[[MS description from Notes volume:
"i. Lambeth 487 (L), a small quarto, 177 × 135 mm., of 67 leaves,
written towards the end of the twelfth century... nos. x, xi. of this
book are also taken from it. The words printed in clarendon in these
three pieces are written in red, not inserted afterwards by a rubricator
but done at the same time as the rest of the text. The PM ends with
fordemet, l. 270, in the middle of a page; the final t has a flourish
for its cross stroke; the copyist had apparently no knowledge of any
more.
"ii. iii. Egerton 613, B. M.... has two copies of the PM: the second (e)
furnishes here a complement to the Lambeth MS. as far as l. 370, with
which it ends; the first (E) is used to complete the text. e was written
in the first quarter of the thirteenth century, E is somewhat later; the
former has accents, the latter none.
"iv. Trinity College, Cambridge, B. 14. 52 (T), on vellum, 135 × 105
mm.; written early in the thirteenth century.... A leaf is lost after
f 8, and a new hand begins with f 9; the PM appears to be a distinct MS.
(Anglia, iv. 408). The initials of each line are capitals and written
apart from their words. A later hand has glossed aihte 42, goodes; ore
53, favour, grace; lean 64, deserving; manke 70, Manca, Mancus."]]
[[Passages "printed in clarendon" have been treated as +boldface+.]]
(Lambeth MS.)
(Trinity MS.)
+ich em nu alder þene ich wes awintre [&] a lare.+ [f. 59v
+Ich welde mare þene ich dede mi `wit´ ahte bon mare.+
+Wel longe ich habbe child ibon a worde [&] a dede+
+þa`h´ ich bo a wintre ald to [gh]ung ich em on rede.+
vnnet lif ich habbe iled. [&] [gh]et me þingþ ilede. 5
þenne ich me bi{}þenche wel ful sare ich me adrede.
mest al [þ/] ich habbe idon bi{}fealt to child{}hade.
Wel late ich habbe me bi{}þocht{;} bute God me nu rede.
Fole idel word ich habbe iq{u}eðen soððen ich speke kuðe.
fole [gh]unge dede idon{;} þe me of{}þinchet nuðe. 10
[Linenotes:
2. _[i.][h.][c.] ich_ MS. || _mi [i.][c.][h.] ahte_; _wit_ in
margin MS.]
++Ich am nu elder þan ich was a wintre [&] a lore. [f. 1r
Ich wealde more þan idude mi wit oh to be more
To longe ich habbe child iben a worde [&] a dade.
Þeih ibie a winter eald to jung ich am on rade.
Vnnet lif ich habbe ilad [&] [gh]iet me þincheð ilade 5
Þan ibiðenche me þar{}on wel sore ime adrade.
Mast al ich habbe idon is idelnesse [&] chilce.
Wel late ich habbe me bi{}þoht bute me god do milce.
Fele idel word ich habbe ispeken seðen ich speken cuðe.
[&] fele [gh]eunge dade idon þe me ofðinkeð nuðe. 10
Mest al [þ/] me likede er nu{;} hit me mis{}likeð
þa muchel fulieð his wil{;} hine solf he biswikeð.
Ich mihte habbe bet idon. hefde ich þe iselþe.
Nu ich walde ah ich ne mei{;} for elde [&] for un{}helþe.
Elde me is bi{}stolen on. er ich hit wiste. 15
ne michte ich seon bi{}fore me. for smike ne for miste.
Er[gh]e we beoð to done god. [&] to ufele al to þriste.
Mare eie stondeð men of monne þanne hom do of c{ri}ste.
þe wel ne doð þe hwile þe ho mu[gh]en. wel oft hit schal rowen{;}
þenne [gh]e mawen sculen [&] repen [þ/] ho er sowen. 20
Do he to gode [þ/] he mu[gh]e þe hwile [þ/] he bo aliue.
ne lipnie na mon to | muchel to childe ne to wiue. [f. 60r
þe him solue for[gh]et for wiue ne for childe{;}
he scal cumen in uuel stude bute him God bo milde.
[Linenote:
14. _un{}hel[e.]þe_ MS.]
Alto lome ich habbe igult a werke [&] a worde.
Alto muchel ic habbe ispend to litel ileid on horde.
Mast al þat me likede ar nu hit me mislicað.
Þe mu[c]hel fol[gh]eð his iwil him selfen he biswicað.
Ich mihte habben bet idon. hadde ich þo iselðe 15
Nu ich wolde ac ine mai for elde [&] for unhalðe.
Elde me is bistolen on ar ich hit iwiste
Ne mai ich isien bifore me for smeche ne for miste.
Ar[gh]e we beð to don god to juel al to þriste
More eie stondeð man of man þan him do of criste. 20
Þe wel ne deð þe hwile he mai wel ofte hit sal him rewen.
Þan alle men sulle ripen þat hie ar sewen.
Do al to gode þat he mu[gh]e ech þe hwile he beð aliue.
Ne lipne noman to muchel to childe ne to wiue. |
Þe þe him selfe for[gh]iet for wiue oðer for childe [f. 1v
He sal cumen on euel stede bute him god be milde. 26
[Linenotes:
19. _Ar [gh]e_ MS. || _juel_] _j_ corr. out of _[gh]_. ||
23. _h_ MS.]
+Sendeð+ sum god bi{}foren eow.
þe hw[i]le [þ/] [gh]e mu[gh]en to houene. 25
for betere is an elmesse biforen{;} þenne boð eft{er} souene.
Alto lome ich habbe igult a werke [&] o worde.
Al to muchel ich habbe ispent. to litel ihud in horde.
Ne beo þe loure þene þe solf{;} ne þin mei. ne þin ma[gh]e.
Soht is [þ/] is oðer`s´ monnes frond bet{re} þen his a[gh]en. 30
Ne lipnie wif to hire were. ne were to his wiue
bo for him solue ech .M{on}. þe `h´wile [þ/] he bo aliue.
[Linenotes:
27. _[i.][l.]ich_ MS. || 28. _[i.][h.] ich_ MS.]
Sende god biforen him man þe hwile he mai to heuene
For betre is on almesse biforen þan ben after seuene.
Ne bie þe leuere þan þe self ne þi mæi ne þi mowe
Sot is þe is oðer mannes frend betere þan his owen. 30
Ne hopie wif to hire were ne were to his wiue
Be for him self afric man þe hwile he beð aliue.
+Wis is þe to him solue þench+ þe hwile þe mot libben.
for sone wule hine for[gh]eten þe fremede [&] þe sibbe.
þe wel ne deð þe hwile he mai{;} ne scal wenne he walde. 35
Monies monnes sare iswinc habbeð oft un{}holde.
Ne scal na mon don afirst. ne slawen wel to done.
for moni mon bihateð wel þe hit for[gh]eteð sone.
Þe .M{on}. þe wule siker bon to habben Godes blisse.
do wel him solf hwile [þ/] he mai{;}
þenne haueð he his mid iwisse. 40
þes riche .M{en}. weneð bon siker þurh walle [&] þurh diche.
þe deð his echte on sikere stude he hit sent to heueneriche.
Wis þe him selue biðencheð þe hwile he mót libben
For sone willeð him for[gh]iete þe fremde [&] þe sibbe.
Þe wel ne doð þe hwile he mai ne sal he þan he wolde. 35
For manimannes sore iswinc habbeð ofte unholde.
Ne solde noman don a furst ne laten wel to done
For maniman bihoteð wel þat hi for[gh]ieteð sone.
Þe man þe wile siker ben to habben godes blisse.
Do wel him self þe hwile he mai þanne haueð hes mid iwisse. 40
Þe richemen weneð siker ben þu`r´ch wallen [&] thurh dichen.
He deð his aihte an siker stede þe hit sent to heueriche.
for þer ne þerf he bon of{}dred of fure ne of þoue
þer ne | þerf he him binimen þe laðe ne þe loue. [f. 60v
þer ne þerf he habben kare of [gh]eve ne of [gh]elde. 45
þider he sent. [&] solf bereð to lutel [&] to selde.
+þider we sculen dra[gh]en+ [&] don wel ofte [&] ilome.
for þer ne scal me us naut binimen mid wrangwise dome.
þider [gh]e sculen [gh]orne dra[gh]en. walde [gh]e god ileue.
for ne mei þ{er} hit ou binimen king ne reue. 50
[Linenotes:
45. _[gh]eve_] _v_ corr. out of _f_ MS. || 50. _þer_] _[þ/]_ MS.]
For þar`f he´ ben ofdrad of fure ne of þieue.
Þar ne mai hit him binime þe loðe ne þe lieue.
Þar ne þarf he habben care of here ne of [gh]ielde 45
Þider we sendeð [&] ec bereð to litel [&] to selde.
Þider `we solden´ drawen [&] don wel ofte [&] ilome.
For þar ne sal me us naht binime mid wrong wise dome. |
Þider we solde [gh]ierne drawen wolde [gh]ie me ileuen. [f. 2r
For ne mai hit us binime no king ne no s[.y]rreue. 50
[Linenotes:
31. After _hire were_, _ac_ erased. || 38. _bihoteð_] _o_
above _[a.]_ MS.]
Al [þ/] beste [þ/] we hefden þider we hit solde senden
for þer we hit michte finden eft. [&] habben buten ende.
Þo þe er doð eni God for habben godes are.
al he hit scal finden eft þer [&] hundred fald mare.
Þe þet echte wile halden wel hwile þe he mu[gh]e es welden. 55
Giue hies for godes luue{;} þenne deþ hes wel ihalden.
Alþat beste þat we habbeð her þider we solde sende.
For þar we mihte finden eft. [&] habben abuten ende.
Se þe her doð ani god for`to´ haben godes ore.
Al he hit sal eft finde þar [&] hundredfealde more.
Se þe aihte wile holde wel þe hwile hes mu[gh]e wealden. 55
[Gh]ieue hes for godes luue þanne doð hes wel ihealden.
[Linenotes:
55. _holde_] _o_ above _[a.]_ MS. ||
56. _[gh]ieue_] _[gh]_ corr. out of _G_.]
+Vre swinc [&] ure tilþe is ofte iwoned to swinden.+
Ach [þ/] þe we doð for godes luue{;} eft we sculen al finden.
Ne scal nan ufel bon un{}bocht. ne nan god unfor[gh]olden.
vfel we doþ al to muchel. [&] god lesse þe{n}ne we sculden. 60
Þo þe mest doð nu to gode. [&] þe lest to laðe.
Eiðer to lutel [&] to muchel scal þu{n}chen eft hom baþe.
Þer me scal ure werkes weien bi{}foran þe heuen king.
and [gh]euen us ure swinkes lan eft{er} ure erninge.
+Ech mon mid [þ/] he hauet. mei buggen houene riche.+ 65
For ure swinch [&] ure tilðe is ofte wuned to swinde.
Ac al þat we [gh]ieueð for godes luue al we hit sulen eft finden.
Ne sal þar non euel ben unboht ne god unfor[gh]olden.
Euel we doð al{}to muchel [&] god lasse þan we solden. 60
Se þe mast doð nu to gode [&] se last to lothe.
Eiðer to litel [&] to muchel hem sal þunche boðe.
Þar me sal ure werkes wei[gh]en bifore þan heuen kinge.
[&] [gh]ieuen us ure werkes lean after ure erni{n}ge.
Africh man mid þat he haueð mai bugge heueriche 65
þe mare haueþ [&] þe þe lesse{;} baþe hi | mu[gh]en iliche. [f. 61r
Al{}se mid his p`e´nie alse oðer mið his punde.
[þ/] is þe wunderlukeste chep{;} [þ/] eni mon efre funde.
[&] þe ðe mare ne mai don{;} do hit mid his gode þonke.
Alse wel se þe þe haueð golde fele manke. 70
[&] oft god kon mare þonc þen þe him [gh]eueð lesse.
[&] his werkes [&] his we[gh]es his milce. [&] rihtwisnesse.
+lutel lac is gode lof{;} [þ/]+ kumeð of gode wille.
[&] ec{}lete muchel [gh]eue of þan þe herte is ille.
Houene [&] horþe he ouer sich. his e[gh]en boð swa brichte. 75
Þe þe more haueð [&] þe þe lasse boðe iliche.
Alse on mid his peni se oðer mid his punde
Þis is þet wunderlukeste ware þat animan funde.
[&] se þe more ne mai don mid his gode iþanke.
Alse wel se þe þe haued goldes fele manke. 70
And ofte god can more þanc þan þe him [gh]ieueð lasse.
Al his werkes [&] his weies is milce [&] rihtwi[s]nesse. |
Litel lóc is gode lef þe cumeð of gode wille [f. 2v
[&] eðlate muchel [gh]ieue þan his herte is ille.
Heuene [&] erðe he ouer sihð his eien beð ful brihte. 75
Su{n}ne [&] mone [&] houen fur boð þestre a[gh]ein his lihte.
Nis him noht for{}holen ni hud. swa muchele boð his mihte.
nis hit ne swa derne [idon] ne [a] swa þostre nihte.
he wat wet þenkeð [&] hwet doð alle q{ui}ke wihte.
+Nis na lau{er}d swich se is c{ri}st+. ne king swuch ure drihten. 80
Nis him no þing forholen swo muchel is his mihte.
Ne bie hit no swo derne idon ne on swo þuster nihte.
He wot hwat þencheð [&] hwat doð alle quike wihte
Nis louerd swilch is c{ri}st ne king swilch ure drihte
Boðe [gh]iemeð þe his bien bi daie [&] bi nihte. 80
houene [&] orðe [&] al [þ/] is biloken is in his honde.
he deð al [þ/] his wil is{;} a wettre [&] alonde.
He makede fisses in þe se [&] fu[gh]eles in þe lifte.
he wit [&] waldeð alle þing [&] scop alle scefte.
he is hord buten horde [&] ende buten ende. 85
he ane is eure an ilche stude wende þer þu wende.
he is buuen us [&] bi{}noþen. bi{}foren [&] bi{}hinden.
þe þe deð godes wille uwer he mei him finden.
[Linenotes:
82. _[i.][s.] his_ MS. || 83. After _fu[gh]eles in_, _k_ deleted.]
Heuene [&] erðe [&] al þat is biloken is in his honden
He doð al þat his wille is awatere [&] alonde.
He makeð þe fisses in þe sa þe fueles on þe lofte.
He wit [&] wealdeð alle þing [&] he sop alle safte.
He is ord a{}buten ord [&] ende abuten ende 85
He is one afre on eche stede wende þar þu wende.
He is buuen us [&] bineðen biforen [&] bihinde
Þe godes wille doð aihware he mai[gh] him finde
[Linenote:
88. _godeswille_ MS.]
+Helche rune he iherð [&]+ wat alle deden.
he þurþ{}sicheþ uches monnes þonc. Wi hwat scal us to rede. 90
We [þ/] brokeð godes hese [&] gulteð swa ilome.
hwet scule we seggen oðer don et þe muchele dome.
Þa þe luueden unriht [&] ufel lif | leden. [f. 61v
Wet sculen ho seggen oðer don{;} þen þe engles bon of{}dred.
Elche rune he hereð [&] he wot alle dade
He þurh{}sihð elches mannes þanc wi hwat sal us to rade. 90
We þe brekeð godes has [&] gulteð swo ilome
Hwat sulle we seggen oðer don á{}te muchele dome
We þe luueden unriht [&] euel lif ladden
Hwat sulle we seggen oðer don þar ængles beð ofdradde
[Linenotes:
92. After _don_, an erasure of about
ten letters. || 93. _unriht_] _r_ corr. out of _l_ MS.]
+hwet sculen we bere{n}+ biforen us mid hom scule we iquemen. 95
þo þe neure god ne dude þe houenliche deme.
þer sculen bon doule swa fole [þ/] wulleð us for{}wreien.
[&] nabbeð hi naþing for[gh]eten of al [þ/] ho ise[gh]en.
Al [þ/] we mis{}duden her{;} ho hit wulleð kuðe þere.
[buten wé habbe hit íbét. ðe hwile wé her wére] 100
Al ho habbeð in hore write{;} [þ/] we mis{}duden here.
þach we nusten ne ni{}se[gh]en. ho weren ure ifere.
[Linenote:
100. Supplied from MS. e.]
Hwat sulle we beren us biforen mid hwan sulle we iq{ue}me 95
We þe nafre god ne duden þan heuenliche deme. |
Þar sulle ben deflen swo fele þat willeð us forwreien. [f. 3r
Nabbeð hie no þing for[gh]ieten of þat hie her iseien.
Alþat hie iseien her hie willeð cuðen þare
Bute we haben hit ibet þe hwile we here waren. 100
Al hie habbeð on here write þat we misduden here.
Þeih we hes ne niseien hie waren ure iferen.
+Hwet sculen ordlinghe`s´ don.+ þa swicen [&] ta forsworene
hwi boð fole iclepede. [&] swa lut icorene.
wi hwi weren ho bi{}[gh]eten to hwon weren ho iborene. 105
[þ/] scule{n} bon to deþe idemet. [&] eure ma for{}lorene.
Ech .M{on}. scal him solue þer bi{}clepie [&] bideme{n}.
his a[gh]en werch [&] his þonc te witnesse he scal {t}emen.
ne mei him na .M{on}. alsa wel demen ne alswa rihte
for nan ne knauð him ase [gh]ere{;} buten ane drihte. 110
Ech .M{on}. wat him solue best{;} his werkes. [&] his wille.
Þe ðe lest wat bi{}seiþ ofte mest{;} þe hit al wat is stille.
nis nan witnesse alse muchel se mo{n}ne`s´ a[gh]en horte.
Wa se seið [þ/] he bo hal. him solf wat best his smirte.
[Linenotes:
105. _[w.] hwon_ MS. || 108. _temen_] _demen_ MS. || 111. before
_werkes_, _werhes_ deleted.]
Hwat sullen horlinges don þes wichen [&] þe forsworene
Wi swo fele beð icleped swo fewe bed icorene
Wi hwi waren hie bi[gh]iete to hwan waren hie iborene. 105
Þe sulle ben to deaðe idemd [&] afremo forlorene.
Elch man `sal´ þar biclepien himselfen [&] ec demen.
Hi{s} o[gh]en werc [&] his þanc to witnesse he sal temen.
Nemai him noman alse wel demen ne alse rihte
For non ne cnoweð hine alse wel buten one drihte. 110
Man wot him self best his werkes [&] his wille.
Se þe last wot he seið ofte mast se þit al wot is stille
Nis no witnesse alse muchel se mannes o[gh]en hierte
Hwo se seið þat hie beð hol him self wot his smierte.
[Linenote:
108. _His_] _Hic_ MS.]
+Ech .M{on}. scal h[i]m solf demen+ to deðe oðer to liue. 115
þa witnesse of his a[gh]en werch{;} hine þer{}to scal driue.
Al þet ech .M{on} haueð idon soððen he com to mo{n}ne
sculde he | hit sechen o boke iwriten he scal iþenchen þenne. [f. 62r
Ah drihten ne demeð nenne .M{on}. eft{er} his biginnigge.
ah al his lif scal bon suilch boð his endinge. 120
Elch man sal him selfen demen to deaðe oðer to liue. 115
Þe witnesse of his o[gh]en werc to oðer þan hine sal driue.
Alþat afri man haueð idon seðen he cam to manne
Swo he hit iseie abóc iwrite he sal hit þenche þanne.
Ac drihte ne demeð noman after his biginninge
Ac al his lif sal ben teald after his endinge. | 120
+[gh]ef [þ/] his uuel al hit is uuel+ [&] God [gh]efe god his ende.
God [gh]eue [þ/] ure ende bo god. [&] wite [þ/] he us lende.
þe .M{on}. [þ/] uuel don na god. ne neure god lif leden.
er deð [&] dom come to his dure he mei him sare adreden.
[þ/] he ne mu[gh]e þenne biden are. for [þ/] itit ilome. 125
for{}þi he is wis þe biet [&] bit [&] bet bi{}fore dome.
+Wenne deð is attere dure+ wel late he biddeþ are.
Wel late he latheð uuel werc{;} þe ne mei hit don ne mare.
[Gh]ief þe endinge is god al hit is god·
[&] euel [gh]ief euel is þe ende. [f. 3v
God [gh]ieue þat ure ende be god [&] [gh]ieue þat he us lende.
Se man þe nafre nele don god ne nafre god lif lade.
Are deað [&] dom cumeð to his dure he mai[gh] hi{m} sore a{}drade
Þat he ne mu[gh]e þanne bidden ore for þat itit ilome. 125
For{}þi he wis þe bit [&] bi[gh]iet [&] bet bifore dome.
Þanne þe deað is ate dure wel late he biddeð ore.
Wel late he lateð euel werc þan he hit ne mai don no more.
[þ/] achten we to leuen wel. for ure drihten solf hit seide.
A hwilke time se eure .M{on}. of þinchþ his mis{}dede. 130
Oþer raþer oðer later{;} milce he scal imeten.
Ac {þ}e [þ/] þer naf[ð] nocht ibet{;} wel muchel he haueð to beten.
[Linenotes:
130. _þin[g.]chþ_ MS. || 132. _þe_] _we_ MS.]
Senne lat þe [&] þu nah hi{m} þan þu hit ne miht do no more{;}
For{}þi he is sot þe swo abit to habben godes ore. 130
Þeih hweðere we hit leueð wel for drihte self hit sade.
Elche time sal þe man of{}þunche his misdade
Oðer raðer oðer later milce he sal imete.
Ac þe þe her naueð ibet muchel he haued to bete
[Linenote:
133. After _imete_, _acþ_ erased.]
+Monimon seit hwa rechð of pine þe scal habben þende+.
Ne bidde ich na bet bo alesed a domes dei of bende.
lutel he wat wet is pine. [&] lutel he hit scaweð 135
hwice hete is þer þa saule wuneð hu biter wind þer blaweð.
hefde he bon þer enne dei oðer twa bare tide{;}
nolde he for al middenerd þe þerdde þer abiden.
þet habbeð iseid þ[e] comen þonen þa hit wisten mid iwissen.
wa wurð sor[gh]e seue[gh]er. for souenihte blisse. 140
Maniman seið hwo reche pine þe sal habben ende 135
Ne bidde ich no bet bie ich alesed a domesdai of bende.
Litel wot he `h´wat is pine [&] litel he cnoweð
Hwilch hit is þar sowle wunieð hwu biter wind þar bloweð.
Hadde he ben þar on oðer two bare tiden.
Nolde he for al midden{}eard þe þridde þar abiden. 140
Þat habbed isaid þe come þanne þit wiste mid iwisse.
Wo wurðe sore[gh]e seue [gh]ier for seue nihte blisse.
[Linenotes:
137. _[h.]is_ MS. || After _cnoweð_, erasure of _hwil_. ||
140. After _Nolde_ erasure of two letters. || _almidden_ MS.]
+In hure blisse þe | þe ende haueð.+ for endelese pine. [f. 62v
betere is wori water drunch{;} þen atter meind mid wine.
Swines brede is swiðe swete. swa is of wilde dore.
alto dore he is abuh{;} þe [gh]efð þer fore his swore.
Ful wombe mei lihtliche speken of hunger. [&] of festen{;} 145
swa mei of pine þe ne cnauð þe scal a ilesten.
Hefð he ifonded su{m}me stunde{;} he wolde al seggen oðer.
Et lete him were wif. child. suster. feder [&] broðer.
[Linenote:
144. _abuh_] _abu[t.][e.]h_ MS.]
[&] ure blisse þe ende haueð for ende{}lease pine
Betere is wori water þan atter imengd mid wine.
Swines brade is wel swete swo is of wilde diere. 145
Ac al to diere he hit abuið þe [gh]iefð þar{}fore his swiere.
Ful wombe mai lihtliche speken of hunger [&] of fasten
Swo mai of pine þe not hwat is pine þe sal ilasten. |
Hadde fonded sume stunde he wolde seggen oðer [f. 4r
Eðlate him ware wif [&] child suster [&] fader [&] broðer. 150
+Al he walde [&] oðerluker don [&] oðerluker þenche{n}+
Wenne he bi{}þohte on helle fur þe nawiht ne mei quenchen. 150
Eure he walde her inne wawe [&] ine wene wunien{;}
Wið [þ/] þe mihte helle pine bi{}flien [&] bi{}sunien
Et lete him were al world wele [&] orðliche blisse.
for to [þ/] muchele blisse cumen is murþe mid iwisse.
[Linenote:
152. Before _þe_, _me_ deleted.]
Al he wolde oðerluker don [&] oðerluker þenche
Þan he biðohte an helle fur þat no{}wiht ne mai quenche.
Afre he wolde her in wo [&] in wane wunien
Wið{}þan he mihte helle fur biflen [&] bisunien.
Eðlate him ware al wele [&] erðeliche blisse 155
For to þe muchele blisse cume þis murie mid iwisse.
[Linenote:
153. After _wunien_, _wið þan he mihte_ erased.]
+Iwule nu cumen eft to þe dome [þ/] ich er ow of sede+ 155
A þa dei [&] at ta dome us helpe c{ri}st [&] rede.
þer we mu[gh]en bon eþe offerd [&] herde us adrede{n}.
þer he scal al son him bi{}foren his word [&] ec his deden.
Al scal þer bon þenne cud þer me{n} lu[gh]en her ent stelen.
Al scal þer bon þa{n}ne unwron{;}
[þ/] men wru[gh]en her [&] helen. 160
We sculen alre monne lif iknauwen al{}se ure ahen.
þer sculen eueni{n}gges bon þe riche [&] þe la[gh]e.
Ne scal na mon skamie þer ne þerf he him a{}dreden.
Gif him her of{}þincþ | his gult [&] bet his misdede. [f. 63r
for him ne scameþ ne ne gromeð þe sculen bon ibor[gh]en. 165
[Linenote:
163. _skamie_] _smakie_ MS.]
¶Ich wulle nu cumen eft to þe dome þe ich eow ar of sade.
On þe daie [&] on þe dome us helpe crist [&] rade
Þar we mu[gh]en ben sore offerd [&] harde us ofdrade.
Þar elch sal al isien him biforen his word [&] ec his dade. 160
Al sal þar ben þanne cuð þat men lu[gh]en her [&] halen.
Al sal þar ben þanne unwrien þat men her hudden [&] stalen.
We sullen alre manne lif icnowen alse ure o[gh]en
Þar sullen efninges ben to þe heie [&] to þe lo[gh]e.
Ne sal þeih no man samie þiar ne þarf he him adrade. 165
[Gh]ief him her ofþincheð his gult [&] bet his mis{}dade.
For hem ne sameð ne ne grameð þe sulle ben ibore[gh]e
[Linenotes:
157. _[e.]f[t.]_ _eft_ MS. || 165. _þiar_] _a_ corr.
out of _e_.]
+Ach þo{}þre+ habbeþ scome [&] grome [&] oft fele sor[gh]e.
+Þe do{m} scal sone bon idon+ ne lest he nawiht lo{n}ge.
ne scal him na mon mene þer of st{re}ngþe ne of wronge.
þe sculen habbe herdne dom þa her weren herde.
þa þe uuele holden wreche men [&] uuele la[gh]e redde. 170
Ec efter [þ/] he efþ idon sal þer þenne [beon] idemet.
[bliðe mei hé ðenne beon. þe god háfð wel icwemed]
[Linenote:
172. Supplied from MS. e.]
Ac þoðre habbeð same [&] grame [&] oðer fele sore[gh]e.
Þe dom {s}al ben sone idon ne last hit nowiht longe
Ne sal him noman mene þar{}of strencðe ne of wronge 170
Þo sulle habben hardne dom þe here waren hardde
Þo þe euel hielden wreche men [&] euel la[gh]e arerde.
Elch after þat he haueð idon sal þar ben þanne idem{d}
Bliðe mai he þanne ben þe god haueð wel iquemd.
[Linenotes:
169. _sal_] _þal_ MS. || 173. _idemð_ MS.]
+Alle þa þi sprunge boþ+ of adam [&] of eue.
Alle hi sculen cumen þider for soðe we hit ileueð.
þa þe habbeð wel idon efter hore mihte. 175
to houene riche hi sculen faren forð mid ure drihte.
Þa þe habbeð doules werc idon. [&] þer inne bo ifunde.
hi sculen faren forð mid him in to helle grunde.
Þer hi scule{n} wunien a buten are [&] ende.
Ne brekeþ neure drihte helle gate for lesen hi of bende. 180
[Linenote:
178. _mid [m.][i.][d.]_ MS.]
Alle þo þe sprunge beð of ada{m} [&] of eue 175
Alle hie sulle þider cume for soðe we hit ileued. |
Þo þe habbed wel idon after here mihte [f. 4v
To heueriche hie sulle fare forð mid ure drihte.
Þo þe deueles werkes habeð idon [&] þar{}inne beð ifunde
Hie sulle fare forð mid hem in{}to helle grunde. 180
Þar hie sulle wunien abuten ore [&] ende.
Brecð nafre eft crist helle dure for lesen hem of bende
[Linenotes:
180. After _fare_, _þ_ elided.]
+Nis na sullic þech hom bo wa [&] hom bo uneade.+
Ne scal neure eft c{ri}st þolie deþ for lesen hom of deaþe.
Enes drihten helle brec his fro{n}d he ut brochte.
him solf he þolede deð for him . wel dore he hom bohte.
Nalde hit mei do for mei. ne sust{er} for broðer. 185
nalde hit sune do for fader. ne na mon for oðer.
Nis no sellich þeih hem be wo [&] þeih hem be uneaðe
Ne sal nafre eft crist þolien deað for lesen hem of deaðe.
Ænes drihten helle brac his frend he ut brohte 185
Him self he þolede deað for hem wel diere he hes bohte.
Nolde hit mo[gh]e don for mai ne suster [for] broðer
Nolde sune don for fader ne no man for oðer.
+Vre alre lau{er}d+ for his þrelles ipined wes a rode.
vre bendes he unbon[d] [&] bohte us mid his blode.
We [gh]eueð | uneðe for his luue a stuche of ure brede. [f. 63v
Ne þenke we noht [þ/] he scal deme þa q{ui}ke [&] þa dede. 190
Muchele luue he us cudde. walde we hit und{er}sto{n}de
[þ/] ure eldre misduden{;} we habbeð uuele on honde.
Deþ com in þis middenerde þurh þes doules honde.
[&] sake [&] sor[gh]e [&] swinc a wat{er}e [&] a londe.
Vre alre louerd for his þralles ipined he was arode
Ure bendes he unbond [&] bohte us mid his blode. 190
We [gh]ieueð uneaðe for his luue a steche of ure breade
Ne þenche we naht þar þat sal deme þe q{ui}ca [&] þe deade.
Muchel luue he us kedde wolde we hit understonde.
Þat ure elderne mi`s´duden we habeð euel an honde.
Deað cam in þis middenærd þurh ealde deueles onde 195
[&] senne [&] sore[gh]e [&] iswinch awatere [&] [a]londe.
[Linenote:
194. _misduden_] _u_ over _[e.]_ MS.]
+Vre forme fader+ gult. we abu[gh]eð alle. 195
[eal his óf spring efter hi{m}. en hearme is bi{}fealle.]
þurst [&] hunger. chele [&] hete. helde [&] unhelðe.
þurh him deð com in þis middenerd [&] oðer uniselðe.
Nere na{}mon elles ded ne sec ne nan unsele.
ac mihten libben eure ma a blisse [&] a hele. 200
lutel hit þu{n}cheð moni mon. ac muchel wes þa su{n}ne.
for hwam alle þolieð deð þe comen of hore cunne.
[Linenote:
196. Supplied from MS. e.]
Vre foremes faderes gult we abugeð alle
Al his ofsprung after him in harem is biualle
Þurst [&] hunger. chele [&] hete [&] alle unhalðe.
Þurh deað cam in þis midden{}eard [&] oðer unisalðe. 200
Nare noman elles dead ne sic ne unsele
Ac mihte libbe afremo ablisse [&] an hale. |
Litel lac is gode lief þe cumeð of gode wille. [f. 5r
[&] eðlate muchel [gh]ieue þan his herte is ille
Litel hit þuncheð maniman ac muchel was þe senne 205
For hwan alle þolieð deað þe comen of here kenne
+Hore sunne+ [&] ec ure a[gh]en sare us mei of{}þinche.
þurh su{n}ne we libbeð alle in sor[gh]e [&] in swinke.
Suððen God nom swa muchele wrake for are misdede{;} 205
We þe swa muchel [&] swa ofte mis{}doð. we mu[gh]en eðe us adrede.
Adam and his of{}spru{n}g for are {b}are sunne.
Wes fele undret wintre an helle pine [&] an unwunne.
þa þe ledden hore lif mid unriht [&] mid wrange.
buten hit gode`s´ milce do ho sculen bon þer wel longe. 210
Godes wisdom is wel muchel [&] alswa is his mihte
[&] nis his milce naut lesse. ac bi þan ilke iwichte.
[Linenotes:
203. _[h.][o.][r.][e.] ure_ MS. || 207. _bare_] _þare_ MS. ||
210. _do_] _do[n.]_ MS.]
Here senne [&] ec ure o[gh]en us mu[gh]e sore of{}þunche
For senne we libeð alle her in sore[gh]e [&] in swunche.
Seðen god na{m} swo mukel wrache for one misdede
We þe swo ofte misdoð we mu[gh]en us eaðe ofdrade. 210
Adam [&] al his ofspreng for one bare senne.
Was fele hundred wintre an helle a pine [&] unwenne.
Þo þe ladeð here lif mid unrihte [&] mid wronge
Bute hit godes milce do hie sulle wunie þar longe.
Godes wisdom is wel muchel [&] alsse is his mihte 215
Ac nis his mihte nowiht lasse ac biðer ilke wihte.
[Linenotes:
207. After _mu[gh]e_, _rewen_ deleted MS. || 210. _þo_ altered
to _þe_.]
+Mare he ane mei+ for{}[gh]euen. þen | al folc gulte cunne. [f. 64r
Sulf douel mihte habbe{n} milce. [gh]if he hit bigunne.
Þa þe godes milce secheð{;} he iwis mei ha ifi{n}den. 215
Ac helle king is are{}les with þa þe he mei binden.
þe þe deþ is wille mest{;} he haueð wurst mede.
His ba{þ} scal bon wallinde. his bað sca{l} bon berni{n}de glede.
[Linenotes:
218. _ba[þ/]_ MS. || _scal_] _scab_ MS.]
More he one mai[gh] for[gh]ieue þan alle folc gulte cunne
Self deuel mihte habben milce [gh]ief he hit bigunne.
Þeþe godes milche secð iwis he mai hes finden
Ac helle king is ore{}leas wið þo þe he mai binden. 220
Se deð his wille mast he sal habbe werest mede
His bað sal be wallinde pich his bed barnende glede.
[Linenotes:
213. After _lif_, an erasure, on which _mid_. || 214. _do_
corr. out of _to_. || 215. _mulchel_ MS. || After _[&]_, an
erasure.]
+Wurst he deð his gode frond{;}+ þenne his fulle fond{;}
God scilde alle godes frond. a wih swilche freonde. 220
Neure in helle hi com. ne þer ne come reche.
þach ich elches worldes wele. þer me mahte feche
[þ/] his wulle seggen on þat wise men us seiden.
[&] aboken hit writen þer [me] mei hit reden.
Ich hit wille seggen þan þe hit hom solf nusten. 225
warni hom wið hore unfrome. [gh]if ho me wulleð lusten.
vnd{er}stondeð nu to me edi men [&] arme.
Ich wulle tellen of helle pin{;} [&] wernin ow wið herme.
In helle his hunger [&] þurst{;} twa uuele iuere.
þas þolieð þa [þe] weren maket niþinges here. 230
[Linenote:
229. _[i.][s.] his_ MS.]
Werse he doð his gode wines þan his fiendes
God silde alle godes friend wið swo euele friende.
Nafre an helle ine cam ne cumen ich þar ne reche 225
Þeih ich aches woreldes wele þare mihte feche.
Þeih ich wille seggen eow þat wise men us saden
[&] [a] boc hit is write þar me hit mai rade. |
Ic wille seggen hit þo þe hit hem self nesten [f. 5v
[&] warnin hem wið here unfreme
[gh]ief hie me willeð hlesten. 230
Vnderstondeð nu to meward eadimen [&] arme
Ich wille tellen eow of helle pine [&] warnin eow wið harme.
An helle hunger [&] þurst euel two iferen.
Þos pine þolieð þo þe ware meteniðinges here.
[Linenotes:
225. Before _reche_, _þ_ erased MS. || 230. After _here_,
an erasure of one letter MS.]
+Þer is waning [&] wow.+ eft{er} eche streche.
ho fareð from hete to hete. [&] hech to frure þe wreche.
þenne hi bið in þere hete{;} þe chele him þunchet blisse.
þenne hi cumeð eft to þe chele{;} of hete hi habbeð misse.
hi hem deð wa inoch nabbeð hi nane blisse. 235
Þar is woning [&] wop after ache strate 235
Hie fareð fram hate [to] chele fra{m} chele to hate.
[Þ]an hie beð in þe hate chele hem þuncheð blisse
[Þ]an hie cumeð eft to chele of hate hie habbeð misse.
[E]iðer doð `hem´ wo inoh nabbeð none lisse.
+Nute hi hweþer hem deþ {w}urs+ mid neure nane wisse.
hi walkeð eure [&] secheð reste | ac `ho´ ne mu[gh]en imeten. [f. 64v
for{}þi þe ho nolden þe hwile [þ/] ho mihten here sunne beten.
ho secheð reste þer nis nan. for{}þi ne mu[gh]en hi es finden.
Ac walkeð weri up [&] dun{;} se wat{er} deþ mid winde. 240
þo boð þa þe weren her a þanke unstedefeste.
[&] þa þe gode biheten heste [&] nolden hit ileste.
þa þe god werc bigunnen [&] ful enden hit nolden.
[Linenotes:
236. _wurs_] _þurs_ MS. || 237. _m[o.]u[gh]en_ MS.]
[N]iten hweðer hem doð wers to nafre none wisse. 240
[H]ie walkeð afre [&] secheð reste ac hie hes ne mu[gh]en imeten.
[F]or{}þi þe hie nolde þe hwile hie mihten here senne beten.
[H]ie sec`h´eð reste þar non nis ac hie hies ne mu[gh]en ifinden.
[A]c walkeð weri up [&] dun se water doð mid winde
[Þ]at beð þo þe waren her an þanc unstedefaste 245
[[&]] þo þe gode biheten aihte [&] hit him ilaste.
[[&]] þo þe god werc bigunnen [&] ful endin hit nolden.
+Nu witen her.+ [&] nuðe þer. [&] nusten hwat hi wolden.
þer is bernunde pich hore saule to baþien inne. 245
þa þe ledden here lif in werre [&] in winne.
þer is fur [þ/] is undret fald hattre. þene bo ure.
Ne mei q{ue}nchen salt weter ne uersc of þe burne.
þis is [þ/] fur [þ/] efre bernd ne mei nawiht hit que{n}chen{;}
Þer inne boð þa þe was to lof wreche men to swenchen. 250
þa þe weren swikelemen [&] ful of uuel wrenchen.
þa þe mihten uuel don. þe þe lef hit wes to þenchen.
Þe luueden tening [&] stale. hordom [&] drunken.
[&] a doules werche bliþeliche swunken.
[N]u waren her [&] nu þar [&] nesten hwat he wolden
[Þ]ar is pich þat afre walleð þar sulle wunien inne
[Þ]o þe ladeð here lif on werre [&] an unwinne. 250
[Þ]ar is fur þis hundredfeald hatere þan be ure.
[N]e mai hit quenche salt water ne auene stream ne sture.
[Þ]is is þat fur þat afre barneð
ne mai no wiht [hit] quenche.
[Þ]ar{}inne beð þe was to lef wreche men to swenche. |
Þo þe [waren] swikele men [&] ful of euele wrenchen. [f. 6r
[&] þo þe mihten euel don [&] lief hit was to þenchen. 256
Þe luueden rauing [&] stale hordom [&] druken
[&] an defles werkes bliðeliche swunken.
[Linenotes:
248. _[m.]esten_ MS. || 250. After _[&]_, _h_ erased MS. ||
258. _bliðeliche_] second _i_ corr. out of _l_.]
Þa þe weren swa le{s}e [þ/] me ho{m} ne mihte ileuen. 255
Med{}ierne domes men. [&] wro{n}gwise reuen.
[þ/] oðer mo{n}nes wif lof. his a[gh]en et{}lete.
þo þe sungede muchel{;} a drunke [&] an ete.
þe wreche mon binom his ehte. [&] leide his on horde.
[þ/] lutel let of godes borde. [&] godes worde. 260
[&] þo þe his a[gh]en nalde [gh]euen þer he isech | þe node [f. 65r
Ne nalde iheren godes sonde. þenne he hit herde bode.
Þe [þ/] is oðers mo{n}nes þing. loure þene hit sculde.
[&] weren to gredi of solure [&] of golde.
[&] þa þe untrownesse duden þon þe ho scu`l´den bon holde. 265
[Linenote:
255. _lese_] _lele_ MS.]
Þo þe waren swo lease men þat mes ne mihte leuen
Med[gh]ierne domes men [&] w`r´ongwise reuen. 260
Þo þe oðer mannes wif was lief her o[gh]en eðlate
[&] þo þe sunegeden muchel on druken [&] on ate.
Þe wreche men binomen here aihte [&] leide his on horde.
Þe litel lete of godes bode [&] of godes worde.
[&] þe his o[gh]en nolde [gh]ieue þar he iseih þe niede 265
Ne nolde ihere godes men þan he sat at his biede.
Þo þe was oðer mannes þing leuere þan hit solde
[&] waren alto gradi of siluer [&] of golde.
Þo þe untrewnesse deden þan þe he solden ben holde.
[Linenotes:
261. After _was_, erasure of three letters MS. ||
263. After _men_, one letter erased.]
[&] leten þet ho sculden don. [&] duden [þ/] ho wolden.
Þa þe weren eure abuten þisse worldes echte.
[&] duden al [þ/] þe laþe gast hechte to [&] tachte.
[&] alle þe þen anigewise doulen i{}que{m}de.
Þa boð nu mid him in helle fordon [&] fordemet. 270
[Linenotes:
267. _we[n.]ren_ MS. || 269. _iquemde_] _iquende_ MS.]
[&] leten al þat hie solden don [&] deden þat hie wolden. 270
Þo þe waren [gh]ietceres of þis wereldes aihte
[&] dude al þat þe loðe gost hem tihte to [&] taihte.
[&] Al `þo´ þe ani{}wise deuel iquemde
Þo beð mid h{i}m in helle fordon [&] demde.
[Linenote:
274. _hem_ MS.]
(EGERTON MS., SECOND COPY.)
Bute þá þe óf{}ðufte sare heore mis{}dede. [f. 69r
[&] gunne heore gultes beten [&] betere líf læde.
Þer beoð neddren [&] snaken. éuete [&] frute.
þa tereð. [&] freteð. þe uuele speke. þe nið fulle. [&] te prute.
Neure sunne ðer ne scínð. ne mone ne steorre. 275
þer is muchel godes hate. [&] muchel godes eorre.
Æure ðer ís uuel sméch. ðusternesse [&] eie.
nis ðer neure oðer líht. ðene þe swierte leie.
Þer ligget ladliche fund. in strange rakete[gh]e.
[þ/] beoð þa ðe wére mid gode on heuene wel he[gh]e. 280
Þer beoð ateliche fund. [&] eisliche wihte.
þas scule þa wrecche í{}fon. þe sune[gh]ede ðurh sihte.
Þer is ðe laðe sathanas. [&] belzebud sé ealde.
eaðe hi mu[gh]en beo óf{}dréd. þe híne scule bi{}healde.
[Linenote:
283. _is_ _[i.][s.]_ MS.]
Bute þo þe ofðuhte sore here misdade 275
[&] Gunne here gultes bete [&] betere lif lade.
Þar beð naddren [&] snaken. eueten [&] fruden
Þe tereð [&] freteð þo euele swiken þe niðfule [&] þe prude
Nafre sunne þar ne sineð ne mone ne storre.
Þar is muchel godes hete [&] muchel godes oerre. | 280
Afre þar is euel smech þiesternesse [&] eie [f. 6v
Nis þar nafre oder liht þan þe swarte leie.
Þar ligeð ateliche fiend in stronge raketeie
Þat beð þo þe waren mid god angles swiðe heie.
Þat beð ateliche fiend [&] Eiseliche wihten 285
Þo sulle þe wreche sowle isien þe sinegeden þurh sihte
Þar is se loðe sathanas [&] belzebub se ealde
Eaðe he mu[gh]en ben sore ofdrad þe sullen hes bihealde.
[Linenote:
277. _fruden_] _d_ corr. out of _ct_ MS.]
Ne mei nan heorte hit iðenche. ne tunge ne can telle. 285
hu muchel píne na hu uele sunden ínne helle.
Wið þa pine ðe þer beoð. nelle ich eow naht leo[gh]en.
nis hit bute gamen [&] gléo. eal [þ/] man mei hér dreo[gh]en.
End [gh]ut ne deð heo{m} naht sa wá. ín ða laðe bende. |
[þ/] hí witeð [þ/] heore píne sceal neure habbe ende. [f. 69v
Þar beoð þa heðene men. þé w[´æ]re la[gh]e{}liese. 291
þe nes naht óf godes bi{}bode. ne óf godes hése.
[U]uele cristene men. hí beoð heore ifere.
þa ðe heore cristen{}dom. uuele heo`l´de hére.
[[Gh]]ut hí beoð á wurse stede. on ðeré helle grunde. 295
ne sculen hí neure cume{n} út. for marke ne for punde.
[N]e mei heo{m} naðer helpen þer. íbede ne elmesse.
for nis naðer inne helle. áre ne for{}[gh]iuenesse.
[Linenote:
290. After _habbe_, _l_ erased.]
Nemai non herte hit þenche ne tunge hit ne mai telle
Hwu muchele pine ne hwu fele senden in helle 290
Of þo pine þe þar bieð nelle ich eow naht lie
Nis hit bute gamen [&] glie of þat man mai here drie.
[&] [gh]iet ne doð hem naht alse wo in þe loðe bende
Swo þat he witen þat here pine sal nafre habben ende
Þar beð þe haðene men þe waren la[gh]e{}lease. 295
Þe nes naht of godes bode ne of godes hease.
Euele cristene men hie beð here iferen
Þo þe here cristendom euele hielden here.
[&] [gh]iet he beð awerse stede aniðer helle grunde
Ne sullen nafre cumen út for peni ne for punde. 300
Ne mai hem noðer helpe þar ibede ne almesse
For naht solden bidde þar ore ne for[gh]ieuenesse.
[Linenote:
292. _mai_ corr. out of _marg_ MS.]
Sculde hi{m} éch man ðe hwile hé mu[gh]e óf ðas helle píne.
[&] werni ech hís freond þer wið swa ich habbe mine. 300
Þá ðe sculden heo{m} ne cunne. ich heo{m} wulle teche.
ich kan beon [gh]ief ich sceal. lichame [&] sawle leche.
Léte wé [þ/] god for{}but. ealle manne cunne.
[&] do wé [þ/] hé us hét. [&] sculde wé us wið sunne.
Luuie we god mid ure heorte. [&] mid al ure mihte. 305
[&] ure émcristen eal us sulf. swa us lerde drihte.
Eal [þ/] me r[´æ]t [&] eal [þ/] me singð. bi{}fore godes borde.
eal hít hanget [&] bi{}halt. bi ðisse twam worde.
{E}alle godes la[gh]e he fulð. ðe níwe [&] ða ealde.
þe ðe ðas twá luue háfð. [&] wel hí wule healde. 310
Ac hí beoð wunder earueð{}healde. swá ófte gulteð ealle.
Fór hít ís strang to stande lange. [&] líht ís to fealle.
[A]ac drihte crist hé [gh]íue us strengðe. stande [þ/] wé mote.
[&] óf ealle ure gultes `unne´ us cume to bote.
[Linenotes:
308. _eal_] _Eeal_ MS. || 309. _Ealle_] _alle_ MS. ||
_níwe_] _n_ corr. out of _r_.]
Silde him elch man þe hwile he mai wið þos helle pine.
[&] warnie his frend þar wið swo ich habbe ido mine.
Þo þe silde hem ne cunnen ich hem wille tache 305
[I]ch can ben aiðer [gh]ief isal lichame [&] sowle lache. |
Late we þat god forbet alle mankenne [f. 7r
[&] do we þat he us hat [&] silde we us wid senne.
Luue we god mid ure herte [&] mid al ure mihte
[&] ure emcristen alse us self swo us tached drihte. 310
Al þat me radeð [&] singed bifore godes borde
Al hit hangeð [&] halt bi þese twam worde
Alle godes la[gh]es hie fulleð þe newe [&] þe ealde
Þe þe þos two luues halt [&] wile hes wel healde.
Ac hie bieð wel arefeð{}heald swo ofte we gulteð alle 315
For hit is strong te stonde longe [&] liht hit is to falle.
Ac drihte c{ri}st [gh]eue us strengðe stonde þat we moten
[&] of alle ure gultes [gh]ieue us cume bote.
[Linenotes:
307. After _þat_, _w_ erased. || 313. _godel_ MS. ||
315. _gulteð_] _t_ over _[d.]_ MS.]
++Wé wilnieð éfter woruld wéle. ðe lange ne mei leste. 315
[&] leggeð eal ure iswinch. ón ðin[gh]e unste`de´ feste. |
Swunche wé for godes luue. healf [þ/] wé doð for æhte. [f. 70r
ne béo wé naht swá óf bicherd. ne sa uuele bi{}kehte.
[Gh]if wé serueden gode swa wé doð ermínges.
mare wé hedden en héuene. ðenne eorles hér [&] kinges. 320
Né mu[gh]en hí werien heo{m} wið chele. wið þurste ne wið hunger.
ne wið ulde. ne wið deaðe. þe uldre ne ðe [gh]eonger.
Ac ðer nis hunger ne ðurst. ne dieð. ne unhelðe ne elde.
of þisse riche wé ðencheð ófte. [&] of þere to selde.
We wilnieð after wereldes wele þe longe ne mai ilaste
[&] legeð mast al ure swinc on þing unstedefaste. 320
Swunke [we] for godes luue half þat we doð for eihte.
Nare we naht swo ofte bicherd ne swo euele bikeihte
[Gh]ief we serueden god half þat we doð for erminges
We mihten habben more an heuene þa[n] [gh]ierles [&] kinges
Ne mu[gh]e we werien naðer ne wið þurst ne wið hunger 325
Ne wid elde ne wið deað þe elder ne þe [gh]eunger
Ac þar nis hunger ne þurst. deað ne unhalðe ne elde.
Of þesse riche we þencheð to ofte of þare alto selde.
[Linenote:
326. After _elde_, _ne wið elde_ MS.]
Wé scolden ealle us biðenche ófte. [&] wél ilome. 325
hwét wé beoð to whán wé scule. [&] óf hwán wé come.
Hú litle hwíle wé beoþ hér. hú lange elle`s´ hwáre.
hwét wé mu[gh]e habben hér. [&] hwét finde þere.
[Gh]íef wé were wise men. ðis wé scolde ðenche.
bute wé wurðe us íwer. ðeos woruld wule us for{}drenche. 330
Mest ealle men he [gh]íueð drinche. óf ane deofles scenche.
hé sceal hi{m} cunne sculde wél. [gh]íf hé híne nele screnche.
We solden biþenchen us wel ofte [&] ilom{e}
Hwat we beð to hwan we sullen [&] of hwan we come. 330
Hwu litle hwile we bieð her hwu longe elles [h.]ware
Hwat we mu[gh]en habben her [&] hwat we findeð þare. |
[Gh]ief [we] waren wise men þus we solden þenchen [f. 7v
Bute we wurðen us iwar þis wereld us wile drenchen
Mast alle men hit [gh]ieueð drinken of on euele senche 335
He sal him cunnen silde wel [gh]ief hit him nele screnche.
[Linenote:
329. _ilomo_ MS.]
++Mid ealmihti[gh]es godes luue. ute wé us bi{}werien.
wið ðises wrecches woreldes luue. [þ/] hé ma[gh]e us derien.
Mid festen ælmes [&] ibede. werie wé us wið sunne. 335
Mið ða wepne ðe god haueð. bi{}[gh]íten man cunne.
Léte wé þe brade strét. [&] ðene wei bene.
þe le{t} [þ/] ni[gh]eðe dél to helle of manne. [&] ma ich wéne.
Gá wé ðene nærewne wei. [&] ðene wei grene.
ðer forð fareð litel folc. ac hit is feir [&] scéne. 340
Þé brade strét is ure íwill. ðe ís us lað to forl[´æ]te.
þa ðe eal fol[gh]eð hís íwill. fareð bi ðusse stréte.
Hí mu[gh]en lihtliche gán mid ðere under{}hulde.
ðurh ane godlíese w{u}de `in{}to´ ane bare felde. [f. 70v
[Linenotes:
338. _let_] _[l.]ec_ MS. || 344. _wude_] _wade_ MS.]
Mid al{}mihtin godes luue úte we us biwerien
[W]ið þesses wreches woreldes luue þat hit ne mu[gh]e us derien.
Mid almesse. mid fasten [&] mid ibeden werie we us wid senne.
Mid þo wapne þe god haued [gh]ieue alle man{}kenne. 340
[L]ate we þe brode strate [&] þane wei[gh] bene
[Þ]e lat þe nieðe dal to helle of manne me mai wene.
Go we þane narewe pað [&] þene wei grene
[Þ]ar forð fareð wel litel folc [&] eche is fair [&] isene
[Þ]e brode strate is ure wil. þe is loð te læte. 345
[Þ]o þe fol[gh]eð here iwil hie fareð bi þare strate.
[H]ie mu[gh]en lihtliche cumen mid þare niðer helde
[Þ]urh one godelease wude to one bare felde
[Linenote:
343. _Gowe_ MS.]
