Passus quindecimus finit dowel & incipit dobet
Bx.15.1-14: The lines have no parallel in C. Ac after my wakyngBx.15.1: wakyng: R's walkynge is an obvious error. · it was wonder longe
And leten [me]Bx.15.5: me: Dropped by beta, though supplied on grounds of sense by CrW and inserted by the M corrector. for a lorel · and loth to reuerencen
Bx.15.12KD.15.12
Tyl I seigh as it sorceryeBx.15.12: sorcerye: R has of sorserie; F has a syght of sorseryȝe. were · a sotyl þinge with-al
And wher-of I cam and of what kyndeBx.15.14: and of what kynde: Beta4 omits of, and F has simply kendely. R drops the whole phrase and rewrites as two lines. · I conIured hym atte laste
If he were crystes creature · for crystes loueBx.15.15: for crystes loue: Beta2 presumably lost the phrase. CrW patch with anoon, Hm with leue. Here comparison with Cx recommences (RK.16.166). me to tellen
Bx.15.16KD.15.16, 17
¶ I am crystes creature quod he · and crystene in many aBx.15.16: a: Dropped by R only, though it appears to be the Cx reading. place
Is noyther peter þe porter · ne poule with hisBx.15.18: his: The beta reading with which F agrees, supported by the P family of C. R's þe has the support of the X family, and could be right. fauchoune
Bx.15.20KD.15.20
At mydnyȝt at mydday · my voice [is so]Bx.15.20: is so: The reading of alpha, CrHm, and Cx. Other beta mss. reverse the word-order. yknowe
¶ What ar ȝe called quod I in þat courteBx.15.22: quod I in þat courte: The word-order is reversed in MHm and beta4. The line is not in Cx. · amonges crystes peple
And for þat I can and knowe · called am I mensBx.15.25: mens: R, presumably reproducing his exemplar as usual, adds thouȝt, set out as a gloss between punctus. Cx misunderstood it as part of the line, so that most mss. read mens thouhte or mannes þouȝte.
And whan I fl[e]eBx.15.35: flee: L's flye may represent the beta reading, also in CO; M's flee is a correction. But Cx supports alpha and beta2. fro þe flesshe · and forsake þe caroigne
Bx.15.36KD.15.36
Þanne am I spirit specheles · andBx.15.36: and: L and alpha only, but supported by Cx. spiritus þanne ich hatte
How þow coueitest to calle me · now þow knowest alleBx.15.39: alle: W adds for at the beginning of the b-verse and drops alle. G also drops alle, but it is in Cx. my names
Bx.15.40KD.15.39α
Anima pro diuersis accionibus diuersa nomina sortitur · dum viuificat corpus
anima est · dum vult animus est · dum scit mens est · dum recolit memoria est ·
dum iudicat racio est · dum sentit sensus est · dum amat amor est · dum negat
vel consentit consciencia est · dum spirat spiritus estBx.15.40: L sets this as two lines, F as six and R as ten. Cf. Bx.15.124.
anima est · dum vult animus est · dum scit mens est · dum recolit memoria est ·
dum iudicat racio est · dum sentit sensus est · dum amat amor est · dum negat
vel consentit consciencia est · dum spirat spiritus estBx.15.40: L sets this as two lines, F as six and R as ten. Cf. Bx.15.124.
For bisshopes yblessed · þeiBx.15.42: þei: Dropped in MCGO, but supported by most C mss. bereth many names
Presul and pontifex · and metropolitanusBx.15.43: metropolitanus: Alpha has metropolanus, as in eight C mss., including X. It may, therefore, be an archetypal error.
Bx.15.48KD.15.47
¶ Ȝe syre I seyde [·]Bx.15.48: With the short a-verse, the placing of the punctus causes scribes uncertainty. WR put it after seyde; F reads y for by and puts it after that. In HmO it follows so; in M it follows man. LC omit it. by so no man were greued
Alle þe sciencesBx.15.49: sciences: COR have the plural without ending. vnder sonne · and alle þe sotyle craftes
Bx.15.52KD.15.51
For such a luste and lykynge · lucifer fel fram heueneBx.15.52: F alone adds a line after this.
Þat any creature shulde kunneBx.15.55: kunne: Alpha and Cr have kenne in the sense "know" (MED kennen v.(1), 3), but Cx supports beta. al · excepte cryste one
Sic qui scrutator est maiestatis opprim[a]turBx.15.58: opprimatur: R is supported by Cx in the present subjunctive, "let him be overwhelmed". Beta has the present indicative, while F corrects to the future as
in the Clementine Vulgate (Prov. 25.27). See Schmidt (1995), 395. a gloria
Bx.15.59: WHmCF begin the line with a paraph, with a line-space in M.To englisch men þis is to mene · þat mowen speke & here
Bx.15.64KD.15.61
Et verba vertitBx.15.64: verba vertit: This order, which is reversed in Hm and alpha, is supported by Cx (RK.16.223). in opera · fullich to his powere
Sciencie appetitus hominem inmortalitatis gloriamBx.15.67: gloriam: The form cited by Alford (1992), 92-3. Beta 2, corrected O and some C scribes alter to gloria, taking it as the expected ablative. spoliauit
Of god and of his grete myȝtes · his gracesBx.15.70: graces: HmCGOF have the more obvious singular. The line is rewritten in C. it letteth
[¶]Bx.15.74: ¶: A paraph is warranted by the syntax and supported by MWHmC and alpha. Freres and fele otherBx.15.74: fele other: It is possible that beta (apart from G) has added fele (not in alpha) to "improve" the alliteration, but obscuring alliteration on /m/. But Cx has the word in a revised line (RK.16.231). maistres · þat to þeBx.15.74: þe: Omitted by WOF. lewed men prechen
Ȝe moeuen materes inmesurablesBx.15.75: inmesurables: Post-positional French adjectives may have a plural inflection, altered by CrWF. (Mustanoja (1960), 277.) MED citations suggest that the negative prefix is more commonly vn-, as in WG and alpha. Cx rewrites the line. · to tellen of þe Trinite
Bettere byleue were monyBx.15.77: Bettere byleue were mony: "It would be better for many doctors to drop such teaching". This is the reading of LCrHm, and probably that of M before
correction, but it caused considerable confusion. The lack of alliteration suggests the line is corrupt. If it is authorial,
Langland is presumably punning on the noun bileue (l. 76) and MED bileven v. (1), "abandon", which some scribes take as MED bileven v. (2), "believe". The M corrector rearranged the words as Bettre were many doctours . bileu{..}, but subsequently alters the last word to leue, giving the reading "Bettre were many doctours leue suche techinge", which makes good sense. W hits on a similar reading.
