Chapter II: Part 2

Þus queþ Alured.
+Þ+e eorl and þe eþelyng.
ibureþ vnder gódne. king. 45
þat lond to leden.
myd lawelyche deden.
And þe clerek and þe knyht.
he schulle démen euelyche riht.
þe poure. and þe ryche. 50
démen ilyche.
Hwych{}so þe mon soweþ{;}
al swuch he schal mowe.
And eu{er}uyches monnes dom. to his owere dure churreþ.

[Linenote:
52. After _mon_, erasure of two letters.]

v

[Þus queþ Alured.]
þan knyhte bi{}houeþ. kenliche on to fóne. 55
for{}to werie þat lond. wiþ hunger and wiþ herivnge.
þat þe chireche habbe gryþ.
And þe cheorl beo in fryþ.
his sedes to sowen.
his medes to mowen. 60
And his plouh beo i{}dryue.
to vre alre bihoue.
þis is þes knyhtes lawe.
loke he þat hit wel fare.

vi

+Þ+vs queþ Alured. 65
þe mon. þe on his youhþe. yeorne leorneþ.
wit and wisdom. and i{}writen reden{;}
he may beon on elde. wenliche lorþeu.
And þe þat nule one youhþe yeorne leorny.
wit and wysdom. and iwriten rede. 70
þat him schal on elde. sore rewe.
þenne cumeþ elde.
and vnhelþe.
þenne beoþ his wéne
ful wroþe isene. 75
Boþe heo beoþ bi{}swike. and eke hi beoþ a{}swunde.

vii

þus queþ Alured.
Wyþ{}vte wysdome is weole wel vnwurþ.
for þey o mon ahte. huntseuenti Acres.
and he hi hadde isowen. alle myd reade golde. 80
And [þ/] | gold greowe. so gres doþ on eorþe. [f. 263r
nere he for his weole. neuer þe furþer.
Bute he him of frumþe. freond iwrche.
for. hwat is gold. bute ston.
bute if hit haueþ wismon. 85

[Linenote:
85. After _wismon_, _ut_ deleted.]

viii

þus queþ Alu{re}d.
+N+e scolde neuer yongmon howyen to swiþe.
þeih him his wyse wel ne lykie.
Ne þeih he ne welde. al þat he wolde.
for god may. yeue god after vuele. 90
weole after wowe. þenne he wule.
wel is him þat hit ischapen is.

[Linenote:
91. _þenne he wule_ after _yeue_ in l. 90.]

ix

þus seyþ Alured.
+S+trong hit is to reowe.
a{}yeyn þe séé þat floweþ. 95
so it is to swynke.
a{}yeyn vnylimpe.
þe mon. þe on his youhþe.
swo swinkeþ.
and worldes weole her iwinþ. 100
þat he may on elde.
idelnesse holde.
And ek myd his worldes weole.
god iqueme er he quele.
youþe and al þat he haueþ i{}drowe. 105
is þenne wel bi{}towe.

[Linenote:
105. _youþe_ in darker ink in a space too large for it;
similarly _doweþes_, l. 118; _wlonk_, l. 124; _vouh_, l. 129;
_Mayþenes_, l. 130.]

x

þus queþ Alured.
+M+onymon weneþ þat he wene ne{}þarf.
longes lyues. ac him lyeþ þe wrench.
for þanne his lyues alre best luuede. 110
þenne he schal léten{;} lyf his owe.
for nys no wrt uexynde a wude. ne a velde.
þat euer mvwe þas feye furþ vp{}holde.
Not no mon þene tyme.
hwanne he schal. heonne turne. 115
Ne nomon þene ende.
hwenne he schal heonne wende.
Dryhten hit one wot. doweþes lou{er}d.
hwanne [we] vre lif leten schule.

xi

þus queþ Alured. 120
+Y+f þu seoluer and gold.
ye{t}st and weldest in þis world.
Neu{er} vpen eorþe.
to wlonk. þu ny wrþe.
Ayhte nys non ildre istreon{;} 125
ac hit is godes lone.
hwanne hit is his wille. þar{}of we schulle wende.
And vre owe lyf. myd alle for{}leten.
þanne schulle vre ifon. to vre vouh. gripen.
welden vre Mayþenes. and leten vs by{}hinde. 130

[Linenote:
122. _yetst_] _yefst_ MS.]

xii

þus queþ Alured.
+N+e{}ilef þu nouht to fele. uppe þe séé þat floweþ.
If þu hafst madmes monye and inowe.
gold and seoluer. hit schal gnyde to nouht.
to duste hit schal dryuen. Dryhten schal | libben euere. [f. 263v
Monymon for his gold. haueþ godes vrre. 136
And for his seoluer. hym{}seolue for{}yemeþ.
for{}yeteþ and for{}leseþ.
Betere him by{}come iboren þat he nére.

xiii

þus queþ Alured.
+L+vsteþ ye me leode. 140
ower is þe neode.
And ich eu wille lére. wit and wisdom.
þat alle þing ou{er}{}goþ.
syker he may sitte. þe hyne haueþ to i{}vere.
For þeyh his eyhte him a{}go. 145
his wit ne a{}goþ hym neu{er}{}mo.
for ne may he for{}vare.
þe hyne haueþ to vere.
þe wile his owe lyf. ileste mote.

[Linenote:
149. After _þe_, _þ_ erased.]

xiv

þus queþ Alured. 150
+I+f þu hauest seorewe.
ne seye þu hit nouht þan arewe.
seye hit þine sadelbowe. and ryd þe singinde forþ.
þenne wile wene. þet þine wise ne con{;}
þat þe þine wise wel lyke. 155
serewe if þu hauest. and þe erewe hit wot{;}
by{}fore. he þe meneþ{;}
by{}hynde he þe teleþ.
þu hit myht segge swyhc mo{n}.
þat þe ful wel on. 160
wyþ{}vte echere ore.
he on þe Muchele more.
By{}hud hit on þire heorte{;}
þat þe eft ne smeorte.
Ne let þu hyne wite. 165
al þat þin heorte by{}wite.

xv

þus queþ Alured.
+N+e schal tu neuere þi wif. by hire wlyte cheose.
for neu{er} nóne þinge. þat heo to þe bryngeþ.
Ac leorne hire custe. heo cuþeþ hi wel sone. 170
For mony mon for ayhte. vuele iauhteþ.
And ofte mon of fayre. frakele icheoseþ.
wo is him þat vuel wif.
bryngeþ to his cotlyf.
So him is alyue{;} 175
þat vuele ywyueþ.
For he schal vppen eorþe.
dreori i{}wurþe.
Monymo{n} singeþ.
þat wif hom bryngeþ. 180
wiste he hwat he brouhte.
wepen he myhte.

xvi

þus queþ Alured.
+N+e wurþ þu neuer so wod. ne so wyn{}drunke.
þat éuere segge þine wife. alle þine wille. 185
For if þu iseye þe bi{}vore. þine ivo alle.
And þu hi myd worde iwreþþed heuedest.
Ne scholde heo hit lete. for þing lyuyinde.
þat heo ne scholde þe forþ vp{}breyde. of þine baleu{}syþes.
wymmon is word. woþ. [&] haueþ tunge to swift. 190
þeyh heo wel wolde.
ne{}may heo. hi no{}wiht welde.

xvii

þus queþ Alfred. |
+I+delschipe and ou{er}{}prute. [f. 264r
þat lereþ yong wif vuele þewes. 195
And ofte þat wolde.
do. þat heo ne scholde.
þene vnþev lihte.
leten heo myhte.
If heo ofte a swóte for{}swunke were. 200
þeyh hit is vuel to buwe.
þat beo nule treowe.
For ofte Museþ þe kat. aft{er} hire moder.
þe mon þat let wymmon his mayster iwurþe.
Ne schal he neu{er} beon ihurd. 205
his wordes lou{er}d.
Ac heo hine schal steorne
to{}trayen. and to{}teóne.
And selde wurþ he blyþe and gled.
þe mon þat is his wiues qued. 210
Mony appel is bryht wiþ{}vte. and Bitter wiþ{}inne.
So is mony wymmon. on hyre fader bure.
Schene vnder schete. and þeyh heo is schendful.
So is mony gedelyng. godlyche on horse.
and is þeyh lutel wurþ. 215
wlonk bi þe glede.
and [´v]uel at þare neode.

