# Alexander and Dindimus/Text

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Alexander.
​ Their king sends a letter to Alexander, Þanne weies of worschipe · wittie & quainte Wiþ his lettres he let · to þe lud sende. Þanne southte þei sone · þe forsaide prynce, 20& to þe schamlese schalk · schewden hur lettres; which he reads Þanne raþe let þe rink · reden þe sonde, Þat newe tiþinge [tid] · it tolde in þis wise. "The Gymnopsophists greet Alexander. "Þe gentil genosophistiens · þat goode were of witte, 24To þe emperour alixandre · here answeruus wreten, Þat is worschipe of word · worþi to haue, & is conquerour kid · in contres manie.— Vs is sertefied, seg · as we soþ heren, 28If you come to fight us, you will get nothing by it. Þat þou hast ment wiþ þi men · amongus vs fare. But ȝif þou king, to us come · wiþ caire to fiȝhte, Of us getist þou no good · gome, we þe warne. For what richesse, rink · vs miȝht þou bi-reue Whan no wordliche wele · is wiþ us founde? We ben sengle of us silf · & semen ful bare, Nouht welde we now · but naked we wende; We have nothing to lose. & þat we happili her · haven of kynde 36May no man but god · maken us tine. Þei þou fonde wiþ þi folke · to fiȝhte wiþ us alle, We schulle us kepe oncauȝt · oure cauus wiþinne; Neuere werrede we · wiþ wiȝth up-on erþe, 40We shall hide in our caves." For we ben hid in oure holis · or we harm lacche." Þus saide soþli þe sonde · þat þei sente hadde; & al so cof as þe king · kende þe sawe, Newe lettres he let · þe ludus bi-take, & wiþ his sawus of soþ · he sikurede hen alle, Þat he wolde fare wiþ his folk · in a faire wise ​ To bi-holden here hom · & non harm wirke. So haþ þe king to hem sente & siþenn wiþ his peple 48 Kairus cofli til hem · to kenne of hure fare. But they are afraid But whan þei sien þe seg · wiþ so manie ryde, and hide them-selves Þei were a-grisen of his grym · & wende gref þolie. Faste heiede þei to holis · & hidden hem þere, 52& in cauus hem kepte · fro þe king sterne. Their wives and children remain visible Þanne weren from hem went · wifis & children, Wiþ oþur bestus aboute · þat hem bi ferde. Alexander asks why they too do not hide in caves? Aftur ferde alixandre · & asked hem sone, 56By ludus of þe langage · how þei leue miȝhte? And ȝif þei ne hadde none holis · on þe holw erþe, As hadde þe weies þat were · here wordliche makus? Þanne þei caire wiþ þe king · hur cauus to schewe, 60& kennen þe conquerour · hur costomus alle, They say that they dwell in the caves too & saide "seg, to us silf · sofisen þis cauus, Of oþur hous þan her arne · haue we no nede." Alexander promises to grant that them any boon whatever. Whan alle þei to alixandre · hadde answere i-ȝoulde 64Þe king cortais i-kid · cofliche saide, "For i haue founde you folk · faiþful of speche Me to lere of ȝour lif · with-oute les tale Ȝernes now of my ȝift · þat ȝou leue were, 68& what it be þat ȝe bidde · ȝour bonus i graunte." They ask for everlasting life. Þanne saide þei, "wordlich weiȝ · we wische of þi ȝifte Ai-lastinge lif · to lacchen up-on erþe; Þat us derye no deþ · desire we nouþe, 72For oþur wordliche won · at wille we haue." He replies that he himself is but mortal "Nai sertus," saide þe noble · "þat may not be graunted Of me, þat miȝhteles am · my silf so to kepe. ​I am silkure of my silf · to suffre min ende; 76I ne haue no lordschipe of lif · to lengþe my daies." They ask "why then do you want to conquer the world?" "Seg," saide þei again · "syn þou so knowist, Þat þe is demed þe deþ · to dure nouht longe, Whi farest þou so fihtinge · folk to distroie, 80& for to winne þe word · wendest so romme? How miȝht þou kepe þe of sckaþe · with skile & with trouþe Aȝeins rhyt to bireue · rengnus of kinguus?" Þanne agayn saide þe gome · wiþ a good chere, 84He says he is king by the Grace of God "Þorou þe grace of god · i gete þat .i. haue. Þei han demed me, or deþ · þhorou dintus of miȝhte, Of erþe to be emperour · in euerych a side. Sin i haue grace of þat graunt · grimmest to worþe, 88I wrouthe wrecheli now · & wraþede drihten, and must fulfil his destiny Ȝif i for dul of any deþ · my destene fledde, Þat is markid to me · & to no mo kinguus. Men seþ wel þat þe see · seseþ & stinteþ, 92[Fol 309, back] But whan þe wind on þe watur · þe wawus arereþ. So wolde .i. reste me raþe · & ride ferþe, Neuere to gete more good · no mo gome derie, Bute as þe heie heuene goodus · wiþ herteli þouhtus 96So a-wecchen my wit · & my wil chaungen, He cannot rest still anywhere Þat .i. mai stinte no stounde · stille in o place, Þat i ne am temted ful tid · to turne me þennus. & sin we wetin hur wil · to worchen on erþe, 100We mowe be soþliche isaid · hur seruauntus hende. Were all men wise alike Ȝif god sente euery gome · þat goþ up-on molde Wordliche wisdam · & wittus iliche, Betur miȝhte no burn · be þan an oþur; ​104 Apere miȝhte þe pore · to parte wiþ þe riche. all would be equal, like beasts Þanne ferde þe worlde as a feld · þat ful were of bestes, Whan eueri lud liche wel · lyuede up-on erþe. But some must be kings For þat enchesoun god ches · oþur chef kinguus, 108and Alexander their chief Þat scholde maistrus be maad · ouur mene peple; And me is markid to be · most of alle oþure,  Whan þis sawe was said · þe semliche prynce 112For þe fore-saide folk · fondes to ride Þanne he farus to a feld · ful fair & ful large, Alexander sees some trees, which bear fruit while the sun shines, Þat stod on an hie stede · a-stored wiþ frutus. Þere sai he semliche tres · wiþ þe sonne woxe, 116Þat frut baren hem a-boue · on bowus ful þikke. & al so sone as þe sonne · sesed to schine, Þat don was þe day · fordon of þe cloudus, Þe tres seseden of siȝht · & sonken to gronde, 120Þat frekus miȝht no friþ · no no frut kenne. As raþe as þe sonne ros · & reed gan schine, but disappear when it is dark. Þat his lem on þe loft ·liȝht ȝaf aboute, ​
Þere made þe mascedonius king · his men for to stinte, And bi þe banke of þe strem · he biggede his tentus. 145Þanne þe mascedonius men · in þe men tyme He see some men beyond the river, Bi-ȝonde phisonus flod · saien folk rome. For-þe bad þe bold king · that burnus of inde 148Scholde talken hem til · & tidliche enquere Þe name of hure nacion · nedli to knowe; For miche wilnede þe weiȝht · to witen of here fare. but cannot reach them for the serpents there. Ride miȝhte nouht þe rink · ouur þe romme stronde 152For þe wormus þat were · bi þe watir founde. For, out-taken .viij. wokus · of al þe watir founde. Excpet in July and August, Þat is soþli to saie · þe sesoun of iuli, And heruest þat hastly aftyr him folweþ— 156 there are dragons Dredful dragonus · drawen hem þiddire, hippotamuses Addrus & ypotamus · & oþure ille wormus, and crocodilles there. & careful cocodrillus · þat þe king lette. For skaþe of þe scorpionus · askape þei ne miȝhte; 160So riue romede þei · þe riuer bi-side. As prest as þe pris king · sai his pres stinte, Þat he fer wiþ his folk · fare ne miȝhte, For þe bestus of bale · þat bi þe watur ferde, 164& harm of þe hound-fich · þat houede þer-inne, Alexander class to one of the Of þe seggus þat he sai · bi-ȝonde þe side stronde strangers to come over in a boat Ho dide calle ffor to come · to carpen him tille. When þei hurden [h]is houp · hastiliche aftur 168A lud to a litil boot · lepus in haste, [Fol. 210] And raþe to þe reiche king · romwus alone, And aftur alixandre · askeþ his wille. ​A wel-langaged lud · let þe king sone 172 Aspien ful spedliche · bi speche of þe lande, He asks who they are. In what kyþ wer þei kid · of of what hit called were. & ho were lord of hur land · & ledere of alle. They say they are Brahmans, and their king is Dindimus. "We were in bragmanie bred" · saide þe burn þanne, "& dindimus þe dere king · our demere is holde." 177"Sertus," saide alixandre · "þi sawe me quemus, Me haþ longe to ȝoour land · liked to wende; Wiþ ȝou to carpe in þis kiþ · couaited y ȝorne; 180 For miche ludus of ȝour lif · listned ich haue." Alexander gives the stranger a letter, for Dindimus. Þanne let þe lordliche king · lettres endite, & þere-on settus his sel · & sithen hem takus To þe burn on his bot · & bad him in haste 184 To þe king of hur kiþ · carien his sonde. Þanne whitli þe weiht · ouur þe watur sterus. And þe lettrus to his lord · ledus ful sone. As sone as his king say · þat sonde him yprofred, 188He hit lacchus of þe lud · & lokus þer-inne; Contents of the letter. & ȝif ȝe Ludus haue list · þe lettrus to knowe, Tendeþ how þis tale is titeled þer-inne. "Alexander, "Þe kidde king alixandre · þat couþ is in erþe, 192Þat name haþ of noblete · & neuere man dradde, son of Ammon, Þat grete god amon · in graciouce timus Bi-gat on olimpias · þe onurable quene. greets king Dindimus. Dindimus þe dere king · doþ for to grete. 196Þat lord of bragmanus lond · & ledere is holde, & in þis same wise saiþ & sendeþ him gon, & til alle þat arn · aftur him þare.— 199We have often heard of you. We han, ludus, of ȝour lif · listned ful ofte, You never plough, Þat michil ben ȝour manerus · fram oþur men varied. For ȝe non erthe ne eren · þat erne ȝou miȝhte Fode for to fare wiþ · as oþur fok vsen. ​On se saile ȝe nouht · in sesoun of ȝere, 204nor fish. For to fihche on þe fom · of finde any praie. But litil leue we þat · lud, i þe warne, Is this true? For-þi bi-seche y þe, seg · ȝif it soþ were, 207Send me tyþinge tid · & tel me þe soþe, Þat y may witen of ȝour werk · & of ȝour wonus alle. If so I never heard of a more wonderful people. For ȝif men saiþ bi ȝow soþ · þe sawe þat y hirde, Of more meruailouse men · miȝhte i nouht kenne. Ȝif wisdam or wit · in ȝour werk finde, 212Þat god aloweþ ȝour lif · & likeþ your dedes, Y schal ȝour costomus, king · couaite to holde, & fonde for bi miȝht · ȝour fare to sinke. For fram þe ȝouþe of my ȝer · ȝerned ich haue 216Of wide werkus to wite · & wisdam lere; We were taught that no people are so holy that they can blame us We weren tauht in oure time · & tendide lorus, Of oure doctourus dere · demed for wise, Þat non haþel vndur heuene · so holi is founde, 220Þat mihte a-legge any lak · our lif to reproue. But for y, ludus, of ȝoure lif · swich a los hurde, Þat we discorden of dede · don ȝou to knowe 224 Þe best lorus of lif · & lawus of wise, Tell me your customs. And we ȝou praien, sire prince · prestly me sende Alle þe lorus of your lif · in lettres a-seled; And y bi-hote ȝou her · vnharmed to leue. 228 For more may hit, in cas · ȝou menske þan greue; It cannot harm. Whan may hit greuen a man · þat mich good knowiþ
​284Yet think not I grudge telling you. Þat me were loþ of our lif · ludus to teche; For as michel as y may · in minde bi-þenke, Bi þis a-selede sonde · soþliche i telle. We are poor Brahmans. We, bredde breþurne in god · bragmanus pore, 288Leden clanliche our lif · & libben as simple. We ne wilne in þis world · to welde no more, We live a simple life, in all povety. Bute was we simpleliche our lif · sostaine ,pwe. 291We ben to penance iput · & pouerte drien; We holde hit nedful to nime · þat nouht may be wastid. Hit is no leue in oure lawe · þat we land erie We plough not. Wiþ no scharpede schar · to schape þe forwes; We sow not. Ne sette solow on þe feld · ne sowe none erþe, 296In ony place of þe plowe · to plokke wiþ oxen; Ne in no side of þe se · to saile wiþ nettus, We fish not Of þe finnede fihcs · our fode to lacche. We hunt not For to hauke ne hunte · haue we no leue, 300Ne foure-fotede best · ferke to kille; Ne to faren in þe feld · & fonde wiþ slyhþe For to refe þe brod · of briddus of heuene. 303& whan we faren to fed · we finde no faute, We han so michel at þe mel · þat we no more wilne. Oþir goodis to gete · giue we no tente, We desire no dainties Ne oþir dainteys dere · desire we none, Þan oure modur of mete · may vs forþ bringe, 308Þat we kennen for kinde · & callen þe erþe. The earth sustains us. Sche vs norscheþ at nede · & i-now sendeþ, Wiþ-oute swer oþur swink · swich as we hauen. Hit ne is no leue in our land · þat ludus þer-inne ​312We never eat too much/ Scholde more of hure mete · þan mesure take; For-þi sounde we be seie · & sike in no time, and are always in health. Bute helþe haue we hir · til we henne passe. To godus pay is our peple · in bettur point founde, 316Him to louen as hur lord · & like him to serue, Þan fale oþir folk ben · þat fillen hure wombe, & nimen more þan i-now · whan no ned were. We make no medicine, nor need any. We maken no medisine · no no man prayen 320Wiþ ony haþelene help · to helyn oure bodius. We han a sertaine somme · a-singned of ȝerus, Whan we schulle lese þis lif · & laste no more; For we mowe tellen our time · whan þe time fallus. 