Passus Vndevicesimus


Thus I awaked & wrote · what I had dremed
And diȝte me derely · & dede me to cherche
To here holy þe masse · & to be houseled after
In myddes of þe masse · þo men ȝede to offrynge
I fel eftsones a-slepe · & sodeynly me mette
That Pieres þe plowman · was paynted al blody
And come in with a crosse · bifor þe comune peple
And riȝte lyke in alle lymes · to owre lorde ihesu
And þanne called I conscience · to kenne me þe sothe
Is þis ihesus þe iuster quod I · þat iuwes did to deth
Or it is Pieres þe plowman · who paynted hym so rede
notaM.19.12: Hand X, fol. 92r, right margin. Pierces | cote ar=|mourCr2.19.12: Fol. Cc.4r, right margin. Pierces | cote ar=|mour .Cr3.19.12: Fol. 104r, right margin. Quod conscience & kneled þo · þise aren Pieres armes
His coloures & his cotearmure · ac he þat cometh so blody
Is cryst with his crosse · conqueroure of crystene

notaquare Cristus magis | quam IhesusM.19.15: Hand 3, fol. 92r, right marginXM.19.15: Hand X, fol. 92r, right margin. ¶ Why calle ȝe hym cryst quod I · sithenes iuwes calle hym ihesus
Patriarkes & prophetes · prophecyed bifore
Þat alkyn creatures · shulden knelen & bowen
Anon as men nempned · þe name of god Ihesu
- C.19.19: Hand X, fol. 27v, left margin. Ergo is no name · to þe name of ihesus
Ne none so nedeful to nempne · by nyȝte ne by daye
For alle derke deuelles · aren adradde to heren it
And synful aren solaced · & saued bi þat name
And ȝe callen hym cryst · for what cause telleth me
Is cryst more of myȝte · & more worthy name
Þan ihesu or ihesus · þat al owre ioye come of

¶ Thow knowest wel quod conscience · and þow konne resoun
· Nota · C.19.27: Hand 1, fol. 27v, right margin. That knyȝte kynge conqueroure · may be o persone
To be called a kniȝte is faire · for men shal knele to hym
To be called a Kynge is fairer · for he may knyȝtes make
Ac to be conquerour called · þat cometh of special grace
And of hardynesse of herte · & of hendenesse
To make lordes of laddes · of londe þat he wynneth
And fre men foule thralles · þat folweth nouȝt his lawes

¶ The iuwes þat were gentil men · ihesu þei dispised
Bothe his lore & his lawe · now ar þei lowe cherlis
As wyde as þe worlde is wonyeth · þere none
But vnder tribut & taillage · as tykes & cherles
And þo þat bicome crysten · by conseille of þe baptiste
Christe | crowned | kynge .Cr2.19.39: Fol. Cc.4v, left margin. Christe | crowned | kynge .Cr3.19.39: Fol. 104v, left margin. Aren frankeleynes fre men · þorw fullyng þat þei toke
And gentel men with ihesu · for Ihesus was yfolled
And vppon caluarye on crosse · ycrouned kynge of iewes

¶ It bicometh to a Kynge · to kepe and to defende
And conquerour of conquest · his lawes & his large
And so ded Ihesus þe iewes · he iustified & tauȝte hem
Þe lawe of lyf · that last shal euere
And fended fram foule yueles · feueres & fluxes
and fro fendes þat in hem was & fals bileue
Þo was he ihesus of iewes called · gentel prophete
And kynge of her kyngdome · & croune bar of þornes

¶ And þo conquered he on crosse · as conquerour noble
Myȝt no deth hym fordo · ne adown brynge
That he ne aros & regned · and rauysshed helle
And þo was he conquerour called · of quikke & of ded
For he ȝaf Adam & Eue · and other mo blisse
Þat longe hadde leyne bifore · as lucyferes cherles [Hereafter follow 19.56-59 in KD, from alpha, but they are not annotated.]

¶ And sith he ȝaf largely · alle his lele lyges
Places in paradys · at her partynge hennes
He may wel be called conquerour · & þat is cryst to mene

¶ Ac þe cause þat he cometh þus · with crosse of his passioun
memorandumW.19.64: Hand 1, fol. 116v, right margin. Is to wissen vs þere-wyth · þat whan þat we ben tempted
Þer-with to fyȝte & fenden vs · fro fallyng in-to synne
And se bi his sorwe · þat who-so loueth ioye
notaquia necesse est | penitenciam agereM.19.67: Hand 3, fol. 92v, left margin. To penaunce & to pouerte he moste putten hym-seluen
And moche wo in þis worlde · willen & suffren

