• Pearl

  • 1  Perle plesaunte to prynces paye,
  • 2 To clanly clos in golde so clere,
  • 3 Oute of oryent I hardyly saye,
  • 4 Ne proued I neuer her precios pere,
  • 5 So rounde, so reken in vche araye,
  • 6 So smal, so smoþe her sydeȝ were.
  • 7 Quere-so-euer I jugged gemmeȝ gaye,
  • 8 I sette hyr sengeley in synglure;
  • 9 Allas! I leste hyr in on erbere,
  • 10 Þurȝ gresse to grounde hit fro me yot;
  • 11 I dewyne for-dolked of luf daungere,
  • 12 Of þat pryuy perle with-outen spot.
  • 13 Syþen in þat spote hit fro me sprange,
  • 14 Ofte haf I wayted wyschande þat wele,
  • 15 Þat wont watȝ whyle deuoyde my wrange,
  • 16 & heuen my happe & al my hele,
  • 17 Þat dotȝ bot þrych my hert þrange,
  • 18 My breste in bale bot bolne & bele.
  • 19 Ȝet þoȝt me neuer so swete a sange,
  • 20 As stylle stounde let to me stele,
  • 21 For-soþe þer fleten to me fele,
  • 22 To þenke hir color so clad in clot;
  • 23 O moul þou marreȝ a myry mele.
  • 24 My priuy perle with-outen spotte,
  • 25 Þat spot of spyseȝ myȝt nedeȝ sprede,
  • 26 Þer such rycheȝ to rot is runnen;
  • 27 Blomeȝ blayke & blwe & rede,
  • 28 Þer schyneȝ ful schyr agayn þe sunne.
  • 29 Flor & fryte may not be fede,
  • 30 Þer hit doun drof in moldeȝ dunne,
  • 31 For vch gresse mot grow of grayneȝ dede,
  • 32 No whete were elleȝ to woneȝ wonne;
  • 33 Of goud vche goude is ay by-gonne.
  • 34 So semly a sede moȝt fayly not,
  • 35 Þat spryngande spyceȝ vp ne sponne,
  • 36 Of þat precios perle wyth-outen spotte.
  • 37 To þat spot þat I in speche expoun
  • 38 I entred in þat erber grene,
  • 39 In augoste in a hyȝ seysoun,
  • 40 Quen corne is coruen wyth crokeȝ kene.
  • 41 On huyle þer perle hit trendeled doun,
  • 42 Schadowed þis worteȝ ful schyre & schene
  • 43 Gilofre, gyngure & gromylyoun,
  • 44 & pyonys powdered ay by-twene.
  • 45 Ȝif hit watȝ semly on to sene,
  • 46 A fayr reflayr ȝet fro hit flot,
  • 47 Þer wonys þat worþyly I wot & wene,
  • 48 My precious perle, wyth-outen spot.
  • 49 Bifore þat spot my honde I spenn[e]d,
  • 50 For care ful colde þat to me caȝt[e];
  • 51 A denely dele in my hert denned,
  • 52 Þaȝ resoun sette my seluen saȝt[e].
  • 53 I playned my perle þat þer watȝ spenned
  • 54 Wyth fyrte skylleȝ þat faste faȝt[e],
  • 55 Þaȝ kynde of kryst me comfort kenned,
  • 56 My wreched wylle in wo ay wraȝte.
  • 57 I felle vpon þat floury flaȝt[e],
  • 58 Suche odour to my herneȝ schot;
  • 59 I slode vpon a slepyng slaȝte,
  • 60 On þat prec[i]os perle with-outen spot.
  • 61 Fro spot my spyryt þer sprang in space,
  • 62 My body on balke þer bod in sweuen,
  • 63 My goste is gon in godeȝ grace,
  • 64 In auenture þer meruayleȝ meuen;
  • 65 I ne wyste in þis worlde quere þat hit wace,
  • 66 Bot I knew me keste þer klyfeȝ cleuen;
  • 67 Towarde a foreste I bere þe face,
  • 68 Where rych rokkeȝ wer to dyscreuen;
  • 69 Þe lyȝt of hem myȝt no mon leuen,
  • 70 Þe glemande glory þat of hem glent;
  • 71 For wern neuer webbeȝ þat wyȝeȝ weuen,
  • 72 Of half so dere adubmente.
  • 73 Dubbed wern alle þo downeȝ sydeȝ
  • 74 With crystal klyffeȝ so cler of kynde,
  • 75 Holte-wodeȝ bryȝt aboute hem bydeȝ;
  • 76 Of bolleȝ as blwe as ble of ynde,
  • 77 As bornyst syluer þe lef onslydeȝ,
  • 78 Þat þike con trylle on vch a tynde,
  • 79 Quen glem of glodeȝ agaynȝ hem glydeȝ,
  • 80 Wyth schymeryng schene ful schrylle þay schynde.
  • 81 Þe grauayl þat on grounde con grynde
  • 82 Wern precious perleȝ of oryente;
  • 83 Þe sunne bemeȝ bot blo & blynde,
  • 84 In respecte of þat adubbement.
  • 85 The adubbemente of þo downeȝ dere
  • 86 Garten my goste al greffe for-ȝete
  • 87 So frech flauoreȝ of fryteȝ were,
  • 88 As fode hit con me fayre refete.
  • 89 Fowleȝ þer flowen in fryth in fere,
  • 90 Of flaumbande hweȝ, boþe smale & grete,
  • 91 Bot sytole stryng & gyternere,
  • 92 Her reken myrþe moȝt not retrete,
  • 93 For quen þose bryddeȝ her wyngeȝ bete
  • 94 Þay songen wyth a swete asent;
  • 95 So grac[i]os gle couþe no mon gete
  • 96 As here & se her adubbement.
  • 97 So al watȝ dubbet on dere asyse;
  • 98 Þat fryth þer fortwne forth me fereȝ,
  • 99 Þe derþe þer-of for to deuyse
  • 100 Nis no wyȝ worþe þat tonge bereȝ.
  • 101 I welke ay forth in wely wyse,
  • 102 No bonk so byg þat did me dereȝ,
  • 103 Þe fyrre in þe fryth þe feier con ryse,
  • 104 Þe playn, þe plontteȝ, þe spyse, þe pereȝ,
  • 105 & raweȝ & randeȝ & rych reuereȝ,
  • 106 As fyldor fyn her b[o]nkes brent.
  • 107 I wan to a water by schore þat schereȝ,
  • 108 Lorde! dere watȝ hit adubbement!
  • 109 The dubbemente of þo derworth depe
  • 110 Wern bonkeȝ bene of beryl bryȝt;
  • 111 Swangeande swete þe water con swepe
  • 112 Wyth a rownande rourde raykande aryȝt;
  • 113 In þe founce þer stonden stoneȝ stepe,
  • 114 As glente þurȝ glas þat glowed & glyȝt,
  • 115 A stremande sterneȝ quen stroþe men slepe,
  • 116 Staren in welkyn in wynter nyȝt;
  • 117 For vche a pobbel in pole þer pyȝt
  • 118 Watȝ Emerad, saffer, oþer gemme gente,
  • 119 Þat alle þe loȝe lemed of lyȝt,
  • 120 So dere watȝ hit adubbement.
  • 121 The dubbement dere of doun & daleȝ,
  • 122 Of wod & water & wlonk playneȝ,
  • 123 Bylde in me blys, abated my baleȝ,
  • 124 For-didden my [dis]tresse, dystryed my payneȝ.
  • 125 Doun after a strem þat dryȝly haleȝ,
  • 126 I bowed in blys, bred ful my brayneȝ;
  • 127 Þe fyrre I folȝed þose floty valeȝ,
  • 128 Þe more strenghþe of ioye myn herte strayneȝ,
  • 129 As fortune fares þer as ho frayneȝ,
  • 130 Wheþer solace ho sende oþer elleȝ sore,
  • 131 Þe wyȝ, to wham her wylle ho wayneȝ,
  • 132 Hytteȝ to haue ay more & more.
  • 133 More of wele watȝ in þat wyse
  • 134 Þen I cowþe telle þaȝ I tom hade,
  • 135 For vrþely herte myȝt not suffyse
  • 136 To þe tenþe dole of þo gladneȝ glade;
  • 137 For-þy I þoȝt þat paradyse
  • 138 Watȝ þer oþer gayn þo bonkeȝ brade;
  • 139 I hoped þe water were a deuyse
  • 140 By-twene myrþeȝ by mereȝ made,
  • 141 By-ȝonde þe broke by slente oþer slade,
  • 142 I hope[de] þat mote merked wore.
  • 143 Bot þe water watȝ depe I dorst not wade
  • 144 & euer me longed a more & more.
  • 145 More & more, & ȝet wel mare,
  • 146 Me lyste to se þe broke by-ȝonde,
  • 147 For if hit watȝ fayr þer I con fare,
  • 148 Wel loueloker watȝ þe fyrre londe.
