{>('Incip(it) alt(er)cacio int(er) filomenam ⁊ Bubonem .'(>} {=ins, in top margin=} {>i>} {=ins, in left margin - a guide letter for the capital=} Ich {=Enlarged illuminated initial *I ascending into the top margin and descending to the left of the next three lines and thence between the initial letters and the following letters of the next four lines. There are further decorative hairline flourishes in the left margin=} wes in one sumere {=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, 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 swiþe dyele hale . {\}
Iherde ich holde grete tale . {\}
An vle and one nyhtegale . {=The two lines above linked with a brace and the second of the two underlined with a broken line=} {\}
þat playd wes . stif . ⁊ starc . ⁊ stro(n)g . {\}
Sum-hwile softe . ⁊ lud among . {\}
And eyþer ayeyn oþer swal . {\}
And let þat vuele mod vt al . {\}
And eyþer seyde of oþres custe . {\}
þat alre wrste þat hi ywuste . {\}
⁊ hure-⁊-hure of oþres songe . {\}
hi holde playding . swiþe stronge . {\}
{>þ>} {=ins, left hand margin, guide letter for the capital=} Þe {=Slightly enlarged initial capital thorn but only taking up one line's depth=} Nihtegale bi-gon þo speke . {\}
In one hurne of one beche . {\}
⁊ sat vp one vayre bowe . {\}
þat were abute blostme ynowe . {\}
In ore vaste þikke hegge . {\}
I-meynd myd spire . ⁊ g(r)^ene segge . {\}
he wes þe gladd(ur) . vor þe ryse . {\}
⁊ song a veole cunne wyse . {\}
Bet þuhte þe drem . þat he were . {\}
of harpe . ⁊ pipe . þan he nere . {\}
Bet þuhte þat heo were ishote . {\}
of harpe ⁊ pipe . þan of þrote . {\}
{>þ>} {=ins, in left hand margin - a guide letter for the capital=} Þo {=Slightly enlarged initial capital thorn but only taking up one line's depth=} stod on old stok . þar-byside . {\}
þar þe vle song hire tyde . {\}
And wes myd ivi al bi-growe . {\}
hit wes þare vle erdingstowe . {\}
{>þ>} {=ins, in left hand margin - a guide letter for the capital=} Þe {=Slightly enlarged initial capital thorn but only taking up one line's depth=} Nihtegale hi iseyh . {\}
⁊ hi biholdeþ . and ouerseyh . {\}
⁊ þuhte wel ful of þare vle . {\}
For me hi halt . lodlich ⁊ fule . {\}
{~f156rb~} vnwyht heo seyde a-wey þu fleo . {\}
Me is þe wurs . þat ich þe iseo . {\}
I-wis for þine wle lete . {\}
wel ofte ich my song fur-lete . {\}
Min heorte atflyhþ . ⁊ falt my tunge . {\}
hwenne þu art to me iþrunge . {\}
Me luste bet speten þane singe . {\}
of þine fule . howelynge {\}
Þeos {=Slightly enlarged initial capital thorn but only taking up one line's depth=} vle abod for hit wes eve . {\}
heo ne myhte no leng bileue . {\}
vor hire heorte wes so gret . {\}
þat wel neyh hire fnast at-set . {\}
⁊ warp a word þar-after longe . {\}
hw þynk þe nu bi Mine songe . {\}
wenestu þat ich ne kunne singe . {\}
þe{"that"} ich ne cunne of wrytelinge . {\}
I-lome þu dest me grome {\}
⁊ seist me boþe teone ⁊ schome . {\}
If ich þe heolde {*sj context*} on myne vote . {\}
So hit bitide þat ich mote . {\}
⁊ þu were {*sj context*} vt-of þine ryse . {\}
þu scholdest singe on-oþer wise . {\}
Þe {=Slightly enlarged initial capital thorn but only taking up one line's depth=} Nihtegale yaf onsware . {\}
If ich me loki wiþ þe bare . {\}
⁊ me schilde ƿit {=wynn is Y-shaped and dotted=} þe bléte . {\}
Ne recche ich nouht of þine þrete . {\}
If ich me holde i(n) myne hegge . {\}
Ne recche ich neuer hwat þu segge . {\}
Ich wot þat þu art vnMilde . {\}
wiþ heom þat ne Muwe fro(m) þe schilde {=MS trimmed close to word end. Punctus either missing or lost=} {\}
And þu tukest wroþe ⁊ vuele {\}
hwar þu myht ouer smale vowele {=Punctus either missing or lost by trimming=} {\}
{~f156va~} vor-þi þu art loþ al fowel-cunne . {\}
⁊ alle heo þe dryueþ heonne . {\}
⁊ þe bi-scrycheþ . ⁊ bi-gredeþ . {\}
⁊ wel narewe þe byledeþ . {\}
⁊ ek forþe þe sulue mose {\}
hire þonkes wolde þe to-tose . {\}
þu art lodlich to bi-holde . {\}
And þu art loþ i(n) monye-volde . {\}
þi body is scort . þi swere is smal . {\}
Gretture is þin heued ne þu al . {\}
Þin eyen beoþ colblake ⁊ brode {=Most of the line above (from EN of EYEN) is written on an erasure=} . {\}
Ryht so hi were(n) {*sj context*} ipeynt myd wod^e . {\}
þu starest so þu wille abyten {\}
Al þat þu myht myd clyure smyte(n) . {\}
þi bile is stif . ⁊ sarp . ⁊ hoked . {\}
Riht-as on ewel þat is croked . {\}
þar-myd þu clechest eu(er) amo(n)g . {\}
And þat is on of þine song . {\}
Ac þu þretest to myne vleysse . {\}
Mid þine cleures woldest me Meysse . {\}
þe were icundere to one frogge . {\}
þat sit at Mulne vnder cogge . {\}
Snayles . Mus . and fule wihte . {\}
Beoþ þine cunde ⁊ þine rihte . {=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 a-day and flyhst a-niht . {\}
þu cuþest þat þu art on vnwiht . {\}
þu art lodlich . ⁊ and vnclene . {\}
Bi þine neste . ich hit mene . {\}
And ek bi þine fule brode . {\}
þu vedest on heo(m) a wel ful vode . {\}
wel wostu þat hi doþ þar-ynne . {\}
hi fuleþ hit vp to þe chynne . {\}
heo sytteþ þar so hi beo bysne . {\}
hwar-bi men seggeþ a vorbysne . {\}
{~f156vb~} Dehaet habbe þat-ilke best . {\}
{=line 100=} þat fuleþ his owe nest . {\}
þat oþer yer a faukun bredde . {\}
his nest . nowiht . wel he ne bihedde . {\}
þar-to þu stele in o day . {\}
⁊ leydest þar-on þi fule ey . {\}
þo hit bycom þat he hayhte . {\}
⁊ of his eyre briddes wrauhte . {\}
heo brouhte his briddes mete . {\}
Biheold his nest iseyh hi ete . {\}
he iseyh bi one halue . {\}
his nest ifuled in þe vt halue . {\}
þe faukun wes wroþ wiþ his bridde . {\}
⁊ lude . yal and sturne chidde . {\}
Seggeþ me hwo haueþ þis i-do . {\}
Eu nas neuer icunde þer-to . {\}
hit wes i-don eu . a loþe custe {\}
Seggeþ me . if ye hit wiste . {\}
þo queþ þat-on . and queþ þat-oþer . {\}
I-wis . hit wes vre owe broþer . {\}
þat yeonde þat haueþ þat grete heued . {\}
way þat he nys þar-of by-reued . {\}
werp hit vt myd þe vyrste . {\}
þet his nekke . him to-berste . {\}
þe faukun leuede his ibridde . {\}
⁊ nom þat fule brid a-mydde . {\}
⁊ warp hym of þan wilde bowe . {\}
þat pie and crowe . hit to-drowe . {\}
þer-by men . seggeþ a by-spel . {\}
þeyh hit ne beo fulliche spel . {\}
Al-so hit is bi þan vngode . {\}
þat is icumen of fule brode . {\}
⁊ is y-meynd wiþ freo monne . {\}
Euer he cuþ . þat he com þenne . {\}
{~f157ra~} þat he com of þan adel eye . {\}
þeyh he a freo neste leye . {\}
þeyh appel trendli from þe treo . {\}
þar he and oþer myde grewe . {\}
þeyh he beo þar-from bicume . {\}
he cuþ hwenene he is icume . {\}
{>þ>} {=ins, in left hand margin - a guide letter for the capital=} Þeos {=Enlarged initial capital thorn taking up two lines' depth=} word ayaf þe nihtegale . {\}
And after þare longe tale . {\}
heo song so lude . ⁊ so scharpe . {\}
Ryht so me g(r)^ulde {*sj context*} . schille harpe . {\}
þeos vle luste þider-ward . {\}
⁊ heold hire eyen neþer-ward . {\}
⁊ sat to-swolle . ⁊ to-bolewe {\}
so heo hedde one frogge i>s>wolwe . {\}
For heo wel wiste . ⁊ was i-war . {\}
þat heo song hire a bysemar . {\}
⁊ naþeles heo yaf ondsware . {\}
hwy neltu fleon i(n)-to bare . {\}
And schewi hweþer vnker beo . {\}
of briht(ur) hewe . of fayrur bleo . {\}
No . þu hauest scharpe clawe . {\}
Ne kepe ich noht þat þu me clawe . {\}
þu hauest clyures swiþe stro(n)ge . {\}
þu twengest þar-mid so doþ a tonge . {\}
þu þoutest so doþ þine ilyche . {\}
Mid fayre worde me biswike . {\}
Ich nolde don þat þu me raddest . {\}
Ich wiste wel þat þu me misraddest . {\}
Schomye þe vor þine vnrede . {\}
vn-wryen is þi swikehede . {\}
Schild þi swikedo(m) fro(m) þe lyhte . {\}
And hud þat wowe a-mo(n)g þe ryhte . {\}
hwanne þu wilt þu vnriht spene . {\}
Loke þat hit ne beo isene . {\}
{~f157rb~} vor swikedom haueþ schome and het[?] {=MS trimmed=} {\}
If hit is ope and vnder-yete . {\}
Ne spedestu nouht mid þin vnwrenche {=Punctus missing or trimmed away=} {\}
For ich am war . and can blenche . {\}
Ne helpeþ noht . þat þu bo . to þriste . {\}
Ich wolde vyhte bet myd liste . {\}
þan þu mid al þine strengþe . {\}
Ich habbe on brede ⁊ ek on lengþe . {\}
Castel god on myne ryse . {\}
wel fyht þat wel flyhþ . seyþ þe wise . {\}
Ac lete {[we[} a-wey þeos cheste . {\}
For suche wordes beoþ vnwreste . {\}
And fo we on . myd rihte dome . {\}
Mid fayre worde . ⁊ myd some . {\}
þeyh we ne beon at on acorde . {\}
we mawe bet myd fayre worde . {\}
wiþ-vte cheste . and bute vyhte . {\}
Playde mid soþe . ⁊ mid ryhte . {\}
⁊ may vr eyþer hwat he wile {*sj context*} . {\}
Mid rihte segge . ⁊ myd skile . {\}
Þo {=Enlarged initial capital thorn taking up two lines' depth=} quaþ þe vle . hwo schal vs seme . {\}
þat cunne ⁊ wille riht vs deme . {\}
Ich wot wel quaþ þe nyhtegale . {\}
Ne þarf þer-of beo no tale . {\}
Mayster Nichol . of guldeuorde . {\}
he is wis . and war . of worde . {\}
he is of worde swyþe glev . {\}
{=This line is offset because the line in the left hand column encroaches on its space. It is separated from that text by a curved line like an opening parenthesis=} And him is loþ eurich vnþeu . {\}
he wot insyht i(n) euche songe . {\}
hwo singeþ wel . hwo singeþ wronge . {\}
And he con schede from þe rihte . {\}
{=This line is offset because the line in the left hand column encroaches on its space. It is separated from that text by a curved line like an opening parenthesis=} þat wowe . þat þuster fro(m) þe lyhte . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged initial capital thorn taking up two lines' depth=} vle . one-hwile hi bihouhte . {\}
{=line 200=} And after-þan þis word up-brouhte . {\}
{~f157va~} Ich graunti wel þa>t> he vs d^eme . {\}
For þeyh he were hwile breme . {\}
⁊ leof hym wre {*sj context*} Nihtingale . {\}
And oþer wyhte gent ⁊ smale . {\}
Ich wot . he is nuþe acoled . {\}
Nis he vor þe nouht afoled . {\}
þat he vor þine olde luue . {\}
Me adun legge . ⁊ þe abuue . {\}
N schaltu . neuer so him queme . {\}
þat he vor þe fals dom deme . {\}
he is nv ripe . ⁊ fastrede . {\}
Ne luste hym nv to non vnred^e . {\}
Nv him ne lust namore pleye . {\}
he wile gon a rihte weye . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged initial capital thorn taking up two lines' depth=} Nihtegale . wes al ware . {\}
heo hedde ileorned . wel ihware . {\}
vle heo seyde seye me soþ . {\}
hwi dostu þat vnwihtes doþ . {\}
þu singest a-nyht ⁊ nouht a-day . {\}
And al þi song is waylaway . {\}
þu miht mid þine songe afere . {\}
Alle þat hereþ þine ibere . {\}
þ scrichest ⁊ yollest to þine fere . {\}
þat hit is gryslich to ihere . {\}
hit þincheþ boþe wise ⁊ snepe . {\}
Nouht þat þu singe . at {=Error for AC yAT?=} þu wepe . {\}
þu flyhst a-nyht and noht a-day . {\}
þar-of ich wundri ⁊ wel may . {\}
For vych þing þat schonyeþ riht . {\}
hit luuyeþ þust(er) ⁊ hateþ lyht . {\}
⁊ euych þing . þat luueþ misded^e . {\}
hi {=MS HIS with S erased=} luueþ þust(er) to his dede . {\}
A wis word þeyh hit beo vnclene . {\}
Is fele monne a muþe imene . {\}
{~f157vb~} For alured king hit seyde . ⁊ wrot . {\}
he schuneþ þat hine ful wot . {\}
Ich wene þat þu dost al-so . {\}
For þu flyhst nyhtes euer-mo . {\}
⁊-oþer þing me is a wene . {\}
þu hauest a-nyht wel bryhte sene . {\}
Bi daye þu art stare-blynd . {\}
þat þu ne syst bouh . of lynd . {\}
a-day þu art blynd oþer bisne . {\}
þar-by men seggeþ a vorbisne . {\}
Riht so hit farþ bi þan vngode . {\}
þat nouht ne isyhþ to {=MS ISYHyTO separated by two strokes above and below. It looks as if the J scribe may have filled in the verb later after leaving a gap (see Cartlidge (2001:113). The Cotton version has SUy here probably from seuen (OF suer), "follow"=} none gode . {\}
⁊ is so ful of vuele wrenche . {\}
þat him ne may no-mon a-prenche . {\}
⁊ con wel þene þustre way . {\}
⁊ þane bryhte lat a-way . {\}
So doþ þat beoþ of þine cunde . {\}
of lihte nabbeþ hi none imunde . {\}
Þeos {=Enlarged initial capital thorn taking up two lines' depth=} vle luste swiþe longe . {\}
⁊ wes of-teoned swiþe stronge . {\}
heo quaþ . þu hattest Nihtegale . {\}
þu Mihtest bet hote galegale . {\}
vor þu hauest to monye tale . {\}
let þine tunge habbe spale . {\}
þu wenest þat þes day beo þin owe . {\}
let me nv habbe myne þrowe . {\}
Beo nv stille ⁊ let me speke . {\}
Ich wile beo of þe awreke . ⁊ lust hw ich con me bi-telle . {\}
Mid rihte soþe wiþ-vte spelle . {\}
þu seyst þat ich me hude a-day . {\}
þar-to ne segge ich nyk no nay . {\}
⁊ lust ich telle hwer-vore . {\}
Al hwi hit is ⁊ hwarevore . {\}
{~f158ra~} Ich habbe bile stif ⁊ strong . {\}
⁊ gode cleures scharp ⁊ longe . {\}
So hit bycumeþ to hauekes cunne . {\}
hit is myn hyhte . ⁊ my ƿnne {=wynn is Y-shaped and dotted=} . {\}
þat ich me drawe to mine cund^e . {\}
Ne may me no-mo(n) þar-for send^e . {\}
on me hit is wel isene . {\}
For rihte cunde ich am so kene . {\}
vor-þi ich am loþ smale vowele . {\}
þat fleoþ bi g(r)^unde ⁊ bi þuuele . {\}
hi me bichirmeþ ⁊ bi-gredeþ . {\}
⁊ heore flockes to me ledeþ . {\}
Me is leof to habbe reste . {\}
And sitte stille in myne neste . {\}
vor nere ich . neu(er) þe betere . {\}
þeyh ich mid changli(n)g and myd{>} {=ins, interlined above because of lack of space in column=} chatere{>} {\}
heo(m) schende {*sj context*} ⁊ myd fule worde . {\}
So herdes doþ oþ(er) Mid sitworde . {\}
Ne lust me wiþ þe screwe(n) chide . {\}
For-þi ich wende fro(m) heom wide . {\}
hit is a wise{+}monne dome . {\}
⁊ hi hit seggeþ wel ilome . {\}
þat me ne chide wiþ þe gidie . {\}
Ne wiþ þan ofne me ne yonie . {\}
At sum syþe herde i telle . {\}
hw alured on his spelle . {\}
loke þat þu ne beo þare . {\}
þar changling beoþ ⁊ cheste vare . {\}
let sottes chide ⁊ forþ þu go . {\}
⁊ ich am wis . ⁊ do al-so . {\}
⁊ yet alured seyde an oþer syd^e . {\}
{=line 300=} A word þat is isprunge wid^e . {\}
þat wiþ þe fule haueþ imene . {\}
Ne cumeþ he neu(er) fro(m) him clene . {\}
{~f158rb~} Wenestu þat hauek beo þe wrse . {\}
þe crowe bi-grede him bi þe m(er)sche {=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 myd heore chyrme . {\}
Riht so hi wille . wiþ hi(m) schirme . {\}
þe hauek foleweþ gode rede . {\}
He flyhþ his wey ⁊ let hi grede . {\}
Þet {=Enlarged initial capital thorn taking up two lines' depth=} þu me seyst of oþer þinge . {\}
⁊ tellest þat ich ne can nouht singe . {\}
Ac al my reorde is wonyng . {\}
And to ihere gryslych þing . {\}
þat nis nouht soþ . ich singe efne . {\}
Mid fulle dreme . ⁊ lude stefne . {\}
þu wenest þat eoch song beo g(r)ⁱslich . {\}
þat þine pipinge nis ilich . {\}
Mi stefne is bold . ⁊ nouht vnorne . {\}
heo is ilich one grete horne . {\}
⁊ þin is iliche one pype . {\}
of one smale weode vnripe . {\}
Ich {[sing[} bet þan þu dest . {\}
þu chaterest so doþ on yris p(re)st . {\}
Ich singe an efne . a ryhte time . {\}
⁊ seþþe hwenne hit is bedtime . {\}
þe þridde syþe a middel-nyhte . {\}
⁊ so ich myne songe adihte . {\}
hwenne ich i-seo arise veorre {\}
oþer day-rewe . oþer day-steorre . {\}
Ic do gód myd myne þrote . {\}
And warny men to heore note . {\}
Ac þu singest alle longe nyht . {\}
From eue þat hit is day-liht . {\}
⁊ euer lesteþ þin o song . {\}
So longe so þe nyht is long . {\}
⁊ eu(er) croweþ þi wrecche crey . {\}
þat he ne swikeþ nyht ne day . {\}
{~f158va~} Mid þine pipinge þu adunest . {\}
þas mo(n)nes eren . þar þu wunest . {\}
⁊ makest þi song . so vnwiht . {\}
þat me ne telleþ . of þe nowiht . {\}
Eurych mureþe may so lo(n)ge leste . {\}
þat heo schal liki wel vnwreste . {\}
for harpe . ⁊ . pipe . ⁊ foweles song . {\}
Mislikeþ . if hit is to long . {\}
Ne beo þe song ne so murie . {\}
þat he ne sal þinche vnmurie . {\}
If he ilesteþ ouer vnwille . {\}
So þu myht þi song aspille . {\}
for hit is soþ Alured hit seyde . {\}
⁊ me hit may i(n) boke rede . {\}
Eurich þing may lesen his godhed^e . {\}
Mid vnmeþe and ouerdede . {\}
Mid este þu þe maist ou(er)-quatie . {\}
⁊ ou(er)-fulle makieþ wlatie . {\}
⁊ eu(er)ich mureþe may a-gon . {\}
If me hit halt euer in on{"without stopping"} . {\}
Bute one þat is godes riche . {\}
þa eu(er) is swete . ⁊ eu(er) iliche . {\}
þeyh þu nyme of þan lepe . {\}
hit is eu(er) ful by hepe . {\}
wund(er) hit is of godes ryche . {\}
þat eu(er) spenþ ⁊ eu(er) is iliche . {\}
Yet {=Enlarged initial capital *Y taking up two lines' depth=} þu me seyst an-oþ(er) schome . {\}
þat ich an {=sic - here the N looks like U. It seems clear that the exemplar had AN or AU here because the C version also has AN though a later hand corrects it there to Am=} on Myne eye lome . {\}
⁊ seyst for-þat ich fleo bi nyhte . {\}
þat ich ne may i-seo bi lyhte . {\}
þu liest . on me hit is isene . {\}
þat ich habbe gode sene . {\}
vor nys no so dym þesternesse . {\}
þat ich eu(er) iseo þe lesse . {\}
þu wenest þat ich ne mwe iseo . {\}
{~f158vb~} vor ich bi daye nouht ne fleo . {\}
þe hare luteþ al day . {\}
Ac noþeles iseo he may . {\}
If hundes eorneþ to him-ward . {\}
he gencheþ swiþe awey-ward . {\}
⁊ hokeþ paþes swiþe narewe . {\}
⁊ haueþ mid him blenches yarewe . {\}
he huphþ ⁊ start . swiþe cove . {\}
⁊ secheþ paþes to þe groue . {\}
Ne scholde he vor bo his eye {\}
so do . if he þe bet ne iseye . {\}
Ich may iseo so wel so on hare . {\}
þeyh ich bi daye sytte {*sj context*} a dare {*sj context*} . {\}
þar auhte men beoþ in worre . {\}
⁊ fareþ boþe neor ⁊ feorre . {\}
⁊ ouer-vareþ veole þeode . {\}
⁊ doþ bi nyhte gode neode . {\}
Ich folewi þane ahte manne . {\}
⁊ fleo bi nyhte i(n) heore barme {=Spoilt rhyme. Cf Cotton version, BANNE - the correct text=} . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged initial capital thorn taking up two lines' depth=} nyhtegale i(n) hire þouhte . {\}
At-heold al þis . ⁊ longe þouhte . {\}
hwat heo þar-after myhte segge . {\}
vor heo ne myhte noht alegge . {\}
