PART I: TEXTS (continued 6)

Incipit Altercacio inter filomenam ⁊ Bubonem. f. 229 r¹ I ch wes in one sumere dale. In one swiþe dyele hale. I herde ich holde grete tale. An vle and one nẏhtegale. 5 Þat playd wes· stif· ⁊ starc· ⁊ strong. 6. among] o corr. out of g. Sum hwile softe· ⁊ lud among. And eyþer a yeyn oþer swal. And let þat vuele mod vt al. And eyþer seyde of oþres custe. 10 þat alre wrste þat hi ywuste. ⁊ hure ⁊ hure of oþres songe. hi holde playding swiþe stronge. Þe Nihtegale bi gon þo speke. In one hurne of one beche. 15 ⁊ sat vp one vayre bowe. þat were abute blostme ynowe. In ore vaste thikke hegge. I meynd myd spire. ⁊ grene segge. He wes þe gladdre. vor þe ryse. 20 ⁊ song a veole cunne wyse. Bet þuhte þe drem. þat he were. of harpe· ⁊ pipe· þan he nere. Bet þuhte þat heo were i shote. of harpe· ⁊ pipe· þan of þrote. 25 Þo stod on old stok. þar bẏ side. Þar þe vle song hire tyde. And wes myd ivi al bi growe. Hit wes þare vle erdingstowe. Þe Nihtegale hi iseyh. 30 ⁊ hi biholdeþ. and ouer seyh. ⁊ þuhte wel ful of þare vle. For me hi halt. lodlich ⁊ fule. | f. 229 r² vnwyht heo seide a wey þu fleo. Me is þe wurs. þat ich þe iseo. 35 Iwis for þine wle lete. wel ofte ich my song fur lete Min heorte atflyhþ· ⁊ falt my tunge. hwenne þu art to me i þrunge. Me luste bet speten þane singe. 40 of þine fule howelynge. Þeos vle abod for hit wes eve. heo ne myhte no leng bileue. vor hire heorte wes so gret. þat wel neyh hire fnast at set. 45 ⁊ warp a word þar after longe. hw þynk þe nu bi mine songe. Wenestu þat ich ne kunne singe. Þe ich ne cunne of wrytelinge. Ilome þu dest me grome. 50 ⁊ seist me boþe teone ⁊ schome. If ich þe heolde on myne vote. So hit bitide þat ich mote. ⁊ þu were vt of þine ryse. þu scholdest singe on oþer wise. 55 Þe Nihtegale ȝaf onsware. If ich me loki wiþ þe bare. ⁊ me schilde wit þe blete. Ne recche ich nouht of þine þrete. If ich me holde in myne hegge 60 Ne recche ich neuer hwat þu segge. Ich wot þat þu art vnmilde. wiþ heom þat ne muwe from þe schilde. And þu tukest wroþe ⁊ vuele Hwar þu myht ouer smale vowele. | f. 229 v¹ vor þi þu art loþ al fowel cunne. 66 ⁊ alle heo þe dryueþ heonne. ⁊ þe bi scrycheþ. ⁊ bi gredeþ ⁊ wel narewe þe by ledeþ. ⁊ ek forþe þe sulue mose 70 hire þonkes wolde þe to tose. þu art lodlich to bi holde. And þu art loþ in monye volde. þi bodi is scort. þi swere is smal. Gretture is þin heued ne þu al. 75. en ... brode on an erasure. 75 þin éyen beoþ col blake ⁊ brode. Ryht so hi weren ipeynt myd wode þu starest so þu wille abyten Al þat þu myht myd clyure smyten þi bile is stif· ⁊ sarp· ⁊ hoked. 80 Riht as on ewel þat is croked. þar myd þu clechest euer among. And þat is on of þine song. Ac þu þretest to myne vleysse. Mid þine cleures woldest me meysse. 85 þe were i cundere to one frogge. þat sit at Mulne vnder cogge. Snayles. Mus. and fule wihte. Beoþ þine cunde ⁊ þine rihte. Þu sittest a day and flyhst a niht. 90 þu cuþest þat þu art on vnwiht. 91. ⁊ and MS. þu art lodlich· and unclene. Bi þine neste· ich hit mene. And ek bi þine fule brode. Þu vedest on heom a wel ful vode. ...... The “e” in “Þeos” is subscripted in two different printings. It is not explained in the Notes. f. 230 r¹ Þ _eos word ayaf þe nihtegale. 96 And after þare longe tale. Heo song so lude. ⁊ so scharpe. Ryht so me grulde. schille harpe. þeos vle luste þiderward. 100 ⁊ heold hire eyen neþerward. ⁊ sat to swolle ⁊ to bolewe. so heo hedde one frogge i`s´wolwe. For heo wel wiste. ⁊ was i war. þat heo song hire a bysemar. 105 ⁊ naþeles heo yaf ondsware. hwy nel tu fleon into bare. And schewi hweþer vnker beo. of brihter hewe. of fayrur bleo. No. þu hauest scharpe clawe. 110 Ne kepe ich noht þat þu me clawe. þu hauest clyures swiþe stronge. þu twengest þar mid so doþ a tonge. þu þoutest so doþ þine ilyche. Mid fayre worde me biswike. 115 Ich nolde don þat þu me raddest. Ich wiste wel þat þu me misraddest. schomye þe vor þine vnrede. vn wryen is þi swikehede. schild þi swikedom from þe lyhte. 120 And hud þat wowe a mong þe ryhte. hwanne þu wilt þu vnriht spene. Loke þat hit ne beo isene. | f. 230 r<sup>2</sup> vor swikedom haueþ schome and het If hit is ope. and vnder yete. 125 Ne spedestu nouht mid þin vn wrenche For ich am war. and can blenche. Ne helpeþ noht· þat þu bo· to þriste. Ich wolde vyhte bet myd liste. þan þu mid al þine strengþe. 130 Ich habbe on brede· ⁊ ek on lengþe. Castel god on myne ryse. wel fyht þat wel flyhþ. seyþ þe wise. Ac lete awey þeos cheste. For suche wordes beoþ vnwreste. 135 And fo we on· myd rihte dome. Mid fayre worde. ⁊ myd some. þeyh we ne beon at on acorde. we mawe bet myd fayre worde. wiþ vte cheste· and bute vyhte. 140 Playde mid soþe. ⁊ mid ryhte. ⁊ may vr eyþer hwat he wile. Mid rihte segge. ⁊ myd skile. Þ o qwaþ þe vle. hwo schal vs seme. þat cunne ⁊ wille riht vs deme. 145 Ich wot wel quaþ þe nyhtegale. Ne þarf þer of beo no tale. Mayster Nichol· of guldeuorde. he is wis· and war· of worde. he is of worde swyþe glev. 150 And him is loþ eurich vnþeu. he wot insyht in euche songe. hwo singeþ wel. hwo singeþ wronge. And he con schede from þe rihte. Þat wowe. þat þuster from þe lyhte. Þ 155 e vle. one hwile hi bihouhte. And after þan þis word up brouhte. | f. 230 v<sup>1</sup> Ich graunti wel þa`t´ he vs deme. For þeyh he were hwile breme. ⁊ leof him wre Nihtingale. 160 And oþer wyhte gent ⁊ smale. Ich wot. he is nu þe acoled. Nis he vor þe nouht afoled. þat he vor þine olde luue. Me a dun legge ⁊ þe a buue. 165 N[e] schaltu. neuer so him queme. þat he vor þe fals dom deme. he is nv ripe. ⁊ fast rede. Ne luste hym nv to non vnrede. Nv him ne lust namore pleye 170 he wile gon a rihte weye. Þ e nihtegale· wes al ware. heo hedde ileorned· wel ihware. vle heo seyde seye me soþ. hwi dostu þat vnwihtes doþ. 175 þu singest a nyht ⁊ nouht a day. And al þi song is way laway. þu miht mid þine songe afere. Alle þat hereþ þine ibere. Þ[u] scrichest ⁊ yollest to þine fere 180 þat hit is gryslich to ihere. hit þincheþ boþe wise ⁊ snepe. Nouht þat þu singe. at þu wepe. þu flyhst a nyht and noht a day. þar of ich wundri ⁊ wel may. 185 For vych þing þat schonyeþ riht. hit luuyeþ þuster ⁊ hateþ lyht. ⁊ euych þing. þat luueþ misdede. 188. hi corr. out of his MS. hi luueþ þuster to his dede. ...... f. 230 v² Þ eos vle luste swiþe longe. 190 ⁊ wes of teoned swiþe stronge. heo quaþ. þu hattest Nihtegale. þu mihtest bet hote galegale. vor þu hauest to monye tale. let þine tunge habbe spale. 195 þu wenest þat þes day beo þin owe. let me nv habbe myne þrowe. Beo nv stille ⁊ let me speke. Ich wile beo of þe a wreke. ⁊ lust hw ich con me bi telle. 200 Mid rihte soþe wiþ vte spelle. þu seyst þat ich me hude a day þar to ne segge ich nyk no nay ⁊ lust ich telle hwer vore Al hwi hit is ⁊ hware vore. | f. 231 r¹ Ich habbe bile stif ⁊ stronge. 206 ⁊ gode cleures scharp ⁊ longe. So hit bycumeþ to hauekes cunne. hit is myn hyhte· ⁊ my ynne. þat ich me drawe to mine cunde. 210 Ne may me no mon þar for sende. on me hit is wel i sene. For rihte cunde ich am so kene. vor þi ich am loþ smale vowele. Þat fleoþ bi grunde ⁊ bi þuuele. 215 hi me bichirmeþ ⁊ bi gredeþ. ⁊ heore flockes to me ledeþ. Me is leof to habbe reste. And sitte stille in myne neste. ...... f. 231 r² wenestu þat hauek beo þe wrse. 220 Þe crowe bi grede him bi þe mersche. ⁊ goþ to him myd heore chyrme. Riht so hi wille. wiþ him schirme. þe hauek foleweþ gode rede. He flyhþ his wey ⁊ let hi grede. Þ 225 et þu me seyst of oþer þinge. ⁊ tellest þat ich ne can nouht singe. Ac al my reorde is wonyng. And to ihere gryslych þing. þat nis nouht soþ. ich singe efne. 230 Mid fulle dreme· ⁊ lude stefne. þu wenest þat eoch song beo grislich. þat þine pipinge nis ilich. Mi stefne is bold· ⁊ nouht vnorne. heo is ilich one grete horne. 235 ⁊ þin is iliche one pype. of one smale weode vnripe. Ich [singe] bet þan þu dest. Þu chaterest so doþ on yris prest. Ich singe an efne. a ryhte time. 240 ⁊ seþþe hwenne hit is bedtime. þe þridde syþe a middel nyhte. ⁊ so ich myne songe a dihte. hwenne ich iseo arise veorre oþer day rewe· oþer day steorre. 245 Ic do god myd myne þrote. And warny men to heore note. Ac þu singest alle longe nyht. From eue þat hit is day liht. ⁊ euer lesteþ þin o song, 250 so longe so þe nyht is long. ⁊ euer croweþ þi wrecche crey. Þat he ne swikeþ nyht ne day. | f. 231 v¹ Mid þine pipinge þu adunest. þas monnes eren. þar þu wunest. 255 ⁊ makest þi song, so vnwiht. þat me ne telleþ. of þe nowiht. Eurych mureþe may so longe leste. þat heo schal liki wel vnwreste. for harpe. ⁊ pipe. ⁊ foweles song. 260 Mislikeþ. if hit is to long. Ne beo þe song ne so murie. þat he ne sal þinche vnmurie. If he i lesteþ ouer vnwille. So þu myht þi song aspille. 265 for hit is soþ Alured hit seyde. ⁊ me hit. may in boke rede. Eurich þing may lesen his godhede. Mid vnmeþe and ouerdede. ...... f. 231 v² Þ e nyhtegale in hire þouhte. 270 At heold al þis. ⁊ longe þouhte. hwat heo þar after myhte segge, vor heo ne myhte noht a legge. þat þe vle hedde hire i seyd. vor ho spak boþe riht ⁊ red. 275 ⁊ hire of þuhte þat heo hadde. þe speche so feor uorþ iladde. ⁊ wes aferd þat hire answare Ne wrþe nouht a riht ivare. Ac noþeles heo spak boldeliche 280 vor heo is wis þat hardeliche. wiþ his fo berþ grete ilete. 282. þat] hwat MS. þat he for arehþe hit ne for lete. vor suych worþ bold if þu flyhst. þa`t´ wile fleo if þu swykst. | f. 232 r<sup>1</sup> 285. art MS. If he isihþ þat þu nart areh. 286 he wile of bore wurche bareh. 287. þe added in margin. ⁊ for þi· þey `þe´ nyhtegale. Were a ferd· heo spak bolde tale. H 289. Þule vle heo seyde· hwi dostu so. 290 þu singest a wynter wolawo. þu singest so doþ hen a snowe. Al þat heo singeþ hit is for wowe. A winter þu singest wroþe ⁊ yomere. ⁊ euer þu art. dumb a sumere. 