Incipit Liber Secundus

Postea [Pau]Lisper Conticuit.

After þis she stynte a litel. and after þat she hadde
gadred by atempre stillenesse myn attencioun she
seide þus. ¶ As who so myȝt[e] seye þus. After þise
þinges she stynt[e] a lytel. and whanne she aperceiued[e]
by atempre stillenesse þat I was ententif to
herkene hire. she bygan to speke in þis wyse. ¶ Yif
I quod she haue vnderstonden and knowe vtterly þe
causes and þe habit of þi maladie. þou languissed and
art deffeted for talent and desijr of þi raþer fortune.
¶ She þat ilke fortune only þat is chaunged as þou
feinest to þe ward. haþ peruerted þe clerenesse and þe
astat of þi corage. ¶ I vnderstonde þe felefolde
colour and deceites of þilke merueillous monstre fortune.
and how she vseþ ful flatryng familarite wiþ hem
þat she enforceþ to bygyle. so longe til þat she confounde
wiþ vnsuffreable sorwe hem þat she haþ left
in despeir vnpurueyed. ¶ and if þou remembrest wel
þe kynde þe maners and þe desert of þilke fortune. þow
shalt wel knowe as in hir þou neuer ne haddest ne
hast ylost any fair þing. But as I trowe I shal not
gretly trauaile to don þe remembren of þise þinges.
¶ For þou were wont to hurtlen [and despysen] hir
wiþ manly wordes whan she was blaundissinge and
presente and pursewedest hir wiþ sentences þat were
drawen oute of myne entre. þat is to seyne out of
myn informacioun ¶ But no sudeyne mutacioun ne
bytideþ nat wiþ outen a maner chaungyng of curages.
and so is it byfallen þat þou art departed a litel fro
þe pees of þi þouȝt. but now is tyme þat þou drynke
and atast[e] some softe and delitable þinges. so þat whan
þei ben entred wiþ inne þe. it mow make weye to
strenger drynkes of medycynes. ¶ Com nowe furþe
þerfore þe suasioun of swetnesse Rethoryen. whiche
þat goþ oonly þe ryȝt wey whil she forsakeþ not myne
estatutȝ. ¶ And wiþ Rethorice com forþe musice a
damoisel of oure house þat syngeþ now lyȝter moedes
or prolaciouns now heuyer. *what ayleþ þe man. what
is it þat haþ cast þe in to murnyng and in to wepyng.
I trow[e] þat þou hast sen some newe þing and uncouþe.
¶ Þou wenest þat fortune be chaunged aȝeins
þe ¶ But þou wenest wrong. yif þou [þat] wene.
Alwey þo ben hire maners. she haþ raþer [kept] as to
þe ward hire propre stablenes in þe chaungyng of hyre
self. ¶ Ryȝt swyche was she whan she flatered[e]
þe. and desseiued[e] þe wiþ vnleueful lykynges of
false welefulnesse. þou hast now knowen and ataynt
þe doutous or double visage of þilke blynde goddesse
fortune. ¶ She þat ȝit couereþ hir and wympleþ hir
to oþer folk. haþ shewed hir euerydel to þe. ¶ Ȝif
þou approuest hir and þenkest þat she is good. vse
hir maners and pleyne þe nat. ¶ And if þou agrisest
hir fals[e] trecherie. dispise and cast aweye hir þat
pleyeþ so harmefully. for she þat is now cause of so
myche sorwe to þe. sholde be to þe cause of pees and
[of] ioie. ¶ she haþ forsaken þe forsoþe. þe whiche
þat neuer man may be syker þat she ne shal forsake
hym. Glose. ¶ But naþeles some bookes han þe text
þus. For soþe she haþ forsaken þe ne þer nis no man
syker þat she ne haþ not forsaken. ¶ Holdest þou
þan þilke welefulnesse preciouse to þe þat shal passen.
and is present fortune derworþi to þe. whiche þat nis
not feiþful forto dwelle. and whan she goþ aweye þat
she bryngeþ a wyȝt in sorwe ¶ For syn she may nat
be wiþholden at a mans wille. she makeþ hym a wrecche
when she departeþ fro hym. ¶ What oþer þing is
flitting fortune but a manere shewyng of wrycchednesse
þat is to comen. ne it ne suffriþ nat oo[n]ly to loken
of þing þat is present byforne þe eyen of man. but
wisdom lokeþ and mesureþ þe ende of þinges. and þe
same chaungyng from one to an oþer. þat is to seyne
fro aduersite to prosperite makeþ þat þe manaces of
fortune ne ben not forto dreden. ne þe flatrynges of
hir to ben desired. ¶ Þus atte þe last it byhoueþ þe
to suffren wiþ euene wille in pacience al þat is don
inwiþ þe floor of fortune. þat is to seyne in þis worlde.

PHILOSOPHY EXPOSTULATES WITH BOETHIUS.

¶ Syþen þou hast oones put þi nekke vnder þe ȝokke
of hir. for if þou wilt write a lawe of wendyng and of
dwellyng to fortune whiche þat þou hast chosen frely
to be þi lady ¶ Art þou nat wrongful in þat and
makest fortune wroþe and aspere by þin inpacience.
and ȝit þou mayst not chaungen hir. ¶ Yif þou committest
[and] bitakest þi sayles to þe wynde. þou shalt
be shouen not þider þat þou woldest(:) but whider þat
þe wynde shoueþ þe ¶ Yif þou castest þi seedes in þe
feldes þou sholdest haue in mynde þat þe ȝeres ben
oþer while plenteuous and oþer while bareyne. ¶ Þou
hast bytaken þiself to þe gouernaunce of fortune.
and forþi it byhoueþ þe to ben obeisaunt to þe manere
of þi lady. and enforcest þou þe to aresten or wiþstonden
þe swyftnesse and þe sweyes of hir tournyng
whele. ¶ O þou fool of alle mortel fooles if fortune
bygan to dwelle stable. she cesed[e] þan to ben fortune.

727 she (2)—I

729 myȝt[e] seye—myhte seyn

730 stynt[e]—stynte

732 hire—here

733 knowe vtterly—knowen owtrely

734 languissed—languyssest

737 haþ—MS. haþe

738 astat—estat
felefolde—feelefold

739 colour—colours
deceites (MS. decrites)—deceytes
merueillous—meruayles

742 haþ—MS. haþe

743 if—yif

746 any (MS. my)—any
þing—thinge

747 trauaile—travaylen
don—do
remembren of—remenbre on

748 [and despysen]—from C.

749 was—omitted

750 were—weren

751 myne—myn
seyne—sayn

752 sudeyne—sodeyn

753 outen—owte

757 inne—in
mow——weye—mowe maken way

758 strenger—strengere
Com nowe furþe—MS. Come; C. Com now forth

760 goþ—MS. goþe

761 com—MS. come, C. com

762 house—hows
lyȝter—lyhtere

763 prolaciouns—probasyons
heuyer—heuyere
ayleþ—eyleth

765 trow[e]—trowe
sen—MS. sene, C. seyn
some—som
þing—thinge
uncouþe—vnkowth

766 aȝeins—ayein

767 wenest—weenes
[þat]—C. that

768 haþ—MS. haþe
[kept]—from C.

769 stablenes in þe—stabylnesse standeth in the

770 swyche—swich

771 vnleueful—vnlefful

775 haþ—MS. had, C. hat

776 good—MS. goode, C. god

777 agrisest—MS. agrised, C. agrysyst

778 fals[e]—false

780 myche—mochel

781 [of]—from C.
haþ—MS. haþe

783 text—texte

784 haþ—MS. haþe

785 forsaken—forsake
Holdest þou—holdestow

786 þan—thanne
preciouse—presyes

787 derworþi—dereworthe
whiche—which

788 feiþful—feythfulle
goþ—MS. goþe
aweye—awey

790 mans—mannys

791 when—wan
þing—thinge

793 suffriþ—suffiseth

794 of þing—on thynge
byforne—MS. byforne byforne
man—a man

795 mesureþ—amesureth

796 from one—fram oon
seyne—seyn

797 fro—from
to—into

799 atte þe last—at the laste

801 seyne—seyn
worlde—world

802 Syþen—Syn
ȝokke—yoke

803 if—yif
write—wryten

804 whiche—which

805 lady—ladye
Art þou—Artow

806 wroþe—wroth
þin—thine

807 chaungen—chaunge

808 [and]—from C.

809 þider—thedyr
whider—whedyr

811 haue—han

814 manere—maneres

815 and—omitted
wiþstonden—withholden

816 sweyes—sweyȝ

818 cesed[e]—cesede

THE INCONSTANCY OF FORTUNE.

Hec Cum Superba.

Whan fortune wiþ a proude ryȝt hande haþ turnid
hir chaungyng stoundes she fareþ lyke þe maners
of þe boillyng eurippe. Glose. Eurippe is an arme of
þe see þat ebbith and flowiþ. and somtyme þe streme
is on one syde and somtyme on þat oþer. Texte ¶ She
cruel fortune kasteþ adoune kynges þat somtyme weren
ydred. and she deceiuable enhaunseth vp þe humble
chere of hym þat is discomfited. and she neyþer hereþ
ne reccheþ of wrecched[e] wepynges. and she is so harde
þat she lauȝeþ and scorneþ þe wepyng of hem þe whiche
she haþ maked wepe wiþ hir free wille. ¶ Þus she
pleyeþ and þus she preueþ hir strengþe and sheweþ a
grete wondre to alle hir seruauntȝ. ¶ Yif þat a wyȝt
is seyn weleful and ouerþrowe in an houre.

819 proude—prowd
hande—hand
haþ—MS. haþe

820 lyke—lik

821 arme—arm

822 streme—strem

823 one—o

821 adoune—adown
somtyme—whilom

825 ydred (MS. ydredde)—ydrad
humble—vmble

827 reccheþ—rekkeþ
wrecched[e]—wrecchede
harde—hard

828 lauȝeþ—lyssheth
wepyng—wepynges

830 strengþe—strengthes

PROSPERITY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FELICITY.

Vellem Aute M Pauca.

