Naturatus Amor Nature Legibus Orbem Subdit, Et Vnanimes Concitat Esse Feras: Huius Enim Mundi Princeps Amor Esse Videtur, Cuius Eget Diues, Pauper Et Omnis Ope. Sunt In Agone Pares Amor Et Fortuna, Que Cecas Plebis Ad Insidias Vertit Vterque Rotas. Est Amor Egra Salus, Vexata Quies, Pius Error, Bellica Pax, Vulnus Dulce, Suaue Malum. I May Noght Strecche Up To The Hevene Min Hand, Ne Setten Al In Evene This World, Which Evere Is In Balance: It Stant Noght In My Sufficance So Grete Thinges To Compasse, Bot I Mot Lete It Overpasse And Treten Upon Othre Thinges. Forthi The Stile Of My Writinges Fro This Day Forth I Thenke Change And Speke Of Thing Is Noght So Strange, 10 Which Every Kinde Hath Upon Honde, And Wherupon The World Mot Stonde, And Hath Don Sithen It Began, And Schal Whil Ther Is Any Man; And That Is Love, Of Which I Mene To Trete, As After Schal Be Sene. In Which Ther Can Noman Him Reule, For Loves Lawe Is Out Of Reule, That Of Tomoche Or Of Tolite Welnyh Is Every Man To Wyte, 20 And Natheles Ther Is Noman In Al This World So Wys, That Can Of Love Tempre The Mesure, Bot As It Falth In Aventure: For Wit Ne Strengthe May Noght Helpe, And He Which Elles Wolde Him Yelpe Is Rathest Throwen Under Fote, Ther Can No Wiht Therof Do Bote. For Yet Was Nevere Such Covine, That Couthe Ordeine A Medicine 30 To Thing Which God In Lawe Of Kinde Hath Set, For Ther May Noman Finde The Rihte Salve Of Such A Sor. It Hath And Schal Ben Everemor That Love Is Maister Wher He Wile, Ther Can No Lif Make Other Skile; For Wher As Evere Him Lest To Sette, Ther Is No Myht Which Him May Lette. Bot What Schal Fallen Ate Laste, The Sothe Can No Wisdom Caste, 40 Bot As It Falleth Upon Chance; For If Ther Evere Was Balance Which Of Fortune Stant Governed, I May Wel Lieve As I Am Lerned That Love Hath That Balance On Honde, Which Wol No Reson Understonde. For Love Is Blind And May Noght Se, Forthi May No Certeinete Be Set Upon His Jugement, Bot As The Whiel Aboute Went 50 He Yifth His Graces Undeserved, And Fro That Man Which Hath Him Served Fulofte He Takth Aweye His Fees, As He That Pleieth Ate Dees, And Therupon What Schal Befalle He Not, Til That The Chance Falle, Wher He Schal Lese Or He Schal Winne. And Thus Fulofte Men Beginne, That If Thei Wisten What It Mente, Thei Wolde Change Al Here Entente. 60 And Forto Proven It Is So, I Am Miselven On Of Tho, Which To This Scole Am Underfonge. For It Is Siththe Go Noght Longe, As Forto Speke Of This Matiere, I May You Telle, If Ye Woll Hiere, A Wonder Hap Which Me Befell, That Was To Me Bothe Hard And Fell, Touchende Of Love And His Fortune, The Which Me Liketh To Comune 70 And Pleinly Forto Telle It Oute. To Hem That Ben Lovers Aboute Fro Point To Point I Wol Declare And Wryten Of My Woful Care, Mi Wofull Day, My Wofull Chance, That Men Mowe Take Remembrance Of That Thei Schall Hierafter Rede: For In Good Feith This Wolde I Rede, That Every Man Ensample Take Of Wisdom Which Him Is Betake, 80 And That He Wot Of Good Aprise To Teche It Forth, For Such Emprise Is Forto Preise; And Therfore I Woll Wryte And Schewe Al Openly How Love And I Togedre Mette, Wherof The World Ensample Fette Mai After This, Whan I Am Go, Of Thilke Unsely Jolif Wo, Whos Reule Stant Out Of The Weie, Nou Glad And Nou Gladnesse Aweie, 90 And Yet It May Noght Be Withstonde For Oght That Men May Understonde. Upon The Point That Is Befalle Of Love, In Which That I Am Falle, I Thenke Telle My Matiere: Now Herkne, Who That Wol It Hiere, Of My Fortune How That It Ferde. This Enderday, As I Forthferde To Walke, As I Yow Telle May,- And That Was In The Monthe Of Maii, 100 Whan Every Brid Hath Chose His Make And Thenkth His Merthes Forto Make Of Love That He Hath Achieved; Bot So Was I Nothing Relieved, For I Was Further Fro My Love Than Erthe Is Fro The Hevene Above, As Forto Speke Of Eny Sped: So Wiste I Me Non Other Red, Bot As It Were A Man Forfare Unto The Wode I Gan To Fare, 110 Noght Forto Singe With The Briddes, For Whanne I Was The Wode Amiddes, I Fond A Swote Grene Pleine, And Ther I Gan My Wo Compleigne Wisshinge And Wepinge