¶ Ac to carpe more of cryst · and how he come to þat name
Faithly forto speke · his firste name was ihesus
Tho he was borne in bethleem as þe boke telleth
And cam to take mankynde · kynges and aungeles
Reuerenced hym faire · with richesse of erthe
Angeles out of heuene · come knelyng & songe
The gyf=|tes that þe | iii kyngs | offered .Cr2.19.74α: Fol. Dd.1r, right margin.The gyf=|tes that þe | iii. kyngs | offered .Cr3.19.74α: Fol. 105r, right margin. Gloria in excelsis deo &c

¶ Kynges come after · kneled & offred
Mirre & moche golde · with-outen mercy askynge
Or any kynnes catel · but knowlechyng hym soeuereigne
Bothe of sonde sonne & see · & sithenes þei went
- C.19.79: Hand X, fol. 27v, right margin. In-to her kyngene kyth · by conseille of angeles
And there was þat worde fulfilled · þe which þow of speke
Phili .ii.Cr2.19.80α: Fol. Dd.1r, right margin.Phili .ii,Cr3.19.80α: Fol. 105r, right margin. Omnia celestia terrestria flectantur in hoc nomine Ihesu
· nota · C.19.81: Hand 1, fol. 27v, right margin. For alle þe angeles of heuene · at his burth kneled
And al þe witte of þe worlde · was in þo þre kynges
Resoun & riȝtfulnesse · & reuth þei offred
Wherfore & whi · wyse men þat tyme
Maistres & lettred men · Magy hem called

XL.19.86: Hand X, fol. 82v, left margin.bene loquiturM.19.86: Hand X, fol. 93r, right margin. ¶ That o kynge cam with resoun · keuered vnder sense
Þe secounde kynge sitthe · sothliche offred
Riȝtwisnesse vnder red golde resouns felawe
notadiscripcionem trium MunerumM.19.89: Hand 3, fol. 93r, right margin. - C.19.85: Hand X, fol. 28r, left margin. Golde is likned to leute · þat last shal euere
And resoun to riche golde · to riȝte & to treuthe
The þridde kynge þo cam · knelyng to ihesu
And presented hym with pitee · apierynge by myrre
For mirre is mercy to mene · & mylde speche of tonge
Thre yliche honest þinges · was offred þus at ones
Þorw þre kynne kynges · knelynge to ihesu

¶ Ac for alle þise preciouse presentz owre lorde prynce ihesus
Was neyther kynge ne conquerour · til he gan to wexe
In þe manere of a man · & þat by moche sleight
As it bicometh a conquerour · to konne many sleightes
And many wyles & witte · þat wil ben a leder
And so did ihesu in his dayes · who-so had tyme to telle it
Sum-tyme he suffred · & sum-tyme he hydde hym
And sum-tyme he fauȝte faste · & fleigh otherwhile
- C.19.104: Hand X, fol. 28r, left margin. And some-tyme he gaf good · & graunted hele bothe
Lyf & lyme · as hym lyste he wrought
As kynde is of a conquerour · so comsed ihesu
Tyl he had alle hem · þat he fore bledde

¶ In his iuuente þis ihesus · atte iuwen feste
Christ | worketh | miracles .Cr2.19.109: Fol. Dd.1v, left margin.Christ | worketh | miraclesCr3.19.109: Fol. 105v, left margin. Water in-to wyn tourned · as holy writ telleth
And þere bigan god · of his grace to dowel
For wyn is lykned to lawe · & lyf of holynesse
And lawe lakked þo · for men loued nouȝt her enemys
And cryst conseilleth þus · & comaundeth bothe
Bothe to lered & to lewed · to louye owre enemys
So atte feste firste as I bifore tolde
Bygan god of his grace & goodnesse to dowel
And þo was he cleped & called nouȝt holy cryst but Ihesu
notabeneM.19.118: Hand 3, fol. 93r, right margin. A fauntfyn ful of witte · filius marie

¶ For bifor his moder marie · made he þat wonder
Þat she furste & formest · ferme shulde bilieue
That he þorw grace was gete · & of no gome elles
dixit & facta suntM.19.122: Hand 3, fol. 93r, right margin. He wrouȝt þat bi no witte · but þorw worde one
After þe kynde þat he come of · þere comsed he dowel
And whan he was woxen more · in his moder absence
He made lame to lepe · & ȝaue liȝte to blynde
And fedde with two fisshes · & with fyue loues ·
Sore afyngred folke · mo þan fyue thousande
Þus he conforted carful · & cauȝte a gretter name
Þe whiche was dobet · where þat he went
- C.19.130: Hand X, fol. 28r, left margin. For defe þorw his doynges to here · & dombe speke he made
And alle he heled & halpe · þat hym of grace asked
And þo was he called in contre of þe comune peple
For þe dedes þat he did · fili dauid ihesus
For dauid was douȝtiest · of dedes in his tyme
i. Reg .18Cr2.19.135: Fol. Dd.1v, left margin.i. Reg .18Cr3.19.135: Fol. 105v, left margin. The berdes þo songe · Saul interfecit mille · et dauid decem milia ·
For-þi þe contre þere ihesu cam · called hym fili dauid
i.Kes.xviiiCr2.19.137: Fol. Ff.3r, right margin. And nempned hym of nazereth · & no man so worthi
To be kaisere or kynge · of þe kyngedome of iuda
Ne ouer iuwes iustice · as ihesus was hem þouȝte

