _ere_--ther
        _harme_--harm]

                                                               [[pg 21]]
    [Headnote:
    BOETHIUS DEPLORES THE POPULAR CENSURE.]

  at e gessinge {and} e iugement of myche folk ne loken no
  ing to e[de]sertys of inges but only to e aue{n}t{ur}e         476
  of fortune.

    [Sidenote: Most people imagine that that only should be judged to
    be undertaken with prudent foresight which is crowned with
    success.]

           And iugen at only swiche inges ben
  p{ur}ueied of god. whiche at temporel welefulnesse
  co{m}mendi. _Glosa._  As us at yif a wy[gh]t haue
  prosperite. he is a good man {and} wori to haue at               480
  p{ro}sperite.

    [Sidenote: The unfortunate lose the good opinion of the world.]

          and who so ha aduersite he is a wikked
  man. {and} god ha forsake hym. {and} he is wori to
  haue at aduersite.  is is e opiniou{n} of so{m}me
  folke.

    [Sidenote: [* Text begins again.]]

          *{and} er of come at good gessyng.  Fyrste of          484
  al i{n}g forsake wrecches certys it greue me to ink[e]
  ry[gh]t now e dyuerse sentences at e poeple sei of
  me.  And us moche I seye at e laste charge of
  contrarious fortune is is.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 7.]]

          *at whan at ony blame is                                 488
  laid vpon a caytif. men wenen at he ha deserued at
  he suffre.

    [Sidenote: Boethius laments the loss of his dignities and
    reputation.]

           And I at am put awey fro{m} goode men
  {and} despoiled from dignitees {and} defoulid of my name
  by gessyng haue suffred torment for my goode dedis.                492

    [Sidenote: The wicked, he says, sin with impunity, while the
    innocent are deprived of security, protection, and defence.]

   Certys me seme at I se e felonus couines of
  wikked men abounden in ioie {and} in gladnes.  And
  I se at euery lorel shapi hy{m} to fynde oute newe
  fraudes forto accusen goode folke. and I se at goode              496
  men ben ou{er}rowen for drede of my p{er}il.  and
  euery luxurious to{ur}mentour dar don alle felonie vnpunissed
  {and} ben excited erto by [gh]iftes. and i{n}nocent[gh]
  ne ben not oonly despoiled of sykernesse but of defence            500
  {and} erfore me list to crien to god in is manere.

    [Linenotes:
    475 _myche_--moche
    476 _e[de]sertys_--the desert[gh]
    479 _Glosa_--glose
    480 _good_--MS. goode, C. good
        _haue_--han
    481 _so_--omitted in C.
    481, 482 _ha_--MS. hae
    483 _haue_--han
    484 _Fyrste_--fyrst
    485 _al_--alle
        _ink[e]_--thinke
    488 _ony_--any
    489 _laid_--MS. laide, C. leyd
        _ha_--MS. hae
    490 _put_--MS. putte, C. put
    491 _from_--of
    494 _abounden_--habownden
        _gladnes_--gladnesse
    495 _oute_--owt
    496 _accusen_--accuse
    497 _ben_--beth
    501 _manere_--wise]


    [Headnote:
    THE CRUEL CHANGES OF FORTUNE]

O STELLIFERI CONDITOR ORBIS.

  [Sidenote: [The fifthe met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: Author of the starry sky, Thou, seated on high, turnest
    the spheres, and imposest laws upon the stars and planets.]

  ++O ou maker of e whele at bere e sterres. whiche
  at art fastned to i p{er}durable chayere. {and}
  turnest e heuene wi a rauyssyng sweigh{e}
                  {and} {con}streinest                         [[pg 22]]
  e sterres to suffren i lawe.  So {a}t e                       505
  mone somtyme schynyng wi hir ful hornes metyng
  wi alle e bemes of e sonne.

    [Sidenote: The sun obscures the lesser lights, and quenches even
    the moon's light.]

           Hir broer hide e
  sterres at ben lasse. {and} somtyme whan e mone                  508
  pale wi hir derke hornes approche e sonne. leesith
  hir ly[gh]tes.

    [Sidenote: Thou raisest Hesperus to usher in the shades of night,
    and again causest him to be the harbinger of day, whence his name
    Lucifer.]

           And at e euesterre esperus whiche
  at in e first[e] tyme of e ny[gh]t brynge fure hir
  colde arysynges come eft a[gh]eynes hir vsed cours. {and}         512
  is pale by e morwe at e rysynge of e sonne. and is
  an cleped lucifer.  ou restreinest e day by schorter
  dwellyng in e tyme of colde wynter at make e
  leues to falle.  ou diuidest e swifte tides of e               516
  ny[gh]t when e hote somer is comen.

    [Sidenote: Thou controllest the changing seasons of the year.]

           i my[gh]t attempre[]
  o variau{n}t[gh] sesons of e [gh]ere. so at
  [gh]epherus e deboneire wynde bringe a[gh]ein in e first[e]
  somer sesou{n} e leues at e wynde at hy[gh]t[e] boreas         520
  ha reft awey in autu{m}pne. at is to seyne in e laste
  eende of somer. and e sedes at e sterre at hy[gh]t arctur{us}
  saw ben waxen hey[e] cornes whan e sterre
  sirius eschaufe hym.                                              524

    [Sidenote: All nature is bound by thy eternal law.]

           ere nis no ing vnbounde
  from hys olde lawe ne forlete hym of hys p{ro}pre estat.

    [Linenotes:
    502 _whele_--whel
        _whiche_--which
    503 _fastned_--yfastned
        _chayere_--chayer
    504 _sweighe_--sweyh
        _constreinest_, MS. contreuiest, C. constreynest
    506 _hir_--her{e}
    508 _lasse_--lesse
    510 _esperus whiche_--hesperus which
    511 _first[e]_--fyrste
        _fure_--forth
    512 _eft_--est
    514 _restreinest_--MS. restreniest
    516 _to_--omitted
    518 _attempre[] o_--atempreth the
        _sesons_--sesoun
        _[gh]ere_--yer
    519 _wynde bringe_--wynd brengeth
    520 _wynde_--wynd
        _hy[gh]t[e]_--hihte
    521 _reft_--MS. refte, C. reft
        _seyne_--seyn
    522 _hy[gh]t_--hihte
        _arcturus_--MS. aritur{us}
    523 _saw_--MS. sawe, C. sawgh
        _hey[e]_--hyye
    524 _hym_--hem
        _ere_--ther
        _ing_--thinge
    525 _from_--fram
        _forlete hym of_--forleetheth e werke of]

    [Headnote:
    CONTRASTED WITH THE ORDER OF NATURE.]

    [Sidenote: Why, then, leavest thou man's actions uncontrolled?]

   O ou gouerno{ur} gouernyng alle inges by certeyne
  ende. why refusest ou oonly to gouerne e werkes of
  men by dewe manere.

    [Sidenote: Why should fickle fortune be allowed to work such
    mighty changes in the world?]

           Whi suffrest {o}u at slidyng                           528
  fortune turne to grete vtter chaungynges of inges.
  so at anoious peyne at scholde duelly punissh{e} felouns
  punissit[gh] innocent[gh].

    [Sidenote: The wicked are prosperous, while the righteous are in
    adversity.]

           And folk of wikked[e]
  man{er}es sitten in hei[gh]e chaiers. {and} anoienge folk          532
  treden {and} at vnry[gh]tfully in e nekkes of holy men.    [[pg 23]]
   And vertue clere {and} schynyng naturely is hid in
  dirke dirkenesses. {and} e ry[gh]tful man beri e blame
  {and} e peyne of e felowne.  Ne e forsweryng ne                536
  e fraude couered {and} kembd wi a fals colo{ur} ne
  a-noye not to schrewes.  e whiche schrewes whan
  hem lyst to vsen her strenge ei reioisen hem to
  putte{n} vndir hem e souerayne kynges. whiche {a}t               540
  poeple wi[outen] noumbre dreden.

    [Sidenote: O thou that bindest the disagreeing elements, look upon
    this wretched earth, and, as thou dost govern the spacious
    heavens, so let the earth be firmly bound.]

           O ou what so
  euer ou be at knyttes[t] alle bondes of inges loke
  on ise wrecched[e] eres. we men at ben nat a
  foule party but a faire party of so grete a werke we               544
  ben turmentid in e see of fortune.  ou gouerno{ur}
  widraw {and} restreyne e rauyssinge flodes {and} fastne
  {and} forme ise eres stable wi ilke [bonde] wi
  whiche ou gouernest e heuene at is so large.                    548

    [Linenotes:
    527 _refusest ou_--refowsestow
    529 _to----inges_--so grete entrechaunginges of thynges
    531 _punissit[gh]_--punysshe
        _wikked[e]_--wykkede
    532 _hei[gh]e_--heer{e}
    533 _in_--oon
    534 {and}--omitted
    536 _Ne e forsweryng_--Ne forswerynge
    537 _kembd_--MS. kembde, C. kembd
    541 _wi[outen]_--withhowtyn
    542 _knyttes[t]_--knyttest
    543 _wrecched[e]_--wrecchede
    544 _a_ (2)--omitted
    545 _e_--this
    546 _widraw_--MS. widrawe, C. withdrawh
        _e_--thei
    547 _forme_--ferme
        [_bonde_]--from C.
        _wi_--by]


    [Headnote:
    PHILOSOPHY CONSOLES BOETHIUS,]

HIC UBI CONTINUATO DOLORE.

  [Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: Philosophy consoles Boethius.]

  ++Whan I hadde wi a continuel sorwe sobbed or
  broken out ise inges sche wi hir chere peisible
  {and} no i{n}g amoeued. wi my compleyntes seide {us}.
  whan I say e q{uod} sche sorweful {and} wepyng I wist[e]          552
  on-one at ou were a wrecche {and} exiled. but I
  wist[e] neuer how fer ine exile was: [gh]if i tale ne
  hadde schewed it to me. but certys al be ou fer fro i
  contre.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 7 _b_.]]

          ou nart *nat put out of it. but ou hast                  556
  fayled of i weye {and} gon amys.

    [Sidenote: She speaks to him of his country.]

           and yif ou hast
  leuer forto wene an ou be put out of i contre. an
  hast ou put oute i self raer en ony oer wy[gh]t ha.

    [Linenotes:
    550 _broken_--borken
    552 _wist[e]_--wyste
    553 _on-one_--anon
    554 _wist[e]_--wyste
        _fer_--ferr{e}
    555 _ne hadde_--nadde
    557 _gon_--MS. gone, C. gon
    558 _leuer_--leuer{e}
    558, 559 _put_--MS. putte, C. put
    559 _ha_--MS. hae]

    [Headnote:
    AND PROPOSES TO ADMINISTER REMEDIES.]

   For no wy[gh]t but i self ne my[gh]t[e] neuer haue don          560
  at to e.                                                   [[pg 24]]

    [Sidenote: She reminds him that he is a citizen of a country not
    governed by a giddy multitude, but #heis koiranos estin, heis
    basileus#.]

           For [gh]if ou remembre of what contre ou
  art born. it nis not gou{er}ned by emp{er}oures. ne by
  gouernement of multitude. as weren e contres of hem
  of athenes.  But o lorde {and} o kyng {and} at is god            564
  at is lorde of i contree. whiche at reioise hym of
  e dwellyng of hys Cite[gh]enis. {and} not forto putte hem
  in exile. Of e whiche lorde it is a souerayne fredom
  to be gouerned by e bridel of hym and obeie to his                568
  iustice.

    [Sidenote: The Commonwealth of Boethius.]

           Hast ou for[gh]eten ilke ry[gh]t olde lawe of i
  Citee. in e whiche Citee it is ordeyned {and} establissed
  at what wy[gh]t at ha leuer founden er i{n}ne hys sete
  or hys house. en ellys where: he may not be exiled                572
  by no ry[gh]t fro at place.  For who so at is co{n}tened
  in-wi e paleis [{and} the clos] of ilke Citee. er nis
  no drede at he may deserue to ben exiled.  But
  who at lette e wille forto enhabit[e] ere. he forlete         576
  also to deserue to ben Cite[gh]ein of ilke Citee.

    [Sidenote: Philosophy says she is moved more by the looks of
    Boethius than by his gloomy prison.]

   So at I seye at e face of is place ne amoeue me
  nat so myche as ine owen face. Ne .I. ne axe not
  raer e walles of i librarie apparailled {and} wrou[gh]t         580
  wi yvory {and} wi glas an after e sete of i ou[gh]t.

    [Sidenote: Books are to be valued on account of the _thoughts_
    they contain.]

  In whiche I putte nat somtyme bookes. but .I. putte
  at at make bookes wori of p{ri}s or p{re}cious at is
  to sein e sentence of my books.  {And} certeinly of              584
  i dec{er}tes by-stowed in co{m}mune good. ou hast seid
  soe but after e multitude of i goode dedys. ou hast
  seid fewe. {and} of e vnhonestee or falsnesse of inges
  at ben opposed a[gh]eins e. ou hast remembred inges            588
  at be{n} knowe to alle folk.

    [Sidenote: Boethius has rightfully and briefly recounted the
    frauds of his accusers.]

          and of e felonies {and}
  fraudes of ine accuso{ur}s. it seme e haue I-touched
  it forsoe ry[gh]tfully {and} schortly.  Al my[gh]ten o
  same inges bettere {and} more plentiuousely be couth        [[pg 25]]
  in e moue of e poeple {a}t knowe al is.  ou                593
  hast eke blamed gretly {and} compleyned of e wrongful
  dede of e senat.  And ou hast sorwed for my
  blame.

    [Sidenote: Thou hast, said Philosophy, bewailed the loss of thy
    good name, thou hast complained against Fortune, and against the
    unequal distribution of rewards and punishments.]

          {and} ou hast wepen for e damage of i renoune           596
  at is appaired. {and} i laste sorwe eschaufed
  a[gh]eins fortune {and} co{m}pleinest at gerdou{n}s ne ben not
  euenliche [gh]olde to e desertes of folk. {and} in e l{att}re
  ende of i woode muse ou p{r}iedest {a}t ilke pees at          600
  gouerne e heuene scholde gou{er}ne e ere  But
  for at many tribulac{i}ou{n}s of affecc{i}ou{n}s han assailed
  e. {and} sorwe {and} Ire {and} wepyng todrawen ee
  dyuersely

    [Sidenote: Strong medicines are not proper for thee now,
    distracted by grief, anger, and sadness.]

           As ou art now feble of ou[gh]t. my[gh]tyer             604
  remedies ne schullen not [gh]it touchen e for whiche
  we wil[e] vsen somedel ly[gh]ter medicines.

    [Sidenote: Light medicines must prepare thee for sharper
    remedies.]

          So at ilk[e]
  passiou{n}s at ben woxen harde in swellyng by p{er}turbac{i}ou{n}
  folowyng in to i ou[gh]t mowen woxe esy                          608
  {and} softe to receyue{n} e strenke of a more my[gh]ty {and}
  more egre medicine by an esier touchyng.

    [Linenotes:
    560 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte
        _haue_--han
        _don_--MS. done, C. don
    562 _born_--MS. borne, C. born
    566 _hys_--hise
        _putte_--put
    568 _be_--ben
    571 _ha_--MS. hae
    572 _house_--hows
    574 [_and----clos_]--from C.
    576 _wille_--wyl
        _enhabit[e]_--enhabyte
    578 _seye_--sey
        _amoeue_--moueth
    579 _myche_--mochel
        _owen_--owne
        _ne_ (2)--omitted
    582 _putte_ (_both_)--put
        _somtyme_--whilom
    585 _decertes_--desertes
        _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyde
    586 _soe_--soth
    587 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd
    588 _opposed_--aposyd
    599 _knowe_--knowyn
    592 _be couth_--MS. be couth{e}, C. ben cowth
    596 _wepen_--wopen
    597 _laste_--last
        _eschaufed_--eschaufede
    598 _not_--omitted
    599 _[gh]olde_--yolden
    602 _many_--manye
    604 _my[gh]tyer_--myhtyer{e}
    605 _whiche_--which
    606 _wil[e]_--wol
        _ly[gh]ter_--lyhter{e}
        _ilk[e]_--thilke
    607 _harde_--hard
    608 _folowyng_--Flowyng
        _woxe_--wexen
    610 _esier_--esyer{e}]


    [Headnote:
    PHILOSOPHY QUESTIONS BOETHIUS.]

CU{M} PHEBI RADIIS G{RA}UE CA{N}C{R}I SID{US} ENESTUAT.

  [Sidenote: [The sixte met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: He who sows his seed when the sun is in the Sign of
    Cancer, must look for no produce.]

  ++Whan at e heuy sterre of e cancre eschaufe by
  e beme of pheb{us}. at is to seyne whan at pheb{us}             612
  e sonne is in e signe of e Cancre. Who so [gh]eue
  an largely hys sedes to e feldes at refuse to receiuen
  hem. lete hym gon bygyled of trust at he
  hadde to hys corn. to acorns or okes.

    [Sidenote: Think not to ingather violets in the wintry and stormy
    season.]

          yif ou wilt                                               616
  gadre violett[gh]. ne go ou not to e purp{er} wode whan
  e felde chirkynge agrise of colde by e felnesse of
  e wynde at hy[gh]t aquilon

    [Sidenote: If you wish for wine in autumn let the tendrils of the
    vine be free in the spring.]

          Yif ou desirest or
   wolt vsen grapes ne seke ou nat wi a gloto{n}us hande    [[pg 26]]
  to streine {and} p{re}sse e stalkes of e vine in e first        621
  somer sesou{n}. for bachus e god of wyne ha raer
  [gh]euen his [gh]iftes to autu{m}pne e latter ende of somer.

    [Sidenote: To every work God assigns a proper time, nor suffers
    anything to pass its bounds.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 8.]]

   God tokeni {and} assigne *e tymes. ablyng hem                 624
  to her p{ro}pre offices.  Ne he ne suffre not stoundes
  whiche at hym self ha deuided {and} co{n}streined to
  be medeled to gidre

    [Sidenote: Success does not await him who departs from the
    appointed order of things.]

           And fori he at forlete
  certeyne ordinaunce of doynge by ou{er}rowyng wey.                628
  he ne ha no glade issue or ende of hys werkes.

    [Linenotes:
    612 _beme_--beemes
        _seyne_--seyn
    614 _hys_--hise
        _refuse_--refusen
    615 after _hem_ C. adds [s. corn]
        _lete hym gon_ (MS. _gone_)--lat hym gon
    616 _or_--of
        _wilt gadre_--wolt gadery
    618 _felde_--feeld
        _felnesse_--felnesses
    619 _hy[gh]t_--hyhte
    620 _hande_--hond
    622 _ha_--MS. hae
    625 _her propre_--heer{e} propres
        _not_--nat the
    626 _ha_--MS. hae
    627 _be medeled_--ben I-medled
    628 _certeyne_--certeyn
    629 _ha_--MS. hae]


    [Headnote:
    DISCOVERS THE CAUSE OF HIS DISTEMPER.]

PRIMU{M} IGITUR PATERIS ROGACIONIB{US}.

  [Sidenote: [The syxte p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: Philosophy proposes to question Boethius.]

  ++FIrst wolt ou suffre me to touche {and} assaie e stat
  of i ou[gh]t by a fewe demaundes. so at I may
  vnderstonde what be e manere of i curac{i}ou{n}. Axe           632
  me q{uod} .I. atte i wille what ou wilt. {and} I schal
  answer{e}.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Is the world governed by Chance?]

           o saide sche us. wheer wenest ou q{uo}d
  sche {a}t is worlde be gouerned by foolisshe happes
  {and} fortunes. or elles wenest ou at er be i{n} it any         636
  gouerneme{n}t of resou{n}.

    [Sidenote: _B._ By no means. The Creator presides over his own
    works.]

          Certes q{uod} .I. ne trowe not
  in no manere at so certeyne inges scholde be moeued
  by fortunouse fortune. but I wot wel at god maker
  {and} mayster is gouerno{ur} of is werk.

    [Sidenote: I shall never swerve from this opinion.]

          Ne neuer nas                                               640
  [gh]it day at my[gh]t[e] putte me oute of e soenesse of
  at sentence.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Yes! Thou didst say as much when thou didst
    declare man alone to be destitute of divine care.]

           So is it q{uod} sche. for e same ing
  songe ou a lytel here byforne {and} byweyledest {and}
  byweptest. at only men weren put oute of e cure of               644
  god.  For of alle oer inges ou ne doutest nat
  at ei nere gouerned by reso{n}.

    [Sidenote: Still thou seemest to labour under some defect even in
    this conviction.]

          but how (.i. pape.).
  I wondre gretly certes whi at ou art seek. sien ou
  art put in to so holesom a sentence. but lat vs seken              648
  depper. I coniecte at ere lakke I not what.               [[pg 27]]

    [Sidenote: Tell me how the world is governed.]

  but sey me is. sien at ou ne doutest nat {a}t is worlde
  be gouerned by god  wi swycche gouernailes takest
  ou hede at it is gouerned.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I do not thoroughly comprehend your question.]

           vnne q{uod} .I. knowe                                   652
  .I. e sente{n}ce of i q{ue}stiou{n}. so at I ne may nat
  [gh]it answeren to i demaundes.

    [Sidenote: _P._ I was not deceived, then, when I said there was
    some defect in thy sentiment.]

           I nas nat deceiued
  q{uod} sche at ere ne faile su{m}what. by whiche e
  maladie of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} is crept in to i ou[gh]t. so      656
  as e strenge of e paleys schynyng is open.

    [Sidenote: Tell me what is the chief end of all things; and
    whither all things tend.]

           But
  seye me is reme{m}brest ou ou[gh]t what is e ende of
  i inges. whider at e entenc{i}ou{n} of al kynde tende.
   I haue herd told it somtyme q{uod} .I. but drerynesse            660
  ha dulled my memorie.  Certys q{uod} sche
  ou wost wel whe{n}nes at alle inges ben comen {and}
  p{ro}ceded.

    [Sidenote: _B._ God is the beginning of all things.]

          I wot wel q{uod} .I. {and} ansewered[e] at
  god is e bygynnyng of al.

    [Sidenote: _P._ How, then, art thou ignorant of their end?]

           And how may is be                                       664
  q{uod} sche at sien {o}u knowest e bygynnyng of
  inges. at ou ne knowest not what is e endyng of
  inges.

    [Sidenote: But it is the nature of these perturbations (which thou
    endurest) to unsettle men's minds.]

          but swiche ben e customes of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n}s.
  {and} is power ei han. at ei may moeue a ma{n} fro             668
  hys place. at is to seyne from e stablenes {and} p{er}fecc{i}ou{n}
  of hys knowyng. but certys ei may not al
  arace hym ne alyene hy{m} in al.  But I wolde at
  ou woldest answere to is.

    [Sidenote: Dost thou remember that thou art a man?]

           Remembrest ou at                                       672
  ou art a man

    [Sidenote: _B._ Certainly I do.]

          _Boice._  Whi scholde I nat remembre
  at q{uod} .I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ What is man?]

          _Philosophie._  Maiste ou not telle
  me an q{uod} sche what ing is a man.

    [Sidenote: _B._ If you ask me whether I am a rational and mortal
    creature, I know and confess I am.]

           Axest not
  me q{uod} I. wheir at be a resonable best mortel. I              676
  wot wel {and} I confesse wel at I am it.

    [Sidenote: _P._ But dost thou not know that thou art more than
    this?]

           Wistest
  ou neuer [gh]it at ou were ony oer ing q{uod} she.

    [Linenotes:
    630 _wolt ou_--woltow
        _stat_--estat
    633 _atte_--at
        _wilt_--wolt
    635 _worlde_--world
        _foolisshe_--foolyssh
    636 _fortunes_--fortunows
    638 _scholde_--sholden
    639 _wot_--MS. wote, C. woot
    641 _my[gh]t[e] putte_--myhte put
    644 _put_--MS. putte
    645 _doutest_--dowtedest
    646 _how_--owh
    647 _seek sien_--syk{e} syn
    648 _put_--MS. putte, C. put
    649 _depper_--depper{e}
        _not what_--not ner{e} what
    650 _sien_--syn
        _worlde_--world
    651 _takest ou_--takestow
    658 _seye_--sey
        _remembrest ou_--remenbres thow
        _ou[gh]t_--omitted
    659 _al_--alle
    660 _herd told_--MS. herde tolde
        _herd told it_--herd yt toold
    661 _ha_--MS. hae
    663 _proceded_--procedeth
        _ansewered[e]_--answerede
    664 _e_--omitted
        _al_--alle
    665 _sien_--syn
    668 _fro_--owt of
    669 _seyne from_--seyn fro
    672 _Remembrest ou_--Remenbresthow
    674 _Maiste ou_--Maysthow
    675 _an_--anne
        _ing_--thinge
        _Axest_--Axestow
    677 _Wistest ou_--wystesthow
    678 _ing_--thinge]

                                                               [[pg 28]]
    [Headnote:
    BOETHIUS NEEDS LIGHT REMEDIES.]

    [Sidenote: _B._ No.]

  No q{uod} .I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Now I know the principal cause of thy distemper.]

          now wot I q{uod} she oer cause of i
  maladie {and} at ry[gh]t grete  ou hast left forto              680
  knowe i self what ou art. oru[gh] whiche I haue pleynelyche
  knowen e cause of i maladie. or ellis e
  entre of recoueryng of in hele.

    [Sidenote: Thou hast lost the knowledge of thyself, thou knowest
    not the end of things, and hast forgotten how the world is
    governed.]

           Forwhy for ou
  art co{n}founded wi for[gh]etyng of i self. fori sorwest        684
  ou at ou art exiled of i p{ro}pre goodes.  And
  for ou ne wost what is e ende of inges. for[i] demest
  [ou] at felono{us} {and} wikked men ben my[gh]ty {and} weleful
  for ou hast for[gh]eten by whiche gouernement[gh] e worlde       688
  is gouerned.  Fori wenest ou at ise mutac{i}ou{n}s
  of fortune fleten wi oute{n} gouerno{ur}.

    [Sidenote: These are not only great occasions of disease, but also
    causes of death itself.]

          ise ben grete
  causes not oonly to maladie. but certes grete causes to
  dee

    [Sidenote: I thank God that Reason hath not wholly deserted thee.]

           But I anke e auctour {and} e makere of                692
  heele at nat{ur}e ha not al forleten e.

    [Sidenote: I have some hope of thy recovery since thou believest
    that the world is under Divine Providence, for this small spark
    shall produce vital heat.]

          {and} I haue
  g[r]ete norissinges of i hele. {and} at is e soe sentence
  of gou{er}nau{n}ce of e worlde.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 8 _b_.]]

          at ou byleuest
  at e gou{er}nynge of it nis nat subgit ne vnderput               696
  to e folie *of ise happes auenterouses. but to e
  resou{n} of god  And er fore doute e noing.
  For of is litel spark ine heet of lijf schal shine.

    [Sidenote: But as this is not the time for stronger remedies, and
    because it is natural to embrace false opinions so soon as we have
    laid aside the true, from whence arises a mist that darkens the
    understanding, I shall endeavour therefore to dissipate these
    vapours so that you may perceive the true light.]

           But
  for as muche as it is not tyme [gh]itte of fastere remedies        700
   And e nature of ou[gh]tes disseiued is is at as ofte
  as ei casten aweye soe opyniou{n}s: ei cloen hem in
  fals[e] opiniou{n}s. [of which{e} false opyniou{n}s] e derknesse
  of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} wexe vp. at comfounde e verray          704
  insy[gh]t. {and} at derkenes schal .I. say somwhat to
  maken i{n}ne {and} wayk by ly[gh]t {and} meenelyche remedies.
  so at after at e derknes of desseyuynge
  desyrynges is don awey. ou mow[e] knowe e schynyng               708
  of verray ly[gh]t.

    [Linenotes:
    680 _hast left_--MS. haste lefte, C. hast left
    681 _knowe_--knowen
        _pleynelyche knowen_--pleynly fwonde [=founde]
    684 _sorwest ou_--sorwistow
    686 _for[i] demest [ou]_--For thy demesthow
    687 _wikked_--MS. wilked, C. wykkyd
    688 _worlde_--world
    689 _wenest ou_--wenestow
    690 _outen_--owte
    693 _ha_--MS. hae
        _al_--alle
    694 _i_--thin
    696 _vnderput_--vndyrputte
    697 _to_ (2)--omitted
    698 _fore_--for
        _noing_--nothinge
    699 _spark ine heet_--sparke thin hete
    700 _muche_--meche
    702 _aweye_--away
    703 [_of----opyniouns_]--from C.
    705 _insy[gh]t_--insyhte
        _say_--assaye
    706 _ly[gh]t_--lyhte
    708 _don_--MS. don{e}
        _mow[e]_--mowe]

                                                               [[pg 29]]
    [Headnote:
    HE IS NOT TO TAKE HIS LOSSES TO HEART.]

NUBIB{US} ATRIS CONDITA.

  [Sidenote: [The seuende Metyr.]]

    [Sidenote: Black clouds obscure the light of the stars.]

  ++E sterres cou{er}ed wi blak[e] cloudes ne mowen
  geten a dou{n} no ly[gh]t.

    [Sidenote: If the south wind renders the sea tempestuous, the
    waves, fouled with mud, will lose their glassy clearness.]

          [Gh]if e trouble wy{n}de at
  hy[gh]t auster stormynge {and} walwy{n}g e see medle e          712
  heete at is to seyne e boylyng vp from e botme
   e wawes {a}t somtyme weren clere as glas {and}
  lyke to e fair[e] bry[gh]t[e] dayes wistant anon e
  sy[gh]tes of men. by e file {and} ordure at is resolued.        716
  {and} e fletyng streme at royle dou{n} dyuersely fro
  hey[gh]e mou{n}taignes is arestid {and} resisted ofte tyme
  by e encountrynge of a stoon {a}t is dep{ar}tid {and}
  fallen from some roche.                                            720

    [Sidenote: If thou wouldst see truth by the clearest light, pursue
    the path of right.]

           And fori yif ou wilt
  loken {and} demen soe wi clere ly[gh]t. {and} holde e
  weye wi a ry[gh]t pae.

    [Sidenote: Away with joy, fear, hope, and sorrow.]

           Weyue ou ioie. drif fro e
  drede. fleme ou hope. ne lat no sorwe ap{ro}che.

    [Sidenote: Let none of these passions cloud thy mind.]

          at is
  to sein lat noon of ise four passiou{n}s ouer come e.            724
  or blynde e.

    [Sidenote: Where these things control, the soul is bound by strong
    fetters.]

          for cloudy {and} dirke is ilk ou[gh]t {and}
  bounde w{i}t{h} bridles. where as ise inges regnen.

  EXPLICIT LIBER PRIMUS.

    [Linenotes:
    710 _blak[e]_--blake
    712 _stormynge_--turnyng
    713 _from_--fro
    714 _somtyme_--whilom
    715 _lyke_--lyk
        _fair[e]----wistant_ (MS. wistante)--fayr{e} cleer{e} dayes
        {and} brihte withstand
    716 _sy[gh]tes_--syhtes
    717 _streme_--strem
    718 _hey[gh]e_--hy
    720 _from some_--fram som
        _wilt_--wolt
    721 _soe_--soth
        _clere_--cleer
        _holde_--holden
    722 _weye_--wey
        _pae_--paath
    724 _come_--comen
    725 _blynde_--blende
        _ilk_--thilke]




    [Headnote:
    PHILOSOPHY EXHIBITS TO BOETHIUS THE WILES OF FORTUNE.]

INCIPIT LIBER SECUNDUS.


POSTEA [PAU]LISPER CONTICUIT.

  [Sidenote: [The fyrst p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: Philosophy exhorts Boethius not to torment himself on
    account of his losses.]

  ++After is she stynte a litel. and after at she hadde
  gadred by atempre stillenesse myn attenciou{n} she                 728
  seide us.

    [Sidenote: Thou art, she says, affected by the loss of thy former
    fortune.]

           As who so my[gh]t[e] seye us. After ise
  inges she stynt[e] a lytel. {and} whanne she ap{er}ceiued[e]
  by atempre stillenesse at I was ententif to
  herkene hire. she bygan to speke in is wyse.  Yif                732
  I q{uod} she haue vnderstonde{n} {and} knowe vtterly e      [[pg 30]]
  causes {and} e habit of i maladie. ou languissed {and}
  art deffeted for talent {and} desijr of i raer fortune.

    [Sidenote: It hath perverted thy faculties.]

   She at ilke fortune only at is chaunged as ou                 736
  feinest to e ward. ha p{er}uerted e clerenesse {and} e
  astat of i corage.

    [Sidenote: I am well acquainted with all the wiles of that Prodigy
    (_i.e._ Fortune).]

           I vnderstonde e felefolde
  colo{ur} {and} deceites of ilke merueillous monstre fortune.
  and how she vse ful flatryng familarite wi hem                   740
  at she enforce to bygyle. so longe til at she co{n}founde
  wi vnsuffreable sorwe hem at she ha left
  in despeir vnpurueyed.

    [Sidenote: Though she has left thee, thou hast not lost anything
    of beauty or of worth.]

           and if ou remembrest wel
  e kynde e maners {and} e desert of ilke fortune. ow           744
  shalt wel knowe as in hir ou neuer ne haddest ne
  hast ylost any fair ing. But as I trowe I shal not
  gretly trauaile to don e remembren of ise inges.

    [Sidenote: Thou wert once proof against her allurements.]

   For ou were wont to hurtlen [{and} despysen] hir                748
  wi manly wordes whan she was blaundissinge {and}
  presente {and} p{ur}sewedest hir wi sentences at were
  drawe{n} oute of myne entre. at is to seyne out of
  myn i{n}formac{i}ou{n}

    [Sidenote: But sudden change works a great alteration in the minds
    of men, hence it is that thou art departed from thy usual peace of
    mind.]

           But no sudeyne mutac{i}ou{n} ne                          752
  bytide nat wi oute{n} a maner chau{n}gyng of curages.
  and so is it byfallen at ou art dep{ar}ted a litel fro
  e pees of i ou[gh]t.

    [Sidenote: But with some gentle emollients I shall prepare thee
    for stronger medicines.]

          but now is tyme at ou drynke
  {and} atast[e] some softe {and} delitable inges. so at whan      756
  ei ben entred wi i{n}ne e. it mow make weye to
  strenger drynkes of medycynes.

    [Sidenote: Approach then, Rhetoric, with thy persuasive charms,
    and therewith let Music also draw near.]

           Com nowe fure
  erfore e suasiou{n} of swetnesse Rethoryen. whiche
  at go oonly e ry[gh]t wey whil she forsake not myne            760
  estatut[gh].  And wi Rethorice com fore musice a
  damoisel of oure house at synge now ly[gh]ter moedes
  or p{ro}lac{i}ou{n}s now heuyer.                             [[pg 31]]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 9.]]

          *what ayle e man. what
  is it at ha cast e in to murnyng {and} in to wepyng.            764
  I trow[e] at ou hast sen some newe ing {and} uncoue.

    [Sidenote: Thou thinkest that Fortune is changed towards thee.]

   ou wenest at fortune be chaunged a[gh]eins e

    [Sidenote: But thou art deceived.]

   But ou wenest wrong. yif ou [at] wene.

    [Sidenote: In this misadventure of thine she hath preserved her
    constancy in changing.]

  Alwey o ben hire maners. she ha raer [kept] as to               768
  e ward hire p{ro}pre stablenes in e chaungyng of hyre
  self.  Ry[gh]t swyche was she whan she flatered[e]
  e. {and} desseiued[e] e wi vnleueful lykynges of
  false welefulnesse.

    [Sidenote: You have seen the double face of this blind divinity.]

          ou hast now knowen {and} ataynt                           772
  e doutous or double visage of ilke blynde goddesse
  fortune.  She at [gh]it couere hir {and} wymple hir
  to oer folk. ha shewed hir euerydel to e.  [Gh]if
  ou app{ro}uest hir {and} enkest at she is good. vse             776
  hir maners {and} pleyne e nat.

    [Sidenote: If thou dost abhor her perfidy cast her off, for her
    sports are dangerous.]

           And if ou agrisest
  hir fals[e] trecherie. dispise {and} cast aweye hir at
  pleye so harmefully. for she at is now cause of so
  myche sorwe to e. sholde be to e cause of pees {and}             780
  [of] ioie.  she ha forsaken e forsoe. e whiche
  at neuer man may be syker at she ne shal forsake
  hym. _Glose._  But naeles some bookes han e text
  us. For soe she ha forsaken e ne er nis no man                784
  syker at she ne ha not forsaken.

    [Sidenote: Is that happiness which is so transient?]

           Holdest ou
  an ilke welefulnesse p{re}ciouse to e at shal passen.

    [Sidenote: Is the attendance of Fortune so dear to thee, whose
    stay is so uncertain, and whose removal causes such grief?]

  {and} is p{re}sent fortune derwori to e. whiche at nis
  not feiful forto dwelle. {and} whan she go aweye at             788
  she brynge a wy[gh]t in sorwe  For syn she may nat
  be wiholde{n} at a mans wille. she make hym a wrecche
  whe{n} she dep{ar}te fro hym.

    [Sidenote: What is she (Fortune) but the presage of future
    calamity?]

           What oer ing is
  flitti{n}g fortune but a manere shewyng of wrycchednesse     [[pg 32]]
  at is to comen. ne it ne suffri nat oo[n]ly to loken             793
  of ing at is p{re}sent byforne e eyen of man. but
  wisdom loke {and} mesure e ende of inges.

    [Sidenote: Her mutability should make men neither fear her threats
    nor desire her favours.]

          {and} e
  same chau{n}gyng from one to an oer. at is to seyne              796
  fro aduersite to p{ro}sperite make at e manaces of
  fortune ne ben not forto dreden. ne e flatrynges of
  hir to ben desired.  us atte e last it byhoue e
  to suffren wi euene wille in pacience al at is don               800
  inwi e floor of fortune. at is to seyne in is worlde.

    [Linenotes:
    727 _she_ (2)--I
    729 _my[gh]t[e] seye_--myht{e} seyn
    730 _stynt[e]_--stynte
    732 _hire_--here
    733 _knowe vtterly_--knowen owtrely
    734 _languissed_--languyssest
    737 _ha_--MS. hae
    738 _astat_--estat
        _felefolde_--feelefold
    739 _colour_--colours
        _deceites_ (MS. decrites)--deceytes
        _merueillous_--meruayles
    742 _ha_--MS. hae
    743 _if_--yif
    746 _any_ (MS. my)--any
        _ing_--thinge
    747 _trauaile_--travaylen
        _don_--do
        _remembren of_--remenbre on
    748 [_and despysen_]--from C.
    749 _was_--omitted
    750 _were_--weren
    751 _myne_--myn
        _seyne_--sayn
    752 _sudeyne_--sodeyn
    753 _outen_--owte
    757 _inne_--in
        _mow----weye_--mowe maken way
    758 _strenger_--strengere
        _Com nowe fure_--MS. Come; C. Com now forth
    760 _go_--MS. goe
    761 _com_--MS. come, C. com
    762 _house_--hows
        _ly[gh]ter_--lyhter{e}
    763 _prolaciouns_--p{ro}basyons
        _heuyer_--heuyer{e}
        _ayle_--eyleth
    765 _trow[e]_--trowe
        _sen_--MS. sene, C. seyn
        _some_--som
        _ing_--thinge
        _uncoue_--vnkowth
    766 _a[gh]eins_--ayein
    767 _wenest_--weenes
        [_at_]--C. that
    768 _ha_--MS. hae
        [_kept_]--from C.
    769 _stablenes in e_--stabylnesse standeth in the
    770 _swyche_--swich
    771 _vnleueful_--vnlefful
    775 _ha_--MS. had, C. hat
    776 _good_--MS. goode, C. god
    777 _agrisest_--MS. agrised, C. agrysyst
    778 _fals[e]_--false
    780 _myche_--mochel
    781 [_of_]--from C.
        _ha_--MS. hae
    783 _text_--texte
    784 _ha_--MS. hae
    785 _forsaken_--forsake
        _Holdest ou_--holdestow
    786 _an_--thanne
        _preciouse_--p{re}syes
    787 _derwori_--dereworthe
        _whiche_--which
    788 _feiful_--feythfulle
        _go_--MS. goe
        _aweye_--awey
    790 _mans_--mannys
    791 _when_--wan
        _ing_--thinge
    793 _suffri_--suffiseth
    794 _of ing_--on thynge
        _byforne_--MS. byforne byforne
        _man_--a man
    795 _mesure_--amesureth
    796 _from one_--fram oon
        _seyne_--seyn
    797 _fro_--from
        _to_--into
    799 _atte e last_--at the laste]

    [Headnote:
    PHILOSOPHY EXPOSTULATES WITH BOETHIUS.]

    [Sidenote: If you submit to her yoke you must patiently endure her
    inflictions.]

   Syen ou hast oones put i nekke vnder e [gh]okke
  of hir. for if ou wilt write a lawe of wendyng {and} of
  dwellyng to fortune whiche at ou hast chosen frely               804
  to be i lady

    [Sidenote: Impatience will only embitter your loss.]

           Art ou nat wrongful in at {and}
  makest fortune wroe {and} asp{er}e by in inpacience.
  {and} [gh]it ou mayst not chaungen hir.

    [Sidenote: You cannot choose your port if you leave your vessel to
    the mercy of the winds.]

           Yif ou co{m}mittest
  [{and}] bitakest i sayles to e wynde. ou shalt                  808
  be shouen not ider at ou woldest(:) but whider at
  e wy{n}de shoue e  Yif ou castest i seedes in e
  feldes ou sholdest haue in mynde at e [gh]eres ben
  oer while plenteuous {and} o{er} while bareyne.

    [Sidenote: You have given yourself up to Fortune; it becomes you
    therefore to obey her commands.]

           ou                                                      812
  hast bytaken iself to e gouernaunce of fortune.
  {and} fori it byhoue e to ben obeisaunt to e manere
  of i lady.

    [Sidenote: Would you stop the rolling of her wheel?]

          and enforcest ou e to aresten or wistonden
  e swyftnesse {and} e sweyes of hir to{ur}nyng                    816
  whele.

    [Sidenote: Fool! if Fortune once became stable she would cease to
    exist.]

           O ou fool of alle mortel fooles if fortune
  bygan to dwelle stable. she cesed[e] an to ben fortune.

    [Linenotes:
    801 _seyne_--seyn
        _worlde_--world
    802 _Syen_--Syn
        _[gh]okke_--yok{e}
    803 _if_--yif
        _write_--wryten
    804 _whiche_--which
    805 _lady_--ladye
        _Art ou_--Artow
    806 _wroe_--wroth
        _in_--thine
    807 _chaungen_--chaunge
    808 [_and_]--from C.
    809 _ider_--thedyr
        _whider_--whedyr
    811 _haue_--han
    814 _manere_--maneres
    815 {and}--omitted
        _wistonden_--withholden
    816 _sweyes_--swey[gh]
    818 _cesed[e]_--cesede]


                                                               [[pg 33]]
    [Headnote:
    THE INCONSTANCY OF FORTUNE.]

HEC CUM SUPERBA.

  [Sidenote: [The fyrst met{ur}.]

    [Sidenote: Fortune is as inconstant as the ebb and flow of
    Euripus.]

  ++Whan fortune wi a proude ry[gh]t hande ha turnid
  hir chau{n}gyng stoundes she fare lyke e maners                  820
  of e boillyng eurippe. _Glose._ Eurippe is an arme of
  e see {a}t ebbith {and} flowi. {and} somtyme e streme
  is on one syde {and} somtyme on at oer. _Texte_

    [Sidenote: She hurls kings from their thrones, and exalts the
    captive.]

           She
  cruel fortune kaste adoune kynges at somtyme weren               824
  ydred. {and} she deceiuable enhau{n}seth vp e humble
  chere of hym at is discomfited.

    [Sidenote: She turns a deaf ear to the tears and cries of the
    wretched.]

          {and} she neyer here
  ne recche of wrecched[e] wepynges. {and} she is so harde
  at she lau[gh]e {and} scorne e wepyng of hem e whiche         828
  she ha maked wepe wi hir free wille.

    [Sidenote: Thus she sports and boasts her power and presents a
    marvel to her servants if, in the space of an hour, a man is
    hurled from happiness into adversity.]

           us she
  pleye {and} {us} she p{re}ue hir strenge {and} shewe a
  grete wondre to alle hir seruau{n}t[gh].  Yif at a wy[gh]t
  is seyn weleful {and} ou{er}rowe in an houre.                     832

    [Linenotes:
    819 _proude_--prowd
        _hande_--hand
        _ha_--MS. hae
    820 _lyke_--lik
    821 _arme_--arm
    822 _streme_--strem
    823 _one_--o
    821 _adoune_--adown
        _somtyme_--whilom
    825 _ydred_ (MS. _ydredde_)--ydrad
        _humble_--vmble
    827 _recche_--rekke
        _wrecched[e]_--wrecchede
        _harde_--hard
    828 _lau[gh]e_--lyssheth
        _wepyng_--wepynges
    830 _strenge_--strengthes]


    [Headnote:
    PROSPERITY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FELICITY.]

VELLEM AUTE{M} PAUCA.

  [Sidenote: [The secunde p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: Philosophy expostulates with Boethius in the name of
    Fortune.]

  ++CErtis I wolde plete wi ee a fewe inges vsynge
  e wordes of fortune tak heede now i self. yif {a}t
  she axe ry[gh]t.

    [Sidenote: Why do you accuse me (Fortune) as guilty?]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 9 _b_.]]

          * O ou man wher fore makest ou
  me gilty by ine euerydayes pleynynges. what wronges               836
  haue I don e.

    [Sidenote: What goods or advantages have I deprived you of?]

          what goodes haue I byreft e at weren
  ine. stryf or plete wi me by fore what iuge at ou
  wilt of e possessiou{n} of rycchesse or of dignites

    [Sidenote: Can you prove that ever any man had a fixed property in
    his riches?]

           And
  yif ou maist shewe me at euer any mortal man ha                 840
  receyued any of ese inges to ben his in p{ro}pre. an
  wol I graunt[e] frely at [alle] ilke inges were{n} ine
  whiche at ou axest.

    [Sidenote: You came naked into the world, and I cherished you and
    encompassed you with affluence.]

           Whan at nature brou[gh]t[e] e
  fore out of i moder wombe. I receyued[e] e naked                844
  {and} nedy of al ing. {and} I norysshed[e] e wi my        [[pg 34]]
  rychesse. {and} was redy {and} ententif o{ru}[gh] my fauo{ur} to
  sustene e.  And at make e now i{n}pacient a[gh]eins
  me. {and} I envirounde e wi al e habundaunce {and}              848
  shinyng of al goodes at ben in my ry[gh]t.

    [Sidenote: Now that I have a mind to withdraw my bounty, be
    thankful and complain not.]

           Now it
  lyke me to wi drawe myne hande. ou hast had grace
  as he at ha vsed of foreyne goodes. ou hast no ry[gh]t to
  pleyne e. as ou[gh] ou haddest vtterly lorn alle i             852
  inges. whi pleynest ou an. I haue don e no wrong.

    [Sidenote: Riches and honours are subject to me.]

  Ricches hono{ur}es {and} swyche oer inges ben of my
  ry[gh]t.

    [Sidenote: They are my servants, and come and go with me.]

           My seruauntes knowen me for hir lady. ei
  comen wi me {and} dep{ar}ten whan I wende. I dar wel              856
  affermen hardyly. at yif o inges of whiche ou
  pleynest at ou hast forlorn hadde ben ine. ou ne
  haddest not lorn he{m}.

    [Sidenote: Shall I alone be forbidden to use my own right?]

           shal I an only be defended
  to vse my ry[gh]t.

    [Sidenote: Doth not heaven give us sunny days and obscure the same
    with dark nights?]

           Certis it is leueful to e heuene to                     860
  make clere dayes. {and} after at to keuere e same dayes
  wi derke ny[gh]tes.

    [Sidenote: Is not the earth covered with frost as well as with
    flowers?]

           e ere ha eke leue to apparaile
  e visage of e ere now w{i}t{h} floures {and} now wi
  fruyt. {and} to confounde he{m} so{m}tyme wi raynes {and}         864
  wi coldes.

    [Sidenote: The sea sometimes appears calm, and at other times
    terrifies us with its tempestuous waves.]

           e see ha eke hys ry[gh]t to be somtyme
  calme {and} blaundyshing wi smoe water. {and}
  somtyme to be horrible wi wawes {and} wi tempestes.

    [Sidenote: Shall I be bound to constancy by the covetousness of
    men?]

   But e couetyse of men at may not be staunched                  868
  shal it bynde me to be stedfast. syn at stedfastnesse
  is vnkou to my maneres.  Swyche is my strenge.

    [Sidenote: I turn my rolling wheel and amuse myself with exalting
    what was low, and bringing down what was high.]

  {and} is pley. I pley[e] co{n}tinuely. I tourne e whirly{n}g
  whele wi e tournyng cercle  I am glade to chaunge               872
  e lowest to e heyeste. {and} e heyest to e loweste.

    [Linenotes:
    833 _plete_--pleten
    834 _tak_--MS. take, C. tak
    835 _makest ou_--makes thow
    836 _wronges_--wro{n}ge
    837 _don_--MS. done, C. don
        _byreft_--MS. byrefte, C. byreft
    838 _stryf_--MS. stryue, C. stryf
        _plete_--pleten
        _by fore_--by forn
    839 _wilt_--wolt
        _rycchesse_--rychesses
    840 _shewe_--shewyn
        _euer_--eu{er}e
        _ha_--MS. hae
    841 _ese_--tho
        _his_--hise
    842 _graunt[e]_--grau{n}te
        [_alle_]--from C.
    845 _al ing_--alle thinges
        _norysshed[e]_--noryssede
    846 _rychesse_--rychesses
    848, 849 _al_--alle
    848 _habundaunce_--abou{n}dau{n}ce
    850 _wi----hande_--withdrawen myn hand
        _had_--MS. hadde, C. had
    851 _ha_--MS. hae
    852 _vtterly_--outrely
        _lorn_--MS. lorne, C. for lorn.
    853 _don_--MS. done, C. don
    854 _Ricches_--Rychesses
    858 _forlorn_--MS. forlorne, C. forlorn
    859 _lorn_--MS. lorne, C. lorn
    860 _vse_--vsen
    861 _keuere e_--coeu{er}yn tho
    862 _derke_--dirk
        _ere_--yer
        _ha_--MS. hae
    864 _confounde_--co{n}fownden
    865 _ha_--MS. hae
    866 _calme_--kalm
    867 (2nd) _wi_--omitted
    869 _stedfast_--stidefast
        _stedfastnesse_--stidefastnesse
    870 _vnkou_--MS. vnkoue, C. vnkowth
        _Swyche_--Swych
    871 _pley[e]_--pleye
    872 _whele_--wheel
        _glade_--glad
        _chaunge_--chaungy{n}]

                                                               [[pg 35]]
    [Headnote:
    BE SUBJECT TO FORTUNE'S CHANGES.]

    [Sidenote: Ascend if you will, but come down when my sport
    requires it.]

  wore vp yif ou wilt. so it be by is lawe. at ou
  ne holde not at I do e wronge ou[gh] ou descende
  dou{n} whanne resou{n} of my pleye axe it.

    [Sidenote: Know you not the history of Croesus and of Paulus
    milius?]

          Wost ou                                                   876
  not how Cresus kyng of lyndens of whiche kyng Cir{us}
  was ful sore agast a litel byforne at is rewlyche
  Cresus was cau[gh]t of Cirus {and} lad to e fijr to be
  brent. but at a reyne desce{n}ded[e] dou{n} from heuene           880
  at rescowed[e] hym  And is it out of i mynde how
  at Paulus consul of Rome whan he hadde take e
  kyng of p{er}ciens weep pitou[s]ly for e captiuitee of e
  self[e] kyng.

    [Sidenote: What else does the weeping muse of Tragedy deplore but
    the overthrow of kingdoms by the indiscriminate strokes of
    Fortune?]

          What oer inges bywaylen e criinges of                   884
  Tragedies. but only e dedes of fortune. at wi an
  vnwar stroke ouert{ur}ne e realmes of grete nobley
   _Glose._ Tragedie is to seyne a dite of a p{ro}sp{er}ite for
  a tyme at endi in wrechednesse.

    [Sidenote: Did you not learn whilst a youth, that at the gates of
    Jove's palace stand two vessels, one full of blessings, the other
    of woes?]

          Lernedest nat ou                                          888
  in grek whan ou were [gh]onge at in e entre or in e
  seler of Iuppiter er ben couched two tunnes. at on
  is ful of good at oer is ful of harme.

    [Sidenote: What if you have drunk too deep of the first vessel?]

           What ry[gh]t
  hast ou to pleyne. yif ou hast taken more plenteuously           892
  of e goode syde at is to seyne of my rycchesse {and}
  p{ro}sp{er}ites. {and} what eke. yif I be nat departed fro e.

    [Sidenote: My mutability gives thee hope of happier days.]

  What eke. yif my mutabilitee [gh]iue e ry[gh]tful cause of
  hope to han [gh]it better i{n}ges.

    [Sidenote: Desire not to be exempted from the vicissitudes of
    humanity.]

           Naeles desmaie e                                       896
  nat in i ou[gh]t. and {o}u at art put in comune realme
  of alle: ne desijr[e] nat to lyue by ine oonly p{ro}pre ry[gh]t.

    [Linenotes:
    874 _wore_--worth
        _wilt_--wolt
    876 _doun_--adou{n}
        _whanne_--wan
        _pleye_--pley
        _Wost ou_--wistesthow
    877 _kyng_ (1)--the kyng
        _lyndens_--lydyens
    878 _byforne_--byforn
    880 _reyne descended[e]_--rayn dessendede
        _from_--fro
    881 _rescowed[e]_--rescowede
    882 _take_--takyn
    885 _an_--a
    886 _e_--omitted
    887 _seyne_--seyn
    890 _tunnes_--tonnes
    891 _harme_--harm
    892 _hast ou_--hasthow
    893 _seyne_--seyn
        _rycchesse_--rychesses
    894 _I be nat_--I ne be nat al
    896 _better_--beter{e}
    898 _lyue_--lyuen
        _ine_--thin]


    [Headnote:
    THE COVETOUS ARE EVER DISCONTENTED.]

SI Q{UA}NTAS RAPIDIS.

  [Sidenote: [the secu{n}de met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: Though Plenty, from her teeming horn, poured down as
    many riches on the world as there are sands on the sea-shore, or
    stars in heaven, mankind would not cease to complain.]

  ++Ou[gh] plentee at is goddesse of rycches hielde adou{n}
  wi ful horn. {and} widrawe nat hir hand.  As                   900
  many recches as e see turne vpwardes sandes whan it
  is moeued wi rauysshing blastes. or ellys as many           [[pg 36]]
  rycches as er shynen bry[gh]t[e] sterres on heuene on e
  sterry ny[gh]t. [Gh]it for al at mankynde nolde not cesce to      904
  wope wrecched[e] pleyntes.

    [Sidenote: Though Heaven may grant every desire, they will still
    cry for more.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 10.]]

           And al be it so *at
  god receyue gladly her p{ra}yers {and} [gh]eue hem as ful
  large muche golde {and} app{ar}aile coueytous folk wi
  noble or clere hono{ur}s. [gh]it seme hem haue I-gete noing.     908
  but alwey her cruel ravyne deuourynge al at ei
  han geten shewi oer gapinges. at is to seye gapen
  {and} desiren [gh]it after moo rycchesse.

    [Sidenote: What rein can restrain unbounded avarice?]

           What brideles
  my[gh]ten wiholde to any certeyne ende e desordene               912
  coueitise of men  Whan euere e raer {a}t it fleti in
  large [gh]iftis: e more ay brenne in hem e rest of
  hauyng.

    [Sidenote: He who thinks himself poor, though he be rich, doth
    truly labour under poverty.]

           Certis he at quakyng {and} dredeful wene
  hym seluen nedy. he ne lyue neu{er}e mo ryche.                    916

    [Linenotes:
    899 _rycches_--rychesses
    901 _recches_--rychesses
        _vpwardes_--vpward
    902 _rauysshing_--rauyssynge
    903 _rycches_--rychesses
        _bry[gh]t[e]_--bryhte
        _on_ (1)--in
    904 _ny[gh]t_--nyhtes
    905 _wope wrecched[e]_--wepe wrecchede
    906 _her_--hir
        _ful_--fool
    907 _muche_--meche
        _folk_--men
    908 _haue_--hauen
        _I-gete_--I-getyn
    909 _her_--hir
    910 _seye_--seyn
    911 _rycchesse_--rychesses
    912 _wiholde_--wytholden
        _certeyne_--certeyn
    914 _rest_--thurst
    915 _dredeful_--dredful
    916 _lyue_--leueth]


    [Headnote:
    BOETHIUS IS NOT UNHAPPY.]

HIIS IGITUR SI PRO SE.

  [Sidenote: [The thrydde p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: If Fortune spake thus to you, you could not defend your
    complaint.]

  ++erfore yif at fortune spake wi e for hir self in
  is manere. For soe ou ne haddest [nat] what
  ou my[gh]test answere. and if ou hast any i{n}g wherwi.
  ou mayist ry[gh]tfully tellen i co{m}pleynt.  It                920
  byhoue e to shewen it. {and} .I. wol [gh]eue e space to
  tellen it.

    [Sidenote: _B._ What you have said is very specious, but such
    discourses are only sweet while they strike our ears.]

           Certeynely q{uod} I an ise ben faire
  inges {and} enoyntid wi hony swetnesse of rethorike
  {and} musike. {and} only while ei ben herd ei ben                924
  deliciouse.

    [Sidenote: They cannot efface the deep impressions that misery has
    made in the heart.]

           But to wrecches is a deppere felyng of
  harme. is is to seyn at wrecches felen e harmes at
  ei suffren more greuously an e remedies or e delites
  of ise wordes mowe gladen or comforten hem. so at                928
  whan ise inges stynten forto sou{n}[e] in eres. e sorwe   [[pg 37]]
  at is inset greue e ou[gh]t.

    [Sidenote: _P._ So it is indeed; for my arguments are not designed
    as remedies, but as lenitives only.]

          Ry[gh]t so is it q{uod} she.
   For ise ne ben [gh]it none remedies of i maladie. but
  ei ben a manere norissinges of i sorwe [gh]it rebel              932
  a[gh]eyne i curac{i}ou{n}.

    [Sidenote: When time serves, I will administer those things that
    shall reach the seat of your disease.]

           For whan at tyme is. I shal
  moue swiche inges at p{er}cen hem self depe.

    [Sidenote: But you are not among the number of the wretched.]

           But
  naeles {a}t ou shalt not wilne to leten i self a
  wrecche.  Hast ou for[gh]eten e nou{m}bre {and} e              936
  manere of i welefulnesse.

    [Sidenote: I shall not speak of your happiness in being provided
    for (in your orphanage) by the chief men of the city; nor of your
    noble alliance with Festus and Symmachus;]

          I holde me stille how at
  e souerayn men of e Citee toke{n} e in cure {and}
  kepynge whan ou were orphelyn of fadir {and} modir.
  {and} were chosen i{n} affinite of p{r}inces of e Citee.          940
   And ou bygu{n}ne raer to ben leef {and} deere an
  forto ben a ney[gh]bo{ur}. e whiche ing is e most p{re}ciouse
  kynde of any p{ro}pinquitee or aliau{n}ce at may
  ben.  Who is it at ne seide ou nere ry[gh]t weleful             944
  wi so grete a nobley of i fadres in lawe.

    [Sidenote: nor of your virtuous wife, and manly sons.]

           {And} wi
  e chastite of i wijf. {and} wi e oportunite {and}
  noblesse of i masculyn children. at is to seyne i
  sones {and} ou{er} al is me lyst to passe of comune inges.       948
   How ou haddest in i ou[gh]t dignitees at weren
  warned to olde men. but it delite me to comen now to
  e singuler vphepyng of i welefulnesse.  Yif any
  fruyt of mortal inges may han any wey[gh]te or price of           952
  welefulnesse.

    [Sidenote: Can you ever forget the memorable day that saw your two
    sons invested with the dignity of Consuls?]

           My[gh]test ou euere for[gh]eten for any
  charge of harme at my[gh]t[e] byfallen. e remembrau{n}ce
  of ilke day at ou sey[e] i two sones maked conseillers.
  {and} ylad to gidre from in house vndir so gret                   956
  assemble of senatours. {and} vndir e blyenesse of poeple.
  {and} whan ou say[e] hem sette in e court in her
  chaieres of dignites.  ou rethorien or p{ro}nou{n}cere     [[pg 38]]
  of kynges p{re}ysinges. deseruedest glorie of wit {and} of         960
  eloquence.

    [Sidenote: When in the circus you satisfied the expectant
    multitude with a triumphal largess?]

          whan ou sittyng bytwix i two sones conseillers
  in e place at hy[gh]t Circo. {and} fulfildest e
  abydyng of multitude of poeple at was sprad about e
  wi large p{ra}ysynge {and} laude as me{n} syngen in victories.    964

    [Sidenote: By your expressions you flattered Fortune, and obtained
    from her a gift which never before fell to any private person.]

  o [gh]aue ou wordes of fortune as I trowe. at
  is to seyne. o feffedest ou fortune wi glosynge
  wordes {and} desseiuedest hir. whan she accoied[e] e
  {and} norsshed[e] e as hir owen delices.  ou hast               968
  had of fortune a [gh]ifte at is to seyn swiche gerdou{n}
  at she neu[er]e [gh]af to p{re}ue man

    [Sidenote: Will you therefore call Fortune to account?]

           Wilt ou erfore
  leye a rekenyng wi fortune.

    [Sidenote: She now begins, I own, to look unkindly on you; but if
    you consider the number of your blessings, you must confess that
    you are still happy.]

          she ha now twynkeled
  first vpon e wi a wykked eye.  Yif ou considere                972
  e nou{m}bre {and} e manere of i blysses. {and} of i
  sorwes.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 10 _b_.]]

          *ou maist nat forsake at ou nart [gh]it blysful.

    [Linenotes:
    918 [_nat_]--from C.
    919 _if_--yif
    920 _mayist_--mayst
        _tellen_--defendyn
    921 _[gh]eue_--yeuyn
    922 _an_--thanne
        _ben_--bet (=beth)
    923 _swetnesse_--swetenesse
    924 _while_--whil
        _herd_--MS. herde
    926 _harme_--harm
    928 _mowe_--mowen
    929 _soun[e]_-sowne
    930 _inset_--MS. insette, C. inset
    932 _sorwe_--sorwes
    933 _a[gh]eyne_--ayein
    934 _moue swiche_--moeue swych
    938 _souerayn_--sou{er}ane
    943 _ney[gh]bour_--neysshebo{ur}
    944 _nere_--were
    945 _nobley_--nobleye
        _fadres_--fadyr-is
    947 _seyne_--seyn
    948 _lyst_--lyste
        _passe of_--passen the
    949 _ou[gh]t_--yowthe
    950 _warned_--werned
    952 _fruyt_--frute
        _price_--p{r}is
    953 _My[gh]test ow_--myhtes-thow
    954 _harme_--harm
        _my[gh]t[e] byfallen_--myhte befalle
    955 _sey[e]_--saye
    956 _from_--fro
        _gret_--MS. grete, C. gret
    958 _say[e]_--saye
        _sette_--set
        _her_--heer{e}
    961 _bytwix_--bytwyen
    962 _hy[gh]t_--hihte
    963 _of_ (1)--of the
        _about_--abowten
    964 _wi_--w{i}t{h} so
    965 _[gh]aue_--MS. an, C. yaue
        _of_--to
    966 _seyne_--seyn
    967 _accoied[e]_--acoyede
    968 _norsshed[e]_--noryssede
        _owen_--owne
        _ou----of_--thow bar away of
    969 _had_--MS. hadde
        _swiche_--swich
    970 _preue_--pryue
    971 _leye_--lye
        _ha_--MS. hae
    972 _wykked_--wyckede
    973 _blysses_--blysse
    974 _forsake_--forsakyn
        _nart_--art
        _blysful_--blysseful]

    [Headnote:
    ADVERSITY IS BUT TRANSIENT.]

    [Sidenote: These evils that you suffer are but transitory.]

  For if ou erfore wenest i self nat weleful for inges
  at o semeden ioyful ben passed.  er nis nat whi                976
  ou sholdest wene i self a wrecche. for inges at now
  semen soory passen also.  Art ou now comen firste
  a sodeyne gest in to e shadowe or tabernacle of is
  lijf.

    [Sidenote: Can there be any stability in human affairs, when the
    life of man is exposed to dissolution every hour?]

          or trowest ou {a}t any stedfastnesse be in mannis        980
  inges.  Whan ofte a swifte houre dissolue e same
  man. at is to seyne whan e soule dep{ar}ti fro e
  body. For al ou[gh] at yelde is er any fei at fortunous
  inges willen dwelle.

    [Sidenote: The last day of life puts an end to Prosperity.]

          [gh]it naeles e last[e] day                              984
  of a ma{n}nis lijf is a man{er}e dee to fortune. {and} also
  to ilke at ha dwelt.

    [Sidenote: What matters it then, whether you by death leave it, or
    it (Fortune) by flight doth leave you?]

          {and} erfore what wenist ou
  ar recche yif ou forlete hir i{n} dey{n}ge or ellys {a}t she
  fortune forlete e i{n} fleenge awey.                              988

    [Linenotes:
    978 _soory_--sorye
        _firste_--fyrst
    979 _sodeyne_--sodeyn
        _shadowe_--shadwe
    980 _stedfastnesse_--stedefastnesse
    981 _swifte_--swyft
        _dissolue_--dyssoluede
    983 _al ou[gh] at_--al {a}t thowgh
        _fortunous_--fortune
    984 _willen dwelle_--wolen dwellyn
        _last[e]_--laste
    986 _ha_--MS. hae
        _wenist ou_--weenestow
    987 _ar recche_--dar recke
    988 _awey_--away]


                                                               [[pg 39]]
    [Headnote:
    MANY BLESSINGS STILL REMAIN.]

CUM PRIMO POLO.

  [Sidenote: [The .iij. Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: The stars pale before the light of the rising sun.]

  ++Whan phebus e sonne bygynne to spreden his clerenesse
  w{i}t{h} rosene chariettes. an e sterre ydimmyd
  pale hir white cheres. by e flamus of e so{n}ne at
  ouer come e sterre ly[gh]t.  is is to seyn whan e             992
  sonne is risen e day sterre wexi pale {and} lesi hir
  ly[gh]t for e grete bry[gh]tnesse of e sonne.

    [Sidenote: Westerly winds deck the wood with roses, but easterly
    winds cause their beauty to fade.]

           Whan e
  wode wexe redy of rosene floures in e first somer
  sesou{n} oru[gh] e bree of e wynde Zephirus at wexe          996
  warme.  Yif e cloudy wynde auster blowe felliche.
  an go awey e fayrnesse of ornes.

    [Sidenote: Now the sea is calm, and again it is tempestuous.]

          Ofte e see is
  clere {and} calme wioute moeuy{n}g floodes. And ofte
  e horrible wynde aq{u}ilon moeue boylyng tempestes              1000
  {and} ouer whelwe e see.

    [Sidenote: If all things thus vary, will you trust in transitory
    riches?]

           Yif e forme of is worlde
  is so [[gh]eelde] stable. {and} yif it to{ur}ni by so many
  entrechau{n}gynges. wilt ou a{n} truste{n} in e trublynge
  fortunes of me{n}. wilt ou trowen i{n} flittyng goodes.          1004

    [Sidenote: All here below is unstedfast and unstable.]

  It is certeyne {and} establissed by lawe p{er}durable at no
  i{n}g {a}t is engendred nys stedfast no stable.

    [Linenotes:
    989 _his_--hyr
    990 _an_--thanne
    991 _flamus_--flambes
    995 _redy_--rody
        _rosene_--rosyn
    997 _warme_--warm
    998 _go_--MS. goe, C. goth
        _fayrnesse_--fayrenesse
    999 _clere_--cleer
        _calme_--kalm
    1000 _wynde_--wynd
    1001 _whelwe_--welueeth
    1002 [_[gh]eelde_]--from C.
    1003, 1004 _wilt ou_--wolthow
    1003 _an_--thanne
         _trublynge_--towmbly{n}ge
    1004 _in flittyng_--on flettynge
    1005 _It is_--is it
    1006 _no_--ne
         _stable_--estable]


    [Headnote:
    MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR.]

TUNC EGO UERA INQ{UA}M.

  [Sidenote: [The ferthe prose.]]

    [Sidenote: _B._ I cannot deny my sudden and early prosperity.]

  ++Anne seide I us. O norice of alle uertues ou
  seist ful soe.  Ne I may nat forsake e ry[gh]t[e]              1008
  swifte cours of my p{ro}speritee. at is to seine. at
  p{ro}speritee ne be comen to me wondir swiftly {and}
  soone. but is is a ing at gretly smerti me whan it
  remembre me.

    [Sidenote: It is the remembrance of former happiness that adds
    most to man's infelicity.]

           For in alle aduersitees of fortune e                   1012
  most vnsely kynde of contrariouse fortune is to han
  ben weleful.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Recollect that you have yet much affluence.]

           But at ou q{uo}d she abaist us e
  to{ur}ment of i fals[e] opiniou{n} at maist ou not ry[gh]tfully
  blamen ne aretten to inges. as who sei for ou             [[pg 40]]
  hast [gh]itte many habundaunces of inges.  _Textus._            1017
  For al be it so at e ydel name of auenterouse welefulnesse
  moeue e now. it is leueful at ou rekene
  w{i}t{h} me of how many[e] inges ou hast [gh]it plentee.        1020

    [Sidenote: What you esteemed most precious in your happy days, you
    still retain, and ought therefore not to complain.]

   And erfore yif at ilke ing at ou haddest for
  most p{re}cious in alle i rycchesse of fortune be kept
  to e by e grace of god vnwemmed {and} vndefouled.
  Mayst ou a{n} pleyne ry[gh]tfully vpon e myschief of fortune.  1024
  syn ou hast [gh]it i best[e] inges.  Certys [gh]it
  lyue in goode poynt ilke p{re}cious hono{ur} of mankynde.

    [Sidenote: Symmachus, dear to you as life, is safe and in health.]

   Symacus i wyues fadir whiche at is a
  man maked al of sapience {and} of vertue. e whiche               1028
  man ou woldest b[i]en redely wi e pris of in owen
  lijf. he byweyle e wronges at men don to ee. {and}
  not for hym self. for he liue in sykernesse of any
  sentence put a[gh]eins him.

    [Sidenote: Your wife Rusticiana is also alive, and bewails her
    separation from you.]

           And [gh]it lyue i wif at                             1032
  is attempre of witte {and} passyng oer women in clennes
  of chastitee. and for I wol closen shortly her bountes
  she is lyke to hir fadir. I telle e welle at she lyue
  loo of hir life. {and} kepi to ee oonly hir goost. {and}       1036
  is al maat {and} ouer-comen by wepyng {and} sorwe for
  desire of e  In e whiche ing only I mot graunten
  at i welefulnesse is amenused.

    [Sidenote: Why need I mention your two sons, in whom so much of
    the wit and spirit of their sire and grandsire doth shine?]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 11.]]

           What shal I seyn
  eke of i two sones conseillours of whiche as of children         1040
  of hir age er shine *e lyknesse of e witte of
  hir fadir {and} of hir eldefadir.

    [Sidenote: And since it is the chief care of man to preserve life;
    you are still most happy in the possession of blessings which all
    men value more than life.]

          and sien e souereyn
  cure of alle mortel folke is to sauen hir owe{n} lyues.

    [Linenotes:
    1008 _soe_--soth
         _Ne I may_--Ne I ne may
    1009 _seine_--seyn
    1011 _a_--omitted
         _gretly_--gretely
    1012 _aduersitees_--adu{er}syte
    1013 _most_--mooste
    1014 _abaist_--abyest
    1015 _tourment_--torment[gh]
         _fals[e]_--false
    1016 _sei_--MS. seie, C. seyh
    1017 _[gh]itte_--yit
    1019 _leueful_--leefful
    1020 _many[e] inges_--manye grete thinges
    1022 _alle_--al
    1023 _e by_--the yit by
    1024 _myschief_--meschef
    1025 _best[e]_--beste
    1026 _lyue_--leueth
         _goode_--good
    1027 _whiche_--which
    1028 _al_--alle
         _of_ (2)--omitted
    1029 _b[i]en_--byen
         _owen_--owne
    1030 _byweyle_--bewayleth
         _don_--MS. done, C. don
    1031 _liue_--leueth
    1033 _witte_--wyt
         _women_--wymmen
    1034 _shortly_--shortely
    1035 _lyke_--lik
         _welle_--wel
    1036 _hir life_--this lyf
    1037 _maat_--maad
    1038 _whiche_--weche
    1039 _amenused_--amenyssed
         _seyn_--(MS. seyne) seyn
    1041 _lyknesse_--lykenesse
         _witte_--wyt
    1042 {and} (1)--or
         _eldefadir_--eldyr fadyr
         _sien_--syn
    1043 _folke_--folk]

    [Headnote:
    THE CONDITION OF HUMAN BLISS.]

   O how weleful art ou ou[gh] ou knowe i goodes.              1044
   But [gh]itte ben er inges dwelly{n}g to e wardes at no [[pg 41]]
  man doute at ei ne ben more derwore to e en
  ine owen lijf.

    [Sidenote: Dry up thy tears, thou hast still present comfort and
    hope of future felicity.]

           And fori drie i teres for [gh]itte nys
  nat eueriche fortune al hateful to e warde. ne ou{er}            1048
  greet tempest ha nat [gh]it fallen vpon e. whan at in
  ancres cliue fast[e] at neier wole suffre e comfort of is
  tyme p{re}sent. ne e hope of tyme comynge to passen
  ne to falle{n}.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I hope these will never fail me.]

           And I p{re}ie q{uod} I at fast[e] mot[en]              1052
  ei holden.  For whiles at ei halden. how so eu{er}e
  at inges ben. I shal wel fleten fure and eschapen.

    [Sidenote: But do you not see how low I am fallen?]

   But ou mayst wel seen how greet[e] apparailes {and}
  aray at me lakke at ben passed awey fro me.                    1056

    [Sidenote: _P._ I should think that I had made progress if you did
    not repine so at your fate.]

   I haue su{m}what auau{n}ced {and} forered e q{uod} she. if
  at ou anoie nat or forenke nat of al i fortune. As
  who sei.  I haue somwhat comforted e so at ou
  tempest nat e us wi al i fortune. syn ou hast                1060
  [gh]it i best[e] inges.

    [Sidenote: It grieves me to hear you complain while you possess so
    many comforts.]

           But I may nat suffre in
  delices. at pleinst so wepyng. {and} anguissous for at
  oer lakke somwhat to i welefulnesse.

    [Sidenote: Every one, however happy, has something to complain
    of.]

           For what
  man is so sad or of so p{er}fit welefulnesse. at he ne           1064
  stryue or pleyne on some half a[gh]eine e qualitee of
  his estat.

    [Sidenote: The condition of human enjoyment is anxious; for either
    it comes not all at once, or makes no long stay when it does
    come.]

           For whi ful anguissous ing is e condiciou{n}
  of mans goodes.  For eyer it come al to
  gidre to a wy[gh]t. or ellys it laste not p{er}petuely.          1068

    [Linenotes:
    1044 _art ou ou[gh]_--arthow yif
    1045 _But [gh]itte_--for yit
         _dwellyng_--dwellyd
         _wardes_--ward
    1046 _at_--than
         _derwore_--dereworthe
         _en ine_--than thin
    1047 _[gh]itte_--yit
    1049 _ha_--MS. hae
         _in_--thyne
    1050 _cliue fast[e]_--cleuen faste
         _wole suffre_--wolen suffren
    1052 _fallen_--faylen
         _fast[e] mot[en]_--faste moten
    1053 _holden_--halden
    1054 _fure_--forth
    1055 _mayst_--mayste
         _greet[e]_--grete
    1058 _forenke_--forthinke
    1061 _best[e]_--beste
         _suffre in_--suffren thi
    1063 _oer_--ther
    1064 _perfit_--parfyt
    1065 _or_--and
         _some half a[gh]eine_--som halue ayen
    1067 _mans_--mannes
         _come al_--comth nat al
    1068 _laste_--last
         _perpetuely_--p{er}petuel]

    [Headnote:
    HAPPINESS ARISES FROM CONTENTMENT.]

    [Sidenote: One man is very wealthy, but his birth is obscure.]

   For som man ha grete rycchesse. but he is asshamed
  of hys vngentil lynage.

    [Sidenote: Another is conspicuous for nobility of descent, but is
    surrounded by indigence.]

          {and} som man is renomed
  of noblesse of kynrede. but he is enclosed in so
  grete angre for nede of inges. at hym were leuer at            1072
  he were vnknowe.

    [Sidenote: A third is blest with both advantages, but is
    unmarried.]

          and som ma{n} habunde boe i{n}
  rychesse {and} noblesse. but [gh]it he bywaile hys chast[e]
  lijf. for he ha no wijf.                                    [[pg 42]]

    [Sidenote: This man is happy in a wife, but is childless, while
    that other man has the joy of children, but is mortified by their
    evil ways.]

           and som man is wel {and}
  selily maried but he ha no children. {and} norisshe his         1076
  ricchesse to e heires of straunge folk.  And som
  man is gladded wi children. but he wepi ful sory for
  e trespas of his son or of his dou[gh]tir.

    [Sidenote: Thus we see that no man can agree easily with the state
    of his fortune.]

           and for is
  er accorde no wy[gh]t ly[gh]tly to e condic{i}ou{n} of his fortune.
  for alwey to euery man ere is i{n} mest somwhat                  1081
  at vnassaie he ne wot not or ellys he dredi at he
  ha assaied.

    [Sidenote: The senses of the happy are refined and delicate, and
    they are impatient if anything is untoward.]

           {And} adde is also at euery weleful
  man ha a wel delicat felyng.  So at but yif alle               1084
  inges fallen at hys owen wille for he inpacient or is
  nat vsed to han none aduersitee. an-oone he is rowe
  ado[-u]ne for euery lytel ing.

    [Sidenote: The happiness of the most fortunate depends on
    trifles.]

           And ful lytel inges
  ben o at widrawen e so{m}me or e p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of        1088
  blisfulnesse fro hem at ben most fortunat.

    [Sidenote: How many would think themselves in heaven if they had
    only a part of the remnant of thy fortune!]

           How
  many men trowest ou wolde demen hem self to ben
  almost in heuene yif ei my[gh]ten atteyne to e leest[e]
  p{ar}tie of e remenaunt of i fortune.  is same place          1092
  at ou clepist exil is contre to hem at enhabiten
  here.

    [Sidenote: Thy miseries proceed from the thought that thou art
    miserable.]

          {and} fori. Noing wrecched. but whan ou
  wenest it

    [Sidenote: Every lot may be happy to the man who bears his
    condition with equanimity and courage.]

           As who sei. ou[gh] i self ne no wy[gh]t
  ellys nys no wrecche but whan he wene hym self a                 1096
  wrecche by reputac{i}ou{n} of his corage.

    [Linenotes:
    1069 _rycchesse_--Rychesses
    1070 _renomed_--renowned
    1072 _angre for_--Angwysshe of
         _leuer_--leu{er}e
    1074 _chast[e]_--caste
    1075, 1076 _ha_--MS. hae
    1076 _maried_--ymaryed
         _his_--hise
    1077 _ricchesse_--Rychesses
         _heires_--eyres
         _folk_--foolkys
    1080 _er_--{er} ne
    1081 _mest_--omitted
    1082 _vnassaie_--vnassaied
         _wot_--MS. wote, C. wot
    1083, 1084 _ha_--MS. hae
    1084 _wel_--ful
    1085 _fallen_--byfalle
         _wille_--wyl
    1086 _none_--non
         _an-oone_--Anon
         _rowe_--throwen
    1087 _ado[-u]ne_--adou{n}
    1090 _wolde_--wolden
    1095 _it_--hyt
         _who_--ho
    1096 _no_--a]


    [Headnote:
    THE SOURCE OF TRUE HAPPINESS.]

CONTRAQ{UE}.

    [Sidenote: When patience is lost then a change of state is
    desired.]

  ++And a[gh]einewarde al fortune is blisful to a man by e
  agreablete or by e egalite of hym at suffre it.
   What man is at. at is so weleful at nolde chau{n}ge{n}       1100
  his estat whan he ha lorn pacience. e swetnesse of
  mannes welefulnesse is yspranid wi many[e] bitternesses.
  e whiche welefulnesse al ou[gh] it seme swete {and}        [[pg 43]]
  ioyeful to hym at vse it. [gh]it may it not be wi-holden       1104
  at it ne go away whan it wol.

    [Sidenote: How much is human felicity embittered!]

           an is it wel sen
  how wrecched is e blisfulnesse of mortel inges.

    [Sidenote: It will not stay with those that endure their lot with
    equanimity, nor bring comfort to anxious minds.]

  at nei{er} it dwelli p{er}petuel wi hem at euery fortune
  receyuen agreablely or egaly.  Ne it ne delite not in           1108
  al. to hem at ben anguissous.

    [Sidenote: Why then, O mortals, do ye seek abroad for that
    felicity which is to be found within yourselves?]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 11 _b_.]]

           O ye mortel folkes
  what seke *[gh]e an blisfulnesse oute of [gh]oure self. whiche
  at is put in [gh]oure self. Erro{ur} {and} folie co{n}fou{n}de
  [gh]ow  I shal shewe e shortly. e poynt of souereyne           1112
  blisfulnesse.

    [Sidenote: Nothing is more precious than thyself.]

          Is er any ing to e more p{re}ciouse an
  i self  ou wilt answere nay.

    [Sidenote: If thou hast command over thyself, Fortune cannot
    deprive thee of it.]

           an if it so be at
  ou art my[gh]ty ouer i self at is to seyn by tranquillitee
  of i soule. an hast ou ing i{n} i power at ou              1116
  noldest neuer lesen. ne fortune may nat by-nyme it e.

    [Sidenote: Happiness does not consist in things transitory.]

  {and} at ou mayst knowe at blisfulnesse [ne] may
  nat standen in inges at ben fortunous {and} te{m}perel.

    [Sidenote: If happiness be the supreme good of nature, then that
    thing cannot be it which can be withdrawn from us.]

   Now vndirstonde {and} gadir it to gidir us                     1120
  yif blisfulnesse be e souereyne goode of nature at
  liue by resou{n}  Ne ilke ing nis nat souereyne
  goode at may be taken awey in any wyse. for more
  wori ing {and} more digne is ilke ing {a}t may nat be        1124
  taken awey.

    [Sidenote: Instability of fortune is not susceptive of true
    happiness.]

           an shewi it wele at e vnstablenesse
  of fortune may nat attayne to receyue verray
  blisfulnes.  And [gh]it more ouer.

    [Sidenote: He who is led by fading felicity, either knows that it
    is changeable or does not know it.]

           What man at
  is toumblyng welefulnesse leedi. eier he woot at              1128
  [it] is chaungeable. or ellis he woot it nat.

    [Sidenote: If he knows it not, what happiness has he in the
    blindness of his ignorance?]

           And yif
  he woot it not. what blisful fortune may er be in e
  blyndenesse of ignorau{n}ce. and yif he woot at it is
  chaungeable. he mot alwey ben adrad {a}t he ne lese              1132
  at ing. at he ne doute nat but at he may leesen it.

    [Linenotes:
    1098 _a[gh]einewarde al_--ayeinward alle
    1099 _it_--hyt
    1101 _whan_--what
         _ha_--MS. hae
         _lorn_--MS. lorne, C. lost
    1102 _yspranid_--spraynyd
         _bitternesses_--beternesses
    1104 _hym_--hem
         _it_--hyt
         _be_--ben
    1105 _go_--MS. gee
         _wol_--woole
         _sen_--MS. sene
    1107 _dwelli_--dureth
    1109 _folkes_--folk{e}
    1110 _oute_--owt
    1112 _shortly_--shortely
    1114 _wilt_--MS. wilte, C. wolt
         _if_--yif
    1117 _by-nyme_--be-neme
    1118 _blisfulnesse [ne]_--blyssefulnesse ne
    1120 _to gidir_--to gidere
    1121, 1122 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good
    1125 _wele_--wel
    1126 _receyue_--resseyuen
    1129 [_it_]--from C.
         _it_--hyt
    1130 _be_--ben
    1131 _blyndenesse_--blyndnesse]

                                                               [[pg 44]]
    [Headnote:
    RICHES DO NOT CONSTITUTE HAPPINESS.]

    [Sidenote: If he knows it is fleeting he must be afraid of losing
    it, and this fear will not suffer him to be happy.]

   As whoo sei he mot ben alwey agast lest he
  leese at he wot wel he may leese.  For whiche e
  continuel drede at he ha ne suffri hym nat to ben              1136
  weleful.  Or ellys yif he leese it he wene to be
  dispised {and} forleten hit.  Certis eke at is a ful
  lytel goode at is born wi euene hert[e] whan it is
  loost.  at is to seyne at men don no more force.               1140
  of e lost an of e hauynge.

    [Sidenote: Since thou art convinced of the soul's immortality,
    thou canst not doubt that if death puts an end to human felicity,
    that all men when they die, are plunged into the depths of
    misery.]

           And for as myche as
  ou i self art he to who{m} it ha ben shewid {and} p{ro}ued
  by ful many[e] demonstrac{i}ou{n}s. as I woot wel at e
  soules of men ne mowen nat dien in no wise. and eke               1144
  syn it is clere. {and} certeyne at fortunous welefulnesse
  endi by e dee of e body.  It may nat ben douted
  at yif at dee may take awey blysfulnesse at al e
  kynde of mortal i{n}g{us} ne descendi in to wrecchednesse       1148
  by e ende of e dee.

    [Sidenote: But we know that many have sought to obtain felicity,
    by undergoing not only death, but pains and torments.]

           And syn we knowen
  wel at many a man ha sou[gh]t e fruit of blisfulnesse
  nat only wi suffryng of dee. but eke wi suffryng of
  peynes {and} to{ur}mentes.

    [Sidenote: How then can this present life make men truly happy,
    since when it is ended they do not become miserable?]

          how my[gh]t[e] an is p{re}sent                          1152
  lijf make men blisful. syn at whanne ilke self[e]
  lijf is endid. it ne make folk no wrecches.

    [Linenotes:
    1134 _it_--hyt
         _sei_--MS. seie, C. seyth
    1135 _wot_--MS. wote, C. wot
         _leese_ (2)--leese it
         _whiche_--which
    1136 _ha_--MS. hae
    1137 _ellys_--omitted
         _wene_--weneth
    1138 _hit_--omitted
    1139 _goode_--good
         _born_--MS. borne, C. born
         _hert[e]_--herte
    1140 _seyne_--seyn
         _don_--MS. done, C. do
         _force_--fors
    1142 _ha_--MS. hae
    1143 _many[e]_--manye
    1144 _mowen_--mowe
         _dien_--deyen
    1145 _clere_--cleer
         _certeyne_--certeyn
    1147 _al_--alle
    1150 _ha_--MS. hae
         _fruit_--frut
    1152 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte
    1153 _make_--maken
         _self[e]_--selue]


    [Headnote:
    RICHES HAVE NO INTRINSIC VALUE.]

QUISQUIS UOLET[2] P{ER}HENNEM CAUTUS.

    [Footnote 2: MS. ualet.]

  [Sidenote: [The ferthe met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: He who would have a stable and lasting seat must not
    build upon lofty hills; nor upon the sands, if he would escape the
    violence of winds and waves.]

  ++What maner man stable {and} war at wil founden hym
  a p{er}durable sete {and} ne wil not be cast doune                1156
  wi e loude blastes of e wynde Eurus. {and} wil dispise
  e see manassynge wi floodes  Lat hym eschewe to
  bilde on e cop of e mou{n}tay{n}gne. or in e moyste
  sandes.  For e fel[le] wynde auster to{ur}mente e cop         1160
  of e mou{n}tayngne wi alle his strenges.  and e
  lowe see sandes refuse to beren e heuy wey[gh]te.           [[pg 45]]

    [Sidenote: If thou wilt flee perilous fortune, lay thy foundation
    upon the firmer stone, so that thou mayst grow old in thy
    stronghold.]

  {and} fori yif ou wolt flee e p{er}ilous auenture at is to
  seine of e worlde  Haue mynde certeynly to ficchyn              1164
  i house of a myrie site in a lowe stoone.  For al
  ou[gh] e wynde troublyng e see ondre wi ouererowynges
   ou at art put i{n} quiete {and} welful by
  strenge of i palys shalt leden a cleer age. scornyng            1168
  e wodenesses and e Ires of e eir.

    [Linenotes:
    1155, 1156, 1157 _wil_--wole
    1156 _be cast_--MS. be caste, C. ben cast
    1157 _wynde_--wynd
    1158 _eschewe_--eschewen
    1160 _fel[le]_--felle
    1161 _his_--hise
    1162 _lowe_--lavse
         _see_--omitted
         _refuse_--refusen
         _wey[gh]te_--wyhte
    1163 _flee_--fleen
    1164 _seine_--seyn
    1165 _i_--thin
         _lowe stoone_--lowh stoon
    1167 _welful_--weleful
    1169 _wodenesses_--woodnesses]


    [Headnote:
    GLORY NOT IN RICHES; THEY ADD NOTHING TO VIRTUE.]

SET CUM RACIONU{M} IAM IN TE.

  [Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: It is now time to use stronger medicines, since lighter
    remedies have taken effect.]

  ++But for as moche as e noryssinges of my resou{n}s
  descenden now in to e. I trowe it were tyme to
  vsen a litel strenger medicynes.

    [Sidenote: What is there in the gifts of Fortune that is not vile
    and despicable?]

           Now vndirstonde                                         1172
  here al were it so at e [gh]iftis of fortune nar[e] nat
  brutel ne t{ra}nsitorie.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 12.]]

          what is er in hem at may be
  ine *in any tyme. or ellis at it nys foule if at it be
  considered {and} lokid p{er}fitely.

    [Sidenote: Are riches precious in themselves, or in men's
    estimation?]

           Richesse ben ei                                        1176
  p{re}ciouse by e nature of hem self. or ellys by e
  nature of e.

    [Sidenote: What is most precious in them, quantity or quality?]

          What is most wori of rycchesse. is it
  nat golde or my[gh]t of moneye assembled.

    [Sidenote: Bounty is more glorious than niggardliness.]

           Certis
  ilke golde {and} ilke moneye shine {and} [gh]eue better       1180
  renou{n} to hem at dispenden it. en to ilke folke at
  mokeren it.

    [Sidenote: Avarice is always hateful, while liberality is
    praise-worthy.]

          For auarice make alwey mokeres to be
  hated. {and} largesse make folke clere of renou{n}
   For syn at swiche i{n}g as is t{ra}nsfered from o             1184
  man to an oer ne may nat dwellen wi no man.

    [Sidenote: Money cannot be more precious than when it is dispensed
    liberally to others.]

  Certis an is ilke moneye p{re}cious. whan it is translated
  in to oer folk. {and} stynte to ben had by
  vsage of large [gh]euy{n}g of hym at ha [gh]euen it.            1188

    [Sidenote: If one man's coffers contained all the money in the
    world, every one else would be in want of it.]

  {and} also yif al e moneye at is ouer-al in e world were
  gadered towar[d] o man. it sholde maken al oer men          [[pg 46]]
  to ben nedy as of at.  And certys a voys al hool
  at is to seyn wi-oute amenusynge fulfille to gyder             1192
  e heryng of myche folke.

    [Sidenote: Riches cannot be dispensed without diminution.]

          but Certys [gh]oure rycchesse
  ne mowen nat passen vnto myche folk wi-oute amenussyng
   And whan ei ben apassed. nedys ei maken
  hem pore at forgon e rycchesses.

    [Sidenote: O the poverty of riches, that cannot be enjoyed by many
    at the same time, nor can be possessed by one without
    impoverishing others!]

           O streite {and}                                         1196
  nedy clepe I ise rycchesses. syn at many folke [ne]
  may nat han it al. ne al may it nat comen to on man
  wi-oute pouerte of al oer folke.  And e shynynge
  of ge{m}mes at I clepe p{re}ciouse stones. drawe it nat         1200
  e eyen of folk in to hem warde. at is to seyne for e
  beaute.

    [Sidenote: The beauty of precious stones consists only in their
    brightness, wherefore I marvel that men admire that which is
    motionless, lifeless, and irrational.]

           For certys yif er were beaute or bounte
  in shynyng of stones. ilke clerenesse is of e stones
  hem self. {and} nat of men.  For whiche I wondre                 1204
  gretly at men merueilen on swiche inges.  For
  whi what ing is it at yif it wa{n}te moeuyng {and}
  ioynture of soule {and} body at by ry[gh]t my[gh]t[e] semen
  a faire creature to hym at ha a soule of resou{n}.              1208

    [Sidenote: Precious stones are indeed the workmanship of the
    Creator, but their beauty is infinitely below the excellency of
    man's nature.]

   For al be it so at ge{m}mes drawen to hem self a
  litel of e laste beaute of e worlde. oru[gh] e entent
  of hir creato{ur} {and} oru[gh] e distincc{i}ou{n} of hem self.
  [gh]it for as myche as ei ben put vndir [gh]oure excellence.     1212
  ei han not desserued by no weye at [gh]e shullen
  merueylen on hem.

    [Sidenote: Doth the beauty of the field delight thee?]

           And e beaute of feeldes delite
  it nat mychel vnto [gh]ow.

    [Sidenote: _B._ Why should it not? for it is a beautiful part of a
    beautiful whole.]

          _Boyce._  Whi sholde it nat                              1215
  deliten vs. syn at it is a ry[gh]t fayr porciou{n} of e ry[gh]t
  fair werk. at is to seyn of is worlde.

    [Sidenote: Hence, we admire the face of the sea, the heavens, as
    well as the sun, moon, and stars.]

           And ry[gh]t
  so ben we gladed somtyme of e face of e see whan
  it is clere. And also merueylen we on e heuene {and}
  on e sterres. {and} on e sonne. {and} on e mone.          [[pg 47]]

    [Sidenote: _P._ Do these things concern thee? darest thou glory in
    them?]

  _Philosophie._  App{er}teine q{uo}d she any of ilke            1221
  inges to e. whi darst ou glorifie e in e shynynge
  of any swiche inges.

    [Sidenote: Do the flowers adorn you with their variety?]

          Art ou distingwed {and} embelised
  by e spryngyng floures of e first somer                         1224
  sesou{n}. or swelli i plente in fruytes of somer. whi
  art ou rauyshed wi ydel ioies.

    [Sidenote: Why embracest thou things wherein thou hast no
    property?]

          why enbracest ou
  straunge goodes as ei weren ine.

    [Sidenote: Fortune can never make that thine which the nature of
    things forbids to be so.]

          Fortune shal neuer
  maken at swiche inges ben ine at nature of inges             1228
  maked foreyne fro e.

    [Sidenote: The fruits of the earth are designed for the support of
    beasts.]

           Syche is at wi-oute{n}
  doute e fruytes of e ere owen to ben on e
  norssinge of bestes.

    [Sidenote: If you seek only the necessities of nature, the
    affluence of Fortune will be useless.]

           And if ou wilt fulfille i
  nede after at it suffise to nature an is it no nede            1232
  at ou seke after e sup{er}fluite of fortune.

    [Sidenote: Nature is content with a little, and superfluity will
    be both disagreeable and hurtful.]

           For
  wi ful fewe inges {and} w{i}t{h} ful lytel ing nature
  halt hire appaied. {and} yif ou wilt achoken e fulfillyng
  of nat{ur}e wi sup{er}fluites  Certys ilke                     1236
  inges {a}t ou wilt resten or pouren in to nature
  shullen ben vnioyeful to e or ellis anoies.

    [Sidenote: Does it add to a man's worth to shine in variety of
    costly clothing?]

           Wenest
  ou eke at it be a fair inge to shine wi dyuerse
  cloing.

    [Sidenote: The things really to be admired are the beauty of the
    stuff or the workmanship of it.]

          of whiche cloing yif e beaute be agreable               1240
  to loken vpon. I wol merueylen on e nature of e
  matere of ilke cloes. or ellys on e werkeman at
  wrou[gh]t[e] hem.

    [Sidenote: Doth a great retinue make thee happy?]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 12 _b_.]]

          but al so a longe route of meyne. maki
  at a blisful *man.

    [Sidenote: If thy servants be vicious, they are a great burden to
    the house, and pernicious enemies to the master of it.]

          e whiche seruauntes yif ei ben                          1244
  vicio[-u]s of condic{i}ou{n}s it is a greet charge {and} a
  destrucc{i}ou{n} to e house. {and} a g{r}eet enmye to e lorde
  hym self

    [Sidenote: If they be good, why should the probity of others be
    put to thy account?]

           {And} yif ei ben goode men how shal
  straung[e] or foreyne goodenes ben put in e nou{m}bre            1248
  of i rycchesse.

    [Sidenote: Upon the whole, then, none of those enjoyments which
    thou didst consider as thy own did ever properly belong to thee.]

          so {a}t by alle ise forseide inges. it is
  clerly shewed at neuer none of ilke inges at ou
  accou{m}ptedest for in goodes nas nat i goode.

    [Sidenote: If they be not desirable, why shouldst thou grieve for
    the loss of them?]

           In
  e whiche inges yif er be no beaute to ben desired.             1252

    [Linenotes:
    1172 _strenger_--strenger{e}
         _vndirstonde_--vndyrstond
    1173 _nar[e]_--ne weere
    1174 _be ine_--ben thyn
    1175 _foule_--fowl
    1176 _Richesse_--Rychessis
    1178 _rycchesse_--rychesses
    1179, 1180 _golde_--gold
    1180 _better_--betere
    1181 _en_--thanne
    1182 _mokeres_--mokereres
    1183 _folke clere_--folk cler
    1184 _swiche_--swich
         _from_--fram
    1187 _stynte_--stenteth
    1188 _ha_--MS. hae
    1189 _world_--worlde
    1190 _al_--alle
    1191 _al hool_--omitted
    1193 _myche folke_--moche folk{e}
         _rycchesse_--rychesses
    1194 _myche_--moche
    1196 _forgon_--MS. forgone
    1197 _ise_--this
         _rycchesses_--rychesse
         [_ne_]--from C.
    1198 _on_--o
    1199 _wi-oute_--with-owten
         _al_--alle
         _folke_--folk{e}
    1200 _preciouse_--p{re}syous
    1201 _in_--omitted
         _warde_--ward
         _seyne_--seyn
    1202 _beaute_ (1)--beautes
         _For_--but
    1203 _in_--in the
    1204 _whiche_--which
    1207 _ioynture_--Ioyngture
    1208 _faire_--fayr
         _ha_--MS. hae
    1210 _laste_--last
         _worlde_--world
    1212 _myche_--mochel
    1213 _desserued_--MS. desseyued, C. desseruyd
         _weye_--wey
         _shullen_--sholden
    1215 _mychel_--mochel
    1217 _fair werk_--fayr{e} werke
         _worlde_--world
    1219 _clere_--cler
    1222 _darst ou glorifie_--darsthow gloryfyen
    1225 _in_--in the
    1229 _Syche_--Soth
    1230 _on_--to
    1231, 1235, 1237 _wilt_--wolt
    1238 _shullen_--shollen
    1239 _fair_--fayre
    1240 _whiche_--which
    1242 _werkeman_--werkman
    1246 _house_--hows
         _lorde_--lord
    1248 _goodenes_--goodnesse
    1250 _shewed_--I-shewyd
         _none_--oon
    1251 _in_--thine
         _goode_--good]

                                                               [[pg 48]]
    [Headnote:
    RICHES BRING ANXIETIES.]

  whi sholdest ou be sory yif ou leese hem. or whi
  sholdest ou reioysen e to holden hem.

    [Sidenote: If they are fair by nature, what is that to thee?]

           For if ei
  ben fair of hire owen kynde. what app{er}tene at to e.

    [Sidenote: They would be equally agreeable whether thine or not.]

  for as wel sholde ei han ben faire by hem self.                  1256
  ou[gh] ei were{n} dep{ar}tid from alle in rycchesse.

    [Sidenote: They are not to be reckoned precious because they are
    counted amongst thy goods, but because they seemed so before thou
    didst desire to possess them.]

           For-why
  faire ne p{re}cio[-u]s ne weren ei nat. for at ei
  comen amonges i rycchesse. but for ei semeden fair
  {and} p{re}cious. erfore ou haddest leuer rekene hem            1260
  amonges i rycchesse.

    [Sidenote: What, then, is it we so clamorously demand of Fortune?]

          but what desirest ou of fortune
  wi so greet a noyse {and} wi so greet a fare

    [Sidenote: Is it to drive away indigence by abundance?]

           I
  trowe ou seke to dryue awey nede wi habundaunce
  of inges.

    [Sidenote: But the very reverse of this happens, for there is need
    of many helps to keep a variety of valuable goods.]

           But certys it turne to [gh]ow al in e                 1264
  contrarie. for whi certys it nedi of ful many[e] helpynges
  to kepen e dyuersite of preciouse ostelment[gh].

    [Sidenote: They want most things who have the most.]

  and soe it is at of many[e] inges han ei nede at
  many[e] inges han.

    [Sidenote: They want the fewest who measure their abundance by the
    necessities of nature, and not by the superfluity of their
    desires.]

          {and} a[gh]eyneward of litel nedi                        1268
  hem at mesuren hir fille after e nede of kynde {and}
  nat after e outrage of couetyse

    [Sidenote: Is there no good planted within ourselves, that we are
    obliged to go abroad to seek it?]

           Is it an so at ye
  men ne han no p{ro}pre goode. I-set in [gh]ow. For
  whiche [gh]e moten seken outwardes [gh]oure goodes in             1272
  foreine {and} subgit inges.

    [Sidenote: Are things so changed and inverted, that god-like man
    should think that he has no other worth but what he derives from
    the possession of inanimate objects?]

           So is an e condic{i}ou{n}
  of inges turned vpso dou{n}. at a man at is a devyne
  beest by merit of hys resou{n}. inke at hy{m}
  self nys neyer fair ne noble. but if it be oru[gh]              1276
  possessiou{n} of ostelmentes. at ne han no soules.

    [Linenotes:
    1255 _fair_--fayr{e}
         _hire owen_--hyr owne
    1256 _sholde_--sholden
         _self_--selue
    1257 _in rycchesse_--thyne rychesses
    1259 _amonges_--among{e}
    1259, 1261 _rycchesse_--Rychesses
    1259 _fair_--fayr{e}
    1260 _leuer rekene_--leu{er}e rekne
    1262 _greet_ (2)--grete
    1265, 1267 _many[e]_--manye
    1267 _soe_--soth
    1272 _outwardes_--owtward
    1276 _fair_--fayr{e}
         _if_--yif]

    [Headnote:
    IGNORANCE CRIMINAL IN MAN.]

    [Sidenote: Inferior things are satisfied with their own
    endowments, while man (the image of God) seeks to adorn his nature
    with things infinitely below him, not understanding how much he
    dishonours his Maker.]

   And certys al o{er} i{n}ges ben appaied of hire owen
  beautes. but [gh]e men at ben semblable to god by [gh]our{e}
  resonable ou[gh]t desiren to apparaille [gh]our{e} excellent     1280
  kynde of e lowest[e] pinges. ne [gh]e ne vndirstonde nat
  how gret a wro{n}g [gh]e don to [gh]oure creato{ur}.

    [Sidenote: God intended man to excel all earthly creatures, yet
    you debase your dignity and prerogative below the lowest beings.]

          for he
  wolde at man kynde were moost wori {and} noble of
  any oer erely inges. and [gh]e resten adou{n} [gh]oure   [[pg 49]]
  dignitees by-neen e lowest[e] inges.

    [Sidenote: In placing your happiness in despicable trifles, you
    acknowledge yourselves of less value than these trifles, and well
    do you merit to be so esteemed.]

           For if at al                                           1285
  e good of euery ing be more p{re}ciouse an is ilk
  ing whos at e good is. syn [gh]e demen at e
  foulest[e] inges ben [gh]oure goodes. anne summytten            1288
  [gh]e {and} putten [gh]oure self vndir o foulest[e] inges by
  [gh]oure estimac{i}ou{n}.  And certis is bitidi nat wi
  out [gh]our{e} desert.

    [Sidenote: Man only excels other creatures when he knows himself.]

          For certys swiche is e co{n}dic{i}ou{n}
  of al man kynde at oonly whan it ha knowyng of it               1292
  self. an passe it i{n} noblesse alle oer inges.

    [Sidenote: When he ceases to do so, he sinks below beasts.]

  and whan it forleti e knowyng of it self. an it is
  brou[gh]t byneen alle beestes.

    [Sidenote: Ignorance is natural to beasts, but in men it is
    unnatural and criminal.]

           For-why alle oer
  [leuynge] beestes han of kynde to knowe not hem                   1296
  self. but whan at men leten e knowyng of hem self.
  it come hem of vice.

    [Sidenote: How weak an error is it to believe that anything
    foreign to your nature can be an ornament to it.]

          but how brode shewe e erro{ur}
  {and} e folie of [gh]ow men at wenen at ony ing may
  ben apparailled wi straunge apparaillement[gh]  but             1300
  for-soe at may nat be don.

    [Sidenote: If a thing appear beautiful on account of its external
    embellishments, we admire and praise those embellishments alone.]

          for yif a wy[gh]t shyne wi
  i{n}ges at ben put to hym. as us. yif ilke inges
  shynen wi whiche a man is apparailled.  Certis
  ilke inges ben commendid {and} p{re}ised wi whiche             1304
  he is apparailled.

    [Sidenote: The thing covered still continues in its natural
    impurity.]

           But naeles e ing at is
  couered {and} wrapped vndir at dwelle in his file.

    [Sidenote: I deny that to be a good which is hurtful to its
    owner.]

  and I denye at ilke ing be good at anoye hym
  at ha it.

    [Sidenote: Am I deceived in this? You will say no; for riches have
    often hurt their possessors.]

           Gabbe I of is. ou wolt seye nay.                      1308
   Certys rycchesse han anoyed ful ofte hem at han e
  rycchesse.

    [Sidenote: Every wicked man desires another's wealth, and esteems
    him alone happy who is in possession of riches.]

           Syn at euery wicked shrew {and} for
  hys wickednesse e more gredy aftir oer folkes rycchesse
  wher so euer it be in any place. be it golde or                   1312
  p{re}cious stones.                                           [[pg 50]]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 13.]]

          {and} weni hym *only most wori at
  ha hem

    [Sidenote: You, therefore, who now so much dread the instruments
    of assassination, if you had been born a poor wayfaring man,
    might, with an empty purse, have sung in the face of robbers.]

           ou an at so besy dredest now e swerde
  {and} e spere. yif ou haddest entred in e pae of is
  lijf a voide wayfaryng man. an woldest ou syng[e]               1316
  by-fore e eef.  As who sei a poure man at bere
  no rycchesse on hym by e weye. may boldly syng[e]
  byforne eues. for he ha nat wher-of to ben robbed.

    [Sidenote: O the transcendant felicity of riches! No sooner have
    you obtained them, than you cease to be secure.]

   O preciouse {and} ry[gh]t clere is e blysfulnesse of           1320
  mortal rycchesse. at wha{n} ou hast geten it. an hast
  ou lorn i syke[r]nesse.

    [Linenotes:
    1278 _hire owen_--hir owne
    1281 _ne_ (2)--omitted
         _vndirstonde_--vndyrstondyn
    1282 _gret_--MS. grete, C. gret
    1284 _oer erely_--oothre worldly
         _resten_--threste
    1285 _by-neen_--by-nethe
         _if_--yif
    1286 _good_--MS. goode, C. good
         _ing_--thinge
         _preciouse_--p{re}syos
         _ilk ing_--thilke thinge
    1287 _e_ (2)--tho
    1288 _summytten_--submitten
    1289 _self_--seluen
         _foulest[e]_--fowleste
    1290 _bitidi_--tydeth
    1291 _out_--owte
         _desert_--desertes
    1292 _al_--alle
    1293 _self_--selue
    1294 _it is_--is it
    1296 [_leuynge_]--from C.
         _hem_--hym
    1297 _at_--omitted
    1298 _come_--comth
    1299 _ing_--thinge
    1302 _put_--MS. putte, C. put
    1303 _whiche_--which
    1306 _file_--felthe
    1307 _ing_--thinge
         _good_--MS. goode, C. good
    1308 _ha_--MS. hae
    1309 _rycchesse_--Rychesses
         _e_--tho
    1310 _rycchesse_--Rychesses
         _shrew_--shrewe
    1311 _rycchesse_--rychesses
    1312 _golde_--gold
    1314 _ha_--MS. hae, C. hat
         _besy_--bysy
         _swerde_--swerd
    1315 _pae_--paath
    1316 _wayfaryng_--wayferynge
         _syng[e]_--synge
    1317 _by-fore_--by-forn
         _sei_--MS. seie, C. seyth
         _poure_--pore
         _bere_--berth
    1318 _boldly syng[e]_--boldely synge
    1319 _ha_--MS. hae
    1320 _preciouse_--p{re}cyos
         _clere_--cler
    1321 _rycchesse_--rychesses
    1322 _lorn_--MS. lorne, C. lorn]


    [Headnote:
    THE GOLDEN AGE.]

FELIX IN MIRU{M} PRIOR ETAS.

  [Sidenote: [The fyfthe met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: Happy was the first age of men. They were contented
    with what the faithful earth produced.]

  ++Blysful was e first age of men. ei helden hem
  apaied wi e metes at e trewe eres brou[gh]ten                1324
  fure.  ei ne destroyed[e] ne desceyued[e] not hem
  self wi outerage.

    [Sidenote: With acorns they satisfied their hunger.]

           ei weren wont ly[gh]tly to slaken
  her hunger at euene wi acornes of okes

    [Sidenote: They knew not Hypocras nor Hydromel.]

           ei ne
  coue nat medle e [gh]ift of bacus to e clere hony.             1328
  at is to seyn. ei coue make no piment of clarre.

    [Sidenote: They did not dye the Serian fleece in Tyrian purple.]

  ne ei coue nat medle e bri[gh]t[e] flies of e co{n}tre
  of siriens wi e venym of tirie. is is to seyne. ei
  coue nat dien white flies of sirien contre wi e                1332
  blode of a manar shelfysshe. at men fynden in tyrie.
  wi whiche blode men deien purper.

    [Sidenote: They slept upon the grass, and drank of the running
    stream, and reclined under the shadow of the tall pine.]

           ei slepen
  holesom slepes vpon e gras. and dronken of e rynnyng
  watres. {and} laien vndir e shadowe of e hey[gh]e               1336
  pyne trees.

    [Sidenote: No man yet ploughed the deep, nor did the merchant
    traffick with foreign shores.]

           Ne no gest ne no straunger [ne] karf
  [gh]it e heye see wi oores or wi shippes. ne ei ne
  hadden seyne [gh]itte none newe strondes
          to leden merchaundyse                                [[pg 51]]
  in to dyuerse co{n}tres.

    [Sidenote: The warlike trumpet was hushed and still.]

           o weren e cruel                                       1340
  clariou{n}s ful whist {and} ful stille.

    [Sidenote: Bloodshed had not yet arisen through hateful quarrels.]

          ne blode yshed by
  egre hate ne hadde nat deied [gh]it armurers.

    [Sidenote: Nothing could stimulate their rage to engage in war,
    when they saw that wounds and scars were the only meeds.]

          for wherto
  or whiche woodenesse of enmys wolde first moeuen
  armes. whan ei seien cruel woundes ne none medes                 1344
  ben of blood yshad

    [Sidenote: O that those days would come again!]

           I wolde at oure tymes sholde
  turne a[gh]eyne to e oolde maneres.

    [Sidenote: The thirst of wealth torments all; it rages more
    fiercely than tna's fires.]

           But e anguissous
  loue of hauyng brenne in folke moore cruely an e
  fijr of e Mou{n}taigne of Ethna at euer brenne.                1348

    [Sidenote: Cursed be the wretch who first brought gold to light.]

   Allas what was he at first dalf vp e gobets or
  e wey[gh]tys of gold couered vndir ere. {and} e p{re}cious
  stones at wolden han ben hid. he dalf vp p{re}cious
  perils. at is to seyne at he at hem first vp dalf. he          1352
  dalf vp a p{re}cious peril.

    [Sidenote: It has since proved perilous to many a man.]

          for-whi. for e p{re}ciousnesse
  of swyche ha many man ben in peril.

    [Linenotes:
    1324 _eres_--feeldes
    1325 _fure_--forth
         _destroyed[e]_--dystroyede
    1327 _her_--hyr
         _at_--MS. as, C. at
         _euene_--euen
    1328 _coue_--cowde
         _medle_--medly
         _[gh]ift_--yifte
         _clere_--cleer
    1329 _coue_--cowde
         _of_--nor
    1330 _coue_--cowde
         _bri[gh]t[e] flies_--bryhte flee[gh]es
    1331 _siriens_--Seryens
         _seyne_--seyn
    1332 _coue_--cowde
         _dien_--deyen
         _flies_--fle[gh]es
    1333 _blode_--blood
         _shelfysshe_--shyllefyssh
    1334 _blode_--blood
    1335 _holesom_--holsom
         _rynnyng watres_--rennynge wateres
         _shadowe_--shadwes
         _hey[gh]e_--heye
    1337 _pyne_--pyn
         _no_ (2)--omitted
         [_ne_]--from C.
         _karf_--karue
    1339 _hadden seyne [gh]itte_--hadde seyn yit
    1341 _whist_--hust
         _blode yshed_--blod I-shad
    1343 _whiche woodenesse_--whych wodnesse
    1344 _seien_--say
    1346 _turne a[gh]eyne_--torne ayein
    1347 _folke_--folk
    1348 _e_--omitted
         _euer_--ay
    1351 _hid_--MS. hidde, C. hydd
    1352 _seyne_--seyn
         _he_ (2)--omitted
    1354 _swyche_--swych thinge
         _ha_--MS. hae
         _ben_--be]


    [Headnote:
    OF DIGNITIES AND POWERS.]

QUID AUTE{M} DE DIGNITATIB{US} {ET} C{ETERA}.

  [Sidenote: [The sixte p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: But why should I discourse of dignities and powers
    which (though you are ignorant of true honour and real power) you
    extol to the skies?]

  ++But what shal I seyne of dignitees {and} of powers.
  e whiche [ye] men {a}t neier knowen verray dignitee            1356
  ne verray power areysen hem as heye as e
  heuene.

    [Sidenote: When they fall to the lot of a wicked man, they produce
    greater calamities than the flaming eruption of tna, or the most
    impetuous deluge.]

          e whiche dignitees {and} powers yif ei come
  to any wicked man ei don [as] greet[e] damages {and}
  distrucc{i}ou{n} as do e fla{m}me of e Mou{n}taigne            1360
  Ethna whan e fla{m}me wit walwi vp ne no deluge
  ne do so cruel harmes.

    [Sidenote: You remember that your ancestors desired to abolish the
    Consular government (the commencement of the Roman liberty),
    because of the pride of the Consuls; as their ancestors before for
    the same consideration had suppressed the title of King.]

           Certys ye remembri wel
  as I trowe at ilke dignitee at men clepi e emperie
  of {con}sulers e whiche at somtyme was bygynnyng                1364
  of fredom.  [Gh]oure eldres coueiteden to han
  don a-wey at dignitee for e p{r}ide of e conseilers.

    [Linenotes:
    1355 _seyne_--seye
    1358 _come_--comen
    1359 _don_--MS. done, C. don
         _[as] greet[e]_--as grete
    1360 _distruccioun_--destrucciou{n}s
         _do_--MS. doe, C. doth
         _flamme_--flaumbe
    1361 _flamme_--flawmbe
         _wit_--omitted
    1362 _do_--MS. doe, C. doth
    1363 _clepi_--clepyn
    1364 _whiche_--whych
         _somtyme_--whilom
    1366 _for_--MS. of, C. for]

                                                               [[pg 52]]
    [Headnote:
    HONOURS NOT INTRINSICALLY GOOD,]

   And ry[gh]t for e same p{r}ide [gh]oure eldres byforne at
  tyme hadden don awey out of e Citee of rome e                   1368
  kynges name. at is to seien. ei nolden haue no
  lenger no kyng  But now yif so be {a}t dignitees
  {and} powers ben [gh]euen to goode men. e whiche ing
  is ful [gh]elde. what agreable i{n}ges is er in o dignitees.   1372
  or powers. but only e goodenes of folk at vsen hem.

    [Linenotes:
    1368 _don_--MS. done, C. don
    1369 _seien_--seyn
    1370 _lenger_--lenger{e}
         _kyng_--kynge
    1371 _whiche_--which
    1373 _folk_--foolkys]

    [Headnote:
    FOR THEY FALL TO THE LOT OF THE WICKED.]

    [Sidenote: Virtue is not embellished by dignities, but dignities
    derive honour from virtue.]

   And erfore it is us at hono{ur} ne come nat to
  vertue for cause of dignite. but a[gh]einward. hono{ur}
  come to dignite by cause of vertue.

    [Sidenote: But what is this power, so much celebrated and
    desired?]

          but whiche is                                             1376
  [gh]oure derwore power at is so clere {and} so requerable

    [Sidenote: What are they over whom you exercise authority?]

   O [gh]e erelyche bestes considere [gh]e nat ouer whiche
  ing at it seme at [gh]e han power.

    [Sidenote: If thou sawest a mouse assuming command over other
    mice, wouldst thou not almost burst with laughter?]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 13 _b_.]]

           Now yif ou
  say[e] a mouse amo{n}g{us} *oer myse at chalenged[e] to         1380
  hymself ward ry[gh]t {and} power ouer alle oer myse. how
  gret scorne woldest ou han of hit. _Glosa._  So
  fare it by men. e body ha power ouer e body.

    [Sidenote: What is more feeble than man, to whom the bite of a fly
    may be the cause of death?]

  For yif ow loke wel vpon e body of a wy[gh]t what               1384
  ing shalt ou fynde moore frele an is mannes kynde.
  e whiche ben ful ofte slayn wi bytynge of smale
  flies. or ellys wi e entryng of crepyng wormes in to
  e priuetees of mennes bodyes.

    [Sidenote: But how can any man obtain dominion over another,
    unless it be over his body, or, what is inferior to his
    body,--over his possessions, the gifts of Fortune?]

           But wher shal                                           1388
  men fynden any man at may exercen or haunten any
  ry[gh]t vpon an oer ma{n} but oonly vpon hys body. or
  ellys vpo{n} inges at ben lower en e body. whiche
  I clepe fortunous possessiou{n}s

    [Sidenote: Can you ever command a freeborn soul?]

           Mayst ou euer haue                                     1392
  any comaundement ouer a fre corage

    [Sidenote: Can you disturb a soul consistent with itself, and knit
    together by the bond of reason?]

           Mayst ou
  remuen fro e estat of hys p{ro}pre reste. a ou[gh]t at is
  cleuyng to gider in hym self by stedfast resou{n}.  As
  somtyme a tiraunt wende to co{n}founde a freeman of               1396
  corage  {And} wende to co{n}streyne hym by to{ur}ment       [[pg 53]]
  to maken hym dyscoueren {and} acusen folk at wisten
  of a coniurac{i}ou{n}. whiche I clepe a confederacie at
  was cast a[gh]eins is tyraunt

    [Sidenote: Have you not read how Anaxarchus bit off his tongue and
    spat it in the face of Nicocreon?]

           But is free man boot                                   1400
  of hys owen tunge. {and} cast it in e visage of ilke
  woode tyrau{n}te.  So at e to{ur}ment[gh] at is
  tyrau{n}t wende to han maked mater{e} of cruelte. is
  wyse man maked[e it] matere of vertues.

    [Sidenote: What is it that one man can do to another that does not
    admit of retaliation?]

           But what                                                1404
  ing is it at a man may don to an oer man. at he
  ne may receyue e same ing of oer folke i{n} hym
  self. or us.  What may a man don to folk. at folk
  ne may don hym e same.

    [Sidenote: Busiris used to kill his guests, but at last himself
    was killed by Hercules, his guest.]

           I haue herd told of                                     1408
  busirides at was wo{n}t to sleen hys gestes at herburghden
  in hys hous. and he was slayn hym self of
  ercules at was hys gest

    [Sidenote: Regulus put his Carthaginian prisoners in chains, but
    was afterwards obliged to submit to the fetters of his enemies.]

           Regulus had[de] taken in
  bataile many men of affrike. and cast hem in to fetteres.         1412
  but sone after he most[e] [gh]iue hys handes to
  ben bounden w{i}t{h} e cheynes of hem at he had[de]
  somtyme ou{er}comen.

    [Sidenote: Is he mighty that dares not inflict what he would upon
    another for fear of a requital?]

           Wenest ou an at he be
  my[gh]ty. at may nat don a ing. at oer ne may don             1416
  hym. at he do to oer.

    [Sidenote: If powers and honours were intrinsically good, they
    would never be attained by the wicked.]

          {and} [gh]it more ou{er} yif it so
  were at ise dignites or poweres hadden any p{ro}pre
  or naturel goodnesse in hem self neuer nolden ei
  comen to shrewes.

    [Sidenote: An union of things opposite is repugnant to nature.]

           For contrarious inges ne ben                           1420
  not wont to ben yfelawshiped togidres.  Nature refuse
  at contra[r]ious inges ben yioigned.

    [Sidenote: But as wicked men do obtain the highest honours, it is
    clear that honours are not in themselves good, otherwise they
    would not fall to the share of the unworthy.]

           And so
  as I am in certeyne at ry[gh]t wikked folk han dignitees
  ofte tymes. an shewe it wel at dignitees {and} powers          1424
  ne ben not goode of hir owen kynde. syn at ei suffren
  hem self to cleue{n} or ioynen hem to shrewes.

    [Sidenote: The worst of men have often the largest share of
    Fortune's gifts.]

   And certys e same ing may most digneliche Iugen
  {and} seyen of alle e [gh]iftis of fortune
                  at most plenteuously                        [[pg 54]]
  comen to shrewes.

    [Sidenote: We judge him to be valiant who has given evidence of
    his fortitude.]

           Of e whiche [gh]iftys I                                1429
  trowe at it au[gh]t[e] ben considered at no man douti
  at he nis strong. in whom he see strenge. {and} in
  whom at swiftnesse is  Soe it is at he is swyfte.             1432

    [Sidenote: So music maketh a musician, &c.]

  Also musyk make musiciens. {and} fysik make phisiciens.
  {and} rethorik rethoriens.

    [Sidenote: The nature of everything consists in doing what is
    peculiar to itself, and it repels what is contrary to it.]

           For whi e nature
  of euery ing maki his p{ro}pretee. ne it is nat
  ent{er}medled wi e effect{is} of co{n}trarious inges.          1436

    [Linenotes:
    1374 _come_--comth
    1375, 1376 _vertue_--vertu
    1376 _come_--comth
         _by_--for
         _whiche_--which
    1377 _derwore_--dereworthe
         _clere_--cleer
    1378 _whiche_--which
    1379 _han_--MS. hanne, C. han
    1380 _say[e]_--saye
         _mouse amongus_--mous amonges
         _myse_--mus[gh]
    1382 _scorne_--scorn
    1383 _ha_--MS. hae
    1385 _mannes_--man
    1386 _e----slayn_--the whiche men wel ofte ben slayn
    1388 _mennes bodyes_--mannes body
    1391 _lower_--lower{e}
         _whiche_--the which
    1395 _stedfast_--stidefast
    1396 _somtyme_--whylom
    1399 _whiche_--which
    1401 _owen_--owne
    1406 _receyue_--resseyuen
         _oer_--oothre
    1408 _herd told_--MS. herde tolde, C. herd told
    1409 _hys_--hise
         _herburghden_--herberweden
    1410 _slayn_--sleyn
    1411 _had[de]_--hadde
    1413 _most[e]_--moste
    1414 _bounden_--bownde
         _cheynes_--MS. eues, C. cheynes
         _had[de]_--hadde
    1415 _somtyme_--whylom
    1416 _at----ing_--that hath no power to don a thinge
         _oer_--oothre
    1417 _hym_--in hym
         _do_--MS. doe, C. doth
         _to oer_--in oothre
    1421 _togidres_--to-gider{e}
    1423 _certeyne_--certein
    1424 _tymes_--tyme
    1425 _owen_--owne
    1429 _whiche_--which
    1430 _au[gh]t[e]_--owhte
    1432 _Soe_--soth
         _swyfte_--swyft
    1435 _is_--nis
    1436 _effectis_--effect]

    [Headnote:
    POWER DOES NOT CONFER GOODNESS.]

   And as of wil it chase oute inges at to it ben
  contrarie

    [Sidenote: Riches cannot restrain avarice. Power cannot make a man
    master of himself if he is the slave of his lusts.]

           But certys rycchesse may nat restreyne
  auarice vnstaunched  Ne power [ne] make nat a
  ma{n} my[gh]ty ouer hym self. whiche at vicious lustis           1440
  holden destreined wi cheins at ne mowen nat ben
  vnbounden.

    [Sidenote: Dignities conferred upon base men do not make them
    worthy, but rather expose their want of merit.]

          {and} dignitees at ben [gh]euen to shrewed[e]
  folk nat oonly ne maki hem nat digne. but it shewe
  raer al openly at ei ben vnwori {and} vndigne.                1444

    [Sidenote: Why is it so? 'Tis because you give false names to
    things. You dignify riches, power, and honours, with names they
    have no title to.]

  And whi is it {us}.  Certis for [gh]e han ioye to
  clepen inges wi fals[e] names. at beren hem al in
  e co{n}t{ra}rie. e whiche names ben ful ofte reproued
  by e effect of e same inges.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 14.]]

          so at *ise ilke rycchesse                               1448
  ne au[gh]ten nat by ry[gh]t to ben cleped rycchesse.
  ne whiche power ne au[gh]t[e] not ben cleped power. ne
  whiche dignitee ne au[gh]t[e] nat ben cleped dignitee.

    [Sidenote: In fine, the same may be said of all the gifts of
    Fortune, in which nothing is desirable, nothing of natural good in
    them, since they are not always allotted to good men, nor make
    them good to whom they are attached.]

   And at e laste I may conclude e same inge of                 1452
  al e [gh]iftes of fortune in whiche er nis no ing to
  ben desired. ne at ha in hym self naturel bounte.
   as it is ful wel sene. for neyer ei ne ioygne{n}
  hem nat alwey to goode men. ne maken hem alwey                    1456
  goode to who{m} ei be{n} y-ioigned.

    [Linenotes:
    1437 _oute_--owt
    1441 _ben_--be
    1442 _shrewed[e]_--shrewede
    1446 _fals[e]_--false
         _al_--alle
    1447 _whiche_--which
    1449 _au[gh]ten_--owhten
         _rycchesse_--rychesses
    1450 _whiche_--swich
         _au[gh]t[e]_--owhte
    1451 _whiche_--swich
         _au[gh]t[e]_--owht
    1453 _al_--alle
    1454 _ha_--MS. hae
    1455 _sene_--I-seene]


                                                               [[pg 55]]
    [Headnote:
    NERO'S CRUELTY.]

NOUIMUS QUANTOS DEDERAT.

  [Sidenote: [The sixte Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: We know what ruin Nero did.]

  ++WE han wel knowen how many g{r}eet[e] harmes {and}
  destrucc{i}ou{n}s weren do by e Emp{er}oure Nero.

    [Sidenote: He burnt Rome, he slew the conscript fathers, murdered
    his brother, and spilt his mother's blood.]