  • 149 Abowte me con I stote & stare
  • 150 To fynde a forþe, faste con I fonde,
  • 151 Bot woþeȝ mo i-wysse þer ware,
  • 152 Þe fyrre I stalked by þe stronde,
  • 153 & euer me þoȝt I schulde not wonde
  • 154 For wo, þer weleȝ so wynne wore.
  • 155 Þenne nwe note me com on honde
  • 156 Þat meued my mynde ay more & more,
  • 157 More meruayle con my dom adaunt;
  • 158 I seȝ by-ȝonde þat myry mere,
  • 159 A crystal clyffe ful relusaunt,
  • 160 Mony ryal ray con fro hit rere;
  • 161 At þe fote þer-of þer sete a faunt,
  • 162 A mayden of menske, ful debonere;
  • 163 Blysnande whyt watȝ hyr bleaunt,
  • 164 (I knew hyr wel, I hade sen hyr ere)
  • 165 As glysnande golde þat man con schere,
  • 166 So schon þat schene an vnder schore;
  • 167 On lenghe I loked to hyr þere,
  • 168 Þe lenger I knew hyr more & more
  • 169 The more I frayste hyr fayre face.
  • 170 Her fygure fyn, quen I had fonte,
  • 171 Suche gladande glory con to me glace,
  • 172 As lyttel byfore þerto watȝ wonte;
  • 173 To calle hyr lyste con me enchace,
  • 174 Bot baysment gef myn hert a brunt,
  • 175 I seȝ hyr in so strange a place,
  • 176 Such a burre myȝt make myn herte blunt
  • 177 Þenne vereȝ ho vp her fayre frount,
  • 178 Hyr vysayge whyt as playn yuore,
  • 179 Þat stonge myn hert ful stray atount,
  • 180 & euer þe lenger, þe more & more.
  • 181 More þen me lyste my drede aros,
  • 182 I stod ful stylle & dorste not calle,
  • 183 Wyth yȝen open & mouth ful clos,
  • 184 I stod as hende as hawk in halle;
  • 185 I hope þat gostly watȝ þat porpose,
  • 186 I dred on ende quat schulde byfalle,
  • 187 Lest ho me eschaped þat I þer chos,
  • 188 Er I at steuen hir moȝt stalle.
  • 189 Þat gracios gay with-outen galle,
  • 190 So smoþe, so smal, so seme slyȝt,
  • 191 Ryseȝ vp in hir araye ryalle,
  • 192 A prec[i]os pyece in perleȝ pyȝt.
  • 193 Perleȝ pyȝte of ryal prys,
  • 194 Þere moȝt mon by grace haf sene,
  • 195 Quen þat frech as flor-de-lys,
  • 196 Doun þe bonke con boȝe by-dene.
  • 197 Al blysnande whyt watȝ hir beau uiys,
  • 198 Vpon at sydeȝ & bounden bene
  • 199 Wyth þe myryeste margarys at my deuyse,
  • 200 Þat euer I seȝ ȝet with myn yȝen;
  • 201 Wyth lappeȝ large I wot & I wene,
  • 202 Dubbed with double perle & dyȝte,
  • 203 Her cortel of self sute schene,
  • 204 With precios perleȝ al vmbe-pyȝte.
  • 205 A pyȝt coroune ȝet wer þat gyrle,
  • 206 Of mariorys & non oþer ston,
  • 207 Hiȝe pynakled of cler quyt perle,
  • 208 Wyth flurted flowreȝ perfet vpon;
  • 209 To hed hade ho non oþer werle,
  • 210 Her here heke al hyr vmbe-gon;
  • 211 Her semblaunt sade, for doc oþer erle,
  • 212 Her ble more blaȝt þen whalleȝ bon;
  • 213 As schorne golde schyr her fax þenne schon,
  • 214 On schyldereȝ þat leghe vnlapped lyȝte;
  • 215 Her depe colour ȝet wonted non,
  • 216 Of precios perle in porfyl pyȝte,
  • 217 Pyȝt watȝ poyned & vche a hemme,
  • 218 At honde, at sydeȝ, at ouerture,
  • 219 Wyth whyte perle & non oþer gemme,
  • 220 & bornyste quyte watȝ hyr uesture.
  • 221 Bot a wonder perle with-outen wemme,
  • 222 In myddeȝ hyr breste watȝ sette so sure;
  • 223 A manneȝ dom moȝt dryȝly demme,
  • 224 Er mynde moȝt malte in hit mesure;
  • 225 I hope no tong moȝt endure
  • 226 No sauerly saghe say of þat syȝt,
  • 227 So watȝ hit clene & cler & pure,
  • 228 Þat precios perle þer hit watȝ pyȝt,
  • 229 Pyȝt in perle þat precios p[r]yse.
  • 230 On wyþer half water com doun þe schore,
  • 231 No gladder gome heþen in to grece,
  • 232 Þen I, quen ho on brymme wore;
  • 233 Ho watȝ me nerre þen aunte or nece,
  • 234 My joy for-þy watȝ much þe more.
  • 235 Ho profered me speche þat special spyce,
  • 236 Enclynande lowe in wommon lore,
  • 237 Caȝte of her coroun of grete tresore,
  • 238 & haylsed me wyth a lote lyȝte.
  • 239 Wel watȝ me þat euer I watȝ bore,
  • 240 To sware þat swete in perleȝ pyȝte!
  • 241 “O perle,” quod I, “in perleȝ pyȝt,
  • 242 Art þou my perle þat I haf playned,
  • 243 Regretted by myn one, on nyȝte?
  • 244 Much longeyng haf I for þe layned,
  • 245 Syþen into gresse þou me aglyȝte;
  • 246 Pensyf, payred, I am for-payned,
  • 247 & þou in a lyf of lykyng lyȝte
  • 248 In paradys erde, of stryf vnstrayned.
  • 249 What wyrde hatȝ hyder my iuel vayned,
  • 250 & don me in þys del & gret daunger?
  • 251 Fro we in twynne wern towen & twayned,
  • 252 I haf ben a joyleȝ juelere.”
  • 253 That juel þenne in gemmyȝ gente,
  • 254 Vered vp her vyse with yȝen graye,
  • 255 Set on hyr coroun of perle orient,
  • 256 & soberly after þenne con ho say:
  • 257 “Sir ȝe haf your tale myse-tente,
  • 258 To say your perle is al awaye,
  • 259 Þat is in cofer, so comly clente,
  • 260 As in þis gardyn gracios gaye,
  • 261 Here-inne to lenge for euer & play.
  • 262 Þer mys nee mornyng com neuer here,
  • 263 Her were a forser for þe in faye,
  • 264 If þou were a gentyl Iueler.
  • 265 Bot jueler gente if þou schal lose
  • 266 Þy ioy for a gemme þat þe watȝ lef,
  • 267 Me þynk þe put in a mad porpose,
  • 268 & busyeȝ þe aboute a raysoun bref,
  • 269 For þat þou lesteȝ watȝ bot a rose,
  • 270 Þat flowred & fayled as kynde hyt gef;
  • 271 Now þurȝ kynde of þe kyste þat hyt con close,
  • 272 To a perle of prys hit is put in pref;
  • 273 & þou hatȝ called þy wyrde a þef,
  • 274 Þat oȝt of noȝt hatȝ mad þe cler;
  • 275 Þou blameȝ þe bote of þy meschef,
  • 276 Þou art no kynde jueler.”
  • 277 A Iuel to me þen watȝ þys geste,
  • 278 & iueleȝ wern hyr gentyl saweȝ,
  • 279 “I-wyse,” quod I, “my blysfol beste,
  • 280 My grete dystresse þou al to-draweȝ,
  • 281 To be excused I make requeste;
  • 282 I trawed my perle don out of daweȝ,
  • 283 Now haf I fonde hyt I schal ma feste,
  • 284 & wony with hyt in schyr wod schaweȝ,
  • 285 & loue my lorde & al his laweȝ,
  • 286 Þat hatȝ me broȝ[t] þys blys ner;
  • 287 Now were I at yow by-ȝonde þise waweȝ,
  • 288 I were a ioyfol jueler.”
  • 289 “Jueler,” sayde þat gemme clene,
  • 290 “Wy borde ȝe men, so madde ȝe be?
  • 291 Þre wordeȝ hatȝ þou spoken at ene,
  • 292 Vn-avysed, for soþe, wern alle þre,
  • 293 Þou ne woste in worlde quat on dotȝ mene,
  • 294 Þy worde byfore þy wytte con fle.
  • 295 Þou says þou traweȝ me in þis dene,
  • 296 By cawse þou may with yȝen me se;
  • 297 Anoþer þou says, in þys countre
  • 298 Þy self schal won with me ryȝt here;
  • 299 Þe þrydde, to passe þys water fre,
  • 300 Þat may no ioyfol jueler.
  • 301 I halde þat iueler lyttel to prayse.