324For litil lengure a lud · liueþ þan an oþir; But bi cominnge of kynde · as heuene king demus, We schal doute þe deþ · whan þe day fallus; Bi an ordre of oure kinde · whan we holde waxen, 328We grow old and then die and got to heaven. Whan mihte lakken our limus · & lesen our hete, We schulle for-leten oure lif · & leue þat þe soule To him þat schop vs to schap · schal fare to blisse. For no cold þat vs comeþ · in our kinde age, 332We use no fire. We ne faren to no fir · our fingrus to warme; Of bodi hole we ben · & no bale fele. We flee lusts. Ay we founden to fle · flechliche lustus; We maken þorou mekenesse · alle manir þingus 336Þat mihte us soile wiþ sinne · sese in a while. I rede þe, riche emperour · ful raþe þat þou founde To ouyr-comen enemis · þat arn þe wiþ-inne;
​364& derely wiþ-oute deþ · dure schal euere. We bever indulge in tale-bearing Tale tende we non · þat turneþ to harme, But hit be preched for prow · & procred to goode. We no spende no speche · but whan we speke weele; 368 We always speak We ne sain but soþ · & sesen by time. We no recche of no ricchesse · no renoun of landus, No catelus couaitise · comyþ at oure herte; For þat is soþliche a sinne · þat seggus haunteþ, 372 & to miche mischef · many men bringeth. We loathe envy. Al we libben in loue · & loþen enuie, & hit paieþ our peple · in pouert to libbe. For we hit rekenen for riche · & redileche finden, 376Þat hit foleweþ oure folk · til þei fare hennus. We forsake warfare. Ay are we in pes · and armus forsaken, & to no wikkede werk · woned we be fare. Þer nis no lawe in oure land · ludus to chaste, 380 For we no dede no don · domus to þolie. We holden hit a vertu · at hom in oure lande, We show no mercy Amon þe men of our march · mercy vnknowe; For we ben meved to no man · mercy to gran[t]e. 384We never do any sin for which we have to ask for mercy. We ne gilte noht god · no no gome here, Where-fore we mosten haue in minde · mercy to crye, Þat god scholde of oure gilt · for-giuen vs þe sinne Of ony wikkede werk · þat we wroute euyre. 388We do not sacrifice to devils. Ne we for sake of our sinne · no sacrifice maken To oure galfule god · wiþ gold nor wiþ siluer, As ȝe dulfully don · to deuelus of paine, ​To make hem glad of ȝoure gilt · & glose ȝou here! 392We flee lusts. Alle leccheries lust · vs loþeth to founde, Or to bringe vs in brigge · fore to breke spouce; Or any mis-dede make · where-fore we miht after Ben y-punched in paine · & parte [fram] blisse. 396We gainsay your guilty and your false gods & þus we gayn-saie ȝoure gilt · & ȝour godus false, As ȝe wolde far by ȝoure fon · þat ȝe fals knewe. We ben rihtful of red · & resoun alowen; For-þi ne se we no seg · sodainly deie; 400For we ne liȝhte noht our lif · wiþ no luthur dede, Where-fore we scholde with schame · be schorted of daies. We dye no cloth. We don deie no cloþ · of diuerse heuys, 403No in no worschipful wede · our wiuus a-tiren, Where-fore a lud mihte like · to louen hem þe bettere, Or þei fairere þan a-fore · [tp] folk miht seme; So to hihten hem her · we holden hit sinne, To maken hem comelokur corn · þan hur kynde askyþ. 408 Our wvies never paint their faces, Þere-fore þe haten to be hiht · on hed or on face Wiþ ony wachinge of watur · or ony werk ellus, Of fonde wiþ fals craft · hure face to enoine, For to bliken of hur ble · þe bliþure of chere, 412 Or hem schenure to schene · þan þei schape were nor try to look better than they are by nature. Of him þat lente hem hur lif · & hure limus made. For þey þat crauen by craft · comelokur seme Þan þei ben kindeli soren · as heuene king likus, 416God scholde þat him schop · schine by rihte For his children hem to chese · þat changede his schappus. For be he burn oþur burde · þat hure bodi hihten ​Oþir-wise þan it was · in þis word schape, 420Þey gayn-sain hure sauiour · þat hem so made, & ben aschamed of his schap · & schewen jem ellis. Þou douhty doutede king · we don þe to knowe, We never use a bath Þat oure bodies ne ben · in no baþ wahche. 424We han while we here ben · hete of þe sonne, & vs by-dewen aday · þe dewus of heuene. All are equal among us We ben busy of no swink · nor no burn maken For to wirchen our wil · & wordliche serue. Vs no likeþ of no lud · lordschipe haue; Non is sternere of stat · ne stouter þan oþir. Sin we ben bteþeren of brod · brouht into þis worde, Alle coruen of a king · þat kid is in blisse, 432Whi scholde any schalk · þat god schop on erþe Haue maistrie of men · more þan an-oþir? We have no houses but caves. We ne han none hous bote holus · in þe holou cauus, Vndur hillus ful hie · to holden us inne; Þere comeþ no wawe of þe wind · no watur of þe rainus. Hie boldus to bulde · be we not snelle; To legge lym oþur ston · loþ is us alle; We use no tools. Vs ne likeþ no lome · in oure land vse, 440 As oþir erþliche men · owen aboute. We lin, whan us sclepe list · lowe vndur erþe, Al wiþ-oute any swink · of ert[h]liche werus; Our caves keep off the weather. Swich housinge we han · to holde out þe wedures 444 & leden þerinne our lif · þe lengþe of our daies When god likeþ from lif · lede vs to blisse, We liggen doun in our den · þere we ded worþen. Þanne is vs g[r]ayþed no graue · in þe grounde doluen, ​448we lie where we lay. But þere lin as we laie · whan we lif hadde. Wiþ us schineþ euery schalk · in schippus for to saile, We do not go to sea. For to wine on þe watur · wordliche fode. For þe þat sailen on þe see · as we soþ knowen, 452 In gret peril ben iput · & perichen ful ofte. We do not cultivate learning. We ben lered in oure land · lore of no scole, Ne