xviii

þus queþ. Al{ured}.
[+N+]Eure þu bi þine lyue.
þe word of þine wyue. 220
to swiþe þu. ne aréde.
If heo beo i{}wreþþed
myd worde. oþer myd dede.
wymmo{n} wepeþ for mod.
oftere þan for eny god. 225
And ofte lude [&] stille.
for to vor{}drye hire wille.
Heo wepeþ oþer{}hwile.
for to do þe gyle.
Salomon hit haueþ i{}sed. 230
þat wymmon can wel vuelne red.
þe hire red foleweþ.
heo bryngeþ hine to seorewe.
for hit seyþ in þe loþ.
as scumes for{}teoþ. 235
hit is i{}furn i{}seyd.
[þ/] cold red is quene red.
hu he is vnlede.
þat foleweþ hire rede.
Ich hit ne segge nouht for þan. 240
þat god þing. ys god wymmon.
þe mon þe hi may i{}cheose. and i{}couere over oþre.

[Linenotes:
219. _Eure_ MS. || 224. _mod_] first stroke of _m_ erased.]

xix

þus queþ Alured.
+M+onymon weneþ þat he weny ne þarf.
Freond þat he habbe. þar me him vayre bi{}hat. 245
Seyþ him vayre bi{}vore. and frakele bi{}hynde.
so me may þane loþe lengust lede.
Ne ilef þu neu{er} þane mon.
þat is of feole speche{n}.
Ne alle þe þinge. 250
þat þu i{}herest singe{n}.
Mony mon haueþ swikelne muþ.
milde and monne for{}cuþ.
Nele he þe cuþe. hwenne he þe wule bi{}kache.

xx

þus queþ Alured. 255
+Þ+vrh sawe mon is wis. And þurh hiselþe. glev.
þurh lesinge mon is loþ. and þurh luþre wrenches.
And | vnwurþ. [f. 264v
And þurh hokede honde. þat he bereþ.
him seolue he for{}vareþ. 260
From lesynge þu þe wune.
And alle vnþewes þu þe bi{}schune.
so myht þu on þeode.
leof beon in alle leode.
And luue þyne nexte. he is at þe neode gód. 265
At chepynge. and at chyreche.
freond þu þe iwurche.
wyþ pou{er}e and wiþ riche.
wiþ alle monne ilyche.
þanne myht þu sikerliche. sely sytte. 270
And ek faren ouer lond le
hwider so beoþ þi wille.

[Linenote:
256. _his elþe. mon is glev_ MS.]

xxi

þus queþ Alured.
+A+lle world{}ayhte
schulle bi{}cumen to nouhte. 275
And vyches cunnes madmes. to mixe schulen i{}Multen.
And vre owe lif. lutel hwile ileste.
for þeyh o mon. wolde al þe worlde.
And al þe wunne. þe þar{}inne wunyeþ.
Ne myhte he þar{}myde his lif. none hwile holde. 280
Ac al he schal for{}leten. on a litel stunde.
And schal vre blisse{;} to balewe us iwurþe.
Bute if we wurcheþ. wyllen cristes.
Nu biþenche we þanne vs sulue.
vre lif to leden. so crist vs gynneþ lere. 285
þanne mawe we wenen. þat he wule vs wrþie.
for so seyde salomon. þe wise.
þe mon þat her wel deþ.
he cumeþ þar he lyen foþ.
on his lyues ende. 290
he hit schal a{}vynde.

xxii

þus queþ Alured.
+N+e gabbe þu ne schotte.
ne chid þu wyþ none sotte.
ne myd manyes cunnes tales. 295
ne chid þu wiþ nenne dwales.
Ne neu{er} þu ne bigynne.
to telle þine tyþinges.
At nones fremannes borde.
ne haue þu to vale worde. 300
Mid fewe word{e}. wismon
fele bi{}luken wel con.
And sottes bolt is sone iscohte.
for{}þi ich holde hine for dote.
þat sayþ al his wille. 305
þanne he scholde beon stille.
For ofte tunge brekeþ bon{;}
þeyh heo seolf nabbe non.

xxiii

þus queþ Alured.
+W+is child is fader blisse. 310
Jf hit so bi{}tydeþ þat þu bern ibidest.
þe hwile hit is lutel. ler him mon{}þewes.
þanne hit is | wexynde{;} hit schal wende þar{}to. [f. 265r
þe betere hit schal iwurþe
euer buuen eorþe. 315
Ac if þu him lest welde. werende on worlde.
lude and stille.
his owene wille.
hwanne cumeþ ealde.
ne myht þu hyne awelde. 320
þanne deþ hit sone.
þat þe biþ vnyqueme.
Ofer{}howeþ þin ibod.
and makeþ þe ofte sory{}mod.
Bet{er}e þe were. 325
iboren þat he nere.
for betere is child vnbore. þane vnbuhsum.
þe mon þe spareþ yeorde. and yonge child{e}.
and let hit arixlye. þat he hit areche ne may.
þat him schal on ealde{;} sore reowe. Am{en}. 330

Expl{iciunt} dicta Regis Aluredi.

VII. MEMENTO MORI

[[MS description from Notes volume:

"As for no. vi."]]

+M+on may longe lyues wene. [f. 252v
Ac ofte him lyeþ þe wrench.
feyr weder turneþ ofte in to reyne.
[&] wunderliche makeþ his blench.
þar{}vore mon. þu þe by{}þench. 5
Al schal falwy þi grene.
waylaway. nys king ne quene.
þat ne schal drynke of deþes drench.
Mon er þu falle of þi bench.
þyne sunne þu aquench. 10

+N+is non so strong. ne sterk. ne kene.
þat may ago deþes wyþer blench.|
Yung and olde. briht and schene. [f. 253r
Alle he ryueþ on o streng.
Fox and ferlych is his wrench. 15
Ne may no mon þar{}to{}yeynes.
way{}laway þreting ne bene.
Mede. liste. ne leches drench.
Mon let sunne and lustes þine.
wel þu do [&] wel þu þench. 20

Do bi salomones rede.
Mon. [&] þenne þu schalt wel do.
Do as he þe tauhte and seyde.
þat þin endinge þe bringeþ to.
þenne ne schaltu neu{er} mys{}do. 25
Ac sore þu myht þe adrede.
way{}laway such weneþ to lede.
Long lif. and blysse vnder{}fo.
Ac deþ luteþ in his scho.
Hym stilliche. to for{}do. 30

+M+on hwi nultu þe bi{}knowe.
Mon hwi nultu þe bi{}seo.
of fule fulþe þu art isowe.
wurmes fode. þu schalt beo.
her nauestu blisse dayes þre. 35
Ac þi lif al þu last in wowe.
weylawey deþ þe schal a{}dun þrowe.
þer þu wenest heyust to steo.
In deþ schal þi lyf endi.
And in wop al þi gleo. 40

+W+orld and weole. þe bi{}swikeþ.
I{}wis heo beoþ þine ifo.
If þe world wiþ weole þe slykeþ
þat is for to do þe wo.
þare{}fore. let lust ouer{}go. 45
And eft hit þe likeþ. |
weylawey. sore he him bi{}swikeþ. [f. 253v
þat for one stunde oþer two.
wurcheþ him pyne. euer{}mo.
Mon. ne do þu nouht swo. 50

VIII. POEMA MORALE

[[MS description from Notes volume:

"i. Lambeth 487 (L), a small quarto, 177 × 135 mm., of 67 leaves, written towards the end of the twelfth century... nos. x, xi. of this book are also taken from it. The words printed in clarendon in these three pieces are written in red, not inserted afterwards by a rubricator but done at the same time as the rest of the text. The PM ends with fordemet, l. 270, in the middle of a page; the final t has a flourish for its cross stroke; the copyist had apparently no knowledge of any more.

