Chapter XXXII: Appendix: Camb. Univ. MS. Ii. 3. 21, fol. 52 b (6)

{Þ}vs is it q{uo}d I. but so as þou hast ȝeuen or byhyȝt me to vnwrappe{n} þe hidde causes of þinges ¶ and to discoueren me þe resou{n}s couered w{i}t{h} dirknesses I p{re}ye þe þat þou diuise {and} Iuge me of þis matere. {and} þat þou do me to vndrestonde{n} it. ¶ For þis miracle or þis wondre troubleþ me ryȝt gretely. {and} þan she a litel [what] smylyng seide. ¶ þou clepest me q{uo}d she to telle þing. þat is grettest of alle þinges þat mowen ben axed. ¶ And to þe whiche questiou{n} vnneþ[e]s is þere auȝt ynow to lauen it. as who seiþ. vnneþes is þer suffisauntly any þing to answere p{er}fitly to þi questiou{n}. ¶ For þe matere of it is swiche þat whan oon doute is determined {and} kut awey þer wexe{n} oþer doutes wiþ-outen nou{m}bre. ryȝt as þe heuedes waxen of ydre þe serpent þat hercules slouȝ. ¶ Ne þere ne were no man{er}e ne noon ende. but yif þat a wyȝt co{n}streined[e] þo doutes. by a ryȝt lyuely {and} a quik fire of þouȝt. þat is to seyn by vigo{ur} {and} strengþe of witte. ¶ For in þis matere me{n} weren wont to maken questiou{n}s of þe simplicite of þe p{ur}ueaunce of god {and} of þe ordre of destine. {and} of sodeyne hap. {and} of þe knowyng {and} p{re}destinac{i}ou{n} deuine {and} of þe lyberte of fre wille. þe whiche þing þou þi self ap{er}ceiust wel of what weyȝt þei ben. but for as mochel as þe knowynge of þise þinges is a manere porc{i}ou{n} to þe medicine to þe. al be it so þat I haue lytel tyme to don it. ȝit naþeles I wole enforcen me to shewe somwhat of it. ¶ but al þouȝ þe norissinges of dite of musike deliteþ þe þow most suffren. {and} forberen a litel of þilk delite while þat I weue (contexo) to þe resou{n}s yknyt by ordre ¶ As it likeþ to þe q{uo}d I so do. ¶ þo spak she ryȝt a[s] by an oþer bygynnyn[ge] {and} seide þus. ¶ þe enge{n}drynge of alle þinges q{uo}d she {and} alle þe progressiou{n}s of muuable nat{ur}e. {and} alle þ{a}t moeueþ in any manere takiþ hys causes. hys ordre. {and} hys formes. of þe stablenesse of þe deuyne þouȝt [{and} thilke deuyne thowht] þat is yset {and} put in þe toure. þat is to seyne in þe heyȝt of þe simplicite of god. stablisiþ many manere gyses to þinges þat ben to don. ¶ þe whiche manere whan þat men loken it i{n} þilke pure clerenesse of þe deuyne i{n}telligence. it is ycleped p{ur}ueaunce ¶ but whan þilke manere is referred by me{n} to þinges þat it moeueþ {and} disponeþ þan of olde men. it was cleped destine. ¶ þe whiche þinges yif þat any wyȝt lokeþ wel in his þouȝt. þe strengþe of þat oon {and} of þat oþer he shal lyȝtly mowen seen þat þise two þinges ben diuers. ¶ For p{ur}ueau{n}ce is þilke deuyne resou{n} þat is establissed in þe souereyne p{r}ince of þinges. þe whiche p{ur}ueaunce disponiþ alle þinges. but destine is þe disposic{i}ou{n} {and} ordenaunce cleuynge to moeuable þinges. by þe whiche disposic{i}ou{n} þe p{ur}ueaunce knyteþ alle þinges in hire ordres. ¶ For p{ur}ueaunce enbraceþ alle þi{n}ges to hepe. al þouȝ þat þei ben dyuerse {and} al þouȝ þei ben wiþ outen fyn. but destynie dep{ar}teþ {and} ordeyneþ alle þinges singlerly {and} diuideþ. in moeuynges. in places. in formes. in tymes. dep{ar}tiþ [as] þus. so þat þe vnfoldyng of temp{or}el ordenaunce assembled {and} ooned in þe lokyng of þe deuyne þouȝt ¶ Is p{ur}ueaunce {and} þilke same assemblynge. {and} oonyng diuided {and} vnfolden by tymes. lat þat ben called destine. {and} al be it so þat þise þinges ben dyuerse. ȝitte naþeles hangeþ þat oon on þat oþer. forwhi þe ordre destinal p{ro}cediþ of þe simplicite of purueaunce. for ryȝt as a werkma{n} þat ap{er}ceiueþ in hys þouȝt þe forme of þe þing þat he wil make moeueþ þe effect of þe werke. {and} lediþ þat he had[de] loked byforne in hys þouȝt symply {and} p{re}sently by temp{or}el þouȝt. ¶ Certys ryȝt so god disponiþ in hys p{ur}ueaunce singlerly {and} stably þe þinges þat ben to done. but he amynistreþ in many maneres {and} in dyuerse tymes by destyne. þilke same þinges þat he haþ disponed þan wheþir þat destine be excercised. eyþer by so{m}me dyuyne spirites seruaunteȝ to þe deuyne p{ur}ueaunce. or ellys by so{m}me soule (a{n}i{m}a mundi). or ellys by al nature seruynge to god. or ellys by þe celestial moeuyng of sterres. or ellys by þe vertue of aungels. or ellys by þe dyuerse subtilite of deueles. or ellys by any of he{m}. or ellys by hem alle þe destynal ordynau{n}ce is ywouen or accomplissed. certys it is open þing þat þe p{ur}ueaunce is an vnmoeueable {and} symple forme of þinges to done. {and} þe moeueable bonde {and} þe temp{or}el ordynaunce of þinges whiche þat þe deuyne simplicite of p{ur}ueaunce haþ ordeyned to done. þat is destine. For whiche it is þat alle þinges þat ben put vndir destine ben certys subgitȝ to p{ur}ueaunce. to whiche p{ur}ueaunce destine it self is subgit {and} vndir. ¶ But so{m}me þinges ben put vndir purueaunce þat so{ur}mounten þe ordinaunce of destine. {and} þo ben þilke þat stably ben yficched ney to þe first godhed þei so{ur}mou{n}ten þe ordre of destinal moeuablite. ¶ For ryȝt as cercles þat to{ur}nen aboute a same Centre or about a poynt. þilke cercle þat is inrest or moost wiþ-ynne ioineþ to þe symplesse of þe myddel {and} is as it were a Centre or a poynt to þat oþer cercles þat tourne{n} aboute{n} hym. ¶ and þilke þat is outerest compased by larger envyronnynge is vnfolden by larger spaces in so mochel as it is forþest fro þe mydel symplicite