to no sience i-set · vs silue to wisse, Þat mihte vs kenne in þis kiþ · to carpen as wise, 456But þat comeþ us by kinde · we konne noht ellus. We ne faren to no philozofrus · to fonden hure lorus; For ay longeþ þat lore · to lesinge & iangle. Alle oure sawus ben simple · þat we soþ tellen, 460We never lie. & for to lie is us loþ · or luþurly wirche; But swiche wordus of wise · we wilnen to lere, Þere nis no iargoun no iangle · ne iuggeme[n]tis falce. Vs ne schewiþ no schalk · schamfule tacchus, 464We dislike play and mirth. Wjere-wiþ we mihte mis-do · or ony man gile. We ne louen in our land · no laik nor no mirthe; But whanne we meuen our mynde · mirþe to here We only read romances. We raiken to oure romauncus · & reden þe storrius, 468 þat oure elderne on erþe · or þis time wroute. When the tale is a merry one, & ehn we tenden any tale · þat turne · to bourde Þat were game for a gome · or good of to lauȝe, 471 we are sad. We sesen of solas · & sorwen in herte; & maken mourninge of mirthe · whan men scholde glade. Of oþur wondrus we witen · in þis word here, Þat likeþ us to loken on · on þe loft heie; We sen selkouþe þing · þat is ta sain, heuene, ​ 476Þere as lem is of loft · & lisse to gode; We observe the sun and the seven stars, Þe sonne set in his cours · & þe seue sterres, And alle þat seggeus mowe sen · siþen on þe skiuus, Þat to hure schappere hem schewen · schining rede, 480& siþen liht fro þe loft · to þe land caste. Þe side se we mow sen · set vp-on erþe, Þat in kinde colour · a-cordeþ to purpre; But whan þe watur wiþ þe wind · þe wawus vp casteþ, 484& þouh hit turne any time · to tempest of windus which has no waves. Hit ne a wecheþ no wawe · nor no watur rereth, As hit amongus ȝou men · is many tiime founde 488 Þat stiue stormus of þe wind haþ · his hugeste blastus, Þe clere watur he bi-clipth · & closeþ hit inne. Þer-inne soþli we sen · selcouþe kindus Of þe fletinge fihs · þat in þe fom lepen. 492We see therein dolphins and other fish. Þere maken dolfinus dine · & diuerce fihches, Þat þere swimmen ful swiþe · & swangen aboute. We han mirthe ful miche · in medus & feldus, Þere faire placus & plain · han plente of flourus, 496We can feed on the scent of flowers Þat sote sauouron til us; · & wiþ þe siht clene We ben as fulsom i-founde · as þouȝ we fed were. Vs is likful and lef · in landus to walke, Þere won walloþ of watur · in þe well-springus. 500 We love the woods, Miche wilne we wende · in þe wodus thikke, For to rom vndur ris · þat rig is of leuus; Þere we mowe graspen on þe grene · & gret ioie here and the songs of the birds. Of brem briddene song · [in] þe braunchus a-lofte. 504Þis is oure costom of kinde · þat we kyþen alle, & deliten in no dede · þat doþ men to sinne. These are our customs. Sire emperour alixandre · þis arn oure lawes, ​Boþe oure reule & our riht · þat we þe rede holde. 508Ȝif þou our lif wole alowe · & oure lawe vse, Hit schal þe profite, prince · whan þi pres faileþ. Hit is noht long in us, lud · þei hit loþ seme, For y haue sent þe my sonde · as þou þei-self bade. 512Be not angry But be þou nouht, bolde king · balful no tened, Þat þou miht trystli trye · þe treweste lawe. For we schulle minnge þe, man · swiche maner lorus. Þat þou miht lihtliche, lud · þe beste lawe kenne. 516Whan þou hit wisliche wost · wilne hit in herte, Men thy life. & lowe þi lordschipe · & þi lif mende. Asie & aufrik · & europ þe grete Þou has lowed to þe, lud · in a litil while. 520Thou prevented the sun from shining by thine armies. Þe lem of þe sonne-liht · þou lettest to schine, So brem bringest þou þi men · alle in bryht armus; & þe guldene ger · þat þi gomus vsen Wiþ þe blasinge ble · blenden þe sonne. 524Þou hast robbed wiþ þi rout · ij. riche strondus, Thou last robbed two streams of gold. Þere þe grauel of þe ground · was of gold ore. Þat on was called erenus · & þat oþur large Þe peple callede paccolus · þat þou pore madest; 528So fale folewen þe folk · to fonde þi heste, Thine armies drink up the Nile. Þat with hure drinkinke drawht · whan þei drie þirsten, Ȝe maken stinte of his strem · a stronde ful huge, 531Þat nilus þe noble flod · namned is wide. So miche holdest þou þe, man · of miht & of strenke, Þat þou might ouur oxian · wiþ þin ost saile. So wis wenst þou þe be · þat þou by wit mihtest ​Thou market Cerberus to sleep. Þorou þi maistrie miche · maken to sclepe 536 Tricerberus þe helle-hound · þat holden is kene Boþe wakrong & wikke · & wardain of paine. Ye never fast Ȝe no fonde no fast · but fillen ȝoure wombis, Eten euere whan ȝe list · & in ese libben. 540 Ye sacrifice your children. Vn-kinde kiþe ȝe ȝou · to kille ȝour children, To queme quedfulle godus · þat quenchen ȝour blisse; & to ȝoure souorain of sinne · sacrifice maken Wiþ þat vnblisful blod · þat þei bled hauen. 544 Ye make war ever. Miche maugre ȝe maken · among many kingus, & gret werre in þis world · to waste þe peple. Many men vp-on molde · ful mek & ful simple Þorou þe prouede prince · fu; prouede ben woxe. 548Ye cannot have enough. Ȝe wene winne noht i-now · on þis worde one, But ȝif ȝe heuene miht haue · & holden hit alse. Your gods used to work all evil. Michel gilte ȝe, gome · bi ȝour godus falce, As þei were woned in þis word · to wirchen in hure liue. 552 For ensample, bi my sawe · soþ mow ȝe fonge Of iubiter þe ioilese · iugged to paine. Jupter was lecherous. He was alosed in his lif · lechourus of kinde, Þat in his licamus list · as a lie brente. 556 He hadde, while he here was · to hordom i-eged Gret won in þis word · of wommen aliue. For-þi ȝe holde him a god · þat in helle lengus, & þat sorwful sinne · for his sake vsen. 560Propserine was equally wicked. Y prove hit by proserpine · þat ȝe praisen alle, & holden godesse god · to gien ȝou here; Hure was lecherie luf· þe while hue liuede alse,
