W.17 – PPEA

<lg>

<l> <hi><hi>I</hi></hi> am <foreign><hi>Spes</hi></foreign> quod he <orig>Aspie</orig><reg>A spie</reg> . and spire after a Knyght</l>

<l> That took me a maundement . vp<seg>-</seg>on þe mount of Synay</l>

<l> To rule alle Reames wiþ . I bere þe writ here</l>

<lg>

W.17.4KD.17.4

<l> Is it enseled I seide . may men see þi lettres</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Nay he seide seke<note>W.17.5: W alone omits <hi>I</hi> before <hi>seke</hi>.</note> hym . þat haþ þe seel to kepe</l>

<l> And þat is cros and cristendom . and crist þer<seg>-</seg>on to honge</l>

<l> And whan it is enseled so . I woot wel þe soþe</l>

W.17.8KD.17.8

<l> That Luciferis lordshipe . laste shal no lenger</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Lat se þi lettres quod I . we myghte þe lawe knowe</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thanne plukkede he forþ a patente . a pece of an hard roche</l>

<l> Wher<seg>-</seg>on were writen two wordes . on þis wise yglosed</l>

W.17.12KD.17.13

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>D</hi>ilige deum & p<expan>ro</expan>x<expan>imu</expan>m tuum</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> This was þe tixte trewely . I took ful good yeme</l>

<l> The glose was gloriously writen . wiþ a gilt penne</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>I</hi>n hijs duob<expan>us</expan> mandatis . tota lex pendet & p<expan>ro</expan>ph<expan>et</expan>ia</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

W.17.16KD.17.17

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ben here alle þi lordes lawes quod I . ye leue me wel he seide</l>

<l> And who<seg>-</seg>so wercheþ after þis writ . I wol vndertaken</l>

<l> Shal neu<expan>er</expan>e deuel hym dere . ne deeþ in soule greue</l>

<l> For þouȝ I seye it my<seg>-</seg>self . I haue saued w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> þis charme</l>

W.17.20KD.17.21

<l> Of men and of wo<expan>m</expan>men . many score þousand<note>W.17.20: W alone reads <hi>þousand</hi>; all other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>thowsandys</hi>.</note></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ye seien sooþ seide þis heraud . I haue yfounde it ofte</l>

<l> Lo here in my lappe . þat leeued on þat charme</l>

<l> Iosue and Iudith . and Iudas Macabeus</l>

W.17.24KD.17.25

<l> Ye and sixti þousand biside forþ . þat ben noȝt seyen here</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Youre wordes arn wonderfulle quod I þo . which of yow is trewest<note>W.17.25: The leaf is cropped after <hi>trewest</hi>, and an <e> may have been lost.</note></l>

<l> And lelest to leue so . for lif and for soule</l>

<l> Abraham seiþ . þ<expan>a</expan>t he seiȝ hoolly þe Trinite</l>

W.17.28KD.17.29

<l> Thre p<expan>er</expan>sones in p<expan>ar</expan>celles . departable fro ooþer</l>

<l> And alle þre but o god . þus Abraham me tauȝte</l>

<l> And haþ saued þat bileued so . and sory for hir synnes</l>

<l> He kan noȝt siggen þe so<expan>m</expan>me . and some arn in his lappe</l>

W.17.32KD.17.33

<l> What neded it þanne . a newe lawe to bigynne</l>

<l> Siþ þe firste suffiseþ . to sauacion and to blisse</l>

<l> And now comeþ <hi><foreign><hi>Spes</hi></foreign></hi> and spekeþ . þat aspied þe lawe</l>

<l> And telleþ noȝt of þe Trinite . þat took hym hise lettres</l>

W.17.36KD.17.37

<l> To bileeue and louye . in o lord al<seg>-</seg>myghty</l>

<l> And siþþe riȝt as my<seg>-</seg>self . so louye alle peple</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> The gome þat gooþ wiþ o staf . he semeþ in gretter heele</l>

<l> Than he þat gooþ wiþ two staues . to sighte of vs alle</l>

<lg>

W.17.40KD.17.41

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And riȝt so bi þe roode . Reson me sheweþ</l>

<l> That<note>W.17.41: W alone reads <hi>That</hi>; all other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts omit it.</note> it is lighter to lewed men . o lesson to knowe</l>

