The Piers Plowman Electronic Archive, Vol. 5: London, British Library, MS Additional 35287 (M)

The Piers Plowman Electronic Archive, Vol. 5: London, British Library, MS Additional 35287 (M) – Passus 5William LanglandEdited by Eric Eliason, Hoyt N. Duggan, and Thorlac Turville-PetreAssociate Editors: Patricia Riles Bart and Gail DugganTechnical Editor: Daniel Pitti Graduate Research Assistants Michael Blum, John Ivor Carlson, Carrie Lindley, Janice McCoy, and Timothy L. Stinson. Computer Consultants and Programmers Shayne Brandon, Cynthia Girard, Kirk Hastings, Sue Munson, David Seaman, and John Unsworth.Society for Early English and Norse Texts ISBN (individual use) 1 84384 051 0 (institutional use) 1 84384 052 9

2005 London, British Library, MS Additional 35287

early 15th century Source copy consulted: London, British Library, MS Additional 35287

SEENET, A.7

Attribute Valuesbrbrown inkabanglicana bastardaititaliclcLombard Capo[number]ornamented capital, N lines highrbrubricatedtrtouched in redtxtexturaulunderlinedurunderlined in redgrgreen inkblblue ink

LatinFrenchGerman14 Dec 2004 editor Hoyt N. Duggan New header created, and SGML converted to XML. Minor revisions in TOC, mainly alphabatization of names.QtPassus quintus de Visione .M.5.0: This passus rubric is centered on its own line. In the left margin, the guide for the rubricator has apparently been erased and the rubricator has noted Quintus.The kynge and his knyȝtes . to þe kirke wenteTo here matines of þe day . and þe messe aft.erÞanne wakede I of myn wynkynge  and wo was withalleÞat I nadde slepte saddere . and yseiȝen moreAc er I hadde faren a fourlonge . faintise me henteÞat I ne miȝte ferthere a fo..ot . for defaute of slepingeAnd sat softely dounM.5.7: M shares the reading doun with H. Other B manuscripts have adoun. . & saide my bileue . And so I bablede on my bed.es  þei brouȝte me a-slepeAnd þanne sawe I moche more . þanne — I bifore ofM.5.9: The insertion of of brings M into line with WCr. toldeFor I sawȝgh þe fielde ful of folk . þat I bifore of seideAnd how resoun gan araiene hym . alle þe reume to precheAnd with a crosse a-fore þe kynge . coms.ed þus to techen# quia peccatum est Causa vindictiHe preued þat þise pestilences . was alM.5.13: M shares the reading was al with Y. Other B manuscripts omit al. for pure synne . And þe southwest wynde . on a Saturday atte eueneWas pertliche for pure pride . and for no point ellesPiries and plumptrees . were puffud to þe erþe . In ensample ȝye segges  ȝye shulden do þe bett..reBeches and brode ok.es . weren .blowen to þe grounde . Turned vpwarde heire tailles . in tok~~.....~~enyng ofM.5.19: M's original reading without of agreed with F, which, however, has knowlechynge in place of tokenyng. drede . Þat dedly synnnesynne er Domusday . shal fordo.on hem alleOf þis matere I miȝte . mamely ful longe# quomodo predicabat RacioAc I shal saie as I sawe . so me god helpeHow pertly afore .þe p.eple . resoun gan ~~...?...~~to precheHe bad wastour go worche . what he beste couthe . And wynnyn his wastynge . with s~~..me~~om — manere crafte . And praide pernelle . hire purfile to lete . And kepe it in hire cofre . for catel at hire nede . vusThomme stowue he tauȝte . to take two stauesAnd fecchen felice hom . from þe wyuen pyne# þat wattis wyff was to blameHe warned watte  his wif was to blameÞat hire hed was worth half aM.5.31: M's original reading without a agrees with WHmOBRF. marke  ~~and~~M.5.31: The and which was added was later deleted. Its absence here agrees with GYOC2CLR. his ho..od nouȝt worth a grote . And ~~...?...~~bad Bette kutte  a bowe oþer tweyneAnd bete .Betun þere-with  but ȝif she wolde worcheAnd þanne he charged chap~~....~~men  to chastisen hire childrenLate no wynnynge hem for-weny . w~~...~~hil þei ben ȝyongeNe for no pouste of pestilence . plese hem nouȝt out of resounMy sire saide so to me . and so dud my dameÞat þe leuere childe . þe more lore byhouethAnd sal.omon saide þe same . þat sapience madeQui parcit virge odit filium suumM.5.40: M alone among B manuscripts includes the word suum at the end of this Latin tag. .Þe englissh of þis latin is . who-so wol it knoweWho-so spareth þe springe . spilleþ his childrenAnd sitthen he praide Prelates . & preest.es to-gedresnotate predicatoresNota beneM.5.44: This odd nota bene sign resembles a few instances below.Þat ȝye prechen to þe ..peple  proue it on ȝyowre-seluenAnd dothe it in dede  it shal drawe ȝyow to goode . ~~...?...~~If ye l.yuenM.5.46: WC2CH read leuen, "believe." The spelling lyuen is usually a correction in M, since the original scribe does not distinguish between leuen and lyuen. as ȝye leren ..vs . we leuenM.5.46: The reading leuen is shared with F. Other B manuscripts supply shul. ȝyow þe bett~~.re~~reAnd sithen he radde Religioun  ~~...~~hire rule to holdenota. nota.Leste þe kynge and his conseil  .yowre comunes appaireAnd be styward.es of ȝyowre stedes . til .ye be rulede bett..reAnd sithen he conseilled þe kynge . þe comune to louye# bene dicitIt is þi tresour ȝif tresoun ne were . and triacle at þi nedeAnd sithen he praiede þe pope . haue pite on holychurcheAnd er ~~.......~~yeM.5.53: All other B manuscripts read he at this point. Kane and Donaldson's apparatus suggests that only the first letter of the word has been altered, but the erasure is considerably more extensive. gyue any grace  gouerne furst .yowre-seluenM.5.53: M's reading of yowre-seluen is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read hymseluen.# quomodo laudatur veritasAnd .ye þat han lawes to kepe  late truthe be ȝyowre coue~~....~~itiseMore þanne — gold or gift.es . ~~...~~if ye wil god plese . For whoso contrarieþ treuthe . he telleþ in þe gospellÞat god knoweþ him nouȝte . ne none — sainte of heueneAmen dico vobis nescio vos. & ceteraAnd .ye þat seke seint Iames . and seintes of RomenotaSekeþ seint truthe  for he may saue ȝyow alle ~# Finem sermonisQui cum patre & filio . þat faire hem bifalleÞat suweth my sermon . and þus saide resounÞanne ranne repentaunce . & rehercede his temeAnd garte wille to wepe . water with his eyen#Superbia~~.....