þat þe vle hedde hire iseyd . {\}
vor ho spak boþe riht ⁊ red . {\}
⁊ hire ofþuhte þat heo hadde . {\}
þe speche so feor uorþ iladde . {\}
⁊ wes aferd þat hire answare {\}
{=line 400=} Ne wrþe nouht a-riht ivare . {\}
Ac noþeles heo spak boldeliche {\}
vor heo is wis þat hardeliche . {\}
wiþ his fo berþ grete ilete . {\}
hwat{"so that"} he for arehþe hit ne for-lete {\}
vor suych worþ bold if þu flyhst . {\}
þa>t> wile fleo if þu swykst {=This has to be read as "If you cease [to fly]". The Cotton version is similar but has been changed by a corrector to "If you fight". The original intention must have been to contrast flying with standing firm. See Cartlidge (2001) note to line 406 for an assessment of the various possible emendations=} . {\}
{~f159ra~} If he isihþ þat þu art areh . {\}
he wile of bore wurche bareh . {\}
⁊ for-þi . þey{>} {=ins, in right central marked for insertion=} þe{>} nyhtegale . {\}
were a-ferd . heo spak bolde tale . {\}
{>þ>} {=ins, in left hand margin - guide letter for the capital=} Þvle {=Enlarged initial capital thorn taking up two lines' depth=} {=sic - error for HULE. The Cotton version also has *yULE but the guide letter in Cotton is H=} heo seyde . hwi dostu so . {\}
þu singest a wynter wolawo . {\}
þu singest so doþ hen a snowe . {\}
Al þat heo singeþ hit is for wowe . {\}
A wint(r)^e þu singest wroþe ⁊ yom(er)e . {\}
⁊ eu(er) þu art . dumb a sumere . {\}
hit is for þine fule nyþe {\}
þat þu ne myht . myd vs be bliþe . {\}
vor þu forbernest neyh for onde . {\}
hwenne vre blisse cumeþ to lond^e . {\}
þu farest so doþ þe ille . {\}
Euerich blisse him is vnwille . {\}
Grucching . ⁊ . luryng . hi(m) beoþ rade . {\}
If he iseoþ . þat men beoþ glade . {\}
he wolde þat he iseye . {\}
Teres i(n) eu(er)iche monnes eye . {\}
Ne rouhte {*sj context*} þe . þeyh flockes were {*sj context*} . {\}
I-meynd bi toppes . ⁊ bi here . {\}
Also þu dost on þire syde . {\}
For hwanne snouh liþ þikke ⁊ wid^e . {\}
⁊ alle wihtes habbeþ sorewe . {\}
þu singest from eue to amorewe . {\}
Ac ich mid me alle blisse bringe . {\}
Ech wiht is glad . for myne þinge . {\}
⁊ blesseþ hit . hwenne ich cume . {\}
⁊ hihteþ ayeyn myne cume . {\}
þe blostme . gynneþ sp(r)ⁱnge ⁊ sp(r)^ed^e . {\}
Boþe i(n) treo ⁊ ek in mede . {\}
þe lilie myd hire fayre ƿlite {=wynn is Y-shaped and dotted=} . {\}
welcomeþ me þeyh þu hit wite {="though you reproach it [the lily]". The Cotton text has the sense "as you know"=} . {\}
Bid me myd hire fayre bleo . {\}
{~f159rb~} þat ich schulle to hire fleo . {\}
þe rose also myd hire rude . {\}
þat cumeþ of þe þorne-wode . {\}
Bit me þat ich schulle singe . {\}
For hire luue one skentynge . {\}
⁊ ich so do þureh nyht ⁊ day . {\}
þe more ich singe . þe more ich may . {\}
⁊ skente hi myd myne songe . {\}
Ac noþeles . nouht ouer longe . {\}
hwenne ich iseo þat men beoþ glad^e . {\}
Ich nelle þat hi beon to sade . {\}
hwenne is ido for hwan ich com . {\}
Ich vare ayeyn ⁊ do wis-dom . {\}
hwanne mon howieþ of his sheue . {\}
⁊ falewi cumeþ of grene leue . {\}
Ich fare hom ⁊ nyme leue . {\}
Ne recche ich nouht of wynt(r)^es teone . {\}
hwanne ich iseo þat cumeþ þat {=Small hole in parchment=} hard^e . {\}
Ich fare hom to myn erde . {\}
⁊ habbe boþe . luue ⁊ þonk . {\}
þat ich her com . ⁊ hider swonk . {\}
hwanne myn erende is i-do . {\}
Scholde ich bileue . nay hwar-to . {\}
vor he nys noþer yep ne wis . {\}
þat longe abid . þar him no neod is . {\}
Þeos {=Enlarged initial capital thorn taking up two lines' depth=} vle luste ⁊ leyde an hord . {\}
Al þis mot word after word . {\}
And after þouhte hw heo myhte . {\}
onswere vynde best myd rihte . {\}
vor he mot ful wel him biþenche . {\}
þat is aferd of playtes wrenche . {\}
Þv {=Enlarged initial capital thorn taking up two lines' depth=} ayssest me þe vle seyde . {\}
hwi ich a wynt(er) singe ⁊ grede . {\}
hit is gode{+}monne ywune . {\}
⁊ was from þe worlde frume . {\}
{~f159va~} þat ech god mo(n) his frend iknow^e {=This is an unusual adaptation of the usual superscript E following D and joined by biting to the back of D. Here it is joined to the top of the second long stroke of W=} . {\}
⁊ blissi myd heom sume þrow^e {=For superscript E here see the description above=} . {\}
In his huse at his borde . {\}
Mid fayre speche . ⁊ fayre word^e . {\}
⁊ hure-⁊-hure to cristes masse . {\}
hwenne riche ⁊ pou(r)^e . more ⁊ lasse . {\}
Singeþ cundut . nyht ⁊ day . {\}
Ich heom helpe hwat ich may . {\}
⁊ ek ich þenche of oþer þinge . {\}
þane to pleye oþer to singe . {\}
Ich habbe her-to god onsware . {\}
Anon iredi and al ware . {\}
vor sum(er)es{+}tyde is al wlonk . {\}
⁊ doþ mysreken monnes þonk . {\}
vor he ne rekþ noht of clennesse . {\}
Al his þouht is of golnesse . {\}
vor {=Small hole in parchment=} none dor no leng n{+}abideþ . {\}
Ac eu(er)ich vp oþer rideþ . {\}
þe sulue stottes yne þe stode . {\}
Beþ boþe wilde and marewod^e . {\}
⁊ þu sulf art þar-among . {\}
vor of golnysse is al þi song . {\}
⁊ ayeyn->þet> {=yET inserted in central margin though the scribe has omitted to mark it for insertion in the correct place=} þu wilt teme . {\}
{=line 500=} þu art wel modi ⁊ wel breme . {\}
Sone-so þu hauest itrede . {\}
Ne myht þu leng a word iq(u)^eþe . {\}
Ac pipest al-so doþ a mose . {\}
Mid cokeringe . mid stefne hose . {\}
yet þu singest wrse þan þe heysu>hge> {=Last three letters interlined above very small for lack of space and the connection with them and the rest of the word indicated by a curved line like a closing parenthesis=} . {\}
þat flyhþ bi g(r)^unde amo(n)g þe stubb^e {=Spoilt rhyme? But perhaps original because in Cotton also. The superscript E is here joined to the ascender of the second B=} {\}
hwenne þi lust is a-go . {\}
þenne is þi song ago al-so . {\}
A sum(er)e chorles aweydeþ {\}
⁊ uorcrempeþ ⁊ uorbredeþ . {\}
{~f159vb~} ¶ {=The paraph appears to have been used to separate the first line of the second column from the overlong first line of the first column=} Hit nys for luue noþeles . {\}
Ac is þeos cherles wode res . {\}
vo {=sic=} hwanne he haueþ i-do his dede . {\}
I-falle is al his boldhede . {\}
habbe he is tunge {=Presumably with the sense "prick, male organ". Most editors read IS TUNGE as ISTUNGE, past participle of "sting" with the sense "penetrated". This reading is based on a correction of the Cotton version (also IS TUNGE) in a later hand which adds S between the two words to make ISSTUNGE. 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 ("his tongue") or ISTUNGE ("stung"). Whatever the author's intention, here it is the scribal text that must be interpreted and tagged accordingly=} vnder gore {\}
Ne last his luue no leng more . {\}
Al-so hit is on þine mode . {\}
So-sone-so þu sittest a bróde . {\}
þu for-leost al þine wise . {\}
Al-so þu varest on þine ryse . {\}
hwenne þu hauest ido þi gome . {\}
þi stefne goþ anon to schome . {\}
Ac hwenne nyhtes cumeþ longe . {\}
⁊ bryngeþ forstes starke ⁊ stronge . {\}
þanne erest hit is isene . {\}
hwar is þe snelle hwar þe kene . {\}
At þan harde me may avynde . {\}
hwo goþ forþ . hwo lyþ bi-hynd^e . {\}
Me may iseon at þare neode . {\}
hwan me schal harde wike beod^e . {\}
þanne ich am snel . ⁊ pleye ⁊ singe . {\}
⁊ hyhte me . myd my skentinge . {\}
Of none wyntre ich ne recche . {\}
Vo {=sic=} ich nam non aswund^e wrecche . {\}
⁊ ek ich froueri fele wihte . {\}
þat myd heo(m) nabbeþ none Mihte . {\}
hi beoþ houhful ⁊ wel arme . {\}
And secheþ yorne to þen warme . {\}
{=This line offset because the equivalent line in the first column encroaches on its space=} ofte ich singe for hem þe more {\}
For lutly sum of heore sore . {\}
hw þinkþ þe artu {[yet[} {>)inome)>} {=ins, added in a later hand on space left for it. There must have been a problem in the common exemplar because the Cotton version has zUT INUNE with the second N of INUNE corrected to M=} {\}
Artu myd rihte ouer-cume . {\}
Nay {=Enlarged initial *N taking up two lines' depth. Insufficient width has been left for it and a bite has been left out of the second element of the letter to accommodate the following A=} nay seyde þe Nihtegale . {\}
þu schalt ihere on-oþer tale . {\}
{~f160ra~} yet nis þeos speche ibroht to dome . {\}
Ac be stille and lust nv tó{+}me . {\}
Ich schal mid one bare worde . {\}
Do þat þi speche wrþ for-wurþe . {\}
{>þ>} {=ins, in left hand margin - guide letter for the capital=} Þat {=Slightly enlarged initial capital thorn but taking up only one line's depth=} nere noht riht þe vle seyde . {\}
þu hauest bicleped al-so þu bede . {\}
And ich þe habbe iyue onswere . {\}
Ac are we to vnker dome fare {\}
Ich wile speke toward þe . {\}
Al-so þu spéke toward me . {\}
⁊ þu me onswere if þu myht . {\}
Sey me nv þu wrecche wiht . {\}
Is in þe eny oþer note . {\}
Bute þu hauest schille þrote . {\}
þu nart nouht to non oþ(er) þinge . {\}
Bute þu canst of chateringe . {\}
Vor þu art lutel and vnstrong . {\}
⁊ nys þi ryel nowiht long . {\}
hwat dostu godes a-mo(n)g monne . {\}
Namo þene doþ a wrecche wrenne . {\}
of þe ne cumeþ non oþer god . {\}
Bute þu gredest swich þu be wod . {\}
⁊ beo þi piping ouer-go . {\}
Ne beoþ on þe craftes na-mo . {\}
Alured seyde þat wes wis . {\}
he myhte wel for soþ hit is . {\}
Nis nomon for his bare songe . {\}
leof . ne wrþ . noht swiþe longe . {\}
Vor þat is o furwrþe man . {\}
þat bute singe naht ne can . {\}
þu nart bute o furwrþe þing . {\}
on þe nys bute chateryng . {\}
þu art dym ⁊ of fule heowe . {\}
⁊ þinchest a lytel soty clewe . {\}
{~f160rb~} þu nart fayr . ne þu nart stro(n)g . {\}
Ne þu nart þikke . ne þu nart long . {\}
þu hauest ymyst of fayrhede . {\}
⁊ lutel is þi godhede . {\}
An-oþer þing of þe ich mene . {\}
þ nart feyr . ne þu nart clene . {\}
hwanne þu cumest to mo(n)ne hawe . {\}
þar þornes beoþ . ⁊ ris idrawe . {\}
Bi hegge . ⁊ bi þikke weode . {\}
þar men goþ to heore neode . {\}
þar-to þu draust . þart-to þu wenst . {\}
⁊ oþer clene stude þu schunest . {\}
hwanne ich fleo nyhtes aft(er) muse . {\}
Ich may þe vinde at þe ru(n)-huse {="privy". This is a new reading. For discussion of previous readings and argumentation for this one, see Laing 2007=} . {\}
A-mo(n)g þe wede . amo(n)g þe netle . {\}
þu syttest ⁊ singst bi-hinde seotle . {\}
þar me þe may ilomest fynde . {\}
þar men worpeþ heore byhinde . {\}
yet þu atwitest me myne mete . {\}
⁊ seyst þat ich fule wyhtes ete . {\}
Ac hwat etestu . þat þu ne lye . {\}
{=line 600=} Bute attercoppe ⁊ fule vlye . {\}
⁊ wurmes if þu myht fynde . {\}
A-mo(n)g þe volde of harde rynde . {\}
yet ich can do wel gode wike . {\}
for ich can loki monne wike . {\}
⁊ mine wike beoþ wel gode . {\}
for ich helpe to monne vode . {\}
Ich can nyme Mus at berne . {\}
⁊ ek at chireche in þe derne . {\}
for me is leof to cristes huse . {\}
To clansi hit wiþ fule Muse . {\}
Ne schal þar neu(er) cume to . {\}
ful wiht if ich hit may i-vo . {\}
{~f160va~} ⁊ if me lust on my skenting . {\}
To wernen oþe wunying . {\}
Ich habbe at wod^e treon . grete . {\}
Mid þikke bowe . noþing blete . {\}
Mid ivi g(r)^ene al bi-growe . {\}
þat eu(er) stont iliche iblowe . {\}
⁊ his heou neu(er) ne uorleost . {\}
hwanne hit snywe {=This is syntactically awkward. Two indicative forms are required. The C version has SNIUy with wynn-shaped thorn. The exemplar presumably had something very similar which the J scribe adapted and produced a subjunctive form=} . ne frost . {\}
þar-inne ic habbe god ihold . {\}
A wint(r)^e warm a sum(er)e cold . {\}
þane myn hus sto(n)t briht ⁊ g(r)^ene . {\}
of þine nys nowiht isene . {\}
yet þu me telst of oþ(er) þinge . {\}
of myne briddes seyst gabbi(n)ge . {\}
þat heore {[nest[} nys nouht clene . {\}
hit is fale oþer wihte imene . {\}
vor hors a stable ⁊ oxe a stalle . {\}
Doþ al þat heo(m) wile þar valle . {\}
⁊ lutle childre i(n) þe cradele . {\}
Boþe cheorles ⁊ ek aþele . {\}
Doþ al þat i(n) heore youhþe . {\}
þat hi uorleteþ i(n) heore duhþe . {\}
hwat can þat yo(n)gli(n)g hit bihed^e . {\}
yf hit myskeþ {="Produces dung, ordure, filth". Cotton has MISDEy here which has been supposed to be the 'correct' reading. For the hypothesis that J's reading is in fact what the poet intended see Laing 2007=} hit mot nede . {\}
A vorbisne is of olde iwurne . {\}
þat neod^e makeþ old wif eorne . {\}
⁊ yet ic habbe an-oþer onswere . {\}
wiltu to myne neste vare . {\}
⁊ loki hw hit is idiht . {\}
If þu art wis . leorny þu mist . {\}
Mi nest is holeuh ⁊ ru(m) amidd^e . {\}
so hit is softest myne bridde . {\}
hit is ibroyde al a-bute . {\}
vrom þe nest^e {=This is not the ligatured superscript E but is more like the kind used as an abbreviation for rE=} ueor wiþ-vte . {\}
þar-to hi goþ to heore neode . {\}
{~f160vb~} Ac þu menest ich heom forbode . {\}
þe yeme nymeþ of manne bure . {\}
⁊ after þan we makieþ vre . {\}
Men habbeþ a-mo(n)g oþre iwende {="facilities". This is a new reading. For discussion of previous readings and argumentation for this one, see Laing 2007=} . {\}
A ru(n)-hus {=See note on ru:nhouse above=} . at heore bures ende . {\}
Vor-þat hi nelleþ to veor go . {\}
⁊ myne briddes doþ al-so . {\}
Syte nv stille chaterestre . {\}
Nere þu neu(er) ibunde vastre . {\}
her-to ne vyndestu neu(er) answere . {\}
hong up þin ax nv þu miht fare . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged initial capital thorn taking up two lines' depth=} Nihtegale at þisse worde . {\}
was wel-neyh ut-of rede iworþe . {\}
⁊ þouhte yorne on hire mode . {\}
yf heo ouht elles vnderstode . {\}
If heo cuþe ouht bute singe . {\}
þat myhte helpe to oþer þinge . {\}
her-to heo moste answere vynde . {\}
oþer mid-alle beon bi-hinde . {\}
⁊ hit is strong to vyhte . {\}
A-yeyn soþe ⁊ ayeyn rihte . {\}
he mot gon to al mid gynne . {\}
hwan þe horte beoþ on þinne {="in straits, having a thin time?", see Stanley (1960). The Cotton version also has yINNE with clearly written thorn, but in that scribe's script the differentiation between thorn and wynn is not at all consistent and in Cotton it would be perfectly reasonable to read wINNE. The editors, including Stanley, do so. The translation would then be something like "when the heart is in strife, agitated". Against this reading in Cotton is the Jesus reading. 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. His use of thorn here suggests that the exemplar had clear thorn not wynn. In any case the J scribe seems to have intended the sequence yINNE here=} . {\}
⁊ þe man mot oþer segge . {\}
he mot bihe(m)me ⁊ bilegge . {\}
If muþ wiþ-vte may bi-wreo . {\}
þat me þe horte nouht niseo . {\}
⁊ sone may a word mys-reke . {\}
þar muþ schal ayeyn horte speke . {\}
⁊ sone may a word mys-sturte . {\}
þar muþ schal speke ayeyn horte . {\}
Ac noþeles þ- {=Apparently a first attempt at the next word but abandoned. It is not deleted in any way=} hyet upe þon{"in this situation"} . {\}
her is to red hwo hyne con . {\}
vor neu(er) nys wit so kene . {\}
so hwanne red him is á wene{"in doubt"} . {\}
{~f161ra~} þanne erest cumeþ his yephed^e . {\}
hwe(n)ne hit is alremest on dred^e . {\}
for alu(r)^ed seyde of olde quide . {\}
⁊ hyet hit nis of horte islide . {\}
hwenne þe bale is alre-hekst . {\}
{=line 700=} þenne is þe bote alre-nest . {\}
vor ƿit {=wynn is Y-shaped and dotted=} ƿest {=wynn is Y-shaped but undotted=} amo(n)g his sore . {\}
⁊ for his sore . hit is þe more . {\}
vor-þi nis neu(er) mon redles . {\}
Ar his horte beo witles . {\}
Ac if he fur-leost his wit . {\}
þenne is his red-p(ur)s al to-slyt {=This form suggests that the original strong verb may by this stage have become weak=} . {\}
If he ne con his wit at-holde . {\}
N vynt he red i(n) none volde . {\}
vor Alu(r)^ed seyde þat wel cuþe . {\}
Euer he spak mid soþe muþe . {\}
hwenne þe bale is alre-hekst . {\}
þenne is þe bote alre-nexst . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged initial capital thorn taking up two lines' depth=} Nihtegale al hit {=Rhyme word missing. Cotton has AL HIRE HOzE "all her anxiety"=} {\}
Mid rede hadde wel bi-towe . {\}
A-mong þe hard^e amo(n)g þe tow>hte> {=MS TOWE with E subpuncted and HTE interlined above. See Cartlidge (2001:121) for the explanation for this correction. Having missed out the rhyming word two lines up, presumably because he could not make sense of it, the J scribe here starts by erroneously pairing this line with the previous one and tries to make them rhyme=} {\}
ful wel myd rede hire bi-þouhte . {\}
⁊ hedde onswere god ifunde . {\}
A-mo(n)g alle hire harde stunde . {\}
[?]le {=Initial capital letter missing=} þu axest me heo seyde . {\}
[?]f {=Initial capital letter missing=} ich con eny oþer dede . {\}
Bute syngen 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=} tyde . {\}
⁊ bringe blisse veor ⁊ wyde . {\}
hwy axestu of craftes myne . {\}
Beter is myn on þan alle þine . {\}
Bet(er) is o song of myne muþe . {\}
þan al þat þi kun kuþe . {\}
⁊ lust . ich telle þe hwar-vore . {\}
wostu to hwan . mon wes ibore . {\}
To þare blisse of heueryche . {\}
{~f161rb~} þar eu(er) is song . ⁊ Murehþe ilyche . {\}
þider fundeþ euer-ich man . {\}
þat eny-þing of gode can . {\}
for-þi me syngþ i(n) holy chireche . {\}
⁊ clerekes gynneþ songes wrche . {\}
þat mon yþenche . bi þe songe . {\}
hwider he shal . ⁊ þar ben longe . {\}
þat he þe murehþe ne voryete . {\}
Ac þar-of þenche . ⁊ bi-gethe . {\}
⁊ nyme yeme of chirche stefne . {\}
hw Murie is þe blisse of heuene . {\}
Clerekes . Munekes . ⁊ canunes . {\}
þar beoþ þos gode wike-tunes . {\}
A-riseþ vp to middel-nyhte . {\}
⁊ singeþ of þon heuene lyhte . {\}
⁊ preostes vpe londe singeþ . {\}
{[when the light of day springeth[} {=Line 734 missing, no gap in the MS=} ⁊ ich heom helpe hwat ic may {\}
