The Gersum Project

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.