R (= alpha?) alters were to by and drops such in the b-verse. F revises in his usual uncompromising manner. The line is not in Cx. · doctoures such techyng
As wel freres as other folke · folilich spenenBx.15.81: spenen: LR (and CrC) agree against spenden in other mss., which is no doubt prompted by myspenden in the line above. However, Cx has spenden. The two verbs (MED spenden and spenen) have the same origin and mean the same thing.
In housyng in haterynge · in toBx.15.82: in to: Perhaps "in displaying too arrogant a learning". So alpha; beta has and in to. Cx has in. hiegh clergye shewynge
nota de fratribusBx.15.90: nota de fratribus: In L this is in the scribal hand and boxed in red. Since it is also in M, it is probably at least beta.
Of vsureres of hores · ofBx.15.91: of (3): R has and; F has & of. The line is not in C. auarous chapmen
Þat seide to his disciples · ne sitis [acceptores personarum]Bx.15.94: acceptores personarum: Beta reverses the order, but alpha is supported by Cx.
¶ Of þis matere I myȝte · make a longeBx.15.95: longe: Alpha probably read grete, as R, with F increasing the alliteration by altering to mychil. There is no guidance from C. bible
Þorw lele libbyng men · þat goddes laweBx.15.99: lawe: Alpha has the plural. There is no parallel line in C. techen
There inparfyt presthod is · prechouresBx.15.101: prechoures: Beta is supported by Cx (RK.16.247). Alpha reads and prechoures, perhaps anticipating l. 105. and techeres
AndBx.15.102: And: Beta2 has I, but this is not supported by Cx. se it by ensample [·] in somer tyme on trowes
Riȝt so parsones and prestes · and prechoures of holy chercheBx.15.105: cherche: R's plural has no support from Cx.
[Is þe]Bx.15.106: Is þe: R is supported by Cx. Beta alters to Þat aren to correct the syntax; F rewrites. The form is can be used for the plural (as at Bx.16.241), but here presumably agrees with rote rather than the nouns in the previous line. rote of þe riȝte faith · to reule þe peple
AcBx.15.107: Ac: The common variation between Ac ~ But ~ And. The better C mss. support Ac. þere þe rote is roten · reson wote þe sothe
Bx.15.109: Alpha and Hm have a paraph, and in L the line is at the top of the page where it is sometimes missed.For-þi wolde ȝeBx.15.109: ȝe: Alpha has þe, as does the P group of C. Cf. l. 111 ȝowre, altered by F to here. lettred leue · þe leccherye of clothynge
Bx.15.112KD.15.106
And hatien to here harlotrye · and [a]uȝtBx.15.112: auȝt: R's b-verse depends on wolde ȝe ... hatien, so "hate under any circumstance to take tithes", and presents aaa/ax alliteration. Beta's nouȝt depends, perhaps less plausibly, directly on wolde ȝe: "if you would not take tithes" (to is used when the auxiliary is separated from the infinitive, as here; see Mustanoja (1960), 522). In beta the pattern is
aaa/xx. F rewrites. Cx simplifies the line (RK.16.260), with a couple of scribes even so misunderstanding the syntax and adding a negative. to vnderfonge
Tythes of vntreweBx.15.113: of vntrewe: Obviously better than CrW but of trewe and G + alpha of trewe. Perhaps the mistake is prompted by l. 111 Trewe in the context of the syntactic difficulty shown by the readings in the line above. Cx revises (RK.16.261). þinge · ytilied or chaffared
¶Bx.15.114: ¶: The paraph in LHm and alpha (line-break in M) evidently represents Bx, yet the sentence beginning at l. 109 with a series of conditionals must be completed here in the main clause. Lothe were lewed men · but þei ȝowre lore folwed
And amenden hem þat mysdonBx.15.115: mysdon: Bx means "(those) who do wrong amend themselves", but could be misunderstood to mean "amend those who do wrong". R's reading
þei misdon makes it clearer that hem is reflexive, "amend themselves of what they do wrong". Cx clarifies with amenden (hem) of here mysdedes (RK.16.263). · more for ȝowre ensamples
For ypocrysie in latyn · is lykned to a dongehulBx.15.117: dongehul: Cf. "a donghel besnewed" (Aȝenbit of Inwit, 81/9-10, translating Somme le Roi). Alpha's dongoun misses the allusion.
Bx.15.119: The paraph in L and the line-space in M are clearly not appropriate, and may represent a beta error.Or to a wal þat were whitlymed · and were foule wyth-inneBx.15.119: The line is lost in HmCG, through eyeskip on wyth-inne.
Ȝe aren enblaunched with bele paroles · and with clothesBx.15.121: and with clothes: So R. Cx has and with bele clothes. To repair the archetypal loss of the repeated bele, beta lengthens the b-verse with also and F supplies alliteration.
Ac ȝowre werkes and ȝowre wordes þere-vnder · aren ful [wol]uelichBx.15.122: woluelich: Evidently R has the alpha reading, for which F substitutes foxly. Beta misreads as vnlouelich. Cx has an entirely different line, but it ends as wolues (RK.16.271).
¶Bx.15.123: ¶: The paraph is recorded by LR only. Iohannes crysostomus · of clerkes speketh and prestes
Bx.15.124KD.15.118
Bx.15.124: Set as four lines in L, nine in R and three in F. Cf. l. 40. Sicut de templo omne bonum progrediturBx.15.124: progreditur: Alpha anticipates procedit. · sic de templo · omne malum procedit
Si sacerdocium integrum fuerit · tota floret ecclesia · si autem corupt[a]Bx.15.124: corupta: Since this is the form in alpha and most C mss., it is presumably archetypal. Beta corrects to coruptum, referring to sacerdocium rather than ecclesia, as in Alford (1992), 93. fuerit · omnium fides
marcida est · Si sacerdociumBx.15.124: sacerdocium (2): Alpha has sacerdos. fuerit in peccatis · totus populus co[n]uertitur ad peccandumBx.15.124: peccandum: Alpha has peccatum.
Sicut cum videris arborem pallidam & marcidam · inteligis quod vicium habet in radice
Ita cum videris populum indisciplinatum · & irreligiosum sine dubio sacerdocium eius non est sanum
Si sacerdocium integrum fuerit · tota floret ecclesia · si autem corupt[a]Bx.15.124: corupta: Since this is the form in alpha and most C mss., it is presumably archetypal. Beta corrects to coruptum, referring to sacerdocium rather than ecclesia, as in Alford (1992), 93. fuerit · omnium fides
marcida est · Si sacerdociumBx.15.124: sacerdocium (2): Alpha has sacerdos. fuerit in peccatis · totus populus co[n]uertitur ad peccandumBx.15.124: peccandum: Alpha has peccatum.