CErtis I wolde plete wiþ þee a fewe þinges vsynge
þe wordes of fortune tak heede now þi self. yif þat
she axeþ ryȝt. *¶ O þou man wher fore makest þou
me gilty by þine euerydayes pleynynges. what wronges
haue I don þe. what goodes haue I byreft þe þat weren
þine. stryf or plete wiþ me by fore what iuge þat þou
wilt of þe possessioun of rycchesse or of dignites ¶ And
yif þou maist shewe me þat euer any mortal man haþ
receyued any of þese þinges to ben his in propre. þan
wol I graunt[e] frely þat [alle] þilke þinges weren þine
whiche þat þou axest. ¶ Whan þat nature brouȝt[e] þe
forþe out of þi moder wombe. I receyued[e] þe naked
and nedy of al þing. and I norysshed[e] þe wiþ my
rychesse. and was redy and ententif þoruȝ my fauour to
sustene þe. ¶ And þat makeþ þe now inpacient aȝeins me.
and I envirounde þe wiþ al þe habundaunce and
shinyng of al goodes þat ben in my ryȝt. ¶ Now it
lykeþ me to wiþ drawe myne hande. þou hast had grace
as he þat haþ vsed of foreyne goodes. þou hast no ryȝt to
pleyne þe. as þouȝ þou haddest vtterly lorn alle þi
þinges. whi pleynest þou þan. I haue don þe no wrong.
Ricches honoures and swyche oþer þinges ben of my
ryȝt. ¶ My seruauntes knowen me for hir lady. þei
comen wiþ me and departen whan I wende. I dar wel
affermen hardyly. þat yif þo þinges of whiche þou
pleynest þat þou hast forlorn hadde ben þine. þou ne
haddest not lorn hem. ¶ shal I þan only be defended
to vse my ryȝt. ¶ Certis it is leueful to þe heuene to
make clere dayes. and after þat to keuere þe same dayes
wiþ derke nyȝtes. ¶ Þe erþe haþ eke leue to apparaile
þe visage of þe erþe now with floures and now wiþ
fruyt. and to confounde hem somtyme wiþ raynes and
wiþ coldes. ¶ Þe see haþ eke hys ryȝt to be somtyme
calme and blaundyshing wiþ smoþe water. and
somtyme to be horrible wiþ wawes and wiþ tempestes.
¶ But þe couetyse of men þat may not be staunched
shal it bynde me to be stedfast. syn þat stedfastnesse
is vnkouþ to my maneres. ¶ Swyche is my strengþe.
and þis pley. I pley[e] continuely. I tourne þe whirlyng
whele wiþ þe tournyng cercle ¶ I am glade to chaunge
þe lowest to þe heyeste. and þe heyest to þe loweste.

BE SUBJECT TO FORTUNE’S CHANGES.

worþe vp yif þou wilt. so it be by þis lawe. þat þou
ne holde not þat I do þe wronge þouȝ þou descende
doun whanne resoun of my pleye axeþ it. Wost þou
not how Cresus kyng of lyndens of whiche kyng Cirus
was ful sore agast a litel byforne þat þis rewlyche
Cresus was cauȝt of Cirus and lad to þe fijr to be
brent. but þat a reyne descended[e] doun from heuene
þat rescowed[e] hym ¶ And is it out of þi mynde how
þat Paulus consul of Rome whan he hadde take þe
kyng of perciens weep pitou[s]ly for þe captiuitee of þe
self[e] kyng. What oþer þinges bywaylen þe criinges of
Tragedies. but only þe dedes of fortune. þat wiþ an
vnwar stroke ouerturneþ þe realmes of grete nobley
¶ Glose. Tragedie is to seyne a dite of a prosperite for
a tyme þat endiþ in wrechednesse. Lernedest nat þou
in grek whan þou were ȝonge þat in þe entre or in þe
seler of Iuppiter þer ben couched two tunnes. þat on
is ful of good þat oþer is ful of harme. ¶ What ryȝt
hast þou to pleyne. yif þou hast taken more plenteuously
of þe goode syde þat is to seyne of my rycchesse and
prosperites. and what eke. yif I be nat departed fro þe.
What eke. yif my mutabilitee ȝiueþ þe ryȝtful cause of
hope to han ȝit better þinges. ¶ Naþeles desmaie þe
nat in þi þouȝt. and þou þat art put in comune realme
of alle: ne desijr[e] nat to lyue by þine oonly propre ryȝt.

833 plete—pleten

834 tak—MS. take, C. tak

835 makest þou—makes thow

836 wronges—wronge

837 don—MS. done, C. don
byreft—MS. byrefte, C. byreft

838 stryf—MS. stryue, C. stryf
plete—pleten
by fore—by forn

839 wilt—wolt
rycchesse—rychesses

840 shewe—shewyn
euer—euere
haþ—MS. haþe

841 þese—tho
his—hise

842 graunt[e]—graunte
[alle]—from C.

845 al þing—alle thinges
norysshed[e]—noryssede

846 rychesse—rychesses

848, 849 al—alle

848 habundaunce—aboundaunce

850 wiþ——hande—withdrawen myn hand
had—MS. hadde, C. had

851 haþ—MS. haþe

852 vtterly—outrely
lorn—MS. lorne, C. for lorn.

853 don—MS. done, C. don

854 Ricches—Rychesses

858 forlorn—MS. forlorne, C. forlorn

859 lorn—MS. lorne, C. lorn

860 vse—vsen

861 keuere þe—coeueryn tho

862 derke—dirk
erþe—yer
haþ—MS. haþe

864 confounde—confownden

865 haþ—MS. haþe

866 calme—kalm

867 (2nd) wiþ—omitted

869 stedfast—stidefast
stedfastnesse—stidefastnesse

870 vnkouþ—MS. vnkouþe, C. vnkowth
Swyche—Swych

871 pley[e]—pleye

872 whele—wheel
glade—glad
chaunge—chaungyn

874 worþe—worth
wilt—wolt

876 doun—adoun
whanne—wan
pleye—pley
Wost þou—wistesthow

877 kyng (1)—the kyng
lyndens—lydyens

878 byforne—byforn

880 reyne descended[e]—rayn dessendede
from—fro

881 rescowed[e]—rescowede

882 take—takyn

885 an—a

886 þe—omitted

887 seyne—seyn

890 tunnes—tonnes

891 harme—harm

892 hast þou—hasthow

893 seyne—seyn
rycchesse—rychesses

894 I be nat—I ne be nat al

896 better—betere

898 lyue—lyuen
þine—thin

THE COVETOUS ARE EVER DISCONTENTED.

Si Q Ua Ntas Rapidis.

ÞOuȝ plentee þat is goddesse of rycches hielde adoun
wiþ ful horn. and wiþdraweþ nat hir hand. ¶ As
many recches as þe see turneþ vpwardes sandes whan it
is moeued wiþ rauysshing blastes. or ellys as many
rycches as þer shynen bryȝt[e] sterres on heuene on þe
sterry nyȝt. Ȝit for al þat mankynde nolde not cesce to
wope wrecched[e] pleyntes. ¶ And al be it so *þat
god receyueþ gladly her prayers and ȝeueþ hem as ful
large muche golde and apparaileþ coueytous folk wiþ
noble or clere honours. ȝit semeþ hem haue I-gete noþing.
but alwey her cruel ravyne deuourynge al þat þei
han geten shewiþ oþer gapinges. þat is to seye gapen
and desiren ȝit after moo rycchesse. ¶ What brideles
myȝten wiþholde to any certeyne ende þe desordene
coueitise of men ¶ Whan euere þe raþer þat it fletiþ in
large ȝiftis: þe more ay brenneþ in hem þe þrest of
hauyng. ¶ Certis he þat quakyng and dredeful weneþ
hym seluen nedy. he ne lyueþ neuere mo ryche.

899 rycches—rychesses

901 recches—rychesses
vpwardes—vpward

902 rauysshing—rauyssynge

903 rycches—rychesses
bryȝt[e]—bryhte
on (1)—in

904 nyȝt—nyhtes

905 wope wrecched[e]—wepe wrecchede

906 her—hir
ful—fool

907 muche—meche
folk—men

908 haue—hauen
I-gete—I-getyn

909 her—hir

910 seye—seyn

911 rycchesse—rychesses

912 wiþholde—wytholden
certeyne—certeyn

914 þrest—thurst

915 dredeful—dredful

916 lyueþ—leueth

BOETHIUS IS NOT UNHAPPY.

Hiis Igitur Si Pro Se.

Þerfore yif þat fortune spake wiþ þe for hir self in
þis manere. For soþe þou ne haddest [nat] what
þou myȝtest answere. and if þou hast any þing wherwiþ.
þou mayist ryȝtfully tellen þi compleynt. ¶ It
byhoueþ þe to shewen it. and .I. wol ȝeue þe space to
tellen it. ¶ Certeynely quod I þan þise ben faire
þinges and enoyntid wiþ hony swetnesse of rethorike
and musike. and only while þei ben herd þei ben
deliciouse. ¶ But to wrecches is a deppere felyng of
harme. þis is to seyn þat wrecches felen þe harmes þat
þei suffren more greuously þan þe remedies or þe delites
of þise wordes mowe gladen or comforten hem. so þat
whan þise þinges stynten forto soun[e] in eres. þe sorwe
þat is inset greueþ þe þouȝt. Ryȝt so is it quod she.
¶ For þise ne ben ȝit none remedies of þi maladie. but
þei ben a manere norissinges of þi sorwe ȝit rebel
aȝeyne þi curacioun. ¶ For whan þat tyme is. I shal
moue swiche þinges þat percen hem self depe. ¶ But
naþeles þat þou shalt not wilne to leten þi self a
wrecche. ¶ Hast þou forȝeten þe noumbre and þe
manere of þi welefulnesse. I holde me stille how þat
þe souerayn men of þe Citee token þe in cure and
kepynge whan þou were orphelyn of fadir and modir.
and were chosen in affinite of princes of þe Citee.
¶ And þou bygunne raþer to ben leef and deere þan
forto ben a neyȝbour. þe whiche þing is þe most preciouse
kynde of any propinquitee or aliaunce þat may
ben. ¶ Who is it þat ne seide þou nere ryȝt weleful
wiþ so grete a nobley of þi fadres in lawe. ¶ And wiþ
þe chastite of þi wijf. and wiþ þe oportunite and
noblesse of þi masculyn children. þat is to seyne þi
sones and ouer al þis me lyst to passe of comune þinges.
¶ How þou haddest in þi þouȝt dignitees þat weren
warned to olde men. but it deliteþ me to comen now to
þe singuler vphepyng of þi welefulnesse. ¶ Yif any
fruyt of mortal þinges may han any weyȝte or price of
welefulnesse. ¶ Myȝtest þou euere forȝeten for any
charge of harme þat myȝt[e] byfallen. þe remembraunce
of þilke day þat þou sey[e] þi two sones maked conseillers.
and ylad to gidre from þin house vndir so gret
assemble of senatours. and vndir þe blyþenesse of poeple.
and whan þou say[e] hem sette in þe court in her
chaieres of dignites. ¶ Þou rethorien or pronouncere
of kynges preysinges. deseruedest glorie of wit and of
eloquence. whan þou sittyng bytwix þi two sones conseillers
in þe place þat hyȝt Circo. and fulfildest þe
abydyng of multitude of poeple þat was sprad about þe
wiþ large praysynge and laude as men syngen in victories.
þo ȝaue þou wordes of fortune as I trowe. þat
is to seyne. þo feffedest þou fortune wiþ glosynge
wordes and desseiuedest hir. whan she accoied[e] þe
and norsshed[e] þe as hir owen delices. ¶ Þou hast
had of fortune a ȝifte þat is to seyn swiche gerdoun
þat she neu[er]e ȝaf to preue man ¶ Wilt þou þerfore
leye a rekenyng wiþ fortune. she haþ now twynkeled
first vpon þe wiþ a wykked eye. ¶ Yif þou considere
þe noumbre and þe manere of þi blysses. and of þi
sorwes. *þou maist nat forsake þat þou nart ȝit blysful.

