[Sidenote: Belshazzar, to exhibit his vainglory, proclaims
throughout Babylon, that all the great ones should assemble on a
set day, at the Sultan’s feast.]
The{n}ne þis bolde Baltaȝar biþenkkes hy{m} ones,
To vouche on a vayment of his vayne g[l]orie;
Hit is not i{n}nogh{e} to þe nice al noȝty þi{n}k[68] vse,
Bot if alle þe worlde wyt his wykked dedes. 1360
Baltaȝar þurȝ babiloyn his ba{n}ne gart crye,
& þurȝ þe cu{n}tre of caldee his cally{n}g con spry{n}g,
Þat alle þe grete vpon grou{n}de schulde geder hem samen
& assemble at a set day at þe saudans fest. 1364
[Sidenote: Kings, dukes, and lords were commanded to attend the
court.]
Such a mangerie to make þe man watȝ auised,
Þat vche a kythyn ky{n}g schuld com þider;
Vche duk wyth his duthe & oþ{er} dere lordes,
[Sidenote: [Fol. 76a.]]
Schulde com to his co{ur}t to kyþe hy{m} for lege, 1368
& to reche hy{m} reu{er}ens & his reuel herkken;
[Sidenote: To do the king honour many nobles came to Babylon.]
To loke on his lemanes & ladis hem calle,
To rose hy{m} i{n} his rialty rych me{n} soȝtten,
& mony a barou{n} ful bolde, to babyloyn þe noble. 1372
Þer bowed toward babiloyn burnes so mony,
Ky{n}ges, Cayseres ful kene, to þe co{ur}t wo{n}nen,
Mony ludisch lordes þat ladies broȝten,
[Sidenote: It would take too long to name the number.]
Þat to neuen þe nou{m}bre to much nye were. 1376
[Sidenote: The city of Babylon is broad and big.]
For þe bo{ur}ȝ watȝ so brod & so bigge alce,
Stalled i{n} þe fayrest stud þe sterreȝ an-vnder,
[Sidenote: It is situated on a plain, surrounded by seven
streams, a high wall, and towers.]
Prudly on a plat playn, plek alþ{er}-fayrest,
Vmbe-sweyed on vch a syde w{i}t{h} seuen grete wat{er}es, 1380
W{i}t{h} a wonder wroȝt walle wruxeled ful hiȝe,
W{i}t{h} koy{n}t carneles aboue, coruen ful clene,
Troched toures bitwene twenty spere lenþe,
& þiker þrowen vmbe þo{ur}[69]-w{i}t{h} ou{er}-þwert palle. 1384
[Sidenote: The palace was long and large, each side being seven
miles in length.]
Þe place, þat plyed þe pursau{n}t wyth-i{n}ne,
Watȝ longe & ful large & eu{er} ilych sware,
& vch a syde vpon soyle helde seuen myle,
& þe saudans sete sette i{n} þe myddes; 1388
Þat watȝ a palayce of pryde passande alle oþ{er},
Boþe of werk & of wu{n}der & walle al aboute;
[Sidenote: High houses were within the walls.]
Heȝe houses w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne þe halle to hit med,
So brod bilde i{n} a bay, þ{a}t blonkkes myȝt re{n}ne. 1392
[Sidenote: The time of the feast has come.]
When þe terme of þe tyde watȝ to vsched of þe feste,
Dere droȝen þ{er}-to & vpon des metten,
[Sidenote: Belshazzar sits upon his throne: the hall floor is
covered with knights.]
& baltaȝar vpon bench was busked to sete,
Stepe stayred stones of his stoute throne. 1396
Þe{n}ne watȝ alle þe halle flor hiled w{i}t{h} knyȝtes,
& barou{n}es at þe side-bordes bounet ay-where,
For non watȝ dressed vpon dece bot þe dere seluen,
& his clere concubynes i{n} cloþes ful bryȝt. 1400
[Sidenote: When all are seated, service begins.]
When alle segges were þ{er} set, þe{n} seruyse bygy{n}nes,
[Sidenote: Trumpets sound everywhere.]
Sturnen trumpen strake steuen i{n} halle,
Aywhere by þe wowes wrasten krakkes,
[Sidenote: [Fol. 76b.]]
& brode baneres þer-bi blusnande of gold; 1404
[Sidenote: Bread is served upon silver dishes.]
Burnes berande þe[70] bredes vpon brode skeles,
Þat were of sylu{er}en syȝt & se{er}ved[71] þ{er}-wyth,
Lyfte logges þer-ou{er} & on lofte coruen,
Pared out of paper & poynted of golde,[72] 1408
Broþe baboynes abof, besttes an-vnder,
Foles i{n} foler flakerande bi-twene,
& al i{n} asure & ynde enaumayld ryche,
[Sidenote: All sorts of musical instruments are heard in the
hall.]
& al on blonkken bak bere hit on honde. 1412
& ay þe nakeryn noyse, notes of pipes,
Ty{m}bres & tabornes, tulket amo{n}g,
Sy{m}bales & soneteȝ sware þe noyse,
& bougou{n}ȝ busch bat{er}ed so þikke; 1416
So watȝ serued fele syþe þe sale alle aboute,
[Sidenote: The king, surrounded by his loves, drinks copiously
of wine.]
W{i}t{h} solace at þe sere course, bifore þe self lorde,
Þer þe lede & alle his loue lenged at þe table.
[Sidenote: It gets into his head and stupifies him.]
So faste þay weȝed to hi{m} wyne, hit warmed his hert 1420
& breyþed vppe i{n} to his brayn & blemyst his my{n}de,
& al waykned his wyt, & wel neȝe he foles,
For he wayteȝ onwyde, his wenches he byholdes,
& his bolde baronage, aboute bi þe woȝes; 1424
[Sidenote: A cursed thought takes possession of him.]
Þe{n}ne a dotage ful depe drof to his hert,
& a caytif cou{n}sayl he caȝt bi hy{m} seluen.
[Headnote: BELSHAZZAR BRINGS OUT THE SACRED VESSELS TO DECK THE
FESTIVE HALL.]
[Sidenote: He commands his marshal to bring him the vessels
taken from the temple by Nebuchadnezzar, and to fill them with
wine.]
Maynly his marschal þe mayst{er} vpon calles,
& comau{n}des hym cofly coferes to lance, 1428
& fech forþe vessel þ{a}t his fader broȝt
Nabugo-de-noȝar, noble i{n} his strenþe,
Conquerd with his knyȝtes & of kyrk rafte
I{n} iude, i{n} i{e}r{usa}l{e}m i{n} gentyle wyse: 1432
“Bry{n}g hem now to my borde, of beu{er}age he{m} fylles,
Let þise ladyes of hem lape, I luf he{m} i{n} hert;
Þat schal I cortaysly kyþe & þay schi{n} knawe sone,
Þer is no bou{n}té i{n} burne lyk baltaȝar þewes.” 1436
[Sidenote: The marshal opens the chests.]
Þe{n}ne towched to þe treso{ur} þis tale watȝ sone,
& he w{i}t{h} keyes vn-closes kystes ful mony;
Mony burþen ful bryȝt watȝ broȝt i{n}-to halle,
[Sidenote: [Fol. 77a.]]
[Sidenote: Covers the cupboard with vessels.]
& cou{er}ed mony a cupborde with cloþes ful quite. 1440
Þe iueles out of i{e}r{u}s{a}l{e}m[73] w{i}t{h} ge{m}mes ful bryȝt,
[Sidenote: The Jewels of Jerusalem deck the sides of the hall.]
Bi þe syde of þe sale were semely arayed;
[Sidenote: The altar and crown, blessed by bishop’s hands, and
anointed with the blood of beasts, are set before the bold
Belshazzar.]
Þe aþel auter of brasse watȝ hade i{n}-to place;
Þe gay corou{n} of golde gered on lofte, 1444
Þat hade ben blessed bifore wyth bischopes hondes
& wyth besten blod busily anoynted,
In þe solempne sacrefyce þat goud sauor hade,
Bifore þe lorde of þe lyfte i{n} louy{n}g hy{m} seluen, 1448
Now is sette for to serue satanas þe blake,
Bifore þe bolde baltaȝar wyth bost & wyth pryde.
[Sidenote: Upon this altar were noble vessels curiously carved,
basins of gold, cups arrayed like castles with battlements, and
towers with lofty pinnacles.]
Houen vpon þis auter watȝ aþel vessel,
Þat wyth so[74] curio{us} a crafte coruen watȝ wyly; 1452
Salamon sete him s[eue]n ȝere & a syþe more,
W{i}t{h} alle þe syence þat hy{m} sende þe sou{er}ayn lorde,
For to compas & kest to haf hem clene wroȝt;
For þer wer bassynes ful bryȝt of brende golde clere, 1456
En-aumaylde w{i}t{h} aȝer & eweres of sute;
Cou{er}ed cowpes foul[75] clene, as casteles arayed,
Enbaned vnder batelment w{i}t{h} bantelles quoy{n}t,
& fyled out of fygures of ferlyle[76] schappes. 1460
Þe cop{er}ou{n}es of þe canacles þat on þe cuppe reres,
Wer fetysely formed out i{n} fylyoles longe,
[Sidenote: Upon them were pourtrayed branches and leaves, the
flowers of which were white pearls, and the fruit flaming gems.]
Pinacles pyȝt þer apert þat p{ro}fert bitwene,
& al boiled abof w{i}t{h} brau{n}ches & leues, 1464
Pyes & papeiayes purtrayed with-i{n}ne,
As þay prudly hade piked of pomgarnades;
For alle þe blomes of þe boȝes wer blyknande perles
& alle þe fruyt i{n} þo formes of flau{m}beande ge{m}mes, 1468
Ande safyres, & sardiners, & semely topace,
Alabau{n}derynes, & amarau{n}ȝ & amaffised stones,
Casydoynes, & crysolytes, & clere rubies,
Penitotes, & pynkardines, ay perles bitwene, 1472
So trayled & tryfled a trau{er}ce wer alle,
Bi vche bekyrande þe bolde, þe brurdes al vmbe;
Þe gobelotes of golde grauen aboute,
[Sidenote: [Fol. 77b.]]
[Sidenote: The goblets were ornamented with flowers of gold.]
& fyoles fretted w{i}t{h} flores & fleeȝ of golde, 1476
Vpon þat avter watȝ al aliche dresset.
[Sidenote: The candlestick was brought in, with its pillars of
brass, and ornamental boughs, upon which sat birds of various
hues.]
Þe candelstik bi a cost watȝ cayred þider sone,
[V]pon þe pyleres apyked þat praysed hit mony,
Vpon hit baseȝ of brasse þat ber vp þe werkes, 1480
Þe boȝes bryȝt þer abof, brayden of golde,
Brau{n}ches bredande þer-on, & bryddes þer seten
Of mony kyndes, of fele-kyn hues,
As þay w{i}t{h} wy{n}ge vpon wynde hade waged her fyþ{er}es, 1484
[Sidenote: Lights shone bright from the candlestick, which once
stood before the “Holy of Holies.”]
In-mo{n}g þe leues of þe lampes wer grayþed;
& oþ{er} louelych[77] lyȝt þat lemed ful fayre,
As mony mort{er}es of wax merkked w{i}t{h}-oute,
W{i}t{h} mony a borlych best al of brende golde. 1488
Hit watȝ not wonte i{n} þat wone to wast no serges,
Bot i{n} te{m}ple of þe trauþe trwly to stonde;
Bifore þe s{an}c{t}a, s{an}c{t}or{um} soþefast dryȝtyn,
Expouned his speche sp{irit}ually to special p{ro}phetes. 1492
[Sidenote: The pollution of the sacred vessels is displeasing
to God.]
Leue þ{o}u wel þat þe lorde þ{a}t þe lyfte ȝemes
Displesed much, at þat play i{n} þat plyt stronge,
Þat his ineles so gent wyth iaueles wer fouled,
Þat p{re}syo{us} i{n} his presens wer proued su{m} whyle. 1496
Soberly i{n} his sacrafyce su{m}me wer anoynted,
Þurȝ þe somones of him selfe þat syttes so hyȝe;
[Sidenote: For “a boaster on bench” drinks from them till he is
as “drunken as the devil.”]
Now a bost{er} on benche bibbes þerof
Tyl he be dronkken as þe deuel, & dotes þ{er} he syttes; 1500
[Sidenote: God is very angry.]
So þe worcher of þis worlde wlates þer-wyth,
Þat i{n} þe poynt of her play he poruayes a mynde;
[Sidenote: Before harming the revellers He sends them a warning.]
Bot er harme hem he wolde i{n} haste of his yre,
He wayned hem a warny{n}g þat wonder hem þoȝt. 1504
Nov is alle þis guere geten glotou{n}es to serue;
Stad i{n} a ryche stal & stared ful bryȝtȝ,[78]
[Headnote: THE SACRED VESSELS ARE DEFILED.]
[Sidenote: Belshazzar commands the sacred vessels to be filled
with wine.]
Baltaȝar i{n} a brayd bede v{us} þ{er}-of.
“Weȝe wyn i{n} þis won, wassayl!” he cryes. 1508
Swyfte swaynes ful swyþe swepen þ{er}-tylle,
[Sidenote: The cups and bowls are soon filled.]
Kyppe kowpes i{n} honde ky{n}geȝ to serue,
I{n} bryȝt bolleȝ, ful bayn birlen þise oþ{er},
[Sidenote: [Fol. 78a.]]
& vche mon for his mayst{er} machches alone. 1512
[Sidenote: Music of all kind is heard in the hall.]
Þer watȝ ry{n}gi{n}g, on ryȝt, of ryche metalles,
Quen renkkes i{n} þat ryche rok re{n}nen hit to cache,
Clat{er}i{n}g of conacleȝ þat kesten þo burdes,
As sonet out of sau[t]{er}ay songe als myry. 1516
Þen þe dotel on dece drank þat he myȝt,
[Sidenote: Dukes, princes, concubines, and knights, all are
merry.]
& þe{n}ne arn dressed dukeȝ & prynces,
Concubines & knyȝtes, bi cause of þat m{er}the;
As vchon hade hy{m} i{n} helde he haled of þe cuppe, 1520
[Sidenote: Drinking of the sweet liquors they ask favours of
their gods, who, although dumb, are as highly praised “as if
heaven were theirs.”]
So long likked þise lordes þise lykores swete,
& gloryed on her falce goddes & her g{ra}ce calles,
Þat were of stokkes & stones, stille euer more;
Neu{er} steuen hem astel, so stoken is[79] hor tonge, 1524
Alle þe goude golden goddes þe gauleȝ ȝet neuenen,
Belfagor & belyal & belssabub als,
Heyred hem as hyȝly as heuen wer þayres,
Bot hy{m} þat alle goudes giues, þat god þay for-ȝeten, 1528
[Sidenote: A marvel befals the feasters.]
For þer a ferly bifel þat fele folk seȝen;
[Sidenote: The king first saw it.]
Fyrst knew hit þe ky{n}g & alle þe cort aft{er},
[Headnote: THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL.]
[Sidenote: Upon the plain wall, “a palm with pointel in fingers”
is seen writing.]
I{n} þe palays pryncipale vpon þe playn wowe,
I{n} contrary of þe candelstik þat clerest hit schyned. 1532
Þer apered a paume, w{i}t{h} poyntel i{n} fyngres
Þat watȝ grysly & gret, & grymly he wrytes,
Non oþ{er} forme bot a fust faylande þe wryste,
Pared on þe parget, purtrayed lettres. 1536
[Sidenote: The bold Belshazzar becomes frightened.]
When þat bolde baltaȝar blusched to þat neue,
Such a dasande drede dusched to his hert,
Þat al falewed his face & fayled þe chere;
Þe stronge strok of þe stonde strayned his ioy{n}tes, 1540
[Sidenote: His knees knock together.]
His cnes cachches to close & cluchches his ho{m}mes,
& he w{i}t{h} plat-ty{n}g his paumes displayes his lers,[80]
[Sidenote: He roars for dread, still beholding the hand, as it
wrote on the rough wall.]
& romyes as a rad ryth þat roreȝ for drede,
Ay biholdand þe honde til hit hade al g{ra}uen, 1544
& rasped on þe roȝ woȝe runisch saueȝ.
When hit þe scrypture hade scraped wyth a scrof[81] pe{n}ne,
As a colto{ur} i{n} clay cerues þ{o} forȝes,
[Sidenote: [Fol. 78b.]]
[Sidenote: The hand vanishes but the letters remain.]
Þe{n}ne hit vanist v{er}ayly & voyded of syȝt, 1548
Bot þe lettres bileued ful large vpon plast{er}.
[Headnote: THE KING CONSULTS HIS DIVINERS.]
[Sidenote: The king recovers his speech and sends for the
“book-learned;” but none of the scholars were wise enough to
read it.]
Sone so þe ky{n}ge for his care carpi{n}g myȝt wy{n}ne,
He bede his burnes boȝ to þat wer{e} bok lered,
To wayte þe wryt þat hit wolde & wyt{er} hym to say, 1552
“For al hit frayes my flesche þe fyngres so gry{m}me.”
Scoleres skelten þeratte þe skyl forto fynde,
Bot þer watȝ neu{er} on so wyse couþe on worde rede,
Ne what ledisch lore ne langage nauþ{er} 1556
What tyþy{n}g ne tale tokened þo draȝtes.
[Sidenote: Belshazzar is nearly mad.]
Þe{n}ne þe bolde baltaȝar bred ner wode.
[Sidenote: Commands the city to be searched throughout for the
“wise of witchcraft.”]
& ede[82] þe Ceté to seche segges þurȝ-out,
Þat wer wyse of wyche-crafte & warlaȝes oþ{er}, 1560
Þat con dele wyth dem{er}layk, & deuine lettres:
“Calle hem alle to my cort þo calde clerkkes,
Vn-folde hem alle þis ferly þat is bifallen here,
[Sidenote: He who expounds the strange letters, shall be clothed
in “gowns of purple.”]
& calle wyth a hiȝe cry; ‘he þat þe ky{n}g wysses, 1564
In expouny{n}g of speche þat spredes i{n} þise lettres,
& make þe mat{er} to malt my mynde wyth-i{n}ne,
Þat I may wyt{er}ly wyt what þat wryt menes,
He schal þe gered ful gaye i{n} gounes of porpre, 1568
[Sidenote: A collar of gold shall encircle his throat.]
& a coler of cler golde clos vmbe his þrote;
[Sidenote: He shall be the third lord in the realm.]
He schal be prymate & prynce of pure clergye,
& of my þreuenest lordeȝ þe þrydde he schal
& of my reme þe rychest to ryde wyth myseluen, 1572
Out-taken bare two & þe{n}ne he þe þrydde.’”
[Sidenote: As soon as this cry was upcast, to the hall came
clerks out of Chaldea, witches and diviners, sorcerers and
exorcists.]
Þis cry watȝ vp-caste, & þer comen mony
Clerkes out of caldye þat ke{n}nest wer knauen,
As þe sage sathrapas þat sorsory couþe; 1576
Wycheȝ & walkyries wo{n}nen to þat sale,
Deuinores of demorlaykes þat dremes cowþe rede,
Sorsers & exorsism{us} & fele such clerkes;
[Sidenote: But after looking on the letters they were as
ignorant as if they had looked into the leather of the left
boot.]
& alle þat loked on þat lett{er} as lewed þay were, 1580
As þay had loked i{n} þe leþ{er} of my lyft bote.
Þe{n}ne cryes þe ky{n}g & kerues his wedes;
[Sidenote: The king curses them all and calls them churls.]
What! he corsed his clerkes & calde hem chorles,
[Sidenote: [Fol. 79a.]]
[Sidenote: He orders the harlots to be hanged.]
To henge þe harlotes he heȝed ful ofte, 1584
So watȝ þe wyȝe wytles, he wed wel ner.
[Sidenote: The queen hears the king chide.]
Ho herde hy{m} chyde to þe chambre þat watȝ þe chef quene;
[Sidenote: She inquires the cause.]
When ho watȝ wyt{er}ed bi wyȝes what watȝ þe cause,
Suche a chau{n}gande chau{n}ce i{n} þe chef halle, 1588
Þe lady to lauce[83] þat los þat þe lorde hade,
[Sidenote: Goes to the king, kneels before him, and asks why he
has rent his robes for grief, when there is one that has the
Spirit of God, the counsellor of Nebuchadnezzar, the interpreter
of his dreams, through the holy Spirit of God.]
Glydes dou{n} by þe grece & gos to þe ky{n}g;
Ho kneles on þe colde erþe & carpes to hy{m} seluen,
Wordes of worchyp wyth a wys speche. 1592
“Kene ky{n}g,” q{uod} þe quene, “kayser of vrþe,
Eu{er} laste þy lyf i{n} lenþe of dayes;
Why hatȝ þou rended þy robe for redles here-i{n}ne,
Þaȝ þose ledes ben lewed lettres to rede, 1596
& hatȝ a haþel i{n} þy holde, as I haf herde ofte,
Þat hatȝ þe gostes of god þat gyes alle soþes;
His sawle is ful of syence, saȝes to schawe,
To open vch a hide þy{ng} of aunt{er}es vn-cowþe; 1600
Þat is he þat ful ofte hatȝ heuened þy fader
Of mony ang{er} ful hote w{i}t{h} his holy speche.
When nabugo-de-noȝar watȝ nyed i{n} stou{n}des,
He de-vysed his dremes to þe dere trawþe, 1604
He keu{er}ed hy{m} w{i}t{h} his cou{n}sayl of caytyf wyrdes;
Alle þat he spured hym i{n} space he expowned clene,
Þurȝ þe sped of þe spyryt þat sprad hy{m} w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne,
Of þe godelest goddeȝ þat gaynes ay-where. 1608
For his depe diuinité & his dere sawes,
[Sidenote: The name of this man is Daniel, who was brought a
captive from Judæa.]
Þy bolde fader baltaȝar bede by[84] his name,
Þat now is demed danyel of derne coni{n}ges,
Þat caȝt watȝ i{n} þe captyuidé i{n} cu{n}tre of iues; 1612
Nabuȝardan hy{m} nome & now is he here,
A prophete of þat prouince & pryce of þe worlde.
[Headnote: DANIEL IS SENT FOR.]
[Sidenote: The queen tells the king to send for Daniel.]
Sende i{n}-to þe ceté to seche hy{m} bylyue,
& wy{n}ne hy{m} w{i}t{h} þe worchyp to wayne þe bote, 1616
& þaȝ þe mat{er} be merk þat merked is ȝender,
He schal de-clar hit also, as hit on clay stande.”
[Sidenote: Her counsel is accepted.]
Þat gode cou{n}seyl at þe quene watȝ cached as[85] swyþe,
[Sidenote: [Fol. 79b.]]
Þe burne byfore baltaȝar watȝ broȝt i{n} a whyle, 1620
[Sidenote: Daniel comes before Belshazzar.]
When he com bifore þe ky{n}g & clanly had halsed,
Baltaȝar vmbe-brayde hy{m} & “leue s{ir},” he sayde,
[Sidenote: The king tells him that he has heard of his wisdom,
and his power to discover hidden things, and that he wants to
know the meaning of the writing on the wall.]
“Hit is tolde me bi tulkes, þat þ{o}u trwe were
Profete of þat prouynce þat prayed my fader, 1624
Ande þat þ{o}u hatȝ i{n} þy hert holy co{n}ny{n}g,
Of sapyence þi sawle ful soþes to schawe;
Goddes gost is þe geuen þat gyes alle þy{n}g{es},
& þ{o}u vnhyles vch hidde þat heuen ky{n}g my{n}tes; 1628
& here is a ferly byfallen, & I fayn wolde
Wyt þe wytte of þe wryt, þat on þe wowe clyues,
For alle calde clerkes han cowwardely fayled;
[Sidenote: Promises him, if he can explain the text of the
letters and their interpretation, to clothe him in purple and
pall, and put a ring about his neck, and to make him “a baron
upon bench.”]
If þ{o}u w{i}t{h} quay{n}tyse co{n}quere hit,
I quyte þe þy mede. 1632
For if þ{o}u redes hit by ryȝt & hit to resou{n} bry{n}ges,
Fyrst telle me þe tyxte of þe tede lettres,
& syþen þe mat{er} of þe mode, mene me þ{er}-aft{er},
& I schal halde þe þe hest þat I þe hyȝt haue; 1636
Apyke þe i{n} porpre cloþe, palle alþer-fynest,
& þe byȝe of bryȝt golde abowte þy{n} nekke,
& þe þryd þryuenest þat þry{n}ges me aft{er},
Þ{o}u schal be barou{n} vpon benche, bede I þe no lasse.” 1640
[Headnote: DANIEL DESCRIBES HOW NEBUCHADNEZZAR WAS PUNISHED FOR
HIS PRIDE.]
[Sidenote: Daniel addresses the king, and reminds him how that
God supported his father, and gave him power to exalt or abase
whomsoever he pleased.]
Derfly þe{n}ne danyel deles þyse wordes:
“Ryche ky{n}g of þis rengne rede þe oure lorde,
Hit is surely soth, þe sou{er}ayn of heuen
Fylsened eu{er} þy fader & vpon folde cheryched, 1644
Gart hy{m} grattest to be of gou{er}nores alle,
& alle þe worlde i{n} his wylle welde as hy{m} lykes.
Who-so wolde wel do, wel hy{m} bityde,
& quos deth so he deȝyre he dreped als fast; 1648
Who-so hy{m} lyked to lyft, on lofte watȝ he sone,
& quo-so hy{m} lyked to lay, watȝ loȝed bylyue.
[Sidenote: Nebuchadnezzar was established on account of his
faith in God.]
So watȝ noted þe note of nabugo-de-noȝar,
Styfly stabled þe rengne bi þe stronge dryȝty{n}, 1652
For of þe hyȝest he hade a hope i{n} his hert,
Þat vche pou{er} past out of [þ]at prynce euen;
[Sidenote: So long as he remained true, no man was greater.]
& whyle þat watȝ cleȝt clos i{n} his hert,
Þere watȝ no mon vpon molde of myȝt as hy{m} selue{n}, 1656
[Sidenote: [Fol. 80a.]]
[Sidenote: But at last pride touches his heart.]
Til hit bitide on a tyme, towched hy{m} pryde
For his lordeschyp so large, & his lyf ryche;
He hade so huge an insyȝt to his aune dedes,
[Sidenote: He forgets the power of God, and blasphemes His name.]
Þat þe power of þe hyȝe prynce he purely forȝetes. 1660
Þe{n}ne bly{n}nes he not of blasfemyon to blame þe dryȝty{n},
His myȝt mete to goddes he made w{i}t{h} his wordes:
[Sidenote: He says that he is “god of the ground,” and the
builder of Babylon.]
“I am god of þe grou{n}de, to gye as me lykes,
As he þat hyȝe is i{n} heuen his au{n}geles þ{a}t weldes; 1664
If he hatȝ formed þe folde & folk þ{er} vpone,
I haf bigged babiloyne, burȝ alþ{er}-rychest,
Stabled þer-i{n}ne vche a ston i{n} strenkþe of my{n} armes,
Moȝt neu{er} myȝt bot myn make such anoþ{er}.” 1668
[Sidenote: Hardly had Nebuchadnezzar spoken, when God’s voice is
heard, saying, “Thy principality is departed.]
Watȝ not þis ilke worde wo{n}nen of his mowþe one,
Er þe{n}ne þe sou{er}ayn saȝe souned i{n} his eres,
“Now nabugo-de-noȝar i{n}noȝe hatȝ spoken,
Now is alle þy pryncipalté past at ones, 1672
[Sidenote: Thou, removed from men, must abide on the moor, and
walk with wild beasts, eat herbs, and dwell with wolves and
asses.”]
& þ{o}u, remued fro mo{n}nes su{n}es, on mor most abide,
& in wast{ur}ne walk & wyth þe wylde dowelle,
As best, byte on þe bent of braken & erbes,
W{i}t{h} wroþe wolfes to won & wyth wylde asses.” 1676
In mydde þe poynt of his pryde de-parted he þere,
Fro þe soly of his solempneté, his solace he leues,
[Sidenote: For his pride he becomes an outcast.]
& carfully is out-kast to contré vnknawen,
Fer i{n}-to a fyr fryth þere frekes neu{er} comen. 1680
[Sidenote: He believes himself to be a bull or an ox.]
His hert heldet vnhole, he hoped non oþ{er}
Bot a best þat he be, a bol oþ{er} an oxe.
[Sidenote: Goes “on all fours,” like a cow, for seven summers.]
He fares forth on alle faure, fogge watȝ his mete,
& ete ay as a horce when erbes were fallen, 1684
Þus he cou{n}tes hy{m} a kow, þat watȝ a ky{n}g ryche,
Quyle seuen syþeȝ were ou{er}-seyed som{er}es I trawe.
[Sidenote: His thighs grew thick.]
By þat, mony þik thyȝe þryȝt vmbe his lyre,
Þat alle watȝ dubbed & dyȝt i{n} þe dew of heuen; 1688
[Sidenote: His hair became matted and thick, from the shoulders
to the toes.]
Faxe fylt{er}ed, & felt flosed hy{m} vmbe,
Þat schad fro his schulderes to his schyre wykes,
& twenty-folde twyna{n}de hit to his tos raȝt
Þer mony clyuy as clyde hit clyȝt to-geder. 1692
[Sidenote: His beard touched the earth.]
His berde I-brad alle his brest to þe bare vrþe,
[Sidenote: [Fol. 80b.]]
[Sidenote: His brows were like briars.]
His browes bresed as breres aboute his brode chekes;
[Sidenote: His eyes were hollow, and grey as the kite’s.]
Holȝe were his yȝen & vnder campe hores,
& al watȝ gray as þe glede, w{i}t{h} ful gry{m}me clawres 1696
Þat were croked & kene as þe kyte paune;[86]
[Sidenote: Eagle-hued he was.]
Erne-hwed he watȝ & al ou{er}-brawden,
Til he wyst ful wel who wroȝt alle myȝtes,
& cowþe vche kyndam tokerue & keu{er} when hy{m} lyked; 1700
[Sidenote: At last he recovered his “wit,” and believed in God.]
Þe{n}ne he wayned hy{m} his wyt þat hade wo soffered,
Þat he com to knawlach & ke{n}ned hy{m} seluen,
Þe{n}ne he laued[87] þat lorde & leued i{n} trawþe,
Hit watȝ non oþ{er} þen he þat hade al i{n} honde. 1704
[Sidenote: Then soon was he restored to his seat.]
Þe{n}ne sone watȝ he sende agayn, his sete restored;
His barou{n}es boȝed hy{m} to, blyþe of his come,
Haȝerly i{n} his aune hwe his heued watȝ cou{er}ed,
& so ȝeply watȝ ȝarked & ȝolden his state. 1708
[Sidenote: But thou, Belshazzar, hast disregarded these signs,
and hast blasphemed the Lord, defiled his vessels, filling them
with wine for thy wenches, and praising thy lifeless gods.]
Bot þ{o}u baltaȝar his barne & his bolde ayre,
Seȝ þese sy{n}gnes w{i}t{h} syȝt & set hem at lyttel,
Bot ay hatȝ hofen þy hert agaynes þe hyȝe dryȝt[y]n,
W{i}t{h} bobau{n}ce & w{i}t{h} blasfamye bost at hy{m} kest, 1712
& now his vessayles avyled i{n} vanyté vnclene,
Þat i{n} his hows hy{m} to hono{ur} were heue{n}ed of fyrst;
Bifore þe barou{n}ȝ hatȝ hom broȝt, & byrled þ{er}i{n}ne
Wale wyne to þy wenches i{n} waryed stou{n}des; 1716
Bifore þy borde hatȝ þ{o}u broȝt beu{er}age i{n} þede,
Þat blyþely were fyrst blest w{i}t{h} bischopes hondes,
Louande þeron lese goddeȝ, þat lyf haden neu{er},
Made of stokkes & stoneȝ þat neu{er} styry moȝt. 1720
[Sidenote: For this sin God has sent thee this strange sight,
the fist with the fingers writing on the wall.]
& for þat froþande fylþe, þe fader of heuen
Hatȝ sende[88] i{n}-to þis sale þise syȝtes vncowþe,
Þe fyste w{i}t{h} þe fy{n}g{er}es þat flayed þi hert,
Þat rasped renyschly þe woȝe w{i}t{h} þe roȝ pe{n}ne. 1724
[Headnote: THE INTERPRETATION OF THE HANDWRITING.]
[Sidenote: These are the words: “Mene, Tekel, Peres.]
Þise ar þe wordes here wryten w{i}t{h}-oute werk more,
By vch fygure, as I fynde, as oure fader lykes.
“Mane, techal, phares, merked i{n} þry{n}ne,
Þat þretes þe of þy{n} vnþryfte vpon þre wyse; 1728
Now expowne þe þis speche spedly I þenk.
[Sidenote: [Fol. 81a.]]
[Sidenote: Mene.-- God has counted thy kingdom and finished it.]
Mane menes als much as, maynful gode
Hatȝ cou{n}ted þy kyndam bi a clene nou{m}bre,
& ful-fylled hit i{n} fayth to þe fyrre ende. 1732
[Sidenote: Tekel.-- Thy reign is weighed and is found wanting in
deeds of faith.]
To teche þe of techal, þat terme þ{us} menes,
Þy wale rengne is walt i{n} weȝtes to heng,
& is fu{n}de ful fewe of hit fayth dedes.
& phares folȝes for þose fawtes to frayst þe trawþe, 1736
[Sidenote: Peres.-- Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the
Persians.]
In phares fynde I forsoþe þise felle saȝes;
De-parted is þy pryncipalté, depryued þ{o}u worþes,
Þy rengne rafte is þe fro, & raȝt is þe perses,
[Sidenote: The Medes shall be masters here.”]
Þe medes schal be mayst{er}es here, & þ{o}u of menske schowued.” 1740
[Sidenote: The king commands Daniel to be clothed in a frock of
fine cloth.]
Þe ky{n}g comau{n}ded anon to cleþe þ{a}t wyse,
In frokkes of fyn cloþ, as forward hit asked;
[Sidenote: Soon is he arrayed in purple, with a chain about his
neck.]
Þe{n}ne sone watȝ danyel dubbed i{n} ful dere porpor
& a coler[89] of cler golde kest vmbe his swyre. 1744
Þe{n} watȝ demed a de-cre bi þe duk seluen,
[Sidenote: A decree is made, that all should bow to him, as the
third lord that followed Belshazzar.]
Bolde baltaȝa[r] bed þat hy{m} bowe schulde
Þe comynes a lof calde þat to þe ky{n}g lo{n}ged,
As to þe prynce pryuyest preued þe þrydde, 1748
Heȝest of alle oþ{er}, saf onelych tweyne,
To boȝ aft{er} baltaȝar i{n} borȝe & i{n} felde.
[Sidenote: The decree was made known, and all were glad.]
Þys watȝ cryed & knawen i{n} cort als fast,
& alle þe folk þer-of fayn þat folȝed hy{m} tylle; 1752
[Sidenote: The day, however, past.]
Bot how-so danyel watȝ dyȝt, þat day ou{er}-ȝede,
[Sidenote: Night came on.]
Nyȝt neȝed ryȝt now w{i}t{h} nyes fol mony,
[Sidenote: Before another day dawned, Daniel’s words were
fulfilled.]
For daȝed neu{er} an oþ{er} day þat ilk derk aft{er},
Er dalt were þat ilk dome þat danyel deuysed, 1756
[Sidenote: The feast lasts till the sun falls.]
Þe solace of þe solempneté i{n} þat sale dured
Of þat farand fest, tyl fayled þe su{n}ne;
[Sidenote: The skies become dark.]
Þe{n}ne blykned[90] þe ble of þe bryȝt skwes,
Mo{ur}kenes þe mery weder, & þe myst dryues 1760
Þorȝ þe lyst of þe lyfte, bi þe loȝ medoes;
[Sidenote: Each noble hies home to his supper.]
Vche haþel to his home hyȝes ful fast,
Seten at her sop{er} & songen þ{er}-aft{er},
Þen fou{n}deȝ vch a felaȝschyp fyrre at forþ naȝtes. 1764
[Sidenote: Belshazzar is carried to bed, but never rises from it,
for his foes are seeking to destroy his land, and are assembled
suddenly.]
Baltaȝar to his bedd with blysse watȝ caryed,
[Sidenote: [Fol. 81b.]]
Reche þe rest as hy{m} lyst, he ros neu{er} þer-aft{er};
For his foes i{n} þe felde i{n} flokkes ful grete
Þat longe hade layted þat lede his londes to strye, 1768
Now ar þay sodenly assembled at þe self tyme,
Of hem wyst no wyȝe þat i{n} þat won dowelled.
[Headnote: DARIUS LAYS SIEGE TO BABYLON.]