"ii. iii. Egerton 613, B. M.... has two copies of the PM: the second (e) furnishes here a complement to the Lambeth MS. as far as l. 370, with which it ends; the first (E) is used to complete the text. e was written in the first quarter of the thirteenth century, E is somewhat later; the former has accents, the latter none.

"iv. Trinity College, Cambridge, B. 14. 52 (T), on vellum, 135 × 105 mm.; written early in the thirteenth century.... A leaf is lost after f 8, and a new hand begins with f 9; the PM appears to be a distinct MS. (Anglia, iv. 408). The initials of each line are capitals and written apart from their words. A later hand has glossed aihte 42, goodes; ore 53, favour, grace; lean 64, deserving; manke 70, Manca, Mancus."]]

[[Passages "printed in clarendon" have been treated as +boldface+.]]

(Lambeth MS.)

(Trinity MS.)

+ich em nu alder þene ich wes awintre [&] a lare.+ [f. 59v
+Ich welde mare þene ich dede mi `wit´ ahte bon mare.+
+Wel longe ich habbe child ibon a worde [&] a dede+
+þa`h´ ich bo a wintre ald to [gh]ung ich em on rede.+
vnnet lif ich habbe iled. [&] [gh]et me þingþ ilede. 5
þenne ich me bi{}þenche wel ful sare ich me adrede.
mest al [þ/] ich habbe idon bi{}fealt to child{}hade.
Wel late ich habbe me bi{}þocht{;} bute God me nu rede.
Fole idel word ich habbe iq{u}eðen soððen ich speke kuðe.
fole [gh]unge dede idon{;} þe me of{}þinchet nuðe. 10

[Linenotes:
2. _[i.][h.][c.] ich_ MS. || _mi [i.][c.][h.] ahte_; _wit_ in
margin MS.]

++Ich am nu elder þan ich was a wintre [&] a lore. [f. 1r
Ich wealde more þan idude mi wit oh to be more
To longe ich habbe child iben a worde [&] a dade.
Þeih ibie a winter eald to jung ich am on rade.
Vnnet lif ich habbe ilad [&] [gh]iet me þincheð ilade 5
Þan ibiðenche me þar{}on wel sore ime adrade.
Mast al ich habbe idon is idelnesse [&] chilce.
Wel late ich habbe me bi{}þoht bute me god do milce.
Fele idel word ich habbe ispeken seðen ich speken cuðe.
[&] fele [gh]eunge dade idon þe me ofðinkeð nuðe. 10

Mest al [þ/] me likede er nu{;} hit me mis{}likeð
þa muchel fulieð his wil{;} hine solf he biswikeð.
Ich mihte habbe bet idon. hefde ich þe iselþe.
Nu ich walde ah ich ne mei{;} for elde [&] for un{}helþe.
Elde me is bi{}stolen on. er ich hit wiste. 15
ne michte ich seon bi{}fore me. for smike ne for miste.
Er[gh]e we beoð to done god. [&] to ufele al to þriste.
Mare eie stondeð men of monne þanne hom do of c{ri}ste.
þe wel ne doð þe hwile þe ho mu[gh]en. wel oft hit schal rowen{;}
þenne [gh]e mawen sculen [&] repen [þ/] ho er sowen. 20
Do he to gode [þ/] he mu[gh]e þe hwile [þ/] he bo aliue.
ne lipnie na mon to | muchel to childe ne to wiue. [f. 60r
þe him solue for[gh]et for wiue ne for childe{;}
he scal cumen in uuel stude bute him God bo milde.

[Linenote:
14. _un{}hel[e.]þe_ MS.]

Alto lome ich habbe igult a werke [&] a worde.
Alto muchel ic habbe ispend to litel ileid on horde.
Mast al þat me likede ar nu hit me mislicað.
Þe mu[c]hel fol[gh]eð his iwil him selfen he biswicað.
Ich mihte habben bet idon. hadde ich þo iselðe 15
Nu ich wolde ac ine mai for elde [&] for unhalðe.
Elde me is bistolen on ar ich hit iwiste
Ne mai ich isien bifore me for smeche ne for miste.
Ar[gh]e we beð to don god to juel al to þriste
More eie stondeð man of man þan him do of criste. 20
Þe wel ne deð þe hwile he mai wel ofte hit sal him rewen.
Þan alle men sulle ripen þat hie ar sewen.
Do al to gode þat he mu[gh]e ech þe hwile he beð aliue.
Ne lipne noman to muchel to childe ne to wiue. |
Þe þe him selfe for[gh]iet for wiue oðer for childe [f. 1v
He sal cumen on euel stede bute him god be milde. 26

[Linenotes:
19. _Ar [gh]e_ MS. || _juel_] _j_ corr. out of _[gh]_. ||
23. _h_ MS.]

+Sendeð+ sum god bi{}foren eow.
þe hw[i]le [þ/] [gh]e mu[gh]en to houene. 25
for betere is an elmesse biforen{;} þenne boð eft{er} souene.
Alto lome ich habbe igult a werke [&] o worde.
Al to muchel ich habbe ispent. to litel ihud in horde.
Ne beo þe loure þene þe solf{;} ne þin mei. ne þin ma[gh]e.
Soht is [þ/] is oðer`s´ monnes frond bet{re} þen his a[gh]en. 30
Ne lipnie wif to hire were. ne were to his wiue
bo for him solue ech .M{on}. þe `h´wile [þ/] he bo aliue.

[Linenotes:
27. _[i.][l.]ich_ MS. || 28. _[i.][h.] ich_ MS.]

Sende god biforen him man þe hwile he mai to heuene
For betre is on almesse biforen þan ben after seuene.
Ne bie þe leuere þan þe self ne þi mæi ne þi mowe
Sot is þe is oðer mannes frend betere þan his owen. 30
Ne hopie wif to hire were ne were to his wiue
Be for him self afric man þe hwile he beð aliue.

+Wis is þe to him solue þench+ þe hwile þe mot libben.
for sone wule hine for[gh]eten þe fremede [&] þe sibbe.
þe wel ne deð þe hwile he mai{;} ne scal wenne he walde. 35
Monies monnes sare iswinc habbeð oft un{}holde.
Ne scal na mon don afirst. ne slawen wel to done.
for moni mon bihateð wel þe hit for[gh]eteð sone.
Þe .M{on}. þe wule siker bon to habben Godes blisse.
do wel him solf hwile [þ/] he mai{;}
þenne haueð he his mid iwisse. 40
þes riche .M{en}. weneð bon siker þurh walle [&] þurh diche.
þe deð his echte on sikere stude he hit sent to heueneriche.

Wis þe him selue biðencheð þe hwile he mót libben
For sone willeð him for[gh]iete þe fremde [&] þe sibbe.
Þe wel ne doð þe hwile he mai ne sal he þan he wolde. 35
For manimannes sore iswinc habbeð ofte unholde.
Ne solde noman don a furst ne laten wel to done
For maniman bihoteð wel þat hi for[gh]ieteð sone.
Þe man þe wile siker ben to habben godes blisse.
Do wel him self þe hwile he mai þanne haueð hes mid iwisse. 40
Þe richemen weneð siker ben þu`r´ch wallen [&] thurh dichen.
He deð his aihte an siker stede þe hit sent to heueriche.

for þer ne þerf he bon of{}dred of fure ne of þoue
þer ne | þerf he him binimen þe laðe ne þe loue. [f. 60v
þer ne þerf he habben kare of [gh]eve ne of [gh]elde. 45
þider he sent. [&] solf bereð to lutel [&] to selde.
+þider we sculen dra[gh]en+ [&] don wel ofte [&] ilome.
for þer ne scal me us naut binimen mid wrangwise dome.
þider [gh]e sculen [gh]orne dra[gh]en. walde [gh]e god ileue.
for ne mei þ{er} hit ou binimen king ne reue. 50

[Linenotes:
45. _[gh]eve_] _v_ corr. out of _f_ MS. || 50. _þer_] _[þ/]_ MS.]