295 hit is for þine fule nyþe þat þu ne myht. myd vs be bliþe. vor þu forbernest· neyh for onde. hwenne vre blisse cumeþ to londe. þu farest so doþ þe ille. 300 Euer ich blisse him is vnwille. Grucching· ⁊· luryng. him beoþ rade. If he iseoþ. þat men beoþ glade. he wolde þat he iseye. Teres in eueriche monnes eye. 305 Ne roughte þe. þeyh flockes were. Imeynd bi toppes· ⁊ bi here. Al so þu dost on þire syde. For hwanne snouh liþ þikke ⁊ wide. ⁊ alle wihtes habbeþ sorewe. 310 þu singest from eue to amorewe. Ac ich mid me alle blisse bringe. Ech wiht is glad· for myne þinge. ⁊ blesseþ hit· hwenne ich cume. ⁊ hihteþ a yeyn myne cume. 315 þe blostme. gynneþ springe ⁊ sprede. Boþe in treo ⁊ ek in mede. þe lilie myd hire fayre wlite. welcomeþ me þeyh þu hit wite. Bid me myd hire fayre bleo. | f. 232 r² þat ich schulle to hire fleo. 321 þe rose also myd hire rude. þat cumeþ of þe þorne wode. Bit me þat ich schulle singe. For hire luue one skentynge. ...... f. 234 r¹ [V]le þu axest me heo seyde. 326 [I]f ich con eny oþer dede. Bute syngen in sume tyde. ⁊ bringe blisse veor ⁊ wyde. hwy axestu of craftes myne. 330 Beter is myn on þan alle þine. Beter is o song of myne muþe. þan al þat þi kun kuþe. ⁊ lust. ich telle þe hwar vore. wostu to hwan· mon wes ibore. 335 To þare blisse of heueryche. | f. 234 r² þar euer is song. ⁊ Murehþe ilyche. þider fundeþ euer ich man. þat eny þing of gode can. for þi me syngþ in holy chireche. 340 ⁊ clerekes gynneþ songes wrche. þat mon yþenche. bi þe songe. hwider he shal. ⁊ þar beon longe. þat he þe murehþe ne vor yete. 344. bi gete] bi gethe MS. Ac þar of þenche. ⁊ bi gete. 345 ⁊ nyme yeme of chirche stefne. hw Murie is þe blisse of heuene. Clerekes· Munekes· ⁊ canúnes. þar beoþ þos gode wike tunes. Ariseþ vp to middel nyhte. 350 ⁊ singeþ of þon heuene lyhte. ⁊ preostes vpe londe singeþ. 352. Wanting in MS. [Hwenne þe liht of daye springeþ.] ⁊ ich heom helpe hwat ic may. ...... f. 241 r² Þ e Nihtegale myd sweche worde. 355 for monymon myd speres orde. haueþ lutle strengþe. ⁊ mid his schelde. Ah naþeles in one felde. þurh belde worde ⁊ myd ilete. Deþ his iuo· for arehþe swete. 360 þe wrenne for heo cuþe singe. þar com in þare moreweninge. To helpe þare nyhtegale. vor heo hadde stefne smale. heo hadde gode þrote ⁊ schille. 365 ⁊ fale monne song a wille. þe wrenne· wes wel wis iholde. vor þeih heo nere ibred a wolde. heo wes itowen. among mankunne ⁊ hire wisdom brouhte þenne. 370 heo myhte speke hwar heo wolde. To fore þe kinge· þah heo scholde. lusteþ· heo queþ· leteþ me speke. hwat wille ye. þis pays to breke. 374. þan kinge] þanne MS. ⁊ do þan [kinge] such schome. 375 yet nys heo nouþer ded ne lome. hunke schal i tyde harm ⁊ schonde. If we doþ gryþ bruche on his londe. Leteþ beo and beoþ isome. ⁊ fareþ riht to eure dome. 380 ⁊ leteþ dom þis playd to breke. Al so hit wes erure bi speke. Ich vnne wel queþ þe Nihtegale. Ah wrenne· nouht for þine tale. Ac do for myre lauhfulnesse. 385 Ic nolde þat vnrihtfulnesse. Me at þen ende· me ouercome. Ic nam of dred. of none dome. Bi hote ic habbe· soþ hit is. þat maẏster Nichole. þ̵ is wis. 390 Bi twihen eu deme schulle. ⁊ yet ic wene þat he wulle. | f. 241 v¹ 392. war] þar MS. Ah war myhte we hine fynde. þe wrenne sat in hore lynde. 394. ḷyet MS. hwat mihte yet quaþ heo his hom. 395 heo wuneþ at portes hom. At one tune in dorsete. Bi þare séé in ore vt lete. þar he demeþ mony riht dom. ⁊ diht ⁊ wryt mony wisdom. 400 ⁊ þurh his muþe. ⁊ þurh his honde. hit is þe betere in to scotlonde. To seche hyne. is lyhtlych þing. he naueþ buten o wunyng. þ̵ is biscopen muchel schame. 405 ⁊ alle þan þ̵ of his nome. habbeþ iherd. ⁊ of his dede. hwi nulleþ hi nymen heom to rede. þ̵ he were myd heom ilome. vor teche heom of his wisdome. 410 ⁊ yeue him rente on vale stude. þ̵ he myhte ilome heom beo myde. Certes quaþ þe vle. þat is soþ. þeos riche men· Muchele mys doþ. þat leteþ þane gode man. 415 þat of so fele þinge can. ⁊ yeueþ rente wel mislyche. ⁊ of him leteþ wel lyhtliche. wiþ heore kunne heo beoþ Mildre. ⁊ yeueþ rente lutle childre. 420 so heore wit hi demeþ adwole. þ̵ euer abit Mayster Nichole. Ah vte we þah· to him fare, vor þat is vnker dom al yare Do we þe Nihtegale seyde. 425 Ah hwo schal vnker speche rede. ⁊ telle to vore vnker dome. þar of ic schal þe wel iqueme Queþ þe vle. for al ende of orde. | f. 241 v² Telle ic con. word after worde. 430 ⁊ if þe þinkþ þat ic mis rempe. þu stond ayeyn and do me crempe. Mid þisse worde forþ hi ferden. Al bute here and bute verde. To portes ham. þer hi bicome. 435. hw heo sp on an erasure. 435 Ah hw heo spedde of heore dome. Ne can ic eu namore telle. her nys namore of þisse spelle. Explicit.

f. 233 r¹ I ch was in one sumere dale. In one suþe diȝele hale. I herde ich holde grete tale. An hule and one niȝtingale. 5 Þat plait was stif ⁊ starc ⁊ strong. Sum wile softe ⁊ lud among. 7. asþer. oþer in margin MS. An aiþer aȝen oþer sval. ⁊ let þat wole mod ut al. ⁊ eiþer seide of oþeres custe. 10. alẹre MS. 10 þat alre worste þat hi wuste. ⁊ hure and hure of oþere[s] songe Hi holde plaiding suþe stronge. Þ e niȝtingale bigon þe speche. In one hurne of one breche. 15 ⁊ sat upone vaire boȝe. þar were abute blosme inoȝe. In ore waste þicke hegge. Imeind mid spire ⁊ grene segge. Ho was þe gladur uor þe rise. 20 ⁊ song auele cunne wise. 21. Bet] Het MS. Bet þuȝte þe dreim þat he were. Of harpe ⁊ pipe þan he nere. 23. is hote MS. Bet þuȝte þat he were ishote. Of harpe ⁊ pipe þan of þrote. 25 [Þ]o stod on old stoc þarbiside. þar þo vle song hire tide. ⁊ was mid iui al bigrowe. Hit was þare hule eardingstowe. [Þ]e niȝtingale hi iseȝ. 30 ⁊ hi bihold ⁊ ouerseȝ. ⁊ þuȝte wel wl of þare hule. For me hi halt lodlich ⁊ fule. vn wiȝt ho sede a wei þu flo. Me is þe wrs þat ich þe so. | f. 233 r² I wis for þine wle lete. 36 wel oft ich mine song forlete. Min horte atfliþ ⁊ falt mi tonge. wonne þu art to me iþrunge. Me luste bet speten þane singe. 40 Of þine fule ȝoȝelinge. Þ os hule abod fort hit was eve. Ho ne miȝte no leng bileue. vor hire horte was so gret. þat welneȝ hire fnast at schet. 45 ⁊ warp a word þar after longe. Hu þincþe nu bi mine songe. we[n]st þu þat ich ne cunne singe. þeȝ ich ne cunne of writelinge. I lome þu dest me grame 50 ⁊ seist me boþe tone ⁊ schame Ȝif ich þe holde on mine uote. So hit bitide þat ich mote. ⁊ þu were vt of þine rise. þu sholdest singe an oþer w[i]se. Þ 55 e niȝtingale ȝaf answare. ȝif ich me loki wit þe bare. ⁊ me schilde wit þe blete. Ne reche ich noȝt of þine þrete. ȝif ich me holde in mine hegge. 60 Ne recche ich neuer what þu segge. Ich wot þat þu art un milde. 62. þe] se MS. Wiþ hom þat ne muȝe from þe schilde. ⁊ þu tukest wroþe ⁊ vuele. Whar þu miȝt over smale fuȝele. 65 Vorþi þu art loþ al fuel kunne. ⁊ alle ho þe driueþ honne. ⁊ þe bi schricheþ ⁊ bi gredet. ⁊ wel narewe þe bi ledet. | f. 233 v¹ ⁊ ek forþe þe sulue mose. 70 Hire þonkes wolde þe totose. Þu art lodlich to biholde. ⁊ þu art loþ in monie volde. þi bodi is short þi swore is. smal. Grettere is þin heued þan þu al. 75 þin eȝene boþ colblake ⁊ brode. Riȝt swo ho weren ipeint mid wode. þu starest so þu wille abiten. Al þat þu mist mid cliure smiten. þi bile is stif ⁊ scharp ⁊ hoked. 80 Riȝt so an owel þat is croked. þar mid þu clackes oft`e´ ⁊ longe. ⁊ þat is on of þine songe. Ac þu þretest to mine fleshe. Mid þine cliures woldest me meshe. 85 þe were icundur to one frogge. 86. Line omitted in MS. but there is a mark on margin. [Þat sit at mulne under cogge.] Snailes, mus ⁊ fule wiȝte. Boþ þine cunde ⁊ þine riȝte. 89. fliȝst] iȝ corr. out of u. þu sittest adai and fliȝ[s]t aniȝt. 90 þu cuþest þat þu art on unwiȝt. þu art lodlich ⁊ unclene. Bi þine neste ich hit mene. ⁊ ek bi þine fule brode. þu fedest on hom a wel ful fode. ...... f. 234 r<sup>1</sup> Þ os word a ȝaf þe niȝtingale. 96 ⁊ after þare longe tale. He song so lude ⁊ so scharpe. Riȝt so me grulde schille harpe. þos hule luste þiderward. 100 ⁊ hold hire eȝe noþerwa[r]d. ⁊ sat to svolle ⁊ ibolwe. also ho hadde one frogge isuolȝe. for ho wel wiste ⁊ was i war. þat ho song hire a bisemar. 105. ȝas corr. in margin to ȝaf. 105 ⁊ noþeles ho ȝaf andsuare. whi nel tu flon in to þe bare. ⁊ sewi þare unker bo. Of briȝter howe of uairur blo. No þu hauest wel scharpe clawe. 110 Ne kepich noȝt þat þu me clawe. þu hauest cliuers su þe stronge. þu tuengst þar mid so doþ a tonge. þu þoȝtest so doþ þin ilike. Mid faire worde me bi swike. 115. þat] t added by a second hand. 115 Ich nolde don þa`t´ þu me raddest. Ich wiste wel þat þu me mis raddest. Schamie þe for þin unrede. vn wroȝen is þi svikelhede. Schild þine svikeldom vram þe liȝte. 120 ⁊ hud þat woȝe amonȝ þe riȝte. þane þu wilt þin unriȝt spene. Loke þat hit ne bo i sene. vor svikedom haued schome ⁊ hete. ȝif hit is ope ⁊ under ȝete. 125 Ne speddestu noȝt mid þine unwrenche. for icham war ⁊ can wel blenche. 127. þriste] wriste MS. Ne helpþ noȝt þat þu bo to þriste. | f. 234 r² Ich wolde viȝte bet mid liste. þan þu mid all þine strengþe. 130. eck corr. out of ech MS. 130 Ich abbe on brede ⁊ eck on lengþe. Castel god on mine rise. wel fiȝt þat wel fliȝt seiþ þe wise. ac lete we a wei þos cheste. vor suiche wordes boþ unwerste. 135 ⁊ fo we on mid riȝte dome. Mid faire worde ⁊ mid wsome. þeȝ we ne bo at one acorde. we muȝe bet mid fawre worde. wit ute cheste ⁊ bute fiȝte. 140 Plaidi mid foȝe ⁊ mid riȝte. 141. he] hi MS. ⁊ mai hure eiþer wat he wile. Mid riȝte segge ⁊ mid sckile. Þ 143. wo] þu MS. o quaþ þe hule wo schal us seme. þat kunne ⁊ wille riȝt us deme. 145 Ich wot wel quaþ þe niȝtingale. Ne þaref þar of bo no tale. Maister nichole of guldeforde. He is wis an war of worde. He is of dome suþe gleu. 150 ⁊ him is loþ eurich unþeu. He wot in siȝt in eche songe. wo singet wel wo singet wronge. ⁊ he can schede vrom þe riȝte. þat woȝe þat þuster from þe liȝte. Þ 155 o hule one wile hi bi þoȝte. ⁊ after þan þis word up broȝte. Ich granti wel þat he us deme. vor þeȝ he were wile breme. ⁊ lof him were niȝtingale. 