Sicut cum videris arborem pallidam & marcidam · inteligis quod vicium habet in radice
Ita cum videris populum indisciplinatum · & irreligiosum sine dubio sacerdocium eius non est sanum
But if many aBx.15.127: many a: MR have the equally common construction without a. Cx has no parallel for ll. 125-32. prest bere · for here baselardes and here brochesBx.15.127: baselardes ... broches: Reversed in R (= alpha?).
Bx.15.128KD.15.122
A peyreBx.15.128: peyre: The idiom is supported by LCGR (cf. Bx.12.22). The others have peire of. bedes in her hande · andBx.15.128: and: Alpha has or. a boke vnder her arme
Bx.15.132KD.15.126-127
Hadde he neure seruyse to saueBx.15.132: saue: R reads haue (which could be right), while F abbreviates the long a-verse. syluer þer-to · seith it with yvelBx.15.132: yvel: The reading of L and alpha, and so presumably Bx. Schmidt (1995) translates with yvel wille as "with a bad grace". The phrase occurs elsewhere in the sense "malice". KD adopt wyth ydel wylle in other beta mss., which Kane (2005) glosses "perfunctorily", though there are no parallels. O's for spendyng at ale is an inspired invention simplifying a puzzling line. As Skeat explains it, the priest expects to be paid for saying a mass
in addition to (þer-to) the Placebo, so that Hadde he neure means "If he did not have". wille
Wolde neuere witteBx.15.135: witte: Scribes are puzzled, with W substituting þe wit and Hm þe wylle. CGO revise further. For witte of witty god, "the wisdom of wise God", Cx reads oþerwyse god. Langland seems to mean that since good men should not benefit from goods obtained wickedly (ll. 112-13), wicked men must enjoy them. of witty god · but wikked men it haddeBx.15.135: hadde: Alpha reads maked, but beta is supported by Cx.
Þis þat with gyle was geten · vngraciouslich is spendedBx.15.138: spended: R has spened, agreeing with the X family of C. Cf. l. 81 note.
Bx.15.140KD.15.135
AndBx.15.140: And: R (= alpha) has Ac (with F reading But as usual). Cf. the variants at ll. 107, 131 etc. The line is not in Cx. goddes folke for defaute þer-of · forfaren and spillen
¶ Curatoures of holykirke · a[nd]Bx.15.141: and: Alpha is supported by Cx against beta's as, which, however, gives good sense. clerkes þat ben auerouse
Bx.15.144KD.15.139
And maketh murthe þere-with · and his menBx.15.144: men: Support for meyne comes from HmF alone. Lines 143-62 are rewritten in C. bothe
Bx.15.148KD.15.143
And þat he spared and bispered · speneBx.15.148: spene: The form in LMR. For variation with spende, cf. ll. 81, 138, 149 and 340. we in murthe
¶ By lered by lewed · þat loth is to spendeBx.15.149: spende: Cf. the previous line. In this case only R has spene.
Bx.15.152KD.15.147
And bymeneth good mete-ȝyueres · and in mynde hauethBx.15.152: haueth: Alpha has hem haueth, which may be right. There is no parallel in C.
quid est caritasBx.15.153: quid est caritas: Written in the right-hand margin in the main hand in LM, so probably beta.
In prayers and in penauncesBx.15.153: penaunces: For variation of the plural with and without <-s>, see note to Bx.14.211. · and in parfyt charite
¶Bx.15.157: ¶: The paraph in LW (with a new line-group in M) marks the start of Will's speech. Where shulde men fynde such a frende · with so fre an herte
Bx.15.158: Alpha and Hm mistake this as the beginning of Will's speech, with a paraph here rather than at l. 157. But the line is certainly
notable. A later annotator in L writes: "nota the name of thaucto[r]". R has "Longe Wylle" in display script in red in the
right margin; in M a later annotator has scribbled "longe will". I haue lyued in londe quod IBx.15.158: I (2): Beta2 reads he. · my name is longe wille
¶Bx.15.162: ¶: The paraph is in LM only and may be spurious. WHmCF have a paraph at l. 164 instead. Ac charite þat poule preyseth best · and most plesaunte to owre saueoureBx.15.162: owre saueoure: Evidently beta, despite WCr's oure lord. Alpha presumably had R's god.
AsBx.15.163: As: Beta2 has Is, and M is altered to that reading. The word is dropped by CG and is not in Cx. non inflatu[r]Bx.15.163: inflatur: Perhaps beta had the error inflatus, retained by L and corrected in M. non [est]Bx.15.163: est: Not in L and added in M and Hm, again suggesting that beta was perhaps in error. ambiciosa non querit que sua sunt
Þinge þat neded hymBx.15.166: neded hym: Supported by Cx against alpha's reversal and the present tense in CGO. nouȝt · and nyme it if he myȝte
Bx.15.168KD.15.162
Ac I seygh hym neuere sothly · but as my-self in aBx.15.168: a: Alpha omits. The line is not in Cx. miroure
[Hic]Bx.15.169: Hic: M and alpha are supported by Cx against It in L, Ita in CGO, and omission in beta2. In 1 Cor. 13.12 the word is nunc. in enigmate tunc facie ad faciem
AndBx.15.177: And: Alpha has He. Lines 177-87 are rewritten in C. leuethBx.15.177: leueth: R clearly reads leueth (though not recorded by KD), and F's beleviþ supports this as alpha's reading. Cr has leueth and in G lenithe is altered to levithe, as is to be expected in these late texts. In all other beta mss. it is impossible to determine whether the reading is u or n (though it looks more like u in O). Our transcriptions followed KD in reading leneth (though with a note of caution in W). We should probably have followed Skeat, who read L as leueth, with a note glossing it "believes; answering to let it soth" (l. 180). and loueth alle · þat owre lorde made
For a frende þat fyndethBx.15.185: fyndeth: The evidence supports this as the Bx form in this line against R's monosyllabic fynt, whereas Bx evidently had fynt in the next line. hym · failled hym neuere at nede
And if he soupethBx.15.187: soupeth: Only MCGO have subjunctive soupe. et[eth]Bx.15.187: eteth: The present tense is required by the sense. L's ette must be past, and R's eet (= alpha?) may be. See note to l. 60 above. Hm and beta4 have he eteþ. but a soppe [·] of spera in deo
Bx.15.188KD.15.181
He can purtreye wel þe pater noster · and peynte it with auesBx.15.188: aues: Beta's plural is supported by Cx (RK.16.323).
