Relevacio contra peccatum Avaricie.

§ 68. Now shul ye understonde, that the relevinge of Avarice is misericorde, and pitee largely taken. And men mighten axe, why that misericorde and pitee is relevinge of Avarice?/ Certes, the avaricious man sheweth no pitee ne misericorde to the nedeful man; for he delyteth him in the kepinge of his tresor, and nat in the rescowinge ne relevinge of his evene-cristene. And therfore Skeat1900: 805 speke I first of misericorde./ Thanne is misericorde, as seith the philosophre, a vertu, by which the corage of man is stired by the misese of him that is misesed. / Up-on which misericorde folweth pitee, in parfourninge of charitable werkes of misericorde./ And certes, thise thinges moeven a man to misericorde of Iesu Crist, that he yaf him-self for oure gilt, and suffred deeth for misericorde, and forgaf us oure originale sinnes;/ and therby relessed us fro the peynes of helle, and amenused the peynes of purgatorie by penitence, and yeveth grace wel to do, and atte laste the blisse of hevene./ The speces of misericorde been, as for to lene and for to yeve and to foryeven and relesse, and for to han pitee in herte, and compassioun of the meschief of his evene-cristene, and eek to chastyse there as nede is./ Another manere of Skeat1900: 810 remedie agayns Avarice is resonable largesse; but soothly, here bihoveth the consideracioun of the grace of Iesu Crist, and of hise temporel goodes, and eek of the godes perdurables that Crist yaf to us; / and to han remembrance of the deeth that he shal receyve, he noot whanne, where, ne how; and eek that he shal forgon al that he hath, save only that he hath despended in gode werkes./

§ 69. But for-as-muche as som folk been unmesurable, men oghten eschue fool-largesse, that men clepen wast. / Certes, he that is fool-large ne yeveth nat his catel, but he leseth his catel. Soothly, what thing that he yeveth for veyne glorie, as to minstrals and to folk, for to beren his renoun in the world, he hath sinne ther-of and noon almesse./ Certes, he leseth foule his good, that ne seketh with the yifte of his good no-thing but sinne./ He is Skeat1900: 815 lyk to an hors that seketh rather to drinken drovy or trouble water than for to drinken water of the clere welle. / And for-as-muchel as they yeven ther as they sholde nat yeven, to hem aperteneth thilke malisoun that Crist shal yeven at the day of dome to hem that shullen been dampned./

Sequitur de Gula.

§ 70. After Avarice comth Glotonye, which is expres eek agayn the comandement of god. Glotonye is unmesurable appetyt to ete or to drinke, or elles to doon y-nogh to the unmesurable appetyt and desordeynee coveityse to eten or to drinke./ This sinne corrumped al this world as is wel shewed in the sinne of Adam and of Eve. Loke eek, what seith seint Paul of Glotonye./ ‘Manye,’ seith seint Paul, ‘goon, of whiche I have ofte seyd to yow, and now I seye it wepinge, that they been the enemys of the croys of Crist; of whiche the ende is deeth, and of whiche hir wombe is hir god, and hir glorie in confusioun of hem that so saveren erthely thinges.’ / He that is usaunt to this sinne of Glotonye, he ne Skeat1900: 820 may no sinne withstonde. He moot been in servage of alle vyces, for it is the develes hord ther he hydeth him and resteth. / This sinne hath manye speces. The firste is dronkenesse, that is the horrible sepulture of mannes resoun; and therfore, whan a man is dronken, he hath lost his resoun; and this is deedly sinne./ But soothly, whan that a man is nat wont to strong drinke, and peraventure ne knoweth nat the strengthe of the drinke, or hath feblesse in his heed, or hath travailed, thurgh which he drinketh the more, al be he sodeynly caught with drinke, it is no deedly sinne, but venial. / The seconde spece of Glotonye is, that the spirit of a man wexeth al trouble; for dronkenesse bireveth him the discrecioun of his wit./ The thridde spece of Glotonye is, whan a man devoureth his mete, and hath no rightful manere of Skeat1900: 825 etinge./ The fourthe is whan, thurgh the grete habundaunce of his mete, the humours in his body been destempred./ The fifthe is, foryetelnesse by to muchel drinkinge; for which somtyme a man foryeteth er the morwe what he dide at even or on the night biforn. /

§ 71. In other manere been distinct the speces of Glotonye, after seint Gregorie. The firste is, for to ete biforn tyme to ete. The seconde is, whan a man get him to delicat mete or drinke. / The thridde is, whan men taken to muche over mesure. The fourthe is curiositee, with greet entente to maken and apparaillen his mete. The fifthe is, for to eten to gredily./ Thise been the fyve fingres of the develes hand, by whiche he draweth folk to Skeat1900: 830 sinne./

Remedium contra peccatum Gule.

§ 72. Agayns Glotonye is the remedie Abstinence, as seith Galien; but that holde I nat meritorie, if he do it only for the hele of his body. Seint Augustin wole, that Abstinence be doon for vertu and with pacience./ Abstinence, he seith, is litel worth, but-if a man have good wil ther-to, and but it be enforced by pacience and by charitee, and that men doon it for godes sake, and in hope to have the blisse of hevene./

§ 73. The felawes of Abstinence been Attemperaunce, that holdeth the mene in alle thinges: eek Shame, that eschueth alle deshonestee: Suffisance, that seketh no riche metes ne drinkes, ne dooth no fors of to outrageous apparailinge of mete./ Mesure also, that restreyneth by resoun the deslavee appetyt of etinge: Sobrenesse also, that restreyneth the outrage of drinke: / Sparinge also, that restreyneth the delicat ese to sitte longe at his mete and softely; wherfore som folk stonden of hir owene wil, to eten at the lasse leyser. / Skeat1900: 835

Sequitur de Luxuria.

§ 74. After Glotonye, thanne comth Lecherie; for thise two sinnes been so ny cosins, that ofte tyme they wol nat departe./ God woot, this sinne is ful displesaunt thing to god; for he seyde himself, ‘do no lecherie.’ And therfore he putte grete peynes agayns this sinne in the olde lawe./ If womman thral were taken in this sinne, she sholde be beten with staves to the deeth. And if she were a gentil womman, she sholde be slayn with stones. And if she were a bisshoppes doghter, she sholde been brent, by goddes comandement. / Forther over, by the sinne of Lecherie, god dreynte al the world at the diluge. And after that, he brente fyve citees with thonder-leyt, and sank hem in-to helle. /

§ 75. Now lat us speke thanne of thilke stinkinge sinne of Lecherie that men clepe Avoutrie of wedded folk, that is to seyn, if that oon of hem be wedded, or elles bothe./ Seint Iohn seith, Skeat1900: 840 that avoutiers shullen been in helle in a stank brenninge of fyr and of brimston; in fyr, for the lecherie; in brimston, for the stink of hir ordure. / Certes, the brekinge of this sacrement is an horrible thing; it was maked of god him-self in paradys, and confermed by Iesu Crist, as witnesseth seint Mathew in the gospel: ‘A man shal lete fader and moder, and taken him to his wyf, and they shullen be two in o flesh.’/ This sacrement bitokneth the knittinge togidre of Crist and of holy chirche./ And nat only that god forbad avoutrie in dede, but eek he comanded that thou sholdest nat coveite thy neighebores wyf./ In this heeste, seith seint Augustin, is forboden alle manere coveitise to doon lecherie. Lo what seith seint Mathew in the gospel: that ‘who-so seeth a womman to coveitise of his lust, he hath doon lecherie with hir in his herte.’/ Here may ye seen Skeat1900: 845 that nat only the dede of this sinne is forboden, but eek the desyr to doon that sinne./ This cursed sinne anoyeth grevousliche hem that it haunten. And first, to hir soule; for he oblygeth it to sinne and to peyne of deeth that is perdurable./ Un-to the body anoyeth it grevously also, for it dreyeth him, and wasteth, and shent him, and of his blood he maketh sacrifyce to the feend of helle; it wasteth his catel and his substaunce. / And certes, if it be a foul thing, a man to waste his catel on wommen, yet is it a fouler thing whan that, for swich ordure, wommen dispenden up-on men hir catel and substaunce./ This sinne, as seith the prophete, bireveth man and womman hir gode fame, and al hir honour; and it is ful pleasaunt to the devel; for ther-by winneth Skeat1900: 850 he the moste partie of this world./ And right as a marchant delyteth him most in chaffare that he hath most avantage of, right so delyteth the feend in this ordure./

