Ancren Riwle (Caius Ms.)

A. The Seven Deadly Sins

A (Corpus MS.) (above)

B (Corpus MS.)
B (Cotton MSS.)

A (Parallel Texts)
B (Parallel Texts)

[Þ]us mine leoue frend iþe wildernesse þat ge [p. 127] gat in wid godes folc toward ierusalemes londe þat is þe riche of heouene; beod þulliche bestes þulliche wurmes · Ne nat ich nan sunne þat ne mai beon ilad · oþer to an of ham seoluen oþer to hare streones · vnstaþelfast bi leaue · agein hali lare · nis hit of prude inobedience? Herto falled sigaldren · false teolunges · Lefunge o nore. o swefne ⁊ alle wicchecraftes. Neominge of husel in ei heaued sunne · oþer ai oþer sacrement · nis hit spece of prude; þat ich cleopede presumpciun · gif me wat hwat sunne hit is. Gif me hit nat naut; þenne is hit gemeles vnder accidie · þat ich slouþe cleopede. þe þat ne warned oþer of his uuel · oþer of his bigete · nis hit slaþ gemeles oþer attri onde? To thehewen mis · et halden cwude · fundes oþer lane · nis þis giscunge; þeofþe. at halden oþeres hure ouer his richte terme · nis hit strong reflac. þat is under gissunge; gif me gemed wurse ai þing [p. 128] ilened · oþer bitahted te witene þen he wene þat hit ah · nis oþer tricherie · oþer gemeles of slauþe. Alswa is dusi hest · oþer folliche iplicht trouþe Longe beon un bischbed · falsliche gan to schrifte · oþer to longe abiden · Ne teachen god child pater noster · Ne Credo · þeos ⁊ alle þulliche · beod ilad to slauþe · þat is þe feorþe moder of þe seoue sunnen · þeo dronc druch oþer ai þing dude hwer þurh na child ne shulde beon on hire istreoned · oþer þat istreonede shulde for wurþen; Nis þis strong monslaht of galnasse awakened; Alle sunnen sunderliche bi hare nomeliche nome ne mahte na mon rikenen. Ah iþeo þat ich habbe iseid; alle oþere beod bilokene. An nis ich wene namon þat ne mai under stonden him of his sunnen nomeliche wnder summe of þe ilke þat imene; þe beod þer i writene.

[O]f þeos sewe beastes ⁊ of hare strenes iwildernesse of anlich lif is iseid hiderto [p. 129] þe alle þe forfarinde fondet te fordonne. þe Leon of prude slead alle þe prude. Alle þat beod hehe ⁊ for hehe iheorted. þe aetri neddre; þe ond fule. ⁊ þe luþere iþonked. wredfule þe unicorne. Al swa of þen oþer areawe. to god ha beod isleine · Ah ha libbed to þe feond ⁊ beod alle in is hird · ⁊ serued him in his curt · Euch of þe mester þet him to falleð.

[Þ]E prude beod his bemeres · Drahed wind inward · of worldlich hereword · ⁊ eft wid idel ige`l´p puffed hit utward · as þe bemares dod. Makied noise ⁊ lud drem to shawen hare prude. Ah gif ha uel þothten · of godes bemeres of þe englene bemen · þat shulen afour half þe word · bi fore þe grurefule dom grisliche blawen · Arised deade arised · Cumed to drichtines domes for to beon idemed · þer na prud bemere ne shal beon iboregen · Gif ha þohten wel þis · ha walden inoh raþe iþe deoueles seruise dimluker bemen. Of þeose bemeres sei`d´ [p. 130] Jeremie · Onager solitarius in desiderio suo attraxit uentum amoris sui · Of þe wind drahinde in for luue of hereword; seid as ich seide.

[S]umme iugelurs beod þe ne cunen seruin of nan oþer gleo buten maken cheres · wrenchen þe mud mis shuli wid þe ehnen. of þis mester seruid þe unseli eon`d´fule iþe deoueles curt · to bringen a lahtre hare on`d´fule leouerð. gef ei ded wel oþer seid wel; ne mahen ha nanes weis liki þiderwarð wid richt ehe of god heorte · Ah winked o þet half ⁊ bi halded a luft gif þer is out to et wite oþer; ladliche þiderward shuled mid eiþer. hwen ha ihered þat god skletteð þe earen adun · Ah þe lust a gein þet uuel is ea wid opene. þenne wrenched þe mud mis; hwen he turned þet god to uuel · ⁊ gef hit is [p. 131] sumdel uuel; þurh more lastunge wrenched hit to wurse. þeos beod for quiddares hare ahne prophetes. þeos bodied biuoren hu þe ateliche deouelen shulen get agastan ham wid hare grennunge · ⁊ hu ha shulen ham seolf grennen ⁊ niwelen · ⁊ makien sur semblant · for þe muchele angoise iþe pine of helle. Ah forþi ha beod þe lesse te meanen · þat ha bi foren hont leorned ha meoster te makien grim chere.

[Þ]E wreadfule biuoren þe feond skirmed mid kniwes · is his knif warpare · ⁊ pleied mid sweordes · bered ham bi þe sharpe ord open his tunge. swerd ⁊ knif eiþer beoð sherpe ⁊ keorwinde : word þat he warped from him ⁊ skirmed toward oþere. And he boded hu þe deouelen shulen pleien wid him · mid hare sharpe eawles · Skirmin wid him abuten · ⁊ dusten as a pilche [p. 132] clut · Euch toward oþere · ⁊ wid helle sweordes asnesen þurh ut þat beod kene ⁊ eateliche keorwinde pinen.

[Þ]E slauwe lid ⁊ sleped oþe deoules barm as his deore deorling · ⁊ þe deouel leid his tutel dun to his earen · ⁊ tutelid him al þat he eawer uule. for swa hit is sikerliche to hwam se is idel of god · Meaþeled þe feond georne. ⁊ þe idele underweng luueliche his lare · Idel ⁊ gemeles is þes deoueles bernes slep · Ah he shal a domes dai grimliche abreiden · wid þe dredfule drem of þe englene bemen · ⁊ in helle wondrede etheliche wakien · Surgite mortui qui jacetis in sepulcris · surgite ⁊ venite ad Judicium saluatoris.

[Þ]E gissere is his eskebah · fared abuten esken · ⁊ bisiliche stured him te rukelen te gederes · muchele ⁊ monie ruken · blawed þer [p. 133] in · ⁊ blend him seolf · paþered ⁊ maked þer in figures of augrim · As þeos rich`k´eneres dod þat habbed muche te rikenen. þis is þes kanges blisse · ⁊ þe feond bi hald þis gomen · ⁊ lahed þat he bersteð. wel under stonde þis euch mon · þat gold ba ⁊ seoluer · ⁊ euch worldlich ahte · nis buten eorðe ⁊ esken þat ablent euchmon þat in ham blaweð · þat is þat þat bolehed ham þurh ham in heorte prude. And al þat he rukeled ⁊ gedered to gedere · ⁊ ethalt of ani þing þat nis buten esken mare þen hit neodeð; shal in helle wurden him tadden ⁊ neddren · ⁊ ba as ysaie seið shulen beon of wurmes his cuuertur ⁊ his `þ´witel þat neolden war wið neodfule feden ⁊ shruden. Subter te sternetur tinea ⁊ operimentum tuum uermis.

[Þ]e giuere glutun is þes deoules manciple · Ah he stiked eauer iceler oþer icuche [p. 134] ne · his heorte is iþe dishes · his þoht al iþe nappes · his lif iþe tunne · his saule iþe crohhe · kimed bi woren his lauert bi smudded ⁊ bi smured · A dich in his an hond · A scale in his oþer · Meadeled mis wordes wigeled as for drunken · mon þat haued mint to fallen · bi halt his greate wombe. ⁊ þe deouel lahheð. þeos þreated þus god þurh ysaie · Serui mei commedent ⁊ uos esurietis ⁊ c’. Mine men shulen eoten · ⁊ ow shal eawer hungren · ⁊ ge shulen beon feondes fode world buten ende. Quantum gl[ori]ficauit se ⁊ in deliciis fuit; tantum date illi tormentum ⁊ luctum · Apocalipsis · Contra unum quod miscuit date illi duo · gef þen kelche cuppe wallinde bras te drinken · geot in his wide þrote · þat he swelte in wið. agein gef him twa. þullich is godes dom agein giwere ⁊ druncwile iþe apocalipse.

IX. Ancrene Wisse (Corpus Ms.) B. The Outer Rule

A (Corpus MS.)
A (Caius MS.)

B (Cotton MSS.)

A (Parallel Texts)
B (Parallel Texts)

[f. 112 v] Ȝe mine leoue sustren bute ȝef neod ow driue ⁊ ower meistre hit reade · ne schulen habbe na beast bute cat ane. Ancre þe haueð ahte · þuncheð bet husewif ase Marthe wes · ne lihtliche ne mei ha nawt beo Marie marthe suster wið griðfullnesse [f. 113 r] of heorte. for þenne mot ha þenchen of þe kues foddre · of heorde monne hure · Olhnin þe heiward · wearien hwen he punt hire · ⁊ ȝelden þah þe hearmes. ladlich þing is hit wat crist hwen me makeð i tune man of ancre ahte. Nu þenne ȝef eani mot nedlunge habben hit · loki þ̵ hit namon ne eili ne ne hearmi · ne þ̵ hire þoht ne beo nawiht þron ifestnet. ancre ne ah to habben na þing þ̵ utward drahe hire heorte. Na chaffere ne driue ȝe · ancre þ̵ is chepilt · þ̵ is · buð forte sullen efter biȝete · ha chepeð hire sawle þe chapmon of helle. þing þah þ̵ ha wurcheð ha mei þurh hire meistres read; for hire neode sullen · hali men sumhwile liueden bi hare honden.

Nawt deore dehtren ne wite ȝe in ower hus of oðer monne þinges · ne ahte ne claðes · ne boistes · ne chartres · Scoren ne cyrograffes · ne þe chirch uestemenz · ne þe calices · bute neode oðer strengðe hit makie; oðer muchel eie. Of swuch witunge is muchel vuel ilumpen ofte siðen. IN wið ower wanes ne leote ȝe namon slepeN · Ȝef muchel neod mid alle makeð breoken ower hus · hwil hit eauer is ibroken · habbeð þrinne wið ow a wummon of cleane lif deies ant nihteS. For þi þ̵ wepmen ne seoð ow ne ȝe ham · wel mei don of ower clað beo hit hwit beo hit blac bute hit beo unorne · warm ⁊ wel iwraht · felles wel itawet · ⁊ habbeð ase monie as ow to neodeð to bedde ⁊ to rugge.

Nest flesch ne schal nan werien linnene clað bute hit beo of hearde ⁊ of greate heorden. Stamin habbe hwa se wule · hwa se wule beo buten. Ȝe schulen in an hetter ant igurd liggen · swa leoðeliche þah þ̵ ȝe mahen honden put [f. 113 v] ten þer under. Nest lich nan ne gurde hire wið na cunne gurdles : bute þurh schriftes leaue. Ne beore nan irn ne here · ne ilespiles felles · ne ne beate hire þer wið; ne wið scurge i leadet · wið holin ne wið breres · ne biblodgi hire seolf; wið ute schriftes leaue · nohwer ne binetli hire · ne ne beate bi uoren · ne na keoruunge ne keorue · ne ne neome ed eanes to luðere disceplines · temptaciuns forte acwenchen · ne for na bote aȝein cundeliche secnesses · nan uncundelich lechecreft ne leue ȝe ne ne fondin · wið uten ower meistres read; leste ow stonde wurse. Ower schon i winter beon meoke · greate ⁊ warme. I sumer ȝe habbeð leaue bearuot gan ⁊ sitten ⁊ lihte scheos werieN · Hosen wið ute vampez; ligge in hwa se likeð · Ischeoed ne slepe ȝe nawt · ne noh wer bute i bedde. Sum wummon inohreaðe wereð þe brech of here ful wel icnottet · þe streapeles dun to þe vet ilacet ful feaste · ah eauer is best þe swete ⁊ te swote heorte. Me is leouere þ̵ ȝe þolien wel an heard word; þen an heard here. Ȝef ȝe muhen beo wimpelles ⁊ ȝe wel wullen; beoð bi warme cappen · ⁊ þer uppon hwite oðer blake veiles. Ancren summe sungið in hare wimplunge; na leasse þen leafdis. Ah þah seið sum þ̵ hit limpeð to euch wummon cundeliche forte werien wimpel · Nai · wimpel ne heaued clað nowðer ne nempneð hali writ; ah wriheles ane · Ad corinthios · Mulier uelet caput suum · Wummon seið þe apostle schal wreon hire heaued. wrihen he seið nawt wimpliN. wrihen ha schal hire scheome · as eue sunfule dohteR · i mungunge of þe sunne þ̵ schende us on earst alle · ant nawt drahe þe wriheles to tiffunge ⁊ to prude · Eft wule [f. 114 r] þe apostle þ̵ wummon wreo i chirche hire neb ȝetten · leste uuel þoht arise þurh hire onsihðe · Et hoc est propter angelos. hwi þenne þu chirch ancre iwimplet openest þi neb to wepmonnes ehe; toȝeines þe sist men; spekeð þe apostle · ȝef þu þe ne hudest. ah ȝef þ̵ ei þing wriheð þi neb from monnes ehe · beo hit wah beo hit clað · i wel i rund windowe · wel mei duhen ancre of oðer wimplunge. Toȝeines þe þe þus ne dest; spekeð þe apostle nawt toȝeines oþre · þ̵ hare ahne wah wriheð wið euch monnes sihðe. þer awakenið ofte wake þohtes of · ⁊ werkes oðerhwileS. Hwa se wule beon isehen; þah ha atiffi hire nis nawt muche wunder; ah to godes ehnen ha is lufsumre; þe is for þe luue of him; untiffet wið uteN. Ring ne broche ne habbe ȝe · ne gurdel imembret · ne glouen ne nan swuch þing þ̵ ow ne deh to habben. A meoke surpliz ȝe mahen in hat sumer werien. Eauer me is leouere se ȝe doð greattre werkes. Ne makie ȝe nane purses forte freondin ow wið · bute to þeo þ̵ ower meistre ȝeueð ow his leaue · ne huue ne blod binde of seolc · ne laz buten leaue · Ah schapieð ⁊ seowið ⁊ mendið chirche claðes · ⁊ poure monne hettren. na swuch þing ne schule ȝe ȝeouen wið uteN schriftes leaue · namare þen neomen · þ̵ ȝe ne seggen him fore; as of oðre þinges · kun oðer cuððe · hu ofte ȝe under uengen · hulonge ȝe edheolden. tendre of cunne limpeð nawt ancre beonne. A mon wes of religiun · ⁊ com to him efter help his fleschliche broðer · ⁊ he tahte him to his þridde breðer · þe wes dead biburiet. Þe ondswerede wundrinde · Nai quoð he nis he dead? ant ich quoð þe hali mon [f. 114 v] am dead gasteliche. Na fleschlich freond ne easki me fleschlich froure. Amices ⁊ parures · worldliche leafdis mahen inoh wurchen · ant ȝef ȝe ham makieð; ne makie ȝe þrof na mustreisun · veine gloire attreð alle gode þeawes · ⁊ alle gode werkes. Criblin ne schal nan of ow for luue ne for hure. Taueles ne forbeode ich nawt. Ȝef sum riueð surpliz oðeR measse kemese; oþre riuunges ne riue ha nawt nomeliche oueregede · bute for muche neode. Helpeð ow wið ower ahne swinc se forð se ȝe eauer mahen to schriden ow seoluen ⁊ feden ȝef neod is · ⁊ þeo þe ow seruið. As sein Jerome leareð · ne beo ȝe neauer longe ne lihtliche of sum þing allunges idel · for anan rihtes þe feond beot hire his werc þe i godes werc ne swinkeð · ⁊ tuteleð anan toward hire. foR hwil he sið hire bisi; he þencheð þus · for nawt ich schulde nu cume neh hire; ne mei ha nawt iȝemen to lustni mi lare. Of idelnesse awakeneð muchel flesches fondunge. Iniquitas Sodome; saturitas panis ⁊ ocium · þ̵ is · SodomeS cwedschipe com of idelnesse ⁊ of ful wombe. Irn þ̵ lið stille gedereð sone rust · weater þe ne stureð nawt; readliche stinkeð.