Al Myn One, For Other Merthes Made I None. So Hard Me Was That Ilke Throwe, That Ofte Sithes Overthrowe To Grounde I Was Withoute Breth; And Evere I Wisshide After Deth, 120 Whanne I Out Of My Peine Awok, And Caste Up Many A Pitous Lok Unto The Hevene, And Seide Thus: "O Thou Cupide, O Thou Venus, Thou God Of Love And Thou Goddesse, Wher Is Pite? Wher Is Meknesse? Now Doth Me Pleinly Live Or Dye, For Certes Such A Maladie As I Now Have And Longe Have Hadd, It Myhte Make A Wisman Madd, 130 If That It Scholde Longe Endure. O Venus, Queene Of Loves Cure, Thou Lif, Thou Lust, Thou Mannes Hele, Behold My Cause And My Querele, And Yif Me Som Part Of Thi Grace, So That I May Finde In This Place If Thou Be Gracious Or Non." And With That Word I Sawh Anon The Kyng Of Love And Qweene Bothe; Bot He That Kyng With Yhen Wrothe 140 His Chiere Aweiward Fro Me Caste, And Forth He Passede Ate Laste. Bot Natheles Er He Forth Wente A Firy Dart Me Thoghte He Hente And Threw It Thurgh Myn Herte Rote: In Him Fond I Non Other Bote, For Lenger List Him Noght To Duelle. Bot Sche That Is The Source And Welle Of Wel Or Wo, That Schal Betide To Hem That Loven, At That Tide 150 Abod, Bot Forto Tellen Hiere Sche Cast On Me No Goodly Chiere: Thus Natheles To Me Sche Seide, "What Art Thou, Sone?" And I Abreide Riht As A Man Doth Out Of Slep, And Therof Tok Sche Riht Good Kep And Bad Me Nothing Ben Adrad: Bot For Al That I Was Noght Glad, For I Ne Sawh No Cause Why. And Eft Scheo Asketh, What Was I: 160 I Seide, "A Caitif That Lith Hiere: What Wolde Ye, My Ladi Diere? Schal I Ben Hol Or Elles Dye?" Sche Seide, "Tell Thi Maladie: What Is Thi Sor Of Which Thou Pleignest? Ne Hyd It Noght, For If Thou Feignest, I Can Do The No Medicine." "Ma Dame, I Am A Man Of Thyne, That In Thi Court Have Longe Served, And Aske That I Have Deserved, 170 Some Wele After My Longe Wo." And Sche Began To Loure Tho, And Seide, "Ther Is Manye Of Yow Faitours, And So May Be That Thow Art Riht Such On, And Be Feintise Seist That Thou Hast Me Do Servise." And Natheles Sche Wiste Wel, Mi World Stod On An Other Whiel Withouten Eny Faiterie: Bot Algate Of My Maladie 180 Sche Bad Me Telle And Seie Hir Trowthe. "Ma Dame, If Ye Wolde Have Rowthe," Quod I, "Than Wolde I Telle Yow." "Sey Forth," Quod Sche, "And Tell Me How; Schew Me Thi Seknesse Everydiel." "Ma Dame, That Can I Do Wel, Be So My Lif Therto Wol Laste." With That Hir Lok On Me Sche Caste, And Seide: "In Aunter If Thou Live, Mi Will Is Ferst That Thou Be Schrive; 190 And Natheles How That It Is I Wot Miself, Bot For Al This Unto My Prest, Which Comth Anon, I Woll Thou Telle It On And On, Bothe All Thi Thoght And Al Thi Werk. O Genius Myn Oghne Clerk, Com Forth And Hier This Mannes Schrifte," Quod Venus Tho; And I Uplifte Min Hefd With That, And Gan Beholde The Selve Prest, Which As Sche Wolde 200 Was Redy There And Sette Him Doun To Hiere My Confessioun. This Worthi Prest, This Holy Man To Me Spekende Thus Began, And Seide: "Benedicite, Mi Sone, Of The Felicite Of Love And Ek Of All The Wo Thou Schalt Thee Schrive Of Bothe Tuo. What Thou Er This For Loves Sake Hast Felt, Let Nothing Be Forsake, 210 Tell Pleinliche As It Is Befalle." And With That Word I Gan Doun Falle On Knees, And With Devocioun And With Full Gret Contricioun I Seide Thanne: "Dominus, Min Holi Fader Genius, So As Thou Hast Experience Of Love, For Whos Reverence Thou Schalt Me Schriven At This Time, I Prai The Let Me Noght Mistime 220 Mi Schrifte, For I Am Destourbed In Al Myn Herte, And So Contourbed, That I Ne May My Wittes Gete, So Schal I Moche Thing Foryete: Bot If Thou Wolt My Schrifte Oppose Fro Point To Point, Thanne I Suppose, Ther Schal Nothing Be Left Behinde. Bot Now My Wittes Ben So Blinde, That I Ne Can Miselven Teche." Tho He Began Anon To Preche, 230 And With His Wordes Debonaire He Seide Tome Softe And Faire: "Thi Schrifte To Oppose And Hiere, My Sone, I Am Assigned Hiere Be Venus The Godesse Above, Whos Prest I Am Touchende Of Love. Bot Natheles For Certein Skile I Mot Algate And Nedes Wile Noght Only Make My Spekynges Of Love, Bot Of Othre Thinges, 240 That Touchen To The Cause Of Vice. For That Belongeth To Thoffice Of Prest, Whos Ordre That I Bere, So That I Wol Nothing Forbere, That I The Vices On And On Ne Schal Thee Schewen Everychon; Wherof Thou Myht Take Evidence To Reule With Thi Conscience. Bot Of Conclusion Final Conclude I Wol In Special 250 For Love, Whos Servant I Am, And Why The Cause Is That I Cam. So Thenke I To Don Bothe Tuo, Ferst That Myn Ordre Longeth To, The Vices Forto Telle Arewe, Bot Next Above Alle Othre Schewe Of Love I Wol The Propretes, How That Thei Stonde Be Degrees After The Disposicioun Of Venus, Whos Condicioun 260 I Moste Folwe, As I Am Holde. For I With Love Am Al Withholde, So That The Lasse I Am To Wyte, Thogh I Ne Conne Bot A Lyte Of Othre Thinges That Ben Wise: I Am Noght Tawht In Such A Wise; For It Is Noght My Comun Us To Speke Of Vices And Vertus, Bot Al Of Love And Of His Lore, For Venus Bokes Of Nomore 270 Me Techen Nowther Text Ne Glose. Bot For Als Moche As I Suppose It Sit A Prest To Be Wel Thewed, And Schame It Is If He Be Lewed, Of My Presthode After The Forme I Wol Thi Schrifte So Enforme, That Ate Leste Thou Schalt Hiere The Vices, And To Thi Matiere Of Love I Schal Hem So Remene, That Thou Schalt Knowe What Thei Mene. 280 For What A Man Schal Axe Or Sein Touchende Of Schrifte, It Mot Be Plein, It Nedeth Noght To Make It Queinte, For Trowthe Hise Wordes Wol Noght Peinte: That I Wole Axe Of The Forthi, My Sone, It Schal Be So Pleinly, That Thou Schalt Knowe And Understonde The Pointz Of Schrifte How That Thei Stonde." Betwen The Lif And Deth I Herde This Prestes Tale Er I Answerde, 290 And Thanne I Preide Him Forto Seie His Will, And I It Wolde Obeie After The Forme Of His Apprise. Tho Spak He Tome In Such A Wise, And Bad Me That I Scholde Schrive As Touchende Of My Wittes Fyve, And Schape That Thei Were Amended Of That I Hadde Hem Misdispended. For Tho Be Proprely The Gates, Thurgh Whiche As To The Herte Algates 300 Comth Alle Thing Unto The Feire, Which May The Mannes Soule Empeire. And Now This Matiere Is Broght Inne, Mi Sone, I Thenke Ferst Beginne To Wite How That Thin Yhe Hath Stonde, The Which Is, As I Understonde, The Moste Principal Of Alle, Thurgh Whom That Peril Mai Befalle. And Forto Speke In Loves Kinde, Ful Manye Suche A Man Mai Finde, 310 Whiche Evere Caste Aboute Here Yhe, To Loke If That Thei Myhte Aspie Fulofte Thing Which Hem Ne Toucheth, Bot Only That Here Herte Soucheth In Hindringe Of An Other Wiht; And Thus Ful Many A Worthi Knyht And Many A Lusti Lady Bothe Have Be Fulofte Sythe Wrothe. So That An Yhe Is As A Thief To Love, And Doth Ful Gret Meschief; 320 And Also For His Oghne Part Fulofte Thilke Firy Dart Of Love, Which That Evere Brenneth, Thurgh Him Into The Herte Renneth: And Thus A Mannes Yhe Ferst Himselve Grieveth Alther Werst, And Many A Time That He Knoweth Unto His Oghne Harm It Groweth. Mi Sone, Herkne Now Forthi A Tale, To Be War Therby 330 Thin Yhe Forto Kepe And Warde, So That It Passe Noght His Warde. Ovide Telleth In His Bok Ensample Touchende Of Mislok, And Seith Hou Whilom Ther Was On, A Worthi Lord, Which Acteon Was Hote, And He Was Cousin Nyh To Him That Thebes Ferst On Hyh Up Sette, Which King Cadme Hyhte. This Acteon, As He Wel Myhte, 340 Above Alle Othre Caste His Chiere, And Used It Fro Yer To Yere, With Houndes And With Grete Hornes Among The Wodes And The Thornes To Make His Hunting And His Chace: Where Him Best Thoghte In Every Place To Finde Gamen In His Weie, Ther Rod He Forto Hunte And Pleie. So Him Befell Upon A Tide On His Hunting As He Cam Ride, 350 In A Forest Al One He Was: He Syh Upon The Grene Gras The Faire Freisshe Floures Springe, He Herde Among The Leves Singe The Throstle With The Nyhtingale: Thus Er He Wiste Into A Dale He Cam, Wher Was A Litel Plein, All Round Aboute Wel Besein With Buisshes Grene And Cedres Hyhe; And Ther Withinne He Caste His Yhe. 360 Amidd The Plein He Syh A Welle, So Fair Ther Myhte Noman Telle, In Which Diana Naked Stod To Bathe And Pleie Hire In The Flod With Many A Nimphe, Which Hire Serveth. Bot He His Yhe Awey