II.
#B# VERSION.
1.
WILLIAM BILLYNG'S MS. c. 1400-1430 ?.
1 [1]Erth owte of erth is wondyrly wroght, Ffor erth hath geten of erth a nobul thyng of noght, Erthe uppon erthe hath set alle hys thoght How erthe uppon erthe may be hygh broght. 4
2 Erthe uppon erthe yet wolde be a kynge, But how erth shall to erth thynketh he nothyng; But when erth byddyth erth his dute hom bryng, Than shall erth fro erth have a peteus[2] partyng. 8
3 Erth wynnyth uppon erth both castellys and towris; Than sayth erth unto erth: 'This is alle owres'. But whan erth uppon erth hath byllyd all his bowrys, Thanne shalle erth for erth suffer sharpe showres. 12
4 Erth byldyth uppon erth as molde uppo{n} molde, And erth goth uppo{n} erth glyttryng alle gold, Lyke as erth unto erth neuer goe sholde; Ann justly tha[n][3] shalle erth go to erth rather þa{n}[4] he wolde. 16
5 Why man erth loveth erth wondyr me thynke, Or why that erth for erth swet wylle or swynke, Ffor whan erth uppon erth is broght w{i}t{h}i{n} þe[5] brynke, Than shal þe[6] erth of erth have a ryght fowle sty[n]ke[6]. 20
6 Memento[7] ho{mo} quod cinis es {e}t in cinere{m} reverteris. Ffac bene du{m} vivis, post morte[m][8] viv{er}e si vis. Wha{n} lyffe is most louyd and deth most hated, Than deth drawyth hys drawght and maketh ma{n} ful naked. 24
[Footnote 1: From Bateman's print (William Billyng, Five Wounds of Christ, Manchester, 1814).]
[Footnote 2: Bateman _petrus_.]
[Footnote 3: B. _tha_.]
[Footnote 4: B. _yã_.]
[Footnote 5: B. _w^{t}i y^e_.]
[Footnote 6: B. _y^e_; _styke_.]
[Footnote 7: B. _momento_.]
[Footnote 8: B. _morte_.]
2.
MS. THORNTON. c. 1440. [fol. 279.]
Memento homo Quod Sinis Es Et in cenerem Reuerteris.
1 [1]Erthe owte of erthe es wondirly wroghte, Erthe hase getyn one erthe a dignyte of noghte, Erthe appon{e} erthe hase sett alle his thoghte How þat erthe appon{e} erthe may be heghe broghte. 4
2 Erthe appon{e} erthe wolde be a kynge, Bot howe þ{a}t erthe to erthe sail thynkis he no thynge. When erthe bredis erthe & his rentis[2] home brynge, Thane schalle[3] erthe of erthe hafe full harde partynge. 8
3 Erthe appon{e} erthe wynnys castells and towrrys. Thane saise[4] erthe vnto erthe: 'This es alle owrris'. When erthe appo{ne} erthe hase bigged vp his bourris, Than schalle erthe for erthe suffire scharpe scowrrys[5]. 12
4 Erthe gose appon{e} erthe as golde appone golde, He that gose appon{e} erthe gleterande as golde, Lyke als erthe neu{er} more[6] goo to erthe scholde, And [gh]itt schal erthe vnto erthe [gh]a rathere þan he wolde. 16
5 Now why þ{a}t erthe luffis erthe wondire me thynke, Or why þ{a}t erthe for erthe scholde oþ{er} swete or swynke, For when þ{a}t erthe appon{e} erthe es broghte w{i}t{h}in brynke, Thane schalle erthe of erthe hafe a foulle stynke. 20
Mors Soluit Omnia.
[Footnote 1: Cf. G. G. Perry, Religious Poems in Prose and Verse (E.E.T.S. _No. xxvi. 1867, p. 95, 1889, p. 96_); C. Horstmann, Yorkshire Writers, _1. 373_.]
[Footnote 2: repeated in MS. _rentys_.]
[Footnote 3: Perry _sall_, MS., Horstmann _schalle_.]
[Footnote 4: perh. _sase_, MS. indistinct, Perry _thus sase_.]
[Footnote 5: perh. _stourrys_ as in Perry, but all other texts have _schowrys_.]
[Footnote 6: MS. _more_, Perry _mare_.]
3.
MS. SELDEN Supra 53. c. 1450. [fol. 159, v^o.]
1 [1]Erthe apon erthe ys wonderly wroth[2], Erthe apon erthe hath worschyp of nogth, Erthe apon erthe hath set[3] al hys thowth How erthe apon erth myth be hy browth. 4
2 Erthe apon erth wolde be a kyng{e}; How erth schal to þe erth thy[n]k[4] he no thyng{e}. Whan erth bydyth erth hys rent h[om]e[4] bryng{e}, Þan schal erth fro þe erth [haue][5] a delful partyng{e}[6]. 8
3 Erth apon erth wyn[nyth ca[7]]stellys {and} towrys; Þan seyth erth to þe erth: 'Þose beth al owrys'. Whan erth apon erth hath byggyt al hys bowrys[8], Þan schal erth for þe erth suffyr scharpe [s]chowrys[9]. 12
4 Lo erth apon erth consyder þ{o}u may Þ{a}t erth cometh owte of þ{e} erth nakyt alway. Þan how scholde erth apon erthe be prowt [or gay][10] Whan erth schal to þ{e} erth in so pore aray? 16
5 Erth goth on erth as molde doþe on molde, Erth goth on erth glydderande in golde, Lyk as erth to erth neuyre go scholde. [Gh]yt schal erth to þ{e} erth rathyr þan þey wolde. 20
6 I cowsayl erth apon erth þ{a}t wykytly hath wroht, Whyle erth ys apon erth to turne al hys tho[w]th[11]. Now pray we to God þ{a}t al erth wrowth, Þat erth owt of erth to blys myth be browth. 24
[Footnote 1: The poem is in a different hand on the last leaf of the MS., and the writing is much worn and stained, and in many cases barely legible. A few letters have been re-written in black ink by a later hand.]
[Footnote 2: _wroht_, cf. _nogth_, _thowth_, _browth_, and similar cases of _th_ for _ht_ in v. 6.]
[Footnote 3: MS. perhaps _iset_.]
[Footnote 4: MS. obscure.]
[Footnote 5: omitted in MS.]
[Footnote 6: _partyn_ re-written in black ink, _ge_ of the original hand still clear.]
[Footnote 7: MS. stained and illegible; portions of _nyth a_ seem to be visible.]
[Footnote 8: _bow_ in original hand, _rys_ re-written in black ink.]
[Footnote 9: The second hand has re-written _chowrys_ ignoring the _s_ which is no longer visible.]