   He letee brenne e citee of Rome {and} made slen e             1460
  senato{ur}s. and he cruel somtyme slou[gh] hys broer. {and}
  he was maked moyst wi e blood of hys modir. at is
  to seyn he let sleen {and} slitte{n} e body of his modir to
  seen where he was conceiued.

    [Sidenote: He looked unmoved upon his mother's corpse, and passed
    judgment upon her beauty.]

          {and} he loked[e] on euery                                1464
  half vpon hir colde dede body. ne no tere ne wette
  his face. but he was so hard herted at he my[gh]t[e] ben
  domesman or Iuge of hire dede beaute.

    [Sidenote: Yet this parricide ruled over all lands, illumined by
    the sun in his diurnal course, and controlled the frozen regions
    of the pole.]

           And [gh]itte
  neuereles gouerned[e] is Nero by Ceptre al e peoples           1468
  at phebus e sonne may seen comyng from his outerest
  arysyng til he hidde his bemes vndir e wawes.  at
  is to seyne. he gouerned[e] alle e peoples by Ceptre imp{er}ial
  at e so{n}ne go aboute from est to west  And                  1472
  eke is Nero goueyrende by Ceptre. alle e peoples at
  ben vndir e colde sterres at hy[gh]ten e seuene triones.
  is is to seyn he gouerned[e] alle e poeples at ben vndir
  e p{ar}ties of e nore.

    [Sidenote: He governed, too, the people in the torrid zone.]

           And eke Nero gouerned[e]                                1476
  alle e poeples at e violent wynde Nothus scorchi
  {and} baki e brennynge sandes by his drie hete. at
  is to seyne. alle e poeples in e soue.

    [Sidenote: But yet Nero's power could not tame his ferocious
    mind.]

          [but yit ne
  myhte nat al his heye power torne the woodnesse of                1480
  this wykkyd nero /

    [Sidenote: It is a grievous thing when power strengthens the arm
    of him whose will prompts him to deeds of cruelty.]

          Allas it is greuous fortune it is]. as
  ofte as wicked swerde is ioygned to cruel venym. at is
  to sein. venimous cruelte to lordshipe.

    [Linenotes:
    1458 _greet[e]_--grete
    1460 _letee_--let
    1461 _somtyme slou[gh]_--whilom slow
    1463 _let_--lette
    1464 _where_--wher
    1465 _half_--halue
    1466 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte
    1467 _hire_--hyr
    1468 _neuereles_--natheles
         _gouerned[e]_--gou{er}nede
         _al_--alle
    1469 _from_--fram
         _outerest_--owtereste
    1470 _hidde_--hide
    1471 _seyne_--seyn
    1472 _go_--MS. goe, C. goth
    1473 _goueyrende_--gou{er}nyd
    1474 _triones_--tyryones
    1475 _gouerned[e]_--gou{er}nede
    1476 _parties_--p{ar}ty
         _nore_--north
         _gouerned[e]_--gou{er}nede
    1477 _wynde_--wynd
         _scorchi_--scorklith
    1479 _seyne_--seyn
         _soue_--sowth
    1479-81 [_but----it is_]--MS. _has_: but ne how greuous fortune is
    1482 _swerde_--swerd]


                                                               [[pg 56]]
    [Headnote:
    THE LOVE OF GLORY.]

TU{M} EGO SCIS INQ{UA}M.

  [Sidenote: [The seuende p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: _B._ Thou knowest that I did not covet mortal and
    transitory things.]

  ++Anne seide I us. ou wost wel iself at e                   1484
  couetise of mortal inges ne hadden neuer lordshipe
  of me. but I haue wel desired matere of inges
  to done. as who sei.

    [Sidenote: I only wished to exercise my virtue in public concerns,
    lest it should grow feeble by inactivity.]

          I desired[e] to han matere of
  gou{er}naunce ouer comunalites.  For vertue stille ne            1488
  sholde not elden. at is to seyn. at list at or he wex
  olde  His uertue at lay now ful stille. ne sholde
  nat p{er}isshe vnexcercised i{n} gouernaunce of comune.
   For whiche men my[gh]ten speke or write{n} of his               1492
  goode gouernement.

    [Sidenote: _P._ A love of glory is one of those things that may
    captivate minds naturally great, but not yet arrived at the
    perfection of virtue.]

          _Philosophie._  For soe q{uo}d
  she. {and} at is a ing at may drawen to gouernaunce
  swiche hertes as ben wori {and} noble of hir nature.
  but naeles it may nat drawen or tollen swiche hertes as          1496
  ben y-brou[gh]t to e ful[le] p{er}fecciou{n} of vertue. at is
  to seyn couetyse of glorie {and} renou{n} to han wel
  administred e comune inges. or doon goode decertes
  to p{ro}fit of e comune.

    [Sidenote: But consider how small and void of weight is that
    glory.]

          for se now {and} considere how                            1500
  litel {and} how voide of al prise is ilke glorie.

    [Sidenote: Astronomy teaches us that this globe of earth is but a
    speck compared with the extent of the heavens, and is as nothing
    if compared with the magnitude of the celestial sphere.]

           Certeine
  ing is as ou hast lerned by demonstrac{i}ou{n} of
  astronomye at al e envyronynge of e ere aboute
  ne halt but e resou{n} of a prykke at regard of e gretnesse     1504
  of heuene. at is to seye. at yif at er were
  maked co{m}parisou{n} of e ere to e gretnesse of
  heuene. men wolde Iugen in alle at ere [ne] helde
  no space

    [Sidenote: Ptolemy shows that only one-fourth of this earth is
    inhabited by living creatures.]

           Of e whiche litel regiou{n} of is worlde              1508
  e fere partie is enhabitid wi lyuyng beestes at
  we knowen. as ou hast i self lerned by tholome at
  p{ro}uit[-h] it.

    [Sidenote: Deduct from this the space occupied by seas, marshes,
    lakes, and deserts, and there remains but a small proportion left
    for the abode of man.]

           yif ou haddest wi drawen {and} abated
  in i ou[gh]te fro ilke fere partie as myche space as e       1512
  see {and} [the] mareys contenen {and} ouergon {and} as
  myche space as e regiou{n} of droughte ou{er}strecche.

    [Linenotes:
    1487 _desired[e]_--desyr{e}
    1489 _wex olde_--wax old
    1492 _whiche_--which
         _speke_--spekyn
    1496 _tollen_--MS. tellen, C. tollen
    1497 _ful[le]_--fulle
    1501 _al prise_--alle prys
    1505 _seye_--seyn
    1507 _wolde_--woldyn
         _alle_--al
         [_ne_]--from C.
    1510 _lerned_--ylerned
    1512 _ou[gh]te_--thowht
         _myche_--moche
    1513 [_the_]--from C.
    1514 _myche space_--moche spaces]

                                                               [[pg 57]]
    [Headnote:
    FAME IS CIRCUMSCRIBED.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 14 _b_.]]

  at is to seye sandes {and} desertes wel vnne sholde
  *er dwellen a ry[gh]t streite place to e habitaciou{n} of       1516
  men.

    [Sidenote: And do you, who are confined to the least point of this
    point, think of nothing but of blazing far and wide your name and
    reputation?]

          {and} [gh]e an at ben environed {and} closed wi
  i{n}ne e leest[e] prikke of ilk prikke enke [gh]e to
  manifesten [gh]oure renou{n} {and} don [gh]oure name to ben
  born fore.

    [Sidenote: What is there great in a glory so circumscribed?]

          but [gh]our{e} glorie at is so narwe {and} so            1520
  streyt yronge{n} in to so litel boundes. how myche
  conteine it in largesse {and} in greet doynge.

    [Sidenote: Even in this contracted circle, there is a great
    variety of nations, to whom not only the fame of particular men,
    but even of great cities, cannot extend.]

          And also
  sette is er to at many a nac{i}ou{n} dyuerse of tonge
  {and} of maneres. {and} eke of resou{n} of hir lyuyng ben         1524
  enhabitid in e cloos of ilke litel habitacle. To e
  whiche nac{i}ou{n}s what for difficulte of weyes. {and} what
  for diu{er}site of langages. {and} what for defaute of
  vnusage entercomunynge of marchau{n}dise. nat only e             1528
  names of singler men ne may [nat] strecchen. but eke
  e fame of Citees ne may nat strecchen.

    [Sidenote: In the time of Marcus Tullius the fame of Rome did not
    reach beyond Mount Caucasus.]

           At e
  last[e] Certis in e tyme of Marcus tulyus as hym
  self write in his book at e renou{n} of e comune of           1532
  Rome ne hadde nat [gh]itte passed ne clou{m}ben ou{er} e
  mou{n}taigne at hy[gh]t Caucasus. {and} [gh]itte was ilk
  tyme rome wel wexen {and} gretly redouted of e p{ar}thes.
  and eke of oer folk enhabityng aboute.

    [Sidenote: How narrow, then, is that glory which you labour to
    propagate.]

           Sest ou                                                1536
  nat an how streit {and} how comp{re}ssed is ilke glorie
  at [gh]e t{ra}uaile{n} aboute to shew {and} to multiplie.

    [Sidenote: Shall the glory of a Roman citizen reach those places
    where the name even of Rome was never heard?]

  May an e glorie of a singlere Romeyne strecchen ider
  as e fame of e name of Rome may nat clymben ne                  1540
  passen.

    [Sidenote: Customs and institutions differ in different
    countries.]

           And eke sest {o}u nat at e maners of
  diu{er}se folk {and} eke hir lawes ben discordau{n}t amonge
  hem self.

    [Sidenote: What is praise-worthy in one is blame-worthy in
    another.]

          so {a}t ilke ing at so{m}men iugen wori of
  p{re}ysynge. oer folk iugen at it is wori of torment.          1544

    [Linenotes:
    1515 _seye_--seyn
    1516 _streite_--streyt
    1517 _an_--thanne
    1518 _inne_--in
         _leest[e]_--leste
         _ilk_--thilke
         _enke [gh]e_--thinken ye
    1520 _born fore_--MS. borne, C. born, forth
         _narwe_--narwh
    1521 _streyt_--streyte
         _myche_--mochel
    1522 _conteine_--coueyteth
    1525 _habitacle_--MS. habitache, C. habytacule
    1529 [_nat_]--from C.
    1531 _last[e]_--laste
    1532 _write_--writ
    1533 _hadde_--hadden
         _[gh]itte_--omitted
    1534 _hy[gh]t_--hyhte
         _ilk_--thikke
    1535 _wexen_--waxen
    1536 _Sest ou_--sestow
    1538 _shew_--shewe
    1539 _singlere_--singler]

    [Headnote:
    FAME IS NOT ETERNAL.]

    [Sidenote: It is not the interest of any man who desires renown to
    have his name spread through many countries.]

   and er of come at ou[gh] a man delite hy{m} in
  p{re}ysyng of his renou{n}. he ne may nat i{n} no wise       [[pg 58]]
  bryngen fure ne sprede{n} his name to many manere
  peoples.

    [Sidenote: He ought, therefore, to be satisfied with the glory he
    has acquired at home.]

           And erfore euery man{er} man au[gh]te to ben           1548
  paied of hys glorie at is puplissed among hys owen
  ney[gh]bores.

    [Sidenote: But of how many personages, illustrious in their times,
    have the memorials been lost through the carelessness and neglect
    of writers.]

           And ilke noble renou{n} shal be
  restreyned wi-i{n}ne e boundes of o maner folk but how
  many a man at was ful noble in his tyme. ha e                  1552
  nedy {and} wrecched for[gh]etynge of writers put oute of
  mynde {and} don awey.

    [Sidenote: But writings do not preserve the names of men for
    ever.]

           Al be it so at certys ilke
  writynges p{ro}fiten litel. e whiche writy{n}ges longe {and}
  derke elde do aweye boe he{m} {and} eke her auto{ur}s.          1556

    [Sidenote: But perhaps you suppose that you shall secure
    immortality if your names are transmitted to future ages.]

  but [gh]e men semen to geten [gh]ow a p{er}durablete whan [gh]e
  enke at in tyme comyng [gh]oure fame shal lasten.

    [Sidenote: If you consider the infinite space of eternity you will
    have no reason to rejoice in this supposition.]

           But
  naeles yif ou wilt maken co{m}parisou{n} to e endeles
  space of eternite what ing hast ou by whiche ou                1560
  maist reioysen e of lo{n}g lastyng of i name.

    [Sidenote: If a _moment_ be compared with 10,000 years, there is a
    proportion between them, though a very small one.]

           For
  if er were maked co{m}parysou{n} of e abidyng of a
  mome{n}t to ten ousand wynter. for as myche as boe
  o spaces ben endid.  For [gh]it ha e moment some              1564
  porciou{n} of hit al ou[gh] it a litel be.

    [Sidenote: But this number of years, multiplied by whatever sum
    you please, vanishes when compared with the infinite extent of
    eternity.]

           But naeles
  ilke self nou{m}bre of [gh]eres. and eke as many [gh]eres as
  er to may be multiplied. ne may nat certys be comparisou{n}d
  to e p{er}durablete at is een[de]les.

    [Sidenote: There may be comparison between finite things, but none
    between the infinite and finite.]

           For of                                                  1568
  inges at han ende may be mad co{m}parisou{n} [but of
  thinges that ben w{i}t{h}-owtyn ende to thinges {a}t han ende
  may be maked no {com}parysou{n}].

    [Sidenote: Hence it is, that Fame (however lasting), compared with
    eternity, will seem absolutely nothing.]

           And for i is it al
  ou[gh] renou{n} of as longe tyme as euer e lyst to inken       1572
  were ou[gh]t by e regard of et{er}nite. at is vnstauncheable
  {and} infinit. it ne sholde nat oonly semen litel. but
  pleinliche ry[gh]t nou[gh]t.

    [Sidenote: But yet you do good from no other view than to have the
    empty applause of the people, foregoing the pleasures of a good
    conscience in order to have the insignificant praises of other
    people.]

           But [gh]e men certys ne konne
  don no ing ary[gh]t. but [gh]if it be for e
          audience of poeple.                                  [[pg 59]]
  {and} for ydel rumo{ur}s. {and} [gh]e forsaken e grete worinesse
  of conscience {and} of vertue. {and} [gh]e seke{n} [gh]oure       1578
  gerdou{n}s of e smale wordes of st{ra}nge folke.

    [Linenotes:
    1545 _come_--comth it
    1547 _fure_--forth
         _manere_--maner
    1548 _erfore_--ther-for
         _au[gh]te_--owhte
    1549 _paied_--apayed
         _hys owen_--hise owne
    1550 _ney[gh]bores_--nesshebours
         _be_--ben
    1552 _ha_--MS. hae
    1553 _put_ (MS. _putte_) _oute_--put owt
    1556 _derke_--derk
         _do aweye_--MS. doe, C. doth a-wey
         _her autours_--hir actorros
    1557 _[gh]e_--yow
         _semen_--semeth
    1558 _comyng_--to comynge
    1559 _wilt_--wolt
    1560 _whiche_--which
    1563 _myche_--mochel
    1564 _o_--the
         _ha_--MS. hae
         _some_--som
    1566 _self_--selue
    1567 _be_ (2)--ben
    1568 _een[de]les_--endeles
    1569 _mad_--MS. made, C. maked
         [_but----comparysoun_]--from C.
    1573 _by_--to]

    [Headnote:
    VANITY REPROVED.]

    [Sidenote: This silly vanity was once thus ingeniously and
    pleasantly rallied.]

   Haue now here {and} vndirstonde i{n} e ly[gh]tnesse of whiche  1580
  p{r}ide {and} veyne glorie. how a man scorned[e] festiualy
  {and} myrily swiche vanite.

    [Sidenote: A certain man, who had assumed the name of a
    philosopher through a love of vain-glory, was told by a man of
    humour that he could prove he was a philosopher by bearing
    patiently the injuries offered him.]

          somtyme ere was a man at
  had[de] assaied wi striuyng wordes an oer ma{n}.  e
  whiche nat for vsage of verrey vertue. but for proude             1584
  veyne glorie had[de] take{n} vpon hym falsly e name
  of a philosopher.  is raer man at I speke of
  ou[gh]t[e] he wolde assay[e] where he ilke were a
  philosopher or no.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 15.]]

          at is to seyne yif he wolde han suffred                  1588
  ly[gh]tly in pacience e wro{n}ges *at weren don vnto hym.

    [Sidenote: After counterfeiting patience for a while, the sophist
    said to the other, 'You must surely confess that I am a
    philosopher.']

   is feined[e] philosophre took pacience a
  litel while. {and} whan he hadde receiued wordes of
  outerage he as in stryuynge a[gh]eine {and} reioysynge of         1592
  hym self seide at e last[e] ry[gh]t us.  vndirstondest
  ou nat at I am a philosophere.

    [Sidenote: 'I might have believed it,' said the other, 'had you
    held your tongue.']

          at oer man answered[e]
  a[gh]ein ful bityngly {and} seide.  I had[de]
  wel vndirstonden [yt]. yif ou haddest holde{n} i tonge          1596
  stille.

    [Sidenote: What advantage is it to great and worthy men to be
    extolled after death?]

           But what is it to ise noble wori men.
  For certys of swyche folk speke .I. at seken glorie wi
  vertue. what is it q{uo}d she. what atteini fame to
  swiche folk whan e body is resolued by e dee. atte             1600
  e last[e].

    [Sidenote: If body and soul die, then there can be no glory; nor
    can there be when he (to whom it is ascribed) does not exist.]

           For yif so be at men dien in al. at is
  to seyne body {and} soule. e whiche ing oure resou{n}
  defendi vs to byleuen anne is ere no glorie in no
  wyse. For what sholde ilke glorie ben. for he of                 1604
  who{m} is glorie is seid to be nis ry[gh]t nou[gh]t in no wise.

    [Sidenote: But if the soul is immortal when it leaves the body, it
    takes no thought of the joys of this world.]

  and [gh]if e soule whiche at ha in it self science of
  goode werkes vnbounden fro e p{r}isou{n} of e ere         [[pg 60]]
  wende frely to e heuene. dispise it nou[gh]t an alle          1608
  erely occupac{i}ou{n}s. {and} beynge i{n} heuene reioise at
  it is exempt from alle erely inges [as wo seith /
  thanne rekketh the sowle of no glorye of renou{n} of this
  world].                                                           1612

    [Linenotes:
    1580 _whiche_--swych
    1581 _scorned[e]_--scornede
    1582 _swiche_--swych
         _somtyme_--whilom
    1583 _had[de]_--hadde
    1584 _whiche_--which
         _proude_--prowd
    1586 _speke_--spak
    1587 _ou[gh]t[e]_--thowhte
         _assay[e]_--assaye
    1588 _seyne_--seyn
    1590 _feined[e]_--feynede
    1592 _a[gh]eine_--ayein
    1593 _last[e]_--laste
         _vndirstondest ou_--vndyrstondow
    1594 _answered[e]_--answerde
    1595 _had[de]_--hadde
    1596 [_yt_]--from C.
    1601 _last[e]_--laste
    1602 _seyne_--seyn
    1604 _for_ (2)--whan
    1605 _is_--thilke
         _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd
         _nou[gh]t_--nawht
    1606 _ha_--MS. hae
    1608 _nou[gh]t an_--nat thanne
    1610 _from_--fro
    1610-1612 [_as----world_]--from C.]


    [Headnote:
    DEATH PUTS AN END TO RENOWN.]

QUICUMQ{UE} SOLAM MENTE.

  [Sidenote: [The 7th Metre.]]

    [Sidenote: Let him who seeks fame, thinking it to be the sovereign
    good, look upon the broad universe and this circumscribed earth;
    and he will then despise a glorious name limited to such a
    confined space.]

  ++Who so at wi ouerrowyng ou[gh]t only seke glorie
  of fame. {and} weni at it be souereyne good
   Lete hym loke vpon e brode shewyng contreys of
  e heue{n}. {and} vpo{n} e streite sete of is ere. {and}       1616
  he shal be ashamed of e encres of his name. at may
  nat fulfille e litel compas of e ere.  O what
  coueiten proude folke to liften vpon hire nekkes in
  ydel {and} dedely [gh]ok of is worlde.

    [Sidenote: Will splendid titles and renown prolong a man's life?]

           For al ou[gh]                                          1620
  [{a}t] renoune y-spradde passynge to ferne poeples go
  by dyuerse tonges. and al ou[gh] grete houses {and} kynredes
  shyne wi clere titles of hono{ur}s.

    [Sidenote: In the grave there is no distinction between high and
    low.]

          [gh]it naeles
  dee dispise al heye glorie of fame. {and} dee wrappe          1624
  to gidre e heye heuedes {and} e lowe {and} make egal
  {and} euene e heyest[e] to e lowest[e].

    [Sidenote: Where is the good Fabricius now?]

           where
  wone{n} now e bones of trewe fabricius.

    [Sidenote: Where the noble Brutus, or stern Cato?]

          what is
  now brutus or stiern Caton e inne fame [gh]it lastynge          1628
  of hir ydel names is markid wi a fewe lettres.

    [Sidenote: Their empty names still live, but of their persons we
    know nothing.]

  but al ou[gh] we han knowe{n} e faire wordes of e fames of
  hem. it is nat [gh]euen to knowe he{m} at ben dede {and}
  consumpt.

    [Sidenote: Fame cannot make you known.]

          Liggi anne stille al vtterly vnknowable                 1632
  ne fame ne make [gh]ow nat knowe. and yif [gh]e wene
  to lyuen e leng{er} for wynde of [gh]oure mortal name.
  whan o cruel day shal rauyshe [gh]ow. an is e secunde
  dee dwellyng in [gh]ow.

    [Sidenote: It will be effaced by conquering Time, so that death
    will be doubly victorious.]

          _Glosa._ e first dee he clepi                          1636
  here e dep{ar}tynge of e body {and} e soule.  and        [[pg 61]]
  e secunde dee he clepe as here. e styntynge of
  e renoune of fame.[3]

    [Linenotes:
    1615 _Lete_--Lat
         _loke_--looken
    1616 _sete_--Cyte
    1617 _be_--ben
    1619 _vpon_--vp
    1620 _and dedely_--in the dedly
    1621 _y-spradde_--ysprad
         [_at_]--from C.
         _ferne_--MS. serue, C. ferne
         _go_--MS. goe, C. goth
    1622 {and} (2)--or
    1623 _shyne_--shynen
         _clere_--cler
    1624 _al_--alle
    1626 _heyest[e]_--heyoste
         _lowest[e]_--loweste
    1628 _stiern_--MS. sciern, C. stierne
    1632 _consumpt_--{con}sumpte
    1634 _lenger_--longer{e}
    1637 _e_ (1)--omitted
    1639 _renoune_--renou{n}]

    [Footnote 3: The next three chapters are from the Camb. MS.]


    [Headnote:
    ADVERSE FORTUNE IS BENEFICIAL.]

[SET NE ME INEXORABILE CONTRA.

  [Sidenote: [The viij p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: 'But do not believe,' said Philosophy, 'that I am an
    implacable enemy to Fortune.]

  ++BVt for-as-mochel as thow shalt nat wenen q{uod} she            1640
  {a}t I bere vntretable batayle ayenis fortune //

    [Sidenote: This inconstant dame sometimes deserves well of men,
    when she appears in her true colours.]

  yit som-tyme it by-falleth {a}t she desseyuable desserueth
  to han ryht good thank of men // {And} {a}t is whan she
  hir{e} self opneth / {and} whan she descou{er}eth hir frownt /    1644
  {and} sheweth hir maneres p{ar}-auentur{e} yit vndirstondesthow
  nat {a}t .I. shal seye //

    [Sidenote: And what I say may perhaps appear paradoxical.]

          it is a wondyr {a}t .I.
  desyr{e} to telle /

    [Sidenote: That is, that adverse fortune is more beneficial than
    prosperous fortune.]

          {and} forthi vnnethe may I. vnpleyten my
  sentense w{i}t{h} wordes for I. deme {a}t contraryos fortune     1648
  p{ro}fiteth mor{e} to men than fortune debonayr{e} //

    [Sidenote: The latter lies and deceives us, the former displays
    her natural inconstancy.]

  For al-wey whan fortune semeth debonayr{e} than she lyeth
  falsly in by-hetynge the hope of welefulnesse // but forsothe
  {con}traryos fortune is alwey sothfast / whan she                 1652
  sheweth hir self vnstable thorw hyr chau{n}gynge //

    [Sidenote: That deceives us, this instructs us; that, by a
    fallacious show of good, enslaves the mind; this, by the knowledge
    of her fickleness, frees and absolves it.]

  the amyable fortune desseyueth folk / the contrarye fortune
  techeth // the amyable fortune byndeth w{i}t{h} the beaute
  of false goodys the hertes of folk {a}t vsen he{m} / the         1656
  contrarye fortune vnbyndeth he{m} by ^e knowynge of
  freele welefulnesse //

    [Sidenote: The one is wavering and incapable of reflection, the
    other is staid and wise through experience of adversity.]

          the amyable fortune maysthow sen
  alwey wyndynge {and} flowynge / {and} eu{er}e mysknowynge         1659
  of hir self // the contrarye fortune is a-tempre {and} restreynyd
  {and} wys thorw excersyse of hir aduersyte //

    [Sidenote: Lastly, prosperous fortune leads men astray. Adversity
    teaches them wherein real happiness consists.]

  at the laste amyable fortune w{i}t{h} hir flaterynges draweth
  mys wandrynge men fro the souereyne good // the contraryos
  fortune ledith ofte folk ayein to sothfast goodes /               1664
  {and} haleth hem ayein as w{i}t{h} an hooke /

    [Sidenote: It renders us no inconsiderable service in enabling us
    to recognize our true friends.]

          weenesthow
  thanne {a}t thow owhtest to leten this a lytel thing / {a}t
  this aspre {and} horible fortune hath discoueryd to the / the
  thowhtes of thy trewe frendes // For-why this ilke fortune        1668
  hath departyd {and} vncou{er}yd to the bothe the             [[pg 62]]
  certeyn vysages {and} ek the dowtos visages of thy
  felawes // wha{n} she dep{ar}tyd awey fro the / she took
  awey hyr frendes {and} lafte the thyne frendes //                 1672

    [Sidenote: At what price would you not have bought this knowledge
    in your prosperity?]

  now whan thow wer{e} ryche {and} weleful as the semede / w{i}t{h}
  how mochel woldesthow han bowht the fulle knowynge
  of this // {a}t is to seyn the knowynge of thy
  verray freendes //

    [Sidenote: Complain not, then, of loss of wealth, since thou hast
    found infinitely greater riches in your true friends.]

          now pleyne the nat thanne of Rychesse                     1676
  .I.-lorn syn thow hast fowndyn the moste p{re}syos kynde
  of Rychesses {a}t is to seyn thy verray frendes.


    [Headnote:
    ALL THINGS BOUND BY THE CHAIN OF LOVE.]

QUOD MU{N}DUS STABILI FIDE.

  [Sidenote: [The viij Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: This world, by an invariable order, suffers change.]

  ++THat ^e world w{i}t{h} stable feith / varieth acordable
  chaungynges //

    [Sidenote: Elements, that by nature disagree, are restrained by
    concord.]

          {a}t the contraryos qualite of element[gh]               1680
  holden among{e} hem self aliau{n}ce p{er}durable / {a}t pheb{us}
  the sonne w{i}t{h} his goldene chariet / bryngeth forth the
  rosene day / {a}t the mone hath {com}mau{n}dement ou{er} the
  nyhtes // whiche nyhtes hesp{er}us the eue sterre hat browt //    1684

    [Sidenote: The sea is thus kept within its proper bounds.]

  {a}t ^e se gredy to flowen constreyneth w{i}t{h} a certeyn ende
  hise floodes / so {a}t it is nat l[e]ueful to strechche hise
  brode termes or bowndes vp-on the erthes // {a}t is to seyn
  to cou{er}e alle the erthe //

    [Sidenote: This concord is produced by love, which governeth earth
    and sea, and extends its influence to the heavens.]

          Al this a-cordau{n}ce of thinges                          1688
  is bownden w{i}t{h} looue / {a}t gou{er}neth erthe {and} see / {and}
  hath also {com}mau{n}dement[gh] to the heuenes /

    [Sidenote: If this chain of love were broken all things would be
    in perpetual strife, and the world would go to ruin.]

          {and} yif
  this looue slakede the brydelis / alle thinges {a}t now
  louen hem to gederes / wolden maken a batayle contynuely          1692
  {and} stryuen to fordoon the fasou{n} of this worlde /
  the which they now leden in acordable feith by fayre
  moeuynges //

    [Sidenote: Love binds nations together, it ties the nuptial knot,
    and dictates binding laws to friendship.]

          this looue halt to gideres poeples Ioygned
  w{i}t{h} an hooly bond / {and} knytteth sacrement of maryages     1696
  of chaste looues // And loue enditeth lawes to
  trewe felawes //

    [Sidenote: Men were truly blest if governed by this celestial
    love!']

          O weleful weer{e} mankynde / yif thilke
  loue {a}t gouerneth heuene gouerned[e] yowr{e} corages /

  EXPLICIT LIB{ER} 2_^us_.

    [Linenote:
    1690 _hath_--H. he hath]




                                                               [[pg 63]]
    [Headnote:
    BOETHIUS IS COMFORTED BY PHILOSOPHY'S SONG.]

INCIPIT LIB{ER} 3^_us_.


IAM CANTU{M} ILLA FINIERAT.

  [Sidenote: [The fyrste p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: Philosophy now ended her song.]

  ++By this she hadde endid hir{e} song{e} / whan the swetnesse     1700
  of hir{e} ditee hadde thorw p{er}ced me {a}t was desirous
  of herkninge /

    [Sidenote: I was so charmed that I kept a listening as if she were
    still speaking.]

          {and} .I. astoned hadde yit streyhte myn
  Eres / {a}t is to seyn to herkne the bet / what she wolde
  seye //

    [Sidenote: At last I said, O sovereign comforter of dejected
    minds, how much hast thou refreshed me with the energy of thy
    discourse, so that I now think myself almost an equal match for
    Fortune and able to resist her blows.]

          so {a}t a litel her{e} aft{er} .I. seyde thus // O thow  1704
  {a}t art sou{er}eyn comfort of Angwissos corages // So thow
  hast remou{n}ted {and} norysshed me w{i}t{h} the weyhte of thy
  sentenses {and} w{i}t{h} delit of thy syngynge // so {a}t .I. trowe
  nat now {a}t .I. be vnparygal to the strokes of fortune / as     1708
  who seyth. I. dar wel now suffren al the assautes of fortune
  {and} wel deffende me fro hyr //

    [Sidenote: I fear not, therefore, thy remedies, but earnestly
    desire to hear what they are.]

          {and} tho remedies
  whyche {a}t thow seydest hir{e} byforn weren ryht sharpe
  Nat oonly p{a}t .I. am nat agrysen of hem now // but .I. desiros  1712
  of herynge axe gretely to heeren tho remedyes //

    [Sidenote: _P._ When I perceived that, silent and attentive, you
    received my words, I expected to find such a state of mind in you,
    or rather, I created in you such an one.]

  than seyde she thus // {a}t feelede .I. ful wel q{uod} she //
  whan {a}t thow ententyf {and} stylle rauysshedest my
  wordes // {and} .I. abood til {a}t thow haddest swych habyte     1716
  of thy thowght as thow hast now // or elles tyl {a}t .I.
  my self had[de] maked to the the same habyt / which
  {a}t is a moore verray thing{e} //

    [Sidenote: What remains to be said is of such a nature that when
    it is first tasted it is pungent and unpleasant, but when once
    swallowed it turns sweet, and is grateful to the stomach.]

          And certes the remenau{n}t
  of thinges {a}t ben yit to seye / ben swyche // {a}t fyrst      1720
  whan men tasten hem they ben bytynge / but whan
  they ben resseyuyd w{i}t{h}-inne a whyht than ben they
  swete //

    [Sidenote: But because you say you would now gladly hear, with
    what desire would you burn if you could imagine whither I am going
    to lead you?]

          but for thow seyst {a}t thow art so desirous to
  herkne hem // wit[h] how gret brennynge woldesthow                1724
  glowen / yif thow wystest whyder .I. wol leden the //

    [Sidenote: _B._ Whither is that, I pray?]

  whydyr{e} is {a}t q{uod} .I. //

    [Sidenote: _P._ To that true felicity, of which you seem to have
    but a faint foretaste.]

          to thilke verray welefulnesse
  q{uod} she // of whyche thynge herte dremeth //

    [Sidenote: But your sight is clouded with false forms, so that it
    cannot yet behold this same felicity.]

  but for as moche as thy syhte is ocupied {and} distorbed / by     1728
  Imagynasyon of herthely thynges / thow mayst nat yit
  sen thilke selue welefulnesse //

    [Sidenote: _B._ Show me, I pray, that true happiness without
    delay.]

          do q{uod} .I. {and} shewe
  me / what is thilke verray welefulnesse / .I. preye the      [[pg 64]]
  w{i}t{h}-howte tarynge //

    [Sidenote: _P._ I will gladly do so at your desire, but I will
    first describe that false cause (of happiness), so that you may be
    better able to comprehend the exact model.]

          {a}t wole .I. gladly don q{uod} she /                    1732
  for the cause of the // but .I. wol fyrst marken the by
  wordes / {and} I wol enforcen me to enformen the //
  thilke false cause of blysfulnesse {a}t thow more knowest /
  so {a}t whan thow hast fully by-holden thilke false              1736
  goodes {and} torned thyne eyen to {a}t oother syde / thow
  mowe knowe the clernesse of verray blysfulnesse //]

    [Linenotes:
    1702 _streyhte_--H. strenghed
    1712 _am nat_--H. nam nought
    1718 _had[de]_--H. hade
    1734 _wol_--H. shall{e}
    1739 _wil_--wole
         _felde_--feeld]


    [Headnote:
    AWAY WITH FALSE FELICITY!]

    [Sidenote: * Here the Add. MS. begins again.]

*QUI SERERE I{N}GENIUM.

  [Sidenote: [The fyrst met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: He who would sow seed must first clear the ground of
    useless weeds, so that he may reap an abundant harvest.]

   Who so wil sowe a felde plentiuous. lat hym first
  delyuer it of ornes {and} kerue asondre wi his hooke            1740
  e bushes {and} e ferne so at e corne may come{n} heuy
  of eres {and} of greins.

    [Sidenote: Honey tastes all the sweeter to a palate disgusted by
    offensive flavours.]

          hony is e more swete yif moues
  han firste tastid sauoures {a}t ben wikke.

    [Sidenote: The stars shine all the clearer when the southern
    showery blasts cease to blow.]

           e sterres
  shynen more agreably whan e wynde Nothus leti his               1744
  ploungy blastes.

    [Sidenote: When Lucifer has chased away the dark night, then
    Phoebus mounts his gay chariot.]

          {and} aftir at lucifer e day sterre ha
  chased awey e derke ny[gh]t. e day e feir{e}r ledi e
  rosene horse of e sonne.

    [Sidenote: So you, beholding the false felicity, and withdrawing
    your neck from the yoke of earthly affections, will soon see the
    sovereign good.]

           Ry[gh]t so ou byholdyng
  first e fals[e] goodes. bygynne to widrawe i nek[ke]           1748
  fro e [gh]ok of erely affecc{i}ou{n}s. {and} afterwarde e
  verrey goodes sholle{n} entre i{n} to i corage.

    [Linenotes:
    1740 _delyuer_--delyuere
         _of_--fro
         _hooke_--hook
    1741 _bushes_--bosses
         _ferne_--fern
         _corne_--korn
    1743 _firste_--fyrst
         _wikke_--wyckyd
    1744 _wynde_--wynd
         _his_--hise
    1745 _ha_--MS. hae
    1746 _feirer_--fayrere
    1747 _horse_--hors
         _Ry[gh]t_--And Ryht
    1748 _fals[e]_--false
         _bygynne_--bygyn
         _widrawe_--w{i}t{h} drawen
         _nek[ke]_--nekke
    1749 _afterwarde_--afft{er}ward
    1750 _entre_--entren]


    [Headnote:
    THE DESIRE OF THE TRUE GOOD.]

TUNC DEFIXO PAULULU{M}.

  [Sidenote: [The 2^de p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: Philosophy, with a serious air, and appearing to
    recollect herself, and to rouse up all her faculties, thus began.]

  ++O fastned[e] she a lytel e sy[gh]t of hir eyen {and} widrow
  hir ry[gh]t as it were in to e streite sete of hir               1752
  ou[gh]t. {and} bygan to speke ry[gh]t {us}.

    [Sidenote: All the cares and desires of men seek one
    end--happiness.]

          Alle e cures
  q{uo}d she of mortal folk whiche at trauaylen hem i{n}
  many manere studies gon certys by diu{er}se weies.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 15 _b_.]]

   But naeles ei enforced hem *to comen oonly to on              1756
  ende of blisfulnesse                                         [[pg 65]]

    [Sidenote: True happiness is that complete good which, once
    obtained, leaves nothing more to be desired.]

          [And blysfulnesse] is swiche a goode
  at who so ha geten it he ne may ouer at no ing more
  desiire.

    [Sidenote: It is the sovereign good, and comprehends all others.
    It lacks nothing, otherwise it could not be the supreme good.]

          and is ing for soe is e souereyne good at conteini
  in hym self al man{er}e goodes. to e whiche goode                1760
  yif ere failed[e] any ing. it my[gh]t[e] nat ben souereyne
  goode.  For an were ere som goode out of is ilke souereyne
  goode {a}t my[gh]t[e] ben desired.

    [Sidenote: Happiness is, therefore, that perfect state, in which
    all other goods meet and centre.]

          Now is it clere {and}
  certeyne a{n} at blisfulnesse is a p{er}fit estat
                  by e congregac{i}ou{n}                           1764
  of alle goodes.

    [Sidenote: It is the object which all men strive after.]

           e whiche blisfulnesse as
  I haue seid alle mortal folke enforcen hem to geten by
  dyuerse weyes.

    [Sidenote: A desire of the true good is a natural instinct, but
    error misleads them to pursue false joys.]

           For-whi e couetise of verray goode
  is naturely y-plaunted in e hertys of men.  But e              1768
  myswandryng erro{ur} mysledi hem in to fals[e] goodes.

    [Sidenote: Some, imagining the supreme good to consist in lacking
    nothing, labour for an abundance of _riches_; others, supposing
    that this good lies in the _reverence_ and _esteem_ of their
    fellow men, strive to acquire honourable positions.]

   of e whiche men some of hem wenen at souereygne
  goode is to lyue wi outen nede of any ing.
  {and} t{ra}ueile{n} hem to ben habundaunt of rycchesse.           1772
  and some oer men deme{n}. at sou{er}ein goode be forto
  be ry[gh]t digne of reu{er}ences. {and} enforce{n} hem to ben
  reu{er}enced among hir ney[gh]bo{ur}s. by e hono{ur}s at ei
  han ygeten

    [Sidenote: There are some, again, who place it in supreme _power_,
    and seek to rule, or to be favoured by the ruling powers.]

           {and} some folk er ben at halden at                  1776
  ry[gh]t hey[gh]e power to be souereyn goode. {and} enforcen
  he{m} forto regnen or ellys to ioigne{n} he{m} to hem at
  regnen.

    [Sidenote: There are those who fancy _fame_ to be the height of
    happiness, and seek by the arts of war or peace to get renown.]

           And it seme to some oer folk at noblesse
  of renou{n} be e sou{er}ein goode. {and} hasten hem to           1780
  geten glorious name by e artes of werre or of pees.

    [Sidenote: Many there are who believe nothing to be better than
    _joy_ and _gladness_, and think it delightful to plunge into
    luxury.]

  and many folke mesuren {and} gessen {a}t sou{er}ein goode
  be ioye {and} gladnesse {and} wenen at it be ry[gh]t blisful
  [thyng{e}] to ploungen hem i{n} uoluptuous delit.

    [Sidenote: Some there are who use these causes and ends
    interchangeably, as those who desire riches as a means of getting
    power; or who desire power in order to get money or renown.]

           And                                                     1784
  er ben folk at enterchaungen e causes {and} e endes
  of ise forseide goodes as ei at desire{n} rycchesse to    [[pg 66]]
  han power {and} delices. Or ellis ei desiren power forto
  han moneye or for cause of renou{n}.

    [Sidenote: In all they do they have a particular end in view.]

           In ise inges                                          1788
  {and} i{n} swyche oer inges is to{ur}ned al e entenc{i}ou{n}
  of desirynges {and} [of] werkes of me{n}.  As us.

    [Linenotes:
    1751 _fastned[e]_--fastnede
         _widrow_--MS. widrowen, C. w{i}t{h} drowh
    1752 _sete_--Cyte
    1756 _enforced_--enforsen
    1757 [_And blysfulnesse_]--from C.
         _goode_--good
    1758 _so_--so {a}t
         _ha_--MS. hae
    1759 _souereyne_--sou{er}eyn
    1760 _al_--alle
         _goode_--good
    1761 _ere_--ther
         _failed[e]_--faylyde
         _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte
         _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good
    1762 _an_--thanne
         _ere_--ther
         _goode_--good
         _souereyne_--sou{er}eyn
    1763 _goode_--good
         _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte
    1764 _certeyne_--certein
    1766 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd
         _folke_--foolk
    1767 _goode_--good
    1769 _fals[e]_--false
    1770 _souereygne goode is_--sou{er}eyn good be
    1771 _lyue wi outen_--lyuen w{i}t{h} owte
    1772 _rycchesse_--Rychesses
    1773 _some_--som
         _goode be_--good ben
    1774 _be_--ben
    1775 _ney[gh]bours_--nesshebors
    1776 _halden_--holden
    1777 _hey[gh]e_--heyh
         _to_--omitted
         _goode_--good
    1780 _goode_--good
    1781 _or_--{and}
    1782 _folke_--folk
         _goode_--good
    1783 _be_--by
    1784 [_thynge_]--from C.
    1786 _rycchesse_--rychesses
    1787 _delices_--delytes
    1789 _oer_--oothre
         _al_--alle
    1790 [_of_]--from C.]

    [Headnote:
    FRIENDSHIP A SACRED THING.]

    [Sidenote: Nobility and popular favour are sought after by some in
    order to become famous.]

   Noblesse {and} fauo{ur} of poeple whiche at [gh]iue as it
  seme a manere clernesse of renou{n}.

    [Sidenote: By others, wives and children are only desired as
    sources of pleasure.]

           and wijf {and}                                          1792
  children at men desiren for cause of delit {and} mirinesse.

    [Sidenote: Friendship must not be reckoned among the goods of
    fortune, but among those of virtue, for it is a very sacred
    thing.]

   But forsoe frendes ne shollen nat ben rekkened
  among e goodes of fortune but of vertue. for it
  is a ful holy man{er}e ing.

    [Sidenote: All else are desired either for the power or pleasure
    they afford.]

          alle ise oer inges forsoe                             1796
  ben taken for cause of power. or ellis for cause of
  delit.

    [Sidenote: The goods of the body fall under the same predicament.]

           Certis now am I redy to referen e goodes of
  e body to ise forseide inges abouen.

    [Sidenote: Strength and a good stature seem to give power and
    worthiness.]

           For it seme
  {a}t strenge {and} gretnesse of body [gh]euen power {and}       1800
  worinesse.

    [Sidenote: Beauty and swiftness give glory and fame; and health
    gives delight.]

           and at beaute {and} swiftenesse [gh]euen
  noblesse {and} glorie of renou{n}. {and} hele of body seme
  [gh]iuen delit.

    [Sidenote: In all these happiness alone is sought.]

           In alle ise i{n}g{us} it seme oonly at
  blisfulnesse is desired.

    [Sidenote: What a man most wishes for, that he esteems the supreme
    good, which, as we have defined, is happiness.]

           For-whi ilke ing at euery                            1804
  man desire moost ouer alle inges. he demi at be e
  souereyne goode.  But I haue diffined at blisfulnesse
  is e souereyne goode. for whiche euery wy[gh]t
  demi at ilke estat at he desire ouer alle inges at         1808
  it be e blisfulnesse.

    [Sidenote: Thou hast now before thee a view of human felicity
    (falsely so called), that is, riches, honours, power, glory, and
    delight, which last _Epicurus_ considered as the sovereign good.]

           Now hast ou an byforne
  [thy eyen] almost al e p{ur}posed forme of e welfulnesse
  of ma{n}ky{n}de. at is to seyne rycchesse. hono{ur}s.
  power. glorie. {and} delit[gh]. e whiche delit oonly considered  1812
  Epicurus Iuged {and} establissed. at delit is e
  souereyne goode. for as myche as alle oer inges as
  hym ou[gh]t[e] by-refte awey ioie {and} myre fro{m} e
  herte.

    [Sidenote: I now return to the inclinations and pursuits of
    mankind.]

           But I reto{ur}ne a[gh]eyne to e studies of meen.       1816
  of whiche men e corage alwey rehersi {and} seeke e       [[pg 67]]
  souereyne goode of alle be it so {a}t it be wi a derke
  memorie [but he not by whiche paath].

    [Sidenote: Their minds are bent upon the chief good, and are ever
    seeking it with a darkened understanding, like a drunken man, who
    cannot find his way home.]

           Ry[gh]t as a
  dronke ma{n} not nat by whiche pae he may reto{ur}ne             1820
  home to hys house.

    [Sidenote: Do they go astray who strive to keep themselves from
    want?]

           Seme it anne at folk folyen
  {and} erren at enforcen he{m} to haue nede of no ing

    [Linenotes:
    1794 _shollen_--sholden
    1795 _e_--tho
    1796 _oer_--oothre
    1801 _swiftenesse_--sweftnesse
    1803 _[gh]iuen_--MS. [gh]iue, C. yeuen
    1806, 1807 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good
    1807 _whiche_--whych
    1809 _e_--omitted
         _an byforne_--thanne byforn
    1810 [_thy eyen_]--from C.; MS. _has_ [gh]euen a[gh]eyne
         _almost_--almest
         _welfulnesse_--welefulnesse
    1811 _seyne rycchesse_--seyn Rychesses
    1814 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good
         _myche_--moche
         _oer_--oothre
    1815 _ou[gh]t[e]_--thowhte
         _from_--fram
    1816 _a[gh]eyne_--ayein
    1818 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good
         _of_--omitted
         _alle_--al
         _derke_--dirkyd
    1819 [_but----paath_]--from C.
    1820 _dronke_--dronken
         _pae_--paath
    1821 _home_--hym]

    [Headnote:
    ALL SEEK THE CHIEF GOOD.]

    [Sidenote: By no means. No state is happier than that in which a
    man is above want, and independent of others.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 16.]]

   Certys er nys non oer ing at may so weel p{er}fo{ur}ny
  blisfulnesse as an estat plenteuo{us} *of alle                    1824
  goodes at ne ha nede of none oer ing. but at it is
  suffisant of hy{m} self. vnto hym self.

    [Sidenote: Are they guilty of folly that seek esteem and
    reverence?]

          and foleyen
  swyche folk anne. at wenen at ilk ing {a}t is
  ry[gh]t goode. at it be eke ry[gh]t wori of honour {and} of     1828
  reuerence.

    [Sidenote: No; for that is not contemptible for which all men
    strive.]

           Certis nay. for at ing nys neyer foule
  ne wori to ben dispised at al e entenc{i}ou{n} of mortel
  folke trauaille forto geten it.

    [Sidenote: Is not power to be reckoned amongst desirable goods?]

           And power au[gh]t[e]
  nat at eke to be rekened amonges goodes

    [Sidenote: Why not? For that is not an insignificant good which
    invests a man with authority and command.]

          what ellis.                                               1832
  for it nys nat to wene at ilke ing at is most
  wori of alle inges be feble {and} wi out strenge {and}
  clernesse of renou{n} au[gh]te at to ben dispised.

    [Sidenote: Fame also is to be regarded, for everything excellent
    is also shining and renowned.]

           Certys
  er may no man forsake at al ing at is ry[gh]t excellent       1836
  {and} noble. at it ne seme to be ry[gh]t clere {and} renomed.

    [Sidenote: We hardly need say that happiness is not an unjoyous
    and melancholy state, for in the pursuit of the smallest matters
    men seek only pleasure.]

   For certis it nedi nat to seie. at blisfulnesse
  be anguissous ne dreri ne subgit to greua{n}ces ne
  to sorwes. syn at in ry[gh]t litel i{n}g{us} folk seken to      1840
  haue {and} to vsen at may deliten hem.

    [Sidenote: Hence it is that mankind seek riches, &c., because by
    them they hope to get independence, honour, &c.]

           Certys ise
  ben e i{n}ges at men wolen {and} desyren to geten.
  and for is cause desiren ei rycches. dignites. regnes.
  glorie {and} delices  For erby wenen ei to han suffisau{n}ce   1844
  hono{ur} power. renou{n} {and} gladnesse.

    [Sidenote: However varied their desires, _happiness_ is their sole
    pursuit.]

           anne
  is it goode. {a}t men seken us by so many dyu{er}se
  studies. In whiche desijr it may ly[gh]tly be shew{e}d.
  how grete is e strenge of nature.                          [[pg 68]]

    [Sidenote: However various men's opinions are respecting
    happiness, all agree in pursuing it as the end of their actions
    and desires.]

           For how so at                                          1848
  men han dyuerse sentences {and} discordyng algates men
  accordyn alle in lyuynge e ende of goode.

    [Linenotes:
    1823 _perfourny_--p{er}forme
    1825 _ha_--MS. hae
         _none_--non
    1827 _ilk_--thilke
    1828 _goode_--good
    1829 _foule_--fowl
    1830 _al_--welneyh alle
    1831 _trauaille_--trauaylen
         _au[gh]t[e]_--owhte
    1832 _be_--ben
    1834 _out_--owte
    1835 _au[gh]te_--owhte
    1836 _al_--alle
    1837 _be_--ben
         _clere_--cleer
    1843 _rycches_--Rychesses
    1846 _goode_--good
    1847 _be_--ben
    1848 _grete_--gret
    1849 _algates_--Allegates
    1850 _goode_--good]


    [Headnote:
    OF NATURE'S LAWS.]

Q{UA}NTAS RER{UM} FLECTAT.

  [Sidenote: [The 2^de Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: I will now sing of Nature's laws, by which the universe
    is governed.]

  ++IT like me to shew[e] by subtil songe wi slakke {and}
  delitable sou{n} of strenges how at nature my[gh]ty encline     1852
  {and} flitte gouernement[gh] of inges  {and} by
  whiche lawes she p{ur}ueiable kepi e grete worlde. {and}
  how she bindynge restreine alle ing{us} by a bonde at
  may nat be vnbounden.

    [Sidenote: [j]]
    [Sidenote: The Punic lion submits to man, and dreads the keeper's
    lash; yet, if he once taste blood, his savage instincts revive,
    and his keeper falls a victim to his fury.]

           Al be it so at e liou{n}s of                          1856
  e contree of pene beren e fair[e] cheines. {and} taken
  metes of e handes of folk at [gh]euen it hem. {and}
  dreden her sturdy maystres of whiche ei ben wont to
  suffren [betinges]. yif at hir horrible moues ben bi-bled.      1860
  at is to sein of bestes devoured.  Hir corage
  of tyme passe at ha ben ydel {and} rested. repaire
  a[gh]ein at ei roren greuously. {and} reme{m}bren on hir
  nature. {and} slaken hir nekkes from hir cheins vnbounden.        1864
  and hir maistre first to-teren wi blody toe
  assaie e woode wraes of hem.  is is to sein ei
  freten hir maister.

    [Sidenote: [ij]]
    [Sidenote: If the caged bird though daintily fed, gets a sight of
    the pleasant grove where she was wont to sing, she will spurn her
    food, and pine for the beloved woods.]

           And e Iangland brid at syngi
  on e heye braunches. is is to sein in e wode {and}             1868
  after is inclosed in a streit cage.  al ou[gh] [{a}t] e
  pleiyng besines of men [gh]eue hem honied[e] drinkes
  {and} large metes. wi swete studie.  [gh]it naeles yif
  ilke brid skippynge oute of hir streite cage see e             1872
  agreable shadewes of e wodes. she defoule wi hir
  fete hir metes yshad {and} seke mournyng oonly e
  wode {and} twitri desirynge e wode wi hir swete
  voys.

    [Sidenote: [iij]]
    [Sidenote: The sapling, bent down by a mighty hand, will resume
    its natural position as soon as the restraining force is removed.]

           e [gh]erde of a tree at is haled adou{n} by my[gh]ty  1876
  strenge bowi redely e croppe adou{n}. but yif at e      [[pg 69]]
  hande of hym at it bente lat it gon a[gh]ein.  An oon
  e crop loke vp ry[gh]t to heuene.

    [Sidenote: [iiij]]
    [Sidenote: Though the sun sets in the western main at eve, yet by
    a secret path he takes his wonted journey toward the east.]

           e sonne phebus
  at faille at euene in e westrene wawes retorni a[gh]ein       1880
  eftsones his cart by a priue pae ere as it is wont
  aryse.

    [Sidenote: All things pursue their proper course, obedient to the
    source of order.]

           Alle inges seken a[gh]ein in to hir p{ro}pre
  cours. and alle inges reioisen hem of hir retournynge
  a[gh]ein to hir nature ne noon ordinaunce nis bytaken to          1884
  i{n}ges but at.

    [Sidenote: Hence, throughout the world entire stability is found,
    for all things, having fulfilled their appointed course, return
    from whence they came.]

          at ha ioignynge e endynge to e
  bygynnynge. {and} ha makid e cours of it self stable
  at it chaunge nat fro{m} hys p{ro}pre kynde.

    [Linenotes:
    1851 _shew[e]_--shewe
    1854 _whiche_--MS. swiche, C. whyche
         _worlde_--world
    1856 _be_--ben
         _vnbounden_--vnbownde
    1857 _fair[e]_--fayr{e}
    1860 [_betinges_]--from C.
    1862 _passe_--passed
    1864 _from_--fram
         _vnbounden_--vnbownde
    1865 _to-teren_--to-torn
         _toe_--toth
    1867 _Iangland_--Iangelynge
    1869 _streit_--streyht
    1870 _pleiyng_--MS. pleinyng, C. pleyynge
         _besines_--bysynesse
         _honied[e]_--honyede
    1872 _oute_--owt
    1873 _agreable_--agreables
    1874 _fete_--feet
    1875 _twitri_--twiterith
    1877 _croppe_--crop
    1878 _hande_--hand
         _bente_--bent
    1880 _faille_--falleth
    1881 _cart_--carte
         _a_--omitted
         _pae_--paath
    1883 _of_--MS. of of
    1885 _ha_--MS. hae
         _ioignynge_--Ioyned
    1886 _ha_--MS. hae]


    [Headnote:
    THE SEARCH AFTER FELICITY.]

VOSQ{UE} TERRENA ANIMALIA.

  [Sidenote: [The 3^de p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: O earthly animals, you have an indistinct perception of
    your beginning, and you have ever the true end of felicity in
    view, but your natural instincts are perverted by many errors.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 16 _b_.]]

  *++CErtis also [gh]e men at ben erelich{e} bestes dreme{n}      1888
  alwey [yowre bygynnynge] al ou[gh] it be wi a
  inne ymaginac{i}ou{n}. {and} by a maner ou[gh]t al be it
  nat clerly ne p{er}fitly [gh]e looken from a fer til ilk         1891
  verray fyn of blisfulnesse. and erfore e naturel entenc{i}ou{n}
  lede [gh]ow to ilk verray good  But
  many manere errours misto{ur}ni [gh]ow er fro.

    [Sidenote: Can men obtain the end they have in view by the means
    they usually employ in the pursuit of happiness?]

           Considere
  now yif at be ilke inges by whiche a man
  weni to gete hym blysfulnesse. yif at he may comen              1896
  to ilke ende at he wene to come by nature

    [Sidenote: If riches and honours and the like make men happy, so
    that they shall want for nothing, then happiness may be procured
    by these acquisitions.]

           For
  yif at moneye or hono{ur}s or ise oer forseide inges
  bryngen to men swiche a ing at no goode ne faille
  hem. ne seme faille.  Certys an wil I graunt[e]                1900
  at ei ben maked blisful. by ilke inges at ei han
  geten.

    [Sidenote: But if these things cannot make good what they promise,
    if there still be something to be desired, then they are
    delusions, and the felicity after all is a counterfeit.]

           but yif so be at ilke i{n}ges ne mowe nat
  p{er}fo{ur}men at ei by-heten {and} at er be defaute of
  many goodes.  Shewe it nat an clerely {a}t fals               1904
  beaute of blisfulnesse is knowe {and} a-teint in ilke
  inges.  First {and} forward ou i self at haddest
  haboundaunces of rycchesses nat long agon.                   [[pg 70]]

    [Sidenote: In your prosperity were you never annoyed by some wrong
    or grievance?]

           I axe
  [gh]if at in e haboundaunce of alle ilk[e] rycchesses          1908
  ou were neuer anguissous or sory in i corage of any
  wrong or greuau{n}ce at by-tidde e on any syde.

    [Linenotes:
    1889 [_yowre bygynnynge_]--from C.
         _al_--MS. as, C. Al
    1891 _from_--fram
         _til ilk_--to thylke
    1892 _e_--omitted
    1893 _ilk_--thylke
    1895 _be_--by
    1896 _gete_--geten
    1899 _swiche_--swych
         _goode_--good
    1900 _wil_--wole
         _graunt[e]_--grau{n}te
    1904 _many_--manye
         _clerely_--clerly
         _fals_--false
    1905 _knowe_--knowen
    1908 _ilk[e]_--thylke]

    [Headnote:
    NONE ARE FREE FROM CARE.]

    [Sidenote: _B._ I must confess that I cannot remember ever being
    wholly free from some trouble or other.]

   Certys q{uo}d I it remembre me nat at euere I was
  so free of my ou[gh]t. at I ne was al-wey in anguysh{e} of      1912
  somwhat.

    [Sidenote: _P._ That was because something was absent which you
    did desire, or something present which you would fain be quit of.]

          {a}t was at ou lakkedest at ou noldest
  han lakked. or ellys ou haddest at ou noldest
  han had.

    [Sidenote: _B._ That's quite true.]

          ry[gh]t so is it q{uod} I an.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Then you did desire the presence of the one and
    the absence of the other?]

          desiredest ou
  e p{re}sence of at oon {and} e absence of at oer.            1916

    [Sidenote: _B._ I confess I did.]

  I graunt[e] wel q{uod} .I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Every man is in need of what he desires.]

          for soe q{uod} she an nedi er
  somwhat at euery man desire.

    [Sidenote: _B._ Certainly he is.]

          [gh]e er nedi q{uod} I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ If a man lack anything can he be supremely happy?]

   Certis q{uod} she {and} he at ha lakke or nede of a
  wy[gh]t nis nat in euery way suffisaunt to hym self.              1920

    [Sidenote: _B._ No.]

  no q{uod} .I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Did you not in your abundance want for somewhat?]

          {and} ou q{uo}d she in alle e plente of i
  rycchesse haddest ilke lak of suffisaunce.

    [Sidenote: _B._ What then if I did?]

           what
  ellis q{uod} .I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ It follows that riches cannot put a man beyond all
    want, although this was what they seemed to promise.]

           anne may nat rycchesse maken at a
  man nis nedy. ne at he be suffisaunt to hym self. {and}          1924
  at was it {a}t ei byhy[gh]ten as it seme.

    [Sidenote: Money may part company with its owner, however
    unwilling he may be to lose it.]

           and eke
  certys I trowe at is be gretly to consydere at moneye
  ne ha nat in hys owen kynde at it ne may ben by-nomen
  of hem at han it maugre hem.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I confess that's true.]

           I by-knowe                                              1928
  it wel q{uod} I

    [Sidenote: _P._ It ought to be confessed when every day we see
    _might_ prevailing over _right_.]

           whi sholdest ou nat by-knowen it
  q{uod} she. whan euery day e strenger folke by-nymen
  it fram e febler maugre hem.

    [Sidenote: From whence springs so much litigation, but from this,
    that men seek to recover their own of which they have been
    unjustly deprived?]

           Fro whennes comen
  ellys alle ise foreine compleintes or quereles of                1932
  plety{n}g{us}.  But for at men axen a[gh]eine her moneye
  at ha be by-nomen hem by force or by gyle. {and}
  alwey maugre hem.

    [Sidenote: _B._ Nothing is more true.]

           Ry[gh]t so it is q{uod} I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Then a man needs the assistance of others in order
    to keep his riches.]

          an q{uo}d
  she ha a man nede to seke{n} hym foreyne helpe by                1936
  whiche he may defende hys moneye. who may say nay q{uod} .I.

    [Linenotes:
    1913 _at----lakkedest_--And was nat {a}t q{uod} she for
         {a}t the lacked som-what
    1915 _had_--MS. hadde, C. had
    1917 _graunt[e]_--grau{n}te
    1919 _ha_--MS. hae
         _a wy[gh]t_--awht
    1921 _alle_--al
    1922 _rycchesse_--Rychesses
         _lak_--lakke
    1923 _rycchesse_--Rychesses
    1927 _ha_--MS. hae
         _owen_--owne
    1930 _strenger folke by-nymen_--strenger{e} folk by-nemyn
    1931 _fram_--fro
         _febler_--febeler{e}
         _Fro_--for
    1933 _a[gh]eine_--ayeyn
    1934 _ha_--MS. hae
         _be_--ben
    1936 _ha_--MS. hae
         _helpe_--help
    1937 _say_--sey]

                                                               [[pg 71]]
    [Headnote:
    RICHES BRING ANXIETIES.]

    [Sidenote: If he had no money to lose he would not stand in need
    of this help?]

   Certis q{uod} she {and} hym nedi no helpe
  yif he ne hadde no moneye at he my[gh]t[e] leese.

    [Sidenote: _B._ That is beyond all doubt.]

           at
  is doutles q{uod} .I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Then the very reverse of what was expected (from
    riches) takes place? For riches add to a man's necessities.]

          anne is is i{n}g turned in to e contrarie             1940
  q{uod} she  For rycchesse at men wenen sholde
  make suffisau{n}ce. ei maken a man raer han nede of
  foreine helpe.

    [Sidenote: Tell me how do riches drive away necessity? Are not
    rich men liable to hunger, thirst, and cold?]

           whiche is e manere or e gise q{uod}
  she at rycches may dryuen awey nede.  Riche folk                1944
  may ei neier han hungre ne rest. ise ryche men
  may ei feele no colde on hir lymes in wynter.

    [Sidenote: You will say that the rich have wherewithal to satisfy
    these wants.]

           But
  ou wilt answere at ryche men han y-nou[gh] wher wi
  ei may staunchen her hunger. {and} slaken her rest              1948
  {and} don awey colde.

    [Sidenote: By riches indigence may be alleviated, but they cannot
    satisfy every want.]

           In is wise may nede be co{n}forted
  by rycchesses. but certys nede ne may nat al
  out{er}ly be don awey.

    [Sidenote: Even if gaping and greedy necessity be filled with
    riches, yet some cravings will remain.]

          for ou[gh] is nede at is alwey
  gapyng {and} gredy be fulfilled wi rycchesses. {and} axe         1952
  any ing [gh]it dwelle anne a nede at my[gh]t[e] ben fulfilled.

    [Sidenote: A little suffices for nature, but avarice never has
    enough.]

   I holde me stille {and} telle nat how at litel
  ing suffise to nature. but certys to auarice ynou[gh] ne
  suffise no inge.

    [Sidenote: If riches, then, add to our wants, why should you think
    that they can supply all your necessities?]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 17.]]

          * For syn at rychesse ne may nat                        1956
  al don awey nede. but rychesse maken nede. what may
  it anne be at [gh]e wenen at rychesses mowen [gh]eue{n}
  [gh]ow suffisau{n}ce.

    [Linenotes:
    1938 _nedi no helpe_--nedede non help
    1939 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte
    1940 _doutles_--dowteles
    1941 _rycchesse_--Rychesses
    1943 _helpe_--help
         _whiche_--whych
    1944 _rycches_--Rychesse
         _dryuen_--dryue
    1945 _hungre_--hungyr
         _rest_--thurst
    1946 _ei_--the
         _colde_--coold
         _in_--on
    1947 _wilt answere_--wolt Answeren
         _y-nou[gh]_--y-now
    1948 _rest_--thurst
    1949 _colde_--coold
    1950 _nat_--omitted
    1951 _outerly_--vtrely
    1953 _my[gh]t[e] ben_--myhte be
    1957 _rychesse_--Rychesses]


QUAMUIS FLUENTER DIUES.

  [Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: The rich man, had he a river of gold, would never rest
    content.]

  ++Al were it so at a ryche couetous man hadde riuer              1960
  fletynge alle of golde [gh]itte sholde it neuer staunche
  hys couetise.

    [Sidenote: Though his neck be loaded with precious pearls, and his
    fields be covered with innumerable herds, yet shall unquiet care
    never forsake him; and at his death his riches shall not bear him
    company.]

           And ou[gh] he hadde his nekke I-charged
  wi p{re}ciouse stones of e rede see. {and} ou[gh] he do
  erye his feldes plentiuo{us} wi an hundre oxen neuere           1964
  ne shal his bytyng bysynesse forleten hym while he
  lyue. ne e ly[gh]t[e] rychesses ne shal nat beren hym      [[pg 72]]
  compaignie whanne he is dede.

    [Linenotes:
    1960 _riuer_--a Ryu{er}
    1961 _alle_--al
         _golde_--gold
         _[gh]itte_--yit
         _staunche_--stau{n}chyn
    1962, 1963 _ou[gh]_--thow
    1964 _erye_--Ere
         _hundre_--hundred
    1965 _while_--whyl
    1966 _ly[gh]t[e]_--lyhte
         _shal_--shol
    1967 _dede_--ded]


    [Headnote:
    OF DIGNITIES.]

SET DIGNITATIB{US}.[4]

    [Footnote 4: Read _dignitates_.]

  [Sidenote: [The 4^the p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: It may be said that _dignities_ confer honour on their
    possessors.]

  ++Bvt dignitees to whom ei ben comen make ei hym                1968
  honorable {and} reuerent.

    [Sidenote: But have they power to destroy vice or implant virtue
    in the heart?]

          han ei nat so grete strenge
  at ei may putte vertues in e hertis of folk. at vsen
  e lordshipes of hem. or ellys may ei don awey e
  vices.

    [Sidenote: So far from expelling vicious habits, they only render
    them more conspicuous.]

          Certys ei [ne] ben nat wont to don awey wikkednesses.    1972
  but ei ben wont raer to shew[en] wikkednesses.

    [Sidenote: Hence arises the indignation when we see dignities
    given to wicked men.]

  {and} er of come it at I haue ry[gh]t grete desdeyne.
  at dignites ben [gh]euen ofte to wicked men.

    [Sidenote: Hence Catullus' resentment against Nonius, whom he
    calls the botch, or impostume of the State.]

   For whiche ing catullus clepid a consul of Rome at            1976
  hy[gh]t noni{us} postum. or boch. as who sei he clepi
  hy{m} a congregac{i}ou{n} of uices in his brest as a postum
  is ful of corrupc{i}ou{n}. al were is noni{us} set in a
  chayere of dignitee.

    [Sidenote: The deformities of wicked men would be less apparent if
    they were in more obscure situations.]

          Sest ou nat an how gret vylenye                         1980
  dignitees don to wikked men.  Certys vnworines of
  wikked men shold{e} ben e lasse ysen yif ei nere renomed
  of none hono{ur}s.

    [Sidenote: Would you free yourself from peril by accepting a
    magistracy along with Decoratus a buffoon and informer?]

           Certys ou i self ne
  my[gh]test nat ben brou[gh]t wi as many p{er}ils as ou          1984
  my[gh]test suffren at {o}u woldest bere i magistrat wi
  decorat. at is to seyn. at for no p{er}il at my[gh]t[e] bifalle{n}
  e by e offence of e kyng theodorik ou noldest
  nat ben felawe in gouernaunce w{i}t{h} decorat. whanne            1988
  ou say[e] at he had[de] wikkid corage of a likerous
  shrewe {and} of an acusor.

    [Sidenote: Honours do not render undeserving persons worthy of
    esteem.]

           Ne I ne may nat for swiche
  honours Iuge{n} hem wori of reuerence at I deme {and}
  holde vnwori to han ilke same hono{ur}s.

    [Sidenote: If you find a man endowed with wisdom you deem him
    worthy of respect and of the wisdom which he professes.]

           Now yif                                                 1992
  ou saie a man at were fulfilled of wisdom. certys ou
  ne my[gh]test nat demen {a}t he were vnwori to e          [[pg 73]]
  hono{ur}. or ellys to e wisdom of whiche he is fulfilled.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I could not do otherwise.]

  No q{uod} .I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Virtue has her proper worth, which she ever
    transfers to her votaries.]

           Certys dignitees q{uod} she app{er}tienen               1996
  p{ro}perly to vertue. {and} uertue transporte dignite anon
  to ilke man to whiche she hir self is conioigned.

    [Linenotes:
    1969 _make_--maken
    1969 _grete_--gret
    1972 [_ne_]--from C.
         _ben_--be
    1972, 1973 _wikkednesses_--wykkydnesse
    1973 _to_--omitted
         _shew[en]_--shewen
    1974 _come_--comth
         _grete desdeyne_--gret desdaign
    1976 _whiche_--which
    1977 _hy[gh]t_--hyhte
         _nonius_--MS. vonn{us}, C. nomy{us}
         _boch_--MS. boe, C. boch
         _clepi_--clepyd
    1979 _nonius_--MS. uonn{us}, C. nomy{us}
         _set_--MS. sette, C. set
    1980 _Sest ou_--Sesthow
         _an_--thanne
         _vylenye_--fylonye
    1981 _vnworines_--vnworthynesse
    1982 _ben_--be
         _ysen_--MS. ysene, C. I-sene
    1984 _many_--manye
    1985 _bere_--beren
    1986 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte
    1987 _e_ (2)--omitted
    1988 _whanne_--whan
    1989 _say[e]_--saye
         _had[de]_--hadde
    1994 _demen_--deme
    1995 _whiche_--which
    1996 _quod she_--omitted
    1997 _vertue_--vertu
         _uertue_--vertu
    1998 _whiche_--whych]

    [Headnote:
    DIGNITIES APPERTAIN TO VIRTUE.]

    [Sidenote: Honours conferred by the populace do not make men
    worthy of them, for they have no intrinsic merit to bestow.]

   And for as moche as hono{ur}s of poeple ne may nat
  maken folk digne of hono{ur}. it is wel seyn clerly at           2000
  ei ne han no p{ro}pre beaute of dignite.  And [gh]it men
  au[gh]ten take more hede in is.

    [Sidenote: Dignities conferred upon shrews only make their vices
    the more conspicuous.]

           For if it so be at he
  is most out cast at most folk dispisen. or as dignite ne
  may nat maken shrewes wori of no reuerences. an                 2004
  make dignites shrewes more dispised an p{re}ised. e
  whiche shrewes dignit[e] schewe to moche folk

    [Sidenote: Nor do dignities themselves escape without injury; for
    worthless men take their revenge upon them, and defile them by
    their contagious villanies.]

           {and}
  for soe nat vnpunissed. at is forto sein. at shrewes
  reuengen hem a[gh]einward vpon dignites. for ei [gh]elden        2008
  a[gh]ein to dignites as gret gerdou{n} whan ei byspotten
  {and} defoulen dignites wi hire vylenie.

    [Sidenote: These shadowy honours have nothing in their nature to
    procure respect; for if a man, having borne the honours of the
    consulate, should go among barbarians would this honour gain him
    their respect?]

           And for as
  moche as ou mow[e] knowe at ilke verray reuerence
  ne may nat comen by e shadewy t{ra}nsitorie dignitees.           2012
  vndirstonde now is. yif at a man hadde vsed {and}
  hadde many manere dignites of consules {and} were
  come{n} p{er}auenture amonges straunge nac{i}ou{n}s. sholde
  ilke hono{ur} maken hym worshipful {and} redouted of             2016
  straunge folk

    [Sidenote: If respect were an attribute of honour it would
    infallibly bring esteem everywhere, just as heat is ever an
    attribute of fire.]

           Certys yif at honour of poeple were
  a naturel [gh]ifte to dignites. it ne my[gh]te neuer cesen
  nowher amonges no maner folke to done hys office.

    [Linenotes:
    2000 _clerly_--MS. clerkly, C. clerly
    2002 _au[gh]ten----hede_--owhten taken mor heed
    2002-3 _For----dignite_--For yif so be {a}t a wykkyd whyght be
         so mochel the fowler{e} {and} the moore owt cast {a}t he
         is despised of most folk so as dignete
    2004-2007 _maken----soe_--maken shrewes digne of Reu{er}ence
         the whych shrewes dignete sheweth to moche foolk thanne
         makith dignete shrewes rather so moche mor{e} despised than
         preysed {and} forsothe
    2008 _[gh]elden_--yilden
    2009 _byspotten_--by-spetten
    2010 _hire_--hyr
    2011 _moche_--mochel
         _mow[e]_--mowe
    2012 _e shadewy_--thyse shadwye
    2013 _vndirstonde_--vndyrstond
         _is_--thus
    2014 _hadde_--had
    2018 _[gh]ifte_--yift
    2019 _folke_--foolk
         _done_--don]

    [Headnote:
    DIGNITIES DO CONFER ESTEEM.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 17 _b_.]]

   Ry[gh]t as fire i{n} euery contre ne stinte nat to             2020
  enchaufen {and} *to ben hote.

    [Sidenote: Honours arise from the false opinions of men, and
    vanish when they come among those who do not esteem them, that is,
    among foreign nations.]

          but for as myche as forto
  be holden honorable or reuerent ne come nat to folk of
  hir p{ro}pre strenge of nat{ur}e. but only of e fals[e]    [[pg 74]]
  opiniou{n} of folk. at is to sein. at wenen at dignites        2024
  maken folk digne of hono{ur}. An on erfore whan at
  ei comen er as folk ne knowe{n} nat ilke dignites.
  her hono{ur}s vanissen awey {and} at on oon. but at is
  a-mong straung folk. maist ou sein.

    [Sidenote: Do they always endure in those places that gave birth
    to them?]

          but amo{n}g{us}                                           2028
  hem at ei weren born duren ilk[e] dignites alwey.

    [Sidenote: The Prtorate was once a great honour, but now it is
    only an empty name and a heavy expense.]

   Certys e dignite of e p{ro}uostrie of Rome was somtyme
  a grete power. now is it no ing but an ydel
  name. {and} e rente of e senatorie a g{r}et charge.             2032

    [Sidenote: What is more vile than the office of the
    superintendency of provisions?]

  {and} yif a whi[gh]t somtyme hadde e office to taken he[de] to
  e vitailes of e poeple as of corne {and} what oer inges
  he was holden amonges grete. but what ing is more
  nowe out cast anne ilke p{ro}uostrie

    [Sidenote: That which hath no innate beauty must lose its
    splendour or value according as popular opinion varies concerning
    it.]

           And as I haue                                           2036
  seid a litel here byforne. at ilke ing at ha no
  p{ro}pre beaute of hym self resceyue somtyme pris {and}
  shinynge {and} somtyme lesi it by e opiniou{n} of
  vsaunces.

    [Sidenote: If dignities cannot confer esteem, if they become vile
    through filthy shrews, if they lose their lustre by the change of
    times, if they become worthless by the change of popular opinion,
    what beauty do they possess which should make them desirable, or
    what dignity can they confer on others?]

           Now yif at dignites anne ne mowen                     2040
  nat maken folk digne of reuerence. {and} yif {a}t dignites
  wexen foule of hir wille by e file of shrewes.  and
  yif at dignites lesen hir shynynge by chaungyng of
  tymes. and yif ei wexen foule by estimac{i}ou{n} of              2044
  poeple. what is it at ei han in hem self of beaute
  at au[gh]te ben desired. as who sei none. anne ne
  mowen ei [gh]iuen no beaute of dignite to none oer.

    [Linenotes:
    2020 _enchaufen_--eschaufen
    2021 _myche_--mochel
    2022 _be_--ben
    2023 _fals[e]_--false
    2024 _at_ (2)--omitted
    2027 _her_--hyr
         _vanissen_--vanesshen
    2028 _a-mong_--amonges
         _straung_--strau{n}ge
         _but_--ne
    2029 _at_--ther
         _duren ilk[e]_--ne duren nat thylke
    2030 _somtyme_--whylom
    2031 _grete_--gret
    2032 _e_ (2)--omitted
    2033 _somtyme_--whylom
         _e_--MS. e e
    2034 _corne_--corn
         _what_--omitted
    2035 _more nowe_--now more
    2036 _cast_--MS. caste, C. cast
    2037 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd
         _here byforne_--her by-forn
         _ha_--MS. hae
    2042 _file_--felthe
    2043 _at_--omitted
    2046 _au[gh]te_--owhte
         _none_--non
    2047 _ei_--MS. [gh]e, C. they
         _none_--non]


QUA{M}UIS SE TIRIO.

  [Sidenote: [The 4^the Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: Nero, though invested with the purple and adorned with
    pearls, was hated by all men.]

  ++Al be it so at e proude nero wi al his woode luxurie         2048
  kembed hym {and} apparailed hym wi faire purp{er}s
  of Tirie {and} wi white perles. Algates [gh]itte throf he
  hateful to alle folk  is is to seyn at
                  al was he by-hated                           [[pg 75]]
  of alle folk.

    [Sidenote: Yet he had lordship, and gave to the senators the
    dishonoured seats of dignity.]

           [gh]itte is wicked Nero hadde gret                     2052
  lordship {and} [gh]af somtyme to e dredeful senatours e
  vnworshipful setes of dignites.  vnworshipful setes
  he clepi here fore at Nero at was so wikked [gh]af o
  dignites.

    [Sidenote: Who then can think that felicity resides in honours
    given by vicious shrews?]

          who wolde anne resonably wenen at blysfulnesse          2056
  were in swiche hono{ur}s as ben [gh]euen by vicious
  shrewes.

    [Linenotes:
    2048 _al_ (2)--alle
    2049 _kembed_--kembde
         _apparailed_--MS. apparailen, C. a-paraylede
    2050 _[gh]itte_--yit
    2053 _lordship_--lorshippe
         _[gh]af somtyme_--yaf whylom
         _dredeful_--reu{er}enc[gh]
    2055 _fore_--for
         _[gh]af_--yaf]


    [Headnote:
    KINGDOMS DO NOT MAKE A MAN MIGHTY.]

AN UERO REGNA.

  [Sidenote: [The 5^the p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: _P._ Do kingdoms and a familiarity with princes make a
    man mighty?]

  ++Bvt regnes {and} familarites of kynges may ei maken a
  ma{n} to ben my[gh]ty.

    [Sidenote: _B._ Why should they not if they are durable?]

          how ellys.  whanne hir                                   2060
  blysfulnesse dure p{er}petuely

    [Sidenote: _P._ Past ages, as well as the present, furnish us with
    many examples of princes who have met with dismal reverses of
    fortune.]

          but certys e olde age of
  tyme passe. {and} eke of p{re}sent tyme now is ful of
  ensau{m}ples how {a}t kynges at han chaunged in to
  wrechednesse out of hir welefulnesse.

    [Sidenote: O then how noble and glorious a thing is power that is
    too weak to preserve itself!]

           O a noble ing                                          2064
  {and} a cler ing is power at is nat founden my[gh]ty to
  kepe it self.

    [Sidenote: If dominion brings felicity, then misery will follow if
    it be defective.]

           And yif at power of realmes be auctour
  {and} maker of blisfulnesse. yif ilke power lakke on
  any side. amenusi it nat ilke blisfulnesse {and} brynge        2068
  in wrechednesse.

    [Sidenote: But human rule has its limits, therefore wherever power
    ceases there impotence enters, bringing misery along with it.]

          but yif al be it so at realmes of mankynde
  stretchen b{r}oode. [gh]it mot er nede ben myche
  folk ouer whiche at euery kyng ne ha no lordshipe
  no comaundement  and certys vpon ilke syde at                  2072
  power faille whiche at maki folk blisful. ry[gh]t on at
  same side nou{n}power entri vndirne at make hem
  wreches.

    [Sidenote: Kings, therefore, have a larger portion of misery than
    of felicity.]

           In is manere anne moten kynges han
  more porciou{n} of wrechednesse an of welefulnesse.              2076

    [Linenotes:
    2060 _my[gh]ty_--MS. vnmy[gh]ty, C. myhty
    2062 _passe_--passed
         _of_ (2)--omitted
    2063 _kynges at han_--kynges ben
    2066 _kepe_--kepen
    2067 _maker_--maker{e}
    2069 _yif_--yit
         _realmes_--the Reaumes
    2070 _stretchen_--strechchen
         _myche_--moche
    2071 _ha_--MS. hae
    2073 _whiche_--whych
    2074 _vndirne_--vndyr-nethe]

    [Headnote:
    POWER DOES NOT DRIVE AWAY CARE.]

    [Sidenote: Dionysius of Sicily, conscious of this condition,
    exhibited the fears and cares of royalty by the terror of a naked
    sword hanging over the head of his friend and flatterer Damocles.]

   A tyraunt at was kyng of sisile at had[de] assaied
  e p{er}il of his estat shewid[e] by similitude e dredes
  of realmes by gastnesse of a swerde at heng ouer e
  heued of his familier.

    [Sidenote: What then is this thing called Power, which cannot do
    away with care or fear?]

          what ing is an is power at                            2080
  may nat don awey e bytynges of besines ne eschewe           [[pg 76]]
  e prikkes of drede.

    [Sidenote: Men would live in security but cannot, and yet they
    glory in their power.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 18.]]

          and certys [gh]it wolden ei lyuen
  *in sykernesse. but ei may nat. and [gh]it ei glorifien
  hem in her power

    [Sidenote: Is he powerful who cannot do what he wishes?]

           Holdest ou an at ilk[e] man                         2084
  be my[gh]ty at {o}u seest at he wolde don at he may
  nat don.

    [Sidenote: Is he a mighty man who goes surrounded with an armed
    guard, to terrify those whom he himself fears, and whose power
    depends solely upon his numerous retinue?]

           And holdest ou an hym a my[gh]ty man
  at ha environed hise sydes wi men of armes or
  seruauntes {and} drede more [hem] at he make agast.            2088
  en ei dreden hym. {and} at is put in e handes of hise
  seruaunt[gh]. for he sholde seme my[gh]ty but of familiers
  [or] seruaunt[gh] of ky{n}ges.

    [Sidenote: Why need I enlarge upon the favourites of princes
    having thus displayed the imbecility of kings!]

           what sholde I telle e
  any ing. syn at I my self haue shewed e at realmes            2092
  hem self ben ful of gret feblenesse.

    [Sidenote: Their prosperity is affected by the caprice of their
    fortunate masters as well as by the adversity to which they are
    incident.]

          e whiche familiers
  certis e real power of kynges in hool estat {and} in estat
  abated ful [ofte] rowe adou{n}.

    [Sidenote: Nero only allowed his master Seneca to choose the
    manner of his death.]

           Nero co{n}streined[e]
  his familier {and} his maistre seneca to chesen on what           2096
  dee he wolde deien.

    [Sidenote: Antonius (Caracalla) commanded Papinian to be slain by
    the swords of his soldiers.]

           Antonius comau{n}did[e] at
  kny[gh]tis slowen wi her swerdis Papinian his familier
  whiche Papinian had[de] ben long tyme ful my[gh]ty
  a-monges hem of e courte.

    [Sidenote: Yet both would have given up all they possessed.]

          and [gh]it certis ei wolde boe                          2100
  han renou{n}ced her power.

    [Sidenote: Seneca begged for poverty and exile. But relentless
    fortune precipitated them to destruction, and did not permit them
    to choose their fate.]

          of whiche [two] senek enforced[e]
  hym to [gh]iue{n} to Nero his rychesses. {and} also
  to han gon in to solitarie exil.  But whan e grete
  wey[gh]t. at is to sein of lordes power or of fortune            2104
  drawe hem at sholden falle. neyer of hem ne
  my[gh]t[e] do at he wolde.

    [Sidenote: What then is Power, which terrifies its possessors, and
    which cannot be got rid of at pleasure?]

          what ing is anne ilke
  power at ou[gh] men han it at ei ben agast.  {and}
  whan ou woldest han it ou nart nat siker.  And                 2108
  yif ou woldest forleten it ou mayst nat eschewen it.

    [Sidenote: No advantage is to be gained by friendship based on
    prosperity instead of virtue.]

   But wheir swiche men ben frendes at nede as ben
  conseiled by fortune {and} nat by vertue.

    [Sidenote: Adversity will turn this sort of friendship into
    enmity. And what greater plague can there be than the enmity of
    thy familiar friend?]

          Certys swiche
  folk as weleful fortune make frendes. contrarious fortune   [[pg 77]]
  make hem enmyse.  And what pestilence is                        2113
  more my[gh]ty forto anoye a wi[gh]t an a familier enemy.

    [Linenotes:
    2077 _had[de]_--hadde
    2078 _shewid[e]_--shewede
    2079 _realmes_--Reaumes
         _swerde_--swerd
         _heng_--MS. henge, C. heng
    2081 _besines_--bysynesse
    2083 _[gh]it_--yif
         _glorifien_--gloryfye
    2084 _ilk[e]_--thylke
    2087 _ha_--MS. hae
         _environed_--enuyrownede
    2088 [_hem_]--from C.
    2089 _en_--than
    2091 [_or_]--from C.
    2092 _realmes_--Reames
    2093 _feblenesse_--feblesse
    2094 _real_--Ryal
    2095 [_ofte_]--from C.
         _constreined[e]_--co{n}streynede
    2096 _his_ (1)--hyr
         _seneca_--Senek
    2097 _comaundid[e]_--comau{n}dede
    2098 _her_--hyr
    2099 _whiche_--which
         _had[de] ben long_--{a}t hadde ben longe
    2100 _courte_--court
         _wolde_--wolden
    2101 [_two_]--from C.
         _enforced[e]_--enforcede
    2102 _[gh]iuen_--yeuen
         _his_--hyse
    2104 _wey[gh]t_--weyhte
    2105 _sholden_--sholen
    2106 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte]


    [Headnote:
    GLORY IS DECEPTIVE.]

QUI SE UALET[5] ESSE POTENTEM.

    [Footnote 5: Read _uolet_]

  [Sidenote: [The 5^the Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: He who would obtain sovereign power must obtain
    conquest over himself, and not yield to his passions.]

  ++Who so wolde ben my[gh]ty he mot dau{n}ten hys cruel
  corage. ne put[te] nat his nekke ouercomen vndir                  2116
  e foule reines of lecherie.

    [Sidenote: Though your dominion extended from India to Thule, yet
    if thou art tormented by care thou hast no real power.]

          for al be it so at i lordship[e]
  strecche so fer at e contre Inde quaki at i
  comaundement. or at i lawes. {and} at e leest isle in
  e see at hy[gh]t tile be ral to e  [gh]it yif ou mayst      2120
  nat pute{n} awey i foule derk[e] desijres {and} dryue{n}
  oute fro e wreched co{m}pleyntes. Certis it nis no
  power at ou hast.

    [Linenotes:
    2115 _wolde ben_--wole be
    2116 _put[te]_--putte
    2117 _lordship[e]_--lordshype
    2119 _comaundement_--comau{n}dement[gh]
         _leest isle_--last Ile
    2120 _hy[gh]t_--hyhte
    2121 _puten_--putten
         _derk[e]_--dyrke
    2122 _oute_--owt]


    [Headnote:
    GENTILITY IS FOREIGN TO RENOWN.]

GLORIA UERO QUA{M} FALLAX.

  [Sidenote: [The 6^the p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: How deceptive and deformed a thing is glory! Well did
    the Tragedian exclaim--# doxa doxa myrioisi d brotn, ouden
    gegsi bioton nksas megan#, for the undeserving have been
    crowned with glory and renown by popular and erring opinion.]

  ++Bvt glorie how deceiuable {and} how foule is it ofte. for       2124
  whiche ing nat vnskilfully a tregedien at is to
  sein a maker of dites at hy[gh]ten tregedies cried[e] {and}
  seide.  O glorie glorie q{uod} he. ou nart no ing
  ellys to ousandes of folkes. but a gret sweller of eres.         2128
  for many[e] han had ful gret renou{n} by e fals[e] oppiniou{n}
  of poeple.

    [Sidenote: What can be more infamous than renoun founded on the
    prejudices of the vulgar?]

          and what ing may ben ou[gh]t fouler
  en swiche p{re}isynge

    [Sidenote: Those that are undeservedly praised ought to blush for
    shame.]

          for ilk[e] folk at be{n} p{re}ised
  falsly. ei moten nedes han shame of hir p{re}isynges.            2132

    [Sidenote: If a wise man gets well-merited praise it does not add
    to his felicity.]

  {and} yif at folk han gete{n} hem ank or p{re}ysyng by
  her desertes. what ing ha ilk pris echid or encresed
  to e conscience of wise folk {a}t mesure{n} hire
  good. not by e rumo{ur} of e poeple. but by e soefastnesse    2136
  of conscience.

    [Sidenote: If it be a good thing to spread abroad one's fame, it
    must be dishonourable not to do so.]

          {and} yif it seme a fair ing a
  man to han encresid {and} sprad his name. an folwe
  it. at it is demed to ben a foule inge yif it ne be        [[pg 78]]
  ysprad ne encresed.

    [Sidenote: But a good name cannot penetrate everywhere, and the
    most illustrious names must be unknown to the greatest part of the
    world.]

          but as I seide a litel her byforne.                       2140
  at syn er mot nedes ben many folk to whiche folk e
  renou{n} of a man ne may nat comen. it byfalle at he
  at ou wenest be glorious {and} renomed. semi in e
  nexte p{ar}ties of e ere to ben wi out glorie. {and} wi       2144
  out renou{n}.

    [Sidenote: The favour of the people is worth but little as it is
    seldom judicious and never permanent.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 18 _b_.]]

           and certis amo{n}ges ise inges I ne trowe
  nat at e p{r}is {and} grace of e poeple nis neier wori
  *to ben remembrid ne come of wise iugement. ne is
  ferm p{er}durably.

    [Sidenote: How empty and transitory are titles of nobility!]

           But now of is name of gentilesse.                      2148
  what man is it at ne may wel seen how veyne {and}
  how flittyng a ing it is.

    [Sidenote: Gentility is wholly foreign to renown, and to those who
    boast of noble birth.]

           For if e name of gentilesse
  be referred to renou{n} {and} clernesse of linage. an
  is gentil name but a for[e]ine ing. at is to sein to            2152
  hem at glorifien hem of hir linage.

    [Sidenote: Nobility is fame derived from the merits of one's
    ancestors.]

           For it seme
  at gentilesse be a maner p{re}ysynge at come of decert
  of auncestres.

    [Sidenote: If praise can give nobility they are noble who are
    praised.]

           And yif p{re}ysynge make gentilesse
  an moten ei nedes be gentil at ben p{re}ysed.                  2156

    [Sidenote: Then if thou hast no nobility of thy own, thou canst
    not derive any splendour from the merits of others.]

  For whiche ing it folwe. at yif ou ne haue no gentilesse
  of i self. at is to sein pris {a}t come of i deserte
  foreine gentilesse ne make e nat gentil.

    [Sidenote: If there be any good in nobleness of birth, it consists
    alone in this, that it imposes an obligation upon its possessors
    not to degenerate from the virtues of their ancestors.]

           But certis
  yif er be any goode in gentilesse. I trowe it be i{n} al         2160
  oonly is. at it seme as at a maner necessitee be imposed
  to gentil men. for at ei ne sholden nat outraien
  or forliuen fro e uertues of hire noble kynrede.

    [Linenotes:
    2124 _foule_--fowl
    2125 _whiche_--whych
    2126 _maker_--maker{e}
         _cried[e]_--cryde
    2127 _he_--she
    2128 _sweller_--sweller{e}
    2129 _many[e]_--manye
         _had_--MS. hadde, C. had
         _fals[e]_--false
    2130 _fouler_--fowler{e}
    2131 _en_--thanne
         _ilk[e]_--thylke
    2133 _or_--of
    2134 _ha_--MS. hae
         _ilke_--thylke
    2139 _foule inge_--fowl thing
    2140 _ne_--{and}
         _byforne_--byforn
    2144 _parties_--partye
         _ere_--Erthes
         _out_--owte
    2145 _out_--owhte
    2148 _ferm_--ferme
    2149 _veyne_--veyn
    2150 _if_--yif
    2154 _come of_--comth of the
    2157 _whiche_--which
    2158 _pris_--preys
         _come_--comth
    2160 _goode_--good
         _in_ (2)--omitted
    2161 _maner_--maner{e}]


OMNE HOMINU{M} GENUS IN TERRIS.

  [Sidenote: [The 6^th Metre.]]

    [Sidenote: All men have the same origin.]

  ++Al e linage of men at ben i{n} ere ben of semblable          2164
  bure.

    [Sidenote: They have one father and one king, who gave the moon
    her horns, and adorned the sun with his rays.]

          On al one is fadir of inges. On alone
  minyst[r]e alle inges.  He [gh]af to e sonne hys
  bemes. he [gh]af to e moone hir hornes.

    [Sidenote: The same gave the earth to man and adorned the sky with
    stars.]

          he [gh]af e men to
  e ere. he [gh]af e sterres to e heuene.

    [Sidenote: He breathed into man the breath of life.]

           he enclose                                             2168
  wi membres e soules at comen fro hys heye sete.           [[pg 79]]

    [Sidenote: All men spring from this illustrious source.]

   anne comen alle mortal folk of noble seed.

    [Sidenote: Why then do they boast of pedigree?]

  whi noysen [gh]e or bosten of [gh]oure eldris

    [Sidenote: He alone is ignoble who submits to vice and forgets his
    noble origin.]

           For yif ou
  look[e] [gh]oure bygy{n}ny{n}g. and god [gh]oure aucto{ur} {and}  2172
  [gh]oure makere. an is er no forlyued wy[gh]t but [gh]if he
  norisse his corage vnto vices {and} forlete his p{ro}pre
  bure.

    [Linenotes:
    2166 _hys_--hyse
    2167 _hir_--hyse
    2169 _fro hys_--fram hyse
    2170 _seed_--sede
    2171 _bosten_--MS. voscen, C. bosten
    2172 _look[e]_--loke]


    [Headnote:
    SENSUAL PLEASURES FULL OF ANXIETY.]

QUID AUTEM DE CORPORIBUS.[6]

    [Footnote 6: Read _corporis voluptatibus_.]

  [Sidenote: [The 7^the p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: But what shall I say with respect to sensual pleasures,
    the desire of which is full of anxiety, and the enjoyment of them
    full of repentance?]

  ++But what shal I seie of delices of body. of whic[h]e            2176
  delices e desiringes ben ful of anguisse. {and} e
  fulfillinges of he{m} ben ful of penaunce.

    [Sidenote: What diseases and intolerable pains (the merited fruits
    of vice) are these delights wont to bring upon those who enjoy
    them!]

           How grete
  sekenesse {and} how grete sorwes vnsuffrable ry[gh]t as a
  manere fruit of wickednesse ben ilke delices wont to             2180
  bryngen to e bo[d]ies of folk at vsen hem.

    [Sidenote: I am unable to see what joy is to be found in the
    gratification of them.]

           Of
  whiche delices I not what ioye may ben had of hir
  moeuyng.

    [Sidenote: The remembrance of criminal indulgence brings with it
    bitter remorse.]

           But is woot I wel at who so euere wil
  remembren hym of hys luxuries. he shal wel vndirstonde.           2184
  at e issues of delices ben sorowful {and} sory.

    [Sidenote: If such things make men happy, then may brutes attain
    to felicity, since by their instinct they are urged to satisfy
    their bodily delights.]

   And yif ilke delices mowen make folk blisful. an
  by e same cause moten ise bestes ben clepid blisful.
   Of whiche bestes al e entenc{i}ou{n} haste to fulfille        2188
  hire bodyly iolyte.

    [Sidenote: A wife and children do not always bring happiness, for
    some have found tormentors in their own offspring.]

          and e gladnesse of wijf [{and}]
  children were [an] honest ing. but it ha ben seid.
  at it is ouer myche a[gh]eins kynde at children han ben
  fou{n}den tormentours to hir fadres I not how many.               2192
   Of whiche children how bitynge is euery condic{i}ou{n}.
  It nede nat to tellen it e at hast or is tyme assaied
  it. {and} art [gh]it now anguysso{us}.

    [Sidenote: I approve of this opinion of Euripides, that he who is
    childless is happy in his misfortune.]

          In is approue I e
  sentence of my disciple Euridippus. at seide at he              2196
  at ha no children is weleful by i{n}fortune.

    [Linenotes:
    2173 _is_--nis
    2176 _delices_--delites
         _body_--bodye
    2177 _anguisse_--Angwyssh
    2178 _grete_--gret
    2179 _sekenesse_--sykenesse
         _grete sorwes_--gret soruwes
    2180 _fruit_--frut
    2182 _had_--MS. hadde, C. had
    2183 _wil_--wole
    2184 _hys_--hyse
    2185 _sorowful_--sorwful
         _sory_--sorye
    2186 _make_--makyn
    2189 [_and_]--from C.
    2190 [_an_]--from C.
         _ha_--hae
         _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd
    2191 _myche_--mochel
    2192 _many_--manye
    2196 _Euridippus_--Eurydyppys; _read_ Euripides
    2197 _ha_--MS. hae]


                                                               [[pg 80]]
    [Headnote:
    NO HAPPINESS IN EXTERNAL THINGS.]

HABET HOC UOLUPTAS.

  [Sidenote: [The 7^de Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: Pleasure leaves a pain behind it.]

  ++Euery delit ha is. at it anguisse hem wi prikkes
  {a}t vsen it.

    [Sidenote: The bee gives us agreeable honey, but try to hold it,
    and it quickly flies, leaving its sting behind.]

           It resembli to ise flying flyes at
  we clepen been. at aftre at e bee ha shed hys agreable        2200
  honies he flee awey {and} stynge e hertes of he{m}
  at ben ysmyte wi bytynge ouer longe holdynge.

    [Linenotes:
    2198 _Euery_--MS. Ouery, C. Every
    2198, 2200 _ha_--MS. hae
         _shed hys_--shad hyse]


    [Headnote:
    MEN ARE LED ASTRAY BY IGNORANCE.]

NICHIL IGITUR DUBIUM EST.

  [Sidenote: [The 8^the p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: It appears then that happiness is not to be found in
    the above-mentioned external things.]

  ++Now nis it no doute an {a}t ise weyes ne ben a
  maner mysledy{n}g to blisfulnesse. ne at ei ne                  2204
  mowe nat leden folke ider as ei byheten to lede{n}
  hem.

    [Sidenote: These false ways are perplexed with many evils, as I
    shall presently show thee.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 19.]]

           But wi how grete harmes ise *forseide weyes
  ben enlaced.  I shal shewe e shortly.

    [Sidenote: Do you want to amass wealth, then you must take it from
    your neighbours.]

           For whi
  yif ou enforcest e to assemble moneye. ou most by-reuen        2208
  hym his moneye at ha it.

    [Sidenote: Would you shine in dignities, then you must beg for
    them and disgrace yourself by a humiliating supplication.]

          and yif ou wilt
  shynen wi dignites. ou most bysechen {and} supplien
  hem at [gh]iue{n} o dignitees.  And yif ou coueitest
  by hono{ur} to gon by-fore oer folk {o}u shalt defoule i       2212
  self by hu{m}blesse of axing.

    [Sidenote: If power be your ambition, you expose yourself to the
    snares of inferiors.]

          yif ou desiryst power.
  ou shalt by awaites of i subgit[gh] anoyously be cast
  vndir many p{er}iles.

    [Sidenote: Do you ask for glory, to be distracted by vexations and
    so lose all security.]

          axest ou glorie {o}u shalt ben so
  destrat by aspre inges at ou shalt forgone sykernesse.         2216

    [Sidenote: Do you prefer a voluptuous life? Think then that all
    men will despise him who is a thrall to his body.]

   And yif ou wilt leden i lijf in delices.
  euery whi[gh]t shal dispisen e {and} forleten e as ou at
  art ral to ing at is ry[gh]t foule {and} brutel. at is [to]
  sein seruau{n}t to i body.

    [Sidenote: They build upon a weak foundation that place bodily
    delights above their own reason.]

           Now is it an wel yseen                                 2220
  how lytel {and} how brutel possessiou{n} ei coueiten at
  putten e goodes of e body abouen hire owe{n} resou{n}.

    [Sidenote: Can you surpass the elephant in bulk, or the bull in
    strength?]

   For mayst ou so{ur}mou{n}te{n} ise olifut[gh] in gretnesse
  or wey[gh]t of body. Or mayst ou ben strenger an e             2224
  bole.

    [Sidenote: Art thou swifter than the tiger?]

          Mayst ou ben swifter an e tigre.

    [Sidenote: Behold the immense extent of the heavens and cease to
    admire vile or lesser things.]

          biholde e
  spaces {and} e stablenesse {and} e swyfte cours of e      [[pg 81]]
  heuene. {and} stynte somtyme to wondren on foule
  inges.

    [Sidenote: Admire what is still more admirable, the consummate
    wisdom that governs them.]

          e whiche heuene certys nis nat raer for ise            2228
  inges to ben wondred vpon. an for e resou{n} by
  whiche it is gouerned.

    [Sidenote: How fleeting is beauty!]

          but e shynynge of i forme at
  is to seien e beaute of i body. how swiftly passyng is
  it {and} how transitorie.

    [Sidenote: It fades sooner than the vernal flowers.]

           Certis it is more flittynge                             2232
  an e mutabilite of floures of e som{er} sesou{n}.

    [Sidenote: For, as Aristotle says, if a man were lynx-eyed and
    could look into the entrails of Alcibiades (so fair outwardly) he
    would find all foul and loathsome.]

          For so
  as aristotil telle at yif at men hadden eyen of a
  beest at hi[gh]t lynx. so at e lokyng of folk my[gh]t[e]
  percen oru[gh] e inges {a}t wistonden it. who so lokid       2236
  an in e entrailes of e body of alcibiades at was
  ful fayr in e sup{er}fice wi oute. it shulde seme ry[gh]t
  foule.

    [Sidenote: Thy nature does not make thee seem beautiful, but the
    imperfect view of thy admirers.]

          {and} for i yif ou semest faire. i nature ne
  maki nat at. but e desceiuau{n}ce of e fieblesse of e        2240
  eyen at loken.

    [Sidenote: Prize bodily perfections as much as you will, yet a
    three days' fever will destroy them.]

           But p{re}ise e goodes of i body as
  moche as euer e list. so at ou know[e] algates at
  what so it be. at is to seyn of e goodes of i body
  whiche at {o}u wondrest vpon may ben destroied or               2244
  dessolued by e hete of a feuere of re dayes.  Of
  alle whiche forseide inges I may reduce{n} is shortly in
  a so{m}me.

    [Sidenote: Worldly goods do not give what they promise, do not
    comprise every good, are not the paths to felicity, nor can of
    themselves make any one happy.]

           at ise worldly goodes whiche at ne
  mowen nat [gh]iuen at ei byheten. ne ben nat p{er}fit by        2248
  e congregac{i}ou{n} of alle goodes. at ei ne ben nat
  weyes ne paes at bryngen men to blysfulnesse ne
  maken men to ben blysful.

    [Linenotes:
    2203 _nis_--is
    2204 _mysledyng_--mysledynges
    2205 _folke_--folk
    2208 _enforcest_--MS. enforced, C. enforcest
    2209 _ha_--MS. hae
         _wilt_--wolt
    2211 _[gh]iuen_--yeuen
    2212 _gon_--MS. gone, C. gon
         _by-fore_--byforn
         _shalt_--shal
    2213 _by_--thorw
    2214 _by_--be
         _be_--ben
    2216 _destrat_--MS. destralle, C. destrat
         _forgone_--forgoon
    2217 _wilt_--wolt
    2218 _whi[gh]t_--wyht
    2219 _foule_--fowl
         [_to_]--from C.
    2220 _yseen_--seen
    2221 _brutel_--brotel
    2222 _owen_--owne
    2224 _wey[gh]t_--weyhty
         _strenger_--strenger{e}
    2225 _swifter_--swyfter{e}
         _biholde_--by-hold
    2227 _stynte_--stynt
    2228 _whiche_--whych
    2230 _whiche_--wych
    2231 _seien_--seyn
    2234 _as_--omitted
    2235 _hi[gh]t_--hyhte
         _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte
    2237 _alcibiades_--MS. alcidiades
    2238 _fayr_--fayr{e}
         _e_--omitted
         _shulde_--sholde
    2239 _foule_--fowl
         _faire_--fayr
         _ne_--omitted
    2240 _desceiuaunce of e fieblesse_--deceyuable or the feblesse
    2242 _moche_--mochel
         _know[e]_--knowe
    2243 _e_--omitted
         _i body whiche_--the body whych
    2247 _a_--omitted]


    [Headnote:
    MEN PURSUE FALSE JOYS.]

HEU Q{UE} MISEROS TRAMITE.

  [Sidenote: [The 8^the Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: Alas! how through folly and ignorance do men stray from
    the path of true happiness!]

  ++Allas whiche folie {and} whiche ignorau{n}ce mysledi           2252
  wandryng wrecches fro e pae of verrey good.

    [Sidenote: Ye do not seek gold upon trees nor diamonds from the
    vine.]

   Certis [gh]e ne seken no golde in grene trees. ne [gh]e ne
  gadren [nat] p{re}cious stones in e vines.                  [[pg 82]]

    [Sidenote: Ye lay not your nets to catch fish upon the lofty
    hills.]

          ne [gh]e ne
  hiden nat [gh]oure gynnes in hey[gh]e mou{n}taignes to kachen     2256
  fisshe of whiche [gh]e may maken ryche festes.

    [Sidenote: The hunter goes not to the Tyrrhene waters to hunt the
    roe.]

          and yif
  [gh]ow lyke to hunte to roos. [gh]e ne gon nat to e foordes
  of e water at hy[gh]t tyrene.

    [Sidenote: Men know where to look for white pearls, and for the
    fish that yields the purple dye.]

          {and} ouer is men knowen
  wel e crikes {and} e cau{er}nes of e see yhidd in e           2260
  floodes. {and} knowen eke whiche water is most plentiuo{us}
  of white perles. {and} knowen whiche water habunde
  most of rede purpre. at is to seyen of a maner shelfisshe
  w{i}t{h} whiche men dien purpre.

    [Sidenote: They know where the most delicate of the finny race
    abound and where the fierce sea-urchin is to be found.]

          {and} knowen                                              2264
  whiche strondes habounden most of tendre fisshes or
  of sharpe fisshes at hy[gh]ten echynnys.

    [Sidenote: But where the Sovereign Good abides blinded mortals
    never know, but plunge into the earth below to look for that which
    has its dwelling in the heavens.]

          but folk suffren
  hem self to ben so blynde at hem ne recchi nat to
  knowe where ilk[e] goodes ben yhidd whiche at ei               2268
  coueiten but ploungen hem in ere {and} seken ere
  ilke goode {a}t so{ur}mou{n}te e heuene at bere e
  sterres.

    [Sidenote: What doom do the silly race deserve?]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 19 _b_.]]

           what *p{re}yere may I make at be digne to
  e nice ou[gh]tis of men.

    [Sidenote: May they pursue such false joys, and having obtained
    them, too late find out the value of the true.]

          but I p{re}ye at ei coueite{n}                          2272
  rycches {and} hono{ur}s so at whan ei han geten o
  false goodes wi greet trauayle at erby ei mowe
  knowen e verray goodes.

    [Linenotes:
    2252 _whiche_ (_both_)--whych
    2253 _pae_--paath
         _good_--goode
    2254 _golde_--gold]


    [Headnote:
    THE INSUFFICIENCY OF WORLDLY BLISS.]

HACTENUS MENDACIS FORMA{M}.

  [Sidenote: [The 9^ne p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: _P._ I have been describing the form of counterfeit
    happiness, and if you have considered it attentively I shall
    proceed to give you a perfect view of the true.]

  ++IT suffisi at I haue shewed hider to e forme of              2276
  false wilfulnesse. so at yif ou look[e] now clerely
  e ordre of myn entenc{i}ou{n} requeri from hennes fore
  to shewe{n} e verray wilfulnesse.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I now see that there is no sufficiency in riches,
    no power in royalty, no esteem in dignities, nor nobility in
    renown, nor joy in carnal pleasures.]

           For q{uod} .I. (b) [I.]
  se wel now at suffisau{n}ce may nat comen by richesse. ne        2280
  power by realmes. ne reuere{n}ce by dignitees. ne gentilesse
  by glorie. ne ioye by delices. and (p) hast ou wel
  knowen q{uo}d she e cause whi it is. Certis me seme
  q{uod} .I. at .I. se hem ry[gh]t as ou[gh]
                  it were oru[gh] a litel                     [[pg 83]]
  clifte.

    [Sidenote: I have a glimpse of the cause of all this, but I should
    like a more distinct view.]

          but me were leuer knowen hem more openly of               2285
  e. Certys q{uod} she e resou{n} is al redy

    [Sidenote: _P._ The cause is obvious--for that which is by nature
    one and indivisible human ignorance separates and divides, and
    reverses the true order of things.]

           For
  ilk ing at symply is on ing wi outen ony
  diuisiou{n}. e errour {and} folie of mankynde departe           2288
  {and} diuidi it. {and} misledi it {and} t{ra}nsporte from
  verray {and} p{er}fit goode. to goodes at ben false {and}
  inp{er}fit.

    [Sidenote: Does that state which needs nothing stand in need of
    power?]

           But seye me is. wenest ou at he at ha
  nede of power at hy{m} ne lakke no ing.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I should say no. _P._ Right! That which wants
    power needs external aid.]

          Nay q{uo}d                                                2292
  .I  Certis q{uo}d she ou seist ary[gh]t. For yif so be
  {a}t er is a ing at in any p{ar}tie be fieble of power.

    [Sidenote: _B._ That is true! _P._ Sufficiency and power therefore
    are of one nature. _B._ It seems so indeed.]

  Certis as in at it most[e] nedes be nedy of foreine
  helpe.  Ri[gh]t so it is q{uo}d .I. Suffisaunce and power        2296
  ben an of on kynde  So seme it q{uod} I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Are power and sufficiency to be despised? Are they
    not rather worthy of universal respect?]

           And
  demyst ou q{uo}d she at a ing at is of is manere.
  at is to seine suffisau{n}t {and} my[gh]ty
          au[gh]t[e] to ben dispised.
  or ellys {a}t it be ry[gh]t digne of reuerences abouen           2300
  alle inges.

    [Sidenote: _B._ They are doubtless highly estimable. _P._ Add
    respect to sufficiency and power, and consider all three as one
    and the same thing.]

           Certys q{uo}d I it nys no doute at it
  nis ry[gh]t wori to ben reuerenced.  Lat vs q{uo}d she an
  adden reuerence to suffisaunce {and} to power  So at
  we demen at ise re inges ben alle o ing.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I see no objection to that view.]

           Certis                                                  2304
  q{uo}d I lat vs adden it. yif we willen graunten e soe.

    [Sidenote: _P._ But can that be obscure and ignoble which
    possesses three such attributes? is it not noble and worthy of a
    shining reputation?]

  what demest ou an q{uo}d she is at a dirke ing {and}
  nat noble at is suffisau{n}t reu{er}ent {and} my[gh]ty. or ellys 2307
  at is ry[gh]t clere {and} ry[gh]t noble of celebrete of renou{n}.

    [Linenotes:
    2256 _hey[gh]e_--the hyye
         _kachen_--kachche
    2257 _fisshe_--fyssh
    2258 _hunte_--honte
         _roos_--Rooes
    2259 _hy[gh]t_--hyhte
    2260 _crikes_--brykes
         _yhidd_--MS. yhidde, C. I-hyd
    2261, 2262 _whiche_--whych
    2263 _shelfisshe_--shelle fysh
    2264, 2265 _whiche_--whych
    2264 _dien_--deyen
    2265 _of_--w{i}t{h}
    2266 _echynnys_--MS. ethynnys, C. Echynnys
    2268 _yhidd_--MS. yhidde, C. I-hydd
    2270 _goode_--good
    2271 _make_--maken
    2273 _rycches_--Rychesse
    2277 _wilfulnesse_--welefulnesse
         _look[e]_--loke
         _clerely_--clerly
    2279 _wilfulnesse_--welefulnesse
         _For_--For-sothe
         [_I._]--from C.
    2280 _richesse_--Rychesses
    2281 _realmes_--Reames
    2287 _ilk_--thylke
         _on_--o
    2290 _goode_--good
    2291 _seye_--sey
         _ha_--MS. hae
    2294 _fieble_--febler{e}
    2295 _most[e]_--mot
    2296 _helpe_--help
    2297 _on_--o
    2298 _demyst ou_--demesthow
    2299 _seine_--seyn
         _au[gh]t[e]_--owhte
    2300 _reuerences_--Reu{er}ence
    2302 _nis ry[gh]t_--is ryht
    2304 _alle_--al
    2305 _willen_--wolen
    2306 _dirke_--dyrk
    2308 _clere_--cler
         _of celebrete_--by celebryte]

    [Headnote:
    THE UNITY OF TRUE FELICITY.]

    [Sidenote: He who is most powerful and worthy of renown--if he
    lack fame which he cannot give to himself, must (by this defect)
    seem in some measure more weak and abject.]

   Considere an q{uo}d she as we han grau{n}tid her byforne.
  at he at ne ha ne[de] of no ing {and} is most
  my[gh]ty {and} most digne of hono{ur} yif hym nedi any
  clernesse of renou{n} whiche clernesse he my[gh]t[e] nat          2312
  graunten of hym self.  So at for lakke of ilke
  clerenesse he my[gh]t[e] seme febler on any syde or e
  more outcaste. _Glosa._ is is to seyne nay.                 [[pg 84]]

    [Sidenote: He that is sufficiently mighty and esteemed will have
    necessarily an illustrious name.]

           For who
  so at is suffisau{n}t my[gh]ty {and} reuerent. clernesse of      2316
  renou{n} folwe of e forseide inges. he ha it alredy of
  hys suffisaunce.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I cannot deny it, for reputation seems inseparable
    from the advantages you have just mentioned.]

          boice. I may nat q{uo}d I denye it.
   But I mot graunten as it is. at is ing be ry[gh]t
  celebrable by clernesse of renou{n} {and} noblesse.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Therefore Renown differs in no wise from the three
    above-mentioned attributes.]

           an                                                     2320
  folwe it q{uo}d she at we adden clernesse of renou{n} to
  e re forseide inges. so at er ne be amonges hem
  no difference. {and} is is a consequente q{uo}d .I.

    [Sidenote: And if any one then stands in need of no external aid,
    can have all he wants, and is illustrious and respected--is not
    his condition very agreeable and pleasant?]

  is ing an q{uo}d she at ne ha no nede of no foreine          2324
  ing. {and} at may don alle inges by his strenges.
  {and} at is noble {and} hono{ur}able. nis nat at a myrie
  ing {and} a ioyful.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I cannot conceive how such a one can have grief or
    trouble.]

          _boice._ but wenest q{uo}d I {a}t any
  sorow my[gh]t[e] comen to is ing at is swiche.  Certys        2328
  I may nat inke.

    [Sidenote: _P._ It must then be a state of happiness; and we may
    also affirm that sufficiency, power, nobility, differ only in
    name, but not in substance.]

          _P._  anne moten we graunt[e] q{uod}
  she at is ing be ful of gladnesse yif e orseide inges
  be soe.  And also certys mote we graunten. at
  suffisaunce power noblesse reuerence {and} gladnesse ben          2332
  only dyuerse bynames. but hir substaunce ha no
  diu{er}site.

    [Sidenote: _B._ It is a necessary consequence.]

          _Boice._ It mot nedely be so q{uo}d .I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ The depravity of mankind then divides that which
    is essentially indivisible; and, seeking for a part of that which
    has no parts, they miss the entire thing which they so much
    desire.]

          _P._ ilke
  inge an q{uo}d she at is oon {and} simple i{n} his nature.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 20.]]

  e wikkednesse of men departi it *diuidi it. {and}              2336
  whan ei enforcen hem to gete p{ar}tie of a ing at ne
  ha no part. ei ne geten hem neier ilk[e] p{ar}tie at
  nis none. ne e ing al hole at ei ne desire nat.

    [Sidenote: _B._ How is that?]

  _.b._ In whiche manere q{uo}d .I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ He that seeks riches in order to avoid poverty, is
    not solicitous about power; he prefers meanness and obscurity, and
    denies himself many natural pleasures that he may not lessen his
    heaps of pelf.]

          _p._ ilke man q{uo}d she at                             2340
  seke rychesse to fleen pouerte. he ne trauayle hym
  nat to for to gete power for he ha leuer ben dirk {and}
  vile. {and} eke widrawe from hym selfe many naturel
  delit[gh] for he nolde lesen e moneye at he ha assembled.      2344

    [Sidenote: He who lacks power, is pricked with trouble, and
    rendered an outcast and obscure by his sordid ways, does not
    possess sufficiency.]

  but certis in is manere he ne geti hym nat                 [[pg 85]]
  suffisaunce at power forleti. {and} at moleste p{re}ke.
  {and} at file make outcaste. {and} at derknesse hide.

    [Sidenote: He who only aims at power squanders his riches, and
    despises delights and honours unaccompanied by power.]

  and certis he {a}t desire only power he wasti {and}            2348
  scatri rychesse {and} dispise delices {and} eke hono{ur}
  at is wi out power. ne he ne p{re}ise glorie no ing.

    [Linenotes:
    2310 _ha_--MS. hae
    2312 _whiche_--whych
         _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte
    2314 _clerenesse_--clernesse
         _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte
         _febler_--the febeler{e}
    2315 _seyne_--seyn
    2317 _ha_--MS. hae
    2324 _ha_--MS. hae
    2325 _his_--hyse
    2326 _myrie_--mery
    2327 _wenest_--whennes
    2328 _sorow my[gh]t[e]_--sorwe myhte
    2329 _graunt[e]_--grau{n}te
    2331 _be_--ben
         _also certys_--certes also
    2333 _ha_--MS. hae
    2334 _nedely_--nedly
    2335 _inge_--thing
    2337 _gete_--geten
    2338 _ha_--MS. hae
         _ilk[e]_--thilke
    2339 _none_--non
         _hole_--hool
    2340 _whiche_--whych
    2341 _rychesse_--Rychesses
         _fleen_--MS. sleen, C. flen
    2342 _leuer_--leu{er}
    2343 _vile_--vyl
         _selfe_--self
    2344 _delit[gh]_--delices
         _lesen_--lese
         _ha_--MS. hae
    2346 _preke_--prykketh
    2347 _derknesse_--dyrknesse
    2349 _scatri_--schatereth
         _delices_--delyc[gh]
    2350 _wi out_--w{i}t{h} owte]

    [Headnote:
    OF FALSE FELICITY.]

   Certys us seest ou wel at many i{n}g{us} failen to
  hym. for he ha somtyme faute of many necessites.                 2352

    [Sidenote: Such a one must be subject to many anxieties.]

  {and} many anguysses biten hym

    [Sidenote: And when he cannot get rid of these evils he ceases to
    have what he most desired--power.]

           {and} whan he may
  nat don o defautes awey. he forlete to ben my[gh]ty.
  {and} at is e ing at he most desire.

    [Sidenote: In the same way honour, glory, and pleasure, are all
    inseparable; he that seeks one without the other will fail to
    obtain his desires.]

          {and} ry[gh]t us
  may I make semblable resou{n}s of hono{ur}s {and} of glorie       2356
  {and} of delices.  For so as euery of ise forseide
  inges is e same at ise oer inges ben. at is to
  sein. al oon ing. who so at euer seke to geten at
  oon of ise {and} nat at oer. he ne gete nat at he            2360
  desire.

    [Sidenote: _B._ What then if a man should desire to gain them all
    at once?]

          _Boice._  what seist ou an yif at a man
  coueite to geten alle ise inges to gider.

    [Sidenote: _P._ He would then indeed desire perfect felicity--but
    can he ever expect to find it in the acquisitions above mentioned,
    which do not perform what they promise?]

          _P._ Certys
  q{uo}d she .I. wolde seie at he wolde geten hym souereyne
  blisfulnes. but at shal he nat fynde in o inges                2364
  at .I. haue shewed at ne mowe nat [gh]euen at ei by-heten.

    [Sidenote: _B._ No, surely!]

  _boice._ Certys no q{uo}d .I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Then happiness is not to be sought in these things
    which are falsely supposed capable of satisfying our desires?]

           an q{uod} she ne
  sholden men nat by no weye seken blysfulnesse in
  swiche inges as men wenen at ei ne mowe                        2368
  [gh]euen but o ing senglely of alle {a}t me{n} seken.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I confess it, and nothing can be more truly
    affirmed than this.]

  I graunt[e] wel q{uo}d .I. ne no soer ing ne may nat
  ben said.

    [Sidenote: Turn your mind's eye upon the reverse of all this
    _false felicity_ and you will perceive _the true happiness_.]

          _P._  Now hast ou an q{uo}d she e forme
  {and} e causes of false welefulnesse.  Now turne {and}          2372
  flitte e eyen of i ou[gh]t. for ere shalt ou seen an oon
  ilk verray blysfulnesse {a}t I haue byhy[gh]t ee.

    [Sidenote: _B._ It is very clear, and I had a complete view of it
    when you explained to me the causes of its counterfeit.]

  _b._ Certys q{uo}d .I. it is cler {and} opyn. ou[gh] at it were to
  a blynde man. {and} at shewedest ou me [ful wel] a              2376
  lytel her byforne. whan ou enforcedest e to shewe me       [[pg 86]]
  e causes of e false blysfulnesse

    [Sidenote: True felicity consists in a state of sufficiency, of
    power, and honour--as well as of a shining reputation and every
    desirable pleasure: and I must confess that true felicity is that
    which is bestowed by these advantages, as they are in reality all
    one and the same.]

           For but yif I be by-giled.
  an is ilke e verray p{er}fit blisfulnesse at p{er}fitly
  maki a man suffisau{n}t. my[gh]ty. hono{ur}able noble.           2380
  {and} ful of gladnesse. {and} for ou shalt wel knowe at I
  haue wel vndirstonden ise inges wi i{n}ne myne herte.
  I knowe wel ilke blisfulnesse at may verrayly [gh]euen
  on of e forseide inges syn ei ben al oon .I. knowe             2384
  douteles at ilke ing is e fulle of blysfulnesse.

    [Sidenote: _P._ O my nursling, how happy are you in this
    conviction, provided you add but one limitation.]

  _P._ O my nurry q{uod} she by is oppiniou{n} q{uo}d she I
  sey[e] at ou art blisful yif ou putte is er to at I
  shal seine.

    [Sidenote: _B._ What is that?]

          what is at q{uo}d .I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Thinkest thou that any thing in this world can
    confer this happiness? (the sovereign good).]

           Trowest ou at                                         2388
  er be any ing in is erely mortal toumblyng inges
  at may bryngen is estat.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I think not; for nothing can be desirable beyond
    such a state of perfection.]

          Certys q{uo}d I trowe it nat.
  {and} ou hast shewed me wel at ouer ilke goode er
  is no ing more to ben desired.

    [Sidenote: _P._ These imperfect things above mentioned only confer
    the shadow of the supreme good, or at most only an imperfect
    felicity, but they cannot bestow true and perfect happiness.]

          _P._ ise inges an                                      2392
  q{uo}d she. at is to seyne erely suffisaunce {and} power.
  {and} swiche inges eyer ei semen likenesse of verray
  goode. or ellys it seme at ei [gh]euen to mortal folk a
  maner of goodes at ne ben nat perfit.  But ilke                2396
  goode at is verray {and} p{er}fit. at may ei nat [gh]euen.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I quite agree with you.]

  _boice._ I. accorde me wel q{uo}d .I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Then, knowing the difference between true and
    false felicity you must now learn where to look for this supreme
    felicity.]

          an q{uo}d she for as
  moche as ou hast knowen whiche is ilke verray blisfulnesse.
  {and} eke whiche ilke inges ben at lien                        2400
  falsly blisfulnesse. at is to seyne. at by desceit
  seme{n} verray goodes.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 20 _b_.]]

           Now byhoue e to knowe{n}
  *whennes {and} where ou mowe seek[e] ilke verray
  blisfulnesse.  Certys q{uo}d I at desijr I gretly {and}         2404
  haue abiden longe tyme to herkene it.

    [Sidenote: _P._ But, as Plato says that even in the least things
    the Divine assistance ought to be implored, what ought we do, to
    render us worthy of so important a discovery as the true source
    and seat of the sovereign good?]

           But for as
  moche q{uo}d she as it like to my disciple plato in his
  book of i{n} thimeo. at in ry[gh]t lytel inges men sholde
  bysechen e helpe of god.  what iugest ou at be                2408
  [now] to done so at we may deserue to fynde e sete of      [[pg 87]]
  ilke souereyne goode.

    [Sidenote: _B._ Let us invoke the Father of all things.]

          _B._  Certys q{uo}d .I. I. deme
  at we shulle clepen to e fadir of alle goodes.  For
  wi outen hym nis er no ing founden ary[gh]t.

    [Sidenote: You are right, said Philosophy, and thus she sang:--]

          ou seist                                                 2412
  a-ry[gh]t q{uo}d she. and bygan on-one to syngen ry[gh]t us.

    [Linenotes:
    2351 _many_--manye
    2352 _ha_--MS. hae
         _faute_--defaute
    2353 _may_--ne may
    2354 _don_--MS. done, C. don
    2356 _make_--maken
    2357 _forseide_--MS. sorseide
    2363 _souereyne_--sou{er}eyn
    2365 _mowe_--mowen
    2368 _wenen_--wene
         _mowe_--mowen
    2370 _graunt[e]_--grau{n}te
         _soer_--sother{e}
    2371 _said_--MS. saide, C. sayd
    2376 [_ful wel_]--from C.
    2377 _byforne_--by-forn
    2378 _blysfulnesse_--MS. blyndenesse, C. blysfulnesse
    2385 _of_--omitted
    2386 _nurry_--norye
    2387 _sey[e]_--seye
    2388 _seine_--seyn
    2389 _is_--thise
    2390 _nat_--nawht
    2393 _seyne_--sey
    2395 _[gh]euen_--yeue
    2397 _goode_--good
    2399 _whiche_--which
    2401 _seyne_--seyn
    2402 _knowen_--knowe
    2403 _seek[e]_--seke
    2405 _herkene_--herknen
    2407 _sholde_--sholden
    2408 _bysechen_--by-shechen
         _helpe_--help
    2409 [_now_]--from C.
    2410 _souereyne goode_--verray good
    2411 _shulle_--shollen
         _to_--omitted
    2413 _on-one_--anon]


    [Headnote:
    IN SEEKING SUPREME FELICITY THE DIVINE AID IS TO BE INVOKED.]

O QUI PERPETUA.

  [Sidenote: [The 9^ne Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: O Father and Maker of heaven and earth, by whose
    eternal reason the world is governed, and by whose supreme command
    Time flows from the birth of ages, Thou, firm and unchanged
    thyself, makest all things else to move!]

  ++O ou fadir creatour of heuene {and} of eres at
  gouernest is worlde by p{er}durable resou{n} at comaundist
  e tymes for to gon from tyme at age had[de]                     2416
  bygy{n}ny{n}g. ou at dwellest i self ay stedfast {and}
  stable {and} [gh]iuest alle oer inges to ben moeued.

    [Sidenote: Thy sovereign will to floating matter gave its various
    forms, impelled by no exterior causes, but by the Idea of the Best
    in thy great mind conceived void of malice.]

  ne forein causes necesseden e neuer to co{m}poune werke
  of floterynge mater. but only e forme of souereyne               2420
  goode y-set wi i{n}ne [e] wi outen envie at moeued[e]
  e frely.