Ne Swerveth Fro Hire, Which Was Naked Al, And Sche Was Wonder Wroth Withal, And Him, As Sche Which Was Godesse, Forschop Anon, And The Liknesse 370 Sche Made Him Taken Of An Hert, Which Was Tofore Hise Houndes Stert, That Ronne Besiliche Aboute With Many An Horn And Many A Route, That Maden Mochel Noise And Cry: And Ate Laste Unhappely This Hert His Oghne Houndes Slowhe And Him For Vengance Al Todrowhe. Lo Now, My Sone, What It Is A Man To Caste His Yhe Amis, 380 Which Acteon Hath Dere Aboght; Be War Forthi And Do It Noght. For Ofte, Who That Hiede Toke, Betre Is To Winke Than To Loke. And Forto Proven It Is So, Ovide The Poete Also A Tale Which To This Matiere Acordeth Seith, As Thou Schalt Hiere. In Metamor It Telleth Thus, How That A Lord Which Phorce S 390 Was Hote, Hadde Dowhtres Thre. Bot Upon Here Nativite Such Was The Constellacion, That Out Of Mannes Nacion Fro Kynde Thei Be So Miswent, That To The Liknesse Of Serpent Thei Were Bore, And So That On Of Hem Was Cleped Stellibon, That Other Soster Suriale, The Thridde, As Telleth In The Tale, 400 Medusa Hihte, And Natheles Of Comun Name Gorgones In Every Contre Ther Aboute, As Monstres Whiche That Men Doute, Men Clepen Hem; And Bot On Yhe Among Hem Thre In Pourpartie Thei Hadde, Of Which Thei Myhte Se, Now Hath It This, Now Hath It Sche; After That Cause And Nede It Ladde, Be Throwes Ech Of Hem It Hadde. 410 A Wonder Thing Yet More Amis Ther Was, Wherof I Telle Al This: What Man On Hem His Chiere Caste And Hem Behield, He Was Als Faste Out Of A Man Into A Ston Forschape, And Thus Ful Manyon Deceived Were, Of That Thei Wolde Misloke, Wher That Thei Ne Scholde. Bot Perse S That Worthi Knyht, Whom Pallas Of Hir Grete Myht 420 Halp, And Tok Him A Schield Therto, And Ek The God Mercurie Also Lente Him A Swerd, He, As It Fell, Beyende Athlans The Hihe Hell These Monstres Soghte, And There He Fond Diverse Men Of Thilke Lond Thurgh Sihte Of Hem Mistorned Were, Stondende As Stones Hiere And There. Bot He, Which Wisdom And Prouesse Hadde Of The God And The Godesse, 430 The Schield Of Pallas Gan Enbrace, With Which He Covereth Sauf His Face, Mercuries Swerd And Out He Drowh, And So He Bar Him That He Slowh These Dredful Monstres Alle Thre. Lo Now, My Sone, Avise The, That Thou Thi Sihte Noght Misuse: Cast Noght Thin Yhe Upon Meduse, That Thou Be Torned Into Ston: For So Wys Man Was Nevere Non, 440 Bot If He Wel His Yhe Kepe And Take Of Fol Delit No Kepe, That He With Lust Nys Ofte Nome, Thurgh Strengthe Of Love And Overcome. Of Mislokynge How It Hath Ferd, As I Have Told, Now Hast Thou Herd, My Goode Sone, And Tak Good Hiede. And Overthis Yet I Thee Rede That Thou Be War Of Thin Heringe, Which To The Herte The Tidinge 450 Of Many A Vanite Hath Broght, To Tarie With A Mannes Thoght. And Natheles Good Is To Hiere Such Thing Wherof A Man May Lere That To Vertu Is Acordant, And Toward Al The Remenant Good Is To Torne His Ere Fro; For Elles, Bot A Man Do So, Him May Fulofte Mysbefalle. I Rede Ensample Amonges Alle, 460 Wherof To Kepe Wel An Ere It Oghte Pute A Man In Fere. A Serpent, Which That Aspidis Is Cleped, Of His Kynde Hath This, That He The Ston Noblest Of Alle, The Which That Men Carbuncle Calle, Berth In His Hed Above On Heihte. For Which Whan That A Man Be Sleyhte, The Ston To Winne And Him To Daunte, With His Carecte Him Wolde Enchaunte, 470 Anon As He Perceiveth That, He Leith Doun His On Ere Al Plat Unto The Ground, And Halt It Faste, And Ek That Other Ere Als Faste He Stoppeth With His Tail So Sore, That He The Wordes Lasse Or More Of His Enchantement Ne Hiereth; And In This Wise Himself He Skiereth, So That He Hath The Wordes Weyved And Thurgh His Ere Is Noght Deceived. 