  • 302 Þat loueȝ wel þat he seȝ wyth yȝe,
  • 303 & much to blame & vn-cortoyse,
  • 304 Þat loueȝ oure lorde wolde make a lyȝe,
  • 305 Þat lelly hyȝte your lyf to rayse,
  • 306 Þaȝ fortune dyd your flesch to dyȝe;
  • 307 Ȝe setten hys wordeȝ ful westernays
  • 308 Þat loueȝ no þynk bot ȝe hit syȝe,
  • 309 & þat is a poynt o sorquydryȝe,
  • 310 Þat vche god mon may euel byseme
  • 311 To leue no tale be true to tryȝe,
  • 312 Bot þat hys one skyl may dem[e].
  • 313 Deme now þy-self, if þou con, dayly
  • 314 As man to god wordeȝ schulde heue.
  • 315 Þou saytȝ þou schal won in þis bayly;
  • 316 Me þynk þe burde fyrst aske leue,
  • 317 & ȝet of graunt þou myȝteȝ fayle;
  • 318 Þou wylneȝ ouer þys water to weue,
  • 319 Er moste þou ceuer to oþer counsayl,
  • 320 Þy corse in clot mot calder keue,
  • 321 For hit watȝ for-garte, at paradys greue
  • 322 Oure ȝore fader hit con mysseȝeme;
  • 323 Þurȝ drwry deth boȝ vch ma dreue,
  • 324 Er ouer þys dam hym dryȝtyn deme.”
  • 325 “Demeȝ þou me,” quod I, “my swete
  • 326 To dol agayn, þenne I dowyne;
  • 327 Now haf I fonte þat I for-lete
  • 328 Schal I efte for-go hit er euer I fyne?
  • 329 Why schal I hit boþe mysse & mete?
  • 330 My precios perle dotȝ me gret pyne,
  • 331 What serueȝ tresor, bot gareȝ men grete
  • 332 When he hit schal efte with teneȝ tyne?
  • 333 Now rech I neuer forto declyne,
  • 334 Ne how fer of folde þat man me fleme,
  • 335 When I am partleȝ of perleȝ myne.
  • 336 Bot durande doel what may men deme?”
  • 337 “Thow demeȝ noȝt bot doel dystresse,”
  • 338 Þenne sayde þat wyȝt “why dotȝ þou so?
  • 339 For dyne of doel, of lureȝ lesse,
  • 340 Ofte mony mon for-gos þe mo;
  • 341 Þe oȝte better þy seluen blesse,
  • 342 & loue ay god & wele & wo,
  • 343 For anger gayneȝ þe not a cresse.
  • 344 Who nedeȝ schal þole be not so þro;
  • 345 For þoȝ þou daunce as any do
  • 346 Braundysch & bray þy braþeȝ breme,
  • 347 When þou no fyrre may, to ne fro,
  • 348 Þou moste abyde þat he schal deme.
  • 349 Deme dryȝtyn, euer hym adyte,
  • 350 Of þe way a fote ne wyl he wryþe,
  • 351 Þy mendeȝ mounteȝ not a myte,
  • 352 Þaȝ þou for sorȝe be neuer blyþe;
  • 353 Stynst of þy strot & fyne to flyte,
  • 354 & sech hys blyþe ful swefte & swyþe,
  • 355 Þy prayer may hys pyte byte,
  • 356 Þat mercy schal hyr crafteȝ kyþe;
  • 357 Hys comforte may þy langour lyþe,
  • 358 & þy lureȝ of lyȝtly leme,
  • 359 For marre oþer madde, morne & myþe,
  • 360 Al lys in hym to dyȝt & deme.”
  • 361 Thenne demed I to þat damyselle,
  • 362 Ne worþe no wrath þe vnto my lorde,
  • 363 If rapely raue spornande in spelle.
  • 364 My herte watȝ al with mysse remorde,
  • 365 As wallande water gotȝ out of welle;
  • 366 I do me ay in hys myserecorde.
  • 367 Rebuke me neuer with wordeȝ felle,
  • 368 Þaȝ I forloyne my dere endorde,
  • 369 Bot lyþeȝ me kyndely your coumforde,
  • 370 Pytosly þenkande vpon þysse;
  • 371 Of care & me ȝe made acorde,
  • 372 Þat er watȝ grounde of alle my blysse;
  • 373 My blysse, my bale ȝe han ben boþe,
  • 374 Bot much þe bygger ȝet watȝ my mon,
  • 375 Fro þou watȝ wroken fro vch a woþe.
  • 376 I wyste neuer quere my perle watȝ gon;
  • 377 Now I hit se, now leþeȝ my loþe,
  • 378 & quen we departed we wern at on,
  • 379 God forbede we be now wroþe,
  • 380 We meten so selden by stok oþer ston;
  • 381 Þaȝ cortaysly ȝe carp con,
  • 382 I am bot mol & marereȝ mysse,
  • 383 Bot crystes mersy & mary & Ion,
  • 384 Þise arn þe grounde of alle my blysse.
  • 385 In blysse I se þe blyþely blent
  • 386 & I a man al mornyf mate,
  • 387 Ȝe take þer-on ful lyttel tente,
  • 388 Þaȝ I hente ofte harmeȝ hate.
  • 389 Bot now I am here in your presente,
  • 390 I wolde bysech wythouten debate,
  • 391 Ȝe wolde me say in sobre asente,
  • 392 What lyf ȝe lede, erly & late,
  • 393 For I am ful fayn þat your astate
  • 394 Is worþen to worschyp & wele I wysse,
  • 395 Of alle my Ioy þe hyȝe gate
  • 396 Hit is in grounde of alle my blysse.”
  • 397 “Now blysse burne mot þe bytyde;”
  • 398 Þen sayde þat lufsoum of lyth & lere,
  • 399 “& welcum here to walk & byde,
  • 400 For now þy speche is to me dere;
  • 401 Maysterful mod & hyȝe pryde
  • 402 I hete þe arn heterly hated here;
  • 403 My lorde ne loueȝ not forto chyde,
  • 404 For meke arn alle þat woneȝ hym nere,
  • 405 & when in hys place þou schal apere,
  • 406 Be dep deuote in hol mekenesse;
  • 407 My lorde þe lamb, loueȝ ay such chere,
  • 408 Þat is þe grounde of alle my blysse.
  • 409 A blysful lyf þou says I lede,
  • 410 Þou woldeȝ knaw þer-of þe stage;
  • 411 Þow wost wel when þy perle con schede,
  • 412 I watȝ ful ȝong & tender of age,
  • 413 Bot my lorde þe lombe, þurȝ hys god-hede,
  • 414 He toke my self to hys maryage,
  • 415 Corounde me quene in blysse to brede,
  • 416 In lenghe of dayeȝ þat euer schal wage,
  • 417 & sesed in alle hys herytage
  • 418 Hys lef is, I am holy hysse;
  • 419 Hys prese, hys prys & hys parage,
  • 420 Is rote & grounde of alle my blysse.”
  • 421 “Blysful,” quod I, “may þys be trwe,
  • 422 Dyspleseȝ not if I speke errour;
  • 423 Art þou þe quene of heueneȝ blwe,
  • 424 Þat al þys worlde schal do honour?
  • 425 We leuen on marye þat grace of grewe,
  • 426 Þat ber a barne of vyrgyn flour,
  • 427 Þe croune fro hyr quo moȝt remwe,
  • 428 Bot ho hir passed in sum fauour?
  • 429 Now for synglerty o hyr dousour,
  • 430 We calle hyr fenyx of arraby,
  • 431 Þat freles fleȝe of hyr fasor,
  • 432 Lyk to þe quen of cortaysye.”
  • 433 “Cortayse quen” þenne s[a]yde þat gaye,
  • 434 Knelande to grounde, folde vp hyr face,
  • 435 “Makeleȝ moder & myryest may,
  • 436 Blessed bygynner of vch a grace!”
  • 437 Þenne ros ho vp & con restay,
  • 438 & speke me towarde in þat space:
  • 439 “Sir fele here porchaseȝ & fongeȝ pray
  • 440 Bot supplantoreȝ none with-inne þys place;
  • 441 Þat emperise al heuenȝ hatȝ,
  • 442 & vrþe & helle in her bayly;
  • 443 Of erytage ȝet non wyl ho chace,
  • 444 For ho is quen of cortaysye.
  • 445 The court of þe kyndom of god alyue,
  • 446 Hatȝ a property in hyt self beyng;
  • 447 Alle þat may þer-inne aryue
  • 448 Of alle þe reme is quen oþer kyng,
  • 449 & neuer oþer ȝet schal depryue,
  • 450 Bot vchon fayn of oþereȝ hafyng,
  • 451 & wolde her corouneȝ wern worþe þo fyue,
  • 452 If possyble were her mendyng.
  • 453 Bot my lady of quom Iesu con spryng,
  • 454 Ho haldeȝ þe empyre ouer vus ful hyȝe,
  • 455 & þat dyspleseȝ non of oure gyng,
  • 456 For ho is quene of cortaysye.