Ich singe myd hem nyht ⁊ day . {\}
⁊ heo beoþ alle . for me þe gladd(er)e . {\}
⁊ to þe songe beoþ þe raddure . {\}
Ich warny men to heore gode . {\}
þat hi beon blyþe on heore mode . {\}
⁊ bidden þat hi moten iseche . {\}
þat-ilche song . þat eu(er) is eche . {\}
Nu þu myht vle sitte and clynge . {\}
her-amo(n)g nys no chateringe . {\}
Ich graunti þat þu go to dome . {\}
To-vore þe sulve pope of róme . {\}
Ac abid yete noþeles . {\}
þu schalt abyde on-oþer {>)bles)>} {=ins, added by different hand in space left by main scribe=} {\}
Ne schaltu vor engelonde . {\}
At þisse worde me at-stonde . {\}
hwy atwitestu me . myne vnstrengþe . {\}
⁊ myne vngrete . ⁊ myn vnlengþe . {\}
⁊ sayst . þat ich am nouht strong . {\}
{~f161va~} vor ic nam noþer gret ne long . {\}
Ac þu nost neuer hwat þu menest . {\}
Bute lese wordes þu me lenest . {\}
For ic kan crast {=sic. The reading is ST because FT is never ligatured in the J scribe's script and here the word has a clear ST ligature. The C version also has CRAST suggesting this was the form of the exemplar=} . ⁊ ic kan lyste . {\}
⁊ þarfore ic am þus þriste . {\}
Ich kan wit . ⁊ song mony-eine . {\}
Ne triste ic to non oþer mayne . {\}
vor soþ hit is . þat seyde alured {\}
Ne may no strengþe ayeyn red . {\}
oft spet wel . a lute lyste . {\}
þar muche strengþe solde myste {=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 þureh ginne . {\}
Castel ⁊ bureh me may winne . {\}
Mid liste me may walles felle . {\}
⁊ werpe of horse knyhte^s snelle . {\}
Vuel strengþe is lutel wrþ . {\}
Ac wisdo(m) ne wrþ neu(er) vnwrþ . {\}
þu myht iseo þurh alle þing . {\}
þat wisdo(m) naueþ non euening . {\}
An hors is st(r)^eng(ur) þan a mon . {\}
Ac for hit non iwit ne kon . {\}
hit berþ on rugge g(r)^ete semes . {\}
⁊ drahþ bi sweore g(r)^ete temes . {\}
⁊ þoleþ boþe . yerd ⁊ spure . {\}
⁊ stont i-teyed at mulne dure . {\}
⁊ hit doþ þat mon hit hot . {\}
⁊ for-þan . þat hit no wit not . {\}
Ne may his stre(n)gþe hit ischild^e . {\}
þat h n{+}abuhþ þe lutle childe . {\}
Mo(n) doþ mid strengþe ⁊ mid witte . {\}
þat oþ(er) þing . nys non his fitte . {\}
þey alle strengþe at one ƿere {=wynn is Y-shaped and dotted=} {\}
Monnes wit yet more were . {\}
vor þe mo(n) myd his crafte . {\}
{~f161vb~} ou(er)cumeþ al eorþliche shafte . {\}
Al-so ic do myd myne one songe . {\}
Bet þan þu alle yer longe . {\}
vor myne crafte . men me luuyeþ . {\}
vor þine strengþe . men þe schunyeþ . {\}
Telstu bi me þe wrs for-þan . {\}
þat ic bute enne craft ne kan . {\}
If twey men goþ to wrastlinge . {\}
⁊ eyþer oþer vaste þringe . {\}
⁊ þe-on can swenges swiþe fele . {\}
⁊ kan his wrenches wel for-hele . {\}
⁊ þe-oþer ne can sweng bute onne {=O corrected from something else?=} . {\}
{=line 800=} ⁊ þe is god wiþ eche manne . {\}
⁊ myd þan one leyþ to grunde . {\}
Anne aft(er) oþe a lutle stunde . {\}
hwat þarf he recche of a mo swenge . {\}
hwenne þe-on him is so genge . {\}
þe {=sic=} seyst þat þu canst fele wike . {\}
Ac eu(er) ich am þin vnyliche . {\}
Do þine craftes alle to-gadere . {\}
yet is myn on heorte{"at heart, fundamentally"} betere . {\}
ofte hwan hundes foxes {=X corrected from R=} driueþ . {\}
þe kat ful wel him-sulue liueþ{"trust, believe in"} . {\}
þeh he ne cunne wreynch bute anne . {\}
þe for {=sic - error for FOX. Cotton 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 . {\}
þey he cunne so vele wrenche . {\}
þat he weneþ eche hunde at-p(r)^enche . {\}
vor he can paþes rihte and wowe . {\}
⁊ he can hongi bi þe bowe . {\}
⁊ so vor-lest þe hund his fore . {\}
⁊ turnþ eft a-yeyn to þe more . {\}
þe fox can crepe by þe heye . {\}
⁊ turne vt from his forme weye . {\}
⁊ eft-sone cume þar-to . {\}
{~f162ra~} þenne is þes hundes smel for-do . {\}
he not þurh þe Meynde smak . {\}
hweþer he schal vorþ þe ábak . {\}
If þe uox miste of al þis dwele . {\}
At þan ende he creophþ to hole . {\}
Ac naþeles myd al his wrenche . {\}
Ne can he hine so biþenche . {\}
þey he beo yep ⁊ swiþe snel . {\}
þat he ne leost his rede vel . {\}
þe kat ne can wrench bute anne . {\}
Noþ(er) bi dune . ne bi venne . {\}
Bute he can clymbe swiþe wel . {\}
þar-myd he wereþ his greye vel . {\}
Al-so ich segge bi my-seolue . {\}
Beter is myn on . þan þine twelue . {\}
Abid {=Enlarged initial *A taking up two lines' depth and with the first element descending for a further 3 lines' depth in the left margin=} abid þe vle seyde . {\}
þu gest al-to . mid swikelhed^e . {\}
Alle þine wordes þu bileyst . {\}
þat hit þinkþ soþ . þat þu seyst . {\}
Alle þine wordes beoþ isliked . {\}
⁊ so bisemeþ and bilikeþ . {\}
þat alle heo þat hi auoþ . {\}
hi weneþ þat þu segge soþ . {\}
Abid abid me schal þe yene . {\}
Nu hit schal wrþe wel isene . {\}
þat þu hauest muchel ilowe . {\}
hwenne þi lesing beoþ vnwrowe . {\}
þu seist þat þu singest mo(n)cu(n)ne . {\}
⁊ techest heo(m) þat hi fundeþ heonne . {\}
vp to þe songe þat eu(er) ilast . {\}
Ac hit is alre wndre mest . {\}
þat darst lye so opeliche . {\}
wenestu hi bringe so lyhtliche . {\}
To godes riche al singinde . {\}
{~f162rb~} Nay nay . hi schule wel avynde . {\}
þat hi myd longe wope . mote . {\}
of heore sunnen bidde bote . {\}
Ar hi mote eu(er) cume þare . {\}
Ich rede þi . þat men beo ware . {\}
⁊ more wepe þane singe . {\}
þat fundeþ to þan heuene kynge . {\}
for nys no-mo(n) wiþ-vten sunne . {\}
for-þi he mot ar he wende heonne . {\}
Mid teres ⁊ myd wope bete . {\}
þat him beo sur þat er was swete . {\}
þar-to ich helpe . god hit wot . {\}
Ne singe ich heom no foliot . {\}
vor al my song is of longinge . {\}
And ymeynd su(m)del myd woninge . {\}
þat mo(n) bi{"by means of"} me hine biþenche . {\}
þat he grony for his vnwrenche . {\}
Mid myne songe ich hine {>)pulte)>} {=ins, in a later hand in space left for it=} {\}
þat he grony for his gulte . {\}
If þu gest her-of . to disputinge . {\}
Ich wepe bet þan þu singe . {\}
If riht goþ forþ . ⁊ abak wrong . {\}
Bet(er)e is my wop þan þi song . {\}
þeyh su(m)me men beon þurhut god^e . {\}
⁊ þurhut clene . on heore mod^e . {\}
heo(m) longeþ heonne noþeles . {\}
þat beoþ her wo is hom þes . {\}
vor þeyh hi beo heo(m)-selue iborewe . {\}
hi ne seoþ her nowiht bute serewe . {\}
vor oþer men . hi wepeþ sore . {\}
⁊ for heom biddeþ cristes ore . {\}
Ich helpe mo(n)ne on eyþer halue . {\}
Mi Muþ haueþ tweire kunne salue . {\}
þan gode ich fulste to longinge . {\}
{~f162va~} vor hwenne hi(m) lo(n)geþ ic hi(m) singe . {\}
⁊ þan sunfulle ic helpe al-so . {\}
Vor ic him teche hwar is wo . {\}
yet ic þe yene on oþer wise . {\}
vor hwenne þu sittest on þine rise . {\}
þu drahst men to fleyses luste . {\}
þat wileþ þine songes luste . {\}
Al þu vorleost þe Murehþe of heue>ne> {=Last two letters interlined above for lack of space=} . {\}
for þar-to nauestu none steuene . {\}
Al þat þu singest is of golnesse . {\}
{=line 900=} for nys on þe non holynesse . {\}
Ne weneþ no-mo(n) for þi pipinge . {\}
 eny preost i(n) chirche singe . {\}
yet ic þe wile on-oþer segge . {\}
If þu hit const ariht bilegge . {\}
hwi nultu singe on oþer þeod^e . {\}
þat {=Error for yAR "where". T is subpuncted and R added above but, judging by the style of the R it is by a different hand=} hit is muchele more neod^e . {\}
þu neu(er) ne singest . i(n) irlonde . {\}
Ne þu ne cumest i(n) Scotlonde . {\}
hwi nultu vare to norweye . {\}
⁊ singen men of galeweye . {\}
þar beoþ men þat litel kunne {\}
of songe þat is vnder sunne . {\}
hwi nultu þare . preoste singe . {\}
⁊ teche of þire writelinge . {\}
⁊ wisi heo(m) myd þire stefne . {\}
hw engles singeþ i(n) þe heuene . {\}
þu farest so doþ on yde wel . {\}
 sp(r)ⁱngeþ bi burne þat is snel . {\}
⁊ let for-druye þe dune . {\}
⁊ flohþ an ydel {=Y corrected from another letter=} þar adune . {\}
Ac ich fare norþ and souþ {\}
In eu(er)ich londe ich am cuþ . {\}
East . ⁊ west . souþ . ⁊ norþ {=Spoilt rhyme. Cotton version has FEOR & NEOR=} . {\}
{~f162vb~} I do wel fayre my mester {=Spoilt rhyme=} . {\}
⁊ warny men mid myne bere . {\}
 þi dwele song . heo ne forlete {=Spoilt rhyme. Cotton version has FORLERE=} . {\}
Ich wisse men myd myne songe . {\}
þat hi ne sunegi nowiht longe . {\}
Ich bidde heom  heo iswike . {\}
 heo(m)-seolue ne bi-swike . {\}
For betere is þat heo wepe here . {\}
þan elles-hwar beo deouele yuere . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged initial capital thorn taking up two lines' depth=} Nihtegale wes a-gromed . {\}
⁊ ek sum-del of-schomed . {\}
For þe vle hire atwiten hedde . {\}
In hwiche stude ho sat ⁊ gradde . {\}
Bihinde þe bure a-mo(n)g þe wed . {\}
þar men gon . to heore ned . {\}
⁊ sat sumdel ⁊ ho biþouhte . {\}
⁊ wiste wel on hire þouhte . {\}
þe{"that"} wraþþe bi-nymeþ mon(n)es red . {\}
For hit seyde þe king alured . {\}
Selde endeþ wel þe loþe {=The scribe began to write LOW, presumably mistaking exemplar thorn for wynn. He then subpuncted partially written W and finished the word with yE=} . {\}
⁊ selde playdeþ wel þe wroþe . {\}
For wraþþe meynþ þe heorte blod . {\}
 hit floweþ so wilde flod . {\}
⁊ al þe heorte ouer-geþ . {\}
 heo naueþ na-þing . bute breþ . {\}
⁊ so uorleost al his lyht . {\}
 ho ne syhþ soþ ne riht . {\}
þe nyhtegale hi vnderstod . {\}
⁊ auer-gan lette hire mod . {\}
he myhte bet speken i{+}sele {\}
þan myd wraþþe wordes dele . {\}
Þe {=Slightly enlarged initial capital thorn but taking up only one line's depth=} vle {=This is a mistake. The Nightingale is speaking here not the Owl. The Cotton version has *yULE HEO SEIDE correctly except for error of *yULE for *HULE=} seyde lust nv hider . {\}
þu schalt falle þi wey is slider . {\}
þu seyst Ich fleo bi-hind^e bure . {\}
{~f163ra~} hit is riht þe bur is vre . {\}
þar lou(er)d liggeþ and leuedy . {\}
Ich schal heom synge ⁊ sitte bi . {\}
wenestu þat wise me(n) for-lete . {\}
vor fule venne þe rihte strete . {\}
Ne sunne þe later schyne . {\}
þeyh hit beo ful in neste þine . {\}
Schold ich for one hole brede {=Literally "hollow board" or "board with a hole in" i.e. "privy"=} . {\}
fur-lete myne rihte stede . {\}
þat ich ne singe {*sj context*} bi þe bedde . {\}
þar lou(er)d haueþ his lauedi bedde . {\}
hit is my rihte . hit is my lawe . {\}
þat to þe hexste ich me drawe . {\}
Ac if þu yelpst of þine songe . {\}
þat þu kanst yolle . uroþe ⁊ st(r)^onge . {\}
⁊ seyst þu wisest monkunne . {\}
þat hi bi-wepen heore sunne . {\}
Solde eu(er)uych mon wony ⁊ grede . {\}
Riht such hi weren {*sj context*} vn-lede . {\}
Scholde hi yollen also þu dest . {\}
hi myhten a-fere heore preost . {\}
Mon schal beo stille ⁊ noht grede . {\}
he mot bi-wepe his mysdede . {\}
Ac þar is cristes heriynge . {\}
þar me {[shall[} grede . ⁊ lude singe {\}
Nis noþe to lude ne to long . {\}
At rihte tyme chirche-song . {\}
þu yollest ⁊ wonest ⁊ ic singe . {\}
þi stefne is wop . ⁊ myn skentinge . {\}
Eu(er) mote þu yolle ⁊ wepen . {\}
þat þu þi lif mote for-leten . {\}
⁊ yolle mote þu so heye . {\}
þat ut to-bersten bo þin eye . {\}
hweþ(er) is bet(er)e . of tweyre twom . {\}
{~f163rb~} þat mon beo bliþe oþer grom . {\}
So beo hit eu(er) in vnker siþe . {\}
þat þu beo sori ⁊ ich bliþe . {\}
yet þu ayschest hwi ic ne vare {\}
In-to oþer londe ⁊ singe þare . {\}
No hwat schold ich a-mo(n)g heom do . {\}
þar neu(er) blisse ne com to . {\}
þat lond nys god {=D corrected from N=} . ne hit nys éste . {\}
{=line 1000=} Ac wild(er)nesse hit is ⁊ wéste . {\}
Knarres . ⁊ cludes . houenetinge . {\}
Snov ⁊ hawel ho(m) is genge . {\}
þat lo(n)d is grislich ⁊ vnuele . {\}
þe men beoþ wilde ⁊ vnsele . {\}
hi nabbeþ noþ(er) griþ ne sibbe . {\}
hi ne reccheþ hw hi libbe . {\}
hi eteþ fys ⁊ fleys vnsode . {\}
Suych wolues hit hadde to-broude . {\}
hi drinkeþ mylk ⁊ hwey þar-to . {\}
hi nuteþ elles hwet hi do . {\}
hi nabbeþ noht wyn ne beor . {\}
Ac libbeþ al-so wilde deor . {\}
hi goþ bytuht myd rowe felle . {\}
Riht suych hi come {*sj context*} vt-of helle . {\}
þey eny god man . to heo(m) come . {\}
So hwile dude su(m) from rome . {\}
for heo(m) to lere gode þewes . {\}
⁊ for-to lete heore vnþewes . {\}
he myhte be {=sic - error for BET=} sytte stille {\}
Vor al his hwile he scolde spille . {\}
he myhte bet teche ane beore . {\}
To bere scheld and spere . {\}
þane þat wilde volk ibringe . {\}
þat hi me wolde ihere singe . {\}
hwat schold ich þar mid myne song {=Punctus missing or lost by trimming=} {\}
{~f163va~} Ne singe {*sj context*} ic heo(m) neu(er) so longe . {\}
Mi song . were ispild vych-del . {\}
for heo(m) ne may halt(er) ne bridel . {\}
Bringe fro(m) here wode wyse . {\}
Ne mo(n) mid stele ne mid ire . {\}
Ac þar lond is este and god . {\}
⁊ þar men habbeþ mylde mod . {\}
Ic notye myd heo(m) Mine þrote . {\}
for ic may do þar gode note . {\}
⁊ bringe heom leue tydinge . {\}
for ic of chirche-songe singe . {\}
hit wes isayd in olde lawe . {\}
þat yet ilast þilke soþ-sawe . {\}
þat mo(n) schal eryen ⁊ sowe . {\}
þar he weneþ after god mowe . {\}
for he is wod þat soweþ his sed . {\}
þ(er) neu(er) gras ne sp(r)ⁱngþ ne bled . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged initial capital thorn taking up two lines' depth=} Vle wes wroþ to cheste rad . {\}
Mid þisse word^e hire eyen a-braid . {\}
þu seyst . þu witest mon(n)e bures . {\}
þar leues beoþ . ⁊ fayre flures . {\}
þar two yleoue in one bedde . {\}
Liggeþ iclupt . ⁊ wel bihedde . {\}
Enes þu sunge ic wot wel hware . {\}
Bi one bure . ⁊ woldest lere . {\}
þe leuedi to an vuel lyue {=Error for "love"=} . {\}
⁊ singe boþe lowe ⁊ buue . {\}
⁊ leredest hi to don schome . {\}
⁊ vnriht of hire lichome . {\}
þe lou(er)d þat sone vnderyat . {\}
Lym . ⁊ grune . ⁊ wel ihwat . {\}
Sette . ⁊ leyde . þe for-to lacche . {\}
þu come sone to þan hacche . {\}
þu were ynume i(n) one grune . {\}
{~f163vb~} Al hit abouhte þine schine . {\}
þu neddest non oþer dom ne lawe . {\}
Bute myd wilde hors to-drawe . {\}
Vond^e if þu myht eft mys-rede . {\}
hweþer þu wilt wif þe meyde . {\}
þi song mai beo so longe genge . {\}
þat þu schalt hwippen on a sprenge . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged initial capital thorn taking up two lines' depth=} Nihtegale at þisse worde . {\}
Mid swerde ⁊ myd speres orde . {\}
If heo mo(n) were . wolde vyhte . {\}
Ac þo heo bet do ne Mihte . {\}
heo vauht myd hire wise tunge . {\}
wel viht þat wel spekþ . seyþ i(n) þe so(n)ge . {\}
of hire tunge heo nom red . {\}
wel viht þat wel spekþ seyd^e alu(r)^ed . {\}
Hwat {=Enlarged initial *H taking up two lines' depth=} . seystu þis for myne schome . {\}
þe lou(er)d hadde her-of grome . {\}
he wes so gelus of his wyue . {\}
þat he ne myhte vor his lyue . {\}
I-seo . þat mo(n) wiþ hire speke . {\}
þat his heorte wolde breke . {\}
he hire bilek in one bure . {\}
þat hire {=R corrected from T=} was stronge ⁊ sure . {\}
Ic hadde of hire Milce ⁊ ore . {\}
And sori was for hire sore . {\}
⁊ skente hi mid myne songe . {\}
Al þat ic mihte raþe ⁊ longe . {\}
vor-þan . þe knyht wes wiþ me wroþ . {\}
vor rihte nyþe . ic wes him loþ . {\}
he dude me his owe schome . {\}
Ac al hit t(ur)nde hi(m) eft to grome . {\}
þat vnd(er)yat þe kyng {=K corrected from ?H=} henri . {\}
Ih(esus) his soule do mercy . {\}
he let for-bonne þene knyht . {\}
{~f164ra~} þat hadde i-do svich vnriht . {\}
In so gode kynges londe . {\}
for rihte nyþe . ⁊ ful onde . {\}
Let þane lytel fowel nyme . {\}
⁊ him fordeme lif and lyme . {\}
hit wes wrþsipe al myne ku(n)ne . {\}
{=line 1100=} for-þon þe knyht fur-les hi^s wnne . {\}
⁊ yaf for me an-hundred punde . {\}
⁊ myne briddes seten ysunde . {\}
⁊ hedde seþþe blisse and hihte . {\}
⁊ were bliþe . ⁊ wel myhte . {\}
vor-þan ic wes so wel awreke . {\}
Eu(er)-eft ich dar þe bet speke . {\}
for hit bi-tydde ene so . {\}
Ich am þe bliþure euer-mo . {\}
Nu ic may singe hwar ic wile . {\}
Ne dar me neu(er)-eft mo(n) ag(r)^ulle . {\}
Ac þu ermyng þu wrecche gost . {\}
þu ne canst fynde . ne þu nost . {\}
An holeh stoc . hwar þu þe mist hud^e . {\}
þat me ne twenge þine hude . {\}
vor children . g(r)^omes . heme . ⁊ hine . {\}
hi þencheþ alle of þine pine . {\}
If hi mowe iseo þe sitte . {\}
Stones hi doþ i(n) heore slytte{"pockets"} . {\}
⁊ þe to-torueþ . ⁊ to-heneþ . {\}
⁊ þine fule bon to-scheneþ . {\}
If þu art iworpe oþer iscote . {\}
þenne þu myht erest to note . {\}
vor me þe hoþ . i(n) one rodde . {\}
⁊ þu myd þine fule codde . {\}
⁊ myd þine ateliche sweore . {\}
Biwerest mo(n)ne corn fro(m) deore . {\}
Nis nouþ(er) nouht . þi lif ne blod {\}
{~f164rb~} Ac þu art sheules swiþe god . {\}
þar newe sedes beoþ isowe . {\}
Pynnuc . goldfynch . rok . ne crowe . {\}
Ne dar neu(er) cumen ihende . {\}
If þi buk hongeþ at þan ende . {\}
þar treon schulleþ a yer blowe . {\}
⁊ yonge sedes sp(r)ⁱnge ⁊ growe . {\}
Ne dar no fuoel þar-to fonge . {\}
If þu art þar-ouer ihonge . {\}
þi lif is euer luþer and qued . {\}
þu nart nouht{"worthless"} bute ded . {\}
Nv þu myht wite 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 beoþ grisliche . {\}
þe-hwile þu art on lyfdaye . {\}
vor hwenne þu hongest islawe . {\}
yet hi beoþ of þe atdradde . {\}
þe foweles þat þe er bigradde . {\}
Mid rihte . men beoþ wiþ þe wroþe . {\}
for þu singest of heore loþe . {\}
Al þat þu singest raþe oþer late . {\}
hit is eu(er) of mannes vnhwate . {\}
hwanne þu hauest a-nyht igrad . {\}
Men beoþ of þe wel sore aferd . {\}
þu singst . þar su(m)man sal beo ded . {\}
Euer þu bodest sumne qued . {\}
þu singst ayeyn ayhte lure . {\}
oþer of su(m)me vrendes rure . {\}
oþer þu bodest huses brune . {\}
oþ(er) ferde of manne . oþer þeues run[?] {=Last letter lost by trimming=} {\}
oþ(er) þu bodest qualm of orue . {\}
oþ(er) þat londfolc wrþ i-dorue . {\}
oþ(er) þat wif leost hire make . {\}
oþ(er) þu bodest . cheste and sake . {\}
Eu(er) þu singest of manne harme {\}
{~f164va~} þurh þe hi beoþ sorie ⁊ arme . {\}
þu ne singest neuer one syþe . {\}
þat hit nys for su(m)me vnsyþe . {\}
her-vore hit is . þat me þe suneþ . {\}
⁊ þe to-torueþ . ⁊ to-buneþ . {\}
Mid staue . ⁊ stone . ⁊ turf . ⁊ clute . {\}
þat þu ne myht noware at-rute {\}
Dahet . eu(er) budel in tune . {\}
þat bedeþ vnwreste rune . {\}
⁊ eu(er) bringeþ vuele tydinge . {\}
⁊ þat spekeþ of vuele þinge . {\}
God-almyhti wrþe him wroþ . {\}
⁊ al þat wereþ lynnene cloþ {\}
Þe {=Enlarged initial capital thorn taking up two lines' depth=} vle n{+}abod noht swiþe longe . {\}
Ac yef answere . stark . ⁊ stronge . {\}
hwat queþ heo . ertu ihoded . {\}
oþer þu cursest vn-ihoded . {\}
for prestes wike ic wot þu dest . {\}
Ich not if þu . were {*sj context*} preost . {\}
Ich not if þu canst masse singe . {\}
Inouh þu canst of Mansynge . {\}
Ac hit is for þine olde nyþe . {\}
 þu me acursedest oþer siþe . {\}
Ac þar-to is lihtlych answere . {\}
Drah to þe queþ þe kartere . {\}
hwi atwitestu me . myne i(n)sihte . {\}
⁊ Min iwit . ⁊ myne myhte . {\}
for ich am þin {=Error as a result of misreading exemplar wynn for thorn and N for TI? Cotton version is clearly correct with wITI=} ful iwis {\}
⁊ þod {=This is one of J's forms of thorn rather than his usual Y-shaped wynn. It points to the shapes for thorn and wynn in X being similar as they are in the C scribe's script=} al  to comen is . {\}
Ich wot of hunger of herego(n)ge . {\}
Ich wot if men sulle libbe lo(n)ge . {\}
Ic wot if wif lust hire make . {\}
Ic wot . hwar sal beo niþ ⁊ wrake . {\}
Ic wot hwo sal beo an-honge . {\}
oþer elles fulne deþ avonge . {\}
If men habbeþ batayle inume . {\}
Ic wt {=sic=} hwaþer sal beo ou(er)cume . {\}
{~f164vb~} Ic wot if qualm sal cumen on orve {=Cartlidge (2001: 128) reads ORyE but although the V is somewhat narrow its shape is quite clear=} . {\}
{=line 1200=} ⁊ if deor schulle ligge a-storue . {\}
Ic wot if tren schulle blowe . {\}
Ic wot if corn schulle growe . {\}
Ic wot if huses schulle berne . {\}
Ic wot if men sulle eorne oþer erne . {\}
Ic wot if sea sal sch>i>pes drenche . {\}
Ic wot if sMithes {=Looks as if the scribe began to write V and then changed to M=} sale vuele clench^e {=Superscript E joined to the ascender of H=} . {\}
⁊ ic con muchele more . {\}
Ic con ynouh i(n) bokes lore . {\}
⁊ ek ic can of þe godspelle . {\}
More þan ic wile þe telle . {\}
vor ic at chireche cume ilome . {\}
⁊ muchel leorny of wisdome . {\}
Ic wot al of þe . toknynge . {\}
⁊ of oþer vale þinge . {\}
If eny-mo(n) schal rem abide . {\}
Al ic hit wot ar hit ityde . {\}
ofte vor myne muchele witte . {\}
wel sori-mod ⁊ wroþ i sytte . {\}
hwanne ic iseo þer su(m) wrecchede . {\}
Is cumynde neyh . inoh ic grede . {\}
Ic bidde þer men beon warre . {\}
⁊ habbe gode redes . yare . {\}
Vor alu(r)^ed seyde a wis word . {\}
Vych mo(n) hit schold^e legge on hord . {\}
If þu isyst . {[him?[} her . {=The two punctus on either side of HER may suggest that the J scribe had difficulty with the reading. The C scribe here leaves a gap of about 8 letters' width highlighting the likelihood that there was a problem with the exemplar reading here. The proposed emendation makes sense of the passage=} heo beo icume . {\}
His strengþe is him wel-neyh binume . {\}
⁊ grete duntes beoþ þe lasse . {\}
If me ikepeþ myd iwarnesse . {\}
⁊ fleo schal toward mis-yenge . {\}
If þu isihst hw fleo of strenge . {\}
for þu myht blenche ⁊ fleo . {\}
If þu isihst heo to þe teo . {\}
þauh enymo(n) beo falle i(n) edwite . {\}
hwi schal me his sor atwite . {\}
þauh ic iseo {*sj context*} his harm bivore . {\}
{~f165ra~} Ne cumeþ hit nouht of me þar-fore . {\}
þah þu iseo þat su(m) blynd mon . {\}
þat nanne rihtne wey ne con . {\}
To þare diche his dwele voleweþ . {\}
⁊ falleþ ⁊ þar-onne sulieþ . {\}
wenestu þah ic al iseo {*sj context*} . {\}
þat hit for me þe raþer beo . {\}
Also hit fareþ bi Mine witte . {\}
þanne ic on myne bowe sitte . {\}
Ic wot ⁊ iseo swiþe brihte . {\}
 su(m)me men cumeþ harm þar-rih>te> {=Last two letters interlined above for lack of space=} . {\}
sal he . þar he nowiht not . {\}
hit wite me vor ic hit wot . {\}
sal he his myshap wyten me . {\}
Vor ic am wisure þan he . {\}
hwanne ic iseo þat su(m) wreched^e {\}
Is manne neyh inouh ic grede . {\}
⁊ bidde inouh  hi heo(m) schilde . {\}
Vor toward heo(m) is harm vnmyld^e . {\}
Ac þah ic grede {*sj context*} lude and stille . {\}
Al iwurþ godes wille . {\}
hwi wulleþ men of me mene . {\}
þah ic mid soþe heo awene . {\}
þah ic hi warny {*sj context*} al þat yer . {\}
Nis heo(m) þar-vore a tem {="penalty?" This is clearly a misreading by the J scribe presumably of exemplar (H)AREM - the Cotton version has HAREM - but it may well have had some meaning to the J scribe who often adapts the text where he strikes difficulties. The sense demands something like "harm" or "difficulty" or "loss". The OE legal term te:am had developed a number of senses by the ME period, see MED s.v. te:m(e n.(1). The sense given under 2. b is: "the penalty for not producing a warrantor in a suit over disputed property" is very specific and its use by the J scribe here would require a generalisation in sense from the specific legal usage. I offer it as a possibility, however, because the use of legal terminology is part of the fabric of the poem=} þe ner . {\}
Ac ich singe vor ich wolde . {\}
þer hi wel vnderstonde scholde . {\}
þat su(m) vnsel heom is ihende . {\}
hwen ic myn huyng to heo(m) send^e . {\}
Naueþ mon no sikerhede . {\}
 he ne may wene ⁊ adrede . {\}
þat su(m) vnhap neih him beo . {\}
þah he ne cunne hit iseo . {\}
forþi seyd^e alu(r)^ed swiþe wel . {\}
⁊ his word wes godspel . {\}
 eu(er)ich mon þe bet beo . {\}
Eu(er) þe bet he him bi-seo . {\}
{~f165rb~} Ne triste no-mon to his wele . {\}
To swiþe þat he habbe uele . {\}
Nis noht so hot . þat hit n{+}acoleþ . {\}
Ne noht so hwit . þat hit ne soleþ . {\}
Ne noh>t> so leof . þat hit n{+}aloþeþ . {\}
Ne noht so glad þat hit n{+}awreþeþ . {\}
Ac eu(er)ich þing þat eche nys . {\}
Agon schal . ⁊ al þis worldes blis . {\}
Nu þu miht witen redeliche . {\}
 euer þu spekest gidiliche . {\}
for al þu me seyst vor schame . {\}
Eu(er) þe soule hit turneþ to grome . {\}
Go so hit go at eche fenge . {\}
þu vallest myd þin owe swenge . {\}
Al þat þu sayst . for me to schende . {\}
hit is my wrþsipe at þan ende . {\}
Bute þu wille bet a-gynne . {\}
Ne schaltu bute schame iwynne . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged initial capital thorn taking up three lines' depth=} nyhtegale sat and syhte . {\}
⁊ hauhful was ⁊ wel myhte . {\}
for þe vle so ispeke hadde . {\}
And hire speche so iladde . {\}
heo wes houhful and erede . {\}
hwat heo þar-after hire seyde {*sj context*} . {\}
Ac noþeles heo hire vnderstod . {\}
hwat heo seyde . vle artu wod . {\}
þu yelpest . of selliche wisdome . {\}
{=line 1300=} þu nustest hwenne hit þe come . {\}
Bute hit of wicchecrafte were . {\}
þar-of þu wrecche most þe skere . {\}
If þu wilt a-mo(n)g manne beo . {\}
oþer þu most of londe fleo . {\}
Vor alle þeo-þat þer-of cuþe {\}
heo weren ifurn of prestes muþe . {\}
Amansed . such art yette {.}* {[you never gave up witchcraft[} {=line 1308 missing=} {\}
Ic þe seyde nv lutel ere . {\}
⁊ þu askedest if ich were . {\}
{~f165va~} A bysemare to preoste ihóded . {\}
Ac þe mansyng is so ibroded . {\}
þauh no preost a londe nere . {\}
A wrecche naþeles þu were {*sj context*} . {\}
for eu(er)ich chid þe clepede fule . {\}
⁊ eu(er)ich man a wrecche vle . {\}
Ic habbe iherd . ⁊ soþ hit is . {\}
þe mo(n) mot beo wel sturre-wis . {\}
⁊ wite inoh of hwiche þi(n)ge cume . {\}
so þu seyst  is iwune . {\}
hwat constu wrcche þi(n)g of storie {=sic - error for STORRE?=} . {\}
Bute- þu bihaitest {="enjoyest". This is a new reading. For discussion of previous readings and argumentation for this one, see Laing 2007=} hi ferre . {\}
Also doþ mony deor and man . {\}
þeo of suyche no-wiht ne can . {\}
on ape may on bok biholde . {\}
⁊ leues wende and eft folde . {\}
Ac he ne con þe bet þar-vore . {\}
of clerkes lore . top ne more . {\}
þey þu iseo þe steorre also . {\}
Nertu þu {=sic - dittography. Error for yE=} wisere neu(er)-þe-mo . {\}
Ac yet þu fule þi(n)g me chist . {\}
⁊ wel g(r)ⁱmlyche me atwist . {\}
þat ic singe bi manne huse . {\}
⁊ theche wyue . breke spuse . {\}
þu lyest iwis þu fule þing . {\}
þurh me nes neu(er) ise(n)d spusi(n)g . {\}
Ac soþ hit is . ich singe ⁊ grede . {\}
þar leuedis beoþ ⁊ feyre . meide . {\}
⁊ soþ hit is . of luue ic singe . {\}
for god wif may in spusinge . {\}
Bet luuyen hire owe wére . {\}
þan on-oþer hire copinere . {\}
⁊ mayde may luue cheose . {\}
 hire trevschipe ne for-leose . {\}
⁊ luuye mid rihte luue . {\}
þane-þat schal hire beo boue . {\}
suyche luue ic theche ⁊ lere . {\}
{~f165vb~} þ(er)-of beoþ al myne ilere {=sic - error for IBERE=} . {\}
þauh su(m) wif beo of neysse mode . {\}
Vor wymmen beoþ of softe blode . {\}
 heo vor su(m)me sottes lore . {\}
þe yorne bit and sykeþ sore . {\}
Mis-nyme . ⁊ mis-do sume stunde . {\}
Schal ic þar-vore beo ibunde . {\}
yef wymme(n) luuyeþ for vnrede . {\}
witestu me heore mysdede . {\}
If wymmo(n) þencheþ luuye derne . {\}
Ne ne may ic myne songes werne . {\}
wymmo(n) may pleye vnder cloþe . {\}
hweþer heo wile . wel þe wroþe . {\}
⁊ heo may do bi Myne songe . {\}
hweþer heo wile . wel þe wronge . {\}
Vor nys a worlde þing so god . {\}
 ne may do sum vngod . {\}
If me hit wile turne a-mys . {\}
vor gold and seoluer . god hit is . {\}
⁊ naþeles . þar-myd þu myht . {\}
Spusbruche . bugge . ⁊ vnryht . {\}
wepne beoþ góde . griþ to holde . {\}
⁊ naþeles . þar-myd beoþ men aq(u)^old^e . {\}
A-yeynes riht of alle londe . {\}
þar þeoues hi bereþ an honde . {\}
Also hit is bi myne songe . {\}
þah heo beo god me hine may mys>fong>>e> {=FONGE interlined above for lack of space and separated from end of line above by two strokes at right angles=} {\}
⁊ drawe hine to sothede . {\}
⁊ to oþre vuele dede . {\}
Ah schaltu wrecche luue tele . {\}
Beo hwich heo beo . vich luue is fele . {\}
Bi-twene þe mon ⁊ wymmone . {\}
Ah if heo is atbroyde þeonne . {\}
he is vnvéle and for-broyde . {\}
wroþ wurþe him þe holy rode . {\}
þe rihte icund^e so for-breydeþ . {\}
wunder his  heo ne awedeþ . {\}
{~f166ra~} ⁊ so heo doþ vor heo beoþ wode . {\}
þat bute neste goþ to brode . {\}
wymmon is of neysse fleysse . {\}
⁊ fleysses lustes is strong to queysse . {\}
Nis wunder non þah he abide . {\}
vor fleysses lustes hi makeþ slide . {\}
Ne beoþ heo nouht alle for-lore . {\}
 stumpeþ at þe fleysses more . {\}
vor mony wymmo(n) haueþ mys-do . {\}
þat aryst vp of þe slo . {\}
Ne beoþ noht ones alle sunne . {\}
vor-þan hi beoþ tweire ikunne . {\}
Sum arist of fleysses luste . {\}
⁊ sum of þe gostes custe . {\}
þar fleys drahþ nv me(n) to dru(n)kenesse . {\}
{=line 1400=} ⁊ to wlonk-hede ⁊ to golnesse . {\}
þe gost mys-doþ . þurh nyþ and onde . {\}
⁊ seþþe myd Murehþe of mo(n)nes ho(n)de {=Error for MONNE SCHOnDE? C version also has MOnNES HOnDE so the error must be carried over from the exemplar=} . {\}
⁊ wunneþ after more and more . {\}
⁊ lutel rekþ of Milce and ore . {\}
⁊ styhþ on heyh þur modynesse . {\}
⁊ ouer-howeþ {=A punctus between OUER and HOWEy. HOWEy although in the main hand looks somewhat different from the surrounding text as though filled in later, perhaps on an erasure?=} þane lasse . {\}
Sey me soþ . if þu hit wost . {\}
hweþer doþ wurse . fleys þe gost . {\}
þu myht segge if þu wult . {\}
þat lasse is þes fleyes gult . {\}
Monymo(n) is of his fleysse clene . {\}
þat is myd mode deouel imene . {\}
Ne schal nomo(n) wymman bi-grede . {\}
⁊ fleysses lustes hire vpbreyde . {\}
Such heo mahte beo of golnesse . {\}
 sunegeþ wurse i(n) modinesse . {\}
hwet if ic schulde a luue bringe . {\}
wif oþer mayd^e hwanne ic singe . {\}
Ic wolde wiþ þe mayde holde . {\}
If þu const aryht atholde . {\}
Lust nv ic segge þe hwar-vore . {\}
{~f166rb~} Vp to þe toppe from þe more . {\}
If mayde luueþ derneliche . {\}
heo stumpeþ ⁊ falþ icundeliche . {\}
Vor þaih heo su(m)-hwile pleye . {\}
heo nys noht feor vt-of þe weye . {\}
heo may hire guld atwende . {\}
A rihte weye þurh chirche bend^e . {\}
⁊ may eft habbe to make . {\}
hire leofmon wiþ-vte sake . {\}
⁊ gon to him bi dayes lyhte . {\}
þat er bi-stal on þeoster nyhte . {\}
 yongling not hwat such þing is . {\}
his {=Example of grammatical gender rather than natural gender. The "youngling" is female but the word "youngling" is masculine. The form is "his" but the sense is "her"=} yonge blod hit drahþ amys . {\}
⁊ sum sot man . hit {=Here the neuter form goes against both natural and grammatical gender=} tyhþ þar-to . {\}
Mid alle þan-þat he may do . {\}
he cumeþ ⁊ fareþ . and beod abid . {\}
⁊ he bistarte an-oþer sid . {\}
⁊ bi-sekþ . ilome and longe . {\}
hwat may þat child þah hit {=The form, HIT et passim, follows the grammatically neuter "child"=} mis-fon[?] {=End of the word lost by trimming, Cotton version has MISFONGE=} {\}
hit nuste neu(er) hwat his {=Cotton version has HIT here, i.e. "love"=} was . {\}
Vor-þi hit þouhte fondi þas . {\}
⁊ wyte iwis hwich beo þe gome . {\}
 of þe wilde makeþ tome . {\}
Ne may ic vor reuþe lete . {\}
hwanne ic iseo þe tohte ilete . {\}
þe luue bring on {<me<} {=del, by subpunction=} wunglinge {=sic - presumably from Y misread as wynn in the exemplar=} {\}
þat ic of murehþe hi(m) {=Grammatical gender agreeing with masculine "youngling" but with the sense "it", as with "child" above=} ne singe . {\}
Ic theche heo(m) bi myne songe . {\}
þat suych luue . ne last noht lo(n)g[e] {=E partially trimmed - following punctus, if any, lost=} {\}
for my song lude wile ileste . {\}
⁊ luue ne doþ noht bute reste . {\}
on such childre ⁊ sone ageþ {\}
⁊ falþ adun þe heorte bred . {>)þ)>} {=ins, in right hand margin in another hand presumably as correction for D=} {\}
I singe myd heo(m) . one þrowe . {\}
Biginne an heyh ⁊ endi lowe . {\}
⁊ lete mine songes falle . {\}
A lude wise . adun myd-alle . {\}
* {~f166va~} þat mayde wot hwenne i sike . {\}
⁊ luue is myne songes iliche . {\}
vor hit nys bute a lutel breþ . {\}
þat sone cumeþ and sone geþ . {\}
þat child bi{"by means of"} me hit vnder-stond . {\}
⁊ his vnred . to rede iwend . {\}
⁊ syhþ wel bi myne songe . {\}
þat dusy luue ne last noht longe . {\}
Ac wel ic wile þat þu hit wite . {\}
loþ me beoþ wifes vt-schute . {\}
Ac wif may of me nyme yeme . {\}
Ic ne singe noht hwen ic teme . {\}
⁊ wif auh lete sottes lore . {\}
þauh spusyng bendes byndeþ sore . {\}
wunder me þinkþ . stark ⁊ sor . {\}
hw enymon so haueþ for . {\}
 his heorte myhte dryue . {\}
To do hit to oþres ma(n)nes wyue . {\}
Vor oþer hit is of twam þinge . {\}
Ne may þe þridde no-mo(n) b(r)ⁱnge . {\}
oþer þe lou(er)d is wel auht . {\}
oþer aswunde . ⁊ nys nouht . {\}
If he is wrþful . ⁊ auht mon . {\}
Nele no-mon þat wisdom can . {\}
hure . of his wive do him schome . {\}
vor he may him adrede grame . {\}
⁊ þat he forleose  þer hongeþ . {\}
 him eft þar-to noht ne longeþ . {\}
⁊ þah he þat nouht ne adredeþ {=Both grammar and rhyme require the subjunctive form ADREDE. cf. Cotton text=} {\}
hit is vnriht . ⁊ gret sothede . {\}
To mys-do one gode manne . {\}
⁊ his ibedde from him spanne . {\}
If hire lou(er)d is for-wurþe . {\}
⁊ vnorne at bedde . ⁊ at borde . {\}
hw myhte þar beo eny luue . {\}
hwenne a cherles buk . hire lay{>} {=ins, in left hand margin, for lack of space, and marked for insertion=} buue{>} {\}
hw may þer eny luue beo . {\}
{~f166vb~} hwar such mon gropeþ hire þeo . {\}
her-bi þu miht wel vnderstonde . {\}
þat on is at þen oþres schonde . {\}
To stele to oþres mannes bedde . {\}
{=line 1500=} Vor if auht man is hire ibedde . {\}
þu myht wene þat þe mystide . {\}
hwanne þu lyst bi hire side . {\}
⁊ if þe lou(er)d is a wrecche . {\}
hwych este myhtestu þar vecche . {\}
If þu biþenchest hwo hire of-ligge . {\}
þu myht myd wlate . þe este bugge . {\}
Ich not hw may en freomon . {\}
vor hire sechen after-þan . {\}
If he bi-þenkþ . bi hwam he lay . {\}
Al may þe luue gon away . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged initial capital thorn taking up two lines' depth=} vle wes glad of suche tale . {\}
heo þouhte þat þe nyhtegale . {\}
þah heo wel speke at þe frume . {\}
hadde at þan ende mys-nume . {\}
⁊ seyde . nv ich habbe ifunde . {\}
þat maydenes beoþ of þine imund^e . {\}
Mid heo(m) þu holdest . ⁊ heo(m) bi-werest . {\}
⁊ ou(er)-swiþe þu hi herest . {\}
þe lauedies beoþ to me iwend . {\}
To me hire mone heo send . {\}
For hit ityd ofte and ilome . {\}
þat wif ⁊ were beoþ vnisome . {\}
⁊ þer-fore þat were gulte . {\}
 leof is oþer wymmo(n) to pulte . {\}
⁊ speneþ on þare . al þat he haueþ . {\}
⁊ syweþ þare . þat noht naueþ . {\}
⁊ haueþ atom his riche spuse . {\}
wowes west and lere huse . {\}
wel þunne isrud ⁊ ived wroþe . {\}
⁊ let heo bute mete ⁊ cloþe . {\}
hwenne he cumeþ ho(m) eft to his wyue . {\}
Ne dar he noht a word ischire . {\}
{~f167ra~} he chid ⁊ gred . such he beo wod . {\}
⁊ ne bringþ hom non oþer god . {\}
Al þat heo doþ . him is vnwille . {\}
Al þat heo spekeþ . hit is him ille . {\}
⁊ ofte hwenne heo noht ne mys-deþ . {\}
heo haueþ þe fust in þe theþ . {\}
Nis nomon þat ne may ibrynge . {\}
his wif amys myd suche þinge . {\}
Me hire may so ofte mys-beode . {\}
þat heo do wile hire owe neode . {\}
la god hit wot heo nah iwelde . {\}
þah heo hine make cukeweld . {\}
For hit ityt ilome and ofte . {\}
þat his wif is neysse ⁊ softe . {\}
of fayre bleo ⁊ wel i-diht . {\}
þi hit is þe more vnryht . {\}
 he his spene on þare . {\}
