Bx.4 – PPEA

<lg>

<l> Cesseth sei[de]<note>Bx.4.1: <hi>seide</hi>: The past tense in alpha and Hm is shared with <hi>AC</hi>.</note> þe kynge · I suffre ȝow no lengere</l>

<l> Ȝe shal sauȝtne for-sothe · and serue me bothe</l>

<l> Kisse hir quod þe kynge · conscience I hote</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.4.4KD.4.4

<l> ¶ Nay bi criste quod conscience · congeye me for euere<note>Bx.4.4: <hi>for euere</hi>: This is secure for <hi>Bx</hi>, though <hi>A</hi> has <hi>rather</hi>, as does beta4, with F reading <hi>rather sone</hi>, presumably by contamination or by anticipation of the next line. The three best mss. of the X family of <hi>C</hi> have <hi>are</hi>, "sooner", but all others have <hi>rather</hi>.</note></l>

<l> But resoun rede me þer-to · rather wil I deye</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ And I comaunde þe quod þe Kynge · to conscience þanne</l>

<l> Rape þe to ride · and resoun þow fecche</l>

Bx.4.8KD.4.8

<l> Comaunde hym þat he come · my conseille to here</l>

<l> For he shal reule my rewme · and rede me þe beste<note>Bx.4.9: Following this line, O (supported by Cr<hi>23</hi>C<hi>2</hi>Y) has the line "Of Mede & of moo oþere . & what man schal hir wedde", adopted from <hi>AC</hi> but absent from <hi>Bx</hi>.</note></l>

<l> And acounte with þe conscience · so me cryst helpe</l>

<l> How þow lernest þe peple · lered and lewede<note>Bx.4.11: <hi>lered and lewede</hi>: The reading of R (= alpha?) supported by <hi>Cx</hi>, and by seven <hi>A</hi> mss. Beta includes the definite article twice, presumably in response to a short b-verse. F has <hi>boþe ... & þe</hi>.</note></l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.4.12KD.4.13

<l> ¶ I am fayne of þat forwarde · seyde þe freke þanne</l>

<l> And ritte riȝte to resoun · and rowneth in his ere</l>

<l> And seide as þe kynge badde<note>Bx.4.14: <hi>seide ... badde</hi>: F has <hi>tolde hym as þe kyng seide</hi>. <hi>Cx</hi> has <hi>sayde</hi> for both verbs. <hi>Ax</hi> has <hi>Seide ... sente</hi>.</note> · and sithen toke his leue</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ I shal arraye me to ride quod resoun [·] reste þe a while<note>Bx.4.15: L omits punctuation, and its position varies in other mss. W and alpha have it after <hi>resoun</hi>, MO after <hi>ride</hi>.</note></l>

Bx.4.16KD.4.17

<l> And called catoun his knaue · curteise of speche</l>

<l> And also tomme trewe tonge · telle me no tales</l>

<l> Ne lesyng to lawȝe of · for I loued hem neuere</l>

<l> And sette my sadel vppon suffre · til I se my tyme</l>

Bx.4.20KD.4.21

<l> And lete warrok it<note>Bx.4.20: <hi>it</hi>: The reference is to the saddle securely fastened with girths. This is clearly the reading of <hi>Bx</hi>. Burrow (1990), 139-44, calls the text "hopelessly confused", and discusses the possibility of taking <hi>vppon</hi> in l. 19 as an adverb. Galloway (2006), 381 considers this further. Beta2 and GF smooth by altering <hi>it</hi> to <hi>him</hi>, as in <hi>AC</hi>.</note> wel · with witty wordes gerthes</l>

<l> And hange on hym þe heuy brydel · to holde his hed lowe</l>

<l> For he wil make wehe · tweye<note>Bx.4.22: <hi>tweye</hi>: The form is supported by LMR; see Adams (2000), 176.</note> er he be there</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Thanne conscience vppon his caple · kaireth<note>Bx.4.23: <hi>kaireth</hi>: Sound support from LM and alpha against the form <hi>carieth</hi> in beta2 and G. For the same variation, see <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.P.29</ref>, <ref>2.164</ref>, <ref>5.310</ref>.</note> forth faste</l>

Bx.4.24KD.4.25

<l> And resoun with hym ritte · rownynge togideres</l>

<l> Whiche maistries Mede · maketh on þis erthe<note>Bx.4.25: <hi>erthe</hi>: The reversed word-order in alpha is an error; both the alliterative scheme and the order in the revised line in <hi>Cx</hi> support beta.</note></l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ One waryn wisdom · and witty his fere</l>

<l> Folwed hem<note>Bx.4.27: <hi>hem</hi>: The attestation of LMO + alpha, with support from <hi>AC</hi>, guides choice of this reading over CrWHmG <hi>hym</hi>.</note> faste · haued<note>Bx.4.27: <hi>haued</hi>: It looks as though <hi>Bx</hi> lost <hi>for þei</hi> before <hi>haued</hi>. The obvious omission is corrected, perhaps partly on the basis of <hi>Ax</hi>, in all but the two most reliable mss., LR. Note, however, that M, also independent at this stage, expands to <hi>for he</hi>, probably by conjecture. The line is marked for correction in L.</note> to done</l>

Bx.4.28KD.4.29

<l> In þe cheker and at<note>Bx.4.28: <hi>and at</hi>: The reading of <hi>Bx</hi> is uncertain. L's <hi>and at</hi> has support from R's <hi>atte</hi>, and LR agreement is usually decisive. However, MGF have <hi>and</hi>, which could be the archetypal reading, expanded differently by other scribes. Yet Beta2 and CO are supported by <hi>Ax</hi> with <hi>and in</hi> (the line is not in <hi>C</hi>), and also by the same a-verse in <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.P.93</ref> (and RK.P.91).</note> þe<note>Bx.4.28: <hi>þe</hi> (2): Not in MHmF. Most <hi>A</hi> mss. have neither instance of <hi>þe</hi> in the line. Cf. the same a-verse in <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.P.93</ref> (without either article) and RK.P.91 (where readings vary).</note> chauncerie · to be discharged of þinges</l>

<l> And riden fast for resoun [·] shulde rede hem þe beste<note>Bx.4.29: Following the punctuation of CO + alpha. L has nothing and MWHm punctuate after <hi>shulde</hi>.</note></l>

<l> For to saue hem for siluer · fro shame and fram harmes</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ And conscience knewe hem wel · þei loued coueitise</l>

Bx.4.32KD.4.33

<l> And bad resoun ride faste · and recche of her noither</l>

<l> Þere aren wiles in here wordes · and with Mede þei dwelleth</l>

<l> There as wratthe and wranglyng is · þere wynne þei siluer</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Ac þere<note>Bx.4.35: <hi>þere</hi>(1): "where"; beta2 and F have <hi>where</hi>.</note> is loue and lewte · þei wil nouȝte come þere</l>

Bx.4.36KD.4.36α

<l> <foreign>Contricio & infelicitas in vijs eorum &c</foreign></l>

<l> Þei ne gyueth nouȝte of god · one gose wynge</l>

<l> <foreign>Non est timor dei ante oculos eorum</foreign></l>

<l> For wot god þei wolde do more · for a dozeine chickenes</l>

Bx.4.40KD.4.38.1

<l> Or as many capones · or for a seem of otes</l>

<l> Þan for loue of owre lorde · or alle hise leue seyntes</l>

<l> For-þi resoun<note>Bx.4.42: <hi>resoun</hi>: Alpha omits, losing the alliteration.</note> lete hem ride · þo riche bi hem-seluen</l>

<l> For conscience knoweth hem nouȝte · ne cryst as I trowe</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.4.44KD.4.42

<l> [¶]<note>Bx.4.44: <hi>¶</hi>: Alpha's paraph finds support from the paragraph in Cr.</note> And þanne resoun rode faste · þe riȝte heiȝe gate</l>

<l> As conscience hym kenned · til þei come to þe Kynge</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Curteisliche þe kynge þanne · come aȝein resoun</l>

<l> And bitwene hym-self and his sone · sette hym on benche</l>

Bx.4.48KD.4.46

<l> And wordeden wel wyseli · a gret while togideres</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ And þanne come pees in-to parlement · and put forth a bille</l>

<l> How wronge aȝeines his wille · had his wyf taken</l>

<l> And how he rauisshed Rose · Reginoldes loue</l>

Bx.4.52KD.4.50

<l> And Margarete of hir maydenhode · maugre here chekis</l>

<l> Bothe my gees & my grys · his gadelynges feccheth</l>

<l> I dar nouȝte for fere of hym<note>Bx.4.54: <hi>hym</hi>: Only WHm have <hi>hem</hi> (<hi>theym</hi> G). There is the same variation in <hi>A</hi> mss.</note> · fyȝte ne chyde</l>

<l> He borwed of me bayard · he<note>Bx.4.55: <hi>he</hi> (2): Thus beta, against alpha + CrHm <hi>and</hi>. Most <hi>A</hi> mss. have the alpha reading, as does the P family of <hi>C</hi>, but the X family has the beta reading. We follow copy-text.</note> brouȝte hym home neure</l>

Bx.4.56KD.4.54

<l> Ne no ferthynge þer-fore · for nauȝte<note>Bx.4.56: <hi>nauȝte</hi>: LM + alpha give this strong support for <hi>Bx</hi> against <hi>ought</hi> in all other mss. <hi>AC</hi> also have <hi>nouȝt</hi>.</note> I couthe plede</l>

<l> He meyneteneth his men · to morther myne hewen</l>

<l> Forstalleth<note>Bx.4.58: <hi>Forstalleth</hi>: So beta and <hi>Ax</hi>; R has <hi>He forstalleth</hi>, and F <hi>& to for-staleþ</hi> (sic). <hi>Cx</hi> begins the line with <hi>And</hi>.</note> my feyres · and fiȝteth in my chepynge</l>

<l> And breketh vp my bernes dore<note>Bx.4.59: <hi>bernes dore</hi>: So LWHmR, against <hi>berne dore</hi> in MCrF, and <hi>berne dores</hi> in GO. <hi>AC</hi> vary similarly.</note> · and bereth aweye my whete</l>

Bx.4.60KD.4.58

<l> And taketh me but a taile · for ten quarteres of otes<note>Bx.4.60: <hi>of otes</hi>: Agreement of LR (together with WCO) suggests that this is perhaps the <hi>Bx</hi> reading, though since <hi>Ax</hi> and <hi>Cx</hi> have <hi>otes</hi> only, this could equally represent <hi>Bx</hi>.</note></l>

<l> And ȝet he bet me þer-to · and lyth bi my Mayde</l>

<l> I [am]<note>Bx.4.62: <hi>am</hi>: LC have <hi>nam</hi> but all others are supported by <hi>AC</hi>. (M originally had <hi>ham</hi>, with <hi>h</hi> altered to <hi>n</hi>). The alliteration of the line is on /h/ and vowel, not /n/. Cf. <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.5.424</ref>, <ref>443</ref>.</note> nouȝte hardy for hym · vneth to loke</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ The kynge knewe he seide sothe · for conscience hym tolde</l>

Bx.4.64KD.4.62

<l> Þat wronge was a wikked luft<note>Bx.4.64: <hi>luft</hi>: "evil person". This unusual nominal use (<title>MED</title> <hi>lift</hi> adj. 3(b)) provokes confusion and avoidance among the scribes. <hi>Cx</hi> simplifies to <hi>man</hi>.</note> · and wrouȝte moche sorwe<note>Bx.4.64: <hi>wrouȝte moche sorwe</hi>: Perhaps <hi>Cx</hi> inherited R's word order, <hi>muche sorwe wrouȝte</hi>, altering <hi>sorwe</hi> to <hi>wo</hi> for the alliteration.</note></l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Wronge was afered þanne · and wisdome he souȝte</l>

<l> To make pees with his pens · and profered hym manye</l>

<l> And seide had I loue of my lorde<note>Bx.4.67: <hi>my lorde</hi>: Cr and Alpha omit, losing the alliteration. This heavy a-verse is <hi>Ax</hi>, but <hi>Cx</hi> drops <hi>þe kynge</hi>.</note> þe kynge · litel wolde I recche</l>

Bx.4.68KD.4.66

<l> Theiȝe pees and his powere · pleyned hym<note>Bx.4.68: <hi>hym</hi>: HmR have <hi>hem</hi> (G <hi>theym</hi>). <hi>A</hi> mss. are split; <hi>Cx</hi> rewrites as <hi>he pleyne(de)</hi>. The more obvious pl. suggest that <hi>powere</hi> was understood as "supporters" (so Kane (2005), s.v.), rather than "legal power" (so Alford (1988), 199).</note> eure</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Þo wan<note>Bx.4.69: <hi>wan</hi>: So LCR, as well as the parallel a-verse in <hi>A</hi> (K.4.53); Kane (2005) glosses "profited". M is corrected to <hi>wente</hi>, the reading of the other <hi>B</hi> mss. See Adams (2000), 181. F omits this and the next three lines. </note> wisdome · and sire waryn þe witty</l>

<l> For þat wronge had ywrouȝte · so wikked a dede</l>

<l> And warned wronge þo · with suche a wyse tale</l>

Bx.4.72KD.4.70

<l> Who-so worcheth bi<note>Bx.4.72: <hi>bi</hi>: Supported by <hi>Ax</hi> against the variants <hi>by my</hi> in MO and <hi>my</hi> in C.</note> wille · wratthe maketh ofte</l>

<l> I seye it bi þi-self<note>Bx.4.73: <hi>þi-self</hi>: So LO + alpha. The a-verse means "I say that with reference to you". M is altered to <hi>my-self</hi>, the reading of CrWHmCG and some <hi>A</hi> mss., on the basis of the phrase recorded in <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.4.139</ref>, where it means "I give it as my own opinion".</note> · þow shalt it wel fynde</l>

<l> But if Mede it make · þi myschief is vppe</l>

<l> For bothe þi lyf and þi londe · lyth in his grace</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.4.76KD.4.74

<l> ¶ Thanne wowed wronge · wisdome ful ȝerne</l>

<l> To make his pees with his pens · handi-dandi payed</l>

<l> <note>Bx.4.78: WHm and R have a paraph.</note>Wisdome and witte þanne [·] wenten togideres</l>

<l> And toke Mede myd hem [·] mercy to winne</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.4.80KD.4.78

<l> ¶ Pees put forþ his hed · and his panne blody</l>

<l> Wyth-outen gilte god it wote · gat I þis skaþe</l>

<l> Conscience and þe comune · knowen þe sothe</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Ac wisdom and witte · were about faste</l>

Bx.4.84KD.4.82

<l> To ouercome þe kynge · with catel ȝif þei myȝte</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Þe kynge swore bi crist · and bi his crowne bothe</l>

<l> Þat wronge for his werkis · sholde wo þolye</l>

<l> And comaunded a constable · to casten hym in yrens</l>

Bx.4.88KD.4.86

<l> And late hym nouȝte þis seuene ȝere · seen his feet ones</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ God wot quod wysdom · þat were nauȝte þe beste</l>

<l> And he amendes mowe make · late meynprise hym haue</l>

<l> And be borwgh for his bale · and biggen hym bote</l>

Bx.4.92KD.4.90

<l> And so amende þat is mysdo · and euermore<note>Bx.4.92: <hi>euermore</hi>: The beta reading, supported by <hi>AC</hi>.</note> þe bettere</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Witt acorded þer-with · and seide þe same</l>

<l> Bettere<note>Bx.4.94: <hi>Bettere</hi>: The beta reading, supported by <hi>AC</hi> against alpha's <hi>Þat bettere</hi>.</note> is þat bote · bale adoun brynge</l>

<l> Þan bale be ybette · & bote neuere þe bettere</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.4.96KD.4.94

<l> ¶ And þanne gan Mede to me[k]en<note>Bx.4.96: <hi>meken</hi>: The alpha reading, supported by <hi>AC</hi> against beta's <hi>mengen</hi>, which nevertheless makes good sense, "get involved" (<title>MED</title> 3(c)).</note> here · and mercy she<note>Bx.4.96: <hi>she</hi>: Clear support as <hi>Bx</hi>, though not in <hi>Ax</hi> or most <hi>C</hi> mss.</note> bisought</l>

<l> And profred pees a present · al of pure golde</l>

<l> Haue þis man of me quod she · to amende þi skaþe</l>

<l> For I wil wage for wronge · he wil do so namore</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.4.100KD.4.98

<l> ¶ Pitously pees þanne · prayed to þe kynge</l>

<l> To haue mercy on þat man · þat mys-did hym so ofte</l>

<l> For he hath waged me wel · as wisdome hym tauȝte</l>

<l> And I forgyue hym þat gilte · with a goode wille</l>

Bx.4.104KD.4.102

<l> So þat þe kynge assent · I can seye no bettere</l>

<l> For Mede hath made m[yn]<note>Bx.4.105: <hi>myn</hi>: The alpha reading, supported by <hi>AC</hi> against beta's <hi>me</hi>.</note> amendes · I may namore axe</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Nay quod þe Kynge þo · so me cryst<note>Bx.4.106: <hi>cryst</hi>: So beta, against alpha's non-alliterating <hi>god</hi>. In <hi>Ax</hi> the b-verse is <hi>so god ȝiue me blisse</hi> (K.4.91); in <hi>Cx</hi> the line is revised to <hi>Nay by crist quod þe kyng for Consiences sake</hi> (RK.4.99).</note> helpe</l>

<l> Wronge wendeth nouȝte so awaye · arst wil I wite more</l>

Bx.4.108KD.4.106

<l> For loupe he so liȝtly · laughen he wolde</l>

<l> And efte þe balder be · to bete myne hewen</l>

<l> But resoun haue reuthe on hym · he shal rest in my stokkes</l>

<l> And þat as longe as he lyueth · but lowenesse hym borwe</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.4.112KD.4.110

<l> ¶ Somme men redde Resoun þo · to haue reuthe on þat schrewe</l>

<l> And for to conseille þe Kynge · and conscience after</l>

<l> That Mede moste be meynpernour · resoun þei bisouȝte</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Rede me nouȝte quod resoun · no reuthe to haue</l>

Bx.4.116KD.4.114

<l> Til lordes and ladies · louien alle treuthe</l>

<l> And haten al harlotrye · to heren it<note>Bx.4.117: <hi>it</hi>(1): So LCO and alpha, as well as the X family of <hi>C</hi>; erased in M, in line with beta2 + G, together with the P family of <hi>C</hi>.</note> or to mouthen it</l>

<l> Tyl pernelles purfil · be put in here hucche</l>

<l> And childryn cherissyng · be chastyng<note>Bx.4.119: <hi>chastyng</hi>: "chastisement" (<title>MED</title> <hi>chastiinge</hi>); clearly <hi>Bx</hi>, with HmF <hi>chastised</hi> the easier reading though also that of <hi>Ax</hi>. <hi>Cx</hi> has <hi>chasted</hi>.</note> with ȝerdes</l>

Bx.4.120KD.4.118

<l> And harlotes holynesse · be holden for an hyne<note>Bx.4.120: <hi>an hyne</hi>: lit. "servant", in context something of small consequence. R replaces it with <hi>nauȝte</hi>, F with <hi>vanyte</hi>. Beta is supported by <hi>Ax</hi> but <hi>Cx</hi> revises. For discussion see Galloway (2006), 405-6; Turville-Petre (2006), 233-4.</note></l>

<l> Til clerken coueitise be · to clothe þe pore and to fede<note>Bx.4.121: <hi>to fede</hi>: Despite the scribal tendency to add <hi>to</hi> with an infinitive, the agreement of LR (+ CO) suggests that this is <hi>Bx</hi>, with other scribes dropping <hi>to</hi> from a b-verse that is already heavy. There is no parallel in <hi>A</hi>, and <hi>C</hi> is revised to <hi>be cloth for þe pore</hi> (RK.4.114).</note></l>

<l> And religious romares · <foreign>recordare</foreign> in here cloistres</l>

<l> As seynt Benet hem bad · Bernarde and Fraunceys</l>

Bx.4.124KD.4.122

<l> And til prechoures prechyng · be preued on hem-seluen</l>

<l> Tyl þe kynges conseille · be þe comune profyte</l>

<l> Tyl bisschopes baiardes · ben beggeres chambres</l>

<l> Here haukes and her houndes · helpe to pore Religious ·</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.4.128KD.4.126

<l> ¶ And til seynt Iames be souȝte · þere I shal assigne</l>

<l> That no man go to Galis · but if he go for euere</l>

<l> And alle Rome-renneres · for robberes of<note>Bx.4.130: <hi>of</hi>: So LMCOR, supported by <hi>Ax</hi>, revised in <hi>C</hi>.</note> byȝende</l>

<l> Bere no siluer ouer see · þat signe of kynge sheweþ</l>

Bx.4.132KD.4.130

<l> Noyther graue ne vngraue · golde noither siluer</l>

<l> Vppon forfeture of þat fee · who-so fynt hym<note>Bx.4.133: <hi>hym</hi>: i.e. "if anyone catches him". Beta2 corrupts to <hi>it</hi>; <hi>A</hi> mss. vary between the two pronouns, while <hi>C</hi> mss., although split between <hi>hym</hi> and <hi>hem</hi>, effectively support <hi>Bx</hi>.</note> at Douere</l>

<l> But if<note>Bx.4.134: <hi>if</hi>: The agreement of LR and CrWCGO would suggest that this is from <hi>Bx</hi>, though MHmF without it are paralleled by <hi>AC</hi>.</note> it be marchaunt or his man · or messagere with lettres</l>

<l> Prouysoure or prest · or penaunt for his synnes</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.4.136KD.4.134

<l> ¶ And ȝet quod resoun bi þe Rode · I shal no reuthe haue</l>

<l> While Mede hath þe maistrye · in þis moot halle</l>

<l> Ac I may shewe ensaumples · as I se other-while</l>

Bx.4.140KD.4.138

<l> That I were kynge with crowne · to kepen a Rewme</l>

<l> Shulde neuere wronge in þis worlde · þat I wite myȝte</l>

<l> Ben vnpunisshed in my powere · for peril of my soule</l>

<l> Ne gete my grace [þorw]<note>Bx.4.143: <hi>þorw</hi>: Alpha's preposition is supported by <hi>AC</hi> against beta's <hi>for</hi>.</note> giftes · so me god saue</l>

Bx.4.144KD.4.142

<l> Ne for no Mede haue mercy · but mekenesse it make<note>Bx.4.144: <hi>make</hi>: Alpha (with CrHm) has the past tense. <hi>A</hi> mss. are similarly split, and <hi>C</hi> rewrites.</note></l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ For <foreign>nullum malum</foreign> þe man · mette with <foreign>inpunitum</foreign></l>

<l> And badde <foreign>nullum bonum</foreign> · be <foreign>irremuneratum</foreign></l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Late ȝowre confessoure sire Kynge · construe þis vnglosed</l>

Bx.4.148KD.4.146

<l> And ȝif ȝe worken it in werke · I wedde myne eres</l>

<l> That lawe shal ben a laborere · and lede a-felde donge</l>

<l> And loue shal lede þi londe · as þe lief lyketh</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Clerkes þat were confessoures · coupled hem togideres</l>

Bx.4.152KD.4.150

<l> Alle to construe þis clause · and<note>Bx.4.152: <hi>and</hi>: This has the support of LR and WHmC, though F reads <hi>al</hi> and MCrGO omit, presumably reacting to its oddity. In both <hi>A</hi> and <hi>C</hi> the b-verses are quite different.</note> for þe kynges profit</l>

<l> Ac nouȝte for conforte of þe comune · ne for þe kynges soule</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ For I seiȝe mede in þe moot halle · on men of lawe wynke</l>

<l> And þei lawghyng lope to hire · and lafte resoun manye</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.4.156KD.4.154

<l> ¶ Waryn wisdome · wynked vppon Mede</l>

<l> And seide Madame I am ȝowre man · what-so my mouth iangleth<note>Bx.4.157: <hi>iangleth</hi>: Alpha + WHm have subjunctive, which may be right, but the indicative is not uncommon in such expressions. See Mustanoja (1960), 468, and cf. "what-euere þe boke telleth" (<ref><hi>Bx</hi>.5.495</ref>). The line is not in <hi>AC</hi>.</note></l>

<l> I falle in floreines quod þat<note>Bx.4.158: <hi>þat</hi>: So beta, against alpha's <hi>þe</hi>. Either could be <hi>Bx</hi>. See KD, p. 143.</note> freke · an faile speche ofte</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Alle riȝtful recorded · þat resoun treuthe tolde</l>

Bx.4.160KD.4.158

<l> And witt acorded þer-with · and comended his wordes</l>

<l> And þe moste peple in þe halle · and manye of þe grete</l>

<l> And leten mekenesse a maistre · and Mede a mansed schrewe</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Loue lete of hir liȝte · and lewte ȝit<note>Bx.4.163: <hi>ȝit</hi>: Beta is supported by <hi>Cx</hi> against <hi>wel</hi> in Hm and alpha.</note> lasse</l>

Bx.4.164KD.4.162

<l> And seide it so heiȝe [·] þat al þe halle it herde</l>

<l> Who-so wilneth hir to wyf · for welth of her godis</l>

<l> But he be knowe for a kokewolde · kut of my nose</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ Mede mourned þo · and made heuy chere</l>

Bx.4.168KD.4.166

<l> For þe moste comune of þat courte [·] called hire an hore</l>

<l> Ac a sysoure and a sompnoure · sued hir faste</l>

<l> And a schireues clerke · byschrewed al þe route</l>

<l> For ofte haue I quod he<note>Bx.4.171: <hi>he</hi>: F takes the form to be feminine, referring to Mede, and MHm alter to <hi>she</hi>, but the reference is obviously to the sheriff's clerk.</note> · holpe ȝow atte barre</l>

Bx.4.172KD.4.170

<l> And ȝit ȝeue ȝe me neuere · þe worthe of a russhe</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ The kynge called conscience · and afterwardes resoun</l>

<l> And recorded þat resoun [·] had riȝtfullich schewed</l>

<l> And modilich<note>Bx.4.175: <hi>modilich</hi>: In L a corrector has added <w> to read <hi>mowd</hi>-.</note> vppon Mede · with myȝte þe Kynge loked<note>Bx.4.175: Alpha's b-verse is perhaps a response to the clumsy reading of <hi>Bx</hi>, as recorded by beta. <hi>Cx</hi> patches to "many tyme lokede" (RK.4.167).</note></l>

