ÆTAS PRIMA.
APPENDIX.[Camb. Univ. MS.Ii. 3. 21,fol.52b.]Chawcervp-on this fyfte meturof the second bookABlysful lyf a paysybleanda sweteLedden the poeples in the former ageThey helde hem paied of the fructes þat þey eteWhiche þat the feldes yaue hem by vsage4They ne weerenat forpampred withowtrageOnknowyn was þequyerneandek the melleThey eten mast hawesandswych pownageAnd dronken waterof the colde welle8¶ Yit nas the grownd nat wownded withþeplowhBut corn vp-sprong vnsowe of mannes hondÞe which they gnoddedandeete nat half .I.-nowhNo man yit knewe the forwes of his lond12No man the fyr owt of the flynt yit fondeVn-koruen and vn-grobbed lay the vyneNo man yit in the morter spices grondTo clarre ne to sawse of galentyne16¶ No Madyr welde or wod no litestereNe knewh / the fles was of is former heweNo flessh ne wyste offence of egge or spereNo coyn ne knewh man which is fals or trewe20No ship yit karf the wawes greneandbleweNo Marchaunt yit ne fette owt-landissh wareNo batails trompes for the werres folk ne kneweNe towres heyeandwalles rownde or square24¶ What sholde it han avayled to werreyeTher lay no profyt ther was no rychesse[fol. 53.]But corsed was the tyme .I. dar)wel seyeÞat men fyrst dede hir swety bysynesse28To grobbe vp metal lurkynge in dirkenesseAndin þe Ryuerys fyrst gemmys sowhteAllas than sprong+vp al the cursydnesseOf coueytyse þat fyrst owr sorwe browhte32¶ Thyse tyrauntȝ put hem gladly nat in presNo places wyldnesse ne no busshes for to wynneTher pouerte is as seith diogenesTher as vitayle ek is so skarsandthinne36Þat nat but mast or apples is ther InneBut þeras bagges benandfat vitaileTher wol they gonandsparefor no synneWithal hir ost the Cyte forto a-sayle40¶ Yit was no paleis chaumbres ne non hallesIn kauesandwodes softeandsweteSleptin this blyssed folk+with-owte wallesOn gras or leues in parfyt Ioye resteandquiete44No down of fetheres ne no bleched sheteWas kyd to hem but in surte they slepteHir hertes weereal on with-owte gallesEuerych of hem his feith to oother kepte48¶ Vnforged was the hawberkeandthe plateÞelambyssh poeple voyded of alle vyseHadden no fantesye to debateBut eche of hem wolde oother wel cheryce52No pride non enuye non AuaryceNo lord no taylage by no tyranyeVmblesseandpes good feith the emperice. . . . . . . . . . . . . .56¶ Yit was nat Iuppiterthe lykerousÞat fyrst was fadyr of delicasieCome in this world ne nembroth desyrousTo regne had nat maad his towres hye60Allas allas now may [men] wepe And cryeFor in owredayes nis but couetyseDowblenesseandtresounandenuyePoysonandmanslawhtreandmordre in sondry wyse6439, 40 MS. transposes the lines44On—MS. Or56 A line omitted, but no gap left for one.
[Camb. Univ. MS.Ii. 3. 21,fol.52b.]
ABlysful lyf a paysybleanda sweteLedden the poeples in the former ageThey helde hem paied of the fructes þat þey eteWhiche þat the feldes yaue hem by vsage4They ne weerenat forpampred withowtrageOnknowyn was þequyerneandek the melleThey eten mast hawesandswych pownageAnd dronken waterof the colde welle8¶ Yit nas the grownd nat wownded withþeplowhBut corn vp-sprong vnsowe of mannes hondÞe which they gnoddedandeete nat half .I.-nowhNo man yit knewe the forwes of his lond12No man the fyr owt of the flynt yit fondeVn-koruen and vn-grobbed lay the vyneNo man yit in the morter spices grondTo clarre ne to sawse of galentyne16¶ No Madyr welde or wod no litestereNe knewh / the fles was of is former heweNo flessh ne wyste offence of egge or spereNo coyn ne knewh man which is fals or trewe20No ship yit karf the wawes greneandbleweNo Marchaunt yit ne fette owt-landissh wareNo batails trompes for the werres folk ne kneweNe towres heyeandwalles rownde or square24¶ What sholde it han avayled to werreyeTher lay no profyt ther was no rychesse[fol. 53.]But corsed was the tyme .I. dar)wel seyeÞat men fyrst dede hir swety bysynesse28To grobbe vp metal lurkynge in dirkenesseAndin þe Ryuerys fyrst gemmys sowhteAllas than sprong+vp al the cursydnesseOf coueytyse þat fyrst owr sorwe browhte32¶ Thyse tyrauntȝ put hem gladly nat in presNo places wyldnesse ne no busshes for to wynneTher pouerte is as seith diogenesTher as vitayle ek is so skarsandthinne36Þat nat but mast or apples is ther InneBut þeras bagges benandfat vitaileTher wol they gonandsparefor no synneWithal hir ost the Cyte forto a-sayle40¶ Yit was no paleis chaumbres ne non hallesIn kauesandwodes softeandsweteSleptin this blyssed folk+with-owte wallesOn gras or leues in parfyt Ioye resteandquiete44No down of fetheres ne no bleched sheteWas kyd to hem but in surte they slepteHir hertes weereal on with-owte gallesEuerych of hem his feith to oother kepte48¶ Vnforged was the hawberkeandthe plateÞelambyssh poeple voyded of alle vyseHadden no fantesye to debateBut eche of hem wolde oother wel cheryce52No pride non enuye non AuaryceNo lord no taylage by no tyranyeVmblesseandpes good feith the emperice. . . . . . . . . . . . . .56¶ Yit was nat Iuppiterthe lykerousÞat fyrst was fadyr of delicasieCome in this world ne nembroth desyrousTo regne had nat maad his towres hye60Allas allas now may [men] wepe And cryeFor in owredayes nis but couetyseDowblenesseandtresounandenuyePoysonandmanslawhtreandmordre in sondry wyse64
ABlysful lyf a paysybleanda swete
Ledden the poeples in the former age
They helde hem paied of the fructes þat þey ete
Whiche þat the feldes yaue hem by vsage4
They ne weerenat forpampred withowtrage
Onknowyn was þequyerneandek the melle
They eten mast hawesandswych pownage
And dronken waterof the colde welle8
¶ Yit nas the grownd nat wownded withþeplowh
But corn vp-sprong vnsowe of mannes hond
Þe which they gnoddedandeete nat half .I.-nowh
No man yit knewe the forwes of his lond12
No man the fyr owt of the flynt yit fonde
Vn-koruen and vn-grobbed lay the vyne
No man yit in the morter spices grond
To clarre ne to sawse of galentyne16
¶ No Madyr welde or wod no litestere
Ne knewh / the fles was of is former hewe
No flessh ne wyste offence of egge or spere
No coyn ne knewh man which is fals or trewe20
No ship yit karf the wawes greneandblewe
No Marchaunt yit ne fette owt-landissh ware
No batails trompes for the werres folk ne knewe
Ne towres heyeandwalles rownde or square24
¶ What sholde it han avayled to werreye
Ther lay no profyt ther was no rychesse
But corsed was the tyme .I. dar)wel seye
Þat men fyrst dede hir swety bysynesse28
To grobbe vp metal lurkynge in dirkenesse
Andin þe Ryuerys fyrst gemmys sowhte
Allas than sprong+vp al the cursydnesse
Of coueytyse þat fyrst owr sorwe browhte32
¶ Thyse tyrauntȝ put hem gladly nat in pres
No places wyldnesse ne no busshes for to wynne
Ther pouerte is as seith diogenes
Ther as vitayle ek is so skarsandthinne36
Þat nat but mast or apples is ther Inne
But þeras bagges benandfat vitaile
Ther wol they gonandsparefor no synne
Withal hir ost the Cyte forto a-sayle40
¶ Yit was no paleis chaumbres ne non halles
In kauesandwodes softeandswete
Sleptin this blyssed folk+with-owte walles
On gras or leues in parfyt Ioye resteandquiete44
No down of fetheres ne no bleched shete
Was kyd to hem but in surte they slepte
Hir hertes weereal on with-owte galles
Euerych of hem his feith to oother kepte48
¶ Vnforged was the hawberkeandthe plate
Þelambyssh poeple voyded of alle vyse
Hadden no fantesye to debate
But eche of hem wolde oother wel cheryce52
No pride non enuye non Auaryce
No lord no taylage by no tyranye
Vmblesseandpes good feith the emperice
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
¶ Yit was nat Iuppiterthe lykerous
Þat fyrst was fadyr of delicasie
Come in this world ne nembroth desyrous
To regne had nat maad his towres hye60
Allas allas now may [men] wepe And crye
For in owredayes nis but couetyse
Dowblenesseandtresounandenuye
Poysonandmanslawhtreandmordre in sondry wyse64
39, 40 MS. transposes the lines44On—MS. Or56 A line omitted, but no gap left for one.
39, 40 MS. transposes the lines
44On—MS. Or
56 A line omitted, but no gap left for one.
BALADES DE VILAGE SANZ PEINTURE.
Causer/ Balades de vilage sanz peinture¶ This wrecched worlde-is transmutaciounAs wele / or wo / now poeereandnow honourWith-owten ordyr or wis descresyounGouerned is by fortunes errour4But natheles the lakke of hyr fauowr)Ne may nat don me syngen thowh I. deye[fol. 53b.]Iay tout perdu mountempsetmounlabourFor fynaly fortune .I. the deffye8¶ Yit is me left the lyht of my resounTo knowen frend fro foo in thi merowr)So mochel hath yit thy whirlynge vpanddownI-tawht me for to knowe in an howr12But trewely no fors of thi reddowr)To hym þat ouerhym self hath the maystryeMy suffysaunce shal be my socour)For fynaly fortune I. thee deffye16¶ O socrates þou stidfast chaumpyounShe neuermyht[e] be thi tormentowrThow neuerdreddest hyr oppressyounNe in hyr cherefownde thow no sauour)20Thow knewe wel the deseyte of hyr colour)And þat hir most[e] worshipe is to lyeI knew hir ek a fals dissimulour)For fynaly fortune .I. the deffye24Le respounce de fortune a pleintif.¶ No man ys wrechchyd but hym self yt weneAndhe þat hath hym self hat suffisaunceWhi seysthow thanne y am [to] the so keneÞat hast thy self owt of my gouernaunce28Sey thus graunt mercy of thyn haboundaunceThat thow hast lent or this why wolt þou stryueWhat woost thow yit how y the wol auaunceAndek thow hast thy beste frende a-lyue32¶ I haue the tawht deuisyounby-tweneFrend of effect+andfrende of cowntenaunceThe nedeth nat the galle of no hyeneÞat cureth eyen derkyd for penaunce36Now se[st] thow cleer þat weere in ignoraunceYit halt thin ancreandyit thow mayst aryueTher bownte berth the keye of my substaunceAndek þou hast thy beste frende alyue40¶ How manye haue .I. refused to sustigneSyn .I. the fostred haue in thy plesaunceWolthow thanne make a statute on þy quyeneÞat .I. shal ben ay at thy ordynaunce44Thow born art in my regne of varyaunceAbowte the wheel withoother most thow dryueMy loore is bet than wikke is thi greuaunceAndek þou hast thy beste frende a-lyue4837se[st]—partly erased andistwritten on it in a later hand.41igneofsustigneis in a later hand.Le Respounce du pleintif countrefortune.[fol. 54.]¶ Thy loorey dempne / it is aduersyteMy frend maysthow nat reuen blynde goddesseÞat .I. thy frendes knowe .I. thanke to theTak hem agayn / lat hem go lye on presse52The negardye in kepynge hyr rychessePrenostik is thow wolt hir)towr)asayleWikke appetyt comth ay before sykenesseIn general this rewle may nat fayle56Le respounce de fortune countrele pleintif¶ Thow pynchest at my mutabylyteFor .I. the lente a drope of my rychesseAnd now me lykyth to with-drawe meWhi sholdysthow my realte apresse60The see may ebbeandflowen mooreor lesseThe welkne hath myht to shyne reyne or hayleRyht so mot .I. kythen my brutelnesseIn general this rewle may nat fayle64Le pleintif¶ Lo excussyounof the maiesteÞat al purueyeth of his ryhtwysnesseThat same thinge fortune clepyn yeYe blynde beestys ful of lewednesse68The heuene hath proprete of sykyrnesseThis world hath euerresteles trauayleThy laste day is ende of myn inter[e]sseIn general this rewele may nat fayle72Lenuoy de fortune¶ Prynses .I. prey yow of yowregentilessesLat nat this man on me thus cryeandpleyneAnd .I. shal quyte yow yowrebysynesseAt my requeste as thre of yow or tweyne76Þat but yow lest releue hym of hys peynePreyeth hys best frend of his noblesseThat to som betereestat he may attayne
¶ This wrecched worlde-is transmutaciounAs wele / or wo / now poeereandnow honourWith-owten ordyr or wis descresyounGouerned is by fortunes errour4But natheles the lakke of hyr fauowr)Ne may nat don me syngen thowh I. deye[fol. 53b.]Iay tout perdu mountempsetmounlabourFor fynaly fortune .I. the deffye8¶ Yit is me left the lyht of my resounTo knowen frend fro foo in thi merowr)So mochel hath yit thy whirlynge vpanddownI-tawht me for to knowe in an howr12But trewely no fors of thi reddowr)To hym þat ouerhym self hath the maystryeMy suffysaunce shal be my socour)For fynaly fortune I. thee deffye16¶ O socrates þou stidfast chaumpyounShe neuermyht[e] be thi tormentowrThow neuerdreddest hyr oppressyounNe in hyr cherefownde thow no sauour)20Thow knewe wel the deseyte of hyr colour)And þat hir most[e] worshipe is to lyeI knew hir ek a fals dissimulour)For fynaly fortune .I. the deffye24
¶ This wrecched worlde-is transmutacioun
As wele / or wo / now poeereandnow honour
With-owten ordyr or wis descresyoun
Gouerned is by fortunes errour4
But natheles the lakke of hyr fauowr)
Ne may nat don me syngen thowh I. deye
Iay tout perdu mountempsetmounlabour
For fynaly fortune .I. the deffye8
¶ Yit is me left the lyht of my resoun
To knowen frend fro foo in thi merowr)
So mochel hath yit thy whirlynge vpanddown
I-tawht me for to knowe in an howr12
But trewely no fors of thi reddowr)
To hym þat ouerhym self hath the maystrye
My suffysaunce shal be my socour)
For fynaly fortune I. thee deffye16
¶ O socrates þou stidfast chaumpyoun
She neuermyht[e] be thi tormentowr
Thow neuerdreddest hyr oppressyoun
Ne in hyr cherefownde thow no sauour)20
Thow knewe wel the deseyte of hyr colour)
And þat hir most[e] worshipe is to lye
I knew hir ek a fals dissimulour)
For fynaly fortune .I. the deffye24
¶ No man ys wrechchyd but hym self yt weneAndhe þat hath hym self hat suffisaunceWhi seysthow thanne y am [to] the so keneÞat hast thy self owt of my gouernaunce28Sey thus graunt mercy of thyn haboundaunceThat thow hast lent or this why wolt þou stryueWhat woost thow yit how y the wol auaunceAndek thow hast thy beste frende a-lyue32¶ I haue the tawht deuisyounby-tweneFrend of effect+andfrende of cowntenaunceThe nedeth nat the galle of no hyeneÞat cureth eyen derkyd for penaunce36Now se[st] thow cleer þat weere in ignoraunceYit halt thin ancreandyit thow mayst aryueTher bownte berth the keye of my substaunceAndek þou hast thy beste frende alyue40¶ How manye haue .I. refused to sustigneSyn .I. the fostred haue in thy plesaunceWolthow thanne make a statute on þy quyeneÞat .I. shal ben ay at thy ordynaunce44Thow born art in my regne of varyaunceAbowte the wheel withoother most thow dryueMy loore is bet than wikke is thi greuaunceAndek þou hast thy beste frende a-lyue4837se[st]—partly erased andistwritten on it in a later hand.41igneofsustigneis in a later hand.Le Respounce du pleintif countrefortune.[fol. 54.]