¶ Where-of caiphas hadde enuye · & other of þe iewes
And forto doun hym to deth · day & nyȝte þei casten
- C.19.142: Hand X, fol. 28r, left margin. Kulleden hym on crosse-wyse · at caluarie on fryday
And sithen buryden his body · & beden þat men sholde
Kepen it fro niȝt-comeres · with knyȝtes yarmed
For no frendes shulde hym fecche · for prophetes hem tolde
Þat þat blessed body · of burieles shulde rise
And gone in-to galile · and gladen his apostles
And his moder Marie · þus men bifore demed

¶ The knyȝtes þat kepten it · biknewe it hem-seluen
Þat angeles & archangeles · ar þe day spronge
Come knelynge to þe corps · & songen cristus resurgens
Verrey man bifor hem alle · & forth-with hem he ȝede

¶ The iewes preyed hem pees · & bisouȝte þe knyȝtes
Telle þe comune þat þere cam · a compaignye of his aposteles
And bywicched hem as þei woke · & awey stolen it

¶ Ac Marie Magdeleyne · mette hym bi þe wey
Goynge toward galile · in godhed & manhed
And lyues & lokynge · & she aloude cryde
In eche a compaignye þere she cam · cristus resurgens
Þus cam it out þat cryst ouer-cam · rekeuered & lyued
Luk .24Cr2.19.161α: Fol. Dd.2r, right margin.Luke .24Cr3.19.161α: Fol. 106r, right margin. Sic oportet cristum pati & intrare &c ·
nota women kepe no CowncellM.19.162: Hand 3, fol. 94r, right margin. For þat wommen witeth · may nouȝte wel be conseille

¶ Peter parceyued al þis · & pursued after
Why Chr|ist appea=|red firste | to a wo=|man .Cr2.19.164: Fol. Dd.2r, right margin.Why Chr|ist appea=|red fyrste | to a wo=|man .Cr3.19.164: Fol. 106r, right margin. Bothe iames & Iohan · Ihesu for to seke
Tadde & ten mo · with Thomas of ynde
And as alle þise wise wyes · weren togideres
In an hous al bishette · & her dore ybarred
Cryst cam in & al closed · bothe dore & ȝates
To peter & to his aposteles · and seyde pax vobis
And toke Thomas by þe hande · and tauȝte hym to grope
And fele with his fyngres · his flesshelich herte

Thomas | Didimus | Ioh .xx.Cr2.19.172: Fol. Dd.2v, left margin.Thomas | Didimus | Iohn .xxCr3.19.172: Fol. 106v, left margin. ¶ Thomas touched it · & with his tonge seyde
Deus meus & dominus meus
Thow art my lorde · I bileue · god lorde ihesu
Þow deydest & deth þoledest · and deme shalt vs alle
And now art lyuynge & lokynge · & laste shalt euere

¶ Crist carped þanne · and curteislich seyde
Thomas for þow trowest þis · & trewliche bileuest it
Blessed mote þow be · & be shalt for euere
And blessed mote þei alle be · in body & in soule
That neuere shal se me in siȝte · as þow doste nouthe
And lellich bileuen al þis · I loue hem & blesse hem
Ioh .xxCr2.19.181α: Fol. Dd.2v, left margin.Iohn .xxCr3.19.181α: Fol. 106v, left margin. Beati qui non viderunt &c ·

¶ And whan þis dede was done · dobest he tauȝte
And ȝaf Pieres power · and pardoun he graunted
To alle manere men · mercy & forȝyfnes
Hym myȝte men to assoille · of alle manere synnes
In couenant þat þei come · & knewleche to paye
Pierces | pardon is , | pai þat þou | oweste .Cr2.19.187: Fol. Dd.2v, left margin.Pierces | pardon is | pay that þou | oweste .Cr3.19.187: Fol. 106v, left margin. To pieres pardon þe plowman · redde quod debes

