[[MS description from Notes volume:
"i. Jesus College, Oxford, E 29 (J); see [VI, Alfred]. ii. Cotton
Caligula A 9, British Museum (C); see XIV, La[gh]amon. They are copies
of a common exemplar X, which was probably taken directly from the
poet's original. X was written by two scribes; the work of the first is
represented in ll. 1-353 of the present selection; that of the second
in ll. 354-437; the former was accustomed to French scribal methods.
The writer of C was a mechanical copyist and not at home in English,
consequently he reproduces X with tolerable accuracy. The scribe of J
was more independent (see [VI, Alfred, second paragraph in the
e-text])."]]
(Jesus College MS.)
(Cotton MS.)
[Transcriber's Note:
The page numbers from the two MSS overlap:
Jesus 229r¹ - 241v²; Cotton 233r¹ - 246r¹.]
+Incip{it} Alt{er}cacio int{er} filomenam [&] Bubonem.+
++Ich wes in one sumere dale. [f. 229r¹
In one swiþe dyele hale.
I herde ich holde grete tale.
An vle and one n[.y]htegale.
Þat playd wes· stif· [&] starc· [&] stro{n}g. 5
Sum hwile softe· [&] lud among.
And eyþer a{}yeyn oþer swal.
And let þat vuele mod vt al.
And eyþer seyde of oþres custe.
þat alre wrste þat hi ywuste. 10
[&] hure [&] hure of oþres songe.
hi holde playding swiþe stronge.
[Linenote:
6. _among_] _o_ corr. out of _g_.]
++Ich was in one sum{er}e dale. [f. 233r¹
In one suþe di[gh]ele hale.
I herde ich holde grete tale.
An hule and one ni[gh]tingale.
Þat plait was stif [&] starc [&] stro{n}g. 5
Sum wile softe [&] lud among.
An a{i}þer a[gh]en oþer sval.
[&] let þat wole mod ut al.
[&] eiþer seide of oþeres custe.
þat alre worste þat hi wuste. 10
[&] hure and hure of oþere[s] songe
Hi holde plaiding suþe stronge.
[Linenotes:
XX. 7. _asþer_. _oþer_ in margin MS. || 10. _al[e.]re_ MS.]
Þe Nihtegale bi gon þo speke.
In one hurne of one beche.
[&] sat vp one vayre bowe. 15
þat were abute blostme ynowe.
In ore vaste thikke hegge.
I meynd myd spire. [&] g{re}ne segge.
He wes þe gladd{re}. vor þe ryse.
[&] song a veole cunne wyse. 20
Bet þuhte þe drem. þat he were.
of harpe· [&] pipe· þan he nere.
Bet þuhte þat heo were i{}shote.
of harpe· [&] pipe· þan of þrote.
++Þe ni[gh]tingale bigon þe speche.
In one hurne of one breche.
[&] sat upone vaire bo[gh]e. 15
þar were abute blosme ino[gh]e.
In ore waste þicke hegge.
Imeind mid spire [&] grene segge.
Ho was þe gladur uor þe rise.
[&] song auele cunne wise. 20
{B}et þu[gh]te þe dreim þat he were.
Of harpe [&] pipe þan he nere.
Bet þu[gh]te þat he were ishote.
Of harpe [&] pipe þan of þrote.
[Linenotes:
21. _Bet_] _Het_ MS. || 23. _is hote_ MS.]
Þo stod on old stok. þar b[.y] side. 25
Þar þe vle song hire tyde.
And wes myd ivi al bi{}growe.
Hit wes þare vle erdingstowe.
[Þ]o stod on old stoc þarbiside. 25
þar þo vle song hire tide.
[&] was mid iui al{}bigrowe.
Hit was þare hule eardingstowe.
Þe Nihtegale hi iseyh.
[&] hi{}biholdeþ. and ouer{}seyh. 30
[&] þuhte wel ful of þare vle.
For me hi halt. lodlich [&] fule. |
vnwyht heo seide a{}wey þu fleo. [f. 229r²
Me is þe wurs. þat ich þe iseo.
Iwis for þine wle lete. 35
wel ofte ich my song fur{}lete
Min heorte atflyhþ· [&] falt my tunge.
hwenne þu art to me i{}þrunge.
Me luste bet speten þane singe.
of þine fule howelynge. 40
[Þ]e ni[gh]tingale hi ise[gh].
[&] hi bihold [&] ouerse[gh]. 30
[&] þu[gh]te wel wl of þare hule.
For me hi halt lodlich [&] fule.
vn wi[gh]t ho sede a{}wei þu flo.
Me is þe wrs þat ich þe so. |
I wis for þine wle lete. [f. 233r² 35
wel oft ich mine song forlete.
Min horte atfliþ [&] falt mi tonge.
wonne þu art to me iþrunge.
Me luste bet speten þane singe.
Of þine fule [gh]o[gh]elinge. 40
Þeos vle abod for hit wes eve.
heo ne myhte no leng bileue.
vor hire heorte wes so gret.
þat wel neyh hire fnast at{}set.
[&] warp a word þar after longe. 45
hw þynk þe nu bi mine songe.
Wenestu þat ich ne kunne singe.
++Þos hule abod fort hit was eve.
Ho ne mi[gh]te no leng bileue.
vor hire horte was so gret.
þat welne[gh] hire fnast at{}schet.
[&] warp a word þar aft{er} longe. 45
Hu þincþe nu bi mine songe.
we[n]st þu þat ich ne cunne singe.
Þe ich ne cunne of wrytelinge.
Ilome þu dest me grome.
[&] seist me boþe teone [&] schome. 50
If ich þe heolde on myne vote.
So hit bitide þat ich mote.
[&] þu were vt of þine ryse.
þu scholdest singe on oþer wise.
þe[gh] ich ne cunne of writelinge.
I{}lome þu dest me g{ra}me
[&] seist me boþe tone [&] schame 50
[Gh]if ich þe holde on mine uote.
So hit bitide þat ich mote.
[&] þu were vt of þine rise.
þu sholdest singe an oþer w[i]se.
Þe Nihtegale [gh]af onsware. 55
If ich me loki wiþ þe bare.
[&] me schilde wit þe blete.
Ne recche ich nouht of þine þrete.
If ich me holde i{n} myne hegge
Ne recche ich neuer hwat þu segge. 60
Ich wot þat þu art vnmilde.
wiþ heom þat ne muwe fro{m} þe schilde.
++Þe ni[gh]tingale [gh]af answare. 55
[gh]if ich me loki wit þe bare.
[&] me schilde wit þe blete.
Ne reche ich no[gh]t of þine þrete.
[gh]if ich me holde in mine hegge.
Ne recche ich neu{er} what þu segge. 60
Ich wot þat þu art un{}milde.
Wiþ hom þat ne mu[gh]e fro{m} {þ}e schilde.
[Linenote:
62. _þe_] _se_ MS.]
And þu tukest wroþe [&] vuele
Hwar þu myht ouer smale vowele. |
vor{}þi þu art loþ al fowel cunne. [f. 229v¹ 65
[&] alle heo þe dryueþ heonne.
[&] þe bi{}scrycheþ. [&] bi{}gredeþ
[&] wel narewe þe by{}ledeþ.
[&] ek forþe þe sulue mose
hire þonkes wolde þe to{}tose. 70
[&] þu tukest wroþe [&] vuele.
Whar þu mi[gh]t over smale fu[gh]ele.
Vorþi þu art loþ al fuel{}kunne. 65
[&] alle ho þe driueþ honne.
[&] þe bi{}schricheþ [&] bi{}gredet.
[&] wel narewe þe bi{}ledet. |
[&] ek forþe þe sulue mose. [f. 233v¹
Hire þonkes wolde þe totose. 70
þu art lodlich to bi{}holde.
And þu art loþ i{n} monye volde.
þi bodi is scort. þi swere is smal.
Gretture is þin heued ne þu al.
þin éyen beoþ col{}blake [&] brode. 75
Ryht so hi were{n} ipeynt myd wod{e}
þu starest so þu wille abyten
Al þat þu myht myd clyure smyte{n}
þi bile is stif· [&] sarp· [&] hoked.
Riht as on ewel þat is croked. 80
þar myd þu clechest eu{er} amo{n}g.
And þat is on of þine song.
[Linenote:
75. _en ... brode_ on an erasure.]
Þu art lodlich to biholde.
[&] þu art loþ in monie volde.
þi bodi is short þi swore is. smal.
Grett{er}e is þin heued þan þu al.
þin e[gh]ene boþ colblake [&] brode. 75
Ri[gh]t swo ho were{n} ipei{n}t mid wode.
þu starest so þu wille abiten.
Al þat þu mist mid cliure smiten.
þi bile is stif [&] scharp [&] hoked.
Ri[gh]t so an owel þat is croked. 80
þar{}mid þu clackes oft`e´ [&] longe.
[&] þat is on of þine songe.
Ac þu þretest to myne vleysse.
Mid þine cleures woldest me meysse.
þe were i{}cundere to one frogge. 85
þat sit at Mulne vnder cogge.
Snayles. Mus. and fule wihte.
Beoþ þine cunde [&] þine rihte.
Þu sittest a day and flyhst a niht.
þu cuþest þat þu art on vnwiht. 90
þu art lodlich· and unclene.
Bi þine neste· ich hit mene.
And ek bi þine fule brode.
Þu vedest on heo{m} a wel ful vode.
. . . . . . .
[Linenote:
91. _[&] and_ MS.]
Ac þu þretest to mine fleshe.
Mid þine cliures woldest me meshe.
þe were icundur to one frogge. 85
[Þat sit at mulne under cogge.]
Snailes, mus [&] fule wi[gh]te.
Boþ þine cunde [&] þine ri[gh]te.
þu sittest adai and fli[gh][s]t ani[gh]t.
þu cuþest þat þu art on unwi[gh]t. 90
þu art lodlich [&] unclene.
Bi þine neste ich hit mene.
[&] ek bi þine fule brode.
þu fedest on hom a wel ful fode.
. . . . . .
[Linenotes:
86. Line omitted in MS. but there is a mark on margin.
89. _fli[gh]st_] _i[gh]_ corr. out of _u_.]
++Þeos word ayaf þe nihtegale. [f. 230r¹ 95
And after þare longe tale.
Heo song so lude. [&] so scharpe.
Ryht so me g{ru}lde. schille harpe.
þeos vle luste þiderward.
[&] heold hire eyen neþerward. 100
[&] sat to{}swolle [&] to bolewe.
so heo hedde one frogge i`s´wolwe.
For heo wel wiste. [&] was i{}war.
þat heo song hire a bysemar
[&] naþeles heo yaf ondsware. 105
hwy nel{}tu fleon i{n}to bare.
And schewi hweþer vnker beo.
of briht{er} hewe. of fayrur bleo.
[[The "e" in "Þeos" was subscripted in two different printings.
The subscript is not explained in the Notes.]]
++Þos word a [gh]af þe ni[gh]tingale. 234r¹ 95
[&] aft{er} þare longe tale.
He song so lude [&] so scharpe.
Ri[gh]t so me grulde schille harpe.
þos hule luste þiderward.
[&] hold hire e[gh]e noþerwa[r]d. 100
[&] sat to svolle [&] ibolwe.
also ho hadde one frogge isuol[gh]e.
for ho wel wiste [&] was i{}war.
þat ho song hire a bisemar.
[&] noþeles ho [gh]af andsuare. 105
whi nel{}tu flon in{}to þe bare.
[&] sewi þare unk{er} bo.
Of bri[gh]t{er} howe of uairur blo.
[Linenote:
105. _[gh]as_ corr. in margin to _[gh]af_.]
No. þu hauest scharpe clawe.
Ne kepe ich noht þat þu me clawe. 110
þu hauest clyures swiþe stro{n}ge.
þu twengest þar mid so doþ a tonge.
þu þoutest so doþ þine ilyche.
Mid fayre worde me biswike.
No þu hauest wel scharpe clawe.
Ne kepich no[gh]t þat þu me clawe. 110
þu hauest cliuers su{}þe stronge.
þu tuengst þar{}mid so doþ a tonge.
þu þo[gh]test so doþ þin ilike.
Mid faire worde me bi{}swike.
Ich nolde don þat þu me raddest. 115
Ich wiste wel þat þu me misraddest.
schomye þe vor þine vnrede.
vn{}wryen is þi swikehede.
schild þi swikedo{m} fro{m} þe lyhte.
And hud þat wowe a{}mo{n}g þe ryhte. 120
hwanne þu wilt þu vnriht spene.
Loke þat hit ne beo isene. |
vor swikedom haueþ schome and het [f. 230r²
If hit is ope. and vnder yete.
Ich nolde don þa`t´ þu me raddest. 115
Ich wiste wel þat þu me mis{}raddest.
Schamie þe for þin unrede.
vn{}wro[gh]en is þi svikelhede.
Schild þine svikeldom vram þe li[gh]te.
[&] hud þat wo[gh]e amon[gh] þe ri[gh]te. 120
þane þu wilt þin unri[gh]t spene.
Loke þat hit ne bo i{}sene.
vor svikedom haued schome [&] hete.
[gh]if hit is ope [&] under [gh]ete.
[Linenote:
115. _þat_] _t_ added by a second hand.]
Ne spedestu nouht mid þin vn{}wrenche 125
For ich am war. and can blenche.
Ne helpeþ noht· þat þu bo· to þriste.
Ich wolde vyhte bet myd liste.
þan þu mid al þine strengþe.
Ich habbe on brede· [&] ek on lengþe. 130
Castel god on myne ryse.
wel fyht þat wel flyhþ. seyþ þe wise.
Ac lete awey þeos cheste.
For suche wordes beoþ vnwreste.
Ne speddestu no[gh]t mid þine unwrenche. 125
for icham war [&] can wel blenche.
Ne helpþ no[gh]t þat þu bo to {þ}riste. |
Ich wolde vi[gh]te bet mid liste. [f. 234r²
þan þu mid all þine strengþe.
Ich abbe on brede [&] eck on lengþe. 130
Castel god on mine rise.
wel fi[gh]t þat wel fli[gh]t seiþ þe wise.
ac lete we a{}wei þos cheste.
vor suiche wordes boþ unwerste.
[Linenotes:
127. _þriste_] _wriste_ MS. || 130. _eck_ corr. out of
_ech_ MS.]
And fo we on· myd rihte dome. 135
Mid fayre worde. [&] myd some.
þeyh we ne beon at on acorde.
we mawe bet myd fayre worde.
wiþ{}vte cheste· and bute vyhte.
Playde mid soþe. [&] mid ryhte. 140
[&] may vr eyþer hwat he wile.
Mid rihte segge. [&] myd skile.
[&] fo we on mid ri[gh]te dome. 135
Mid faire worde [&] mid wsome.
þe[gh] we ne bo at one acorde.
we mu[gh]e bet mid fawre worde.
wit{}ute cheste [&] bute fi[gh]te.
Plaidi mid fo[gh]e [&] mid ri[gh]te. 140
[&] mai hure eiþer wat h{e} wile.
Mid ri[gh]te segge [&] mid sckile.
[Linenote:
141. _he_] _hi_ MS.]
++Þo qwaþ þe vle. hwo schal vs seme.
þat cunne [&] wille riht vs deme.
Ich wot wel quaþ þe nyhtegale. 145
Ne þarf þer of beo no tale.
Mayster Nichol· of guldeuorde.
he is wis· and war· of worde.
++Þo quaþ þe hule {wo} schal us seme.
þat kunne [&] wille ri[gh]t us deme.
Ich wot wel quaþ þe ni[gh]tingale. 145
Ne þaref þar of bo no tale.
Maist{er} nichole of guldeforde.
He is wis an war of worde.
he is of worde swyþe glev.
And him is loþ eurich vnþeu. 150
he wot insyht i{n} euche songe.
hwo singeþ wel. hwo singeþ wronge.
And he con schede from þe rihte.
Þat wowe. þat þuster fro{m} þe lyhte.
He is of dome suþe gleu.
[&] him is loþ eurich unþeu. 150
He wot in{}si[gh]t in eche songe.
wo singet wel wo singet wronge.
[&] he can schede vrom þe ri[gh]te.
þat wo[gh]e þat þust{er} from þe li[gh]te.
[Linenote:
143. _wo_] _þu_ MS.]
++Þe vle. one hwile hi bihouhte. 155
And after þan þis word up brouhte. |
Ich graunti wel þa`t´ he vs d{e}me. [f. 230v¹
For þeyh he were hwile breme.
[&] leof him wre Nihtingale.
And oþer wyhte gent [&] smale. 160
Ich wot. he is nu þe acoled.
Nis he vor þe nouht afoled.
++Þo hule one wile hi bi{}þo[gh]te. 155
[&] aft{er} þan þis word up bro[gh]te.
Ich granti wel þat he us deme.
vor þe[gh] he were wile breme.
[&] lof him were ni[gh]tingale.
[&] oþer wi[gh]te gente [&] smale. 160
Ich wot he is nu suþe acoled. |
Nis he vor þe no[gh]t afoled. [f. 234v¹
þat he vor þine olde luue.
Me a dun legge [&] þe a buue.
N[e] schaltu. neuer so him queme. 165
þat he vor þe fals dom deme.
he is nv ripe. [&] fast rede.
Ne luste hym nv to non vnred{e}.
Nv him ne lust namore pleye
he wile gon a rihte weye. 170
þat he for þine olde lo`u´ue.
Me adun legge [&] þe buue.
Ne schaltu neure so him queme. 165
þat he forþe fals dom deme.
He is him ripe [&] fastrede.
Ne lust him nu to none unrede.
Nu him ne lust na more pleie.
He wile gon a ri[gh]te weie. 170
[Linenote:
167. A mark in margin apparently calling attention to
_him_, MS.]
++Þe nihtegale· wes al ware.
heo hedde ileorned· wel ihware.
vle heo seyde seye me soþ.
hwi dostu þat vnwihtes doþ.
þu singest a nyht [&] nouht a{}day. 175
And al þi song is way{}laway.
þu miht mid þine songe afere.
Alle þat hereþ þine ibere.
++Þe ni[gh]tingale was al [gh]are.
Ho hadde ilorned wel aiware.
Hule ho sede seie me soþ.
wi dostu þat un{}wi[gh]tis doþ.
þu singist ani[gh]t [&] no[gh]t adai. 175
[&] al þi song is wailawai.
þu mi[gh]t mid þine songe afere.
alle þat ihereþ þine ibere.
Þ[u] scrichest [&] yollest to þine fere
þat hit is gryslich to ihere. 180
hit þincheþ boþe wise [&] snepe.
Nouht þat þu singe. at þu wepe.
þu flyhst a nyht and noht a day.
þar of ich wundri [&] wel may.
For vych þing þat schonyeþ riht. 185
hit luuyeþ þust{er} [&] hateþ lyht.
[&] euych þing. þat luueþ misded{e}.
hi luueþ þust{er} to his dede.
. . . . . .
[Linenote:
188. _hi_ corr. out of _his_ MS.]
þu schirchest [&] [gh]ollest to þine fere.
þat hit is grislich to ihere. 180
Hit þinchest boþe wise [&] snepe.
No[gh]t þat þu singe ac þat þu wepe.
þu fli[gh]st a{}ni[gh]t [&] no[gh]t adai.
þar{}of ich wndri [&] wel mai.
vor eurich þing þat schuniet ri[gh]t. 185
Hit luueþ þust{er} [&] hatiet li[gh]t.
[&] eurich þing þat is lof misdede.
Hit luueþ þust{er} to his dede.
. . . . . .
++Þeos vle luste swiþe longe. [f. 230v²
[&] wes of{}teoned swiþe stronge. 190
heo quaþ þu hattest Nihtegale.
þu mihtest bet hote galegale.
vor þu hauest to monye tale.
let þine tunge habbe spale.
þu wenest þat þes day beo þin owe. 195
let me nv habbe myne þrowe.
Beo nv stille [&] let me speke.
Ich wile beo of þe a wreke.
[&] lust hw ich con me bi{}telle.
Mid rihte soþe wiþ{}vte spelle. 200
++Þos hule luste suþe longe. [f. 234v²
[&] was of{}toned suþ`e´ stronge. 190
quaþ Ho þu `h´attest ni[gh]tingale.
Þu mi[gh]test bet hoten galegale.
Vor þu hauest to monie tale.
Lat þine tunge habbe spale.
þu wenest þat þes dai bo þino[gh]e. 195
Lat me nu habbe mine þro[gh]e.
Bo nu stille [&] lat me speke.
Ich wille bon of þe awreke.
[&] lust hu ich con me bitelle.
Mid ri[gh]te soþe wit{}ute spelle. 200
[Linenote:
191. _Ho quaþ_ with marks of inversion MS.]
þu seyst þat ich me hude a{}day
þar to ne segge ich nyk no nay
[&] lust ich telle hwer{}vore
Al hwi hit is [&] hware{}vore. |
Ich habbe bile stif [&] strong{e}. [f. 231r¹ 205
[&] gode cleures scharp [&] longe.
So hit bycumeþ to hauekes cunne.
hit is myn hyhte· [&] my ynne.
þat ich me drawe to mine cund{e}.
Ne may me no mo{n} þar{}for send{e}. 210
þu seist þat ich me hude adai.
þar{}to ne segge ich nich ne nai.
[&] lust ich telle þe wareuore.
al wi hit is [&] wareuore.
Ich habbe bile stif [&] stronge. 205
[&] gode cliuers scharp [&] longe.
So hit bi{}cumeþ to hauekes cunne.
Hit is min hi[gh]te hit is mi wune.
þat ich me dra[gh]e to mine cunde. |
Ne mai noman þareuore schende. [f. 235r¹ 210
on me hit is wel i sene.
For rihte cunde ich am so kene.
vor þi ich am loþ smale vowele.
Þat fleoþ bi g{ru}nde [&] bi þuuele.
hi me bichirmeþ [&] bi{}gredeþ. 215
[&] heore flockes to me ledeþ.
Me is leof to habbe reste.
And sitte stille in myne neste.
. . . . . .
On me hit is wel isene.
vor ri[gh]te cunde ich am so kene.
vor{}þi ich am loþ smale fo[gh]le.
þat floþ bi grunde an bi þuuele.
Hi me bichermet [&] bigredeþ. 215
[&] hore flockes to `m´e ledeþ.
Me is lof to habbe reste.
[&] sitte stille in mine neste.
. . . . . .
[Linenote:
216. _me_] _[n..]e_ with _i_ added above: _me_ in margin.]
wenestu þat hauek beo þe wrse. [f. 231r²
Þe crowe bi{}grede him bi þe m{er}sche. 220
[&] goþ to him myd heore chyrme.
Riht so hi wille. wiþ hi{m} schirme.
þe hauek foleweþ gode rede.
He flyhþ his wey [&] let hi grede.
wenestu þat haueck bo þe worse.
þo[gh] crowe bi{}grede him bi þe m{er}she. 220
[&] goþ to him mid hore chirme.
Ri[gh]t so hi wille wit him schirme.
þe hauec fol[gh]eþ gode rede. |
[&] fli[gh]t his wei [&] lat he{m} grede. [f. 235r²
[Linenotes:
223. _[f.][l.] fol[gh]eþ_ MS. || 224. _hem_ corr. out of _hi_
MS.]
++Þet þu me seyst of oþer þinge. 225
[&] tellest þat ich ne can nouht singe.
Ac al my reorde is wonyng.
And to ihere gryslych þing.
þat nis nouht soþ. ich singe efne.
Mid fulle dreme· [&] lude stefne. 230
þu wenest þat eoch song beo g{ri}slich.
þat þine pipinge nis ilich.
++[Gh]et þu me seist of oþ{er} þinge. 225
[&] telst þat ich ne can no[gh]t singe
Ac al mi rorde is woning
[&] to `i´hire grislich þing
þat nis no[gh]t soþ ich singe efne.
Mid fulle dreme [&] lude stefne. 230
þu wenist þat ech song bo grislich.
þat þine pipinge nis ilich.
Mi stefne is bold· [&] nouht vnorne.
heo is ilich one grete horne.
[&] þin is iliche one pype. 235
of one smale weode vnripe.
Ich [singe] bet þan þu dest.
Þu chaterest so doþ on yris p{re}st.
Mi stefne is bold [&] no[gh]t un{}orne.
ho is ilich one grete horne.
[&] þin is ilich one pipe. 235
Of one smale w`e´ode un{}ripe.
Ich singe bet þan þu dest.
Þu chat{er}est so doþ on irish pr`e´ost.
[Linenotes:
233. MS. _blod_ corr. in margin to _bold_. || 236. _woede_
_e_ added by corrector MS.]
Ich singe an efne. a{}ryhte time.
[&] seþþe hwenne hit is bedtime. 240
þe þridde syþe a middel{}nyhte.
[&] so ich myne songe a{}dihte.
hwenne ich iseo arise veorre
oþer day{}rewe· oþer day{}steorre.
Ic do god myd myne þrote. 245
And warny men to heore note.
Ac þu singest alle longe nyht.
From eue þat hit is day{}liht.
Ich singe an eue ari[gh]te time
[&] soþþe won hit is bedtime. 240
þe þridde siþe ad middelni[gh]te.
[&] so ich mine song adi[gh]te.
wone ich i{}so arise vorre.
Oþer dairim oþer daisterre.
Ich do god mid mine þrote. 245
[&] warni men to hore note.
Ac þu singest alle longe ni[gh]t.
From eue fort hit is daili[gh]t.
[Linenote:
247. _allelonge_ MS.]
[&] euer lesteþ þin o song,
so longe so þe nyht is long. 250
[&] eu{er} croweþ þi wrecche crey.
Þat he ne swikeþ nyht ne day. |
Mid þine pipinge þu adunest. [f. 231v¹
þas mo{n}nes eren. þar þu wunest.
[&] makest þi song, so vnwiht. 255
þat me ne telleþ. of þe nowiht.
[&] eure seist þin o song.
So longe so þe ni[gh]t is long. 250
[&] eure croweþ þi wrecche crei.
þat he ne swikeþ ni[gh]t ne dai.
Mid þine pipinge þu a{}dunest.
þas monnes earen þar þu wunest.
[&] makest þine song so unwrþ. 255
þa`t´ me ne telþ of þar no[gh]t wrþ.
Eurych mureþe may so lo{n}ge leste.
þat heo schal liki wel vnwreste.
for harpe. [&] pipe. [&] foweles song.
Mislikeþ. if hit is to long. 260
Ne beo þe song ne so murie.
þat he ne sal þinche vnmurie.
If he i{}lesteþ ouer vnwille.
So þu myht þi song aspille.
for hit is soþ Alured hit seyde. 265
[&] me hit. may i{n} boke rede.
Eurich þing may lesen his godhed{e}.
Mid vnmeþe and ouerdede.
. . . . . .
+E+urich mur[gh]þe mai so longe ileste.
þat ho shal liki wel unwreste. [f. 235v¹
vor harpe [&] pipe [&] fu[gh]eles songe.
Mislikeþ [gh]if hit is to long. 260
Ne bo þe song neu{er} so murie.
þat he ne shal þinche wel unmurie.
[gh]ef he ilesteþ ouer unwille.
So þu mi[gh]t þine song aspille.
vor hit is soþ alured hit seide. 265
[&] me hit mai ine boke rede.
Eurich þing mai losen his godhede
Mid unmeþe [&] mid ouerdede.
. . . . . .
[Linenote:
265. _sei[d.]de_ MS.]
++Þe nyhtegale i{n} hire þouhte. [f. 231v²
At{}heold al þis. [&] longe þouhte. 270
hwat heo þar after myhte segge,
vor heo ne myhte noht a{}legge.
þat þe vle hedde hire i{}seyd.
vor ho spak boþe riht [&] red.
[&] hire of þuhte þat heo hadde. 275
þe speche so feor{}uorþ iladde.
[&] wes aferd þat hire answare
Ne wrþe nouht a riht ivare.
++Þe ni[gh]tingale in hire þo[gh]te. [f. 235v²
Athold al þis [&] longe þo[gh]te. 270
wat ho þar{e} aft{er} mi[gh]te segge.
vor ho ne mi[gh]te no[gh]t alegge.
þat þe hule hadde hire ised.
vor he spac boþe ri[gh]t an red.
An hire ofþu[gh]te þat ho hadde. 275
þe speche so foruorþ iladde.
An was oferd þat hire answare.
Ne wrþe no[gh]t ari[gh]t i{}fare.
[Linenote:
270. _alþis_ MS.]
Ac noþeles heo spak boldeliche
vor heo is wis þat hardeliche. 280
wiþ his fo berþ grete ilete.
{þ}at he for arehþe hit ne for{}lete.
vor suych worþ bold if þu flyhst.
þa`t´ wile fleo if þu swykst. |
If he isihþ þat þu {n}art areh. [f. 232r¹ 285
he wile of bore wurche bareh.
[&] for þi· þey `þe´ nyhtegale.
Were a{}ferd· heo spak bolde tale.
[Linenotes:
282. _þat_] _hwat_ MS. || 285. _art_ MS. || 287. _þe_ added
in margin.]
Ac noþeles he spac boldeliche.
vor he is wis þat hardeliche. 280
wiþ is uo berþ grete ilete.
þat he uor are[gh]þe hit ne forlete.
vor suich worþ bold [gh]if þu fli[gh]ste.
þat wle flo [gh]if þu svicst.
[Gh]if he isiþ þat þu nart are[gh]. 285
He wile of bore wrchen bare[gh].
[&] forþi þe[gh] þe ni[gh]tingale. |
were aferd ho spac bolde tale [f. 236r¹
[Linenotes:
284. _[i.][s.]vicst_ MS. || 286. _bare[gh]_] _a_ corr. out of
_r_ MS.]
++Hvle heo seyde· hwi dostu so.
þu singest a wynter wolawo. 290
þu singest so doþ hen a{}snowe.
Al þat heo singeþ hit is for wowe.
A wint{er} þu singest wroþe [&] yom{er}e.
[&] eu{er} þu art. dumb a sumere.
hit is for þine fule nyþe 295
þat þu ne myht. myd vs be bliþe.
vor þu forbernest· neyh for onde.
hwenne vre blisse cumeþ to lond{e}.
[Linenote:
289. Þule]
++Hule ho seide wi dostu so.
þu singest awint{er} wolawo. 290
þu singest so doþ hen asnowe.
Al þat ho singeþ hit is for wowe.
A wint{er}e þu singest wroþe and [gh]om{er}e.
An`d´ eure þu art dumb a{}sum{er}e.
Hit is for þine fule niþe. 295
þat þu ne mi[gh]t mid us be bliþe.
vor þu forbernest welne[gh] for onde,
wane ure blisse cumeþ to londe.
[Linenotes:
289. _Þule_ MS. || 297. _foronde_ MS.]
þu farest so doþ þe ille.
Euer{}ich blisse him is vnwille. 300
Grucching· [&]· luryng. hi{m} beoþ rade.
If he iseoþ. þat men beoþ glade.
he wolde þat he iseye.
Teres i{n} eu{er}iche monnes eye.
Ne roughte þe. þeyh flockes were. 305
Imeynd bi toppes· [&] bi here.
þu farest so doþ þe ille.
Evrich blisse him is un{}wille. 300
Grucching [&] luring him boþ rade.
[Gh]if he isoþ þat men boþ glade.
he wolde þat he ise[gh]e.
Teres in evrich monnes e[gh]e.
Ne ro[gh]te he þe[gh] flockes were. 305
Imeind bi toppes [&] bi here.
Al{}so þu dost on þire syde.
For hwanne snouh liþ þikke [&] wid{e}.
[&] alle wihtes habbeþ sorewe.
þu singest from eue to amorewe. 310
Ac ich mid me alle blisse bringe.
Ech wiht is glad· for myne þinge.
[&] blesseþ hit· hwenne ich cume.
[&] hihteþ a{}yeyn myne cume.
þe blostme. gynneþ sp{ri}nge [&] sp{re}d{e}. 315
Boþe i{n} treo [&] ek in mede.
Al{}so þu dost on þire side.
vor wanne snov liþ þicke [&] wide.
an`d´ alle wi[gh]tes habbeþ sor[gh]e.
þu singest from eue fort amor[gh]e. 310
Ac ich alle blisse mid me bringe.
Ech wi[gh]t is glad for mine þinge.
[&] blisseþ hit wanne ich cume.
[&] hi[gh]teþ a[gh]en mine kume.
þe blostme ginneþ sp{ri}nge [&] sp{re}de 315
Boþe ine tro [&] ek on mede.
[Linenote:
315. _þe blostme_ on an erasure MS.]
þe lilie myd hire fayre wlite.
welcomeþ me þeyh þu hit wite.
Bid me myd hire fayre bleo. |
þat ich schulle to hire fleo. [f. 232r² 320
þe rose also myd hire rude.
þat cumeþ of þe þorne wode.
Bit me þat ich schulle singe.
For hire luue one skentynge.
. . . . . .
þe lilie mid hire faire wlite.
Wolcumeþ me þat þu hit wte.
Bit me mid hire faire blo.
Þat ich shulle to hire flo. 320
þe rose al{}so mid hire rude. |
þat cumeþ ut of þe þorne wode. [f. 236r²
Bit me þat ich shulle singe
vor hire luue one skentinge.
. . . . . .
[Linenotes:
319. _Bit_] _t_ corr. out of _d_ MS. || 324. _[o.][n.][e.]_
_one_ MS.]
[V]le þu axest me heo seyde. [f. 234r¹ 325
[I]f ich con eny oþer dede.
Bute syngen in sume tyde.
[&] bringe blisse veor [&] wyde.
hwy axestu of craftes myne.
Beter is myn on þan alle þine. 330
Bet{er} is o song of myne muþe.
þan al þat þi kun kuþe.
++Hule þu axest me ho seide. 325
[gh]if ich kon eni oþer dede.
Bute singen in sume tide.
an bringe blisse for [&] wide.
wi axestu of craftes mine.
Betere is min on þan alle þine. 330
Bet{er}e is o song of mine muþe.
þan al þat eure þi kun kuþe.
[Linenote:
325. _Hule_] _Nule_ MS.]
[&] lust. ich telle þe hwar{}vore.
wostu to hwan· mon wes ibore.
To þare blisse of heueryche. | 335
þar eu{er} is song. [&] Murehþe ilyche. [f. 234r²
þider fundeþ euer ich man.
þat eny þing of gode can.
for þi me syngþ i{n} holy chireche.
[&] clerekes gynneþ songes wrche. 340
þat mon yþenche. bi þe songe.
hwider he shal. [&] þar beon longe.
An lust ich telle þe wareuore. |
wostu to wan man was ibore. [f. 238r²
To þare blisse of houene{}riche. 335
þar eu{er} is song [&] mur[gh]þe iliche.
þid{er} fundeþ eurich man.
þat eniþing of gode kan.
vor þi me singþ in holi chirche.
an clerkes ginneþ songes wirche. 340
þat man iþenche biþe songe.
wid{er} he shal [&] þar bon longe.
þat he þe murehþe ne vor{}yete.
Ac þar of þenche. [&] bi{}gete.
[&] nyme yeme of chirche stefne. 345
hw Murie is þe blisse of heuene.
Clerekes· Munekes· [&] canúnes.
þar beoþ þos gode wike{}tunes.
Ariseþ vp to middel{}nyhte.
[&] singeþ of þon heuene{}lyhte. 350
[&] preostes vpe londe singeþ.
[Hwenne þe liht of daye springeþ.]
[&] ich heom helpe hwat ic may.
. . . . . .
[Linenotes:
344. _bi gete_] _bi gethe_ MS. || 352. Wanting in MS.]
þat he þe mur[gh]þe ne uor[gh]ete.
Ac þar of þenche and bi{}[gh]ete.
An nime [gh]eme of chirche steuene. 345
Hu murie is þe blisse of houene.
Clerkes munekes [&] kanunes.
þar boþ þos gode wicke tunes.
Ariseþ up to midel{}ni[gh]te.
An singeþ of þe houene li[gh]te. 350
An prostes upe londe singeþ.
wane þe li[gh]t of daie springeþ.
An ich hom helpe wat i mai.
. . . . . .
++Þe Nihtegale myd sweche worde. [f. 241r²
for monymo{n} myd speres orde. 355
haueþ lutle strengþe. [&] mid his schelde.
Ah naþeles in one felde.
þurh belde worde [&] myd ilete.
Deþ his iuo· for arehþe swete.
þe wrenne for heo cuþe singe. 360
þar com i{n} þare moreweninge.
To helpe þare nyhtegale.
vor heo hadde stefne smale.
++Þe ni[gh]tegale mid swucche worde. [f. 245v¹
for moniman mid speres orde. 355
haueþ lutle strencþe [&] mid his [s]chelde.
Ah neoþeles in one felde.
Þ{urh} belde worde an mid ilete.
Deþ his iuo for arehþe swete.
þe wranne for heo cuþe singe. 360
þar com in þare more[gh]e{n}[i]nge.
To helpe þare ni[gh]tegale.
For þah heo hadde steuene smale.
[Linenote:
361. _more [gh]eunge_ MS.]
heo hadde gode þrote [&] schille.
[&] fale mo{n}ne song a wille. 365
þe wrenne· wes wel wis iholde.
vor þeih heo nere ibred a wolde.
heo wes itowen. am{on}g mankunne
[&] hire wisdo{m} brouhte þenne.
heo myhte speke hwar heo wolde. 370
To{}fore þe kinge· þah heo scholde.
lusteþ· heo queþ· leteþ me speke.
hwat wille ye. þis pays to breke.
Heo hadde gode þrote [&] schille.
An fale manne song awille. 365
þe wranne was wel wis iholde.
`Vor þeg heo nere ibred awolde.´
Ho was ito[gh]en among menne.
An hire wisdom brohte þenne.
Heo mi[gh]te speke hwar heo walde. 370
To{}uore þe king þah heo scholde.
Lusteþ heo cwaþ lateþ me speke.
Hwat wulle [gh]e þis pes to{}breke.
[Linenotes:
364. _þorte_ MS. || 367. This line comes after l. 378
in MS. || 368. _menne_] _mann[-e]ne_ MS.]
[&] do þan [kinge] such schome.
yet nys heo nouþer ded ne lome. 375
hunke schal i{}tyde harm [&] schonde.
If we doþ gryþ{}bruche on his lond{e}.
Leteþ beo and beoþ isome.
[&] fareþ riht to eure dome.
[&] leteþ do{m} þis playd to breke. 380
Al{}so hit wes erure bi{}speke.
[Linenote:
374. _þan kinge_] _þanne_ MS.]
An do þan [kinge] swuch schame.
[Gh]e[t] nis he nouþer ded ne lame. 375
Hunke schal i{}tide harm [&] scho{n}de.
[Gh]ef [gh]e doþ griþ{}bruche on his londe.