    [Sidenote: Fairest thyself bearing the world's figure in thy
    thought, thou didst create the world after that prototype, and
    dost draw all things from the image of the fair Supreme, and dost
    command that this world should have perfect parts.]

          ou at art alerfairest beryng e faire worlde
  in i ou[gh]t. formedest is worlde to e likkenesse
  semblable of at faire worlde in i ou[gh]t. ou drawest         2424
  alle inges of i souereyne ensampler. {and} comaundedist
  at is worlde p{er}fitlyche ymaked haue frely {and}
  absolut hyse p{er}fit parties.

    [Sidenote: By harmonious measures thou dost bind fast the
    elements, so that there is no discordance between things cold and
    hot, or between the moist and the dry.]

           ou byndest e element[gh]
  by noumbres p{ro}porcionables. at e colde inges                2428
  mowen accorde wi e hote inges. {and} e drye i{n}ges
  wi e moyst inges.

    [Sidenote: That the fire may not fly too high, and that weight may
    not press the earth and water lower than they are now placed,]

          at e fire at is purest ne fleye
  nat ouer heye. ne at e heuynesse ne drawe nat adou{n}
  ouer lowe e eres at ben plounged in e watres.                 2432

    [Linenotes:
    2415 _worlde_--world
    2416 _from----age_--from syn {a}t age
         _had[de]_--hadde
    2417 _stedfast_--stedefast
    2418 _oer_--oothre
    2419 _forein_--foreyne
         _werke_--werk
    2420 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good
    2421 _y-set_--MS. y-sette, C. Iset
         _wi inne_--w{i}t{h} in
         [_e_]--the
         _wi outen_--w{i}t{h} owte
         _moeued[e]_--moeuede
    2422 _alerfairest_--alderfayrest
    2422-24-26 _worlde_--world
    2423 _likkenesse_--lyknesse
    2426 _and absolut_--C. omits
    2427 _hyse_--hys
    2430 _fire_--fyr
         _fleye_--fle
    2431 _drawe_--drawen]

    [Headnote:
    GOD IS THE FOUNTAIN OF FELICITY.]

    [Sidenote: thou didst join the Middle Soul (of a threefold nature)
    moving all things, and then by agreeing numbers didst resolve it.]

   ou knyttest to-gidre e mene soule of treble kynde
  moeuyng alle inges. {and} diuidest it by membres accordynge.

    [Sidenote: When that is done, cut into two orbs, it moves about
    returning to itself, and then encompassing the profound mind doth
    by that fair idea turn the heaven.]

   And whan it is us diuided it ha assembled
  a moeuyng in two roundes.  It go to to{ur}ne                    2436
  a[gh]ein to hym owen self. {and} environe a fulle deep      [[pg 88]]
  ou[gh]t. {and} to{ur}ni e heuene by semblable ymage.

    [Sidenote: Thou by such causes dost raise all souls and lesser
    lives, and adaptest them to their light vehicles.]

  ou by eue{n}lyk causes enhau{n}sest e soules {and} e lasse
  liues {and} ablynge hem heye by ly[gh]t[e] cartes.                2440

    [Sidenote: Thou sowest them in heaven and earth, and they return
    to thee by thy kind law like a recoiling flame.]

  ou sewest hem in to heuene {and} in to ere. {and} whan ei
  ben conuertid to e by i benigne lawe.  ou makest
  hem retorne a[gh]eine to e by a[gh]ein ledyng fijr.

    [Sidenote: O Father, elevate our souls and let them behold thy
    august throne.]

           O
  fadir yif ou to i ou[gh]t to stien vp in to i streite sete.   2444
  {and} graunte [hym] to enviroune e welle of good.

    [Sidenote: Let them behold the fountain of all good. Dispel the
    mists of sense, remove the weights of earth-born cares, and in thy
    splendour shine (in our minds).]

  {and} e ly[gh]te yfounde graunte hym to ficchen e clere sy[gh]tes
  of hys corage in e.  And scatre ou {and} to-breke
  [thow] e wey[gh]tes {and} e cloudes of erely heuynesse.        2448
  {and} shyne ou by i bry[gh]tnes.

    [Sidenote: For thou art ever clear, and to the good art peace and
    rest. He who looks on thee beholds beginning, support, guide, path
    and goal, combined!]

          for ou art clernesse ou
  art peisible to debonaire folke.  ou i self art bygy{n}ny{n}ge.
  berere. ledere. pa {and} t{er}me to loke on e
  [at] is oure ende. _Glose._                                      2452

    [Linenotes:
    2435 _ha_--MS. hae
    2436 _go_--MS. goe
    2437 _owen_--C. omits
    2438 _tourni_--MS. to{ur}nie
    2439 _euenlyk_--euene lyke
    2440 _ly[gh]t[e]_--lyhte
    2442 _benigne_--bygynnynge
    2444 _yif_--yiue
         _i streite_--the streyte
    2445 [_hym_]--from C.
    2446 _ly[gh]te_--lyht
    2448 [_thow_]--from C.
    2449 _bry[gh]tnes_--bryhtnesse
    2451 _pa_--MS. pae; paath
    2452 [_at_]--that]


    [Headnote:
    GOD THE SUPREME GOOD.]

QUONIAM IGITUR QUI SCIT.[7]

    [Footnote 7: Read que sit.]

  [Sidenote: [The 10^the p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: Now that thou hast had a faithful representation of
    future felicity as well as of the true happiness, I shall show
    thee in what the Perfection of Happiness consists.]

  ++FOr as moche an as ou hast seyn. whiche is e
  forme of goode at nys nat p{er}fit. {and} whiche is e
  forme of goode at is p{er}fit. now trowe I at it were
  goode to shewe in what is p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of blisfulnesse is   2456
  set.

    [Sidenote: Our best plan will be to inquire whether there be in
    nature such a good as thou hast lately defined, lest we be
    deceived by the vanity of Imagination and be carried beyond the
    truth of the matter subjected to our inquiry.]

          {and} in is ing I trowe at we sholden first enquere
  forto witen yif at any swiche manere goode as ilke
  goode at ou hast diffinissed a lytel her byforne. at
  is to seine souereyne goode may be founden in e nature           2460
  of inges. For at veyne ymaginac{i}ou{n} of ou[gh]t ne
  desceiue vs nat. {and} putte vs oute of e soefastnesse
  of ilke inge at is su{m}myttid to vs. is is to seyne.
  but it may nat ben denoyed at ilke goode ne is.                 2464
   and at it nis ry[gh]t as a welle of alle goodes.

    [Sidenote: The sovereign good does exist, and is the source of all
    other good.]

           For
  al ing at is cleped i{n}p{er}fit.
                  is proued i{n}p{er}fit by e                 [[pg 89]]
  amenusynge of p{er}fecc{i}ou{n}. or of ing at is p{er}fit.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 21.]]

    [Sidenote: When we say that a thing is _imperfect_ we assert that
    there is something else of its kind _perfect_.]

  {and} her of come it. at in euery ing general. yif at.        2468
  at men seen any ing at is i{n}p{er}fit *certys in ilke general
  er mot ben so{m}me ing at is p{er}fit.  For yif so
  be at p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} is don awey. men may nat inke
  nor seye fro whe{n}nes ilke ing is at is cleped inperfit.      2472

    [Sidenote: Nature takes not her origin from things diminished and
    imperfect; but, proceeding from an entire and absolute substance,
    descends into the remotest and most fruitless things.]

   For e nature of inges ne token nat her bygynnyng
  of inges amenused {and} i{n}p{er}fit. but it p{ro}cedi of
  i{n}g{us} at ben al hool. {and} absolut. {and} descende so
  doune in to outerest inges {and} in to i{n}g{us} empty {and}    2476
  wi oute fruyt.

    [Sidenote: If there be an imperfect and fading felicity there must
    also be one stable and perfect.]

          but as I haue shewed a litel her byforne.
  at yif er be a blisfulnesse at be frele {and} vein {and}
  inp{er}fit. er may no man doute. at er nys som blisfulnesse
  at is sad stedfast {and} p{er}fit. b. is is concludid           2480
  q{uo}d I fermely {and} soefastly.

    [Sidenote: But now consider wherein this felicity resides. That
    God is the governor of all things is proved by the universal
    opinion of all men.]

          _P._ But co{n}sidere
  also q{uo}d she in wham is blisfulnesse enhabite. e
  co{m}mune acordaunce {and} conceite of e corages of men
  p{ro}ue {and} graunte at god p{r}ince of alle i{n}g{us} is    2484
  good.

    [Sidenote: For since nothing may be conceived better than God,
    then He who has no equal in goodness must be good.]

           For so as no ing ne may ben ou[gh]t bettre an
  god. it may nat ben douted an at [he {a}t] no ing is
  bettre. at he nys good.

    [Sidenote: Reason clearly demonstrates (1) that God is good, and
    (2) that the sovereign good exists in him.]

           Certys resou{n} shewe at
  god is so goode at it p{ro}ue by verray force at p{er}fit      2488
  goode is in hym.

    [Sidenote: If it were not so He could not be the Ruler of all
    things, for there would be some other being excelling him who
    possesses the supreme good and who must have existed before Him.]

           For yif god ne is swiche. he ne
  may nat ben p{r}ince of alle inges. for certis som ing
  possessyng in hy{m} self p{er}fit goode sholde ben more
  an god. {and} [it] sholde seme at ilke ing were first         2492
  {and} elder an god.

    [Sidenote: And we have already shown that the perfect precedes the
    imperfect;]

           For we han shewed ap{er}tly at
  alle inges at ben p{er}fit. ben first or inges at ben inperfit.

    [Linenotes:
    2453 _whiche_--which
    2454-55-56-58-59 _goode_--good
    2454 _whiche_--whych
    2457 _set_--MS. sette, C. set
    2460 _seine_--seyn
         _souereyne goode_--souereyn good
         _be founden_--ben fownde
    2461 _veyne_--veyn
    2463 _is is to seyne_--C. omits
    2464 _denoyed_--MS. deuoyded, C. denoyed
         _goode_--good
    2465 _of_--MS. of of
    2466 _al ing_--alle thing
    2468 _her of come_--ther of comht
    2470 _somme_--som
    2471 _don_--MS. done, C. don
    2473 _token_--took
    2475 _hool_--hoole
    2476 _doune_--down
    2477 _wi oute fruyt_--w{i}t{h} owten frut
    2480 _stedfast_--stydefast
    2481 _fermely_--MS. fennely, C. fermely
         _soefastly_--sothfastly
    2486 [_he at_]--from C.
         _is bettre_--nis bettr{e}
    2488-89-91 _goode_--good
    2489 _swiche_--swych
    2492 [_it_]--from C.
         _seme_--semen
    2493 _elder_--elder{e}]

    [Headnote:
    GOD THE SOURCE OF TRUE FELICITY.]

    [Sidenote: wherefore, that our reasonings may not run on with
    infinity, we must confess that the Supreme God is full of perfect
    and consummate good.]

   And for i for as moche as [that] my resou{n}
  or my p{ro}ces ne go nat awey wioute an ende. we                 2496
  ou[gh]t[e] to graunten at e souereyne god is ry[gh]t ful of
  souereyne p{er}fit goode.                                    [[pg 90]]

    [Sidenote: And as we have seen that the perfect good is true
    happiness, it follows that the true felicity resides in the
    Supreme Divinity.]

          and we han establissed at e
  souereyne goode is verrey blisfulnesse. an mot it nedes
  ben [{a}t verray blysfulnesse is] yset i{n} souereyne god.       2500
  _B._ is take I wel q{uo}d .I. ne is ne may nat be wiseid
  in no manere.

    [Sidenote: But let us see how we can firmly and irrefragably prove
    that the Supreme God contains in his own nature a plenitude of
    perfect and consummate good.]

           But I p{re}ie e q{uo}d she see now how
  ou mayst preuen holily {and} wi-oute{n} corrupciou{n} is
  at I haue seid. at e souereyne god is ry[gh]t ful of           2504
  souereyne goode. [In whych man{er}e q{uo}d I.] wenest
  ou ou[gh]t q{uo}d she at is p{r}ince of alle inges haue
  ytake ilke souereyne good any where an of hym self.
   of whiche souereyne goode men p{ro}ue at he is ful            2508
  ry[gh]t as ou my[gh]test inken. at god at ha blisfulnesse
  in hym self. {and} at ilke blisfulnesse at is in hym
  were diu{er}s in substaunce.

    [Sidenote: If you think that God has received this good from
    without, then you must believe that the giver of this good is more
    excellent than God the receiver.]

           For yif ou wene at
  god haue receyued ilke good oute of hy{m} self. ou              2512
  mayst wene at he at [gh]af ilke good to god. be more
  goode an is god.

    [Sidenote: But we have concluded that there is nothing more
    excellent than God.]

           But I am byknowen {and} confesse
  {and} at ry[gh]t dignely at god is ry[gh]t wori abouen alle
  inges.

    [Sidenote: But if this supreme good is in Him by nature, and is
    nevertheless of a different substance, we cannot conceive, since
    God is the author of all things, what could have united these two
    substances differing one from another.]

           And yif so be at is good be in hym by                 2516
  nature. but at it is diu{er}s from [hym] by wenyng
  resou{n}. syn we speke of god p{r}ince of alle inges feyne
  who so feyne may. who was he at [hath] co{n}ioigned
  ise diu{er}s inges to-gidre.

    [Sidenote: Lastly, a thing which essentially differs from another
    cannot be the same with that from which it is supposed to differ.]

          {and} eke at e last[e] se                                2520
  wel at o ing at is diu{er}s from any ing. at ilke
  ing nis nat at same ing. fro whiche it is vndirstonde{n}
  to ben diu{er}s.

    [Sidenote: Consequently, what in its nature differs from the chief
    good cannot be the supreme good.]

          an folwe it. at ilke i{n}g at
  by hys nature is dyuers from souereyne good. at at              2524
  ing nys nat souereyne good.

    [Sidenote: But it would be impious and profane thus to conceive of
    God, since nothing can excel Him in goodness and worth.]

          but certys at were a
  felonous corsednesse to inken at of hym. at no ing
  nis more wore.

    [Sidenote: In fact, nothing can exist whose nature is better than
    its origin.]

          For alwey of alle inges. e nat{ur}e
  of hem ne may nat ben better an his bygy{n}nyng.                 2528

    [Linenotes:
    2495 [_that_]--from C.
    2496 _proces_--p{ro}cesses
    2497 _ou[gh]t[e]_--owen
    2498 _goode_--good
    2499 _souereyne goode_--souereyn good
    2500 [_at----is_]--from C.
         _yset_--MS. ysette, C. set
    2501 _be_--ben
         _wiseid_--MS. wiseide, C. withseid
    2503 _wi-outen_--w{i}t{h}-owte
    2504 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd
    2505 _souereyne goode_--souereyn good
         [_In----I_]--from C.
    2506 _ou[gh]t_--awht
    2507 _an of_--owt of
    2508 _whiche_--whych
         _souereyne goode_--souereyn good
    2509 _ha_--MS. hae
    2510 _at ilke_--thilke
    2511 _were_--weren
    2514 _goode_--worth
    2517 _from_--fro
         [_hym_]--from C.
    2518 _feyne_--faigne
    2519 _feyne_--feigne
         [_hath_]--from C.
    2520 _last[e]_--laste
    2521 _o_--a
    2522 _whiche_--whych
    2524 _from_--fro
    2527 _nis_--is
    2528 _better_--bettre]

    [Headnote:
    THERE CANNOT BE TWO CHIEF GOODS.]

    [Sidenote: We may therefore conclude that the Author of all things
    is really and substantially the supreme Good.]

   For whiche I may concluden by ry[gh]t uerray resou{n}.     [[pg 91]]
  at ilke at is bygynnyng of alle inges. ilke same
  ing is good in his substaunce.

    [Sidenote: _B._ Most rightly said!]

          _B._ ou hast seid ry[gh]tfully
  q{uo}d .I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ But you have owned that true felicity is the
    sovereign good; then you must also grant that God is that true
    felicity.]

          _P._ But we han graunted q{uo}d she at                   2532
  souereyne good is blysfulnes. at is soe q{uo}d .I. an
  q{uo}d she mote we nedes graunten {and} confessen at
  ilke same souereyne goode be god.

    [Sidenote: _B._ Your conclusions follow from your premises.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 21 _b_.]]

           Certys *q{uo}d
  .I. I ne may nat denye ne wistonde e resou{n}s p{ur}posed.      2536
  and I see wel at it folwe by strenge of e
  p{re}misses.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Let us see whether we cannot prove this more
    convincingly by considering it in this view, that there cannot be
    two sovereign goods which differ in themselves.]

           Loke nowe q{uo}d she yif is be proued
  [yit] more fermely us.  at er ne mowen nat ben
  two souereyne goodes at ben diuerse amo[n]ges hem                2540
  self.

    [Sidenote: For it is plain that of the goods that differ one
    cannot be what the other is; wherefore neither of them can be
    perfect where one wants the other.]

          at on is nat at at oer is. an [ne] mowen
  neier of hem ben p{er}fit. so as eyer of hem lakki to
  oir.

    [Sidenote: That which is not perfect cannot be the supreme good.]

          but at at nis nat p{er}fit men may seen apertly
  at it nis nat souereyne.

    [Sidenote: Neither can the chief good be essentially different.]

          e inges an at ben                                     2544
  souereynely goode ne mowen by no wey ben diuerse.

    [Sidenote: But it has been shown that God and happiness are the
    chief good, wherefore the sovereign felicity and the Supreme
    Divinity are one and the same.]

   But I haue wel conclude at blisfulnesse {and} god ben
  [the] souereyne goode. For whiche it mot nedes be at
  souereyne blisfulnesse is souerey[ne] dyuynite.  No              2548
  ing q{uo}d I nis more soefast an is ne more ferme by
  resou{n}. ne a more wori ing an god may nat ben
  concluded.

    [Sidenote: Following then the examples of geometricians who deduce
    their consequences from their propositions, I shall deduce to thee
    something like a corollary as follows:--]

          _P._ vpon ise inges an q{uo}d she. ry[gh]t as
  ise geometriens whan ei han shewed her p{ro}posiciou{n}s        2552
  ben wont to brynge{n} in inges at ei clepen porismes
  or declarac{i}ou{n}s of forseide inges. ry[gh]t so wil I [gh]eue
  e here as a corolarie or a mede of coroune.

    [Sidenote: Because by the attainment of felicity men become happy,
    and as felicity is the same as Divinity itself, therefore by the
    attainment of Divinity men are made happy.]

          For whi.
  for as moche as by e getynge of blisfulnesse men ben             2556
  maked blysful. {and} blisfulnesse is diuinite.  an is
  it manifest {and} open at by e gety{n}g of diuinite men
  ben makid blisful.

    [Sidenote: But as by the participation of justice or of wisdom men
    become just or wise,]

          ry[gh]t as by e getynge of iustice . . .
  {and} by e getyng of sapience ei ben maked wise.                2560

    [Linenotes:
    2529 _whiche_--whych
    2531 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd
    2533 _soe_--soth
    2534 _mote_--moten
    2539 [_yit_]--from C.
    2541 _is_ (1)--nis
         _oer_--othre
         [_ne_]--from C.
    2546 _conclude_--concluded
    2547 [_the_] from C.
         _goode_--good
         _be_--ben
    2549 _soefast_--sothfast
         _ferme_--MS. forme, C. ferme
    2552 _proposiciouns_--MS. p{ro}porsiou{n}s, C. p{ro}posiciou{n}s
    2553 _porismes_--MS. poeismes, C. porysmes
    2554 _wil_--wole]

    [Headnote:
    THE HAPPY MAN IS A GOD.]

    [Sidenote: so by partaking of Divinity they must necessarily,
    and by parity of reason, become gods.]

   Ry[gh]t so nedes by e semblable resou{n}
                  wha{n} ei han getyn                         [[pg 92]]
  diuinite ei ben maked goddys.

    [Sidenote: Every happy man then is a god. But by nature there is
    only _One_; but by participation of Divine essence there may be
    many gods.]

          an is euery blisful
  man god.  But certis by nature. er nys but oon god.
  but by e p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n}s of diuinite ere ne lette ne     2564
  disturbe no ing at er ne ben many goddes.  is
  is q{uo}d .I. a faire ing {and} a p{re}cious. Clepe it as
  {o}u wolt. be it corolarie or porisme or mede of coroune
  or declarynges  Certys q{uo}d she no ing nis fairer.            2568
  an is e ing at by resou{n} sholde ben added to ise
  forseide inges. what ing q{uo}d .I.

    [Sidenote: But as happiness seems to be an assemblage of many
    things, ought we not to consider whether these several things
    constitute conjointly the body of happiness, or whether there is
    not some one of these particular things that may complete the
    substance or essence of it, and to which all the rest have a
    relation?]

           So q{uo}d she as
  it seme at blisfulnesse conteni many inges. it were
  forto witen wheir [{a}t] alle ise inges maken or              2572
  conioignen as a maner body of blysfulnesse by diuersite
  of parties or [of] me{m}bris. Or ellys yif any of alle
  ilke i{n}g{us} be swyche at it acomplise by hy{m} self e
  substaunce of blisfulnesse. so at alle ise oer inges          2576
  ben referred and brou[gh]t to blisfulnesse. at is to seyne
  as to e chief of hem.

    [Sidenote: _B._ Illustrate this matter by proper examples.]

           I wolde q{uo}d I at ou
  makedest me clerly to vndirstonde what ou seist. {and}
  at ou recordest me e forseide inges.

    [Sidenote: _P._ As you grant that happiness is a good, you may say
    the same of all the other goods; for perfect sufficiency is
    identical with supreme felicity; so is supreme power, likewise
    high rank, a shining reputation, and perfect pleasure.]

           Haue I nat                                              2580
  iuged q{uo}d she. at blisfulnesse is goode. [gh]is forsoe
  q{uo}d .I. {and} at souereyne goode.  Adde an q{uo}d
  she ilke goode at is maked blisfulnes to alle e forseide
  inges.  For ilke same blisfulnesse at is                      2584
  demed to ben souereyne suffisaunce. ilke self is
  souereyne power. souereyne reuerence. sou{er}eyne clernesse
  or noblesse {and} souereyne delit.

    [Sidenote: What say you, then; are all these things, sufficiency,
    power, and the rest, to be considered as constituent parts of
    felicity? or are they to be referred to the sovereign good as
    their source and principal?]

          what seist ou
  an of alle ise inges. at is to seyne. suffisance power        2588
  {and} ise oer inges. ben ei an as membris of blisfulnesse.
  or ben ei referred {and} brou[gh]t to souereyne good.
   Ry[gh]t as alle inges at ben brou[gh]t to e chief of hem.

    [Linenotes:
    2563 _oon_--o
    2564 _lette_--let
    2566 _faire_--fayr
    2567 _porisme_--MS. pousme, C. porisme
    2572 [_at_]--from C.
    2573 _maner_--maner{e}
         _by_--be
    2574 [_of_]--from C.
    2575 _swyche_--swych
    2576 _oer_--oothr{e}
    2577 _seyne_--seyn
    2578 _chief_--chef
    2581 _goode [gh]is_--good ys
    2582 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn good
    2583 _goode_--good
    2585 _self_--selue
    2588 _ise_--C. omits
         _seyne_--seyn
    2589 _oer_--oothre]

    [Headnote:
    GOOD, THE RULE AND SQUARE OF THINGS DESIRABLE.]

    [Sidenote: _B._ I see what you are aiming at, and I am desirous to
    hear your arguments.]

  b. I vndirstonde wel q{uo}d .I. what ou p{ur}posest to      [[pg 93]]
  seke. but I desijr[e] to herkene at ou shewe it me.             2593

    [Sidenote: _P._ If all these things were members of felicity, they
    would differ one from another, for it is the property of diverse
    parts to compose one body.]

  _p._ Take now us e discressiou{n} of is questiou{n} q{uo}d
  she. yif al ise inges q{uo}d she weren membris to
  felicite. an weren ei diu{er}se at oon fro at oer.           2596
   And swiche is e nat{ur}e of p{ar}ties or of membris.
  at dyuerse me{m}bris compounen a body.

    [Sidenote: But it has been well shown that all these things are
    the same and do not differ--therefore they are not parts, for if
    they were, happiness might be made up of one member--which is
    absurd and impossible.]

           Certis
  q{uo}d I it ha wel ben shewed her byforne. at alle ise
  inges ben alle on ing. an ben ei none membris q{uo}d          2600
  she.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 22.]]

          for ellys it sholde seme at blisfulnesse were
  conioigned *al of one membre alone. but at is a i{n}g
  at may nat ben doon.

    [Sidenote: _B._ This I doubt not, but I desire to hear the
    sequel.]

          is ing q{uo}d .I. nys nat
  doutous. but I abide to herkene e remenaunt of e                2604
  questiou{n}.

    [Sidenote: _P._ All the things above-mentioned must be tried by
    Good, as the rule and square.]

          is is ope{n} {and} clere q{uo}d she. at alle oer
  inges ben referred {and} brou[gh]t to goode.

    [Sidenote: Sufficiency, power, &c., are all desired, because they
    are esteemed a good.]

           For erfore
  is suffisaunce requered. For it is demed to ben
  good. {and} fori is power requered. for men trowen also          2608
  at it be goode. and is same ing mowe we inken {and}
  coueiten of reuerence {and} of noblesse {and} of delit.

    [Sidenote: Good is the cause why all things are desired.]

  an is souereyne good e soume {and} e cause of alle at
  au[gh]t[e] be desired.

    [Sidenote: For that which contains no good, either in reality or
    appearance, can never be desired.]

          forwhi ilke ing at wi-holde no                       2612
  good in it self ne semblaunce of goode it ne may nat
  wel in no manere be desired ne requered.

    [Sidenote: On the contrary, things not essentially good are
    desired because they appear to be real goods.]

          {and} e contrarie.
  For ou[gh] at inges by hir nature ne ben nat
  goode algates yif men wene at ei be{n} goode [gh]it ben         2616
  ei desired as ou[gh] [{a}t] ei were verrayly goode.

    [Sidenote: Hence, Good is esteemed as the cause and end of all
    things that we desire.]

  {and} erfore is it at men au[gh]te{n} to wene by ry[gh]t at bounte
  be souereyne fyn {and} e cause of alle inges at ben to
  requeren.

    [Sidenote: That which is the cause of our desiring any thing is
    itself what we chiefly want.]

           But certis ilke {a}t is cause for whiche              2620
  men requeren any ing.  it seme at ilke same
  ing be most desired.

    [Sidenote: If a man desire to ride on account of health--it is not
    the ride he wants so much as its salutary effects.]

          as us yif at a wy[gh]t wolde ryde
  for cause of hele. he ne desire nat so mychel e
  moeuyng to ryden as e effect of his heele.                  [[pg 94]]

    [Sidenote: Since all things are sought after for the sake of Good,
    they cannot be more desirable than the good itself.]

          Now an                                                   2624
  syn at alle inges ben requered for e grace of good.
  ei ne ben [nat] desired of alle folk more an e same
  good

    [Sidenote: It has been shown that all the aforesaid things are
    only pursued for the sake of happiness--hence it is clear that
    good and happiness are essentially the same.]

           But we han graunted at blysfulnesse is at
  ing for whiche at alle ise oer inges ben desired.            2628
  an is it us at certis only blisfulnesse is requered {and}
  desired  By whiche ing it shewe clerely at good
  {and} blisfulnesse is al oone {and} e same substaunce.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I see no cause to differ from you.]

   I se nat q{uo}d I wher fore at men my[gh]t[en] discorden       2632
  in is.

    [Sidenote: _P._ It has been proved that God and happiness are
    identical and inseparable.]

          _p._ {and} we han shewed at god {and} verrey blysfulnesse
  is al oon ing

    [Sidenote: _B._ That is true.]

           at is soe q{uod} .I.

    [Sidenote: Therefore the substance of God is also the same as that
    of the Supreme Good.]

  an mowe we conclude sikerly {a}t e substaunce of god is
  set in ilke same good {and} in noon oer place.                  2636

    [Linenotes:
    2591 _brou[gh]t_--MS wrou[gh]t, C. browht
    2593 _desijr[e] to herkene_--desir{e} for to herkne
    2594 _Take_--tak
    2596 _fro_--from
    2597 _swiche_--swhych
    2600 _on ing_--othing
    2602 _one_--on
    2603 _ben doon_--be don
    2604 _herkene_--herknen
    2605 _clere_--cler
         _oer_--oothre
    2606 _goode_--good
    2609 _goode_--good
         _mowe_--mowen
    2617 [_at_]--from C.
         _were verrayly_--weeren verraylyche
    2618 _erfore_--therfor
         _au[gh]ten_--owhten
    2619 _alle_--alle the
    2620 _whiche_--whych
    2623 _mychel_--mochel
    2624 _moeuyng_--moeuynge
    2626 [_nat_]--from C.
    2628 _oer_--oothr{e}
    2630 _clerely_--clerly
         _good and blisfulnesse_--of good {and} of blysfulnesse
    2631 _oone_--oon
    2632 _my[gh]t[en]_--myhten
    2634 _oon_--oo
         _soe_--soth
    2635 _mowe_--mowen
    2636 _set_--MS. sette, C. set]


    [Headnote:
    GOD A HAVEN OF REST.]

NUNC OMNES PARITER {ET}C.

  [Sidenote: [The 10^the Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: Come hither, all ye that are captives--bound and
    fettered with the chains of earthly desires;--come to this source
    of goodness, where you shall find rest and security.]

  ++O Come alle to-gidre now [gh]e at ben ycau[gh]t {and}
  ybounde wi wicked[e] cheines by e deceiuable
  delit of erely inges inhabytynge in [gh]oure ou[gh]t. here
  shal ben e reste of [gh]oure laboures. here is e hauene         2640
  stable in peisible quiete. is al oone is e open refut to
  wreches.

    [Sidenote: [Chaucer's gloss upon the Text.]

          _Glosa._ is is to seyn. at [gh]e at ben combred
  {and} deceyued wi worldly affecc{i}ou{n}s come now
  to is souereyne good at is god. at is refut to hem at         2644
  wolen come to hym.

    [Sidenote: Not the gold of Tagus or of Hermus, nor the gems of
    India, can clear the mental sight from vain delusions, but rather
    darken it.]

          _Textus._  Alle e inges at e
  ryuere Tagus [gh]iue [gh]ow wi his golden[e] grauels. or
  ellys alle e ynges at e ryuere herm{us}. [gh]iue wi his
  rede brynke. or at yndus [gh]iue at is nexte e hote           2648
  p{ar}tie of e worlde. at medele e grene stones
  (smaragd{e}) wi e white (margarits). ne sholde nat
  cleren e lokynge of [gh]oure o[gh]t. but hiden raer [gh]oure
  blynde corages wi i{n}ne hire dirkenesse

    [Sidenote: Such sources of our delight are found in the earth's
    gloomy caverns,--but the bright light that rules the heavens
    dispels the darkness of the soul.]

           Alle at                                                2652
  like [gh]ow here {and} exciti {and} moeue [gh]oure ou[gh]tes.
  e ere ha noryshed it in hys lowe caues. but e            [[pg 95]]
  shynyng by e whiche e heuene is gouerned {and}
  whennes at it ha hys strenge at chase e derke               2656
  ouerrowyng of e soule.

    [Sidenote: He who has seen this light will confess that the beams
    of the sun are weak and dim.]

           And who so euer may
  knowen ilke ly[gh]t of blisfulnesse. he shal wel seine at
  e white bemes of e sonne ne ben nat cleer.

    [Linenotes:
    2638 _wicked[e]_--wyckyde
    2639, 2640 _here_--her
    2640 _hauene_--MS. heuene, C. hauene
    2641 _al oone_--allone
    2643 _worldly_--worldely
    2645 _come_--comyn
    2646 _golden[e] grauels_--goldene grauayles
    2647 _ynges_--MS. rynges, C. thinges
         _hermus_--MS. herin{us}, C. herynus
    2648 _nexte_--next
    2649 _worlde_--world
    2654, 2656 _ha_--MS. hae
    2654 _hys_--hyse
    2656 _chase e derke_--eschueth the dyrke
    2657 _euer_--C. omits
    2658 _seine_--seyn]


    [Headnote:
    MEN DO NOT SEEK TRUE FELICITY.]

ASSENCIOR INQ{UA}M CUNCTA. Boice.

  [Sidenote: [The 11 p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: _B._ I assent, and am convinced by the force of your
    arguments.]

  ++I assent[e] me q{uo}d .I. For alle ise inges ben              2660
  strongly bounden wi ry[gh]t ferme resou{n}s.

    [Sidenote: _P._ But how greatly would you value it, did you fully
    know what this good is?]

  how mychel wilt ou p{re}isen it q{uo}d she. yif at ou
  knowe what ilke goode is.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I should value it infinitely if at the same time I
    might attain to the knowledge of God, who is the sovereign good.]

          I wol p{re}ise it q{uo}d I by
  price wi outen ende.  yif it shal bytyde me to                  2664
  knowe also to-gidre god at is good.

    [Sidenote: _P._ I shall elucidate this matter by incontrovertible
    reasons if thou wilt grant me those things which I have before
    laid down as conclusions.]

           certys q{uo}d she
  {a}t shal I do e by verray resou{n}.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 22 _b_.]]

          yif at o inges at
  I haue conclude[d] a litel her by *forne dwellen oonly
  in hir first[e] graunty{n}g.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I grant them all.]

          _Boice._ ei dwellen graunted                             2668
  to e q{uo}d .I. is is to seyne as who sei .I. graunt i
  forseide conclusiou{n}s.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Have I not shown that the things which the
    majority of mankind so eagerly pursue are not true and perfect
    goods, for they differ from one another; and because where one of
    them is absent the others cannot confer absolute happiness (or
    good)?]

           Haue I nat shewed e q{uo}d
  she at e inges at ben requered of many folke. ne
  ben nat verray goodes ne p{er}fit. for ei ben diu{er}se at      2672
  oon fro at oer. {and} so as eche of hem is lakkyng to
  oer. ei ne han no power to bryngen a good {a}t is ful
  {and} absolute.

    [Sidenote: Have I not shown, too, that the true and chief good is
    made up of an assemblage of all the goods in such a way, that if
    sufficiency is an attribute of this good, it must at the same time
    possess power, reverence, &c.]

           But an atte arst ben ei verray good
  whan ei ben gadred to-gidre al in to a forme {and} in            2676
  to oon wirchy{n}g. so at ilke ing at is suffisaunce.
  ilk same be power {and} reuerence. {and} noblesse {and}
  mire.

    [Sidenote: If they be not one and the same, why should they be
    classed among desirable things?]

           And forsoe but alle ise i{n}ges ben alle o
  same ing ei ne han nat wher by at ei mowen ben                2680
  put in e nou{m}bre of inges. at au[gh]ten ben requered
  or desired. _b._  It is shewed q{uo}d .I. ne her of may
  er no man douten.

    [Sidenote: While these things differ from one another they are not
    goods; but as soon as they become one then they are made
    goods.--Do not they owe their being good to their unity?]

          _p._ e inges an q{uo}d she at ne
  ben none goodes whan ei ben diu{er}se. {and} whan ei       [[pg 96]]
  bygynnen to ben al o ing. an ben ei goodes. ne                 2685
  comi it hem nat an by e getynge of unite at ei ben
  maked goodes.

    [Sidenote: _B._ So it appears.]

          _b._ so it seme q{uo}d .I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Do you confess that everything that is good
    becomes such by the participation of the sovereign good or no?]

          but alle ing at
  is good q{uo}d she grauntest ou at it be good
                  by p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n}                           2688
  of good or no.

    [Sidenote: _B._ It is so.]

           I graunt[e] it q{uo}d .I.

    [Linenotes:
    2660 _assent[e]_--assente
    2662 _mychel_--mochel
    2663 _goode_--good
    2664 _price_--prys
    2669 _is_--omitted
         _seyne_--seyn
    2671 _folke_--folkes
    2673 _oer_--oothre
         _eche_--ech
    2675 _absolute_--absolut
         _atte arst_--at erste
    2676 _al_--alle
         _a_--O
    2677 _to_--omitted
         _wirchyng_--wyrkynge
    2678 _ilk_--thilke
    2681 _put_--MS. putte, C. put
         _au[gh]ten_--owhten
    2684 _none_--no
    2685 _al o_--alle oon
    2686 _comi_--comth
    2689 _graunt[e]_--graunte]

    [Headnote:
    UNITY NECESSARY TO EXISTENCE.]

    [Sidenote: _P._ Then you must own that unity and good are the same
    (for the substance of those things must be the same, whose effects
    do not naturally differ).]

   an mayst ou graunt[en] it q{uo}d she by sembleable
  resou{n} at oon {and} good ben o same ing.  For of
  inges [of] whiche at e effect nis nat naturely diuerse         2692
  nedys e substaunce mot ben o same inge.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I cannot gainsay it.]

          I ne may
  nat denye it q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Do you not perceive that everything which exists
    is permanent so long as it preserves its unity--but as soon as it
    loses this, it is dissolved and annihilated?]

           Hast ou nat knowen wel q{uo}d
  she. at al ing at is ha so longe his dwellyng {and}
  his substaunce. as longe is it oone.  but wha{n} it              2696
  forleti to ben oone it mot nedis dien {and} corrumpe togidre.

    [Sidenote: _B._ How so?]

   In whiche manere q{uo}d .I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ In the animal creation as long as the soul and the
    body are united and conjoined in one, this being is called an
    animal or beast, but when the union is dissolved by the separation
    of these, the animal perishes and is no longer a beast.]

           Ry[gh]t as in
  beestes q{uod} she. whan e soule {and} e body ben
  co{n}ioigned in oon {and} dwellen to-gidre it is cleped a         2700
  beest. {and} whan hire vnite is destroied by disseueraunce
  at oon fram {a}t oir. an shewe it wel at it is a
  dede i{n}g. {and} at it is no lenger no beste.

    [Sidenote: The same may be said of man and all other things; they
    subsist while unity is preserved, but as soon as that is destroyed
    the things themselves lose their existence.]

          {and} e
  body of a wy[gh]t while it dwelle in oon forme by coniuncc{i}ou{n}
  of membris it is wel seyn at it is a figure of                   2705
  mankynde. and yif e partyes of e body ben [so]
  diuide[d] {and} disseuered at oon fro at oir at ei
  destroien vnite. e body forleti to ben at it was byforne.      2708
   And who so wolde renne in e same manere
  by alle inges he sholde seen at wi outen doute euery
  inge is in his substaunce as longe as it is oon. {and}
  whan it forleti to ben oon it die {and} p{er}issi.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I believe we should find this true in every case.]

          _boice._                                                  2712
  whan I considre q{uo}d I many inges I see noon o{er}.

    [Linenotes:
    2690 _mayst ou graunt[en]_--mosthow grau{n}ten
    2692 [_of_]--from C.
    2695 _al_--alle
         _ha_--MS. hae
    2696, 2697 _oone_--oon
    2698 _whiche_--which
    2703 _dede_--ded
         _lenger_--lenger{e}
         _beste_--beest
    2704 _while_--whil
         _oon_--oo
    2706 _[so] diuide[d]_--so deuydyd
    2709 _so_--omitted
    2713 _many_--manye]

    [Headnote:
    NATURE SUSTAINS VEGETATION.]

    [Sidenote: _P._ Is there anything which acts naturally that
    forgoes this desire of existence and wishes for death and
    corruption?]

   Is er any ing anne q{uo}d she at in as moche as
  it lyue naturely. at forleti e appetit or talent of           2715
  hys beynge. {and} desire to come to dee
                  {and} to corrupc{i}ou{n}.                    [[pg 97]]

    [Sidenote: _B._ I do not find any creature endowed with volition,
    which, of itself and without constraint, renounces or despises
    life and self-preservation or willingly hastens to destruction.]

   yif I considere q{uod} I e beestes at han
  any manere nature of willy{n}ge or of nillynge I ne
  fynde no ing. but yif it be constreyned fro wi out
  fore. at forleti or dispise to lyue {and} to dure{n}          2720
  or at wole his ankes hasten hy{m} to dien.  For
  euery beest trauayle hy{m} to defende {and} kepe e
  sauuac{i}ou{n} of lijf. {and} eschewe dee {and} destrucc{i}ou{n}.

    [Sidenote: But with regard to herbs and trees, I am doubtful
    whether I ought to have the same opinion of them, for they have no
    sensitive soul, nor any natural volition like animals.]

  _b._ but certys I doute me of herbes {and} of trees. at is       2724
  to seyn at I am in a doute of swiche inges as herbes
  or trees at ne han no fely{n}g soule. ne no naturel
  wirchynges seruy{n}g to appetite as beestes han wheer
  ei han appetite to dwelle{n} {and} to duren.

    [Sidenote: _P._ There is no cause for doubt in respect to these.]

           Certis                                                  2728
  q{uo}d she ne er of ar e nat doute.

    [Sidenote: Herbs and trees first choose a convenient place to grow
    in, where, agreeably to their respective natures, they are sure to
    thrive, and are in no danger of perishing; for some grow on
    plains, some on mountains, &c.; and if you try to transplant them,
    they forthwith wither and die.]

           Now look
  vpon ise herbes {and} ise trees. ei waxen firste in
  swiche place as be{n} couenable to hem. in whiche place
  ei ne mowen nat sone dien ne dryen as longe as hire              2732
  nature may defenden he{m}.  For some of hem waxen
  in feldes {and} some in mou{n}taignes. {and} oir waxen i{n}
  mareis. [_A leaf lost here, and supplied from C._]
  [{and} oothre cleuyn on Roches / {and} soume waxen plentyuos      2736
  in sondes / {and} yif {a}t any wyht enforce hym to
  beryn hem in to oother places / they wexen drye //

    [Sidenote: To everything that vegetates, nature gives what is
    needful for its subsistence, and takes care that they should not
    perish before their time.]

  For natur{e} yeueth to eu{er}y thing {a}t /
                  {a}t is co{n}uenient to
  hym {and} trauaylith {a}t they ne dye nat as longe as they       2740
  han power to dwellyn {and} to lyuen //

    [Sidenote: Need I tell you that plants are nourished by their
    roots (which are so many mouths hid in the earth), and diffuse
    strength throughout the whole plant, as through their marrow?]

          what woltow seyn
  of this / {a}t they drawen alle hyr norysshynges by hyr
  rootes / ryht as they haddyn hyr Mowthes I.-plounged              2743
  w{i}t{h} in the erthes / {and} shedyn by hyr maryes (i. medull{as})
  hyr wode {and} hyr bark /

    [Sidenote: And further, it is admirably contrived that the pith,
    the most tender part of plants, is hid in the middle of the trunk,
    surrounded with hard and solid wood, and with an outer coat of
    bark to ward off the storms and weather.]

          {and} what woltow seyn
  of this {a}t thilke thing / {a}t is ryht softe as the marye (i.
  sapp) is / {a}t is alwey hidd in the feete al w{i}t{h} inne {and}
  {a}t it is defendid fro w{i}t{h} owte by the stidefastnesse of   2748
  wode // {and} {a}t the vttereste bark is put ayenis
                  the destemprau{n}ce
  of the heuene / as a defendowr myhty to suffren              [[pg 98]]
  harm /

    [Sidenote: Admire, too, the diligence of nature in propagating
    plants by a multiplicity of seeds, which are as a foundation for a
    building, not to remain for a time, but as it were for ever.]

          {and} thus certes maystow wel sen / how gret is
  the diligence of natur{e} / For alle thinges renouelen {and}      2752
  pupllisen hem w{i}t{h} seed .I.-multiplyed / nether nis no man
  {a}t ne wot wel {a}t they ne ben ryht as a foundement {and}
  edyfice for to duren / nat only for a tyme / but ryht as forto
  duren p{er}durablely by generacyou{n} //

    [Sidenote: Things inanimate incline to what is most suitable to
    their beings, and to preserve continuance.]

          {and} the thinges ek                                      2756
  {a}t men wenen ne hauen none sowles / ne desir{e} they nat ech
  of hem by sem[b]lable resou{n} to kepyn {a}t that is hirs / {a}t
  is to seyn {a}t is acordynge to hyr natur{e} in conseruaciou{n}
  of hyr beynge {and} endurynge //

    [Sidenote: For why should the flame mount upwards by lightness,
    and the earth tend towards its centre by gravity (weight), unless
    these motions were agreeable to their respective natures?]

          For wher for elles berith                                 2760
  lythnesse the flaumbes vp / {and} the weyhte p{re}sseth the
  erthe a-dou{n} // but For as moche as thilke places and
  thilke moeuynges ben couenable to eu{er}ich of hem //

    [Linenotes:
    2718 _willynge_--wylnynge
         _or_--{and}
    2719 _ing_--beest
         _out fore_--owte forth
    2720 _lyue_--lyuen
    2723 _of lijf_--of hys lyf
    2726 _soule_--sowles
    2727 _appetite_--appetites
    2729 _look_--loke
    2730 _waxen firste_--wexen fyrst
    2733, 2734 _some_--som
    2734 _oir_--oothre
    2753 _pupllisen_--H. publisshen)
    2755 _edyfice_--MS. edyfite
         _a tyme_--H. oon) tyme
    2758 _that_--H. omits
         _hirs_--H. his]

    [Headnote:
    THE LOVE OF LIFE IS INSTINCTIVE.]

    [Sidenote: Whatever is agreeable to the nature of a thing
    preserves it. So what is contrary to its nature destroys it.]

  {and} forsothe eu{er}y thing kepith thilke {a}t is acordynge     2764
  {and} propre to hym // ryht as thinges {a}t ben contraryes
  {and} enemys corompen hem //

    [Sidenote: Dense bodies, such as stones, resist an easy separation
    of parts; whereas the particles of liquid or flowing things, such
    as air and water, are easily separated and soon reunited.]

          {and} yit the harde thinges
  as stoones clyuen {and} holden hyr partyes to gydere
  ryht faste {and} harde / {and} deffenden hem in withstondenge     2768
  {a}t they ne departe nat lyhtly a twyne // {and} the
  thinges {a}t ben softe {and} fletynge as is water {and} Eyr
  they departyn lyhtly // {and} yeuen place to hem {a}t
  brekyn or deuyden hem // but natheles they retorne{n}             2772
  sone ayein in to the same thinges fro whennes they ben
  arraced //

    [Sidenote: Fire avoids and utterly refuses any such division.]

          but fyr [fleet[-h]] {and} refuseth alle deuysyou{n} /

    [Sidenote: I am not now treating of the voluntary motion of a
    conscious soul, but of the natural intention and instinct.]

  ne I. ne trete nat heer{e} now of weleful moeuynges of the
  sowle {a}t is knowynge // but of the naturel entenciou{n}        2776
  of thinges //

    [Sidenote: We swallow our meat without thinking of it, and we draw
    our breath in sleep without perception.]

          As thus ryht as we swolwe the mete {a}t we
  resseyuen {and} ne thinke nat on it / {and} as we drawen
  owr{e} breth in slepynge {a}t we wite it nat whil we slepyt //

    [Sidenote: The love of life in animals is not derived from an
    intellectual will, but from natural principles implanted in them.]

  For certes in the beestys the loue of hyr lyuynges ne of          2780
  hyr beeinges ne comth nat of the wilnynges of the sowle //
  but of the bygynnyngis of natur{e} //

    [Sidenote: For the will, induced by powerful reasons, sometimes
    chooses and embraces death, although nature dreads and abhors it.]

          For certes thorw
  constreynynge causes / wil desireth {and} embraceth ful
  ofte tyme / the deth {a}t natur{e} dredith
                  // that is to seyn                           [[pg 99]]
  as thus that a man may ben constreynyd so by som                  2785
  cause that his wil desireth and taketh the deth which
  {a}t natur{e} hateth {and} dredeth ful sore //

    [Sidenote: And, on the contrary, we see that concupiscence (by
    which alone the human race is perpetuated) is often restrained by
    the will.]

          And som tyme
  we seeth the contrarye / as thus that the wil of a wight /        2788
  destorbeth {and} constreyneth {a}t {a}t natur{e} desireth / and
  requereth al-wey // that is to sein the werk of gen{er}aciou{n} /
  by the whiche gen{er}aciou{n} only / dwelleth {and} is sustenyd
  the longe durablete of mortal thinges //

    [Sidenote: Self-love possessed by every creature is not the
    product of volition, but proceeds from a natural impression or
    intention of nature.]

          And thus                                                  2792
  this charite and this Loue {a}t eu{er}y thing hath to hym
  self ne comth nat of the moeuynge of the sowle / but of
  the entenciou{n} of natur{e} //

    [Sidenote: Providence has implanted in all created things an
    instinct, for the purpose of self-preservation, by which they
    desire to prolong existence to its utmost limits.]

          For the puruyance of god
  hat yeuen to thinges {a}t ben creat of hym / this {a}t is       2796
  a ful gret cause / to lyuen {and} to duren / for which they
  desiren naturelly hyr lyf as longe as eu{er} they mowen //

    [Linenotes:
    2774 [_fleeth_]--from H.
    2775 _weleful_--H. wilfull{e}
    2779 _slepyt_--H. slepe{n}
    2788 _seeth_--H. seen)
         _wil_--H. will{e}
    2792 _And_--H. as
    2796 _hat_--H. haue]

    [Headnote:
    THE WILL IS SUPERIOR TO INSTINCT.]

    [Sidenote: Doubt not, therefore, that everything which exists
    desires existence and avoids dissolution.]

  For w[h]ych thou maist nat drede by no manere / that
  alle the thinges / that ben anywher{e} / that they ne requeren    2800
  naturelly / the ferme stablenesse of p{er}durable
  dwellynge / and ek the eschuynge of destruccyou{n} //

    [Sidenote: _B._ You have made those things perfectly plain and
    intelligible, which before were obscure and doubtful.]

          B //
  now confesse I. wel q{uod} I. that I. see wel now certeynly /
  w{i}t{h} owte dowtes / the thinges that whylom semeden            2804
  vncerteyn to me /

    [Sidenote: _P._ That which desires to subsist desires also to
    retain its unity for if this be taken away it cannot continue to
    exist.]

          P. // but q{uod} she thilke thyng {a}t
  desiret[-h] to be {and} to dwellyn p{er}durablely / he desireth
  to ben oon // For yif {a}t that oon weer{e} destroied // certes
  beinge ne shulde ther non dwellyn to no wiht //

    [Sidenote: _B._ That is very true!]

          that                                                      2808
  is sot[-h] q{uod} I. //

    [Sidenote: _P._ All things then desire one thing--unity.]

          Thanne q{uod} she desirin alle thinges
  oon //

    [Sidenote: _B._ They do.]

          .I. assente q{uod} .I. //

    [Sidenote: _P._ Unity then is the same as good.]

          {and} I haue shewyd q{uod} she
  that thilke same oon is thilke that is good //

    [Sidenote: _B._ Yes.]

          B // ye forsothe
  q{uod} I. //

    [Sidenote: _P._ Thus all things desire good--and it is one and the
    same good that all creatures desire.]

          Alle thinges thanne q{uod} she requyren                   2812
  good // And thilke good thanne [ow] maist descryuen
  ryht thus // Good is thilke thing {a}t euery wyht desireth //

    [Sidenote: _B._ Nothing is more true. For either all things must
    be reduced to nothing (or have no relation to anything else), and,
    destitute of a head, float about without control or order; or if
    there be anything to which all things tend, that must be the
    supreme good.]

  Ther ne may be thowht q{uod} .I. no moor{e}
  verray thing / for either alle thinges ben referred {and}         2816
  browht to nowht / {and} floteryn w{i}t{h} owte gou{er}nour
  despoiled of oon / as of hir propre heued / or elles yif    [[pg 100]]
  ther be any thinge / to which {a}t alle thinges tenden
  {and} hyen / that thing moste ben the souereyn good of            2820
  alle goodes /

    [Sidenote: _P._ I rejoice greatly, my dear pupil, that you so
    clearly apprehend this truth, of which but just now you were
    ignorant.]

          P /. thanne seyde she thus // O my norry
  q{uod} she I haue gret gladnesse of the // For thow
  hast fichched in thin herte the myddel sothtfastnesse //
  that is to seyn the prykke // but this thing hath ben             2824
  descouered to the / in that thow seydyst {a}t thow
  wystest nat a lytel her by-forn //

    [Sidenote: _B._ What was that?]

          what was th{a}t q{uod} I. //

    [Headnote:
    THE END OF ALL THINGS.]

    [Sidenote: _P._ The _End of all things_. And this is what every
    one desires; but we have shown that _good_ is the thing desired by
    all, therefore _Good_ is the _End of all things_.]

  That thow ne wystest nat q{uod} she whych was
  the ende of thinges // and Certes that is the thing {a}t         2828
  eu{er}y wiht desireth // and for as mochel as we han
  gaderid / {and} co{m}p{re}hendyd that good is thilke thing
  that is desired of alle / thanne moten we nedes confessun /
  that good is the fyn of alle thinges.                             2832

    [Linenotes:
    2800 _the_--H. o
    2806 _perdurablely_--H. p{er}durably
    2807 _destroied_--H. destrued
    2811 _thilke_ (1)--H. ilke
    2818 _heued or elles_--H. hede or els
    2820 _hyen_--H. hyen) to
         _moste_--H. must]


    [Headnote:
    TRUTH INTUITIVE.]

QUISQUIS P{RO}FUNDA MENTE.

  [Sidenote: [The .11. Met{ru}m.]]

    [Sidenote: He who seeks truth with deep research and is unwilling
    to go wrong, should collect his slumbering thoughts, and turn the
    inner light upon the soul itself.]

  ++WHo so that sekith sot[-h] by a deep thoght And
  coueyteth nat to ben deseyuyd by no mys-weyes //
  lat hym rollen {and} trenden w{i}t{h} Inne hym self / the Lyht
  of his inward syhte // And lat hym gader{e} ayein enclynynge      2836
  in to a compas the longe moeuynges of hys
  thowhtes /

    [Sidenote: The knowledge that he seeks without he will find
    treasured up in the recesses of the mind.]

          And lat hym techen his corage that he hath
  enclosed {and} hyd / in his tresors / al {a}t he compaseth or
  sekith fro w{i}t{h} owte //

    [Sidenote: The light of Truth will disperse Error's dark clouds,
    and shine forth brighter than the sun.]

          And thanne thilke thing that the                          2840
  blake cloude of errour whilom hadde y-couered / shal
  lyhten more clerly tha{n}ne pheb{us} hym self ne shyneth //

    [Sidenote: [Chaucer's gloss.]]

  Glosa // who so wole seken the dep[e] grounde / of soth           2843
  in his thowht / {and} wol nat be deceyuyd by false p{ro}posiciou{n}s /
  that goon amys fro the trouthe // lat hym wel
  examine / {and} rolle w{i}t{h} inne hym self the natur{e} {and}
  the p{ro}pretes of the thing // and lat hym yit eft sones
  examine {and} rollen his thowhtes by good deliberaciou{n}         2848
  or that he deme // and lat hym techen his sowle that it     [[pg 101]]
  hat by naturel pryncyplis kyndeliche y-hyd w{i}t{h} in
  it self alle the trowthe the whiche he ymagynith to ben
  in thinges w{i}t{h} owte // And thanne alle the dyrknesse of      2852
  his mysknowynge shal seen more euydently to [e]
  syhte of his vndyrstondynge thanne the sonne ne semyth
  to [e] syhte w{i}t{h} owte forth /

    [Sidenote: For when the body enclosed the soul and cast oblivion
    o'er its powers it did wholly exterminate the heaven-born light.]

          For certes the body
  bryngynge the weyhte of foryetynge / ne hath nat chasyd           2856
  owt of yowr{e} thowhte al the clernesse of yowre knowyng //

    [Sidenote: The germs of truth were latent within, and were fanned
    into action by the gentle breath of learning.]

  For certeynly the seed of sooth haldith {and} clyueth
  w{i}t{h} in yowr{e} corage / {and} it is a-waked {and} excited by
  the wynde {and} by the blastes of doctryne //

    [Sidenote: Were not truth implanted in the heart, how could man
    distinguish right from wrong?]

          For wher{e}                                               2860
  for elles demen ye of yowr{e} owne wyl the ryhtes whan
  ye ben axed // but yif so wer{e} {a}t the noryssynges of
  resou{n} ne lyuede .I.-plowngyd in the depthe of yowr{e}
  herte // this [is] to seyn how sholden men demen e               2864
  sooth of any thing {a}t weer{e} axed / yif ther neer{e} a
  Roote of sothfastnesse {a}t weer{e} yplowngyd {and} hyd in
  the natur{e}[l] pryncyplis / the whiche sothfastnesse
  lyued w{i}t{h} in the depnesse of the thowght //

    [Sidenote: So, if what Plato taught is true, 'to learn is no other
    than to remember what had been before forgotten.']

          {and} yif                                                 2868
  so be {a}t the Muse {and} the doctryne of plato syngyth
  sooth // al {a}t eu{er}y whyht lerneth / he ne doth no
  thing elles tha{n}ne but recordeth as me{n} recordyn thinges
  {a}t ben foryetyn.                                               2872

    [Linenotes:
    2838 _his_--H. is
         _that_--H. {and} {a}t
    2841 _blake_--H. blak
         _hadde y-couered_--H. had cou{er}ed
    2842 _lyhten_--H. light
    2843 _dep[e]_--C. dep, H. depe
    2847 _thing_--H. yng{es}
    2863 _depthe_--H. depe
    2864 [_is_]--from H.
         _sholden_--H. shulde
    2867 _nature[l]_--H. nat{ur}ell{e}]


    [Headnote:
    THE WORLD GOVERNED BY GOD.]

TUM EGO PLATONI INQ{UA}M.

  [Sidenote: [The .12. p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: _B._ I am quite of Plato's opinion, for you have now a
    second time recalled these things to my remembrance which had been
    forgotten, first by the contagious union of soul and body, and
    afterwards by the pressure of my afflictions.]

  ++THanne seide I thus // I acorde me gretly to plato / for
  thow remenbrist {and} recordist me thise thinges yit]

    [Sidenote: [*_Addit. MS. 10,340, fol. 23._]]

  *e seconde tyme. at is to seyn. first whan I lost[e] my
  memorie by e co{n}tagio[-u]s coniuncc{i}ou{n} of e body wi     2876
  e soule. {and} eftsones afterward whan I lost[e] it co{n}founded
  by e charge {and} by e burden of my sorwe.

    [Sidenote: _P._ If you will reflect upon the concessions you have
    already made, you will soon call to mind that truth, of which you
    lately confessed your ignorance.]

  And an sayde she us.  If ou look[e] q{uo}d she
  firste e inges at ou hast graunted it ne shal nat             2880
  ben ry[gh]t feer at ou ne shalt remembren ilke ing at  [[pg 102]]
  ou seidest at ou nistest nat.

    [Sidenote: _B._ What is that?]

          what ing q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ It was, by what power the world is governed.]

   by whiche gouerme{n}t q{uo}d she at is worlde is
  gouerned.

    [Sidenote: _B._ With regard to that, I own I confessed my
    ignorance, but though I now remotely see what you infer, yet I
    wish for further explanation from you.]

          Me remembri it wel q{uo}d I. {and} I confesse            2884
  wel at I ne wist[e] it nat  But al be it so at
  I se now fro{m} afer what ou p{ur}posest  Algates I
  desire [gh]it to herkene it of e more pleynely.

    [Sidenote: _P._ You acknowledged a little while ago that this
    world was governed by God?]

           ou ne
  wendest nat q{uo}d she a litel here byforne at men               2888
  sholden doute at is worlde is gouerned by god.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I still cling to this opinion, and will give you
    my reasons for this belief.]

   Certys q{uo}d I ne [gh]itte doute I it nau[gh]t. ne I nil
  neuer wene at it were to doute. as who sei. but I
  wot wel at god gouerne is worlde.  And I shal                 2892
  shortly answere e by what resou{n}s I am brou[gh]t to is.

    [Sidenote: The discordant elements of this world would never have
    assumed their present form unless there had been a wise
    Intelligence to unite them; and even after such a union, the
    joining of such opposites would have disunited and ruined the
    fabric made up of them, had not the same conjoining hand kept them
    together.]

   is worlde q{uod} I of so many dyuerse {and} co{n}trarious
  p{ar}ties ne my[gh]ten neuer han ben assembled in o forme.
  but yif ere ne were oon at conioigned so many[e                 2896
  diu{er}se] inges.  And e same diuersite of hire
  natures at so discordeden at oon fro at oer most[e]
  dep{ar}ten {and} vnioigne{n} e i{n}ges at ben co{n}ioigned.
  yif ere ne were oon at contened[e] at he ha co{n}ioigned      2900
  {and} ybounde.

    [Sidenote: The order that reigns throughout nature could not
    proceed so regularly and uniformly if there were not a Being,
    unchangeable and stedfast, to order and dispose so great a
    diversity of changes.]

          ne e certein ordre of nature ne
  sholde. nat brynge fure so ordinee moeuynge. by
  places. by tymes. by doynges. by spaces. by qualites.
  yif ere ne were oon at were ay stedfast dwellynge.              2904
  at ordeyned[e] {and} disposed[e] ise diuersites of
  moeuynges.

    [Sidenote: This Being, the creator and ruler of all things, I call
    God.]

           and ilke inge what so euer it be. by
  whiche at alle inges ben maked {and} ylad. I clepe
  hym god at is a worde at is vsed to alle folke.                 2908

    [Sidenote: _P._ As thy sentiments on these points are so just I
    have but little more to do--for thou mayest be happy and secure,
    and revisit thy own country.]

  an seide she. syn ou felest us ise inges q{uo}d she. I
  trowe at I haue lytel more to done. at ou my[gh]ty of
  wilfulnesse hool {and} sounde ne se eftsones i contre.

    [Linenotes:
    2875, 2877 _lost[e]_--loste
    2878 _burden_--burdene
    2879 _look[e]_--looke
    2880 _firste_--fyrst
    2883 _whiche_--which
         _gouerment_--gou{er}nement
         _worlde_--wordyl
    2885 _wist[e]_--wiste
    2887 _pleynely_--pleynly
    2888 _here byforne_--her byforn
    2889 _worlde is_--world nis
    2890 _[gh]itte doute_--yit ne dowte
         _nil_--nel
    2892 _wot_--MS. wote, C. wot
    2892, 2894 _worlde_--world
    2893 _answere_--answeren
    2894 _many_--manye
    2895 _my[gh]ten_--myhte
    2896 _ere_--ther
         _many[e]_--manye
    2897 [_diuerse_]--from C.
         _hire_--hir
    2898 _most[e]_--moste
    2900 _ere_--ther
         _contened[e]_--contenede
         _ha_--MS. hae
    2902 _fure_--forth
         _ordinee moeuynge_--ordene moeuynges
    2904 _ere_--ther
         _stedfast_--stidefast
    2905 _ordeyned[e]_--ordeynede
         _disposed[e]_--disponede
    2907 _whiche_--which
         _ben_--be
         _ylad_--MS. yladde, C. I-ladd
    2908 _worde_--word
         _folke_--foolk
    2911 _wilfulnesse_--welefulnesse]

    [Headnote:
    GOD IS ALL-SUFFICIENT.]

    [Sidenote: But let us reflect a little more upon these matters.]

   But lat vs loken e inges at we han
                  p{ur}posed her-byforn.                      [[pg 103]]

    [Sidenote: Did we not agree that _Sufficiency_ is of the nature of
    true happiness?]

   Haue I nat nou{m}bred {and} seid q{uod} she                     2913
  at suffisaunce is in blisfulnesse.

    [Sidenote: And have we not seen that God is that true felicity,
    and that He needs no external aid nor instruments?]

          {and} we han accorded
  at god is {and} ilke same blisfulnesse.  yis forsoe q{uo}d
  I. {and} at to gouerne is worlde q{uod} she. ne shal he         2916
  neuer han nede of none helpe fro wioute.

    [Sidenote: For if he should, he would not be self-sufficient.]

          for ellys yif
  he had[de] nede of any helpe. he ne sholde not haue
  [no] ful suffisau{n}ce. [gh]is us it mot nedes be q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: And he directs all things by himself alone?]

   an ordeyne he by hym self al oon alle inges q{uo}d           2920
  she.

    [Sidenote: _B._ It cannot be gainsaid.]

          at may nat ben denied q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ I have shown that God is the chief good; God must,
    therefore, direct and order all things by _good_, since he governs
    them by himself, whom we have proved to be the _supreme good_, and
    he is that helm and rudder, by which this machine of the world is
    steadily and securely conducted.]

           And I haue
  shewed at god is e same good.  It reme{m}bre me
  wel q{uo}d I.  an ordeine he alle inges by ilke
  goode q{uod} she. Syn he whiche we han accorded to                2924
  ben good gouerne alle i{n}g{us} by hym self. {and} he is a
  keye {and} a stiere by whiche at e edifice of is worlde
  is ykept stable {and} wi oute corumpynge

    [Sidenote: _B._ I entirely agree to this, and partly anticipated
    your remarks.]

           I accorde
  me gretly q{uod} I. {and} I ap{er}ceiuede a litel here byforn     2928
  at ou woldest seyne us. Al be it so at it were by
  a inne suspeciou{n}.

    [Sidenote: _P._ I believe it; for your eyes are now more intent
    upon these great truths relating to true felicity; but what I am
    going to say is not less open to your view.]

          I trowe it wel q{uo}d she.  For as
  I trowe ou leedest nowe more ententifly ine eyen to
  loken e verray goodes  but naeles e inges at I              2932
  shal telle e [gh]it ne shewe nat lasse to loken.

    [Sidenote: _B._ What is that?]

          what is
  at q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ As we believe that God governs all things by his
    goodness, and that all things have a natural tendency towards the
    _good_, can it be doubted but that they all voluntarily submit to
    the will and control of their ruler?]

           So as men trowen q{uo}d she {and} at
  ry[gh]tfully at god gouerne alle inges by e keye of his
  goodnesse.  And alle ise same inges as I [haue]                2936
  tau[gh]t e. hasten hem by naturel ente{n}c{i}ou{n} to comen
  to goode er may no man doute{n}. at ei ne ben
  gouerned uoluntariely. {and} at ei ne conuerten [hem]
  nat of her owe{n} wille to e wille of hire ordeno{ur}.           2940

    [Linenotes:
    2912 _han_--ha
    2913 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd
    2916 _worlde_--world
    2917 _none helpe_--non help
    2918 _had[de]_--hadde
         _helpe_--help
    2919 [_no_]--from C.
    2920 _al oon_--allone
    2921 _ben denied_--be denoyed
    2924, 2926 _whiche_--which
    2925 _ben_--be
    2926 _worlde_--world
    2928 _gretly_--gretely
         _here_--her
    2929 _seyne_--seye
    2931 _nowe_--now
    2932 _naeles_--nat[h]les
    2935 _ry[gh]tfully_--MS. on ry[gh]tfully
    2936 [_haue_]--from C.
    2938 _goode_--good
    2939 [_hem_]--from C.
    2940 _nat_--omitted
         _her_--hir
         _owen_--owne
         _wille_ (_both_)--wil
         _hire_--hyr]

    [Headnote:
    ALL THINGS SUBMIT TO GOD.]

  as ei at ben accordyng {and} enclinynge to her gouerno{ur}
  {and} her kyng.                                             [[pg 104]]

    [Sidenote: _B._ It cannot be otherwise. There would be no safety
    for those who obey, if the discord of a portion were allowed.]

           It mot nedys be so q{uo}d. I.

    [Sidenote: [* Fol. 23 _b_.]]

  * For e realme ne sholde not seme blisful [gh]if ere were a [gh]ok
  of mysdrawynges in diu{er}se p{ar}ties ne e sauynge of           2944
  obedient inges ne sholde nat be.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Is there anything that follows the dictates of
    nature that seeks to counteract the will of God?]

          an is ere no ing
  q{uo}d she {a}t kepi hys nature[;] at enforce hym to
  gone a[gh]eyne god.

    [Sidenote: _B._ No.]

           No q{uo}d. I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ If there should be any such, it could not prevail
    against him, who is supremely happy and consequently omnipotent.]

           And if at any i{n}g
  enforced[e] hym to wistonde god. my[gh]t[e] it auayle at         2948
  e laste a[gh]eyns hym at we han g{ra}unted to ben al
  my[gh]ty by e ry[gh]t of blisfulnesse.  Certis q{uo}d I al
  outerly it ne my[gh]t[e] nat auaylen hym.

    [Sidenote: Then there is nothing that either will or can withstand
    this supreme good?]

          an is ere no
  ing q{uo}d she at eyer wol or may wistonde to is             2952
  souereyne good.

    [Sidenote: _B._ Nothing, certainly.]

           I trowe nat q{uo}d. I

    [Sidenote: _P._ It is then the supreme good that governs and
    orders all things powerfully and benignly.]

           an is
  ilke e souereyne good q{uo}d she at alle i{n}g{us}
  gouerne strongly {and} ordeyne hem softly.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I am delighted with your _conclusions_, but much
    more with your _language_; so that fools may be ashamed of their
    objections to the divine government.]

          a{n} seide I
  us. I delite me q{uo}d I nat oonly in e endes or in e          2956
  so{m}mes of [the] resou{n}s at ou hast concludid {and}
  p{ro}ued.  But ilke wordes at {o}u vsest deliten me
  moche more.  So at e last[e] fooles at so{m}tyme
  renden greet[e] inges au[gh]te{n} ben asshamed of hem            2960
  self.

    [Sidenote: [Chaucer's gloss.]]

           at is to seyne {a}t we fooles at rep{re}henden
  wickedly e i{n}g{us} at touchen goddes gouernaunce we
  au[gh]te{n} ben asshamed of oure self. As I at seide god
  refuse oonly e werkes of men. {and} ne entremeti nat           2964
  of he{m}.

    [Sidenote: _P._ You have read the Poets' fables, how the Giants
    stormed heaven--how they were repulsed and punished according to
    their deserts; but may we not compare our reasons together, for by
    so doing some clear spark of truth may shine forth?]

          _p._ ou hast wel herd q{uo}d she e fables of e
  poetes. how e geauntes assailden e heuene wi e
  goddes. but for soe e debonaire force of god disposed[e]
  hem so as it was wori. at is to seyne distroied[e] e           2968
  geauntes. as it was wori.  But wilt ou at we
  ioygnen togedre ilke same resou{n}s. for p{er}auenture of
  swiche coniuncc{i}ou{n} may sterten vp some faire sp{er}kele
  of soe

    [Sidenote: _B._ As you please.]

           Do q{uo}d I as e list.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Is God omnipotent?]

          wenest ou q{uo}d she                                     2972
  at god ne is almy[gh]ty. no man is in doute of it.         [[pg 105]]

    [Sidenote: _B._ No one doubts it.]

          Certys
  q{uo}d I no wy[gh]t ne defendi it if he be in hys mynde.

    [Linenotes:
    2941 _her_--hyr
    2943 _realme_--Reaume
         _seme_--semen
    2945 _ere_--ther
    2947 _gone a[gh]eyne_--goon ayein
    2948 _enforced[e]_--enforcede
         _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte
         _auayle_--auaylen
    2949 _a[gh]eyns_--a-yenis
    2951 _outerly_--owtrely
         _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte
         _auaylen_--MS. aualeyne, C. auaylen
         _hym_--hem
         _ere_--ther
    2952 _wol_--wole
         _wistonde_--w{i}t{h}-stondyn
         _is souereyne_--his sou{er}eyn
    2955 _softly_--softtely
    2957 _sommes_--somme
         [_the_]--from C.
    2959 _last[e]_--laste
    2960 _greet[e]_--grete
    2960, 2963 _au[gh]ten_--owhten
    2961 _seyne_--seyn
    2965 _of hem_--of it
         _herd_--MS. herde, C. herd
    2967 _disposed[e]_--desposede
    2968 _seyne distroied[e]_--seyn destroyede
    2971 _swiche_--swych
         _some_--som
    2972 _soe_--soth
         _list_--liste
    2973 _is_ (1)--be
         _man_--omitted
         _is_ (2)--nis
    2974 _defendi_--dowteth]

    [Headnote:
    EVIL HAS NO EXISTENCE.]

    [Sidenote: _P._ If he is almighty, there are, then, no limits to
    his power?]

  but he q{uo}d she at is al my[gh]ty ere nis no ing at he
  ne may do.

    [Sidenote: _B._ He can doubtless do all things.]

          at is soe q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ May God do evil?]

          May god done yuel                                         2976
  q{uo}d she.

    [Sidenote: _B._ No.]

          nay for soe q{uo}d. I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Is evil nothing, since God, who is almighty,
    cannot do it?]

           an is yuel no ing
  q{uo}d she.  Syn at he ne may not done yuel at
  may done alle inges.

    [Sidenote: _B._ Dost thou mock me or play with me, leading me with
    thy arguments into an inextricable labyrinth, and enclosing me in
    a wonderful circle of Divine Simplicity?]

          scornest ou me q{uo}d. I. or ellys
  pleyest ou or deceiuest ou me. at hast so wouen me             2980
  wi i resou{n}s. e house of didalus so entrelaced. at it
  is vnable to ben vnlaced. ou at oer while entrest
  ere ou issest {and} oer while issest ere ou entrest.
  ne fooldest ou nat to gidre by replicac{i}ou{n} of wordes a      2984
  maner wondirful cercle or envirounynge of symplicite
  deuyne.

    [Sidenote: For thou didst first begin with happiness, and didst
    say that it was the sovereign good, and that it resided in God;
    then, that God was that _Good_ and the perfection of happiness;
    and, hence, thou didst infer that nobody could be happy unless he
    became likewise a God.]

           For certys a litel her byforn{e} whan ou bygu{n}ne
  atte blisfulnesse {o}u seidest at it is souereyne
  good. {and} seidest at it is set in souereyne god. {and} at     2988
  god is e ful[le] blisfulnesse. for whiche ou [gh]af[e] me
  as a couenable [gh]ifte. at is to seyne {a}t no wy[gh]t nis
  blisful. but yif he be good al so er wi

    [Sidenote: Again, thou saidst that the very form of good was the
    substance whereof God and happiness were composed, and that it was
    the object and desire of all things in nature.]

          {and} seidest
  eke at e forme of goode is e substaunce of god. {and}          2992
  of blisfulnesse. {and} seidest {a}t ilke same oone is ilke
  same goode at is requered {and} desired of al e kynde
  of inges.

    [Sidenote: Thou didst prove that God rules the world by his
    goodness, and that all things willingly obeyed him; and that evil
    has no existence.]

          {and} ou p{ro}euedest in disputynge at god
  gouerne alle [the] inges of e worlde by e gouernementys       2996
  of bountee. {and} seydest at alle inges wolen
  ybeyen to hym. and seidest at e nature of yuel nis
  no ing.

    [Sidenote: These truths you established by forcible and natural
    arguments, and by no strained and far-fetched reasons.]

          {and} ise inges ne shewedest ou nat wi no
  resou{n}s ytake fro wioute but by proues in cercles {and}        3000
  homelyche knowen.  e whiche p{ro}eues drawen to hem
  self hir fei {and} hir accorde eu{er}iche [of] hem of oer. an
  seide she us.

    [Sidenote: _P._ I have not deluded you, for by the Divine aid we
    have accomplished our chief task.]

          I ne scorne e nat ne pleye ne desseyue
  e. but I haue shewed to e inge at is grettest ouer      [[pg 106]]
  alle inges by e [gh]ifte of god at we some tyme prayden        3005

    [Linenotes:
    2975 _ere_--ther
    2976 _do_--C. omits
         _soe_--soth
         _done_--don
    2978, 2979 _done_--don
    2980 _wouen_--MS. wonnen, C. wouen
    2981 _house_--hows
    2983 _ere_ (_both_)--ther
    2987 _atte_--at
    2988 _set_--MS. sette, C. set
    2989 _ful[le]_--fulle
         _whiche_--which
         _[gh]af[e]_--yaue
    2990 _[gh]ifte_--yift
         _seyne_--seyn
    2992, 2994 _goode_--good
    2993 _oone_--oon
    2994 _al_--alle
    2996 [_the_]--from C.
    2998 _ybeyen_--obeyen
    2999 _no_ (2)--none
    3000 _ytake_--I-taken
    3001 _homelyche_--hoomlich
    3002 _eueriche_--eu{er}ich
         [_of_]--from C.
    3004 _e inge_--the the thing
    3005 _[gh]ifte_--yift
         _some tyme prayden_--whilom preyeden]

    [Headnote:
    GOD IS LIKE A SPHERE.]

    [Sidenote: I have proved to you that it is an essential property
    of the Divine nature not to go out of itself, nor to receive into
    itself anything extraneous.]

   For is is e forme of [the] deuyne substaunce. at
  is swiche at it ne slyde nat in to outerest foreine
  inges. ne ne rec[e]yue no st{ra}nge inges in hym.              3008

    [Sidenote: Parmenides says of the Deity that _God is like a
    well-rounded sphere_.]

  but ry[gh]t as p{ar}maynws seide in grek of ilke deuyne substaunce.
  he seide us at ilke deuyne substaunce
  torne e worlde {and} ilke cercle moeueable of inges
  while ilke dyuyne substau{n}ce kepi it self wi outen           3012
  moeuynge.

    [Sidenote: He causes the moving globe to revolve, but is himself
    immovable.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 24.]]

          at *is to seyne at it ne moeui neuere mo.
  {and} [gh]itte it moeue alle oer inges.

    [Sidenote: If I have chosen my arguments from the subjects within
    range of our discussion, do not let that surprise you, for, as
    Plato has taught us, there ought to be an alliance between the
    words and the subject of discourse.]

          but na-eles yif I
  [haue] stered resou{n}s at ne ben nat taken fro wi oute
  e compas of e inge of whiche we treten. but resou{n}s          3016
  at ben bystowed wi i{n}ne at compas ere nis nat whi
  at ou sholde[st] merueylen. sen ou hast lerned by
  e sentence of plato at nedes e wordes moten ben
  cosynes to o inges of whiche ei speken.                        3020

    [Linenotes:
    3006 [_the_]--from C.
    3007 _swiche_--swich
    3009 _parmaynws_--a p{ar}manides
    3011 _worlde_--world
    3012 _while_--whil
         _wi outen_--w{i}t{h} owte
    3013 _seyne_--seyn
    3014 _[gh]itte_--yit
         _oer_--oothre
    3015 [_haue_]--from C.
    3016 _whiche_--which
    3017 _wi inne_--w{i}t{h} in
    3020 _cosynes_--MS. conceyued, C. cosynes
         _o_--e
         _whiche_--which]


    [Headnote:
    THE POWER OF MUSIC.]

FELIX QUI POTERIT. {ET} CET{ER}A.

  [Sidenote: [The .12. Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: Happy is he that hath seen the lucid spring of truth!
    Happy the man that hath freed himself from terrestrial chains!]

  ++Blisful is at man at may seen e clere welle of good.
  blisful is he at may vnbynde hym fro e bonde of
  heuy ere.

    [Sidenote: The Thracian poet, consumed with grief for the loss of
    his wife, sought relief from music.]

           e poete of t{ra}ce [orphe{us}] at somtyme
  hadde ry[gh]t greet sorowe for e dee of hys wijf.

    [Sidenote: His mournful songs drew the woods along; the rolling
    rivers ceased to flow; the savage beasts became heedless of their
    prey; the timid hare was not aghast at the hound.]

          aftir at                                                 3024
  he hadde maked by hys wepely songes e wodes meueable
  to rennen. {and} hadde ymaked e ryueres to stonden
  stille. {and} maked e hertys {and} hyndes to ioignen
  dredles hir sides to cruel lyou{n}s to herkene his songe.         3028
  {and} had[de] maked at e hare was nat agast of e
  hounde whiche at was plesed by hys songe.

    [Sidenote: But the songs that did all things tame, could not allay
    their master's ardent love.]

          so at
  whane e most[e] ardaunt loue of hys wijf brende e
  entrailes of his brest. ne e songes at hadde ouer         [[pg 107]]
  comen alle inges ne my[gh]ten nat assuage hir lorde              3033
  orpheus.

    [Sidenote: He bewailed the cruelty of the gods above, and
    descended to Pluto's realm.]

           He pleyned[e] hym of e godes at were{n}
  cruel to hym. he wente hym to e houses of helle

    [Sidenote: There he struck his tuneful strings and sang,
    exhausting all the harmonious art imparted to him by his mother
    Calliope.]

  {and} ere he tempred[e] hys blaundissyng songes by resounyng     3036
  of hys strenges.  And spak {and} song in
  wepynge alle at euer he hadde resceyued {and} laued
  oute of e noble welles of hys modir calliope e goddesse.

    [Sidenote: In songs dictated both by grief and love, he implored
    the infernal powers to give him back his Eurydice.]

  {and} he song wi as mychel as he my[gh]t[e] of                   3040
  wepynge. {and} wi as myche as loue at doubled[e] his
  sorwe my[gh]t[e] [gh]euen hym {and} teche hy{m} in his seke
  h{er}te.  And he commoeuede e helle {and} requered[e]
  {and} sou[gh]te by swete p{re}iere e lordes of soules in helle   3044
  of relesynge. at is to seyne to [gh]elden hym hys wif.

    [Sidenote: Cerberus, Hell's three-headed porter, stood amazed;]

   Cerberus e porter of helle wi his re heuedes was
  cau[gh]t {and} al abaist for e new[e] songe.

    [Sidenote: the Furies, tormentors of guilty souls, did weep;]

          {and} e re goddesses
  furijs {and} vengerisse of felonies at to{ur}mente{n}            3048
  {and} agaste{n} e soules by anoye wexen sorweful {and} sory
  {and} wepen teres for pitee.

    [Sidenote: Ixion, tormented by the revolving wheel, found rest;]

          an was nat e heued of
  Ixion{e} yto{ur}mented by e ou{er}rowi{n}g whele.

    [Sidenote: Tantalus, suffering from a long and raging thirst,
    despised the stream;]

           And
  tantalus at was destroied by e woodnesse of longe               3052
  rust dispise e flodes to drynke.

    [Sidenote: and the greedy vulture did cease to eat and tear the
    growing liver of Tityus.]

          e fowel at hy[gh]t
  voltor at eti e stomak or e giser of ticius is so fulfilled
  of his songe at it nil etyn ne tyren no more.

    [Linenotes:
    3022 _vnbynde_--vnbyndyn
         _bonde_--bondes
    3023 [_orpheus_]--from C.
         _somtyme_--whilom
    3024 _sorowe_--sorwe
    3028 _dredles_--dredeles
         _to herkene_--forto herknen
    3029 _had[de]_--hadde
    3030 _at_ (2)--omitted
    3031 _most[e]_--moste
    3032 _hadde_--hadden
    3033 _assuage_--asswagen
         _lorde_--lord
    3034 _pleyned[e]_--pleynede
         _godes_--heuene goodes
    3035 _wente_--MS. wenten, C. wente
    3036 _tempred[e] hys_--temprede hise
    3037 _of hys_--C. omits
         _spak_--MS. spakke, C. spak
         _song_--MS. songe, C. soonge
    3038 _alle_--al
    3039 _oute_--owt
         _goddesse_--goddes
    3040 _song_--MS. songe, C. soonge
         _mychel_--mochel
    3041 _myche_--moche
         _doubled[e]_--dowblede
    3042 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte
         _[gh]euen_--yeue
         _teche_--thechen
         _in----herte_--omitted
    3043 _commoeuede_--MS. comaunded, C. co{m}moeuede
    3044 _sou[gh]te_--by-sowhte
    3045 _[gh]elden_--yilden
    3046 _his_--hise
    3047 _cau[gh]t_--MS. cau[gh]te, C. cawht
         _new[e] songe_--newe song
    3049 _anoye----sorweful_--anoy woxen soruful
    3050 _an_--tho ne
    3051 _whele_--wheel
    3053 _rust_--thurst
         _hy[gh]t_--hihte
    3054 _fulfilled_--fulfyld
    3055 _songe_--song]

    [Headnote:
    FIX NOT THE THOUGHTS ON EARTHLY THINGS.]

    [Sidenote: At length Pluto himself relented, crying out, 'We are
    overcome! Let us give him back his wife, he hath well won her by
    his song.]

   Atte e laste e lorde {and} Iuge of soules was moeued          3056
  to misericordes {and} cried[e] we ben ouer comen q{uo}d
  he. yif[e] we to orpheus his wijf to bere hym co{m}paignye
  he ha welle I-bou[gh]t hir by his faire songe {and}
  his ditee.                                                  [[pg 108]]

    [Sidenote: But we will lay this injunction upon him. Till he
    escape the infernal bounds, he shall not cast a backward look.']

          but we wil putte{n} a lawe in is. {and} couenaunt        3060
  in e [gh]ifte. {a}t is to seyne. at til he be out of
  helle yif he loke byhynden hym [{a}t] hys wijf shal
  come{n} a[gh]eine to vs

    [Sidenote: But, who shall give a lover any law? Love is a greater
    law than may be given to any earthly man.]

           but what is he at may [gh]eue a
  lawe to loueres. loue is a gretter lawe {and} a strengere to      3064
  hym self an any lawe {a}t men may [gh]euen.

    [Sidenote: Alas! having left the realms of night, Orpheus cast a
    look behind and lost his too-much-loved Euridice.]

           Allas
  whan Orpheus {and} his wijf were al most at e termes of
  e ny[gh]t. at is to seyne at e last[e] boundes of helle.
  Orpheus loked[e] abakwarde on Erudice his wijf {and}              3068
  lost[e] hir {and} was deed.

    [Sidenote: This fable belongs to all you, whose minds would view
    the Sovereign Good.]

           is fable app{er}teine to
  [gh]ow alle who so euer desire or seki to lede his ou[gh]te
  in to e souereyne day. at is to seyne to clerenes[se]
  of souereyne goode.

    [Sidenote: For he who fixes his thoughts upon earthly things and
    low, must lose the noble and heaven-imparted Good.]

           For who so at eu{er}e be so ouer                       3072
  come{n} at he fycche hys eyen in to e put[te] of helle.
  at is to seyne who so sette his ou[gh]tes in erely
  inges. al at euer he ha drawen of e noble good
  celestial he lesi it whan he loke e helles. at is to          3076
  seyne to lowe inges of e ere.

  EXPLICIT LIBER TERCIUS.

    [Linenotes:
    3056 _Atte_--At
         _lorde_--lord
    3057 _cried[e]_--cryde
    3058 _yif[e]_--yiue
    3059 _ha_--MS. hae
         _welle_--wel
         _faire_--C. omits
         _songe_--song
    3060 _wil putten_--wol putte
    3062 _byhynden_--by-hynde
         [_at_]--from C.
    3063 _to_--vn-to
    3064 _gretter_--gret
    3066 _were al most_--weren almest
    3067 _last[e]_--laste
    3068 _loked[e] abakwarde_--lookede abacward
    3069 _lost[e]_--loste
    3070 _ou[gh]te_--thowht
    3071 _clerenes[se]_--clernesse
    3072 _souereyne goode_--sou{er}eyn god
    3073 _put[te]_--putte
    3074 _sette_--sette
    3075 _ha_--MS. hae]




    [Headnote:
    THE EXISTENCE OF EVIL.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 24 _b_.]]

*INCIPIT LIBER QUARTUS.


HEC CUM PHILOSOPHIA DIGNITATE UULT{US}.

  [Sidenote: [The 1^ma p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: When P. with grace and dignity had poured forth her
    songs, I, not quite quit of my load of grief, interrupted her as
    she was continuing her discourse.]

  ++Whanne philosophie hadde songe{n} softly {and} delitably
  e forseide inges kepynge e dignitee of hir
  choere in e wey[gh]te of hir wordes. I an at ne hadde          3080
  nat al out{er}ly for[gh]eten e wepyng {and} mournyng
  at was set in myne herte for-brek e entenc{i}ou{n} of hir
  at entended[e] [gh]itte to seyne o{er} inges.

    [Sidenote: All your discourses, O my conductress to the true
    light! have been very clear and unanswerable, both by the divine
    testimony which they carry along with them, and by thy
    irrefragable arguments.]

           Se q{uo}d
  I. ou at art gideresse of verray ly[gh]te e inges at ou     3084
  hast seid [me] hider to ben to me so clere
                  {and} so shewyng                            [[pg 109]]
  by e deuyne lokyng of hem {and} by i resou{n}s at
  ei ne mowe nat ben ouercomen.

    [Sidenote: Through the oppression of grief I had forgotten these
    truths, but was not wholly ignorant of them.]

           And ilke i{n}g{us}
  at ou toldest me. al be it so at I hadde som tyme              3088
  fo[r][gh]eten hem for [the] sorwe of e wronge at ha ben
  don to me. [gh]it naeles ei ne were nat alouterly vnknowen
  to me.

    [Sidenote: The principal cause of my trouble is this--that, whilst
    the absolute Ruler of all things is goodness itself, evil exists
    and is allowed to pass unpunished.]

          but is same is namly a gret cause of
  my sorwe. at so as e gouernoure of inges is goode.             3092
  yif at yuelys mowen ben by any weyes. or ellys yif
  at yuelys passen wi outen punyssheinge.

    [Sidenote: This, to say the least, is astonishing.]

          e whiche
  inge oonly how wori it is to ben wondred vpon. ou
  considerest it weel i self certeynly.

    [Sidenote: Moreover, while _vice_ flourishes _virtue_ is not only
    unrewarded, but trampled under foot by base and profligate men,
    and suffers the punishment due to impiety.]

          but [gh]itte to is                                       3096
  ing ere is an oer ing y-ioigned more to ben ywondred
  vpon.  For felonie is emperisse {and} flowre ful of
  rycchesse. and vertues nis nat al oonly wi outen medes.
  but it is cast vndir {and} fortroden vndir e feet of felonous    3100
  folk. {and} it abie e to{ur}me{n}tes in sted of
  wicked felou{n}s

    [Sidenote: Here is cause for wonderment, since such things are
    possible under the government of an omniscient and omnipotent God,
    who wills nothing but what is the best.]

           Of al[le] whiche ing er nis no wy[gh]t
  at [may] merueyllen ynou[gh] ne compleyne at swiche
  inges ben don in e regne of god at alle inges woot.           3104
  and alle inges may {and} ne wool nat but only goode
  inges.

    [Sidenote: _P._ It were indeed, not only marvellous, but also
    horribly monstrous, if, in the well-regulated family of so great a
    master, the worthless vessels should be honoured and the precious
    ones be despised:--but it is not so.]

           an seide she us. certys q{uo}d she at were
  a grete meruayle {and} an enbaissynge wiouten ende.
  {and} wel more horrible an alle monstres yif it were as          3108
  {o}u wenest. at is to sein. at in e ry[gh]t ordeyne house
  of so mochel a fader {and} an ordenour of meyne. at e
  vesseles at ben foule {and} vyle sholde ben hono{ur}ed
  {and} heried. and e p{re}cious uesseles sholde ben defouled      3112
  {and} vyle. but it nis nat so.

    [Sidenote: For if the conclusions we have come to, be sound and
    irrefragable, we must confess that under God's rule the _good_ are
    always powerful and mighty, and the _wicked_ weak and
    contemptible;]

          For yif e inges
  at I haue co{n}cluded a litel here byforne ben kept hoole  [[pg 110]]
  {and} vnraced. ou shalt wel knowe by e auctorite of
  god. of e whos regne I speke at certys e good[e]               3116
  folk ben alwey my[gh]ty. {and} shrewes ben alwey yuel {and}
  feble.

    [Sidenote: that vice never passes unpunished, nor virtue goes
    unrewarded;]

          ne e vices ben neu{e}re mo wi outen peyne[;] ne
  e vertues ne ben nat wi outen mede.

    [Sidenote: that happiness attends good men, and misfortune falls
    to the lot of the wicked.]

          and at blisfulnesses
  comen alwey to goode folke. {and} infortune come                 3120
  alwey to wicked folke.

    [Sidenote: These and many other truths of like nature shall be
    proved to thee, and shall put an end to thy complaints, and
    strengthen thee with firmness and solidity.]

           And ou shalt wel knowe
  many[e] inges of is kynde {a}t sholle cessen i pleyntes.
  {and} stedfast e wi stedfast saddenesse.

    [Sidenote: Having shown you a picture of true felicity, and
    wherein it resides, I shall now trace out the way which will lead
    you to your home.]

           And for ou
  hast seyn e forme of e verray blisfulnesse by me at            3124
  [haue] somtyme I-shewed it e. And ou hast knowen
  i{n} whom blysfulnesse is set. alle inges I treted {a}t I
  trowe ben nessessarie to put[te] fure  I shal shewe
  e. e weye at shal brynge e a[gh]eyne vnto i house            3128

    [Sidenote: I will give your soul wings to soar aloft, so that all
    tribulation being removed, you may, under my guiding, by my road,
    and with my vehicle, return whole and sound into your own
    country.]

  {and} I shal ficche feeres in i ou[gh]t by whiche it may
  arysen in hey[gh]te. so at al tribulac{i}ou{n} don awey ou
  by my gidyng & by my pae {and} by my sledes shalt
  mowen retourne hool {and} sounde in to i contre.                 3132

    [Linenotes:
    3078 _softly_--softely
    3080 _choere in_--cheere {and}
    3082 _set_--MS. sette, C. set
         _myne_--Myn
         _for-brek_--MS. for-breke, C. Forbrak
    3083 _entended[e]_--entendede
    3084 _ly[gh]te_--lyht
    3085 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seid
         [_me_]--from C.
    3086 _i_--the
    3087 _mowe_--mowen
    3088 _som tyme_--whilom
    3089 [_the_]--from C.
         _wronge_--wrong
         _ha_--MS. hae
    3090 _don_--MS. done, C. don
         _were_--weeren
    3091 _namly_--namely
    3092 _goode_--good
    3094 _wi outen_--w{i}t{h} owte
    3095 _inge_--thing
    3097 _ere_--ther
         _ben ywondred_--be wondryd
    3098 _flowre_--MS. folwe, C. flowrith
    3099 _rycchesse_--Rychesses
         _vertues_--vertu
         _wi outen_--w{i}t{h} owte
    3101 _in sted_--in stide
    3102 _wicked_--wikkede
         _al[le]_--alle
         _ing_--thinges
    3103 [_may_]--from C.
    3104 _don_--MS. done, C. doon
    3105 _wool_--wole
         _goode_--good
    3107 _grete_--gret
         _enbaissynge_--enbasshinge
    3108 _alle_--al
    3109 _ordeyne house_--ordenee hows
    3111, 3113 _vyle_--vyl
    3112 _heried_--he heryed
         _sholde_--sholden
    3113 _e_--tho
    3114 _here byforne_--her byforn
         _kept_--MS. kepte, C. kept
    3116 _good[e]_--goode
    3117 _alwey_ (2)----_feble_--alwey owt cast {and} feble
    3118, 3119 _wi outen_--w{i}t{h} owte
    3119 _vertues_--vertuus
    3122 _many[e]_--manye
         _sholle cessen_--shollen cesen
    3123 _stedfast----stedfast_--strengthyn the w{i}t{h} stidfast
    3124 _seyn_--MS. seyne, C. seyn
    3125 [_haue_]--from C.
         _somtyme_--whilom
    3126 _set_--MS. sette, C. I-set
    3127 _put[te] fure_--putten forth
    3128 _weye_--wey
         _brynge_--bryngen
         _i house_--thin hows
    3129 _ficche_--fycchen
    3130 _arysen_--areysen
         _don_--MS. done, C. ydo
    3131 _pae_--paath
         _shalt mowen_--shal mowe
    3132 _sounde_--sownd]


    [Headnote:
    VIRTUE NEVER GOES UNREWARDED.]

SU{N}T ETENIM PENNE. {ET} C{ETERA}.

  [Sidenote: [The fyrste met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: I have nimble wings that enable the mind to rise from
    earth to heaven, to leave the clouds behind, to pass the region of
    perpetual flame, and to reach the starry mansion, journeying
    either by Phoebus' radiant path, or accompanying cold and aged
    Saturn, or riding, as a soldier, with Mars.]

  ++I Haue for soe swifte feeres at surmou{n}ten e hey[gh]t
  of e heuene whan e swifte ou[gh]t ha cloed it self.
  in o feeres it dispise e hat[e]ful eres. {and} surmou{n}te
  e hey[gh]enesse of e greet[e] eyir. {and} it sei e            3136
  cloudes by-hynde hir bak {and} passe e hey[gh]t of e
  regiou{n} of e fire at eschaufi by e swifte moeuyng of
  e firmament. til at she a-reisi hir in til e houses {a}t
  beren e sterres. {and} ioygne hir weyes wi e sonne      [[pg 111]]
  phebus. {and} felawshipe e weye of e olde colde                3141
  saturnus. and she ymaked a kny[gh]t of e clere sterre.

    [Sidenote: [Chaucer's Gloss.]]

  at is to seyne at e soule is maked goddys kny[gh]t by
  e sekyng of treue to comen to e verray knowlege of             3144
  god.

    [Sidenote: Through every sphere she (the mind) runs where night is
    most cloudless and where the sky is decked with stars, until she
    reaches the heaven's utmost sphere--]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 25.]]

          and ilke soule renne[] by e cercle *of e sterres
  in alle e places ere as e shynyng ny[gh]t is depeynted.
  at is to seyne e ny[gh]t at is cloudeles. for on ny[gh]tes at
  ben cloudeles it seme as e heuene were peynted wi              3148
  dyuerse ymages of sterres. {and} whan e soule ha gon
  ynou[gh] she shal forleten e last[e] poynt of e heuene.

    [Linenotes:
    3133 _hey[gh]t of e heuene_--heyhte of heuene
    3134 _ha_--MS. hae
    3136 _hey[gh]enesse----eyir_--Rou{n}dnesse of the grete ayr
         _sei_--seth
    3137 _hir_--his
    3138 _fire_--Fyr
         _eschaufi_--MS. eschaufie
    3139 _she_--he
         _hir_--hym
    3140 _hir_--his
    3141 _weye_--wey
         _e----saturnus_--MS. saturnus e olde colde
    3142 _saturnus_--sat{ur}nis
         _she_--he
    3143 _soule_--thowght
    3144 _treue_--trowthe
         _knowlege_--knoleche
    3145 _soule_--thoght
    3146 _depeynted_--painted
    3149-50 _and whan----she shal_--{and} whanne he hath I-doon
         ther{e} I-nowh he shal
    3149 _ha_--MS. hae
    3150 _e last[e]----heuene_--the laste heuene]

    [Headnote:
    VICE IS ALWAYS PUNISHED.]

    [Sidenote: then pressing on she shall be prepared to see the true
    Source of Light, where the great King of kings bears his mighty
    sceptre, and holds the reins of the universe.]

  {and} she shal p{re}ssen {and} wenden on e bak of e swifte
  firmament. and she shal ben maked p{er}fit of e dredefulle       3152
  clerenesse of god.  ere halde e lorde of kynges
  e ceptre of his my[gh]t {and} atte{m}p{er}e e gouernementes
  of is worlde.

    [Sidenote: Here the great Judge, standing in shining robes, firmly
    guides his winged chariot, and rules the tumultuous affairs of the
    world.]

          {and} e shynynge iuge of inges stable i{n}
  hy{m} self gouerne e swifte carte. at is to seyne e           3156
  circuler moeuyng of [the] sonne.

    [Sidenote: If you at length shall arrive at this abode, you will
    say this is my country--here I was born--and here will I abide.]

          {and} yif i weye lede
  e a[gh]eyne so at ou be brou[gh]t ider. an wilt ou seye
  now at at is e contre at ou requeredest of whiche ou
  ne haddest no mynde. but now it remenbre me wel                  3160
  here was I born. here wil I fastne my degree. here wil
  I dwelle.

    [Sidenote: And should you deign to look on the gloomy earth,
    you'll see those tyrants, the fear of wretched folk, banished from
    those fair realms.]

          but yif e lyke an to loken on e derkenesse
  of e ere at ou hast for-leten. an shalt ou seen at
  ise felonous tyrauntes at e wrecched[e] poeple drede          3164
  now shule ben exiled from ilke faire contre.

    [Linenotes:
    3151-2 _she_--he
    3152-3 _of e----of god_--of the worshipful lyht of god
    3153 _ere halde_--ther halt
    3155 _is worlde_--the world
    3156 _carte_--cart or wayn
    3157 [_the_]--from C.
    3159 _whiche_--which
    3161 _here_ (1, 2, 3)--her
         _born_--MS. borne, C. born
         _wil_ (1)--wol
         _wil_ (2)--wole
    3162 _lyke_--liketh
         _derkenesse_--dyrknesses
    3164 _wrecched[e]_--wrecchede
    3165 _shule_--shollen
         _from_--fro]


                                                              [[pg 112]]
    [Headnote:
    THE GOOD ARE ALWAYS STRONG.]

TUNC EGO PAPE INQ{UA}M. {ET} C{ETERA}.

  [Sidenote: [The 2^e p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: _B._ Ah! thou promisest me great things indeed!--but
    without delay, satisfy the expectations you have raised.]

  ++Anne seide I us. [owh] I wondre me at ou by-hetest
  me so grete inges. ne I ne doute nat at {o}u
  ne mayst wel p{er}forme at ou by-hetest. but I preie e         3168
  oonly is. at ou ne tarie nat to telle me ilke inges
  at ou hast meoued.

    [Sidenote: _P._ You must first be convinced that the good are
    always strong and powerful and the wicked destitute of strength.]

          first q{uo}d she ou most nedes
  knowen. {a}t good[e] folk ben al wey strong[e] {and}
  my[gh]ty. and e shrewes ben feble {and} desert {and} naked       3172
  of alle strenges.

    [Sidenote: These assertions do mutually demonstrate each other.]

          and of ise inges certys eueryche of
  hem is declared {and} shewed by o{er}.

    [Sidenote: For since good and evil are contrary, if good be
    powerful evil must be impotent.]

           For so as good
  {and} yuel ben two cont{ra}ries. yif so be at goode be
  stedfast. a{n} shewe e fieblesse of yuel al openly.            3176

    [Sidenote: And if the frailty of evil is known, the strength and
    stability of good must also be known to you.]

  and yif ou knowe clerely e freelnesse of yuel. e stedfastnesse
  of goode is knowen.

    [Sidenote: But to convince you I shall proceed to prove it from
    both these principles, establishing these truths, by arguments
    drawn first from one of these topics and then from the other.]

          but for as moche as e fey of
  my sentence shal be e more ferme {and} habou{n}daunt. I
  wil goon by at oon wey {and} by at oer {and} I wil conferme    3180
  e inges at ben p{ur}posed now on is side {and}
  now on {a}t syde.

    [Sidenote: Two things are necessary to every action--the Will and
    the Power; if either be wanting, nothing can be effected.]

           Two inges er ben in whiche e
  effect of alle e dedes of man kynde standi. at is to
  seyn. wil {and} power. and yif at oon of ise two fayle         3184
  ere nis no ing at may be don.

    [Sidenote: A man can do nothing without the concurrence of his
    will, and if power faileth the will is of no effect.]

          for yif at wil lakke
  ere nys no wy[gh]t at vndirtake to done at he wol not
  don. and yif power fayle e wille nis but i{n} ydel {and}
  stant for nau[gh]t.

    [Sidenote: Hence, if you see a person desirous of getting what he
    cannot procure, you are sure he lacks power to obtain it.]

          and er of come it at yif ou se a                      3188
  wy[gh]t at wolde gete{n} at he may nat geten. ou mayst
  nat douten at power ne fayle hy{m} to haue{n} at he
  wolde.  is is open {and} clere q{uo}d I. ne it may nat
  ben denyed in no manere.

    [Sidenote: And if you see another do what he had a mind to do, can
    you doubt that he had the power to do it?]

          and yif ou se a wy[gh]t q{uo}d                           3192
  she. at ha don at he wolde don {o}u nilt nat douten
  at he ne ha had power to done it.

    [Sidenote: _B._ No, surely. _P._ A man, then, is esteemed
    powerful in respect of what he is able to do, and weak in
    relation to what he is unable to perform.]

          no q{uo}d. I. and in
  at. at euery wy[gh]t may. in at at men may holden
  hym my[gh]ty. as who sei i{n} as moche
          as a man is my[gh]ty                                [[pg 113]]
  to done a ing. in so moche men halden hy{m} my[gh]ty.            3197
  and in at at he ne may. in at men demen hym to
  ben feble.

    [Sidenote: _B._ That is true.]

          I confesse it wel q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Do you remember that I proved that the will of
    man, following different pursuits, seeks happiness only?]

          Remembri e q{uo}d
  she at I. haue gadred {and} shewed by forseide resou{n}s         3200
  at al e entenc{i}ou{n} of e wil of ma{n}kynde whiche at
  is lad by diuerse studies hasti to comen to blisfulnesse.
   It reme{m}bre me wel q{uo}d I at it hath ben shewed.

    [Linenotes:
    3166 [_owh_]--from C.
    3171 _good[e]_--goode
         _strong[e]_--stronge
    3172 _desert_--dishert
    3173 _eueryche_--eu{er}ich
    3175 _goode_--good
    3176 _stedfast_--stidefast
    3177 _freelnesse_--frelenesse
         _stedfastnesse_--stidefastnesse
    3178 _goode_--good
    3180 _oon_--oo
         _wil_ (2)--wole
    3185-6 _ere_--ther
    3185 _don_--MS. done, C. don
    3186 _done_--don
    3187 _wille_--wil
    3188 _come_--comht
    3189 _mayst_--MS. mayste, C. mayst
    3191 _clere_--cler
    3192 _denyed_--denoyed
    3193-4 _ha_--MS. hae
    3193 _don_ (_both_)--MS. done, C. doon
    3194 _had_--MS. hadde, C. had
         _done_--doon
    3196 _as moche_--so moche
    3197 _done_--doon
         _moche_--mochel
         _halden_--halt
    3201 _whiche_--which
    3202 _lad_--MS. ladde, C. lad
    3203 _it hath ben_--MS. I herde e, C. it hath ben]

    [Headnote:
    THE IMPOTENCY OF THE WICKED.]

    [Sidenote: Do you recollect too, that it has been shown that
    happiness is the supreme good of men--and all desire this good,
    since all seek happiness?]

  {and} recorde e nat an q{uo}d she. at blisfulnesse is         3204
  ilke same goode at men requeren.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 25 _b_.]]

          so at whan at
  blisfulnesse is requered *of alle. at goode [also] is
  requered {and} desired of al. It recorde me wel q{uo}d I.
  for haue it gretly alwey ficche[d] in my memorie.

    [Sidenote: All men, then, good and bad, seek to acquire good?]

          alle                                                      3208
  folk an q{uo}d she goode {and} eke badde enforcen he{m}
  wi oute difference of entenc{i}ou{n} to come{n} to goode.
  at is a uerray consequence q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: And it is certain that when men obtain good they become
    good?]

          and certeyne is q{uo}d
  she at by e gety{n}g of goode ben men ymaked goode.             3212

    [Sidenote: _B._ It is most certain.]

  is is certeyne q{uo}d. I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Do good men, then, get what they desire?]

           an geten goode men at ei
  desiren.

    [Sidenote: _B._ It seems so.]

          so seme it q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ If evil men obtain the good, they can be no longer
    evil?]

          but wicked[e] folk q{uo}d
  she yif ei geten e goode at ei desire{n} ei [ne]
  mowen nat ben wicked.

    [Sidenote: _B._ It is so.]

          so is it q{uo}d .I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Since then both parties pursue the good, which
    only the virtuous obtain, we must believe that good men are
    powerful, and that the wicked are weak and feeble?]

           an so as                                               3216
  at oon {and} at oer [q{uod} she] desiren good. {and} e
  goode folk geten good {and} nat e wicked folk  an
  nis it no doute at e goode folk ne ben my[gh]ty {and} e
  wicked folk ben feble.

    [Sidenote: _B._ None can doubt this, save such as either consider
    not rightly the nature of things, or are incapable of
    comprehending the force of any reasoning.]

           who so at euer q{uo}d I                                3220
  doute of is. he ne may nat considre e nature of
  i{n}ges. ne e consequence of resou{n}. and ouer is q{uo}d she.

    [Linenotes:
    3205-6 _goode_--good
    3206 [_also_]--from C.
    3207 _al_--alle
         _It----I_--it ne recordeth me nat q{uod} I
    3210-12(1)-15 _goode_--good
    3214 _wicked[e]_--wikkede
    3215 [_ne_]--from C.
    3216 _mowen_--mowe
    3217 [_quod she_]--from C.
    3218 _wicked_--wilk{e} (? wikke)
    3220 _wicked_--wikkede]

    [Headnote:
    THE WICKED DO NOT SEEK ARIGHT THE SUPREME GOOD.]

    [Sidenote: _P._ If two beings have the same end in view--and one
    of them accomplishes his purpose by the use of natural means,
    while the other not using legitimate means does not attain his
    end--which of these two is the most powerful?]

   yif at er ben two inges at han o same                       3223
  p{ur}pos by kynde. {and} at one of he{m} p{ur}sue {and} p{er}forme
  ilke same inge by naturel office. {and} at oer
  ne may nat done ilk naturel office. but folwe by
  oer manere an is couenable to nat{ur}e  Hym at
  acomplisi hys p{ur}pos kyndely.
                  {and} [gh]it he ne acomplisi               [[pg 114]]
  nat hys owen purpos. wheer of ise two demest                    3229
  ou for more my[gh]ty.

    [Sidenote: _B._ Illustrate your meaning more clearly.]

           yif at I coniecte q{uo}d .I. at
  ou wilt seye algates. [gh]it I desire to herkene it more
  pleynely of e.

    [Sidenote: _P._ The motion of walking is natural to man? And this
    motion is the natural office of the feet? Do you grant this?]

          ou nilt nat an denye q{uo}d she at e                  3232
  moeueme{n}t[gh] of goynge nis in men by kynde. no for soe
  q{uo}d I. ne ou ne doutest nat q{uo}d she {a}t ilke naturel
  office of goynge ne be e office of feet.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I do.]

          I ne doute
  it nat q{uo}d .I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ If, then, he who is able to use his feet walks,
    whilst another lacking this power creeps on his hands--surely he
    that is able to move naturally upon his feet is more powerful than
    he who cannot.]

          an q{uo}d she yif at a wy[gh]t be my[gh]ty to           3236
  moeue {and} go vpon hys feet. and anoer to whom
  ilke naturel office of feet lakke. enforce hym to gone
  crepynge vpo{n} hys handes.  whiche of ise two au[gh]te
  to ben holden more my[gh]ty by ry[gh]t. knyt fure e remenaunt   3240
  q{uo}d I.  For no wy[gh]t ne doute at he at
  may gone by nat{ur}el office of feet. ne be more my[gh]ty
  an he at ne may nat

    [Sidenote: _P._ The good and bad seek the supreme good: the good
    by the natural means of virtue--the wicked by gratifying divers
    desires of earthly things (which is not the natural way of
    obtaining it).]

           but e souereyne good q{uo}d
  she at is euenlyche p{ur}posed to e good folk {and} to          3244
  badde. e good folke seken it by naturel office of
  uertues. {and} e shrewes enforcen hem to geten it by
  dyuerse couetise of erely inges. whiche at nis no
  naturel office to geten ilke same souereyne goode.               3248

    [Sidenote: Do you think otherwise?]

  trowest ou at it be any oer wyse.

    [Sidenote: _B._ The consequence is plain, and that follows from
    what has been granted--that the good are powerful, while the
    wicked are feeble.]

          nay q{uo}d .I. for e
  co{n}seque{n}ce is open {and} shewynge of inges at I haue
  graunted.  at nedes goode folk moten ben my[gh]ty.
  {and} shrewes feble {and} vnmy[gh]ty.

    [Sidenote: _P._ You rightly anticipate me; for it is a good sign,
    as physicians well know, when Nature exerts herself and resists
    the malady.]

           ou rennest ary[gh]t                                    3252
  byfore me q{uo}d she. {and} is is e iugement at is to
  seyn.  I iuge of e ry[gh]t as ise leches ben wont forto
  hopen of seke folk whan ei ap{er}ceyuen at nature is
  redressed {and} wistonde to e maladie.

    [Sidenote: But, as you are so quick of apprehension, I shall
    continue this mode of reasoning.]

           But for I                                               3256
  see e now al redy to e vndirstandynge I shal shewe
  e more ilke {and} continuel resou{n}s.

    [Sidenote: The weakness of the wicked is conspicuous--they cannot
    attain the end to which their natural disposition prompts and
    almost compels them; what would become of them without this
    natural prompting, so powerful and irresistible?]

           For loke now
  how gretly shewi e feblesse {and} infirmite of wicked     [[pg 115]]
  folke. at ne mowen nat come to at hire naturel                  3260
  entenc{i}ou{n} lede hem. {and} [gh]itte almost ilk naturel
  entenc{i}ou{n} constreine hem.  and what wer{e} to deme
  an of shrewes. yif ilke naturel helpe hadde for-leten
  hem.  e whiche naturel helpe of entenc{i}ou{n} go alwey        3264
  byforne hem. {and} is so grete at vnne it may be
  ou{er}comen.

    [Sidenote: Consider how great is the impotence of the wicked. (The
    greater the things desired, but unaccomplished, the less is the
    power of him that desires, and is unable to attain his end.)]

           Considre an how gret defaute of power
  {and} how gret feblesse ere is in grete felonous folk as
  who sei e gretter i{n}ges at ben coueited {and} e desire     3268
  nat accomplissed of e lasse my[gh]t is he at coueite it
  {and} may nat acomplisse.  And fori philosophie sei
  us by souereyne good.

    [Sidenote: The wicked seek after no trivial things--which they
    fail to obtain; but they aspire in vain to the sovereign good,
    which they endeavour day and night to obtain.]

           Sherewes ne requere nat
  ly[gh]t[e] medes ne veyne gaines whiche ei ne may nat            3272
  folwen ne holden. but ei fayle{n} of ilke some of e
  hey[gh]te of inges at is to seyne souereyne good. ne ise
  wrecches ne comen nat to e effect of souereyne good.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 26.]]

  *e whiche ei enforcen hem oonly to gete{n} by ny[gh]tes         3276
  {and} by dayes.

    [Sidenote: The good attain the end of their desires, and therein
    their power is manifested.]

           In e getyn[g] of whiche goode e
  strenge of good folk. is ful wel ysen.

    [Sidenote: For as you deem him a good walker that goes to the end
    of his journey, so you must esteem him powerful that attains his
    desires, beyond which there is nothing to desire.]

          For ry[gh]t so as
  {o}u my[gh]test demen hym my[gh]ty of goynge at go on
  hys feet til he my[gh]t[e] come to ilke place fro e whiche      3280
  place ere ne lay no wey forer to be gon. Ry[gh]t so
  most ou nedes demen hym for ry[gh]t my[gh]ty at geti
  {and} atteini to e ende of alle inges at ben to desire.
  by-[gh]onde e whiche ende at er nis no ing to desire.         3284

    [Linenotes:
    3226 _ilk_--thilke
    3229 _owen_--owne
    3231 _wilt_--wolt
         _herkene_--herkne
    3232 _pleynely_--pleynly
         _denye_--denoye
    3233 _moeuement[gh]_--Moeuement
    3237 _go_--MS. goe
         _hys_--hise
    3238 _gone_--goon
    3239 _hys_--hise
         _whiche_--which
    3240 _more_--the Moore
         _fure_--forth
    3242 _gone_--gon
    3245 _good_--goode
    3246 _uertues_--vertuus
    3247 _whiche_--which
    3248 _goode_--good
    3253 _byfore_--by-forn
    3254 _forto_--to
    3255 _seke_--sike
    3259 _wicked_--wikkede
    3260 _come_--comyn
    3261 _ilk_--thilke
    3262 _deme_--demen
    3263-4 _helpe_--help
    3264 _whiche_--which
         _go_--MS. goe
    3265 _grete_--gret
         _vnne_--vnnethe
         _be ouercomen_--ben ou{er}come
    3267 _ere_--ther
         _grete_--wikkede
    3268 _inges_--thing
         _ben_--is
    3271 _Sherewes ne requere_--ne shrewes ne requeren
    3272 _ly[gh]t[e]_--lyhte
         _veyne_--veyn
         _nat_--omitted
    3276 _whiche_--which
    3277 _getyn[g]_--getinge
         _whiche goode_--which good
    3278 _ysen_--MS. and C. ysene
    3279 _go_--MS. goe
    3280 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte
    3281 _ere_--ther
         _lay_--laye
         _forer_--forthere
         _be_--ben
    3283 _desire_--desired
    3284 _at_--omitted]

    [Headnote:
    THE WICKED HAVE NO REAL EXISTENCE.]

    [Sidenote: Wicked men, then, are destitute of those powers which
    the good so amply possess.]

   Of whiche power of good folk men may conclude at
  wicked men semen to ben bareyne {and} naked of alle
  strenge.

    [Sidenote: Wherefore do they leave virtue, and follow vice? Is it
    because they are ignorant of good?]

          For whi forleten ei v{er}tues {and} folwen
  vices. nis it nat for at ei ne knowen nat e goodes.            3288

    [Sidenote: What is more weak and base than the blindness of
    ignorance? Or do they know the way they ought to follow, but are
    led astray by lust and covetousness?]

   But what ing is more feble {and} more caitif an is e   [[pg 116]]
  blyndenesse of ignoraunce. or ellys ei knowen ful wel
  whiche inges at ei au[gh]ten to folwen  but lecherye
  {and} couetise ouerrowe hem mysturned.

    [Sidenote: And so, indeed, weak-minded men are overpowered by
    intemperance, for they cannot resist vicious temptations.]

           and certis                                              3292
  so do distemp{er}aunce to feble men. at ne mowe{n} nat
  wrastle a[gh]eins e vices

    [Sidenote: Do they willingly desert Good and turn to Evil? If they
    do so, they not only cease to be powerful, but even cease to
    exist.]

           Ne knowen ei nat an wel
  at ei foreleten e good wilfully. {and} turnen hem vilfully
  to vices.  And in is wise ei ne forleten nat                   3296
  oonly to ben my[gh]ty. but ei forleten al outerly in any
  wise forto ben

    [Sidenote: For those who neglect the common end of all beings,
    cease to exist.]

           For ei at forleten e comune fyn of
  alle inges at ben. ei for-leten also erwi al forto
  ben.

    [Sidenote: You may marvel that I assert that the wicked, the
    majority of the human race, have no existence--but it is, however,
    most true.]

          and p{er}auenture it sholde semen to som folk at         3300
  is were a merueile to seyne at shrewes whiche at
  contienen e more p{ar}tie of me{n} ne ben nat. ne han no
  beynge.  but naeles it is so. {and} us stant is ing

    [Sidenote: That the wicked are bad I do not deny--but I do not
    admit that they have any real existence.]

  for ei at ben shrewes I denye nat at ei ben shrewes.          3304
  but I denye {and} sey[e] symplely and pleynly at ei
  [ne] ben nat. ne han no beynge.

    [Sidenote: You may call a corpse a dead man, but you cannot with
    propriety call it a man.]

          for ry[gh]t as ou my[gh]test
  seyn of e careyne of a man at it were a ded man.
   but ou ne my[gh]test nat symplely callen it a man.             3308

    [Sidenote: So the vicious are profligate men, but I cannot confess
    they absolutely exist.]

   So graunt[e] I wel for soe at vicious folk ben
  wicked. but I ne may nat graunten absolutely {and}
  symplely at ei ben.

    [Sidenote: That thing exists that preserves its rank, nature, and
    constitution, but when it loses these essentials it ceases to be.]

           For ilk ing at wi
  holde ordre {and} kepi nature. ilk ing is {and} ha           3312
  beynge. but at ing at faile of at. at is to seyne
  he {a}t forleti naturel ordre he for-leti ilk beyng
  at is set in hys nature.

    [Sidenote: But, you may say that the wicked have a _power_ to act,
    nor do I deny it; but their power is an effect of weakness.]

          but ou wolt sein at shrewes
  mowen. Certys at ne denye I nat.  but certys                  3316
  hir power ne descende nat of strenge but of feblesse.

    [Sidenote: They can do evil, but this they could not do, if they
    retained the power of doing good.]

  for ei mowen don wickednesses. e whiche ei ne
  my[gh]ten nat don yif ei my[gh]te{n} dwelle in e forme {and}
  in e doynge of goode folke.                                [[pg 117]]

    [Sidenote: This power, then, clearly shows their impotence.]

           And ilke power                                         3320
  shewe ful euydently at ei ne mowen ry[gh]t nau[gh]t.

    [Linenotes:
    3285 _whiche_--the which
         _at_--{a}t the
    3286 _ben_--be
    3291 _au[gh]ten to folwen_--owhten folwe
    3293 _do_--MS. doe, C. doth
    3394 _wrastle_--wrastlen
    3295 _vilfully_--wilsfully
    3297 _outerly_--owtrely
    3301 _seyne_--seyen
    3304-5 _denye_--denoye
    3305 _sey[e] symplely_--seye sympeli
    3306 [_ne_]--from C.
    3307 _seyn_--seyen
    3309 _graunt[e]_--graunte
    3311-12 _ilk_--thilke
    3312 _ha_--MS. hae
    3313 _at_ (1)--what
         _seyne_--seyn
    3314 _ilk_--thilke
    3315 _set_--MS. sette, C. set
    3316 _denye_--denoye
    3318 _don_--MS. done, C. don
    3319 _my[gh]ten_ (1)--myhte
         _dwelle_--dwellin
    3320 _goode_--good]

    [Headnote:
    POWER, AN ATTRIBUTE OF THE CHIEF GOOD.]

    [Sidenote: For as evil is nothing, it is clear that while the
    wicked can only do evil they can do nothing.]

   For so as I haue gadered {and} p{ro}ued a lytel her byforn
  at yuel is nau[gh]t. {and} so as shrewes mowen oonly
  but shrewednesse. is conclusiou{n} is al clere. at              3324
  shrewes ne mowen ry[gh]t nat to han power.

    [Sidenote: That you may understand the force of this power, I have
    proved that nothing is more powerful than the sovereign good.]

          and for as
  moche as ou vndirstonde whiche is e strenge at is
  power of shrewes. I haue diffinised a lytel here byforn
  at no ing nis so my[gh]ty as souereyne good

    [Sidenote: _B._ That is true.]

           at is                                                  3328
  soe q{uo}d .I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ And that supreme good can do no evil?]

          [{and} thilke same souereyn good may don
  non yuel //

    [Sidenote: _B._ Certainly not.]

          Certes no q{uod} I]

    [Sidenote: _P._ Is there any one who thinks that man can do all
    things?]

           Is er any wy[gh]t an
  q{uo}d she at weni at men mowen don alle inges.

    [Sidenote: _B._ No sane man can think so.]

  No man q{uo}d .I. but yif he be out of hys witte.

    [Sidenote: _P._ But men may do evil.]

           but                                                     3332
  certys sherewes mowen do yuel q{uo}d she.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I would to God they could not.]

           [gh]e wolde
  god q{uo}d I at ei ne my[gh]te{n} don none.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Since he that can do good, can do all things, and
    he that has power to do evil cannot do all things, therefore the
    evil-doers are less powerful.]

          at q{uo}d she
  so as he at is my[gh]ty to done oonly but good[e] inges
  may don alle inges. and ei at ben my[gh]ty to done             3336
  yuel[e] inges ne mowen nat alle inges. an is is open
  ing {and} manifest at ei {a}t mowe{n} don yuel ben of
  lasse power.

    [Sidenote: Let me add too that _power_ is one of the things to be
    desired, and that all such things are to be referred to the chief
    good (the perfection of their nature).]

          and [gh]itte to p{ro}ue is conclusiou{n} ere
  helpe me is at I haue shewed here byforne. at al              3340
  power is to be nou{m}bred amonge inges at men au[gh]ten
  requere. {and} haue shewed at alle i{n}ges at au[gh]ten ben
  desired ben referred to good ry[gh]t as to a manere hey[gh]te
  of hyr nature.

    [Sidenote: But the power of doing evil has no relation to that
    Good, therefore it is not desirable; but as all power is
    desirable, it is clear that the ability to do evil is not power.]

           But for to mowen don yuel {and}                         3344
  felonye ne may nat ben referred to good. an nis nat
  yuel of e nou{m}bre of inges at au[gh]te{n}.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 26 _b_.]]

          *be desired. but
  al power au[gh]t[e] ben desired {and} requered.  an is
  it open {and} cler at e power ne e moeuyng of shrewes          3348
  nis no powere.

    [Sidenote: It clearly follows from this reasoning, that the good
    only are powerful while the vicious are feeble.]

          {and} of alle ise inges it shewe wel at
  e goode folk ben certeynly my[gh]ty. {and} e shrewes ben  [[pg 118]]
  douteles vnmy[gh]ty

    [Sidenote: And Plato's opinion is hereby verified that the _wise_
    only have the power to do what they desire; the wicked may follow
    the dictates of their lusts, but their great aim and desire,
    _i.e._ HAPPINESS, they can never attain.]

           And it is clere {and} open at ilke
  sentence of plato is uerray {and} soe. {a}t sey at oonly      3352
  wiseme{n} may [doon] at ei desiren. {and} shrewes
  mowen haunten at hem lyke. but at ei desiren at
  is to seyne to comen to souereyne good ei ne han no
  power to acomplissen at.

    [Sidenote: The wicked may gratify their desires, thinking to
    attain the chief good (for which they wish), but they can never
    possess it, for impiety and vice can never be crowned with
    happiness.]

           For shrewes don at hem                                 3356
  list whan by o inges in whiche ei deliten ei wenen
  to atteyne to ilke good at ei desiren. but ei ne geten
  ne atteynen nat er to.  for vices ne comen nat to
  blisfulnesse.                                                     3360

    [Linenotes:
    3324 _shrewednesse_--shrewednesses
         _clere_--cleer
    3325 _nat----power_--nawht ne han no power
    3326 _whiche_--which
         _at is_--of this
    3327 _here_--her
    3328 _nis_--is
    3329 _soe_--soth
    3329, 3330 [_and thilke----quod I_]--from C.
    3334 _don_--MS. done, C. don
         _none at_--non thanne
    3335 _done_--doon
         _good[e]_--goode
    3336 _don_--MS. done, C. don
         _done_--don
    3337 _yuel[e]_--yuele
         _is_--it
    3338 _don_--MS. done, C. don
    3339 _[gh]itte_--yit
         _ere_--ther
    3340 _shewed here byforne_--Ishewed her by-forn
         _al_--alle
    3341 _amonge_--among
    3344 _don_--MS. done, C. don
    3346 _au[gh]ten be_--owhte ben
    3347 _al_--alle
         _au[gh]t[e]_--owhte
    3351 _clere_--cler
    3352 _soe_--soth
         _at sey_--MS. but sie, C. {a}t seyth
    3353 [_doon_]--from C.
    3355 _seyne_--seyn
    3357 _whiche_--which]


    [Headnote:
    THE WICKED ARE UNHAPPY.]

QUOS UIDES SEDERE CELSOS.

  [Sidenote: [The ij^de Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: Whosoever might strip of their purple coverings, proud
    kings, who, surrounded by their guards, sit on lofty thrones, and
    whose stern looks wear fierce threatenings, and boiling breasts
    breathe fury; would see those mighty lords inwardly fettered, and
    tormented by lust, passion, grief, and delusive hopes.]

  ++Who so at e couertures of her veyn apparailes
  my[gh]t[e] strepen of ise proude kynges at ou
  seest sitten on hey[gh]e in her chayeres glyterynge in
  shynynge purpre envyroned wi sorweful arm{ur}es                  3364
  manasyng wi cruel moue. blowyng by woodnesse of
  herte.  He sholde se an at ilke lordes beren wi
  i{n}ne hir corages ful streyte cheynes for leccherye tormenti
  he{m} on at oon syde wi gredy venyms {and}                      3368
  troublable Ire at araise in hem e floodes of troublynges
  tourmenti vpon at oer side hir ou[gh]t. or sorwe halt
  he{m} wery or ycau[gh]t. or slidyng {and} disseyuyng hope
  tourmenti hem.

    [Sidenote: Since, then, so many tyrants bear sway over one
    head--that lord, oppressed by so many masters (i.e. vices), is
    weak and feeble, and his actions are not obedient to his will.]

          And erfore syn ou seest on heed.                        3372
  at is to seyne oon tyraunt bere so many[e] tyrauntis.
  a{n} ne do ilk tyraunt nat at he desiri. syn he
  is cast doune wi so many[e] wicked lordes. at is to
  seyn wi so many[e] vices. at han so wicked lordshipes           3376
  ouer hym.

    [Linenotes:
    3361-63 _her_--hir
    3362 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte
    3363 _hey[gh]e_--heygh
    3364 _sorweful_--sorwful
    3365 _moue_--Mowth
    3366 _se_--seen
         _ilke_--thilke
    3368 _on_--in
    3369 _hem_--hym
    3371 _disseyuyng_--deceyuynge
    3373 _seyne_--seyn
         _bere_--beeren
    3373-75-76 _many[e]_--manye
    3373 _tyrauntis_--tyranyes
    3374 _do_--MS. doe
         _ilk_--thilke
    3375 _doune_--down
         _wicked_--wikkede
    3376 _wicked_--wikkedly]


                                                              [[pg 119]]
    [Headnote:
    THEY DO NOT ESCAPE PUNISHMENT.]

VIDES NE IGITUR QUANTO.

  [Sidenote: [The iij.^de p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: See you not in how great and filthy a mire the wicked
    wallow?]

  ++SEest ou nat an in how gret file ise shrewes ben
  ywrapped. {and} wi whiche cleernesse ise good
  folk shynen.

    [Sidenote: This is a proof that good folks do not go unrewarded,
    nor do the evil-doers escape punishment.]

          In is shewe it wel at to good folk ne                  3380
  lakke neuer mo hir medes. ne shrewes ne lakken
  neuer mo to{ur}mentis.

    [Sidenote: Every action is done for a certain end, and that end is
    the reward of the action.]

          for of alle inges at ben ydon
  ilke ing for whiche any ing is doon. it seme as by
  ry[gh]t at ilke ing be e mede of at. as us.  yif a         3384
  man renne in e stadie or in e forlonge for e corone.
  an lie e mede in e corone for whiche he renne.

    [Sidenote: But Happiness is that good for which all things are
    done. Therefore happiness is the reward which all the human race
    seek as the reward of their actions.]

   And I haue shewed at blisfulnesse is ilke same
  good for whiche at alle i{n}g{us} ben don. an is ilke         3388
  same good p{ur}posed to e werkes of mankynde ry[gh]t as
  a comune mede.

    [Sidenote: This good is inseparable from the virtuous, therefore
    virtue can never want its reward.]

          whiche mede ne may ben disseuered
  fro good folk. for no wy[gh]t as by ry[gh]t fro ennes fore
  {a}t hym lakki goodnesse ne shal ben cleped good.               3392
  For whiche ing folk of good[e] maneres her medes ne
  forsaken hem neuer mo.

    [Sidenote: Evil men may rage as they please against the good, but
    the crown of the wise shall not fall nor fade.]

          For al be it so at sherewes
  waxen as wood as hem list a[gh]eynes good[e] folk. [gh]itte
  neuer e les e corone of wise men ne shal nat fallen             3396
  ne faden.

    [Sidenote: The wickedness of another cannot deprive a virtuous
    soul of its own honour.]

           For foreine shrewednesse ne bynyme
  nat fro e corages of good[e] folk hire p{ro}pre honoure.

    [Linenotes:
    3379 _whiche_--which
    3380 _good_--goode
    3381 _ne_ (2)--omitted
    3383 _whiche_--which
    3385 _forlonge_--forlong
    3386-88-90 _whiche_--which
    3391 _fore_--forth
    3393 _whiche_--which
         _good[e]_--goode
    3395 _wood_--woode
         _good[e]_--goode
    3396 _les_--leese
         _ne_--omitted
    3398 _good[e]_--goode]

    [Headnote:
    THE REWARD OF THE GOOD.]

    [Sidenote: If a man pride himself on the possession of an
    advantage received from another, he may be deprived of it, either
    by the giver or by others.]

  but yif at any wy[gh]t reioise hem of goodnesse at ei
  had[de] taken fro wioute. as who sei yif [{a}t] any            3400
  wy[gh]t had[de] hys goodnesse of any oer man an of
  hym self. certys he at [gh]af hym ilke goodnesse or
  ellys som oer wy[gh]t my[gh]t[e] bynym[e] it hym.

    [Sidenote: But, as the reward of the virtuous is derived from
    virtue, a man cannot lose this meed unless he ceases to be
    virtuous.]

          but for
  as moche as to euery wy[gh]t hys owen p{ro}pre bounte             3404
  [gh]eue hy{m} hys mede. an at arst shal he faylen of
  mede whan he forleti to ben good.

    [Sidenote: Lastly, since a reward is desired because it is
    supposed to be a good, can we believe that he who is capable of
    good is deprived of the recompence?]

          {and} at e laste so
  as alle medes be{n} requered for men wenen at ei ben
  good[e]. who is he at wolde deme at he at is ry[gh]t     [[pg 120]]
  my[gh]ty of goode were p{ar}tles of mede.                         3409

    [Sidenote: What reward shall he receive?]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 27.]]

          *{and} of what
  mede shal he be gerdoned.

    [Sidenote: Certainly the fairest and richest of all rewards.]

          certys of ry[gh]t faire mede
  {and} ry[gh]t greet abouen alle medes.

    [Sidenote: Call to mind that excellent corollary I have already
    given thee, and reason thus:--]

           Remembre e of
  ilk noble corolarie at I [gh]af e a lytel here byforne.        3412
  {and} gadre it to gidre in is manere.

    [Sidenote: Since the supreme good is happiness, it follows that
    all good men are happy in as much as they are good; but if they
    are happy they must become as it were gods.]

          so as god hym self
  is blisfulnesse. an is it clere {and} certeyn. at alle good
  folk ben makid blisful for ei ben good[e]. and ilke
  folk at ben blisful it accordi {and} is couenable to ben        3416
  godde[s].

    [Sidenote: The reward (_i. e._ divinity) of the righteous is such
    that no time can impair it, no power can diminish it, nor can any
    wickedness obscure it.]

          an is e mede of goode folk swiche. at no
  day [ne] shal enpeyren it. ne no wickednesse shal endirken
  it. ne power of no wy[gh]t ne shal nat amenusen it
  at is to seyn to ben maked goddes.

    [Sidenote: Since, then, happiness belongs to good men, punishment
    inseparably attends the wicked.]

           and syn it is                                           3420
  us at goode men ne faylen neuer mo of hir{e} medes.

    [Linenotes:
    3399 _reioise_--reioyse
         _hem_--hym
         _ei had[de]_--he hadde
    3400 [_at_]--from C.
    3401 _had[de]_--hadde
    3402 _self_--MS. selk
    3403 _my[gh]t[e] bynym[e]_--myhte be-nyme
    3404 _owen_--owne
    3406 _laste_--last
    3408 _good[e]_--goode
         _wolde_--nolde
    3409 _goode_--good
         _of_ (2)--of the
    3411 _greet_--grete
    3412 _here byforne_--her by-forn
    3413 _god_--good
    3414 _is_ (1)--his
         _clere_--cleer
    3415 _good[e]_--goode
    3417 _godde[s]_--goddes
         _swiche_--swich
    3418 [_ne_]--from C.
         _endirken_--derken]

    [Headnote:
    VIRTUE EXALTS MANKIND.]

   certys no wise man ne may doute of e vndep{ar}table
  peyne of shrewes.  at is to seyn at e peyne of
  shrewes ne dep{ar}ti nat from hem self neuer mo.                 3424

    [Sidenote: For since _good_ and _evil_ are contraries, so are
    _rewards_ and _punishments_.]

   For so as goode {and} yuel {and} peyne {and} medes ben
  contrarie it mot nedes ben {a}t ry[gh]t as we seen by-tiden
  in gerdou{n} of goode.

    [Sidenote: It is evident that rewards follow good actions, and
    punishments attend evil actions; then as virtue itself is the
    reward of the virtuous, so vice is the punishment of the vicious.]

          at also mot e peyne of yuel
  answer{e} by e contrarie partye to shrewes. now an so           3428
  as bounte {and} prowesse ben e medes to goode folk.
  also is shrewednesse it self torment to shrewes

    [Sidenote: He who is punished with pain and uneasiness knows that
    he is afflicted with evil.]

           an
  who so at euer is entecched {and} defouled wi yuel.

    [Sidenote: If, then, the wicked did rightly understand themselves
    they would perceive that they are not exempted from punishment.]

  yif shrewes wolen an p{re}isen hem self may it semen             3432
  to hem at ei ben wi oute{n} p{ar}tye of tourment.

    [Sidenote: Since vice, the extreme and worst kind of evil, not
    only afflicts them, but infects and entirely pollutes them.]

  syn ei ben swiche at e [vtteriste wikkednesse / {a}t is to
  seyn wikkede thewes / which {a}t is the] out{er}este {and}
  e w[or]ste kynde of shrewednesse ne defouli nat ne              3436
  entecehi nat hem oonly but infecti {and} enuenemy
  he{m} gretely

    [Sidenote: But contemplate the punishment of the wicked.]

           And al so loke on shrewes at ben e
  contrarie p{ar}tye of goode men.
                  how grete peyne felawshipe                 [[pg 121]]
  {and} folwe hem.

    [Sidenote: You have been taught that _unity_ is essential to being
    and is good--and all that have this unity are good; whatsoever,
    then, fails to be good ceases to exist.]

           For ou hast lerned a litel                             3440
  here byforn at al i{n}g at is {and} ha beynge is oon.
  {and} ilke same oon is good. an is is consequence at
  it seme wel. at al at is {and} ha bey{n}ge is good. is
  is to seyne. as who sei at beynge {and} vnite {and}             3444
  goodnesse is al oon. {and} in is manere it folwe an.
  at al ing at faile to ben good. it stynti forto be.
  {and} forto haue any beynge.

    [Sidenote: So that it appears that evil men must cease to be what
    they were.]

          wher fore it is at shrewes
  stynten forto ben at ei weren.

    [Sidenote: That they were once men, the outward form of the body,
    which still remains, clearly testifies.]

          but ilke oer forme                                      3448
  of mankynde. at is to seyne e forme of e body wi
  oute. shewi [gh]it at ise shrewes were somtyme men.

    [Linenotes:
    3422 _wise man_--wysman
         _e_--omitted
         _vndepartable_--MS. vndirp{ar}table, C. vndepartable
    3423 _of_ (1)--of the
    3428 _answere_--answery
         _e_--omitted
    3434 [_vtteriste----is the_]--from C.
    3438 _gretely_--gretly
    3439 _grete_--gret
    3441 _al_--alle
         _ha_--MS. hae
    3443 _al_--alle
         _ha_--MS. hae
    3446 _al_--alle
    3447 _haue_--han
    3448 _stynten_--MS. styntent
    3450 _were somtyme_--weeren whilom]

    [Headnote:
    HE WHO CEASES TO BE VIRTUOUS CEASES TO BE A MAN.]

    [Sidenote: Wherefore, when they degenerate into wickedness they
    lose their human nature.]

   wher fore whan ei ben p{er}uerted {and} torned in to
  malice. certys an han ei forlorn e nature of mankynde.         3452

    [Sidenote: But as virtue alone exalts one man above other men, it
    is evident that vice, which divests a man of his nature, must sink
    him below humanity.]

  but so as oonly bounte {and} prowesse may enhawnse
  euery man ouer oer men. an mot it nedes be
  at shrewes whiche at shrewednesse ha cast out of e
  condic{i}ou{n} of mankynde ben put vndir e merite {and}          3456
  e deserte of men.

    [Sidenote: You cannot, therefore, esteem him to be a man whom you
    see thus transformed by his vices.]

          an bitidi it at yif ou seest a
  wy[gh]t at be t{ra}nsformed in to vices. ou ne mayst nat
  wene at he be a man.

    [Sidenote: The greedy robber, you will say, is like a _wolf_.]

           For [gh]if he [be] ardaunt in
  auarice. {and} at he be a rauyno{ur} by violence of              3460
  foreine rychesse. ou shalt seyn at he is lyke to a
  wolf.

    [Sidenote: He who gives no rest to his abusive tongue, you may
    liken to a _hound_.]

          {and} yif he be felonous {and} wi out reste {and}
  ex{er}cise hys tonge to chidynges. ou shalt lykene hym
  to e hounde.

    [Sidenote: Does he delight in fraud and trickery? then is he like
    young _foxes_.]

          {and} yif he be a p{re}ue awaito{ur} yhid {and}           3464
  reioyse hym to rauysshe by wyles. ou shalt seyne
  hym lyke to e fox whelpes.

    [Sidenote: Is he intemperate in his anger? then men will compare
    him to a raging _lion_.]

           And yif he be distempre
  {and} quaki for ire men shal wene at he bere
  e corage of a lyou{n}.

    [Sidenote: If he be a coward, he will be likened to a _hart_.]

          {and} yif he be dredeful {and} fleynge                    3468
  and drede inges at ne au[gh]ten nat ben dred. men
  shal holde hym lyke to e h{er}te.                          [[pg 122]]

    [Sidenote: If he be slow, dull, and lazy, then is he like an
    _ass_.]

          {and} yif he be slowe
  {and} astoned {and} lache. he lyue as an asse.

    [Sidenote: Is he fickle and inconstant? Then is he like a _bird_.]

          {and} yif he
  be ly[gh]t {and} vnstedfast of corage {and} chaunge ay his       3472
  studies. he is lickened to briddes.

    [Sidenote: Doth he wallow in filthy lusts? Then doth he roll
    himself in the mire like a nasty _sow_.]

           {and} yif he be
  plounged in foule {and} vnclene luxuries. he is wiholden
  in e foule delices of e foule soowe.

    [Sidenote: It follows, then, that he who ceases to be virtuous,
    ceases to be a man; and, since he cannot attain divinity, he is
    turned into a beast.]

           an folwe it
  at he at forleti bountee {and} prowesse. he forleti to        3476
  ben a man. syn he ne may nat passe in to e condic{i}ou{n}
  of god. he is tourned in to a beest.

    [Linenotes:
    3452 _forlorn_--MS. forlorne, C. forlorn
    3453 _as_--omitted
         _enhawnse_--enhawsen
    3455 _whiche_--which
         _ha_--MS. hae
    3459 [_be_]--from C.
    3464 _yhid_--MS. yhidde, C. I-hidd
    3465 _seyne_--seyn
    3468 _dredeful_--dredful
    3469 _ben_--to ben
         _dred_--MS. dredde, C. dredd
    3470 _holde_--holden
         _lyke_--lyk
         _herte_--hert
         _slowe_--slowh
    3472 _vnstedfast_--vnstidefast
         _his_--hise
    3475 _an_--MS. at, C. thanne
    3477 _passe_--passen]


    [Sidenote: [* fol. 27 _b_.]]

*V[E]LA NARICII DUCIS.

  [Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: Ulysses was driven by the eastern winds upon the shores
    of that isle where Circe dwelt, who, having entertained her guests
    with magic draughts, transformed them into divers shapes--one into
    a boar, another into a lion;]

  ++Evrus e wynde aryue e sayles of vlixes duc of e
  contre of narice. {and} hys wandryng shippes by e                3480
  see in to e isle ere as Circe e fayre goddesse dou[gh]ter
  of e sonne dwelle at medly to hir newe gestes
  drynkes at ben touched {and} maked wi enchau{n}tment[gh].
  {and} after at hir hande my[gh]ty of e herbes                   3484
  had[de] chau{n}ged hir gestes i{n} to dyuerse maneres. at
  oon of hem is couered his face wi forme of a boor. at
  oer is chau{n}ged in to a lyou{n} of e contre of marmorike.
  {and} his nayles {and} his tee wexen.

    [Sidenote: some into howling wolves, and others into Indian
    tigers.]

           at                                                     3488
  oer of hem is newliche chaunged in to a wolf. {and}
  howeli whan he wolde wepe. at oer go debonairly
  in e house as a tigre of Inde.

    [Sidenote: But Mercury, the Arcadian god, rescued Ulysses from the
    Circean charms. Yet his mariners, having drunk of her infected
    drinks, were changed to swine, and fed on acorns.]

          but al be it so at e
  godhed of mercurie at is cleped e bride of arcadie ha          3492
  had mercie of e duc vlixes byseged wi diu{er}se yueles
  {and} ha vnbounden hym fro e pestilence of hys
  oosteresse algates e rowers {and} e maryners hadden by
  is ydrawen in to hir moues {and} dronken e wicked[e]           3496
  drynkes ei at were woxen swyne hadden by is              [[pg 123]]
  chau{n}ged hire mete of brede forto ete acorns of ookes.

    [Sidenote: All traces of the human form were lost, and they were
    bereft of speech.]

  non of hir lymes ne dwelli wi he{m} hoole. but
  ei han lost e voys {and} e body.

    [Sidenote: Their souls, unchanged, bewailed their dreadful fate.]

          Oonly hir{e} ou[gh]t                                     3500
  dwelle wi hem stable {a}t wepi {and} bywaili e
  monstruous chaungynge at ei suffren.

    [Sidenote: O most weak, are Circe's powers compared with the
    potency of vice, to transform the human shape!]

           O ouer ly[gh]t
  hand. as who sei.  O feble {and} ly[gh]t is e hand of
  Circes e enchaunteresse at chaunge e bodies of folk           3504
  in to bestes to regarde {and} to co{m}parisou{n} of mutac{i}ou{n}
  at is makid by vices.

    [Sidenote: Circe's herbs may change the body, but cannot touch the
    mind, the inward strength of man.]

          ne e herbes of circes ne ben nat
  my[gh]ty. for al be it so at ei may chau{n}gen e lymes
  of e body.  algates [gh]it ei may nat chau{n}ge e             3508
  hertes. for wi inne is yhid e strenge {and} e vigour
  of me{n} in e secre toure of hire hertys. at is to seyn
  e strenge of resou{n}.

    [Sidenote: But vice is more potent than Circe's poisonous charms.]

          but ilke uenyms of vices to-drawen
  a man to hem more my[gh]tily an e venym of                      3512
  circes.

    [Sidenote: Though it leaves the body whole, it pierces the inner
    man, and inflicts a deadly wound upon the soul.]

           For vices ben so cruel at ei percen {and}
  oru[gh] passen e corage wi i{n}ne. {and} ou[gh] ei ne anoye
  nat e body. [gh]itte vices wooden to distroien men by
  wounde of ou[gh]t.                                               3516

    [Linenotes:
    3479 _aryue_--aryuede
         _vlixes_--MS. vluxies, C. vlixes
    3481 _Circe_--Circes
    3483 _enchauntment[gh]_--enchauntement[gh]
    3484 _hande_--hand
         _of_--ou{er}
    3485 _had[de]_--hadde
         _gestes_--MS. goostes, C. gestes
    3486 _boor_--boer{e}
    3488 _his_ (1)--hise
         _his tee_--hise teth
    3489 _newliche_--neweliche
    3490 _go_--MS. goe
    3491 _house_--hows
    3492 _bride_--bryd
         _ha_--MS. hae
    3493 _mercie_--MS. mercurie, C. mercy
    3494 _ha_--MS. hae
    3495 _oosteresse_--oostesse
    3496 _wicked[e]_--wikkede
    3497 _were woxen swyne_--weeren wexen swyn
    3498 _chaunged_--Ichaunged
         _brede_--bred
         _forto_--MS. {and} forto
         _ete acorns_--eten akkornes
    3499 _hoole_--hool
    3501 _wepi_--MS. kepi, C. weepith
    3502 _monstruous_--MS. monstronous, C. Monstruos
    3504 _Circes_--MS. Cirtes
         _folk_--folkys
    3509 _yhid_--MS. yhidde, C. I-hydd
    3515 _wooden_--MS. wolden, C. wooden]


    [Headnote:
    THE WICKED ARE TORMENTED BY A THREEFOLD WRETCHEDNESS.]

TUNC EGO FATEOR INQ{UA}M.

  [Sidenote: [The ferthe p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: _B._ I confess that vicious men are rightly called
    beasts.]

  ++an seide I us I confesse {and} am aknowe q{uo}d I. ne
  I ne se nat at men may seyn as by ry[gh]t.

    [Sidenote: They retain the outward form of man, but the qualities
    of their souls prove them to be beasts.]

          {a}t
  shrewes ne ben nat chaunged in to beestes by e
  qualite of hir soules.  Al be it so {a}t ei kepen [gh]itte     3520
  e forme of e body of mankynde.

    [Sidenote: I wish, however, that the wicked were without the power
    to annoy and hurt good men.]

          but I nolde nat of
  shrewes of whiche e ou[gh]t cruel woode alwey in to
  destrucc{i}ou{n} of good[e] men. at it wer{e} leueful to hem
  to done at.

    [Sidenote: _P._ They have no power, as I shall presently show
    you.]

           Certys q{uo}d she ne it nis nat leueful                 3524
  to hem as I shal wel shewen e in couenable place.

    [Sidenote: But were this power, which men ascribe to them, taken
    away from the wicked, they would be relieved of the greatest part
    of their punishment.]

   But naeles yif so were at ilke at me{n} wene{n} ben
  leueful for shrewes were bynomen hem. so at ei ne         [[pg 124]]
  my[gh]ten nat anoyen or don harme to goode men.  Certys          3528
  a gret p{ar}ty of e peyne to shrewes shulde ben allegged
  {and} releued.

    [Sidenote: The wicked are more unhappy when they have accomplished
    their evil designs than when they fail to do so.]

           For al be it so {a}t is ne seme nat
  credible ing p{er}auent{ur}e to so{m}me folk [gh]it mot it
  nedes be at shrewes ben more wrecches {and} vnsely.              3532
  whan ei may don {and} p{er}forme at ei coueiten [than
  yif they myhte nat complyssen {a}t they coueyten].

    [Sidenote: If it is a miserable thing to will evil, it is a
    greater unhappiness to have the power to execute it, without which
    power the wicked desires would languish without effect.]

           For
  yif so be at it be wrecchednesse to wilne to don yuel[;]
  an is it more wrecchednesse to mowen don yuel.                   3536
  wi oute whiche moeuyng e wrecched wille sholde
  languisshe wi oute effecte.

    [Sidenote: Since, then, each of these three things (_i. e._ the
    will, the power, and the accomplishment of evil) hath its misery,
    therefore a threefold wretchedness afflicts those who both will,
    can, and do commit sin.]

           an syn at eueryche of
  ise inges ha hys wrecchednesse. at is to seyne wil
  to done yuel. and moeuynge to done yuel. it mot nedes             3540
  be. at ei (shrewes) ben constreyned by re vnselynesses
  at wolen {and} mowen {and} p{er}formen felonyes
  {and} shrewednesses.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I grant it--but still I wish the vicious were
    without this misfortune.]

           I accorde me q{uo}d I. but I
  desire gretely at shrewes losten sone ilke vnselynesses.        3544
  at is to seyne at shrewes were despoyled of moeuyng
  to don yuel.

    [Sidenote: _P._ They shall be despoiled of it sooner than you wish
    perhaps, or than they themselves imagine.]

           so shulle{n} ei q{uo}d she.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 28.]]

          sonnere
  p{er}auenture en {o}u woldest *or sonnere en ei hem
  self wenen to lakken mowynge to done yuel.

    [Sidenote: In the narrow limits of this life, nothing, however
    tardy it appears, can seem to an immortal soul to have a very long
    duration.]

           For                                                     3548
  ere nis no ing so late in so short bou{n}des of is lijf
  at is longe to abide. namelyche to a corage inmortel.

    [Sidenote: The great hopes, and the subtle machinations of the
    wicked, are often suddenly frustrated, by which an end is put to
    their wickedness.]

  Of whiche shrewes e grete hope {and} e heye co{m}passy{n}g{us}
  of shrewednesse is often destroyed by a                           3552
  sodeyne ende or ei ben war. {and} at ing establi to
  shrewes e ende of hir shrewednesse.

    [Sidenote: If vice renders men wretched, the longer they are
    vicious the longer must they be miserable.]

           For yif at
  shrewednesse makie wrecches. an mot he nedes be
  most wrecched at lengest is a shrewe.

    [Sidenote: And they would be infinitely wretched if death did not
    put an end to their crimes.]

          e whiche                                                 3556
  wicked shrewes wolde ydemen aldirmost vnsely {and}
  caytifs yif at hir shrewednes ne were yfinissed. at e     [[pg 125]]
  leste weye by e outerest[e] dee.

    [Sidenote: It is clear, as I have already shown, that eternal
    misery is infinite.]

          for [yif] I haue concluded
  soe of e vnselynesse of shrewednesse. an shewe                3560
  it clerely at ilke shrewednesse is wi outen ende e
  whiche is certeyne to ben p{er}durable.

    [Sidenote: _B._ This consequence appears to be just, but difficult
    to assent to.]

           Certys q{uo}d I
  is [conclusion] is harde {and} wonderful to graunte.  But
  I knowe wel at it accorde moche to [the] i{n}ges at I         3564
  haue graunted her byforne.

    [Sidenote: _P._ You think rightly; but if you cannot assent to my
    conclusion you ought to show that the premises are false, or that
    the consequences are unfairly deduced; for if the premises be
    granted, you cannot reject the inferences from them.]

           ou hast q{uo}d she e ry[gh]t
  estimac{i}ou{n} of is. but who so euere wene at it be an
  harde ing to acorde hym to a conclusiou{n}. it is ry[gh]t
  at he shewe at so{m}me of e p{re}misses ben fals. or           3568
  ellys he mot shewe at e colasiou{n} of p{re}posic{i}ou{n}s
  nis nat spedful to a necessarie conclusio{n}.  and yif it
  be nat so. but at e p{re}misses ben yg{ra}nted er nis
  nat whi he sholde blame e argument.

    [Sidenote: What I am about to say is not less wonderful, and it
    follows necessarily from the same premises.]

          for is ing at                                          3572
  I shal telle e nowe ne shal not seme lasse wondirful.

    [Linenotes:
    3517 _aknowe_--aknowe it
    3518 _seyn_--sayn
    3523 _good[e]_--goode
    3524 _done_--don
    3526 _ben_--be
    3527 _for_--to
    3528 _my[gh]ten_--myhte
         _don_--MS. done, C. doon
         _harme_--harm
    3529 _gret_--MS. grete, C. gret
    3533-36 _don_--MS. done, C. doon
    3533-34 [_than----coueyten_]--from C.
    3537 _moeuyng_--mowynge
         _wille_--wil
    3539 _ha_--MS. hae
         _seyne_--seyn
    3540 _done_ (1)--doon
         _moeuynge to done_--Mowynge to don
         _mot_--MS. mote, C. mot
    3544 _gretely_--gretly
    3545 _seyne_--seyn
         _were_--weeren
         _moeuyng_--mowynge
    3548 _wenen_--weene
         _to lakken----yuel_--omitted
    3549 _ere_--ther
         _so_ (2)--the
    3550 _longe_--long
    3552 _shrewednesse_--shrewednesses
         _often_--ofte
    3558 _shrewednes_--shrewednesse
         _yfinissed_--fynyshed
    3559 _weye_--wey
         _outerest[e]_--owtteryste
         [_yif_]--from C.
    3560 _soe_--soth
    3561 _clerely_--cleerly
    3563 [_conclusion_]--from C.
         _harde_--hard
    3564 [_the_]--from C.
    3567 _harde_--hard
    3568 _fals_--false
    3573 _nowe_--now]

    [Headnote:
    THE WRETCHEDNESS OF THE WICKED IS DIMINISHED BY PUNISHMENT.]

  but of e inges at ben taken al so it is necessarie as
  who so sei it folwe of at whiche at is p{ur}posed
  byforn.

    [Sidenote: _B._ What is that?]

          what is at q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ That the wicked who have been punished for their
    crimes, are happier than if justice had allowed them to go
    unpunished.]

           certys q{uo}d she at is                                3576
  at {a}t ise wicked shrewes ben more blysful or ellys
  lasse wrecches. at byen e tourmentes at ei han
  deserued. an yif no peyne of Iustice ne chastied[e]
  hem.

    [Sidenote: I do not appeal to popular arguments, that punishment
    corrects vice, that the fear of chastisement leads them to take
    the right path, and that the sufferings of evil-doers deter others
    from vice, but I believe that guilty men, unpunished, become much
    more unhappy in another way.]

          ne is ne seye I nat now for at any man my[gh]t[e]       3580
  enk[e] at e maneres of shrewes ben coriged {and}
  chastised by veniaunce. {and} at ei ben brou[gh]t to e
  ry[gh]t wey by e drede of e tourment. ne for at ei
  [gh]euen to oer folk ensample to fleyen fro{m} vices.  But      3584
  I vndirstonde [gh]itte [in] an oer manere at shrewes
  ben more vnsely whan ei ne ben nat punissed al be it
  so at ere ne ben had no resou{n} or lawe of correcc{i}ou{n}.
  ne none ensample of lokynge.

    [Sidenote: _B._ In what way do you mean?]

           And what manere                                         3588
  shal at ben q{uo}d I. ouer an ha ben told here          [[pg 126]]
  byforn

    [Sidenote: _P._ Are not good people happy, and evil folk
    miserable?]

           Haue we nat graunted an q{uo}d she at
  good[e] folk ben blysful. {and} shrewes ben wrecches.

    [Sidenote: _B._ Yes.]

  [gh]is q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ If good be added to the wretchedness of a man,
    will not he be happier than another whose misery has no element of
    good in it?]

          [thanne q{uod} she] [gh]if at any good were              3592
  added to e wrecchenesse of any wy[gh]t. nis he nat more
  blisful an he at ne ha no medelyng of goode in hys
  solitarie wrecchednesse.

    [Sidenote: _B._ It seems so.]

          so seme it q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ And if to the same wretched being another misery
    be annexed, does not he become more wretched than he whose misery
    is alleviated by the participation of some good?]

          and what
  seyst ou an q{uo}d she of ilke wrecche at lakke alle         3596
  goodes. so at no goode nis medeled in hys wrecchednesse.
  {and} [gh]itte ouer alle hys wickednesse for whiche
  he is a wrecche at er be [gh]itte anoer yuel anexid {and}
  knyt to hym. shal not men demen hym more vnsely                   3600
  an ilke wrecche of whiche e vnselynesse is re[le]ued
  by e p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n} of som goode.

    [Sidenote: _B._ He does.]

          whi sholde he nat
  q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ When evil men are punished they have a degree of
    good annexed to their wretchedness, to wit, the punishment itself,
    which as it is the effect of justice is good.]

           an certys q{uo}d she han shrewes whan ei
  ben punissed somwhat of good anexid to hir wrecchednesse.         3604
  at is to seyne e same peyne at ei suffren
  whiche at is good by e resou{n} of Iustice.

    [Sidenote: And when these wretches escape punishment something
    more of ill (_i.e._ exemption from punishment) is added to their
    condition.]

          And whan
  ilke same shrewes ascapen wi outen tourment. an
  han ei somwhat more of yuel [gh]it ouer e wickednesse           3608
  at ei han don. at is to seye defaute of peyne.
  whiche defaute of peyne ou hast graunted is yuel.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I cannot deny it.]

   For e desert of felonye I ne may nat denye it q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Much more unhappy are the wicked when they enjoy
    an unmerited impunity than when they suffer a lawful
    chastisement.]

   Moche more an q{uo}d she ben shrewes vnsely                    3612
  whan ei ben wrongfully delyuered fro peyne. an
  whan ei be punissed by ry[gh]tful vengeaunce.

    [Sidenote: It is just to punish evil-doers, and unjust that they
    should escape punishment.]

          but is is
  open i{n}g {and} clere at it is ry[gh]t at shrewes ben
  punissed. {and} it is wickednesse {and} wrong at ei             3616
  escapin vnpunissed.

    [Sidenote: _B._ Nobody denies that.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 28 _b_.]]

           who my[gh]t[e] denye *at q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Everything, too, which is just is good; and, on
    the contrary, whatsoever is unjust is evil.]

  but q{uo}d she may any ma{n} denye. at al at is ry[gh]t nis
  good. {and} also e contrarie. at alle at is wrong nis
  wicked.                                                     [[pg 127]]

    [Sidenote: _B._ These are just inferences from our former
    premises.]

          certys q{uo}d I ise inges ben clere ynou[gh]. {and}     3620
  at we han concludid a litel here byforn{e}.

    [Sidenote: But is there any punishment for the soul after death of
    the body?]

          but I p{re}ye
  e at ou telle me yif ou accordest to leten no to{ur}ment
  to e soules aftir at e body is dedid by e dee.
  is [is] to seyn. vndirstondest ou ou[gh]t at soules han        3624
  any to{ur}ment after e dee of e body.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Yes, and great ones too. Some punishments are
    rigorous and eternal.]

           Certis q{uo}d
  she [gh]e {and} at ry[gh]t grete. of whiche soules q{uo}d she I
  trowe at so{m}me ben to{ur}mentid by asprenesse of
  peyne.

    [Sidenote: Others have a corrective and purifying force, and are
    of finite duration.]

          {and} so{m}me soules I trowe be exc{er}cised by a         3628
  p{ur}ging mekenesse.

    [Sidenote: But this is not to our purpose.]

          but my conseil nys nat to determyne
  of is peyne. but I haue trauayled and told it
  hider to.

    [Sidenote: I want you to see that the power of the wicked is in
    reality nothing, that the wicked never go unpunished; that their
    licence to do evil is not of long duration, and that the wicked
    would be more unhappy if it were longer, and infinitely wretched
    if it were to continue for ever.]

           For ou sholdest knowe at e mowynge
  [.i. myght] of shrewes whiche mowynge e seme to                 3632
  ben. vnwori nis no mowynge. {and} eke of shrewes of
  whiche ou pleynedest at ei ne were nat punissed.
  at ou woldest seen at ei ne weren neuer mo wi
  outen e torment of hire wickednesse. {and} of e licence         3636
  of mowynge to done yuel. at ou p{re}idest at it
  my[gh]t[e] sone ben endid. {and} at ou woldest fayne
  lerne. at it ne sholde nat longe endure. {and} at
  shrewes ben more vnsely yif ei were of lenger duryng.            3640
  {and} most vnsely yif ei weren p{er}durable.

    [Sidenote: After this I showed that evil men are more unhappy,
    having escaped punishment, than if justly chastised.]

          {and} after
  is I haue shewed e at more vnsely ben shrewes
  whan ei escapen wi oute ry[gh]tful peyne. an whan ei
  ben punissed by ry[gh]tful uengeaunce.

    [Sidenote: Wherefore when they are supposed to get off scot-free
    they suffer most grievously.]

          and of is sentence                                       3644
  folwe it at an be{n} shrewes constreyned atte laste wi
  most greuous tourment. whan men wene at ei ne ben
  nat ypunissed.

    [Sidenote: _B._ Your reasoning appears convincing and conclusive.
    But your arguments are opposed to current opinions, and would
    hardly command assent, or even a hearing.]

          whan I considre i resou{n}s q{uo}d I. I.
  ne trowe nat at men seyn any ing more verrely. {and}            3648
  yif I to{ur}ne a[gh]eyn to e studies of men. who is [he] to
  who{m} it sholde seme at [he] ne sholde nat only leue{n}
  ise inges. but eke gladly herkene he{m}.

    [Sidenote: _P._ It is so. For those accustomed to the darkness of
    error cannot fix their eyes on the light of perspicuous truth,
    like birds of night which are blinded by the full light of day.]

          Certys q{uo}d
  she so it is. but men may nat. for ei han hire eyen so     [[pg 128]]
  wont to derkenesse of erely inges. at ei may nat              3653
  liften hem vp to e ly[gh]t of clere soefastnes.  But
  ei ben lyke to briddes of whiche e ny[gh]t ly[gh]tne hyre
  lookyng. {and} e day blynde hem.

    [Sidenote: They consider only the gratification of their lusts,
    they think there is happiness in the liberty of doing evil and in
    exemption from punishment.]

          for whan men loken                                        3656
  nat e ordre of inges but hire lustes {and} talent[gh]. ei
  wene at oir e leue or e mowynge to done wickednesse
  or ellys e escapi{n}g wi oute peyne be weleful.

    [Linenotes:
    3575 _who so sei_--ho seyth
         _whiche_--which
    3578 _byen_--a-byen
    3579 _chastied[e]_--chastysede
    3580 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte
    3581 _enk[e]_--thinke
    3584 _[gh]euen_--MS. [gh]euene, C. yeuen
         _fleyen_--flen
    3585 _[gh]itte_--yif
         [_in_]--from C.
    3588 _none_--non
    3589 _ouer_--oother
         _ha_--MS. hae
         _ben_--be
         _told_--MS. tolde, C. told
    3591 _good[e]_--goode
    3592 [_thanne----she_]--from C.
    3594 _blisful_--weleful
         _ha_--MS. hae
    3594-97 _goode_--good
    3598 _alle_--al
         _whiche_--which
    3600 _knyt_--knytte
    3601 _re[le]ued_--releued
    3602 _goode_--good
    3605 _seyne_--seyn
    3606 _whiche_--which
    3607 _outen_--owte
    3609 _don_--MS. done
         _seye_--seyn
    3610 _whiche_--which
    3611 _desert_--deserte
    3614 _be_--MS. bee, C. ben
    3615 _clere_--cler
    3617 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte
    3618 _is ry[gh]t nis_--MS. nis ry[gh]t is
    3619 _alle_--al
         _nis wicked_--is wykke
    3621 _here_--her
    3623 _dedid_--endyd
         _dee_--deth
    3624 [_is_]--from C.
         _ou[gh]t_--awht
    3625 _dee_--deth
    3626 _grete_--gret
    3628 _be_--ben
    3629 _determyne_--determenye
    3630 _peyne_--peynes
         _told_--MS. tolde
    3632 [_.i. myght_]--from C.
    3632-34 _whiche_--which
    3633 _eke_--ek
    3635 _seen_--seyn
    3637 _done_--don
    3638 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte
         _fayne lerne_--fayn lernen
    3639 _endure_--dur{e}
    3645 _atte_--at the
         _laste_--MS. ast, C. laste
    3647 _resouns_--resoun
    3649-50 [_he_]--from C.
    3651 _eke_--ek
    3653 _derkenesse_--derknesse
    3654 _clere soefastnes_--cleer sothfastnesse
    3655 _whiche_--which
    3658 _oir_--eyther
         _done_--don
    3659 _escaping_--schapynge]

    [Headnote:
    VIRTUE ITS OWN REWARD.]

    [Sidenote: Do you attend to the eternal law written in your own
    heart. Conform your mind to what is good, and you will stand in no
    need of a judge to confer a reward upon you--for you have it
    already in the enjoyment of the best of things (_i.e._ virtue).]

  but co{n}sider{e} e iugement of e p{er}durable lawe. for if     3660
  ou conferme i corage to e beste inges. ou ne hast
  no nede to no iuge to [gh]iue{n} e p{r}is or meede. for ou
  hast ioigned i self to e most excellent ing.

    [Sidenote: If you indulge in vice, you need no other
    chastisement--you have degraded yourself into a lower order of
    beings.]

          and yif
  ou haue enclined i studies to e wicked inges. ne              3664
  seek no foreyn wrekere out of i self. for ou i self
  hast rest e in to wicked inges. ry[gh]t as ou my[gh]test
  loken by dyuerse tymes e foule ere {and} e heuene.
  {and} at alle oer inges stynten fro wi oute. so at           3668
  ou [ner{e} neyther in heuene ne in erthe] ne say[e] no
  ing more. an sholde it semen to e as by only resou{n}
  of lokynge. at ou were in e sterres. {and} now in e
  ere.

    [Sidenote: The multitude doth not consider this.]

          but e poeple ne loke nat on ise inges.

    [Sidenote: What then? Shall we take them as our models who
    resemble beasts?]

          what                                                      3672
  an shal we an app{ro}chen vs to hem at I haue
  shewed at ei ben lyke to e bestes. (q. d. no{n})

    [Linenotes:
    3662 _to_ (1)--of
    3665 _foreyn_--foreyne
    3666 _rest_--thryst
         _wicked_--wikke
    3669 [_nere----erthe_]--from C.
         _heuene_--C. heuenene
         _say[e]_--C. saye
    3672 _on_--in
    3674 _lyke_--lyk
         _q. d._--MS. q{uo}d]

    [Headnote:
    THE WICKED NEED PITY.]

    [Sidenote: If a man who had lost his sight, having even forgotten
    his blindness, should declare that his faculties were all perfect,
    shall we weakly believe that those who retain their sight are
    blind?]

  And what wilt ou seyne of is  yif at a man
  hadde al forlorn hys sy[gh]t. {and} had[de] for[gh]eten at he    3676
  euer saw {and} wende {a}t no ing ne fayled[e] hym of
  p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of ma{n}kynde. now we at my[gh]ten sen e
  same ing wolde we nat wene at he were bly{n}de (q. d.
  sic).

    [Sidenote: The vulgar will not assent to what I am going to say,
    though supported by conclusive arguments--to wit, that persons are
    more unhappy that do wrong than those who suffer wrong.]

          ne also ne accorde nat e poeple to at I shal           3680
  seyne. e whiche ing is susteyned by a stronge foundement
  of resou{n}s. at is to seyn at more vnsely ben ei
  at don wrong to oer folk. en ei at e wrong            [[pg 129]]
  suffren.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I would willingly hear your reasons.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 29.]]

           I wolde heren ilke *same resou{n}s q{uo}d I            3684

    [Sidenote: _P._ Do you deny that every wicked man deserves
    punishment?]

   Deniest ou q{uo}d she at alle shrewes ne ben wori
  to han to{ur}ment.

    [Sidenote: _B._ No, I do not.]

          nay q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ I am satisfied that impious men are in many ways
    miserable.]

          but q{uo}d she I am certeyne
  by many resou{n}s at shrewes ben vnsely.

    [Sidenote: _B._ They are so.]

          it accorde
  q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Then those that deserve punishment are miserable.]

          an [ne] dowtest ou nat q{uo}d she at                   3688
  ilke folk at ben wori of to{ur}ment at ei ne ben
  wrecches.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I admit it.]

          It accorde wel q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ If you were a judge, upon whom would you inflict
    punishment? upon the wrong-doer, or upon the injured?]

          yif ou were an
  q{uo}d she yset a Iuge or a knower of inges. wheer
  trowest ou {a}t men sholde to{ur}ment[e] hym at ha            3692
  don e wronge. or hym at ha suffred e wronge.

    [Sidenote: _B._ I should not hesitate to punish the offender as a
    satisfaction to the sufferer.]

  I ne doute nat q{uo}d I. at I nolde don suffissaunt satisfacc{i}ou{n}
  to hym at had[de] suffred e wrong by e
  sorwe of hym at had[de] don e wronge.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Then you would deem the injuring person more
    unhappy than he who had been wronged?]

           an                                                     3696
  seme it q{uo}d she at e doar of wrong is more wrecche
  an he at ha suffred e wrong.

    [Sidenote: _B._ That follows naturally.]

          at folwe wel q{uo}d [I].

    [Sidenote: _P._ From this then, and other reasons of like nature,
    it seems that vice makes men miserable, and an injury done to any
    man is the misery of the doer, and not of the sufferer.]

  an q{uo}d she by ise causes {and} by oer causes
  at ben enforced by e same roate at file or synne by           3700
  e p{ro}pre nature of it make men wretches. {and} it
  shewe wel at e wrong at me{n} don nis nat e
  wrecchenesse of hym at receyue e wrong. but e
  wrecchednesse of hym at do e wronge

    [Sidenote: But our advocates think differently--they try to obtain
    pity for those that have suffered cruelty and oppression;]

           but certys                                              3704
  q{uo}d she ise orato{ur}s or aduocat[gh] don al e contrarie
  for ei enforcen hem to co{m}moeue e iuges to han pite
  of he{m} at han suffred {and} resceyued e inges at ben
  greuous {and} aspre.

    [Sidenote: but the juster pity is really due to the oppressors,
    who ought, therefore, to be led to judgment as the sick are to the
    physician, not by angry but by merciful and kind accusers, so
    that, by the physic of chastisement, they may be cured of their
    vices.]

          {and} [gh]itte men sholden more ry[gh]tfully              3708
  han pitee on hem at don e greuaunces {and} e
  wronges. e whiche shrewes it were a more couenable
  ing at e accuso{ur}s or aduocat[gh] not wroe but pitous
  {and} debonaire ladden e shrewes at han don wro{n}g to          3712
  e Iugement. ry[gh]t as men leden seke folk to e leche.

    [Linenotes:
    3675 _wilt ou seyne_--woltow seyn
    3676 _forlorn_--MS. forlorne, C. for-lorn
         _sy[gh]t_--syhte
         _had[de]_--hadde
    3677 _saw_--MS. sawe, C. sawh
         _fayled[e]_--faylede
    3678 _sen_--MS. sene, C. sen
    3679 _ing_--thinges
         _q. d._--MS. q{uod}
    3681 _whiche_--which
    3683 _don_--MS. done, C. don
         _oer_--oothr{e}
    3688 [_ne_]--from C.
    3691 _yset_--MS. ysette, C. yset
         _wheer_--omitted
    3692 _tourment[e]_--tormenten
    3692-3 _ha_--MS. hae
    3693 _wronge_ (2)--wrong
    3695 _had[de]_--hadde
    3696 _had[de]_--hadden
         _wronge_--wrong
    3697 _doar_--doere
    3698 _ha_--MS. hae
    3699 [_I_]--from C.  [[_word moved to l. 3698_]]
    3700 _ben_--ben of
         _roate_--Roote
    3703-4 _but----wronge_--omitted
    3704 _do_--MS. doe
    3711 _wroe_--wroth
    3712 _e_--tho
         _don_--MS. done, C. don
    3713 _seke_--syke]

    [Headnote:
    THE DUTY OF ADVOCATES.]

  for at ei sholden seken out e maladies of synne by
  to{ur}ment[gh].                                             [[pg 130]]

    [Sidenote: I would not have the guilty defrauded by their
    advocates. Their duty is to accuse, and not to excuse offenders.]

          and by is couenaunt eyer e entent of e
  defendo{ur}s or aduocat[gh] sholde fayle {and} cesen in al. or    3716
  ellys yif e office of aduocat[gh] wolde bettre p{ro}fiten to
  men. it sholde be to{ur}ned in to e habit of accusac{i}ou{n}.
  at is [to] s[e]yn ei sholde{n} accuse shrewes. {and} nat
  excuse hem.

    [Sidenote: Were it permitted the wicked to get a slight view of
    virtue's beauty, which they have forsaken, and could they be
    persuaded of the purifying effects of lawful chastisement, they
    surely would not consider punishment as an evil, but would
    willingly give themselves up to justice and refuse the defence of
    their advocates.]

          {and} eke e shrewes hem self. [gh]it it were             3720
  leueful to hem to seen at any clifte e vertue at ei
  han forleten. {and} sawen at ei sholde putten adou{n}
  e files of hire vices by [the] to{ur}ment[gh] of peynes. ei
  ne au[gh]ten nat ry[gh]t for e reco{m}pensac{i}ou{n} forto geten 3724
  hem bounte {and} prowesse whiche at ei han lost demen
  ne holden at ilke peynes weren to{ur}mentes to hem.
  {and} eke ei wolden refuse e attendau{n}ce of hir aduocat[gh]
  {and} taken hem self to hire iuges {and} to hir accusours.        3728

    [Sidenote: The wise hate nobody, only a fool hates good men; and
    it is as irrational to hate the wicked.]

  for whiche it bytide [{a}t] as to e wise folk
  er nis no place ylete to hate. at is to seyn. at hate
  ne ha no place amonges wise men.  For no wy[gh]t
  wolde haten gode men. but yif he were ouer moche a                3732
  fole.  and forto haten shrewes it nis no resou{n}.

    [Sidenote: Vice is a sickness of the soul, and needs our
    compassion, and not our hate, for the distempers of the soul are
    more deplorable than those of the body, and have more claims upon
    our compassion.]

   For ry[gh]t so as languissing is maladie of body. ry[gh]t
  so ben vices {and} sy{n}ne maladies of corage.  and so as
  we ne deme nat at ei at ben seek of hire body ben              3736
  wori to ben hated. but raer wori of pite. wel more
  wori nat to ben hated. but forto ben had in pite ben
  ei of whiche e ou[gh]tes ben constreined by felonous
  wickednesse. at is more cruel a{n} any languissinge of          3740
  body.

    [Linenotes:
    3715 _tourment[gh]_--torment
         _e_ (2)--omitted
    3719 _[to] s[e]yn_--to seyn
    3722 _sawen_--sawh
         _sholde_--sholden
    3723 [_the_]--from C.
    3724 _au[gh]ten_--owhte
    3725-29 _whiche_--which
    3729 _bytide_--MS. bynde, C. bytidith
         [_at_]--from C.
    3730 _ylete_--I-leten
    3731 _ha_--MS. hae
    3732 _wolde_--nyl
         _moche_--mochel
    3733 _fole_--fool
    3736 _seek_--syke]


    [Headnote:
    THE FOLLY OF WAR.]

QUID TANTOS IUUAT.

  [Sidenote: [The ferthe Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: What frenzy causes man to hasten on his fate, that is,
    by war or by strife.]

  ++What delite it [gh]ow to exciten so grete moewynges of
  hatredes {and} to hasten {and} bisien [the] fatal disposic{i}ou{n}
  of [gh]oure dee wi [gh]oure p{ro}pre handes. at is             3744
  to seyn by batailes or [by] contek.

    [Sidenote: If death is desired he delays not to come.]

          for yif [gh]e axen e
  dee it hastisi hym of hys owen wille. ne dee ne          [[pg 131]]
  tarie nat hys swifte hors.

    [Sidenote: Why do they who are exposed to the assaults of beasts
    of prey and venomous reptiles seek to slay each other with the
    sword.]

          and [the] men at e serpent[gh]
  {and} e lyou{n}s. {and} e tigre. {and} e beere {and} e        3748
  boore seken to sleen wi her tee. [gh]it ilke same men
  seken to sleen eueryche of hem oer wi swerde.

    [Sidenote: Lo! their manners and opinions do not accord, wherefore
    they engage in unjust wars, and fiercely urge on each other's
    destiny.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 29 _b_.]]

          loo for
  her man{er}s ben *diuerse {and} discordaunt  ei
  moeuen vnry[gh]tful oostes {and} cruel batailes. {and} wilne      3752
  to p{er}isse by enterchaungynge of dartes.

    [Sidenote: But this is no just reason for shedding blood.]

          but e resou{n}
  of cruelte nis nat ynou[gh] ry[gh]tful.

    [Sidenote: Wouldst thou reward each as he deserves? Then love the
    good as they deserve, and have pity upon the wicked.]

          wilt ou an [gh]elden a
  couenable gerdou{n} to e desertes of men  Loue ry[gh]tfully
  goode folk[;] {and} haue pite on shrewes.                         3756

    [Linenotes:
    3743 [_the_]--from C.
    3745 [_by_]--from C.
    3746 _hastisi_--hasteth
         _owen wille_--owne wyl
    3747 [_the_]--from C.
    3749 _boore_--boor
         _tee_--teth
    3750 _swerde_--swerd
    3751 _her_--hir
    3752 _wilne_--wylnen
    3753 _enterchaungynge_--entrechaungynges]


    [Headnote:
    THE OPERATIONS OF CHANCE.]

HINC EGO UIDEO INQ{UA}M. {ET} CET{ERA}.

  [Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: _B._ I see plainly the nature of that felicity which
    attends the virtues of the good, and of the misery that follows
    the vices of the wicked.]

  ++us see I wel q{uo}d I. eyer what blisfulnesse or ellys
  what vnselinesse is estab[l]issed in e desertys of
  goode men {and} of shrewes.

    [Sidenote: But in Fortune I see a mixture of good and evil. The
    wise man prefers riches, &c., to poverty, &c.]

           but in is ilke fortune
  of poeple I see somwhat of goode. {and} somwhat of                3760
  yuel. for no wise man ha nat leuer ben exiled pore
  {and} nedy {and} nameles. an forto dwellen in hys Citee
  {and} flouren of rychesses. {and} be redoutable by honoure.
  {and} stronge of power

    [Sidenote: And wisdom appears more illustrious, when wise men are
    governors and impart their felicity to their subjects; and when
    imprisonment, torture, &c., are inflicted only upon bad citizens.]

          for in is wise more clerely {and}                        3764
  more witnesfully is e office of wise men ytretid whan
  e blisfulnes {and} [the] pouste of gouerno{ur}s is as it
  were yshad amonges poeples at ben ney[gh]boures {and}
  subgit[gh]. syn at namely prisou{n} lawe {and} ise oer         3768
  to{ur}ment[gh] of lawful peynes ben raer owed to felonous
  Cite[gh]eins. for e whiche felonous Cite[gh]eins o peynes
  ben establissed. an for goode folk.

    [Sidenote: Why, then, should things undergo so unnatural a
    change? Why should the worthy suffer and the vicious receive
    the reward of virtue?]

           an I m{er}ueile
  me gretly q{uo}d I. whi [{a}t] e inges ben so mys              3772
  entrechaunged. at to{ur}ment[gh] felounes pressen {and}
  confounden goode folk. {and} shrewes rauyssen medes of
  vertue {and} ben i{n} hono{ur}s. {and} in grete estatis.    [[pg 132]]

    [Sidenote: I should like to hear the reason of so unjust a
    distribution.]

          and I
  desire eke to wite{n} of e. what seme e to ben e              3776
  resou{n} of is so wrongful a confusiou{n}

    [Sidenote: I should not marvel so much if _Chance_ were the cause
    of all this confusion.]

           For I wolde
  wondre wel e lasse yif I trowed[e] at alle ise inges
  were medeled by fortuouse hap.

    [Sidenote: But I am overwhelmed with astonishment when I reflect,
    that God the director of all things thus unequally distributes
    rewards and punishments.]

           But now hepe
  {and} encrese myne astonyenge god gouerno{ur} of inges.         3780
  at so as god [gh]eue ofte tymes to good[e] men goodes
  {and} myres. {and} to shrewes yuel and aspre inges.
  {and} [gh]eue a[gh]eynewarde to goode folk hardnesse. {and} to
  shrewes [he] g{ra}unte hem her wille {and} at ei desiren.      3784

    [Sidenote: What difference is there, then, unless we know the
    cause, between God's proceedings and the operations of Chance?]

  what difference an may er be bitwixen {a}t at
  god do. {and} e hap of fortune. yif men ne knowe nat
  e cause whi at [it] is.

    [Sidenote: _P._ It is not at all surprising that you think you see
    irregularities, when you are ignorant of that order by which God
    proceeds.]

          it nis no merueile q{uo}d she ou[gh]
  at men wenen at er be somwhat folysche and confus              3788
  whan e resou{n} of e order is vnknowe.

    [Sidenote: But, forasmuch as God, the good governor, presides over
    all, rest assured that all things are done rightly and as they
    ought to be done.]

           But alle
  ou[gh] ou ne know nat e cause of so gret a disposic{i}ou{n}.
  naeles for as moche as god e good[e] gouernour attempre
  {and} gouerne e world. ne doute e nat at                      3792
  alle inges ne ben doon ary[gh]t.

    [Linenotes:
    3760 _goode_--good
    3761 _ha_--MS. hae
         _nat_--omitted
         _leuer_--leu{er}e
    3762 _an_--MS. at, C. than
    3763 _redoutable_--MS. redentable, C. redowtable
    3764 _stronge_--strong
         _clerely_--clerly
    3766 [_the_]--from C.
    3767 _ney[gh]boures_--nesshebors
    3769 _lawful_--laweful
    3771 _goode_--good
    3772 [_at_]--from C.
    3775 _grete_--gret
    3776 _to witen_--forto weten
    3778 _trowed[e]_--trowede
         _alle_--al
    3779 _were_--weeren
         _fortuouse_--fortunous
    3780 _myne_--myn
    3781 _good[e]_--goode
    3782 _yuel_--yuelis
    3783 _hardnesse_--hardnesses
    3784 [_he_]--from C.
         _wille_--wyl
    3785 _difference_--MS. differenee
    3786 _do_--MS. doe
         _hap_--happe
    3787 [_it_]--from C.
         _it_--ne it
    3788 _confus_--confuse
    3789 _alle_--al
    3791 _good[e]_--goode
    3793 _ne_--omitted]


    [Headnote:
    THE HIDDEN CAUSES OF THINGS.]

SI QUIS ARCTURI[8] SYDERA.

    [Footnote 8: MS. arituri]

  [Sidenote: [The fyfthe Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: He who knows not that the Bear is seen near the Pole,
    nor has observed the path of Botes, will marvel at their
    appearance.]

  ++Who so at ne knowe nat e sterres of arctour
  yto{ur}ned neye to e souereyne contre or point.
  at is to seyne yto{ur}ned neye to e souereyne pool of e        3796
  firmament {and} woot nat whi e sterre boetes passe or
  gaderi his wey[n]es. {and} drenche his late flaumbes in
  e see. {and} whi at boetes e sterre vnfoldi his ouer
  swifte arisynges. an shal he wo{n}dre{n} of e lawe of e        3800
  heye eyre.

    [Sidenote: The vulgar are alarmed when shadows terrestrial obscure
    the moon's brightness, causing the stars to be displayed.]

          {and} eke if at he ne knowe nat why at e
  hornes of e ful[le] moene waxen pale {and} infect by e
  bou{n}des of e derke ny[gh]t  and how e moene dirk
  {and} confuse discouere e sterres. at she had[de]        [[pg 133]]
  ycouered by hir clere visage.

    [Sidenote: Thinking the eclipse the result of enchantment, they
    sought to destroy the charms by the tinkling of brazen vessels or
    cymbals.]

          e co{m}mune errour moeue                                3805
  folk {and} maki wery hir bacines of bras by ikke
  strookes. at is to seyne at er is a maner poeple at
  hy[gh]t[e] coribandes at wenen at whan e moone is in           3808
  e eclips at it be enchau{n}tid. and erfore forto rescowe
  e moone ei betyn hire basines wi ikke strokes.

    [Sidenote: Yet none marvel when the north-west wind renders the
    sea tempestuous; nor when vast heaps of congealed snow are melted
    by the warm rays of the sun, because the causes are apparent.]

   Ne no man ne wondre whan e blastes of e wynde
  chorus betyn e strondes of e see by quakynge floodes.           3812
  ne no man ne wondre whan e wey[gh]te of e snowe
  yhardid by e colde. is resolued by e brennynge hete
  of phebus e sonne.  For here seen men redyly e
  causes.

    [Sidenote: Things whose causes are unknown disquiet the human
    mind.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 30.]]

          but e *causes yhid at is to seye in heuene              3816
  trouble e brestes of men.

    [Sidenote: The fickle mob stands amazed at every rare or sudden
    phenomenon.]

           e moeueable poeple is
  a-stoned of alle inges at comen selde {and} sodeynely in
  oure age.

    [Sidenote: Fear and wonder, however, soon cease when ignorance
    given place to certain knowledge.]

          but yif e troubly errour of oure ignora{n}ce
  departid[e] from vs. so at we wisten e causes whi at           3820
  swiche inges bitiden. certys ei sholde{n} cesse to seme
  wondres.

    [Linenotes:
    3794 _arctour_--MS. aritour
    3795 _neye_--neygh
    3796 _seyne_--seyn
         _neye_--nygh
    3797-99 _boetes_--MS. boeces, C. boetes
    3798 _his_ (1)--hise
         _wey[n]es_--weynes
    3802 _ful[le]_--fulle
    3804 _had[de]_--hadde
    3806 _bacines_--MS. batines
         _ikke_--MS. ilke, C. thilke
    3807 _seyne_--seyn
    3808 _hy[gh]t[e]_--hihte
    3809 _eclips_--eclypse
    3812 _chorus_--MS. thorus, C. chorus
    3813 _snowe_--sonwh = snowh
    3815 _here_--her
         _redyly_--redely
    3816 _yhid_--MS. yhidde, C. I-hid
         _seye_--seyn
    3817 _trouble_--trowblen
    3820 _departid[e] from_--departede fro]


    [Headnote:
    FIVE GREAT QUESTIONS.]

ITA EST INQ{UA}M.

  [Sidenote: [The syxte p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: _B._ So it is. But as thou hast promised to unfold the
    hidden causes of things, and unveil things wrapt up in darkness; I
    pray thee deliver me from my present perplexity, and explain the
    mystery I mentioned to you.]

  ++vs is it q{uo}d I. but so as ou hast [gh]euen or byhy[gh]t
  me to vnwrappe{n} e hidde causes of inges  and                 3824
  to discoueren me e resou{n}s couered w{i}t{h} dirknesses I
  p{re}ye e at ou diuise {and} Iuge me of is matere. {and}
  at ou do me to vndrestonde{n} it.  For is miracle
  or is wondre trouble me ry[gh]t gretely.

    [Sidenote: _P._ You ask me to declare to you the most intricate of
    all questions, which I am afraid can scarce be answered.]

          {and} an she a                                           3828
  litel [what] smylyng seide.  ou clepest me q{uo}d
  she to telle ing. at is grettest of alle inges at mowen
  ben axed.  And to e whiche questiou{n} vnne[e]s is
  ere au[gh]t ynow to lauen it. as who sei. vnnees is er        3832
  suffisauntly any ing to answere p{er}fitly to i questiou{n}.

    [Sidenote: For the subject is of such a kind, that when one doubt
    is removed, innumerable others, like the heads of the hydra,
    spring up.]

   For e matere of it is swiche at whan oon doute is       [[pg 134]]
  determined {and} kut awey er wexe{n} oer doutes wi-outen
  nou{m}bre. ry[gh]t as e heuedes waxen of ydre e                 3836
  serpent at hercules slou[gh].

    [Sidenote: Nor would there be any end of them unless they were
    restrained by a quick and vigorous effort of the mind.]

           Ne ere ne were no
  man{er}e ne noon ende. but yif at a wy[gh]t co{n}streined[e]
  o doutes. by a ry[gh]t lyuely {and} a quik fire of ou[gh]t. at
  is to seyn by vigo{ur} {and} strenge of witte.

    [Sidenote: The question whereof you want a solution embraces the
    five following points: 1. Simplicity, or unity of Providence. 2.
    The order and course of Destiny.]

           For in                                                  3840
  is matere me{n} weren wont to maken questiou{n}s of e
  simplicite of e p{ur}ueaunce of god {and} of e ordre of
  destine.

    [Sidenote: 3. Sudden chance. 4. Prescience of God, and divine
    predestination. 5. Free-will.]

          {and} of sodeyne hap. {and} of e knowyng {and}
  p{re}destinac{i}ou{n} deuine {and} of e lyberte of fre wille.    3844
  e whiche ing ou i self ap{er}ceiust wel of what wey[gh]t
  ei ben. but for as mochel as e knowynge of ise
  inges is a manere porc{i}ou{n} to e medicine to e. al be it
  so at I haue lytel tyme to don it.

    [Sidenote: I will try to treat of these things:--]

          [gh]it naeles I wole                                     3848
  enforcen me to shewe somwhat of it.  but al ou[gh]
  e norissinges of dite of musike delite e ow most
  suffren. {and} forberen a litel of ilk delite while at I
  weue (contexo) to e resou{n}s yknyt by ordre  As it like       3852
  to e q{uo}d I so do.

    [Sidenote: Resuming her discourse as from a new principle,
    Philosophy argued as follows:--]

           o spak she ry[gh]t a[s] by an oer
  bygynnyn[ge] {and} seide us.

    [Sidenote: The generation of all things, every progression of
    things liable to change, and everything that moveth, derive their
    causes, order, and form from the immutability of the divine
    understanding.]

           e enge{n}drynge of alle
  inges q{uo}d she {and} alle e progressiou{n}s of muuable
  nat{ur}e. {and} alle {a}t moeue in any manere taki hys         3856
  causes. hys ordre. {and} hys formes. of e stablenesse of e
  deuyne ou[gh]t

    [Sidenote: Providence directs all things by a variety of means.]

          [{and} thilke deuyne thowht] at is yset {and}
  put in e toure. at is to seyne in e hey[gh]t of e simplicite
  of god. stablisi many manere gyses to inges at                 3860
  ben to don.

    [Sidenote: These means, referred only to the divine intelligence,
    are called Providence; but when contemplated in relation to the
    things which receive motion and order from them, are called
    Destiny.]

           e whiche manere whan at men loken
  it i{n} ilke pure clerenesse of e deuyne i{n}telligence. it
  is ycleped p{ur}ueaunce  but whan ilke manere is referred
  by me{n} to inges at it moeue {and} dispone an         [[pg 135]]
  of olde men. it was cleped destine.

    [Linenotes:
    3823 _byhy[gh]t_--by-hyhte
    3824 _hidde_--hyd
    3826 _preye_--p{re}ey
         _diuise_--deuyse
    3827 _do_--don
    3828 _gretely_--gretly
    3829 [_what_]--from C.
    3832 _ere au[gh]t_--ther awht
    3834 _swiche_--swych
         _oon_--o
    3835 _wiouten noumbre_--w{i}t{h}-owte nowmbyr
    3836 _waxen_--wexen
    3837 _ere_--ther
    3838 _constreined[e]_--constreynede
    3839 _lyuely_--lyfly
    3840 _witte_--wit
    3843 _hap_--happe
    3845 _wey[gh]t_--wyht
    3848 _wole_--wol
    3850 _ow_--MS. now, C. {o}u
         _most suffren_--MS. moste to souereyne; C. most suffren
    3851 _ilk_--thilke
    3853 _o_--so
         _spak_--MS. spake, C. spak
         _a[s]_--as
    3856 _alle_--al
    3858 [_and----thowht_]--from C.
         _yset_--MS. ysette, C. yset
    3859 _toure_--towr
         _seyne_--seyn
         _hey[gh]t_--heyhte
    3861 _don_--done
    3862 _clerenesse_--klennesse]

    [Headnote:
    OF FATE AND PROVIDENCE.]

    [Sidenote: Reflection on the efficacy of the one and the other
    will soon cause us to see their differences.]

           e whiche                                               3865
  inges yif at any wy[gh]t loke wel in his ou[gh]t.
  e strenge of at oon {and} of at oer he shal ly[gh]tly mowen
  seen at ise two inges ben diuers.

    [Sidenote: Providence is the divine intelligence manifested in the
    disposition of worldly affairs.]

           For p{ur}ueau{n}ce                                      3868
  is ilke deuyne resou{n} at is establissed in e souereyne
  p{r}ince of inges. e whiche p{ur}ueaunce disponi alle
  inges.

    [Sidenote: Destiny or Fate is that inherent state or condition of
    movable things by means whereof Providence retains them in the
    order in which she has placed them.]

          but destine is e disposic{i}ou{n} {and} ordenaunce
  cleuynge to moeuable inges. by e whiche disposic{i}ou{n}        3872
  e p{ur}ueaunce knyte alle inges in hire ordres.

    [Sidenote: Providence embraces all things, although diverse and
    infinite; but Fate gives motion to every individual thing, and in
    the place and under the form appropriated to it.]

   For p{ur}ueaunce enbrace alle i{n}ges to hepe. al ou[gh] at
  ei ben dyuerse {and} al ou[gh] ei ben wi outen fyn. but
  destynie dep{ar}te {and} ordeyne alle inges singlerly          3876
  {and} diuide. in moeuynges. in places. in formes. in
  tymes. dep{ar}ti [as] us.

    [Sidenote: So that the explication of this order of things wrapt
    up in the divine intelligence is Providence; and being unfolded
    according to time and other circumstances, may be called Fate.]

          so at e vnfoldyng of temp{or}el
  ordenaunce assembled {and} ooned in e lokyng of
  e deuyne ou[gh]t  Is p{ur}ueaunce {and} ilke same             3880
  assemblynge. {and} oonyng diuided {and} vnfolden by
  tymes. lat at ben called destine.

    [Sidenote: Though these things appear to differ, yet one of them
    depends on the other, for the order of Fate proceeds from the
    unity of Providence.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 30 _b_.]]

          {and} al be *it so at
  ise inges ben dyuerse. [gh]itte naeles hange at oon
  on at oer. forwhi e ordre destinal p{ro}cedi of e            3884
  simplicite of purueaunce.

    [Sidenote: For as a workman, who has formed in his head the plan
    of a work which he is desirous to finish, executes it afterwards,
    and produces after a time all the different parts of the model
    which he has conceived;]

          for ry[gh]t as a werkma{n} at
  ap{er}ceiue in hys ou[gh]t e forme of e ing at he wil
  make moeue e effect of e werke. {and} ledi at he
  had[de] loked byforne in hys ou[gh]t symply {and} p{re}sently    3888
  by temp{or}el ou[gh]t.

    [Sidenote: so God in the plan of his Providence disposes
    everything to be brought about in a certain order and in a proper
    time;]

           Certys ry[gh]t so god disponi
  in hys p{ur}ueaunce singlerly {and} stably e inges
  at ben to done. but he amynistre in many maneres
  {and} in dyuerse tymes by destyne. ilke same inges              3892
  at he ha disponed an wheir at destine be excercised.

    [Linenotes:
    3872 _cleuynge_--clyuynge
    3875 _wi outen fyn_--Infynyte
    3876 _singlerly_--syngulerly
    3877 _in_ (3)--MS. {and}, C. in
    3878 _departi_--omitted
         [_as_]--from C.
         _so at_--lat
    3884 _on_--of
    3886 _wil_--wol
    3888 _had[de]_--hadde
         _symply_--symplely
    3889 _ou[gh]t_--ordinau{n}ce
    3890 _singlerly_--syngulerly
         _stably_--stablely
    3893 _ha_--MS. hae]

    [Headnote:
    PROVIDENCE CONTROLS FATE.]

    [Sidenote: and afterwards, by the ministry of Fate, he
    accomplishes what he has planned, conformably to that order and
    that time.]

  eyer by so{m}me dyuyne spirites seruaunte[gh] to
  e deuyne p{ur}ueaunce. or ellys by so{m}me soule (a{n}i{m}a
  mundi). or ellys by al nature seruynge to god. or ellys     [[pg 136]]
  by e celestial moeuyng of sterres. or ellys by e vertue         3897
  of aungels. or ellys by e dyuerse subtilite of deueles.
  or ellys by any of he{m}. or ellys by hem alle e destynal
  ordynau{n}ce is ywouen or accomplissed. certys it is open         3900
  ing at e p{ur}ueaunce is an vnmoeueable {and} symple
  forme of inges to done. {and} e moeueable bonde {and}
  e temp{or}el ordynaunce of inges whiche at e deuyne
  simplicite of p{ur}ueaunce ha ordeyned to done. at is           3904
  destine.

    [Sidenote: So then, however Fate be exercised, it is evident that
    things subject to Destiny are under the control of Providence,
    which disposes Destiny.]

          For whiche it is at alle inges at ben put
  vndir destine ben certys subgit[gh] to p{ur}ueaunce. to
  whiche p{ur}ueaunce destine it self is subgit {and} vndir.

    [Sidenote: But some things under Providence are exempt from the
    control of Fate; being stably fixed near to the Divinity himself,
    and beyond the movement of Destiny.]

   But so{m}me inges ben put vndir purueaunce at                 3908
  so{ur}mounten e ordinaunce of destine. {and} o ben
  ilke at stably ben yficched ney to e first godhed ei
  so{ur}mou{n}ten e ordre of destinal moeuablite.

    [Sidenote: For even, as among several circles revolving round one
    common centre, that which is innermost approaches nearest to the
    simplicity of the middle points, and is, as it were, a centre,
    round which the outward ones revolve;]

           For
  ry[gh]t as cercles at to{ur}nen aboute a same Centre or          3912
  about a poynt. ilke cercle at is inrest or moost wi-ynne
  ioine to e symplesse of e myddel {and} is as it
  were a Centre or a poynt to at oer cercles at tourne{n}
  aboute{n} hym.

    [Sidenote: whilst the outermost, revolving in a wider
    circumference, the further it is from the centre describes a
    larger space--but yet, if this circle or anything else be joined
    to the middle point, it is constrained to be immovable.]

           and ilke at is outerest compased by                   3916
  larger envyronnynge is vnfolden by larger spaces in so
  mochel as it is forest fro e mydel symplicite of e
  poynt. and yif er be any i{n}g at knytte {and} felawshippe
  hym selfe to ilke mydel poynt it is constreyned                  3920
  in to symplicite. at is to seyn in to [vn]moeueablete.
  {and} it ceseth to ben shad {and} to fleti{n} dyuersly.

    [Sidenote: By parity of reason, the further anything is removed
    from the first intelligence, so much the more is it under the
    control of Destiny;]

           Ry[gh]t
  so by semblable resou{n}. ilke inge at dep{ar}ti firest
  fro e first ou[gh]t of god. it is vnfolde{n} {and} su{m}mittid  3924
  to grettere bondes of destine.

    [Sidenote: and the nearer anything approaches to this
    Intelligence, the centre of all things, the more stable it
    becomes, and the less dependent upon Destiny.]

          and in so moche is e
  ing more free {and} lovs fro destyne as it axe {and}
  holde hym ner to ilke Centre of inges. at is to         [[pg 137]]
  seyne god.

    [Linenotes:
    3894 _eyer_--owther
         _seruaunte[gh]_--MS. seruaunce[gh]
    3895 _somme_--som
    3896 _al_--alle
    3897 _moeuyng_--moeuynges
    3900 _ywouen_--MS. ywonnen, C. ywouen
         _or_--{and}
    3902 _bonde_--bond
    3904 _ha_--MS. hae
    3905 _whiche_--which
    3912 _as_--as of
    3913 _about_--a-bowte
         _inrest_--innerest
    3917 _larger_ (1)--a large
    3918 _mochel_--moche
         _forest_--ferther{e}
    3920 _selfe_--self
    3921 _[vn]moeueablete_--vnmoeuablete
    3922 _ceseth_--MS. flee, C. cesith
    3923 _inge_--thing
    3924 _of_--MS. to, C. of
    3926 _lovs_--laus
    3927 _ner_--ner{e}]

    [Headnote:
    DESTINY RULES NATURE.]

    [Sidenote: And if we suppose that the thing in question is joined
    to the stability of the supreme mind, it then becomes immovable,
    and is beyond the necessity and power of destiny.]

           and if e inge cleue to e stedfastnesse              3928
  of e ou[gh]t of god. {and} be wi oute moeuyng certys it
  so{ur}mounte e necessite of destyne.

    [Sidenote: As reasoning is to the understanding, as that which is
    produced to that which exists of itself, as time to eternity, as
    the circle to the centre, so is the movable order of Fate to the
    stable simplicity of Providence.]

          an ry[gh]t swiche
  comparisou{n} as [it] is of skilynge to vndirstondyng {and}
  of ing at is engendred to ing at is. {and} of tyme to         3932
  eternite. {and} of e cercle to e Centre. ry[gh]t so is e
  ordre of moeueable destine to e stable symplicite of
  p{ur}ueaunce.

    [Sidenote: Destiny rules nature.]

           ilke ordinaunce moeue e heuene
  {and} e sterres {and} attempre e elyment[gh] to gider          3936
  amonges hem self. {and} t{ra}nsforme hem by enterchau{n}gable
  mutac{i}ou{n}.  and ilke same ordre newe
  a[gh]ein alle inges growyng {and} fallyng a-doune by sembleables
  p{ro}gressiou{n}s of seedes {and} of sexes. at is                3940
  to sein. male {and} female.

    [Sidenote: It controls the actions of men by an indissoluble chain
    of causes, and is, like their origin, immutable.]

          and is ilke ordre co{n}streyne
  e fortunes {and} e dedes of men by a bonde of causes
  nat able to ben vnbou{n}den (indissolubili). e whiche
  destinal causes whanne ei passen oute fro e bygynnynges         3944
  of e vnmoeueable purueaunce it mot nedes
  be at ei ne be nat mutable.

    [Sidenote: Thus, then, are all things well conducted, since that
    invariable order of cause has its origin in the simplicity of the
    Divine mind, and by its inherent immutability exercises a
    restraint upon mutable things, and preserves them from
    irregularity.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 31.]]

          {and} us ben e inges ful
  wel ygouerned. yif at e symplicite dwelly{n}ge *in e
  deuyne ou[gh]t shewe fure e ordre of causes. vnable to        3948
  be I-bowed. {and} is ordre constreyne by hys p{ro}pre
  stablete e moeueable inges. or ellys ei sholde fleten
  folily

    [Sidenote: To those who understand not this order, things appear
    confused--nevertheless, the proper condition of all things directs
    and inclines it to their true good.]

          for whiche it is at alle inges semen to be confus
  {and} trouble to vs men. for we ne mowe nat co{n}sider{e}         3952
  ilke ordinaunce.  Naeles e p{ro}pre manere of
  euery ing dressynge hem to goode disponit hem alle.

    [Sidenote: For there is nothing done for the sake of evil, not
    even by the wicked, who, in seeking for felicity, are led astray
    by crooked error.]

  for ere nis no inge don for cause of yuel. ne ilke
  ing at is don by wicked[e] folk nis nat don for yuel            3956
  e whiche shrewes as I haue shewed [ful] plentiuously
  seken goode. but wicked errour mysto{ur}ni he{m}.

    [Linenotes:
    3928 _seyne_--seyn
         _inge cleue_--thing clyueth
         _stedfastnesse_--stydefastnesse
    3930 _swiche_--swych
    3931 [_it_]--from C.
    3932 _to_ (2)--MS. of, C. to
    3937 _enterchaungable_--MS. enterchau{n}gyngable,
         C. entrechaungeable
    3939 _a-doune_--a-down
         _sembleables_--semblable
    3942 _bonde_--bond
    3943 _ben vnbounden_--be vnbownde
    3944 _oute_--owt
    3948 _fure_--forth
    3949 _I-bowed_--MS. vnbounde{n}, C. I-bowed
    3950 _sholde_--sholden
    3951 _whiche_--which
    3952 _mowe_--mowen
    3956 _wicked[e]_--wykkede
    3957 [_ful_]--from C.
    3958 _goode_--good]

                                                              [[pg 138]]
    [Headnote:
    NOTHING DONE FOR EVIL'S SAKE.]

    [Sidenote: But the order proceeding from the centre of supreme
    goodness does not mislead any.]

   Ne e ordre comynge fro e poynt of souereyne goode ne
  decline nat fro hys bygynnynge.

    [Sidenote: But you may say, what greater confusion can there be
    than that both prosperous and adverse things should at times
    happen to good men, and that evil men should at one time enjoy
    their desires and at another be tormented by hateful things.]

          but ou mayst sein                                        3960
  what vnreste may ben a wors co{n}fusiou{n} an {a}t goode
  men han so{m}me tyme aduersite. {and} so{m}tyme p{ro}sperite.
   and shrewes also han now inges at ei
  desiren.

    [Sidenote: Are men wise enough to discover, whether those whom
    they believe to be virtuous or wicked, are so in reality?]

          {and} now i{n}ges at ei haten  wheer men             3964
  lyuen now in swiche hoolnesse of ou[gh]t. as who sei.
  ben men now so wise. at swiche folk as ei demen to
  ben goode folk or shrewes {a}t it mot nedes ben at folk
  ben swiche as ei wenen.

    [Sidenote: Opinions differ as to this matter. Some who are deemed
    worthy of reward by one person, are deemed unworthy by another.]

          but in is manere e domes                                3968
  of men discorden. at ilke men {a}t so{m}me folk demen
  wori of mede. oer folk demen hem wori of to{ur}ment.

    [Sidenote: But, suppose it were possible for one to distinguish
    with certainty between the good and the bad?]

  but lat vs graunt[e] I pose at som man may wel demen
  or knowen e goode folk {and} e badde.

    [Sidenote: Then he must have as accurate a knowledge of the mind
    as one has of the body.]

          May he an                                                3972
  knowen {and} seen ilke inrest attemp{er}aunce of corages.
  as it ha ben wont to be said of bodyes. as who sai
  may a man speken {and} determine of attemp{er}aunce in
  corages. as men were wont to demen or speken of complexiou{n}s    3976
  {and} attemp{er}aunces of bodies (q' non).

    [Sidenote: It is miraculous to him who knows it not, why sweet
    things are agreeable to some bodies, and bitter to others; why
    some sick persons are relieved by lenitives and others by sharper
    remedies.]

  ne it [ne] is nat an vnlyke miracle to hem at ne knowe{n}
  it nat.  As who sei. but is lyke a merueil or a
  miracle to hem at ne knowe{n} it nat. whi at swete              3980
  inges [ben] couenable to some bodies at ben hool {and}
  to some bodies bittre inges ben couenable. {and} also
  whi at some seke folk ben holpen w{i}t{h} ly[gh]t medicines
  [{and} some folk ben holpen w{i}t{h} sharppe medicynes]           3984

    [Sidenote: It is no marvel to the leech, who knows the causes of
    disease, and their cures.]

  but naeles e leche {a}t knowe e manere {and} e attemp{er}aunce
  of heele {and} of maladie ne merueile of it no
  ing.

    [Sidenote: What constitutes the health of the mind, but goodness?
    And what are its maladies, but vice?]

          but what oer ing seme hele of corages but
  bounte {and} prowesse. {and} what oer ing seme maladie         3988
  of corages but vices.

    [Sidenote: Who is the preserver of good, or the driver away of
    evil, but God, the physician of souls, who knows what is necessary
    for men, and bestows it upon them?]

          who is ellys kep{er}e of good or
  dryuere awey of yuel but god gouerno{ur} {and} leecher of   [[pg 139]]
  ou[gh]tes. e whiche god wha{n} he ha by-holden from e
  heye toure of hys p{ur}ueaunce he knowe what is                  3992
  couenable to euery wy[gh]t. {and} lene hem at he wot
  [at] is couenable to hem.

    [Sidenote: From this source springs that great marvel--_the order
    of destiny_--wrought by the wisdom of God, and marveled at by
    ignorant men.]

          Loo here of come {and}
  here of is don is noble miracle of e ordre destinal.

    [Linenotes:
    3959 _goode_--good
    3960 _decline_--MS. encline, C. declynyth
    3961 _wors_--worse
    3962 _somme tyme_--somtyme
    3965 _swiche_--swych
    3967 _goode_--good
         _mot_--moste
    3971 _graunt[e]_--graunte
    3973 _inrest_--Inneryste
    3974 _ha_--MS. hae
         _said_--MS. saide, C. seyd
    3975 _determine_--det{er}minen
    3978 [_ne_]--from C.
         _vnlyke_--vn-lyk
    3979 _lyke_--lik
    3981 [_ben_]--from C.
         _hool_--hoole
    3984 [_and----medicynes_]--from C.
    3991 _ha_--MS. hae
    3993 _wot_--MS. wote, C. wot
    3994 [_at_]--from C.
    3995 _don_--MS. done, C. don
         _miracle_--MS. mirache, C. myracle
         _ordre_--MS. ordre of]

    [Headnote:
    GOD THE SOUL'S PHYSICIAN.]

  whan god at alle knowe do swiche ing. of whiche               3996
  ing [at] vnknowyng folk ben astoned

    [Sidenote: But, now let us notice a few things concerning the
    depth of the Divine knowledge which human reason may comprehend.]

          but forto constreine
  as who sei  But forto co{m}prehende {and} telle
  a fewe inges of e deuyne depnesse e whiche at mans
  resou{n} may vnderstonde.

    [Sidenote: The man you deem just, may appear otherwise to the
    omniscient eye of Providence.]

           ilk man at ou wenest                                 4000
  to ben ry[gh]t Iuste {and} ry[gh]t kepyng of eq{u}ite. e contrarie
  of at seme to e deuyne p{ur}ueaunce at al woot.
   And lucan my familier telle at e victories cause
  liked[e] to e goddes {and} causes ouercomen liked[e] to          4004
  cato{u}n.

    [Sidenote: When you see apparent irregularities--unexpected and
    unwished for--deem them to be rightly done.]

          an what so euer ou mayst seen at is don in
  is [world] vnhoped or vnwened. certys it is e ry[gh]t[e]
  ordre of inges. but as to i wicked[e] oppiniou{n} it is a
  co{n}fusiou{n}.

    [Sidenote: Let us suppose a man so well behaved, as to be approved
    of God and man--but not endowed with firmness of mind, so that the
    reverses of fortune will cause him to forgo his probity, since
    with it he cannot retain his prosperity.]

          but I suppose at som man be so wel yewed.               4008
  at e deuyne Iugement {and} e Iugeme{n}t of mankynde
  accorden hem to gidre of hym. but he is so vnstedfast
  of corage [at] yif any aduersite come to hym he wolde
  for-leten p{er}auenture to continue i{n}nocence by e             4012
  whiche he ne may nat wiholden fortune.

    [Sidenote: A wise Providence, knowing that adversity might destroy
    this man's integrity, averts from him that adversity which he is
    not able to sustain.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 31 _b_.]]

           an e
  wise dispensac{i}ou{n} of god spare hym e whiche
  man{er}e adu{er}site *my[gh]t[e] enpeyren.  For at god
  wil nat suffren hym to trauaile. to whom at trauayl              4016
  nis nat couenable.

    [Sidenote: Another man is thoroughly virtuous, and approaches to
    the purity of the deity--him Providence deems it an injustice to
    oppress by adversity, and therefore exempts him even from bodily
    disease.]

           An o{er} man is p{er}fit in alle
  uertues. {and} is an holy man {and} neye to god so at e
  p{ur}ueaunce of god wolde demen at it were a felony
  at he were touched wi any aduersites. so at he ne              4020
  wil nat suffre at swiche a man be moeued wi any           [[pg 140]]
  manere maladie.  But so as seide a philosophre [the
  moore excellent by me]. e adu{er}sites comen nat (he
  seide in grec[;]) ere {a}t uertues han edified e bodie         4024
  of e holy man.

    [Sidenote: Providence often gives the direction of public affairs
    to good men, in order to curb and restrain the malice of the
    wicked.]

          and ofte tyme it bitide at e
  so{m}me of inges at ben to don is taken to good folk
  to gouerne. for at e malice habundaunt of shrewes
  sholde ben abatid.

    [Sidenote: To some is given a mixture of good and evil, according
    to what is most suitable to the dispositions of their minds.]

          {and} god [gh]eue {and} dep{ar}ti to oer               4028
  folk p{ro}sp[er]ites {and} aduersites ymedeled to hepe aftir
  e qualite of hire corages {and} remordi som folk by
  adu{er}sites.

    [Sidenote: Upon some are laid moderate afflictions, lest they wax
    proud by too long a course of prosperity.]

          for ei ne sholden nat wexen proude by
  longe welefulnesse.

    [Sidenote: Others suffer great adversities that their virtues may
    be exercised, and strengthened by the practice of patience.]

          {and} oer folk he suffre to ben                         4032
  trauayled wi harde inges.  For at ei sholden conferme
  e vertues of corage by e vsage {and} ex{er}citac{i}ou{n}
  of pacie{n}ce.

    [Sidenote: Some fear to be afflicted with what they are able to
    endure. Others despise what they are unable to bear; and God
    punishes them with calamities, to make them sensible of their
    presumption.]

          and oer folke dreden more en ei au[gh]ten
  e wiche ei my[gh]t[en] wel beren. {and} ilke folk god          4036
  ledi in to exp{er}ience of hem self by aspre {and} sorweful
  inges.

    [Sidenote: Many have purchased a great name by a glorious death.]

           And many oer folk han bou[gh]t honorable
  renoune of is worlde by e pris of glorious dee.

    [Sidenote: Others by their unshaken fortitude, have shown that
    virtue cannot be overcome by adversity.]

  and som men at ne mowen nat ben ouer-comen by                    4040
  tourment han [gh]euen ensample to oer folk at vertue ne
  may nat be ouer-comen by aduersites.

   [[Transcriber's Note:
   The sidenote "Others despise what they are unable to bear" does not
   correspond to anything in the text. Skeat's edition includes the
   phrase "and somme dispyse that they mowe nat beren" (Book IV,
   Prose6: _Ita Est Inquam_).]]

    [Linenotes:
    3996 _alle_--al
         _do_--MS. doe
         _whiche_--which
    3997 [_at_]--from C.
    3999 _mans_--mannes
    4000 _ilk_--thilke
    4004 _liked[e]_ (_both_)--lykede
    4005 _is don_--MS. is to don
    4006 [_world_]--from C.
         _ry[gh]t[e]_--ryhte
    4007 _wicked[e]_--wykkede
    4010 _vnstedfast_--vnstydefast
    4011 [_at_]--from C.
         _wolde_--wol
    4015 _manere_--man
         _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte
    4016 _wil_--wol
    4018 _neye_--negh
    4021 _wil_--wol
         _swiche_--swych
    4022 _manere_--bodyly
    4022-3 [_the----me_]--from C.
    4023 _e aduersites----nat_--omitted
    4024 _ere_--omitted
    4026 _don_--done
         _to_ (2)--MS. so
         _to good----gouerne_--to gou{er}ne to goode folk
    4028 _oer_--oothr{e}
    4030 _som_--some
    4031 _sholden_--sholde
    4033 _conferme_--confermen
    4034 _corage_--corages
    4036 _my[gh]t[en]_--myhten
    4037 _hem_--hym
         _sorweful_--sorwful
    4038 _oer_--oothr{e}
    4039 _worlde_--world
         _of_ (2)--of the
    4041 _oer_--othr{e}]

    [Headnote:
    HOW PROVIDENCE DEALS WITH MANKIND.]

    [Sidenote: These things are done justly, and in order, and are for
    the good of those to whom they happen.]

           and of alle
  ise inges er nis no doute {a}t ei ne ben don ry[gh]tfully
  {and} ordeinly to e p{ro}fit of hem to whom we                   4044
  seen ise inges bitide.

    [Sidenote: From the same causes it happens, that sometimes
    adversity and sometimes prosperity falls to the lot of the
    wicked.]

           For certys at aduersite
  come some tyme to shrewes. {and} some tyme at ei
  desiren it come of ise forseide causes

    [Sidenote: None are surprised to see bad men afflicted--they get
    what they deserve.]

          {and} of sorweful
  inges at bytyden to shrewes. Certys no man ne                   4048
  wondre. For alle me{n} wenen at ei han wel deserued it.

    [Sidenote: Their punishment, too, may cause amendment, or deter
    others from like vices.]

  {and} ei ben of wicked m{er}ite of whiche
  shrewes e to{ur}ment som tyme agaste oer to done         [[pg 141]]
  folies. {and} som tyme it amende hem at suffren e              4052
  to{ur}mentis.

    [Sidenote: When the wicked enjoy felicity--the good should learn
    how little these external advantages are to be prized, which may
    fall to the lot of the most worthless.]

           And e p{ro}sp{er}ite at is [gh]euen to
  shrewes shewe a grete argument to good[e] folk what
  ing ei sholde demen of ilk wilfulnesse e whiche
  p{ro}sperite men seen ofte serue to shrewes.

    [Sidenote: Another reason for dispensing worldly bliss to the
    wicked is, that indigence would prompt naturally violent and
    rapacious minds to commit the greatest enormities.]

          in e whiche                                              4056
  ing I trowe at god dispensi. for p{er}auenture e nature
  of som man is so ouerrowyng to yuel {and} so vncouenable
  at e nedy pouerte of hys house-hold my[gh]t[e]
  raer egren hym to done felonies.

    [Sidenote: Their disease God cures by the medicine of money.]

          and to e maladie                                         4060
  of hym god putti remedie to [gh]iuen hym rychesse.

    [Sidenote: Some men will cease to do wrong for fear, lest their
    wealth be lost through their crimes.]

  {and} som oer man byholdi hys conscience defouled wi
  synnes {and} maki co{m}parisou{n} of his fortune {and} of
  hym self  and dredi p{er}auenture at hys blisfulnesse          4064
  of whiche e vsage is ioyful to hym at e lesynge of
  ilke blisfulnesse ne be nat sorweful to hym. {and} erfore
  he wol chaunge hys maneres. and for he dredi
  to lese hys fortune. he forleti hys wickednesse.                 4068

    [Sidenote: Upon others unmerited happiness is conferred, which at
    last precipitates them into deserved destruction.]

  to oer folk is welefulnesse y[gh]eue{n} vnworily e whiche
  ouerrowe hem in to destrucc{i}ou{n} at ei han deserued.

    [Sidenote: To some there is given the power of chastisement, in
    order both to exercise the virtues of the good and to punish the
    wicked.]

  and to som oer folk is [gh]euen power to
  punisse{n}. for at it shal be cause of continuac{i}ou{n} {and}   4072
  ex{er}cisinge to good[e] folk. {and} cause of to{ur}ment to
  shrewes.

    [Sidenote: For as there is no alliance between good and bad, so
    neither can the vicious agree together.]

           For so as er nis none alyaunce bytwixe
  good[e] folke {and} shrewes. ne shrewes ne mowen nat
  accorde{n} amo{n}ges hem self

    [Sidenote: And how should they? Their vices make them at war with
    themselves, rending and tearing their consciences, and there is
    scarce anything they do, but what afterwards they disapprove of.]

          {and} whi nat. for shrewes                                4076
  discorde{n} of hem self by her vices e whiche vices al to
  renden her consciences. {and} don oft[e] tyme inges e
  whiche inges whan ei han don hem. ei demen at
  o inges ne sholde nat han ben don.

    [Sidenote: Hence arises a signal miracle brought about by
    Providence--that evil men have often made wicked men good.]

          for whiche inge                                          4080
  ilke souereyne p{ur}ueaunce ha maked oft[e] tyme
  [fair{e}] miracle so {a}t shrewes han maked oftyme         [[pg 142]]
  shrewes to ben good[e] men.

    [Sidenote: For these latter having suffered injuries from the
    former, have become virtuous, in order that they might not
    resemble those whom they so detested.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 32.]]

          for whan at som shrewes
  *seen at ei suffren wrongfully felonies of oer shrewes         4084
  ei wexen eschaufed in to hat[e] of hem at anoien
  hem. {and} retournen to e fruit of uertue. when ei
  studien to ben vnlyke to he{m} at ei han hated.

    [Linenotes:
    4046 _come_--comth
         _some_ (_both_)--som
         _at ei_--MS. ei at, C. {a}t that they
    4047 _come_--comth
         _sorweful_--sorwful
    4050 _wicked_--wykkede
         _merite_--MS. u{er}ite, C. m{er}yte
    4051 _oer_--oothr{e}
         _done_--don
    4052 _folies_--felonies
    4054 _grete_--gret
         _good[e]_--goode
    4055 _sholde_--sholden
         _ilk_--thilke
    4056 _serue_--seruen
         _whiche_--which
    4057 _dispensi_--MS. dispisi, C. dispensith
    4059 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte
    4060 _done_--don
    4061 _rychesse_--Rychesses
    4065 _whiche_--which
    4068 MS. wrongly inserts _welefulnesse_ after _wickednesse_
    4069-71 _oer_--oothr{e}
    4073 _good[e]_--goode
    4074 _none_--non
    4075 _good[e]_--goode
    4076 _accorden_--acordy
    4078 _don_--MS. done, C. don
         _oft[e]_--ofte
    4079 _don_--MS. done, C. don
    4080 _sholde_--sholden
         _whiche inge_--which thing
    4081 _ha_--MS. hae
         _oft[e]_--ofte
    4082 [_faire_]--from C.
         _oftyme_--omitted
    4083 _good[e]_--goode
    4085 _hat[e]_--hate
         _anoien_--anoyeden
    4087 _studien_--omitted
         _vnlyke_--vnlyk]

    [Headnote:
    EVIL IS OVERRULED FOR GOOD.]

    [Sidenote: It is only the Divine power that can turn evil to good,
    overruling it for his own purposes.]

   Certys is only is e deuyne my[gh]t to e whiche my[gh]t       4088
  yueles ben an good. whan it vse o yueles couenably
  {and} drawe out e effect of any good. as who sei at
  yuel is good oonly by e my[gh]t of god. for e my[gh]t of
  god ordeyne ilk yuel to good. For oon ordre enbrasi            4092
  alle inges. so at what wy[gh]t [{a}t] dep{ar}ti fro
  e resou{n} of e ordre whiche at is assigned to hym.
  algates [gh]it he slide in to an o{er} ordre.

    [Sidenote: Nothing occurs by the caprice of chance in the realms
    of Divine Providence.]

          so at noing
  nis leueful to folye in e realme of e deuyne p{ur}ueaunce.      4096
  as who sei no ing nis wiouten ordinaunce in
  e realme of e deuyne purueaunce.

    [Sidenote: Since God is the governor of all things, it is not
    lawful to man to attempt to comprehend the whole of the Divine
    economy, or to explain it in words.]

           Syn at e ry[gh]t
  strong[e] god gouerni alle inges in is worlde for it
  nis nat leueful to no man to co{m}p{re}henden by witte ne         4100
  vnfolden by worde alle e subtil ordinaunces {and} disposic{i}ou{n}s
  of e deuyne entent.

    [Sidenote: Let it suffice to know that God orders all things for
    the best.]

          for oonly it au[gh]t[e]
  suffice to han loked at god hym self makere of alle
  natures ordeyni and dressi alle inges to good.

    [Sidenote: And while he retains things created after his own
    likeness conformably to his goodness, he banishes evil by the
    cause of destiny out of his empire.]

          while                                                     4104
  at he hasti to wihalden e inges at he ha maked
  in to hys semblaunce. at is to seyn forto wiholden
  inges in to good. for he hym self is good he chase
  oute al yuel of e boundes of hys co{m}munalite by e             4108
  ordre of necessite destinable.

    [Sidenote: So that those evils which you seem to see are only
    imaginary.]

          For whiche it folwe at
  yif ou loke e p{ur}ueaunce ordeynynge e inges at
  men wenen ben haboundaunt in eres. ou ne shalt not
  seen in no place no ing of yuel.

    [Sidenote: But you are exhausted and weary with the prolixity of
    my reasoning, and look for relief from the harmony of my verse.]

           but I se now at                                        4112
  ou art charged wi e wey[gh]te of e questiou[n] {and}    [[pg 143]]
  wery wi lenge of my resou{n}. {and} at ou abidest som
  swetnesse of songe.

    [Sidenote: Take, then, this draught, with which when refreshed,
    you may more strongly proceed to higher matters.]

          tak a{n} is drau[gh]t {and} whan ou
  art wel refresshed {and} refet ou shalt ben more stedfast        4116
  to stye in to heyere questiou{n}s.

    [Linenotes:
    4089-90 _good_--goode
    4092 _ilk_--thilke
    4093 [_at_]--from C.
    4094 _e_ (2)--thilke
         _whiche_--which
    4096 _realme_--Reame
    4099 _strong[e]_--stronge
         _worlde_--world
    4100 _no_--omitted
         _witte_--wit
    4101 _worde alle_--word al
    4102 _au[gh]t[e]_--owhte
    4104 _good while_--goode wyl
    4105 _ha_--MS. hae
    4108 _of_ (1)--fro
    4109 _whiche_--which
    4111 _ben haboundaunt_--ben out{ra}ious / or habowndant
    4115 _tak_--MS. take, C. tak
    4116 _refet_--refect
         _shalt ben_--shal be
         _stedfast_--stydefast]


    [Headnote:
    LOVE TEMPERS ALL THINGS.]

SI UIS CELSI IURA.

  [Sidenote: [The syxte Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: If thou wouldst explore the laws of the high Thunderer,
    behold the lofty heavens, where, bound by fixed laws, the stars
    keep their ancient peace.]

  ++Yif ou wolt demen in i pur{e} ou[gh]t e ry[gh]tes or e
  lawes of e heye und[ere]re. at is to seyne of god.
  loke ou {and} bihold e hey[gh]tes of souereyne heuene.          4120
   ere kepen e sterres by ry[gh]tful alliaunce of inges
  hir olde pees.

    [Sidenote: There the rosy Sun does not invade the moon's colder
    sphere. Nor doth the Bear stray from his appointed bounds, to
    quench his light in the western main.]

          e sonne ymoeued by hys rody fire. ne
  destourbi nat e colde cercle of e moone.  Ne e
  sterre yclepid e bere. {a}t enclini hys rauyssynge             4124
  courses abouten e souereyne hey[gh]t of e worlde. ne e
  same sterre vrsa nis neuer mo wasshen in e depe
  westerne see. ne coueiti nat to dy[gh]en hys flaumbes in
  e see of [the] occian. al ou[gh] he see oer sterres yplounged  4128
  in to e see.

    [Sidenote: Vesper always makes its wonted appearance at eve.
    Lucifer ushers in the morn.]

           And hesperus e sterre
  bodi {and} telli alwey e late ny[gh]tes. And lucifer e
  sterre brynge a[gh]eyne e clere day.

    [Sidenote: So mutual love moves all things, and from the starry
    region banishes all strife.]

           And us maki
  loue enterchaungeable e p{er}durable courses. {and} us          4132
  is discordable bataile yput oute of e contre of e sterres.

    [Sidenote: This concord in equal measures tempers the elements, so
    that the moist atoms war no more with the dry, nor heat with cold
    contends; but the aspiring flame soars aloft, while down the heavy
    earth descends.]

  is accordaunce atte{m}pre by euene-lyke manere[s] e
  elementes. at e moyste inges striuen nat wi e
  drye inges. but [gh]iuen place by stoundes. and at e           4136
  colde inges ioynen hem by fei to e hote inges. {and}
  at e ly[gh]t[e] fyre arist in to hey[gh]te. {and} e heuy eres
  aualen by her wey[gh]tes.

    [Sidenote: By these same causes the flowing year yields sweet
    smells in the warm spring-tide; the hot summer ripens the corn.]

           by ise same cause e floury
  yere [gh]elde swote smellys in e fyrste somer sesou{n}          4140
  warmynge. {and} e hote somer drye e cornes.

    [Sidenote: Autumn comes crowned with plenty, and winter wets the
    earth with showers.]

  {and} autumpne come a[gh]eyne heuy of apples.
          and e fletyng                                      [[pg 144]]
  reyne bydewe e wynter. is attemp{er}aunce noryssi
  {and} bryngge fure al inge at bredi lyfe in is              4144
  worlde.

    [Sidenote: These changes give life and growth to all that breathe;
    and at last by death efface whatever has had birth.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 32 _b_.]]

           and ilk same attemp{er}aunce rauyssyng hide
  {and} bynyme {and} drenche vndir e last[e] dee alle
  *inges yborn.

    [Sidenote: Meanwhile the world's Creator, the Source of all, the
    Lawgiver, the wise Judge, sits above equitably directing all
    things.]

           Amonges ise inges sitte e heye
  makere kyng {and} lorde. welle {and} bygynnynge. lawe             4148
  {and} wise Iuge. to don equite {and} gouerni {and} enclini
  e bridles of inges.

    [Sidenote: Those things which have been set in motion by him are
    also checked and forced to move in an endless round, lest they go
    from their source, and become chaotic.]

          {and} o inges at he stire to don
  by moeuynge he widrawe {and} aresti {and} affermi e
  moeueable or wandryng inges.  For [gh]if at he ne              4152
  clepi nat a[gh]ein e ry[gh]t goynge of inges. {and} [gh]if at he
  ne constreyned[e] hem nat eftesones in to roundenesse
  enclined e inges {a}t ben now continued by stable
  ordinaunce. ei sholde deperten from hir welle. at is            4156
  to sein from hir bygynnynge {and} failen. at is to sein
  to{ur}nen in to nau[gh]t.

    [Sidenote: This love is common to all things, and all things tend
    to good; so, urged by this, they all revert to that First Cause
    that gave them being.]

           is is e co{m}mune loue of alle
  inges. {and} alle i{n}ges axen to be holden by e fyn of
  good. For ellys ne my[gh]ten ei nat lasten yif ei ne            4160
  come nat eftesones a[gh]eine by loue retourned to e cause
  at ha [gh]euen he{m} beynge. at is to seyn to god.

    [Linenotes:
    4118 _ou wolt_--{o}u wys wilt
    4119 _und[ere]re_--thonderer{e}
         _seyne_--seyn
    4120 _bihold_--MS. biholde, C. byhold
    4122 _rody_--MS. redy, C. rody
         _fire_--Fyr
    4123 _cercle_--clerke
    4125 _courses_--cours
         _hey[gh]t_--heyhte
    4127 _westerne_--westrene
         _dy[gh]en_--deeyn
    4128 [_the_]--from C.
         _he see_--MS. it sewe, C. he see
         _oer_--oothr{e}
    4131 _a[gh]eyne_--ayein
    4133 _oute_--owt
    4134 _euene-lyke manere[s]_--euenelyk maneres
    4135 _striuen_--stryuynge
         _nat_--omitted
    4136 _but_--omitted
    4138 _ly[gh]t[e] fyre arist_--lyhte fyr arysith
    4140 _yere_--[gh]er
    4142 _come a[gh]eyne_--comth ayein
    4143 _reyne_--reyn
    4144 _fure al inge_--forth alle thing
         _bredi lyfe_--berith lyf
    4145 _worlde_--world
         _ilk_--thilke
    4146 _last[e] dee_--laste deth
    4147 _yborn_--MS. yborne, C. I-born
    4148 _lorde_--lord
    4149 _wise_--wys
    4150 _stire_--sterith
         _don_--gon
    4151 _e_--omitted
    4153 _clepi_--klepede
    4154 _constreyned[e]_--constreynede
         _roundenesse_--Rowndnesses
    4156 _sholde_--sholden
    4158 _tournen_--torne
         _of_--to
    4159 _be_--ben
    4161 _eftesones a[gh]eine_--eft sones ayein
    4162 _ha_--MS. hae]


    [Headnote:
    ALL FORTUNE IS BENEFICIAL.]

IAM NE IGITUR UIDES.

  [Sidenote: [The seuende p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: _P._ Do you see what follows from our arguments?]

  ++Sest ou nat an what ing folwe alle e inges at I
  haue seid.

    [Sidenote: _B._ What is it?]

          what ing q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ That all fortune is good.]

           Certys q{uo}d she                                       4164
  outerly at al fortune is good.

    [Sidenote: _B._ How can that be?]

          and how may at be
  q{uo}d .I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Since all fortune, whether prosperous or adverse,
    is for the reward of the good or the punishment of the bad, all
    fortune is good which is either just or useful.]

           Now vndirstand q{uo}d she so as [alle
  fortune wheyther so it be Ioyeful fortune / or aspr{e}]
  fortune is [gh]iuen eier by cause of g{er}donynge or ellys of    4168
  ex{er}cisynge of goode folk or ellys by cause to punissen.
  or ellys to chastysen shrewes.  an is alle fortune        [[pg 145]]
  good. e whiche fortune is certeyne at it be eier ry[gh]tful
  or p{ro}fitable.

    [Sidenote: But let us put this opinion among those positions which
    thou saidst were not commonly believed by the people.]

           For soe is is a ful verray resou{n}                   4172
  q{uo}d I. and yif I considere e p{ur}ueau{n}ce {and} e
  destine at ou tau[gh]test me a litel here byforne is sentence
  is susteyned by stedfast resou{n}s. but yif it like
  vnto e lat vs nou{m}bre hem amonges ilk[e] inges of            4176
  whiche ou seidest a litel here byforne at ei ne were
  nat able to ben ywened to e poeple.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Why so?]

           whi so q{uo}d she.

    [Sidenote: _B._ Because it is a common expression that _the
    fortune of such a one is bad_.]

  for at e comune worde of men mysusi q{uo}d I.
  is manere speche of fortune. {and} sein ofte tymes [{a}t]       4180
  e fortune of som wy[gh]t is wicked.

    [Linenotes:
    4163 _ing_--thinge
    4165 _outerly_--al owtrely
         _al_--alle
    4166-7 [_alle----aspre_]--from C.
    4169 _goode_--good
    4174 _here byforne_--her by-forn
    4175 _stedfast_--stydefast
    4176 _noumbre_--nowmbren
         _ilk[e]_--thilke
    4177 _here byforne_--her by-forn
    4178 _ywened_--weened
    4179 _worde_--word]

    [Headnote:
    PUNISHMENT IS BENEFICIAL.]

    [Sidenote: _P._ Do you wish me to conform for awhile to the
    language of the people, lest we should seem to depart too much
    from the popular mode of expression?]

          wilt ou an q{uo}d
  she at I p{ro}che a litel to e wordes of e poeple so it
  seme nat to hem at I be ouer moche dep{ar}tid as fro e
  vsage of man kynde.

    [Sidenote: _B._ As you please.]

          as ou wolt q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Is everything profitable that is good?]

                   Demest                                          4184
  ou nat q{uo}d she at al ing at p{ro}fiti is good.

    [Sidenote: _B._ Yes, certainly.]

  [gh]is q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ That which exercises or corrects is profitable?]

          certis ilk ing at ex{er}cisi or corigi profiti.

    [Sidenote: _B._ It is.]

  I confesse it wel q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Therefore it is good?]

          an is it good q{uo}d she.

    [Sidenote: _B._ Yes.]

  whi nat q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ This is the fortune of the virtuous who combat
    with adversity, or of those who, relinquishing vice, pursue the
    path of virtue?]

          but is is e fortune [q{uod} she] of                     4188
  hem at eier ben put in vertue {and} batailen a[gh]eins
  aspre inges. or ellys of hem at eschewen {and} declinen
  fro vices {and} taken e weye of vertue.

    [Sidenote: _B._ It is.]

           is ne may
  nat I denye q{uo}d I

    [Sidenote: _P._ The vulgar regard that prosperity which is
    bestowed as a reward on the good to be beneficial, and they
    believe those calamities by which the wicked are punished as the
    most miserable things that can be imagined.]

           But what seist ou of e myrye                          4192
  fortune at is [gh]euen to good folk in gerdou{n} deuini
  ou[gh]t e poeples at it is wicked. nay forsoe q{uo}d I. but
  ei demen as it soe is at it is ry[gh]t good.  And what
  seist ou of at oer fortune q{uo}d she. at al ou[gh] it       4196
  be aspre {and} restreini e shrewes by ry[gh]tful tourment.
  weni ou[gh]t e poeple {a}t it be good. nay q{uo}d I. But
  e poeple demi at it be most wrecched of alle inges
  at may ben ou[gh]t.

    [Sidenote: But in following the popular opinion, let us beware of
    being involved in some new and incredible consequence.]

          war now {and} loke wel q{uo}d she                         4200
  lest at we in folwyng e opyniou{n} of poeple haue confessed
  {and} co{n}cluded ing at is vnable to be wened to         [[pg 146]]
  e poeple.

    [Sidenote: _B._ What is that?]

          what is at q{uo}d I

    [Sidenote: _P._ We have decided that the fortune of the virtuous
    or of those growing up in virtue must needs be good--but that the
    fortune of the wicked must be most wretched.]

           Certys q{uo}d she it
  folwe or come of inges {a}t ben graunted at alle             4204
  fortune what so euer it be. of hem at eyer ben i{n}
  possessiou{n} of vertue. [or in the encres of vertu] or ellys
  in e purchasynge of vertue. at ilke fortune is good.
   And at alle fortune is ry[gh]t wicked to hem at               4208
  dwellen in shrewednesse. as who sei. {and} us wene
  nat e poeple.

    [Linenotes:
    4180 [_at_]--from C.
    4181 _wicked_--wykkede
    4182 _proche_--aproche
    4185 _al_--alle
    4186 _ilk_--thilke
    4188 [_quod she_]--from C.
    4191 _weye_--wey
    4193 _deuini_--demyth
    4194 _ou[gh]t_--awht
    4195 _soe_--soth
    4198 _ou[gh]t_--awht
    4199 _be_--is
    4204 _come_--comth
    4206 [_or----vertu_] from C.
    4208 _wicked_--wykkede]

    [Headnote:
    THE FORTUNE OF THE VIRTUOUS IS GOOD.]

    [Sidenote: _B._ That's true, though none dare acknowledge it.]

          at is soe q{uo}d I.  Al be it so
  at noma{n} dar confesse{n} it ne byknowen it.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Why so? The wise man ought not to be cast down,
    when he has to wage war with Fortune, no more than the valiant man
    ought to be dismayed on hearing the noise of the battle.]

           whi so
  q{uo}d she.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 33.]]

          For ry[gh]t as no strong man ne seme nat to              4212
  abassen or disdaigne{n} as *ofte tyme as he here e noise
  of e bataile. ne also it ne seme nat to e wyse man to
  beren it greuously as oft[e] as he is lad in to e strif of
  fortune.

    [Sidenote: The dangers of war enable the one to acquire more
    glory, and the difficulties of the other aid him to confirm and
    improve his wisdom.]

          for boe to at on man {and} eke to at o{er}            4216
  ilke difficulte is e matere to at oon man of encrese
  of his glorious renou{n}. {and} to at oer man to conferme
  hys sapience. at is to seine e asprenesse of hys estat.

    [Sidenote: Thus virtue, in its literal acceptation, is a power
    that, relying on its own strength, overcomes all obstacles.]

   For erfore is it called uertue. for at it susteni {and}      4220
  enforce by hys strenges at it nis nat ouer-come{n} by
  aduersites.

    [Sidenote: You, who have made so much progress in virtue, are not
    to be carried away by delights and bodily lusts.]

           Ne certys ou at art put in e encrese
  or in e hey[gh]t of uertue ne hast nat comen to fleten wi
  delices {and} forto welken in bodyly lust.

    [Sidenote: You must engage in a fierce conflict with every
    fortune--with adversity, lest it dismay you--with prosperity, lest
    it corrupt you.]

           ou sowest                                              4224
  or plauntest a ful egre bataile in i corage a[gh]eins euery
  fortune. for at e sorweful fortune ne co{n}fou{n}de e nat.
  ne at e myrye fortune ne corrumpe e nat.

    [Sidenote: Seize the _golden mean_ with all your strength. All
    below or above this line is a contemptible and a thankless
    felicity.]

           Occupy
  e mene by stedfast strenges. for al at euer is vndir           4228
  e mene. or ellys al at ou{er}-passe e mene despise
  welefulnesses.  As who sei. it is vicious {and} ne ha
  no mede of hys trauaile.

    [Sidenote: The choice of fortune lies in your own hands, but
    remember that even adverse fortune, unless it exercises the
    virtues of the good or chastises the wicked, is a punishment.]

           For it is set in [gh]our{e} hand.
  as who sei it lie in [gh]our{e} power what fortune [gh]ow is    4232
  leuest. at is to seyne good or yuel.  For alle fortune
  at seme sharpe or aspre yif it ne ex{er}cise nat e good  [[pg 147]]
  folk. ne chastisi e wicked folk. it punisse.

    [Linenotes:
    4210 _soe_--soth
    4211 _confessen_--co{n}fesse
    4212 _no strong_--the stronge
    4213 _abassen_--abayssen
    4215 _oft[e]_--ofte
    4219 _seine_--seyn
    4223 _hey[gh]t_--heyhte
    4224 _welken_--wellen
    4226 _confounde_--MS. co{n}fou{n}ded, C. confownde
    4227 _Occupy_--Ocupye
    4228 _stedfast_--stydefast
    4230 _ha_--MS. hae
    4231 _set_--MS. sette, C. set
    4232 _lie_--lith
    4233 _seyne_--seyn
    4234 _sharpe_--sharp]


    [Headnote:
    WE CHOOSE OUR OWN FORTUNE.]

BELLA BIS QUENIS. {ET} C{ETERA}.

  [Sidenote: [The seuende Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: Atrides carried on a ten years' war to punish the
    licentious Paris.]

  ++E wrekere attrides  at is to seyne agamenon at              4236
  wrou[gh]t[e] {and} continued[e] e batailes by ten [gh]ere
  recouered[e] {and} p{ur}ged[e] in wrekyng by e destrucc{i}ou{n}
  of troie e loste chambres of mariage of hys broer
  is is to seyn at [he] agamenon wan a[gh]ein Eleine at          4240
  was Menelaus wif his broer.

    [Sidenote: With blood he purchased propitious gales for the
    Grecian fleet, by casting off all fatherly pity, and sacrificing
    his daughter Iphigenia to the vengeance of Diana.]

          In e mene while at
  ilke agamenon desired[e] to [gh]euen sailes to e grekyssh{e}
  nauye {and} bou[gh]t[e] a[gh]ein e wyndes by blode. he
  vncloed[e] hym of pite as fad{er}. {and} e sory p{re}st         4244
  [gh]iue in sacrifiynge e wreched kuyttyng of rote of e
  dou[gh]ter.  at is to sein at agamenon lete kuytte{n} e
  rote of hys dou[gh]ter by e prest. to maken alliaunce wi
  hys goddes. {and} for to haue wynde wi whiche he                 4248
  my[gh]t[e] wende to troie.

    [Sidenote: Ulysses bewailed his lost mates, devoured by
    Polyphemus, but, having deprived the Cyclop of his sight, he
    rejoiced to hear the monster's roar.]

           Itakus at is to sein vlixies
  bywept[e] hys felawes ylorn e whiche felawes e
  fiers[e] pholifem{us} ligginge in his grete Caue had[de]
  freten {and} dreint in hys empty wombe. but naeles               4252
  polifem{us} wood for his blinde visage [gh]eld to vlixies ioye
  by hys sorowful teres. is is to seyn at vlixes smot
  oute e eye of poliphem{us} at stod in hys forhede.

    [Linenotes:
    4236 _seyne_--seyn
    4237 _wrou[gh]t[e]_--wrowhte
         _continued[e]_--continuede
         _[gh]ere_--[gh]er
    4238 _purged[e]_--purgede
    4240 [_he_]--from C.
         _wan_--MS. wanne, C. wan
    4242 _desired[e]_--desirede
    4243 _bou[gh]t[e]_--bowhte
         _blode_--blod
    4244 _vncloed[e]_--vnclothede
         _as_--of
    4245 _kuyttyng_--MS. knyttyng, C. kuttynge
    4246 _lete_--let
         _kuytten_--MS. knytte{n}, C. kuttyn
    4248 _haue_--han
    4249 _my[gh]t[e] wende_--myhte wenden
    4250 _bywept[e]_--by-wepte
         _ylorn_--MS. ylorne, C. y-lorn
    4251 _fiers[e]_--feerse
         _had[de]_--hadde
    4253 _[gh]eld_--yald
    4254 _sorowful_--sorwful
         _smot_--MS. smote, C. smot
    4255 _oute_--owt
         _stod_--MS. stode, C. stood
         _forhede_--forehed]

    [Headnote:
    THE LABOURS OF HERCULES.]

  for whiche vlixes hadde ioie whan he saw poliphem{us}             4256
  wepyng {and} blynde.

    [Sidenote: Hercules is renowned for his many labours, so
    successfully overcome.]

           Hercules is celebrable for hys
  hard[e] trauaile

    [Sidenote: He overthrew the proud Centaurs;]

          he dawntede e proude Centauris half
  hors half man.

    [Sidenote: he slew the Nemean lion and wore his skin as a trophy
    of his victory;]

          {and} he rafte e despoylynge fro e
  cruel lyou{n} at is to seyne he slou[gh] e lyou{n} {and}  [[pg 148]]
  rafte hy{m} hys skyn.

    [Sidenote: he smote the Harpies with his arrows;]

          he smot e brids at hy[gh]te{n}                          4261
  arpijs [in e palude of lyrne] wi certeyne arwes.

    [Sidenote: he caried off the golden apples of the Hesperides, and
    killed the watchful dragon;]

  he rauyssed[e] applis fro e wakyng dragou{n}. {and}
  hys hand was e more heuy for e golde[ne]                        4264
  metal.

    [Sidenote: he bound Cerberus with a threefold chain;]

          He drou[gh] Cerberus e hound of helle by
  hys treble cheyne.

    [Sidenote: he gave the body of proud Diomede as food for the
    tyrant's horses;]

          he ouer-comer as it is seid ha
  put an vnmeke lorde fodre to hys cruel hors  is is
  to sein. at hercules slou[gh] diomedes {and} made his hors       4268
  to etyn hym.

    [Sidenote: he slew the serpent Hydra;]

          and he hercules slou[gh] Idra e serpent {and}
  brend[e] e venym.

    [Sidenote: he caused Achelous to hide his blushing head within his
    banks;]

          and achelaus e flode defouled[e] in
  his forhede dreint[e] his shamefast visage in his
  strondes. is is to sein at achelaus coue transfigure           4272
  hym self in to dyuerse lykenesse. {and} as he fau[gh]t wi
  orcules at e laste he t{ur}nid[e] hym in to a bole and
  hercules brak of oon of hys hornes. {and} achelaus for
  shame hidde hym in hys ryuer.

    [Sidenote: he left Antus dead upon the Lybian shore;]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 33 _b_.]]

           And [he] hercules                                       4276
  *cast[e] adou{n} Antheus e geaunt in e strondes of
  libye.

    [Sidenote: he appeased Evander's wrath by killing Cacus;]

          {and} kacus apaised[e] e wraes of euander. is
  is to sein at hercules slou[gh] e Monstre kacus {and}
  apaised[e] wi at dee e wrae of euander.

    [Sidenote: he slew the Erymanthean boar;]

           And                                                     4280
  e bristled[e] boor marked[e] wi scomes e sholdres of
  hercules. e whiche sholdres e heye cercle of heuene
  sholde reste.

    [Sidenote: and bore the weight of Atlas upon his shoulders.]

          {and} e laste of his labo{ur}s was at he
  sustened[e] e heuene vpo{n} his nekke vnbowed.

    [Sidenote: These labours justly raised him to the rank of a god.]

          {and} he                                                  4284
  deserued[e] eftsones e heuene to ben e pris of his
  laste trauayle

    [Sidenote: Go then, ye noble souls, and follow the path of this
    great example.]

           Go now an [gh]e stronge men ere as
  e heye weye of e grete ensample lede [gh]ou.  O nice
  men whi nake [gh]e [gh]oure bakkes. as who sei.

    [Sidenote: O ye slothful ones, wherefore do ye basely fly!]

           O [gh]e                                                 4288
  slowe {and} delicat men whi fley [gh]e aduersites. {and} ne [[pg 149]]
  fy[gh]te{n} nat a[gh]eins hem by vertue to wynnen e mede of
  e heuene.

    [Sidenote: He who conquers earth doth gain the heavens.]

          for e ere ouer-come{n} [gh]eue e sterres.
   is is to seyne at whan at erely lust is ouer-comen.         4292
  a man is maked wori to e heuene.

  EXPLICIT LIBER QUARTUS.

    [Linenotes:
    4256 _saw_--say
    4258 _hard[e] trauaile_--harde trauayles
         _dawntede_--MS. dawnded, C. dawntede
    4259 _half_--MS. hals
         _rafte_--byrafte
         _fro_--from
    4260 _seyne_--seyn
    4261 _smot_--MS. smote, C. smot
    4262 [_in----lyrne_]--from C.
    4263 _rauyssed[e]_--rauysshede
    4266 _seid_--MS. seide, C. sayd
         _ha_--MS. hae
    4267 _lorde_--lord
    4269 _etyn_--freten
    4270 _brend[e]_--brende
         _flode defouled[e]_--flood defowlede
    4271 _forhede dreint[e]_--forhed dreynte
    4273 _lykenesse_--lyknesses
    4274 _turnid[e]_--tornede
    4275 _brak_--MS. brake, C. brak
         _hys_--hise
    4276 [_he_]--from C.
    4278-80 _apaised[e]_--apaysede
    4281 _bristled[e]_--brystelede
         _marked[e]_--markede
    4282 _cercle_--clerke
    4283 _reste_--thriste
    4285 _deserued[e]_--deseruede
    4286 _Go_--MS. Goe
         _ere_--ther
    4287 _weye_--way
    4288 _nake_--MS. make, C. nake
    4289 _slowe_--MS. slou[gh], C. slowe
         _fley_--flee
    4292 _seyne_--seyn]




    [Headnote:
    THE EXISTENCE OF CHANCE.]

INCIPIT LIBER QUINTUS.


DIXERAT ORACIONISQ{UE} CURSUM.

  [Sidenote: [The fyrste prose.]]

    [Sidenote: When Philosophy had thus spoken, and was about to
    discuss other matters I interrupted her.]

  ++She hadde seid {and} to{ur}ned[e] e cours of hir resou{n} to
  so{m}me o{er} inges to ben tretid {and} to ben ysped.

    [Sidenote: _B._ Thy exhortation is just and worthy of thy
    authority, but thou saidst that the question of the Divine
    Superintendence or Providence is involved with many others--and
    this I believe.]

  an seide I. Certys ry[gh]tful is in amonestyng {and} ful        4296
  digne by auctorite. but at ou seidest som tyme at
  e questiou{n} of e deuyne p{ur}ueaunce is enlaced wi
  many oer questiou{n}s. I vndir-stonde wel {and} p{ro}ue it
  by e same inge.

    [Sidenote: I am desirous, however, of knowing whether there be
    such a thing as _Chance_, and what thou thinkest it is.]

          but I axe yif at ou wenest at hap                      4300
  be any ing in any weys. {and} if ou wenest at hap be
  any [thing] what is it.

    [Sidenote: _P._ I hasten to fulfil my promise and to show the road
    to your own country.]

          an q{uo}d she. I haste me to
  [gh]elden {and} assoilen e to e dette of my byheste {and}
  to shewen {and} opnen e wey by whiche wey ou maist              4304
  come a[gh]ein to i contre.

    [Sidenote: But although these things you question me about are
    profitable to know, yet they lead us a little out of our way.]

           but al be it so at e inges
  whiche at ou axest b{e}n ry[gh]t p{ro}fitable to knowe.
  [gh]itte ben ei diuers somwhat fro e pae of my purpos.

    [Sidenote: And by straying from the path you may be too fatigued
    to return to the right road.]

  And it is to douten at ou ne be maked weery by                  4308
  mysweys so at ou ne mayst nat suffise to mesure{n} e
  ry[gh]t weye.

    [Sidenote: _B._ Don't be afraid of that, for it will refresh me as
    much as rest to know these things in which I am delightfully
    interested.]

           Ne doute e er-of no ing q{uo}d I. for
  forto knowen ilke inges to-gidre in e whiche inges
  I delite me gretly. at shal ben to me in stede of reste.         4312
  Syn it nis nat to douten of e inges folwy{n}ge whan
  euery side of i disputisou{n} shal be stedfast to me by
  vndoutous fei. an seide she. at manere wol I don
  e. {and} byga{n} to speken ry[gh]t us                     [[pg 150]]

    [Sidenote: _P._ I will then comply with thy requests.]

           Certys q{uo}d she                                       4316
  yif any wy[gh]t diffinisse hap in is manere. at is to seyn.

    [Linenotes:
    4294 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd
         _e_--by
    4297 _som tyme_--whilom
    4298 _e_ (2)--thy
    4300 _inge_--thing
    4302 [_thing_]--from C.
    4303 _[gh]elden_--yilden
         _assoilen_--MS. assailen, C. assoylen
         _byheste_--byhest
    4304-6 _whiche_--which
    4306 _ben_--MS. b{e}n{e}
    4307 _pae_--paath
    4312 _stede_--styde
    4314 _disputisoun_--disputaciou{n}
         _be_--han ben
         _stedfast_--stydefast
    4317 _seyn_--seyng]

    [Headnote:
    DEFINITION OF CHANCE.]