For þar`f he´ ben ofdrad of fure ne of þieue.
Þar ne mai hit him binime þe loðe ne þe lieue.
Þar ne þarf he habben care of here ne of [gh]ielde 45
Þider we sendeð [&] ec bereð to litel [&] to selde.
Þider `we solden´ drawen [&] don wel ofte [&] ilome.
For þar ne sal me us naht binime mid wrong wise dome. |
Þider we solde [gh]ierne drawen wolde [gh]ie me ileuen. [f. 2r
For ne mai hit us binime no king ne no s[.y]rreue. 50

[Linenotes:
31. After _hire were_, _ac_ erased. || 38. _bihoteð_] _o_
above _[a.]_ MS.]

Al [þ/] beste [þ/] we hefden þider we hit solde senden
for þer we hit michte finden eft. [&] habben buten ende.
Þo þe er doð eni God for habben godes are.
al he hit scal finden eft þer [&] hundred fald mare.
Þe þet echte wile halden wel hwile þe he mu[gh]e es welden. 55
Giue hies for godes luue{;} þenne deþ hes wel ihalden.

Alþat beste þat we habbeð her þider we solde sende.
For þar we mihte finden eft. [&] habben abuten ende.
Se þe her doð ani god for`to´ haben godes ore.
Al he hit sal eft finde þar [&] hundredfealde more.
Se þe aihte wile holde wel þe hwile hes mu[gh]e wealden. 55
[Gh]ieue hes for godes luue þanne doð hes wel ihealden.

[Linenotes:
55. _holde_] _o_ above _[a.]_ MS. ||
56. _[gh]ieue_] _[gh]_ corr. out of _G_.]

+Vre swinc [&] ure tilþe is ofte iwoned to swinden.+
Ach [þ/] þe we doð for godes luue{;} eft we sculen al finden.
Ne scal nan ufel bon un{}bocht. ne nan god unfor[gh]olden.
vfel we doþ al to muchel. [&] god lesse þe{n}ne we sculden. 60
Þo þe mest doð nu to gode. [&] þe lest to laðe.
Eiðer to lutel [&] to muchel scal þu{n}chen eft hom baþe.
Þer me scal ure werkes weien bi{}foran þe heuen king.
and [gh]euen us ure swinkes lan eft{er} ure erninge.
+Ech mon mid [þ/] he hauet. mei buggen houene riche.+ 65

For ure swinch [&] ure tilðe is ofte wuned to swinde.
Ac al þat we [gh]ieueð for godes luue al we hit sulen eft finden.
Ne sal þar non euel ben unboht ne god unfor[gh]olden.
Euel we doð al{}to muchel [&] god lasse þan we solden. 60
Se þe mast doð nu to gode [&] se last to lothe.
Eiðer to litel [&] to muchel hem sal þunche boðe.
Þar me sal ure werkes wei[gh]en bifore þan heuen kinge.
[&] [gh]ieuen us ure werkes lean after ure erni{n}ge.
Africh man mid þat he haueð mai bugge heueriche 65

þe mare haueþ [&] þe þe lesse{;} baþe hi | mu[gh]en iliche. [f. 61r
Al{}se mid his p`e´nie alse oðer mið his punde.
[þ/] is þe wunderlukeste chep{;} [þ/] eni mon efre funde.
[&] þe ðe mare ne mai don{;} do hit mid his gode þonke.
Alse wel se þe þe haueð golde fele manke. 70
[&] oft god kon mare þonc þen þe him [gh]eueð lesse.
[&] his werkes [&] his we[gh]es his milce. [&] rihtwisnesse.
+lutel lac is gode lof{;} [þ/]+ kumeð of gode wille.
[&] ec{}lete muchel [gh]eue of þan þe herte is ille.
Houene [&] horþe he ouer sich. his e[gh]en boð swa brichte. 75

Þe þe more haueð [&] þe þe lasse boðe iliche.
Alse on mid his peni se oðer mid his punde
Þis is þet wunderlukeste ware þat animan funde.
[&] se þe more ne mai don mid his gode iþanke.
Alse wel se þe þe haued goldes fele manke. 70
And ofte god can more þanc þan þe him [gh]ieueð lasse.
Al his werkes [&] his weies is milce [&] rihtwi[s]nesse. |
Litel lóc is gode lef þe cumeð of gode wille [f. 2v
[&] eðlate muchel [gh]ieue þan his herte is ille.
Heuene [&] erðe he ouer sihð his eien beð ful brihte. 75

Su{n}ne [&] mone [&] houen fur boð þestre a[gh]ein his lihte.
Nis him noht for{}holen ni hud. swa muchele boð his mihte.
nis hit ne swa derne [idon] ne [a] swa þostre nihte.
he wat wet þenkeð [&] hwet doð alle q{ui}ke wihte.
+Nis na lau{er}d swich se is c{ri}st+. ne king swuch ure drihten. 80

Nis him no þing forholen swo muchel is his mihte.
Ne bie hit no swo derne idon ne on swo þuster nihte.
He wot hwat þencheð [&] hwat doð alle quike wihte
Nis louerd swilch is c{ri}st ne king swilch ure drihte
Boðe [gh]iemeð þe his bien bi daie [&] bi nihte. 80

houene [&] orðe [&] al [þ/] is biloken is in his honde.
he deð al [þ/] his wil is{;} a wettre [&] alonde.
He makede fisses in þe se [&] fu[gh]eles in þe lifte.
he wit [&] waldeð alle þing [&] scop alle scefte.
he is hord buten horde [&] ende buten ende. 85
he ane is eure an ilche stude wende þer þu wende.
he is buuen us [&] bi{}noþen. bi{}foren [&] bi{}hinden.
þe þe deð godes wille uwer he mei him finden.

[Linenotes:
82. _[i.][s.] his_ MS. || 83. After _fu[gh]eles in_, _k_ deleted.]

Heuene [&] erðe [&] al þat is biloken is in his honden
He doð al þat his wille is awatere [&] alonde.
He makeð þe fisses in þe sa þe fueles on þe lofte.
He wit [&] wealdeð alle þing [&] he sop alle safte.
He is ord a{}buten ord [&] ende abuten ende 85
He is one afre on eche stede wende þar þu wende.
He is buuen us [&] bineðen biforen [&] bihinde
Þe godes wille doð aihware he mai[gh] him finde

[Linenote:
88. _godeswille_ MS.]

+Helche rune he iherð [&]+ wat alle deden.
he þurþ{}sicheþ uches monnes þonc. Wi hwat scal us to rede. 90
We [þ/] brokeð godes hese [&] gulteð swa ilome.
hwet scule we seggen oðer don et þe muchele dome.
Þa þe luueden unriht [&] ufel lif | leden. [f. 61v
Wet sculen ho seggen oðer don{;} þen þe engles bon of{}dred.

Elche rune he hereð [&] he wot alle dade
He þurh{}sihð elches mannes þanc wi hwat sal us to rade. 90
We þe brekeð godes has [&] gulteð swo ilome
Hwat sulle we seggen oðer don á{}te muchele dome
We þe luueden unriht [&] euel lif ladden
Hwat sulle we seggen oðer don þar ængles beð ofdradde

[Linenotes:
92. After _don_, an erasure of about
ten letters. || 93. _unriht_] _r_ corr. out of _l_ MS.]