of þe poynt. and yif þer be any þi{n}g þat knytteþ {and} felawshippeþ hym selfe to þilke mydel poynt it is constreyned in to symplicite. þat is to seyn in to [vn]moeueablete. {and} it ceseth to ben shad {and} to fleti{n} dyuersly. ¶ Ryȝt so by semblable resou{n}. þilke þinge þat dep{ar}tiþ firþest fro þe first þouȝt of god. it is vnfolde{n} {and} su{m}mittid to grettere bondes of destine. and in so moche is þe þing more free {and} lovs fro destyne as it axeþ {and} holdeþ hym ner to þilke Centre of þinges. þat is to seyne god. ¶ and if þe þinge cleueþ to þe stedfastnesse of þe þouȝt of god. {and} be wiþ oute moeuyng certys it so{ur}mounteþ þe necessite of destyne. þan ryȝt swiche comparisou{n} as [it] is of skilynge to vndirstondyng {and} of þing þat is engendred to þing þat is. {and} of tyme to eternite. {and} of þe cercle to þe Centre. ryȝt so is þe ordre of moeueable destine to þe stable symplicite of p{ur}ueaunce. ¶ þilke ordinaunce moeueþ þe heuene {and} þe sterres {and} attempreþ þe elymentȝ to gider amonges hem self. {and} t{ra}nsformeþ hem by enterchau{n}gable mutac{i}ou{n}. ¶ and þilke same ordre neweþ aȝein alle þinges growyng {and} fallyng a-doune by sembleables p{ro}gressiou{n}s of seedes {and} of sexes. þat is to sein. male {and} female. and þis ilke ordre co{n}streyneþ þe fortunes {and} þe dedes of men by a bonde of causes nat able to ben vnbou{n}den (indissolubili). þe whiche destinal causes whanne þei passen oute fro þe bygynnynges of þe vnmoeueable purueaunce it mot nedes be þat þei ne be nat mutable. {and} þus ben þe þinges ful wel ygouerned. yif þat þe symplicite dwelly{n}ge in þe deuyne þouȝt sheweþ furþe þe ordre of causes. vnable to be I-bowed. {and} þis ordre constreyneþ by hys p{ro}pre stablete þe moeueable þinges. or ellys þei sholde fleten folily for whiche it is þat alle þinges semen to be confus {and} trouble to vs men. for we ne mowe nat co{n}sider{e} þilke ordinaunce. ¶ Naþeles þe p{ro}pre manere of euery þing dressynge hem to goode disponit hem alle. for þere nis no þinge don for cause of yuel. ne þilke þing þat is don by wicked[e] folk nis nat don for yuel þe whiche shrewes as I haue shewed [ful] plentiuously seken goode. but wicked errour mysto{ur}niþ he{m}. ¶ Ne þe ordre comynge fro þe poynt of souereyne goode ne declineþ nat fro hys bygynnynge. but þou mayst sein what vnreste may ben a wors co{n}fusiou{n} þan þ{a}t goode men han so{m}me tyme aduersite. {and} so{m}tyme p{ro}sperite. ¶ and shrewes also han now þinges þat þei desiren. {and} now þi{n}ges þat þei haten ¶ wheþer men lyuen now in swiche hoolnesse of þouȝt. as who seiþ. ben men now so wise. þat swiche folk as þei demen to ben goode folk or shrewes þ{a}t it mot nedes ben þat folk ben swiche as þei wenen. but in þis manere þe domes of men discorden. þat þilke men þ{a}t so{m}me folk demen worþi of mede. oþer folk demen hem worþi of to{ur}ment. but lat vs graunt[e] I pose þat som man may wel demen or knowen þe goode folk {and} þe badde. May he þan knowen {and} seen þilke inrest attemp{er}aunce of corages. as it haþ ben wont to be said of bodyes. as who saiþ may a man speken {and} determine of attemp{er}aunce in corages. as men were wont to demen or speken of complexiou{n}s {and} attemp{er}aunces of bodies (q’ non). ne it [ne] is nat an vnlyke miracle to hem þat ne knowe{n} it nat. ¶ As who seiþ. but is lyke a merueil or a miracle to hem þat ne knowe{n} it nat. whi þat swete þinges [ben] couenable to some bodies þat ben hool {and} to some bodies bittre þinges ben couenable. {and} also whi þat some seke folk ben holpen w{i}t{h} lyȝt medicines [{and} some folk ben holpen w{i}t{h} sharppe medicynes] but naþeles þe leche þ{a}t knoweþ þe manere {and} þe attemp{er}aunce of heele {and} of maladie ne merueileþ of it no þing. but what oþer þing semeþ hele of corages but bounte {and} prowesse. {and} what oþer þing semeþ maladie of corages but vices. who is ellys kep{er}e of good or dryuere awey of yuel but god gouerno{ur} {and} leecher of þouȝtes. þe whiche god wha{n} he haþ by-holden from þe heye toure of hys p{ur}ueaunce he knoweþ what is couenable to euery wyȝt. {and} leneþ hem þat he wot [þat] is couenable to hem. Loo here of comeþ {and} here of is don þis noble miracle of þe ordre destinal. whan god þat alle knoweþ doþ swiche þing. of whiche þing [þat] vnknowyng folk ben astoned but forto constreine as who seiþ ¶ But forto co{m}prehende {and} telle a fewe þinges of þe deuyne depnesse þe whiche þat mans resou{n} may vnderstonde. ¶ þilk man þat þou wenest to ben ryȝt Iuste {and} ryȝt kepyng of eq{u}ite. þe contrarie of þat semeþ to þe deuyne p{ur}ueaunce þat al woot. ¶ And lucan my familier telleþ þat þe victories cause liked[e] to þe goddes {and} causes ouercomen liked[e] to cato{u}n. þan what so euer þou mayst seen þat is don in þis [world] vnhoped or vnwened. certys it is þe ryȝt[e] ordre of þinges. but as to þi wicked[e] oppiniou{n} it is a co{n}fusiou{n}. but I suppose þat som man be so wel yþewed. þat þe deuyne Iugement {and} þe Iugeme{n}t of mankynde accorden hem to gidre of hym. but he is so vnstedfast of corage [þat] yif any aduersite come to hym he wolde for-leten p{er}auenture to continue i{n}nocence by þe whiche he ne may nat wiþholden fortune. ¶ þan þe wise dispensac{i}ou{n} of god spareþ hym þe whiche man{er}e adu{er}site myȝt[e] enpeyren. ¶ For þat god wil nat suffren hym to trauaile. to whom þat trauayl nis nat couenable. ¶ An