¶ Thy loorey dempne / it is aduersyteMy frend maysthow nat reuen blynde goddesseÞat .I. thy frendes knowe .I. thanke to theTak hem agayn / lat hem go lye on presse52The negardye in kepynge hyr rychessePrenostik is thow wolt hir)towr)asayleWikke appetyt comth ay before sykenesseIn general this rewle may nat fayle56Le respounce de fortune countrele pleintif¶ Thow pynchest at my mutabylyteFor .I. the lente a drope of my rychesseAnd now me lykyth to with-drawe meWhi sholdysthow my realte apresse60The see may ebbeandflowen mooreor lesseThe welkne hath myht to shyne reyne or hayleRyht so mot .I. kythen my brutelnesseIn general this rewle may nat fayle64Le pleintif¶ Lo excussyounof the maiesteÞat al purueyeth of his ryhtwysnesseThat same thinge fortune clepyn yeYe blynde beestys ful of lewednesse68The heuene hath proprete of sykyrnesseThis world hath euerresteles trauayleThy laste day is ende of myn inter[e]sseIn general this rewele may nat fayle72Lenuoy de fortune¶ Prynses .I. prey yow of yowregentilessesLat nat this man on me thus cryeandpleyneAnd .I. shal quyte yow yowrebysynesseAt my requeste as thre of yow or tweyne76Þat but yow lest releue hym of hys peynePreyeth hys best frend of his noblesseThat to som betereestat he may attayne
¶ No man ys wrechchyd but hym self yt wene
Andhe þat hath hym self hat suffisaunce
Whi seysthow thanne y am [to] the so kene
Þat hast thy self owt of my gouernaunce28
Sey thus graunt mercy of thyn haboundaunce
That thow hast lent or this why wolt þou stryue
What woost thow yit how y the wol auaunce
Andek thow hast thy beste frende a-lyue32
¶ I haue the tawht deuisyounby-twene
Frend of effect+andfrende of cowntenaunce
The nedeth nat the galle of no hyene
Þat cureth eyen derkyd for penaunce36
Now se[st] thow cleer þat weere in ignoraunce
Yit halt thin ancreandyit thow mayst aryue
Ther bownte berth the keye of my substaunce
Andek þou hast thy beste frende alyue40
¶ How manye haue .I. refused to sustigne
Syn .I. the fostred haue in thy plesaunce
Wolthow thanne make a statute on þy quyene
Þat .I. shal ben ay at thy ordynaunce44
Thow born art in my regne of varyaunce
Abowte the wheel withoother most thow dryue
My loore is bet than wikke is thi greuaunce
Andek þou hast thy beste frende a-lyue48
37se[st]—partly erased andistwritten on it in a later hand.41igneofsustigneis in a later hand.
37se[st]—partly erased andistwritten on it in a later hand.
41igneofsustigneis in a later hand.
¶ Thy loorey dempne / it is aduersyte
My frend maysthow nat reuen blynde goddesse
Þat .I. thy frendes knowe .I. thanke to the
Tak hem agayn / lat hem go lye on presse52
The negardye in kepynge hyr rychesse
Prenostik is thow wolt hir)towr)asayle
Wikke appetyt comth ay before sykenesse
In general this rewle may nat fayle56
¶ Thow pynchest at my mutabylyte
For .I. the lente a drope of my rychesse
And now me lykyth to with-drawe me
Whi sholdysthow my realte apresse60
The see may ebbeandflowen mooreor lesse
The welkne hath myht to shyne reyne or hayle
Ryht so mot .I. kythen my brutelnesse
In general this rewle may nat fayle64
¶ Lo excussyounof the maieste
Þat al purueyeth of his ryhtwysnesse
That same thinge fortune clepyn ye
Ye blynde beestys ful of lewednesse68
The heuene hath proprete of sykyrnesse
This world hath euerresteles trauayle
Thy laste day is ende of myn inter[e]sse
In general this rewele may nat fayle72
¶ Prynses .I. prey yow of yowregentilesses
Lat nat this man on me thus cryeandpleyne
And .I. shal quyte yow yowrebysynesse
At my requeste as thre of yow or tweyne76
Þat but yow lest releue hym of hys peyne
Preyeth hys best frend of his noblesse
That to som betereestat he may attayne