Chapter IV: Appendix (2)

TRANSLATION.--How wide and how long is the web of crimes with
which our breasts, choked with vices, are enveloped, tell, and
reveal, O muse, with a mournful countenance, if you care to touch
the heart of the spectator with your lament.--The wretched and
profane people seem to form their wishes in consideration, not
of the price of virtue, but of flax or wool: what is done in the
evening is unwrought in the morning. O cares of men! O how much
emptiness there is in things!--Every eye is blind to justice;
every mind is large to injustice; a thousand hopes of men and
the differing aspects of things depend on the dice and uses of
fortune.--When chaste maidens join in dance with the strumpet,
when the Arabs play the pauper under the robe of a beggar, when
Tydeus denies his faith to his Polynices, then, if you are
admitted to the spectacle, my friends, can you restrain your
laughter?--If you are anxious to know all men by their several
failings, who practise sloth, who are the plotters of treason,
who the servants of Mammon, who the despisers of God, we must
observe the manners of every age of life.--The boy, as he learns
the use of feet, hates the doors, flies abroad; he respects
things and honours less than the least; anger and joy succeed
each other with short intervals, for his changes are sudden.--The
youth flies from his tutor and confinement; he delights in
horses, dogs, dice, and wine, a hunter of his pleasures, whose
occupation is with women, a slow provider of useful things,
prodigal of money.--When arrived at manhood, that he may rule
the citizens and dictate to the prætor, that he may extend his
possessions with a longer cable, and fill his bags with greater
treasure, he seeks riches and friendships, and is a slave to
honours.--Many serious troubles surround the old man, either
that, from stinginess, he spares his perishing wealth, or that
he handles his riches with fear, lest they should fall to the
thief; he is one who delays long, depending on hope, inactive,
and greedy of the future.--Thus difference of time causes variety
of ages; the tender age is occupied on the affections of the
heart, the man on lofty things, but he whom old age bends, his
breast glows with avarice and miserable cupidity.--In this
respect the whole mind of men grows old, which, while it seeks
things external, is ignorant of itself in the pursuit; ambition
is not quieted by success: the love of money increases as fast
as the money itself increases.--But in this point alone may
vice claim some credit, that it is always prevalent among the
great; yet that disposition which respects no control is the more
conspicuously criminal, in proportion as the sinner occupies a
higher station.--Rome, lying in the depths of turpitude, ranks
virtues beneath filthy lucre; fluctuating under the waves of a
vacillating mind, she overthrows, builds, and changes square
things for round.--She despises the bland countenances at which
but now she smiled; she cherishes in her placid breast those whom
before she rolled down; while she receives money, she treats
and revises: what she sought she despises, and seeks again what
lately she let go.--If she does not perceive rightly a thing in
any manner whatever, and has not forgotten the custom which she
first learnt, she smells of the custom of the cask, which will
keep very long the odour with which it was once endued while
fresh.--Before the cardinals and before the patriarch, a pound
overcomes the Bible, money the accused, and a marc Mark, the
law sparing to him who is not sparing, gives only as much grace
as each has money in his purse.--If you seek the balance of the
judges, you should seek it with copper, since the favour of the
balance hangs from copper; you should not ask respite, but ask
what they ask; whence you obtain it nobody will inquire, but you
needs must have it.--When you are turned over to the notary, pour
out your bribes; he will at once extricate you from your cause,
when, why, or whence it may arise, and will subject the canons to
the form that is round (i. e. the coin), whom prosperity delights
not a little.--Rome teaches all that they should fly over to
expediency, that they should offer heart and hand to Mammon
rather than to God; thus it happens that the branches smell of
a bad root; where the head is infirm, the other members are in
pain.--The archbishops tread under foot the necks of the clergy,
and extort tears in order that they may be dried by gifts; nor,
if the poor wretches bring few or not good ones, do they take
them in good part, or acknowledge them with favour.--If any one
begins to complain of an injury, they immediately stretch their
ear to the cause, their hand to the gift; if they once receive
a thing of the plural number, to-morrow the same basenesses may
be done as yesterday.--The bishop loves a cheerful giver, and
dares either right or wrong after the smell of a bribe, unable
to resume, after he has thrown shame aside, the blush once
rejected from his worn brow.--Nor is there less baseness in the
archdeacon; whom he has once taken up, whether in earnest or in
joke, he holds; nor has he mercy for the needy or the naked;
the leech which will not let go the skin till he is filled with
blood.--The dean, born to everlasting wiles, that he may explore
the creed (symbolum) and the things which succeed, changing the
tune of his tongue and yesterday’s garments, migrates with humble
speech to the obscure taverns.--The priest, whatever either the
dead or the living give, carries all to his fireside-woman, to
whom he gives himself and what he has; he of the holy name and
the equal mind, who meditates the law of the Lord by day and by
night.--The laymen resting on the words of the clergy who depart
from them, pay less attention to the words than to the character
of the teacher: nor can laws subdue the senses of men by
threats and torments, so much as the example of the ruler.--The
luxurious princes stir kingdoms and states, that they may lead
armies, inflicting the punishment of a tax on the rustic and the
miserable citizen; for whenever the kings run wild, the Greeks
pay the piper.--They who are occupied with the cares of the
kingdom or of the court, detract while they smile, and when they
flatter they are plotting damage or disgrace; there is neither
faith nor honesty in those who follow camps.--If a citizen
perceive you, he caresses that he may burn you; if you lay down
ten, he puts the payment of his stake to another time; he cheats
you out of your own; look to it, while it lasts; he may perish
behind the wine and the dice, who leaves care till to-morrow.--If
any one going to the houses of the lawyers, carries his money
openly, he also is a simpleton; for when he sleeps in his bed
weary and full, people live by rapine, the guest is not safe
from his host.--Thus rapine, snares, treachery, and strife, lead
people into error, misery, and folly; thus ambition and luxury,
and the revered possession of riches, allure the foolish minds of
all men.--But what availeth luxury and power to those miserable
people who, despising virtues, esteem only things that produce
evil, such as gold, gems, and heaps of wealth? when our labour
is expended on what is injurious to us, the misery of mortals is
on the increase.--What avails it to talk of purple, gems, gold,
land? With riches we have feuds, losses, pleas, fastings, fears,
and justly sleepless cares come in a long train.--The poor man
reigns more safely than he that amasses wealth, who, while the
informer deprives the lord of his favour, or the lurking spoiler
spoils him who is laden, he, an empty traveller, will sing before
the thief.--They who are destitute often live more pleasantly
under a slight hut of brick or mud, than those who are delicately
clothed in the palaces of kings; he will be ever a slave who
knows not how to use moderation.--But if you seek abundance of
true property, reject superfluity, seek what is enough, strip
yourself of riches, and die naked; delay not this, for those who
are prepared are ever injured by delay.--If while you are on
your road to what is more useful, fear dissuade hope, or delay
endanger success; change not your mind, nor slacken your reins;
the grateful hour will arrive when least expected.--Treasure up
that which you cannot abuse, having a care of the needy, the
blind, the lame, and the dumb; serve your soul, and not your
mind or your skin; you owe little to pleasure, but more to your
salvation.--No one is safe on a king’s throne, or in a sanctuary,
since it can be expressed neither by tongue nor pen by how
slender a thread the destinies of men hang under the imminent
approach of death.--While you navigate prosperously the far side
of the sea, weigh not the present but the future, and considering
the poop more than the prow or the oar, act as though you thought
every day your last.

