page 29

1    Wið alles cunnes warde dohter
2seið Salomon wite wel þin heorte. for
3sawle lif is in hire ȝef ha is wel iloket. Þe
4heorte wardeins beoð þe fif wittes. Sihðe. & herunge.
5Smecchunge. & Smeallunge. & euch limes felunge. Ant
6we schulen speoken of alle. for hwa se wit þeose wel; he
7deð Salomones bode. he wit wel his heorte & his sawle
8heale. Þe heorte is a ful wilde beast. & makeð moni liht
9lupe as seint Gregoire seið. Nichil corde fugatius. Na þing
10ne etflid mon sonre þen his ahne heorte. Dauið godes
11prophete meande i sum time ꝥ ha wes etsteart him. Cor
12meum dereliquit me. ꝥ is. Min heorte is edflohe me. &
13eft he blisseð him & seið ꝥ ha wes icumen ham. Inuenit
14seruus tuus cor suum. lauerd he seið min heorte is

page 30

15icumen aȝein eft. ich hire habbe ifunden. Hwen se hali
16mon & se wis & se war lette hire edstearten; sare
17mei an oðer of hire fluht carien. Ant hwer edbrec
18ha ut from dauið þe hale king godes prophete? hwer?
19Godd wat ed his ehþurl. þurh a sihðe ꝥ he seh þurh
20a bihaldunge as ȝe schulen efter iheren. For þi mine
21leoue sustren þe leaste ꝥ ȝe eauer mahen luuieð
22ower þurles. Alle beon ha lutle. þe parlurs least &
23nearewest. þe clað in ham beo twafald. Blac ꝥ clað;
24þe cros hwit. wið innen & wið uten. ꝥ blake clað bitacneð
25ꝥ ȝe beoð blake & unwurð to þe world wiðuten.
26ꝥ te soðe sunne haueð utewið forculet ow. & swa wið
27ten as ȝe beoð unseowlich imaket ow þurh gleames
28of his grace. þe hwite cros limpeð to ow. For þreo crosses
29beoð. read. & blac. & hwit. þe reade limpeð to þeo þe beoð for
30godes luue wið hare blod schedunge irudet & ireadet as
31þe martirs weren. þe blake cros limpeð to þeo þe makieð
32i þe worlt hare penitence for ladliche sunnen. þe hwite
33limpeð ariht to hwit meidenhad & to cleannesse. þet is
34muche pine wel forte halden. Pine is ihwer þurh cros
35idon to understonden. Þus bitacneð hwit cros þe warde
36of hwit chastete. ꝥ is muche pine wel to biwitene. þe blake
37clað alswa teke þe bitacnunge deð leasse eil to þe ehnen.
38& is þiccre aȝein þe wind & wurse to seon þurh. ant
39halt his heow betere for wind & for oðerhwet. lokið ꝥ te
40parlures beo on eauer euch half feaste & wel itachet.
41& witeð þer ower ehenenehnen leaste þe heorte edfleo & wende
42ut as of dauið. & ower sawle seccli sone se heo is ute. Ich
43write muchel for oðre ꝥ nawiht ne rineð ow mine leoue
44sustren. for nabbe ȝe nawt te nome ne ne schulen
45habben þurh þe grace of godd of totilde ancres. ne of tollinde
46locunges. ne lates ꝥ summe oðerhwiles weilawei;
47uncundeliche makieð. for aȝein cunde hit is & unmeað

page 31

48sulli wunder ꝥ te deade dotie & wið cwike worltmen; we
de wede
Edition has line divisionþurh sunne. Me leoue sire seið sum & is hit nu se
49ouer uuel forte totin utwart? ȝe hit leoue suster. for
50uuel þe þer kimeð of; hit is uuel & ouer uuel to eauer
51euch ancre. nomeliche to þe ȝunge. & to þe alde for þi;
52ꝥ ha to þe ȝungre ȝeoueð uuel forbisne. & scheld to werien
53ham wið. for ȝef ei edwit ham; þenne seggeð ha
54anan. Me sire þeo deð alswa ꝥ is betere þen ich am & wat
55betere þen ich hwet ha haueð to donne. leoue ȝunge
56ancre ofte a ful haher smið smeoðeð a ful wac cnif.
57þe wise folhe i wisdom; & nawt i folie. an ald ancre mei
58do wel; ꝥ te þu dest uuele. ah totin ut wið uten uuel; ne
59mei ower nowðer. Nim nu ȝeme hwet uuel beo icumen
60of totunge. nawt an uuel ne twa; ah al þe wa ꝥ nu
61is. & eauerȝete wes. & eauer schal iwurðen; al com of sihðe.
62ꝥ hit beo soð; lo her preoue.
63    Lucifer þurh ꝥ he seh & biheold on him seolf his
64ahne feiernesse; leop in to prude. & bicom of angel eatelich
65deouel. Of eue ure alde moder is iwriten on alre
66earst in hire sunne inȝong of hire ehsihðe. Vidit igitur
67mulier quod bonum esset lignum ad uescendum. & pulcrum
68oculis. aspectu que delectabile; & tulit de fructu
69eius & comedit. deditque uiro suo. ꝥ is. Eue biheold o þe forboden
70
71eappel. & seh hine feier & feng to delitin i þe bihaldunge.
72& toc hire lust þer toward. & nom & et þrof;
73& ȝef hire lauerd. low hu hali writ spekeð. & hu inwardliche
74hit teleð he sunne bigon. þus eode sunne biuoren
75& makede wei to uuel lust. & com þe dede þrefter ꝥ al
76moncun ifeleð. Þes eappel leoue suster bitacneð alle
77þe wa ꝥ lust falleð to & delit of sunne. Hwen þu bihaldest
78te mon; þu art in eue point. þu lokest o þe eappel.
79hwa se hefde iseid to eue þa ha weorp earst hire ehe

page 32

80þron. A Eue went te awei þu warpest ehe o þi deað; hwet
81hefde ha iondsweret? Me leoue sire þu hauest woh.
82hwerof chalengest tu me; þe eappel ꝥ ich loki on; is
83forbode me to eotene & nawt to bihalden. þus walde Eue
84inohreaðe habben iondsweret. O mine leoue sustren as
85eue haueð monie dehtren þe folhið hare moder þe
86ondswerieð o þisse wise. Me wenest tu seið sum ꝥ ich
87wulle leapen on him þah ich loki on him? godd wat
88leoue suster mare wunder ilomp. Eue þi moder leop
89efter hire ehnen. from þe ehe to þe eappel. from þe eappel
90i parais; dun to þer eorðe. from þe eorðe to helle. þer
91ha lei i prisun fowr þusent ȝer & mare. heo & hire were
92ba. & demde al hire ofsprung to leapen al efter hire to
93deað wið uten ende. Biginnunge & rote of al þis ilke
94reowðe; wes aliht sihðe. þus ofte as me seið. of lutel;
95muchel waxeð. Habbe þenne muche dred euch feble
96wummon hwen þeo þe wes riht ta iwraht wið godes
97honden; wes þurh a sihðe biswiken & ibroht in to brad
98sunne. þet al þe world ouerspreadde.
99    Egressa est dyna filia iacob ut uideret mulieres alienigenas.
100& cetera. A Meiden as dyna het iacobes dohter
101as hit teleð i Genesy. eode ut to bihalden uncuðe
102wummen. ȝet ne seið hit nawt þet ha biheold wepmen.
103Ant hwet come wenest tu of ꝥ bihaldunge? ha leas hire
104meidenhad & wes imaket hore. þrefter of þet ilke weren
105trowðen to brokene of hehe patriarches. & a muchel
106burh. forbearnd. ant te king & his sune & te burhmen
107islein. þe wummen ilead forð. hire feader & hire breðren
108se noble princes as ha weren; utlahen imakede. þus eode
109ut hire sihðe. Al þullich þe hali gast lette writen o boc
110forte warni wummen of hare fol ehnen. ant nim þer
111of ȝeme ꝥ tis uuel of dyna com nawt of ꝥ ha seh sichen
112emores sune ꝥ ha sunegede wið; ah dude of ꝥ ha lette

page 33

113him leggen ehnen on hire. for ꝥ tet he dude hire wes
114i þe frumðe sare hire unþonkes.
115    Alswa Bersabee þurh ꝥ ha unwreah hire i dauiðes
116sihðe; ha dude him sunegin on hire se hali king
117as he wes & godes prophete. Nu kimeð forð a feble mon.
118halt him þah ahelich ȝef he haueð a wid hod & a loke
119cape & wule iseon ȝunge ancres. & loki nede ase stan
120hire wlite him liki; þe naueð nawt hire leor forbearnd
121i þe sunne. & seið ha mei baldeliche iseon hali men.
122ȝe swucche as he is for his wide sleuen. Me surquide sire
123ne herest tu ꝥ dauið godes ahne deorling bi hwam
124he seolf seide. Inueni uirum secundum cor meum. Ich habbe
125ifunden qð he mon efter min heorte. þes þe godd
126seolf seide bi þis deorewurðe sahe king & prophete icuret
127of alle; þes þurh an ehe wurp to a wummon as ha
128wesch hire; lette ut his heorte & forȝet him seoluen.
129swa ꝥ he dude þreo utnume heaued & deadliche sunnen
130o Bersabees spusbruche. þe leafdi ꝥ he lokede on;
131treisun & monslaht on his treowe cniht. vrie hire lauerd.
132& tu a sunful mon art se swiðe hardi to keasten
133cang ehnen up o ȝung wummon. ȝe mine leoue
134sustren ȝef ei is anewil to seon ow; ne wene ȝe þer
135neauer god; ah leueð him þe leasse. Nulle ich þet
136nan iseo ow bute he habbe of ower meistre spetiale
137leaue. for alle þe þreo sunnen ꝥ ich spec of least. & al
138ꝥ uuel of dina ꝥ ich spec of herre. al com nawt for
139þi ꝥ te wummen lokeden cangliche o wepmen; ah
140traisun inwið þe gale heorte. nawt ane euch fleschlich
141hondlunge; ah ȝetten euch gal word; is ladlich vilainie.
142& godes grome wurðe þah hit ne weoxe forðre bitweone
143mon & ancre. Nu þurh riht godes wrake geað hit forðre

page 34

144& forðre & bikimeð ofte & ear me least wene in to þet
145fule sunne. we hit habbeð weilawei iherd of inohe. Ne
146leue ne mon ancre þe let in monnes ehe to schawin
147hire seoluen. Ouer al ꝥ ȝe habbeð iwriten in ower riwle
148of þinges wið uten; þis point þis article of wel to beo
149bitunde; ich wulle beo best ihalden. To wummon þe wilneð
150hit; openið ow o godes half. ȝef ha ne spekeð nawt
151þrof; leoteð swa iwurðen. bute ȝef ȝe dreden ꝥ heo þrefter
152beo iscandlet. Of hire ahne suster haueð sum ibeon itemptet.
153In toward ower weoued ne beode ȝe namon for
te forte
MS: line divisionbihalden. ah ȝef his deuotiun bit hit & haueð grant;
154draheð ow wel inward. & te ueil adun toward ower breoste.
155ant sone doð þe clað aȝein & festnið heteueste. ȝef
156he lokeð toward bed oðer easkeð hwer ȝe liggeð; ondswerieð
157lihtliche. Sire þerof wel mei duhen & haldeð ow stille.
158ȝef bischp kimeð to seon ow; hihið sone towart him.
159ah sweteliche bisecheð him ȝef he bit to seon ow; ꝥ ȝe
160moten þer onont halden ow towart him; as ȝe habbeð
161idon & doð to alle oðre. ȝef he wule allegate habben a
162sihðe; lokið ꝥ hit beo ful scheort. þe ueil anan adun. &
163draheð ow behinden. An ancre wearnde eadmodliche
164sein martin hire sihðe. ant he þeruore dude hire þe
165menske ꝥ he neauer ne dude to nan oðer. Ant heruore
166hire word is aþet cume þis dei iboren in hali chirche.
167for as we redeð of hire. hwa se wule hire windowes witen
168wel wið þe uuele; ha mot ec wið þe gode. Hwen se ȝe
169moten to eani mon eawiht biteachen; þe hond ne cume
170nawt ut. ne ower ut ne his in. Ant ȝef hit mot cumen
171in; ne rine nowðer oþer. Heo is siker seið hali writ; þe
172feor from grunen draheð hire. & þeo þe luueð peril; i peril
173ha schal fallen. Qui caret laqueis securus est. & qui amat
174periculum; incidet in illud. þe deofles grune is ofte itild.
175þer me least weneð. Nis nan ꝥ nis dredful. ꝥ ha nis
176ilecchet. for godd nule wite nan ꝥ is se fol hardi. þet
177ha ne wit wearliche wið him hire seoluen. Þis is nu
178of þis wit inoh iseid ed tis chearre to warnin þen

page 35

179seli. we schulen þah sone her efter speoken her of mare.

page 43

180    For al uuel speche mine leoue sustren stoppið ower
181earen. & habbeð wleatunge of þe muð þe speoweð
182ut atter. De omni uerbo otioso & cetera. Vuel speche is þreofald.
183attri. ful. & idel. Idel speche is uuel. ful speche is wurse. Attri
184is þe wurste. Idel is & unnet; al ꝥ god ne kimeð of. & of

page 44

185þulli speche seið ure lauerd schal euch word beon irikenet.
186& iȝeue reisun hwi þe an hit seide. & te oðer hit lustnede.
187ant þis is þah ꝥ leaste uuel of þe þreo uueles. Hwet hu
188þenne schal me ȝelde reisun of þe wurse? hwet hu of þe
189wurste? ꝥꝥMS: þ is of attri & of ful speche? nawt ane ꝥ hit spekeð;
190ah ꝥ hit hercneð. ful speche is as of leccherie. & of oðre
191fulðen ꝥ unweschene muðes speokeð oðerhwiles. þeose
192beoð alle ischrapede ut of ancre riwle. þe swuch fulðe
193spit ut in eani ancre earen; me
194schulde dutten his mud.
195nawt wið scharpe sneateres;
196ah wið hearde fustes. Attri speche is
197heresie. þweartouer leasunge. bacbitunge. & fikelunge.
198þeos beoð þe wurste. Heresie godd haue þonc ne rixleð
199nawt in englelond. leasunge is se uuel þing. þet
200seint austin seið. ꝥ forte schilde þi feader from deað; ne
201schuldest tu nawt lihen. Godd seolf seið ꝥ he is soð. &
202hwet is mare aȝein soð þen is leas? Diabolus mendax
203est & pater eius. þe deouel is leas & leasunge feader. þe ilke
204þenne þe stureð hire tunge i leasunge; ha makeð of
205hire tunge cradel to þe deofles bearn & rockeð hit ȝeornliche
206as his nurrice.
207    Bacbitunge. & fikelunge. & eggunge to don uuel;
208ne beoð nawt monnes speche; ah beoð þe deofles
209bleas & his ahne steuene. ȝef ha ahen to beo feor alle
210worltliche men; hwet hu ahen ancren heatien ham &
211schunien ꝥ ha ham ne iheren? iheren ich segge. for
212hwa se spekeð ham; nis ha nawt ancre. Salomon. Si
213mordet serpens in silentio; nichil minus eo habet qui
214detrahit in occulto. þe neddre seið Salomon stingeð
215al stille. ant þeo þe spekeð bihinden ꝥ ha nalde biuoren;
216nis nawiht betere. Herst tu hu Salomon eueneð bacbitere

page 45

217to stinginde neddre. Swa hit is witerliche ha is neddre
218cundel & bereð þeo þe uuel spekeð; atter i þe tunge.
219    Þe fikelere blent mon & put him preon i þe ehe ꝥ he
220wið fikeleð. .GG~. Adulator ei cum quo sermonem conserit.
221quasi clauum in oculo figit.
222þe bacbitere cheoweð ofte
223monnes flesch i fridei & beakeð
224wið his blake bile o cwike charoines as þe ꝥ is
225þes deofles corbin of helle. Salomon. Noli esse in conuiuiis
226eorum. & cetera. qui conferunt carnes ad uescendum & cetera.
227ȝef ha walde pilewin & toteoren wið his bile rotet stinkinde
228flesch as is reauenes cunde. ꝥ is. walde he seggen
229uuel bi nan oþer. bute bi þeo þe rotieð & stinkeð al i
230fulðe of hare sunne; hit were leasse wunder. ah lihteð
231up o cwic flesch. tolimeð & tolukeð hit. ꝥ isis. misseið bi
232swuch ꝥ is cwic ine godd; he is to ȝiuer reuen & to bald
233mid alle. On oðer half neomeð nu ȝeme of hwucche
234twa meosters þes twa menestraws seruið hare lauerd
235þe deouel of helle. ful hit is to seggen; ah fulre forte
236beon hit. & swa hit is allegate. Ne uideatur hec moralitas
237minus decens. recolat in esdra quod melchia hedificauit
238portam stercoris. Melchia enim corus domino interpretatur filius rechab
239 .id est. mollis patris. Nam uentus aquilo dissipat pluuias. & faties
240tristis linguam detrahentem. ha beoð þes deofles gong
241men & beoð aa in his gong hus. Þe fikeleres meoster
242is to hulie þe gong þurl. ꝥ he deð as ofte as he wið
243his fikelunge & wið his preisunge wrið mon his sunne.
244ꝥ stinkeð na þing fulre. ant he hit huleð & lideð swa; ꝥ

