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Selections from Early Middle English, 1130-1250. Part 1

PART I: TEXTS (continued 2)

Reading edition

POEMA MORALE: Parallel Texts

Lambeth MS Trinity MS

(Lambeth MS.) (Trinity MS.) ich em nu alder þene ich wes awintre ⁊ a lare. Ich welde mare þene ich dede mi `wit´ ahte bon mare. Wel longe ich habbe child ibon a worde ⁊ a dede þa`h´ ich bo a wintre ald to ȝung ich em on rede. 5 vnnet lif ich habbe iled. ⁊ ȝet me þingþ ilede. þenne ich me bi þenche wel ful sare ich me adrede. mest al þ̵ ich habbe idon bi fealt to child hade. Wel late ich habbe me bi þocht; bute God me nu rede. Fole idel word ich habbe iqueðen soððen ich speke kuðe. 10 fole ȝunge dede idon; þe me of þinchet nuðe. I ch am nu elder þan ich was a wintre ⁊ a lore. Ich wealde more þan idude mi wit oh to be more To longe ich habbe child iben a worde ⁊ a dade. Þeih ibie a winter eald to jung ich am on rade. 5 Vnnet lif ich habbe ilad ⁊ ȝiet me þincheð ilade Þan ibiðenche me þar on wel sore ime adrade. Mast al ich habbe idon is idelnesse ⁊ chilce. Wel late ich habbe me bi þoht bute me god do milce. Fele idel word ich habbe ispeken seðen ich speken cuðe. 10 ⁊ fele ȝeunge dade idon þe me ofðinkeð nuðe. Alto lome ich habbe igult a werke ⁊ a worde. Alto muchel ic habbe ispend to litel ileid on horde. Mest al þ̵ me likede er nu; hit me mis likeð þa muchel fulieð his wil; hine solf he biswikeð. Ich mihte habbe bet idon. hefde ich þe iselþe. Nu ich walde ah ich ne mei; for elde ⁊ for un helþe. 15 Elde me is bi stolen on. er ich hit wiste. ne michte ich seon bi fore me. for smike ne for miste. Erȝe we beoð to done god. ⁊ to ufele al to þriste. Mare eie stondeð men of monne þanne hom do of criste. þe wel ne doð þe hwile þe ho muȝen. wel oft hit schal rowen; 20 þenne ȝe mawen sculen ⁊ repen þ̵ ho er sowen. Do he to gode þ̵ he muȝe þe hwile þ̵ he bo aliue. ne lipnie na mon to | muchel to childe ne to wiue. þe him solue forȝet for wiue ne for childe; he scal cumen in uuel stude bute him God bo milde. 25 Sendeð sum god bi foren eow. þe hw[i]le þ̵ ȝe muȝen to houene. for betere is an elmesse biforen; þenne boð efter souene. Alto lome ich habbe igult a werke ⁊ o worde. Al to muchel ich habbe ispent. to litel ihud in horde. Mast al þat me likede ar nu hit me mislicað. Þe mu[c]hel folȝeð his iwil him selfen he biswicað. 15 Ich mihte habben bet idon. hadde ich þo iselðe Nu ich wolde ac ine mai for elde ⁊ for unhalðe. Elde me is bistolen on ar ich hit iwiste Ne mai ich isien bifore me for smeche ne for miste. Arȝe we beð to don god to juel al to þriste 20 More eie stondeð man of man þan him do of criste. Þe wel ne deð þe hwile he mai wel ofte hit sal him rewen. Þan alle men sulle ripen þat hie ar sewen. Do al to gode þat he muȝe ech þe hwile he beð aliue. Ne lipne noman to muchel to childe ne to wiue. | 25 Þe þe him selfe forȝiet for wiue oðer for childe He sal cumen on euel stede bute him god be milde. Sende god biforen him man þe hwile he mai to heuene For betre is on almesse biforen þan ben after seuene. Ne beo þe loure þene þe solf; ne þin mei. ne þin maȝe. 30 Soht is þ̵ is oðer`s´ monnes frond betre þen his aȝen. Ne lipnie wif to hire were. ne were to his wiue bo for him solue ech .Mon. þe `h´wile þ̵ he bo aliue. Ne bie þe leuere þan þe self ne þi mæi ne þi mowe 30 Sot is þe is oðer mannes frend betere þan his owen. Ne hopie wif to hire were ne were to his wiue Be for him self afric man þe hwile he beð aliue. Wis is þe to him solue þench þe hwile þe mot libben. for sone wule hine forȝeten þe fremede ⁊ þe sibbe. 35 þe wel ne deð þe hwile he mai; ne scal wenne he walde. Monies monnes sare iswinc habbeð oft un holde. Ne scal na mon don afirst. ne slawen wel to done. for moni mon bihateð wel þe hit forȝeteð sone. Þe .Mon. þe wule siker bon to habben Godes blisse. 40 do wel him solf hwile þ̵ he mai; þenne haueð he his mid iwisse. þes riche .Men. weneð bon siker þurh walle ⁊ þurh diche. þe deð his echte on sikere stude he hit sent to heueneriche. for þer ne þerf he bon of dred of fure ne of þoue þer ne | þerf he him binimen þe laðe ne þe loue. 45 þer ne þerf he habben kare of ȝeve ne of ȝelde. þider he sent. ⁊ solf bereð to lutel ⁊ to selde. Wis þe him selue biðencheð þe hwile he mót libben For sone willeð him forȝiete þe fremde ⁊ þe sibbe. 35 Þe wel ne doð þe hwile he mai ne sal he þan he wolde. For manimannes sore iswinc habbeð ofte unholde. Ne solde noman don a furst ne laten wel to done For maniman bihoteð wel þat hi forȝieteð sone. Þe man þe wile siker ben to habben godes blisse. 40 Do wel him self þe hwile he mai þanne haueð hes mid iwisse. Þe richemen weneð siker ben þu`r´ch wallen ⁊ thurh dichen. He deð his aihte an siker stede þe hit sent to heueriche. For þar`f he´ ben ofdrad of fure ne of þieue. Þar ne mai hit him binime þe loðe ne þe lieue. 45 Þar ne þarf he habben care of here ne of ȝielde Þider we sendeð ⁊ ec bereð to litel ⁊ to selde. þider we sculen draȝen ⁊ don wel ofte ⁊ ilome. for þer ne scal me us naut binimen mid wrangwise dome. þider ȝe sculen ȝorne draȝen. walde ȝe god ileue. 50 for ne mei þer hit ou binimen king ne reue. Al þ̵ beste þ̵ we hefden þider we hit solde senden for þer we hit michte finden eft. ⁊ habben buten ende. Þo þe er doð eni God for habben godes are. al he hit scal finden eft þer ⁊ hundred fald mare. 55 Þe þet echte wile halden wel hwile þe he muȝe es welden. Giue hies for godes luue; þenne deþ hes wel ihalden. Þider `we solden´ drawen ⁊ don wel ofte ⁊ ilome. For þar ne sal me us naht binime mid wrong wise dome. | Þider we solde ȝierne drawen wolde ȝie me ileuen. 50 For ne mai hit us binime no king ne no sẏrreue. Alþat beste þat we habbeð her þider we solde sende. For þar we mihte finden eft. ⁊ habben abuten ende. Se þe her doð ani god for`to´ haben godes ore. Al he hit sal eft finde þar ⁊ hundredfealde more. 55 Se þe aihte wile holde wel þe hwile hes muȝe wealden. Ȝieue hes for godes luue þanne doð hes wel ihealden. Vre swinc ⁊ ure tilþe is ofte iwoned to swinden. Ach þ̵ þe we doð for godes luue; eft we sculen al finden. Ne scal nan ufel bon un bocht. ne nan god unforȝolden. 60 vfel we doþ al to muchel. ⁊ god lesse þenne we sculden. Þo þe mest doð nu to gode. ⁊ þe lest to laðe. Eiðer to lutel ⁊ to muchel scal þunchen eft hom baþe. Þer me scal ure werkes weien bi foran þe heuen king. and ȝeuen us ure swinkes lan efter ure erninge. For ure swinch ⁊ ure tilðe is ofte wuned to swinde. Ac al þat we ȝieueð for godes luue al we hit sulen eft finden. Ne sal þar non euel ben unboht ne god unforȝolden. 60 Euel we doð al to muchel ⁊ god lasse þan we solden. Se þe mast doð nu to gode ⁊ se last to lothe. Eiðer to litel ⁊ to muchel hem sal þunche boðe. Þar me sal ure werkes weiȝen bifore þan heuen kinge. ⁊ ȝieuen us ure werkes lean after ure erninge. 65 Ech mon mid þ̵ he hauet. mei buggen houene riche. þe mare haueþ ⁊ þe þe lesse; baþe hi | muȝen iliche. Al se mid his p`e´nie alse oðer mið his punde. þ̵ is þe wunderlukeste chep; þ̵ eni mon efre funde. ⁊ þe ðe mare ne mai don; do hit mid his gode þonke. 70 Alse wel se þe þe haueð golde fele manke. ⁊ oft god kon mare þonc þen þe him ȝeueð lesse. ⁊ his werkes ⁊ his weȝes his milce. ⁊ rihtwisnesse. 65 Africh man mid þat he haueð mai bugge heueriche Þe þe more haueð ⁊ þe þe lasse boðe iliche. Alse on mid his peni se oðer mid his punde Þis is þet wunderlukeste ware þat animan funde. ⁊ se þe more ne mai don mid his gode iþanke. 70 Alse wel se þe þe haued goldes fele manke. And ofte god can more þanc þan þe him ȝieueð lasse. Al his werkes ⁊ his weies is milce ⁊ rihtwi[s]nesse. | lutel lac is gode lof; þ̵ kumeð of gode wille. ⁊ ec lete muchel ȝeue of þan þe herte is ille. 75 Houene ⁊ horþe he ouer sich. his eȝen boð swa brichte. Sunne ⁊ mone ⁊ houen fur boð þestre aȝein his lihte. Litel lóc is gode lef þe cumeð of gode wille ⁊ eðlate muchel ȝieue þan his herte is ille. 75 Heuene ⁊ erðe he ouer sihð his eien beð ful brihte. Nis him noht for holen ni hud. swa muchele boð his mihte. nis hit ne swa derne [idon] ne [a] swa þostre nihte. he wat wet þenkeð ⁊ hwet doð alle quike wihte. 80 Nis na lauerd swich se is crist. ne king swuch ure drihten. Nis him no þing forholen swo muchel is his mihte. Ne bie hit no swo derne idon ne on swo þuster nihte. He wot hwat þencheð ⁊ hwat doð alle quike wihte Nis louerd swilch is crist ne king swilch ure drihte 80 Boðe ȝiemeð þe his bien bi daie ⁊ bi nihte. houene ⁊ orðe ⁊ al þ̵ is biloken is in his honde. he deð al þ̵ his wil is; a wettre ⁊ alonde. He makede fisses in þe se ⁊ fuȝeles in þe lifte. he wit ⁊ waldeð alle þing ⁊ scop alle scefte. 85 he is hord buten horde ⁊ ende buten ende. he ane is eure an ilche stude wende þer þu wende. he is buuen us ⁊ bi noþen. bi foren ⁊ bi hinden. þe þe deð godes wille uwer he mei him finden. Heuene ⁊ erðe ⁊ al þat is biloken is in his honden He doð al þat his wille is awatere ⁊ alonde. He makeð þe fisses in þe sa þe fueles on þe lofte. He wit ⁊ wealdeð alle þing ⁊ he sop alle safte. 85 He is ord a buten ord ⁊ ende abuten ende He is one afre on eche stede wende þar þu wende. He is buuen us ⁊ bineðen biforen ⁊ bihinde Þe godes wille doð aihware he maiȝ him finde Helche rune he iherð ⁊ wat alle deden. 90 he þurþ sicheþ uches monnes þonc. Wi hwat scal us to rede. We þ̵ brokeð godes hese ⁊ gulteð swa ilome. hwet scule we seggen oðer don et þe muchele dome. Þa þe luueden unriht ⁊ ufel lif | leden. Wet sculen ho seggen oðer don; þen þe engles bon of dred. Elche rune he hereð ⁊ he wot alle dade 90 He þurh sihð elches mannes þanc wi hwat sal us to rade. We þe brekeð godes has ⁊ gulteð swo ilome Hwat sulle we seggen oðer don á te muchele dome We þe luueden unriht ⁊ euel lif ladden Hwat sulle we seggen oðer don þar ængles beð ofdradde 95 hwet sculen we beren biforen us mid hom scule we iquemen. þo þe neure god ne dude þe houenliche deme. þer sculen bon doule swa fole þ̵ wulleð us for wreien. ⁊ nabbeð hi naþing forȝeten of al þ̵ ho iseȝen. 95 Hwat sulle we beren us biforen mid hwan sulle we iqueme We þe nafre god ne duden þan heuenliche deme. | Þar sulle ben deflen swo fele þat willeð us forwreien. Nabbeð hie no þing forȝieten of þat hie her iseien. Al þ̵ we mis duden her; ho hit wulleð kuðe þere. 100 [buten wé habbe hit íbét. ðe hwile wé her wére] Al ho habbeð in hore write; þ̵ we mis duden here. þach we nusten ne ni seȝen. ho weren ure ifere. Alþat hie iseien her hie willeð cuðen þare 100 Bute we haben hit ibet þe hwile we here waren. Al hie habbeð on here write þat we misduden here. Þeih we hes ne niseien hie waren ure iferen. Hwet sculen ordlinghe`s´ don. þa swicen ⁊ ta forsworene hwi boð fole iclepede. ⁊ swa lut icorene. 105 wi hwi weren ho bi ȝeten to hwon weren ho iborene. þ̵ sculen bon to deþe idemet. ⁊ eure ma for lorene. Ech .Mon. scal him solue þer bi clepie ⁊ bidemen. his aȝen werch ⁊ his þonc te witnesse he scal temen. ne mei him na .Mon. alsa wel demen ne alswa rihte 110 for nan ne knauð him ase ȝere; buten ane drihte. Ech .Mon. wat him solue best; his werkes. ⁊ his wille. Þe ðe lest wat bi seiþ ofte mest; þe hit al wat is stille. nis nan witnesse alse muchel se monne`s´ aȝen horte. Wa se seið þ̵ he bo hal. him solf wat best his smirte. Hwat sullen horlinges don þes wichen ⁊ þe forsworene Wi swo fele beð icleped swo fewe bed icorene 105 Wi hwi waren hie biȝiete to hwan waren hie iborene. Þe sulle ben to deaðe idemd ⁊ afremo forlorene. Elch man `sal´ þar biclepien himselfen ⁊ ec demen. His oȝen werc ⁊ his þanc to witnesse he sal temen. Nemai him noman alse wel demen ne alse rihte 110 For non ne cnoweð hine alse wel buten one drihte. Man wot him self best his werkes ⁊ his wille. Se þe last wot he seið ofte mast se þit al wot is stille Nis no witnesse alse muchel se mannes oȝen hierte Hwo se seið þat hie beð hol him self wot his smierte. 115 Ech .Mon. scal h[i]m solf demen to deðe oðer to liue. þa witnesse of his aȝen werch; hine þer to scal driue. Al þet ech .Mon haueð idon soððen he com to monne sculde he | hit sechen o boke iwriten he scal iþenchen þenne. Ah drihten ne demeð nenne .Mon. efter his biginnigge. 120 ah al his lif scal bon suilch boð his endinge. 115 Elch man sal him selfen demen to deaðe oðer to liue. Þe witnesse of his oȝen werc to oðer þan hine sal driue. Alþat afri man haueð idon seðen he cam to manne Swo he hit iseie abóc iwrite he sal hit þenche þanne. Ac drihte ne demeð noman after his biginninge 120 Ac al his lif sal ben teald after his endinge. | ȝef þ̵ his uuel al hit is uuel ⁊ God ȝefe god his ende. God ȝeue þ̵ ure ende bo god. ⁊ wite þ̵ he us lende. þe .Mon. þ̵ uuel don na god. ne neure god lif leden. er deð ⁊ dom come to his dure he mei him sare adreden. 125 þ̵ he ne muȝe þenne biden are. for þ̵ itit ilome. for þi he is wis þe biet ⁊ bit ⁊ bet bi fore dome. Ȝief þe endinge is god al hit is god· ⁊ euel ȝief euel is þe ende. God ȝieue þat ure ende be god ⁊ ȝieue þat he us lende. Se man þe nafre nele don god ne nafre god lif lade. Are deað ⁊ dom cumeð to his dure he maiȝ him sore a drade 125 Þat he ne muȝe þanne bidden ore for þat itit ilome. For þi he wis þe bit ⁊ biȝiet ⁊ bet bifore dome. Wenne deð is attere dure wel late he biddeþ are. Wel late he latheð uuel werc; þe ne mei hit don ne mare. Þanne þe deað is ate dure wel late he biddeð ore. Wel late he lateð euel werc þan he hit ne mai don no more. Senne lat þe ⁊ þu nah him þan þu hit ne miht do no more; 130 For þi he is sot þe swo abit to habben godes ore. þ̵ achten we to leuen wel. for ure drihten solf hit seide. 130 A hwilke time se eure .Mon. of þinchþ his mis dede. Oþer raþer oðer later; milce he scal imeten. Ac þe þ̵ þer naf[ð] nocht ibet; wel muchel he haueð to beten. Þeih hweðere we hit leueð wel for drihte self hit sade. Elche time sal þe man of þunche his misdade Oðer raðer oðer later milce he sal imete. Ac þe þe her naueð ibet muchel he haued to bete Monimon seit hwa rechð of pine þe scal habben þende. Ne bidde ich na bet bo alesed a domes dei of bende. 135 lutel he wat wet is pine. ⁊ lutel he hit scaweð hwice hete is þer þa saule wuneð hu biter wind þer blaweð. hefde he bon þer enne dei oðer twa bare tide; nolde he for al middenerd þe þerdde þer abiden. þet habbeð iseid þ[e] comen þonen þa hit wisten mid iwissen. 140 wa wurð sorȝe seueȝer. for souenihte blisse. 135 Maniman seið hwo reche pine þe sal habben ende Ne bidde ich no bet bie ich alesed a domesdai of bende. Litel wot he `h´wat is pine ⁊ litel he cnoweð Hwilch hit is þar sowle wunieð hwu biter wind þar bloweð. Hadde he ben þar on oðer two bare tiden. 140 Nolde he for al midden eard þe þridde þar abiden. Þat habbed isaid þe come þanne þit wiste mid iwisse. Wo wurðe soreȝe seue ȝier for seue nihte blisse. In hure blisse þe | þe ende haueð. for endelese pine. betere is wori water drunch; þen atter meind mid wine. Swines brede is swiðe swete. swa is of wilde dore. alto dore he is abuh; þe ȝefð þer fore his swore. 145 Ful wombe mei lihtliche speken of hunger. ⁊ of festen; swa mei of pine þe ne cnauð þe scal a ilesten. Hefð he ifonded summe stunde; he wolde al seggen oðer. Et lete him were wif. child. suster. feder ⁊ broðer. ⁊ ure blisse þe ende haueð for ende lease pine Betere is wori water þan atter imengd mid wine. 145 Swines brade is wel swete swo is of wilde diere. Ac al to diere he hit abuið þe ȝiefð þar fore his swiere. Ful wombe mai lihtliche speken of hunger ⁊ of fasten Swo mai of pine þe not hwat is pine þe sal ilasten. | Hadde fonded sume stunde he wolde seggen oðer 150 Eðlate him ware wif ⁊ child suster ⁊ fader ⁊ broðer. Al he walde ⁊ oðerluker don ⁊ oðerluker þenchen 150 Wenne he bi þohte on helle fur þe nawiht ne mei quenchen. Eure he walde her inne wawe ⁊ ine wene wunien; Wið þ̵ þe mihte helle pine bi flien ⁊ bi sunien Et lete him were al world wele ⁊ orðliche blisse. for to þ̵ muchele blisse cumen is murþe mid iwisse. Al he wolde oðerluker don ⁊ oðerluker þenche Þan he biðohte an helle fur þat no wiht ne mai quenche. Afre he wolde her in wo ⁊ in wane wunien Wið þan he mihte helle fur biflen ⁊ bisunien. 155 Eðlate him ware al wele ⁊ erðeliche blisse For to þe muchele blisse cume þis murie mid iwisse. 155 Iwule nu cumen eft to þe dome þ̵ ich er ow of sede A þa dei ⁊ at ta dome us helpe crist ⁊ rede. þer we muȝen bon eþe offerd ⁊ herde us adreden. þer he scal al son him bi foren his word ⁊ ec his deden. Al scal þer bon þenne cud þer men luȝen her ent stelen. 160 Al scal þer bon þanne unwron; þ̵ men wruȝen her ⁊ helen. We sculen alre monne lif iknauwen al se ure ahen. þer sculen eueningges bon þe riche ⁊ þe laȝe. Ne scal na mon skamie þer ne þerf he him a dreden. Gif him her of þincþ | his gult ⁊ bet his misdede. 165 for him ne scameþ ne ne gromeð þe sculen bon iborȝen. ¶Ich wulle nu cumen eft to þe dome þe ich eow ar of sade. On þe daie ⁊ on þe dome us helpe crist ⁊ rade Þar we muȝen ben sore offerd ⁊ harde us ofdrade. 160 Þar elch sal al isien him biforen his word ⁊ ec his dade. Al sal þar ben þanne cuð þat men luȝen her ⁊ halen. Al sal þar ben þanne unwrien þat men her hudden ⁊ stalen. We sullen alre manne lif icnowen alse ure oȝen Þar sullen efninges ben to þe heie ⁊ to þe loȝe. 165 Ne sal þeih no man samie þiar ne þarf he him adrade. Ȝief him her ofþincheð his gult ⁊ bet his mis dade. For hem ne sameð ne ne grameð þe sulle ben iboreȝe Ach þo þre habbeþ scome ⁊ grome ⁊ oft fele sorȝe. Þe dom scal sone bon idon ne lest he nawiht longe. ne scal him na mon mene þer of strengþe ne of wronge. þe sculen habbe herdne dom þa her weren herde. 170 þa þe uuele holden wreche men ⁊ uuele laȝe redde. Ec efter þ̵ he efþ idon sal þer þenne [beon] idemet. [bliðe mei hé ðenne beon. þe god háfð wel icwemed] Ac þoðre habbeð same ⁊ grame ⁊ oðer fele soreȝe. Þe dom sal ben sone idon ne last hit nowiht longe 170 Ne sal him noman mene þar of strencðe ne of wronge Þo sulle habben hardne dom þe here waren hardde Þo þe euel hielden wreche men ⁊ euel laȝe arerde. Elch after þat he haueð idon sal þar ben þanne idemd Bliðe mai he þanne ben þe god haueð wel iquemd. Alle þa þi sprunge boþ of adam ⁊ of eue. Alle hi sculen cumen þider for soðe we hit ileueð. 175 þa þe habbeð wel idon efter hore mihte. to houene riche hi sculen faren forð mid ure drihte. Þa þe habbeð doules werc idon. ⁊ þer inne bo ifunde. hi sculen faren forð mid him in to helle grunde. Þer hi sculen wunien a buten are ⁊ ende. 180 Ne brekeþ neure drihte helle gate for lesen hi of bende. 175 Alle þo þe sprunge beð of adam ⁊ of eue Alle hie sulle þider cume for soðe we hit ileued. | Þo þe habbed wel idon after here mihte To heueriche hie sulle fare forð mid ure drihte. Þo þe deueles werkes habeð idon ⁊ þar inne beð ifunde 180 Hie sulle fare forð mid hem in to helle grunde. Þar hie sulle wunien abuten ore ⁊ ende. Brecð nafre eft crist helle dure for lesen hem of bende Nis na sullic þech hom bo wa ⁊ hom bo uneade. Ne scal neure eft crist þolie deþ for lesen hom of deaþe. Enes drihten helle brec his frond he ut brochte. him solf he þolede deð for him . wel dore he hom bohte. 185 Nalde hit mei do for mei. ne suster for broðer. nalde hit sune do for fader. ne na mon for oðer. Nis no sellich þeih hem be wo ⁊ þeih hem be uneaðe Ne sal nafre eft crist þolien deað for lesen hem of deaðe. 185 Ænes drihten helle brac his frend he ut brohte Him self he þolede deað for hem wel diere he hes bohte. Nolde hit moȝe don for mai ne suster [for] broðer Nolde sune don for fader ne no man for oðer. Vre alre lauerd for his þrelles ipined wes a rode. vre bendes he unbon[d] ⁊ bohte us mid his blode. We ȝeueð | uneðe for his luue a stuche of ure brede. 190 Ne þenke we noht þ̵ he scal deme þa quike ⁊ þa dede. Muchele luue he us cudde. walde we hit understonde þ̵ ure eldre misduden; we habbeð uuele on honde. Deþ com in þis middenerde þurh þes doules honde. ⁊ sake ⁊ sorȝe ⁊ swinc a watere ⁊ a londe. Vre alre louerd for his þralles ipined he was arode 190 Ure bendes he unbond ⁊ bohte us mid his blode. We ȝieueð uneaðe for his luue a steche of ure breade Ne þenche we naht þar þat sal deme þe quica ⁊ þe deade. Muchel luue he us kedde wolde we hit understonde. Þat ure elderne mi`s´duden we habeð euel an honde. 195 Deað cam in þis middenærd þurh ealde deueles onde ⁊ senne ⁊ soreȝe ⁊ iswinch awatere ⁊ [a]londe. 195 Vre forme fader gult. we abuȝeð alle. [eal his óf spring efter him. en hearme is bi fealle.] þurst ⁊ hunger. chele ⁊ hete. helde ⁊ unhelðe. þurh him deð com in þis middenerd ⁊ oðer uniselðe. Nere na mon elles ded ne sec ne nan unsele. 200 ac mihten libben eure ma a blisse ⁊ a hele. Vre foremes faderes gult we abugeð alle Al his ofsprung after him in harem is biualle Þurst ⁊ hunger. chele ⁊ hete ⁊ alle unhalðe. 200 Þurh deað cam in þis midden eard ⁊ oðer unisalðe. Nare noman elles dead ne sic ne unsele Ac mihte libbe afremo ablisse ⁊ an hale. | Litel lac is gode lief þe cumeð of gode wille. ⁊ eðlate muchel ȝieue þan his herte is ille lutel hit þuncheð moni mon. ac muchel wes þa sunne. for hwam alle þolieð deð þe comen of hore cunne. Hore sunne ⁊ ec ure aȝen sare us mei of þinche. þurh sunne we libbeð alle in sorȝe ⁊ in swinke. 205 Suððen God nom swa muchele wrake for are misdede; We þe swa muchel ⁊ swa ofte mis doð. we muȝen eðe us adrede. Adam and his of sprung for are bare sunne. Wes fele undret wintre an helle pine ⁊ an unwunne. þa þe ledden hore lif mid unriht ⁊ mid wrange. 210 buten hit gode`s´ milce do ho sculen bon þer wel longe. Godes wisdom is wel muchel ⁊ alswa is his mihte ⁊ nis his milce naut lesse. ac bi þan ilke iwichte. 205 Litel hit þuncheð maniman ac muchel was þe senne For hwan alle þolieð deað þe comen of here kenne Here senne ⁊ ec ure oȝen us muȝe sore of þunche For senne we libeð alle her in soreȝe ⁊ in swunche. Seðen god nam swo mukel wrache for one misdede 210 We þe swo ofte misdoð we muȝen us eaðe ofdrade. Adam ⁊ al his ofspreng for one bare senne. Was fele hundred wintre an helle a pine ⁊ unwenne. Þo þe ladeð here lif mid unrihte ⁊ mid wronge Bute hit godes milce do hie sulle wunie þar longe. 215 Godes wisdom is wel muchel ⁊ alsse is his mihte Ac nis his mihte nowiht lasse ac biðer ilke wihte. Mare he ane mei for ȝeuen. þen | al folc gulte cunne. Sulf douel mihte habben milce. ȝif he hit bigunne. 215 Þa þe godes milce secheð; he iwis mei ha ifinden. Ac helle king is are les with þa þe he mei binden. þe þe deþ is wille mest; he haueð wurst mede. His baþ scal bon wallinde. his bað scal bon berninde glede. More he one maiȝ forȝieue þan alle folc gulte cunne Self deuel mihte habben milce ȝief he hit bigunne. Þeþe godes milche secð iwis he mai hes finden 220 Ac helle king is ore leas wið þo þe he mai binden. Se deð his wille mast he sal habbe werest mede His bað sal be wallinde pich his bed barnende glede. Wurst he deð his gode frond; þenne his fulle fond; 220 God scilde alle godes frond. a wih swilche freonde. Neure in helle hi com. ne þer ne come reche. þach ich elches worldes wele. þer me mahte feche þ̵ his wulle seggen on þat wise men us seiden. ⁊ aboken hit writen þer [me] mei hit reden. 225 Ich hit wille seggen þan þe hit hom solf nusten. warni hom wið hore unfrome. ȝif ho me wulleð lusten. vnderstondeð nu to me edi men ⁊ arme. Ich wulle tellen of helle pin; ⁊ wernin ow wið herme. In helle his hunger ⁊ þurst; twa uuele iuere. 230 þas þolieð þa [þe] weren maket niþinges here. Werse he doð his gode wines þan his fiendes God silde alle godes friend wið swo euele friende. 225 Nafre an helle ine cam ne cumen ich þar ne reche Þeih ich aches woreldes wele þare mihte feche. Þeih ich wille seggen eow þat wise men us saden ⁊ [a] boc hit is write þar me hit mai rade. | Ic wille seggen hit þo þe hit hem self nesten 230 ⁊ warnin hem wið here unfreme ȝief hie me willeð hlesten. Vnderstondeð nu to meward eadimen ⁊ arme Ich wille tellen eow of helle pine ⁊ warnin eow wið harme. An helle hunger ⁊ þurst euel two iferen. Þos pine þolieð þo þe ware meteniðinges here. Þer is waning ⁊ wow. efter eche streche. ho fareð from hete to hete. ⁊ hech to frure þe wreche. þenne hi bið in þere hete; þe chele him þunchet blisse. þenne hi cumeð eft to þe chele; of hete hi habbeð misse. 235 hi hem deð wa inoch nabbeð hi nane blisse. 235 Þar is woning ⁊ wop after ache strate Hie fareð fram hate [to] chele fram chele to hate. [Þ]an hie beð in þe hate chele hem þuncheð blisse [Þ]an hie cumeð eft to chele of hate hie habbeð misse. [E]iðer doð `hem´ wo inoh nabbeð none lisse. Nute hi hweþer hem deþ wurs mid neure nane wisse. hi walkeð eure ⁊ secheð reste | ac `ho´ ne muȝen imeten. for þi þe ho nolden þe hwile þ̵ ho mihten here sunne beten. ho secheð reste þer nis nan. for þi ne muȝen hi es finden. 240 Ac walkeð weri up ⁊ dun; se water deþ mid winde. þo boð þa þe weren her a þanke unstedefeste. ⁊ þa þe gode biheten heste ⁊ nolden hit ileste. þa þe god werc bigunnen ⁊ ful enden hit nolden. 240 [N]iten hweðer hem doð wers to nafre none wisse. [H]ie walkeð afre ⁊ secheð reste ac hie hes ne muȝen imeten. [F]or þi þe hie nolde þe hwile hie mihten here senne beten. [H]ie sec`h´eð reste þar non nis ac hie hies ne muȝen ifinden. [A]c walkeð weri up ⁊ dun se water doð mid winde 245 [Þ]at beð þo þe waren her an þanc unstedefaste [⁊] þo þe gode biheten aihte ⁊ hit him ilaste. [⁊] þo þe god werc bigunnen ⁊ ful endin hit nolden. Nu witen her. ⁊ nuðe þer. ⁊ nusten hwat hi wolden. 245 þer is bernunde pich hore saule to baþien inne. þa þe ledden here lif in werre ⁊ in winne. þer is fur þ̵ is undret fald hattre. þene bo ure. Ne mei quenchen salt weter ne uersc of þe burne. þis is þ̵ fur þ̵ efre bernd ne mei nawiht hit quenchen; 250 Þer inne boð þa þe was to lof wreche men to swenchen. þa þe weren swikelemen ⁊ ful of uuel wrenchen. þa þe mihten uuel don. þe þe lef hit wes to þenchen. Þe luueden tening ⁊ stale. hordom ⁊ drunken. ⁊ a doules werche bliþeliche swunken. 255 Þa þe weren swa lese þ̵ me hom ne mihte ileuen. Med ierne domes men. ⁊ wrongwise reuen. þ̵ oðer monnes wif lof. his aȝen et lete. þo þe sungede muchel; a drunke ⁊ an ete. þe wreche mon binom his ehte. ⁊ leide his on horde. 260 þ̵ lutel let of godes borde. ⁊ godes worde. [N]u waren her ⁊ nu þar ⁊ nesten hwat he wolden [Þ]ar is pich þat afre walleð þar sulle wunien inne 250 [Þ]o þe ladeð here lif on werre ⁊ an unwinne. [Þ]ar is fur þis hundredfeald hatere þan be ure. [N]e mai hit quenche salt water ne auene stream ne sture. [Þ]is is þat fur þat afre barneð ne mai no wiht [hit] quenche. [Þ]ar inne beð þe was to lef wreche men to swenche. | 255 Þo þe [waren] swikele men ⁊ ful of euele wrenchen. ⁊ þo þe mihten euel don ⁊ lief hit was to þenchen. Þe luueden rauing ⁊ stale hordom ⁊ druken ⁊ an defles werkes bliðeliche swunken. Þo þe waren swo lease men þat mes ne mihte leuen 260 Medȝierne domes men ⁊ w`r´ongwise reuen. Þo þe oðer mannes wif was lief her oȝen eðlate ⁊ þo þe sunegeden muchel on druken ⁊ on ate. Þe wreche men binomen here aihte ⁊ leide his on horde. Þe litel lete of godes bode ⁊ of godes worde. ⁊ þo þe his aȝen nalde ȝeuen þer he isech | þe node Ne nalde iheren godes sonde. þenne he hit herde bode. Þe þ̵ is oðers monnes þing. loure þene hit sculde. ⁊ weren to gredi of solure ⁊ of golde. 265 ⁊ þa þe untrownesse duden þon þe ho scu`l´den bon holde. ⁊ leten þet ho sculden don. ⁊ duden þ̵ ho wolden. Þa þe weren eure abuten þisse worldes echte. ⁊ duden al þ̵ þe laþe gast hechte to ⁊ tachte. ⁊ alle þe þen anigewise doulen i quemde. 270 Þa boð nu mid him in helle fordon ⁊ fordemet. 265 ⁊ þe his oȝen nolde ȝieue þar he iseih þe niede Ne nolde ihere godes men þan he sat at his biede. Þo þe was oðer mannes þing leuere þan hit solde ⁊ waren alto gradi of siluer ⁊ of golde. Þo þe untrewnesse deden þan þe he solden ben holde. 270 ⁊ leten al þat hie solden don ⁊ deden þat hie wolden. Þo þe waren ȝietceres of þis wereldes aihte ⁊ dude al þat þe loðe gost hem tihte to ⁊ taihte. ⁊ Al `þo´ þe ani wise deuel iquemde Þo beð mid him in helle fordon ⁊ demde.

