Chapter VIII: Part 8

Ac þu þretest to myne vleysse.
Mid þine cleures woldest me meysse.
þe were i{}cundere to one frogge. 85
þat sit at Mulne vnder cogge.
Snayles. Mus. and fule wihte.
Beoþ þine cunde [&] þine rihte.
Þu sittest a day and flyhst a niht.
þu cuþest þat þu art on vnwiht. 90
þu art lodlich· and unclene.
Bi þine neste· ich hit mene.
And ek bi þine fule brode.
Þu vedest on heo{m} a wel ful vode.
. . . . . . .

[Linenote:
91. _[&] and_ MS.]

Ac þu þretest to mine fleshe.
Mid þine cliures woldest me meshe.
þe were icundur to one frogge. 85
[Þat sit at mulne under cogge.]
Snailes, mus [&] fule wi[gh]te.
Boþ þine cunde [&] þine ri[gh]te.
þu sittest adai and fli[gh][s]t ani[gh]t.
þu cuþest þat þu art on unwi[gh]t. 90
þu art lodlich [&] unclene.
Bi þine neste ich hit mene.
[&] ek bi þine fule brode.
þu fedest on hom a wel ful fode.
. . . . . .

[Linenotes:
86. Line omitted in MS. but there is a mark on margin.
89. _fli[gh]st_] _i[gh]_ corr. out of _u_.]

++Þeos word ayaf þe nihtegale. [f. 230r¹ 95
And after þare longe tale.
Heo song so lude. [&] so scharpe.
Ryht so me g{ru}lde. schille harpe.
þeos vle luste þiderward.
[&] heold hire eyen neþerward. 100
[&] sat to{}swolle [&] to bolewe.
so heo hedde one frogge i`s´wolwe.
For heo wel wiste. [&] was i{}war.
þat heo song hire a bysemar
[&] naþeles heo yaf ondsware. 105
hwy nel{}tu fleon i{n}to bare.
And schewi hweþer vnker beo.
of briht{er} hewe. of fayrur bleo.

[[The "e" in "Þeos" was subscripted in two different printings.
The subscript is not explained in the Notes.]]

++Þos word a [gh]af þe ni[gh]tingale. 234r¹ 95
[&] aft{er} þare longe tale.
He song so lude [&] so scharpe.
Ri[gh]t so me grulde schille harpe.
þos hule luste þiderward.
[&] hold hire e[gh]e noþerwa[r]d. 100
[&] sat to svolle [&] ibolwe.
also ho hadde one frogge isuol[gh]e.
for ho wel wiste [&] was i{}war.
þat ho song hire a bisemar.
[&] noþeles ho [gh]af andsuare. 105
whi nel{}tu flon in{}to þe bare.
[&] sewi þare unk{er} bo.
Of bri[gh]t{er} howe of uairur blo.

[Linenote:
105. _[gh]as_ corr. in margin to _[gh]af_.]

No. þu hauest scharpe clawe.
Ne kepe ich noht þat þu me clawe. 110
þu hauest clyures swiþe stro{n}ge.
þu twengest þar mid so doþ a tonge.
þu þoutest so doþ þine ilyche.
Mid fayre worde me biswike.

No þu hauest wel scharpe clawe.
Ne kepich no[gh]t þat þu me clawe. 110
þu hauest cliuers su{}þe stronge.
þu tuengst þar{}mid so doþ a tonge.
þu þo[gh]test so doþ þin ilike.
Mid faire worde me bi{}swike.

Ich nolde don þat þu me raddest. 115
Ich wiste wel þat þu me misraddest.
schomye þe vor þine vnrede.
vn{}wryen is þi swikehede.
schild þi swikedo{m} fro{m} þe lyhte.
And hud þat wowe a{}mo{n}g þe ryhte. 120
hwanne þu wilt þu vnriht spene.
Loke þat hit ne beo isene. |
vor swikedom haueþ schome and het [f. 230r²
If hit is ope. and vnder yete.

Ich nolde don þa`t´ þu me raddest. 115
Ich wiste wel þat þu me mis{}raddest.
Schamie þe for þin unrede.
vn{}wro[gh]en is þi svikelhede.
Schild þine svikeldom vram þe li[gh]te.
[&] hud þat wo[gh]e amon[gh] þe ri[gh]te. 120
þane þu wilt þin unri[gh]t spene.
Loke þat hit ne bo i{}sene.
vor svikedom haued schome [&] hete.
[gh]if hit is ope [&] under [gh]ete.

[Linenote:
115. _þat_] _t_ added by a second hand.]

Ne spedestu nouht mid þin vn{}wrenche 125
For ich am war. and can blenche.
Ne helpeþ noht· þat þu bo· to þriste.
Ich wolde vyhte bet myd liste.
þan þu mid al þine strengþe.
Ich habbe on brede· [&] ek on lengþe. 130
Castel god on myne ryse.
wel fyht þat wel flyhþ. seyþ þe wise.
Ac lete awey þeos cheste.
For suche wordes beoþ vnwreste.

Ne speddestu no[gh]t mid þine unwrenche. 125
for icham war [&] can wel blenche.
Ne helpþ no[gh]t þat þu bo to {þ}riste. |
Ich wolde vi[gh]te bet mid liste. [f. 234r²
þan þu mid all þine strengþe.
Ich abbe on brede [&] eck on lengþe. 130
Castel god on mine rise.
wel fi[gh]t þat wel fli[gh]t seiþ þe wise.
ac lete we a{}wei þos cheste.
vor suiche wordes boþ unwerste.

[Linenotes:
127. _þriste_] _wriste_ MS. || 130. _eck_ corr. out of
_ech_ MS.]

And fo we on· myd rihte dome. 135
Mid fayre worde. [&] myd some.
þeyh we ne beon at on acorde.
we mawe bet myd fayre worde.
wiþ{}vte cheste· and bute vyhte.
Playde mid soþe. [&] mid ryhte. 140
[&] may vr eyþer hwat he wile.
Mid rihte segge. [&] myd skile.

[&] fo we on mid ri[gh]te dome. 135
Mid faire worde [&] mid wsome.
þe[gh] we ne bo at one acorde.
we mu[gh]e bet mid fawre worde.
wit{}ute cheste [&] bute fi[gh]te.
Plaidi mid fo[gh]e [&] mid ri[gh]te. 140
[&] mai hure eiþer wat h{e} wile.
Mid ri[gh]te segge [&] mid sckile.

[Linenote:
141. _he_] _hi_ MS.]

++Þo qwaþ þe vle. hwo schal vs seme.
þat cunne [&] wille riht vs deme.
Ich wot wel quaþ þe nyhtegale. 145
Ne þarf þer of beo no tale.
Mayster Nichol· of guldeuorde.
he is wis· and war· of worde.

++Þo quaþ þe hule {wo} schal us seme.
þat kunne [&] wille ri[gh]t us deme.
Ich wot wel quaþ þe ni[gh]tingale. 145
Ne þaref þar of bo no tale.
Maist{er} nichole of guldeforde.
He is wis an war of worde.

he is of worde swyþe glev.
And him is loþ eurich vnþeu. 150
he wot insyht i{n} euche songe.
hwo singeþ wel. hwo singeþ wronge.
And he con schede from þe rihte.
Þat wowe. þat þuster fro{m} þe lyhte.

He is of dome suþe gleu.
[&] him is loþ eurich unþeu. 150
He wot in{}si[gh]t in eche songe.
wo singet wel wo singet wronge.
[&] he can schede vrom þe ri[gh]te.
þat wo[gh]e þat þust{er} from þe li[gh]te.

[Linenote:
143. _wo_] _þu_ MS.]

