Ich {=Enlarged illuminated capital *I descending in the left margin to the depth of six lines. A small guideletter I is visible to its left=} ƿas in one sum(er)e {=I take this (as most editors do) as an attributive use of "summer" rather than a feminine prepositional ending of "a certain" (< OE sum). As the most recent editor, Cartlidge (2001), points out, a form of "sum" does not naturally follow the indirect article ONE and OE dael "dale" is normally neuter so should not attract a feminine adjective=} dale . {\}
In one suþe diȝele hale . {\}
Iherde ich holde grete tale . {\}
An hule and one niȝtingale . {\}
Þat plait ƿas stif ⁊ starc ⁊ stro(n)g . {\}
Sum-ƿile softe ⁊ lud among . {\}
An asþer {=sic. It appears that in the script of the exemplar I must have been easy to misread as S. The C scribe makes the same mistake two lines further on in EIyER but corrects it. Later, in wISE he spots the error in the process of making it=} aȝen oþer sval . {\}
⁊ let þat wole {=I assume here that WOLE represents a form of the word FOUL which the scribe elsewhere writes FUL[E]/WL[E] but cf. FOLE f233vb line 104 implying "foul, filthy". This form is equivalent to VUELE in J and the word "evil" may be intended. X may have had VVELE with the first E looking O-like. Later however C has VUEL[E]/UUEL. It is perhaps equally possible that X had some form of FOUL which J has changed. A final possibility is that the adjective FOL "foolish" (but also implying "evil" in some recorded contexts) could be intended=} mod ut al . {=There is a faint cross in the left hand margin between these two lines=} {\}
⁊ eiþer {=I corrected from S by the erasure of the top stroke of the long S=} seide of oþeres custe . {\}
{=At this line the scribe begins to write somewhat smaller than he wrote the first seven lines=} Þat alre {=MS ALERE with first E subpuncted for removal=} ƿorste þat hi ƿuste . {\}
⁊ hure-⁊-hure of oþere songe {\}
Hi holde plaiding suþe stronge . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged capital thorn of one line's depth overlapping in the left margin one line above and two below. A small guide letter thorn is visible inside the large letter's lobe=} niȝtingale bigon þe speche . {\}
In one hurne of one breche . {\}
⁊ sat up{+}one vaire boȝe . {\}
Þar ƿere abute blosme inoȝe . {\}
In ore ƿaste {=This is another example in language C1 of the use of W/w for F-; cf. spellings for "foul". {The reading is supported by J's VASTE and gives better sense than "waste" meaning "deserted". Stanley (1960) agrees that the correct reading should be the word "fast" not "waste" but for some reason emends J's reading to UASTE=} þicke hegge . {\}
Imeind mid spire ⁊ grene segge . {\}
Ho ƿas þe gladur uor þe rise . {\}
⁊ song a{+}uele cunne ƿise {=It looks as if the C scribe again here misread the exemplar's I for S. The I in wISE is too long, but the scribe realised his potential error in time and instead of adding the top stroke of S he adds an oblique hairline to indicate I=} . {\}
Het {=sic - error for *BET=} þuȝte þe dreim þat he ƿere . {\}
Of harpe ⁊ pipe þan he nere . {\}
Bet þuȝte þat he ƿere ishote . {\}
Of harpe ⁊ pipe þan of þrote . {\}
>þ>o {=Space left for enlarged capital thorn not carried out. Thorn supplied from guide letter to the left of the empty space=} stod on old stoc þar-biside . {\}
Þar þo vle song hire tide . {\}
⁊ ƿas mid iui al bigroƿe . {\}
Hit ƿas þare hule eardingstoƿe . {\}
>þ>e {=Space left for enlarged capital thorn not carried out. Thorn supplied from guide letter to the left of the empty space=} niȝtingale hi iseȝ . {\}
⁊ hi bihold ⁊ ouerseȝ . {\}
⁊ þuȝte ƿel wl of þare hule . {\}
For me hi halt lodlich ⁊ fule . {\}
Vn-ƿiȝt ho sede a-ƿei þu flo . {\}
Me is þe wrs {=The S is a very unusual shape in scribe C's script, looking much more like an E than an S. Cartlidge (2001: 107) lists other examples of similar-shaped final S in scribe C's copy of O&N,though none of them is exactly like this one. See, however, BURES line 1045, and in scribe C's copy of The Latemest Day, FENDES line 43 and esp. GULTES line 98=} þat ich þe so . {\}
{~f233rb~} Iƿis for þine wle lete . {\}
Ƿel oft {=MS wELOFT separated by two hairline strokes above and below=} ich mine fong {=sic - error for SONG=} forlete . {\}
Min horte atfliþ ⁊ falt mi tonge {\}
Ƿonne þu art to me iþrunge . {\}
Me luste bet speten þane singe . {\}
Of þine fule ȝoȝelinge . {\}
Þos {=Enlarged capital thorn of one line's depth overlapping in the left margin one line above and two below. A small guide letter thorn is visible inside the large letter's lobe=} hule abod fort hit ƿas eve . {\}
Ho ne {=MS HONE separated by two hairline strokes above and below=} miȝte no leng bileue . {\}
Vor hire horte ƿas so gret . {\}
Þat ƿelneȝ hire fnast at-schet . {\}
⁊ ƿarp a ƿord þar-aft(er) longe . {\}
Hu þinc{+}þe nu bi mine songe . {\}
Ƿest þu þat ich ne cunne singe . {\}
Þeȝ ich ne cunne os {=sic=} ƿritelinge . {\}
Ilome þu dest me g(r)^ame {\}
⁊ scist {=sic. Given the clear reading in Jesus and the unlikelihood of any alternative reading (a second person singular verbal form is required), this seems most probably an error for SEIST. The spelling might just possibly have come about as a haplographic error from earlier SCIFTST (< OE sciftan) with the sense "ordains"=} me boþe tone ⁊ schame . {\}
Ȝif ich þe holde {*sj context*} on mine uote {=Looks like NOTE but C's Ns and Us are not always distinguished=} . {\}
So hit bitide þat ich mote . {\}
⁊ þu ƿere {*sj context*} vt-of þine rise . {\}
Þu sholdest singe an-oþer ƿse . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged capital thorn of two lines' depth overlapping in the left margin one line above and one further line below. No guide letter is visible=} niȝtingale ȝaf answare . {\}
Ȝif ich me loki ƿit þe bare . {\}
⁊ me schilde ƿit þe blete {\}
Ne reche ich noȝt of þine þrete {\}
Ȝis {=sic=} ich me holde in mine hegge . {\}
Ne recche ich neu(er) ƿhat þu segge . {\}
Ich ƿot þat þu art un-milde . {\}
Wiþ hom þat ne{+}muȝe fro(m) se {=sic. An unlikely error for yE "thee" in spite of J's reading. The line may be corrupt=} schilde . {\}
⁊ þu tukest wroþe ⁊ vuele . {\}
Whar þu miȝt over smale fuȝele . {\}
Vorþi þu art loþ al fuel-kunne . {\}
⁊ alle ho þe driueþ honne . {\}
⁊ þe bi-schricheþ ⁊ bi-gredet . {\}
⁊ wel nareƿe þe bi-ledet . {\}
{~f233va~} ⁊ ek forþe þe sulue mose . {\}
Hire þonkes ƿolde þe totose . {\}
Þu art lodlich to biholde . {\}
⁊ þu art loþ in{+}monie-volde . {\}
Þi bodi is short þi sƿore{+}is . smal . {\}
Grett(er)e is þin heued þan þu al . {\}
Þin eȝene boþ colblake ⁊ brode . {\}
Riȝt swo ho ƿere(n) {*sj context*} ipei(n)t mid ƿode . {\}
Þu starest so þu ƿille abiten . {\}
Al þat þu mist mid cliure smiten . {\}
Þi bile is stif ⁊ scharp ⁊ hoked . {\}
Riȝt-so an owel þat is croked . {\}
Þar-mid þu clackes oft ⁊ longe . {\}
And þat is on of þine songe . {\}
Ac þu þretest to mine fleshe . {\}
Mid þine cliures ƿoldest me meshe . {\}
Þe ƿere icundur to one frogge . {\}
{[that sits at the mill under the cog[} {=line missing from C. Sense supplied from J=} Snailes mus ⁊ fule ƿiȝte . {\}
Boþ þine cunde ⁊ þine riȝte {=This phrase tagged as singular because the sense seems to demand it. See Cartlidge's (2001) note to line 88 for redundant final -E in yINE, CUNDE and RIzTE=} . {\}
Þu sittest adai and fliȝt {=S erased before z and partially overwritten with it=} aniȝt {\}
Þu cuþest þat þu art on vnƿiȝt . {\}
Þu art lodlich ⁊ unclene . {\}
Bi þine neste ich hit mene . {\}
⁊ ek bi þine fule brode . {\}
Þu fedest on hom a wel ful fode . {\}
Vel ƿostu þat hi doþ þarinne . {\}
Hi fuleþ hit up to þe chinne . {\}
Ho sitteþ þar so hi bo bisne . {\}
Þar-bi {=This could be read as *wAR-BI. Cf. J's HWAR-BI=} men segget a uorbisne . {\}
Dahet habbe þat-ilke best . {\}
{=line 100=} Þat fuleþ his oƿe nest . {\}
Þat oþer ȝer a fauku(n) bredde . {\}
His nest noȝt ƿel he ne bi-hedde . {\}
Þar-to þu stele in o dai . {\}
{~f233vb~} ⁊ leidest þar-on þi fole {=Or perhaps for "fol"=} ey . {\}
Þo hit bicom þat he haȝte . {\}
⁊ of his eyre briddes ƿraȝte . {\}
Ho {=Lack of concord from previous use of masculine pronoun and with the following HIS. The muddle arises presumably from the fact that the falcon is here a female bird, but the gender of the word "falcon" is masculine=} broȝte his briddes mete . {\}
Bi-hold his nest iseȝ hi ete . {\}
He iseȝ bi one halue . {\}
His nest ifuled ut-halue . {\}
Þe faucu(n) ƿas ƿroþ ƿit his bridde . {\}
⁊ lude ȝal and sterne chidde . {\}
Segget me ƿo hauet þis ido . {\}
Ov nas . neuer icunde þar-to . {\}
Hit ƿas idon ov a{+}loþ wiste {="Fart, squirt from the rear end", cf. MDu vijste. See Laing (1998)=} . {\}
Segge me ȝif ȝe hit ƿiste {\}
Þo quaþ þat-on and quad þat-oþ(er) . {\}
Iƿis hit ƿas ure {=First minim of U corrected from something else=} oȝer {=sic=} broþer . {\}
Þe ȝond þat haued þat grete heued . {\}
Ƿai þat hi {=Corrected from HIS by erasure, though the I is not altered=} nis þar-os bireued . {\}
Worp hit ut mid þe alreƿrste {=This could mean "with the first of all" i.e. as quickly as possible. I think it more likely to be "with the worst of all", especially if "the worst of all" is an oblique reference to the filth in the nest. Throw him out with the foul stuff he produced. Cf. Cartlidge (2001)=} . {\}
Þat his necke him to-berste . {\}
Þe faucu(n) ilefde his bridde . {\}
⁊ nom þat fule brid amidde . {\}
⁊ ƿarp hit of þan ƿilde boƿe . {\}
Þar pie ⁊ croƿe hit todroƿe . {\}
Her-bi men segget a{+}bi-spel . {\}
Þeȝ hit ne bo fuliche spel . {\}
Al-so hit is bi þan ungode . {\}
Þat is icumen of fule brode . {\}
⁊ is meind ƿit fro monne . {\}
Euer he cuþ þat he com þonne . {\}
Þat he com of þan adel eye . {\}
Þeȝ he a fro nest leie . {\}
Þeȝ appel trendli fron þon troƿe . {\}
Þar {<⁊<} {=del, by subpunction=} he {=Grammatical gender - apple is masculine=} ⁊ oþ(er) mid groƿe . {\}
Þeȝ he {=The sense demands a switch of reference here from the apple to the person for which it stands=} bo þar-from bicume . {\}
{~f234ra~} He cuþ ƿel ƿhonene he is icume . {\}
Þos {=Enlarged capital thorn of two lines' depth overlapping in the left margin one line above and two further lines below. A small guide letter thorn is visible inside the large letter's lobe=} ƿord aȝaf þe niȝtingale . {\}
⁊ aft(er) þare longe tale {\}
He song so lude ⁊ so scharpe . {\}
Riȝt so me grulde {*sj context*} schille harpe . {\}
Þos hule luste þiderƿard . {\}
⁊ hold hire eȝe noþerƿad {=Corrected from NOyERUAD by overwriting=} . {\}
⁊ sat to-svolle ⁊ ibolƿe . {\}
Also ho hadde one frogge isuolȝe . {\}
For ho ƿel ƿiste ⁊ ƿas iƿar . {\}
Þat ho song hire a{+}bisemar {\}
⁊ noþeles ho ȝas {=sic=} {>)f)>} {=ins, in left hand margin, very faint, presumably as a later correction for S in zAS=} andsuare . {\}
Ƿhi nel tu flon in-to þe bare {\}
⁊ seƿi þare unk(er) bo . {\}
Of briȝt(er) hoƿe of uairur blo . {\}
No þu hauest ƿel scharpe claƿe . {\}
Ne kepich noȝt þat þu{+}me claƿe . {\}
Þu hauest cliuers suþe stronge . {\}
Þu tuengst þar-mid so doþ a tonge . {\}
Þu þoȝtest so doþ þine ilike . {\}
Mid faire ƿorde me biswike . {\}
Ich nolde don þa {>)t)>} {=ins, interlined above in a different hand with caret below to correct yA to yAT=} þu me raddest {=DD are subpuncted erroneously=} . {\}
Ich ƿiste ƿel þat þu me misraddest . {\}
{>)god)>} {=ins, in left hand margin by a later hand apparently to supply a subject for *SCHAMIE. The intended subject is "it" understood=} Schamie þe for þin unrede . {\}
Vn-ƿroȝen is þi svikelhede . {\}
Schild þine svikeldom vram þe liȝte . {\}
⁊ hud þat ƿoȝe amon þe riȝte . {\}
Þane {=The C scribe may well have intended wynn for the first letter. It is here clearly thorn-shaped and lacks a dot but the letters are not always distinguished thus and so this could be read yANE or wANE=} þu ƿilt þin unriȝt spene . {\}
Loke þat hit ne bo isene . {\}
Vor svikedom haued schome ⁊ hete . {\}
Ȝif hit is ope ⁊ underȝete . {\}
Ne speddestu noȝt mid þine unƿrenche . {\}
For ich am ƿar ⁊ can ƿel blenche . {\}
Ne helpþ noȝt þat þu bo to þriste {=The thorn is here dotted and wynn-shaped but given the interchangeability of the shapes in this hand and the required reading, thorn must be intended and the dot in error=} . {\}
{~f234rb~} Ich ƿolde viȝte bet mid liste . {\}
Þan þu mid al{+}þine strengþe . {\}
Ich habbe on brede ⁊ eck {=K corrected from H by overwriting=} on lengþe {\}
Castel god on mine rise . {\}
Ƿel fiȝt þat ƿel fliȝt seiþ þe ƿise . {\}
Ac lete ƿe aƿei þos cheste . {\}
Vor suiche ƿordes boþ unƿerste . {\}
⁊ fo ƿe on mid riȝte dome . {\}
Mid faire ƿorde ⁊ mid ysome . {\}
Þeȝ ƿe ne bo at one acorde . {\}
Ƿe muȝe bet mid fayre ƿorde . {\}
Ƿit-ute cheste ⁊ bute fiȝte . {\}
Plaidi mid soȝe {=No need to emend to FOzE if we assume the exemplar had at least occasional equivalence of yogh and thorn/wynn. That this was in fact the case in the exemplar X is strongly suggested by the fact that J and C sometimes differ in their interpretation of these letters in their copies. The small cross-stroke on the initial letter observed by Cartlidge (2001) is nothing like Scribe C's normal boldly formed hasta and is merely a slightly smudged version of the normal 'shoulders' of the long S created by a splay of the pen when the first minim stroke is made and before the top stroke is added. The letter is S not F, though it must be remembered that this scribe does sometimes write one for the other. An interpretation of rare FOzE from OE gefo:g is therefore possible though perhaps less likely, especially with the evidence of J's SOyE, and the fact that SOzE is a feasible spelling for "sooth"=} ⁊ mid riȝte . {\}
⁊ mai hure eiþer ƿat hi {=sic - or for "they", switching into plural. But the verbal form militates against this and J has singular=} ƿile {*sj context*} . {\}
Mid riȝte segge ⁊ mid sckile . {\}
Þo {=Enlarged capital thorn of two lines' depth overlapping in the left margin two further lines below. No guide letter is visible=} quaþ þe hule ƿu {=wynn is thorn-shaped and undotted. This is an odd spelling for "who" for which this scribe elsewhere in this text writes wO, and in other texts HwO, HwA and wA. All editors agree however on <wu>, either by reading the thorn-shaped littera as wynn or by emendation=} schal us seme {\}
Þat kunne ⁊ ƿille riȝt us deme . {\}
Ich ƿot ƿel quaþ þe niȝtingale . {\}
Ne þaref þar-of bo no tale . {\}
Maist(er) nichole of guldeforde . {\}
He is ƿis an ƿar of ƿorde . {\}
He is of dome suþe gleu . {\}
⁊ him is loþ eurich unþeu . {\}
He ƿot insiȝt in eche songe . {\}
Ƿo singet ƿel ƿo singet ƿronge . {\}
⁊ he can schede vrom þe riȝte . {\}
Þat ƿoȝe þat þust(er) from þe liȝte . {\}
Þo {=Enlarged capital thorn of two lines' depth overlapping in the left margin two further lines below. No guide letter is visible=} hule one-ƿile hi biþoȝte . {\}
{=line 200=} ⁊ aft(er)-þan þis ƿord up-broȝte . {\}
Ich granti ƿel þat he us deme . {\}
Vor þeȝ he ƿere ƿile breme . {\}
⁊ lof him ƿere {*sj context*} niȝtingale . {\}
⁊ oþer ƿiȝte gente ⁊ smale . {\}
Ich ƿot he is nu suþe acoled . {\}
{~f234va~} Nis he vor þe noȝt afoled . {\}
Þat he for þine olde l>u>ue {=MS LOUE with O subpuncted and U interlined above=} . {\}
Me adun legge ⁊ þe buue . {\}
Ne schaltu neure so him queme . {\}
Þat he for{+}þe fals dom deme . {\}
He is him ripe ⁊ fast-rede . {\}
Ne lust him nu to non unrede . {\}
Nu him ne lust na-more pleie . {\}
He ƿile gon a{+}riȝte ƿeie . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged capital thorn of two lines' depth overlapping in the left margin one line above and two further lines below. Part of a guide letter thorn is visible at the top left of the lobe of the large letter=} niȝtingale ƿas al{+}ȝare . {\}
Ho hadde ilorned ƿel aiware . {\}
Hule ho sede seie me soþ . {\}
Ƿi dostu þat un-ƿiȝtis doþ . {\}
Þu singist aniȝt ⁊ noȝt adai . {\}
⁊ al þi song is ƿailaƿai . {\}
Þu miȝt {=yU M written over erasure=} mid þine songe afere . {\}
Alle þat ihereþ þine ibere . {\}
Þu schirchest ⁊ ȝollest to þine fere . {\}
Þat hit is grislich to ihere . {\}
Hit þinchest {=The construction switches from "it seems" to "thou seemest"=} boþe ƿise ⁊ snepe . {\}
Noȝt þat þu singe ac þat þu ƿepe . {\}
Þu fliȝst aniȝt and noȝt adai . {\}
Þar-of ich wndri ⁊ ƿel mai . {\}
Vor eurich þing þat schuniet riȝt . {\}
Hit luueþ þust(er) ⁊ hatiet liȝt {\}
⁊ eurich þing þat is lof misdede {\}
Hit luueþ þust(er) to his dede . {\}
A ƿis ƿord þeȝ hit bo unclene . {\}
Is fele manne a muþe imene . {\}
For alured king hit seide ⁊ ƿrot . {\}
He schunet {=MS altered in a contemporary hand to SCHUNTET by interlining T above=} þat hine wl ƿot . {\}
Ich ƿene þat þu dost also . {\}
Vor þu fliȝst niȝtes eu(er)-mo . {\}
An-oþer þing me is a ƿene {\}
{~f234vb~} Þu hauest aniȝt {>)eyen)>} {=ins, interlined above in a different hand=} ƿel briȝte sene . {\}
Bi daie þu art stareblind . {\}
{=There is a faint cross in the right hand margin drawing attention to the problem line below=} Þat þu ne sichst ne bos {=MS BOS with S expuncted and V added above by another hand. I see no reason why this has to be emended to 'bough'. It is an acceptable spelling for ME "bush" cf. M Du and OFr bois=} ne strind {=MS STRIND has ST expuncted by the corrector to complete the emendation to the not very satisfactory BOV NE RIND "bough nor bark". J has BOUH OF LYND which is probably a bland attempt on the J's scribe's part to make sense of a textual difficulty. "Bush nor stream" gives an acceptable if unremarkable reading=} {\}
Adai þu art blind oþ(er) bisne . {\}
Þarbi men segget a uorbisne . {\}
Riȝt so hit farþ bi þan ungode . {\}
Þat noȝt ne suþ {=The J scribe has ISYHy here, probably added to the text into a gap presumably because he did not understand the exemplar form. As the C scribe is a literatim copyist we can take it that the exemplar form was probably SUy as here. This might be possible as a plural form of the verb "see" though in this scribe's system one would expect SOy as indeed he writes elsewhere, but it is not plausible as a form of the singular. Cartlidge suggests that it is the ME version of the OF sivre (AN suer) "follow" and I think this is the most likely reading here. "Who pursues nothing to any good purpose" (See MED s.v. seuen v. (1) sense 4 (d)=} to none gode . {\}
⁊ is so ful of vuele ƿrenche . {\}
Þat him ne mai no-man atp(re)nche {=The etymology of this word is unknown. It apparently means something like "elude" or "get the better of"=} {\}
⁊ can ƿel þane þurste ƿai . {\}
⁊ þane briȝte lat a-ƿai . {\}
So doþ þat boþ of þine cunde . {\}