¶ Thus hath pieres powere · be his pardoun payed
+L.19.189: Corrector, fol. 83v, right margin. To bynde & to vnbynde · bothe here & elles
And assoille men of alle synnes · saue of dette one

¶ Anone after an heigh · vp in-to heuene
He went & wonyeth þere · & wil come atte laste
And wil rewarde hym riȝte wel · þat reddit quod debet
Payeth parfitly as pure trewthe wolde
And what persone payeth it nouȝt · punysshen he þinketh
And demen hem at domes-daye · bothe quikke & ded
Þe gode to þe godhede · & to grete ioye
And wikke to wonye · in wo with-outen ende
Þus conscience of crist · & of þe crosse carped
And conseilled me to knele þer-to · & þanne come me þouȝte
The holy | Goste .Cr2.19.201: Fol. Dd.3r, right margin.The holy | Goste ,Cr3.19.201: Fol. 107r, right margin. One spiritus paraclitus · to Pieres & to his felawes
In lyknesse of a liȝtnynge · he lyȝte on hem alle
And made hem konne & knowe · alkyn langages

¶ I wondred what þat was · & wagged conscience
And was afered of the lyȝte · for in fyres lyknesse
Spiritus paraclitus · ouer-spradde hem alle

¶ Quod conscience & kneled · þis is crystes messager
| C.19.208: Hand X, fol. 28v, left margin. And cometh fro þe grete god · & grace is his name
Knele now quod conscience · & if þow canst synge
Welcome hym & worshipe hym · with veni creator spiritus

¶ Thanne songe I þat songe · and so did many hundreth
And cryden with conscience · help vs god of grace
And þanne bigan grace · to go with piers plowman
And conseilled hym & conscience · þe comune to sompne
For I wil dele to-daye · & dyuyde grace
| C.19.216: Hand X, fol. 28v, left margin. To alkynnes creatures · þat kan her fyue wittes
Tresore to lyue by · to her lyues ende
And wepne to fyȝte with · þat wil neure faille
For antecryst & his · al þe worlde shal greue
And acombre þe conscience · but if cryst þe helpe

¶ And fals prophetes fele · flatereres & glosers
Shullen come & be curatoures · ouer kynges & erlis
And pryde shal be pope · prynce of holycherche
Coueytyse & vnkyndenesse · cardinales hym to lede
For-þi quod grace er I go · I wil gyue ȝow tresore
And wepne to fiȝte with · whan antecryst ȝow assailleth
And gaf eche man a grace · to gye with hym-seluen
That ydelnesse encombre hym nouȝt · envye ne pryde
nota Gyftis off graceM.19.228α: Hand 3, fol. 94v, left margin. Diuisiones graciarum sunt &c ·

¶ Some he ȝaf wytte · with wordes to shewe
The gif=|tes of the | holy gost .Cr2.19.230: Fol. Dd.3v, left margin. The gyf=|tes of the | holy gost .Cr3.19.230: Fol. 107v, left margin. Witte to wynne her lyflode with · as þe worlde asketh
As prechoures & prestes & prentyce of lawe
Þei lelly to lyue · by laboure of tonge
And bi witte to wissen other · as grace hem wolde teche

¶ And some he kenned crafte · & kunnynge of syȝte
With sellyng & buggynge · her bylyf to wynne
And some he lered to laboure · a lele lyf & a trewe
And somme he tauȝte to tilie · to dyche & to thecche
To wynne with her lyflode · by lore of his techynge
And some to dyuyne & diuide · noumbres to kenne
And some to compas craftily · & coloures to make
Astrono=|mers .Cr2.19.242: Fol. Dd.3v, left margin.Astrono=|mers .Cr3.19.242: Fol. 107v, left margin. And some to se & to saye · what shulde bifalle
Bothe of wel & of wo · telle it or it felle
As Astronomyenes þorw astronomye · & philosophres wyse

¶ And some to ryde & to recoeure · þat vnriȝtfully was wonne
He wissed hem wynne it aȝeyne · þorw wightnesse of handes
nota Folviles lawesM.19.247: Hand 3, fol. 95r, right margin. ¶ And fecchen it fro fals men · with foluyles lawes
And some he lered to lyue · in longynge to ben hennes
In pouerte & in penaunce · to preye for alle crystene
And alle he lered to be lele · & eche a crafte loue other
And forbad hem alle debate · þat none were amonge hem
Thowgh some be clenner þan somme · ȝe se wel quod grace
+L.19.252.1: Corrector, fol. 84v, left margin. Þat he þat vseth þe fairest crafte · to þe foulest I couth haue put hym
~ C.19.253: Hand X, fol. 28v, left margin. Þinketh alle quod grace · þat grace cometh of my ȝifte
Loke þat none lakke other · but loueth alle as bretheren