[Footnote 10: _o_ and _y_ re-written, the rest illegible.]
[Footnote 11: _w_ no longer legible.]
4.
MS. EGERTON 1995. c. 1430-1450. [fol. 55, r^o.]
(William Gregory's Commonplace-Book.)
Memento homo q{uod} cinis es et in cinerem reuerteris. Whenne lyfe ys moste louyde, and dethe ys moste hatyde, Dethe drawythe hys draught{e}, and makythe man nakyde.
1 Erthe owte of þe erthe ys wounderly wrought{e}, 4 Erthe vppon erthe hathe sette hys thought{e} Howe erthe a-pon erthe may be hy brought{e}[1].
2 Erthe vppon erthe wolde be a kynge; Howe erthe shalle vnto erthe thynkythe he noo thynge. 8 Whenne erthe byddys erthe hys rentys home brynge, Thenne shalle erthe of the erthe haue a pytyus partynge.
3 Erthe a-pon erthe wynnys castellis and towrys; Thenne erthe saythe vnto[2] erthe: 'Thys ys alle owrys'. 12 Whenne erthe a-pon erthe hathe bylde vppe hys bourys, Thenne shalle erthe for the erthe suffer sharpe schowrys.
4 Erthe goythe a-pon erthe as molde a-pon molde; Erthe gothe a-pon erthe alle gleterynge in golde, 16 Lyke as erthe vnto erthe neuyr [go][3] scholde, And yet shalle erthe vnto erthe rathyr thenne he wolde.
5 Why erthe louythe erthe woundyr I thynke, Or why erthe for the erthe swete wylle or swynke, 20 Ffor whenne erthe a-pon erthe ys brought{e} w{i}t{h}yn brynke, Thenne shalle erthe of erthe haue a foule stynke.
6 Loo erthe a-pon erthe consyder þ{o}u may Howe erthe comythe to erthe nakyd alle day. 24 Why scholde erthe a-pon erthe goo stowte and gay, Syn erthe vnto erthe shalle pas in pore a-ray?
7 I consylle erthe a-pon erthe þ{a}t wyckydly hathe wrought{e}, Whyle erthe ys a-pon erthe to turne vppe hys thought{e}, 28 And pray to God a-pon erthe that alle the erthe hathe wrought{e}, [fol. 55, v^o.] That erthe owte of the erthe to blys may be brought.
Amen. Caue si vis.
[Footnote 1: The second line in omitted here and in No. 5, where a new line has been added.]
[Footnote 2: MS. _vnt_.]
[Footnote 3: Omitted in MS., but required by metre.]
5.
MS. HARLEIAN 1671. 15th century. [fol. 1*, r^o.]
1 Erthe apon erthe ys waxyne and wrought{e}, And erthe apon erthe hathe ysette all{e} hys thought{e} Howe that erth{e} apon erth{e} hye myght be brought{e}, But how that erth{e} scal to the erth{e} thyngketh{e} he noht{e}. 4
2 Erthe apon erth{e} wolde be a kyng, Butte how that erth{e} schal to erth{e} thynketh he no thynge, Ffor when erth{e} byddyth{e} erth{e} hys rente home[1] brynge, Than hath{e} erth{e} apon erth{e} heuy partyng. 8
3 Eerthe apon erth{e} wynnyth castells and touris, And erth{e} sayth{e} to the erth{e}: 'Thys ys all{e} ourys'. Wanne erth{e} apon erth{e} syttyth{e} wyth-in hys bovrys, Ye[gh]t schall{e} erth{e}[2] for the erthe suffre scharpe schourys. 12
4 Erth{e} goyth{e} on erth{e} as mowlde apon{ne} mowlde, And erth{e} goyth on erth{e} gletterant as golde, Like as erth{e} apon erth{e} neuer dye schoulde. [Gh]yt schall erth{e} to the erth{e} rather than he wolde. 16
5 Why that erth{e} louyth erth{e} wond{er} me thynke, Or why that erth{e} apon erth{e} swete or swynke, Ffor whan{ne} erth{e} apon erth{e} ys brought wyth-in the brynke, Than ys erth{e} apon erth{e} botte a fowle stynke. 20
6 Erth{e} apon erth{e} knoweth{e} eche day Howe erth{e} cometh to the erth{e} naked all{e} waye. Why schulde erth{e} apon erth{e} go stowte or gay, Syth erth{e} apon erth{e} schal passe in pore aray? 24
7 I cowncell{e} erth{e} apon erth{e} that wonderly hath wrought{e} Whyles that erth{e} ys apon erth{e} to turne all hys thought{e}, And y pray to God apon erth{e} that all{e} erth{e} hath wrought{e}, That erth{e} out of erth{e} to blysse may be brought{e}. Amen. 28
[3]Whanne lyf ys moste louyd, And dethe ys most hatyd, Dethe drawyth hys drawghte And maketh a man ful naked. 32 De t{er}ra plasmasti me.
[Footnote 1: MS. _hime_ crossed out, and _home_ written in same line.]
[Footnote 2: MS. _erht{e}_.]
[Footnote 3: written parallel with the poem in the right-hand column. A signature apparently follows, but is indecipherable.]
6.
MS. BRIGHTON. 15th century. [fol. 90, v^o.]
1 [1]Erthe oute of erthe is wondyrly wroghte, Erthe vpon erthe gete nobley of noughte, Erthe vpon erthe has sete all his thovghte How erthe vpon erthe may be hye brovghte. 4
2 Erthe vpon erthe wolde be a kynge, How erthe sall to erthe thenkys he nothyng, For whan erthe byddes erthe his rent home brynge, Þan sall erthe from erthe haf petus p{ar}tynge. 8
3 Erthe vpon erthe wynnes castells and tours; Than says erthe vnto erthe: 'This is all ovres'. But whan erthe opon erthe has bigged his borowes, Than sall erthe for the erthe sofur sharpe shovres. 12
4 Erthe gothe vpon erthe os movlde opon movlde, Erthe gothe opon erthe glyd{er}yng os golde, Lyke as erthe to erthe neu{er} go shulde. [Gh]yte shall erthe to erthe rather þan he wolde. 16
5 Why þ{a}t erthe loues erthe wond{er} me thynkes, Vr why þ{a}t erthe vpon erthe swetys or swynkes, Ffor whan erthe opon erthe is brente w{i}t{h}in þe brynkes, Þan sall erthe of the erthe hafe a foule stynke. 20
6 Lo erthe vpon erthe consider þou may How erthe comes into þe erthe nakyd all way. Why sulde erthe vpon erthe go stovte or gay, Sethen erthe oute of erthe sall passe in por aray? 24
7 I concell erthe opon erthe þ{a}t wykkydly has wrouthe, The whyle þ{a}t erthe is vpon erthe to turn vp his thouthe, And praye to God vpon erthe þat all the erthe wrouhte, Þ{a}t erthe oute of erthe to blys may be browthe. 28
[Footnote 1: Printed, by kind permission, from H. G. Fiedler's text (Mod. Lang. Review, _III. iii. 219_).]