oþ{er} man is p{er}fit in alle uertues. {and} is an holy man {and} neye to god so þat þe p{ur}ueaunce of god wolde demen þat it were a felony þat he were touched wiþ any aduersites. so þat he ne wil nat suffre þat swiche a man be moeued wiþ any manere maladie. ¶ But so as seide a philosophre [the moore excellent by me]. þe adu{er}sites comen nat (he seide in grec[;]) þere þ{a}t uertues han edified þe bodie of þe holy man. and ofte tyme it bitideþ þat þe so{m}me of þinges þat ben to don is taken to good folk to gouerne. for þat þe malice habundaunt of shrewes sholde ben abatid. {and} god ȝeueþ {and} dep{ar}tiþ to oþer folk p{ro}sp[er]ites {and} aduersites ymedeled to hepe aftir þe qualite of hire corages {and} remordiþ som folk by adu{er}sites. for þei ne sholden nat wexen proude by longe welefulnesse. {and} oþer folk he suffreþ to ben trauayled wiþ harde þinges. ¶ For þat þei sholden conferme þe vertues of corage by þe vsage {and} ex{er}citac{i}ou{n} of pacie{n}ce. and oþer folke dreden more þen þei auȝten þe wiche þei myȝt[en] wel beren. {and} þilke folk god lediþ in to exp{er}ience of hem self by aspre {and} sorweful þinges. ¶ And many oþer folk han bouȝt honorable renoune of þis worlde by þe pris of glorious deeþ. and som men þat ne mowen nat ben ouer-comen by tourment han ȝeuen ensample to oþer folk þat vertue ne may nat be ouer-comen by aduersites. ¶ and of alle þise þinges þer nis no doute þ{a}t þei ne ben don ryȝtfully {and} ordeinly to þe p{ro}fit of hem to whom we seen þise þinges bitide. ¶ For certys þat aduersite comeþ some tyme to shrewes. {and} some tyme þat þei desiren it comeþ of þise forseide causes {and} of sorweful þinges þat bytyden to shrewes. Certys no man ne wondreþ. For alle me{n} wenen þat þei han wel deserued it. {and} þei ben of wicked m{er}ite of whiche shrewes þe to{ur}ment som tyme agasteþ oþer to done folies. {and} som tyme it amendeþ hem þat suffren þe to{ur}mentis. ¶ And þe p{ro}sp{er}ite þat is ȝeuen to shrewes sheweþ a grete argument to good[e] folk what þing þei sholde demen of þilk wilfulnesse þe whiche p{ro}sperite men seen ofte serue to shrewes. in þe whiche þing I trowe þat god dispensiþ. for p{er}auenture þe nature of som man is so ouerþrowyng to yuel {and} so vncouenable þat þe nedy pouerte of hys house-hold myȝt[e] raþer egren hym to done felonies. and to þe maladie of hym god puttiþ remedie to ȝiuen hym rychesse. {and} som oþer man byholdiþ hys conscience defouled wiþ synnes {and} makiþ co{m}parisou{n} of his fortune {and} of hym self ¶ and drediþ p{er}auenture þat hys blisfulnesse of whiche þe vsage is ioyful to hym þat þe lesynge of þilke blisfulnesse ne be nat sorweful to hym. {and} þerfore he wol chaunge hys maneres. and for he drediþ to lese hys fortune. he forletiþ hys wickednesse. to oþer folk is welefulnesse yȝeue{n} vnworþily þe whiche ouerþroweþ hem in to destrucc{i}ou{n} þat þei han deserued. and to som oþer folk is ȝeuen power to punisse{n}. for þat it shal be cause of continuac{i}ou{n} {and} ex{er}cisinge to good[e] folk. {and} cause of to{ur}ment to shrewes. ¶ For so as þer nis none alyaunce bytwixe good[e] folke {and} shrewes. ne shrewes ne mowen nat accorde{n} amo{n}ges hem self {and} whi nat. for shrewes discorde{n} of hem self by her vices þe whiche vices al to renden her consciences. {and} don oft[e] tyme þinges þe whiche þinges whan þei han don hem. þei demen þat þo þinges ne sholde nat han ben don. for whiche þinge þilke souereyne p{ur}ueaunce haþ maked oft[e] tyme [fair{e}] miracle so þ{a}t shrewes han maked oftyme shrewes to ben good[e] men. for whan þat som shrewes seen þat þei suffren wrongfully felonies of oþer shrewes þei wexen eschaufed in to hat[e] of hem þat anoien hem. {and} retournen to þe fruit of uertue. when þei studien to ben vnlyke to he{m} þat þei han hated. ¶ Certys þis only is þe deuyne myȝt to þe whiche myȝt yueles ben þan good. whan it vseþ þo yueles couenably {and} draweþ out þe effect of any good. as who seiþ þat yuel is good oonly by þe myȝt of god. for þe myȝt of god ordeyneþ þilk yuel to good. For oon ordre enbrasiþ alle þinges. so þat what wyȝt [þ{a}t] dep{ar}tiþ fro þe resou{n} of þe ordre whiche þat is assigned to hym. algates ȝit he slideþ in to an oþ{er} ordre. so þat noþing nis leueful to folye in þe realme of þe deuyne p{ur}ueaunce. as who seiþ no þing nis wiþouten ordinaunce in þe realme of þe deuyne purueaunce. ¶ Syn þat þe ryȝt strong[e] god gouerniþ alle þinges in þis worlde for it nis nat leueful to no man to co{m}p{re}henden by witte ne vnfolden by worde alle þe subtil ordinaunces {and} disposic{i}ou{n}s of þe deuyne entent. for oonly it auȝt[e] suffice to han loked þat god hym self makere of alle natures ordeyniþ and dressiþ alle þinges to good. while þat he hastiþ to wiþhalden þe þinges þat he haþ maked in to hys semblaunce. þat is to seyn forto wiþholden þinges in to good. for he hym self is good he chaseþ oute al yuel of þe boundes of hys co{m}munalite by þe ordre of necessite destinable. For whiche it folweþ þat yif þou loke þe p{ur}ueaunce ordeynynge þe þinges þat men wenen ben haboundaunt in erþes. þou ne shalt not seen in no place no þing of yuel. ¶ but I se now þat þou art charged wiþ þe weyȝte of þe questiou[n] {and} wery wiþ lengþe of my resou{n}. {and} þat þou abidest som swetnesse of songe. tak þa{n} þis drauȝt {and} whan þou art wel refresshed {and} refet þou shalt ben more stedfast to stye in to heyere questiou{n}s.