¶ And who þat moste maistries can · be myldest of berynge
And crouneth conscience kynge · & maketh crafte ȝowre stuward
And after craftes conseille · clotheth ȝow & fede
Pierces | offices .Cr2.19.258: Fol. Dd.3v, left margin.Pierces | offices .Cr3.19.258: Fol. 107v, left margin. For I make Pieres þe plowman · my procuratour & my reve
And Regystrere to receyue · redde quod debes
My prowor & my plowman · Piers shal ben on erthe
And for to tulye treuthe · a teme shal he haue

A New plouhM.19.262: Hand X, fol. 95r, right margin.peris plowȝC2.19.262: Hand 1, fol. 98v, right margin. ¶ Grace gaue Piers a teme · foure gret oxen
XM.19.263: Hand X, fol. 95r, right margin.Pierce | Plowe=|man ox=|en .Cr2.19.263: Fol. Dd.4r, right margin.Pierce | Plowe=|mannes | oxen .Cr3.19.263: Fol. 108r, right margin. Þat on was Luke a large beste · and a lowe-chered
And marke & mathew þe þrydde · myghty bestes bothe
And ioigned to hem one Iohan · most gentil of alle
Þe prys nete of Piers plow · passyng alle other

¶ And grace gaue pieres · of his goodnesse foure stottis
Al þat his oxen eryed · þey to harwe after
On hyȝte Austyne · & ambrose an other
Gregori þe grete clerke · & Ierome þe gode
Þise foure þe feithe to teche · folweth pieres teme
And harwed in an handwhile · al holy scripture
Wyth two harwes þat þei hadde · an olde & a newe
virtutes CardinalesM.19.273α: Hand 3, fol. 95v, left margin. Id est vetus testamentum & nouum

¶ And grace gaue greynes · þe cardynales vertues
= C.19.275: Hand X, fol. 28v, left margin. And sewe it in mannes soule · & sithen he tolde her names
quattuor virtutes cardinalesO.19.276: Hand 1, fol. 81v, left margin. Spiritus prudencie · þe firste seed hyȝte
PrudenciaC2.19.277: Hand 2, fol. 99r, right margin. And who-so eet þat · ymagyne he shulde
The sede | þat Pierce | soweth .Cr2.19.278: Fol. Dd.4r, right margin. The sede | þat Pierce | soweth .Cr3.19.278: Fol. 108r, right margin. Ar he did any dede · deuyse wel þe ende
And lerned men a ladel bugge · with a longe stele
Þat cast for to kepe a crokke · to saue þe fatte abouen

notaW.19.281: Hand 1, fol. 120v, right margin. ¶ The secounde seed hiȝte spiritus temperancie
TemperanciaC2.19.282: Hand 2, fol. 99r, right margin. He þat ete of þat seed · hadde suche a kynde
Shulde neuere mete ne mochel drynke · make hym to swelle
Ne sholde no scorner ne scolde · oute of skyl hym brynge
Ne wynnynge ne welthe · of wordeliche ricchesse
Waste worde of ydelnesse · ne wykked speche meue
Shulde no curyous clothe · comen on hys rugge
Master Iohan spisydM.19.288: Hand 3, fol. 95v, left margin. Ne no mete in his mouth · þat maister Iohan spiced

FortitudoC2.19.289: Hand 2, fol. 99r, right margin. ¶ The thridde seed þat Pieres sewe · was spiritus fortitudinis
And who-so eet of þat seed hardy was eure
To suffre al þat god sent · sykenesse & angres
Myȝte no lesynge ne lyere · ne losse of worldely catel
Maken hym for any mournynge · þat he nas merye in soule
And bolde & abydynge · bismeres to suffre
And playeth al with pacyence · & parce michi domine
And couered hym vnder conseille · of catoun þe wyse
Esto forti animo cum sis dampnatus inique

IusticiaC2.19.297: Hand 2, fol. 99r, right margin. ¶ The fierthe seed þat pieres sewe · was spiritus iusticie
And he þat eet of þat seed · shulde be euere trewe
With god & nouȝt agast · but of gyle one
For gyle goth so pryuely · þat good faith other-while
May nouȝte ben aspyed · for spiritus iusticie

¶ Spiritus iusticie · spareth nouȝte to spille
Iustyce | leaueth | no sinne | vnpuni=|shed .Cr2.19.302-303: Fol. Dd.4v, left margin.Iustyce | leaueth | no sinne | vnpuni=|shed .Cr3.19.302-303: Fol. 108v, left margin. Hem þat ben gulty · & forto correcte
Þe Kynge ȝif he falle · in gylte or in trespasse
For counteth he no kynges wratthe · whan he in courte sitteth
To demen as a domes-man · adradde was he neure
Noither of duke ne of deth · þat he ne dede þe lawe
For present or for preyere · or any prynces lettres
He dede equite to alle · euene-forth his powere