page 46

245he hit nawt ne stinkeð. Þe bacbitere unlideð hit & openeð
246swa ꝥ fulðe ꝥ hit stinkeð wide. Þus ha beoð aa bisie i þis
247fule meoster. & eiðer wið oþer striueð her abuten. þulliche
248men stinkeð of hare stinkinde meoster. & bringeð
249euch stude o stench ꝥ ha to nahið. Vre lauerd schilde ꝥ te
250breað of hare stinkinde þrote ne nahi ow neauer. Oþer
251spechen fuleð. ah þeose attrið baðe þe earen & te heorte.
252ꝥ ȝe bet icnawen ham. ȝef ei kimeð toward ow; low
253her hare molden. Fikeleres beoð þreo cunnes. þe forme
254beoð uuele inoh. þe oþre þah beoð wurse. Þe þridde þah
255beoð wurst. Ve illis qui ponunt puluillos & cetera. Ve illis qui
256dant bonum malum. & malum bonum. ponentes lucem
257tenebras. & ten. lu. hoc scilicet detractatoribus & adulatoribus
258peruenit. Þe forme ȝef a mon is god; preiseð him
259biuoren him seolf & makeð him inohreaðe ȝet betere
260þen he beo. & ȝef he seið wel oðer deð wel; heueð hit to
261hehe up wið ouerherunge. Þe oðer ȝef a mon is uuel. &
262seið & deð se muche mis ꝥ hit beo se open sunne. þet
263he hit me mahe nanes weis allunge wiðseggen. he
264þah biuore þe mon seolf makeð his uuel leasse. Nis
265hit nawt nu he seið se ouer uuel as me hit makeð
266nart tu nawt te ane i þis þis þing þe forme ne þe
267leaste. þu hauest monie feren. let iwurðe god mon
268ne geast tu nawt te ane. Moni deð muche wurse. þe
269þridde cunne of fikelere is wurst as ich seide. for he
270preiseð þe uuele & his uuele dede. as þe þe seið to þe
271cniht. þe robbeð his poure men. A Sire as þu dest wel.
272for eauer me schal þene cheorl peolkin & pilien. for
273he is as þe wiðin þe spruteð ut þe betere ꝥ me hine croppeð
274ofte; laudatur peccator in desideriis anime sue & iniquus
275benedicitur. Augus. Adulantium lingue alligant hominem
276in peccatis. þus þes false fikeleres ablendeð þe ham herniðhercniðCf. fn in edition.
277as ich ear seide. & wriheð hare fulðe ꝥ ha hit ne
278mahe stinken. & ꝥ is hare muchel unselhðe. for ȝef
279ha hit stunken; ham walde wleatie þer wið. & eornen

page 47

280to schrift & speowen hit ut þer & schunien hit þrefter.
281Clemens. Homicidarum tria esse genera dixit beatus petrus.
282& eorum parem penam esse uoluit. Qui corporaliter occidetoccidit.
283& qui detrahit fratri. & qui inuidet. Bacbiteres þe biteð bihinde
284bac oþre; beoð of twa maneres. ah þe leatere is
285wurse. þe earre kimeð al openliche & seið uuel bi an oþer.
286& speoweð ut his atter se muchel se him eauer to
287muð kimeð. & culcheð al ut somet ꝥ te attri heorte sent
288up to þe tunge. Ah þe leatere kimeð forð al on oþer wise.
289wurse feond þen þe oðer is. & under freondes huckel
290warpeð adun ꝥ heaued. feð on forte siken ear he eawt
291segge. & makeð drupi chere. bisampleð longe abuten;
292forte beo bet ileuet. hwen hit alles kimeð forð; þenne is
293hit ȝeolow atter. weila heha seið wa is me ꝥ he oðer heo
294habbeð swuch word icaht. Inoh ich wes abuten ah ne
295healp me nawt to don her of bote. ȝare is ꝥ ich wiste
296þrof; ah þah þurh me ne schulde hit beon neauer mare
297iuppet. ah nu hit is þurh oþre swa wide ibroht forð. ꝥ
298ich ne mei hit nawt wiðsaken. Vuel me seið ꝥ hit is;
299ant ȝet hit is wurse. Sorhful ich am & sari ꝥ ich hit
300schal seggen. ah for soðe swa hit is & ꝥ is muchel
301sorhe. for i feole oðer þing he oðer
302heo is swiðe to herien. ah onont þis þing wa is me þeruore
303ne mei ham namon werien. þis beoð þe deofles
304neddren þe Salomon spekeð of. Vre lauerd þurh his grace
305halde ower earen feor hare attrie tungen. ne leue ow
306neauer stinken ꝥ fule put ꝥ ha unwreoð as þe fikeleres
307wreoð. & hulieð as ich seide. Vnwreon hit to ham seoluen
308þeo þe hit to limpeð. & hulien hit to oþre ꝥ is a
309muche þeaw. nawt to þeo þe hit schulden smeallen &
310heatien ꝥ fulðe. Nv mine leoue sustren from al uuel

page 48

311speche ꝥ is þus þreouald. Idel. ful. & attri; haldeð
312feor ower eare. Me seið up on ancren ꝥ euch meast
313haueð an ald cwene to feden hire earen. A meaðelilt
314þe meaðeleð hire alle þe talen of þe lond. a rikelot
315þe cakeleð al ꝥ ha sið & hereð. swa ꝥ me seið i bisahe.
316From mulne & from chepinge. from smiððe & from
317ancre hus me tidinge bringeð. Wat crist þis is a sari sahe.
318ꝥ ancre hus ꝥ schulde beon anlukest stude of alle;
319schal beon ifeiet to þe ilke þreo studen; ꝥ meast is in of
320chaffle; Ah ase cwite as ȝe beoð of þullich leoue sustren;
321weren alle oþre ure lauerd hit uðe. Nv ich habbe
322sunderlepes ispeken of þes þreo limen. of ehe. of muð.
323of eare. Of eare is al þis leaste to ancre bihoue. for leflich
324þing nis hit nawt ꝥ ancre beore swuch muð. ah
325muchel me mei dreden to swucche muðes sumcheare;
326ꝥ ha beie hire eare. Of sihðe. of speche. Of hercnunge;
327is iseid sunderlepes of euchan o rawe. Cume we nu eft aȝein
328& speoken of alle imeane

page 86

329    Þe þridde reisun of þe worldes fluht is. þe biȝete of heouene.
330þe heouene is swiðe heh. hwa se wule biȝeoten hit & areachen
331þer to; hire is lutel inoh forte warpen al þe world under
332hire fotes. for þi alle þe halhen makeden of al þe world
333as a scheomel to hare uet to areache þe haoueneheouene. Apocalypsis.

page 87

334Vidi mulierem amictam sole & luna sub pedibus eius. þis is
335sein iuhanes word euuangeliste i þe apocalipse. Ich iseh a
336wummon ischrud mid te sunne. & under hire uet þe mone.
337þe mone woneð & waxeð. ne nis neauer studeuest. & bitacneð
338for þi worltliche þinges þe beoð as þe mone eauer ichangei changeCf. MED s.v. chaunge (n.). Edition: ichange.
339þes mone mot te wummon halden under hire uet. ꝥ is
340worldliche þinges totreoden & forhohien. þe wule heouene areachen
341& beo þer ischrud mið te soðe Sunne.
342    Þe feorðe reisun is preoue of noblesce & of largesce. Noble
343men & gentile ne beoreð nanes packes. ne ne feareð itrusset
344wið trussews ne wið purses. hit is beggilde riht to beore
345bagge on bac. burgeise to beore purs; nawt godes spuse þe
346is leafdi of heouene. Trussen & purses. baggen & packes beoð
347worltliche þinges. alle eorðliche weolen & worltliche rentes.
348    Þe fifte reisun is. Noble men & wummen makieð large
349relef. ah hwa mei makie largere þen þe oðer þeo þe seið
350wið seinte peter. Ecce nos reliquimus omnia & secuti sumus te.
351Lauerd forte folhi þe; we habbeð al forleauet. Nis þis large relef?
352nis þis muche laue? Mine leoue sustren kinge & keisers
353habbeð hare liueneð of ower large relef ꝥ ȝe ileauet habbeð.
354lauerd forte folhi þe seið seinte peter we habbeð al forleauet.
355as þah he seide. we wulleð folhi þe i þe muchele genterise
356of þi largesce. þu leafdest to oþre men alle richesces.
357& makedest of al relef & lauese large. we wulleð folhi þe. we
358wulleð don alswa. leauen al as þu dudest. folhi þe on eorðe i
359ꝥ & in oþerhwet. forte folhi ec in to þe blisse of heouene. &
360ȝet tear ouer al folhi þe hwiderward se þu eauer wendest
361as nane ne mahen bute ane meidnes. Hii secuntur agnum