160 ⁊ oþer wiȝte gente ⁊ smale. Ich wot he is nu suþe acoled. | f. 234 v¹ Nis he vor þe noȝt afoled. þat he for þine olde lo`u´ue. Me adun legge ⁊ þe buue. 165 Ne schaltu neure so him queme. þat he forþe fals dom deme. 167. A mark in margin apparently calling attention to him, MS. He is him ripe ⁊ fastrede. Ne lust him nu to none unrede. Nu him ne lust na more pleie. 170 He wile gon a riȝte weie. Þ e niȝtingale was al ȝare. Ho hadde ilorned wel aiware. Hule ho sede seie me soþ. wi dostu þat un wiȝtis doþ. 175 þu singist aniȝt ⁊ noȝt adai. ⁊ al þi song is wailawai. þu miȝt mid þine songe afere. alle þat ihereþ þine ibere. þu schirchest ⁊ ȝollest to þine fere. 180 þat hit is grislich to ihere. Hit þinchest boþe wise ⁊ snepe. Noȝt þat þu singe ac þat þu wepe. þu fliȝst a niȝt ⁊ noȝt adai. þar of ich wndri ⁊ wel mai. 185 vor eurich þing þat schuniet riȝt. Hit luueþ þuster ⁊ hatiet liȝt. ⁊ eurich þing þat is lof misdede. Hit luueþ þuster to his dede. ...... f. 234 v<sup>2</sup> Þ os hule luste suþe longe. 190 ⁊ was of toned suþ`e´ stronge. 191. Ho quaþ with marks of inversion MS. quaþ Ho þu `h´attest niȝtingale. Þu miȝtest bet hoten galegale. Vor þu hauest to monie tale. Lat þine tunge habbe spale. 195 þu wenest þat þes dai bo þinoȝe. Lat me nu habbe mine þroȝe. Bo nu stille ⁊ lat me speke. Ich wille bon of þe awreke. ⁊ lust hu ich con me bitelle. 200 Mid riȝte soþe wit ute spelle. þu seist þat ich me hude adai. þar to ne segge ich nich ne nai. ⁊ lust ich telle þe wareuore. al wi hit is ⁊ wareuore. 205 Ich habbe bile stif ⁊ stronge. ⁊ gode cliuers scharp ⁊ longe. So hit bi cumeþ to hauekes cunne. Hit is min hiȝte hit is mi wune. þat ich me draȝe to mine cunde. | f. 235 r<sup>1</sup> Ne mai noman þareuore schende. 211 On me hit is wel isene. vor riȝte cunde ich am so kene. vor þi ich am loþ smale foȝle. þat floþ bi grunde an bi þuuele. 215 Hi me bichermet ⁊ bigredeþ. 216. me] n̤e with i added above: me in margin. ⁊ hore flockes to `m´e ledeþ. Me is lof to habbe reste. ⁊ sitte stille in mine neste. ...... wenestu þat haueck bo þe worse. 220 þoȝ crowe bi grede him bi þe mershe. ⁊ goþ to him mid hore chirme. Riȝt so hi wille wit him schirme. 223. f̣ḷ folȝeþ MS. 224. hem corr. out of hi MS. þe hauec folȝeþ gode rede. | f. 235 r² ⁊ fliȝt his wei ⁊ lat hem grede. Ȝ 225 et þu me seist of oþer þinge. ⁊ telst þat ich ne can noȝt singe Ac al mi rorde is woning ⁊ to `i´hire grislich þing þat nis noȝt soþ ich singe efne. 230 Mid fulle dreme ⁊ lude stefne. þu wenist þat ech song bo grislich. þat þine pipinge nis ilich. 233. MS. blod corr. in margin to bold. Mi stefne is bold ⁊ noȝt un orne. ho is ilich one grete horne. 235 ⁊ þin is ilich one pipe. 236. woede e added by corrector MS. Of one smale w`e´ode un ripe. Ich singe bet þan þu dest. Þu chaterest so doþ on irish pr`e´ost. Ich singe an eue ariȝte time 240 ⁊ soþþe won hit is bedtime. þe þridde siþe ad middelniȝte. ⁊ so ich mine song adiȝte. wone ich i so arise vorre. Oþer dairim oþer daisterre. 245 Ich do god mid mine þrote. ⁊ warni men to hore note. 247. allelonge MS. Ac þu singest alle longe niȝt. From eue fort hit is dailiȝt. ⁊ eure seist þin o song. 250 So longe so þe niȝt is long. ⁊ eure croweþ þi wrecche crei. þat he ne swikeþ niȝt ne dai. Mid þine pipinge þu a dunest. þas monnes earen þar þu wunest. 255 ⁊ makest þine song so unwrþ. þa`t´ me ne telþ of þar noȝt wrþ. Eurich murȝþe mai so longe ileste. f. 235 v¹ þat ho shal liki wel unwreste. vor harpe ⁊ pipe ⁊ fuȝeles songe. 260 Mislikeþ ȝif hit is to long. Ne bo þe song neuer so murie. þat he ne shal þinche wel unmurie. ȝef he ilesteþ ouer unwille. So þu miȝt þine song aspille. 265. seiḍde MS. 265 vor hit is soþ alured hit seide. ⁊ me hit mai ine boke rede. Eurich þing mai losen his godhede Mid unmeþe ⁊ mid ouerdede. ...... f. 235 v² Þ e niȝtingale in hire þoȝte. 270. alþis MS. 270 Athold al þis ⁊ longe þoȝte. wat ho þare after miȝte segge. vor ho ne miȝte noȝt alegge. þat þe hule hadde hire ised. vor he spac boþe riȝt an red. 275 An hire ofþuȝte þat ho hadde. þe speche so foruorþ iladde. An was oferd þat hire answare. Ne wrþe noȝt ariȝt i fare. Ac noþeles he spac boldeliche. 280 vor he is wis þat hardeliche. wiþ is uo berþ grete ilete. þat he uor areȝþe hit ne forlete. vor suich worþ bold ȝif þu fliȝste. 284. ịṣvicst MS. þat wle flo ȝif þu svicst. 285 Ȝif he isiþ þat þu nart areȝ. 286. bareȝ] a corr. out of r MS. He wile of bore wrchen bareȝ. ⁊ forþi þeȝ þe niȝtingale. | f. 236 r¹ were aferd ho spac bolde tale H 289. Þule MS. ule ho seide wi dostu so. 290 þu singest awinter wolawo. þu singest so doþ hen asnowe. Al þat ho singeþ hit is for wowe. A wintere þu singest wroþe and ȝomere. An`d´ eure þu art dumb a sumere. 295 Hit is for þine fule niþe. þat þu ne miȝt mid us be bliþe. 297. foronde MS. vor þu forbernest welneȝ for onde, wane ure blisse cumeþ to londe. þu farest so doþ þe ille. 300 Evrich blisse him is un wille. Grucching ⁊ luring him boþ rade. Ȝif he isoþ þat men boþ glade. he wolde þat he iseȝe. Teres in evrich monnes eȝe. 305 Ne roȝte he þeȝ flockes were. Imeind bi toppes ⁊ bi here. Al so þu dost on þire side. vor wanne snov liþ þicke ⁊ wide. an`d´ alle wiȝtes habbeþ sorȝe. 310 þu singest from eue fort amorȝe. Ac ich alle blisse mid me bringe. Ech wiȝt is glad for mine þinge. ⁊ blisseþ hit wanne ich cume. ⁊ hiȝteþ aȝen mine kume. 315. þe blostme on an erasure MS. 315 þe blostme ginneþ springe ⁊ sprede Boþe ine tro ⁊ ek on mede. þe lilie mid hire faire wlite. Wolcumeþ me þat þu hit wte. 319. Bit] t corr. out of d MS. Bit me mid hire faire blo. 320 Þat ich shulle to hire flo. þe rose al so mid hire rude. | f. 236 r² þat cumeþ ut of þe þorne wode. Bit me þat ich shulle singe 324. ọṇẹ one MS. vor hire luue one skentinge. ...... H 325. Hule] Nule MS. 325 ule þu axest me ho seide. ȝif ich kon eni oþer dede. Bute singen in sume tide. an bringe blisse for ⁊ wide. wi axestu of craftes mine. 330 Betere is min on þan alle þine. Betere is o song of mine muþe. þan al þat eure þi kun kuþe. An lust ich telle þe wareuore. | f. 238 r² wostu to wan man was ibore. 335 To þare blisse of houene riche. þar euer is song ⁊ murȝþe iliche. þider fundeþ eurich man. þat eniþing of gode kan. vor þi me singþ in holi chirche. 340 an clerkes ginneþ songes wirche. þat man iþenche biþe songe. wider he shal ⁊ þar bon longe. þat he þe murȝþe ne uorȝete. Ac þar of þenche and bi ȝete. 345 An nime ȝeme of chirche steuene. Hu murie is þe blisse of houene. Clerkes munekes ⁊ kanunes. þar boþ þos gode wicke tunes. Ariseþ up to midel niȝte. 350 An singeþ of þe houene liȝte. An prostes upe londe singeþ. wane þe liȝt of daie springeþ. An ich hom helpe wat i mai. ...... f. 245 v¹ Þ e niȝtegale mid swucche worde. 355 for moniman mid speres orde. haueþ lutle strencþe ⁊ mid his [s]chelde. Ah neoþeles in one felde. Þurh belde worde an mid ilete. Deþ his iuo for arehþe swete. 360 þe wranne for heo cuþe singe. 361. more ȝeunge MS. þar com in þare moreȝen[i]nge. To helpe þare niȝtegale. For þah heo hadde steuene smale. 364. þorte MS. Heo hadde gode þrote ⁊ schille. 365 An fale manne song awille. þe wranne was wel wis iholde. 367. This line comes after l. 378 in MS. 368. menne] mannēne MS. `Vor þeg heo nere ibred awolde.´ Ho was itoȝen among menne. An hire wisdom brohte þenne. 370 Heo miȝte speke hwar heo walde. To uore þe king þah heo scholde. Lusteþ heo cwaþ lateþ me speke. Hwat wulle ȝe þis pes to breke. 374. þan kinge] þanne MS. An do þan [kinge] swuch schame. 375 Ȝe[t] nis he nouþer ded ne lame. Hunke schal i tide harm ⁊ schonde. Ȝef ȝe doþ griþ bruche on his londe. Lateþ beo ⁊ beoþ isome. | f. 245 v² An fareþ riht to ower dome. 380 An lateþ dom þis plaid to breke. Al swo hit was erur bispeke. I ch an wel cwað þe niȝtegale. Ah wranne nawt for þire tale. Ah do for mire lahfulnesse. 385 Ich nolde þ̵ unriht fulnesse. Me at þen ende ouer kome. Ich nam of drad of none dome. Bi hote ich habbe soþ hit is. þat maister nichole þ̵ is wis. 390 Bi tuxen vs deme schulde. An ȝef ich wene þ̵ he wule. Ah war mihte we hine finde. þe wranne sat in ore linde. Hwat nuȝte ȝe cwaþ heo his hom. 395 He wuneþ at portes hom. At one tune ine dorsete. Bi þare see in ore ut lete. þar he demeþ manie riȝte dom. An diht ⁊ writ mani wisdom. 400 An þurh his muþe ⁊ þurh his honde. Hit is þe betere into scot londe. To seche hine is lihtlich þing. He naueþ bute one woning. þ̵ his bischopen muchel schame. 405 An alle þan þ̵ of his nome. Habbeþ ihert. ⁊ of his dede. Hwi nulleþ hi nimen heom to rede. þ̵ he were mid heom ilome. 409. tḥeche MS. for teche heom of his wis dome. 410 An ȝiue him rente auale stude. þ̵ he miȝte heom ilome be mide. Certes cwaþ þe hule þ̵ is soð. | f. 246 v¹ 413. misdoð] ð corr. out of some other letter. þeos riche men wel muche misdoð. þ̵ leteþ þane godemon. 415 þ̵ of so feole þinge con. An ȝiueþ rente wel misliche. An of him leteþ wel lihtliche. wið heore cunne heo beoþ mildre. An ȝeueþ rente litle childre. 420 swo heore wit hi demþ adwole. þ̵ euer abid maistre nichole. Ah ute we þah to him fare. For þar is unker dom al ȝare. Do we þe niȝtegale seide. 425 ah wa schal unker speche rede. An telle to uore unker deme. Þ ar of ich schal þe wel icweme. Cwaþ þe houle for al ende of orde. Telle ich con word after worde. 430 An ȝef þe þincþ þ̵ ich mis rempe. 431. dome MS. þu stond aȝein ⁊ do me crempe. Mid þisse worde forþ hi ferden. Al bute here and bute uerde. To portes ham þ̵ heo bi come. 435 Ah hu heo spedde of heore dome. 436. chan MS. Ne can ich eu namore telle. Her nis na more of þis spelle.

