1751fastned[e]—fastnedewiþdrow—MS. wiþdrowen, C. withdrowh1752sete—Cyte1756enforced—enforsen1757 [And blysfulnesse]—from C.goode—good1758so—so þathaþ—MS. haþe1759souereyne—souereyn1760al—allegoode—good1761þere—therfailed[e]—faylydemyȝt[e]—myhtesouereyne goode—souereyn good1762þan—thanneþere—thergoode—goodsouereyne—souereyn1763goode—goodmyȝt[e]—myhte1764certeyne—certein1766seid—MS. seide, C. seydfolke—foolk1767goode—good1769fals[e]—false1770souereygne goode is—souereyn good be1771lyue wiþ outen—lyuen withowte1772rycchesse—Rychesses1773some—somgoode be—good ben1774be—ben1775neyȝbours—nesshebors1776halden—holden1777heyȝe—heyhto—omittedgoode—good1780goode—good1781or—and1782folke—folkgoode—good1783be—by1784 [thynge]—from C.1786rycchesse—rychesses1787delices—delytes1789oþer—oothreal—alle1790 [of]—from C.1794shollen—sholden1795þe—tho1796oþer—oothre1801swiftenesse—sweftnesse1803ȝiuen—MS. ȝiueþ, C. yeuen1806, 1807souereyne goode—souereyn good1807whiche—whych1809þe—omittedþan byforne—thanne byforn1810 [thy eyen]—from C.; MS.hasȝeuen aȝeynealmost—almestwelfulnesse—welefulnesse1811seyne rycchesse—seyn Rychesses1814souereyne goode—souereyn goodmyche—mocheoþer—oothre1815þouȝt[e]—thowhtefrom—fram1816aȝeyne—ayein1818souereyne goode—souereyn goodof—omittedalle—alderke—dirkyd1819 [but——paath]—from C.1820dronke—dronkenpaþe—paath1821home—hym1823perfourny—performe1825haþ—MS. haþenone—non1827þilk—thilke1828goode—good1829foule—fowl1830al—welneyh alle1831trauaille—trauaylenauȝt[e]—owhte1832be—ben1834out—owte1835auȝte—owhte1836al—alle1837be—benclere—cleer1843rycches—Rychesses1846goode—good1847be—ben1848grete—gret1849algates—Allegates1850goode—goodOF NATURE’S LAWS.[The 2deMetur.]QUANTAS RERUMFLECTAT.IT likeþ meI will now sing of Nature’s laws, by which the universe is governed.to shew[e] by subtil songe wiþ slakkeanddelitable sounof strenges how þat nature myȝty enclineþ1852andflitteþ gouernementȝ of þinges ¶andbywhiche lawes she purueiable kepiþ þe grete worlde.andhow she bindynge restreineþ alle þingusby a bonde þatmay nat be vnbounden.[j]The Punic lion submits to man, and dreads the keeper’s lash; yet, if he once taste blood, his savage instincts revive, and his keeper falls a victim to his fury.¶ Al be it so þat þe liouns of1856þe contree of pene beren þe fair[e] cheines.andtakenmetes of þe handes of folk þat ȝeuen it hem.anddreden her sturdy maystres of whiche þei ben wont tosuffren [betinges]. yif þat hir horrible mouþes ben bi-bled.1860þat is to sein of bestes devoured. ¶ Hir corageof tyme passeþ þat haþ ben ydelandrested. repaireþaȝein þat þei roren greuously.andremembren on hirnature.andslaken hir nekkes from hir cheins vnbounden.1864and hir maistre first to-teren wiþ blody toþeassaieþ þe woode wraþþes of hem. ¶ þis is to sein þeifreten hir maister.[ij]If the caged bird though daintily fed, gets a sight of the pleasant grove where she was wont to sing, she will spurn her food, and pine for the beloved woods.¶ And þe Iangland brid þat syngiþon þe heye braunches. þis is to sein in þe wodeand1868after is inclosed in a streit cage. ¶ al þouȝ [þat] þepleiyng besines of men ȝeueþ hem honied[e] drinkesandlarge metes. wiþ swete studie. ¶ ȝit naþeles yifþilke brid skippynge oute of hir streite cage seeþ þe1872agreable shadewes of þe wodes. she defouleþ wiþ hirfete hir metes yshadandsekeþ mournyng oonly þewodeandtwitriþ desirynge þe wode wiþ hir swetevoys.[iij]The sapling, bent down by a mighty hand, will resume its natural position as soon as the restraining force is removed.¶ þe ȝerde of a tree þat is haled adounby myȝty1876strengþe bowiþ redely þe croppe adoun. but yif þat þehande of hym þat it bente lat it gon aȝein. ¶ An oonþe crop lokeþ vp ryȝt to heuene.[iiij]Though the sun sets in the western main at eve, yet by a secret path he takes his wonted journey toward the east.¶ þe sonne phebusþat failleþ at euene in þe westrene wawes retorniþ aȝein1880eftsones his cart by a priue paþe þere as it is wontaryse.All things pursue their proper course, obedient to the source of order.¶ Alle þinges seken aȝein in to hir proprecours. and alle þinges reioisen hem of hir retournyngeaȝein to hir nature ne noon ordinaunce nis bytaken to1884þinges but þat.Hence, throughout the world entire stability is found, for all things, having fulfilled their appointed course, return from whence they came.þat haþ ioignynge þe endynge to þebygynnynge.andhaþ makid þe cours of it self stableþat it chaungeþ nat fromhys propre kynde.1851shew[e]—shewe1854whiche—MS. swiche, C. whycheworlde—world1856be—benvnbounden—vnbownde1857fair[e]—fayre1860 [betinges]—from C.1862passeþ—passed1864from—framvnbounden—vnbownde1865to-teren—to-torntoþe—toth1867Iangland—Iangelynge1869streit—streyht1870pleiyng—MS. pleinyng, C. pleyyngebesines—bysynessehonied[e]—honyede1872oute—owt1873agreable—agreables1874fete—feet1875twitriþ—twiterith1877croppe—crop1878hande—handbente—bent1880failleþ—falleth1881cart—cartea—omittedpaþe—paath1883of—MS. of of1885haþ—MS. haþeioignynge—Ioyned1886haþ—MS. haþeTHE SEARCH AFTER FELICITY.[The 3deprose.]VOSQUETERRENA ANIMALIA.*CErtis also[* fol. 16b.]O earthly animals, you have an indistinct perception of your beginning, and you have ever the true end of felicity in view, but your natural instincts are perverted by many errors.ȝe men þat ben erþelichebestes dremen1888alwey [yowre bygynnynge] al þouȝ it be wiþ aþinne ymaginacioun.andby a maner þouȝt al be itnat clerly ne perfitly ȝe looken from a fer til þilkverray fyn of blisfulnesse. and þerfore þe naturel entencioun1892ledeþ ȝow to þilk verray good ¶ Butmany manere errours mistourniþ ȝow þer fro.Can men obtain the end they have in view by the means they usually employ in the pursuit of happiness?¶ Considerenow yif þat be þilke þinges by whiche a manweniþ to gete hym blysfulnesse. yif þat he may comen1896to þilke ende þat he weneþ to come by natureIf riches and honours and the like make men happy, so that they shall want for nothing, then happiness may be procured by these acquisitions.¶ Foryif þat moneye or honours or þise oþer forseide þingesbryngen to men swiche a þing þat no goode ne faillehem. ne semeþ faille. ¶ Certys þan wil I graunt[e]1900þat þei ben maked blisful. by þilke þinges þat þei hangeten.But if these things cannot make good what they promise, if there still be something to be desired, then they are delusions, and the felicity after all is a counterfeit.¶ but yif so be þat þilke þinges ne mowe natperfourmen þat þei by-hetenandþat þer be defaute ofmany goodes. ¶ Sheweþ it nat þan clerely þat fals1904beaute of blisfulnesse is knoweanda-teint in þilkeþinges. ¶ Firstandforward þou þi self þat haddesthaboundaunces of rycchesses nat long agon.In your prosperity were you never annoyed by some wrong or grievance?¶ I axeȝif þat in þe haboundaunce of alle þilk[e] rycchesses1908þou were neuer anguissous or sory in þi corage of anywrong or greuaunce þat by-tidde þe on any syde.NONE ARE FREE FROM CARE.B.I must confess that I cannot remember ever being wholly free from some trouble or other.¶ Certys quod I it remembreþ me nat þat euere I wasso free of my þouȝt. þat I ne was al-wey in anguysheof1912somwhat.P.That was because something was absent which you did desire, or something present which you would fain be quit of.þat was þat þou lakkedest þat þou noldesthan lakked. or ellys þou haddest þat þou noldesthan had.B.That’s quite true.ryȝt so is it quodI þan.P.Then you did desire the presence of the one and the absence of the other?desiredest þouþe presence of þat oonandþe absence of þat oþer.1916B.I confess I did.I graunt[e] wel quod.I.P.Every man is in need of what he desires.for soþe quodshe þan nediþ þersomwhat þat euery man desireþ.B.Certainly he is.ȝe þer nediþ quodI.P.If a man lack anything can he be supremely happy?¶ Certis quodsheandhe þat haþ lakke or nede of awyȝt nis nat in euery way suffisaunt to hym self.B.No.no quod.I.1920P.Did you not in your abundance want for somewhat?andþou quod she in alle þe plente of þirycchesse haddest þilke lak of suffisaunce.B.What then if I did?