 nis wurþ on of hire heare . {\}
⁊ suche men beoþ wel manyfolde . {\}
 wif ne cunne ariht holde . {\}
Ne mot no-mo(n) wiþ hire speke . {\}
he weneþ heo wile anon to-breke . {\}
hire spusyng . if heo lokeþ . {\}
oþer wiþ monne veyre spekeþ . {\}
he hire bilukþ myd keye ⁊ loke . {\}
þar-þurh is spusing ofte i-broke . {\}
vor if heo is þar-to i-brouht . {\}
he deþ þat heo nedde ear iþouht . {\}
Dehaet þat to swiþe hit bi-speke . {\}
þah suche wiues heom awreke . {\}
her-of to me þe leuedies heo(m) meneþ . {\}
And wel sore me ahweneþ . {\}
wel-neyh myn heorte wile to-chine . {\}
hwenne ic bi-holde heore wiue {=Spoilt rhyme. Cf Cotton PINE - correct text. The exemplar X must have had wynns and Ps very similar and Jesus read wynn for P (which he realises with W) and then U for N=} . {\}
Mid heom ic wepe swiþe sore . {\}
⁊ for heom bidde cristes ore . {\}
 þe leuedi sone aredde . {\}
{~f167rb~} ⁊ hire sende betere ibedde . {\}
An-oþer þing ic may þe telle . {\}
⁊ þu ne schalt for þine felle . {\}
onswere non . þar-to fynde . {\}
Al þis sputing schal aswinde . {\}
Mony chapmo(n) ⁊ mony knyht . {\}
luueþ ⁊ halt his wif ariht . {\}
⁊ so doþ mony bonde-man . {\}
þat gode wif doþ after-þan . {\}
⁊ sarueþ him to bedde ⁊ to borde . {\}
Mid fayre dede ⁊ fayre worde . {\}
⁊ yorne vondeþ hw heo mowe . {\}
Do þing þat him beo iduwe . {\}
þe lou(er)d in-to þare þeode . {\}
Vareþ vt on þare beyre neode . {\}
⁊ is þat gode wif vnbliþe . {\}
vor hire lou(er)des houþ-syþe {=See Cartlidge (2001:137) for parallels to this sort of spelling=} . {\}
⁊ sit . ⁊ sykþ . wel sore of-longed . {\}
⁊ hire sore an heorte ongreþ . {\}
Al vor hire lou(er)des sake . {\}
haueþ dayes kare . ⁊ nihtes wake . {\}
⁊ swiþe longe hire is þe hwile . {\}
⁊ vych stape hire þinkþ a Mile . {\}
hwenne oþre slepeþ hire a-bute . {\}
Ich one lust þar-wyþ-þute . {\}
⁊ wot of hire sore mode . {\}
⁊ singe a-nyht for hire gode . {\}
⁊ myn gode song . for hire þinge . {\}
Ic turne su(m)-del to Murnynge . {\}
of hure seorwe ic bere sume . {\}
{=line 1600=} Vor-þan ic am hire wel welcum>e> {=E interlined above because of a hole in the parchment=} {\}
Ic hire helpe hwat ich may . {\}
for {[she[} howeþ{"is mindful of"} þane rihte way . {\}
⁊ þu me hauest sore igremed . {\}
þat myn heorte is neyh alemed . {\}
þat ic may vnneþe speke . {\}
Ac yet ic wile for þ{+}urre {=Note that FOR yURRE may be a misreading of some form of "further" in the exemplar. Cotton has FOR yURE with only a very slight gap between FOR and yURE and it seems reasonable to read "further" in Cotton as all editors have done. In J the gap between the two words is very clear and the J scribe appears to have meant something other than "further" here. URRE is plausibly a spelling for eorre (cf. STURRE-WIS above) and the definitie article often elides with following words beginning with a vowel=} reke . {\}
{~f167va~} þu seyst þat{>} {=ins, interlined above=} ic{>} am monne loþ . {\}
⁊ vich mon is wiþ me wroþ . {\}
⁊ me myd stone ⁊ lugge þreteþ . {\}
⁊ me to burste . ⁊ to bete . {\}
⁊ hwanne hi habbeþ me ofslawe . {\}
heo anhoþ me i(n) heore hawe . {\}
þar ich aschevle pie ⁊ crowe . {\}
Fro(m) þan-þat þer is isowe . {\}
þah hit beo soþ . ic do heo(m) god . {\}
⁊ for heo(m) ic schedde my blod . {\}
Ic do heo(m) god . myd myne deþe . {\}
þar-fore þe is wel unmeþe . {\}
For þhah þu ligge ded ⁊ clinge . {\}
þi deþ nys nouht to none{+}þinge . {\}
Ic not neu(er) to hwa(m) þu myht . {\}
For þu nart bute a wrech^e wiht . {\}
Ah þah my lif me beo atschote . {\}
þe-yet ic may do gode note . {\}
Me may vppe smale sticke . {\}
Me sette a wude ine þe þikke . {\}
⁊ so may mo(n) tolli him to {\}
lutle briddes and ivo . {\}
⁊ so me may myd me byete . {\}
wel gode brede to his mete . {\}
Ah þu neu(er) mon to gode . {\}
lyues ne deþes . stal ne stode . {\}
Ic not to hwan þu breist þi word {=Spoilt rhyme. Cotton has BROD=} . {\}
lyues ne deþes . ne doþ hit god . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged initial capital thorn taking up two lines' depth=} Nihtegale iherde þis . {\}
⁊ hupte vppe on blowe ris . {\}
⁊ herre sat . þane heo dude er {\}
Vle . heo seyde . beo nv þer {=Error for "ware" with misreading of exemplar wynn? Cotton has wEAR=} . {\}
{~f167vb~} Nule ic wiþ þe playdi namore . {\}
vor her{>} {=ins, interlined above=} þu{>} myst þi ryhte lore . {\}
þ yelpest þat þu art mo(n)ne loþ . {\}
⁊ eu(er)vich wiht . is wiþ þe wroþ . {\}
⁊ myd yollinge ⁊ myd igrede . {\}
þu þinchst wel  þu art vnlede . {\}
þu seyst þat gromes þe ivoþ . {\}
⁊ heye on rode . þe an-hoþ . {\}
⁊ þe to-twiccheþ . ⁊ to-schakeþ . {\}
⁊ su(m)me of þe scheules makeþ . {\}
Me þinkþ  þu forlest  game . {\}
þu yelpest of þire owe schome . {\}
Me þinkþ þat þu me gest an honde . {\}
þu yelpest of þine owe schonde . {\}
þo heo hadde þeos word {=Word missing - Cotton has ICwEDE=} {\}
heo sat in one fayre stude . {\}
⁊ þar-after . hire stefne dihte . {\}
⁊ song so schille . ⁊ so brihte . {\}
þat fur ⁊ neor . me hit iherde . {\}
þar-vore Anón to hire cherde . {\}
þruysse ⁊ þrostle . ⁊ wodewale . {\}
⁊ foweles boþe grete ⁊ smale . {\}
Vorþan- heo(m) þuhte  heo hadde . {\}
þe vle ou(er)come . forþan heo g(r)^adde . {\}
⁊ sungen also uale wise . {\}
 blisse wes among þe ryse . {\}
Riht so me gred . þe mo(n)ne a schame . {\}
 taueleþ ⁊ forleost  gome . {\}
Þeos {=Enlarged initial capital thorn taking up two lines' depth=} vle þo heo þis iherde . {\}
hauestu heo seyde . ibanned ferd^e . {\}
⁊ wiltu wrecche wiþ me vyhte . {\}
Na nay . nauestu none Mihte . {\}
{~f168ra~} hwat g(r)^edeþ heo .  hider come . {\}
Me þinkþ þu ledest ferde to me . {\}
ye schulle wite ar ye fleo heonne . {\}
hwuch is þe strengþe of myne kunne . {\}
vor þeo- haueþ bile ihoked . {\}
⁊ clyures scharpe ⁊ wel icroked . {\}
Alle heo beoþ of myne kunrede . {\}
⁊ wolde cumen if ich bede . {\}
þe seolue cok þat wel can vihte . {\}
he mot myd me holde wiþ rihte . {\}
vor beo  we habbe stefne brihte . {\}
⁊ sitteþ vnder welkne bi nyhte . {\}
Schulle ic up eu on vtest {=H added faintly above E in another hand=} grede . {\}
Ich schal so stronge verde lede . {\}
þa>t> oure prude schal a-ualle . {\}
A tord ne yeue ic for eu alle . {\}
Ne schal ar hit beo fullich eue . {\}
A wrecche veþere on eu bileue . {\}
Ah hit wes vnker uoreward . {\}
þo we comen hyder-ward . {\}
 we þar-to holden scholde . {\}
þar riht dom vs yeue wolde . {\}
wultu nv breke foreward . {\}
Ic wene . dom þe þinkþ to hard . {\}
vor þu ne darst domes abyde . {\}
þu wilt nv wrecche . fihte . ⁊ chide . {\}
yet ich eu wolde alle rede . {\}
Ar ich vthest vp eu grede {*sj context*} . {\}
þat eur fihtlak leteþ beo . {\}
{=line 1700=} ⁊ gynneþ raþe ayeyn fleo . {\}
vor bi þe clyures þat ic bere . {\}
If ye abideþ myne here . {\}
ye schulleþ an-oþer wise singe . {\}
⁊ cursy alle fihtinge . {\}
vor nys of ou nón so kene . {\}
þat durre abide myn onsene . {\}
þeos vle spak wel baldelyche . {\}
vor þah heo nadde {*sj context*} so hwatliche . {\}
I-uare after hire here . {\}
{~f168rb~} heo wolde naþeles yeue answere . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged initial capital thorn taking up two lines' depth=} Nihtegale myd sweche worde . {\}
for monymo(n) myd speres orde . {\}
haueþ lutle strengþe . ⁊ mid his schelde . {\}
Ah naþeles in one felde . {\}
þurh belde worde ⁊ myd ilete . {\}
Deþ is iuo . for arehþe swete . {\}
þe wrenne for heo cuþe singe . {\}
þar com i(n) þare moreweninge . {\}
To helpe þare nyhtegale . {\}
vor heo hadde stefne smale . {\}
heo hadde gode þrote ⁊ schille . {\}
⁊ fale mo(n)ne song a wille . {\}
þe wrenne . wes wel wis iholde . {\}
vor þeih heo nere ibred a wolde . {\}
heo wes itowen . am>o>(n)g mankunne . {\}
⁊ hire wisdo(m) brouhte þenne . {\}
heo myhte speke hwar heo wolde . {\}
Tofore þe kinge . þah heo scholde . {\}
lusteþ . heo queþ . leteþ me speke . {\}
hwat wille ye . þis pays to-breke . {\}
⁊ do þanne such schome {\}
yet nys heo nouþer ded ne lome . {\}
hunke schal ityde harm ⁊ schonde . {\}
If we doþ gryþbruche on his lond^e . {\}
Leteþ beo ⁊ beoþ isome . {\}
⁊ fareþ riht to eure dome . {\}
⁊ leteþ do(m) þis playd to-breke . {\}
Also hit wes erure bi-speke . {\}
Ich {=Slightly enlarged initial *I but only taking up one line's depth=} vnne wel queþ þe Nihtegale . {\}
Ah wrenne . nouht for þine tale . {\}
Ac do for myre lauhfulnesse . {\}
Ic nolde þat vnrihtfulnesse . {\}
Me at þen ende . me ouercome . {\}
Ic nam ofdred . of none dome . {\}
Bihote ic habbe . soþ hit is . {\}
þat mayster Nichole .  is wis . {\}
Bitwihen eu deme schulle . {\}
⁊ yet ic wene þat he wulle . {\}
{~f168va~} Ah þar myhte we hine fynde . {\}
þe wrenne sat in hore lynde . {\}
hwat Mihte yet {=MS HYET with ascender of H subpuncted and limb of H functioning as the first element of Y. Error for NUSTE zE?=} quaþ heo his hom . {\}
heo wuneþ at portes-hom . {\}
At one tune in dorsete . {\}
Bi þare séé . in ore vtlete {=Probably an error (in both versions) for ULETE "fleet". See Watts (1997). But that doesn't explain what the J and C scribes thought they were writing which can only easily be interpreted as an early use of the compound "outlet"=} . {\}
þar he demeþ mony riht dom . {\}
⁊ diht ⁊ wryt mony wisdom . {\}
⁊ þurh his muþe . ⁊ þurh his honde . {\}
hit is þe betere in-to scotlonde . {\}
To seche hyne . is lyhtlych þing . {\}
he naueþ buten o wunyng . {\}
 is biscopen muchel schame . {\}
⁊ alle þan- of his nome . {\}
habbeþ iherd . and of his dede . {\}
hwi nulleþ hi nyme(n) heo(m) to rede . {\}
 he were myd heom ilome . {\}
vor teche heo(m) of his wisdome . {\}
⁊ yeue him rente on vale stude . {\}
 he myhte ilome heo(m) beo myde . {\}
Certes {=Slightly enlarged initial *C, but taking up only one line's depth=} quaþ þe vle . þat is soþ {\}
þeos riche men . Muchel mys-doþ . {\}
þat leteþ þane gode man . {\}
þat of so fele þinge can . {\}
⁊ yeueþ rente wel Mislyche . {\}
⁊ of him leteþ wel lyhtliche . {\}
wiþ heore kunne heo beoþ Mildre . {\}
⁊ yeueþ rente lutle childre . {\}
so heore wit hi demeþ a dwole . {\}
 eu(er) abit Mayster Nichole . {\}
Ah vte we þah . to hym fare . {\}
vor þat is vnk~ dom al yare {\}
Do {=Slightly enlarged initial *D, but taking up only one line's depth=} we þe Nihtegale seyde . {\}
Ah hwo schal vnk~ speche rede . {\}
⁊ telle to-vore vnker dome {=sic=} . {\}
þar-of ic schal þe wel iqueme . {\}
Queþ þe vle . for al ende of orde . {\}
{~f168vb~} Telle ic con . word after worde . {\}
⁊ if þe þinkþ þat ic mis-rempe . {\}
þu stond ayeyn and do me crempe . {\}
Mid þisse worde forþ hi ferden . {\}
Al bute here and bute verde . {\}
To portes-ham . þer hi bicome {\}
Ah hw heo spedde of heore dome . {\}
Ne can ic eu namore telle . {\}
{=line 1794=} her nys namore of þisse spelle . {(Explicit(} {\\}

{=Rest of the column blank=} {9} {Oxford, Jesus College 29, fols.169r-174v: Poema Morale} {C13b2} {~f169r~} {=The poem is written in long verse line couplets. Punctuation is very regular - punctus appear at the end of each line and at the half line and elsewhere as shown. Enlarged coloured initial capitals are only once larger than can be contained on their own line. They are most often at 6-line intervals, but sometimes at 4 or 8-line intervals, perhaps dictated by sense units=} {>(Tractatus quidam in anglico(>} {=ins, in top margin=} ICh {=Enlarged coloured initial *I=} am eldre þan ich wes {=Punctus missing=} a winter and ek on lore . {\}
Ich welde more þan ich dude . my wyt auh to beo more . {\}
wel longe ich habbe child ibeo . a werke and eke on dede . {\}
þah ich beo of wynter old . to yong ich am on rede . {\}
vnned lif ich habbe ilad . and yet me þinkþ ich lede . {\}
hwenne ich me biþenche . ful sore ich me a-drede . {\}
Mest {=Enlarged coloured initial *M, unusually taking up two lines' depth and impinging on the beginning of the line above=} al þat ich habbe idon . is idelnesse and chilce . {\}
wel late ich habbe me bi-þouht . bute god do me mylce . {\}
veole idel word ich habbe ispeke . seoþþe ich speke cuþe . {\}
and feole yonge deden ido . þat me of-þincheþ nuþe . {\}
Al-to lóme ich habbe agult . on werke and on worde . {\}
Al-to muchel ich habbe i-spend . to lutel i-leyd an horde . {\}
Best {=Enlarged coloured initial *B=} al þat me likede er . nv hit me mys-lykeþ . {\}
þe muchel foleweþ his wil . him-seolue he bi-swikeþ . {\}
{=The following line is not in the original - rhyme scheme spoilt=} Mon let þi fol lust ouer-go . and eft hit þe likeþ . {\}
Ich myhte habbe bet i-do . heuede {*sj context*} ich eny selhþe . {\}
Nv ich wolde and i ne may . for elde . ne for vnhelhþe . {\}
Elde is me bi-stolen on . er-þan ich hit wiste . {\}
Ne may ich bi-seo me bi-fore . for smoke ne for myste . {\}
Erewe we beoþ to donne gód . vuel al-to þriste . {\}
More eye stondeþ mon of mon . þan him to cryste . {\}
{>þ>} {=ins, in left hand margin, guide letter for the capital=} Þe {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} wel ne doþ hwile he may . hit schal him sore reowe . {\}
hwenne alle men repen schule . þat heo ear seowe . {\}
Dod to gode þat ye muwen . þe-hwile ye beoþ alyue . {\}
Ne lipne no-mon to muchel . to childe ne to wyue . {\}
þe him-seolue for-yet . for wiue . oþer for childe . {\}
he schal cumen on vuele stude . bute god him beo Milde . {\}
{>s>} {=ins, in left hand margin, guide letter for the capital=} Sende {=Enlarged coloured initial *S=} vch sum god bivoren him . þe-hwile he may to heouene . {\}
Betere is on almes bi-uoren . þane beoþ after seouene . {\}
Ne beo þe leouere þan þi-seolf . þi mey ne þi mowe . {\}
Sot is þat is oþer mannes freond . more þan his owe . {\}
Ne lipne no wif to hire were . ne were to his wyue . {\}
Beo vor him-seolue vych mon . þe-hwile he beoþ alyue . {\}
{>þ>} {=ins, in left hand margin, guide letter for capital=} Þis {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} is þat him-seolue biþenkþ . þe-hwile he mot libbe . {\}
{~f169v~} vor sone willeþ him for-yete {=Punctus missing=} þe fremede and þe sibbe . {\}
þe wel nule do hwile he may . ne schal he hwenne he wolde . {\}
Mony-monnes sore iswynk . ofte habbeþ vnholde . {\}
Ne scholde nomon don a-virst . ne slakien wel to donne . {\}
vor mony-mon bihoteþ wel . þat hit for-yeteþ sone . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} mon þat wile syker beo . to habbe godes blysse . {\}
Do wel him-seolf þe-hwile he may . þenne haueþ he hit myd iwisse . {\}
{=The next two lines appear in reverse order in MS but are marked for transposition in the margin. They are given in correct order here=} {>.a.>} {=ins, in left hand margin indicating correct line order=} þeos riche men weneþ to beon syker . þurh walles ⁊ þurh diche . {\}
{>.b.>} {=ins, in left hand margin indicating correct line order=} Ah heo doþ heore ayhte i(n) siker stude . þat sendeþ hit to heoue-riche . {\}
vor þer ne þarf he beon adred . of fure ne of þeue . {\}
þar ne may hit by-nyme . þe loþe ne þe leoue . {\}
Þer {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} ne þarf he beon of-dred . of yefte ne of yelde . {\}
þider we sendeþ and seolf bereþ . to lutel and to selde . {\}
þider we schulde drawen and don . wel ofte and ilome . {\}
Ne may þer non hit vs bynymen . myd wrongwise dome . {\}
þider we schulden drawen and don . wolde ye me ileue . {\}
vor þer ne may hit vs by-nyme . þe king . ne þe schirréue . {\}
Al þe beste þat we habbeþ . þider we schulde sende . {\}
vor þer we hit myhte vinden eft . ⁊ habben o {=O distinguished with a punctus on either side clearly used in the same way as scribes sometimes use punctus either side of I to distinguish the personal pronoun. The dots are therefore treated as part of the littera and not as noted as punctuation=} buten ende . {\}
He {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} þat her doþ eny god . to habbe godes ore . {\}
Al he schal vynde þer . an hundred-folde more . {\}
þe-þat ayhte wile holde wel . þe-hwile he may him wolde . {\}
yeue hit for godes luue . þenne doþ he hit wel iholde . {\}
vre swynk ⁊ vre tylehþe . is iwuned to swynde . {\}
Ah heo þat hit yeueþ for godes luue . eft hit mowen ivynde . {\}
Ne {=Enlarged coloured initial *N=} schal non vuel beon vn-bouht . ne no god vn-vor-gulde . {\}
Vuel we doþ alto muchel . god  lasse þane we scholde . {\}
þe-þat mest doþ nv to góde . ⁊ te-þe leste to laþe . {\}
Eyþer to lutel and to muchel . schal þunchen heom ef to baþe . {\}
Þer me schal vre werkes weyen {=Punctus missing=} by-vore heouene kinge . {\}
And yeuen vs vre swynkes lean . after vre earnynge . {\}
Everuych {=Enlarged coloured initial *E=} mon myd þat he haueþ . may bugge heoueriche . {\}
þe riche and þe poure boþe . ah nouht alle ilyche . {\}
þe poure myd his penye . þe riche myd his punde . {\}
þat is þe wunderlicheste ware . þat euer was ifunde . {\}
⁊ ofte god con more þonk . ye þat yueþ him lasse . {\}
{~f170r~} Alle his werkes . ⁊ his yeftes . is in ryhtwisnesse . {\}
Lvtel {=Enlarged coloured initial *L=} lók is gode leof . þat cumeþ of gode wille . {\}
⁊ lutel he let on muchel wowe . þer þe heorte is ille . {\}
heouene ⁊ eorþe he ouer-syhþ . his eyen beoþ so brihte . {\}
Sunne . ⁊ mone . heuene . ⁊ fur . beoþ þeostre ayeyn his lyhte . {\}
Nis him forhole nowiht . ne ihud . so muchele beoþ his myhte . {\}
Nis no so derne dede idon . in so þeostre nyhte . {\}
he wot hwat þencheþ . ⁊ hwat doþ . alle quyke wyhte . {\}
Nis no lou(er)d such is crist . ne king . such vre dryhte . {\}
Heouene {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} ⁊ eorþe . and al þat is . biloken is . in his honde . {\}
he doþ al þat his wille is . a watere . and eke on londe . {\}
he makede fysses in þe sea . and fuweles in þe lufte . {\}
he wit and wald alle þing . and schop alle schafte . {\}
he wes erest of alle þing . and euer byþ buten ende . {\}
he is on ewiche stude . wende hwer þu wende . {\}
he is buuen and bi-neþen . bi-voren vs and bi-hinde . {\}
þe-þat godes wille doþ . ichwer {=This is not the J scribe's normal form for "each", and would be an early attestation for this compound (see OED s.v. each-where adv) but it is hard to see how these could be a form of OE gehwaer or aeghwaer=} may him fynde . {\}
Hvych {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} rune he iherþ . þe wot alle dede . {\}
he þurhsyhþ . vych monnes þonk . wy hwat schal vs to rede . {\}
þe-þat brekeþ godes hes . and gulteþ so ilóme . {\}
hwat schulle we seggen oþer don . at þe muchele dome . {\}
þe-þat luueþ vnryht . and heore lif vuele ledeþ . {\}
we þat neu(er) god ne duden . þen heueneliche demeþ {=sic - the scribe has made a mistake here because the lines are out of order. DREDE (or more correctly DRADDE) in the next line should have rhymed with LEDEy (or more correctly LADDE). Then QUEME (two lines on) should rhyme with DEME which J has just added a thorn to so as to make a false and ungrammatical rhyme with LEDEy=} hwat schulle seggen oþer don . þer engles heom drede . {\}
{=The following line is redundant, put in to sort out already spoilt rhyme scheme and adapted from a line later in the poem=} Crist for his muchele myhte . hus helpe þenne and rede . {\}
{=The following line is now left without a rhyming partner, being separated from DEME[y] above=} Hwat {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} schulle we beren vs bi-voren . Mid hwan schulle we queme . {\}
þe schule beon deoulen so veole . þat wulleþ vs for-wreye . {\}
Nabbeþ heo nowiht for-yete . of al þat heo iseyen . {\}
Al þat we mysduden here . heo hit wulleþ cuþe þere . {\}
Bute we habben hit ibet . þe-hwile we her were . {\}
Al heo habbeþ in heore wryte . þat we mysduden here . {\}
þah we hit nusten . heo weren vre ifere . {\}
Hwat {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} schulleþ horlinges don . þe swiken . and þe forsworene . {\}
Swiþe veole beoþ icleped . and fewe beoþ icorene . {\}
way hwi were{>} {=ins, interlined above=} heo{>} bi->yet>>e> {=ins, in right margin marked for insertion in place of subpuncted letters=} {<heyhte<} {=del, subpuncted in text after BI=} . hwi were heo iborene . {\}
þat schulle beo to deþe idemed . and euermore forlorene . {\}
{~f170v~} huych mon him-seolue schal her . bi-cleopien . and ek deme . {\}
his owene werkes and his þouht . to witnesse hit schal teme . {\}
Ne {=Enlarged coloured initial *N=} may him nomon deme so wel . iwis . ne also ryhte . {\}
for non ne knoweþ so wel his þonk . bute vre dryhte . {\}
vych mon wot him-seolue best . his werkes and his wille . {\}
þat lest wot he seyþ ofte mest . ⁊ he þat al wot is stille . {\}
Nis no witnesse also muchel . so mo(n)nes owe heorte . {\}
for so seyþ þat vnhol is . him-seolue hwat him smeorteþ . {\}
Vych {=Enlarged coloured initial *V=} mon schal him-seolue deme . to deþe oþer to lyue . {\}
þe witnesse of his owe werk . þer-to him schal dryue . {\}
⁊ al þat eu(er) mon hafþ idon . seþþen heo com to monne . {\}
Also he hit iseye on boke iwryten . hit schal him þinche þenne . {\}
Ne schal nomon beon ydemed . after his bigynnynge . {\}
Ah dom schal þolyen vych mon . after his endinge . {\}
If þe ende is vuel . al hit is vuel . god yef vs god ende . {\}
God yef vs vre ende god . hwider þat he vs lende . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} mon  neu(er) nule do god . ne neu(er) god lif lede . {\}
þat deþ cume to his dure . he may sore adrede . {\}
þat he ne Muwe bidden ore . for þat i-tyt ilóme . {\}
vorþi is wis þat bit ore . and bet bi-vore þe dome . {\}
hwenne deþ is at þe dure . wel late he bit ore . {\}
wel late he leteþ þat vuel . þenne he ne may do na-more . {\}
Bilef {=Enlarged coloured initial *B=} sunne hwil þu myht . and do bi godes lore . {\}
and do to gode hwat þu myht . if þu wilt habben ore . {\}
For we hit ileueþ wel . and dryhten seolf hit seyde . {\}
on hwiche tyme so-eu(er) þe mon . of-þincheþ his mysdede . {\}
oþer raþer oþer later . Milce he schal y-mete . {\}
Ah he þat nouht naueþ ibét . muchel he haueþ to bete . {\}
Mony-mon {=Enlarged coloured initial *M=} seyþ hwo rekþ of pyne . þat schal habben ende . {\}
Ne bidde ich no bet{"had I not better pray?"} . bute ich beo . ilesed a domes-day of bende . {\}
Lutel wot he hwat is pyne . ⁊ lutel he hit iknoweþ . {\}
hwich hete is þar þe soule wuneþ . hw bitter wynd þ(er) bloweþ . {\}
{~f171r~} hedde he iwuned þer enne day . oþer vnneþe one tyde . {\}
Nolde he for al þe Middelerd . an-oþer þer abyde . {\}
Swiþe {=Enlarged coloured initial *S=} g(r)ⁱmlych stench þer is . ⁊ wurþ wyþ-vten ende . {\}
⁊ hwo þe enes cumeþ þer . vt may he neu(er) þenne wende . {\}
Neu(er) ich in helle ne com . ne þer to cume ne recche . {\}
þah ich al þes worldes weole . þer wende {*sj context*} to vecche . {\}
þat seyden þeo-þat weren þer . heo hit wisten myd iwisse . {\}
þer þurh seorewe of seoue yer . for soue nyhtes blysse . {\}
⁊ for þe blysse þat ende haueþ  endeles is þe pyne . {\}
Beter is ƿorie wateres drung . þane atter meynd myd wyne . {\}
Swynes {=Enlarged coloured initial *S=} brede is swete . so is of þe wilde deore . {\}
Al-to deore he hit buþ . þat yeueþ þar-vore his sweore . {\}
ful wombe may lihtliche speken . of hunger and of festen . {\}
so may of pyne . þat not hwat hit is . þat eu(er)-mo schal lesten . {\}
hedde he ifonded su(m)me stunde . he wolde seggen al oþer . {\}
⁊ lete for crist . beo wif ⁊ child . fader . suster . and broþer . {\}
Al {=Enlarged coloured initial *A=} he wolde oþer don . ⁊ oþerluker þenche . {\}
hwenne he biþouhte on helle fur . þat noþing ne may quenche . {\}
Eure he wolde in bonen beon . ⁊ in godnesse wunye . {\}
wiþ-þat he myhte helle fur . eu(er) fleon and schonye . {\}
⁊ lete sker al þes worldes weole . ⁊ þes worldes blysse . {\}
wiþ-þat he myhte to heouene cumen . ⁊ beo þer myd iwisse . {\}
Ich {=Enlarged coloured initial *I=} wile eu seggen of þe dome . as ich eu er seyde . {\}
on þe day and on þe dome . vs helpe cryst and rede . {\}
 {=Space of about three letters=} we Muwen beon aferd . and sore vs of-drede . {\}
þer vych schal seon him bifore . his word and ek his dede . {\}
Al schal beon þer þeonne ikud . þet er men lowen and stelen . {\}
Al schal beon þer þeonne vnwrien .  men her wrien ⁊ helen . {\}
Vve {=Enlarged coloured initial *V=} schulleþ alre monne lyf . iknowe al-so vre owe . {\}
þer schulle beon euenynges . þe riche and ek þe lowe . {\}
þe dom schal beon sone idon . ne lest he nowiht longe . {\}
Ne schal him nomon menen þer . of strengþe . ne of wronge . {\}
{~f171v~} þeo schullen habbe harde dom . þat er weren harde . {\}
þeo-þat vuele heolde wrecche men . and vuele lawe arerde . {\}
Alle {=Enlarged coloured initial *A=} þeo-þat beoþ icumen . of adam and of eve . {\}
Alle heo schule þider cumen . and so we owen hit ileue . {\}
þeo-þat habbeþ wel idon . after heore Mihte . {\}
To heoueriche heo schulle vare . forþ myd vre dryhte . {\}
þeo- habbeþ feondes werk idon . ⁊ þer-in beoþ {=EO corrected from something else=} ifunde . {\}
heo schulle fare forþ myd him  in-to helle grunde . {\}
Þer ho schulle wunyen o {=O distinguished by two punctus on either side. These are taken to be part of the littera. The second however coincides with where this scribe normally punctuates so it (though not the first) is recorded as punctuation=} . buten ore and ende . {\}
Ne brekeþ nouht crist eft helle dure . to lesen heom of bende . {\}
Nys no seollich þeh heom beo wo . he mawe wunye eþe . {\}
Nul neu(er) eft crist þolye deþ . to lesen heom of deþe . {\}
Enes drihte helle brek . his freond he vt-brouhte . {\}
him-seolue he þolede deþ for vs . wel deore he vs abouhte . {\}
Nolde {=Enlarged coloured initial *N=} hit no-mon do for me . ne suster for broþer . {\}
Nolde hit sone do for vader . ne nomon for oþer . {\}
Vre alre lou(er)d for vs þrelles . ipyned wes on rode . {\}
Vre bendes he vnbond . ⁊ bouhte vs myd his blode . {\}
And we yeueþ vnneþe . a stucche of vre brede . {\}
we ne þencheþ nouht þat he schal deme . þe quyke ⁊ ek þe dede . {\}
Muchel {=Enlarged coloured initial *M=} luue he vs cudde . wolde we hit vnderstonde . {\}
þat vre elderne mys-duden . we habbeþ harde on honde . {\}
Deþ com i þis Middelerd . þurh þe deofles onde . {\}
⁊ sunne . ⁊ sorewe . ⁊ muchel swynk . a watere . ⁊ a londe . {\}
Vre forme faderes gult . we abuggeþ alle . {\}
Al his ofsprung after him . in harme is ifalle . {\}
Þurst and hunger . chele . and hete . ache and vnhelþe . {\}
þurh him com i(n) þis myddelerd . ⁊ oþe vnyselyhþe . {\}
Nere nomon elles ded ne sek . ne non vnhele . {\}
Ah myhten libben eu(er)mo . myd blysse and myd wele . {\}
Lutel hit þincheþ monymon . ah muchel wes þe sunne . {\}
for whon alle þolieþ deþ . þat comen of heore kunne . {\}
Vre {=Enlarged coloured initial *V=} sunne and vre sor . vs may sore of-þunche . {\}
{~f172r~} In sunnen we libbeþ alle . ⁊ seorewe and in swynke {=Spoilt rhyme=} . {\}
hwenne god nom so muche wreche . for one mys-dede . {\}
we þat ofte mys-doþ . we mowen vs sore adrede . {\}
Adam ⁊ his ofsprung . for ore bare sunne . {\}
weren feole hundred wynter in pyne . ⁊ on vnwunne . {\}
And {=Enlarged coloured initial *A=} þeo-þat ledeþ heore lif . myd vnriht ⁊ myd wronge . {\}
Bute hit godes mylce beo . he beoþ þar wel longe . {\}
Godes wisdom is wel muchel . ⁊ al-so is his myhte . {\}
Nis his mylce nowiht lasse . ah al by one wyhte . {\}
More he one may for-yeue . þan al volk agulte kunne . {\}
þeyh seolf deouel myhte habbe mylce . if he hit bi-gunne . {\}
Þe-þat {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} godes mylce sekþ . iwis he hit may fynde . {\}
Ah helle kyng . is ore-les . wiþ þon-þat he may bynde . {\}
{=The next two lines appear in reverse order in MS but are marked for transposition in the margin. They are given in correct order here=} {>.a.>} {=ins, in left hand margin indicating correct line order=} þe-þat doþ his wille mest . he schal habbe wrst mede . {\}
{>.b.>} {=ins, in left hand margin indicating correct line order=} His baþ schal beo wallynde pich . his bed bernynde glede . {\}
Also ich hit telle {=Punctus missing=} as wyse men vs seyden . {\}
And on heore boke . hit iwryten is . þat me may hit reden . {\}
Ich hit segge for heom . þat er þis hit nusten . {\}
And warny heom wiþ harme . if heo me wulleþ lusten . {\}
Vnderstondeþ {=Enlarged coloured initial *V=} nv to me . edye men and arme . {\}
Ich wille ou telle of helle pyne . and warny of harme . {\}
þar is hunger and þurst . vuele tweye ivere . {\}
þeos pyne þolieþ þer . þa>t> were mete-nyþinges here . {\}
þar is wonyng and wop . after vlche strete . {\}
ho vareþ from hete to chele . from chele to þar hete . {\}
Hwenne {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} heo cumeþ in hete . þe chele heom þincheþ lysse . {\}
þenne heo cumeþ eft to chele . of hete heo habbeþ mysse . {\}
Eyþer heom doþ wo y-nouh . nabbeþ heo none lisse . {\}
heo nuten hweþer heom doþ wurse . myd neu(er) none iwisse . {\}
heo walkeþ eu(er) and secheþ reste . ah heo hit ne muwe iméte . {\}
for heo nolde hwile heo myhten . heore sunnen ibete . {\}
Heo {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} schecheþ reste þer non nys . for-þi ne muwen hi finde . {\}
Ah walkeþ þar boþe vp and dun . so water doþ myd winde . {\}
{~f172v~} þis beoþ þe-þat weren her {=Punctus missing=} Mid hwom me heold feste . {\}
And þeo-þat gode bi-heyhte wel . and nolden hit ileste . {\}
And þeo-þat god were by-gunne {=Other versions have "good work began"=} {=Punctus missing=} and ful-endy hit nolden . {\}
Nv were her . nv were þer . heo nuste hwat heo wolden . {\}
Þet-ich {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} {=Probably error. Other versions have "there is"=} pych . þat eu(er) walleþ .  heo schulle habbe þere . {\}
þeo- ledeþ heore lyf vnwreste . and eke false were . {\}
þar is fur an hundred-folde . hatture þane be vre . {\}
Ne may hit quenche no salt water . ne auene strém . ne sture . {\}
þat is þet fur þat eu(er) barnþ . ne may hit nomon quenche . {\}
þar-inne beoþ þeo . þat her wes leof . poure men to swenche . {\}
Þeo-þat {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} were swikele{+}men . and ful of vuele wrenche . {\}
And þeo-þat ne myhte vuele do . ⁊ was hit leof to þenche . {\}
þeo-þat luued reving . and stale . ⁊ hordom . ⁊ drunken . {\}
And on deoueles werke . bluþeliche swunken . {\}
þeo-þat were so lese . þat me heom ne myhte iléuen . {\}
Med-yorne domes-men . and wrongwise reuen . {\}
Þe-þat {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} wes leof oþer mannes wif . ⁊ his owe léten . {\}
And þe-þat sunegeþ ofte . on drunken . and on méte . {\}
þeo-þat wrecche men by-nymeþ . his eyhte . ⁊ hit leyþ an horde . {\}
And lutel let on godes bode . and of godes worde . {\}
þeo-þat almes nolde yeue . þere he iseyh þe neode . {\}
Ne his poure kunesmen . at him ne myhte nouht spede . {\}
{=Next line not in the original - spoilt rhyme scheme=} Þe-þat {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} nolde here godes sonde . þar he sat . at his borde . {\}
⁊ was leof oþer mannes þing . leu(er)e þan beon schulde . {\}
⁊ weren al-to grédi . of seoluer . and of golde . {\}
⁊ luueden vntrewnesse . þat heo schulden beon holde . {\}
⁊ léten þat hi scolden do . and duden þat heo ne scholden . {\}
{=Following line redundant - not in original - spoilt rhyme scheme=} heo schulleþ wunyen i(n) helle . þe ueondes onwolde . {\}
Þe-þat {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} were gaderares . of þisse worldes ayhte . {\}
And duden þat þe loþe gost {=Punctus missing=} heom tycede and tahte . {\}
And alle þeo-þe myd dusye wise . deouele her iquemeþ . {\}
þeo beoþ nv i(n) helle wiþ him . fordon . and for-demde . {\}
{~f173r~} Bute þeo-þat of-þincheþ her . sore heore mysdede . {\}
⁊ heore gultes gunnen lete . and betere lif to lede . {\}
Þer {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} beoþ neddren . ⁊ snaken . euethen and fruden . {\}
þer tereþ and freteþ .  vuele spekeþ . þe nyþfule ⁊ þe prude . {\}
Neuer sunne þer ne schineþ . ne Mone . ne steorre . {\}
þer is muchel godes héte . ⁊ muchel godes eorre . {\}
Euer þar is muchel smech . þeosternesse and eye . {\}
Nis þer neuer oþer lyht . bute þe swarte leye . {\}
Þer {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} lyþ þe lodliche ueond . in stronge rake-teye . {\}
 is þe-þat wes myd god . i(n) heouene swiþe heye . {\}
þer beoþ ateliche ueondes . ⁊ grysliche wyhtes . {\}
þer schule þe wrecche soulen iseon .  sunegeden bi sihtes . {\}
þer is þe loþe sathanas . ⁊ beelzebub þe olde . {\}
Eþe heo mwue {=sic=} beon adred . þat heom schulde biholde . {\}
Ne {=Enlarged coloured initial *N=} may non heorte hit þenche . ne no tunge telle . {\}
hw muche pyne . hw ueole ueondes . beoþ i(n) þeostre helle . {\}
for al þe pyne þat her is . nulle ich eu nouht lye . {\}
Nis hit bute gome and gleo . al þat mo(n) may her dreye . {\}
⁊ yet ne doþ heo(m) noþing so wo . in þe loþe bende . {\}
Ase  witen heore pyne . ne schal habbe non ende . {\}
Þar {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} beoþ þe heþene men . þat were lawe-leve {=sic - error for -LESE. S written above in a later hand=} . {\}
þet nes nouht of godes forbode . ne of godes hese . {\}
Vuele cristene{+}men . beoþ þer heorure nere {=Textual corruption here - hence odd syntax. Other texts have versions of HEORE IFERE "their companions"=} þeo-þat heore cristendom . vuele heolden here . {\}
yet heo beoþ a wrse stude . a nyþe helle grunde . {\}
Ne schullen heo neu(er) cumen up  for marke ne for punde . {\}
Ne {=Enlarged coloured initial *N=} may helpe þer . nouþer beode ne almesse . {\}
for nys noþer in helle . ore ne yeuenesse . {\}
Nu schilde him vych mon hwile he may . wiþ þe-ilke pyne . {\}
And warny vich his freond . so ich habbe myne . {\}
þeo- schilde heom ne kunnen . ich heom wille teche . {\}
Ich con beon eyþer if ich schal . lycome and soule leche . {\}
{~f173v~} Lete {=Enlarged coloured initial *L=} we þat god forbed . alle mon-kunne . {\}
And do we þat he vs hat . ⁊ schilde we vs wiþ sunne . {\}
Luuye we god myd vre heorte . ⁊ myd alle vre myhte . {\}
Vre euen-cristen . as vs-seolf . for so vs lerede dryhte . {\}
Al þat me redeþ and syngeþ . bi-voren godes borde . {\}
Al hit hongeþ and hald . bi þisse twam worde . {\}
Alle {=Enlarged coloured initial *A=} godes lawe he fulleþ . þe newe . ⁊ ek {=K corrected from something else=} þe olde . {\}
þat haueþ þeos-ilke two luuen . ⁊ wel heom wile atholde . {\}
Ah soþ ich hit eu segge . ofte we agulteþ alle . {\}
for strong hit is to stonde longe . ⁊ lyht hit is to falle . {\}
Ah dryhten c(r)ⁱst vs yeue strengþe . stonde þat we mote . {\}
And of alle vre sunnen . vs lete cume to bote . {\}
Vve {=Enlarged coloured initial *V=} wilneþ after worldes ayhte . þat longe ne may ileste . {\}
And mest leggeþ vre swynk . on þing vnstudeueste . {\}
If-þat we swunken for gode . half . þat we doþ for eyhte . {\}
Nere {*sj context*} we nouht so ofte bi-cherd . ne so vuele by-þouhte . {\}
yef we seruede god . so we doþ earmynges . {\}
we Mihte habbe more of heouene . þan eorles oþer kynges . {\}
Ne {=Enlarged coloured initial *N=} mowe nouht weryen heom . wiþ chele ne wiþ hunger . {\}
Ne wiþ elde ne wiþ deþe . þe eldure ne þe yonge {=Error for "younger"=} . {\}
Ah þer nys hunger ne þurst . ne deþ . ne vnhelþe ne elde . {\}
Of þis world we þencheþ ofte  and þer-of al-to selde . {\}