Jesus College MS. Cotton MS. Incipit Altercacio inter filomenam ⁊ Bubonem. I ch wes in one sumere dale. In one swiþe dyele hale. I herde ich holde grete tale. An vle and one nẏhtegale. 5 Þat playd wes· stif· ⁊ starc· ⁊ strong. Sum hwile softe· ⁊ lud among. And eyþer a yeyn oþer swal. And let þat vuele mod vt al. And eyþer seyde of oþres custe. 10 þat alre wrste þat hi ywuste. ⁊ hure ⁊ hure of oþres songe. hi holde playding swiþe stronge. I ch was in one sumere dale. In one suþe diȝele hale. I herde ich holde grete tale. An hule and one niȝtingale. 5 Þat plait was stif ⁊ starc ⁊ strong. Sum wile softe ⁊ lud among. An aiþer aȝen oþer sval. ⁊ let þat wole mod ut al. ⁊ eiþer seide of oþeres custe. 10 þat alre worste þat hi wuste. ⁊ hure and hure of oþere[s] songe Hi holde plaiding suþe stronge. Þe Nihtegale bi gon þo speke. In one hurne of one beche. 15 ⁊ sat vp one vayre bowe. þat were abute blostme ynowe. In ore vaste thikke hegge. I meynd myd spire. ⁊ grene segge. He wes þe gladdre. vor þe ryse. 20 ⁊ song a veole cunne wyse. Bet þuhte þe drem. þat he were. of harpe· ⁊ pipe· þan he nere. Bet þuhte þat heo were i shote. of harpe· ⁊ pipe· þan of þrote. 25 Þo stod on old stok. þar bẏ side. Þar þe vle song hire tyde. And wes myd ivi al bi growe. Hit wes þare vle erdingstowe. Þe Nihtegale hi iseyh. 30 ⁊ hi biholdeþ. and ouer seyh. ⁊ þuhte wel ful of þare vle. For me hi halt. lodlich ⁊ fule. | vnwyht heo seide a wey þu fleo. Me is þe wurs. þat ich þe iseo. 35 Iwis for þine wle lete. wel ofte ich my song fur lete Min heorte atflyhþ· ⁊ falt my tunge. hwenne þu art to me i þrunge. Me luste bet speten þane singe. 40 of þine fule howelynge. Þ e niȝtingale bigon þe speche. In one hurne of one breche. 15 ⁊ sat upone vaire boȝe. þar were abute blosme inoȝe. In ore waste þicke hegge. Imeind mid spire ⁊ grene segge. Ho was þe gladur uor þe rise. 20 ⁊ song auele cunne wise. Bet þuȝte þe dreim þat he were. Of harpe ⁊ pipe þan he nere. Bet þuȝte þat he were ishote. Of harpe ⁊ pipe þan of þrote. 25 [Þ]o stod on old stoc þarbiside. þar þo vle song hire tide. ⁊ was mid iui al bigrowe. Hit was þare hule eardingstowe. [Þ]e niȝtingale hi iseȝ. 30 ⁊ hi bihold ⁊ ouerseȝ. ⁊ þuȝte wel wl of þare hule. For me hi halt lodlich ⁊ fule. vn wiȝt ho sede a wei þu flo. Me is þe wrs þat ich þe so. | I wis for þine wle lete. 36 wel oft ich mine song forlete. Min horte atfliþ ⁊ falt mi tonge. wonne þu art to me iþrunge. Me luste bet speten þane singe. 40 Of þine fule ȝoȝelinge. Þeos vle abod for hit wes eve. heo ne myhte no leng bileue. vor hire heorte wes so gret. þat wel neyh hire fnast at set. 45 ⁊ warp a word þar after longe. hw þynk þe nu bi mine songe. Wenestu þat ich ne kunne singe. Þe ich ne cunne of wrytelinge. Ilome þu dest me grome. 50 ⁊ seist me boþe teone ⁊ schome. If ich þe heolde on myne vote. So hit bitide þat ich mote. ⁊ þu were vt of þine ryse. þu scholdest singe on oþer wise. Þ os hule abod fort hit was eve. Ho ne miȝte no leng bileue. vor hire horte was so gret. þat welneȝ hire fnast at schet. 45 ⁊ warp a word þar after longe. Hu þincþe nu bi mine songe. we[n]st þu þat ich ne cunne singe. þeȝ ich ne cunne of writelinge. I lome þu dest me grame 50 ⁊ seist me boþe tone ⁊ schame Ȝif ich þe holde on mine uote. So hit bitide þat ich mote. ⁊ þu were vt of þine rise. þu sholdest singe an oþer w[i]se. 55 Þe Nihtegale ȝaf onsware. If ich me loki wiþ þe bare. ⁊ me schilde wit þe blete. Ne recche ich nouht of þine þrete. If ich me holde in myne hegge 60 Ne recche ich neuer hwat þu segge. Ich wot þat þu art vnmilde. wiþ heom þat ne muwe from þe schilde. And þu tukest wroþe ⁊ vuele Hwar þu myht ouer smale vowele. | vor þi þu art loþ al fowel cunne. 66 ⁊ alle heo þe dryueþ heonne. ⁊ þe bi scrycheþ. ⁊ bi gredeþ ⁊ wel narewe þe by ledeþ. ⁊ ek forþe þe sulue mose 70 hire þonkes wolde þe to tose. þu art lodlich to bi holde. And þu art loþ in monye volde. þi bodi is scort. þi swere is smal. Gretture is þin heued ne þu al. 75 þin éyen beoþ col blake ⁊ brode. Ryht so hi weren ipeynt myd wode þu starest so þu wille abyten Al þat þu myht myd clyure smyten þi bile is stif· ⁊ sarp· ⁊ hoked. 80 Riht as on ewel þat is croked. þar myd þu clechest euer among. And þat is on of þine song. Ac þu þretest to myne vleysse. Mid þine cleures woldest me meysse. 85 þe were i cundere to one frogge. þat sit at Mulne vnder cogge. Snayles. Mus. and fule wihte. Beoþ þine cunde ⁊ þine rihte. Þu sittest a day and flyhst a niht. 90 þu cuþest þat þu art on vnwiht. þu art lodlich· and unclene. Bi þine neste· ich hit mene. And ek bi þine fule brode. Þu vedest on heom a wel ful vode. ...... Þ 55 e niȝtingale ȝaf answare. ȝif ich me loki wit þe bare. ⁊ me schilde wit þe blete. Ne reche ich noȝt of þine þrete. ȝif ich me holde in mine hegge. 60 Ne recche ich neuer what þu segge. Ich wot þat þu art un milde. Wiþ hom þat ne muȝe from þe schilde. ⁊ þu tukest wroþe ⁊ vuele. Whar þu miȝt over smale fuȝele. 65 Vorþi þu art loþ al fuel kunne. ⁊ alle ho þe driueþ honne. ⁊ þe bi schricheþ ⁊ bi gredet. ⁊ wel narewe þe bi ledet. | ⁊ ek forþe þe sulue mose. 70 Hire þonkes wolde þe totose. Þu art lodlich to biholde. ⁊ þu art loþ in monie volde. þi bodi is short þi swore is. smal. Grettere is þin heued þan þu al. 75 þin eȝene boþ colblake ⁊ brode. Riȝt swo ho weren ipeint mid wode. þu starest so þu wille abiten. Al þat þu mist mid cliure smiten. þi bile is stif ⁊ scharp ⁊ hoked. 80 Riȝt so an owel þat is croked. þar mid þu clackes oft`e´ ⁊ longe. ⁊ þat is on of þine songe. Ac þu þretest to mine fleshe. Mid þine cliures woldest me meshe. 85 þe were icundur to one frogge. [Þat sit at mulne under cogge.] Snailes, mus ⁊ fule wiȝte. Boþ þine cunde ⁊ þine riȝte. þu sittest adai and fliȝ[s]t aniȝt. 90 þu cuþest þat þu art on unwiȝt. þu art lodlich ⁊ unclene. Bi þine neste ich hit mene. ⁊ ek bi þine fule brode. þu fedest on hom a wel ful fode. ...... Þ <sub>e</sub>os word ayaf þe nihtegale. 96 And after þare longe tale. Heo song so lude. ⁊ so scharpe. Ryht so me grulde. schille harpe. þeos vle luste þiderward. 100 ⁊ heold hire eyen neþerward. ⁊ sat to swolle ⁊ to bolewe. so heo hedde one frogge i`s´wolwe. For heo wel wiste. ⁊ was i war. þat heo song hire a bysemar. 105 ⁊ naþeles heo yaf ondsware. hwy nel tu fleon into bare. And schewi hweþer vnker beo. of brihter hewe. of fayrur bleo. No. þu hauest scharpe clawe. 110 Ne kepe ich noht þat þu me clawe. þu hauest clyures swiþe stronge. þu twengest þar mid so doþ a tonge. þu þoutest so doþ þine ilyche. Mid fayre worde me biswike. 115 Ich nolde don þat þu me raddest. Ich wiste wel þat þu me misraddest. schomye þe vor þine vnrede. vn wryen is þi swikehede. schild þi swikedom from þe lyhte. 120 And hud þat wowe a mong þe ryhte. hwanne þu wilt þu vnriht spene. Loke þat hit ne beo isene. | vor swikedom haueþ schome and het If hit is ope. and vnder yete. 125 Ne spedestu nouht mid þin vn wrenche For ich am war. and can blenche. Ne helpeþ noht· þat þu bo· to þriste. Ich wolde vyhte bet myd liste. þan þu mid al þine strengþe. 130 Ich habbe on brede· ⁊ ek on lengþe. Castel god on myne ryse. wel fyht þat wel flyhþ. seyþ þe wise. Ac lete awey þeos cheste. For suche wordes beoþ vnwreste. 135 And fo we on· myd rihte dome. Mid fayre worde. ⁊ myd some. þeyh we ne beon at on acorde. we mawe bet myd fayre worde. wiþ vte cheste· and bute vyhte. 140 Playde mid soþe. ⁊ mid ryhte. ⁊ may vr eyþer hwat he wile. Mid rihte segge. ⁊ myd skile. Þ os word a ȝaf þe niȝtingale. 96 ⁊ after þare longe tale. He song so lude ⁊ so scharpe. Riȝt so me grulde schille harpe. þos hule luste þiderward. 100 ⁊ hold hire eȝe noþerwa[r]d. ⁊ sat to svolle ⁊ ibolwe. also ho hadde one frogge isuolȝe. for ho wel wiste ⁊ was i war. þat ho song hire a bisemar. 105 ⁊ noþeles ho ȝaf andsuare. whi nel tu flon in to þe bare. ⁊ sewi þare unker bo. Of briȝter howe of uairur blo. No þu hauest wel scharpe clawe. 110 Ne kepich noȝt þat þu me clawe. þu hauest cliuers su þe stronge. þu tuengst þar mid so doþ a tonge. þu þoȝtest so doþ þin ilike. Mid faire worde me bi swike. 115 Ich nolde don þa`t´ þu me raddest. Ich wiste wel þat þu me mis raddest. Schamie þe for þin unrede. vn wroȝen is þi svikelhede. Schild þine svikeldom vram þe liȝte. 120 ⁊ hud þat woȝe amonȝ þe riȝte. þane þu wilt þin unriȝt spene. Loke þat hit ne bo i sene. vor svikedom haued schome ⁊ hete. ȝif hit is ope ⁊ under ȝete. 125 Ne speddestu noȝt mid þine unwrenche. for icham war ⁊ can wel blenche. Ne helpþ noȝt þat þu bo to þriste. | Ich wolde viȝte bet mid liste. þan þu mid all þine strengþe. 130 Ich abbe on brede ⁊ eck on lengþe. Castel god on mine rise. wel fiȝt þat wel fliȝt seiþ þe wise. ac lete we a wei þos cheste. vor suiche wordes boþ unwerste. 135 ⁊ fo we on mid riȝte dome. Mid faire worde ⁊ mid wsome. þeȝ we ne bo at one acorde. we muȝe bet mid fawre worde. wit ute cheste ⁊ bute fiȝte. 