  • 457 Of courtaysye, as saytȝ saynt poule,
  • 458 Al arn we membreȝ of ihesu kryst,
  • 459 As heued & arme & legg & naule,
  • 460 Temen to hys body ful trwe & t[r]yste;
  • 461 Ryȝt so is vch a krysten sawle,
  • 462 A longande lym to þe mayster of myste;
  • 463 Þenne loke what hate oþer any gawle,
  • 464 Is tached oþer tyȝed þy lymmeȝ by-twyste,
  • 465 Þy heued hatȝ nauþer greme ne gryste,
  • 466 On arme oþer fynger, þaȝ þou ber byȝe;
  • 467 So fare we alle wyth luf & lyste,
  • 468 To kyng & quene by cortaysye.”
  • 469 “Cortayse,” quod I, “I leue
  • 470 & charyte grete be yow among,
  • 471 Bot my speche þat yow ne greue,
  • 472 ******
  • 473 Þy self in heuen ouer hyȝ þou heue,
  • 474 To make þe quen þat watȝ so ȝonge,
  • 475 What more-hond moȝte he acheue
  • 476 Þat hade endured in worlde stronge,
  • 477 & lyued in penaunce hys lyueȝ longe,
  • 478 With bodyly bale hym blysse to byye?
  • 479 What more worschyp moȝt ho fonge,
  • 480 Þen corounde be kyng by cortayse?
  • 481 That cortayse is to fre of dede,
  • 482 Ȝyf hyt be soth þat þou coneȝ saye,
  • 483 Þou lyfed not two ȝer in oure þede,
  • 484 Þou cowþeȝ neuer god nauþer plese ne pray,
  • 485 Ne neuer nawþer pater ne crede,
  • 486 & quen mad on þe fyrst day!
  • 487 I may not traw, so god me spede,
  • 488 Þat god wolde wryþe so wrange away;
  • 489 Of countes damysel, par ma fay,
  • 490 Wer fayr in heuen to halde asstate
  • 491 Aþer elleȝ a lady of lasse aray,
  • 492 Bot a quene, hit is to dere a date.”
  • 493 “Þer is no date of hys god-nesse,”
  • 494 Þen sayde to me þat worþy wyȝte,
  • 495 “For al is trawþe þat he con dresse,
  • 496 & he may do no þynk bot ryȝt,
  • 497 As mathew meleȝ in your messe,
  • 498 In sothfol gospel of god al-myȝt
  • 499 In sample he can ful grayþely gesse,
  • 500 & lykneȝ hit to heuen lyȝte.”
  • 501 “My regne, he saytȝ, is lyk on hyȝt,
  • 502 To a lorde þat hade a uyne I wate,
  • 503 Of tyme of ȝere þe terme watȝ tyȝt,
  • 504 To labor vyne watȝ dere þe date,
  • 505 Þat date of ȝere wel knawe þys hyne;
  • 506 Þe lorde ful erly vp he ros,
  • 507 To hyre werkmen to hys vyne,
  • 508 & fyndeȝ þer summe to hys porpos,
  • 509 Into acorde þay con de-clyne,
  • 510 For a pené on a day & forth þay gotȝ,
  • 511 Wryþen & worchen & don gret pyne,
  • 512 Keruen & caggen & man hit clos;
  • 513 Aboute vnder, þe lorde to marked totȝ
  • 514 & ydel men stande he fyndeȝ þer-ate,
  • 515 “Why stande ȝe ydel” he sayde to þos,
  • 516 Ne knawe ȝe of þis day no date?
  • 517 Er date of daye hider arn we wonne,”
  • 518 So watȝ al samen her answar soȝt;
  • 519 “We haf standen her syn ros þe sunne,
  • 520 & no mon byddeȝ vus do, ryȝt noȝt.”
  • 521 “Gos in-to my vyne, dotȝ þat ȝe conne.”
  • 522 So sayde þe lorde & made hit toȝt.
  • 523 “What resonabele hyre be naȝt be runne,
  • 524 I yow pray in dede & þoȝte.”
  • 525 Þay wente in to þe vyne & wroȝte,
  • 526 & al day þe lorde þus ȝede his gate,
  • 527 & nw men to hys vyne he broȝte;
  • 528 Wel neȝ wyl day watȝ passed date,
  • 529 At þe day of date of euen-songe,
  • 530 On oure byfore þe sonne go doun
  • 531 He seȝ þer ydel men ful stronge
  • 532 & sa[y]de to hem with sobre soun;
  • 533 “Wy stonde ȝe ydel þise dayeȝ longe.”
  • 534 Þay sayden her hyre watȝ nawhere boun.
  • 535 “Gotȝ to my vyne ȝemen ȝonge
  • 536 & wyrkeȝ & dotȝ þat at ȝe moun.”
  • 537 Sone þe worlde by-com wel broun,
  • 538 Þe sunne watȝ doun & hit wex late;
  • 539 To take her hyre he mad sumoun;
  • 540 Þe day watȝ al apassed date.
  • 541 The date of þe daye þe lorde con knaw,
  • 542 Called to þe reue “lede pay þe meyny,
  • 543 Gyf hem þe hyre þat I hem owe,
  • 544 & fyrre, þat non me may repreue,
  • 545 Set hem alle vpon a rawe,
  • 546 & gyf vchon in-lyche a peny.
  • 547 Bygyn at þe laste þat standeȝ lowe,
  • 548 Tyl to þe fyrste þat þou atteny;”
  • 549 & þenne þe fyrst by-gonne to pleny
  • 550 & sayden þat þay hade trauayled sore,
  • 551 Þese bot an [h]oure hem con streny,
  • 552 Vus þynk vus oȝe to take more.
  • 553 More haf we serued vus þynk so,
  • 554 Þat suffred han þe dayeȝ hete,
  • 555 Þenn þyse þat wroȝt[e] not houreȝ two,
  • 556 & þou dotȝ hem vus to counterfete.
  • 557 Þenne sayde þe lorde to on of þo,
  • 558 “Frende no wrang I wyl þe ȝete,
  • 559 Take þat is þyn owne & go;
  • 560 & I hyred þe for a peny a grete,
  • 561 Quy bygynneȝ þou now to þrete;
  • 562 Watȝ not a pené þy couenaunt þore?
  • 563 Fyrre þen couenaunde is noȝt to plete,
  • 564 Wy schalte þou þenne ask more?
  • 565 More weþer louyly is me my gyfte
  • 566 To do wyth myn quat so me lykeȝ?
  • 567 Oþer elleȝ þyn yȝe to lyþer is lyfte,
  • 568 For I am goude & non by-swykeȝ.”
  • 569 “Þus schal I,” quod kryste, “hit skyfte,
  • 570 Þe laste schal be þe fyrst þat strykeȝ,
  • 571 & þe fyrst þe laste, be he neuer so swyft,
  • 572 For mony ben calle[d] þaȝ fewe be mykeȝ.”
  • 573 Þus pore men her part ay pykeȝ,
  • 574 Þaȝ þay com late & lyttel wore,
  • 575 & þaȝ her sweng wyth lyttel at-slykeȝ,
  • 576 Þe merci of god is much þe more.
  • 577 “More haf I of ioye & blysse here-inne,
  • 578 Of ladyschyp gret & lyueȝ blom,
  • 579 Þen alle þe wyȝeȝ in þe worlde myȝt wynne
  • 580 By þe way of ryȝt to aske dome.
  • 581 Wheþer wel nygh[t] now I con bygynne,
  • 582 In euentyde in-to þe vyne I come,
  • 583 Fyrst of my hyre my lorde con mynne,
  • 584 I watȝ payed anon of al & sum;
  • 585 Ȝet oþer þer werne þat toke more tom,
  • 586 Þat swange & swat for long ȝore,
  • 587 Þat ȝet of hyre no þynk þay nom,
  • 588 Paraunter noȝt schal to ȝere more.”
  • 589 Then more I meled & sayde apert,
  • 590 “Me þynk þy tale vnresounable,
  • 591 Goddeȝ ryȝt is redy & euer more rert,
  • 592 Oþer holy wryt is bot a fable;
  • 593 In sauter is sayd a verce ouerte
  • 594 Þat spekeȝ a poynt determynable,
  • 595 ‘Þou quyteȝ vchon as hys desserte,
  • 596 Þou hyȝe kyng ay pretermynable,’
  • 597 Now he þat stod þe long day stable,
  • 598 & þou to payment com hym byfore,
  • 599 Þenne þe lasse in werke to take more able,
  • 600 & euer þe lenger þe lasse þe more.”
  • 601 “Of more & lasse in godeȝ ryche,”
  • 602 Þat gentyl sayde “lys no Ioparde,
  • 603 For þer is vch mon payed inliche,
  • 604 Wheþer lyttel oþer much be hys rewarde,
  • 605 For þe gentyl cheuentayn is no chyche,
  • 606 Queþer-so-euer he dele nesch oþer harde,
  • 607 He laueȝ hys gyfteȝ as water of dyche,
  • 608 Oþer goteȝ of golf þat neuer charde;
  • 609 Hys fraunchyse is large þat euer dard,
  • 610 To hym þat matȝ in synne no scoghe
  • 611 No blysse betȝ fro hem reparde,
  • 612 For þe grace of god is gret I-noghe.