§ 76. This is that other hand of the devel, with fyve fingres, to cacche the peple to his vileinye./ The firste finger is the fool lookinge of the fool womman and of the fool man, that sleeth, right as the basilicok sleeth folk by the venim of his sighte; for the coveitise of eyen folweth the coveitise of the herte. / The seconde finger is the vileyns touchinge in wikkede manere; and ther-fore seith Salomon, that who-so toucheth and handleth a womman, he fareth lyk him that handleth the scorpioun that stingeth and sodeynly sleeth thurgh his enveniminge; as who-so toucheth warm pich, it shent hise fingres./ The thridde, is foule Skeat1900: 855 wordes, that fareth lyk fyr, that right anon brenneth the herte./ The fourthe finger is the kissinge; and trewely he were a greet fool that wolde kisse the mouth of a brenninge ovene or of a fourneys./ And more fooles been they that kissen in vileinye; for that mouth is the mouth of helle: and namely, thise olde dotardes holours, yet wol they kisse, though they may nat do, and smatre hem. / Certes, they been lyk to houndes; for an hound, whan he comth by the roser or by othere [busshes], though he may nat pisse, yet wole he heve up his leg and make a contenaunce to pisse. / And for that many man weneth that he may nat sinne, for no likerousnesse that he doth with his wyf; certes, that opinion is fals. God woot, a man may sleen him-self with his owene knyf, and make him-selven dronken of his owene tonne./ Certes, be it wyf, be it child, or any worldly thing that he loveth biforn god, it is his maumet, and he is an ydolastre./ Man Skeat1900: 860 sholde loven his wyf by discrecioun, paciently and atemprely; and thanne is she as though it were his suster./ The fifthe finger of the develes hand is the stinkinge dede of Lecherie./ Certes, the fyve fingres of Glotonie the feend put in the wombe of a man, and with hise fyve fyngres of Lecherie he gripeth him by the reynes, for to throwen him in-to the fourneys of helle;/ ther-as they shul han the fyr and the wormes that evere shul lasten, and wepinge and wailinge, sharp hunger and thurst, and grimnesse of develes that shullen al to-trede hem, with-outen respit and withouten ende./ Of Lecherie, as I seyde, sourden diverse speces; as fornicacioun, that is bitwixe man and womman that been nat maried; and this is deedly sinne and agayns nature./ Al that is Skeat1900: 865 enemy and destruccioun to nature is agayns nature./ Parfay, the resoun of a man telleth eek him wel that it is deedly sinne, for-as-muche as god forbad Lecherie. And seint Paul yeveth hem the regne, that nis dewe to no wight but to hem that doon deedly sinne./ Another sinne of Lecherie is to bireve a mayden of hir maydenhede; for he that so dooth, certes, he casteth a mayden out of the hyeste degree that is in this present lyf, / and bireveth hir thilke precious fruit that the book clepeth ‘the hundred fruit.’ I ne can seye it noon other weyes in English, but in Latin it highte Centesimus fructus. / Certes, he that so dooth is cause of manye damages and vileinyes, mo than any man can rekene; right as he som-tyme is cause of alle damages that bestes don in the feeld, that breketh the hegge or the closure; thurgh which he destroyeth that may nat been restored./ For certes, na-more may Skeat1900: 870 maydenhede be restored than an arm that is smiten fro the body may retourne agayn to wexe./ She may have mercy, this woot I wel, if she do penitence; but nevere shal it be that she nas corrupt./ And al-be-it so that I have spoken somwhat of Avoutrie, it is good to shewen mo perils that longen to Avoutrie, for to eschue that foule sinne./ Avoutrie in Latin is for to seyn, approchinge of other mannes bed, thurgh which tho that whylom weren o flessh abaundone hir bodyes to othere persones./ Of this sinne, as seith the wyse man, folwen manye harmes. First, brekinge of feith; and certes, in feith is the keye of Cristendom./ Skeat1900: 875 And whan that feith is broken and lorn, soothly Cristendom stant veyn and with-outen fruit./ This sinne is eek a thefte; for thefte generally is for to reve a wight his thing agayns his wille./ Certes, this is the fouleste thefte that may be, whan a womman steleth hir body from hir housbonde and yeveth it to hire holour to defoulen hir; and steleth hir soule fro Crist, and yeveth it to the devel./ This is a fouler thefte, than for to breke a chirche and stele the chalice; for thise Avoutiers breken the temple of god spiritually, and stelen the vessel of grace, that is, the body and the soule, for which Crist shal destroyen hem, as seith Seint Paul./ Soothly of this thefte douted gretly Ioseph, whan that his lordes wyf preyed him of vileinye, whan he seyde, ‘lo, my lady, how my lord hath take to me under my warde al that he hath in this world; ne no-thing of hise thinges is out of my power, but only ye that been Skeat1900: 880 his wyf./ And how sholde I thanne do this wikkednesse, and sinne so horribly agayns god, and agayns my lord? God it forbede.’ Allas! al to litel is swich trouthe now y-founde! / The thridde harm is the filthe thurgh which they breken the comandement of god, and defoulen the auctour of matrimoine, that is Crist. / For certes, in-so-muche as the sacrement of mariage is so noble and so digne, so muche is it gretter sinne for to breken it; for god made mariage in paradys, in the estaat of Innocence, to multiplye man-kinde to the service of god./ And therfore is the brekinge ther-of more grevous. Of which brekinge comen false heires ofte tyme, that wrongfully occupyen folkes heritages. And therfore wol Crist putte hem out of the regne of hevene, that is heritage to gode folk. / Of this brekinge comth eek ofte tyme, that folk unwar wedden or sinnen with hir owene kinrede; and namely thilke harlottes that haunten bordels of thise fool wommen, that mowe be lykned to a commune gonge, where-as men purgen Skeat1900: 885 hir ordure./ What seye we eek of putours that liven by the horrible sinne of putrie, and constreyne wommen to yelden to hem a certeyn rente of hir bodily puterie, ye, somtyme of his owene wyf or his child; as doon this baudes? Certes, thise been cursede sinnes./ Understond eek, that avoutrie is set gladly in the ten comandements bitwixe thefte and manslaughtre; for it is the gretteste thefte that may be; for it is thefte of body and of soule. / And it is lyk to homicyde; for it kerveth a-two and breketh a-two hem that first were maked o flesh, and therfore, by the olde lawe of god, they sholde be slayn./ But nathelees, by the lawe of Iesu Crist, that is lawe of pitee, whan he seyde to the womman that was founden in avoutrie, and sholde han been slayn with stones, after the wil of the Iewes, as was hir lawe: ‘Go,’ quod Iesu Crist, ‘and have na-more wil to sinne’; or, ‘wille na-more to do sinne.’/ Soothly, the vengeaunce of avoutrie is awarded to the peynes of helle, but-if so be that it be destourbed by penitence./ Yet been ther mo speces of this cursed sinne; as Skeat1900: 890 whan that oon of hem is religious, or elles bothe; or of folk that been entred in-to ordre, as subdekne or dekne, or preest, or hospitaliers. And evere the hyer that he is in ordre, the gretter is the sinne. / The thinges that gretly agreggen hir sinne is the brekinge of hir avow of chastitee, whan they receyved the ordre./ And fortherover, sooth is, that holy ordre is chief of al the tresorie of god, and his especial signe and mark of chastitee; to shewe that they been ioyned to chastitee, which that is most precious lyf that is./ And thise ordred folk been specially tytled to god, and of the special meynee of god; for which, whan they doon deedly sinne, they been the special traytours of god and of his peple; for they liven of the peple, to preye for the peple, and whyle they been suche traitours, hir preyers availen nat to the peple. / Preestes been aungeles, as by the dignitee of hir misterye; but for sothe, seint Paul seith, that ‘Sathanas transformeth him in an aungel of light.’/ Skeat1900: 895 Soothly, the preest that haunteth deedly sinne, he may be lykned to the aungel of derknesse transformed in the aungel of light; he semeth aungel of light, but for sothe he is aungel of derknesse./ Swiche preestes been the sones of Helie, as sheweth in the book of Kinges, that they weren the sones of Belial, that is, the devel. / Belial is to seyn ‘with-outen Iuge’; and so faren they; hem thinketh they been free, and han no Iuge, na-more than hath a free bole that taketh which cow that him lyketh in the toun./ So faren they by wommen. For right as a free bole is y-nough for al a toun, right so is a wikked preest corrupcioun y-nough for al a parisshe, or for al a contree./ Thise preestes, as seith the book, ne conne nat the misterie of preesthode to the peple, ne god ne knowe they nat; they ne helde hem nat apayd, as seith the book, of soden flesh that was to hem offred, but they toke by force the Skeat1900: 900 flesh that is rawe. / Certes, so thise shrewes ne holden hem nat apayed of rosted flesh and sode flesh, with which the peple fedden hem in greet reverence, but they wole have raw flesh of folkes wyves and hir doghtres./ And certes, thise wommen that consenten to hir harlotrie doon greet wrong to Crist and to holy chirche and alle halwes, and to alle soules; for they bireven alle thise him that sholde worshipe Crist and holy chirche, and preye for cristene soules./ And therfore han swiche preestes, and hir lemmanes eek that consenten to hir lecherie, the malisoun of al the court cristen, till they come to amendement. / The thridde spece of avoutrie is som-tyme bitwixe a man and his wyf; and that is whan they take no reward in hir assemblinge, but only to hire fleshly delyt, as seith seint Ierome;/ and ne rekken of nothing but that they been assembled; by-cause that they been Skeat1900: 905 maried, al is good y-nough, as thinketh to hem./ But in swich folk hath the devel power, as seyde the aungel Raphael to Thobie; for in hir assemblinge they putten Iesu Crist out of hir herte, and yeven hem-self to alle ordure./ The fourthe spece is, the assemblee of hem that been of hire kinrede, or of hem that been of oon affinitee, or elles with hem with whiche hir fadres or hir kinrede han deled in the sinne of lecherie; this sinne maketh hem lyk to houndes, that taken no kepe to kinrede./ And certes, parentele is in two maneres, outher goostly or fleshly; goostly, as for to delen with hise godsibbes. / For right so as he that engendreth a child is his fleshly fader, right so is his godfader his fader espirituel. For which a womman may in no lasse sinne assemblen with hir godsib than with hir owene fleshly brother. / The fifthe spece is thilke abhominable sinne, of which that no man unnethe oghte speke ne wryte, nathelees it is openly reherced Skeat1900: 910 in holy writ./ This cursednesse doon men and wommen in diverse entente and in diverse manere; but though that holy writ speke of horrible sinne, certes, holy writ may nat been defouled, na-more than the sonne that shyneth on the mixen. / Another sinne aperteneth to lecherie, that comth in slepinge; and this sinne cometh ofte to hem that been maydenes, and eek to hem that been corrupt; and this sinne men clepen pollucioun, that comth in foure maneres. / Somtyme, of languissinge of body; for the humours been to ranke and habundaunt in the body of man. Somtyme of infermetee; for the feblesse of the vertu retentif, as phisik maketh mencioun. Som-tyme, for surfeet of mete and drinke. / And somtyme of vileyns thoghtes, that been enclosed in mannes minde whan he goth to slepe; which may nat been with-oute sinne. For which men moste kepen hem wysely, or elles may men sinnen ful grevously. /

Remedium contra peccatum Luxurie.

§ 77. Now comth the remedie agayns Lecherie, and that is, generally, Chastitee and Continence, that restreyneth alle the desordeynee moevinges that comen of fleshly talentes./ And Skeat1900: 915 evere the gretter merite shal he han, that most restreyneth the wikkede eschaufinges of the ordure of this sinne. And this is in two maneres, that is to seyn, chastitee in mariage, and chastitee of widwehode./ Now shaltow understonde, that matrimoine is leefful assemblinge of man and of womman, that receyven by vertu of the sacrement the bond, thurgh which they may nat be departed in al hir lyf, that is to seyn, whyl that they liven bothe. / This, as seith the book, is a ful greet sacrement. God maked it, as I have seyd, in paradys, and wolde him-self be born in mariage./ And for to halwen mariage, he was at a weddinge, where-as he turned water in-to wyn; which was the firste miracle that he wroghte in erthe biforn hise disciples./ Trewe effect of mariage clenseth fornicacioun and replenisseth holy chirche of good linage; for that is the ende of mariage; and it chaungeth deedly sinne in-to venial sinne bitwixe hem that been y-wedded, and maketh the hertes al oon of hem that been y-wedded, as wel as the bodies./ This is verray mariage, that was establissed by god er Skeat1900: 920 that sinne bigan, whan naturel lawe was in his right point in paradys; and it was ordeyned that o man sholde have but o womman, and o womman but o man, as seith Seint Augustin, by manye resouns. /

§ 78. First, for mariage is figured bitwixe Crist and holy chirche. And that other is, for a man is heved of a womman; algate, by ordinaunce it sholde be so./ For if a womman had mo men than oon, thanne sholde she have mo hevedes than oon, and that were an horrible thing biforn god; and eek a womman ne mighte nat plese to many folk at ones. And also ther ne sholde nevere be pees ne reste amonges hem; for everich wolde axen his owene thing. / And forther-over, no man ne sholde knowe his owene engendrure, ne who sholde have his heritage; and the womman sholde been the lasse biloved, fro the time that she were conioynt to many men./

§ 79. Now comth, how that a man sholde bere him with his wyf; and namely, in two thinges, that is to seyn in suffraunce and Skeat1900: 925 reverence, as shewed Crist whan he made first womman./ For he ne made hir nat of the heved of Adam, for she sholde nat clayme to greet lordshipe./ For ther-as the womman hath the maistrie, she maketh to muche desray; ther neden none ensamples of this. The experience of day by day oghte suffyse. / Also certes, god ne made nat womman of the foot of Adam, for she ne sholde nat been holden to lowe; for she can nat paciently suffre: but god made womman of the rib of Adam, for womman sholde be felawe un-to man./ Man sholde bere him to his wyf in feith, in trouthe, and in love, as seith seint Paul: that ‘a man sholde loven his wyf as Crist loved holy chirche, that loved it so wel that he deyde for it.’ So sholde a man for his wyf, if it were nede./

§ 80. Now how that a womman sholde be subget to hir housbonde, Skeat1900: 930 that telleth seint Peter. First, in obedience./ And eek, as seith the decree, a womman that is a wyf, as longe as she is a wyf, she hath noon auctoritee to swere ne bere witnesse with-oute leve of hir housbonde, that is hir lord; algate, he sholde be so by resoun. / She sholde eek serven him in alle honestee, and been attempree of hir array. I wot wel that they sholde setten hir entente to plesen hir housbondes, but nat by hir queyntise of array./ Seint Ierome seith, that wyves that been apparailled in silk and in precious purpre ne mowe nat clothen hem in Iesu Crist. What seith seint Iohn eek in this matere?/ Seint Gregorie eek seith, that no wight seketh precious array but only for veyne glorie, to been honoured the more biforn the peple./ It is a greet folye, a Skeat1900: 935 womman to have a fair array outward and in hir-self be foul inward. / A wyf sholde eek be mesurable in lokinge and in beringe and in laughinge, and discreet in alle hir wordes and hir dedes./ And aboven alle worldly thing she sholde loven hir housbonde with al hir herte, and to him be trewe of hir body;/ so sholde an housbonde eek be to his wyf. For sith that al the body is the housbondes, so sholde hir herte been, or elles ther is bitwixe hem two, as in that, no parfit mariage./ Thanne shal men understonde that for three thinges a man and his wyf fleshly mowen assemble. The firste is in entente of engendrure of children to the service of god, for certes that is the cause fynal of matrimoine./ Another cause is, to yelden everich of hem to other the dette of hir bodies, for neither of hem hath power over his owene body. The thridde is, for to eschewe lecherye and vileinye. The ferthe is for sothe deedly sinne./ As to the firste, it is meritorie; the seconde also; for, as Skeat1900: 940 seith the decree, that she hath merite of chastitee that yeldeth to hir housbonde the dette of hir body, ye, though it be agayn hir lykinge and the lust of hir herte. / The thridde manere is venial sinne, and trewely scarsly may ther any of thise be with-oute venial sinne, for the corrupcion and for the delyt. / The fourthe manere is for to understonde, if they assemble only for amorous love and for noon of the forseyde causes, but for to accomplice thilke brenninge delyt, they rekke nevere how ofte, sothly it is deedly sinne; and yet, with sorwe, somme folk wol peynen hem more to doon than to hir appetyt suffyseth./

§ 81. The seconde manere of chastitee is for to been a clene widewe, and eschue the embracinges of man, and desyren the embracinge of Iesu Crist./ Thise been tho that han been wyves and han forgoon hir housbondes, and eek wommen that han doon lecherie and been releeved by Penitence./ And certes, if that a Skeat1900: 945 wyf coude kepen hir al chaast by licence of hir housbonde, so that she yeve nevere noon occasion that he agilte, it were to hire a greet merite./ Thise manere wommen that observen chastitee moste be clene in herte as well as in body and in thoght, and mesurable in clothinge and in contenaunce; and been abstinent in etinge and drinkinge, in spekinge, and in dede. They been the vessel or the boyste of the blissed Magdelene, that fulfilleth holy chirche of good odour. / The thridde manere of chastitee is virginitee, and it bihoveth that she be holy in herte and clene of body; thanne is she spouse to Iesu Crist, and she is the lyf of angeles./ She is the preisinge of this world, and she is as thise martirs in egalitee; she hath in hir that tonge may nat telle ne herte thinke./ Virginitee baar oure lord Iesu Crist, and virgine Skeat1900: 950 was him-selve./

§ 82. Another remedie agayns Lecherie is, specially to withdrawen swiche thinges as yeve occasion to thilke vileinye; as ese, etinge and drinkinge; for certes, whan the pot boyleth strongly, the beste remedie is to withdrawe the fyr./ Slepinge longe in greet quiete is eek a greet norice to Lecherie./

§ 83. Another remedie agayns Lecherie is, that a man or a womman eschue the companye of hem by whiche he douteth to be tempted; for al-be-it so that the dede is withstonden, yet is ther greet temptacioun./ Soothly a whyt wal, al-though it ne brenne noght fully by stikinge of a candele, yet is the wal blak of the leyt. / Ful ofte tyme I rede, that no man truste in his owene perfeccioun, but he be stronger than Sampson, and holier than Daniel, and Skeat1900: 955 wyser than Salomon./

§ 84. Now after that I have declared yow, as I can, the sevene deedly sinnes, and somme of hir braunches and hir remedies, soothly, if I coude, I wolde telle yow the ten comandements./ But so heigh a doctrine I lete to divines. Nathelees, I hope to god they been touched in this tretice, everich of hem alle./

De Confessione.