Lateþ beo [&] beoþ isome. |
An fareþ riht to ower dome. [f. 245v²
An lateþ dom þis plaid to breke. 380
Al swo hit was erur bispeke.
[Linenote:
374. _þan kinge_] _þanne_ MS.]
+I+ch vnne wel queþ þe Nihtegale.
Ah wrenne· nouht for þine tale.
Ac do for myre lauhfulnesse.
Ic nolde þat vnrihtfulnesse. 385
Me at þen ende· me ouercome.
Ic nam of dred. of none dome.
Bi{}hote ic habbe· soþ hit is.
þat ma[.y]ster Nichole. [þ/] is wis.
Bi{}twihen eu deme schulle. 390
[&] yet ic wene þat he wulle. |
++Ich an wel cwað þe ni[gh]tegale.
Ah wranne nawt for þire tale.
Ah do for mire lahfulnesse.
Ich nolde [þ/] unriht{}fulnesse. 385
Me at þen ende ouer{}kome.
Ich nam of{}drad of none dome.
Bi{}hote ich habbe soþ hit is.
þat maister nichole [þ/] is wis.
Bi{}tuxen vs deme schulde. 390
An [gh]ef ich wene [þ/] he wule.
Ah {w}ar myhte we hine fynde. [f. 241v¹
þe wrenne sat in hore lynde.
hwat mihte yet quaþ heo his hom.
heo wuneþ at portes{}hom. 395
At one tune in dorsete.
Bi þare séé in ore vt{}lete.
þar he demeþ mony riht dom.
[&] diht [&] wryt mony wisdom.
[&] þurh his muþe. [&] þurh his honde. 400
hit is þe betere in{}to scotlonde.
Ah war mihte we hine finde.
þe wranne sat in ore linde.
Hwat nu[gh]te [gh]e cwaþ heo his hom.
He wuneþ at portes{}hom. 395
At one tune ine dorsete.
Bi þar{e} see in ore ut{}lete.
þar he demeþ manie ri[gh]te dom.
An diht [&] writ mani wisdom.
An þ{urh} his muþe [&] þ{urh} his honde. 400
Hit is þe betere into scot{}londe.
To seche hyne. is lyhtlych þing.
he naueþ buten o wunyng.
[þ/] is biscopen muchel schame.
[&] alle þan [þ/] of his nome. 405
habbeþ iherd. [&] of his dede.
hwi nulleþ hi nyme{n} heo{m} to rede.
[þ/] he were myd heom ilome.
vor teche heo{m} of his wisdome.
[&] yeue him rente on vale stude. 410
[þ/] he myhte ilome heo{m} beo myde.
[Linenotes:
392. _war_] _þar_ MS. || 394. _[l.]yet_ MS.]
To seche hine is lihtlich þing.
He naueþ bute one woning.
[þ/] his bischopen muchel schame.
An alle þan [þ/] of his nome. 405
Habbeþ ihert. [&] of his dede.
Hwi nulleþ hi nimen heo{m} to rede.
[þ/] he were mid heom ilome.
for teche heom of his wis{}dome.
An [gh]iue him rente auale stude. 410
[þ/] he mi[gh]te heom ilome be mide.
[Linenote:
409. _t[h.]eche_ MS.]
+C+ertes quaþ þe vle. þat is soþ.
þeos riche men· Muchele mys{}doþ.
þat leteþ þane gode man.
þat of so fele þinge can. 415
[&] yeueþ rente wel mislyche.
[&] of him leteþ wel lyhtliche.
wiþ heore kunne heo beoþ Mildre.
[&] yeueþ rente lutle childre.
so heore wit hi demeþ adwole. 420
[þ/] eu{er} abit Mayster Nichole.
Ah vte we þah· to him fare,
vor þat is vnk{er} dom al yare
+C+ertes cwaþ þe hule [þ/] is soð. |
þeos riche men wel muche misdoð. [f. 246v¹
[þ/] leteþ þane godemon.
[þ/] of so feole þinge con. 415
An [gh]iueþ rente wel misliche.
An of him leteþ wel lihtliche.
wið heore cunne heo beoþ mildre.
An [gh]eueþ rente litle childre.
swo heore wit hi demþ adwole. 420
[þ/] euer abid maistre nichole.
Ah ute we þah to him fare.
For þar is unker dom al [gh]are.
[Linenote:
413. _misdoð_] _ð_ corr. out of some other letter.]
+D+o we þe Nihtegale seyde.
Ah hwo schal vnk{er} speche rede. 425
[&] telle to{}vore vnker dome.
+D+o we þe ni[gh]tegale seide.
ah wa schal unker speche rede. 425
An telle to{}uore unker deme.
þar of ic schal þe wel iqueme
Queþ þe vle. for al ende of orde. |
Telle ic con. word after worde. [f. 241v²
[&] if þe þinkþ þat ic mis{}rempe. 430
þu stond ayeyn and do me crempe.
Mid þisse worde forþ hi ferden.
Al bute here and bute verde.
To portes ham. þer hi bicome.
Ah hw heo spedde of heore dome. 435
Ne can ic eu namore telle.
her nys namore of þisse spelle.
Explicit.
[Linenote:
435. _hw heo sp_ on an erasure.]
++Þar{}of ich schal þe wel icweme.
Cwaþ þe houle for al ende of orde.
Telle ich con word after worde.
An [gh]ef þe þincþ [þ/] ich mis{}rempe. 430
þu stond a[gh]ei{n} [&] do me crempe.
Mid þisse worde forþ hi ferden.
Al bute here and bute uerde.
To portes{}ham [þ/] heo bi{}come.
Ah hu heo spedde of heore dome. 435
Ne can ich eu namore telle.
Her nis na more of þis spelle.
[Linenotes:
431. _dome_ MS. || 436. _chan_ MS.]