7.
STRATFORD-ON-AVON INSCRIPTION. 15th century.
(Formerly in the Chapel of the Trinity.)
1 Erthe oute of erth ys wondurly wroght, Erth hath gotyn vppon erth a dygnyte of noght, Erth ypon erth hath sett[1] all hys thowht How erth apon erth may be hey browght. 4
2 Erth vpon erth wold be a kyng, But how that erth gott to erth he thyngkys[2] nothyng. When erth byddys erth hys rentys whom bryng, Then schall erth apon erth haue a hard p{ar}tyng[3]. 8
3 Erth apon erth wy{n}nys castellys and towrys; Then seth erth vnto erth: 'Thys ys all owrys'. When erth apon erth hath bylde hye[4] bowrys, Then schall erth for erth suffur many hard schowrys. 12
4 Erth goth apon erth as man apon mowld, Lyke as erth apon erth neu{er}[5] goo schold. Erth goth apon erth as glisteryng gold, And yet schall erth vnto erth rather then he wold. 16
5 Why that erth loueth erth wondur me thynke, Or why that erth wold for erth other swett or swynke. When erth apon erth ys broght w{ith}yn the brynke, Then schall erth apon erth have a fowll stynke. 20
6 Lo erth on erth, consedur thow may How erth co{m}myth to erth nakyd all way. Why schall erth apon erth goo stowte or gay, Seth erth out of erth schall passe yn poor aray? 24
7 I counsill erth apone erth that ys wondurly wrogt, The w{h}yll[6] þ{a}t erth ys apon erthe to torne hys thowht, And pray to God vpon erth þ{a}t all erth wroght, That all crystyn soullys to þe[7] blis may be broght. 28
[Footnote 1: Fisher (Facsimile of inscription) _seth_; Reeves (Mod. Lang. Notes, ix. 4, 203) _sett_.]
[Footnote 2: Reeves _thynkys_.]
[Footnote 3: Fisher, Reeves _ptyng_.]
[Footnote 4: Fisher _hye_, Reeves _hys_; cf. H. 4486 hath _bygged hy his bowres_.]
[Footnote 5: Fisher _neuu_.]
[Footnote 6: Fisher, Reeves _w^{h}yll_.]
[Footnote 7: Fisher _y_ for _y^e_.]
8.
MS. RAWLINSON C. 307. c. 1460. [fol. 2, r^o.]
Memento homo quod cinis es et in cinerem reuerteris.
1 Erthe opon erthe hath set all{e} his thoght How that erthe opon erthe may be hy broght. Erthe oute of erthe is wonderly wroght, Erthe hase of erthe a dignytie of noght. 4
2 Erthe opon erthe wolde be a kyng, Bot how erthe shall{e} to erthe thynkis he nothyng. Ya bot when erthe byddis erthe his rentis hym bryng, Than shall{e} erthe hafe of erthe a full{e} harde p{ar}tyng. 8
3 Erthe opon erthe byggis castels and towres, Than sais erthe vnto erthe: 'All{e} þis is ours'. Ya bot when erthe opon erthe hath byggid vp his bowres, Than shall{e} erthe[1] for erthe suffre sharpe showres. 12
4 Erth{e} gose on erthe[1] glitterand as golde, Like as erthe[1] vnto erthe[1] neu{er} go shulde. Ya bot when erthe goeth on erthe as colde opon colde, Yit shall{e} erthe vnto erthe rather þan{ne} he wolde. 16
5 Whi that erthe luffis erthe wondre me thynke, Or whi þat erthe for erthe swete wyll{e} or swynke, Ffor when erthe[1] opon erthe is brought with-in brynke, Than shall{e} erthe hafe of erthe[1] a wonder foule stynke. 20
6 What may erthe say to erthe at beste tyme of all{e}? Noght bot þ{a}t erthe opon erthe shall{e} hafe a fall{e}. Bot when erthe oute of erthe[1] shall{e} com to the laste call{e}, Than sall{e} erthe be[2] full{e} ferde for þe sely sall{e}. 24
7 Beholde þ{o}u erthe opon erthe what worship þ{o}u hase, And thynk þ{o}u erthe opon erthe what maistres þ{o}u mase, And how erthe opon erthe what gatis at þ{o}u gase, And þ{o}u sall{e} fynde it forsuthe that þ{o}u haste many fase. 28
8 Now he þ{a}t erthe opon erthe ordande[3] to go Graunte þ{a}t erthe vpon erthe may govern hym so, Þat when erthe vnto erthe shall{e} be taken to, That þe saule of þis erthe suffre no wo. 32
[Footnote: Final _n_ is often written _n~_; so _m~_.]
[Footnote 1: possibly MS. _ertha_; final _e_ in this MS. is often written very like _a_.]
[Footnote 2: looks like _ba_.]
[Footnote 3: looks like _ordanda_.]
9.
MS. HARLEIAN 4486. 15th century. [fol. 146, r^o.]
Memento homo q{uo}d cinis es & [in] cinerem reu{er}teris, Ffac b{e}n{e} du{m} viuis, post morte{m} viuere si vis. When[1] lyffe is most loued[1], & deth is moste hated, Then dethe[2] draweth{e} his drawght{e} & makyth{e} man full{e} naked. 4
1 Erthe owte of erthe is wonderly wrowght{e}, Erthe of the erthe hathe gete an abbey of nawte, Erthe apon erthe hath{e} sett all{e} his thowghte How erthe apon erthe may be hye browte. 8
2 Erthe apon erthe be he[3] a kyng{e}, Butt how erth{e} schall{e} to erthe thynketh{e} he nothyng{e}. [4]When erthe byddeth{e} erthe his rent home bryng{e}, Then schall{e} erthe owte of erthe haue a pyteous p{ar}tyng{e}. 12
3 Erthe apon erthe wynneth{e} castell{es} & towres. Then seyth{e} erthe to erthe: 'These byth{e} all{e} owres'. When erthe apon erthe hath bygged{e} vp his bowres, Then schall{e} erthe for the erthe suffre scharpe schowres. 16
4 Erthe gothe apon erthe as molde apon molde. So goeth{e} erthe apon erthe all{e} gleteryng{e} in golde, Lyke as erthe into erthe neu{er} go scholde, And [gh]et schalle erthe into erth{e} rather then he wolde. 20
5 Why erthe loueth{e} erthe wonder me thynke, Or why that erthe for erthe swete wyll{e} or swynke, Ffor whan erthe apon erthe is browte w{i}t{h}yn þe brynke, Then schall{e} erthe of the erthe haue a fowle stynke. 24
6 Loo, erthe apon erthe, consyder{e} thow may How erthe com{m}yth{e} to erthe naked all{e} way. Why scholde erthe apon erthe go stowte or gay, Whan erthe schall{e} passe owte of erthe in a pore aray? 28
[fol. 146, v^o.] 7 Therfor erthe apon erthe that wykedly hast wrought{e}, Whyle erthe is apon erthe torne agayne thy thowght{e}, And pray to God apon erthe that all{e} erthe hath wroughte That this erthe apon this erthe to blysse may be browte. 32
8 Now Lorde that madyst for erthe & sufferdyst paynes ylle, Lett neu{er} this erthe for this erthe i{n} myschyffe spylle, But that this erthe in this erthe be eu{er} worchyng{e} thy wylle, So that this erthe fro þ{is} erthe may stye vp to thy hylle. 36
Amen.