480 An Othre Thing, Who That Recordeth, Lich Unto This Ensample Acordeth, Which In The Tale Of Troie I Finde. Sirenes Of A Wonder Kynde Ben Monstres, As The Bokes Tellen, And In The Grete Se Thei Duellen: Of Body Bothe And Of Visage Lik Unto Wommen Of Yong Age Up Fro The Navele On Hih Thei Be, And Doun Benethe, As Men Mai Se, 490 Thei Bere Of Fisshes The Figure. And Overthis Of Such Nature Thei Ben, That With So Swete A Stevene Lik To The Melodie Of Hevene In Wommanysshe Vois Thei Singe, With Notes Of So Gret Likinge, Of Such Mesure, Of Such Musike, Wherof The Schipes Thei Beswike That Passen Be The Costes There. For Whan The Schipmen Leie An Ere 500 Unto The Vois, In Here Avys Thei Wene It Be A Paradys, Which After Is To Hem An Helle. For Reson May Noght With Hem Duelle, Whan Thei Tho Grete Lustes Hiere; Thei Conne Noght Here Schipes Stiere, So Besiliche Upon The Note Thei Herkne, And In Such Wise Assote, That Thei Here Rihte Cours And Weie Foryete, And To Here Ere Obeie, 510 And Seilen Til It So Befalle That Thei Into The Peril Falle, Where As The Schipes Be Todrawe, And Thei Ben With The Monstres Slawe. Bot Fro This Peril Natheles With His Wisdom King Uluxes Ascapeth And It Overpasseth; For He Tofor The Hond Compasseth That Noman Of His Compaignie Hath Pouer Unto That Folie 520 His Ere For No Lust To Caste; For He Hem Stoppede Alle Faste, That Non Of Hem Mai Hiere Hem Singe. So Whan They Comen Forth Seilinge, Ther Was Such Governance On Honde, That Thei The Monstres Have Withstonde And Slain Of Hem A Gret Partie. Thus Was He Sauf With His Navie, This Wise King, Thurgh Governance. Wherof, My Sone, In Remembrance 530 Thou Myht Ensample Taken Hiere, As I Have Told, And What Thou Hiere Be Wel War, And Yif No Credence, Bot If Thou Se More Evidence. For If Thou Woldest Take Kepe And Wisly Cowthest Warde And Kepe Thin Yhe And Ere, As I Have Spoke, Than Haddest Thou The Gates Stoke Fro Such Sotie As Comth To Winne Thin Hertes Wit, Which Is Withinne, 540 Wherof That Now Thi Love Excedeth Mesure, And Many A Peine Bredeth. Bot If Thou Cowthest Sette In Reule Tho Tuo, The Thre Were Eth To Reule: Forthi As Of Thi Wittes Five I Wole As Now Nomore Schryve, Bot Only Of These Ilke Tuo. Tell Me Therfore If It Be So, Hast Thou Thin Yhen Oght Misthrowe? Mi Fader, Ye, I Am Beknowe, 550 I Have Hem Cast Upon Meduse, Therof I May Me Noght Excuse: Min Herte Is Growen Into Ston, So That My Lady Therupon Hath Such A Priente Of Love Grave, That I Can Noght Miselve Save. What Seist Thou, Sone, As Of Thin Ere? Mi Fader, I Am Gultyf There; For Whanne I May My Lady Hiere, Mi Wit With That Hath Lost His Stiere: 560 I Do Noght As Uluxes Dede, Bot Falle Anon Upon The Stede, Wher As I Se My Lady Stonde; And There, I Do Yow Understonde, I Am Topulled In My Thoght, So That Of Reson Leveth Noght, Wherof That I Me Mai Defende. My Goode Sone, God Thamende: For As Me Thenketh Be Thi Speche Thi Wittes Ben Riht Feer To Seche. 570 As Of Thin Ere And Of Thin Yhe I Woll Nomore Specefie, Bot I Woll Axen Overthis Of Othre Thing How That It Is. Mi Sone, As I Thee Schal Enforme, Ther Ben Yet Of An Other Forme Of Dedly Vices Sevene Applied, Wherof The Herte Is Ofte Plied To Thing Which After Schal Him Grieve. The Ferste Of Hem Thou Schalt Believe 580 Is Pride, Which Is Principal, And Hath With Him In Special Ministres Five Ful Diverse, Of Whiche, As I The Schal Reherse, The Ferste Is Seid Ypocrisie. If Thou Art Of His Compaignie, Tell Forth, My Sone, And Schrif The Clene. I Wot Noght, Fader, What Ye Mene: Bot This I Wolde You Beseche, That Ye Me Be Som Weie Teche 590 What Is To Ben An Ypocrite; And Thanne If I Be Forto Wyte, I Wol Beknowen, As It Is. Mi Sone, An Ypocrite Is This,- A Man Which Feigneth Conscience, As Thogh It Were Al Innocence, Withoute, And Is Noght So Withinne; And Doth So For He Wolde Winne Of His Desir The Vein Astat. And Whanne He Comth Anon Therat, 600 He Scheweth Thanne What He Was, The Corn Is Torned Into Gras, That Was A Rose Is Thanne A Thorn, And He That Was A Lomb Beforn Is Thanne A Wolf, And Thus Malice Under The Colour Of Justice Is Hid; And As The Poeple Telleth, These Ordres Witen Where He Duelleth, As He That Of Here Conseil Is, And Thilke World Which Thei Er This 610 Forsoken, He Drawth In Ayein: He Clotheth Richesse, As Men Sein, Under The Simplesce Of Poverte, And Doth To Seme Of Gret Decerte Thing Which Is Litel Worth Withinne: He Seith In Open, Fy! To Sinne, And In Secre Ther Is No Vice Of Which That He Nis A Norrice: And Evere His Chiere Is Sobre And Softe, And Where He Goth He Blesseth Ofte, 620 Wherof The Blinde World He Dreccheth. Bot Yet Al Only He Ne Streccheth His Reule Upon Religioun, Bot Next To That Condicioun In Suche As Clepe Hem Holy Cherche It Scheweth Ek How He Can Werche Among Tho Wyde Furred Hodes, To Geten Hem The Worldes Goodes. And Thei Hemself Ben Thilke Same That Setten Most The World In Blame, 630 Bot Yet In Contraire Of Her Lore Ther Is Nothing Thei Loven More; So That Semende Of Liht Thei Werke The Dedes Whiche Are Inward Derke. And Thus This Double Ypocrisie With His Devolte Apparantie A Viser Set Upon His Face, Wherof Toward This Worldes Grace He Semeth To Be Riht Wel Thewed, And Yit His Herte Is Al Beschrewed. 640 Bot Natheles He Stant Believed, And Hath His Pourpos Ofte Achieved Of Worschipe And Of Worldes Welthe, And Takth It, As Who Seith, Be Stelthe Thurgh Coverture Of His Fallas. And Riht So In Semblable Cas This Vice Hath Ek His Officers Among These Othre Seculers Of Grete Men, For Of The Smale As For Tacompte He Set No Tale, 650 Bot Thei That Passen The Comune With Suche Him Liketh To Comune, And Where He Seith He Wol Socoure The Poeple, There He Woll Devoure; For Now Aday Is Manyon Which Spekth Of Peter And Of John And Thenketh Judas In His Herte. Ther Schal No Worldes Good Asterte His Hond, And Yit He Yifth Almesse And Fasteth Ofte And Hiereth Messe: 660 With Mea Culpa, Which He Seith, Upon His Brest Fullofte He Leith His Hond, And Cast Upward His Yhe, As Thogh He Cristes Face Syhe; So That It Seemeth Ate Syhte, As He Al One Alle Othre Myhte Rescoue With His Holy Bede. Bot Yet His Herte In Other Stede Among Hise Bedes Most Devoute Goth In The Worldes Cause Aboute, 670 How That He Myhte His Warisoun Encresce. And In Comparisoun Ther Ben Lovers Of Such A Sort, That Feignen Hem An Humble Port, And Al Is Bot Ypocrisie, Which With Deceipte And Flaterie Hath Many A Worthi Wif Beguiled. For Whanne He Hath His Tunge Affiled, With Softe Speche And With Lesinge, Forth With His Fals Pitous Lokynge, 680 He Wolde Make A Womman Wene To Gon Upon The Faire Grene, Whan That Sche Falleth In The Mir. For If He May Have His Desir, How So Falle Of The Remenant, He Halt No Word Of Covenant; Bot Er The Time That He Spede, Ther Is No Sleihte At Thilke Nede, Which Eny Loves Faitour Mai, That He Ne Put It In Assai, 690 As Him Belongeth Forto Done. The Colour Of The Reyni Mone With Medicine Upon His Face He Set, And Thanne He Axeth Grace, As He Which Hath Sieknesse Feigned. Whan His Visage Is So Desteigned, With Yhe Upcast On Hire He Siketh, And Many A Contenance He Piketh, To Bringen Hire In To Believe Of Thing Which That He Wolde Achieve, 700 Wherof He Berth The Pale Hewe; And For He Wolde Seme Trewe, He Makth Him Siek, Whan He Is Heil. Bot Whanne He Berth Lowest The Seil, Thanne Is He Swiftest To Beguile The Womman, Which That Ilke While Set Upon Him Feith Or Credence. Mi Sone, If Thou Thi Conscience Entamed Hast In Such A Wise, In Schrifte Thou Thee Myht Avise 710 And Telle It Me, If It Be So. Min Holy Fader, Certes No. As Forto Feigne Such Sieknesse It Nedeth Noght, For This Witnesse I Take Of God, That My Corage Hath Ben Mor Siek Than My Visage. And Ek This Mai I Wel Avowe, So Lowe Cowthe I Nevere Bowe To Feigne Humilite Withoute, That Me Ne Leste Betre Loute 720 With Alle The Thoghtes Of Myn Herte; For That Thing Schal Me Nevere Asterte, I Speke As To My Lady Diere, To Make Hire Eny Feigned Chiere. God Wot Wel There I Lye Noght, Mi Chiere Hath Be Such As My Thoght; For In Good Feith, This Lieveth Wel, Mi Will Was Betre A Thousendel Than Eny Chiere That I Cowthe. Bot, Sire, If I Have In My Yowthe 730 Don Other Wise In Other Place, I Put Me Therof In Your Grace: For This Excusen I Ne Schal, That I Have Elles Overal To Love And To His Compaignie Be Plein Withoute Ypocrisie; Bot Ther Is On The Which I Serve, Althogh I May No Thonk Deserve, To Whom Yet Nevere Into This Day I Seide Onlyche Or Ye Or Nay, 740 Bot If It So Were In My Thoght. As Touchende Othre Seie I Noght That I Nam Somdel Forto Wyte Of That Ye Clepe An Ypocrite. Mi Sone, It Sit Wel Every Wiht To Kepe His Word In Trowthe Upryht Towardes Love In Alle Wise. For Who That Wolde Him Wel Avise What Hath Befalle In This Matiere, He Scholde Noght With Feigned Chiere 750 Deceive Love In No Degre. To Love Is Every Herte Fre, Bot In Deceipte If That Thou Feignest And Therupon Thi Lust Atteignest, That Thow Hast Wonne With Thi Wyle, Thogh It Thee Like For A Whyle, Thou Schalt It Afterward Repente. And Forto Prove Myn Entente, I Finde Ensample In A Croniqe Of Hem That Love So Beswike. 