++Þe vle. one hwile hi bihouhte. 155
And after þan þis word up brouhte. |
Ich graunti wel þa`t´ he vs d{e}me. [f. 230v¹
For þeyh he were hwile breme.
[&] leof him wre Nihtingale.
And oþer wyhte gent [&] smale. 160
Ich wot. he is nu þe acoled.
Nis he vor þe nouht afoled.

++Þo hule one wile hi bi{}þo[gh]te. 155
[&] aft{er} þan þis word up bro[gh]te.
Ich granti wel þat he us deme.
vor þe[gh] he were wile breme.
[&] lof him were ni[gh]tingale.
[&] oþer wi[gh]te gente [&] smale. 160
Ich wot he is nu suþe acoled. |
Nis he vor þe no[gh]t afoled. [f. 234v¹

þat he vor þine olde luue.
Me a dun legge [&] þe a buue.
N[e] schaltu. neuer so him queme. 165
þat he vor þe fals dom deme.
he is nv ripe. [&] fast rede.
Ne luste hym nv to non vnred{e}.
Nv him ne lust namore pleye
he wile gon a rihte weye. 170

þat he for þine olde lo`u´ue.
Me adun legge [&] þe buue.
Ne schaltu neure so him queme. 165
þat he forþe fals dom deme.
He is him ripe [&] fastrede.
Ne lust him nu to none unrede.
Nu him ne lust na more pleie.
He wile gon a ri[gh]te weie. 170

[Linenote:
167. A mark in margin apparently calling attention to
_him_, MS.]

++Þe nihtegale· wes al ware.
heo hedde ileorned· wel ihware.
vle heo seyde seye me soþ.
hwi dostu þat vnwihtes doþ.
þu singest a nyht [&] nouht a{}day. 175
And al þi song is way{}laway.
þu miht mid þine songe afere.
Alle þat hereþ þine ibere.

++Þe ni[gh]tingale was al [gh]are.
Ho hadde ilorned wel aiware.
Hule ho sede seie me soþ.
wi dostu þat un{}wi[gh]tis doþ.
þu singist ani[gh]t [&] no[gh]t adai. 175
[&] al þi song is wailawai.
þu mi[gh]t mid þine songe afere.
alle þat ihereþ þine ibere.

Þ[u] scrichest [&] yollest to þine fere
þat hit is gryslich to ihere. 180
hit þincheþ boþe wise [&] snepe.
Nouht þat þu singe. at þu wepe.
þu flyhst a nyht and noht a day.
þar of ich wundri [&] wel may.
For vych þing þat schonyeþ riht. 185
hit luuyeþ þust{er} [&] hateþ lyht.
[&] euych þing. þat luueþ misded{e}.
hi luueþ þust{er} to his dede.
. . . . . .
[Linenote:
188. _hi_ corr. out of _his_ MS.]

þu schirchest [&] [gh]ollest to þine fere.
þat hit is grislich to ihere. 180
Hit þinchest boþe wise [&] snepe.
No[gh]t þat þu singe ac þat þu wepe.
þu fli[gh]st a{}ni[gh]t [&] no[gh]t adai.
þar{}of ich wndri [&] wel mai.
vor eurich þing þat schuniet ri[gh]t. 185
Hit luueþ þust{er} [&] hatiet li[gh]t.
[&] eurich þing þat is lof misdede.
Hit luueþ þust{er} to his dede.
. . . . . .

++Þeos vle luste swiþe longe. [f. 230v²
[&] wes of{}teoned swiþe stronge. 190
heo quaþ þu hattest Nihtegale.
þu mihtest bet hote galegale.
vor þu hauest to monye tale.
let þine tunge habbe spale.
þu wenest þat þes day beo þin owe. 195
let me nv habbe myne þrowe.
Beo nv stille [&] let me speke.
Ich wile beo of þe a wreke.
[&] lust hw ich con me bi{}telle.
Mid rihte soþe wiþ{}vte spelle. 200

++Þos hule luste suþe longe. [f. 234v²
[&] was of{}toned suþ`e´ stronge. 190
quaþ Ho þu `h´attest ni[gh]tingale.
Þu mi[gh]test bet hoten galegale.
Vor þu hauest to monie tale.
Lat þine tunge habbe spale.
þu wenest þat þes dai bo þino[gh]e. 195
Lat me nu habbe mine þro[gh]e.
Bo nu stille [&] lat me speke.
Ich wille bon of þe awreke.
[&] lust hu ich con me bitelle.
Mid ri[gh]te soþe wit{}ute spelle. 200

[Linenote:
191. _Ho quaþ_ with marks of inversion MS.]

þu seyst þat ich me hude a{}day
þar to ne segge ich nyk no nay
[&] lust ich telle hwer{}vore
Al hwi hit is [&] hware{}vore. |
Ich habbe bile stif [&] strong{e}. [f. 231r¹ 205
[&] gode cleures scharp [&] longe.
So hit bycumeþ to hauekes cunne.
hit is myn hyhte· [&] my ynne.
þat ich me drawe to mine cund{e}.
Ne may me no mo{n} þar{}for send{e}. 210

þu seist þat ich me hude adai.
þar{}to ne segge ich nich ne nai.
[&] lust ich telle þe wareuore.
al wi hit is [&] wareuore.
Ich habbe bile stif [&] stronge. 205
[&] gode cliuers scharp [&] longe.
So hit bi{}cumeþ to hauekes cunne.
Hit is min hi[gh]te hit is mi wune.
þat ich me dra[gh]e to mine cunde. |
Ne mai noman þareuore schende. [f. 235r¹ 210

on me hit is wel i sene.
For rihte cunde ich am so kene.
vor þi ich am loþ smale vowele.
Þat fleoþ bi g{ru}nde [&] bi þuuele.
hi me bichirmeþ [&] bi{}gredeþ. 215
[&] heore flockes to me ledeþ.
Me is leof to habbe reste.
And sitte stille in myne neste.
. . . . . .

On me hit is wel isene.
vor ri[gh]te cunde ich am so kene.
vor{}þi ich am loþ smale fo[gh]le.
þat floþ bi grunde an bi þuuele.
Hi me bichermet [&] bigredeþ. 215
[&] hore flockes to `m´e ledeþ.
Me is lof to habbe reste.
[&] sitte stille in mine neste.
. . . . . .
[Linenote:
216. _me_] _[n..]e_ with _i_ added above: _me_ in margin.]

wenestu þat hauek beo þe wrse. [f. 231r²
Þe crowe bi{}grede him bi þe m{er}sche. 220
[&] goþ to him myd heore chyrme.
Riht so hi wille. wiþ hi{m} schirme.
þe hauek foleweþ gode rede.
He flyhþ his wey [&] let hi grede.

wenestu þat haueck bo þe worse.
þo[gh] crowe bi{}grede him bi þe m{er}she. 220
[&] goþ to him mid hore chirme.
Ri[gh]t so hi wille wit him schirme.
þe hauec fol[gh]eþ gode rede. |
[&] fli[gh]t his wei [&] lat he{m} grede. [f. 235r²

[Linenotes:
223. _[f.][l.] fol[gh]eþ_ MS. || 224. _hem_ corr. out of _hi_
MS.]

++Þet þu me seyst of oþer þinge. 225
[&] tellest þat ich ne can nouht singe.
Ac al my reorde is wonyng.
And to ihere gryslych þing.
þat nis nouht soþ. ich singe efne.
Mid fulle dreme· [&] lude stefne. 230
þu wenest þat eoch song beo g{ri}slich.
þat þine pipinge nis ilich.

++[Gh]et þu me seist of oþ{er} þinge. 225
[&] telst þat ich ne can no[gh]t singe
Ac al mi rorde is woning
[&] to `i´hire grislich þing
þat nis no[gh]t soþ ich singe efne.
Mid fulle dreme [&] lude stefne. 230
þu wenist þat ech song bo grislich.
þat þine pipinge nis ilich.