[Footnote 1: Final _n_ is uniformly written _n~_ in this text excepting in the word _in_. Final _d_ is frequently written _[d+]_.]
[Footnote 2, 3: _added above the line._]
[Footnote 4: The first words in ll. 11, 14, 15 seem to have been freshened up.]
10. MS. LAMBETH 853. c. 1430-1450. [fol. 35.]
Whanne liif is moost loued, and deeþ is moost hatid: Þanne dooþ deeþ drawe his draw[gh]t, & makiþ ma{n} ful nakid. De terra plasmasti me, _&c._
1 Erþe out of erþe is wondirly wrou[gh]t, 4 Erþe of erþe haþ gete a dignyte of nou[gh]t, Erþe upo{n} erþe haþ sett al his þou[gh]t, How þat erþe upon erþe may be hi[gh] brou[gh]t.
2 Erþe upon erþe wold he be a king; 8 B{u}t how erþe schal to erþe þenkiþ he no [fol. 36] þing; Wha{n}ne þat erþe biddiþ erþe hise rentis hom bring, Þan schal erþe out of erþe haue a piteuous parting.
3 Erþe vpon erþe wy{n}neþ castels & touris, 12 Þan seiþ erþe to erþe: 'Now is þis al houris'. Wha{n}ne erþe upon erþe haþ biggid up hise boure[s], Þanne schal erþe upo{n} erþe suffir scharpe schouris.
4 Erþe gooth vpon erþe as molde upon molde, 16 So gooth erþe upon erþe al gliteringe in golde, Like as erþe vnto erþe neu{er}e go schulde, And [gh]it schal erþe vnto erthe raþ{er} þan he wolde.
5 O þ{o}u wrecchid erþe þat on erþe traueilist ny[gh]t and day, 20 To florische þe erþe, to peynte þe erþe wit{h} wantowne aray, [Gh]it schal þou erþe for al þi erþe, make þou it neu{er}e so queynte & gay, Out of þis erþe in-to þe erþe, þ{er}e to clinge as a clot of clay. [fol. 37.]
6 O wrecchid man whi art þ{o}u proud, þat art of þe erþe makid? 24 Hid{er} brou[gh]ttist þou no schroud, but poore come þou and nakid. Whanne þi soule is went out, & þi bodi in erþe rakid, Þan þi bodi þat was rank & undeuout, of alle men is bihatid.
7 Out of þis erþe cam to þis erþe þis wrecchid garnement; 28 To hide þis erþe, to happe þis erþe, to hi{m} was cloþinge lente; Now gooþ erþe upon erþe, ruli raggid and rent, Þ{er}fore schal erþe vndir þe erþe haue hidiose turment.
8 Whi þat erþe to myche loueþ erþe wondir me þink, 32 Or whi þat erþe for sup{er}flue erþe to sore sweete wole or swynk; Ffor wha{n}ne þat erþe upo{n} erþe is brou[gh]t w{i}t{h}i{n}ne þe brink, Þan schal erþe of þe erþe haue a rewful swynk.
9 Lo erþe upon erþe considere þou may, 36 How erþe comeþ i{n}to erþe nakid al way, [fol. 38.] Whi schulde erþe upon erþe go now so stoute or gay, Wha{n}ne erþe schal passe out of erþe in so poore aray?
10 Wolde God þ{er}fore þis erþe, while þat he is upon this erþe, Vpon þis wolde he{r}tili þinke, 40 & how þe erþe out of þe erþe schal haue his a[gh]en-risynge, And þis erþe for þis erþe schal [gh]eelde streite rekenyng; Schulde neu{er}e þan þis erþe for þis erþe mysplese heuene king.
11 Þerfore þou erþe upon erþe put so wickidli hast wrou[gh]t, 44 While þat þou erþe art upon erþe turne a[gh]en þi þou[gh]t, And praie to þat God upo{n} erþe þat al þe erþe haþ wrou[gh]t, Þat þou erþe upon erþe to blis may be brou[gh]t.
12 O þou Lord þat madist þis erþe for þis erþe & suffridist heere peynes ille, 48 Lete neu{er}e þis erþe for þis erþe myscheue ne spille, But þat þis erþe on þis [fol. 39] erþe be eu{er}e worchinge þi wille, So þ{a}t þis erþe from þis erþe may stie up to þin hi[gh] hille.
Amen.
Memento homo quod cinis es, et i{n} cinere{m} reu{er}teris, 52 Ffac bene dum viuis. post mortem viu{er}e si uis. Tangere qui gaudet. meretricem qualiter audet. Palmis pollutis. regem tractare salutis. Credo in deum patrem omnipotentem. 56
(_Here follows the Creed in English verse._)
11.
MS. LAUD MISC. 23. Before 1450. [fol. 111, v^o.]
Whan lyf is moost louyd & deeþ is moost hatyd: Thanne deeth drawyth his draut and makith man ful nakid.
1 Erthe out of erthe is wo{n}dirly wrou[gh]t, Erthe of the erthe hath gete a dignyte of nowth{e}, 4 Erthe vp-on e{r}the hath set al his thou[gh]t How that erthe vp-on erthe may be hy[gh] browth.
2 Erthe vp-on erthe wolde be a kyng; But how erthe shal to erthe thinkiþ he no thi{n}g; 8 Wha{n} that erthe biddeth erthe his rentys hoom bring, Thanne shal erthe out of the erthe haue a pet{ous} partyng.
3 Erthe vp-on erthe wynnyth castellis and towris[1], Tha{n}ne seith erthe to erthe: 'This is al owris.' 12 Whan erthe vp-on erthe hath biggid alle his bouris, Thanne shal erthe for erthe suffre sharp showris.