page 88

362quocumque ierit. utroque scilicet. pede. id est. integritate cordis &
363corporis.
364    Þe Seste reisun is hwi ȝe habbeð þe world iflohen. familiarite.
365muche cunredden. forte beo priue wið ure lauerd.
366for þus he seið bi osee. Ducam te in solitudinem & ibi loquar
367ad cor tuum. Ich chulle leade þe he seið to his leof
368mon in to anli stude. & ter ich chulle luueliche speoke to
369þin heorte. for me is lað preasse. Ego dominus & ciuitatem non ingredior.
370    Þe Seoueðe reisun is forte beo þe brihtre
371& brihtluker seon in heouene godes brihte nebscheft
372for ȝe beoð iflohe þe world & hudeð ow for hire her. ȝet ter
373teken ꝥ ȝe beon swifte as þe sunne gleam. for ȝe beoð wið
374iesu crist bitund as i sepulcre. bibarret as he wes o þe deore
375rode as is iseid þruppe.
376    Þe eahtuðe reisun is. to habben cwic bone. & lokið ȝeorne
377hweruore. þe eadmode cwen hester bitacneð ancre.
378for hire nome seið ihud on englische ledene as me ret in
379hire boc. ha wes þe king assuer ouer al icweneicwemeEdition: icwene. & þurh hire
380bone arudde of deað al hire folc þe wes to deað idemet.
381þis nome assuer is ispealet eadi as is ear iseid. & bitacneð
382godd eadi ouer alle. He ȝetteð hester þe cwen. ꝥ is þe treowe
383ancre ꝥ is riht hester. ꝥ is riht ihud. he hereð ant ȝetteð
384hire alle hire benen. & sawueð þurh ham muche folc. Monie
385schulde beo forloren; þe beoð þurh þe ancre benen iborhen.

page 89

386as weren þurh hesteres. forhwon ꝥ ha beo hester. & halde
387hire as heo dude Mardochees dohter. Mardoche
388is ispealet. amare conterens inpudentem ꝥ is bitterliche
389totreodinde þene scheomelese. Scheomeles is þe mon
390þe seið eani untu oðer deð biuoren ancre. ȝef eani þah
391swa do; & heo breoke bitterliche his untohe word. oðer his
392fol dede. totreoden ham ananriht wið unwurð tellunge.
393þenne is ha hester Mardochees dohter. bitterliche breokinde
394þene scheomelese. Bitterluker ne betere ne mei ha him
395neauer breoken. þen is itaht þruppe wið Narrauerunt michi
396oðer mid tis uers. Declinate a me maligni & scru. m. dei
397mei. & wende inward anan toward hire weouede ant
398halde hire ed hame. as hester þe ihudde. Semei i Regum
399hefde deað ofseruet. ah he criede mearci. ant Salomom
400forȝef hit him. þah þurh swuch a foreward. ꝥ he ed hame
401heolde him i ierusalem as he wunede & hudde him in his huse.
402ȝef he ohwider wende ut; swuch wes þe foreward. ꝥ he
403were eft al ful ꝥ to deað idemet. he þah brec foreward þurh
404his unselhðe. his þrealles edfluhen him & edbreken him
405ut. & he folhede ham & wende ut efter ham. hwet wult tu mare
406wes sone forwreiet. to þe king Salomon. & for þe foreward
407tobroken wes fordemet to deaðe. Vnderstondeð ȝeorne þis
408mine leoue sustren. Semey bitacneð þe utwarde ancre.
409nawt hester þe ihudde. for Semey seið audiensaudiens. ꝥ is herinde
410on ure ledene. ꝥ is þe recluse þe haueð asse earen. longe
411to here feor. ꝥ is hercninde efter utrunes. Semeis
412stude wes ierusalem ꝥ he schulde in huden him ȝef he walde
413libben. þis word ierusalem spealeð sihðe of peis & bitacneð
414ancre hus. for þrinne ne þearf ha seon bute peis ane.
415Ne beo neauer Semei. ꝥ is þe recluse swa swiðe
416forgult toward te soðe Salomon. ꝥ is ure lauerd;
417halde hire ed hame i ierusalem. ꝥ ha nawiht nute of þe

page 90

418worldes baret; Salomon ȝetteð hire bliðeliche his are.
419ah ȝef ha entremeateð hire of þinges wið uten mare
420þen ha þurfte. & hire heorte beo utewið. þah a clot of eorðe
421ꝥ is hire licome beo inwið þe fowr wahes; ha is iwend
422wið Semei ut of ierusalem alswa as he dude efter his þrealles.
423Þeos þrealles beoð þe eðele fif wittes. þe schulden beon et
424hame & seruin hare leafdi. þenne ha seruið wel þe ancre
425hare leafdi; hwen ha notieð ham wel in hare sawle neode.
426hwen þe ehe is oþeo þeEdition: oþe boc. oþer o sum oðer god. þe eare to
427godes word. þe muð in hali bonen. ȝef ha wit ham uuele
428& let ham þurh ȝemeles etfleon hire seruise. & folhi
429ham utwart wið hire heorte as hit bitimeð eauer meast
430ꝥ gan þe wittes ut; þe heorte geað ut efter. ha brekeð Salomon
431foreward wið þe unseli Semey; & is to deað idemet.
432For þi mine leoue sustren mene beo ȝe nawt Semey; ah
433beoð hester þe ihudde. & ȝe schule beon ihehet i þe blisse
434of heouene. for þe nome of hester ne seið nawt ane abscondita .
435ꝥ is nawt aheane ihud; ah deð þer teken. Eleuata
436in populis. ꝥ is i folc ihehet. ant swa wes hasterhester as hire nome
437cwiddeð ihehet to cwen of a poure meiden. I ðisþis word hester
438beoð hudunge & hehnesse ifeiet to gederes. & nawt ane hehnesse;
439ah hehnesse ouer folc. forte schawin witerliche ꝥ teo
440þe hudeð ham ariht in hare ancre hus; ha schulen beon
441in heouene ouer oþres cunnes folc wurðliche ihehet. Ba
442hesteres nome. & hire hehunge pruuieð ꝥ ich segge. On
443oðer half understondeð. ȝe beoð i ierusalem. ȝe beoð iflohe to
444chirche grið. for nes ower nan ꝥ nere sum chearre godes
445þeof. Me weiteð ow ꝥ wite ȝe ful ȝeorne wið uten as me deð
446þeoues þe beoð ibroke to chirche. Haldeð ow feaste inne.
447nawt te bodi ane; for ꝥ is þe unwurðest. ah ower fif wittes. &
448te heorte ouer al & al þer þe sawle lif is. for beo ha bitrept
449utewið; nis þer bute leade forð toward te gealforke. ꝥ is þe
450wearitreo of helle. Beoð ofdred of euch mon alswa as þe

page 91

451þeof is. leste he drahe ow utwart. ꝥ is biswike wið
452sunne. & weiti forte warpen up on ow his
453cleches. Bisecheð ȝeornliche godd as þeof ibroke to chirche.
454ꝥ he wite & wardi ow wið alle þe ow weitið. chiterið. ower
455beoden aa. as spearewe deð ane. for þis an word is iseid of
456anlich lif. of anlich stude. þer me mei beon hester ihud
457ut of þe world. & do betere þen i þrung euch gastelich biȝete.
458for þi eueneð dauið ancre to pellican. ꝥ leat anlich lif & to spearewe ane.
459Spearewe haueð ȝet acundea cundeEdition: acunde. ꝥ is bi
heue biheue
Edition has line divisionancre þah me hit heatie. ꝥ is þe fallinde uuel. for muche
460neod is ꝥ ancre of hali lif & of heh habbe fallinde uuel
461ꝥ uuel ne segge ich nawt ꝥ me swa nempneð; ah fallinde
462uuel ich cleopie. licomes secnesse. oðer temptatiuns of
463flesches fondunges. hwer þurh hire þunche ꝥ ha falle duneward
464of hali hehnesse. ha walde awilgin elles oðer to wel leoten
465of; & swa to noht iwurðen. þe flesch walde awilgin & bicumen
466to fulitohen toward hire leafdi ȝef hit nere ibeaten; &
467makie sec þe sawle ȝef secnesse hit ne temede wið uuel oðer wið sunne.
468Þe licome ne þe gast ȝef hare nowðer nere
469sec as hit timeð seldene; orhel walde awekeninawakenin. ꝥ is þe measte
470dredfule secnesse of alle. ȝef godd fondeð ancre wið ei uuel
471utewið. oðer þe feond inwið wið gasteliche unþeawes. ase
472Prude. Wreaððe. Onde oðer wið flesches lustes; ha haueð ꝥ
473fallinde uuel. ꝥ me seið is spearewe uuel. godd hit wule for
474þi ꝥ ha beo eauer eadmod. & wið lah haldung of hire
475seoluen. falle to þer eorðe leste ha falle i prude.
476Nv we hurteð leoue sustren to þe feorðe dale ꝥ ich seide