Ancre ne schal nawt forwurðe scolmeistre · ne turnen ancre husto childrene scole · hire meiden mei learen sum oðer meiden · þ̵ were pliht of to leornin amonge wepmen · oðer bimong gromes. ah ancre ne ah to ȝemen bute godd ane · þah bi hire meistres read ha mei sum rihten ⁊ helpen to learen. Ȝe ne schulen senden leattres · ne underuon leattres · ne writen bute leaue. Ȝe schulen beon i doddet · oðer ȝef ȝe wulleð ischauen fowr siðen i þe ȝer · to lihtin ower heaued · beo bi þe her ieueset; [f. 115 r] hwa se swa is leouere · ant as ofte ileten blod ⁊ ȝef neod iS; oftre · Þe mei beo þer buten; ich hit mei wel þolien. Hwen ȝe beoð ilete blod; ȝe ne schule don na þing þe þreo dahes þ̵ ow greueð · ah talkið to ower meidnes · ⁊ wið þeawfule talen schurteð ow to gederes. Ȝe maheN swa don ofte hwen ow þuncheð heuie; oðer beoð for sum worltlich þing sare oðer seke · þah euch worltlich froure is unwurðe to ancre. Swa wisliche witeð ow in ower blodletunge; ⁊ haldeð ow i swuch reste; þ̵ ȝe longe þrefter mahen i godes seruise þe monluker swinken · ant alswa hwen ȝe feleð eani secnesse. Muchel sotschipe hit is leosen for an dei; tene oðer tweolue. Vesscheð ow hwer se neod is as ofte as ȝe wulleð · ⁊ ower oþre þinges. Nes neauer fulðe godd leof · þah pouerte ⁊ unorneschipe beon him licwurðe. VNderstondeð eauer of alle þeose þinges · þ̵ nan nis heast ne forbod þ̵ beoð of þe uttre riwle · þet is lute strengðe of. for hwon þ̵ te inre beo wel iwist as ich seide i þe frumðe · þeos mei beon ichanget hwer se eani neod oðer eani skile hit easkeð · efter þ̵ ha best mei þe leafdi riwle seruin as hire eadmode þuften · ah sikerliche wið uten hire þe leafdi feareð to wundre.

Ancre þe naueð nawt neh honde hire fode; beoð bisie twa wummen. An eauer þe leaue ed hame; an oþer þe wende ut · hwenne driueð neod · ⁊ þeo beo ful unorne wið uten euch tiffunge · oðer a lutel þuftene; oðer of feier ealde. Bi þe wei as ha geað; ga singinde hire beoden · ne ne halde na tale wið mon ne wið wummon · ne sitte ne ne stonde · bute þ̵ leaste þet ha eauer mei ear þen ha ham cume. Nohwider elles ne ga [f. 115 v] heo bute þider as me send hire · wið ute leaue · ne ne eote ha ne ne drinke ute · Þe oþer beo eauer inne · ne wið ute þe ȝeten : ne ga wið ute leaue. Ba beon obedient to hare dame in alle þing · bute i sunne ane · na þing nabben þet heo hit nute · ne underuo na þing · ne ne ȝeoue nowðer; wið uten hire leaue. Na mon ne leote ȝe in · ne þe ȝungre ne speoke wið namon bute leaue · ne ga ha nawt ut of tune : wið uten siker fere · ȝef hit swa mei beon; ne ne ligge ute. ȝef heo ne con oboke; segge bi pater nostres · ant bi auez hire ures · ⁊ wurche þ̵ me hat hire wið ute gruchunge. habbe eauer hire earen opene toward hire dame. Nowðer of þe wummen ne beore from hare dame · ne ne bringe to hire nane idele talen; ne neowe tidinges · ne bitweonen ham seolf; ne singen ne ne speoken na ne worldliche spechen · ne lahhen swa ne pleien; þet ei mon þ̵ hit sehe; mahte hit to uuel turnen. Ouer alle þinges leasunges ⁊ luðere wordes heatien. hare her beo icoruen · hare heaued clað sitte lahe · eiðer ligge ane. Hare cop beo hehe isticchet · ⁊ bute broche. na mon ne seo ham unleppet ne open heaued. lah locunge habben. Heo ne schulen cussen na mon · ne cuðmon ne cunnes mon · ne for na cuððe cluppen · ne weschen hare heaued · ne lokin feaste o na mon; ne toggin wið ne pleien. Hare weden beon of swuch schape · ⁊ al hare aturn swuch; þet hit beo edscene hwerto ha beoð iturnde. Hare lates lokin warliche · þ̵ nan ne mahe edwiten ham; in hus ne ut of hus. On alle wise forbeoren to wreaðen hare dame · ⁊ as ofte as heo hit doð; ear ha drinken oþer eoten; makien [f. 116 r] hare venie · o cneon dun biuoren hire ⁊ seggen · mea culpa · ⁊ underuon þe penitence þ̵ ha leið up on hire lutinde hire lahe. Þe ancre þrefter neauer mare þ̵ ilke gult ne upbreide for na wreaððe · bute ȝef ha eft sone falle i þ̵ ilke · ah do hit allunge ut of hire heorte. Ȝef ei strif ariseð bitweone þe wummen; þe ancre makie eiðer to makien oþer venie o cneon to þer eorðe · ⁊ eiðer rihte up oþer; ⁊ cussen on ende · ant te ancre legge on eiðer; sum penitence · mare up o þe ilke þe greatluker gulte. Þis is a þing witen ha wel þ̵ is gode leouest; Sahtnesse ⁊ some · ⁊ te feond laðest · for þi he is eauer umben to arearen sum leaððe. Nu sið þe sweoke wel · þ̵ hwen fur is wel o brune; ⁊ me wule þ̵ hit aga; me sundreð þe brondes · ⁊ he deð nond þ̵ ilke. luue is ihesu cristes fur · þ̵ he wule þ̵ bleasie aa i þin heorte · ant te deouel blaweð forte puffen hit ut. Hwen his blawunge ne geineð nawt · he bringeð up sum uuel word · oðer sum oþer nohtunge · hwer þurh ha to hurten eiðer frommard oþer · ⁊ te hali gastes fuR cwencheð hwen þe brondes þurh wreaððe beoð isundret. forþi halden ham i luue feaste to gederes · Ant ne beo ham nawt of hwen þe feond blawe · nomeliche ȝef monie beon iueietsomet; ⁊ wel wið luue ontende. Þah þe ancre on hire meidnes for openliche gultes legge penitence; to þe preost noðeleater schriuen ham hwen neod is · ah eauer þah wið leaue. Ȝef ha ne cunnen nawt þe mete graceS · seggen in hare stude; pater noster biuoren; ⁊ aue Maria · ⁊ efter mete alswa · ant a Credo mare · ⁊ segge þus on ende · feader · Sune · hali gast al mihti godd · ȝeoue ure dame his grace · [f. 116 v] se lengre se mare · ⁊ leue hire ⁊ us ba neomen god ende · for ȝelde alle þe us god doð · ⁊ milci hare sawle þe us god idon habbeð · hare sawle ⁊ alle cristene sawleS.

Bitweone mel ne gruchesi ȝe nawt · nowðer frut ne oðerhwet; ne drinken bute leaue . ⁊ te leaue beo liht in al þ̵ nis sunne. Ed te mete na word · oðer lut; ⁊ teo stille. Alswa efter þe ancre complie · aþet prime · ne don na þing ne seggen; hweR þurh hire silence mahe beon isturbet. Nan ancre seruant ne ahte bi rihte to easkin iset hure · bute mete ⁊ hure þ̵ ha mei flutte bi; ant godes milce. Ne mis leue nan godd; hwet se tide of þe ancre · þ̵ he hire trukie. þe meidnes wið uten ȝef ha seruið þe ancre alswa as ha ahen · hare hure schal beon þe hehe blisse of heouene. Hwa se haueð ehe of hope toward se heh bure; gleadliche wule ha seruui ⁊ lihtliche alle wa · ⁊ alle teone þolien. wið eise ⁊ wið este ne buð me nawt bliSSe.

Ȝe ancres ahen þis leaste stucche reden to ower wummen euche wike eanes · aþet ha hit cunnen. Ant muche neod is þ̵ ȝe neomen to ham muche ȝeme · for ȝe mahen muchel beon þurh ham i godet · ⁊ iwurset. On oðer half ȝef þet ha sungið þurh ower ȝemeles; ȝe schule beo bicleopet þrof biuore þe hehe deme · ⁊ for þi as ow is muche neod · ⁊ ham ȝet mare; ȝeornliche leareð ham to halden hare riwle · ba for ow ⁊ for ham seolf; liðeliche ⁊ luueliche · for swuch ah wummone lare to beonne · luuelich ⁊ liðe · ⁊ selthwenne sturne. Ba is riht þ̵ ha ow dreden ⁊ luuien · ant þah þ̵ ter beo eauer mare of luue; þen of drede · þenne schal hit wel fearen · Me schal healden eoli ⁊ win ba i wunden efter godes lare · ah mare of softe eoli; þen of [f. 117 r] bitinde win . þ̵ is Mare of liðe wordes; þen of suhinde · for þer of kimeð þinge best; þ̵ is luue eie. lihtliche ⁊ sweteliche foRȝeoued ham hare gultes · hwen ha ham icnaweð ⁊ bihateð bote. Ase forð as ȝe mahen of mete ⁊ of claðes · ⁊ of oþre þinges þet neode of flesch easkeð; beoð large toward ham; þah ȝe nearowe beon ⁊ hearde to ow seoluen. Swa deð þe wel blaweð; went te nearewe of þe horn to his ahne muð; ant utward þ̵ wide. Ant ȝe don alswa as ȝe wulleð þ̵ ower beoden bemin wel ⁊ dremen; i drihtines earen · nawt ane to ower ahnes; ah to alle folkes heale · as ure lauerd leue þurh þe grace of him seolf þ̵ hit swa mote ameN. Hwen ower sustres meidnes cumeð to ow to froure; cumeð to ham to þe þurl; earunder ⁊ ouerunder · eanes oðer twien · ⁊ gað aȝein sone; to ower note gastelich · ne biuore Complie ne sitte ȝe nawt for ham ouer riht time · swa þ̵ hare cume beo na lure of ower religiun; ah gastelich biȝete. ȝef þer is eani word iseid þ̵ mahte hurten heorte; ne beo hit nawt iboren ut; ne ibroht to oþer ancre; þ̵ is eð hurte. To him hit schal beon iseid; þe lokeð ham alle. Twa niht is inoh þ̵ ei beo edhalden · ant þ̵ beo ful seldene · ne for heom ne breoke silence ed te mete; ne for blodletunge · bute ȝef sum muche god oðer neod hit makie. Þe ancre ne hire meiden ne plohien `nane´ worldliche gomenes ed te þurle · ne ne ticki to gederes · foR ase seið seint Beornard. vnwurðe þing is to euch gastelich mon · ⁊ nomeliche to ancre; euch swuch fleschlich froure · ⁊ hit binimeð gastelich þ̵ is wið ute met utnume murhðe · ⁊ þ̵ is uuel change as is iseid þruppe.

Of þis boc redeð hwen ȝe beoð eise euche dei; leasse oðer mare. Jch hopie þ̵ hit [f. 117 v] schal beon ow ȝef ȝe hit redeð ofte; swiðe biheue; þurh godes muchele grace · elles ich hefde uuele bitohe mi muchele hwile. Me were leouere godd hit wite do me toward rome; þen forte biginnen hit eft forte donne. Ȝef ȝe findeð þ̵ ȝe doð alswa as ȝe redeð; þonckið godd ȝeorne · ȝef ȝe ne doð nawt; biddeð godes are · ⁊ beoð umben þeronuuen þ̵ ȝe hit bet halden efter ower mihte.

Feader · Sune · hali gast · an almihti godd wite ow in hiS warde · he gleadie ow ⁊ frouri ow mine leoue sustren · ant for al þ̵ ȝe for him dreheð ⁊ dreaieð · ne ȝeoue ow neauer leasse · þen al to gedere him seoluen · Beo he aa iheiet from world in to worlde aa on ecnesse · AMeN.

Ase ofte aS ȝe habbeð ired eawiht her on; greteð þe leafdi wið aN aue; for him þ̵ swonc her abuten · Jnoh meaðful ich am þe bidde se lutel · [¶] Explicit · Jþench o þi writere i þine beoden sum chearre; ne beo hit ne se lutel. Hit turneð þe to gode; þ̵ tu bidest for oþre.

Ancren Riwle (Cotton Ms. Nero) B. The Outer Rule

A (Corpus MS.)
A (Caius MS.)

B (Corpus MS.) (above)

A (Parallel Texts)
B (Parallel Texts)

In this section, N is Nero (the primary MS); C Cleopatra; T Titus. The Notes explain:

Passages in C (mostly interlined or marginal) which are not in N are inserted between asterisks in the text of the latter. The collations ... show the other divergences of C and those of T from N; when not followed by any letter they give the readings of T; those followed by C are the readings of C, while B indicates agreement of T and C as against N.

Spacing of asterisks is as in the original. Longer paragraphs have been broken up for easier cross-reference. In the printed text, each paragraph began with a large drop capital, except the final paragraph beginning “ase ofte ase ȝe readeð ...”.

Ȝe mine leoue sustren *bute ȝef neod ow driue* ne schulen habben no best . bute kat one. ancre þet haueð eihte þuncheð bet husewif ase marthe was . þen ancre . ne none weis ne mei heo beon marie . *marthe suster * mid griðfulnesse of heorte. Vor þeonne mot heo þenchen of þe kues foddre and of heordemonne huire . oluhnen þene heiward . warien hwon me punt hire ⁊ ȝelden þauh ðe hermes. wat crist þis is lodlich þing . hwon me [f. 116 v] makeð mone in tune of ancre eihte. Þauh ȝif eni mot nede habben ku : loke ðet heo none monne ne eilie : ne ne hermie . ne þet hire þouht ne beo nout þeron i uestned.

1. mine ... sustren om.
2. schule ȝe C || haue || na | nan C || beast B || cat || ane B || þe C
3. haues || ahte | achte C || semes || betere B || as B || wes C || þen ancre om. B nanes | for `lihtliche oðer´ nanes C
4. weies || mai || ho | ha C || beo || wið B
5. for þenne B || ho | ha C || cuwes C || and om. B
6. þe heordes || hure C || Olcne | olchni C || þe B || haiward | haiwart C || hwen he B || pundes
7. ȝelde B || þah | þach C || harmes B || ladli | ladlich C || þing is wat crist hwen B
8. mon || makes B || in tune man | itune man C || ancres B || ahte | achte C || Nu þenne latter deleted, þah in margin | Nu þach C || ȝef C || ani B
9. nedinge | nedunge C || haue || ku] hit B || hit na mon B || eile | eili C || harme | harmi C

ancre ne ouh nout to habben no þing þet drawe utward hire heorte. none cheffare ne driue ȝe. ancre þet is cheapild .* þe buð for te sullen efter biȝete * heo cheapeð hire soule : þe chepmon of helle. *Þing þah þ̵ ha wurcheð; ha mei wel þurh hire meistres read; for hire neode sullen. þah swa dernliche as ha mei for misliche monne wordes.* Ne wite ȝe nout in oure huse of oðer monnes þinges . ne eihte . ne cloðes . ne nout ne vnderuo ȝe ðe chirche uestimenz ne þene caliz bute ȝif * neod oðer* strencðe hit makie : oðer muchel eie. vor of swuche witunge is i kumen muchel `vuel´ oftesiðen. wiðinnen ower woanes : ne lete ȝe nenne mon slepen. ȝif muchel neode mid alle makeð breken ower hus : þeo hwule ðet hit euer is i broken : loke þet ȝe habben þerine mid ou one wummon of clene liue . deies ⁊ nihtes.

10. ni || þoht | þocht C || nawt | nawicht C || ter on | þron C || ifestnet || Anker || ah | ach C || nawt T om. C
11. haue || no þing om. T || nan C || utward drahe | utwart draȝe C || Na B || chaffare | cheffere C
12. Anker || chapmon chepilt C
13. ho | ha C || cheapes | cheapeð C || sawle | saule to C || chapmon | chepmon C
15. Nawt ne | Naut ne C || ȝe om. C
16. owre | ouwer C || hus B || of om. B || monne C || ahte | achte C || claðes || ne nout ... caliz om. C, then interlined `bute neod ... eie´ || ne ... ȝe om.
17. Nawt te chirche uestemenz ne þe chaliz || ȝif ... oðer om.
18. strengðe || make || vor om. B || swuch | swich C || lokinge | witing C
19. muchel bifallen | muchel uuel ilumpen C || vuel om. || siðe || Inwið B || owre || wahes | wanes C || lete ȝe bis
20. na wepmon | nan mon C || ȝef C || muche B || ned | neod C || wið makes B || to breke | breoken C
21. owre || þe om. B || hwil B || ðet om. B || eauer B || loke þet ȝe om. B || haues | habbeð C || ter inne | þrinne C
22. wið ow B || a | an C || cleane lif B || daies || nichtes C

Uor ði þet no mon ne i sihð ou . ne ȝe ne i seoð nenne mon : wel mei don of ower cloðes . beon heo hwite : beon heo blake. bute þet heo beon unorne ⁊ warme ⁊ wel i wrouhte. uelles wel i tauwed. ⁊ habbeð ase monie ase ou to neodeð . to bedde and eke to rugge.

23. For B || na nan C || seo | sið C || ow B || ne iseoð om. B || ham | him C
24. duhen || owre | ouwer C || clað B || beo hit hwit beo hit blac bute hit beo B
25. ⁊ om. B || warm B || iwraht | iwracht C || felles B || iteawet | itauwet C
26. habbes || as ow B || to nedes || eke om. B

Nexst fleshe ne schal non werien no linnene cloð bute ȝif hit beo of herde and of greate heorden. stamin `habbe´ hwo se wule. and hwo se wule mei beon buten. ȝe schullen liggen in on heater and i gurd. ne bere ȝe non iren . ne here . ne [f. 117 r] irspiles felles. ne ne beate`ou´þer mide. ne mid schurge i leðered : ne i leaded. ne mid holie . ne mid breres . ne ne biblodge hire sulf : wið uten schriftes leaue . ne ne nime et enes to ueole disceplines. ower schon beon greate and warme. Ine sumer ȝe habbeð leaue uorto gon and sitten baruot. and hosen wið uten uaumpez . and ligge ine ham : hwo so likeð. Sum wumon i nouh reaðe . wereð þe brech of heare fulwel i knotted . and þe strapeles adun to hire uet. i laced ful ueste.

27. Nest flesch B || nan B || werie || no om. || nan C || cloð om. B || ȝif om. B
28. harde B || heordes || were C || hwa B || wile
29. and om. || hwa B || nule; beo wið uten || mei beon om. C || schuln in | schulen in C || an B || hatter | hetter C
30. gurd liggen | igurd liggen C || were nan irn | beore nan iren C || haire || ylespiles B
31. hire þerwið B || wið B || i leðered ne om. B || ileadet B || ne om. B
32. wið holin | wið holine C || wið B || ne blodeke | ne bibloðgi C || seluen | seolf C || ute C || schirches
33. nine for ne ne || neome C || ateanes | ed eanes C || feole B || disciplines | diciplines C || owre || scheon C
34. I | In C || hauen || barefot to Gan ⁊ sitten | barfot gan ⁊ sitten C
35. and om. B || Hose || uampez | uampeð C || and om. B || ham om. B || hwa se like | hwase wule C
36. mon || inohraðe | inochraðe C || weres te brec || haire | here C || icnotten | icnotted C || and om. B
37. strapples || dun to þe fet B || faste

ȝif ȝe muwen beon wimpel leas : *⁊ ȝe wel wullen* beoð bi warme keppen . and þeruppon *oðer hwite oðer* blake ueiles. *Ancren summe sungið in ha[re] wimlunge na lesse þene lefdị Sum seið þ̵ hit limped . to e[i] wummon cundeliche; for te weri[en] wimpel. Nai . Wimpel ne hef[ed] nouðer ne nemneð hali writ; ah wriheles of heuet. Ad cor[inth.] Mulier uelet caput suum. Wummon seið þe apostel schal wrihen hi[re] heauet. wrihen he seið naut wimplin. wrihen ha schal hire scheome as sunfule eue dohte[r;] i mungunge of þe sunne þ̵ sch[en]de us erst alle ⁊ naut drah[en] þ̵ wriheles te tiffung ⁊ te pru[e]. Eft wule seinte pauel þ̵ wumm[on] wreo i chirche hire neb ȝette leste vuel þoht arise þurh hir[e] on sihðe ⁊ hoc est · propter ang[e]los.

37. For ȝif ... bi, T has habbes || ȝef ȝe mahen (over muchel del.) beo wimpelles C
38. cappes | cappen C || and ... wimlunge in l. 52 om. || þruppon C
39. ueilles C

Hwi þenne þu chirche ancre al beo þu iwimplet; openest þah þi neb to weopmones ehe . Te ȝeines þe. þe isist men spekeð seinte pauel. Ah ȝef ei þing wriheð; þi neb from monnes ehe; beo hit wah beo hit clað i þi parlures þurl; wel mei duhen ancre of oðer wimlunge.* Hwo se wule beon i seien . þauh heo atiffe hire; nis nout muchel wunder . auh to godes eien . heo is lufsumere þet is uor ðe luue of him; untiffed wið uten. Ring . ne broche nabbe ȝe . ne gurdel i membred . ne glouen . ne no swuch þing þet ou . ne deih for to habben. *vnderstondeð . þ̵ of alle þeose þinges nis nan hest ne forbot for alle ha beoð of þe vttere riwle þ̵ is lute strencðe of; for hwon þ̵ te inre beo wel iwist as ic seide i þe frumðe . ha mei beon ichanget hwer se euer ei neod oder eni skile hit askeð . efter þ̵ ha mei ase þuften . best seruin þe leafdi riwle.*

52. hwa B
53. wile || isehen | iseȝen C || of alle þ hire cumen to add. || þah | þach C || ho | ha C || atiffen | atifi C || ham | na | nan C || muche B
54. Ah | ach C || ehne | echnen C || ho | ha C || lufsumer || þe is C || for B
55. untiffet B || ni || ni || i membret
56. ni gloues || na | nan C || swich C || ow B || deah || i burð C || for om. B

Euer me is leouere . so ȝe don gretture werkes. ne makie none purses . uorte ureonden ou mide .* bute to þeo þ̵ ower meistre ȝeoueð ow his leaue*; ne blodbendes of seolke .* ne laz . bute leaue*; auh schepieð and seouweð and amendeð chirche cloðes . and poure monne cloðes. no þing ne schule ȝe ȝiuen : wið uten schriftes leaue. helpeð mid ower owune swinke so uorð so ȝe muwen to schruden ou suluen and *feden ȝef neod is* þeo ðet ou serueð . ase seint ierome lereð : ne beo ȝe neuer idel . uor anonrihtes ðe ueond beot hire his werc : þet ine godes werke ne wurcheð . and he tuteleð anon|rihtes touward hire. uor þeo hwule [f. 117 v] þet he isihð hire bisi .

62. Eauer B || leuere | leoure C || se B || grattere | grettere C || Ne ... cloðes in l. 66 om. || make ȝe C || nane C
63. forto freonden ow wið C
64. blod binden of seolc C
65. Ach schap`i´eð ⁊ seoweð ⁊ mendeð (e over ạ) C || claðes C
66. menne hettren C || Na | nan || `swuc´ C || ȝeouen bute ȝe hauen chirches leaue || ȝeuen C
67. Helpes || wið B || owre || ahne | achne C || swinc | swinch C || se forð se B || muhen | muchȝen C
68. ow seluen | ow seoluen C || ta þ̵ ow seruen | ow seruið C || As B || sein
69. leares | leareð C || neauer B || `allunge´ idel `⁊ se forð as ȝe mahen´ C || for B || ananrihtes | ananrichtes C || te || feond | feont C || bedes.
70. þe C || i | in C || werc B || swinkes | swinkeð C || he om. B || tuteles | anan B
71. toward | towart C || for hwil he B || seos | sið C

`he´ þencheð þus . vor nout ich schulde nu kumen neih hire; ne mei heo nout i hwulen uorto her`c´nen mine lore. of idelnesse awakeneð muchel flesshes fondunge . Iniquitas sodome . saturitas panis ⁊ ocium. þet is. al sodomes cweadschipe kom of idelnesse : ⁊ of ful wombe. Iren þet lið stille; gedereð sone rust . and water þet ne stureð nout readliche stinkeð. ancre ne schal nout forwurðen scolme`i´stre : ne turnen hire ancre hus; to childrene scole. hire meiden mei þauh techen sum lutel meiden. þet were dute of forto leornen among gromes . auh ancre ne ouh forto ȝemen bute god one. *þah bi hire meistres read; ha mei sum rihten ⁊ helpe te leren.*

72. he þe swike þenches tus || for B || noht | naut C || ischulde nu cume to hire | cumen nu nech hire C || mai
73. ho | ha C || nawt | naut C || ȝeme nu | iȝemen C || to B || lustnen mi | lustin min C || lare B || wakenen
74. muchele || flesches B || fondinges
75. al om. B || sodome || cwedschipe C || com B
76. wambe || Irn þ̵ lis || Gederes || muche C || and om. B
77. stures || nawt | naut C || raðliche | readiliche C || stinkes || ȝe ne schule sende lettres. | Ne underfo lettres bute leaue C || nawt | naut C || forwurðe B || scolemeister || scol above erasure C
78. hire om. B || ancres || childre`ne´ schole C || Hire ... leren in l. 81 om.
79. þauh om. C || learen C || lute C || of; to C
80. bimong gremes C || Ach C || nach to ȝeme C || ane C

Ȝe ne schulen senden lettres . ne underuon lettres . ne writen : buten leaue. ȝe schulen beon i dodded four siðen iðe ȝere : uorto lihten ower heaued. *oðer ȝef ȝe wulled ischauen. hwa se wule ieveset. ah ha mot te oftere weschen ⁊ kemben hire heauet*; and ase ofte ileten blod . and oftere ȝif neod is . and hwo so mei beon þer wið uten; ich hit mei wel i þolien. hwon ȝe beoð i leten blod . ȝe ne schulen don no þing þeo þreo dawes; þet ou greue . auh talkeð mid ower meidenes.

82. underfon || bute
83. schule C || beo || idoddet C || iþe ȝer fiftene siðe || ȝer C uorto ... heauet in l. 85 om. || to lichten ower heauet C
85. ⁊ fowr siðe ileten ⁊ as ofte ilete blod `⁊ ȝef neod is oftere´ C
86. oftre || ned || and ... þolien om. C || Hwa se mai wel beo wið uten: ich hit mai þolien
87. Hwon ... blod om. C || Hwen || arn schule C do þreo daies na þing þ̵ ow greues || don `þeo´ þreo daȝes nan þing þ̵ ow greueð C
88. Ah ach C || talkes || to B || owre seruant ower meidnes C

and mid þeaufule talen : schurteð ou to gederes. ȝe muwen don so ofte : hwon ou þuncheð heuie . oðer beoð uor sume worldliche þinge sorie : oðer seke. So wisliche witeð ou in our blod letunge : and holdeð ou ine swuche reste . þet ȝe longe þer efter muwen ine godes seruise þe monluker swinken . and also hwon ȝe i ueleð eni secnesse . vor muchel sotschipe hit is. uorto [f. 118r] uorleosen uor one deie . tene oðer tweolue. Wassheð ou hwar se ȝe habbeð neode : ase ofte ase ȝe wulleð.

89. wið B || þeawfule þeufule C || tales: schurtes ow schurtið C || muhen muȝe C || swa don ofte hwen ow B
90. þunches || heui C || arn || for sum B || worldlich C || þing B
91. sari B || Swa B wislich C || wites || Of ower blodletunge in marg. C || ow B || owre ower C || blodletinge
92. haldes haldeð C || ow B || iswuch in swich C || rest || þrafter þrefter C || muhen muȝen C || ine om. C || i godes
93. þe om. C || wurchen C || alswa alse C || hwen B || felen feleð C || ani B
94. vor om. B || muche B || sotchipe C || uorto om. C || to lose leosen C || for an B || dai dei C
95. twelue tweọlue C || Vas del. wasches in marg. wescheð C || ow B || hwer B || ned is neod is C || as B
96. as B || wiln wullet C || Ouwer meidnes riwle in marg. C

Ancre þet naueð nout neih honde hire uode : beoð bisie two wummen . on ðet bi leaue euer ethom . an oðer þet wende ut hwon hit is neod . and þeo beo ful unorne *oðer a lute þuhten* oðer of feir elde and biðe weie ase heo geð . go singinde hire beoden . ne ne holde heo nout none tale mid mon ne mid wummon . ne ne sitte ne ne stonde bute þet leste þet heo mei er þen heo kume hom. nouhwuder elles ne go heo; bute þider ase me sent hire. wið ute leaue : ne ete heo ne ne drinke ute. þe oðer beo euer inne . ne wið ute þe ȝeate ne go heo nout wið ute leaue. boðe beon obedient to hore dame in alle þinges; bute ine sūnne one.

97. Anker || þe C || naues || nawt | naut C || neh hond | nech hont C || fode B || beos || bisi || twa wimmen B
98. an B || þe C || leaue eauer with erasure of two letters before || eauer leaue C || at hame | ed hame C || þe C
99. hwen B || ned driues | neod driueð C || tat
100. of om. || feiȝer C || ealde B || and om. B || wei || as B || ho Gas | ha geað C || Ga B || seiende | segginde C || beodes
101. Ni ne || halde B || heo nout om. B || na | nan C || wið B || wið B || ni sitte ne stonde | Ne sitten ne stonden C
102. þe B || leaste || ho | ha C || ear B || þenne C || ho | ha C || ham cume B
103. Nohwider | Nochwder C || ga B || heo om. || ha C || as B || mon sendes
104. eote C || ho | ha C || eauer B
105. ȝate | ȝete C || ga B || heo om. | ha C || nout om. B || Baðe | ba C || hare C
106. þing B || in B || ane B

no þing nabben heo; þet hore dame hit nute . ne ne underuon no þing . ne ne ȝiuen wið uten hire leaue. Nenne mon ne leten heo in . ne ðe ȝungre ne speke mid none monne : bute leaue . ne ne go nout ut of tune . wið uten siker uere . ne ne ligge ute. ȝif heo ne con o boke : sigge bi pater nostres and bi auez hire vres . and wurche þet me hat hire wið uten gruc|chunge. habbe euer hire earen opene touward hire dame. nouðer of ðe wummen ne beren urom hore dame . ne ne bringen to hire . none idele talen : ne neowe tiþinges . ne bitweonen ham sulf ne singen . ne ne speken none worldliche spechen . ne lauhwen ne ne pleien so ðet ei mon þet hit iseie . muhte [f. 118 v] hit to v`u´el turnen. ouer alle þing leasunge and luðere wordes . hatien. Hore her beo i koruen .

106. Na | Nan C || heo om.
107. ho | heo C for hore dame || ni vnderfo | Ne underuo C || na | nan C || ȝiue | ȝeouen C || add nowðer | nouðer C
108. leue || Na | Nan C || heo om. B || ni || ðe ȝungre om. C || speoken C || mid none monne om. C || wið na wepmon
109. wið ute B || leue || Ne ga B || noht | naut C
110. fere B || ȝef C || ho | ha C || on C || segge B
111. auees C || wurche ⁊ do hwat C || mon bides || wið ute || grucchinge B
112. eauer B || eares || toward | towart C || lafdi || Nowðer
113. of þe wummen om. C || of þe familiers ne beo fram hire lafdi ni ni bringe nowðer || ne beore ne ne bringe to heore dame C || none om. B
114. tales || newe || tidinges C || bitwenen B || self | seolf C || ne ne singen C || ni ne speken | ne ne speoken ham seolf C
115. none om. C || nane speches || lahhen swa ne pleien þ̵ | lachȝen swa ne pleiȝen þ̵ C
116. ani || sehe | sechȝe C || mihte | machte C || hit om. C || turnen hit
117. þinge || leasinges | leasing C || uuele C || hare C || beon C || icoruen B

hore heuedcloð sitte lowe. eiðer ligge one. Hore hesmel beo heie istihd; al wið ute broche. no mon ne i seo ham unweawed . ne open heaued. *Inwið þe wanes ha muhe werie scapeloris hwen mantel ham heuegeð . ute; gan i mantlet þe heauet i hudeket.* louh lokunge habben. heo ne schulen cussen nenne mon .* ne cuð mon ne cunes mon . ne for nan cuððe cluppen* ne uor luue cluppen . ne kuð ne unkuð . ne wasshen hore heaued . ne loken ueste o none monne . ne toggen mid him; ne pleien. hore weaden beon of swuche scheape ⁊ alle hore aturn swuch; þet hit beo eðcene hwarto heo beoð i turnde. hore lates loken warliche . þet non ne edwite ham ne ine huse ne ut of huse.

118. hore ... i hudeket om. || hare C || clað C || lachȝe C || ane C || hare cop beo hechȝe isticched C
119. al om. C || na C || seo C || unlepped C
121. Lah lokinge | Lach locunge C
122. Eiðer ligge ane add. || ho | ha C || schulen om. C || schule || cusse B || na | nan C || cunnes
123. ni || na || ne uor ... unkuð om. B
124. ne ... heaued om. | nene weschen hare C || Ni || loke B || faste || o na | on an C || mon B
125. toggle | toggi C || wið B || him om. B || pleiȝen C || Hare B || wede | weden C || beo || swuch | swich C || schape B
126. al || ⁊ of swic aturn þ̵ `hit´ C || eðscene | edsene C || hwerto B || ho | ha C || beon B
127. Hare B || werliche C || nan B || etwite over wite del. C || ne om. B || in hus B
128. hus

on alle wise uorberen to wreððen hore dame . and ase ofte ase heo hit doð er heo drinken oðer eten . makien hore uenie akneon adun to þer eorðe biuoren hire : ⁊ sigge mea culpa . and underuon ðe penitence : ðet heo leið upon hire lutende hire louwe. þe ancre neuer more þer efter þene ilke gult ne upb[r]eide hire : uor none wreððe . bute ȝif heo eft sone ualle iðet ilke . auh do hit allunge ut of hire heorte. and ȝif eni strif ariseð bitweonen ðe wummen; ðe ancre makie eiðer of ham to makien oðer venie akneon to ðer eorðe . and eiðer rihte up oðer : ⁊ kussen ham on ende . and þe ancre legge on eiðer sum penitence. More upon þeo ilke : ðet gretluker haueð agult.

128. forbeoren B || wradðen | wraððen C || hare C || as B
129. as B || ho | ha C || don || ear || ho | ha C || eoten C || Maken C || hire B || o cneos | acneon C
130. dun || to þer eorðe om. B || bifore | biforen C || seggen B || vnder fo
131. penitance C || ho | ha C || leis || ham B || lutinde C || lahe | lachȝe C || anker
132. þilke gult neauer mare þr after | þer efter neauer mare þilke gult C || hire om. B || for B || na | nan C
133. wraððe B || ȝef C || ho | ha C || sones falle B || i þat ilke | i þilke C || Ah | Ach C
134. and om. B || ȝef C || ani B || rises || bitwenen ham utewið; | bitwene þe wimmen C || þe anker
135. make B || of ham om. B || make B || þe oðer C || o cneos | o cneon C || dun to þe | to þe C
136. richte C || cussen on B || te anker leie
137. penitance C || Mare B || up o þ̵ ilke | up on þilke C || þe C || greatluker || gulte B

þis is o þing wute `ȝe´ [f. 119 r] wel to soðe ðet is gode leouest; seih[t]nesse ⁊ some. ⁊ þe ueonde loðest. and for þi he is euer umbe to arearen sume wreððe. nu isihð ðe deouel wel ðet hwon þet fur is wel o brune . ⁊ me wule ðet hit go ut : me sundreð ðe brondes . and he deð `also´ onond þet ilke. luue is ihesu cristes fur þet he wule ðet blasie in vre heorte . and þe deouel bloweð forto puffen hit ut . and hwon his blowinge ne geineð nout : þeonne bringeð he up sum luðer word . oðer sum oþer nouhtunge : hwar þuruh heo to hurteð eiðer urommard oðer; and þe holi gostes fur; acwencheð hwon ðe brondes þuruh wreððe; beoð i sundred. and for þi holden ham ine luue ueste to gederes .

138. is om. C || a | an C || witen B || ho | ha C || to soðe om. B || godd | god C || leuest
139. sahtnesse | sachtnesse C || somentale || te feond | þe feont C || laðest B || and om. B || eauer umben B
140. reare | arere C || sum laððe B || seos | sið C || te swike | þe sweoke C || hwen fur B
141. onbrune C || mon wile || Ga B || mon sundres te || brendes C
142. dos hond to þ̵ ilke | deð þ̵ ilke C || fuir || wile
143. owre || te || blawes | blaweð C
144. and om. B || hwen B || blast | blawunge C || Geines || nawt | naut C || þeonne om. B || he bringes | he bringeð C
145. luðer om. || hwat | nochtunge C || hwer B || þurh | þurch C || ho | ha C || hurren B
146. framward | frommart C || te || hali gastes B || cwenches | cwencheð C || hwen
147. þurh | þurch C || wraððe B || beon isundret || and om. B || halde | halden C || iluue | inluue C || faste | feste C

and ne beo ham nout of; hwon ðe ueond blowe . and nomeliche ȝif monie beoð i ueied somed; and wel mid luue ontende. Þauh ðe ancre on hire meidenes uor openliche gultes . legge penitence neuer ðe later to ðe preoste schriuen ham ofte . auh euer þauh mid leaue. and ȝif heo ne kunnen nout ðe mete graces : siggen in hore stude; pater . noster . ⁊ aue maria biuoren mete . and efter mete also . ⁊ credo moare . and siggen þus on ende . veder ⁊ sune ⁊ holi gost . ⁊ on almihti god; he ȝiue ure dame his grace; so lengre so more . ⁊ leue hire ⁊ us boðe nimen god endinge . ⁊ forȝelde alle ðet us god doð . ⁊ milce hore soulen : þet us god i don habbeð . hore soulen ⁊ alle cristene soulen. amen.

148. nawt | naut C || hwen B || feond | feont C || blawe B || and om. B
149. nomeli || ȝef C || beon B || ifest to Gedere || iueiȝet somet C || wel om. || wið B || ontendet
150. Þah | þach C || þe om. || anker || seruanz || for B || Giltes || leie || penitance C
151. to preost no ðe latere | to þe preost no ðe latere C || Ah | Ach C || eauer B || þah | þach C || wið B
152. and om. B || ȝef C || ho | ha C || cunen noht | cunne naut C || te || seggen B || hare C
153. studen C || Pater noster biforen | pater noster biuoren C || maria. After mete alswa | marie. efter mete alse C
154. a crede C || mare B || seggen | segge C || fader sune B || ⁊ om. || hali gast B
155. ⁊ om. B || an B || almichtin C || godd || he om. B || ȝeoue C || lauedi || se B || se mare B
156. baðe | ba C || nime | neome C || ende B || ⁊ om. B || þe C
157. don || heore C || sawle | saule C || ⁊ þ̵ us | þe us C || hauen || hore soulen om. C || sawle
158. sawle | saule C || amen om. B

Bitweonen mele ne gruselie ȝe nout . nouðer frut; `ne´ oðerhwat . ne `ne´ drinken wið uten leaue . [f. 119 v] auh þe leaue beo liht in alle þeo þinges; þer nis sunne. Ette mete no word . oðer lut . ⁊ þeo beon stille. also efter ðe ancre cumplie uort midmorwen . ne don no þing . ne ne siggen . hwar þuruh hire silence muwe beon i sturbed. non ancre seruant ne ouhte mid rihte uorto asken i sette huire; bute mete ⁊ cloð : þet heo mei vlutten bi . ⁊ godes milce. ne mis leue non god; hwat so bitide of ðe ancre : þet he hire trukie. Þe meidenes wið uten ȝif heo serueð ðe ancre also ase heo owen; hore hure schal beon ðe eche blisse of heouene. hwo so haueð eie hope touward so heie hure : gledliche wule heo seruen ⁊ lihtliche alle wo and alle teone þolien. Mid eise ne mid este; ne kumeð me nout toþer heouene.

158. Bitwene B || meal | mel C || gruse | gruuesi C || ȝe om. C || nawt | naut C
159. nowðer | nouðer C || fruit || oðer hwet C || ni | ne C || drinke || bute B
160. ⁊ te | ⁊ þe C || licht C || al þ̵ nis B || At te | ed þe C || na | nan C
161. ⁊ ta stille | ⁊ þeo stille C || Alswa B || after ancres B || aðet prime | oðet prime C
162. ni do þing ne segge | ne don nan þing ne seggen C || hwer þurh | hwar þurch C
163. muhe | muȝe C || beo desturbet | beon to sturbed C || Nan B || ancres seruante || ah | achte C || bi B
164. richte C || to B || iset hure B || ant C || clað B || ho | ha C || mai || flutte B
165. nan B || godd || hwet C || se tide B || anker
166. over trukie faile C || þeo þ̵ arn wið uten || meidnes C || ȝef C || ho | ha C || seruen | seruið C || anker
167. alswa as B || hom ahen | ha achȝen C || hare C || beo
168. Hwa se B || haues || ehe of | eȝe of C || toward | towart C || se B || heh | hech C || gladli wile || ho | ha C || seruin C
169. lichtliche C || wa B || tene || wið B || este ne C || wið B || eise C
170. bueð mon nawt blisse | buð me naut blisse C

Ȝe ancren owen þis lutle laste stucchen reden to our wummen eueriche wike enes uort ðet heo hit kunnen. and muche neod is ou beoðe : ðet ȝe nimen to ham gode ȝeme . vor ȝe muwen muchel þuruh ham beon i goded. and i wursed on oðer halue. ȝif heo sunegeð þuruh ower ȝemeleaste; ȝe schulen beon bicleoped þer of biuoren þe heie demare . and for þi ase ou is muche neod . ⁊ ham is ȝete more; ȝeorneliche techeð ham to holden hore riulen .

171. ancres B || ahen | achȝe C || laste lutle B || stucche | stuche C || rede || owre | ower C || seruanz
172. euche | uche C || eanes B || til þ̵ ho | oðet `til´ ha C || cunnen B || ned || is þ̵ ȝe B
173. neomen C || to ham nimen || god || muche C || for B || muhen | mughe C || muchel om. C || muche || þurh B
174. hom beo || igodet B || wursnet. | iwurset. C || On B || half B || ȝef C || ho | ha C || suneheþ | sungeð C
175. þurh | þurch C || owre || ȝemeles | ȝemeles`chipe´ C || schule beo bicleopet || þrof | þref C || bifore | biforen C
176. hehe | hechȝe C || deme | dom C || and om. B || as B || ow B || ned || hom | heom C || is om. B || ȝette | ȝet C || mare B
177. ȝeornliche || leares | leareð C || halden hare B || riwle | riuwlen C

boðe uor ou : ⁊ for ham suluen . liðeliche þauh ⁊ luueliche; uor swuch ouh wummone lore to beon . luuelich and liðe and seldwhonne sturne. Boðe hit is riht þet heo ou [f. 120 r] dreden ⁊ luuien . auh þet ðer beo . more euer of luue : þen of drede. þeonne schal hit wel uaren. Me schal helden eoli and win beoðe i ne wunden, efter godere lore . auh more of þe softe eolie; þen of þe bitinde wine . þet is . more of liðe wordes : þen of suwinde . vor þerof kumeð þinge best; þet is luue eie. lihtliche ⁊ sweteliche uorȝiueð ham hore gultes : hwon heo ham iknoweð and bihoteð bote.