4 Erthe gooth up-on erthe as moolde vp-on moolde, So gooth erthe vp-on erthe al gleteryng in goolde, 16 Like as erthe vn-to erthe neu{er}e goo[2] shulde; Yit shal erthe vnto erþe[3] rather{e} than he wolde.
5 O thou wrecchid erthe, that on the erthe [fol. 112, r^o] traueylist ny[gh]t and day, To florissh{e} the erthe, to peynte the erthe wyth wantone a-ray; 20 [Gh]it shal thow erthe, for all{e} thyn erthe, make thow it neu{er} so queynt & gay, Out of the erthe in-to the erthe, ther to clynge as clot of clay.
6 O wrecchide man whi art thow p{r}ude, that art of erthe makid? Hidir broutyst thow no shroude, but por{e} cam thow & nakid. 24 Whan thi soule is went out, & thi body in erthe rakid, Tha{n}ne thi body that was rank and louyd of alle men, is hatyd.
7 Out of the erthe cam to this erthe his wantyng garneme{n}t; To hyde this erthe, to wrappe this erthe, to him was clothing lent; 28 Now gooth erthe up-on erthe, ruly raggid and rent, Therfor shal erthe vndir erthe haue hidous turme{n}t.
8 Whi that erthe louyth erthe wondir me thinke, Or whi that erthe for erthe swete wole or swinke; 32 Ffor whan that erthe up-on the erthe is brou[gh]t wyth-i{n}ne the brinke, Thanne shal erthe of the erthe haue a rewfull{e} stinke.
[-->]
9 Lo erthe up-on erthe consider thow may, How erthe in-to the erthe comyth nakid al-way, 36 Whi shuld erthe vp-on erthe go stout [fol. 112, v^o] or gay, Wha{n} erthe shal passe out of erthe in a por{e} aray?
10 Wolde therfor{e} this erthe on this erthe, on this hertly thinke, How that erthe out of the erthe shal haue risynge, 40 And thus erthe for erthe[4] yeelde shal streyt rikenynge, Shulde neuer{e} erthe for erthe mysplese heuene kyng.
11 Thow erthe up-on erthe, that wickydly hast wrout, While that erthe is vp-on erthe, turne a-[gh]en thi thout, 44 And preye to God vp-on erthe, that alle the erthe hath wrou[gh]t, That erthe vp-on erthe to blisse may be brou[gh]t.
12 Lord God that erthe madist & for the erthe suffredist peynys ille, Lete neu{er}e þis erþe[5] for this erthe myscheue ne spille, 48 But that this erthe in this erthe be eu{er}e worching thi wille, So that erthe fro this erthe stye up on thyn hy[gh]e hille. Amen. p{ar} charite, God it graunte that it so be.
[-->]
[6]Tange{re} qui gaudes m{er}etricem qualit{er} audes[7]. 52 Palmis pollutis regem tractar{e} salutis.
(_The poem _Whi is the wor[l]d belouyd that fals is and veyn_, follows immediately._)
[Footnote 1: _towris_ added in margin by the same hand.]
[Footnote 2: MS. _goo ne_; _ne_ crossed out, and marked _[n.][e.]_.]
[[Expunctuated "ne" shown with under-dots]]
[Footnote 3: _vnto erþe_ inserted in red above the line.]
[Footnote 4: _for erthe_ repeated and crossed out in red.]
[Footnote 5: _þis erþe_ added above the line, _erþe_ in red.]
[Footnote 6: In left margin _de sac{er}dotib{us}_.]
[Footnote 7: in right margin _h{oc} in decretis_.]
12.
MS. COTTON TITUS A. xxvi. 15th century. [fol. 153, r^o.]
1 Erthe oute of erthe is wondirly wroght, Erthe of þe erthe hathe goten a dyngnyte of noght, Erthe vpon erthe hathe set all{e} hys thovght Houe erthe vpon erthe maye be hyghe broght. 4
2 Erthe vpon erthe wolde be a kyng; Bot how erthe shall{e} to erthe thynkethe he nothyng; Whan that erthe biddethe erthe hys rentis hom to bryng, Than shall{e} erthe oute of erthe haue a pytous p{ar}tyng. 8
3 Whan erthe vpon erthe wynythe casteles & tourys, Than says erthe to erthe: 'Þys is all{e} ourys'. And whan erthe vpon erthe hathe byggid hys bourys, Than shall{e} erthe vpon erthe suffer sharpe shoures. 12
4 Erthe gothe vpon erthe as molde vpon molde[1], So gothe erthe vpon erthe all{e} glytryng in golde, Lyke as erthe into erthe never goo sholde; And y{e}t shal[2] erthe in to erthe rathar then he wolde. 16
[fol. 153, v^o.] 5 O thou wreched erthe that on erthe trauayles nyght & daye To fflorysshe[3] and paynt þe erthe w{i}t{h} wanton araye; Y{e}t sshalle þou, erthe, for all{e} thy erthe, make þ{o}u it neu{er} so queynt or gaye, Oute of thys erthe in to erthe to klyng as clot in claye. 20
6 O wrechyd man, why[4] art þ{o}u[5] prowde that of erth art maked, And hyder thou broght no shrowde, bot pore com and nakyd? Lewe thy syne and lyffe in ryght, And than shalt thou lyffe in heuyn as a knyght. 24
[Footnote: Final _n_ is written _n~_ as a rule in this text, so _m~_.]
[Footnote 1: MS. _moldee_.]
[Footnote 2: MS. _shal do_ or _de_, the second word crossed out.]
[Footnote 3: MS. _To fflorysshe þe erthe_, the last two words crossed out, cf. MS. Lambeth, _v. 5_, MS. Rawl. Poet., _v. 15_.]
[Footnote 4: MS. _why at_, _at_ crossed out.]
[Footnote 5: MS. _þ^t_.]
13.
MS. RAWLINSON POETICAL 32. After 1450. [fol. 32, v^o.]
A descripture alchimicall of erthe & the nature of man[1].