140 Plaidi mid foȝe ⁊ mid riȝte. ⁊ mai hure eiþer wat he wile. Mid riȝte segge ⁊ mid sckile. Þ o qwaþ þe vle. hwo schal vs seme. þat cunne ⁊ wille riht vs deme. 145 Ich wot wel quaþ þe nyhtegale. Ne þarf þer of beo no tale. Mayster Nichol· of guldeuorde. he is wis· and war· of worde. he is of worde swyþe glev. 150 And him is loþ eurich vnþeu. he wot insyht in euche songe. hwo singeþ wel. hwo singeþ wronge. And he con schede from þe rihte. Þat wowe. þat þuster from þe lyhte. Þ o quaþ þe hule wo schal us seme. þat kunne ⁊ wille riȝt us deme. 145 Ich wot wel quaþ þe niȝtingale. Ne þaref þar of bo no tale. Maister nichole of guldeforde. He is wis an war of worde. He is of dome suþe gleu. 150 ⁊ him is loþ eurich unþeu. He wot in siȝt in eche songe. wo singet wel wo singet wronge. ⁊ he can schede vrom þe riȝte. þat woȝe þat þuster from þe liȝte. Þ 155 e vle. one hwile hi bihouhte. And after þan þis word up brouhte. | Ich graunti wel þa`t´ he vs deme. For þeyh he were hwile breme. ⁊ leof him wre Nihtingale. 160 And oþer wyhte gent ⁊ smale. Ich wot. he is nu þe acoled. Nis he vor þe nouht afoled. þat he vor þine olde luue. Me a dun legge ⁊ þe a buue. 165 N[e] schaltu. neuer so him queme. þat he vor þe fals dom deme. he is nv ripe. ⁊ fast rede. Ne luste hym nv to non vnrede. Nv him ne lust namore pleye 170 he wile gon a rihte weye. Þ 155 o hule one wile hi bi þoȝte. ⁊ after þan þis word up broȝte. Ich granti wel þat he us deme. vor þeȝ he were wile breme. ⁊ lof him were niȝtingale. 160 ⁊ oþer wiȝte gente ⁊ smale. Ich wot he is nu suþe acoled. | Nis he vor þe noȝt afoled. þat he for þine olde lo`u´ue. Me adun legge ⁊ þe buue. 165 Ne schaltu neure so him queme. þat he forþe fals dom deme. He is him ripe ⁊ fastrede. Ne lust him nu to none unrede. Nu him ne lust na more pleie. 170 He wile gon a riȝte weie. Þ e nihtegale· wes al ware. heo hedde ileorned· wel ihware. vle heo seyde seye me soþ. hwi dostu þat vnwihtes doþ. 175 þu singest a nyht ⁊ nouht a day. And al þi song is way laway. þu miht mid þine songe afere. Alle þat hereþ þine ibere. Þ[u] scrichest ⁊ yollest to þine fere 180 þat hit is gryslich to ihere. hit þincheþ boþe wise ⁊ snepe. Nouht þat þu singe. at þu wepe. þu flyhst a nyht and noht a day. þar of ich wundri ⁊ wel may. 185 For vych þing þat schonyeþ riht. hit luuyeþ þuster ⁊ hateþ lyht. ⁊ euych þing. þat luueþ misdede. hi luueþ þuster to his dede. ...... Þ e niȝtingale was al ȝare. Ho hadde ilorned wel aiware. Hule ho sede seie me soþ. wi dostu þat un wiȝtis doþ. 175 þu singist aniȝt ⁊ noȝt adai. ⁊ al þi song is wailawai. þu miȝt mid þine songe afere. alle þat ihereþ þine ibere. þu schirchest ⁊ ȝollest to þine fere. 180 þat hit is grislich to ihere. Hit þinchest boþe wise ⁊ snepe. Noȝt þat þu singe ac þat þu wepe. þu fliȝst a niȝt ⁊ noȝt adai. þar of ich wndri ⁊ wel mai. 185 vor eurich þing þat schuniet riȝt. Hit luueþ þuster ⁊ hatiet liȝt. ⁊ eurich þing þat is lof misdede. Hit luueþ þuster to his dede. ...... Þ eos vle luste swiþe longe. 190 ⁊ wes of teoned swiþe stronge. heo quaþ. þu hattest Nihtegale. þu mihtest bet hote galegale. vor þu hauest to monye tale. let þine tunge habbe spale. 195 þu wenest þat þes day beo þin owe. let me nv habbe myne þrowe. Beo nv stille ⁊ let me speke. Ich wile beo of þe a wreke. ⁊ lust hw ich con me bi telle. 200 Mid rihte soþe wiþ vte spelle. þu seyst þat ich me hude a day þar to ne segge ich nyk no nay ⁊ lust ich telle hwer vore Al hwi hit is ⁊ hware vore. | Ich habbe bile stif ⁊ stronge. 206 ⁊ gode cleures scharp ⁊ longe. So hit bycumeþ to hauekes cunne. hit is myn hyhte· ⁊ my ynne. þat ich me drawe to mine cunde. 210 Ne may me no mon þar for sende. on me hit is wel i sene. For rihte cunde ich am so kene. vor þi ich am loþ smale vowele. Þat fleoþ bi grunde ⁊ bi þuuele. 215 hi me bichirmeþ ⁊ bi gredeþ. ⁊ heore flockes to me ledeþ. Me is leof to habbe reste. And sitte stille in myne neste. ...... Þ os hule luste suþe longe. 190 ⁊ was of toned suþ`e´ stronge. quaþ Ho þu `h´attest niȝtingale. Þu miȝtest bet hoten galegale. Vor þu hauest to monie tale. Lat þine tunge habbe spale. 195 þu wenest þat þes dai bo þinoȝe. Lat me nu habbe mine þroȝe. Bo nu stille ⁊ lat me speke. Ich wille bon of þe awreke. ⁊ lust hu ich con me bitelle. 200 Mid riȝte soþe wit ute spelle. þu seist þat ich me hude adai. þar to ne segge ich nich ne nai. ⁊ lust ich telle þe wareuore. al wi hit is ⁊ wareuore. 205 Ich habbe bile stif ⁊ stronge. ⁊ gode cliuers scharp ⁊ longe. So hit bi cumeþ to hauekes cunne. Hit is min hiȝte hit is mi wune. þat ich me draȝe to mine cunde. | Ne mai noman þareuore schende. 211 On me hit is wel isene. vor riȝte cunde ich am so kene. vor þi ich am loþ smale foȝle. þat floþ bi grunde an bi þuuele. 215 Hi me bichermet ⁊ bigredeþ. ⁊ hore flockes to `m´e ledeþ. Me is lof to habbe reste. ⁊ sitte stille in mine neste. ...... wenestu þat hauek beo þe wrse. 220 Þe crowe bi grede him bi þe mersche. ⁊ goþ to him myd heore chyrme. Riht so hi wille. wiþ him schirme. þe hauek foleweþ gode rede. He flyhþ his wey ⁊ let hi grede. wenestu þat haueck bo þe worse. 220 þoȝ crowe bi grede him bi þe mershe. ⁊ goþ to him mid hore chirme. Riȝt so hi wille wit him schirme. þe hauec folȝeþ gode rede. | ⁊ fliȝt his wei ⁊ lat hem grede. Þ 225 et þu me seyst of oþer þinge. ⁊ tellest þat ich ne can nouht singe. Ac al my reorde is wonyng. And to ihere gryslych þing. þat nis nouht soþ. ich singe efne. 230 Mid fulle dreme· ⁊ lude stefne. þu wenest þat eoch song beo grislich. þat þine pipinge nis ilich. Mi stefne is bold· ⁊ nouht vnorne. heo is ilich one grete horne. 235 ⁊ þin is iliche one pype. of one smale weode vnripe. Ich [singe] bet þan þu dest. Þu chaterest so doþ on yris prest. Ich singe an efne. a ryhte time. 240 ⁊ seþþe hwenne hit is bedtime. þe þridde syþe a middel nyhte. ⁊ so ich myne songe a dihte. hwenne ich iseo arise veorre oþer day rewe· oþer day steorre. 245 Ic do god myd myne þrote. And warny men to heore note. Ac þu singest alle longe nyht. From eue þat hit is day liht. ⁊ euer lesteþ þin o song, 250 so longe so þe nyht is long. ⁊ euer croweþ þi wrecche crey. Þat he ne swikeþ nyht ne day. | Mid þine pipinge þu adunest. þas monnes eren. þar þu wunest. 255 ⁊ makest þi song, so vnwiht. þat me ne telleþ. of þe nowiht. Ȝ 225 et þu me seist of oþer þinge. ⁊ telst þat ich ne can noȝt singe Ac al mi rorde is woning ⁊ to `i´hire grislich þing þat nis noȝt soþ ich singe efne. 230 Mid fulle dreme ⁊ lude stefne. þu wenist þat ech song bo grislich. þat þine pipinge nis ilich. Mi stefne is bold ⁊ noȝt un orne. ho is ilich one grete horne. 235 ⁊ þin is ilich one pipe. Of one smale w`e´ode un ripe. Ich singe bet þan þu dest. Þu chaterest so doþ on irish pr`e´ost. Ich singe an eue ariȝte time 240 ⁊ soþþe won hit is bedtime. þe þridde siþe ad middelniȝte. ⁊ so ich mine song adiȝte. wone ich i so arise vorre. Oþer dairim oþer daisterre. 245 Ich do god mid mine þrote. ⁊ warni men to hore note. Ac þu singest alle longe niȝt. From eue fort hit is dailiȝt. ⁊ eure seist þin o song. 250 So longe so þe niȝt is long. ⁊ eure croweþ þi wrecche crei. þat he ne swikeþ niȝt ne dai. Mid þine pipinge þu a dunest. þas monnes earen þar þu wunest. 255 ⁊ makest þine song so unwrþ. þa`t´ me ne telþ of þar noȝt wrþ. Eurych mureþe may so longe leste. þat heo schal liki wel vnwreste. for harpe. ⁊ pipe. ⁊ foweles song. 260 Mislikeþ. if hit is to long. Ne beo þe song ne so murie. þat he ne sal þinche vnmurie. If he i lesteþ ouer vnwille. So þu myht þi song aspille. 265 for hit is soþ Alured hit seyde. ⁊ me hit. may in boke rede. Eurich þing may lesen his godhede. Mid vnmeþe and ouerdede. ...... Eurich murȝþe mai so longe ileste. þat ho shal liki wel unwreste. vor harpe ⁊ pipe ⁊ fuȝeles songe. 260 Mislikeþ ȝif hit is to long. Ne bo þe song neuer so murie. þat he ne shal þinche wel unmurie. ȝef he ilesteþ ouer unwille. So þu miȝt þine song aspille. 265 vor hit is soþ alured hit seide. ⁊ me hit mai ine boke rede. Eurich þing mai losen his godhede Mid unmeþe ⁊ mid ouerdede. ...... Þ e nyhtegale in hire þouhte. 270 At heold al þis. ⁊ longe þouhte. hwat heo þar after myhte segge, vor heo ne myhte noht a legge. þat þe vle hedde hire i seyd. vor ho spak boþe riht ⁊ red. 275 ⁊ hire of þuhte þat heo hadde. þe speche so feor uorþ iladde. ⁊ wes aferd þat hire answare Ne wrþe nouht a riht ivare. Ac noþeles heo spak boldeliche 280 vor heo is wis þat hardeliche. wiþ his fo berþ grete ilete. þat he for arehþe hit ne for lete. vor suych worþ bold if þu flyhst. þa`t´ wile fleo if þu swykst. | If he isihþ þat þu nart areh. 286 he wile of bore wurche bareh. ⁊ for þi· þey `þe´ nyhtegale. Were a ferd· heo spak bolde tale. Þ e niȝtingale in hire þoȝte. 270 Athold al þis ⁊ longe þoȝte. wat ho þare after miȝte segge. vor ho ne miȝte noȝt alegge. þat þe hule hadde hire ised. vor he spac boþe riȝt an red. 275 An hire ofþuȝte þat ho hadde. þe speche so foruorþ iladde. An was oferd þat hire answare. Ne wrþe noȝt ariȝt i fare. Ac noþeles he spac boldeliche. 280 vor he is wis þat hardeliche. wiþ is uo berþ grete ilete. þat he uor areȝþe hit ne forlete. vor suich worþ bold ȝif þu fliȝste. þat wle flo ȝif þu svicst. 285 Ȝif he isiþ þat þu nart areȝ. He wile of bore wrchen bareȝ. ⁊ forþi þeȝ þe niȝtingale. | were aferd ho spac bolde tale H vle heo seyde· hwi dostu so. 290 þu singest a wynter wolawo. þu singest so doþ hen a snowe. Al þat heo singeþ hit is for wowe. A winter þu singest wroþe ⁊ yomere. ⁊ euer þu art. dumb a sumere. 