<l> Than for to techen hem two . and to hard to lerne þe leeste</l>

<l> It is ful hard for any man . on Abraham bileue</l>

W.17.44KD.17.45

<l> And wel awey worse ȝit . for to loue a sherewe</l>

<l> It is lighter to leeue . in þre louely p<expan>er</expan>sones</l>

<l> Than for to louye and lene<note>W.17.46: The reading could as well be <hi>leue</hi>, as in Cr.</note> . as wel lorels as lele</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Go þi gate quod I to <hi><foreign><hi>Spes</hi></foreign></hi> . so me god helpe</l>

W.17.48KD.17.49

<l> Tho þat lernen þi lawe . wol litel while vsen it</l>

<l> And as we wenten þus in þe wey . wordynge togideres</l>

<l> Thanne seiȝe we a Samaritan . sittynge on a Mule</l>

<l> Ridynge ful rapely . þe righte wey we yeden</l>

W.17.52KD.17.53

<l> Comynge from a contree . þat men called Ierico</l>

<l> To a Iustes in Ier<expan>usa</expan>l<expan>e</expan>m . he chaced awey faste</l>

<l> Boþe þe heraud and hope . and he<note>W.17.54: The scribe has written immediately above <hi>he</hi> the abbreviation for <add><hi><foreign>.i<expan>d est</expan>. <expan>Christus</expan></foreign></hi></add>.</note> mette <orig>atones</orig><reg>at ones</reg></l>

<l> Where a man was wounded . and wiþ þeues taken</l>

W.17.56KD.17.57

<l> He myȝte neiþ<expan>er</expan> steppe ne stande . ne stere foot ne handes</l>

<l> Ne helpe hym<seg>-</seg>self sooþly . for semyvif he semed</l>

<l> And as naked as a nedle . and noon help aboute hym</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Feiþ hadde first siȝte of hym . ac he fleiȝ aside</l>

W.17.60KD.17.61

<l> And nolde noȝt neghen hym . by nyne londes lengþe</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Hope cam hippynge after . þat hadde so ybosted</l>

<l> How he wiþ Moyses maundement . hadde many men yholpe</l>

<l> Ac whan he hadde sighte of þat segge . aside he gan hym drawe</l>

W.17.64KD.17.65

<l> Dredfully bi þis day . as doke dooþ fram þe faucon</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ac so soone so þe Samaritan . hadde siȝte of þis leode</l>

<l> He lighte adown of Lyard . and ladde hym in his hande</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> And to þe wye he wente . hise woundes to biholde</l>

W.17.68KD.17.69

<l> And p<expan>ar</expan>ceyued bi his pous . he was in p<expan>er</expan>il to dye</l>

<l> And but he hadde recou<expan>er</expan>er þe rapelier<note>W.17.69: W alone reads <hi>rapelier</hi>, comparative of <hi>rapely</hi>, "the sooner, the more quickly"; all other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>raþer</hi>.</note> . þ<expan>a</expan>t rise sholde he neu<expan>er</expan>e</l>

<l> Wiþ wyn and w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> oille . hise woundes he wasshed</l>

<l> Enbawmed hym and bond his heed . and in his lappe hym leide</l>

W.17.72KD.17.74

<l> And ladde hym so forþ on Lyard . to <hi><foreign><hi>lex <expan>Christi</expan></hi></foreign></hi> a graunge</l>

<l> Wel sixe Mile or seuene . biside þe newe Market</l>

<l> Herberwed hym at an hostrie . and to þe hostiler called</l>

<l> And seide haue kepe þis man . til I come fro þe Iustes</l>

W.17.76KD.17.78

<l> And lo here siluer he seide . for salue to hise woundes</l>

<l> And he took hym two pens . to liflode as it weere</l>

<l> And seide what he spendeþ moore . I make þee good her<seg>-</seg>after</l>

<l> For I may noȝt lette quod þat Leode . and lyard he bistrideþ</l>

W.17.80KD.17.82

<l> And raped hym to Ier<expan>usa</expan>l<expan>e</expan>mward . þe riȝte wey to ryde</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Feiþ folwede after faste . and fondede to mete hym</l>

<l> And <hi><foreign><hi>Spes</hi></foreign></hi> spakliche hym spedde . spede if he myȝte</l>

<l> To ouer<seg>-</seg>taken hym and talke to hym . er þei to towne coome</l>

<lg>

W.17.84KD.17.86

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And whan I seiȝ þis I soio<expan>ur</expan>ned noȝt . but shoop me to renne</l>

<l> And suwed þat Samaritan . þat was so ful of pite</l>

<l> And graunted hym to ben his groom . graunt m<expan>er</expan>cy he seide</l>

<l> Ac þi frend and þi felawe quod he . þow fyndest me at nede</l>

<lg>

W.17.88KD.17.90

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And I þanked hym þo . and siþþe I hym tolde</l>

<l> How þ<expan>a</expan>t feiþ fleiȝ awey . and <hi><foreign><hi>Spes</hi></foreign></hi> his felawe boþe</l>

<l> For sighte of þat sorweful man . þat robbed was w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> þeues</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Haue hem excused quod he . hir help may litel auaille</l>

W.17.92KD.17.94

<l> May no medicyne on molde . þe man to heele brynge</l>

<l> Neiþer Feiþ ne fyn hope . so festred be hise woundes</l>

<l> Wiþ<seg>-</seg>outen þe blood of a barn . born of a mayde</l>

<l> And be he baþed in þat blood . baptised as it were</l>

W.17.96KD.17.98

<l> And þanne plastred wiþ penaunce . and passion of þat baby</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> He sholde stonde and steppe . ac stalworþe worþ he neu<expan>er</expan>e</l>

<l> Til he haue eten al þe barn . and his blood ydronke</l>

<l> For wente neu<expan>er</expan>e wye in þis world . þoruȝ þat wildernesse</l>

W.17.100KD.17.102

<l> That he ne was robbed or rifled . rood he þere or yede</l>

<l> Saue feiþ and his felawe . <hi><foreign><hi>Spes</hi></foreign></hi> and my<seg>-</seg>selue</l>

<l> And þi<seg>-</seg>self now . and swiche as suwen oure werkes</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> For Outlawes in þe wode . and vnder bank lotieþ</l>

W.17.104KD.17.106

<l> And mowen ech man see . and good mark take</l>

<l> Who is bihynde and who bifore . and who ben on horse</l>

<l> For he halt hym hardier on horse . þan he þ<expan>a</expan>t is <sic>foote</sic><corr>[on] foote</corr><note>W.17.106: W alone omits <hi>on</hi> before <hi>foote</hi>.</note></l>

<l> For he seigh me þat am Samaritan . suwen Feiþ & his felawe</l>

W.17.108KD.17.110

<l> On my Capul þat highte <hi><foreign><hi>caro .</hi></foreign></hi> of mankynde I took it</l>

<l> He was vnhardy þat harlot . and hidde hym <foreign><hi>in</hi></foreign> <hi><foreign><hi>Inferno</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> Ac er þis day þre daies . I dar vnder<seg>-</seg>taken</l>

<l> That he worþ fettred þat feloun . faste wiþ Cheynes</l>

W.17.112KD.17.114

<l> And neu<expan>er</expan>e eft greue gome . þat gooþ þis ilke gate</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And þanne shal Feiþ be forster here . and in þis Fryth walke</l>

<l> And kennen out comune men . þat knowen noȝt þe contree</l>

<l> Which is þe wey þat I wente . and wher forþ to Ier<expan>usa</expan>l<expan>e</expan>m</l>

W.17.116KD.17.118

<l> And Hope þe Hostilers man shal be . þer þe man lith <orig>anhelyng</orig><reg>an helyng</reg></l>

<l> And alle þat feble and feynte be . þat Feiþ may noȝt teche</l>

<l> Hope shal lede hem forþ w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> loue . as his lettre telleþ</l>

<l> And hostele hem and heele . þoruȝ holy chirche bileue</l>

W.17.120KD.17.122

<l> Til I haue salue for alle sike . and þanne shal I turne</l>

<l> And come ayein bi þis contree . and conforten alle sike</l>

<l> That craueþ it and coueiteþ it . or crieþ<note>W.17.122: W alone reads <hi>and coueiteþ it or crieþ</hi>; all other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts reverse the order of <hi>and ... or</hi>.</note> þer<seg>-</seg>after</l>

<l> For þe barn was born in Bethleem . þat w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> his blood shal saue</l>

W.17.124KD.17.126

<l> Alle þat lyuen in Feiþ . and folwen his felawes techynge</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> A swete sire I seide þo . wher I shal bileue</l>

<l> As Feiþ and his felawe . enformed me boþe</l>

<l> In þre p<expan>er</expan>sones departable . þat p<expan>er</expan>petuele were euere</l>

W.17.128KD.17.130

<l> And alle þre but o god . þus Abraham me tauȝte</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And Hope afterward . he bad me to louye</l>

<l> O god wiþ al my good . and alle gomes after</l>

<l> Louye hem lik my<seg>-</seg>selue . ac oure lord abouen alle</l>

<lg>

W.17.132KD.17.134

<l> <hi>¶</hi> After Abraham quod he . þat heraud of armes</l>

<l> Sette fully þi feiþ . and ferme bileue</l>

<l> And as hope highte þee . I hote þ<expan>a</expan>t þow louye</l>

<l> Thyn euenecristene eu<expan>er</expan>e<seg>-</seg>moore . euene<seg>-</seg>forþ w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> þi<seg>-</seg>selue</l>

W.17.136KD.17.138

<l> And if Conscience carpe þer<seg>-</seg>ayein . or kynde wit eyþer</l>

<l> Or Eretikes wiþ argumentz . þyn hond þow hem shewe</l>

<l> For god is after an hand . yheer now and knowe it</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> The fader was first as a fust . wiþ o fynger foldynge</l>

W.17.140KD.17.142

<l> Til hym louede and liste . to vnlosen his fynger</l>

<l> And p<expan>ro</expan>fre it forþ as w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> a pawme . to what place it sholde</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> The pawme is purely þe hand . and p<expan>ro</expan>freþ forþ þe fyngres</l>

<l> To ministren and to make . þat myȝt of hand knoweþ</l>

W.17.144KD.17.146

<l> And bitokneþ trewely . telle who<seg>-</seg>so likeþ</l>

<l> The holy goost of heuene . he is as þe pawme</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> The fyngres þat fre ben . to folde and to serue</l>

<l> Bitoknen sooþly þe sone . þat sent was til erþe</l>

W.17.148KD.17.150

<l> That touched and tastede . at techynge of þe pawme</l>

<l> Seinte Marie a mayde . and mankynde lauȝte</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>Q</hi>ui conceptus est de sp<expan>irit</expan>u s<expan>an</expan>c<expan>t</expan>o &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> The fader is pawme<note>W.17.151: W alone reads <hi>pawme</hi>; most other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>þanne</hi>, omitted by F.</note> as a fust . wiþ fynger to touche</l>

W.17.152KD.17.152α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Quia om<expan>n</expan>ia traham ad me ip<expan>su</expan>m &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> Al þat þe pawme p<expan>ar</expan>ceyueþ . p<expan>ro</expan>fitable to feele</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thus are þei alle but oon . as it an hand weere</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> And þre sondry sightes . in oon shewynge</l>

<lg>

W.17.156KD.17.156

<l> <hi>¶</hi> The paume for it putteþ forþ fyngres . and þe fust boþe</l>

<l> Right so redily . Reson it sheweth</l>

<l> How he þat is holy goost . sire and sone preueþ</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And as þe hand halt harde . and alle þyng faste</l>

W.17.160KD.17.160

<l> Thoruȝ foure fyngres and a thombe . forþ w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> þe pawme</l>

<l> Right so þe fader and þe sone . and Seint Spirit þe þridde</l>

<l> Al þe wide world . wiþ<seg>-</seg>Inne hem þre holden<note>W.17.162: The word-order of the line varies in the <hi>B</hi> manuscripts, but most have <hi>Halt al þe wyde worlde . with-in hem thre</hi> (as in L).</note></l>

<l> Boþe wolkne and þe wynd . water and erþe</l>

W.17.164KD.17.164

<l> Heuene and helle . and al þat is þer<seg>-</seg>Inne</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thus it is / nedeþ no man . trowe noon ooþer</l>

<l> That þre þynges bilongeþ . in oure lord of heuene</l>

<l> And aren serelopes by hem<seg>-</seg>self . a<seg>-</seg>sondry were þei neu<expan>er</expan>e</l>

W.17.168KD.17.168

<l> Namoore þan myn hand may . meue wiþ<seg>-</seg>oute my fyngres</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And as my fust is ful hand . yholden<note>W.17.169: All <hi>B</hi> manuscripts with the exception of W and Hm have a form of <hi>folden</hi>.</note> togideres</l>

<l> So is þe fader a ful god . formo<expan>ur</expan> and shapper<expan>e</expan></l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>T</hi>u fabricator om<expan>n</expan>i<expan>um</expan> &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

W.17.172KD.17.171

<l> And al þe myȝt myd hym is . in makynge of þynges</l>

<l> The fyngres formen a ful hand . to portreye or peynten</l>

<l> Keruynge and compasynge . as craft of þe fyngres</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Right so is þe sone . þe Science of þe fader</l>

W.17.176KD.17.175

<l> And ful god as is þe fader . no febler ne no bettre</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> The pawme is pureliche þe hand . and haþ power by hym<seg>-</seg>selue</l>

<l> Oþer<seg>-</seg>wise þan þe wriþen fust . or werkmanshipe of fyngres</l>

<l> For he haþ power . to putte out alle þe ioyntes</l>

W.17.180KD.17.179, 181

<l> And to vnfolde þe folden fust . at þe fyngres wille</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> So is þe holy goost god . neiþer gretter ne lasse</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Than is þe sire and þe sone . and in þe same myghte</l>

<l> And alle are þei but o god . as is myn hand and my fyngres</l>

W.17.184KD.17.185

<l> Vnfolden or folden . my fust and my pawme</l>

<l> Al is but an hand . euene in þe myddes</l>

<l> He may receyue riȝt noȝt . reson it sheweþ</l>

<l> For þe fyngres þat folde sholde . and þe fust make</l>

W.17.188KD.17.190

<l> For peyne of þe pawme . power hem failleþ</l>

<l> To clucche or to clawe . to clippe or to holde</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Were þe myddel of myn hand . ymaymed or yp<expan>er</expan>issed</l>

<l> I sholde receyue riȝt noȝt . of þat I reche myghte</l>

<lg>

W.17.192KD.17.194

<l> Ac þouȝ my þombe and my fyngres . boþe were to<seg>-</seg>shullen</l>

<l> And þe myddel of myn hand . wiþ<seg>-</seg>oute male<seg>-</seg>ese</l>

<l> In many kynnes maneres . I myghte my<seg>-</seg>self helpe</l>

<l> Boþe meue and amende . þouȝ alle my fyngres oke</l>

<lg>

W.17.196KD.17.198

<l> <hi>¶</hi> By þis skile me þynkeþ . I se an euidence</l>

<l> That who<seg>-</seg>so synneþ in þe Seint Spirit . assoilled worþ he neu<expan>er</expan>e</l>

<l> Neiþ<expan>er</expan> here ne ellis<seg>-</seg>where . as I herde telle</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>Q</hi>ui peccat in Sp<expan>irit</expan>u S<expan>an</expan>c<expan>t</expan>o &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

W.17.200KD.17.201

<l> For he prikeþ god as in þe pawme . þat <hi><foreign><hi>peccat in Sp<expan>irit</expan>u S<expan>an</expan>c<expan>t</expan>o</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> For god þe fader is as a fust . þe sone is as a fynger</l>

<l> The holy goost of heuene . is as it were þe pawme</l>

<l> So who<seg>-</seg>so synneþ in þe Seint Spirit . it semeþ þ<expan>a</expan>t he greueþ</l>

W.17.204KD.17.205

<l> God þat he grypeþ wiþ . and wolde his g<expan>ra</expan>ce quenche</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And to a torche or a tapur . þe Trinite is likned</l>

<l> As wex and a weke . were twyned to<seg>-</seg>gideres</l>

<l> And þanne a fir flawmynge . forþ out of boþe</l>

W.17.208KD.17.209

<l> And as wex and weke . and hoot fir togideres</l>

<l> Fostren forþ a flawmbe . and a fair leye</l>

<l> So dooþ þe Sire and þe sone . and also <hi><foreign><hi>Sp<expan>irit</expan>us S<expan>an</expan>c<expan>t</expan>us</hi></foreign></hi><note>W.17.210: The following line, omitted in WHm, appears in all other B witnesses: <hi>Fostren forth amonges folke . loue & bileue</hi> (as in L).</note></l>

<l> That alle kynne cristene . clenseþ of synnes</l>

</lg>

<lg>

W.17.212KD.17.215

<l> <hi>¶</hi> <hi>A</hi>nd as þow seest som<seg>-</seg>tyme . sodeynliche a torche</l>

<l> The blase þer<seg>-</seg>of yblowe out . yet brenneþ þe weke</l>

<l> Wiþ<seg>-</seg>outen leye or light . þ<expan>a</expan>t þe macche brenneþ</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> So is holy<note>W.17.215: W alone omits <hi>þe</hi> before <hi>holy</hi>.</note> goost god . and g<expan>ra</expan>ce wiþ<seg>-</seg>oute m<expan>er</expan>cy</l>

W.17.216KD.17.219

<l> To alle vnkynde creatures . þat coueite to destruye</l>

<l> Lele loue or lif . þat oure lord shapte</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And as glowynge gledes . gladeþ noȝt þise werkmen</l>

<l> That werchen and waken . in wyntres nyȝtes</l>

W.17.220KD.17.223

<l> As dooþ a kex or a candle . þat caught haþ fir and blaseþ</l>

<l> Namoore dooþ sire ne sone . ne seint spirit togidres</l>

<l> Graunte no grace . ne forȝifnesse of synnes</l>

<l> Til þe holy goost gynne . to glowe and to blase</l>

W.17.224KD.17.227

<l> So þ<expan>a</expan>t þe holy goost . gloweþ but as a <sic>glade</sic><corr>gl[e]de</corr><note>W.17.224: W alone reads <hi>glade</hi>; all other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>glede</hi>.</note></l>

<l> Til þ<expan>a</expan>t lele loue . ligge on hym and blowe</l>

<l> And þanne flawmeþ he as fir . on fader and on <hi><foreign><hi>filius</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> And melteþ hire myȝt in<seg>-</seg>to mercy . as men may se in wyntre</l>

W.17.228KD.17.231

<l> Ysekeles in euesynges . þoruȝ hete of þe sonne</l>

<l> Melte in a Mynut while . to myst and to watre</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> So g<expan>ra</expan>ce of þe holy goost . þe grete myȝt of þe Trinite</l>

<l> Melteþ to mercy . to merciable and to oþere</l>

W.17.232KD.17.235

<l> And as wex wiþ<seg>-</seg>outen moore . on a warm glede</l>

<l> Wol brennen and blasen . be þei togideres</l>

<l> And solacen hem þat mowe se . þat sitten in derknesse</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> So wol þe fader forȝyue . folk of mylde hertes</l>

W.17.236KD.17.239

<l> That rufully repenten . and restitucion make</l>

<l> In as muche as þei mowen . amenden and paien</l>

<l> And if it suffise noȝt for assetz . þat in swich a wille deyeþ</l>

<l> Mercy for his mekenesse . wol maken good þe remenaunt</l>

W.17.240KD.17.243

<l> And as þe weke and fir . wol maken a warm flaumbe</l>

<l> For to murþen men myd . þat in þe derke sitten</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> So wole crist of his curteisie . and men crye hym m<expan>er</expan>cy</l>

<l> Boþe forȝyue and foryete . and ȝit bidde for vs</l>

W.17.244KD.17.247

<l> To þe fader of heuene . forȝifnesse to haue</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ac hewe fir at a flynt . foure hundred wynter</l>

<l> But þow haue tow to take it wiþ . tonder or broches</l>

<l> Al þi labour is lost . and al þi long trauaille</l>

W.17.248KD.17.251

<l> For may no fir flaumbe make . faille it is<note>W.17.248: W shares the reading <hi>is</hi> with C and Bo, where other manuscripts have <hi>his</hi>. W's reading may be a spelling variant or an error.</note> kynde</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> So is þe holi goost god . and grace wiþ<seg>-</seg>outen m<expan>er</expan>cy</l>

<l> To alle vnkynde creatures . crist hym<seg>-</seg>self witnesseþ</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>A</hi>men dico vobis nescio vos &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

W.17.252KD.17.254

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Be vnkynde to þyn euene<seg>-</seg>c<expan>ri</expan>stene . and al þat þow kanst bidde</l>

<l> Delen and do penaunce . day and nyght euere</l>

<l> And purchace al þe pardon . of <hi><hi>Pampilon</hi></hi> and <hi><hi>Rome</hi></hi></l>

<l> And Indulgences ynowe . and be <hi><foreign><hi>ingratus</hi></foreign></hi> to þi kynde</l>

W.17.256KD.17.258

<l> The Holy goost hereþ þee noȝt . ne helpe may þee by reson</l>

<l> For vnkyndenesse quencheþ hym . þ<expan>a</expan>t he kan noȝt shyne</l>

<l> Ne brenne ne blase clere . <sic>fo</sic><corr>fo[r]</corr><note>W.17.258: W alone reads <hi>fo</hi>; all other manuscripts except Y read <hi>for</hi>.</note> blowynge of vnkyndenesse</l>

<l> Poul þe Apostel . preueþ wheiþ<expan>er</expan> I lye</l>

W.17.260KD.17.261α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi>Si linguis hominum loquar &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> For<seg>-</seg>þi beþ war ye wise men . þat wiþ þe world deleþ</l>

<l> That riche ben and reson knoweþ . ruleþ wel youre soule</l>

<l> Beþ noȝt vnkynde I conseille yow . to your<expan>e</expan> euene<seg>-</seg>cristene</l>

W.17.264KD.17.265

<l> For manye of yow riche men . by my soule men telleþ</l>

<l> Ye brenne but ye blase noȝt . þat is a blynd bekene</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>N</hi>on om<expan>n</expan>is qui dicit d<expan>omi</expan>ne d<expan>omi</expan>ne intrabit &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi><hi>¶</hi> <hi><hi>D</hi>iues</hi></hi> deyde dampned . for his vnkyndenesse</l>

W.17.268KD.17.269

<l> Of his mete and of his moneie . to men þat it nedede</l>

<l> Ech a riche I rede . reward at hym take</l>

<l> And gyueþ youre good to þat god . þat grace of ariseþ</l>

</lg>

<lg>

<l> For þei þat ben vnkynde to hise . hope I noon ooþer</l>

W.17.272KD.17.273

<l> But þei dwelle þer <hi><hi>diues</hi></hi> is . dayes wiþ<seg>-</seg>outen ende</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thus is vnkyndenesse þe cont<expan>ra</expan>rie . þat quencheþ as it were</l>

<l> The g<expan>ra</expan>ce of þe holy goost . goddes owene kynde</l>

<l> For þat kynde dooþ vnkynde for<seg>-</seg>dooþ . as þise corsede þeues</l>

W.17.276KD.17.277

<l> Vnkynde cristene men . for coueitise and enuye</l>

<l> Sleeþ a man for hise moebles . wiþ mouþ or w<expan>i</expan>t<expan>h</expan> handes</l>

<l> For þat þe holy goost haþ to kepe . þe harlotes destruyeþ</l>

<l> The which is lif and loue . þe leye of mannes body</l>

W.17.280KD.17.281

<l> For eu<expan>er</expan>y manere good may <sic>b<space> </space></sic><corr>[.]</corr> be likned to a torche</l>

<l> Or ellis to a tapur . to reuerence þe Trinite</l>

<l> And who morþereþ a good man . me þynkeþ by myn Inwit</l>

<l> He fordooþ þe leuest light . þat oure lord louyeþ</l>

<lg>

W.17.284KD.17.285

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And yet in manye mo maneres . men offenden þe holy goost</l>

<l> Ac þis is þe worste wise . þat any wight myghte</l>

<l> Synnen ayein þe Seint Spirit . assenten to destruye</l>

<l> For coueitise of any kynnes þyng . þat crist deere bouȝte</l>

W.17.288KD.17.290

<l> That wikkedliche and wilfulliche . wolde m<expan>er</expan>cy aniente</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Innocence is next god . and nyght and day it crieþ</l>

<l> Vengeaunce vengeaunce . forȝyue be it neuere</l>

<l> That shente vs and shedde oure blood . for<seg>-</seg>shapte vs as it were</l>

W.17.292KD.17.293α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>V</hi>indica sanguinem iustor<expan>um</expan></hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thus vengeaunce vengeaunce . verrey charite askeþ</l>

<l> And siþ holy chirche and charite . chargeþ þis so soore</l>

<l> Leue I neu<expan>er</expan>e þ<expan>a</expan>t oure lord . wol loue þat charite lakkeþ</l>

W.17.296KD.17.298

<l> Ne haue pite for any preiere . þer þ<expan>a</expan>t he pleyneþ</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> I pose I hadde synned so . and sholde now deye</l>

<l> <hi>A</hi>nd now am I sory þ<expan>a</expan>t I so . þe Seint Spirit agulte</l>

<l> Confesse me and crye his g<expan>ra</expan>ce . god þat al made</l>

</lg>

<lg>

W.17.300KD.17.302

<l> <hi>A</hi>nd myldeliche his m<expan>er</expan>cy aske . myghte I noȝt be saued</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ȝis seide þe Samaritan . so wel þow myght repente</l>

<l> That rightwisnesse þoruȝ repentaunce . to ruþe myȝte turne</l>

<l> Ac it is but selden yseiȝe . þer sooþnesse bereþ witnesse</l>

W.17.304KD.17.306

<l> Any creature þat is coupable . afore a kynges Iustice</l>

<l> Be raunsoned for his repentaunce . þer alle reson hym dampneþ</l>

<l> For þer þ<expan>a</expan>t p<expan>ar</expan>tie pursueþ . þe peple is so huge</l>

<l> That þe kyng may do no m<expan>er</expan>cy . til boþe men acorde</l>

W.17.308KD.17.310

<l> And eyþer haue equyte . as holy writ telleþ</l>

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>N</hi>u<expan>m</expan>q<expan>ua</expan>m dimittitur peccatum &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thus it fareþ by swich folk . þat falsly al hire lyues</l>