SI UIS CELSI IURA.

[Sidenote: [The syxte Met{ur}.]]

++Yif þou wolt demen in þi pur{e} þouȝt þe ryȝtes or þe lawes of þe heye þund[ere]re. þat is to seyne of god. loke þou {and} bihold þe heyȝtes of souereyne heuene. ¶ þere kepen þe sterres by ryȝtful alliaunce of þinges hir olde pees. þe sonne ymoeued by hys rody fire. ne destourbiþ nat þe colde cercle of þe moone. ¶ Ne þe sterre yclepid þe bere. þ{a}t encliniþ hys rauyssynge courses abouten þe souereyne heyȝt of þe worlde. ne þe same sterre vrsa nis neuer mo wasshen in þe depe westerne see. ne coueitiþ nat to dyȝen hys flaumbes in þe see of [the] occian. al þouȝ he see oþer sterres yplounged in to þe see. ¶ And hesperus þe sterre bodiþ {and} telliþ alwey þe late nyȝtes. And lucifer þe sterre bryngeþ aȝeyne þe clere day. ¶ And þus makiþ loue enterchaungeable þe p{er}durable courses. {and} þus is discordable bataile yput oute of þe contre of þe sterres. þis accordaunce atte{m}preþ by euene-lyke manere[s] þe elementes. þat þe moyste þinges striuen nat wiþ þe drye þinges. but ȝiuen place by stoundes. and þat þe colde þinges ioynen hem by feiþ to þe hote þinges. {and} þat þe lyȝt[e] fyre arist in to heyȝte. {and} þe heuy erþes aualen by her weyȝtes. ¶ by þise same cause þe floury yere ȝeldeþ swote smellys in þe fyrste somer sesou{n} warmynge. {and} þe hote somer dryeþ þe cornes. {and} autumpne comeþ aȝeyne heuy of apples. and þe fletyng reyne bydeweþ þe wynter. þis attemp{er}aunce noryssiþ {and} brynggeþ furþe al þinge þat brediþ lyfe in þis worlde. ¶ and þilk same attemp{er}aunce rauyssyng hideþ {and} bynymeþ {and} drencheþ vndir þe last[e] deþe alle þinges yborn. ¶ Amonges þise þinges sitteþ þe heye makere kyng {and} lorde. welle {and} bygynnynge. lawe {and} wise Iuge. to don equite {and} gouerniþ {and} encliniþ þe bridles of þinges. {and} þo þinges þat he stireþ to don by moeuynge he wiþdraweþ {and} arestiþ {and} affermiþ þe moeueable or wandryng þinges. ¶ For ȝif þat he ne clepiþ nat aȝein þe ryȝt goynge of þinges. {and} ȝif þat he ne constreyned[e] hem nat eftesones in to roundenesse enclined þe þinges þ{a}t ben now continued by stable ordinaunce. þei sholde deperten from hir welle. þat is to sein from hir bygynnynge {and} failen. þat is to sein to{ur}nen in to nauȝt. ¶ þis is þe co{m}mune loue of alle þinges. {and} alle þi{n}ges axen to be holden by þe fyn of good. For ellys ne myȝten þei nat lasten yif þei ne come nat eftesones aȝeine by loue retourned to þe cause þat haþ ȝeuen he{m} beynge. þat is to seyn to god.

IAM NE IGITUR UIDES.

[Sidenote: [The seuende p{ro}se.]]

++Sest þou nat þan what þing folweþ alle þe þinges þat I haue seid. what þing q{uo}d I. ¶ Certys q{uo}d she outerly þat al fortune is good. and how may þat be q{uo}d .I. ¶ Now vndirstand q{uo}d she so as [alle fortune wheyther so it be Ioyeful fortune / or aspr{e}] fortune is ȝiuen eiþer by cause of g{er}donynge or ellys of ex{er}cisynge of goode folk or ellys by cause to punissen. or ellys to chastysen shrewes. ¶ þan is alle fortune good. þe whiche fortune is certeyne þat it be eiþer ryȝtful or p{ro}fitable. ¶ For soþe þis is a ful verray resou{n} q{uo}d I. and yif I considere þe p{ur}ueau{n}ce {and} þe destine þat þou tauȝtest me a litel here byforne þis sentence is susteyned by stedfast resou{n}s. but yif it like vnto þe lat vs nou{m}bre hem amonges þilk[e] þinges of whiche þou seidest a litel here byforne þat þei ne were nat able to ben ywened to þe poeple. ¶ whi so q{uo}d she. for þat þe comune worde of men mysusiþ q{uo}d I. þis manere speche of fortune. {and} sein ofte tymes [þ{a}t] þe fortune of som wyȝt is wicked. wilt þou þan q{uo}d she þat I p{ro}che a litel to þe wordes of þe poeple so it seme nat to hem þat I be ouer moche dep{ar}tid as fro þe vsage of man kynde. as þou wolt q{uo}d I. ¶ Demest þou nat q{uo}d she þat al þing þat p{ro}fitiþ is good. ȝis q{uo}d I. certis þilk þing þat ex{er}cisiþ or corigiþ profitiþ. I confesse it wel q{uo}d I. þan is it good q{uo}d she. whi nat q{uo}d I. but þis is þe fortune [q{uod} she] of hem þat eiþer ben put in vertue {and} batailen aȝeins aspre þinges. or ellys of hem þat eschewen {and} declinen fro vices {and} taken þe weye of vertue. ¶ þis ne may nat I denye q{uo}d I ¶ But what seist þou of þe myrye fortune þat is ȝeuen to good folk in gerdou{n} deuiniþ ouȝt þe poeples þat it is wicked. nay forsoþe q{uo}d I. but þei demen as it soþe is þat it is ryȝt good. ¶ And what seist þou of þat oþer fortune q{uo}d she. þat al þouȝ it be aspre {and} restreiniþ þe shrewes by ryȝtful tourment. weniþ ouȝt þe poeple þ{a}t it be good. nay q{uo}d I. ¶ But þe poeple demiþ þat it be most wrecched of alle þinges þat may ben þouȝt. war now {and} loke wel q{uo}d she lest þat we in folwyng þe opyniou{n} of poeple haue confessed {and} co{n}cluded þing þat is vnable to be wened to þe poeple. what is þat q{uo}d I ¶ Certys q{uo}d she it folweþ or comeþ of þinges þ{a}t ben graunted þat alle fortune what so euer it be. of hem þat eyþer ben i{n} possessiou{n} of vertue. [or in the encres of vertu] or ellys in þe purchasynge of vertue. þat þilke fortune is good. ¶ And þat alle fortune is ryȝt wicked to hem þat dwellen in shrewednesse. as who seiþ. {and} þus weneþ nat þe poeple. ¶ þat is soþe q{uo}d I. ¶ Al be it so þat noma{n} dar confesse{n} it ne byknowen it. ¶ whi so q{uo}d she. For ryȝt as no strong man ne semeþ nat to abassen or disdaigne{n} as ofte tyme as he hereþ þe noise of þe bataile. ne also it ne semeþ nat to þe wyse man to beren it greuously as oft[e] as he is lad in to þe strif of fortune. for boþe to þat on man {and} eke to þat oþ{er} þilke difficulte is þe matere to þat oon man of encrese of his glorious renou{n}. {and} to þat oþer man to conferme hys sapience. þat is to seine þe asprenesse of hys estat. ¶ For þerfore is it called uertue. for þat it susteniþ {and} enforceþ by hys strengþes þat it nis nat ouer-come{n} by aduersites. ¶ Ne certys þou þat art put in þe encrese or in þe heyȝt of uertue ne hast nat comen to fleten wiþ delices {and} forto welken in bodyly lust. ¶ þou sowest or plauntest a ful egre bataile in þi corage aȝeins euery fortune. for þat þe sorweful fortune ne co{n}fou{n}de þe nat. ne þat þe myrye fortune ne corrumpe þe nat. ¶ Occupy þe mene by stedfast strengþes. for al þat euer is vndir þe mene. or ellys al þat ou{er}-passeþ þe mene despiseþ welefulnesses. ¶ As who seiþ. it is vicious {and} ne haþ no mede of hys trauaile. ¶ For it is set in ȝour{e} hand. as who seiþ it lieþ in ȝour{e} power what fortune ȝow is leuest. þat is to seyne good or yuel. ¶ For alle fortune þat semeþ sharpe or aspre yif it ne ex{er}cise nat þe good folk. ne chastisiþ þe wicked folk. it punisseþ.

BELLA BIS QUENIS. {ET} C{ETERA}.

[Sidenote: [The seuende Met{ur}.]]