And other-while is his woneBx.15.189: is his wone: LMHm (R drops his). CrW, beta4 and F have he is woned, but Cx has his wone is. · to wende in pilgrymageBx.15.189: in pilgrymage: Only LM have in, though this is the Cx reading. Bx clearly had sg. pilgrymage, though WCF have the plural, as does Cx. See Bx.14.211 and 19.387 for a similar situation.
Þere pore men and prisonesBx.15.190: prisones: The form has good support for both Bx and Cx. See note to Bx.3.138. liggeth · her pardoun to haue
And ȝerne in-to ȝouthe · and ȝepliche s[eche]Bx.15.195: seche: Alpha is supported by Cx (as well as sense) against beta's speke.
Bx.15.196KD.15.189
Pryde with al þe appurtenaunceBx.15.196: appurtenaunce: The choice is between this and alpha's purtenaunce. This could represent the plural, as MCrWGF unambiguously do. C mss. have the same variation. · and pakken hem togyderes
Bx.15.200KD.15.193
AndBx.15.200: And: Beta is supported by the X family of C, but alpha's omission has support from the P family. þanne he syngeth whan he doth so · & some-tyme seith wepyng
¶ With-outen helpe of Piers plowmanBx.15.203: plowman: MR have þe plowman; F drops the two words. Cf. l. 206. Lines 202-24 are heavily revised in C, with few parallels. quod he · his persone seestow neuere
ÞatBx.15.207: Þat: This odd reading, supported by L and alpha, evidently puzzled the scribes. M is altered to What, the reading of beta2, while CGO have Where. There is no parallel in C. is þeBx.15.207: þe: Lost in alpha, prompting F to alter wil to why. wille and wherfore · þat many wyȝte suffreth
Ac it is more to haue her mete · [on]Bx.15.215: on: Alpha's reading gives the required sense. LMCrW suggest that beta had with, although Hm and beta4 have in. such an esy manere
And þat knoweth no clerke · ne creature inBx.15.219: in: Beta probably had in, altered by beta2 (the line is omitted by Hm) to the more usual on. F also reads on, though R has the unusual form an. erthe
For he ne isBx.15.221: ne is: LM. In practice there is no distinction between this and nys in WHmR. We follow copy-text. nouȝte in lolleres · ne in lande-leperes hermytes
Bx.15.224KD.15.216
Bx.15.224: Alpha has a paraph.For charyte is goddis champioun · and as a good chylde hende
Bx.15.228KD.15.219α
Nolite fieri sicut ypocrite tristes &cBx.15.228: R alone has the word-order as in Cx. Perhaps beta and F reverted to the Vulgate order, since it was a well-known quotation used as an antiphon on Ash Wednesday.
See Alford (1992), 94.
Bx.15.229: Hm and alpha have a paraph. In L the line is at the top of the page where a paraph is sometimes missed.For I haue seyn hym in sylke · and somme-tyme in russet
And seyntes ysette · [so]Bx.15.233: so: Alpha's alliterating reading means "so much did they practice charity". Beta's tyl makes no sense, prompting the reading for in CrW, and the alteration to that reading in MHm. KD and Schmidt (1995), 396, oddly conjecture stille, though the latter has an elaborate explanation. charite hem folwed
Ycalled and ycrimiled · and his crowne shaueBx.15.238: Following this beta4 has an additional line. It is not in C.
Bx.15.240KD.15.231
Ac it is ferreBx.15.240: ferre: Though beta2 and F have fern, which might be considered difficilior (it occurs nowhere else in any version), Cx has fer in a revised a-verse. agoo · in seynt Fraunceys tyme
In þat secte sitthe · to selde hath he be knowenBx.15.247: knowen: Clearly the Bx reading. Unusually, W's founde is shared with Cx, presumably by coincidence.
In courte amonge iaperes · he cometh butBx.15.247: but: LMGR are supported by Cx against noȝt but. selde
[¶ Amonges erchebisshopes and oþer bisshopes · and prelates of holy chercheBx.15.254-8: These five lines are lost by beta, skipping from one paraph to the next. Lines 254 and 257 are distantly related to RK.16.366-7.
We follow R, with spellings altered to those of L. Comparison with Cx begins again with l. 290 and then l. 297.
And for his sectoures & his seruantz · & somme for hereBx.15.258: here: The kinsmen's. F's hise weakens the point. children]
¶Bx.15.259: ¶: The paraph is in beta, following its loss of text. See note to ll. 254-8. Ac I ne lakke no lyf · but lorde amende vs alle
Lakketh ne loseth · ne loketh vp sterneBx.15.263: This is transposed with the following line in beta4.
In pace in idipsum dormiam &c ·Bx.15.265: The Latin line is lost in alpha. CrHmG extend the verse. It is repeated at Bx.18.191-2.
For wel may euery manBx.15.274: wel may euery man: Beta's word-order gives a better alliterative pattern than alpha's. wite [·] if god haddeBx.15.274: hadde: Dropped by G and alpha. The b-verse means "if God had followed his own wishes". wolde hym-selue
Sholde neuere Iudas neBx.15.275: ne: Alpha, reading þe (R) or þat (F), takes no account of the following line. iuwe · haue Ihesu don on Rode
In spekes anBx.15.286: an: "and". The attestation of MCr and R (as well as beta4) favours omitting LWHmF in. spelonkes · selden speken togideres
But of foulesBx.15.289: foules: Alpha includes the definite article, perhaps rightly. We follow copy-text. þat fleeth · þus fynt men in bokes
And þorw þe mylke of þat myldeBx.15.291: mylde: F omits, while R has meke, perhaps prompted by its spelling melke for "milk". best · þe man was susteyned
Bx.15.292KD.15.281
A[c]Bx.15.292: Ac: The sense seems to call for R's reading, against beta's And. F omits. day by day had he hir nouȝt · his hunger forto slake
But selden and sondrie tymesBx.15.293: tymes: See Bx.12.36. Alpha's form is possible. Discussed by KD, p. 143. · as seith þe boke and techeth
¶ Antony adayesBx.15.294: adayes: The form does not occur elsewhere in the poem. Alpha has on a day. We follow copy-text. · aboute none-tyme
Had a bridde þat brouȝte hym bredBx.15.295: bred: R probably represents alpha, with punctuation after hym and the addition of his before bred (F has his later in the line). Either could be right, though b-verse alliteration on by is perfectly good. · þat he by lyued
Bx.15.296KD.15.285
And þough þe gome hadde a geste · god fondeBx.15.296: fonde: "provided for". Alpha's fedde is likely to be scribal. Cf. l. 299. hem bothe
¶ Poule primus heremita · had parrokedBx.15.297: parroked: Cx (RK.17.13) does not support alpha's addition of in. hym-selue
Bx.15.300KD.15.289
Til he founded freres · of austinesBx.15.300: of austines: There is liaison alliteration on /f/ which F improves by altering to of fraunces. ordre
Bx.15.304KD.15.293
Some þei solde and some þei sotheBx.15.304: sothe: Past tense, from MED sethen v. (1). W sode is merely a variant spelling. Alpha has the easier eeten, but beta is supported by Cx. · and so þei lyued bothe
And also Marie Magdeleyne · by mores lyued andBx.15.305: lyued and: Alpha's omission of the verb is attractive following lyued in l. 304, but beta has support from Cx. dewes
Bx.15.308KD.15.297
Þat lyueden þus for owre lordes loue · manye longe ȝeresBx.15.308: manye longe ȝeres: Beta and Cx. Alpha's b-verse is repeated from l. 284.