(EGERTON MS., SECOND COPY.) Bute þá þe óf ðufte sare heore mis dede. ⁊ gunne heore gultes beten ⁊ betere líf læde. Þer beoð neddren ⁊ snaken. éuete ⁊ frute. þa tereð. ⁊ freteð. þe uuele speke. þe nið fulle. ⁊ te prute. 275 Neure sunne ðer ne scínð. ne mone ne steorre. þer is muchel godes hate. ⁊ muchel godes eorre. Æure ðer ís uuel sméch. ðusternesse ⁊ eie. nis ðer neure oðer líht. ðene þe swierte leie. Þer ligget ladliche fund. in strange raketeȝe. 280 þ̵ beoð þa ðe wére mid gode on heuene wel heȝe. Þer beoð ateliche fund. ⁊ eisliche wihte. þas scule þa wrecche í fon. þe suneȝede ðurh sihte. 275 Bute þo þe ofðuhte sore here misdade ⁊ Gunne here gultes bete ⁊ betere lif lade. Þar beð naddren ⁊ snaken. eueten ⁊ fruden Þe tereð ⁊ freteð þo euele swiken þe niðfule ⁊ þe prude Nafre sunne þar ne sineð ne mone ne storre. 280 Þar is muchel godes hete ⁊ muchel godes oerre. | Afre þar is euel smech þiesternesse ⁊ eie Nis þar nafre oder liht þan þe swarte leie. Þar ligeð ateliche fiend in stronge raketeie Þat beð þo þe waren mid god angles swiðe heie. 285 Þat beð ateliche fiend ⁊ Eiseliche wihten Þo sulle þe wreche sowle isien þe sinegeden þurh sihte Þer is ðe laðe sathanas. ⁊ belzebud sé ealde. eaðe hi muȝen beo óf dréd. þe híne scule bi healde. 285 Ne mei nan heorte hit iðenche. ne tunge ne can telle. hu muchel píne na hu uele sunden ínne helle. Wið þa pine ðe þer beoð. nelle ich eow naht leoȝen. nis hit bute gamen ⁊ gléo. eal þ̵ man mei hér dreoȝen. End ȝut ne deð heom naht sa wá. ín ða laðe bende. | 290 þ̵ hí witeð þ̵ heore píne sceal neure habbe ende. Þar is se loðe sathanas ⁊ belzebub se ealde Eaðe he muȝen ben sore ofdrad þe sullen hes bihealde. Nemai non herte hit þenche ne tunge hit ne mai telle 290 Hwu muchele pine ne hwu fele senden in helle Of þo pine þe þar bieð nelle ich eow naht lie Nis hit bute gamen ⁊ glie of þat man mai here drie. ⁊ ȝiet ne doð hem naht alse wo in þe loðe bende Swo þat he witen þat here pine sal nafre habben ende Þar beoð þa heðene men. þé wǽre laȝe liese. þe nes naht óf godes bi bode. ne óf godes hése. [U]uele cristene men. hí beoð heore ifere. þa ðe heore cristen dom. uuele heo`l´de hére. 295 [Ȝ]ut hí beoð á wurse stede. on ðeré helle grunde. ne sculen hí neure cumen út. for marke ne for punde. [N]e mei heom naðer helpen þer. íbede ne elmesse. for nis naðer inne helle. áre ne for ȝiuenesse. Sculde him éch man ðe hwile hé muȝe óf ðas helle píne. 300 ⁊ werni ech hís freond þer wið swa ich habbe mine. Þá ðe sculden heom ne cunne. ich heom wulle teche. ich kan beon ȝief ich sceal. lichame ⁊ sawle leche. 295 Þar beð þe haðene men þe waren laȝe lease. Þe nes naht of godes bode ne of godes hease. Euele cristene men hie beð here iferen Þo þe here cristendom euele hielden here. ⁊ ȝiet he beð awerse stede aniðer helle grunde 300 Ne sullen nafre cumen út for peni ne for punde. Ne mai hem noðer helpe þar ibede ne almesse For naht solden bidde þar ore ne forȝieuenesse. Silde him elch man þe hwile he mai wið þos helle pine. ⁊ warnie his frend þar wið swo ich habbe ido mine. 305 Þo þe silde hem ne cunnen ich hem wille tache [I]ch can ben aiðer ȝief isal lichame ⁊ sowle lache. | Léte wé þ̵ god for but. ealle manne cunne. ⁊ do wé þ̵ hé us hét. ⁊ sculde wé us wið sunne. 305 Luuie we god mid ure heorte. ⁊ mid al ure mihte. ⁊ ure émcristen eal us sulf. swa us lerde drihte. Eal þ̵ me rǽt ⁊ eal þ̵ me singð. bi fore godes borde. eal hít hanget ⁊ bi halt. bi ðisse twam worde. Ealle godes laȝe he fulð. ðe níwe ⁊ ða ealde. 310 þe ðe ðas twá luue háfð. ⁊ wel hí wule healde. Ac hí beoð wunder earueð healde. swá ófte gulteð ealle. Fór hít ís strang to stande lange. ⁊ líht ís to fealle. [A]ac drihte crist hé ȝíue us strengðe. stande þ̵ wé mote. ⁊ óf ealle ure gultes `unne´ us cume to bote. Late we þat god forbet alle mankenne ⁊ do we þat he us hat ⁊ silde we us wid senne. Luue we god mid ure herte ⁊ mid al ure mihte 310 ⁊ ure emcristen alse us self swo us tached drihte. Al þat me radeð ⁊ singed bifore godes borde Al hit hangeð ⁊ halt bi þese twam worde Alle godes laȝes hie fulleð þe newe ⁊ þe ealde Þe þe þos two luues halt ⁊ wile hes wel healde. 315 Ac hie bieð wel arefeð heald swo ofte we gulteð alle For hit is strong te stonde longe ⁊ liht hit is to falle. Ac drihte crist ȝeue us strengðe stonde þat we moten ⁊ of alle ure gultes ȝieue us cume bote. 315 W é wilnieð éfter woruld wéle. ðe lange ne mei leste. ⁊ leggeð eal ure iswinch. ón ðinȝe unste`de´ feste. | Swunche wé for godes luue. healf þ̵ wé doð for æhte. ne béo wé naht swá óf bicherd. ne sa uuele bi kehte. Ȝif wé serueden gode swa wé doð ermínges. 320 mare wé hedden en héuene. ðenne eorles hér ⁊ kinges. Né muȝen hí werien heom wið chele. wið þurste ne wið hunger. ne wið ulde. ne wið deaðe. þe uldre ne ðe ȝeonger. Ac ðer nis hunger ne ðurst. ne dieð. ne unhelðe ne elde. of þisse riche wé ðencheð ófte. ⁊ of þere to selde. We wilnieð after wereldes wele þe longe ne mai ilaste 320 ⁊ legeð mast al ure swinc on þing unstedefaste. Swunke [we] for godes luue half þat we doð for eihte. Nare we naht swo ofte bicherd ne swo euele bikeihte Ȝief we serueden god half þat we doð for erminges We mihten habben more an heuene þa[n] ȝierles ⁊ kinges 325 Ne muȝe we werien naðer ne wið þurst ne wið hunger Ne wid elde ne wið deað þe elder ne þe ȝeunger Ac þar nis hunger ne þurst. deað ne unhalðe ne elde. Of þesse riche we þencheð to ofte of þare alto selde. 325 Wé scolden ealle us biðenche ófte. ⁊ wél ilome. hwét wé beoð to whán wé scule. ⁊ óf hwán wé come. Hú litle hwíle wé beoþ hér. hú lange elle`s´ hwáre. hwét wé muȝe habben hér. ⁊ hwét finde þere. Ȝíef wé were wise men. ðis wé scolde ðenche. 330 bute wé wurðe us íwer. ðeos woruld wule us for drenche. Mest ealle men he ȝíueð drinche. óf ane deofles scenche. hé sceal him cunne sculde wél. ȝíf hé híne nele screnche. We solden biþenchen us wel ofte ⁊ ilome 330 Hwat we beð to hwan we sullen ⁊ of hwan we come. Hwu litle hwile we bieð her hwu longe elles ḥware Hwat we muȝen habben her ⁊ hwat we findeð þare. | Ȝief [we] waren wise men þus we solden þenchen Bute we wurðen us iwar þis wereld us wile drenchen 335 Mast alle men hit ȝieueð drinken of on euele senche He sal him cunnen silde wel ȝief hit him nele screnche. M id ealmihtiȝes godes luue. ute wé us bi werien. wið ðises wrecches woreldes luue. þ̵ hé maȝe us derien. 335 Mid festen ælmes ⁊ ibede. werie wé us wið sunne. Mið ða wepne ðe god haueð. bi ȝíten man cunne. Léte wé þe brade strét. ⁊ ðene wei bene. þe let þ̵ niȝeðe dél to helle of manne. ⁊ ma ich wéne. Gá wé ðene nærewne wei. ⁊ ðene wei grene. 340 ðer forð fareð litel folc. ac hit is feir ⁊ scéne. Þé brade strét is ure íwill. ðe ís us lað to forlǽte. þa ðe eal folȝeð hís íwill. fareð bi ðusse stréte. Hí muȝen lihtliche gán mid ðere under hulde. ðurh ane godlíese wude `in to´ ane bare felde. Mid al mihtin godes luue úte we us biwerien [W]ið þesses wreches woreldes luue þat hit ne muȝe us derien. Mid almesse. mid fasten ⁊ mid ibeden werie we us wid senne. 340 Mid þo wapne þe god haued ȝieue alle man kenne. [L]ate we þe brode strate ⁊ þane weiȝ bene [Þ]e lat þe nieðe dal to helle of manne me mai wene. Go we þane narewe pað ⁊ þene wei grene [Þ]ar forð fareð wel litel folc ⁊ eche is fair ⁊ isene 345 [Þ]e brode strate is ure wil. þe is loð te læte. [Þ]o þe folȝeð here iwil hie fareð bi þare strate. [H]ie muȝen lihtliche cumen mid þare niðer helde [Þ]urh one godelease wude to one bare felde 345 [Þ]e nærewei ís godes hése. ðer forð fareð wél fiewe. þ̵ beoð ða ðe heom sculdeð ȝeorne wið ǽche un ðeawe. [Þ]as gað uníeðe ȝeanes ðe clíue. aȝean þe heaȝe hulle. ðas leteð eal heore aȝen wíll. for godes hése to fulle. [G]a wé alle þene wei. for he us wule bringe. 350 mid te feawe feire men. be foren heuen kinge. Þer is ealre murhðe mest. mid englene sange. ðe ís a þusend wintre ðer. ne ðincð him naht to lange. Þe ðe lest haueð. hafð swa michel þ̵ hé ne bit namare. þe ða blisse for ðas for lét hít him mei reowe sare. 355 [N]e mei nan uuel ne na wane beon inne godes riche. ðeh þer beoð wununges fele. æch oðer uniliche. [Þ]a narewe pað is godes has · þar forð fareð wel feawe 350 [Þ]at beð þo þe hem sildeð ȝierne wið achen unðeawe. [Þ]os goð uneaðe aȝien þe cliue ⁊ aȝien þe heie hulle [Þ]os leten al here iwil for godes luue to fulle. [G]o we alle þane wei for he us wile bringe Mid þo feawe faire men bi fore þe heuen kinge 355 [Þ]ar is alre blisse mast mid angles songe. [Þ]e is a þusend wintre þar ne þuncheð hit him naht longe. | Þe last haueð blisse he haueð sswo muchel þat he ne bit no more Þe þat blisse forgoð hit sal him rewen sore. Ne mai non euel ne non wane ben in godes riche 360 Þeih þar ben wuniinges fele elch oðer uniliche Sume ðer habbeð lesse murhðe. ⁊ sume habbeð mare. æfter ðan þe dude her. efter ðan þ̵ he swanc sare. [N]e sceal ðer beon ne bried ne wín. ne oðer cunnes éste. 360 god ane sceal beo eche líf. ⁊ blisse. ⁊ éche reste. [N]é sceal ðer beo fah ne græi. ne kuning ne `er´míne. ne aquierne. ne martres cheole. ne beuer né sabelíne. [N]e sceal ðer beo sciet ne scrud. ne woruld wele nane. eal þe murhðe þe me us bi hat. al hít sceal beo god ane. 365 [N]e mei na murhðe. beo swa muchel. se is godes sihte. [H]e ís soð sunne ⁊ briht. ⁊ dei ábuten nihte. Sume þar habbeð lasse blisse ⁊ sume þar habbeð more Elch after þat he dude her after þane þe swanc sore Ne sal þar ben bread ne win ne oðer kennes este God one sal ben ache lif ⁊ blisse ⁊ ache reste. 365 Ne sal þar ben foh ne grai ne cunin ne ermine Ne aquerne ne metheschele ne beuer ne sabeline. Ne sal þar ben naðer scat ne srud ne wereldes wele none. Al þe blisse þe me us bihat al hit sal ben god one Ne mai no blisse ben alse muchel se is godes sihte. 370 He is soð sunne ⁊ briht ⁊ dai a bute nihte. [H]e is ælches godes ful. nis him na wið uten. na god nis him wane þe wunieð him abuten. Þer is wéle ábute gane. ⁊ reste abuten swinche. 370 þe mei ⁊ nele ðider cume. sare hit him sceal óf ðinche. He is aches godes ful nis him no wiht uten. Nones godes hem nis wane þe wunieð him abuten. Þar is wele a buten wane ⁊ reste a buten swunche. Þe muȝen ⁊ nelleð þider cume hit hem mai of þunche.