++ÞE wrekere attrides ¶ þat is to seyne agamenon þat wrouȝt[e] {and} continued[e] þe batailes by ten ȝere recouered[e] {and} p{ur}ged[e] in wrekyng by þe destrucc{i}ou{n} of troie þe loste chambres of mariage of hys broþer þis is to seyn þat [he] agamenon wan aȝein Eleine þat was Menelaus wif his broþer. In þe mene while þat þilke agamenon desired[e] to ȝeuen sailes to þe grekyssh{e} nauye {and} bouȝt[e] aȝein þe wyndes by blode. he vncloþed[e] hym of pite as fad{er}. {and} þe sory p{re}st ȝiueþ in sacrifiynge þe wreched kuyttyng of þrote of þe douȝter. ¶ þat is to sein þat agamenon lete kuytte{n} þe þrote of hys douȝter by þe prest. to maken alliaunce wiþ hys goddes. {and} for to haue wynde wiþ whiche he myȝt[e] wende to troie. ¶ Itakus þat is to sein vlixies bywept[e] hys felawes ylorn þe whiche felawes þe fiers[e] pholifem{us} ligginge in his grete Caue had[de] freten {and} dreint in hys empty wombe. but naþeles polifem{us} wood for his blinde visage ȝeld to vlixies ioye by hys sorowful teres. þis is to seyn þat vlixes smot oute þe eye of poliphem{us} þat stod in hys forhede. for whiche vlixes hadde ioie whan he saw poliphem{us} wepyng {and} blynde. ¶ Hercules is celebrable for hys hard[e] trauaile he dawntede þe proude Centauris half hors half man. {and} he rafte þe despoylynge fro þe cruel lyou{n} þat is to seyne he slouȝ þe lyou{n} {and} rafte hy{m} hys skyn. he smot þe brids þat hyȝte{n} arpijs [in þe palude of lyrne] wiþ certeyne arwes. he rauyssed[e] applis fro þe wakyng dragou{n}. {and} hys hand was þe more heuy for þe golde[ne] metal. He drouȝ Cerberus þe hound of helle by hys treble cheyne. he ouer-comer as it is seid haþ put an vnmeke lorde fodre to hys cruel hors ¶ þis is to sein. þat hercules slouȝ diomedes {and} made his hors to etyn hym. and he hercules slouȝ Idra þe serpent {and} brend[e] þe venym. and achelaus þe flode defouled[e] in his forhede dreint[e] his shamefast visage in his strondes. þis is to sein þat achelaus couþe transfigure hym self in to dyuerse lykenesse. {and} as he fauȝt wiþ orcules at þe laste he t{ur}nid[e] hym in to a bole and hercules brak of oon of hys hornes. {and} achelaus for shame hidde hym in hys ryuer. ¶ And [he] hercules cast[e] adou{n} Antheus þe geaunt in þe strondes of libye. {and} kacus apaised[e] þe wraþþes of euander. þis is to sein þat hercules slouȝ þe Monstre kacus {and} apaised[e] wiþ þat deeþ þe wraþþe of euander. ¶ And þe bristled[e] boor marked[e] wiþ scomes þe sholdres of hercules. þe whiche sholdres þe heye cercle of heuene sholde þreste. {and} þe laste of his labo{ur}s was þat he sustened[e] þe heuene vpo{n} his nekke vnbowed. {and} he deserued[e] eftsones þe heuene to ben þe pris of his laste trauayle ¶ Goþ now þan ȝe stronge men þere as þe heye weye of þe grete ensample ledeþ ȝou. ¶ O nice men whi nake ȝe ȝoure bakkes. as who seiþ. ¶ O ȝe slowe {and} delicat men whi fley ȝe aduersites. {and} ne fyȝte{n} nat aȝeins hem by vertue to wynnen þe mede of þe heuene. for þe erþe ouer-come{n} ȝeueþ þe sterres. ¶ þis is to seyne þat whan þat erþely lust is ouer-comen. a man is maked worþi to þe heuene.

EXPLICIT LIBER QUARTUS.

INCIPIT LIBER QUINTUS.

DIXERAT ORACIONISQ{UE} CURSUM.

[Sidenote: [The fyrste prose.]]

++She hadde seid {and} to{ur}ned[e] þe cours of hir resou{n} to so{m}me oþ{er} þinges to ben tretid {and} to ben ysped. þan seide I. Certys ryȝtful is þin amonestyng {and} ful digne by auctorite. but þat þou seidest som tyme þat þe questiou{n} of þe deuyne p{ur}ueaunce is enlaced wiþ many oþer questiou{n}s. I vndir-stonde wel {and} p{ro}ue it by þe same þinge. but I axe yif þat þou wenest þat hap be any þing in any weys. {and} if þou wenest þat hap be any [thing] what is it. þan q{uo}d she. I haste me to ȝelden {and} assoilen þe to þe dette of my byheste {and} to shewen {and} opnen þe wey by whiche wey þou maist come aȝein to þi contre. ¶ but al be it so þat þe þinges whiche þat þou axest b{e}n ryȝt p{ro}fitable to knowe. ȝitte ben þei diuers somwhat fro þe paþe of my purpos. And it is to douten þat þou ne be maked weery by mysweys so þat þou ne mayst nat suffise to mesure{n} þe ryȝt weye. ¶ Ne doute þe þer-of no þing q{uo}d I. for forto knowen þilke þinges to-gidre in þe whiche þinges I delite me gretly. þat shal ben to me in stede of reste. Syn it nis nat to douten of þe þinges folwy{n}ge whan euery side of þi disputisou{n} shal be stedfast to me by vndoutous feiþ. þan seide she. þat manere wol I don þe. {and} byga{n} to speken ryȝt þus ¶ Certys q{uo}d she yif any wyȝt diffinisse hap in þis manere. þat is to seyn. þat hap is bytidynge y-brouȝt forþe by foelyshe moeuynge. {and} by no knyttyng of causes. ¶ I conferme þat hap nis ryȝt nauȝt in no wise. and I deme al outerly þat hap nis ne dwelliþ but a voys. ¶ As who seiþ. but an ydel worde wiþ outen any significac{i}ou{n} of þing summittid to þat vois. for what place myȝt[e] ben left or dwellynge to folie {and} to disordinau{n}ce. syn þat god lediþ {and} streyniþ alle þinges by ordre. ¶ For þis sentence is verray {and} soþe þat no þinge ne haþ his beynge of nouȝt. to [the] whiche sentence none of þise olde folk ne wiþseide neuere al be it so þat þei ne vndirstoden ne moeueden it nauȝt by god p{r}ince {and} gynner of wirkyng. but þei casten as a manere foundement of subgit material. þat is to seyn of [the] nature of alle resou{n}. {and} ȝif þat ony þinge is woxen or comen of no causes. þan shal it seme þat þilke þinge is comen or woxen of nouȝt. but yif þis ne may nat ben don. þan is it nat possible þat þere haþ ben any swiche þing as I haue diffinissid a litel here byforne. ¶ How shal it þan ben q{uo}d I. nis þer þan no þing þat by ryȝt may be cleped eyþer hap{pe} or ellis auenture of fortune. or is þer ouȝt al be it so þat it is hidd fro þe poeple to whiche þise wordes ben couenable. Myn aristotul q{uo}d she. in þe book of his phisik diffinisseþ þis þing by short resou{n} and neyȝe to þe soþe. ¶ In whiche manere q{uo}d I. ¶ As ofte q{uo}d she as men don any þing for grace of any oþer þing. {and} an oþer þinge þan þilke þing þat men ententen to doon bytideþ by som[e] causes it is ycleped hap{pe}. ¶ Ryȝt as a man dalf þe erþe by cause of tylienge of þe felde. {and} fond þere a gobet of golde by-doluen. þan wenen folk þat it is fallen by fortunous bytydyng. but for soþe it nis nat for nauȝt for it haþ hys p{ro}pre causes of whiche causes þe cours vnforseyn and vnwar semiþ to han maked hap{pe}. ¶ For yif þe tilier in þe erþe ne delue nat in þe felde. and yif þe hider of þe golde ne hadde hidd þe golde in þilke place. þe golde ne had[de] nat ben founde. þise ben þan þe causes of þe abreggynge of fortune hap. þe whiche abreggynge of fortune hap comeþ of causes encountrynge {and} flowyng to-gidre to hem selfe. {and} nat by þe entenc{i}ou{n} of þe doer. ¶ For neiþer þe hider of þe gold. ne þe deluer of þe felde ne vndirstanden nat þat þe golde sholde han be founde. but as I seide. it bytidde {and} ran to-gidre þat he dalf þere as þat oþer hadde hidd þe golde. Now may I þus diffinissen hap{pe}. ¶ Hap{pe} is an vnwar bytydyng of causes assembled in þinges þat ben don for som oþer þinge. but þilke ordre p{ro}cedynge by an vneschewable byndynge to-gidre. whiche þat descendeþ fro þe wel of purueaunce þat ordeineþ alle þinges i{n} hir{e} places {and} in hire tymes makeþ þat þe causes rennen {and} assemblen to-gidre.

