III.THE CAMBRIDGE TEXT.

16.MS. Harleian 984.16th century.[fol. 72, ro.]61How schuldeerthe vpon erthe be prud & gayWhenerthe schal to erthe in so porearay?7I consell erthe vpon erthe þat wikyd hade wroȝt,4Whyle erthe ys apon erthe to turne al his þoȝt,Andepray to God þat al þe world wroȝt2Þat erthe out of erthe to blesse may be broȝt.1.The previous leaf of the MS., which evidently contained the beginning of the poem, has been torn out.2.MS.woȝt.17.The Maitland MS.(Pepysian MS. 2553, p. 338.)   c. 1555-1585.11Eyrd vpone eird wondirfallie is wrocht,Eird hes gottin vpone eird ane dignite for nocht,Eird apone eird hes set all his thocht4How þat2eird vpone eird till hicht may be brocht.2Eird apone eird wald fayne be a king,And how þat eird gois to eird thinkis he no thing.Quhone eird byddiseird his rentis hame to bring,8Than sall eird haue to eird herd depairting.3Eird apon eird wynnis castellis and towris,Than sayis eird vntill eird: ‘All þir ar owris’.Quhone eird apone eird hes biggit all his bowris,12Than sall eird vpone eird suffir scharp schowris.4Eyrd apone eird and mold vpone mold,Lyke as eird vnto eird never go sold.Eird gois apone eird glitterand as gold,16Ȝit sall eird go to eird sonar nor he wold.5How þat eird luiffis eird grit wondir I think,Or quhy þat eird will for eird owþir swet or swynk.Quhone þat eird within eird is closit vndir bynk,20Than sall eird within eird haue ane ewill stynk.6Lo eird vpone eird considdir þow may,How eird vnto3eird gois nakit away,Quhy sould eird apone eird go owerproud or gay,24Sen eird vntill eird sall wend in pure array?7I counsall eird vpone eird þat wondirlie is wrocht,Quhill4eird is apone eird to turne all his thocht,And pray to God apone eird þat maid all of nocht,28That eird vpone eird to blys may be brocht.Quod marsar.1.Printed by kind permission of the authorities of Magdalene College, Cambridge.2.MS.yat;þregularly written asy.3.MS.aponecrossed out,vntowritten above.4.MS.qll.18.John Reidpeth’s MS. Cambr. Univ. Libr.Ll. 5. 10.[fol. 43, vo.](Transcribed from the Maitland MS. 1622-3.)1Eird vpoun eird wonderfull is wrocht,Eird hes gottin vpoun eird ane dignitie for nocht,Eird vpoun eird hes sett all his thocht4How þat1eird vpoun eird till hicht may be brocht.[fol. 44, ro.]2Eird vpoun Eird wold fane be ane king,And how þat eird gois to eird thinkis he nothing.Quhen eird biddiseird his rentis hame to bring,8Than sall eird haue to eird herd depairting.3Eird vpoun Eird wins castellisand towris;Than sayis eird vnto eird: ‘All now ar ouris’.Quhen eird vpoun eird hes biggit all his towris,12Than sall eird vpoun eird suffer grit showris.4Eird vpoun eird and mold vpoun mold,Lyk as eird vnto eird neuer go sold,Eird gois vpoun eird glitterand as gold,16Ȝitt sall eird go to eird sonear nor he wald.5How þat eird luiffis eird grit wonder I think,Or quhy þat eird will for eird owther sweit or swink,Quhen þat eird within eird is closit vnder bink,20Than sall eird witheird haue ane evill stink.6Lo eird vpoun eird considder thow mayHow eird vnto eird gois nakit away,Quhy sould eird vpoun eird go our2proud or gay,24Sen eird vntill eird sall wend in pure aray?7I counsall eird vpoun eird þat wondirlie is wrocht,Quhill eird is vpoun eird to turne all his thocht,And pray to God vponn eird þat maid all of nocht,28That eird vpoun eird to blis may be brocht.Quod dumbar.1.MS.yat;þregularly written asy.2.over, MS.or.III.THE CAMBRIDGE TEXT.Cambridge Univ. Libr.Ii. 4. 9.   15th century.