Mi stefne is bold· [&] nouht vnorne.
heo is ilich one grete horne.
[&] þin is iliche one pype. 235
of one smale weode vnripe.
Ich [singe] bet þan þu dest.
Þu chaterest so doþ on yris p{re}st.

Mi stefne is bold [&] no[gh]t un{}orne.
ho is ilich one grete horne.
[&] þin is ilich one pipe. 235
Of one smale w`e´ode un{}ripe.
Ich singe bet þan þu dest.
Þu chat{er}est so doþ on irish pr`e´ost.

[Linenotes:
233. MS. _blod_ corr. in margin to _bold_. || 236. _woede_
_e_ added by corrector MS.]

Ich singe an efne. a{}ryhte time.
[&] seþþe hwenne hit is bedtime. 240
þe þridde syþe a middel{}nyhte.
[&] so ich myne songe a{}dihte.
hwenne ich iseo arise veorre
oþer day{}rewe· oþer day{}steorre.
Ic do god myd myne þrote. 245
And warny men to heore note.
Ac þu singest alle longe nyht.
From eue þat hit is day{}liht.

Ich singe an eue ari[gh]te time
[&] soþþe won hit is bedtime. 240
þe þridde siþe ad middelni[gh]te.
[&] so ich mine song adi[gh]te.
wone ich i{}so arise vorre.
Oþer dairim oþer daisterre.
Ich do god mid mine þrote. 245
[&] warni men to hore note.
Ac þu singest alle longe ni[gh]t.
From eue fort hit is daili[gh]t.

[Linenote:
247. _allelonge_ MS.]

[&] euer lesteþ þin o song,
so longe so þe nyht is long. 250
[&] eu{er} croweþ þi wrecche crey.
Þat he ne swikeþ nyht ne day. |
Mid þine pipinge þu adunest. [f. 231v¹
þas mo{n}nes eren. þar þu wunest.
[&] makest þi song, so vnwiht. 255
þat me ne telleþ. of þe nowiht.

[&] eure seist þin o song.
So longe so þe ni[gh]t is long. 250
[&] eure croweþ þi wrecche crei.
þat he ne swikeþ ni[gh]t ne dai.
Mid þine pipinge þu a{}dunest.
þas monnes earen þar þu wunest.
[&] makest þine song so unwrþ. 255
þa`t´ me ne telþ of þar no[gh]t wrþ.

Eurych mureþe may so lo{n}ge leste.
þat heo schal liki wel vnwreste.
for harpe. [&] pipe. [&] foweles song.
Mislikeþ. if hit is to long. 260
Ne beo þe song ne so murie.
þat he ne sal þinche vnmurie.
If he i{}lesteþ ouer vnwille.
So þu myht þi song aspille.
for hit is soþ Alured hit seyde. 265
[&] me hit. may i{n} boke rede.
Eurich þing may lesen his godhed{e}.
Mid vnmeþe and ouerdede.
. . . . . .

+E+urich mur[gh]þe mai so longe ileste.
þat ho shal liki wel unwreste. [f. 235v¹
vor harpe [&] pipe [&] fu[gh]eles songe.
Mislikeþ [gh]if hit is to long. 260
Ne bo þe song neu{er} so murie.
þat he ne shal þinche wel unmurie.
[gh]ef he ilesteþ ouer unwille.
So þu mi[gh]t þine song aspille.
vor hit is soþ alured hit seide. 265
[&] me hit mai ine boke rede.
Eurich þing mai losen his godhede
Mid unmeþe [&] mid ouerdede.
. . . . . .

[Linenote:
265. _sei[d.]de_ MS.]

++Þe nyhtegale i{n} hire þouhte. [f. 231v²
At{}heold al þis. [&] longe þouhte. 270
hwat heo þar after myhte segge,
vor heo ne myhte noht a{}legge.
þat þe vle hedde hire i{}seyd.
vor ho spak boþe riht [&] red.
[&] hire of þuhte þat heo hadde. 275
þe speche so feor{}uorþ iladde.
[&] wes aferd þat hire answare
Ne wrþe nouht a riht ivare.

++Þe ni[gh]tingale in hire þo[gh]te. [f. 235v²
Athold al þis [&] longe þo[gh]te. 270
wat ho þar{e} aft{er} mi[gh]te segge.
vor ho ne mi[gh]te no[gh]t alegge.
þat þe hule hadde hire ised.
vor he spac boþe ri[gh]t an red.
An hire ofþu[gh]te þat ho hadde. 275
þe speche so foruorþ iladde.
An was oferd þat hire answare.
Ne wrþe no[gh]t ari[gh]t i{}fare.

[Linenote:
270. _alþis_ MS.]

Ac noþeles heo spak boldeliche
vor heo is wis þat hardeliche. 280
wiþ his fo berþ grete ilete.
{þ}at he for arehþe hit ne for{}lete.
vor suych worþ bold if þu flyhst.
þa`t´ wile fleo if þu swykst. |
If he isihþ þat þu {n}art areh. [f. 232r¹ 285
he wile of bore wurche bareh.
[&] for þi· þey `þe´ nyhtegale.
Were a{}ferd· heo spak bolde tale.

[Linenotes:
282. _þat_] _hwat_ MS. || 285. _art_ MS. || 287. _þe_ added
in margin.]

Ac noþeles he spac boldeliche.
vor he is wis þat hardeliche. 280
wiþ is uo berþ grete ilete.
þat he uor are[gh]þe hit ne forlete.
vor suich worþ bold [gh]if þu fli[gh]ste.
þat wle flo [gh]if þu svicst.
[Gh]if he isiþ þat þu nart are[gh]. 285
He wile of bore wrchen bare[gh].
[&] forþi þe[gh] þe ni[gh]tingale. |
were aferd ho spac bolde tale [f. 236r¹

[Linenotes:
284. _[i.][s.]vicst_ MS. || 286. _bare[gh]_] _a_ corr. out of
_r_ MS.]

++Hvle heo seyde· hwi dostu so.
þu singest a wynter wolawo. 290
þu singest so doþ hen a{}snowe.
Al þat heo singeþ hit is for wowe.
A wint{er} þu singest wroþe [&] yom{er}e.
[&] eu{er} þu art. dumb a sumere.
hit is for þine fule nyþe 295
þat þu ne myht. myd vs be bliþe.
vor þu forbernest· neyh for onde.
hwenne vre blisse cumeþ to lond{e}.

[Linenote:
289. Þule]

++Hule ho seide wi dostu so.
þu singest awint{er} wolawo. 290
þu singest so doþ hen asnowe.
Al þat ho singeþ hit is for wowe.
A wint{er}e þu singest wroþe and [gh]om{er}e.
An`d´ eure þu art dumb a{}sum{er}e.
Hit is for þine fule niþe. 295
þat þu ne mi[gh]t mid us be bliþe.
vor þu forbernest welne[gh] for onde,
wane ure blisse cumeþ to londe.

[Linenotes:
289. _Þule_ MS. || 297. _foronde_ MS.]

þu farest so doþ þe ille.
Euer{}ich blisse him is vnwille. 300
Grucching· [&]· luryng. hi{m} beoþ rade.
If he iseoþ. þat men beoþ glade.
he wolde þat he iseye.
Teres i{n} eu{er}iche monnes eye.
Ne roughte þe. þeyh flockes were. 305
Imeynd bi toppes· [&] bi here.

þu farest so doþ þe ille.
Evrich blisse him is un{}wille. 300
Grucching [&] luring him boþ rade.
[Gh]if he isoþ þat men boþ glade.
he wolde þat he ise[gh]e.
Teres in evrich monnes e[gh]e.
Ne ro[gh]te he þe[gh] flockes were. 305
Imeind bi toppes [&] bi here.