177. baðe | ba`þe´ C || for ow B
178. seolf B || þauh om. B || luuelice C || for B || swich C || ah | ach C || wummones lare B || of religiun add.
179. second and om. C || seldscene | selthwenne C || Baðe | ba`þe´ C || hit om. B || richt C
180. ho | he corr. out of ha C || ow B || ah | ach C || ter || eauer mare | mare eauer C
181. of þe || þenne B || faren B || Mon || heolde
182. baðe | ba C || in B || wundes | wundesi erasure of two letters C || after || godes lare B || Ah | Ach C || mare B || þe om. B
183. eoli B || þenne C || þe om. B || bitende || win B || ma | ma`re´ C || þenne C
184. suhiende | sturne C || for B || cumes | kimeð C || Lichtliche C
185. swetelich || for ȝiues | forȝeoueð C || hare C || hwen B || ho | ha C || arn cnawe | icnaweð C
186. bihaten | bihateð

Se uorð ase ȝe muwen of drunch and of mete and of cloð and of oðer þinges þet neode of fleshe askeð : beoð large touward ham : þauh ȝe ðe neruwure beon and te herdure to ou suluen . vor so deð þe wel bloweð . went þene neruwure ende of þe horne to his owune muðe . ⁊ utward þene wide. and ȝe don also . ase ȝe wulleð þet ower beoden bemen ⁊ dreamen wel : ine drihtenes earen . and nout one to ower ones; auh to alle uolkes heale . ase ure louerd leue þuruh ðe grace of himsulf . þet hit so mote beon. amen.

187. Ase | Alse C || forð as B || muhen | muȝen C || baðe add. || drinch || of drunch and om. C || and after mete om. || claðes B
188. oðre C || þing || ned || flesch | fles C || askes || beos || toward B
189. þah | þach C || ðe om. B || narewe beon ⁊ harde to ow seoluen B || vor om. || `for´ C || Swa | swa C || dos
190. þ̵ || blawes | blaweð C || wendes || te | þe C || narewe || ende om. || `ende´ C || horn B || toward || ahne | achne C
191. muð B || te | þe C || do alswa as B || wiln | wullet C || owre beodes
192. bemen wel ⁊ B || i drihtines | in drichtines C || eare || and om. B || Nawt | naut C || ane B
193. owre || anres | a`u´nes C || Ah | ach C || folkes B || as B || lauerd B || þurh | þurch C
194. himself | him seolf C || swa mote B || beon. amen om. B

O þisse boc redeð eueriche deie : hwon ȝe beoð eise . eueriche deie lesse oðer more. uor ich hopie þet hit schal beon ou ȝif ȝe hit redeð ofte : swuðe biheue þuruh godes grace . and elles ich heuede vuele bitowen muchel of mine hwule. God hit wot me were leouere uorto don me touward rome; þen uorto biginnen hit eft forto donne. and ȝif ȝe iuindeð þet ȝe doð also ase ȝe redeð; þonkeð god ȝeorne . and ȝif ȝe ne doð nout; biddeð godes ore . [f. 120 v] and beoð umbe þer abuten : þet ȝe hit bet hol holden : efter ower mihte. Veder and sune and holi gost . and on almihti god : he wite ou in his warde. he gledie ou and froure ou; mine leoue sustren. and for al þet ȝe uor him drieð and suffreð . he ne ȝiue ou neuer lesse huire þen alto gedere him suluen. he beo euer i heid from worlde to worlde . euer on ecchenesse. amen.

195. Of C || þis B || redes || eueriche deie om. B || hwen B || arn || aise C || euche dai | uchedei C
196. mare B || uor om. B || þet om. || ow B || ȝef C
197. hit add. B || reden || swiðe B || biheoue || þurh B || `godes´ C || and om. B || hafde | hefde C
198. bitohen | bitochȝen uuele C || muche hwile B || God ... wot om. B || leuere | leoure C || deu le set add. B
199. to do B || toward | towart C || for to | for te C
200. and om. B || ȝef C || finden | findeð C || don alswa as B || reden. þonkes godd
201. and om. B || ȝef C || don || nawt | naut C || biddes godd || are B || beos || umben B
202. þer onuuen | þer an ouen C || hit bettere halden | hit halden C || after owre mihte | efter ower michte C || Fader sune. haligast an B
203. almichti C || godd || he om. B || ow B
204. gladie || ow B || frouri C || ow B || leue sustre
205. for B || drehen oðer drehden | dreȝeð ⁊ dreiȝeð C || he om. B || ni ȝiue | Ne ȝeoue C || ow B || neauer B || lasse || hure C
206. seluen | seoluen C || Beo he B || ai ihehet | eauer ihechȝet C || fram || into B
207. a on ecnesse | `a on echnesse´ C

ase ofte ase ȝe readeð out o þisse boc; greteð þe lefdi mid one aue marie uor him ðet makede þeos riwle . and for him þet hire wrot and swonc her abuten. Inouh meðful ich am; þet bidde so lutel.

208. As C | as B || hauen red | habbeð ired C || oht o þis boc | eawet þron C || Gretes ure || lauedi | lafdi C || wið an B
209. marie om. B || for B || þ̵ swanc her abuten. | þe swong her abuten. C
210. Inouh ... lutel om. || `Jnoh meðful ic am þe bidde se lutel´ C

IX. Ancrene Wisse (Parallel Texts) A. The Seven Deadly Sins

A (Corpus MS.)
A (Caius MS.)

B (Corpus MS.)
B (Cotton MSS.)

B (Parallel Texts)

(Corpus MS.)

(Caius MS.)

Þvs mine leoue sustren iþe wildernesse þer ȝe gað; in · wið godes folc toward ierusalemes lond · þ̵ is þe riche of heouene; beoð þulliche beastes · þulliche wurmes. ne nat ich na sunne þ̵ ne mei beon ilead oðer to an of ham seouene; oðer to hare streones. vnsteaðeluest bileaue aȝein godes lare · nis hit te spece of prude inobedience? Herto falleð sygaldren · false teolunges · lefunge o swefne · o nore · ⁊ on alle wicchecreftes. Neomunge of husel in eani heaued sunne · oðer ei oþer sacrement nis hit te spece of prude þ̵ ich cleopede presumptio · ȝef me wat hwuch sunne hit · is · ȝef me hit nat nawt · þenne is hit ȝemeles under accidie · þ̵ ich slawðe cleopede. þe ne warneð oðer of his uuel oðer of his biȝete · nis hit slaw ȝemeles oðer attri onde? teoheði mis · edhalden cwide · fundles oðer lane · oðer þerwið mis fearen · nis hit spece of ȝisceunge; ⁊ aneS cunnes þeofðe? Edhalden oðres hure ouer his rihte terme nis hit strong reaflac hwa se ȝelden hit mei þe is under ȝisceunge? Ȝef me ȝemeð wurse ei þing ileanet · oðer bitaht to witene · þen he wene þe ah hit · nis hit oðer triccherie · oðer ȝemeles of slawðe? alswa is dusi heast oðer folliche ipliht trowðe · longe beon unbischpet · falsliche gan to schrift · oðer to longe abiden · ne teache pater noster godchild ne Credo · þeos ⁊ alle þulliche beoð ilead to slawðe · þ̵ is þe feorðe moder of þe seoue sunnen. Þe dronc drunch oðer ei þing dude · hwer þurh na child ne schulde beon on hire istreonet · oðer þ̵ istreonede schulde forwurðen · nis þis strong monslaht of galnesse awakenet? Alle sunnen sunderliche bi hare nomeliche nomen ne mahte namon rikenin · ah i þeo þe ich habbe iseid; alle oþre beoð bilokene. Ant nis ich wene namon þe ne mei understonden him of his sunne nomeliche under sum of þe ilke imeane þe beoð her iwritene.

[Þ]us mine leoue frend iþe wildernesse þat ge gat in wid godes folc toward ierusalemes londe þat is þe riche of heouene; beod þulliche bestes þulliche wurmes · Ne nat ich nan sunne þat ne mai beon ilad · oþer to an of ham seoluen oþer to hare streones · vnstaþelfast bi leaue · agein hali lare · nis hit of prude inobedience? Herto falled sigaldren · false teolunges · Lefunge o nore. o swefne ⁊ alle wicchecraftes. Neominge of husel in ei heaued sunne · oþer ai oþer sacrement · nis hit spece of prude; þat ich cleopede presumpciun · gif me wat hwat sunne hit is. Gif me hit nat naut; þenne is hit gemeles vnder accidie · þat ich slouþe cleopede. þe þat ne warned oþer of his uuel · oþer of his bigete · nis hit slaþ gemeles oþer attri onde? To thehewen mis · et halden cwude · fundes oþer lane · nis þis giscunge; þeofþe. at halden oþeres hure ouer his richte terme · nis hit strong reflac. þat is under gissunge; gif me gemed wurse ai þing ilened · oþer bitahted te witene þen he wene þat hit ah · nis oþer tricherie · oþer gemeles of slauþe. Alswa is dusi hest · oþer folliche iplicht trouþe Longe beon un bischbed · falsliche gan to schrifte · oþer to longe abiden · Ne teachen god child pater noster · Ne Credo · þeos ⁊ alle þulliche · beod ilad to slauþe · þat is þe feorþe moder of þe seoue sunnen · þeo dronc druch oþer ai þing dude hwer þurh na child ne shulde beon on hire istreoned · oþer þat istreonede shulde for wurþen; Nis þis strong monslaht of galnasse awakened; Alle sunnen sunderliche bi hare nomeliche nome ne mahte na mon rikenen. Ah iþeo þat ich habbe iseid; alle oþere beod bilokene. An nis ich wene namon þat ne mai under stonden him of his sunnen nomeliche wnder summe of þe ilke þat imene; þe beod þer i writene.

Of þeose seoue beastes ⁊ of hare streones i wildernesse of anlich lif · is iseid herto · þe alle þe forfearinde fondið to fordonne. Þe liun of prude sleað alle þe prude · alle þe beoð hehe ⁊ ouerhohe iheortet. Þe attri neddre · þe ontfule ⁊ te luðere iþonket. Wreaðfule; þe vnicorne. Alswa of þe oþre o rawe. to godd ha beoð isleine · ah ha libbeð to þe feond · ⁊ beoð alle in his hond. ⁊ seruið him in his curt euch of þe meoster þe him to falleð.

[O]f þeos sewe beastes ⁊ of hare strenes iwildernesse of anlich lif is iseid hiderto þe alle þe forfarinde fondet te fordonne. þe Leon of prude slead alle þe prude. Alle þat beod hehe ⁊ for hehe iheorted. þe aetri neddre; þe ond fule. ⁊ þe luþere iþonked. wredfule þe unicorne. Al swa of þen oþer areawe. to god ha beod isleine · Ah ha libbed to þe feond ⁊ beod alle in is hird · ⁊ serued him in his curt · Euch of þe mester þet him to falleð.

Þe prude beoð his bemeres · draheð wind inward wið worltlich hereword · ⁊ eft wið idel ȝelp puffeð hit ut ward as þe bemeres doð · makieð noise ⁊ lud dream to schawin hare orhel · ah ȝef ha wel þohten of godes bemeres of þe englene bemen þe schulen o fowr half þe world biuore þe grurefule dom grisliche blawen · Ariseð deade ariseð cumeð to drihtines dom forte beon idemet · þear na prud bemere, ne schal beon iborhen · ȝef ha þohten þis wel; ha walden inohreaðe i þe deofles seruise dimlukeR bemin. Of þeose bemeres seið Jeremie · Onager solitarius in desiderio anime sue attraxit uentum amoris sui · Of þe wind drahinde in for luue of hereword seið as ich seide.

[Þ]E prude beod his bemeres · Drahed wind inward · of worldlich hereword · ⁊ eft wid idel ige`l´p puffed hit utward · as þe bemares dod. Makied noise ⁊ lud drem to shawen hare prude. Ah gif ha uel þothten · of godes bemeres of þe englene bemen · þat shulen afour half þe word · bi fore þe grurefule dom grisliche blawen · Arised deade arised · Cumed to drichtines domes for to beon idemed · þer na prud bemere ne shal beon iboregen · Gif ha þohten wel þis · ha walden inoh raþe iþe deoueles seruise dimluker bemen. Of þeose bemeres sei`d´ Jeremie · Onager solitarius in desiderio suo attraxit uentum amoris sui · Of þe wind drahinde in for luue of hereword; seid as ich seide.

Summe iuglurs beoð þe ne cunnen seruin of nan oþer gleo bute makien cheres · wrenche þe muð mis · schulen wið ehnen. Of þis meoster seruið þe unseli ontfule i þe deofles curt · to bringen o lahtre hare ondfule lauerd · ȝef ei seið wel oðer deð wel; ne mahen ha nanes weis lokin þider wið riht ehe of god heorte · ah winkið o þ̵ half ⁊ bihaldeð o luft ȝef þer is eawt to edwiten · oðer ladliche þiderward schuleð mið eiðer. Hwen ha ihereð þ̵ god; skleatteð þe earen adun · ah þe lust aȝein þ̵ uuel; is eauer wid open · þenne he wrencheð þe muð; hwen he turneð god to uuel · ⁊ ȝef hit is sumdel uuel · þurh mare lastunge wrencheð hit to wurse · þeos beoð forecwidderes hare ahne prophetes · þeos bodieð · biuoren hu þe eateliche deoflen schulen ȝet ageasten ham wið hare grennunge · ⁊ hu ha schulen ham seolf grennin ⁊ niuelin ⁊ makien sur semblant for þe muchele angoise i þe pine of helle. Ah for þi ha beoð þe leasse to meanen þ̵ ha biuoren hond leornið hare meoster to makien grim chere.