§ 85. Now for-as-muche as the second partie of Penitence stant in Confessioun of mouth, as I bigan in the firste chapitre, I seye, seint Augustin seith: / sinne is every word and every dede, and al that men coveiten agayn the lawe of Iesu Crist; and this is for to sinne in herte, in mouth, and in dede, by thy fyve wittes, that been sighte, heringe, smellinge, tastinge or savouringe, and felinge./ Now is it good to understonde that that agreggeth Skeat1900: 960 muchel every sinne. / Thou shalt considere what thou art that doost the sinne, whether thou be male or femele, yong or old, gentil or thral, free or servant, hool or syk, wedded or sengle, ordred or unordred, wys or fool, clerk or seculer; / if she be of thy kinrede, bodily or goostly, or noon; if any of thy kinrede have sinned with hir or noon, and manye mo thinges./

§ 86. Another circumstaunce is this; whether it be doon in fornicacioun, or in avoutrie, or noon; incest, or noon; mayden, or noon; in manere of homicyde, or noon; horrible grete sinnes, or smale; and how longe thou hast continued in sinne./ The thridde circumstaunce is the place ther thou hast do sinne; whether in other mennes hous or in thyn owene; in feeld or in chirche, or in chirche-hawe; in chirche dedicat, or noon. / For if the chirche be halwed, and man or womman spille his kinde in-with that place by wey of sinne, or by wikked temptacion, the chirche is entredited til it be reconciled by the bishop; / and the Skeat1900: 965 preest that dide swich a vileinye, to terme of al his lyf, he sholde na-more singe masse; and if he dide, he sholde doon deedly sinne at every tyme that he so songe masse./ The fourthe circumstaunce is, by whiche mediatours or by whiche messagers, as for entycement, or for consentement to bere companye with felaweshipe; for many a wrecche, for to bere companye, wil go to the devel of helle. / Wher-fore they that eggen or consenten to the sinne been parteners of the sinne, and of the dampnacioun of the sinner. / The fifthe circumstaunce is, how manye tymes that he hath sinned, if it be in his minde, and how ofte that he hath falle./ For he that ofte falleth in sinne, he despiseth the mercy of god, and encreesseth his sinne, and is unkinde to Crist; and he wexeth the more feble to withstonde sinne, and sinneth the more lightly, / and the latter aryseth, and is the more eschew for to Skeat1900: 970 shryven him, namely, to him that is his confessour./ For which that folk, whan they falle agayn in hir olde folies, outher they forleten hir olde confessours al outrely, or elles they departen hir shrift in diverse places; but soothly, swich departed shrift deserveth no mercy of god of hise sinnes./ The sixte circumstaunce is, why that a man sinneth, as by whiche temptacioun; and if him-self procure thilke temptacioun, or by the excytinge of other folk; or if he sinne with a womman by force, or by hir owene assent; / or if the womman, maugree hir heed, hath been afforced, or noon; this shal she telle; for coveitise, or for poverte, and if it was hir procuringe, or noon; and swiche manere harneys./ The seventhe circumstaunce is, in what manere he hath doon his sinne, or how Skeat1900: 975 that she hath suffred that folk han doon to hir./ And the same shal the man telle pleynly, with alle circumstaunces; and whether he hath sinned with comune bordel-wommen, or noon; / or doon his sinne in holy tymes, or noon; in fasting-tymes, or noon; or biforn his shrifte, or after his latter shrifte;/ and hath, per-aventure, broken ther-fore his penance enioyned; by whos help and whos conseil; by sorcerie or craft; al moste be told./ Alle thise thinges, after that they been grete or smale, engreggen the conscience of man. And eek the preest that is thy Iuge, may the bettre been avysed of his Iugement in yevinge of thy penaunce, and that is after thy contricioun./ For understond wel, that after tyme that a man hath defouled his baptesme by sinne, if he wole come to salvacioun, ther is noon other wey but by penitence and Skeat1900: 980 shrifte and satisfaccioun;/ and namely by the two, if ther be a confessour to which he may shryven him; and the thridde, if he have lyf to parfournen it./

§ 87. Thanne shal man looke and considere, that if he wole maken a trewe and a profitable confessioun, ther moste be foure condiciouns./ First, it moot been in sorweful bitternesse of herte, as seyde the king Ezekias to god: ‘I wol remembre me alle the yeres of my lyf in bitternesse of myn herte.’ / This condicioun of bitternesse hath fyve signes. The firste is, that confessioun moste be shamefast, nat for to covere ne hyden his sinne, for he hath agilt his god and defouled his soule./ And her-of seith seint Augustin: ‘the herte travailleth for shame of his sinne’; and for he hath greet shamefastnesse, he is digne to have greet Skeat1900: 985 mercy of god. / Swich was the confession of the publican, that wolde nat heven up hise eyen to hevene, for he hadde offended god of hevene; for which shamefastnesse he hadde anon the mercy of god. / And ther-of seith seint Augustin, that swich shamefast folk been next foryevenesse and remissioun./ Another signe is humilitee in confessioun; of which seith seint Peter, ‘Humbleth yow under the might of god.’ The hond of god is mighty in confession, for ther-by god foryeveth thee thy sinnes; for he allone hath the power./ And this humilitee shal been in herte, and in signe outward; for right as he hath humilitee to god in his herte, right so sholde he humble his body outward to the preest that sit in goddes place./ For which in no manere, sith that Crist is sovereyn and the preest mene and mediatour bitwixe Crist and the sinnere, and the sinnere is the laste by wey of resoun,/ Skeat1900: 990 thanne sholde nat the sinnere sitte as heighe as his confessour, but knele biforn him or at his feet, but-if maladie destourbe it. For he shal nat taken kepe who sit there, but in whos place that he sitteth./ A man that hath trespased to a lord, and comth for to axe mercy and maken his accord, and set him doun anon by the lord, men wolde holden him outrageous, and nat worthy so sone for to have remissioun ne mercy./ The thridde signe is, how that thy shrift sholde be ful of teres, if man may; and if man may nat wepe with hise bodily eyen, lat him wepe in herte. / Swich was the confession of seint Peter; for after that he hadde forsake Iesu Crist, he wente out and weep ful bitterly./ The fourthe signe is, that he ne lette nat for shame to shewen his confessioun./ Swich was the confessioun of the Magdelene, that ne Skeat1900: 995 spared, for no shame of hem that weren atte feste, for to go to oure lord Iesu Crist and biknowe to him hir sinnes./ The fifthe signe is, that a man or a womman be obeisant to receyven the penaunce that him is enioyned for hise sinnes; for certes Iesu Crist, for the giltes of a man, was obedient to the deeth./

§ 88. The seconde condicion of verray confession is, that it be hastily doon; for certes, if a man hadde a deedly wounde, evere the lenger that he taried to warisshe him-self, the more wolde it corrupte and haste him to his deeth; and eek the wounde wolde be the wors for to hele./ And right so fareth sinne, that longe tyme is in a man unshewed./ Certes, a man oghte hastily shewen hise sinnes for manye causes; as for drede of deeth, that cometh ofte sodenly, and is in no certeyn what tyme it shal be, ne in what place; and eek the drecchinge of o synne draweth in another; / and eek the lenger that he tarieth, the ferther he is fro Skeat1900: 1000 Crist. And if he abyde to his laste day, scarsly may he shryven him or remembre him of hise sinnes, or repenten him, for the grevous maladie of his deeth./ And for-as-muche as he ne hath nat in his lyf herkned Iesu Crist, whanne he hath spoken, he shal crye to Iesu Crist at his laste day, and scarsly wol he herkne him./ And understond that this condicioun moste han foure thinges. Thy shrift moste be purveyed bifore and avysed; for wikked haste doth no profit; and that a man conne shryve him of hise sinnes, be it of pryde, or of envye, and so forth of the speces and circumstances; / and that he have comprehended in his minde the nombre and the greetnesse of hise sinnes, and how longe that he hath leyn in sinne; / and eek that he be contrit of hise sinnes, and in stedefast purpos, by the grace of god, nevere eft to falle in sinne; and eek that he drede and countrewaite him-self, that he flee the Skeat1900: 1005 occasiouns of sinne to whiche he is enclyned. / Also thou shalt shryve thee of alle thy sinnes to o man, and nat a parcel to o man and a parcel to another; that is to understonde, in entente to departe thy confessioun as for shame or drede; for it nis but stranglinge of thy soule./ For certes, Iesu Crist is entierly al good; in him nis noon inperfeccioun; and therfore outher he foryeveth al parfitly or never a deel./ I seye nat that if thou be assigned to the penitauncer for certein sinne, that thou art bounde to shewen him al the remenaunt of thy sinnes, of whiche thou hast be shriven to thy curat, but-if it lyke to thee of thyn humilitee; this is no departinge of shrifte. / Ne I seye nat, ther-as I speke of divisioun of confessioun, that if thou have lycence for to shryve thee to a discreet and an honeste preest, where thee lyketh, and by lycence of thy curat, that thou ne mayst wel shryve thee to him of alle thy sinnes. / But lat no blotte be bihinde; lat no sinne Skeat1900: 1010 been untold, as fer as thou hast remembraunce./ And whan thou shalt be shriven to thy curat, telle him eek alle the sinnes that thou hast doon sin thou were last y-shriven; this is no wikked entente of divisioun of shrifte. /

§ 89. Also the verray shrifte axeth certeine condiciouns. First, that thou shryve thee by thy free wil, noght constreyned, ne for shame of folk, ne for maladie, ne swiche thinges; for it is resoun that he that trespasseth by his free wil, that by his free wil he confesse his trespas;/ and that noon other man telle his sinne but he him-self, ne he shal nat nayte ne denye his sinne, ne wratthe him agayn the preest for his amonestinge to leve sinne./ The seconde condicioun is, that thy shrift be laweful; that is to seyn, that thou that shryvest thee, and eek the preest that hereth thy confessioun, been verraily in the feith of holy chirche;/ and that a man ne be nat despeired of the mercy of Iesu Crist, as Caym or Iudas./ And eek a man moot accusen him-self of his Skeat1900: 1015 owene trespas, and nat another; but he shal blame and wyten him-self and his owene malice of his sinne, and noon other;/ but nathelees, if that another man be occasioun or entycer of his sinne, or the estaat of a persone be swich thurgh which his sinne is agregged, or elles that he may nat pleynly shryven him but he telle the persone with which he hath sinned; thanne may he telle;/ so that his entente ne be nat to bakbyte the persone, but only to declaren his confessioun./

§ 90. Thou ne shalt nat eek make no lesinges in thy confessioun; for humilitee, per-aventure, to seyn that thou hast doon sinnes of whiche that thou were nevere gilty./ For Seint Augustin seith: if thou, by cause of thyn humilitee, makest lesinges on thy-self, though thou ne were nat in sinne biforn, yet artow thanne in sinne thurgh thy lesinges./ Thou most eek shewe thy sinne by thyn Skeat1900: 1020 owene propre mouth, but thou be wexe doumb, and nat by no lettre; for thou that hast doon the sinne, thou shalt have the shame therfore. / Thou shalt nat eek peynte thy confessioun by faire subtile wordes, to covere the more thy sinne; for thanne bigylestow thy-self and nat the preest; thou most tellen it pleynly, be it nevere so foul ne so horrible./ Thou shalt eek shryve thee to a preest that is discreet to conseille thee, and eek thou shalt nat shryve thee for veyne glorie, ne for ypocrisye, ne for no cause, but only for the doute of Iesu Crist and the hele of thy soule. / Thou shalt nat eek renne to the preest sodeynly, to tellen him lightly thy sinne, as who-so telleth a Iape or a tale, but avysely and with greet devocioun./ And generally, shryve thee ofte. If thou ofte falle, ofte thou aryse by confessioun./ And thogh thou shryve Skeat1900: 1025 thee ofter than ones of sinne, of which thou hast be shriven, it is the more merite. And, as seith seint Augustin, thou shalt have the more lightly relesing and grace of god, bothe of sinne and of peyne./ And certes, ones a yere atte leeste wey it is laweful for to been housled; for certes ones a yere alle thinges renovellen./

Explicit secunda pars Penitencie; et sequitur tercia pars eiusdem, de Satisfaccione.