RUPIS ACHEMENIE.

[Sidenote: [The fyrste Met{ur}.]]

++TIgris [{and}] eufrates resoluen {and} spryngen of a welle in þe kragges of þe roche of þe contre of achemenye þer{e} as þe fleenge [batayle] ficchiþ hire dartes reto{ur}nid in þe brestes of hem þat folwen hem. ¶ And sone aftre þe same ryueres tigris {and} eufrates vnioygne{n} {and} dep{ar}ten hir{e} watres. and yif þei comen to-gidre {and} ben assembled {and} clepid to-gidre in to o cours. þan moten þilke þinges fletyn to-gidre whiche þat þe water of þe entrechau{n}gyng flode bry{n}geþ þe shippes {and} þe stokkes araced wiþ þe flood moten assemble. {and} þe watres ymedlyd wrappiþ or implieþ many fortunel happes or maneres. þe whiche wandryng happes naþeles þilke enclinyng lowenes of þe erþe. {and} þe flowynge ordre of þe slidyng water gouerniþ. ¶ Ryȝt so fortune þat semeþ as [þat] it fletiþ wiþ slaked or vngouerned[e] bridles. It suffriþ bridles þat is to seyn to ben gouerned {and} passeþ by þilke lawe. þat is to sein by þe deuyne ordinaunce.

A{N}I{M}ADUERTO INQ{UA}M.

[Sidenote: [The .2^de. p{ro}se.]]

++Þis vndirstonde I wel q{uo}d I. {and} accorde wel þat it is ryȝt as þou seist. but I axe yif þer be any liberte or fre wil in þis ordre of causes þat cliue{n} þus to-gidre in hem self. ¶ or ellys I wolde witen yif þat þe destinal cheine co{n}streiniþ þe moeueuynge of þe corages of me{n}. yis q{uo}d she þer is liberte of fre wille. ne þer ne was neuer no nature of resou{n} þat it ne hadde liberte of fre wille. ¶ For euery þing þat may naturely vsen resou{n}. it haþ doom by whiche it discerniþ {and} demiþ euery þing. ¶ þan knoweþ it by it self þinges þat be{n} to fleen. {and} þinges þat ben to desiren. {and} þilk þing þat any wyȝt demeþ to ben desired þ{a}t axeþ or desireþ he {and} fleeþ [thilke] þing þat he troueþ ben to fleen. ¶ wher-fore in alle þinges þ{a}t resou{n} is. i{n} hem also is libertee of willyng {and} of nillynge. ¶ But I ne ordeyne nat. as who seiþ. I ne graunte nat þat þis lib{er}tee be euene like in alle þinges. forwhi in þe souereyns deuynes substau{n}ces. þat is to seyn in spiritȝ ¶ Iugement is more clere {and} wil nat be corumped. {and} haþ myȝt redy to speden þinges þat ben desired. ¶ But þe soules of men moten nedes ben more free whan þei loken hem in þe speculac{i}ou{n} or lokynge of þe deuyne þouȝt. {and} lasse free whan þei sliden in to þe bodies. {and} ȝit lasse free whan þei ben gadred to-gidre {and} co{m}p{re}hendid in erþely membris. but þe last[e] seruage is whan þat þei ben ȝeue{n} to vices. {and} han yfalle fro þe possessiou{n} of hire p{ro}pre resou{n} ¶ For after þat þei han cast aweye hir eyen fro þe lyȝt of þe souereyn soþefastnesse to lowe þinges {and} dirke ¶ Anon þei dirken by þe cloude of ignoraunce {and} ben troubled by felonous talentȝ. to þe whiche talentȝ whan þei app{ro}chen {and} assenten. þei hepen {and} encresen þe seruage whiche þei han ioigned to hem self. and in þis manere þei ben caitifs fro hire p{ro}pre libertee. þe whiche þinges naþeles þe lokynge of þe deuyne purueaunce seeþ þ{a}t alle þinges byholdeþ {and} seeþ fro et{er}ne. and ordeyneþ hem eueryche i{n} her merites. as þei ben p{ro}destinat. {and} it is seid in grek. þat alle þinges he seeþ {and} alle þinges he hereþ.

PURO CLARU{M} LUMINE.

[Sidenote: [The .2^de. Met{ur}.]]

++HOmer wiþ þe hony mouþe. þat is to seyn. homer wiþ þe swete dites syngeþ þat þe sonne is cleer by pure lyȝt. naþeles ȝit ne may it nat by þe inferme lyȝt of hys bemes breke{n} or p{er}ce{n} þe inwarde entrailes of þe erþe. or ellys of þe see. ¶ so ne seeþ nat god makere of þe grete worlde to hym þat lokeþ alle þinges from on heye ne wiþstandiþ nat no þinges by heuynesses of erþe. ne þe nyȝt ne wiþstondeþ nat to hy{m} by þe blake cloudes. ¶ þilke god seeþ i{n} o strook of þouȝt alle þinges þat ben or weren or schullen come. ¶ and þilke god for he lokeþ {and} seeþ alle þinges al oon. þou maist seyn þat he is þe verray sonne.

TAMEN EGO EN INQ{UA}M.

[Sidenote: [The .3^de. p{ro}se.]]