  • 613 Bot now þou moteȝ me for to mate
  • 614 Þat I my peny haf wrang tan here,
  • 615 Þou sayȝ þat I þat com to late,
  • 616 Am not worþy so gret lere.
  • 617 Where wysteȝ þou euer any bourne abate
  • 618 Euer so holy in hys prayere,
  • 619 Þat he ne forfeted by sumkyn gate,
  • 620 Þe mede sum-tyme of heueneȝ clere;
  • 621 & ay þe ofter, þe alder þay were,
  • 622 Þay laften ryȝt & wroȝten woghe
  • 623 Mercy & grace moste hem þen stere,
  • 624 For þe grace of god is gret in-noȝe.
  • 625 Bot in-noghe of grace hatȝ innocent,
  • 626 As sone as þay arn borne by lyne
  • 627 In þe water of babtem þay dyssente,
  • 628 Þen arne þay boroȝt in-to þe vyne,
  • 629 Anon þe day with derk endente,
  • 630 Þe myȝt of deth dotȝ to en-clyne
  • 631 Þat wroȝt neuer wrang er þenne þay wente;
  • 632 Þe gentyle lorde þenne payeȝ hys hyne,
  • 633 Þay dyden hys heste, þay wern þere-ine,
  • 634 Why schulde he not her labour alow,
  • 635 Ȝy[rd] & pay hem at þe fyrst fyne
  • 636 For þe grace of god is gret in-noghe?
  • 637 Inoȝe is knawen þat man-kyn grete,
  • 638 Fyrste watȝ wroȝt to blysse parfyt;
  • 639 Oure forme-fader hit con forfete,
  • 640 Þurȝ an apple þat he vpon con byte;
  • 641 Al wer we dampned for þat mete,
  • 642 To dyȝe in doel out of delyt,
  • 643 & syþen wende to helle hete,
  • 644 Þer-inne to won with-oute respyt;
  • 645 Bot þer on com a bote as-tyt.
  • 646 Ryche blod ran on rode so roghe,
  • 647 & wynne [&] water, þen at þat plyt
  • 648 Þe grace of god wex gret in-noghe.
  • 649 Innoghe þer wax out of þat welle,
  • 650 Blod & water of brode wounde;
  • 651 Þe blod vus boȝt fro bale of helle,
  • 652 & delyuered vus of þe deth secounde;
  • 653 Þe water is baptem þe soþe to telle;
  • 654 Þat folȝed þe glayue so grymly grounde,
  • 655 Þat wascheȝ away þe gylteȝ felle,
  • 656 Þat adam wyth inne deth vus drounde.
  • 657 Now is þer noȝt in þe worlde rounde
  • 658 Bytwene vus & blysse bot þat he with-droȝ
  • 659 & þat is restored in sely stounde,
  • 660 & þe grace of god is gret in-nogh.
  • 661 Grace in-nogh þe mon may haue,
  • 662 Þat synneȝ þenne new, ȝif hym repente,
  • 663 Bot with sorȝ & syt he mot hit craue,
  • 664 & byde þe payne þer-to is bent,
  • 665 Bot resoun of ryȝt þat con not raue,
  • 666 Saueȝ euer more þe innossent;
  • 667 Hit is a dom þat neuer god gaue,
  • 668 Þat euer þe gyltleȝ schulde be schente.
  • 669 Þe gyltyf may contryssyoun hente
  • 670 & be þurȝ mercy to grace þryȝt;
  • 671 Bot he to gyle þat neuer glente,
  • 672 At in-oscente is saf & ryȝte.
  • 673 Ryȝt þus I knaw wel in þis cas,
  • 674 Two men to saue is god by skylle;.
  • 675 Þe ryȝt-wys man schal se hys face,
  • 676 Þe harmleȝ haþel schal com hym tylle,
  • 677 Þe sauter hyt satȝ þus in a pace:
  • 678 “Lorde quo schal klymbe þy hyȝ hylleȝ
  • 679 Oþer rest with-inne þy holy place?”
  • 680 Hymself to on-sware he is not dylle;
  • 681 “Hondelyngeȝ harme þat dyt not ille,
  • 682 Þat is of hert boþe clene & lyȝt,
  • 683 Þer schal hys step stable stylle,”
  • 684 Þe innosent is ay saf by ryȝt.
  • 685 The ryȝtwys man also sertayn
  • 686 Aproche he schal þat proper pyle,
  • 687 Þat takeȝ not her lyf in vayne
  • 688 Ne glauereȝ her nieȝbor wyth no gyle;
  • 689 Of þys ryȝt-wys saȝ salamon playn,
  • 690 How kyntly oure con aquyle
  • 691 By wayeȝ ful streȝt he con hym strayn,
  • 692 & scheued hym þe rengne of god a whyle,
  • 693 As quo says “lo ȝon louely yle,
  • 694 Þou may hit wynne if þou be wyȝte,”
  • 695 Bot hardyly with-oute peryle,
  • 696 Þe innosent is ay saue by ryȝte!
  • 697 An-ende ryȝtwys men, ȝet saytȝ a gome
  • 698 Dauid in sauter, if euer ȝe seȝ hit,
  • 699 “Lorde þy seruaunt draȝ neuer to dome,
  • 700 For non lyuyunde to þe is Iustyfyet.”
  • 701 For-þy to corte quen þou schal com,
  • 702 Þer alle oure causeȝ schal be tryed,
  • 703 Alegge þe ryȝt þou may be in-nome,
  • 704 By þys ilke spech I haue asspyed;
  • 705 Bot he on rode þat blody dyed,
  • 706 Delfully þurȝ hondeȝ þryȝt
  • 707 Gyue þe to passe when þou arte tryed
  • 708 By innocens & not by ryȝte.
  • 709 Ryȝt-wysly quo con rede,
  • 710 He loke on bok & be awayed
  • 711 How Ihesuc hym welke in areþede,
  • 712 & burneȝ her barneȝ vnto hym brayde,
  • 713 For happe & hele þat fro hym ȝede,
  • 714 To touch her chylder þay fayr hym prayed.
  • 715 His dessypeleȝ with blame let be hym bede,
  • 716 & wyth her resouneȝ ful fele restayed;
  • 717 Ihesuc þenne hem swetely sayde,
  • 718 “Do way, let chylder vnto me tyȝt.
  • 719 To suche is heuen-ryche arayed,”
  • 720 Þe innocent is ay saf by ryȝt.
  • 721 Ihesuc con calle to hym hys mylde
  • 722 & sayde hys ryche no wyȝ myȝt wynne.
  • 723 Bot he com þyder ryȝt as a chylde,
  • 724 Oþer elleȝ neuer more com þer-inne,
  • 725 Harmleȝ, trwe & vnde-fylde,
  • 726 With-outen mote oþer mascle of sulpande synne;
  • 727 Quen such þer cnoken on þe bylde,
  • 728 Tyt schal hem men þe ȝate vnpynne,
  • 729 Þer is þe blys þat con not blynne,
  • 730 Þat þe Iueler soȝte þurȝ perre pres
  • 731 & solde alle hys goud boþe wolen & lynne,
  • 732 To bye hym a perle [þat] watȝ mascelleȝ.
  • 733 This makelleȝ perle þat boȝt is dere,
  • 734 Þe Ioueler gef fore alle hys god,
  • 735 Is lyke þe reme of heuenesse clere
  • 736 So sayde þe fader of folde & flode,
  • 737 For hit is wemleȝ, clene & clere,
  • 738 & endeleȝ rounde & blyþe of mode,
  • 739 & commune to alle þat ryȝtwys were,
  • 740 Lo! euen in myddeȝ my breste hit stode;
  • 741 My lorde þe lombe þat schede hys blode,
  • 742 He pyȝt hit þere in token of pes;
  • 743 I rede þe forsake þe worlde wode,
  • 744 & porchace þy perle maskelles.”
  • 745 “O maskeleȝ perle in perleȝ pure
  • 746 Þat bereȝ,” quod I, “þe perle of prys,
  • 747 Quo formed þe þy fayre fygure?
  • 748 Þat wroȝt þy wede, he watȝ ful wys;
  • 749 Þy beaute com neuer of nature,
  • 750 Pymalyon paynted neuer þy vys,
  • 751 Ne arystotel nawþer by hys lettrure
  • 752 Of carpe þe kynde þese properteȝ.
  • 753 Þy colour passeȝ þe flour-de-lys,
  • 754 Þyn angel hauyng so clene corteȝ
  • 755 Breue me bryȝt, quat-kyn of priys
  • 756 Bereȝ þe perle so maskelleȝ.”
  • 757 “My makeleȝ lambe þat al may bete,”
  • 758 Quod scho, “my dere destyné
  • 759 Me ches to hys make al-þaȝ vnmete,
  • 760 Sum tyme semed þat assemblé
  • 761 When I wente fro yor worlde wete.
  • 762 He calde me to hys bonerté,
  • 763 ‘Cum hyder to me my lemman swete,
  • 764 For mote ne spot is non in þe:’
  • 765 He gef me myȝt & als bewté.