ADVERSITY IS BUT TRANSIENT.

For if þou þerfore wenest þi self nat weleful for þinges
þat þo semeden ioyful ben passed. ¶ Þer nis nat whi
þou sholdest wene þi self a wrecche. for þinges þat now
semen soory passen also. ¶ Art þou now comen firste
a sodeyne gest in to þe shadowe or tabernacle of þis
lijf. or trowest þou þat any stedfastnesse be in mannis
þinges. ¶ Whan ofte a swifte houre dissolueþ þe same
man. þat is to seyne whan þe soule departiþ fro þe
body. For al þouȝ þat yelde is þer any feiþ þat fortunous
þinges willen dwelle. ȝit naþeles þe last[e] day
of a mannis lijf is a manere deeþ to fortune. and also
to þilke þat haþ dwelt. and þerfore what wenist þou
þar recche yif þou forlete hir in deynge or ellys þat she
fortune forlete þe in fleenge awey.

918 [nat]—from C.

919 if—yif

920 mayist—mayst
tellen—defendyn

921 ȝeue—yeuyn

922 þan—thanne
ben—bet (= beth)

923 swetnesse—swetenesse

924 while—whil
herd—MS. herde

926 harme—harm

928 mowe—mowen

929 soun[e]-sowne

930 inset—MS. insette, C. inset

932 sorwe—sorwes

933 aȝeyne—ayein

934 moue swiche—moeue swych

938 souerayn—souerane

943 neyȝbour—neysshebour

944 nere—were

945 nobley—nobleye
fadres—fadyr-is

947 seyne—seyn

948 lyst—lyste
passe of—passen the

949 þouȝt—yowthe

950 warned—werned

952 fruyt—frute
price—pris

953 Myȝtest þow—myhtes-thow

954 harme—harm
myȝt[e] byfallen—myhte befalle

955 sey[e]—saye

956 from—fro
gret—MS. grete, C. gret

958 say[e]—saye
sette—set
her—heere

961 bytwix—bytwyen

962 hyȝt—hihte

963 of (1)—of the
about—abowten

964 wiþ—with so

965 ȝaue—MS. þan, C. yaue
of—to

966 seyne—seyn

967 accoied[e]—acoyede

968 norsshed[e]—noryssede
owen—owne
þou——of—thow bar away of

969 had—MS. hadde
swiche—swich

970 preue—pryue

971 leye—lye
haþ—MS. haþe

972 wykked—wyckede

973 blysses—blysse

974 forsake—forsakyn
nart—art
blysful—blysseful

978 soory—sorye
firste—fyrst

979 sodeyne—sodeyn
shadowe—shadwe

980 stedfastnesse—stedefastnesse

981 swifte—swyft
dissolueþ—dyssoluede

983 al þouȝ þat—al þat thowgh
fortunous—fortune

984 willen dwelle—wolen dwellyn
last[e]—laste

986 haþ—MS. haþe
wenist þou—weenestow

987 þar recche—dar recke

988 awey—away

MANY BLESSINGS STILL REMAIN.

Cum Primo Polo.

Whan phebus þe sonne bygynneþ to spreden his clerenesse
with rosene chariettes. þan þe sterre ydimmyd
paleþ hir white cheres. by þe flamus of þe sonne þat
ouer comeþ þe sterre lyȝt. ¶ Þis is to seyn whan þe
sonne is risen þe day sterre wexiþ pale and lesiþ hir
lyȝt for þe grete bryȝtnesse of þe sonne. ¶ Whan þe
wode wexeþ redy of rosene floures in þe first somer
sesoun þoruȝ þe breþe of þe wynde Zephirus þat wexeþ
warme. ¶ Yif þe cloudy wynde auster blowe felliche.
þan goþ awey þe fayrnesse of þornes. Ofte þe see is
clere and calme wiþoute moeuyng floodes. And ofte
þe horrible wynde aquilon moeueþ boylyng tempestes
and ouer whelweþ þe see. ¶ Yif þe forme of þis worlde
is so [ȝeelde] stable. and yif it tourniþ by so many
entrechaungynges. wilt þou þan trusten in þe trublynge
fortunes of men. wilt þou trowen in flittyng goodes.
It is certeyne and establissed by lawe perdurable þat no
þing þat is engendred nys stedfast no stable.

989 his—hyr

990 þan—thanne

991 flamus—flambes

995 redy—rody
rosene—rosyn

997 warme—warm

998 goþ—MS. goþe, C. goth
fayrnesse—fayrenesse

999 clere—cleer
calme—kalm

1000 wynde—wynd

1001 whelweþ—welueeth

1002 [ȝeelde]—from C.

1003, 1004 wilt þou—wolthow

1003 þan—thanne
trublynge—towmblynge

1004 in flittyng—on flettynge

1005 It is—is it

1006 no—ne
stable—estable

MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR.

Tunc Ego Uera Inq Ua M.

ÞAnne seide I þus. O norice of alle uertues þou
seist ful soþe. ¶ Ne I may nat forsake þe ryȝt[e]
swifte cours of my prosperitee. þat is to seine. þat
prosperitee ne be comen to me wondir swiftly and
soone. but þis is a þing þat gretly smertiþ me whan it
remembreþ me. ¶ For in alle aduersitees of fortune þe
most vnsely kynde of contrariouse fortune is to han
ben weleful. ¶ But þat þou quod she abaist þus þe
tourment of þi fals[e] opinioun þat maist þou not ryȝtfully
blamen ne aretten to þinges. as who seiþ for þou
hast ȝitte many habundaunces of þinges. ¶ Textus.
For al be it so þat þe ydel name of auenterouse welefulnesse
moeueþ þe now. it is leueful þat þou rekene
with me of how many[e] þinges þou hast ȝit plentee.
¶ And þerfore yif þat þilke þing þat þou haddest for
most precious in alle þi rycchesse of fortune be kept
to þe by þe grace of god vnwemmed and vndefouled.
Mayst þou þan pleyne ryȝtfully vpon þe myschief of fortune.
syn þou hast ȝit þi best[e] þinges. ¶ Certys ȝit
lyueþ in goode poynt þilke precious honour of mankynde.
¶ Symacus þi wyues fadir whiche þat is a
man maked al of sapience and of vertue. þe whiche
man þou woldest b[i]en redely wiþ þe pris of þin owen
lijf. he byweyleþ þe wronges þat men don to þee. and
not for hym self. for he liueþ in sykernesse of any
sentence put aȝeins him. ¶ And ȝit lyueþ þi wif þat
is attempre of witte and passyng oþer women in clennes
of chastitee. and for I wol closen shortly her bountes
she is lyke to hir fadir. I telle þe welle þat she lyueþ
looþ of hir life. and kepiþ to þee oonly hir goost. and
is al maat and ouer-comen by wepyng and sorwe for
desire of þe ¶ In þe whiche þing only I mot graunten
þat þi welefulnesse is amenused. ¶ What shal I seyn
eke of þi two sones conseillours of whiche as of children
of hir age þer shineþ *þe lyknesse of þe witte of
hir fadir and of hir eldefadir. and siþen þe souereyn
cure of alle mortel folke is to sauen hir owen lyues.

THE CONDITION OF HUMAN BLISS.

¶ O how weleful art þou þouȝ þou knowe þi goodes.
¶ But ȝitte ben þer þinges dwellyng to þe wardes þat no
man douteþ þat þei ne ben more derworþe to þe þen
þine owen lijf. ¶ And forþi drie þi teres for ȝitte nys
nat eueriche fortune al hateful to þe warde. ne ouer
greet tempest haþ nat ȝit fallen vpon þe. whan þat þin
ancres cliue fast[e] þat neiþer wole suffre þe comfort of þis
tyme present. ne þe hope of tyme comynge to passen
ne to fallen. ¶ And I preie quod I þat fast[e] mot[en]
þei holden. ¶ For whiles þat þei halden. how so euere
þat þinges ben. I shal wel fleten furþe and eschapen.
¶ But þou mayst wel seen how greet[e] apparailes and
aray þat me lakkeþ þat ben passed awey fro me. ¶ I
haue sumwhat auaunced and forþered þe quod she. if
þat þou anoie nat or forþenke nat of al þi fortune. As
who seiþ. ¶ I haue somwhat comforted þe so þat þou
tempest nat þe þus wiþ al þi fortune. syn þou hast
ȝit þi best[e] þinges. ¶ But I may nat suffre þin
delices. þat pleinst so wepyng. and anguissous for þat
oþer lakkeþ somwhat to þi welefulnesse. ¶ For what
man is so sad or of so perfit welefulnesse. þat he ne
stryueþ or pleyneþ on some half aȝeine þe qualitee of
his estat. ¶ For whi ful anguissous þing is þe condicioun
of mans goodes. ¶ For eyþer it comeþ al to
gidre to a wyȝt. or ellys it lasteþ not perpetuely.

HAPPINESS ARISES FROM CONTENTMENT.

¶ For som man haþ grete rycchesse. but he is asshamed
of hys vngentil lynage. and som man is renomed
of noblesse of kynrede. but he is enclosed in so
grete angre for nede of þinges. þat hym were leuer þat
he were vnknowe. and som man habundeþ boþe in
rychesse and noblesse. but ȝit he bywaileþ hys chast[e]
lijf. for he haþ no wijf. ¶ and som man is wel and
selily maried but he haþ no children. and norissheþ his
ricchesse to þe heires of straunge folk. ¶ And som
man is gladded wiþ children. but he wepiþ ful sory for
þe trespas of his son or of his douȝtir. ¶ and for þis
þer accordeþ no wyȝt lyȝtly to þe condicioun of his fortune.
for alwey to euery man þere is in mest somwhat
þat vnassaieþ he ne wot not or ellys he drediþ þat he
haþ assaied. ¶ And adde þis also þat euery weleful
man haþ a wel delicat felyng. ¶ So þat but yif alle
þinges fallen at hys owen wille for he inpacient or is
nat vsed to han none aduersitee. an-oone he is þrowe
adoũne for euery lytel þing. ¶ And ful lytel þinges
ben þo þat wiþdrawen þe somme or þe perfeccioun of
blisfulnesse fro hem þat ben most fortunat. ¶ How
many men trowest þou wolde demen hem self to ben
almost in heuene yif þei myȝten atteyne to þe leest[e]
partie of þe remenaunt of þi fortune. ¶ Þis same place
þat þou clepist exil is contre to hem þat enhabiten
here. and forþi. Noþing wrecched. but whan þou
wenest it ¶ As who seiþ. þouȝ þi self ne no wyȝt
ellys nys no wrecche but whan he weneþ hym self a
wrecche by reputacioun of his corage.