~~Pernelle proude-herte . platte here to þe ertheAnd lay longe er she lok.ed . and lord mercy criedAnd bihiȝte vn-to hym . þat vs alle madeShe shulde vnsowen hire serke . and sette þere an heireTo affaiten hire flessh . þat fiers was to synneShal neuere heiȝe herte me hente . but holde me loweAnd suffre to beM.5.71: M's original reading without be agreed with F. myssaide  and so did I neuere . But now wille I meke me . and mercy bisecheFor alle þis I haue . hatede in myn herte . LuxuriaÞanne lecchoure saide allas . and on owre lady he criedeTo make mercy for his my.sdedes . by-twene god and his souleWith þat he shulde þe saturday . seuene ȝyere þere-aft.rerDrinke but myd þe doke . and dyne but ones . InuidiaEnuie with heuy herte . axede aftur shrifte . And carefuliche mea culpa  he comsed to sheweHe was as pale as a pelete  in þe pals..ye he semed#And clothed in a .kaurimaury . I couthe it nouȝte discreueIn kurtul and courte.py  and a knyf by his side# the Freris Fore-slevisOf a freres frokke . were þe forsleuesAnd as a leke hadde yleye . longe in þe sonneSo lok.ed he with lene chek.es . lourynge foule . His body was to-bolle for wrathe . þat he bo..ot his lippusAnd wryngynge he ȝyede with þe fiste . to wreke hym-self he þouȝteWith werkus or with wordus . whanne he seighe his tyme . Ecche a worde þat he warpe  was of an addres tongeOf chidinge and chalaungynge . was his chief liflode . With bakbytynge and bismer  and berynge of false wittnesseÞis was al his curtesie . where þat euere he shewede hym . I wolde byM.5.93: M's reading by is not attested in other B manuscripts, which read ben. shriuen quod þis shrewe  and I for shame dursteI wolde be gladd..er by god . þat gibbe hadde meschaunceÞanne — þouȝe I hadde þis woke y-wonne . a weye of essex chesevus passusI haue a neiȝgbore neiȝe me . I haue ~~......~~anoyedM.5.96: In place of the rewritten anoyed (as in WG) other B manuscripts have noyȝed, enuyed, and envied. hym ofte . ABylowenM.5.97: The scribe originally wrote A as a form of And (see a similar instance at M.9.57). This was erased and By written in. (Compare A variants at K.5.76: Bi-lowen and And belowen.) The erasure has affected the bottom of the <I> in the previous line. Other B manuscripts begin the line with And lowen on hym. ..him to lord.es . to do..on hym lese his silue~~..r~~rA..nd made his frendus to benM.5.98: The reading to ben is shared with B. Other B manuscripts read be or omit entirely. his fon . þourgh my false tonge . His grace and his gode happus . greueth me ful sore . Bytwene many and many . I make debate ofte . Þat bothe lif and lyme . is lost þour..gh my speche# discripcionem invidieAnd whanne I mete hym in markete  þat I moste hateI hailse hym ..hendliche . as I his frende were . For he his douȝtier þan I  I dar do non othurAc hadde I maistrie and miȝte . god wot my wille . And whanne I come to þe kirke  and shulde knele to þe RodeAnd praie for þe p.eple  as þe preest techeth . For pilgrymes and palmeres  for alle þe ~~...~~peple aftur . Þanne I crie on my knees  þat criste ȝyeue hem sorwe . Þat bar awaye my bolle  and my broke shete . Away from þautiere þannneþanne  turne I myn eiȝenAnd bih.oldeM.5.112: M's altered reading agrees with most B manuscripts. C2F here read bihelde. how Eleyne  ha~~...~~thM.5.112: R reads hath on; F reads hadde on. The erasure here may conceal such a reading. a newe cote . I wisshe þanne it were myn  and alle þe webbe afturAnd of m.an..y aM.5.114: M's reading of many a is perhaps altered from mennes, the reading of all other B manuscripts. lesinge I lauȝghe  þat akeþM.5.114: The reading akeþ is shared with B. Most other B manuscripts read likeþ. myn herte . And for hire wynnyngesM.5.115: M's plural is unique among B manuscripts. I wepe  and waille þe tymeAnd deme þat hij don ille  þere I do wel worseWho-so vndurnemeth me þere-ofM.5.117: The reading þere-of is shared with F. Most other B manuscripts read hereof.  I hate hym dedly aftur . I wolde þat .eche a wiȝt . were myn knaue . For who-so haþ more þanne — I  þat angreth me sore . And þus I lyue loueles . like a luther dogge . Þat alle my body bolneþ . for bitter of my galleI miȝte nouȝte ete many ȝyeres . as a man ouȝteFor enuye and .yuel wille  is .yuel to diffienMay no sugre ne swete þinkeg . asswage myn swellyngeNe no Diapenidion  dryue it from myn herteNe nowther shrifte ne shame . but ho-so shrape my maweȜYus redily quod repentaunce  and radde hym to þe besteSorwe of synnes  is sauacioun of soulesI am sory quod þat segge  I am but selde oth.er . corAnd þat makeþ me þus megre  ~~megre~~M.5.130: The final three letters of the erased megre are themselves a correction, but so messily written that the scribe has rewritten the word above. for I ne may me venge . Amonges Burgeises haue I be . dwellinge at londounAnd garte bakbytinge be a brocoure . to blame mennus wareWhanne he solde and I nouȝt  þan was I redyTo lie and ~~loure on~~— —M.5.134: The scribe's repetition loure on to loure on has been corrected by erasure of the first two words. The reading without to agreed with HmCr23. to loure on my neiȝgbore . and to lakke his chaffareI wil amende þis ȝif I may  þorw miȝte of god almiȝtyIraNow awaketh wratthe . with ~~...?...?...~~two white eyenAnd neuelinge with þe nose . and þeM.5.137: The reading þe is shared with G. All other B manuscripts read his. nekke hangyngeM.5.138-143: This paragraph is bracketed in the left margin. nota#I am wratthe quod he  I was sumtyme a Frere . A.nd þe Couentus gardiner . for to graffe ympus#On limitours and list~~...~~res . lesinges I ympudTil þei bare leues of lowe speche  lordus to pleseAnd siþþe þei blo~~....~~smed so brodeM.5.142: M's reading so brode is not attested in other B manuscripts, most of which read abrood. . in boure to here shriftus . And now is fallen þereof a fruite . þat folke han wel leuereShewen hire shriftus to hem  þanne — to hire personesM.5.144: M's unmetrical form of the b-verse is shared with GYCot. Most manuscripts read with W þan shryue hem to hir persons. .# the Cause off grugge betwen Curatis & FrerisAnd now persons hanM.5.145: M's original reading without persons han is not attested in other B manuscripts. perceiuede . þat Freres parte with hemÞis possessioneres preche . and depraue Freres . And Freres findeþ hem in defaute . as folke bereth wittnesseThat whanne ~~whanne~~— — þei preche þe p.eple . in many place abouteI wratthe walke with hem . and wisse hem of my bokusÞus þei speken of myM.5.150: M's original reading without my agreed with YOC2CBLF. spiritualte . tilM.5.150: The reading til is shared with F; most other B manuscripts read þat. ..eith..er despiseth othur . Til þei be bothe beggers . and by my spiritualte libbenOr ellus alle riche . and riden abouteI wrathe reste neuere  þat I ne moste folweThis wikkud folk . for suche is my grace . I haue an naunte to Nonne . and anM.5.155: M's original reading without an agreed with OCot. abbesse botheHire were leuere swowe or swelte . þan suffre any peyneI haue ben cook in here ..kychen . and þe couent seruedMany monthes with hem . and with monkes bothe#I was þe priouresses potagiere . and oþur pore ladyesAnd made hem ioutes of iangelinge . þat dame Ione was a bastardAnd dame Clarice a kniȝtus douȝtur  ac a kokewalde was hire sire~~...?...~~M.5.162: Something, no longer legible, is erased in left margin.And dame Pernelle a prestus file  priouresse worth she neuere#For she hadde childe in chirityme . al owre chapitre it wisteOf wikked wordus I wrathe . made here wortusM.5.164: M's syntax here is unique among B manuscripts, the rest of which place the object before the verb.Til þow lixte . and þow lixte . lopen oute at ones#And either h.ytte oþur . vndur þe chekevus passus+Hadde þai hadde knyues by crist . here eithur hadde kullud oþurSeint Gregorie was a gode Pope . and hadde a gode forwitteÞat no priouresse were preest . for þat he ordeinedeÞay hadde þanne ben infamis . þai can so euele hele conseilleAmonge ~~monk.~~ —— monkes I miȝte be  ac many tyme y shonyeFor þere ben many fel..le Frekes . my feres to aspienBothe priour and ~~...~~subpriour  and oure Pater AbbasAnd ȝif I telle any tales . þei taken hem to-g.idresAnd don me fasten Frydais . to bred and to waturAnd am chalanged in þe Chapitelhous . as I a Childe were . #And baleised on þe bare ers . & no breche bitwene . For I -þi haue I no lykynge . with þo leodes to wonyeI ete þere vnthende Fissh . and fieble ale drinke . Ac othurwhile whanne wyn cometh . whanne I drinke wyn at eue# the Flix off the Foule mowthI haue a fluxe of a foule mouthe  wel fyue daies aftur . Alle þe wikkudnesse þat I wote  by any of oure breþerenI couthe it in oure cloistre  þat alle oure Couent wote it . Now repente þe quod Repentaunce  and reherce itM.5.184: M's reading here is unique. The other B manuscripts read þow or you. F reads þou yt. neuereConseille þat þou ~~........~~knowest  by conte.naunce ne bi riȝtAnd drinke not to delicatly . ne toM.5.186: M's reading of to is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read ouer. depe nowthereÞat þi wille b.y cause þereof  to wratthe miȝte tourneEsto sobrius he saide  and assoillud ~~...~~hymM.5.188: The alteration to hym here brings M into agreement with Cr. All other B manuscripts read me. A similar situation is found in the next line. afturAuaricia .And bad ~~...~~hymM.5.189: The alteration to hym brings M into agreement with Cr. All other B manuscripts read me. A similar situation exists in the previous line. wilne to wepe ~~....~~  hisM.5.189: The alteration to his brings M into agreement with Cr. All other B manuscripts read my. wikkudnesse to amende . And þanne come Cou~~...?...~~eitise . can I him nouȝt discriueSo hungriliche and holwe . sire h~~...~~eruyM.5.191: While it is not possible to read what lies under this erasure, GCLR read Henry here. hym lokud# optima descriptio AuaricieHe was baberlippud . and bitelbrowedM.5.192: All other B manuscripts have the words baberlippud and bitelbrowed in the other order. alsoWith to blerede eien  as a blynde haggeAnd as a letheren Purs . lollud his chekusWel siddere þanne his chin . they cheueled for eldeAnd as a bondman of his bacon  his berde was bidraueledeWith an hode on his hede . a lousie hatte abouenAnd in a tawny tabard . of twelue ȝyereM.5.198: The reading yere is shared with F. All other B manuscripts read wynter. ageAl to-torne and baudy  and ful of lis crepyngeBut ȝif yþat a lous couthe  þe betterre haue lopenM.5.200: M's b-verse reverses the syntax of the other B manuscripts. Compare W's han lopen þe bettre./She shulde nouȝt haue walkud on þat welthe  so was it thredbare . I haue ben cou~~......~~eitous quod þatM.5.202: M's reading of þat is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read þis. It is the reading of some A manuscripts. Cay~~...~~tif . I biknowe it here . For so..m-tyme I serued  symme at þe stileAnd was his prentys y-pliȝte . his profit. to waiteFurst I lerned to lie . a lief or tweyneWikkudliche to weie . was my furst lessoun#To wy and to wynchestre . I went to þe faireWith many manere Marchyndise . as my maistre me hiȝteNad þe grace of gil.e  gon amonge my wareI..t hadde ben vnsolde þis seuen ȝyer  so me god helpeÞanne drowe I me amonge drapers  my donet to lurneTo drawe þe lisor alonge  þe lengere it semedeAmonge þe riche Rays . I rendrede a lessounTo broche hem with a ~~...?...~~paknedleM.5.214: M's altered reading paknedle agrees with most B manuscripts. LRF read batnedle.  and plait..eM.5.214: The altered reading is shared with W. YC2OLR have the past tense, as M may have had; other manuscripts have other verbs. hem to-g.edresAnd putte hem in a presse  and pynned hem þereinneTil ten ȝyerdus or twelue  tollud out thretteneMy wif was a webbe  and wollen cloþe madeShe spake vntoM.5.218: M's reading of vnto is not attested in other B manuscripts, which read to. spinnestiers  to spynnnenspynnen it outeAc þe pounde þat she paide byM.5.219: M's original reading without by agreed with B.  weied a quartroun more . Þanne myn owne auncere  who-so weied trutheI bouȝte hire barly malte  she b~~...?...?...~~rew it to sellePenyalePeny ale and poding Ale  she pourede to-g.idresFor laborers and lowefolklowe folk  þat lay by hem-selueThe beste ale lay in my boure . or in my bed chambre#And whoso bummud þereof . bouȝte it þere-afturA galoun for a gr~~...~~eyM.5.226: M's reading of grey is not shared by other B manuscripts, which have no adjective here. Perhaps the scribe inadvertently wrote grote twice and the first was corrected to grey. grote . god wot no lasse . And ȝyit it cam in ~~.........~~cuppemele  þis crafte my ~~.......~~wif vsedRose þe regratere . was hire riȝte name . She haþ holden hukrie  al hire lyf-tyme . Ac I swere now so theik . þat synne wil I lete . And neuere wikkudlich weie  ne wikke chaffare vseBut wenden to walsingham . and my wif also . And bidde þe Rode of Bromholme . bringe me out of dette . # questiones RepentencieRepentestow þe euere quod Repentaunce  ne restitucioun madeste . ȜYus ones I was herberwed quod he . with an hepe of chapmennotaXI roos whanne þei were areste  and rifled hire males .vus passusThat was no restitucioun quod repentaunce . but a robers thefteÞow haddest beM.5.238: M's original reading without be agreed with LR. bettur worthy . ben hanged þerforeÞan for alle þat / þat þow  hast here y-shewedenotaI wende riflinge were restitucioun . forM.5.240: The reading for is shared with Hm. Most other B manuscripts read quod he or quod he for. I lerned neuere ~~...