§ 91. Now have I told you of verray Confessioun, that is the seconde partie of Penitence. /

The thridde partie of Penitence is Satisfaccioun; and that stant most generally in almesse and in bodily peyne./ Now been ther three manere of almesses; contricion of herte, where a man offreth himself to god; another is, to han pitee of defaute of hise neighebores; and the thridde is, in yevinge of good conseil goostly and bodily, where men han nede, and namely in sustenaunce of Skeat1900: 1030 mannes fode./ And tak keep, that a man hath need of thise thinges generally; he hath need of fode, he hath nede of clothing, and herberwe, he hath nede of charitable conseil, and visitinge in prisone and in maladie, and sepulture of his dede body. / And if thou mayst nat visite the nedeful with thy persone, visite him by thy message and by thy yiftes./ Thise been generally almesses or werkes of charitee of hem that han temporel richesses or discrecioun in conseilinge. Of thise werkes shaltow heren at the day of dome. /

§ 92. Thise almesses shaltow doon of thyne owene propre thinges, and hastily, and prively if thou mayst;/ but nathelees, if thou mayst nat doon it prively, thou shalt nat forbere to doon almesse though men seen it; so that it be nat doon for thank of Skeat1900: 1035 the world, but only for thank of Iesu Crist./ For as witnesseth Seint Mathew, capitulo quinto, ‘A citee may nat been hid that is set on a montayne; ne men lighte nat a lanterne and put it under a busshel; but men sette it on a candle-stikke, to yeve light to the men in the hous./ Right so shal youre light lighten bifore men, that they may seen youre gode werkes, and glorifie youre fader that is in hevene.’/

§ 93. Now as to speken of bodily peyne, it stant in preyeres, in wakinges, in fastinges, in vertuouse techinges of orisouns./ And ye shul understonde, that orisouns or preyeres is for to seyn a pitous wil of herte, that redresseth it in god and expresseth it by word outward, to remoeven harmes and to han thinges espirituel and durable, and somtyme temporel thinges; of whiche orisouns, certes, in the orisoun of the Pater-noster, hath Iesu Crist enclosed most thinges. / Certes, it is privileged of three thinges in his dignitee, for which it is more digne than any other preyere; for Skeat1900: 1040 that Iesu Crist him-self maked it;/ and it is short, for it sholde be coud the more lightly, and for to withholden it the more esily in herte, and helpen him-self the ofter with the orisoun;/ and for a man sholde be the lasse wery to seyen it, and for a man may nat excusen him to lerne it, it is so short and so esy; and for it comprehendeth in it-self alle gode preyeres./ The exposicioun of this holy preyere, that is so excellent and digne, I bitake to thise maistres of theologie; save thus muchel wol I seyn: that, whan thou prayest that god sholde foryeve thee thy giltes as thou foryevest hem that agilten to thee, be ful wel war that thou be nat out of charitee./ This holy orisoun amenuseth eek venial sinne; and therfore it aperteneth specially to penitence./

§ 94. This preyere moste be trewely seyd and in verray feith, and that men preye to god ordinatly and discreetly and devoutly; and alwey a man shal putten his wil to be subget to the wille of god./ This orisoun moste eek been seyd with greet humblesse Skeat1900: 1045 and ful pure; honestly, and nat to the anoyaunce of any man or womman. It moste eek been continued with the werkes of charitee./ It avayleth eek agayn the vyces of the soule; for, as seith seint Ierome, ‘By fastinge been saved the vyces of the flesh, and by preyere the vyces of the soule.’ /

§ 95. After this, thou shalt understonde, that bodily peyne stant in wakinge; for Iesu Crist seith, ‘waketh, and preyeth that ye ne entre in wikked temptacioun.’/ Ye shul understanden also, that fastinge stant in three thinges; in forberinge of bodily mete and drinke, and in forberinge of worldly Iolitee, and in forberinge of deedly sinne; this is to seyn, that a man shal kepen him fro deedly sinne with al his might./

§ 96. And thou shalt understanden eek, that god ordeyned fastinge; and to fastinge appertenen foure thinges./ Largenesse Skeat1900: 1050 to povre folk, gladnesse of herte espirituel, nat to been angry ne anoyed, ne grucche for he fasteth; and also resonable houre for to ete by mesure; that is for to seyn, a man shal nat ete in untyme, ne sitte the lenger at his table to ete for he fasteth. /

§ 97. Thanne shaltow understonde, that bodily peyne stant in disciplyne or techinge, by word or by wrytinge, or in ensample. Also in weringe of heyres or of stamin, or of haubergeons on hir naked flesh, for Cristes sake, and swiche manere penances. / But war thee wel that swiche manere penances on thy flesh ne make nat thyn herte bitter or angry or anoyed of thy-self; for bettre is to caste awey thyn heyre, than for to caste away the sikernesse of Iesu Crist. / And therfore seith seint Paul: ‘Clothe yow, as they that been chosen of god, in herte of misericorde, debonairetee, suffraunce, and swich manere of clothinge’; of whiche Iesu Crist is more apayed than of heyres, or haubergeons, or hauberkes./

§ 98. Thanne is disciplyne eek in knokkinge of thy brest, in Skeat1900: 1055 scourginge with yerdes, in knelinges, in tribulacions;/ in suffringe paciently wronges that been doon to thee, and eek in pacient suffraunce of maladies, or lesinge of worldly catel, or of wyf, or of child, or othere freendes./

§ 99. Thanne shaltow understonde, whiche thinges destourben penaunce; and this is in foure maneres, that is, drede, shame, hope, and wanhope, that is, desperacion./ And for to speke first of drede; for which he weneth that he may suffre no penaunce; / ther-agayns is remedie for to thinke, that bodily penaunce is but short and litel at regard of the peyne of helle, that is so cruel and so long, that it lasteth with-outen ende. /

§ 100. Now again the shame that a man hath to shryven him, and namely, thise ypocrites that wolden been holden so parfite Skeat1900: 1060 that they han no nede to shryven hem;/ agayns that shame, sholde a man thinke that, by wey of resoun, that he that hath nat been ashamed to doon foule thinges, certes him oghte nat been ashamed to do faire thinges, and that is confessiouns. / A man sholde eek thinke, that god seeth and woot alle hise thoghtes and alle hise werkes; to him may no thing been hid ne covered./ Men sholden eek remembren hem of the shame that is to come at the day of dome, to hem that been nat penitent and shriven in this present lyf./ For alle the creatures in erthe and in helle shullen seen apertly al that they hyden in this world./

§ 101. Now for to speken of the hope of hem that been necligent Skeat1900: 1065 and slowe to shryven hem, that stant in two maneres. / That oon is, that he hopeth for to live longe and for to purchacen muche richesse for his delyt, and thanne he wol shryven him; and, as he seith, him semeth thanne tymely y-nough to come to shrifte./ Another is, surquidrie that he hath in Cristes mercy./ Agayns the firste vyce, he shal thinke, that oure lyf is in no sikernesse; and eek that alle the richesses in this world ben in aventure, and passen as a shadwe on the wal./ And, as seith seint Gregorie, that it aperteneth to the grete rightwisnesse of god, that nevere shal the peyne stinte of hem that nevere wolde withdrawen hem fro sinne, hir thankes, but ay continue in sinne; for thilke perpetuel wil to do sinne shul they han perpetuel peyne. /

§ 102. Wanhope is in two maneres: the firste wanhope is in the mercy of Crist; that other is that they thinken, that they ne mighte nat longe persevere in goodnesse./ The firste wanhope Skeat1900: 1070 comth of that he demeth that he hath sinned so greetly and so ofte, and so longe leyn in sinne, that he shal nat be saved./ Certes, agayns that cursed wanhope sholde he thinke, that the passion of Iesu Crist is more strong for to unbinde than sinne is strong for to binde./ Agayns the seconde wanhope, he shal thinke, that as ofte as he falleth he may aryse agayn by penitence. And thogh he never so longe have leyn in sinne, the mercy of Crist is alwey redy to receiven him to mercy./ Agayns the wanhope, that he demeth that he sholde nat longe persevere in goodnesse, he shal thinke, that the feblesse of the devel may no-thing doon but-if men wol suffren him;/ and eek he shal han strengthe of the help of god, and of al holy chirche, and of the proteccioun of aungels, if him list./ Skeat1900: 1075

§ 103. Thanne shal men understonde what is the fruit of penaunce; and, after the word of Iesu Crist, it is the endelees blisse of hevene,/ ther Ioye hath no contrarioustee of wo ne grevaunce, ther alle harmes been passed of this present lyf; ther-as is the sikernesse fro the peyne of helle; ther-as is the blisful companye that reioysen hem everemo, everich of otheres Ioye;/ ther-as the body of man, that whylom was foul and derk, is more cleer than the sonne; ther-as the body, that whylom was syk, freele, and feble, and mortal, is inmortal, and so strong and so hool that ther may no-thing apeyren it; / ther-as ne is neither hunger, thurst, ne cold, but every soule replenissed with the sighte of the parfit knowinge of god./ This blisful regne may men purchace by poverte espirituel, and the glorie by lowenesse; the plentee of Ioye by hunger and thurst, and the reste by travaille; and the lyf by deeth and mortificacion of sinne. / Skeat1900: 1080

Here taketh the makere of this book his leve.

§ 104. Now preye I to hem alle that herkne this litel tretis or rede, that if ther be any thing in it that lyketh hem, that ther-of they thanken oure lord Iesu Crist, of whom procedeth al wit and al goodnesse./ And if ther be any thing that displese hem, I preye hem also that they arrette it to the defaute of myn unconninge, and nat to my wil, that wolde ful fayn have seyd bettre if I hadde had conninge./ For oure boke seith, ‘al that is writen is writen for oure doctrine’; and that is myn entente./ Wherfore I biseke yow mekely for the mercy of god, that ye preye for me, that Crist have mercy on me and foryeve me my giltes:/—and namely, of my translacions and endytinges of worldly Skeat1900: 1085 vanitees, the whiche I revoke in my retracciouns:/ as is the book of Troilus; The book also of Fame; The book of the nynetene Ladies; The book of the Duchesse; The book of seint Valentynes day of the Parlement of Briddes; The tales of Caunterbury, thilke that sounen in-to sinne; / The book of the Leoun; and many another book, if they were in my remembrance; and many a song and many a lecherous lay; that Crist for his grete mercy foryeve me the sinne./ But of the translacion of Boece de Consolacione, and othere bokes of Legendes of seintes, and omelies, and moralitee, and devocioun,/ that thanke I oure lord Iesu Crist and his blisful moder, and alle the seintes of hevene;/ bisekinge hem that they from hennes-forth, un-to my lyves ende, sende me grace to biwayle my giltes, and to studie to the salvacioun of my soule:—and graunte me grace of verray penitence, confessioun and satisfaccioun to Skeat1900: 1090 doon in this present lyf;/ thurgh the benigne grace of him that is king of kinges and preest over alle preestes, that boghte us with the precious blood of his herte;/ so that I may been oon of hem Skeat1900: 1092 at the day of dome that shulle be saved: Qui cum patre, c.

Here is ended the book of the Tales of Caunterbury, compiled by Geffrey Chaucer, of whos soule Iesu Crist have mercy. Amen.

APPENDIX TO GROUP A.

THE TALE OF GAMELYN.