Al{}so þu dost on þire syde.
For hwanne snouh liþ þikke [&] wid{e}.
[&] alle wihtes habbeþ sorewe.
þu singest from eue to amorewe. 310
Ac ich mid me alle blisse bringe.
Ech wiht is glad· for myne þinge.
[&] blesseþ hit· hwenne ich cume.
[&] hihteþ a{}yeyn myne cume.
þe blostme. gynneþ sp{ri}nge [&] sp{re}d{e}. 315
Boþe i{n} treo [&] ek in mede.

Al{}so þu dost on þire side.
vor wanne snov liþ þicke [&] wide.
an`d´ alle wi[gh]tes habbeþ sor[gh]e.
þu singest from eue fort amor[gh]e. 310
Ac ich alle blisse mid me bringe.
Ech wi[gh]t is glad for mine þinge.
[&] blisseþ hit wanne ich cume.
[&] hi[gh]teþ a[gh]en mine kume.
þe blostme ginneþ sp{ri}nge [&] sp{re}de 315
Boþe ine tro [&] ek on mede.

[Linenote:
315. _þe blostme_ on an erasure MS.]

þe lilie myd hire fayre wlite.
welcomeþ me þeyh þu hit wite.
Bid me myd hire fayre bleo. |
þat ich schulle to hire fleo. [f. 232r² 320
þe rose also myd hire rude.
þat cumeþ of þe þorne wode.
Bit me þat ich schulle singe.
For hire luue one skentynge.
. . . . . .

þe lilie mid hire faire wlite.
Wolcumeþ me þat þu hit wte.
Bit me mid hire faire blo.
Þat ich shulle to hire flo. 320
þe rose al{}so mid hire rude. |
þat cumeþ ut of þe þorne wode. [f. 236r²
Bit me þat ich shulle singe
vor hire luue one skentinge.
. . . . . .
[Linenotes:
319. _Bit_] _t_ corr. out of _d_ MS. || 324. _[o.][n.][e.]_
_one_ MS.]

[V]le þu axest me heo seyde. [f. 234r¹ 325
[I]f ich con eny oþer dede.
Bute syngen in sume tyde.
[&] bringe blisse veor [&] wyde.
hwy axestu of craftes myne.
Beter is myn on þan alle þine. 330
Bet{er} is o song of myne muþe.
þan al þat þi kun kuþe.

++Hule þu axest me ho seide. 325
[gh]if ich kon eni oþer dede.
Bute singen in sume tide.
an bringe blisse for [&] wide.
wi axestu of craftes mine.
Betere is min on þan alle þine. 330
Bet{er}e is o song of mine muþe.
þan al þat eure þi kun kuþe.

[Linenote:
325. _Hule_] _Nule_ MS.]

[&] lust. ich telle þe hwar{}vore.
wostu to hwan· mon wes ibore.
To þare blisse of heueryche. | 335
þar eu{er} is song. [&] Murehþe ilyche. [f. 234r²
þider fundeþ euer ich man.
þat eny þing of gode can.
for þi me syngþ i{n} holy chireche.
[&] clerekes gynneþ songes wrche. 340
þat mon yþenche. bi þe songe.
hwider he shal. [&] þar beon longe.

An lust ich telle þe wareuore. |
wostu to wan man was ibore. [f. 238r²
To þare blisse of houene{}riche. 335
þar eu{er} is song [&] mur[gh]þe iliche.
þid{er} fundeþ eurich man.
þat eniþing of gode kan.
vor þi me singþ in holi chirche.
an clerkes ginneþ songes wirche. 340
þat man iþenche biþe songe.
wid{er} he shal [&] þar bon longe.

þat he þe murehþe ne vor{}yete.
Ac þar of þenche. [&] bi{}gete.
[&] nyme yeme of chirche stefne. 345
hw Murie is þe blisse of heuene.
Clerekes· Munekes· [&] canúnes.
þar beoþ þos gode wike{}tunes.
Ariseþ vp to middel{}nyhte.
[&] singeþ of þon heuene{}lyhte. 350
[&] preostes vpe londe singeþ.
[Hwenne þe liht of daye springeþ.]
[&] ich heom helpe hwat ic may.
. . . . . .
[Linenotes:
344. _bi gete_] _bi gethe_ MS. || 352. Wanting in MS.]

þat he þe mur[gh]þe ne uor[gh]ete.
Ac þar of þenche and bi{}[gh]ete.
An nime [gh]eme of chirche steuene. 345
Hu murie is þe blisse of houene.
Clerkes munekes [&] kanunes.
þar boþ þos gode wicke tunes.
Ariseþ up to midel{}ni[gh]te.
An singeþ of þe houene li[gh]te. 350
An prostes upe londe singeþ.
wane þe li[gh]t of daie springeþ.
An ich hom helpe wat i mai.
. . . . . .

++Þe Nihtegale myd sweche worde. [f. 241r²
for monymo{n} myd speres orde. 355
haueþ lutle strengþe. [&] mid his schelde.
Ah naþeles in one felde.
þurh belde worde [&] myd ilete.
Deþ his iuo· for arehþe swete.
þe wrenne for heo cuþe singe. 360
þar com i{n} þare moreweninge.
To helpe þare nyhtegale.
vor heo hadde stefne smale.

++Þe ni[gh]tegale mid swucche worde. [f. 245v¹
for moniman mid speres orde. 355
haueþ lutle strencþe [&] mid his [s]chelde.
Ah neoþeles in one felde.
Þ{urh} belde worde an mid ilete.
Deþ his iuo for arehþe swete.
þe wranne for heo cuþe singe. 360
þar com in þare more[gh]e{n}[i]nge.
To helpe þare ni[gh]tegale.
For þah heo hadde steuene smale.

[Linenote:
361. _more [gh]eunge_ MS.]

heo hadde gode þrote [&] schille.
[&] fale mo{n}ne song a wille. 365
þe wrenne· wes wel wis iholde.
vor þeih heo nere ibred a wolde.
heo wes itowen. am{on}g mankunne
[&] hire wisdo{m} brouhte þenne.
heo myhte speke hwar heo wolde. 370
To{}fore þe kinge· þah heo scholde.
lusteþ· heo queþ· leteþ me speke.
hwat wille ye. þis pays to breke.

Heo hadde gode þrote [&] schille.
An fale manne song awille. 365
þe wranne was wel wis iholde.
`Vor þeg heo nere ibred awolde.´
Ho was ito[gh]en among menne.
An hire wisdom brohte þenne.
Heo mi[gh]te speke hwar heo walde. 370
To{}uore þe king þah heo scholde.
Lusteþ heo cwaþ lateþ me speke.
Hwat wulle [gh]e þis pes to{}breke.

[Linenotes:
364. _þorte_ MS. || 367. This line comes after l. 378
in MS. || 368. _menne_] _mann[-e]ne_ MS.]

[&] do þan [kinge] such schome.
yet nys heo nouþer ded ne lome. 375
hunke schal i{}tyde harm [&] schonde.
If we doþ gryþ{}bruche on his lond{e}.
Leteþ beo and beoþ isome.
[&] fareþ riht to eure dome.
[&] leteþ do{m} þis playd to breke. 380
Al{}so hit wes erure bi{}speke.

[Linenote:
374. _þan kinge_] _þanne_ MS.]

An do þan [kinge] swuch schame.
[Gh]e[t] nis he nouþer ded ne lame. 375
Hunke schal i{}tide harm [&] scho{n}de.
[Gh]ef [gh]e doþ griþ{}bruche on his londe.
Lateþ beo [&] beoþ isome. |
An fareþ riht to ower dome. [f. 245v²
An lateþ dom þis plaid to breke. 380
Al swo hit was erur bispeke.

[Linenote:
374. _þan kinge_] _þanne_ MS.]

+I+ch vnne wel queþ þe Nihtegale.
Ah wrenne· nouht for þine tale.
Ac do for myre lauhfulnesse.
Ic nolde þat vnrihtfulnesse. 385
Me at þen ende· me ouercome.
Ic nam of dred. of none dome.
Bi{}hote ic habbe· soþ hit is.
þat ma[.y]ster Nichole. [þ/] is wis.
Bi{}twihen eu deme schulle. 390
[&] yet ic wene þat he wulle. |

++Ich an wel cwað þe ni[gh]tegale.
Ah wranne nawt for þire tale.
Ah do for mire lahfulnesse.
Ich nolde [þ/] unriht{}fulnesse. 385
Me at þen ende ouer{}kome.
Ich nam of{}drad of none dome.
Bi{}hote ich habbe soþ hit is.
þat maister nichole [þ/] is wis.
Bi{}tuxen vs deme schulde. 390
An [gh]ef ich wene [þ/] he wule.

Ah {w}ar myhte we hine fynde. [f. 241v¹
þe wrenne sat in hore lynde.
hwat mihte yet quaþ heo his hom.
heo wuneþ at portes{}hom. 395
At one tune in dorsete.
Bi þare séé in ore vt{}lete.
þar he demeþ mony riht dom.
[&] diht [&] wryt mony wisdom.
[&] þurh his muþe. [&] þurh his honde. 400
hit is þe betere in{}to scotlonde.

Ah war mihte we hine finde.
þe wranne sat in ore linde.
Hwat nu[gh]te [gh]e cwaþ heo his hom.
He wuneþ at portes{}hom. 395
At one tune ine dorsete.
Bi þar{e} see in ore ut{}lete.
þar he demeþ manie ri[gh]te dom.
An diht [&] writ mani wisdom.
An þ{urh} his muþe [&] þ{urh} his honde. 400
Hit is þe betere into scot{}londe.

To seche hyne. is lyhtlych þing.
he naueþ buten o wunyng.
[þ/] is biscopen muchel schame.
[&] alle þan [þ/] of his nome. 405
habbeþ iherd. [&] of his dede.
hwi nulleþ hi nyme{n} heo{m} to rede.
[þ/] he were myd heom ilome.
vor teche heo{m} of his wisdome.
[&] yeue him rente on vale stude. 410
[þ/] he myhte ilome heo{m} beo myde.

[Linenotes:
392. _war_] _þar_ MS. || 394. _[l.]yet_ MS.]

To seche hine is lihtlich þing.
He naueþ bute one woning.
[þ/] his bischopen muchel schame.
An alle þan [þ/] of his nome. 405
Habbeþ ihert. [&] of his dede.
Hwi nulleþ hi nimen heo{m} to rede.
[þ/] he were mid heom ilome.
for teche heom of his wis{}dome.
An [gh]iue him rente auale stude. 410
[þ/] he mi[gh]te heom ilome be mide.

[Linenote:
409. _t[h.]eche_ MS.]

+C+ertes quaþ þe vle. þat is soþ.
þeos riche men· Muchele mys{}doþ.
þat leteþ þane gode man.
þat of so fele þinge can. 415
[&] yeueþ rente wel mislyche.
[&] of him leteþ wel lyhtliche.
wiþ heore kunne heo beoþ Mildre.
[&] yeueþ rente lutle childre.
so heore wit hi demeþ adwole. 420
[þ/] eu{er} abit Mayster Nichole.
Ah vte we þah· to him fare,
vor þat is vnk{er} dom al yare

+C+ertes cwaþ þe hule [þ/] is soð. |
þeos riche men wel muche misdoð. [f. 246v¹
[þ/] leteþ þane godemon.
[þ/] of so feole þinge con. 415
An [gh]iueþ rente wel misliche.
An of him leteþ wel lihtliche.
wið heore cunne heo beoþ mildre.
An [gh]eueþ rente litle childre.
swo heore wit hi demþ adwole. 420
[þ/] euer abid maistre nichole.
Ah ute we þah to him fare.
For þar is unker dom al [gh]are.

[Linenote:
413. _misdoð_] _ð_ corr. out of some other letter.]

+D+o we þe Nihtegale seyde.
Ah hwo schal vnk{er} speche rede. 425
[&] telle to{}vore vnker dome.

+D+o we þe ni[gh]tegale seide.
ah wa schal unker speche rede. 425
An telle to{}uore unker deme.

þar of ic schal þe wel iqueme
Queþ þe vle. for al ende of orde. |
Telle ic con. word after worde. [f. 241v²
[&] if þe þinkþ þat ic mis{}rempe. 430
þu stond ayeyn and do me crempe.
Mid þisse worde forþ hi ferden.
Al bute here and bute verde.
To portes ham. þer hi bicome.
Ah hw heo spedde of heore dome. 435
Ne can ic eu namore telle.
her nys namore of þisse spelle.
Explicit.

[Linenote:
435. _hw heo sp_ on an erasure.]

++Þar{}of ich schal þe wel icweme.
Cwaþ þe houle for al ende of orde.
Telle ich con word after worde.
An [gh]ef þe þincþ [þ/] ich mis{}rempe. 430
þu stond a[gh]ei{n} [&] do me crempe.
Mid þisse worde forþ hi ferden.
Al bute here and bute uerde.
To portes{}ham [þ/] heo bi{}come.
Ah hu heo spedde of heore dome. 435
Ne can ich eu namore telle.
Her nis na more of þis spelle.

[Linenotes:
431. _dome_ MS. || 436. _chan_ MS.]

XXI. THE BESTIARY

[[MS description from Notes volume:

"Arundel 292, British Museum: on vellum, 200 × 130 mm.: late thirteenth century.... The Bestiary is written continuously, but the initials of the lines and, in the long metres, of the half lines are mostly rubricated.... Latin headings are in red, some are on the margin, the others at the head of their sections. As will be seen from the footnotes, the manuscript was much corrected or altered over erasures, and that after it was finished, for the substituted words do not always fill the gaps left by the scraper. The first leaves of the exemplar were probably damaged at the lower margin, since defective or difficult passages occur at regular intervals, so l. 32, ll. 89-92, 120, 121, 143, 144, 173, 200, 201."]]

[[Line indentations, including those of ll. 504-515, are as printed.]]

+Na{tur}a leo{n}is i^a.+

++Ðe leun stant on hille . [&] he man hunten here. [f. 4r
Oðer ðurg his nese smel . Smake ðat he negge.
Bi wilc weie so he wile . To dele niðer wenden.
Alle hise fet steppes . After him he filleð. 5
Drageð dust wið his stert . ðer he [dun] steppeð.
Oðer dust oðer deu . ðat he ne cunne is finden.
driueð dun to his den . ðar he him bergen wille.

+ij^a.+

++An oðer kinde he haueð . wanne he is ikindled. 10
Stille lið ðe leun . ne stireð he nout of slepe.
Til ðe sunne haueð sinen . ðries him abuten.
ðanne reiseð his faðer him . mit te rem ðat he makeð.

+iij^a.+

Ðe ðridde lage haueð ðe leun . ðanne he lieð to slepen. 15
Sal he neure luken . ðe lides of hise egen.

+Significac{i}o p{ri}me nat{ur}e.+

++Welle heg is tat hil . ðat is heuen{}riche.
vre louerd is te leun . ðe liueð ðer abuuen.
wu ðo him likede . to ligten her on erðe. 20
Migte neure diuel witen . ðog he be derne hunte.
hu he dun come.
Ne wu he dennede him . in ðat defte meiden.
Marie bi name . ðe him bar to manne frame.

+ij^a [&] iij^a.+ 25

++Ðo ure drigten ded was.
[&] doluen also his wille was.
In a ston stille he lai.
til it kam ðe dridde dai.
His fader him filstnede swo. 30
ðat he ros fro dede ðo.
vs to lif holden.
wakeð so his wille is So hirde for his folde.
He is hirde. we ben sep . Silden he us wille.
If we heren to his word . ðat we ne gon nowor wille. 35

+Natura aquile.+

++Kiðen i wille ðe ernes kinde.
Also ic it o boke rede.
wu he neweð his guð{}hede.
hu he cumeð ut of elde. 40
Siðen hise limes arn unwelde.
Siðen his bec is alto{}wrong.
Siðen his | fligt is al unstrong. [f. 4v
[&] his egen dimme.
Hereð wu he neweð him. 45
A welle he sekeð ðat sp{ri}ngeð ai.
boðe bi nigt [&] bi dai.
ðer ouer he flegeð [&] up he teð.
til ðat he ðe heuene seð.
ðurg skies sexe [&] seuene. 50
til he cumeð to heuene.
So rigt so he cunne.
he houeð in ðe sunne.
ðe sunne swideð al his fligt.
[&] oc it makeð his egen brigt. 55
Hise feðres fallen for ðe hete.
[&] he dun mide to ðe wete.
Falleð i{n} ðat welle grund.
ðer he wurdeð heil [&] sund.
[&] cumed ut al newe. 60
Ne were his bec untrewe.
His bec is get biforn wro{n}g.
ðog hise limes senden strong.
Ne maig he tilen him no{n} fode.
him self to none gode. 65
ðanne goð he to á ston.
[&] he billeð ðer{}on.
Billeð til his bec biforn.
haueð ðe wrengðe forloren.
Siðen wið his rigte bile. 70
takeð mete ðat he wile.

[Linenote:
64. _maig_ on an erasure.]

+Significacio.+

++Al is man so is tis ern.
wulde ge nu listen.
Old in hise sinnes dern. 75
or he bicumeð cristen.
[&] tus he neweð hi{m} ðis man.
ða{n}ne he nimeð to kirke.
Or he it biðenken can.
hise egen weren mirke. 80
Forsaket ðore satanas.
[&] ilk sinful dede.
Takeð hi{m} to ih{es}u crist.
for he sal ben his mede.
Leueð on ure loue[r]d crist. 85
[&] lereð prestes lore.
Of hise egen wereð ðe mist.
wiles he dreccheð ðore.
His hope is al to godeward.
[&] of his luue he lereð. 90
ðat is te sunne sikerlike.
ðus his sigte he beteð.
Naked falleð in ðe funt{}fat.
[&] cumeð ut al newe.
buten alitel wat is tat. 95
his muð is get untrewe.
His muð is get wel unkuð.
wið pat{er} n{oste}r [&] crede.
Fare he norð. er fare he suð.
leren he sal his nede. 100
bidden bone to gode.
[&] tus his muð rigten.
tilen him so ðe sowles fode |
ðurg {grace} off ure drigtin. [f. 5r

[Linenotes:
74. _listlen_ MS. || 77. _h[-i]_ corr. out of _hu_. || _ðis man
ðanne he_ on an erasure. || 80. This line in fainter brown
ink. || 83, 84. _Takeð ... he_ on an erasure. || 87. _hise_]
_i_ corr. out of _p_. || 89, 90. _is hope is ... luue_ on an
erasure: l. 90 originally began _ha after luue a_.]

+Natura Serpe{n}tis. j^a.+ 105

An wirm is o werlde . wel man it knoweð.
Neddre is te name . ðus he him neweð.
ðanne he is forbroken [&] forbroiden . [&] in his elde al forwurden.
Fasteð til his fel him slakeð . ten daies fulle.
ðat he is lene [&] mainles [&] iuele mai gangen. 110
he c{re}peð cripelande forð . his craft he ðus kiðeð.
Sekeð a ston ðat a ðirl is on.
Narwe buten he nedeð him . Nimeð vnneðes ðurg.
for his fel he ðer leteð . his fles forð crepeð.
walkeð to ðe wat{er} ward . wile ðanne drinken. 115
Oc he speweð or al ðe uenim.
ðat i{n} his brest is bred . fro his birde time.
drinkeð siðen inog . [&] tus he him neweð.

[Linenote:
105. On an erasure.]

+ij^a.+

++Ðanne ðe neddre is of his hid naked. 120
[&] bare of his brest atter.
If he naked man se . ne wile he him nogt neggen.
Oc he fleð fro him . als he fro fir sulde.
If he cloðed man se cof he waxeð.
For up he rigteð him redi to deren. 125
to deren er to ded maken if he it muge forðen.
wat if ðe man war wurðe . [&] weren him cunne.
figteð wið ðis wirm . [&] f[a]reð on him figtande.
ðis neddre siðen he nede sal.
makeð seld of his bodi . [&] sildeð his heued. 130
litel hi{m} is of hise limes . bute he lif holde.

[Linenote:
122. _neggen_] the initial _n_ on an erasure MS.]

+[Significacio.]+

++Knov c{ri}stene man . wat tu c{ri}st higtest
Atte kirke dure . ðar ðu c{ri}stned were.
ðu higtes to leuen on him . [&] hise lages luuien. 135
to helden wit herte . ðe bodes of holi k[i]rke.
If ðu hauest is broken.
Al ðu forbredes . forwurðes [&] forgelues.
Eche lif to wolden . Elded art fro eche blis.
So ðis wirm o werld is. 140
Newe ðe fordi . so ðe neddre doð.
It is te ned.
Feste ðe of stedefastnesse . [&] ful of ðewes.
[&] help ðe poure | men . ðe gangen abuten. [f. 5v
Ne deme ðe nog[t] wurdi . ðat tu dure loken. 145
up to ðe heueneward.
Oc walke wið ðe erðe mildelike among men.
no mod ðu ne cune . mod ne mannes vncost.
oc swic of sineginge.
[&] bote bid tu ðe ai . boðe bi nigt [&] bi dai. 150
ðat tu milce mote hauen . of ðine misdedes.
ðis lif bitokneð ðe sti.
ðat te neddre gangeð bi.
[&] tis is ðe ðirl of ðe ston.
ðat tu salt ðurg gon. 155
Let ðin filðe fro ðe . so ðe wirm his fel doð.
Go ðu ðan to godes hus . ðe godspel to heren.
ðat is soule dri{n}k . sinnes quenching.
Oc or sei ðu in scrifte . to ðe prest sinnes tine.
feg ðe ðus of ði brest filde . [&] feste ðe forðward. 160
fast at tin h{er}te . ðat tu firmest higtes.
ðus art tu ging [&] newe.
forðward be ðu trewe.
Nedeð ðe ðe deuel nogt . for he ne mai ðe deren nogt.
oc he fleð fro ðe . so neddre fro de nakede. 165
On ðe cloðede ðe neddre is cof . [&] te deuel cliuer on sinnes.
Ai ðe sinfule bisetten he wile.
[&] wið al mankin
he haueð nið [&] win.
wat if he leue haue of ure heuen louerd. 170
for to deren us . So he ure eldere or dede.
do we ðe bodi in ðe bale . [&] bergen ðe soule.
ðat is ure heued geuelic . helde we it wurðlic.

[Linenote:
160. _segðe_ MS.]