Whanne life is most louyd, And deth is most hatid, Deth drawith his drau[gh]te And makith a man nakid. 4
1 Erthe oute of erthe Is wonderly wrou[gh]te; Erthe hath of the erthe [Gh]etyn a dignite of noughte. 8
2 Erthe a-pon erthe Hath set alle his thoughte How erthe apon erthe May be hiere y-broughte. 12
3 Erthe a-pon erthe Wolde be made a kyng, How erthe schal to erthe Thynkyng no thyng. 16
4 Whanne erthe biddith erthe Than he his rente hom brynge, Thanne schal erthe for erthe Haue a petous partynge. 20
5 Whanne erthe apon erthe Hath billid al his bowris, Thanne schalle erthe for erthe Suffre ful harde schowris. 24
6 Erthe a-pon erthe [fol. 33, r^o.] Wynnyth castellis and towris. Thanne saithe erthe to erthe: 'This is alle owris'. 28
7 Erthe gothe apon erthe As molde a-pon molde, Erthe gothe apon erthe Gleteryng alle in golde, 32
8 As thouh erthe to erthe Neu{er} a-yen go schulde, But yit schal erthe to þ{e} erthe Rather thanne he wolde. 36
9 Oute of the erthe cam the erthe Wantynge his garnament, To hide the erthe, to lappe the erthe, To hym was clothing y-lent. 40
10 Now goth the erthe apon erthe Disgesily ragged and to-rent, Therfore schal erthe vnder erthe Suffer ful grete turment. 44
11 Whi that erþe loueþ erthe Wonder y may thinke, Or whi that erthe for the erthe Unresonably swete wol or swynke, 48
12 Ffor whanne erthe vnder erthe [fol. 33, v^o.] Is brou[gh]te withynne brynke, Thanne schal erthe of the erthe Haue an oribyll stynke. 52
13 Yif erthe wold of erthe Thus hartily haue thynkynge, And how erthe out of erthe Shal at last haue risynge, 56
14 Thanne schal erthe for erthe Yelde riht streite rekenynge, Thanne schuld [erthe] for erthe Neuer mys-plese heuene kynge. 60
15 Thow wrecchid erthe þ{a}t thus for erthe Trauelist nyht and day To florische the erthe, to paynte the erthe With thi wanton array, 64
16 Yit schalt thou erthe for alle thi erthe, Make thou neuer so gay, Ffor thi erthe in to erthe Clynge as clotte in clay. 68
17 Thinke now erthe how thou in erthe Goist euer in dethis[2] grace, And thanne thou erthe for the erthe Shalt neuer stryue ne race. 72
18 Bute for thou erthe with thi erthe [fol. 34, r^o.] Hauntist enuye and hate, Therefor schal erthe for erthe Be excludid from heuene gate. 76
19 Ffowle erthe whi louyst thou erthe That is thi dedly foo, And bildist on erthe As thou schuldist dwelle euer moo? 80
20 But thou erthe forsake the erthe, Or that thou hennys goo, Vnder erthe for lust of erthe Thou schalt haue sorow and woo. 84
21 Whiles erthe may in erthe To festis and to drynkis gon, Til the be made frome the erthe As bare as any bon. 88
22 Thanne if erthe comyth to erthe Makyng sorow and mone, Thanne saith erthe to the erthe, 'Thou were a felow, but now art thou none'. 92
23 Thus the erthe queytith the erthe That doith to him seruyse, Or tristyn on erthe, or plese the erthe In any maner wise. 96
24 Therfor thou erthe be ware of erthe [fol. 34, v^o.] And thou the wele auyse, Lest thou erthe p{er}ische for erthe By-fore the hihe iustyse. 100
25 Ffor the erthe was made of erthe At the first begynnynge, That erthe schuld labour the erthe In trowthe and sore swynkynge; 104
26 But now erthe lyueth in erthe With falshode and begilynge, Therfor schal erthe for erthe Be punsched in payne euerlastynge. 108
27 But erthe forsake the erthe And alle his falshede, And of the erthe restore the erthe Goodis that ben mys-gete, 112
28 Or that erthe be doluyn in erthe And vnder fote y-trede, Ffor synne of erthe, þ{a}t hath do in erthe, Fful sore he schalle be bete. 116
29 Drede thou erthe while thou in erthe Hast witte & resoune at thi wille, That, erthe, for loue of erthe, Thi soule thou nougth spille. 120
30 And thou erthe, repente the in erthe [fol. 35, r^o.] Of alle that thou hast don ille, And thanne schalt thou, erthe apon erthe, Goddis biddyngis fulfille. 124
31 Lord God that erthe tokist in erthe, And suffredist paynes ful stille, Late neuer erthe for the erthe In dedly synne ne spille, 128
32 But that erthe in this erthe Be doynge euer thi wille, So that erthe for the erthe Stye vp to thi holy hille. Amen. S. J. 132
[Footnote 1: Added in a later hand, probably 16th century.]
[Footnote 2: MS. _deth is_.]
14.
MS. PORKINGTON 10. 15th century. [fol. 79, v^o.]
1 [1]Erthe vppo{n} erth{e} is wo{u}ndyr{e}ly wro{u}[gh]te; Erthe vppo{n} erthe has set al his þou[gh]te[2] [fol. 80, r^o.] How erthe vppo{n} erth to erthe schall{e} be[3] brou[gh]te; Ther is no{n}e vppo{n} erth has hit in þou[gh]te.[4] 4 Take hede! Whoso þinkyse on[5] his end{e}, ful well{e} schal he sped{e}.
2 Erth vppo{n} erth wold{e} be a kynge; How erth schal to erthe he þink{is} no þinge. 8 Whe{n} erth byddyþ erth his rent who{m}e brynge, The{n} schal erth fro þe erth have a hard{e} parttynge, W{i}t{h} care; Ffor erth vppo{n} erþe wott{is} neu{er} we{r} þ{er}for to far{e}. 12
3 Erth vppo{n} erth wy{n}nis castyll{is} & tovris. The{n} sayþe erth to erth: 'Al þ{i}s is ourus'. Whe{n} erth vpp{on} erth has bylde al his bovres, The{n} schal erth fro þe erth soffyr{e} scharpe schorrys, 16 And{e} smarte. Ma{n}, amend{e} þe betyme, þi lyfe ys but a starte.
4 Erth gose on erth as mold{e} vpon{ne} molde, Lyke as erth to þe erth neu{er} a-gayne schold{e}; 20 Erth gose on erth glytteryng in gold{e}[6], [fol. 80, v^o.] [Gh]et shale erth to þe erth, raþ{er} þe{n} he wolde. Be owris! [Gh]efe þi alm{is} w{i}t{h} þi hand{e}. Trust to no secatovrs. 24
5 Why þ{a}t erth louis erþe merwel me þinke, [7]Or why erth vppo{n} erth wyl swet or swinke, [7]Ffor whe{n} erth vppo{n} erth is bro{u}þt to þe brynke, The{n} schal erth frov þe erth have a fovl stynke 28 To smele, Wars þe{n} þe caryo{n} þ{a}t lyis in þe fele.