Vve {=Enlarged coloured initial *V=} schulde vs bi-þenche . wel ofte and wel ilóme . {\}
hwat we beoþ . to hwan we schulen . ⁊ of hwan we comen . {\}
hw lutle hwile we beoþ here . hw longe elles-hware . {\}
⁊ after gode wel wurche . þenne ne þuruue noht kare . {\}
If we were wyse men . þus we schulde þenche . {\}
Bute we wurþe vs iwar . þes world vs wile for-drenche . {\}
Mest {=Enlarged coloured initial *M=} alle men he yeueþ drynke . of one deofles {>)senche)>} {=ins, in a different, contemporary hand to fill omission=} {\}
he schal him cunne schilde wel . yef he him {>)wile bi-yenche)>} {=ins, in a different, contemporary hand to fill omission. Same hand as the addition in the previous line=} {\}
Mid almyhtyes godes luue . vte we vs werie . {\}
wiþ þeos wrecche worldes luue . þe{"that"} heo vs ne derye . {\}
{~f174r~} Mid festen . and almesse and beoden . were we vs wiþ sunne . {\}
Mid þe wepnen þat god haueþ y>e>uen . to alle mon-kunne . {\}
Lete {=Enlarged coloured initial *L=} we þeo brode stret . and þene wey grene . {\}
þat lat þe nyeþe to helle . of folke . and mo ich wene . {\}
Go we þene{>} {=ins, in tiny writing by the main scribe in a space too small for it=} narewe{>} wey . þene wey so schene . {\}
þer forþ fareþ lutel folk . and þat is wel eþ-sene . {\}
þe brode stret is vre wil . þat is vs loþ to lete . {\}
þe-þat al feleweþ his wil . he fareþ þe brode strete . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} narewe wey is godes heste . þat forþ fareþ wel fawe . {\}
þat beoþ þeo . þe heom schedeþ wel . wiþ vych vnþewe . {\}
þeos goþ vnneþe ayeyn þe cleo . ayeyn þe heye hulle . {\}
þeos leteþ awei al heore wil . for godes hestes to fulle . {\}
Go {=Enlarged coloured initial *G=} we alle þene wei . for he vs wile brynge . {\}
Mid þe fewe feyre men {=Punctus missing=} by-uoren heouene kinge . {\}
þer is alre Murehþe mest . myd englene songe . {\}
wel edy wurþ þilke mon . þat þer byþ vnderuonge . {\}
þe lest haueþ murehþe . he haueþ so muche . ne bit he namore . {\}
hwo-so þeo blisse for þ>isse> {=MS yARE with ARE subpuncted and ISSE interlined above=} foryet . hit may him rewe sore . {\}
Ne {=Enlarged coloured initial *N=} may no pyne ne no wone {="want, dearth"=} {=Punctus missing=} beon in heouene riche . {\}
þah þer beon wonynges feole . and oþer vnyliche . {\}
Summe habbeþ lasse Murehþe . ⁊ summe habbeþ more . {\}
vych after-þat he dude her . ⁊ after- heo swunken sore . {\}
Ne wrþ þer bred ne wyn . ne nones kunnes este . {\}
God one schal beon eche lif . ⁊ blisse eche reste . {\}
Þer {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} nys nouþer fou ne grey . ne konyng . ne hermyne . {\}
Ne oter . ne acquerne . Beuveyr ne sablyne . {\}
Ne þer ne wurþ fuliwis . worldes wele none . {\}
Al þe Murehþe þat me vs bi-hat  al hit is god one . {\}
Nis þer no Murehþe so muchel . so is godes syhte . {\}
he is soþ sunne . and briht . and day bute nyhte . {\}
He {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} is vyche godes ful . nys him nowiht wiþ-vte . {\}
Nis heom nones godes wone{"lack"} . {<} {=del, crossed through - eye-slip to line below=} ⁊ rest bute swynke . {<}{>} {=ins, immediately below deleted text=} þa>t> wuneþ hym abute .{>} {\}
{~f174v~} þer is weole bute wone{"want, dearth"} . and reste bute swynke . {\}
hwo may þider cume and nule . hit schal hym sore ofþinche . {\}
þer is blysse bute teone . and lif wiþ-vte deþe . {\}
þeo-þat schulle wunye þer . bliþe mvwen heo beon eþe . {\}
Þer {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} is yonghede buten ealde . and hele buten vnhelþe . {\}
þer nys seorewe ne no sor . neu(er) non vnhelþe . {\}
Seoþþe me dryhten iseo . so he is myd iwisse . {\}
he one may beon and schal . englene and monne blisse . {\}
Þeo {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} schulen of him more iseon . þat her him luuede more . {\}
And more iseon and iwyten . his Milce and his ore . {\}
On him heo schullen fynden . al þat mon may luste . {\}
⁊ on lyues bec {=C corrected from ?E=} iseon . al þat heo her nusten . {\}
Crist seolf on schal beon . inouh to alle derlinges . {\}
He one is more and betere . þan alle wordliche þinges . {\}
Inouh {=Enlarged coloured initial *I=} hi habbeþ þat hyne habbeþ . þat alle þinges weldeþ . {\}
him to seonne murie hit is . so fayr he is to biholde . {\}
God is so swete ⁊ so muchel . in his godnesse . {\}
Al þat wes ⁊ is . is wel wurse and lasse . {\}
Ne may nomo(n) hit segge . ne wyten myd iwisse . {\}
hu muchele Murehþe habbeþ heo . þat beoþ i(n) heuene blisse . {\}
To {=Enlarged coloured initial *T=} þare blisse bringe vs god . þat lesteþ buten ende . {\}
hwenne he vre saule vn-bind . of lichomliche bende . {\}
Crist vs lete such lif lede . ⁊ habbe her such ende . {\}
þat we mote to him cume . hwenne we heonne wendeþ . {(Am(en)(} . {\}
Bidde {=Enlarged coloured initial *B=} nu we leoue freond . yonge and ek olde . {\}
þat he þat þis wryt wrot . his saule beo þer atholde . {(Am(en)(} . {\\}

{=The next three texts (fols. 175r-179v not included in this sample=} {250} {Oxford, Jesus College 29, fols. 179v-180v: Death's Wither Clench} {C13b2} {=This text continues without a break from the previous one - a lyric on the curse of wealth=} {~f179v~} Mon {=Enlarged coloured initial *M=} may longe lyues wene . Ac ofte him lyeþ þe wrench . {\}
Feyr weder turneþ ofte in-to reyne . ⁊ wunderliche makeþ his blench . {=Last three letters and punctus lost in gutter on microfilm, but taken from Hall's edition=} {\}
Þar-vore mon . þu þe byþench . {\}
Al schal falwy þi grene . {\}
waylaway . nys king ne quene . {\}
þat ne schal drynke of deþes drench . {\}
Mon er þu falle of þi bench . {\}
Þyne sunne þu aquench . {\}
Nis {=Enlarged coloured initial *N=} non so strong . ne sterk . ne kene . {\}
Þat may a-go deþes wyþer-blench . {\}
{~f180r~} Yung and olde . briht and schene . {\}
Alle he ryueþ on o streng . {\}
Fox and ferlych is his wrench . {\}
Ne may no-mon þar-to-yeynes . {\}
Waylaway þreting ne bene . {\}
Mede . liste . ne leches drench . {\}
Mon let sunne and lustes þine . {\}
Wel þu do ⁊ wel þu þench . {\}
Do bi salomones rede . {\}
Mon . ⁊ þenne þu schalt wel do . {\}
Do as he þe tauhte and seyde . {\}
Þat þin endinge þe bringeþ to . {\}
Þenne ne schaltu neu(er) mys-do . {\}
Ac sore þu myht þe adrede . {\}
Waylaway such weneþ to lede . {\}
Long lif . and blysse vnder-fo . {\}
Ac deþ luteþ in his scho . {\}
Hym stilliche . to for-do . {\}
Mon {=Enlarged coloured initial *M=} hwi nultu þe bi-knowe . {\}
Mon hwi nultu þe bi-seo . {\}
Of fule fulþe þu art isowe . {\}
Wurmes fode . þu schalt beo . {\}
Her nauestu blisse dayes þre . {\}
Ac þi lif al þu last in wowe . {\}
Weylawey deþ þe schal a-dun þrowe . {\}
Þer þu wenest heyust to steo . {\}
In deþ schal þi lyf endi . {\}
And in wop al þi gleo . {\}
Vorld {=This has been realised by Morris as *W but it is a large coloured V with a small v inside it and does not correspond to J's usual coloured ligatured capital W or to his other way of doing capital W which is *Vv. I think this is for capital *V patterned on the more commonly found FF for *F=} and weole . þe bi-swikeþ {\}
I-wis heo beoþ þine ifo . {\}
If þe world wiþ weole þe slykeþ {\}
Þat is for-to do þe wo . {\}
Þare-fore . let lust ouer-go . {\}
And eft hit þe likeþ . {\}
{~f180v~} Weylawey . sore he him bi-swikeþ . {\}
Þat for one stunde oþer two . {\}
Wurcheþ him pyne . euer-mo . {\}
Mon . ne do þu nouht swo . {\\}

{251} {Oxford, Jesus College 29, fol. 180v: Orison to Our Lady} {C13b2} {~f180v~} ON {=Two-line coloured initial *O=} hire is al my lif ilong . {\}
Of hwam ich wille synge . {\}
And heryen hire þer-a-mong . {\}
Heo gon vs bote brynge . {\}
Of helle pyne þat is strong . {\}
Heo brouhte vs blysse þat is long . {\}
Al þureh hire childþinge . {\}
Ich bidde hire on my song . {\}
Heo yeue us god endynge . {\}
Þauh we don wrong . {\}
Þv {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} eart hele . and lyf . and liht . {\}
And helpest al mon-kunne . {\}
Þu vs hauest ful wel i-diht . {\}
Þv {=V corrected from some other letter, probably E=} yeue vs weole and wunne . {\}
Þu brouhtest day . and . Eue Nyht . {\}
He brouhte wo þu brouhtest ryht . {\}
Þu almesse and heo sunne . {\}
Bi-syh to me leuedi bryht . {\}
Hwenne ich schal wende heonne . So wel þu Myht . {\}
Al {=Enlarged coloured initial *A=} þes world schal a-go . {\}
{=Line missing - no gap in MS=} {\}
And al þis lyf {[we[} schulleþ for-go . {\}
Ne of-þinche hit vs so sore . {\}
Þis world nys bute vre i-fo . {\}
Þar-fore ich þenche hire at-go . {\}
And do bi godes lore . {\}
Þis lyues blysse . nys wurþ al-so {=Error for A SLO=} . {\}
Ich bidde god þine ore . Nu and euer-mo . {\}
To {=Enlarged coloured initial *T=} longe Ich habbe soth ibeo {=Apart from this line the last 2 stanzas are missing because of loss of folios from the MS=} {\\}

{=Texts on fols. 181r-182r line 9 not included in this sample=} {252} {Oxford, Jesus College 29, fol. 182r-v: Doomsday} {C13b2} {~f182r~} {('incipit de die iudicii' .(} Hwenne {=Three-line coloured initial *H with the ascender extending a further line up in the left margin=} ich þenche of domes-day . ful sore ich may adrede . {\}
þer schal after his werk vych mon fongen mede . {\}
Ich habbe crist agult . wiþ þouhtes and wyþ dede . {\}
Lou(er)d crist godes sune . hwat is me to rede . {\}
Þat {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} fur schal cumen in þis world . on one sone-nyhte . {\}
Vor-bernen al þis Middelerd . so crist hit wolde dihte . {\}
Boþe in watere . and in þe londe . þe flures þat beoþ brihte . {\}
I-herd beo þu lou(er)d . so muchel beoþ þine Mihte . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} engles in þe daye-rewe . bloweþ heore béme . {\}
Þenne cumeþ vre lou(er)d . crist . his domes for-to deme . {\}
Ne helpeþ hit nouht þenne . to wepen ne to remen . {\}
Þat haueþ lutel i-don . þat god were i-queme . {\}
From-þat {=Enlarged coloured initial *F=} Adam wes i-schapen . to come domes-day . {\}
Monye of þisse riche . þat werede fouh and grey . {\}
And ryden vppe stede and uppon palefrey . {\}
Heo schulleþ at þe dome . suggen weylawey . {\}
Ne {=Enlarged coloured initial *N=} schulleþ heo nouþer vyhte . myd schelde . ne myd spére . {\}
Mid helme ne myd brunye . ne myd non oþer gere . {\}
Ne schal þer no-mon oþer . myd wise wordes were . {\}
Bute heore almes-dede . heore erynde schal bére . {\}
Heo {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} schulleþ i-seon þe lauedi . þat ih(es)u crist of-kende {=There appears to be a punctus between OF and KENDE=} {\}
Bi-twene hire armes . sweteliche he wende . {\}
{~f182v~} Þe-hwile-þat we Mihte . to lute we hire sende . {\}
Þat makede þe qued . so fule he vs blende . {\}
Heo {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} schule iseon þene kyng . þat al þis world wrouhte . {\}
And vppe-on þe rode . myd stronge pyne abouhte . {\}
Adam and his ofsprung . in helle he heom souhte . {\}
To bidden his Milce . to late we beoþ biþouhte . {\}
Þer {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} stondeþ þe ryhwise . on his riht honde . {\}
And þe sunfule . so atelyche stondeþ {>)on þe lufthonde)>} {=ins, immediately after STONDEy in a later hand=} {\}
Mid heore sunnen iwryten . þat is so muches {=sic=} schon>d>e {=MS SCHOME with first minim of M subpuncted and D added above=} . {\}
Þer hit schullen y-seon . alle . þat er weren a londe . {\}
Wyþ {=Enlarged coloured initial *W=} þe rihtwise . he spekeþ wordes swete . {\}
cumeþ her myne freond . eure sunnes for-to lete . {\}
In myne fader bure . ou ys imaked séte . {\}
Þer ou schulen engles . ful sweteliche gréte . {\}
Wyþ {=Enlarged coloured initial *W=} þe sunfule . al-so we mawen y-hére . {\}
Goþ awaryede goste[s] {MS has what looks like SL or as if the scribe began to write ST} {again. The descender of S has then been lengthened below the line but} {the unwanted element has not been subpuncted=} . feondes yuere . {\}
In-to bernynde fur . of lisse ye beoþ skere . {\}
For ye oure sunnen . of þisse worlde beten {=Error for BERE?} {>)nolde here)>} {=ins, immediately after BETEN in a later hand attempting to salvage the meaning and the rhyme=} Bidde {=Enlarged coloured initial *B=} we vre lauedy . swettust alle þinge . {\}
Þat heo vre erende bere . to þan heouene-kinge . {\}
For his holy nome . and for hire erendynge . {\}
Þat he vre saule . to heueryche brynge . {\\}

{253} {Oxford, Jesus College 29, fols. 182v-184v: The Latemest Day} {C13b2} {=Continues from the previous text without a gap=} {~f182v~} Ihereþ {=Enlarged coloured initial *I=} of one þinge . þat ye owen of þenche . {\}
Ye þat weryeþ þat riche schrud . and sytteþ on eure benche . {\}
Þah me kneoly ou by-uore . and myd wyn schenche . {\}
From þe dreorye deþ . ne may no-mon at-blenche . {\}
Ye {=Enlarged coloured initial *Y=} þat sytteþ ischrud . myd skarlet and myd palle . {\}
Wel soþe tyþinge . ich ou wile telle . {\}
Þe feond þencheþ iwis . þe saule for-to quelle . {\}
As we hit fyndeþ iwryten . in þe god-spelle . {\}
Ah {=Enlarged coloured initial *A=} of one þinge . we schulle nymen gome . {\}
Þat we weren poure . þo we hider come . {\}
{~f183r~} We hit ihereþ iwis . swiþe ofte and ilóme . {\}
Þe saule and þe lycome . selde heo beoþ isome . {\}
Hwenne {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} þat chyld biþ iboren . and on eorþe ifalle . {\}
Nolde ich yeuen enne peny . for his weden alle . {\}
Ah seoþþen mony-mon by-yet bures and halle . {\}
For-þi {[the[} wrecche saule schal in-to pyne falle . {\}
Þenche {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} we on þe laste day . þat we schulle heonne fare . {\}
Vt-of þisse worlde . wiþ pyne and wiþ kare . {\}
Al-so we hider comen . naked and bare . {\}
And of vre sunnen yeuen onsware . {\}
Nabbe no-mon so muchel . al hit wile á-gon . {\}
His lond and his ayhte . his hus . and his hom . {\}
Þe sorye saule . makeþ hire mon . {\}
i-wis ne may at-blenche vre neuer nón . {\}
Þenne {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} þe latemeste day . deþ haueþ ibrouht . {\}
Bi-nymeþ vre speche . vre syhte . and þouht . {\}
And in vyche lyme . deþ vs haueþ þureh-souht . {\}
þenne beoþ vre blisse . al i-turnd to nouht . {\}
Ne {=Enlarged coloured initial *N=} myhte no tunge telle . þat euer wes ibore . {\}
Þe stronge pyne of helle . þauh he hedde {*sj context*} iswore . {\}
Er þe saule and þet body a two beon to-drore . {\}
Bute crist þat lesede his folk . þat þer wes for-loren . {\}
Anón-so {=Enlarged coloured initial *A=} þe saule . biþ i-faren vt . {\}
Me nymeþ þe lycome . {\}
and preoneþ in a clut . {\}
Þat wes so mody and so strong . and so swyþe prud . {\}
And wes iwuned to weryen . mony a veyr schrud . {\}
Nv {=Enlarged coloured initial *N=} liþ þe cley-clot . al-so þe ston . {\}
And his freondes stryueþ . to gripen his iwon . {\}
Þe sorie saule . makeþ hyre mon . {\}
Of alle hire erore freond . nv naueþ heo non . {\}
Þenne {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} seyþ þe saule . wiþ sorie chere . {\}
Away þu wrecche fole baly . nv þu lyst on bere . {\}
{~f183v~} Ich schal habbe for þe . feondes to i-vere . {\}
Away þat þu eure . to monne ischape were . {\}
Ne {=Enlarged coloured initial *N=} schaltu neuer sytten . on bolstre ne on benche . {\}
Ne neuer in none halle . þar me wyn schenche . {\}
For þine fule sunnen . and for þin vnywrenche . {\}
Hy schal þi wrecche saule . to atelyche stenche . {\}
Hwer {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} beoþ alle þine freond . þat fayre þe bi-hehte . {\}
And feyre þe igretten . bi weyes and bi strete . {\}
Nv heo wulleþ wrecche . alle þe forlete . {\}
Nolden heo non here{+}stonkes . nv þe imete . {\}
Hwer {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} beoþ þine disches . myd þine swete sonde . {\}
Hwer beoþ þine nappes . þat þe glyde to honde . {\}
Hwer is þi bred and þin ale . þi tunne and þi stonde . {\}
Nu þu schalt in þe putte . wunye myd þe wonde {="the evil one". This is unlikely to be a form of "fiend" because it would not provide a true rhyme. All the other version of the text, Digby, Cotton and Trinity, hand A, all have WONDE or wONDE here - so it is presumably original=} . {\}
Ofte {=Enlarged coloured initial *O=} þu heuedest Mihte . to don al þine wille . {\}
Euer þu were abuten . vs bo uor-to spille . {\}
Nv þu schalt wrecche . liggen ful stylle . {\}
And ich schal þine gultes . abuggen ful ille . {\}
Hwi {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} noldestu myd criste . maken vs isauhte . {\}
Massen lete synge . of þat he þe bitauhte . {\}
Euer þu were abuten . to echen þin ayhte . {\}
For-þi we beoþ an ende . boþe bi-pauhte . {\}
Selde {=Enlarged coloured initial *S=} wule me for þe . masse lete singe . {\}
Oþer i(n) holy chireche . don ey offringe . {\}
Me wule for þin ayhte . maken stryuynge . {\}
And pute þe wiþ-vten . of {=i.e. "deprive thee of"=} alle þine þinge . {\}
Ly {=Enlarged coloured initial *L=} awariede bodi . þat neu(er) þu n{+}aryse . {\}
Hwenne ich þenche {[thee[} vp-on . ful sore me may agryse . {\}
For ich schal bernen in fur . and chyueren in yse . {\}
And eu(er) beon in pynen . a feole kunne wise . {\}
Nv {=Enlarged coloured initial *N=} schal þin halle . myd spade beon i-wrouht . {\}
And þu schalt þer-inne . wrecche beon ibrouht . {\}
{~f184r~} {<Me<} {=del, crossed through=} Nu schulle þine weden . alle beon isouht . {\}
Me wule swopen þin hus . and vt myd þe swofte . {\}
Þi {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} bur is sone ibuld . þat þu schalt wunyen inne . {\}