​Bremliche y-brouht forþ · & bred of þat modur Ye are bu earth-born Þat is stable to stonde · & stonus engendreþ, 588And þe erþe is called · þat euery man helpeþ. Whan god demeþ ȝou deie · ȝour daies to tine, Ye build fine tombs. Grauus of gret prys · ȝe grayþe ȝou tille— & but hit fair be & fin · folie ȝe holden— 592To legge in your licam · þat lodlich is founde. & so ȝour bodies ȝe buren · þat bettur riht hadde In rouh erþe to be reke · to roten hure bonus. And by þe dedeus that men don · to þe dede bodies, 596Ludus keneþ hue hem louen · to hure liuus ende. We, for love of God, We, for loue of þe lord · þat we leuen inne, kill no beasts, None bestus i-boren · balfullu kille, Ne no tidi a-tir · in templus a-araie, 600nor carve idols. No figure of fin gold · fourme þer-inne, Wher-fore þe heie heuene god · heren us scholde, Whan any burn to him bad · [h]is bone graunte. But ȝe, folliche folk · ȝour fals godus alle 604Ye worship your gods, Wil-fully worschipen · wiþ wordliche godus, For þei scholde hasteli ȝou here · & ȝou help kiþe, Whan ȝe greden ȝour grace · to graunte ȝour wille, and sacrifice to devils Whan ȝe for sake of ȝoure sinne · sacrifice maken, 608& quellen any quik best · to queme þe deuelus. Ȝe ne vndurstonde nouht þat stounde · þe storie of þis wordus God hears not man because of sacrifices. Þat god hereþ no gome · but for his goode dedus, & for no bestene blod · þat any burn quelleþ 612Noþin of kide, noþur of calf · noþur of kild oxe. ​But he hereþ euery haþel þat hertely biddeþ, & wiþ mekenesse of minde · minegeþ his nede. Godus worþliche word · as we wel trowen, 616God's Word is the Son of Man. Is sone soþliche of man · þat in him-silf dwelleþ, By which molde is y-maad · & man vp-on erþe, & al þat weihes in þis word · scholde wiþ fare; Al bestus þer-by · þat lif bere mowe, 620All are sustained by Him. Ben soþliche i-sustained · as him-slif likus; Þat ilke worþliche word · we worschipen alle, & hit lelliche louen · as our lif likus. God is a Spirit. God is spedful in speche · & a spryt clene, 624Boþe blessed & blyþe · þat blendeþ alle sorwe. He clameþ nought but clennesse · & clepeþ to [h]is ioie Clene-minded men · þat meke ben founde. Ye are all fools, Where-fore we holde ȝou folk · folus echone, 628Þat ȝe ne leuen in þat lord · þat lengeþ in blisse, & lede clanly ȝour lif · & no luþur wirche, As ȝe haþ of us herd · holly þe dedus. and live in lust. But ȝe in lechoures lust · al ȝour lif spende, 632And serue sory idolus · þat ȝou in sinne brynge. Wiþ oþur folies fale · ȝe foulen ȝour soulen; After death ye will suffer pain & so ȝe duren in ȝour dede · til ȝe ded worþeþ. Þanne schulle ȝe for ȝour sinne · soffre paine. 636For ȝe unclene bi cleped · & cleuen in ȝour sinne. Þere may ȝow borewen of bale · no bost no no pride, No no god þat ȝe giuen · to ȝour godus falce, No sacrifice of beasts will help ypu No no sory sacrifice · þat ȝe so maken 640Wiþ any bestene blod · þat euire burn schadde. ​Ȝe ne herien nouht herteli · þe heie god alone, Þat heuene holdeþ & haþ · to hus hole regne, Ye have as many false gods as a man has limbs. But al so fale falce godus · ȝe fonden to queme 644As a burn bereþ now · in his body membrys. For ȝe liknen a lud · to a litil wordle, & this sawe ȝe sain · soþliche echone, Þat many as a man · haþ membrys y-schape, 648Him falleþ al so fale godus · faiþfuly herie; & so ȝe sacrifice don · to selkouþe fendus! Every limb is dedicated to some god. For euery lime þat a lud · longeþ to haue, Ȝe kyþen carefule · godus · & kallen hem nowþe, 652Aftur dedeus þat þei dede · diuerse names. Michel holde ȝe of miht · minuera þe falce, For hue foundede first · folies manye; Minerva sprang out of Jupiter's head, & þis is seggus ȝour sawe · as ȝe sain alle. Hue was engendred wiþ gin · of iubiterus hede; 660For—þi ȝe holden hure wis · & hollyche segge, Þat hue þe hilþe of þe heed · haþ for to kepe. Þe iaudewin iubiter · ioiful ȝe holde; Jupiter was wrathful, and gaurds the seat of wrath, the heart For he was wraþful i-wrouht · & wried in angur, Gomus holden him god · þat gieþ þe herte; For þere ariseþ in a rink · þe rotus of wraþþe. A god mihtful of main · martis ȝe holden; 664For he was fihtere fel · & foundur of werre, Mars is lord of the 'breast'. He is alosed in lande · lord of þe breste; For þere þe miht of a man · most is i-sene. Mecury is god of the tongue; For mercurie miche spak · to mentaine iangle, Ȝe holden him galful & god · & god of þe tounge. Hercules, with his dozen of wonders For hercules þe endelese · þat euere is in paine, Diuisede here on his day · a dosain of wondrus,
​foretell things to come. & wei-huus sain þat he witeþ · in his worde one, A spild spirit of þe air · þat may speke wondrus, 700& telle what bi-tide schal · of tene oþur of welþe. Apollo, who practiised medicine and minstrelsy, is god of hands. Ȝe leuen alle in appolin · & also ȝe tellen Þat, for he medisine made · & minstralus craftus, Ȝe holde hin giour ful good · & god of þe handus. 704 Se þer leueþ no lime · lasse no more, Þat in ȝour power is put · but parted to fendus. Ȝe ne leuen not on a lord · that lengus in heuene, Þat al þe membrus of a man · made at his wille. 708 Your false gods only grieve you. And þouȝ ȝe falce godus folk · founden to serue, Þei ne graunte no grace · but greuen ȝou ofte, & taken of ȝou tribit · þat traie is to paie, Of ȝoure offringus alle · ofte in þe ȝere. 712 To Mars, ye offer a boar; To martis þe mihtelese · men ofren in time A gret bor & a bold · as burnus han vsed. To Bacchus, a kid; To bacus þe balful · men bringen in temple A kide, as is costum · of comine peple. 716To Juno a peacock; A fair pokok of pris · men paien to iuno, & him wirchen þer-wiþ · worschipe vn erþe. To Apollo, a white swan; Þe offrin of appolin · as ȝe alle knowe, Ys a swan swiþe whit · swich as ȝe bryngen. 720 To Venu, a dove; Ȝe schullen bi ordre of vse · offren to venus, A ful derworþe douue · on his den take. To Minerva, a bat; Minerua men worschipen · in oþur maner alse, & bringen hure a niht-brid · a bakke or an oule. 724To Ceres, Corn; To ceres þe sorwful · ȝe sacrifice maken, & carien bi costum · corn to hure temple. Ȝe mensken alle mercurie · wiþ mirthe & wiþ ioie, & him a chalis ful chois · wiþ good chere bringen. ​728Ye put boughs on Hercules' altar; Þe hauter of he[r]cules · alle ȝe hihten, & hit spreden wiþ spraiuus · of springinge braunchus. and flowers on Cupid's Cupies þe corsed · wiþ comeliche flourus Ȝe herien ful hertely · & hihten [h]is temple. 