[S]umme iugelurs beod þe ne cunen seruin of nan oþer gleo buten maken cheres · wrenchen þe mud mis shuli wid þe ehnen. of þis mester seruid þe unseli eon`d´fule iþe deoueles curt · to bringen a lahtre hare on`d´fule leouerð. gef ei ded wel oþer seid wel; ne mahen ha nanes weis liki þiderwarð wid richt ehe of god heorte · Ah winked o þet half ⁊ bi halded a luft gif þer is out to et wite oþer; ladliche þiderward shuled mid eiþer. hwen ha ihered þat god skletteð þe earen adun · Ah þe lust a gein þet uuel is ea wid opene. þenne wrenched þe mud mis; hwen he turned þet god to uuel · ⁊ gef hit is sumdel uuel; þurh more lastunge wrenched hit to wurse. þeos beod for quiddares hare ahne prophetes. þeos bodied biuoren hu þe ateliche deouelen shulen get agastan ham wid hare grennunge · ⁊ hu ha shulen ham seolf grennen ⁊ niwelen · ⁊ makien sur semblant · for þe muchele angoise iþe pine of helle. Ah forþi ha beod þe lesse te meanen · þat ha bi foren hont leorned ha meoster te makien grim chere.

Þe wreaðule biuore þe feond skirmeð mid cniues · ⁊ is his cnif warpere · ⁊ pleieð mid sweordes · bereð ham bi þe scharp ord up on his tunge. Sweord ⁊ cnif eiðer beoð scharpe ⁊ keoruinde word þ̵ he warpeð from him ⁊ skirmeð toward oþre · ⁊ he bodeð hu þe deoflen schulen pleien wið him mid hare scharpe eawles · skirmi wið him abuten ⁊ dusten ase pilche clut euch toward oðer · ant wið helle sweordes asneasen him þurh ut · þ̵ beoð kene ant eateliche ant keoruinde pineN.

[Þ]E wreadfule biuoren þe feond skirmed mid kniwes · is his knif warpare · ⁊ pleied mid sweordes · bered ham bi þe sharpe ord open his tunge. swerd ⁊ knif eiþer beoð sherpe ⁊ keorwinde : word þat he warped from him ⁊ skirmed toward oþere. And he boded hu þe deouelen shulen pleien wid him · mid hare sharpe eawles · Skirmin wid him abuten · ⁊ dusten as a pilche clut · Euch toward oþere · ⁊ wid helle sweordes asnesen þurh ut þat beod kene ⁊ eateliche keorwinde pinen.

Þe slawe lið ⁊ slepeð o þe deofles bearm as his deore deorling · ⁊ te deouel leið his tutel dun to his eare · ⁊ tuteleð him al þ̵ he wule. for swa hit is sikerliche to hwam se is idel of god; meaðeleð þe feond ȝeorne · ⁊ te idele underueð luueliche his lare. Jdel ⁊ ȝemeles is þes deofleS bearnes slep · ah he schal o domesdei grimliche abreiden wið þe dredfule dream of þe englene bemen · ⁊ in helle wontreaðe echeliche wakieN. Surgite aiunt mortui surgite ⁊ uenite ad iudicium saluatoriS.

[Þ]E slauwe lid ⁊ sleped oþe deoules barm as his deore deorling · ⁊ þe deouel leid his tutel dun to his earen · ⁊ tutelid him al þat he eawer uule. for swa hit is sikerliche to hwam se is idel of god · Meaþeled þe feond georne. ⁊ þe idele underweng luueliche his lare · Idel ⁊ gemeles is þes deoueles bernes slep · Ah he shal a domes dai grimliche abreiden · wid þe dredfule drem of þe englene bemen · ⁊ in helle wondrede etheliche wakien · Surgite mortui qui jacetis in sepulcris · surgite ⁊ venite ad Judicium saluatoris.

Þe ȝiscere is his eskibah · feareð abuten esken · ⁊ bisiliche stureð him to rukelin to gederes muchele ⁊ monie ruken · blaweð þrin ⁊ blent him seolf · peaðereð ⁊ makeð þrin figures of augrim · as þes rikeneres doð þe habbeð muche to rikenin. Þis is al þe canges blisse ⁊ te feond bihalt tis gomen ⁊ laheð þ̵ he bersteð. Wel un derstont euch wis mon þ̵ gold ba ⁊ seoluer · ⁊ euch eorðlich ahte · nis bute eorðe ⁊ ahte esken þe ablendeð euch moN þe ham in blaweð · þ̵ is þe bolheð him þurh ham in heorte prude. Ant al þ̵ he rukeleð ⁊ gedereð to gederes · ⁊ ethalt of ei þing þ̵ nis bute esken mare þen hit neodeð; schal in helle wurðen him tadden ⁊ neddren · ⁊ ba as ysaie seið · schulen beon of wurmes; his cuuertur ⁊ his hwitel · þe nalde þerwið neodfule feden ne schruden. Subter te sternetur tinea ⁊ operimentum tuum uermiS.

[Þ]E gissere is his eskebah · fared abuten esken · ⁊ bisiliche stured him te rukelen te gederes · muchele ⁊ monie ruken · blawed þer in · ⁊ blend him seolf · paþered ⁊ maked þer in figures of augrim · As þeos rich`k´eneres dod þat habbed muche te rikenen. þis is þes kanges blisse · ⁊ þe feond bi hald þis gomen · ⁊ lahed þat he bersteð. wel under stonde þis euch mon · þat gold ba ⁊ seoluer · ⁊ euch worldlich ahte · nis buten eorðe ⁊ esken þat ablent euchmon þat in ham blaweð · þat is þat þat bolehed ham þurh ham in heorte prude. And al þat he rukeled ⁊ gedered to gedere · ⁊ ethalt of ani þing þat nis buten esken mare þen hit neodeð; shal in helle wurden him tadden ⁊ neddren · ⁊ ba as ysaie seið shulen beon of wurmes his cuuertur ⁊ his `þ´witel þat neolden war wið neodfule feden ⁊ shruden. Subter te sternetur tinea ⁊ operimentum tuum uermis.

Þe ȝiuere glutun is þe feondes manciple · ah he stikeð eauer iceler oðer icuchene · his heorte is i þe disscheS · his þoht al i þe neppes · his lif i þe tunne · his sawle i þe crohhe · Kimeð biuoren his lauerd bismuddet ⁊ bismulret · a disch in his an hond · a scale in his oðer. Meaðeleð mis wordes · wigleð as fordrunke mon þe haueð imunt to fallen · bihalt his greate wombe · ⁊ te deouel lahheð. Þeose þreatið þus godd þurh ysaie · Serui mei comedent ⁊ uos esurietis ⁊ c’. Mine men schulen eoten ⁊ ow schal eauer hungrin · ⁊ ȝe schule beon feorle world buten ende. Quantum glorificauit se ⁊ in deliciis fuit; tantum date illi tormentum ⁊ luctum · In apocalipsi · Contra unum poculum quod miscuit miscete ei duo. Ȝef þe kealche cuppe wallinde bres to drinken · Ȝeot in his wide þrote þ̵ he swelte inwið. aȝein an ȝef him twa. þullich is godes dom aȝein ȝiuere ⁊ druncwile iþe apocalipse.

[Þ]e giuere glutun is þes deoules manciple · Ah he stiked eauer iceler oþer icuche ne · his heorte is iþe dishes · his þoht al iþe nappes · his lif iþe tunne · his saule iþe crohhe · kimed bi woren his lauert bi smudded ⁊ bi smured · A dich in his an hond · A scale in his oþer · Meadeled mis wordes wigeled as for drunken · mon þat haued mint to fallen · bi halt his greate wombe. ⁊ þe deouel lahheð. þeos þreated þus god þurh ysaie · Serui mei commedent ⁊ uos esurietis ⁊ c’. Mine men shulen eoten · ⁊ ow shal eawer hungren · ⁊ ge shulen beon feondes fode world buten ende. Quantum gl[ori]ficauit se ⁊ in deliciis fuit; tantum date illi tormentum ⁊ luctum · Apocalipsis · Contra unum quod miscuit date illi duo · gef þen kelche cuppe wallinde bras te drinken · geot in his wide þrote · þat he swelte in wið. agein gef him twa. þullich is godes dom agein giwere ⁊ druncwile iþe apocalipse.

Ancrene Wisse (Parallel Texts) B. The Outer Rule

A (Corpus MS.)
A (Caius MS.)

B (Corpus MS.)
B (Cotton MSS.)

A (Parallel Texts)

(Corpus MS.)

(Cotton MS. Nero)

Ȝe mine leoue sustren bute ȝef neod ow driue ⁊ ower meistre hit reade · ne schulen habbe na beast bute cat ane. Ancre þe haueð ahte · þuncheð bet husewif ase Marthe wes · ne lihtliche ne mei ha nawt beo Marie marthe suster wið griðfullnesse of heorte. for þenne mot ha þenchen of þe kues foddre · of heorde monne hure · Olhnin þe heiward · wearien hwen he punt hire · ⁊ ȝelden þah þe hearmes. ladlich þing is hit wat crist hwen me makeð i tune man of ancre ahte. Nu þenne ȝef eani mot nedlunge habben hit · loki þ̵ hit namon ne eili ne ne hearmi · ne þ̵ hire þoht ne beo nawiht þron ifestnet. ancre ne ah to habben na þing þ̵ utward drahe hire heorte. Na chaffere ne driue ȝe · ancre þ̵ is chepilt · þ̵ is · buð forte sullen efter biȝete · ha chepeð hire sawle þe chapmon of helle. þing þah þ̵ ha wurcheð ha mei þurh hire meistres read; for hire neode sullen · hali men sumhwile liueden bi hare honden.

Ȝe mine leoue sustren *bute ȝef neod ow driue* ne schulen habben no best . bute kat one. ancre þet haueð eihte þuncheð bet husewif ase marthe was . þen ancre . ne none weis ne mei heo beon marie . *marthe suster * mid griðfulnesse of heorte. Vor þeonne mot heo þenchen of þe kues foddre and of heordemonne huire . oluhnen þene heiward . warien hwon me punt hire ⁊ ȝelden þauh ðe hermes. wat crist þis is lodlich þing . hwon me makeð mone in tune of ancre eihte. Þauh ȝif eni mot nede habben ku : loke ðet heo none monne ne eilie : ne ne hermie . ne þet hire þouht ne beo nout þeron i uestned. ancre ne ouh nout to habben no þing þet drawe utward hire heorte. none cheffare ne driue ȝe. ancre þet is cheapild .* þe buð for te sullen efter biȝete * heo cheapeð hire soule : þe chepmon of helle. *Þing þah þ̵ ha wurcheð; ha mei wel þurh hire meistres read; for hire neode sullen. þah swa dernliche as ha mei for misliche monne wordes.*

Nawt deore dehtren ne wite ȝe in ower hus of oðer monne þinges · ne ahte ne claðes · ne boistes · ne chartres · Scoren ne cyrograffes · ne þe chirch uestemenz · ne þe calices · bute neode oðer strengðe hit makie; oðer muchel eie. Of swuch witunge is muchel vuel ilumpen ofte siðen. IN wið ower wanes ne leote ȝe namon slepeN · Ȝef muchel neod mid alle makeð breoken ower hus · hwil hit eauer is ibroken · habbeð þrinne wið ow a wummon of cleane lif deies ant nihteS.

Ne wite ȝe nout in oure huse of oðer monnes þinges . ne eihte . ne cloðes . ne nout ne vnderuo ȝe ðe chirche uestimenz ne þene caliz bute ȝif * neod oðer* strencðe hit makie : oðer muchel eie. vor of swuche witunge is i kumen muchel `vuel´ oftesiðen. wiðinnen ower woanes : ne lete ȝe nenne mon slepen. ȝif muchel neode mid alle makeð breken ower hus : þeo hwule ðet hit euer is i broken : loke þet ȝe habben þerine mid ou one wummon of clene liue . deies ⁊ nihtes.

For þi þ̵ wepmen ne seoð ow ne ȝe ham · wel mei don of ower clað beo hit hwit beo hit blac bute hit beo unorne · warm ⁊ wel iwraht · felles wel itawet · ⁊ habbeð ase monie as ow to neodeð to bedde ⁊ to rugge.

Uor ði þet no mon ne i sihð ou . ne ȝe ne i seoð nenne mon : wel mei don of ower cloðes . beon heo hwite : beon heo blake. bute þet heo beon unorne ⁊ warme ⁊ wel i wrouhte. uelles wel i tauwed. ⁊ habbeð ase monie ase ou to neodeð . to bedde and eke to rugge.

Nest flesch ne schal nan werien linnene clað bute hit beo of hearde ⁊ of greate heorden. Stamin habbe hwa se wule · hwa se wule beo buten. Ȝe schulen in an hetter ant igurd liggen · swa leoðeliche þah þ̵ ȝe mahen honden put ten þer under. Nest lich nan ne gurde hire wið na cunne gurdles : bute þurh schriftes leaue. Ne beore nan irn ne here · ne ilespiles felles · ne ne beate hire þer wið; ne wið scurge i leadet · wið holin ne wið breres · ne biblodgi hire seolf; wið ute schriftes leaue · nohwer ne binetli hire · ne ne beate bi uoren · ne na keoruunge ne keorue · ne ne neome ed eanes to luðere disceplines · temptaciuns forte acwenchen · ne for na bote aȝein cundeliche secnesses · nan uncundelich lechecreft ne leue ȝe ne ne fondin · wið uten ower meistres read; leste ow stonde wurse.

Nexst fleshe ne schal non werien no linnene cloð bute ȝif hit beo of herde and of greate heorden. stamin `habbe´ hwo se wule. and hwo se wule mei beon buten. ȝe schullen liggen in on heater and i gurd. ne bere ȝe non iren . ne here . ne irspiles felles. ne ne beate`ou´þer mide. ne mid schurge i leðered : ne i leaded. ne mid holie . ne mid breres . ne ne biblodge hire sulf : wið uten schriftes leaue . ne ne nime et enes to ueole disceplines.

Ower schon i winter beon meoke · greate ⁊ warme. I sumer ȝe habbeð leaue bearuot gan ⁊ sitten ⁊ lihte scheos werieN · Hosen wið ute vampez; ligge in hwa se likeð · Ischeoed ne slepe ȝe nawt · ne noh wer bute i bedde. Sum wummon inohreaðe wereð þe brech of here ful wel icnottet · þe streapeles dun to þe vet ilacet ful feaste · ah eauer is best þe swete ⁊ te swote heorte. Me is leouere þ̵ ȝe þolien wel an heard word; þen an heard here. Ȝef ȝe muhen beo wimpelles ⁊ ȝe wel wullen; beoð bi warme cappen · ⁊ þer uppon hwite oðer blake veiles. Ancren summe sungið in hare wimplunge; na leasse þen leafdis. Ah þah seið sum þ̵ hit limpeð to euch wummon cundeliche forte werien wimpel · Nai · wimpel ne heaued clað nowðer ne nempneð hali writ; ah wriheles ane ·

ower schon beon greate and warme. Ine sumer ȝe habbeð leaue uorto gon and sitten baruot. and hosen wið uten uaumpez . and ligge ine ham : hwo so likeð. Sum wumon i nouh reaðe . wereð þe brech of heare fulwel i knotted . and þe strapeles adun to hire uet. i laced ful ueste. ȝif ȝe muwen beon wimpel leas : *⁊ ȝe wel wullen* beoð bi warme keppen . and þeruppon *oðer hwite oðer* blake ueiles. *Ancren summe sungið in ha[re] wimlunge na lesse þene lefdị Sum seið þ̵ hit limped . to e[i] wummon cundeliche; for te weri[en] wimpel. Nai . Wimpel ne hef[ed] nouðer ne nemneð hali writ; ah wriheles of heuet.

Ad corinthios · Mulier uelet caput suum · Wummon seið þe apostle schal wreon hire heaued. wrihen he seið nawt wimpliN. wrihen ha schal hire scheome · as eue sunfule dohteR · i mungunge of þe sunne þ̵ schende us on earst alle · ant nawt drahe þe wriheles to tiffunge ⁊ to prude ·

Ad cor[inth.] Mulier uelet caput suum. Wummon seið þe apostel schal wrihen hi[re] heauet. wrihen he seið naut wimplin. wrihen ha schal hire scheome as sunfule eue dohte[r;] i mungunge of þe sunne þ̵ sch[en]de us erst alle ⁊ naut drah[en] þ̵ wriheles te tiffung ⁊ te pru[e].

Eft wule þe apostle þ̵ wummon wreo i chirche hire neb ȝetten · leste uuel þoht arise þurh hire onsihðe · Et hoc est propter angelos. hwi þenne þu chirch ancre iwimplet openest þi neb to wepmonnes ehe; toȝeines þe sist men; spekeð þe apostle · ȝef þu þe ne hudest. ah ȝef þ̵ ei þing wriheð þi neb from monnes ehe · beo hit wah beo hit clað · i wel i rund windowe · wel mei duhen ancre of oðer wimplunge. Toȝeines þe þe þus ne dest; spekeð þe apostle nawt toȝeines oþre · þ̵ hare ahne wah wriheð wið euch monnes sihðe. þer awakenið ofte wake þohtes of · ⁊ werkes oðerhwileS. Hwa se wule beon isehen; þah ha atiffi hire nis nawt muche wunder; ah to godes ehnen ha is lufsumre; þe is for þe luue of him; untiffet wið uteN.

Eft wule seinte pauel þ̵ wumm[on] wreo i chirche hire neb ȝette leste vuel þoht arise þurh hir[e] on sihðe ⁊ hoc est · propter ang[e]los. Hwi þenne þu chirche ancre al beo þu iwimplet; openest þah þi neb to weopmones ehe . Te ȝeines þe. þe isist men spekeð seinte pauel. Ah ȝef ei þing wriheð; þi neb from monnes ehe; beo hit wah beo hit clað i þi parlures þurl; wel mei duhen ancre of oðer wimlunge.* Hwo se wule beon i seien . þauh heo atiffe hire; nis nout muchel wunder . auh to godes eien . heo is lufsumere þet is uor ðe luue of him; untiffed wið uten.

Ring ne broche ne habbe ȝe · ne gurdel imembret · ne glouen ne nan swuch þing þ̵ ow ne deh to habben. A meoke surpliz ȝe mahen in hat sumer werien.

Ring . ne broche nabbe ȝe . ne gurdel i membred . ne glouen . ne no swuch þing þet ou . ne deih for to habben. *vnderstondeð . þ̵ of alle þeose þinges nis nan hest ne forbot for alle ha beoð of þe vttere riwle þ̵ is lute strencðe of; for hwon þ̵ te inre beo wel iwist as ic seide i þe frumðe . ha mei beon ichanget hwer se euer ei neod oder eni skile hit askeð . efter þ̵ ha mei ase þuften . best seruin þe leafdi riwle.*

Eauer me is leouere se ȝe doð greattre werkes. Ne makie ȝe nane purses forte freondin ow wið · bute to þeo þ̵ ower meistre ȝeueð ow his leaue · ne huue ne blod binde of seolc · ne laz buten leaue · Ah schapieð ⁊ seowið ⁊ mendið chirche claðes · ⁊ poure monne hettren. na swuch þing ne schule ȝe ȝeouen wið uteN schriftes leaue · namare þen neomen ·

E uer me is leouere . so ȝe don gretture werkes. ne makie none purses . uorte ureonden ou mide .* bute to þeo þ̵ ower meistre ȝeoueð ow his leaue*; ne blodbendes of seolke .* ne laz . bute leaue*; auh schepieð and seouweð and amendeð chirche cloðes . and poure monne cloðes. no þing ne schule ȝe ȝiuen : wið uten schriftes leaue.

þ̵ ȝe ne seggen him fore; as of oðre þinges · kun oðer cuððe · hu ofte ȝe under uengen · hulonge ȝe edheolden. tendre of cunne limpeð nawt ancre beonne. A mon wes of religiun · ⁊ com to him efter help his fleschliche broðer · ⁊ he tahte him to his þridde breðer · þe wes dead biburiet. Þe ondswerede wundrinde · Nai quoð he nis he dead? ant ich quoð þe hali mon am dead gasteliche. Na fleschlich freond ne easki me fleschlich froure. Amices ⁊ parures · worldliche leafdis mahen inoh wurchen · ant ȝef ȝe ham makieð; ne makie ȝe þrof na mustreisun · veine gloire attreð alle gode þeawes · ⁊ alle gode werkes. Criblin ne schal nan of ow for luue ne for hure. Taueles ne forbeode ich nawt. Ȝef sum riueð surpliz oðeR measse kemese; oþre riuunges ne riue ha nawt nomeliche oueregede · bute for muche neode.

Helpeð ow wið ower ahne swinc se forð se ȝe eauer mahen to schriden ow seoluen ⁊ feden ȝef neod is · ⁊ þeo þe ow seruið.

helpeð mid ower owune swinke so uorð so ȝe muwen to schruden ou suluen and *feden ȝef neod is* þeo ðet ou serueð .

As sein Jerome leareð · ne beo ȝe neauer longe ne lihtliche of sum þing allunges idel · for anan rihtes þe feond beot hire his werc þe i godes werc ne swinkeð · ⁊ tuteleð anan toward hire. foR hwil he sið hire bisi; he þencheð þus · for nawt ich schulde nu cume neh hire; ne mei ha nawt iȝemen to lustni mi lare. Of idelnesse awakeneð muchel flesches fondunge. Iniquitas Sodome; saturitas panis ⁊ ocium · þ̵ is · SodomeS cwedschipe com of idelnesse ⁊ of ful wombe. Irn þ̵ lið stille gedereð sone rust · weater þe ne stureð nawt; readliche stinkeð.

ase seint ierome lereð : ne beo ȝe neuer idel . uor anonrihtes ðe ueond beot hire his werc : þet ine godes werke ne wurcheð . and he tuteleð anonrihtes touward hire. uor þeo hwule þet he isihð hire bisi . `he´ þencheð þus . vor nout ich schulde nu kumen neih hire; ne mei heo nout i hwulen uorto her`c´nen mine lore. of idelnesse awakeneð muchel flesshes fondunge . Iniquitas sodome . saturitas panis ⁊ ocium. þet is. al sodomes cweadschipe kom of idelnesse : ⁊ of ful wombe. Iren þet lið stille; gedereð sone rust . and water þet ne stureð nout readliche stinkeð.

Ancre ne schal nawt forwurðe scolmeistre · ne turnen ancre husto childrene scole · hire meiden mei learen sum oðer meiden · þ̵ were pliht of to leornin amonge wepmen · oðer bimong gromes. ah ancre ne ah to ȝemen bute godd ane · þah bi hire meistres read ha mei sum rihten ⁊ helpen to learen.

ancre ne schal nout forwurðen scolme`i´stre : ne turnen hire ancre hus; to childrene scole. hire meiden mei þauh techen sum lutel meiden. þet were dute of forto leornen among gromes . auh ancre ne ouh forto ȝemen bute god one. *þah bi hire meistres read; ha mei sum rihten ⁊ helpe te leren.*

Ȝe ne schulen senden leattres · ne underuon leattres · ne writen bute leaue. Ȝe schulen beon i doddet · oðer ȝef ȝe wulleð ischauen fowr siðen i þe ȝer · to lihtin ower heaued · beo bi þe her ieueset; hwa se swa is leouere · ant as ofte ileten blod ⁊ ȝef neod iS; oftre · Þe mei beo þer buten; ich hit mei wel þolien. Hwen ȝe beoð ilete blod; ȝe ne schule don na þing þe þreo dahes þ̵ ow greueð · ah talkið to ower meidnes · ⁊ wið þeawfule talen schurteð ow to gederes. Ȝe maheN swa don ofte hwen ow þuncheð heuie; oðer beoð for sum worltlich þing sare oðer seke · þah euch worltlich froure is unwurðe to ancre.

Ȝ e ne schulen senden lettres . ne underuon lettres . ne writen : buten leaue. ȝe schulen beon i dodded four siðen iðe ȝere : uorto lihten ower heaued. *oðer ȝef ȝe wulled ischauen. hwa se wule ieveset. ah ha mot te oftere weschen ⁊ kemben hire heauet*; and ase ofte ileten blod . and oftere ȝif neod is . and hwo so mei beon þer wið uten; ich hit mei wel i þolien. hwon ȝe beoð i leten blod . ȝe ne schulen don no þing þeo þreo dawes; þet ou greue . auh talkeð mid ower meidenes. and mid þeaufule talen : schurteð ou to gederes. ȝe muwen don so ofte : hwon ou þuncheð heuie . oðer beoð uor sume worldliche þinge sorie : oðer seke.

Swa wisliche witeð ow in ower blodletunge; ⁊ haldeð ow i swuch reste; þ̵ ȝe longe þrefter mahen i godes seruise þe monluker swinken · ant alswa hwen ȝe feleð eani secnesse. Muchel sotschipe hit is leosen for an dei; tene oðer tweolue. Vesscheð ow hwer se neod is as ofte as ȝe wulleð ·

So wisliche witeð ou in our blod letunge : and holdeð ou ine swuche reste . þet ȝe longe þer efter muwen ine godes seruise þe monluker swinken . and also hwon ȝe i ueleð eni secnesse. vor muchel sotschipe hit is. uorto uorleosen uor one deie. tene oðer tweolue. Wassheð ou hwar se ȝe habbeð neode : ase ofte ase ȝe wulleð.

⁊ ower oþre þinges. Nes neauer fulðe godd leof · þah pouerte ⁊ unorneschipe beon him licwurðe. VNderstondeð eauer of alle þeose þinges · þ̵ nan nis heast ne forbod þ̵ beoð of þe uttre riwle · þet is lute strengðe of. for hwon þ̵ te inre beo wel iwist as ich seide i þe frumðe · þeos mei beon ichanget hwer se eani neod oðer eani skile hit easkeð · efter þ̵ ha best mei þe leafdi riwle seruin as hire eadmode þuften · ah sikerliche wið uten hire þe leafdi feareð to wundre.

Ancre þe naueð nawt neh honde hire fode; beoð bisie twa wummen. An eauer þe leaue ed hame; an oþer þe wende ut · hwenne driueð neod · ⁊ þeo beo ful unorne wið uten euch tiffunge · oðer a lutel þuftene; oðer of feier ealde. Bi þe wei as ha geað; ga singinde hire beoden · ne ne halde na tale wið mon ne wið wummon · ne sitte ne ne stonde · bute þ̵ leaste þet ha eauer mei ear þen ha ham cume. Nohwider elles ne ga heo bute þider as me send hire · wið ute leaue · ne ne eote ha ne ne drinke ute · Þe oþer beo eauer inne · ne wið ute þe ȝeten : ne ga wið ute leaue.

Ancre þet naueð nout neih honde hire uode : beoð bisie two wummen . on ðet bi leaue euer ethom . an oðer þet wende ut hwon hit is neod . and þeo beo ful unorne *oðer a lute þuhten* oðer of feir elde and biðe weie ase heo geð . go singinde hire beoden . ne ne holde heo nout none tale mid mon ne mid wummon . ne ne sitte ne ne stonde bute þet leste þet heo mei er þen heo kume hom. nouhwuder elles ne go heo; bute þider ase me sent hire. wið ute leaue : ne ete heo ne ne drinke ute. þe oðer beo euer inne . ne wið ute þe ȝeate ne go heo nout wið ute leaue.

Ba beon obedient to hare dame in alle þing · bute i sunne ane · na þing nabben þet heo hit nute · ne underuo na þing · ne ne ȝeoue nowðer; wið uten hire leaue. Na mon ne leote ȝe in · ne þe ȝungre ne speoke wið namon bute leaue · ne ga ha nawt ut of tune : wið uten siker fere · ȝef hit swa mei beon; ne ne ligge ute. ȝef heo ne con oboke; segge bi pater nostres · ant bi auez hire ures · ⁊ wurche þ̵ me hat hire wið ute gruchunge. habbe eauer hire earen opene toward hire dame. Nowðer of þe wummen ne beore from hare dame · ne ne bringe to hire nane idele talen; ne neowe tidinges · ne bitweonen ham seolf; ne singen ne ne speoken na ne worldliche spechen · ne lahhen swa ne pleien; þet ei mon þ̵ hit sehe; mahte hit to uuel turnen.

boðe beon obedient to hore dame in alle þinges; bute ine sūnne one. no þing nabben heo; þet hore dame hit nute . ne ne underuon no þing . ne ne ȝiuen wið uten hire leaue. Nenne mon ne leten heo in . ne ðe ȝungre ne speke mid none monne : bute leaue . ne ne go nout ut of tune . wið uten siker uere . ne ne ligge ute. ȝif heo ne con o boke : sigge bi pater nostres and bi auez hire vres . and wurche þet me hat hire wið uten grucchunge. habbe euer hire earen opene touward hire dame. nouðer of ðe wummen ne beren urom hore dame . ne ne bringen to hire . none idele talen : ne neowe tiþinges . ne bitweonen ham sulf ne singen . ne ne speken none worldliche spechen . ne lauhwen ne ne pleien so ðet ei mon þet hit iseie . muhte hit to v`u´el turnen.

Ouer alle þinges leasunges ⁊ luðere wordes heatien. hare her beo icoruen · hare heaued clað sitte lahe · eiðer ligge ane. Hare cop beo hehe isticchet · ⁊ bute broche. na mon ne seo ham unleppet ne open heaued. lah locunge habben.

ouer alle þing leasunge and luðere wordes . hatien. Hore her beo i koruen . hore heuedcloð sitte lowe. eiðer ligge one. Hore hesmel beo heie istihd; al wið ute broche. no mon ne i seo ham unweawed . ne open heaued. *Inwið þe wanes ha muhe werie scapeloris hwen mantel ham heuegeð . ute; gan i mantlet þe heauet i hudeket.* louh lokunge habben.