(EGERTON MS., FIRST COPY.) Þer is blisse a buten treȝe. ⁊ lif a buten deaþe þe eure scullen wunien þer. bliþe muwen ben eþe Þer is ȝeoȝeðe bute ulde. ⁊ hele a buten vn helðe nis þer so`re´we ne sor. ne neure nan vn sealþe 375 Þer me scal drihte sulf i seon. swa he is mid iwisse he one mai ⁊ scal al beo. engle ⁊ manne blisse And ðeh ne beod heore eȝe naht. alle iliche brihte ði nabbed hi nouht iliche. alle of godes lihte On þisse `liue´ hi neren nout. alle of one mihte 380 ne þer ne scullen hi habben god. alle bi one ȝihte 375 Þar is blisse a buten treiȝe ⁊ lif abuten deaðe Þo þe afre sulle wunie þar bliðe hie muȝe ben eaðe. Þar is ȝieuð abuten elde ⁊ hale abuten unhalðe Nis þar sareȝe ne sor non ne nafre unisalðe. Þar me drihte self isien swo se is mid iwisse 380 He one mai ⁊ sal al ben angles ⁊ manne blisse. | ⁊ þeih ne bed here eien naht alle iliche brihte Hi nabbeð naht iliche muchel alle of godes lihte On þesse liue he naren naht alle of ore mihte Ne þar ne sullen habben god. alle bi one wihte. Þo scullen more of him seon. þe luuede him her more ⁊ more icnawen ⁊ iwiten. his mihte ⁊ his ore On him hi scullen finden alþat man mai to lesten hali boc hi sculle i seon. al þat hi her nusten 385 Crist scal one beon inou. alle his durlinges he one is muchele mare ⁊ betere. þanne alle oþere þinges Inoh he haued þe hine haueð. þe alle þing wealded of him to sene nis no sed. wel hem is þe hine bi healdeð God is so mere ⁊ swa muchel. in his godcunnesse 390 þ̵ al þ̵ is. ⁊ al þat wes is wurse. þenne he ⁊ lesse Ne mai it neure no man oþer segge mid iwisse hu muchele murhðe habbet þo. þe beod inne godes blisse 385 Þo sullen more of him isien þe luueden hine more ⁊ more icnowen ⁊ ec witen his mihte ⁊ his ore On him hie sulle finden al þat man mai to hleste On him he sullen ec isien al þat hie ar nesten. [C]rist sal one bien inoȝh alle his derlinges. 390 [Þ]e one is muche more ⁊ betere þan alle oðer þinges. [I]noh he haueð þe hine haueð þe alle þing wealdeð [O]f him to isiene nis non sæd swo fair he is to bihelden [G]od is swo mere ⁊ swo muchel in his godcunnesse [Þ]at al þat elles was ⁊ is is fele werse ⁊ lasse. 395 [Ne] mai hit nafre noman oðer seggen mid iwisse [H]wu muchele murihðe habbeð þo þe beð in godes blisse T o þere blisse us bringe god. þe rixlet abuten ende þenne he vre soule vn bint. of licames bende 395 Crist ȝyue us leden her swilc lif. ⁊ habben her swilc ende þat we moten þuder come. wanne we henne wende. AmeN. [T]o þare blisse us bringe god þe rixleð a buten ende. [Þ]ane he ure sowle unbint of lichamliche bende [C]rist ȝieue us laden her swilch lif ⁊ habben her swilch ende; 400 [Þ]at we moten þider cumen þane we henne wende. AMEN.