* * * * *

The foreign policy of Henry III. was even less manly than that of his father. Among the many songs of the Normans and Poitevins, reclaiming the assistance of their ancient sovereign, we may give as an example the Sirvente of Bernard de Rovenac, addressed to Henry and his contemporary James I. King of Aragon, from whom Louis IX. had taken Languedoc to give it as a portion to his brother Alphonsus. There is internal evidence that it was written about 1229, the year in which Henry III. made his ill-conducted expedition into Brittany.

A SIRVENTE AGAINST KING HENRY.

[Raynouard, Choix, tom. iv. p. 203.]

Ja no vuelh do ni esmenda
Ni grat retener
Dels ricx ab lur falz saber,
Qu’en cor ay que los reprenda
Dels vils fatz mal yssernitz;
E no vuelh sia grazitz
Mos sirventes entr’ els flacx nualhos,
Paupres de cor et d’ aver poderos.

Rey Engles prec que entenda,
Quar fa dechazar
Son pauc pretz per trop temer,
Quar no’l play qu’ els sieus defenda,
Qu’ans es tan flacx e marritz
Que par sia adurmitz,
Qu’el reys frances li tolh en plas perdos
Tors et Angieus e Normans e Bretos.

Rey d’Arago, ses contenda,
Deu ben nom aver
Jacme, quar trop vol jazer;
E qui que sa terra s prenda,
El es tan flacx e chausitz
Que sol res no y contraditz;
E car ven lay als Sarrazis fellos
L’anta e’l dan que pren say vas Lymos.

Ja tró son payre car venda
No pot trop valer,
Ni s cug qu’ ieu li diga plazer,
Tró foc n’abraz e n’essenda
E n’ sian grans colps feritz;
Pueys er de bon pretz complitz,
S’al rey frances merma sos tenezos,
Quar el sieu fieu vol heretar N Anfos.

Coms de Toloza, la renda
Que soletz tener
De Belcaire us deu dolar,
S’al deman faitz lonj’ atenda
Vos e ’l reys que us es plevitz;
L’enprendemen n’er aunitz,
S’ar no vezem tendas e pabalhos,
E murs fondre, e cazer autas tors.

Ricx homes, mal yssernitz,
En vey hom vostres malz ditz,
E laissera us, s’ie us vis arditz ni pros,
Mas no us tem tan que ja m’en lays per vos.

TRANSLATION.--I wish neither for the gifts and favours--nor to
obtain the good-will--of the rich, with their false wisdom;--but
I have in my heart the intention to reproach them--with their
vile deeds ill-conceived;--and I don’t wish to be agreable--my
Sirventes among the cowardly idlers,--poor in heart and heavy in
riches.

The English King, I pray him to hear it,--for he causes to
fall--his little glory by too much timidity,--for it does not
please him to defend his own people,--and thus he is so cowardly
and so vile,--that he seems to be asleep,--while the French King
takes from him with impunity--Tours, and Angiers, and Normans,
and Bretons.

The King of Aragon, without any doubt,--ought really to have the
name--of James; for he is too willing to lie down;--and whoever
it be that takes his land,--he is so cowardly and caitiff,--that
he does not even contradict it;--and he revenges on that side
against the felon Saracens----the shame and damage which he
receives on this side towards Limoux.

Until he have revenged his father,--he cannot have much
esteem,--nor let him imagine that I will speak to please
him,--unless he ravage and put in flames,--and unless great
blows be struck.--For there will have been accomplished great
honour,--if he narrows the domains of the French King,--for Don
Alfonse desires to inherit his fief.

Earl of Toulouse, the rent--which you used to hold--from
Beaucaire, you ought to regret,--if you make long delay to
demand it,--you, and that King, because you are in league;--that
undertaking will not be disgraced,--if we now see tents and
pavilions,--and walls fall and high towers break.

Rich men, ill-advised,--one sees your evil sayings,--I would let
you alone, if I saw you hardy and courageous,--but I do not fear
you so much as to leave it on your account.

* * * * *

The following Sirvente, by the same author, is also directed against Henry and James, and was written about the year 1250. It repeats the same articles of accusation, and its object was to persuade those kings to invade the dominions of Louis, while he was himself absent on his crusade.

A SIRVENTE AGAINST KING HENRY.

[Raynouard, tom. iv. p. 205.]

D’un sirventes m’es grans volontatz preza,
Ricx homes flacx, e non sai que us disses,
Quar ja lauzor no y auria ben meza,
Ni us aus blasmar, e val pauc sirventes
Que laza quan blasmar deuria;
Pero si tot vos par follia,
A me platz mais que us blasme dizen ver,
Que si menten vos dizia plazer.

Amdos los reys an una cauz’ empressa,
Selh d’Arago et aisselh dels Engles,
Que no sia per elhs terra defeza
Ni fasson mal ad home qu’el lur fes,
E fan merces e cortezia,
Quar al rey que conquer Suria
Laisson en patz lur fieus del tot tener;
Nostre Senher lur en deu grat saber.

Vergonha m pren, quant una gens conqueza
Nos ten aissi totz vencutz e conques,
E degr’ esser aitals vergonha prezza,
Quom a me pren, al rey Aragones
E al rey que pert Normandia,
Mas prez an aital companhia
Que ja nulh temps no fasson lur dever,
Et anc non vitz autre tan ben tener.

E pus no pren en la leuda torneza
Qu’a Monpeslier li tollon siey borzes,
Ni no y s venja de l’anta que y a preza,
Ja no ’lh sia mais retragz Carcasses,
Pos als sieus eys no s defendria,
Assatz fa sol qu’en patz estia;
Patz non a ges senher ab gran poder,
Quan sas antas torna a non chaler.

Ges trop lauzar, quan valors es mal meza,
Non apel patz, quar mala guerra es;
Ni ja per me non er per patz enteza,
Mielhs deuria aver nom gauch de pages,
E dels ricx que perdon tot dia
Pretz, e ja fort greu no lur sia,
Quar pauc perdon e pauc lur deu doler,
Quar ges de pauc non pot hom trop mover.

Lo reys N Anfos a laissat cobezeza
Als autres reys, qu’a sos ops non vol ges,
Et a sa part elh a preza largueza,
Mal a partit qui reptar l’en volgues;
E dic vos que m par vilania
Qui partis e qui ’l mielhs s’ atria,
Mas ges pertant non a fag non dever,
Quar a pres so qu’elhs no volon aver.

Ricx malastrucx, s’ieu vos sabia
Lauzor, volontiers la us diria;
Mas no us pessetz menten mi alezer,
Que vostre grat no vuelh ni vostr’ aver.

TRANSLATION.--I am seized by a great desire of writing a
sirvente,--O rich yet cowardly men! and I know not what I shall
say to you,--for there will be little room for praise;--nor dare
I blame you, and a sirvente is worth little--which praises when
it ought to blame:--but though it may seem all folly to you,--yet
it pleases me more to blame you by telling the truth,--than if I
spoke falsehood to please you.

Both the kings have resolved on one thing,--he of Aragon
and he of the English,--that by them the land shall not be
defended,--and that they will do ill to no one who does ill
to them;--they are merciful and courteous;--for they let the
King who is conquering Syria--retain their fiefs altogether in
peace;--our Lord ought to be very thankful to them for it.

Shame seizes on me, when a vanquished people--holds us thus all
subdued and conquered,--and such shame ought to seize--the King
of Aragon, as seizes me,--and the King who loses Normandy,--but
they take such company--that now they never perform their
duty,--and I never saw another hold so well.

And afterwards he does not receive the tax,--which at Montpellier
his burgesses take from him,--neither does he revenge himself of
the disgrace he received there,--now Carcasson may no more be
recovered by him;--for he would not defend his own eyes,--his
only endeavour is that he may be in peace;--a noble lord with
great power has no peace,--when he turns his ways to nonchalance.

To praise people too much, when valour is ill esteemed,--I do not
call it peace, for it is bad war;--nor shall it now be understood
by me for peace,--it ought rather to have the name of pages’
play,--and of the rich who lose every day--honour, and yet it
grieves them not much,--for they lose little and need not grieve
much,--for we cannot be moved much by a little thing.

The king Don Alfonso has left covetousness--to the other kings,
because he will not make use of it,--and he has taken for his
share largess,--he has an ill share who wishes to recover this
from him;--and I tell you that it appears to me villany,--when
one shares and takes the best to himself;--yet no one has done
otherwise than right,--when he has taken that which others will
not have.

Rich men ill-advised, if I knew any thing in you--worthy of
praise, I would willingly tell you of it;--but think not to take
up my leisure,--for I desire neither your thanks nor your goods.

* * * * *

Henry’s embarrassments at home were now becoming every day more numerous and more complicated. Scarcely any part of the nation, clergy, barons, or people, were any longer his friends. The following song (made in 1256) was evidently written by one belonging to the former of these classes, indignant at the taxes which the King, with the consent of the Pope, had levied on the clergy, in the vain hope of placing one of his sons on the throne of Sicily, and afterwards to pay the debt which he had contracted towards the supreme pontiff. The King of France, quoted as an example, was the saintly Louis IX.

THE SONG OF THE CHURCH.

[MS. Cotton. Jul. D. VII. fol. 133, v^o. of 13th century.]

_Istud canticum factum fuit anno gratiæ m^occ^olvi^o supra desolatione Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ._

Or est acumpli à men acient
La pleinte Jeremie, ke oï avez suvent;
ke dit cument set sule
cité pleine de fule
Plurant amerement,
ore est sanz mariage
e mis en tailage,
La dame de la gent.
Cest est seint eglise trestut apertement,
Ke est ja hunie e tut mis a vent:
E si est maumise, nus veum cument.
Ele gent e plure,
n’a ad nul ke sucure
De sun marement.

Jà fu cleregie
franche e à desus,
Amée e cherie,
nule ren pot plus.
Ore est enservie,
E trop envilie,
e abatu jus;
Par iceus est hunie,
Dunt dut aver aïe;
jo n’os dire plus.

Li rois ne l’apostoile ne pensent altrement,
Mès coment au clers tolent lur or e lur argent.
Co est tute la summe,
ke la pape de Rume
Al rei trop consent,
pur aider sa curune
la dime de clers li dune,
De ço en fet sun talent.

Jo ne quid pas ke li rois face sagement,
Ke il vit de roberie ke il de la clergie prent.
Jà ne fra bone prise,
pur rober seinte eglise;
Il la say verament.
Ke vot aver semblance,
regarde le rois de France
E sun achevement.

TRANSLATION.--Now is accomplished as I conceive--the plaint
of Jeremiah, which you have often heard,--who tells how this
sole--city full of people--bewailing bitterly,--is now without
marriage--and put in contribution,--the Lady of the people.--That
is holy church very evidently,--who is now disgraced and all put
to sale;--and truly is she in ill case, we see how.--She laments
and weeps,--there is none who helps her--out of her desolation.

Formerly clergy was--free and uppermost,--loved and
cherished,--nothing could be more so.--Now it is enslaved,--and
too much debased,--and trodden down.--By those is it
disgraced,--from whom it ought to have help;--I dare not say more.

The king and the pope think of nothing else,--but how they may
take from the clergy their gold and their silver.--This is the
whole affair,--that the pope of Rome--yields too much to the
king,--to help his crown,--the tenth of the clergy’s goods he
gives him,--and with that he does his will.

I do not think that the King acts wisely,--that he lives of
robbery which he commits upon the clergy.--He will never be a
gainer,--by robbing holy church;--he knows it truly.--He who
seeks an example,--let him regard the King of France--and his
achievement.

* * * * *

The next Song, directed against the avarice of the Bishops, appears to be of about the same date. In the manuscript it is written, like the foregoing, as prose.

A SONG AGAINST THE BISHOPS.

[From the same folio of the same MS.]

Licet æger cum ægrotis,
Et ignotus cum ignotis,
Fungar tamen vice totis,
Jus usurpans sacerdotis;
flete, Syon filiæ,
præsides ecclesiæ
imitantur hodie
Christum a remotis.

Jacet ordo clericalis
In respectu laicalis,
Sponsa Christi fit venalis,
Generosa generalis;
veneunt altaria,
venit eucharistia,
cum sit nugatoria
Gratia venalis.

Donum Dei non donatur
Nisi gratis conferatur;
Quod qui vendit vel mercatur,
Lepra Syri vulneratur;
quem sic ambit ambitus,
ydolorum servitus
templo sancti spiritus
Non compaginatur.

In diebus juventutis
Timent annos senectutis,
Ne fortuna destitutis
Desit eis splendor cutis.
Sed dum quærunt medium,
vertunt in contrarium,
fallit enim vitium
Specie virtutis.

Tu qui tenes hunc tenorem,
Frustra dicis te pastorem;
Nec te regis ut rectorem,
Rerum mersus in ardorem:
Hæc est alia
sanguisugæ filia,
quam venalis curia
Duxit in uxorem.

TRANSLATION.--Although sick with those who are sick, and unknown
with those who are unknown, yet I will assume all characters in
turn, usurping the right of the priest: weep, ye daughters of
Sion, the bishops of the church at the present day are but remote
imitators of Christ!

The clerical order is debased in respect of the laity; the spouse
of Christ is made venal,--she that is noble, common; the altars
are for sale; the eucharist is for sale, although venal grace is
vain and frivolous.

God’s gift is not given if it be not conferred gratis; and he who
sells and makes merchandise of it, is, in so doing, struck with
the leprosy of Syrus; the service of idols, at which his ambition
thus aims, may not be engrafted on the temple of the Holy Spirit.

In their days of youth, they look forwards to old age with fear,
lest, deserted by fortune, they possess no longer their sleek
skin. But while they seek the mean, they turn into the contrary
extreme; for vice deceives them in the guise of virtue.

Thou who holdest this course, vainly thou callest thyself a
pastor; neither doest thou govern thyself like a ruler, immersed
in the heat of temporary affairs; she is another--daughter of the
leech, whom the venal court has taken to wife.

* * * * *

The following is another bitter satire on the vices of the great, during the reign of Henry III. Who were the four brothers against whom the song is more particularly directed, would not be easily ascertained without other particulars besides those here furnished.

A SONG ON THE TIMES.

[MS. Harl. No. 978. fol. 123, v^o. of the 13th cent.]

Mundi libet vitia cunctis exarare;
Nam in mundo video multos nunc errare,
Spernere quod bonum est, quod malum est amare,
Et ad mala sæpius sponte declinare.
Mundus quia malus est, male scit nocere;
Mala novit facere, nescit pœnitere;
Caro quicquid appetit pro posse vult habere,
Sed quod Deus præcipit nequit adimplere.
Jam nil valet aliquis ni sciat litigare,
Nisi sciat cautius causis cavillare,
Nisi sciat simplices dolis impugnare,
Nisi sciat plenius nummos adunare.
Mundi status hodie multum variatur,
Semper in deterius misere mutatur;
Nam qui parcit nemini, quique plus lucratur,
Ille plus dilectus est et plus commendatur.
Rex et regni proceres satis sunt amari;
Omnes fere divites nimis sunt avari;
Pauper pauca possidens debet depilari,
Et ut ditet divitem rebus spoliari,
Bona per superflua dives excæcatur;
Circa temporalia tota mens versatur:
Et in vanis quoniam nimis delectatur,
Bona differt facere, malum non vitatur.
Ex prælatis plurimum Deum non timentes
Sunt sub boni specie mala facientes,
Hiique plus quam laici sæpe sunt nocentes,
Bene curant corpora, male pascunt mentes,
Regnat nunc impietas, pietas fugatur,
Nobilisque largitas procul relegatur;
Stricta nam tenacitas multos comitatur,
Et in multis caritas sic refrigeratur.
Fas et nefas ambulant pene casu pari,
Vix est jam quem pudeat nefas operari;
Carus hic acceptus est qui scit adulari,
Hicque privilegio gaudet singulari.
Quod ad lucrum pertinet nimis affectatur;
Lucra quisquis prospicit, cautus judicatur;
Res qui servat strictius, sapiens vocatur;
Sua qui dat largius, stultus reputatur.
Dolus avaritiæ comes copulatur;
Fidei perfidia jam parificatur;
Nam qui scit decipere, prudens prædicatur;
Qui plus mali perpetrat plus appretiatur.
Quatuor sunt maxime qui sic operantur,
Et cum malefecerint pejus meditantur,
Quorum infra scelera satis declarantur,
Et eorum nomina sic intitulantur.
Hii sunt fratres quatuor, Robertus, et Ricardus,
Gilebertus postea, vir valde Wandelardus,
Quartus inter alios frater est bastardus,
Galfridus, qui piger est, et ad bona tardus.
Cuique satis proprie nomen adaptatur,
Per quod quæ proprietas cujusque sit notatur;
Nam qui recte nominum vim interpretatur,
Scire potest certius quid significatur.
Competenter per _Robert_, _robbur_ designatur;
Et per _Richard_, _riche hard_ congrue notatur;
_Gilebert_ non sine re _gilur_ appellatur;
_Gefrei_, si rem tangimus, in _jo frai_ commutatur.
Per istorum nomina, quæ sic figurantur,
Modus, fraus, et opera multorum denotantur;
Et ut cunctis clarius hæc aperiantur,
Melius et plenius hic notificantur.
Robertus excoriat, extorquet, et minatur;
Et Ricardus retinet totum quod lucratur;
Gilebertus decipit, et inde gloriatur;
Galfridus se procrastinat, et nil operatur.
Veritatem prosequar ore nunc aperto:
Vir quicunque rabidus consors est Roberto;
Vir fallax et cupidus par fit Gileberto;
Vir piger et tepidus Galfridus est pro certo.
Tempus piger protrahit omni tardus hora;
Operari negligit quæ sunt meliora;
Bona nimis differens ruit in pejora;
Et ut bene faciat semper est in mora.
Hic promittit quodlibet, sed nil vult implere;
Semper dicit “faciam,” nunquam facit vere;
Sed cum mors est proxima, tunc incipit dolere;
Magnum est periculum tam sero pœnitere.
Quisque sibi caveat ne decipiatur;
Pœnitere studeat antequam labatur;
Dum est compos corporis bene mereatur,
Ne dum differt interim forte moriatur.
Fons et auctor, Dominus, summæ pietatis
Nobis hic sic annuat flere pro peccatis,
Et dum sumus validi pœnitere gratis,
Ut possimus alibi gaudere cum beatis! AMEN.

TRANSLATION.--Everybody has a right to satirize the world’s
vices; for now I see many in the world err, despise what is good,
love what is bad, and most frequently turning off spontaneously
to evil.--Because the world is depraved, it knows how to do
injury; it knows how to act ill, but not how to repent; the
flesh will do all it can to possess whatever it desires, but is
unable to fulfill God’s commandments.--Now nobody is esteemed
unless he knows how to litigate; unless he can cavil cunningly in
law-suits; unless he can overreach the simple; unless he know how
to amass abundance of money.--The state of the world is at the
present day constantly changing; it is always becoming miserably
worse; for he who spares nobody, and who is bent most on gain,
is most beloved and most commended.--The King and his nobles are
sufficiently bitter; almost all the rich men are too avaricious;
the poor man, who possesses little, must be robbed and spoiled
of his property to enrich the wealthy.--The rich man is blinded
by superfluous wealth; his whole mind is occupied with temporal
matters; and, since he is too much pleased with vanities, he puts
off the doing of good, but avoids not the evil.--Of the prelates,
there are very many who, having no fear of God, do evil under
the mask of good, and they often do more injury than the laymen;
they take great care of the body, but feed ill the mind.--Now
impiety reigns, piety is driven away, and noble liberality is
sent into far exile; for narrow stinginess is the companion
of many, and thus in many charity is become cold.--Right and
wrong march nearly on an equal footing; there is now scarcely
one who is ashamed of doing what is unlawful; the man is
held dear who knows how to flatter, and he enjoys a singular
privilege.--Lucre is a thing too much sought after; whoever has
an eye to it, is considered prudent; he who keeps very close
what he has, is called a wise man; he who gives liberally, is
set down for a fool.--Treachery accompanies avarice; perfidy
is now put on equality with honesty; for he who knows how to
deceive, is proclaimed a prudent man; and he who does most ill
is most prized.--There are four persons in particular who work
thus; who, even while doing ill, are meditating to do worse,
whose crimes are sufficiently declared below, and whose names
are as follows:--They are four brothers, Robert, and Richard;
next Gilbert, a true Wandelard; the fourth is a bastard brother,
Geoffrey, who is a sluggard, and slow to do anything good.--Each
of them has a very appropriate name, by which his own character
is described; for if any one interpret rightly the names, he
may know most accurately what each signifies.--By _Robert_, is
very sufficiently indicated _a robber_; and by Richard, with
much fitness, a _rich hard_ man; _Gilbert_ is not without reason
called a _guiler_; and _Geoffrey_ is, if we come to the point,
changed into _jo frai_ (i. e. I will do it).--By these people’s
names, which are thus described, are denoted the habit, and
fraud, and works, of many men; and in order that these may be
made more manifest to all, they are here published better and
more fully--Robert fleeces, extorts, and threatens; and Richard
keeps all he gains; Gilbert deceives, and afterwards boasts of
it; Geoffrey procrastinates, and does nothing.--I will follow up
the truth now in full cry: every ravenous man is the companion
of Robert; a false and miserly man is similar to Gilbert; a slow
and listless man is, without doubt, a Geoffrey.--The latter idly
protracts the time, behindhand at whatever hour is appointed,
he neglects to do what is good, and by putting off the good he
falls into that which is evil, and he is always backward in
acting well:--he promises anything, but will perform nothing; he
always says, “I will do,” but never does; but when death is at
hand, he begins to lament: there is great danger in repenting so
late.--Let every one take care that he is not himself deceived;
let him try to repent before his end, that he may merit well
while he is in health, lest by putting it off, he chance to die
before it is done.--The Lord, who is the fountain and author of
the highest degree of piety, give us here the inclination so to
mourn for our faults, and to be penitent spontaneously while we
are in health, that in the next world we may be in joy with the
saints!

* * * * *

A perpetual subject of popular outcry against the great, during this and the following centuries, was afforded by the foreign and extravagant fashions in dress, which were prevalent. A glance at the illuminations in contemporary manuscripts will show us that these complaints were not without foundation. We, even at the present day, can with difficulty conceive the immense sums which were in former days expended on the toilet. This profusion was frequently and severely commented upon in the prose writings of the clergy, and was not uncommonly the subject of popular satire. The following song upon the tailors is very playful.

SONG UPON THE TAILORS.

[MS. Harl. 978. fol. 99, v^o. reign of Hen. III.]

_In nova fert animus mutatas dicere formas Corpora, Dii cœptis, nam vos mutastis et illas, Aspirate meis._

Ego dixi, dii estis;
Quæ dicenda sunt in festis
Quare prætermitterem?
Dii, revera, qui potestis
In figuram novæ vestis
Transmutare veterem.

Pannus recens et novellus
Fit vel capa vel mantellus,
Sed secundum tempora
Primum capa, post pusillum
Transmutatur hæc in illum;
Sic mutatis corpora.

Antiquata decollatur,
Decollata mantellatur,
Sic in modum Proteos
Demutantur vestimenta;
Nec recenter est inventa
Lex metamorphoseos.

Cum figura sexum mutant;
Prius ruptam clam reclutant
Primates ecclesiæ;
Nec donatur, res est certa,
Nisi prius sit experta
Fortunam Tiresiæ.

Bruma tandem revertente,
Tost unt sur la chape enté
Plerique capucium;
Alioquin dequadratur,
De quadrato retundatur,
Transit in almucium.

Si quid restat de morsellis
Cæsi panni sive pellis,
Non vacat officio:
Ex hiis fiunt manuthecæ,
Manutheca quidem Græcè
Manuum positio.

Sic ex veste vestem formant,
Engleis, Tyeis, Franceis, Normant,
Omnes generaliter;
Ut vix nullus excludatur.
Ita capa declinatur,
Sed mantellus aliter.

Adhuc primo recens anno,
Nova pelle, novo panno,
In arca reconditur;
Recedente tandem pilo,
Juncturarum rupto filo,
Pellis circumciditur.

Sic mantellus fit apella;
Ci git li drap, e la pel là,
Post primum divortium;
A priore separata
Cum secundo reparata
Transit in consortium.

Quod delictum dices majus?
Istud palam est contra jus:
Nam si nupsit alteri,
Conjugium est violatum,
Dum fit novo copulatum
Reclamante veteri.

N’est de concille, ne de sene,
Deus dras espuser à une pene,
E si nus le juggium;
Permittunt hoc decreta? non:
Sed reclamat omnis canon
Non esse conjugium.

Pannus primum circumcisus,
Viduatus et divisus
A sua pellicula,
Jam expertus Judaismum,
Emundatur per baptismum
A quacumque macula.

Circumcisus mundatusque,
Est adeptus utriusque
Legis testimonium;
Quem baptismus emundavit,
Cum secunda secundavit
Pelle matrimonium.

Pilis expers, usu fractus,
Ex Esaü Jacob factus,
Quant li peil en est chaü,
Inversatur vice versa,
Rursus idem ex conversa
Ex Jacob fit Esaü.

Pars pilosa foris paret,
Sed introrsus pilis caret
Vetustas abscondita;
Datur tamen, k’il n’i eit perte,
Servienti, pur deserte,
Mantellus hypocrita.

TRANSLATION.--I have said, ye are gods; why should I omit the
service which should be said on festival days? Gods certainly
ye are, who can transform an old garment into the shape of a
new one.--The cloth, while fresh and new, is made either a cape
or mantle; but, in order of time, first it is a cape, after a
little space this is transformed into the other; thus ye “change
bodies.”--When it becomes old, the collar is cut off; when
deprived of the collar, it is made a mantle: thus, in the manner
of Proteus, are garments changed; nor is the law of metamorphosis
a new discovery.--With their shape they change their sex; the
primates of the church privately close up again what was before
torn; nor is it given, assuredly, till it has first undergone
the fortune of Tiresias.--When, at length, winter returns,
many engraft immediately upon the cape a capuce; then it is
squared; after being squared it is rounded; and so it becomes an
aumuce.--If there remain any morsels of the cloth or skin which
is cut, it does not want a use: of these are made gloves; a glove
is called in Greek “the placing of the hands.”--This is the
general manner they all make one robe out of another, English,
Germans, French, and Normans, with scarcely an exception. Thus
_cape_ is declined; but _mantle_ otherwise.--In the first year,
while it is still fresh, the skin and the cloth being both
new, it is laid up in a box; when, however, the fur begins to
be worn off, and the thread of the seams broken, the skin is
circumcised.--Thus the mantle is made a Jew; here lays the cloth,
there the skin, after the first divorce: being separated from
its former husband, after separation it passes in reparation
to marriage with a second husband.--But what will you say is a
greater crime? this is clearly against right; for if she have
married a second, the marriage is broken, when a new conjunction
is made in spite of the reclamations of the old partner.--It is
neither canonic nor wise to marry two cloths to one fur, and so
we judge it. Do the decretals permit this? No: on the contrary,
every canon declares, that it is no marriage.--The cloth having
been first circumcised, then widowed and separated from its skin,
now having experienced Judaism, is cleansed by baptism, from
every stain (_i. e._ it is dyed).--Being circumcised and cleaned,
and having obtained the testimony of both laws, he whom baptism
has cleansed, contracts a new marriage with a second skin.--Being
devoid of hair, and worn by use, from Esau having become Jacob,
when the hair is fallen from it, the process is inverted, and
again conversely from Jacob it becomes Esau.--The hairy part is
turned out, but the old part, concealed inwardly, is bare of
hairs. Now the hypocritical mantle, in order that there may be
nothing lost, is given to the servant for his wages.

* * * * *

We are now approaching the eventful period of the Barons’ wars. The turbulent Welshmen were ever ready to seize an opportunity of invading the Marches; and the following song, whether it were composed by one of them, or be the work of one of the English who took the opportunity of satirising them, gives us a fair picture of the spirit in which they interfered.

THE SONG OF THE WELSH.

[From the Public Library of Leyden, MS. Vossius, No. 104, fol. 144, r^o. of the 13th cent.]

Trucidare Saxones soliti Cambrenses
Ad cognatos Britones et Cornubienses;
Requirunt ut veniant per acutos enses,
Ad debellandos inimicos Saxonienses.
Venite jam strenue loricis armati;
Sunt pars magna Saxonum mutuo necati,
Erit pars residua per nos trucidati:--
Nunc documenta date qua sitis origine nati.
Mellinus veredicus nunquam dixit vanum;
Expellendum populum prædixit vexanum.
Et vos hoc consilium non servatis sanum;
Cernite fallaces quorum genus omne profanum.
Prædecessor validus rex noster Arturus
Si vixisset hodie, fuissem securus
Nullus ei Saxonum restitisset murus;
Esset ei[s] sicut meruerunt in prece durus.
Procuret omnipotens sibi successorem
Saltem sibi similem, nollem meliorem,
Qui tollat Britonibus antiquum dolorem,
Et sibi restituat patriam patriæque decorem.
Hoc Arturi patruus velit impetrare,
Sanctus [qui]dam maximus, Anglum ultra mare;
Scimus festum Martis kalendis instare,--
Ad natale solum Britones studeat revocare.
Virtuosos filii patres imitantur;
Sic Arturum Britones virtute sequantur:
Quam probo, quam strenuo monstrant procreantur;
Ut fuit Arturus sic victores habeantur!
Regnabat Parisius potestas Romana,
Frollo gygas strenuus, cujus mens ursana;
Hunc Arthurus perimit, credit fides sana,
Testis tentorium sit et insula Parisiana.
Insanit qui Britones necat generosos;
Videtur quod habeat sic eos exosos,
Namque per invidiam clamat odiosos
Semper et assidue, quos audit victoriosos.
Ex hac gente iiij^{or} sunt imperatores,
Arthurus, Broinsius, fortes bellatores,
Constantinus, Brennius, fere fortiores.
Hii monarchiam tenuerunt ut probiores.
Solum suum Karolum Francia præjectat;
Et Ricardum Anglia probitate jactat;
Paucitatem numerus major labefactat,
Virtutem regis quia quadrupla gloria mactat.
Istis suis finibus contigit regnare;
Illis duces, præsides, reges triumphare,
Quibus nullo merito se possint æquare;
Est quam regnare longe plus induperare.

TRANSLATION.--The Cambrians, who are used to slay the Saxons,
salute their relations the Britons and Cornish-men: they require
them to come with their sharp swords to conquer their Saxon
enemies.--Come now, vigorously, armed with coats of mail; a
great part of the Saxons are fallen in mutual slaughter, the
remainder shall be slain by us: now is the time for you to show
of what blood you are sprung.--The soothsayer Merlin never said
a thing that was vain; he foretold that the mad people should
be expelled. And you do not keep this wise counsel; observe
deceitful people of whom the whole race is accursed.--If our
valiant predecessor, King Arthur, had been now alive, I am sure
not one of the Saxon walls would have resisted him; he would
have been hard to them, spite of their prayers, as they have
deserved.--May the Omnipotent procure him a successor only
similar to him, I would not desire a better, who may deliver
the Britons from their old grievance, and restore to them their
country and their country’s glory.--May it please the uncle of
Arthur to obtain this for us, a certain very great saint, [to
send] the Englishman over the sea; we know that his festival
is approaching on the kalends of March (St. David’s day), may
he make it his study to recall the Britons to their native
land.--Sons imitate their virtuous fathers, so let the Britons
take Arthur for their example in valour; they show from what a
good and brave man they are descended; as Arthur was, so let them
be, conquerors!--The Roman power reigned at Paris, the bold giant
Frollo, with the bearish mind; him Arthur slew: every person
of good faith believes it: witness the tent and the Parisian
island.--He is a madman who kills the noble Britons: it seems
that he holds them thus hated; for he invidiously proclaims them
hateful always and incessantly, who he hears are victorious.--Of
this nation there have been four great commanders, Arthur and
Broinsius, powerful warriors; Constantine and Brennius, more
powerful, if it were possible; these held the monarchy by
reason of their being the best.--France can only boast of her
Charlemaine; and England glories in the valour of King Richard;
a larger number overcomes a smaller, because a four-fold glory
increases the valour of the King.--To these latter it was granted
to reign within their own bounds; to the others, to triumph,
over commanders, governors, and kings, with whom they can in no
respect claim equality: it is a far greater thing to command,
than to reign.

* * * * *

The following fragment of what appears once to have been a long ballad, made to be sung in the halls of the Barons, seems to have been written soon after the disturbances in London in 1263, though there is not enough preserved to enable us to determine the precise occasion on which it was composed. Several nobles are here joined together, who afterwards took different sides.

THE SONG OF THE BARONS.

[A roll of parchment, of the 13th cent. in a private library.]

* * * *
Mès de Warenne ly bon quens,
Que tant ad richesses et biens,
Si ad apris de guere,
En Norfolk en cel pens[is]
Vint conquerrant ses enemis,
Mès ore ne ad que fere.

Sire Jon Giffard deit bien nomé,
Que n’out gueres un pem ... é
En cele chivauchée;
E si fu touz jors à devant,
Prus e sages et pernant,
E de grant renomée.

Et Sire Jon D’Ayvile,
Que onques ni aima treyson ne gile,
Fu en lur conpanie;
Et sire Peres de Montfort,
Si tint bien à lur acord,
Si out grant seignurie.

Et de Cliffort ly bon Roger
Se contint cum noble ber,
Si fu de grant justice;
Ne suffri pas petit ne grant,
Ne arère ne par devant,
Fere nul mesprise.

Et Sire Roger de Leyburne,
Que sà et là sovent se torne,
Mout ala conquerrant;
Assez mist paine de gainer,
Pur ses pertes restorer,
Que Sire Edward le fist avant.

Mout furent bons les barons;
Mès touz ne sai nomer lur nons,
Tant est grant la some:
Pur ce revenk al quens Simon,
Pur dire interpretison,
Coment hom le nome.

Il est apelé de Monfort,
Il est el mond et si est fort,
Si ad grant chevalerie;
Ce voir, et je m’acort,
Il eime dreit, et het le tort,
Si avera la mestrie.

El mond est veréement;
Là ou la comun à ly concent,
De la terre loée;
C’est ly quens de Leycestre,
Que baut et joius se puet estre
De cele renomée.

Ly eveske de Herefort
Sout bien que ly quens fu fort,
Kant il prist l’affère:
Devant ce esteit mult fer,
Les Engleis quida touz manger,
Mès ore ne set que fere.

Et ly pastors de Norwis,
Qui devoure ses berbis,
Assez sout de ce conte;
Mout en perdi de ses biens,
Mal ert que ly lessa riens,
Ke trop en saveit de honte.

Et Sire Jon de Langelé,
Soune chose fu gainé,
Deheiz eit que l’en pleine!
Tot le soen en fist porter
De Cliffort mi Sire Roger,
Ne vout que rien remeine.

Ne à Sire Mathi de Besile
Ne lesserent une bile,
En champ u en vile.
Tot le soen fu besilé,
E cointement fu detrussé
Par un treget sanz gile.

Mès mi Sire Jon de Gray
Vint à Lundres, si ne sai quoi,
Que must une destance
Par entre Lundres et ly,
Que tot son hernois en perdi,
Ce fu sa meschance.

Et Sire Willem le Latimer
Vint à Lundres pur juer,
* * * *

TRANSLATION.--But the good Earl of Warenne,--who has so much
riches and property,--and has skill in war,--in Norfolk in this
thought--he came conquering his enemies,--but now he has nothing
to do.

Sir John Gifford ought well to be named,--who had scarcely a
...--in this riding-bout;--and he was always forward,--valiant
and wise, and active,--and of great renown.

And Sir John Dayville,--who never loved treason or guile,--was in
their company;--and Sir Peter de Montfort,--he held firm to their
agreement,--and had great seignory.

And the good Roger de Clifford--behaved like a noble baron,--and
exercised great justice;--he suffered neither little nor
great,--neither behind or before,--to do any wrong.

And Sir Roger de Leyburne,--who often turns him on this side and
on that,--made great progress conquering;--he laboured much to
gain,--to restore his losses,--which Sir Edward had caused him
before.

Right good men were the barons;--but I cannot tell all their
names,--the number is so great:--therefore I return to Earl
Simon,--to give the interpretation,--what is his name.

He is called de Montfort;--he is in the world (_monde_), and he
is strong (_fort_);--and he has great chivalry:--this is true,
and I agree to it,--he loves right and hates wrong,--and he shall
have the mastery.

He is truly in the world,--there where the commons are in accord
with him--which are praised of the land;--it is the Count of
Leicester,--who may be glad and joyous--of this renown.

The Bishop of Hereford--knew well that the Earl was strong,--when
he took the matter in hand;--before that he (the bishop) was very
fierce;--he thought to eat up all the English;--but now he does
not know what to do.

And the pastor of Norwich,--who devours his own sheep,--knows
enough of this story;--he lost much of his goods;--it is pity
they left him anything,--who was too much acquainted with shame.

And Sir John de Langley,--his property was gained,--cursed
be he who complains of it;--all he had my lord Roger de
Clifford--caused to be carried away;--he would let nothing remain.