295 hit is for þine fule nyþe þat þu ne myht. myd vs be bliþe. vor þu forbernest· neyh for onde. hwenne vre blisse cumeþ to londe. þu farest so doþ þe ille. 300 Euer ich blisse him is vnwille. Grucching· ⁊· luryng. him beoþ rade. If he iseoþ. þat men beoþ glade. he wolde þat he iseye. Teres in eueriche monnes eye. 305 Ne roughte þe. þeyh flockes were. Imeynd bi toppes· ⁊ bi here. Al so þu dost on þire syde. For hwanne snouh liþ þikke ⁊ wide. ⁊ alle wihtes habbeþ sorewe. 310 þu singest from eue to amorewe. Ac ich mid me alle blisse bringe. Ech wiht is glad· for myne þinge. ⁊ blesseþ hit· hwenne ich cume. ⁊ hihteþ a yeyn myne cume. 315 þe blostme. gynneþ springe ⁊ sprede. Boþe in treo ⁊ ek in mede. þe lilie myd hire fayre wlite. welcomeþ me þeyh þu hit wite. Bid me myd hire fayre bleo. | þat ich schulle to hire fleo. 321 þe rose also myd hire rude. þat cumeþ of þe þorne wode. Bit me þat ich schulle singe. For hire luue one skentynge. ...... H ule ho seide wi dostu so. 290 þu singest awinter wolawo. þu singest so doþ hen asnowe. Al þat ho singeþ hit is for wowe. A wintere þu singest wroþe and ȝomere. An`d´ eure þu art dumb a sumere. 295 Hit is for þine fule niþe. þat þu ne miȝt mid us be bliþe. vor þu forbernest welneȝ for onde, wane ure blisse cumeþ to londe. þu farest so doþ þe ille. 300 Evrich blisse him is un wille. Grucching ⁊ luring him boþ rade. Ȝif he isoþ þat men boþ glade. he wolde þat he iseȝe. Teres in evrich monnes eȝe. 305 Ne roȝte he þeȝ flockes were. Imeind bi toppes ⁊ bi here. Al so þu dost on þire side. vor wanne snov liþ þicke ⁊ wide. an`d´ alle wiȝtes habbeþ sorȝe. 310 þu singest from eue fort amorȝe. Ac ich alle blisse mid me bringe. Ech wiȝt is glad for mine þinge. ⁊ blisseþ hit wanne ich cume. ⁊ hiȝteþ aȝen mine kume. 315 þe blostme ginneþ springe ⁊ sprede Boþe ine tro ⁊ ek on mede. þe lilie mid hire faire wlite. Wolcumeþ me þat þu hit wte. Bit me mid hire faire blo. 320 Þat ich shulle to hire flo. þe rose al so mid hire rude. | þat cumeþ ut of þe þorne wode. Bit me þat ich shulle singe vor hire luue one skentinge. ...... [V]le þu axest me heo seyde. 326 [I]f ich con eny oþer dede. Bute syngen in sume tyde. ⁊ bringe blisse veor ⁊ wyde. hwy axestu of craftes myne. 330 Beter is myn on þan alle þine. Beter is o song of myne muþe. þan al þat þi kun kuþe. ⁊ lust. ich telle þe hwar vore. wostu to hwan· mon wes ibore. 335 To þare blisse of heueryche. | þar euer is song. ⁊ Murehþe ilyche. þider fundeþ euer ich man. þat eny þing of gode can. for þi me syngþ in holy chireche. 340 ⁊ clerekes gynneþ songes wrche. þat mon yþenche. bi þe songe. hwider he shal. ⁊ þar beon longe. þat he þe murehþe ne vor yete. Ac þar of þenche. ⁊ bi gete. 345 ⁊ nyme yeme of chirche stefne. hw Murie is þe blisse of heuene. Clerekes· Munekes· ⁊ canúnes. þar beoþ þos gode wike tunes. Ariseþ vp to middel nyhte. 350 ⁊ singeþ of þon heuene lyhte. ⁊ preostes vpe londe singeþ. [Hwenne þe liht of daye springeþ.] ⁊ ich heom helpe hwat ic may. ...... H 325 ule þu axest me ho seide. ȝif ich kon eni oþer dede. Bute singen in sume tide. an bringe blisse for ⁊ wide. wi axestu of craftes mine. 330 Betere is min on þan alle þine. Betere is o song of mine muþe. þan al þat eure þi kun kuþe. An lust ich telle þe wareuore. | wostu to wan man was ibore. 335 To þare blisse of houene riche. þar euer is song ⁊ murȝþe iliche. þider fundeþ eurich man. þat eniþing of gode kan. vor þi me singþ in holi chirche. 340 an clerkes ginneþ songes wirche. þat man iþenche biþe songe. wider he shal ⁊ þar bon longe. þat he þe murȝþe ne uorȝete. Ac þar of þenche and bi ȝete. 345 An nime ȝeme of chirche steuene. Hu murie is þe blisse of houene. Clerkes munekes ⁊ kanunes. þar boþ þos gode wicke tunes. Ariseþ up to midel niȝte. 350 An singeþ of þe houene liȝte. An prostes upe londe singeþ. wane þe liȝt of daie springeþ. An ich hom helpe wat i mai. ...... Þ e Nihtegale myd sweche worde. 355 for monymon myd speres orde. haueþ lutle strengþe. ⁊ mid his schelde. Ah naþeles in one felde. þurh belde worde ⁊ myd ilete. Deþ his iuo· for arehþe swete. 360 þe wrenne for heo cuþe singe. þar com in þare moreweninge. To helpe þare nyhtegale. vor heo hadde stefne smale. heo hadde gode þrote ⁊ schille. 365 ⁊ fale monne song a wille. þe wrenne· wes wel wis iholde. vor þeih heo nere ibred a wolde. heo wes itowen. among mankunne ⁊ hire wisdom brouhte þenne. 370 heo myhte speke hwar heo wolde. To fore þe kinge· þah heo scholde. lusteþ· heo queþ· leteþ me speke. hwat wille ye. þis pays to breke. ⁊ do þan [kinge] such schome. 375 yet nys heo nouþer ded ne lome. hunke schal i tyde harm ⁊ schonde. If we doþ gryþ bruche on his londe. Leteþ beo and beoþ isome. ⁊ fareþ riht to eure dome. 380 ⁊ leteþ dom þis playd to breke. Al so hit wes erure bi speke. Þ e niȝtegale mid swucche worde. 355 for moniman mid speres orde. haueþ lutle strencþe ⁊ mid his [s]chelde. Ah neoþeles in one felde. Þurh belde worde an mid ilete. Deþ his iuo for arehþe swete. 360 þe wranne for heo cuþe singe. þar com in þare moreȝen[i]nge. To helpe þare niȝtegale. For þah heo hadde steuene smale. Heo hadde gode þrote ⁊ schille. 365 An fale manne song awille. þe wranne was wel wis iholde. `Vor þeg heo nere ibred awolde.´ Ho was itoȝen among menne. An hire wisdom brohte þenne. 370 Heo miȝte speke hwar heo walde. To uore þe king þah heo scholde. Lusteþ heo cwaþ lateþ me speke. Hwat wulle ȝe þis pes to breke. An do þan [kinge] swuch schame. 375 Ȝe[t] nis he nouþer ded ne lame. Hunke schal i tide harm ⁊ schonde. Ȝef ȝe doþ griþ bruche on his londe. Lateþ beo ⁊ beoþ isome. | An fareþ riht to ower dome. 380 An lateþ dom þis plaid to breke. Al swo hit was erur bispeke. Ich vnne wel queþ þe Nihtegale. Ah wrenne· nouht for þine tale. Ac do for myre lauhfulnesse. 385 Ic nolde þat vnrihtfulnesse. Me at þen ende· me ouercome. Ic nam of dred. of none dome. Bi hote ic habbe· soþ hit is. þat maẏster Nichole. þ̵ is wis. 390 Bi twihen eu deme schulle. ⁊ yet ic wene þat he wulle. | Ah war myhte we hine fynde. þe wrenne sat in hore lynde. hwat mihte yet quaþ heo his hom. 395 heo wuneþ at portes hom. At one tune in dorsete. Bi þare séé in ore vt lete. þar he demeþ mony riht dom. ⁊ diht ⁊ wryt mony wisdom. 400 ⁊ þurh his muþe. ⁊ þurh his honde. hit is þe betere in to scotlonde. To seche hyne. is lyhtlych þing. he naueþ buten o wunyng. þ̵ is biscopen muchel schame. 405 ⁊ alle þan þ̵ of his nome. habbeþ iherd. ⁊ of his dede. hwi nulleþ hi nymen heom to rede. þ̵ he were myd heom ilome. vor teche heom of his wisdome. 410 ⁊ yeue him rente on vale stude. þ̵ he myhte ilome heom beo myde. I ch an wel cwað þe niȝtegale. Ah wranne nawt for þire tale. Ah do for mire lahfulnesse. 385 Ich nolde þ̵ unriht fulnesse. Me at þen ende ouer kome. Ich nam of drad of none dome. Bi hote ich habbe soþ hit is. þat maister nichole þ̵ is wis. 390 Bi tuxen vs deme schulde. An ȝef ich wene þ̵ he wule. Ah war mihte we hine finde. þe wranne sat in ore linde. Hwat nuȝte ȝe cwaþ heo his hom. 395 He wuneþ at portes hom. At one tune ine dorsete. Bi þare see in ore ut lete. þar he demeþ manie riȝte dom. An diht ⁊ writ mani wisdom. 400 An þurh his muþe ⁊ þurh his honde. Hit is þe betere into scot londe. To seche hine is lihtlich þing. He naueþ bute one woning. þ̵ his bischopen muchel schame. 405 An alle þan þ̵ of his nome. Habbeþ ihert. ⁊ of his dede. Hwi nulleþ hi nimen heom to rede. þ̵ he were mid heom ilome. for teche heom of his wis dome. 410 An ȝiue him rente auale stude. þ̵ he miȝte heom ilome be mide. Certes quaþ þe vle. þat is soþ. þeos riche men· Muchele mys doþ. þat leteþ þane gode man. 415 þat of so fele þinge can. ⁊ yeueþ rente wel mislyche. ⁊ of him leteþ wel lyhtliche. wiþ heore kunne heo beoþ Mildre. ⁊ yeueþ rente lutle childre. 420 so heore wit hi demeþ adwole. þ̵ euer abit Mayster Nichole. Ah vte we þah· to him fare, vor þat is vnker dom al yare Certes cwaþ þe hule þ̵ is soð. | þeos riche men wel muche misdoð. þ̵ leteþ þane godemon. 415 þ̵ of so feole þinge con. An ȝiueþ rente wel misliche. An of him leteþ wel lihtliche. wið heore cunne heo beoþ mildre. An ȝeueþ rente litle childre. 420 swo heore wit hi demþ adwole. þ̵ euer abid maistre nichole. Ah ute we þah to him fare. For þar is unker dom al ȝare. Do we þe Nihtegale seyde. 425 Ah hwo schal vnker speche rede. ⁊ telle to vore vnker dome. Do we þe niȝtegale seide. 425 ah wa schal unker speche rede. An telle to uore unker deme. þar of ic schal þe wel iqueme Queþ þe vle. for al ende of orde. | Telle ic con. word after worde. 430 ⁊ if þe þinkþ þat ic mis rempe. þu stond ayeyn and do me crempe. Mid þisse worde forþ hi ferden. Al bute here and bute verde. To portes ham. þer hi bicome. 435 Ah hw heo spedde of heore dome. Ne can ic eu namore telle. her nys namore of þisse spelle. Explicit. Þ ar of ich schal þe wel icweme. Cwaþ þe houle for al ende of orde. Telle ich con word after worde. 430 An ȝef þe þincþ þ̵ ich mis rempe. þu stond aȝein ⁊ do me crempe. Mid þisse worde forþ hi ferden. Al bute here and bute uerde. To portes ham þ̵ heo bi come. 435 Ah hu heo spedde of heore dome. Ne can ich eu namore telle. Her nis na more of þis spelle.