  • LITHETH, and lesteneth · and herkeneth aright,
  • And ye schulle heere a talking · of a doughty knight;
  • Sire Iohan of Boundys · was his righte name,
  • He cowde of norture y-nough · and mochil of game.
  • Thre sones the knight hadde · that with his body he wan; Skeat1900: 5
  • The eldest was a moche schrewe · and sone he bigan.
  • His bretheren loved wel here fader · and of him were agast,
  • The eldest deserved his fadres curs · and had it at the last.
  • The goode knight his fader · livede so yore,
  • That deth was comen him to · and handled him ful sore. Skeat1900: 10
  • The goode knight cared sore · syk ther he lay,
  • How his children scholde · liven after his day.
  • He hadde ben wyde-wher · but non housbond he was,
  • Al the lond that he hadde · it was verrey purchas.
  • Fayn he wolde it were · dressed among hem alle, Skeat1900: 15
  • That ech of hem hadde his part · as it mighte falle.
  • Tho sente he in-to cuntre · after wyse knightes,
  • To helpe delen his londes · and dressen hem to-rightes.
  • He sente hem word by lettres · they schulden hye blyve,
  • If they wolde speke with him · whyl he was on lyve. Skeat1900: 20
  • Tho the knightes herden · syk that he lay,
  • Hadde they no reste · nother night ne day,
  • Til they comen to him · ther he lay stille
  • On his deth-bedde · to abyde goddes wille.
  • Than seyde the goode knight · syk ther he lay, Skeat1900: 25
  • ‘Lordes, I you warne · for soth, withoute nay,
  • I may no lenger liven · heer in this stounde;
  • For thurgh goddes wille · deth draweth me to grounde.’
  • Ther nas non of hem alle · that herde him aright,
  • That they ne hadden reuthe · of that ilke knight, Skeat1900: 30
  • And seyde, ‘sir, for goddes love · ne dismay you nought;
  • God may do bote of bale · that is now y-wrought.’
  • Than spak the goode knight · syk ther he lay,
  • ‘Boote of bale god may sende · I wot it is no nay;
  • But I byseke you, knightes · for the love of me, Skeat1900: 35
  • Goth and dresseth my lond · among my sones three.
  • And sires, for the love of god · deleth hem nat amis,
  • And forgetith nat Gamelyn · my yonge sone that is.
  • Taketh heed to that on · as wel as to that other;
  • Selde ye see ony eyr · helpen his brother.’ Skeat1900: 40
  • Tho leete they the knight lyen · that was nought in hele,
  • And wenten in-to counsel · his londes for to dele;
  • For to delen hem alle · to oon, that was her thought,
  • And for Gamelyn was yongest · he schulde have nought.
  • Al the lond that ther was · they dalten it in two, Skeat1900: 45
  • And leeten Gamelyn the yonge · withoute londe go,
  • And ech of hem seyde · to other ful lowde,
  • His bretheren mighte yeve him lond · whan he good cowde.
  • Whan they hadde deled · the lond at here wille,
  • They comen ayein to the knight · ther he lay ful stille, Skeat1900: 50
  • And tolden him anon-right · how they hadden wrought;
  • And the knight ther he lay · lyked it right nought.
  • Than seyde the knight · ‘by seynt Martyn,
  • For al that ye have y-doon · yit is the lond myn;
  • For goddes love, neyhebours · stondeth alle stille, Skeat1900: 55
  • And I wil dele my lond · right after my wille.
  • Iohan, myn eldeste sone · schal have plowes fyve,
  • That was my fadres heritage · whyl he was on lyve;
  • And my middeleste sone · fyve plowes of lond,
  • That I halp for to gete · with my righte hond; Skeat1900: 60
  • And al myn other purchas · of londes and leedes,
  • That I biquethe Gamelyn · and alle my goode steedes.
  • And I biseke yow, goode men · that lawe conne of londe,
  • For Gamelynes love · that my queste stonde.’
  • Thus dalte the knight · his lond by his day, Skeat1900: 65
  • Right on his deth-bedde · syk ther he lay;
  • And sone aftirward · he lay stoon-stille,
  • And deyde whan tyme com · as it was Cristes wille.
  • And anon as he was deed · and under gras y-grave,
  • Sone the elder brother · gyled the yonge knave; Skeat1900: 70
  • He took into his hond · his lond and his leede,
  • And Gamelyn himselfe · to clothen and to feede.
  • He clothed him and fedde him · yvel and eek wrothe,
  • And leet his londes for-fare · and his houses bothe,
  • His parkes and his woodes · and dede nothing wel; Skeat1900: 75
  • And seththen he it aboughte · on his faire fel.
  • So longe was Gamelyn · in his brotheres halle,
  • For the strengest, of good wil · they doutiden him alle;
  • Ther was non ther-inne · nowther yong ne old,
  • That wolde wraththe Gamelyn · were he never so bold. Skeat1900: 80
  • Gamelyn stood on a day · in his brotheres yerde,
  • And bigan with his hond · to handlen his berde;
  • He thoughte on his londes · that layen unsawe,
  • And his faire okes · that down were y-drawe;
  • His parkes were y-broken · and his deer bireved; Skeat1900: 85
  • Of alle his goode steedes · noon was him bileved;
  • His howses were unhiled · and ful yvel dight;
  • Tho thoughte Gamelyn · it wente nought aright.
  • Afterward cam his brother · walkinge thare,
  • And seyde to Gamelyn · ‘is our mete yare?’ Skeat1900: 90
  • Tho wraththed him Gamelyn · and swor by goddes book,
  • ‘Thou schalt go bake thy-self · I wil nought be thy cook!’
  • ‘How? brother Gamelyn · how answerest thou now?
  • Thou spake never such a word · as thou dost now.’
  • ‘By my faith,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘now me thinketh neede, Skeat1900: 95
  • Of alle the harmes that I have · I tok never ar heede.
  • My parkes ben to-broken · and my deer bireved,
  • Of myn armure and my steedes · nought is me bileved;
  • Al that my fader me biquath · al goth to schame,
  • And therfor have thou goddes curs · brother by thy name!’ Skeat1900: 100
  • Than bispak his brother · that rape was of rees,
  • ‘Stond stille, gadeling · and hold right thy pees;
  • Thou schalt be fayn for to have · thy mete and thy wede;
  • What spekest thou, Gamelyn · of lond other of leede?’
  • Thanne seyde Gamelyn · the child that was ying, Skeat1900: 105
  • ‘Cristes curs mot he have · that clepeth me gadeling!
  • I am no worse gadeling · ne no worse wight,
  • But born of a lady · and geten of a knight.’
  • Ne durste he nat to Gamelyn · ner a-foote go,
  • But clepide to him his men · and seyde to hem tho, Skeat1900: 110
  • ‘Goth and beteth this boy · and reveth him his wit,
  • And lat him lerne another tyme · to answere me bet.’
  • Thanne seyde the child · yonge Gamelyn,
  • ‘Cristes curs mot thou have · brother art thou myn!
  • And if I schal algate · be beten anon, Skeat1900: 115
  • Cristes curs mot thou have · but thou be that oon!’
  • And anon his brother · in that grete hete
  • Made his men to fette staves · Gamelyn to bete.
  • Whan that everich of hem · a staf hadde y-nome,
  • Gamelyn was war anon · tho he seigh hem come; Skeat1900: 120
  • Tho Gamelyn seigh hem come · he loked over-al,
  • And was war of a pestel · stood under a wal;
  • Gamelyn was light of foot · and thider gan he lepe,
  • And drof alle his brotheres men · right on an hepe.
  • He loked as a wilde lyoun · and leyde on good woon; Skeat1900: 125
  • Tho his brother say that · he bigan to goon;
  • He fley up in-til a loft · and schette the dore fast;
  • Thus Gamelyn with the pestel · made hem alle agast.
  • Some for Gamelynes love · and some for his eye,
  • Alle they drowe by halves · tho he gan to pleye. Skeat1900: 130
  • ‘What! how now?’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘evel mot ye thee!
  • Wil ye biginne contek · and so sone flee?’
  • Gamelyn soughte his brother · whider he was flowe,
  • And saugh wher he loked · out at a windowe.
  • ‘Brother,’ sayde Gamelyn · ‘com a litel ner, Skeat1900: 135
  • And I wil teche thee a play · atte bokeler.’
  • His brother him answerde · and swor by seynt Richer,
  • ‘Whyl the pestel is in thin hond · I wil come no neer:
  • Brother, I wil make thy pees · I swere by Cristes ore;
  • Cast away the pestel · and wraththe thee no-more.’ Skeat1900: 140
  • ‘I mot neede,’ sayde Gamelyn · ‘wraththe me at oones,
  • For thou wolde make thy men · to breke myne boones,
  • Ne hadde I had mayn · and might in myn armes,
  • To have y-put hem fro me · they wolde have do me harmes.’
  • ‘Gamelyn,’ sayde his brother · ‘be thou nought wroth, Skeat1900: 145
  • For to seen thee have harm · it were me right loth;
  • I ne dide it nought, brother · but for a fonding,
  • For to loken if thou were strong · and art so ying.’
  • ‘Com a-doun than to me · and graunte me my bone
  • Of thing I wil thee aske · and we schul saughte sone.’ Skeat1900: 150
  • Doun than cam his brother · that fikil was and fel,
  • And was swithe sore · agast of the pestel.
  • He seyde, ‘brother Gamelyn · aske me thy boone,
  • And loke thou me blame · but I graunte sone.’
  • Thanne seyde Gamelyn · ‘brother, y-wis, Skeat1900: 155
  • And we schulle ben at oon · thou most me graunte this:
  • Al that my fader me biquath · whyl he was on lyve,
  • Thou most do me it have · yif we schul nat stryve.’
  • ‘That schalt thou have, Gamelyn · I swere by Cristes ore!
  • Al that thy fader thee biquath · though thou woldest have more; Skeat1900: 160
  • Thy lond, that lyth laye · ful wel it schal be sowe,
  • And thyn howses reysed up · that ben leyd so lowe.’
  • Thus seyde the knight · to Gamelyn with mowthe,
  • And thoughte eek of falsnes · as he wel couthe.
  • The knight thoughte on tresoun · and Gamelyn on noon, Skeat1900: 165
  • And wente and kiste his brother · and, whan they were at oon,
  • Allas! yonge Gamelyn · nothing he ne wiste
  • With which a false tresoun · his brother him kiste!
  • Litheth, and lesteneth · and holdeth your tonge,
  • And ye schul heere talking · of Gamelyn the yonge. Skeat1900: 170
  • Ther was ther bisyden · cryed a wrastling,
  • And therfor ther was set up · a ram and a ring;
  • And Gamelyn was in good wil · to wende therto,
  • For to preven his might · what he cowthe do.
  • ‘Brother,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘by seynt Richer, Skeat1900: 175
  • Thou most lene me to-night · a litel courser
  • That is freisch to the spore · on for to ryde;
  • I most on an erande · a litel her bisyde.’
  • ‘By god!’ seyde his brother · ‘of steedes in my stalle
  • Go and chese thee the best · and spare non of alle Skeat1900: 180
  • Of steedes or of coursers · that stonden hem bisyde;
  • And tel me, goode brother · whider thou wolt ryde.’
  • ‘Her bisyde, brother · is cryed a wrastling,
  • And therfor schal be set up · a ram and a ring;
  • Moche worschip it were · brother, to us alle, Skeat1900: 185
  • Might I the ram and the ring · bring home to this halle.’
  • A steede ther was sadeled · smertely and skeet;
  • Gamelyn did a paire spores · fast on his feet.
  • He sette his foot in the styrop · the steede he bistrood,
  • And toward the wrasteling · the yonge child rood. Skeat1900: 190
  • Tho Gamelyn the yonge · was ride out at the gat,
  • The false knight his brother · lokked it after that,
  • And bisoughte Iesu Crist · that is heven king,
  • He mighte breke his nekke · in that wrasteling.
  • As sone as Gamelyn com · ther the place was, Skeat1900: 195
  • He lighte doun of his steede · and stood on the gras,
  • And ther he herd a frankeleyn · wayloway singe,
  • And bigan bitterly · his hondes for to wringe.
  • ‘Goode man,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘why makestow this fare?
  • Is ther no man that may · you helpe out of this care?’ Skeat1900: 200
  • ‘Allas!’ seyde this frankeleyn · ‘that ever was I bore!
  • For tweye stalworthe sones · I wene that I have lore;
  • A champioun is in the place · that hath y-wrought me sorwe,
  • For he hath slayn my two sones · but-if god hem borwe.
  • I wold yeve ten pound · by Iesu Crist! and more, Skeat1900: 205
  • With the nones I fand a man · to handelen him sore.’
  • ‘Goode man,’ sayde Gamelyn · ‘wilt thou wel doon,
  • Hold myn hors, whyl my man · draweth of my schoon,
  • And help my man to kepe · my clothes and my steede,
  • And I wil into place go · to loke if I may speede.’ Skeat1900: 210
  • ‘By god!’ sayde the frankeleyn · ‘anon it schal be doon;
  • I wil my-self be thy man · and drawen of thy schoon,
  • And wende thou into the place · Iesu Crist thee speede,
  • And drede not of thy clothes · nor of thy goode steede.’
  • Barfoot and ungert · Gamelyn in cam, Skeat1900: 215
  • Alle that weren in the place · heede of him they nam,
  • How he durste auntre him · of him to doon his might
  • That was so doughty champioun · in wrastling and in fight.
  • Up sterte the champioun · rapely and anoon,
  • Toward yonge Gamelyn · he bigan to goon, Skeat1900: 220
  • And sayde, ‘who is thy fader · and who is thy sire?
  • For sothe thou art a gret fool · that thou come hire!’
  • Gamelyn answerde · the champioun tho,
  • ‘Thou knewe wel my fader · whyl he couthe go,
  • Whyles he was on lyve · by seint Martyn! Skeat1900: 225
  • Sir Iohan of Boundys was his name · and I Gamelyn.’
  • ‘Felaw,’ seyde the champioun · ‘al-so mot I thryve,
  • I knew wel thy fader · whyl he was on lyve;
  • And thyself, Gamelyn · I wil that thou it heere,
  • Whyl thou were a yong boy · a moche schrewe thou were.’ Skeat1900: 230
  • Than seyde Gamelyn · and swor by Cristes ore,
  • ‘Now I am older woxe · thou schalt me finde a more!’
  • ‘By god!’ sayde the champioun · ‘welcome mote thou be!
  • Come thou ones in myn hond · schalt thou never thee.’
  • It was wel withinne the night · and the moone schon, Skeat1900: 235
  • Whan Gamelyn and the champioun · togider gonne goon.
  • The champioun caste tornes · to Gamelyn that was prest,
  • And Gamelyn stood stille · and bad him doon his best.
  • Thanne seyde Gamelyn · to the champioun,
  • ‘Thou art faste aboute · to bringe me adoun; Skeat1900: 240
  • Now I have y-proved · many tornes of thyne,
  • Thow most,’ he seyde, ‘proven · on or two of myne.’
  • Gamelyn to the champioun · yede smertely anon,
  • Of all the tornes that he cowthe · he schewed him but oon,
  • And caste him on the lefte syde · that three ribbes to-brak, Skeat1900: 245
  • And ther-to his oon arm · that yaf a gret crak.
  • Thanne seyde Gamelyn · smertely anoon,
  • ‘Schal it be holde for a cast · or elles for noon?’
  • ‘By god!’ seyde the champioun · ‘whether that it be,
  • He that cometh ones in thin hand · schal he never thee!’ Skeat1900: 250
  • Than seyde the frankeleyn · that had his sones there,
  • ‘Blessed be thou, Gamelyn · that ever thou bore were!’
  • The frankeleyn seyde to the champioun · of him stood him noon eye,
  • ‘This is yonge Gamelyn · that taughte thee this pleye.’
  • Agein answered the champioun · that lyked nothing wel, Skeat1900: 255
  • ‘He is a lither mayster · and his pley is right fel;
  • Sith I wrastled first · it is y-go ful yore,
  • But I was nevere in my lyf · handeled so sore.’
  • Gamelyn stood in the place · allone withoute serk,
  • And seyde, ‘if ther be eny mo · lat hem come to werk; Skeat1900: 260
  • The champioun that peyned him · to werke so sore,
  • It semeth by his continaunce · that he wil no-more.’
  • Gamelyn in the place · stood as stille as stoon,
  • For to abyde wrasteling · but ther com noon;
  • Ther was noon with Gamelyn · wolde wrastle more, Skeat1900: 265
  • For he handled the champioun · so wonderly sore.
  • Two gentil-men ther were · that yemede the place,
  • Comen to Gamelyn · (god yeve him goode grace!)
  • And sayde to him, ‘do on · thyn hosen and thy schoon,
  • For sothe at this tyme · this feire is y-doon.’ Skeat1900: 270
  • And than seyde Gamelyn · ‘so mot I wel fare,
  • I have nought yet halven-del · sold up my ware.’
  • Tho seyde the champioun · ‘so brouke I my sweere,
  • He is a fool that ther-of byeth · thou sellest it so deere.’
  • Tho sayde the frankeleyn · that was in moche care, Skeat1900: 275
  • ‘Felaw,’ he seyde · ‘why lakkest thou his ware?
  • By seynt Iame in Galys . that many man hath sought,
  • Yet it is to good cheep · that thou hast y-bought.’
  • Tho that wardeynes were · of that wrasteling
  • Come and broughte Gamelyn · the ram and the ring, Skeat1900: 280
  • And seyden, ‘have, Gamelyn · the ring and the ram,
  • For the beste wrasteler · that ever here cam.’
  • Thus wan Gamelyn · the ram and the ring,
  • And wente with moche Ioye · home in the morning.
  • His brother seih wher he cam · with the grete rowte, Skeat1900: 285
  • And bad schitte the gate · and holde him withoute.
  • The porter of his lord · was ful sore agast,
  • And sterte anon to the gate · and lokked it fast.
  • Now litheth, and lesteneth · bothe yonge and olde,
  • And ye schul heere gamen · of Gamelyn the bolde. Skeat1900: 290
  • Gamelyn come ther-to · for to have comen in,
  • And thanne was it y-schet · faste with a pin;
  • Than seyde Gamelyn · ‘porter, undo the yat,
  • For many good mannes sone · stondeth ther-at.’
  • Than answerd the porter · and swor by goddes berde, Skeat1900: 295
  • ‘Thow ne schalt, Gamelyn · come into this yerde.’
  • ‘Thow lixt,’ sayde Gamelyn · ‘so browke I my chin!’
  • He smot the wiket with his foot · and brak awey the pin.
  • The porter seyh tho · it might no better be,
  • He sette foot on erthe · and bigan to flee. Skeat1900: 300
  • ‘By my faith,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘that travail is y-lore,
  • For I am of foot as light as thou · though thou haddest swore.’
  • Gamelyn overtook the porter · and his teene wrak,
  • And gerte him in the nekke · that the bon to-brak,
  • And took him by that oon arm · and threw him in a welle, Skeat1900: 305
  • Seven fadmen it was deep · as I have herd telle.
  • Whan Gamelyn the yonge · thus hadde pleyd his play,
  • Alle that in the yerde were · drewen hem away;
  • They dredden him ful sore · for werkes that he wroughte,
  • And for the faire company · that he thider broughte. Skeat1900: 310
  • Gamelyn yede to the gate · and leet it up wyde;
  • He leet in alle maner men · that gon in wolde or ryde,
  • And seyde, ‘ye be welcome · withouten eny greeve,
  • For we wiln be maistres heer · and aske no man leve.
  • Yestirday I lefte’ · seyde yonge Gamelyn, Skeat1900: 315
  • ‘In my brother seller · fyve tonne of wyn;
  • I wil not that this compaignye · parten a-twinne,
  • And ye wil doon after me · whyl eny sope is thrinne,
  • And if my brother grucche · or make foul cheere,
  • Other for spense of mete or drink · that we spenden heere, Skeat1900: 320
  • I am oure catour · and bere oure aller purs,
  • He schal have for his grucching · seint Maries curs.
  • My brother is a niggoun · I swer by Cristes ore,
  • And we wil spende largely · that he hath spared yore;
  • And who that maketh grucching · that we here dwelle, Skeat1900: 325
  • He schal to the porter · into the draw-welle.’
  • Seven dayes and seven night · Gamelyn held his feste,
  • With moche mirth and solas · that was ther, and no cheste;
  • In a little toret · his brother lay y-steke,
  • And sey hem wasten his good · but durste he not speke. Skeat1900: 330
  • Erly on a morning · on the eighte day,
  • The gestes come to Gamelyn · and wolde gon here way.
  • ‘Lordes,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘wil ye so hye?
  • Al the wyn is not yet dronke · so brouke I myn ye.’
  • Gamelyn in his herte · was he ful wo. Skeat1900: 335
  • Whan his gestes took her leve · from him for to go;
  • He wolde they had lenger abide · and they seyde ‘nay,’
  • But bitaughte Gamelyn · god, and good day.
  • Thus made Gamelyn his feest · and broughte it wel to ende,
  • And after his gestes · toke leve to wende. Skeat1900: 340
  • Litheth, and lesteneth · and holdeth youre tonge,
  • And ye schul heere gamen · of Gamelyn the yonge;
  • Herkeneth, lordinges · and lesteneth aright,
  • Whan alle gestes were goon · how Gamelyn was dight.
  • Al the whyl that Gamelyn · heeld his mangerye, Skeat1900: 345
  • His brother thoughte on him be wreke · with his treccherye.
  • Tho Gamelyns gestes · were riden and y-goon,
  • Gamelyn stood allone · frendes had he noon;
  • Tho after ful soone · withinne a litel stounde,
  • Gamelyn was y-taken · and ful harde y-bounde. Skeat1900: 350
  • Forth com the false knight · out of the soleer,
  • To Gamelyn his brother · he yede ful neer,
  • And sayde to Gamelyn · ‘who made thee so bold
  • For to stroye my stoor · of myn houshold?’
  • ‘Brother,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘wraththe thee right nought, Skeat1900: 355
  • For it is many day y-gon · siththen it was bought;
  • For, brother, thou hast y-had · by seynt Richer,
  • Of fiftene plowes of lond · this sixtene yer,
  • And of alle the beestes · thou hast forth bred,
  • That my fader me biquath · on his deth-bed; Skeat1900: 360
  • Of al this sixtene yeer · I yeve thee the prow,
  • For the mete and the drink · that we have spended now.’
  • Thanne seyde the false knight · (evel mot he thee!)
  • ‘Herkne, brother Gamelyn · what I wol yeve thee;
  • For of my body, brother · heir geten have I noon, Skeat1900: 365
  • I wil make thee myn heir · I swere by seint Iohan.’
  • Par ma foy! ’ sayde Gamelyn · ‘and if it so be,
  • And thou thenke as thou seyst · god yelde it thee!’
  • Nothing wiste Gamelyn · of his brotheres gyle;
  • Therfore he him bigyled · in a litel whyle. Skeat1900: 370
  • ‘Gamelyn,’ seyde he · ‘o thing I thee telle;
  • Tho thou threwe my porter · in the draw-welle,
  • I swor in that wraththe · and in that grete moot,
  • That thou schuldest be bounde · bothe hand and foot;
  • Therfore I thee biseche · brother Gamelyn, Skeat1900: 375
  • Lat me nought be forsworen · brother art thou myn;
  • Lat me binde thee now · bothe hand and feet,
  • For to holde myn avow · as I thee biheet.’
  • ‘Brother,’ sayde Gamelyn · ‘al-so mot I thee!
  • Thou schalt not be forsworen · for the love of me.’ Skeat1900: 380
  • Tho made they Gamelyn to sitte · mighte he nat stonde,
  • Til they hadde him bounde · bothe foot and honde.
  • The false knight his brother · of Gamelyn was agast,
  • And sente aftir feteres · to feteren him fast.
  • His brother made lesinges · on him ther he stood, Skeat1900: 385
  • And tolde hem that comen in · that Gamelyn was wood.
  • Gamelyn stood to a post · bounden in the halle,
  • Tho that comen in ther · lokede on him alle.
  • Ever stood Gamelyn · even upright;
  • But mete ne drink had he non · neither day ne night. Skeat1900: 390
  • Than seyde Gamelyn · ‘brother, by myn hals,
  • Now I have aspyed · thou art a party fals;
  • Had I wist that tresoun · that thou haddest y-founde,
  • I wolde have yeve thee strokes · or I had be bounde!’
  • Gamelyn stood bounden · stille as eny stoon; Skeat1900: 395
  • Two dayes and two nightes · mete had he noon.
  • Thanne seyde Gamelyn · that stood y-bounde stronge,
  • ‘Adam spenser · me thinkth I faste to longe;
  • Adam spenser · now I byseche thee,
  • For the mochel love · my fader loved thee, Skeat1900: 400
  • If thou may come to the keyes · lese me out of bond,
  • And I wil parte with thee · of my free lond.’
  • Thanne seyde Adam · that was the spencer,
  • ‘I have served thy brother · this sixtene yeer,
  • If I leete thee goon · out of his bour, Skeat1900: 405
  • He wolde say afterward · I were a traytour.’
  • ‘Adam,’ sayde Gamelyn · ‘so brouke I myn hals!
  • Thou schalt finde my brother · atte laste fals;
  • Therfor, brother Adam · louse me out of bond,
  • And I wil parte with thee · of my free lond.’ Skeat1900: 410
  • ‘Up swich a forward’ · seyde Adam, ‘y-wis,
  • I wil do therto · al that in me is.’
  • ‘Adam,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘al-so mot I thee,
  • I wol holde thee covenant · and thou wil me.’
  • Anon as Adames lord · to bedde was y-goon, Skeat1900: 415
  • Adam took the keyes, and leet · Gamelyn out anoon;
  • He unlokked Gamelyn · bothe handes and feet,
  • In hope of avauncement · that he him biheet.
  • Than seyde Gamelyn · ‘thanked be goddes sonde!
  • Now I am loosed · bothe foot and honde; Skeat1900: 420
  • Had I now eten · and dronken aright,
  • Ther is noon in this hous · schulde binde me this night.’
  • Adam took Gamelyn · as stille as ony stoon,
  • And ladde him in-to spence · rapely and anon,
  • And sette him to soper · right in a privee stede, Skeat1900: 425
  • He bad him do gladly · and Gamelyn so dede.
  • Anon as Gamelyn hadde · eten wel and fyn,
  • And therto y-dronke wel · of the rede wyn,
  • ‘Adam,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘what is now thy reed?
  • Wher I go to my brother · and girde of his heed?’ Skeat1900: 430
  • ‘Gamelyn,’ seyde Adam · ‘it schal not be so.
  • I can teche thee a reed · that is worth the two.
  • I wot wel for sothe · that this is no nay,
  • We schul have a mangery · right on Soneday;
  • Abbotes and priours · many heer schal be, Skeat1900: 435
  • And other men of holy chirche · as I telle thee;
  • Thow schalt stonde up by the post · as thou were hond-fast,
  • And I schal leve hem unloke · awey thou may hem cast.
  • Whan that they have eten · and wasschen here hondes,
  • Thou schalt biseke hem alle · to bring thee out of bondes; Skeat1900: 440
  • And if they wille borwe thee · that were good game,
  • Then were thou out of prisoun · and I out of blame;
  • And if everich of hem · say unto us ‘nay,’
  • I schal do an other · I swere by this day!
  • Thou schalt have a good staf · and I wil have another, Skeat1900: 445
  • And Cristes curs have that oon · that faileth that other!’
  • ‘Ye, for gode!’ sayde Gamelyn · ‘I say it for me,
  • If I fayle on my syde · yvel mot I thee!
  • If we schul algate · assoile hem of here sinne,