Of liȝte nabbeþ hi none imunde . {\}
Þos {=Enlarged capital thorn of two lines' depth overlapping in the left margin one line above and two further lines below. No guide letter thorn is visible=} hule luste suþe longe . {\}
⁊ ƿas of-toned suþ>e> {=E interlined above probably, but not certainly, by the C scribe=} stronge . {\}
Ho quaþ {=Both *HO and QUAy have two oblique hairline strokes above suggesting perhaps that the C scribe or a later corrector wished them to be transposed. Given the J scribe's HEO QUAy I assume the exemplar in fact had them in the present order=} þu attest {=a later hand adds H before ATTEST=} Niȝtingale . {\}
Þu miȝtest bet hoten galegale {\}
Vor þu hauest to monie tale . {\}
Lat þine tunge habbe spale . {\}
Þu ƿenest þat þes dai bo þin{+}oȝe {\}
Lat me nu habbe mine þroȝe . {\}
Bo nu stille ⁊ lat me speke . {\}
Ich ƿille bon of þe aƿreke . {\}
⁊ lust hu ich con me bitelle . {\}
Mid riȝte soþe ƿit-ute spelle . {\}
Þu seist þat ich me hude adai . {\}
Þarto ne segge ich nich ne nai . {\}
⁊ lust ich telle þe ƿareuore . {\}
Al ƿi hit is ⁊ ƿareuore . {\}
Ich habbe bile stif ⁊ stronge . {\}
⁊ gode cliuers scharp ⁊ longe . {\}
So hit bicumeþ to hauekes cunne . {\}
Hit is min hiȝte hit is mi ƿnne {=Looks like wUNE but C's Ns and Us not always distinguished=} . {\}
Þat ich me draȝe to mine cunde . {\}
{~f235ra~} Ne mai no-man þareuore schende . {\}
On me hit is ƿel isene . {\}
Vor riȝte cunde ich am so kene . {\}
Vor-þi ich am loþ smale foȝle . {\}
Þat floþ bi grunde ⁊ bi þuuele . {\}
Hi me bichermet ⁊ bi-gredeþ . {\}
⁊ hore flockes to ne {=Evident error for ME. A later corrector has subpuncted N and another, in paler ink, has interlined the required extra minim above with a caret=} ledeþ . {\}
Me is lof to habbe reste . {\}
⁊ sitte stille in mine neste . {\}
Vor nere ich neu(er) no þe betere . {\}
Þif {=F altered from z by overwriting=} ich mid chauling ⁊ mid chat(er)e . {\}
Hom schende {*sj context*} ⁊ mid fule ƿorde . {\}
So herdes doþ oþ(er) mid schit-ƿorde . {\}
Ne lust me ƿit þe screƿe(n) chide . {\}
For-þi ich ƿende from hom ƿide . {\}
Hit is a ƿise monne dome . {\}
⁊ hi hit segget ƿel ilome . {\}
Þat me ne chide ƿit þe gidie . {\}
Ne ƿit þan ofne me ne ȝonie . {\}
At sume siþe {=A later hand adds another y above=} herde i{+}telle . {\}
Hu alured sede on his spelle . {\}
Loke þat þu ne bo þare . {\}
Þar chauling boþ ⁊ cheste ȝare . {\}
Lat sottes chide ⁊ uorþ þu go {\}
⁊ ich am ƿis ⁊ do also . {\}
⁊ ȝet alured seide an oþ(er) side . {\}
{=line 300=} A ƿord þat is isprunge ƿide . {\}
Þat ƿit þe fule haueþ imene . {\}
Ne cumeþ he neu(er) fro(m) hi(m) cleine . {\}
Ƿenestu þat haueck bo þe ƿorse . {\}
Þoȝ croƿe bigrede him bi þe m(er)she {=Although "worse" and "marsh" do not provide a true rhyme, "marsh" is confirmed by both J and C versions and is likely therefore to have been the reading in the common exemplar. Whether it was the reading of the original is not knowable, but as far as semantics are concerned, I think it unnecessary to propose an otherwise unattested ME word from an unattested OE *mae:rs "field boundaries" for this word (see Cartlidge 2001:114 following Kristensson and ultimately Stanley (for refs. see Cartlidge). OE mersc is applied not only to permanent wetlands but also to tidal marshes and to flood meadows that are not always inundated. HAUECK is an unspecified "hawk" and could well imply a marsh harrier, hen harrier or common buzzard all of which are frequently to be found hunting over meadow and marshland. Sparrow hawk, Montagu's harrier and peregrine falcon are also possibilities. Crows are to be found anywhere where there are food sources for them, which would include not only any kind of carrion to be found in marsh or meadow but also the eggs and nestlings of meadow-nesting and marsh-nesting birds. They would be just as likely to mob a hawk "by the marsh" as anywhere else=} . {\}
⁊ goþ to him mid hore chirme . {\}
Riȝt so hi ƿille ƿit him schirme . {\}
Þe hauec {<fl<} {=del by subpunction=} folȝeþ gode rede . {\}
{~f235rb~} ⁊ fliȝt his ƿei ⁊ lat hi {=A later hand has corrected HI to HEm by overwriting=} grede . {\}
Ȝet {=Enlarged capital yogh of two lines' depth overlapping in the left margin two further lines below. A small guide letter yogh is visible to the left of the large letter=} þu me seist of oþer þinge . {\}
⁊ telst {=This could be from OE tae:lan "blame, censure". But in view of J's TELLEST, and the similarly mild word SEIST that goes with it, I think it more likely to be from tellan, with the usual ME levelling of double LL into the 2rd and 3rd person blocked by the contraction. Cf. TELy and TELSTU below=} þat ich ne can noȝt singe {\}
Ac al mi rorde is ƿoning {\}
⁊ to >i>hire {=I interlined above by main scribe=} grislich þing {\}
Þat nis noȝt soþ ich singe efne . {\}
Mid fulle dreme ⁊ lude stefne . {\}
Þu ƿenist þat ech song bo grislich . {\}
Þat þine pipinge nis ilich . {\}
Mi stefne is blod {=sic=} {>)bol[?])>} {=ins, in right hand margin by a later hand to correct BLOD. The final letter, presuably D, has been lost by trimming=} ⁊ noȝt unorne . {\}
Ho is ilich one grete horne . {\}
⁊ þin is ilich one pipe . {\}
Of one smale ƿode {=Another hand interlines E to make wOEDE=} un-ripe . {\}
Ich singe bet þan þu dest . {\}
Þu chat(er)est so doþ on irish prost {=Another hand interlines E to make PREOST=} {\}
Ich singe an eue a{+}riȝte time {\}
⁊ soþþe ƿon hit is bedtime . {\}
Þe þridde siþe ad middel-niȝte . {\}
⁊ so ich mine song adiȝte . {\}
Ƿone ich iso arise vorre . {\}
Oþer dairim oþer daisterre . {\}
Ich do god mid mine þrote . {\}
⁊ ƿarni men to hore note {\}
Ac þu singest alle{+}longe niȝt . {\}
From eue fort hit is dai-liȝt . {\}
⁊ euer leist {=Corrected from SEIST by overwriting, probably by the main scribe=} þin o song . {\}
So longe so þe niȝt is long . {\}
⁊ eure croƿeþ þi ƿrecche crei . {\}
Þat he ne sƿikeþ niȝt ne dai . {\}
Mid þine pipinge þu a-dunest . {\}
Þas monnes earen þar þu wunest . {\}
⁊ makest þine song so unƿrþ {=y altered from some other letter=} . {\}
Þa {=T interlined in another hand=} me ne telþ {=Cartlidge (2001) seems to think that this form has to be from tae:lan but this is semanatically unsatisfactory and is not supported, as he suggests, by a similar phrase in Layamon with the preterite form TALDEN because formally this also could equally well be from the verb "tell". Forms with single L in 2nd and 3rd person present singular are historically expected. What is perhaps unexpected at this date is that double L has not been adopted in these persons by analogical levelling. But here the contraction of the form seems to have blocked it. Cf. TELST above and TELSTU below. The J version here has TELLEy=} of þar noȝ {=final T added in another hand=} ƿrþ . {\}
Eurich murȝþe mai so longe ileste {\}
{~f235va~} Þat ho shal liki ƿel unƿreste . {\}
Vor harpe ⁊ pipe ⁊ fuȝeles songe . {\}
Mis-likeþ ȝif hit is to{+}long . {\}
Ne bo þe song neu(er) so murie . {\}
Þat he ne shal þinche unmurie . {\}
Ȝef he ilesteþ {=Scribe begins to write E but alters to I=} ouer unƿille {="beyond displeasure", i.e. "past the point where it is pleasurable"? Many editors emend this phrase but it is supported by both versions. Cartlidge (2001) takes both words to be functioning adverbally=} . {\}
So þu miȝt þine song aspille . {\}
Vor hit is soþ alured hit seide {=MS SEIDDE with first D subpuncted=} . {\}
⁊ me hit mai ine boke rede . {\}
Eurich þing mai losen his godhede . {\}
Mid unmeþe and ouerdede . {\}
Mid este þu þe miȝt ou(er)-quatie . {\}
⁊ ou(er)-fulle makeþ wlatie . {\}
An eurich mureȝþe mai agon . {\}
Ȝif me hit halt eure forþ in on{"without stopping"} . {\}
Bute one þat is {=Letter erased before GODES=} godes riche . {\}
Þat eure is svete ⁊ eure iliche . {\}
Þeȝ þu nime eure oþ{+}þan lepe . {\}
Hit is eure ful bi{+}hepe . {\}
Wu(n)d(er) hit is of godes riche . {\}
Þat eure spenþ ⁊ eu(er) is iliche . {\}
Ȝut {=Enlarged capital yogh of two lines' depth overlapping in the left margin a further line below. A small guide letter yogh is visible to the left of the large letter=} þu me seist on-oþ(er) shome . {\}
Þat ich an {=Given J's AU here it seems certain that the exemplar had AN or AU. C's AN has been corrected later, it is not certain whether by himself or another, by subpuncting of N and the addition of a missing nasal bar above A to make Am. I am inclined to keep the original reading as the literatim copyist's C accurate transmission of the exemplar reading. Cf. also FRON for FROM=} on mine eȝe(n) lome {\}
An seist for-þat ich flo bi niȝte . {\}
Þat ich ne mai iso bi{+}liȝte . {\}
Þu liest . on me hit is isene . {\}
Þat ich habbe gode sene . {\}
Vor nis non so dim þust(er)nesse . {\}
Þat ich eu(er) iso þe lasse . {\}
Þu ƿenest þat ich ne miȝte iso . {\}
Vor ich bi daie noȝt ne flo . {\}
Þe hare luteþ al dai . {\}
Ac noþeles iso he mai . {\}
Ȝif hundes urneþ to him-ƿard {\}
{~f235vb~} He gengþ ƿel suiþe aƿaiƿar {=MS AwAIwART - but It seems to me that a later hand has added the final T, partially obscuring the main scribe's end-of-line punctus. The final T has a longer top stroke than the main scribe's usual T does and its stem is angled forward. Editors have not, however, noted this as a later correction. Both Atkins (1922) and Wells (1907) silently emend to AWAI-WARD. Stanley (1960) and Cartlidge (2001) read AWAIWART with no comment. For another example of the C scribe omitting final dental see HOR below, also corrected (to HORD) by a different hand=} . {\}