¶ Thise foure sedes pieres sewe · and sitthe he did hem harwe
Wyth olde lawe and newe lawe · þat loue myȝte wexe
Amonge þe foure vertues · and vices destroye

- C.19.312: Hand X, fol. 28v, right margin. ¶ For comunelich in contrees · kammokes & wedes
Fouleth þe fruite in þe felde · þere þei growe togyderes
And so don vices · vertues worthy
Quod Piers harweth alle þat kunneth kynde witte · bi conseille of þis doctours
And tulyeth after her techynge · þe cardinale vertues

¶ Aȝeines þi greynes quod grace · bigynneth for to ripe
Ordeigne þe an hous quod Piers · to herberwe in þi cornes

¶ By god grace quod Piers · ȝe moten gyue tymbre
And ordeyne þat hous · ar ȝe hennes wende

¶ And grace gaue hym þe crosse · with þe croune of þornes
That cryst vpon caluarye · for mankynde on pyned
The foun|dation of | þe churchCr2.19.323: Fol. Ee.1r, right margin.The foun|dation of | þe church .Cr3.19.323: Fol. 109r, right margin. And of his baptesme & blode · þat he bledde on Rode
He made a maner morter · & mercy it hiȝte
And þere-with grace bigan · to make a good foundement
And watteled it and walled it · with his peynes & his passioun
And of al holywrit · he made a rofe after
Vnitie holy | ChurcheC2.19.328: Hand 2, fol. 99v, right margin. And called þat hous vnite · holicherche on englisshe
And whan þis dede was done · grace deuised
peers shevesM.19.330: Hand 3, fol. 96r, right margin. A carte hyȝte cristendome · to carye pieres sheues
And gaf hym caples to his carte · contricioun & confessioun
And made presthode haywarde · þe while hym-self went
As wyde as þe worlde is · with pieres to tulye treuthe

Pride en=|uieth the | church .Cr2.19.335: Fol. Ee.1r, right margin.Pride en=|uieth the | church .Cr3.19.335: Fol. 109r, right margin. ¶ Now is Pieres to þe plow · & pruyde it aspyde
And gadered hym a grete oest · to greuen he þinketh
Conscience and al crystene · and cardinale vertues
Blowe hem doune & breke hem · & bite atwo þe mores
And sent forth surquydous · his seriaunt of armes
And his spye spille-loue · one speke yuel byhynde
Þise two come to conscience · and to crystene peple
And tolde hem tydynges · þat tyne þei shulde þe sedes
That Pieres þere hadde ysowen · þe cardynal vertues
And Pieres berne worth broke · & þei þat ben in vnite
Shulle come out · & conscience ; & ȝowre two caples
Confessioun & contricioun · and ȝowre carte þe byleue
Shal be coloured so queyntly · and keuered vnder owre sophistrie
+L.19.348: Corrector, fol. 85v, left margin./nota/M.19.348: Hand X8, fol. 96v, left margin. Þat consci[ence] shal nouȝte ; knowe by contricioun
Ne by confessioun ; who is cristene or hethen
Ne no maner marchaunt · þat with moneye deleth
Where he wynne wyth riȝte · with wronge or with vsure

¶ With suche coloures & queyntise ; cometh pryde yarmed
With þe lorde þat lyueth after · þe luste of his body
To wasten on welfare · and on wykked kepynge
Al þe worlde in a while · þorw owre witte quod pruyde

¶ Quod conscience to alle crystene þo · my conseille is to wende
The wai | to withstand | pryde .Cr2.19.356: Fol. Ee.1v, left margin.The way | to withstand | pryde .Cr3.19.356: Fol. 109v, left margin. Hastiliche in-to vnyte · & holde we vs þere
And preye we þat a pees were · in Piers berne þe plowman
For witterly I wote wel · we beth nouȝte of strengthe
To gone agayne pryde · but grace were with vs

¶ And þanne cam kynde wytte · conscience to teche
And cryde & comaunded · al crystene peple
For to deluen a dyche · depe aboute vnite
+L.19.363: Corrector, fol. 85v, left margin. That holycherche stode in vnite · as it a pyle [weere]

¶ Conscience comaunded þo · al crystene to delue
And make a muche mote · þat myȝte ben a strengthe
To helpe holycherche · & hem þat it kepeth