733Þus manye mihteles godus · & mo þan y telle, For þe hope of hur help · ȝe herien on erþe. Ye cannot serve them all at once. & ȝit may þer no man · in any maner wise Wiþ solepne sacrifice · serue hem at onus, 736 But eueri wile of a wehy · his owene wone haue, Be it bole oþur bor · betur oþur werse. Of swiche bestus þat ben · of burnus y of reed, 739Þei han miht vp-on molde · & of no mo þingys. Why do ye belive in false gods? Whi fauuree ȝe þanne falce godus · & folliche seggen Þat þei ne han miht of no mor · nor no maistrie on erþe, But of hur owne offringe · & onliche of bestes? 744For youe sins, For ȝour errours on erþe · sire emperour riche, & for þe dedus vn-dingnge · þat ȝe don alle, As ȝe ben worþi of wo · whan þe word failus, ye shalle be punished Ȝe schulle be punched & put · in paine for euere! 748Ȝour godus ful of gile ben · þat ȝe so good holden, On hem is help of non harm · no hap of no grace, Your gods are butchers. But bochours ben þei echon · ȝour body to dismembre, & euerich pinchen his part · þere paine is vnended. As many mihtelese godus · as ȝe on molde seruen. [Fol. 213,back] As fale painus in fir · ȝou fallus to drie. Your idols make you sin. For ȝour ydil idolus · don ȝou wille wirche; 755 Summe to lechorus lust · ȝour likinge turneþ, Summe ȝou strenkþen to striue · & straiten ȝour minde, & somme eggen in ese · to eten & to drinke. Þei by-sette ȝou so · in sinne & in gile, ​Ye work their will. Þat ȝe wirchen hur wil · & worchipen alle. 760&, seggus for ȝe so don · ȝe semen vn-wise, Ye serve them by sin. Hem to seruen in sinne · þat mowe no seg helpe. Þei beþ vn-mihtful y-mad · men for to wisse, And kun nat saue hem-self · fro sorwful painus. 764 When ȝe hem greden of griþ · to graunte ȝour bone, Wheþur hey hit heren of nouht · to harme hit ȝou turnus. When ye prey, they harm you Whan ȝe hem praiere profre · ȝif þey prest heren, Þei casten in ȝoure conscience · corsede þouhtous. 768And, ludus, ȝif hem loþ be · to listne ȝoure bonus, Hit ȝou norcheþ any · for þei ȝou nouht heren. Whether they hear you or not, ye suffer So wheþur þei graunte hit or gruche · þei greuen ȝou ofte, For eueri time hit ȝou turneþ · to tene & to harme. 772 Þo ben ȝoure gostliche godous · þat gon to do wreche After ludene lif · for hure luþur werkus. For þei schulle in þis word · wirche for sinne, Whan þat burnus ar bured · þat balfully wrouthe 776Your elders spake of torment to come. Tokne of þat turment · tolde ȝoure eldren, How wreche scholde ben wrouht · for wrongful dedes, & dul aftur þe deþ · ȝour doctourus saide, Þat seggus scholde for sinne · suffre in þis worde; 780& ȝe ben soþlie þe same · of wham þei so tolde, Ye shall dwell in endless torment Þat scholde lenge aftur lif · in lastinge paine. For ȝif ȝe seggus ȝou[r] lif ·soþli bi-þenke, Wers wirchen no folk · þan ȝe weiȝes alle. For sake of ȝoure sauyour · ȝe ne soffre no paine, But liuen in ȝoure likinge · & luþurli wirchen; ​Ȝe waken for wikkednesse · & wirchen but ille. ye commit murder Ȝe speden for to spille men · & spouce-breche fonden; 788adultery, Ȝour is lechurie luf · & liben wiþ stalþe. and theft. To robbe men of hure riht · ful redy ben alle. Ȝe ben glotounius gle · glad for to haunte, & han no mesure on molde · of mete ne of drynke. 792ȜE ben to þe helle-hond · holliche i-like, Ye are like Cerberus. Tri-cerberus þe tenful · of wham i tolde haue; Foure hedus ben on him · þat haþ but on wombe. & so it fareþ by ȝou folk · þat fillen ȝou siluen; 796For alle þe godus þat ȝe geten · of gomus vp-on erþe Seruen for to sustaine · ȝour vnsely wombe. There is an adder in hall called Hydra, Also ȝoure docturus sain · in sawus ful olde, Þat an addre is in helle · þat yydra is called, 800 To cache is couaitous · corsede soulus; never glutted. & fonde he fewe oþur fale · fule is he neuere. Ye are like him. Þanne mow ȝe ludus of lif · be likned him tille; For ȝe ben couaitouse kid · & kunne nouht blinne, 804But euere wenden to winne · wordliche godus, & al is burnus aboute · ȝoure body for to fede. Alle þe foliuus, folk · þat ȝe fain wirchen, Ben purchas of penance · whan ȝe parte hennus. 808 To bale were ye þanne bore · for bannede werkus, Ye were born to morrow." Þat schullen schamly be schent · & schapen to paine. Þus dindimus þe dere king · enditeþ his sonde, & god by-secheþ to saue · þe soueraine prinse."— 812When Alexander heard this, Whan emperour alixandre · wiþ erene hit hirde, & tendede þe tiþinge · þat y told haue, he was wroth. He was wroþ, for þe writ · of wrong gan a-lose His godus þat he held · to gyen þe peple.
​Þat man-kinde haþ y-mad · on molde to be vsed? 840Ȝif hit be soþ þat ȝe sain · hit semeþ , by ȝoure dedes, Þat ȝe no giuen of no gome · no none godus trowe, Ye are envious. Or ȝe en[u]ye to hem han · & hatien hur sondus, For to libbe in ȝour land · as ludus aboute. 844Many wondurful wonus · wisli we knowen, Þat ȝe amongus ȝou men · in ȝour march vsen. Ye say that ye plough not. Ȝe telle vs þat ȝe tende nauht · to tulye þe erþe, Ne place erie wiþ plow · no plaunte winus, 848nor build. Ne bulde boldus an hih · for burnus to wonye, Ne non erthely note · nedfully wirchen. In þat þou leredest me, lud, þat ȝe no land erien, Ye have no iron. Ȝe ben exkused echon · for iren ȝou wantus, 852Where-wiþ mihte ye men · maken any boldus, Or tren plaunten in place · or any plow dryue. Ye have no tools. Whan ȝe mow take no tol · to tilien on erþe, No swiche werkus to swinke · as oþur swainus vsen, 856Ye must live hard. For-þii bi-houus ȝou, haþel · harde to libbe, & wo drie in þis word · for wante & for nede! So mowe ȝe · ludus, ȝour lif · leden as bestus, In gret mischef of mete · as ȝe mote nede. 860A hungry wolf must eat the earth. Ȝe witen wel, whan a wolf · wanteþ [h]is fode, Þat he ne fundeþ no flech · to feden him vppe, Of þe erþe he et · for ellus he scholde 863Be wiþ hungur y-holde · & happily sterue. Þanne mowe ȝe weies to þe wolf · ful wel ben y-likned; Ye have to do the same. Þat, for ȝe finde no fode · as oþur folk vsen, Swich hungur as ȝe han · by houus ȝou þolie, ​&, be ȝou lef oþur loþ · libben in wante. 