IX. ANCRENE WISSE (Corpus MS.)

“i. Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, 402 (A); on vellum, 215 × 150 mm.... There are glosses in red pencil and words underlined in red.

“The MS. belongs to the second quarter of the thirteenth century. It cannot be earlier than 1225 A.D., for it mentions the Dominicans and Franciscans, and it is probably later than 1230. It is the most correct, but it has additions to the original, such as 62/46–64/62, 64/73–78.

“ii. Caius College, Cambridge, 234 (B); on vellum, 124 × 93 mm.; 368 pages; late thirteenth century. Pages 1-185 consist of extracts from the AR, but not in the order of the other manuscripts (ES iii. 536).

“iii. Cotton Nero A 14, British Museum (N); on vellum, 146 × 114 mm.; written in the second quarter of the thirteenth century. Its contents are ff. 1-120r, the Ancren Riwle; 120v-123v, The Orison.

“iv. Cotton Titus D 18, British Museum (T); on vellum, 158 × 120 mm.; 148 folios in double columns, written from f. 14, where AR begins, to the end, about 1220 A.D.”

A. The Seven Deadly Sins

A (Caius MS.)

B (Corpus MS.) B (Cotton MSS.)

A (Parallel Texts) B (Parallel Texts)

[f. 56 r]

Þvs mine leoue sustren iþe wildernesse þer ȝe gað; in · wið godes folc toward ierusalemes lond · þ̵ is þe riche of heouene; beoð þulliche beastes · þulliche wurmes. ne nat ich na sunne þ̵ ne mei beon ilead oðer to an of ham seouene; oðer to hare streones. vnsteaðeluest bileaue aȝein godes lare · nis hit te spece 5 of prude inobedience? Herto falleð sygaldren · false teolunges · lefunge o swefne · o nore · ⁊ on alle wicchecreftes. Neomunge of husel in eani heaued sunne · oðer ei oþer sacrement nis hit te spece of prude þ̵ ich cleopede presumptio · ȝef me wat hwuch sunne hit · is · [f. 56 v] ȝef me hit nat nawt · þenne is hit ȝemeles under 10 accidie · þ̵ ich slawðe cleopede. þe ne warneð oðer of his uuel oðer of his biȝete · nis hit slaw ȝemeles oðer attri onde? teoheði mis · edhalden cwide · fundles oðer lane · oðer þerwið mis fearen · nis hit spece of ȝisceunge; ⁊ aneS cunnes þeofðe? Edhalden oðres hure ouer his rihte terme nis hit strong reaflac hwa se ȝelden hit mei þe is 15 under ȝisceunge? Ȝef me ȝemeð wurse ei þing ileanet · oðer bitaht to witene · þen he wene þe ah hit · nis hit oðer triccherie · oðer ȝemeles of slawðe? alswa is dusi heast oðer folliche ipliht trowðe · longe beon unbischpet · falsliche gan to schrift · oðer to longe abiden · ne teache pater noster godchild ne Credo · þeos ⁊ alle þulliche beoð ilead to 20 slawðe · þ̵ is þe feorðe moder of þe seoue sunnen. Þe dronc drunch oðer ei þing dude · hwer þurh na child ne schulde beon on hire istreonet · oðer þ̵ istreonede schulde forwurðen · nis þis strong monslaht of galnesse awakenet? Alle sunnen sunderliche bi hare nomeliche nomen ne mahte namon rikenin · ah i þeo þe ich habbe 25 iseid; alle oþre beoð bilokene. Ant nis ich wene namon þe ne mei understonden him of his sunne nomeliche under sum of þe ilke imeane þe beoð her iwritene. Of þeose seoue beastes ⁊ of hare streones i wildernesse of anlich lif · is iseid herto · þe alle þe forfearinde fondið to fordonne. Þe liun of prude sleað alle þe prude · 30 alle þe beoð hehe ⁊ ouerhohe iheortet. Þe attri neddre · þe ontfule ⁊ te luðere iþonket. Wreaðfule; þe vnicorne. Alswa of þe oþre o rawe. to godd ha beoð isleine · ah [f. 57 r] ha libbeð to þe feond · ⁊ beoð alle in his hond. ⁊ seruið him in his curt euch of þe meoster þe him to falleð. 35

Þe prude beoð his bemeres · draheð wind inward wið worltlich hereword · ⁊ eft wið idel ȝelp puffeð hit ut ward as þe bemeres doð · makieð noise ⁊ lud dream to schawin hare orhel · ah ȝef ha wel þohten of godes bemeres of þe englene bemen þe schulen o fowr half þe world biuore þe grurefule dom grisliche blawen · Ariseð 40 deade ariseð cumeð to drihtines dom forte beon idemet · þear na prud bemere, ne schal beon iborhen · ȝef ha þohten þis wel; ha walden inohreaðe i þe deofles seruise dimlukeR bemin. Of þeose bemeres seið Jeremie · Onager solitarius in desiderio anime sue attraxit uentum amoris sui · Of þe wind drahinde in for luue 45 of hereword seið as ich seide.

Summe iuglurs beoð þe ne cunnen seruin of nan oþer gleo bute makien cheres · wrenche þe muð mis · schulen wið ehnen. Of þis meoster seruið þe unseli ontfule i þe deofles curt · to bringen o lahtre hare ondfule lauerd · ȝef ei seið wel oðer deð wel; ne mahen 50 ha nanes weis lokin þider wið riht ehe of god heorte · ah winkið o þ̵ half ⁊ bihaldeð o luft ȝef þer is eawt to edwiten · oðer ladliche þiderward schuleð mið eiðer. Hwen ha ihereð þ̵ god; skleatteð þe earen adun · ah þe lust aȝein þ̵ uuel; is eauer wid open · þenne he wrencheð þe muð; hwen he turneð god to uuel · ⁊ ȝef hit is sumdel 55 uuel · þurh mare lastunge wrencheð hit to wurse · þeos beoð forecwidderes hare ahne prophetes · þeos bodieð · biuoren hu þe eateliche deoflen schulen ȝet ageasten ham wið hare grennunge · ⁊ [f. 57 v] hu ha schulen ham seolf grennin ⁊ niuelin ⁊ makien sur semblant for þe muchele angoise i þe pine of helle. Ah for þi ha 60 beoð þe leasse to meanen þ̵ ha biuoren hond leornið hare meoster to makien grim chere.

Þe wreaðule biuore þe feond skirmeð mid cniues · ⁊ is his cnif warpere · ⁊ pleieð mid sweordes · bereð ham bi þe scharp ord up on his tunge. Sweord ⁊ cnif eiðer beoð scharpe ⁊ keoruinde word 65 þ̵ he warpeð from him ⁊ skirmeð toward oþre · ⁊ he bodeð hu þe deoflen schulen pleien wið him mid hare scharpe eawles · skirmi wið him abuten ⁊ dusten ase pilche clut euch toward oðer · ant wið helle sweordes asneasen him þurh ut · þ̵ beoð kene ant eateliche ant keoruinde pineN. 70

Þe slawe lið ⁊ slepeð o þe deofles bearm as his deore deorling · ⁊ te deouel leið his tutel dun to his eare · ⁊ tuteleð him al þ̵ he wule. for swa hit is sikerliche to hwam se is idel of god; meaðeleð þe feond ȝeorne · ⁊ te idele underueð luueliche his lare. Jdel ⁊ ȝemeles is þes deofleS bearnes slep · ah he schal o domesdei grimliche abreiden 75 wið þe dredfule dream of þe englene bemen · ⁊ in helle wontreaðe echeliche wakieN. Surgite aiunt mortui surgite ⁊ uenite ad iudicium saluatoriS.

Þe ȝiscere is his eskibah · feareð abuten esken · ⁊ bisiliche stureð him to rukelin to gederes muchele ⁊ monie ruken · blaweð þrin 80 ⁊ blent him seolf · peaðereð ⁊ makeð þrin figures of augrim · as þes rikeneres doð þe habbeð muche to rikenin. Þis is al þe canges blisse ⁊ te feond bihalt tis gomen ⁊ laheð þ̵ he bersteð. Wel un [f. 58 r] derstont euch wis mon þ̵ gold ba ⁊ seoluer · ⁊ euch eorðlich ahte · nis bute eorðe ⁊ ahte esken þe ablendeð euch moN þe ham in blaweð · þ̵ 85 is þe bolheð him þurh ham in heorte prude. Ant al þ̵ he rukeleð ⁊ gedereð to gederes · ⁊ ethalt of ei þing þ̵ nis bute esken mare þen hit neodeð; schal in helle wurðen him tadden ⁊ neddren · ⁊ ba as ysaie seið · schulen beon of wurmes; his cuuertur ⁊ his hwitel · þe nalde þerwið neodfule feden ne schruden. Subter te sternetur 90 tinea ⁊ operimentum tuum uermiS.

Þe ȝiuere glutun is þe feondes manciple · ah he stikeð eauer iceler oðer icuchene · his heorte is i þe disscheS · his þoht al i þe neppes · his lif i þe tunne · his sawle i þe crohhe · Kimeð biuoren his lauerd bismuddet ⁊ bismulret · a disch in his an hond · a scale in his 95 oðer. Meaðeleð mis wordes · wigleð as fordrunke mon þe haueð imunt to fallen · bihalt his greate wombe · ⁊ te deouel lahheð. Þeose þreatið þus godd þurh ysaie · Serui mei comedent ⁊ uos esurietis ⁊ c’. Mine men schulen eoten ⁊ ow schal eauer hungrin · ⁊ ȝe schule beon feorle world buten ende. Quantum glorificauit se ⁊ in deliciis 100 fuit; tantum date illi tormentum ⁊ luctum · In apocalipsi · Contra unum poculum quod miscuit miscete ei duo. Ȝef þe kealche cuppe wallinde bres to drinken · Ȝeot in his wide þrote þ̵ he swelte inwið. aȝein an ȝef him twa. þullich is godes dom aȝein ȝiuere ⁊ druncwile iþe apocalipse. 105

ANCREN RIWLE (Caius MS.)

A. The Seven Deadly Sins

A (Corpus MS.) (above)

B (Corpus MS.) B (Cotton MSS.)

A (Parallel Texts) B (Parallel Texts)

[p. 126]

[Þ]us 3. sulliche MS. 11. bigete] b corr. out of l. 16. tricherie] over c, contraction mark for er. mine leoue frend iþe wildernesse þat ge [p. 127] gat in wid godes folc toward ierusalemes londe þat is þe riche of heouene; beod þulliche bestes þulliche wurmes · Ne nat ich nan sunne þat ne mai beon ilad · oþer to an of ham seoluen oþer to hare streones · vnstaþelfast bi leaue · agein hali lare · nis hit of 5 prude inobedience? Herto falled sigaldren · false teolunges · Lefunge o nore. o swefne ⁊ alle wicchecraftes. Neominge of husel in ei heaued sunne · oþer ai oþer sacrement · nis hit spece of prude; þat ich cleopede presumpciun · gif me wat hwat sunne hit is. Gif me hit nat naut; þenne is hit gemeles vnder accidie · þat ich slouþe cleopede. 10 þe þat ne warned oþer of his uuel · oþer of his bigete · nis hit slaþ gemeles oþer attri onde? To thehewen mis · et halden cwude · fundes oþer lane · nis þis giscunge; þeofþe. at halden oþeres hure ouer his richte terme · nis hit strong reflac. þat is under gissunge; gif me gemed wurse ai þing [p. 128] ilened · oþer bitahted te witene þen 15 he wene þat hit ah · nis oþer tricherie · oþer gemeles of slauþe. Alswa is dusi hest · oþer folliche iplicht trouþe Longe beon un bischbed · falsliche gan to schrifte · oþer to longe abiden · Ne teachen god child pater noster · Ne Credo · þeos ⁊ alle þulliche · beod ilad to slauþe · þat is þe feorþe moder of þe seoue sunnen · þeo dronc druch 20 oþer ai þing dude hwer þurh na child ne shulde beon on hire istreoned · oþer þat istreonede shulde for wurþen; Nis þis strong monslaht of galnasse awakened; Alle sunnen sunderliche bi hare nomeliche nome ne mahte na mon rikenen. Ah iþeo þat ich habbe iseid; alle oþere beod bilokene. An nis ich wene namon þat ne mai 25 under stonden him of his sunnen nomeliche wnder summe of þe ilke þat imene; þe beod þer i writene.

[O]f þeos sewe beastes ⁊ of hare strenes iwildernesse of anlich lif is iseid hiderto [p. 129] þe alle þe forfarinde fondet te fordonne. þe Leon of prude slead alle þe prude. Alle þat beod 30 hehe ⁊ for hehe iheorted. þe aetri neddre; þe ond fule. ⁊ þe luþere iþonked. wredfule þe unicorne. Al swa of þen oþer areawe. to god ha beod isleine · Ah ha libbed to þe feond ⁊ beod alle in is hird · ⁊ serued him in his curt · Euch of þe mester þet him to falleð.

[Þ]E 43. seid] d above a blotted letter. prude beod his bemeres · Drahed wind inward · of worldlich 35 hereword · ⁊ eft wid idel ige`l´p puffed hit utward · as þe bemares dod. Makied noise ⁊ lud drem to shawen hare prude. Ah gif ha uel þothten · of godes bemeres of þe englene bemen · þat shulen afour half þe word · bi fore þe grurefule dom grisliche blawen · Arised deade arised · Cumed to drichtines domes for to beon idemed · þer na prud 40 bemere ne shal beon iboregen · Gif ha þohten wel þis · ha walden inoh raþe iþe deoueles seruise dimluker bemen. Of þeose bemeres sei`d´ [p. 130] Jeremie · Onager solitarius in desiderio suo attraxit uentum amoris sui · Of þe wind drahinde in for luue of hereword; seid as ich seide. 45

[S]umme 48, 49. eondfule, ondfule] d above in darker ink. 51. out] ont MS. 53. eawid MS. 55. On lower margin in a later hand: Prude and nid · and lecherie · Grede and idelhed · coueitise and glotunie beod seouen ded Sundes. iugelurs beod þe ne cunen seruin of nan oþer gleo buten maken cheres · wrenchen þe mud mis shuli wid þe ehnen. of þis mester seruid þe unseli eon`d´fule iþe deoueles curt · to bringen a lahtre hare on`d´fule leouerð. gef ei ded wel oþer seid wel; ne mahen ha nanes weis liki þiderwarð wid richt ehe of god heorte · Ah 50 winked o þet half ⁊ bi halded a luft gif þer is out to et wite oþer; ladliche þiderward shuled mid eiþer. hwen ha ihered þat god skletteð þe earen adun · Ah þe lust a gein þet uuel is ea wid opene. þenne wrenched þe mud mis; hwen he turned þet god to uuel · ⁊ gef hit is [p. 131] sumdel uuel; þurh more lastunge wrenched hit to 55 wurse. þeos beod for quiddares hare ahne prophetes. þeos bodied biuoren hu þe ateliche deouelen shulen get agastan ham wid hare grennunge · ⁊ hu ha shulen ham seolf grennen ⁊ niwelen · ⁊ makien sur semblant · for þe muchele angoise iþe pine of helle. Ah forþi ha beod þe lesse te meanen · þat ha bi foren hont leorned ha meoster te 60 makien grim chere.

[Þ]E 67. apilche MS. wreadfule biuoren þe feond skirmed mid kniwes · is his knif warpare · ⁊ pleied mid sweordes · bered ham bi þe sharpe ord open his tunge. swerd ⁊ knif eiþer beoð sherpe ⁊ keorwinde : word þat he warped from him ⁊ skirmed toward oþere. And he boded hu 65 þe deouelen shulen pleien wid him · mid hare sharpe eawles · Skirmin wid him abuten · ⁊ dusten as a pilche [p. 132] clut · Euch toward oþere · ⁊ wid helle sweordes asnesen þurh ut þat beod kene ⁊ eateliche keorwinde pinen.

[Þ]E slauwe lid ⁊ sleped oþe deoules barm as his deore deorling · ⁊ 70 þe deouel leid his tutel dun to his earen · ⁊ tutelid him al þat he eawer uule. for swa hit is sikerliche to hwam se is idel of god · Meaþeled þe feond georne. ⁊ þe idele underweng luueliche his lare · Idel ⁊ gemeles is þes deoueles bernes slep · Ah he shal a domes dai grimliche abreiden · wid þe dredfule drem of þe englene bemen · ⁊ in 75 helle wondrede etheliche wakien · Surgite mortui qui jacetis in sepulcris · surgite ⁊ venite ad Judicium saluatoris.

[Þ]E 81. rich`k´eneneres MS. gissere is his eskebah · fared abuten esken · ⁊ bisiliche stured him te rukelen te gederes · muchele ⁊ monie ruken · blawed þer [p. 133] in · ⁊ blend him seolf · paþered ⁊ maked þer in figures of 80 augrim · As þeos rich`k´eneres dod þat habbed muche te rikenen. þis is þes kanges blisse · ⁊ þe feond bi hald þis gomen · ⁊ lahed þat he bersteð. wel under stonde þis euch mon · þat gold ba ⁊ seoluer · ⁊ euch worldlich ahte · nis buten eorðe ⁊ esken þat ablent euchmon þat in ham blaweð · þat is þat þat bolehed ham þurh ham in heorte 85 prude. And al þat he rukeled ⁊ gedered to gedere · ⁊ ethalt of ani þing þat nis buten esken mare þen hit neodeð; shal in helle wurden him tadden ⁊ neddren · ⁊ ba as ysaie seið shulen beon of wurmes his cuuertur ⁊ his `þ´witel þat neolden war wið neodfule feden ⁊ shruden. Subter te sternetur tinea ⁊ operimentum tuum 90 uermis.

[Þ]e giuere glutun is þes deoules manciple · Ah he stiked eauer iceler oþer icuche [p. 134] ne · his heorte is iþe dishes · his þoht al iþe nappes · his lif iþe tunne · his saule iþe crohhe · kimed bi woren his lauert bi smudded ⁊ bi smured · A dich in his an hond · A scale in 95 his oþer · Meadeled mis wordes wigeled as for drunken · mon þat haued mint to fallen · bi halt his greate wombe. ⁊ þe deouel lahheð. þeos þreated þus god þurh ysaie · Serui mei commedent ⁊ uos esurietis ⁊ c’. Mine men shulen eoten · ⁊ ow shal eawer hungren · ⁊ ge shulen beon feondes fode world buten ende. Quantum gl[ori]ficauit 100 se ⁊ in deliciis fuit; tantum date illi tormentum ⁊ luctum · Apocalipsis · Contra unum quod miscuit date illi duo · gef þen kelche cuppe wallinde bras te drinken · geot in his wide þrote · þat he swelte in wið. agein gef him twa. þullich is godes dom agein giwere ⁊ druncwile iþe apocalipse. 105

IX. ANCRENE WISSE (Corpus MS.) B. The Outer Rule

A (Corpus MS.) A (Caius MS.)

B (Cotton MSS.)

A (Parallel Texts) B (Parallel Texts)

[f. 112 v] Ȝe mine leoue sustren bute ȝef neod ow driue ⁊ ower meistre hit reade · ne schulen habbe na beast bute cat ane. Ancre þe haueð ahte · þuncheð bet husewif ase Marthe wes · ne lihtliche ne mei ha nawt beo Marie marthe suster wið griðfullnesse [f. 113 r] of heorte. for þenne mot ha þenchen of þe kues foddre · of heorde 5 monne hure · Olhnin þe heiward · wearien hwen he punt hire · ⁊ ȝelden þah þe hearmes. ladlich þing is hit wat crist hwen me makeð i tune man of ancre ahte. Nu þenne ȝef eani mot nedlunge habben hit · loki þ̵ hit namon ne eili ne ne hearmi · ne þ̵ hire þoht ne beo nawiht þron ifestnet. ancre ne ah to habben na þing þ̵ utward drahe hire 10 heorte. Na chaffere ne driue ȝe · ancre þ̵ is chepilt · þ̵ is · buð forte sullen efter biȝete · ha chepeð hire sawle þe chapmon of helle. þing þah þ̵ ha wurcheð ha mei þurh hire meistres read; for hire neode sullen · hali men sumhwile liueden bi hare honden.