[Sidenote: The enemy is Darius, leader of the Medes.]
Hit watȝ þe dere daryus þe duk of þise medes,
Þe prowde prynce of perce & porros of ynde, 1772
[Sidenote: He has legions of armed men.]
W{i}t{h} mony a legiou{n} ful large, w{i}t{h} ledes of armes,
Þat now hatȝ spyed a space to spoyle caldeeȝ.
[Sidenote: Under cover of the darkness, they cross the river.]
Þay þrongen þeder i{n} þe þest{er} on þrawen hepes,
Asscaped ou{er} þe skyre watt{er}es & scaþed þe walles, 1776
[Sidenote: By means of ladders they get upon the walls, and
within an hour enter the city, without disturbing any of the
watch.]
Lyfte laddres ful longe & vpon lofte wonen,
Stelen stylly þe tou{n} er any steue{n} rysed,
W{i}t{h}-i{n}ne an oure of þe nyȝt[91] an entré þay hade;
Ȝet afrayed þay no freke, fyrre þay passen, 1780
& to þe palays pry{n}cipal þay aproched ful stylle;
[Sidenote: They run into the palace, and raise a great cry.]
Þe{n}ne ran þay i{n} on a res, on rowtes ful grete,
Blastes out of bryȝt brasse brestes so hyȝe,
Ascry scarred on þe scue þat scomfyted mony. 1784
[Sidenote: Men are slain in their beds.]
Segges slepande were slayne er þay slyppe myȝt,
Vche ho{us} heyred watȝ, w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne a honde-whyle;
[Headnote: BELSHAZZAR IS BEATEN TO DEATH.]
[Sidenote: Belshazzar is beaten to death, and caught by the
heels, is foully cast into a ditch.]
Baltaȝar i{n} his bed watȝ beten to deþe,
Þat boþe his blod & his brayn blende on þe cloþes; 1788
The ky{n}g i{n} his cortyn watȝ kaȝt bi þe heles,
Feryed out bi þe fete & fowle dispysed;
Þat watȝ so doȝty þat day & drank of þe vessayl,
Now is a dogge al so dere þat in a dych lygges; 1792
[Sidenote: Darius is crowned king, and makes peace with the
barons.]
For þe mayst{er} of þyse medes on þe morne ryses,
Dere daryo{us} þat day dyȝt vpon trone,
Þat ceté seses ful sou{n}de, & saȝtly{n}g makes
Wyth alle þe barou{n}ȝ þ{er}-aboute, þat bowed hy{m} aft{er}. 1796
[Sidenote: Thus the land was lost for the king’s sin.]
& þ{us} watȝ þat londe lost for þe lordes sy{n}ne,
& þe fylþe of þe freke þat defowled hade
Þe orne-mentes of goddeȝ ho{us} þat holy were maked;
[Sidenote: He was cursed for his uncleanness, and deprived of
his honour, as well as of the joys of heaven.]
He watȝ corsed for his vn-cla{n}nes, & cached þ{er}-i{n}ne, 1800
Done dou{n} of his dy{n}gneté for dedeȝ vnfayre,
& of þyse worldes worchyp wrast out for eu{er},
& ȝet of lyky{n}ges on lofte letted, I trowe,
[Sidenote: Thus in three ways has it been shown, that
uncleanness makes God angry.]
To loke on oure lofly lorde late bitydes. 1804
Þus vpon þry{n}ne wyses I haf yow þro schewed,
Þat vn-cla{n}nes to-cleues i{n} corage dere
Of þat wy{n}nelych lorde þat wonyes i{n} heuen,
Entyses hy{m} to be tene, telled[92] vp his wrake; 1808
[Sidenote: Cleanness is His comfort.]
Ande cla{n}nes is his comfort, & coyntyse he louyes,
[Sidenote: The seemly shall see his face.]
& þose þat seme arn & swete schy{n} se his face.
[Sidenote: God give us grace to serve in His sight!]
Þat we gon gay i{n} oure gere þat g{ra}ce he v{us} sende,
Þat we may serue i{n} his syȝt, þ{er} solace neu{er} bly{n}neȝ.
Amen.
[Sidenote 68: _þing_ (?).]
[Sidenote 69: _þore_ (?).]
[Sidenote 70: MS. þe þe.]
[Sidenote 71: MS. sev{er}ed.]
[Sidenote 72: MS. _glolde_ (?).]
[Sidenote 73: MS. i{e}s{u}r{a}l{e}m.]
[Sidenote 74: MS. _fo_.]
[Sidenote 75: _ful_ (?).]
[Sidenote 76: _ferlyke_ (?).]
[Sidenote 77: Looks like _louflych_.]
[Sidenote 78: ? _bryȝte_.]
[Sidenote 79: MS. īs.]
[Sidenote 80: MS. ler{n}s.]
[Sidenote 81: MS. _strof_.]
[Sidenote 82: _bede_ (?).]
[Sidenote 83: _lance_ (?).]
[Sidenote 84: _be_ (?).]
[Sidenote 85: MS. _as as_.]
[Sidenote 86: ? _panne_.]
[Sidenote 87: _loued_ (?).]
[Sidenote 88: MS. _hatȝ sende hatȝ sende_.]
[Sidenote 89: MS. _cloler_.]
[Sidenote 90: _blaykned_ (?)]
[Sidenote 91: MS. _myȝt_.]
[Sidenote 92: _telles_ (?).]
NOTES: _Cleanness_.