<l> Yuele lyuen and leten noȝt . til lif hem forsake</l>

W.17.312KD.17.315

<l> Good hope þat helpe sholde . to wanhope torneþ</l>

<l> Noght of þe noun<seg>-</seg>power of god . þ<expan>a</expan>t he ne is myghtful</l>

<l> To amende al þ<expan>a</expan>t amys is . and his m<expan>er</expan>cy gretter</l>

<l> Than alle oure wikkede werkes . as holy writ telleþ</l>

W.17.316KD.17.318α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>M</hi>isericordia eius sup<expan>er</expan> omnia opera eius</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<l> Ac er his rightwisnesse to ruþe torne . som restitucion bihoueþ</l>

<l> His sorwe is satisfaccion . for hym þat may noȝt paie</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thre þynges þer ben . þat doon a man by strengþe</l>

W.17.320KD.17.322

<l> For to fleen his owene<note>W.17.320: W alone omits <hi>hous</hi> after <hi>owene</hi>.</note> . as holy writ sheweþ</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> That oon is a wikkede wif . þat wol noȝt be chastised</l>

<l> Hir feere fleeþ fro hire . for feere of hir tonge</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And if his hous be vnhiled . and reyne on his bedde</l>

W.17.324KD.17.326

<l> He sekeþ and sekeþ . til he slepe drye</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And whan smoke and smolder . smyt in his sighte</l>

<l> It dooþ hym worse þan his wif . or wete to slepe</l>

<l> For smoke and smolder . smyteþ in hise eighen</l>

</lg>

<lg>

W.17.328KD.17.330

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Til he be blereighed or blynd . and hoors in þe þrote</l>

<l> Cogheþ and curseþ . þat crist gyue hem sorwe</l>

<l> That sholde brynge in bettre wode . or blowe it til it brende</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Thise þre þat I telle of . ben þus to vnderstonde</l>

W.17.332KD.17.334

<l> The wif is oure wikked flessh . þat wol noȝt be chastised</l>

<l> For kynde clyueþ on hym eu<expan>er</expan>e . to cont<expan>ra</expan>rie þe soule</l>

<l> And þouȝ it falle it fynt skiles . þ<expan>a</expan>t frelete it made</l>

<l> And þat is lightly forȝyuen . and forȝeten boþe</l>

W.17.336KD.17.338

<l> To man þat mercy askeþ . and amende þenkeþ</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> The reyn þat reyneþ . þer we reste sholde</l>

<l> Ben siknesse and sorwes . þat we suffren ofte</l>

<l> As Poul þe Apostle . to þe peple tauȝte</l>

W.17.340KD.17.341α

<l> <hi><foreign><hi><hi>V</hi>irtus in infirmitate p<expan>er</expan>ficitur &c</hi></foreign></hi></l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> And þouȝ þ<expan>a</expan>t men make . muche doel in hir angre</l>

<l> And ben inpacient in hir penaunce . pure reson knoweþ</l>

<l> That þei han cause to cont<expan>ra</expan>rie . by kynde of hir siknesse</l>

W.17.344KD.17.345

<l> And lightliche oure lord . at hir lyues ende</l>

<l> Haþ mercy on swiche men . þat so yuele may suffre</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> Ac þe smoke and þe smolder . þat smyt in oure eighen</l>

<l> That is coueitise and vnkyndenesse . þat quencheþ goddes m<expan>er</expan>cy</l>

W.17.348KD.17.349

<l> For vnkyndenesse . is þe cont<expan>ra</expan>rie . of alle kynnes reson</l>

<l> For þer nys sik ne sory . ne noon so muche wrecche</l>

<l> That he ne may louye and hym like . and lene<note>W.17.350: The reading could as well be <hi>leue</hi>, as in Cr.</note> of his herte</l>

<l> Good wille and good word . and<note>W.17.351: W alone reads <hi>and</hi>; all other <hi>B</hi> manuscripts have <hi>boþe</hi>.</note> wisshen and willen</l>

W.17.352KD.17.353

<l> Alle man<expan>er</expan>e men . mercy and forȝifnesse</l>

<l> And louye hem lik hym<seg>-</seg>self . and his lif amende</l>

<lg>

<l> <hi>¶</hi> I may no lenger lette quod he . and lyard he prikede</l>

<l> And wente awey as wynd . and þer<seg>-</seg>wiþ I awakede</l>

</lg>