⁊ hokeþ paþes sviþe nareƿe . {\}
⁊ haueþ mid hi(m) his blenches ȝareƿe . {\}
⁊ hupþ ⁊ stard suþe coue . {\}
An secheþ paþes to þe groue . {\}
Ne sholde he uor boþe his eȝe . {\}
So don ȝif he þe bet niseȝe . {\}
Ich mai ison so ƿel so on hare . {\}
Þeȝ ich bi daie sitte {*sj context*} an dare {*sj context*} . {\}
Þar aȝte men boþ in ƿorre {=Second R corrected from T by the main scribe by adding a broken hair-line stroke (frequently added to the limb of R) to the crossbar of the original T=} . {\}
An fareþ boþe ner ⁊ forre . {\}
An ou(er)-uareþ fele þode {=Another hand interlines E above to make yOEDE. The y is dotted as if for w or Y=} {\}
An doþ bi niȝte gode node {=Another hand interlines E above to make NOEDE=} . {\}
Ich folȝi þan aȝte manne . {\}
An flo bi niȝte in hore banne . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged capital thorn of two lines' depth. The ascender stretches two further lines up in the left margin. The descender does not decend below the base line of the second line making the figura look rather unbalanced=} niȝtingale in hire þoȝte . {\}
Athold al{+}þis ⁊ longe þoȝte . {\}
Ƿat ho þar-aft(er) miȝte segge . {\}
Vor ho ne miȝte noȝt alegge . {\}
Þat þe hule hadde hire ised . {\}
Vor he spac boþe riȝt an red . {\}
An hire ofþuȝte þat ho hadde . {\}
Þe speche so for uorþ iladde . {\}
An ƿas oferd þat hire ansƿare . {\}
{=line 400=} Ne ƿrþe noȝt ariȝt ifare . {\}
Ac noþeles he spac boldeliche . {\}
Vor he is ƿis þat hardeliche . {\}
Ƿiþ is uo berþ grete ilete . {\}
Þat he uor areȝþe hit ne forlete . {\}
Vor suich ƿorþ bold ȝif þu fliȝste . {\}
Þat ƿle flo ȝif þu isvicst {=MS has original IS subpuncted by a corrector. But original swi:can is confirmed by J's reading so the correction must have been done later. The text has to be read as "If you cease [to fly]". The original intention must have been to contrast flying with standing firm, and the later corrector has the right idea, but VICST for "fight" cannot here be taken as a genuine form belonging to the Cotton scribe's usage. See Cartlidge (2001) note to line 406 for an assessment of the various possible emendations though there is no actual necessity for assuming textual corruption here=} {\}
Ȝif he isiþ þat þu nart areȝ  {=This is an unusual departure from the regular end-of-line punctus. It could be read as a colon but there seems to be a small stroke lifting from the upper punctus=} {\}
He ƿile of bore ƿrchen bareȝ {=A corrected from O (joined to B by biting) by overwriting probably by the main scribe=} {\}
⁊ forþi þeȝ þe niȝtingale . {\}
{~f236ra~} Ƿere aferd ho spac bolde tale {\}
Þule {=Enlarged capital thorn of two lines' depth overlapping in the left margin one line above and two further lines below. The guide letter still visible in the lobe of the large thorn is H not thorn. J, however has both capital and guide letter thorn=} ho seide ƿi dostu so . {\}
Þu singest a ƿint(er) ƿolaƿo . {\}
Þu singest so doþ hen a snoƿe . {\}
Al þat ho singeþ hit is for ƿoƿe . {\}
A ƿint(er)e þu singest ƿroþe ⁊ ȝom(er)e . {\}
An {=A later hand interlines final D=} eure þu art dumb a sum(er)e . {\}
Hit is for þine fule niþe . {\}
Þat þu ne miȝt mid us bo {=There is a stroke through O, perhaps an attempt to alter it to E=} bliþe {\}
Vor þu forbernest ƿelneȝ for{+}onde . {\}
Ƿane ure blisse cumeþ to londe . {\}
Þu farest so doþ þe ille . {\}
Evrich blisse him is un-ƿille . {\}
Grucching ⁊ luring him boþ rade {\}
Ȝif he isoþ þat men boþ glade . {\}
He ƿolde þat he iseȝe . {\}
Teres i(n) evrich monnes eȝe . {\}
Ne roȝte {*sj context*} he þeȝ flockes ƿere {*sj context*} {\}
Imeind bi toppes{"heads"} ⁊ bi here {=See Cartlidge (2001:118) for a summary of the various competing readings for the two lines above. It seems simplest to take the words as literally as possible to refer to mixed flocks of animals=} . {\}
Al-so þu dost on þire side . {\}
For ƿanne snov liþ þicke ⁊ ƿide . {\}
An {=A later hand interlines final D=} alle ƿiȝtes habbeþ sorȝe . {\}
Þu singest from eue fort amorȝe . {\}
Ac ich alle blisse mid me bringe . {\}
Ech ƿiȝt is glad for{+}mine þinge . {\}
⁊ blisseþ hit ƿanne ich cume . {\}
⁊ hiȝteþ aȝen mine kume . {\}
Þe blostme {=yE BLOSTM written over an erasure=} ginneþ sp(r)ⁱnge ⁊ sp(r)^ede . {\}
Boþe ine tro ⁊ ek on mede . {\}
Þe lilie mid hire faire ƿlite . {\}
Wolcumeþ me þat þu hit ƿte . {\}
Bit {=Original T altered to D by a later corrector by overwriting=} me mid hire faire blo {\}
Þat ich shulle to hire flo . {\}
Þe rose also mid hire rude . {\}
{~f236rb~} Þat cumeþ ut-of þe þorne-wode {\}
Bit me þat ich shulle singe {\}
Vor hire luue {<} {=del, subpuncted, dittography=} one {<} one skentinge . {\}
⁊ ich so do þurȝ niȝt ⁊ dai {\}
Þe more ich singe þe more i mai . {\}
An {=A later hand interlines final D=} skente hi mid mine songe . {\}
Ac noþeles noȝt ou(er) longe . {\}
Ƿane ich iso þat men boþ glade . {\}
Ich nelle þat hi bon to sade . {\}
Ƿan is ido vor ƿan ich com . {\}
Ich fare aȝen ⁊ do ƿisdom . {\}
Ƿane mon hoȝeþ of his sheue . {\}
An falewi cumeþ on grene leue . {\}
Ich fare hom ⁊ nime leue . {\}
Ne recche ich noȝt of ƿint(er)es reue {="plunder". MS could be read REUE or RENE. This reading, however, preserves the rhyme. J spoils the rhyme here by substituting TEONE=} . {\}
Ƿan ich iso þat cumeþ þat harde . {\}
Ich fare hom to min erde . {\}
An habbe boþe luue ⁊ þonc . {\}
Þat ich her com ⁊ hid(er) sƿonk {\}
Ƿan min erende is ido . {\}
Sholde ich bileue  nai ƿarto . {\}
Vor he nis noþer ȝep ne ƿis . {\}
þat longe abid þar him nod nis . {\}
Þos {=Enlarged capital thorn of two lines' depth overlapping in the left margin one line above and two further lines below. A guide letter thorn is visible at the top left of the lobe of the large letter=} hule luste ⁊ leide an hor {=sic - final D added in different ink and by a later hand. For another example of the C scribe omitting final dental see AwAIwAR above also corrected by a different hand=} {\}
Al þis mot ƿord after ƿord . {\}
An {=A later hand interlines final D=} aft(er) þoȝte hu he miȝte . {\}
Ansvere uinde best mid riȝte . {\}
Vor he mot hine ful ƿel biþenche . {\}
Þat is aferd of plaites ƿrenche . {\}
ÞV {=Enlarged capital thorn of two lines' depth overlapping in the left margin one line above and two further lines below. A guide letter thorn is visible at the top left of the lobe of the large letter=} aishest me þe hule sede . {\}
Ƿi ich a ƿint(er) singe ⁊ grede . {\}
Hit is gode monne iƿone . {\}
An ƿas from þe ƿorlde frome . {\}
Þat ech god man his frond icnoƿe {=Looks like ICUOwE=} . {\}
{~f236va~} An blisse mid hom sume þroƿe . {\}
In his huse at his borde . {\}
Mid faire speche ⁊ faire ƿorde . {\}
⁊ hure-⁊-hure {=Final E of first HURE corrected from something else. There are signs of a letter or part of a letter having been erased immediately after it=} to cristes masse . {\}
Ƿane riche ⁊ poure more ⁊ lasse . {\}
Singeþ cundut niȝt ⁊ dai . {\}
Ich hom helpe ƿhat ich mai {\}
⁊ ek ich þenche of oþ(er) þinge . {\}
Þane to pleien {=EN written over something else=} oþer to singe . {\}
Ich habbe herto gode ansuare . {\}
Anon iredi ⁊ al ȝare . {\}
Vor sum(er)es tide is alto ƿlonc . {\}
An doþ misreken monnes þonk . {\}
Vor he ne recþ noȝt of clennesse . {\}
Al his þoȝt is of golnesse . {\}
Vor none dor no leng n{+}abideþ . {\}
Ac eurich upon oþer rideþ . {\}
þe sulue stottes ine þe stode . {\}
Boþ boþe ƿilde and mereƿod^e . {\}
⁊ þu sulf art þar-among . {\}
For of golnesse is al þi song . {\}
An {=A later hand interlines final D=} aȝen-þet þu wlt teme . {\}
{=line 500=} þu art ƿel modi ⁊ ƿel breme . {\}
Sone-so þu hau>e>st {=E interlined above by main scribe=} itrede . {\}
Ne miȝtu leng a ƿord iqueþe {=A later hand interlines D above y=} . {\}
Ac pipest al-so doþ a{+}mose . {\}
Mid chokeringe mid steune hose . {\}
Ȝet þu singst ƿorse þon þe heisugge . {\}
Ȝat fliȝþ {=y altered from T by the main scribe=} bi grunde amo(n)g þe stubbe {=Non rhyme. But perhaps original because in J also=} . {\}
Ƿane þi lust is ago {\}
Þanne is þi so(n)g {=Two letters, probably GE, erased after SOnG=} ago also . {\}
A sum(er)e chorles aƿedeþ . {\}
⁊ uorcrempeþ ⁊ uorbredeþ . {\}
Hit nis for luue noþeles . {\}
{~f236vb~} Ac is þe chorles ƿode res . {\}
Vor ƿane he haueþ ido his dede . {\}
Ifallen is al his boldhede {\}
Habbe he is tunge {=Presumably with the sense "prick, male organ". A later corrector has added S between IS and TUNGE to make ISSTUNGE. On the basis of this, most editors read ISSTUNGE, as past participle of "sting" with the sense "penetrated". And the Jesus version (also IS TUNGE) is read as simply ISTUNGE. It seems to me that ISSTUNGE, with double S, is not itself a plausible form for the past participle. In fact it seems to me more likely that the corrector was trying to change one noun ("tongue") to another ("sting"). Cartlidge (2001) reports the MS readings accurately but accepts the reading ISTUNGE "stung". Only Wells (1906) suggests the possibility of reading "tongue" for "pudendum". He also surmises that the common original had either IS TUNGE or ISTUNGE (for "stung"). Whatever the author's intention, here it is the scribal text that must be interpreted and tagged accordingly=} under gore . {\}