¶ whatellis quod.I.P.It follows that riches cannot put a man beyond all want, although this was what they seemed to promise.¶ þanne may nat rycchesse maken þat aman nis nedy. ne þat he be suffisaunt to hym self.and1924þat was it þat þei byhyȝten as it semeþ.Money may part company with its owner, however unwilling he may be to lose it.¶ and ekecertys I trowe þat þis be gretly to consydere þat moneyene haþ nat in hys owen kynde þat it ne may ben by-nomenof hem þat han it maugre hem.B.I confess that’s true.¶ I by-knowe1928it wel quodIP.It ought to be confessed when every day we seemightprevailing overright.¶ whi sholdest þou nat by-knowen itquodshe. whan euery day þe strenger folke by-nymenit fram þe febler maugre hem.From whence springs so much litigation, but from this, that men seek to recover their own of which they have been unjustly deprived?¶ Fro whennes comenellys alle þise foreine compleintes or quereles of1932pletyngus. ¶ But for þat men axen aȝeine her moneyeþat haþ be by-nomen hem by force or by gyle.andalwey maugre hem.B.Nothing is more true.¶ Ryȝt so it is quodI.P.Then a man needs the assistance of others in order to keep his riches.þan quodshe haþ a man nede to sekenhym foreyne helpe by1936whiche he may defende hys moneye. who may say nay quod.I.RICHES BRING ANXIETIES.If he had no money to lose he would not stand in need of this help?¶ Certis quodsheandhym nediþ no helpeyif he ne hadde no moneye þat he myȝt[e] leese.B.That is beyond all doubt.¶ þatis doutles quod.I.P.Then the very reverse of what was expected (from riches) takes place? For riches add to a man’s necessities.þanne is þis þing turned in to þe contrarie1940quodshe ¶ For rycchesse þat men wenen sholdemake suffisaunce. þei maken a man raþer han nede offoreine helpe.Tell me how do riches drive away necessity? Are not rich men liable to hunger, thirst, and cold?¶ whiche is þe manere or þe gise quodshe þat rycches may dryuen awey nede. ¶ Riche folk1944may þei neiþer han hungre ne þrest. þise ryche menmay þei feele no colde on hir lymes in wynter.You will say that the rich have wherewithal to satisfy these wants.¶ Butþou wilt answere þat ryche men han y-nouȝ wher wiþþei may staunchen her hunger.andslaken her þrest1948anddon awey colde.By riches indigence may be alleviated, but they cannot satisfy every want.¶ In þis wise may nede be confortedby rycchesses. but certys nede ne may nat alouterly be don awey.Even if gaping and greedy necessity be filled with riches, yet some cravings will remain.for þouȝ þis nede þat is alweygapyngandgredy be fulfilled wiþ rycchesses.andaxe1952any þing ȝit dwelleþ þanne a nede þat myȝt[e] ben fulfilled.A little suffices for nature, but avarice never has enough.¶ I holde me stilleandtelle nat how þat litelþing suffiseþ to nature. but certys to auarice ynouȝ nesuffiseþ no þinge.If riches, then, add to our wants, why should you think that they can supply all your necessities?[* fol. 17.]*¶ For syn þat rychesse ne may nat1956al don awey nede. but rychesse maken nede. what mayit þanne be þat ȝe wenen þat rychesses mowen ȝeuenȝow suffisaunce.1889 [yowre bygynnynge]—from C.al—MS. as, C. Al1891from—framtil þilk—to thylke1892þe—omitted1893þilk—thylke1895be—by1896gete—geten1899swiche—swychgoode—good1900wil—wolegraunt[e]—graunte1904many—manyeclerely—clerlyfals—false1905knowe—knowen1908þilk[e]—thylke1913þat——lakkedest—And was nat þat quodshe for þat the lacked som-what1915had—MS. hadde, C. had1917graunt[e]—graunte1919haþ—MS. haþea wyȝt—awht1921alle—al1922rycchesse—Rychesseslak—lakke1923rycchesse—Rychesses1927haþ—MS. haþeowen—owne1930strenger folke by-nymen—strengerefolk by-nemyn1931fram—frofebler—febelereFro—for1933aȝeine—ayeyn1934haþ—MS. haþebe—ben1936haþ—MS. haþehelpe—help1937say—sey1938nediþ no helpe—nedede non help1939myȝt[e]—myhte1940doutles—dowteles1941rycchesse—Rychesses1943helpe—helpwhiche—whych1944rycches—Rychessedryuen—dryue1945hungre—hungyrþrest—thurst1946þei—thecolde—cooldin—on1947wilt answere—wolt Answereny-nouȝ—y-now1948þrest—thurst1949colde—coold1950nat—omitted1951outerly—vtrely1953myȝt[e]ben—myhte be1957rychesse—Rychesses[The 3deMetur.]QUAMUIS FLUENTER DIUES.Al were it soThe rich man, had he a river of gold, would never rest content.þat a ryche couetous man hadde riuer1960fletynge alle of golde ȝitte sholde it neuer staunchehys couetise.Though his neck be loaded with precious pearls, and his fields be covered with innumerable herds, yet shall unquiet care never forsake him; and at his death his riches shall not bear him company.¶ And þouȝ he hadde his nekke I-chargedwiþ preciouse stones of þe rede see.andþouȝ he doerye his feldes plentiuouswiþ an hundreþ oxen neuere1964ne shal his bytyng bysynesse forleten hym while helyueþ. ne þe lyȝt[e] rychesses ne shal nat beren hymcompaignie whanne he is dede.1960riuer—a Ryuer1961alle—algolde—goldȝitte—yitstaunche—staunchyn1962, 1963þouȝ—thow1964erye—Erehundreþ—hundred1965while—whyl1966lyȝt[e]—lyhteshal—shol1967dede—dedOF DIGNITIES.[The 4theprose.]SET DIGNITATIBUS.44Readdignitates.Bvt digniteesIt may be said thatdignitiesconfer honour on their possessors.to whom þei ben comen make þei hym1968honorableandreuerent.But have they power to destroy vice or implant virtue in the heart?han þei nat so grete strengþeþat þei may putte vertues in þe hertis of folk. þat vsenþe lordshipes of hem. or ellys may þei don awey þevices.So far from expelling vicious habits, they only render them more conspicuous.Certys þei [ne] ben nat wont to don awey wikkednesses.1972but þei ben wont raþer to shew[en] wikkednesses.Hence arises the indignation when we see dignities given to wicked men.andþer of comeþ it þat I haue ryȝt grete desdeyne.þat dignites ben ȝeuen ofte to wicked men.Hence Catullus’ resentment against Nonius, whom he calls the botch, or impostume of the State.¶ For whiche þing catullus clepid a consul of Rome þat1976hyȝt noniuspostum. or boch. as who seiþ he clepiþhyma congregaciounof uices in his brest as a postumis ful of corrupcioun. al were þis noniusset in achayere of dignitee.The deformities of wicked men would be less apparent if they were in more obscure situations.Sest þou nat þan how gret vylenye1980dignitees don to wikked men. ¶ Certys vnworþines ofwikked men sholdeben þe lasse ysen yif þei nere renomedof none honours.Would you free yourself from peril by accepting a magistracy along with Decoratus a buffoon and informer?¶ Certys þou þi self nemyȝtest nat ben brouȝt wiþ as many perils as þou1984myȝtest suffren þat þou woldest bere þi magistrat wiþdecorat. þat is to seyn. þat for no peril þat myȝt[e] bifallenþe by þe offence of þe kyng theodorik þou noldestnat ben felawe in gouernaunce withdecorat. whanne1988þou say[e] þat he had[de] wikkid corage of a likerousshreweandof an acusor.Honours do not render undeserving persons worthy of esteem.¶ Ne I ne may nat for swichehonours Iugenhem worþi of reuerence þat I demeandholde vnworþi to han þilke same honours.If you find a man endowed with wisdom you deem him worthy of respect and of the wisdom which he professes.¶ Now yif1992þou saie a man þat were fulfilled of wisdom. certys þoune myȝtest nat demen þat he were vnworþi to þehonour. or ellys to þe wisdom of whiche he is fulfilled.B.I could not do otherwise.No quod.I.P.Virtue has her proper worth, which she ever transfers to her votaries.¶ Certys dignitees quodshe appertienen1996properly to vertue.anduertue transporteþ dignite anonto þilke man to whiche she hir self is conioigned.DIGNITIES APPERTAIN TO VIRTUE.Honours conferred by the populace do not make men worthy of them, for they have no intrinsic merit to bestow.¶ And for as moche as honours of poeple ne may natmaken folk digne of honour. it is wel seyn clerly þat2000þei ne han no propre beaute of dignite. ¶ And ȝit menauȝten take more hede in þis.Dignities conferred upon shrews only make their vices the more conspicuous.¶ For if it so be þat heis most out cast þat most folk dispisen. or as dignite nemay nat maken shrewes worþi of no reuerences. þan2004makeþ dignites shrewes more dispised þan preised. þewhiche shrewes dignit[e] scheweþ to moche folkNor do dignities themselves escape without injury; for worthless men take their revenge upon them, and defile them by their contagious villanies.¶andfor soþe nat vnpunissed. þat is forto sein. þat shrewesreuengen hem aȝeinward vpon dignites. for þei ȝelden2008aȝein to dignites as gret gerdounwhan þei byspottenanddefoulen dignites wiþ hire vylenie.These shadowy honours have nothing in their nature to procure respect; for if a man, having borne the honours of the consulate, should go among barbarians would this honour gain him their respect?¶ And for asmoche as þou mow[e] knowe þat þilke verray reuerencene may nat comen by þe shadewy transitorie dignitees.2012vndirstonde now þis. yif þat a man hadde vsedandhadde many manere dignites of consulesandwerecomenperauenture amonges straunge naciouns. sholdeþilke honourmaken hym worshipfulandredouted of2016straunge folkIf respect were an attribute of honour it would infallibly bring esteem everywhere, just as heat is ever an attribute of fire.¶ Certys yif þat honour of poeple werea naturel ȝifte to dignites. it ne myȝte neuer cesennowher amonges no maner folke to done hys office.DIGNITIES DO CONFER ESTEEM.¶ Ryȝt as fire ineuery contre ne stinteþ nat to2020[* fol. 17b.]enchaufenand*to ben hote.Honours arise from the false opinions of men, and vanish when they come among those who do not esteem them, that is, among foreign nations.but for as myche as fortobe holden honorable or reuerent ne comeþ nat to folk ofhir propre strengþe of nature. but only of þe fals[e]opiniounof folk. þat is to sein. þat wenen þat dignites2024maken folk digne of honour. An on þerfore whan þatþei comen þer as folk ne knowennat þilke dignites.her honours vanissen aweyandþat on oon. but þat isa-mong straung folk. maist þou sein.Do they always endure in those places that gave birth to them?but amongus2028hem þat þei weren born duren þilk[e] dignites alwey.The Prætorate was once a great honour, but now it is only an empty name and a heavy expense.¶ Certys þe dignite of þe prouostrie of Rome was somtymea grete power. now is it no þing but an ydelname.andþe rente of þe senatorie a gret charge.What is more vile than the office of the superintendency of provisions?and2032yif a whiȝt somtyme hadde þe office to taken he[de] toþe vitailes of þe poeple as of corneandwhat oþer þingeshe was holden amonges grete. but what þing is morenowe out cast þanne þilke prouostrieThat which hath no innate beauty must lose its splendour or value according as popular opinion varies concerning it.¶ And as I haue2036seid a litel here byforne. þat þilke þing þat haþ nopropre beaute of hym self resceyueþ somtyme prisandshinyngeandsomtyme lesiþ it by þe opiniounofvsaunces.If dignities cannot confer esteem, if they become vile through filthy shrews, if they lose their lustre by the change of times, if they become worthless by the change of popular opinion, what beauty do they possess which should make them desirable, or what dignity can they confer on others?¶ Now yif þat dignites þanne ne mowen2040nat maken folk digne of reuerence.andyif þat digniteswexen foule of hir wille by þe filþe of shrewes. ¶ andyif þat dignites lesen hir shynynge by chaungyng oftymes. and yif þei wexen foule by estimaciounof2044poeple. what is it þat þei han in hem self of beauteþat auȝte ben desired. as who seiþ none. þanne nemowen þei ȝiuen no beaute of dignite to none oþer.1969make—maken1969grete—gret1972 [ne]—from C.ben—be1972, 1973wikkednesses—wykkydnesse1973to—omittedshew[en]—shewen1974comeþ—comthgrete desdeyne—gret desdaign1976whiche—which1977hyȝt—hyhtenonius—MS. vonnus, C. nomyusboch—MS. boþe, C. bochclepiþ—clepyd1979nonius—MS. uonnus, C. nomyusset—MS. sette, C. set1980Sest þou—Sesthowþan—thannevylenye—fylonye1981vnworþines—vnworthynesse1982ben—beysen—MS. ysene, C. I-sene1984many—manye1985bere—beren1986myȝt[e]—myhte1987þe(2)—omitted1988whanne—whan1989say[e]—sayehad[de]—hadde1994demen—deme1995whiche—which1996quod she—omitted1997vertue—vertuuertue—vertu1998whiche—whych2000clerly—MS. clerkly, C. clerly2002auȝten——hede—owhten taken mor heed2002-3For——dignite—For yif so be þat a wykkyd whyght be so mochel the fowlereandthe moore owt cast þat he is despised of most folk so as dignete2004-2007maken——soþe—maken shrewes digne of Reuerence the whych shrewes dignete sheweth to moche foolk thanne makith dignete shrewes rather so moche moredespised than preysedandforsothe2008ȝelden—yilden2009byspotten—by-spetten2010hire—hyr2011moche—mochelmow[e]—mowe2012þe shadewy—thyse shadwye2013vndirstonde—vndyrstondþis—thus2014hadde—had2018ȝifte—yift2019folke—foolkdone—don2020enchaufen—eschaufen2021myche—mochel2022be—ben2023fals[e]—false2024þat(2)—omitted2027her—hyrvanissen—vanesshen2028a-mong—amongesstraung—straungebut—ne2029þat—therduren þilk[e]—ne duren nat thylke2030somtyme—whylom2031grete—gret2032þe(2)—omitted2033somtyme—whylomþe—MS. þe þe2034corne—cornwhat—omitted2035more nowe—now more2036cast—MS. caste, C. cast2037seid—MS. seide, C. seydhere byforne—her by-fornhaþ—MS. haþe2042filþe—felthe2043þat—omitted2046auȝte—owhtenone—non2047þei—MS. ȝe, C. theynone—non[The 4theMetur.]QUAMUIS SE TIRIO.Al be it soNero, though invested with the purple and adorned with pearls, was hated by all men.þat þe proude nero wiþ al his woode luxurie2048kembed hymandapparailed hym wiþ faire purpersof Tirieandwiþ white perles. Algates ȝitte throf hehateful to alle folk ¶ þis is to seyn þat al was he by-hatedof alle folk.Yet he had lordship, and gave to the senators the dishonoured seats of dignity.¶ ȝitte þis wicked Nero hadde gret2052lordshipandȝaf somtyme to þe dredeful senatours þevnworshipful setes of dignites. ¶ vnworshipful seteshe clepiþ here fore þat Nero þat was so wikked ȝaf þodignites.Who then can think that felicity resides in honours given by vicious shrews?who wolde þanne resonably wenen þat blysfulnesse2056were in swiche honours as ben ȝeuen by viciousshrewes.2048al(2)—alle2049kembed—kembdeapparailed—MS.apparailen, C. a-paraylede2050ȝitte—yit2053lordship—lorshippeȝaf somtyme—yaf whylomdredeful—reuerencȝ2055fore—forȝaf—yafKINGDOMS DO NOT MAKE A MAN MIGHTY.[The 5theprose.]AN UERO REGNA.Bvt regnesP.Do kingdoms and a familiarity with princes make a man mighty?andfamilarites of kynges may þei maken amanto ben myȝty.B.Why should they not if they are durable?how ellys. ¶ whanne hir2060blysfulnesse dureþ perpetuelyP.Past ages, as well as the present, furnish us with many examples of princes who have met with dismal reverses of fortune.but certys þe olde age oftyme passeþ.andeke of present tyme now is ful ofensaumples how þat kynges þat han chaunged in towrechednesse out of hir welefulnesse.O then how noble and glorious a thing is power that is too weak to preserve itself!¶ O a noble þing2064anda cler þing is power þat is nat founden myȝty tokepe it self.If dominion brings felicity, then misery will follow if it be defective.¶ And yif þat power of realmes be auctourandmaker of blisfulnesse. yif þilke power lakkeþ onany side. amenusiþ it nat þilke blisfulnesseandbryngeþ2068in wrechednesse.But human rule has its limits, therefore wherever power ceases there impotence enters, bringing misery along with it.but yif al be it so þat realmes of mankyndestretchen broode. ȝit mot þer nede ben mychefolk ouer whiche þat euery kyng ne haþ no lordshipeno comaundement ¶ and certys vpon þilke syde þat2072power failleþ whiche þat makiþ folk blisful. ryȝt on þatsame side nounpower entriþ vndirneþ þat makeþ hemwreches.Kings, therefore, have a larger portion of misery than of felicity.¶ In þis manere þanne moten kynges hanmore porciounof wrechednesse þan of welefulnesse.2076POWER DOES NOT DRIVE AWAY CARE.Dionysius of Sicily, conscious of this condition, exhibited the fears and cares of royalty by the terror of a naked sword hanging over the head of his friend and flatterer Damocles.¶ A tyraunt þat was kyng of sisile þat had[de] assaiedþe peril of his estat shewid[e] by similitude þe dredesof realmes by gastnesse of a swerde þat heng ouer þeheued of his familier.What then is this thing called Power, which cannot do away with care or fear?what þing is þan þis power þat2080may nat don awey þe bytynges of besines ne escheweþe prikkes of drede.Men would live in security but cannot, and yet they glory in their power.and certys ȝit wolden þei lyuen[* fol. 18.]*in sykernesse. but þei may nat. and ȝit þei glorifienhem in her powerIs he powerful who cannot do what he wishes?¶ Holdest þou þan þat þilk[e] man2084be myȝty þat þou seest þat he wolde don þat he maynat don.Is he a mighty man who goes surrounded with an armed guard, to terrify those whom he himself fears, and whose power depends solely upon his numerous retinue?¶ And holdest þou þan hym a myȝty manþat haþ environed hise sydes wiþ men of armes orseruauntesanddredeþ more [hem] þat he makeþ agast.2088þen þei dreden hym.andþat is put in þe handes of hiseseruauntȝ. for he sholde seme myȝty but of familiers[or] seruauntȝ of kynges.Why need I enlarge upon the favourites of princes having thus displayed the imbecility of kings!¶ what sholde I telle þeany þing. syn þat I my self haue shewed þe þat realmes2092hem self ben ful of gret feblenesse.Their prosperity is affected by the caprice of their fortunate masters as well as by the adversity to which they are incident.þe whiche familierscertis þe real power of kynges in hool estatandin estatabated ful [ofte] þroweþ adoun.Nero only allowed his master Seneca to choose the manner of his death.¶ Nero constreined[e]his familierandhis maistre seneca to chesen on what2096deeþ he wolde deien.Antonius (Caracalla) commanded Papinian to be slain by the swords of his soldiers.¶ Antonius comaundid[e] þatknyȝtis slowen wiþ her swerdis Papinian his familierwhiche Papinian had[de] ben long tyme ful myȝtya-monges hem of þe courte.Yet both would have given up all they possessed.and ȝit certis þei wolde boþe2100han renounced her power.Seneca begged for poverty and exile. But relentless fortune precipitated them to destruction, and did not permit them to choose their fate.of whiche [two] senek enforced[e]hym to ȝiuento Nero his rychesses.andalsoto han gon in to solitarie exil. ¶ But whan þe greteweyȝt. þat is to sein of lordes power or of fortune2104draweþ hem þat sholden falle. neyþer of hem nemyȝt[e] do þat he wolde.What then is Power, which terrifies its possessors, and which cannot be got rid of at pleasure?what þing is þanne þilkepower þat þouȝ men han it þat þei ben agast. ¶andwhan þou woldest han it þou nart nat siker. ¶ And2108yif þou woldest forleten it þou mayst nat eschewen it.No advantage is to be gained by friendship based on prosperity instead of virtue.¶ But wheþir swiche men ben frendes at nede as benconseiled by fortuneandnat by vertue.Adversity will turn this sort of friendship into enmity. And what greater plague can there be than the enmity of thy familiar friend?Certys swichefolk as weleful fortune makeþ frendes. contrarious fortune2112makeþ hem enmyse. ¶ And what pestilence ismore myȝty forto anoye a wiȝt þan a familier enemy.2060myȝty—MS. vnmyȝty, C. myhty2062passeþ—passedof(2)—omitted2063kynges þat han—kynges ben2066kepe—kepen2067maker—makere2069yif—yitrealmes—the Reaumes2070stretchen—strechchenmyche—moche2071haþ—MS. haþe2073whiche—whych2074vndirneþ—vndyr-nethe2077had[de]—hadde2078shewid[e]—shewede2079realmes—Reaumesswerde—swerdheng—MS. henge, C. heng2081besines—bysynesse2083ȝit—yifglorifien—gloryfye2084þilk[e]—thylke2087haþ—MS. haþeenvironed—enuyrownede2088 [hem]—from C.2089þen—than2091 [or]—from C.2092realmes—Reames2093feblenesse—feblesse2094real—Ryal2095 [ofte]—from C.constreined[e]—constreynede2096his(1)—hyrseneca—Senek2097comaundid[e]—comaundede2098her—hyr2099whiche—whichhad[de]ben long—þat hadde ben longe2100courte—courtwolde—wolden2101 [two]—from C.enforced[e]—enforcede2102ȝiuen—yeuenhis—hyse2104weyȝt—weyhte2105sholden—sholen2106myȝt[e]—myhteGLORY IS DECEPTIVE.[The 5theMetur.]QUI SE UALET5ESSE POTENTEM.5ReaduoletWho so woldeHe who would obtain sovereign power must obtain conquest over himself, and not yield to his passions.ben myȝty he mot daunten hys cruelcorage. ne put[te] nat his nekke ouercomen vndir2116þe foule reines of lecherie.Though your dominion extended from India to Thule, yet if thou art tormented by care thou hast no real power.for al be it so þat þi lordship[e]strecche so fer þat þe contre Inde quakiþ at þicomaundement. or at þi lawes.andþat þe leest isle inþe see þat hyȝt tile be þral to þe ¶ ȝit yif þou mayst2120nat putenawey þi foule derk[e] desijresanddryuenoute fro þe wreched compleyntes. Certis it nis nopower þat þou hast.
1751fastned[e]—fastnedewiþdrow—MS. wiþdrowen, C. withdrowh1752sete—Cyte1756enforced—enforsen1757 [And blysfulnesse]—from C.goode—good1758so—so þathaþ—MS. haþe1759souereyne—souereyn1760al—allegoode—good1761þere—therfailed[e]—faylydemyȝt[e]—myhtesouereyne goode—souereyn good1762þan—thanneþere—thergoode—goodsouereyne—souereyn1763goode—goodmyȝt[e]—myhte1764certeyne—certein1766seid—MS. seide, C. seydfolke—foolk1767goode—good1769fals[e]—false1770souereygne goode is—souereyn good be1771lyue wiþ outen—lyuen withowte1772rycchesse—Rychesses1773some—somgoode be—good ben1774be—ben1775neyȝbours—nesshebors1776halden—holden1777heyȝe—heyhto—omittedgoode—good1780goode—good1781or—and1782folke—folkgoode—good1783be—by1784 [thynge]—from C.1786rycchesse—rychesses1787delices—delytes1789oþer—oothreal—alle1790 [of]—from C.1794shollen—sholden1795þe—tho1796oþer—oothre1801swiftenesse—sweftnesse1803ȝiuen—MS. ȝiueþ, C. yeuen1806, 1807souereyne goode—souereyn good1807whiche—whych1809þe—omittedþan byforne—thanne byforn1810 [thy eyen]—from C.; MS.hasȝeuen aȝeynealmost—almestwelfulnesse—welefulnesse1811seyne rycchesse—seyn Rychesses1814souereyne goode—souereyn goodmyche—mocheoþer—oothre1815þouȝt[e]—thowhtefrom—fram1816aȝeyne—ayein1818souereyne goode—souereyn goodof—omittedalle—alderke—dirkyd1819 [but——paath]—from C.1820dronke—dronkenpaþe—paath1821home—hym1823perfourny—performe1825haþ—MS. haþenone—non1827þilk—thilke1828goode—good1829foule—fowl1830al—welneyh alle1831trauaille—trauaylenauȝt[e]—owhte1832be—ben1834out—owte1835auȝte—owhte1836al—alle1837be—benclere—cleer1843rycches—Rychesses1846goode—good1847be—ben1848grete—gret1849algates—Allegates1850goode—good
1751fastned[e]—fastnedewiþdrow—MS. wiþdrowen, C. withdrowh
1752sete—Cyte
1756enforced—enforsen
1757 [And blysfulnesse]—from C.goode—good
1758so—so þathaþ—MS. haþe
1759souereyne—souereyn
1760al—allegoode—good
1761þere—therfailed[e]—faylydemyȝt[e]—myhtesouereyne goode—souereyn good
1762þan—thanneþere—thergoode—goodsouereyne—souereyn
1763goode—goodmyȝt[e]—myhte
1764certeyne—certein
1766seid—MS. seide, C. seydfolke—foolk
1767goode—good
1769fals[e]—false
1770souereygne goode is—souereyn good be
1771lyue wiþ outen—lyuen withowte
1772rycchesse—Rychesses
1773some—somgoode be—good ben
1774be—ben
1775neyȝbours—nesshebors
1776halden—holden
1777heyȝe—heyhto—omittedgoode—good
1780goode—good
1781or—and
1782folke—folkgoode—good
1783be—by
1784 [thynge]—from C.
1786rycchesse—rychesses
1787delices—delytes
1789oþer—oothreal—alle
1790 [of]—from C.
1794shollen—sholden
1795þe—tho
1796oþer—oothre
1801swiftenesse—sweftnesse
1803ȝiuen—MS. ȝiueþ, C. yeuen
1806, 1807souereyne goode—souereyn good
1807whiche—whych
1809þe—omittedþan byforne—thanne byforn
1810 [thy eyen]—from C.; MS.hasȝeuen aȝeynealmost—almestwelfulnesse—welefulnesse
1811seyne rycchesse—seyn Rychesses
1814souereyne goode—souereyn goodmyche—mocheoþer—oothre
1815þouȝt[e]—thowhtefrom—fram
1816aȝeyne—ayein
1818souereyne goode—souereyn goodof—omittedalle—alderke—dirkyd
1819 [but——paath]—from C.
1820dronke—dronkenpaþe—paath
1821home—hym
1823perfourny—performe
1825haþ—MS. haþenone—non
1827þilk—thilke
1828goode—good
1829foule—fowl
1830al—welneyh alle
1831trauaille—trauaylenauȝt[e]—owhte
1832be—ben
1834out—owte
1835auȝte—owhte
1836al—alle
1837be—benclere—cleer
1843rycches—Rychesses
1846goode—good
1847be—ben
1848grete—gret
1849algates—Allegates
1850goode—good
OF NATURE’S LAWS.
IT likeþ meI will now sing of Nature’s laws, by which the universe is governed.to shew[e] by subtil songe wiþ slakkeanddelitable sounof strenges how þat nature myȝty enclineþ1852andflitteþ gouernementȝ of þinges ¶andbywhiche lawes she purueiable kepiþ þe grete worlde.andhow she bindynge restreineþ alle þingusby a bonde þatmay nat be vnbounden.[j]The Punic lion submits to man, and dreads the keeper’s lash; yet, if he once taste blood, his savage instincts revive, and his keeper falls a victim to his fury.¶ Al be it so þat þe liouns of1856þe contree of pene beren þe fair[e] cheines.andtakenmetes of þe handes of folk þat ȝeuen it hem.anddreden her sturdy maystres of whiche þei ben wont tosuffren [betinges]. yif þat hir horrible mouþes ben bi-bled.1860þat is to sein of bestes devoured. ¶ Hir corageof tyme passeþ þat haþ ben ydelandrested. repaireþaȝein þat þei roren greuously.andremembren on hirnature.andslaken hir nekkes from hir cheins vnbounden.1864and hir maistre first to-teren wiþ blody toþeassaieþ þe woode wraþþes of hem. ¶ þis is to sein þeifreten hir maister.[ij]If the caged bird though daintily fed, gets a sight of the pleasant grove where she was wont to sing, she will spurn her food, and pine for the beloved woods.¶ And þe Iangland brid þat syngiþon þe heye braunches. þis is to sein in þe wodeand1868after is inclosed in a streit cage. ¶ al þouȝ [þat] þepleiyng besines of men ȝeueþ hem honied[e] drinkesandlarge metes. wiþ swete studie. ¶ ȝit naþeles yifþilke brid skippynge oute of hir streite cage seeþ þe1872agreable shadewes of þe wodes. she defouleþ wiþ hirfete hir metes yshadandsekeþ mournyng oonly þewodeandtwitriþ desirynge þe wode wiþ hir swetevoys.[iij]The sapling, bent down by a mighty hand, will resume its natural position as soon as the restraining force is removed.¶ þe ȝerde of a tree þat is haled adounby myȝty1876strengþe bowiþ redely þe croppe adoun. but yif þat þehande of hym þat it bente lat it gon aȝein. ¶ An oonþe crop lokeþ vp ryȝt to heuene.[iiij]Though the sun sets in the western main at eve, yet by a secret path he takes his wonted journey toward the east.¶ þe sonne phebusþat failleþ at euene in þe westrene wawes retorniþ aȝein1880eftsones his cart by a priue paþe þere as it is wontaryse.All things pursue their proper course, obedient to the source of order.¶ Alle þinges seken aȝein in to hir proprecours. and alle þinges reioisen hem of hir retournyngeaȝein to hir nature ne noon ordinaunce nis bytaken to1884þinges but þat.Hence, throughout the world entire stability is found, for all things, having fulfilled their appointed course, return from whence they came.þat haþ ioignynge þe endynge to þebygynnynge.andhaþ makid þe cours of it self stableþat it chaungeþ nat fromhys propre kynde.
1851shew[e]—shewe1854whiche—MS. swiche, C. whycheworlde—world1856be—benvnbounden—vnbownde1857fair[e]—fayre1860 [betinges]—from C.1862passeþ—passed1864from—framvnbounden—vnbownde1865to-teren—to-torntoþe—toth1867Iangland—Iangelynge1869streit—streyht1870pleiyng—MS. pleinyng, C. pleyyngebesines—bysynessehonied[e]—honyede1872oute—owt1873agreable—agreables1874fete—feet1875twitriþ—twiterith1877croppe—crop1878hande—handbente—bent1880failleþ—falleth1881cart—cartea—omittedpaþe—paath1883of—MS. of of1885haþ—MS. haþeioignynge—Ioyned1886haþ—MS. haþe
1851shew[e]—shewe
1854whiche—MS. swiche, C. whycheworlde—world
1856be—benvnbounden—vnbownde
1857fair[e]—fayre
1860 [betinges]—from C.
1862passeþ—passed
1864from—framvnbounden—vnbownde
1865to-teren—to-torntoþe—toth
1867Iangland—Iangelynge
1869streit—streyht
1870pleiyng—MS. pleinyng, C. pleyyngebesines—bysynessehonied[e]—honyede
1872oute—owt
1873agreable—agreables
1874fete—feet
1875twitriþ—twiterith
1877croppe—crop
1878hande—handbente—bent
1880failleþ—falleth
1881cart—cartea—omittedpaþe—paath
1883of—MS. of of
1885haþ—MS. haþeioignynge—Ioyned
1886haþ—MS. haþe
THE SEARCH AFTER FELICITY.
*CErtis also[* fol. 16b.]O earthly animals, you have an indistinct perception of your beginning, and you have ever the true end of felicity in view, but your natural instincts are perverted by many errors.ȝe men þat ben erþelichebestes dremen1888alwey [yowre bygynnynge] al þouȝ it be wiþ aþinne ymaginacioun.andby a maner þouȝt al be itnat clerly ne perfitly ȝe looken from a fer til þilkverray fyn of blisfulnesse. and þerfore þe naturel entencioun1892ledeþ ȝow to þilk verray good ¶ Butmany manere errours mistourniþ ȝow þer fro.Can men obtain the end they have in view by the means they usually employ in the pursuit of happiness?¶ Considerenow yif þat be þilke þinges by whiche a manweniþ to gete hym blysfulnesse. yif þat he may comen1896to þilke ende þat he weneþ to come by natureIf riches and honours and the like make men happy, so that they shall want for nothing, then happiness may be procured by these acquisitions.¶ Foryif þat moneye or honours or þise oþer forseide þingesbryngen to men swiche a þing þat no goode ne faillehem. ne semeþ faille. ¶ Certys þan wil I graunt[e]1900þat þei ben maked blisful. by þilke þinges þat þei hangeten.But if these things cannot make good what they promise, if there still be something to be desired, then they are delusions, and the felicity after all is a counterfeit.¶ but yif so be þat þilke þinges ne mowe natperfourmen þat þei by-hetenandþat þer be defaute ofmany goodes. ¶ Sheweþ it nat þan clerely þat fals1904beaute of blisfulnesse is knoweanda-teint in þilkeþinges. ¶ Firstandforward þou þi self þat haddesthaboundaunces of rycchesses nat long agon.In your prosperity were you never annoyed by some wrong or grievance?¶ I axeȝif þat in þe haboundaunce of alle þilk[e] rycchesses1908þou were neuer anguissous or sory in þi corage of anywrong or greuaunce þat by-tidde þe on any syde.
NONE ARE FREE FROM CARE.
B.I must confess that I cannot remember ever being wholly free from some trouble or other.¶ Certys quod I it remembreþ me nat þat euere I wasso free of my þouȝt. þat I ne was al-wey in anguysheof1912somwhat.P.That was because something was absent which you did desire, or something present which you would fain be quit of.þat was þat þou lakkedest þat þou noldesthan lakked. or ellys þou haddest þat þou noldesthan had.B.That’s quite true.ryȝt so is it quodI þan.P.Then you did desire the presence of the one and the absence of the other?desiredest þouþe presence of þat oonandþe absence of þat oþer.1916B.I confess I did.I graunt[e] wel quod.I.P.Every man is in need of what he desires.for soþe quodshe þan nediþ þersomwhat þat euery man desireþ.B.Certainly he is.ȝe þer nediþ quodI.P.If a man lack anything can he be supremely happy?¶ Certis quodsheandhe þat haþ lakke or nede of awyȝt nis nat in euery way suffisaunt to hym self.B.No.no quod.I.1920P.Did you not in your abundance want for somewhat?andþou quod she in alle þe plente of þirycchesse haddest þilke lak of suffisaunce.B.What then if I did?¶ whatellis quod.I.P.It follows that riches cannot put a man beyond all want, although this was what they seemed to promise.¶ þanne may nat rycchesse maken þat aman nis nedy. ne þat he be suffisaunt to hym self.and1924þat was it þat þei byhyȝten as it semeþ.Money may part company with its owner, however unwilling he may be to lose it.¶ and ekecertys I trowe þat þis be gretly to consydere þat moneyene haþ nat in hys owen kynde þat it ne may ben by-nomenof hem þat han it maugre hem.B.I confess that’s true.¶ I by-knowe1928it wel quodIP.It ought to be confessed when every day we seemightprevailing overright.¶ whi sholdest þou nat by-knowen itquodshe. whan euery day þe strenger folke by-nymenit fram þe febler maugre hem.From whence springs so much litigation, but from this, that men seek to recover their own of which they have been unjustly deprived?¶ Fro whennes comenellys alle þise foreine compleintes or quereles of1932pletyngus. ¶ But for þat men axen aȝeine her moneyeþat haþ be by-nomen hem by force or by gyle.andalwey maugre hem.B.Nothing is more true.¶ Ryȝt so it is quodI.P.Then a man needs the assistance of others in order to keep his riches.þan quodshe haþ a man nede to sekenhym foreyne helpe by1936whiche he may defende hys moneye. who may say nay quod.I.
RICHES BRING ANXIETIES.
If he had no money to lose he would not stand in need of this help?¶ Certis quodsheandhym nediþ no helpeyif he ne hadde no moneye þat he myȝt[e] leese.B.That is beyond all doubt.¶ þatis doutles quod.I.P.Then the very reverse of what was expected (from riches) takes place? For riches add to a man’s necessities.þanne is þis þing turned in to þe contrarie1940quodshe ¶ For rycchesse þat men wenen sholdemake suffisaunce. þei maken a man raþer han nede offoreine helpe.Tell me how do riches drive away necessity? Are not rich men liable to hunger, thirst, and cold?¶ whiche is þe manere or þe gise quodshe þat rycches may dryuen awey nede. ¶ Riche folk1944may þei neiþer han hungre ne þrest. þise ryche menmay þei feele no colde on hir lymes in wynter.You will say that the rich have wherewithal to satisfy these wants.¶ Butþou wilt answere þat ryche men han y-nouȝ wher wiþþei may staunchen her hunger.andslaken her þrest1948anddon awey colde.By riches indigence may be alleviated, but they cannot satisfy every want.¶ In þis wise may nede be confortedby rycchesses. but certys nede ne may nat alouterly be don awey.Even if gaping and greedy necessity be filled with riches, yet some cravings will remain.for þouȝ þis nede þat is alweygapyngandgredy be fulfilled wiþ rycchesses.andaxe1952any þing ȝit dwelleþ þanne a nede þat myȝt[e] ben fulfilled.A little suffices for nature, but avarice never has enough.¶ I holde me stilleandtelle nat how þat litelþing suffiseþ to nature. but certys to auarice ynouȝ nesuffiseþ no þinge.If riches, then, add to our wants, why should you think that they can supply all your necessities?[* fol. 17.]*¶ For syn þat rychesse ne may nat1956al don awey nede. but rychesse maken nede. what mayit þanne be þat ȝe wenen þat rychesses mowen ȝeuenȝow suffisaunce.
1889 [yowre bygynnynge]—from C.al—MS. as, C. Al1891from—framtil þilk—to thylke1892þe—omitted1893þilk—thylke1895be—by1896gete—geten1899swiche—swychgoode—good1900wil—wolegraunt[e]—graunte1904many—manyeclerely—clerlyfals—false1905knowe—knowen1908þilk[e]—thylke1913þat——lakkedest—And was nat þat quodshe for þat the lacked som-what1915had—MS. hadde, C. had1917graunt[e]—graunte1919haþ—MS. haþea wyȝt—awht1921alle—al1922rycchesse—Rychesseslak—lakke1923rycchesse—Rychesses1927haþ—MS. haþeowen—owne1930strenger folke by-nymen—strengerefolk by-nemyn1931fram—frofebler—febelereFro—for1933aȝeine—ayeyn1934haþ—MS. haþebe—ben1936haþ—MS. haþehelpe—help1937say—sey1938nediþ no helpe—nedede non help1939myȝt[e]—myhte1940doutles—dowteles1941rycchesse—Rychesses1943helpe—helpwhiche—whych1944rycches—Rychessedryuen—dryue1945hungre—hungyrþrest—thurst1946þei—thecolde—cooldin—on1947wilt answere—wolt Answereny-nouȝ—y-now1948þrest—thurst1949colde—coold1950nat—omitted1951outerly—vtrely1953myȝt[e]ben—myhte be1957rychesse—Rychesses
1889 [yowre bygynnynge]—from C.al—MS. as, C. Al
1891from—framtil þilk—to thylke
1892þe—omitted
1893þilk—thylke
1895be—by
1896gete—geten
1899swiche—swychgoode—good
1900wil—wolegraunt[e]—graunte
1904many—manyeclerely—clerlyfals—false
1905knowe—knowen
1908þilk[e]—thylke
1913þat——lakkedest—And was nat þat quodshe for þat the lacked som-what
1915had—MS. hadde, C. had
1917graunt[e]—graunte
1919haþ—MS. haþea wyȝt—awht
1921alle—al
1922rycchesse—Rychesseslak—lakke
1923rycchesse—Rychesses
1927haþ—MS. haþeowen—owne
1930strenger folke by-nymen—strengerefolk by-nemyn
1931fram—frofebler—febelereFro—for
1933aȝeine—ayeyn
1934haþ—MS. haþebe—ben
1936haþ—MS. haþehelpe—help
1937say—sey
1938nediþ no helpe—nedede non help
1939myȝt[e]—myhte
1940doutles—dowteles
1941rycchesse—Rychesses
1943helpe—helpwhiche—whych
1944rycches—Rychessedryuen—dryue
1945hungre—hungyrþrest—thurst
1946þei—thecolde—cooldin—on
1947wilt answere—wolt Answereny-nouȝ—y-now
1948þrest—thurst
1949colde—coold
1950nat—omitted
1951outerly—vtrely
1953myȝt[e]ben—myhte be
1957rychesse—Rychesses
Al were it soThe rich man, had he a river of gold, would never rest content.þat a ryche couetous man hadde riuer1960fletynge alle of golde ȝitte sholde it neuer staunchehys couetise.Though his neck be loaded with precious pearls, and his fields be covered with innumerable herds, yet shall unquiet care never forsake him; and at his death his riches shall not bear him company.¶ And þouȝ he hadde his nekke I-chargedwiþ preciouse stones of þe rede see.andþouȝ he doerye his feldes plentiuouswiþ an hundreþ oxen neuere1964ne shal his bytyng bysynesse forleten hym while helyueþ. ne þe lyȝt[e] rychesses ne shal nat beren hymcompaignie whanne he is dede.
1960riuer—a Ryuer1961alle—algolde—goldȝitte—yitstaunche—staunchyn1962, 1963þouȝ—thow1964erye—Erehundreþ—hundred1965while—whyl1966lyȝt[e]—lyhteshal—shol1967dede—ded
1960riuer—a Ryuer
1961alle—algolde—goldȝitte—yitstaunche—staunchyn
1962, 1963þouȝ—thow
1964erye—Erehundreþ—hundred
1965while—whyl
1966lyȝt[e]—lyhteshal—shol
1967dede—ded
OF DIGNITIES.
Bvt digniteesIt may be said thatdignitiesconfer honour on their possessors.to whom þei ben comen make þei hym1968honorableandreuerent.But have they power to destroy vice or implant virtue in the heart?han þei nat so grete strengþeþat þei may putte vertues in þe hertis of folk. þat vsenþe lordshipes of hem. or ellys may þei don awey þevices.So far from expelling vicious habits, they only render them more conspicuous.Certys þei [ne] ben nat wont to don awey wikkednesses.1972but þei ben wont raþer to shew[en] wikkednesses.Hence arises the indignation when we see dignities given to wicked men.andþer of comeþ it þat I haue ryȝt grete desdeyne.þat dignites ben ȝeuen ofte to wicked men.Hence Catullus’ resentment against Nonius, whom he calls the botch, or impostume of the State.¶ For whiche þing catullus clepid a consul of Rome þat1976hyȝt noniuspostum. or boch. as who seiþ he clepiþhyma congregaciounof uices in his brest as a postumis ful of corrupcioun. al were þis noniusset in achayere of dignitee.The deformities of wicked men would be less apparent if they were in more obscure situations.Sest þou nat þan how gret vylenye1980dignitees don to wikked men. ¶ Certys vnworþines ofwikked men sholdeben þe lasse ysen yif þei nere renomedof none honours.Would you free yourself from peril by accepting a magistracy along with Decoratus a buffoon and informer?¶ Certys þou þi self nemyȝtest nat ben brouȝt wiþ as many perils as þou1984myȝtest suffren þat þou woldest bere þi magistrat wiþdecorat. þat is to seyn. þat for no peril þat myȝt[e] bifallenþe by þe offence of þe kyng theodorik þou noldestnat ben felawe in gouernaunce withdecorat. whanne1988þou say[e] þat he had[de] wikkid corage of a likerousshreweandof an acusor.Honours do not render undeserving persons worthy of esteem.¶ Ne I ne may nat for swichehonours Iugenhem worþi of reuerence þat I demeandholde vnworþi to han þilke same honours.If you find a man endowed with wisdom you deem him worthy of respect and of the wisdom which he professes.¶ Now yif1992þou saie a man þat were fulfilled of wisdom. certys þoune myȝtest nat demen þat he were vnworþi to þehonour. or ellys to þe wisdom of whiche he is fulfilled.B.I could not do otherwise.No quod.I.P.Virtue has her proper worth, which she ever transfers to her votaries.¶ Certys dignitees quodshe appertienen1996properly to vertue.anduertue transporteþ dignite anonto þilke man to whiche she hir self is conioigned.
DIGNITIES APPERTAIN TO VIRTUE.