    [Sidenote: If we define Chance to be an event produced by an
    unintelligent motion, and not by a chain or connection of causes,
    I should then affirm that Chance is nothing and an empty sound.]

  at hap is bytidynge y-brou[gh]t fore by foelyshe
  moeuynge. {and} by no knyttyng of causes.  I conferme
  at hap nis ry[gh]t nau[gh]t in no wise. and I deme al            4320
  outerly at hap nis ne dwelli but a voys.  As who
  sei. but an ydel worde wi outen any significac{i}ou{n} of
  ing summittid to at vois.

    [Sidenote: What room is there for folly and disorder where all
    things are restrained by order, through the ordinance of God?]

          for what place my[gh]t[e] ben
  left or dwellynge to folie {and} to disordinau{n}ce. syn at      4324
  god ledi {and} streyni alle inges by ordre.

    [Sidenote: For it is a great truth that nothing can spring out of
    nothing.]

           For is
  sentence is verray {and} soe at no inge ne ha his
  beynge of nou[gh]t. to [the] whiche sentence none of ise
  olde folk ne wiseide neuere al be it so at ei ne               4328
  vndirstoden ne moeueden it nau[gh]t by god p{r}ince {and}
  gynner of wirkyng. but ei casten as a manere foundement
  of subgit material. at is to seyn of [the] nature
  of alle resou{n}.

    [Sidenote: Now, if anything arises without the operation of a
    cause, it proceeds from nothing.]

          {and} [gh]if at ony inge is woxen or comen              4332
  of no causes. an shal it seme at ilke inge is comen
  or woxen of nou[gh]t.

    [Sidenote: But if this is impossible, then there can be no such a
    thing as Chance, as we have defined it.]

          but yif is ne may nat ben don.
  an is it nat possible at ere ha ben any swiche ing
  as I haue diffinissid a litel here byforne.

    [Sidenote: _B._ Is there nothing, then, that may be called Chance
    or Fortune?]

           How shal                                                4336
  it an ben q{uo}d I. nis er an no ing at by ry[gh]t may
  be cleped eyer hap{pe} or ellis auenture of fortune.

    [Sidenote: Is there nothing (hid from the vulgar) to which these
    words may be applied?]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 34.]]

          or is
  er ou[gh]t al *be it so at it is hidd fro e poeple to
  whiche ise wordes ben couenable.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Aristotle defines this matter with much precision
    and probability.]

          Myn aristotul q{uo}d                                      4340
  she. in e book of his phisik diffinisse is ing by
  short resou{n} and ney[gh]e to e soe.

    [Sidenote: _B._ How?]

           In whiche manere
  q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ So often as a man does anything for the sake of
    any other thing, and another thing than what he intended to do is
    produced by other causes, that thing so produced is called
    _Chance_.]

           As ofte q{uo}d she as men don any ing for
  grace of any oer ing. {and} an oer inge an ilke             4344
  ing at men ententen to doon bytide by som[e] causes
  it is ycleped hap{pe}.

    [Sidenote: As if a man trench the ground for tillage and find
    gold, then this is believed to happen by chance, although it is
    not so.]

           Ry[gh]t as a man dalf e ere by
  cause of tylienge of e felde. {and} fond ere a gobet of   [[pg 151]]
  golde by-doluen. an wenen folk at it is fallen by fortunous     4348
  bytydyng. but for soe it nis nat for nau[gh]t for
  it ha hys p{ro}pre causes of whiche causes e cours vnforseyn
  and vnwar semi to han maked hap{pe}.

    [Sidenote: For if the tiller had not ploughed the field, and if
    the hider of the gold had not concealed it in that spot, the gold
    had not been found.]

           For
  yif e tilier in e ere ne delue nat in e felde. and yif        4352
  e hider of e golde ne hadde hidd e golde in ilke
  place. e golde ne had[de] nat ben founde.

    [Sidenote: These, then, are the causes of a fortuitous acquisition
    which proceeds from a conflux of encountering causes, and not from
    the intention of the doer.]

          ise ben
  an e causes of e abreggynge of fortune hap. e whiche
  abreggynge of fortune hap come of causes encountrynge            4356
  {and} flowyng to-gidre to hem selfe. {and} nat by e entenc{i}ou{n}
  of e doer.

    [Sidenote: For neither the hider of the gold nor the husbandman
    intended or understood that the gold should be found.]

           For neier e hider of e gold.
  ne e deluer of e felde ne vndirstanden nat at e
  golde sholde han be founde. but as I seide.

    [Sidenote: But it happened by the concurrence of these two causes
    that the one did dig where the other had hidden the money.]

          it bytidde                                                4360
  {and} ran to-gidre at he dalf ere as at oer hadde hidd
  e golde.

    [Sidenote: Chance, then, is an unexpected event, by a concurrence
    of causes, following an action designed for a particular purpose.]

          Now may I us diffinissen hap{pe}.  Hap{pe}
  is an vnwar bytydyng of causes assembled in inges at
  ben don for som oer inge. but ilke ordre p{ro}cedynge          4364
  by an vneschewable byndynge to-gidre.

    [Sidenote: This concurrence of causes proceeds from that order
    which flows from the fountain of Providence and disposes all
    things as to place and time.]

          whiche at
  descende fro e wel of purueaunce at ordeine alle
  inges i{n} hir{e} places {and} in hire tymes make at e
  causes rennen {and} assemblen to-gidre.                           4368

    [Linenotes:
    4318 _fore_--forth
    4322 _worde_--word
    4323 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte
    4324 _left_--lefte
    4325 _streyni_--constreynyth
    4326 _soe_--soth
         _no inge_--nothing
         _ha_--MS. hae
    4327 [_the_]--from C.
    4330 _gynner_--bygynner{e}
    4331 [_the_]--from C.
    4332 _[gh]if_--MS. [gh]it, C. yif
         _inge_--thing
    4335 _at----ben_--{a}t hap be
         _ha_--MS. hae
         _swiche_--swych
    4338 _happe_--hap
    4339 _hidd_--MS. hidde, C. hidd
    4340 _whiche_--which
    4342 _ney[gh]e_--nehg
         _whiche_--which
    4343 _don_--MS. done, C. don
    4344 _inge_--thing
    4345 _som[e]_--some
    4346 _happe_--hap
    4347 _of_ (1)--to
         _fond_--MS. fonde, C. fownde
    4348 _golde_--gold
         _fallen_--byfalle
    4349 _for_ (2)--of
    4350 _ha_--MS. hae
         _hys_--hise
    4351 _happe_--hap
    4352 _tilier_--tylyer{e}
         _delue_--dolue
    4353 _hider_--hyder{e}
         _golde_--gold
         _hidd_--MS. hidde
    4353-4 _golde_--gold
    4354 _had[de]_--hadde
    4355 _fortune_--fortuit
         _whiche_--which
    4356 _fortune_--fortuit
         _come_--comth
    4357 _flowyng_--MS. folwyng, C. flowynge
         _selfe_--self
    4358 _doer_--doer{e}
         _hider_--hider{e}
    4359 _deluer_--deluer{e}
         _felde_--feeld
         _vndirstanden_--vndirstoden
    4360 _golde_--gold
    4361 _hidd_--MS. hidde, C. hyd
    4362 _happe_ (_both_)--hap
    4365 _whiche_--which
    4366 _descende_--MS. defende, C. descendith
         _wel_--welle]


RUPIS ACHEMENIE.

  [Sidenote: [The fyrste Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: Where the flying Parthian doth pierce his pursuers with
    his shafts, there from the Achemenian heights flow the Tigris and
    Euphrates, but soon their streams divide and flow into separate
    channels.]

  ++TIgris [{and}] eufrates resoluen {and} spryngen of a welle in
  e kragges of e roche of e contre of achemenye er{e}
  as e fleenge [batayle] ficchi hire dartes reto{ur}nid in
  e brestes of hem at folwen hem.  And sone aftre                4372
  e same ryueres tigris {and} eufrates vnioygne{n} {and} dep{ar}ten
  hir{e} watres.                                              [[pg 152]]

    [Sidenote: But should they unite again, in the impetuous stream,
    boats, ships, and trees would be all intermingled, whirled about;
    and blind Chance seems to direct the current's course.]

          and yif ei comen to-gidre {and} ben
  assembled {and} clepid to-gidre in to o cours. an moten
  ilke inges fletyn to-gidre whiche at e water of e            4376
  entrechau{n}gyng flode bry{n}ge e shippes {and} e stokkes
  araced wi e flood moten assemble. {and} e watres
  ymedlyd wrappi or implie many fortunel happes or
  maneres.

    [Sidenote: But the sloping earth, the laws of fluids, govern these
    things.]

          e whiche wandryng happes naeles ilke enclinyng         4380
  lowenes of e ere. {and} e flowynge ordre of
  e slidyng water gouerni.

    [Sidenote: So though Chance seems to wander unrestrained, it is
    nevertheless curbed and restrained by Divine Providence.]

           Ry[gh]t so fortune at
  seme as [at] it fleti wi slaked or vngouerned[e]
  bridles. It suffri bridles at is to seyn to ben gouerned        4384
  {and} passe by ilke lawe. at is to sein by e deuyne
  ordinaunce.

    [Linenotes:
    4369 [_and_]--from C.
         _a_--oo
    4371 [_batayle_]--from C.
    4373 _e_--tho
    4374 _to-gidre_--to-gyderes
    4376 _whiche_--which
    4377 _flode_--flod
    4378 _assemble_--assemblyn
    4380 _enclinyng_--declynynge
    4381 _lowenes_--lownesse
    4383 [_at_]--from C.
         _vngouerned[e]_--vngou{er}nede
    4385 _e_--thilke]


    [Headnote:
    ON FREE WILL.]

A{N}I{M}ADUERTO INQ{UA}M.

  [Sidenote: [The .2^de. p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: _B._ Is there any _free-will_ in this chain of cohering
    causes?]

  ++is vndirstonde I wel q{uo}d I. {and} accorde wel at it
  is ry[gh]t as ou seist. but I axe yif er be any liberte         4388
  or fre wil in is ordre of causes at cliue{n} us to-gidre
  in hem self.

    [Sidenote: Or doth the _chain of destiny_ constrain the motions of
    the human mind?]

           or ellys I wolde witen yif at e
  destinal cheine co{n}streini e moeueuynge of e corages
  of me{n}.

    [Sidenote: _P._ There is a freedom of the will possessed by every
    rational being.]

          yis q{uo}d she er is liberte of fre wille. ne er        4392
  ne was neuer no nature of resou{n} at it ne hadde liberte
  of fre wille.

    [Sidenote: A rational being has judgment to judge of and discern
    everything.]

           For euery ing at may naturely vsen
  resou{n}. it ha doom by whiche it discerni {and} demi
  euery ing.

    [Sidenote: Of himself he knows what he is to avoid or to desire.
    He seeks what he judges desirable, and he shuns what he deems
    should be avoided.]

           an knowe it by it self inges at be{n}               4396
  to fleen. {and} inges at ben to desiren. {and} ilk ing
  at any wy[gh]t deme to ben desired {a}t axe or desire
  he {and} flee [thilke] ing at he troue ben to fleen.

    [Linenotes:
    4389 _or_--of
    4390 _hem_--hym
    4392 _yis_--MS. yif, C. yis
    4392-94 _wille_--wil
    4395 _whiche_--which
    4397 _ilk_--thilke
    4399 [_thilke_]--from C.]

    [Headnote:
    PROVIDENCE SEES ALL THINGS.]

    [Sidenote: A rational being possesses, then, the liberty of
    choosing and rejecting.]

   wher-fore in alle inges {a}t resou{n} is. i{n} hem also is    4400
  libertee of willyng {and} of nillynge.

    [Sidenote: This liberty is not equal in all beings.]

           But I ne ordeyne
  nat. as who sei. I ne graunte nat at is lib{er}tee be
  euene like in alle inges.

    [Sidenote: In heavenly substances, as spirits, &c., judgment is
    clear, and the will is incorruptible, and has a ready and
    efficacious power of doing things which are desired.]

          forwhi in e souereyns deuynes
  substau{n}ces.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 34 _b_.]]

          at is to *seyn in spirit[gh]  Iugement is               4404
  more clere {and} wil nat be corumped. {and} ha my[gh]t     [[pg 153]]
  redy to speden inges at ben desired.

    [Sidenote: The souls of men must needs be more free when employed
    in the contemplation of the Divine Mind, and less so when they
    enter into a body, and still less free when enclosed and confined
    in earthly members; but the most extreme servitude is when they
    are given over to vice and wholly fallen from their proper
    reason.]

           But e soules
  of men moten nedes ben more free whan ei loken hem
  in e speculac{i}ou{n} or lokynge of e deuyne ou[gh]t. {and}    4408
  lasse free whan ei sliden in to e bodies. {and} [gh]it lasse
  free whan ei ben gadred to-gidre {and} co{m}p{re}hendid in
  erely membris. but e last[e] seruage is whan at ei
  ben [gh]eue{n} to vices. {and} han yfalle fro e possessiou{n} of 4412
  hire p{ro}pre resou{n}

    [Sidenote: For at once they are enveloped by the cloud of
    ignorance and are troubled by pernicious desires, by yielding to
    which they aid and increase that slavery which they brought upon
    themselves, and thus even under the liberty proper to them, they
    remain captives.]

           For after at ei han cast aweye
  hir eyen fro e ly[gh]t of e souereyn soefastnesse to lowe
  inges {and} dirke  Anon ei dirken by e cloude of
  ignoraunce {and} ben troubled by felonous talent[gh]. to e       4416
  whiche talent[gh] whan ei app{ro}chen {and} assenten. ei
  hepen {and} encresen e seruage whiche ei han ioigned
  to hem self. and in is manere ei ben caitifs fro hire
  p{ro}pre libertee.

    [Sidenote: Yet the eye of Providence, beholding all things from
    eternity, sees all this and disposes according to their merit all
    things as they are predestinated.]

          e whiche inges naeles e lokynge of                    4420
  e deuyne purueaunce see {a}t alle inges byholde
  {and} see fro et{er}ne. and ordeyne hem eueryche i{n} her
  merites. as ei ben p{ro}destinat.

    [Sidenote: He, as Homer says of the sun, _sees and hears all
    things_.]

          {and} it is seid in grek.
  at alle inges he see {and} alle inges he here.               4424

    [Linenotes:
    4405 _ha_--MS. hae
    4411 _last[e]_--laste
    4412 _fro_--from
    4415 _cloude_--clowdes
    4418 _whiche_--which
    4423 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd]


PURO CLARU{M} LUMINE.

  [Sidenote: [The .2^de. Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: The sweet-tongued Homer sings of the sun's pure light.
    Yet the sun's beams cannot pierce into the inner bowels of the
    earth, nor into the depths of the sea.]

  ++HOmer wi e hony moue. at is to seyn. homer
  wi e swete dites synge at e sonne is cleer by
  pure ly[gh]t. naeles [gh]it ne may it nat by e inferme ly[gh]t
  of hys bemes breke{n} or p{er}ce{n} e inwarde entrailes of       4428
  e ere. or ellys of e see.

    [Sidenote: But God, the world's maker, beholding from on high, has
    his vision impeded neither by earth nor cloud.]

           so ne see nat god makere
  of e grete worlde to hym at loke alle inges from on
  heye ne wistandi nat no inges by heuynesses of ere.
  ne e ny[gh]t ne wistonde nat to hy{m} by e blake              4432
  cloudes.

    [Sidenote: At a glance he sees all events, present, past, and
    future.]

           ilke god see i{n} o strook of ou[gh]t alle
  inges at ben or weren or schullen come.

    [Sidenote: God, then, that alone sees all things, may indeed be
    called the true Sun.]

           and ilke
  god for he loke {and} see alle inges al oon. ou maist   [[pg 154]]
  seyn at he is e verray sonne.                                   4436

    [Linenotes:
    4425 _moue_--Mowth
    4428 _percen_--MS. p{er}te{n}, C. p{er}cen
         _inwarde_--inward
    4430 _worlde_--world
         _on heye_--an hegh
    4431 _nat_--omitted
    4434 _schullen come_--shollen comyn
    4435 _al oon_--alone]


    [Headnote:
    GOD'S FOREKNOWLEDGE AND MAN'S FREE WILL.]

TAMEN EGO EN INQ{UA}M.

  [Sidenote: [The .3^de. p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: _B._ I am distracted by a more difficult doubt than
    ever.]

  ++An seide I now am I co{n}fou{n}ded by a more harde
  doute an I was. what doute is at q{uo}d she.
   For certys I coniecte now by whiche inges ou art
  troubled.

    [Sidenote: God's foreknowledge seems to me inconsistent with man's
    free-will.]

          It seme q{uo}d I to repugnen {and} to contrarien         4440
  gretly at god knowe byforn alle inges. {and}
  at er is any fredom of liberte.

    [Sidenote: For if God foresees all things, and cannot be deceived,
    then that which Providence hath foreseen must needs happen.]

          for yif so be at god
  loke alle inges byforn. ne god ne may nat ben
  desseiuid in no manere. an mot it nedes ben at alle             4444
  inges bytyden e whiche at e purueaunce of god ha
  sein byforn to comen.

    [Sidenote: If God from eternity doth foreknow not only the works,
    but the designs and wills of men, there can be no liberty of
    will--nor can there be any other action or will than that which a
    Divine and infallible Providence hath foreseen.]

           For whiche yif at god
  knowe by-forn nat oonly e werkes of men. but also
  hir conseils {and} hir willes. an ne shal er be no              4448
  liberte of arbitre. ne certys er ne may ben noon oer
  dede ne no wille but ilke whiche e deuyne purueaunce
  at ne may nat ben desseiued ha feled byforn

    [Sidenote: For if things fall out contrary to such foreseeing, and
    are wrested another way, the prescience of God in regard to
    futurity would not be sure and unerring--it would be nothing but
    an uncertain opinion of them: but I take it to be impious and
    unlawful to believe this of God.]

           For
  yif at ei my[gh]ten wryen awey in oer manere an ei          4452
  ben purueyed. an ne sholde er ben no stedfast p{re}science
  of inge to comen but raer an vncerteyn
  oppiniou{n}. e whiche inge to trowen on god I deme it
  felonie {and} vnleueful.

    [Sidenote: Nor do I approve of the reasoning made use of by some.
    For they say that a thing is not necessarily to happen because God
    hath foreseen it, but rather because it is to happen it cannot be
    hid from the divine Providence.]

           Ne I ne proeue nat ilk                                 4456
  same resou{n}. as who sei I ne allowe nat. or I ne p{re}ise
  nat ilke same resou{n} by whiche at som men wenen
  at ei mowen assoilen {and} vnknytten e knot of is
  questiou{n}.  For certys ei seyn {a}t ing nis nat to          4460
  come for at e purueaunce of god ha seyn it byforn{e}.
  at is to comen but raer e cont{ra}rie.  And at
  is is at for at e ing is to comen at erfore
  ne may it nat ben hyd fro e purueaunce of god.                   4464

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 35.]]

    [Sidenote: Now by this reason necessity appears to change sides.
    For it is not necessary that the things which are foreseen should
    happen, but it is necessary that the things which are to befall
    should be foreseen.]

  *{and} in is manere is necessite slydi a[gh]ein in to e [[pg 155]]
  contrarie p{ar}tie. ne it ne byhoue [nat] nedes at inges
  bytiden at ben ypurueid. [but it by-houeth nedes /
  {a}t thinges {a}t ben to comyn ben yporueyid] but as it         4468
  were yt{ra}uailed.

    [Sidenote: As if the question was, which was the cause of the
    other--_prescience_ the cause of the necessity of future events,
    or the _necessity_ the cause of the prescience of future events?]

          as who sei. at ilke answere p{ro}cedi
  ry[gh]t as ou[gh] men trauailden or weren bysy to
  enqueren e whiche ing is cause of whiche inges. as
  wheer e p{re}science is cause of e necessite of inges to      4472
  comen. or ellys at e necessite of i{n}ges to comen is
  cause of e purueau{n}ce.

    [Sidenote: But I will prove that, however the order of causes may
    stand, the event of things foreseen is necessary, although
    prescience doth not seem to impose a necessity upon future things
    to fall out.]

           But I ne enforce me nat now
  to shewe{n} it at e bytidyng of inges y-wist byforn is
  necessarie. how so or in what manere at e ordre of              4476
  causes ha it self. al ou[gh] at it ne seme nat at e
  p{re}science brynge in necessite of bytydynge of inges
  to comen.

    [Sidenote: For if a man sit--the belief in the sitting is true;
    and, on the other hand, if the opinion is true of his sitting, he
    must needs sit.]

           For certys yif at any wy[gh]t sitte it byhoue
  by necessite at e oppiniou{n} be soe of hym                    4480
  {a}t coniecti at he sitte. and a[gh]einward. al so is it of
  e contrarie. yif e oppiniou{n} be soe of any wy[gh]t for
  at he sitte it byhoue by necessite at he sitte

    [Sidenote: In both cases there is a necessity--in the latter that
    the person sits--in the former, that the opinion concerning the
    other is true.]

           an
  is here necessite in at oon {and} in {a}t oer. for in at      4484
  oon is necessite of sittynge.

    [Sidenote: But the man does not sit because the opinion of his
    sitting is true, but the opinion is true because the action of his
    being seated was antecedent in time.]

          {and} certys in at oer is
  necessite of soe but erfore ne sitte nat a wy[gh]t for at
  e oppiniou{n} of sittyng is soe. but e oppiniou{n} is
  raer soe for at a wy[gh]t sitte by-forn.

    [Sidenote: So that although the cause of truth arises from the
    sitting, there is a common necessity in both.]

          and us al                                                4488
  ou[gh] {a}t e cause of soe come of [e] syttyng. and
  nat of e trewe oppiniou{n}. Algates [gh]itte is er comune
  necessite in at oon {and} in at oer.

    [Sidenote: Thus may we reason concerning Providence and future
    events.]

           us shewe it
  {a}t I may make semblable skils of e p{ur}ueau{n}ce of god      4492
  {and} of inges to come.

    [Sidenote: For allowing things are foreseen because they are to
    happen, and that they do not befall because they are foreseen, it
    is necessary that future events should be foreseen of God, or if
    foreseen that they should happen; and this alone is sufficient to
    destroy all idea of _free-will_.]

           For al ou[gh] for at at inges
  ben to comen. er-fore ben ei p{ur}ueid. nat certys for
  ei ben p{ur}ueid. er-fore ne bytide ei nat. [gh]it naeles
  byhoue it by necessite at eier e inges to comen              4496
  ben yp{ur}ueied of god. or ellys at e inges at ben
  p{ur}ueied of god bitiden [.s.] by necessite.  And is     [[pg 156]]
  ing oonly suffise I-nou[gh] to distroien e fredome of
  oure arbitre. at is to seyn of oure fre wille

    [Sidenote: But it is preposterous to make the happening of
    temporal things the cause of eternal prescience, which we do in
    imagining that God foresees future events because they are to
    happen.]

           But now                                                 4500
  [certes] shewe it wel how fer fro e soe {and} how vp
  so dou{n} is is ing at we seyn at e bytidinge of
  temp{or}el inges is e cause of e eterne p{re}science.
   But forto wenen at god p{ur}uei [the] inges to comen.        4504
  for ei ben to comen. what oer ing is it but forto
  wene at ilke inges at bitiden som tyme ben causes
  of ilke souereyne p{ur}ueaunce at is i{n} god.

    [Sidenote: And, moreover, when I know that anything exists, it is
    necessary for my belief that it should be.]

           And
  her-to I adde [gh]itte is ing at ry[gh]t as whan at I woot    4508
  at o ing is it byhoue by necessite at ilke self ing be.

    [Sidenote: So also when I know that an event shall come to pass,
    it must needs happen.]

  {and} eke at whan I haue knowe at any i{n}ge shal
  bitiden so byhoue it by necessite {a}t ilk[e] same
  ing bytide.

    [Sidenote: The event, therefore, of a thing foreseen must befall.]

          so folwe it an at e bytydynge of e                   4512
  inge Iwist by-forn ne may nat ben eschewed.

    [Sidenote: Lastly, if a person judge a thing to be different to
    what it is--this is not knowledge, but a false opinion of it, and
    far from the true knowledge.]

           And
  at e last[e] yif at any wy[gh]t wene a ing to ben oer
  weyes an it is. it nys nat oonly vnscience. but it is deceiuable
  oppiniou{n} ful diuerse {and} fer fro e soe of                  4516
  science.

    [Linenotes:
    4437 _harde_--hard
    4445 _ha_--MS. ha{e}
    4446 _whiche_--which
    4450 _wille_--wil
         _whiche_--which {a}t
    4451 _ha_--MS. hae
    4453 _stedfast_--stydefast
    4454-55 _inge_--thing
    4455 _on_--of
    4456 _ilk_--thilke
    4458 _whiche_--which
    4459 _knot_--knotte
    4461 _come_--comyn
         _ha_--MS. hae
    4464 _hyd_--MS. hydde, C. hidde
    4466 [_nat_]--from C.
    4467-8 [_but----yporueyid_]--from C.
    4471 _inges_--thing
    4477 _ha_--MS. hae
    4480-82 _soe_--soth
    4486 _soe_--sooth
    4487 _soe_--soth
    4488 _soe_--sooth
    4489 _soe come_--sooth comth
         [_e_]--from C.
    4490 _comune_--MS. comme, C. comune
    4493 _come_--comyn
    4494 _to_--omitted
    4494-95 _purueid_--MS. p{ur}ueide, C. p{ur}ueyid
    4498 [_.s._]--from C.
    4499 _fredome_--freedom
    4500 _wille_--wil
    4501 [_certes_]--from C.
    4504 _puruei_--MS. p{ur}ueie
         [_the_]--from C.
    4506 _bitiden_--bytydden
         _som tyme_--whilom
    4509 _o_--a
         _self_--selue
    4510 _inge_--thing
    4511 _ilk[e]_--thilke
    4513 _inge_--thing
    4514 _last[e]_--laste
    4515 _nys_--is]

    [Headnote:
    FREEDOM OF THE HUMAN WILL.]

    [Sidenote: If, therefore, a thing be so to happen that the event
    of it is neither necessary nor certain, how can any one foresee
    what is to happen?]

           wher-fore yif any ing be so to comen so at
  e bytydynge of it ne be nat certeyne ne necessarie.
   who may weten [byforn] {a}t ilke ing is to come.

    [Sidenote: For as pure knowledge has no element in it of
    falsehood, so what is comprehended by true knowledge cannot be
    otherwise than as comprehended.]

   For ry[gh]t as science ne may nat be medelyd wi falsnesse.     4520
  as who sei at yif I woot a ing. it ne may nat
  be fals at I ne woot it.  Ry[gh]t so ilk ing at
  is conceyued by science ne may [nat] ben noon
  o{er} weyes an [as] it is conceiued.

    [Sidenote: Hence it is that true knowledge cannot err, because
    everything must precisely be what true knowledge perceives it to
    be.]

          For at is e cause                                       4524
  whi at science wa{n}ti lesynge. as who sei. whi at
  witynge ne receyue nat lesynge of at it woot.  For
  it byhoue by necessite at euery i{n}ge [be] ry[gh]t as science
  co{m}p{re}hendi it to be.

    [Sidenote: What follows, then? How does God foreknow these
    uncertain contingencies?]

          what shal I an sein.  In                                4528
  whiche man{er}e knowe god byforn e inges to comen.
   yif ei ne be nat certeyne.                               [[pg 157]]

    [Sidenote: For if he thinks that a thing will inevitably happen,
    which possibly may not, he is deceived--but this is sheer
    blasphemy.]

           For yif at he deme
  at ei ben to comen vneschewably.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 35 _b_.]]

          {and} so may be at
  it is possible at ei ne shulle{n} *nat comen. god is            4532
  desseiued. but nat only to trowen at god is desseiued.
  but for to speke it wi moue it is a felonous sy{n}ne.

    [Sidenote: But if God discerns that just as things are to come
    they shall come; if he knows that they may or may not come, what
    sort of prescience is this, which comprehends nothing certain,
    nothing invariable?]

   But yif at god woot at ry[gh]t so as inges ben to
  comen. so shulle ei comen. so at he wit[e] egaly. as            4536
  who sei indifferently at inges mowen ben don or
  ellys nat don. what is ilke p{re}science at ne comp{re}hendi
  no certeyne inge ne stable.

    [Sidenote: Or how does divine prescience differ from human
    opinion, if He hath an uncertain judgment of things, whereof the
    events are uncertain and unfixed?]

          or ellys what difference
  is er bytwixe e p{re}science. {and} ilke iape-wori            4540
  dyuynynge of Tiresie e diuino{ur} at seide.  Al at
  I seie q{uo}d he eyer it shal be. or ellys it ne shal nat
  be. Or ellis how moche is wore e diuyne p{re}science
  more an e oppiniou{n} of mankynde yif so be at it              4544
  deme e inges vncerteyne as me{n} don. of e whiche
  domes of men e bytydynge nis nat certeyne.

    [Sidenote: But if there can be no uncertainty in his knowledge,
    who is the source of all certainty; the event of all things which
    he foreknows must be fixed and inevitable.]

           But
  yif so be {a}t noon vncerteyne inge may ben in hym
  at is ry[gh]t certeyne welle of alle inges. a{n} is e         4548
  bytydynge certeyne of ilke inges whiche he ha wist
  byforn fermely to come{n}.

    [Sidenote: Whence it follows that men have no freedom in their
    designs and actions; because the Divine Mind, endowed with an
    infallible foresight, constrains and binds them to a certain
    event.]

          For whiche it folwe at e
  fredom of e co{n}seils {and} of e werkes of mankynde nis
  non syn at e ou[gh]t of god see alle inges w{i}t{h} outen    4552
  erro{ur} of falsnesse bynde {and} co{n}streini hem to a
  bitidynge by necessite. and yif [this] i{n}g be on-is
  grau{n}tid {and} receyued. at is to seyn. at er nis no
  fre wille. an shewe it wel how gret distrucc{i}ou{n} {and}      4556
  how grete damages er folwen of inges of mankynde.

    [Linenotes:
    4518 _it_--hit
    4519 [_byforn_]--from C.
    4522 _fals_--false
    4523 [_nat_]--from C.
         _ben_--MS. by, C. ben
    4524 _an [as] it is_--MS. an it is be
    4527 [_be_]--from C.
    4529 _whiche_--which
    4534 _moue_--Mowth
    4536 _shulle_--shullyn
         _wit[e]_--wite
    4538 _don_--MS. done, C. y-doon
    4543 _moche_--mochel
         _wore_--worth
    4549 _ha_--MS. hae
    4550 _whiche_--which
    4551 _mankynde_--man-kynd
    4554 [_this_]--from C.
    4555 _grauntid_--ygraunted]

    [Headnote:
    FATE UNDER THE CONTROL OF PROVIDENCE.]

   For in ydel ben er an p{ur}posed and byhy[gh]t medes
  of goode folk. {and} peynes to badde folk. syn at no
  moeuynge of free corage uoluntarie ne ha nat deserued            4560
  hem. at is to seyn neier mede nor peyne.

    [Sidenote: Rewards and punishments now deemed just and equitable,
    will be considered most unjust, when, it is allowed, that mankind
    are not prompted by any will of their own, to either virtue or
    vice, but in all their actions are impelled by a fatal necessity.]

           And it
  sholde seme an at ilke inge is aler worste whiche
  at is nowe demed. for al{er} moste iuste {and} moste      [[pg 158]]
  ry[gh]tful. at is to seyn at shrewes ben punyssed. or           4564
  ellys {a}t good[e] folk ben ygerdoned. e whiche folk
  syn at e p{ro}pre wille [ne] sent hem nat to {a}t oon ne
  to at oer. at is to seyn. neer to good[e] ne to
  harme. but constreine hem certeyne necessite of inges           4568
  to comen.

    [Sidenote: Nor would there be such things as virtue or vice, but
    such a medley of the one and the other as would be productive of
    the greatest confusion.]

           anne ne sholle{n} er neuer ben ne neuer
  weren vice ne vertue. but it sholde raer ben co{n}fusiou{n}
  of alle desertes medlid wioute discresiou{n}.  And
  [gh]itte er folwe an oer i{n}co{n}uenient of e whiche er     4572
  ne may ben ou[gh]t ne more felonous ne more wikke.

    [Sidenote: And from this it will follow--that since all order
    comes of Divine Providence, and that there is no freedom of the
    human will, that also our vices must be referred to the author of
    all good--which is a most impious opinion.]

  {and} at is is at so as e ordre of inges is yledd {and}
  come of e purueaunce of god. ne at no ing nis
  leueful to e conseils of mankynde. as who sei at               4576
  men han no power to done no ing. ne wilne no ing.
  an folwe it at oure vices ben refferred to e mak[er]e
  of alle good. as who sei an folwe it. at god au[gh]t[e]
  han e blame of oure vices. syn he co{n}streini by               4580
  necessite to don vices.

    [Sidenote: Then is it useless to hope for anything from God, or to
    pray to him.]

          an nis er no resou{n} to han
  hopen in god. ne forto p{re}ien to god.

    [Sidenote: For why should men do either, when all they can desire
    is irreversibly predestined?]

           For what
  sholde any wy[gh]t hopen to god. or whi sholde he p{re}ien
  to god. syn at e ordenaunce of destine whiche at ne            4584
  may nat ben enclined. knytte {and} streini alle inges
  at men may desire{n}.

    [Sidenote: Hope and prayer being thus ineffectual, all intercourse
    is cut off between God and man.]

           an sholde ere be don awey
  ilke oonly alliaunce bytwixen god {and} men. at is to
  seien to hopen {and} to p{re}ien.

    [Sidenote: By reverent and humble supplication we earn divine
    grace, a most inestimable favour, and are able to associate with
    the Deity, and to unite ourselves to the inaccessible light.]

          but by e p{re}is of ry[gh]tfulnesse                      4588
  {and} of veray mekenesse we deserue e gerdou{n}
  of e deuyne grace whiche at is inestimable. at is to
  sein at it is so grete at it ne may nat ben ful yp{re}ised.
  {and} is is oonly e manere. at is to seyen hope {and}          4592
  prayeres. for whiche it seme at [men] mowen speken
  wi god. {and} by resou{n} of supplicac{i}ou{n}
                  ben conioigned                              [[pg 159]]
  to ilk clernesse at nis nat app{ro}ched no raer or
  at men byseken it {and} emp{re}nten it.

    [Sidenote: If men believe that hope and prayer have no power
    because of the necessity of future events, by what other way can
    we be united, and hold fast to the sovereign Lord of all things?]

          And yif men                                               4596
  ne wene [nat] at [hope] ne p{re}iers ne han no strenges.
  by e necessite of inges to comen y-resceiued. what
  i{n}g is er an by whiche we mowen be co{n}ioygned
  {and} clyuen to ilke souereyne p{r}ince of inges.

    [Sidenote: Wherefore mankind must be dissevered and disunited from
    the source of its existence, and shrink from its beginning.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 36.]]

           For                                                     4600
  whiche it byhoue by necessite at e lynage of mankynde
  as *ou songe a litel here byforne ben dep{ar}ted
  {and} vnioyned from hys welle {and} faylen of hys bygynnynge.
  at is to seien god.                                              4604

    [Linenotes:
    4558 _medes of_--Meedes to
    4560 _ha_--MS. hae
    4562 _aler worste whiche_--alderworst which
    4563 _nowe_--MS. newe, C. now
         _aler moste iuste_--alder moost Iust
         _moste_--most
    4565-67 _good[e]_--goode
    4566 _wille_--wil
         [_ne_]--from C.
    4571 _wioute_--w{i}t{h}-owten
    4573 _ou[gh]t_--thoght
    4574 _yledd_--MS. yledde, C. yled
    4575 _come_--comth
    4577 _done_--doon
    4578 _mak[er]e_--maker{e}
    4579 _au[gh]t[e]_--owhte
    4584 _whiche_--which
    4588 _preis_--prys
         _ry[gh]tfulnesse_--Rihtwessenesse
    4589 _deserue_--desseruyn
    4590 _deuyne_--MS. deuynes, C. dyuyne
    4590-93 _whiche_--which
    4591 _grete_--gret
    4593 [_men_]--from C.
         _speken_--speke
    4595 _ilk_--thilke
    4596 _emprenten_--impetrent
    4597 [_nat_]--from C.
         [_hope_]--from C.
    4601 _whiche_--which
    4602 _byforne_--by-forn]


    [Headnote:
    THE UNKNOWN CANNOT BE DESIRED.]

QUE NAM DISCORS

  [Sidenote: [The .3^de. Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: Say what discordant cause looses the bonds of things?]

  ++What discordable cause ha to-rent {and} vnioigned e
  byndyng or e alliaunce of inges. at is to seyne
  e coniuncc{i}ou{n} of god {and} of man.

    [Sidenote: What power doth make these two great truths (_i.e._
    Providence and Free-will) contend, which when separate are plain
    and clear, but united appear dark and perplexed?]

           whiche god
  ha establissed so grete bataile bitwixe{n} ise two soefast     4608
  or verray inges. at is to sein bytwixen e p{ur}ueaunce
  of god {and} fre wille. at ei ben synguler {and}
  diuided. ne at ei ne wolen nat ben medeled ne
  coupled to-gidre. but er nis no discorde to [tho] verray         4612
  inges. but ei cleuen certeyne al wey to hem self.

    [Sidenote: The mind of man encumbered by the earthly body, can
    never, with her cloudy sight, discover the subtle and close bonds
    of things.]

  but e ou[gh]t of man co{n}founded {and} ouerrowen by e dirke
  membris of e body ne may nat by fir of his dirk[ed]
  lokynge. at is to seyn by e vigo{ur} of hys insy[gh]t while     4616
  e soule is in e body knowen e inne subtil knyttynges
  of inges.

    [Sidenote: But why does man burn with ardour to learn the hidden
    notes of truth?]

           But wherfore eschaufi it so by so
  grete loue to fynden ilke note[s] of soe y-cou{er}ed. (_glosa_)
  at is to sein wherfore eschaufi e ou[gh]t of man by so        4620
  grete desir to knowen ilke notificac{i}ou{n}s at ben yhidd
  vndir e couerto{ur}s of soe.

    [Sidenote: Why gropes he for he knows not what? None seek to know
    what is known.]

          woot it ou[gh]t ilke inges
  at it anguissous desire to knowe. as who sei nay.        [[pg 160]]
   For no man ne trauaile forto witen inges at he woot.         4624
  {and} erfore e texte sei us.  [_Glosa_] Si eni{m} a{n}i{m}a
  ignorat istas subtiles co{n}nexiones. r{espo}nde. vn{de} est
  q{uo}d desiderat scire cu{m} nil ignotu{m} possit desiderare.
   But who traua[i]le to wyten inges y-knowe.

    [Sidenote: If he knows them not, what does he so blindly seek?]

          and yif                                                   4628
  at he ne knowe hem nat. what seki ilke blynde
  ou[gh]t.

    [Sidenote: Who wishes for things he hath never known?]

          what is he at desire any inge of whiche he
  woot ry[gh]t nat. as who sei who so desiri any ing
  nedis som what he knowe of it. or ellys he ne coue              4632
  nat desire it. or who may folwen inges at ne ben nat
  ywist

    [Sidenote: Or if he seek, where shall he find them? Or if he find,
    how shall he be sure that he has found what he sought for?]

           and ou[gh] [{a}t] he seke o inges where shal
  he fynde{n} hem. what wy[gh]t at is al vnknowynge {and}
  ignoraunt may knowe e forme at is yfounde.

    [Sidenote: The pure soul that sees the divine thought, knows all
    the secret chains of things.]

           But                                                     4636
  whan e soule byholde {and} see e heye ou[gh]t. at is
  to seyn god. an knowe it to-gidre e so{m}me {and} e
  singularites. at is to seyn e p{r}inciples {and} eueryche
  by hym self.

    [Sidenote: Yet, though now hidden in its fleshly members, it hath
    some remembrance of its pure state--it retains the sums of things,
    but has lost their particulars.]

           But now while e soule is hidd in e                    4640
  cloude {and} in e derknesse of e membris of e body.
  it ne ha nat al for[gh]eten it selfe. but it wiholde e
  so{m}me of inges {and} lesi e singularites.

    [Sidenote: He who seeks truth is not in either circumstance
    (_i.e._ seeking for what he knows or knows not), he knoweth not
    all things, nor hath he wholly forgotten all.]

          an who so
  at seke soenesse. he nis in nei{er} nouir habit. for         4644
  he not nat alle ne he ne ha nat alle for-[gh]eten.

    [Sidenote: But he ponders on what he knows, that he may add those
    things that he hath forgotten to those that he retains.]

           But
  [gh]itte hym remembri e so{m}me of inges at he wiholde
  {and} axe cou{n}seil {and} treti depelyche i{n}ges
  ysein byforne. [_Glosa_] at is to sein e grete so{m}me in       4648
  hys mynde. [_textus_] so at he mowe adden e p{ar}ties
  at he ha for[gh]eten. to ilke at he ha wiholden.

    [Linenotes:
    4605 _ha_--MS. hae
    4606 _seyne_--seyn
    4607 _whiche_--which
    4608 _ha_--MS. hae
         _grete_--gret
         _soefast_--soothfast
    4610 _wille_--wil
    4612 _discorde_--discord
         [_tho_]--from C.
    4613 _cleuen_--clyuen
    4615 _dirk[ed]_--derkyd
    4616 _while_--whil
    4617 _knowen_--knowe
    4619-21 _grete_--gret
         _note[s]_--notes
    4619 _soe_--soth
    4621 _yhidd_--MS. yhidde, C. Ihyd
    4622 _soe_--sooth
         _inges_--thing
    4625 [_Glosa_]--from C.
    4630 _inge_--thing
         _whiche_--which
    4631 _woot_--not
         _nat_--nawht
    4632 _coue_--kowde
    4634 [_at_]--from C.
         _where_--wher
    4635 _what_--MS. at, C. what
         _vnknowynge_--vnkunnynge
    4639 _eueryche_--eu{er}ych
    4640 _while_--whil
         _e_--MS. e e
         _hidd_--MS. hidde, C. hidde
    4641 _derknesse_--derkenesse
    4642 _ha_--MS. hae
         _selfe_--self
    4644 _nouir habit_--nother habite
    4645 _alle_ (_both_)--al
         _ha_--MS. hae
    4648 [_Glosa_]--from C.
    4649 [_textus_]--from C.
    4650 _ha_ (_both_)--MS. hae]


                                                              [[pg 161]]
    [Headnote:
    ANSWERS TO OBJECTIONS AGAINST PROVIDENCE.]

TAMEN ILLA UETUS INQ{U}IT HEC EST.

  [Sidenote: [The 4^the p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: _P._ This is the old objection against Providence, so
    ably handled by Cicero in his _Book of Divination_; and you
    yourself have anxiously discussed it.]

  ++anne seide she. is is q{uo}d she e olde questiou{n} of
  e p{ur}ueaunce of god. {and} marcus tulius whan he               4652
  deuided[e] e deuinac{i}ou{n}s. at is to sein in hys booke
  at he wroot of deuinac{i}ou{n}s. he moeued[e] gretly is
  questiou{n}. {and} ou i self hast sou[gh]t it mochel {and}
  outerly {and} lo{n}g[e].

    [Sidenote: But neither of you have offered a satisfactory solution
    of the difficulty.]

          but [gh]it ne ha it nat ben determined                   4656
  ne yspedd fermely {and} diligently of any of yow.

    [Sidenote: The cause of this mystery is that the human
    understanding cannot conceive the simplicity of the divine
    prescience, for if it were possible to comprehend this, every
    difficulty would at once disappear.]

   And e cause of is derkenesse {and} [of this] difficulte
  is for at e moeuynge of e resou{n} of mankynde ne
  may nat moeue{n} to. at is to sein applien or ioygnen to         4660
  e simplicite of e deuyne p{re}science.  e whiche
  symplicite of e deuyne p{re}science [gh]if at men [myhten
  thinken it in any maner{e} / {a}t is to seyn /
          {a}t yif men] my[gh]te
  inken {and} co{m}p{re}henden e inges as god see hem.          4664
  an ne sholde er dwellen outerly no doute.

    [Sidenote: I shall, therefore, try to explain and solve this
    difficult question.]

          e whiche
  resou{n} {and} cause of difficulte I shal assaie at e laste
  to shewen {and} to speden.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 36 _b_.]]

           whan I haue *firste
  [yspendyd / {and}] ansewered to o resou{n}s by whiche {o}u      4668
  art ymoeued.

    [Sidenote: I ask, then, why you do not approve the reasoning of
    such as think--that Prescience does not obstruct the liberty of
    the will, because it is not the necessitating cause of future
    events?]

           For I axe whi {o}u wenest at ilk[e]
  resou{n}s of hem at assoilen is questiou{n} ne ben nat
  spedeful ynou[gh] ne sufficient e whiche soluc{i}ou{n} or e
  whiche resou{n} for at it demi at e p{re}science nis nat      4672
  cause of necessite to inges to comen. an ne wene it
  nat at fredom of wille be distourbed or ylett by p{re}science.

    [Linenotes:
    4653 _deuided[e]_--deuynede
         _booke_--book
    4654 _moeued[e]_--moeuede
    4655 _sou[gh]t_--I-sowht
    4656 _long[e]_--longe
         _ha_--MS. hae
    4657 _yspedd_--MS. yspedde, C. Isped
         _fermely_--MS. feruently, C. fermely
    4658 _derkenesse_--dirknesse
         [_of this_]--from C.
    4662-3 [_myhten----men_]--from C.
    4663 _my[gh]te_--myhten
    4667 _firste_--fyrst
    4668 [_yspendyd and_]--from C.
         _o_--the
         _whiche_--which
    4669 _art_--MS. arte
         _ilk[e]_--thilke
    4671 _spedeful_--spedful
    4672 _whiche_--which
    4674 _wille_--wyl]

    [Headnote:
    NECESSITY AND PRESCIENCE.]

    [Sidenote: Do you draw an argument of the necessity of future
    events, from any other topic than this,--that those things which
    are foreknown must of necessity happen?]

  for ne drawest ou nat argumentes from ellys
  where of e necessite of inges to comen. As who sei             4676
  any oer wey an us. but at ilke inge[s] at e p{re}scie{n}ce
  woot byforn [ne] mowen nat vnbitide. at is to
  seyn at ei moten bitide.

    [Sidenote: If divine prescience imposes no necessity upon future
    things, must not the issue of things be voluntary, and man's will
    free and unconstrained?]

           But an yif at p{re}science
  ne putte no necessite to inges to comen. as ou i self         4680
  hast confessed it {and} byknowen a litel herbyforn{e}.
                  what                                      [[pg 162]]
  cause [or what] is it. as who sei ere may no cause be.
  by whiche at e endes (exitus) uoluntarie of inges
  my[gh]ten be constreyned to certeyne bitydyng.

    [Sidenote: For argument sake let us suppose there is no
    prescience, would, then, the events which proceed from free-will
    alone be under the power of necessity?]

           For                                                     4684
  by grace of possessiou{n}. so at ou mowe e better vndirstonde
  is at folwe.  I pose (inpossibile) at
  er ne be no p{re}science. an axe I q{uo}d she in as
  moche as app{er}teni to at. sholde an inges at               4688
  comen of frewille ben constreined to bytiden by
  necessite.

    [Sidenote: _B._ No.]

          {Boici}us. nay q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ Let us, then, admit Prescience, but that it
    imposes no necessity on what is to happen; the freedom of the will
    would still remain entire and absolute.]

          an a[gh]einward q{uo}d
  she. I suppose at ere be p{re}science but at ne putte
  no necessite to inges. an trowe I at ilk self fredom          4692
  of wille shal dwelle{n} al hool {and} absolut {and} vnbounden.

    [Sidenote: But although Prescience, you may say, is not the
    necessary cause of future events, yet it is a sign that they shall
    necessarily happen, and hence it follows that, although there were
    no prescience, future events would still be an inevitable
    necessity.]

  but ou wolt sein at al be it so at p{re}science
  nis nat cause of e necessite of bitidynge to inges to
  comen.  Algates [gh]itte it is a signe {a}t e inges ben       4696
  to bytiden by necessite. by is manere an al ou[gh] e
  p{re}science ne hadde neuer yben. [gh]it algate or at e
  lest[e] wey. it is certeyne ing at e e{n}dys {and} e
  bitydynges of inges to come{n} sholde ben necessarie.            4700

    [Sidenote: For the sign of a thing is not really the thing itself,
    but only points out what the individual is.]

   For euery sygne shewe {and} signifie oonly what e
  ing is  but it ne maki nat e ing at it signifie.

    [Sidenote: Wherefore, it must be first proved that everything
    happens by necessity before we can conclude that prescience is a
    sign of that necessity.]

   For whiche it byhoue firste to shewen at no ing
  ne bitidi [{a}t it ne bytydith] by necessite. so at it         4704
  may apere {a}t e p{re}scie{n}ce is signe of is necessite

    [Sidenote: For if there be no necessity, prescience cannot be the
    sign of that which has no existence.]

   or ellys yif ere nere no necessite. certys ilke p{re}science
  ne my[gh]t[e] nat ben signe of inge at nis nat.

    [Linenotes:
    4677 _inge[s]_--thinges
    4683 _whiche_--which
    4685 _better_--beter{e}
    4688 _moche_--mochel
    4689 _frewille_--free wyl
    4691 _at ne_--at is ne
    4692 _at_--MS. an
         _ilk self_--thilke selue
    4693 _wille_--wil
    4699 _lest[e]_--leeste
    4700 _sholde_--sholden
    4703 _whiche_--which
         _firste_--fyrst
    4704 [_at----bytydith_]--from C.
    4707 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte
         _inge_--thing]

    [Headnote:
    NOT ALL THINGS CONTROLLED BY NECESSITY.]

    [Sidenote: The assertion that nothing happens but by necessity,
    must be proved by arguments drawn from causes connected and
    agreeing with this necessity, and not from signs or foreign
    causes.]

   But certys it is nowe certeyne at e preue of is              4708
  susteni by stedfast resou{n} ne shal nat ben ladd ne
  p{ro}ued by signes ne by argumentys ytaken fro wi oute.
  but by causes couenable {and} necessarie  But ou
  mayst sein how may it be at e inges ne bitiden nat             4712
  at ben ypurueyed to comen. but certys ry[gh]t as we        [[pg 163]]
  trowen at o inges whiche at e p{ur}ueau{n}ce woot byforn
  to comen. ne ben nat to bitiden. but [{a}t] ne sholde
  we nat demen. but raer al ou[gh] [at] ei schal bitiden.       4716
  [gh]it ne haue ei no necessite of hire kynde to bitiden.
  {and} is maist ou ly[gh]tly ap{er}ceyue{n} by is at I shal
  seyn.

    [Sidenote: We see many things when they are done before our eyes;
    such as a charioteer driving his chariot, and other things of like
    nature.]

          but we seen many inges whan ei ben don byforn
  oure eyen ry[gh]t as men seen e karter worken in e              4720
  to{ur}nynge {and} in attempryng or in adressy{n}g of hys
  kartes or chariottes.  and by is manere as who sei
  mayst ou vnd{er}sto{n}de of alle manere oir werkeme{n}.

    [Sidenote: Now, is there any necessity which compels these things
    to be done?]

   Is ere anne any necessite as who sei in oure lokynge         4724
  [{a}t] constreine or compelli any of ilke inges
  to ben don so.

    [Sidenote: _B._ No. For if all things were moved by
    compulsion--the efforts of art would be vain and fruitless.]

          b. nay q{uo}d I  For in ydel {and} in
  veyne were alle e effect of crafte yif at alle inges
  weren moeued by constreynynge. at is to seyn by constreynynge    4728
  of oure eyen or of oure sy[gh]t.

    [Sidenote: _P._ The things, then, which are done are under no
    necessity that they should be done; then first before they were
    done, they were under no necessity of coming to pass; wherefore
    some things happen, the event of which is unconstrained by
    necessity.]

          _P._ ise i{n}g{us}
  an q{uo}d she at whan men don hem ne han non
  necessite at men don hem. eke o same inges first or
  ei be don. ei ben to comen wi out necessite.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 37.]]

          for whi                                                   4732
  er ben so{m}me inges to bytide of whiche e endys
  {and} e bitidynges of hem ben absolut *{and} quit of alle
  necessite.

    [Sidenote: These things therefore, although foreknown, have free
    events: for as the knowledge of present things imposes no
    necessity upon things which are now done, so neither does the
    foreknowledge of futurities necessitate the things which are to
    come.]

          for certys I ne trowe nat at any man wolde seyn
  is. at o inges at men don now {a}t ei ne weren             4736
  to bitiden. first or ei were ydon  and ilk same
  inges al ou[gh] {a}t men hadde{n} ywyst hem by-forn.
  [gh]itte ei han fre bitidynges. for ry[gh]t as science of
  inges p{re}sent ne brynge in no necessite to inges             4740
  [{a}t men doon // Ryht so the p{re}science of thinges to
  comen ne bryngeth in no necessite to thinges] to bytiden

    [Sidenote: But you may doubt whether there can be any certain
    prescience of things, of which the event is not necessitated: for
    here there seems to be an evident contradiction.]

  but ou mayst seyn at of ilke same it is ydouted. as
  wheer at of ilke inges at ne han non endes {and}             4744
  bytidynges necessaryes yif er-of may ben any p{re}science

    [Linenotes:
    4708 _nowe_--now
    4709 _susteni_--ysustenyd
         _stedfast_--stydefast
         _ladd_--MS. ladde, C. lad
    4714 _whiche_--which
    4715 [_at_]--from C.
         _sholde_--sholden
    4716 _demen_--MS. denyen
         [_at_]--from C.
    4717 _necessite_--MS. necessites
    4721 _hys_--hise
    4725 [_at_]--from C.
    4727 _veyne_--veyn
         _alle_--al
         _crafte_--craft
    4729 _ise_--MS. ise ise, C. the
    4732 _wi out_--w{i}t{h}-owte
    4733 _bytide_--bytyden
         _whiche_--which
    4737 _were_--weeren
         _ydon_--MS. ydone, C. I-doon
         _ilk_--thilke
    4741-2 [_at----thinges_]--from C.
    4744 _endes_--issues]

                                                              [[pg 164]]
    [Headnote:
    THE NATURE OF TRUE KNOWLEDGE.]

    [Sidenote: If things are foreknown, you may contend they must
    necessarily happen; and if their event is not necessary, they
    cannot be foreseen, because true knowledge can comprehend nothing
    but what is absolutely certain.]

   For certys ei seme to discorde. for ou
  wenest at yif at inges ben yseyn byforn at necessite
  folwe hem. and yif ({et} putas) necessite faile hem ei ne      4748
  my[gh]ten nat ben wist byforn. {and} at no inge ne may
  ben comp{re}hendid by science but certeyne.

    [Sidenote: And if things uncertain in their events are foreseen as
    certain, this knowledge is nothing more than a false opinion.]

          {and} yif o
  inges at ne han no certeyne bytidynges ben ypurueied
  as certeyn.

    [Sidenote: For it is very remote from true knowledge to judge of
    things otherwise than they really are.]

          it sholde ben dirkenesse of oppiniou{n} nat               4752
  soefastnesse of science [{and} {o}u weenyst {a}t it be diu{er}se
  fro the hoolnesse of science / {a}t any man sholde deme
  a thing to ben oother weys thanne it is it self].

    [Sidenote: The cause of this error is that men imagine that their
    knowledge is wholly derived from the nature of the things known,
    whereas it is quite the reverse.]

          and e
  cause of is errour is. at of alle e inges at euery           4756
  wy[gh]t ha yknowe. ei wenen at o inges ben y-knowe
  al oonly by e strenge {and} by e nature of e inges
  at ben ywyst or yknowe. {and} it is al e contrarie. for
  alle at eu{er}e is yknowe.

    [Sidenote: Things are not known from their inherent properties,
    but by the faculties of the observer.]

          it is raer comp{re}hendid {and}                          4760
  yknowe{n} nat after his strenge {and} hys nature. but after
  e faculte at is to seyn e power {and} [the] nature of
  hem at knowen.

    [Sidenote: The roundness of a body affects the sight in one way,
    and the touch in another.]

          {and} for at is shal mowe shewen by
  a short ensample e same roundenes of a body .O. oer             4764
  weyes e sy[gh]t of e eye knowe it. {and} oer weyes e
  touchi{n}g.

    [Sidenote: The eye, from afar, darts its rays upon the object, and
    by beholding it comprehends its form.]

          e lokynge by castynge of his bemes waite
  {and} see fro afer alle e body to-gider wi oute mouynge
  of it self.

    [Sidenote: But the object is not distinguished by the touch unless
    the hand comes in contact with it and feels it all round.]

          but e touchinge cliui {and} conioigne to e            4768
  rounde body (orbi) {and} moue abouten e environynge.
  {and} comp{re}hendi by p{ar}ties e roundenesse.

    [Linenotes:
    4746 _seme_--semyn
         _discorde_--discorden
    4749 _at_--yif
    4753-5 [_and----self_]--from C.
    4757 _ha_--MS. hae
    4760 _alle_--al
    4763 _mowe_--mowen
    4764 _roundenes_--Rowndnesse
    4765 _sy[gh]t_--sihte
    4767 _alle_--al
    4769 _abouten_--abowte
    4770 _roundenesse_--Rowndnesse]

    [Headnote:
    SENSE, REASON, AND INTELLIGENCE.]

    [Sidenote: Man himself is surveyed in divers ways--by the senses,
    by the imagination, by reason, and by the intelligence (of the
    Deity).]

   and e man hym self oer weies wyt byholdi hym. {and}
  o{er}weyes ymaginac{i}ou{n} {and} oer weyes resou{n}. {and}     4772
  oer weyes intelligence.

    [Sidenote: The senses take note of his material figure--the
    imagination considers the form alone, exclusive of the matter.]

           For e wit co{m}p{re}he{n}di
  fro wi outen fure e figure of e body of e man. at
  is establissed in e matere subiect. But e ymaginac{i}ou{n}
  [comp{re}hendith only the figur{e} w{i}t{h} owte the mater{e} /   4776

    [Sidenote: Reason transcends the imaginations, and examining
    existences in general discovers the particular species, but the
    eye of Intelligence soars still higher; for, going beyond the
    bounds of what is general, it surveys the _simple forms_
    themselves, by its own pure and subtle thought:]

  Resou{n} surmou{n}teth ymaginaciou{n}]
                  {and} co{m}p{re}hende                      [[pg 165]]
  by an vniuersel lokynge e co{mmun}e spece (sp{eci}em)
  at is in e singuler peces.  But e eye of intelligence
  is hey[gh]er for it so{ur}mou{n}te e envirounynge of e         4780
  vniu{er}site {and} looke ouer at by pure subtilite of ou[gh]t.

    [Sidenote: in which this is chiefly to be considered, that the
    higher power of perception embraces the lower; but the inferior
    cannot attain to the energy of the superior:]

  ilk same symple forme of man at is p{er}durably in e
  deuyne ou[gh]t. in whiche is au[gh]t[e] gretely to ben considered
  at e heyest strenge to co{m}prehenden inges                   4784
  enbrace {and} conteyne e lower[e] strenge [but the
  lower{e} strengthe ne arysith nat in no maner{e} to heyer{e}
  strengthe].

    [Sidenote: for the senses cannot go beyond the perception of
    matter; the imagination cannot comprehend existences in general,
    nor can the reason conceive the simple form.]

          for wit ne may no inge co{m}p{re}hende oute of
  matere. ne e ymagynac{i}ou{n} ne loke nat e vniuerseles        4788
  speces. ne resou{n} ne take nat e symple forme. so as
  i{n}telligence take it.

    [Sidenote: But the Intelligence looking down (as from above) and
    having conceived the form, discerns all things that are below it,
    and comprehends what does not fall within the reach of the other
    faculties of the mind.]

          but e intelligence at loke al
  abouen whan it ha co{m}p{re}hendid e forme it knowe
  {and} deme alle e inges at be{n} vndir at forme. but         4792
  she knowe he{m} vndir ilke manere in e whiche it
  comp{re}hendi ilke same symple forme at ne may
  neuer be knowen to non of at oer. at is to seyn to
  non of o re forseide strenges of e soule.

    [Sidenote: Without the aid of those faculties Intelligence
    comprehends things _formally_ (_i.e._ by beholding their simple
    forms) by one effort of mind.]

          for it                                                    4796
  knowe e vniuersite of resou{n} {and} e figure of
                  e ymaginac{i}ou{n}.
  {and} e sensible mat{er}ial conseiued. {and} ou
  wenest {a}t it be diuerse fro e hoolnesse of science. at
  any man sholde deme a ing to ben o{er}weyes an it is           4800
  it self {and} e cause of is erro{ur} {et}c'. {vt sup}ra. by wit.

    [Sidenote: Reason, without the aid of Imagination and Sense, in
    considering things in general, comprehends all imaginable and
    sensible things.]

  ne it ne vse nat nor of resou{n} ne of ymaginac{i}ou{n} ne
  of wit wi oute fore but it byholde alle inges so as I
  shal seye. by a strok of ou[gh]t formely wi oute disco{ur}s     4804
  or collac{i}ou{n}  Certys resou{n} whan it loke any ing
  vniu{er}sel it ne vse nat of ymaginac{i}ou{n} nor of wit {and}
  algates [gh]it [it] co{m}prendi e inges ymaginable {and}
  sensible.

    [Sidenote: For instance, reason defines her general conceptions
    thus:--]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 37 _b_.]]

          for resou{n} is she at *diffinisse e vniuersel         4808
  of hir conseite ry[gh]t us.                                [[pg 166]]

    [Sidenote: Man is a rational two-footed animal, which, though it
    be a general idea, yet every one knows that man thus defined is
    perceived both by the imagination and the senses, notwithstanding
    that in this instance reason does not make use of imagination or
    the senses, but of her own rational conception.]

           Man is a resonable t[w]o-footid
  beest. and how so at is knowynge [is] vniuersel.
  [gh]it nys er no wy[gh]t at ne woot wel. at a ma{n} is [a thing]
  ymaginable {and} sensible  and is same co{n}sidere wel         4812
  resou{n}. but at nis nat by ymaginac{i}ou{n}. nor by witte.
  but it loki it by [a] resonable concepc{i}ou{n}.

    [Sidenote: The imagination also, although it derives its power of
    seeing and forming figures from the senses, yet in the absence and
    without the use of the senses it considers and comprehends all
    sensible things by its own imaginative power.]

           Also ymaginac{i}ou{n}
  al be it so. at it take of wit e bygyny{n}g{us}
  to seen {and} to formen e figures. algates al ou[gh] at wit    4816
  ne ware not p{re}sent. [gh]it it envirouni {and} co{m}p{re}hendi
  alle inges sensible. nat by resou{n} sensible of demynge.
  but by resou{n} ymaginatif.

    [Sidenote: Do not you see that men attain to the knowledge of
    things more by their own faculties, than by the inherent property
    of things?]

           sest ou nat an at alle
  e inges in knowynge vsen more of hir faculte or of hir          4820
  power. an ei don of [the] faculte or of power of inges
  at ben yknowen.

    [Sidenote: Nor is it unreasonable that it should be so--for since
    every judgment is the act of the person judging; every one must
    needs do his own work by the help of his own faculties, and not by
    the aid of foreign power.]

          ne at nis no wronge. for so as euery
  iugement is e dede or e doynge of hym at deme. It             4823
  byhoue at euery wy[gh]t p{er}forme e werke {and} hys entenc{i}ou{n}
  nat of forein power[;] but of hys propre power.

    [Linenotes:
    4774 _fro wi outen fure_--w{i}t{h} owte forth
    4776-7 [_comprehendith----ymaginacioun_]--from C.
    4777 _comprehende_--MS. co{m}p{re}hendynge
    4778 _an_--omitted
    4780 _hey[gh]er_--heyer{e}
    4783 _whiche_--which
         _au[gh]t[e]_--owhte
    4784 _heyest_--heyiste
    4785 _lower[e]_--lower{e}
    4785-7 [_but----strengthe_]--from C.
    4787 _wit_--witte
         _oute_--owt
    4791 _ha_--MS. hae
    4793 _whiche_--which
    4795-6 _non_--none
    4796 _strenges_--thinges
    4798-4801 _and ou----vt supra_--omitted
    4805 _collacioun_--MS. callac{i}ou{n}, C. collaciou{n}
    4806 _wit_--witte
    4810 [_is_]--from C.
    4813 _witte_--wit
    4821 _don_--MS. done, C. doon
         [_the_]--from C.
    4822 _yknowen_--Iknowe]
         _no wronge_--nat wrong
    4824 _werke_--werk
    4825 _forein_--foreyne]


    [Headnote:
    HOW OUR KNOWLEDGE OF OUTWARD THINGS IS GAINED.]

QUONDAM PORTICUS ATTULIT.

  [Sidenote: [The 4^the Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: Fallacious and obscure was the lore of the Stoics,]

  ++E porche at is to sein a gate of e toune of athenis
  er as philosophres hadde hir congregac{i}ou{n} to dispoyten.
  {and} ilke porche brou[gh]t[e] so{m}tyme olde men ful            4828
  derke in hire sentences. {a}t is to sein philosophers at
  hy[gh]ten stoiciens.

    [Sidenote: who taught that images of things obvious to the senses
    were imprinted on the mind by external objects, and that the soul
    is at first like a mirror or a clean parchment, free from figures
    and letters.]

          at wenden at ymages [{and}] sensibilites
  at is to sein sensible ymaginac{i}ou{n}s. or ellys ymaginac{i}ou{n}
  of sensible inges were{n} i{n}p{re}ntid in to soules             4832
  fro bodies wi oute fore.  As who sei at ilke
  stoiciens wenden {a}t e soule hadde ben naked of it
  self. as a mirour or a clene p{ar}chemyn. so at alle
  fygures mosten [fyrst] comen fro inges fro wi oute in to        4836
  soules. {and} ben inp{re}ntid in to soules. _Textus._ Ry[gh]t
  as we ben wont some tyme by a swift poyntel to ficchen
  l{ett}res emp{re}ntid in e smoenesse or in e plainesse of
  e table of wex. or in p{ar}chemyn at ne ha no figure     [[pg 167]]
  [ne] note in it.

    [Sidenote: But if the mind is passive in receiving the impressions
    of outward objects, whence proceeds the knowledge by which the
    mind comprehends all things?]

          _Glosa._ But now argui boece a[gh]eins at               4841
  oppiniou{n} {and} sei us. but yif e riuyng soule ne
  vnpliti no ing. at is to sein ne do no ing by hys
  p{ro}pre moeuynges. but suffri {and} lie subgit to e           4844
  figures {and} to e notes of bodyes wi oute fore. {and}
  [gh]elde ymages ydel {and} veyne in e manere of a
  mirour. whennes riue an or whennes come an
  ilke knowyng in oure soule. at discerni {and} byholde         4848
  alle inges.

    [Sidenote: Whence its force to conceive individual existences, to
    separate those things when known, to unite divided things, and to
    choose and change its path, soaring to the highest and descending
    to the lowest things--and returning to itself, to confute false
    things by the true?]

          and whennes is ilke strenge at
  byholde e syngulere inges. or whennes is e strenge
  at dyuyde inges yknowe. {and} ilke stre{n}ge at
  gadere to-gidre e inges deuided. {and} e strenge at         4852
  chese hys entrechau{n}ged wey for som tyme it heue
  vp e heued. at is to sein at it heue vp e ente{n}c{i}ou{n}
  to ry[gh]t heye inges. {and} som tyme it discendi in
  to ry[gh]t lowe inges. {and} whan it retourni in to hym         4856
  self. it rep{re}ui {and} destroie e false inges by e
  trewe inges.

    [Sidenote: This cause is more efficacious and powerful to see and
    to know things, than that cause which receives the characters
    impressed like servile matter.]

           Certys is strenge is cause more
  efficient {and} mochel more my[gh]ty to seen {and} to knowe
  inges. an ilke cause at suffri and resceyue e              4860
  notes {and} e figures inp{re}ssed in manere of matere

    [Sidenote: Yet the sense in the living body excites and moves the
    mental powers; as when the light striking the eyes causes them to
    see, or as the voice rushing into the ear excites hearing.]

          algates
  e passiou{n} at is to seyn e suffraunce or e wit
  i{n} e quik[e] body go byforne excitynge {and} moeuyng
  e strenges of e ou[gh]te. ry[gh]t so as whan at              4864
  clerenesse smyte e eyen {and} moeui hem to seen. or
  ry[gh]t so as voys or soune hurtli to e eres {and} co{m}moeui
  hem to herkne.

    [Sidenote: Then is the force of thought excited; it calls forth
    the images within itself, and adds to them the outward forms,
    blending external images with the counterparts concealed within.]

          an is e stre{n}ge of e ou[gh]t
  ymoeuid {and} excitid {and} clepe fure e semblable             4868
  moeuynges e speces at it halt wi i{n}ne it self. {and}
  addi o speces to e notes {and} to e inges wi out
  fore. {and} medele e ymages of inges wi out fore
  to e forme[s] yhid wi i{n}ne hym self.                          4872

    [Linenotes:
    4827 _hadde_--hadden
         _dispoyten_--desputen
    4828 _brou[gh]t[e]_--browhte
    4830 [_and_]--from C.
    4837 _inprentid_--aprentyd
    4838 _some tyme_--somtyme
         _swift_--swyfte
    4840 _ha_--MS. hae
    4843 _vnpliti_--vnpleyteth
         _do_--MS. doe
    4845 _e_--tho
    4863 _quik[e]_--qwyke
         _go_--MS. goe
    4864 _ou[gh]te_--thoght
    4865 _clerenesse_--cleernesse
    4866 _soune_--sown
    4868 _fure_--forth
    4870 _out_--owte
    4871 _out fore_--owte forth
    4872 _forme[s]_--formes
         _yhid_--I-hidde]


                                                              [[pg 168]]
    [Headnote:
    INTELLIGENCE A DIVINE ATTRIBUTE.]

Q{UO}D SI IN CORPORIB{US} SENCIEND{IS}.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 38.]]

*QUESTIO.

  [Sidenote: [The .5.^the p{ro}se.]]

    [Sidenote: Although there are in objects certain qualities which
    strike externally upon the senses, and put their instruments in
    motion; although the passive impression upon the body precedes the
    action of the mind,]

  ++But what [yif] at in bodies to be{n} feelid at is
  to sein in e takynge of knowelechinge of bodyly
  inges. and al be it so at e qualites of bodies {a}t ben       4875
  obiect fro wi oute fore moeuen {and} entalenten e instrumentes
  of e wittes.

    [Sidenote: and although the former rouses the latter to action,
    yet if in the perception of bodily things, the soul is not by the
    impression of external things made to know these things, but by
    its own power judgeth of these bodily impressions,]

          and al be it so at e passiou{n}
  of e body at is to seyn e witte [or the] suffrau{n}ce
  [goth to-forn the strengthe of the workynge corage / the
  which passiou{n} or suffraunce] clepi fure e dede of           4880
  e ou[gh]t in hym self. {and} moeue {and} exite in is
  mene while e formes {a}t resten wi in fore. and yif
  at i{n} sensible bodies as I haue seid oure corage nis nat
  ytau[gh]t or enp{re}ntid by passiou{n} to knowe ise inges.      4884
  but demi {and} knowe of hys owen strenge e passiou{n}
  or suffrau{n}ce subiect to e body.

    [Sidenote: how much more shall those pure spiritual beings (as God
    or angels) discern things by an act of their understanding alone,
    without the aid of impressions from external objects?]

          Moche more an oo
  inges at ben absolut {and} quit fram alle talent[gh] or
  affecc{i}ou{n}s of bodies. as god or hys aungels ne folwen        4888
  nat in discernynge inges obiect from wi oute fore.
  but ei accomplissen {and} speden e dede of hir ou[gh]t

    [Sidenote: For this reason, then, there are several sorts of
    knowing distributed among various beings.]

          by is resou{n}.
   an ere comen many manere knowynges
  to dyu{er}se {and} differy{n}g substaunces.

    [Sidenote: For sense (or sensation) destitute of all other
    knowledge is allotted to those creatures that have no motion, as
    shell-fish.]

          for e wit                                                4892
  of e body e whiche witte is naked {and} despoyled of
  alle oer knowynges. ilke witte come to bestes at ne
  mowen nat moeuen hem self here ne ere. as oystres
  {and} muscles {and} oer swiche shelle fysshe of e see.          4896
  {a}t cliue{n} {and} ben norissed to roches.

    [Sidenote: But imagination is given to such brutes capable of
    motion, and having in some degree the power of desiring or
    refusing.]

          but e ymaginac{i}ou{n}
  come to remuable bestes at seme{n} to han talent
  to fleen or to desiren any inge.

    [Sidenote: Reason, however, is the attribute of man alone, as
    Intelligence is that of God.]

          but resou{n} is al only to
  e lynage of mankynde ry[gh]t as i{n}telligence is oonly e       4900
  deuyne nature.

    [Sidenote: Hence His (i. e. God's) knowledge exceeds all other,
    comprehending both what belongs to His own nature, and what is
    comprehended by all inferior creatures.]

          of whiche it folwe at ilke knowyng
  is more wore an [th]is[e] oer. syn it knowe by hys
  p{ro}pre nature nat only hys subiect. as who sei it ne     [[pg 169]]
  knowe nat al oonly at app{er}teini p{ro}prely to hys           4904
  knowynge. but it knowe e subgit[gh] of alle oer knowynges.

    [Linenotes:
    4873 [_yif_]--from C.
    4878 [_or the_]--from C.
         _suffraunce_--MS. suffisau{n}ce, C. suffraunce
    4879-80 [_goth----suffraunce_]--from C.
    4883 _seid_--MS. seide, C. seyd
    4887 _quit_--quite
    4888 _hys_--hise
    4889 _discernynge_--MS. discryuyng, C. discernynge
         _from_--fro
    4893-94 _witte_--wit
    4895 _mowen_--mowe
         _here ne ere_--her {and} ther
    4901 _whiche_--which
    4902 _[th]is[e] oer_--thise oothr{e}]

    [Headnote:
    THE POWERS OF SENSE AND IMAGINATION.]

    [Sidenote: But how shall it be then, if sense and imagination
    oppose reason, affirming that the general idea of things, which
    reason thinks it so perfectly sees, is nothing?]

  but how shal it an be yif at wit {and} ymaginac{i}ou{n}
  stryuen a[gh]eins resonynge {and} sein at of ilke
  vniuersel inges. at resou{n} wene to seen at it nis           4908
  ry[gh]t nau[gh]t.

    [Sidenote: For what falls under the cognisance of the senses and
    imagination cannot be general.]

          for wit {and} ymaginac{i}ou{n} seyn at at. at
  is sensible or ymaginable it ne may nat ben vniuersel.
  an is eier e iugement of resou{n} [soth]. ne at
  er nis no inge sensible. or ellys for at resou{n} woot         4912
  wel at many inges ben subiect to wit {and} to ymaginac{i}ou{n}.
  an is e co{n}sepc{i}ou{n} of resou{n} veyn {and} fals
  whiche at looke {and} co{m}p{re}hendi. at at is
  sensible {and} synguler as uniuersele.

    [Sidenote: But if reason should answer to this--that in her idea
    of what is general she comprehends whatever is sensible and
    imaginable; but as to the senses and imagination, they cannot
    attain to the knowledge of what is general, since their knowledge
    is confined to material figures; and therefore in all real
    knowledge of things we must give the greatest credit to that
    faculty which has a more steadfast and perfect judgment of
    things.]

          and [gh]if at resou{n}                                   4916
  wolde answeren a[gh]ein to ise two at is to sein to wit
  {and} to ymaginac{i}ou{n}. {and} sein at soely she hir self.
  at is to seyn at resou{n} loke {and} comp{re}hendi by
  resou{n} of vniuersalite. boe at at is sensible {and} at      4920
  at is ymaginable. {and} at ilke two at is to seyn wit
  {and} ymaginac{i}ou{n} ne mowe{n} nat strecchen ne enhaunsen
  hem self to knowynge of vniuersalite for at
  e knowy{n}g of hem ne may exceden nor so{ur}mou{n}te{n}          4924
  e bodyly figure[s]  Certys of e knowyng of inges
  men au[gh]ten raer [gh]eue credence to e more stedfast {and}
  to e more p{er}fit iugement.

    [Sidenote: In a controversy of this kind ought not we, who possess
    faculties of reason, &c., to side with reason and espouse her
    cause?]

          In is manere stryuynge
  an we at han strenge of resonynge {and} of ymaginynge          4928
  {and} of wit at is to seyn by resou{n} {and} by ymaginac{i}ou{n}
  {and} by wit. [{and}] we sholde raer p{re}ise e cause
  of resou{n}. as who sei an e cause of wit or ymaginac{i}ou{n}.

    [Linenotes:
    4907 _a[gh]eins_--ayein
    4908 _vniuersel_--vniu{er}sels
    4911 [_soth_]--from C.
    4914 _fals whiche_--false which
    4917 _wit_--witte
    4918 _soely_--soothly
    4923 _knowynge_--knowy
    4926 _[gh]eue_--yeuen
         _stedfast_--stidefast
    4930 [_and_]--from C.
    4931 _or_--{and} of]

    [Headnote:
    REASON SHOULD SUBMIT TO INTELLIGENCE.]

    [Sidenote: The case is entirely similar when human reason thinks
    the Divine Intelligence cannot behold future events in any other
    way than she herself is capable of perceiving them.]

  semblable inge is it at e resou{n} of mankynde                 4932
  ne wene nat at e deuyne intelligence byholde or
  knowe inges to comen. but ry[gh]t as e resou{n} of mankynde
  knowe hem.

    [Sidenote: For thus you argue:--
    What things are not necessitated cannot be foreknown; therefore
    there is no prescience of these things, for, if there were,
    everything would be fixed by an absolute necessity.]

          for ou arguist {and} seist us. at
  yif it ne seme nat to men at so{m}me inges han certeyne   [[pg 170]]
  {and} necessarie bytidynges. ei ne mowen nat ben wist            4937
  byforn certeynely to bytiden. a{n} nis [ther] no p{re}science
  of ilke inges. {and} yif we trowen at p{re}science
  ben in ise inges. an is er no inge at it ne                 4940
  bitidi by necessite.

    [Sidenote: If it were possible to enjoy the intelligence of the
    Deity, we should then deem it right that sense and imagination
    should yield to reason, and also judge it proper that human reason
    should submit to the Divine Intelligence.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 38 _b_.]]

          but certys yif we my[gh]te{n} han e
  iugeme{n}t of e deuyne ou[gh]t as we *ben p{ar}son{er}s of
  resou{n}. ry[gh]t so as we han demed. it byhoue at ymaginac{i}ou{n}
  {and} wit ben bynee resou{n}. ry[gh]t so wolde                   4944
  we deme{n} at it were ry[gh]tful ing at ma{n}s resou{n}
  au[gh]t[e] to su{m}mitten it self {and} to ben bynee e deuyne
  ou[gh]t.

    [Sidenote: Let us, therefore, strive to elevate ourselves to the
    height of the supreme intelligence--there shall reason see what
    she cannot discover in herself; and that is in what manner the
    prescience of God sees and defines all things; although they have
    no certain event; and she will see that this is no mere
    conjecture, but rather simple, supreme, and unlimited knowledge.]

          for whiche at yif we mowen. as who sei.
  at yif at we mowe{n} I conseil[e] at we enhanse vs in          4948
  to e hey[gh]t of ilke souereyne i{n}telligence. for ere shal
  resou{n} wel seen at at it ne may nat by-holden in it
  self. and certys at is is in what manere e p{re}science
  of god see alle inges c{er}teins {and} difinissed al ou[gh] ei
  ne han no certein issues or by-tydynges. ne is is non            4953
  oppiniou{n} but it is raer e simplicite of e souereyn
  science at nis nat enclosed nor yshet wii{n}ne no boundes.

    [Linenotes:
    4938 [_ther_]--from C.
    4939 _trowen_--trowe
    4942 _parsoners_--parsoneres
    4945 _mans_--mannes
    4946 _au[gh]t[e]_--owte
    4947 _whiche_--which
    4948 _at yif_--yif {a}t
    4949 _hey[gh]t_--heihte
         _ere_--ther
    4952 _ou[gh]_--MS. ou[gh]t
    4955 _no_--none]


QUAM UARIIS FIGURIS.

  [Sidenote: [The 5^the Met{ur}.]]

    [Sidenote: Various are the shapes of created beings. Some creep
    along the ground and trace the dust in furrows as they go;]

  ++E bestes passen by e eres by ful dyuerse figures             4956
  for so{m}me of hem han hir bodies strau[gh]t {and}
  crepe{n} in e dust {and} drawen after he{m} a t{ra}is or a
  forghe contynued. at is to sein as addres or snakes.

    [Sidenote: others with nimble wings float through the air;]

  and oer bestes by [the] wandryng ly[gh]tnesse of hir             4960
  wenges beten e wyndes {and} ouer-swymme{n} e spaces
  of e longe eyer by moist flee[y]nge.

    [Sidenote: some with their feet impress the ground, or tread
    lightly o'er the meads, or seek the shady grove.]

          and oer bestes
  gladen hem to diggen her traas or her stappes i{n} e
  ere wi hir goynge or wi her feet. or to gone eye[r]           4964
  by e grene feldes or [elles] to walken vnder e wodes.

    [Sidenote: Though we see an endless variety of forms, yet all are
    prone; to the earth they bend their looks, increasing the
    heaviness of their dull sense.]

  {and} al be it so {a}t ou seest at ei
                  alle discorden by                           [[pg 171]]
  dyuerse formes. algate hir{e} [faces] enclini[n]g heuie hir{e}
  dulle wittes.

    [Sidenote: Man alone doth raise aloft his noble head; light and
    erect he spurns the earth.]

          Onlyche e lynage of man heue heyest hys                 4968
  hey[gh]e heued {and} stonde ly[gh]t wi hys vpry[gh]t body {and}
  byholde e ere vndir hym.

    [Sidenote: Thou art admonished by this figure then, unless by
    sense deceived, that whilst taught by thy lofty mien to look
    above, thou shouldst elevate thy mind lest it sink below its
    proper level.]

          [and] but-[gh]if ou erely man
  wexest yuel oute of i witte. is figure amoneste e {a}t
  axest e heuene wi i ry[gh]t[e] visage. {and} hast areised      4972
  i forhede to beren vp on heye i corage so at i ou[gh]t
  ne be nat yheuied ne put lowe vndir foot. sen at i
  body is so heye areised.

    [Linenotes:
    4957 _somme_--som
    4959 _forghe contynued_--forwh Ikonntynued
         _addres_--nadris
    4960 [_the_]--from C.
    4963 _hem_--hem self
         _stappes_--steppis
    4964 _or to gone_--{and} to gon
         _eye[r]_--eyther
    4965 [_elles_]--from C.
    4967 [_faces_]--from C.
         _algate_--algates
         _enclini[n]g_--enclynyd
    4968 _Onlyche_--Oonly
         _heyest_--heyeste
    4970 _ere_--erthes
    4971 _oute_--owt
         _witte_--wit
    4972 _ry[gh]t[e]_--ryhte
         _hast_--MS. hae, C. hast
    4973 _forhede_--foreheuyd
         _on heye_--a heygh
    4974 _foot sen_--foote syn]


    [Headnote:
    DEFINITION OF ETERNITY.]

PR{O}SA VLTI{M}A.

QUONIA{M} IGITUR UTI PAULO ANTE.

  [Sidenote: [The 6^te p{ro}se {and} the laste.]]

    [Sidenote: Since everything which is known is not, as I have
    shown, perceived by its own inherent properties, but by the
    faculties of those comprehending them, let us now examine the
    disposition of the Divine nature.]

  ++Er-fore an as I haue shewed a litel her byforne at           4976
  al inge at is ywist nis nat knowen by hys nature
  p{ro}pre. but by e nature of he{m} at comp{re}henden it.
   Lat vs loke now in as moche as it is leueful to vs. as
  who sei lat vs loken now as we mowen whiche {a}t e             4980
  estat is of e deuyne substaunce so at we mowen [ek]
  knowen what his science is.

    [Sidenote: All rational creatures agree in affirming that God is
    eternal.]

          e comune iugement of alle
  creatures resonables an is is at god is eterne. lat vs
  considere a{n} what is et{er}nite. For certys at shal           4984
  shewen vs to-gidre e deuyne nature {and} e deuyne
  science

    [Sidenote: And eternity is a full, total, and perfect possession
    of a life which shall never end. This will appear more clearly
    from a comparison with temporal things.]

           Eternite an is p{er}fit possessiou{n} {and} al
  togidre of lijf interminable {and} at shewe more clerely
  by e co{m}parisou{n} or collac{i}ou{n} of temp{or}el inges.     4988

    [Sidenote: Temporal existence proceeds from the past to the
    present, and thence to the future.]

  for al ing at lyue in tyme it is p{re}sent {and} p{ro}cedi fro
  preterit[gh] in to fut{ur}es. at is to sein. fro tyme passed
  in to tyme comynge.

    [Sidenote: And there is nothing under the law of time, which can
    at once comprehend the whole space of its existence.]

          ne er nis no ing establissed i{n}
  tyme at may enbracen to-gidre al e space of hys lijf.           4992

    [Linenotes:
    4977 _al inge_--alle thinges
    4979 _moche_--mochel
    4980 _loken_--loke
         _whiche_--which
    4981 [_ek_]--from C.
    4987 _clerely_--cleerly
    4989 _al_--alle]

    [Headnote:
    THE WORLD IS NOT ETERNAL.]

    [Sidenote: Having lost _yesterday_ it does not as yet enjoy
    _to-morrow_; and as for _to-day_ it consists only in the present
    transitory moment.]

  for certys [gh]it ne ha it nat taken e tyme of e morwe.
  {and} it ha lost at of [gh]ister-day. and certys in e lijf
  of is day [gh]e ne lyuen no more but ry[gh]t
                  as in is moeueable                         [[pg 172]]
  {and} t{ra}nsitorie moment.

    [Sidenote: Whatever, therefore, is subjected to a temporal
    condition, as Aristotle thought of the world, may be without
    beginning and without end; and although its duration may extend to
    an infinity of time, yet it cannot rightly be called eternal: for
    it doth not comprehend at once the whole extent of its infinite
    duration, having no knowledge of things future which are not yet
    arrived.]

          an ilke inge at suffri                               4996
  temp{or}el condic{i}ou{n}. a[l]ough{e} at [it] bygan neuer
  to be. ne ough{e} it neu{er}e cese forto be. as aristotle
  demde of e worlde. and al ou[gh] at e lif of it be
  strecchid wi infinite of tyme.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 39.]]

          [gh]it al*gates nis it no                                 5000
  swiche ing at men my[gh]ten trowen by ry[gh]t at it is
  eterne. for al ou[gh] at it comp{re}hende {and} embrace e
  space of life infinite. [gh]it algates ne [em]brace it nat e
  space of e lif alto-gidre. for it ne ha nat e fut{ur}es        5004
  at ne ben nat [gh]it. ne it ne ha no lenger e p{re}t{er}it[gh]
  at ben ydon or ypassed.

    [Sidenote: For what is eternal must be always present to itself
    and master of itself, and have always with it the infinite
    succession of time.]

          but ilke ing an at ha
  {and} co{m}prehendi to-gidre alle e plente of e lif i{n}terminable.
  to whom ere ne faili nat of e fut{ur}e.                        5008
  {and} to whom er nis nat of e p{re}t{er}it escapid nor
  ypassed. ilk[e] same is ywitnessed or yproued by ry[gh]t
  to ben eterne. and it byhoue by necessite at ilke
  inge be alwey p{re}sent to hym self {and} co{m}potent. as        5012
  who sei alwey p{re}sent to hym self {and} so my[gh]ty at al
  by ry[gh]t at hys plesaunce. {and} {a}t he haue al p{re}sent
  e infinit of e moeuable tyme.

    [Sidenote: Therefore some philosophers, who had heard that Plato
    believed that this world had neither beginning nor end, falsely
    concluded, that the created universe was coeternal with its
    Creator.]

          wherfore som men
  trowe{n} wrongefully at whan ei heren at it semid[e]           5016
  to plato at is worlde ne had[de] neuer bygynnynge
  of tyme. ne at it neu{er}e shal haue faylynge. ei wenen
  i{n} is man{er}e at is worlde ben maked coet{er}ne wi
  his makere. as who sei. ei wenen at is worlde {and}           5020
  god ben maked to-gidre eterne. and it is a wrongful
  wenynge.

    [Sidenote: But it is one thing to be conducted through a life of
    infinite duration, which was Plato's opinion of the world, and
    another thing to comprehend at once the whole extent of this
    duration as present which, it is manifest, can only belong to the
    Divine mind.]

          for oer ing is it to ben yladd by lif interminable
  as plato graunted[e] to e worlde. {and} oer
  ing is it to embracen to-gidre alle e p{re}sence to e lif      5024
  interminable. e whiche ing it is clere {and} manifest
  at it is p{ro}pre to e deuine ou[gh]t.                   [[pg 173]]

    [Sidenote: Nor ought it to seem to us that God is prior to and
    more ancient than his creatures by the space of time, but rather
    by the simple and undivided properties of his nature.]

          ne it ne sholde nat
  semen to vs at god is elder an inges at ben ymaked
  by quantite of tyme. but raer by e p{ro}prete of hys            5028
  symple nature.

    [Sidenote: The infinite progression of temporal things imitates
    the ever-present condition of an immovable life:]

          for is ilke infinit[e] moeuyng of temp{or}el
  inges folwi is p{re}sentarie estat of e lijf i{n}moeueable.

    [Linenotes:
    4993-4 _ha_--MS. hae
    4993 _e_ (2)--to
    4994 _at_--the tyme
    4997 _a[l]oughe_--al-thogh
         [_it_]--from C.
    4999 _worlde_--world
    5001 _swiche_--swych
    5002 _eterne_--from C., MS. eternite
    5003 _life_--lyf
    5004-5-6 _ha_--MS. hae
    5006 _ydon_--MS. ydone, C. I-doon
    5007 _alle_--al
    5008-9 _nat_--nawht
    5010 _ilk[e]_--thilke
         _or_--{and}
    5014 _by_--be
    5016 _semid[e]_--semede
    5017 _worlde_--world
         _had[de]_--hadde
    5018 _haue_--han
    5019-20 _worlde_--world
    5022 _yladd_--MS. yladde, C. I-lad
    5023 _worlde_--world
    5024 _embracen_--enbrace
         _alle_--al
         _presence to_--p{re}sent of
    5025 _clere_--cleer]

    [Headnote:
    GOD IS ETERNAL.]

    [Sidenote: and since it cannot copy nor equal it from an immovable
    and simply present state, it passes into motion and into an
    infinite measure of past and future time.]

  {and} so as it ne may nat contrefeten it ne feyne{n}
  it ne ben euene lyke to it. for e inmoeueablete. at is          5032
  to seyn at is i{n} e eternite of god.  it faile {and}
  falle in to moeuynge fro e simplicite of [the] p{re}sence
  of god. {and} disencresi to e infinite quantite of
  fut{ur}e {and} of p{re}terit.

    [Sidenote: But since it cannot possess at once the whole extent of
    its duration, yet, as it never ceases wholly to be, it faintly
    emulates _that_ whose perfection it can neither attain nor
    express, by attaching itself to the present fleeting moment,
    which, because it resembles the durable present time, imparts to
    those things that partake of it an appearance of existence.]

          {and} so as it ne may nat han togidre                     5036
  al e plente of e lif. algates [gh]itte for as moche as
  it ne cesi neuere forto ben in som manere it seme
  somde[l] to vs at it folwi {and} resembli ilke ing
  {a}t it ne may nat attayne to. ne fulfille. {and} bynde it      5040
  self to som manere p{re}sence of is litel {and} swifte
  moment. e whiche p{re}sence of is lytele {and} swifte
  moment. for at it bere a manere ymage or lykenesse
  of e ay dwellynge p{re}sence of god. it graunte to              5044
  swiche manere inges as it bitidi to at it seme hem
  at ise inges han ben {and} ben

    [Sidenote: But as it cannot stop or abide it pursues its course
    through infinite time, and by gliding along it continues its
    duration, the plenitude of which it could not comprehend, by
    abiding in a permanent state.]

          {and} for [{a}t] e p{re}sence
  of swiche litel moment ne may nat dwelle er-for
  [it] rauyssid[e] {and} took e infinit[e] wey of tyme. at        5048
  is to seyn by successiou{n}. {and} by is man{er}e it is ydon.
  for at it sholde continue e lif in goynge of e whiche
  lif it ne my[gh]t[e] nat embrace e plente in dwellynge.

    [Sidenote: If we would follow Plato in giving things their right
    names, let us say that God is _eternal_ and the world
    _perpetual_.]

  {and} for i yif we willen putte wori name[s] to inges          5052
  {and} folwen plato. lat vs seyn a{n} soely at god is
  et{er}ne. {and} at e worlde is p{er}petuel.

    [Sidenote: His knowledge, surpassing the progression of time, is
    ever present, containing the infinite space of past and future
    times, and embraces in his clear insight all things, as if they
    were now transacting.]

          an syn at
  euery iugeme{n}t knowe {and} comp{re}hendi by hys owen
  nature inges at ben subiect vnto hym. ere is soely            5056
  al-wey to god an et{er}ne {and} p{re}sentarie estat. {and} e
  science of hym at ouer-passe alle
                  temp{or}el moe[ue]m{en}t                    [[pg 174]]
  dwelli in e symplicite of hys p{re}sence {and} embrace
  {and} considere alle e infinit spaces of tymes                  5060
  p{re}terit[gh] {and} fut{ur}es {and} loke in is symple knowynge
  alle inges of p{re}t{er}it ry[gh]t as ei weren ydoon p{re}sently
  ry[gh]t now

    [Sidenote: Prescience is, then, a foreknowledge, not of what is to
    come, but of the present and _never-failing now_ (in which God
    sees all things as if immovably present).]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 39 _b_.]]

           yif ou wolt an enke {and} avise{n} e
  p{re}science by whiche it knowe al[le] i{n}ges *ou ne          5064
  shalt nat demen it as p{re}science of inges to comen.

    [Linenotes:
    5032 _lyke_--lyk
    5034 [_the_]--from C.
    5039 _somde[l]_--somdel
    5040 _fulfille_--fullfyllen
    5041 _litel_--from C., MS. lykly
    5042 _whiche_--which
         _lytele_--from C., MS. lykly
    5046 _ben_ (1)--yben
         [_at_]--from C.
    5047 _swiche_--swych
    5048 [_it_]--from C.
    5051 _my[gh]t[e]_--myhte
    5052 _willen putte_--wollen putten
         _name[s]_--names
    5053 _soely_--sothly
    5054 _worlde_--world
    5055 _owen_--owne
    5056 _soely_--sothly
    5057 _al-wey_--al-weys
    5058 _alle_--al
         _moe[ue]ment_--moeueme{n}t
    5063 _enke_--thinken
         _avisen_--auyse
    5064 _whiche_--which
         _al[le]_--alle]

    [Headnote:
    DEFINITION OF PRESCIENCE.]

  but ou shalt deme{n} [it] more ry[gh]tfully at it is science
  of presence or of instaunce at neuer ne fayle.

    [Sidenote: Therefore _foreknowledge_ is not so applicable a term
    as _providence_--for God looks down upon all things from the
    summit of the universe.]

  for whiche it nis nat ycleped p{ro}uidence but it sholde raer    5068
  be cleped purueaunce at is establissed ful fer fro ry[gh]t
  lowe inges. {and} byholde from a-fer alle inges ry[gh]t as
  it were fro e heye hey[gh]te of inges.

    [Sidenote: Do you think that God imposes a necessity on things by
    beholding them? It is not so in human affairs.]

          whi axest ou an
  or why disputest ou an at ilke inges ben don by              5072
  necessite whiche at ben yseyen {and} yknowen by e
  deuyne sy[gh]t. syn at for soe men ne maken nat ilke
  i{n}ges necessarie. whiche at e[i] seen be ydoon in
  hir{e} sy[gh]t.

    [Sidenote: Does your view of an action lay any necessity upon it?]

          for addi i byholdynge any necessite to ilke            5076
  inges at ou byholdest p{re}sent.

    [Sidenote: _B._ No.]

           Nay q{uo}d I.

    [Sidenote: _P._ By parity of reason it is clear that whilst you
    see only some things in a limited instant, God sees all things in
    his ever-present time.]

  _p._ Certys an yif men my[gh]te maken any digne comparisou{n}
  or collac{i}ou{n} of e p{re}sence diuine. {and} of e p{re}
  of mankynde. ry[gh]t so as [gh]e seen so{m}me inges in is       5080
  temp{or}el presente. ry[gh]t so see god alle inges by hys
  eterne p{re}sent.

    [Sidenote: His Divine prescience therefore does not change the
    nature of things--but only beholds those things as present to him
    which shall in time be produced.]

           wherfore is dyuyne p{re}science ne
  chaunge nat e nature ne e p{ro}prete of inges but
  byholde swyche inges present to hym ward. as ei                5084
  shollen bytiden to [gh]ow ward in tyme to come.

    [Sidenote: Nor does he judge confusedly of them, but knows at one
    view what will necessarily and what will not necessarily happen.]

          ne it ne
  co{n}founde nat e Iugement[gh] of inges but by of sy[gh]t
  of hys ou[gh]t he knowe e inges to comen as wel               5087
  necessarie as nat necessarie. ry[gh]t so as whan [gh]e seen togidre
  a man walke on e ere {and} e sonne arysen in
  [the] heuene. al be it so at [gh]e seen {and} byholde{n} at
  oon {and} at oer to-gidre.
          [gh]it naeles [gh]e demen {and}                    [[pg 175]]
  discerne at at oon is uolu{n}tarie
                  {and} at oer is necessarie.                     5092

    [Linenotes:
    5066 _shalt_--shal
         [_it_]--from C.
    5068 _whiche_--which
    5074-76 _sy[gh]t_--syhte
    5075 _whiche_--which
         _e[i]_--they
    5085 _come_--comyn
    5086 _of sy[gh]t_--O syhte
    5087 _he knowe_--MS. repeats
    5090 [_the_]--from C.
    5092 _discerne_--discernen]

    [Headnote:
    THE NATURE OF DIVINE PRESCIENCE.]

    [Sidenote: The eye of God, seeing all things, doth not alter the
    properties of things, for everything is present to him, though its
    temporal event is future.]

   Ry[gh]t so an [the] deuyne lokynge byholdynge
  alle i{n}ges vndir hym ne trouble nat e qualite of
  inges at ben certeynely p{re}sent to hy{m} ward. but as
  to e condic{i}ou{n} of tyme for soe ei ben fut{ur}e.           5096

    [Sidenote: When God knows that anything is to be, he knows at the
    same time that it is not under the necessity of being--but this is
    not conjecture, but certain knowledge founded upon truth.]

  for whiche it folwi at is nis non oppiniou{n}. but raer a
  stedfast knowyng ystrengeed by soenes. at whan
  at god knowe any inge to be he ne vnwoot nat at
  ilke inge wante necessite to be. is is to seyn at            5100
  whan at god knowe any inge to bitide. he woot wel
  at it ne ha no necessite to bitide.

    [Sidenote: If you insist that _what God foresees shall and must
    happen; and that which cannot do otherwise than happen, must needs
    happen_, and so bind me to admit a necessity, I must confess that
    things are under such a restraint; but it is a truth that we
    scarce can comprehend, unless we be acquainted with the Divine
    counsels.]

          {and} yif {o}u seist
  here at ilke inge at god see to bytide it ne may
  nat vnbytide. as who sei it mot bitide.  and ilke              5104
  inge at at ne may nat vnbytide it mot bitide by
  necessite. and at ou streine me to is name of necessite.
  certys I wol wel confessen {and} byknowe a inge of
  ful sadde troue. but vnne shal ere any wy[gh]t [mowe]          5108
  seen it or comen er-to. but yif at he be byholder of e
  deuyne ou[gh]te.

    [Sidenote: For I will answer you thus. That the thing which is to
    happen in relation to the Divine knowledge is necessary; but,
    considered in its own nature, seems free and absolute.]

           for I wol answer{e} e us. at ilke
  inge at is future whan it is referred to e deuyne              5111
  knowy{n}g an is it necessarie. but certys whan it is vndirstonden
  in hys owen kynde me{n} sen it [is] vtterly fre
  {and} absolut from alle necessite.

    [Sidenote: There are two kinds of necessity--one simple; as men
    must necessarily die--the other is conditional, as if you know a
    man walks he must necessarily walk--for that which is known cannot
    be otherwise than what it is apprehended to be.]

          for certys er ben two
  maneres of necessites. at oon necessite is symple as
  us. at it byhoue by necessite at alle men be mortal           5116
  or dedely. an o{er} necessite is condicionel as us. yif
  ou wost at a man walki. it byhoue by necessite at
  he walke. ilke inge an at any wy[gh]t ha yknowe to
  be. it ne may ben non oer weyes an he knowe it to be.          5120

    [Linenotes:
    5093 [_the_]--from C.
    5097 _whiche_--which
    5098 _stedfast_--stidefast
         _soenes_--sothnesse
    5102 _ha_--MS. hae
    5104 _bitide_--bide
    5108 _sadde_--sad
         _vnne_--vnnethe
         [_mowe_]--from C.
    5109 _comen_--come
    5110 _ou[gh]te_--thoght
         _answere_--answeren
    5113 _sen_--MS. sene, C. sen
         [_is_]--from C.
    5117 _dedely_--dedly
    5119 _ha_--MS. hae]

    [Headnote:
    PRESCIENCE AND NECESSITY.]

    [Sidenote: But this condition does not infer the absolute
    necessity, for the nature of the thing itself does not here
    constitute the necessity, but the necessity arises from the
    conjunction of the condition.]

   but is condicioun ne drawe nat wi hir ilke
  necessite symple. For certys is necessite condicionel.
  e p{ro}pre nature of it ne make it nau[gh]t.
                  but e adiecc{i}ou{n}                       [[pg 176]]
  of e condic{i}ou{n} maki it.

    [Sidenote: No necessity compels a man to walk who does so
    willingly, but it must be necessary that he walk when he does step
    forward.]

          for no necessite ne constreyne                           5124
  a man to [gon / {a}t] goo by his p{ro}pre wille. al be it
  so at whan he goo at it is necessarie at he goo.

    [Sidenote: So everything that is present to the eye of Providence
    must assuredly be, although there is nothing in its own nature to
    constitute that necessity.]

   Ry[gh]t on is same manere an. yif at e p{ur}ueaunce
  of god see any ing p{re}sent.

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 40.]]

          an mot ilke *inge be                                   5128
  by necessite. al ou[gh] at it ne haue no necessite of hys
  owen nature.

    [Sidenote: Since God beholds all future events proceeding from
    free-will as actually present--these events in relation to Divine
    sight are necessary--yet in relation to themselves they are
    absolutely free.]

          but certys e fut{ur}es at bytyden by fredom
  of arbitre god see hem alle to-gidre p{re}sent[gh]. ise
  inges an [yif] ei ben referred to e deuyne sy[gh]t.           5132
  an ben ei maked necessarie to e condic{i}ou{n} of e
  deuyne knowynge. but certys yif ilke inges ben considred
  by hem self ei ben absolut of necessite. {and} ne
  forleten nat ne cesen nat of e liberte of hire owe{n}            5136
  natur{e}.

    [Sidenote: All things which God foresees shall surely come to
    pass; but some of these things proceed from free-will, which
    although they happen,]

          an certys wi outen doute alle e ing{us}
  shollen be doon whiche at god woot by-forn at ei
  ben to comen. but so{m}me of hem comen {and} bitiden of
  [free] arbitre or of fre wille. at al be it so at ei bytiden.  5140

    [Linenotes:
    5121 _condicioun_--from C., MS. _necessite_
    5123 _nau[gh]t_--nat
    5125 [_gon at_]--from C.
         _wille_--wil
    5128 _mot_--MS. mote, C. mot
    5131 _present[gh]_--p{re}sent
    5132 [_yif_]--from C.
         _sy[gh]t_--syhte
    5137 _wi outen_--w{i}t{h}-owte
    5138 _whiche_--which
    5139 _somme_--som
    5140 [_free_]--from C.]

    [Headnote:
    PROVIDENCE AND HUMAN INTENTIONS.]

    [Sidenote: yet do not thereby change their nature, as before they
    happened they had it in their power not to happen.]

  [gh]it algates ne lese ei nat hire p{ro}pre nature ne
  beynge. by e whiche first or at ei were doon ei
  hadden power nat to han bitidd.

    [Sidenote: But it is a thing of no moment then, whether things are
    necessary in their own nature or not, since by the condition of
    the Divine knowledge they fell out as if they were necessitated.]

          _Boece._ what is is
  to seyn a{n} q{uo}d I. at inges ne ben nat necessarie by       5144
  hire p{ro}pre nature. so as ei comen in alle maneres in
  e lykenesse of necessite by e condic{i}ou{n} of e deuyne
  science.

    [Sidenote: _P._ The difference is explained in the instances
    lately given you, of the man walking, &c.]

          {Ph}ilosoph{ie}. is is e difference q{uo}d she. at
  o inges at I p{ur}posed[e] e a litel here byforn. at         5148
  is to seyn e sonne arysynge {and} e man walkynge at
  erwhiles at ilke inges ben ydon. ei ne my[gh]ten nat
  ben vndon.

    [Sidenote: The event of the former was necessary before it befell,
    whereas that of the latter was altogether free.]

          naeles at oon of hem or it was ydon it
  byhoued[e] by necessite at it was ydon. but nat at              5152
  o{er}. ry[gh]t so it is here at e inges at god ha p{re}sent.
  wi outen doute ei shulle ben.
                  but so{m}me of hem descendi                [[pg 177]]
  of e nature of inges as e sonne arysynge.
  {and} so{m}me descendi of e power of e doers as e man         5156
  walkynge.

    [Sidenote: _B._ Then I did not go from the truth when I said that
    some things referred to the Divine knowledge are necessary, while
    considered in themselves they are not under the bond of
    necessity.]

           an seide I. no wronge at yif at ise
  inges ben referred to e deuyne knowynge an ben ei
  necessarie. {and} yif ei ben considered by he{m} selfe an
  ben ei absolut from e bonde of necessite.

    [Sidenote: In the same way everything that is an object of sense
    is _general_ when considered in relation to reason--but particular
    when considered by itself.]

          ry[gh]t so [as]                                           5160
  alle inges at appiere or shewe to e wittes yif ou
  referre it to resou{n} it is vniuersel. {and} yif ou referre
  it or look[e] it to it self. an is it sy{n}guler.

    [Sidenote: But you may say--If I am able to change my purpose I
    can deceive providence by changing that which she hath foreseen I
    would do.]

          but now
  yif ou seist us {a}t yif it be in my power to chaunge          5164
  my p{ur}pose. an shal I voide e p{ur}ueaunce of god.
  whan at p{er}auenture I shal han chau{n}ged o inges
  at he knowe byforn. an shal I answere e us

    [Linenotes:
    5141 _ne_ (2)--C. in
    5142 _whiche_--which
         _were doon_--weeryn Idoon
    5143 _bitidd_--MS. bitidde, C. bityd
    5148 _purposed[e]_--p{ur}posede
    5150 _ydon_--MS. ydone, C. I-doon
         _my[gh]ten_--myhte
    5151 _vndon_--MS. vndone, C. vndoon
    5151-2 _ydon_--MS. ydone, C. I-doon
    5152 _byhoued[e]_--houyd
    5153 _ha_--MS. hae
    5154 _wi outen_--with-owte
         _shulle_--shollen
    5156 _doers_--doeres
    5157 _wronge_--wrong
    5159 _selfe_--self
    5160 _from_--fro
         _bonde_--bond
         [_as_]--from C.
    5163 _look[e]_--loke
    5166 _o_--the]

    [Headnote:
    GOD'S KNOWLEDGE FIXED AND UNCHANGED.]

    [Sidenote: _P._ You may perhaps alter your purpose--but as
    providence takes note of your intentions, you cannot deceive her;
    for you cannot escape the divine prescience though you have the
    power, through a free-will, to vary and diversify your actions.]

   Certys ou maist wel chaungen i p{ur}pos but for as            5168
  mochel as e p{re}sent soenesse of e deuyne p{ur}ueaunce
  byholde at ou mayst chau{n}ge{n} i p{ur}pose. {and}
  wheir ou wolt chaunge it or no. {and} whider-ward
  at ou tourne it. {o}u maist nat eschewen e deuyne             5172
  p{re}science ry[gh]t as ou ne mayst nat fleen e sy[gh]t of e
  p{re}sent eye. al ou[gh] at ou tourne i self by i fre
  wille in to dyu{er}se acc{i}ou{n}.

    [Sidenote: But you may say--Shall the divine knowledge be changed
    according to the mutability of my disposition, and the
    apprehensions of the Deity fluctuated with my changing purposes?]

           But ou mayst seyn
  a[gh]eyne how shal it an be. shal nat e dyuyne science          5176
  ben chaunged by my disposic{i}ou{n} whan at I wol o
  ing now {and} now an oer. {and} ilke p{re}science ne
  seme it nat to enterchau{n}ge stoundes of knowynges.
  as who sei. ne shal it nat seme to vs at e deuyne              5180
  p{re}science enterchaunge hys dyuers stoundes of knowynge.
  so at it knowe so{m}me tyme o ing {and} so{m}me tyme
  e contrarie.

    [Sidenote: No, indeed! The view of the Deity foreruns every future
    event, and brings it back into the presence of his own knowledge,
    which does not vary, as you imagine, to conform to your caprices,
    but remaining fixed, at once foresees and comprehends all your
    changes.]

           No for soe. [q{uod} I] for e deuyne sy[gh]t           5183
  renne to-forne {and} see alle fut{ur}es {and} clepe hem a[gh]ein
  {and} reto{ur}ni hem to e p{re}sence of
                  hys p{ro}pre knowynge.                      [[pg 178]]
  ne he ne entrechaunge nat [so] as ou wenest e
  stoundes of forknowyng [as] now is now at. but he
  ay dwellynge comi byforn {and} enbrace at o strook              5188
  alle i mutac{i}ou{n}s.

    [Sidenote: This faculty of comprehending and seeing all things as
    present, God does not receive from the issue of futurities, but
    from the simplicity of his own nature.]

          and is p{re}sence to co{m}p{re}henden
  {and} to sen alle inges. god ne ha nat take{n} it of e
  bitydynge of inges forto come. but of hys p{ro}pre symplicite.

    [Linenotes:
    5169 _soenesse_--sothnesse
    5170 _chaungen_--chaunge
    5173 _sy[gh]t_--syhte
    5175 _wille_--wyl
    5177 _wol_--wole
    5179 _enterchaunge_--MS. enterchau{n}gyng, C. entrechau{n}ge
    5181 _hys_--hise
    5182 _somme_ (1)--su{m}
         _somme_ (2)--som
    5183 _sy[gh]t_--syhte
    5184 _to-forne_--to-forn
    5186 [_so_]--from C.
    5187 [_as_]--from C.
    5188 _comi_--comth
    5190 _ha_--MS. hae]

    [Headnote:
    AN ANSWER TO FORMER OBJECTIONS.]

    [Sidenote: Here, then, is an answer to your former objection--that
    it is folly to think that our future actions and events are the
    causes of the prescience of God.]

   and her by is assoiled ilke ing at ou                       5192
  puttest a litel her byforne. at is to seyne at it is vnwori
  inge to seyn at oure futures [gh]euen cause of e
  science of god

    [Sidenote: For the Divine mind, embracing and comprehending all
    things by a present knowledge, plans and directs all things and is
    not dependent upon futurity.]

    [Sidenote: [* fol. 41 _b_.]]

           For c{er}tys *is strenge of e deuyne
  science whiche at enbrace alle inge by his p{re}sentarie       5196
  knowynge establisse manere to alle i{n}g{us} {and} it
  ne awi nat to lattere inges.

    [Sidenote: Since no necessity is imposed upon things by the Divine
    prescience, there remains to men an inviolable freedom of will.]

          {and} syn at ise inges
  ben us. at is to seyn syn at necessite nis nat in
  inges by e deuyne p{re}science. an is er fredom of            5200
  arbitre. at dwelle hool {and} vnwemmed to mortal men.

    [Sidenote: And those laws are just which assign rewards and
    punishments to men possessing free-will.]

  ne e lawes ne p{ur}pose nat wikkedly meedes {and} peynes
  to e willynges of men at ben vnbounde {and} quit of
  alle necessite.

    [Sidenote: Moreover, God, who sits on high, foreknows all things,
    and the eternal presence of his knowledge concurs with the future
    quality of our actions, dispensing rewards to good and punishments
    to evil men.]

           And god byholder {and} forwiter of                      5204
  alle inges dwelli aboue {and} e p{re}sent eternite of hys
  sy[gh]t renne alwey wi e dyuerse qualite of oure dedes
  dispe{n}syng {and} ordeynynge medes to good[e] men. {and}
  tourment[gh] to wicked men.

    [Sidenote: Nor are our hopes and prayers reposed in, and addressed
    to God in vain, which when they are sincere cannot be
    inefficacious nor unsuccessful.]

          ne in ydel ne i{n} veyn ne ben                            5208
  er nat put in god hope {and} p{ra}yeres. at ne mowen
  nat ben vnspedful ne wi oute effect whan ei ben ry[gh]tful

    [Sidenote: Resist and turn from vice--honour and love virtue,
    exalt your mind to God (the truest hope), offer up your prayers
    with humility.]

   wistond an {and} eschewe ou vices. worshippe
  {and} loue ou vertus. areise i corage to ry[gh]tful hoopes.     5212
  [gh]elde ou humble p{re}iers an hey[gh]e.

    [Sidenote: If you are sincere you will feel that you are under an
    obligation to lead a good and virtuous life, inasmuch as all your
    actions and works are done in the presence of an all-discerning
    Judge.]

          grete necessite of
  prowesse {and} vertue is encharged {and} comaunded to
  [gh]ow yif [gh]e nil nat dissimulen.  Syn at [gh]e worchen
  {and} doon. at is to seyn [gh]oure dedes {and} [gh]oure workes   5216
  by-fore e eyen of e Iuge at see {and} deme alle        [[pg 179]]
  inges. [To whom be goye {and} worshipe bi Infynyt
  tymes / AMEN.]

  EXPLICIT LIBER QUINTUS. {ET} VLTIM{US}.

    [Linenotes:
    5193 _seyne_--seyn
    5196 _whiche_--which
    5198 _awi_--oweth
    5199 _at is to----prescience_--omitted
    5203 _vnbounde_--vnbownden
         _quit_--quite
    5206 _sy[gh]t_--sihte
    5207 _good[e]_--goode
    5211 _wistond_--MS. wistonde, C. withstond
    5213 _an hey[gh]e_--a heygh
         _grete_--Gret
    5215 _worchen_--workyn
    5216 {and} (2)--or
    5217 _by-fore_--by-forn
    5218 [_To whom----Amen_]--from C.; MS. reads _et cetera_ after
    'inges.' C. ends with the following rubric:

  Explicit expliceat luder{e} scriptor eat
  Finito libro sit laus {et} gloria {Christ}o
  Corpore scribentis sit gr{ati}a cunctipotentis]




                                                              [[pg 180]]
    [Headnote:
    TAS PRIMA.]

APPENDIX.

    [_Camb. Univ. MS._ Ii. 3. 21, _fol._ 52 _b_.]


Chawc{er} vp-on this fyfte met{ur} of the second book

  ++A Blysful lyf a paysyble {and} a swete
  Ledden the poeples in the former age
  They helde hem paied of the fructes {a}t ey ete
  Whiche {a}t the feldes yaue hem by vsage                        4
  They ne weer{e} nat forpampred w{i}t{h} owtrage
  Onknowyn was ^e quyerne {and} ek the melle
  They eten mast hawes {and} swych pownage
  And dronken wat{er} of the colde welle                           8

   Yit nas the grownd nat wownded w{i}t{h} ^e plowh
  But corn vp-sprong vnsowe of mannes hond
  e which they gnodded {and} eete nat half .I.-nowh
  No man yit knewe the forwes of his lond                         12
  No man the fyr owt of the flynt yit fonde
  Vn-koruen and vn-grobbed lay the vyne
  No man yit in the morter spices grond
  To clarre ne to sawse of galentyne                              16

   No Madyr welde or wod no litester{e}
  Ne knewh / the fles was of is former hewe
  No flessh ne wyste offence of egge or sper{e}
  No coyn ne knewh man which is fals or trewe                     20
  No ship yit karf the wawes grene {and} blewe
  No Marchau{n}t yit ne fette owt-landissh war{e}
  No batails trompes for the werres folk ne knewe
  Ne towres heye {and} walles rownde or square                    24

   What sholde it han avayled to werreye                     [[pg 181]]
  Ther lay no p{ro}fyt ther was no rychesse

    [Sidenote: [fol. 53.]]

  But corsed was the tyme .I. dar+ wel seye
  {a}t men fyrst dede hir swety bysynesse                        28
  To grobbe vp metal lurkynge in dirkenesse
  {And} in e Ryuerys fyrst gemmys sowhte
  Allas than sprong+ vp al the cursydnesse
  Of coueytyse {a}t fyrst owr sorwe browhte                      32

   Thyse tyrau{n}t[gh] put hem gladly nat in pres
  No places wyldnesse ne no busshes for to wynne
  Ther pou{er}te is as seith diogenes
  Ther as vitayle ek is so skars {and} thinne                     36
  {a}t nat but mast or apples is ther Inne
  But {er} as bagges ben {and} fat vitaile
  Ther wol they gon {and} spar{e} for no synne
  W{i}t{h} al hir ost the Cyte forto a-sayle                      40

   Yit was no paleis chaumbres ne non halles
  In kaues {and} wodes softe {and} swete
  Sleptin this blyssed folk+ w{i}t{h}-owte walles
  On gras or leues in p{ar}fyt Ioye reste {and} quiete            44
  No down of fetheres ne no bleched shete
  Was kyd to hem but in surte they slepte
  Hir hertes weer{e} al on w{i}t{h}-owte galles
  Eu{er}ych of hem his feith to oother kepte                      48

   Vnforged was the hawberke {and} the plate
  ^e lambyssh poeple voyded of alle vyse
  Hadden no fantesye to debate
  But eche of hem wolde oother wel cheryce                        52
  No p{r}ide non enuye non Auaryce
  No lord no taylage by no tyranye
  Vmblesse {and} pes good feith the emp{er}ice
   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                    56

   Yit was nat Iuppit{er} the lykerous                       [[pg 182]]
  {a}t fyrst was fadyr of delicasie
  Come in this world ne nembroth desyrous
  To regne had nat maad his towres hye                            60
  Allas allas now may [men] wepe And crye
  For in owr{e} dayes nis but couetyse
  Dowblenesse {and} tresou{n} {and} enuye
  Poyson {and} manslawhtr{e} {and} mordre in sondry wyse          64

    [Linenotes:
    39, 40 MS. transposes the lines
    44 _On_--MS. Or
    56 A line omitted, but no gap left for one.]


    [Headnote:
    BALADES DE VILAGE SANZ PEINTURE.]

CAUS{ER} / BALADES DE VILAGE SANZ PEINT{UR}E

   This wrecched worlde-is t{ra}nsmutaciou{n}
  As wele / or wo / now poeer{e} {and} now hono{ur}
  W{i}t{h}-owten ordyr or wis descresyou{n}
  Gou{er}ned is by fortunes errour                                 4
  But natheles the lakke of hyr fauowr+
  Ne may nat don me syngen thowh I. deye

    [Sidenote: [fol. 53 _b_.]]

  Iay tout p{er}du mou{n} temps {et} mou{n} labour
  For fynaly fortune .I. the deffye                                8

   Yit is me left the lyht of my resou{n}
  To knowen frend fro foo in thi merowr+
  So mochel hath yit thy whirlynge vp {and} down
  I-tawht me for to knowe in an howr                              12
  But trewely no fors of thi reddowr+
  To hym {a}t ou{er} hym self hath the maystrye
  My suffysau{n}ce shal be my socour+
  For fynaly fortune I. thee deffye                               16

   O socrates {o}u stidfast chau{m}pyou{n}
  She neu{er} myht[e] be thi tormentowr
  Thow neu{er} dreddest hyr opp{re}ssyou{n}
  Ne in hyr cher{e} fownde thow no sauour+                        20
  Thow knewe wel the deseyte of hyr colour+
  And {a}t hir most[e] worshipe is to lye
  I knew hir ek a fals dissimulour+
  For fynaly fortune .I. the deffye                               24

                                                              [[pg 183]]
LE RESPOU{N}CE DE FORTUNE A PLEINTIF.

   No man ys wrechchyd but hym self yt wene
  {And} he {a}t hath hym self hat suffisaunce
  Whi seysthow tha{n}ne y am [to] the so kene
  {a}t hast thy self owt of my gou{er}nau{n}ce                   28
  Sey thus grau{n}t m{er}cy of thyn habou{n}dau{n}ce
  That thow hast lent or this why wolt {o}u stryue
  What woost thow yit how y the wol auau{n}ce
  {And} ek thow hast thy beste frende a-lyue                      32

   I haue the tawht deuisyou{n} by-twene
  Frend of effect+ {and} frende of cowntenau{n}ce
  The nedeth nat the galle of no hyene
  {a}t cureth eyen derkyd for penau{n}ce                         36
  Now se[st] thow cleer {a}t weere in ignorau{n}ce
  Yit halt thin ancre {and} yit thow mayst aryue
  Ther bownte berth the keye of my substau{n}ce
  {And} ek {o}u hast thy beste frende alyue                      40

   How manye haue .I. refused to sustigne
  Syn .I. the fostred haue in thy plesau{n}ce
  Wolthow thanne make a statute on y quyene
  {a}t .I. shal ben ay at thy ordynau{n}ce                       44
  Thow born art in my regne of varyau{n}ce
  Abowte the wheel w{i}t{h} oother most thow dryue
  My loore is bet than wikke is thi greuau{n}ce
  {And} ek ou hast thy beste frende a-lyue                       48

    [Linenotes:
    37 _se[st]_--partly erased and _ist_ written on it in a later hand.
    41 _igne_ of _sustigne_ is in a later hand.]


LE RESPOU{N}CE DU PLEINTIF COU{N}TR{E} FORTUNE.

    [Sidenote: [fol. 54.]]

   Thy loor{e} y dempne / it is adu{er}syte
  My frend maysthow nat reuen blynde goddesse
  {a}t .I. thy frendes knowe .I. thanke to the
  Tak hem agayn / lat hem go lye on p{re}sse                      52
  The negardye in kepynge hyr rychesse
  P{re}nostik is thow wolt hir+ towr+ asayle
  Wikke appetyt comth ay before sykenesse                     [[pg 184]]
  In general this rewle may nat fayle                             56


LE RESPOU{N}CE DE FORTUNE COU{N}TR{E} LE PLEINTIF

   Thow pynchest at my mutabylyte
  For .I. the lente a drope of my rychesse
  And now me lykyth to w{i}t{h}-drawe me
  Whi sholdysthow my realte ap{re}sse                             60
  The see may ebbe {and} flowen moor{e} or lesse
  The welkne hath myht to shyne reyne or hayle
  Ryht so mot .I. kythen my brutelnesse
  In general this rewle may nat fayle                             64


LE PLEINTIF

   Lo excussyou{n} of the maieste
  {a}t al purueyeth of his ryhtwysnesse
  That same thinge fortune clepyn ye
  Ye blynde beestys ful of lewednesse                             68
  The heuene hath p{ro}prete of sykyrnesse
  This world hath eu{er} resteles trauayle
  Thy laste day is ende of myn inter[e]sse
  In general this rewele may nat fayle                            72


LENUOY DE FORTUNE

   Prynses .I. prey yow of yowr{e} gentilesses
  Lat nat this man on me thus crye {and} pleyne
  And .I. shal quyte yow yowr{e} bysynesse
  At my requeste as thre of yow or tweyne                         76
  {a}t but yow lest releue hym of hys peyne
  Preyeth hys best frend of his noblesse
  That to som beter{e} estat he may attayne


       *       *       *       *       *
           *       *       *       *


_CHAUCER'S TEXT ONLY_

The following section contains the text alone of Chaucer's translation
of _De Consolatione Philosophiae_, without the editor's annotations.
It is followed by the Glossarial Index.




LIBER PRIMUS.


INCIPIT LIBER BOICII DE CO{N}SOLAC{I}O{N}E PHILOSOPHIE.

Car{m}i{n}a qui q{u}onda{m} studio flore{n}te p{er}egi.

  [Sidenote: [The fyrste Met{ur}.]]

++Allas I wepyng am constreined to bygynne vers of sorouful matere.
at whilom in florysching studie made delitable ditees. For loo
rendyng muses of poetes enditen to me inges to be writen. and drery
v{er}s of wrecchednes weten my face wi v{er}ray teers. At e leest
no drede ne my[gh]t[e] ouer-come o muses. at ei ne were{n} felawes
{and} folweden my wey. at is to seyne when I was exiled. ei at weren
glorie of my you[gh]th whilom weleful {and} grene co{n}forten now e
sorouful werdes of me olde man. for elde is comen vnwarly vpon me hasted
by e harmes at I haue. {and} sorou ha comau{n}ded his age to be in
me. Heeres hore ben schad ouertymelyche vpon myne heued. and e
slak[e] skyn tremble vpon myn emty body. ilk[e] dee of men is welful
at ne come not in [gh]eres at ben swete (.i. mirie.) but come to
wrecches often yclepid.

Allas allas wi how deef an eere dee cruel to{ur}ne awey fro
wrecches {and} naie to closen wepyng eyen. While fortune vnfeiful
fauored[e] me wi ly[gh]te goodes (.s. temp{or}els.) e sorouful houre
at is to seyne e dee had[de] almost dreynt myne heued. But now for
fortune clowdy ha chaunged hir disceyuable chere to me warde. myn
vnpitouse lijf drawe a long vnagreable dwellynges in me. O [gh]e my
frendes what or wherto auaunted[e] [gh]e me to be weleful: for he at
ha fallen stood not i{n} stedfast degree.


HIC DUM MECUM TACITUS.

  [Sidenote: [The firste p{ro}se.]]