page 92

477schulde beon of feole fondunges. for þer beoð uttre & inre. &
478eiðer moniualde. Salue ich bihet to teachen toȝeines
479ham & bote. & hu hwa se haueð ham;
480mei gederin of þis dale cunfort & froure toȝeines ham
481alle. þet ich þurh þe lare of þe hali gast mote halden
482foreward; he hit ȝetti me þurh ower bonen.

page 116

483    Nv mine leoue sustren monie temptatiuns ich habbe
484ow inempnet under þe seoue sunnen. nawt þah
485þe þusent fald ꝥ me is wið itemptet. Ne mahte ich wene
486ham namon nomeliche nempnin. Ah i þeo þe beoð iseid;
487alle beoð bilokene. lut beoð i þis world oðer nan mid
488alle. ꝥ ne beo wið hare sum oðerhwile itemptet. He

page 117

489haueð se monie buistes ful of his letuaires þe luðere
490leche of helle. þe forsakeð an; he beot an oðer forð anan
491riht. þe þridde. þe feorðe. & swa eauer forð aþet he cume o
492swuch; ꝥ me on ende underuo. & he þenne wið ꝥ birleð
493him ilome. þencheð her of þe tale of his ampoiles.
494Hereð nu as ich bihet aȝein alle fondunges moni
495cunne froure. & wið godes grace þrefter þe Salue.
496    Siker beo of fondunge hwa se eauer stont in heh
497lif. Ant þis is þe earste froure. for eauer se herre tur;
498se haueð mare windes. ȝe beoð tur ow seoluen mine
499leoue sustren. ah ne drede ȝe nawt hwil ȝe beoð se treoweliche
500& se feste ilimet wið lim of anred luue euch
501of ow to oþer. for na deofles puf mene þurue ȝe dreden
502bute ꝥ lim falsi. ꝥ is to seggen. bute luue bitweonen
503ow þurh þe feond wursi. Sone se ei unlimeð hire; ha
504bið sone iswipt forð; bute ȝef þe oþre halden hire;
505ha bið sone ikeast adun as þe lowse stan is from þe
506tures cop; in to þe deope dich of sum suti sunne.
507    Nv an oðer elne. Muchel ah to frourin ow hwen
508ȝe beoð itemptet. Þe tur nis nawt asailet ne castel
509ne cite. hwen ha beoð iwunnen. Alswa þe helle weorrur
510ne asaileð nan wið fondunge. þe he haueð in
511his hond; ah deð þeo þe he naueð nawt. for þi leoue
512sustren hwa se nis nawt asailet; ha mei sare beon ofdred
513leste ha beo biwunnen.
514    Þe þridde cunfort is. ꝥ ure lauerd seolf i þe pater noster teacheð
515us to bidden. Et ne nos inducas in temptationem.
516ꝥ is. lauerd feader ne suffre þu nawt þe feond ꝥ nehe leade us
517allunge in to fondunge. lo neomeð ȝeme. he nule nawt
518ꝥ we bidden ꝥ we ne beon nawt ifondet; for ꝥ is ure purgatoire.
519ure cleansing fur. Ah ꝥ we ne beon nawt allunge ibroht
520þrin wið consens of heorte. wið skiles ȝettunge.

page 118

521    Þe feorðe froure is sikernesse of godes help i þe fehtunge
522aȝein as seinte pawel witneð. Fidelis est deus qui non sinit
523nos temptari ultra quam pati possumus. set & cetera. Godd he seið is
524treowe nule he neauer suffrin ꝥ te deouel tempti us ouer
525ꝥ he sið wel ꝥ we mahen þolien. Ah i þe temptatiun he haueð
526iset to þe feond a mearke as þah he seide. Tempte
527hire swa feor; ah ne schalt tu gan na forðre. ant swa feor
528he ȝeueð hire strengðe to wið stondenwiðstondenEdition: wið stonden. þe feond ne mei
529nawt forðre gan a pricke. Ant þis is þe fifte froure.
530ꝥ he ne mei na þing don us; bute bi godes leaue.
531ꝥ wes wel ischawet as þe godspel teleð. þa þe deoflen þet
532ure lauerd weorp ut of a mon; bisohten & seiden. Si eicitis
533nos hinc; mittite nos in porcos. ȝef þu heonne driuest
534us; do us i þeos swin her. þe eoden þer an heorde. Ant he
535ȝettede ham. lo hu ha ne mahten nawt fule swin swenchen
536wið uten his leaue. Ant te swin ananriht urnen
537an urn to þe sea; to adrenchen ham seoluen. Seinte Marie
538swa he stonc to þe swin. ꝥ ham wes leoure to adrenchen
539ham seoluen; þen forte beoren him. ant an unseli
540sunful godes ilicnesse bereð him in his breoste. ant ne
541nimeð neauer ȝeme. Al ꝥ he dude iob; eauerheeauer heEdition: eauerhe nom leue
542þrof ed ure lauerd. Þe tale i dyaloge lokið ꝥ ȝe cunnen.
543hu þe hali mon wes iwunet to seggen to þe deofles neddre.
544Si licenciam accepisti; ego non prohibeo. ȝef þu hauest
545leaue do sting ȝef þu maht. & bead forð his cheke. ah he
546nefde þa nan bute to offearen him ȝef bileaue him trukede.
547& hwen godd ȝeueð him leaue on his leoue children
548hwi is hit bute for hare muchele biheue þah hit ham greui sare.
549    Þe Seste confort is ꝥ ure lauerd hwen
550he þoleð ꝥ we beon itemptet; he pleieð wið us as þe

page 119

551moder wið hire ȝunge deorling. flið from him & hut
552hire. & let him sitten ane. & lokin ȝeorne abuten cleopien
553dame dame. & wepen ane hwile. & þenne wið spredde
554earmes leapeð lahhinde forð. cluppeð & cusseð & wipeð
555his ehnen. Swa ure lauerd let us ane iwurðen oðer
556hwile. & wiðdraheð his grace. his cunfort & his elne. þet
557we ne findeð swetnesse i na þing ꝥ we wel doð. ne sauur
558of heorte. & þah i ꝥ ilke point ne luueð us ure lauerd
559neauer þe leasse. ah deð hit for muche luue. Ant ꝥ understond
560wel dauið þa he seide. Non me derelinquas
561usque quaque. Allunge qð he lauerd ne leaf þu me nawt. lo
562hu he walde ꝥ he leafde him; ah nawt allunge. Ant six
563acheisuns notið. hwi godd for ure god wiðraheð
564him oðerhwiles. An is ꝥ we ne pruden. An oðer ꝥ we
565cnawen ure ahne feblesce. Vre muchele unstrengðe &
566ure wacnesse. Ant þis is a swiðe muche god as seint
567gregoire seið. Magna perfectio est sue inperfectionis cognitio.
568ꝥ is. muche godnesse hit is to cnawen wel his
569wrecchehead & his wacnesse. Ecclesiasticus. Intemptatus qualia scit.
570Hwet wat he seið Salomon þe ꝥ is unfondet. & seint
571austin bereð seint gregoire witnesse. wið þeose wordes.
572Melior est animus cui propria est infirmitas nota; quam
573qui scrutatur celorum fastigia & terrarum fundamenta. Betere is
574þe þe truddeð & ofsecheð wel ut his ahne feblesce; þen
575þe þe meteð hu heh is þe heouene; & hu deop þe eorðe.
576Hwen twa beoreð a burðerne. & te oþer leaueð hit; þenne
577mei þe þe up haldeð hit felen hu hit weieð. Alswa leoue
578suster hwil ꝥ godd wið þe bereð þi temptatiun; nast tu
579neauer hu heui hit is. & for þi ed sum chearre he leaueð
580þeane. ꝥ tu understonde þin ahne feblesce & his help cleopie.
581& ȝeie lude efter him ȝef he is to longe. Hald hit