[fol. 67, ro.]1Erthe vpon erth is waxinand wrought,Erthe takys on erth a nobylay of nought;Now erthe vpon erthe layes all his þought4How erthe vpon erthe sattys all at noght.2Erthe vpon erth has hallys & towris1;Erthe says to erth: ‘This is alle owris’.But quan erth vpon erth has byggyd his bowris,8Than xal erth for the erth haue scharpe schowris.3Erthe vpon erth wolde be a kyng,But hove2erth xal to erth thynkyth he no thyng.4And of the same erthe mad God man,12And sethe he made that erth & callyd it Adam,For loue of erthe, the wych was woman,That erth in this erthe fyrst be-gan.5Erthe goos on erth & tyllys withhys plowe,16Erthe a-geyn erth holdys it full toght3,Erthe vpon [erth] stelis hym a slogh4,Erthe on this erth thynkys he has neueri-nowe5.6Erth vpon erthe gos in the weye,20Prykys and prankys on a palfreye;When erth has gotyn erth alle that he maye,He schal haue but seven fote at his last daye.7Than xal not be lykyng vn-to hym24Bu[t]6an olde sely cloth to wynde erthe in,When erthe is in erth for wormys wyn,The rof of his hows xal ly on his chyn.[fol. 67, vo.]87When erthe says to erth: ‘My rent þou me bryng’,28Then has erth fro erthe a dolfull partyng.9How erthe louys erth wondyr me thynke,How erth for erth wyll swete and swynke.When erth is in erthe broght with-in the brynke,32What as herth than of erthe but a fowle stynke?10Erthe wrotys in erth as molys don in molde,Erthe vp-on erth glydys as golde,As erthe leve in erthe euermoreschulde.3611Erthe vp-on erth mynd euermoreþou makeHow erthe xal to erth when deth wyll hymtake.12Be ware, erth, for erthe, for sake of thi sowle,Erthe may of erth at þe last take a fowle,40When erth is in erthe hereso long in his slogh.13Ffor erth gos in erth walkand in vede,And erthe rydys on erth on a fayr stede,When he was8gotynin erth erth to his mede,44Than is erth layde in erthe wormys to fede.Whylke ar the wormys the flesch brede?God wote the wormys for to ryght rede.14Erthe a-geyn erthe I holde it on-kynde,48Erthe is as sone wroth as is the wynde,Swyche fowle erth mekyl may we fynde,That wyl speke fayrebeforevs & falsly be-hynde.[fol. 68, ro.]15When erth vp-on erth be-gynnys to be wroth,52Erth vpon erth swerys many a gret othe,Erth berys pride in herte & incloth,When erth is layde inerth þan xal it be loth.16Erthly coveytous makyth erth to be schent,56Erth for this erth yeldisa gret rent,If erth in thys erth levyd in good ententThan dareerthe nevyr recke wherethat he went.17Erth vp-on erth is stronge as a mast,60And erth wyth is erth fyghtys ful fast,Thereis non so stowte that in erth may hymcast,And alle xal we be erth at the last.18Erthe bygyth hallys & erth bygith towres,64When erth is layd in erth, blayke is his bours;If erth haue welth, he dwellyth in flowres9,And if erth haue mys don, he getyth scharpe shours.19If erth wyste in erth quat that erth is,68Ther wolde neuererth in erth do a-mys.God mad erth of erth, & namyd it for his,Adam of erth in erthly paradys.20God walkyd in erth as longe as he wolde,72He had not in this erth but honger& colde,And in this erth also his body was solde,Herein this erth, whan þat he was xxxti ȝereolde.[fol. 68, vo.]21God lytyd in erth, blyssed be that stounde!76He sauyd hijs herth withmany a scharpe wounde,Ffor to sawe erth owght of hell grounde,He deyd in erth vpon þe rode withmany a blody vounde10.22And God ros ovght of the est11this erth for to spede,80And went into hell as was gret nede,And toke erth from sorowe þus12erth for to spede,The ryght wey to heuen blys Iesus Cryst vs lede!fine.(The rest of the page is occupied by a coloured picture of a knight and a skeleton with Latin mottoes, v. Introduction, p. xiv.)1.ortowres,owres, &c.2.MS.hoveforhowe.3.?error fortogh.4.Heuserflogh, but MS.appears to besloghas in l. 40.5.MS.was neuer noncrossed out,has neuerI nowewritten above.6.MS.bu, the last letter of the word has been erased.7.These two lines form the missing half of v. 3, and are perhaps inserted here with the idea of forming a six-lined stanza.8.betterhas.9.orflowris.10.wounde.11.MS. clearlyest, perh. error forerth.12.MS.y9=þus, perh. forþis.