Neither to Sir Matthew de Besile--did they leave one
farthing,--in country or in town.--All his property was
ravaged,--and neatly was he stripped--by a ‘treget’ without guile.

But Sir John de Gray--came to London, and some thing or
other--made a quarrel--between London and him,--that he lost all
his harness;--that was his mischance.

And Sir William le Latimer--came to London to play, * * *

* * * * *

The following satyrical song seems to have been written on the occasion of the intermediation of Louis IX. of France, between the contending parties in England, in the beginning of the year 1264. Much of its point consists in a rather gross play upon words which cannot always be translated; it is written in a very broad dialect; and the numerous instances of bad French, which are observed in it, were, no doubt, committed intentionally, to increase the hilarity of the listeners, at the expense of the English and their King.

SONG OF THE PEACE WITH ENGLAND.

[From a MS. of the thirteenth century, in the Bibl. du Roi, at Paris, No. 7218, fol. 220, v^o.]

Or vint la tens de May, que ce ros panirra,
Que ce tens serra beles, roxinol chanterra,
Ces prez il serra verdes, ces gardons florrirra;
J’ai trova à ma cul .j. chos que je dirra.

De ma ray d’Ingleters qui fu à bon naviaus,
Chivaler vaelant, hardouin, et léaus,
Et d’Adouart sa filz qui fi blont sa chaviaus,
Mai covint que je faites .j. dit troute noviaus.

Et de ce rai de Frans, cestui longue baron,
Qui tenez Normandi à tort par mal choison;
Lonc tens fout-il croupier sor Parris son maison,
Qu’il onc for por .i. gaire ne chauça d’asperon.

Sinor, tendez à mai; ne devez pas rier:
Ce navel que je port doit tout le mont crier.
L’autr’ier je fi à Londres une grosse concier;
Là ne movra baron la meilleur ne la pier,

Que tout ne fout venez à ce grand plaidement.
Là arra fet tel chos, je craie vraiement,
Qu ’i farra rois François .i. grant poentement
De ce terres qu’il tient contre le Glaise gent.

Sinor, lonc tens fout-il que Mellins profita
Que Philippes de Frans, .i. sinor qui fi jà,
Conquerra tout ce ters quanqu’il fout par deçà,
Mès toute vois, dit je l’, qu’encore Glais l’arra.

Or sont-il vint le tans que Glais voura vauchier;
S’il trovez la François qui la voura groncier,
Qui parra si froirrous d’espé ou de levrier,
Qu’il n’arra talant por gondre Glais grondier.

Le bon rai d’Ingleter se traina à .i. part,
Li et Trichart sa frer irrous comme lipart.
Il suspire de cul, si se claima à l’art,--
“Hui Diex! com puis-je voir de Normandi ma part?”

“Ne vous maie mi,” dit la conte à Clocestre,
“Vous porra bien encors; tel chos poistron bien estre,
Se Diex salva ma cul, ma pié, et ma poing destre,
Tu sarra sus Parris encore troute mestre.”

La cont Vincestre dit au buer rai d’Ingletiere,
“Rai, rai, veus-tu sivier? Festes mouvoir ton guere,
Et je te conduira trestout ton gent à foire:
Tu porras Normandi à ce pointes conquerre.”

“Se je pois rai François à bataille contrier,
Et je porrai mon lance desus son cul poier,
Je crai que je ferra si dourrement chier
Qu’il se brisa son test, ou ma cul fu rompier.

Je prendrez bien droitur, se je puis, à Diex poise,
Quant j’arra en mon main Normandi et Pontoise;
Je ferra soz Parris achier mon gent Gloise,
Puis vondrai prender Frans, maugré conte d’Angoise.

Par la .v. plais à Diex, François maubali sont;
Si g’i la puis grapier, certes il chateront.
Quant Inglais irront là, mult bahot i serront;
Par la mort Dieu! je crai que toutes s’enfuiront.”

Sir Symon à Montfort atendi ce navel,
Doncques sailli à piez; il ne fout mie bel.
A dit à rai Inglais, “Par le cors saint Anel!
Lessiez or cesti chos:--François n’est mi anel.

Se vous aler seur leus, il se voudra dafandre:
Toute ta paveillons metra feu à la cendre.
Il n’a si vaelant qui l’ose mi atendre;
Mult sarra maubali qui le François puet prendre.”

“Qoi dites-vous, Symon?” pona Rogier Bigot;
“Bien tenez-vous la rai por binart et por sot?
Fout insi hardouin que vous sone plus mot,
Ne te pot besoner por vostre mileur cot!”

“Sir Rogier,” dit la rai, “por Dieu, ne vous chaele!
Ne sai mi si irrous contre ce merdaele.
Je ne dout mi Françoys tout qui sont une mele;
Je farra ma talent comment la chos aele.

Je pandra bien Parris, je suis toute certaine;
Je bouterra le fu en cele eve qui [fu] Saine;
La moulins arderra; ce fi chos mult gravaine
Se n’i menja de pain de troute la semaine.

[P]ar la .v. plais à Diex, Parris fout vil mult grant
Il i a .i. chapel dont je fi coetant;
Je le ferra portier, à .i. charrier rollant,
A Saint Amont à Londres toute droit en estant.

Quant j’arra soz Parris mené tout me naviaus,
Je ferra le moustier Saint Dinis la Chanciaus
Corronier d’Adouart soz sa blonde chaviaus.
La voudra vous toer de vaches à porciaus.

Je crai que vous verra là endret grosse fest,
Quant d’Adouart arra corroné France test.
Il l’a bien asservi, ma fil; il n’est pas best;
Il fout buen chivaler, hardouin, et honest.”

“Sir rai,” ce dit Rogier, “por Dieu à mai entent;
Tu m’as percé la cul, tel la pitié m’a prent.
Or doint Godelamit, par son culmandement,
Que tu fais cestui chos bien gloriousement!”

_Explicit la pais aus Englois._

TRANSLATION.--Now comes the time of May, when the rose will
open,--when the seasons will be fair, and the nightingale
sing,--the fields will be green, and the gardens will bloom;--I
have found behind me a thing which I will relate.

Of my King of England, who is in a good ship,--a valiant knight,
hardy, and loyal,--and of Edward his son, who hath flaxen
hair,--it pleases me to make a saying which is quite new.

And of that King of France, that long baron,--who held Normandy
wrongfully by ill event;--long time did he settle his house upon
Paris,--that he never but for a war alone put on his spur.