Nawt deore dehtren ne wite ȝe in ower hus of oðer monne 15 þinges · ne ahte ne claðes · ne boistes · ne chartres · Scoren ne cyrograffes · ne þe chirch uestemenz · ne þe calices · bute neode oðer strengðe hit makie; oðer muchel eie. Of swuch witunge is muchel vuel ilumpen ofte siðen. IN wið ower wanes ne leote ȝe namon slepeN · Ȝef muchel neod mid alle makeð breoken ower hus · hwil hit eauer is 20 ibroken · habbeð þrinne wið ow a wummon of cleane lif deies ant nihteS. For þi þ̵ wepmen ne seoð ow ne ȝe ham · wel mei don of ower clað beo hit hwit beo hit blac bute hit beo unorne · warm ⁊ wel iwraht · felles wel itawet · ⁊ habbeð ase monie as ow to neodeð to bedde ⁊ to rugge. 25

Nest flesch ne schal nan werien linnene clað bute hit beo of hearde ⁊ of greate heorden. Stamin habbe hwa se wule · hwa se wule beo buten. Ȝe schulen in an hetter ant igurd liggen · swa leoðeliche þah þ̵ ȝe mahen honden put [f. 113 v] ten þer under. Nest lich nan ne gurde hire wið na cunne gurdles : bute þurh schriftes leaue. Ne 30 beore nan irn ne here · ne ilespiles felles · ne ne beate hire þer wið; ne wið scurge i leadet · wið holin ne wið breres · ne biblodgi hire seolf; wið ute schriftes leaue · nohwer ne binetli hire · ne ne beate bi uoren · ne na keoruunge ne keorue · ne ne neome ed eanes to luðere disceplines · temptaciuns forte acwenchen · ne for na bote 35 aȝein cundeliche secnesses · nan uncundelich lechecreft ne leue ȝe ne ne fondin · wið uten ower meistres read; leste ow stonde wurse. Ower schon i winter beon meoke · greate ⁊ warme. I sumer ȝe habbeð leaue bearuot gan ⁊ sitten ⁊ lihte scheos werieN · Hosen wið ute vampez; ligge in hwa se likeð · Ischeoed ne slepe ȝe nawt · ne 40 noh wer bute i bedde. Sum wummon inohreaðe wereð þe brech of here ful wel icnottet · þe streapeles dun to þe vet ilacet ful feaste · ah eauer is best þe swete ⁊ te swote heorte. Me is leouere þ̵ ȝe þolien wel an heard word; þen an heard here. Ȝef ȝe muhen beo wimpelles ⁊ ȝe wel wullen; beoð bi warme cappen · ⁊ þer uppon hwite oðer blake veiles. 45 Ancren summe sungið in hare wimplunge; na leasse þen leafdis. Ah þah seið sum þ̵ hit limpeð to euch wummon cundeliche forte werien wimpel · Nai · wimpel ne heaued clað nowðer ne nempneð hali writ; ah wriheles ane · Ad corinthios · Mulier uelet caput suum · Wummon seið þe apostle schal wreon hire heaued. wrihen he seið 50 nawt wimpliN. wrihen ha schal hire scheome · as eue sunfule dohteR · i mungunge of þe sunne þ̵ schende us on earst alle · ant nawt drahe þe wriheles to tiffunge ⁊ to prude · Eft wule [f. 114 r] þe apostle þ̵ wummon wreo i chirche hire neb ȝetten · leste uuel þoht arise þurh hire onsihðe · Et hoc est propter angelos. hwi þenne 55 þu chirch ancre iwimplet openest þi neb to wepmonnes ehe; toȝeines þe sist men; spekeð þe apostle · ȝef þu þe ne hudest. ah ȝef þ̵ ei þing wriheð þi neb from monnes ehe · beo hit wah beo hit clað · i wel i rund windowe · wel mei duhen ancre of oðer wimplunge. Toȝeines þe þe þus ne dest; spekeð þe apostle nawt toȝeines oþre · þ̵ 60 hare ahne wah wriheð wið euch monnes sihðe. þer awakenið ofte wake þohtes of · ⁊ werkes oðerhwileS. Hwa se wule beon isehen; þah ha atiffi hire nis nawt muche wunder; ah to godes ehnen ha is lufsumre; þe is for þe luue of him; untiffet wið uteN. Ring ne broche ne habbe ȝe · ne gurdel imembret · ne glouen ne nan swuch 65 þing þ̵ ow ne deh to habben. A meoke surpliz ȝe mahen in hat sumer werien. Eauer me is leouere se ȝe doð greattre werkes. Ne makie ȝe nane purses forte freondin ow wið · bute to þeo þ̵ ower meistre ȝeueð ow his leaue · ne huue ne blod binde of seolc · ne laz buten leaue · Ah schapieð ⁊ seowið ⁊ mendið chirche claðes · ⁊ poure monne hettren. 70 na swuch þing ne schule ȝe ȝeouen wið uteN schriftes leaue · namare þen neomen · þ̵ ȝe ne seggen him fore; as of oðre þinges · kun oðer cuððe · hu ofte ȝe under uengen · hulonge ȝe edheolden. tendre of cunne limpeð nawt ancre beonne. A mon wes of religiun · ⁊ com to him efter help his fleschliche broðer · ⁊ he tahte him to his þridde 75 breðer · þe wes dead biburiet. 75. to his] is on erasure. 76. breðer] er on erasure. 77. Before nis, d erased. Þe ondswerede wundrinde · Nai quoð he nis he dead? ant ich quoð þe hali mon [f. 114 v] am dead gasteliche. Na fleschlich freond ne easki me fleschlich froure. Amices ⁊ parures · worldliche leafdis mahen inoh wurchen · ant ȝef ȝe ham makieð; ne makie ȝe þrof na mustreisun · veine gloire attreð alle 80 gode þeawes · ⁊ alle gode werkes. Criblin ne schal nan of ow for luue ne for hure. Taueles ne forbeode ich nawt. Ȝef sum riueð surpliz oðeR measse kemese; oþre riuunges ne riue ha nawt nomeliche oueregede · bute for muche neode. Helpeð ow wið ower ahne swinc se forð se ȝe eauer mahen to schriden ow seoluen ⁊ feden ȝef 85 neod is · ⁊ þeo þe ow seruið. As sein Jerome leareð · ne beo ȝe neauer longe ne lihtliche of sum þing allunges idel · for anan rihtes þe feond beot hire his werc þe i godes werc ne swinkeð · ⁊ tuteleð anan toward hire. foR hwil he sið hire bisi; he þencheð þus · for nawt ich schulde nu cume neh hire; ne mei ha nawt iȝemen to lustni 90 mi lare. Of idelnesse awakeneð muchel flesches fondunge. Iniquitas Sodome; saturitas panis ⁊ ocium · þ̵ is · SodomeS cwedschipe com of idelnesse ⁊ of ful wombe. Irn þ̵ lið stille gedereð sone rust · weater þe ne stureð nawt; readliche stinkeð.

Ancre ne schal nawt forwurðe scolmeistre · ne turnen ancre husto 95 childrene scole · hire meiden mei learen sum oðer meiden · þ̵ were pliht of to leornin amonge wepmen · oðer bimong gromes. ah ancre ne ah to ȝemen bute godd ane · þah bi hire meistres read ha mei sum rihten ⁊ helpen to learen. Ȝe ne schulen senden leattres · ne underuon leattres · ne writen bute leaue. Ȝe schulen beon i doddet · 100 oðer ȝef ȝe wulleð ischauen fowr siðen i þe ȝer · to lihtin ower heaued · beo bi þe her ieueset; [f. 115 r] hwa se swa is leouere · ant as ofte ileten blod ⁊ ȝef neod iS; oftre · Þe mei beo þer buten; ich hit mei wel þolien. Hwen ȝe beoð 104. After beoð, al greiðe struck out. 120. towundre MS. ilete blod; ȝe ne schule don na þing þe þreo dahes þ̵ ow greueð · ah talkið to ower 105 meidnes · ⁊ wið þeawfule talen schurteð ow to gederes. Ȝe maheN swa don ofte hwen ow þuncheð heuie; oðer beoð for sum worltlich þing sare oðer seke · þah euch worltlich froure is unwurðe to ancre. Swa wisliche witeð ow in ower blodletunge; ⁊ haldeð ow i swuch reste; þ̵ ȝe longe þrefter mahen i godes seruise þe monluker swinken · 110 ant alswa hwen ȝe feleð eani secnesse. Muchel sotschipe hit is leosen for an dei; tene oðer tweolue. Vesscheð ow hwer se neod is as ofte as ȝe wulleð · ⁊ ower oþre þinges. Nes neauer fulðe godd leof · þah pouerte ⁊ unorneschipe beon him licwurðe. VNderstondeð eauer of alle þeose þinges · þ̵ nan nis heast ne forbod þ̵ 115 beoð of þe uttre riwle · þet is lute strengðe of. for hwon þ̵ te inre beo wel iwist as ich seide i þe frumðe · þeos mei beon ichanget hwer se eani neod oðer eani skile hit easkeð · efter þ̵ ha best mei þe leafdi riwle seruin as hire eadmode þuften · ah sikerliche wið uten hire þe leafdi feareð to wundre.

Ancre þe naueð nawt neh 120 honde hire fode; beoð bisie twa wummen. An eauer þe leaue ed hame; an oþer þe wende ut · hwenne driueð neod · ⁊ þeo beo ful unorne wið uten euch tiffunge · oðer a lutel þuftene; oðer of feier ealde. Bi þe wei as ha geað; ga singinde hire beoden · ne ne halde na tale wið mon ne wið wummon · ne sitte ne ne stonde · bute þ̵ 125 leaste þet ha eauer mei ear þen ha ham cume. Nohwider elles ne ga [f. 115 v] heo bute þider as me send hire · wið ute leaue · ne ne eote ha ne ne drinke ute · Þe oþer beo eauer inne · ne wið ute þe ȝeten : ne ga wið ute leaue. Ba beon obedient to hare dame in alle þing · bute i sunne ane · na þing nabben þet heo hit nute · ne underuo na 130 þing · ne ne ȝeoue nowðer; wið uten hire leaue. Na mon ne leote ȝe in · ne þe ȝungre ne speoke wið namon bute leaue · ne ga ha nawt ut of tune : wið uten siker fere · ȝef hit swa mei beon; ne ne ligge ute. ȝef heo ne con oboke; segge bi pater nostres · ant bi auez hire ures · ⁊ wurche þ̵ me hat hire wið ute gruchunge. habbe eauer hire 135 earen opene toward hire dame. Nowðer of þe wummen ne beore from hare dame · ne ne bringe to hire nane idele talen; ne neowe tidinges · ne bitweonen ham seolf; ne singen ne ne speoken na ne worldliche spechen · ne lahhen swa ne pleien; þet ei mon þ̵ hit sehe; mahte hit to uuel turnen. Ouer alle þinges leasunges ⁊ luðere wordes 140 heatien. hare her beo icoruen · hare heaued clað sitte lahe · 141. laḥhe MS. 161. hond MS. eiðer ligge ane. Hare cop beo hehe isticchet · ⁊ bute broche. na mon ne seo ham unleppet ne open heaued. lah locunge habben. Heo ne schulen cussen na mon · ne cuðmon ne cunnes mon · ne for na cuððe cluppen · ne weschen hare heaued · ne lokin feaste o na mon; ne toggin 145 wið ne pleien. Hare weden beon of swuch schape · ⁊ al hare aturn swuch; þet hit beo edscene hwerto ha beoð iturnde. Hare lates lokin warliche · þ̵ nan ne mahe edwiten ham; in hus ne ut of hus. On alle wise forbeoren to wreaðen hare dame · ⁊ as ofte as heo hit doð; ear ha drinken oþer eoten; makien [f. 116 r] hare venie · o cneon 150 dun biuoren hire ⁊ seggen · mea culpa · ⁊ underuon þe penitence þ̵ ha leið up on hire lutinde hire lahe. Þe ancre þrefter neauer mare þ̵ ilke gult ne upbreide for na wreaððe · bute ȝef ha eft sone falle i þ̵ ilke · ah do hit allunge ut of hire heorte. Ȝef ei strif ariseð bitweone þe wummen; þe ancre makie eiðer to makien oþer venie o cneon to þer 155 eorðe · ⁊ eiðer rihte up oþer; ⁊ cussen on ende · ant te ancre legge on eiðer; sum penitence · mare up o þe ilke þe greatluker gulte. Þis is a þing witen ha wel þ̵ is gode leouest; Sahtnesse ⁊ some · ⁊ te feond laðest · for þi he is eauer umben to arearen sum leaððe. Nu sið þe sweoke wel · þ̵ hwen fur is wel o brune; ⁊ me wule þ̵ hit aga; 160 me sundreð þe brondes · ⁊ he deð nond þ̵ ilke. luue is ihesu cristes fur · þ̵ he wule þ̵ bleasie aa i þin heorte · ant te deouel blaweð forte puffen hit ut. Hwen his blawunge ne geineð nawt · he bringeð up sum uuel word · oðer sum oþer nohtunge · hwer þurh ha to hurten eiðer frommard oþer · ⁊ te hali gastes fuR cwencheð hwen þe 165 brondes þurh wreaððe beoð isundret. forþi halden ham i luue feaste to gederes · Ant ne beo ham nawt of hwen þe feond blawe · nomeliche ȝef monie beon iueietsomet; ⁊ wel wið luue ontende. Þah þe ancre on hire meidnes for openliche gultes legge penitence; to þe preost noðeleater schriuen ham hwen neod is · ah eauer þah wið leaue. Ȝef ha 170 ne cunnen nawt þe mete graceS · seggen in hare stude; pater noster biuoren; ⁊ aue Maria · ⁊ efter mete alswa · ant a Credo mare · ⁊ segge þus on ende · feader · Sune · hali gast al mihti godd · ȝeoue ure dame his grace · [f. 116 v] se lengre se mare · ⁊ leue hire ⁊ us ba neomen god ende · for ȝelde alle þe us god doð · ⁊ milci hare sawle þe us god 175 idon habbeð · hare sawle ⁊ alle cristene sawleS.