16.MS. Harleian 984.16th century.[fol. 72, ro.]61How schuldeerthe vpon erthe be prud & gayWhenerthe schal to erthe in so porearay?7I consell erthe vpon erthe þat wikyd hade wroȝt,4Whyle erthe ys apon erthe to turne al his þoȝt,Andepray to God þat al þe world wroȝt2Þat erthe out of erthe to blesse may be broȝt.1.The previous leaf of the MS., which evidently contained the beginning of the poem, has been torn out.2.MS.woȝt.17.The Maitland MS.(Pepysian MS. 2553, p. 338.)   c. 1555-1585.11Eyrd vpone eird wondirfallie is wrocht,Eird hes gottin vpone eird ane dignite for nocht,Eird apone eird hes set all his thocht4How þat2eird vpone eird till hicht may be brocht.2Eird apone eird wald fayne be a king,And how þat eird gois to eird thinkis he no thing.Quhone eird byddiseird his rentis hame to bring,8Than sall eird haue to eird herd depairting.3Eird apon eird wynnis castellis and towris,Than sayis eird vntill eird: ‘All þir ar owris’.Quhone eird apone eird hes biggit all his bowris,12Than sall eird vpone eird suffir scharp schowris.4Eyrd apone eird and mold vpone mold,Lyke as eird vnto eird never go sold.Eird gois apone eird glitterand as gold,16Ȝit sall eird go to eird sonar nor he wold.5How þat eird luiffis eird grit wondir I think,Or quhy þat eird will for eird owþir swet or swynk.Quhone þat eird within eird is closit vndir bynk,20Than sall eird within eird haue ane ewill stynk.6Lo eird vpone eird considdir þow may,How eird vnto3eird gois nakit away,Quhy sould eird apone eird go owerproud or gay,24Sen eird vntill eird sall wend in pure array?7I counsall eird vpone eird þat wondirlie is wrocht,Quhill4eird is apone eird to turne all his thocht,And pray to God apone eird þat maid all of nocht,28That eird vpone eird to blys may be brocht.Quod marsar.1.Printed by kind permission of the authorities of Magdalene College, Cambridge.2.MS.yat;þregularly written asy.3.MS.aponecrossed out,vntowritten above.4.MS.qll.18.John Reidpeth’s MS. Cambr. Univ. Libr.Ll. 5. 10.[fol. 43, vo.](Transcribed from the Maitland MS. 1622-3.)1Eird vpoun eird wonderfull is wrocht,Eird hes gottin vpoun eird ane dignitie for nocht,Eird vpoun eird hes sett all his thocht4How þat1eird vpoun eird till hicht may be brocht.[fol. 44, ro.]2Eird vpoun Eird wold fane be ane king,And how þat eird gois to eird thinkis he nothing.Quhen eird biddiseird his rentis hame to bring,8Than sall eird haue to eird herd depairting.3Eird vpoun Eird wins castellisand towris;Than sayis eird vnto eird: ‘All now ar ouris’.Quhen eird vpoun eird hes biggit all his towris,12Than sall eird vpoun eird suffer grit showris.4Eird vpoun eird and mold vpoun mold,Lyk as eird vnto eird neuer go sold,Eird gois vpoun eird glitterand as gold,16Ȝitt sall eird go to eird sonear nor he wald.5How þat eird luiffis eird grit wonder I think,Or quhy þat eird will for eird owther sweit or swink,Quhen þat eird within eird is closit vnder bink,20Than sall eird witheird haue ane evill stink.6Lo eird vpoun eird considder thow mayHow eird vnto eird gois nakit away,Quhy sould eird vpoun eird go our2proud or gay,24Sen eird vntill eird sall wend in pure aray?7I counsall eird vpoun eird þat wondirlie is wrocht,Quhill eird is vpoun eird to turne all his thocht,And pray to God vponn eird þat maid all of nocht,28That eird vpoun eird to blis may be brocht.Quod dumbar.1.MS.yat;þregularly written asy.2.over, MS.or.III.THE CAMBRIDGE TEXT.Cambridge Univ. Libr.Ii. 4. 9.   15th century.