1008 soþe—soth
Ne I may—Ne I ne may

1009 seine—seyn

1011 a—omitted
gretly—gretely

1012 aduersitees—aduersyte

1013 most—mooste

1014 abaist—abyest

1015 tourment—tormentȝ
fals[e]—false

1016 seiþ—MS. seiþe, C. seyh

1017 ȝitte—yit

1019 leueful—leefful

1020 many[e] þinges—manye grete thinges

1022 alle—al

1023 þe by—the yit by

1024 myschief—meschef

1025 best[e]—beste

1026 lyueþ—leueth
goode—good

1027 whiche—which

1028 al—alle
of (2)—omitted

1029 b[i]en—byen
owen—owne

1030 byweyleþ—bewayleth
don—MS. done, C. don

1031 liueþ—leueth

1033 witte—wyt
women—wymmen

1034 shortly—shortely

1035 lyke—lik
welle—wel

1036 hir life—this lyf

1037 maat—maad

1038 whiche—weche

1039 amenused—amenyssed
seyn—(MS. seyne) seyn

1041 lyknesse—lykenesse
witte—wyt

1042 and (1)—or
eldefadir—eldyr fadyr
siþen—syn

1043 folke—folk

1044 art þou þouȝ—arthow yif

1045 But ȝitte—for yit
dwellyng—dwellyd
wardes—ward

1046 þat—than
derworþe—dereworthe
þen þine—than thin

1047 ȝitte—yit

1049 haþ—MS. haþe
þin—thyne

1050 cliue fast[e]—cleuen faste
wole suffre—wolen suffren

1052 fallen—faylen
fast[e] mot[en]—faste moten

1053 holden—halden

1054 furþe—forth

1055 mayst—mayste
greet[e]—grete

1058 forþenke—forthinke

1061 best[e]—beste
suffre þin—suffren thi

1063 oþer—ther

1064 perfit—parfyt

1065 or—and
some half aȝeine—som halue ayen

1067 mans—mannes
comeþ al—comth nat al

1068 lasteþ—last
perpetuely—perpetuel

1069 rycchesse—Rychesses

1070 renomed—renowned

1072 angre for—Angwysshe of
leuer—leuere

1074 chast[e]—caste

1075, 1076 haþ—MS. haþe

1076 maried—ymaryed
his—hise

1077 ricchesse—Rychesses
heires—eyres
folk—foolkys

1080 þer—þer ne

1081 mest—omitted

1082 vnassaieþ—vnassaied
wot—MS. wote, C. wot

1083, 1084 haþ—MS. haþe

1084 wel—ful

1085 fallen—byfalle
wille—wyl

1086 none—non
an-oone—Anon
þrowe—throwen

1087 adoũne—adoun

1090 wolde—wolden

1095 it—hyt
who—ho

1096 no—a

THE SOURCE OF TRUE HAPPINESS.

Contraq Ue .

And aȝeinewarde al fortune is blisful to a man by þe
agreablete or by þe egalite of hym þat suffreþ it.
¶ What man is þat. þat is so weleful þat nolde chaungen
his estat whan he haþ lorn pacience. þe swetnesse of
mannes welefulnesse is yspranid wiþ many[e] bitternesses.
þe whiche welefulnesse al þouȝ it seme swete and
ioyeful to hym þat vseþ it. ȝit may it not be wiþ-holden
þat it ne goþ away whan it wol. ¶ Þan is it wel sen
how wrecched is þe blisfulnesse of mortel þinges. þat
neiþer it dwelliþ perpetuel wiþ hem þat euery fortune
receyuen agreablely or egaly. ¶ Ne it ne deliteþ not in
al. to hem þat ben anguissous. ¶ O ye mortel folkes
what seke *ȝe þan blisfulnesse oute of ȝoure self. whiche
þat is put in ȝoure self. Errour and folie confoundeþ
ȝow ¶ I shal shewe þe shortly. þe poynt of souereyne
blisfulnesse. Is þer any þing to þe more preciouse þan
þi self ¶ Þou wilt answere nay. ¶ Þan if it so be þat
þou art myȝty ouer þi self þat is to seyn by tranquillitee
of þi soule. þan hast þou þing in þi power þat þou
noldest neuer lesen. ne fortune may nat by-nyme it þe.
and þat þou mayst knowe þat blisfulnesse [ne] may
nat standen in þinges þat ben fortunous and temperel.
¶ Now vndirstonde and gadir it to gidir þus
yif blisfulnesse be þe souereyne goode of nature þat
liueþ by resoun ¶ Ne þilke þing nis nat souereyne
goode þat may be taken awey in any wyse. for more
worþi þing and more digne is þilke þing þat may nat be
taken awey. ¶ Þan shewiþ it wele þat þe vnstablenesse
of fortune may nat attayne to receyue verray
blisfulnes. ¶ And ȝit more ouer. ¶ What man þat
þis toumblyng welefulnesse leediþ. eiþer he woot þat
[it] is chaungeable. or ellis he woot it nat. ¶ And yif
he woot it not. what blisful fortune may þer be in þe
blyndenesse of ignoraunce. and yif he woot þat it is
chaungeable. he mot alwey ben adrad þat he ne lese
þat þing. þat he ne douteþ nat but þat he may leesen it.

RICHES DO NOT CONSTITUTE HAPPINESS.

¶ As whoo seiþ he mot ben alwey agast lest he
leese þat he wot wel he may leese. ¶ For whiche þe
continuel drede þat he haþ ne suffriþ hym nat to ben
weleful. ¶ Or ellys yif he leese it he wene to be
dispised and forleten hit. ¶ Certis eke þat is a ful
lytel goode þat is born wiþ euene hert[e] whan it is
loost. ¶ Þat is to seyne þat men don no more force.
of þe lost þan of þe hauynge. ¶ And for as myche as
þou þi self art he to whom it haþ ben shewid and proued
by ful many[e] demonstraciouns. as I woot wel þat þe
soules of men ne mowen nat dien in no wise. and eke
syn it is clere. and certeyne þat fortunous welefulnesse
endiþ by þe deeþ of þe body. ¶ It may nat ben douted
þat yif þat deeþ may take awey blysfulnesse þat al þe
kynde of mortal þingus ne descendiþ in to wrecchednesse
by þe ende of þe deeþ. ¶ And syn we knowen
wel þat many a man haþ souȝt þe fruit of blisfulnesse
nat only wiþ suffryng of deeþ. but eke wiþ suffryng of
peynes and tourmentes. how myȝt[e] þan þis present
lijf make men blisful. syn þat whanne þilke self[e]
lijf is endid. it ne makeþ folk no wrecches.

1098 aȝeinewarde al—ayeinward alle

1099 it—hyt

1101 whan—what
haþ—MS. haþe
lorn—MS. lorne, C. lost

1102 yspranid—spraynyd
bitternesses—beternesses

1104 hym—hem
it—hyt
be—ben

1105 goþ—MS. geþe
wol—woole
sen—MS. sene

1107 dwelliþ—dureth

1109 folkes—folke

1110 oute—owt

1112 shortly—shortely

1114 wilt—MS. wilte, C. wolt
if—yif

1117 by-nyme—be-neme

1118 blisfulnesse [ne]—blyssefulnesse ne

1120 to gidir—to gidere

1121, 1122 souereyne goode—souereyn good

1125 wele—wel

1126 receyue—resseyuen

1129 [it]—from C.
it—hyt

1130 be—ben

1131 blyndenesse—blyndnesse

1134 it—hyt
seiþ—MS. seiþe, C. seyth

1135 wot—MS. wote, C. wot
leese (2)—leese it
whiche—which

1136 haþ—MS. haþe

1137 ellys—omitted
wene—weneth

1138 hit—omitted

1139 goode—good
born—MS. borne, C. born
hert[e]—herte

1140 seyne—seyn
don—MS. done, C. do
force—fors

1142 haþ—MS. haþe

1143 many[e]—manye

1144 mowen—mowe
dien—deyen

1145 clere—cleer
certeyne—certeyn

1147 al—alle

1150 haþ—MS. haþe
fruit—frut

1152 myȝt[e]—myhte

1153 make—maken
self[e]—selue

RICHES HAVE NO INTRINSIC VALUE.

Quisquis Uolet2 P Er Hennem Cautus.

What maner man stable and war þat wil founden hym
a perdurable sete and ne wil not be cast doune
wiþ þe loude blastes of þe wynde Eurus. and wil dispise
þe see manassynge wiþ floodes ¶ Lat hym eschewe to
bilde on þe cop of þe mountayngne. or in þe moyste
sandes. ¶ For þe fel[le] wynde auster tourmenteþ þe cop
of þe mountayngne wiþ alle his strengþes. ¶ and þe
lowe see sandes refuse to beren þe heuy weyȝte. and
forþi yif þou wolt flee þe perilous auenture þat is to
seine of þe worlde ¶ Haue mynde certeynly to ficchyn
þi house of a myrie site in a lowe stoone. ¶ For al
þouȝ þe wynde troublyng þe see þondre wiþ ouereþrowynges
¶ Þou þat art put in quiete and welful by
strengþe of þi palys shalt leden a cleer age. scornyng
þe wodenesses and þe Ires of þe eir.

1155, 1156, 1157 wil—wole

1156 be cast—MS. be caste, C. ben cast

1157 wynde—wynd

1158 eschewe—eschewen

1160 fel[le]—felle

1161 his—hise

1162 lowe—lavse
see—omitted
refuse—refusen
weyȝte—wyhte

1163 flee—fleen

1164 seine—seyn

1165 þi—thin
lowe stoone—lowh stoon

1167 welful—weleful

1169 wodenesses—woodnesses

GLORY NOT IN RICHES; THEY ADD NOTHING TO VIRTUE.

Set Cum Racionu M Iam in Te.

But for as moche as þe noryssinges of my resouns
descenden now in to þe. I trowe it were tyme to
vsen a litel strenger medicynes. ¶ Now vndirstonde
here al were it so þat þe ȝiftis of fortune nar[e] nat
brutel ne transitorie. what is þer in hem þat may be
þine *in any tyme. or ellis þat it nys foule if þat it be
considered and lokid perfitely. ¶ Richesse ben þei
preciouse by þe nature of hem self. or ellys by þe
nature of þe. What is most worþi of rycchesse. is it
nat golde or myȝt of moneye assembled. ¶ Certis
þilke golde and þilke moneye shineþ and ȝeueþ better
renoun to hem þat dispenden it. þen to þilke folke þat
mokeren it. For auarice makeþ alwey mokeres to be
hated. and largesse makeþ folke clere of renoun
¶ For syn þat swiche þing as is transfered from o
man to an oþer ne may nat dwellen wiþ no man.
Certis þan is þilke moneye precious. whan it is translated
in to oþer folk. and stynteþ to ben had by
vsage of large ȝeuyng of hym þat haþ ȝeuen it. and
also yif al þe moneye þat is ouer-al in þe world were
gadered towar[d] o man. it sholde maken al oþer men
to ben nedy as of þat. ¶ And certys a voys al hool
þat is to seyn wiþ-oute amenusynge fulfilleþ to gyder
þe heryng of myche folke. but Certys ȝoure rycchesse
ne mowen nat passen vnto myche folk wiþ-oute amenussyng
¶ And whan þei ben apassed. nedys þei maken
hem pore þat forgon þe rycchesses. ¶ O streite and
nedy clepe I þise rycchesses. syn þat many folke [ne]
may nat han it al. ne al may it nat comen to on man
wiþ-oute pouerte of al oþer folke. ¶ And þe shynynge
of gemmes þat I clepe preciouse stones. draweþ it nat
þe eyen of folk in to hem warde. þat is to seyne for þe
beaute. ¶ For certys yif þer were beaute or bounte
in shynyng of stones. þilke clerenesse is of þe stones
hem self. and nat of men. ¶ For whiche I wondre
gretly þat men merueilen on swiche þinges. ¶ For
whi what þing is it þat yif it wanteþ moeuyng and
ioynture of soule and body þat by ryȝt myȝt[e] semen
a faire creature to hym þat haþ a soule of resoun.
¶ For al be it so þat gemmes drawen to hem self a
litel of þe laste beaute of þe worlde. þoruȝ þe entent
of hir creatour and þoruȝ þe distinccioun of hem self.
ȝit for as myche as þei ben put vndir ȝoure excellence.
þei han not desserued by no weye þat ȝe shullen
merueylen on hem. ¶ And þe beaute of feeldes deliteþ
it nat mychel vnto ȝow. Boyce. ¶ Whi sholde it nat
deliten vs. syn þat it is a ryȝt fayr porcioun of þe ryȝt
fair werk. þat is to seyn of þis worlde. ¶ And ryȝt
so ben we gladed somtyme of þe face of þe see whan
it is clere. And also merueylen we on þe heuene and
on þe sterres. and on þe sonne. and on þe mone.
Philosophie. ¶ Apperteineþ quod she any of þilke
þinges to þe. whi darst þou glorifie þe in þe shynynge
of any swiche þinges. Art þou distingwed and embelised
by þe spryngyng floures of þe first somer
sesoun. or swelliþ þi plente in fruytes of somer. whi
art þou rauyshed wiþ ydel ioies. why enbracest þou
straunge goodes as þei weren þine. Fortune shal neuer
maken þat swiche þinges ben þine þat nature of þinges
maked foreyne fro þe. ¶ Syche is þat wiþ-outen
doute þe fruytes of þe erþe owen to ben on þe
norssinge of bestes. ¶ And if þou wilt fulfille þi
nede after þat it suffiseþ to nature þan is it no nede
þat þou seke after þe superfluite of fortune. ¶ For
wiþ ful fewe þinges and with ful lytel þing nature
halt hire appaied. and yif þou wilt achoken þe fulfillyng
of nature wiþ superfluites ¶ Certys þilke
þinges þat þou wilt þresten or pouren in to nature
shullen ben vnioyeful to þe or ellis anoies. ¶ Wenest
þou eke þat it be a fair þinge to shine wiþ dyuerse
cloþing. of whiche cloþing yif þe beaute be agreable
to loken vpon. I wol merueylen on þe nature of þe
matere of þilke cloþes. or ellys on þe werkeman þat
wrouȝt[e] hem. but al so a longe route of meyne. makiþ
þat a blisful *man. þe whiche seruauntes yif þei ben
vicioũs of condiciouns it is a greet charge and a
destruccioun to þe house. and a greet enmye to þe lorde
hym self ¶ And yif þei ben goode men how shal
straung[e] or foreyne goodenes ben put in þe noumbre
of þi rycchesse. so þat by alle þise forseide þinges. it is
clerly shewed þat neuer none of þilke þinges þat þou
accoumptedest for þin goodes nas nat þi goode. ¶ In
þe whiche þinges yif þer be no beaute to ben desired.

RICHES BRING ANXIETIES.

whi sholdest þou be sory yif þou leese hem. or whi
sholdest þou reioysen þe to holden hem. ¶ For if þei
ben fair of hire owen kynde. what apperteneþ þat to þe.
for as wel sholde þei han ben faire by hem self.
þouȝ þei weren departid from alle þin rycchesse. ¶ For-why
faire ne precioũs ne weren þei nat. for þat þei
comen amonges þi rycchesse. but for þei semeden fair
and precious. þerfore þou haddest leuer rekene hem
amonges þi rycchesse. but what desirest þou of fortune
wiþ so greet a noyse and wiþ so greet a fare
¶ I trowe þou seke to dryue awey nede wiþ habundaunce
of þinges. ¶ But certys it turneþ to ȝow al in þe
contrarie. for whi certys it nediþ of ful many[e] helpynges
to kepen þe dyuersite of preciouse ostelmentȝ.
and soþe it is þat of many[e] þinges han þei nede þat
many[e] þinges han. and aȝeyneward of litel nediþ
hem þat mesuren hir fille after þe nede of kynde and
nat after þe outrage of couetyse ¶ Is it þan so þat ye
men ne han no propre goode. I-set in ȝow. For
whiche ȝe moten seken outwardes ȝoure goodes in
foreine and subgit þinges. ¶ So is þan þe condicioun
of þinges turned vpso doun. þat a man þat is a devyne
beest by merit of hys resoun. þinkeþ þat hym
self nys neyþer fair ne noble. but if it be þoruȝ
possessioun of ostelmentes. þat ne han no soules.

IGNORANCE CRIMINAL IN MAN.

¶ And certys al oþer þinges ben appaied of hire owen
beautes. but ȝe men þat ben semblable to god by ȝoure
resonable þouȝt desiren to apparaille ȝoure excellent
kynde of þe lowest[e] pinges. ne ȝe ne vndirstonde nat
how gret a wrong ȝe don to ȝoure creatour. for he
wolde þat man kynde were moost worþi and noble of
any oþer erþely þinges. and ȝe þresten adoun ȝoure
dignitees by-neþen þe lowest[e] þinges. ¶ For if þat al
þe good of euery þing be more preciouse þan is þilk
þing whos þat þe good is. syn ȝe demen þat þe
foulest[e] þinges ben ȝoure goodes. þanne summytten
ȝe and putten ȝoure self vndir þo foulest[e] þinges by
ȝoure estimacioun. ¶ And certis þis bitidiþ nat wiþ
out ȝoure desert. For certys swiche is þe condicioun
of al man kynde þat oonly whan it haþ knowyng of it
self. þan passeþ it in noblesse alle oþer þinges. and
whan it forletiþ þe knowyng of it self. þan it is
brouȝt byneþen alle beestes. ¶ For-why alle oþer
[leuynge] beestes han of kynde to knowe not hem
self. but whan þat men leten þe knowyng of hem self.
it comeþ hem of vice. but how brode sheweþ þe errour
and þe folie of ȝow men þat wenen þat ony þing may
ben apparailled wiþ straunge apparaillementȝ ¶ but
for-soþe þat may nat be don. for yif a wyȝt shyneþ wiþ
þinges þat ben put to hym. as þus. yif þilke þinges
shynen wiþ whiche a man is apparailled. ¶ Certis
þilke þinges ben commendid and preised wiþ whiche
he is apparailled. ¶ But naþeles þe þing þat is
couered and wrapped vndir þat dwelleþ in his filþe.
and I denye þat þilke þing be good þat anoyeþ hym
þat haþ it. ¶ Gabbe I of þis. þou wolt seye nay.
¶ Certys rycchesse han anoyed ful ofte hem þat han þe
rycchesse. ¶ Syn þat euery wicked shrew and for
hys wickednesse þe more gredy aftir oþer folkes rycchesse
wher so euer it be in any place. be it golde or
precious stones. and weniþ hym *only most worþi þat
haþ hem ¶ þou þan þat so besy dredest now þe swerde
and þe spere. yif þou haddest entred in þe paþe of þis
lijf a voide wayfaryng man. þan woldest þou syng[e]
by-fore þe þeef. ¶ As who seiþ a poure man þat bereþ
no rycchesse on hym by þe weye. may boldly syng[e]
byforne þeues. for he haþ nat wher-of to ben robbed.
¶ O preciouse and ryȝt clere is þe blysfulnesse of
mortal rycchesse. þat whan þou hast geten it. þan hast
þou lorn þi syke[r]nesse.

1172 strenger—strengere
vndirstonde—vndyrstond

1173 nar[e]—ne weere

1174 be þine—ben thyn

1175 foule—fowl

1176 Richesse—Rychessis

1178 rycchesse—rychesses

1179, 1180 golde—gold

1180 better—betere

1181 þen—thanne

1182 mokeres—mokereres

1183 folke clere—folk cler

1184 swiche—swich
from—fram

1187 stynteþ—stenteth

1188 haþ—MS. haþe

1189 world—worlde

1190 al—alle

1191 al hool—omitted

1193 myche folke—moche folke
rycchesse—rychesses

1194 myche—moche

1196 forgon—MS. forgone

1197 þise—this
rycchesses—rychesse
[ne]—from C.

1198 on—o

1199 wiþ-oute—with-owten
al—alle
folke—folke

1200 preciouse—presyous

1201 in—omitted
warde—ward
seyne—seyn

1202 beaute (1)—beautes
For—but

1203 in—in the

1204 whiche—which

1207 ioynture—Ioyngture

1208 faire—fayr
haþ—MS. haþe

1210 laste—last
worlde—world

1212 myche—mochel

1213 desserued—MS. desseyued, C. desseruyd
weye—wey
shullen—sholden

1215 mychel—mochel

1217 fair werk—fayre werke
worlde—world

1219 clere—cler

1222 darst þou glorifie—darsthow gloryfyen

1225 in—in the

1229 Syche—Soth

1230 on—to

1231, 1235, 1237 wilt—wolt

1238 shullen—shollen

1239 fair—fayre

1240 whiche—which

1242 werkeman—werkman

1246 house—hows
lorde—lord

1248 goodenes—goodnesse

1250 shewed—I-shewyd
none—oon

1251 þin—thine
goode—good

1255 fair—fayre
hire owen—hyr owne

1256 sholde—sholden
self—selue

1257 þin rycchesse—thyne rychesses

1259 amonges—amonge

1259, 1261 rycchesse—Rychesses

1259 fair—fayre

1260 leuer rekene—leuere rekne

1262 greet (2)—grete

1265, 1267 many[e]—manye

1267 soþe—soth

1272 outwardes—owtward

1276 fair—fayre
if—yif

1278 hire owen—hir owne

1281 ne (2)—omitted
vndirstonde—vndyrstondyn

1282 gret—MS. grete, C. gret

1284 oþer erþely—oothre worldly
þresten—threste

1285 by-neþen—by-nethe
if—yif

1286 good—MS. goode, C. good
þing—thinge
preciouse—presyos
þilk þing—thilke thinge

1287 þe (2)—tho

1288 summytten—submitten

1289 self—seluen
foulest[e]—fowleste

1290 bitidiþ—tydeth

1291 out—owte
desert—desertes

1292 al—alle

1293 self—selue

1294 it is—is it

1296 [leuynge]—from C.
hem—hym

1297 þat—omitted

1298 comeþ—comth

1299 þing—thinge

1302 put—MS. putte, C. put

1303 whiche—which

1306 filþe—felthe

1307 þing—thinge
good—MS. goode, C. good

1308 haþ—MS. haþe

1309 rycchesse—Rychesses
þe—tho

1310 rycchesse—Rychesses
shrew—shrewe

1311 rycchesse—rychesses

1312 golde—gold

1314 haþ—MS. haþe, C. hat
besy—bysy
swerde—swerd

1315 paþe—paath

1316 wayfaryng—wayferynge
syng[e]—synge

1317 by-fore—by-forn
seiþ—MS. seiþe, C. seyth
poure—pore
bereþ—berth

1318 boldly syng[e]—boldely synge

1319 haþ—MS. haþe

1320 preciouse—precyos
clere—cler

1321 rycchesse—rychesses

1322 lorn—MS. lorne, C. lorn

THE GOLDEN AGE.