+hwet sculen we bere{n}+ biforen us mid hom scule we iquemen. 95
þo þe neure god ne dude þe houenliche deme.
þer sculen bon doule swa fole [þ/] wulleð us for{}wreien.
[&] nabbeð hi naþing for[gh]eten of al [þ/] ho ise[gh]en.
Al [þ/] we mis{}duden her{;} ho hit wulleð kuðe þere.
[buten wé habbe hit íbét. ðe hwile wé her wére] 100
Al ho habbeð in hore write{;} [þ/] we mis{}duden here.
þach we nusten ne ni{}se[gh]en. ho weren ure ifere.

[Linenote:
100. Supplied from MS. e.]

Hwat sulle we beren us biforen mid hwan sulle we iq{ue}me 95
We þe nafre god ne duden þan heuenliche deme. |
Þar sulle ben deflen swo fele þat willeð us forwreien. [f. 3r
Nabbeð hie no þing for[gh]ieten of þat hie her iseien.
Alþat hie iseien her hie willeð cuðen þare
Bute we haben hit ibet þe hwile we here waren. 100
Al hie habbeð on here write þat we misduden here.
Þeih we hes ne niseien hie waren ure iferen.

+Hwet sculen ordlinghe`s´ don.+ þa swicen [&] ta forsworene
hwi boð fole iclepede. [&] swa lut icorene.
wi hwi weren ho bi{}[gh]eten to hwon weren ho iborene. 105
[þ/] scule{n} bon to deþe idemet. [&] eure ma for{}lorene.
Ech .M{on}. scal him solue þer bi{}clepie [&] bideme{n}.
his a[gh]en werch [&] his þonc te witnesse he scal {t}emen.
ne mei him na .M{on}. alsa wel demen ne alswa rihte
for nan ne knauð him ase [gh]ere{;} buten ane drihte. 110
Ech .M{on}. wat him solue best{;} his werkes. [&] his wille.
Þe ðe lest wat bi{}seiþ ofte mest{;} þe hit al wat is stille.
nis nan witnesse alse muchel se mo{n}ne`s´ a[gh]en horte.
Wa se seið [þ/] he bo hal. him solf wat best his smirte.

[Linenotes:
105. _[w.] hwon_ MS. || 108. _temen_] _demen_ MS. || 111. before
_werkes_, _werhes_ deleted.]

Hwat sullen horlinges don þes wichen [&] þe forsworene
Wi swo fele beð icleped swo fewe bed icorene
Wi hwi waren hie bi[gh]iete to hwan waren hie iborene. 105
Þe sulle ben to deaðe idemd [&] afremo forlorene.
Elch man `sal´ þar biclepien himselfen [&] ec demen.
Hi{s} o[gh]en werc [&] his þanc to witnesse he sal temen.
Nemai him noman alse wel demen ne alse rihte
For non ne cnoweð hine alse wel buten one drihte. 110
Man wot him self best his werkes [&] his wille.
Se þe last wot he seið ofte mast se þit al wot is stille
Nis no witnesse alse muchel se mannes o[gh]en hierte
Hwo se seið þat hie beð hol him self wot his smierte.

[Linenote:
108. _His_] _Hic_ MS.]

+Ech .M{on}. scal h[i]m solf demen+ to deðe oðer to liue. 115
þa witnesse of his a[gh]en werch{;} hine þer{}to scal driue.
Al þet ech .M{on} haueð idon soððen he com to mo{n}ne
sculde he | hit sechen o boke iwriten he scal iþenchen þenne. [f. 62r
Ah drihten ne demeð nenne .M{on}. eft{er} his biginnigge.
ah al his lif scal bon suilch boð his endinge. 120

Elch man sal him selfen demen to deaðe oðer to liue. 115
Þe witnesse of his o[gh]en werc to oðer þan hine sal driue.
Alþat afri man haueð idon seðen he cam to manne
Swo he hit iseie abóc iwrite he sal hit þenche þanne.
Ac drihte ne demeð noman after his biginninge
Ac al his lif sal ben teald after his endinge. | 120

+[gh]ef [þ/] his uuel al hit is uuel+ [&] God [gh]efe god his ende.
God [gh]eue [þ/] ure ende bo god. [&] wite [þ/] he us lende.
þe .M{on}. [þ/] uuel don na god. ne neure god lif leden.
er deð [&] dom come to his dure he mei him sare adreden.
[þ/] he ne mu[gh]e þenne biden are. for [þ/] itit ilome. 125
for{}þi he is wis þe biet [&] bit [&] bet bi{}fore dome.
+Wenne deð is attere dure+ wel late he biddeþ are.
Wel late he latheð uuel werc{;} þe ne mei hit don ne mare.

[Gh]ief þe endinge is god al hit is god·
[&] euel [gh]ief euel is þe ende. [f. 3v
God [gh]ieue þat ure ende be god [&] [gh]ieue þat he us lende.
Se man þe nafre nele don god ne nafre god lif lade.
Are deað [&] dom cumeð to his dure he mai[gh] hi{m} sore a{}drade
Þat he ne mu[gh]e þanne bidden ore for þat itit ilome. 125
For{}þi he wis þe bit [&] bi[gh]iet [&] bet bifore dome.
Þanne þe deað is ate dure wel late he biddeð ore.
Wel late he lateð euel werc þan he hit ne mai don no more.

[þ/] achten we to leuen wel. for ure drihten solf hit seide.
A hwilke time se eure .M{on}. of þinchþ his mis{}dede. 130
Oþer raþer oðer later{;} milce he scal imeten.
Ac {þ}e [þ/] þer naf[ð] nocht ibet{;} wel muchel he haueð to beten.

[Linenotes:
130. _þin[g.]chþ_ MS. || 132. _þe_] _we_ MS.]

Senne lat þe [&] þu nah hi{m} þan þu hit ne miht do no more{;}
For{}þi he is sot þe swo abit to habben godes ore. 130
Þeih hweðere we hit leueð wel for drihte self hit sade.
Elche time sal þe man of{}þunche his misdade
Oðer raðer oðer later milce he sal imete.
Ac þe þe her naueð ibet muchel he haued to bete

[Linenote:
133. After _imete_, _acþ_ erased.]

+Monimon seit hwa rechð of pine þe scal habben þende+.
Ne bidde ich na bet bo alesed a domes dei of bende.
lutel he wat wet is pine. [&] lutel he hit scaweð 135
hwice hete is þer þa saule wuneð hu biter wind þer blaweð.
hefde he bon þer enne dei oðer twa bare tide{;}
nolde he for al middenerd þe þerdde þer abiden.
þet habbeð iseid þ[e] comen þonen þa hit wisten mid iwissen.
wa wurð sor[gh]e seue[gh]er. for souenihte blisse. 140

Maniman seið hwo reche pine þe sal habben ende 135
Ne bidde ich no bet bie ich alesed a domesdai of bende.
Litel wot he `h´wat is pine [&] litel he cnoweð
Hwilch hit is þar sowle wunieð hwu biter wind þar bloweð.
Hadde he ben þar on oðer two bare tiden.
Nolde he for al midden{}eard þe þridde þar abiden. 140
Þat habbed isaid þe come þanne þit wiste mid iwisse.
Wo wurðe sore[gh]e seue [gh]ier for seue nihte blisse.

[Linenotes:
137. _[h.]is_ MS. || After _cnoweð_, erasure of _hwil_. ||
140. After _Nolde_ erasure of two letters. || _almidden_ MS.]