868Þere-fore no like no lud · of his luþur fare, No hope for his harde lif · to haue no mede. Ye do no alms. For almus-dede do ȝe non · as ȝe demen alle, 871But skarsete & skaþe · vn-skilfully fonden. Our beasts would scorn your life! Ȝif we lengede in ȝoure land · ful loþ were our bestus To ben so simple of vs silf · & suffre þat tene! We scholde folewe oþur folk · & fonden echone To a-corde of oure costom · wiþ comine peple; 876But ȝe han dainte in dul · ȝoure daies to spene, & ben y-sustained so · wiþ sorwe in þis wode. Ye are not to be praised. But ȝe ben litil to a-lowe · of ȝoure luþur fare; For nouht but nisete · nedful you makus! 880 Ȝoure owne folie, folk · doþ ȝou ful ofte In hungur & in hard lif · to holde ȝoure people. Your wives use no gay apparel, Also ȝe sain in ȝour sonde · þat soþly ȝoure wiuus Ne gon in go gay tyr · as gise of oþure, 884and no man commits adultery & þat ludus in ȝoure land · no lechurie haunten, But sparen alle spouse-breche · þe space of hure liuus; & þou ȝe wonde swich werk · me wondrus ful lite! How can he, with such fare? How miht ȝe lechurie loue · or likinge haue, 888Whan luþur fare haþ alaid · ȝour lustus echone, Þat ȝe megre ben maad · wiþ mischef & hungur? For ȝe so simple ben seie · & semen so pore, Ȝou wantus wordliche won · ȝour wiuus to hihte. 892Ye are chaste perforce. Þere-fore as bestus ȝe ben · & of body chaste, ​Vn-mihty, for mischef · to medle wiþ burdus Þat nis no chariteuus chois · so schast for to libbe; Sin ȝe maugray ȝour miht · mote hit wiþ-drawe! 896 Also ȝe sente vs to saie · in þe same time Of oþur manerus mo · miche for to lakke; Ye never study; Þat ȝe no stidie in no stounde · ne no stat wilne Of clergie þat clene is · to claimen in scole; 900 and neither expect nor shew mercy. & þat ȝe mercy on molde · in no maner wilne, No mercy don to no man · a-mongus ȝou founde. Þanne hi semeþ by ȝoure sawe · ȝif ȝe soþ tellen, Þat kindely ȝoure consience · a-cordeþ to bestus. 904Ye are as beasts. For as bestes ȝe ben · by no skile reuled, Ne hem of kinde no comeþ · no konninge of witte; So be ȝe, ludus, by-lad · & lawe-les alse, Þat han no reward to riht · but red-lese wirchen. 908 We are wise. But we faiþful folk · þat faren as wise, Ben y-demed to do · dedus of rihte. Forþy vs kenneþ our kinde · to a-corde in trowþe, In swiche lawus liue · þatt longen to gode; 912We sow and plant. For to sowe & to sette · in þe sad erþe, & oþur wordliche werk · wisly to founde. Sin man-kinde is y-maad · so michel & so riue, 915 Among so perles a peple · in-possible hit were— But somme were reuled by ryht · as resoun hit axeþ— Some men ought to work. Hem-self to sostaine · wiþ selkowþe þingus, For to liue by þe land · as ludus ben schape To haue welþe aftur wo · as þe word farus. 920After work some pleasure. For tenen sum-time tid · & sumtime mirthe; & aftur swaginge of swinc · swiþe comeþ ioie. ​Seasons change. But so, weihuus, as ȝe witen · þat weduringe chaungeþ, Now broun & now briht · & now breme stormys, 224[Fol. 214, back] So is þe wit & þe wil · of wordliche peple In selkouþe sesounus · seen for to chaunge. In fair weather, men are merry Whan wedur waxeþ al bryht · þat wel is to like, 227Mirie ben men of mod · in minde & in herte; but in dim days, sad. But whan þe daies dimme ben · hit doþ hem to mourne, For siht of þe sesoun · þat semus vnliþe. Ȝit chaungeþ wit of a weih · in oþur-wise alse, Man changes according to his age. Þorou þe grete de-gre · þat groweþ in age. 932For when he is innocent · þat ille can lite, Þanne haþ he solas of him-silf · simple to worþe; In youth, he plays with a ball. For betur likede him to a bal · þan a borou riche; & he is hardy to non harm · but hauntus his gamus. 936In riper years, he shows his valour. Whan he is eldure of age · þat auht is his strenke, Þanne wol he prouen his wil · & wikke to staunche. In old age, he is quiet. Whan he is fare so forþ · fer in his age, 940Þan stoute is he, stedefast · & stille of his herte. Who would look for hardiness in an infant? Hwo wole a cherched child · chese for hardy, Or a ȝoung man meek · þat mirthe couaiteþ? Huo wolde wene þat a weih · woxen on elde 944Were wist for vnstedefast · of word or of dede? Ye omit many joys, Manie mirþus on molde · þat oþur men vsen, Ȝe leuen þorou ȝour luþur wit · þat longen to peple. os sight, savour, Summe in siht þat we sen · & sauur of mouþe, 948handling, bearing, Summe in handlinge of hond · & heringe of ere, and smiling. Summe þat longen to a lud · of likinge smellus, & queminge of quaintise · þat quencheþ our tene,
​to Alexander greeting. To emperour alixandre · egrest of princes, Þat is grymmest y-growe · & grettest of princes, Ioie graiþus wiþ grace · & gretinge of mouþe, As to þe kiddeste y-core · þat corone weldus! 979We do þe namkouþe king · to kenne & to here, We do not always live in this world. Þat in þis wastinge word · we ne wone nouht euere; For erþe is nouht our eritage · þat euere schal laste, Ne we ben nouht ibor · to abide þer-inne. But we ben pore pilegrimus · put in þis worde, 984For we by destene of dome · schulle deþ þolie; Þanne schulle we hie to þe hous · þat hie is in blysse, & karre to oure kinus nie · to kenne of oure fare, & karre to oure kinus nie · to kenne of oure fare. We are pilgrims on earth. We ben of-set wiþ no sinne · for vnsely godus, 988Ne we sitte in no sete · þere sinne is y-hanteþ. But for oure kinde consience · þat kenneþ vs to goode, We wonde wikkede werk · & wende fro skaþe. We ne sain noukt, king, be þou sur · for sake of our pride, 992It is not pride or envy that makes us such as we are. Þat we bolde godus ben · burnus to gie, No enuye to hem han · ne hate in þis worde. For we ne giue vs to no gilt · þat scholde god wraþe, Ne nouht nien him her · by niht no by day. 996God mae men of many kinds. God, þat alle gomus schop · & alle gode þingus, Made here vp-on molde · many manere choisus; For maad mihte hit nouht be · þere men scholde dwelle Wiþ-oute diuerce dedus · of many done þingus. 