~~toM.5.240: The corrected to is unique. Other B manuscripts omit it, and many other also omit rede. rede on bokeAnd I can none — Frensh in feithe . but of þe furthest ende of Northfolke . Vsudestow euere vsurie quod Repentaunce . in alle þi lif-tymeNay sothly he saide . saue in my ȝyowtheI lerned amonges lombardus . and iewes a lessounTo weie pens with a peis . and pare aweieyM.5.245: M's reading of awey is not shared by other B manuscripts. þe heuie.steAnd lene it for loue of þe crosse . to legge a wede and lese it . Suche dedus I d.ide doM.5.247: M's reading of do is not shared by other B manuscripts. write  ȝif he isM.5.247: is, "his." day brrekebrekeI haue mo maneres þorw rerages . þan ~~......~~thurgh miseretur & comodatI haue lente lordus  and ladies my chaffareAnd ben hire brocour aftur . and bouȝte it my-seluenEschaunges and cheuisaunces . with suche chaffare I dele . And lene folk þat lese wol . a lippe at euery noble . And w..ith . lombardus lettres . I ladde gold to RomeAnd toke it bi ta~~...~~leM.5.254: Before it was altered, this word was probably taile, the reading of most B manuscripts. here . and tolde hem þere lasseL~~........~~entestow euere lordus  for loue of hire mainteinaunceȜYe I haue lent lordus  loued me neuere afturAnd haue ymadeM.5.257: M's original ymade is shared with LWR. many a kniȝt . boþe mercere and drapereÞat paiede neuere for his prentishode . nouȝte a paire gloues . Hastow pite on poremenpore men . þat moten ..nedes borwe . #I haue as moche pite on pore men . as pedlere haþ of cattusÞat wolde kylle hem ȝif he cacche hem miȝte  for coueitise of hire skynn..esArtow manlich amonge þi neiȝborwes  of þi mete .& drinke . I am holden quod he as hende  as hounde is in kuych~~...~~eneAmonge my neiȝbores nameliche  suche a name I haueNow god leue neure quod repentaunce  but þou repente .. —M.5.265: Other B manuscripts read þe before rather. ratherÞe grace ..onM.5.266: For on BoGCot have of. þis grounde . þi good welM.5.266: M here omits to, found in most B manuscripts. bisetteNe þin ~~....~~heirsM.5.267: M's altered reading heirs agrees with most B manuscripts. L reads ysue, R reads vssue, and F oddly reads houswif. aftur þe . haue ioie of þat þou wynnesteNe þin executours wel bisette . þe siluer þat þou hem leuestXAnd þat was wonnen with wronge . with wikkud men be despendud .#xFor were I Frere of þat hous  þere go..od faith and charite isI nolde cope vs with þi catel . ne oure kirke amendeNe haue a peny to my pitaunce of þin  by my soule heleFor þe beste bookM.5.273: The final <e> on beste is squeezed into the line without erasure; book is inserted in a different, paler, ink. in oure hous  þeiȝe brent gold were þe leuesAnd I wiste witturly þou were . suche as þou tellestSeruus es alterius cum fercula pinguia querisPane tuo pocius vescere liber erisThou art an vnkynde creature  I can þe nouȝt assoilleTil þow make restitucioun  and rekene with hem alleAnd sitythen þat resoun rolle it  in þe Registre of heueneÞat þou .. — hast made eche man gode  I may þe nouȝte assoilleNon dimitturdimitt[it]ur peccatum . donec restituatur ablatum. & ceteraFor alle þat hath of þi goode . haue god my trouthemirabile dictumIs holden at þe heiȝe dome . to helpe þe to restitueAnd whoM.5.284: M's reading of who is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read whoso. leueth nouȝt þis be soth . loke in þe saut..er bokeM.5.284: M's boke is shared only by G. Most other B manuscripts read glose.In miserere mei deus . where I mene trutheEcce ~~v...?...~~enim veritatem dilexisti & ceteraShal neuere werkeman in þis world . þryue with þat þow wynnestCum sauncto saunctus eris . construe me þis on yenglissheÞanne wex þat shrewe in wanhope . and wolde haue hangede himselfN~~....~~adde repentaunce þe rather recounforted  hym in þis manereHaue mercy in þi mynde . and with þi mouthe biseche it . For godes mercy is more . þanne — alle hise othere werkes# quod misericordia eius super omnia operaMisericordia eius super omnia opera eius & cetera .And alle þe wikkednesse in þis wor~~...~~ld . þat man miȝte worche or thinkeNe is no more to þe mercie of god  þanne — in þe see a glede . Omnis iniquitas quantum ad misericordiam dei est quasiM.5.296: M's original reading without quasi is shared by L. sintilla in medio marisFor-þi haue mercy in þ~~ine~~y mynde . and marchaundise leue itFor þow hast no goode grounde . to gete þe with a wastell . But ȝif it were with þ~~ine~~y tonge  orM.5.299: All other B manuscripts here include ellis. with þine two handus . For þe goode þat þow hast geten . bigan al with falsenesseM.5.300: The reading falsenesse is shared with F. All other B manuscripts read falshede.And as longe as þow lyueste þere-with . þow ȝyeldest not but borwestAnd ȝif þow wite neuere to ..whiche . ne toM.5.302: The addition of to above the line, later erased, would have placed M in agreement with HmCr. whom to restitueBere it to þe bisshoppe . and bidde hym of his grace . vus passusBysette it hym-selue . as best is for þi souleFor he shal answere for þe  at þe heiȝe domeFor þe anyd for many mo  þat man shal ȝyeue rekenyngeM.5.306: The reading rekenynge is shared with F. All other B manuscripts read a rekenynge.What he leredeM.5.307: M's reading of lerede is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read lerned. ȝyow in lenten . leue ȝye non othurGulaAnd what he lente ȝyow of ȝowreM.5.308: This erasure brings M into agreement with all other B manuscripts except YOC2CB, which read his. lordes good  to lette ȝyow from synn.eeN..ow biginneth glotoun  for to go to shrifteAnd kaires him to kirkewarde  his coupe to sheweAc betoun þe brewestere . bad him gode morweAnd axede him with þ~~...?...~~at wordM.5.312: M's added reading of word is not shared by other B manuscripts.  whiderward he woldeTo holichurche quod he  for to here messeAnd siþþe I wil be shriuen  and synn~~..n~~en nomoreno more . I haue gode ale gossib quod she  glotoun wiltow assaieHastow ouȝtþ in þiny Purs  any ~~....~~hote spicesI haue pepur and piones quod sheM.5.317: M's original reading of he agreed with GCrYCBL. . and a pound. of garlikA ferthinge worthe of fenel siede . for fastinge-daies . Þan goth glotoun ~~...~~yn . and grete othes afturM.5.319-331: This paragraph is bracketed in the right margin.Cisse þe sowsteresseM.5.320: The form of the word varies (souteresse, sowestere, sowter). M's form is unique. . sat .. —M.5.320: Although it is not possible to read what has been erased, BmBoCot here read upon. on þe bencheWatte þe warnere . and his wif boþe . TyommeM.5.322: The name varies widely in the manuscripts. FGC2 have Tomme, WLO have Tymme. þe tynkere  and tweine of his prentisH~~...e~~ikke þe hakene~~i....