Þat ne fel to her feet · and fauned with þe taillesBx.15.311: tailles: R's singular has no support from Cx.
Bx.15.314-15: Two lines lost by beta. The whole passage is heavily revised in C, and there is no trace of these lines. We follow R, with spellings altered to those of L. [For alle þe curteisye þat bestes kunne · þei kidde þat folke ofte
As who seith religious · ryȝtful men shulde fyndeBx.15.318: fynde: WF pick up fede from the previous line.
And lawful men to lyfholy men · lyflode bryngeBx.15.319: brynge: WF have sholde brynge, repeating the construction of the previous two lines.
Fonde þei þat Freres · wolde forsake her almessesBx.15.322: almesses: LWHm mark the plural form. The form of the other scribes can also be understood as plural. There is similar variation in
the parallel line in C (RK.17.47), though most scribes have the unmarked form.
And aBx.15.327: a: i.e. "one", as is clearer in alpha. "And one main dish of just one kind". messe þere-mydde · of o manere kynde
Bx.15.328KD.15.317
Ȝe had riȝt ynough ȝe Religious · and so ȝowre reuleBx.15.328: reule: Alpha substitutes non-alliterating ordre. me tolde
NunquamBx.15.329: Nunquam: Supported by Cx. F's Numquid, which makes much better sense, is a correction in line with the Vulgate (Job 6.5). dicit Iob rugi[e]tBx.15.329: rugiet: The Vulgate's future tense is supported by alpha and Cx. on[a]ger cum [habuerit herbam]Bx.15.329: habuerit herbam: Beta reverses the word-order, but alpha's order, which is that of the Vulgate, is supported by Cx. · aut mugiet boscum ante plenum presepe steterit · brutorum animalium natura te condempnat ·quia cum eis pabulum comune sufficiatBx.15.329: brutorum ... sufficiat: Alpha omits but it is in Cx. · ex adipe prodijt iniquitas tua
And auyse hem bifore · aBx.15.331: a: "a period of". Alpha and GO omit. Lines 331-71 offer few parallels with C. fyue dayes or sexe
And ȝiuethBx.15.335: ȝiueth: CrWF supply the object it. to bidde for ȝow · to such þatBx.15.335: such þat: MCr and alpha have (slightly easier?) such as. ben riche
Bx.15.340KD.15.329
For þat þei beggen abouten · in buildynge þei speneBx.15.340: spene: The form in LMO, but alpha and others have spende. See notes to ll. 81, 148. Beta2 and CF add it.
And of hem þat habbeth þei taken · and ȝyue hem þat neBx.15.342: ne: Beta2 omits, puzzled by the irony. habbeth
Riȝt so ȝe riche · ȝe robethBx.15.347: robeth: "provide robes for" (as in L, corrected M, WC) but with a pun on the phrase "rob the rich". Already puzzled by the ironic
tone earlier in the passage, other scribes write robbeth, leading F to alter ryche to not ryche. See l. 351. þat ben riche
As who-so filled a tonne [ful]Bx.15.349: ful: Called for by the alliteration, though preserved only in R. Alpha also has ful in the b-verse, replacing fressh in beta. · of a fressh ryuer
¶Bx.15.353: ¶: The paraph is in beta only. Ac Religious þat riche ben · shulde rather festeBx.15.353: feste: Alpha picks up the weaker fede from l. 351. beggeres
Bx.15.356KD.15.343α
Item [idem]Bx.15.356: idem: i.e. "from the same source again" (viz. Peter Cantor; see Alford (1992), 96). It is omitted by beta. peccatoribus dare · est demonibus immolare
Item monache si indiges et accipis pocius das quam accipisBx.15.357-8: These lines are omitted in alpha.
And many a prisoneBx.15.362: prisone: For the variation with prisoner see note to l. 190. fram purgatorie · þorw his preyeres he delyurethBx.15.362: he delyureth: Alpha has instead is deliuered, which could be right.
Bx.15.363: A paraph as in Hm and alpha would be appropriate.Ac þere is a defaute in þe folke · þat þe faith kepeth
Bx.15.372KD.15.356
For [what]Bx.15.372: what: Omitted by beta, but alpha is supported by Cx (RK.17.86). þorw werre and wykked werkes · and wederes vnresonable
¶ AstrymyanesBx.15.375: Astrymyanes: L has the same spelling in l. 386, but in Bx.19.250 has astronomyenes. The forms probably reflect Bx; cf. R's spellings. C mss. have similar variation. alday · in her arte faillen
Bx.15.376KD.15.360
Þat whilum warned bifore · what shulde [bi]falleBx.15.376: bifalle: R's unique reading is supported by Cx. All other B mss omit the prefix, but it should be noted that F shows a tendency to alter bifalle to falle: Bx.7.179, 8.8, 11.309. after
As of wederes andBx.15.379: and: Alpha has and of. The line is not in C. wyndes · þei warned men ofte
Bx.15.380KD.15.364
Bx.15.380: A paraph as in WHm and alpha would be appropriate.Tilieres þat tiled þe erthe · tolden her maistres
And what to leue and toBx.15.382: to (2): The reading of LM and alpha supported by Cx. Beta1 has what to. lyue by · þe londe was so trewe
Of þat was calculed of þe [c]lementBx.15.387: þe clement: Alpha drops the article; beta reads þe element. The right reading is certainly that of Cx (RK.17.107), þe clymat (MED climat, "a region of the earth"). Beta replaced the corrupt Bx with much easier and non-alliterating þe element, "the weather". Alpha drops the definite article to make some sense: "calculated by [Pope?] Clement". At this date clement can only be a proper name; cf. Bx.5.344, 365 (in both cases R has small <c> but F a capital). It is possible, too, that Bx itself read þe clemet correctly and was differently misinterpreted by alpha and beta. · þe contrarie þei fynde
MocheBx.15.395: Moche: Alpha adds And, but the sense is better without it: "It will surprise me greatly if Guile isn't in command and Flatterer working under him
amongst everyone". wonder me thynketh · amonges vs alle
Bx.15.400KD.15.384
Þei shulde faillen inBx.15.400: faillen in: LMG and alpha, supported by Cx against faillen of in beta2 and CO. her philosofye · and in phisyk bothe
Lest þei ouerhuppen as other don · in officesBx.15.402: offices: The form without ending in MWGF may also be plural. Cf. note to Bx.3.101. & in houres
AcBx.15.403: Ac: Good support from LMR, with the usual variants And and But. ifBx.15.403: if: R has þouȝ, which may be alpha and may be right. It probably lies behind F's þey oon hippe ... (þey is F's usual form of "though") and is included in C which reworks as two lines (RK.17.118-19). þei ouerhuppe as I hope nouȝte · owre byleue suffisethBx.15.403: suffiseth: Either beta englishes the Latin or alpha supplies the Latin equivalent in anticipation of l. 405. Cx in a reworked line has the English form, altered by one scribe to sufficit.
Bx.15.408KD.15.392
And for her lyuynge þat lewed men beBx.15.408: be: L and alpha punctuate after be, the others after men. · þe lother god agulten
Bx.15.412KD.15.396
Bx.15.412: The line is omitted by beta as a result of eyeskip from the identical b-verse of l. 411. We follow R as usual. F begins the
line And so, which is perhaps scribal emphasis. For R's on, F has in, as in the previous b-verse. The repetition might be an argument for or against. Lines 406-15 have no parallel in C. [Cristene and vncristene . on one god bileueth]
Þis Makometh was a crystene manBx.15.415: a crystene man: The alliterating noun is supported by L and alpha, but alpha is without the article, perhaps rightly. Beta1 seems to have
read a cristene, as MWHm, though CrGO drop the article and C has pa. ppl. cristend. Cx, in a different line, has a man ycristened (RK.17.165). · and for he moste nouȝte be aBx.15.415: a (2): The variation is unpatterned: LWCOR have the article, but the others are without it. pope
Bx.15.419-20: Two lines omitted by alpha, through eyeskip on ere. The lines form the basis of RK.17.174-5. And if he amonge þe poeple preched · or in places come
Menynge as after meet · þus Makometh hir enchauntedBx.15.421: enchaunted: Beta is supported by Cx against alpha's chaunted.
ABx.15.422: A: "And". See note to Bx.P.227. dide folke þanne falle on knees · for he swore in his prechynge
Bx.15.424KD.15.408
AsBx.15.424: As: Supported by the syntax over alpha's And. messager to Makometh · men forto teche
Þat lered þere and lewedBx.15.427: lered þere and lewed: The reading of LR, and possibly M's original version. F revises lered þere to leernede men; Hm (corrected) reverses the adjectives; beta4 drops þere, and CrW have lyued þo þere and lyue, with M altered to that reading. A further difference is that alpha punctuates after lewed. In Cx the line reads: And on his lore thei lyuen [or leuen] ȝut, as wel lered as lewed (RK.17.182). ȝit · l[e]uenBx.15.427: leuen: Only L has lyuen. There is some evidence that beta used the form leuen also for "live", causing some scribes to hypercorrect; cf. notes to ll. 571 and 615. on his lawes
AcBx.15.430: Ac: LR (F has but as usual). See note to l. 413. Lines 429-513 are not paralleled in C. for drede of þe deth · I dar nouȝt telle treuthe
PerenBx.15.434: Peren: "become equals with". Alpha takes this as a noun, upsetting the syntax. to apostles · þorw her parfit lyuynge
To lyue bi litel & in lowe houses · by lele mennes almesseBx.15.439: almesse: Beta's reading may be prompted by the same word at the end of l. 436. On the other hand, alpha's synonym fyndynge may have its origin in visual similarity with lyuynge at the end of l. 440, together with fynde in l. 441 (so KD, p. 143). KD opts for beta's reading, Schmidt (1995) for alpha's.
Bx.15.440KD.15.424
Grace sholde growe & be grene · þorw her goodBx.15.440: good: Alpha picks up lele from the previous line, thus losing alliteration. lyuynge
Her preyeres and her penaunces · to pees shulde bryngeBx.15.443: brynge: Alpha has hem brynge, anticipating the object of l. 444.
Bx.15.446: Hm and alpha record a paraph.Salt saueth catelBx.15.446: catel: Beta2 and F add the definite article or personal pronoun. · seggen þis wyues
Cryst callethBx.15.449: calleth: R's past tense is both easier and less appropriate. hem salt · for crystene soules
So is mannes soule sothly · þat seeth no good ensaumpleBx.15.453: ensaumple: R has the aphetic form saumple.
Til Gregory gerteBx.15.463: gerte: R's and grete is much inferior. clerkes · to go here andBx.15.463: here and: Beta4 and R have and to, losing the emphasis on England and Wales. preche
Bx.15.464KD.15.445
Austyn at Caunterbury · crystened þe kyngeBx.15.464: kynge: R's addition of þere may be a consequence of the loss of here in the previous line.
And fulled folke fasteBx.15.467: faste: Possibly a beta addition, since R omits it. · and þe faith tauȝte
As wel þorw his werkes · as withBx.15.469: with: MCrHm repeat þoruȝ from the a-verse. his holy wordes
Bx.15.472KD.15.453
Tyl it isBx.15.472: is: So LMR. Others have the subjunctive as all copies have at l. 476. fulled vnder fote · or in fullyng stokkes
Ytouked and ytented · & vnder tailloures handeBx.15.474: hande: R and corrected Hm have the plural, less appropriately.
Bx.15.480KD.15.461
Rude and vnresonable · rennenge with-out [k]eperesBx.15.480: keperes: The reading of R. Beta probably read creperes, as LGO, altered to cropers in M, beta2 and C, in order to make some sort of sense. Of course animals are not restrained by "cruppers". It is difficult
to see how beta's reading could have derived from the commonplace "keeper". It may be that crepere has some technical sense not recorded; for example, in Morte Arthure 3667 it seems to refer to a grapnel. KD p. 146 rather implausibly suggest that "the r was induced by the alliteration".
¶ Ȝe [mynnen]Bx.15.481: mynnen: Only MW preserve the Bx reading, with other scribes avoiding or misreading a word that was mainly northern by this time. It never occurs in L nor
elsewhere in Bx, though KD conjecture it four times. It is used twice in C (RK.17.210, 19.233) with similar variants. wel howBx.15.481: how (1): GR have whate, avoiding the repetition. matheu seith · how a man made a feste
¶Bx.15.487: ¶: The paraph is in LC, with a new line-group in M. For as þe cow þorw kynde mylke · þe calf norissheth til an oxe
Bx.15.488KD.15.468
So loue and lewte · leleBx.15.488: loue ... lele: R's version of the line, doth loue & lewte and lele, is equally probable. men susteyneth
Bx.15.492KD.15.472
Bx.15.492-505: These 14 lines are omitted by beta, jumping to the next paraph. Since F omits ll. 447-514, and furthermore there is no parallel
in Cx, we are here entirely dependent upon R. [And by þe hande-fedde foules · [i]sBx.15.492: is: R has his, probably as a spelling for is rather than an error. folk vnderstonde
¶ Ac who beth þat excuseth hem · arenBx.15.506: aren: Beta has þat aren, but the syntax is much better without, as in R: "those who excuse themselves are parsons". persounes and prestes
Þat heuedes of holychercheBx.15.507: holycherche: R's plural is less appropriate. ben · þat han her wille here
[Ecce audiuimus e[a]mBx.15.511: eam: The line is lost in beta, so R, reading eum, is the sole authority for citing the Psalm "Memento Domini" (131.6). It was previously cited at Bx.10.72, where alpha again has eum for beta's eam as in the Vulgate. See note there, and for explanation of the reference in that line see Schmidt (1995), 443. in effrata &c ·]
Þat þei ne went as cryst wisseth · sithen þei wil aBx.15.517: a: A good example of the superiority of LR. The other beta scribes took this to be a reduced form of "have". F realised it
was the article, clarifying the sense by altering to þe. In Cx (RK.17.191) it is also revised to þe, perhaps again for the sake of clarity. name
Bx.15.518: L, starting a new leaf, begins with an inappropriate paraph.To be pastours and preche · þe passioun of Ihesus
And as hym-self seyde · soBx.15.519: so: Omitted by WGF preceding to. Hm omits the line. to lyue and deye
ForBx.15.522: For: As KD point out (p. 146), the alpha variant To cristene and to vncristene makes poor sense. crystene & vncristene · cryst seide to prechoures
Han a lippe of owre byleue · þe liȝtloker me thynkethBx.15.525: me thynketh: Supported by Cx (RK.17.253) against alpha's it semeth.
Þei shulde torne who-so trauaille woldeBx.15.526: trauaille wolde: Beta2 have trauailed, and M is altered to that reading, but Cx agrees with LCGO and alpha. · to teche hem of þe Trinite
Bx.15.528KD.15.533
Bx.15.528-67: These forty lines are in beta only. Adams (2002), 118-22, discusses alpha's omission here and beta's loss of ll. 575-92, positing that the passages were on opposite sides of an inserted leaf in Bx, and the alpha and beta scribes each failed to incorporate one side of the leaf. KD argue that distinct from this is a major
dislocation of text that antedated the losses in alpha and beta, and they move Bx.15.568-97 to precede 528 (pp. 176-8). ¶ It is reuth to rede · how riȝtwis men lyued
AndBx.15.535: And: The reading Ac in Hm, though tempting, is in the hand of the reviser, who has erased one line to write in this line and the next. In any
case, Cx has And (RK.17.200). now is routhe to rede · how þe red noble
Bx.15.544KD.15.548
¶ Wyte ȝe nouȝt wyseBx.15.544: wyse: Beta2 and G have ye wise, but Cx is without the pronoun (RK.17.210), though in a revised a-verse. men · how þo men honoured
Resoun & riȝtful dome · þoBx.15.546: þo: Supported by most C mss. against þe in beta2. Religious demed
¶ Ȝif knyȝthod & kynde wytte · and comune conscienceBx.15.550: comune conscience: This must be the beta reading; the line is not in alpha. Cr and W, understanding the knighthood / commons pairing, take
comune as a noun, so following it with by conscience, and M is altered to that reading. Presumably beta is a corruption of the reading of Cx, Ȝif knyhthoed and kynde wit and þe comune and conscience (RK.17.216) which adds a kind-wit / conscience pairing.
Bx.15.552KD.15.555
Þe lordeship of londesBx.15.552: londes: W adds youre here and drops ȝow in the next line. · for euere shal ȝeBx.15.552: shal ȝe: Reversed by beta4. Cx has lese ȝe shal for euer (RF.17.218). lese
Bx.15.568KD.15.504
For al paynymBx.15.568: paynym: Only L has the distributive sg., but it is supported by the X family of C (RK.17.255). Alpha is now present. prayeth · and parfitly bileuethBx.15.568: and parfitly bileueth: Beta's b-verse is supported by Cx. Alpha's to on persone to helpe looks like censorship, as in the next line.
In þe holy grete godBx.15.569: In þe holy grete god: Cx has In þe grete god. Again alpha objects to allowing so much to pagan beliefs. · and his grace askenBx.15.569: asken: Beta's pronoun is not supported by Cx.
Þus in a faith lyuethBx.15.571: lyueth: So LCr and alpha, with HmG both altering to leue-, the reading of MWCO. Cx supports lyueth. Schmidt (1995), 397, considers that there is a pun with leueth implied in the b-verse: "believe in a false intercessor". Cf. note to l. 427. þat folke · and in a false mene
Bx.15.572KD.15.508
And þat is routhe for [þe]Bx.15.572: þe (1): Although only in R, C mss. have either þe or þo. riȝtful men · þat in þe Rewme wonyen
And a peril to þe pope · and prelatisBx.15.573: prelatis: R has to prelates. F omits the line and Cx rewrites it. þat he maketh
Þat bere bisshopes names · of Bedleem & [of]Bx.15.574: of (2): This was perhaps not in beta since LMW lack it, but alpha has support from the revised line in Cx, of Ninue and of damaske (the X family omits and). babiloigne
Bx.15.575-92: These 18 lines are lost in beta, probably (as KD suggest, p. 66) through eyeskip (bere bisshopes names 574, bisshopes ... bereth þe name 591-2). The lines are in Cx (RK.17.262-78). See note to Bx.15.528-67. The text is based on R, with spellings altered to L's forms. [Whan þe hieȝe kynge of heuene · sent his sone to erthe
And þorw penaunce and passion · and parfit byle[ue]Bx.15.579: byleue: R's byle is an obvious miswriting.
Bx.15.580KD.15.516
And bycam man of a mayde · and metropolitanusBx.15.580: metropolitanus: F adds after, but it is not in Cx.
And baptised and bishinedBx.15.581: bishined: "illuminated". Not especially uncommon, but evidently C scribes were confused, perhaps because of the weak form of the past tense. Most have bisshoped. · with þe blode of his herte
Alle þat wilned and wolde · with InwitteBx.15.582: Inwitte: R is supported by Cx against F's wit. byleue it
Bx.15.584KD.15.520
Al for to enf[e]rmeBx.15.584: enferme: A few C mss. have enforme, "teach", as in R, but the best have enferme, "strengthen" (RK.17.271), lending support to F's ferme. þe faith · in fele contreyes deyedenBx.15.584: deyeden: R's past tense is obviously right, and confirmed by Cx.
In ynde and inBx.15.585: and in: F is without and, and may be right. Most C mss. have it, but a few do not. See next note. alisaundre · in ermonye inBx.15.585: in (4): So F, supported by most (and the most reliable) C mss. Yet others have and or and in, as R does. See previous note. spayne
In sauacioun of þe faith · seynt [thomas]Bx.15.587: thomas: The name has been erased in R, as in several C mss. was martired
He is a forbiseneBx.15.591: forbisene: R is supported by Cx. to alle bisshopes · and a briȝt myroure
[And nauȝt to]Bx.15.593: And nauȝt to: Here beta resumes, but alpha's start of the a-verse is supported by Cx (RK.17.279). Beta's Þat represents smoothing after the omission. hippe abouteBx.15.593: aboute: Alpha adds here, but beta is supported by Cx. in Engelonde · to halwe mennesBx.15.593: mennes: Omitted by Hm and alpha, but supported by Cx. auteres
And crepe [in]Bx.15.594: in: Beta omits, but alpha is supported by Cx. amonges curatoures · [and]Bx.15.594: and: Beta omits, though W adds it for the sense. Alpha is supported by Cx. confessen ageyne þe lawe
Bx.15.596KD.15.531
[¶]Bx.15.596: ¶: L omits an appropriate paraph here, recorded by WHm and alpha. Many manBx.15.596: man: The majority of C mss. support beta, but three have a man as alpha. for crystes loue · was martired [amonges Romaynes]Bx.15.596: amonges Romaynes: The reading of R alone, but supported by Cx. F revises to in grete roome, and beta has in Romanye.
ErBx.15.597: Er: The beta reading was probably the nonsensical Er ar any LC, giving rise to Er any MCrWG, Er þan Hm and Er þan any O. Alpha is supported by Cx (RK.17.282). crystendome [were]Bx.15.597: were: The subjunctive as in alpha is supported by Cx. knowe þere · or any crosseBx.15.597: crosse: R's repetition of þere is not supported by Cx. honoured
¶ Euery bisshop þat bereth crosse · by þat heBx.15.598: he: R omits. Cx has a different b-verse. is holden
Bx.15.600KD.15.572
Tellen hem and techenBx.15.600: techen: Alpha picks up non-alliterating schewen from the previous line. hem · on þe Trinite to bileue
And feden hem with gostly fode · and [nedy folke to fyndenBx.15.601-04: Beta drops ll. 601b-604a, by eyeskip on gostly fode. We follow R, altering the forms to those of L. Up to l. 614 Cx is heavily revised.
In domo mea non est panis neque vestimentum et ideo nolite constituere me regem · ysaie 3Bx.15.605: ysaie 3: The reference was in Bx, since it is preserved in L and alpha in the hands of the main scribes.
Inferte omnes decimas in oreum meum vtBx.15.607: vt: CrO add sit, as in Malachi 3.10. See Alford (1992), 99. cibus in domo mea
Bx.15.608KD.15.579
¶Bx.15.608: ¶: The paraph, following the Latin line, is in LWHmF. Ac we crystene creatures · þat on þe crosse byleuen
Aren fermeBx.15.609: ferme: Alpha has for me (R) or formed (F). as in þe faith · goddes forbode elles
And han clerkes to kepen vs þer-Inne · and hem þat shal come after vsBx.15.610: vs (2): Preserved in LMWR, but lost elsewhere.
And on þat lawe þei l[e]uenBx.15.615: leuen: LW and original Hm have lyuen, perhaps a beta error picked up from l. 611. The better C mss. have leue, though a number have lyue, some altering on to in to make better sense (RK.17.297). Cf. also ll. 427, 571. Beta adds ȝit, which makes very good sense (the Jews still live under mosaic law), but it is not in alpha or Cx. · and leten it þe beste
Bx.15.616KD.15.587
Bx.15.616: L has a paraph and M a line-space, perhaps a beta error since a paraph is not appropriate.And ȝit knewe þei cryst · þat crystendome tauȝte
[And]Bx.15.617: And: Dropped by beta, but included in Cx. for a parfit prophete · þat moche peple saued
And bi þat maungerye [þei]Bx.15.621: þei: More satisfactory as referring specifically to the Jews. Beta perhaps picks up men from l. 619. Cf. variants at l. 614. The a-verse is rewritten in C. miȝte welBx.15.621: wel: Dropped by CrGOF. se · þat Messye he semed
And vnder stone ded & stankeBx.15.623: ded & stanke: Presumably R's reversal represents alpha, which F revises. Lines 623-32 are rewritten in C. · with styf voys hym called
Cum [veniat sanctus sanctorum &c.]Bx.15.631: Cum veniat sanctus sanctorum & c.: Beta reverses the verb and subject and completes the familiar quotation used as a lesson in Advent. In Bx.18.113 where the prophecy is repeated, there is the same alpha/beta variation, except that beta has veniat sanctus. At RK.20.112a, despite considerable variation, it seems that Cx had this same form of the quotation.
Moyses eft or Messye · here maisteres ȝetBx.15.635: ȝet: Alpha has this at the beginning of the b-verse. Cx omits it. deuyneth
Bx.15.636KD.15.605
¶ Ac pharesewes and sarasenes · Scribes & GrekisBx.15.636: Grekis: WHm read Iewes, perhaps recalling ll. 406 and 524. Cf. Schmidt (1995), 398.
Konne þe firste clause of owre bileue · credo in deum patrem omnipotentemBx.15.639: omnipotentem: Omitted by CrCGO (Cr also omits patrem), and by Cx, but it seems secure for Bx.
LereBx.15.641: Lere: CrW begin To lere, and M is altered to that reading. hem litlum & lytlum [·] & in ihesum cristum filium
And re[d]enBx.15.643: reden: This seems undoubtedly the Bx reading, despite L's rendren, "recite". The reading of Cx is less certain: the X family has Recorden hit and reden hit, where the P family has rendren for reden, which does make good sense in this order, "remember and recite". Schmidt (1995), lxvii, 398, follows KD in adopting L's
rendren, though has difficulty in explaining how it arose. it & recorden it · with remissionem peccatorum