Ne last his luue no leng {altered to LENGer by a later hand} more . {\}
Also hit is on þine mode . {\}
So-sone-so þu sittest a{+}brode . {\}
Þu forlost al þine ƿise . {\}
Also þu farest on þine rise . {\}
Ƿane þu hauest ido þi gome . {\}
Þi steune goþ anon to shome . {\}
Ac ƿane niȝtes cumeþ longe {\}
⁊ bingeþ {=sic R interlined between B and I by a later hand=} forstes starke an stronge . {\}
Þanne erest hit is isene . {\}
Ƿar is þe snelle ƿar is þe kene . {\}
At þan harde me mai auinde {\}
Ƿo {=Wynn is thorn-shaped and undotted=} geþ forþ ƿo liþ bi-hinde . {\}
Me mai ison at þare node . {\}
Ƿan {=Wynn is thorn-shaped and undotted=} me shal harde ƿike bode . {\}
Þanne ich am snel ⁊ pleie ⁊ singe . {\}
⁊ hiȝte me mid mi skentinge . {\}
Of none ƿint(er)e ich ne recche . {\}
Vor ich nam non asvnde ƿrecche . {\}
⁊ ek ich frouri uele ƿiȝte . {\}
Þat mid hom nabbed none miȝtte . {\}
Hi boþ hoȝfule ⁊ uel arme . {\}
An {=A later hand interlines final D=} secheþ ȝorne to þe ƿarme . {\}
Oft ich singe uor hom þe more . {\}
For lutli sum of hore sore . {\}
Hu þincþ þe artu ȝut inune {=sic - a later hand interlines a minim before the second N to make INUME. The exemplar presumably had INUNE with with the J scribe had difficulty, missing out the word altogether. A much later hand adds INOME in that MS. The sense and the rhyme indicate that INUME must have been intended=} . {\}
Artu mid riȝte ouercume . {\}
Nay {=Enlarged initial capital N taking up two lines' depth. Guide letter N is visible inside the capital=} nay sede þe niȝtingale . {\}
Þu shalt ihere anoþ(er) tale . {\}
Ȝet nis þos speche ibroȝt to dome . {\}
{~f237ra~} Ac bo ƿel stille and lust nu to me . {\}
Ich shal mid one bare ƿorde . {\}
Do þat {<} {=del, subpuncted, dittography=} þat {<} þi speche ƿrht forƿorþe . {\}
Þat {=Enlarged capital thorn of two lines' depth overlapping in the left margin one line above and two further lines below. A guide letter thorn is visible in the lobe of the large letter=} nere noht riȝt þe hule sede . {\}
Þu hauest {=*yU H written on erasure=} bicloped also þu{+}bede . {\}
An ich þe habbe iȝiue ansuare . {\}
Ac ar ƿe to unk(er) {=The abbreviation here is the same shape as that used for <er> in other words, a 7-shaped hook. Usually the abbreviation is above the preceding letter. Here it is beside the K and the hairline tail is lengthened through the limb of the K. Here I expand as <er> because of the shape. Elsewhere the sequence <ker> is abbreviated as K with a simple stroke through the limb of the K which I realise as Kx=} dome fare . {\}
Ich ƿille speke toƿard þe {=y written over M erased=} . {\}
Al-so þu speke toƿard me {\}
An þu {=y written on an erased letter?=} me ansuare {=A later hand interlines E above the second A which is subpuncted to make ANSUERE=} ȝif þu miȝt . {\}
Seie me nu þu ƿrecche ƿiȝt . {\}
Is in þe eni oþ(er) note . {\}
Bute þu hauest schille þrote . {\}
Þu nart noȝt to non oþ(er) þinge . {\}
Bute þu canst of chat(er)inge . {\}
Vor þu art lutel an {=A later hand interlines final D=} unstrong . {\}
An {=A later hand interlines final D=} nis þi reȝel noþing long . {\}
Ƿat dostu godes among monne . {\}
Na-mo {=A later hand interlines RE after MO=} þe{"than"} deþ a ƿercche ƿranne . {\}
Of þe ne{+}cumeþ non {=Second N corrected from R=} oþer god {\}
Bute þu gredest suich þu bo ƿod . {\}
An bo þi piping ouergo . {\}
Ne boþ on þe craftes namo . {\}
Alured sede þat ƿas ƿis . {\}
He miȝte {=z altered from T by overwriting, almost certainly by the main scribe=} ƿel for soþ hit is . {\}
Nis no-man for is bare songe . {\}
Lof ne ƿrþ noȝt {=wRy NOz smudgy - perhaps writtin on an erasure=} suþe longe . {\}
Vor þat is a forƿorþe man . {\}
Þat bute singe noȝt ne gan {=A later hand interlines C above subpuncted G=} . {\}
þu nart bute on forƿorþe þing . {\}
On þe nis bute chat(er)ing . {\}
þu art dim an {=A later hand interlines final D=} of fule hoƿe . {\}
An þinchest a lutel soti cloƿe . {\}
þu nart fair no þu{+}nart strong . {\}
{~f237rb~} Ne þu nart þicke ne þu nart lo(n)g . {\}
Þu hauest imist al of fairhede . {\}
An {=A later hand interlines final D=} lutel is al þi god-ede . {\}
An-oþer þing of þe ich mene . {\}
Þu nart vair {=MS NARTVAIR separated by two hairline strokes above and below=} ne þu nart clene . {\}
Ƿane þu comest to ma(n)ne haȝe . {\}
þar þornes boþ ⁊ ris idraȝe . {\}
Bi hegge ⁊ bi þicke ƿode . {\}
Þar men goþ oft to hore node . {\}
Þarto þu draȝst þarto þu ƿnest . {\}
An oþer clene stede þu schunest . {\}
Ƿan ich flo niȝtes aft(er) muse . {\}
I mai þe uinde a{+}te ru(n)-huse {="privy". This is a new reading. For discussion of previous readings and argumentation for this one, see Laing 2007=} {\}
Among þe ƿode amo(n)g þe netle . {\}
Þu sittest ⁊ singst bihinde þe secle {=sic=} . {\}
þar me mai þe ilomest finde . {\}
þar men ƿorpeþ{"thrust out"} hore bihinde . {\}
Ȝet þu atuitest me mine mete . {\}
An seist þat ich fule ƿiȝtes ete . {\}
Ac ƿat etestu þat þu ne liȝe . {\}
{=line 600=} Bute att(er)coppe ⁊ fule uliȝe {\}
. An ƿormes ȝif þu miȝte finde . {\}
Among þe uolde of harde rinde . {\}
Ȝet ich can do ƿel gode ƿike . {\}
Vor ich can loki manne ƿike . {\}
An mine ƿike boþ ƿel gode . {\}
Vor ich helpe to manne uode . {\}
Ich can nime(n) mus at berne . {\}
An {=A later hand interlines final D=} ek at chirche ine þe derne . {\}
Vor me is lof to cristes huse {\}
To clansi hit ƿiþ fule muse . {\}
Ne schal þar neure come to . {\}
ful ƿiȝt ȝif ich hit mai {<do<} {=del, subpuncted=} iuo . {\}
An ȝif me lust one mi skentinge . {\}
{~f237va~} To ƿernen oþer ƿnienge . {\}
Ich habbe at ƿude tron ƿel g(r)^ete . {\}
Mit þicke boȝe noþing blete . {\}
Mid iui grene al bi-groƿe . {\}
þat eure stont iliche ibloƿe {\}
An {=A later hand interlines final D=} his hou neu(er) ne{+}uorlost . {\}
Ƿan hit sniuþ {=y is wynn-shaped and dotted but SNIUw cannot be right - an indicative is needed to match FROST below. The J version has the subjunctive SNYWE perhaps adapting from something similar to C's form in the exemplar=} ne ƿan hit frost . {\}
Þar-in ic habbe god ihold . {\}
A ƿint(er) ƿarm a sum(er)e cold . {\}
Ƿane min hus stont briȝt ⁊ grene . {\}
Of þine nis noþing isene . {\}
Ȝet þu me telst{"accuses"} of oþ(er) þinge . {\}
Of mine briddes seist gabbinge . {\}
þat hore nest nis noȝt clene . {\}
Hit is fale oþ(er) ƿiȝte imene . {\}
Vor hors a stable ⁊ oxe a stalle {\}
Boþ {=Error for *DOy Cf. J version=} al þat hom ƿule þar falle . {\}
An lutle children i(n) þe cradele . {\}
Boþe chorles an ek aþele . {\}
Boþ {=Error for *DOy - cf. J version=} al{+}þat i(n) hore ȝoeþe . {\}
Þat hi uorleteþ in hore duȝeþe . {\}
Ƿat can þat ȝongling hit bihede . {\}
Ȝif hit misdeþ {=S is written over something else - perhaps a minim or the first element of R. The J version has MYSKEy here. For full discussion see Laing 2007=} hit mod nede . {\}
A uo>r>bisne {=R interlined above probably by the main scribe=} is of olde iwrne . {\}
Þat {=y is dotted as if for w=} node makeþ old ƿif urne . {\}
An ȝet ich habbe an-oþ(er) andsƿare . {\}
ƿiltu to mine neste uare . {\}
An loki hu hit is idiȝt . {\}
Ȝif þu art ƿis lorni þu miȝst . {\}
Mi nest is holȝ ⁊ rum amidde . {\}
So hit is softest mine bridde . {\}
Hit is broiden al abute . {\}
Vrom þe neste uor ƿiþ-ute . {\}
þarto hi god to hore node . {\}
{~f237vb~} Ac þat þu menest ich hom forbode . {\}
Ƿe nimeþ ȝeme of manne bure . {\}
An aft(er) þan ƿe makeþ ure . {\}
Men habbet among oþ(er) iƿende {="facilities". This is a new reading. For discussion of previous readings and argumentation for this one, see Laing 2007=} . {\}
A ru(n)-hus {=This is a new reading. For discussion of previous readings and argumentation for this one, see Laing 2007=} at hore bures ende . {\}
Vor-þat hi nelleþ to uor go . {\}
An mine briddes doþ al-so . {\}
Site nu stille chaterestre . {\}
Nere þu neu(er) ibunde uastre . {\}
Her-to ne uindestu neu(er) andsƿare . {\}
Hong up þin {=y corrected from something else by erasure and overwriting=} ax nu þu miȝt fare . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged capital thorn of two lines' depth overlapping in the left margin one line above and two further lines below. A guide letter thorn is visible at the top left of the lobe of the large letter=} niȝtingale at þisse ƿorde . {\}
Ƿas ƿel-neȝ {=wAS wEL-NEz written over an erasure. An erased letter is still partially visible after NEz=} ut-of rede iƿorþe . {\}
An þoȝte ȝorne on hire mode . {\}
Ȝif ho oȝt elles under-stode . {\}
Ȝif ho kuþe oȝt bute singe . {\}
þat miȝte helpe to oþer þinge . {\}
Herto ho moste andsƿere uinde . {\}
Oþ(er) mid-alle bon bi-hinde . {\}
An hit is suþe strong to fiȝte {\}
Aȝen soþ ⁊ aȝen riȝte . {\}
He mot gon to al mid ginne . {\}
Ƿan þe horte boþ on þinne {="in straits, having a thin time?", see Stanley (1960). The first letter is clearly thorn-like but could of course be read wynn in this hand. This is what the editors, including Stanley, in fact do. The translation would then be something like "when the heart is in strife, agitated". Against this reading is the Jesus reading which is also yINNE. The J-scribe does not use a separate wynn rune but on the few occasions when he fails to alter exemplar wynn to W he adopts a Y-shaped dotted character not a thorn. This suggests that the exemplar had clear thorn not wynn. In these circumstances I take it the C-scribe who was a literatim copyist intended the sequence yINNE here=} . {\}