~~yman . and hugh þe neldereClarice of cokkeslane  and þe Clerke of þe churche . DawevyM.5.325: M's altered reading Davy agrees with Cr23. All other B manuscripts read Dawe. þe dikere  and a doseine oþere . Sire pieres of pridie  and pernelle of FlaundresA Ribebour a Ratonere  a Rakere of Chepe . A Ropere a reding..kynge  and Rose þe disshersGodfray of garlekhide  and grifin þe walsshAnd vpholders an hepe . erly by þe morweGeuen glotoun with glade chiere  go..od ale to hanselleClement þe Cobelere  caste of his clokeAnd at þe newe faire  he nempned it to selleH.ykke þe hakene~~im..~~yman  h..yt his hodeod afterAnd bad bette þe bochere . ben on his side . Þere were chappemen y-chosen . þis chaffare to praise corWhoso haueþ þe ho..od shal haue  amendes of the clokeTwo risen vp in rape  and rounenM.5.338: All other B manuscripts have the verb in the past tense. tog.idresAnd praiseden þes peniworthes  apart by ~~.y.~~hem-seluenM.5.339: In place of the altered reading hem, HmRF have hym.Þei couthen nouȝt by here conscience  accorden in trutheTil Robin þe Roperere  arose by þe sotheM.5.341: Most other B manuscripts read southe. This line is "the locus classicus for the corruption of the B archetype" (Ralph Hanna, III, Pursuing History: Middle English Manuscripts and their Texts [Stanford, 1996] p. 217. Beta manuscripts read by the southe, and the unique M reading, originally by sothe, with þe inserted, is a desperate attempt to make sense of this.And nempnede hym for a nounpere  þat non debate nereHikke þostelere  hadde þe clokeIn couenant þat Clement  shulde þe cuppe ~~....~~filleAnd haue hikkes hoode þe hostilere  and holde him yseru.edxAnd whoso repentud raþe~~...~~st  shulde a-rise aft.erAnd grete sire glotoun . with a galoun aleÞere was lawynge and louringe  and lete go þe cuppeAnd seten so til euensonge  and songen vmwhile . .Til glotoun hadde y-~~...?...~~globbed M.5.350: The altered reading globbed is shared by many B manuscripts, though Cr and A manuscripts have forms of gulped. a galon and a gille His guttes guonne to godly  as two gredy sowes#He pissud a potel  in a pat.ernost..er-whileAnd blewe his rounde ruwet  at his rugge bon~~.....~~es endeÞat alle þat herde þat horn  helde here nos..esM.5.354: M's altered reading noses agrees with WHmGCot. Other B manuscripts read nose. aft.erAnd wissheden it hadde ben wexud  with a wispe of FursesHe miȝte neither steppe ne ston~~...~~de  er he his staff haddeAnd þanne gan he go liche  a glewe-mann..es biccheSomme—-tyme aside  and s~~....~~om—-tyme ariereAs who-so laith lynes  for to lkaccheM.5.359: M's original reading was shared with HmGF; the altered reading agrees with other B manuscripts. foules . And whanne he drow to þe dore  þanne dymmeden his eiȝen#He ~~...~~stombledM.5.361: M's altered reading agrees with most B manuscripts. LR read trembled. on the thr.essh.folde  and threw to þe ertheClement þe cobelericobeler  cauȝte him by þe myd~~...~~delFor to luyfte hym a-lofte  and laide him on his knowesAc glotoun was a grete ch.erl  and a grim in .. —M.5.364: Most B manuscripts read þe here. M's erasure of the word brings it into agreement with HmCr3C2. liftyng.And ~~.....~~coghed vp a caudel . in Clementus lappetake hede good gossipIs non so hungry hounde  in herteforde shireDurst lapen of þeM.5.367: Kane and Donaldson record the word as þo. The reading þe is shared by GLR. leuynges  so vnlouely it smauȝteWith alle þe wo of þe wo~~...~~rld  his wif and his wencheBaren hym hom to his bed  and brouȝten hym þere-innevus passusAnd aftur al þis excesse  he hadde an accidieÞat he slepe saturday and ..sonday  til s.onne ȝyede to resteÞanne wakenede he of his wyn.kkynge  and wipud his eiȝenÞe furste worde þat he warpe  was . where is þe bolleHis wi.fM.5.374: M's altered reading agrees with WCr1. Most B manuscripts read wytte. gan edwite hym þo  how wikkudliche he liuedeAnd repentaunce riȝte so  rebukede hym þat tymeAs þow with wordus and werkes hast wrouȝte  euel in þiny liueShriue þe and be shamed þereof  & shewe it with þ~~ine~~y moutheI glotoun quod theM.5.378: M's original reading he was shared with G. gomme  gulti me ȝyeldeÞat I haue trespassud with my tonge  I can nouȝt telle how ofteSworne godsoule  and selpe me godM.5.380: While this b-verse has widely varying readings among B manuscripts, M is the only beta-family manuscript to share RF's syntax so help me god, in contrast to the other beta manuscripts which read so god me help. and halydomeÞere none — nede ne was  nyne hundr..ed tymesAnd ouere-seien me at my sopere  and somme—tyme at nones . Þat I glotoun gurte vp  er I hadde goone a myleAnd spilte þat miȝte han ben spared  and spendud on suomme hon~~....~~grieOuerdelicately on fastinge-daies  drunken and eten botheAnd sate so longe þere~~.....~~ — somtymeM.5.386: The syntax of the a-verse is not attested in other B manuscripts, which read som tyme so longe þere.  þat I slepe and e..et atte onesFor loue of tales in tauernes  to drinke þe more I dineM.5.387: M is the only B manuscript to attest the present tense of the verb.And h~~...~~yed to þe mete e~~.....~~r noon  whanne fastinge-daies wereThis shewinge shrifte quod repentaunce  shal be merite to þeAnd þanne gan glotoun gre..deM.5.390: M's altered reading grede agrees with Cr1. Most B manuscripts read greete.  and grete doel to makeFor his l~~.....~~uther lif  þat he liuede hadde . And avowed toM.5.392: M's original reading without to agreed with GLR. faste  for hungre or forM.5.392: M's original reading without for is not attested in other B manuscripts, except F, which has and in place of or. thursteShal neuere fi..ssh on Friday  defien in my wombeTil abstinen..ce myn aunte  haue ȝyouen me leueAccidiaAnd ~~...~~yet haue I hatud hire  al my liftymeÞanne come slewthe al bislabrede  with two slym.y eiȝenI mo..ste sitte saide þe segge  or ell.es shulde I nappeI may not stonde ne stoupe  ne with-oute a stoleol knele . Were I brouȝte on bedde  but ȝif my tail..—ende it madeShulde no ~~...?...~~thyngM.5.400: M's altered reading thyng agrees with B and two C manuscripts. Other B manuscripts read ryngynge. do me rise  tilM.5.400: M's reading of til is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read er. It is the reading of the C text. I were ripe to dineHe bigan benedicite with a bolk  and his breste knockedeA~~........