[Þ]e nærewei ís godes hése. ðer forð{}fareð wél fiewe. 345
[þ/] beoð ða ðe heo{m} sculdeð [gh]eorne wið [´æ]che un{}ðeawe.
[Þ]as gað uníeðe [gh]eanes ðe clíue. a[gh]ean þe hea[gh]e hulle.
ðas leteð eal heore a[gh]en wíll. for godes hése to fulle.
[G]a wé alle þene wei. for he us wule bringe.
mid te feawe feire men. be{}foren heuen kinge. 350
Þer is ealre murhðe mest. mid englene sange.
ðe ís a þusend wintre ðer. ne ðincð hi{m} naht to lange.
Þe ðe lest haueð. hafð swa michel [þ/] hé ne bit namare.
þe ða blisse for ðas for{}lét hít hi{m} mei reowe sare.
[N]e mei nan uuel ne na wane beon inne godes riche. 355
ðeh þer beoð wununges fele. æch oðer uniliche.
[Þ]a narewe pað is godes has · þar forð fareð wel feawe
[Þ]at beð þo þe hem sildeð [gh]ierne wið achen unðeawe. 350
[Þ]os goð uneaðe a[gh]ien þe cliue [&] a[gh]ien þe heie hulle
[Þ]os leten al here iwil for godes luue to fulle.
[G]o we alle þane wei for he us wile bringe
Mid þo feawe faire men bi{}fore þe heuen kinge
[Þ]ar is alre blisse mast mid angles songe. 355
[Þ]e is a þusend wintre þar ne þuncheð hit him naht longe. |
Þe last haueð blisse he haueð sswo muchel
þat he ne bit no more [f. 8r
Þe þat blisse forgoð hit sal him rewen sore.
Ne mai non euel ne non wane ben in godes riche
Þeih þar ben wuniinges fele elch oðer uniliche 360
[Linenotes:
351. After _uneaðe_, _cliue_ deleted MS. || 357. After
_haueð_, _bli_ deleted and _sse_ corr. into _sswo_.]
Sume ðer habbeð lesse murhðe. [&] sume habbeð mare.
æfter ðan þe dude her. efter ðan [þ/] he swanc sare.
[N]e sceal ðer beon ne bried ne wín. ne oðer cunnes éste.
god ane sceal beo eche líf. [&] blisse. [&] éche reste. 360
[N]é sceal ðer beo fah ne græi. ne kuning ne `er´míne.
ne aquierne. ne martres cheole. ne beuer né sabelíne.
[N]e sceal ðer beo sciet ne scrud. ne woruld wele nane.
eal þe murhðe þe me us bi{}hat. al hít sceal beo god ane.
[N]e mei na murhðe. beo swa muchel. se is godes sihte. 365
[H]e ís soð sunne [&] briht. [&] dei ábuten nihte.
Sume þar habbeð lasse blisse [&] sume þar habbeð more
Elch after þat he dude her after þane þe swanc sore
Ne sal þar ben bread ne win ne oðer kennes este
God one sal ben ache lif [&] blisse [&] ache reste.
Ne sal þar ben foh ne grai ne cunin ne ermine 365
Ne aquerne ne metheschele ne beuer ne sabeline.
Ne sal þar ben naðer scat ne srud ne wereldes wele none.
Al þe blisse þe me us bihat al hit sal ben god one
Ne mai no blisse ben alse muchel se is godes sihte.
He is soð sunne [&] briht [&] dai a{}bute nihte. 370
[H]e is ælches godes ful. nis hi{m} na wið{}uten.
na god nis him wane þe wunieð hi{m} abuten.
Þer is wéle ábute gane. [&] reste abuten swinche.
þe mei [&] nele ðider cume. sare hit hi{m} sceal óf ðinche. 370
He is aches godes ful nis him no wiht uten.
Nones godes hem nis wane þe wunieð him abuten.
Þar is wele a{}buten wane [&] reste a{}buten swunche.
Þe mu[gh]en [&] nelleð þider cume hit hem mai of{}þunche.
(EGERTON MS., FIRST COPY.)
Þer is blisse a{}buten tre[gh]e. [&] lif a{}buten deaþe [f. 12v
þe eure scullen wunien þer. bliþe muwen ben eþe
Þer is [gh]eo[gh]eðe bute ulde. [&] hele a{}buten vn{}helðe
nis þer so`re´we ne sor. ne neure nan vn{}sealþe
Þer me scal drihte sulf i{}seon. swa he is mid iwisse 375
he one mai [&] scal al beo. engle [&] manne blisse
And ðeh ne beod heore e[gh]e naht. alle iliche brihte
ði nabbed hi nouht iliche. alle of godes lihte
On þisse `liue´ hi neren nout. alle of one mihte
ne þer ne scullen hi habben god. alle bi one [gh]ihte 380
Þo scullen more of him seon. þe luuede him her more
[&] more icnawen [&] iwiten. his mihte [&] his ore
Þar is blisse a{}buten trei[gh]e [&] lif abuten deaðe 375
Þo þe afre sulle wunie þar bliðe hie mu[gh]e ben eaðe.
Þar is [gh]ieuð abuten elde [&] hale abuten unhalðe
Nis þar sare[gh]e ne sor non ne nafre unisalðe.
Þar me drihte self isien swo se is mid iwisse
He one mai [&] sal al ben angles [&] manne blisse. | 380
[&] þeih ne bed here eien naht alle iliche brihte [f. 8v
Hi nabbeð naht iliche muchel alle of godes lihte
On þesse liue he naren naht alle of ore mihte
Ne þar ne sullen habben god. alle bi one wihte.
Þo sullen more of him isien þe luueden hine more 385
[&] more icnowen [&] ec witen his mihte [&] his ore
[Linenote:
381. _bed_, or _beð_: leaf pared away.]
On him hi scullen finden alþat man mai to lesten
hali boc hi sculle i{}seon. al þat hi her nusten
Crist scal one beon inou. alle his durlinges 385
he one is muchele mare [&] betere. þanne alle oþere þinges
Inoh he haued þe hine haueð. þe alle þing wealded
of him to sene nis no sed. wel hem is þe hine bi{}healdeð
God is so mere [&] swa muchel. in his godcunnesse
[þ/] al [þ/] is. [&] al þat wes is wurse. þenne he [&] lesse 390
Ne mai it neure no man oþer segge mid iwisse
hu muchele murhðe habbet þo. þe beod inne godes blisse
[Linenote:
388. _hem_] _e_ above _[i.]_ MS.]
On him hie sulle finden al þat man mai to hleste
On him he sullen ec isien al þat hie ar nesten.
[C]rist sal one bien ino[gh]h alle his derlinges.
[Þ]e one is muche more [&] betere þan alle oðer þinges. 390
[I]noh he haueð þe hine haueð þe alle þing wealdeð
[O]f him to isiene nis non sæd swo fair he is to bihelden
[G]od is swo mere [&] swo muchel in his godcunnesse
[Þ]at al þat elles was [&] is is fele werse [&] lasse.
[Ne] mai hit nafre noman oðer seggen mid iwisse 395
[H]wu muchele murihðe habbeð þo þe beð in godes blisse
[Linenote:
392. After _isiene_, erasure of one letter.]
++To þere blisse us bringe god. þe rixlet abuten ende
þenne he vre soule vn{}bint. of licames bende
Crist [gh]yue us leden her swilc lif. [&] habben her swilc ende 395
þat we moten þuder come. wanne we henne wende. AmeN.
[T]o þare blisse us bringe god þe rixleð a buten ende.
[Þ]ane he ure sowle unbint of lichamliche bende
[C]rist [gh]ieue us laden her swilch lif
[&] habben her swilch ende{;}
[Þ]at we moten þider cumen þane we henne wende. 400
_AMEN._
[Linenote:
397. After _buten_, erasure of one letter.]