An þe man mot on oþer segge . {\}
He mot bi-hemmen ⁊ bilegge . {\}
Ȝif muþ ƿiþute mai bi-ƿro . {\}
þat me þe horte noȝt niso . {\}
An sone mai a ƿord mis-reke . {\}
þar muþ shal aȝen horte speke . {\}
An sone mai a ƿord mis-storte . {\}
þar muþ shal speken aȝen horte . {\}
Ac noþeles {=y corrected from z by overwriting=} ȝut {=z corrected by overwriting from some other letter probably T. It seems likely that there was a difficulty in the exemplar here. J has NOyELES y HYET. The redundant y has a little stroke after it. It is difficult to imagine what exemplar form(s) could have given rise to the different responses in C and J but it seems clear that the exemplar had at least occasional thorn/yogh interchange=} upe þon{"in this situation"} . {\}
Her is to red ƿo hine kon . {\}
vor neu(er) nis ƿit so kene . {\}
{~238ra~} So ƿane {=wynn is undotted and should perhaps therefore be read as thorn=} red him is a ƿene{"in doubt"} . {\}
Þanne erest kumed his ȝephede . {\}
ƿone hit is alremest on drede . {\}
For aluered seide of olde quide . {\}
An {<sut<} {=del, subpuncted=} ȝut hit nis of horte islide . {\}
ƿone þe bale is alrehecst . {\}
{=line 700=} þanne is {=IS corrected from NIS by erasure of first minim of N alteration of I to long S and erasure of final S=} þe bote alre-necst . {\}
Vor ƿit ƿest among his sore . {\}
An for his sore hit is þe more . {\}
vor-þi nis neu(er)e mon redles . {\}
Ar his horte bo ƿitles . {\}
Ac ȝif-þat he forlost his ƿit . {\}
þonne is his red-purs al{+}to-slit {=This form suggests that the original strong verb may by this stage have become weak. The MS reading is clearly divided ALTO SLIT (the J version is divided evenly AL TO SLIT). In the light of the C version, it might seem more logical therefore to tag this phrase "alltoo slit". But the C scribe very frequently runs adverbial "to" together with the following word or morph and adverbial "alltoo" seems never to be used with verbal forms, even past participles functioning as adjectives. So here I follow all previous editors in assuming the past participle to be from OE tosli:tan "tear asunder" rather than the simplex sli:tan=} {\}
Ȝif he ne kon his ƿit at-holde . {\}
Ne uint he red i{+}none uolde . {\}
Vor Aluid seide þat ƿel kuþe . {\}
Eure he spac mid soþe muþe . {\}
ƿone þe bale is alre-hecst . {\}
þanne is þe bote alrenest . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged capital thorn of two lines' depth overlapping in the left margin one line above and two further lines below. A guide letter thorn is partially visible at the top left of the lobe of the large letter=} niȝtingale al hire hoȝe {\}
Mid rede hadde ƿel bitoȝe . {\}
Among þe harde amo(n)g þe toȝte . {\}
Ful ƿel mid rede hire bi-þoȝte . {\}
An hadde andsuere gode ifunde . {\}
Among al hire harde stunde . {\}
>h>ule {MS has *NULE with the enlarged capital N taking up two lines' depth.} {The rubicator was clearly in error here mistaking a badly-formed guide} {letter H (still visible inside the *N) for N. Correct H is here} {supplied from the guide} letter=} þu axest me ho seide . {\}
Ȝif ich kon eni oþer dede . {\}
Bute singen in sume {=Almost certainly an error for "summer" with suspension for <er> omitted after M. But the same error is found in the J version so must have been in the exemplar and read as "some" by both scribes=} tide . {\}
An bringe blisse for ⁊ ƿide . {\}
Ƿi axestu of craftes mine . {\}
Betere is min on þan alle þine . {\}
Bet(er)e is o song os {=sic=} mine muþe . {\}
Þan al þat eure þi kun kuþe . {\}
An lust ich telle þe ƿareuore . {\}
{~f238rb~} Ƿostu to ƿan man ƿas ibore . {\}
To þare blisse of houene riche {\}
Þar eu(er) is song ⁊ murȝþe iliche . {\}
Þid(er) fundeþ eurich man . {\}
Þat eniþing of gode kan . {\}
Vor-þi me singþ in holi chirche . {\}
An clerkes ginneþ songes ƿirche . {\}
Þat man iþenche bi þe songe . {\}
Ƿid(er) he shal ⁊ þar bon longe . {\}
Þat he þe murȝþe ne uorȝete . {\}
Ac þar-of þenche ⁊ bi-ȝete . {\}
An nime ȝeme of chirche steuene . {\}
Hu murie is þe blisse of houene . {\}
Clerkes munekes ⁊ kanunes . {\}
Þar boþ þos gode ƿicke-tunes . {\}
Ariseþ up to midel-niȝte . {\}
An singeþ of þe houene liȝte . {\}
An prostes upe londe singeþ . {\}
Ƿane þe liȝt of daie springeþ . {\}
An ich hom helpe ƿat i{+}mai {\}
Ich singe mid hom niȝt ⁊ dai . {\}
An ho boþ alle for me þe gladdere . {\}
An to þe songe boþ þe raddere . {\}
Ich ƿarni men to here gode . {\}
Þat hi bon bliþe on hore mode . {\}
An bidde þat hi moten iseche . {\}
Þan-ilke song þat eu(er) is eche . {\}
Nu þu miȝt hule sitte ⁊ clinge . {\}
Her-among nis no chat(er)inge . {\}
Ich graunti þat ƿe {=Wynn is thorn-shaped and undotted=} go to dome . {\}
To-fore þe sulfe þe pope of rome . {\}
Ac abid ȝete noþeles . {\}
þu shalt ihere an-oþer ƿes {=This means "rush, onslaught, blast". It is a new reading (see Laing (2001:108-117). Cartlidge (2001:122) does not accept the reading from a prepublication suggestion, but had not seen the published argument. In my opinion, however, this makes better sense than Stanley's and Cartlidge's reading, yES "of this", which is the more suspect as the J scribe had difficulty with whatever was in the exemplar and failed to produce a reading at all here. A later scribe substituted BLES "blast". The first letter is wynn-shaped but undotted so could be read wynn or thorn=} . {\}
Ne shaltu for engelonde . {\}
{~f238va~} At þisse ƿorde me at-stonde . {\}
Ƿi atuitestu me mine unstrengþe . {\}
An mine ungrete ⁊ mine unlengþe . {\}
An seist þat ich nam noȝt strong . {\}
Vor ich nam noþ(er) gret ne long . {\}
Ac þu nost neu(er) ƿat þu menst {\}
Bute lese ƿordes þu me lenst . {\}
For ich kan crast {=sic=} ⁊ ich kan liste . {\}
An ƿareuore ich am þus þriste . {\}
Ich kan ƿit ⁊ song manieine . {\}
Ne triste ich to non oþ(er) maine . {\}
Vor soþ hit is þat seide alured . {\}
Ne mai no strengþe aȝen red . {\}
Oft spet ƿel a{+}lute liste . {\}
Þar muche strengþe sholde miste {=This is the only recorded example of this word with medial T it is needed for a true rhyme, but presumably was an allowable variant=} . {\}
Mid lutle strengþe þurȝ ginne . {\}
Castel ⁊ burȝ me mai iƿinne . {\}
Mid liste me mai ƿalle felle . {\}
An ƿorpe of horsse kniȝtes snelle . {\}
Vuel strengþe is lutel ƿurþ . {\}
Ac ƿisdom {[is never worthless. \ You may see by everything \ That wisdom[} {=Two lines missing by haplography - sense supplied from the J version=} naueþ non eueni(n)g . {\}
An hors is strengur þan a{+}mon . {\}
Ac for hit non iƿit ne {<gon<} {=del, subpuncted=} kon . {\}
Hit berþ on rugge grete semes . {\}
An draȝþ bi-uore {=Error for BI SwORE? See J version=} grete temes . {\}
An þoleþ boþe ȝerd ⁊ spure . {\}
An stont iteid at mulne dure {\}
An hit deþ þat mon hit hot . {\}
An for-þan-þat hit no ƿit not . {\}
Ne mai his strenþe hit ishilde . {\}
Þat hit n{+}abuȝþ þe lutle childe . {\}
Mon deþ mid strengþe ⁊ mid ƿitte . {\}
Þat oþ(er) þing nis non his fitte . {\}
þeȝ alle strengþe at one ƿere . {\}
{~f238vb~} Monnes ƿit {=wIT written over erasure=} ȝet more ƿere . {\}
Vor þe mon mid his crafte . {\}
Ou(er)kumeþ al orþliche shafte . {\}
Also ich do mid mine one songe . {\}
Bet þan þu al þe ȝer longe . {\}
Vor mine crafte men me luuieþ . {\}
Vor þine strengþe men þe shunieþ . {\}
Telstu bi me þe ƿurs for-þan . {\}
þat ich bute anne craft ne >k>an {=MS GAN with G changed to K, probably by the main scribe, by erasure and alteration the lower lobe of G to the bottom of the ascender and limb of K and by addition of the top of K=} . {\}
Ȝif tueie men goþ to ƿraslinge . {\}
An eiþ(er) oþ(er) faste þringe . {\}
An þe-on can sƿenges suþe fele . {\}
An kan his ƿrenches ƿel for-hele . {\}
An þe-oþ(er) ne can sƿeng but anne . {\}
{=line 800=} An þe is god ƿiþ eche manne . {\}
An mid þon one leiþ to grunde . {\}
Anne aft(er) oþ(er) a{+}lutle stunde . {\}
Þat þarf {=Thorn is dotted as for wynn=} he recche of a mo{+}sƿenge . {\}
Ƿone {=Or read *yONE - the first letter is thorn-shaped and undotted. J has HWENNE however=} þe-on him is sƿo genge . {\}
Þe {=sic=} seist þat þu canst fele ƿike . {\}
Ac eu(er) ich am þin unilike . {\}
Do þine craftes alle togadere . {\}
Ȝet is min on horte{"at heart, fundamentally"} betere . {\}
Oft ƿan {=Or read yAN - the first letter is undotted and thorn-shaped=} hundes foxes driueþ . {\}
Þe kat ful ƿel him-sulue liueþ{"trust, believe in"} . {\}
Þeȝ he ne kunne ƿrench bute anne . {\}
Þe for {=sic - error for FOX. J version also has FOR. The mistake probably arises from the fact that in some formal scripts the first element of X is identical to that of R and the second stroke, crossing the first obliquely from top right to bottom left, can also be identical at its top end to the limb of R. If the cross-stroke is kept short, without an extravagant descender, the two figurae can look very similar indeed. It is interesting that in the case of FOR for "fox" both the J and the C scribe substituted 2-shaped R, usual in their scripts after O, for what is likely to have been X mistaken for the straight short R used in other contexts=} so godne ne can nanne . {\}
Þe he kunne so uele ƿrenche . {\}
Þat he ƿenþ eche hunde at-p(r)^enche . {\}
Vor he can paþes riȝte ⁊ ƿoȝe {=wO written over an erasure, wynn replacing what looks like yogh. This may be another indication of the equivalence in the exemplar of the figurae of thorn/wynn and yogh=} . {\}
An he kan hongi bi{+}þe boȝe . {\}
An so forlost þe hund his fore . {\}
An turnþ aȝen eft to þan more . {\}
þe uox kan crope bi þe heie . {\}
{~f239ra~} An turne ut from his forme ƿeie . {\}
An eft-sone kume þarto . {\}
Þonne is þe hundes smel fordo . {\}
He not þurs þe imeinde smak . {\}
Ƿeþ(er) he shal auorþ þe >a>bak {=A interlined above by main scribe=} . {\}
Ȝif þe uox mist of al þis dƿole . {\}
At þan ende he cropþ to hole . {\}
Ac naþeles mid alle his ƿrenche . {\}
Ne kan he hine so bi-þenche . {\}
Þeȝ he bo ȝep an suþe snel . {\}
Þat he ne lost his rede uel . {\}
Þe cat ne {=T of CAT and NE perhaps written on an erasure. There are signs of bleeding of the letters. It is perhaps because of this that Cartlidge (2001:124 that the T of CAT is a correction from X. But the stroke apparently coming off the bottom of T is going in the wrong direction for it to have been the trailing cross-stroke of a mistakenly written X. It is in fact one of two otiose hairlines on the abbreviation for <er> on *NOyer in the line below=} kan ƿrench bute anne . {\}
Noþ(er) bi dune ne bi uenne . {\}
Bute he kan climbe suþe ƿel . {\}
Þarmid he ƿereþ his greie uel . {\}
Al-so ich segge bi mi-solue . {\}
Betere {=*B corrected from *D by overwriting. The C scribe seems to find *B and *D in the exemplar hard to distinguish (see other confusions above)=} is min on þan þine tƿelue . {\}
ABid {=Enlarged capital *A taking up two lines' depth. Guideline A is partially visible in the top portion of the capital=} abid þe ule seide . {\}
Þu gest al to{"go to work entirely"} mid sƿikelede . {\}
Alle þine ƿordes þu bileist . {\}
Þat hit þinkþ soþ þat þu seist . {\}
Alle þine ƿordes boþ isliked . {\}
An so bisemed and biliked . {\}
Þat alle þo-þat hi auoþ . {\}
Hi ƿeneþ þat þu segge soþ . {\}
Abid abid me shal þe ȝene . {\}
Þu {=error for NU or yO?=} hit shal ƿrþe ƿel isene . {\}
Þat þu hauest muchel iloȝe . {\}
Ƿone þi lesing boþ unƿroȝe . {\}
Þu seist þat þu singist manku(n)ne . {\}
⁊ techest hom þat hi fundieþ ho(n)ne . {\}
Vp to þe songe þat eure ilest . {\}
Ac hit is alre ƿnder mest . {\}
Þat þu darst liȝe so opeliche . {\}
{~f239rb~} Ƿenest þu hi bringe so liȝtliche . {\}
To godes riche al singinge . {\}
Nai Nai hi shulle ƿel auinde . {\}
Þat hi mid longe ƿope mote . {\}
Of hore sunne(n) bidde bote {\}
Ar hi mote eu(er) kume þare . {\}
Ich rede þi þat men bo ȝare . {\}
An more ƿepe þane singe . {\}
Þat fundeþ to þan houen-kinge . {\}
Vor nis no-man ƿit-ute sunne . {\}
Vor-þi he mot ar he ƿende honne . {\}
Mid teres an mid ƿope bete . {\}
Þat him bo sur þat er ƿas sƿete . {\}
Þar-to ich helpe god hit ƿot {\}
Ne singe ih hom no foliot . {\}
For al me {<a<} {=del, subpuncted before SONG=} song is of longinge . {\}
An imend sumdel mid ƿoninge . {\}
Þat mon bi{"by means of"} me hine biþenche . {\}
Þat he groni for his unƿrenche . {\}
Mid mine songe ich hi-ne pulte{"assail"} . {\}
Þat {<g<} {=del, subpuncted before HE=} he groni for his gulte . {\}
Ȝif þu gest her-of to disputinge . {\}
Ich ƿepe bet þane þu singe . {\}
Ȝif riȝt goþ forþ {=y corrected by overwriting from some other letter=} ⁊ abak ƿrong . {\}
Bet(er)e is mi ƿop þane þi song . {\}
Þeȝ sume men bo þurȝut gode . {\}
An þurȝut clene on hore mode . {\}
Hon {=sic=} longeþ honne noþeles . {\}
Þat boþ her ƿo is hom þes . {\}
Vor þeȝ hi bon hom-solue iborȝe . {\}
Hi ne soþ her noƿiȝt {=O corrected from ?E=} bote sorƿe {\}
Vor oþ(er) men hi ƿepeþ sore . {\}
An for hom biddeþ cristes ore . {\}
Ich helpe monne on eiþ(er) halue . {\}
{~f239va~} Mi{+}muþ haueþ tƿeire ku(n)ne salue . {\}
Þan gode ich fulste to longinge . {\}
Vor ƿan {=Or read yAN the initial letter is undotted=} hin longeþ ich him singe . {\}
An þan sunfulle ich helpe alsƿo {=MS originally ALSO with O changed to w the main scribe, by erasure of the top of the letter and addition of a dot above and a descender below. The scribe then wrote a second O over the original punctus and added another punctus=} . {\}
Vor ich him teche ƿare is ƿo . {\}
Ȝet ich þe ȝene in oþ(er) ƿise . {\}
Vor ƿane {=Or read yANE - the initial letter is undotted=} þu sittest on þine rise . {\}
Þu draȝst men to fleses luste . {\}
Þat ƿlleþ þine songes luste . {\}
Al þu forlost þe murȝþe of houene {\}
For þarto neuestu none steuene . {\}
Al þat þu singst is of golnesse . {\}
{=line 900=} for nis on þe non holinesse . {\}
{=End of language A1. Language B1 takes over until f240ra line 6=} {=Beginning of language A2=} {~f240ra line 6~} {=line 961=} Ƿenstu þat uise men forlete . {\}
For fule venne þe riȝtte strete . {\}
Ne sunne þe later shine . {\}
Þeȝ hit bo ful ine nest þine . {\}
Sholde ich for one hole brede {="hollow board", i.e. "privy"=} . {\}
For-lete mine riȝte st>e>de {=MS STUDE with U subpuncted and E interlined above=} . {\}
Þat ich ne singe bi þe bedde . {\}
Þar louerd haueþ his loue ibedde . {\}
Hit is mi riȝt hit is mi laȝe . {\}
Þar to þe herst {=Error for HEXST. Cf J's reading HEXSTE=} ich me draȝe . {\}
Ac ȝet þu ȝelpst of þine songe . {\}
Þat þu canst ȝolle ƿroþe ⁊ st(r)^onge . {\}
An seist þu uisest mankunne . {\}
Þat hi bi-ƿepen hore sunne . {\}
Solde euch mon wonie ⁊ grede . {\}
Riȝt suich hi ƿeren {*sj context*} un-lede . {\}
Solde hi ȝollen al-so þu dest . {\}
Hi miȝte o-feren here brost {=This must mean something like "They would strike fear into their own breasts". It is an unparelleled use of the word "breast". J has PREOST, which suggests that the reference above to folk bewailing their sings is to be connected to confession. Combined with the reference to singing in church below "priest" is perhaps the preferable reading. We might conjecture either that the C scribe misread the exemplar here or that the J scribe corrected an earlier error=} . {\}
Man schal bo stille ⁊ noȝt grede . {\}
He mot bi-ƿepe his misdede . {\}
Ac þar{+}is cristes heriinge . {\}
Þar me shal grede ⁊ lude singe . {\}
Nis noþ(er) to lud ne to long {\}
At riȝte {=I corrected from O by erasure of right hand bow of O and yogh written over the erased portion=} time chirche-song {=E erased after SONG=} {\}
Þu ȝolst ⁊ ƿones ⁊ ich singe . {\}
Þi steuene is ƿop ⁊ min skentinge . {\}
Eu(er) mote þu ȝolle ⁊ ƿepen . {\}
Þat þu þi lif mote for-leten . {\}
An ȝollen mote þu so heȝe . {\}
{~f240rb~} Þat ut-berste bo þin {=y corrected from z by overwriting. Cartlidge (2001:126) suggests that the correction is from zIM to yIN. But this assumes that the C scribe does not correct as he goes along whereas I think that the evidence shows that he often does so, noticing his mistake straight away before he has finished writing the word. This is another example that suggests the exemplar scribe had litteral equivalence of thorn/wynn and yogh. I believe the C scribe saw zIN and copied it literatim, realised that in his system this produced a non-word, recognised the yogh/thorn interchange, overwrote yogh and the first minim with thorn and then added the necessary extra minim to produce yIN before copying the next word=} eȝe . {\}
Ƿeþ(er) is bet(er)e of tƿere tƿom{"of two alternatives?"} . {\}
Þat mon bo bliþe oþer grom . {\}
So bo hit eu(er) in unk(er) siþe . {\}
Þat þu bo sori ⁊ ich bliþe . {\}
Ȝut þu aisheist {=sic=} ƿi ich ne fare . {\}
In-to oþ(er) londe ⁊ singe þare . {\}
No ƿat sholde ich among hom do . {\}
þar neu(er) blisse ne com to . {\}
þat lond nis god ne hit nis este . {\}
{=line 1000=} Ac ƿildernisse hit is ⁊ ƿeste . {\}
Knarres ⁊ cludes houentinge . {\}
Snou ⁊ haȝel hom is genge . {\}
Þat lond is grislich ⁊ unuele . {\}
Þe men boþ ƿilde ⁊ unisele . {\}
Hi nabbeþ noþ(er) griþ ne sibbe . {\}
Hi ne reccheþ hu hi libbe . {\}
Hi eteþ fihs an flehs un-sode . {\}
Suich ƿulues hit hadde to-brode . {\}
Hi drinkeþ milc ⁊ ƿei þar-to . {\}
Hi nute elles ƿat hi do . {\}
Hi nabbeþ noþ {=<er> suspension omitted=} ƿin ne bor . {\}
Ac libbeþ also ƿilde dor . {\}
Hi goþ bitiȝt mid ruȝe uelle . {\}
Riȝt suich hi comen {*sj context*} ut-of helle . {\}
Þeȝ eni god man to hom come . {\}
So ƿile dude sum from rome . {\}
For hom to lere gode þeƿes . {\}
An for-to leten hore unþeƿes . {\}
He miȝte bet sitte stille . {\}
Vor al his ƿile he sholde spille . {\}
He miȝte bet teche ane bore . {\}
To ƿeȝe{"bear, carry"} boþe sheld ⁊ spere . {\}
Þan me þat ƿilde folc ibringe . {\}
{~f240va~} Þat hi me segge {=J's version does not have this word. It makes no sense here and may represent an error in the exemplar (whether corrected or not) that the C scribe has inadvertently carried over=} ƿolde ihere singe . {\}
Ƿat sol {=sic=} ich þar mid mine songe . {\}
Ne sunge ich hom neu(er) so longe . {\}
Mi song ƿere ispild ech-del . {\}
For hom ne mai halt(er) ne bridel . {\}
Bringe vrom hore ƿude ƿise . {\}
Ne mon mid stele {=MS STELLE with first L subpuncted=} ne mid ire {=This may originally have been ISE to make a true rhyme with wISE. Both C and J versions, however, have IRE=} . {\}