Felix in Miru M Prior Etas.

Blysful was þe first age of men. þei helden hem
apaied wiþ þe metes þat þe trewe erþes brouȝten
furþe. ¶ þei ne destroyed[e] ne desceyued[e] not hem
self wiþ outerage. ¶ þei weren wont lyȝtly to slaken
her hunger at euene wiþ acornes of okes ¶ þei ne
couþe nat medle þe ȝift of bacus to þe clere hony.
þat is to seyn. þei couþe make no piment of clarre.
ne þei couþe nat medle þe briȝt[e] flies of þe contre
of siriens wiþ þe venym of tirie. þis is to seyne. þei
couþe nat dien white flies of sirien contre wiþ þe
blode of a manar shelfysshe. þat men fynden in tyrie.
wiþ whiche blode men deien purper. ¶ þei slepen
holesom slepes vpon þe gras. and dronken of þe rynnyng
watres. and laien vndir þe shadowe of þe heyȝe
pyne trees. ¶ Ne no gest ne no straunger [ne] karf
ȝit þe heye see wiþ oores or wiþ shippes. ne þei ne
hadden seyne ȝitte none newe strondes to leden merchaundyse
in to dyuerse contres. ¶ þo weren þe cruel
clariouns ful whist and ful stille. ne blode yshed by
egre hate ne hadde nat deied ȝit armurers. for wherto
or whiche woodenesse of enmys wolde first moeuen
armes. whan þei seien cruel woundes ne none medes
ben of blood yshad ¶ I wolde þat oure tymes sholde
turne aȝeyne to þe oolde maneres. ¶ But þe anguissous
loue of hauyng brenneþ in folke moore cruely þan þe
fijr of þe Mountaigne of Ethna þat euer brenneþ.
¶ Allas what was he þat first dalf vp þe gobets or
þe weyȝtys of gold couered vndir erþe. and þe precious
stones þat wolden han ben hid. he dalf vp precious
perils. þat is to seyne þat he þat hem first vp dalf. he
dalf vp a precious peril. for-whi. for þe preciousnesse
of swyche haþ many man ben in peril.

1324 erþes—feeldes

1325 furþe—forth
destroyed[e]—dystroyede

1327 her—hyr
at—MS. as, C. at
euene—euen

1328 couþe—cowde
medle—medly
ȝift—yifte
clere—cleer

1329 couþe—cowde
of—nor

1330 couþe—cowde
briȝt[e] flies—bryhte fleeȝes

1331 siriens—Seryens
seyne—seyn

1332 couþe—cowde
dien—deyen
flies—fleȝes

1333 blode—blood
shelfysshe—shyllefyssh

1334 blode—blood

1335 holesom—holsom
rynnyng watres—rennynge wateres
shadowe—shadwes
heyȝe—heye

1337 pyne—pyn
no (2)—omitted
[ne]—from C.
karf—karue

1339 hadden seyne ȝitte—hadde seyn yit

1341 whist—hust
blode yshed—blod I-shad

1343 whiche woodenesse—whych wodnesse

1344 seien—say

1346 turne aȝeyne—torne ayein

1347 folke—folk

1348 þe—omitted
euer—ay

1351 hid—MS. hidde, C. hydd

1352 seyne—seyn
he (2)—omitted

1354 swyche—swych thinge
haþ—MS. haþe
ben—be

OF DIGNITIES AND POWERS.

Quid Aute M De Dignitatib Us Et C Etera .

But what shal I seyne of dignitees and of powers.
þe whiche [ye] men þat neiþer knowen verray dignitee
ne verray power areysen hem as heye as þe
heuene. þe whiche dignitees and powers yif þei come
to any wicked man þei don [as] greet[e] damages and
distruccioun as doþ þe flamme of þe Mountaigne
Ethna whan þe flamme wit walwiþ vp ne no deluge
ne doþ so cruel harmes. ¶ Certys ye remembriþ wel
as I trowe þat þilke dignitee þat men clepiþ þe emperie
of consulers þe whiche þat somtyme was bygynnyng
of fredom. ¶ Ȝoure eldres coueiteden to han
don a-wey þat dignitee for þe pride of þe conseilers.

HONOURS NOT INTRINSICALLY GOOD,

¶ And ryȝt for þe same pride ȝoure eldres byforne þat
tyme hadden don awey out of þe Citee of rome þe
kynges name. þat is to seien. þei nolden haue no
lenger no kyng ¶ But now yif so be þat dignitees
and powers ben ȝeuen to goode men. þe whiche þing
is ful ȝelde. what agreable þinges is þer in þo dignitees.
or powers. but only þe goodenes of folk þat vsen hem.

FOR THEY FALL TO THE LOT OF THE WICKED.

¶ And þerfore it is þus þat honour ne comeþ nat to
vertue for cause of dignite. but aȝeinward. honour
comeþ to dignite by cause of vertue. but whiche is
ȝoure derworþe power þat is so clere and so requerable
¶ O ȝe erþelyche bestes considere ȝe nat ouer whiche
þing þat it semeþ þat ȝe han power. ¶ Now yif þou
say[e] a mouse amongus *oþer myse þat chalenged[e] to
hymself ward ryȝt and power ouer alle oþer myse. how
gret scorne woldest þou han of hit. ¶ Glosa. ¶ So
fareþ it by men. þe body haþ power ouer þe body.
For yif þow loke wel vpon þe body of a wyȝt what
þing shalt þou fynde moore frele þan is mannes kynde.
þe whiche ben ful ofte slayn wiþ bytynge of smale
flies. or ellys wiþ þe entryng of crepyng wormes in to
þe priuetees of mennes bodyes. ¶ But wher shal
men fynden any man þat may exercen or haunten any
ryȝt vpon an oþer man but oonly vpon hys body. or
ellys vpon þinges þat ben lower þen þe body. whiche
I clepe fortunous possessiouns ¶ Mayst þou euer haue
any comaundement ouer a fre corage ¶ Mayst þou
remuen fro þe estat of hys propre reste. a þouȝt þat is
cleuyng to gider in hym self by stedfast resoun. ¶ As
somtyme a tiraunt wende to confounde a freeman of
corage ¶ And wende to constreyne hym by tourment
to maken hym dyscoueren and acusen folk þat wisten
of a coniuracioun. whiche I clepe a confederacie þat
was cast aȝeins þis tyraunt ¶ But þis free man boot
of hys owen tunge. and cast it in þe visage of þilke
woode tyraunte. ¶ So þat þe tourmentȝ þat þis
tyraunt wende to han maked matere of cruelte. þis
wyse man maked[e it] matere of vertues. ¶ But what
þing is it þat a man may don to an oþer man. þat he
ne may receyue þe same þing of oþer folke in hym
self. or þus. ¶ What may a man don to folk. þat folk
ne may don hym þe same. ¶ I haue herd told of
busirides þat was wont to sleen hys gestes þat herburghden
in hys hous. and he was slayn hym self of
ercules þat was hys gest ¶ Regulus had[de] taken in
bataile many men of affrike. and cast hem in to fetteres.
but sone after he most[e] ȝiue hys handes to
ben bounden with þe cheynes of hem þat he had[de]
somtyme ouercomen. ¶ Wenest þou þan þat he be
myȝty. þat may nat don a þing. þat oþer ne may don
hym. þat he doþ to oþer. and ȝit more ouer yif it so
were þat þise dignites or poweres hadden any propre
or naturel goodnesse in hem self neuer nolden þei
comen to shrewes. ¶ For contrarious þinges ne ben
not wont to ben yfelawshiped togidres. ¶ Nature refuseþ
þat contra[r]ious þinges ben yioigned. ¶ And so
as I am in certeyne þat ryȝt wikked folk han dignitees
ofte tymes. þan sheweþ it wel þat dignitees and powers
ne ben not goode of hir owen kynde. syn þat þei suffren
hem self to cleuen or ioynen hem to shrewes.
¶ And certys þe same þing may most digneliche Iugen
and seyen of alle þe ȝiftis of fortune þat most plenteuously
comen to shrewes. ¶ Of þe whiche ȝiftys I
trowe þat it auȝt[e] ben considered þat no man doutiþ
þat he nis strong. in whom he seeþ strengþe. and in
whom þat swiftnesse is ¶ Soþe it is þat he is swyfte.
Also musyk makeþ musiciens. and fysik makeþ phisiciens.
and rethorik rethoriens. ¶ For whi þe nature
of euery þing makiþ his propretee. ne it is nat
entermedled wiþ þe effectis of contrarious þinges.

POWER DOES NOT CONFER GOODNESS.

¶ And as of wil it chaseþ oute þinges þat to it ben
contrarie ¶ But certys rycchesse may nat restreyne
auarice vnstaunched ¶ Ne power [ne] makeþ nat a
man myȝty ouer hym self. whiche þat vicious lustis
holden destreined wiþ cheins þat ne mowen nat ben
vnbounden. and dignitees þat ben ȝeuen to shrewed[e]
folk nat oonly ne makiþ hem nat digne. but it sheweþ
raþer al openly þat þei ben vnworþi and vndigne.
¶ And whi is it þus. ¶ Certis for ȝe han ioye to
clepen þinges wiþ fals[e] names. þat beren hem al in
þe contrarie. þe whiche names ben ful ofte reproued
by þe effect of þe same þinges. so þat *þise ilke rycchesse
ne auȝten nat by ryȝt to ben cleped rycchesse.
ne whiche power ne auȝt[e] not ben cleped power. ne
whiche dignitee ne auȝt[e] nat ben cleped dignitee.
¶ And at þe laste I may conclude þe same þinge of
al þe ȝiftes of fortune in whiche þer nis no þing to
ben desired. ne þat haþ in hym self naturel bounte.
¶ as it is ful wel sene. for neyþer þei ne ioygnen
hem nat alwey to goode men. ne maken hem alwey
goode to whom þei ben y-ioigned.