760 It Fell Be Olde Daies Thus, Whil Themperour Tiberius The Monarchie Of Rome Ladde, Ther Was A Worthi Romein Hadde A Wif, And Sche Pauline Hihte, Which Was To Every Mannes Sihte Of Al The Cite The Faireste, And As Men Seiden, Ek The Beste. It Is And Hath Ben Evere Yit, That So Strong Is No Mannes Wit, 770 Which Thurgh Beaute Ne Mai Be Drawe To Love, And Stonde Under The Lawe Of Thilke Bore Frele Kinde, Which Makth The Hertes Yhen Blinde, Wher No Reson Mai Be Comuned: And In This Wise Stod Fortuned This Tale, Of Which I Wolde Mene; This Wif, Which In Hire Lustes Grene Was Fair And Freissh And Tendre Of Age, Sche May Noght Lette The Corage 780 Of Him That Wole On Hire Assote. Ther Was A Duck, And He Was Hote Mundus, Which Hadde In His Baillie To Lede The Chivalerie Of Rome, And Was A Worthi Knyht; Bot Yet He Was Noght Of Such Myht The Strengthe Of Love To Withstonde, That He Ne Was So Broght To Honde, That Malgre Wher He Wole Or No, This Yonge Wif He Loveth So, 790 That He Hath Put Al His Assay To Wynne Thing Which He Ne May Gete Of Hire Graunt In No Manere, Be Yifte Of Gold Ne Be Preiere. And Whanne He Syh That Be No Mede Toward Hir Love He Myhte Spede, Be Sleyhte Feigned Thanne He Wroghte; And Therupon He Him Bethoghte How That Ther Was In The Cite A Temple Of Such Auctorite, 800 To Which With Gret Devocioun The Noble Wommen Of The Toun Most Comunliche A Pelrinage Gon Forto Preie Thilke Ymage Which The Godesse Of Childinge Is, And Cleped Was Be Name Ysis: And In Hire Temple Thanne Were, To Reule And To Ministre There After The Lawe Which Was Tho, Above Alle Othre Prestes Tuo. 810 This Duck, Which Thoghte His Love Gete, Upon A Day Hem Tuo To Mete Hath Bede, And Thei Come At His Heste; Wher That Thei Hadde A Riche Feste, And After Mete In Prive Place This Lord, Which Wolde His Thonk Pourchace, To Ech Of Hem Yaf Thanne A Yifte, And Spak So That Be Weie Of Schrifte He Drowh Hem Unto His Covine, To Helpe And Schape How He Pauline 820 After His Lust Deceive Myhte. And Thei Here Trowthes Bothe Plyhte, That Thei Be Nyhte Hire Scholden Wynne Into The Temple, And He Therinne Schal Have Of Hire Al His Entente: And Thus Acorded Forth Thei Wente. Now Lest Thurgh Which Ypocrisie Ordeigned Was The Tricherie, Wherof This Ladi Was Deceived. These Prestes Hadden Wel Conceived 830 That Sche Was Of Gret Holinesse; And With A Contrefet Simplesse, Which Hid Was In A Fals Corage, Feignende An Hevenely Message Thei Come And Seide Unto Hir Thus: "Pauline, The God Anubus Hath Sent Ous Bothe Prestes Hiere, And Seith He Woll To Thee Appiere Be Nyhtes Time Himself Alone, For Love He Hath To Thi Persone: 840 And Therupon He Hath Ous Bede, That We In Ysis Temple A Stede Honestely For Thee Pourveie, Wher Thou Be Nyhte, As We Thee Seie, Of Him Schalt Take Avisioun. For Upon Thi Condicioun, The Which Is Chaste And Ful Of Feith, Such Pris, As He Ous Tolde, He Leith, That He Wol Stonde Of Thin Acord; And Forto Bere Hierof Record 850 He Sende Ous Hider Bothe Tuo." Glad Was Hire Innocence Tho Of Suche Wordes As Sche Herde, With Humble Chiere And Thus Answerde, And Seide That The Goddes Wille Sche Was Al Redy To Fulfille, That Be Hire Housebondes Leve Sche Wolde In Ysis Temple At Eve Upon Hire Goddes Grace Abide, To Serven Him The Nyhtes Tide. 860 The Prestes Tho Gon Hom Ayein, And Sche Goth To Hire Sovereign, Of Goddes Wille And As It Was Sche Tolde Him Al The Pleine Cas, Wherof He Was Deceived Eke, And Bad That Sche Hire Scholde Meke Al Hol Unto The Goddes Heste. And Thus Sche, Which Was Al Honeste To Godward After Hire Entente, At Nyht Unto The Temple Wente, 870 Wher That The False Prestes Were; And Thei Receiven Hire There With Such A Tokne Of Holinesse, As Thogh Thei Syhen A Godesse, And Al Withinne In Prive Place A Softe Bedd Of Large Space Thei Hadde Mad And Encourtined, Wher Sche Was Afterward Engined. Bot Sche, Which Al Honour Supposeth, The False Prestes Thanne Opposeth, 880 And Axeth Be What Observance Sche Myhte Most To The Plesance Of Godd That Nyhtes Reule Kepe: And Thei Hire Bidden Forto Slepe Liggende Upon The Bedd Alofte, For So, Thei Seide, Al Stille And Softe God Anubus Hire Wolde Awake. The Conseil In This Wise Take, The Prestes Fro This Lady Gon; And Sche, That Wiste Of Guile Non, 890 In The Manere As It Was Seid To Slepe Upon The Bedd Is Leid, In Hope That Sche Scholde Achieve Thing Which Stod Thanne Upon Bilieve, Fulfild Of Alle Holinesse. Bot Sche Hath Failed, As I Gesse, For In A Closet Faste By The Duck Was Hid So Prively That Sche Him Myhte Noght Perceive; And He, That Thoghte To Deceive, 900 Hath Such Arrai Upon Him Nome, That Whanne He Wolde Unto Hir Come, It Scholde Semen At Hire Yhe As Thogh Sche Verrailiche Syhe God Anubus, And In Such Wise This Ypocrite Of His Queintise Awaiteth Evere Til Sche Slepte. And Thanne Out Of His Place He Crepte So Stille That Sche Nothing Herde, And To The Bedd Stalkende He Ferde, 910 And Sodeinly, Er Sche It Wiste, Beclipt In Armes He Hire Kiste: Wherof In Wommanysshe Drede Sche Wok And Nyste What To Rede; Bot He With Softe Wordes Milde Conforteth Hire And Seith, With Childe He Wolde Hire Make In Such A Kynde That Al The World Schal Have In Mynde The Worschipe Of That Ilke Sone; For He Schal With The Goddes Wone, 920 And Ben Himself A Godd Also. With Suche Wordes And With Mo, The Whiche He Feigneth In His Speche, This Lady Wit Was Al To Seche, As Sche Which Alle Trowthe Weneth: Bot He, That Alle Untrowthe Meneth, With Blinde Tales So Hire Ladde, That All His Wille Of Hire He Hadde. And Whan Him Thoghte It Was Ynowh, Ayein The Day He Him Withdrowh 930 So Prively That Sche Ne Wiste Wher He Becom, Bot As Him Liste Out Of The Temple He Goth His Weie. And Sche Began To Bidde And Preie Upon The Bare Ground Knelende, And After That Made Hire Offrende, And To The Prestes Yiftes Grete Sche Yaf, And Homward Be The Strete. The Duck Hire Mette And Seide Thus: "The Myhti Godd Which Anubus 940 Is Hote, He Save The, Pauline, For Thou Art Of His Discipline So Holy, That No Mannes Myht Mai Do That He Hath Do To Nyht Of Thing Which Thou Hast Evere Eschuied. Bot I His Grace Have So Poursuied, That I Was Mad His Lieutenant: Forthi Be Weie Of Covenant Fro This Day Forth I Am Al Thin, And If Thee Like To Be Myn, 950 That Stant Upon Thin Oghne Wille." Sche Herde His Tale And Bar It Stille, And Hom Sche Wente, As It Befell, Into Hir Chambre, And Ther Sche Fell Upon Hire Bedd To Wepe And Crie, And Seide: "O Derke Ypocrisie, Thurgh Whos Dissimilacion Of Fals Ymaginacion I Am Thus Wickedly Deceived! Bot That I Have It Aperceived 960 I Thonke Unto The Goddes Alle; For Thogh It Ones Be Befalle, It Schal Nevere Eft Whil That I Live, And Thilke Avou To Godd I Yive." And Thus Wepende Sche Compleigneth, Hire Faire Face And Al Desteigneth With Wofull Teres Of Hire Ije, So That Upon This Agonie Hire Housebonde Is Inne Come, And Syh How Sche Was Overcome 970 With Sorwe, And Axeth What Hire Eileth. And Sche With That Hirself Beweileth Welmore Than Sche Dede Afore, And Seide, "Helas, Wifhode Is Lore In Me, Which Whilom Was Honeste, I Am Non Other Than A Beste, Now I Defouled Am Of Tuo." And As Sche Myhte Speke Tho, Aschamed With A Pitous Onde Sche Tolde Unto Hir Housebonde 980 The Sothe Of Al The Hole Tale, And In Hire Speche Ded And Pale Sche Swouneth Welnyh To The Laste. And He Hire In Hise Armes Faste Uphield, And Ofte Swor His Oth That He With Hire Is Nothing Wroth, For Wel He Wot Sche May Ther Noght: Bot Natheles Withinne His Thoght His Herte Stod In Sori Plit, And Seide He Wolde Of That Despit 990 Be Venged, How So Evere It Falle, And Sende Unto Hise Frendes Alle. And Whan Thei Weren Come In Fere, He Tolde Hem Upon This Matiere, A