1000He who avoids evil. But al þat badde is for a burn · here abouen erþe, Huo so haþ chaunce to echue · & chese þe betture— [Fol. 215] As men han wit for to wite · þe wikke & þe gode— He may nouht claime to be cleped · clene god of mihte, ​1004is God's friend. But godus frend may þe freke · frely be called; For we leden wel our lif · & louen to be simple. Ye say we are as gods. In ȝoure sonde, sire king · ȝe saide þis wordus;— Þat we alle godus arn · as ȝe deme nouþe, 1008Or euere elles til hem · enuye we haue. But þe same þat ȝe so · by vs silf trowe Longeþ, ludus, to ȝou · þat liuen so in ese. But ye are so rather, For ȝe leden ȝoure lif · in lordschipe & in myrthe, 1012Of noble kind for ȝe come · & kid ben of grete. being rich, and gaily clad. In clene cloþus ȝe gon · & claimen to be riche; Al ȝoure minde is on mirþe · & most vp-on goodus. Ȝoure fingrus of fin gold · ȝe fullen wiþ ryngus, 1016As is wommenus wone · for wordliche glose. Your boastful deeds will make you proud. But, burnus, be ye ful sur · þo bostful dedeus, Where-fore ȝe holde ȝou her · hiest on erþe, 1019Schal ȝou procre to pryde · & to no profit ellus, But skaþe for ȝoure vn-skile · whan ȝe skapen hennus. Gold feeds no one. Gold fedeþ no gome · ne no good soule; But we þat selkouþus sen · & soþus mow knowe, And kenne þe kinde of þe gold · þat corsed is founde, 1024We faren alle to þe flod · þere we finde mowe Gret plente of fold · on þe ground ligge. We spurn it. Þanne we wollen of þe watur · wilfully drinke, & de-foule wiþ our fet · þe fine gold schene. 1028For gold, þouh it gay be · hit gaynus ful lite Of hard hongur and þirst · to helpe any peple. ​A hungry man eats meat, not gold. Haue a man neuere so miche · mischef of houngur, He may hit staunche wiþ mete · & menden his paine. A thirsty man drinks water. Þouh þirst dreche him wiþ drouhþe · drink may him helpe, 1033A litil wetinge of watur · his wo wol amende. Ȝif gold were to a gome · so goode of his kinde, Whan men hit helde in here hand · of hadde in here warde. 1036So scholde it be to a burn · bote of his nede, His corsede couaytise · cofly to sese, The more gold a man has, the more he wants. But now, þe more þat a man · may þer-of winne, Þe more ȝernus he ȝit · to ȝeme at his wille; 1040 & he is mensked þe mor · amongus ȝou alle, For wel louus euery lud · þat liche is him tille. Your gods cannot heal the dead. We sain þat ȝour sory godes · of wham ȝe so helpe, Mow no manyr ded þing · þorou hure miht hele. 1044Ȝe tenden michil in ȝour time · templus to bulde, & riche auterus riue · rere þere-inne; Þanne founde ȝe ȝour falce godus · with sorw for to here, & quellen for to quemen hem · of ȝour quike bestus; 1048Yet ye sacrifices to them. & in þat same sacrifice · ȝe seggen þe name Of what burn þat hit be · þat wolde bone haue. Þin aldur-fadur, alixandre · al þis haþ vsed, & alle kydde of ȝour kin · kenden þis dedus, 1052þis is amongus ȝou men · in þis manere knowe ; Ye err, ye know not how much. For þus ȝe erren echon · in erþliche werkus. How luþurly ȝe liuen her · litil ȝe knowen; 1056Þow ȝe wiþ sinne be of-set · suffre ȝe nolle, Þat we by-wepe in þis word · ȝour wikkede dedus! & miche, þinkeþ vs, a man · menskeþ anoþur,
​ Þat in ȝoure loþ-liche land · libben by kynde. 1088Ye are so set in an island, that no strangers come to you. For so, seggus, ȝe ben · by-set in an yle, Þat þer may comen in ȝour kiþ · non vnkouþe peple; Ne ȝe ne mowe of þat march · in no manere wende, But, be you loþ oþur lef · lenge þer-inne. 1092& for ȝe, weihuus, of þat won · wende no mowe, Wel a-lowe ȝe ȝoure lif · and ȝour land alse! Ye say ye suffer by choice Al þe nede & þe noy · þat ȝe now suffren By a-sent of ȝour-silf · ȝe sain þat ȝe dryen; 1096& by þe sawe þat ȝe sente · to segge of ȝoure fare, Ye are like wrecthed prisoners. Ȝe arn liche of ȝour lif · to swiche loþe burnus, Þat ben in dep presoun don · al hure daies time, & han mirþus on molde · missed ful clene! 1100 But lawe lereþ vs & skile · þat ȝe ben leþur alle, & mow for ȝoure mischef · no mede haue; It is natural to you to live in sorrow For it comeþ ȝou of kinde · in care to libbe. Sin ȝe wonen in þat won · þere wante is of goodus, 1104Þanne, seggus, semeþ hit nouht · þat ȝe so wirchen For sake of þe same god · þat sittus in blisse. Þere-for to wo þat is wers · wenden ȝe schulle, Ye shall suffer pain hereafter Whanne ȝe parten fro þis paine · þat pinncheþ ȝou here. 1108Þanne be ȝe men vp-on molde · most to be-wepe, Þat here to schame ben schape · & ay schulle aftur. Ȝit wolen wikkede men · in þis word glade, Þouȝ þei ben damned to dul · whan hure day endus! 1112Þo þat ludus in oure land · a-losed arn wise Ȝe holde folus in faiþ · & falce of by-leue; Hit longeþ, ludus, til us · ȝour lif to by-wepe,
* ↑ MS. hiddem, an error for hidden hem
* ↑ MS. 'þei'
* ↑ MS. 'saide'
* ↑ MS. 'worschen'
* ↑ MS. 'þat siȝt don'
* ↑ MS. 'siee'
* ↑ A word omitted; see l. 135.
* ↑ MS. 'as'; see l. 117
* ↑ MS. 'flok'
* ↑ MS. cren
* ↑ MS 'flok'
* ↑ Ms 'tyinge'; see l. 240.
* ↑ Sic; 'mi'?
* ↑ Sic; 'sewe'?
* ↑ MS. 'waxs'
* ↑ MS. 'flok'
* ↑ Sic; 'wis'?
* ↑ MS. 'wolde'
* ↑ MS. 'fled'
* ↑ MS. 'vus'
* ↑ MS. 'For-þei'
* ↑ Ms. obscure; 'co—ge' with 8 downstrokes between o and g.
* ↑ MS. 'þat þe,' where þat is superfluous.
* ↑ MS. 'ȝe'
* ↑ MS. 'þei'
* ↑ MS. 'þei'
* ↑ MS. 'do'
* ↑ MS. 'galsule'; cf. l. 688.
* ↑ MS. 'For-þei
* ↑ MS. 'worchipful'
* ↑ MS. 'tolk'
* ↑ MS. 'holdus'; see l. 848.
* ↑ MS. 'lileþ'
* ↑ MS 'þei'
* ↑ Sic. Read 'of'(?)
* ↑ MS. 'Forþei'
* ↑ MS. 'hure'
* ↑ MS. 'bodilech'
* ↑ MS. 'graunde'; see l. 764.
* ↑ MS. 'so'
* ↑ MS. 'wordliche'; see l. 621.
* ↑ MS. 'sclulle we'
* ↑ Ms. 'we'
* ↑ MS. 'he'; see l. 656.
* ↑ MS. 'For-þei'
* ↑ MS. 'He proueþ'
* ↑ MS. 'of on vs'
* ↑ MS. 'to vectus'
* ↑ MS. 'mereurie'
* ↑ MS. 'worþei'
* ↑ MS. 'sain'
* ↑ MS. 'panne'
* ↑ MS. 'sylur'
* ↑ MS. 'swine'
* ↑ Ms. 'fain'
* ↑ MS. 'þat'
* ↑ MS. 'do'
* ↑ MS. 'greftest'
* ↑ MS. 'be'
* ↑ Ms. 'ne'
* ↑ MS. 'For þei'
* ↑ MS. 'a fledde' (!). See l. 286.