Ac ƿar long {=sic=} is boþe este ⁊ god . {\}
An þar men habbeþ milde mod . {\}
Ich noti mid hom mine þrote . {\}
Vor ich mai do þar gode note . {\}
An bringe hom loue tiþinge . {\}
Vor ich of chirche-songe singe . {\}
Hit ƿas iseid in olde laȝe {\}
An ȝet ilast þilke soþ-saȝe . {\}
þat man shal erien an soƿe . {\}
þar he ƿenþ aft(er) su(m) god moƿe . {\}
For he is ƿod þat soƿeþ his sed . {\}
þar neu(er) gras ne sp(r)ⁱnþ ne bled . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged capital thorn of two lines' depth overlapping in the left margin one line above and two further lines below. No guide letter thorn is visible=} hule ƿas ƿroþ to cheste rad . {\}
Mid þisse ƿorde hire eȝen abrad . {\}
Þu seist þu ƿitest manne bures . {\}
Þar leues boþ ⁊ faire flores . {\}
Þar tƿo iloue in one bedde . {\}
Liggeþ biclop ⁊ ƿel bihedde . {\}
Enes þu sunge ic ƿod ƿel ƿare . {\}
Bi one bure ⁊ ƿoldest lere . {\}
Þe lefdi to an uuel luue . {\}
An sunge boþe loȝe ⁊ buue . {\}
An lerdest hi to don shome . {\}
An vnriȝt of hire licome . {\}
Þe lou(er)d þat sone und(er)ȝat . {\}
Liim ⁊ grineþ {=sic - J's version has GRINE &. The thorn here is most likely to be a misreading of the Tironian sign in the exemplar=} ƿel eiƿat . {\}
Sette ⁊ ledde {=sic - error for "laid"? Cf. J LEYDE=} þe forto lacche . {\}
{~f240vb~} Þu come sone to þan hacche . {\}
Þu ƿere in-ume in one g(r)ⁱne . {\}
Al hit aboȝte þine shine . {\}
Þu naddest non oþ(er) dom ne laȝe . {\}
Bute mid ƿilde horse ƿere to-draȝe . {\}
Vonde ȝif þu miȝt eft mis-rede . {\}
Ƿaþ(er) þu ƿult ƿif þe maide . {\}
þi song mai bo so longe genge . {\}
Þat þu shalt ƿippen on a sprenge . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged capital thorn of two lines' depth overlapping in the left margin one line above and two further lines below. A guide letter thorn is partially visible at the top left of the lobe of the large letter=} niȝtingale at þisse ƿorde . {\}
Mid sƿorde an mid sp(er)es orde . {\}
Ȝif ho mon ƿere ƿolde fiȝte . {\}
Ac þo ho bet do ne mi>ȝ>te {=MS originally MITTE with an attempt to correct the first T to yogh by overwriting. Then the yogh is interlined above by the main scribe=} . {\}
Ho uaȝt mid hire ƿise tunge . {\}
ƿel fiȝt þat ƿel specþ seiþ in þe so(n)ge . {\}
Of hire tunge ho nom red . {\}
Ƿel fiȝt þat ƿel specþ seide alured . {\}
Þat {=Enlarged capital thorn of two lines' depth overlapping in the left margin one line above and two further lines below. No guide letter is visible=} seistu þis for mine shome . {\}
Þe lou(er)d hadde herof g(r)^ame . {\}
He ƿas so gelus of his ƿiue . {\}
Þat he ne miȝte for his liue . {\}
Iso þat man ƿiþ hire speke . {\}
Þat his horte nolde breke . {\}
He hire bileck in one bure . {\}
Þat hire ƿas boþe stronge ⁊ sure . {\}
Ich hadde of hire milse an ore . {\}
An sori ƿas for hire sore . {\}
An skente hi mid mine songe . {\}
Al þat ich miȝte raþe an longe . {\}
Vor-þan þe kinȝt {=sic - there is clear differentiation by serifs of the first two minims and clear linkage of the second two. Cf the word IN in the line below. There is also an oblique stroke on the first minim. The stroke seems to have been made twice, once almost vertical hitting the descender of yogh above it and then repeated somewhat to the right but still clearly pointing at the first minim not at the second and certainly avoiding the third. All editors simply read KNIzT, but the KINzT spelling is clear and moreover is almost certainly a genuine form not an error. Cf. similar spellings (presumably implying metathesis perhaps via an epenthetic vowel between [k] and [n]) in Layamon A hand B, the Caius version of AR and the Lambeth Homilies. Also see MED s.v. knight n. for many other citations, and for full discussion see Laing & Lass (2005). These spellings may indeed have been commoner still, but have been disguised by the fact that in many scripts <ni> and <in> are virtually indistinguishable so that there are few unequivocal <in> readings in this or other <kni-> words and editors have therefore been less likely to notice those there are. Note, for instance, in Havelok for "knight(s)" four examples of KINCTES, two each of KINTH and KINCTH and one each of KINCT and KINTHES=} ƿas ƿiþ me ƿroþ . {\}
Vor riȝte niþe ich ƿas him loþ . {\}
He dude me his oȝene shome . {\}
Ac al him turnde it to grome . {\}
þat underþat {=thorn for yogh. cf. yogh for thorn in e.g. SOzE=} þe king henri . {\}
{~f241ra~} Iesus his soule do merci . {\}
He let for-bonne þene kinȝt {=sic - see above. This example is even clearer than the previous one with the oblique stroke on the first minim quite obvious, whereas in the previous example the stroke is shorter to avoid hitting the hairline from the descender above it=} {\}
þat hadde idon so muchel unriȝt . {\}
Ine so gode kinges londe . {\}
vor riȝte niþe ⁊ for fule onde . {\}
Let þane lutle fuȝel {=z corrected from some other letter - probably C or E, by erasure and overwriting=} nime . {\}
An him fordeme lif an lime . {\}
Hit ƿas ƿrþsipe al mine kunne . {\}
{=line 1100=} For-þon þe kinȝt {=sic - see above. Here the reading is based only on the shape of the minims, there being no clearly intended stroke on any of them, though there is a slight extension visible on the first. This example could reasonably be read KNIzT, however, whereas the previous two cannot=} forles his ƿunne . {\}
An ȝaf for me an-hundred punde . {\}
An mine briddes sete(n) isunde . {\}
An hadde soþþe blisse ⁊ hiȝte . {\}
An ƿere bliþe ⁊ ƿel miȝte . {\}
Vor-þon ich ƿas so ƿel aƿreke {\}
Eu(er)-eft ich dart {=sic=} þe bet speke . {\}
Vor hit bitidde ene sƿo . {\}
Ich am þe bliþur eu(er)-mo . {\}
Nu ich mai singe ƿar ich ƿulle . {\}
Ne dar me neu(er)-eft mon agrulle . {\}
Ac þu eremig þu ƿrecche gost . {\}
Þu ne canst finde ne þu nost . {\}
An holȝ stok þar þu þe miȝt hude . {\}
Þat me ne tƿengeþ þine hude . {\}
Vor children g(r)^omes heme ⁊ hine {\}
Hi þencheþ alle of þire pine . {\}
Ȝif hi muȝe iso þe sitte {\}
Stones hi doþ in hore slitte{"pockets"} . {\}
An þe to-torued ⁊ to-heneþ . {\}
An þine fule bon to-sheneþ . {\}
Ȝif þu art iƿorpe oþ(er) ishote . {\}
Þanne þu miȝt erest to note . {\}
Vor me{+}þe hoþ in one rodde . {\}
An þu mid þine fule codde . {\}
An mid þine ateliche spore {=sic - most likely, given the J version's SWEORE, and subsequent rhyme with DORE from OE de:or, that this is a misreading of SwORE by the C scribe. But MED, following Wells, suggests "claw" from OE spura, spora "spur". Admittedly this would go better with ATELICHE (it is not apparent why the owl's neck should be thought "terrible", but the lack of true rhyme if this reading were adopted remains a sticking point=} . {\}
{~f241rb~} Biƿerest manne corn urom dore . {\}
Nis noþ(er) noȝt þi lif ne þi blod . {\}
Ac þu art shueles suþe god . {\}
þar noƿe sedes boþ isoƿe . {\}
Pinnuc . goldfinc . rok . ne croƿe . {\}
Ne dar þar neu(er) cumen ihende . {\}
Ȝif þi buc hongeþ at þan ende . {\}
Þar tron shulle a ȝere bloƿe . {\}
An ȝunge sedes springe ⁊ groƿe . {\}
Ne dar no fuȝel {=Another example of the C scribe correcting a word as he writes. He first copied FUEzL, then subpuncted the E and wrote EL with the E over the first L to create the desired FUzEL=} þar-to uonge . {\}
Ȝif þu art þar-ou(er) ihonge . {\}
Þi lif is eure luþ(er) ⁊ qued . {\}
Þu nard noȝt bute ded . {\}
Nu þu miȝt ƿite sik~liche {=The usual abbreviation for <er> - a hook above the preceding letter - is not here used. Instead an oblique stroke is drawn through the limb of K=} . {\}
Þat þine leches boþ grisliche . {\}
Þe-ƿile þu art on lifdaȝe . {\}
Vor ƿane þu hongest islaȝe . {\}
Ȝut hi boþ {=Corrected from BDy by erasure=} of þe ofdradde . {\}
Þe fuȝeles þat þe er bigradde . {\}
Mid riȝte men boþ ƿiþ{+}þe ƿroþe . {\}
For þu singist eu(er) of hore loþe . {\}
Al þat þu singst raþe oþ(er) late . {\}
Hit is eu(er) of manne unƿate . {\}
Ƿane þu hauest a-niȝt igrad . {\}
Men boþ of þe ƿel sore of-drad . {\}
Þu singst þar su(m)-man shal be ded . {\}
Euer þu bodest sumne qued . {\}
Þu singst aȝen eiȝte lure . {\}
Oþer of summe frondes rure . {\}
Oþer þu bodes huses brune . {\}
Oþ(er) ferde of manne oþer þoues rune {=Literally "running"; "hue and cry"? Cartlidge (2001:128) argues for semantic reasons that this is from OE ru:n "secret consultation". It would not give a historically pure rhyme and is perhaps not sufficiently an improvement in sense to adopt here=} . {\}
Oþ(er) þu bodest cualm of oreue . {\}
Oþ(er) þat londfolc ƿurþ idorue . {\}
Oþ(er) þat ƿif lost hire make {\}
{~f241va~} Oþ(er) þu bodest cheste an sake . {\}
Eu(er) þu singist of manne hareme . {\}
Þurȝ {=MS original *ME at start of line, altered to *yU of *yURz by overwriting=} þe hi boþ sori ⁊ areme . {\}
Þu ne singst neu(er) one{+}siþe . {\}
Þat hit nis for sum unsiþe . {\}
Heruore hit is þat me þe{+}suneþ {\}
An þe to-torueþ ⁊ to-buneþ . {\}
Mid staue ⁊ stoone {=In MS looks like STOCNE=} ⁊ turf ⁊ clute . {\}
Þat þu ne miȝt noƿar at-rute . {\}
Dahet eu(er) suich budel in tune . {\}
Þat eu(er) bodeþ unƿreste rune . {\}
An eu(er) bringeþ vuele tiþinge . {\}
An þat eu(er) specþ of vuele þinge . {\}
God-almiȝti ƿrþe him ƿroþ . {\}
{=line 1174=} An al þat ƿerieþ lin-nene cloþ . {\}
{=End of language A2. Language B2 then returns for the rest of the poem=}