~~nd raskledM.5.402: M's reading raskled is shared with Cr and most C manuscripts; most other B manuscripts read roxed. and rorede  and rutte at þe lasteWhat awake renc quod Repentaunce  and rape þe to shrifte . If I shulde deie by þis day  me luste nouȝt to lokeI can nouȝt parfitely my Pat.er-nost..er  as þe preest it singeþBut I can rimes of Robin hode  & Randolf þ — erle of chestreAc nowther of oure lorde ne oure lady  þe leeste þat euere was madekedIM.5.408: M alone among B manuscripts omits the word haue here. made vowes fourty . and fo~~....~~rgat hem on .. —M.5.408: Most B manuscripts read þe here. M's erasure of the word brings it into agreement with OCBRF. morweI parfourmede neuere penaunce  as þe preest me hiȝteNe riȝte soriey for my suynn..es  ȝyet was I neuere . And ȝif I bidde any bed.es  butM.5.411: The reading but is shared with F. All other B manuscripts read but if. it be in wrattheÞat I telle with my tonge  is two myle from myn herteI am ocupiede eche day  halyday and othurWith ydel tales atte ale  and otherw~~...~~hile in churches . God.es paine and his passioun  ful selde þenke I on itM.5.415: The addition of it brings M into agreement with W. M's omission of the word agreed with OC2C. Most B manuscripts read theron.I visitede neuere fieble men  ne fettrud men in puttusI haue leuere here herlotrie  or a somere gamen of souteresAndM.5.418: M's reading And is unique among B manuscripts, which read Or. lesinges to lauȝgwen at  and bilye myn neiȝeburghÞan alle þat euere marke made  Mathewe Ion and lucasM.5.420: M alone among B manuscripts lacks the word And here. Manuscripts of the C text also lack the word.Vigilies and fastinge-daies  alle þese late I passe . And ligge abedde in lentoen  and my lemman in myn harmesTil matynes and Masse be do  & þan go I to þe freres . Come I to Ite missa est  I holde me y-seruede . I nam nouȝt shryuen suome-tyme  but sekenesse it makeNouȝt twies in two ȝye..er  and þanne vp gesse I shriue me . Contricio et infelicitas in vijs eorum & ceteraM.5.426: This line, which occurs only in M among the B manuscripts, is the only Latin tag written in red ink. It is in a different hand from the main text and is written in a paragraph space. The same Latin tag is found at M.4.36.I haue be prest and person.. —  passinge þretty wynt..er# de presbiteris venatoribusȜYet can I neither solfe ne synge  ne saintus liu..es reden . But I can fynde in a fielde  or in a fourlonge an hareBett..re þanne — in Beatus vir or in Beati omnes .Construe oon clause wel  and kenn..e it to my paris~~.....~~shensI can holde louedaies  and h.ere a Reues RekenyngeAc in Canoun ne in þe Decretales  I can nouȝt rede a lyne . ~~...~~If I bigge and borwe it  but ȝiif it be tailledI forȝete it as ȝyerne  andM.5.435: M alone among B manuscripts omits the word if here. men me it axeSix sithes or seuene  I forsake it with othesAnd þus tene I trwe men  ten hundred tymes . And my seruauntz some-tyme . hir salarie is bihi.yndeReuthe is to here rekenynge  whanne we shal rede acompt..esM.5.439: The revised reading is that of most B manuscripts. Cr23 read account.So with wikkuede wille & wrath  my werkemen I paie . .. Ȝif any man doþ me .iij.corvus passus~~...~~If any man doþ me a bienfaite  or helpeþ me at nedeI am vnkynde aȝeinz his curteisie  and can nouȝt vndurstonde itFor I haue and haue hadde ~~...?...~~ somdeel — haukes manersI nam nouȝte lured with loue  but þere ligge auȝt  vndur þe thombeÞe kyndnesse þat my euene-cristene  kydde me f~~...?...~~ernyereSixty sithes I slewthe  haue forȝete it siþþeIn speche and in sparinge of speche  y-spilte many a tymeBothe Flessh and Fisshe  and many othur vitaillesBothe brede and ale  mylke butt..reM.5.449: M alone among B manuscripts lists mylk before buttre. and cheseFor-sle~~.....~~uthed in my seruice  til it miȝte seruen no manI ran a-boute in ȝyowthe  and ȝyaf me nouȝt to l.erneAnd euere sitth haueM.5.452: M's original reading without haue agreed with LR. ben beggere  for my foule slewthe . Heu michi quia sterilem duxi vitam iuuenilem .Repentestow þe nauȝte  quod repentaunce . and riȝt with þat he swonedeTil vigilate þe veille  fette watur at his eiȝen . And flatte it vponM.5.456: M's reading of vpon is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read on. his face  and faste vponM.5.456: M's reading of vpon is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read on. hym criede# quod misericordia superest omnem iniquitatemAnd saide war þe from wanhope  wolde þe bitraieI am sor.y for myn synn.es  saie so to þei-selueAnd bete þi-selue on þi breste  and bidde hym of graceFor is non gulte here so grete  þat his godnesse ..nysM.5.460: The rewritten nys brings M into agreement with WL. Other B manuscripts have is. more . Þann.ee sat sleuthe vp  and sainede him swytheAnd made avowe to-fore god  for his foule sleutheShal no suonday be þis seuene ȝyere  but ȝif sekenesse it letteÞat I ne shal do me er day  to þe dere churcheAnd heren matines and messe  as I a monke wereShal no..on ale aftur metesM.5.466: M alone among B manuscripts attests the plural.  holden me þennesTil I haue euensonge herde . I bihote to þe Rode . And ȝyete wol I ȝyelde aȝein  ȝif I so muche haueAlle þat I wikkudly wan  syth I witte hadde . And þouȝ my liflode lakke  l.eten I nelle . Þat eche man ne shal haue his  ..er I henn.es wendeAnd with þe Re..sydue and þe rem.enaunt  by þe rode of ChestreI shal seke truthe ~~...~~erst  ar ..I se Rome# de Robert the robberRoberte þe Robbe..re  on reddite lokednotaAnd for þere nasM.5.475: M's reading of nas is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read was. nauȝte whereof .  he we..ep swithe &M.5.475: Between swithe and sore there is a faint insertion caret and a mark which is perhaps best interpreted as an ampersand. There is no support for this among the variants. sore . Ac ȝyet þe .usynneful shrewe  saide to him-seluenCrist þat ~~þat~~ — vponM.5.477: M's reading of vpon is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read on. Caluarie  vpon þe crosse de.yedestÞo dismas my broþur  bisouȝte ȝyow of grace . And haddest mercie on þat man  for memento sakeSo ruwe on þis robbere  þat reddere ne haue.thM.5.480: M's original haue (followed by an overwritten punctus) agreed with most B manuscripts. The alteration brings M into agreement with Cr23, while Cr1OC2 read hath.Ne neuere wene to wynne  with crafte þat I oweBut for þi mikel mercy  mitigacioun I bisecheNe dampne me nouȝte at domesday  for þat I d.ide so ille . What bifel of þis feloun  I can nouȝte faire shewe#Wel I wo..ot he wepte faste  watur with boþe his eiȝenAnd knowlechede his gulte to Crist . ȝyet eftesones . Þat penitencia his pike  he shulde Polisshe neweAnd lepe with him ouerlande  alle his liftymeFor he hadde l..eyne bi latro  luciferes auntethe prayer of RepentanceAnd þanne hadde repentaunce reuthe  and redde hem alle to kneleFor I shal biseche for alle sinneful  oure saueoure of graceTo amende vs of oure misdedes  and do mercie to vs alle . nota beneNow god quod he þat of þ~~ine~~y goodnesse  gunne þe worlde makeAnd of nauȝte madest ou~~...