page 120

582wel þe hwile up ne derue hit te se sare. Hwa se is siker
583of sucurs ꝥ him schal cume sone. & ȝelt tah up his castel
584to his wiðeriwines; swiðe he is to edwiten. Þencheð
585her of þe tale hu þe hali mon in his fondunge seh bi
586west toȝeines him se muche ferd of deoflen. & forleas
587for muche dred þe strengðe of his bileaue. aþet te oðre
588seiden him. Bihald qð he bi esten. Plures nobiscum sunt
589quam cum illis we habbeð ma þen heo beoð to help on ure
590halue. for þe þridde þing is ꝥ tu neauer ne beo al siker.
591for sikernesse streoneð ȝemeles & ouerhohe. & ba þeose
592streonið inobedience. Þe feorðe acheisun is hwi ure lauerd
593hut him; ꝥ tu seche him ȝeornluker. & cleopie & wepe efter
594him as deð þe lutel baban efter his moder. Þrefter is
595þe fifte. ꝥ tu his ȝeincume underuo þe gleadluker. Þe
596Seste ꝥ tu þrefter þe wisluker wite him. hwen þu hauest
597icaht him & festluker halde. & segge wið his leof
598mon. Tenui eum nec dimittam. þeose six reisuns beoð
599under þe seste froure þe ȝe mahen habben mine leoue
600sustren aȝeines fondunge.
601    Þe Seoueðe confort is. ꝥ alle þe hali halhen weren
602wodeliche itemptet. Nim of þe heste on alre earst.
603To seinte peter seide ure lauerd. Ecce sathan expetiuit
604uos ut cribraret sicut triticum & cetera. lo qð he sathan is
605ȝeorne abuten forte ridli þe ut of mine icorene. Ah
606ich habbe for þe bisoht ꝥ ti bileaue allunge ne trukie.
607Seint pawel hefde as he teleð him seolf flesches
608pricunge. Datus est michi stimulus carnis mee. & bed ure lauerd
609ȝeorne ꝥ he dude hit from him. ant he nalde ah seide.
610Sufficit tibi gratia mea. Virtus in infirmitate perficitur. ꝥ is

page 121

611mi grace schal wite þe ꝥ tu ne beo ouercumen. Beo strong
612in unstrengðe ꝥ is muche mihte. Alle þe oþre beoð icrunet
613þurh feht of fondunge. Seinte Sare nes ha
614fulle þreottene ȝer itemptet of hire flesch? Ah for þi ꝥ
615ha wiste ꝥ i þe muchele angoise aras þe muchele mede;
616nalde ha neauer eanes bisechen ure lauerd ꝥ he allunge
617deliurede hire þrof; ah þis wes hire bone. Domine da
618michi uirtutem resistendi. Lauerd ȝef me strengðe forte
619wiðstonden. Efter þreottene ȝer com þe acursede gast
620þe hefde hire itemptet blac ase blamon & bigon to greden.
621Sare þu hauest me ouercumen. ant heo him ondswerede.
622þu lihest qð ha ful þing. nawt ich ah haueð
623iesu crist mi lauerd. lo þe sweoke hu he walde makien
624hire aleast to leapen in to prude. ah ha wes wel
625war þrof & turnde al þe meistrie to godes strengðe.
626Sein Beneit. Seint Antonie. & te oðre wel ȝe witen
627hu ha weren itemptet. & þurh þe temptatiuns; ipruuede
628to treowe champiuns. & swa wið rihte ofserueden kempene crune.
629Ant þis is þe eahtuðe elne
630þet alswa as þe goltsmið cleanseð ꝥ gold iþei þeEdition: iþe fur;
631alswa deð godd te sawle i fur of fondunge.

page 162

632    Schrift schal beo naket. ꝥ is naketliche imaket. nawt
633bisamplet feire. ne hendeliche ismaket; ah schulen
634þe wordes beon ischawet efter þe werkes. ꝥ is tacne of heatunge.
635ꝥ me tukeð towundreto wundreEdition: towundre þing ꝥ me heateð swiðe. ȝef
636þu heatest ti sunne; hwi spekest tu menskeliche þrof. hwi

page 163

637hudest tu his fulðe? Spec hit scheome schendfulliche ant
638tuk hit al towundreto wundreEdition: towundre. alswa as þu wel wult schende þen
639schucke. Sire ha seið þe wummon ich habbe ihaued leofmon.
640oðer ich habbe ibeon ha seið fol of me seoluen. þis
641nis nawt naket schrift. biclute þu hit nawt. do awei þe
642totagges. Vnwrih þe ꝥ& sei. Sire godes are ich am a ful stod
643meare. a stinkinde hore. ȝef þi fa a ful nome & cleope þi
644sunne fule. Make hit i schrift steort naket. ꝥ is. ne hel
645þu nawiht of al ꝥ lið þer abuten. þah to fule me mei
646seggen. Me ne þearf nawt nempnin ꝥ fule dede bi his
647ahne fule nome. ne þe schendfule limes bi hare ahne
648nome. inoh is to seggen swa; ꝥ te hali schrift feader
649witerliche understonde hweat tu wulle meanen. Abute
650sunne liggeð six þing ꝥ hit hulieð. O Latin circumstances.
651On englisch totagges mahe beon icleopede. Persone.
652Stude. Time. Manere. Tale. Cause. Persone; þe dude þe sunne.
653oðer wið hwam me hit dude; unwreo & segge. Sire
654ich am a wummon & schulde bi rihte beo mare scheomeful
655to habben ispeken as ich spec. oðer idon as ich dude.
656for þi mi sunne is mare þen of a wepmon. for hit bicom
657me wurse. Ich am an ancre. A nunne. A wif iweddet.
658a meiden. a wummon ꝥ me lefde se wel. a wummon þe
659habbe ear ibeon ibearnd wið swuch þing; & ahte þe betere
660forte beon iwarnet. Sire hit wes wið swuch mon. &
661nempni þenne; munek. Preost. oðer clearc. & of ꝥ ordre.
662a weddet mon. a ladles þing. a wummon as ich am. Þis
663is nu of persone. Alswa of þe Stude. Sire þus ich pleide oðer
664spec i chirche. Eede o Ring i chirchȝard. biheold hit oþer
665wreastlunge. & oðre fol gomenes. spec þus oðer pleide biuoren
666worltliche men. biuoren recluse in ancre hus. ed oþer
667þurl þen ich schulde. neh hali þing. Ich custe him þer.
668hondlede him i swuch stude; oðer me seoluen. I chirche ich
669þohte þus. biheold him ed te weouede. Of þe time alswa.
670Sire ich wes of swuch ealde. ꝥ ich ahte wel to habben wisluker
671iwite me. Sire ich hit dude in lenten. i feasten dahes.

page 164

672in hali dahes. hwen oþre weren ed chirche. Sire ich
673wes sone ouercumen. & is þe sunne mare þen ȝef ich hefde
674ibeon akeast wið strengðe. & feole swenges. Sire ich wes þe
675biginnunge hwi swuch þing hefde forðȝong. þurh ꝥ
676ich com i swuch stude & i swuch time. Ich biþohte me ful
677wel ear þen ich hit eauer dude. hu uuele hit were idon;
678& dude hit noðeleatere. Þe Manere alswa seggen. ꝥ is þe
679feorðe totagge. Sire þis sunne ich dude þus & o þisse
680wise. þus ich leornede hit earst. þus ich com earst þrin. þus
681ich dude hit forðward o þus feole wisen. þus fulliche. þus
682scheomeliche. þus ich sohte delit hu ich meast mahte paien
683mi lustes brune. & seggen al þe wise. Tale is þe feorðe
684totagge. Cause is hwi þu hit dudest. oðer hulpe oþre þerto.
685oðer þurh hwet hit bigon. Sire ich hit dude for delit.
686for uuel luue. for biȝete. for fearlac. for flatrunge. Sire
687ich hit dude for uuel þah þer ne come nan of. Sire mi
688lihte ondswere. oðer mine lihte lates tulden him earst up
689o me. Sire of þis word com oþer. of þis dede wreaððe & vuele
690wordes. Sire þe acheisun is þis hwi ꝥ uuel leasteð ȝet.
691þus wac wes min heorte. Euch efter ꝥ he is segge hithis totagges.
692Mon as limpeð to him; wummon ꝥ hire rineð. for her
693nabbe ich nan iseid bute forte munegin mon oðer wummon
694of þeo þe to ham falleð þurh þeo þe beoð her iseide as on
695urn. þus of þeose six wriheles despoile þi sunne & make
696hit naket i þi schrift as Ieremie leareð. Effunde sicut aquam
697cor tuum. Sched ut ase weater þin heorte. ȝef eoile schet;
698of a feat; ȝet ter wule leauen in sumhwet of þe licur.
699ȝef milc schet; þe heow leaueð. ȝef win sched; þe smeal
700leaueð. ah weater geað al somet ut alswa sched þin heorte.
701ꝥ is. al ꝥ uuel þet is i þin heorte. ȝef þu ne dest nawt;
702lo hu grurefulliche godd seolf þreateð þe. þurh Naum
703þe prophete. Ostendam gentibus nuditatem tuam & regnis
704ignominiam tuam & proitiam super te abhominationes tuas.