Bx.4.176KD.4.174

<l> And gan wax wrothe with lawe · for Mede almoste had shent it</l>

<l> And seide þorw ȝowre lawe as I leue · I lese many chetes</l>

<l> Mede ouer-maistrieth lawe · and moche treuthe letteth</l>

<l> Ac resoun shal rekene with ȝow · ȝif I regne any while</l>

Bx.4.180KD.4.178

<l> And deme ȝow bi þis day · as ȝe han deserued</l>

<l> Mede shal nouȝte meynprise ȝow · bi þe Marie of heuene</l>

<l> I wil haue leute in lawe · and lete be al ȝowre ianglyng</l>

<l> And as moste<note>Bx.4.183: <hi>moste</hi>: There seems nothing to choose between beta and alpha's <hi>alle</hi> except the scribal tendency to exaggerate. There is no parallel line in <hi>AC</hi>.</note> folke witnesseth wel<note>Bx.4.183: <hi>wel</hi>: R's a-verse presumably represents alpha, with F's <hi>as alle wyȝes witnesse</hi> an effective attempt to improve the alliteration.</note> · wronge shal be demed</l>

</lg>

<lg>

Bx.4.184KD.4.182

<l> ¶ Quod conscience to þe kynge · but þe comune wil assent</l>

<l> It is ful hard bi myn hed · here-to to brynge it</l>

<l> Alle ȝowre lige<note>Bx.4.186: <hi>lige</hi>: In omitting the adjective, R probably represents alpha, with F attempting to improve alliteration, as in l. <ref>183</ref>. Beta is supported by <hi>AC</hi>.</note> leodes · to lede þus euene</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ By hym þat rauȝte on þe rode · quod resoun to þe kynge</l>

Bx.4.188KD.4.186

<l> But if I reule þus ȝowre rewme · rende out my guttes</l>

<l> Ȝif ȝe bidden buxomnes · be of myne assente</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ And I assent [quod]<note>Bx.4.190: <hi>quod</hi>: Support is strong from alpha + HmGO, together with <hi>Ax</hi>. M's <hi>seith</hi> is a correction. On the other hand, the alliterative pattern would support <hi>seith</hi> as in LCrWC. In <hi>C</hi> the line is rewritten to alliterate on /w/ (RK.4.183).</note> þe kynge · by seynte Marie my lady</l>

<l> Be my conseille comen [·]<note>Bx.4.191: L misplaces the punctuation after <hi>clerkis</hi>.</note> of clerkis and of erlis</l>

Bx.4.192KD.4.190

<l> Ac redili resoun [·] þow shalt nouȝte ride fro me</l>

<l> For as longe as I lyue · lete þe I nelle</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> ¶ I am aredy<note>Bx.4.194: <hi>aredy</hi>: LMOR have this form; Cr has <hi>redy</hi> (as does <hi>Ax</hi>); WHmCGF have <hi>al redy</hi>.</note> quod resoun · to reste with ȝow euere</l>

<l> So conscience be of owre<note>Bx.4.195: <hi>owre</hi>: M's <hi>yowre</hi> is paralleled in a number of <hi>A</hi> mss.</note> conseille · I kepe no bettere</l>

Bx.4.196KD.4.194

<l> And I graunt quod the kynge · goddes forbode [he]<note>Bx.4.196: <hi>he</hi>: R shares this reading with <hi>Ax</hi>. Both F (with <hi>þou</hi>) and beta (with <hi>it</hi>) miss the reference to Conscience.</note> faile</l>

<l> Als longe as owre lyf lasteth<note>Bx.4.197: <hi>lasteth</hi>: There is no particular reason to prefer alpha's subjunctive form. For not very precise parallels, cf. <ref><hi>Bx</hi>.6.295</ref>, <ref>20.211</ref>.</note> · lyue we togideres</l>

</lg>