~~ght . and man mooste liche þi-selu..enAnd siþþe suffredest for to synne . a sekenesse to vs alle . And alle for þe beste as I bileue . what euere þe boke telleþde necessitate peccatiO felix culpa . o necessarium . ade peccatum . & cetera .For þor..gh þat synn..e þi sone  sent was to þe ertheAnd bicam man of a maide . mankynde to saueAnd madest þiself with þ..y — sone . and vs synneful y-licheFaciamus hominem ad ymaginem & simlitudinemsim[i]litudinem nostramEt alibi qui manet in caritate . in deo manet & deus in eo .nota beneAnd suth with þiny — selue sone . in oure sute deiedesteOn godefriday for mann.es sake . at ful tyme of þe dayÞere þi-selue ne þ~~ine~~y — sone  non sorwe in deth feledestBut in oure secte was þe sorwe  and þ~~ine~~y sone it laddeCaptiuam duxit captiuitatemÞe sonne for sorwe herofM.5.508: M's reading herof is unattested among other B manuscripts, which read þerof.  les hisM.5.508: This insertion brings M into agreement with C2YOCot. ..liȝteM.5.508: It seems probable that M originally read siȝte, agreeing with BoHmGCBmCotLRF. The alteration brings M into agreement with WCrYOC2. for a ty..meAboute midday whanne mooste liȝte is  and mele-tyme of seint..esFeddeste with þi Fressh blode  owre forfadres in derkenesse . Populus qui ambulabat in tenebris vidit lucem magnam & ceteravus passusAnd þo~~...~~rgh þe liȝt þat lepe out  þeoM.5.512: M originally read out þe, with þe then altered to þo and a punctus elevatus inserted between the two words. Most other B manuscripts read out of þee. lucifer was blentAnd blewe alle þine blessud  in-to þe blisse of ParadysÞe þridde daiey aftur  þow .yedest in oure sute# Sinffull MarenotaM.5.515: The ink of nota differs from that of Sinffull Mare.And ~~...?...?...~~synful Marie þe seiȝ . er seinte Marie þi dameAnd al to solace sinneful . þou suffredest it so wereNon veni vocare iustos . set peccatores ad penitenciamoptime dictumAnd al þat mar.k haþ y-made  Mathew Ion and lucas . Of þine douȝtieste dedes . weren don in oure armesVerbum caro factum est & habitauit in nobisAnd by so muche me semeþ . þe sekerer we moweBidde and biseche . ȝif it bieM.5.522: M's original bi was unattested in other B manuscripts. þiny wille . Þat art oure fadur and oure brothur . be merciable to vs . And haue reuthe on þes Ribaudes . þat repente hem soM.5.524: M's reading of so is unique among B manuscripts, many of which read here. soreÞat euere þei wratthed þe in þis world . in worde . þouȝte . or dede# de hopeÞanne hente hope and horne  of deus tu conuersus viuificabisAnd blewe it with Beati quorum remisse sunt iniquitatesxÞat alle seint.es in heuene  songen at ones . Homines & iumenta saluabis . quemadmodum multiplicasti misericordiam tuam deus & ceteraA thousand of men þo  throngen to-~~......~~gydresCriede vp to crist-wardeM.5.531: M's syntax here is unique among B manuscripts, the rest of which read vpward to Crist. . and to his clene modurTo haue grace to go with hem  treuthe to sekeAc þere was wiȝte non so wis  þei we.y þuydur coutheBut blustrede ~~...~~forþ as best.es  ouer bankes and hull.es . Til late was and longe  þat þei a l~~....~~eede metteApparailled as a payninm  in pilgrimes wiseHe bar a burdoun y-bonunden  with a brode listeIn a withwyndes wise  y-wonunden abouteA Bolle and a bagge  he bare bi his sideAnd anM.5.540: M's revised reading And an is shared with F and is the reading of C manuscripts. Other B manuscripts have An. hundred of ampulles  on his hat setenSignes of sinay  and shelles of galiceA..nd many aM.5.542: M's original reading without a agreed with YCR. cr~~....~~ouch on his cloke  and keies of RomeAnd þe vernicle bifore  for men shulde ~~.....~~knoweAnd se bi his sign.es  whom he souȝte had..deÞis folk frainede him furst  from w~~...?...?...~~hennes he coomeFrom sinay he saide  and from oure lordes sepulcre . In Bedlem and in Babiloine  I haue ben in boþeIn Ermonie in alisaundre  in many othur places#ȜYe may se by my signes  þat sitt.en on myn hatte Þat I haue walkude ful wide  in wete and in drie . And souȝte gode seintus  for my soule helþe . questio vbi veritas moraturKnowestow ouȝte a corseinte  þat men callen treutheCoudestow ouȝte wiss.en vs þe weiey  where þat wye won~~....~~yethM.5.553: M shares the reading wonyeth with Cr. It is also the reading of C manuscripts. Other B manuscripts have dwelleþ.nota beneNay so me god helpe  saide þe gome þanneI se.ygh neuere Palmere  with pike ne with skrippeAxen aftur hym  tilM.5.556: M shares the reading til with F. Other B manuscripts have alliterating er or er til. now in þis Place . notaPetur quod a plowman  and putte forth his hedeI knowe him as kyndeliche  as clerke doþ his bokus# quia dicit Petrus ploughman optime cognoscere veritatemConscience and kende witte  kende me to his placeAnd deden me seuren hym sikerly  to seruen him for euereBothe to sowe and to sette  whil I swyn.ke miȝte . I haue ben his folware  al þis fourty wyntureBothe sowen his sede  and suede his bestus . With-inInne and with-outen  waited his profitI dike and I delue . I do þat treuthe hotethSomme-time I sowe  and s~~....~~om—-tyme I thressheIn taillours crafte and tynkers  what treuthe can diuiseI weue and I w.inde  and do what treuthe hotethFor ..þoȝ I seie it my-selue  I serue him to paieI haue myn hire wel  and othurwhiles moreHe is þe presteste paiere  þat pore manM.5.571: M alone among B manuscripts attests the singular. It is the reading of the C text. knowethHe ne withh~~....~~oldeþM.5.572: The altered form withholdeþ is shared with G. Other B manuscripts read withhalt. non h.ewe his hire  þat he nath it at euenHe is as lowe as a lombe  and loueliche of speche . # quomodo docet viam viamviam ad veritatemAnd if ȝye wilneth to witen  where þat he dwelleþI shal wisse ȝyow witturly  þe weiey to his placeȜYe leue piers quod þis pilgrimes . and proferede hym h~~....