+In hure blisse þe | þe ende haueð.+ for endelese pine. [f. 62v
betere is wori water drunch{;} þen atter meind mid wine.
Swines brede is swiðe swete. swa is of wilde dore.
alto dore he is abuh{;} þe [gh]efð þer fore his swore.
Ful wombe mei lihtliche speken of hunger. [&] of festen{;} 145
swa mei of pine þe ne cnauð þe scal a ilesten.
Hefð he ifonded su{m}me stunde{;} he wolde al seggen oðer.
Et lete him were wif. child. suster. feder [&] broðer.

[Linenote:
144. _abuh_] _abu[t.][e.]h_ MS.]

[&] ure blisse þe ende haueð for ende{}lease pine
Betere is wori water þan atter imengd mid wine.
Swines brade is wel swete swo is of wilde diere. 145
Ac al to diere he hit abuið þe [gh]iefð þar{}fore his swiere.
Ful wombe mai lihtliche speken of hunger [&] of fasten
Swo mai of pine þe not hwat is pine þe sal ilasten. |
Hadde fonded sume stunde he wolde seggen oðer [f. 4r
Eðlate him ware wif [&] child suster [&] fader [&] broðer. 150

+Al he walde [&] oðerluker don [&] oðerluker þenche{n}+
Wenne he bi{}þohte on helle fur þe nawiht ne mei quenchen. 150
Eure he walde her inne wawe [&] ine wene wunien{;}
Wið [þ/] þe mihte helle pine bi{}flien [&] bi{}sunien
Et lete him were al world wele [&] orðliche blisse.
for to [þ/] muchele blisse cumen is murþe mid iwisse.

[Linenote:
152. Before _þe_, _me_ deleted.]

Al he wolde oðerluker don [&] oðerluker þenche
Þan he biðohte an helle fur þat no{}wiht ne mai quenche.
Afre he wolde her in wo [&] in wane wunien
Wið{}þan he mihte helle fur biflen [&] bisunien.
Eðlate him ware al wele [&] erðeliche blisse 155
For to þe muchele blisse cume þis murie mid iwisse.

[Linenote:
153. After _wunien_, _wið þan he mihte_ erased.]

+Iwule nu cumen eft to þe dome [þ/] ich er ow of sede+ 155
A þa dei [&] at ta dome us helpe c{ri}st [&] rede.
þer we mu[gh]en bon eþe offerd [&] herde us adrede{n}.
þer he scal al son him bi{}foren his word [&] ec his deden.
Al scal þer bon þenne cud þer me{n} lu[gh]en her ent stelen.
Al scal þer bon þa{n}ne unwron{;}
[þ/] men wru[gh]en her [&] helen. 160
We sculen alre monne lif iknauwen al{}se ure ahen.
þer sculen eueni{n}gges bon þe riche [&] þe la[gh]e.
Ne scal na mon skamie þer ne þerf he him a{}dreden.
Gif him her of{}þincþ | his gult [&] bet his misdede. [f. 63r
for him ne scameþ ne ne gromeð þe sculen bon ibor[gh]en. 165

[Linenote:
163. _skamie_] _smakie_ MS.]

¶Ich wulle nu cumen eft to þe dome þe ich eow ar of sade.
On þe daie [&] on þe dome us helpe crist [&] rade
Þar we mu[gh]en ben sore offerd [&] harde us ofdrade.
Þar elch sal al isien him biforen his word [&] ec his dade. 160
Al sal þar ben þanne cuð þat men lu[gh]en her [&] halen.
Al sal þar ben þanne unwrien þat men her hudden [&] stalen.
We sullen alre manne lif icnowen alse ure o[gh]en
Þar sullen efninges ben to þe heie [&] to þe lo[gh]e.
Ne sal þeih no man samie þiar ne þarf he him adrade. 165
[Gh]ief him her ofþincheð his gult [&] bet his mis{}dade.
For hem ne sameð ne ne grameð þe sulle ben ibore[gh]e

[Linenotes:
157. _[e.]f[t.]_ _eft_ MS. || 165. _þiar_] _a_ corr.
out of _e_.]

+Ach þo{}þre+ habbeþ scome [&] grome [&] oft fele sor[gh]e.
+Þe do{m} scal sone bon idon+ ne lest he nawiht lo{n}ge.
ne scal him na mon mene þer of st{re}ngþe ne of wronge.
þe sculen habbe herdne dom þa her weren herde.
þa þe uuele holden wreche men [&] uuele la[gh]e redde. 170
Ec efter [þ/] he efþ idon sal þer þenne [beon] idemet.
[bliðe mei hé ðenne beon. þe god háfð wel icwemed]

[Linenote:
172. Supplied from MS. e.]

Ac þoðre habbeð same [&] grame [&] oðer fele sore[gh]e.
Þe dom {s}al ben sone idon ne last hit nowiht longe
Ne sal him noman mene þar{}of strencðe ne of wronge 170
Þo sulle habben hardne dom þe here waren hardde
Þo þe euel hielden wreche men [&] euel la[gh]e arerde.
Elch after þat he haueð idon sal þar ben þanne idem{d}
Bliðe mai he þanne ben þe god haueð wel iquemd.

[Linenotes:
169. _sal_] _þal_ MS. || 173. _idemð_ MS.]

+Alle þa þi sprunge boþ+ of adam [&] of eue.
Alle hi sculen cumen þider for soðe we hit ileueð.
þa þe habbeð wel idon efter hore mihte. 175
to houene riche hi sculen faren forð mid ure drihte.
Þa þe habbeð doules werc idon. [&] þer inne bo ifunde.
hi sculen faren forð mid him in to helle grunde.
Þer hi scule{n} wunien a buten are [&] ende.
Ne brekeþ neure drihte helle gate for lesen hi of bende. 180

[Linenote:
178. _mid [m.][i.][d.]_ MS.]

Alle þo þe sprunge beð of ada{m} [&] of eue 175
Alle hie sulle þider cume for soðe we hit ileued. |
Þo þe habbed wel idon after here mihte [f. 4v
To heueriche hie sulle fare forð mid ure drihte.
Þo þe deueles werkes habeð idon [&] þar{}inne beð ifunde
Hie sulle fare forð mid hem in{}to helle grunde. 180
Þar hie sulle wunien abuten ore [&] ende.
Brecð nafre eft crist helle dure for lesen hem of bende

[Linenotes:
180. After _fare_, _þ_ elided.]

+Nis na sullic þech hom bo wa [&] hom bo uneade.+
Ne scal neure eft c{ri}st þolie deþ for lesen hom of deaþe.
Enes drihten helle brec his fro{n}d he ut brochte.
him solf he þolede deð for him . wel dore he hom bohte.
Nalde hit mei do for mei. ne sust{er} for broðer. 185
nalde hit sune do for fader. ne na mon for oðer.

Nis no sellich þeih hem be wo [&] þeih hem be uneaðe
Ne sal nafre eft crist þolien deað for lesen hem of deaðe.
Ænes drihten helle brac his frend he ut brohte 185
Him self he þolede deað for hem wel diere he hes bohte.
Nolde hit mo[gh]e don for mai ne suster [for] broðer
Nolde sune don for fader ne no man for oðer.

+Vre alre lau{er}d+ for his þrelles ipined wes a rode.
vre bendes he unbon[d] [&] bohte us mid his blode.
We [gh]eueð | uneðe for his luue a stuche of ure brede. [f. 63v
Ne þenke we noht [þ/] he scal deme þa q{ui}ke [&] þa dede. 190
Muchele luue he us cudde. walde we hit und{er}sto{n}de
[þ/] ure eldre misduden{;} we habbeð uuele on honde.
Deþ com in þis middenerde þurh þes doules honde.
[&] sake [&] sor[gh]e [&] swinc a wat{er}e [&] a londe.

Vre alre louerd for his þralles ipined he was arode
Ure bendes he unbond [&] bohte us mid his blode. 190
We [gh]ieueð uneaðe for his luue a steche of ure breade
Ne þenche we naht þar þat sal deme þe q{ui}ca [&] þe deade.
Muchel luue he us kedde wolde we hit understonde.
Þat ure elderne mi`s´duden we habeð euel an honde.
Deað cam in þis middenærd þurh ealde deueles onde 195
[&] senne [&] sore[gh]e [&] iswinch awatere [&] [a]londe.