page 165

705Þu naldest nawt unwreo þe to þe preost i schrifte; & ich
706schal schawin al naket to al folc þi cweadschipe. & to alle
707kinedomes þine scheome sunnen. to þe kinedom of
708eorðe. to þe kinedom of helle. to þe kinedom of heouene.
709& trussin al þi schendfulnesse o þin ahne necke. as
710me deð o þe þeof þe me leat to demen. & swa wið al þe
711schendlac þu schalt trusse & al torplin in to helle. OO
712seið sein Beornard. Quod confusionis quid ignominie
713erit quando dissipatis foliis & dispersis uniuersa nudabitur
714turpitudo. Sanies apparebit. O seið sein beornard. Hwuch
715schendlac & hwuch sorhe bið þer ed te dome. hwen alle þe
716leaues schule beon to warplet. & al ꝥ fulðe schaweð him.
717& wringeð ut ꝥ wursum biuoren al þe wide worlt. eorðware
718& heouenes. nawt ane of werkes; ah of idelnesses. of
719wordes & of þohtes þe ne beoð ibet her; as seint anselme
720witneð. Omne tempus impensum requiretur a uobis qualiter sit
721expensum. Euc tide & time schal beo þer irikenet hu hit
722wes her ispenet. Quando dissipatis foliis & cetera. Hwen alle þe
723leaues he seið sein Beornard schulen beo towarplet. he
724biheold hu adam & eue þa ha hefden i þe frumðe isuneget;
725gedereden leaues & makeden wriheles of ham to hare
726schentfule limen. þus doð monie efter ham. Declinantes
727cor suum in uerba malicie ad excusandas excusationes in peccatis.
728    Schrift schal beon ofte i maketimaketEdition: i maket. for þi is
729i þe sawter. Confitebimur tibi deus confitebimur. Ant
730ure lauerd seolf seið to his deciples. Eamus iterum in iudeam.
731Ga we eft seide he in to Iudee. Iudee spealeð schrift. & swa
732we ifindeð ꝥ he wende ofte ut of galilee in to Iudee. Galilee
733spealeð hweol. forte learen us ꝥ we of þe worldes turpelnesse
734& of sunne hweol; ofte gan to schrifte. for þis is
735þe sacrement efter þe weofdes sacrement. & efter fulluht;
736ꝥ te feond is laðest. as he haueð to hali men him seolf sare

page 166

737his unþonckes ibeon hit icnawen. wule a web beon ed en
738chearre wið a weater wel ibleachet? A sol clað wel iweschen?
739þu weschest þine honden in anlepi dei twien oðer þrien.
740ant nult nawt þe sawle iesu cristes spuse. þe eauer se ha is
741hwittre; se fulðe is senre up on hire. bute ha beo iwesschen.
742nult nawt to godes cluppunge ofte umbe seoueniht wes
743schen hitehire eanes. Confiteor. hali weater. Beoden. hali þohtes.
744Blesceunges. Cneolunges. Euch god word. euch god werc;
745wesscheð smeale sunnen þe me ne mei alle seggen. Ah
746eauer is schrift þe heaued.
747    Schrift schal beon on hihðe imaket. ȝef sunne timeð
748bi niht; anan oðer ine marhen. ȝef hit timeð
749bebi dei; ear þen me slepe. Hwa durste slepen hwil his deadliche
750fa heolde an itohe sweord up on his heaued? Þe
751neappið up on helle breord; ha torplið ofte al in ear ha
752least wenen. Hwa se is ifallen amid te bearninde fur.
753nis he mare þen amead ȝef he lið biþencheð him hwenne
754he wule arisen? A wummon þe haueð ilosed hire nede.
755oðer a sutere his eal; secheð hit ananriht & towent
756euch strea aþet hit beo ifunden. & godd þurh sunne forloren
757schal liggen unsoht seoue dahes fulle. Nihe þinges
758beoð ꝥ ahten hihin to schrift. þe pine ꝥ okereð. for sunne
759is þe deofles feh ꝥ he ȝeueð to okere & to gauel of pine.
760& eauer se mon lið lengre in his sunne; se þe gauel waxeð
761of pine i purgatoire. oðer her oðer in helle. Ex usuris &
762iniquitate & cetera. Þe oðer þing is þe muchele & þe reowðfule lure
763ꝥ he leoseð. ꝥ na þing ꝥ he deð nis gode licwurðe. Alieni
764comederunt robur eius. þe þridde is deað ꝥ he nat hweðer
765he schule ꝥ ilke dei ferliche asteoruen. fili ne tardes & cetera.
766Þe feorðe is secnesse ꝥ he ne mei þenche wel. bute ane of

page 167

767his uuel; ne speoken as he schulde. bute granin for his eche.
768& grunte mare for his stiche; þen for his sunne. Sanus confiteberis
769& viuens. Þe fifte þing is muche scheome ꝥ hishit is efter val;
770to liggen se longe. & hure under þe schucke. Þe seste is þe
771wunde ꝥ euereauer wurseð on hond & strengre is to healen. Principiis
772obsta. Medicina paratur cum mala perlongas. Þe seoueðe þing
773is uuel wune. ꝥ lazre bitacneð. þe stonc se longe he hefde ilein
774i þer eorðe. o hwam ure lauerd weop as þe godspel teleð. & risede
775& mengde him seoluen. & ȝeide lude up on him ear he him
776arearde. forte schawin hu strong hit is to arisen of uuel wune
777þe roteð in his sunne. Seinte Marie. lazre stonc of fowr dahes.
778hu stinkeð þe sunfule of fowr ȝer oðer of fiue. Quam difficile
779surgit quem moles male consuetudinis premit. O seið seint
780austin hu earmliche he ariseð þe under wune of sunne haueð
781ilein longe. Circumdederunt me canes multi. Monie
782hundes seið dauið habbeð biset me. Hwen gredi hundes stondeð
783biuore þe bord; nis hit neod ȝerde? As ofte as eani lecheð
784toward te & reaueð þe of þi mete. nult tu as ofte smiten?
785elles ha walden kecchen of þe al ꝥ tu hefdest. Ant tu alswa
786þenne. nim þe ȝerde of þi tunge. & as ofte as þe dogge of helle
787kecheð ei god from þe; smit him ananriht med te ȝerde
788of þi tunge i schrift. & smit him se luðerliche ꝥ him laði & drede
789to snecchen eft toward te. ꝥ dunt of alle duntes is him dunte
790laðest. þe hund þe fret leðer oðer awurið ahte. me hit beat
791ananriht ꝥ he understonde for hwi he is ibeaten. þenne ne
792dear he nawt eft do ꝥ ilke. Beat alswa mid ti tunge schrift;
793þe hund of helle ananriht. & he wule beon ofdred to do þe eft

page 168

794swuch þucke. Hwa is se fol ꝥ he seið bi þe hund ꝥ fret leðer.
795Abid aþet to marhen. ne beat tu him nawt ȝetten. Ah anan
796riht beat. beat beat ananriht. nis þing i þe world ꝥ smeorteð
797him sarre. þen deð swuch beatunge. Se me deoppre
798wadeð i þe feondes leiuen; se me kimeð up leatere. Þe eahtuðe
799þing is ꝥ seint gregoire seið. Peccatum quod per penitentiam non
800diluitur;
801mox suo pondere ad aliud trahit. ꝥ is. sunne þet nis
802sone ibet; draheð anan an oðer. ant ꝥ eft þe þridde. & swa
803euchan cundleð mare & wurse cundel; þen þe seolue moder.
804Þe Niheðe reisun is. se he ear biginneð her; to don his penitence;
805se he haueð to beten leasse i pine of purgatoire. Þis
806beoð nenu nihe reisuns. & monie ma þer beoð hwi schrift ah
807to beon imaket aa on hihðe.