~~yreX#For to wenden with him  to truthes dwellinge-placenotaNay by my soules helthe quod piers  and gan for to swerenI nolde fange a ferthinge  for seinte Thomas shrine#Treuthe wolde loue me þe lasse  a longe tyme aftur . Ac ȝif ȝye wilneth to wende wel  þis is þe weiey þuyder . vus passusnotaprimum mandatumȜYe moten go þor~~...h~~gh me.kenesse . bothe men and wyuesTil ȝye come in to conscience . þat Crist wo..otM.5.583: M's altered reading woot (presumably originally wote) agrees with F. Other B manuscripts have wite. þe sotheÞat ȝye louen oure lorde god . leueste of alle þingesM.5.584: M's original form without <-s> was shared by F.And þanne ȝyoure neiȝgbores nexte . in nonwisenon wise appairenOthere-wise þanne — þow woldest . he wrouȝte to þ~~ine~~y—-seluenAnd so boweþ ~~...~~forþ by abrokea broke . beth buxuom of specheTil ȝye fynde a forthd  ȝyoure fadres honourethHonora patrem & matrem & cetera . Wadeth in þat watur  and wassh ȝyow wel þereInneM.5.590: The addition of Inne brings M into agreement with WF.~~.....~~And ye shullen lepe þe liȝtloker . al ȝyowre lif-tymeAnd so shalte þow seM.5.592: M's original reading without se agreed with HmYOC2. swere nouȝt . but ..if it be for nede . An nameliche an ydel . þe name of god almiȝtyÞanne shalt þou come by a crofte . but come þow nouȝt þereinneÞat Crofte hat coueite nouȝte . menn.es catel ne hire wyuesNe none of here seruauntz . þat noien hem miȝteLoke ȝye breke none bowes þere  but ȝif it be ȝyoure owneTwo stokkes þere ston..den  ac stondeM.5.598: M's stonde is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read stynte. ȝye nouȝte þere . Þei ..hatten stele nouȝte . ne slee nouȝte  strike forbyM.5.599: M's reading of forby is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read forþ by. boþe . And leue hem vponM.5.600: M's reading of vpon is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read on. þ.yM.5.600: For M's altered þy CrG read þe. lufte half . and loke nouȝte þere-aftur . +And holde wel þine halydaye  heiȝe til euene . Þanne shaltow blenche at a burgh . bere no false witytnesseHe is is — frithed inne — with Flo..rynes . and oþere foes manyLoke þow ne.M.5.604: M's ne is unattested in other B manuscripts. plukke no plaunte þere  for peril of þ~~ine~~y souleÞanne shul ȝye se ~~swere~~M.5.605: The erased supralinear swere is legible with ultraviolet light. There are no parallels in other B manuscripts. sey soth  so it be to doneIn no manere elles nouȝt . for no mann.es biddingeÞanne shaltow come to a court . as cliere as þe suonneÞe mote is of mercy  þe manere aboute . And alle þe walles ben of wit.. . to holde wille outeAnd kernelled with Cristendome  m.ankynde to saueBoterasud with bileue so  or þow beest nouȝt y-sauedeAnd alle þe houses ben heled . halles and chambresWith no led . but with loue  and lowe speche as BreþerenÞe brugge is of bidde wel . þe bet may þou spede Eche pilere is of penaunce . andM.5.615: The addition of and brings M into agreement with HmF. of praiers to seint..esOf almesdedus arne þe hokes . þat þe gatus hangen on . Grace hat þe gatewarde . a gode man for sotheHis man ~~....~~hatte amende ȝyow  for many man him knowethTelleþ him þis tok~~...~~ene . þat truthe wite þe sotheI parfournede þe penaunce  þe prest me enioinedeAnd am ful sori for my synus  and so I shal euereWhanne I thenke þere-on  thei..gh I were a pope . Biddeth amende ȝyow meke him  to his maist..er ones# appyllis vnrostedTo wayue vp þe wikat  þat þe womman shetteTho Adam and Eue et.en  ap~~...?...e~~ples vnrostud . Per evam cunctis clausa est . & per mariam virginem patefacta est .For he hath þe keie and þe klikat . þouȝ þe kynge slepeAnd ȝif grace graunte þe to go  in : inM.5.628: M shares the reading in in with L. Other B manuscripts simply have in. þis wise . Þow shalte seen in þ~~ine~~y—-seluen  treuthe sitte in þine herte . In a Chei..ereM.5.630: Most B manuscripts here read cheyne. The altered reading of M agrees with Cr3Bm. of charitee  as þow a Childe were . To suffren him and segge nouȝte  aȝein þi sires willeAc be war þanne of wratthe  þat is a wikk.ede shreweHe hath enuye to him  þat in þine herte sittethAnd pokeþ forth pruyde  to praisen þi-seluen~~...?...?...esse~~M.5.635: This erased marginal note was likely a guide for the correction þe boldnesse.~~...?...~~Þe boldnesse of ~~...~~thy bienfaitz . makeþ þe blynde þanne . And þanne worthestow driuen out as dewe  and þe dore closudeKaied and kli~~.....~~ketted  to kepe þe with-outeHappuyly an hu~~....~~ndred wynt~~....~~er  er þou efte entre.Thus miȝte þou lesen his loue  to late wel by þi-seluenAnd neuere aftur happilicheM.5.640: M's reading of aftur happiliche is unique among B manuscripts, the rest of which read happily eft. entre  but grace þow haueSeptem sorores que seruiunt ad veritatemAc þere arne seuene sustren  þat seruen truthe euereAnd arne Porters ..ofM.5.642: For M's altered of, F reads at, Cr23 read to, and R reads ouer. þe posternes . þat to þe place longeþ . Þat on h..yȝte abstinence . and humilite þatM.5.643: M's reading þat is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read an. oþurCharite an chastite  ben his chief mayden..esPacience . & pees  moche p.eple þei helpuþ . Largenesse þe lady  ~~...?...~~sheM.5.646: The altered form she is shared with most B manuscripts. L has heo and R he. leteþ in ful manye~~...~~SheM.5.647: The altered form She is shared with most B manuscripts. WLR have Heo. haþ holpen a þousan..d oute  of þe deueles penfoldeAnd who is sibbe — to þis seuene  so me god helpeHe is wondurliche welcome  and faire vndurfongen . And but ȝye be sibbe  to somme of þes seueneIt is ful harde by myne he..ed . quod Piers  for any of ȝyow allevjus passusM.5.652a: The numeral and the word passus are in different inks.To geten ingonge at any gate þere . but grace be þe more# CutpurseNow by Crist quod a cuttepurs . I haue no kynne — þereNe I quod ~~....~~an apewarde  by auȝte þat I knowe . Wo..otM.5.655: Other B manuscripts read Wite or Wold for M's Woot, which is probably altered from Wote. god quod a wafrere . wiste I þis for sotheShulde I neuere ferthere a fote  for no Frerus prechinge . ȜuYus quod Pieres PlowmanM.5.657: M's Plowman agrees with F; other B manuscripts read þe Plowman.  and pokud hem alle to gode# quia misericordia super omniaMercy is a mayden þere  hath miȝte ouere hem alleAnd she is sibbe to alle synneful  and here sone alsoAnd ~~...?...~~thurgh the helpe of hem two  hope þow none othereÞow miȝte gete grace þere  so þow go bytymeBy seinte poule quod a Pardonere . ~~...~~anM.5.662: M's addition of an brings it into agreement with Cr. Most B manuscripts read par. auenture  I be nouȝte knowen þereI wil go fecche my box with my breuetes  and a bulle with bisshopus lettresBy Crist quod a comune womman  þi companie wil I folwe . Þow shalte seie I am þi sust..er  I not ~~...~~where þei b.ycome .