++ÞAn seide I now am I co{n}fou{n}ded by a more harde doute þan I was. what doute is þat q{uo}d she. ¶ For certys I coniecte now by whiche þinges þou art troubled. It semeþ q{uo}d I to repugnen {and} to contrarien gretly þat god knoweþ byforn alle þinges. {and} þat þer is any fredom of liberte. for yif so be þat god lokeþ alle þinges byforn. ne god ne may nat ben desseiuid in no manere. þan mot it nedes ben þat alle þinges bytyden þe whiche þat þe purueaunce of god haþ sein byforn to comen. ¶ For whiche yif þat god knoweþ by-forn nat oonly þe werkes of men. but also hir conseils {and} hir willes. þan ne shal þer be no liberte of arbitre. ne certys þer ne may ben noon oþer dede ne no wille but þilke whiche þe deuyne purueaunce þat ne may nat ben desseiued haþ feled byforn ¶ For yif þat þei myȝten wryþen awey in oþer manere þan þei ben purueyed. þan ne sholde þer ben no stedfast p{re}science of þinge to comen but raþer an vncerteyn oppiniou{n}. þe whiche þinge to trowen on god I deme it felonie {and} vnleueful. ¶ Ne I ne proeue nat þilk same resou{n}. as who seiþ I ne allowe nat. or I ne p{re}ise nat þilke same resou{n} by whiche þat som men wenen þat þei mowen assoilen {and} vnknytten þe knot of þis questiou{n}. ¶ For certys þei seyn þ{a}t þing nis nat to come for þat þe purueaunce of god haþ seyn it byforn{e}. þat is to comen but raþer þe cont{ra}rie. ¶ And þat is þis þat for þat þe þing is to comen þat þerfore ne may it nat ben hyd fro þe purueaunce of god. {and} in þis manere þis necessite slydiþ aȝein in to þe contrarie p{ar}tie. ne it ne byhoueþ [nat] nedes þat þinges bytiden þat ben ypurueid. [but it by-houeth nedes / þ{a}t thinges þ{a}t ben to comyn ben yporueyid] but as it were yt{ra}uailed. as who seiþ. þat þilke answere p{ro}cediþ ryȝt as þouȝ men trauailden or weren bysy to enqueren þe whiche þing is cause of whiche þinges. as wheþer þe p{re}science is cause of þe necessite of þinges to comen. or ellys þat þe necessite of þi{n}ges to comen is cause of þe purueau{n}ce. ¶ But I ne enforce me nat now to shewe{n} it þat þe bytidyng of þinges y-wist byforn is necessarie. how so or in what manere þat þe ordre of causes haþ it self. al þouȝ þat it ne seme nat þat þe p{re}science brynge in necessite of bytydynge of þinges to comen. ¶ For certys yif þat any wyȝt sitteþ it byhoueþ by necessite þat þe oppiniou{n} be soþe of hym þ{a}t coniectiþ þat he sitteþ. and aȝeinward. al so is it of þe contrarie. yif þe oppiniou{n} be soþe of any wyȝt for þat he sitteþ it byhoueþ by necessite þat he sitte ¶ þan is here necessite in þat oon {and} in þ{a}t oþer. for in þat oon is necessite of sittynge. {and} certys in þat oþer is necessite of soþe but þerfore ne sitteþ nat a wyȝt for þat þe oppiniou{n} of sittyng is soþe. but þe oppiniou{n} is raþer soþe for þat a wyȝt sitteþ by-forn. and þus al þouȝ þ{a}t þe cause of soþe comeþ of [þe] syttyng. and nat of þe trewe oppiniou{n}. Algates ȝitte is þer comune necessite in þat oon {and} in þat oþer. ¶ þus sheweþ it þ{a}t I may make semblable skils of þe p{ur}ueau{n}ce of god {and} of þinges to come. ¶ For al þouȝ for þat þat þinges ben to comen. þer-fore ben þei p{ur}ueid. nat certys for þei ben p{ur}ueid. þer-fore ne bytide þei nat. ȝit naþeles byhoueþ it by necessite þat eiþer þe þinges to comen ben yp{ur}ueied of god. or ellys þat þe þinges þat ben p{ur}ueied of god bitiden [.s.] by necessite. ¶ And þis þing oonly suffiseþ I-nouȝ to distroien þe fredome of oure arbitre. þat is to seyn of oure fre wille ¶ But now [certes] sheweþ it wel how fer fro þe soþe {and} how vp so dou{n} is þis þing þat we seyn þat þe bytidinge of temp{or}el þinges is þe cause of þe eterne p{re}science. ¶ But forto wenen þat god p{ur}ueiþ [the] þinges to comen. for þei ben to comen. what oþer þing is it but forto wene þat þilke þinges þat bitiden som tyme ben causes of þilke souereyne p{ur}ueaunce þat is i{n} god. ¶ And her-to I adde ȝitte þis þing þat ryȝt as whan þat I woot þat o þing is it byhoueþ by necessite þat þilke self þing be. {and} eke þat whan I haue knowe þat any þi{n}ge shal bitiden so byhoueþ it by necessite þ{a}t þilk[e] same þing bytide. so folweþ it þan þat þe bytydynge of þe þinge Iwist by-forn ne may nat ben eschewed. ¶ And at þe last[e] yif þat any wyȝt wene a þing to ben oþer weyes þan it is. it nys nat oonly vnscience. but it is deceiuable oppiniou{n} ful diuerse {and} fer fro þe soþe of science. ¶ wher-fore yif any þing be so to comen so þat þe bytydynge of it ne be nat certeyne ne necessarie. ¶ who may weten [byforn] þ{a}t þilke þing is to come. ¶ For ryȝt as science ne may nat be medelyd wiþ falsnesse. as who seiþ þat yif I woot a þing. it ne may nat be fals þat I ne woot it. ¶ Ryȝt so þilk þing þat is conceyued by science ne may [nat] ben noon oþ{er} weyes þan [as] it is conceiued. For þat is þe cause whi þat science wa{n}tiþ lesynge. as who seiþ. whi þat witynge ne receyueþ nat lesynge of þat it woot. ¶ For it byhoueþ by necessite þat euery þi{n}ge [be] ryȝt as science co{m}p{re}hendiþ it to be. what shal I þan sein. ¶ In whiche man{er}e knoweþ god byforn þe þinges to comen. ¶ yif þei ne be nat certeyne. ¶ For yif þat he deme þat þei ben to comen vneschewably. {and} so may be þat it is possible þat þei ne shulle{n} nat comen. god is desseiued. but nat only to trowen þat god is desseiued. but for to speke it wiþ mouþe it is a felonous sy{n}ne. ¶ But yif þat god woot þat ryȝt so as þinges ben to comen. so shulle þei comen. so þat he wit[e] egaly. as who seiþ indifferently þat þinges mowen ben don or ellys nat don. what is þilke p{re}science þat ne comp{re}hendiþ no certeyne þinge ne stable. or ellys what difference is þer bytwixe þe p{re}science. {and} þilke iape-worþi dyuynynge of Tiresie þe diuino{ur} þat seide. ¶ Al þat I seie q{uo}d he eyþer it shal be. or ellys it ne shal nat be. Or ellis how moche is worþe þe diuyne p{re}science more þan þe oppiniou{n} of mankynde yif so be þat it demeþ þe þinges vncerteyne as me{n} don. of þe whiche domes of men þe bytydynge nis nat certeyne. ¶ But yif so be þ{a}t noon vncerteyne þinge may ben in hym þat is ryȝt certeyne welle of alle þinges. þa{n} is þe bytydynge certeyne of þilke þinges whiche he haþ wist byforn fermely to come{n}. For whiche it folweþ þat þe fredom of þe co{n}seils {and} of þe werkes of mankynde nis non syn þat þe þouȝt of god seeþ alle þinges w{i}t{h} outen erro{ur} of falsnesse byndeþ {and} co{n}streiniþ hem to a bitidynge by necessite. and yif [this] þi{n}g be on-is grau{n}tid {and} receyued. þat is to seyn. þat þer nis no fre wille. þan sheweþ it wel how gret distrucc{i}ou{n} {and} how grete damages þer folwen of þinges of mankynde. ¶ For in ydel ben þer þan p{ur}posed and byhyȝt medes of goode folk. {and} peynes to badde folk. syn þat no moeuynge of free corage uoluntarie ne haþ nat deserued hem. þat is to seyn neiþer mede nor peyne. ¶ And it sholde seme þan þat þilke þinge is alþer worste whiche þat is nowe demed. for alþ{er} moste iuste {and} moste ryȝtful. þat is to seyn þat shrewes ben punyssed. or ellys þ{a}t good[e] folk ben ygerdoned. þe whiche folk syn þat þe p{ro}pre wille [ne] sent hem nat to þ{a}t oon ne to þat oþer. þat is to seyn. neþer to good[e] ne to harme. but constreineþ hem certeyne necessite of þinges to comen. ¶ þanne ne sholle{n} þer neuer ben ne neuer weren vice ne vertue. but it sholde raþer ben co{n}fusiou{n} of alle desertes medlid wiþoute discresiou{n}. ¶ And ȝitte þer folweþ an oþer i{n}co{n}uenient of þe whiche þer ne may ben þouȝt ne more felonous ne more wikke. {and} þat is þis þat so as þe ordre of þinges is yledd {and} comeþ of þe purueaunce of god. ne þat no þing nis leueful to þe conseils of mankynde. as who seiþ þat men han no power to done no þing. ne wilne no þing. þan folweþ it þat oure vices ben refferred to þe mak[er]e of alle good. as who seiþ þan folweþ it. þat god auȝt[e] han þe blame of oure vices. syn he co{n}streiniþ by necessite to don vices. þan nis þer no resou{n} to han hopen in god. ne forto p{re}ien to god. ¶ For what sholde any wyȝt hopen to god. or whi sholde he p{re}ien to god. syn þat þe ordenaunce of destine whiche þat ne may nat ben enclined. knytteþ {and} streiniþ alle þinges þat men may desire{n}. ¶ þan sholde þere be don awey þilke oonly alliaunce bytwixen god {and} men. þat is to seien to hopen {and} to p{re}ien. but by þe p{re}is of ryȝtfulnesse {and} of veray mekenesse we deserue þe gerdou{n} of þe deuyne grace whiche þat is inestimable. þat is to sein þat it is so grete þat it ne may nat ben ful yp{re}ised. {and} þis is oonly þe manere. þat is to seyen hope {and} prayeres. for whiche it semeþ þat [men] mowen speken wiþ god. {and} by resou{n} of supplicac{i}ou{n} ben conioigned to þilk clernesse þat nis nat app{ro}ched no raþer or þat men byseken it {and} emp{re}nten it. And yif men ne wene [nat] þat [hope] ne p{re}iers ne han no strengþes. by þe necessite of þinges to comen y-resceiued. what þi{n}g is þer þan by whiche we mowen be co{n}ioygned {and} clyuen to þilke souereyne p{r}ince of þinges. ¶ For whiche it byhoueþ by necessite þat þe lynage of mankynde as þou songe a litel here byforne ben dep{ar}ted {and} vnioyned from hys welle {and} faylen of hys bygynnynge. þat is to seien god.