[fol. 67, ro.]1Erthe vpon erth is waxinand wrought,Erthe takys on erth a nobylay of nought;Now erthe vpon erthe layes all his þought4How erthe vpon erthe sattys all at noght.2Erthe vpon erth has hallys & towris1;Erthe says to erth: ‘This is alle owris’.But quan erth vpon erth has byggyd his bowris,8Than xal erth for the erth haue scharpe schowris.3Erthe vpon erth wolde be a kyng,But hove2erth xal to erth thynkyth he no thyng.4And of the same erthe mad God man,12And sethe he made that erth & callyd it Adam,For loue of erthe, the wych was woman,That erth in this erthe fyrst be-gan.5Erthe goos on erth & tyllys withhys plowe,16Erthe a-geyn erth holdys it full toght3,Erthe vpon [erth] stelis hym a slogh4,Erthe on this erth thynkys he has neueri-nowe5.6Erth vpon erthe gos in the weye,20Prykys and prankys on a palfreye;When erth has gotyn erth alle that he maye,He schal haue but seven fote at his last daye.7Than xal not be lykyng vn-to hym24Bu[t]6an olde sely cloth to wynde erthe in,When erthe is in erth for wormys wyn,The rof of his hows xal ly on his chyn.[fol. 67, vo.]87When erthe says to erth: ‘My rent þou me bryng’,28Then has erth fro erthe a dolfull partyng.9How erthe louys erth wondyr me thynke,How erth for erth wyll swete and swynke.When erth is in erthe broght with-in the brynke,32What as herth than of erthe but a fowle stynke?10Erthe wrotys in erth as molys don in molde,Erthe vp-on erth glydys as golde,As erthe leve in erthe euermoreschulde.3611Erthe vp-on erth mynd euermoreþou makeHow erthe xal to erth when deth wyll hymtake.12Be ware, erth, for erthe, for sake of thi sowle,Erthe may of erth at þe last take a fowle,40When erth is in erthe hereso long in his slogh.13Ffor erth gos in erth walkand in vede,And erthe rydys on erth on a fayr stede,When he was8gotynin erth erth to his mede,44Than is erth layde in erthe wormys to fede.Whylke ar the wormys the flesch brede?God wote the wormys for to ryght rede.14Erthe a-geyn erthe I holde it on-kynde,48Erthe is as sone wroth as is the wynde,Swyche fowle erth mekyl may we fynde,That wyl speke fayrebeforevs & falsly be-hynde.[fol. 68, ro.]15When erth vp-on erth be-gynnys to be wroth,52Erth vpon erth swerys many a gret othe,Erth berys pride in herte & incloth,When erth is layde inerth þan xal it be loth.16Erthly coveytous makyth erth to be schent,56Erth for this erth yeldisa gret rent,If erth in thys erth levyd in good ententThan dareerthe nevyr recke wherethat he went.17Erth vp-on erth is stronge as a mast,60And erth wyth is erth fyghtys ful fast,Thereis non so stowte that in erth may hymcast,And alle xal we be erth at the last.18Erthe bygyth hallys & erth bygith towres,64When erth is layd in erth, blayke is his bours;If erth haue welth, he dwellyth in flowres9,And if erth haue mys don, he getyth scharpe shours.19If erth wyste in erth quat that erth is,68Ther wolde neuererth in erth do a-mys.God mad erth of erth, & namyd it for his,Adam of erth in erthly paradys.20God walkyd in erth as longe as he wolde,72He had not in this erth but honger& colde,And in this erth also his body was solde,Herein this erth, whan þat he was xxxti ȝereolde.[fol. 68, vo.]21God lytyd in erth, blyssed be that stounde!76He sauyd hijs herth withmany a scharpe wounde,Ffor to sawe erth owght of hell grounde,He deyd in erth vpon þe rode withmany a blody vounde10.22And God ros ovght of the est11this erth for to spede,80And went into hell as was gret nede,And toke erth from sorowe þus12erth for to spede,The ryght wey to heuen blys Iesus Cryst vs lede!fine.(The rest of the page is occupied by a coloured picture of a knight and a skeleton with Latin mottoes, v. Introduction, p. xiv.)1.ortowres,owres, &c.2.MS.hoveforhowe.3.?error fortogh.4.Heuserflogh, but MS.appears to besloghas in l. 40.5.MS.was neuer noncrossed out,has neuerI nowewritten above.6.MS.bu, the last letter of the word has been erased.7.These two lines form the missing half of v. 3, and are perhaps inserted here with the idea of forming a six-lined stanza.8.betterhas.9.orflowris.10.wounde.11.MS. clearlyest, perh. error forerth.12.MS.y9=þus, perh. forþis.