  • Warne me, brother Adam · whan I schal biginne.’ Skeat1900: 450
  • ‘Gamelyn,’ seyde Adam · ‘by seynte Charite,
  • I wil warne thee biforn · whan that it schal be;
  • Whan I twinke on thee · loke for to goon,
  • And cast awey the feteres · and com to me anoon.’
  • ‘Adam,’ seide Gamelyn · ‘blessed be thy bones! Skeat1900: 455
  • That is a good counseil · yeven for the nones;
  • If they werne me thanne · to bringe me out of bendes,
  • I wol sette goode strokes · right on here lendes.’
  • Tho the Sonday was y-come · and folk to the feste,
  • Faire they were welcomed · both leste and meste; Skeat1900: 460
  • And ever atte halle-dore · as they comen in,
  • They caste their eye · on yonge Gamelyn.
  • The false knight his brother · ful of trechery,
  • Alle the gestes that ther were · atte mangery,
  • Of Gamelyn his brother · he tolde hem with mouthe Skeat1900: 465
  • Al the harm and the schame · that he telle couthe.
  • Tho they were served · of messes two or three,
  • Than seyde Gamelyn · ‘how serve ye me?
  • It is nought wel served · by god that al made!
  • That I sitte fasting · and other men make glade.’ Skeat1900: 470
  • The false knight his brother · ther that he stood,
  • Tolde alle his gestes · that Gamelyn was wood;
  • And Gamelyn stood stille · and answerde nought,
  • But Adames wordes · he held in his thought.
  • Tho Gamelyn gan speke · dolfully with-alle Skeat1900: 475
  • To the grete lordes · that saten in the halle:
  • ‘Lordes,’ he seyde · ‘for Cristes passioun,
  • Helpeth bringe Gamelyn · out of prisoun.’
  • Than seyde an abbot · sorwe on his cheeke!
  • ‘He schal have Cristes curs · and seynte Maries eeke, Skeat1900: 480
  • That thee out of prisoun · beggeth other borwe,
  • But ever worthe hem wel · that doth thee moche sorwe.’
  • After that abbot · than spak another,
  • ‘I wold thin heed were of · though thou were my brother!
  • Alle that thee borwe · foule mot hem falle!’ Skeat1900: 485
  • Thus they seyden alle · that weren in the halle.
  • Than seyde a priour · yvel mot he thryve!
  • ‘It is moche scathe, boy · that thou art on lyve.’
  • ‘Ow!’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘so brouke I my bon!
  • Now I have aspyed · that freendes have I non. Skeat1900: 490
  • Cursed mot he worthe · bothe fleisch and blood,
  • That ever do priour · or abbot ony good!’
  • Adam the spencer · took up the cloth,
  • And loked on Gamelyn · and say that he was wroth;
  • Adam on the pantrye · litel he thoughte, Skeat1900: 495
  • But two goode staves · to halle-dore he broughte,
  • Adam loked on Gamelyn · and he was war anoon,
  • And caste awey the feteres · and he bigan to goon:
  • Tho he com to Adam · he took that oo staf,
  • And bigan to worche · and goode strokes yaf. Skeat1900: 500
  • Gamelyn cam in-to the halle · and the spencer bothe,
  • And loked hem aboute · as they had be wrothe;
  • Gamelyn sprengeth holy-water · with an oken spire,
  • That some that stoode upright · fellen in the fire.
  • There was no lewed man · that in the halle stood, Skeat1900: 505
  • That wolde do Gamelyn · eny thing but good,
  • But stood bisyden · and leet hem bothe werche,
  • For they hadde no rewthe · of men of holy cherche;
  • Abbot or priour · monk or chanoun,
  • That Gamelyn overtok · anon they yeeden doun. Skeat1900: 510
  • Ther was non of hem alle · that with his staf mette,
  • That he ne made him overthrowe · and quitte him his dette.
  • ‘Gamelyn,’ seyde Adam · ‘for seynte Charite,
  • Pay large liverey · for the love of me,
  • And I wil kepe the dore · so ever here I masse! Skeat1900: 515
  • Er they ben assoyled · there shal noon passe.’
  • ‘Dowt thee nought,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘whyl we ben in-feere,
  • Kep thou wel the dore · and I wol werche heere;
  • Stere thee, good Adam · and lat ther noon flee,
  • And we schul telle largely · how many that ther be.’ Skeat1900: 520
  • ‘Gamelyn,’ seyde Adam · ‘do hem but good;
  • They ben men of holy chirche · draw of hem no blood,
  • Save wel the croune · and do hem non harmes,
  • But brek bothe her legges · and siththen here armes.’
  • Thus Gamelyn and Adam · wroughte right fast, Skeat1900: 525
  • And pleyden with the monkes · and made hem agast.
  • Thider they come ryding · Iolily with swaynes,
  • And hom ayen they were y-lad · in cartes and in waynes.
  • Tho they hadden al y-don · than seyde a gray frere,
  • ‘Allas! sire abbot · what dide we now heere? Skeat1900: 530
  • Tho that we comen hider · it was a cold reed,
  • Us hadde ben better at home · with water and with breed.’
  • Whyl Gamelyn made ordres · of monkes and frere,
  • Ever stood his brother · and made foul chere;
  • Gamelyn up with his staf · that he wel knew, Skeat1900: 535
  • And gerte him in the nekke · that he overthrew;
  • A litel above the girdel · the rigge-bon to-barst;
  • And sette him in the feteres · ther he sat arst.
  • ‘Sitte ther, brother’ · sayde Gamelyn,
  • ‘For to colen thy blood · as I dide myn.’ Skeat1900: 540
  • As swithe as they hadde · y-wroken hem on here foon,
  • They askeden watir · and wisschen anoon,
  • What some for here love · and some for here awe,
  • Alle the servants served hem · of the beste lawe.
  • The scherreve was thennes · but a fyve myle, Skeat1900: 545
  • And al was y-told him · in a litel whyle,
  • How Gamelyn and Adam · had doon a sory rees,
  • Bounden and y-wounded men · ayein the kinges pees;
  • Tho bigan sone · stryf for to wake,
  • And the scherref was aboute · Gamelyn for to take. Skeat1900: 550
  • Now lytheth and lesteneth · so god yif you good fyn!
  • And ye schul heere good game · of yonge Gamelyn.
  • Four and twenty yonge men · that heelden hem ful bolde,
  • Come to the schirref · and seyde that they wolde
  • Gamelyn and Adam · fetten, by her fay; Skeat1900: 555
  • The scherref yaf hem leve · soth as I you say;
  • They hyeden faste · wold they nought bilinne,
  • Til they come to the gate · ther Gamelyn was inne.
  • They knokked on the gate · the porter was ny,
  • And loked out at an hol · as man that was sly. Skeat1900: 560
  • The porter hadde biholde · hem a litel whyle,
  • He loved wel Gamelyn · and was adrad of gyle,
  • And leet the wicket stonden · y-steke ful stille,
  • And asked hem withoute · what was here wille.
  • For al the grete company · thanne spak but oon, Skeat1900: 565
  • ‘Undo the gate, porter · and lat us in goon.’
  • Than seyde the porter · ‘so brouke I my chin,
  • Ye schul sey your erand · er ye comen in.’
  • ‘Sey to Gamelyn and Adam · if here wille be,
  • We wil speke with hem · wordes two or thre.’ Skeat1900: 570
  • ‘Felaw,’ seyde the porter · ‘stond there stille,
  • And I wil wende to Gamelyn · to witen his wille.’
  • In wente the porter · to Gamelyn anoon,
  • And seyde, ‘Sir, I warne you · her ben come your foon;
  • The scherreves meyne · ben atte gate, Skeat1900: 575
  • For to take you bothe · schu[Editor: illegible letter]le ye nat scape.’
  • ‘Porter,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘so moot I wel thee!
  • I wil allowe thee thy wordes · whan I my tyme see;
  • Go agayn to the yate · and dwel with hem a whyle,
  • And thou schalt see right sone · porter, a gyle. Skeat1900: 580
  • Adam,’ sayde Gamelyn · ‘looke thee to goon;
  • We have foo-men atte gate · and frendes never oon;
  • It ben the schirrefes men · that hider ben y-come,
  • They ben swore to-gidere · that we schul be nome.’
  • ‘Gamelyn,’ seyde Adam · ‘hye thee right blyve, Skeat1900: 585
  • And if I faile thee this day · evel mot I thryve!
  • And we schul so welcome · the scherreves men,
  • That some of hem schul make · here beddes in the fen.’
  • Atte posterne-gate · Gamelyn out wente,
  • And a good cart-staf · in his hand he hente; Skeat1900: 590
  • Adam hente sone · another gret staf
  • For to helpe Gamelyn · and goode strokes yaf.
  • Adam felde tweyne · and Gamelyn felde three,
  • The other setten feet on erthe · and bigonne flee.
  • ‘What?’ seyde Adam · ‘so ever here I masse! Skeat1900: 595
  • I have a draught of good wyn! · drink er ye passe!’
  • ‘Nay, by god!’ sayde thay · ‘thy drink is not good,
  • It wolde make mannes brayn · to lyen in his hood.’
  • Gamelyn stood stille · and loked him aboute,
  • And seih the scherreve come · with a gret route. Skeat1900: 600
  • ‘Adam,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘what be now thy reedes’
  • Here cometh the scherreve · and wil have oure heedes.’
  • Adam sayde, ‘Gamelyn · my reed is now this,
  • Abyde we no lenger · lest we fare amis:
  • I rede that we to wode goon · ar that we be founde, Skeat1900: 605
  • Better is us ther loos · than in town y-bounde.’
  • Adam took by the hond · yonge Gamelyn;
  • And everich of hem two · drank a draught of wyn,
  • And after took her cours · and wenten her way;
  • Tho fond the scherreve · nest, but non ay. Skeat1900: 610
  • The scherreve lighte adoun · and went in-to the halle,
  • And fond the lord y-fetered · faste with-alle.
  • The scherreve unfetered him · sone, and that anoon,
  • And sente after a leche · to hele his rigge-boon.
  • Lete we now this false knight · lyen in his care, Skeat1900: 615
  • And talke we of Gamelyn · and loke how he fare.
  • Gamelyn in-to the woode · stalkede stille,
  • And Adam the spenser · lykede ful ille;
  • Adam swor to Gamelyn · by seynt Richer,
  • ‘Now I see it is mery · to be a spencer, Skeat1900: 620
  • That lever me were · keyes for to bere,
  • Than walken in this wilde woode · my clothes to tere.’
  • ‘Adam,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘dismaye thee right nought;
  • Many good mannes child · in care is y-brought.’
  • And as they stoode talking · bothen in-feere, Skeat1900: 625
  • Adam herd talking of men · and neyh, him thought, they were.
  • Tho Gamelyn under the woode · lokede aright,
  • Sevene score of yonge men · he saugh wel a-dight;
  • Alle satte atte mete · in compas aboute.
  • ‘Adam,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘now have we no doute, Skeat1900: 630
  • After bale cometh boote · thurgh grace of god almight;
  • Me thinketh of mete and drink · that I have a sight.’
  • Adam lokede tho · under woode-bowgh,
  • And whan he seyh mete · he was glad y-nough;
  • For he hopede to god · for to have his deel, Skeat1900: 635
  • And he was sore alonged · after a good meel.
  • As he seyde that word · the mayster outlawe
  • Saugh Gamelyn and Adam · under woode-schawe.
  • ‘Yonge men,’ seyde the maister · ‘by the goode roode,
  • I am war of gestes · god sende us non but goode; Skeat1900: 640
  • Yonder ben two yonge men · wonder wel a-dight,
  • And paraventure ther ben mo · who-so lokede aright.
  • Ariseth up, ye yonge men · and fetteth hem to me;
  • It is good that we witen · what men they be.’
  • Up ther sterten sevene · fro the diner, Skeat1900: 645
  • And metten with Gamelyn · and Adam spenser.
  • Whan they were neyh hem · than seyde that oon,
  • ‘Yeldeth up, yonge men · your bowes and your floon.’
  • Thanne seyde Gamelyn · that yong was of elde,
  • ‘Moche sorwe mot he have · that to you hem yelde! Skeat1900: 650
  • I curse non other · but right my-selve;
  • They ye fette to yow fyve · thanne ye be twelve!’
  • Tho they herde by his word · that might was in his arm,
  • Ther was non of hem alle · that wolde do him harm,
  • But sayde unto Gamelyn · mildely and stille, Skeat1900: 655
  • ‘Com afore our maister · and sey to him thy wille.’
  • ‘Yonge men,’ sayde Gamelyn · ‘by your lewte,
  • What man is your maister · that ye with be?’
  • Alle they answerde · withoute lesing,
  • ‘Oure maister is y-crouned · of outlawes king.’ Skeat1900: 660
  • ‘Adam,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘go-we in Cristes name;
  • He may neyther mete nor drink · werne us, for schame.
  • If that he be hende · and come of gentil blood,
  • He wol yeve us mete and drink · and doon us som good.’
  • ‘By seynt Iame!’ seyde Adam · ‘what harm that I gete, Skeat1900: 665
  • I wil auntre to the dore · that I hadde mete.’
  • Gamelyn and Adam · wente forth in-feere,
  • And they grette the maister · that they founde there.
  • Than seide the maister · king of outlawes,
  • ‘What seeke ye, yonge men · under woode-schawes?’ Skeat1900: 670
  • Gamelyn answerde · the king with his croune,
  • ‘He moste needes walke in woode · that may not walke in towne.
  • Sire, we walke not heer · noon harm for to do,
  • But-if we meete with a deer · to scheete ther-to,
  • As men that ben hungry · and mow no mete finde, Skeat1900: 675
  • And ben harde bistad · under woode-linde.’
  • Of Gamelynes wordes · the maister hadde routhe,
  • And seyde, ‘ye schal have y-nough · have god my trouthe!’
  • He bad hem sitte ther adoun · for to take reste;
  • And bad hem ete and drinke · and that of the beste. Skeat1900: 680
  • As they sete and eeten · and dronke wel and fyn,
  • Than seyde that oon to that other · ‘this is Gamelyn.’
  • Tho was the maister outlawe · in-to counseil nome,
  • And told how it was Gamelyn · that thider was y-come.
  • Anon as he herde · how it was bifalle, Skeat1900: 685
  • He made him maister under him · over hem alle.
  • Within the thridde wyke · him com tyding,
  • To the maister outlawe · that tho was her king.
  • That he schulde come hom · his pees was y-mad;
  • And of that goode tyding · he was tho ful glad. Skeat1900: 690
  • Tho seyde he to his yonge men · ‘soth for to telle,
  • Me ben comen tydinges · I may no lenger dwelle.’
  • Tho was Gamelyn anon · withoute tarying,
  • Maad maister outlawe · and crouned here king.
  • Tho was Gamelyn crouned · king of outlawes, Skeat1900: 695
  • And walked a whyle · under woode-schawes.
  • The false knight his brother · was scherreve and sire,
  • And leet his brother endite · for hate and for ire.
  • Tho were his bonde-men · sory and nothing glad,
  • When Gamelyn her lord · ‘wolves-heed’ was cryed and maad;
  • And sente out of his men · wher they might him finde, Skeat1900: 701
  • For to seke Gamelyn · under woode-linde,
  • To telle him tydinges · how the wind was went,
  • And al his good reved · and his men schent.
  • Whan they had him founde · on knees they hem sette, Skeat1900: 705
  • And a-doun with here hood · and here lord grette;
  • ‘Sire, wraththe you nought · for the goode roode,
  • For we have brought you tydinges · but they be nat goode.
  • Now is thy brother scherreve · and hath the baillye,
  • And he hath endited thee · and ‘wolves-heed’ doth thee crye.’ Skeat1900: 710
  • ‘Allas!’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘that ever I was so slak
  • That I ne hadde broke his nekke · tho I his rigge brak!
  • Goth, greteth hem wel · myn housbondes and wyf,
  • I wol ben atte nexte schire · have god my lyf!’
  • Gamelyn com wel redy · to the nexte schire, Skeat1900: 715
  • And ther was his brother · bothe lord and sire.
  • Gamelyn com boldelich · in-to the moot-halle,
  • And putte a-doun his hood · among the lordes alle;
  • ‘God save you alle, lordinges · that now here be!
  • But broke-bak scherreve · evel mot thou thee! Skeat1900: 720
  • Why hast thou do me · that schame and vilonye,
  • For to late endite me · and ‘wolves-heed’ me crye?’
  • Tho thoughte the false knight · for to ben awreke,
  • And leet take Gamelyn · moste he no more speke;
  • Might ther be no more grace · but Gamelyn atte laste Skeat1900: 725
  • Was cast in-to prisoun · and fetered ful faste.
  • Gamelyn hath a brother · that highte sir Ote,
  • As good a knight and hende · as mighte gon on foote.
  • Anon ther yede a messager · to that goode knight,
  • And tolde him al-togidere · how Gamelyn was dight. Skeat1900: 730
  • Anon as sire Ote herde · how Gamelyn was a-dight,
  • He was wonder sory · was he no-thing light,
  • And leet sadle a steede · and the way he nam,
  • And to his tweyne bretheren · anon-right he cam.
  • ‘Sire,’ seyde sire Ote · to the scherreve tho, Skeat1900: 735
  • ‘We ben but three bretheren · schul we never be mo;
  • And thou hast y-prisoned · the beste of us alle;
  • Swich another brother · yvel mot him bifalle!’
  • ‘Sire Ote,’ seide the false knight · ‘lat be thy curs;
  • By god, for thy wordes · he schal fare the wurs; Skeat1900: 740
  • To the kinges prisoun · anon he is y-nome,
  • And ther he schal abyde · til the Iustice come.’
  • ‘Parde!’ seyde sir Ote · ‘better it schal be;
  • I bidde him to maynpris · that thou graunte him me
  • Til the nexte sitting · of deliveraunce, Skeat1900: 745
  • And thanne lat Gamelyn · stande to his chaunce.’
  • ‘Brother, in swich a forward · I take him to thee;
  • And by thy fader soule · that thee bigat and me,
  • But-if he be redy · whan the Iustice sitte,
  • Thou schalt bere the Iuggement · for al thy grete witte.’ Skeat1900: 750
  • ‘I graunte wel,’ seide sir Ote · ‘that it so be.
  • Let deliver him anon · and tak him to me.’
  • Tho was Gamelyn delivered · to sire Ote his brother,
  • And that night dwellede · that on with that other.
  • On the morn seyde Gamelyn · to sire Ote the hende, Skeat1900: 755
  • ‘Brother,’ he seide, ‘I moot · for sothe, from thee wende,
  • To loke how my yonge men · leden here lyf,
  • Whether they liven in Ioye · or elles in stryf.’
  • ‘By god!’ seyde sire Ote · ‘that is a cold reed,
  • Now I see that al the cark · schal fallen on myn heed; Skeat1900: 760
  • For when the Iustice sitte · and thou be nought y-founde,
  • I schal anon be take · and in thy stede y-bounde.’
  • ‘Brother,’ sayde Gamelyn · ‘dismaye thee nought,
  • For by seint Iame in Gales · that many man hath sought,
  • If that god almighty · holde my lyf and wit, Skeat1900: 765
  • I wil be ther redy · whan the Iustice sit.’
  • Than seide sir Ote to Gamelyn · ‘god schilde thee fro schame;
  • Com whan thou seest tyme · and bring us out of blame.’
  • Litheth, and lesteneth · and holdeth you stille,
  • And ye schul here how Gamelyn · hadde al his wille. Skeat1900: 770
  • Gamelyn wente ayein · under woode-rys,
  • And fond there pleying · yonge men of prys.
  • Tho was yong Gamelyn · glad and blithe y-nough,
  • Whan he fond his mery men · under woode-bough.
  • Gamelyn and his men · talkeden in-feere, Skeat1900: 775
  • And they hadde good game · here maister to heere;
  • They tolden him of aventures · that they hadde founde,
  • And Gamelyn hem tolde ayein · how he was fast y-bounde.
  • Whyl Gamelyn was outlawed · hadde he no cors;
  • There was no man that for him · ferde the wors, Skeat1900: 780
  • But abbotes and priours · monk and chanoun;
  • On hem left he no-thing · whan he mighte hem nom.
  • Whyl Gamelyn and his men · made merthes ryve,
  • The false knight his brother · yvel mot he thryve!
  • For he was fast aboute · bothe day and other, Skeat1900: 785
  • For to hyre the quest · to hangen his brother.
  • Gamelyn stood on a day · and, as he biheeld
  • The woodes and the schawes · in the wilde feeld,
  • He thoughte on his brother · how he him beheet
  • That he wolde be redy · whan the Iustice seet; Skeat1900: 790
  • He thoughte wel that he wolde · withoute delay,
  • Come afore the Iustice · to kepen his day,
  • And seide to his yonge men · ‘dighteth you yare,
  • For whan the Iustice sitte · we moote be thare,
  • For I am under borwe · til that I come, Skeat1900: 795
  • And my brother for me · to prisoun schal be nome.’
  • ‘By seint Iame!’ seyde his yonge men · ‘and thou rede therto,
  • Ordeyne how it schal be · and it schal be do.’
  • Whyl Gamelyn was coming · ther the Iustice sat,
  • The false knight his brother · foryat he nat that, Skeat1900: 800
  • To huyre the men on his quest · to hangen his brother;
  • Though he hadde nought that oon · he wolde have that other.
  • Tho cam Gamelyn · fro under woode-rys,
  • And broughte with him · his yonge men of prys.
  • ‘I see wel,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘the Iustice is set; Skeat1900: 805
  • Go aforn, Adam · and loke how it spet.’
  • Adam wente into the halle · and loked al aboute,
  • He seyh there stonde · lordes grete and stoute,
  • And sir Ote his brother · fetered wel fast;
  • Tho went Adam out of halle · as he were agast. Skeat1900: 810
  • Adam said to Gamelyn · and to his felawes alle,
  • ‘Sir Ote stant y-fetered · in the moot-halle.’
  • ‘Yonge men,’ seide Gamelyn · ‘this ye heeren alle;
  • Sire Ote stant y-fetered · in the moot-halle.
  • If god yif us grace · wel for to doo, Skeat1900: 815
  • He schal it abegge · that broughte him ther-too.’
  • Thanne sayde Adam · that lokkes hadde hore,
  • ‘Cristes curs mote he have · that him bond so sore!
  • And thou wilt, Gamelyn · do after my reed,
  • Ther is noon in the halle · schal bere awey his heed.’ Skeat1900: 820
  • ‘Adam,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘we wiln nought don so,
  • We wil slee the giltif · and lat the other go.
  • I wil into the halle · and with the Iustice speke;
  • On hem that ben gultif · I wil ben awreke.
  • Lat non scape at the dore · take, yonge men, yeme; Skeat1900: 825
  • For I wil be Iustice this day · domes for to deme.
  • God spede me this day · at my newe werk!
  • Adam, com on with me · for thou schalt be my clerk.’
  • His men answereden him · and bade him doon his best,
  • ‘And if thou to us have neede · thou schalt finde us prest; Skeat1900: 830
  • We wiln stande with thee · whyl that we may dure,
  • And but we werke manly · pay us non hure.’
  • ‘Yonge men,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘so mot I wel thee!
  • As trusty a maister · ye schal finde of me.’
  • Right there the Iustice · sat in the halle, Skeat1900: 835
  • In wente Gamelyn · amonges hem alle.
  • Gamelyn leet unfetere · his brother out of bende.
  • Thanne seyde sire Ote · his brother that was hende,
  • ‘Thou haddest almost, Gamelyn · dwelled to longe,
  • For the quest is oute on me · that I schulde honge.’ Skeat1900: 840
  • ‘Brother,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘so god yif me good rest!
  • This day they schuln ben hanged · that ben on thy quest;
  • And the Iustice bothe · that is the Iugge-man,
  • And the scherreve bothe · thurgh him it bigan.’
  • Thanne seyde Gamelyn · to the Iustise, Skeat1900: 845
  • ‘Now is thy power y-don · thou most nedes arise;
  • Thow hast yeven domes · that ben yvel dight,
  • I wil sitten in thy sete · and dressen hem aright.’
  • The Iustice sat stille · and roos nought anoon;
  • And Gamelyn clevede · [a-two] his cheeke-boon; Skeat1900: 850
  • Gamelyn took him in his arm · and no more spak,
  • But threw him over the barre · and his arm to-brak.
  • Durste non to Gamelyn · seye but good,
  • For ferd of the company · that withoute stood.
  • Gamelyn sette him doun · in the Iustices seet, Skeat1900: 855
  • And sire Ote his brother by him · and Adam at his feet.
  • Whan Gamelyn was y-set · in the Iustices stede,
  • Herkneth of a bourde · that Gamelyn dede.
  • He leet fetre the Iustice · and his false brother,
  • And dede hem come to the barre · that oon with that other. Skeat1900: 860
  • Tho Gamelyn hadde thus y-doon · hadde he no reste,
  • Til he had enquered · who was on the queste
  • For to deme his brother · sir Ote, for to honge;
  • Er he wiste which they were · him thoughte ful longe.
  • But as sone as Gamelyn · wiste wher they were, Skeat1900: 865
  • He dede hem everichone · feteren in-feere,
  • And bringen hem to the barre · and sette hem in rewe;
  • ‘By my faith!’ seyde the Iustice · ‘the scherreve is a schrewe!’
  • Than seyde Gamelyn · to the Iustise,
  • ‘Thou hast y-yeve domes · of the wors assise; Skeat1900: 870
  • And the twelve sisours · that weren of the queste,
  • They schul ben hanged this day · so have I good reste!’
  • Thanne seide the scherreve · to yonge Gamelyn,
  • ‘Lord, I crye the mercy · brother art thou myn.’
  • ‘Therfore,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘have thou Cristes curs, Skeat1900: 875
  • For, and thou were maister · yit I schulde have wors.’
  • For to make short tale · and nought to tarie longe,
  • He ordeyned him a queste · of his men so stronge;
  • The Iustice and the scherreve · bothe honged hye,
  • To weyven with the ropes · and with the winde drye; Skeat1900: 880
  • And the twelve sisours · (sorwe have that rekke!)
  • Alle they were hanged · faste by the nekke.
  • Thus ended the false knight · with his treccherye,
  • That ever hadde y-lad his lyf · in falsnes and folye.
  • He was hanged by the nekke · and nought by the purs; Skeat1900: 885
  • That was the meede that he hadde · for his fadres curs.
  • Sire Ote was eldest · and Gamelyn was ying,
  • They wenten with here frendes · even to the king;
  • They made pees with the king · of the best assise.
  • The king loved wel sir Ote · and made him Iustise. Skeat1900: 890
  • And after, the king made Gamelyn · bothe in est and west,
  • Chief Iustice · of al his free forest;
  • Alle his wighte yonge men · the king foryaf here gilt,
  • And sitthen in good office · the king hem hath y-pilt.
  • Thus wan Gamelyn · his lond and his leede, Skeat1900: 895
  • And wrak him of his enemys · and quitte hem here meede;
  • And sire Ote his brother · made him his heir,
  • And siththen wedded Gamelyn · a wyf bothe good and feyr;
  • They liveden to-gidere · whyl that Crist wolde,
  • And sithen was Gamelyn · graven under molde. Skeat1900: 900
  • And so schal we alle · may ther no man flee:
  • God bringe us to the Ioye · that ever schal be!
end of vol. iv.

PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS, OXFORD BY VIVIAN RIDLER PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY