INCIPIT LIBER QUINTUS.

Þvs is it quod I. but so as þou hast ȝeuen or byhyȝt me to vnwrappenþe hidde causes of þinges ¶ and to discoueren me þe resouns couered withdirknesses I preye þe þat þou diuiseandIuge me of þis matere.andþat þou do me to vndrestondenit. ¶ For þis miracle or þis wondre troubleþ me ryȝt gretely.andþan she a litel [what] smylyng seide. ¶ þou clepest me quod she to telle þing. þat is grettest of alle þinges þat mowen ben axed. ¶ And to þe whiche questiounvnneþ[e]s is þere auȝt ynow to lauen it. as who seiþ. vnneþes is þer suffisauntly any þing to answere perfitly to þi questioun.¶ For þe matere of it is swiche þat whan oon doute is determinedandkut awey þer wexenoþer doutes wiþ-outen noumbre. ryȝt as þe heuedes waxen of ydre þe serpent þat hercules slouȝ. ¶ Ne þere ne were no manere ne noon ende. but yif þat a wyȝt constreined[e] þo doutes. by a ryȝt lyuelyanda quik fire of þouȝt. þat is to seyn by vigourandstrengþe of witte. ¶ For in þis matere menweren wont to maken questiouns of þe simplicite of þe purueaunce of godandof þe ordre of destine.andof sodeyne hap.andof þe knowyngandpredestinacioundeuineandof þe lyberte of fre wille. þe whiche þing þou þi self aperceiust wel of what weyȝt þei ben. but for as mochel as þe knowynge of þise þinges is a manere porciounto þe medicine to þe. al be it so þat I haue lytel tyme to don it. ȝit naþeles I wole enforcen me to shewe somwhat of it. ¶ but al þouȝ þe norissinges of dite of musike deliteþ þe þow most suffren.andforberen a litel of þilk delite while þat I weue (contexo) to þe resouns yknyt by ordre ¶ As it likeþ to þe quod I so do. ¶ þo spak she ryȝt a[s] by an oþer bygynnyn[ge]andseide þus. ¶ þe engendrynge of alle þinges quod sheandalle þe progressiouns of muuable nature.andalle þat moeueþ in any manere takiþ hys causes. hys ordre.andhys formes. of þe stablenesse of þe deuyne þouȝt [andthilke deuyne thowht] þat is ysetandput in þe toure. þat is to seyne in þe heyȝt of þe simplicite of god. stablisiþ many manere gyses to þinges þat ben to don. ¶ þe whiche manere whan þat men loken it inþilke pure clerenesse of þe deuyne intelligence. it is ycleped purueaunce ¶ but whan þilke manere is referredby mento þinges þat it moeueþanddisponeþ þan of olde men. it was cleped destine. ¶ þe whiche þinges yif þat any wyȝt lokeþ wel in his þouȝt. þe strengþe of þat oonandof þat oþer he shal lyȝtly mowen seen þat þise two þinges ben diuers. ¶ For purueaunce is þilke deuyne resounþat is establissed in þe souereyne prince of þinges. þe whiche purueaunce disponiþ alle þinges. but destine is þe disposiciounandordenaunce cleuynge to moeuable þinges. by þe whiche disposiciounþe purueaunce knyteþ alle þinges in hire ordres. ¶ For purueaunce enbraceþ alle þinges to hepe. al þouȝ þat þei ben dyuerseandal þouȝ þei ben wiþ outen fyn. but destynie departeþandordeyneþ alle þinges singlerlyanddiuideþ. in moeuynges. in places. in formes. in tymes. departiþ [as] þus. so þat þe vnfoldyng of temporel ordenaunce assembledandooned in þe lokyng of þe deuyne þouȝt ¶ Is purueaunceandþilke same assemblynge.andoonyng diuidedandvnfolden by tymes. lat þat ben called destine.andal be it so þat þise þinges ben dyuerse. ȝitte naþeles hangeþ þat oon on þat oþer. forwhi þe ordre destinal procediþ of þe simplicite of purueaunce. for ryȝt as a werkmanþat aperceiueþ in hys þouȝt þe forme of þe þing þat he wil make moeueþ þe effect of þe werke.andlediþ þat he had[de] loked byforne in hys þouȝt symplyandpresently by temporel þouȝt. ¶ Certys ryȝt so god disponiþ in hys purueaunce singlerlyandstably þe þinges þat ben to done. but he amynistreþ in many maneresandin dyuerse tymes by destyne. þilke same þinges þat he haþ disponed þan wheþir þat destine be excercised. eyþer by somme dyuyne spirites seruaunteȝ to þe deuyne purueaunce. or ellys by somme soule (animamundi). or ellys by al nature seruynge to god. or ellys by þe celestial moeuyng of sterres. or ellys by þe vertue of aungels. or ellys by þe dyuerse subtilite of deueles. or ellys by any of hem. or ellys by hem alle þe destynal ordynaunce is ywouen or accomplissed. certys it is open þing þat þe purueaunce is an vnmoeueableandsymple forme of þinges to done.andþe moeueable bondeandþe temporel ordynaunce of þinges whiche þat þe deuyne simplicite of purueaunce haþ ordeyned to done. þat is destine. For whiche it is þat alle þinges þat ben put vndir destine ben certys subgitȝ to purueaunce. to whiche purueaunce destine it self is subgitandvndir. ¶ But somme þinges ben put vndir purueaunce þat sourmounten þe ordinaunce of destine.andþo ben þilke þat stably ben yficched ney to þe first godhed þei sourmounten þe ordre of destinal moeuablite. ¶ For ryȝt as cercles þat tournen aboute a same Centre or about a poynt. þilke cercle þat is inrest or moost wiþ-ynne ioineþ to þe symplesse of þe myddelandis as it were a Centre or a poynt to þat oþer cercles þat tournenaboutenhym. ¶ and þilke þat is outerest compased by larger envyronnynge is vnfolden by larger spaces in so mochel as it is forþest fro þe mydel symplicite of þe poynt. and yif þer be any þing þat knytteþandfelawshippeþ hym selfe to þilke mydel poynt it is constreyned in to symplicite. þat is to seyn in to [vn]moeueablete.andit ceseth to ben shadandto fletindyuersly. ¶ Ryȝt so by semblable resoun. þilke þinge þat departiþ firþest fro þe first þouȝt of god. it is vnfoldenandsummittid to grettere bondes of destine. and in so moche is þe þing more freeandlovs fro destyne as it axeþandholdeþ hym ner to þilke Centre of þinges. þat is to seyne god. ¶ and if þe þinge cleueþ to þe stedfastnesse of þe þouȝt of god.andbe wiþ oute moeuyng certys it sourmounteþ þe necessite of destyne. þan ryȝt swiche comparisounas [it] is of skilynge to vndirstondyngandof þing þat is engendred to þing þat is.andof tyme to eternite.andof þe cercle to þe Centre. ryȝt so is þe ordre of moeueable destine to þe stable symplicite of purueaunce. ¶ þilke ordinaunce moeueþ þe heueneandþe sterresandattempreþ þe elymentȝ to gider amonges hem self.andtransformeþ hem by enterchaungable mutacioun. ¶ and þilke same ordre neweþ aȝein alle þinges growyngandfallyng a-doune by sembleables progressiouns of seedesandof sexes. þat is to sein. maleandfemale. and þis ilke ordre constreyneþ þe fortunesandþe dedes of men by a bonde of causes nat able to ben vnbounden (indissolubili). þe whiche destinal causes whanne þei passen oute fro þe bygynnynges of þe vnmoeueable purueaunce it mot nedes be þat þei ne be nat mutable.andþus ben þe þinges ful wel ygouerned. yif þat þe symplicite dwellynge in þe deuyne þouȝt sheweþ furþe þe ordre of causes. vnable to be I-bowed.andþis ordre constreyneþ by hys propre stablete þe moeueable þinges. or ellys þei sholde fleten folily for whiche it is þat alle þinges semen to be confusandtrouble to vs men. for we ne mowe nat considereþilke ordinaunce. ¶ Naþeles þe propre manere of euery þing dressynge hem to goode disponit hem alle. for þere nis no þinge don for cause of yuel. ne þilke þing þat is don by wicked[e] folk nis nat don for yuel þe whiche shrewes as I haue shewed [ful] plentiuouslyseken goode. but wicked errour mystourniþ hem. ¶ Ne þe ordre comynge fro þe poynt of souereyne goode ne declineþ nat fro hys bygynnynge. but þou mayst sein what vnreste may ben a wors confusiounþan þat goode men han somme tyme aduersite.andsomtyme prosperite. ¶ and shrewes also han now þinges þat þei desiren.andnow þinges þat þei haten ¶ wheþer men lyuen now in swiche hoolnesse of þouȝt. as who seiþ. ben men now so wise. þat swiche folk as þei demen to ben goode folk or shrewes þat it mot nedes ben þat folk ben swiche as þei wenen. but in þis manere þe domes of men discorden. þat þilke men þat somme folk demen worþi of mede. oþer folk demen hem worþi of tourment. but lat vs graunt[e] I pose þat som man may wel demen or knowen þe goode folkandþe badde. May he þan knowenandseen þilke inrest attemperaunce of corages. as it haþ ben wont to be said of bodyes. as who saiþ may a man spekenanddetermine of attemperaunce in corages. as men were wont to demen or speken of complexiounsandattemperaunces of bodies (q’ non). ne it [ne] is nat an vnlyke miracle to hem þat ne knowenit nat. ¶ As who seiþ. but is lyke a merueil or a miracle to hem þat ne knowenit nat. whi þat swete þinges [ben] couenable to some bodies þat ben hoolandto some bodies bittre þinges ben couenable.andalso whi þat some seke folk ben holpen withlyȝt medicines [andsome folk ben holpen withsharppe medicynes] but naþeles þe leche þat knoweþ þe manereandþe attemperaunce of heeleandof maladie ne merueileþ of it no þing. but what oþer þing semeþ hele of corages but bounteandprowesse.andwhat oþer þing semeþ maladie of corages but vices. who is ellys kepere of good ordryuere awey of yuel but god gouernourandleecher of þouȝtes. þe whiche god whanhe haþ by-holden from þe heye toure of hys purueaunce he knoweþ what is couenable to euery wyȝt.andleneþ hem þat he wot [þat] is couenable to hem. Loo here of comeþandhere of is don þis noble miracle of þe ordre destinal. whan god þat alle knoweþ doþ swiche þing. of whiche þing [þat] vnknowyng folk ben astoned but forto constreine as who seiþ ¶ But forto comprehendeandtelle a fewe þinges of þe deuyne depnesse þe whiche þat mans resounmay vnderstonde. ¶ þilk man þat þou wenest to ben ryȝt Iusteandryȝt kepyng of equite. þe contrarie of þat semeþ to þe deuyne purueaunce þat al woot. ¶ And lucan my familier telleþ þat þe victories cause liked[e] to þe goddesandcauses ouercomen liked[e] to catoun. þan what so euer þou mayst seen þat is don in þis [world] vnhoped or vnwened. certys it is þe ryȝt[e] ordre of þinges. but as to þi wicked[e] oppiniounit is a confusioun. but I suppose þat som man be so wel yþewed. þat þe deuyne Iugementandþe Iugement of mankynde accorden hem to gidre of hym. but he is so vnstedfast of corage [þat] yif any aduersite come to hym he wolde for-leten perauenture to continue innocence by þe whiche he ne may nat wiþholden fortune. ¶ þan þe wise dispensaciounof god spareþ hym þe whiche manere aduersite myȝt[e] enpeyren. ¶ For þat god wil nat suffren hym to trauaile. to whom þat trauayl nis nat couenable. ¶ An oþerman is perfit in alle uertues.andis an holy manandneye to god so þat þe purueaunce of god wolde demen þat it were a felony þat he were touched wiþ any aduersites. so þat he newil nat suffre þat swiche a man be moeued wiþ any manere maladie. ¶ But so as seide a philosophre [the moore excellent by me]. þe aduersites comen nat (he seide in grec;) þere þat uertues han edified þe bodie of þe holy man. and ofte tyme it bitideþ þat þe somme of þinges þat ben to don is taken to good folk to gouerne. for þat þe malice habundaunt of shrewes sholde ben abatid.andgod ȝeueþanddepartiþ to oþer folk prosp[er]itesandaduersites ymedeled to hepe aftir þe qualite of hire coragesandremordiþ som folk by aduersites. for þei ne sholden nat wexen proude by longe welefulnesse.andoþer folk he suffreþ to ben trauayled wiþ harde þinges. ¶ For þat þei sholden conferme þe vertues of corage by þe vsageandexercitaciounof pacience. and oþer folke dreden more þen þei auȝten þe wiche þei myȝt[en] wel beren.andþilke folk god lediþ in to experience of hem self by aspreandsorweful þinges. ¶ And many oþer folk han bouȝt honorable renoune of þis worlde by þe pris of glorious deeþ. and som men þat ne mowen nat ben ouer-comen by tourment han ȝeuen ensample to oþer folk þat vertue ne may nat be ouer-comen by aduersites. ¶ and of alle þise þinges þer nis no doute þat þei ne ben don ryȝtfullyandordeinly to þe profit of hem to whom we seen þise þinges bitide. ¶ For certys þat aduersite comeþ some tyme to shrewes.andsome tyme þat þei desiren it comeþ of þise forseide causesandof sorweful þinges þat bytyden to shrewes. Certys no man ne wondreþ. For alle menwenen þat þei han wel deserued it.andþei ben of wicked merite of whicheshrewes þe tourment som tyme agasteþ oþer to done folies.andsom tyme it amendeþ hem þat suffren þe tourmentis. ¶ And þe prosperite þat is ȝeuen to shrewes sheweþ a grete argument to good[e] folk what þing þei sholde demen of þilk wilfulnesse þe whiche prosperite men seen ofte serue to shrewes. in þe whiche þing I trowe þat god dispensiþ. for perauenture þe nature of som man is so ouerþrowyng to yuelandso vncouenable þat þe nedy pouerte of hys house-hold myȝt[e] raþer egren hym to done felonies. and to þe maladie of hym god puttiþ remedie to ȝiuen hym rychesse.andsom oþer man byholdiþ hys conscience defouled wiþ synnesandmakiþ comparisounof his fortuneandof hym self ¶ and drediþ perauenture þat hys blisfulnesse of whiche þe vsage is ioyful to hym þat þe lesynge of þilke blisfulnesse ne be nat sorweful to hym.andþerfore he wol chaunge hys maneres. and for he drediþ to lese hys fortune. he forletiþ hys wickednesse. to oþer folk is welefulnesse yȝeuenvnworþily þe whiche ouerþroweþ hem in to destrucciounþat þei han deserued. and to som oþer folk is ȝeuen power to punissen. for þat it shal be cause of continuaciounandexercisinge to good[e] folk.andcause of tourment to shrewes. ¶ For so as þer nis none alyaunce bytwixe good[e] folkeandshrewes. ne shrewes ne mowen nat accordenamonges hem selfandwhi nat. for shrewes discordenof hem self by her vices þe whiche vices al to renden her consciences.anddon oft[e] tyme þinges þe whiche þinges whan þei han don hem. þei demen þat þo þinges ne sholde nat han ben don. for whiche þinge þilke souereyne purueaunce haþ maked oft[e] tyme[faire] miracle so þat shrewes han maked oftyme shrewes to ben good[e] men. for whan þat som shrewes seen þat þei suffren wrongfully felonies of oþer shrewes þei wexen eschaufed in to hat[e] of hem þat anoien hem.andretournen to þe fruit of uertue. when þei studien to ben vnlyke to hemþat þei han hated. ¶ Certys þis only is þe deuyne myȝt to þe whiche myȝt yueles ben þan good. whan it vseþ þo yueles couenablyanddraweþ out þe effect of any good. as who seiþ þat yuel is good oonly by þe myȝt of god. for þe myȝt of god ordeyneþ þilk yuel to good. For oon ordre enbrasiþ alle þinges. so þat what wyȝt [þat] departiþ fro þe resounof þe ordre whiche þat is assigned to hym. algates ȝit he slideþ in to an oþerordre. so þat noþing nis leueful to folye in þe realme of þe deuyne purueaunce. as who seiþ no þing nis wiþouten ordinaunce in þe realme of þe deuyne purueaunce. ¶ Syn þat þe ryȝt strong[e] god gouerniþ alle þinges in þis worlde for it nis nat leueful to no man to comprehenden by witte ne vnfolden by worde alle þe subtil ordinauncesanddisposiciouns of þe deuyne entent. for oonly it auȝt[e] suffice to han loked þat god hym self makere of alle natures ordeyniþ and dressiþ alle þinges to good. while þat he hastiþ to wiþhalden þe þinges þat he haþ maked in to hys semblaunce. þat is to seyn forto wiþholden þinges in to good. for he hym self is good he chaseþ oute al yuel of þe boundes of hys communalite by þe ordre of necessite destinable. For whiche it folweþ þat yif þou loke þe purueaunce ordeynynge þe þinges þat men wenen ben haboundaunt in erþes. þou ne shalt not seen in no place no þing of yuel. ¶ but I se now þatþou art charged wiþ þe weyȝte of þe questiou[n]andwery wiþ lengþe of my resoun.andþat þou abidest som swetnesse of songe. tak þanþis drauȝtandwhan þou art wel refresshedandrefet þou shalt ben more stedfast to stye in to heyere questiouns.[The syxte Metur.]SI UIS CELSI IURA.Yif þou wolt demen in þi pureþouȝt þe ryȝtes or þe lawes of þe heye þund[ere]re. þat is to seyne of god. loke þouandbihold þe heyȝtes of souereyne heuene. ¶ þere kepen þe sterres by ryȝtful alliaunce of þinges hir olde pees. þe sonne ymoeued by hys rody fire. ne destourbiþ nat þe colde cercle of þe moone. ¶ Ne þe sterre yclepid þe bere. þat encliniþ hys rauyssynge courses abouten þe souereyne heyȝt of þe worlde. ne þe same sterre vrsa nis neuer mo wasshen in þe depe westerne see. ne coueitiþ nat to dyȝen hys flaumbes in þe see of [the] occian. al þouȝ he see oþer sterres yplounged in to þe see. ¶ And hesperus þe sterre bodiþandtelliþ alwey þe late nyȝtes. And lucifer þe sterre bryngeþ aȝeyne þe clere day. ¶ And þus makiþ loue enterchaungeable þe perdurable courses.andþus is discordable bataile yput oute of þe contre of þe sterres. þis accordaunce attempreþ by euene-lyke manere[s] þe elementes. þat þe moyste þinges striuen nat wiþ þe drye þinges. but ȝiuen place by stoundes. and þat þe colde þinges ioynen hem by feiþ to þe hote þinges.andþat þe lyȝt[e] fyre arist in to heyȝte.andþe heuy erþes aualen by her weyȝtes. ¶ by þise same cause þe floury yere ȝeldeþ swote smellys in þe fyrste somer sesounwarmynge.andþe hote somer dryeþ þe cornes.andautumpne comeþ aȝeyne heuy of apples. and þe fletyng reyne bydeweþ þe wynter. þis attemperaunce noryssiþandbrynggeþ furþe al þinge þat brediþ lyfe in þis worlde. ¶ and þilk same attemperaunce rauyssyng hideþandbynymeþanddrencheþ vndir þe last[e] deþe alle þinges yborn. ¶ Amonges þise þinges sitteþ þe heye makere kyngandlorde. welleandbygynnynge. laweandwise Iuge. to don equiteandgouerniþandencliniþ þe bridles of þinges.andþo þinges þat he stireþ to don by moeuynge he wiþdraweþandarestiþandaffermiþ þe moeueable or wandryng þinges. ¶ For ȝif þat he ne clepiþ nat aȝein þe ryȝt goynge of þinges.andȝif þat he ne constreyned[e] hem nat eftesones in to roundenesse enclined þe þinges þat ben now continued by stable ordinaunce. þei sholde deperten from hir welle. þat is to sein from hir bygynnyngeandfailen. þat is to sein tournen in to nauȝt. ¶ þis is þe commune loue of alle þinges.andalle þinges axen to be holden by þe fyn of good. For ellys ne myȝten þei nat lasten yif þei ne come nat eftesones aȝeine by loue retourned to þe cause þat haþ ȝeuen hembeynge. þat is to seyn to god.[The seuende prose.]IAM NE IGITUR UIDES.Sest þou nat þan what þing folweþ alle þe þinges þat I haue seid. what þing quod I. ¶ Certys quod she outerly þat al fortune is good. and how may þat be quod .I. ¶ Now vndirstand quod she so as [alle fortune wheyther so it be Ioyeful fortune / or aspre] fortune is ȝiuen eiþer by cause of gerdonynge or ellys of exercisynge of goode folk or ellys by cause to punissen.or ellys to chastysen shrewes. ¶ þan is alle fortune good. þe whiche fortune is certeyne þat it be eiþer ryȝtful or profitable. ¶ For soþe þis is a ful verray resounquod I. and yif I considere þe purueaunceandþe destine þat þou tauȝtest me a litel here byforne þis sentence is susteyned by stedfast resouns. but yif it like vnto þe lat vs noumbre hem amonges þilk[e] þinges of whiche þou seidest a litel here byforne þat þei ne were nat able to ben ywened to þe poeple. ¶ whi so quod she. for þat þe comune worde of men mysusiþ quod I. þis manere speche of fortune.andsein ofte tymes [þat] þe fortune of som wyȝt is wicked. wilt þou þan quod she þat I proche a litel to þe wordes of þe poeple so it seme nat to hem þat I be ouer moche departid as fro þe vsage of man kynde. as þou wolt quod I. ¶ Demest þou nat quod she þat al þing þat profitiþ is good. ȝis quod I. certis þilk þing þat exercisiþ or corigiþ profitiþ. I confesse it wel quod I. þan is it good quod she. whi nat quod I. but þis is þe fortune [quodshe] of hem þat eiþer ben put in vertueandbatailen aȝeins aspre þinges. or ellys of hem þat eschewenanddeclinen fro vicesandtaken þe weye of vertue. ¶ þis ne may nat I denye quod I ¶ But what seist þou of þe myrye fortune þat is ȝeuen to good folk in gerdoundeuiniþ ouȝt þe poeples þat it is wicked. nay forsoþe quod I. but þei demen as it soþe is þat it is ryȝt good. ¶ And what seist þou of þat oþer fortune quod she. þat al þouȝ it be aspreandrestreiniþ þe shrewes by ryȝtful tourment. weniþ ouȝt þe poeple þat it be good. nay quod I. ¶ But þe poeple demiþ þat it be most wrecched of alle þinges þat may ben þouȝt. war nowandloke wel quod she lest þat we in folwyng þe opyniounof poeple haue confessedandconcluded þing þat is vnable to be wened to þe poeple. what is þat quod I ¶ Certys quod she it folweþ or comeþ of þinges þat ben graunted þat alle fortune what so euer it be. of hem þat eyþer ben inpossessiounof vertue. [or in the encres of vertu] or ellys in þe purchasynge of vertue. þat þilke fortune is good. ¶ And þat alle fortune is ryȝt wicked to hem þat dwellen in shrewednesse. as who seiþ.andþus weneþ nat þe poeple. ¶ þat is soþe quod I. ¶ Al be it so þat nomandar confessenit ne byknowen it. ¶ whi so quod she. For ryȝt as no strong man ne semeþ nat to abassen or disdaignenas ofte tyme as he hereþ þe noise of þe bataile. ne also it ne semeþ nat to þe wyse man to beren it greuously as oft[e] as he is lad in to þe strif of fortune. for boþe to þat on manandeke to þat oþerþilke difficulte is þe matere to þat oon man of encrese of his glorious renoun.andto þat oþer man to conferme hys sapience. þat is to seine þe asprenesse of hys estat. ¶ For þerfore is it called uertue. for þat it susteniþandenforceþ by hys strengþes þat it nis nat ouer-comenby aduersites. ¶ Ne certys þou þat art put in þe encrese or in þe heyȝt of uertue ne hast nat comen to fleten wiþ delicesandforto welken in bodyly lust. ¶ þou sowest or plauntest a ful egre bataile in þi corage aȝeins euery fortune. for þat þe sorweful fortune ne confounde þe nat. ne þat þe myrye fortune ne corrumpe þe nat. ¶ Occupy þe mene by stedfast strengþes. for al þat euer is vndir þe mene. or ellys al þat ouer-passeþ þe mene despiseþ welefulnesses. ¶ As who seiþ. it is viciousandne haþ no mede of hys trauaile. ¶ For it is set in ȝourehand. as who seiþ it lieþ in ȝourepower what fortune ȝow is leuest. þat is to seyne good or yuel. ¶ For alle fortuneþat semeþ sharpe or aspre yif it ne exercise nat þe good folk. ne chastisiþ þe wicked folk. it punisseþ.[The seuende Metur.]BELLA BIS QUENIS.ETCETERA.ÞE wrekere attrides ¶ þat is to seyne agamenon þat wrouȝt[e]andcontinued[e] þe batailes by ten ȝere recouered[e]andpurged[e] in wrekyng by þe destrucciounof troie þe loste chambres of mariage of hys broþer þis is to seyn þat [he] agamenon wan aȝein Eleine þat was Menelaus wif his broþer. In þe mene while þat þilke agamenon desired[e] to ȝeuen sailes to þe grekysshenauyeandbouȝt[e] aȝein þe wyndes by blode. he vncloþed[e] hym of pite as fader.andþe sory prest ȝiueþ in sacrifiynge þe wreched kuyttyng of þrote of þe douȝter. ¶ þat is to sein þat agamenon lete kuyttenþe þrote of hys douȝter by þe prest. to maken alliaunce wiþ hys goddes.andfor to haue wynde wiþ whiche he myȝt[e] wende to troie. ¶ Itakus þat is to sein vlixies bywept[e] hys felawes ylorn þe whiche felawes þe fiers[e] pholifemusligginge in his grete Caue had[de] fretenanddreint in hys empty wombe. but naþeles polifemuswood for his blinde visage ȝeld to vlixies ioye by hys sorowful teres. þis is to seyn þat vlixes smot oute þe eye of poliphemusþat stod in hys forhede. for whiche vlixes hadde ioie whan he saw poliphemuswepyngandblynde. ¶ Hercules is celebrable for hys hard[e] trauaile he dawntede þe proude Centauris half hors half man.andhe rafte þe despoylynge fro þecruel lyounþat is to seyne he slouȝ þe lyounandrafte hymhys skyn. he smot þe brids þat hyȝtenarpijs [in þe palude of lyrne] wiþ certeyne arwes. he rauyssed[e] applis fro þe wakyng dragoun.andhys hand was þe more heuy for þe golde[ne] metal. He drouȝ Cerberus þe hound of helle by hys treble cheyne. he ouer-comer as it is seid haþ put an vnmeke lorde fodre to hys cruel hors ¶ þis is to sein. þat hercules slouȝ diomedesandmade his hors to etyn hym. and he hercules slouȝ Idra þe serpentandbrend[e] þe venym. and achelaus þe flode defouled[e] in his forhede dreint[e] his shamefast visage in his strondes. þis is to sein þat achelaus couþe transfigure hym self in to dyuerse lykenesse.andas he fauȝt wiþ orcules at þe laste he turnid[e] hym in to a bole and hercules brak of oon of hys hornes.andachelaus for shame hidde hym in hys ryuer. ¶ And [he] hercules cast[e] adounAntheus þe geaunt in þe strondes of libye.andkacus apaised[e] þe wraþþes of euander. þis is to sein þat hercules slouȝ þe Monstre kacusandapaised[e] wiþ þat deeþ þe wraþþe of euander. ¶ And þe bristled[e] boor marked[e] wiþ scomes þe sholdres of hercules. þe whiche sholdres þe heye cercle of heuene sholde þreste.andþe laste of his labours was þat he sustened[e] þe heuene vponhis nekke vnbowed.andhe deserued[e] eftsones þe heuene to ben þe pris of his laste trauayle ¶ Goþ now þan ȝe stronge men þere as þe heye weye of þe grete ensample ledeþ ȝou. ¶ O nice men whi nake ȝe ȝoure bakkes. as who seiþ. ¶ O ȝesloweanddelicat men whi fley ȝe aduersites.andne fyȝtennat aȝeins hem by vertue to wynnen þe mede of þe heuene. for þe erþe ouer-comenȝeueþ þe sterres. ¶ þis is to seyne þat whan þat erþely lust is ouer-comen. a man is maked worþi to þe heuene.EXPLICIT LIBER QUARTUS.INCIPIT LIBER QUINTUS.[The fyrste prose.]DIXERAT ORACIONISQUECURSUM.She hadde seidandtourned[e] þe cours of hir resounto somme oþerþinges to ben tretidandto ben ysped. þan seide I. Certys ryȝtful is þin amonestyngandful digne by auctorite. but þat þou seidest som tyme þat þe questiounof þe deuyne purueaunce is enlaced wiþ many oþer questiouns. I vndir-stonde welandproue it by þe same þinge. but I axe yif þat þou wenest þat hap be any þing in any weys.andif þou wenest þat hap be any [thing] what is it. þan quod she. I haste me to ȝeldenandassoilen þe to þe dette of my byhesteandto shewenandopnen þe wey by whiche wey þou maist come aȝein to þi contre. ¶ but al be it so þat þe þinges whiche þat þou axest ben ryȝt profitable to knowe. ȝitte ben þei diuers somwhat fro þe paþe of my purpos. And it is to douten þat þou ne be maked weery by mysweys so þat þou ne mayst nat suffise to mesurenþe ryȝt weye. ¶ Ne doute þe þer-of no þing quod I. for forto knowen þilke þinges to-gidre in þe whiche þinges I delite me gretly. þat shal ben to me in stede of reste. Syn it nis nat to douten of þe þinges folwynge whan euery side of þi disputisounshal be stedfast to me by vndoutous feiþ. þan seide she. þat manere wol I donþe.andbyganto speken ryȝt þus ¶ Certys quod she yif any wyȝt diffinisse hap in þis manere. þat is to seyn. þat hap is bytidynge y-brouȝt forþe by foelyshe moeuynge.andby no knyttyng of causes. ¶ I conferme þat hap nis ryȝt nauȝt in no wise. and I deme al outerly þat hap nis ne dwelliþ but a voys. ¶ As who seiþ. but an ydel worde wiþ outen any significaciounof þing summittid to þat vois. for what place myȝt[e] ben left or dwellynge to folieandto disordinaunce. syn þat god lediþandstreyniþ alle þinges by ordre. ¶ For þis sentence is verrayandsoþe þat no þinge ne haþ his beynge of nouȝt. to [the] whiche sentence none of þise olde folk ne wiþseide neuere al be it so þat þei ne vndirstoden ne moeueden it nauȝt by god princeandgynner of wirkyng. but þei casten as a manere foundement of subgit material. þat is to seyn of [the] nature of alle resoun.andȝif þat ony þinge is woxen or comen of no causes. þan shal it seme þat þilke þinge is comen or woxen of nouȝt. but yif þis ne may nat ben don. þan is it nat possible þat þere haþ ben any swiche þing as I haue diffinissid a litel here byforne. ¶ How shal it þan ben quod I. nis þer þan no þing þat by ryȝt may be cleped eyþer happeor ellis auenture of fortune. or is þer ouȝt al be it so þat it is hidd fro þe poeple to whiche þise wordes ben couenable. Myn aristotul quod she. in þe book of his phisik diffinisseþ þis þing by short resounand neyȝe to þe soþe. ¶ In whiche manere quod I. ¶ As ofte quod she as men don any þing for grace of any oþer þing.andan oþer þinge þan þilke þing þat men ententen to doon bytideþ by som[e] causes it is ycleped happe. ¶ Ryȝt as a man dalf þe erþe bycause of tylienge of þe felde.andfond þere a gobet of golde by-doluen. þan wenen folk þat it is fallen by fortunous bytydyng. but for soþe it nis nat for nauȝt for it haþ hys propre causes of whiche causes þe cours vnforseyn and vnwar semiþ to han maked happe. ¶ For yif þe tilier in þe erþe ne delue nat in þe felde. and yif þe hider of þe golde ne hadde hidd þe golde in þilke place. þe golde ne had[de] nat ben founde. þise ben þan þe causes of þe abreggynge of fortune hap. þe whiche abreggynge of fortune hap comeþ of causes encountryngeandflowyng to-gidre to hem selfe.andnat by þe entenciounof þe doer. ¶ For neiþer þe hider of þe gold. ne þe deluer of þe felde ne vndirstanden nat þat þe golde sholde han be founde. but as I seide. it bytiddeandran to-gidre þat he dalf þere as þat oþer hadde hidd þe golde. Now may I þus diffinissen happe. ¶ Happeis an vnwar bytydyng of causes assembled in þinges þat ben don for som oþer þinge. but þilke ordre procedynge by an vneschewable byndynge to-gidre. whiche þat descendeþ fro þe wel of purueaunce þat ordeineþ alle þinges inhireplacesandin hire tymes makeþ þat þe causes rennenandassemblen to-gidre.[The fyrste Metur.]RUPIS ACHEMENIE.TIgris [and] eufrates resoluenandspryngen of a welle in þe kragges of þe roche of þe contre of achemenye þereas þe fleenge [batayle] ficchiþ hire dartes retournid in þe brestes of hem þat folwen hem. ¶ And sone aftre þe same ryueres tigrisandeufrates vnioygnenanddepartenhirewatres. and yif þei comen to-gidreandben assembledandclepid to-gidre in to o cours. þan moten þilke þinges fletyn to-gidre whiche þat þe water of þe entrechaungyng flode bryngeþ þe shippesandþe stokkes araced wiþ þe flood moten assemble.andþe watres ymedlyd wrappiþ or implieþ many fortunel happes or maneres. þe whiche wandryng happes naþeles þilke enclinyng lowenes of þe erþe.andþe flowynge ordre of þe slidyng water gouerniþ. ¶ Ryȝt so fortune þat semeþ as [þat] it fletiþ wiþ slaked or vngouerned[e] bridles. It suffriþ bridles þat is to seyn to ben gouernedandpasseþ by þilke lawe. þat is to sein by þe deuyne ordinaunce.[The .2de. prose.]ANIMADUERTO INQUAM.Þis vndirstonde I wel quod I.andaccorde wel þat it is ryȝt as þou seist. but I axe yif þer be any liberte or fre wil in þis ordre of causes þat cliuenþus to-gidre in hem self. ¶ or ellys I wolde witen yif þat þe destinal cheine constreiniþ þe moeueuynge of þe corages of men. yis quod she þer is liberte of fre wille. ne þer ne was neuer no nature of resounþat it ne hadde liberte of fre wille. ¶ For euery þing þat may naturely vsen resoun. it haþ doom by whiche it discerniþanddemiþ euery þing. ¶ þan knoweþ it by it self þinges þat bento fleen.andþinges þat ben to desiren.andþilk þing þat any wyȝt demeþ to ben desired þat axeþ or desireþ heandfleeþ [thilke] þing þat he troueþ ben to fleen. ¶ wher-fore in alle þinges þat resounis. inhem also is libertee of willyngandof nillynge. ¶ But I ne ordeyne nat. as who seiþ. I ne graunte nat þat þis libertee be euene like in alle þinges. forwhi in þe souereyns deuynes substaunces. þat is to seyn in spiritȝ ¶ Iugement ismore clereandwil nat be corumped.andhaþ myȝt redy to speden þinges þat ben desired. ¶ But þe soules of men moten nedes ben more free whan þei loken hem in þe speculaciounor lokynge of þe deuyne þouȝt.andlasse free whan þei sliden in to þe bodies.andȝit lasse free whan þei ben gadred to-gidreandcomprehendid in erþely membris. but þe last[e] seruage is whan þat þei ben ȝeuento vices.andhan yfalle fro þe possessiounof hire propre resoun¶ For after þat þei han cast aweye hir eyen fro þe lyȝt of þe souereyn soþefastnesse to lowe þingesanddirke ¶ Anon þei dirken by þe cloude of ignoraunceandben troubled by felonous talentȝ. to þe whiche talentȝ whan þei approchenandassenten. þei hepenandencresen þe seruage whiche þei han ioigned to hem self. and in þis manere þei ben caitifs fro hire propre libertee. þe whiche þinges naþeles þe lokynge of þe deuyne purueaunce seeþ þat alle þinges byholdeþandseeþ fro eterne. and ordeyneþ hem eueryche inher merites. as þei benprodestinat.andit is seid in grek. þat alle þinges he seeþandalle þinges he hereþ.[The .2de. Metur.]PURO CLARUMLUMINE.HOmer wiþ þe hony mouþe. þat is to seyn. homer wiþ þe swete dites syngeþ þat þe sonne is cleer by pure lyȝt. naþeles ȝit ne may it nat by þe inferme lyȝt of hys bemes brekenor percenþe inwarde entrailes of þe erþe. or ellys of þe see. ¶ so ne seeþ nat god makere of þe grete worlde to hym þat lokeþ alle þinges from on heye ne wiþstandiþ nat no þinges by heuynesses of erþe. ne þe nyȝt ne wiþstondeþ nat to hymby þe blake cloudes. ¶ þilke god seeþ ino strook of þouȝt alle þinges þat ben or weren or schullen come. ¶ and þilkegod for he lokeþandseeþ alle þinges al oon. þou maist seyn þat he is þe verray sonne.[The .3de. prose.]TAMEN EGO EN INQUAM.ÞAn seide I now am I confounded by a more harde doute þan I was. what doute is þat quod she. ¶ For certys I coniecte now by whiche þinges þou art troubled. It semeþ quod I to repugnenandto contrarien gretly þat god knoweþ byforn alle þinges.andþat þer is any fredom of liberte. for yif so be þat god lokeþ alle þinges byforn. ne god ne may nat ben desseiuid in no manere. þan mot it nedes ben þat alle þinges bytyden þe whiche þat þe purueaunce of god haþ sein byforn to comen. ¶ For whiche yif þat god knoweþ by-forn nat oonly þe werkes of men. but also hir conseilsandhir willes. þan ne shal þer be no liberte of arbitre. ne certys þer ne may ben noon oþer dede ne no wille but þilke whiche þe deuyne purueaunce þat ne may nat ben desseiued haþ feled byforn ¶ For yif þat þei myȝten wryþen awey in oþer manere þan þei ben purueyed. þan ne sholde þer ben no stedfast prescience of þinge to comen but raþer an vncerteyn oppinioun. þe whiche þinge to trowen on god I deme it felonieandvnleueful. ¶ Ne I ne proeue nat þilk same resoun. as who seiþ I ne allowe nat. or I ne preise nat þilke same resounby whiche þat som men wenen þat þei mowen assoilenandvnknytten þe knot of þis questioun. ¶ For certys þei seyn þat þing nis nat to come for þat þe purueaunce of god haþ seyn it byforne. þat is to comen but raþer þe contrarie. ¶ And þat is þis þat for þat þe þing is to comen þat þerfore ne may it nat ben hyd fro þe purueaunce of god.andin þis manere þis necessite slydiþ aȝein in to þe contrarie partie. ne it ne byhoueþ [nat] nedes þat þinges bytiden þat ben ypurueid. [but it by-houeth nedes / þat thinges þat ben to comyn ben yporueyid] but as it were ytrauailed. as who seiþ. þat þilke answere procediþ ryȝt as þouȝ men trauailden or weren bysy to enqueren þe whiche þing is cause of whiche þinges. as wheþer þe prescience is cause of þe necessite of þinges to comen. or ellys þat þe necessite of þinges to comen is cause of þe purueaunce. ¶ But I ne enforce me nat now to shewenit þat þe bytidyng of þinges y-wist byforn is necessarie. how so or in what manere þat þe ordre of causes haþ it self. al þouȝ þat it ne seme nat þat þe prescience brynge in necessite of bytydynge of þinges to comen. ¶ For certys yif þat any wyȝt sitteþ it byhoueþ by necessite þat þe oppiniounbe soþe of hym þat coniectiþ þat he sitteþ. and aȝeinward. al so is it of þe contrarie. yif þe oppiniounbe soþe of any wyȝt for þat he sitteþ it byhoueþ by necessite þat he sitte ¶ þan is here necessite in þat oonandin þat oþer. for in þat oon is necessite of sittynge.andcertys in þat oþer is necessite of soþe but þerfore ne sitteþ nat a wyȝt for þat þe oppiniounof sittyng is soþe. but þe oppiniounis raþer soþe for þat a wyȝt sitteþ by-forn. and þus al þouȝ þat þe cause of soþe comeþ of [þe] syttyng. and nat of þe trewe oppinioun. Algates ȝitte is þer comune necessite in þat oonandin þat oþer. ¶ þus sheweþ it þat I may make semblable skils of þe purueaunce of godandof þinges to come. ¶ For al þouȝ for þat þat þinges ben to comen. þer-fore ben þei purueid. nat certys for þei ben purueid. þer-fore ne bytide þei nat. ȝit naþeles byhoueþ it by necessite þat eiþer þe þinges to comen ben ypurueied of god. or ellys þat þe þinges þat benpurueied of god bitiden [.s.] by necessite. ¶ And þis þing oonly suffiseþ I-nouȝ to distroien þe fredome of oure arbitre. þat is to seyn of oure fre wille ¶ But now [certes] sheweþ it wel how fer fro þe soþeandhow vp so dounis þis þing þat we seyn þat þe bytidinge of temporel þinges is þe cause of þe eterne prescience. ¶ But forto wenen þat god purueiþ [the] þinges to comen. for þei ben to comen. what oþer þing is it but forto wene þat þilke þinges þat bitiden som tyme ben causes of þilke souereyne purueaunce þat is ingod. ¶ And her-to I adde ȝitte þis þing þat ryȝt as whan þat I woot þat o þing is it byhoueþ by necessite þat þilke self þing be.andeke þat whan I haue knowe þat any þinge shal bitiden so byhoueþ it by necessite þat þilk[e] same þing bytide. so folweþ it þan þat þe bytydynge of þe þinge Iwist by-forn ne may nat ben eschewed. ¶ And at þe last[e] yif þat any wyȝt wene a þing to ben oþer weyes þan it is. it nys nat oonly vnscience. but it is deceiuable oppiniounful diuerseandfer fro þe soþe of science. ¶ wher-fore yif any þing be so to comen so þat þe bytydynge of it ne be nat certeyne ne necessarie. ¶ who may weten [byforn] þat þilke þing is to come. ¶ For ryȝt as science ne may nat be medelyd wiþ falsnesse. as who seiþ þat yif I woot a þing. it ne may nat be fals þat I ne woot it. ¶ Ryȝt so þilk þing þat is conceyued by science ne may [nat] ben noon oþerweyes þan [as] it is conceiued. For þat is þe cause whi þat science wantiþ lesynge. as who seiþ. whi þat witynge ne receyueþ nat lesynge of þat it woot. ¶ For it byhoueþ by necessite þat euery þinge [be] ryȝt as science comprehendiþ it to be. what shal I þan sein. ¶ In whiche manere knoweþ god byforn þe þinges to comen.¶ yif þei ne be nat certeyne. ¶ For yif þat he deme þat þei ben to comen vneschewably.andso may be þat it is possible þat þei ne shullennat comen. god is desseiued. but nat only to trowen þat god is desseiued. but for to speke it wiþ mouþe it is a felonous synne. ¶ But yif þat god woot þat ryȝt so as þinges ben to comen. so shulle þei comen. so þat he wit[e] egaly. as who seiþ indifferently þat þinges mowen ben don or ellys nat don. what is þilke prescience þat ne comprehendiþ no certeyne þinge ne stable. or ellys what difference is þer bytwixe þe prescience.andþilke iape-worþi dyuynynge of Tiresie þe diuinourþat seide. ¶ Al þat I seie quod he eyþer it shal be. or ellys it ne shal nat be. Or ellis how moche is worþe þe diuyne prescience more þan þe oppiniounof mankynde yif so be þat it demeþ þe þinges vncerteyne as mendon. of þe whiche domes of men þe bytydynge nis nat certeyne. ¶ But yif so be þat noon vncerteyne þinge may ben in hym þat is ryȝt certeyne welle of alle þinges. þanis þe bytydynge certeyne of þilke þinges whiche he haþ wist byforn fermely to comen. For whiche it folweþ þat þe fredom of þe conseilsandof þe werkes of mankynde nis non syn þat þe þouȝt of god seeþ alle þinges withouten errourof falsnesse byndeþandconstreiniþ hem to a bitidynge by necessite. and yif [this] þing be on-is grauntidandreceyued. þat is to seyn. þat þer nis no fre wille. þan sheweþ it wel how gret distrucciounandhow grete damages þer folwen of þinges of mankynde. ¶ For in ydel ben þer þan purposed and byhyȝt medes of goode folk.andpeynes to badde folk. syn þat no moeuynge of free corage uoluntarie ne haþ nat deserued hem. þat is to seyn neiþer mede nor peyne. ¶ And it sholde seme þan þat þilke þinge is alþer worste whicheþat is nowe demed. for alþermoste iusteandmoste ryȝtful. þat is to seyn þat shrewes ben punyssed. or ellys þat good[e] folk ben ygerdoned. þe whiche folk syn þat þe propre wille [ne] sent hem nat to þat oon ne to þat oþer. þat is to seyn. neþer to good[e] ne to harme. but constreineþ hem certeyne necessite of þinges to comen. ¶ þanne ne shollenþer neuer ben ne neuer weren vice ne vertue. but it sholde raþer ben confusiounof alle desertes medlid wiþoute discresioun. ¶ And ȝitte þer folweþ an oþer inconuenient of þe whiche þer ne may ben þouȝt ne more felonous ne more wikke.andþat is þis þat so as þe ordre of þinges is yleddandcomeþ of þe purueaunce of god. ne þat no þing nis leueful to þe conseils of mankynde. as who seiþ þat men han no power to done no þing. ne wilne no þing. þan folweþ it þat oure vices ben refferred to þe mak[er]e of alle good. as who seiþ þan folweþ it. þat god auȝt[e] han þe blame of oure vices. syn he constreiniþ by necessite to don vices. þan nis þer no resounto han hopen in god. ne forto preien to god. ¶ For what sholde any wyȝt hopen to god. or whi sholde he preien to god. syn þat þe ordenaunce of destine whiche þat ne may nat ben enclined. knytteþandstreiniþ alle þinges þat men may desiren. ¶ þan sholde þere be don awey þilke oonly alliaunce bytwixen godandmen. þat is to seien to hopenandto preien. but by þe preis of ryȝtfulnesseandof veray mekenesse we deserue þe gerdounof þe deuyne grace whiche þat is inestimable. þat is to sein þat it is so grete þat it ne may nat ben ful ypreised.andþis is oonly þe manere. þat is to seyen hopeandprayeres. for whiche it semeþ þat [men] mowen spekenwiþ god.andby resounof supplicaciounben conioigned to þilk clernesse þat nis nat approched no raþer or þat men byseken itandemprenten it. And yif men ne wene [nat] þat [hope] ne preiers ne han no strengþes. by þe necessite of þinges to comen y-resceiued. what þing is þer þan by whiche we mowen be conioygnedandclyuen to þilke souereyne prince of þinges. ¶ For whiche it byhoueþ by necessite þat þe lynage of mankynde as þou songe a litel here byforne ben departedandvnioyned from hys welleandfaylen of hys bygynnynge. þat is to seien god.[The .3de. Metur.]QUE NAM DISCORSWhat discordable cause haþ to-rentandvnioigned þe byndyng or þe alliaunce of þinges. þat is to seyne þe coniuncciounof godandof man. ¶ whiche god haþ establissed so grete bataile bitwixenþise two soþefast or verray þinges. þat is to sein bytwixen þe purueaunce of godandfre wille. þat þei ben synguleranddiuided. ne þat þei ne wolen nat ben medeled ne coupled to-gidre. but þer nis no discorde to [tho] verray þinges. but þei cleuen certeyne al wey to hem self. but þe þouȝt of man confoundedandouerþrowen by þe dirke membris of þe body ne may nat by fir of his dirk[ed] lokynge. þat is to seyn by þe vigourof hys insyȝt while þe soule is in þe body knowen þe þinne subtil knyttynges of þinges. ¶ But wherfore eschaufiþ it so by so grete loue to fynden þilke note[s] of soþe y-couered. (glosa) þat is to sein wherfore eschaufiþ þe þouȝt of man by so grete desir to knowen þilke notificaciouns þat ben yhidd vndir þe couertours of soþe. woot it ouȝt þilke þingesþat it anguissous desireþ to knowe. as who seiþ nay. ¶ For no man ne trauaileþ forto witen þinges þat he woot.andþerfore þe texte seiþ þus. ¶ [Glosa] Si enimanima ignorat istas subtiles connexiones. responde. vndeest quod desiderat scire cumnil ignotumpossit desiderare. ¶ But who traua[i]leþ to wyten þinges y-knowe. and yif þat he ne knoweþ hem nat. what sekiþ þilke blynde þouȝt. what is he þat desireþ any þinge of whiche he woot ryȝt nat. as who seiþ who so desiriþ any þing nedis som what he knoweþ of it. or ellys he ne couþe nat desire it. or who may folwen þinges þat ne ben nat ywist ¶ and þouȝ [þat] he seke þo þinges where shal he fyndenhem. what wyȝt þat is al vnknowyngeandignoraunt may knowe þe forme þat is yfounde. ¶ But whan þe soule byholdeþandseeþ þe heye þouȝt. þat is to seyn god. þan knoweþ it to-gidre þe sommeandþe singularites. þat is to seyn þe principlesandeueryche by hym self. ¶ But now while þe soule is hidd in þe cloudeandin þe derknesse of þe membris of þe body. it ne haþ nat al forȝeten it selfe. but it wiþholdeþ þe somme of þingesandlesiþ þe singularites. þan who so þat sekeþ soþenesse. he nis in neiþernouþir habit. for he not nat alle ne he ne haþ nat alle for-ȝeten. ¶ But ȝitte hym remembriþ þe somme of þinges þat he wiþholdeþandaxeþ counseilandtretiþ depelyche þinges ysein byforne. [Glosa] þat is to sein þe grete somme in hys mynde. [textus] so þat he mowe adden þe parties þat he haþ forȝeten. to þilke þat he haþ wiþholden.[The 4theprose.]TAMEN ILLA UETUS INQUIT HEC EST.Þanne seide she. þis is quod she þe olde questiounof þe purueaunce of god.andmarcus tulius whan he deuided[e] þe deuinaciouns. þat is to sein in hys booke þat he wroot of deuinaciouns. he moeued[e] gretly þis questioun.andþou þi self hast souȝt it mochelandouterlyandlong[e]. but ȝit ne haþ it nat ben determined ne yspedd fermelyanddiligently of any of yow. ¶ And þe cause of þis derkenesseand[of this] difficulte is for þat þe moeuynge of þe resounof mankynde ne may nat moeuento. þat is to sein applien or ioygnen to þe simplicite of þe deuyne prescience. ¶ þe whiche symplicite of þe deuyne prescience ȝif þat men [myhten thinken it in any manere/ þat is to seyn / þat yif men] myȝte þinkenandcomprehenden þe þinges as god seeþ hem. þan ne sholde þer dwellen outerly no doute. þe whiche resounandcause of difficulte I shal assaie at þe laste to shewenandto speden. ¶ whan I haue firste [yspendyd /and] ansewered to þo resouns by whiche þou art ymoeued. ¶ For I axe whi þou wenest þat þilk[e] resouns of hem þat assoilen þis questiounne ben nat spedeful ynouȝ ne sufficient þe whiche soluciounor þe whiche resounfor þat it demiþ þat þe prescience nis nat cause of necessite to þinges to comen. þan ne weneþ it nat þat fredom of wille be distourbed or ylett by prescience. for ne drawest þou nat argumentes from ellys where of þe necessite of þinges to comen. As who seiþ any oþer wey þan þus. but þat þilke þinge[s] þat þe prescience woot byforn [ne] mowen nat vnbitide. þat is to seyn þat þei moten bitide. ¶ But þan yif þat prescience ne putteþ no necessite to þinges to comen. as þou þi selfhast confessed itandbyknowen a litel herbyforne. ¶ what cause [or what] is it. as who seiþ þere may no cause be. by whiche þat þe endes (exitus) uoluntarie of þinges myȝten be constreyned to certeyne bitydyng. ¶ For by grace of possessioun. so þat þou mowe þe better vndirstonde þis þat folweþ. ¶ I pose (inpossibile) þat þer ne be no prescience. þan axe I quod she in as moche as apperteniþ to þat. sholde þan þinges þat comen of frewille ben constreined to bytiden by necessite.Boicius. nay quod I. þan aȝeinward quod she. I suppose þat þere be prescience but þat ne putteþ no necessite to þinges. þan trowe I þat þilk self fredom of wille shal dwellenal hoolandabsolutandvnbounden. but þou wolt sein þat al be it so þat prescience nis nat cause of þe necessite of bitidynge to þinges to comen. ¶ Algates ȝitte it is a signe þat þe þinges ben to bytiden by necessite. by þis manere þan al þouȝ þe prescience ne hadde neuer yben. ȝit algate or at þe lest[e] wey. it is certeyne þing þat þe endysandþe bitydynges of þinges to comensholde ben necessarie. ¶ For euery sygne sheweþandsignifieþ oonly what þe þing is ¶ but it ne makiþ nat þe þing þat it signifieþ. ¶ For whiche it byhoueþ firste to shewen þat no þing ne bitidiþ [þat it ne bytydith] by necessite. so þat it may apere þat þe prescience is signe of þis necessite ¶ or ellys yif þere nere no necessite. certys þilke prescience ne myȝt[e] nat ben signe of þinge þat nis nat. ¶ But certys it is nowe certeyne þat þe preue of þis susteniþ by stedfast resounne shal nat ben ladd ne proued by signes ne by argumentys ytaken fro wiþ oute. but by causes couenableandnecessarie ¶ But þou mayst sein how may it be þat þe þinges ne bitiden natþat ben ypurueyed to comen. but certys ryȝt as we trowen þat þo þinges whiche þat þe purueaunce woot byforn to comen. ne ben nat to bitiden. but [þat] ne sholde we nat demen. but raþer al þouȝ [þat] þei schal bitiden. ȝit ne haue þei no necessite of hire kynde to bitiden.andþis maist þou lyȝtly aperceyuenby þis þat I shal seyn. but we seen many þinges whan þei ben don byforn oure eyen ryȝt as men seen þe karter worken in þe tournyngeandin attempryng or in adressyng of hys kartes or chariottes. ¶ and by þis manere as who seiþ mayst þou vnderstonde of alle manere oþir werkemen. ¶ Is þere þanne any necessite as who seiþ in oure lokynge [þat] constreineþ or compelliþ any of þilke þinges to ben don so. b. nay quod I ¶ For in ydelandin veyne were alle þe effect of crafte yif þat alle þinges weren moeued by constreynynge. þat is to seyn by constreynynge of oure eyen or of oure syȝt.P.þise þingusþan quod she þat whan men don hem ne han non necessite þat men don hem. eke þo same þinges first or þei be don. þei ben to comen wiþ out necessite. for whi þer ben somme þinges to bytide of whiche þe endysandþe bitidynges of hem ben absolutandquit of alle necessite. for certys I ne trowe nat þat any man wolde seyn þis. þat þo þinges þat men don now þat þei ne weren to bitiden. first or þei were ydon ¶ and þilk same þinges al þouȝ þat men haddenywyst hem by-forn. ȝitte þei han fre bitidynges. for ryȝt as science of þinges present ne bryngeþ in no necessite to þinges [þat men doon // Ryht so the prescience of thinges to comen ne bryngeth in no necessite to thinges] to bytiden but þou mayst seyn þat of þilke same it is ydouted. as wheþer þat of þilke þinges þat ne han non endesandbytidynges necessaryes yif þer-of may ben any prescience ¶ For certys þei seme to discorde. for þou wenest þat yif þat þinges ben yseyn byforn þat necessite folweþ hem. and yif (etputas) necessite faileþ hem þei ne myȝten nat ben wist byforn.andþat no þinge ne may ben comprehendid by science but certeyne.andyif þo þinges þat ne han no certeyne bytidynges ben ypurueied as certeyn. it sholde ben dirkenesse of oppiniounnat soþefastnesse of science [andþou weenyst þat it be diuerse fro the hoolnesse of science / þat any man sholde deme a thing to ben oother weys thanne it is it self]. and þe cause of þis errour is. þat of alle þe þinges þat euery wyȝt haþ yknowe. þei wenen þat þo þinges ben y-knowe al oonly by þe strengþeandby þe nature of þe þinges þat ben ywyst or yknowe.andit is al þe contrarie. for alle þat euere is yknowe. it is raþer comprehendidandyknowennat after his strengeþandhys nature. but after þe faculte þat is to seyn þe powerand[the] nature of hem þat knowen.andfor þat þis shal mowe shewen by a short ensample þe same roundenes of a body .O. oþer weyes þe syȝt of þe eye knoweþ it.andoþer weyes þe touching. þe lokynge by castynge of his bemes waiteþandseeþ fro afer alle þe body to-gider wiþ oute mouynge of it self. but þe touchinge cliuiþandconioigneþ to þe rounde body (orbi)andmoueþ abouten þe environynge.andcomprehendiþ by parties þe roundenesse. ¶ and þe man hym self oþer weies wyt byholdiþ hym.andoþerweyes ymaginaciounandoþer weyes resoun.andoþer weyes intelligence. ¶ For þe wit comprehendiþ fro wiþ outen furþe þe figure of þe body of þe man. þat is establissed in þe matere subiect. But þe ymaginacioun[comprehendith only the figurewithowte the matere/Resounsurmounteth ymaginacioun]andcomprehendeþ by an vniuersel lokynge þe commune spece (speciem) þat is in þe singuler peces. ¶ But þe eye of intelligence is heyȝer for it sourmounteþ þe envirounynge of þe vniuersiteandlookeþ ouer þat by pure subtilite of þouȝt. þilk same symple forme of man þat is perdurably in þe deuyne þouȝt. in whiche þis auȝt[e] gretely to ben considered þat þe heyest strengþe to comprehenden þinges enbraceþandconteyneþ þe lower[e] strengþe [but the lowerestrengthe ne arysith nat in no manereto heyerestrengthe]. for wit ne may no þinge comprehende oute of matere. ne þe ymagynaciounne lokeþ nat þe vniuerseles speces. ne resounne takeþ nat þe symple forme. so as intelligence takeþ it. but þe intelligence þat lokeþ al abouen whan it haþ comprehendid þe forme it knoweþanddemeþ alle þe þinges þat benvndir þat forme. but she knoweþ hemvndir þilke manere in þe whiche it comprehendiþ þilke same symple forme þat ne may neuer be knowen to non of þat oþer. þat is to seyn to non of þo þre forseide strengþes of þe soule. for it knoweþ þe vniuersite of resounandþe figure of þe ymaginacioun.andþe sensible material conseiued.andþou wenest þat it be diuerse fro þe hoolnesse of science. þat any man sholde deme a þing to ben oþerweyes þan it is it selfandþe cause of þis errouretc’.vt supra. by wit. ne it ne vseþ nat nor of resounne of ymaginaciounne of wit wiþ oute forþe but it byholdeþ alle þinges so as I shal seye. by a strok of þouȝt formely wiþ oute discours or collacioun¶ Certys resounwhan it lokeþ any þing vniuersel it ne vseþ nat of ymaginaciounnor of witandalgates ȝit [it] comprendiþ þe þinges ymaginableandsensible. for resounis she þat diffinisseþ þe vniuerselof hir conseite ryȝt þus. ¶ Man is a resonable t[w]o-footid beest. and how so þat þis knowynge [is] vniuersel. ȝit nys þer no wyȝt þat ne woot wel. þat a manis [a thing] ymaginableandsensible ¶ and þis same considereþ wel resoun. but þat nis nat by ymaginacioun. nor by witte. but it lokiþ it by [a] resonable concepcioun. ¶ Also ymaginaciounal be it so. þat it takeþ of wit þe bygynyngusto seenandto formen þe figures. algates al þouȝ þat wit ne ware not present. ȝit it envirouniþandcomprehendiþ alle þinges sensible. nat by resounsensible of demynge. but by resounymaginatif. ¶ sest þou nat þan þat alle þe þinges in knowynge vsen more of hir faculte or of hir power. þan þei don of [the] faculte or of power of þinges þat ben yknowen. ne þat nis no wronge. for so as euery iugement is þe dede or þe doynge of hym þat demeþ. It byhoueþ þat euery wyȝt performe þe werkeandhys entenciounnat of forein power;but of hys propre power.[The 4theMetur.]QUONDAM PORTICUS ATTULIT.ÞE porche þat is to sein a gate of þe toune of athenis þer as philosophres hadde hir congregaciounto dispoyten.andþilke porche brouȝt[e] somtyme olde men ful derke in hire sentences. þat is to sein philosophers þat hyȝten stoiciens. þat wenden þat ymages [and] sensibilites þat is to sein sensible ymaginaciouns. or ellys ymaginaciounof sensible þinges wereninprentid in to soules fro bodies wiþ oute forþe. ¶ As who seiþ þat þilke stoiciens wenden þat þe soule hadde ben naked of it self. as a mirour or a clene parchemyn. so þat alle fygures mosten [fyrst] comen fro þinges fro wiþ oute in to soules.andben inprentid in to soules.Textus.Ryȝt as we ben wont some tyme by a swift poyntel to ficchen lettres emprentid in þe smoþenesse or in þe plainesse ofþe table of wex. or in parchemyn þat ne haþ no figure [ne] note in it.Glosa.But now arguiþ boece aȝeins þat oppiniounandseiþ þus. but yif þe þriuyng soule ne vnplitiþ no þing. þat is to sein ne doþ no þing by hys propre moeuynges. but suffriþandlieþ subgit to þe figuresandto þe notes of bodyes wiþ oute forþe.andȝeldeþ ymages ydelandveyne in þe manere of a mirour. whennes þriueþ þan or whennes comeþ þan þilke knowyng in oure soule. þat discerniþandbyholdeþ alle þinges. and whennes is þilke strengþe þat byholdeþ þe syngulere þinges. or whennes is þe strengþe þat dyuydeþ þinges yknowe.andþilke strengþe þat gadereþ to-gidre þe þinges deuided.andþe strengþe þat cheseþ hys entrechaunged wey for som tyme it heueþ vp þe heued. þat is to sein þat it heueþ vp þe entenciounto ryȝt heye þinges.andsom tyme it discendiþ in to ryȝt lowe þinges.andwhan it retourniþ in to hym self. it repreuiþanddestroieþ þe false þinges by þe trewe þinges. ¶ Certys þis strengþe is cause more efficientandmochel more myȝty to seenandto knowe þinges. þan þilke cause þat suffriþ and resceyueþ þe notesandþe figures inpressed in manere of matere algates þe passiounþat is to seyn þe suffraunce or þe wit inþe quik[e] body goþ byforne excityngeandmoeuyng þe strengþes of þe þouȝte. ryȝt so as whan þat clerenesse smyteþ þe eyenandmoeuiþ hem to seen. or ryȝt so as voys or soune hurtliþ to þe eresandcommoeuiþ hem to herkne. þan is þe strengþe of þe þouȝt ymoeuidandexcitidandclepeþ furþe þe semblable moeuynges þe speces þat it halt wiþ inne it self.andaddiþ þo speces to þe notesandto þe þinges wiþ out forþe.andmedeleþ þe ymages of þinges wiþ out forþe to þe forme[s] yhid wiþ inne hym self.[The .5.theprose.]QUOD SI IN CORPORIBUSSENCIENDIS.QUESTIO.But what [yif] þat in bodies to benfeelid þat is to sein in þe takynge of knowelechinge of bodyly þinges. and al be it so þat þe qualites of bodies þat ben obiect fro wiþ oute forþe moeuenandentalenten þe instrumentes of þe wittes. and al be it so þat þe passiounof þe body þat is to seyn þe witte [or the] suffraunce [goth to-forn the strengthe of the workynge corage / the which passiounor suffraunce] clepiþ furþe þe dede of þe þouȝt in hym self.andmoeueþandexiteþ in þis mene while þe formes þat resten wiþ in forþe. and yif þat insensible bodies as I haue seid oure corage nis nat ytauȝt or enprentid by passiounto knowe þise þinges. but demiþandknoweþ of hys owen strengþe þe passiounor suffraunce subiect to þe body. Moche more þan þoo þinges þat ben absolutandquit fram alle talentȝ or affecciouns of bodies. as god or hys aungels ne folwen nat in discernynge þinges obiect from wiþ oute forþe. but þei accomplissenandspeden þe dede of hir þouȝt by þis resoun. ¶ þan þere comen many manere knowynges to dyuerseanddifferyng substaunces. for þe wit of þe body þe whiche witte is nakedanddespoyled of alle oþer knowynges. þilke witte comeþ to bestes þat ne mowen nat moeuen hem self here ne þere. as oystresandmusclesandoþer swiche shelle fysshe of þe see. þat cliuenandben norissed to roches. but þe ymaginaciouncomeþ to remuable bestes þat semento han talent to fleen or to desiren any þinge. but resounis al only to þe lynage of mankynde ryȝt as intelligence is oonly þe deuyne nature. of whiche it folweþ þat þilke knowyng is more worþe þan [th]is[e] oþer. syn it knoweþ by hyspropre nature nat only hys subiect. as who seiþ it ne knoweþ nat al oonly þat apperteiniþ proprely to hys knowynge. but it knoweþ þe subgitȝ of alle oþer knowynges. but how shal it þan be yif þat witandymaginaciounstryuen aȝeins resonyngeandsein þat of þilke vniuersel þinges. þat resounweneþ to seen þat it nis ryȝt nauȝt. for witandymaginaciounseyn þat þat. þat is sensible or ymaginable it ne may nat ben vniuersel. þan is eiþer þe iugement of resoun[soth]. ne þat þer nis no þinge sensible. or ellys for þat resounwoot wel þat many þinges ben subiect to witandto ymaginacioun. þan is þe consepciounof resounveynandfals whiche þat lookeþandcomprehendiþ. þat þat is sensibleandsynguler as uniuersele. and ȝif þat resounwolde answeren aȝein to þise two þat is to sein to witandto ymaginacioun.andsein þat soþely she hir self. þat is to seyn þat resounlokeþandcomprehendiþ by resounof vniuersalite. boþe þat þat is sensibleandþat þat is ymaginable.andþat þilke two þat is to seyn witandymaginaciounne mowennat strecchen ne enhaunsen hem self to knowynge of vniuersalite for þat þe knowyng of hem ne may exceden nor sourmountenþe bodyly figure[s] ¶ Certys of þe knowyng of þinges men auȝten raþer ȝeue credence to þe more stedfastandto þe more perfit iugement. In þis manere stryuynge þan we þat han strengþe of resonyngeandof ymaginyngeandof wit þat is to seyn by resounandby ymaginaciounandby wit. [and] we sholde raþer preise þe cause of resoun. as who seiþ þan þe cause of wit or ymaginacioun. semblable þinge is it þat þe resounof mankynde ne weneþ nat þat þe deuyne intelligence byholdeþ or knoweþ þinges to comen. but ryȝt as þe resounof mankynde knoweþ hem. for þou arguistandseist þus. þatyif it ne seme nat to men þat somme þinges han certeyneandnecessarie bytidynges. þei ne mowen nat ben wist byforn certeynely to bytiden. þannis [ther] no prescience of þilke þinges.andyif we trowen þat prescience ben in þise þinges. þan is þer no þinge þat it ne bitidiþ by necessite. but certys yif we myȝtenhan þe iugement of þe deuyne þouȝt as we ben parsoners of resoun. ryȝt so as we han demed. it byhoueþ þat ymaginaciounandwit ben byneþe resoun. ryȝt so wolde we demenþat it were ryȝtful þing þat mans resounauȝt[e] to summitten it selfandto ben byneþe þe deuyne þouȝt. for whiche þat yif we mowen. as who seiþ. þat yif þat we mowenI conseil[e] þat we enhanse vs in to þe heyȝt of þilke souereyne intelligence. for þere shal resounwel seen þat þat it ne may nat by-holden in it self. and certys þat is þis in what manere þe prescience of god seeþ alle þinges certeinsanddifinissed al þouȝ þei ne han no certein issues or by-tydynges. ne þis is non oppiniounbut it is raþer þe simplicite of þe souereyn science þat nis nat enclosed nor yshet wiþinne no boundes.[The 5theMetur.]QUAM UARIIS FIGURIS.ÞE bestes passen by þe erþes by ful dyuerse figures for somme of hem han hir bodies strauȝtandcrepenin þe dustanddrawen after hema trais or a forghe contynued. þat is to sein as addres or snakes. and oþer bestes by [the] wandryng lyȝtnesse of hir wenges beten þe wyndesandouer-swymmenþe spaces of þe longe eyer by moist flee[y]nge. and oþer bestes gladen hem to diggen her traas or her stappes inþe erþe wiþ hir goynge or wiþ her feet. or to gone eyþe[r] by þe grene feldes or [elles] to walken vnder þe wodes.andal be it so þat þou seest þat þei alle discorden by dyuerse formes. algate hire[faces] enclini[n]g heuieþ hiredulle wittes. Onlyche þe lynage of man heueþ heyest hys heyȝe heuedandstondeþ lyȝt wiþ hys vpryȝt bodyandbyholdeþ þe erþe vndir hym. [and] but-ȝif þou erþely man wexest yuel oute of þi witte. þis figure amonesteþ þe þat axest þe heuene wiþ þi ryȝt[e] visage.andhast areised þi forhede to beren vp on heye þi corage so þat þi þouȝt ne be nat yheuied ne put lowe vndir foot. sen þat þi body is so heye areised.PROSA VLTIMA.[The 6teproseandthe laste.]QUONIAMIGITUR UTI PAULO ANTE.ÞEr-fore þan as I haue shewed a litel her byforne þat al þinge þat is ywist nis nat knowen by hys nature propre. but by þe nature of hemþat comprehenden it. ¶ Lat vs loke now in as moche as it is leueful to vs. as who seiþ lat vs loken now as we mowen whiche þat þe estat is of þe deuyne substaunce so þat we mowen [ek] knowen what his science is. þe comune iugement of alle creatures resonables þan is þis þat god is eterne. lat vs considere þanwhat is eternite. For certys þat shal shewen vs to-gidre þe deuyne natureandþe deuyne science ¶ Eternite þan is perfit possessiounandal togidre of lijf interminableandþat sheweþ more clerely by þe comparisounor collaciounof temporel þinges. for al þing þat lyueþ in tyme it is presentandprocediþ fro preteritȝ in to futures. þat is to sein. fro tyme passed in to tyme comynge. ne þer nis no þing establissed intyme þat may enbracen to-gidre al þe space of hys lijf. for certys ȝit ne haþ it nat taken þe tyme of þe morwe.andit haþ lost þat of ȝister-day. and certys in þe lijfof þis day ȝe ne lyuen no more but ryȝt as in þis moeueableandtransitorie moment. þan þilke þinge þat suffriþ temporel condicioun. a[l]þougheþat [it] bygan neuer to be. ne þougheit neuere cese forto be. as aristotle demde of þe worlde. and al þouȝ þat þe lif of it be strecchid wiþ infinite of tyme. ȝit algates nis it no swiche þing þat men myȝten trowen by ryȝt þat it is eterne. for al þouȝ þat it comprehendeandembrace þe space of life infinite. ȝit algates ne [em]braceþ it nat þe space of þe lif alto-gidre. for it ne haþ nat þe futures þat ne ben nat ȝit. ne it ne haþ no lenger þe preteritȝ þat ben ydon or ypassed. but þilke þing þan þat haþandcomprehendiþ to-gidre alle þe plente of þe lif interminable. to whom þere ne failiþ nat of þe future.andto whom þer nis nat of þe preterit escapid nor ypassed. þilk[e] same is ywitnessed or yproued by ryȝt to ben eterne. and it byhoueþ by necessite þat þilke þinge be alwey present to hym selfandcompotent. as who seiþ alwey present to hym selfandso myȝty þat al by ryȝt at hys plesaunce.andþat he haue al present þe infinit of þe moeuable tyme. wherfore som men trowenwrongefully þat whan þei heren þat it semid[e] to plato þat þis worlde ne had[de] neuer bygynnynge of tyme. ne þat it neuere shal haue faylynge. þei wenen inþis manere þat þis worlde ben maked coeterne wiþ his makere. as who seiþ. þei wenen þat þis worldeandgod ben maked to-gidre eterne. and it is a wrongful wenynge. for oþer þing is it to ben yladd by lif interminable as plato graunted[e] to þe worlde.andoþer þing is it to embracen to-gidre alle þe presence to þe lif interminable. þe whiche þing it is clereandmanifestþat it is propre to þe deuine þouȝt. ne it ne sholde nat semen to vs þat god is elder þan þinges þat ben ymaked by quantite of tyme. but raþer by þe proprete of hys symple nature. for þis ilke infinit[e] moeuyng of temporel þinges folwiþ þis presentarie estat of þe lijf inmoeueable.andso as it ne may nat contrefeten it ne feynenit ne ben euene lyke to it. for þe inmoeueablete. þat is to seyn þat is inþe eternite of god. ¶ it faileþandfalleþ in to moeuynge fro þe simplicite of [the] presence of god.anddisencresiþ to þe infinite quantite of futureandof preterit.andso as it ne may nat han togidre al þe plente of þe lif. algates ȝitte for as moche as it ne cesiþ neuere forto ben in som manere it semeþ somde[l] to vs þat it folwiþandresembliþ þilke þing þat it ne may nat attayne to. ne fulfille.andbyndeþ it self to som manere presence of þis litelandswifte moment. þe whiche presence of þis lyteleandswifte moment. for þat it bereþ a manere ymage or lykenesse of þe ay dwellynge presence of god. it graunteþ to swiche manere þinges as it bitidiþ to þat it semeþ hem þat þise þinges han benandbenandfor [þat] þe presence of swiche litel moment ne may nat dwelle þer-for [it] rauyssid[e]andtook þe infinit[e] wey of tyme. þat is to seyn by successioun.andby þis manere it is ydon. for þat it sholde continue þe lif in goynge of þe whiche lif it ne myȝt[e] nat embrace þe plente in dwellynge.andfor þi yif we willen putte worþi name[s] to þingesandfolwen plato. lat vs seyn þansoþely þat god is eterne.andþat þe worlde is perpetuel. þan syn þat euery iugement knoweþandcomprehendiþ by hys owen nature þinges þat ben subiect vnto hym. þere is soþely al-wey to god an eterneandpresentarie estat.andþescience of hym þat ouer-passeþ alle temporel moe[ue]ment dwelliþ in þe symplicite of hys presenceandembraceþandconsidereþ alle þe infinit spaces of tymes preteritȝandfuturesandlokeþ in þis symple knowynge alle þinges of preterit ryȝt as þei weren ydoon presently ryȝt now ¶ yif þou wolt þan þenkeandavisenþe prescience by whiche it knoweþ al[le] þinges þou ne shalt nat demen it as prescience of þinges to comen. but þou shalt demen[it] more ryȝtfully þat it is science of presence or of instaunce þat neuer ne fayleþ. for whiche it nis nat ycleped prouidence but it sholde raþer be cleped purueaunce þat is establissed ful fer fro ryȝt lowe þinges.andbyholdeþ from a-fer alle þinges ryȝt as it were fro þe heye heyȝte of þinges. whi axest þou þan or why disputest þou þan þat þilke þinges ben don by necessite whiche þat ben yseyenandyknowen by þe deuyne syȝt. syn þat for soþe men ne maken nat þilke þinges necessarie. whiche þat þe[i] seen be ydoon in hiresyȝt. for addiþ þi byholdynge any necessite to þilke þinges þat þou byholdest present. ¶ Nay quod I.p.Certys þan yif men myȝte maken any digne comparisounor collaciounof þe presence diuine.andof þe presence of mankynde. ryȝt so as ȝe seen somme þinges in þis temporel presente. ryȝt so seeþ god alle þinges by hys eterne present. ¶ wherfore þis dyuyne prescience ne chaungeþ nat þe nature ne þe proprete of þinges but byholdeþ swyche þinges present to hym ward. as þei shollen bytiden to ȝow ward in tyme to come. ne it ne confoundeþ nat þe Iugementȝ of þinges but by of syȝt of hys þouȝt he knoweþ þe þinges to comen as wel necessarie as nat necessarie. ryȝt so as whan ȝe seen togidre a man walke on þe erþeandþe sonne arysen in [the] heuene. al be it so þat ȝe seenandbyholdenþatoonandþat oþer to-gidre. ȝit naþeles ȝe demenanddiscerne þat þat oon is uoluntarieandþat oþer is necessarie. ¶ Ryȝt so þan [the] deuyne lokynge byholdynge alle þinges vndir hym ne troubleþ nat þe qualite of þinges þat ben certeynely present to hymward. but as to þe condiciounof tyme for soþe þei ben future. for whiche it folwiþ þat þis nis non oppinioun. but raþer a stedfast knowyng ystrengeþed by soþenes. þat whan þat god knoweþ any þinge to be he ne vnwoot nat þat þilke þinge wanteþ necessite to be. þis is to seyn þat whan þat god knoweþ any þinge to bitide. he woot wel þat it ne haþ no necessite to bitide.andyif þou seist here þat þilke þinge þat god seeþ to bytide it ne may nat vnbytide. as who seiþ it mot bitide. ¶ and þilke þinge þat þat ne may nat vnbytide it mot bitide by necessite. and þat þou streine me to þis name of necessite. certys I wol wel confessenandbyknowe a þinge of ful sadde trouþe. but vnneþ shal þere any wyȝt [mowe] seen it or comen þer-to. but yif þat he be byholder of þe deuyne þouȝte. ¶ for I wol answereþe þus. þat þilke þinge þat is future whan it is referred to þe deuyne knowyng þan is it necessarie. but certys whan it is vndirstonden in hys owen kynde mensen it [is] vtterly freandabsolut from alle necessite. for certys þer ben two maneres of necessites. þat oon necessite is symple as þus. þat it byhoueþ by necessite þat alle men be mortal or dedely. an oþernecessite is condicionel as þus. yif þou wost þat a man walkiþ. it byhoueþ by necessite þat he walke. þilke þinge þan þat any wyȝt haþ yknowe to be. it ne may ben non oþer weyes þan he knoweþ it to be. ¶ but þis condicioun ne draweþ nat wiþ hir þilke necessite symple. For certys þis necessite condicionel.þe propre nature of it ne makeþ it nauȝt. but þe adiecciounof þe condiciounmakiþ it. for no necessite ne constreyneþ a man to [gon / þat] gooþ by his propre wille. al be it so þat whan he gooþ þat it is necessarie þat he gooþ. þan mot þilke þinge be by necessite. al þouȝ þat it ne haue no necessite of hys owen nature. ¶ Ryȝt on þis same manere þan. yif þat þe purueaunce of god seeþ any þing present. but certys þe futures þat bytyden by fredom of arbitre god seeþ hem alle to-gidre presentȝ. þise þinges þan [yif] þei ben referred to þe deuyne syȝt. þan ben þei maked necessarie to þe condiciounof þe deuyne knowynge. but certys yif þilke þinges ben considred by hem self þei ben absolut of necessite.andne forleten nat ne cesen nat of þe liberte of hire owennature. þan certys wiþ outen doute alle þe þingusshollen be doon whiche þat god woot by-forn þat þei ben to comen. but somme of hem comenandbitiden of [free] arbitre or of fre wille. þat al be it so þat þei bytiden. ȝit algates ne lese þei nat hire propre nature ne beynge. by þe whiche first or þat þei were doon þei hadden power nat to han bitidd.Boece.what is þis to seyn þanquod I. þat þinges ne ben nat necessarie by hire propre nature. so as þei comen in alle maneres in þe lykenesse of necessite by þe condiciounof þe deuyne science.Philosophie. þis is þe difference quod she. þat þo þinges þat I purposed[e] þe a litel here byforn. þat is to seyn þe sonne arysyngeandþe man walkynge þat þerwhiles þat þilke þinges ben ydon. þei ne myȝten nat ben vndon. naþeles þat oon of hem or it was ydon it byhoued[e] by necessite þat it was ydon. but nat þat oþer. ryȝt so it is here þat þe þinges þat god haþ present.wiþ outen doute þei shulle ben. but somme of hem descendiþ of þe nature of þinges as þe sonne arysynge.andsomme descendiþ of þe power of þe doers as þe man walkynge. ¶ þan seide I. no wronge þat yif þat þise þinges ben referred to þe deuyne knowynge þan ben þei necessarie.andyif þei ben considered by hemselfe þan ben þei absolut from þe bonde of necessite. ryȝt so [as] alle þinges þat appiereþ or sheweþ to þe wittes yif þou referre it to resounit is vniuersel.andyif þou referre it or look[e] it to it self. þan is it synguler. but now yif þou seist þus þat yif it be in my power to chaunge my purpose. þan shal I voide þe purueaunce of god. whan þat perauenture I shal han chaunged þo þinges þat he knoweþ byforn. þan shal I answere þe þus ¶ Certys þou maist wel chaungen þi purpos but for as mochel as þe present soþenesse of þe deuyne purueaunce byholdeþ þat þou mayst chaungenþi purpose.andwheþir þou wolt chaunge it or no.andwhider-ward þat þou tourne it. þou maist nat eschewen þe deuyne prescience ryȝt as þou ne mayst nat fleen þe syȝt of þe present eye. al þouȝ þat þou tourne þi self by þi fre wille in to dyuerse accioun. ¶ But þou mayst seyn aȝeyne how shal it þan be. shal nat þe dyuyne science ben chaunged by my disposiciounwhan þat I wol o þing nowandnow an oþer.andþilke prescience ne semeþ it nat to enterchaunge stoundes of knowynges. as who seiþ. ne shal it nat seme to vs þat þe deuyne prescience enterchaungeþ hys dyuers stoundes of knowynge. so þat it knowe somme tyme o þingandsomme tyme þe contrarie. ¶ No for soþe. [quodI] for þe deuyne syȝt renneþ to-forneandseeþ alle futuresandclepeþ hem aȝeinandretourniþ hem to þe presence of hys propre knowynge. ne he ne entrechaungeþ nat [so] as þou wenest þe stoundes of forknowyng [as] now þis now þat. but he ay dwellynge comiþ byfornandenbraceþ at o strook alle þi mutaciouns. and þis presence to comprehendenandto sen alle þinges. god ne haþ nat takenit of þe bitydynge of þinges forto come. but of hys propre symplicite. ¶ and her by is assoiled þilke þing þat þou puttest a litel her byforne. þat is to seyne þat it is vnworþi þinge to seyn þat oure futures ȝeuen cause of þe science of god ¶ For certys þis strengþe of þe deuyne science whiche þat enbraceþ alle þinge by his presentarie knowynge establisseþ manere to alle þingusandit ne awiþ nat to lattere þinges.andsyn þat þise þinges ben þus. þat is to seyn syn þat necessite nis nat in þinges by þe deuyne prescience. þan is þer fredom of arbitre. þat dwelleþ hoolandvnwemmed to mortal men. ne þe lawes ne purpose nat wikkedly meedesandpeynes to þe willynges of men þat ben vnboundeandquit of alle necessite. ¶ And god byholderandforwiter of alle þinges dwelliþ aboueandþe present eternite of hys syȝt renneþ alwey wiþ þe dyuerse qualite of oure dedes dispensyngandordeynynge medes to good[e] men.andtourmentȝ to wicked men. ne in ydel ne inveyn ne ben þer nat put in god hopeandprayeres. þat ne mowen nat ben vnspedful ne wiþ oute effect whan þei ben ryȝtful ¶ wiþstond þanandeschewe þou vices. worshippeandloue þou vertus. areise þi corage to ryȝtful hoopes. ȝelde þou humble preiers an heyȝe. grete necessite of prowesseandvertue is enchargedandcomaunded to ȝow yif ȝe nil nat dissimulen. ¶ Syn þat ȝe worchenanddoon. þat is to seyn ȝoure dedesandȝoure workesby-fore þe eyen of þe Iuge þat seeþanddemeþ alle þinges. [To whom be goyeandworshipe bi Infynyt tymes / AMEN.]

Þvs is it quod I. but so as þou hast ȝeuen or byhyȝt me to vnwrappenþe hidde causes of þinges ¶ and to discoueren me þe resouns couered withdirknesses I preye þe þat þou diuiseandIuge me of þis matere.andþat þou do me to vndrestondenit. ¶ For þis miracle or þis wondre troubleþ me ryȝt gretely.andþan she a litel [what] smylyng seide. ¶ þou clepest me quod she to telle þing. þat is grettest of alle þinges þat mowen ben axed. ¶ And to þe whiche questiounvnneþ[e]s is þere auȝt ynow to lauen it. as who seiþ. vnneþes is þer suffisauntly any þing to answere perfitly to þi questioun.¶ For þe matere of it is swiche þat whan oon doute is determinedandkut awey þer wexenoþer doutes wiþ-outen noumbre. ryȝt as þe heuedes waxen of ydre þe serpent þat hercules slouȝ. ¶ Ne þere ne were no manere ne noon ende. but yif þat a wyȝt constreined[e] þo doutes. by a ryȝt lyuelyanda quik fire of þouȝt. þat is to seyn by vigourandstrengþe of witte. ¶ For in þis matere menweren wont to maken questiouns of þe simplicite of þe purueaunce of godandof þe ordre of destine.andof sodeyne hap.andof þe knowyngandpredestinacioundeuineandof þe lyberte of fre wille. þe whiche þing þou þi self aperceiust wel of what weyȝt þei ben. but for as mochel as þe knowynge of þise þinges is a manere porciounto þe medicine to þe. al be it so þat I haue lytel tyme to don it. ȝit naþeles I wole enforcen me to shewe somwhat of it. ¶ but al þouȝ þe norissinges of dite of musike deliteþ þe þow most suffren.andforberen a litel of þilk delite while þat I weue (contexo) to þe resouns yknyt by ordre ¶ As it likeþ to þe quod I so do. ¶ þo spak she ryȝt a[s] by an oþer bygynnyn[ge]andseide þus. ¶ þe engendrynge of alle þinges quod sheandalle þe progressiouns of muuable nature.andalle þat moeueþ in any manere takiþ hys causes. hys ordre.andhys formes. of þe stablenesse of þe deuyne þouȝt [andthilke deuyne thowht] þat is ysetandput in þe toure. þat is to seyne in þe heyȝt of þe simplicite of god. stablisiþ many manere gyses to þinges þat ben to don. ¶ þe whiche manere whan þat men loken it inþilke pure clerenesse of þe deuyne intelligence. it is ycleped purueaunce ¶ but whan þilke manere is referredby mento þinges þat it moeueþanddisponeþ þan of olde men. it was cleped destine. ¶ þe whiche þinges yif þat any wyȝt lokeþ wel in his þouȝt. þe strengþe of þat oonandof þat oþer he shal lyȝtly mowen seen þat þise two þinges ben diuers. ¶ For purueaunce is þilke deuyne resounþat is establissed in þe souereyne prince of þinges. þe whiche purueaunce disponiþ alle þinges. but destine is þe disposiciounandordenaunce cleuynge to moeuable þinges. by þe whiche disposiciounþe purueaunce knyteþ alle þinges in hire ordres. ¶ For purueaunce enbraceþ alle þinges to hepe. al þouȝ þat þei ben dyuerseandal þouȝ þei ben wiþ outen fyn. but destynie departeþandordeyneþ alle þinges singlerlyanddiuideþ. in moeuynges. in places. in formes. in tymes. departiþ [as] þus. so þat þe vnfoldyng of temporel ordenaunce assembledandooned in þe lokyng of þe deuyne þouȝt ¶ Is purueaunceandþilke same assemblynge.andoonyng diuidedandvnfolden by tymes. lat þat ben called destine.andal be it so þat þise þinges ben dyuerse. ȝitte naþeles hangeþ þat oon on þat oþer. forwhi þe ordre destinal procediþ of þe simplicite of purueaunce. for ryȝt as a werkmanþat aperceiueþ in hys þouȝt þe forme of þe þing þat he wil make moeueþ þe effect of þe werke.andlediþ þat he had[de] loked byforne in hys þouȝt symplyandpresently by temporel þouȝt. ¶ Certys ryȝt so god disponiþ in hys purueaunce singlerlyandstably þe þinges þat ben to done. but he amynistreþ in many maneresandin dyuerse tymes by destyne. þilke same þinges þat he haþ disponed þan wheþir þat destine be excercised. eyþer by somme dyuyne spirites seruaunteȝ to þe deuyne purueaunce. or ellys by somme soule (animamundi). or ellys by al nature seruynge to god. or ellys by þe celestial moeuyng of sterres. or ellys by þe vertue of aungels. or ellys by þe dyuerse subtilite of deueles. or ellys by any of hem. or ellys by hem alle þe destynal ordynaunce is ywouen or accomplissed. certys it is open þing þat þe purueaunce is an vnmoeueableandsymple forme of þinges to done.andþe moeueable bondeandþe temporel ordynaunce of þinges whiche þat þe deuyne simplicite of purueaunce haþ ordeyned to done. þat is destine. For whiche it is þat alle þinges þat ben put vndir destine ben certys subgitȝ to purueaunce. to whiche purueaunce destine it self is subgitandvndir. ¶ But somme þinges ben put vndir purueaunce þat sourmounten þe ordinaunce of destine.andþo ben þilke þat stably ben yficched ney to þe first godhed þei sourmounten þe ordre of destinal moeuablite. ¶ For ryȝt as cercles þat tournen aboute a same Centre or about a poynt. þilke cercle þat is inrest or moost wiþ-ynne ioineþ to þe symplesse of þe myddelandis as it were a Centre or a poynt to þat oþer cercles þat tournenaboutenhym. ¶ and þilke þat is outerest compased by larger envyronnynge is vnfolden by larger spaces in so mochel as it is forþest fro þe mydel symplicite of þe poynt. and yif þer be any þing þat knytteþandfelawshippeþ hym selfe to þilke mydel poynt it is constreyned in to symplicite. þat is to seyn in to [vn]moeueablete.andit ceseth to ben shadandto fletindyuersly. ¶ Ryȝt so by semblable resoun. þilke þinge þat departiþ firþest fro þe first þouȝt of god. it is vnfoldenandsummittid to grettere bondes of destine. and in so moche is þe þing more freeandlovs fro destyne as it axeþandholdeþ hym ner to þilke Centre of þinges. þat is to seyne god. ¶ and if þe þinge cleueþ to þe stedfastnesse of þe þouȝt of god.andbe wiþ oute moeuyng certys it sourmounteþ þe necessite of destyne. þan ryȝt swiche comparisounas [it] is of skilynge to vndirstondyngandof þing þat is engendred to þing þat is.andof tyme to eternite.andof þe cercle to þe Centre. ryȝt so is þe ordre of moeueable destine to þe stable symplicite of purueaunce. ¶ þilke ordinaunce moeueþ þe heueneandþe sterresandattempreþ þe elymentȝ to gider amonges hem self.andtransformeþ hem by enterchaungable mutacioun. ¶ and þilke same ordre neweþ aȝein alle þinges growyngandfallyng a-doune by sembleables progressiouns of seedesandof sexes. þat is to sein. maleandfemale. and þis ilke ordre constreyneþ þe fortunesandþe dedes of men by a bonde of causes nat able to ben vnbounden (indissolubili). þe whiche destinal causes whanne þei passen oute fro þe bygynnynges of þe vnmoeueable purueaunce it mot nedes be þat þei ne be nat mutable.andþus ben þe þinges ful wel ygouerned. yif þat þe symplicite dwellynge in þe deuyne þouȝt sheweþ furþe þe ordre of causes. vnable to be I-bowed.andþis ordre constreyneþ by hys propre stablete þe moeueable þinges. or ellys þei sholde fleten folily for whiche it is þat alle þinges semen to be confusandtrouble to vs men. for we ne mowe nat considereþilke ordinaunce. ¶ Naþeles þe propre manere of euery þing dressynge hem to goode disponit hem alle. for þere nis no þinge don for cause of yuel. ne þilke þing þat is don by wicked[e] folk nis nat don for yuel þe whiche shrewes as I haue shewed [ful] plentiuouslyseken goode. but wicked errour mystourniþ hem. ¶ Ne þe ordre comynge fro þe poynt of souereyne goode ne declineþ nat fro hys bygynnynge. but þou mayst sein what vnreste may ben a wors confusiounþan þat goode men han somme tyme aduersite.andsomtyme prosperite. ¶ and shrewes also han now þinges þat þei desiren.andnow þinges þat þei haten ¶ wheþer men lyuen now in swiche hoolnesse of þouȝt. as who seiþ. ben men now so wise. þat swiche folk as þei demen to ben goode folk or shrewes þat it mot nedes ben þat folk ben swiche as þei wenen. but in þis manere þe domes of men discorden. þat þilke men þat somme folk demen worþi of mede. oþer folk demen hem worþi of tourment. but lat vs graunt[e] I pose þat som man may wel demen or knowen þe goode folkandþe badde. May he þan knowenandseen þilke inrest attemperaunce of corages. as it haþ ben wont to be said of bodyes. as who saiþ may a man spekenanddetermine of attemperaunce in corages. as men were wont to demen or speken of complexiounsandattemperaunces of bodies (q’ non). ne it [ne] is nat an vnlyke miracle to hem þat ne knowenit nat. ¶ As who seiþ. but is lyke a merueil or a miracle to hem þat ne knowenit nat. whi þat swete þinges [ben] couenable to some bodies þat ben hoolandto some bodies bittre þinges ben couenable.andalso whi þat some seke folk ben holpen withlyȝt medicines [andsome folk ben holpen withsharppe medicynes] but naþeles þe leche þat knoweþ þe manereandþe attemperaunce of heeleandof maladie ne merueileþ of it no þing. but what oþer þing semeþ hele of corages but bounteandprowesse.andwhat oþer þing semeþ maladie of corages but vices. who is ellys kepere of good ordryuere awey of yuel but god gouernourandleecher of þouȝtes. þe whiche god whanhe haþ by-holden from þe heye toure of hys purueaunce he knoweþ what is couenable to euery wyȝt.andleneþ hem þat he wot [þat] is couenable to hem. Loo here of comeþandhere of is don þis noble miracle of þe ordre destinal. whan god þat alle knoweþ doþ swiche þing. of whiche þing [þat] vnknowyng folk ben astoned but forto constreine as who seiþ ¶ But forto comprehendeandtelle a fewe þinges of þe deuyne depnesse þe whiche þat mans resounmay vnderstonde. ¶ þilk man þat þou wenest to ben ryȝt Iusteandryȝt kepyng of equite. þe contrarie of þat semeþ to þe deuyne purueaunce þat al woot. ¶ And lucan my familier telleþ þat þe victories cause liked[e] to þe goddesandcauses ouercomen liked[e] to catoun. þan what so euer þou mayst seen þat is don in þis [world] vnhoped or vnwened. certys it is þe ryȝt[e] ordre of þinges. but as to þi wicked[e] oppiniounit is a confusioun. but I suppose þat som man be so wel yþewed. þat þe deuyne Iugementandþe Iugement of mankynde accorden hem to gidre of hym. but he is so vnstedfast of corage [þat] yif any aduersite come to hym he wolde for-leten perauenture to continue innocence by þe whiche he ne may nat wiþholden fortune. ¶ þan þe wise dispensaciounof god spareþ hym þe whiche manere aduersite myȝt[e] enpeyren. ¶ For þat god wil nat suffren hym to trauaile. to whom þat trauayl nis nat couenable. ¶ An oþerman is perfit in alle uertues.andis an holy manandneye to god so þat þe purueaunce of god wolde demen þat it were a felony þat he were touched wiþ any aduersites. so þat he newil nat suffre þat swiche a man be moeued wiþ any manere maladie. ¶ But so as seide a philosophre [the moore excellent by me]. þe aduersites comen nat (he seide in grec;) þere þat uertues han edified þe bodie of þe holy man. and ofte tyme it bitideþ þat þe somme of þinges þat ben to don is taken to good folk to gouerne. for þat þe malice habundaunt of shrewes sholde ben abatid.andgod ȝeueþanddepartiþ to oþer folk prosp[er]itesandaduersites ymedeled to hepe aftir þe qualite of hire coragesandremordiþ som folk by aduersites. for þei ne sholden nat wexen proude by longe welefulnesse.andoþer folk he suffreþ to ben trauayled wiþ harde þinges. ¶ For þat þei sholden conferme þe vertues of corage by þe vsageandexercitaciounof pacience. and oþer folke dreden more þen þei auȝten þe wiche þei myȝt[en] wel beren.andþilke folk god lediþ in to experience of hem self by aspreandsorweful þinges. ¶ And many oþer folk han bouȝt honorable renoune of þis worlde by þe pris of glorious deeþ. and som men þat ne mowen nat ben ouer-comen by tourment han ȝeuen ensample to oþer folk þat vertue ne may nat be ouer-comen by aduersites. ¶ and of alle þise þinges þer nis no doute þat þei ne ben don ryȝtfullyandordeinly to þe profit of hem to whom we seen þise þinges bitide. ¶ For certys þat aduersite comeþ some tyme to shrewes.andsome tyme þat þei desiren it comeþ of þise forseide causesandof sorweful þinges þat bytyden to shrewes. Certys no man ne wondreþ. For alle menwenen þat þei han wel deserued it.andþei ben of wicked merite of whicheshrewes þe tourment som tyme agasteþ oþer to done folies.andsom tyme it amendeþ hem þat suffren þe tourmentis. ¶ And þe prosperite þat is ȝeuen to shrewes sheweþ a grete argument to good[e] folk what þing þei sholde demen of þilk wilfulnesse þe whiche prosperite men seen ofte serue to shrewes. in þe whiche þing I trowe þat god dispensiþ. for perauenture þe nature of som man is so ouerþrowyng to yuelandso vncouenable þat þe nedy pouerte of hys house-hold myȝt[e] raþer egren hym to done felonies. and to þe maladie of hym god puttiþ remedie to ȝiuen hym rychesse.andsom oþer man byholdiþ hys conscience defouled wiþ synnesandmakiþ comparisounof his fortuneandof hym self ¶ and drediþ perauenture þat hys blisfulnesse of whiche þe vsage is ioyful to hym þat þe lesynge of þilke blisfulnesse ne be nat sorweful to hym.andþerfore he wol chaunge hys maneres. and for he drediþ to lese hys fortune. he forletiþ hys wickednesse. to oþer folk is welefulnesse yȝeuenvnworþily þe whiche ouerþroweþ hem in to destrucciounþat þei han deserued. and to som oþer folk is ȝeuen power to punissen. for þat it shal be cause of continuaciounandexercisinge to good[e] folk.andcause of tourment to shrewes. ¶ For so as þer nis none alyaunce bytwixe good[e] folkeandshrewes. ne shrewes ne mowen nat accordenamonges hem selfandwhi nat. for shrewes discordenof hem self by her vices þe whiche vices al to renden her consciences.anddon oft[e] tyme þinges þe whiche þinges whan þei han don hem. þei demen þat þo þinges ne sholde nat han ben don. for whiche þinge þilke souereyne purueaunce haþ maked oft[e] tyme[faire] miracle so þat shrewes han maked oftyme shrewes to ben good[e] men. for whan þat som shrewes seen þat þei suffren wrongfully felonies of oþer shrewes þei wexen eschaufed in to hat[e] of hem þat anoien hem.andretournen to þe fruit of uertue. when þei studien to ben vnlyke to hemþat þei han hated. ¶ Certys þis only is þe deuyne myȝt to þe whiche myȝt yueles ben þan good. whan it vseþ þo yueles couenablyanddraweþ out þe effect of any good. as who seiþ þat yuel is good oonly by þe myȝt of god. for þe myȝt of god ordeyneþ þilk yuel to good. For oon ordre enbrasiþ alle þinges. so þat what wyȝt [þat] departiþ fro þe resounof þe ordre whiche þat is assigned to hym. algates ȝit he slideþ in to an oþerordre. so þat noþing nis leueful to folye in þe realme of þe deuyne purueaunce. as who seiþ no þing nis wiþouten ordinaunce in þe realme of þe deuyne purueaunce. ¶ Syn þat þe ryȝt strong[e] god gouerniþ alle þinges in þis worlde for it nis nat leueful to no man to comprehenden by witte ne vnfolden by worde alle þe subtil ordinauncesanddisposiciouns of þe deuyne entent. for oonly it auȝt[e] suffice to han loked þat god hym self makere of alle natures ordeyniþ and dressiþ alle þinges to good. while þat he hastiþ to wiþhalden þe þinges þat he haþ maked in to hys semblaunce. þat is to seyn forto wiþholden þinges in to good. for he hym self is good he chaseþ oute al yuel of þe boundes of hys communalite by þe ordre of necessite destinable. For whiche it folweþ þat yif þou loke þe purueaunce ordeynynge þe þinges þat men wenen ben haboundaunt in erþes. þou ne shalt not seen in no place no þing of yuel. ¶ but I se now þatþou art charged wiþ þe weyȝte of þe questiou[n]andwery wiþ lengþe of my resoun.andþat þou abidest som swetnesse of songe. tak þanþis drauȝtandwhan þou art wel refresshedandrefet þou shalt ben more stedfast to stye in to heyere questiouns.

Yif þou wolt demen in þi pureþouȝt þe ryȝtes or þe lawes of þe heye þund[ere]re. þat is to seyne of god. loke þouandbihold þe heyȝtes of souereyne heuene. ¶ þere kepen þe sterres by ryȝtful alliaunce of þinges hir olde pees. þe sonne ymoeued by hys rody fire. ne destourbiþ nat þe colde cercle of þe moone. ¶ Ne þe sterre yclepid þe bere. þat encliniþ hys rauyssynge courses abouten þe souereyne heyȝt of þe worlde. ne þe same sterre vrsa nis neuer mo wasshen in þe depe westerne see. ne coueitiþ nat to dyȝen hys flaumbes in þe see of [the] occian. al þouȝ he see oþer sterres yplounged in to þe see. ¶ And hesperus þe sterre bodiþandtelliþ alwey þe late nyȝtes. And lucifer þe sterre bryngeþ aȝeyne þe clere day. ¶ And þus makiþ loue enterchaungeable þe perdurable courses.andþus is discordable bataile yput oute of þe contre of þe sterres. þis accordaunce attempreþ by euene-lyke manere[s] þe elementes. þat þe moyste þinges striuen nat wiþ þe drye þinges. but ȝiuen place by stoundes. and þat þe colde þinges ioynen hem by feiþ to þe hote þinges.andþat þe lyȝt[e] fyre arist in to heyȝte.andþe heuy erþes aualen by her weyȝtes. ¶ by þise same cause þe floury yere ȝeldeþ swote smellys in þe fyrste somer sesounwarmynge.andþe hote somer dryeþ þe cornes.andautumpne comeþ aȝeyne heuy of apples. and þe fletyng reyne bydeweþ þe wynter. þis attemperaunce noryssiþandbrynggeþ furþe al þinge þat brediþ lyfe in þis worlde. ¶ and þilk same attemperaunce rauyssyng hideþandbynymeþanddrencheþ vndir þe last[e] deþe alle þinges yborn. ¶ Amonges þise þinges sitteþ þe heye makere kyngandlorde. welleandbygynnynge. laweandwise Iuge. to don equiteandgouerniþandencliniþ þe bridles of þinges.andþo þinges þat he stireþ to don by moeuynge he wiþdraweþandarestiþandaffermiþ þe moeueable or wandryng þinges. ¶ For ȝif þat he ne clepiþ nat aȝein þe ryȝt goynge of þinges.andȝif þat he ne constreyned[e] hem nat eftesones in to roundenesse enclined þe þinges þat ben now continued by stable ordinaunce. þei sholde deperten from hir welle. þat is to sein from hir bygynnyngeandfailen. þat is to sein tournen in to nauȝt. ¶ þis is þe commune loue of alle þinges.andalle þinges axen to be holden by þe fyn of good. For ellys ne myȝten þei nat lasten yif þei ne come nat eftesones aȝeine by loue retourned to þe cause þat haþ ȝeuen hembeynge. þat is to seyn to god.

Sest þou nat þan what þing folweþ alle þe þinges þat I haue seid. what þing quod I. ¶ Certys quod she outerly þat al fortune is good. and how may þat be quod .I. ¶ Now vndirstand quod she so as [alle fortune wheyther so it be Ioyeful fortune / or aspre] fortune is ȝiuen eiþer by cause of gerdonynge or ellys of exercisynge of goode folk or ellys by cause to punissen.or ellys to chastysen shrewes. ¶ þan is alle fortune good. þe whiche fortune is certeyne þat it be eiþer ryȝtful or profitable. ¶ For soþe þis is a ful verray resounquod I. and yif I considere þe purueaunceandþe destine þat þou tauȝtest me a litel here byforne þis sentence is susteyned by stedfast resouns. but yif it like vnto þe lat vs noumbre hem amonges þilk[e] þinges of whiche þou seidest a litel here byforne þat þei ne were nat able to ben ywened to þe poeple. ¶ whi so quod she. for þat þe comune worde of men mysusiþ quod I. þis manere speche of fortune.andsein ofte tymes [þat] þe fortune of som wyȝt is wicked. wilt þou þan quod she þat I proche a litel to þe wordes of þe poeple so it seme nat to hem þat I be ouer moche departid as fro þe vsage of man kynde. as þou wolt quod I. ¶ Demest þou nat quod she þat al þing þat profitiþ is good. ȝis quod I. certis þilk þing þat exercisiþ or corigiþ profitiþ. I confesse it wel quod I. þan is it good quod she. whi nat quod I. but þis is þe fortune [quodshe] of hem þat eiþer ben put in vertueandbatailen aȝeins aspre þinges. or ellys of hem þat eschewenanddeclinen fro vicesandtaken þe weye of vertue. ¶ þis ne may nat I denye quod I ¶ But what seist þou of þe myrye fortune þat is ȝeuen to good folk in gerdoundeuiniþ ouȝt þe poeples þat it is wicked. nay forsoþe quod I. but þei demen as it soþe is þat it is ryȝt good. ¶ And what seist þou of þat oþer fortune quod she. þat al þouȝ it be aspreandrestreiniþ þe shrewes by ryȝtful tourment. weniþ ouȝt þe poeple þat it be good. nay quod I. ¶ But þe poeple demiþ þat it be most wrecched of alle þinges þat may ben þouȝt. war nowandloke wel quod she lest þat we in folwyng þe opyniounof poeple haue confessedandconcluded þing þat is vnable to be wened to þe poeple. what is þat quod I ¶ Certys quod she it folweþ or comeþ of þinges þat ben graunted þat alle fortune what so euer it be. of hem þat eyþer ben inpossessiounof vertue. [or in the encres of vertu] or ellys in þe purchasynge of vertue. þat þilke fortune is good. ¶ And þat alle fortune is ryȝt wicked to hem þat dwellen in shrewednesse. as who seiþ.andþus weneþ nat þe poeple. ¶ þat is soþe quod I. ¶ Al be it so þat nomandar confessenit ne byknowen it. ¶ whi so quod she. For ryȝt as no strong man ne semeþ nat to abassen or disdaignenas ofte tyme as he hereþ þe noise of þe bataile. ne also it ne semeþ nat to þe wyse man to beren it greuously as oft[e] as he is lad in to þe strif of fortune. for boþe to þat on manandeke to þat oþerþilke difficulte is þe matere to þat oon man of encrese of his glorious renoun.andto þat oþer man to conferme hys sapience. þat is to seine þe asprenesse of hys estat. ¶ For þerfore is it called uertue. for þat it susteniþandenforceþ by hys strengþes þat it nis nat ouer-comenby aduersites. ¶ Ne certys þou þat art put in þe encrese or in þe heyȝt of uertue ne hast nat comen to fleten wiþ delicesandforto welken in bodyly lust. ¶ þou sowest or plauntest a ful egre bataile in þi corage aȝeins euery fortune. for þat þe sorweful fortune ne confounde þe nat. ne þat þe myrye fortune ne corrumpe þe nat. ¶ Occupy þe mene by stedfast strengþes. for al þat euer is vndir þe mene. or ellys al þat ouer-passeþ þe mene despiseþ welefulnesses. ¶ As who seiþ. it is viciousandne haþ no mede of hys trauaile. ¶ For it is set in ȝourehand. as who seiþ it lieþ in ȝourepower what fortune ȝow is leuest. þat is to seyne good or yuel. ¶ For alle fortuneþat semeþ sharpe or aspre yif it ne exercise nat þe good folk. ne chastisiþ þe wicked folk. it punisseþ.

ÞE wrekere attrides ¶ þat is to seyne agamenon þat wrouȝt[e]andcontinued[e] þe batailes by ten ȝere recouered[e]andpurged[e] in wrekyng by þe destrucciounof troie þe loste chambres of mariage of hys broþer þis is to seyn þat [he] agamenon wan aȝein Eleine þat was Menelaus wif his broþer. In þe mene while þat þilke agamenon desired[e] to ȝeuen sailes to þe grekysshenauyeandbouȝt[e] aȝein þe wyndes by blode. he vncloþed[e] hym of pite as fader.andþe sory prest ȝiueþ in sacrifiynge þe wreched kuyttyng of þrote of þe douȝter. ¶ þat is to sein þat agamenon lete kuyttenþe þrote of hys douȝter by þe prest. to maken alliaunce wiþ hys goddes.andfor to haue wynde wiþ whiche he myȝt[e] wende to troie. ¶ Itakus þat is to sein vlixies bywept[e] hys felawes ylorn þe whiche felawes þe fiers[e] pholifemusligginge in his grete Caue had[de] fretenanddreint in hys empty wombe. but naþeles polifemuswood for his blinde visage ȝeld to vlixies ioye by hys sorowful teres. þis is to seyn þat vlixes smot oute þe eye of poliphemusþat stod in hys forhede. for whiche vlixes hadde ioie whan he saw poliphemuswepyngandblynde. ¶ Hercules is celebrable for hys hard[e] trauaile he dawntede þe proude Centauris half hors half man.andhe rafte þe despoylynge fro þecruel lyounþat is to seyne he slouȝ þe lyounandrafte hymhys skyn. he smot þe brids þat hyȝtenarpijs [in þe palude of lyrne] wiþ certeyne arwes. he rauyssed[e] applis fro þe wakyng dragoun.andhys hand was þe more heuy for þe golde[ne] metal. He drouȝ Cerberus þe hound of helle by hys treble cheyne. he ouer-comer as it is seid haþ put an vnmeke lorde fodre to hys cruel hors ¶ þis is to sein. þat hercules slouȝ diomedesandmade his hors to etyn hym. and he hercules slouȝ Idra þe serpentandbrend[e] þe venym. and achelaus þe flode defouled[e] in his forhede dreint[e] his shamefast visage in his strondes. þis is to sein þat achelaus couþe transfigure hym self in to dyuerse lykenesse.andas he fauȝt wiþ orcules at þe laste he turnid[e] hym in to a bole and hercules brak of oon of hys hornes.andachelaus for shame hidde hym in hys ryuer. ¶ And [he] hercules cast[e] adounAntheus þe geaunt in þe strondes of libye.andkacus apaised[e] þe wraþþes of euander. þis is to sein þat hercules slouȝ þe Monstre kacusandapaised[e] wiþ þat deeþ þe wraþþe of euander. ¶ And þe bristled[e] boor marked[e] wiþ scomes þe sholdres of hercules. þe whiche sholdres þe heye cercle of heuene sholde þreste.andþe laste of his labours was þat he sustened[e] þe heuene vponhis nekke vnbowed.andhe deserued[e] eftsones þe heuene to ben þe pris of his laste trauayle ¶ Goþ now þan ȝe stronge men þere as þe heye weye of þe grete ensample ledeþ ȝou. ¶ O nice men whi nake ȝe ȝoure bakkes. as who seiþ. ¶ O ȝesloweanddelicat men whi fley ȝe aduersites.andne fyȝtennat aȝeins hem by vertue to wynnen þe mede of þe heuene. for þe erþe ouer-comenȝeueþ þe sterres. ¶ þis is to seyne þat whan þat erþely lust is ouer-comen. a man is maked worþi to þe heuene.

EXPLICIT LIBER QUARTUS.

She hadde seidandtourned[e] þe cours of hir resounto somme oþerþinges to ben tretidandto ben ysped. þan seide I. Certys ryȝtful is þin amonestyngandful digne by auctorite. but þat þou seidest som tyme þat þe questiounof þe deuyne purueaunce is enlaced wiþ many oþer questiouns. I vndir-stonde welandproue it by þe same þinge. but I axe yif þat þou wenest þat hap be any þing in any weys.andif þou wenest þat hap be any [thing] what is it. þan quod she. I haste me to ȝeldenandassoilen þe to þe dette of my byhesteandto shewenandopnen þe wey by whiche wey þou maist come aȝein to þi contre. ¶ but al be it so þat þe þinges whiche þat þou axest ben ryȝt profitable to knowe. ȝitte ben þei diuers somwhat fro þe paþe of my purpos. And it is to douten þat þou ne be maked weery by mysweys so þat þou ne mayst nat suffise to mesurenþe ryȝt weye. ¶ Ne doute þe þer-of no þing quod I. for forto knowen þilke þinges to-gidre in þe whiche þinges I delite me gretly. þat shal ben to me in stede of reste. Syn it nis nat to douten of þe þinges folwynge whan euery side of þi disputisounshal be stedfast to me by vndoutous feiþ. þan seide she. þat manere wol I donþe.andbyganto speken ryȝt þus ¶ Certys quod she yif any wyȝt diffinisse hap in þis manere. þat is to seyn. þat hap is bytidynge y-brouȝt forþe by foelyshe moeuynge.andby no knyttyng of causes. ¶ I conferme þat hap nis ryȝt nauȝt in no wise. and I deme al outerly þat hap nis ne dwelliþ but a voys. ¶ As who seiþ. but an ydel worde wiþ outen any significaciounof þing summittid to þat vois. for what place myȝt[e] ben left or dwellynge to folieandto disordinaunce. syn þat god lediþandstreyniþ alle þinges by ordre. ¶ For þis sentence is verrayandsoþe þat no þinge ne haþ his beynge of nouȝt. to [the] whiche sentence none of þise olde folk ne wiþseide neuere al be it so þat þei ne vndirstoden ne moeueden it nauȝt by god princeandgynner of wirkyng. but þei casten as a manere foundement of subgit material. þat is to seyn of [the] nature of alle resoun.andȝif þat ony þinge is woxen or comen of no causes. þan shal it seme þat þilke þinge is comen or woxen of nouȝt. but yif þis ne may nat ben don. þan is it nat possible þat þere haþ ben any swiche þing as I haue diffinissid a litel here byforne. ¶ How shal it þan ben quod I. nis þer þan no þing þat by ryȝt may be cleped eyþer happeor ellis auenture of fortune. or is þer ouȝt al be it so þat it is hidd fro þe poeple to whiche þise wordes ben couenable. Myn aristotul quod she. in þe book of his phisik diffinisseþ þis þing by short resounand neyȝe to þe soþe. ¶ In whiche manere quod I. ¶ As ofte quod she as men don any þing for grace of any oþer þing.andan oþer þinge þan þilke þing þat men ententen to doon bytideþ by som[e] causes it is ycleped happe. ¶ Ryȝt as a man dalf þe erþe bycause of tylienge of þe felde.andfond þere a gobet of golde by-doluen. þan wenen folk þat it is fallen by fortunous bytydyng. but for soþe it nis nat for nauȝt for it haþ hys propre causes of whiche causes þe cours vnforseyn and vnwar semiþ to han maked happe. ¶ For yif þe tilier in þe erþe ne delue nat in þe felde. and yif þe hider of þe golde ne hadde hidd þe golde in þilke place. þe golde ne had[de] nat ben founde. þise ben þan þe causes of þe abreggynge of fortune hap. þe whiche abreggynge of fortune hap comeþ of causes encountryngeandflowyng to-gidre to hem selfe.andnat by þe entenciounof þe doer. ¶ For neiþer þe hider of þe gold. ne þe deluer of þe felde ne vndirstanden nat þat þe golde sholde han be founde. but as I seide. it bytiddeandran to-gidre þat he dalf þere as þat oþer hadde hidd þe golde. Now may I þus diffinissen happe. ¶ Happeis an vnwar bytydyng of causes assembled in þinges þat ben don for som oþer þinge. but þilke ordre procedynge by an vneschewable byndynge to-gidre. whiche þat descendeþ fro þe wel of purueaunce þat ordeineþ alle þinges inhireplacesandin hire tymes makeþ þat þe causes rennenandassemblen to-gidre.

TIgris [and] eufrates resoluenandspryngen of a welle in þe kragges of þe roche of þe contre of achemenye þereas þe fleenge [batayle] ficchiþ hire dartes retournid in þe brestes of hem þat folwen hem. ¶ And sone aftre þe same ryueres tigrisandeufrates vnioygnenanddepartenhirewatres. and yif þei comen to-gidreandben assembledandclepid to-gidre in to o cours. þan moten þilke þinges fletyn to-gidre whiche þat þe water of þe entrechaungyng flode bryngeþ þe shippesandþe stokkes araced wiþ þe flood moten assemble.andþe watres ymedlyd wrappiþ or implieþ many fortunel happes or maneres. þe whiche wandryng happes naþeles þilke enclinyng lowenes of þe erþe.andþe flowynge ordre of þe slidyng water gouerniþ. ¶ Ryȝt so fortune þat semeþ as [þat] it fletiþ wiþ slaked or vngouerned[e] bridles. It suffriþ bridles þat is to seyn to ben gouernedandpasseþ by þilke lawe. þat is to sein by þe deuyne ordinaunce.

Þis vndirstonde I wel quod I.andaccorde wel þat it is ryȝt as þou seist. but I axe yif þer be any liberte or fre wil in þis ordre of causes þat cliuenþus to-gidre in hem self. ¶ or ellys I wolde witen yif þat þe destinal cheine constreiniþ þe moeueuynge of þe corages of men. yis quod she þer is liberte of fre wille. ne þer ne was neuer no nature of resounþat it ne hadde liberte of fre wille. ¶ For euery þing þat may naturely vsen resoun. it haþ doom by whiche it discerniþanddemiþ euery þing. ¶ þan knoweþ it by it self þinges þat bento fleen.andþinges þat ben to desiren.andþilk þing þat any wyȝt demeþ to ben desired þat axeþ or desireþ heandfleeþ [thilke] þing þat he troueþ ben to fleen. ¶ wher-fore in alle þinges þat resounis. inhem also is libertee of willyngandof nillynge. ¶ But I ne ordeyne nat. as who seiþ. I ne graunte nat þat þis libertee be euene like in alle þinges. forwhi in þe souereyns deuynes substaunces. þat is to seyn in spiritȝ ¶ Iugement ismore clereandwil nat be corumped.andhaþ myȝt redy to speden þinges þat ben desired. ¶ But þe soules of men moten nedes ben more free whan þei loken hem in þe speculaciounor lokynge of þe deuyne þouȝt.andlasse free whan þei sliden in to þe bodies.andȝit lasse free whan þei ben gadred to-gidreandcomprehendid in erþely membris. but þe last[e] seruage is whan þat þei ben ȝeuento vices.andhan yfalle fro þe possessiounof hire propre resoun¶ For after þat þei han cast aweye hir eyen fro þe lyȝt of þe souereyn soþefastnesse to lowe þingesanddirke ¶ Anon þei dirken by þe cloude of ignoraunceandben troubled by felonous talentȝ. to þe whiche talentȝ whan þei approchenandassenten. þei hepenandencresen þe seruage whiche þei han ioigned to hem self. and in þis manere þei ben caitifs fro hire propre libertee. þe whiche þinges naþeles þe lokynge of þe deuyne purueaunce seeþ þat alle þinges byholdeþandseeþ fro eterne. and ordeyneþ hem eueryche inher merites. as þei benprodestinat.andit is seid in grek. þat alle þinges he seeþandalle þinges he hereþ.

HOmer wiþ þe hony mouþe. þat is to seyn. homer wiþ þe swete dites syngeþ þat þe sonne is cleer by pure lyȝt. naþeles ȝit ne may it nat by þe inferme lyȝt of hys bemes brekenor percenþe inwarde entrailes of þe erþe. or ellys of þe see. ¶ so ne seeþ nat god makere of þe grete worlde to hym þat lokeþ alle þinges from on heye ne wiþstandiþ nat no þinges by heuynesses of erþe. ne þe nyȝt ne wiþstondeþ nat to hymby þe blake cloudes. ¶ þilke god seeþ ino strook of þouȝt alle þinges þat ben or weren or schullen come. ¶ and þilkegod for he lokeþandseeþ alle þinges al oon. þou maist seyn þat he is þe verray sonne.

ÞAn seide I now am I confounded by a more harde doute þan I was. what doute is þat quod she. ¶ For certys I coniecte now by whiche þinges þou art troubled. It semeþ quod I to repugnenandto contrarien gretly þat god knoweþ byforn alle þinges.andþat þer is any fredom of liberte. for yif so be þat god lokeþ alle þinges byforn. ne god ne may nat ben desseiuid in no manere. þan mot it nedes ben þat alle þinges bytyden þe whiche þat þe purueaunce of god haþ sein byforn to comen. ¶ For whiche yif þat god knoweþ by-forn nat oonly þe werkes of men. but also hir conseilsandhir willes. þan ne shal þer be no liberte of arbitre. ne certys þer ne may ben noon oþer dede ne no wille but þilke whiche þe deuyne purueaunce þat ne may nat ben desseiued haþ feled byforn ¶ For yif þat þei myȝten wryþen awey in oþer manere þan þei ben purueyed. þan ne sholde þer ben no stedfast prescience of þinge to comen but raþer an vncerteyn oppinioun. þe whiche þinge to trowen on god I deme it felonieandvnleueful. ¶ Ne I ne proeue nat þilk same resoun. as who seiþ I ne allowe nat. or I ne preise nat þilke same resounby whiche þat som men wenen þat þei mowen assoilenandvnknytten þe knot of þis questioun. ¶ For certys þei seyn þat þing nis nat to come for þat þe purueaunce of god haþ seyn it byforne. þat is to comen but raþer þe contrarie. ¶ And þat is þis þat for þat þe þing is to comen þat þerfore ne may it nat ben hyd fro þe purueaunce of god.andin þis manere þis necessite slydiþ aȝein in to þe contrarie partie. ne it ne byhoueþ [nat] nedes þat þinges bytiden þat ben ypurueid. [but it by-houeth nedes / þat thinges þat ben to comyn ben yporueyid] but as it were ytrauailed. as who seiþ. þat þilke answere procediþ ryȝt as þouȝ men trauailden or weren bysy to enqueren þe whiche þing is cause of whiche þinges. as wheþer þe prescience is cause of þe necessite of þinges to comen. or ellys þat þe necessite of þinges to comen is cause of þe purueaunce. ¶ But I ne enforce me nat now to shewenit þat þe bytidyng of þinges y-wist byforn is necessarie. how so or in what manere þat þe ordre of causes haþ it self. al þouȝ þat it ne seme nat þat þe prescience brynge in necessite of bytydynge of þinges to comen. ¶ For certys yif þat any wyȝt sitteþ it byhoueþ by necessite þat þe oppiniounbe soþe of hym þat coniectiþ þat he sitteþ. and aȝeinward. al so is it of þe contrarie. yif þe oppiniounbe soþe of any wyȝt for þat he sitteþ it byhoueþ by necessite þat he sitte ¶ þan is here necessite in þat oonandin þat oþer. for in þat oon is necessite of sittynge.andcertys in þat oþer is necessite of soþe but þerfore ne sitteþ nat a wyȝt for þat þe oppiniounof sittyng is soþe. but þe oppiniounis raþer soþe for þat a wyȝt sitteþ by-forn. and þus al þouȝ þat þe cause of soþe comeþ of [þe] syttyng. and nat of þe trewe oppinioun. Algates ȝitte is þer comune necessite in þat oonandin þat oþer. ¶ þus sheweþ it þat I may make semblable skils of þe purueaunce of godandof þinges to come. ¶ For al þouȝ for þat þat þinges ben to comen. þer-fore ben þei purueid. nat certys for þei ben purueid. þer-fore ne bytide þei nat. ȝit naþeles byhoueþ it by necessite þat eiþer þe þinges to comen ben ypurueied of god. or ellys þat þe þinges þat benpurueied of god bitiden [.s.] by necessite. ¶ And þis þing oonly suffiseþ I-nouȝ to distroien þe fredome of oure arbitre. þat is to seyn of oure fre wille ¶ But now [certes] sheweþ it wel how fer fro þe soþeandhow vp so dounis þis þing þat we seyn þat þe bytidinge of temporel þinges is þe cause of þe eterne prescience. ¶ But forto wenen þat god purueiþ [the] þinges to comen. for þei ben to comen. what oþer þing is it but forto wene þat þilke þinges þat bitiden som tyme ben causes of þilke souereyne purueaunce þat is ingod. ¶ And her-to I adde ȝitte þis þing þat ryȝt as whan þat I woot þat o þing is it byhoueþ by necessite þat þilke self þing be.andeke þat whan I haue knowe þat any þinge shal bitiden so byhoueþ it by necessite þat þilk[e] same þing bytide. so folweþ it þan þat þe bytydynge of þe þinge Iwist by-forn ne may nat ben eschewed. ¶ And at þe last[e] yif þat any wyȝt wene a þing to ben oþer weyes þan it is. it nys nat oonly vnscience. but it is deceiuable oppiniounful diuerseandfer fro þe soþe of science. ¶ wher-fore yif any þing be so to comen so þat þe bytydynge of it ne be nat certeyne ne necessarie. ¶ who may weten [byforn] þat þilke þing is to come. ¶ For ryȝt as science ne may nat be medelyd wiþ falsnesse. as who seiþ þat yif I woot a þing. it ne may nat be fals þat I ne woot it. ¶ Ryȝt so þilk þing þat is conceyued by science ne may [nat] ben noon oþerweyes þan [as] it is conceiued. For þat is þe cause whi þat science wantiþ lesynge. as who seiþ. whi þat witynge ne receyueþ nat lesynge of þat it woot. ¶ For it byhoueþ by necessite þat euery þinge [be] ryȝt as science comprehendiþ it to be. what shal I þan sein. ¶ In whiche manere knoweþ god byforn þe þinges to comen.¶ yif þei ne be nat certeyne. ¶ For yif þat he deme þat þei ben to comen vneschewably.andso may be þat it is possible þat þei ne shullennat comen. god is desseiued. but nat only to trowen þat god is desseiued. but for to speke it wiþ mouþe it is a felonous synne. ¶ But yif þat god woot þat ryȝt so as þinges ben to comen. so shulle þei comen. so þat he wit[e] egaly. as who seiþ indifferently þat þinges mowen ben don or ellys nat don. what is þilke prescience þat ne comprehendiþ no certeyne þinge ne stable. or ellys what difference is þer bytwixe þe prescience.andþilke iape-worþi dyuynynge of Tiresie þe diuinourþat seide. ¶ Al þat I seie quod he eyþer it shal be. or ellys it ne shal nat be. Or ellis how moche is worþe þe diuyne prescience more þan þe oppiniounof mankynde yif so be þat it demeþ þe þinges vncerteyne as mendon. of þe whiche domes of men þe bytydynge nis nat certeyne. ¶ But yif so be þat noon vncerteyne þinge may ben in hym þat is ryȝt certeyne welle of alle þinges. þanis þe bytydynge certeyne of þilke þinges whiche he haþ wist byforn fermely to comen. For whiche it folweþ þat þe fredom of þe conseilsandof þe werkes of mankynde nis non syn þat þe þouȝt of god seeþ alle þinges withouten errourof falsnesse byndeþandconstreiniþ hem to a bitidynge by necessite. and yif [this] þing be on-is grauntidandreceyued. þat is to seyn. þat þer nis no fre wille. þan sheweþ it wel how gret distrucciounandhow grete damages þer folwen of þinges of mankynde. ¶ For in ydel ben þer þan purposed and byhyȝt medes of goode folk.andpeynes to badde folk. syn þat no moeuynge of free corage uoluntarie ne haþ nat deserued hem. þat is to seyn neiþer mede nor peyne. ¶ And it sholde seme þan þat þilke þinge is alþer worste whicheþat is nowe demed. for alþermoste iusteandmoste ryȝtful. þat is to seyn þat shrewes ben punyssed. or ellys þat good[e] folk ben ygerdoned. þe whiche folk syn þat þe propre wille [ne] sent hem nat to þat oon ne to þat oþer. þat is to seyn. neþer to good[e] ne to harme. but constreineþ hem certeyne necessite of þinges to comen. ¶ þanne ne shollenþer neuer ben ne neuer weren vice ne vertue. but it sholde raþer ben confusiounof alle desertes medlid wiþoute discresioun. ¶ And ȝitte þer folweþ an oþer inconuenient of þe whiche þer ne may ben þouȝt ne more felonous ne more wikke.andþat is þis þat so as þe ordre of þinges is yleddandcomeþ of þe purueaunce of god. ne þat no þing nis leueful to þe conseils of mankynde. as who seiþ þat men han no power to done no þing. ne wilne no þing. þan folweþ it þat oure vices ben refferred to þe mak[er]e of alle good. as who seiþ þan folweþ it. þat god auȝt[e] han þe blame of oure vices. syn he constreiniþ by necessite to don vices. þan nis þer no resounto han hopen in god. ne forto preien to god. ¶ For what sholde any wyȝt hopen to god. or whi sholde he preien to god. syn þat þe ordenaunce of destine whiche þat ne may nat ben enclined. knytteþandstreiniþ alle þinges þat men may desiren. ¶ þan sholde þere be don awey þilke oonly alliaunce bytwixen godandmen. þat is to seien to hopenandto preien. but by þe preis of ryȝtfulnesseandof veray mekenesse we deserue þe gerdounof þe deuyne grace whiche þat is inestimable. þat is to sein þat it is so grete þat it ne may nat ben ful ypreised.andþis is oonly þe manere. þat is to seyen hopeandprayeres. for whiche it semeþ þat [men] mowen spekenwiþ god.andby resounof supplicaciounben conioigned to þilk clernesse þat nis nat approched no raþer or þat men byseken itandemprenten it. And yif men ne wene [nat] þat [hope] ne preiers ne han no strengþes. by þe necessite of þinges to comen y-resceiued. what þing is þer þan by whiche we mowen be conioygnedandclyuen to þilke souereyne prince of þinges. ¶ For whiche it byhoueþ by necessite þat þe lynage of mankynde as þou songe a litel here byforne ben departedandvnioyned from hys welleandfaylen of hys bygynnynge. þat is to seien god.

What discordable cause haþ to-rentandvnioigned þe byndyng or þe alliaunce of þinges. þat is to seyne þe coniuncciounof godandof man. ¶ whiche god haþ establissed so grete bataile bitwixenþise two soþefast or verray þinges. þat is to sein bytwixen þe purueaunce of godandfre wille. þat þei ben synguleranddiuided. ne þat þei ne wolen nat ben medeled ne coupled to-gidre. but þer nis no discorde to [tho] verray þinges. but þei cleuen certeyne al wey to hem self. but þe þouȝt of man confoundedandouerþrowen by þe dirke membris of þe body ne may nat by fir of his dirk[ed] lokynge. þat is to seyn by þe vigourof hys insyȝt while þe soule is in þe body knowen þe þinne subtil knyttynges of þinges. ¶ But wherfore eschaufiþ it so by so grete loue to fynden þilke note[s] of soþe y-couered. (glosa) þat is to sein wherfore eschaufiþ þe þouȝt of man by so grete desir to knowen þilke notificaciouns þat ben yhidd vndir þe couertours of soþe. woot it ouȝt þilke þingesþat it anguissous desireþ to knowe. as who seiþ nay. ¶ For no man ne trauaileþ forto witen þinges þat he woot.andþerfore þe texte seiþ þus. ¶ [Glosa] Si enimanima ignorat istas subtiles connexiones. responde. vndeest quod desiderat scire cumnil ignotumpossit desiderare. ¶ But who traua[i]leþ to wyten þinges y-knowe. and yif þat he ne knoweþ hem nat. what sekiþ þilke blynde þouȝt. what is he þat desireþ any þinge of whiche he woot ryȝt nat. as who seiþ who so desiriþ any þing nedis som what he knoweþ of it. or ellys he ne couþe nat desire it. or who may folwen þinges þat ne ben nat ywist ¶ and þouȝ [þat] he seke þo þinges where shal he fyndenhem. what wyȝt þat is al vnknowyngeandignoraunt may knowe þe forme þat is yfounde. ¶ But whan þe soule byholdeþandseeþ þe heye þouȝt. þat is to seyn god. þan knoweþ it to-gidre þe sommeandþe singularites. þat is to seyn þe principlesandeueryche by hym self. ¶ But now while þe soule is hidd in þe cloudeandin þe derknesse of þe membris of þe body. it ne haþ nat al forȝeten it selfe. but it wiþholdeþ þe somme of þingesandlesiþ þe singularites. þan who so þat sekeþ soþenesse. he nis in neiþernouþir habit. for he not nat alle ne he ne haþ nat alle for-ȝeten. ¶ But ȝitte hym remembriþ þe somme of þinges þat he wiþholdeþandaxeþ counseilandtretiþ depelyche þinges ysein byforne. [Glosa] þat is to sein þe grete somme in hys mynde. [textus] so þat he mowe adden þe parties þat he haþ forȝeten. to þilke þat he haþ wiþholden.

Þanne seide she. þis is quod she þe olde questiounof þe purueaunce of god.andmarcus tulius whan he deuided[e] þe deuinaciouns. þat is to sein in hys booke þat he wroot of deuinaciouns. he moeued[e] gretly þis questioun.andþou þi self hast souȝt it mochelandouterlyandlong[e]. but ȝit ne haþ it nat ben determined ne yspedd fermelyanddiligently of any of yow. ¶ And þe cause of þis derkenesseand[of this] difficulte is for þat þe moeuynge of þe resounof mankynde ne may nat moeuento. þat is to sein applien or ioygnen to þe simplicite of þe deuyne prescience. ¶ þe whiche symplicite of þe deuyne prescience ȝif þat men [myhten thinken it in any manere/ þat is to seyn / þat yif men] myȝte þinkenandcomprehenden þe þinges as god seeþ hem. þan ne sholde þer dwellen outerly no doute. þe whiche resounandcause of difficulte I shal assaie at þe laste to shewenandto speden. ¶ whan I haue firste [yspendyd /and] ansewered to þo resouns by whiche þou art ymoeued. ¶ For I axe whi þou wenest þat þilk[e] resouns of hem þat assoilen þis questiounne ben nat spedeful ynouȝ ne sufficient þe whiche soluciounor þe whiche resounfor þat it demiþ þat þe prescience nis nat cause of necessite to þinges to comen. þan ne weneþ it nat þat fredom of wille be distourbed or ylett by prescience. for ne drawest þou nat argumentes from ellys where of þe necessite of þinges to comen. As who seiþ any oþer wey þan þus. but þat þilke þinge[s] þat þe prescience woot byforn [ne] mowen nat vnbitide. þat is to seyn þat þei moten bitide. ¶ But þan yif þat prescience ne putteþ no necessite to þinges to comen. as þou þi selfhast confessed itandbyknowen a litel herbyforne. ¶ what cause [or what] is it. as who seiþ þere may no cause be. by whiche þat þe endes (exitus) uoluntarie of þinges myȝten be constreyned to certeyne bitydyng. ¶ For by grace of possessioun. so þat þou mowe þe better vndirstonde þis þat folweþ. ¶ I pose (inpossibile) þat þer ne be no prescience. þan axe I quod she in as moche as apperteniþ to þat. sholde þan þinges þat comen of frewille ben constreined to bytiden by necessite.Boicius. nay quod I. þan aȝeinward quod she. I suppose þat þere be prescience but þat ne putteþ no necessite to þinges. þan trowe I þat þilk self fredom of wille shal dwellenal hoolandabsolutandvnbounden. but þou wolt sein þat al be it so þat prescience nis nat cause of þe necessite of bitidynge to þinges to comen. ¶ Algates ȝitte it is a signe þat þe þinges ben to bytiden by necessite. by þis manere þan al þouȝ þe prescience ne hadde neuer yben. ȝit algate or at þe lest[e] wey. it is certeyne þing þat þe endysandþe bitydynges of þinges to comensholde ben necessarie. ¶ For euery sygne sheweþandsignifieþ oonly what þe þing is ¶ but it ne makiþ nat þe þing þat it signifieþ. ¶ For whiche it byhoueþ firste to shewen þat no þing ne bitidiþ [þat it ne bytydith] by necessite. so þat it may apere þat þe prescience is signe of þis necessite ¶ or ellys yif þere nere no necessite. certys þilke prescience ne myȝt[e] nat ben signe of þinge þat nis nat. ¶ But certys it is nowe certeyne þat þe preue of þis susteniþ by stedfast resounne shal nat ben ladd ne proued by signes ne by argumentys ytaken fro wiþ oute. but by causes couenableandnecessarie ¶ But þou mayst sein how may it be þat þe þinges ne bitiden natþat ben ypurueyed to comen. but certys ryȝt as we trowen þat þo þinges whiche þat þe purueaunce woot byforn to comen. ne ben nat to bitiden. but [þat] ne sholde we nat demen. but raþer al þouȝ [þat] þei schal bitiden. ȝit ne haue þei no necessite of hire kynde to bitiden.andþis maist þou lyȝtly aperceyuenby þis þat I shal seyn. but we seen many þinges whan þei ben don byforn oure eyen ryȝt as men seen þe karter worken in þe tournyngeandin attempryng or in adressyng of hys kartes or chariottes. ¶ and by þis manere as who seiþ mayst þou vnderstonde of alle manere oþir werkemen. ¶ Is þere þanne any necessite as who seiþ in oure lokynge [þat] constreineþ or compelliþ any of þilke þinges to ben don so. b. nay quod I ¶ For in ydelandin veyne were alle þe effect of crafte yif þat alle þinges weren moeued by constreynynge. þat is to seyn by constreynynge of oure eyen or of oure syȝt.P.þise þingusþan quod she þat whan men don hem ne han non necessite þat men don hem. eke þo same þinges first or þei be don. þei ben to comen wiþ out necessite. for whi þer ben somme þinges to bytide of whiche þe endysandþe bitidynges of hem ben absolutandquit of alle necessite. for certys I ne trowe nat þat any man wolde seyn þis. þat þo þinges þat men don now þat þei ne weren to bitiden. first or þei were ydon ¶ and þilk same þinges al þouȝ þat men haddenywyst hem by-forn. ȝitte þei han fre bitidynges. for ryȝt as science of þinges present ne bryngeþ in no necessite to þinges [þat men doon // Ryht so the prescience of thinges to comen ne bryngeth in no necessite to thinges] to bytiden but þou mayst seyn þat of þilke same it is ydouted. as wheþer þat of þilke þinges þat ne han non endesandbytidynges necessaryes yif þer-of may ben any prescience ¶ For certys þei seme to discorde. for þou wenest þat yif þat þinges ben yseyn byforn þat necessite folweþ hem. and yif (etputas) necessite faileþ hem þei ne myȝten nat ben wist byforn.andþat no þinge ne may ben comprehendid by science but certeyne.andyif þo þinges þat ne han no certeyne bytidynges ben ypurueied as certeyn. it sholde ben dirkenesse of oppiniounnat soþefastnesse of science [andþou weenyst þat it be diuerse fro the hoolnesse of science / þat any man sholde deme a thing to ben oother weys thanne it is it self]. and þe cause of þis errour is. þat of alle þe þinges þat euery wyȝt haþ yknowe. þei wenen þat þo þinges ben y-knowe al oonly by þe strengþeandby þe nature of þe þinges þat ben ywyst or yknowe.andit is al þe contrarie. for alle þat euere is yknowe. it is raþer comprehendidandyknowennat after his strengeþandhys nature. but after þe faculte þat is to seyn þe powerand[the] nature of hem þat knowen.andfor þat þis shal mowe shewen by a short ensample þe same roundenes of a body .O. oþer weyes þe syȝt of þe eye knoweþ it.andoþer weyes þe touching. þe lokynge by castynge of his bemes waiteþandseeþ fro afer alle þe body to-gider wiþ oute mouynge of it self. but þe touchinge cliuiþandconioigneþ to þe rounde body (orbi)andmoueþ abouten þe environynge.andcomprehendiþ by parties þe roundenesse. ¶ and þe man hym self oþer weies wyt byholdiþ hym.andoþerweyes ymaginaciounandoþer weyes resoun.andoþer weyes intelligence. ¶ For þe wit comprehendiþ fro wiþ outen furþe þe figure of þe body of þe man. þat is establissed in þe matere subiect. But þe ymaginacioun[comprehendith only the figurewithowte the matere/Resounsurmounteth ymaginacioun]andcomprehendeþ by an vniuersel lokynge þe commune spece (speciem) þat is in þe singuler peces. ¶ But þe eye of intelligence is heyȝer for it sourmounteþ þe envirounynge of þe vniuersiteandlookeþ ouer þat by pure subtilite of þouȝt. þilk same symple forme of man þat is perdurably in þe deuyne þouȝt. in whiche þis auȝt[e] gretely to ben considered þat þe heyest strengþe to comprehenden þinges enbraceþandconteyneþ þe lower[e] strengþe [but the lowerestrengthe ne arysith nat in no manereto heyerestrengthe]. for wit ne may no þinge comprehende oute of matere. ne þe ymagynaciounne lokeþ nat þe vniuerseles speces. ne resounne takeþ nat þe symple forme. so as intelligence takeþ it. but þe intelligence þat lokeþ al abouen whan it haþ comprehendid þe forme it knoweþanddemeþ alle þe þinges þat benvndir þat forme. but she knoweþ hemvndir þilke manere in þe whiche it comprehendiþ þilke same symple forme þat ne may neuer be knowen to non of þat oþer. þat is to seyn to non of þo þre forseide strengþes of þe soule. for it knoweþ þe vniuersite of resounandþe figure of þe ymaginacioun.andþe sensible material conseiued.andþou wenest þat it be diuerse fro þe hoolnesse of science. þat any man sholde deme a þing to ben oþerweyes þan it is it selfandþe cause of þis errouretc’.vt supra. by wit. ne it ne vseþ nat nor of resounne of ymaginaciounne of wit wiþ oute forþe but it byholdeþ alle þinges so as I shal seye. by a strok of þouȝt formely wiþ oute discours or collacioun¶ Certys resounwhan it lokeþ any þing vniuersel it ne vseþ nat of ymaginaciounnor of witandalgates ȝit [it] comprendiþ þe þinges ymaginableandsensible. for resounis she þat diffinisseþ þe vniuerselof hir conseite ryȝt þus. ¶ Man is a resonable t[w]o-footid beest. and how so þat þis knowynge [is] vniuersel. ȝit nys þer no wyȝt þat ne woot wel. þat a manis [a thing] ymaginableandsensible ¶ and þis same considereþ wel resoun. but þat nis nat by ymaginacioun. nor by witte. but it lokiþ it by [a] resonable concepcioun. ¶ Also ymaginaciounal be it so. þat it takeþ of wit þe bygynyngusto seenandto formen þe figures. algates al þouȝ þat wit ne ware not present. ȝit it envirouniþandcomprehendiþ alle þinges sensible. nat by resounsensible of demynge. but by resounymaginatif. ¶ sest þou nat þan þat alle þe þinges in knowynge vsen more of hir faculte or of hir power. þan þei don of [the] faculte or of power of þinges þat ben yknowen. ne þat nis no wronge. for so as euery iugement is þe dede or þe doynge of hym þat demeþ. It byhoueþ þat euery wyȝt performe þe werkeandhys entenciounnat of forein power;but of hys propre power.

ÞE porche þat is to sein a gate of þe toune of athenis þer as philosophres hadde hir congregaciounto dispoyten.andþilke porche brouȝt[e] somtyme olde men ful derke in hire sentences. þat is to sein philosophers þat hyȝten stoiciens. þat wenden þat ymages [and] sensibilites þat is to sein sensible ymaginaciouns. or ellys ymaginaciounof sensible þinges wereninprentid in to soules fro bodies wiþ oute forþe. ¶ As who seiþ þat þilke stoiciens wenden þat þe soule hadde ben naked of it self. as a mirour or a clene parchemyn. so þat alle fygures mosten [fyrst] comen fro þinges fro wiþ oute in to soules.andben inprentid in to soules.Textus.Ryȝt as we ben wont some tyme by a swift poyntel to ficchen lettres emprentid in þe smoþenesse or in þe plainesse ofþe table of wex. or in parchemyn þat ne haþ no figure [ne] note in it.Glosa.But now arguiþ boece aȝeins þat oppiniounandseiþ þus. but yif þe þriuyng soule ne vnplitiþ no þing. þat is to sein ne doþ no þing by hys propre moeuynges. but suffriþandlieþ subgit to þe figuresandto þe notes of bodyes wiþ oute forþe.andȝeldeþ ymages ydelandveyne in þe manere of a mirour. whennes þriueþ þan or whennes comeþ þan þilke knowyng in oure soule. þat discerniþandbyholdeþ alle þinges. and whennes is þilke strengþe þat byholdeþ þe syngulere þinges. or whennes is þe strengþe þat dyuydeþ þinges yknowe.andþilke strengþe þat gadereþ to-gidre þe þinges deuided.andþe strengþe þat cheseþ hys entrechaunged wey for som tyme it heueþ vp þe heued. þat is to sein þat it heueþ vp þe entenciounto ryȝt heye þinges.andsom tyme it discendiþ in to ryȝt lowe þinges.andwhan it retourniþ in to hym self. it repreuiþanddestroieþ þe false þinges by þe trewe þinges. ¶ Certys þis strengþe is cause more efficientandmochel more myȝty to seenandto knowe þinges. þan þilke cause þat suffriþ and resceyueþ þe notesandþe figures inpressed in manere of matere algates þe passiounþat is to seyn þe suffraunce or þe wit inþe quik[e] body goþ byforne excityngeandmoeuyng þe strengþes of þe þouȝte. ryȝt so as whan þat clerenesse smyteþ þe eyenandmoeuiþ hem to seen. or ryȝt so as voys or soune hurtliþ to þe eresandcommoeuiþ hem to herkne. þan is þe strengþe of þe þouȝt ymoeuidandexcitidandclepeþ furþe þe semblable moeuynges þe speces þat it halt wiþ inne it self.andaddiþ þo speces to þe notesandto þe þinges wiþ out forþe.andmedeleþ þe ymages of þinges wiþ out forþe to þe forme[s] yhid wiþ inne hym self.

But what [yif] þat in bodies to benfeelid þat is to sein in þe takynge of knowelechinge of bodyly þinges. and al be it so þat þe qualites of bodies þat ben obiect fro wiþ oute forþe moeuenandentalenten þe instrumentes of þe wittes. and al be it so þat þe passiounof þe body þat is to seyn þe witte [or the] suffraunce [goth to-forn the strengthe of the workynge corage / the which passiounor suffraunce] clepiþ furþe þe dede of þe þouȝt in hym self.andmoeueþandexiteþ in þis mene while þe formes þat resten wiþ in forþe. and yif þat insensible bodies as I haue seid oure corage nis nat ytauȝt or enprentid by passiounto knowe þise þinges. but demiþandknoweþ of hys owen strengþe þe passiounor suffraunce subiect to þe body. Moche more þan þoo þinges þat ben absolutandquit fram alle talentȝ or affecciouns of bodies. as god or hys aungels ne folwen nat in discernynge þinges obiect from wiþ oute forþe. but þei accomplissenandspeden þe dede of hir þouȝt by þis resoun. ¶ þan þere comen many manere knowynges to dyuerseanddifferyng substaunces. for þe wit of þe body þe whiche witte is nakedanddespoyled of alle oþer knowynges. þilke witte comeþ to bestes þat ne mowen nat moeuen hem self here ne þere. as oystresandmusclesandoþer swiche shelle fysshe of þe see. þat cliuenandben norissed to roches. but þe ymaginaciouncomeþ to remuable bestes þat semento han talent to fleen or to desiren any þinge. but resounis al only to þe lynage of mankynde ryȝt as intelligence is oonly þe deuyne nature. of whiche it folweþ þat þilke knowyng is more worþe þan [th]is[e] oþer. syn it knoweþ by hyspropre nature nat only hys subiect. as who seiþ it ne knoweþ nat al oonly þat apperteiniþ proprely to hys knowynge. but it knoweþ þe subgitȝ of alle oþer knowynges. but how shal it þan be yif þat witandymaginaciounstryuen aȝeins resonyngeandsein þat of þilke vniuersel þinges. þat resounweneþ to seen þat it nis ryȝt nauȝt. for witandymaginaciounseyn þat þat. þat is sensible or ymaginable it ne may nat ben vniuersel. þan is eiþer þe iugement of resoun[soth]. ne þat þer nis no þinge sensible. or ellys for þat resounwoot wel þat many þinges ben subiect to witandto ymaginacioun. þan is þe consepciounof resounveynandfals whiche þat lookeþandcomprehendiþ. þat þat is sensibleandsynguler as uniuersele. and ȝif þat resounwolde answeren aȝein to þise two þat is to sein to witandto ymaginacioun.andsein þat soþely she hir self. þat is to seyn þat resounlokeþandcomprehendiþ by resounof vniuersalite. boþe þat þat is sensibleandþat þat is ymaginable.andþat þilke two þat is to seyn witandymaginaciounne mowennat strecchen ne enhaunsen hem self to knowynge of vniuersalite for þat þe knowyng of hem ne may exceden nor sourmountenþe bodyly figure[s] ¶ Certys of þe knowyng of þinges men auȝten raþer ȝeue credence to þe more stedfastandto þe more perfit iugement. In þis manere stryuynge þan we þat han strengþe of resonyngeandof ymaginyngeandof wit þat is to seyn by resounandby ymaginaciounandby wit. [and] we sholde raþer preise þe cause of resoun. as who seiþ þan þe cause of wit or ymaginacioun. semblable þinge is it þat þe resounof mankynde ne weneþ nat þat þe deuyne intelligence byholdeþ or knoweþ þinges to comen. but ryȝt as þe resounof mankynde knoweþ hem. for þou arguistandseist þus. þatyif it ne seme nat to men þat somme þinges han certeyneandnecessarie bytidynges. þei ne mowen nat ben wist byforn certeynely to bytiden. þannis [ther] no prescience of þilke þinges.andyif we trowen þat prescience ben in þise þinges. þan is þer no þinge þat it ne bitidiþ by necessite. but certys yif we myȝtenhan þe iugement of þe deuyne þouȝt as we ben parsoners of resoun. ryȝt so as we han demed. it byhoueþ þat ymaginaciounandwit ben byneþe resoun. ryȝt so wolde we demenþat it were ryȝtful þing þat mans resounauȝt[e] to summitten it selfandto ben byneþe þe deuyne þouȝt. for whiche þat yif we mowen. as who seiþ. þat yif þat we mowenI conseil[e] þat we enhanse vs in to þe heyȝt of þilke souereyne intelligence. for þere shal resounwel seen þat þat it ne may nat by-holden in it self. and certys þat is þis in what manere þe prescience of god seeþ alle þinges certeinsanddifinissed al þouȝ þei ne han no certein issues or by-tydynges. ne þis is non oppiniounbut it is raþer þe simplicite of þe souereyn science þat nis nat enclosed nor yshet wiþinne no boundes.

ÞE bestes passen by þe erþes by ful dyuerse figures for somme of hem han hir bodies strauȝtandcrepenin þe dustanddrawen after hema trais or a forghe contynued. þat is to sein as addres or snakes. and oþer bestes by [the] wandryng lyȝtnesse of hir wenges beten þe wyndesandouer-swymmenþe spaces of þe longe eyer by moist flee[y]nge. and oþer bestes gladen hem to diggen her traas or her stappes inþe erþe wiþ hir goynge or wiþ her feet. or to gone eyþe[r] by þe grene feldes or [elles] to walken vnder þe wodes.andal be it so þat þou seest þat þei alle discorden by dyuerse formes. algate hire[faces] enclini[n]g heuieþ hiredulle wittes. Onlyche þe lynage of man heueþ heyest hys heyȝe heuedandstondeþ lyȝt wiþ hys vpryȝt bodyandbyholdeþ þe erþe vndir hym. [and] but-ȝif þou erþely man wexest yuel oute of þi witte. þis figure amonesteþ þe þat axest þe heuene wiþ þi ryȝt[e] visage.andhast areised þi forhede to beren vp on heye þi corage so þat þi þouȝt ne be nat yheuied ne put lowe vndir foot. sen þat þi body is so heye areised.

ÞEr-fore þan as I haue shewed a litel her byforne þat al þinge þat is ywist nis nat knowen by hys nature propre. but by þe nature of hemþat comprehenden it. ¶ Lat vs loke now in as moche as it is leueful to vs. as who seiþ lat vs loken now as we mowen whiche þat þe estat is of þe deuyne substaunce so þat we mowen [ek] knowen what his science is. þe comune iugement of alle creatures resonables þan is þis þat god is eterne. lat vs considere þanwhat is eternite. For certys þat shal shewen vs to-gidre þe deuyne natureandþe deuyne science ¶ Eternite þan is perfit possessiounandal togidre of lijf interminableandþat sheweþ more clerely by þe comparisounor collaciounof temporel þinges. for al þing þat lyueþ in tyme it is presentandprocediþ fro preteritȝ in to futures. þat is to sein. fro tyme passed in to tyme comynge. ne þer nis no þing establissed intyme þat may enbracen to-gidre al þe space of hys lijf. for certys ȝit ne haþ it nat taken þe tyme of þe morwe.andit haþ lost þat of ȝister-day. and certys in þe lijfof þis day ȝe ne lyuen no more but ryȝt as in þis moeueableandtransitorie moment. þan þilke þinge þat suffriþ temporel condicioun. a[l]þougheþat [it] bygan neuer to be. ne þougheit neuere cese forto be. as aristotle demde of þe worlde. and al þouȝ þat þe lif of it be strecchid wiþ infinite of tyme. ȝit algates nis it no swiche þing þat men myȝten trowen by ryȝt þat it is eterne. for al þouȝ þat it comprehendeandembrace þe space of life infinite. ȝit algates ne [em]braceþ it nat þe space of þe lif alto-gidre. for it ne haþ nat þe futures þat ne ben nat ȝit. ne it ne haþ no lenger þe preteritȝ þat ben ydon or ypassed. but þilke þing þan þat haþandcomprehendiþ to-gidre alle þe plente of þe lif interminable. to whom þere ne failiþ nat of þe future.andto whom þer nis nat of þe preterit escapid nor ypassed. þilk[e] same is ywitnessed or yproued by ryȝt to ben eterne. and it byhoueþ by necessite þat þilke þinge be alwey present to hym selfandcompotent. as who seiþ alwey present to hym selfandso myȝty þat al by ryȝt at hys plesaunce.andþat he haue al present þe infinit of þe moeuable tyme. wherfore som men trowenwrongefully þat whan þei heren þat it semid[e] to plato þat þis worlde ne had[de] neuer bygynnynge of tyme. ne þat it neuere shal haue faylynge. þei wenen inþis manere þat þis worlde ben maked coeterne wiþ his makere. as who seiþ. þei wenen þat þis worldeandgod ben maked to-gidre eterne. and it is a wrongful wenynge. for oþer þing is it to ben yladd by lif interminable as plato graunted[e] to þe worlde.andoþer þing is it to embracen to-gidre alle þe presence to þe lif interminable. þe whiche þing it is clereandmanifestþat it is propre to þe deuine þouȝt. ne it ne sholde nat semen to vs þat god is elder þan þinges þat ben ymaked by quantite of tyme. but raþer by þe proprete of hys symple nature. for þis ilke infinit[e] moeuyng of temporel þinges folwiþ þis presentarie estat of þe lijf inmoeueable.andso as it ne may nat contrefeten it ne feynenit ne ben euene lyke to it. for þe inmoeueablete. þat is to seyn þat is inþe eternite of god. ¶ it faileþandfalleþ in to moeuynge fro þe simplicite of [the] presence of god.anddisencresiþ to þe infinite quantite of futureandof preterit.andso as it ne may nat han togidre al þe plente of þe lif. algates ȝitte for as moche as it ne cesiþ neuere forto ben in som manere it semeþ somde[l] to vs þat it folwiþandresembliþ þilke þing þat it ne may nat attayne to. ne fulfille.andbyndeþ it self to som manere presence of þis litelandswifte moment. þe whiche presence of þis lyteleandswifte moment. for þat it bereþ a manere ymage or lykenesse of þe ay dwellynge presence of god. it graunteþ to swiche manere þinges as it bitidiþ to þat it semeþ hem þat þise þinges han benandbenandfor [þat] þe presence of swiche litel moment ne may nat dwelle þer-for [it] rauyssid[e]andtook þe infinit[e] wey of tyme. þat is to seyn by successioun.andby þis manere it is ydon. for þat it sholde continue þe lif in goynge of þe whiche lif it ne myȝt[e] nat embrace þe plente in dwellynge.andfor þi yif we willen putte worþi name[s] to þingesandfolwen plato. lat vs seyn þansoþely þat god is eterne.andþat þe worlde is perpetuel. þan syn þat euery iugement knoweþandcomprehendiþ by hys owen nature þinges þat ben subiect vnto hym. þere is soþely al-wey to god an eterneandpresentarie estat.andþescience of hym þat ouer-passeþ alle temporel moe[ue]ment dwelliþ in þe symplicite of hys presenceandembraceþandconsidereþ alle þe infinit spaces of tymes preteritȝandfuturesandlokeþ in þis symple knowynge alle þinges of preterit ryȝt as þei weren ydoon presently ryȝt now ¶ yif þou wolt þan þenkeandavisenþe prescience by whiche it knoweþ al[le] þinges þou ne shalt nat demen it as prescience of þinges to comen. but þou shalt demen[it] more ryȝtfully þat it is science of presence or of instaunce þat neuer ne fayleþ. for whiche it nis nat ycleped prouidence but it sholde raþer be cleped purueaunce þat is establissed ful fer fro ryȝt lowe þinges.andbyholdeþ from a-fer alle þinges ryȝt as it were fro þe heye heyȝte of þinges. whi axest þou þan or why disputest þou þan þat þilke þinges ben don by necessite whiche þat ben yseyenandyknowen by þe deuyne syȝt. syn þat for soþe men ne maken nat þilke þinges necessarie. whiche þat þe[i] seen be ydoon in hiresyȝt. for addiþ þi byholdynge any necessite to þilke þinges þat þou byholdest present. ¶ Nay quod I.p.Certys þan yif men myȝte maken any digne comparisounor collaciounof þe presence diuine.andof þe presence of mankynde. ryȝt so as ȝe seen somme þinges in þis temporel presente. ryȝt so seeþ god alle þinges by hys eterne present. ¶ wherfore þis dyuyne prescience ne chaungeþ nat þe nature ne þe proprete of þinges but byholdeþ swyche þinges present to hym ward. as þei shollen bytiden to ȝow ward in tyme to come. ne it ne confoundeþ nat þe Iugementȝ of þinges but by of syȝt of hys þouȝt he knoweþ þe þinges to comen as wel necessarie as nat necessarie. ryȝt so as whan ȝe seen togidre a man walke on þe erþeandþe sonne arysen in [the] heuene. al be it so þat ȝe seenandbyholdenþatoonandþat oþer to-gidre. ȝit naþeles ȝe demenanddiscerne þat þat oon is uoluntarieandþat oþer is necessarie. ¶ Ryȝt so þan [the] deuyne lokynge byholdynge alle þinges vndir hym ne troubleþ nat þe qualite of þinges þat ben certeynely present to hymward. but as to þe condiciounof tyme for soþe þei ben future. for whiche it folwiþ þat þis nis non oppinioun. but raþer a stedfast knowyng ystrengeþed by soþenes. þat whan þat god knoweþ any þinge to be he ne vnwoot nat þat þilke þinge wanteþ necessite to be. þis is to seyn þat whan þat god knoweþ any þinge to bitide. he woot wel þat it ne haþ no necessite to bitide.andyif þou seist here þat þilke þinge þat god seeþ to bytide it ne may nat vnbytide. as who seiþ it mot bitide. ¶ and þilke þinge þat þat ne may nat vnbytide it mot bitide by necessite. and þat þou streine me to þis name of necessite. certys I wol wel confessenandbyknowe a þinge of ful sadde trouþe. but vnneþ shal þere any wyȝt [mowe] seen it or comen þer-to. but yif þat he be byholder of þe deuyne þouȝte. ¶ for I wol answereþe þus. þat þilke þinge þat is future whan it is referred to þe deuyne knowyng þan is it necessarie. but certys whan it is vndirstonden in hys owen kynde mensen it [is] vtterly freandabsolut from alle necessite. for certys þer ben two maneres of necessites. þat oon necessite is symple as þus. þat it byhoueþ by necessite þat alle men be mortal or dedely. an oþernecessite is condicionel as þus. yif þou wost þat a man walkiþ. it byhoueþ by necessite þat he walke. þilke þinge þan þat any wyȝt haþ yknowe to be. it ne may ben non oþer weyes þan he knoweþ it to be. ¶ but þis condicioun ne draweþ nat wiþ hir þilke necessite symple. For certys þis necessite condicionel.þe propre nature of it ne makeþ it nauȝt. but þe adiecciounof þe condiciounmakiþ it. for no necessite ne constreyneþ a man to [gon / þat] gooþ by his propre wille. al be it so þat whan he gooþ þat it is necessarie þat he gooþ. þan mot þilke þinge be by necessite. al þouȝ þat it ne haue no necessite of hys owen nature. ¶ Ryȝt on þis same manere þan. yif þat þe purueaunce of god seeþ any þing present. but certys þe futures þat bytyden by fredom of arbitre god seeþ hem alle to-gidre presentȝ. þise þinges þan [yif] þei ben referred to þe deuyne syȝt. þan ben þei maked necessarie to þe condiciounof þe deuyne knowynge. but certys yif þilke þinges ben considred by hem self þei ben absolut of necessite.andne forleten nat ne cesen nat of þe liberte of hire owennature. þan certys wiþ outen doute alle þe þingusshollen be doon whiche þat god woot by-forn þat þei ben to comen. but somme of hem comenandbitiden of [free] arbitre or of fre wille. þat al be it so þat þei bytiden. ȝit algates ne lese þei nat hire propre nature ne beynge. by þe whiche first or þat þei were doon þei hadden power nat to han bitidd.Boece.what is þis to seyn þanquod I. þat þinges ne ben nat necessarie by hire propre nature. so as þei comen in alle maneres in þe lykenesse of necessite by þe condiciounof þe deuyne science.Philosophie. þis is þe difference quod she. þat þo þinges þat I purposed[e] þe a litel here byforn. þat is to seyn þe sonne arysyngeandþe man walkynge þat þerwhiles þat þilke þinges ben ydon. þei ne myȝten nat ben vndon. naþeles þat oon of hem or it was ydon it byhoued[e] by necessite þat it was ydon. but nat þat oþer. ryȝt so it is here þat þe þinges þat god haþ present.wiþ outen doute þei shulle ben. but somme of hem descendiþ of þe nature of þinges as þe sonne arysynge.andsomme descendiþ of þe power of þe doers as þe man walkynge. ¶ þan seide I. no wronge þat yif þat þise þinges ben referred to þe deuyne knowynge þan ben þei necessarie.andyif þei ben considered by hemselfe þan ben þei absolut from þe bonde of necessite. ryȝt so [as] alle þinges þat appiereþ or sheweþ to þe wittes yif þou referre it to resounit is vniuersel.andyif þou referre it or look[e] it to it self. þan is it synguler. but now yif þou seist þus þat yif it be in my power to chaunge my purpose. þan shal I voide þe purueaunce of god. whan þat perauenture I shal han chaunged þo þinges þat he knoweþ byforn. þan shal I answere þe þus ¶ Certys þou maist wel chaungen þi purpos but for as mochel as þe present soþenesse of þe deuyne purueaunce byholdeþ þat þou mayst chaungenþi purpose.andwheþir þou wolt chaunge it or no.andwhider-ward þat þou tourne it. þou maist nat eschewen þe deuyne prescience ryȝt as þou ne mayst nat fleen þe syȝt of þe present eye. al þouȝ þat þou tourne þi self by þi fre wille in to dyuerse accioun. ¶ But þou mayst seyn aȝeyne how shal it þan be. shal nat þe dyuyne science ben chaunged by my disposiciounwhan þat I wol o þing nowandnow an oþer.andþilke prescience ne semeþ it nat to enterchaunge stoundes of knowynges. as who seiþ. ne shal it nat seme to vs þat þe deuyne prescience enterchaungeþ hys dyuers stoundes of knowynge. so þat it knowe somme tyme o þingandsomme tyme þe contrarie. ¶ No for soþe. [quodI] for þe deuyne syȝt renneþ to-forneandseeþ alle futuresandclepeþ hem aȝeinandretourniþ hem to þe presence of hys propre knowynge. ne he ne entrechaungeþ nat [so] as þou wenest þe stoundes of forknowyng [as] now þis now þat. but he ay dwellynge comiþ byfornandenbraceþ at o strook alle þi mutaciouns. and þis presence to comprehendenandto sen alle þinges. god ne haþ nat takenit of þe bitydynge of þinges forto come. but of hys propre symplicite. ¶ and her by is assoiled þilke þing þat þou puttest a litel her byforne. þat is to seyne þat it is vnworþi þinge to seyn þat oure futures ȝeuen cause of þe science of god ¶ For certys þis strengþe of þe deuyne science whiche þat enbraceþ alle þinge by his presentarie knowynge establisseþ manere to alle þingusandit ne awiþ nat to lattere þinges.andsyn þat þise þinges ben þus. þat is to seyn syn þat necessite nis nat in þinges by þe deuyne prescience. þan is þer fredom of arbitre. þat dwelleþ hoolandvnwemmed to mortal men. ne þe lawes ne purpose nat wikkedly meedesandpeynes to þe willynges of men þat ben vnboundeandquit of alle necessite. ¶ And god byholderandforwiter of alle þinges dwelliþ aboueandþe present eternite of hys syȝt renneþ alwey wiþ þe dyuerse qualite of oure dedes dispensyngandordeynynge medes to good[e] men.andtourmentȝ to wicked men. ne in ydel ne inveyn ne ben þer nat put in god hopeandprayeres. þat ne mowen nat ben vnspedful ne wiþ oute effect whan þei ben ryȝtful ¶ wiþstond þanandeschewe þou vices. worshippeandloue þou vertus. areise þi corage to ryȝtful hoopes. ȝelde þou humble preiers an heyȝe. grete necessite of prowesseandvertue is enchargedandcomaunded to ȝow yif ȝe nil nat dissimulen. ¶ Syn þat ȝe worchenanddoon. þat is to seyn ȝoure dedesandȝoure workesby-fore þe eyen of þe Iuge þat seeþanddemeþ alle þinges. [To whom be goyeandworshipe bi Infynyt tymes / AMEN.]

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