page 213

808    Ed gode men neomeð al ꝥ ow to nedeð. Ah ꝥ lokið
809ow wel. ꝥ ȝe ne kecchen þe nome of gederinde
810ancren. Of mon ꝥ ȝe misleueð þurh his fol semblant
811oðer bi his wake wordes; nowðer ne neome ȝe ne leasse
812ne mare. neode schal driuen ow forte bidden ei þing.
813þah eadmodliche schawið to gode men & wummen; ower
814meoseise. Ȝe mine leoue sustren bute ȝef neod
815ow driue & ower meistre hit reade. ne schulen habbe
816na beast bute cat ane. Ancre þe haueð ahte. þuncheð
817bet husewif ase Marthe wes. ne lihtliche ne mei ha
818nawt beo Marie marthe suster wið griðfullnesse
819of heorte. for þenne mot ha þenchen of þe kues foddre.
820of heordemonne hure. Olhnin þe heiward. wearien
821hwen he punt hire. & ȝelden þah þe hearmes. ladlich
822þing is hit wat crist hwen me makeð i tune man of
823ancre ahte. Nu þenne ȝef eani mot nedlunge habben
824hit; loki ꝥ hit namon ne eili ne ne hearmi. ne ꝥ hire
825þoht ne beo nawiht þron ifestnet. ancre ne ah to habben
826na þing ꝥ utward drahe hire heorte. Na chaffere
827ne driue ȝe. Ancre ꝥ is chepilt. ꝥ is. buð forte sullen efter
828biȝete; ha chepeð hire sawle þe chapmon of helle. þing
829þah ꝥ ha wurcheð ha mei þurh hire meistres read; for hire
830neode sullen. Hali men sumhwile liueden bi hare honden.
831Nawt deore dehtren ne wite ȝe in ower hus; of
832oðer monne þinges. ne ahte ne claðes. ne boistes. ne chartres.

page 214

833Scoren ne cyrograffes. ne þe chirch uestemenz. ne þe
834calices. bute neode oðer strengðe hit makie; oðer muchel eie.
835Of swuch witunge is muchel vuel ilumpen ofte siðen. In
wið Inwið
Edition has line divisionower wanes ne leote ȝe namon slepen. Ȝef muchel
836neod mid alle makeð breoken ower hus. hwil hit eauer
837is ibroken; habbeð þrinne wið ow a wummon of cleane
838lif deies & nihtes. For þi ꝥ wepmen ne seoð ow neȝene ȝeEdition: neȝe
839ham; wel mei don of ower clað beo hit hwit beo hit blac bute
840hit beo unorne. warm & wel iwraht. felles wel itawet. &
841habbeð ase monie as ow to neodeð to bedde & to rugge.
842Nest flesch ne schal nan werien linnene clað bute hit
843beo of hearde & of greate heorden. Stamin habbe hwa se wule;
844hwa se wule beo buten. Ȝe schulen in an hetter ant
845igurd liggen. swa leoðeliche þah ꝥ ȝe mahen honden putten
846þer under. Nest lich nan ne gurde hire wið na cunne
847gurdles; bute þurh schriftes leaue. ne beore na irn ne here.
848ne ilespiles felles. ne ne beate hire þer wið. ne wið scurge ileadet.
849wið holin ne wið breres. ne biblodgi hire seolf; wiðute
850schriftes leaue. nohwer ne binetli hire. ne ne beate biuoren.
851ne na keoruunge ne keorue. ne ne neome ed eanes
852to luðere disceplines. temptatiuns forte acwenchen. ne for na
853bote aȝein cundeliche secnesses. nan uncundelich lechecreft
854ne leue ȝe ne ne fondin. wið uten ower meistres read; leste
855ow stonde wurse. Ower schon i winter beon meoke.
856greate & warme. I sumer ȝe habbeð leaue bearuot gan &
857sitten & lihte scheos werien. Hosen wið ute vampez;
858ligge in hwa se likeð. Ischeoed ne slepe ȝe nawt. ne nohwer
859bute i bedde. Sum wummon inohreaðe wereð þe brech
860of here ful wel icnottet. þe streapeles dun to þe vet ilacet
861ful feaste. ah eauer is best þe swete & te swote heorte. Me is

page 215

862leouere ꝥ ȝe þolien wel an heard word; þen an heard here.
863Ȝef ȝe muhen beo wimpelles & ȝe wel wullen; beoð bi
864warme cappen. & þer uppon; hwite oðer blake veiles. Ancren
865summe sungið in hare wimplunge; na leasse þen leafdis.
866Ah þah seið sum ꝥ hit limpeð to euch wummon cundeliche
867forte werien wimpel. Nai. wimpel ne heaued clað
868nowðer ne nempneð hali writ; ah wriheles ane. Ad corinthios.
869Mulier uelet caput suum. wummon seið þe apostle.
870schal wreon hire heaued. wrihen he seið nawt wimplin.
871wrihen ha schal hire scheome. as eue sunfule dohter.
872i mungunge of þe sunne ꝥ schende us on earst alle. ant
873nawt drahe þe wriheles to tiffunge & to prude. Eft wule
874þe apostle ꝥ wummon wreo i chirche hire neb ȝetten.
875leste uuel þoht arise þurh hire onsihðe. Et hoc est propter
876angelos. Hwi þenne þu chirch ancre iwimplet openest
877þi neb to wepmonnes ehe; toȝeines þe sist men; spekeð
878þe apostle. Ȝef þu þe ne hudest. ah ȝef ꝥ ei þing wriheð
879þi neb from monnes ehe. beo hit wah beo hit clað. i wel itund
880windowe. wel mei duhen ancre of oðer wimplunge.
881Toȝeines þe þe þus ne dest; spekeð þe apostle nawt toȝeines
882oþre. ꝥ hare ahne wah wriheð wið euch monnes sihðe.
883þer awakenið ofte wake þohtes of. & werkes oðerhwiles.
884Hwa se wule beon isehen; þah ha atiffi hire nis nawt muche
885wunder. ah to godes ehnen ha is lufsumre; þe is for
886þe luue of him; untiffet wið uten. Ring ne broche
887ne habbe ȝe. ne gurdel imembret. ne glouen ne nan swuch
888þing ꝥ ow ne deh to habben. A meoke surpliz ȝe mahen
889in hat sumer werien. Eauer me is leouere se ȝe doð greattre
890werkes. Ne makie ȝe nane purses forte freondin
891ow wið. bute to þeo ꝥ ower meistre ȝeueð ow his leaue.
892ne huue ne blodbinde of seole. ne laz buten leaue. Ah
893schapieð & seowið. & mendið chirche claðes. & poure monne
894hettren. na swuch þing ne schule ȝe ȝeouen wið uten

page 216

895schriftes leaue. namare þen neomen; ꝥ ȝe ne seggen him
896fore; as of oðre þinges. kun oðer cuððe. hu ofte ȝe underuengen.
897hu longe ȝe edheolden. tendre of cun ne limpeð
898nawt ancre beonne. A mon wes of religiun. & com to him
899efter help his flesclichefleschliche broðer. & he tahte him to his
900þridde breðer. þe wes dead biburiet. þe ondswerede wundrinde.
901Nai qð he nis he dead? Ant ich qð þe hali mon
902am dead gasteliche. Na fleschlich freond ne easki me fleschlich
903froure. Amites & parures. worldliche leafdis mahen inoh
904wurchen. Ant ȝef ȝe ham makieð; ne makie ȝe þrof na
905mustreisun. Veine gloire attreð alle gode þeawes. & alle gode
906werkes. Criblin ne schal nan of ow for luue ne for hure.
907Taueles ne forbeode ich nawt. ȝef sum riueð surpliz oðer
908measse kemese; oþre riuunges ne riue ha nawt nomeliche
909oueregede; bute for muche neode. Helpeð ow wið ower ahne
910swinc se forð se ȝe eauer mahen to schruden ow seoluen
911& feden ȝef neod is. & þeo þe ow seruið. As sein Ierome
912leareð. ne beo ȝe neauer longe ne lihtliche of sum þing allunges
913idel. for anan rihtes þe feond beot hire his werc; þe
914i godes werc ne swinkeð. & tuteleð anan toward hire. for
915hwil he sið hire bisi; he þencheð þus. for nawt ich schulde
916nu cume neh hire; ne mei ha nawt iȝemen to lustni mi
917lare. Of idelnesse awakeneð muchel flesches fondunge. Iniquitas
918Sodome; saturitas panis & ocium. ꝥ is. Sodomes
919cwedschipe com of idelnesse & of ful wombe. Irn ꝥ lið stille
920gedereð sone rust. weater þe ne stureð nawt; readliche stinkeð.