1355 seyne—seye

1358 come—comen

1359 don—MS. done, C. don
[as] greet[e]—as grete

1360 distruccioun—destrucciouns
doþ—MS. doþe, C. doth
flamme—flaumbe

1361 flamme—flawmbe
wit—omitted

1362 doþ—MS. doþe, C. doth

1363 clepiþ—clepyn

1364 whiche—whych
somtyme—whilom

1366 for—MS. of, C. for

1368 don—MS. done, C. don

1369 seien—seyn

1370 lenger—lengere
kyng—kynge

1371 whiche—which

1373 folk—foolkys

1374 comeþ—comth

1375, 1376 vertue—vertu

1376 comeþ—comth
by—for
whiche—which

1377 derworþe—dereworthe
clere—cleer

1378 whiche—which

1379 han—MS. hanne, C. han

1380 say[e]—saye
mouse amongus—mous amonges
myse—musȝ

1382 scorne—scorn

1383 haþ—MS. haþe

1385 mannes—man

1386 þe——slayn—the whiche men wel ofte ben slayn

1388 mennes bodyes—mannes body

1391 lower—lowere
whiche—the which

1395 stedfast—stidefast

1396 somtyme—whylom

1399 whiche—which

1401 owen—owne

1406 receyue—resseyuen
oþer—oothre

1408 herd told—MS. herde tolde, C. herd told

1409 hys—hise
herburghden—herberweden

1410 slayn—sleyn

1411 had[de]—hadde

1413 most[e]—moste

1414 bounden—bownde
cheynes—MS. þeues, C. cheynes
had[de]—hadde

1415 somtyme—whylom

1416 þat——þing—that hath no power to don a thinge
oþer—oothre

1417 hym—in hym
doþ—MS. doþe, C. doth
to oþer—in oothre

1421 togidres—to-gidere

1423 certeyne—certein

1424 tymes—tyme

1425 owen—owne

1429 whiche—which

1430 auȝt[e]—owhte

1432 Soþe—soth
swyfte—swyft

1435 is—nis

1436 effectis—effect

1437 oute—owt

1441 ben—be

1442 shrewed[e]—shrewede

1446 fals[e]—false
al—alle

1447 whiche—which

1449 auȝten—owhten
rycchesse—rychesses

1450 whiche—swich
auȝt[e]—owhte

1451 whiche—swich
auȝt[e]—owht

1453 al—alle

1454 haþ—MS. haþe

1455 sene—I-seene

NERO’S CRUELTY.

Nouimus Quantos Dederat.

WE han wel knowen how many greet[e] harmes and
destrucciouns weren doñ by þe Emperoure Nero.
¶ He letee brenne þe citee of Rome and made slen þe
senatours. and he cruel somtyme slouȝ hys broþer. and
he was maked moyst wiþ þe blood of hys modir. þat is
to seyn he let sleen and slitten þe body of his modir to
seen where he was conceiued. and he loked[e] on euery
half vpon hir colde dede body. ne no tere ne wette
his face. but he was so hard herted þat he myȝt[e] ben
domesman or Iuge of hire dede beaute. ¶ And ȝitte
neuerþeles gouerned[e] þis Nero by Ceptre al þe peoples
þat phebus þe sonne may seen comyng from his outerest
arysyng til he hidde his bemes vndir þe wawes. ¶ þat
is to seyne. he gouerned[e] alle þe peoples by Ceptre imperial
þat þe sonne goþ aboute from est to west ¶ And
eke þis Nero goueyrende by Ceptre. alle þe peoples þat
ben vndir þe colde sterres þat hyȝten þe seuene triones.
þis is to seyn he gouerned[e] alle þe poeples þat ben vndir
þe parties of þe norþe. ¶ And eke Nero gouerned[e]
alle þe poeples þat þe violent wynde Nothus scorchiþ
and bakiþ þe brennynge sandes by his drie hete. þat
is to seyne. alle þe poeples in þe souþe. [but yit ne
myhte nat al his heye power torne the woodnesse of
this wykkyd nero / Allas it is greuous fortune it is]. as
ofte as wicked swerde is ioygned to cruel venym. þat is
to sein. venimous cruelte to lordshipe.

1458 greet[e]—grete

1460 letee—let

1461 somtyme slouȝ—whilom slow

1463 let—lette

1464 where—wher

1465 half—halue

1466 myȝt[e]—myhte

1467 hire—hyr

1468 neuerþeles—natheles
gouerned[e]—gouernede
al—alle

1469 from—fram
outerest—owtereste

1470 hidde—hide

1471 seyne—seyn

1472 goþ—MS. goþe, C. goth

1473 goueyrende—gouernyd

1474 triones—tyryones

1475 gouerned[e]—gouernede

1476 parties—party
norþe—north
gouerned[e]—gouernede

1477 wynde—wynd
scorchiþ—scorklith

1479 seyne—seyn
souþe—sowth

1479-81 [but——it is]—MS. has: but ne how greuous fortune is

1482 swerde—swerd

THE LOVE OF GLORY.

Tu M Ego Scis Inq Ua M.

ÞAnne seide I þus. þou wost wel þiself þat þe
couetise of mortal þinges ne hadden neuer lordshipe
of me. but I haue wel desired matere of þinges
to done. as who seiþ. I desired[e] to han matere of
gouernaunce ouer comunalites. ¶ For vertue stille ne
sholde not elden. þat is to seyn. þat list þat or he wex
olde ¶ His uertue þat lay now ful stille. ne sholde
nat perisshe vnexcercised in gouernaunce of comune.
¶ For whiche men myȝten speke or writen of his
goode gouernement. ¶ Philosophie. ¶ For soþe quod
she. and þat is a þing þat may drawen to gouernaunce
swiche hertes as ben worþi and noble of hir nature.
but naþeles it may nat drawen or tollen swiche hertes as
ben y-brouȝt to þe ful[le] perfeccioun of vertue. þat is
to seyn couetyse of glorie and renoun to han wel
administred þe comune þinges. or doon goode decertes
to profit of þe comune. for se now and considere how
litel and how voide of al prise is þilke glorie. ¶ Certeine
þing is as þou hast lerned by demonstracioun of
astronomye þat al þe envyronynge of þe erþe aboute
ne halt but þe resoun of a prykke at regard of þe gretnesse
of heuene. þat is to seye. þat yif þat þer were
maked comparisoun of þe erþe to þe gretnesse of
heuene. men wolde Iugen in alle þat erþe [ne] helde
no space ¶ Of þe whiche litel regioun of þis worlde
þe ferþe partie is enhabitid wiþ lyuyng beestes þat
we knowen. as þou hast þi self lerned by tholome þat
prouitħ it. ¶ yif þou haddest wiþ drawen and abated
in þi þouȝte fro þilke ferþe partie as myche space as þe
see and [the] mareys contenen and ouergon and as
myche space as þe regioun of droughte ouerstreccheþ.

FAME IS CIRCUMSCRIBED.

þat is to seye sandes and desertes wel vnneþ sholde
*þer dwellen a ryȝt streite place to þe habitacioun of
men. and ȝe þan þat ben environed and closed wiþ
inne þe leest[e] prikke of þilk prikke þenke ȝe to
manifesten ȝoure renoun and don ȝoure name to ben
born forþe. but ȝoure glorie þat is so narwe and so
streyt yþrongen in to so litel boundes. how myche
conteinþe it in largesse and in greet doynge. And also
sette þis þer to þat many a nacioun dyuerse of tonge
and of maneres. and eke of resoun of hir lyuyng ben
enhabitid in þe cloos of þilke litel habitacle. ¶ To þe
whiche naciouns what for difficulte of weyes. and what
for diuersite of langages. and what for defaute of
vnusage entercomunynge of marchaundise. nat only þe
names of singler men ne may [nat] strecchen. but eke
þe fame of Citees ne may nat strecchen. ¶ At þe
last[e] Certis in þe tyme of Marcus tulyus as hym
self writeþ in his book þat þe renoun of þe comune of
Rome ne hadde nat ȝitte passed ne cloumben ouer þe
mountaigne þat hyȝt Caucasus. and ȝitte was þilk
tyme rome wel wexen and gretly redouted of þe parthes.
and eke of oþer folk enhabityng aboute. ¶ Sest þou
nat þan how streit and how compressed is þilke glorie
þat ȝe trauailen aboute to shew and to multiplie. May
þan þe glorie of a singlere Romeyne strecchen þider
as þe fame of þe name of Rome may nat clymben ne
passen. ¶ And eke sest þou nat þat þe maners of
diuerse folk and eke hir lawes ben discordaunt amonge
hem self. so þat þilke þing þat sommen iugen worþi of
preysynge. oþer folk iugen þat it is worþi of torment.

FAME IS NOT ETERNAL.

¶ and þer of comeþ þat þouȝ a man delite hym in
preysyng of his renoun. he ne may nat in no wise
bryngen furþe ne spreden his name to many manere
peoples. ¶ And þerfore euery maner man auȝte to ben
paied of hys glorie þat is puplissed among hys owen
neyȝbores. ¶ And þilke noble renoun shal be
restreyned wiþ-inne þe boundes of o maner folk but how
many a man þat was ful noble in his tyme. haþ þe
nedy and wrecched forȝetynge of writers put oute of
mynde and don awey. ¶ Al be it so þat certys þilke
writynges profiten litel. þe whiche writynges longe and
derke elde doþ aweye boþe hem and eke her autours. but
ȝe men semen to geten ȝow a perdurablete whan ȝe
þenke þat in tyme comyng ȝoure fame shal lasten. ¶ But
naþeles yif þou wilt maken comparisoun to þe endeles
space of eternite what þing hast þou by whiche þou
maist reioysen þe of long lastyng of þi name. ¶ For
if þer were maked comparysoun of þe abidyng of a
moment to ten þousand wynter. for as myche as boþe
þo spaces ben endid. ¶ For ȝit haþ þe moment some
porcioun of hit al þouȝ it a litel be. ¶ But naþeles
þilke self noumbre of ȝeres. and eke as many ȝeres as
þer to may be multiplied. ne may nat certys be comparisound
to þe perdurablete þat is een[de]les. ¶ For of
þinges þat han ende may be mad comparisoun [but of
thinges that ben with-owtyn ende to thinges þat han ende
may be maked no comparysoun]. ¶ And for þi is it al
þouȝ renoun of as longe tyme as euer þe lyst to þinken
were þouȝt by þe regard of eternite. þat is vnstauncheable
and infinit. it ne sholde nat oonly semen litel. but
pleinliche ryȝt nouȝt. ¶ But ȝe men certys ne konne
don no þing aryȝt. but ȝif it be for þe audience of poeple.
and for ydel rumours. and ȝe forsaken þe grete worþinesse
of conscience and of vertue. and ȝe seken ȝoure
gerdouns of þe smale wordes of strange folke.