Honours conferred by the populace do not make men worthy of them, for they have no intrinsic merit to bestow.¶ And for as moche as honours of poeple ne may natmaken folk digne of honour. it is wel seyn clerly þat2000þei ne han no propre beaute of dignite. ¶ And ȝit menauȝten take more hede in þis.Dignities conferred upon shrews only make their vices the more conspicuous.¶ For if it so be þat heis most out cast þat most folk dispisen. or as dignite nemay nat maken shrewes worþi of no reuerences. þan2004makeþ dignites shrewes more dispised þan preised. þewhiche shrewes dignit[e] scheweþ to moche folkNor do dignities themselves escape without injury; for worthless men take their revenge upon them, and defile them by their contagious villanies.¶andfor soþe nat vnpunissed. þat is forto sein. þat shrewesreuengen hem aȝeinward vpon dignites. for þei ȝelden2008aȝein to dignites as gret gerdounwhan þei byspottenanddefoulen dignites wiþ hire vylenie.These shadowy honours have nothing in their nature to procure respect; for if a man, having borne the honours of the consulate, should go among barbarians would this honour gain him their respect?¶ And for asmoche as þou mow[e] knowe þat þilke verray reuerencene may nat comen by þe shadewy transitorie dignitees.2012vndirstonde now þis. yif þat a man hadde vsedandhadde many manere dignites of consulesandwerecomenperauenture amonges straunge naciouns. sholdeþilke honourmaken hym worshipfulandredouted of2016straunge folkIf respect were an attribute of honour it would infallibly bring esteem everywhere, just as heat is ever an attribute of fire.¶ Certys yif þat honour of poeple werea naturel ȝifte to dignites. it ne myȝte neuer cesennowher amonges no maner folke to done hys office.
DIGNITIES DO CONFER ESTEEM.
¶ Ryȝt as fire ineuery contre ne stinteþ nat to2020[* fol. 17b.]enchaufenand*to ben hote.Honours arise from the false opinions of men, and vanish when they come among those who do not esteem them, that is, among foreign nations.but for as myche as fortobe holden honorable or reuerent ne comeþ nat to folk ofhir propre strengþe of nature. but only of þe fals[e]opiniounof folk. þat is to sein. þat wenen þat dignites2024maken folk digne of honour. An on þerfore whan þatþei comen þer as folk ne knowennat þilke dignites.her honours vanissen aweyandþat on oon. but þat isa-mong straung folk. maist þou sein.Do they always endure in those places that gave birth to them?but amongus2028hem þat þei weren born duren þilk[e] dignites alwey.The Prætorate was once a great honour, but now it is only an empty name and a heavy expense.¶ Certys þe dignite of þe prouostrie of Rome was somtymea grete power. now is it no þing but an ydelname.andþe rente of þe senatorie a gret charge.What is more vile than the office of the superintendency of provisions?and2032yif a whiȝt somtyme hadde þe office to taken he[de] toþe vitailes of þe poeple as of corneandwhat oþer þingeshe was holden amonges grete. but what þing is morenowe out cast þanne þilke prouostrieThat which hath no innate beauty must lose its splendour or value according as popular opinion varies concerning it.¶ And as I haue2036seid a litel here byforne. þat þilke þing þat haþ nopropre beaute of hym self resceyueþ somtyme prisandshinyngeandsomtyme lesiþ it by þe opiniounofvsaunces.If dignities cannot confer esteem, if they become vile through filthy shrews, if they lose their lustre by the change of times, if they become worthless by the change of popular opinion, what beauty do they possess which should make them desirable, or what dignity can they confer on others?¶ Now yif þat dignites þanne ne mowen2040nat maken folk digne of reuerence.andyif þat digniteswexen foule of hir wille by þe filþe of shrewes. ¶ andyif þat dignites lesen hir shynynge by chaungyng oftymes. and yif þei wexen foule by estimaciounof2044poeple. what is it þat þei han in hem self of beauteþat auȝte ben desired. as who seiþ none. þanne nemowen þei ȝiuen no beaute of dignite to none oþer.
1969make—maken1969grete—gret1972 [ne]—from C.ben—be1972, 1973wikkednesses—wykkydnesse1973to—omittedshew[en]—shewen1974comeþ—comthgrete desdeyne—gret desdaign1976whiche—which1977hyȝt—hyhtenonius—MS. vonnus, C. nomyusboch—MS. boþe, C. bochclepiþ—clepyd1979nonius—MS. uonnus, C. nomyusset—MS. sette, C. set1980Sest þou—Sesthowþan—thannevylenye—fylonye1981vnworþines—vnworthynesse1982ben—beysen—MS. ysene, C. I-sene1984many—manye1985bere—beren1986myȝt[e]—myhte1987þe(2)—omitted1988whanne—whan1989say[e]—sayehad[de]—hadde1994demen—deme1995whiche—which1996quod she—omitted1997vertue—vertuuertue—vertu1998whiche—whych2000clerly—MS. clerkly, C. clerly2002auȝten——hede—owhten taken mor heed2002-3For——dignite—For yif so be þat a wykkyd whyght be so mochel the fowlereandthe moore owt cast þat he is despised of most folk so as dignete2004-2007maken——soþe—maken shrewes digne of Reuerence the whych shrewes dignete sheweth to moche foolk thanne makith dignete shrewes rather so moche moredespised than preysedandforsothe2008ȝelden—yilden2009byspotten—by-spetten2010hire—hyr2011moche—mochelmow[e]—mowe2012þe shadewy—thyse shadwye2013vndirstonde—vndyrstondþis—thus2014hadde—had2018ȝifte—yift2019folke—foolkdone—don2020enchaufen—eschaufen2021myche—mochel2022be—ben2023fals[e]—false2024þat(2)—omitted2027her—hyrvanissen—vanesshen2028a-mong—amongesstraung—straungebut—ne2029þat—therduren þilk[e]—ne duren nat thylke2030somtyme—whylom2031grete—gret2032þe(2)—omitted2033somtyme—whylomþe—MS. þe þe2034corne—cornwhat—omitted2035more nowe—now more2036cast—MS. caste, C. cast2037seid—MS. seide, C. seydhere byforne—her by-fornhaþ—MS. haþe2042filþe—felthe2043þat—omitted2046auȝte—owhtenone—non2047þei—MS. ȝe, C. theynone—non
1969make—maken
1969grete—gret
1972 [ne]—from C.ben—be
1972, 1973wikkednesses—wykkydnesse
1973to—omittedshew[en]—shewen
1974comeþ—comthgrete desdeyne—gret desdaign
1976whiche—which
1977hyȝt—hyhtenonius—MS. vonnus, C. nomyusboch—MS. boþe, C. bochclepiþ—clepyd
1979nonius—MS. uonnus, C. nomyusset—MS. sette, C. set
1980Sest þou—Sesthowþan—thannevylenye—fylonye
1981vnworþines—vnworthynesse
1982ben—beysen—MS. ysene, C. I-sene
1984many—manye
1985bere—beren
1986myȝt[e]—myhte
1987þe(2)—omitted
1988whanne—whan
1989say[e]—sayehad[de]—hadde
1994demen—deme
1995whiche—which
1996quod she—omitted
1997vertue—vertuuertue—vertu
1998whiche—whych
2000clerly—MS. clerkly, C. clerly
2002auȝten——hede—owhten taken mor heed
2002-3For——dignite—For yif so be þat a wykkyd whyght be so mochel the fowlereandthe moore owt cast þat he is despised of most folk so as dignete
2004-2007maken——soþe—maken shrewes digne of Reuerence the whych shrewes dignete sheweth to moche foolk thanne makith dignete shrewes rather so moche moredespised than preysedandforsothe
2008ȝelden—yilden
2009byspotten—by-spetten
2010hire—hyr
2011moche—mochelmow[e]—mowe
2012þe shadewy—thyse shadwye
2013vndirstonde—vndyrstondþis—thus
2014hadde—had
2018ȝifte—yift
2019folke—foolkdone—don
2020enchaufen—eschaufen
2021myche—mochel
2022be—ben
2023fals[e]—false
2024þat(2)—omitted
2027her—hyrvanissen—vanesshen
2028a-mong—amongesstraung—straungebut—ne
2029þat—therduren þilk[e]—ne duren nat thylke
2030somtyme—whylom
2031grete—gret
2032þe(2)—omitted
2033somtyme—whylomþe—MS. þe þe
2034corne—cornwhat—omitted
2035more nowe—now more
2036cast—MS. caste, C. cast
2037seid—MS. seide, C. seydhere byforne—her by-fornhaþ—MS. haþe
2042filþe—felthe
2043þat—omitted
2046auȝte—owhtenone—non
2047þei—MS. ȝe, C. theynone—non
Al be it soNero, though invested with the purple and adorned with pearls, was hated by all men.þat þe proude nero wiþ al his woode luxurie2048kembed hymandapparailed hym wiþ faire purpersof Tirieandwiþ white perles. Algates ȝitte throf hehateful to alle folk ¶ þis is to seyn þat al was he by-hatedof alle folk.Yet he had lordship, and gave to the senators the dishonoured seats of dignity.¶ ȝitte þis wicked Nero hadde gret2052lordshipandȝaf somtyme to þe dredeful senatours þevnworshipful setes of dignites. ¶ vnworshipful seteshe clepiþ here fore þat Nero þat was so wikked ȝaf þodignites.Who then can think that felicity resides in honours given by vicious shrews?who wolde þanne resonably wenen þat blysfulnesse2056were in swiche honours as ben ȝeuen by viciousshrewes.
2048al(2)—alle2049kembed—kembdeapparailed—MS.apparailen, C. a-paraylede2050ȝitte—yit2053lordship—lorshippeȝaf somtyme—yaf whylomdredeful—reuerencȝ2055fore—forȝaf—yaf
2048al(2)—alle
2049kembed—kembdeapparailed—MS.apparailen, C. a-paraylede
2050ȝitte—yit
2053lordship—lorshippeȝaf somtyme—yaf whylomdredeful—reuerencȝ
2055fore—forȝaf—yaf
KINGDOMS DO NOT MAKE A MAN MIGHTY.
Bvt regnesP.Do kingdoms and a familiarity with princes make a man mighty?andfamilarites of kynges may þei maken amanto ben myȝty.B.Why should they not if they are durable?how ellys. ¶ whanne hir2060blysfulnesse dureþ perpetuelyP.Past ages, as well as the present, furnish us with many examples of princes who have met with dismal reverses of fortune.but certys þe olde age oftyme passeþ.andeke of present tyme now is ful ofensaumples how þat kynges þat han chaunged in towrechednesse out of hir welefulnesse.O then how noble and glorious a thing is power that is too weak to preserve itself!¶ O a noble þing2064anda cler þing is power þat is nat founden myȝty tokepe it self.If dominion brings felicity, then misery will follow if it be defective.¶ And yif þat power of realmes be auctourandmaker of blisfulnesse. yif þilke power lakkeþ onany side. amenusiþ it nat þilke blisfulnesseandbryngeþ2068in wrechednesse.But human rule has its limits, therefore wherever power ceases there impotence enters, bringing misery along with it.but yif al be it so þat realmes of mankyndestretchen broode. ȝit mot þer nede ben mychefolk ouer whiche þat euery kyng ne haþ no lordshipeno comaundement ¶ and certys vpon þilke syde þat2072power failleþ whiche þat makiþ folk blisful. ryȝt on þatsame side nounpower entriþ vndirneþ þat makeþ hemwreches.Kings, therefore, have a larger portion of misery than of felicity.¶ In þis manere þanne moten kynges hanmore porciounof wrechednesse þan of welefulnesse.2076
POWER DOES NOT DRIVE AWAY CARE.
Dionysius of Sicily, conscious of this condition, exhibited the fears and cares of royalty by the terror of a naked sword hanging over the head of his friend and flatterer Damocles.¶ A tyraunt þat was kyng of sisile þat had[de] assaiedþe peril of his estat shewid[e] by similitude þe dredesof realmes by gastnesse of a swerde þat heng ouer þeheued of his familier.What then is this thing called Power, which cannot do away with care or fear?what þing is þan þis power þat2080may nat don awey þe bytynges of besines ne escheweþe prikkes of drede.Men would live in security but cannot, and yet they glory in their power.and certys ȝit wolden þei lyuen[* fol. 18.]*in sykernesse. but þei may nat. and ȝit þei glorifienhem in her powerIs he powerful who cannot do what he wishes?¶ Holdest þou þan þat þilk[e] man2084be myȝty þat þou seest þat he wolde don þat he maynat don.Is he a mighty man who goes surrounded with an armed guard, to terrify those whom he himself fears, and whose power depends solely upon his numerous retinue?¶ And holdest þou þan hym a myȝty manþat haþ environed hise sydes wiþ men of armes orseruauntesanddredeþ more [hem] þat he makeþ agast.2088þen þei dreden hym.andþat is put in þe handes of hiseseruauntȝ. for he sholde seme myȝty but of familiers[or] seruauntȝ of kynges.Why need I enlarge upon the favourites of princes having thus displayed the imbecility of kings!¶ what sholde I telle þeany þing. syn þat I my self haue shewed þe þat realmes2092hem self ben ful of gret feblenesse.Their prosperity is affected by the caprice of their fortunate masters as well as by the adversity to which they are incident.þe whiche familierscertis þe real power of kynges in hool estatandin estatabated ful [ofte] þroweþ adoun.Nero only allowed his master Seneca to choose the manner of his death.¶ Nero constreined[e]his familierandhis maistre seneca to chesen on what2096deeþ he wolde deien.Antonius (Caracalla) commanded Papinian to be slain by the swords of his soldiers.¶ Antonius comaundid[e] þatknyȝtis slowen wiþ her swerdis Papinian his familierwhiche Papinian had[de] ben long tyme ful myȝtya-monges hem of þe courte.Yet both would have given up all they possessed.and ȝit certis þei wolde boþe2100han renounced her power.Seneca begged for poverty and exile. But relentless fortune precipitated them to destruction, and did not permit them to choose their fate.of whiche [two] senek enforced[e]hym to ȝiuento Nero his rychesses.andalsoto han gon in to solitarie exil. ¶ But whan þe greteweyȝt. þat is to sein of lordes power or of fortune2104draweþ hem þat sholden falle. neyþer of hem nemyȝt[e] do þat he wolde.What then is Power, which terrifies its possessors, and which cannot be got rid of at pleasure?what þing is þanne þilkepower þat þouȝ men han it þat þei ben agast. ¶andwhan þou woldest han it þou nart nat siker. ¶ And2108yif þou woldest forleten it þou mayst nat eschewen it.No advantage is to be gained by friendship based on prosperity instead of virtue.¶ But wheþir swiche men ben frendes at nede as benconseiled by fortuneandnat by vertue.Adversity will turn this sort of friendship into enmity. And what greater plague can there be than the enmity of thy familiar friend?Certys swichefolk as weleful fortune makeþ frendes. contrarious fortune2112makeþ hem enmyse. ¶ And what pestilence ismore myȝty forto anoye a wiȝt þan a familier enemy.
2060myȝty—MS. vnmyȝty, C. myhty2062passeþ—passedof(2)—omitted2063kynges þat han—kynges ben2066kepe—kepen2067maker—makere2069yif—yitrealmes—the Reaumes2070stretchen—strechchenmyche—moche2071haþ—MS. haþe2073whiche—whych2074vndirneþ—vndyr-nethe2077had[de]—hadde2078shewid[e]—shewede2079realmes—Reaumesswerde—swerdheng—MS. henge, C. heng2081besines—bysynesse2083ȝit—yifglorifien—gloryfye2084þilk[e]—thylke2087haþ—MS. haþeenvironed—enuyrownede2088 [hem]—from C.2089þen—than2091 [or]—from C.2092realmes—Reames2093feblenesse—feblesse2094real—Ryal2095 [ofte]—from C.constreined[e]—constreynede2096his(1)—hyrseneca—Senek2097comaundid[e]—comaundede2098her—hyr2099whiche—whichhad[de]ben long—þat hadde ben longe2100courte—courtwolde—wolden2101 [two]—from C.enforced[e]—enforcede2102ȝiuen—yeuenhis—hyse2104weyȝt—weyhte2105sholden—sholen2106myȝt[e]—myhte
2060myȝty—MS. vnmyȝty, C. myhty
2062passeþ—passedof(2)—omitted
2063kynges þat han—kynges ben
2066kepe—kepen
2067maker—makere
2069yif—yitrealmes—the Reaumes
2070stretchen—strechchenmyche—moche
2071haþ—MS. haþe
2073whiche—whych
2074vndirneþ—vndyr-nethe
2077had[de]—hadde
2078shewid[e]—shewede
2079realmes—Reaumesswerde—swerdheng—MS. henge, C. heng
2081besines—bysynesse
2083ȝit—yifglorifien—gloryfye
2084þilk[e]—thylke
2087haþ—MS. haþeenvironed—enuyrownede
2088 [hem]—from C.
2089þen—than
2091 [or]—from C.
2092realmes—Reames
2093feblenesse—feblesse
2094real—Ryal
2095 [ofte]—from C.constreined[e]—constreynede
2096his(1)—hyrseneca—Senek
2097comaundid[e]—comaundede
2098her—hyr
2099whiche—whichhad[de]ben long—þat hadde ben longe
2100courte—courtwolde—wolden
2101 [two]—from C.enforced[e]—enforcede
2102ȝiuen—yeuenhis—hyse
2104weyȝt—weyhte
2105sholden—sholen
2106myȝt[e]—myhte
GLORY IS DECEPTIVE.
Who so woldeHe who would obtain sovereign power must obtain conquest over himself, and not yield to his passions.ben myȝty he mot daunten hys cruelcorage. ne put[te] nat his nekke ouercomen vndir2116þe foule reines of lecherie.Though your dominion extended from India to Thule, yet if thou art tormented by care thou hast no real power.for al be it so þat þi lordship[e]strecche so fer þat þe contre Inde quakiþ at þicomaundement. or at þi lawes.andþat þe leest isle inþe see þat hyȝt tile be þral to þe ¶ ȝit yif þou mayst2120nat putenawey þi foule derk[e] desijresanddryuenoute fro þe wreched compleyntes. Certis it nis nopower þat þou hast.