  • 766 In hys blod he wesch my wede on dese,
  • 767 & coronde clene in vergynté,
  • 768 & pyȝt me in perleȝ maskelleȝ.”
  • 769 “Why maskelleȝ bryd þat bryȝt con flambe
  • 770 Þat reiateȝ hatȝ so ryche & ryf,
  • 771 Quat-kyn þyng may be þat lambe,
  • 772 Þat þe wolde wedde vnto hys vyf?
  • 773 Ouer alle oþer so hyȝ þou clambe,
  • 774 To lede with hym so ladyly lyf
  • 775 So mony a cumly on vnder cambe,
  • 776 For kryst han lyued in much stryf,
  • 777 & þou con alle þo dere out-dryf,
  • 778 & fro þat maryag al oþer depres,
  • 779 Al only þyself so stout & styf,
  • 780 A makeleȝ may & maskelleȝ.”
  • 781 “Maskelles,” quod þat myry quene,
  • 782 “Vnblemyst I am wyth-outen blot,
  • 783 & þat may I with mensk menteene;
  • 784 Bot makeleȝ quene þenne sade I not,
  • 785 Þe lambes vyueȝ in blysse we bene,
  • 786 A hondred & forty þowsande flot
  • 787 As in þe apocalyppeȝ hit is sene;
  • 788 Sant Iohan hem syȝ al in a knot,
  • 789 On þe hyl of syon þat semly clot.
  • 790 Þe apostel hem segh in gostly drem
  • 791 Arayed to þe weddyng in þat hyl coppe,
  • 792 Þe nwe cyte u Ierusalem.
  • 793 Of Ierusalem I in speche spelle.
  • 794 If þou wyl knaw what-kyn he be,
  • 795 My lombe, my lorde, my dere Iuelle,
  • 796 My ioy, my blys, my lemman fre,
  • 797 Þe profete ysaye of hym con melle,
  • 798 Pitously of hys debonerté
  • 799 Þat gloryous gyltleȝ þat mon con quelle,
  • 800 With-outen any sake of felonye,
  • 801 As a schep to þe slaȝt þer lad watȝ he
  • 802 & as lombe þat clypper in lande nem,
  • 803 So closed he hys mouth fro vch query,
  • 804 Quen Iueȝ hym iugged in Iherusalem.
  • 805 In Ierusalem watȝ my lemman slayn
  • 806 & rent on rode with boyeȝ bolde;
  • 807 Al oure baleȝ to bere ful bayn,
  • 808 He toke on hym self oure careȝ colde,
  • 809 With boffeteȝ watȝ hys face flayn,
  • 810 Þat watȝ so fayr on to byholde;
  • 811 For synne he set hym self in vayn,
  • 812 Þat neuer hade non hym self to wolde,
  • 813 For vus he lette hym flyȝe & folde
  • 814 & brede vpon a bostwys bem,
  • 815 As meke as lomb þat no playnt tolde.
  • 816 For vus he swalt in Ierusalem:
  • 817 Ierusalem, Iordan & galalye,
  • 818 Þer as baptysed þe goude saynt Ion,
  • 819 His wordeȝ acorded to ysaye;
  • 820 When Ihesuc con to hym warde gon
  • 821 He sayde of hym þys professye,
  • 822 “Lo godeȝ lombe as trwe as ston,
  • 823 Þat dotȝ away þe synneȝ dryȝe!”
  • 824 Þat alle þys worlde hatȝ wroȝt vpon,
  • 825 Hym self ne wroȝt neuer ȝet non,
  • 826 Wheþer on hym self he con al clem,
  • 827 Hys generacyoun quo recen con,
  • 828 Þat dyȝed for vus in Ierusalem?
  • 829 In Ierusalem þus my lemman swatte,
  • 830 Twyeȝ, for lombe watȝ taken þere,
  • 831 By trw recorde of ayþer prophete,
  • 832 For mode so meke & al hys fare,
  • 833 Þe þryde tyme is þer-to ful mete
  • 834 In apokalypeȝ wryten ful ȝare.
  • 835 In mydeȝ þe trone þere saynteȝ sete,
  • 836 Þe apostel iohan hym saytȝ as bare,
  • 837 Lesande þe boke with leueȝ sware,
  • 838 Þere seuen syngnetteȝ wern sette in-seme
  • 839 & at þat syȝt vche douth con dare,
  • 840 In helle, in erþe & Ierusalem.
  • 841 Thys Ierusalem lombe hade neuer pechche
  • 842 Of oþer huee bot quyt Iolyf
  • 843 Þat mot ne masklle moȝt on streche
  • 844 For wolle quyte so ronk & ryf,
  • 845 For-þy vche saule þat hade neuer teche,
  • 846 Is to þat lombe a worthyly wyf;
  • 847 And þaȝ vch day a store he feche,
  • 848 Among vus commeȝ non oþer strot ne stryf,
  • 849 Bot vchon enle we wolde were fyf,
  • 850 Þe mo þe myryer so god me blesse.
  • 851 In compayny gret our luf con þryf
  • 852 In honour more & neuer þe lesse.
  • 853 Lasse of blysse may non vus bryng
  • 854 Þat beren þys perle vpon oure bereste,
  • 855 For þay of mote couþe neuer mynge,
  • 856 Of spotleȝ perleȝ þa[y] beren þe creste,
  • 857 Al-þaȝ oure corses in clotteȝ clynge,
  • 858 & ȝe remen for rauþe wyth-outen reste,
  • 859 We þurȝ-outly hauen cnawyng;
  • 860 Of [o]n dethe ful oure hope is drest,
  • 861 Þe lombe vus gladeȝ, oure care is kest;
  • 862 He myrþeȝ vus alle at vch a mes,
  • 863 Vchoneȝ blysse is breme & beste,
  • 864 & neuer oneȝ honour ȝet neuer þe les.
  • 865 Lest les þou leue my tale farande,
  • 866 In appocalyppece is wryten in wro
  • 867 I seghe, says Iohan, þe loumbe hym stande,
  • 868 On þe mount of syon ful þryuen & þro,
  • 869 & wyth hym maydenneȝ an hundreþe þowsande
  • 870 & fowre & forty þowsande mo
  • 871 On alle her forhedeȝ wryten I fande,
  • 872 Þe lombeȝ nome, hys fadereȝ also.
  • 873 A hue fro heuen I herde þoo,
  • 874 Lyk flodeȝ fele laden, runnen on resse,
  • 875 & as þunder þroweȝ in torreȝ blo,
  • 876 Þat lote I leue watȝ neuer þe les.
  • 877 Nauþeles þaȝ hit schowted scharpe,
  • 878 & ledden loude al-þaȝ hit were.
  • 879 A note ful nwe I herde hem warpe,
  • 880 To lysten þat watȝ ful lufly dere,
  • 881 As harporeȝ harpen in her harpe,
  • 882 Þat nwe songe þay songen ful cler.
  • 883 In sounande noteȝ a gentyl carpe,
  • 884 Ful fayre þe modeȝ þay fonge in fere
  • 885 Ryȝt byfore godeȝ chayere,
  • 886 & þe fowre besteȝ þat hym obes,
  • 887 & þe alder-men so sadde of chere,
  • 888 Her songe þay songen neuer þe les;
  • 889 Nowþe-lese non watȝ neuer so quoynt,
  • 890 For alle þe crafteȝ þat euer þay knewe.
  • 891 Þat of þat songe myȝt synge a poynt,
  • 892 Bot þat meyny þe lombe þay swe,
  • 893 For þay arn boȝt fro þe vrþe aloynte.
  • 894 As newe fryt to god ful due
  • 895 & to þe gentyl lombe hit arn amoynt,
  • 896 As lyk to hym self of lote & hwe,
  • 897 For neuer lesyng ne tale vn-trwe,
  • 898 Ne towched her tonge for no dysstresse.
  • 899 Þat moteles meyny may neuer remwe,
  • 900 Fro þat maskeleȝ mayster neuer þe les.”
  • 901 “Neuer þe les let be my þonc,”
  • 902 Quod I, “my perle þaȝ I appose,
  • 903 I schulde not tempte þy wyt so wlonc,
  • 904 To krysteȝ chambre þat art Ichose,
  • 905 I am bot mokke & mul among,
  • 906 & þou so ryche a reken rose,
  • 907 & bydeȝ here by þys blysful bonc
  • 908 Þer lyueȝ lyste may neuer lose,
  • 909 Now hynde þat sympelnesse coneȝ enclose,
  • 910 I wolde þe aske a þynge expresse,
  • 911 & þaȝ I be bustwys as a blose
  • 912 Let my bone vayl neuer þe lese.
  • 913 Neuer þe lese cler I yow by-calle
  • 914 If ȝe con se hyt be to done,
  • 915 As þou art gloryous with-outen galle,
  • 916 Withnay þou neuer my ruful bone.
  • 917 Haf ȝe no woneȝ in castel walle,
  • 918 Ne maner þer ȝe may mete & won?