Heo ne schulen cussen na mon · ne cuðmon ne cunnes mon · ne for na cuððe cluppen · ne weschen hare heaued · ne lokin feaste o na mon; ne toggin wið ne pleien. Hare weden beon of swuch schape · ⁊ al hare aturn swuch; þet hit beo edscene hwerto ha beoð iturnde. Hare lates lokin warliche · þ̵ nan ne mahe edwiten ham; in hus ne ut of hus.

heo ne schulen cussen nenne mon .* ne cuð mon ne cunes mon . ne for nan cuððe cluppen* ne uor luue cluppen . ne kuð ne unkuð . ne wasshen hore heaued . ne loken ueste o none monne . ne toggen mid him; ne pleien. hore weaden beon of swuche scheape ⁊ alle hore aturn swuch; þet hit beo eðcene hwarto heo beoð i turnde. hore lates loken warliche . þet non ne edwite ham ne ine huse ne ut of huse.

On alle wise forbeoren to wreaðen hare dame · ⁊ as ofte as heo hit doð; ear ha drinken oþer eoten; makien hare venie · o cneon dun biuoren hire ⁊ seggen · mea culpa · ⁊ underuon þe penitence þ̵ ha leið up on hire lutinde hire lahe. Þe ancre þrefter neauer mare þ̵ ilke gult ne upbreide for na wreaððe · bute ȝef ha eft sone falle i þ̵ ilke · ah do hit allunge ut of hire heorte. Ȝef ei strif ariseð bitweone þe wummen; þe ancre makie eiðer to makien oþer venie o cneon to þer eorðe · ⁊ eiðer rihte up oþer; ⁊ cussen on ende · ant te ancre legge on eiðer; sum penitence ·

on alle wise uorberen to wreððen hore dame . and ase ofte ase heo hit doð er heo drinken oðer eten . makien hore uenie akneon adun to þer eorðe biuoren hire : ⁊ sigge mea culpa . and underuon ðe penitence : ðet heo leið upon hire lutende hire louwe. þe ancre neuer more þer efter þene ilke gult ne upb[r]eide hire : uor none wreððe . bute ȝif heo eft sone ualle iðet ilke . auh do hit allunge ut of hire heorte. and ȝif eni strif ariseð bitweonen ðe wummen; ðe ancre makie eiðer of ham to makien oðer venie akneon to ðer eorðe . and eiðer rihte up oðer : ⁊ kussen ham on ende . and þe ancre legge on eiðer sum penitence.

mare up o þe ilke þe greatluker gulte. Þis is a þing witen ha wel þ̵ is gode leouest; Sahtnesse ⁊ some · ⁊ te feond laðest · for þi he is eauer umben to arearen sum leaððe. Nu sið þe sweoke wel · þ̵ hwen fur is wel o brune; ⁊ me wule þ̵ hit aga; me sundreð þe brondes · ⁊ he deð nond þ̵ ilke. luue is ihesu cristes fur · þ̵ he wule þ̵ bleasie aa i þin heorte · ant te deouel blaweð forte puffen hit ut. Hwen his blawunge ne geineð nawt · he bringeð up sum uuel word · oðer sum oþer nohtunge · hwer þurh ha to hurten eiðer frommard oþer · ⁊ te hali gastes fuR cwencheð hwen þe brondes þurh wreaððe beoð isundret. forþi halden ham i luue feaste to gederes ·

More upon þeo ilke : ðet gretluker haueð agult. þis is o þing wute `ȝe´ wel to soðe ðet is gode leouest; seih[t]nesse ⁊ some. ⁊ þe ueonde loðest. and for þi he is euer umbe to arearen sume wreððe. nu isihð ðe deouel wel ðet hwon þet fur is wel o brune . ⁊ me wule ðet hit go ut : me sundreð ðe brondes . and he deð `also´ onond þet ilke. luue is ihesu cristes fur þet he wule ðet blasie in vre heorte . and þe deouel bloweð forto puffen hit ut . and hwon his blowinge ne geineð nout : þeonne bringeð he up sum luðer word . oðer sum oþer nouhtunge : hwar þuruh heo to hurteð eiðer urommard oðer; and þe holi gostes fur; acwencheð hwon ðe brondes þuruh wreððe; beoð i sundred. and for þi holden ham ine luue ueste to gederes .

Ant ne beo ham nawt of hwen þe feond blawe · nomeliche ȝef monie beon iueietsomet; ⁊ wel wið luue ontende. Þah þe ancre on hire meidnes for openliche gultes legge penitence; to þe preost noðeleater schriuen ham hwen neod is · ah eauer þah wið leaue. Ȝef ha ne cunnen nawt þe mete graceS · seggen in hare stude; pater noster biuoren; ⁊ aue Maria · ⁊ efter mete alswa · ant a Credo mare · ⁊ segge þus on ende · feader · Sune · hali gast al mihti godd · ȝeoue ure dame his grace · se lengre se mare · ⁊ leue hire ⁊ us ba neomen god ende · for ȝelde alle þe us god doð · ⁊ milci hare sawle þe us god idon habbeð · hare sawle ⁊ alle cristene sawleS.

and ne beo ham nout of; hwon ðe ueond blowe . and nomeliche ȝif monie beoð i ueied somed; and wel mid luue ontende. Þauh ðe ancre on hire meidenes uor openliche gultes . legge penitence neuer ðe later to ðe preoste schriuen ham ofte . auh euer þauh mid leaue. and ȝif heo ne kunnen nout ðe mete graces : siggen in hore stude; pater . noster . ⁊ aue maria biuoren mete . and efter mete also . ⁊ credo moare . and siggen þus on ende . veder ⁊ sune ⁊ holi gost . ⁊ on almihti god; he ȝiue ure dame his grace; so lengre so more . ⁊ leue hire ⁊ us boðe nimen god endinge . ⁊ forȝelde alle ðet us god doð . ⁊ milce hore soulen : þet us god i don habbeð . hore soulen ⁊ alle cristene soulen. amen.

Bitweone mel ne gruchesi ȝe nawt · nowðer frut ne oðerhwet; ne drinken bute leaue . ⁊ te leaue beo liht in al þ̵ nis sunne. Ed te mete na word · oðer lut; ⁊ teo stille. Alswa efter þe ancre complie · aþet prime · ne don na þing ne seggen; hweR þurh hire silence mahe beon isturbet. Nan ancre seruant ne ahte bi rihte to easkin iset hure · bute mete ⁊ hure þ̵ ha mei flutte bi; ant godes milce. Ne mis leue nan godd; hwet se tide of þe ancre · þ̵ he hire trukie. þe meidnes wið uten ȝef ha seruið þe ancre alswa as ha ahen · hare hure schal beon þe hehe blisse of heouene. Hwa se haueð ehe of hope toward se heh bure; gleadliche wule ha seruui ⁊ lihtliche alle wa · ⁊ alle teone þolien. wið eise ⁊ wið este ne buð me nawt bliSSe.

Bitweonen mele ne gruselie ȝe nout . nouðer frut; `ne´ oðerhwat . ne `ne´ drinken wið uten leaue . auh þe leaue beo liht in alle þeo þinges; þer nis sunne. Ette mete no word . oðer lut . ⁊ þeo beon stille. also efter ðe ancre cumplie uort midmorwen . ne don no þing . ne ne siggen . hwar þuruh hire silence muwe beon i sturbed. non ancre seruant ne ouhte mid rihte uorto asken i sette huire; bute mete ⁊ cloð : þet heo mei vlutten bi . ⁊ godes milce. ne mis leue non god; hwat so bitide of ðe ancre : þet he hire trukie. Þe meidenes wið uten ȝif heo serueð ðe ancre also ase heo owen; hore hure schal beon ðe eche blisse of heouene. hwo so haueð eie hope touward so heie hure : gledliche wule heo seruen ⁊ lihtliche alle wo and alle teone þolien. Mid eise ne mid este; ne kumeð me nout toþer heouene.

Ȝe ancres ahen þis leaste stucche reden to ower wummen euche wike eanes · aþet ha hit cunnen. Ant muche neod is þ̵ ȝe neomen to ham muche ȝeme · for ȝe mahen muchel beon þurh ham i godet · ⁊ iwurset. On oðer half ȝef þet ha sungið þurh ower ȝemeles; ȝe schule beo bicleopet þrof biuore þe hehe deme · ⁊ for þi as ow is muche neod · ⁊ ham ȝet mare; ȝeornliche leareð ham to halden hare riwle · ba for ow ⁊ for ham seolf; liðeliche ⁊ luueliche · for swuch ah wummone lare to beonne · luuelich ⁊ liðe · ⁊ selthwenne sturne.

Ȝ e ancren owen þis lutle laste stucchen reden to our wummen eueriche wike enes uort ðet heo hit kunnen. and muche neod is ou beoðe : ðet ȝe nimen to ham gode ȝeme . vor ȝe muwen muchel þuruh ham beon i goded. and i wursed on oðer halue. ȝif heo sunegeð þuruh ower ȝemeleaste; ȝe schulen beon bicleoped þer of biuoren þe heie demare . and for þi ase ou is muche neod . ⁊ ham is ȝete more; ȝeorneliche techeð ham to holden hore riulen . boðe uor ou : ⁊ for ham suluen . liðeliche þauh ⁊ luueliche; uor swuch ouh wummone lore to beon . luuelich and liðe and seldwhonne sturne.

Ba is riht þ̵ ha ow dreden ⁊ luuien · ant þah þ̵ ter beo eauer mare of luue; þen of drede · þenne schal hit wel fearen · Me schal healden eoli ⁊ win ba i wunden efter godes lare · ah mare of softe eoli; þen of bitinde win . þ̵ is Mare of liðe wordes; þen of suhinde · for þer of kimeð þinge best; þ̵ is luue eie. lihtliche ⁊ sweteliche foRȝeoued ham hare gultes · hwen ha ham icnaweð ⁊ bihateð bote.

Boðe hit is riht þet heo ou dreden ⁊ luuien . auh þet ðer beo . more euer of luue : þen of drede. þeonne schal hit wel uaren. Me schal helden eoli and win beoðe i ne wunden, efter godere lore . auh more of þe softe eolie; þen of þe bitinde wine . þet is . more of liðe wordes : þen of suwinde . vor þerof kumeð þinge best; þet is luue eie. lihtliche ⁊ sweteliche uorȝiueð ham hore gultes : hwon heo ham iknoweð and bihoteð bote.

Ase forð as ȝe mahen of mete ⁊ of claðes · ⁊ of oþre þinges þet neode of flesch easkeð; beoð large toward ham; þah ȝe nearowe beon ⁊ hearde to ow seoluen. Swa deð þe wel blaweð; went te nearewe of þe horn to his ahne muð; ant utward þ̵ wide. Ant ȝe don alswa as ȝe wulleð þ̵ ower beoden bemin wel ⁊ dremen; i drihtines earen · nawt ane to ower ahnes; ah to alle folkes heale · as ure lauerd leue þurh þe grace of him seolf þ̵ hit swa mote ameN.

S e uorð ase ȝe muwen of drunch and of mete and of cloð and of oðer þinges þet neode of fleshe askeð : beoð large touward ham : þauh ȝe ðe neruwure beon and te herdure to ou suluen . vor so deð þe wel bloweð . went þene neruwure ende of þe horne to his owune muðe . ⁊ utward þene wide. and ȝe don also . ase ȝe wulleð þet ower beoden bemen ⁊ dreamen wel : ine drihtenes earen . and nout one to ower ones; auh to alle uolkes heale . ase ure louerd leue þuruh ðe grace of himsulf . þet hit so mote beon. amen.

Hwen ower sustres meidnes cumeð to ow to froure; cumeð to ham to þe þurl; earunder ⁊ ouerunder · eanes oðer twien · ⁊ gað aȝein sone; to ower note gastelich · ne biuore Complie ne sitte ȝe nawt for ham ouer riht time · swa þ̵ hare cume beo na lure of ower religiun; ah gastelich biȝete. ȝef þer is eani word iseid þ̵ mahte hurten heorte; ne beo hit nawt iboren ut; ne ibroht to oþer ancre; þ̵ is eð hurte. To him hit schal beon iseid; þe lokeð ham alle. Twa niht is inoh þ̵ ei beo edhalden · ant þ̵ beo ful seldene · ne for heom ne breoke silence ed te mete; ne for blodletunge · bute ȝef sum muche god oðer neod hit makie. Þe ancre ne hire meiden ne plohien `nane´ worldliche gomenes ed te þurle · ne ne ticki to gederes · foR ase seið seint Beornard. vnwurðe þing is to euch gastelich mon · ⁊ nomeliche to ancre; euch swuch fleschlich froure · ⁊ hit binimeð gastelich þ̵ is wið ute met utnume murhðe · ⁊ þ̵ is uuel change as is iseid þruppe.

O f þis boc redeð hwen ȝe beoð eise euche dei; leasse oðer mare. Jch hopie þ̵ hit schal beon ow ȝef ȝe hit redeð ofte; swiðe biheue; þurh godes muchele grace · elles ich hefde uuele bitohe mi muchele hwile. Me were leouere godd hit wite do me toward rome; þen forte biginnen hit eft forte donne. Ȝef ȝe findeð þ̵ ȝe doð alswa as ȝe redeð; þonckið godd ȝeorne · ȝef ȝe ne doð nawt; biddeð godes are · ⁊ beoð umben þeronuuen þ̵ ȝe hit bet halden efter ower mihte.

O þisse boc redeð eueriche deie : hwon ȝe beoð eise . eueriche deie lesse oðer more. uor ich hopie þet hit schal beon ou ȝif ȝe hit redeð ofte : swuðe biheue þuruh godes grace . and elles ich heuede vuele bitowen muchel of mine hwule. God hit wot me were leouere uorto don me touward rome; þen uorto biginnen hit eft forto donne. and ȝif ȝe iuindeð þet ȝe doð also ase ȝe redeð; þonkeð god ȝeorne . and ȝif ȝe ne doð nout; biddeð godes ore . and beoð umbe þer abuten : þet ȝe hit bet hol holden : efter ower mihte.

Feader · Sune · hali gast · an almihti godd wite ow in hiS warde · he gleadie ow ⁊ frouri ow mine leoue sustren · ant for al þ̵ ȝe for him dreheð ⁊ dreaieð · ne ȝeoue ow neauer leasse · þen al to gedere him seoluen · Beo he aa iheiet from world in to worlde aa on ecnesse · AMeN.

Veder and sune and holi gost . and on almihti god : he wite ou in his warde. he gledie ou and froure ou; mine leoue sustren. and for al þet ȝe uor him drieð and suffreð . he ne ȝiue ou neuer lesse huire þen alto gedere him suluen. he beo euer i heid from worlde to worlde . euer on ecchenesse. amen.

Ase ofte aS ȝe habbeð ired eawiht her on; greteð þe leafdi wið aN aue; for him þ̵ swonc her abuten · Jnoh meaðful ich am þe bidde se lutel · [¶] Explicit · Jþench o þi writere i þine beoden sum chearre; ne beo hit ne se lutel. Hit turneð þe to gode; þ̵ tu bidest for oþre.

ase ofte ase ȝe readeð out o þisse boc; greteð þe lefdi mid one aue marie uor him ðet makede þeos riwle . and for him þet hire wrot and swonc her abuten. Inouh meðful ich am; þet bidde so lutel.