16.MS. Harleian 984.16th century.[fol. 72, ro.]61How schuldeerthe vpon erthe be prud & gayWhenerthe schal to erthe in so porearay?7I consell erthe vpon erthe þat wikyd hade wroȝt,4Whyle erthe ys apon erthe to turne al his þoȝt,Andepray to God þat al þe world wroȝt2Þat erthe out of erthe to blesse may be broȝt.

[fol. 72, ro.]

61How schuldeerthe vpon erthe be prud & gay

Whenerthe schal to erthe in so porearay?

7I consell erthe vpon erthe þat wikyd hade wroȝt,

4

Whyle erthe ys apon erthe to turne al his þoȝt,

Andepray to God þat al þe world wroȝt2

Þat erthe out of erthe to blesse may be broȝt.

1.The previous leaf of the MS., which evidently contained the beginning of the poem, has been torn out.2.MS.woȝt.

1.The previous leaf of the MS., which evidently contained the beginning of the poem, has been torn out.

2.MS.woȝt.

17.The Maitland MS.(Pepysian MS. 2553, p. 338.)   c. 1555-1585.11Eyrd vpone eird wondirfallie is wrocht,Eird hes gottin vpone eird ane dignite for nocht,Eird apone eird hes set all his thocht4How þat2eird vpone eird till hicht may be brocht.2Eird apone eird wald fayne be a king,And how þat eird gois to eird thinkis he no thing.Quhone eird byddiseird his rentis hame to bring,8Than sall eird haue to eird herd depairting.3Eird apon eird wynnis castellis and towris,Than sayis eird vntill eird: ‘All þir ar owris’.Quhone eird apone eird hes biggit all his bowris,12Than sall eird vpone eird suffir scharp schowris.4Eyrd apone eird and mold vpone mold,Lyke as eird vnto eird never go sold.Eird gois apone eird glitterand as gold,16Ȝit sall eird go to eird sonar nor he wold.5How þat eird luiffis eird grit wondir I think,Or quhy þat eird will for eird owþir swet or swynk.Quhone þat eird within eird is closit vndir bynk,20Than sall eird within eird haue ane ewill stynk.6Lo eird vpone eird considdir þow may,How eird vnto3eird gois nakit away,Quhy sould eird apone eird go owerproud or gay,24Sen eird vntill eird sall wend in pure array?7I counsall eird vpone eird þat wondirlie is wrocht,Quhill4eird is apone eird to turne all his thocht,And pray to God apone eird þat maid all of nocht,28That eird vpone eird to blys may be brocht.Quod marsar.

11Eyrd vpone eird wondirfallie is wrocht,

Eird hes gottin vpone eird ane dignite for nocht,

Eird apone eird hes set all his thocht

4

How þat2eird vpone eird till hicht may be brocht.

2Eird apone eird wald fayne be a king,

And how þat eird gois to eird thinkis he no thing.

Quhone eird byddiseird his rentis hame to bring,

8

Than sall eird haue to eird herd depairting.

3Eird apon eird wynnis castellis and towris,

Than sayis eird vntill eird: ‘All þir ar owris’.

Quhone eird apone eird hes biggit all his bowris,

12

Than sall eird vpone eird suffir scharp schowris.

4Eyrd apone eird and mold vpone mold,

Lyke as eird vnto eird never go sold.

Eird gois apone eird glitterand as gold,

16

Ȝit sall eird go to eird sonar nor he wold.

5How þat eird luiffis eird grit wondir I think,

Or quhy þat eird will for eird owþir swet or swynk.

Quhone þat eird within eird is closit vndir bynk,

20

Than sall eird within eird haue ane ewill stynk.

6Lo eird vpone eird considdir þow may,

How eird vnto3eird gois nakit away,

Quhy sould eird apone eird go owerproud or gay,

24

Sen eird vntill eird sall wend in pure array?

7I counsall eird vpone eird þat wondirlie is wrocht,

Quhill4eird is apone eird to turne all his thocht,

And pray to God apone eird þat maid all of nocht,

28

That eird vpone eird to blys may be brocht.

Quod marsar.

1.Printed by kind permission of the authorities of Magdalene College, Cambridge.2.MS.yat;þregularly written asy.3.MS.aponecrossed out,vntowritten above.4.MS.qll.

1.Printed by kind permission of the authorities of Magdalene College, Cambridge.

2.MS.yat;þregularly written asy.