  • 919 Þou telleȝ me of Ierusalem þe ryche ryalle,
  • 920 Þer dauid dere watȝ dyȝt on trone,
  • 921 Bot by þyse holteȝ hit con not hone
  • 922 Bot in Iudee hit is þat noble note;
  • 923 As ȝe ar maskeleȝ vnder mone,
  • 924 Your woneȝ schulde by wyth-outen mote.
  • 925 Þys moteleȝ meyny þou coneȝ of mele,
  • 926 Of þousandeȝ þryȝt so gret a route,
  • 927 A gret cete, for ȝe arn fele,
  • 928 Yow by-hod haue with-outen doute;
  • 929 So cumly a pakke of Ioly Iuele,
  • 930 Wer euel don schulde lyȝ þer-oute;
  • 931 & by þyse bonkeȝ þer I con gele
  • 932 & I se no bygyng nawhere aboute,
  • 933 I trowe al-one ȝe lenge & loute,
  • 934 To loke on þe glory of þys grac[i]ous gote;
  • 935 If þou hatȝ oþer lygyngeȝ stoute,
  • 936 Now tech me to þat myry mote.
  • 937 “That mote þou meneȝ in Iudy londe,”
  • 938 Þat specyal spyce þen to me spakk,
  • 939 “Þat is þe cyte þat þe lombe con fonde
  • 940 To soffer inne sor for maneȝ sake,
  • 941 Þe olde Ierusalem to vnder-stonde,
  • 942 For þere þe olde gulte watȝ don to slake,
  • 943 Bot þe nwe þat lyȝt of godeȝ sonde,
  • 944 Þe apostel in apocalyppce in theme con take.
  • 945 Þe lombe þer, with-outen spotteȝ blake,
  • 946 Hatȝ feryed þyder hys fayre flote,
  • 947 & as hys flok is with-outen flake,
  • 948 So is hys mote with-outen moote.
  • 949 Of motes two to carpe clene
  • 950 & Ierusalem hyȝt boþe nawþeles,
  • 951 Þat nys to yow no more to mene,
  • 952 Bot cete of god oþer syȝt of pes.
  • 953 In þat on oure pes watȝ mad at ene,
  • 954 With payne to suffer þe lombe hit chese,
  • 955 In þat oþer is noȝt bot pes to glene,
  • 956 Þat ay schal laste with-outen reles,
  • 957 Þat is þe borȝ þat we to pres,
  • 958 Fro þat oure flesch be layd to rote;
  • 959 Þer glory & blysse schal euer encres,
  • 960 To þe meyny þat is with-outen mote.
  • 961 “Moteleȝ may so meke & mylde,”
  • 962 Þen sayde I to þat lufly flor,
  • 963 “Bryng me to þat bygly bylde,
  • 964 & let me se þy blysful bor.”
  • 965 Þat schene sayde, þat god wyl schylde,
  • 966 “Þou may not enter with-inne hys tor,
  • 967 Bot of þe lombe I haue þe aquylde
  • 968 For a syȝt þer-of þurȝ gret fauor.
  • 969 Vt-wyth to se þat clene cloystor,
  • 970 Þou may, bot inwyth not a fote,
  • 971 To strech in þe strete þou hatȝ no vygour,
  • 972 Bot þou wer clene with-outen mote.
  • 973 If I þis mote þe schal vn-hyde,
  • 974 Bow vp to-warde þys borneȝ heued,
  • 975 & I an-endeȝ þe on þis syde
  • 976 Schal sve, tyl þou to a hil be veued,
  • 977 Þen wolde [I] no lenger byde,
  • 978 Bot lurked by launceȝ so lufly leued,
  • 979 Tyl on a hyl þat I asspyed
  • 980 & blusched on þe burghe, as I forth dreued,
  • 981 By-ȝonde þe brok fro me warde keued,
  • 982 Þat schyrrer þen sunne with schafteȝ schon;
  • 983 In þe apokalypce is þe fasoun preued,
  • 984 As deuyseȝ hit þe apostel Ihoñ.
  • 985 As Iohan þe apostel hit syȝ with syȝt
  • 986 I syȝe þat cyty of gret renoun,
  • 987 Ierusalem so nwe & ryally dyȝt,
  • 988 As hit watȝ lyȝt fro þe heuen adoun.
  • 989 Þe borȝ watȝ al of brende golde bryȝt,
  • 990 As glemande glas burnist broun,
  • 991 With gentyl gemmeȝ an-vnder pyȝt;
  • 992 With banteleȝ twelue on basyng boun,
  • 993 Þe foundementeȝ twelue of riche tenoun;
  • 994 Vch tabelment watȝ a serlypeȝ ston,
  • 995 As derely deuyseȝ þis ilk toun,
  • 996 In apocalyppeȝ þe apostel Iohan.
  • 997 As þise stoneȝ in writ con nemme
  • 998 I knew þe name after his tale;
  • 999 Iasper hyȝt þe fyrst gemme,
  • 1000 Þat I on þe fyrst basse con wale,
  • 1001 He glente grene in þe lowest hemme.
  • 1002 Saffer helde þe secounde stale,
  • 1003 Þe calsydoyne þenne with-outen wemme,
  • 1004 In þe þryd table con purly pale;
  • 1005 Þe emerade þe furþe so grene of scale;
  • 1006 Þe sardonyse þe fyfþe ston;
  • 1007 Þe sexte þe rybe he con hit wale,
  • 1008 In þe apocalyppce þe apostel Iohan.
  • 1009 Ȝet Ioyned Iohan þe crysolyt,
  • 1010 Þe seuenþe gemme in fundament;
  • 1011 Þe aȝtþe þe beryl cler & quyt
  • 1012 Þe topasye twynne how þe nente endent;
  • 1013 Þe crysopase þe tenþe is tyȝt;
  • 1014 Þe Iacyngh þe enleuenþe gent;
  • 1015 Þe twelfþe þe gentyleste in veh a plyt,
  • 1016 Þe amatyst purpre with ynde blente;
  • 1017 Þe wal abof þe bantels bent,
  • 1018 Masporye as glas þat glysnande schon,
  • 1019 I knew hit by his deuysement,
  • 1020 In þe apocalyppeȝ þe apostel Iohan.
  • 1021 As Iohan deuysed ȝet saȝ I þare.
  • 1022 Þise twelue de-gres wern brode & stayre,
  • 1023 Þe cyte stod abof ful sware,
  • 1024 As longe as brode as hyȝe ful fayre;
  • 1025 Þe streteȝ of golde as glasse al bare,
  • 1026 Þe wal of Iasper þat glent as glayre;
  • 1027 Þe woneȝ with-inne enurned ware
  • 1028 Wyth alle kynneȝ perre þat moȝt repayre,
  • 1029 Þenne helde vch sware of þis manayre,
  • 1030 Twelue forlonge space er euer hit fon,
  • 1031 Of heȝt, of brede, of lenþe to cayre,
  • 1032 For meten hit syȝ þe apostel Iohan.
  • 1033 As Iohan hym wryteȝ ȝet more I syȝe
  • 1034 Vch pane of þat place had þre ȝateȝ,
  • 1035 So twelue in poursent I con asspye
  • 1036 Þe portaleȝ pyked of rych plateȝ
  • 1037 & vch ȝate of a margyrye,
  • 1038 A parfyt perle þat neuer fateȝ;
  • 1039 Vchon in scrypture a name con plye,
  • 1040 Of israel barneȝ folewande her dateȝ,
  • 1041 Þat is to say as her byrþ whateȝ;
  • 1042 Þe aldest ay fyrst þer-on watȝ done.
  • 1043 Such lyȝt þer lemed in alle þe strateȝ
  • 1044 Hem nedde nawþer sunne ne mone.
  • 1045 Of sunne ne mone had þay no nede
  • 1046 Þe self god watȝ her lompe lyȝt,
  • 1047 Þe lombe her lantyrne with-outen drede,
  • 1048 Þurȝ hym blysned þe borȝ al bryȝt.
  • 1049 Þurȝ woȝe & won my lokyng ȝede,
  • 1050 For sotyle cler moȝt lette no lyȝt;
  • 1051 Þe hyȝe trone þer moȝt ȝe hede
  • 1052 With alle þe apparaylmente vmbe-pyȝte,
  • 1053 As Iohan þe appostel in termeȝ tyȝte;
  • 1054 Þe hyȝe godeȝ self hit set vpone.
  • 1055 A reuer of þe trone þer ran out-ryȝte
  • 1056 Watȝ bryȝter þen boþe þe sunne & mone.
  • 1057 Sunne ne mone schon neuer so swete;
  • 1058 A! þat foysoun flode out of þat flet,
  • 1059 Swyþe hit swange þurȝ vch a strete,
  • 1060 With-outen fylþe oþer galle oþer glet.
  • 1061 Kyrk þer-inne watȝ non ȝete,
  • 1062 Chapel ne temple þat euer watȝ set,
  • 1063 Þe al-myȝty watȝ her mynyster mete,
  • 1064 Þe lombe þe saker-fyse þer to reget;
  • 1065 Þe ȝates stoken watȝ neuer ȝet,
  • 1066 Bot euer more vpen at vche a lone;
  • 1067 Þer entreȝ non to take reset,
  • 1068 Þat bereȝ any spot an-vnder mone.