¶ Thanne alkyn crystene · saue comune wommen
Who thei | be that | neuer re=|pent .Cr2.19.368: Fol. Ee.1v, left margin.Who thei | be that | neuer re=|pent .Cr3.19.368: Fol. 109v, left margin. Repenteden & refused synne · saue they one
And fals men flateres · vsureres and theues
Lyeres and questmongeres · þat were forsworen ofte
Wytynge and willefully · with þe false helden
And for syluer were forswore · sothely þei wist it

¶ Þere nas no crystene creature · þat kynde witte hadde
Saue schrewes one · suche as I spak of
That he ne halpe a quantite · holynesse to wexe
Somme þorw bedes byddynge · and some þorw pylgrymage
And other pryue penaunce · and some þorw penyes delynge

¶ And þanne welled water · for wikked werkes
Egerlich ernynge · out of mennes eyen
Clennesse of þe comune · & clerkes clene lyuynge
Made vnite holicherche · in holynesse to stonde
I care nouȝte quod conscience · þough pryde come nouthe
Þe lorde of luste shal be letted · al þis lente I hope
Comeþ quod conscience · ȝe cristene and dyneth
Þat han laboured lelly · al þis lente tyme
Here is bred yblessed · and goddes body þer-vnder
Grace þorw goddes worde · gaue Pieres power
Myȝtes to maken it · & men to ete it after
In helpe of her hele · onys in a moneth
Or as ofte as þey hadden nede · þo þat hadde ypayed
To pieres pardoun þe plowman · redde quod debes

¶ How quod al þe comune · þow conseillest vs to ȝelde
Al þat we owen any wyȝte · ar we go to housel

¶ That is my conseille quod conscience & cardynale vertues
Þat vche man forȝyue other · and þat wyl þe pater noster
Math .viCr2.19.394α: Fol. Ee.2r, right margin.Math .viCr3.19.394α: Fol. 110r, right margin. Et dimitte nobis debita nostra · &c ·
And so to ben assoilled · & sithen ben houseled

What lu|cre maye | do .Cr2.19.396: Fol. Ee.2r, right margin.What lu=|cre maye | dooe .Cr3.19.396: Fol. 110r, right margin. ¶ Ȝe bawe quod a brewere · I wil nouȝt be reuled
Bi ihesu for al ȝowre ianglynge · with spiritus iusticie
Ne after conscience by cryste · whil I can selle
Bothe dregges & draffe · and drawe it at on hole
Þikke ale and þinne ale · for þat is my kynde
And nouȝte hakke after holynesse · holde þi tonge conscience
Of spiritus iusticie · þow spekest moche an ydel

¶ Caytyue quod conscience · cursed wrecche
Vnblessed artow brewere · but if þe god helpe
But þow lyue by lore · of spiritus iusticie
Þe chief seed þat Pieres sewe · ysaued worstow neure
But conscience þe comune fede · and cardynale vertues
Leue it wel þei ben loste · bothe lyf & soule

nota lewed vicareM.19.409: Hand 3, fol. 97v, left margin.Of cardynalisO.19.409: Hand 1, fol. 82v, left margin. ¶ Thanne is many man ylost quod a lewed vycory
I am a curatour of holykyrke · and come neure in my tyme
A blynde | curate .Cr2.19.411: Fol. Ee.2r, right margin.A blinde | curate .Cr3.19.411: Fol. 110r, right margin. Man to me þat me couth telle · of cardinale vertues
Or þat acounted conscience · at a cokkes fether or an hennes
I knewe neure cardynal · þat he ne cam fro þe pope
CardinalesC2.19.414: Hand 2, fol. 101r, right margin. And we clerkes whan þey come · for her comunes payeth
For her pelure and her palfreyes mete · & piloures þat hem folweth
Þe comune clamat cotidie · eche a man to other
☞C2.19.417: Hand 1, fol. 101r, left margin. (Note: BB attribute this to Hand 2.)The prai=|se of car=|dinals .Cr2.19.417: Fol. Ee.2v, left margin.The prai=|se of car=|dinals ,Cr3.19.417: Fol. 110v, left margin. Þe contre is þe curseder · þat cardynales come Inne
And þere they ligge and lenge moste · lecherye þere regneth
For-þi quod þis vicori · be verrey god I wolde
That no cardynal come · amonge þe comune peple
| C.19.421: Hand X, fol. 29r, right margin. But in her holynesse · holden hem stille
At Auynoun amonge þe iuwes · cum sancto sanctus eris &c
Or in Rome as here rule wole · þe reliques to kepe
And þow conscience in kynges courte · & shuldest neure come þennes
And grace þat þow gredest so of : gyour of alle clerkes
And Pieres with his newe plow · & eke with his olde
Emperour of al þe worlde · þat alle men were cristene