6 Lo, erth vppo{n} erth, co{n}sayfe þ{i}s þ{o}u maye, That þ{o}u co{m}mys frome þe erth nakyd{e} alway[{e}]; 32 How schuld{e} erth vppo{n} erth soe[8] prod{e} or gaye, Sen[9] erth v{n}to erth schal pase i{n} symple araye, Unclad{e}? Cloth þe nakyd whyl þ{o}u may, for so Gode þe bade. 36
7 Erth vppo{n} erth, me þinky[gh] þe ful blynd{e}, That on erth ryches to set al[10] þi mynd{e}; In þe gospel wrytty{n}e exampul I fynde, The pore went to heyuy{n}, þe rych to hel I fynd{e}, 40 W{i}tt skyle: [fol. 81, r^o.] The co{m}mandment{is} of God{e} wold{e} he not fulfyle.
8 Erth vppo{n} erth, deyle duly thy goode To þe por{e} pepul þ{a}t favtt pe þi fovde, 44 Ffor þe loue of þi Lord{e}, þ{a}t rent was on þe roode, And{e} for þi loue on þe crose sched his[11] hart blode,-- Go rede!-- W{i}ttovte a{n}ny place to reste on his hede. 48
9 Erth vppo{n} erth, take tent to my steyuyne; Whyl þ{o}u leuyst, fulfyle þe w{er}kys of mercy vij. Loke þ{o}u lete, for oode ne for ewyne, Ffor þo by{n}e þe werk{is} þat helpyne vs to heyuy{n}e, 52 In haste. Tho ded{is} who so dose þar, hy{m}e neu{er} be agaste.
10 Erth vppo{n} erth, be þ{o}u neu{er} so gaye, Thow moue[12] wend{e} of þ{i}s world{e} an vnreydy waye; 56 Turne þe betyme, whyle þ{a}t þ{o}u maye, Leste it lede þe into hele, to logege þ{er} for[13] ay, In pyne; Ffor þ{er} is noþ{er} to gett bred{e}, ale, ne wyne. 60
11 Erth vppo{n} erth, God{e} [gh]eyf þe grace, [fol. 81, v^o.] Whyle þ{o}u leuuyst vppo{n} erth, to purway þe a place In heywy{n} to dweyll{e}, whyl þ{a}t þ{o}u hast space; That myrthe for to myse it w{er} a karful case. 64 Ffor whye? That myrth is w{i}t{h}owtty{n} end{e}, I tel þe securlye.
12 I co{n}cele erth vppo{n} erth þ{a}t wykyd{e}ly has wro[gh]te, Whyl erth is on erth, to torn all{e} his þov[gh]te, 68 And{e} pray to Gode vppo{n} erth, þ{a}t al mad{e} of nov[[gh]te][14], That erth owte of erth to blys may be bov[gh]te[15] W{i}tt my[gh]the[16], Thorow helpe Jh{e}su Cryst þ{a}t was our{e} lad{is} byrthe. 72 Do for þiself.
[Footnote 1: Cf. Halliwell, Early Eng. Misc. in Prose and Verse, printed for the Warton Club, _1855, p. 39_, Fiedler, Mod. Lang. Review, _III. iii. 225_.]
[Footnote 2, 4: MS. _þo[~u][gh]te_.]
[Footnote 3: MS. _bo_.]
[Footnote 5: MS. _oñ_, _on~_, throughout.]
[Footnote 6: MS. _in [~i] gold{e}_.]
[Footnote 7: These two lines are transposed in the MS.]
[Footnote 8: MS. _soe_, Halliwell _soe_, Fiedler _goe_.]
[Footnote 9: MS. _señ_.]
[Footnote 10: H. _setal_.]
[Footnote 11: H. F. _schedhis_.]
[Footnote 12: MS. _mõu_.]
[Footnote 13: MS. _þ^{r}for_, H. F. _therefor_.]
[Footnote 14: MS. only _nov_ now legible.]
[Footnote 15: MS. _bov[gh]te_, Halliwell _bou[gh]t_, Fiedler _brou[gh]t_.]
[Footnote 16: MS. Halliwell _my[gh]the_, probably erroneous for _myrthe_.]
15.
MS. BALLIOL 354. Before 1504. [fol. 207, v^o.]
(Richard Hill's Commonplace-Book.)
1 Erth owt of erth is worldly wrowght, Erth hath gote{n} oppo{n} erth a dygnite of nowght, Erth vpon erth hath[1] set all his thowght, How þ{a}t erth vpon erth myght be hye browght. 4
2 Erth vpon erth wold be a kyng, But how þ{a}t erth shall to erth, he thy{n}kith no thyng; Whe{n} erth biddith erth his rent{es}[2] home bryng, The{n} shall erth for erth haue a hard p{ar}tyng. 8
3 Erth vpon erth wy{n}neth castl{les}[2] & towres, The{n} seyth erth vnto erth: 'Þis is all owres'; But whe{n} erth vpo{n} erth hath bildyd his bowres, Tha{n} shall erth for erth suffre hard showres. 12
4 Erth vpon erth hath welth vpon molde, Erth goth vpon erth glydryng all i{n} golde, Like as he vnto erth neu{er} torn shuld; & yet shal erth vnto erth son{er} tha{n} he wold. 16
5 Why þ{a}t erth loweth erth, wonder[3] I thynk; Or why þ{a}t erth will for erth swet or swynk; For wha{n} erth vpon erth is browght w{i}t{h}in þe brynk, Than shall erth for erth suffre a fowle stynk. 20
6 As erth vpon erth were þe worthyes ix, & as erth vpon erth i{n} honour dide shyne; But erthe liste not to know how þei shuld enclyn, & þ{er} crow{n}nys leyd i{n} erth, wha{n} deth hath made hys fyne. 24
7 As erth vpon erth, full{e} worthy was Josue, [fol. 208, r^o.] Dauyd þe worthy kyng, Judas Machabe; They were but erth vpon erth, no{n} of the{m} thre, And so fro{m} erth vnto erth þei loste þ{er} dignite. 28
8 Alisand{er} was but erth, þ{a}t all the world wan, & Ector vpon erth was hold a worthy ma{n}, & Julius Cesar þ{a}t þe empire first be-gan; & now, as erth w{i}t{h}in erth, þei lye pale & wan. 32
9 Arthur was but erth, for all his renown; No more was kyng Charlis, ne Godfrey of Bolown; But now erth hath t{o}rned þ{er} noblenes vpsodown; & thus erth goth to erth, by short co{n}clusion. 36
10 Who so rekyn also of Will{iam} Conquerowr{e}[4], Kyng Harry þe first, þ{a}t was of knyghthode flowr{e}[4]; Erth hath closed the{m} ful streytly i{n} his bowr{e}[4]; Loo, the ende of worthynes! here is no more socowr{e}[4]. 40
11 Now thei þ{a}t leve vpon erth, both yong & old, Thynk how ye shall to erth, be ye neu{er} so bold; Ye be vnsiker, wheþ{er} it be i{n} hete or cold, Like as yo{u}r brether[5] did beffore, as I haue told. 44
12 Now ye folk þ{a}t be here, ye may not long endure, But þ{a}t ye shall torn to erth, I do you ensure; & yf ye lyst of þe trewth to se a playn fugure, Go to seynt Powlis, & see þ{er} the portratowr{e}[4]. 48
13 All ys erth, & shall be erth, as it shew{i}t{h} ther, [6]Þ{er}-for, or dredfull deth w{i}t{h} his dart you dere, & for to torn i{n} to erth, no ma{n} shall it forbere, Wisely pu{r}vey you beffore, & þ{er}-of haue no fere. 52
14 Now, sith by deth we shal al pas, it is to vs c{er}teyn, For of þe erth we co{m} all, & to þe erth shall torn agayn; Þ{er}-for to strive of grucche it were but i{n} vayn, For all is erth, & shall be erth, no thyng more c{er}tayn. 56
15 Now erth vppon erth, co{n}sydre thow may, How erth co{m}meth to erth nakyd all way. Why shuld erth vpon erth go stowt or gay, Sith erth owt of erth shall passe in pore a-ray? 60
16 I co{n}saill you vpon erth þ{a}t wikkidly haue wrowght, Whill þ{a}t erth is on erth, torn vp yo{u}r thowght, & pray to God vppon erth, þ{a}t all þe erth hath wrowght, Þ{a}t erth owt of erth to blis may be browght. 64
Amen.