Natura leonis i^a. f. 4 r Ð e leun stant on hille . ⁊ he man hunten here. Oðer ðurg his nese smel . Smake ðat he negge. Bi wilc weie so he wile . To dele niðer wenden. 5 Alle hise fet steppes . After him he filleð. Drageð dust wið his stert . ðer he [dun] steppeð. Oðer dust oðer deu . ðat he ne cunne is finden. driueð dun to his den . ðar he him bergen wille. ij^a. A 10 n oðer kinde he haueð . wanne he is ikindled. Stille lið ðe leun . ne stireð he nout of slepe. Til ðe sunne haueð sinen . ðries him abuten. ðanne reiseð his faðer him . mit te rem ðat he makeð. iij^a. 15 Ðe ðridde lage haueð ðe leun . ðanne he lieð to slepen. Sal he neure luken . ðe lides of hise egen. Significacio prime nature. W elle heg is tat hil . ðat is heuen riche. vre louerd is te leun . ðe liueð ðer abuuen. 20 wu ðo him likede . to ligten her on erðe. Migte neure diuel witen . ðog he be derne hunte. hu he dun come. Ne wu he dennede him . in ðat defte meiden. Marie bi name . ðe him bar to manne frame. 25 ij^a ⁊ iij^a. Ð o ure drigten ded was. ⁊ doluen also his wille was. In a ston stille he lai. til it kam ðe dridde dai. 30 His fader him filstnede swo. ðat he ros fro dede ðo. vs to lif holden. wakeð so his wille is So hirde for his folde. He is hirde. we ben sep . Silden he us wille. 35 If we heren to his word . ðat we ne gon nowor wille. Natura aquile. K iðen i wille ðe ernes kinde. Also ic it o boke rede. wu he neweð his guð hede. 40 hu he cumeð ut of elde. Siðen hise limes arn unwelde. Siðen his bec is alto wrong. f. 4 v Siðen his | fligt is al unstrong. ⁊ his egen dimme. 45 Hereð wu he neweð him. A welle he sekeð ðat springeð ai. boðe bi nigt ⁊ bi dai. ðer ouer he flegeð ⁊ up he teð. til ðat he ðe heuene seð. 50 ðurg skies sexe ⁊ seuene. til he cumeð to heuene. So rigt so he cunne. he houeð in ðe sunne. ðe sunne swideð al his fligt. 55 ⁊ oc it makeð his egen brigt. Hise feðres fallen for ðe hete. ⁊ he dun mide to ðe wete. Falleð in ðat welle grund. ðer he wurdeð heil ⁊ sund. 60 ⁊ cumed ut al newe. Ne were his bec untrewe. His bec is get biforn wrong. ðog hise limes senden strong. 64. maig on an erasure. Ne maig he tilen him non fode. 65 him self to none gode. ðanne goð he to á ston. ⁊ he billeð ðer on. Billeð til his bec biforn. haueð ðe wrengðe forloren. 70 Siðen wið his rigte bile. takeð mete ðat he wile. Significacio. A l is man so is tis ern. 74. listlen MS. wulde ge nu listen. 75 Old in hise sinnes dern. or he bicumeð cristen. 77. hī corr. out of hu. ðis man ðanne he on an erasure. ⁊ tus he neweð him ðis man. ðanne he nimeð to kirke. Or he it biðenken can. 80. This line in fainter brown ink. 80 hise egen weren mirke. Forsaket ðore satanas. ⁊ ilk sinful dede. 83, 84. Takeð ... he on an erasure. Takeð him to ihesu crist. for he sal ben his mede. 85 Leueð on ure loue[r]d crist. ⁊ lereð prestes lore. 87. hise] i corr. out of p. Of hise egen wereð ðe mist. wiles he dreccheð ðore. His hope is al to godeward. 89, 90. is hope is ... luue on an erasure: l. 90 originally began ha after luue a. 90 ⁊ of his luue he lereð. ðat is te sunne sikerlike. ðus his sigte he beteð. Naked falleð in ðe funt fat. ⁊ cumeð ut al newe. 95 buten alitel wat is tat. his muð is get untrewe. His muð is get wel unkuð. wið pater noster ⁊ crede. Fare he norð. er fare he suð. 100 leren he sal his nede. bidden bone to gode. ⁊ tus his muð rigten. tilen him so ðe sowles fode | f. 5 r ðurg grace off ure drigtin. 105. On an erasure. 105 Natura Serpentis. j^a. An wirm is o werlde . wel man it knoweð. Neddre is te name . ðus he him neweð. ðanne he is forbroken ⁊ forbroiden . ⁊ in his elde al forwurden. Fasteð til his fel him slakeð . ten daies fulle. 110 ðat he is lene ⁊ mainles ⁊ iuele mai gangen. he crepeð cripelande forð . his craft he ðus kiðeð. Sekeð a ston ðat a ðirl is on. Narwe buten he nedeð him . Nimeð vnneðes ðurg. for his fel he ðer leteð . his fles forð crepeð. 115 walkeð to ðe water ward . wile ðanne drinken. Oc he speweð or al ðe uenim. ðat in his brest is bred . fro his birde time. drinkeð siðen inog . ⁊ tus he him neweð. ij^a. Ð 120 anne ðe neddre is of his hid naked. ⁊ bare of his brest atter. 122. neggen] the initial n on an erasure MS. If he naked man se . ne wile he him nogt neggen. Oc he fleð fro him . als he fro fir sulde. If he cloðed man se cof he waxeð. 125 For up he rigteð him redi to deren. to deren er to ded maken if he it muge forðen. wat if ðe man war wurðe . ⁊ weren him cunne. figteð wið ðis wirm . ⁊ f[a]reð on him figtande. ðis neddre siðen he nede sal. 130 makeð seld of his bodi . ⁊ sildeð his heued. litel him is of hise limes . bute he lif holde. [Significacio.] K nov cristene man . wat tu crist higtest Atte kirke dure . ðar ðu cristned were. 135 ðu higtes to leuen on him . ⁊ hise lages luuien. to helden wit herte . ðe bodes of holi k[i]rke. If ðu hauest is broken. Al ðu forbredes . forwurðes ⁊ forgelues. Eche lif to wolden . Elded art fro eche blis. 140 So ðis wirm o werld is. Newe ðe fordi . so ðe neddre doð. It is te ned. Feste ðe of stedefastnesse . ⁊ ful of ðewes. f. 5 v ⁊ help ðe poure | men . ðe gangen abuten. 145 Ne deme ðe nog[t] wurdi . ðat tu dure loken. up to ðe heueneward. Oc walke wið ðe erðe mildelike among men. no mod ðu ne cune . mod ne mannes vncost. oc swic of sineginge. 150 ⁊ bote bid tu ðe ai . boðe bi nigt ⁊ bi dai. ðat tu milce mote hauen . of ðine misdedes. ðis lif bitokneð ðe sti. ðat te neddre gangeð bi. ⁊ tis is ðe ðirl of ðe ston. 155 ðat tu salt ðurg gon. Let ðin filðe fro ðe . so ðe wirm his fel doð. Go ðu ðan to godes hus . ðe godspel to heren. ðat is soule drink . sinnes quenching. Oc or sei ðu in scrifte . to ðe prest sinnes tine. 160. segðe MS. 160 feg ðe ðus of ði brest filde . ⁊ feste ðe forðward. fast at tin herte . ðat tu firmest higtes. ðus art tu ging ⁊ newe. forðward be ðu trewe. Nedeð ðe ðe deuel nogt . for he ne mai ðe deren nogt. 165 oc he fleð fro ðe . so neddre fro de nakede. On ðe cloðede ðe neddre is cof . ⁊ te deuel cliuer on sinnes. Ai ðe sinfule bisetten he wile. ⁊ wið al mankin he haueð nið ⁊ win. 170 wat if he leue haue of ure heuen louerd. for to deren us . So he ure eldere or dede. do we ðe bodi in ðe bale . ⁊ bergen ðe soule. ðat is ure heued geuelic . helde we it wurðlic. Natura formice. Ð 175 e mire is magti . mikel ge swinkeð. 176. ofte added in margin MS. In sumer ⁊ in softe weder . So we `ofte´ sen hauen. In ðe heruest . hardilike gangeð. ⁊ renneð rapelike . ⁊ resteð hire seldum. ⁊ fecheð hire fode . ðer ge it mai finden. 180 gaddreð ilkines sed. boðen of wude ⁊ of wed. Of corn ⁊ of gres. ðat ire to hauen es. 184. hole added on lower margin MS. haleð to hire `hole´ . ðat siðen hire helpeð. f. 6 r ðar ge wile ben winter | agen. 186 caue ge haueð to crepen in . ðat winter hire ne derie. Mete in hire hule ðat . ðat ge muge biliuen. 188. Space before ðar: ð rubricated and red afterwards erased MS. ðus ge tileð ðar wiles ge time haueð. so it her telleð. 190 oc finde ge ðe wete . corn ðat hire qwemeð. Al ge forleteð ðis oðer seð ðat ic er seide. Ne bit ge nowt de barlic beren abuten. oc suneð it ⁊ sakeð forð . so it same were. get is wunder of ðis wirm . more ðanne man weneð. 195 ðe corn ðat ge to caue bereð . al get bit otwinne. ðat it ne forwurðe . ne waxe hire fro. er ge it eten wille. Significacio. Ð e mire muneð us mete to tilen. 200 Long liuenoðe ðis little wile. ðe we on ðis werld wunen. for ðanne we of wenden . ðanne is ure winter. we sulen hunger hauen . ⁊ harde sures. buten we ben war here. 205 do we forði. so doð ðis der . ðanne be we derue. On ðat dai ðat dom sal ben . ðat it ne us harde rewe. Seke we ure liues fod . ðat we ben siker ðere. So ðis wirm in winter is . ðan ge ne tileð nummore. ðe mire suneð ðe barlic ðanne ge fint te wete. 210 ðe olde lage we ogen to sunen . ðe newe we hauen moten. 211. ðe corn on an erasure. 213. ben MS. ebriche MS. ðe corn ðat ge to caue bereð . all ge it bit otwinne. ðe lage us lereð to don god . ⁊ forbedeð us sinne. It bet us erðliche bodes . ⁊ bekned euelike. It fet ðe licham ⁊ te gost . oc nowt o geuelike. 215 vre louerd crist it lene us ðat his lage us fede. 216. we on an erasure. nu ⁊ o domesdei . ⁊ tanne we hauen nede. Natura cerui. Ð e hert haueð kindes two. ⁊ forbisnes oc al so. 220 ðus it is on boke set. ðat man clepeð fisiologet. He drageð ðe neddre of de ston. ðurg his nese up on on. of ðe stoc er of ðe ston. 225 for it wile ðerunder gon. ⁊ sweleð it wel swiðe. ðerof him brinneð siðen. of ðat attrie ðing. f. 6 v wiðinnen he | haueð brenning. 230 he lepeð ðanne wið mikel list. of swet water he haueð ðrist. he drinkeð water gredilike. til he is ful wel sikerlike. Ne haueð ðat uenim non migt. 235 to deren him siðen non wigt. 236. er on an erasure. oc he werpeð er hise hornes. in wude er in ðornes. ⁊ gingid him ðus ðis wilde der. So ge hauen nu lered her. 240 Significacio. prima. A lle we atter dragen off ure eldere. ðe broken drigtinnes word ðurg ðe neddre. ðer ðurg haueð mankin. 244. After win, a letter erased. 245. kolsipe, with i on an erasure. boðen nið ⁊ win. 245 golsipe. ⁊ giscing. giuernesse ⁊ wissing. pride ⁊ ouerwene. swilc atter i mene. Ofte we brennen in mod. 250 ⁊ wurden so we weren wod. ðanne we ðus brennen. bihoueð us to rennen. to cristes quike welle. ðat we ne gon to helle. 255 drinken his wissing. 256. ilc siniging on an erasure. it quenchet ilc siniging. forwerpen pride euril[c] del. so hert doð hise hornes. gingen us tus to godeward. 260 ⁊ gemen us siðen forðwarð. Natura. ij^a. Ðe hertes hauen anoðer kinde. ðat us og alle to ben minde. Alle he arn off one mode. 265 For if he fer fetchen fode. ⁊ he ouer water ten. wile non at nede oðer flen. Oc on swimmeð bi forn. ⁊ alle ðe odre folegen. 270 weðer so he swimmeð er he wadeð Is non at nede ðat oðer lateð. Oc leigeð his skinbon. on oðres lendbon. gef him ðat biforn teð. 275 Bilimpes for to tirgen. Alle ðe oðre cumen mide. 277. herien MS. ⁊ helpen him for to her[t]ien. beren him of ðat water grund up to ðe lond al heil ⁊ sund. 280 ⁊ forðen here nede. ðis wune he hauen hem bi twen ðog he an hundred to giddre ben. Significacio. ij^a. Ð e hertes costes we ogen to munen. 285. to sunen on an erasure. 285 Ne og ur non oðer to sunen. oc eurilc luuen oðer. also he were his broder. f. 7 r wurðen stedefast his | wine. ligten him of his birdene. 290 helpen him at his nede. god giueð ðer fore mede. we sulen hauen heuenriche. 293. ben twixen MS. gef we bi twixen us ben briche. ðus is ure louerdes lage luuelike to fillen. 295 her of haue we mikel ned . ðat we ðar wið ne dillen. Natura Wulpis. A wilde der is . ðat is ful of fele wiles. fox is hire to name . for hire queðsipe. husebondes hire haten . for hire harm dedes. 300. ðe coc on an erasure. 300 ðe coc ⁊ te capun. ge feccheð ofte in ðe tun. ⁊ te gandre ⁊ te gos. bi ðe necke ⁊ bi ðe nos. 304. eð is to on an erasure. haleð is to hire hole . for ði man hire hatieð. 305 hatien ⁊ hulen . boðe men ⁊ fules. Listneð nu a wunder . ðat tis der doð for hunger. goð o felde to a furg . ⁊ falleð ðar inne. 308. erðchine] erðc on an erasure. In eried lond er in erðchine . forto bilirten fugeles. Ne stereð ge nogt of ðe stede a god stund deies. 310 oc dareð so ge ded were . Ne drageð ge non onde. ðe rauen is swiðe redi . weneð ðat ge rotieð. ⁊ oðre fules hire fallen bi . For to winnen fode. 313. derflike] derfli on an erasure. derflike wiðuten dred . he wenen ðat ge ded beð. he wullen on ðif foxes fel . ⁊ ge it wel feleð. 315 ligtlike ge lepeð up . ⁊ letteð hem sone. gelt hem here billing raðe wið illing. tetoggeð ⁊ tetireð hem . mid hire teð sarpe. Fret hire fille. 320 ⁊ goð ðan ðer ge wille. Significacio. T wifold forbisne in ðis der. to frame we mugen finden her. warsipe ⁊ wisedom. 325 wið deuel ⁊ wið iuel man. ðe deuel dereð dernelike. he lat he ne wile us nogt biswike. he lat he ne wile us ðon non loð. ⁊ bringeð us in a sinne. ⁊ ter he us sloð. 330 he bit us don ure bukes wille. Eten ⁊ drinken wið unskil. ⁊ in ure skemting. he doð raðe a foxing. | f. 7 v He billeð one ðe foxes fel. 335 wo so telleð idel spel. ⁊ he tireð on his ket. wo so him wið sinne fet. ⁊ deuel geld swilk billing. wið same ⁊ wið sending. 340 ⁊ for his sinfule werk. ledeð man to helle merk. Significacio. Ð e deuel is tus ðe [fox] ilik. mið iuele breides ⁊ wið swik. 345 ⁊ man al so ðe foxes name. 346. wurði] ð corr. out of another letter. 347. so added in margin. arn wurði to hauen same. for wo `so´ seieð oðer god. ⁊ ðenkeð iuel on his mod. fox he is ⁊ fend iwis. 350 ðe boc ne legeð nogt of ðis. So was herodes fox ⁊ flerd. ðo crist kam in to ðis middel erd. he seide he wulde him leuen on. 354. e wulde on an erasure. ⁊ ðogte he wulde him fordon. 355. iranéé MS. 355 Natura aranéé. S eftes sop ure seppande . sene `is´ on werlde. 357. loldike MS: after we erasure of one letter. leiðe ⁊ lodlike . ðus we it leuen. man`i´kines ðing. alle manne to wissing. 360. spinnere] inne on an erasure. weveð] veð on an erasure. 361. fo dredes MS. 363. werpeð] pe on an erasure. 360 ðe spinnere on hire [webbe] swid[e] ge weveð. festeð atte hus rof . hire fodredes. o rof er on ouese . so hire is on elde. werpeð ðus hire web . ⁊ weueð on hire wise. ðanne ge it haueð al idigt . ðeðen ge driueð. 365 hitt hire in hire hole . oc ai ge it biholdeð. til ðat ðer fleges faren . ⁊ fallen ðer inne. wiðeren in ðat web . ⁊ wilen ut wenden. ðanne renneð ge rapelike . for ge is ai redi. nimeð anon to ðe net . ⁊ nimeð hem ðere. 370 bitterlike ge hem bit . ⁊ here bane wurðeð. drepeð ⁊ drinkeð here blod. doð ge hire non oðer god. bute fret hire fille ⁊ dareð siðen stille. 375 Significacio. 376. biswikeð] keð on an erasure. Ð is wirm bitokneð ðe man . ðat oðer bi`s´wikeð. on stede er on stalle . stille er lude. in mot er in market . er oni oðer wise. 379. him: him both corr. out of hem. 380. his on an erasure: him corr. out of hem. 381. freteð] first e added by rubricator. he him bit . ðan he him bale selleð. 380 ⁊ he drinkeð his blod . wanne he him dreueð. ⁊ ðo fr`e´teð hem al . ðan he him iuel werkeð. Natura cetegrandie. C ethegrande is a fis. ðe moste ðat in water is. f. 8 r ðat tu | wuldest seien get. 386 gef ðu it soge wan it flet. ðat it were á neilond 388. one substituted in margin for o deleted in text. 390. Before him, him deleted by rubricator. ðat sete `one´ ðe se sond. ðis fis ðat is vnride. 390 ðanne him hungreð he gapeð wide. vt of his ðrote it smit an onde. ðe swetteste ðing ðat is o londe. ðer fore oðre fisses to him dragen. wan he it felen he aren fagen. 395 he cumen ⁊ houen in his muð. of his swike he arn uncuð. 397. ðanne] ð corr. out of d by rubricator. ðis cete ðanne hise chaueles lukeð. ðise fisses alle in sukeð. ðe smale he wile ðus biswiken. 400 ðe grete maig he nogt bigripen. ðis fis wuneð wið ðe se grund. ⁊ liueð ðer eure heil ⁊ sund. til it cumeð ðe time. ðat storm stireð al ðe se. 405 ðanne sumer ⁊ winter winnen. ne mai it wunen ðer inne. So droui is te sees grund. ne mai he wunen ðer ðat stund. oc stireð up ⁊ houeð stille. 410. ðar MS. 411. fordriuen] driuen on an erasure. 410 wiles ðat weder is so ille. ðe sipes ðat arn on se fordriuen. loð hem is ded ⁊ lef to liuen. biloken hem ⁊ sen ðis fis aneilond he wenen it is. 415 ðer of he aren swiðe fagen. 416. here] re on an erasure. ⁊ mid here migt ðar to he dragen. sipes on festen. ⁊ alle up gangen. Of ston mid stel in ðe tunder. 420 wel to brennen one ðis wunder. warmen hem wel ⁊ heten ⁊ drinken. ðe fir he feleð ⁊ doð hem sinken. 423, 4. diueð ... wunde on an erasure. for sone he diueð dun to grunde. he drepeð hem alle wið uten wunde. 425 Significacio. Ð is deuel is mikel wið wil ⁊ magt. So witches hauen in here craft. He doð men hungren ⁊ hauen ðrist. ⁊ mani oðer sinful list. 430 tolleð men to him wið his onde wo so him folegeð he findeð sonde. ðo arn ðe little. in leue lage. ðe mikle ne maig he to him dragen. ðe mikle. i mene ðe stedefast. 435 in rigte leue. mid fles ⁊ gast. wo so listneð deueles lore. on lengðe it sal him rewen sore. wo so festeð hope on him. he sal him folgen to helle dim. | f. 8 v 440 Natura Sirene. I n ðe se senden selcuðes manie. ðe mereman is a meiden ilike. 443. al ... bunden on an erasure. on brest ⁊ on bodi . oc al ðus ge is bunden. fro ðe noule niðerward . ne is ge no man like. 445 oc fis to fuliwis mid finnes waxen. ðis wunder wuneð in wankel stede. ðer ðe water sinkeð. sipes ge sinkeð . ⁊ scaðe ðus werkeð. mirie ge singeð ðis mere . ⁊ haueð manie stefnes. manie ⁊ sille. 450 oc it ben wel ille. 451. sipmen here on an erasure. sipmen here steringe forgeten . for hire stefninge. flumeren ⁊ slepen. ⁊ to late waken. ðe sipes sinken mitte suk. 455 ne cumen he nummor up. Oc wise men ⁊ warre. agen cunen chare. ofte arn atbrosten . mid he[re] brest ouel. he hauen herd told of ðis mere . ðat tus unie mete. 460 half man ⁊ half fis. sum ðing tokneð bi ðis. Significacio. F ele men hauen ðe tokning. of ðis forbisnede ði[n]g. 465. wulues] w corr. out of p. 465 wið uten weren wulues fel. wiðinnen arn he wulues al. he speken godcundhede. ⁊ wikke is here dede. here dede is al vncuð. 470 wið ðat spekeð here muð. twifold arn on mode. he sweren bi ðe rode. bi ðe sunne ⁊ bi ðe mone. ⁊ he ðe legen sone. 475 mid here sage ⁊ mid here song. he ðe swiken ðer imong. ðin agte wið swiking ði soule wið lesing. Natura elephantis. E 480 lpes arn in Inde riche. on bodi borlic berges ilike. he to gaddre gon o wolde so sep ðat cumen ut of folde. ⁊ behinden. he hem sampnen. 485 ðanne he sulen oðre strenen. Oc he arn so kolde of kinde. ðat no golsipe is hem minde. til he noten of a gres. ðe name is mandragores. 490 Siðen he bigeten on. ⁊ two ger he ðer mide gon. ðog he ðre hundred ger. on werlde more wuneden her. | f. 9 r bigeten he neuermor non. 495 so kold is hem siðen blod ⁊ bon. ðanne ge sal hire kindles beren. In water ge sal stonden. In water to mid side. ðat wanne hire harde tide. 500 ðat ge ne falle niðer nogt. ðat is most in hire ðogt. For he ne hauen no lið. ðat he mugen risen wið. Hu he resteð him ðis der. 505 ðanne he walkeð wide. herkne wu it telleð her. for he is al unride. A tre he sekeð to fuligewis. ðat is strong ⁊ stedefast is. 510 ⁊ leneð him trostl[i]ke ðer bi. ðanne he is of walke weri. ðe hunte haueð biholden ðis. ðe him wille swiken. wor his beste wune is. 515 to don hise willen. Sageð ðis tre ⁊ under set. o ðe wise ðat he mai bet. ⁊ hileð it wel ðat he it nes war ðanne he makeð ðer to char. 520 him seluen sit olon bihalt. 521. biwarlt MS. weðer his gin him out biwalt. ðanne cumeð ðis elp unride. ⁊ leneð him up on his side. slepeð bi ðe tre in ðe sadue. 525 ⁊ fallen boden so to gaddre. gef ðer is noman ðanne he falleð. he remeð ⁊ helpe calleð. remeð reufulike on his wise. 529. risen] sisen MS., ri in margin. hopeð he sal ðurg helpe `ri´sen. 530 ðanne cumeð ðer on gangande. hopeð he sal him don ut standen. Fikeð ⁊ fondeð al his migt. ne mai he it forðen no wigt. Ne canne ðan non oðer. 535. oc] o MS., oc in margin. 536. sacande MS., se in margin. 535 `oc´ remeð mid his broðer. manie ⁊ mikle cume ðer `se´cande. wenen him on stalle maken. oc for ðe helpe of hem alle. ne mai he cumen so on stalle. 540 ðanne remen he alle a rem. so hornes blast. oðer belles drem. For here mikle reming. rennande cumeð a gungling. raðe to him luteð. 545 his snute him under puteð. ⁊ mitte helpe of hem alle. ðis elp he reisen on stalle. f. 9 v ⁊ tus | atbrested ðis huntes breid. oðe wise ðat ic haue gu seid. 550 significacio. Parvulus Natus Est Nobis Ð us fel adam ðurg a tre. 552. firste] fir on an erasure. vre firste fader ðat fele we. Moẏses wulde him reisen. migte it no wigt forðen. 555 After him prophetes alle. migte her non him maken on stalle. on stalle iseie. ðer he er stod. to hauen heuenriche god. He suggeden ⁊ sorgeden. ⁊ weren in ðogt. 560 wu he migten him helpen ovt. ðo remeden he alle onder steuene. alle hege up to ðe heuene. for here care. ⁊ here calling. hem cam to crist heuen king. 565 he ðe is ai in heuene mikel. wurð her man ⁊ tus was litel. 567. him in margin MS. 568. he added in margin MS. 569. al added in margin MS. drowing ðolede in ure manhede ⁊ tus adam `he´ under gede. reisede him up ⁊ `al´ man kin. 570 ðat was fallen to helle dim. Natura turturis. I n boke is ðe turtres lif . writen o rime wu lagelike . ge holdeð luue al hire lif time. gef ge ones make haueð . fro him ne wile ge siðen. 575 muneð wimmen hire lif . ic it wile gu reden. bi hire make ge sit onigt . o dei ge goð ⁊ flegeð. wo so seit he sundren ovt . i seie ðat he legeð. Oc if hire make were ded ⁊ ge widue wore. ðanne flegeð ge one ⁊ fareð . non oðer wile ge more. 580 buten óne goð . ⁊ one sit. ⁊ hire olde luue abit. In herte haueð him nigt ⁊ dai. so he were oliue ai. Significacio. L 585. lesful MS. 585 ist ilk lefful man her to . ⁊ herof ofte reche. vre sowle atte kirke dure . ches hire crist to meche. he is ure soule spuse luue we him wið migte. ⁊ wende we neure fro him ward . be dai ne be nigte. ðog he be fro ure sigte faren be we him alle trewe. f. 10 r non oðer louerd ne leue we . ne non | luue newe. 591 leue we ðat he liueð ai up on heuen riche. ⁊ ðeðen he sal cumen eft . ⁊ ben us alle briche. 593. to demen on an erasure. for to demen alle men . oc nout on geuelike. hise loðe men sulen to helle faren . hise leue to his riche. 595 Natura pantere. P anter is an wilde der. Is non fairere on werlde her. he is blac so bro of qual. mið wite spottes sawen al. 600 wit ⁊ trendled als a wel. 601. itt added in margin. ⁊ `itt´ bicumeð him swiðe wel. wor so he wuneð ðis panter. he fedeð him al mid oðer der. of ðo ðe he wile he nimeð ðe cul. 605 ⁊ fet him wel til he is ful. In his hole siðen stille. ðre dages he slepen wille. ðan after ðe ðridde dai. he riseð ⁊ remeð lude so he mai. 610 ut of his ðrote cumeð asmel. mid his rem forð oueral. ðat ouer cumeð haliweie. wið swetnesse. [ic] it gu seie ⁊ al ðat eure smelleð swete. 615 be it drie be it wete. For ðe swetnesse off his onde. wor so he walkeð o londe. wor so he walked. er wor so he wuneð. 619. Before to him, to him deleted MS. Ilk der ðe him hereð to him cumeð. 620 ⁊ folegeð him up one ðe wold. for ðe swetnesse ðe ic gu haue told. ðe dragunes one ne stiren nout. wiles te panter remeð ogt. oc daren stille in here pit. 625 als so he weren of dede offrigt. Significacio. C rist is tokned ðurg ðis der. wos kinde we hauen told gu her. for he is faier, ouer alle men. 630. ouer] uer in margin MS. 631. wel in margin MS. 632. holi in margin MS. 630 so euen sterre o`uer´ erðe fen. ful `wel´ he taunede his luue to man. wan he ðurg `holi´ spel him wan. ⁊ longe he lai her in an hole. wel him dat he it wulde ðolen. 635 ðre daies slep he al on on. ðanne he ded was in blod ⁊ bon. 637. i wis] in wif MS. 639. vuenest MS. 640. ⁊ holi gast on an erasure. vp he ros ⁊ rémede i wis. of helle pine of heuene blis. ⁊ steg to heuene vuemest. f. 10 v ðer wuneð wið | fader ⁊ holi gast. 641 Amonges men a swete [s]mel. he let her of his holi spel. wor ðurg we mugen folgen him. in to his godcundnesse fin. 645 ⁊ ðat wirm ure wiðerwine. wor so of godes word if dine. ne dar he stiren. ne noman deren. ðer wile he lage ⁊ luue beren. Nature columbe. ⁊ significacio. Ð 650 e culuer haueð costes gode. alle wes ogen to hauen in mode. seuene costes in hire kinde. alle it ogen to ben us minde. ge ne haueð in hire non galle. 655 simple ⁊ softe be we alle. 656. bilagt MS. 657. hac] bac MS. ge ne liueð nogt bi lagt. Ilc robbinge do we of hac. ðe wirm ge leteð ⁊ liueð bi ðe sed. of cristes lore we haue ned. 660 wið oðre briddes ge doð as moder. 661. Before ilk a letter erased: l corr. out of h. so og ur ilk to don wið oðer. woning ⁊ groning if lic hire song. bimene we us. we hauen don wrong. In water ge is wis of heuekes come. 665 ⁊ we in boke wið deules nome. In hole of ston ge makeð hire nest. In cristes milce ure hope is best.