XIII.

[Sidenote: Belshazzar, to exhibit his vainglory, proclaims throughout Babylon, that all the great ones should assemble on a set day, at the Sultan’s feast.] The{n}ne þis bolde Baltaȝar biþenkkes hy{m} ones, To vouche on a vayment of his vayne g[l]orie; Hit is not i{n}nogh{e} to þe nice al noȝty þi{n}k[68] vse, Bot if alle þe worlde wyt his wykked dedes. 1360 Baltaȝar þurȝ babiloyn his ba{n}ne gart crye, & þurȝ þe cu{n}tre of caldee his cally{n}g con spry{n}g, Þat alle þe grete vpon grou{n}de schulde geder hem samen & assemble at a set day at þe saudans fest. 1364 [Sidenote: Kings, dukes, and lords were commanded to attend the court.] Such a mangerie to make þe man watȝ auised, Þat vche a kythyn ky{n}g schuld com þider; Vche duk wyth his duthe & oþ{er} dere lordes, [Sidenote: [Fol. 76a.]] Schulde com to his co{ur}t to kyþe hy{m} for lege, 1368 & to reche hy{m} reu{er}ens & his reuel herkken; [Sidenote: To do the king honour many nobles came to Babylon.] To loke on his lemanes & ladis hem calle, To rose hy{m} i{n} his rialty rych me{n} soȝtten, & mony a barou{n} ful bolde, to babyloyn þe noble. 1372 Þer bowed toward babiloyn burnes so mony, Ky{n}ges, Cayseres ful kene, to þe co{ur}t wo{n}nen, Mony ludisch lordes þat ladies broȝten, [Sidenote: It would take too long to name the number.] Þat to neuen þe nou{m}bre to much nye were. 1376 [Sidenote: The city of Babylon is broad and big.] For þe bo{ur}ȝ watȝ so brod & so bigge alce, Stalled i{n} þe fayrest stud þe sterreȝ an-vnder, [Sidenote: It is situated on a plain, surrounded by seven streams, a high wall, and towers.] Prudly on a plat playn, plek alþ{er}-fayrest, Vmbe-sweyed on vch a syde w{i}t{h} seuen grete wat{er}es, 1380 W{i}t{h} a wonder wroȝt walle wruxeled ful hiȝe, W{i}t{h} koy{n}t carneles aboue, coruen ful clene, Troched toures bitwene twenty spere lenþe, & þiker þrowen vmbe þo{ur}[69]-w{i}t{h} ou{er}-þwert palle. 1384 [Sidenote: The palace was long and large, each side being seven miles in length.] Þe place, þat plyed þe pursau{n}t wyth-i{n}ne, Watȝ longe & ful large & eu{er} ilych sware, & vch a syde vpon soyle helde seuen myle, & þe saudans sete sette i{n} þe myddes; 1388 Þat watȝ a palayce of pryde passande alle oþ{er}, Boþe of werk & of wu{n}der & walle al aboute; [Sidenote: High houses were within the walls.] Heȝe houses w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne þe halle to hit med, So brod bilde i{n} a bay, þ{a}t blonkkes myȝt re{n}ne. 1392 [Sidenote: The time of the feast has come.] When þe terme of þe tyde watȝ to vsched of þe feste, Dere droȝen þ{er}-to & vpon des metten, [Sidenote: Belshazzar sits upon his throne: the hall floor is covered with knights.] & baltaȝar vpon bench was busked to sete, Stepe stayred stones of his stoute throne. 1396 Þe{n}ne watȝ alle þe halle flor hiled w{i}t{h} knyȝtes, & barou{n}es at þe side-bordes bounet ay-where, For non watȝ dressed vpon dece bot þe dere seluen, & his clere concubynes i{n} cloþes ful bryȝt. 1400 [Sidenote: When all are seated, service begins.] When alle segges were þ{er} set, þe{n} seruyse bygy{n}nes, [Sidenote: Trumpets sound everywhere.] Sturnen trumpen strake steuen i{n} halle, Aywhere by þe wowes wrasten krakkes, [Sidenote: [Fol. 76b.]] & brode baneres þer-bi blusnande of gold; 1404 [Sidenote: Bread is served upon silver dishes.] Burnes berande þe[70] bredes vpon brode skeles, