Chapter D: CAMB. UNIV. Dd. viii. 19 (Bern. Cat. ii. 9653). Confessio Amantis (16)

[Sidenote: [TALE OF CEIX AND ALCEONE.]]
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 100=]
This finde I write in Poesie:
Ceïx the king of Trocinie
[Sidenote: Hic ponit exemplum, qualiter Sompnia prenostice
veritatis quandoque certitudinem figurant. Et narrat
quod, cum Ceix Rex Trocinie pro reformacione fratris sui
Dedalionis in Ancipitrem transmutati peregre proficiscens
in mari longius a patria dimersus[1362] fuerat, Iuno
mittens Yridem nunciam suam in partes Chymerie ad domum
Sompni, iussit quod ipse Alceone dicti Regis uxori huius
rei euentum per Sompnia certificaret. Quo facto[1363]
Alceona rem perscrutans corpus mariti sui, vbi super
fluctus mortuus[1364] iactabatur, inuenit; que pre dolore
angustiata cupiens corpus amplectere, in altum mare super
ipsum prosiliit. Vnde dii miserti amborum corpora in aues,
que adhuc Alceones dicte sunt, subito conuerterunt.]
Hadde Alceone to his wif,
Which as hire oghne hertes lif 2930
Him loveth; and he hadde also
A brother, which was cleped tho
Dedalion, and he per cas
Fro kinde of man forschape was
Into a Goshauk of liknesse;
Wherof the king gret hevynesse
Hath take, and thoghte in his corage
To gon upon a pelrinage
Into a strange regioun,
Wher he hath his devocioun 2940
To don his sacrifice and preie,
If that he mihte in eny weie
Toward the goddes finde grace
His brother hele to pourchace,
So that he mihte be reformed
Of that he hadde be transformed.
To this pourpos and to this ende
This king is redy forto wende,
As he which wolde go be Schipe;
And forto don him felaschipe 2950
His wif unto the See him broghte,
With al hire herte and him besoghte,
That he the time hire wolde sein,
Whan that he thoghte come ayein:[1365]
‘Withinne,’ he seith, ‘tuo Monthe day.’[1366]
And thus in al the haste he may
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 101=]
He tok his leve, and forth he seileth
Wepende, and sche hirself beweileth,
And torneth hom, ther sche cam fro.
Bot whan the Monthes were ago, 2960
The whiche he sette of his comynge,
And that sche herde no tydinge,
Ther was no care forto seche:
Wherof the goddes to beseche
Tho sche began in many wise,
And to Juno hire sacrifise
Above alle othre most sche dede,
And for hir lord sche hath so bede
To wite and knowe hou that he ferde,
That Juno the goddesse hire herde, 2970
Anon and upon this matiere
Sche bad Yris hir Messagere
To Slepes hous that sche schal wende,[1367]
And bidde him that he make an ende
Be swevene and schewen al the cas
Unto this ladi, hou it was.
This Yris, fro the hihe stage
Which undertake hath the Message,
Hire reyny Cope dede upon,
The which was wonderli begon 2980
With colours of diverse hewe,
An hundred mo than men it knewe;
The hevene lich unto a bowe
Sche bende, and so she cam doun lowe,[1368]
The god of Slep wher that sche fond.
And that was in a strange lond,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 102=]
Which marcheth upon Chymerie:
For ther, as seith the Poesie,
The god of Slep hath mad his hous,
Which of entaille is merveilous. 2990
Under an hell ther is a Cave,
Which of the Sonne mai noght have,[1369]
So that noman mai knowe ariht
The point betwen the dai and nyht:[1370]
Ther is no fyr, ther is no sparke,
Ther is no dore, which mai charke,
Wherof an yhe scholde unschette,[1371]
So that inward ther is no lette.
And forto speke of that withoute,
Ther stant no gret Tree nyh aboute 3000
Wher on ther myhte crowe or pie
Alihte, forto clepe or crie:
Ther is no cok to crowe day,
Ne beste non which noise may
The hell, bot al aboute round
Ther is growende upon the ground
Popi, which berth the sed of slep,
With othre herbes suche an hep.
A stille water for the nones
Rennende upon the smale stones, 3010
Which hihte of Lethes the rivere,
Under that hell in such manere
Ther is, which yifth gret appetit
To slepe. And thus full of delit
Slep hath his hous; and of his couche
Withinne his chambre if I schal touche,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 103=]
Of hebenus that slepi Tree
The bordes al aboute be,
And for he scholde slepe softe,
Upon a fethrebed alofte 3020
He lith with many a pilwe of doun:
The chambre is strowed up and doun
With swevenes many thousendfold.[1372]
Thus cam Yris into this hold,
And to the bedd, which is al blak,
Sche goth, and ther with Slep sche spak,
And in the wise as sche was bede[1373]
The Message of Juno sche dede.
Fulofte hir wordes sche reherceth,
Er sche his slepi Eres perceth; 3030
With mochel wo bot ate laste
His slombrende yhen he upcaste
And seide hir that it schal be do.[1374]
Wherof among a thousend tho,
Withinne his hous that slepi were,
In special he ches out there
Thre, whiche scholden do this dede:
The ferste of hem, so as I rede,
Was Morpheüs, the whos nature
Is forto take the figure 3040
Of what persone that him liketh,
Wherof that he fulofte entriketh
The lif which slepe schal be nyhte;
And Ithecus that other hihte,
Which hath the vois of every soun,
The chiere and the condicioun
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 104=]
Of every lif, what so it is:
The thridde suiende after this
Is Panthasas, which may transforme
Of every thing the rihte forme, 3050
And change it in an other kinde.
Upon hem thre, so as I finde,
Of swevenes stant al thapparence,
Which otherwhile is evidence
And otherwhile bot a jape.
Bot natheles it is so schape,[1375]
That Morpheüs be nyht al one
Appiereth until Alceone[1376]
In liknesse of hir housebonde
Al naked ded upon the stronde, 3060
And hou he dreynte in special
These othre tuo it schewen al.
The tempeste of the blake cloude,
The wode See, the wyndes loude,
Al this sche mette, and sih him dyen;
Wherof that sche began to crien,
Slepende abedde ther sche lay,
And with that noise of hire affray
Hir wommen sterten up aboute,
Whiche of here ladi were in doute, 3070
And axen hire hou that sche ferde;
And sche, riht as sche syh and herde,
Hir swevene hath told hem everydel.
And thei it halsen alle wel[1377]
And sein it is a tokne of goode;
Bot til sche wiste hou that it stode,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 105=]
Sche hath no confort in hire herte,
Upon the morwe and up sche sterte,
And to the See, wher that sche mette[1378]
The bodi lay, withoute lette 3080
Sche drowh, and whan that sche cam nyh,
Stark ded, hise armes sprad, sche syh[1379]
Hire lord flietende upon the wawe.
Wherof hire wittes ben withdrawe,
And sche, which tok of deth no kepe,
Anon forth lepte into the depe[1380]
And wolde have cawht him in hire arm.
This infortune of double harm
The goddes fro the hevene above
Behielde, and for the trowthe of love, 3090
Which in this worthi ladi stod,
Thei have upon the salte flod
Hire dreinte lord and hire also
Fro deth to lyve torned so,
That thei ben schapen into briddes
Swimmende upon the wawe amiddes.
And whan sche sih hire lord livende
In liknesse of a bridd swimmende,
And sche was of the same sort,
So as sche mihte do desport, 3100
Upon the joie which sche hadde
Hire wynges bothe abrod sche spradde,
And him, so as sche mai suffise,
Beclipte and keste in such a wise,
As sche was whilom wont to do:
Hire wynges for hire armes tuo
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 106=]
Sche tok, and for hire lippes softe
Hire harde bile, and so fulofte
Sche fondeth in hire briddes forme,
If that sche mihte hirself conforme 3110
To do the plesance of a wif,
As sche dede in that other lif:
For thogh sche hadde hir pouer lore,
Hir will stod as it was tofore,
And serveth him so as sche mai.
Wherof into this ilke day
Togedre upon the See thei wone,
Wher many a dowhter and a Sone
Thei bringen forth of briddes kinde;
And for men scholden take in mynde 3120
This Alceoun the trewe queene,
Hire briddes yit, as it is seene,
Of Alceoun the name bere.
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Lo thus, mi Sone, it mai thee stere
Of swevenes forto take kepe,
For ofte time a man aslepe
Mai se what after schal betide.
Forthi it helpeth at som tyde
A man to slepe, as it belongeth,[1381]
Bot slowthe no lif underfongeth 3130
Which is to love appourtenant.
[Sidenote: Confessio Amantis.]
Mi fader, upon covenant[1382]
I dar wel make this avou,
Of all mi lif that into nou,
Als fer as I can understonde,
Yit tok I nevere Slep on honde,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 107=]
Whan it was time forto wake;
For thogh myn yhe it wolde take,[1383]
Min herte is evere therayein.
[Sidenote: [SLEEPING AND WAKING.]]
Bot natheles to speke it plein,[1384] 3140
Al this that I have seid you hiere[1385]
Of my wakinge, as ye mai hiere,[1386]
It toucheth to mi lady swete;
For otherwise, I you behiete,
In strange place whanne I go,
Me list nothing to wake so.
For whan the wommen listen pleie,
And I hir se noght in the weie,
Of whom I scholde merthe take,
Me list noght longe forto wake, 3150
Bot if it be for pure schame,
Of that I wolde eschuie a name,
That thei ne scholde have cause non[1387]
To seie, ‘Ha, lo, wher goth such on,[1388]
That hath forlore his contenaunce!’
And thus among I singe and daunce,
And feigne lust ther as non is.
For ofte sithe I fiele this;
Of thoght, which in mi herte falleth[1389]
Whanne it is nyht, myn hed appalleth, 3160
And that is for I se hire noght,
Which is the wakere of mi thoght:
And thus as tymliche as I may,
Fulofte whanne it is brod day,
I take of all these othre leve[1390]
And go my weie, and thei beleve,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 108=]
That sen per cas here loves there;
And I go forth as noght ne were
Unto mi bedd, so that al one
I mai ther ligge and sighe and grone 3170
And wisshen al the longe nyht,
Til that I se the daies lyht.
I not if that be Sompnolence,
Bot upon youre conscience,
Min holi fader, demeth ye.
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
My Sone, I am wel paid with thee,
Of Slep that thou the Sluggardie
Be nyhte in loves compaignie
Eschuied hast, and do thi peine
So that thi love thar noght pleine: 3180
For love upon his lust wakende
Is evere, and wolde that non ende
Were of the longe nyhtes set.
Wherof that thou be war the bet,
To telle a tale I am bethoght,
Hou love and Slep acorden noght.

[Sidenote: [THE PRAYER OF CEPHALUS.]]
For love who that list to wake
Be nyhte, he mai ensample take
Of Cephalus, whan that he lay
[Sidenote: Hic dicit quod vigilia in Amantibus et non
Sompnolencia laudanda est. Et ponit exemplum de Cephalo
filio Phebi, qui nocturno cilencio Auroram amicam suam
diligencius amplectens, Solem et lunam interpellabat,
videlicet quod Sol in circulo ab oriente distanciori currum
cum luce sua[1391] retardaret, et quod luna spera sua
longissima orbem circuiens noctem continuaret; ita vt[1392]
ipsum Cephalum amplexibus Aurore volutum, priusquam dies
illa[1393] illucesceret, suis deliciis adquiescere diucius
permittere dignarentur.[1394]]
With Aurora that swete may[1395] 3190
In armes all the longe nyht.
Bot whanne it drogh toward the liht,
That he withinne his herte sih
The dai which was amorwe nyh,
Anon unto the Sonne he preide
For lust of love, and thus he seide:
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 109=]
‘O Phebus, which the daies liht
Governest, til that it be nyht,
And gladest every creature
After the lawe of thi nature,-- 3200
Bot natheles ther is a thing,
Which onli to the knouleching
Belongeth as in privete
To love and to his duete,
Which asketh noght to ben apert,
Bot in cilence and in covert[1396]
Desireth forto be beschaded:
And thus whan that thi liht is faded
And Vesper scheweth him alofte,
And that the nyht is long and softe, 3210
Under the cloudes derke and stille
Thanne hath this thing most of his wille.
Forthi unto thi myhtes hyhe,
As thou which art the daies yhe,
Of love and myht no conseil hyde,
Upon this derke nyhtes tyde
With al myn herte I thee beseche
That I plesance myhte seche
With hire which lith in min armes.
Withdrawgh the Banere of thin Armes, 3220
And let thi lyhtes ben unborn,[1397]
And in the Signe of Capricorn,
The hous appropred to Satorne,
I preie that thou wolt sojorne,
Wher ben the nihtes derke and longe:
For I mi love have underfonge,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 110=]
Which lith hier be mi syde naked,
As sche which wolde ben awaked,
And me lest nothing forto slepe.
So were it good to take kepe 3230
Nou at this nede of mi preiere,
And that the like forto stiere
Thi fyri Carte, and so ordeigne,[1398]
That thou thi swifte hors restreigne
Lowe under Erthe in Occident,
That thei towardes Orient
Be Cercle go the longe weie.
And ek to thee, Diane, I preie,
Which cleped art of thi noblesse
The nyhtes Mone and the goddesse, 3240
That thou to me be gracious:
And in Cancro thin oghne hous
Ayein Phebus in opposit
Stond al this time, and of delit[1399]
Behold Venus with a glad yhe.
For thanne upon Astronomie
Of due constellacion
Thou makst prolificacion,
And dost that children ben begete:
Which grace if that I mihte gete,[1400] 3250
With al myn herte I wolde serve
Be nyhte, and thi vigile observe.’[1401]
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Lo, thus this lusti Cephalus
Preide unto Phebe and to Phebus
The nyht in lengthe forto drawe,[1402]
So that he mihte do the lawe
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 111=]
In thilke point of loves heste,
Which cleped is the nyhtes feste,
Withoute Slep of sluggardie;[1403]
Which Venus out of compaignie 3260
Hath put awey, as thilke same,
Which lustles ferr from alle game
In chambre doth fulofte wo[1404]
Abedde, whanne it falleth so
That love scholde ben awaited.
But Slowthe, which is evele affaited,
With Slep hath mad his retenue,
That what thing is to love due,
Of all his dette he paieth non:
He wot noght how the nyht is gon 3270
Ne hou the day is come aboute,
Bot onli forto slepe and route
Til hyh midday, that he arise.
Bot Cephalus dede otherwise,
As thou, my Sone, hast herd above.
[Sidenote: Amans.]
Mi fader, who that hath his love
Abedde naked be his syde,
And wolde thanne hise yhen hyde
With Slep, I not what man is he:
Bot certes as touchende of me, 3280
That fell me nevere yit er this.
Bot otherwhile, whan so is
That I mai cacche Slep on honde
Liggende al one, thanne I fonde
To dreme a merie swevene er day;
And if so falle that I may
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 112=]
Mi thought with such a swevene plese,
Me thenkth I am somdiel in ese,[1405]
For I non other confort have.
So nedeth noght that I schal crave 3290
The Sonnes Carte forto tarie,
Ne yit the Mone, that sche carie
Hire cours along upon the hevene,
For I am noght the more in evene
Towardes love in no degree:
Bot in mi slep yit thanne I se
Somwhat in swevene of that me liketh,
Which afterward min herte entriketh,
Whan that I finde it otherwise.
So wot I noght of what servise 3300
That Slep to mannes ese doth.
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Mi Sone, certes thou seist soth,
Bot only that it helpeth kinde
Somtyme, in Phisique as I finde,
Whan it is take be mesure:
Bot he which can no Slep mesure
Upon the reule as it belongeth,
Fulofte of sodein chance he fongeth[1406]
Such infortune that him grieveth.
Bot who these olde bokes lieveth, 3310
Of Sompnolence hou it is write,
Ther may a man the sothe wite,
If that he wolde ensample take,
That otherwhile is good to wake:
Wherof a tale in Poesie
I thenke forto specefie.

[Sidenote: [ARGUS AND MERCURY.]]
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 113=]
Ovide telleth in his sawes,
How Jupiter be olde dawes
[Sidenote: Hic loquitur in amoris causa contra istos qui
Sompnolencie dediti ea que seruare tenentur amittunt. Et
narrat quod, cum Yo puella pulcherima a Iunone in vaccam
transformata et in Argi custodiam sic deposita fuisset,
superueniens Mercurius Argum dormientem occidit, et ipsam
vaccam a pastura rapiens, quo voluit secum perduxit.]
Lay be a Mayde, which Yo
Was cleped, wherof that Juno 3320
His wif was wroth, and the goddesse
Of Yo torneth the liknesse[1407]
Into a cow, to gon theroute
The large fieldes al aboute
And gete hire mete upon the griene.
And therupon this hyhe queene
Betok hire Argus forto kepe,
For he was selden wont to slepe,
And yit he hadde an hundred yhen,
And alle alyche wel thei syhen. 3330
Now herkne hou that he was beguiled.
Mercurie, which was al affiled
This Cow to stele, he cam desguised,
And hadde a Pipe wel devised
Upon the notes of Musiqe,
Wherof he mihte hise Eres like.
And over that he hadde affaited[1408]
Hise lusti tales, and awaited
His time; and thus into the field
He cam, where Argus he behield 3340
With Yo, which beside him wente.[1409]
With that his Pype on honde he hente,
And gan to pipe in his manere
Thing which was slepi forto hiere;
And in his pipinge evere among
He tolde him such a lusti song,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 114=]
That he the fol hath broght aslepe.
Ther was non yhe mihte kepe
His hed, the which Mercurie of smot,[1410]
And forth withal anon fot hot 3350
He stal the Cow which Argus kepte,
And al this fell for that he slepte.
Ensample it was to manye mo,
That mochel Slep doth ofte wo,
Whan it is time forto wake:[1411]
For if a man this vice take,
In Sompnolence and him delite,
Men scholde upon his Dore wryte
His epitaphe, as on his grave;
For he to spille and noght to save 3360
Is schape, as thogh he were ded.[1412]
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Forthi, mi Sone, hold up thin hed,
And let no Slep thin yhe englue,
Bot whanne it is to resoun due.
[Sidenote: Amans.]
Mi fader, as touchende of this,
Riht so as I you tolde it is,[1413]
That ofte abedde, whanne I scholde,
I mai noght slepe, thogh I wolde;
For love is evere faste byme,
Which takth no hiede of due time.[1414] 3370
For whanne I schal myn yhen close,
Anon min herte he wole oppose
And holde his Scole in such a wise,
Til it be day that I arise,
That selde it is whan that I slepe.
And thus fro Sompnolence I kepe
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 115=]
Min yhe: and forthi if ther be
Oght elles more in this degre,
Now axeth forth.
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Mi Sone, yis:
For Slowthe, which as Moder is 3380
The forthdrawere and the Norrice
To man of many a dredful vice,
Hath yit an other laste of alle,
Which many a man hath mad to falle,
Wher that he mihte nevere arise;
Wherof for thou thee schalt avise,
Er thou so with thiself misfare,
What vice it is I wol declare.

[Sidenote: [vii. TRISTESSE OR DESPONDENCY.]]
ix. _Nil fortuna iuuat, vbi desperacio ledit;_[1415]
_Quo desiccat humor, non viridescit humus._
_Magnanimus set amor spem ponit et inde salutem_
_Consequitur, quod ei prospera fata fauent._

Whan Slowthe hath don al that he may
[Sidenote: Hic loquitur super vltima specie Accidie, que
Tristicia siue Desperacio dicitur, cuius obstinata condicio
tocius consolacionis spem deponens, alicuius remedii, quo
liberari poterit,[1416] fortunam sibi euenire impossibile
credit.]
To dryve forth the longe day, 3390
Til it be come to the nede,
Thanne ate laste upon the dede
He loketh hou his time is lore,
And is so wo begon therfore,
That he withinne his thoght conceiveth
Tristesce, and so himself deceiveth,
That he wanhope bringeth inne,
Wher is no confort to beginne,
Bot every joie him is deslaied:
So that withinne his herte affraied 3400
A thousend time with o breth[1417]
Wepende he wissheth after deth,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 116=]
Whan he fortune fint adverse.
For thanne he wole his hap reherce,
As thogh his world were al forlore,
And seith, ‘Helas, that I was bore!
Hou schal I live? hou schal I do?
For nou fortune is thus mi fo,
I wot wel god me wol noght helpe.
What scholde I thanne of joies yelpe, 3410
Whan ther no bote is of mi care?
So overcast is my welfare,
That I am schapen al to strif.
Helas, that I nere of this lif,
Er I be fulliche overtake!’
And thus he wol his sorwe make,
As god him mihte noght availe:
Bot yit ne wol he noght travaile
To helpe himself at such a nede,
Bot slowtheth under such a drede, 3420
Which is affermed in his herte,
Riht as he mihte noght asterte
The worldes wo which he is inne.
Also whan he is falle in Sinne,
Him thenkth he is so ferr coupable,
That god wol noght be merciable
So gret a Sinne to foryive;[1418]
And thus he leeveth to be schrive.
And if a man in thilke throwe
Wolde him consaile, he wol noght knowe 3430
The sothe, thogh a man it finde:
For Tristesce is of such a kinde,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 117=]
That forto meintiene his folie,
[Sidenote: Obstinacio est contradiccio veritatis agnite.]
He hath with him Obstinacie,
Which is withinne of such a Slouthe,
That he forsaketh alle trouthe,
And wole unto no reson bowe;[1419]
And yit ne can he noght avowe
His oghne skile bot of hed:
Thus dwyneth he, til he be ded, 3440
In hindringe of his oghne astat.
For where a man is obstinat,
Wanhope folweth ate laste,[1420]
Which mai noght after longe laste,
Till Slouthe make of him an ende.
Bot god wot whider he schal wende.
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Mi Sone, and riht in such manere
Ther be lovers of hevy chiere,
That sorwen mor than it is ned,[1421]
Whan thei be taried of here sped 3450
And conne noght hemselven rede,
Bot lesen hope forto spede
And stinten love to poursewe;
And thus thei faden hyde and hewe,
And lustles in here hertes waxe.
Hierof it is that I wolde axe,
If thou, mi Sone, art on of tho.
[Sidenote: Confessio Amantis.]
Ha, goode fader, it is so,
Outake a point, I am beknowe;[1422]
For elles I am overthrowe 3460
In al that evere ye have seid.
Mi sorwe is everemore unteid,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 118=]
And secheth overal my veines;
Bot forto conseile of mi peines,
I can no bote do therto;
And thus withouten hope I go,
So that mi wittes ben empeired,
And I, as who seith, am despeired
To winne love of thilke swete,
Withoute whom, I you behiete, 3470
Min herte, that is so bestad,
Riht inly nevere mai be glad.
For be my trouthe I schal noght lie,
Of pure sorwe, which I drye
For that sche seith sche wol me noght,
With drecchinge of myn oghne thoght
In such a wanhope I am falle,
That I ne can unethes calle,
As forto speke of eny grace,[1423]
Mi ladi merci to pourchace. 3480
Bot yit I seie noght for this
That al in mi defalte it is;
For I cam nevere yit in stede,
Whan time was, that I my bede[1424]
Ne seide, and as I dorste tolde:
Bot nevere fond I that sche wolde,
For oght sche knew of min entente,
To speke a goodly word assente.
And natheles this dar I seie,[1425]
That if a sinful wolde preie 3490
To god of his foryivenesse
With half so gret a besinesse
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 119=]
As I have do to my ladi,
In lacke of askinge of merci
He scholde nevere come in Helle.
And thus I mai you sothli telle,
Save only that I crie and bidde,
I am in Tristesce al amidde
And fulfild of Desesperance:
And therof yif me mi penance, 3500
Min holi fader, as you liketh.
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Mi Sone, of that thin herte siketh[1426]
With sorwe, miht thou noght amende,
Til love his grace wol thee sende,
For thou thin oghne cause empeirest
What time as thou thiself despeirest.
I not what other thing availeth,
Of hope whan the herte faileth,
For such a Sor is incurable,
And ek the goddes ben vengable: 3510
And that a man mai riht wel frede,
These olde bokes who so rede,
Of thing which hath befalle er this:
Now hier of what ensample it is.

[Sidenote: [TALE OF IPHIS AND ARAXARATHEN.]]
Whilom be olde daies fer
Of Mese was the king Theucer,
Which hadde a kniht to Sone, Iphis:
[Sidenote: Hic narrat qualiter Iphis, Regis Theucri filius,
ob amorem cuiusdam puelle nomine Araxarathen, quam neque
donis aut precibus vincere potuit, desperans ante patris
ipsius puelle ianuas noctanter se suspendit. Vnde dii
commoti dictam puellam in lapidem durissimum transmutarunt,
quam Rex Theucer vna cum filio suo apud Ciuitatem[1427]
Salamynam in templo Veneris pro perpetua memoria sepeliri
et locari fecit.]
Of love and he so maistred is,
That he hath set al his corage,
As to reguard of his lignage, 3520
Upon a Maide of lou astat.
Bot thogh he were a potestat
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 120=]
Of worldes good, he was soubgit
To love, and put in such a plit,
That he excedeth the mesure
Of reson, that himself assure
He can noght; for the more he preide,
The lasse love on him sche leide.
He was with love unwys constreigned,
And sche with resoun was restreigned: 3530
The lustes of his herte he suieth,[1428]
And sche for drede schame eschuieth,
And as sche scholde, tok good hiede
To save and kepe hir wommanhiede.
And thus the thing stod in debat[1429]
Betwen his lust and hire astat:
He yaf, he sende, he spak be mouthe,
Bot yit for oght that evere he couthe
Unto his sped he fond no weie,
So that he caste his hope aweie, 3540
Withinne his herte and gan despeire
Fro dai to dai, and so empeire,
That he hath lost al his delit
Of lust, of Slep, of Appetit,
That he thurgh strengthe of love lasseth
His wit, and resoun overpasseth.
As he which of his lif ne rowhte,
His deth upon himself he sowhte,
So that be nyhte his weie he nam,
Ther wiste non wher he becam; 3550
The nyht was derk, ther schon no Mone,
Tofore the gates he cam sone,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 121=]
Wher that this yonge Maiden was,
And with this wofull word, ‘Helas!’
Hise dedli pleintes he began
So stille that ther was noman
It herde, and thanne he seide thus:
‘O thou Cupide, o thou Venus,
Fortuned be whos ordinaunce
Of love is every mannes chaunce,[1430] 3560
Ye knowen al min hole herte,
That I ne mai your hond asterte;
On you is evere that I crie,
And yit you deigneth noght to plie,
Ne toward me youre Ere encline.
Thus for I se no medicine
To make an ende of mi querele,
My deth schal be in stede of hele.
Ha, thou mi wofull ladi diere,
Which duellest with thi fader hiere 3570
And slepest in thi bedd at ese,
Thou wost nothing of my desese,
Hou thou and I be now unmete.
Ha lord, what swevene schalt thou mete,
What dremes hast thou nou on honde?
Thou slepest there, and I hier stonde.[1431]
Thogh I no deth to the deserve,
Hier schal I for thi love sterve,
Hier schal a kinges Sone dye
For love and for no felonie; 3580
Wher thou therof have joie or sorwe,
Hier schalt thou se me ded tomorwe.
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 122=]
O herte hard aboven alle,
This deth, which schal to me befalle
For that thou wolt noght do me grace,
Yit schal be told in many a place,[1432]
Hou I am ded for love and trouthe[1433]
In thi defalte and in thi slouthe:
Thi Daunger schal to manye mo
Ensample be for everemo, 3590
Whan thei my wofull deth recorde.’
And with that word he tok a Corde,
With which upon the gate tre
He hyng himself, that was pite.
The morwe cam, the nyht is gon,
Men comen out and syhe anon[1434]
Wher that this yonge lord was ded:
Ther was an hous withoute red,
For noman knew the cause why;
Ther was wepinge and ther was cry. 3600
This Maiden, whan that sche it herde,
And sih this thing hou it misferde,
Anon sche wiste what it mente,
And al the cause hou it wente
To al the world sche tolde it oute,
And preith to hem that were aboute
To take of hire the vengance,
For sche was cause of thilke chaunce,
Why that this kinges Sone is spilt.
Sche takth upon hirself the gilt, 3610
And is al redi to the peine
Which eny man hir wole ordeigne:[1435]
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 123=]
And bot if eny other wolde,
Sche seith that sche hirselve scholde
Do wreche with hire oghne hond,
Thurghout the world in every lond
That every lif therof schal speke,
Hou sche hirself it scholde wreke.
Sche wepth, sche crith, sche swouneth ofte,
Sche caste hire yhen up alofte 3620
And seide among ful pitously:
‘A godd, thou wost wel it am I,[1436]
For whom Iphis is thus besein:
Ordeine so, that men mai sein
A thousend wynter after this,
Hou such a Maiden dede amis,
And as I dede, do to me:[1437]
For I ne dede no pite
To him, which for mi love is lore,
Do no pite to me therfore.’ 3630
And with this word sche fell to grounde
Aswoune, and ther sche lay a stounde.[1438]
The goddes, whiche hir pleigntes herde
And syhe hou wofully sche ferde,
Hire lif thei toke awey anon,
And schopen hire into a Ston
After the forme of hire ymage
Of bodi bothe and of visage.[1439]
And for the merveile of this thing
Unto the place cam the king 3640
And ek the queene and manye mo;
And whan thei wisten it was so,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 124=]
As I have told it hier above,
Hou that Iphis was ded for love,
Of that he hadde be refused,
Thei hielden alle men excused
And wondren upon the vengance.
And forto kepe in remembrance,
This faire ymage mayden liche
With compaignie noble and riche 3650
With torche and gret sollempnite
To Salamyne the Cite
Thei lede, and carie forth withal
The dede corps, and sein it schal
Beside thilke ymage have
His sepulture and be begrave:[1440]
This corps and this ymage thus
Into the Cite to Venus,
Wher that goddesse hire temple hadde,
Togedre bothe tuo thei ladde. 3660
This ilke ymage as for miracle
Was set upon an hyh pinacle,
That alle men it mihte knowe,
And under that thei maden lowe
A tumbe riche for the nones
Of marbre and ek of jaspre stones,[1441]
Wherin this Iphis was beloken,[1442]
That evermor it schal be spoken.
And for men schal the sothe wite,
Thei have here epitaphe write, 3670
As thing which scholde abide stable:
The lettres graven in a table
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 125=]
Of marbre were and seiden this:
‘Hier lith, which slowh himself, Iphis,
For love of Araxarathen:
And in ensample of tho wommen,[1443]
That soffren men to deie so,
Hire forme a man mai sen also,[1444]
Hou it is torned fleissh and bon
Into the figure of a Ston: 3680
He was to neysshe and sche to hard.
Be war forthi hierafterward;
Ye men and wommen bothe tuo,
Ensampleth you of that was tho.’
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Lo thus, mi Sone, as I thee seie,
It grieveth be diverse weie
In desespeir a man to falle,[1445]
Which is the laste branche of alle
Of Slouthe, as thou hast herd devise.
Wherof that thou thiself avise 3690
Good is, er that thou be deceived,
Wher that the grace of hope is weyved.
[Sidenote: Amans.]
Mi fader, hou so that it stonde,
Now have I pleinly understonde
Of Slouthes court the proprete,
Wherof touchende in my degre
For evere I thenke to be war.
Bot overthis, so as I dar,
With al min herte I you beseche,
That ye me wolde enforme and teche 3700
What ther is more of youre aprise
In love als wel as otherwise,
[Sidenote: =P. ii. 126=]
So that I mai me clene schryve.
[Sidenote: Confessor.]
Mi Sone, whyl thou art alyve
And hast also thi fulle mynde,
Among the vices whiche I finde
Ther is yit on such of the sevene,
Which al this world hath set unevene
And causeth manye thinges wronge,
Where he the cause hath underfonge: 3710
Wherof hierafter thou schalt hiere
The forme bothe and the matiere.

=Explicit Liber Quartus.=

LINENOTES:

[1091] _Latin Verses_ i. 6 ludet H₁ ... B₂

[1092] 12 to haue H₁XGRCLB₂

[1093] 30 the] þat A ... B₂, S ... ΔΛ

[1094] 45 þought to speke BΛ, W

[1095] 46 hield me] hielde (held) AM

[1096] 59 As AM

[1097] 69 to this] to my B of this H₃

[1098] 70 liere] hiere (here &c.) H₁ ... B₂, BTΛ

[1099] 84 qweene] a queene BTΛ

[1100] 109 day H₁ ... B₂, H₃

[1101] 111 Spraulende (Sprawland) M, WKH₃

[1102] 138 miht (myht) J, S mihte A, F

[1103] 143 euermore AM, Δ, WH₃

[1104] 168 is went(e) ML, ΔΛ, WH₃

[1105] 170 Had AMJXGERLB₂, BΛ, FH₃

[1106] 184 foroght A, F

[1107] 189 after noman AM

[1108] 205 resoun to H₁ ... B₂

[1109] 208 In part he was inly glad AM In partie (party) he was
inly glad H₁ ... B₂ In parti he was riht inly glad J In parti
was inli riht glad Δ

[1110] 214 flitt AJ, S, F flitte B

[1111] 215 Fro] ffor L, BΛ, WH₃ hadde him H₁ ... B₂

[1112] 226 no H₁ ... CB₂, BTΔ, W

[1113] 234 Lo of H₁ ... B₂ (of _om._ R)

[1114] 242 ffor ferst B

[1115] 254 that] it H₁ ... B₂

[1116] 255 the] þo H₁ ... L, SBTΔ no AM

[1117] 261 Ther of B, WH₃

[1118] 263 love] slouþe B

[1119] 276 If] And B

[1120] 277 houre] honour MH₁GEC, W

[1121] 283 if] in SAdBTΔ

[1122] 296 this _om._ AM

[1123] 297 go AJ, S, F ago B

[1124] 310 To] Of B

[1125] _Latin Verses_ ii. 3 parcat H₁ ... B₂ parat H₃

[1126] 4 refert H₁ ... B₂

[1127] 328 the] his H₁ ... B₂, Ad

[1128] 342 tyrauntz (tirauntis &c.) YCB₂, B

[1129] 356 þo J, T, F þe AM ... B₂, SAdBΔ, WH₃

[1130] 359 Al þough C, B

[1131] 363 let AJ, S, F lete (lette) C, B

[1132] 372 Pymaleon AJ, S, F Pigmaleon EC, B, H₃

[1133] 384 hire] it B

[1134] 401 into his chambre H₁ ... B₂ (_except_ E)

[1135] 403 He] And AM

[1136] 411 he] it H₁, B

[1137] 453 f. grete: lete AJ, S, F gret: let B

[1138] 458 _margin_ Isus H₁GRCLB₂, T

[1139] 470 _line om._ B

[1140] 479 he and sche H₁ ... B₂ sche and he B

[1141] 481 a tyme B

[1142] 497 Hir B

[1143] 498 he] be BT

[1144] 499 the] his AdB _om._ L

[1145] 514 myht (might) J, B mihte A, S, F the] þi H₁ ... B₂ to
T

[1146] 515 that _om._ B

[1147] 517 Also fer as my E ... B₂ As (Als) fer as my H₁XG

[1148] 521 mihte ben] might(e) be non H₁ ... B₂

[1149] 535 himself fulofte A ... B₂ (fulle of M), W

[1150] _Latin Verses_ iii. 3 morabatur AM

[1151] 546 _margin_ se constituit B

[1152] 548 wit] herte A ... B₂

[1153] 555 therfore] forþer(e) BT

[1154] 560 cast J, SB, F caste A

[1155] 574 be holde R beholdeþ BT, W

[1156] 584 ouht fro F out of H₁ ... B₂, B

[1157] 588 abreid (abreide) A, F a breid JEC, B

[1158] 618 And B

[1159] 624 is] þis XCL

[1160] 627 Thow (þou) AM

[1161] 628 schal] it schal AJH₁ ... CB₂

[1162] 641 or wher (wheþer) I H₁G ... B₂ or where so I X or
elles T or Δ

[1163] 642 a mynut (minute) X, BΔ, W

[1164] 672 seie A, S, F sey (say) J, B

[1165] 676 erþis F

[1166] 684 That] To FWKH₃

[1167] 698-700 _om._ B

[1168] 708 whatt F

[1169] 713 which] þat M, B, W _om._ T

[1170] 740 _margin_ ob ipsa H₁XE ... B₂

[1171] 760 Ther while] The while BT, W þ_at_ while M Theke
while J

[1172] 766 al Innocent H₁ ... B₂ an Innocent M

[1173] 790 longe may not (nought) X ... B₂ longe nouht may H₁

[1174] 797 wold(e) AM wolde hym W

[1175] _Latin verses_ iv. 2 ipse] esse AM, W

[1176] 927 þe blad (blade) M, BTΔ, WH₃

[1177] 955 mihte] may hir B may T

[1178] 968 vice _om._ BT

[1179] 974 neuere ȝit AM

[1180] 984 _margin_ cum _om._ BT

[1181] 985 Clemenee] Element ERC Olement H₁XG Clement LB₂
Clemencee T Clemente M

[1182] 986 so that he] þat he sent H₁ ... B₂

[1183] 988 brihte] nyhte (niȝt) AM

[1184] 1002 up] vpon BT vp an Ad _om._ M

[1185] 1014 wel noght longe] nought longe wel C not longe W

[1186] 1029 þe flod (flood) E, B

[1187] 1035 _Paragr. in_ MSS. _begins at_ l. 1039

[1188] 1073 þis matiere B₂, BΛ

[1189] 1074 it _om._ H₁, B

[1190] 1075 and] as BT

[1191] 1082 slowe AJM, F slouþe H₁ ... B₂, S ... ΔΛ, WH₃

[1192] 1086 yit on, which] on ȝit which A, W on ȝit þ_at_ M on
which þat H₁ ... B₂

[1193] 1093 be he ... be he C, BΔ, H₃ be ... be he H₁

[1194] 1095 oght _om._ B

[1195] 1133 to hire (hir) masse AMH₁, Ad to huyre masse B
toward hir masse X ... B₂

[1196] 1162 bidt F (_cp._ l. 2802) bit J, SB biddeþ A

[1197] 1174 And B

[1198] 1183 oþer JGC, S, F oþre AE, AdB, H₃ othere T

[1199] 1207 for to ride H₁ ... B₂

[1200] 1212 seide] say B

[1201] 1224 bot] but if H₁ ... B₂, Ad, W

[1202] 1249 _margin_ amoris] in amoris AC, H₃ in Amoris c_aus_a
W

[1203] 1251 _margin_ expectaret H₁ ... B₂

[1204] 1257 _margin_ diligencior _om._ B

[1205] 1266 how] of B

[1206] 1272 schrewed A

[1207] 1275 Cupide AJ, F Cupido SBT

[1208] 1310 faire GEC, BΛ, H₃

[1209] 1321 f. _Text thus in third recension_ (_but_ faire
WKH₃Magd _for_ faye F _and_ hir H₃ the W _for_ her):
faye--desface _in ras._ F

A _has_

The beaute of hire face schon
Wel bryht_er_e þan þe Cristall ston

_so the others of first recension, but most have_ here (her)
_for_ hire _and many_ (_as_ H₁GRCLB₂) _read_ faces

S _has_

The beaute of here faye face
Ther mai non erþly þing deface

_so_ AdBTΔΛ _with_ faire (fair) _for_ faye _and some_ (AdT) hir
_for_ here

[1210] 1341 a lynde L, BΛ

[1211] 1342 vpon hors XC, BΛ vpon an (a) hors H₁GLB₂, AdTΔ, W,
H₃ on an h. M

[1212] 1348 And B

[1213] 1361 f. _Thus in third recension_ (and _om._ W) F _has
the lines written over erasure, except_ womman

A _has_

The womman was riht fair of face
Al þogh hire lackede oþer grace

_so_ S _and the other copies of first and second recensions_

[1214] 1367 Which J, S, F Whiche A, B

[1215] 1393 And _om._ AM

[1216] 1397 now] mow (mowe) J, AdB, W

[1217] 1419 non AJ

[1218] 1454 f. _margin_ Non quia--Amantum _om._ G, BΔ

[1219] 1501 that hire] þat sche H₁ ... B₂ hir ΔΛ it M

[1220] 1507 duck A, F duk J, SB

[1221] 1519 _margin_ aliorum A ... B₂, S ... ΔΛ, H₃

[1222] 1511 auou (auov, avow) AJC, B, F a vou (a vowe) MH₁, S

[1223] 1521 wher that] so as B

[1224] 1525 Duc F duck A duk J, SB

[1225] 1532 Al AJ, S, F Alle C, BT

[1226] 1541 þi ... my B

[1227] 1543 non AJC, F no SB

[1228] 1555 as] and B

[1229] 1558 ground] world BΛ

[1230] 1567 had] kept BTΛ _om._ Δ

[1231] 1622 _margin_ nultenus F

[1232] 1625 Wher B

[1233] 1637 Som tidinge] Somtime (Som tyme) H₁XE ... B₂ Some
tydinges Λ

[1234] 1640 bet B

[1235] 1670 hem liken H₁XRCLB₂, W hym likeþ M

[1236] 1690 As] And B for to (forto) ride H₁ ... B₂

[1237] 1693 herd it] it herd A, Δ herd M

[1238] 1701 the _om._ AM

[1239] 1705 weie] werre B

[1240] 1706 go þan (þen) AM go þanne W

[1241] 1708 þe while H₁XE ... B₂, W my while G þat while M, Δ

[1242] 1738 that] which AJH₁ ... B₂

[1243] 1740 So þat I not H₁ ... B₂

[1244] 1752 that] it B

[1245] 1769 you] ȝe A ... B₂ (_except_ G)

[1246] 1780 Bet B

[1247] 1805 knythode F

[1248] 1816 Namplus T (_and so afterwards_)

[1249] 1833 which] þat M ... B₂ feigned B₂, B

[1250] 1838 Namplus J, BT

[1251] 1850 The] This AJH₁ ... B₂ These M forþgon A, F forþ gon
JC, SB

[1252] 1872 which J, B, F whiche AC, S

[1253] 1875 toþe A, F to þe JC, B &c.

[1254] 1892 king C, B

[1255] 1893 lust AJ, SB luste F

[1256] 1901 Prothefelay H₁G ... B₂, B

[1257] 1916 the deth] þe day X ... B₂

[1258] 1922 hir] his H₁ CB₂ this L

[1259] 1928 the _om._ H₁XGE, B

[1260] 1940 axeþ him H₁ ... B₂, W

[1261] 1944 beslain F

[1262] 1975 _margin_ exagitaret SBΔΛ (_Latin om._ AdT)

[1263] _margin_ optauit A

[1264] 1966 hardiesse AH₁XGECB₂ hardiest L

[1265] 1978 and _om._ MXGL, B, W

[1266] 1996 make BTΛ

[1267] 2008 in honde MX ... B₂, W

[1268] 2010 mad (maad) AJC, T made B, F

[1269] 2012 to _om._ B

[1270] 2015 hardiesce AC, F hardinesse J, SB

[1271] 2020 Bot] That H₁ ... B₂

[1272] 2034 the] þy (thi) H₁, BTΛ _om._ Ad

[1273] 2039 begete FH₃

[1274] 2045 Cenes L, BΛ seues M

[1275] 2052 _margin_ propter _om._ H₁ ... B₂

[1276] 2055 _margin_ armorum] amorum RCLB₂

[1277] 2073 da̅n̅teþ F daunteþ C, B danteþ AJ, S

[1278] 2088 hardiesse A, F hardinesse J, SB

[1279] 2118 hem SBT

[1280] 2135 ouerþis A, F ouer þis J, SB

[1281] 2136 of] in A ... B₂

[1282] 2153 _margin_ Amozonie H₁ ... B₂ (_except_ G), B

[1283] 2165 þe king H₁ ... B₂

[1284] 2166 of Amozoine H₁ ... RLB₂ and Amozoine C

[1285] 2175 as for] for his BT

[1286] 2186 _margin_ Lavine] set vinc A se uine M

[1287] 2189 And gete] He gette (gete, get) X ... B₂ He gate H₁
And gat M, W

[1288] 2199 ff. _margin_ Hic dicit--dissoluit _om._ B

[1289] 2218 faileþ H₁GRCLB₂, Δ

[1290] 2224 þe which al was X ... B₂ the wiche was alle H₁

[1291] 2227 gouernacioun AM

[1292] 2234 the _om._ H₁XECLB₂, Ad, WH₃ (to _om._ R)

[1293] 2241 as of] ȝit of H₁ ... B₂ of W

[1294] 2251 Eldemoder (elde moder) AJH₁ &c., SAd, FH₃
eldirmodir (eldermoder) L, Δ oldmoder M olde moder BT alder
moder W

[1295] 2254 he B

[1296] 2259 wene best to H₁ ... B₂, W wene best for to M

[1297] 2278 aday J, F a day (a dai) AC, SB

[1298] 2295 ese] eek (ek) XG, BTΛ

[1299] 2300 the _om._ H₁E, BTΛ

[1300] 2307 thei] þough BT

[1301] 2311 areste] haue reste AM

[1302] 2324 awise F

[1303] 2325 as hier is ded BT

[1304] 2330 all the] alle (al) A ... CB₂

[1305] 2348 ff. _margin_ Apostolus--scripta sunt _om._ S ... Δ

[1306] 2351 S _has lost a leaf_ (ll. 2351-2530)

[1307] _Latin Verses_ vii. 1 in] de B

[1308] 2373 _margin_ et laboribus AM

[1309] 2377 al F aƚƚ J alle A, B

[1310] 2391 so] to BTΔ

[1311] 2397 lettre BT

[1312] 2407 Eldras H₁ ... B₂, Λ

[1313] 2414 and rime AJMX ... B₂

[1314] 2433 Herconius H₁XGECLB₂, BΛ Hercenius R Berconius T, H₃

[1315] 2477 Is] The B

[1316] 2501 as it is set H₁ ... B₂

[1317] 2512 lefte F

[1318] 2524 many on F

[1319] 2531 S _resumes_ The BT

[1320] 2539 _margin_ qui membra] que membra F sencibiles]
sanabiles H₁ ... B₂, Λ

[1321] 2534 ferste S ferst AJ, F

[1322] 2535 _lapis_] cleped BT

[1323] 2538 As] And H₁ ... B₂, Λ

[1324] 2555 aweie F

[1325] 2556 vice goth] filþe be H₁ ... B₂, Λ (_line om._ W)

[1326] 2562 to _om._ BT

[1327] 2565 thextremetes] extremites X ... B₂, B

[1328] 2569 ffor AM þe ston H₁ ... B₂

[1329] 2576 He] It S ... Δ

[1330] 2578 as] which A ... B₂

[1331] 2587 all weies (alweies) XGRCLB₂

[1332] 2609 Orcalan H₁ ... B₂

[1333] 2615 put AJ, S, F putte C, B

[1334] 2620 faile of þe beȝete H₁ ... B₂ fallen of b, T but þei
faile ȝit of b. Δ

[1335] 2627 of _om._ M, BT, H₃

[1336] 2629 out] out of AMH₁

[1337] 2641 ffor B

[1338] 2642 as SBTΔ is Ad and A ... B₂, Λ, FWH₃

[1339] 2650 schal the wordes] schal þe worde S shal wordes W
scholde þe wordes Ad scholde her wordes B

[1340] 2662 and þilke time so H₁ ... RLB₂ and þilke time also C
at thilke t. also W at þilke tyme þo M