[Footnote: Cf. Roman Dyboski, E.E.T.S. extra ser. ci _(1907), p. 90_.]
[Footnote 1: D. erron. _hat[h]_.]
[Footnote 2: D. reads _rentes_, _castlles_.]
[Footnote 3: MS. _worder_.]
[Footnote 4: D. reads _-owr_ throughout.]
[Footnote 5: D. erron. _brother_.]
[Footnote 6: Line 50 would be better placed after l. 51.]
16.
MS. HARLEIAN 984. 16th century. [fol. 72, r^o.]
6 [1]How schuld{e} erthe vpon erthe be prud & gay Whe{n} erthe schal to erthe in so por{e} aray?
7 I consell erthe vpon erthe þ{a}t wikyd hade wro[gh]t, Whyle erthe ys apon erthe to tu{r}ne al his þo[gh]t, 4 And{e} p{r}ay to God þ{a}t al þe world wro[gh]t[2] Þ{a}t erthe out of erthe to blesse may be bro[gh]t.
[Footnote 1: The previous leaf of the MS., which evidently contained the beginning of the poem, has been torn out.]
[Footnote 2: MS. _wo[gh]t_.]
17.
THE MAITLAND MS. (PEPYSIAN MS. 2553, p. 338.) c. 1555-1585.
1 [1]Eyrd vpone eird wondirfallie is wrocht, Eird hes gottin vpone eird ane dignite for nocht, Eird apone eird hes set all his thocht How þat[2] eird vpone eird till hicht may be brocht. 4
2 Eird apone eird wald fayne be a king, And how þat eird gois to eird thinkis he no thing. Quhone eird bydd{is} eird his rentis hame to bring, Than sall eird haue to eird herd depairting. 8
3 Eird apon eird wy{n}nis castellis and towris, Than sayis eird vntill eird: 'All þir ar owris'. Quhone eird apone eird hes biggit all his bowris, Than sall eird vpone eird suffir scharp schowris. 12
4 Eyrd apone eird and mold vpone mold, Lyke as eird vnto eird never go sold. Eird gois apone eird glitterand as gold, [Gh]it sall eird go to eird sonar nor he wold. 16
5 How þat eird luiffis eird grit wondir I think, Or quhy þat eird will for eird owþir swet or swynk. Quhone þat eird w{i}t{h}in eird is closit vndir bynk, Than sall eird w{i}t{h}in eird haue ane ewill stynk. 20
6 Lo eird vpone eird considdir þow may, How eird vnto[3] eird gois nakit away, Quhy sould eird apone eird go ow{er} proud or gay, Sen eird vntill eird sall wend in pure array? 24
7 I counsall eird vpone eird þat wondirlie is wrocht, Q{uhi}ll[4] eird is apone eird to turne all his thocht, And pray to God apone eird þat maid all of nocht, That eird vpone eird to blys may be brocht. 28 Q{uo}d marsar.
[Footnote 1: Printed by kind permission of the authorities of Magdalene College, Cambridge.]
[Footnote 2: MS. _yat_; _þ_ regularly written as _y_.]
[Footnote 3: MS. _apone_ crossed out, _vnto_ written above.]
[Footnote 4: MS. _q^ll_.]
18.
JOHN REIDPETH'S MS. CAMBR. UNIV. LIBR. Ll. 5. 10. [fol. 43, v^o.]
(Transcribed from the Maitland MS. 1622-3.)
1 Eird vpoun eird wonderfull is wrocht, Eird hes gottin vpoun eird ane dignitie for nocht, Eird vpoun eird hes sett all his thocht How þat[1] eird vpoun eird till hicht may be brocht. 4
2 Eird vpoun Eird wold fane be ane king, [fol. 44, r^o.] And how þat eird gois to eird thinkis he nothing. Quhen eird bidd{is} eird his rentis hame to bring, Than sall eird haue to eird herd depairting. 8
3 Eird vpoun Eird wins castell{is} and towris; Than sayis eird vnto eird: 'All now ar ouris'. Quhen eird vpoun eird hes biggit all his towris, Than sall eird vpoun eird suffer grit showris. 12
4 Eird vpoun eird and mold vpoun mold, Lyk as eird vnto eird neuer go sold, Eird gois vpoun eird glitterand as gold, [Gh]itt sall eird go to eird sonear nor he wald. 16
5 How þat eird luiffis eird grit wonder I think, Or quhy þat eird will for eird owther sweit or swink, Quhen þat eird w{i}t{h}in eird is closit vnder bink, Than sall eird w{i}t{h} eird haue ane evill stink. 20
6 Lo eird vpoun eird considder thow may How eird vnto eird gois nakit away, Quhy sould eird vpoun eird go o{u}r[2] proud or gay, Sen eird vntill eird sall wend in pure aray? 24
7 I counsall eird vpoun eird þat wondirlie is wrocht, Q{uhi}ll eird is vpoun eird to turne all his thocht, And pray to God vponn eird þat maid all of nocht, That eird vpoun eird to blis may be brocht. 28 Quod dumbar.
[Footnote 1: MS. _yat_; _þ_ regularly written as _y_.]
[Footnote 2: _over_, MS. _o^r_.]