  • 1069 The mone may þer-of acroche no myȝte
  • 1070 To spotty, ho is of body to grym,
  • 1071 & al-so þer ne is neuer nyȝt.
  • 1072 What schulde þe mone þer compas clym
  • 1073 & to euen wyth þat worþly lyȝt,
  • 1074 Þat schyneȝ vpon þe brokeȝ brym?
  • 1075 Þe planeteȝ arn in to pouer a plyȝt,
  • 1076 & þe self sunne ful fer to dym.
  • 1077 Aboute þat water arn tres ful schym,
  • 1078 Þat twelue fryteȝ of lyf con bere ful sone;
  • 1079 Twelue syþeȝ on ȝer þay beren ful frym
  • 1080 & re-nowleȝ nwe in vche a mone.
  • 1081 An-vnder mone so gret merwayle
  • 1082 No fleschly hert ne myȝt endeure,
  • 1083 As quen I blusched vpon þat baly,
  • 1084 So ferly þer-of watȝ þe falure.
  • 1085 I stod as stylle as dased quayle,
  • 1086 For ferly of þat french fygure,
  • 1087 Þat felde I nawþer reste ne trauayle,
  • 1088 So watȝ I rauyste wyth glymme pure;
  • 1089 For I dar say, with conciens sure,
  • 1090 Hade bodyly burne abiden þat bone,
  • 1091 Þaȝ alle clerkeȝ hym hade in cure,
  • 1092 His lyf wer loste an-vnder mone.
  • 1093 Ryȝt as þe maynful mone con rys,
  • 1094 Er þenne þe day-glem dryue al doun,
  • 1095 So sodanly on a wonder wyse,
  • 1096 I watȝ war of a prosessyoun,
  • 1097 Þis noble cite of ryche enpresse
  • 1098 Watȝ sodanly ful with-outen sommoun
  • 1099 Of such vergyneȝ in þe same gyse
  • 1100 Þat watȝ my blysful an-vnder croun,
  • 1101 & coronde wern alle of þe same fasoun
  • 1102 Depaynt in perleȝ & wedeȝ qwyte,
  • 1103 In vchoneȝ breste watȝ bounden boun,
  • 1104 Þe blysful perle with gret delyt.
  • 1105 With gret delyt þay glod in fere,
  • 1106 On golden gateȝ þat glent as glasse;
  • 1107 Hundreth þowsandeȝ I wot þer were,
  • 1108 & alle in sute her liureȝ wasse,
  • 1109 Tor to knaw þe gladdest chere.
  • 1110 Þe lombe byfore con proudly passe,
  • 1111 Wyth horneȝ seuen of red golde cler,
  • 1112 As praysed perleȝ his wedeȝ wasse;
  • 1113 Towarde þe throne þay trone a tras.
  • 1114 Þaȝ þay wern fele no pres in plyt,
  • 1115 Bot mylde as maydeneȝ seme at mas,
  • 1116 So droȝ þay forth with gret delyt.
  • 1117 Delyt þat hys come encroched,
  • 1118 To much hit were of for to melle;
  • 1119 Þise alder men quen he aproched,
  • 1120 Grouelyng to his fete þay felle;
  • 1121 Legyounes of aungeleȝ togeder uoched,
  • 1122 Þer kesten ensens of swete smelle,
  • 1123 Þen glory & gle watȝ nwe abroched.
  • 1124 Al songe to loue þat gay Iuelle,
  • 1125 Þe steuen moȝt stryke þurȝ þe vrþe to helle,
  • 1126 Þat þe vertues of heuen of Ioye endyte,
  • 1127 To loue þe lombe his meyny in melle,
  • 1128 I-wysse I laȝt a gret delyt;
  • 1129 Delit þe lombe forto deuise,
  • 1130 With much meruayle in mynde went.
  • 1131 Best watȝ he, blyþest & moste to pryse,
  • 1132 Þat euer I herde of speche spent,
  • 1133 So worþly whyt wern wedeȝ hys;
  • 1134 His lokeȝ symple, hym self so gent,
  • 1135 Bot a wounde ful wyde & weete con wyse
  • 1136 An-ende hys hert þurȝ hyde to-rente;
  • 1137 Of his quyte syde his blod out-sprent,
  • 1138 A-las! þoȝt I, who did þat spyt?
  • 1139 Ani breste for bale aȝt haf for-brent,
  • 1140 Er he þer-to hade had delyt,
  • 1141 The lombe delyt non lyste to wene,
  • 1142 Þaȝ he were hurt & wounde hade,
  • 1143 In his sembelaunt watȝ neuer sene,
  • 1144 So wern his glenteȝ gloryous glade.
  • 1145 I loked among his meyny schene,
  • 1146 How þay wyth lyf wern laste & lade,
  • 1147 Þen saȝ I þer my lyttel quene,
  • 1148 Þat I wende had standen by me in sclade;
  • 1149 Lorde! much of mirþe watȝ þat ho made,
  • 1150 Among her fereȝ þat watȝ so quyt!
  • 1151 Þat syȝt me gart to þenk to wade,
  • 1152 For luf longyng in gret delyt.
  • 1153 Delyt me drof in yȝe & ere,
  • 1154 My maneȝ mynde to maddyng malte;
  • 1155 Quen I seȝ my frely I wolde be þere,
  • 1156 Byȝonde þe water, þaȝ ho were walte,
  • 1157 I þoȝt þat no þyng myȝt me dere
  • 1158 To fech me bur & take me halte;
  • 1159 & to start in þe strem schulde non me stere,
  • 1160 To swymme þe remnaunt, þaȝ I þer swalte,
  • 1161 Bot of þat munt I watȝ bi-talt;
  • 1162 When I schulde start in þe strem astraye,
  • 1163 Out of þat caste I watȝ by-calt;
  • 1164 Hit watȝ not at my prynceȝ paye,
  • 1165 Hit payed hym not þat I so flonc,
  • 1166 Ouer meruelous mereȝ so mad arayde,
  • 1167 Of raas þaȝ I were rasch & ronk,
  • 1168 Ȝet rapely þer-inne I watȝ restayed;
  • 1169 For ryȝt as I sparred vn-to þe bonc,
  • 1170 Þat brathe out of my drem me brayde;
  • 1171 Þen wakned I in þat erber wlonk,
  • 1172 My hede vpon þat hylle watȝ layde,
  • 1173 Þer as my perle to grounde strayd;
  • 1174 I raxled & fel in gret affray,
  • 1175 & sykyng to my self I sayd:
  • 1176 “Now al be to þat prynceȝ paye.”
  • 1177 Me payed ful ille to be out-fleme,
  • 1178 So sodenly of þat fayre regioun,
  • 1179 Fro alle þo syȝteȝ so quykeȝ & queme.
  • 1180 A longeyng heuy me strok in swone,
  • 1181 & rewfully þenne I con to reme;
  • 1182 “O perle,” quod I, “of rych renoun,
  • 1183 So watȝ hit me dere þat þou con deme,
  • 1184 In þys veray avysyoun;
  • 1185 If hit be ueray & soth sermoun,
  • 1186 Þat þou so stykeȝ in garlande gay,
  • 1187 So wel is me in þys doel doungoun,
  • 1188 Þat þou art to þat prynseȝ paye.”
  • 1189 To þat prynceȝ paye hade I ay bente,
  • 1190 & ȝerned no more þen watȝ me geuen,
  • 1191 & halden me þer in trwe entent,
  • 1192 As þe perle me prayed þat watȝ so þryuen,
  • 1193 As helde drawen to goddeȝ present,
  • 1194 To mo of his mysterys I hade ben dryuen.
  • 1195 Bot ay wolde man of happe more hente
  • 1196 Þen moȝten by ryȝt vpon hem clyuen;
  • 1197 Þer-fore my ioye watȝ sone to-riuen,
  • 1198 & I kaste of kytheȝ þat lasteȝ aye.
  • 1199 Lorde! mad hit arn þat agayn þe stryuen,
  • 1200 Oþer proferen þe oȝt agayn þy paye;
  • 1201 To pay þe prince oþer sete saȝte,
  • 1202 Hit is ful eþe to þe god krystyin;
  • 1203 For I haf founden hym boþe day & naȝte,
  • 1204 A god, a lorde, a frende ful fyin.
  • 1205 Ouer þis hyl þis lote I laȝte,
  • 1206 For pyty of my perle enclyin,
  • 1207 & syþen to god I hit by-taȝte,
  • 1208 In krysteȝ dere blessyng & myn,
  • 1209 Þat in þe forme of bred & wyn,
  • 1210 Þe preste vus scheweȝ vch a daye;
  • 1211 He gef vus to be his homly hyne,
  • 1212 Ande precious perleȝ vnto his pay. Amen. Amen.
15 ar
1 at
20 ay
2 big
2 blo
2 bur
1 dam
1 get
6 gif
3 hap
14 if
3 may
1 mys
1 rot
1 syt
4 til
2 tom
1 tor
1 wro