[1341] 2674 take AJ, S, F tak C, BT

[1342] 2676 hise A

[1343] 2681 take B

[1344] 2704 _margin_ Accidia H₁E ... B₂, W

[1345] 2707 _margin_ sopori fero MH₁ERL, Λ, WH₃ sopori sero
XGCB₂, B

[1346] 2710 a doun C, B, F adoun AJ, S

[1347] 2711 S _has lost two leaves_ (ll. 2711-3078)

[1348] 2743 shal F

[1349] 2744 wolde A

[1350] 2760 I am now H₁ ... B₂, Λ

[1351] 2773 times BT

[1352] 2788 mow F mowe AJ, B

[1353] 2792 a chaunce H₁ ... RLB₂, BT his chaunce C

[1354] 2796 wole or so] wolde so BT

[1355] 2802 bidt A, F bit J bid C, B

[1356] 2822 doun _om._ AM

[1357] 2826 to the] atte M, B

[1358] 2833 Departen] Depart(e) and H₁ ... B₂, BΛ

[1359] 2846 go now (gon now) M ... B₂

[1360] 2860 mai] might (miȝte) H₁ ... B₂ doth W

[1361] 2867 him A ... B₂ hem AdBTΔ, FWH₃

[1362] 2937 _margin_ demersus AM

[1363] 2942 _margin_ Quo facto _om._ A ... B₂

[1364] 2945 _margin_ mortuus _om._ A ... B₂

[1365] 2954 thoghte] wolde H₁ ... B₂ wol L thought to W

[1366] 2955 monþes H₁ ... B₂, H₃

[1367] 2973 she Λ, Magd he A ... B₂, AdBTΔ, FWKH₃

[1368] 2984 so _om._ AM

[1369] 2992 the _om._ AM

[1370] 2994 betwen the] betwene A ... B₂, T (bitwen) betwen
bothe H₃

[1371] 2997 Wherfor(e) AJMG ... B₂

[1372] 3023 many a XGL, AdBTΔ, WH₃

[1373] 3027 þe wise þat M ... CB₂ þis wise as BT, H₃

[1374] 3033 schulde BT, W

[1375] 3056 was AdBTΔ

[1376] 3058 vnto JH₁ ... B₂, Δ, WH₃

[1377] 3074 falsen AM

[1378] 3079 S _resumes_

[1379] 3082 hir BT

[1380] 3086 forth lepte] lepte forþ AM lepte L

[1381] 3129 Aman F

[1382] 3132 þe couenant BTΛ

[1383] 3138 For] And BTΛ

[1384] 3140 it] in H₁ ... B₂

[1385] 3141 that _om._ AM

[1386] 3142 walkyng H₁RCB₂ _line om._ T

[1387] 3153 ne _om._ H₁ ... B₂

[1388] 3154 Ha _om._ A ... B₂

[1389] 3159 mi F myn AJ, B

[1390] 3165 all S, F alle AJ, B

[1391] 3199 _margin_ sua _om._ BT

[1392] 3202 _margin_ ita quod AM

[1393] 3204 _margin_ illa _om._ SBTΔ (_Latin om._ Ad)

[1394] 3206 _margin_ dignaretur A ... B₂, Λ

[1395] 3190 þe AM

[1396] 3206 cilence S, F silence AJ, B

[1397] 3221 ben unborn] be vp (vppe) AM

[1398] 3233 Thi (Thy) A ... B₂, S ... Δ This FWKH₃

[1399] 3244 all] at S ... Δ

[1400] 3250 if that I] if I H₁ ... B₂

[1401] 3252 vigilie B

[1402] 3255 nyht (night) AC, B nyhte (nihte) J, S, F

[1403] 3259 of] or X ... B₂, W

[1404] 3263 S _has lost a leaf_ (ll. 3263-3442)

[1405] 3288 in] at XGEC, BT

[1406] 3308 he] it H₁ ... B₂

[1407] 3322 Of þo turneþ (torneþ) M, Ad Of hem þat turneþ X Of
hem þat turnen H₁G ... B₂

[1408] 3337 haþ AdBTΔ

[1409] 3341 Wiþ þo which(e) E ... B₂, AdT Wiþ þo þe whiche B

[1410] 3349 the _om._ H₁ ... B₂, AdTΔ, WH₃

[1411] 3355 Whan] ffor whan H₁E ... B₂

[1412] 3361 as] and BT he] it AM

[1413] 3366 telle H₁ ... B₂, W

[1414] 3370 no M, F _the rest_ non (none)

[1415] _Latin Verses_ ix. 1 Nil fortuna valet (_rest of line
blank_) AM

[1416] 3397 _margin_ poterit _om._ BT

[1417] 3401 tymes E, BT

[1418] 3427 gret JC, B grete A, F

[1419] 3437 no _om._ AM

[1420] 3443 S _resumes_ folweth] falleþ SAdBΔ faileth TΛ

[1421] 3449 more þan is B, H₃ more þan hit L

[1422] 3459 o point BT, W

[1423] 3479 eny] my AM

[1424] 3484 my] me H₁RCLB₂, W (me bidde)

[1425] 3489 I dar AM

[1426] 3502 if þat H₁ ... B₂, W

[1427] 3529 _margin_ Ciuitatem _om._ BT

[1428] 3531 hert sche BΛ sche (_om._ herte) T

[1429] 3535 king (kyng) JL, BT

[1430] 3560 manes F

[1431] 3576 sleplest F

[1432] 3586 Ȝit schal ... many a place J, S, FH₃ Ȝit schalt ...
many a place AM Ȝit schal ... many place Ad, W Ȝit schal it
... mani place TΔ It (Hit) schal ... many a place H₁XGRCLB₂ It
schal ... many place E, B

[1433] 3587 and] of H₁ ... B₂, B

[1434] 3596 syhe (sihe) AJ, SB syh F

[1435] 3612 wold(e) BT, W

[1436] 3622 O god þou wost þat it B O god þou wost it TΛ
(wotest)

[1437] 3627 S _has lost two leaves_ (ll. 3627--v. 274)

[1438] 3632 astounde AMR, T, W

[1439] 3638 and of] and eke of AM

[1440] 3656 Hir B be begrave] begraue A, Δ be graue MH₁ERLB₂, W

[1441] 3666 ek _om._ C, BTΛ

[1442] 3667 this] þat AdBTΛ

[1443] 3676 tho] þe JH₁ ... B₂, BΛ, W

[1444] 3678 aman F

[1445] 3687 despeir JMH₁XRLB₂, AdBTΔ, W vespeir H₃

Incipit Liber Quintus.

[Sidenote: =P. ii. 127=]
[Sidenote: [AVARICE.]]
i. _Obstat auaricia nature legibus, et que_
_Largus amor poscit, striccius illa vetat._
_Omne quod est nimium viciosum dicitur aurum,_
_Vellera sicut oues, seruat auarus opes._
_Non decet vt soli seruabitur es, set amori_[1446]
_Debet homo solam solus habere suam._