+Natura formice.+

++Ðe mire is magti . mikel ge swinkeð. 175
In sum{er} [&] i{n} softe weder . So we `ofte´ sen hauen.
In ðe heruest . hardilike gangeð.
[&] renneð rapelike . [&] resteð hire seldum.
[&] fecheð hire fode . ðer ge it mai finden.
gaddreð ilkines sed. 180
boðen of wude [&] of wed.
Of corn [&] of gres.
ðat ire to hauen es.
haleð to hire `hole´ . ðat siðen hire helpeð.
ðar ge wile ben winter | agen. [f. 6r 185
caue ge haueð to crepen in . ðat wint{er} hire ne derie.
Mete i{n} hire hule ðat . ðat ge muge biliuen.
ðus ge tileð ðar wiles ge time haueð.
so it her telleð.
oc finde ge ðe wete . corn ðat hire qwemeð. 190
Al ge forleteð ðis oðer seð ðat ic er seide.
Ne bit ge nowt de barlic beren abuten.
oc suneð it [&] sakeð forð . so it same were.
get is wund{er} of ðis wirm . more ðanne man weneð.
ðe corn ðat ge to caue bereð . al get bit otwinne. 195
ðat it ne forwurðe . ne waxe hire fro.
er ge it eten wille.

[Linenotes:
176. _ofte_ added in margin MS. || 184. _hole_ added on lower
margin MS. || 188. Space before _ðar_: _ð_ rubricated and red
afterwards erased MS.]

+Significacio.+

++Ðe mire muneð us mete to tilen.
Long liuenoðe ðis little wile. 200
ðe we on ðis werld wunen.
for ðanne we of wenden . ðanne is ure wint{er}.
we sulen hung{er} hauen . [&] harde sures.
buten we ben war here.
do we forði. so doð ðis der . ðanne be we derue. 205
On ðat dai ðat dom sal ben . ðat it ne us harde rewe.
Seke we ure liues fod . ðat we ben siker ðere.
So ðis wirm in wint{er} is . ðan ge ne tileð nu{m}more.
ðe mire suneð ðe barlic ðanne ge fint te wete.
ðe olde lage we ogen to sunen . ðe newe we hauen mote{n}. 210
ðe corn ðat ge to caue bereð . all ge it bit otwinne.
ðe lage us lereð to don god . [&] forbedeð us sinne.
It be{t} us e{rðl}iche bodes . [&] bekned euelike.
It fet ðe licham [&] te gost . oc nowt o geuelike.
vre louerd c{ri}st it lene us ðat his lage us fede. 215
nu [&] o domesdei . [&] tanne we hauen nede.

[Linenotes:
211. _ðe corn_ on an erasure. || 213. _ben_ MS. || _ebriche_
MS. || 216. _we_ on an erasure.]

+Natura cerui.+

++Ðe hert haueð kindes two.
[&] forbisnes oc al so.
ðus it is on boke set. 220
ðat man clepeð fisiologet.
He drageð ðe neddre of de ston.
ðurg his nese up on{}on.
of ðe stoc er of ðe ston.
for it wile ðerunder gon. 225
[&] sweleð it wel swiðe.
ðerof him brinneð siðen.
of ðat attrie ðing.
wiðinnen he | haueð brenni{n}g. [f. 6v
he lepeð ðanne wið mikel list. 230
of swet wat{er} he haueð ðrist.
he drinkeð wat{er} gredilike.
til he is ful wel sikerlike.
Ne haueð ðat uenim no{n} migt.
to deren him siðen no{n} wigt. 235
oc he werpeð er hise hornes.
in wude er in ðornes.
[&] gingid him ðus ðis wilde der.
So ge hauen nu lered her.

[Linenote:
236. _er_ on an erasure.]

+Significac{i}o. prima.+ 240

++Alle we atter dragen off ure eldere.
ðe broken drigtinnes word{}ðurg ðe neddre.
ðer{}ðurg haueð mankin.
boðen nið [&] win.
{g}olsipe. [&] giscing. 245
giu{er}nesse [&] wissing.
p{ri}de [&] ouerwene.
swilc atter i{}mene.
Ofte we brennen i{n} mod.
[&] wurden so we weren wod. 250
ðanne we ðus brennen.
bihoueð us to rennen.
to c{ri}stes quike welle.
ðat we ne gon to helle.
drinken his wissing. 255
it quenchet ilc siniging.
forwerpen p{ri}de euril[c] del.
so hert doð hise hornes.
gingen us tus to godeward.
[&] gemen us siðen forðwarð. 260

[Linenotes:
244. After _win_, a letter erased. || 245. _kolsipe_, with
_i_ on an erasure. || 256. _ilc siniging_ on an erasure.]

+Nat{ur}a. ij^a.+

Ðe hertes hauen anoðer kinde.
ðat us og alle to ben minde.
Alle he arn off one mode.
For if he fer fetchen fode. 265
[&] he ouer wat{e}r ten.
wile non at nede oðer flen.
Oc on swimmeð bi{}forn.
[&] alle ðe odre folegen.
weðer so he swimmeð er he wadeð 270
Is no{n} at nede ðat oðer lateð.
Oc leigeð his ski{n}bon.
on oðres lendbon.
gef him ðat biforn teð.
Bilimpes for to tirgen. 275
Alle ðe oðre cumen mide.
[&] helpen him for to her[t]ien.
beren him of ðat wat{er} grund
up to ðe lond al heil [&] sund.
[&] forðen here nede. 280
ðis wune he hauen hem bi{}twen
ðog he an hundred to giddre ben.

[Linenote:
277. _herien_ MS.]

+Signific{acio}. ij^a.+

++Ðe hertes costes we ogen to munen.
Ne og ur non oðer to sunen. 285
oc eurilc luuen oðer.
also he were his broder.
wurðen stedefast his | wine. [f. 7r
ligten him of his birdene.
helpen him at his nede. 290
god giueð ðer{}fore mede.
we sulen hauen heuenriche.
gef we b{i}{}twixen us ben briche.
ðus is ure louerdes lage luuelike to fillen.
her of haue we mikel ned . ðat we ðar{}wið ne dillen. 295

[Linenotes:
285. _to sunen_ on an erasure. || 293. _ben twixen_ MS.]

+Natura Wulpis.+

++A wilde der is . ðat is ful of fele wiles.
fox is hire to name . for hire queðsipe.
husebondes hire haten . for hire harm dedes.
ðe coc [&] te capun. 300
ge feccheð ofte in ðe tun.
[&] te gandre [&] te gos.
bi ðe necke [&] bi ðe nos.
haleð is to hire hole . for{}ði man hire hatieð.
hatien [&] hulen . boðe men [&] fules. 305
Listneð nu a wund{er} . ðat tis der doð for hunger.
goð o felde to a furg . [&] falleð ðar{}inne.
In eried lond er in erðchine . forto bilirten fugeles.
Ne stereð ge nogt of ðe stede a god stund deies.
oc dareð so ge ded were . Ne drageð ge no{n} onde. 310
ðe rauen is swiðe redi . weneð ðat ge rotieð.
[&] oðre fules hire fallen bi . For to winnen fode.
derflike wiðuten dred . he wenen ðat ge ded beð.
he wullen on ðif foxes fel . [&] ge it wel feleð.
ligtlike ge lepeð up . [&] letteð hem sone. 315
gelt hem here billing
raðe wið illing.
tetoggeð [&] tetireð hem . mid hire teð sarpe.
Fret hire fille.
[&] goð ðan ðer ge wille. 320

[Linenotes:
300. _ðe coc_ on an erasure. || 304. _eð is to_ on an erasure.
|| 308. _erðchine_] _erðc_ on an erasure. || 313. _derflike_]
_derfli_ on an erasure.]

+Significac{i}o.+

++Twifold forbisne in ðis der.
to frame we mugen finden her.
warsipe [&] wisedom.
wið deuel [&] wið iuel man. 325
ðe deuel dereð dernelike.
he lat he ne wile us nogt biswike.
he lat he ne wile us ðon non loð.
[&] bringeð us in a sinne. [&] ter he us sloð.
he bit us don ure bukes wille. 330
Eten [&] dri{n}ken wið unskil.
[&] in ure skemti{n}g.
he doð raðe a foxing. |
He billeð one ðe foxes fel. [f. 7v
wo so telleð idel spel. 335
[&] he tireð on his ket.
wo so him wið sinne fet.
[&] deuel geld swilk billing.
wið same [&] wið sending.
[&] for his sinfule werk. 340
ledeð man to helle merk.