177. gruchesi] ch on an erasure. Bitweone mel ne gruchesi ȝe nawt · nowðer frut ne oðerhwet; ne drinken bute leaue . ⁊ te leaue beo liht in al þ̵ nis sunne. Ed te mete na word · oðer lut; ⁊ teo stille. Alswa efter þe ancre complie · aþet prime · ne don na þing ne seggen; hweR þurh hire silence mahe 180 beon isturbet. Nan ancre seruant ne ahte bi rihte to easkin iset hure · bute mete ⁊ hure þ̵ ha mei flutte bi; ant godes milce. Ne mis leue nan godd; hwet se tide of þe ancre · þ̵ he hire trukie. þe meidnes wið uten ȝef ha seruið þe ancre alswa as ha ahen · hare hure schal beon þe hehe blisse of heouene. Hwa se haueð ehe of hope toward 185 se heh bure; gleadliche wule ha seruui ⁊ lihtliche alle wa · ⁊ alle teone þolien. wið eise ⁊ wið este ne buð me nawt bliSSe.

Ȝe 191. ȝef above þurh deleted. ancres ahen þis leaste stucche reden to ower wummen euche wike eanes · aþet ha hit cunnen. Ant muche neod is þ̵ ȝe neomen to ham muche ȝeme · for ȝe mahen muchel beon þurh ham i godet · ⁊ 190 iwurset. On oðer half ȝef þet ha sungið þurh ower ȝemeles; ȝe schule beo bicleopet þrof biuore þe hehe deme · ⁊ for þi as ow is muche neod · ⁊ ham ȝet mare; ȝeornliche leareð ham to halden hare riwle · ba for ow ⁊ for ham seolf; liðeliche ⁊ luueliche · for swuch ah wummone lare to beonne · luuelich ⁊ liðe · ⁊ selthwenne sturne. Ba is riht þ̵ ha 195 ow dreden ⁊ luuien · ant þah þ̵ ter beo eauer mare of luue; þen of drede · þenne schal hit wel fearen · Me schal healden eoli ⁊ win ba i wunden efter godes lare · ah mare of softe eoli; þen of [f. 117 r] bitinde win . þ̵ is Mare of liðe wordes; þen of suhinde · for þer of kimeð þinge best; þ̵ is luue eie. lihtliche ⁊ sweteliche foRȝeoued 200 ham hare gultes · hwen ha ham icnaweð ⁊ bihateð bote. Ase forð as ȝe mahen of mete ⁊ of claðes · ⁊ of oþre þinges þet neode of flesch easkeð; beoð large toward ham; þah ȝe nearowe beon ⁊ hearde to ow seoluen. Swa deð þe wel blaweð; went te nearewe of þe horn to his ahne muð; ant utward þ̵ wide. Ant ȝe don alswa as ȝe wulleð þ̵ 205 ower beoden bemin wel ⁊ dremen; i drihtines earen · nawt ane to ower ahnes; ah to alle folkes heale · as ure lauerd leue þurh þe grace of him seolf þ̵ hit swa mote ameN. Hwen ower sustres meidnes cumeð to ow to froure; cumeð to ham to þe þurl; earunder ⁊ ouerunder · eanes oðer twien · ⁊ gað aȝein sone; to ower note gastelich · 210 ne biuore Complie ne sitte ȝe nawt for ham ouer riht time · swa þ̵ hare cume beo na lure of ower religiun; ah gastelich biȝete. ȝef þer is eani word iseid þ̵ mahte hurten heorte; ne beo hit nawt iboren ut; ne ibroht to oþer ancre; þ̵ is eð hurte. To him hit schal beon iseid; þe lokeð ham alle. Twa niht is inoh þ̵ ei beo edhalden · ant þ̵ beo 215 ful seldene · ne for heom ne breoke silence ed te mete; ne for blodletunge · bute ȝef sum muche god oðer neod hit makie. Þe ancre ne hire meiden ne plohien `nane´ worldliche gomenes ed te þurle · ne ne ticki to gederes · foR ase seið seint Beornard. vnwurðe þing is to euch gastelich mon · ⁊ nomeliche to ancre; euch swuch fleschlich 220 froure · ⁊ hit binimeð gastelich þ̵ is wið ute met utnume murhðe · ⁊ þ̵ is uuel change as is iseid þruppe.

Of 225. godes] d corr. out of g MS. þis boc redeð hwen ȝe beoð eise euche dei; leasse oðer mare. Jch hopie þ̵ hit [f. 117 v] schal beon ow ȝef ȝe hit redeð ofte; swiðe biheue; þurh godes muchele grace · elles ich hefde uuele bitohe 225 mi muchele hwile. Me were leouere godd hit wite do me toward rome; þen forte biginnen hit eft forte donne. Ȝef ȝe findeð þ̵ ȝe doð alswa as ȝe redeð; þonckið godd ȝeorne · ȝef ȝe ne doð nawt; biddeð godes are · ⁊ beoð umben þeronuuen þ̵ ȝe hit bet halden efter ower mihte. 230

Feader · Sune · hali gast · an almihti godd wite ow in hiS warde · he gleadie ow ⁊ frouri ow mine leoue sustren · ant for al þ̵ ȝe for him dreheð ⁊ dreaieð · ne ȝeoue ow neauer leasse · þen al to gedere him seoluen · Beo he aa iheiet from world in to worlde aa on ecnesse · AMeN.

Ase ofte aS ȝe habbeð ired eawiht her on; greteð þe leafdi 235 wið aN aue; for him þ̵ swonc her abuten · Jnoh meaðful ich am þe bidde se lutel · Explicit · Jþench o þi writere i þine beoden sum chearre; ne beo hit ne se lutel. Hit turneð þe to gode; þ̵ tu bidest for oþre.

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[¶]

ANCREN RIWLE (Cotton MS. Nero) B. The Outer Rule

A (Corpus MS.) A (Caius MS.)

B (Corpus MS.) (above)

A (Parallel Texts) B (Parallel Texts)

In this section, N is Nero (the primary MS); C Cleopatra; T Titus. The Notes explain:

Passages in C (mostly interlined or marginal) which are not in N are inserted between asterisks in the text of the latter. The collations ... show the other divergences of C and those of T from N; when not followed by any letter they give the readings of T; those followed by C are the readings of C, while B indicates agreement of T and C as against N.

Spacing of asterisks is as in the original. Longer paragraphs have been broken up for easier cross-reference. In the printed text, each paragraph began with a large drop capital, except the final paragraph beginning “ase ofte ase ȝe readeð ...”.

[f. 116 r] Ȝe mine leoue sustren *bute ȝef neod ow driue* ne schulen habben no best . bute kat one. ancre þet haueð eihte þuncheð bet husewif ase marthe was . þen ancre . ne none weis ne mei heo beon marie . *marthe suster * mid griðfulnesse of heorte. Vor þeonne mot heo þenchen of þe kues foddre and of 5 heordemonne huire . oluhnen þene heiward . warien hwon me punt hire ⁊ ȝelden þauh ðe hermes. wat crist þis is lodlich þing . hwon me [f. 116 v] makeð mone in tune of ancre eihte. Þauh ȝif eni mot nede habben ku : loke ðet heo none monne ne eilie : ne ne hermie . ne þet hire þouht ne beo nout þeron i uestned. 8. me me MS.

1. mine ... sustren om. 2. schule ȝe C || haue || na | nan C || beast B || cat || ane B || þe C 3. haues || ahte | achte C || semes || betere B || as B || wes C || þen ancre om. B nanes | for `lihtliche oðer´ nanes C 4. weies || mai || ho | ha C || beo || wið B 5. for þenne B || ho | ha C || cuwes C || and om. B 6. þe heordes || hure C || Olcne | olchni C || þe B || haiward | haiwart C || hwen he B || pundes 7. ȝelde B || þah | þach C || harmes B || ladli | ladlich C || þing is wat crist hwen B 8. mon || makes B || in tune man | itune man C || ancres B || ahte | achte C || Nu þenne latter deleted, þah in margin | Nu þach C || ȝef C || ani B 9. nedinge | nedunge C || haue || ku] hit B || hit na mon B || eile | eili C || harme | harmi C

ancre ne ouh nout 10 to habben no þing þet drawe utward hire heorte. none cheffare ne driue ȝe. ancre þet is cheapild .* þe buð for te sullen efter biȝete * heo cheapeð hire soule : þe chepmon of helle. *Þing þah þ̵ ha wurcheð; ha mei wel þurh hire meistres read; for hire neode sullen. þah swa dernliche as ha mei for misliche monne wordes.* Ne wite ȝe 15 nout in oure huse of oðer monnes þinges . ne eihte . ne cloðes . ne nout ne vnderuo ȝe ðe chirche uestimenz ne þene caliz bute ȝif * neod oðer* strencðe hit makie : oðer muchel eie. vor of swuche witunge is i kumen muchel `vuel´ oftesiðen. wiðinnen ower woanes : ne lete ȝe nenne mon slepen. ȝif muchel neode mid alle makeð breken 20 ower hus : þeo hwule ðet hit euer is i broken : loke þet ȝe habben þerine mid ou one wummon of clene liue . deies ⁊ nihtes. 12. ȝe over an erasure. 19. vuel on margin.

10. ni || þoht | þocht C || nawt | nawicht C || ter on | þron C || ifestnet || Anker || ah | ach C || nawt T om. C 11. haue || no þing om. T || nan C || utward drahe | utwart draȝe C || Na B || chaffare | cheffere C 12. Anker || chapmon chepilt C 13. ho | ha C || cheapes | cheapeð C || sawle | saule to C || chapmon | chepmon C 15. Nawt ne | Naut ne C || ȝe om. C 16. owre | ouwer C || hus B || of om. B || monne C || ahte | achte C || claðes || ne nout ... caliz om. C, then interlined `bute neod ... eie´ || ne ... ȝe om. 17. Nawt te chirche uestemenz ne þe chaliz || ȝif ... oðer om. 18. strengðe || make || vor om. B || swuch | swich C || lokinge | witing C 19. muchel bifallen | muchel uuel ilumpen C || vuel om. || siðe || Inwið B || owre || wahes | wanes C || lete ȝe bis 20. na wepmon | nan mon C || ȝef C || muche B || ned | neod C || wið makes B || to breke | breoken C 21. owre || þe om. B || hwil B || ðet om. B || eauer B || loke þet ȝe om. B || haues | habbeð C || ter inne | þrinne C 22. wið ow B || a | an C || cleane lif B || daies || nichtes C

Uor ði þet no mon ne i sihð ou . ne ȝe ne i seoð nenne mon : wel mei don of ower cloðes . beon heo hwite : beon heo blake. bute þet heo beon unorne ⁊ warme ⁊ wel i wrouhte. uelles wel i tauwed. 25 ⁊ habbeð ase monie ase ou to neodeð . to bedde and eke to rugge. 23, 24. welmeidon MS.

23. For B || na nan C || seo | sið C || ow B || ne iseoð om. B || ham | him C 24. duhen || owre | ouwer C || clað B || beo hit hwit beo hit blac bute hit beo B 25. ⁊ om. B || warm B || iwraht | iwracht C || felles B || iteawet | itauwet C 26. habbes || as ow B || to nedes || eke om. B

Nexst fleshe ne schal non werien no linnene cloð bute ȝif hit beo of herde and of greate heorden. stamin `habbe´ hwo se wule. and hwo se wule mei beon buten. ȝe schullen liggen in on heater and i gurd. ne bere ȝe non iren . ne here . ne [f. 117 r] irspiles felles. 30 ne ne beate`ou´þer mide. ne mid schurge i leðered : ne i leaded. ne mid holie . ne mid breres . ne ne biblodge hire sulf : wið uten schriftes leaue . ne ne nime et enes to ueole disceplines. ower schon beon greate and warme. Ine sumer ȝe habbeð leaue uorto gon and sitten baruot. and hosen wið uten uaumpez . and ligge ine ham : hwo so likeð. Sum 35 wumon i nouh reaðe . wereð þe brech of heare fulwel i knotted . and þe strapeles adun to hire uet. i laced ful ueste.

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