++IN e mene while at I stille recorded[e] ise inges wi my self.
{and} markede my wepli compleynte wi office of poyntel. Isaw stondyng
aboue e hey[gh]t of my heued a woman of ful greet reuerence by
semblaunt hir eyen brennyng {and} clere seing ouer e comune my[gh]t of
men. wi a lijfly colo{ur} {and} wi swiche vigoure {and} strenke at
it ne my[gh]t[e] not be emptid. Al were it so at sche was ful of so
greet age. at men ne wolde not trowe i{n} no manere at sche were of
oure elde. e stature of hir was of a doutous iugement. for su{m}tyme
sche constreyned[e] {and} schronk hir selue{n} lyche to e comune mesure
of men. {and} su{m}tyme it semed[e] at sche touched[e] e heuene wi e
hey[gh]te of hir heued. and when sche hef hir heued heyer sche
p{er}ced[e] e selue heuene. so at e sy[gh]t of men lokyng was i{n}
ydel. Hir cloes weren maked of ry[gh]t delye redes {and} subtil
crafte of p{er}durable matere. e wyche cloes sche hadde wouen wi hir
owen hondes: as I knew wel aftir by hir selfe. declaryng {and} schewyng
to me e beaute. e wiche cloes a derkenes of a forleten and dispised
elde had[de] duskid {and} dirkid as it is wo{n}t to dirken by-smoked
ymages. In e neerest[e] hem or bordure of ese cloes me{n} redden
ywouen in swiche a gregkysche .P. at signifie e lijf actif. And
abouen {a}t l{ett}re in e hey[gh]est[e] bordure a grekysche T. at
signifie e lijf contemplatif. And by-twene ese two l{ett}res ere
weren seien degrees nobly wrou[gh]t in manere of laddres. By wyche
degrees men my[gh]t[en] clymbe fro e neemast[e] l{ett}re to e
ouermast[e]. Naeles hondes of su{m} men hadde korue {a}t cloe by
vyolence {and} by strenke. And eueryche man of hem hadde born away
syche peces as he my[gh]te geet[e]. And forsoe is forsaide woman ber
bookes in hir ry[gh]t honde. {and} in hir lefte honde sche ber a ceptre.
And when sche sau[gh] ese poetical muses ap{ro}chen aboute my bedde.
{and} endytyng wordes to my wepynges. sche was a lytel ameued and
glowed[e] wi cruel eyen. Who q{uo}d sche ha suffred ap{ro}chen to
is seek[e] man ise comune strumpetis of siche a place at men clepen
e theatr{e}. e wyche only ne asswagen not his sorowes. wi no
remedies. but ei wolde fede {and} norysche hem wi swete venym.
Forsoe ise ben o at wi ornes {and} prykkynges of talent[gh] or
affecciou{n}s wiche at ben no ing frutefiyng nor p{ro}fitable
destroyen e cornes plenteuouse of frutes of reson. For ei holden e
hertes of men i{n} usage. but ei ne delyuere not folk fro maladye. but
if [gh]e muses hadde widrawen fro me wi [gh]oure flateries. any
vnkonnyng {and} vnp{ro}fitable man as men ben wont to fynde comunely
amonges e peple. Iwolde wene suffre e lasse greuously. For-why in
syche an vnp{ro}fitable man myne ententes weren no ing endamaged. But
[gh]e widrawen me is man at ha ben norysched in studies or scoles of
Eleaticis {and} of achademicis in grece. But go now raer awey [gh]e
meremaydenes wyche ben swete til it be at e laste. {and} suffre is
man to be cured {and} heled by myne muses. at is to say by notful
sciences. And us is compaygnie of muses I-blamed casten wroely e
chere adou{n}ward to e ere {and} schewyng by redenesse hir schame ei
passeden sorowfuly e reschefolde. And I of whom e sy[gh]t plonged
i{n} teres was derked so at I ne my[gh]t[e] not knowe what at woman
was of so i{m}perial auctorite. I wex al a-besid {and} astoned. {and}
caste my sy[gh]t adoune in to e ere. {and} bygan stille forto abide
what sche wolde don afterwarde. o come sche nere {and} sette hir doun
vpon e vterrest[e] corner of my bedde. {and} sche byholdyng my chere
at was cast to e ere heuy {and} greuous of wepyng. co{m}pleinede wi
ise wordes {a}t I schal sey e p{er}t{ur}bac{i}ou{n} of my ou[gh]t.


HEU Q{UAM} PRECIPITI MERSA PROFUNDO.

  [Sidenote: [The 2de Met{ur}.]]

++Allas how e ou[gh]t of man dreint in ouer rowyng depnesse dulle
{and} forleti hys p{ro}pre clerenesse. myntynge to gone in to foreyne
derknesses as ofte as hys anoious bisines wexi wi-oute{n} mesure.
{a}t is dryuen to {and} fro wi worldly wyndes. is man at su{m}tyme
was fre to who{m} e heuene was open {and} knowen {and} was wont to gone
in heuenelyche paes. {and} sau[gh] e ly[gh]tnesse of e rede sunne.
{and} sau[gh] e sterres of e colde moone. {and} wyche sterre i{n}
heuene vse wandryng risorses yflit by dyuerse speres. is man ouer
comere hadde co{m}p{re}hendid al is by noumbre. of accountyng in
astronomye. And ouer is he was wont to seche e causes whennes e
sounyng wy{n}des moeuen {and} bisien e smoe water of e see. {and}
what spirit turne e stable heuene. {and} whi e sterre ryse oute of
e reede eest. to falle in e westren wawes. and what attempri e lusty
houres of e fyrste somer sesou{n} at hi[gh]te {and} apparaile e
ere wi rosene floures. And who make at plenteuouse autu{m}pne in
fulle [gh]eres fleti wi heuy grapes. And eke is ma{n} was wont to
telle e dyuerses causes of nature at weren yhid. Allas now lie he
emptid of ly[gh]t of hys ou[gh]t. {and} hys nekke is p{re}ssid wi heuy
cheynes {and} bere his chere enclined adoune for e greet[e] wey[gh]t.
and is constreyned to loke on foule ere.


SET MEDICINE INQUIT TEMPUS.

  [Sidenote: [The ij^de p{ro}se.]]

++Bvt tyme is now q{uo}d sche of medicine more en of compleynte.
Forsoe en sche entendyng to me warde wi al e lokyng of hir eyen
saide. Art not ou he q{uo}d sche at su{m}tyme I-norschid wi my
mylke {and} fostre[d] wi my meetes were ascaped {and} comen to corage
of a p{er}fit man. Certys I [gh]af e syche armures at [gh]if ou i
self ne haddest first caste hem away. ei schulden haue defendid e in
sykernesse at may not be ouer-comen. Knowest ou me not. Why art ou
stille. is it for schame or for astonynge. It were me leuer at it were
for schame. but it seme me at astony{n}ge ha opp{re}ssed e. And
whan sche say me not oonly stille. but wi-outen office of tonge {and}
al doumbe. sche leide hir honde softely vpon my brest {and} seide.
Here nis no p{er}il q{uod} sche. He is fallen in to a litargie.
whiche at is a comune sekenes to hertes at ben desceiued. He ha a
litel for[gh]eten hym self. but certis he schal ly[gh]tly reme{m}bren
hym self. [Gh]if so be at he ha knowe{n} me or now. {and} at he may
so done I wil wipe a litel hys eyen. at ben derked by e cloude of
mortel inges ise wordes seide sche. and wi e lappe of hir garment
yplitid in a frounce sche dried[e] myn eyen at were ful of e wawes of
my wepynges.


TUNC ME DISCUSSA.

  [Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]]

++us when at ny[gh]t was discussed {and} chased awey. derknesses
forleften me. {and} to myn eyen repeyre a[gh]eyne her firste strenke.
and ry[gh]t by ensample as e sonne is hid when e sterres ben clustred.
at is to sey whe{n} sterres ben couered wi cloudes by a swifte wynde
at hy[gh]t chorus. {and} at e firmame{n}t stont derked by wete
ploungy cloudes. and at e sterres not apperen vpo{n} heuene. So at
e ny[gh]t seme sprad vpo{n} ere. Yif an e wynde at hy[gh]t
borias sent out of e kaues of e contre of Trace beti is ny[gh]t. at
is to seyn chasi it away {and} descouere e closed day. an schine
pheb{us} yshaken wi sodeyne ly[gh]t {and} smyte wi hys bemes i{n}
m{er}uely{n}g eyen.


HAUT ALITER TRISTICIE.

  [Sidenote: [The 3^de p{ro}se.]]

++Ry[gh]t so {and} none oer wyse e cloudes of sorowe dissolued {and}
don awey. I took heuene. {and} receyuede mynde to knowe e face of my
fyciscien. So at I sette myne eyen on hir {and} festned[e] my lokyng.
Ibyholde my norice philosophie. in whos houses I hadde conuersed {and}
haunted fro my [gh]oue. {and} I seide us. O ou maistresse of alle
uertues descendid fro e souereyne sete. Whi art ou comen in to is
solitarie place of myn exil. Art ou comen for {o}u art mad coupable
wi me of fals[e] blames. O q{uod} sche my norry scholde I forsake e
now. and scholde I not parte wi e by comune trauaille e charge at
ou hast suffred for envie of my name. Certis it nar[e] not leueful ne
sittyng to philosophie to leten wi-outen compaignie e wey of hym at
is i{n}nocent. Scholde I an redoute my blame {and} agrisen as ou[gh]
er were byfallen a newe ing. q.d. non. For trowest ou at
philosophi be now alerfirst assailed i{n} p{er}ils by folk of wicked[e]
maneres. Haue I not stryuen wi ful greet strife in olde tyme byfore
e age of my plato a[gh]eins e foolhardines of foly {and} eke e same
plato lyuyng. hys maistre socrates deserued[e] victorie of vnry[gh]tful
dee in my presence. e heritage of wyche socrates. e h{er}itage is
to seyne e doctrine of e whiche soc{ra}tes in hys oppiniou{n} of
felicite at I clepe welfulnesse Whan at e people of epicuriens
{and} stoyciens {and} many oer enforceden hem to go rauische eueryche
man for his part at is to seyne. at to eueryche of hem wolde drawen to
e defence of his oppiniou{n} e wordes of socrates. ei as in
p{ar}tie of hir preye todrowe{n} me criynge {and} debatyng er
a[gh]eins. {and} tornen {and} torente{n} my cloes at I hadde woue{n}
wi myn handes. {and} wi e cloutes at ei hadden arased oute of my
cloes. ei wenten awey wenyng at I hadde gon wi he{m} euery dele. In
whiche epicuryens {and} stoyciens. for as myche as er semed[e] so{m}me
traces {and} steppes of myne habit. e folye of men wenyng o epicuryens
{and} stoyciens my familers p{er}uertede (.s. p{er}sequend{o}) so{m}me
oru[gh] e errour of e wikked[e] or vnkunnyng[e] multitude of hem.
is is to seyne for ei semeden philosophres: ei weren p{ur}sued to
e dee and slayn. So yif ou hast not knowen e exilynge of
anaxogore. ne e empoysenyng of socrates. ne e to{ur}ment[gh] of
[gh]eno for ei [weren] straungers. [Gh]it my[gh]test ou haue
knowe{n} e senectiens {and} e Canyos {and} e sorancis of wyche folk
e renou{n} is neyer ouer oolde ne vnsolempne. e whiche men no ing
ellys ne brou[gh]t[e] hem to e dee but oonly for ei weren enfourmed
of my maneres. {and} semede{n} moste vnlyke to e studies of wicked
folk. And fori ou au[gh]test not to wondre ou[gh] {a}t I in e
bitter see of is lijf be fordryuen wi tempestes blowyng aboute. in e
whiche te{m}peste is is my most p{ur}pos at is to seyn to displese to
wikked[e] men. Of whiche schrews al be e oost neuer so grete it is to
dispyse. for it nis gouerned wi no leder of resoune. but it is
rauysched only by flityng errour folyly {and} ly[gh]tly. And if ei
somtyme maky{n}g an ost a[gh]eynest vs assaile vs as strengere. oure
leder drawe to gedir hys rycchesse i{n} to hys toure. {and} ei ben
ententif aboute sarpulers or sachels vnp{ro}fitable forto taken. but we
at ben hey[gh] abouen syker fro al tumulte {and} wode noise. ben stored
{and} enclosed in syche a palays. whider as at chateryng or anoying
folye ne may not attayne. We scorne swiche rauiners {and} honters of
foulest[e] inges.


QUISQ{UI}S COMPOSITO.

  [Sidenote: [The ferthe Met{ur}.]]

++Who so it be at is clere of vertue sad {and} wel ordinat of lyuyng.
at ha put vnderfote e prowed[e] wierdes {and} loki vpry[gh]t vpon
eyer fortune. he may holde hys chiere vndiscomfited. e rage ne e
manace of e co{m}moeuyng or chasyng vpwarde hete fro e botme. ne schal
not moeue at man. ne e vnstable mountaigne at hy[gh]t veseuus. at
wirche oute oru[gh] hys broken[e] chemineys smokyng fires. Ne e wey
of onder ly[gh]t at is wont to smyte hey[gh]e toures ne schal not
mouene at man. Wherto en wrecches drede [gh]e tyrauntes at ben wode
{and} felownes wi-outen ony strenke. Hope after no ing ne drede
nat. {and} so schalt ou desarmen e ire of ilke vnmy[gh]ty tyraunt.
But who so at quakyng drede or desire ing at nis not stable of
his ry[gh]t. at man at so do ha cast awey hys schelde {and} is
remoeued fro hys place. {and} enlace hym i{n} e cheyne wi whiche he
may be drawen.


SENTIS NE INQUIT.

  [Sidenote: [The verthe p{ro}se.]]

++FElest ou q{uod} sche ise inges {and} entren ei ou[gh]t in i
corage. Art ou like an asse to e harpe. Whi wepest ou whi spillest
ou teres. Yif ou abidest after helpe of i leche. e byhoue
discouere i wounde. o .I. at hadde gadered strenke in my corage
answered[e] {and} seide. {and} nede it [gh]itte q{uod} .I. of rehersyng
or of amonic{i}ou{n}. {and} schewe it not ynou[gh] by hym self e
scharpnes of fortune at wexe woode a[gh]eynes me. Ne moeue it nat
e to seen e face or e man{er}e of is place (.i. p{r}isou{n}.). Is
is e librarie wyche at ou haddest chosen for a ry[gh]t certeyne sege
to e i{n} myne house. ere as ou desputest of[te] wi me of e
sciences of inges touching diuinitee {and} touchyng mankynde. Was an
myn habit swiche as it is now. was an my face or my chere swiche as
now.

  [Interlinear: quasi d{ice}ret non.]

Whan I sou[gh]t[e] wi e secretys of nature. whan ou enfo{ur}medest
my maners {and} e resou{n} of al my lijf. to e ensaumple of e ordre
of heuene.

  [Interlinear: ironice]

Is nat is e gerdou{n} at I refere to e to whom I haue be
obeisaunt. Certis ou enfo{ur}medist by e moue of plato is
sentence. at is to seyne at co{m}mune inges or comunabletes weren
blysful yif ei at haden studied al fully to wisdom gouerneden ilke
inges. or ellys yif it so by-felle at e gouernours of co{m}munalites
studieden in grete wisdomes. ou saidest eke by e moue of e same
plato at it was a necessarie cause wyse men to taken {and} desire e
gou{er}nau{n}ce of comune i{n}ges. for at e gou{er}nementes of comune
citees y-left in e hondes of felonous to{ur}mento{ur}s Citi[gh]enis ne
scholde not brynge inne pestile{n}ce {and} destrucc{i}ou{n} to goode
folk. And erfore I folowynge ilk auctoritee (.s. platonis). desiryng
to put[te] fure in execusiou{n} {and} in acte of comune
admi{ni}st{ra}c{i}ou{n} o inges at .I. hadde lerned of e among my
secre restyng whiles. ou {and} god {a}t put[te] ee in e ou[gh]tis
of wise folk ben knowen wi me at no ing brou[gh]t[e] me to maistrie
or dignite: but e comune studie of al goodenes. And er-of come it
at by-twixen wikked folk {and} me han ben greuouse discordes. at ne
my[gh]ten not be relesed by p{ra}yeres. For is libertee ha fredom of
conscience at e wrae of more my[gh]ty folk ha alwey ben despised of
me for saluac{i}ou{n} of ry[gh]t. How ofte haue .I. resisted {and}
wistonde ilk man at hy[gh]t[e] conigaste at made alwey assautes
a[gh]eins e p{ro}pre fortunes of poure feble folke. How ofte haue .I.
[gh]itte put of. or cast out hy{m} trigwille p{ro}uost of e kynges hous
boe of e wronges at he hadde bygon[ne] to done {and} eke fully
p{er}formed. How ofte haue I couered {and} defended by e auctorite of
me put a[gh]eins p{er}ils. at is to seine put myne auctorite in peril
for e wreched pore folke. at e couetise of straungeres vnpunysched
to{ur}mentid alwey wi myseses {and} greuaunces oute of noumbre. Neuer
man drow me [gh]itte fro ry[gh]t to wro{n}g. When I say e fortunes
{and} e rychesse of e people of e p{ro}uinces ben harmed eyer by
p{r}iue rauynes or by comune tributis or cariages. as sory was I as ei
at suffred[e] e harme. _Glosa._ Whan at theodoric e kyng of gothes
in a dere [gh]ere hadde hys gerners ful of corne {and} comaundede at no
ma{n} ne schold[e] bie no corne til his corne were solde {and} at at a
dere greuous pris. But I w{i}t{h}stod at ordinaunce {and} ouer-com it
knowy{n}g al is e kyng hym self. Coempciou{n} at is to seyn comune
achat or bying to-gidere at were establissed vpon poeple by swiche a
manere imposiciou{n} as who so bou[gh]t[e] a busshel corn he most[e]
[gh]eue e ky{n}g e fifte p{ar}t. _Textus._ Whan it was in e soure
hungry tyme ere was establissed or cried greuous {and} inplitable
coempciou{n} at men seyn wel it schulde greetly to{ur}me{n}tyn {and}
endamagen al e p{ro}uince of co{m}paigne I took strif a[gh]eins e
p{ro}uost of e pretorie for comune p{ro}fit. And e kyng knowyng of
it I ouercom it so at e coempciou{n} ne was not axed ne took effect.
Paulyn a counseiller of Rome e rychesse of e whyche paulyn e
houndys of e palays. at is to seyn e officeres wolde han deuoured by
hope {and} couetise [Gh]it drow I hym out of e Iowes .s. faucib{us}
of hem at gapede{n}. And for as myche as e peyne of e
accusac{i}ou{n} aiuged byforn ne scholde not sodeynly henten ne
punischen wrongfuly Albyn a counseiller of Rome. Iput[te] me a[gh]enis
e hates {and} indignac{i}ou{n}s of e accuso{ur} Ciprian. Is it not
an ynought yseyn at I haue p{ur}chased greet[e] discordes a[gh]eins my
self. but I aughte be more asseured a[gh]enis alle oer folk at for e
loue of ry[gh]twisnesse .I. ne reserued[e] neuer no ing to my self to
hem ward of e kynges halle .s. officers. by e whiche I were e more
syker. But oru[gh] e same accuso{ur}s accusyng I am co{n}dempned.
Of e noumbre of whiche accuso{ur}s one basilius at somtyme was
chased out of e kynges seruice. is now co{m}pelled i{n} accusyng of my
name for nede of foreine moneye. Also opilion {and} Gaudenci{us} han
accused me. al be it so at e Iustice regal hadde su{m}tyme demed hem
boe to go in to exil. for her treccheries {and} fraudes wi-outen
noumbre. To whiche iugement ei wolde not obeye. but defended[e] hem
by sykernesse of holy houses. at is to seyne fledden in to seyntuaries.
{and} whan is was ap{er}ceiued to e kyng. he comaunded[e] but at ei
voided[e] e citee of Rauenne by certeyne day assigned at men scholde
merken hem on e forheued wi an hoke of iren {and} chasen hem out of
toune. Now what ing seme e my[gh]t[e] be lykned to is cruelte. For
certys ilk same day was receyued e accusyng of my name by ilk[e] same
accuso{ur}s. What may be seid herto. ha my studie {and} my konnyng
deserued us. or ellys e forseide dampnaciou{n} of me. made at hem
ry[gh]tful accuso{ur}s or no (q.d. no{n}). Was not fortune asshamed of
is. [Certes alle hadde nat fortune ben asshamyd] at i{n}nocence was
accused. [gh]it au[gh]t[e] sche haue had schame of e file of myn
accuso{ur}s. But axest ou in so{m}me of what gilt .I. am accused. men
seyne at I wolde sauen e co{m}paignie of e senato{ur}s. And
desirest ou to here in what manere .I. am accused at I scholde han
distourbed e accuso{ur} to beren l{ett}res. by whiche he scholde han
maked e senatours gilty a[gh]eins e kynges Real maieste. O
meistresse what demest ou of is. schal .I. forsake is blame at I ne
be no schame to e (q. d. no{n}). Certis .I. haue wold it. at is to
seyne e sauuaciou{n} of e senat. ne I schal neuer leten to wilne it.
{and} at I confesse {and} am a-knowe. but e entent of e accusour to
be destourbed schal cese. For schal I clepe it a felonie an or a
synne at I haue desired e sauuaciou{n} of e ordre of e senat. and
certys [gh]it hadde ilk same senat don by me oru[gh] her decret[gh]
{and} hire iugementys as ou[gh] it were a synne or a felonie at is to
seyne to wilne e sauuaciou{n} of he{m} (.s senat{us}). But folye at
lieth alwey to hym self may not chaunge e merit of inges. Ne .I.
trowe not by e iugement of socrates {a}t it were leueful to me to hide
e soe. ne assent[e] to lesynges. But certys how so euer it be of is
I put[te] it to gessen or p{re}ise{n} to e iugeme{n}t of e {and} of
wise folk. Of whiche ing al e ordinaunce {and} e soe for as moche
as folk at ben to comen aftir our{e} dayes scholle{n} knowen it. I
haue put it in scripture {and} remembraunce. for touching e l{ett}res
falsly maked. by whiche l{ett}res I am accused to han hooped e fredom
of Rome. What app{er}tene me to speken er-of. Of whiche l{ett}res e
fraude hadde ben schewed ap{er}tly if I hadde had libertee forto han
vsed {and} ben at e co{n}fessiou{n} of myn accuso{ur}s. e whiche
ing in alle nedys ha grete strenke. For what o{er} fredo{m} may
men hopen. Certys I wolde at some o{er} fredom my[gh]t[e] be hoped.
I wolde an haue answered by e wordes of a man at hy[gh]t[e] Canius.
for whan he was accused by Gayus Cesar Germeins son at he (cani{us})
was knowyng {and} consentyng of a coniurac{i}ou{n} maked a[gh]eins hym
(.s. Gai{us}). is Canius answered[e] us. Yif I had[de] wist it ou
haddest not wist it. In whiche ing sorwe ha not so dulled my witte
{a}t I pleyne oonly at schrewed[e] folk apparailen folies a[gh]eins
vertues. But I wondre gretly how at ei may p{er}forme inges at ei
had[de] hoped forto done. For why. to wylne schrewednesse at come
p{ar}auenture of oure defaute. But it is lyke to a monstre {and} a
meruaille. How at in e p{re}se{n}t sy[gh]t of god may ben acheued
{and} p{er}formed swiche inges. as euery felonous man ha conceyued in
hys ou[gh]t a[gh]eins i{n}nocent. For whiche ing oon of i familers
not vnskilfully axed us. [Gh]if god is. whennes comen wikked[e]
inges. {and} yif god ne is whennes comen goode inges. but al hadde it
ben leueful at felonous folk at now desiren e bloode {and} e dee of
alle goode men. {and} eke of al e senat han wilned to gone destroien
me. whom ei han seyn alwey bataile{n} {and} defenden goode men {and}
eke al e senat. [Gh]it hadde I not desserued of e fadres. at is to
seyne of e senatours at ei scholde wilne my destrucc{i}ou{n}. ou
remembrest wele as I gesse at whan I wolde don or seyn any ing. ou i
self alwey p{re}sent reweledest me. At e citee of verone wha{n} at
e kyng gredy of comune slau[gh]ter. caste hym to t{ra}nsporten vpon al
e ordre of e senat. e gilt of his real maieste of e whiche gilt at
albyn was accused. wi how grete sykernesse of p{er}il to me defended[e]
I al e senat. ou wost wel at I seide soe. ne I auaunted[e] me
neuer in preysyng of my self. For alwey when any wy[gh]t resceiue
p{re}ciouse renou{n} in auauntyng hym self of hys werkes: he amenusi e
secre of hys conscience. But now ou mayst wel seen to what ende I am
comen for myne i{n}nocence. Ireceiue peyne of fals felonie in gerdou{n}
of verray vertue. And what open co{n}fessiou{n} of felonie had[de]
euer iugis so accordaunt i{n} cruelte. at is to seyne as myne accusyng
ha. at oer errour of mans witte or ellys co{n}diciou{n} of fortune
at is vncerteyne to al mortal folk ne submytted[e] su{m}me of he{m}.
at is to seyne at it ne cheyned[e] su{m}me iuge to han pitee or
compassiou{n}. For al ou[gh] I had[de] ben accused at I wolde brenne
holy houses. {and} strangle p{re}stys wi wicked swerde. or at .I.
had[de] grayed dee to alle goode men algatis e sentence scholde han
punysched me p{re}sent confessed or co{n}uict. But now I am remewed
fro e Citee of rome almost fyue-hundre ousand pas. Iam wi outen
defence dampned to p{ro}sc{ri}pciou{n} {and} to e dee. for e studie
{and} bountees at I haue done to e senat. But o wel ben ei wori of
mercye (as who sei nay.) er my[gh]t[e] neuer [gh]it non of hem ben
conuicte. Of swiche a blame as myn is of swiche t{r}espas myn
accuso{ur}s seyen ful wel e dignitee. e wiche dignite for ei wolde
derken it wi medelyng of some felonye. ei beren me on honde {and}
lieden. at I hadde polute {and} defouled my conscience wi sacrelege.
for couetise of dignite. And certys ou i self at art plaunted in me
chacedest oute e sege of my corage al couetise of mortal inges. ne
sacrilege ne had[de] no leue to han a place in me byforne ine eyen.
For ou drouppedest euery day in myn eer{e}s {and} in my ou[gh]t ilk
comaundement of pictogoras. at is to seyne men schal seruen to god.
{and} not to goddes. Ne it was no couenaunt ne no nede to taken helpe
of e foulest spirites. I at ou hast ordeyned or set in syche
excellence {a}t [ou] makedest me lyke to god. and ouer is e ry[gh]t
clene secre chaumbre of myn house. at is to seye my wijf {and} e
co{m}paignie of myn honeste frendis. {and} my wyues fadir as wel holy as
wori to ben reuerenced oru[gh] hys owen dedis. defenden me of al
suspecciou{n} of syche blame. But o malice. For ei at accusen me
taken of e philosophie feie of so grete blame. For ei trowen at
.I. haue had affinite to malyfice or enchau{n}tement[gh] by cause at I
am replenissed {and} fulfilled wi i techynges. {and} enformed of i
maners. And us it suffice not only at i reuerence ne auayle me
not. but [gh]if at ou of i fre wille raer be blemissed wi myne
offensiou{n}. But certys to e harmes at I haue ere bytyde [gh]it
is encrece of harme. at e gessinge {and} e iugement of myche folk ne
loken no ing to e[de]sertys of inges but only to e aue{n}t{ur}e of
fortune. And iugen at only swiche inges ben p{ur}ueied of god.
whiche at temporel welefulnesse co{m}mendi. _Glosa._ As us at yif
a wy[gh]t haue prosperite. he is a good man {and} wori to haue at
p{ro}sperite. and who so ha aduersite he is a wikked man. {and} god ha
forsake hym. {and} he is wori to haue at aduersite. is is e
opiniou{n} of so{m}me folke. {and} er of come at good gessyng.
Fyrste of al i{n}g forsake wrecches certys it greue me to ink[e]
ry[gh]t now e dyuerse sentences at e poeple sei of me. And us
moche I seye at e laste charge of contrarious fortune is is. at whan
at ony blame is laid vpon a caytif. men wenen at he ha deserued at
he suffre. And I at am put awey fro{m} goode men {and} despoiled
from dignitees {and} defoulid of my name by gessyng haue suffred torment
for my goode dedis. Certys me seme at I se e felonus couines of
wikked men abounden in ioie {and} in gladnes. And I se at euery lorel
shapi hy{m} to fynde oute newe fraudes forto accusen goode folke. and I
se at goode men ben ou{er}rowen for drede of my p{er}il. and euery
luxurious to{ur}mentour dar don alle felonie vnpunissed {and} ben
excited erto by [gh]iftes. and i{n}nocent[gh] ne ben not oonly
despoiled of sykernesse but of defence {and} erfore me list to crien to
god in is manere.


O STELLIFERI CONDITOR ORBIS.

  [Sidenote: [The fifthe met{ur}.]]

++O ou maker of e whele at bere e sterres. whiche at art fastned
to i p{er}durable chayere. {and} turnest e heuene wi a rauyssyng
sweigh{e} {and} {con}streinest e sterres to suffren i lawe. So {a}t
e mone somtyme schynyng wi hir ful hornes metyng wi alle e bemes of
e sonne. Hir broer hide e sterres at ben lasse. {and} somtyme
whan e mone pale wi hir derke hornes approche e sonne. leesith hir
ly[gh]tes. And at e euesterre esperus whiche at in e first[e] tyme
of e ny[gh]t brynge fure hir colde arysynges come eft a[gh]eynes hir
vsed cours. {and} is pale by e morwe at e rysynge of e sonne. and is
an cleped lucifer. ou restreinest e day by schorter dwellyng in e
tyme of colde wynter at make e leues to falle. ou diuidest e
swifte tides of e ny[gh]t when e hote somer is comen. i my[gh]t
attempre[] o variau{n}t[gh] sesons of e [gh]ere. so at [gh]epherus
e deboneire wynde bringe a[gh]ein in e first[e] somer sesou{n} e
leues at e wynde at hy[gh]t[e] boreas ha reft awey in autu{m}pne.
at is to seyne in e laste eende of somer. and e sedes at e sterre
at hy[gh]t arctur{us} saw ben waxen hey[e] cornes whan e sterre sirius
eschaufe hym. ere nis no ing vnbounde from hys olde lawe ne
forlete hym of hys p{ro}pre estat. O ou gouerno{ur} gouernyng alle
inges by certeyne ende. why refusest ou oonly to gouerne e werkes of
men by dewe manere. Whi suffrest {o}u at slidyng fortune turne to
grete vtter chaungynges of inges. so at anoious peyne at scholde
duelly punissh{e} felouns punissit[gh] innocent[gh]. And folk of
wikked[e] man{er}es sitten in hei[gh]e chaiers. {and} anoienge folk
treden {and} at vnry[gh]tfully in e nekkes of holy men. And vertue
clere {and} schynyng naturely is hid in dirke dirkenesses. {and} e
ry[gh]tful man beri e blame {and} e peyne of e felowne. Ne e
forsweryng ne e fraude couered {and} kembd wi a fals colo{ur} ne
a-noye not to schrewes. e whiche schrewes whan hem lyst to vsen her
strenge ei reioisen hem to putte{n} vndir hem e souerayne kynges.
whiche {a}t poeple wi[outen] noumbre dreden. O ou what so euer ou
be at knyttes[t] alle bondes of inges loke on ise wrecched[e] eres.
we men at ben nat a foule party but a faire party of so grete a werke
we ben turmentid in e see of fortune. ou gouerno{ur} widraw {and}
restreyne e rauyssinge flodes {and} fastne {and} forme ise eres
stable wi ilke [bonde] wi whiche ou gouernest e heuene at is so
large.


HIC UBI CONTINUATO DOLORE.

  [Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]]

++Whan I hadde wi a continuel sorwe sobbed or broken out ise inges
sche wi hir chere peisible {and} no i{n}g amoeued. wi my compleyntes
seide {us}. whan I say e q{uod} sche sorweful {and} wepyng I wist[e]
on-one at ou were a wrecche {and} exiled. but I wist[e] neuer how fer
ine exile was: [gh]if i tale ne hadde schewed it to me. but certys al
be ou fer fro i contre. ou nart nat put out of it. but ou hast
fayled of i weye {and} gon amys. and yif ou hast leuer forto wene
an ou be put out of i contre. an hast ou put oute i self raer en
ony oer wy[gh]t ha. For no wy[gh]t but i self ne my[gh]t[e] neuer
haue don at to e. For [gh]if ou remembre of what contre ou art
born. it nis not gou{er}ned by emp{er}oures. ne by gouernement of
multitude. as weren e contres of hem of athenes. But o lorde {and} o
kyng {and} at is god at is lorde of i contree. whiche at reioise
hym of e dwellyng of hys Cite[gh]enis. {and} not forto putte hem in
exile. Of e whiche lorde it is a souerayne fredom to be gouerned by e
bridel of hym and obeie to his iustice. Hast ou for[gh]eten ilke
ry[gh]t olde lawe of i Citee. in e whiche Citee it is ordeyned {and}
establissed at what wy[gh]t at ha leuer founden er i{n}ne hys sete
or hys house. en ellys where: he may not be exiled by no ry[gh]t fro
at place. For who so at is co{n}tened in-wi e paleis [{and} the
clos] of ilke Citee. er nis no drede at he may deserue to ben exiled.
But who at lette e wille forto enhabit[e] ere. he forlete also to
deserue to ben Cite[gh]ein of ilke Citee. So at I seye at e face
of is place ne amoeue me nat so myche as ine owen face. Ne .I. ne axe
not raer e walles of i librarie apparailled {and} wrou[gh]t wi yvory
{and} wi glas an after e sete of i ou[gh]t. In whiche I putte nat
somtyme bookes. but .I. putte at at make bookes wori of p{ri}s or
p{re}cious at is to sein e sentence of my books. {And} certeinly of
i dec{er}tes by-stowed in co{m}mune good. ou hast seid soe but after
e multitude of i goode dedys. ou hast seid fewe. {and} of e
vnhonestee or falsnesse of inges at ben opposed a[gh]eins e. ou hast
remembred inges at be{n} knowe to alle folk. and of e felonies {and}
fraudes of ine accuso{ur}s. it seme e haue I-touched it forsoe
ry[gh]tfully {and} schortly. Al my[gh]ten o same inges bettere {and}
more plentiuousely be couth in e moue of e poeple {a}t knowe al
is. ou hast eke blamed gretly {and} compleyned of e wrongful dede
of e senat. And ou hast sorwed for my blame. {and} ou hast wepen
for e damage of i renoune at is appaired. {and} i laste sorwe
eschaufed a[gh]eins fortune {and} co{m}pleinest at gerdou{n}s ne ben
not euenliche [gh]olde to e desertes of folk. {and} in e l{att}re ende
of i woode muse ou p{r}iedest {a}t ilke pees at gouerne e heuene
scholde gou{er}ne e ere But for at many tribulac{i}ou{n}s of
affecc{i}ou{n}s han assailed e. {and} sorwe {and} Ire {and} wepyng
todrawen ee dyuersely As ou art now feble of ou[gh]t. my[gh]tyer
remedies ne schullen not [gh]it touchen e for whiche we wil[e] vsen
somedel ly[gh]ter medicines. So at ilk[e] passiou{n}s at ben woxen
harde in swellyng by p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} folowyng in to i ou[gh]t
mowen woxe esy {and} softe to receyue{n} e strenke of a more my[gh]ty
{and} more egre medicine by an esier touchyng.


CU{M} PHEBI RADIIS G{RA}UE CA{N}C{R}I SID{US} ENESTUAT.

  [Sidenote: [The sixte met{ur}.]]

++Whan at e heuy sterre of e cancre eschaufe by e beme of pheb{us}.
at is to seyne whan at pheb{us} e sonne is in e signe of e Cancre.
Who so [gh]eue an largely hys sedes to e feldes at refuse to
receiuen hem. lete hym gon bygyled of trust at he hadde to hys corn. to
acorns or okes. yif ou wilt gadre violett[gh]. ne go ou not to e
purp{er} wode whan e felde chirkynge agrise of colde by e felnesse of
e wynde at hy[gh]t aquilon Yif ou desirest or wolt vsen grapes ne
seke ou nat wi a gloto{n}us hande to streine {and} p{re}sse e stalkes
of e vine in e first somer sesou{n}. for bachus e god of wyne ha
raer [gh]euen his [gh]iftes to autu{m}pne e latter ende of somer.
God tokeni {and} assigne e tymes. ablyng hem to her p{ro}pre
offices. Ne he ne suffre not stoundes whiche at hym self ha deuided
{and} co{n}streined to be medeled to gidre And fori he at forlete
certeyne ordinaunce of doynge by ou{er}rowyng wey. he ne ha no glade
issue or ende of hys werkes.


PRIMU{M} IGITUR PATERIS ROGACIONIB{US}.

  [Sidenote: [The syxte p{ro}se.]]

++FIrst wolt ou suffre me to touche {and} assaie e stat of i ou[gh]t
by a fewe demaundes. so at I may vnderstonde what be e manere of i
curac{i}ou{n}. Axe me q{uod} .I. atte i wille what ou wilt. {and} I
schal answer{e}. o saide sche us. wheer wenest ou q{uo}d sche
{a}t is worlde be gouerned by foolisshe happes {and} fortunes. or
elles wenest ou at er be i{n} it any gouerneme{n}t of resou{n}.
Certes q{uod} .I. ne trowe not in no manere at so certeyne inges
scholde be moeued by fortunouse fortune. but I wot wel at god maker
{and} mayster is gouerno{ur} of is werk. Ne neuer nas [gh]it day at
my[gh]t[e] putte me oute of e soenesse of at sentence. So is it
q{uod} sche. for e same ing songe ou a lytel here byforne {and}
byweyledest {and} byweptest. at only men weren put oute of e cure of
god. For of alle oer inges ou ne doutest nat at ei nere gouerned
by reso{n}. but how (.i. pape.). Iwondre gretly certes whi at ou art
seek. sien ou art put in to so holesom a sentence. but lat vs seken
depper. Iconiecte at ere lakke I not what. but sey me is. sien at
ou ne doutest nat {a}t is worlde be gouerned by god wi swycche
gouernailes takest ou hede at it is gouerned. vnne q{uod} .I. knowe
.I. e sente{n}ce of i q{ue}stiou{n}. so at I ne may nat [gh]it
answeren to i demaundes. I nas nat deceiued q{uod} sche at ere ne
faile su{m}what. by whiche e maladie of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} is crept
in to i ou[gh]t. so as e strenge of e paleys schynyng is open.
But seye me is reme{m}brest ou ou[gh]t what is e ende of i inges.
whider at e entenc{i}ou{n} of al kynde tende. I haue herd told it
somtyme q{uod} .I. but drerynesse ha dulled my memorie. Certys q{uod}
sche ou wost wel whe{n}nes at alle inges ben comen {and} p{ro}ceded.
Iwot wel q{uod} .I. {and} ansewered[e] at god is e bygynnyng of al.
And how may is be q{uod} sche at sien {o}u knowest e bygynnyng of
inges. at ou ne knowest not what is e endyng of inges. but swiche
ben e customes of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n}s. {and} is power ei han. at
ei may moeue a ma{n} fro hys place. at is to seyne from e stablenes
{and} p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of hys knowyng. but certys ei may not al arace
hym ne alyene hy{m} in al. But I wolde at ou woldest answere to is.
Remembrest ou at ou art a man _Boice._ Whi scholde I nat
remembre at q{uod} .I. _Philosophie._ Maiste ou not telle me an
q{uod} sche what ing is a man. Axest not me q{uod} I. wheir at be a
resonable best mortel. Iwot wel {and} I confesse wel at I am it.
Wistest ou neuer [gh]it at ou were ony oer ing q{uod} she. No
q{uod} .I. now wot I q{uod} she oer cause of i maladie {and} at
ry[gh]t grete ou hast left forto knowe i self what ou art. oru[gh]
whiche I haue pleynelyche knowen e cause of i maladie. or ellis e
entre of recoueryng of in hele. Forwhy for ou art co{n}founded wi
for[gh]etyng of i self. fori sorwest ou at ou art exiled of i
p{ro}pre goodes. And for ou ne wost what is e ende of inges.
for[i] demest [ou] at felono{us} {and} wikked men ben my[gh]ty {and}
weleful for ou hast for[gh]eten by whiche gouernement[gh] e worlde is
gouerned. Fori wenest ou at ise mutac{i}ou{n}s of fortune fleten
wi oute{n} gouerno{ur}. ise ben grete causes not oonly to maladie. but
certes grete causes to dee But I anke e auctour {and} e makere of
heele at nat{ur}e ha not al forleten e. {and} I haue g[r]ete
norissinges of i hele. {and} at is e soe sentence of gou{er}nau{n}ce
of e worlde. at ou byleuest at e gou{er}nynge of it nis nat subgit
ne vnderput to e folie of ise happes auenterouses. but to e resou{n}
of god And er fore doute e noing. For of is litel spark ine heet
of lijf schal shine. But for as muche as it is not tyme [gh]itte of
fastere remedies And e nature of ou[gh]tes disseiued is is at as
ofte as ei casten aweye soe opyniou{n}s: ei cloen hem in fals[e]
opiniou{n}s. [of which{e} false opyniou{n}s] e derknesse of
p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} wexe vp. at comfounde e verray insy[gh]t. {and}
at derkenes schal .I. say somwhat to maken i{n}ne {and} wayk by
ly[gh]t {and} meenelyche remedies. so at after at e derknes of
desseyuynge desyrynges is don awey. ou mow[e] knowe e schynyng of
verray ly[gh]t.


NUBIB{US} ATRIS CONDITA.

  [Sidenote: [The seuende Metyr.]]

++E sterres cou{er}ed wi blak[e] cloudes ne mowen geten a dou{n} no
ly[gh]t. [Gh]if e trouble wy{n}de at hy[gh]t auster stormynge {and}
walwy{n}g e see medle e heete at is to seyne e boylyng vp from e
botme e wawes {a}t somtyme weren clere as glas {and} lyke to e
fair[e] bry[gh]t[e] dayes wistant anon e sy[gh]tes of men. by e file
{and} ordure at is resolued. {and} e fletyng streme at royle dou{n}
dyuersely fro hey[gh]e mou{n}taignes is arestid {and} resisted ofte tyme
by e encountrynge of a stoon {a}t is dep{ar}tid {and} fallen from some
roche. And fori yif ou wilt loken {and} demen soe wi clere
ly[gh]t. {and} holde e weye wi a ry[gh]t pae. Weyue ou ioie. drif
fro e drede. fleme ou hope. ne lat no sorwe ap{ro}che. at is to sein
lat noon of ise four passiou{n}s ouer come e. or blynde e. for cloudy
{and} dirke is ilk ou[gh]t {and} bounde w{i}t{h} bridles. where as
ise inges regnen.

  EXPLICIT LIBER PRIMUS.




INCIPIT LIBER SECUNDUS.


POSTEA [PAU]LISPER CONTICUIT.

  [Sidenote: [The fyrst p{ro}se.]]

++After is she stynte a litel. and after at she hadde gadred by
atempre stillenesse myn attenciou{n} she seide us. As who so
my[gh]t[e] seye us. After ise inges she stynt[e] a lytel. {and}
whanne she ap{er}ceiued[e] by atempre stillenesse at I was ententif to
herkene hire. she bygan to speke in is wyse. Yif I q{uod} she haue
vnderstonde{n} {and} knowe vtterly e causes {and} e habit of i
maladie. ou languissed {and} art deffeted for talent {and} desijr of i
raer fortune. She at ilke fortune only at is chaunged as ou
feinest to e ward. ha p{er}uerted e clerenesse {and} e astat of i
corage. I vnderstonde e felefolde colo{ur} {and} deceites of ilke
merueillous monstre fortune. and how she vse ful flatryng familarite
wi hem at she enforce to bygyle. so longe til at she co{n}founde wi
vnsuffreable sorwe hem at she ha left in despeir vnpurueyed. and if
ou remembrest wel e kynde e maners {and} e desert of ilke fortune.
ow shalt wel knowe as in hir ou neuer ne haddest ne hast ylost any
fair ing. But as I trowe I shal not gretly trauaile to don e remembren
of ise inges. For ou were wont to hurtlen [{and} despysen] hir wi
manly wordes whan she was blaundissinge {and} presente {and}
p{ur}sewedest hir wi sentences at were drawe{n} oute of myne entre.
at is to seyne out of myn i{n}formac{i}ou{n} But no sudeyne
mutac{i}ou{n} ne bytide nat wi oute{n} a maner chau{n}gyng of curages.
and so is it byfallen at ou art dep{ar}ted a litel fro e pees of i
ou[gh]t. but now is tyme at ou drynke {and} atast[e] some softe {and}
delitable inges. so at whan ei ben entred wi i{n}ne e. it mow make
weye to strenger drynkes of medycynes. Com nowe fure erfore e
suasiou{n} of swetnesse Rethoryen. whiche at go oonly e ry[gh]t wey
whil she forsake not myne estatut[gh]. And wi Rethorice com fore
musice a damoisel of oure house at synge now ly[gh]ter moedes or
p{ro}lac{i}ou{n}s now heuyer. what ayle e man. what is it at ha cast
e in to murnyng {and} in to wepyng. Itrow[e] at ou hast sen some
newe ing {and} uncoue. ou wenest at fortune be chaunged a[gh]eins
e But ou wenest wrong. yif ou [at] wene. Alwey o ben hire maners.
she ha raer [kept] as to e ward hire p{ro}pre stablenes in e
chaungyng of hyre self. Ry[gh]t swyche was she whan she flatered[e]
e. {and} desseiued[e] e wi vnleueful lykynges of false welefulnesse.
ou hast now knowen {and} ataynt e doutous or double visage of ilke
blynde goddesse fortune. She at [gh]it couere hir {and} wymple hir
to oer folk. ha shewed hir euerydel to e. [Gh]if ou app{ro}uest
hir {and} enkest at she is good. vse hir maners {and} pleyne e nat.
And if ou agrisest hir fals[e] trecherie. dispise {and} cast aweye
hir at pleye so harmefully. for she at is now cause of so myche sorwe
to e. sholde be to e cause of pees {and} [of] ioie. she ha forsaken
e forsoe. e whiche at neuer man may be syker at she ne shal forsake
hym. _Glose._ But naeles some bookes han e text us. For soe she
ha forsaken e ne er nis no man syker at she ne ha not forsaken.
Holdest ou an ilke welefulnesse p{re}ciouse to e at shal passen.
{and} is p{re}sent fortune derwori to e. whiche at nis not feiful
forto dwelle. {and} whan she go aweye at she brynge a wy[gh]t in
sorwe For syn she may nat be wiholde{n} at a mans wille. she make
hym a wrecche whe{n} she dep{ar}te fro hym. What oer ing is
flitti{n}g fortune but a manere shewyng of wrycchednesse at is to
comen. ne it ne suffri nat oo[n]ly to loken of ing at is p{re}sent
byforne e eyen of man. but wisdom loke {and} mesure e ende of
inges. {and} e same chau{n}gyng from one to an oer. at is to seyne
fro aduersite to p{ro}sperite make at e manaces of fortune ne ben not
forto dreden. ne e flatrynges of hir to ben desired. us atte e last
it byhoue e to suffren wi euene wille in pacience al at is don inwi
e floor of fortune. at is to seyne in is worlde. Syen ou hast
oones put i nekke vnder e [gh]okke of hir. for if ou wilt write a
lawe of wendyng {and} of dwellyng to fortune whiche at ou hast chosen
frely to be i lady Art ou nat wrongful in at {and} makest fortune
wroe {and} asp{er}e by in inpacience. {and} [gh]it ou mayst not
chaungen hir. Yif ou co{m}mittest [{and}] bitakest i sayles to e
wynde. ou shalt be shouen not ider at ou woldest(:) but whider at
e wy{n}de shoue e Yif ou castest i seedes in e feldes ou
sholdest haue in mynde at e [gh]eres ben oer while plenteuous {and}
o{er} while bareyne. ou hast bytaken iself to e gouernaunce of
fortune. {and} fori it byhoue e to ben obeisaunt to e manere of i
lady. and enforcest ou e to aresten or wistonden e swyftnesse {and}
e sweyes of hir to{ur}nyng whele. O ou fool of alle mortel fooles if
fortune bygan to dwelle stable. she cesed[e] an to ben fortune.


HEC CUM SUPERBA.

  [Sidenote: [The fyrst met{ur}.]

++Whan fortune wi a proude ry[gh]t hande ha turnid hir chau{n}gyng
stoundes she fare lyke e maners of e boillyng eurippe. _Glose._
Eurippe is an arme of e see {a}t ebbith {and} flowi. {and} somtyme e
streme is on one syde {and} somtyme on at oer. _Texte_ She cruel
fortune kaste adoune kynges at somtyme weren ydred. {and} she
deceiuable enhau{n}seth vp e humble chere of hym at is discomfited.
{and} she neyer here ne recche of wrecched[e] wepynges. {and} she is
so harde at she lau[gh]e {and} scorne e wepyng of hem e whiche she
ha maked wepe wi hir free wille. us she pleye {and} {us} she
p{re}ue hir strenge {and} shewe a grete wondre to alle hir
seruau{n}t[gh]. Yif at a wy[gh]t is seyn weleful {and} ou{er}rowe in
an houre.


VELLEM AUTE{M} PAUCA.

  [Sidenote: [The secunde p{ro}se.]]

++CErtis I wolde plete wi ee a fewe inges vsynge e wordes of fortune
tak heede now i self. yif {a}t she axe ry[gh]t. O ou man wher fore
makest ou me gilty by ine euerydayes pleynynges. what wronges haue I
don e. what goodes haue I byreft e at weren ine. stryf or plete wi
me by fore what iuge at ou wilt of e possessiou{n} of rycchesse or of
dignites And yif ou maist shewe me at euer any mortal man ha
receyued any of ese inges to ben his in p{ro}pre. an wol I graunt[e]
frely at [alle] ilke inges were{n} ine whiche at ou axest. Whan
at nature brou[gh]t[e] e fore out of i moder wombe. Ireceyued[e] e
naked {and} nedy of al ing. {and} I norysshed[e] e wi my rychesse.
{and} was redy {and} ententif o{ru}[gh] my fauo{ur} to sustene e.
And at make e now i{n}pacient a[gh]eins me. {and} I envirounde e
wi al e habundaunce {and} shinyng of al goodes at ben in my ry[gh]t.
Now it lyke me to wi drawe myne hande. ou hast had grace as he at
ha vsed of foreyne goodes. ou hast no ry[gh]t to pleyne e. as ou[gh]
ou haddest vtterly lorn alle i inges. whi pleynest ou an. Ihaue
don e no wrong. Ricches hono{ur}es {and} swyche oer inges ben of my
ry[gh]t. My seruauntes knowen me for hir lady. ei comen wi me {and}
dep{ar}ten whan I wende. Idar wel affermen hardyly. at yif o inges
of whiche ou pleynest at ou hast forlorn hadde ben ine. ou ne
haddest not lorn he{m}. shal I an only be defended to vse my ry[gh]t.
Certis it is leueful to e heuene to make clere dayes. {and} after at
to keuere e same dayes wi derke ny[gh]tes. e ere ha eke leue to
apparaile e visage of e ere now w{i}t{h} floures {and} now wi fruyt.
{and} to confounde he{m} so{m}tyme wi raynes {and} wi coldes. e see
ha eke hys ry[gh]t to be somtyme calme {and} blaundyshing wi smoe
water. {and} somtyme to be horrible wi wawes {and} wi tempestes. But
e couetyse of men at may not be staunched shal it bynde me to be
stedfast. syn at stedfastnesse is vnkou to my maneres. Swyche is my
strenge. {and} is pley. Ipley[e] co{n}tinuely. Itourne e whirly{n}g
whele wi e tournyng cercle I am glade to chaunge e lowest to e
heyeste. {and} e heyest to e loweste. wore vp yif ou wilt. so it be
by is lawe. at ou ne holde not at I do e wronge ou[gh] ou
descende dou{n} whanne resou{n} of my pleye axe it. Wost ou not how
Cresus kyng of lyndens of whiche kyng Cir{us} was ful sore agast a litel
byforne at is rewlyche Cresus was cau[gh]t of Cirus {and} lad to e
fijr to be brent. but at a reyne desce{n}ded[e] dou{n} from heuene at
rescowed[e] hym And is it out of i mynde how at Paulus consul of
Rome whan he hadde take e kyng of p{er}ciens weep pitou[s]ly for e
captiuitee of e self[e] kyng. What oer inges bywaylen e criinges of
Tragedies. but only e dedes of fortune. at wi an vnwar stroke
ouert{ur}ne e realmes of grete nobley _Glose._ Tragedie is to seyne
a dite of a p{ro}sp{er}ite for a tyme at endi in wrechednesse.
Lernedest nat ou in grek whan ou were [gh]onge at in e entre or in
e seler of Iuppiter er ben couched two tunnes. at on is ful of good
at oer is ful of harme. What ry[gh]t hast ou to pleyne. yif ou
hast taken more plenteuously of e goode syde at is to seyne of my
rycchesse {and} p{ro}sp{er}ites. {and} what eke. yif I be nat departed
fro e. What eke. yif my mutabilitee [gh]iue e ry[gh]tful cause of
hope to han [gh]it better i{n}ges. Naeles desmaie e nat in i
ou[gh]t. and {o}u at art put in comune realme of alle: ne desijr[e]
nat to lyue by ine oonly p{ro}pre ry[gh]t.


SI Q{UA}NTAS RAPIDIS.

  [Sidenote: [the secu{n}de met{ur}.]]

++Ou[gh] plentee at is goddesse of rycches hielde adou{n} wi ful
horn. {and} widrawe nat hir hand. As many recches as e see turne
vpwardes sandes whan it is moeued wi rauysshing blastes. or ellys as
many rycches as er shynen bry[gh]t[e] sterres on heuene on e sterry
ny[gh]t. [Gh]it for al at mankynde nolde not cesce to wope wrecched[e]
pleyntes. And al be it so at god receyue gladly her p{ra}yers {and}
[gh]eue hem as ful large muche golde {and} app{ar}aile coueytous folk
wi noble or clere hono{ur}s. [gh]it seme hem haue I-gete noing. but
alwey her cruel ravyne deuourynge al at ei han geten shewi oer
gapinges. at is to seye gapen {and} desiren [gh]it after moo rycchesse.
What brideles my[gh]ten wiholde to any certeyne ende e desordene
coueitise of men Whan euere e raer {a}t it fleti in large
[gh]iftis: e more ay brenne in hem e rest of hauyng. Certis he at
quakyng {and} dredeful wene hym seluen nedy. he ne lyue neu{er}e mo
ryche.


HIIS IGITUR SI PRO SE.

  [Sidenote: [The thrydde p{ro}se.]]

++erfore yif at fortune spake wi e for hir self in is manere. For
soe ou ne haddest [nat] what ou my[gh]test answere. and if ou hast
any i{n}g wherwi. ou mayist ry[gh]tfully tellen i co{m}pleynt. It
byhoue e to shewen it. {and} .I. wol [gh]eue e space to tellen it.
Certeynely q{uod} I an ise ben faire inges {and} enoyntid wi hony
swetnesse of rethorike {and} musike. {and} only while ei ben herd ei
ben deliciouse. But to wrecches is a deppere felyng of harme. is is
to seyn at wrecches felen e harmes at ei suffren more greuously an
e remedies or e delites of ise wordes mowe gladen or comforten hem.
so at whan ise inges stynten forto sou{n}[e] in eres. e sorwe at is
inset greue e ou[gh]t. Ry[gh]t so is it q{uod} she. For ise ne ben
[gh]it none remedies of i maladie. but ei ben a manere norissinges of
i sorwe [gh]it rebel a[gh]eyne i curac{i}ou{n}. For whan at tyme
is. Ishal moue swiche inges at p{er}cen hem self depe. But naeles
{a}t ou shalt not wilne to leten i self a wrecche. Hast ou
for[gh]eten e nou{m}bre {and} e manere of i welefulnesse. Iholde me
stille how at e souerayn men of e Citee toke{n} e in cure {and}
kepynge whan ou were orphelyn of fadir {and} modir. {and} were chosen
i{n} affinite of p{r}inces of e Citee. And ou bygu{n}ne raer to ben
leef {and} deere an0 forto ben a ney[gh]bo{ur}. e whiche ing is e
most p{re}ciouse kynde of any p{ro}pinquitee or aliau{n}ce at may ben.
Who is it at ne seide ou nere ry[gh]t weleful wi so grete a nobley
of i fadres in lawe. {And} wi e chastite of i wijf. {and} wi e
oportunite {and} noblesse of i masculyn children. at is to seyne i
sones {and} ou{er} al is me lyst to passe of comune inges. How ou
haddest in i ou[gh]t dignitees at weren warned to olde men. but it
delite me to comen now to e singuler vphepyng of i welefulnesse.
Yif any fruyt of mortal inges may han any wey[gh]te or price of
welefulnesse. My[gh]test ou euere for[gh]eten for any charge of harme
at my[gh]t[e] byfallen. e remembrau{n}ce of ilke day at ou sey[e]
i two sones maked conseillers. {and} ylad to gidre from in house vndir
so gret assemble of senatours. {and} vndir e blyenesse of poeple.
{and} whan ou say[e] hem sette in e court in her chaieres of dignites.
ou rethorien or p{ro}nou{n}cere of kynges p{re}ysinges. deseruedest
glorie of wit {and} of eloquence. whan ou sittyng bytwix i two sones
conseillers in e place at hy[gh]t Circo. {and} fulfildest e abydyng
of multitude of poeple at was sprad about e wi large p{ra}ysynge
{and} laude as me{n} syngen in victories. o [gh]aue ou wordes of
fortune as I trowe. at is to seyne. o feffedest ou fortune wi
glosynge wordes {and} desseiuedest hir. whan she accoied[e] e {and}
norsshed[e] e as hir owen delices. ou hast had of fortune a [gh]ifte
at is to seyn swiche gerdou{n} at she neu[er]e [gh]af to p{re}ue man
Wilt ou erfore leye a rekenyng wi fortune. she ha now twynkeled
first vpon e wi a wykked eye. Yif ou considere e nou{m}bre {and}
e manere of i blysses. {and} of i sorwes. ou maist nat forsake at
ou nart [gh]it blysful. For if ou erfore wenest i self nat weleful
for inges at o semeden ioyful ben passed. er nis nat whi ou
sholdest wene i self a wrecche. for inges at now semen soory passen
also. Art ou now comen firste a sodeyne gest in to e shadowe or
tabernacle of is lijf. or trowest ou {a}t any stedfastnesse be in
mannis inges. Whan ofte a swifte houre dissolue e same man. at is
to seyne whan e soule dep{ar}ti fro e body. For al ou[gh] at yelde
is er any fei at fortunous inges willen dwelle. [gh]it naeles e
last[e] day of a ma{n}nis lijf is a man{er}e dee to fortune. {and} also
to ilke at ha dwelt. {and} erfore what wenist ou ar recche yif ou
forlete hir i{n} dey{n}ge or ellys {a}t she fortune forlete e i{n}
fleenge awey.


CUM PRIMO POLO.

  [Sidenote: [The .iij. Met{ur}.]]

++Whan phebus e sonne bygynne to spreden his clerenesse w{i}t{h}
rosene chariettes. an e sterre ydimmyd pale hir white cheres. by e
flamus of e so{n}ne at ouer come e sterre ly[gh]t. is is to seyn
whan e sonne is risen e day sterre wexi pale {and} lesi hir ly[gh]t
for e grete bry[gh]tnesse of e sonne. Whan e wode wexe redy of
rosene floures in e first somer sesou{n} oru[gh] e bree of e wynde
Zephirus at wexe warme. Yif e cloudy wynde auster blowe felliche.
an go awey e fayrnesse of ornes. Ofte e see is clere {and} calme
wioute moeuy{n}g floodes. And ofte e horrible wynde aq{u}ilon moeue
boylyng tempestes {and} ouer whelwe e see. Yif e forme of is
worlde is so [[gh]eelde] stable. {and} yif it to{ur}ni by so many
entrechau{n}gynges. wilt ou a{n} truste{n} in e trublynge fortunes of
me{n}. wilt ou trowen i{n} flittyng goodes. It is certeyne {and}
establissed by lawe p{er}durable at no i{n}g {a}t is engendred nys
stedfast no stable.


TUNC EGO UERA INQ{UA}M.

  [Sidenote: [The ferthe prose.]]

++Anne seide I us. O norice of alle uertues ou seist ful soe. Ne I
may nat forsake e ry[gh]t[e] swifte cours of my p{ro}speritee. at is
to seine. at p{ro}speritee ne be comen to me wondir swiftly {and}
soone. but is is a ing at gretly smerti me whan it remembre me.
For in alle aduersitees of fortune e most vnsely kynde of
contrariouse fortune is to han ben weleful. But at ou q{uo}d she
abaist us e to{ur}ment of i fals[e] opiniou{n} at maist ou not
ry[gh]tfully blamen ne aretten to inges. as who sei for ou hast
[gh]itte many habundaunces of inges. _Textus._ For al be it so at e
ydel name of auenterouse welefulnesse moeue e now. it is leueful at
ou rekene w{i}t{h} me of how many[e] inges ou hast [gh]it plentee.
And erfore yif at ilke ing at ou haddest for most p{re}cious in
alle i rycchesse of fortune be kept to e by e grace of god vnwemmed
{and} vndefouled. Mayst ou a{n} pleyne ry[gh]tfully vpon e myschief
of fortune. syn ou hast [gh]it i best[e] inges. Certys [gh]it lyue
in goode poynt ilke p{re}cious hono{ur} of mankynde.Symacus i wyues
fadir whiche at is a man maked al of sapience {and} of vertue. e
whiche man ou woldest b[i]en redely wi e pris of in owen lijf. he
byweyle e wronges at men don to ee. {and} not for hym self. for he
liue in sykernesse of any sentence put a[gh]eins him. And [gh]it
lyue i wif at is attempre of witte {and} passyng oer women in
clennes of chastitee. and for I wol closen shortly her bountes she is
lyke to hir fadir. Itelle e welle at she lyue loo of hir life.
{and} kepi to ee oonly hir goost. {and} is al maat {and} ouer-comen by
wepyng {and} sorwe for desire of e In e whiche ing only I mot
graunten at i welefulnesse is amenused. What shal I seyn eke of i
two sones conseillours of whiche as of children of hir age er shine e
lyknesse of e witte of hir fadir {and} of hir eldefadir. and sien e
souereyn cure of alle mortel folke is to sauen hir owe{n} lyues. O how
weleful art ou ou[gh] ou knowe i goodes. But [gh]itte ben er
inges dwelly{n}g to e wardes at no man doute at ei ne ben more
derwore to e en ine owen lijf. And fori drie i teres for
[gh]itte nys nat eueriche fortune al hateful to e warde. ne ou{er}
greet tempest ha nat [gh]it fallen vpon e. whan at in ancres cliue
fast[e] at neier wole suffre e comfort of is tyme p{re}sent. ne e
hope of tyme comynge to passen ne to falle{n}. And I p{re}ie q{uod} I
at fast[e] mot[en] ei holden. For whiles at ei halden. how so
eu{er}e at inges ben. Ishal wel fleten fure and eschapen. But ou
mayst wel seen how greet[e] apparailes {and} aray at me lakke at ben
passed awey fro me. I haue su{m}what auau{n}ced {and} forered e
q{uod} she. if at ou anoie nat or forenke nat of al i fortune. As
who sei. I haue somwhat comforted e so at ou tempest nat e us
wi al i fortune. syn ou hast [gh]it i best[e] inges. But I may
nat suffre in delices. at pleinst so wepyng. {and} anguissous for at
oer lakke somwhat to i welefulnesse. For what man is so sad or of
so p{er}fit welefulnesse. at he ne stryue or pleyne on some half
a[gh]eine e qualitee of his estat. For whi ful anguissous ing is e
condiciou{n} of mans goodes. For eyer it come al to gidre to a
wy[gh]t. or ellys it laste not p{er}petuely. For som man ha grete
rycchesse. but he is asshamed of hys vngentil lynage. {and} som man is
renomed of noblesse of kynrede. but he is enclosed in so grete angre for
nede of inges. at hym were leuer at he were vnknowe. and som ma{n}
habunde boe i{n} rychesse {and} noblesse. but [gh]it he bywaile hys
chast[e] lijf. for he ha no wijf. and som man is wel {and} selily
maried but he ha no children. {and} norisshe his ricchesse to e
heires of straunge folk. And som man is gladded wi children. but he
wepi ful sory for e trespas of his son or of his dou[gh]tir. and for
is er accorde no wy[gh]t ly[gh]tly to e condic{i}ou{n} of his
fortune. for alwey to euery man ere is i{n} mest somwhat at vnassaie
he ne wot not or ellys he dredi at he ha assaied. {And} adde is
also at euery weleful man ha a wel delicat felyng. So at but yif
alle inges fallen at hys owen wille for he inpacient or is nat vsed to
han none aduersitee. an-oone he is rowe ado[-u]ne for euery lytel ing.
And ful lytel inges ben o at widrawen e so{m}me or e
p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of blisfulnesse fro hem at ben most fortunat. How
many men trowest ou wolde demen hem self to ben almost in heuene yif
ei my[gh]ten atteyne to e leest[e] p{ar}tie of e remenaunt of i
fortune. is same place at ou clepist exil is contre to hem at
enhabiten here. {and} fori. Noing wrecched. but whan ou wenest it
As who sei. ou[gh] i self ne no wy[gh]t ellys nys no wrecche but
whan he wene hym self a wrecche by reputac{i}ou{n} of his corage.


CONTRAQ{UE}.

++And a[gh]einewarde al fortune is blisful to a man by e agreablete or
by e egalite of hym at suffre it. What man is at. at is so
weleful at nolde chau{n}ge{n} his estat whan he ha lorn pacience. e
swetnesse of mannes welefulnesse is yspranid wi many[e] bitternesses.
e whiche welefulnesse al ou[gh] it seme swete {and} ioyeful to hym at
vse it. [gh]it may it not be wi-holden at it ne go away whan it wol.
an is it wel sen how wrecched is e blisfulnesse of mortel inges.
at nei{er} it dwelli p{er}petuel wi hem at euery fortune receyuen
agreablely or egaly. Ne it ne delite not in al. to hem at ben
anguissous. O ye mortel folkes what seke [gh]e an blisfulnesse oute
of [gh]oure self. whiche at is put in [gh]oure self. Erro{ur} {and}
folie co{n}fou{n}de [gh]ow I shal shewe e shortly. e poynt of
souereyne blisfulnesse. Is er any ing to e more p{re}ciouse an i
self ou wilt answere nay. an if it so be at ou art my[gh]ty ouer
i self at is to seyn by tranquillitee of i soule. an hast ou ing
i{n} i power at ou noldest neuer lesen. ne fortune may nat by-nyme it
e. {and} at ou mayst knowe at blisfulnesse [ne] may nat standen in
inges at ben fortunous {and} te{m}perel. Now vndirstonde {and} gadir
it to gidir us yif blisfulnesse be e souereyne goode of nature at
liue by resou{n} Ne ilke ing nis nat souereyne goode at may be
taken awey in any wyse. for more wori ing {and} more digne is ilke
ing {a}t may nat be taken awey. an shewi it wele at e
vnstablenesse of fortune may nat attayne to receyue verray blisfulnes.
And [gh]it more ouer. What man at is toumblyng welefulnesse
leedi. eier he woot at [it] is chaungeable. or ellis he woot it nat.
And yif he woot it not. what blisful fortune may er be in e
blyndenesse of ignorau{n}ce. and yif he woot at it is chaungeable. he
mot alwey ben adrad {a}t he ne lese at ing. at he ne doute nat but
at he may leesen it. As whoo sei he mot ben alwey agast lest he
leese at he wot wel he may leese. For whiche e continuel drede at
he ha ne suffri hym nat to ben weleful. Or ellys yif he leese it he
wene to be dispised {and} forleten hit. Certis eke at is a ful lytel
goode at is born wi euene hert[e] whan it is loost. at is to seyne
at men don no more force. of e lost an of e hauynge. And for as
myche as ou i self art he to who{m} it ha ben shewid {and} p{ro}ued
by ful many[e] demonstrac{i}ou{n}s. as I woot wel at e soules of men
ne mowen nat dien in no wise. and eke syn it is clere. {and} certeyne
at fortunous welefulnesse endi by e dee of e body. It may nat ben
douted at yif at dee may take awey blysfulnesse at al e kynde of
mortal i{n}g{us} ne descendi in to wrecchednesse by e ende of e
dee. And syn we knowen wel at many a man ha sou[gh]t e fruit of
blisfulnesse nat only wi suffryng of dee. but eke wi suffryng of
peynes {and} to{ur}mentes. how my[gh]t[e] an is p{re}sent lijf make
men blisful. syn at whanne ilke self[e] lijf is endid. it ne make
folk no wrecches.


QUISQUIS UOLET P{ER}HENNEM CAUTUS.

  [Sidenote: [The ferthe met{ur}.]]

++What maner man stable {and} war at wil founden hym a p{er}durable
sete {and} ne wil not be cast doune wi e loude blastes of e wynde
Eurus. {and} wil dispise e see manassynge wi floodes Lat hym eschewe
to bilde on e cop of e mou{n}tay{n}gne. or in e moyste sandes. For
e fel[le] wynde auster to{ur}mente e cop of e mou{n}tayngne wi alle
his strenges. and e lowe see sandes refuse to beren e heuy
wey[gh]te. {and} fori yif ou wolt flee e p{er}ilous auenture at is
to seine of e worlde Haue mynde certeynly to ficchyn i house of a
myrie site in a lowe stoone. For al ou[gh] e wynde troublyng e see
ondre wi ouererowynges ou at art put i{n} quiete {and} welful by
strenge of i palys shalt leden a cleer age. scornyng e wodenesses and
e Ires of e eir.


SET CUM RACIONU{M} IAM IN TE.

  [Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]]

++But for as moche as e noryssinges of my resou{n}s descenden now in to
e. Itrowe it were tyme to vsen a litel strenger medicynes. Now
vndirstonde here al were it so at e [gh]iftis of fortune nar[e] nat
brutel ne t{ra}nsitorie. what is er in hem at may be ine in any tyme.
or ellis at it nys foule if at it be considered {and} lokid
p{er}fitely. Richesse ben ei p{re}ciouse by e nature of hem self. or
ellys by e nature of e. What is most wori of rycchesse. is it nat
golde or my[gh]t of moneye assembled. Certis ilke golde {and} ilke
moneye shine {and} [gh]eue better renou{n} to hem at dispenden it.
en to ilke folke at mokeren it. For auarice make alwey mokeres to be
hated. {and} largesse make folke clere of renou{n} For syn at swiche
i{n}g as is t{ra}nsfered from o man to an oer ne may nat dwellen wi
no man. Certis an is ilke moneye p{re}cious. whan it is translated in
to oer folk. {and} stynte to ben had by vsage of large [gh]euy{n}g of
hym at ha [gh]euen it. {and} also yif al e moneye at is ouer-al in
e world were gadered towar[d] o man. it sholde maken al oer men to ben
nedy as of at. And certys a voys al hool at is to seyn wi-oute
amenusynge fulfille to gyder e heryng of myche folke. but Certys
[gh]oure rycchesse ne mowen nat passen vnto myche folk wi-oute
amenussyng And whan ei ben apassed. nedys ei maken hem pore at
forgon e rycchesses. O streite {and} nedy clepe I ise rycchesses.
syn at many folke [ne] may nat han it al. ne al may it nat comen to on
man wi-oute pouerte of al oer folke. And e shynynge of ge{m}mes at
I clepe p{re}ciouse stones. drawe it nat e eyen of folk in to hem
warde. at is to seyne for e beaute. For certys yif er were beaute
or bounte in shynyng of stones. ilke clerenesse is of e stones hem
self. {and} nat of men. For whiche I wondre gretly at men merueilen
on swiche inges. For whi what ing is it at yif it wa{n}te moeuyng
{and} ioynture of soule {and} body at by ry[gh]t my[gh]t[e] semen a
faire creature to hym at ha a soule of resou{n}. For al be it so at
ge{m}mes drawen to hem self a litel of e laste beaute of e worlde.
oru[gh] e entent of hir creato{ur} {and} oru[gh] e distincc{i}ou{n}
of hem self. [gh]it for as myche as ei ben put vndir [gh]oure
excellence. ei han not desserued by no weye at [gh]e shullen merueylen
on hem. And e beaute of feeldes delite it nat mychel vnto [gh]ow.
_Boyce._ Whi sholde it nat deliten vs. syn at it is a ry[gh]t fayr
porciou{n} of e ry[gh]t fair werk. at is to seyn of is worlde. And
ry[gh]t so ben we gladed somtyme of e face of e see whan it is clere.
And also merueylen we on e heuene {and} on e sterres. {and} on e
sonne. {and} on e mone. _Philosophie._ App{er}teine q{uo}d she any
of ilke inges to e. whi darst ou glorifie e in e shynynge of any
swiche inges. Art ou distingwed {and} embelised by e spryngyng
floures of e first somer sesou{n}. or swelli i plente in fruytes of
somer. whi art ou rauyshed wi ydel ioies. why enbracest ou straunge
goodes as ei weren ine. Fortune shal neuer maken at swiche inges ben
ine at nature of inges maked foreyne fro e. Syche is at
wi-oute{n} doute e fruytes of e ere owen to ben on e norssinge of
bestes. And if ou wilt fulfille i nede after at it suffise to
nature an is it no nede at ou seke after e sup{er}fluite of fortune.
For wi ful fewe inges {and} w{i}t{h} ful lytel ing nature halt hire
appaied. {and} yif ou wilt achoken e fulfillyng of nat{ur}e wi
sup{er}fluites Certys ilke inges {a}t ou wilt resten or pouren in
to nature shullen ben vnioyeful to e or ellis anoies. Wenest ou eke
at it be a fair inge to shine wi dyuerse cloing. of whiche cloing
yif e beaute be agreable to loken vpon. Iwol merueylen on e nature of
e matere of ilke cloes. or ellys on e werkeman at wrou[gh]t[e] hem.
but al so a longe route of meyne. maki at a blisful man. e whiche
seruauntes yif ei ben vicio[-u]s of condic{i}ou{n}s it is a greet
charge {and} a destrucc{i}ou{n} to e house. {and} a g{r}eet enmye to e
lorde hym self {And} yif ei ben goode men how shal straung[e] or
foreyne goodenes ben put in e nou{m}bre of i rycchesse. so {a}t by
alle ise forseide inges. it is clerly shewed at neuer none of ilke
inges at ou accou{m}ptedest for in goodes nas nat i goode. In e
whiche inges yif er be no beaute to ben desired. whi sholdest ou be
sory yif ou leese hem. or whi sholdest ou reioysen e to holden hem.
For if ei ben fair of hire owen kynde. what app{er}tene at to e.
for as wel sholde ei han ben faire by hem self. ou[gh] ei were{n}
dep{ar}tid from alle in rycchesse. For-why faire ne p{re}cio[-u]s ne
weren ei nat. for at ei comen amonges i rycchesse. but for ei
semeden fair {and} p{re}cious. erfore ou haddest leuer rekene hem
amonges i rycchesse. but what desirest ou of fortune wi so greet a
noyse {and} wi so greet a fare I trowe ou seke to dryue awey nede
wi habundaunce of inges. But certys it turne to [gh]ow al in e
contrarie. for whi certys it nedi of ful many[e] helpynges to kepen e
dyuersite of preciouse ostelment[gh]. and soe it is at of many[e]
inges han ei nede at many[e] inges han. {and} a[gh]eyneward of litel
nedi hem at mesuren hir fille after e nede of kynde {and} nat after
e outrage of couetyse Is it an so at ye men ne han no p{ro}pre
goode. I-set in [gh]ow. For whiche [gh]e moten seken outwardes [gh]oure
goodes in foreine {and} subgit inges. So is an e condic{i}ou{n} of
inges turned vpso dou{n}. at a man at is a devyne beest by merit of
hys resou{n}. inke at hy{m} self nys neyer fair ne noble. but if it
be oru[gh] possessiou{n} of ostelmentes. at ne han no soules. And
certys al o{er} i{n}ges ben appaied of hire owen beautes. but [gh]e
men at ben semblable to god by [gh]our{e} resonable ou[gh]t desiren to
apparaille [gh]our{e} excellent kynde of e lowest[e] pinges. ne [gh]e
ne vndirstonde nat how gret a wro{n}g [gh]e don to [gh]oure creato{ur}.
for he wolde at man kynde were moost wori {and} noble of any oer
erely inges. and [gh]e resten adou{n} [gh]oure dignitees by-neen e
lowest[e] inges. For if at al e good of euery ing be more
p{re}ciouse an is ilk ing whos at e good is. syn [gh]e demen at e
foulest[e] inges ben [gh]oure goodes. anne summytten [gh]e {and}
putten [gh]oure self vndir o foulest[e] inges by [gh]oure
estimac{i}ou{n}. And certis is bitidi nat wi out [gh]our{e} desert.
For certys swiche is e co{n}dic{i}ou{n} of al man kynde at oonly whan
it ha knowyng of it self. an passe it i{n} noblesse alle oer inges.
and whan it forleti e knowyng of it self. an it is brou[gh]t byneen
alle beestes. For-why alle oer [leuynge] beestes han of kynde to
knowe not hem self. but whan at men leten e knowyng of hem self. it
come hem of vice. but how brode shewe e erro{ur} {and} e folie of
[gh]ow men at wenen at ony ing may ben apparailled wi straunge
apparaillement[gh] but for-soe at may nat be don. for yif a wy[gh]t
shyne wi i{n}ges at ben put to hym. as us. yif ilke inges shynen
wi whiche a man is apparailled. Certis ilke inges ben commendid
{and} p{re}ised wi whiche he is apparailled. But naeles e ing at
is couered {and} wrapped vndir at dwelle in his file. and I denye at
ilke ing be good at anoye hym at ha it. Gabbe I of is. ou wolt
seye nay. Certys rycchesse han anoyed ful ofte hem at han e
rycchesse. Syn at euery wicked shrew {and} for hys wickednesse e
more gredy aftir oer folkes rycchesse wher so euer it be in any place.
be it golde or p{re}cious stones. {and} weni hym only most wori at
ha hem ou an at so besy dredest now e swerde {and} e spere. yif
ou haddest entred in e pae of is lijf a voide wayfaryng man. an
woldest ou syng[e] by-fore e eef. As who sei a poure man at bere
no rycchesse on hym by e weye. may boldly syng[e] byforne eues. for he
ha nat wher-of to ben robbed. O preciouse {and} ry[gh]t clere is e
blysfulnesse of mortal rycchesse. at wha{n} ou hast geten it. an hast
ou lorn i syke[r]nesse.


FELIX IN MIRU{M} PRIOR ETAS.

  [Sidenote: [The fyfthe met{ur}.]]

++Blysful was e first age of men. ei helden hem apaied wi e metes
at e trewe eres brou[gh]ten fure. ei ne destroyed[e] ne
desceyued[e] not hem self wi outerage. ei weren wont ly[gh]tly to
slaken her hunger at euene wi acornes of okes ei ne coue nat medle
e [gh]ift of bacus to e clere hony. at is to seyn. ei coue make no
piment of clarre. ne ei coue nat medle e bri[gh]t[e] flies of e
co{n}tre of siriens wi e venym of tirie. is is to seyne. ei coue
nat dien white flies of sirien contre wi e blode of a manar
shelfysshe. at men fynden in tyrie. wi whiche blode men deien purper.
ei slepen holesom slepes vpon e gras. and dronken of e rynnyng
watres. {and} laien vndir e shadowe of e hey[gh]e pyne trees. Ne no
gest ne no straunger [ne] karf [gh]it e heye see wi oores or wi
shippes. ne ei ne hadden seyne [gh]itte none newe strondes to leden
merchaundyse in to dyuerse co{n}tres. o weren e cruel clariou{n}s
ful whist {and} ful stille. ne blode yshed by egre hate ne hadde nat
deied [gh]it armurers. for wherto or whiche woodenesse of enmys wolde
first moeuen armes. whan ei seien cruel woundes ne none medes ben of
blood yshad I wolde at oure tymes sholde turne a[gh]eyne to e oolde
maneres. But e anguissous loue of hauyng brenne in folke moore
cruely an e fijr of e Mou{n}taigne of Ethna at euer brenne. Allas
what was he at first dalf vp e gobets or e wey[gh]tys of gold couered
vndir ere. {and} e p{re}cious stones at wolden han ben hid. he dalf
vp p{re}cious perils. at is to seyne at he at hem first vp dalf. he
dalf vp a p{re}cious peril. for-whi. for e p{re}ciousnesse of swyche
ha many man ben in peril.


QUID AUTE{M} DE DIGNITATIB{US} {ET} C{ETERA}.

  [Sidenote: [The sixte p{ro}se.]]

++But what shal I seyne of dignitees {and} of powers. e whiche [ye] men
{a}t neier knowen verray dignitee ne verray power areysen hem as heye
as e heuene. e whiche dignitees {and} powers yif ei come to any
wicked man ei don [as] greet[e] damages {and} distrucc{i}ou{n} as do
e fla{m}me of e Mou{n}taigne Ethna whan e fla{m}me wit walwi vp ne
no deluge ne do so cruel harmes. Certys ye remembri wel as I trowe
at ilke dignitee at men clepi e emperie of {con}sulers e whiche
at somtyme was bygynnyng of fredom. [Gh]oure eldres coueiteden to han
don a-wey at dignitee for e p{r}ide of e conseilers. And ry[gh]t
for e same p{r}ide [gh]oure eldres byforne at tyme hadden don awey out
of e Citee of rome e kynges name. at is to seien. ei nolden haue no
lenger no kyng But now yif so be {a}t dignitees {and} powers ben
[gh]euen to goode men. e whiche ing is ful [gh]elde. what agreable
i{n}ges is er in o dignitees. or powers. but only e goodenes of folk
at vsen hem. And erfore it is us at hono{ur} ne come nat to
vertue for cause of dignite. but a[gh]einward. hono{ur} come to dignite
by cause of vertue. but whiche is [gh]oure derwore power at is so
clere {and} so requerable O [gh]e erelyche bestes considere [gh]e nat
ouer whiche ing at it seme at [gh]e han power. Now yif ou say[e]
a mouse amo{n}g{us} oer myse at chalenged[e] to hymself ward ry[gh]t
{and} power ouer alle oer myse. how gret scorne woldest ou han of hit.
_Glosa._ So fare it by men. e body ha power ouer e body. For yif
ow loke wel vpon e body of a wy[gh]t what ing shalt ou fynde moore
frele an is mannes kynde. e whiche ben ful ofte slayn wi bytynge of
smale flies. or ellys wi e entryng of crepyng wormes in to e
priuetees of mennes bodyes. But wher shal men fynden any man at may
exercen or haunten any ry[gh]t vpon an oer ma{n} but oonly vpon hys
body. or ellys vpo{n} inges at ben lower en e body. whiche I clepe
fortunous possessiou{n}s Mayst ou euer haue any comaundement ouer a
fre corage Mayst ou remuen fro e estat of hys p{ro}pre reste. a
ou[gh]t at is cleuyng to gider in hym self by stedfast resou{n}. As
somtyme a tiraunt wende to co{n}founde a freeman of corage {And} wende
to co{n}streyne hym by to{ur}ment to maken hym dyscoueren {and} acusen
folk at wisten of a coniurac{i}ou{n}. whiche I clepe a confederacie at
was cast a[gh]eins is tyraunt But is free man boot of hys owen
tunge. {and} cast it in e visage of ilke woode tyrau{n}te. So at e
to{ur}ment[gh] at is tyrau{n}t wende to han maked mater{e} of cruelte.
is wyse man maked[e it] matere of vertues. But what ing is it at a
man may don to an oer man. at he ne may receyue e same ing of oer
folke i{n} hym self. or us. What may a man don to folk. at folk ne
may don hym e same. I haue herd told of busirides at was wo{n}t to
sleen hys gestes at herburghden in hys hous. and he was slayn hym self
of ercules at was hys gest Regulus had[de] taken in bataile many men
of affrike. and cast hem in to fetteres. but sone after he most[e]
[gh]iue hys handes to ben bounden w{i}t{h} e cheynes of hem at he
had[de] somtyme ou{er}comen. Wenest ou an at he be my[gh]ty. at
may nat don a ing. at oer ne may don hym. at he do to oer. {and}
[gh]it more ou{er} yif it so were at ise dignites or poweres hadden
any p{ro}pre or naturel goodnesse in hem self neuer nolden ei comen to
shrewes. For contrarious inges ne ben not wont to ben yfelawshiped
togidres. Nature refuse at contra[r]ious inges ben yioigned. And
so as I am in certeyne at ry[gh]t wikked folk han dignitees ofte tymes.
an shewe it wel at dignitees {and} powers ne ben not goode of hir
owen kynde. syn at ei suffren hem self to cleue{n} or ioynen hem to
shrewes. And certys e same ing may most digneliche Iugen {and} seyen
of alle e [gh]iftis of fortune at most plenteuously comen to shrewes.
Of e whiche [gh]iftys I trowe at it au[gh]t[e] ben considered at no
man douti at he nis strong. in whom he see strenge. {and} in whom
at swiftnesse is Soe it is at he is swyfte. Also musyk make
musiciens. {and} fysik make phisiciens. {and} rethorik rethoriens.
For whi e nature of euery ing maki his p{ro}pretee. ne it is nat
ent{er}medled wi e effect{is} of co{n}trarious inges. And as of wil
it chase oute inges at to it ben contrarie But certys rycchesse may
nat restreyne auarice vnstaunched Ne power [ne] make nat a ma{n}
my[gh]ty ouer hym self. whiche at vicious lustis holden destreined wi
cheins at ne mowen nat ben vnbounden. {and} dignitees at ben [gh]euen
to shrewed[e] folk nat oonly ne maki hem nat digne. but it shewe raer
al openly at ei ben vnwori {and} vndigne. And whi is it {us}.
Certis for [gh]e han ioye to clepen inges wi fals[e] names. at
beren hem al in e co{n}t{ra}rie. e whiche names ben ful ofte reproued
by e effect of e same inges. so at ise ilke rycchesse ne au[gh]ten
nat by ry[gh]t to ben cleped rycchesse. ne whiche power ne au[gh]t[e]
not ben cleped power. ne whiche dignitee ne au[gh]t[e] nat ben cleped
dignitee. And at e laste I may conclude e same inge of al e
[gh]iftes of fortune in whiche er nis no ing to ben desired. ne at
ha in hym self naturel bounte. as it is ful wel sene. for neyer ei
ne ioygne{n} hem nat alwey to goode men. ne maken hem alwey goode to
who{m} ei be{n} y-ioigned.


NOUIMUS QUANTOS DEDERAT.

  [Sidenote: [The sixte Met{ur}.]]

++WE han wel knowen how many g{r}eet[e] harmes {and} destrucc{i}ou{n}s
weren do by e Emp{er}oure Nero. He letee brenne e citee of Rome
{and} made slen e senato{ur}s. and he cruel somtyme slou[gh] hys
broer. {and} he was maked moyst wi e blood of hys modir. at is to
seyn he let sleen {and} slitte{n} e body of his modir to seen where he
was conceiued. {and} he loked[e] on euery half vpon hir colde dede body.
ne no tere ne wette his face. but he was so hard herted at he
my[gh]t[e] ben domesman or Iuge of hire dede beaute. And [gh]itte
neuereles gouerned[e] is Nero by Ceptre al e peoples at phebus e
sonne may seen comyng from his outerest arysyng til he hidde his bemes
vndir e wawes. at is to seyne. he gouerned[e] alle e peoples by
Ceptre imp{er}ial at e so{n}ne go aboute from est to west And eke
is Nero goueyrende by Ceptre. alle e peoples at ben vndir e colde
sterres at hy[gh]ten e seuene triones. is is to seyn he gouerned[e]
alle e poeples at ben vndir e p{ar}ties of e nore. And eke Nero
gouerned[e] alle e poeples at e violent wynde Nothus scorchi {and}
baki e brennynge sandes by his drie hete. at is to seyne. alle e
poeples in e soue. [but yit ne myhte nat al his heye power torne the
woodnesse of this wykkyd nero / Allas it is greuous fortune it is]. as
ofte as wicked swerde is ioygned to cruel venym. at is to sein.
venimous cruelte to lordshipe.


TU{M} EGO SCIS INQ{UA}M.

  [Sidenote: [The seuende p{ro}se.]]

++Anne seide I us. ou wost wel iself at e couetise of mortal
inges ne hadden neuer lordshipe of me. but I haue wel desired matere of
inges to done. as who sei. Idesired[e] to han matere of gou{er}naunce
ouer comunalites. For vertue stille ne sholde not elden. at is to
seyn. at list at or he wex olde His uertue at lay now ful stille.
ne sholde nat p{er}isshe vnexcercised i{n} gouernaunce of comune. For
whiche men my[gh]ten speke or write{n} of his goode gouernement.
_Philosophie._ For soe q{uo}d she. {and} at is a ing at may
drawen to gouernaunce swiche hertes as ben wori {and} noble of hir
nature. but naeles it may nat drawen or tollen swiche hertes as ben
y-brou[gh]t to e ful[le] p{er}fecciou{n} of vertue. at is to seyn
couetyse of glorie {and} renou{n} to han wel administred e comune
inges. or doon goode decertes to p{ro}fit of e comune. for se now
{and} considere how litel {and} how voide of al prise is ilke glorie.
Certeine ing is as ou hast lerned by demonstrac{i}ou{n} of
astronomye at al e envyronynge of e ere aboute ne halt but e
resou{n} of a prykke at regard of e gretnesse of heuene. at is to
seye. at yif at er were maked co{m}parisou{n} of e ere to e
gretnesse of heuene. men wolde Iugen in alle at ere [ne] helde no
space Of e whiche litel regiou{n} of is worlde e fere partie is
enhabitid wi lyuyng beestes at we knowen. as ou hast i self lerned
by tholome at p{ro}uit[-h] it. yif ou haddest wi drawen {and}
abated in i ou[gh]te fro ilke fere partie as myche space as e see
{and} [the] mareys contenen {and} ouergon {and} as myche space as e
regiou{n} of droughte ou{er}strecche. at is to seye sandes {and}
desertes wel vnne sholde er dwellen a ry[gh]t streite place to e
habitaciou{n} of men. {and} [gh]e an at ben environed {and} closed wi
i{n}ne e leest[e] prikke of ilk prikke enke [gh]e to manifesten
[gh]oure renou{n} {and} don [gh]oure name to ben born fore. but
[gh]our{e} glorie at is so narwe {and} so streyt yronge{n} in to so
litel boundes. how myche conteine it in largesse {and} in greet doynge.
And also sette is er to at many a nac{i}ou{n} dyuerse of tonge {and}
of maneres. {and} eke of resou{n} of hir lyuyng ben enhabitid in e
cloos of ilke litel habitacle. To e whiche nac{i}ou{n}s what for
difficulte of weyes. {and} what for diu{er}site of langages. {and} what
for defaute of vnusage entercomunynge of marchau{n}dise. nat only e
names of singler men ne may [nat] strecchen. but eke e fame of Citees
ne may nat strecchen. At e last[e] Certis in e tyme of Marcus tulyus
as hym self write in his book at e renou{n} of e comune of Rome ne
hadde nat [gh]itte passed ne clou{m}ben ou{er} e mou{n}taigne at
hy[gh]t Caucasus. {and} [gh]itte was ilk tyme rome wel wexen {and}
gretly redouted of e p{ar}thes. and eke of oer folk enhabityng aboute.
Sest ou nat an how streit {and} how comp{re}ssed is ilke glorie at
[gh]e t{ra}uaile{n} aboute to shew {and} to multiplie. May an e glorie
of a singlere Romeyne strecchen ider as e fame of e name of Rome may
nat clymben ne passen. And eke sest {o}u nat at e maners of
diu{er}se folk {and} eke hir lawes ben discordau{n}t amonge hem self. so
{a}t ilke ing at so{m}men iugen wori of p{re}ysynge. oer folk
iugen at it is wori of torment. and er of come at ou[gh] a man
delite hy{m} in p{re}ysyng of his renou{n}. he ne may nat i{n} no wise
bryngen fure ne sprede{n} his name to many manere peoples. And
erfore euery man{er} man au[gh]te to ben paied of hys glorie at is
puplissed among hys owen ney[gh]bores. And ilke noble renou{n} shal
be restreyned wi-i{n}ne e boundes of o maner folk but how many a man
at was ful noble in his tyme. ha e nedy {and} wrecched for[gh]etynge
of writers put oute of mynde {and} don awey. Al be it so at certys
ilke writynges p{ro}fiten litel. e whiche writy{n}ges longe {and}
derke elde do aweye boe he{m} {and} eke her auto{ur}s. but [gh]e men
semen to geten [gh]ow a p{er}durablete whan [gh]e enke at in tyme
comyng [gh]oure fame shal lasten. But naeles yif ou wilt maken
co{m}parisou{n} to e endeles space of eternite what ing hast ou by
whiche ou maist reioysen e of lo{n}g lastyng of i name. For if er
were maked co{m}parysou{n} of e abidyng of a mome{n}t to ten ousand
wynter. for as myche as boe o spaces ben endid. For [gh]it ha e
moment some porciou{n} of hit al ou[gh] it a litel be. But naeles
ilke self nou{m}bre of [gh]eres. and eke as many [gh]eres as er to may
be multiplied. ne may nat certys be comparisou{n}d to e p{er}durablete
at is een[de]les. For of inges at han ende may be mad
co{m}parisou{n} [but of thinges that ben w{i}t{h}-owtyn ende to thinges
{a}t han ende may be maked no {com}parysou{n}]. And for i is it al
ou[gh] renou{n} of as longe tyme as euer e lyst to inken were
ou[gh]t by e regard of et{er}nite. at is vnstauncheable {and}
infinit. it ne sholde nat oonly semen litel. but pleinliche ry[gh]t
nou[gh]t. But [gh]e men certys ne konne don no ing ary[gh]t. but
[gh]if it be for e audience of poeple. {and} for ydel rumo{ur}s. {and}
[gh]e forsaken e grete worinesse of conscience {and} of vertue. {and}
[gh]e seke{n} [gh]oure gerdou{n}s of e smale wordes of st{ra}nge folke.
Haue now here {and} vndirstonde i{n} e ly[gh]tnesse of whiche p{r}ide
{and} veyne glorie. how a man scorned[e] festiualy {and} myrily swiche
vanite. somtyme ere was a man at had[de] assaied wi striuyng wordes
an oer ma{n}. e whiche nat for vsage of verrey vertue. but for
proude veyne glorie had[de] take{n} vpon hym falsly e name of a
philosopher. is raer man at I speke of ou[gh]t[e] he wolde
assay[e] where he ilke were a philosopher or no. at is to seyne yif he
wolde han suffred ly[gh]tly in pacience e wro{n}ges at weren don vnto
hym. is feined[e] philosophre took pacience a litel while. {and} whan
he hadde receiued wordes of outerage he as in stryuynge a[gh]eine {and}
reioysynge of hym self seide at e last[e] ry[gh]t us. vndirstondest
ou nat at I am a philosophere. at oer man answered[e] a[gh]ein ful
bityngly {and} seide. I had[de] wel vndirstonden [yt]. yif ou haddest
holde{n} i tonge stille. But what is it to ise noble wori men. For
certys of swyche folk speke .I. at seken glorie wi vertue. what is it
q{uo}d she. what atteini fame to swiche folk whan e body is resolued
by e dee. atte e last[e]. For yif so be at men dien in al. at is
to seyne body {and} soule. e whiche ing oure resou{n} defendi vs to
byleuen anne is ere no glorie in no wyse. For what sholde ilke glorie
ben. for he of who{m} is glorie is seid to be nis ry[gh]t nou[gh]t in
no wise. and [gh]if e soule whiche at ha in it self science of goode
werkes vnbounden fro e p{r}isou{n} of e ere wende frely to e
heuene. dispise it nou[gh]t an alle erely occupac{i}ou{n}s. {and}
beynge i{n} heuene reioise at it is exempt from alle erely inges [as
wo seith / thanne rekketh the sowle of no glorye of renou{n} of this
world].


QUICUMQ{UE} SOLAM MENTE.

  [Sidenote: [The 7th Metre.]]

++Who so at wi ouerrowyng ou[gh]t only seke glorie of fame. {and}
weni at it be souereyne good Lete hym loke vpon e brode shewyng
contreys of e heue{n}. {and} vpo{n} e streite sete of is ere. {and}
he shal be ashamed of e encres of his name. at may nat fulfille e
litel compas of e ere. O what coueiten proude folke to liften vpon
hire nekkes in ydel {and} dedely [gh]ok of is worlde. For al ou[gh]
[{a}t] renoune y-spradde passynge to ferne poeples go by dyuerse
tonges. and al ou[gh] grete houses {and} kynredes shyne wi clere
titles of hono{ur}s. [gh]it naeles dee dispise al heye glorie of
fame. {and} dee wrappe to gidre e heye heuedes {and} e lowe {and}
make egal {and} euene e heyest[e] to e lowest[e]. where wone{n} now
e bones of trewe fabricius. what is now brutus or stiern Caton e inne
fame [gh]it lastynge of hir ydel names is markid wi a fewe lettres. but
al ou[gh] we han knowe{n} e faire wordes of e fames of hem. it is nat
[gh]euen to knowe he{m} at ben dede {and} consumpt. Liggi anne stille
al vtterly vnknowable ne fame ne make [gh]ow nat knowe. and yif [gh]e
wene to lyuen e leng{er} for wynde of [gh]oure mortal name. whan o
cruel day shal rauyshe [gh]ow. an is e secunde dee dwellyng in
[gh]ow. _Glosa._ e first dee he clepi here e dep{ar}tynge of e body
{and} e soule. and e secunde dee he clepe as here. e styntynge of
e renoune of fame.


[SET NE ME INEXORABILE CONTRA.

  [Sidenote: [The viij p{ro}se.]]

++BVt for-as-mochel as thow shalt nat wenen q{uod} she {a}t I bere
vntretable batayle ayenis fortune // yit som-tyme it by-falleth {a}t
she desseyuable desserueth to han ryht good thank of men // {And} {a}t
is whan she hir{e} self opneth / {and} whan she descou{er}eth hir frownt
/ {and} sheweth hir maneres p{ar}-auentur{e} yit vndirstondesthow nat
{a}t .I. shal seye // it is a wondyr {a}t .I. desyr{e} to telle /
{and} forthi vnnethe may I. vnpleyten my sentense w{i}t{h} wordes for I.
deme {a}t contraryos fortune p{ro}fiteth mor{e} to men than fortune
debonayr{e} // For al-wey whan fortune semeth debonayr{e} than she lyeth
falsly in by-hetynge the hope of welefulnesse // but forsothe
{con}traryos fortune is alwey sothfast / whan she sheweth hir self
vnstable thorw hyr chau{n}gynge // the amyable fortune desseyueth folk /
the contrarye fortune techeth // the amyable fortune byndeth w{i}t{h}
the beaute of false goodys the hertes of folk {a}t vsen he{m} / the
contrarye fortune vnbyndeth he{m} by ^e knowynge of freele welefulnesse
// the amyable fortune maysthow sen alwey wyndynge {and} flowynge /
{and} eu{er}e mysknowynge of hir self // the contrarye fortune is
a-tempre {and} restreynyd {and} wys thorw excersyse of hir aduersyte //
at the laste amyable fortune w{i}t{h} hir flaterynges draweth mys
wandrynge men fro the souereyne good // the contraryos fortune ledith
ofte folk ayein to sothfast goodes / {and} haleth hem ayein as w{i}t{h}
an hooke / weenesthow thanne {a}t thow owhtest to leten this a lytel
thing / {a}t this aspre {and} horible fortune hath discoueryd to the /
the thowhtes of thy trewe frendes // For-why this ilke fortune hath
departyd {and} vncou{er}yd to the bothe the certeyn vysages {and} ek the
dowtos visages of thy felawes // wha{n} she dep{ar}tyd awey fro the /
she took awey hyr frendes {and} lafte the thyne frendes // now whan thow
wer{e} ryche {and} weleful as the semede / w{i}t{h} how mochel
woldesthow han bowht the fulle knowynge of this // {a}t is to seyn the
knowynge of thy verray freendes // now pleyne the nat thanne of Rychesse
.I.-lorn syn thow hast fowndyn the moste p{re}syos kynde of Rychesses
{a}t is to seyn thy verray frendes.


QUOD MU{N}DUS STABILI FIDE.

  [Sidenote: [The viij Met{ur}.]]

++THat ^e world w{i}t{h} stable feith / varieth acordable chaungynges
// {a}t the contraryos qualite of element[gh] holden among{e} hem self
aliau{n}ce p{er}durable / {a}t pheb{us} the sonne w{i}t{h} his goldene
chariet / bryngeth forth the rosene day / {a}t the mone hath
{com}mau{n}dement ou{er} the nyhtes // whiche nyhtes hesp{er}us the eue
sterre hat browt // {a}t ^e se gredy to flowen constreyneth w{i}t{h} a
certeyn ende hise floodes / so {a}t it is nat l[e]ueful to strechche
hise brode termes or bowndes vp-on the erthes // {a}t is to seyn to
cou{er}e alle the erthe // Al this a-cordau{n}ce of thinges is bownden
w{i}t{h} looue / {a}t gou{er}neth erthe {and} see / {and} hath also
{com}mau{n}dement[gh] to the heuenes / {and} yif this looue slakede the
brydelis / alle thinges {a}t now louen hem to gederes / wolden maken a
batayle contynuely {and} stryuen to fordoon the fasou{n} of this worlde
/ the which they now leden in acordable feith by fayre moeuynges // this
looue halt to gideres poeples Ioygned w{i}t{h} an hooly bond / {and}
knytteth sacrement of maryages of chaste looues // And loue enditeth
lawes to trewe felawes // O weleful weer{e} mankynde / yif thilke loue
{a}t gouerneth heuene gouerned[e] yowr{e} corages /

  EXPLICIT LIB{ER} 2_^us_.




INCIPIT LIB{ER} 3._^us_


IAM CANTU{M} ILLA FINIERAT.

  [Sidenote: [The fyrste p{ro}se.]]

++By this she hadde endid hir{e} song{e} / whan the swetnesse of hir{e}
ditee hadde thorw p{er}ced me {a}t was desirous of herkninge / {and}
.I. astoned hadde yit streyhte myn Eres / {a}t is to seyn to herkne the
bet / what she wolde seye // so {a}t a litel her{e} aft{er} .I. seyde
thus // O thow {a}t art sou{er}eyn comfort of Angwissos corages // So
thow hast remou{n}ted {and} norysshed me w{i}t{h} the weyhte of thy
sentenses {and} w{i}t{h} delit of thy syngynge // so {a}t .I. trowe nat
now {a}t .I. be vnparygal to the strokes of fortune / as who seyth. I.
dar wel now suffren al the assautes of fortune {and} wel deffende me fro
hyr // {and} tho remedies whyche {a}t thow seydest hir{e} byforn weren
ryht sharpe Nat oonly p{a}t .I. am nat agrysen of hem now // but .I.
desiros of herynge axe gretely to heeren tho remedyes // than seyde she
thus // {a}t feelede .I. ful wel q{uod} she // whan {a}t thow ententyf
{and} stylle rauysshedest my wordes // {and} .I. abood til {a}t thow
haddest swych habyte of thy thowght as thow hast now // or elles tyl
{a}t .I. my self had[de] maked to the the same habyt / which {a}t is a
moore verray thing{e} // And certes the remenau{n}t of thinges {a}t ben
yit to seye / ben swyche // {a}t fyrst whan men tasten hem they ben
bytynge / but whan they ben resseyuyd w{i}t{h}-inne a whyht than ben
they swete // but for thow seyst {a}t thow art so desirous to herkne
hem // wit[h] how gret brennynge woldesthow glowen / yif thow wystest
whyder .I. wol leden the // whydyr{e} is {a}t q{uod} .I. // to thilke
verray welefulnesse q{uod} she // of whyche thynge herte dremeth // but
for as moche as thy syhte is ocupied {and} distorbed / by Imagynasyon of
herthely thynges / thow mayst nat yit sen thilke selue welefulnesse //
do q{uod} .I. {and} shewe me / what is thilke verray welefulnesse / .I.
preye the w{i}t{h}-howte tarynge // {a}t wole .I. gladly don q{uod} she
/ for the cause of the // but .I. wol fyrst marken the by wordes / {and}
I wol enforcen me to enformen the // thilke false cause of blysfulnesse
{a}t thow more knowest / so {a}t whan thow hast fully by-holden thilke
false goodes {and} torned thyne eyen to {a}t oother syde / thow mowe
knowe the clernesse of verray blysfulnesse //]


QUI SERERE I{N}GENIUM.

  [Sidenote: [The fyrst met{ur}.]]

Who so wil sowe a felde plentiuous. lat hym first delyuer it of ornes
{and} kerue asondre wi his hooke e bushes {and} e ferne so at e
corne may come{n} heuy of eres {and} of greins. hony is e more swete
yif moues han firste tastid sauoures {a}t ben wikke. e sterres
shynen more agreably whan e wynde Nothus leti his ploungy blastes.
{and} aftir at lucifer e day sterre ha chased awey e derke ny[gh]t.
e day e feir{e}r ledi e rosene horse of e sonne. Ry[gh]t so ou
byholdyng first e fals[e] goodes. bygynne to widrawe i nek[ke] fro e
[gh]ok of erely affecc{i}ou{n}s. {and} afterwarde e verrey goodes
sholle{n} entre i{n} to i corage.


TUNC DEFIXO PAULULU{M}.

  [Sidenote: [The 2^de p{ro}se.]]

++O fastned[e] she a lytel e sy[gh]t of hir eyen {and} widrow hir
ry[gh]t as it were in to e streite sete of hir ou[gh]t. {and} bygan to
speke ry[gh]t {us}. Alle e cures q{uo}d she of mortal folk whiche at
trauaylen hem i{n} many manere studies gon certys by diu{er}se weies.
But naeles ei enforced hem to comen oonly to on ende of blisfulnesse
[And blysfulnesse] is swiche a goode at who so ha geten it he ne may
ouer at no ing more desiire. and is ing for soe is e souereyne
good at conteini in hym self al man{er}e goodes. to e whiche goode
yif ere failed[e] any ing. it my[gh]t[e] nat ben souereyne goode.
For an were ere som goode out of is ilke souereyne goode {a}t
my[gh]t[e] ben desired. Now is it clere {and} certeyne a{n} at
blisfulnesse is a p{er}fit estat by e congregac{i}ou{n} of alle goodes.
e whiche blisfulnesse as I haue seid alle mortal folke enforcen hem
to geten by dyuerse weyes. For-whi e couetise of verray goode is
naturely y-plaunted in e hertys of men. But e myswandryng erro{ur}
mysledi hem in to fals[e] goodes. of e whiche men some of hem wenen
at souereygne goode is to lyue wi outen nede of any ing. {and}
t{ra}ueile{n} hem to ben habundaunt of rycchesse. and some oer men
deme{n}. at sou{er}ein goode be forto be ry[gh]t digne of reu{er}ences.
{and} enforce{n} hem to ben reu{er}enced among hir ney[gh]bo{ur}s. by e
hono{ur}s at ei han ygeten {and} some folk er ben at halden at
ry[gh]t hey[gh]e power to be souereyn goode. {and} enforcen he{m} forto
regnen or ellys to ioigne{n} he{m} to hem at regnen. And it seme to
some oer folk at noblesse of renou{n} be e sou{er}ein goode. {and}
hasten hem to geten glorious name by e artes of werre or of pees. and
many folke mesuren {and} gessen {a}t sou{er}ein goode be ioye {and}
gladnesse {and} wenen at it be ry[gh]t blisful [thyng{e}] to ploungen
hem i{n} uoluptuous delit. And er ben folk at enterchaungen e
causes {and} e endes of ise forseide goodes as ei at desire{n}
rycchesse to han power {and} delices. Or ellis ei desiren power forto
han moneye or for cause of renou{n}. In ise inges {and} i{n} swyche
oer inges is to{ur}ned al e entenc{i}ou{n} of desirynges {and} [of]
werkes of me{n}. As us. Noblesse {and} fauo{ur} of poeple whiche
at [gh]iue as it seme a manere clernesse of renou{n}. and wijf
{and} children at men desiren for cause of delit {and} mirinesse. But
forsoe frendes ne shollen nat ben rekkened among e goodes of fortune
but of vertue. for it is a ful holy man{er}e ing. alle ise oer inges
forsoe ben taken for cause of power. or ellis for cause of delit.
Certis now am I redy to referen e goodes of e body to ise forseide
inges abouen. For it seme {a}t strenge {and} gretnesse of body
[gh]euen power {and} worinesse. and at beaute {and} swiftenesse
[gh]euen noblesse {and} glorie of renou{n}. {and} hele of body seme
[gh]iuen delit. In alle ise i{n}g{us} it seme oonly at
blisfulnesse is desired. For-whi ilke ing at euery man desire
moost ouer alle inges. he demi at be e souereyne goode. But I haue
diffined at blisfulnesse is e souereyne goode. for whiche euery
wy[gh]t demi at ilke estat at he desire ouer alle inges at it be
e blisfulnesse. Now hast ou an byforne [thy eyen] almost al e
p{ur}posed forme of e welfulnesse of ma{n}ky{n}de. at is to seyne
rycchesse. hono{ur}s. power. glorie. {and} delit[gh]. e whiche delit
oonly considered Epicurus Iuged {and} establissed. at delit is e
souereyne goode. for as myche as alle oer inges as hym ou[gh]t[e]
by-refte awey ioie {and} myre fro{m} e herte. But I reto{ur}ne
a[gh]eyne to e studies of meen. of whiche men e corage alwey rehersi
{and} seeke e souereyne goode of alle be it so {a}t it be wi a derke
memorie [but he not by whiche paath]. Ry[gh]t as a dronke ma{n} not
nat by whiche pae he may reto{ur}ne home to hys house. Seme it anne
at folk folyen {and} erren at enforcen he{m} to haue nede of no ing
Certys er nys non oer ing at may so weel p{er}fo{ur}ny
blisfulnesse as an estat plenteuo{us} of alle goodes at ne ha nede of
none oer ing. but at it is suffisant of hy{m} self. vnto hym self.
and foleyen swyche folk anne. at wenen at ilk ing {a}t is ry[gh]t
goode. at it be eke ry[gh]t wori of honour {and} of reuerence.
Certis nay. for at ing nys neyer foule ne wori to ben dispised at
al e entenc{i}ou{n} of mortel folke trauaille forto geten it. And
power au[gh]t[e] nat at eke to be rekened amonges goodes what ellis.
for it nys nat to wene at ilke ing at is most wori of alle inges
be feble {and} wi out strenge {and} clernesse of renou{n} au[gh]te at
to ben dispised. Certys er may no man forsake at al ing at is
ry[gh]t excellent {and} noble. at it ne seme to be ry[gh]t clere {and}
renomed. For certis it nedi nat to seie. at blisfulnesse be
anguissous ne dreri ne subgit to greua{n}ces ne to sorwes. syn at in
ry[gh]t litel i{n}g{us} folk seken to haue {and} to vsen at may
deliten hem. Certys ise ben e i{n}ges at men wolen {and} desyren
to geten. and for is cause desiren ei rycches. dignites. regnes.
glorie {and} delices For erby wenen ei to han suffisau{n}ce hono{ur}
power. renou{n} {and} gladnesse. anne is it goode. {a}t men seken
us by so many dyu{er}se studies. In whiche desijr it may ly[gh]tly be
shew{e}d. how grete is e strenge of nature. For how so at men han
dyuerse sentences {and} discordyng algates men accordyn alle in lyuynge
e ende of goode.


Q{UA}NTAS RER{UM} FLECTAT.

  [Sidenote: [The 2^de Met{ur}.]]

++IT like me to shew[e] by subtil songe wi slakke {and} delitable
sou{n} of strenges how at nature my[gh]ty encline {and} flitte
gouernement[gh] of inges {and} by whiche lawes she p{ur}ueiable kepi
e grete worlde. {and} how she bindynge restreine alle ing{us} by a
bonde at may nat be vnbounden.

[Sidenote: [j]]

Al be it so at e liou{n}s of e contree of pene beren e fair[e]
cheines. {and} taken metes of e handes of folk at [gh]euen it hem.
{and} dreden her sturdy maystres of whiche ei ben wont to suffren
[betinges]. yif at hir horrible moues ben bi-bled. at is to sein of
bestes devoured. Hir corage of tyme passe at ha ben ydel {and}
rested. repaire a[gh]ein at ei roren greuously. {and} reme{m}bren on
hir nature. {and} slaken hir nekkes from hir cheins vnbounden. and hir
maistre first to-teren wi blody toe assaie e woode wraes of hem.
is is to sein ei freten hir maister.

[Sidenote: [ij]]

And e Iangland brid at syngi on e heye braunches. is is to sein
in e wode {and} after is inclosed in a streit cage. al ou[gh]
[{a}t] e pleiyng besines of men [gh]eue hem honied[e] drinkes {and}
large metes. wi swete studie. [gh]it naeles yif ilke brid skippynge
oute of hir streite cage see e agreable shadewes of e wodes. she
defoule wi hir fete hir metes yshad {and} seke mournyng oonly e wode
{and} twitri desirynge e wode wi hir swete voys.

[Sidenote: [iij]]

e [gh]erde of a tree at is haled adou{n} by my[gh]ty strenge bowi
redely e croppe adou{n}. but yif at e hande of hym at it bente lat
it gon a[gh]ein. An oon e crop loke vp ry[gh]t to heuene.

[Sidenote: [iiij]]

e sonne phebus at faille at euene in e westrene wawes retorni
a[gh]ein eftsones his cart by a priue pae ere as it is wont aryse.
Alle inges seken a[gh]ein in to hir p{ro}pre cours. and alle inges
reioisen hem of hir retournynge a[gh]ein to hir nature ne noon
ordinaunce nis bytaken to i{n}ges but at. at ha ioignynge e endynge
to e bygynnynge. {and} ha makid e cours of it self stable at it
chaunge nat fro{m} hys p{ro}pre kynde.


VOSQ{UE} TERRENA ANIMALIA.

  [Sidenote: [The 3^de p{ro}se.]]

++CErtis also [gh]e men at ben erelich{e} bestes dreme{n} alwey [yowre
bygynnynge] al ou[gh] it be wi a inne ymaginac{i}ou{n}. {and} by a
maner ou[gh]t al be it nat clerly ne p{er}fitly [gh]e looken from a fer
til ilk verray fyn of blisfulnesse. and erfore e naturel
entenc{i}ou{n} lede [gh]ow to ilk verray good But many manere
errours misto{ur}ni [gh]ow er fro. Considere now yif at be ilke
inges by whiche a man weni to gete hym blysfulnesse. yif at he may
comen to ilke ende at he wene to come by nature For yif at moneye
or hono{ur}s or ise oer forseide inges bryngen to men swiche a ing
at no goode ne faille hem. ne seme faille. Certys an wil I
graunt[e] at ei ben maked blisful. by ilke inges at ei han geten.
but yif so be at ilke i{n}ges ne mowe nat p{er}fo{ur}men at ei
by-heten {and} at er be defaute of many goodes. Shewe it nat an
clerely {a}t fals beaute of blisfulnesse is knowe {and} a-teint in
ilke inges. First {and} forward ou i self at haddest
haboundaunces of rycchesses nat long agon. I axe [gh]if at in e
haboundaunce of alle ilk[e] rycchesses ou were neuer anguissous or
sory in i corage of any wrong or greuau{n}ce at by-tidde e on any
syde. Certys q{uo}d I it remembre me nat at euere I was so free of
my ou[gh]t. at I ne was al-wey in anguysh{e} of somwhat. {a}t was at
ou lakkedest at ou noldest han lakked. or ellys ou haddest at ou
noldest han had. ry[gh]t so is it q{uod} I an. desiredest ou e
p{re}sence of at oon {and} e absence of at oer. Igraunt[e] wel
q{uod} .I. for soe q{uod} she an nedi er somwhat at euery man
desire. [gh]e er nedi q{uod} I. Certis q{uod} she {and} he at ha
lakke or nede of a wy[gh]t nis nat in euery way suffisaunt to hym self.
no q{uod} .I. {and} ou q{uo}d she in alle e plente of i rycchesse
haddest ilke lak of suffisaunce. what ellis q{uod} .I. anne may
nat rycchesse maken at a man nis nedy. ne at he be suffisaunt to hym
self. {and} at was it {a}t ei byhy[gh]ten as it seme. and eke
certys I trowe at is be gretly to consydere at moneye ne ha nat in
hys owen kynde at it ne may ben by-nomen of hem at han it maugre hem.
I by-knowe it wel q{uod} I whi sholdest ou nat by-knowen it q{uod}
she. whan euery day e strenger folke by-nymen it fram e febler maugre
hem. Fro whennes comen ellys alle ise foreine compleintes or quereles
of plety{n}g{us}. But for at men axen a[gh]eine her moneye at ha be
by-nomen hem by force or by gyle. {and} alwey maugre hem. Ry[gh]t so
it is q{uod} I. an q{uo}d she ha a man nede to seke{n} hym foreyne
helpe by whiche he may defende hys moneye. who may say nay q{uod} .I.
Certis q{uod} she {and} hym nedi no helpe yif he ne hadde no moneye
at he my[gh]t[e] leese. at is doutles q{uod} .I. anne is is i{n}g
turned in to e contrarie q{uod} she For rycchesse at men wenen
sholde make suffisau{n}ce. ei maken a man raer han nede of foreine
helpe. whiche is e manere or e gise q{uod} she at rycches may
dryuen awey nede. Riche folk may ei neier han hungre ne rest. ise
ryche men may ei feele no colde on hir lymes in wynter. But ou wilt
answere at ryche men han y-nou[gh] wher wi ei may staunchen her
hunger. {and} slaken her rest {and} don awey colde. In is wise may
nede be co{n}forted by rycchesses. but certys nede ne may nat al
out{er}ly be don awey. for ou[gh] is nede at is alwey gapyng {and}
gredy be fulfilled wi rycchesses. {and} axe any ing [gh]it dwelle
anne a nede at my[gh]t[e] ben fulfilled. I holde me stille {and}
telle nat how at litel ing suffise to nature. but certys to auarice
ynou[gh] ne suffise no inge. For syn at rychesse ne may nat al don
awey nede. but rychesse maken nede. what may it anne be at [gh]e wenen
at rychesses mowen [gh]eue{n} [gh]ow suffisau{n}ce.


QUAMUIS FLUENTER DIUES.

  [Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]]

++Al were it so at a ryche couetous man hadde riuer fletynge alle of
golde [gh]itte sholde it neuer staunche hys couetise. And ou[gh] he
hadde his nekke I-charged wi p{re}ciouse stones of e rede see. {and}
ou[gh] he do erye his feldes plentiuo{us} wi an hundre oxen neuere ne
shal his bytyng bysynesse forleten hym while he lyue. ne e ly[gh]t[e]
rychesses ne shal nat beren hym compaignie whanne he is dede.


SET DIGNITATIB{US}.

  [Sidenote: [The 4^the p{ro}se.]]

++Bvt dignitees to whom ei ben comen make ei hym honorable {and}
reuerent. han ei nat so grete strenge at ei may putte vertues in e
hertis of folk. at vsen e lordshipes of hem. or ellys may ei don awey
e vices. Certys ei [ne] ben nat wont to don awey wikkednesses. but ei
ben wont raer to shew[en] wikkednesses. {and} er of come it at I
haue ry[gh]t grete desdeyne. at dignites ben [gh]euen ofte to wicked
men. For whiche ing catullus clepid a consul of Rome at hy[gh]t
noni{us} postum. or boch. as who sei he clepi hy{m} a
congregac{i}ou{n} of uices in his brest as a postum is ful of
corrupc{i}ou{n}. al were is noni{us} set in a chayere of dignitee. Sest
ou nat an how gret vylenye dignitees don to wikked men. Certys
vnworines of wikked men shold{e} ben e lasse ysen yif ei nere renomed
of none hono{ur}s. Certys ou i self ne my[gh]test nat ben brou[gh]t
wi as many p{er}ils as ou my[gh]test suffren at {o}u woldest bere i
magistrat wi decorat. at is to seyn. at for no p{er}il at my[gh]t[e]
bifalle{n} e by e offence of e kyng theodorik ou noldest nat ben
felawe in gouernaunce w{i}t{h} decorat. whanne ou say[e] at he had[de]
wikkid corage of a likerous shrewe {and} of an acusor. Ne I ne may nat
for swiche honours Iuge{n} hem wori of reuerence at I deme {and} holde
vnwori to han ilke same hono{ur}s. Now yif ou saie a man at were
fulfilled of wisdom. certys oune my[gh]test nat demen {a}t he were
vnwori to e hono{ur}. or ellys to e wisdom of whiche he is fulfilled.
No q{uod} .I. Certys dignitees q{uod} she app{er}tienen p{ro}perly to
vertue. {and} uertue transporte dignite anon to ilke man to whiche she
hir self is conioigned. And for as moche as hono{ur}s of poeple ne may
nat maken folk digne of hono{ur}. it is wel seyn clerly at ei ne han
no p{ro}pre beaute of dignite. And [gh]it men au[gh]ten take more hede
in is. For if it so be at he is most out cast at most folk
dispisen. or as dignite ne may nat maken shrewes wori of no reuerences.
an make dignites shrewes more dispised an p{re}ised. e whiche
shrewes dignit[e] schewe to moche folk {and} for soe nat vnpunissed.
at is forto sein. at shrewes reuengen hem a[gh]einward vpon dignites.
for ei [gh]elden a[gh]ein to dignites as gret gerdou{n} whan ei
byspotten {and} defoulen dignites wi hire vylenie. And for as moche
as ou mow[e] knowe at ilke verray reuerence ne may nat comen by e
shadewy t{ra}nsitorie dignitees. vndirstonde now is. yif at a man
hadde vsed {and} hadde many manere dignites of consules {and} were
come{n} p{er}auenture amonges straunge nac{i}ou{n}s. sholde ilke
hono{ur} maken hym worshipful {and} redouted of straunge folk Certys
yif at honour of poeple were a naturel [gh]ifte to dignites. it ne
my[gh]te neuer cesen nowher amonges no maner folke to done hys office.
Ry[gh]t as fire i{n} euery contre ne stinte nat to enchaufen {and} to
ben hote. but for as myche as forto be holden honorable or reuerent ne
come nat to folk of hir p{ro}pre strenge of nat{ur}e. but only of e
fals[e] opiniou{n} of folk. at is to sein. at wenen at dignites maken
folk digne of hono{ur}. An on erfore whan at ei comen er as folk ne
knowe{n} nat ilke dignites. her hono{ur}s vanissen awey {and} at on
oon. but at is a-mong straung folk. maist ou sein. but amo{n}g{us} hem
at ei weren born duren ilk[e] dignites alwey. Certys e dignite of
e p{ro}uostrie of Rome was somtyme a grete power. now is it no ing but
an ydel name. {and} e rente of e senatorie a g{r}et charge. {and} yif
a whi[gh]t somtyme hadde e office to taken he[de] to e vitailes of e
poeple as of corne {and} what oer inges he was holden amonges grete.
but what ing is more nowe out cast anne ilke p{ro}uostrie And as I
haue seid a litel here byforne. at ilke ing at ha no p{ro}pre
beaute of hym self resceyue somtyme pris {and} shinynge {and} somtyme
lesi it by e opiniou{n} of vsaunces. Now yif at dignites anne ne
mowen nat maken folk digne of reuerence. {and} yif {a}t dignites wexen
foule of hir wille by e file of shrewes. and yif at dignites lesen
hir shynynge by chaungyng of tymes. and yif ei wexen foule by
estimac{i}ou{n} of poeple. what is it at ei han in hem self of beaute
at au[gh]te ben desired. as who sei none. anne ne mowen ei [gh]iuen
no beaute of dignite to none oer.


QUA{M}UIS SE TIRIO.

  [Sidenote: [The 4^the Met{ur}.]]

++Al be it so at e proude nero wi al his woode luxurie kembed hym
{and} apparailed hym wi faire purp{er}s of Tirie {and} wi white
perles. Algates [gh]itte throf he hateful to alle folk is is to seyn
at al was he by-hated of alle folk. [gh]itte is wicked Nero hadde
gret lordship {and} [gh]af somtyme to e dredeful senatours e
vnworshipful setes of dignites. vnworshipful setes he clepi here fore
at Nero at was so wikked [gh]af o dignites. who wolde anne resonably
wenen at blysfulnesse were in swiche hono{ur}s as ben [gh]euen by
vicious shrewes.


AN UERO REGNA.

  [Sidenote: [The 5^the p{ro}se.]]

++Bvt regnes {and} familarites of kynges may ei maken a ma{n} to ben
my[gh]ty. how ellys. whanne hir blysfulnesse dure p{er}petuely but
certys e olde age of tyme passe. {and} eke of p{re}sent tyme now is
ful of ensau{m}ples how {a}t kynges at han chaunged in to wrechednesse
out of hir welefulnesse. O a noble ing {and} a cler ing is power at
is nat founden my[gh]ty to kepe it self. And yif at power of realmes
be auctour {and} maker of blisfulnesse. yif ilke power lakke on any
side. amenusi it nat ilke blisfulnesse {and} brynge in wrechednesse.
but yif al be it so at realmes of mankynde stretchen b{r}oode. [gh]it
mot er nede ben myche folk ouer whiche at euery kyng ne ha no
lordshipe no comaundement and certys vpon ilke syde at power faille
whiche at maki folk blisful. ry[gh]t on at same side nou{n}power
entri vndirne at make hem wreches. In is manere anne moten
kynges han more porciou{n} of wrechednesse an of welefulnesse. A
tyraunt at was kyng of sisile at had[de] assaied e p{er}il of his
estat shewid[e] by similitude e dredes of realmes by gastnesse of a
swerde at heng ouer e heued of his familier. what ing is an is
power at may nat don awey e bytynges of besines ne eschewe e prikkes
of drede. and certys [gh]it wolden ei lyuen in sykernesse. but ei may
nat. and [gh]it ei glorifien hem in her power Holdest ou an at
ilk[e] man be my[gh]ty at {o}u seest at he wolde don at he may nat
don. And holdest ou an hym a my[gh]ty man at ha environed hise
sydes wi men of armes or seruauntes {and} drede more [hem] at he
make agast. en ei dreden hym. {and} at is put in e handes of hise
seruaunt[gh]. for he sholde seme my[gh]ty but of familiers [or]
seruaunt[gh] of ky{n}ges. what sholde I telle e any ing. syn at I
my self haue shewed e at realmes hem self ben ful of gret feblenesse.
e whiche familiers certis e real power of kynges in hool estat {and}
in estat abated ful [ofte] rowe adou{n}. Nero co{n}streined[e] his
familier {and} his maistre seneca to chesen on what dee he wolde deien.
Antonius comau{n}did[e] at kny[gh]tis slowen wi her swerdis Papinian
his familier whiche Papinian had[de] ben long tyme ful my[gh]ty a-monges
hem of e courte. and [gh]it certis ei wolde boe han renou{n}ced her
power. of whiche [two] senek enforced[e] hym to [gh]iue{n} to Nero his
rychesses. {and} also to han gon in to solitarie exil. But whan e
grete wey[gh]t. at is to sein of lordes power or of fortune drawe hem
at sholden falle. neyer of hem ne my[gh]t[e] do at he wolde. what
ing is anne ilke power at ou[gh] men han it at ei ben agast.
{and} whan ou woldest han it ou nart nat siker. And yif ou
woldest forleten it ou mayst nat eschewen it. But wheir swiche men
ben frendes at nede as ben conseiled by fortune {and} nat by vertue.
Certys swiche folk as weleful fortune make frendes. contrarious fortune
make hem enmyse. And what pestilence is more my[gh]ty forto anoye a
wi[gh]t an a familier enemy.


QUI SE UALET ESSE POTENTEM.

  [Sidenote: [The 5^the Met{ur}.]]

++Who so wolde ben my[gh]ty he mot dau{n}ten hys cruel corage. ne
put[te] nat his nekke ouercomen vndir e foule reines of lecherie. for
al be it so at i lordship[e] strecche so fer at e contre Inde quaki
at i comaundement. or at i lawes. {and} at e leest isle in e see
at hy[gh]t tile be ral to e [gh]it yif ou mayst nat pute{n} awey
i foule derk[e] desijres {and} dryue{n} oute fro e wreched
co{m}pleyntes. Certis it nis no power at ou hast.


GLORIA UERO QUA{M} FALLAX.

  [Sidenote: [The 6^the p{ro}se.]]