[Linenote:
194. _misduden_] _u_ over _[e.]_ MS.]

+Vre forme fader+ gult. we abu[gh]eð alle. 195
[eal his óf spring efter hi{m}. en hearme is bi{}fealle.]
þurst [&] hunger. chele [&] hete. helde [&] unhelðe.
þurh him deð com in þis middenerd [&] oðer uniselðe.
Nere na{}mon elles ded ne sec ne nan unsele.
ac mihten libben eure ma a blisse [&] a hele. 200
lutel hit þu{n}cheð moni mon. ac muchel wes þa su{n}ne.
for hwam alle þolieð deð þe comen of hore cunne.

[Linenote:
196. Supplied from MS. e.]

Vre foremes faderes gult we abugeð alle
Al his ofsprung after him in harem is biualle
Þurst [&] hunger. chele [&] hete [&] alle unhalðe.
Þurh deað cam in þis midden{}eard [&] oðer unisalðe. 200
Nare noman elles dead ne sic ne unsele
Ac mihte libbe afremo ablisse [&] an hale. |
Litel lac is gode lief þe cumeð of gode wille. [f. 5r
[&] eðlate muchel [gh]ieue þan his herte is ille
Litel hit þuncheð maniman ac muchel was þe senne 205
For hwan alle þolieð deað þe comen of here kenne

+Hore sunne+ [&] ec ure a[gh]en sare us mei of{}þinche.
þurh su{n}ne we libbeð alle in sor[gh]e [&] in swinke.
Suððen God nom swa muchele wrake for are misdede{;} 205
We þe swa muchel [&] swa ofte mis{}doð. we mu[gh]en eðe us adrede.
Adam and his of{}spru{n}g for are {b}are sunne.
Wes fele undret wintre an helle pine [&] an unwunne.
þa þe ledden hore lif mid unriht [&] mid wrange.
buten hit gode`s´ milce do ho sculen bon þer wel longe. 210
Godes wisdom is wel muchel [&] alswa is his mihte
[&] nis his milce naut lesse. ac bi þan ilke iwichte.

[Linenotes:
203. _[h.][o.][r.][e.] ure_ MS. || 207. _bare_] _þare_ MS. ||
210. _do_] _do[n.]_ MS.]

Here senne [&] ec ure o[gh]en us mu[gh]e sore of{}þunche
For senne we libeð alle her in sore[gh]e [&] in swunche.
Seðen god na{m} swo mukel wrache for one misdede
We þe swo ofte misdoð we mu[gh]en us eaðe ofdrade. 210
Adam [&] al his ofspreng for one bare senne.
Was fele hundred wintre an helle a pine [&] unwenne.
Þo þe ladeð here lif mid unrihte [&] mid wronge
Bute hit godes milce do hie sulle wunie þar longe.
Godes wisdom is wel muchel [&] alsse is his mihte 215
Ac nis his mihte nowiht lasse ac biðer ilke wihte.

[Linenotes:
207. After _mu[gh]e_, _rewen_ deleted MS. || 210. _þo_ altered
to _þe_.]

+Mare he ane mei+ for{}[gh]euen. þen | al folc gulte cunne. [f. 64r
Sulf douel mihte habbe{n} milce. [gh]if he hit bigunne.
Þa þe godes milce secheð{;} he iwis mei ha ifi{n}den. 215
Ac helle king is are{}les with þa þe he mei binden.
þe þe deþ is wille mest{;} he haueð wurst mede.
His ba{þ} scal bon wallinde. his bað sca{l} bon berni{n}de glede.

[Linenotes:
218. _ba[þ/]_ MS. || _scal_] _scab_ MS.]

More he one mai[gh] for[gh]ieue þan alle folc gulte cunne
Self deuel mihte habben milce [gh]ief he hit bigunne.
Þeþe godes milche secð iwis he mai hes finden
Ac helle king is ore{}leas wið þo þe he mai binden. 220
Se deð his wille mast he sal habbe werest mede
His bað sal be wallinde pich his bed barnende glede.

[Linenotes:
213. After _lif_, an erasure, on which _mid_. || 214. _do_
corr. out of _to_. || 215. _mulchel_ MS. || After _[&]_, an
erasure.]

+Wurst he deð his gode frond{;}+ þenne his fulle fond{;}
God scilde alle godes frond. a wih swilche freonde. 220
Neure in helle hi com. ne þer ne come reche.
þach ich elches worldes wele. þer me mahte feche
[þ/] his wulle seggen on þat wise men us seiden.
[&] aboken hit writen þer [me] mei hit reden.
Ich hit wille seggen þan þe hit hom solf nusten. 225
warni hom wið hore unfrome. [gh]if ho me wulleð lusten.
vnd{er}stondeð nu to me edi men [&] arme.
Ich wulle tellen of helle pin{;} [&] wernin ow wið herme.
In helle his hunger [&] þurst{;} twa uuele iuere.
þas þolieð þa [þe] weren maket niþinges here. 230

[Linenote:
229. _[i.][s.] his_ MS.]

Werse he doð his gode wines þan his fiendes
God silde alle godes friend wið swo euele friende.
Nafre an helle ine cam ne cumen ich þar ne reche 225
Þeih ich aches woreldes wele þare mihte feche.
Þeih ich wille seggen eow þat wise men us saden
[&] [a] boc hit is write þar me hit mai rade. |
Ic wille seggen hit þo þe hit hem self nesten [f. 5v
[&] warnin hem wið here unfreme
[gh]ief hie me willeð hlesten. 230
Vnderstondeð nu to meward eadimen [&] arme
Ich wille tellen eow of helle pine [&] warnin eow wið harme.
An helle hunger [&] þurst euel two iferen.
Þos pine þolieð þo þe ware meteniðinges here.

[Linenotes:
225. Before _reche_, _þ_ erased MS. || 230. After _here_,
an erasure of one letter MS.]

+Þer is waning [&] wow.+ eft{er} eche streche.
ho fareð from hete to hete. [&] hech to frure þe wreche.
þenne hi bið in þere hete{;} þe chele him þunchet blisse.
þenne hi cumeð eft to þe chele{;} of hete hi habbeð misse.
hi hem deð wa inoch nabbeð hi nane blisse. 235

Þar is woning [&] wop after ache strate 235
Hie fareð fram hate [to] chele fra{m} chele to hate.
[Þ]an hie beð in þe hate chele hem þuncheð blisse
[Þ]an hie cumeð eft to chele of hate hie habbeð misse.
[E]iðer doð `hem´ wo inoh nabbeð none lisse.

+Nute hi hweþer hem deþ {w}urs+ mid neure nane wisse.
hi walkeð eure [&] secheð reste | ac `ho´ ne mu[gh]en imeten. [f. 64v
for{}þi þe ho nolden þe hwile [þ/] ho mihten here sunne beten.
ho secheð reste þer nis nan. for{}þi ne mu[gh]en hi es finden.
Ac walkeð weri up [&] dun{;} se wat{er} deþ mid winde. 240
þo boð þa þe weren her a þanke unstedefeste.
[&] þa þe gode biheten heste [&] nolden hit ileste.
þa þe god werc bigunnen [&] ful enden hit nolden.

[Linenotes:
236. _wurs_] _þurs_ MS. || 237. _m[o.]u[gh]en_ MS.]

[N]iten hweðer hem doð wers to nafre none wisse. 240
[H]ie walkeð afre [&] secheð reste ac hie hes ne mu[gh]en imeten.
[F]or{}þi þe hie nolde þe hwile hie mihten here senne beten.
[H]ie sec`h´eð reste þar non nis ac hie hies ne mu[gh]en ifinden.
[A]c walkeð weri up [&] dun se water doð mid winde
[Þ]at beð þo þe waren her an þanc unstedefaste 245
[[&]] þo þe gode biheten aihte [&] hit him ilaste.
[[&]] þo þe god werc bigunnen [&] ful endin hit nolden.