VANITY REPROVED.

¶ Haue now here and vndirstonde in þe lyȝtnesse of whiche
pride and veyne glorie. how a man scorned[e] festiualy
and myrily swiche vanite. somtyme þere was a man þat
had[de] assaied wiþ striuyng wordes an oþer man. ¶ þe
whiche nat for vsage of verrey vertue. but for proude
veyne glorie had[de] taken vpon hym falsly þe name
of a philosopher. ¶ þis raþer man þat I speke of
þouȝt[e] he wolde assay[e] where he þilke were a
philosopher or no. þat is to seyne yif he wolde han suffred
lyȝtly in pacience þe wronges *þat weren don vnto
hym. ¶ þis feined[e] philosophre took pacience a
litel while. and whan he hadde receiued wordes of
outerage he as in stryuynge aȝeine and reioysynge of
hym self seide at þe last[e] ryȝt þus. ¶ vndirstondest
þou nat þat I am a philosophere. þat oþer man answered[e]
aȝein ful bityngly and seide. ¶ I had[de]
wel vndirstonden [yt]. yif þou haddest holden þi tonge
stille. ¶ But what is it to þise noble worþi men.
For certys of swyche folk speke .I. þat seken glorie wiþ
vertue. what is it quod she. what atteiniþ fame to
swiche folk whan þe body is resolued by þe deeþ. atte
þe last[e]. ¶ For yif so be þat men dien in al. þat is
to seyne body and soule. þe whiche þing oure resoun
defendiþ vs to byleuen þanne is þere no glorie in no
wyse. For what sholde þilke glorie ben. for he of
whom þis glorie is seid to be nis ryȝt nouȝt in no wise.
and ȝif þe soule whiche þat haþ in it self science of
goode werkes vnbounden fro þe prisoun of þe erþe
wendeþ frely to þe heuene. dispiseþ it nouȝt þan alle
erþely occupaciouns. and beynge in heuene reioiseþ þat
it is exempt from alle erþely þinges [as wo seith /
thanne rekketh the sowle of no glorye of renoun of this
world].

1487 desired[e]—desyre

1489 wex olde—wax old

1492 whiche—which
speke—spekyn

1496 tollen—MS. tellen, C. tollen

1497 ful[le]—fulle

1501 al prise—alle prys

1505 seye—seyn

1507 wolde—woldyn
alle—al
[ne]—from C.

1510 lerned—ylerned

1512 þouȝte—thowht
myche—moche

1513 [the]—from C.

1514 myche space—moche spaces

1515 seye—seyn

1516 streite—streyt

1517 þan—thanne

1518 inne—in
leest[e]—leste
þilk—thilke
þenke ȝe—thinken ye

1520 born forþe—MS. borne, C. born, forth
narwe—narwh

1521 streyt—streyte
myche—mochel

1522 conteinþe—coueyteth

1525 habitacle—MS. habitache, C. habytacule

1529 [nat]—from C.

1531 last[e]—laste

1532 writeþ—writ

1533 hadde—hadden
ȝitte—omitted

1534 hyȝt—hyhte
þilk—thikke

1535 wexen—waxen

1536 Sest þou—sestow

1538 shew—shewe

1539 singlere—singler

1545 comeþ—comth it

1547 furþe—forth
manere—maner

1548 þerfore—ther-for
auȝte—owhte

1549 paied—apayed
hys owen—hise owne

1550 neyȝbores—nesshebours
be—ben

1552 haþ—MS. haþe

1553 put (MS. putte) oute—put owt

1556 derke—derk
doþ aweye—MS. doþe, C. doth a-wey
her autours—hir actorros

1557 ȝe—yow
semen—semeth

1558 comyng—to comynge

1559 wilt—wolt

1560 whiche—which

1563 myche—mochel

1564 þo—the
haþ—MS. haþe
some—som

1566 self—selue

1567 be (2)—ben

1568 een[de]les—endeles

1569 mad—MS. made, C. maked
[but——comparysoun]—from C.

1573 by—to

1580 whiche—swych

1581 scorned[e]—scornede

1582 swiche—swych
somtyme—whilom

1583 had[de]—hadde

1584 whiche—which
proude—prowd

1586 speke—spak

1587 þouȝt[e]—thowhte
assay[e]—assaye

1588 seyne—seyn

1590 feined[e]—feynede

1592 aȝeine—ayein

1593 last[e]—laste
vndirstondest þou—vndyrstondow

1594 answered[e]—answerde

1595 had[de]—hadde

1596 [yt]—from C.

1601 last[e]—laste

1602 seyne—seyn

1604 for (2)—whan

1605 þis—thilke
seid—MS. seide, C. seyd
nouȝt—nawht

1606 haþ—MS. haþe

1608 nouȝt þan—nat thanne

1610 from—fro

1610-1612 [as——world]—from C.

DEATH PUTS AN END TO RENOWN.

Quicumq Ue Solam Mente.

Who so þat wiþ ouerþrowyng þouȝt only sekeþ glorie
of fame. and weniþ þat it be souereyne good
¶ Lete hym loke vpon þe brode shewyng contreys of
þe heuen. and vpon þe streite sete of þis erþe. and
he shal be ashamed of þe encres of his name. þat may
nat fulfille þe litel compas of þe erþe. ¶ O what
coueiten proude folke to liften vpon hire nekkes in
ydel and dedely ȝok of þis worlde. ¶ For al þouȝ
[þat] renoune y-spradde passynge to ferne poeples goþ
by dyuerse tonges. and al þouȝ grete houses and kynredes
shyne wiþ clere titles of honours. ȝit naþeles
deeþ dispiseþ al heye glorie of fame. and deeþ wrappeþ
to gidre þe heye heuedes and þe lowe and makeþ egal
and euene þe heyest[e] to þe lowest[e]. ¶ where
wonen now þe bones of trewe fabricius. what is
now brutus or stiern Caton þe þinne fame ȝit lastynge
of hir ydel names is markid wiþ a fewe lettres. but
al þouȝ we han knowen þe faire wordes of þe fames of
hem. it is nat ȝeuen to knowe hem þat ben dede and
consumpt. Liggiþ þanne stille al vtterly vnknowable
ne fame ne makeþ ȝow nat knowe. and yif ȝe wene
to lyuen þe lenger for wynde of ȝoure mortal name.
whan o cruel day shal rauyshe ȝow. þan is þe secunde
deeþ dwellyng in ȝow. Glosa. þe first deeþ he clepiþ
here þe departynge of þe body and þe soule. ¶ and
þe secunde deeþ he clepeþ as here. þe styntynge of
þe renoune of fame.3

1615 Lete—Lat
loke—looken

1616 sete—Cyte

1617 be—ben

1619 vpon—vp

1620 and dedely—in the dedly

1621 y-spradde—ysprad
[þat]—from C.
ferne—MS. serue, C. ferne
goþ—MS. goþe, C. goth

1622 and (2)—or

1623 shyne—shynen
clere—cler

1624 al—alle

1626 heyest[e]—heyoste
lowest[e]—loweste

1628 stiern—MS. sciern, C. stierne

1632 consumpt—consumpte

1634 lenger—longere

1637 þe (1)—omitted

1639 renoune—renoun

ADVERSE FORTUNE IS BENEFICIAL.

[Set Ne Me Inexorabile Contra.

BVt for-as-mochel as thow shalt nat wenen quod she
þat I bere vntretable batayle ayenis fortune // yit
som-tyme it by-falleth þat she desseyuable desserueth
to han ryht good thank of men // And þat is whan she
hire self opneth / and whan she descouereth hir frownt /
and sheweth hir maneres par-auenture yit vndirstondesthow
nat þat .I. shal seye // it is a wondyr þat .I.
desyre to telle / and forthi vnnethe may I. vnpleyten my
sentense with wordes for I. deme þat contraryos fortune
profiteth more to men than fortune debonayre // For
al-wey whan fortune semeth debonayre than she lyeth
falsly in by-hetynge the hope of welefulnesse // but forsothe
contraryos fortune is alwey sothfast / whan she
sheweth hir self vnstable thorw hyr chaungynge // the
amyable fortune desseyueth folk / the contrarye fortune
techeth // the amyable fortune byndeth with the beaute
of false goodys the hertes of folk þat vsen hem / the
contrarye fortune vnbyndeth hem by þe knowynge of
freele welefulnesse // the amyable fortune maysthow sen
alwey wyndynge and flowynge / and euere mysknowynge
of hir self // the contrarye fortune is a-tempre and restreynyd
and wys thorw excersyse of hir aduersyte // at
the laste amyable fortune with hir flaterynges draweth
mys wandrynge men fro the souereyne good // the contraryos
fortune ledith ofte folk ayein to sothfast goodes /
and haleth hem ayein as with an hooke / weenesthow
thanne þat thow owhtest to leten this a lytel thing / þat
this aspre and horible fortune hath discoueryd to the / the
thowhtes of thy trewe frendes // For-why this ilke fortune
hath departyd and vncoueryd to the bothe the
certeyn vysages and ek the dowtos visages of thy
felawes // whan she departyd awey fro the / she took
awey hyr frendes and lafte the thyne frendes // now
whan thow were ryche and weleful as the semede / with
how mochel woldesthow han bowht the fulle knowynge
of this // þat is to seyn the knowynge of thy
verray freendes // now pleyne the nat thanne of Rychesse
.I.-lorn syn thow hast fowndyn the moste presyos kynde
of Rychesses þat is to seyn thy verray frendes.

ALL THINGS BOUND BY THE CHAIN OF LOVE.

Quod Mu N Dus Stabili Fide.

THat þe world with stable feith / varieth acordable
chaungynges // þat the contraryos qualite of elementȝ
holden amonge hem self aliaunce perdurable / þat phebus
the sonne with his goldene chariet / bryngeth forth the
rosene day / þat the mone hath commaundement ouer the
nyhtes // whiche nyhtes hesperus the eue sterre hat browt //
þat þe se gredy to flowen constreyneth with a certeyn ende
hise floodes / so þat it is nat l[e]ueful to strechche hise
brode termes or bowndes vp-on the erthes // þat is to seyn
to couere alle the erthe // Al this a-cordaunce of thinges
is bownden with looue / þat gouerneth erthe and see / and
hath also commaundementȝ to the heuenes / and yif
this looue slakede the brydelis / alle thinges þat now
louen hem to gederes / wolden maken a batayle contynuely
and stryuen to fordoon the fasoun of this worlde /
the which they now leden in acordable feith by fayre
moeuynges // this looue halt to gideres poeples Ioygned
with an hooly bond / and knytteth sacrement of maryages
of chaste looues // And loue enditeth lawes to
trewe felawes // O weleful weere mankynde / yif thilke
loue þat gouerneth heuene gouerned[e] yowre corages /

EXPLICIT LIBER 2us.

1690 hath—H. he hath

BOETHIUS IS COMFORTED BY PHILOSOPHY’S SONG.