++Bvt glorie how deceiuable {and} how foule is it ofte. for whiche ing
nat vnskilfully a tregedien at is to sein a maker of dites at
hy[gh]ten tregedies cried[e] {and} seide. O glorie glorie q{uod} he.
ou nart no ing ellys to ousandes of folkes. but a gret sweller of
eres. for many[e] han had ful gret renou{n} by e fals[e] oppiniou{n} of
poeple. and what ing may ben ou[gh]t fouler en swiche p{re}isynge for
ilk[e] folk at be{n} p{re}ised falsly. ei moten nedes han shame of
hir p{re}isynges. {and} yif at folk han gete{n} hem ank or p{re}ysyng
by her desertes. what ing ha ilk pris echid or encresed to e
conscience of wise folk {a}t mesure{n} hire good. not by e rumo{ur} of
e poeple. but by e soefastnesse of conscience. {and} yif it seme a
fair ing a man to han encresid {and} sprad his name. an folwe it. at
it is demed to ben a foule inge yif it ne be ysprad ne encresed. but as
I seide a litel her byforne. at syn er mot nedes ben many folk to
whiche folk e renou{n} of a man ne may nat comen. it byfalle at he
at ou wenest be glorious {and} renomed. semi in e nexte p{ar}ties of
e ere to ben wi out glorie. {and} wi out renou{n}. and certis
amo{n}ges ise inges I ne trowe nat at e p{r}is {and} grace of e
poeple nis neier wori to ben remembrid ne come of wise iugement. ne
is ferm p{er}durably. But now of is name of gentilesse. what man is
it at ne may wel seen how veyne {and} how flittyng a ing it is. For
if e name of gentilesse be referred to renou{n} {and} clernesse of
linage. an is gentil name but a for[e]ine ing. at is to sein to hem
at glorifien hem of hir linage. For it seme at gentilesse be a
maner p{re}ysynge at come of decert of auncestres. And yif
p{re}ysynge make gentilesse an moten ei nedes be gentil at ben
p{re}ysed. For whiche ing it folwe. at yif ou ne haue no gentilesse
of i self. at is to sein pris {a}t come of i deserte foreine
gentilesse ne make e nat gentil. But certis yif er be any goode in
gentilesse. Itrowe it be i{n} al oonly is. at it seme as at a maner
necessitee be imposed to gentil men. for at ei ne sholden nat outraien
or forliuen fro e uertues of hire noble kynrede.


OMNE HOMINU{M} GENUS IN TERRIS.

  [Sidenote: [The 6^th Metre.]]

++Al e linage of men at ben i{n} ere ben of semblable bure. On al
one is fadir of inges. On alone minyst[r]e alle inges. He [gh]af to
e sonne hys bemes. he [gh]af to e moone hir hornes. he [gh]af e men
to e ere. he [gh]af e sterres to e heuene. he enclose wi membres
e soules at comen fro hys heye sete. anne comen alle mortal folk of
noble seed. whi noysen [gh]e or bosten of [gh]oure eldris For yif ou
look[e] [gh]oure bygy{n}ny{n}g. and god [gh]oure aucto{ur} {and}
[gh]oure makere. an is er no forlyued wy[gh]t but [gh]if he norisse
his corage vnto vices {and} forlete his p{ro}pre bure.


QUID AUTEM DE CORPORIBUS.

  [Sidenote: [The 7^the p{ro}se.]]

++But what shal I seie of delices of body. of whic[h]e delices e
desiringes ben ful of anguisse. {and} e fulfillinges of he{m} ben ful
of penaunce. How grete sekenesse {and} how grete sorwes vnsuffrable
ry[gh]t as a manere fruit of wickednesse ben ilke delices wont to
bryngen to e bo[d]ies of folk at vsen hem. Of whiche delices I not
what ioye may ben had of hir moeuyng. But is woot I wel at who so
euere wil remembren hym of hys luxuries. he shal wel vndirstonde. at e
issues of delices ben sorowful {and} sory. And yif ilke delices mowen
make folk blisful. an by e same cause moten ise bestes ben clepid
blisful. Of whiche bestes al e entenc{i}ou{n} haste to fulfille hire
bodyly iolyte. and e gladnesse of wijf [{and}] children were [an]
honest ing. but it ha ben seid. at it is ouer myche a[gh]eins kynde
at children han ben fou{n}den tormentours to hir fadres I not how many.
Of whiche children how bitynge is euery condic{i}ou{n}. It nede nat
to tellen it e at hast or is tyme assaied it. {and} art [gh]it now
anguysso{us}. In is approue I e sentence of my disciple Euridippus.
at seide at he at ha no children is weleful by i{n}fortune.


HABET HOC UOLUPTAS.

  [Sidenote: [The 7^de Met{ur}.]]

++Euery delit ha is. at it anguisse hem wi prikkes {a}t vsen it.
It resembli to ise flying flyes at we clepen been. at aftre at e
bee ha shed hys agreable honies he flee awey {and} stynge e hertes
of he{m} at ben ysmyte wi bytynge ouer longe holdynge.


NICHIL IGITUR DUBIUM EST.

  [Sidenote: [The 8^the p{ro}se.]]

++Now nis it no doute an {a}t ise weyes ne ben a maner mysledy{n}g to
blisfulnesse. ne at ei ne mowe nat leden folke ider as ei byheten to
lede{n} hem. But wi how grete harmes ise forseide weyes ben enlaced.
I shal shewe e shortly. For whi yif ou enforcest e to assemble
moneye. ou most by-reuen hym his moneye at ha it. and yif ou wilt
shynen wi dignites. ou most bysechen {and} supplien hem at [gh]iue{n}
o dignitees. And yif ou coueitest by hono{ur} to gon by-fore oer
folk {o}u shalt defoule i self by hu{m}blesse of axing. yif ou
desiryst power. ou shalt by awaites of i subgit[gh] anoyously be cast
vndir many p{er}iles. axest ou glorie {o}u shalt ben so destrat by
aspre inges at ou shalt forgone sykernesse. And yif ou wilt leden
i lijf in delices. euery whi[gh]t shal dispisen e {and} forleten e as
ou at art ral to ing at is ry[gh]t foule {and} brutel. at is [to]
sein seruau{n}t to i body. Now is it an wel yseen how lytel {and}
how brutel possessiou{n} ei coueiten at putten e goodes of e body
abouen hire owe{n} resou{n}. For mayst ou so{ur}mou{n}te{n} ise
olifut[gh] in gretnesse or wey[gh]t of body. Or mayst ou ben strenger
an e bole. Mayst ou ben swifter an e tigre. biholde e spaces {and}
e stablenesse {and} e swyfte cours of e heuene. {and} stynte somtyme
to wondren on foule inges. e whiche heuene certys nis nat raer for
ise inges to ben wondred vpon. an for e resou{n} by whiche it is
gouerned. but e shynynge of i forme at is to seien e beaute of i
body. how swiftly passyng is it {and} how transitorie. Certis it is
more flittynge an e mutabilite of floures of e som{er} sesou{n}. For
so as aristotil telle at yif at men hadden eyen of a beest at
hi[gh]t lynx. so at e lokyng of folk my[gh]t[e] percen oru[gh] e
inges {a}t wistonden it. who so lokid an in e entrailes of e body
of alcibiades at was ful fayr in e sup{er}fice wi oute. it shulde
seme ry[gh]t foule. {and} for i yif ou semest faire. i nature ne
maki nat at. but e desceiuau{n}ce of e fieblesse of e eyen at
loken. But p{re}ise e goodes of i body as moche as euer e list. so
at ou know[e] algates at what so it be. at is to seyn of e goodes
of i body whiche at {o}u wondrest vpon may ben destroied or dessolued
by e hete of a feuere of re dayes. Of alle whiche forseide inges I
may reduce{n} is shortly in a so{m}me. at ise worldly goodes whiche
at ne mowen nat [gh]iuen at ei byheten. ne ben nat p{er}fit by e
congregac{i}ou{n} of alle goodes. at ei ne ben nat weyes ne paes at
bryngen men to blysfulnesse ne maken men to ben blysful.


HEU Q{UE} MISEROS TRAMITE.

  [Sidenote: [The 8^the Met{ur}.]]

++Allas whiche folie {and} whiche ignorau{n}ce mysledi wandryng
wrecches fro e pae of verrey good. Certis [gh]e ne seken no golde in
grene trees. ne [gh]e ne gadren [nat] p{re}cious stones in e vines. ne
[gh]e ne hiden nat [gh]oure gynnes in hey[gh]e mou{n}taignes to kachen
fisshe of whiche [gh]e may maken ryche festes. and yif [gh]ow lyke to
hunte to roos. [gh]e ne gon nat to e foordes of e water at hy[gh]t
tyrene. {and} ouer is men knowen wel e crikes {and} e cau{er}nes of
e see yhidd in e floodes. {and} knowen eke whiche water is most
plentiuo{us} of white perles. {and} knowen whiche water habunde most of
rede purpre. at is to seyen of a maner shelfisshe w{i}t{h} whiche men
dien purpre. {and} knowen whiche strondes habounden most of tendre
fisshes or of sharpe fisshes at hy[gh]ten echynnys. but folk suffren
hem self to ben so blynde at hem ne recchi nat to knowe where ilk[e]
goodes ben yhidd whiche at ei coueiten but ploungen hem in ere {and}
seken ere ilke goode {a}t so{ur}mou{n}te e heuene at bere e
sterres. what p{re}yere may I make at be digne to e nice ou[gh]tis
of men. but I p{re}ye at ei coueite{n} rycches {and} hono{ur}s so at
whan ei han geten o false goodes wi greet trauayle at erby ei mowe
knowen e verray goodes.


HACTENUS MENDACIS FORMA{M}.

  [Sidenote: [The 9^ne p{ro}se.]]

++IT suffisi at I haue shewed hider to e forme of false wilfulnesse.
so at yif ou look[e] now clerely e ordre of myn entenc{i}ou{n}
requeri from hennes fore to shewe{n} e verray wilfulnesse. For
q{uod} .I. (b) [I.] se wel now at suffisau{n}ce may nat comen by
richesse. ne power by realmes. ne reuere{n}ce by dignitees. ne
gentilesse by glorie. ne ioye by delices. and (p) hast ou wel knowen
q{uo}d she e cause whi it is. Certis me seme q{uod} .I. at .I. se hem
ry[gh]t as ou[gh] it were oru[gh] a litel clifte. but me were leuer
knowen hem more openly of e. Certys q{uod} she e resou{n} is al redy
For ilk ing at symply is on ing wi outen ony diuisiou{n}. e
errour {and} folie of mankynde departe {and} diuidi it. {and} misledi
it {and} t{ra}nsporte from verray {and} p{er}fit goode. to goodes at
ben false {and} inp{er}fit. But seye me is. wenest ou at he at ha
nede of power at hy{m} ne lakke no ing. Nay q{uo}d .I Certis q{uo}d
she ou seist ary[gh]t. For yif so be {a}t er is a ing at in any
p{ar}tie be fieble of power. Certis as in at it most[e] nedes be nedy
of foreine helpe. Ri[gh]t so it is q{uo}d .I. Suffisaunce and power
ben an of on kynde So seme it q{uod} I. And demyst ou q{uo}d she
at a ing at is of is manere. at is to seine suffisau{n}t {and}
my[gh]ty au[gh]t[e] to ben dispised. or ellys {a}t it be ry[gh]t digne
of reuerences abouen alle inges. Certys q{uo}d I it nys no doute at
it nis ry[gh]t wori to ben reuerenced. Lat vs q{uo}d she an adden
reuerence to suffisaunce {and} to power So at we demen at ise re
inges ben alle o ing. Certis q{uo}d I lat vs adden it. yif we willen
graunten e soe. what demest ou an q{uo}d she is at a dirke ing
{and} nat noble at is suffisau{n}t reu{er}ent {and} my[gh]ty. or ellys
at is ry[gh]t clere {and} ry[gh]t noble of celebrete of renou{n}.
Considere an q{uo}d she as we han grau{n}tid her byforne. at he at
ne ha ne[de] of no ing {and} is most my[gh]ty {and} most digne of
hono{ur} yif hym nedi any clernesse of renou{n} whiche clernesse he
my[gh]t[e] nat graunten of hym self. So at for lakke of ilke
clerenesse he my[gh]t[e] seme febler on any syde or e more outcaste.
_Glosa._ is is to seyne nay. For who so at is suffisau{n}t my[gh]ty
{and} reuerent. clernesse of renou{n} folwe of e forseide inges. he
ha it alredy of hys suffisaunce. boice. Imay nat q{uo}d I denye it.
But I mot graunten as it is. at is ing be ry[gh]t celebrable by
clernesse of renou{n} {and} noblesse. an folwe it q{uo}d she at we
adden clernesse of renou{n} to e re forseide inges. so at er ne be
amonges hem no difference. {and} is is a consequente q{uo}d .I. is
ing an q{uo}d she at ne ha no nede of no foreine ing. {and} at may
don alle inges by his strenges. {and} at is noble {and} hono{ur}able.
nis nat at a myrie ing {and} a ioyful. _boice._ but wenest q{uo}d I
{a}t any sorow my[gh]t[e] comen to is ing at is swiche. Certys I
may nat inke. _P._ anne moten we graunt[e] q{uod} she at is ing
be ful of gladnesse yif e orseide inges be soe. And also certys
mote we graunten. at suffisaunce power noblesse reuerence {and}
gladnesse ben only dyuerse bynames. but hir substaunce ha no
diu{er}site. _Boice._ It mot nedely be so q{uo}d .I. _P._ ilke inge
an q{uo}d she at is oon {and} simple i{n} his nature. e wikkednesse
of men departi it diuidi it. {and} whan ei enforcen hem to gete
p{ar}tie of a ing at ne ha no part. ei ne geten hem neier ilk[e]
p{ar}tie at nis none. ne e ing al hole at ei ne desire nat. _.b._
In whiche manere q{uo}d .I. _p._ ilke man q{uo}d she at seke rychesse
to fleen pouerte. he ne trauayle hym nat to for to gete power for he
ha leuer ben dirk {and} vile. {and} eke widrawe from hym selfe many
naturel delit[gh] for he nolde lesen e moneye at he ha assembled. but
certis in is manere he ne geti hym nat suffisaunce at power forleti.
{and} at moleste p{re}ke. {and} at file make outcaste. {and} at
derknesse hide. and certis he {a}t desire only power he wasti {and}
scatri rychesse {and} dispise delices {and} eke hono{ur} at is wi
out power. ne he ne p{re}ise glorie no ing. Certys us seest ou wel
at many i{n}g{us} failen to hym. for he ha somtyme faute of many
necessites. {and} many anguysses biten hym {and} whan he may nat don
o defautes awey. he forlete to ben my[gh]ty. {and} at is e ing at
he most desire. {and} ry[gh]t us may I make semblable resou{n}s of
hono{ur}s {and} of glorie {and} of delices. For so as euery of ise
forseide inges is e same at ise oer inges ben. at is to sein. al
oon ing. who so at euer seke to geten at oon of ise {and} nat at
oer. he ne gete nat at he desire. _Boice._ what seist ou an yif
at a man coueite to geten alle ise inges to gider. _P._ Certys
q{uo}d she .I. wolde seie at he wolde geten hym souereyne blisfulnes.
but at shal he nat fynde in o inges at .I. haue shewed at ne mowe
nat [gh]euen at ei by-heten. _boice._ Certys no q{uo}d .I. an
q{uod} she ne sholden men nat by no weye seken blysfulnesse in swiche
inges as men wenen at ei ne mowe [gh]euen but o ing senglely of alle
{a}t me{n} seken. Igraunt[e] wel q{uo}d .I. ne no soer ing ne may
nat ben said. _P._ Now hast ou an q{uo}d she e forme {and} e
causes of false welefulnesse. Now turne {and} flitte e eyen of i
ou[gh]t. for ere shalt ou seen an oon ilk verray blysfulnesse {a}t
I haue byhy[gh]t ee. _b._ Certys q{uo}d .I. it is cler {and} opyn.
ou[gh] at it were to a blynde man. {and} at shewedest ou me [ful
wel] a lytel her byforne. whan ou enforcedest e to shewe me e causes
of e false blysfulnesse For but yif I be by-giled. an is ilke e
verray p{er}fit blisfulnesse at p{er}fitly maki a man suffisau{n}t.
my[gh]ty. hono{ur}able noble. {and} ful of gladnesse. {and} for ou
shalt wel knowe at I haue wel vndirstonden ise inges wi i{n}ne myne
herte. Iknowe wel ilke blisfulnesse at may verrayly [gh]euen on of e
forseide inges syn ei ben al oon .I. knowe douteles at ilke ing is
e fulle of blysfulnesse. _P._ O my nurry q{uod} she by is oppiniou{n}
q{uo}d she I sey[e] at ou art blisful yif ou putte is er to at I
shal seine. what is at q{uo}d .I. Trowest ou at er be any ing in
is erely mortal toumblyng inges at may bryngen is estat. Certys
q{uo}d I trowe it nat. {and} ou hast shewed me wel at ouer ilke goode
er is no ing more to ben desired. _P._ ise inges an q{uo}d she. at
is to seyne erely suffisaunce {and} power. {and} swiche inges eyer
ei semen likenesse of verray goode. or ellys it seme at ei [gh]euen
to mortal folk a maner of goodes at ne ben nat perfit. But ilke
goode at is verray {and} p{er}fit. at may ei nat [gh]euen. _boice._
I. accorde me wel q{uo}d .I. an q{uo}d she for as moche as ou hast
knowen whiche is ilke verray blisfulnesse. {and} eke whiche ilke
inges ben at lien falsly blisfulnesse. at is to seyne. at by desceit
seme{n} verray goodes. Now byhoue e to knowe{n} whennes {and} where
ou mowe seek[e] ilke verray blisfulnesse. Certys q{uo}d I at desijr
I gretly {and} haue abiden longe tyme to herkene it. But for as moche
q{uo}d she as it like to my disciple plato in his book of i{n} thimeo.
at in ry[gh]t lytel inges men sholde bysechen e helpe of god. what
iugest ou at be [now] to done so at we may deserue to fynde e sete
of ilke souereyne goode. _B._ Certys q{uo}d .I. I. deme at we shulle
clepen to e fadir of alle goodes. For wi outen hym nis er no ing
founden ary[gh]t. ou seist a-ry[gh]t q{uo}d she. and bygan on-one to
syngen ry[gh]t us.


O QUI PERPETUA.

  [Sidenote: [The 9^ne Met{ur}.]]

++O ou fadir creatour of heuene {and} of eres at gouernest is worlde
by p{er}durable resou{n} at comaundist e tymes for to gon from tyme
at age had[de] bygy{n}ny{n}g. ou at dwellest i self ay stedfast
{and} stable {and} [gh]iuest alle oer inges to ben moeued. ne forein
causes necesseden e neuer to co{m}poune werke of floterynge mater. but
only e forme of souereyne goode y-set wi i{n}ne [e] wi outen envie
at moeued[e] e frely. ou at art alerfairest beryng e faire worlde
in i ou[gh]t. formedest is worlde to e likkenesse semblable of at
faire worlde in i ou[gh]t. ou drawest alle inges of i souereyne
ensampler. {and} comaundedist at is worlde p{er}fitlyche ymaked haue
frely {and} absolut hyse p{er}fit parties. ou byndest e element[gh]
by noumbres p{ro}porcionables. at e colde inges mowen accorde wi e
hote inges. {and} e drye i{n}ges wi e moyst inges. at e fire at
is purest ne fleye nat ouer heye. ne at e heuynesse ne drawe nat
adou{n} ouer lowe e eres at ben plounged in e watres. ou knyttest
to-gidre e mene soule of treble kynde moeuyng alle inges. {and}
diuidest it by membres accordynge. And whan it is us diuided it ha
assembled a moeuyng in two roundes. It go to to{ur}ne a[gh]ein to hym
owen self. {and} environe a fulle deep ou[gh]t. {and} to{ur}ni e
heuene by semblable ymage. ou by eue{n}lyk causes enhau{n}sest e
soules {and} e lasse liues {and} ablynge hem heye by ly[gh]t[e] cartes.
ou sewest hem in to heuene {and} in to ere. {and} whan ei ben
conuertid to e by i benigne lawe. ou makest hem retorne a[gh]eine
to e by a[gh]ein ledyng fijr. O fadir yif ou to i ou[gh]t to stien
vp in to i streite sete. {and} graunte [hym] to enviroune e welle of
good. {and} e ly[gh]te yfounde graunte hym to ficchen e clere
sy[gh]tes of hys corage in e. And scatre ou {and} to-breke [thow] e
wey[gh]tes {and} e cloudes of erely heuynesse. {and} shyne ou by i
bry[gh]tnes. for ou art clernesse ou art peisible to debonaire folke.
ou i self art bygy{n}ny{n}ge. berere. ledere. pa {and} t{er}me to
loke on e [at] is oure ende. _Glose._


QUONIAM IGITUR QUI SCIT.

  [Sidenote: [The 10^the p{ro}se.]]

++FOr as moche an as ou hast seyn. whiche is e forme of goode at nys
nat p{er}fit. {and} whiche is e forme of goode at is p{er}fit. now
trowe I at it were goode to shewe in what is p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of
blisfulnesse is set. {and} in is ing I trowe at we sholden first
enquere forto witen yif at any swiche manere goode as ilke goode at
ou hast diffinissed a lytel her byforne. at is to seine souereyne
goode may be founden in e nature of inges. For at veyne
ymaginac{i}ou{n} of ou[gh]t ne desceiue vs nat. {and} putte vs oute of
e soefastnesse of ilke inge at is su{m}myttid to vs. is is to
seyne. but it may nat ben denoyed at ilke goode ne is. and at it
nis ry[gh]t as a welle of alle goodes. For al ing at is cleped
i{n}p{er}fit. is proued i{n}p{er}fit by e amenusynge of
p{er}fecc{i}ou{n}. or of ing at is p{er}fit. {and} her of come it.
at in euery ing general. yif at. at men seen any ing at is
i{n}p{er}fit certys in ilke general er mot ben so{m}me ing at is
p{er}fit. For yif so be at p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} is don awey. men may nat
inke nor seye fro whe{n}nes ilke ing is at is cleped inperfit. For
e nature of inges ne token nat her bygynnyng of inges amenused {and}
i{n}p{er}fit. but it p{ro}cedi of i{n}g{us} at ben al hool. {and}
absolut. {and} descende so doune in to outerest inges {and} in to
i{n}g{us} empty {and} wi oute fruyt. but as I haue shewed a litel her
byforne. at yif er be a blisfulnesse at be frele {and} vein {and}
inp{er}fit. er may no man doute. at er nys som blisfulnesse at is
sad stedfast {and} p{er}fit. b. is is concludid q{uo}d I fermely {and}
soefastly. _P._ But co{n}sidere also q{uo}d she in wham is
blisfulnesse enhabite. e co{m}mune acordaunce {and} conceite of e
corages of men p{ro}ue {and} graunte at god p{r}ince of alle
i{n}g{us} is good. For so as no ing ne may ben ou[gh]t bettre an
god. it may nat ben douted an at [he {a}t] no ing is bettre. at he
nys good. Certys resou{n} shewe at god is so goode at it p{ro}ue
by verray force at p{er}fit goode is in hym. For yif god ne is
swiche. he ne may nat ben p{r}ince of alle inges. for certis som ing
possessyng in hy{m} self p{er}fit goode sholde ben more an god. {and}
[it] sholde seme at ilke ing were first {and} elder an god. For we
han shewed ap{er}tly at alle inges at ben p{er}fit. ben first or
inges at ben inperfit. And for i for as moche as [that] my resou{n}
or my p{ro}ces ne go nat awey wioute an ende. we ou[gh]t[e] to graunten
at e souereyne god is ry[gh]t ful of souereyne p{er}fit goode. and we
han establissed at e souereyne goode is verrey blisfulnesse. an mot
it nedes ben [{a}t verray blysfulnesse is] yset i{n} souereyne god.
_B._ is take I wel q{uo}d .I. ne is ne may nat be wiseid in no
manere. But I p{re}ie e q{uo}d she see now how ou mayst preuen
holily {and} wi-oute{n} corrupciou{n} is at I haue seid. at e
souereyne god is ry[gh]t ful of souereyne goode. [In whych man{er}e
q{uo}d I.] wenest ou ou[gh]t q{uo}d she at is p{r}ince of alle inges
haue ytake ilke souereyne good any where an of hym self. of whiche
souereyne goode men p{ro}ue at he is ful ry[gh]t as ou my[gh]test
inken. at god at ha blisfulnesse in hym self. {and} at ilke
blisfulnesse at is in hym were diu{er}s in substaunce. For yif ou
wene at god haue receyued ilke good oute of hy{m} self. ou mayst wene
at he at [gh]af ilke good to god. be more goode an is god. But I
am byknowen {and} confesse {and} at ry[gh]t dignely at god is ry[gh]t
wori abouen alle inges. And yif so be at is good be in hym by
nature. but at it is diu{er}s from [hym] by wenyng resou{n}. syn we
speke of god p{r}ince of alle inges feyne who so feyne may. who was he
at [hath] co{n}ioigned ise diu{er}s inges to-gidre. {and} eke at e
last[e] se wel at o ing at is diu{er}s from any ing. at ilke ing
nis nat at same ing. fro whiche it is vndirstonde{n} to ben diu{er}s.
an folwe it. at ilke i{n}g at by hys nature is dyuers from
souereyne good. at at ing nys nat souereyne good. but certys at were
a felonous corsednesse to inken at of hym. at no ing nis more wore.
For alwey of alle inges. e nat{ur}e of hem ne may nat ben better an
his bygy{n}nyng. For whiche I may concluden by ry[gh]t uerray
resou{n}. at ilke at is bygynnyng of alle inges. ilke same ing is
good in his substaunce. _B._ ou hast seid ry[gh]tfully q{uo}d .I. _P._
But we han graunted q{uo}d she at souereyne good is blysfulnes. at is
soe q{uo}d .I. an q{uo}d she mote we nedes graunten {and} confessen
at ilke same souereyne goode be god. Certys q{uo}d .I. Ine may nat
denye ne wistonde e resou{n}s p{ur}posed. and I see wel at it folwe
by strenge of e p{re}misses. Loke nowe q{uo}d she yif is be proued
[yit] more fermely us. at er ne mowen nat ben two souereyne goodes
at ben diuerse amo[n]ges hem self. at on is nat at at oer is. an
[ne] mowen neier of hem ben p{er}fit. so as eyer of hem lakki to
oir. but at at nis nat p{er}fit men may seen apertly at it nis nat
souereyne. e inges an at ben souereynely goode ne mowen by no wey
ben diuerse. But I haue wel conclude at blisfulnesse {and} god ben
[the] souereyne goode. For whiche it mot nedes be at souereyne
blisfulnesse is souerey[ne] dyuynite. No ing q{uo}d I nis more
soefast an is ne more ferme by resou{n}. ne a more wori ing an god
may nat ben concluded. _P._ vpon ise inges an q{uo}d she. ry[gh]t as
ise geometriens whan ei han shewed her p{ro}posiciou{n}s ben wont to
brynge{n} in inges at ei clepen porismes or declarac{i}ou{n}s of
forseide inges. ry[gh]t so wil I [gh]eue e here as a corolarie or a
mede of coroune. For whi. for as moche as by e getynge of blisfulnesse
men ben maked blysful. {and} blisfulnesse is diuinite. an is it
manifest {and} open at by e gety{n}g of diuinite men ben makid
blisful. ry[gh]t as by e getynge of iustice . . . {and} by e getyng of
sapience ei ben maked wise. Ry[gh]t so nedes by e semblable resou{n}
wha{n} ei han getyn diuinite ei ben maked goddys. an is euery blisful
man god. But certis by nature. er nys but oon god. but by e
p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n}s of diuinite ere ne lette ne disturbe no ing
at er ne ben many goddes. is is q{uo}d .I. a faire ing {and} a
p{re}cious. Clepe it as {o}u wolt. be it corolarie or porisme or mede
of coroune or declarynges Certys q{uo}d she no ing nis fairer. an is
e ing at by resou{n} sholde ben added to ise forseide inges. what
ing q{uo}d .I. So q{uo}d she as it seme at blisfulnesse conteni
many inges. it were forto witen wheir [{a}t] alle ise inges maken
or conioignen as a maner body of blysfulnesse by diuersite of parties or
[of] me{m}bris. Or ellys yif any of alle ilke i{n}g{us} be swyche at
it acomplise by hy{m} self e substaunce of blisfulnesse. so at alle
ise oer inges ben referred and brou[gh]t to blisfulnesse. at is to
seyne as to e chief of hem. I wolde q{uo}d I at ou makedest me
clerly to vndirstonde what ou seist. {and} at ou recordest me e
forseide inges. Haue I nat iuged q{uo}d she. at blisfulnesse is
goode. [gh]is forsoe q{uo}d .I. {and} at souereyne goode. Adde an
q{uo}d she ilke goode at is maked blisfulnes to alle e forseide
inges. For ilke same blisfulnesse at is demed to ben souereyne
suffisaunce. ilke self is souereyne power. souereyne reuerence.
sou{er}eyne clernesse or noblesse {and} souereyne delit. what seist ou
an of alle ise inges. at is to seyne. suffisance power {and} ise
oer inges. ben ei an as membris of blisfulnesse. or ben ei referred
{and} brou[gh]t to souereyne good. Ry[gh]t as alle inges at ben
brou[gh]t to e chief of hem. b. Ivndirstonde wel q{uo}d .I. what ou
p{ur}posest to seke. but I desijr[e] to herkene at ou shewe it me.
_p._ Take now us e discressiou{n} of is questiou{n} q{uo}d she. yif
al ise inges q{uo}d she weren membris to felicite. an weren ei
diu{er}se at oon fro at oer. And swiche is e nat{ur}e of p{ar}ties
or of membris. at dyuerse me{m}bris compounen a body. Certis q{uo}d I
it ha wel ben shewed her byforne. at alle ise inges ben alle on
ing. an ben ei none membris q{uo}d she. for ellys it sholde seme at
blisfulnesse were conioigned al of one membre alone. but at is a i{n}g
at may nat ben doon. is ing q{uo}d .I. nys nat doutous. but I abide
to herkene e remenaunt of e questiou{n}. is is ope{n} {and} clere
q{uo}d she. at alle oer inges ben referred {and} brou[gh]t to goode.
For erfore is suffisaunce requered. For it is demed to ben good.
{and} fori is power requered. for men trowen also at it be goode. and
is same ing mowe we inken {and} coueiten of reuerence {and} of
noblesse {and} of delit. an is souereyne good e soume {and} e cause
of alle at au[gh]t[e] be desired. forwhi ilke ing at wi-holde no
good in it self ne semblaunce of goode it ne may nat wel in no manere be
desired ne requered. {and} e contrarie. For ou[gh] at inges by hir
nature ne ben nat goode algates yif men wene at ei be{n} goode [gh]it
ben ei desired as ou[gh] [{a}t] ei were verrayly goode. {and}
erfore is it at men au[gh]te{n} to wene by ry[gh]t at bounte be
souereyne fyn {and} e cause of alle inges at ben to requeren. But
certis ilke {a}t is cause for whiche men requeren any ing. it seme
at ilke same ing be most desired. as us yif at a wy[gh]t wolde ryde
for cause of hele. he ne desire nat so mychel e moeuyng to ryden as e
effect of his heele. Now an syn at alle inges ben requered for e
grace of good. ei ne ben [nat] desired of alle folk more an e same
good But we han graunted at blysfulnesse is at ing for whiche at
alle ise oer inges ben desired. an is it us at certis only
blisfulnesse is requered {and} desired By whiche ing it shewe
clerely at good {and} blisfulnesse is al oone {and} e same substaunce.
I se nat q{uo}d I wher fore at men my[gh]t[en] discorden in is. _p._
{and} we han shewed at god {and} verrey blysfulnesse is al oon ing
at is soe q{uod} .I. an mowe we conclude sikerly {a}t e
substaunce of god is set in ilke same good {and} in noon oer place.


NUNC OMNES PARITER {ET}C.

  [Sidenote: [The 10^the Met{ur}.]]

++O Come alle to-gidre now [gh]e at ben ycau[gh]t {and} ybounde wi
wicked[e] cheines by e deceiuable delit of erely inges inhabytynge in
[gh]oure ou[gh]t. here shal ben e reste of [gh]oure laboures. here is
e hauene stable in peisible quiete. is al oone is e open refut to
wreches. _Glosa._ is is to seyn. at [gh]e at ben combred {and}
deceyued wi worldly affecc{i}ou{n}s come now to is souereyne good at
is god. at is refut to hem at wolen come to hym. _Textus._ Alle e
inges at e ryuere Tagus [gh]iue [gh]ow wi his golden[e] grauels. or
ellys alle e ynges at e ryuere herm{us}. [gh]iue wi his rede
brynke. or at yndus [gh]iue at is nexte e hote p{ar}tie of e
worlde. at medele e grene stones (smaragd{e}) wi e white
(margarits). ne sholde nat cleren e lokynge of [gh]oure o[gh]t. but
hiden raer [gh]oure blynde corages wi i{n}ne hire dirkenesse Alle
at like [gh]ow here {and} exciti {and} moeue [gh]oure ou[gh]tes. e
ere ha noryshed it in hys lowe caues. but e shynyng by e whiche e
heuene is gouerned {and} whennes at it ha hys strenge at chase e
derke ouerrowyng of e soule. And who so euer may knowen ilke
ly[gh]t of blisfulnesse. he shal wel seine at e white bemes of e
sonne ne ben nat cleer.


ASSENCIOR INQ{UA}M CUNCTA. Boice.

  [Sidenote: [The 11 p{ro}se.]]

++I assent[e] me q{uo}d .I. For alle ise inges ben strongly bounden
wi ry[gh]t ferme resou{n}s. how mychel wilt ou p{re}isen it q{uo}d
she. yif at ou knowe what ilke goode is. Iwol p{re}ise it q{uo}d I
by price wi outen ende. yif it shal bytyde me to knowe also to-gidre
god at is good. certys q{uo}d she {a}t shal I do e by verray
resou{n}. yif at o inges at I haue conclude[d] a litel her by forne
dwellen oonly in hir first[e] graunty{n}g. _Boice._ ei dwellen graunted
to e q{uo}d .I. is is to seyne as who sei .I. graunt i forseide
conclusiou{n}s. Haue I nat shewed e q{uo}d she at e inges at ben
requered of many folke. ne ben nat verray goodes ne p{er}fit. for ei
ben diu{er}se at oon fro at oer. {and} so as eche of hem is lakkyng
to oer. ei ne han no power to bryngen a good {a}t is ful {and}
absolute. But an atte arst ben ei verray good whan ei ben gadred
to-gidre al in to a forme {and} in to oon wirchy{n}g. so at ilke ing
at is suffisaunce. ilk same be power {and} reuerence. {and} noblesse
{and} mire. And forsoe but alle ise i{n}ges ben alle o same ing
ei ne han nat wher by at ei mowen ben put in e nou{m}bre of inges.
at au[gh]ten ben requered or desired. _b._ It is shewed q{uo}d .I. ne
her of may er no man douten. _p._ e inges an q{uo}d she at ne ben
none goodes whan ei ben diu{er}se. {and} whan ei bygynnen to ben al o
ing. an ben ei goodes. ne comi it hem nat an by e getynge of unite
at ei ben maked goodes. _b._ so it seme q{uo}d .I. but alle ing at
is good q{uo}d she grauntest ou at it be good by p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n}
of good or no. I graunt[e] it q{uo}d .I. an mayst ou graunt[en] it
q{uo}d she by sembleable resou{n} at oon {and} good ben o same ing.
For of inges [of] whiche at e effect nis nat naturely diuerse nedys
e substaunce mot ben o same inge. Ine may nat denye it q{uo}d I.
Hast ou nat knowen wel q{uo}d she. at al ing at is ha so longe
his dwellyng {and} his substaunce. as longe is it oone. but wha{n} it
forleti to ben oone it mot nedis dien {and} corrumpe togidre. In
whiche manere q{uo}d .I. Ry[gh]t as in beestes q{uod} she. whan e
soule {and} e body ben co{n}ioigned in oon {and} dwellen to-gidre it is
cleped a beest. {and} whan hire vnite is destroied by disseueraunce at
oon fram {a}t oir. an shewe it wel at it is a dede i{n}g. {and}
at it is no lenger no beste. {and} e body of a wy[gh]t while it
dwelle in oon forme by coniuncc{i}ou{n} of membris it is wel seyn at
it is a figure of mankynde. and yif e partyes of e body ben [so]
diuide[d] {and} disseuered at oon fro at oir at ei destroien vnite.
e body forleti to ben at it was byforne. And who so wolde renne in
e same manere by alle inges he sholde seen at wi outen doute euery
inge is in his substaunce as longe as it is oon. {and} whan it forleti
to ben oon it die {and} p{er}issi. _boice._ whan I considre q{uo}d I
many inges I see noon o{er}. Is er any ing anne q{uo}d she at in
as moche as it lyue naturely. at forleti e appetit or talent of hys
beynge. {and} desire to come to dee {and} to corrupc{i}ou{n}. yif I
considere q{uod} I e beestes at han any manere nature of willy{n}ge or
of nillynge I ne fynde no ing. but yif it be constreyned fro wi out
fore. at forleti or dispise to lyue {and} to dure{n} or at wole his
ankes hasten hy{m} to dien. For euery beest trauayle hy{m} to
defende {and} kepe e sauuac{i}ou{n} of lijf. {and} eschewe dee {and}
destrucc{i}ou{n}. _b._ but certys I doute me of herbes {and} of trees.
at is to seyn at I am in a doute of swiche inges as herbes or trees
at ne han no fely{n}g soule. ne no naturel wirchynges seruy{n}g to
appetite as beestes han wheer ei han appetite to dwelle{n} {and} to
duren. Certis q{uo}d she ne er of ar e nat doute. Now look vpon
ise herbes {and} ise trees. ei waxen firste in swiche place as be{n}
couenable to hem. in whiche place ei ne mowen nat sone dien ne dryen as
longe as hire nature may defenden he{m}. For some of hem waxen in
feldes {and} some in mou{n}taignes. {and} oir waxen i{n} mareis.
[_Aleaf lost here, and supplied from C._] [{and} oothre cleuyn on
Roches / {and} soume waxen plentyuos in sondes / {and} yif {a}t any
wyht enforce hym to beryn hem in to oother places / they wexen drye //
For natur{e} yeueth to eu{er}y thing {a}t / {a}t is co{n}uenient to
hym {and} trauaylith {a}t they ne dye nat as longe as they han power to
dwellyn {and} to lyuen // what woltow seyn of this / {a}t they drawen
alle hyr norysshynges by hyr rootes / ryht as they haddyn hyr Mowthes
I.-plounged w{i}t{h} in the erthes / {and} shedyn by hyr maryes (i.
medull{as}) hyr wode {and} hyr bark / {and} what woltow seyn of this
{a}t thilke thing / {a}t is ryht softe as the marye (i. sapp) is /
{a}t is alwey hidd in the feete al w{i}t{h} inne {and} {a}t it is
defendid fro w{i}t{h} owte by the stidefastnesse of wode // {and} {a}t
the vttereste bark is put ayenis the destemprau{n}ce of the heuene / as
a defendowr myhty to suffren harm / {and} thus certes maystow wel sen /
how gret is the diligence of natur{e} / For alle thinges renouelen {and}
pupllisen hem w{i}t{h} seed .I.-multiplyed / nether nis no man {a}t ne
wot wel {a}t they ne ben ryht as a foundement {and} edyfice for to
duren / nat only for a tyme / but ryht as forto duren p{er}durablely by
generacyou{n} // {and} the thinges ek {a}t men wenen ne hauen none
sowles / ne desir{e} they nat ech of hem by sem[b]lable resou{n} to
kepyn {a}t that is hirs / {a}t is to seyn {a}t is acordynge to hyr
natur{e} in conseruaciou{n} of hyr beynge {and} endurynge // For wher
for elles berith lythnesse the flaumbes vp / {and} the weyhte p{re}sseth
the erthe a-dou{n} // but For as moche as thilke places and thilke
moeuynges ben couenable to eu{er}ich of hem // {and} forsothe eu{er}y
thing kepith thilke {a}t is acordynge {and} propre to hym // ryht as
thinges {a}t ben contraryes {and} enemys corompen hem // {and} yit the
harde thinges as stoones clyuen {and} holden hyr partyes to gydere ryht
faste {and} harde / {and} deffenden hem in withstondenge {a}t they ne
departe nat lyhtly a twyne // {and} the thinges {a}t ben softe {and}
fletynge as is water {and} Eyr they departyn lyhtly // {and} yeuen place
to hem {a}t brekyn or deuyden hem // but natheles they retorne{n} sone
ayein in to the same thinges fro whennes they ben arraced // but fyr
[fleet[-h]] {and} refuseth alle deuysyou{n} / ne I. ne trete nat heer{e}
now of weleful moeuynges of the sowle {a}t is knowynge // but of the
naturel entenciou{n} of thinges // As thus ryht as we swolwe the mete
{a}t we resseyuen {and} ne thinke nat on it / {and} as we drawen owr{e}
breth in slepynge {a}t we wite it nat whil we slepyt // For certes in
the beestys the loue of hyr lyuynges ne of hyr beeinges ne comth nat of
the wilnynges of the sowle // but of the bygynnyngis of natur{e} // For
certes thorw constreynynge causes / wil desireth {and} embraceth ful
ofte tyme / the deth {a}t natur{e} dredith // that is to seyn as thus
that a man may ben constreynyd so by som cause that his wil desireth and
taketh the deth which {a}t natur{e} hateth {and} dredeth ful sore //
And som tyme we seeth the contrarye / as thus that the wil of a wight /
destorbeth {and} constreyneth {a}t {a}t natur{e} desireth / and
requereth al-wey // that is to sein the werk of gen{er}aciou{n} / by the
whiche gen{er}aciou{n} only / dwelleth {and} is sustenyd the longe
durablete of mortal thinges // And thus this charite and this Loue {a}t
eu{er}y thing hath to hym self ne comth nat of the moeuynge of the sowle
/ but of the entenciou{n} of natur{e} // For the puruyance of god hat
yeuen to thinges {a}t ben creat of hym / this {a}t is a ful gret cause
/ to lyuen {and} to duren / for which they desiren naturelly hyr lyf as
longe as eu{er} they mowen // For w[h]ych thou maist nat drede by no
manere / that alle the thinges / that ben anywher{e} / that they ne
requeren naturelly / the ferme stablenesse of p{er}durable dwellynge /
and ek the eschuynge of destruccyou{n} // B // now confesse I. wel
q{uod} I. that I. see wel now certeynly / w{i}t{h} owte dowtes / the
thinges that whylom semeden vncerteyn to me / P. // but q{uod} she
thilke thyng {a}t desiret[-h] to be {and} to dwellyn p{er}durablely /
he desireth to ben oon // For yif {a}t that oon weer{e} destroied //
certes beinge ne shulde ther non dwellyn to no wiht // that is sot[-h]
q{uod} I. // Thanne q{uod} she desirin alle thinges oon // .I. assente
q{uod} .I. // {and} I haue shewyd q{uod} she that thilke same oon is
thilke that is good // B // ye forsothe q{uod} I. // Alle thinges thanne
q{uod} she requyren good // And thilke good thanne [ow] maist descryuen
ryht thus // Good is thilke thing {a}t euery wyht desireth // Ther ne
may be thowht q{uod} .I. no moor{e} verray thing / for either alle
thinges ben referred {and} browht to nowht / {and} floteryn w{i}t{h}
owte gou{er}nour despoiled of oon / as of hir propre heued / or elles
yif ther be any thinge / to which {a}t alle thinges tenden {and} hyen /
that thing moste ben the souereyn good of alle goodes / P /. thanne
seyde she thus // O my norry q{uod} she I haue gret gladnesse of the //
For thow hast fichched in thin herte the myddel sothtfastnesse // that
is to seyn the prykke // but this thing hath ben descouered to the / in
that thow seydyst {a}t thow wystest nat a lytel her by-forn // what was
th{a}t q{uod} I. // That thow ne wystest nat q{uod} she whych was the
ende of thinges // and Certes that is the thing {a}t eu{er}y wiht
desireth // and for as mochel as we han gaderid / {and} co{m}p{re}hendyd
that good is thilke thing that is desired of alle / thanne moten we
nedes confessun / that good is the fyn of alle thinges.


QUISQUIS P{RO}FUNDA MENTE.

  [Sidenote: [The .11. Met{ru}m.]]

++WHo so that sekith sot[-h] by a deep thoght And coueyteth nat to ben
deseyuyd by no mys-weyes // lat hym rollen {and} trenden w{i}t{h} Inne
hym self / the Lyht of his inward syhte // And lat hym gader{e} ayein
enclynynge in to a compas the longe moeuynges of hys thowhtes / And lat
hym techen his corage that he hath enclosed {and} hyd / in his tresors /
al {a}t he compaseth or sekith fro w{i}t{h} owte // And thanne thilke
thing that the blake cloude of errour whilom hadde y-couered / shal
lyhten more clerly tha{n}ne pheb{us} hym self ne shyneth // Glosa // who
so wole seken the dep[e] grounde / of soth in his thowht / {and} wol nat
be deceyuyd by false p{ro}posiciou{n}s / that goon amys fro the trouthe
// lat hym wel examine / {and} rolle w{i}t{h} inne hym self the natur{e}
{and} the p{ro}pretes of the thing // and lat hym yit eft sones examine
{and} rollen his thowhtes by good deliberaciou{n} or that he deme // and
lat hym techen his sowle that it hat by naturel pryncyplis kyndeliche
y-hyd w{i}t{h} in it self alle the trowthe the whiche he ymagynith to
ben in thinges w{i}t{h} owte // And thanne alle the dyrknesse of his
mysknowynge shal seen more euydently to [e] syhte of his vndyrstondynge
thanne the sonne ne semyth to [e] syhte w{i}t{h} owte forth / For
certes the body bryngynge the weyhte of foryetynge / ne hath nat chasyd
owt of yowr{e} thowhte al the clernesse of yowre knowyng // For
certeynly the seed of sooth haldith {and} clyueth w{i}t{h} in yowr{e}
corage / {and} it is a-waked {and} excited by the wynde {and} by the
blastes of doctryne // For wher{e} for elles demen ye of yowr{e} owne
wyl the ryhtes whan ye ben axed // but yif so wer{e} {a}t the
noryssynges of resou{n} ne lyuede .I.-plowngyd in the depthe of yowr{e}
herte // this [is] to seyn how sholden men demen e sooth of any thing
{a}t weer{e} axed / yif ther neer{e} a Roote of sothfastnesse {a}t
weer{e} yplowngyd {and} hyd in the natur{e}[l] pryncyplis / the whiche
sothfastnesse lyued w{i}t{h} in the depnesse of the thowght // {and} yif
so be {a}t the Muse {and} the doctryne of plato syngyth sooth // al
{a}t eu{er}y whyht lerneth / he ne doth no thing elles tha{n}ne but
recordeth as me{n} recordyn thinges {a}t ben foryetyn.


TUM EGO PLATONI INQ{UA}M.

  [Sidenote: [The .12. p{ro}se.]]

++THanne seide I thus // I acorde me gretly to plato / for thow
remenbrist {and} recordist me thise thinges yit] e seconde tyme. at is
to seyn. first whan I lost[e] my memorie by e co{n}tagio[-u]s
coniuncc{i}ou{n} of e body wi e soule. {and} eftsones afterward whan
I lost[e] it co{n}founded by e charge {and} by e burden of my sorwe.
And an sayde she us. If ou look[e] q{uo}d she firste e inges
at ou hast graunted it ne shal nat ben ry[gh]t feer at ou ne shalt
remembren ilke ing at ou seidest at ou nistest nat. what ing
q{uo}d I. by whiche gouerme{n}t q{uo}d she at is worlde is gouerned.
Me remembri it wel q{uo}d I. {and} I confesse wel at I ne wist[e] it
nat But al be it so at I se now fro{m} afer what ou p{ur}posest
Algates I desire [gh]it to herkene it of e more pleynely. ou ne
wendest nat q{uo}d she a litel here byforne at men sholden doute at
is worlde is gouerned by god. Certys q{uo}d I ne [gh]itte doute I it
nau[gh]t. ne I nil neuer wene at it were to doute. as who sei. but I
wot wel at god gouerne is worlde. And I shal shortly answere e by
what resou{n}s I am brou[gh]t to is. is worlde q{uod} I of so many
dyuerse {and} co{n}trarious p{ar}ties ne my[gh]ten neuer han ben
assembled in o forme. but yif ere ne were oon at conioigned so many[e
diu{er}se] inges. And e same diuersite of hire natures at so
discordeden at oon fro at oer most[e] dep{ar}ten {and} vnioigne{n} e
i{n}ges at ben co{n}ioigned. yif ere ne were oon at contened[e] at
he ha co{n}ioigned {and} ybounde. ne e certein ordre of nature ne
sholde. nat brynge fure so ordinee moeuynge. by places. by tymes. by
doynges. by spaces. by qualites. yif ere ne were oon at were ay
stedfast dwellynge. at ordeyned[e] {and} disposed[e] ise diuersites of
moeuynges. and ilke inge what so euer it be. by whiche at alle
inges ben maked {and} ylad. Iclepe hym god at is a worde at is vsed
to alle folke. an seide she. syn ou felest us ise inges q{uo}d she.
Itrowe at I haue lytel more to done. at ou my[gh]ty of wilfulnesse
hool {and} sounde ne se eftsones i contre. But lat vs loken e inges
at we han p{ur}posed her-byforn. Haue I nat nou{m}bred {and} seid
q{uod} she at suffisaunce is in blisfulnesse. {and} we han accorded at
god is {and} ilke same blisfulnesse. yis forsoe q{uo}d I. {and} at
to gouerne is worlde q{uod} she. ne shal he neuer han nede of none
helpe fro wioute. for ellys yif he had[de] nede of any helpe. he ne
sholde not haue [no] ful suffisau{n}ce. [gh]is us it mot nedes be
q{uo}d I. an ordeyne he by hym self al oon alle inges q{uo}d she.
at may nat ben denied q{uo}d I. And I haue shewed at god is e same
good. It reme{m}bre me wel q{uo}d I. an ordeine he alle inges by
ilke goode q{uod} she. Syn he whiche we han accorded to ben good
gouerne alle i{n}g{us} by hym self. {and} he is a keye {and} a stiere
by whiche at e edifice of is worlde is ykept stable {and} wi oute
corumpynge I accorde me gretly q{uod} I. {and} I ap{er}ceiuede a litel
here byforn at ou woldest seyne us. Al be it so at it were by a
inne suspeciou{n}. Itrowe it wel q{uo}d she. For as I trowe ou
leedest nowe more ententifly ine eyen to loken e verray goodes but
naeles e inges at I shal telle e [gh]it ne shewe nat lasse to
loken. what is at q{uo}d I. So as men trowen q{uo}d she {and} at
ry[gh]tfully at god gouerne alle inges by e keye of his goodnesse.
And alle ise same inges as I [haue] tau[gh]t e. hasten hem by
naturel ente{n}c{i}ou{n} to comen to goode er may no man doute{n}. at
ei ne ben gouerned uoluntariely. {and} at ei ne conuerten [hem] nat
of her owe{n} wille to e wille of hire ordeno{ur}. as ei at ben
accordyng {and} enclinynge to her gouerno{ur} {and} her kyng. It mot
nedys be so q{uo}d. I. For e realme ne sholde not seme blisful [gh]if
ere were a [gh]ok of mysdrawynges in diu{er}se p{ar}ties ne e sauynge
of obedient inges ne sholde nat be. an is ere no ing q{uo}d she
{a}t kepi hys nature[;] at enforce hym to gone a[gh]eyne god. No
q{uo}d. I. And if at any i{n}g enforced[e] hym to wistonde god.
my[gh]t[e] it auayle at e laste a[gh]eyns hym at we han g{ra}unted to
ben al my[gh]ty by e ry[gh]t of blisfulnesse. Certis q{uo}d I al
outerly it ne my[gh]t[e] nat auaylen hym. an is ere no ing q{uo}d she
at eyer wol or may wistonde to is souereyne good. I trowe nat
q{uo}d. Ian is ilke e souereyne good q{uo}d she at alle
i{n}g{us} gouerne strongly {and} ordeyne hem softly. a{n} seide I
us. Idelite me q{uo}d I nat oonly in e endes or in e so{m}mes of
[the] resou{n}s at ou hast concludid {and} p{ro}ued. But ilke
wordes at {o}u vsest deliten me moche more. So at e last[e] fooles
at so{m}tyme renden greet[e] inges au[gh]te{n} ben asshamed of hem
self. at is to seyne {a}t we fooles at rep{re}henden wickedly e
i{n}g{us} at touchen goddes gouernaunce we au[gh]te{n} ben asshamed of
oure self. As I at seide god refuse oonly e werkes of men. {and} ne
entremeti nat of he{m}. _p._ ou hast wel herd q{uo}d she e fables of
e poetes. how e geauntes assailden e heuene wi e goddes. but for
soe e debonaire force of god disposed[e] hem so as it was wori. at
is to seyne distroied[e] e geauntes. as it was wori. But wilt ou
at we ioygnen togedre ilke same resou{n}s. for p{er}auenture of swiche
coniuncc{i}ou{n} may sterten vp some faire sp{er}kele of soe Do
q{uo}d I as e list. wenest ou q{uo}d she at god ne is almy[gh]ty. no
man is in doute of it. Certys q{uo}d I no wy[gh]t ne defendi it if he
be in hys mynde. but he q{uo}d she at is al my[gh]ty ere nis no ing
at he ne may do. at is soe q{uo}d I. May god done yuel q{uo}d she.
nay for soe q{uo}d. I. an is yuel no ing q{uo}d she. Syn at he
ne may not done yuel at may done alle inges. scornest ou me q{uo}d.
I. or ellys pleyest ou or deceiuest ou me. at hast so wouen me wi i
resou{n}s. e house of didalus so entrelaced. at it is vnable to ben
vnlaced. ou at oer while entrest ere ou issest {and} oer while
issest ere ou entrest. ne fooldest ou nat to gidre by
replicac{i}ou{n} of wordes a maner wondirful cercle or envirounynge of
symplicite deuyne. For certys a litel her byforn{e} whan ou bygu{n}ne
atte blisfulnesse {o}u seidest at it is souereyne good. {and} seidest
at it is set in souereyne god. {and} at god is e ful[le]
blisfulnesse. for whiche ou [gh]af[e] me as a couenable [gh]ifte. at
is to seyne {a}t no wy[gh]t nis blisful. but yif he be good al so er
wi {and} seidest eke at e forme of goode is e substaunce of god.
{and} of blisfulnesse. {and} seidest {a}t ilke same oone is ilke same
goode at is requered {and} desired of al e kynde of inges. {and} ou
p{ro}euedest in disputynge at god gouerne alle [the] inges of e
worlde by e gouernementys of bountee. {and} seydest at alle inges
wolen ybeyen to hym. and seidest at e nature of yuel nis no ing.
{and} ise inges ne shewedest ou nat wi no resou{n}s ytake fro
wioute but by proues in cercles {and} homelyche knowen. e whiche
p{ro}eues drawen to hem self hir fei {and} hir accorde eu{er}iche [of]
hem of oer. an seide she us. Ine scorne e nat ne pleye ne desseyue
e. but I haue shewed to e inge at is grettest ouer alle inges by e
[gh]ifte of god at we some tyme prayden For is is e forme of [the]
deuyne substaunce. at is swiche at it ne slyde nat in to outerest
foreine inges. ne ne rec[e]yue no st{ra}nge inges in hym. but ry[gh]t
as p{ar}maynws seide in grek of ilke deuyne substaunce. he seide us
at ilke deuyne substaunce torne e worlde {and} ilke cercle
moeueable of inges while ilke dyuyne substau{n}ce kepi it self wi
outen moeuynge. at is to seyne at it ne moeui neuere mo. {and}
[gh]itte it moeue alle oer inges. but na-eles yif I [haue] stered
resou{n}s at ne ben nat taken fro wi oute e compas of e inge of
whiche we treten. but resou{n}s at ben bystowed wi i{n}ne at compas
ere nis nat whi at ou sholde[st] merueylen. sen ou hast lerned by e
sentence of plato at nedes e wordes moten ben cosynes to o inges of
whiche ei speken.


FELIX QUI POTERIT. {ET} CET{ER}A.

  [Sidenote: [The .12. Met{ur}.]]

++Blisful is at man at may seen e clere welle of good. blisful is he
at may vnbynde hym fro e bonde of heuy ere. e poete of t{ra}ce
[orphe{us}] at somtyme hadde ry[gh]t greet sorowe for e dee of hys
wijf. aftir at he hadde maked by hys wepely songes e wodes meueable to
rennen. {and} hadde ymaked e ryueres to stonden stille. {and} maked e
hertys {and} hyndes to ioignen dredles hir sides to cruel lyou{n}s to
herkene his songe. {and} had[de] maked at e hare was nat agast of e
hounde whiche at was plesed by hys songe. so at whane e most[e]
ardaunt loue of hys wijf brende e entrailes of his brest. ne e songes
at hadde ouer comen alle inges ne my[gh]ten nat assuage hir lorde
orpheus. He pleyned[e] hym of e godes at were{n} cruel to hym. he
wente hym to e houses of helle {and} ere he tempred[e] hys
blaundissyng songes by resounyng of hys strenges. And spak {and} song
in wepynge alle at euer he hadde resceyued {and} laued oute of e noble
welles of hys modir calliope e goddesse. {and} he song wi as mychel as
he my[gh]t[e] of wepynge. {and} wi as myche as loue at doubled[e] his
sorwe my[gh]t[e] [gh]euen hym {and} teche hy{m} in his seke h{er}te.
And he commoeuede e helle {and} requered[e] {and} sou[gh]te by swete
p{re}iere e lordes of soules in helle of relesynge. at is to seyne to
[gh]elden hym hys wif. Cerberus e porter of helle wi his re heuedes
was cau[gh]t {and} al abaist for e new[e] songe. {and} e re goddesses
furijs {and} vengerisse of felonies at to{ur}mente{n} {and} agaste{n}
e soules by anoye wexen sorweful {and} sory {and} wepen teres for
pitee. an was nat e heued of Ixion{e} yto{ur}mented by e
ou{er}rowi{n}g whele. And tantalus at was destroied by e woodnesse
of longe rust dispise e flodes to drynke. e fowel at hy[gh]t voltor
at eti e stomak or e giser of ticius is so fulfilled of his songe
at it nil etyn ne tyren no more. Atte e laste e lorde {and} Iuge of
soules was moeued to misericordes {and} cried[e] we ben ouer comen
q{uo}d he. yif[e] we to orpheus his wijf to bere hym co{m}paignye he ha
welle I-bou[gh]t hir by his faire songe {and} his ditee. but we wil
putte{n} a lawe in is. {and} couenaunt in e [gh]ifte. {a}t is to
seyne. at til he be out of helle yif he loke byhynden hym [{a}t] hys
wijf shal come{n} a[gh]eine to vs but what is he at may [gh]eue a
lawe to loueres. loue is a gretter lawe {and} a strengere to hym self
an any lawe {a}t men may [gh]euen. Allas whan Orpheus {and} his wijf
were al most at e termes of e ny[gh]t. at is to seyne at e last[e]
boundes of helle. Orpheus loked[e] abakwarde on Erudice his wijf {and}
lost[e] hir {and} was deed. is fable app{er}teine to [gh]ow alle who
so euer desire or seki to lede his ou[gh]te in to e souereyne day.
at is to seyne to clerenes[se] of souereyne goode. For who so at
eu{er}e be so ouer come{n} at he fycche hys eyen in to e put[te] of
helle. at is to seyne who so sette his ou[gh]tes in erely inges. al
at euer he ha drawen of e noble good celestial he lesi it whan he
loke e helles. at is to seyne to lowe inges of e ere.

  EXPLICIT LIBER TERCIUS.




INCIPIT LIBER QUARTUS.


HEC CUM PHILOSOPHIA DIGNITATE UULT{US}.

  [Sidenote: [The 1^ma p{ro}se.]]

++Whanne philosophie hadde songe{n} softly {and} delitably e forseide
inges kepynge e dignitee of hir choere in e wey[gh]te of hir wordes.
Ian at ne hadde nat al out{er}ly for[gh]eten e wepyng {and} mournyng
at was set in myne herte for-brek e entenc{i}ou{n} of hir at
entended[e] [gh]itte to seyne o{er} inges. Se q{uo}d I. ou at art
gideresse of verray ly[gh]te e inges at ou hast seid [me] hider to
ben to me so clere {and} so shewyng by e deuyne lokyng of hem {and} by
i resou{n}s at ei ne mowe nat ben ouercomen. And ilke i{n}g{us}
at ou toldest me. al be it so at I hadde som tyme fo[r][gh]eten hem
for [the] sorwe of e wronge at ha ben don to me. [gh]it naeles ei
ne were nat alouterly vnknowen to me. but is same is namly a gret cause
of my sorwe. at so as e gouernoure of inges is goode. yif at yuelys
mowen ben by any weyes. or ellys yif at yuelys passen wi outen
punyssheinge. e whiche inge oonly how wori it is to ben wondred vpon.
ou considerest it weel i self certeynly. but [gh]itte to is ing ere
is an oer ing y-ioigned more to ben ywondred vpon. For felonie is
emperisse {and} flowre ful of rycchesse. and vertues nis nat al oonly
wi outen medes. but it is cast vndir {and} fortroden vndir e feet of
felonous folk. {and} it abie e to{ur}me{n}tes in sted of wicked
felou{n}s Of al[le] whiche ing er nis no wy[gh]t at [may]
merueyllen ynou[gh] ne compleyne at swiche inges ben don in e regne
of god at alle inges woot. and alle inges may {and} ne wool nat but
only goode inges. an seide she us. certys q{uo}d she at were a
grete meruayle {and} an enbaissynge wiouten ende. {and} wel more
horrible an alle monstres yif it were as {o}u wenest. at is to sein.
at in e ry[gh]t ordeyne house of so mochel a fader {and} an ordenour
of meyne. at e vesseles at ben foule {and} vyle sholde ben hono{ur}ed
{and} heried. and e p{re}cious uesseles sholde ben defouled {and} vyle.
but it nis nat so. For yif e inges at I haue co{n}cluded a litel here
byforne ben kept hoole {and} vnraced. ou shalt wel knowe by e
auctorite of god. of e whos regne I speke at certys e good[e] folk
ben alwey my[gh]ty. {and} shrewes ben alwey yuel {and} feble. ne e
vices ben neu{e}re mo wi outen peyne[;] ne e vertues ne ben nat wi
outen mede. and at blisfulnesses comen alwey to goode folke. {and}
infortune come alwey to wicked folke. And ou shalt wel knowe many[e]
inges of is kynde {a}t sholle cessen i pleyntes. {and} stedfast e
wi stedfast saddenesse. And for ou hast seyn e forme of e verray
blisfulnesse by me at [haue] somtyme I-shewed it e. And ou hast
knowen i{n} whom blysfulnesse is set. alle inges I treted {a}t I trowe
ben nessessarie to put[te] fure I shal shewe e. e weye at shal
brynge e a[gh]eyne vnto i house {and} I shal ficche feeres in i
ou[gh]t by whiche it may arysen in hey[gh]te. so at al
tribulac{i}ou{n} don awey ou by my gidyng & by my pae {and} by my
sledes shalt mowen retourne hool {and} sounde in to i contre.


SU{N}T ETENIM PENNE. {ET} C{ETERA}.

  [Sidenote: [The fyrste met{ur}.]]

++I Haue for soe swifte feeres at surmou{n}ten e hey[gh]t of e
heuene whan e swifte ou[gh]t ha cloed it self. in o feeres it
dispise e hat[e]ful eres. {and} surmou{n}te e hey[gh]enesse of e
greet[e] eyir. {and} it sei e cloudes by-hynde hir bak {and} passe e
hey[gh]t of e regiou{n} of e fire at eschaufi by e swifte moeuyng
of e firmament. til at she a-reisi hir in til e houses {a}t beren
e sterres. {and} ioygne hir weyes wi e sonne phebus. {and}
felawshipe e weye of e olde colde saturnus. and she ymaked a kny[gh]t
of e clere sterre. at is to seyne at e soule is maked goddys
kny[gh]t by e sekyng of treue to comen to e verray knowlege of god.
and ilke soule renne[] by e cercle of e sterres in alle e places
ere as e shynyng ny[gh]t is depeynted. at is to seyne e ny[gh]t at
is cloudeles. for on ny[gh]tes at ben cloudeles it seme as e heuene
were peynted wi dyuerse ymages of sterres. {and} whan e soule ha gon
ynou[gh] she shal forleten e last[e] poynt of e heuene. {and} she shal
p{re}ssen {and} wenden on e bak of e swifte firmament. and she shal
ben maked p{er}fit of e dredefulle clerenesse of god. ere halde e
lorde of kynges e ceptre of his my[gh]t {and} atte{m}p{er}e e
gouernementes of is worlde. {and} e shynynge iuge of inges stable
i{n} hy{m} self gouerne e swifte carte. at is to seyne e circuler
moeuyng of [the] sonne. {and} yif i weye lede e a[gh]eyne so at ou
be brou[gh]t ider. an wilt ou seye now at at is e contre at ou
requeredest of whiche ou ne haddest no mynde. but now it remenbre me
wel here was I born. here wil I fastne my degree. here wil I dwelle. but
yif e lyke an to loken on e derkenesse of e ere at ou hast
for-leten. an shalt ou seen at ise felonous tyrauntes at e
wrecched[e] poeple drede now shule ben exiled from ilke faire contre.


TUNC EGO PAPE INQ{UA}M. {ET} C{ETERA}.

  [Sidenote: [The 2^e p{ro}se.]]

++Anne seide I us. [owh] I wondre me at ou by-hetest me so grete
inges. ne I ne doute nat at {o}u ne mayst wel p{er}forme at ou
by-hetest. but I preie e oonly is. at ou ne tarie nat to telle me
ilke inges at ou hast meoued. first q{uo}d she ou most nedes
knowen. {a}t good[e] folk ben al wey strong[e] {and} my[gh]ty. and e
shrewes ben feble {and} desert {and} naked of alle strenges. and of
ise inges certys eueryche of hem is declared {and} shewed by o{er}.
For so as good {and} yuel ben two cont{ra}ries. yif so be at goode be
stedfast. a{n} shewe e fieblesse of yuel al openly. and yif ou knowe
clerely e freelnesse of yuel. e stedfastnesse of goode is knowen. but
for as moche as e fey of my sentence shal be e more ferme {and}
habou{n}daunt. Iwil goon by at oon wey {and} by at oer {and} I wil
conferme e inges at ben p{ur}posed now on is side {and} now on {a}t
syde. Two inges er ben in whiche e effect of alle e dedes of man
kynde standi. at is to seyn. wil {and} power. and yif at oon of ise
two fayle ere nis no ing at may be don. for yif at wil lakke ere
nys no wy[gh]t at vndirtake to done at he wol not don. and yif power
fayle e wille nis but i{n} ydel {and} stant for nau[gh]t. and er of
come it at yif ou se a wy[gh]t at wolde gete{n} at he may nat
geten. ou mayst nat douten at power ne fayle hy{m} to haue{n} at he
wolde. is is open {and} clere q{uo}d I. ne it may nat ben denyed in
no manere. and yif ou se a wy[gh]t q{uo}d she. at ha don at he wolde
don {o}u nilt nat douten at he ne ha had power to done it. no q{uo}d.
I. and in at. at euery wy[gh]t may. in at at men may holden hym
my[gh]ty. as who sei i{n} as moche as a man is my[gh]ty to done a ing.
in so moche men halden hy{m} my[gh]ty. and in at at he ne may. in at
men demen hym to ben feble. Iconfesse it wel q{uo}d I. Remembri e
q{uo}d she at I. haue gadred {and} shewed by forseide resou{n}s at al
e entenc{i}ou{n} of e wil of ma{n}kynde whiche at is lad by diuerse
studies hasti to comen to blisfulnesse. It reme{m}bre me wel q{uo}d
I at it hath ben shewed. {and} recorde e nat an q{uo}d she. at
blisfulnesse is ilke same goode at men requeren. so at whan at
blisfulnesse is requered of alle. at goode [also] is requered {and}
desired of al. It recorde me wel q{uo}d I. for haue it gretly alwey
ficche[d] in my memorie. alle folk an q{uo}d she goode {and} eke badde
enforcen he{m} wi oute difference of entenc{i}ou{n} to come{n} to
goode. at is a uerray consequence q{uo}d I. and certeyne is q{uo}d she
at by e gety{n}g of goode ben men ymaked goode. is is certeyne
q{uo}d. I. an geten goode men at ei desiren. so seme it q{uo}d I.
but wicked[e] folk q{uo}d she yif ei geten e goode at ei desire{n}
ei [ne] mowen nat ben wicked. so is it q{uo}d .I. an so as at oon
{and} at oer [q{uod} she] desiren good. {and} e goode folk geten good
{and} nat e wicked folk an nis it no doute at e goode folk ne ben
my[gh]ty {and} e wicked folk ben feble. who so at euer q{uo}d I
doute of is. he ne may nat considre e nature of i{n}ges. ne e
consequence of resou{n}. and ouer is q{uo}d she. yif at er ben two
inges at han o same p{ur}pos by kynde. {and} at one of he{m}
p{ur}sue {and} p{er}forme ilke same inge by naturel office. {and}
at oer ne may nat done ilk naturel office. but folwe by oer manere
an is couenable to nat{ur}e Hym at acomplisi hys p{ur}pos kyndely.
{and} [gh]it he ne acomplisi nat hys owen purpos. wheer of ise two
demest ou for more my[gh]ty. yif at I coniecte q{uo}d .I. at ou
wilt seye algates. [gh]it I desire to herkene it more pleynely of e.
ou nilt nat an denye q{uo}d she at e moeueme{n}t[gh] of goynge nis
in men by kynde. no for soe q{uo}d I. ne ou ne doutest nat q{uo}d she
{a}t ilke naturel office of goynge ne be e office of feet. Ine doute
it nat q{uo}d .I. an q{uo}d she yif at a wy[gh]t be my[gh]ty to moeue
{and} go vpon hys feet. and anoer to whom ilke naturel office of feet
lakke. enforce hym to gone crepynge vpo{n} hys handes. whiche of
ise two au[gh]te to ben holden more my[gh]ty by ry[gh]t. knyt fure e
remenaunt q{uo}d I. For no wy[gh]t ne doute at he at may gone by
nat{ur}el office of feet. ne be more my[gh]ty an he at ne may nat
but e souereyne good q{uo}d she at is euenlyche p{ur}posed to e
good folk {and} to badde. e good folke seken it by naturel office of
uertues. {and} e shrewes enforcen hem to geten it by dyuerse couetise
of erely inges. whiche at nis no naturel office to geten ilke same
souereyne goode. trowest ou at it be any oer wyse. nay q{uo}d .I. for
e co{n}seque{n}ce is open {and} shewynge of inges at I haue graunted.
at nedes goode folk moten ben my[gh]ty. {and} shrewes feble {and}
vnmy[gh]ty. ou rennest ary[gh]t byfore me q{uo}d she. {and} is is e
iugement at is to seyn. I iuge of e ry[gh]t as ise leches ben wont
forto hopen of seke folk whan ei ap{er}ceyuen at nature is redressed
{and} wistonde to e maladie. But for I see e now al redy to e
vndirstandynge I shal shewe e more ilke {and} continuel resou{n}s.
For loke now how gretly shewi e feblesse {and} infirmite of wicked
folke. at ne mowen nat come to at hire naturel entenc{i}ou{n} lede
hem. {and} [gh]itte almost ilk naturel entenc{i}ou{n} constreine hem.
and what wer{e} to deme an of shrewes. yif ilke naturel helpe hadde
for-leten hem. e whiche naturel helpe of entenc{i}ou{n} go alwey
byforne hem. {and} is so grete at vnne it may be ou{er}comen.
Considre an how gret defaute of power {and} how gret feblesse ere is
in grete felonous folk as who sei e gretter i{n}ges at ben coueited
{and} e desire nat accomplissed of e lasse my[gh]t is he at coueite
it {and} may nat acomplisse. And fori philosophie sei us by
souereyne good. Sherewes ne requere nat ly[gh]t[e] medes ne veyne
gaines whiche ei ne may nat folwen ne holden. but ei fayle{n} of ilke
some of e hey[gh]te of inges at is to seyne souereyne good. ne ise
wrecches ne comen nat to e effect of souereyne good. e whiche ei
enforcen hem oonly to gete{n} by ny[gh]tes {and} by dayes. In e
getyn[g] of whiche goode e strenge of good folk. is ful wel ysen. For
ry[gh]t so as {o}u my[gh]test demen hym my[gh]ty of goynge at go on
hys feet til he my[gh]t[e] come to ilke place fro e whiche place ere
ne lay no wey forer to be gon. Ry[gh]t so most ou nedes demen hym for
ry[gh]t my[gh]ty at geti {and} atteini to e ende of alle inges at
ben to desire. by-[gh]onde e whiche ende at er nis no ing to desire.
Of whiche power of good folk men may conclude at wicked men semen to
ben bareyne {and} naked of alle strenge. For whi forleten ei v{er}tues
{and} folwen vices. nis it nat for at ei ne knowen nat e goodes.
But what ing is more feble {and} more caitif an is e blyndenesse of
ignoraunce. or ellys ei knowen ful wel whiche inges at ei au[gh]ten
to folwen but lecherye {and} couetise ouerrowe hem mysturned. and
certis so do distemp{er}aunce to feble men. at ne mowe{n} nat wrastle
a[gh]eins e vices Ne knowen ei nat an wel at ei foreleten e good
wilfully. {and} turnen hem vilfully to vices. And in is wise ei ne
forleten nat oonly to ben my[gh]ty. but ei forleten al outerly in any
wise forto ben For ei at forleten e comune fyn of alle inges at
ben. ei for-leten also erwi al forto ben. and p{er}auenture it sholde
semen to som folk at is were a merueile to seyne at shrewes whiche
at contienen e more p{ar}tie of me{n} ne ben nat. ne han no beynge.
but naeles it is so. {and} us stant is ing for ei at ben shrewes
I denye nat at ei ben shrewes. but I denye {and} sey[e] symplely and
pleynly at ei [ne] ben nat. ne han no beynge. for ry[gh]t as ou
my[gh]test seyn of e careyne of a man at it were a ded man. but ou
ne my[gh]test nat symplely callen it a man. So graunt[e] I wel for
soe at vicious folk ben wicked. but I ne may nat graunten absolutely
{and} symplely at ei ben. For ilk ing at wi holde ordre {and}
kepi nature. ilk ing is {and} ha beynge. but at ing at faile of
at. at is to seyne he {a}t forleti naturel ordre he for-leti ilk
beyng at is set in hys nature. but ou wolt sein at shrewes mowen.
Certys at ne denye I nat. but certys hir power ne descende nat of
strenge but of feblesse. for ei mowen don wickednesses. e whiche ei
ne my[gh]ten nat don yif ei my[gh]te{n} dwelle in e forme {and} in e
doynge of goode folke. And ilke power shewe ful euydently at ei ne
mowen ry[gh]t nau[gh]t. For so as I haue gadered {and} p{ro}ued a
lytel her byforn at yuel is nau[gh]t. {and} so as shrewes mowen oonly
but shrewednesse. is conclusiou{n} is al clere. at shrewes ne mowen
ry[gh]t nat to han power. and for as moche as ou vndirstonde whiche is
e strenge at is power of shrewes. Ihaue diffinised a lytel here
byforn at no ing nis so my[gh]ty as souereyne good at is soe
q{uo}d .I. [{and} thilke same souereyn good may don non yuel // Certes
no q{uod} I] Is er any wy[gh]t an q{uo}d she at weni at men mowen
don alle inges. No man q{uo}d .I. but yif he be out of hys witte. but
certys sherewes mowen do yuel q{uo}d she. [gh]e wolde god q{uo}d I
at ei ne my[gh]te{n} don none. at q{uo}d she so as he at is my[gh]ty
to done oonly but good[e] inges may don alle inges. and ei at ben
my[gh]ty to done yuel[e] inges ne mowen nat alle inges. an is is
open ing {and} manifest at ei {a}t mowe{n} don yuel ben of lasse
power. and [gh]itte to p{ro}ue is conclusiou{n} ere helpe me is at
I haue shewed here byforne. at al power is to be nou{m}bred amonge
inges at men au[gh]ten requere. {and} haue shewed at alle i{n}ges
at au[gh]ten ben desired ben referred to good ry[gh]t as to a manere
hey[gh]te of hyr nature. But for to mowen don yuel {and} felonye ne
may nat ben referred to good. an nis nat yuel of e nou{m}bre of inges
at au[gh]te{n}. be desired. but al power au[gh]t[e] ben desired {and}
requered. an is it open {and} cler at e power ne e moeuyng of
shrewes nis no powere. {and} of alle ise inges it shewe wel at e
goode folk ben certeynly my[gh]ty. {and} e shrewes ben douteles
vnmy[gh]ty And it is clere {and} open at ilke sentence of plato is
uerray {and} soe. {a}t sey at oonly wiseme{n} may [doon] at ei
desiren. {and} shrewes mowen haunten at hem lyke. but at ei desiren
at is to seyne to comen to souereyne good ei ne han no power to
acomplissen at. For shrewes don at hem list whan by o inges in
whiche ei deliten ei wenen to atteyne to ilke good at ei desiren.
but ei ne geten ne atteynen nat er to. for vices ne comen nat to
blisfulnesse.


QUOS UIDES SEDERE CELSOS.

  [Sidenote: [The ij^de Met{ur}.]]

++Who so at e couertures of her veyn apparailes my[gh]t[e] strepen of
ise proude kynges at ou seest sitten on hey[gh]e in her chayeres
glyterynge in shynynge purpre envyroned wi sorweful arm{ur}es manasyng
wi cruel moue. blowyng by woodnesse of herte. He sholde se an at
ilke lordes beren wi i{n}ne hir corages ful streyte cheynes for
leccherye tormenti he{m} on at oon syde wi gredy venyms {and}
troublable Ire at araise in hem e floodes of troublynges tourmenti
vpon at oer side hir ou[gh]t. or sorwe halt he{m} wery or ycau[gh]t.
or slidyng {and} disseyuyng hope tourmenti hem. And erfore syn ou
seest on heed. at is to seyne oon tyraunt bere so many[e] tyrauntis.
a{n} ne do ilk tyraunt nat at he desiri. syn he is cast doune wi
so many[e] wicked lordes. at is to seyn wi so many[e] vices. at han
so wicked lordshipes ouer hym.


VIDES NE IGITUR QUANTO.

  [Sidenote: [The iij.^de p{ro}se.]]

++SEest ou nat an in how gret file ise shrewes ben ywrapped. {and}
wi whiche cleernesse ise good folk shynen. In is shewe it wel at to
good folk ne lakke neuer mo hir medes. ne shrewes ne lakken neuer mo
to{ur}mentis. for of alle inges at ben ydon ilke ing for whiche any
ing is doon. it seme as by ry[gh]t at ilke ing be e mede of at.
as us. yif a man renne in e stadie or in e forlonge for e corone.
an lie e mede in e corone for whiche he renne. And I haue shewed
at blisfulnesse is ilke same good for whiche at alle i{n}g{us} ben
don. an is ilke same good p{ur}posed to e werkes of mankynde ry[gh]t
as a comune mede. whiche mede ne may ben disseuered fro good folk. for
no wy[gh]t as by ry[gh]t fro ennes fore {a}t hym lakki goodnesse ne
shal ben cleped good. For whiche ing folk of good[e] maneres her medes
ne forsaken hem neuer mo. For al be it so at sherewes waxen as wood as
hem list a[gh]eynes good[e] folk. [gh]itte neuer e les e corone of
wise men ne shal nat fallen ne faden. For foreine shrewednesse ne
bynyme nat fro e corages of good[e] folk hire p{ro}pre honoure. but
yif at any wy[gh]t reioise hem of goodnesse at ei had[de] taken fro
wioute. as who sei yif [{a}t] any wy[gh]t had[de] hys goodnesse of
any oer man an of hym self. certys he at [gh]af hym ilke goodnesse
or ellys som oer wy[gh]t my[gh]t[e] bynym[e] it hym. but for as moche
as to euery wy[gh]t hys owen p{ro}pre bounte [gh]eue hy{m} hys mede.
an at arst shal he faylen of mede whan he forleti to ben good. {and}
at e laste so as alle medes be{n} requered for men wenen at ei ben
good[e]. who is he at wolde deme at he at is ry[gh]t my[gh]ty of
goode were p{ar}tles of mede. {and} of what mede shal he be gerdoned.
certys of ry[gh]t faire mede {and} ry[gh]t greet abouen alle medes.
Remembre e of ilk noble corolarie at I [gh]af e a lytel here
byforne. {and} gadre it to gidre in is manere. so as god hym self is
blisfulnesse. an is it clere {and} certeyn. at alle good folk ben
makid blisful for ei ben good[e]. and ilke folk at ben blisful it
accordi {and} is couenable to ben godde[s]. an is e mede of goode
folk swiche. at no day [ne] shal enpeyren it. ne no wickednesse shal
endirken it. ne power of no wy[gh]t ne shal nat amenusen it at is to
seyn to ben maked goddes. and syn it is us at goode men ne faylen
neuer mo of hir{e} medes. certys no wise man ne may doute of e
vndep{ar}table peyne of shrewes. at is to seyn at e peyne of
shrewes ne dep{ar}ti nat from hem self neuer mo. For so as goode
{and} yuel {and} peyne {and} medes ben contrarie it mot nedes ben {a}t
ry[gh]t as we seen by-tiden in gerdou{n} of goode. at also mot e peyne
of yuel answer{e} by e contrarie partye to shrewes. now an so as
bounte {and} prowesse ben e medes to goode folk. also is shrewednesse
it self torment to shrewes an who so at euer is entecched {and}
defouled wi yuel. yif shrewes wolen an p{re}isen hem self may it semen
to hem at ei ben wi oute{n} p{ar}tye of tourment. syn ei ben swiche
at e [vtteriste wikkednesse / {a}t is to seyn wikkede thewes / which
{a}t is the] out{er}este {and} e w[or]ste kynde of shrewednesse ne
defouli nat ne entecehi nat hem oonly but infecti {and} enuenemy
he{m} gretely And al so loke on shrewes at ben e contrarie p{ar}tye
of goode men. how grete peyne felawshipe {and} folwe hem. For ou
hast lerned a litel here byforn at al i{n}g at is {and} ha beynge is
oon. {and} ilke same oon is good. an is is consequence at it seme
wel. at al at is {and} ha bey{n}ge is good. is is to seyne. as who
sei at beynge {and} vnite {and} goodnesse is al oon. {and} in is
manere it folwe an. at al ing at faile to ben good. it stynti
forto be. {and} forto haue any beynge. wher fore it is at shrewes
stynten forto ben at ei weren. but ilke oer forme of mankynde. at
is to seyne e forme of e body wi oute. shewi [gh]it at ise shrewes
were somtyme men. wher fore whan ei ben p{er}uerted {and} torned in
to malice. certys an han ei forlorn e nature of mankynde. but so as
oonly bounte {and} prowesse may enhawnse euery man ouer oer men. an
mot it nedes be at shrewes whiche at shrewednesse ha cast out of e
condic{i}ou{n} of mankynde ben put vndir e merite {and} e deserte of
men. an bitidi it at yif ou seest a wy[gh]t at be t{ra}nsformed in
to vices. ou ne mayst nat wene at he be a man. For [gh]if he [be]
ardaunt in auarice. {and} at he be a rauyno{ur} by violence of foreine
rychesse. ou shalt seyn at he is lyke to a wolf. {and} yif he be
felonous {and} wi out reste {and} ex{er}cise hys tonge to chidynges.
ou shalt lykene hym to e hounde. {and} yif he be a p{re}ue awaito{ur}
yhid {and} reioyse hym to rauysshe by wyles. ou shalt seyne hym lyke
to e fox whelpes. And yif he be distempre {and} quaki for ire men
shal wene at he bere e corage of a lyou{n}. {and} yif he be dredeful
{and} fleynge and drede inges at ne au[gh]ten nat ben dred. men shal
holde hym lyke to e h{er}te. {and} yif he be slowe {and} astoned {and}
lache. he lyue as an asse. {and} yif he be ly[gh]t {and} vnstedfast of
corage {and} chaunge ay his studies. he is lickened to briddes. {and}
yif he be plounged in foule {and} vnclene luxuries. he is wiholden in
e foule delices of e foule soowe. an folwe it at he at forleti
bountee {and} prowesse. he forleti to ben a man. syn he ne may nat
passe in to e condic{i}ou{n} of god. he is tourned in to a beest.


V[E]LA NARICII DUCIS.

  [Sidenote: [The 3^de Met{ur}.]]

++Evrus e wynde aryue e sayles of vlixes duc of e contre of narice.
{and} hys wandryng shippes by e see in to e isle ere as Circe e
fayre goddesse dou[gh]ter of e sonne dwelle at medly to hir newe
gestes drynkes at ben touched {and} maked wi enchau{n}tment[gh]. {and}
after at hir hande my[gh]ty of e herbes had[de] chau{n}ged hir gestes
i{n} to dyuerse maneres. at oon of hem is couered his face wi forme of
a boor. at oer is chau{n}ged in to a lyou{n} of e contre of
marmorike. {and} his nayles {and} his tee wexen. at oer of hem is
newliche chaunged in to a wolf. {and} howeli whan he wolde wepe. at
oer go debonairly in e house as a tigre of Inde. but al be it so at
e godhed of mercurie at is cleped e bride of arcadie ha had mercie
of e duc vlixes byseged wi diu{er}se yueles {and} ha vnbounden hym
fro e pestilence of hys oosteresse algates e rowers {and} e maryners
hadden by is ydrawen in to hir moues {and} dronken e wicked[e]
drynkes ei at were woxen swyne hadden by is chau{n}ged hire mete of
brede forto ete acorns of ookes. non of hir lymes ne dwelli wi he{m}
hoole. but ei han lost e voys {and} e body. Oonly hir{e} ou[gh]t
dwelle wi hem stable {a}t wepi {and} bywaili e monstruous
chaungynge at ei suffren. O ouer ly[gh]t hand. as who sei. O
feble {and} ly[gh]t is e hand of Circes e enchaunteresse at chaunge
e bodies of folk in to bestes to regarde {and} to co{m}parisou{n} of
mutac{i}ou{n} at is makid by vices. ne e herbes of circes ne ben nat
my[gh]ty. for al be it so at ei may chau{n}gen e lymes of e body.
algates [gh]it ei may nat chau{n}ge e hertes. for wi inne is yhid
e strenge {and} e vigour of me{n} in e secre toure of hire hertys.
at is to seyn e strenge of resou{n}. but ilke uenyms of vices
to-drawen a man to hem more my[gh]tily an e venym of circes. For
vices ben so cruel at ei percen {and} oru[gh] passen e corage wi
i{n}ne. {and} ou[gh] ei ne anoye nat e body. [gh]itte vices wooden to
distroien men by wounde of ou[gh]t.


TUNC EGO FATEOR INQ{UA}M.

  [Sidenote: [The ferthe p{ro}se.]]

++an seide I us I confesse {and} am aknowe q{uo}d I. ne I ne se nat
at men may seyn as by ry[gh]t. {a}t shrewes ne ben nat chaunged in to
beestes by e qualite of hir soules. Al be it so {a}t ei kepen
[gh]itte e forme of e body of mankynde. but I nolde nat of shrewes of
whiche e ou[gh]t cruel woode alwey in to destrucc{i}ou{n} of good[e]
men. at it wer{e} leueful to hem to done at. Certys q{uo}d she ne it
nis nat leueful to hem as I shal wel shewen e in couenable place. But
naeles yif so were at ilke at me{n} wene{n} ben leueful for shrewes
were bynomen hem. so at ei ne my[gh]ten nat anoyen or don harme to
goode men. Certys a gret p{ar}ty of e peyne to shrewes shulde ben
allegged {and} releued. For al be it so {a}t is ne seme nat credible
ing p{er}auent{ur}e to so{m}me folk [gh]it mot it nedes be at shrewes
ben more wrecches {and} vnsely. whan ei may don {and} p{er}forme at
ei coueiten [than yif they myhte nat complyssen {a}t they coueyten].
For yif so be at it be wrecchednesse to wilne to don yuel[;] an is
it more wrecchednesse to mowen don yuel. wi oute whiche moeuyng e
wrecched wille sholde languisshe wi oute effecte. an syn at
eueryche of ise inges ha hys wrecchednesse. at is to seyne wil to
done yuel. and moeuynge to done yuel. it mot nedes be. at ei (shrewes)
ben constreyned by re vnselynesses at wolen {and} mowen {and}
p{er}formen felonyes {and} shrewednesses. I accorde me q{uo}d I. but I
desire gretely at shrewes losten sone ilke vnselynesses. at is to
seyne at shrewes were despoyled of moeuyng to don yuel. so shulle{n}
ei q{uo}d she. sonnere p{er}auenture en {o}u woldest or sonnere en
ei hem self wenen to lakken mowynge to done yuel. For ere nis no
ing so late in so short bou{n}des of is lijf at is longe to abide.
namelyche to a corage inmortel. Of whiche shrewes e grete hope {and} e
heye co{m}passy{n}g{us} of shrewednesse is often destroyed by a sodeyne
ende or ei ben war. {and} at ing establi to shrewes e ende of hir
shrewednesse. For yif at shrewednesse makie wrecches. an mot he
nedes be most wrecched at lengest is a shrewe. e whiche wicked shrewes
wolde ydemen aldirmost vnsely {and} caytifs yif at hir shrewednes ne
were yfinissed. at e leste weye by e outerest[e] dee. for [yif] I
haue concluded soe of e vnselynesse of shrewednesse. an shewe it
clerely at ilke shrewednesse is wi outen ende e whiche is certeyne
to ben p{er}durable. Certys q{uo}d I is [conclusion] is harde {and}
wonderful to graunte. But I knowe wel at it accorde moche to [the]
i{n}ges at I haue graunted her byforne. ou hast q{uo}d she e
ry[gh]t estimac{i}ou{n} of is. but who so euere wene at it be an harde
ing to acorde hym to a conclusiou{n}. it is ry[gh]t at he shewe at
so{m}me of e p{re}misses ben fals. or ellys he mot shewe at e
colasiou{n} of p{re}posic{i}ou{n}s nis nat spedful to a necessarie
conclusio{n}. and yif it be nat so. but at e p{re}misses ben
yg{ra}nted er nis nat whi he sholde blame e argument. for is ing at
I shal telle e nowe ne shal not seme lasse wondirful. but of e inges
at ben taken al so it is necessarie as who so sei it folwe of at
whiche at is p{ur}posed byforn. what is at q{uo}d I. certys q{uo}d
she at is at {a}t ise wicked shrewes ben more blysful or ellys lasse
wrecches. at byen e tourmentes at ei han deserued. an yif no peyne
of Iustice ne chastied[e] hem. ne is ne seye I nat now for at any man
my[gh]t[e] enk[e] at e maneres of shrewes ben coriged {and} chastised
by veniaunce. {and} at ei ben brou[gh]t to e ry[gh]t wey by e drede
of e tourment. ne for at ei [gh]euen to oer folk ensample to fleyen
fro{m} vices. But I vndirstonde [gh]itte [in] an oer manere at
shrewes ben more vnsely whan ei ne ben nat punissed al be it so at
ere ne ben had no resou{n} or lawe of correcc{i}ou{n}. ne none ensample
of lokynge. And what manere shal at ben q{uo}d I. ouer an ha ben
told here byforn Haue we nat graunted an q{uo}d she at good[e] folk
ben blysful. {and} shrewes ben wrecches. [gh]is q{uo}d I. [thanne q{uod}
she] [gh]if at any good were added to e wrecchenesse of any wy[gh]t.
nis he nat more blisful an he at ne ha no medelyng of goode in hys
solitarie wrecchednesse. so seme it q{uo}d I. and what seyst ou an
q{uo}d she of ilke wrecche at lakke alle goodes. so at no goode nis
medeled in hys wrecchednesse. {and} [gh]itte ouer alle hys wickednesse
for whiche he is a wrecche at er be [gh]itte anoer yuel anexid {and}
knyt to hym. shal not men demen hym more vnsely an ilke wrecche of
whiche e vnselynesse is re[le]ued by e p{ar}ticipac{i}ou{n} of som
goode. whi sholde he nat q{uo}d I. an certys q{uo}d she han shrewes
whan ei ben punissed somwhat of good anexid to hir wrecchednesse. at
is to seyne e same peyne at ei suffren whiche at is good by e
resou{n} of Iustice. And whan ilke same shrewes ascapen wi outen
tourment. an han ei somwhat more of yuel [gh]it ouer e wickednesse
at ei han don. at is to seye defaute of peyne. whiche defaute of
peyne ou hast graunted is yuel. For e desert of felonye I ne may nat
denye it q{uo}d I. Moche more an q{uo}d she ben shrewes vnsely whan
ei ben wrongfully delyuered fro peyne. an whan ei be punissed by
ry[gh]tful vengeaunce. but is is open i{n}g {and} clere at it is
ry[gh]t at shrewes ben punissed. {and} it is wickednesse {and} wrong
at ei escapin vnpunissed. who my[gh]t[e] denye at q{uo}d I. but
q{uo}d she may any ma{n} denye. at al at is ry[gh]t nis good. {and}
also e contrarie. at alle at is wrong nis wicked. certys q{uo}d I
ise inges ben clere ynou[gh]. {and} at we han concludid a litel here
byforn{e}. but I p{re}ye e at ou telle me yif ou accordest to leten
no to{ur}ment to e soules aftir at e body is dedid by e dee. is
[is] to seyn. vndirstondest ou ou[gh]t at soules han any to{ur}ment
after e dee of e body. Certis q{uo}d she [gh]e {and} at ry[gh]t
grete. of whiche soules q{uo}d she I trowe at so{m}me ben to{ur}mentid
by asprenesse of peyne. {and} so{m}me soules I trowe be exc{er}cised by
a p{ur}ging mekenesse. but my conseil nys nat to determyne of is peyne.
but I haue trauayled and told it hider to. For ou sholdest knowe at
e mowynge [.i. myght] of shrewes whiche mowynge e seme to ben.
vnwori nis no mowynge. {and} eke of shrewes of whiche ou pleynedest
at ei ne were nat punissed. at ou woldest seen at ei ne weren
neuer mo wi outen e torment of hire wickednesse. {and} of e licence
of mowynge to done yuel. at ou p{re}idest at it my[gh]t[e] sone ben
endid. {and} at ou woldest fayne lerne. at it ne sholde nat longe
endure. {and} at shrewes ben more vnsely yif ei were of lenger duryng.
{and} most vnsely yif ei weren p{er}durable. {and} after is I haue
shewed e at more vnsely ben shrewes whan ei escapen wi oute
ry[gh]tful peyne. an whan ei ben punissed by ry[gh]tful uengeaunce.
and of is sentence folwe it at an be{n} shrewes constreyned atte
laste wi most greuous tourment. whan men wene at ei ne ben nat
ypunissed. whan I considre i resou{n}s q{uo}d I. I. ne trowe nat at
men seyn any ing more verrely. {and} yif I to{ur}ne a[gh]eyn to e
studies of men. who is [he] to who{m} it sholde seme at [he] ne sholde
nat only leue{n} ise inges. but eke gladly herkene he{m}. Certys
q{uo}d she so it is. but men may nat. for ei han hire eyen so wont to
derkenesse of erely inges. at ei may nat liften hem vp to e ly[gh]t
of clere soefastnes. But ei ben lyke to briddes of whiche e ny[gh]t
ly[gh]tne hyre lookyng. {and} e day blynde hem. for whan men loken
nat e ordre of inges but hire lustes {and} talent[gh]. ei wene at
oir e leue or e mowynge to done wickednesse or ellys e escapi{n}g
wi oute peyne be weleful. but co{n}sider{e} e iugement of e
p{er}durable lawe. for if ou conferme i corage to e beste inges. ou
ne hast no nede to no iuge to [gh]iue{n} e p{r}is or meede. for ou
hast ioigned i self to e most excellent ing. and yif ou haue
enclined i studies to e wicked inges. ne seek no foreyn wrekere out
of i self. for ou i self hast rest e in to wicked inges. ry[gh]t
as ou my[gh]test loken by dyuerse tymes e foule ere {and} e heuene.
{and} at alle oer inges stynten fro wi oute. so at ou [ner{e}
neyther in heuene ne in erthe] ne say[e] no ing more. an sholde it
semen to e as by only resou{n} of lokynge. at ou were in e sterres.
{and} now in e ere. but e poeple ne loke nat on ise inges. what
an shal we an app{ro}chen vs to hem at I haue shewed at ei ben lyke
to e bestes. (q. d. no{n}) And what wilt ou seyne of is yif at a
man hadde al forlorn hys sy[gh]t. {and} had[de] for[gh]eten at he euer
saw {and} wende {a}t no ing ne fayled[e] hym of p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of
ma{n}kynde. now we at my[gh]ten sen e same ing wolde we nat wene at
he were bly{n}de (q. d. sic). ne also ne accorde nat e poeple to at I
shal seyne. e whiche ing is susteyned by a stronge foundement of
resou{n}s. at is to seyn at more vnsely ben ei at don wrong to oer
folk. en ei at e wrong suffren. I wolde heren ilke same resou{n}s
q{uo}d I Deniest ou q{uo}d she at alle shrewes ne ben wori to han
to{ur}ment. nay q{uo}d I. but q{uo}d she I am certeyne by many resou{n}s
at shrewes ben vnsely. it accorde q{uo}d I. an [ne] dowtest ou nat
q{uo}d she at ilke folk at ben wori of to{ur}ment at ei ne ben
wrecches. It accorde wel q{uo}d I. yif ou were an q{uo}d she yset a
Iuge or a knower of inges. wheer trowest ou {a}t men sholde
to{ur}ment[e] hym at ha don e wronge. or hym at ha suffred e
wronge. Ine doute nat q{uo}d I. at I nolde don suffissaunt
satisfacc{i}ou{n} to hym at had[de] suffred e wrong by e sorwe of hym
at had[de] don e wronge. an seme it q{uo}d she at e doar of
wrong is more wrecche an he at ha suffred e wrong. at folwe wel
q{uo}d [I]. an q{uo}d she by ise causes {and} by oer causes at ben
enforced by e same roate at file or synne by e p{ro}pre nature of it
make men wretches. {and} it shewe wel at e wrong at me{n} don nis
nat e wrecchenesse of hym at receyue e wrong. but e wrecchednesse
of hym at do e wronge but certys q{uo}d she ise orato{ur}s or
aduocat[gh] don al e contrarie for ei enforcen hem to co{m}moeue e
iuges to han pite of he{m} at han suffred {and} resceyued e inges at
ben greuous {and} aspre. {and} [gh]itte men sholden more ry[gh]tfully
han pitee on hem at don e greuaunces {and} e wronges. e whiche
shrewes it were a more couenable ing at e accuso{ur}s or aduocat[gh]
not wroe but pitous {and} debonaire ladden e shrewes at han don
wro{n}g to e Iugement. ry[gh]t as men leden seke folk to e leche. for
at ei sholden seken out e maladies of synne by to{ur}ment[gh]. and by
is couenaunt eyer e entent of e defendo{ur}s or aduocat[gh] sholde
fayle {and} cesen in al. or ellys yif e office of aduocat[gh] wolde
bettre p{ro}fiten to men. it sholde be to{ur}ned in to e habit of
accusac{i}ou{n}. at is [to] s[e]yn ei sholde{n} accuse shrewes. {and}
nat excuse hem. {and} eke e shrewes hem self. [gh]it it were leueful to
hem to seen at any clifte e vertue at ei han forleten. {and} sawen
at ei sholde putten adou{n} e files of hire vices by [the]
to{ur}ment[gh] of peynes. ei ne au[gh]ten nat ry[gh]t for e
reco{m}pensac{i}ou{n} forto geten hem bounte {and} prowesse whiche at
ei han lost demen ne holden at ilke peynes weren to{ur}mentes to hem.
{and} eke ei wolden refuse e attendau{n}ce of hir aduocat[gh] {and}
taken hem self to hire iuges {and} to hir accusours. for whiche it
bytide [{a}t] as to e wise folk er nis no place ylete to hate. at
is to seyn. at hate ne ha no place amonges wise men. For no wy[gh]t
wolde haten gode men. but yif he were ouer moche a fole. and forto
haten shrewes it nis no resou{n}. For ry[gh]t so as languissing is
maladie of body. ry[gh]t so ben vices {and} sy{n}ne maladies of corage.
and so as we ne deme nat at ei at ben seek of hire body ben wori
to ben hated. but raer wori of pite. wel more wori nat to ben hated.
but forto ben had in pite ben ei of whiche e ou[gh]tes ben
constreined by felonous wickednesse. at is more cruel a{n} any
languissinge of body.


QUID TANTOS IUUAT.

  [Sidenote: [The ferthe Met{ur}.]]

++What delite it [gh]ow to exciten so grete moewynges of hatredes {and}
to hasten {and} bisien [the] fatal disposic{i}ou{n} of [gh]oure dee wi
[gh]oure p{ro}pre handes. at is to seyn by batailes or [by] contek. for
yif [gh]e axen e dee it hastisi hym of hys owen wille. ne dee ne
tarie nat hys swifte hors. and [the] men at e serpent[gh] {and} e
lyou{n}s. {and} e tigre. {and} e beere {and} e boore seken to sleen
wi her tee. [gh]it ilke same men seken to sleen eueryche of hem oer
wi swerde. loo for her man{er}s ben diuerse {and} discordaunt ei
moeuen vnry[gh]tful oostes {and} cruel batailes. {and} wilne to
p{er}isse by enterchaungynge of dartes. but e resou{n} of cruelte nis
nat ynou[gh] ry[gh]tful. wilt ou an [gh]elden a couenable gerdou{n} to
e desertes of men Loue ry[gh]tfully goode folk[;] {and} haue pite on
shrewes.


HINC EGO UIDEO INQ{UA}M. {ET} CET{ERA}.

  [Sidenote: [The fyfthe p{ro}se.]]

++us see I wel q{uo}d I. eyer what blisfulnesse or ellys what
vnselinesse is estab[l]issed in e desertys of goode men {and} of
shrewes. but in is ilke fortune of poeple I see somwhat of goode.
{and} somwhat of yuel. for no wise man ha nat leuer ben exiled pore
{and} nedy {and} nameles. an forto dwellen in hys Citee {and} flouren
of rychesses. {and} be redoutable by honoure. {and} stronge of power for
in is wise more clerely {and} more witnesfully is e office of wise men
ytretid whan e blisfulnes {and} [the] pouste of gouerno{ur}s is as it
were yshad amonges poeples at ben ney[gh]boures {and} subgit[gh]. syn
at namely prisou{n} lawe {and} ise oer to{ur}ment[gh] of lawful
peynes ben raer owed to felonous Cite[gh]eins. for e whiche felonous
Cite[gh]eins o peynes ben establissed. an for goode folk. an I
m{er}ueile me gretly q{uo}d I. whi [{a}t] e inges ben so mys
entrechaunged. at to{ur}ment[gh] felounes pressen {and} confounden
goode folk. {and} shrewes rauyssen medes of vertue {and} ben i{n}
hono{ur}s. {and} in grete estatis. and I desire eke to wite{n} of e.
what seme e to ben e resou{n} of is so wrongful a confusiou{n} For
I wolde wondre wel e lasse yif I trowed[e] at alle ise inges were
medeled by fortuouse hap. But now hepe {and} encrese myne astonyenge
god gouerno{ur} of inges. at so as god [gh]eue ofte tymes to good[e]
men goodes {and} myres. {and} to shrewes yuel and aspre inges. {and}
[gh]eue a[gh]eynewarde to goode folk hardnesse. {and} to shrewes [he]
g{ra}unte hem her wille {and} at ei desiren. what difference an may
er be bitwixen {a}t at god do. {and} e hap of fortune. yif men ne
knowe nat e cause whi at [it] is. it nis no merueile q{uo}d she
ou[gh] at men wenen at er be somwhat folysche and confus whan e
resou{n} of e order is vnknowe. But alle ou[gh] ou ne know nat e
cause of so gret a disposic{i}ou{n}. naeles for as moche as god e
good[e] gouernour attempre {and} gouerne e world. ne doute e nat at
alle inges ne ben doon ary[gh]t.


SI QUIS ARCTURI SYDERA.

  [Sidenote: [The fyfthe Met{ur}.]]

++Who so at ne knowe nat e sterres of arctour yto{ur}ned neye to e
souereyne contre or point. at is to seyne yto{ur}ned neye to e
souereyne pool of e firmament {and} woot nat whi e sterre boetes
passe or gaderi his wey[n]es. {and} drenche his late flaumbes in e
see. {and} whi at boetes e sterre vnfoldi his ouer swifte arisynges.
an shal he wo{n}dre{n} of e lawe of e heye eyre. {and} eke if at he
ne knowe nat why at e hornes of e ful[le] moene waxen pale {and}
infect by e bou{n}des of e derke ny[gh]t and how e moene dirk {and}
confuse discouere e sterres. at she had[de] ycouered by hir clere
visage. e co{m}mune errour moeue folk {and} maki wery hir bacines of
bras by ikke strookes. at is to seyne at er is a maner poeple at
hy[gh]t[e] coribandes at wenen at whan e moone is in e eclips at it
be enchau{n}tid. and erfore forto rescowe e moone ei betyn hire
basines wi ikke strokes. Ne no man ne wondre whan e blastes of e
wynde chorus betyn e strondes of e see by quakynge floodes. ne no man
ne wondre whan e wey[gh]te of e snowe yhardid by e colde. is
resolued by e brennynge hete of phebus e sonne. For here seen men
redyly e causes. but e causes yhid at is to seye in heuene trouble e
brestes of men. e moeueable poeple is a-stoned of alle inges at
comen selde {and} sodeynely in oure age. but yif e troubly errour of
oure ignora{n}ce departid[e] from vs. so at we wisten e causes whi at
swiche inges bitiden. certys ei sholde{n} cesse to seme wondres.


ITA EST INQ{UA}M.

  [Sidenote: [The syxte p{ro}se.]]

{}vs is it q{uo}d I. but so as ou hast [gh]euen or byhy[gh]t me to
vnwrappe{n} e hidde causes of inges and to discoueren me e
resou{n}s couered w{i}t{h} dirknesses I p{re}ye e at ou diuise {and}
Iuge me of is matere. {and} at ou do me to vndrestonde{n} it. For
is miracle or is wondre trouble me ry[gh]t gretely. {and} an she a
litel [what] smylyng seide. ou clepest me q{uo}d she to telle ing.
at is grettest of alle inges at mowen ben axed. And to e whiche
questiou{n} vnne[e]s is ere au[gh]t ynow to lauen it. as who sei.
vnnees is er suffisauntly any ing to answere p{er}fitly to i
questiou{n}. For e matere of it is swiche at whan oon doute is
determined {and} kut awey er wexe{n} oer doutes wi-outen nou{m}bre.
ry[gh]t as e heuedes waxen of ydre e serpent at hercules slou[gh].
Ne ere ne were no man{er}e ne noon ende. but yif at a wy[gh]t
co{n}streined[e] o doutes. by a ry[gh]t lyuely {and} a quik fire of
ou[gh]t. at is to seyn by vigo{ur} {and} strenge of witte. For in
is matere me{n} weren wont to maken questiou{n}s of e simplicite of e
p{ur}ueaunce of god {and} of e ordre of destine. {and} of sodeyne hap.
{and} of e knowyng {and} p{re}destinac{i}ou{n} deuine {and} of e
lyberte of fre wille. e whiche ing ou i self ap{er}ceiust wel of
what wey[gh]t ei ben. but for as mochel as e knowynge of ise inges
is a manere porc{i}ou{n} to e medicine to e. al be it so at I haue
lytel tyme to don it. [gh]it naeles I wole enforcen me to shewe somwhat
of it. but al ou[gh] e norissinges of dite of musike delite e ow
most suffren. {and} forberen a litel of ilk delite while at I weue
(contexo) to e resou{n}s yknyt by ordre As it like to e q{uo}d I so
do. o spak she ry[gh]t a[s] by an oer bygynnyn[ge] {and} seide us.
e enge{n}drynge of alle inges q{uo}d she {and} alle e
progressiou{n}s of muuable nat{ur}e. {and} alle {a}t moeue in any
manere taki hys causes. hys ordre. {and} hys formes. of e stablenesse
of e deuyne ou[gh]t [{and} thilke deuyne thowht] at is yset {and} put
in e toure. at is to seyne in e hey[gh]t of e simplicite of god.
stablisi many manere gyses to inges at ben to don. e whiche manere
whan at men loken it i{n} ilke pure clerenesse of e deuyne
i{n}telligence. it is ycleped p{ur}ueaunce but whan ilke manere is
referred by me{n} to inges at it moeue {and} dispone an of olde
men. it was cleped destine. e whiche inges yif at any wy[gh]t loke
wel in his ou[gh]t. e strenge of at oon {and} of at oer he shal
ly[gh]tly mowen seen at ise two inges ben diuers. For
p{ur}ueau{n}ce is ilke deuyne resou{n} at is establissed in e
souereyne p{r}ince of inges. e whiche p{ur}ueaunce disponi alle
inges. but destine is e disposic{i}ou{n} {and} ordenaunce cleuynge to
moeuable inges. by e whiche disposic{i}ou{n} e p{ur}ueaunce knyte
alle inges in hire ordres. For p{ur}ueaunce enbrace alle i{n}ges to
hepe. al ou[gh] at ei ben dyuerse {and} al ou[gh] ei ben wi outen
fyn. but destynie dep{ar}te {and} ordeyne alle inges singlerly {and}
diuide. in moeuynges. in places. in formes. in tymes. dep{ar}ti [as]
us. so at e vnfoldyng of temp{or}el ordenaunce assembled {and} ooned
in e lokyng of e deuyne ou[gh]t Is p{ur}ueaunce {and} ilke same
assemblynge. {and} oonyng diuided {and} vnfolden by tymes. lat at ben
called destine. {and} al be it so at ise inges ben dyuerse. [gh]itte
naeles hange at oon on at oer. forwhi e ordre destinal p{ro}cedi
of e simplicite of purueaunce. for ry[gh]t as a werkma{n} at
ap{er}ceiue in hys ou[gh]t e forme of e ing at he wil make moeue
e effect of e werke. {and} ledi at he had[de] loked byforne in hys
ou[gh]t symply {and} p{re}sently by temp{or}el ou[gh]t. Certys
ry[gh]t so god disponi in hys p{ur}ueaunce singlerly {and} stably e
inges at ben to done. but he amynistre in many maneres {and} in
dyuerse tymes by destyne. ilke same inges at he ha disponed an
wheir at destine be excercised. eyer by so{m}me dyuyne spirites
seruaunte[gh] to e deuyne p{ur}ueaunce. or ellys by so{m}me soule
(a{n}i{m}a mundi). or ellys by al nature seruynge to god. or ellys by e
celestial moeuyng of sterres. or ellys by e vertue of aungels. or ellys
by e dyuerse subtilite of deueles. or ellys by any of he{m}. or ellys
by hem alle e destynal ordynau{n}ce is ywouen or accomplissed. certys
it is open ing at e p{ur}ueaunce is an vnmoeueable {and} symple forme
of inges to done. {and} e moeueable bonde {and} e temp{or}el
ordynaunce of inges whiche at e deuyne simplicite of p{ur}ueaunce ha
ordeyned to done. at is destine. For whiche it is at alle inges at
ben put vndir destine ben certys subgit[gh] to p{ur}ueaunce. to whiche
p{ur}ueaunce destine it self is subgit {and} vndir. But so{m}me inges
ben put vndir purueaunce at so{ur}mounten e ordinaunce of destine.
{and} o ben ilke at stably ben yficched ney to e first godhed ei
so{ur}mou{n}ten e ordre of destinal moeuablite. For ry[gh]t as
cercles at to{ur}nen aboute a same Centre or about a poynt. ilke
cercle at is inrest or moost wi-ynne ioine to e symplesse of e
myddel {and} is as it were a Centre or a poynt to at oer cercles at
tourne{n} aboute{n} hym. and ilke at is outerest compased by larger
envyronnynge is vnfolden by larger spaces in so mochel as it is forest
fro e mydel symplicite of e poynt. and yif er be any i{n}g at
knytte {and} felawshippe hym selfe to ilke mydel poynt it is
constreyned in to symplicite. at is to seyn in to [vn]moeueablete.
{and} it ceseth to ben shad {and} to fleti{n} dyuersly. Ry[gh]t so by
semblable resou{n}. ilke inge at dep{ar}ti firest fro e first
ou[gh]t of god. it is vnfolde{n} {and} su{m}mittid to grettere bondes
of destine. and in so moche is e ing more free {and} lovs fro destyne
as it axe {and} holde hym ner to ilke Centre of inges. at is to
seyne god. and if e inge cleue to e stedfastnesse of e ou[gh]t
of god. {and} be wi oute moeuyng certys it so{ur}mounte e necessite
of destyne. an ry[gh]t swiche comparisou{n} as [it] is of skilynge to
vndirstondyng {and} of ing at is engendred to ing at is. {and} of
tyme to eternite. {and} of e cercle to e Centre. ry[gh]t so is e
ordre of moeueable destine to e stable symplicite of p{ur}ueaunce.
ilke ordinaunce moeue e heuene {and} e sterres {and} attempre e
elyment[gh] to gider amonges hem self. {and} t{ra}nsforme hem by
enterchau{n}gable mutac{i}ou{n}. and ilke same ordre newe a[gh]ein
alle inges growyng {and} fallyng a-doune by sembleables
p{ro}gressiou{n}s of seedes {and} of sexes. at is to sein. male {and}
female. and is ilke ordre co{n}streyne e fortunes {and} e dedes of
men by a bonde of causes nat able to ben vnbou{n}den (indissolubili). e
whiche destinal causes whanne ei passen oute fro e bygynnynges of e
vnmoeueable purueaunce it mot nedes be at ei ne be nat mutable. {and}
us ben e inges ful wel ygouerned. yif at e symplicite dwelly{n}ge
in e deuyne ou[gh]t shewe fure e ordre of causes. vnable to be
I-bowed. {and} is ordre constreyne by hys p{ro}pre stablete e
moeueable inges. or ellys ei sholde fleten folily for whiche it is at
alle inges semen to be confus {and} trouble to vs men. for we ne mowe
nat co{n}sider{e} ilke ordinaunce. Naeles e p{ro}pre manere of
euery ing dressynge hem to goode disponit hem alle. for ere nis no
inge don for cause of yuel. ne ilke ing at is don by wicked[e] folk
nis nat don for yuel e whiche shrewes as I haue shewed [ful]
plentiuously seken goode. but wicked errour mysto{ur}ni he{m}. Ne e
ordre comynge fro e poynt of souereyne goode ne decline nat fro hys
bygynnynge. but ou mayst sein what vnreste may ben a wors
co{n}fusiou{n} an {a}t goode men han so{m}me tyme aduersite. {and}
so{m}tyme p{ro}sperite. and shrewes also han now inges at ei
desiren. {and} now i{n}ges at ei haten wheer men lyuen now in
swiche hoolnesse of ou[gh]t. as who sei. ben men now so wise. at
swiche folk as ei demen to ben goode folk or shrewes {a}t it mot nedes
ben at folk ben swiche as ei wenen. but in is manere e domes of men
discorden. at ilke men {a}t so{m}me folk demen wori of mede. oer
folk demen hem wori of to{ur}ment. but lat vs graunt[e] I pose at som
man may wel demen or knowen e goode folk {and} e badde. May he an
knowen {and} seen ilke inrest attemp{er}aunce of corages. as it ha ben
wont to be said of bodyes. as who sai may a man speken {and} determine
of attemp{er}aunce in corages. as men were wont to demen or speken of
complexiou{n}s {and} attemp{er}aunces of bodies (q' non). ne it [ne] is
nat an vnlyke miracle to hem at ne knowe{n} it nat. As who sei. but
is lyke a merueil or a miracle to hem at ne knowe{n} it nat. whi at
swete inges [ben] couenable to some bodies at ben hool {and} to some
bodies bittre inges ben couenable. {and} also whi at some seke folk
ben holpen w{i}t{h} ly[gh]t medicines [{and} some folk ben holpen
w{i}t{h} sharppe medicynes] but naeles e leche {a}t knowe e manere
{and} e attemp{er}aunce of heele {and} of maladie ne merueile of it no
ing. but what oer ing seme hele of corages but bounte {and}
prowesse. {and} what oer ing seme maladie of corages but vices. who
is ellys kep{er}e of good or dryuere awey of yuel but god gouerno{ur}
{and} leecher of ou[gh]tes. e whiche god wha{n} he ha by-holden from
e heye toure of hys p{ur}ueaunce he knowe what is couenable to euery
wy[gh]t. {and} lene hem at he wot [at] is couenable to hem. Loo here
of come {and} here of is don is noble miracle of e ordre destinal.
whan god at alle knowe do swiche ing. of whiche ing [at] vnknowyng
folk ben astoned but forto constreine as who sei But forto
co{m}prehende {and} telle a fewe inges of e deuyne depnesse e whiche
at mans resou{n} may vnderstonde. ilk man at ou wenest to ben
ry[gh]t Iuste {and} ry[gh]t kepyng of eq{u}ite. e contrarie of at
seme to e deuyne p{ur}ueaunce at al woot. And lucan my familier
telle at e victories cause liked[e] to e goddes {and} causes
ouercomen liked[e] to cato{u}n. an what so euer ou mayst seen at is
don in is [world] vnhoped or vnwened. certys it is e ry[gh]t[e] ordre
of inges. but as to i wicked[e] oppiniou{n} it is a co{n}fusiou{n}.
but I suppose at som man be so wel yewed. at e deuyne Iugement {and}
e Iugeme{n}t of mankynde accorden hem to gidre of hym. but he is so
vnstedfast of corage [at] yif any aduersite come to hym he wolde
for-leten p{er}auenture to continue i{n}nocence by e whiche he ne may
nat wiholden fortune. an e wise dispensac{i}ou{n} of god spare hym
e whiche man{er}e adu{er}site my[gh]t[e] enpeyren. For at god wil
nat suffren hym to trauaile. to whom at trauayl nis nat couenable. An
o{er} man is p{er}fit in alle uertues. {and} is an holy man {and} neye
to god so at e p{ur}ueaunce of god wolde demen at it were a felony
at he were touched wi any aduersites. so at he ne wil nat suffre at
swiche a man be moeued wi any manere maladie. But so as seide a
philosophre [the moore excellent by me]. e adu{er}sites comen nat (he
seide in grec[;]) ere {a}t uertues han edified e bodie of e holy
man. and ofte tyme it bitide at e so{m}me of inges at ben to don is
taken to good folk to gouerne. for at e malice habundaunt of shrewes
sholde ben abatid. {and} god [gh]eue {and} dep{ar}ti to oer folk
p{ro}sp[er]ites {and} aduersites ymedeled to hepe aftir e qualite of
hire corages {and} remordi som folk by adu{er}sites. for ei ne sholden
nat wexen proude by longe welefulnesse. {and} oer folk he suffre to
ben trauayled wi harde inges. For at ei sholden conferme e
vertues of corage by e vsage {and} ex{er}citac{i}ou{n} of pacie{n}ce.
and oer folke dreden more en ei au[gh]ten e wiche ei my[gh]t[en]
wel beren. {and} ilke folk god ledi in to exp{er}ience of hem self by
aspre {and} sorweful inges. And many oer folk han bou[gh]t honorable
renoune of is worlde by e pris of glorious dee. and som men at ne
mowen nat ben ouer-comen by tourment han [gh]euen ensample to oer folk
at vertue ne may nat be ouer-comen by aduersites. and of alle ise
inges er nis no doute {a}t ei ne ben don ry[gh]tfully {and} ordeinly
to e p{ro}fit of hem to whom we seen ise inges bitide. For certys
at aduersite come some tyme to shrewes. {and} some tyme at ei
desiren it come of ise forseide causes {and} of sorweful inges at
bytyden to shrewes. Certys no man ne wondre. For alle me{n} wenen at
ei han wel deserued it. {and} ei ben of wicked m{er}ite of whiche
shrewes e to{ur}ment som tyme agaste oer to done folies. {and} som
tyme it amende hem at suffren e to{ur}mentis. And e p{ro}sp{er}ite
at is [gh]euen to shrewes shewe a grete argument to good[e] folk what
ing ei sholde demen of ilk wilfulnesse e whiche p{ro}sperite men
seen ofte serue to shrewes. in e whiche ing I trowe at god dispensi.
for p{er}auenture e nature of som man is so ouerrowyng to yuel {and}
so vncouenable at e nedy pouerte of hys house-hold my[gh]t[e] raer
egren hym to done felonies. and to e maladie of hym god putti remedie
to [gh]iuen hym rychesse. {and} som oer man byholdi hys conscience
defouled wi synnes {and} maki co{m}parisou{n} of his fortune {and} of
hym self and dredi p{er}auenture at hys blisfulnesse of whiche e
vsage is ioyful to hym at e lesynge of ilke blisfulnesse ne be nat
sorweful to hym. {and} erfore he wol chaunge hys maneres. and for he
dredi to lese hys fortune. he forleti hys wickednesse. to oer folk is
welefulnesse y[gh]eue{n} vnworily e whiche ouerrowe hem in to
destrucc{i}ou{n} at ei han deserued. and to som oer folk is [gh]euen
power to punisse{n}. for at it shal be cause of continuac{i}ou{n} {and}
ex{er}cisinge to good[e] folk. {and} cause of to{ur}ment to shrewes.
For so as er nis none alyaunce bytwixe good[e] folke {and} shrewes.
ne shrewes ne mowen nat accorde{n} amo{n}ges hem self {and} whi nat. for
shrewes discorde{n} of hem self by her vices e whiche vices al to
renden her consciences. {and} don oft[e] tyme inges e whiche inges
whan ei han don hem. ei demen at o inges ne sholde nat han ben don.
for whiche inge ilke souereyne p{ur}ueaunce ha maked oft[e] tyme
[fair{e}] miracle so {a}t shrewes han maked oftyme shrewes to ben
good[e] men. for whan at som shrewes seen at ei suffren wrongfully
felonies of oer shrewes ei wexen eschaufed in to hat[e] of hem at
anoien hem. {and} retournen to e fruit of uertue. when ei studien to
ben vnlyke to he{m} at ei han hated. Certys is only is e deuyne
my[gh]t to e whiche my[gh]t yueles ben an good. whan it vse o yueles
couenably {and} drawe out e effect of any good. as who sei at yuel
is good oonly by e my[gh]t of god. for e my[gh]t of god ordeyne ilk
yuel to good. For oon ordre enbrasi alle inges. so at what wy[gh]t
[{a}t] dep{ar}ti fro e resou{n} of e ordre whiche at is assigned to
hym. algates [gh]it he slide in to an o{er} ordre. so at noing nis
leueful to folye in e realme of e deuyne p{ur}ueaunce. as who sei no
ing nis wiouten ordinaunce in e realme of e deuyne purueaunce. Syn
at e ry[gh]t strong[e] god gouerni alle inges in is worlde for it
nis nat leueful to no man to co{m}p{re}henden by witte ne vnfolden by
worde alle e subtil ordinaunces {and} disposic{i}ou{n}s of e deuyne
entent. for oonly it au[gh]t[e] suffice to han loked at god hym self
makere of alle natures ordeyni and dressi alle inges to good. while
at he hasti to wihalden e inges at he ha maked in to hys
semblaunce. at is to seyn forto wiholden inges in to good. for he hym
self is good he chase oute al yuel of e boundes of hys co{m}munalite
by e ordre of necessite destinable. For whiche it folwe at yif ou
loke e p{ur}ueaunce ordeynynge e inges at men wenen ben haboundaunt
in eres. ou ne shalt not seen in no place no ing of yuel. but I se
now at ou art charged wi e wey[gh]te of e questiou[n] {and} wery
wi lenge of my resou{n}. {and} at ou abidest som swetnesse of songe.
tak a{n} is drau[gh]t {and} whan ou art wel refresshed {and} refet
ou shalt ben more stedfast to stye in to heyere questiou{n}s.


SI UIS CELSI IURA.

  [Sidenote: [The syxte Met{ur}.]]

++Yif ou wolt demen in i pur{e} ou[gh]t e ry[gh]tes or e lawes of
e heye und[ere]re. at is to seyne of god. loke ou {and} bihold e
hey[gh]tes of souereyne heuene. ere kepen e sterres by ry[gh]tful
alliaunce of inges hir olde pees. e sonne ymoeued by hys rody fire. ne
destourbi nat e colde cercle of e moone. Ne e sterre yclepid e
bere. {a}t enclini hys rauyssynge courses abouten e souereyne
hey[gh]t of e worlde. ne e same sterre vrsa nis neuer mo wasshen in e
depe westerne see. ne coueiti nat to dy[gh]en hys flaumbes in e see of
[the] occian. al ou[gh] he see oer sterres yplounged in to e see.
And hesperus e sterre bodi {and} telli alwey e late ny[gh]tes. And
lucifer e sterre brynge a[gh]eyne e clere day. And us maki loue
enterchaungeable e p{er}durable courses. {and} us is discordable
bataile yput oute of e contre of e sterres. is accordaunce
atte{m}pre by euene-lyke manere[s] e elementes. at e moyste inges
striuen nat wi e drye inges. but [gh]iuen place by stoundes. and at
e colde inges ioynen hem by fei to e hote inges. {and} at e
ly[gh]t[e] fyre arist in to hey[gh]te. {and} e heuy eres aualen by her
wey[gh]tes. by ise same cause e floury yere [gh]elde swote smellys
in e fyrste somer sesou{n} warmynge. {and} e hote somer drye e
cornes. {and} autumpne come a[gh]eyne heuy of apples. and e fletyng
reyne bydewe e wynter. is attemp{er}aunce noryssi {and} bryngge
fure al inge at bredi lyfe in is worlde. and ilk same
attemp{er}aunce rauyssyng hide {and} bynyme {and} drenche vndir e
last[e] dee alle inges yborn. Amonges ise inges sitte e heye
makere kyng {and} lorde. welle {and} bygynnynge. lawe {and} wise Iuge.
to don equite {and} gouerni {and} enclini e bridles of inges. {and}
o inges at he stire to don by moeuynge he widrawe {and} aresti
{and} affermi e moeueable or wandryng inges. For [gh]if at he ne
clepi nat a[gh]ein e ry[gh]t goynge of inges. {and} [gh]if at he ne
constreyned[e] hem nat eftesones in to roundenesse enclined e inges
{a}t ben now continued by stable ordinaunce. ei sholde deperten from
hir welle. at is to sein from hir bygynnynge {and} failen. at is to
sein to{ur}nen in to nau[gh]t. is is e co{m}mune loue of alle
inges. {and} alle i{n}ges axen to be holden by e fyn of good. For
ellys ne my[gh]ten ei nat lasten yif ei ne come nat eftesones
a[gh]eine by loue retourned to e cause at ha [gh]euen he{m} beynge.
at is to seyn to god.


IAM NE IGITUR UIDES.

  [Sidenote: [The seuende p{ro}se.]]