+Nu witen her.+ [&] nuðe þer. [&] nusten hwat hi wolden.
þer is bernunde pich hore saule to baþien inne. 245
þa þe ledden here lif in werre [&] in winne.
þer is fur [þ/] is undret fald hattre. þene bo ure.
Ne mei q{ue}nchen salt weter ne uersc of þe burne.
þis is [þ/] fur [þ/] efre bernd ne mei nawiht hit que{n}chen{;}
Þer inne boð þa þe was to lof wreche men to swenchen. 250
þa þe weren swikelemen [&] ful of uuel wrenchen.
þa þe mihten uuel don. þe þe lef hit wes to þenchen.
Þe luueden tening [&] stale. hordom [&] drunken.
[&] a doules werche bliþeliche swunken.

[N]u waren her [&] nu þar [&] nesten hwat he wolden
[Þ]ar is pich þat afre walleð þar sulle wunien inne
[Þ]o þe ladeð here lif on werre [&] an unwinne. 250
[Þ]ar is fur þis hundredfeald hatere þan be ure.
[N]e mai hit quenche salt water ne auene stream ne sture.
[Þ]is is þat fur þat afre barneð
ne mai no wiht [hit] quenche.
[Þ]ar{}inne beð þe was to lef wreche men to swenche. |
Þo þe [waren] swikele men [&] ful of euele wrenchen. [f. 6r
[&] þo þe mihten euel don [&] lief hit was to þenchen. 256
Þe luueden rauing [&] stale hordom [&] druken
[&] an defles werkes bliðeliche swunken.

[Linenotes:
248. _[m.]esten_ MS. || 250. After _[&]_, _h_ erased MS. ||
258. _bliðeliche_] second _i_ corr. out of _l_.]

Þa þe weren swa le{s}e [þ/] me ho{m} ne mihte ileuen. 255
Med{}ierne domes men. [&] wro{n}gwise reuen.
[þ/] oðer mo{n}nes wif lof. his a[gh]en et{}lete.
þo þe sungede muchel{;} a drunke [&] an ete.
þe wreche mon binom his ehte. [&] leide his on horde.
[þ/] lutel let of godes borde. [&] godes worde. 260
[&] þo þe his a[gh]en nalde [gh]euen þer he isech | þe node [f. 65r
Ne nalde iheren godes sonde. þenne he hit herde bode.
Þe [þ/] is oðers mo{n}nes þing. loure þene hit sculde.
[&] weren to gredi of solure [&] of golde.
[&] þa þe untrownesse duden þon þe ho scu`l´den bon holde. 265

[Linenote:
255. _lese_] _lele_ MS.]

Þo þe waren swo lease men þat mes ne mihte leuen
Med[gh]ierne domes men [&] w`r´ongwise reuen. 260
Þo þe oðer mannes wif was lief her o[gh]en eðlate
[&] þo þe sunegeden muchel on druken [&] on ate.
Þe wreche men binomen here aihte [&] leide his on horde.
Þe litel lete of godes bode [&] of godes worde.
[&] þe his o[gh]en nolde [gh]ieue þar he iseih þe niede 265
Ne nolde ihere godes men þan he sat at his biede.
Þo þe was oðer mannes þing leuere þan hit solde
[&] waren alto gradi of siluer [&] of golde.
Þo þe untrewnesse deden þan þe he solden ben holde.

[Linenotes:
261. After _was_, erasure of three letters MS. ||
263. After _men_, one letter erased.]

[&] leten þet ho sculden don. [&] duden [þ/] ho wolden.
Þa þe weren eure abuten þisse worldes echte.
[&] duden al [þ/] þe laþe gast hechte to [&] tachte.
[&] alle þe þen anigewise doulen i{}que{m}de.
Þa boð nu mid him in helle fordon [&] fordemet. 270

[Linenotes:
267. _we[n.]ren_ MS. || 269. _iquemde_] _iquende_ MS.]

[&] leten al þat hie solden don [&] deden þat hie wolden. 270
Þo þe waren [gh]ietceres of þis wereldes aihte
[&] dude al þat þe loðe gost hem tihte to [&] taihte.
[&] Al `þo´ þe ani{}wise deuel iquemde
Þo beð mid h{i}m in helle fordon [&] demde.

[Linenote:
274. _hem_ MS.]

(EGERTON MS., SECOND COPY.)

Bute þá þe óf{}ðufte sare heore mis{}dede. [f. 69r
[&] gunne heore gultes beten [&] betere líf læde.
Þer beoð neddren [&] snaken. éuete [&] frute.
þa tereð. [&] freteð. þe uuele speke. þe nið fulle. [&] te prute.
Neure sunne ðer ne scínð. ne mone ne steorre. 275
þer is muchel godes hate. [&] muchel godes eorre.
Æure ðer ís uuel sméch. ðusternesse [&] eie.
nis ðer neure oðer líht. ðene þe swierte leie.
Þer ligget ladliche fund. in strange rakete[gh]e.
[þ/] beoð þa ðe wére mid gode on heuene wel he[gh]e. 280
Þer beoð ateliche fund. [&] eisliche wihte.
þas scule þa wrecche í{}fon. þe sune[gh]ede ðurh sihte.
Þer is ðe laðe sathanas. [&] belzebud sé ealde.
eaðe hi mu[gh]en beo óf{}dréd. þe híne scule bi{}healde.

[Linenote:
283. _is_ _[i.][s.]_ MS.]

Bute þo þe ofðuhte sore here misdade 275
[&] Gunne here gultes bete [&] betere lif lade.
Þar beð naddren [&] snaken. eueten [&] fruden
Þe tereð [&] freteð þo euele swiken þe niðfule [&] þe prude
Nafre sunne þar ne sineð ne mone ne storre.
Þar is muchel godes hete [&] muchel godes oerre. | 280
Afre þar is euel smech þiesternesse [&] eie [f. 6v
Nis þar nafre oder liht þan þe swarte leie.
Þar ligeð ateliche fiend in stronge raketeie
Þat beð þo þe waren mid god angles swiðe heie.
Þat beð ateliche fiend [&] Eiseliche wihten 285
Þo sulle þe wreche sowle isien þe sinegeden þurh sihte
Þar is se loðe sathanas [&] belzebub se ealde
Eaðe he mu[gh]en ben sore ofdrad þe sullen hes bihealde.

[Linenote:
277. _fruden_] _d_ corr. out of _ct_ MS.]

Ne mei nan heorte hit iðenche. ne tunge ne can telle. 285
hu muchel píne na hu uele sunden ínne helle.
Wið þa pine ðe þer beoð. nelle ich eow naht leo[gh]en.
nis hit bute gamen [&] gléo. eal [þ/] man mei hér dreo[gh]en.
End [gh]ut ne deð heo{m} naht sa wá. ín ða laðe bende. |
[þ/] hí witeð [þ/] heore píne sceal neure habbe ende. [f. 69v
Þar beoð þa heðene men. þé w[´æ]re la[gh]e{}liese. 291
þe nes naht óf godes bi{}bode. ne óf godes hése.
[U]uele cristene men. hí beoð heore ifere.
þa ðe heore cristen{}dom. uuele heo`l´de hére.
[[Gh]]ut hí beoð á wurse stede. on ðeré helle grunde. 295
ne sculen hí neure cume{n} út. for marke ne for punde.
[N]e mei heo{m} naðer helpen þer. íbede ne elmesse.
for nis naðer inne helle. áre ne for{}[gh]iuenesse.

[Linenote:
290. After _habbe_, _l_ erased.]