Þe rof and þe virste . schal ligge on þine chynne . {\}
Nu{+}þe schulle wurmes wunyen wiþ-inne . {\}
Ne may me heom vt-dryuen . myd nones kunnes gynne . {\}
Nv {=Enlarged coloured initial *N=} is aferd of þe . þi mey and þi mowe . {\}
Alle heo wereþ þe weden . þat er weren þin owe . {\}
And þu schalt nv in eorþe . liggen ful lowe . {\}
Way hwi noldestu her . of þisse beon iknowe . {\}
Nv {=Enlarged coloured initial *N=} schal for-rotyen . þine teþ and þi tunge . {\}
Þi Mawe and þi Milte . þi lyure . and þi lunge . {\}
And þi þrotebolle . þat þu Mide sunge . {\}
And þu schalt in þe putte . vaste beon iþrunge . {\}
Hwer {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} beoþ þine þeynes . þat þe leoue were . {\}
Of alle þine riche weden . nv þu art al skere . {\}
Beo þu in þe putte . wrmes ifére . {\}
Hit biþ sone of þe . al-so þu neuer nere {*sj context*} . {\}
Al {=Enlarged coloured initial *A=} þat ich hatede . hit þuhte þe ful god . {\}
Þat makede þe qued . þat þe bi-stod . {\}
Heuedestu þi wille . þu were al wod . {\}
And ich am wrecche saule . ful sori-mod . {\}
Nv {=Enlarged coloured initial *N=} þu schalt by-leuen . and ich mot fare nede . {\}
For alle þine gultes . fongen i schal mede . {\}
Þat is hunger and chele and fur-bernynde {=In J's language this could be from the verb "forburn", but Cotton has it too and does not otherwise have FUR- for FOR-=} glede . {\}
And so me wule sathanas . ful atelyche brede . {\}
Ich {=Enlarged coloured initial *I=} am sori inouh . bi day and bi nyht {\}
Ich schal to þestre stude . þ(er) neu(er) ne cumeþ liht . {\}
þer ich schal imete . mony o ful wiht . {\}
Ne schal ich neu(er) iseo . crist þat is so bryht . {\}
IN {=Enlarged coloured initial *I=} a bytter baþ . ich schal baþe naked . {\}
Of pych and of brunston . wallynde is i-maked . {\}
{~f184v~} Þer is sathanas þe qued . redi wyþ his rake . {\}
And so me wile for-swolewe þe furbernynde {=Or for "forburn" but see note above about the matchng Cotton version and cf. the compound in Digby 86 - FUIR-BRENNINDE=} drake . {\}
Þah {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} al þat fur in þis world . to-gedere were ibrouht . {\}
Ayeynes þare hete . nere hit al nouht . {\}
Wo is hym alyue . þat þer-inne is ibrouht . {\}
Away . þeos-ilke pyne . þu hauest me by-souht . {\}
Hwo {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} iseye þene qued . hw lodlich heo {=sic=} beo . {\}
Hornes on his heued . hornes on his kneo . {\}
Nis no-þing alyue . þat so atelich beo . {\}
Wo is heom in helle . þat hine schulleþ iseo . {\}
He {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} yoneþ myd his muþe . ⁊ stareþ myd his eye . {\}
Of his neosturles cumeþ . þe rede leye . {\}
Þat fur sp(r)ⁱngeþ him vt . of eu(er)vyche breye . {\}
He moste deye for kare . hwo-so hine iseye . {\}
Al-so {=Enlarged coloured initial *A=} beoþ his eye-puttes as a {=The J scribe omits the required compound BRUyEN-LED (cf. Cotton text) "brewing-pot" and leaves a gap, perhaps because he did not understand the word. A later hand makes good the omission with different text=} {>)colput dup ant gret .)>} {=ins, added in a later hand to complete the simile=} {\}
Þat fur springeþ him of . wunderliche red . {\}
Ne may no tunge telle . hw lodlich is þe qued . {\}
Hwo-so lokede him on . for kare he Mihte beo ded . {\}
Holde {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} we vs clene . vt-of hordom . {\}
Masses leten singe . and almes-dede don . {\}
And wiþ holy chireche . maken vs i-som . {\}
Þenne muwe we quemen . crist at þe dom . {\}
Þe {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} kyng þat al þis world scop . þurh his holy Mihte . {\}
Biwite vre saule . from þan vuele wihte . {\}
And lete vs hatye þat wouh . and luuye þat ryhte . {\}
And bringe vre saule . to heoueriche lyhte . {(Amen .(} {\\}

{254} {Oxford, Jesus College 29, fol. 184v: Ten Abuses} {C13b2} {=This text continues straight on from the previous one without a gap or title=} {~f184v~} Hwan {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} þu sixst on {=O not completely closed at the top=} leode . King þat is wilful . And Domes-mon {\}
nymynde . Preost þat is wilde . Biscop slouh . Old{+}mo(n) lechur . {\}
yong{+}mon lyere . Wymmo(n) schomeles . Child vnþewed . þral {\}
vnbuhsum . Aþelyng . bryþelyng . lond wiþ-vten lawe . Al{-}
-so seyde Bede . Wo þere þeode . {\\}

{255} {Oxford, Jesus College 29, fol. 185r-v: Lutel Soth Sermun} {C13b2} {~f185r~} Herkneþ {=Two-line initial *H, with the ascender extending a further line's height in the left margin and with filigree decoration=} alle gode men and stylle sitteþ a-dun . {\}
And ich ou wile tellen a lutel soþ sermun . {\}
Wel we wuten alle . þey ich ou nouht ne telle {*sj context*} . {\}
Hw Adam vre vorme fader . a-dun feol in-to helle . {\}
Schomeliche he forles . þe blisse þat he hedde . {\}
To yu(er)nesse and prude . none neode he nedde . {\}
He nom þan appel of þe treo . þat him forbode was . {\}
So reuþful dede idon . neuer non nas . {\}
He made him in-to helle falle . {\}
And after him his children alle . {\}
Þer he wes fort vre drihte . {\}
Hyne bouhte myd his myhte . {\}
He hine alesede myd his blode . {\}
Þat he schedde vp-on þe rode . {\}
To deþe he yef him for vs alle . {\}
Þo we weren so strong at-falle . {\}
Alle bakbytares . heo wendeþ to helle . {\}
Robbares . and reuares . and þe Monquelle . {\}
Lechurs . and horlyngs . þider schulleþ wende . {\}
And þer heo schulle wunye . eu(er) buten ende . {\}
Alle þeos false chapmen . þe feond heom wule habbe . {\}
Bakares and breowares . for alle men heo gabbe . {\}
Lowe heo holdeþ heore galun . Mid beorme heo hine fulleþ . {\}
And eu(er) of þe >p>urse {=MS WURSE with W subpuncted and P added above. Presumably the exemplar had wynn=} . þat seoluer heo tulleþ . {\}
Boþe heo makeþ feble . heore bred and heore ale . {\}
Habbe heo þat seoluer . ne telleþ heo neu(er) tale . {\}
Gode men for godes luue . bileueþ sucche sunne . {\}
For at þen ende hit binymeþ . heueriche wunne . {\}
Alle preostes wives . ich wot heo beoþ for-lore . {\}
Þes p(ar)sones ich wene . ne beoþ heo nouht for-bore . {\}
Ne þeos prude yonge{+}men . þat luuyeþ Malekyn . {\}
{~f185v~} And þeos prude maydenes . þat luuyeþ ianekyn . {\}
At chireche and at chepyng . hwanne heo to-gadere cóme . {\}
Heo runeþ to-gaderes . and spekeþ of derne luue {=Spoilt rhyme. Same in Cotton version=} . {\}
Hwenne heo to chirche cumeþ . to þon holy daye . {\}
Eu(er)vych wile his leof i-seo . þer yef he may . {\}
Heo biholdeþ watekin . Mid swiþe gled eye . {\}
At-hom is hire {(pat(er) noster(} . biloken in hire teye . {\}
Masses and Matynes . ne kepeþ heo nouht . {\}
For wilekyn and watekyn . beoþ in hire þouht . {\}
Robyn wule Gilothe . leden to þan ale . {\}
And sitten þer to-gederes . and tellen heore tale . {\}
He may quyten hire ale . and seoþþe don þat gome . {\}
An eue to go myd him . ne þincheþ hire no schome . {\}
Hire syre ⁊ hire dame . þreteþ hire to béte . {\}
Nule heo fur-go Robyn . for al heore þréte . {\}
Eu(er) heo wule hire skere . ne com hire no-mon neyh {\}
Forte-þat hire wombe . up-aryse an heyh . {\}
Godemen for godes luue . bileueþ óure sunne . {\}
For at þon ende hit bi-nymeþ . heoueryche wunne . {\}
Bidde we seynte Marie . for hire Milde mode . {\}
For þe theres þat heo weop . for hire sune blode . {\}
Al-so wis . so he god is . for hire erendynge . {\}
To þe blysse of heouene . he vs alle brynge . {(Amen .(} {\\}

{=The next two texts (fols 185v-187r line 11) are not in this sample=} {145} {Oxford, Jesus College 29, fols. 187r-188v: A Luue Ron} {C13b2} {~f187r~} {(Incipit quidam cant(us) que(m) (com)posuit frat(er) Thomas de hales de {-}
ordine fratr(um) Minor(um). ad instanciam cui(us)dam puelle d(e)o dicate .(} A {=Two line coloured and decorated initial *A=} Mayde cristes me bit yorne .  ich hire wurche {*sj context*} a luue-ron . {\}
For hwan heo myhte best ileorne . to taken . on-oþer soþ lefmon . {\}
Þat >t>reowest {=First T interlined. The interlineation is somewhat flamboyant and may possibly be by another hand=} were of alle berne . ⁊ best wyte cuþe {*sj context*} a freo wymmo(n) . {\}
Ich hire nule nowiht werne . ich hire wule teche as ic con . {\}
Mayde {=Enlarged coloured initial *M=} . her þu myht biholde . þis worldes luue nys bute o res . {\}
And is by-set . so fele-volde . vikel . ⁊ frakel . ⁊ wok . and les . {\}
Þeos þeines  her weren bolde . beoþ aglyden . so wyndes bles . {\}
Vnder molde hi liggeþ colde . ⁊ faleweþ so doþ medewe gres . {\}
Nis {=Enlarged coloured initial *N=} no-mo(n) iboren o-lyue . þat her may beon studeuest . {\}
For her he haueþ seorewen ryue . ne tyt him neu(er) {=The J scribe omits the last bit of the line and leaves a gap. A later hand makes good the omission whether with the original text or not is not knowable=} {>)Ro ne Rest)>} {=ins, in a later hand=} {\}
Toward his ende he hyeþ blyue . ⁊ lutle hwile he her ilest . {\}
Pyne ⁊ deþ him wile of-dryue . hwenne he weneþ to libben best . {\}
Nis {=Enlarged coloured initial *N=} no(n) so riche . ne no(n) so freo . þat he ne schal heonne . sone áway . {\}
Ne may hit neu(er) his waraunt beo . gold . ne seoluer . vouh . ne g(r)^ay . {\}
Ne beo he no þe swift . ne may he fleo . ne weren his lif enne day . {\}
Þus is þes world as þu mayht seo . Also þe schadewe  glyt away . {\}
Þis {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} world fareþ hwilynde . hwenne on cumeþ an-oþer goþ . {\}
Þat wes bi-fore . nv is bihynde . þat er was leof nv hit is loþ . {\}
Forþi he doþ as þe blynde . þat i(n) þis world . his luue doþ . {\}
{~f187v~} Ye mowen iseo . þe world aswynde . þat wouh goþ forþ . abak þat soþ . {\}
Þeo {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} luue þat ne may her abyde . þu treowest hire myd muchel wouh . {\}
Al-so hwenne hit schal to-glide . hit is fals . ⁊ mereuh . ⁊ frouh . {\}
And fromward i(n) vychon tide . hwile hit lesteþ is seorewe inouh . {\}
An ende ne werie mo(n) so syde . he schal to-dreosen . so lef on bouh . {\}
Monnes {=Enlarged coloured initial *M=} luue nys buten o stunde . nv he luueþ . nv he is sad . {\}
Nu he cumeþ . nv wile he funde . nv he is wroþ . nv he is gled . {\}
His luue is her ⁊ ek a-lunde {=see MED s.v. alunde=} . nv he luueþ su(m)  he er bed . {\}
Nis he neu(er) treowe ifunde . þat him tristeþ he is amed . {\}
Yf {=Enlarged coloured initial *Y=} mo(n) is riche of worldes weole . hit makeþ his heorte sm(er)te ⁊ ake . {\}
If he dret þat me him stele . þenne doþ him pyne nyhtes wake . {\}
Him waxeþ þouhtes monye ⁊ fele . hw he hit may witen wiþ-vte(n) sake . {\}
An ende hwat helpeþ hit to hele . al deþ hit wile fro(m) him take . {\}
Hwer {=Enlarged coloured initial *W=} is paris ⁊ heleyne .  weren so bryht ⁊ feyre on bleo . {\}
Amadas . ⁊ dideyne . t(r)ⁱstram . yseude . and alle þeo . {\}
Ector wiþ his scharpe meyne . ⁊ cesar riche of wordes feo . {\}
Heo beoþ iglyden vt-of þe reyne . so þe schef is of þe cleo {=Presumably an unusual development from OE cleofu, meaning "steep slope".Cf this same scribe's CLEO in Poema Morale where the other texts have more usual forms of the word "cliff". This other example where the meaning is supported by different versions I think clinches the derivation. MED seem to prefer (though with a query) to derive the form here from "claw" with the otherwise unattested meaning "reaping hook" (cf. the note in Dickins and Wilson (1951)=} {\}
Hit {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} is of heom also hit nére . of heom me haueþ wunder itold . {\}
Nere hit reuþe for-to heren . hw hi were wiþ pyne aquold . {\}
⁊ hwat hi þoleden alyue hére . al is heore hot iturnd to cold . {\}
Þus is þes world of false fere {="appearance" < AF afaire "character"=} . fól . he is . þe on hire is bold . {\}
Þeyh {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} he were so riche mo(n) . as henry vre kyng . {\}
And al-so veyr as absolon .  neuede on eorþe non euenyng . {\}
Al were sone his prute a-gon . hit nere on ende wrþ on heryng . {\}
Mayde if þu wilnest after leofmo(n) . ich teche þe enne treowe king . {\}
A {=Enlarged coloured initial *A=} swete if þu iknowe {*sj context*} . þe gode þewes of þisse childe . {\}
he is feyr . ⁊ bryht on heowe . of glede chere . of mode mylde . {\}
of lufsum lost . of truste treowe . freo of heorte . of wisdom wilde . {\}
Ne þurhte {*sj context*} þe neu(er) rewe . myhtestu . do þe in his ylde . {\}
He {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} is ricchest mo(n) of londe . so wide so mo(n) spekeþ . wiþ muþ . {\}
Alle heo beoþ to his honde . est . ⁊ west . norþ . and suþ . {\}
{~f188r~} Henri king of engelonde . of hym he halt . and to hym buhþ . {\}
Mayde to þe he send his schonde . ⁊ wilneþ for-to beo þe cuþ . {\}
Ne {=Enlarged coloured initial *N=} byt he wiþ þe lond ne leode . vouh . ne gray . ne rencyan . {\}
Naueþ he þer-to . none neode . he is riche and we[>li>] {=LI added in a later hand=} {>)man .)>} {=ins, written over erasure in the later hand=} {\}
If þu him woldest luue beode . and by-cumen his leouemon . {\}
He brouhte {*sj context*} þe to suche wede . þat naueþ king ne kayser non . {\}
Hwat {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} spekestu of eny bolde . þat wrouhte þe wise salomon . {\}
of iaspe . of saphir . of m(er)ede golde . ⁊ of mony on-oþer ston . {\}
Hit is feyrure of feole-volde . more þan ich eu telle con . {\}
Þis bold mayde þe is bihote {=Spoilt rhyme. This line comes later and has been put in here erroneously. Should end in BIHOLDE or BITOLDE?=} . if-þat þu bist his leouemon . {\}
Hit {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} stont vppon a treowe mote . þar hit neu(er) truke ne schal . {\}
Ne may no Myn(ur) hire vnderwrote . ne neu(er) false þene grundwal . {\}
Þar-inne is vich balewes bóte . blisse . ⁊ Ioye . ⁊ gleo . and gál . {\}
Þis bold . mayde is þe bihote . ⁊ vych-o blisse þar-wyþ-al . {\}
Þer {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} ne may no freond fleon oþer . ne no(n) fur-leosen his iryhte . {\}
Þer nys hate ne wreþþe nouþer . of prude . ne of onde . of none wihte . {\}
Alle heo schule wyþ engles pleye . Some ⁊ sauhte . i(n) heouene lyhte . {\}
Ne beoþ heo mayde . in gode weye . þat wel luueþ vre dryhte . {\}
Ne {=Enlarged coloured initial *N=} may no-mo(n) hine iseo . {\}
al-so he is . in his Mihte . {\}
Þat may wiþ-vten blisse beo . hwanne he isihþ vre drihte . {\}
His Sihte is al ioye and gleo . he is day wyþ-vte nyhte . {\}
Nere he mayde ful seoly {=Only part rhyme=}  myhte wunye myd such a knyhte . {\}
He {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} haueþ bi-tauht þe o tresur .  is bet(er)e . þan gold oþer pel . {\}
And bit þe luke þine bur . ⁊ wilneþ þat þu hit wyte wel . {\}
wyþ þeoues . wiþ reueres . wiþ lechurs . þu most beo waker and snel  {\}
Þu art swetture þane eny flur . hwile þu witest þene kastel . {\}
Hit {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} is ymston . of feor ibore(n) . nys no(n) bet(er)e vnder heouene grunde . {\}
He is to-fore alle oþre i-core(n) . he heleþ alle luue wunde . {\}
Wel were . a-lyue iboren .  myhte wyte(n) þis-ilke stunde . {\}
For habbe þu . hine . enes for-lóren  ne byþ he neu(er)-eft ifunde . {\}
Þis-ilke {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} ston . þat ich þe ne(m)ne . Mayden-hod i-cleoped is . {\}
{~f188v~} Hit is o derewurþe gemme . of alle oþre he berþ þat pRis . {\}
And bryngeþ þe wiþ-vte wemme . i(n)-to þe blysse of paradis . {\}
Þe-hwile þu hyne witest vnder þine hemme . þu ert swett(ur)e  {=sic=} eny spis . {\}
Hwat {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} spekstu of eny stóne .  beoþ in vertu oþer in {=The scribe leaves a blank for the next word which should perhaps be "grace" - to rhyme with TUPACE, CRISOPACE and PLACE=} {>)pris)>} {=ins, in a later hand to complete the line, but the subsitution does not provide a rhyme=} {\}
Of Amatiste . of calcydóne . of lectorie . and tupace . {>)y wys)>} {=ins, added in the later hand to provide rhyme with the earlier added PRIS=} {\}
Of iaspe . of saphir . of sardone . smaragd^e . Beril . and crisopace . {\}
A-mo(n)g alle oþre ymstone . þes beoþ deorre . in vyche place . {\}
Mayde {=Enlarged coloured initial *M=} . al-so ich þe tolde . þe ymston of þi bur . {\}
He is bet(er)e an-hundred-folde . þan alle þeos in heore culur . {\}
He is i-don in heouene golde . and is ful of fyn amur . {\}
Alle þat myhte . hine wite scholde . he schyneþ so bryht in heouene bur . {\}
Hwen {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} þu me dost in þine rede . for þe to cheose a leofmon . {\}
Ich wile don as þu me bede . þe beste þat ich fynde con . {\}
Ne doþ hé mayde . on vuele dede . þat may cheose . of two þat on . {\}
⁊ he wile wiþ-vte neode . take þet wurse . þe betere let gon . {\}
Þis {=Enlarged coloured initial capital thorn=} rym mayde ich þe sende . open and wiþ-vte sel . {\}
Bidde ic þat þu hit vntrende . ⁊ leorny bute bok vych del . {\}
Her-of þat þu beo swiþe hende . ⁊ tech hit oþer maydenes wel . {\}
Hwo-so cuþe {*sj context*} hit to þan ende . hit wolde him stonde muchel stel{"stand him in good stead"} . {\}
Hwenne {=Enlarged coloured initial *H=} þu sittest i(n) longynge . drauh þe forþ þis-ilke wryt . {\}
Mid swete stephne þu hit singe . ⁊ do al-so hit þe byt . {\}
To þe he haueþ send one gretynge . god-al-myhti þe beo myd . {\}
⁊ leue cume(n) to his brudþinge . heye i(n) heouene . þer he sit . {\}
And yeue him god endynge . þat haueþ i-wryten þis-ilke wryt . {(Am(en).(} {\\}