3.MS.aponecrossed out,vntowritten above.

4.MS.qll.

18.John Reidpeth’s MS. Cambr. Univ. Libr.Ll. 5. 10.[fol. 43, vo.](Transcribed from the Maitland MS. 1622-3.)1Eird vpoun eird wonderfull is wrocht,Eird hes gottin vpoun eird ane dignitie for nocht,Eird vpoun eird hes sett all his thocht4How þat1eird vpoun eird till hicht may be brocht.[fol. 44, ro.]2Eird vpoun Eird wold fane be ane king,And how þat eird gois to eird thinkis he nothing.Quhen eird biddiseird his rentis hame to bring,8Than sall eird haue to eird herd depairting.3Eird vpoun Eird wins castellisand towris;Than sayis eird vnto eird: ‘All now ar ouris’.Quhen eird vpoun eird hes biggit all his towris,12Than sall eird vpoun eird suffer grit showris.4Eird vpoun eird and mold vpoun mold,Lyk as eird vnto eird neuer go sold,Eird gois vpoun eird glitterand as gold,16Ȝitt sall eird go to eird sonear nor he wald.5How þat eird luiffis eird grit wonder I think,Or quhy þat eird will for eird owther sweit or swink,Quhen þat eird within eird is closit vnder bink,20Than sall eird witheird haue ane evill stink.6Lo eird vpoun eird considder thow mayHow eird vnto eird gois nakit away,Quhy sould eird vpoun eird go our2proud or gay,24Sen eird vntill eird sall wend in pure aray?7I counsall eird vpoun eird þat wondirlie is wrocht,Quhill eird is vpoun eird to turne all his thocht,And pray to God vponn eird þat maid all of nocht,28That eird vpoun eird to blis may be brocht.Quod dumbar.

[fol. 43, vo.]

(Transcribed from the Maitland MS. 1622-3.)

1Eird vpoun eird wonderfull is wrocht,

Eird hes gottin vpoun eird ane dignitie for nocht,

Eird vpoun eird hes sett all his thocht

4

How þat1eird vpoun eird till hicht may be brocht.

[fol. 44, ro.]

2Eird vpoun Eird wold fane be ane king,

And how þat eird gois to eird thinkis he nothing.

Quhen eird biddiseird his rentis hame to bring,

8

Than sall eird haue to eird herd depairting.

3Eird vpoun Eird wins castellisand towris;

Than sayis eird vnto eird: ‘All now ar ouris’.

Quhen eird vpoun eird hes biggit all his towris,

12

Than sall eird vpoun eird suffer grit showris.

4Eird vpoun eird and mold vpoun mold,

Lyk as eird vnto eird neuer go sold,

Eird gois vpoun eird glitterand as gold,

16

Ȝitt sall eird go to eird sonear nor he wald.

5How þat eird luiffis eird grit wonder I think,

Or quhy þat eird will for eird owther sweit or swink,

Quhen þat eird within eird is closit vnder bink,

20

Than sall eird witheird haue ane evill stink.

6Lo eird vpoun eird considder thow may

How eird vnto eird gois nakit away,

Quhy sould eird vpoun eird go our2proud or gay,

24

Sen eird vntill eird sall wend in pure aray?

7I counsall eird vpoun eird þat wondirlie is wrocht,

Quhill eird is vpoun eird to turne all his thocht,

And pray to God vponn eird þat maid all of nocht,

28

That eird vpoun eird to blis may be brocht.

Quod dumbar.

1.MS.yat;þregularly written asy.2.over, MS.or.

1.MS.yat;þregularly written asy.

2.over, MS.or.

Cambridge Univ. Libr.Ii. 4. 9.   15th century.[fol. 67, ro.]1Erthe vpon erth is waxinand wrought,Erthe takys on erth a nobylay of nought;Now erthe vpon erthe layes all his þought4How erthe vpon erthe sattys all at noght.2Erthe vpon erth has hallys & towris1;Erthe says to erth: ‘This is alle owris’.But quan erth vpon erth has byggyd his bowris,8Than xal erth for the erth haue scharpe schowris.3Erthe vpon erth wolde be a kyng,But hove2erth xal to erth thynkyth he no thyng.4And of the same erthe mad God man,12And sethe he made that erth & callyd it Adam,For loue of erthe, the wych was woman,That erth in this erthe fyrst be-gan.5Erthe goos on erth & tyllys withhys plowe,16Erthe a-geyn erth holdys it full toght3,Erthe vpon [erth] stelis hym a slogh4,Erthe on this erth thynkys he has neueri-nowe5.6Erth vpon erthe gos in the weye,20Prykys and prankys on a palfreye;When erth has gotyn erth alle that he maye,He schal haue but seven fote at his last daye.7Than xal not be lykyng vn-to hym24Bu[t]6an olde sely cloth to wynde erthe in,When erthe is in erth for wormys wyn,The rof of his hows xal ly on his chyn.[fol. 67, vo.]87When erthe says to erth: ‘My rent þou me bryng’,28Then has erth fro erthe a dolfull partyng.9How erthe louys erth wondyr me thynke,How erth for erth wyll swete and swynke.When erth is in erthe broght with-in the brynke,32What as herth than of erthe but a fowle stynke?10Erthe wrotys in erth as molys don in molde,Erthe vp-on erth glydys as golde,As erthe leve in erthe euermoreschulde.3611Erthe vp-on erth mynd euermoreþou makeHow erthe xal to erth when deth wyll hymtake.12Be ware, erth, for erthe, for sake of thi sowle,Erthe may of erth at þe last take a fowle,40When erth is in erthe hereso long in his slogh.13Ffor erth gos in erth walkand in vede,And erthe rydys on erth on a fayr stede,When he was8gotynin erth erth to his mede,44Than is erth layde in erthe wormys to fede.Whylke ar the wormys the flesch brede?God wote the wormys for to ryght rede.14Erthe a-geyn erthe I holde it on-kynde,48Erthe is as sone wroth as is the wynde,Swyche fowle erth mekyl may we fynde,That wyl speke fayrebeforevs & falsly be-hynde.[fol. 68, ro.]15When erth vp-on erth be-gynnys to be wroth,52Erth vpon erth swerys many a gret othe,Erth berys pride in herte & incloth,When erth is layde inerth þan xal it be loth.16Erthly coveytous makyth erth to be schent,56Erth for this erth yeldisa gret rent,If erth in thys erth levyd in good ententThan dareerthe nevyr recke wherethat he went.17Erth vp-on erth is stronge as a mast,60And erth wyth is erth fyghtys ful fast,Thereis non so stowte that in erth may hymcast,And alle xal we be erth at the last.18Erthe bygyth hallys & erth bygith towres,64When erth is layd in erth, blayke is his bours;If erth haue welth, he dwellyth in flowres9,And if erth haue mys don, he getyth scharpe shours.19If erth wyste in erth quat that erth is,68Ther wolde neuererth in erth do a-mys.God mad erth of erth, & namyd it for his,Adam of erth in erthly paradys.20God walkyd in erth as longe as he wolde,72He had not in this erth but honger& colde,And in this erth also his body was solde,Herein this erth, whan þat he was xxxti ȝereolde.[fol. 68, vo.]21God lytyd in erth, blyssed be that stounde!76He sauyd hijs herth withmany a scharpe wounde,Ffor to sawe erth owght of hell grounde,He deyd in erth vpon þe rode withmany a blody vounde10.22And God ros ovght of the est11this erth for to spede,80And went into hell as was gret nede,And toke erth from sorowe þus12erth for to spede,The ryght wey to heuen blys Iesus Cryst vs lede!fine.

[fol. 67, ro.]

1Erthe vpon erth is waxinand wrought,

Erthe takys on erth a nobylay of nought;

Now erthe vpon erthe layes all his þought

4

How erthe vpon erthe sattys all at noght.

2Erthe vpon erth has hallys & towris1;

Erthe says to erth: ‘This is alle owris’.

But quan erth vpon erth has byggyd his bowris,

8

Than xal erth for the erth haue scharpe schowris.

3Erthe vpon erth wolde be a kyng,

But hove2erth xal to erth thynkyth he no thyng.

4And of the same erthe mad God man,

12

And sethe he made that erth & callyd it Adam,

For loue of erthe, the wych was woman,

That erth in this erthe fyrst be-gan.

5Erthe goos on erth & tyllys withhys plowe,

16

Erthe a-geyn erth holdys it full toght3,

Erthe vpon [erth] stelis hym a slogh4,

Erthe on this erth thynkys he has neueri-nowe5.

6Erth vpon erthe gos in the weye,

20

Prykys and prankys on a palfreye;

When erth has gotyn erth alle that he maye,

He schal haue but seven fote at his last daye.