De papa .O.19.428: Hand 1, fol. 82v, left margin. ¶ Inparfyt is þat pope · þat al peple shulde helpe
Pierce fo|loweth þe | example | of God .Cr2.19.429: Fol. Ee.2v, left margin.Pierce fo|loweth þe | example of GodCr3.19.429: Fol. 110v, left margin. And sendeth hem þat sleeth suche · as he shulde saue
And wel worth piers þe plowman · þat sueth god in doyng
Math .v.Cr2.19.431: Fol. Ee.2v, left margin.Math .v.Cr3.19.431: Fol. 110v, left margin. Qui pluit super iustos · & iniustos at ones
And sent þe sonne to saue · a cursed mannes tilthe
As bryȝte as to þe best man · & to þe beste woman
Riȝte so Pieres þe plowman · peyneth hym to tulye
As wel for a wastour · & wenches of þe stuwes
As for hym-self & his seruauntz · saue he is firste yserued
And trauailleth & tulyeth · for a tretour also sore
As for a trewe tydy man · al tymes ylyke
And worshiped be he þat wrouȝte al · bothe good & wykke
Of the | PopeCr2.19.441: Fol. Ee.2v, left margin.Of the | PopeCr3.19.441: Fol. 110v, left margin. And suffreth þat synful be · til some tyme þat þei repente
notacontra talem papamM.19.442: Hand 3, fol. 97v, left margin.Contra papamC2.19.442: Hand 2, fol. 101r, right margin. And god amende þe pope · þat pileth holykirke
And cleymeth bifor þe kynge · to be keper ouer crystene
And counteth nouȝt þough crystene ben · culled & robbed
And fynt folke to fyȝte · and cristene blode to spille
Aȝeyne þe olde lawe & newe lawe · as Luke þer-of witnesseth
Hebru .x.Cr2.19.446α: Fol. Ee.2v, left margin.Hebru .x.Cr3.19.446α: Fol. 110v, left margin. Non occides michi vindictam &c
It semeth · by so ; hym-self hadd his wille
That he ne reccheth riȝte nouȝte · of al þe remenaunte
And cryst of his curteisye · þe cardinales saue
And tourne her witte to wisdome · & to wele of soule
For þe comune quod þis curatour counten ful litel
Þe conseille of conscience · or cardinale vertues
But if þei sowe as by syȝte · somwhat to wynnynge
Of gyle ne of gabbynge · gyue þei neuere tale
For spiritus prudencie · amonge þe peple is gyle
And alle þo faire vertues · as vyces þei semeth
Eche man sotileth a sleight · synne forto hyde
And coloureth it for a kunnynge · and a clene lyuynge

Of land=|lordes .Cr2.19.459: Fol. Ee.3r, right margin.Of land=|lordes .Cr3.19.459: Fol. 111r, right margin. ¶ Thanne loughe þere a lorde · & by þis liȝte sayde
I halde it ryȝte & resoun · of my reue to take
Al þat myne auditour or elles my stuwarde
Conseilleth me by her acounte · & my clerkes wrytynge

¶ With spiritus intellectus · they seke þe reues rolles
+L.19.464: Corrector, fol. 87r, right margin. And with spiritus fortitudinis · fecche [it] I wole

notaM.19.465: Hand X, fol. 98r, right margin. ¶ And þanne come þere a kynge · & bi his croune seyde
a profecyG.19.466: Hand 1, fol. 95v, left margin.Of kingsCr2.19.466: Fol. Ee.3r, right margin.Of kingsCr3.19.466: Fol. 111r, right margin. I am Kynge with croune · þe comune to reule
XG.19.467: Hand 2, fol. 95v, left margin. Corresponds to an "X" in the Table of Contents (fol. 103r). And holykirke & clergye · fro cursed men to defende
And if me lakketh to lyue by · þe lawe wil I take it
Þere I may hastlokest it haue · for I am hed of lawe
For ȝe ben but membres · & I aboue alle
And sith I am ȝowre aller hed · I am ȝowre aller hele
And holycherche chief help · & chiftaigne of þe comune
And what I take of ȝow two · I take it atte techynge
Of spiritus iusticie for I · iugge ȝow alle
So I may baldely be houseled · for I borwe neuere
Ne craue of my comune · but as my kynde asketh

¶ In condicioun quod conscience · þat þow konne defende
And rule þi rewme in resoun · riȝt wel & in treuth
De potestate regis .O.19.479: Hand 1, fol. 83v, left margin. Take þow may in resoun as þi lawe asketh
Omnia tua sunt ad defendendum set non ad depredandum
Þe vyker hadde fer home · & faire toke his leue
And I awakned þere-with · & wrote as me mette

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