QUE NAM DISCORS

[Sidenote: [The .3^de. Met{ur}.]]

++What discordable cause haþ to-rent {and} vnioigned þe byndyng or þe alliaunce of þinges. þat is to seyne þe coniuncc{i}ou{n} of god {and} of man. ¶ whiche god haþ establissed so grete bataile bitwixe{n} þise two soþefast or verray þinges. þat is to sein bytwixen þe p{ur}ueaunce of god {and} fre wille. þat þei ben synguler {and} diuided. ne þat þei ne wolen nat ben medeled ne coupled to-gidre. but þer nis no discorde to [tho] verray þinges. but þei cleuen certeyne al wey to hem self. but þe þouȝt of man co{n}founded {and} ouerþrowen by þe dirke membris of þe body ne may nat by fir of his dirk[ed] lokynge. þat is to seyn by þe vigo{ur} of hys insyȝt while þe soule is in þe body knowen þe þinne subtil knyttynges of þinges. ¶ But wherfore eschaufiþ it so by so grete loue to fynden þilke note[s] of soþe y-cou{er}ed. (_glosa_) þat is to sein wherfore eschaufiþ þe þouȝt of man by so grete desir to knowen þilke notificac{i}ou{n}s þat ben yhidd vndir þe couerto{ur}s of soþe. woot it ouȝt þilke þinges þat it anguissous desireþ to knowe. as who seiþ nay. ¶ For no man ne trauaileþ forto witen þinges þat he woot. {and} þerfore þe texte seiþ þus. ¶ [_Glosa_] Si eni{m} a{n}i{m}a ignorat istas subtiles co{n}nexiones. r{espo}nde. vn{de} est q{uo}d desiderat scire cu{m} nil ignotu{m} possit desiderare. ¶ But who traua[i]leþ to wyten þinges y-knowe. and yif þat he ne knoweþ hem nat. what sekiþ þilke blynde þouȝt. what is he þat desireþ any þinge of whiche he woot ryȝt nat. as who seiþ who so desiriþ any þing nedis som what he knoweþ of it. or ellys he ne couþe nat desire it. or who may folwen þinges þat ne ben nat ywist ¶ and þouȝ [þ{a}t] he seke þo þinges where shal he fynde{n} hem. what wyȝt þat is al vnknowynge {and} ignoraunt may knowe þe forme þat is yfounde. ¶ But whan þe soule byholdeþ {and} seeþ þe heye þouȝt. þat is to seyn god. þan knoweþ it to-gidre þe so{m}me {and} þe singularites. þat is to seyn þe p{r}inciples {and} eueryche by hym self. ¶ But now while þe soule is hidd in þe cloude {and} in þe derknesse of þe membris of þe body. it ne haþ nat al forȝeten it selfe. but it wiþholdeþ þe so{m}me of þinges {and} lesiþ þe singularites. þan who so þat sekeþ soþenesse. he nis in neiþ{er} nouþir habit. for he not nat alle ne he ne haþ nat alle for-ȝeten. ¶ But ȝitte hym remembriþ þe so{m}me of þinges þat he wiþholdeþ {and} axeþ cou{n}seil {and} tretiþ depelyche þi{n}ges ysein byforne. [_Glosa_] þat is to sein þe grete so{m}me in hys mynde. [_textus_] so þat he mowe adden þe p{ar}ties þat he haþ forȝeten. to þilke þat he haþ wiþholden.

TAMEN ILLA UETUS INQ{U}IT HEC EST.

[Sidenote: [The 4^the p{ro}se.]]