+Signific{aci}o.+

++Ðe deuel is tus ðe [fox] ilik.
mið iuele breides [&] wið swik.
[&] man al{}so ðe foxes name. 345
arn wurði to hauen same.
for wo `so´ seieð oðer god.
[&] ðenkeð iuel on his mod.
fox he is [&] fend iwis.
ðe boc ne legeð nogt of ðis. 350
So was herodes fox [&] flerd.
ðo c{ri}st kam i{n}{}to ðis middel{}erd.
he seide he wulde him leuen on.
[&] ðogte he wulde him fordon.

[Linenotes:
346. _wurði_] _ð_ corr. out of another letter. || 347. _so_
added in margin. || 354. _e wulde_ on an erasure.]

+Nat{ur}a {a}ranéé.+ 355

++Seftes sop ure seppande . sene `is´ on werlde.
leiðe [&] lodlike . ðus we it leuen.
man`i´kines ðing.
alle manne to wissi{n}g.
ðe spinn{er}e on hire [webbe] swid[e] ge weveð. 360
festeð atte hus rof . hire fodredes.
o rof er on ouese . so hire is on elde.
werpeð ðus hire web . [&] weueð on hire wise.
ðanne ge it haueð al idigt . ðeðen ge driueð.
hitt hire i{n} hire hole . oc ai ge it biholdeð. 365
til ðat ðer fleges faren . [&] fallen ðer{}inne.
wiðeren in ðat web . [&] wilen ut wenden.
ðanne renneð ge rapelike . for ge is ai redi.
nimeð anon to ðe net . [&] nimeð hem ðere.
bitterlike ge hem bit . [&] here bane wurðeð. 370
drepeð [&] drinkeð here blod.
doð ge hire no{n} oðer god.
bute fret hire fille
[&] dareð siðen stille.

[Linenotes:
355. _iranéé_ MS. || 357. _loldike_ MS: after _we_ erasure
of one letter. || 360. _spinnere_] _inne_ on an erasure. ||
_weveð_] _veð_ on an erasure. || 361. _fo dredes_ MS. ||
363. _werpeð_] _pe_ on an erasure.]

+Significacio.+ 375

++Ðis wirm bitokneð ðe man . ðat oðer bi`s´wikeð.
on stede er on stalle . stille er lude.
in mot er in market . er oni oðer wise.
he him bit . ðan he him bale selleð.
[&] he drinkeð his blod . wanne he him dreueð. 380
[&] ðo fr`e´teð hem al . ðan he him iuel werkeð.

[Linenotes:
376. _biswikeð_] _keð_ on an erasure. || 379. _him_: _him_
both corr. out of _hem_. || 380. _his_ on an erasure: _him_
corr. out of _hem_. || 381. _freteð_] first _e_ added by
rubricator.]

+Natura cetegrandie.+

++Cethegrande is a fis.
ðe moste ðat in wat{er} is.
ðat tu | wuldest seien get. [f. 8r 385
gef ðu it soge wan it flet.
ðat it were á neilond
ðat sete `one´ ðe se sond.
ðis fis ðat is vnride.
ðanne him hungreð he gapeð wide. 390
vt of his ðrote it smit an onde.
ðe swetteste ðing ðat is o londe.
ðer{}fore oðre fisses to him dragen.
wan he it felen he aren fagen.
he cumen [&] houen in his muð. 395
of his swike he arn uncuð.
ðis cete ðanne hise chaueles lukeð.
ðise fisses alle in sukeð.
ðe smale he wile ðus biswiken.
ðe grete maig he nogt bigripen. 400
ðis fis wuneð wið ðe se gru{n}d.
[&] liueð ðer eure heil [&] sund.
til it cumeð ðe time.
ðat storm stireð al ðe se.
ðanne sum{er} [&] wint{er} winnen. 405
ne mai it wunen ðer{}inne.
So droui is te sees grund.
ne mai he wunen ðer ðat stund.
oc stireð up [&] houeð stille.
wiles ða{t} weder is so ille. 410
ðe sipes ðat arn on se fordriuen.
loð hem is ded [&] lef to liuen.
biloken hem [&] sen ðis fis
aneilond he wenen it is.
ðer{}of he aren swiðe fagen. 415
[&] mid here migt ðar{}to he dragen.
sipes on festen.
[&] alle up gangen.
Of ston mid stel in ðe tunder.
wel to brennen one ðis wunder. 420
warmen hem wel [&] heten [&] drinken.
ðe fir he feleð [&] doð hem sinken.
for sone he diueð dun to grunde.
he drepeð hem alle wið{}uten wunde.

[Linenotes:
388. _one_ substituted in margin for _o_ deleted in text. ||
390. Before _him_, _him_ deleted by rubricator. ||
397. _ðanne_] _ð_ corr. out of _d_ by rubricator. ||
410. _ðar_ MS. || 411. _fordriuen_] _driuen_ on an erasure. ||
416. _here_] _re_ on an erasure. || 423, 4. _diueð ... wunde_
on an erasure.]

+Signific{aci}o.+ 425

++Ðis deuel is mikel wið wil [&] magt.
So witches hauen in here craft.
He doð men hungren [&] hauen ðrist.
[&] mani oðer sinful list.
tolleð men to him wið his onde 430
wo so him folegeð he findeð sonde.
ðo arn ðe little. in leue lage.
ðe mikle ne maig he to him dragen.
ðe mikle. i mene ðe stedefast.
in rigte leue. mid fles [&] gast. 435
wo so listneð deueles lore.
on lengðe it sal him rewen sore.
wo so festeð hope on him.
he sal him folgen to ¶¶ helle dim. |

+Natura Sirene.+ [f. 8v 440

++In ðe se senden selcuðes manie.
ðe mereman is a meiden ilike.
on brest [&] on bodi . oc al ðus ge is bunden.
fro ðe noule niðerward . ne is ge no man like.
oc fis to fuliwis mid finnes waxen. 445
ðis wunder wuneð in wankel stede.
ðer ðe water sinkeð. sipes ge sinkeð . [&] scaðe ðus werkeð.
mirie ge{}singeð ðis mere . [&] haueð manie stefnes.
manie [&] sille.
oc it ben wel ille. 450
sipmen here steringe forgeten . for hire stefninge.
flumeren [&] slepen.
[&] to late waken.
ðe sipes sinken mitte suk.
ne cumen he nummor up. 455
Oc wise me{n} [&] warre.
agen cunen chare.
ofte arn atbrosten . mid he[re] brest ouel.
he hauen herd told of ðis mere . ðat tus unie{}mete.
half man [&] half fis. 460
sum ðing tokneð bi ðis.

[Linenotes:
443. _al ... bunden_ on an erasure. || 451. _sipmen here_
on an erasure.]

+Significacio.+

++Fele men hauen ðe tokni{n}g.
of ðis forbisnede ði[n]g.
wið{}uten weren wulues fel. 465
wiðinnen arn he wulues al.
he speken godcundhede.
[&] wikke is here dede.
here dede is al vncuð.
wið ðat spekeð here muð. 470
twifold arn on mode.
he sweren bi ðe rode.
bi ðe sunne [&] bi ðe mone.
[&] he ðe legen sone.
mid here sage [&] mid here song. 475
he ðe swiken ðer imong.
ðin agte wið swiking
ði soule wið lesing.

[Linenote:
465. _wulues_] _w_ corr. out of _p_.]

+Nat{ur}a elephantis.+