7Than xal not be lykyng vn-to hym

24

Bu[t]6an olde sely cloth to wynde erthe in,

When erthe is in erth for wormys wyn,

The rof of his hows xal ly on his chyn.

[fol. 67, vo.]

87When erthe says to erth: ‘My rent þou me bryng’,

28

Then has erth fro erthe a dolfull partyng.

9How erthe louys erth wondyr me thynke,

How erth for erth wyll swete and swynke.

When erth is in erthe broght with-in the brynke,

32

What as herth than of erthe but a fowle stynke?

10Erthe wrotys in erth as molys don in molde,

Erthe vp-on erth glydys as golde,

As erthe leve in erthe euermoreschulde.

36

11Erthe vp-on erth mynd euermoreþou make

How erthe xal to erth when deth wyll hymtake.

12Be ware, erth, for erthe, for sake of thi sowle,

Erthe may of erth at þe last take a fowle,

40

When erth is in erthe hereso long in his slogh.

13Ffor erth gos in erth walkand in vede,

And erthe rydys on erth on a fayr stede,

When he was8gotynin erth erth to his mede,

44

Than is erth layde in erthe wormys to fede.

Whylke ar the wormys the flesch brede?

God wote the wormys for to ryght rede.

14Erthe a-geyn erthe I holde it on-kynde,

48

Erthe is as sone wroth as is the wynde,

Swyche fowle erth mekyl may we fynde,

That wyl speke fayrebeforevs & falsly be-hynde.

[fol. 68, ro.]

15When erth vp-on erth be-gynnys to be wroth,

52

Erth vpon erth swerys many a gret othe,

Erth berys pride in herte & incloth,

When erth is layde inerth þan xal it be loth.

16Erthly coveytous makyth erth to be schent,

56

Erth for this erth yeldisa gret rent,

If erth in thys erth levyd in good entent

Than dareerthe nevyr recke wherethat he went.

17Erth vp-on erth is stronge as a mast,

60

And erth wyth is erth fyghtys ful fast,

Thereis non so stowte that in erth may hymcast,

And alle xal we be erth at the last.

18Erthe bygyth hallys & erth bygith towres,

64

When erth is layd in erth, blayke is his bours;

If erth haue welth, he dwellyth in flowres9,

And if erth haue mys don, he getyth scharpe shours.

19If erth wyste in erth quat that erth is,

68

Ther wolde neuererth in erth do a-mys.

God mad erth of erth, & namyd it for his,

Adam of erth in erthly paradys.

20God walkyd in erth as longe as he wolde,

72

He had not in this erth but honger& colde,

And in this erth also his body was solde,

Herein this erth, whan þat he was xxxti ȝereolde.

[fol. 68, vo.]

21God lytyd in erth, blyssed be that stounde!

76

He sauyd hijs herth withmany a scharpe wounde,

Ffor to sawe erth owght of hell grounde,

He deyd in erth vpon þe rode withmany a blody vounde10.

22And God ros ovght of the est11this erth for to spede,

80

And went into hell as was gret nede,

And toke erth from sorowe þus12erth for to spede,

The ryght wey to heuen blys Iesus Cryst vs lede!

fine.

(The rest of the page is occupied by a coloured picture of a knight and a skeleton with Latin mottoes, v. Introduction, p. xiv.)

1.ortowres,owres, &c.2.MS.hoveforhowe.3.?error fortogh.4.Heuserflogh, but MS.appears to besloghas in l. 40.5.MS.was neuer noncrossed out,has neuerI nowewritten above.6.MS.bu, the last letter of the word has been erased.7.These two lines form the missing half of v. 3, and are perhaps inserted here with the idea of forming a six-lined stanza.8.betterhas.9.orflowris.10.wounde.11.MS. clearlyest, perh. error forerth.12.MS.y9=þus, perh. forþis.

1.ortowres,owres, &c.

2.MS.hoveforhowe.

3.?error fortogh.

4.Heuserflogh, but MS.appears to besloghas in l. 40.

5.MS.was neuer noncrossed out,has neuerI nowewritten above.

6.MS.bu, the last letter of the word has been erased.

7.These two lines form the missing half of v. 3, and are perhaps inserted here with the idea of forming a six-lined stanza.

8.betterhas.

9.orflowris.

10.wounde.

11.MS. clearlyest, perh. error forerth.

12.MS.y9=þus, perh. forþis.


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