++Sest ou nat an what ing folwe alle e inges at I haue seid. what
ing q{uo}d I. Certys q{uo}d she outerly at al fortune is good. and
how may at be q{uo}d .I. Now vndirstand q{uo}d she so as [alle
fortune wheyther so it be Ioyeful fortune / or aspr{e}] fortune is
[gh]iuen eier by cause of g{er}donynge or ellys of ex{er}cisynge of
goode folk or ellys by cause to punissen. or ellys to chastysen shrewes.
an is alle fortune good. e whiche fortune is certeyne at it be
eier ry[gh]tful or p{ro}fitable. For soe is is a ful verray
resou{n} q{uo}d I. and yif I considere e p{ur}ueau{n}ce {and} e
destine at ou tau[gh]test me a litel here byforne is sentence is
susteyned by stedfast resou{n}s. but yif it like vnto e lat vs
nou{m}bre hem amonges ilk[e] inges of whiche ou seidest a litel here
byforne at ei ne were nat able to ben ywened to e poeple. whi so
q{uo}d she. for at e comune worde of men mysusi q{uo}d I. is manere
speche of fortune. {and} sein ofte tymes [{a}t] e fortune of som
wy[gh]t is wicked. wilt ou an q{uo}d she at I p{ro}che a litel to e
wordes of e poeple so it seme nat to hem at I be ouer moche dep{ar}tid
as fro e vsage of man kynde. as ou wolt q{uo}d I. Demest ou nat
q{uo}d she at al ing at p{ro}fiti is good. [gh]is q{uo}d I. certis
ilk ing at ex{er}cisi or corigi profiti. Iconfesse it wel q{uo}d
I. an is it good q{uo}d she. whi nat q{uo}d I. but is is e fortune
[q{uod} she] of hem at eier ben put in vertue {and} batailen a[gh]eins
aspre inges. or ellys of hem at eschewen {and} declinen fro vices
{and} taken e weye of vertue. is ne may nat I denye q{uo}d I But
what seist ou of e myrye fortune at is [gh]euen to good folk in
gerdou{n} deuini ou[gh]t e poeples at it is wicked. nay forsoe
q{uo}d I. but ei demen as it soe is at it is ry[gh]t good. And what
seist ou of at oer fortune q{uo}d she. at al ou[gh] it be aspre
{and} restreini e shrewes by ry[gh]tful tourment. weni ou[gh]t e
poeple {a}t it be good. nay q{uo}d I. But e poeple demi at it be
most wrecched of alle inges at may ben ou[gh]t. war now {and} loke
wel q{uo}d she lest at we in folwyng e opyniou{n} of poeple haue
confessed {and} co{n}cluded ing at is vnable to be wened to e poeple.
what is at q{uo}d I Certys q{uo}d she it folwe or come of inges
{a}t ben graunted at alle fortune what so euer it be. of hem at eyer
ben i{n} possessiou{n} of vertue. [or in the encres of vertu] or ellys
in e purchasynge of vertue. at ilke fortune is good. And at alle
fortune is ry[gh]t wicked to hem at dwellen in shrewednesse. as who
sei. {and} us wene nat e poeple. at is soe q{uo}d I. Al be it
so at noma{n} dar confesse{n} it ne byknowen it. whi so q{uo}d she.
For ry[gh]t as no strong man ne seme nat to abassen or disdaigne{n} as
ofte tyme as he here e noise of e bataile. ne also it ne seme nat to
e wyse man to beren it greuously as oft[e] as he is lad in to e strif
of fortune. for boe to at on man {and} eke to at o{er} ilke
difficulte is e matere to at oon man of encrese of his glorious
renou{n}. {and} to at oer man to conferme hys sapience. at is to
seine e asprenesse of hys estat. For erfore is it called uertue. for
at it susteni {and} enforce by hys strenges at it nis nat
ouer-come{n} by aduersites. Ne certys ou at art put in e encrese or
in e hey[gh]t of uertue ne hast nat comen to fleten wi delices {and}
forto welken in bodyly lust. ou sowest or plauntest a ful egre
bataile in i corage a[gh]eins euery fortune. for at e sorweful
fortune ne co{n}fou{n}de e nat. ne at e myrye fortune ne corrumpe e
nat. Occupy e mene by stedfast strenges. for al at euer is vndir e
mene. or ellys al at ou{er}-passe e mene despise welefulnesses. As
who sei. it is vicious {and} ne ha no mede of hys trauaile. For it
is set in [gh]our{e} hand. as who sei it lie in [gh]our{e} power what
fortune [gh]ow is leuest. at is to seyne good or yuel. For alle
fortune at seme sharpe or aspre yif it ne ex{er}cise nat e good folk.
ne chastisi e wicked folk. it punisse.


BELLA BIS QUENIS. {ET} C{ETERA}.

  [Sidenote: [The seuende Met{ur}.]]

++E wrekere attrides at is to seyne agamenon at wrou[gh]t[e] {and}
continued[e] e batailes by ten [gh]ere recouered[e] {and} p{ur}ged[e]
in wrekyng by e destrucc{i}ou{n} of troie e loste chambres of mariage
of hys broer is is to seyn at [he] agamenon wan a[gh]ein Eleine at
was Menelaus wif his broer. In e mene while at ilke agamenon
desired[e] to [gh]euen sailes to e grekyssh{e} nauye {and} bou[gh]t[e]
a[gh]ein e wyndes by blode. he vncloed[e] hym of pite as fad{er}.
{and} e sory p{re}st [gh]iue in sacrifiynge e wreched kuyttyng of
rote of e dou[gh]ter. at is to sein at agamenon lete kuytte{n} e
rote of hys dou[gh]ter by e prest. to maken alliaunce wi hys goddes.
{and} for to haue wynde wi whiche he my[gh]t[e] wende to troie.
Itakus at is to sein vlixies bywept[e] hys felawes ylorn e whiche
felawes e fiers[e] pholifem{us} ligginge in his grete Caue had[de]
freten {and} dreint in hys empty wombe. but naeles polifem{us} wood for
his blinde visage [gh]eld to vlixies ioye by hys sorowful teres. is is
to seyn at vlixes smot oute e eye of poliphem{us} at stod in hys
forhede. for whiche vlixes hadde ioie whan he saw poliphem{us} wepyng
{and} blynde. Hercules is celebrable for hys hard[e] trauaile he
dawntede e proude Centauris half hors half man. {and} he rafte e
despoylynge fro e cruel lyou{n} at is to seyne he slou[gh] e lyou{n}
{and} rafte hy{m} hys skyn. he smot e brids at hy[gh]te{n} arpijs [in
e palude of lyrne] wi certeyne arwes. he rauyssed[e] applis fro e
wakyng dragou{n}. {and} hys hand was e more heuy for e golde[ne]
metal. He drou[gh] Cerberus e hound of helle by hys treble cheyne. he
ouer-comer as it is seid ha put an vnmeke lorde fodre to hys cruel hors
is is to sein. at hercules slou[gh] diomedes {and} made his hors to
etyn hym. and he hercules slou[gh] Idra e serpent {and} brend[e] e
venym. and achelaus e flode defouled[e] in his forhede dreint[e] his
shamefast visage in his strondes. is is to sein at achelaus coue
transfigure hym self in to dyuerse lykenesse. {and} as he fau[gh]t wi
orcules at e laste he t{ur}nid[e] hym in to a bole and hercules brak of
oon of hys hornes. {and} achelaus for shame hidde hym in hys ryuer.
And [he] hercules cast[e] adou{n} Antheus e geaunt in e strondes of
libye. {and} kacus apaised[e] e wraes of euander. is is to sein at
hercules slou[gh] e Monstre kacus {and} apaised[e] wi at dee e
wrae of euander. And e bristled[e] boor marked[e] wi scomes e
sholdres of hercules. e whiche sholdres e heye cercle of heuene sholde
reste. {and} e laste of his labo{ur}s was at he sustened[e] e heuene
vpo{n} his nekke vnbowed. {and} he deserued[e] eftsones e heuene to ben
e pris of his laste trauayle Go now an [gh]e stronge men ere as e
heye weye of e grete ensample lede [gh]ou. O nice men whi nake [gh]e
[gh]oure bakkes. as who sei. O [gh]e slowe {and} delicat men whi fley
[gh]e aduersites. {and} ne fy[gh]te{n} nat a[gh]eins hem by vertue to
wynnen e mede of e heuene. for e ere ouer-come{n} [gh]eue e
sterres. is is to seyne at whan at erely lust is ouer-comen. a man
is maked wori to e heuene.

  EXPLICIT LIBER QUARTUS.




INCIPIT LIBER QUINTUS.


DIXERAT ORACIONISQ{UE} CURSUM.

  [Sidenote: [The fyrste prose.]]

++She hadde seid {and} to{ur}ned[e] e cours of hir resou{n} to so{m}me
o{er} inges to ben tretid {and} to ben ysped. an seide I. Certys
ry[gh]tful is in amonestyng {and} ful digne by auctorite. but at ou
seidest som tyme at e questiou{n} of e deuyne p{ur}ueaunce is enlaced
wi many oer questiou{n}s. Ivndir-stonde wel {and} p{ro}ue it by e
same inge. but I axe yif at ou wenest at hap be any ing in any
weys. {and} if ou wenest at hap be any [thing] what is it. an q{uo}d
she. Ihaste me to [gh]elden {and} assoilen e to e dette of my byheste
{and} to shewen {and} opnen e wey by whiche wey ou maist come a[gh]ein
to i contre. but al be it so at e inges whiche at ou axest b{e}n
ry[gh]t p{ro}fitable to knowe. [gh]itte ben ei diuers somwhat fro e
pae of my purpos. And it is to douten at ou ne be maked weery by
mysweys so at ou ne mayst nat suffise to mesure{n} e ry[gh]t weye.
Ne doute e er-of no ing q{uo}d I. for forto knowen ilke inges
to-gidre in e whiche inges I delite me gretly. at shal ben to me in
stede of reste. Syn it nis nat to douten of e inges folwy{n}ge whan
euery side of i disputisou{n} shal be stedfast to me by vndoutous fei.
an seide she. at manere wol I don e. {and} byga{n} to speken ry[gh]t
us Certys q{uo}d she yif any wy[gh]t diffinisse hap in is manere.
at is to seyn. at hap is bytidynge y-brou[gh]t fore by foelyshe
moeuynge. {and} by no knyttyng of causes. I conferme at hap nis
ry[gh]t nau[gh]t in no wise. and I deme al outerly at hap nis ne
dwelli but a voys. As who sei. but an ydel worde wi outen any
significac{i}ou{n} of ing summittid to at vois. for what place
my[gh]t[e] ben left or dwellynge to folie {and} to disordinau{n}ce. syn
at god ledi {and} streyni alle inges by ordre. For is sentence is
verray {and} soe at no inge ne ha his beynge of nou[gh]t. to [the]
whiche sentence none of ise olde folk ne wiseide neuere al be it so
at ei ne vndirstoden ne moeueden it nau[gh]t by god p{r}ince {and}
gynner of wirkyng. but ei casten as a manere foundement of subgit
material. at is to seyn of [the] nature of alle resou{n}. {and} [gh]if
at ony inge is woxen or comen of no causes. an shal it seme at ilke
inge is comen or woxen of nou[gh]t. but yif is ne may nat ben don. an
is it nat possible at ere ha ben any swiche ing as I haue
diffinissid a litel here byforne. How shal it an ben q{uo}d I. nis
er an no ing at by ry[gh]t may be cleped eyer hap{pe} or ellis
auenture of fortune. or is er ou[gh]t al be it so at it is hidd fro e
poeple to whiche ise wordes ben couenable. Myn aristotul q{uo}d she. in
e book of his phisik diffinisse is ing by short resou{n} and
ney[gh]e to e soe. In whiche manere q{uo}d I. As ofte q{uo}d she
as men don any ing for grace of any oer ing. {and} an oer inge an
ilke ing at men ententen to doon bytide by som[e] causes it is
ycleped hap{pe}. Ry[gh]t as a man dalf e ere by cause of tylienge of
e felde. {and} fond ere a gobet of golde by-doluen. an wenen folk at
it is fallen by fortunous bytydyng. but for soe it nis nat for nau[gh]t
for it ha hys p{ro}pre causes of whiche causes e cours vnforseyn and
vnwar semi to han maked hap{pe}. For yif e tilier in e ere ne
delue nat in e felde. and yif e hider of e golde ne hadde hidd e
golde in ilke place. e golde ne had[de] nat ben founde. ise ben an
e causes of e abreggynge of fortune hap. e whiche abreggynge of
fortune hap come of causes encountrynge {and} flowyng to-gidre to hem
selfe. {and} nat by e entenc{i}ou{n} of e doer. For neier e hider
of e gold. ne e deluer of e felde ne vndirstanden nat at e golde
sholde han be founde. but as I seide. it bytidde {and} ran to-gidre at
he dalf ere as at oer hadde hidd e golde. Now may I us diffinissen
hap{pe}. Hap{pe} is an vnwar bytydyng of causes assembled in inges
at ben don for som oer inge. but ilke ordre p{ro}cedynge by an
vneschewable byndynge to-gidre. whiche at descende fro e wel of
purueaunce at ordeine alle inges i{n} hir{e} places {and} in hire
tymes make at e causes rennen {and} assemblen to-gidre.


RUPIS ACHEMENIE.

  [Sidenote: [The fyrste Met{ur}.]]

++TIgris [{and}] eufrates resoluen {and} spryngen of a welle in e
kragges of e roche of e contre of achemenye er{e} as e fleenge
[batayle] ficchi hire dartes reto{ur}nid in e brestes of hem at
folwen hem. And sone aftre e same ryueres tigris {and} eufrates
vnioygne{n} {and} dep{ar}ten hir{e} watres. and yif ei comen to-gidre
{and} ben assembled {and} clepid to-gidre in to o cours. an moten ilke
inges fletyn to-gidre whiche at e water of e entrechau{n}gyng flode
bry{n}ge e shippes {and} e stokkes araced wi e flood moten
assemble. {and} e watres ymedlyd wrappi or implie many fortunel
happes or maneres. e whiche wandryng happes naeles ilke enclinyng
lowenes of e ere. {and} e flowynge ordre of e slidyng water
gouerni. Ry[gh]t so fortune at seme as [at] it fleti wi slaked
or vngouerned[e] bridles. It suffri bridles at is to seyn to ben
gouerned {and} passe by ilke lawe. at is to sein by e deuyne
ordinaunce.


A{N}I{M}ADUERTO INQ{UA}M.

  [Sidenote: [The .2^de. p{ro}se.]]

++is vndirstonde I wel q{uo}d I. {and} accorde wel at it is ry[gh]t as
ou seist. but I axe yif er be any liberte or fre wil in is ordre of
causes at cliue{n} us to-gidre in hem self. or ellys I wolde witen
yif at e destinal cheine co{n}streini e moeueuynge of e corages of
me{n}. yis q{uo}d she er is liberte of fre wille. ne er ne was neuer
no nature of resou{n} at it ne hadde liberte of fre wille. For euery
ing at may naturely vsen resou{n}. it ha doom by whiche it discerni
{and} demi euery ing. an knowe it by it self inges at be{n} to
fleen. {and} inges at ben to desiren. {and} ilk ing at any wy[gh]t
deme to ben desired {a}t axe or desire he {and} flee [thilke] ing
at he troue ben to fleen. wher-fore in alle inges {a}t resou{n}
is. i{n} hem also is libertee of willyng {and} of nillynge. But I ne
ordeyne nat. as who sei. Ine graunte nat at is lib{er}tee be euene
like in alle inges. forwhi in e souereyns deuynes substau{n}ces. at
is to seyn in spirit[gh] Iugement is more clere {and} wil nat be
corumped. {and} ha my[gh]t redy to speden inges at ben desired. But
e soules of men moten nedes ben more free whan ei loken hem in e
speculac{i}ou{n} or lokynge of e deuyne ou[gh]t. {and} lasse free whan
ei sliden in to e bodies. {and} [gh]it lasse free whan ei ben gadred
to-gidre {and} co{m}p{re}hendid in erely membris. but e last[e]
seruage is whan at ei ben [gh]eue{n} to vices. {and} han yfalle fro e
possessiou{n} of hire p{ro}pre resou{n} For after at ei han cast
aweye hir eyen fro e ly[gh]t of e souereyn soefastnesse to lowe
inges {and} dirke Anon ei dirken by e cloude of ignoraunce {and}
ben troubled by felonous talent[gh]. to e whiche talent[gh] whan ei
app{ro}chen {and} assenten. ei hepen {and} encresen e seruage whiche
ei han ioigned to hem self. and in is manere ei ben caitifs fro hire
p{ro}pre libertee. e whiche inges naeles e lokynge of e deuyne
purueaunce see {a}t alle inges byholde {and} see fro et{er}ne. and
ordeyne hem eueryche i{n} her merites. as ei ben p{ro}destinat. {and}
it is seid in grek. at alle inges he see {and} alle inges he here.


PURO CLARU{M} LUMINE.

  [Sidenote: [The .2^de. Met{ur}.]]

++HOmer wi e hony moue. at is to seyn. homer wi e swete dites
synge at e sonne is cleer by pure ly[gh]t. naeles [gh]it ne may it
nat by e inferme ly[gh]t of hys bemes breke{n} or p{er}ce{n} e inwarde
entrailes of e ere. or ellys of e see. so ne see nat god makere of
e grete worlde to hym at loke alle inges from on heye ne wistandi
nat no inges by heuynesses of ere. ne e ny[gh]t ne wistonde nat to
hy{m} by e blake cloudes. ilke god see i{n} o strook of ou[gh]t
alle inges at ben or weren or schullen come. and ilke god for he
loke {and} see alle inges al oon. ou maist seyn at he is e verray
sonne.


TAMEN EGO EN INQ{UA}M.

  [Sidenote: [The .3^de. p{ro}se.]]

++An seide I now am I co{n}fou{n}ded by a more harde doute an I was.
what doute is at q{uo}d she. For certys I coniecte now by whiche
inges ou art troubled. It seme q{uo}d I to repugnen {and} to
contrarien gretly at god knowe byforn alle inges. {and} at er is
any fredom of liberte. for yif so be at god loke alle inges byforn.
ne god ne may nat ben desseiuid in no manere. an mot it nedes ben at
alle inges bytyden e whiche at e purueaunce of god ha sein byforn
to comen. For whiche yif at god knowe by-forn nat oonly e werkes of
men. but also hir conseils {and} hir willes. an ne shal er be no
liberte of arbitre. ne certys er ne may ben noon oer dede ne no wille
but ilke whiche e deuyne purueaunce at ne may nat ben desseiued ha
feled byforn For yif at ei my[gh]ten wryen awey in oer manere an
ei ben purueyed. an ne sholde er ben no stedfast p{re}science of
inge to comen but raer an vncerteyn oppiniou{n}. e whiche inge to
trowen on god I deme it felonie {and} vnleueful. Ne I ne proeue nat
ilk same resou{n}. as who sei I ne allowe nat. or I ne p{re}ise nat
ilke same resou{n} by whiche at som men wenen at ei mowen assoilen
{and} vnknytten e knot of is questiou{n}. For certys ei seyn {a}t
ing nis nat to come for at e purueaunce of god ha seyn it byforn{e}.
at is to comen but raer e cont{ra}rie. And at is is at for at
e ing is to comen at erfore ne may it nat ben hyd fro e purueaunce
of god. {and} in is manere is necessite slydi a[gh]ein in to e
contrarie p{ar}tie. ne it ne byhoue [nat] nedes at inges bytiden at
ben ypurueid. [but it by-houeth nedes / {a}t thinges {a}t ben to comyn
ben yporueyid] but as it were yt{ra}uailed. as who sei. at ilke
answere p{ro}cedi ry[gh]t as ou[gh] men trauailden or weren bysy to
enqueren e whiche ing is cause of whiche inges. as wheer e
p{re}science is cause of e necessite of inges to comen. or ellys at
e necessite of i{n}ges to comen is cause of e purueau{n}ce. But I
ne enforce me nat now to shewe{n} it at e bytidyng of inges y-wist
byforn is necessarie. how so or in what manere at e ordre of causes
ha it self. al ou[gh] at it ne seme nat at e p{re}science brynge in
necessite of bytydynge of inges to comen. For certys yif at any
wy[gh]t sitte it byhoue by necessite at e oppiniou{n} be soe of hym
{a}t coniecti at he sitte. and a[gh]einward. al so is it of e
contrarie. yif e oppiniou{n} be soe of any wy[gh]t for at he sitte
it byhoue by necessite at he sitte an is here necessite in at oon
{and} in {a}t oer. for in at oon is necessite of sittynge. {and}
certys in at oer is necessite of soe but erfore ne sitte nat a
wy[gh]t for at e oppiniou{n} of sittyng is soe. but e oppiniou{n} is
raer soe for at a wy[gh]t sitte by-forn. and us al ou[gh] {a}t e
cause of soe come of [e] syttyng. and nat of e trewe oppiniou{n}.
Algates [gh]itte is er comune necessite in at oon {and} in at oer.
us shewe it {a}t I may make semblable skils of e p{ur}ueau{n}ce of
god {and} of inges to come. For al ou[gh] for at at inges ben to
comen. er-fore ben ei p{ur}ueid. nat certys for ei ben p{ur}ueid.
er-fore ne bytide ei nat. [gh]it naeles byhoue it by necessite at
eier e inges to comen ben yp{ur}ueied of god. or ellys at e inges
at ben p{ur}ueied of god bitiden [.s.] by necessite. And is ing
oonly suffise I-nou[gh] to distroien e fredome of oure arbitre. at is
to seyn of oure fre wille But now [certes] shewe it wel how fer fro
e soe {and} how vp so dou{n} is is ing at we seyn at e bytidinge
of temp{or}el inges is e cause of e eterne p{re}science. But forto
wenen at god p{ur}uei [the] inges to comen. for ei ben to comen.
what oer ing is it but forto wene at ilke inges at bitiden som
tyme ben causes of ilke souereyne p{ur}ueaunce at is i{n} god. And
her-to I adde [gh]itte is ing at ry[gh]t as whan at I woot at o
ing is it byhoue by necessite at ilke self ing be. {and} eke at
whan I haue knowe at any i{n}ge shal bitiden so byhoue it by
necessite {a}t ilk[e] same ing bytide. so folwe it an at e
bytydynge of e inge Iwist by-forn ne may nat ben eschewed. And at e
last[e] yif at any wy[gh]t wene a ing to ben oer weyes an it is. it
nys nat oonly vnscience. but it is deceiuable oppiniou{n} ful diuerse
{and} fer fro e soe of science. wher-fore yif any ing be so to
comen so at e bytydynge of it ne be nat certeyne ne necessarie. who
may weten [byforn] {a}t ilke ing is to come. For ry[gh]t as science
ne may nat be medelyd wi falsnesse. as who sei at yif I woot a ing.
it ne may nat be fals at I ne woot it. Ry[gh]t so ilk ing at is
conceyued by science ne may [nat] ben noon o{er} weyes an [as] it is
conceiued. For at is e cause whi at science wa{n}ti lesynge. as who
sei. whi at witynge ne receyue nat lesynge of at it woot. For it
byhoue by necessite at euery i{n}ge [be] ry[gh]t as science
co{m}p{re}hendi it to be. what shal I an sein. In whiche man{er}e
knowe god byforn e inges to comen. yif ei ne be nat certeyne.
For yif at he deme at ei ben to comen vneschewably. {and} so may be
at it is possible at ei ne shulle{n} nat comen. god is desseiued. but
nat only to trowen at god is desseiued. but for to speke it wi moue
it is a felonous sy{n}ne. But yif at god woot at ry[gh]t so as
inges ben to comen. so shulle ei comen. so at he wit[e] egaly. as who
sei indifferently at inges mowen ben don or ellys nat don. what is
ilke p{re}science at ne comp{re}hendi no certeyne inge ne stable. or
ellys what difference is er bytwixe e p{re}science. {and} ilke
iape-wori dyuynynge of Tiresie e diuino{ur} at seide. Al at I seie
q{uo}d he eyer it shal be. or ellys it ne shal nat be. Or ellis how
moche is wore e diuyne p{re}science more an e oppiniou{n} of
mankynde yif so be at it deme e inges vncerteyne as me{n} don. of e
whiche domes of men e bytydynge nis nat certeyne. But yif so be {a}t
noon vncerteyne inge may ben in hym at is ry[gh]t certeyne welle of
alle inges. a{n} is e bytydynge certeyne of ilke inges whiche he
ha wist byforn fermely to come{n}. For whiche it folwe at e fredom
of e co{n}seils {and} of e werkes of mankynde nis non syn at e
ou[gh]t of god see alle inges w{i}t{h} outen erro{ur} of falsnesse
bynde {and} co{n}streini hem to a bitidynge by necessite. and yif
[this] i{n}g be on-is grau{n}tid {and} receyued. at is to seyn. at
er nis no fre wille. an shewe it wel how gret distrucc{i}ou{n} {and}
how grete damages er folwen of inges of mankynde. For in ydel ben
er an p{ur}posed and byhy[gh]t medes of goode folk. {and} peynes to
badde folk. syn at no moeuynge of free corage uoluntarie ne ha nat
deserued hem. at is to seyn neier mede nor peyne. And it sholde seme
an at ilke inge is aler worste whiche at is nowe demed. for
al{er} moste iuste {and} moste ry[gh]tful. at is to seyn at shrewes
ben punyssed. or ellys {a}t good[e] folk ben ygerdoned. e whiche folk
syn at e p{ro}pre wille [ne] sent hem nat to {a}t oon ne to at oer.
at is to seyn. neer to good[e] ne to harme. but constreine hem
certeyne necessite of inges to comen. anne ne sholle{n} er neuer
ben ne neuer weren vice ne vertue. but it sholde raer ben
co{n}fusiou{n} of alle desertes medlid wioute discresiou{n}. And
[gh]itte er folwe an oer i{n}co{n}uenient of e whiche er ne may ben
ou[gh]t ne more felonous ne more wikke. {and} at is is at so as e
ordre of inges is yledd {and} come of e purueaunce of god. ne at no
ing nis leueful to e conseils of mankynde. as who sei at men han no
power to done no ing. ne wilne no ing. an folwe it at oure vices
ben refferred to e mak[er]e of alle good. as who sei an folwe it.
at god au[gh]t[e] han e blame of oure vices. syn he co{n}streini by
necessite to don vices. an nis er no resou{n} to han hopen in god. ne
forto p{re}ien to god. For what sholde any wy[gh]t hopen to god. or
whi sholde he p{re}ien to god. syn at e ordenaunce of destine whiche
at ne may nat ben enclined. knytte {and} streini alle inges at men
may desire{n}. an sholde ere be don awey ilke oonly alliaunce
bytwixen god {and} men. at is to seien to hopen {and} to p{re}ien. but
by e p{re}is of ry[gh]tfulnesse {and} of veray mekenesse we deserue e
gerdou{n} of e deuyne grace whiche at is inestimable. at is to sein
at it is so grete at it ne may nat ben ful yp{re}ised. {and} is is
oonly e manere. at is to seyen hope {and} prayeres. for whiche it
seme at [men] mowen speken wi god. {and} by resou{n} of
supplicac{i}ou{n} ben conioigned to ilk clernesse at nis nat
app{ro}ched no raer or at men byseken it {and} emp{re}nten it. And yif
men ne wene [nat] at [hope] ne p{re}iers ne han no strenges. by e
necessite of inges to comen y-resceiued. what i{n}g is er an by
whiche we mowen be co{n}ioygned {and} clyuen to ilke souereyne p{r}ince
of inges. For whiche it byhoue by necessite at e lynage of
mankynde as ou songe a litel here byforne ben dep{ar}ted {and} vnioyned
from hys welle {and} faylen of hys bygynnynge. at is to seien god.


QUE NAM DISCORS

  [Sidenote: [The .3^de. Met{ur}.]]

++What discordable cause ha to-rent {and} vnioigned e byndyng or e
alliaunce of inges. at is to seyne e coniuncc{i}ou{n} of god {and} of
man. whiche god ha establissed so grete bataile bitwixe{n} ise two
soefast or verray inges. at is to sein bytwixen e p{ur}ueaunce of
god {and} fre wille. at ei ben synguler {and} diuided. ne at ei ne
wolen nat ben medeled ne coupled to-gidre. but er nis no discorde to
[tho] verray inges. but ei cleuen certeyne al wey to hem self. but e
ou[gh]t of man co{n}founded {and} ouerrowen by e dirke membris of e
body ne may nat by fir of his dirk[ed] lokynge. at is to seyn by e
vigo{ur} of hys insy[gh]t while e soule is in e body knowen e inne
subtil knyttynges of inges. But wherfore eschaufi it so by so grete
loue to fynden ilke note[s] of soe y-cou{er}ed. (_glosa_) at is to
sein wherfore eschaufi e ou[gh]t of man by so grete desir to knowen
ilke notificac{i}ou{n}s at ben yhidd vndir e couerto{ur}s of soe.
woot it ou[gh]t ilke inges at it anguissous desire to knowe. as who
sei nay. For no man ne trauaile forto witen inges at he woot.
{and} erfore e texte sei us. [_Glosa_] Si eni{m} a{n}i{m}a ignorat
istas subtiles co{n}nexiones. r{espo}nde. vn{de} est q{uo}d desiderat
scire cu{m} nil ignotu{m} possit desiderare. But who traua[i]le to
wyten inges y-knowe. and yif at he ne knowe hem nat. what seki ilke
blynde ou[gh]t. what is he at desire any inge of whiche he woot
ry[gh]t nat. as who sei who so desiri any ing nedis som what he
knowe of it. or ellys he ne coue nat desire it. or who may folwen
inges at ne ben nat ywist and ou[gh] [{a}t] he seke o inges
where shal he fynde{n} hem. what wy[gh]t at is al vnknowynge {and}
ignoraunt may knowe e forme at is yfounde. But whan e soule
byholde {and} see e heye ou[gh]t. at is to seyn god. an knowe it
to-gidre e so{m}me {and} e singularites. at is to seyn e
p{r}inciples {and} eueryche by hym self. But now while e soule is
hidd in e cloude {and} in e derknesse of e membris of e body. it ne
ha nat al for[gh]eten it selfe. but it wiholde e so{m}me of inges
{and} lesi e singularites. an who so at seke soenesse. he nis in
nei{er} nouir habit. for he not nat alle ne he ne ha nat alle
for-[gh]eten. But [gh]itte hym remembri e so{m}me of inges at he
wiholde {and} axe cou{n}seil {and} treti depelyche i{n}ges ysein
byforne. [_Glosa_] at is to sein e grete so{m}me in hys mynde.
[_textus_] so at he mowe adden e p{ar}ties at he ha for[gh]eten. to
ilke at he ha wiholden.


TAMEN ILLA UETUS INQ{U}IT HEC EST.

  [Sidenote: [The 4^the p{ro}se.]]

++anne seide she. is is q{uo}d she e olde questiou{n} of e
p{ur}ueaunce of god. {and} marcus tulius whan he deuided[e] e
deuinac{i}ou{n}s. at is to sein in hys booke at he wroot of
deuinac{i}ou{n}s. he moeued[e] gretly is questiou{n}. {and} ou i self
hast sou[gh]t it mochel {and} outerly {and} lo{n}g[e]. but [gh]it ne ha
it nat ben determined ne yspedd fermely {and} diligently of any of yow.
And e cause of is derkenesse {and} [of this] difficulte is for at
e moeuynge of e resou{n} of mankynde ne may nat moeue{n} to. at is to
sein applien or ioygnen to e simplicite of e deuyne p{re}science. e
whiche symplicite of e deuyne p{re}science [gh]if at men [myhten
thinken it in any maner{e} / {a}t is to seyn / {a}t yif men] my[gh]te
inken {and} co{m}p{re}henden e inges as god see hem. an ne sholde
er dwellen outerly no doute. e whiche resou{n} {and} cause of
difficulte I shal assaie at e laste to shewen {and} to speden. whan I
haue firste [yspendyd / {and}] ansewered to o resou{n}s by whiche {o}u
art ymoeued. For I axe whi {o}u wenest at ilk[e] resou{n}s of hem
at assoilen is questiou{n} ne ben nat spedeful ynou[gh] ne sufficient
e whiche soluc{i}ou{n} or e whiche resou{n} for at it demi at e
p{re}science nis nat cause of necessite to inges to comen. an ne wene
it nat at fredom of wille be distourbed or ylett by p{re}science. for
ne drawest ou nat argumentes from ellys where of e necessite of inges
to comen. As who sei any oer wey an us. but at ilke inge[s] at
e p{re}scie{n}ce woot byforn [ne] mowen nat vnbitide. at is to seyn
at ei moten bitide. But an yif at p{re}science ne putte no
necessite to inges to comen. as ou i self hast confessed it {and}
byknowen a litel herbyforn{e}. what cause [or what] is it. as who sei
ere may no cause be. by whiche at e endes (exitus) uoluntarie of
inges my[gh]ten be constreyned to certeyne bitydyng. For by grace of
possessiou{n}. so at ou mowe e better vndirstonde is at folwe. I
pose (inpossibile) at er ne be no p{re}science. an axe I q{uo}d she
in as moche as app{er}teni to at. sholde an inges at comen of
frewille ben constreined to bytiden by necessite. {Boici}us. nay q{uo}d
I. an a[gh]einward q{uo}d she. Isuppose at ere be p{re}science but
at ne putte no necessite to inges. an trowe I at ilk self fredom
of wille shal dwelle{n} al hool {and} absolut {and} vnbounden. but ou
wolt sein at al be it so at p{re}science nis nat cause of e necessite
of bitidynge to inges to comen. Algates [gh]itte it is a signe {a}t
e inges ben to bytiden by necessite. by is manere an al ou[gh] e
p{re}science ne hadde neuer yben. [gh]it algate or at e lest[e] wey. it
is certeyne ing at e e{n}dys {and} e bitydynges of inges to come{n}
sholde ben necessarie. For euery sygne shewe {and} signifie oonly
what e ing is but it ne maki nat e ing at it signifie. For
whiche it byhoue firste to shewen at no ing ne bitidi [{a}t it ne
bytydith] by necessite. so at it may apere {a}t e p{re}scie{n}ce is
signe of is necessite or ellys yif ere nere no necessite. certys
ilke p{re}science ne my[gh]t[e] nat ben signe of inge at nis nat.
But certys it is nowe certeyne at e preue of is susteni by
stedfast resou{n} ne shal nat ben ladd ne p{ro}ued by signes ne by
argumentys ytaken fro wi oute. but by causes couenable {and} necessarie
But ou mayst sein how may it be at e inges ne bitiden nat at ben
ypurueyed to comen. but certys ry[gh]t as we trowen at o inges whiche
at e p{ur}ueau{n}ce woot byforn to comen. ne ben nat to bitiden. but
[{a}t] ne sholde we nat demen. but raer al ou[gh] [at] ei schal
bitiden. [gh]it ne haue ei no necessite of hire kynde to bitiden. {and}
is maist ou ly[gh]tly ap{er}ceyue{n} by is at I shal seyn. but we
seen many inges whan ei ben don byforn oure eyen ry[gh]t as men seen
e karter worken in e to{ur}nynge {and} in attempryng or in adressy{n}g
of hys kartes or chariottes. and by is manere as who sei mayst ou
vnd{er}sto{n}de of alle manere oir werkeme{n}. Is ere anne any
necessite as who sei in oure lokynge [{a}t] constreine or compelli
any of ilke inges to ben don so. b. nay q{uo}d I For in ydel {and}
in veyne were alle e effect of crafte yif at alle inges weren moeued
by constreynynge. at is to seyn by constreynynge of oure eyen or of
oure sy[gh]t. _P._ ise i{n}g{us} an q{uo}d she at whan men don hem
ne han non necessite at men don hem. eke o same inges first or ei be
don. ei ben to comen wi out necessite. for whi er ben so{m}me inges
to bytide of whiche e endys {and} e bitidynges of hem ben absolut
{and} quit of alle necessite. for certys I ne trowe nat at any man
wolde seyn is. at o inges at men don now {a}t ei ne weren to
bitiden. first or ei were ydon and ilk same inges al ou[gh] {a}t
men hadde{n} ywyst hem by-forn. [gh]itte ei han fre bitidynges. for
ry[gh]t as science of inges p{re}sent ne brynge in no necessite to
inges [{a}t men doon // Ryht so the p{re}science of thinges to comen
ne bryngeth in no necessite to thinges] to bytiden but ou mayst seyn
at of ilke same it is ydouted. as wheer at of ilke inges at ne
han non endes {and} bytidynges necessaryes yif er-of may ben any
p{re}science For certys ei seme to discorde. for ou wenest at yif
at inges ben yseyn byforn at necessite folwe hem. and yif ({et}
putas) necessite faile hem ei ne my[gh]ten nat ben wist byforn. {and}
at no inge ne may ben comp{re}hendid by science but certeyne. {and}
yif o inges at ne han no certeyne bytidynges ben ypurueied as
certeyn. it sholde ben dirkenesse of oppiniou{n} nat soefastnesse of
science [{and} {o}u weenyst {a}t it be diu{er}se fro the hoolnesse of
science / {a}t any man sholde deme a thing to ben oother weys thanne it
is it self]. and e cause of is errour is. at of alle e inges at
euery wy[gh]t ha yknowe. ei wenen at o inges ben y-knowe al oonly
by e strenge {and} by e nature of e inges at ben ywyst or yknowe.
{and} it is al e contrarie. for alle at eu{er}e is yknowe. it is raer
comp{re}hendid {and} yknowe{n} nat after his strenge {and} hys nature.
but after e faculte at is to seyn e power {and} [the] nature of hem
at knowen. {and} for at is shal mowe shewen by a short ensample e
same roundenes of a body .O. oer weyes e sy[gh]t of e eye knowe it.
{and} oer weyes e touchi{n}g. e lokynge by castynge of his bemes
waite {and} see fro afer alle e body to-gider wi oute mouynge of it
self. but e touchinge cliui {and} conioigne to e rounde body (orbi)
{and} moue abouten e environynge. {and} comp{re}hendi by p{ar}ties e
roundenesse. and e man hym self oer weies wyt byholdi hym. {and}
o{er}weyes ymaginac{i}ou{n} {and} oer weyes resou{n}. {and} oer weyes
intelligence. For e wit co{m}p{re}he{n}di fro wi outen fure e
figure of e body of e man. at is establissed in e matere subiect.
But e ymaginac{i}ou{n} [comp{re}hendith only the figur{e} w{i}t{h} owte
the mater{e} / Resou{n} surmou{n}teth ymaginaciou{n}] {and}
co{m}p{re}hende by an vniuersel lokynge e co{mmun}e spece (sp{eci}em)
at is in e singuler peces. But e eye of intelligence is hey[gh]er
for it so{ur}mou{n}te e envirounynge of e vniu{er}site {and} looke
ouer at by pure subtilite of ou[gh]t. ilk same symple forme of man
at is p{er}durably in e deuyne ou[gh]t. in whiche is au[gh]t[e]
gretely to ben considered at e heyest strenge to co{m}prehenden
inges enbrace {and} conteyne e lower[e] strenge [but the lower{e}
strengthe ne arysith nat in no maner{e} to heyer{e} strengthe]. for wit
ne may no inge co{m}p{re}hende oute of matere. ne e ymagynac{i}ou{n}
ne loke nat e vniuerseles speces. ne resou{n} ne take nat e symple
forme. so as i{n}telligence take it. but e intelligence at loke al
abouen whan it ha co{m}p{re}hendid e forme it knowe {and} deme alle
e inges at be{n} vndir at forme. but she knowe he{m} vndir ilke
manere in e whiche it comp{re}hendi ilke same symple forme at ne may
neuer be knowen to non of at oer. at is to seyn to non of o re
forseide strenges of e soule. for it knowe e vniuersite of resou{n}
{and} e figure of e ymaginac{i}ou{n}. {and} e sensible mat{er}ial
conseiued. {and} ou wenest {a}t it be diuerse fro e hoolnesse of
science. at any man sholde deme a ing to ben o{er}weyes an it is it
self {and} e cause of is erro{ur} {et}c'. {vt sup}ra. by wit. ne it ne
vse nat nor of resou{n} ne of ymaginac{i}ou{n} ne of wit wi oute fore
but it byholde alle inges so as I shal seye. by a strok of ou[gh]t
formely wi oute disco{ur}s or collac{i}ou{n} Certys resou{n} whan it
loke any ing vniu{er}sel it ne vse nat of ymaginac{i}ou{n} nor of wit
{and} algates [gh]it [it] co{m}prendi e inges ymaginable {and}
sensible. for resou{n} is she at diffinisse e vniuersel of hir
conseite ry[gh]t us. Man is a resonable t[w]o-footid beest. and how
so at is knowynge [is] vniuersel. [gh]it nys er no wy[gh]t at ne
woot wel. at a ma{n} is [a thing] ymaginable {and} sensible and is
same co{n}sidere wel resou{n}. but at nis nat by ymaginac{i}ou{n}. nor
by witte. but it loki it by [a] resonable concepc{i}ou{n}. Also
ymaginac{i}ou{n} al be it so. at it take of wit e bygyny{n}g{us} to
seen {and} to formen e figures. algates al ou[gh] at wit ne ware not
p{re}sent. [gh]it it envirouni {and} co{m}p{re}hendi alle inges
sensible. nat by resou{n} sensible of demynge. but by resou{n}
ymaginatif. sest ou nat an at alle e inges in knowynge vsen more
of hir faculte or of hir power. an ei don of [the] faculte or of power
of inges at ben yknowen. ne at nis no wronge. for so as euery
iugement is e dede or e doynge of hym at deme. It byhoue at euery
wy[gh]t p{er}forme e werke {and} hys entenc{i}ou{n} nat of forein
power[;] but of hys propre power.


QUONDAM PORTICUS ATTULIT.

  [Sidenote: [The 4^the Met{ur}.]]

++E porche at is to sein a gate of e toune of athenis er as
philosophres hadde hir congregac{i}ou{n} to dispoyten. {and} ilke
porche brou[gh]t[e] so{m}tyme olde men ful derke in hire sentences.
{a}t is to sein philosophers at hy[gh]ten stoiciens. at wenden at
ymages [{and}] sensibilites at is to sein sensible ymaginac{i}ou{n}s.
or ellys ymaginac{i}ou{n} of sensible inges were{n} i{n}p{re}ntid in to
soules fro bodies wi oute fore. As who sei at ilke stoiciens
wenden {a}t e soule hadde ben naked of it self. as a mirour or a clene
p{ar}chemyn. so at alle fygures mosten [fyrst] comen fro inges fro wi
oute in to soules. {and} ben inp{re}ntid in to soules. _Textus._ Ry[gh]t
as we ben wont some tyme by a swift poyntel to ficchen l{ett}res
emp{re}ntid in e smoenesse or in e plainesse of e table of wex. or
in p{ar}chemyn at ne ha no figure [ne] note in it. _Glosa._ But now
argui boece a[gh]eins at oppiniou{n} {and} sei us. but yif e
riuyng soule ne vnpliti no ing. at is to sein ne do no ing by hys
p{ro}pre moeuynges. but suffri {and} lie subgit to e figures {and} to
e notes of bodyes wi oute fore. {and} [gh]elde ymages ydel {and}
veyne in e manere of a mirour. whennes riue an or whennes come an
ilke knowyng in oure soule. at discerni {and} byholde alle inges.
and whennes is ilke strenge at byholde e syngulere inges. or
whennes is e strenge at dyuyde inges yknowe. {and} ilke stre{n}ge
at gadere to-gidre e inges deuided. {and} e strenge at chese hys
entrechau{n}ged wey for som tyme it heue vp e heued. at is to sein
at it heue vp e ente{n}c{i}ou{n} to ry[gh]t heye inges. {and} som
tyme it discendi in to ry[gh]t lowe inges. {and} whan it retourni in
to hym self. it rep{re}ui {and} destroie e false inges by e trewe
inges. Certys is strenge is cause more efficient {and} mochel more
my[gh]ty to seen {and} to knowe inges. an ilke cause at suffri and
resceyue e notes {and} e figures inp{re}ssed in manere of matere
algates e passiou{n} at is to seyn e suffraunce or e wit i{n} e
quik[e] body go byforne excitynge {and} moeuyng e strenges of e
ou[gh]te. ry[gh]t so as whan at clerenesse smyte e eyen {and} moeui
hem to seen. or ry[gh]t so as voys or soune hurtli to e eres {and}
co{m}moeui hem to herkne. an is e stre{n}ge of e ou[gh]t ymoeuid
{and} excitid {and} clepe fure e semblable moeuynges e speces at it
halt wi i{n}ne it self. {and} addi o speces to e notes {and} to e
inges wi out fore. {and} medele e ymages of inges wi out fore to
e forme[s] yhid wi i{n}ne hym self.


Q{UO}D SI IN CORPORIB{US} SENCIEND{IS}.

QUESTIO.

  [Sidenote: [The .5.^the p{ro}se.]]

++But what [yif] at in bodies to be{n} feelid at is to sein in e
takynge of knowelechinge of bodyly inges. and al be it so at e
qualites of bodies {a}t ben obiect fro wi oute fore moeuen {and}
entalenten e instrumentes of e wittes. and al be it so at e
passiou{n} of e body at is to seyn e witte [or the] suffrau{n}ce
[goth to-forn the strengthe of the workynge corage / the which
passiou{n} or suffraunce] clepi fure e dede of e ou[gh]t in hym
self. {and} moeue {and} exite in is mene while e formes {a}t resten
wi in fore. and yif at i{n} sensible bodies as I haue seid oure
corage nis nat ytau[gh]t or enp{re}ntid by passiou{n} to knowe ise
inges. but demi {and} knowe of hys owen strenge e passiou{n} or
suffrau{n}ce subiect to e body. Moche more an oo inges at ben
absolut {and} quit fram alle talent[gh] or affecc{i}ou{n}s of bodies. as
god or hys aungels ne folwen nat in discernynge inges obiect from wi
oute fore. but ei accomplissen {and} speden e dede of hir ou[gh]t by
is resou{n}. an ere comen many manere knowynges to dyu{er}se {and}
differy{n}g substaunces. for e wit of e body e whiche witte is naked
{and} despoyled of alle oer knowynges. ilke witte come to bestes at
ne mowen nat moeuen hem self here ne ere. as oystres {and} muscles
{and} oer swiche shelle fysshe of e see. {a}t cliue{n} {and} ben
norissed to roches. but e ymaginac{i}ou{n} come to remuable bestes at
seme{n} to han talent to fleen or to desiren any inge. but resou{n} is
al only to e lynage of mankynde ry[gh]t as i{n}telligence is oonly e
deuyne nature. of whiche it folwe at ilke knowyng is more wore an
[th]is[e] oer. syn it knowe by hys p{ro}pre nature nat only hys
subiect. as who sei it ne knowe nat al oonly at app{er}teini
p{ro}prely to hys knowynge. but it knowe e subgit[gh] of alle oer
knowynges. but how shal it an be yif at wit {and} ymaginac{i}ou{n}
stryuen a[gh]eins resonynge {and} sein at of ilke vniuersel inges.
at resou{n} wene to seen at it nis ry[gh]t nau[gh]t. for wit {and}
ymaginac{i}ou{n} seyn at at. at is sensible or ymaginable it ne may
nat ben vniuersel. an is eier e iugement of resou{n} [soth]. ne at
er nis no inge sensible. or ellys for at resou{n} woot wel at many
inges ben subiect to wit {and} to ymaginac{i}ou{n}. an is e
co{n}sepc{i}ou{n} of resou{n} veyn {and} fals whiche at looke {and}
co{m}p{re}hendi. at at is sensible {and} synguler as uniuersele. and
[gh]if at resou{n} wolde answeren a[gh]ein to ise two at is to sein
to wit {and} to ymaginac{i}ou{n}. {and} sein at soely she hir self.
at is to seyn at resou{n} loke {and} comp{re}hendi by resou{n} of
vniuersalite. boe at at is sensible {and} at at is ymaginable.
{and} at ilke two at is to seyn wit {and} ymaginac{i}ou{n} ne mowe{n}
nat strecchen ne enhaunsen hem self to knowynge of vniuersalite for at
e knowy{n}g of hem ne may exceden nor so{ur}mou{n}te{n} e bodyly
figure[s] Certys of e knowyng of inges men au[gh]ten raer [gh]eue
credence to e more stedfast {and} to e more p{er}fit iugement. In is
manere stryuynge an we at han strenge of resonynge {and} of
ymaginynge {and} of wit at is to seyn by resou{n} {and} by
ymaginac{i}ou{n} {and} by wit. [{and}] we sholde raer p{re}ise e cause
of resou{n}. as who sei an e cause of wit or ymaginac{i}ou{n}.
semblable inge is it at e resou{n} of mankynde ne wene nat at e
deuyne intelligence byholde or knowe inges to comen. but ry[gh]t as
e resou{n} of mankynde knowe hem. for ou arguist {and} seist us. at
yif it ne seme nat to men at so{m}me inges han certeyne {and}
necessarie bytidynges. ei ne mowen nat ben wist byforn certeynely to
bytiden. a{n} nis [ther] no p{re}science of ilke inges. {and} yif we
trowen at p{re}science ben in ise inges. an is er no inge at it
ne bitidi by necessite. but certys yif we my[gh]te{n} han e iugeme{n}t
of e deuyne ou[gh]t as we ben p{ar}son{er}s of resou{n}. ry[gh]t so as
we han demed. it byhoue at ymaginac{i}ou{n} {and} wit ben bynee
resou{n}. ry[gh]t so wolde we deme{n} at it were ry[gh]tful ing at
ma{n}s resou{n} au[gh]t[e] to su{m}mitten it self {and} to ben bynee e
deuyne ou[gh]t. for whiche at yif we mowen. as who sei. at yif at
we mowe{n} I conseil[e] at we enhanse vs in to e hey[gh]t of ilke
souereyne i{n}telligence. for ere shal resou{n} wel seen at at it ne
may nat by-holden in it self. and certys at is is in what manere e
p{re}science of god see alle inges c{er}teins {and} difinissed al
ou[gh] ei ne han no certein issues or by-tydynges. ne is is non
oppiniou{n} but it is raer e simplicite of e souereyn science at nis
nat enclosed nor yshet wii{n}ne no boundes.


QUAM UARIIS FIGURIS.

  [Sidenote: [The 5^the Met{ur}.]]

++E bestes passen by e eres by ful dyuerse figures for so{m}me of hem
han hir bodies strau[gh]t {and} crepe{n} in e dust {and} drawen after
he{m} a t{ra}is or a forghe contynued. at is to sein as addres or
snakes. and oer bestes by [the] wandryng ly[gh]tnesse of hir wenges
beten e wyndes {and} ouer-swymme{n} e spaces of e longe eyer by moist
flee[y]nge. and oer bestes gladen hem to diggen her traas or her
stappes i{n} e ere wi hir goynge or wi her feet. or to gone eye[r]
by e grene feldes or [elles] to walken vnder e wodes. {and} al be it
so {a}t ou seest at ei alle discorden by dyuerse formes. algate
hir{e} [faces] enclini[n]g heuie hir{e} dulle wittes. Onlyche e lynage
of man heue heyest hys hey[gh]e heued {and} stonde ly[gh]t wi hys
vpry[gh]t body {and} byholde e ere vndir hym. [and] but-[gh]if ou
erely man wexest yuel oute of i witte. is figure amoneste e {a}t
axest e heuene wi i ry[gh]t[e] visage. {and} hast areised i forhede
to beren vp on heye i corage so at i ou[gh]t ne be nat yheuied ne
put lowe vndir foot. sen at i body is so heye areised.


PR{O}SA VLTI{M}A.

QUONIA{M} IGITUR UTI PAULO ANTE.

  [Sidenote: [The 6^te p{ro}se {and} the laste.]]

++Er-fore an as I haue shewed a litel her byforne at al inge at is
ywist nis nat knowen by hys nature p{ro}pre. but by e nature of he{m}
at comp{re}henden it. Lat vs loke now in as moche as it is leueful to
vs. as who sei lat vs loken now as we mowen whiche {a}t e estat is of
e deuyne substaunce so at we mowen [ek] knowen what his science is. e
comune iugement of alle creatures resonables an is is at god is
eterne. lat vs considere a{n} what is et{er}nite. For certys at shal
shewen vs to-gidre e deuyne nature {and} e deuyne science Eternite
an is p{er}fit possessiou{n} {and} al togidre of lijf interminable
{and} at shewe more clerely by e co{m}parisou{n} or collac{i}ou{n} of
temp{or}el inges. for al ing at lyue in tyme it is p{re}sent {and}
p{ro}cedi fro preterit[gh] in to fut{ur}es. at is to sein. fro tyme
passed in to tyme comynge. ne er nis no ing establissed i{n} tyme at
may enbracen to-gidre al e space of hys lijf. for certys [gh]it ne ha
it nat taken e tyme of e morwe. {and} it ha lost at of
[gh]ister-day. and certys in e lijf of is day [gh]e ne lyuen no more
but ry[gh]t as in is moeueable {and} t{ra}nsitorie moment. an ilke
inge at suffri temp{or}el condic{i}ou{n}. a[l]ough{e} at [it] bygan
neuer to be. ne ough{e} it neu{er}e cese forto be. as aristotle demde
of e worlde. and al ou[gh] at e lif of it be strecchid wi infinite
of tyme. [gh]it algates nis it no swiche ing at men my[gh]ten trowen
by ry[gh]t at it is eterne. for al ou[gh] at it comp{re}hende {and}
embrace e space of life infinite. [gh]it algates ne [em]brace it nat
e space of e lif alto-gidre. for it ne ha nat e fut{ur}es at ne ben
nat [gh]it. ne it ne ha no lenger e p{re}t{er}it[gh] at ben ydon or
ypassed. but ilke ing an at ha {and} co{m}prehendi to-gidre alle
e plente of e lif i{n}terminable. to whom ere ne faili nat of e
fut{ur}e. {and} to whom er nis nat of e p{re}t{er}it escapid nor
ypassed. ilk[e] same is ywitnessed or yproued by ry[gh]t to ben eterne.
and it byhoue by necessite at ilke inge be alwey p{re}sent to hym
self {and} co{m}potent. as who sei alwey p{re}sent to hym self {and} so
my[gh]ty at al by ry[gh]t at hys plesaunce. {and} {a}t he haue al
p{re}sent e infinit of e moeuable tyme. wherfore som men trowe{n}
wrongefully at whan ei heren at it semid[e] to plato at is worlde
ne had[de] neuer bygynnynge of tyme. ne at it neu{er}e shal haue
faylynge. ei wenen i{n} is man{er}e at is worlde ben maked
coet{er}ne wi his makere. as who sei. ei wenen at is worlde {and}
god ben maked to-gidre eterne. and it is a wrongful wenynge. for oer
ing is it to ben yladd by lif interminable as plato graunted[e] to e
worlde. {and} oer ing is it to embracen to-gidre alle e p{re}sence to
e lif interminable. e whiche ing it is clere {and} manifest at it is
p{ro}pre to e deuine ou[gh]t. ne it ne sholde nat semen to vs at god
is elder an inges at ben ymaked by quantite of tyme. but raer by e
p{ro}prete of hys symple nature. for is ilke infinit[e] moeuyng of
temp{or}el inges folwi is p{re}sentarie estat of e lijf
i{n}moeueable. {and} so as it ne may nat contrefeten it ne feyne{n} it
ne ben euene lyke to it. for e inmoeueablete. at is to seyn at is
i{n} e eternite of god. it faile {and} falle in to moeuynge fro e
simplicite of [the] p{re}sence of god. {and} disencresi to e infinite
quantite of fut{ur}e {and} of p{re}terit. {and} so as it ne may nat han
togidre al e plente of e lif. algates [gh]itte for as moche as it ne
cesi neuere forto ben in som manere it seme somde[l] to vs at it
folwi {and} resembli ilke ing {a}t it ne may nat attayne to. ne
fulfille. {and} bynde it self to som manere p{re}sence of is litel
{and} swifte moment. e whiche p{re}sence of is lytele {and} swifte
moment. for at it bere a manere ymage or lykenesse of e ay dwellynge
p{re}sence of god. it graunte to swiche manere inges as it bitidi to
at it seme hem at ise inges han ben {and} ben {and} for [{a}t] e
p{re}sence of swiche litel moment ne may nat dwelle er-for [it]
rauyssid[e] {and} took e infinit[e] wey of tyme. at is to seyn by
successiou{n}. {and} by is man{er}e it is ydon. for at it sholde
continue e lif in goynge of e whiche lif it ne my[gh]t[e] nat embrace
e plente in dwellynge. {and} for i yif we willen putte wori name[s]
to inges {and} folwen plato. lat vs seyn a{n} soely at god is
et{er}ne. {and} at e worlde is p{er}petuel. an syn at euery
iugeme{n}t knowe {and} comp{re}hendi by hys owen nature inges at ben
subiect vnto hym. ere is soely al-wey to god an et{er}ne {and}
p{re}sentarie estat. {and} e science of hym at ouer-passe alle
temp{or}el moe[ue]m{en}t dwelli in e symplicite of hys p{re}sence
{and} embrace {and} considere alle e infinit spaces of tymes
p{re}terit[gh] {and} fut{ur}es {and} loke in is symple knowynge alle
inges of p{re}t{er}it ry[gh]t as ei weren ydoon p{re}sently ry[gh]t
now yif ou wolt an enke {and} avise{n} e p{re}science by whiche it
knowe al[le] i{n}ges ou ne shalt nat demen it as p{re}science of
inges to comen. but ou shalt deme{n} [it] more ry[gh]tfully at it is
science of presence or of instaunce at neuer ne fayle. for whiche it
nis nat ycleped p{ro}uidence but it sholde raer be cleped purueaunce
at is establissed ful fer fro ry[gh]t lowe inges. {and} byholde from
a-fer alle inges ry[gh]t as it were fro e heye hey[gh]te of inges.
whi axest ou an or why disputest ou an at ilke inges ben don by
necessite whiche at ben yseyen {and} yknowen by e deuyne sy[gh]t. syn
at for soe men ne maken nat ilke i{n}ges necessarie. whiche at
e[i] seen be ydoon in hir{e} sy[gh]t. for addi i byholdynge any
necessite to ilke inges at ou byholdest p{re}sent. Nay q{uo}d I.
_p._ Certys an yif men my[gh]te maken any digne comparisou{n} or
collac{i}ou{n} of e p{re}sence diuine. {and} of e p{re}sence of
mankynde. ry[gh]t so as [gh]e seen so{m}me inges in is temp{or}el
presente. ry[gh]t so see god alle inges by hys eterne p{re}sent.
wherfore is dyuyne p{re}science ne chaunge nat e nature ne e
p{ro}prete of inges but byholde swyche inges present to hym ward. as
ei shollen bytiden to [gh]ow ward in tyme to come. ne it ne
co{n}founde nat e Iugement[gh] of inges but by of sy[gh]t of hys
ou[gh]t he knowe e inges to comen as wel necessarie as nat
necessarie. ry[gh]t so as whan [gh]e seen togidre a man walke on e ere
{and} e sonne arysen in [the] heuene. al be it so at [gh]e seen {and}
byholde{n} at oon {and} at oer to-gidre. [gh]it naeles [gh]e demen
{and} discerne at at oon is uolu{n}tarie {and} at oer is necessarie.
Ry[gh]t so an [the] deuyne lokynge byholdynge alle i{n}ges vndir hym
ne trouble nat e qualite of inges at ben certeynely p{re}sent to
hy{m} ward. but as to e condic{i}ou{n} of tyme for soe ei ben
fut{ur}e. for whiche it folwi at is nis non oppiniou{n}. but raer a
stedfast knowyng ystrengeed by soenes. at whan at god knowe any
inge to be he ne vnwoot nat at ilke inge wante necessite to be. is
is to seyn at whan at god knowe any inge to bitide. he woot wel at
it ne ha no necessite to bitide. {and} yif {o}u seist here at ilke
inge at god see to bytide it ne may nat vnbytide. as who sei it mot
bitide. and ilke inge at at ne may nat vnbytide it mot bitide by
necessite. and at ou streine me to is name of necessite. certys I wol
wel confessen {and} byknowe a inge of ful sadde troue. but vnne shal
ere any wy[gh]t [mowe] seen it or comen er-to. but yif at he be
byholder of e deuyne ou[gh]te. for I wol answer{e} e us. at ilke
inge at is future whan it is referred to e deuyne knowy{n}g an is it
necessarie. but certys whan it is vndirstonden in hys owen kynde me{n}
sen it [is] vtterly fre {and} absolut from alle necessite. for certys
er ben two maneres of necessites. at oon necessite is symple as us.
at it byhoue by necessite at alle men be mortal or dedely. an o{er}
necessite is condicionel as us. yif ou wost at a man walki. it
byhoue by necessite at he walke. ilke inge an at any wy[gh]t ha
yknowe to be. it ne may ben non oer weyes an he knowe it to be. but
is condicioun ne drawe nat wi hir ilke necessite symple. For certys
is necessite condicionel. e p{ro}pre nature of it ne make it
nau[gh]t. but e adiecc{i}ou{n} of e condic{i}ou{n} maki it. for no
necessite ne constreyne a man to [gon / {a}t] goo by his p{ro}pre
wille. al be it so at whan he goo at it is necessarie at he goo.
an mot ilke inge be by necessite. al ou[gh] at it ne haue no
necessite of hys owen nature. Ry[gh]t on is same manere an. yif at
e p{ur}ueaunce of god see any ing p{re}sent. but certys e fut{ur}es
at bytyden by fredom of arbitre god see hem alle to-gidre
p{re}sent[gh]. ise inges an [yif] ei ben referred to e deuyne
sy[gh]t. an ben ei maked necessarie to e condic{i}ou{n} of e deuyne
knowynge. but certys yif ilke inges ben considred by hem self ei ben
absolut of necessite. {and} ne forleten nat ne cesen nat of e liberte
of hire owe{n} natur{e}. an certys wi outen doute alle e ing{us}
shollen be doon whiche at god woot by-forn at ei ben to comen. but
so{m}me of hem comen {and} bitiden of [free] arbitre or of fre wille.
at al be it so at ei bytiden. [gh]it algates ne lese ei nat hire
p{ro}pre nature ne beynge. by e whiche first or at ei were doon ei
hadden power nat to han bitidd. _Boece._ what is is to seyn a{n}
q{uo}d I. at inges ne ben nat necessarie by hire p{ro}pre nature. so
as ei comen in alle maneres in e lykenesse of necessite by e
condic{i}ou{n} of e deuyne science. {Ph}ilosoph{ie}. is is e
difference q{uo}d she. at o inges at I p{ur}posed[e] e a litel here
byforn. at is to seyn e sonne arysynge {and} e man walkynge at
erwhiles at ilke inges ben ydon. ei ne my[gh]ten nat ben vndon.
naeles at oon of hem or it was ydon it byhoued[e] by necessite at it
was ydon. but nat at o{er}. ry[gh]t so it is here at e inges at
god ha p{re}sent. wi outen doute ei shulle ben. but so{m}me of hem
descendi of e nature of inges as e sonne arysynge. {and} so{m}me
descendi of e power of e doers as e man walkynge. an seide I. no
wronge at yif at ise inges ben referred to e deuyne knowynge an
ben ei necessarie. {and} yif ei ben considered by he{m} selfe an ben
ei absolut from e bonde of necessite. ry[gh]t so [as] alle inges at
appiere or shewe to e wittes yif ou referre it to resou{n} it is
vniuersel. {and} yif ou referre it or look[e] it to it self. an is it
sy{n}guler. but now yif ou seist us {a}t yif it be in my power to
chaunge my p{ur}pose. an shal I voide e p{ur}ueaunce of god. whan at
p{er}auenture I shal han chau{n}ged o inges at he knowe byforn. an
shal I answere e us Certys ou maist wel chaungen i p{ur}pos but
for as mochel as e p{re}sent soenesse of e deuyne p{ur}ueaunce
byholde at ou mayst chau{n}ge{n} i p{ur}pose. {and} wheir ou wolt
chaunge it or no. {and} whider-ward at ou tourne it. {o}u maist nat
eschewen e deuyne p{re}science ry[gh]t as ou ne mayst nat fleen e
sy[gh]t of e p{re}sent eye. al ou[gh] at ou tourne i self by i fre
wille in to dyu{er}se acc{i}ou{n}. But ou mayst seyn a[gh]eyne how
shal it an be. shal nat e dyuyne science ben chaunged by my
disposic{i}ou{n} whan at I wol o ing now {and} now an oer. {and}
ilke p{re}science ne seme it nat to enterchau{n}ge stoundes of
knowynges. as who sei. ne shal it nat seme to vs at e deuyne
p{re}science enterchaunge hys dyuers stoundes of knowynge. so at it
knowe so{m}me tyme o ing {and} so{m}me tyme e contrarie. No for
soe. [q{uod} I] for e deuyne sy[gh]t renne to-forne {and} see alle
fut{ur}es {and} clepe hem a[gh]ein {and} reto{ur}ni hem to e
p{re}sence of hys p{ro}pre knowynge. ne he ne entrechaunge nat [so] as
ou wenest e stoundes of forknowyng [as] now is now at. but he ay
dwellynge comi byforn {and} enbrace at o strook alle i
mutac{i}ou{n}s. and is p{re}sence to co{m}p{re}henden {and} to sen alle
inges. god ne ha nat take{n} it of e bitydynge of inges forto come.
but of hys p{ro}pre symplicite. and her by is assoiled ilke ing at
ou puttest a litel her byforne. at is to seyne at it is vnwori inge
to seyn at oure futures [gh]euen cause of e science of god For
c{er}tys is strenge of e deuyne science whiche at enbrace alle
inge by his p{re}sentarie knowynge establisse manere to alle
i{n}g{us} {and} it ne awi nat to lattere inges. {and} syn at ise
inges ben us. at is to seyn syn at necessite nis nat in inges by e
deuyne p{re}science. an is er fredom of arbitre. at dwelle hool
{and} vnwemmed to mortal men. ne e lawes ne p{ur}pose nat wikkedly
meedes {and} peynes to e willynges of men at ben vnbounde {and} quit
of alle necessite. And god byholder {and} forwiter of alle inges
dwelli aboue {and} e p{re}sent eternite of hys sy[gh]t renne alwey
wi e dyuerse qualite of oure dedes dispe{n}syng {and} ordeynynge medes
to good[e] men. {and} tourment[gh] to wicked men. ne in ydel ne i{n}
veyn ne ben er nat put in god hope {and} p{ra}yeres. at ne mowen nat
ben vnspedful ne wi oute effect whan ei ben ry[gh]tful wistond an
{and} eschewe ou vices. worshippe {and} loue ou vertus. areise i
corage to ry[gh]tful hoopes. [gh]elde ou humble p{re}iers an hey[gh]e.
grete necessite of prowesse {and} vertue is encharged {and} comaunded to
[gh]ow yif [gh]e nil nat dissimulen. Syn at [gh]e worchen {and} doon.
at is to seyn [gh]oure dedes {and} [gh]oure workes by-fore e eyen of
e Iuge at see {and} deme alle inges. [To whom be goye {and}
worshipe bi Infynyt tymes / AMEN.]

  EXPLICIT LIBER QUINTUS. {ET} VLTIM{US}.


           *       *       *       *
       *       *       *       *       *


GLOSSARIAL INDEX.

  [[Pages 180-184 are the Appendix and _Balades_, each with separate
  line numbering.]]


  ABAIST = ABYEST, sufferest, endurest, 39/1014
  ABAIST, abashed, 107/3047
  ABASSEN, to be abashed, dismayed, 146/4213
  ABESID (=ABAYSSHED), abashed, 7/92
  ABIDE, to await, 7/93.
    'ABIDE after' = look after, expect, 13/250;
    _p.p._ Abiden, waited, 86/2405
  Abie, suffers, 109/3101
  ABLYNGE, enabling, fitting (_aptans_), 26/624, 88/2440
  Abood, abode, 63/1716
  Aboven, above, 6/52
  Abreggynge, curtailing; hence _gain_ obtained by curtailment
      (_compendium_), 151/4355
  Accoie, to soothe, quiet (_demulcere_), 38/967
  Accordaunce, agreement, 143/4134
  Accordaunt, agreeing, unanimous, 19/431
  Accorde, to agree, 42/1080
  Accoumpte, account, 47/1251
  Accountyng, calculation, 8/110
  Achat, purchase, 15/310
  Acheve, to achieve, accomplish, 18/404
  Achoken, to choke, 47/1235
  Acomplise, Acomplisse, to accomplish, 92/2575, 118/3356
  Acordable, agreeing, 62/1694
  Acusor, informer, 72/1990
  Addre (Nadre), adder, 170/4959
  Adoune, down, downward, 7/92
  Adounward, downwards, 7/87
  Adrad, in fear, afraid, 43/1132
  Adresse, to direct, control, 163/4721
  Afer, afar, 164/4767
  Agast, aghast, frightened, 76/2107
  Agaste, to terrify, frighten, 141/4051
  Agon, ago, 70/1907
  Agreablet, goodwill, 42/1099
  Agrisen, to be afraid, dread, 10/178, 31/777
  Ajuge, to adjudge, 15/325
  Aknowe, acknowledged, 17/367
  Aldirmost, most of all, 124/3557
  Algates, Algate, yet, nevertheless, 19/439, 68/1849, 81/2242,
      162/4696, 4698
  Allegge, to alleviate, 124/3529
  Alouterly, utterly, entirely, 109/3090
  Alerfairest, fairest of all, 87/2422
  Alerfirst, first of all, 10/180
  Alermoste, most of all, 158/4563
  Alerworste, worst of all, 157/4562
  Alyene, to alienate, 27/671
  Amenuse, to lessen, diminish, 19/426, 40/1039
  Amenusynge, diminution, 46/1192
  Ameve, Amoeve, Amove, to move, 6/64, 23/551
  Amoneste, to admonish, 171/4971
  Amonestyng, admonition, exhortation, 149/4296
  Amongus, amongst, 52/1380
  Amonicioun, admonition, 13/253
  Amynistre, to administer, 135/3891
  Ancre, anchor, 41/1050
  Angre, grief, misery, 41/1072
  Anguisse, Angysse, anguish, 79/2177;
    to torment, 80/2198
  Anguissous, anxious, sorrowful, 41/1062, 1066
  Anoie, to be grieved, be sorry, 41/1058
  Anoienge, 22/532
  Anoies, hurtful, 47/1238
  Anoious, annoying, hurtful, 7/102
  An-oone, anon, 42/1086
  Anoyously, dangerously, hurtfully, 80/2214
  Apaise, to appease, 148/4278
  Apasse, to pass away, go, 46/1195
  Aperceive, to perceive, 16/344, 134/3845
  Apertly, plainly, 17/386, 91/2543
  Appaie, to please, satisfy, 47/1235
  Appaire, to impair, 25/597
  Apparaile, to clothe, adorn, 8/116
  Apparaillement, clothing, ornament, 49/1300
  Appertiene, to appertain, 73/1996
  Applien, bend to, join, 161/4660
  Apresse, to oppress, 184/60
  Aprochen, to approach, 6/63, 66
  Arace, Arase, Arrace, to tear, tear from, separate, 11/196, 27/671,
      98/2774, 152/4278
  Araise, Areise, Areyse, to raise, 51/1357, 118/3369, 178/5212
  Arbitre, will, free will, 156/4500
  Ardaunt, ardent, 106/3031
  Aresten, to stop, arrest, 32/815
  Aretten, to ascribe to, impute to, 40/1016
  Arist, arises, 143/4138
  Armurers, armours, arms, 51/1342
  Armures, armour, 9/131
  Arst, first, 95/2675
  Arwe, arrow, 148/4262
  Arysynge, rising, 22/512
  Aryve, to bring to shore, 122/3479
  Asayle, to assail, 181/40
  Ascape, to escape, 8/129
  Asondre, asunder, 64/1740
  Aspre, sharp, rough, 32/806, 80/2216
  Asprenesse, sharpness, 127/3627
  Assaie, to essay, 42/1083
  Assemble, to gather together, amass (money), 80/2208
  Asseure, to assure, 16/330
  Assoilen, to absolve, pay, unloose, dissolve, 149/4303, 154/4459
  Astat, estate, state, 30/738
  Astoned, astonished, 7/92, 63/1702;
    _stupidus_, 122/3471
  Astonynge, Astonyenge, astonishment, 9/134, 132/3780
  Ataste, to taste, 30/756
  Ataynt, Ateint, attained, knowing, experienced, 31/772, 69/1905
  Attayne, to reach, 12/227
  Atte, at the, 95/2675
  Attemperaunce, tempering, temperament, 138/3973, 144/4145
  Attempre, to temper, moderate, 8/115, 111/3154;
    control, 163/4721;
    (_adj._) modest, 29/728, 40/1033
  Atteyne, to attain, 118/3358
  Atwyne, in two, 98/2769
  Avalen, to fall down, 143/4139
  Avaunce, to advance, further, 41/1057
  Avaunte, to boast, 5/26, 19/426
  Auctorit, authority, 7/91
  Aventerouse, fortuitous, 28/697, 40/1018
  Aventure, event, 21/476
  Autour, author, 58/1556
  Au[gh]te, ought, 11/213
  Avisen, to consider, 174/5063
  Awaite, snare, 80/2214
  Awaitour, one who lies in wait, 121/3463
  Awi = awe, oweth (_debet_), 178/5198
  Ay, ever, 184/55
  Ay-dwellynge, ever-dwelling, 173/5044
  Ayenis, against, 97/2749
  Axe, to ask, 17/357, 24/579
  A[gh]eins, A[gh]eynes, A[gh]eynest, against, 10/183, 11/194,
      12/221, 13/255
  A[gh]einewarde, on the contrary, on the other hand, 42/1098

  Bacine, basin, 133/3806
  Batailen, to war on, do battle against, 18/412
  Been, bees, 80/2200
  Ber, did bear, 6/61
  Bere, Bear, 143/4124
  Beren on hond, to accuse falsely, 20/449
  Bet, better, 63/1703
  Bibled, covered over with blood, 48/1860
  Bisien, to trouble, 8/112
  Bitake. _See_ Bytake.
  Bitidd, happened, 176/5143
  Bitwixen. _See_ Bytwixen.
  Blaundissinge, flattering, 30/749
  Blaundyshing, flattery, blandishment, 34/866
  Bleched, bleached, 181/45
  Blemisse, to blemish, abuse (_lacero_), 20/472
  Blyssed, blessed, 181/43
  Blyenesse, joyfulness, 37/957
  Boch, botch, blain, sore, 72/1977
  Bode, to foretell, 143/4130
  Bole, bull, 148/4274
  Boot, did bite, 53/1400
  Bordure, border, hem, 6/50
  Bosten, to boast, 79/2171
  Botme, bottom, 12/234
  Bount, Bownt, goodness, kindness, 19/444, 46/1202, 183/39
  Brenne (_pret._ Brende), to burn, 19/437, 106/3031
  Brid, bird, 68/1867
  Bristlede, bristly, 148/4281
  Brode, broadly, plainly, 49/1298
  Brutel, brittle, fragile, 45/1174
  Brutelnesse, brittleness, frailty, 184/63
  Bure, birth, 78/2165
  Busshel (corn), 15/312
  Bydolven (_p.p._), buried, 151/4348
  Byen (for _abyen_), suffer, 125/3578
  Byforen, BYFORN, BYFORNE, before, 20/454
  Bygunne, didst begin, 37/941
  Bygyle, to beguile, 25/615
  Byhate, to hate, 75/2051
  Byheste, promise, 149/4303
  Byhete, to promise, 61/1651, 69/1903
  Byhynde, Byhynden, behind, 108/3062, 110/3137
  Byhy[gh]t, promised, 70/1925, 85/2374, 157/4558
  Byknowen, Byknowe, to acknowledge, 146/4211, 175/5107;
    _p.p._ Byknowen, 90/2514
  Byleve, believe, 28/695
  Byname, an additional name, 84/2333
  Byneen, beneath, 49/1295
  Bynomen (_p.p._), taken from, 124/3527
  Bynyme, to deprive of, take away, 43/1117, 70/1930
  Byreft, bereft, 33/837
  Byseche, to beseech, 86/2408
  Bysmoked, besmoked, 5/49
  Byspotte, to defile, 73/2009
  Bystowe, to bestow, 24/585
  Bysynesse, toil, 184/75
  Bytake, to entrust, 32/808
  Bytide (_pret._ BYTIDDE, _p.p._ BYTID), to befall, happen,
      20/474, 151/4360, 155/4467
  Bytwene, between, 6/54
  Bytwixen, betwixt, 132/3785
  Bytynge, biting, sharp, 63/1721
  Bywepe, to weep for, 26/644
  Byweyle, to bewail, 26/643

  Caitif, Caytif, wretched, 21/489, 116/3289
  Careyne, carcase, corpse, 116/3307
  Cariages, taxes (_vectigalia_), 15/303
  Celebrable, commendable, noted, 84/2320, 147/4257
  Certein, certain, 170/4952
  Cese, to cease, 36/904, 130/3716
  Cesse, to cease, 133/3821
  Chalenge, to claim, 52/1380
  Chastie, Chastysen, to chastise, 125/3579, 145/4170
  Chayere, chair, seat, 21/503
  Cheminey, furnace (_caminus_), 12/236
  Cheryce, to cherish, 181/52
  Chesen, to choose, 76/2096
  Cheyn, chain, 8/122
  Chiere, CHERE, CHOERE, face, countenance, 8/123, 12/232, 108/3080
  Chirkynge, groaning (_stridens_), 25/618
  Clarr, a kind of wine, 50/1329
  Cleer, serene, 45/1168
  Clepe, to call, 4/17, 11/188, 17/369
  Clifte, fissure, cleft, 130/3721
  Cliven, CLIVE, to stick, cling, adhere to, 41/1050, 101/2858, 159/4600
  Cloumben = CLOMBEN, climbed, ascended, 57/1533
  Coempcioun, coemption, 15/309
  Coeterne, coeternal, 172/5019
  Colasioun, collation, 125/3569
  Collacioun, comparison, 165/4805
  Combred, troubled, 94/2642
  Commoeve, to move, 107/3043
  Commoevyng, moving (_excitans_), 12/233
  Communalit, commonwealth, 14/271, 142/4108
  Comparisoune, to compare, 58/1567
  Complyssen, to accomplish, 124/3534
  Compotent, having the mastery (_compos_), 172/5012
  Compoune, to compose, form, 87/2419, 93/2598
  Comprende, comprehend, 165/4807
  Comunablet, commonwealth, 13/268
  Comune, common, 9/140, 15/310
  Confederacie, conspiracy, 53/1399
  Confus, confused, 132/3788
  Conjecte, to conjecture, 27/649, 114/3230
  Conjoignen, to join, 92/2573
  Conjuracioun, conspiracy, 18/394, 53/1399
  Consequente, consequence, 84/2323
  Constreyne, to constrain, contract, 5/38
  Consuler (CONSEILER), consul, 51/1364, 1366
  Consumpt (_consumptus_), consumed, 60/1632
  Contek, contest, strife, 130/3745
  Contene, Contienen, to contain, comprehend, 24/573, 116/3302
  Contrarien, to be opposed to, adverse to, 154/4440
  Contrarious, adverse, opposite, 21/488, 53/1420
  Contrefeten, to counterfeit, 173/5031
  Convenably, fitly, conveniently, 142/4089
  Convict, convicted, 19/440
  Cop, top, summit, 44/1159
  Corage, mind, spirit, 118/3367, 119/3398
  Corige, to correct, 125/3581
  Corompe, Corrumpe, to become corrupt, 98/2766, 96/2697
  Corone, Coroune, a crown, 119/3385, 91/2555
  Corsed, cursed, 181/27
  Corsednesse, cursedness, 90/2526
  Corumpynge, corruption, 103/2927
  Cosyne, cousin, 106/3020
  Couche, to lay, set, 35/890
  Coupable, guilty, 10/172
  Couth, known, 25/592
  Coveite, to covet, 51/1365
  Covenable, fit, convenient, 97/2731
  Covertour, Coverture, covering, 118/3361, 159/4622
  Covetise, Coveytyse, covetousness, 20/451, 181/32
  Covine, deceit, collusion, 21/493
  Coyn, money, 180/20
  Creat, created, 99/2796
  Crike, creek, 82/2260
  Croppe, top, 69/1877
  Curacioun, cure (_curatio_), 26/632
  Curage, 30/753. _See_ Corage.
  Cure, care, 64/1753

  Dalf (_pret._ of _delven_), dug, delved, 51/1349
  Damoisel, damsel, 30/762
  Dampnacioun, condemnation, 16/352
  Daunten, Dawnte, to subdue, daunt, 77/2115, 147/4258
  Debonairly, mildly, 122/3490
  Deboneire, gentle (_mitis_), 22/519;
    good, 88/2450
  Deceivable, deceptive, 77/2124
  Dede, did, 181/28
  Dedid, made dead, 127/3623
  Deef, deaf, 4/18
  Deere, dear, 37/941
  Dee, death, 4/15
  Defaute, fault, defect, 18/402
  Defende, to forbid, 34/859
  Deffeted, enfeebled, weakened, 30/735
  Defoule, to defile, 21/491, 68/1873
  Degrees, steps, 6/54
  Delices, delight, delights (_delici_), 38/968, 41/1062, 66/1787
  Delitable, delectable, 30/756
  Delitably, delightfully, 108/3078
  Delve, should dig, 151/4352
  Delver, a digger, 151/4359
  Dely, thin, fine, 5/43. Fr. _dli_.
  Dempne, to condemn, 183/49
  Denoye, to deny, 88/2464
  Departe, to separate, 29/719
  Depelyche, deeply, 160/4647
  Depeynte, to depict, 111/3146
  Depper, deeper, 27/649
  Derke, Derken, to darken, 7/90, 20/448
  Derwore, Derwori, precious, 31/787, 41/1046
  Desarmen, disarm, 13/241
  Desceivaunce, deception, 81/2240
  Desceive, Desseive, to deceive, 9/141, 38/967
  Descryven, to describe, 99/2813
  Desmaie, to dismay, 35/896
  Desordene, inordinate, 36/912
  Despoylynge, spoil, prey, 147/4259
  Destempraunce, severity, 97/2749
  Destinal, fatal, 135/3884
  Destourbe, disturb, 143/4123
  Destrat, distracted, 80/2216
  Destreine, to constrain, bind, 54/1441
  Diffinisse, to define, 88/2459, 165/4808
  Digne, worthy, just, 43/1124, 149/4297
  Digneliche, worthily, 53/1427
  Dirke, dark, 83/2306
  Dirke, Dirken, to make dark, darken, 5/48, 49
  Dirkenesse, darkness, 23/535
  Disceyvable, deceptive, 4/23
  Discordable, discordant, 143/4133
  Discorde, to disagree, 94/2632, 102/2898
  Discordyng, disagreeing, discordant, 68/1849
  Discours, judgment, reason, 165/4804
  Discressioun, discretion, 93/2594
  Discussed, dispersed, scattered, 9/149
  Disdaignen, to disdain (_indignari_), 146/4213
  Disencrese, to decrease, 173/5035
  Disordinaunce, disorder, 150/4324
  Dispenden, to spend, expend, 45/1181
  Dispone, to dispose, 135/3864
  Disputisoun, disputation, 149/4314
  Disseveraunce, separation, 96/2701
  Dissimulen, to dissemble, 178/5215
  Distempre, intemperate, 121/3466
  Distingwed, distinguished, 47/1223
  Dit, ditty, 134/3850
  Divinour, diviner, 157/4541
  Domesman, judge, 55/1467
  Doom, judgment, 152/4395
  Doumbe, dumb, 9/138
  Doutous, Dowtos, doubtful, 5/37
  Dowblenesse, duplicity, 182/63
  Drede, dread, 21/497
  Dredeful, timid, 121/3468
  Dredles, fearless, 106/3028
  Dreint, Dreynt, drowned, drenched, 4/22, 7/99, 148/4271
  Dresse, to direct, order, 137/3954, 142/4104
  Drouppe, to drop, 20/455
  Drow, drew, 15/300
  Duelly, duly, 22/530
  Dulle, to become dull, 7/100
  Dure, Duren, to last, 98/2755
  Duske, to make dusk or dim, 5/48
  Dyverses (_pl._), divers, 8/120
  Dyvynynge, divination, 157/4541

  Echid, increased, 77/2134
  Echynnys, sea-urchins, 82/2266
  Egalit, equality, evenness (of mind), 42/1099
  Egaly, equally, evenly, 43/1108, 157/4536
  Egge, edge, 180/19
  Egre, sharp, 25/610
  Egren, to urge, excite, 141/4060
  Eir, air, 45/1169
  Ek, Eke, also, 40/1040, 181/36
  Elde, old age, 5/48
  Eldefadir, grandfather, 40/1042
  Elder, older, 89/2493
  Embelise, to embellish, 47/1223
  Emperie, government, 51/1363
  Emperisse, empress, 109/3098
  Empoysenyng, poisoning, 11/206 (_venenum_)
  Emprente, to imprint, 166/4839
  Emprenten, obtain (translates the Latin, _impetrent_), 159/4596.
    Perhaps a mistake for _empetren_.
  Emptid, exhausted, 5/34
  Enbaissynge, a debasing, 109/3107
  Enbrase, embrace, 142/4092
  Enchaufen, to make hot, _chafe_, 73/2020
  Encharge, to impose, 178/5214
  Enchaunteresse, enchantress, 123/3504
  Endamagen, to damage, 15/316
  Endirken, to obscure, 120/3418
  Enditen, to indite, 4/4
  Enfourme, to inform, instruct, 11/212, 13/263
  Enhaunse, Enhawnse, to raise, exalt (_enhance_), 33/825
  Enlace, to bind, entangle, entertwine, perplex, 13/245,
      80/2207, 149/4298
  Enoynte, to anoint, 36/923
  Enpeyren, to impair, 120/3418, 139/4015
  Ensample, example, 9/151
  Entalenten, to excite, 168/4876
  Entecche, defile, pollute, 120/3431
  Entendyng, intent, looking stedfastly on, 8/126
  Entente, to intend, 150/4345
  Ententes, endeavours, labours, 7/79
  Ententif, attentive, intent, 12/223, 29/731
  Ententifly, attentively, 103/2931
  Enterchaunge, to interchange, 65/1785, 131/3753
  Entercomunynge, commerce, communication, 57/1528
  Entermedle, to intermix, 54/1436
  Entr (_adytum_), 30/751
  Entrechaunge, to interchange, 39/1003
  Entrelaced, intermingled, entangled, 105/2981
  Entremete, intermeddle, 104/2964
  Enveneme, to poison, infect, 120/3437
  Enviroune, to surround, 34/848, 88/2437
  Environynge, circumference, 164/4769
  Ereliche, Erelyche, earthly, 52/1378, 69/1888
  Erye, to plough, ear, 71/1964
  Eschapen, to escape, 41/1054
  Eschaufe, to become hot, to burn, 22/524
  Eschewen, to avoid, escape, 177/5172
  Eschuynge, eschewing, 99/2802
  Establisse, to establish, 15/311
  Eterne, eternal;
    fro eterne = from eternity, 153/4422
  Eternit, eternity, 171/4986
  Evenliche, evenly, 25/599
  Everyche, every, 11/190;
    each, 181/48
  Evesterre, evening star, 22/510
  Excussyoun, execution, 184/65
  Exercen, to exercise, practise, 52/1389
  Exercitacioun, exercise, 140/4034
  Exilynge, banishment, 11/205
  Exite, to excite, 168/4881
  Eyen, eyes, 183/36
  Eyer, air, 170/4962

  Fader, father, 18/414
  Familarit, familiarity, 30/740
  Familers, familiars, 18/407
  Fantesye, fancy, inclination, 181/51
  Fasoun, fashion, 62/1693
  Feffe, (?) 38/966
  Fel, felle, fierce, 44/1160
  Felawschipe, to accompany, 111/3141
  Felefold, manifold, 30/738
  Felliche, fiercely, 39/997
  Felnesse, fierceness, 25/618
  Felonous, wicked, depraved, 18/405
  Felonye, crime, 124/3542
  Fer, far, 23/554
  Ferm, firm, 78/2148
  Fermely, firmly, 157/4550
  Ferne, fern, 64/1741
  Ferne, distant, 60/1621
  Fere, fourth, 56/1509
  Festivaly, gaily, 59/1581
  Festne, to fasten, fix, 10/166
  Fette, fetched, 180/22
  Fey, faith, truth, 112/3178
  Ficchen, to fix, fasten, 45/1164, 88/2446
  Fieblesse, feebleness, 81/2240, 112/3176
  Fille, abundance, 48/1269
  Flaumbe, flame, 98/2761
  Fleme, to banish, 29/723
  Fles, fleece, 180/18
  Flete, Fleten, to float, flow, pass away, abound, 8/118,
      28/690, 146/4223, 152/4376
  Fletynge, flowing, 71/1961
  Fley, flee, 149/4289
  Fleyen, to flee, 125/3584
  Flies, fleece, 50/1330
  Flitte, to remove, 68/1853
  Flittyng, changing, fickle, 78/2150
  Flityng, flitting, 12/220
  Flotere, to float, 99/2817
  Floterynge, floating, 87/2420
  Flouren, to flourish, 131/3763
  Fodre, fodder, 148/4267
  Foleyen, Folyen, to act foolishly, 67/1821, 1826
  Folyly, foolishly, 12/220
  Fooldest, foldest, 105/2984
  Forbrek, broke, interrupted, 108/3082
  Fordoon, to undo, destroy, 62/1693
  Fordryven, driven about, 12/215
  Foreyne, foreign, 34/851
  Forghe, furrow, 170/4959
  Forheved, forehead, 16/346
  Forknowyng, foreknowledge, 178/5187
  Forleften, left (_pret._ of _forleve_, _linquo_), 9/150
  Forlete, to cease, 96/2697;
    leave, forsake, 22/525
  Forleten (_p.p._), neglected, forsaken, 5/47
  Forliven, degenerate from (_degenero_), 78/2163
  Forlorn, lost, 34/858, 121/3452
  Forme, an error for _ferme_, to make firm, 23/547
  Forpampred, overpampered, 180/5
  Fors, force;
    'no fors,' no matter, 182/13
  Forsweryng, perjury, 23/536
  Forenke, to be sorry, grieved, 41/1058
  Forere, to further, promote, 41/1057
  Forest, farthest, 136/3918
  Fori, therefore, 28/689
  Fortroden, trodden upon, trampled, 109/3100
  Fortunel, fortuitous, 152/4379
  Fortunouse, Fortuouse, fortuitous, 26/639, 38/983, 132/3779
  Forwes, furrows, 180/12
  Forwiter, foreknower, 178/5204
  Foryetyn, forgotten, 101/2872
  Foundement, foundation, 98/2754
  Fowel, bird, 107/3053
  Fram, from, 70/1931
  Freele, frail, 61/1658
  Frete, to eat, devour, 147/4252
  Frounce, flounce, 9/147
  Fructe, fruit, 180/3
  Frutefiyng, fructifying, fruitful, 6/72
  Fulfilling, satisfying, 79/2178
  Fycche, fix, 108/3073. _See_ Ficchen.
  Fyn, end, 69/1892

  Gabbe, 'gabbe I?' am I deceived? 49/1308
  Galentyne, a dish in ancient cookery made of sopped bread
      and spices (_Halliwell_), 180/16
  Galles, galls, 181/47
  Gapen, to desire, be greedy for, 15/324, 36/910
  Gapinge, desire, 36/910
  Gastnesse, terror, fear, 75/2079
  Geaunt, giant, 104/2966
  Gentilesse, nobility, 78/2154
  Geometrien, geometrician, 91/2552
  Gerdoned, rewarded, 120/3410
  Gerdoun, reward, 13/265
  Gerner, garner, 15/305
  Gesse, Gessen, to deem, suppose, estimate, 17/378, 19/416, 65/1782
  Gessinge, opinion, 21/475
  Gest, guest, 38/979
  Gideresse, a female guide, 108/3084
  Gise, guise, mode, 71/1943
  Giser, gizzard, 107/3054
  Glotonus, greedy, 26/620
  Gnodded, pounded, 180/11
  Gobet, a bit (of gold), 51/1349
  Godhed, divinity, 122/3492
  Goost, spirit, ghost, 40/1036
  Governaile, government (_gubernaculum_), 27/651
  Governaunce, control, 32/813
  Goye, joy, 179/5218
  Graye, to devise, prepare, 19/438
  Grobbe up, to grub up, 181/29
  Grond, did grind, 180/15
  Gynne, snare, trap, 82/2256
  Gynner, beginner, 150/4330
  Gyse, guise, mode, 134/3860

  Habitacle, habitation, 57/1525
  Habunde, to abound, 41/1073
  Halden, to hold, 41/1053
  Hale, to draw, drag, 61/1665
  Halt, holds, 56/1504
  Hardnesse, hardship, 132/3783
  Hardyly, boldly, 34/857
  Hastise, to hasten, 131/3746
  Haunten, to frequent, 10/168;
    to practise, exercise, 52/1389
  Heeres, hairs, 4/12
  Heet, heat, 28/699
  Hef, raised, heaved, 5/41
  Hele, health, 93/2623
  Henten, to seize, 15/326
  Hepen, to heap up, increase, 153/4418
  Herburghden, harboured, lodged, 53/1409
  Herie, to praise, 109/3112
  Hert, hart, 106/3027
  Herted, hearted, 55/1466
  Heve, to raise, heave, 171/4968
  Heved, head, 4/13
  Hevenelyche, heavenly, 8/105
  Hevie, to make heavy, 171/4967
  Hey, high, 22/523
  Heyere, higher, 143/4117
  Hey[gh]e, high, 171/4969
  Hielde, pour, 35/899
  Hi[gh]te, to adorn, 8/116
  Hoke, hook, 16/347
  Holily, wholly, entirely, 90/2503
  Homelyche, homely, 105/3001
  Hond, hand, 20/449
  Honter, a hunter, 12/228
  Hool, whole, 46/1191
  Hoolnesse, wholeness, 164/4754
  Hoope, to hope, 17/384
  Hore, hoary, 4/13
  Humblesse, humility, 80/2213
  Hungry tyme, time of famine, 15/314
  Hurtlen, to rush against, to oppose, 30/748, 167/4866
  Hyene, hyna, 185/35
  Hy[gh]t, is called, 9/154, 25/619
  Hy[gh]ten, are called, 77/2126

  Ibou[gh]t, bought, 157/4540
  Ibowed, bent, turned, 137/3949
  Icharged, loaded, 71/1962
  Igete, gotten, 36/908
  Ilorn, lost, 62/1677
  Imperial, august (_imperiosus_), 7/91
  Implie, to fold, enclose, 152/4379
  Infortune, misfortune, 79/2197
  Inmoeveable, immovable, 173/5030
  Inmoeveablet, immobility, 173/5032
  Inorschid, nourished, nurtured, 8/128
  I-nowh, enough, 180/11
  Inperfit, imperfect, 83/2291
  Inplitable (_inexplicabilis_), 15/315
  Inprente, to imprint, 166/4832
  Inpressed, impressed, 167/4861
  Inrest, innermost, 136/3913
  Instaunce (_instantia_), presence, 174/5067
  Intil, into, 110/3139
  Inwi, within, 32/801
  Issest, issuest, 105/2983
  Iwist, known, 156/4513

  Jangland, chattering, 68/1867
  Jape-worthi, ridiculous, 157/4540
  Jolyt, pleasure, 79/2189
  Jowes, jaws, 15/323
  Joygnen, to join, 54/1455
  Joynture, juncture, joining, 46/1207
  Juge, a judge, 19/431;
    to judge, 53/1427
  Jugement, judgment, 114/3253

  Karf (_pret._ of Kerven), cut, 50/1337
  Kembd, KEMBED, combed, 23/537
  Kerve, to cut, 64/1740
  Kevere, cover, obscure, 34/861
  Keye, helm (_clavus_), 103/2926
  Knowelechinge, knowledge, 168/4874
  Kny[gh]t, soldier, 111/3142
  Konnyng, knowledge, 16/351
  Korue (_p.p._), cut, rent, 6/58
  Kuytten, to cut, 147/4246
  Kyd, known, 181/46
  Kyndeliche, Kyndely, naturally, 101/2850, 114/3228
  Kythen, to make known, show, 184/63

  Lache, slow, lazy, 122/3471
  Lad (_p.p._), led, 35/879
  Laddre, ladder, 6/55
  Lambyssh, lamb-like, 181/50
  Languisse, to languish, 30/734, 130/3740
  Lappe, flap, 9/146
  Largesse, liberality, 45/1183
  Lasse, less, 22/508
  Leche, Leecher, physician, 13/250, 114/3254, 139/3990
  Leef, dear, 37/941
  Leesen, Leese, to lose, 22/509, 43/1133
  Lene, to give, 139/3993
  Lenger, longer, 52/1370
  Lesynge, loss, 141/4066
  Lesynge, leasing, lie, 156/4525
  Leten, to leave, 10/176;
    to esteem, 61/1666
  Leve, permission, leave, 128/3658
  Leveful, allowable, lawful, 10/176
  Ligge, to lie, 60/1632, 147/4251
  Liifly, lively, lifelike, 5/33
  Likerous, lecherous, 72/1989
  Litargie, lethargy, 9/140
  Litestere, a dyer, 180/17
  Lokyng, sight, 10/167
  Loos, praise
  Loo, loath, 40/1036
  Lorel, a wretch, 21/495
  Lorn, lost, 34/859
  Lous, loose, free, 136/3926
  Lykynge, pleasure, 31/771
  Lymes, limbs, 71/1946
  Lynage, lineage, 41/1070
  Lythnesse, lightness, 98/2761
  Ly[gh]te goodes, temporal goods, 4/21
  Ly[gh]tly, easily, 12/220
  Ly[gh]tne, to enlighten, 128/3655
  Ly[gh]tnesse, light, brightness, 8/106

  Maat, weary, dejected, 40/1037
  Magistrat, magistracy, 72/1985
  Maistresse, mistress, 10/169
  Malice, _nefas_, wickedness, 20/466
  Malyfice, _maleficium_, 20/468
  Manace, menace, 12/232
  Manase, to menace, 118/3365
  Manassynge, threatening, 44/1158
  Mareis, Mareys, marsh, 56/1513, 97/2735
  Margarits, pearls, 94/2650
  Marye, pith, marrow, 97/2744
  Maugr, in spite of, 70/1928
  Mede, meed, reward, 91/2555
  Medle, to mix, _Medelyng_, mixing, mixture, 20/449, 122/3482, 126/3594
  Meenelyche, moderate, 28/706
  Meistresse, mistress, 17/363
  Melle, mill, 180/6
  Mene, the mean or middle path, 146/4228
  Meremaydenes, mermaids, 7/83
  Merken, to mark, 16/346
  Mervaille, Merveile, marvel, 18/403, 132/3787
  Merveilen, to marvel, 46/1205
  Mervelyng, wondering, 10/161
  Mest, most, 42/1081
  Mesuren, to measure, 65/1782
  Meyn, servants, domestics, 47/1243
  Mirie, pleasant, sweet, 4/16
  Mirinesse, pleasure, 66/1793
  Misericorde, mercy, pity, 107/3057
  Mistourne, to misturn, mislead, 69/1894
  Mochel, great, 62/1674, 109/3110
  Moeveable, mobile, fickle, 133/3817
  Moeven, to move, 8/112, 150/4329
  Moewyng, moving, motion, 130/3742
  Mokere, to hoard up, 45/1182
  Mokere, miser, 45/1182. A mistake for _mokerere_.
  Molest, trouble, grief, 85/2346
  Monstre, prodigy, 18/403
  More, greater, 129/3697
  Morwe, morning, 22/513
  Mosten (_pl._), must, 166/4836
  Mot, must, 40/1038
  Mowen, be able, 25/608
  Mowynge, ability, power, 124/3548
  Myche, much, 21/475
  Mychel, much, 46/1215
  Myntynge, purposing, endeavouring, 7/101
  Myrie, pleasant, 45/1165
  Myrily, pleasantly, 59/1582
  Myres, pleasures, 132/3782
  Mys, badly, wrongly, 131/3772
  Mysese, grievance, trouble, 15/299
  Mysknowynge, ignorant, 61/1659
  Mysweys, wrong paths, 149/4309

  Naie, to refuse, 4/19
  Nake, to make naked, 148/4288
  Nameles, unrenowned, 131/3762
  Namelyche, Namly, especially, 124/3550
  Nare, were not, 10/176
  Nart, art not, 23/556
  Narwe, narrow, 57/1520
  Nas, was not, 180/9
  Naeles, nevertheless, 6/57
  Nat, not, 23/556
  Necesseden, necessitated, 87/2419
  Nedely, of necessity, 84/2334
  Negardye, (_sb._) misers, 183/53
  Nere, were not, 26/646
  Neemaste, lowest, nethermost, 6/56
  Neereste, lowest, 6/50
  Newe, to renew, 137/3938
  Newliche, recently, 122/3489
  Nice, foolish, 148/4287
  Nil, will not, 107/3055
  Nillynge, being unwilling, 97/2718
  Nilt, wilt not, 112/3193
  Nis, is not, 12/218
  Niste, knew not, 102/2882
  Noblesse, nobleness, 37/947
  Nobley, nobility, nobleness, 37/945
  Nolden, would not, 52/1369
  Norice, nurse, 10/167
  Norisse, to nourish, 79/2174
  Norry, nursling, pupil, 10/173
  Norssinge, nourishment, support, 47/1231;
    nutriment, 37/932
  Not, know not (_1st pers._), 27/649
  Notful, useful, 7/85
  Nounpower, impotence, 75/2074
  Nouir, neither, 160/4644
  Noyse, to make a noise (about a thing), to brag, 79/2171
  Nurry (_see_ Norry), 86/2386
  Nys, is not, 45/1175

  O, one, 24/564
  Obeisaunt, obedient, 13/266, 32/814
  Object, presented, 168/4889
  Occupye, to seize, 146/4227
  Offence, hurt, damage, 180/19
  Offensioun, offence, 20/473
  Olifunt[gh], elephants, 80/2223
  Onknowyn, unknown, 180/6
  Onlyche, only, 171/4968
  Onone, Onoon, at once, anon, 23/553, 74/2027
  Ony, any, 21/488
  Ooned, united, 135/3879
  Oor, oar, 50/1338
  Oosteresse, hostess, 122/3495
  Or, ere, before, 9/143
  Ordeinly, orderly, 140/4044
  Ordenour, ordainer, 109/3110
  Ordeyne, orderly, 109/3109
  Ordinat, ordered, settled, 12/229
  Ordinee, orderly, 102/2902
  Ordure, filth, 29/716
  Ostelment[gh], furniture, goods, 48/1266
  Oerweyes, otherwise (_aliter_), 164/4772
  Outerage, excess, 50/1326
  Outerest, extremest, remotest, 55/1469, 89/2476
  Outerly, utterly, 108/3081
  Outraien, do harm (?), 78/2162
  Over-comere, conqueror, 8/109
  Overmaste, highest, uppermost, 6/57
  Overmyche, overmuch, very much, 79/2191
  Overoolde, very old, 11/209
  Overrowen, prostrate, 21/497
  Overrowyng, forward, headstrong, 7/99, 141/4058
  Overtymelyche, untimely, 4/13
  Owh, an exclamation (_pap_), 112/3166
  Owtrage, excess, 180/5

  Paied, satisfied, 58/1549
  Paleis, pale, 24/574
  Palude, marsh, 148/4262
  Paraventure, peradventure, 18/402
  Parchemyn, parchment, 166/4835
  Parsoners, sharers, partakers, 170/4942
  Partles, without a share, 120/3409
  Pas, paces, 19/442
  Paysyble, peaceable, peaceful, 180/1
  Peisible, quiet, placid, 23/550, 88/2450
  Percen, to pierce, 81/2236
  Perdurable, lasting, perpetual, 5/44, 21/503
  Perdurablet, immortality, 58/1557
  Perfitlyche, _Perfitly_, perfectly, 87/2426, 133/3833
  Perfourny, to afford, furnish, 67/1823
  Perisse, to perish, 96/2712
  Perturbacioun, perturbation, 7/98
  Perverte, to destroy, 11/201
  Peyne, punishment, 121/3439
  Piment, a kind of drink, 50/1329
  Plent, fulness, 173/5037
  Plentevous, affluent, 67/1824
  Plentivous, yielding abundantly, fertile, 64/1739
  Plentivously, abundantly, 25/592
  Plete, argue, plead, 33/833
  Pletyngus, pleadings, debates (at law), 70/1933
  Pleyne, to complain, 31/777
  Pleynelyche, plainly, 28/681
  Pleynt, complaint, 110/3122
  Plonge, Ploungen, to plunge, 7/89, 65/1784
  Ploungy, wet, rainy (_imbrifer_), 64/1745
  Polute, polluted, 20/450
  Pose, to put a case, cf. put a _poser_, 162/4686
  Poust, power, 131/3766
  Pownage, pasturage, 180/7
  Poyntel, style, 166/4838
  Preiere, prayer, 107/3044
  Preisen, to estimate, judge, 7/379
  Preisynge, praising, 77/2131
  Preke, to prick, 85/2346
  Prenostik, prognostic, 183/54
  Presentarie, present, 178/5196
  Preterit, preterite, past, 171/4990
  Pretorie, the imperial body-guard, 15/317
  Prev, secret, 121/3464
  Preven, to prove, 90/2503
  Prie, to pray, 25/600
  Pris, value;
    'wori of _pris_,' precious, 24/583
  Proche, to approach, 145/4182
  Proeve, to approve, 154/4456
  Punisse, to punish, 22/531
  Puplisse, to publish, spread, propagate, 58/1549, 98/2753
  Purper, purple, 25/617
  Purpose, to propose, 176/5148
  Purveaunce, providence, 134/3863
  Purveiable, provident, foreseeing, 68/1854
  Purveie, to ordain, order, 21/478
  Purvyance, providence, 99/2795

  Quereles, complaints, 70/1932
  Quik, living, 134/3839
  Quyene, queen, 183/43
  Quyerne, a mill, 180/6

  Rafte, bereft, 147/4259
  Raer, earlier, former, 30/735
  Raviner, a plunderer, 12/228
  Ravische, to snatch, 11/190
  Ravyne, plunder, rapine, 15/302, 36/909
  Ravynour, plunderer, 121/3460
  Ravysse, to carry off, 131/3774
  Real, royal, 19/420
  Recche, to care, reck, 33/827, 38/987
  Recompensacioun, recompense, 130/3724
  Recorde, to recount, recall, 92/2580, 101/2871
  Reddowr, severity, rigour, 182/13
  Redenesse, redness, flushing, 7/88
  Redoutable, venerable, 131/3763
  Redoute, to fear, 10/178, 57/1535
  Redy = rody, red, ruddy, 39/995
  Refet, refreshed, 143/4116
  Reft (away), carried off, 22/521
  Refut, refuge, 94/2644
  Regne, kingdom, 67/1843
  Regnen, to reign, rule, 29/726
  Remewe, to remove, 19/441
  Remorde, to vex, trouble, 140/4030
  Remuable, able to remove from one place to another, 168/4898
  Remuen, to remove, 52/1394
  Renomed, renowned, 41/1070, 78/2143
  Renovele, to renew, 98/2752
  Replenisse, to replenish, 20/469
  Reprere, to reprove, 167/4857
  Repugnen, to be repugnant to, 154/4440
  Requerable, desirable, 52/1377
  Requere, to require, 99/2790
  Rescowe, to recover, 133/3809
  Rescowe, to rescue, 35/881
  Resolve, to loosen, melt, 133/3814
  Resoune, to resound, 107/3036
  Rethoryen, rhetorical, 30/759
  Rewlyche, pitiable, sorrowful, 35/878
  Risorse = recourse (_recursus_), course, 8/108
  Rody, ruddy, 143/4122
  Roos, roes, 82/2258
  Rosene, roseat, 8/117
  Route, company, 47/1243
  Royle, to run, roll, 29/717
  Rynnyng, running, 50/1335
  Ry[gh]twisnesse, righteousness, equity, 16/331

  Sachel, satchel, sack, 12/223
  Sad, stable, 41/1064
  Saddenesse, stability, 110/3123
  Sarpuler, a sack made of coarse cloth (_Sarcinula_), 12/223
  Sauuacioun, safety, salvation, 97/2723
  Sau[gh], Say, saw, 8/106, 9/137
  Saye, sawest, 37/958
  Schad, shed, 4/13
  Schrew, a wicked person, a wretch, 12/217
  Schrewed, wicked, 18/398
  Schrewednesse, wickedness, 18/401, 117/3324
  Schronk, shrunk, 5/38
  Schulden (_pl._), should, 9/132
  Schullen (_pl._), shall, 25/605
  Scom, foam, froth, 148/4281
  Scripture, writing, 17/382
  Sege, seat, 13/258
  Seien (_pl._), saw, 51/1344
  Seien (_p.p._), seen, 6/54
  Selde, seldom, 133/3818
  Seler, cellar, 35/890
  Selily, happily, blissfully, 42/1076
  Selve, very, 5/42
  Semblable, like, 48/1279
  Semblaunce, likeness, 142/4106
  Semblaunt, appearance, countenance, 5/31
  Senglely, singly, 85/2369
  Sensibilites, sensations, 166/4830
  Servage, servitude, 153/4411
  Sewe, to follow, 88/2441
  Seye, sawest, 37/955
  Seyntuaries, sanctuaries, 16/343
  Shad, divided, spread, 136/3922
  Sholdres, shoulders, 148/4281
  Sich, such, 6/67
  Sikerly, certainly, 94/2635
  Singler, individual, single, 57/1529
  Singlerly, singly, 135/3890
  Sittyng, fitting, becoming, 10/176
  Skilynge, reason, 137/3931
  Slaken, to slake (hunger), 50/1326
  Slede, sledge, 110/3131
  Sleen, Slen, to slay, 53/1409, 55/1460
  Slou[gh], slew, 55/1461
  Smaragde, emerald, 94/2650
  Smerte, to smart, pain, 39/1011
  Smot, smote, 147/4254
  Smoe, smooth, 8/112
  Sodeyn, sudden, 10/161
  Somedel, somewhat, 25/606
  Somer, summer, 22/517
  Songen (_p.p._), sung, 108/3078
  Soory, sorry, grievous, 38/978
  Soe, true, 17/377, 118/3352
  Soefastly, truly, 89/2481
  Soely, truly, 169/4918
  Soenesse, truth, 26/641
  Sothfast, true, 61/1652
  Soun, sound, 68/1852
  Soune, to sound, 37/929
  Sounyng, sounding, roaring, 8/111
  Sovereyne, supreme, 90/2508
  Sovereynely, supremely, 91/2545
  Sourmounte, to surpass, 80/2223
  Spece, species, 165/4789
  Speculacioun, looking, contemplation, 153/4408
  Spedeful, Spedful, efficacious, conducive, 125/3570, 161/4671
  Speden, to make clear, explain, 161/4667
  Spere, sphere, 8/108
  Sperkele, spark, 104/2971
  Sprad, spread (_p.p._), 9/156
  Stablet, stability, 137/3950
  Stablise, to establish, 134/3860
  Stably, firmly, 135/3890
  Stappe, step, 170/4963
  Staunche, to satisfy, 71/1948, 1961
  Stere, to move (_agitare_), 106/3015
  Sterre, star, 36/903
  Sterry, starry, 36/904
  Sterten, to start, 104/2971
  Stidefastnesse, stability, strength, 97/2748
  Stidfast, steadfast, 182/17
  Stien, to ascend, 88/2444
  Stiere, _steer_, rudder (_gubernaculum_), 103/2926
  Stiern, stern, 60/1628
  Stoon, stone, 45/1165
  Stormynge, making stormy, 29/712
  Stont, stands, 9/154
  Stoundes, times, 178/5187
  Strau[gh]t, stretched, extended, 170/4957
  Strengere, stronger, 12/221
  Strenke, strength, 12/240
  Streyhte, stretched, 63/1702
  Streyne, to restrain, 150/4325
  Strond, strand, 51/1339
  Strook, stroke, 153/4433
  Strumpet, 6/66
  Stye, to ascend, 143/4117
  Stynte, to stop, 37/929
  Styntynge, stopping, ceasing, 61/1638
  Suasioun, persuasion (_suadela_), 30/759
  Subgit, subject, 48/1273
  Submytte, to compel, force (_summitto_), 19/434
  Sudeyn, sudden, 30/752
  Suffisaunce, sufficiency, 70/1922
  Suffisaunt, sufficient, 70/1924
  Suffisauntly, sufficiently, 133/3833
  Summitte, Summytte, to submit, 49/1288, 136/3924
  Superfice, surface, 81/2238
  Supplien, to supplicate, 80/2210
  Surt, security, 181/46
  Sustigne, to sustain, 183/41
  Sweighe, whirl, circular motion (_turbo_), 22/504
  Swerd, sword, 19/438
  Swety, sweaty, 181/28
  Sweyes, whirlings, 32/816
  Swich, such, 20/446
  Swolwe, to swallow, 98/2777
  Syker, secure, safe, 12/224, 16/333
  Sykernesse, security, safety, 9/132
  Symplesse, simplicity, 136/3914
  Syn, since, 31/789
  Syen, since, 32/802

  Talent, affection, desire, will, 6/71, 168/4887
  Taylage, tollage, 181/54
  ar, need, 38/987
  erwhiles, whilst, 176/5150
  ilke, the same, that, 99/2814
  o, oo (_pl._), the, 11/200, 168/4886
  ondre, thunder, 45/1166
  oru[gh], through, 11/202
  reschefolde, threshold, 7/89
  rest, thirst, 36/914, 71/1945
  reste, resten, thrust, 47/1237, 148/4283
  Throf, throve, flourished, 74/2050
  rust, thirst, 107/3053
  Til, to, 69/1891
  Tilier, a tiller, 151/4352
  To-breke, break in pieces, 88/2447
  Todrowen (_pl._), drew asunder, 11/193
  Toforne, before, 177/5184
  Togidres, together, 53/1421
  To hepe, together, 140/4029
  Tokene, to token, 26/624
  Tollen, to draw, 56/1496
  Torenten (_pl._), rent asunder, 11/194
  To-teren, tear in pieces, 68/1865
  Traas, Trais, trace, track, 170/4958, 4963
  Transporten, throw on (_transferre_), 19/419
  Travaille, labour, toil, 10/174
  Travayle, to toil, labour, 64/1754
  Travayle, labour, 148/4286
  Tregedie, tragedy, 77/2126
  Tregedien, tragedian, 77/2125
  Trenden, to roll, turn, 100/2835
  Troublable, troublesome, 118/3369
  Trouble, turbid, stormy, 29/711
  Troubly, troubled, cloudy (_nubilus_), 133/3819
  Trowen, to trow, believe, 20/468, 152/4399
  Twitre, to twitter, 68/1875
  Twynkel, to wink, 38/971
  Tylienge, tilling, 151/4347
  Tyren, to tear, 107/3055

  Umblesse, humility, 181/55
  Unagreable, unpleasant, disagreeable, 4/25
  Unassaie, untried, 42/1082
  Unbitide, not to happen, 161/4678
  Unbowed, unbent, 148/4284
  Uncovenable, unmeet, importunate (_importunus_), 141/4058
  Undefouled, undefiled, 40/1023
  Undepartable, inseparable, 120/3422
  Underput, put under, subject, 28/696
  Understonde, to understand, 30/733, 43/1120
  Undigne, unworthy, 54/1444
  Undirne, underneath, 75/2074
  Undiscomfited, not discomfited (_invictus_), 12/232
  Undoutous, indubitable, 149/4315
  Uneschewably, unavoidably, 157/4531
  Ungentil, ignoble, 41/1070
  Ungrobbed, ungrubbed, 180/14
  Unhonestee, disreputableness, 24/587
  Unhoped, unexpected, 139/4006
  Universit, whole, 165/4797
  Unjoynen, Unjoygnen, to separate, 151/4373
  Unknowyng, ignorant, 139/3997
  Unknytten, to unloose (_dissolvere_), 154/4459
  Unkonnyng, Unkunnynge, unknowing, ignorant, 7/76, 11/202
  Unkorven, uncut, 180/14
  Unkou, unknown, foreign, 34/870
  Unlace, to disentangle, 105/2982
  Unleveful, illicit, unlawful, 154/4456
  Unmeke, fierce, cruel, 148/4267
  Unmoeveable, immovable, 136/3901
  Unmoeveablet, immobility, 136/3921
  Unmy[gh]ty, weak, impotent, 13/241
  Unne, scarcely, 27/652
  Unparygal, unequal, 63/1708
  Unpitouse, cruel, 4/24
  Unpleyten, to explain, 61/1647
  Unplite, explain, unfold, 167/4843
  Unpunissed, unpunished, 21/498
  Unpurveyed, unforeseen, 30/743
  Unraced, unbroken, whole, 110/3115
  Unry[gh]tful, unjust, 10/185
  Unry[gh]tfully, unrightfully, unjustly, 23/533
  Unscience, unreal knowledge, no knowledge, 156/4515
  Unsely, wretched, 39/1013
  Unselynesse, wretchedness, 124/3544
  Unskilfuly, unwisely, improperly, 18/407
  Unsolempne, not famous, not celebrated, 11/210
  Unsowe, unsown, 180/10
  Unspedful, unsuccessful, 178/5210
  Unstauncheable, unlimited, infinite, 58/1573
  Unstaunched, uncurbed, unrestrained, 54/1439
  Unsuffrable, intolerable, 79/2179
  Unusage, unfrequency, 57/1528
  Untretable, inexorable, implacable, 61/1641
  Unwar, unexpected, 35/886
  Unwarly, unaware, unexpectedly, 4/10
  Unwemmed, inviolate, 40/1023, 178/5201
  Unwened, unexpected, 139/4006
  Unwoot, knows not, 175/5099
  Unworshipful, dishonoured, 75/2054
  Uphepyng, heaping up, 37/951
  Upsodoun, upside down, 48/1274, 156/4501
  Upsprong, upsprung, 180/10
  Used, accustomed, wonted, 22/512
  Uterreste, extremest, outermost, 7/95

  Vanisse, to vanish, 74/2027
  Variaunt, varying, 22/518
  Vengerisse, a she-avenger, 107/3048
  Verray, Verrey, true, 19/429
  Vilfully (Wilsfully), wilfully, 116/3295
  Voide, having an empty purse (_vacuus_), 50/1316
  Voyded (of), emptied of, free from, 181/50

  Wakyng, watchful, 148/4263
  Walwe, to toss, 51/1361
  Walwyng, tossing, 29/712
  Wan, did win, 147/4240
  War, be aware, take care, 145/4200
  Warne, to refuse, deny, 37/950
  Wawe, a wave, 8/115
  Wayk, weak, 28/706
  Weep (_pret._), wept, 35/883
  Welde, wild, 180/17. It may mean _boiled_, since another copy
      reads _wellyd_.
  Weleful, Welful, prosperous, joyful, 4/15
  Welefulnesse, Welfulnesse, prosperity, felicity, 11/188, 21/478
  Welken, to wither, fade, 146/4224
  Welkne, welkin, 184/62
  Welle, well, source, 157/4548
  Wende, weened, thought, 53/1397
  Wenge, wing, 170/4961
  Wenynge, opinion, 172/5022
  Wepen (_p.p._), wept, 25/596
  Wepli, tearful, 5/29
  Werdes, fates, destinies, 4/10
  Werreye, to make war, 181/25
  Weten, to know, 156/4519
  Wex, wax, 167/4840
  Weyve, to waive, forsake, 29/722
  Wham, whom, 89/2482
  Whelwe, to toss, roll, 39/1001
  Whiderward, whither, 177/5171
  Whist, hushed, 51/1341
  Wierdes, fates, destinies, 12/231
  Wikke, wicked, bad, 64/1743
  Willynge, desire, 178/5203
  Wilne, to desire, 17/367
  Wilnynge, desire, 98/2781
  Wirche, to work, 12/235
  Wirchyng, working, operation, 95/2677
  Wist, known, 170/4937
  Witen, to know, learn, 88/2458, 132/3776, 160/4624
  Widrow, withdrew, 64/1751
  Wihalden, to withhold, 142/4105
  Wioute fore, outwardly, 165/4803
  Wiseid, denied, 90/2501
  Wistant, withstand, 29/715
  Wistonde (_p.p._), withstood, 14/290
  Witnesfully, attestedly, publicly, 131/3765
  Witynge, knowledge, 156/4526
  Wod, woad, 180/17
  Wod, Wode, mad, raging, 12/225
  Wode, wood, 39/995
  Wodenesse, rage, madness, 45/1169, 107/3052
  Wolen (_pl._), will, 94/2645
  Woltow, wilt thou, 97/2741
  Wone, to dwell, 60/1627
  Woode, Wode, furious, mad, 25/600
  Woode, to rage, 123/3515
  Woodnesse, rage, madness, 107/3052
  Woot, knows, 43/1128
  Wope, to weep, 36/905
  Worchen, to work, 178/5215
  Wost, knowest, 19/423
  Woxe, to increase, wax, grow, 25/608
  Woxen (_p.p._), grown, 25/607
  Wrekere, avenger, 128/3665
  Wrekyng, vengeance, 147/4238
  Wroely, grieved, sad, 7/87
  Wryen, twist, turn, wrest, 154/4452
  Wymple, to cover with a veil or wimple, 31/774
  Wyt, sense, 164/4771
  Wy[gh]t, wight, person, 19/425

  Yave (_pl._), gave, 180/4
  Yben, been, 162/4698
  Ybeyen, to obey, 105/2998
  Ycau[gh]t, caught, captured, 118/3371
  Ycleped, called, 150/4346
  Ydel, '_in ydel_,' in vain, 5/43
  Ydred, feared, 33/825
  Yfelawshiped, associated, united, 53/1421
  Yficched, fixed, 136/3910
  Yfinissed, finished, 125/3558
  Yflit, flitted, removed, 8/108
  Ygeten, gotten, 65/1776
  Yhardid, hardened, 133/3814
  Yheuied, made heavy, 171/4974
  Ylad, led, 37/956, 172/5022
  Ylete, permitted, 130/3730
  Ylett, hindered, 161/4674
  Ylorn, lost, 147/4250
  Ymaginable, possessing imagination, 166/4812
  Ymaked, made, 87/2426
  Ymedeled, mixed, 140/4029
  Ynou[gh], enough, 71/1947
  Yplitid, pleated, folded, 9/147
  YPORVEYID, YPURVEID, foreseen, 155/4467, 4468
  Ysen, seen, 72/1982
  Yshad, shed, scattered, 68/1874
  Yshet, shut, 170/4955
  Ysmyte, smitten, 80/2202
  Yspedd, made clear, determined, 161/4657;
    despatched, 149/4295
  Yspendyd, examined (_expediero_), 161/4668
  Ysprad, spread, 78/2140
  Yspranid, sprinkled, mixed, 42/1102.
    _Read_ yspraind.
  Ystrengeed, strengthened, 175/5098
  Yewed, behaved, 139/4008
  Yrongen, pressed, squeezed, 57/1521
  Ytravailed, laboured, 155/4469
  Ytretid, handled, performed, 131/3765
  Yvel, evil, 105/2976
  Ywened, believed, 145/4178
  Ywist, known, 155/4475
  Ywoven, woven, 6/51
  Ywyst, known, 164/4759
  Y[gh]even, given, 141/4069

  [Gh]af, gave, 8/130
  [Gh]eelde, [Gh]elde, seldom, 39/1002, 52/1372
  [Gh]eld, yielded, 147/4253
  [Gh]elden, to yield, 149/4303
  [Gh]eve, to give, 149/4291
  [Gh]evyng, giving, 45/1188
  [Gh]if, if, 9/131
  [Gh]is, yes, 103/2919
  [Gh]isterday, yesterday, 171/4994
  [Gh]itte, yet, 156/4508
  [Gh]ok, [Gh]okke, yoke, 32/802, 60/1620
  [Gh]olde (_p.p._), yielded, 25/599
  [Gh]onge, young, 35/889
  [Gh]oue, youth, 10/168


       *       *       *       *       *
           *       *       *       *


_Errors and Inconsistencies_ (Noted by Transcriber)

_Introduction_

  (8) Prscientiane futurorum necessitatis an futurorum necessitas
  providenti, laboretur.
    [[dot or flyspeck over last u in "futurorum" in two different
    printings]]

  _keye and a stiere_ (p. 103)
    [[italicized "_keye_ and a stiere": changed to match
    primary text]]

_Primary Text_

  [Sidenote: [The fyrst met{ur}.]
    [[no closing bracket]]

  [Linenote: 852 ... _lorn_--MS. lorne, C. for lorn.]
    [[printed as shown, with no space for hyphen at line break]]

  [SET NE ME INEXORABILE CONTRA.
  ...
  of verray blysfulnesse //]
    [[brackets open on page 61 and close on page 64]]

  nat now {a}t .I. be vnparygal to the strokes of fortune / as    1708
  who seyth. I. dar wel now suffren al the assautes of fortune
    [[spacing unchanged: expected "seyth .I."]

   But forsoe frendes ne shollen nat ben rekkened
    [[printed "rek-/kened" at line break;
    expected spelling "rekened"]]

  [Linenote: 2049 ... _apparailed_--MS. apparailen, C. a-paraylede]
    [[hyphen in "apparailen" invisible]]

  [Sidenote: What can be more infamous than renoun founded on the
  prejudices of the vulgar?]  [[spelling unchanged]]

  [Sidenote: _P._ Thinkest thou that any thing in this world can confer
  this happiness? (the sovereign good).]
    [["t" in "this world" invisible]]

  [Sidenote: He who looks on thee beholds beginning, support, guide,
  path and goal, combined!]  [beginning support, guide]

  {and} her of come it. at in euery ing general. yif at.    2468
  at men seen any ing at is i{n}p{er}fit *certys in ilke general
  er mot ben so{m}me ing at is p{er}fit.
    [[text printed as shown, but "yif at. at" may be an error:
    Skeat edition has only one "at"]]

  [Sidenote: [Chaucer's gloss upon the Text.]
    [[no closing bracket]]

  [Headnote: MEN DO NOT SEEK TRUE FELICITY.]
    [[final . missing or invisible]]

          ... in at at men may holden
  hym my[gh]ty.    3196
    [[text printed as shown, but "in at at" may be an error:
    Skeat edition has only one "at"]]

  e w[or]ste kynde of shrewednesse ne defouli nat ne    3436
  entecehi nat hem oonly but infecti {and} enuenemy
    [[text unchanged: expected form "entecchi"]

                   ... an shewe    3560
  it clerely at ilke shrewednesse is wi outen ende ...
    [[text printed as shown, but may be an error for "wrecchednesse"
    as in Skeat; sidenote has "eternal misery is infinite"]]

  [Sidenote: ... and being unfolded according to time and other
  circumstances, may be called Fate.]
    [[invisible hyphen in "circumstances"]]

  [Sidenote: For there is nothing done for the sake of evil, not even
  by the wicked ...]    [["n" in "even" invisible]]

  [Sidenote: From this source springs that great marvel ...]  [[spring]]

  [Linenote: 4006 [_world_]--from C.]
    [4006--[_world_]--from C.]

  [l. 4423] as ei ben p{ro}destinat.
    [[text unchanged: may be editorial error for "p{re}destinat"
    as in l. 3844]]

  [Sidenote: For what falls under the cognisance of the senses and
  imagination cannot be general.]
    [[invisible hyphen in "imagination"]]

  [Linenote: 5148 _purposed[e]_--p{ur}posede]
   [[invisible hyphen in "p{ur}posede"]]

_Glossary_

  Alermoste, most of all, 158/4563
  Alerworste, worst of all, 157/4562
    [[Both are two words in primary text: Aler moste, Aler worste]]

  Anguissous, anxious, sorrowful, 41/1062, 1066  [41/1062, 1606]

  Anoienge, 22/532  [[definition missing]]

  Fel, felle, fierce 44/1160
    [[citation "44/1160" supplied by transcriber]]

  Taylage, tollage, 181/54  [181/524]






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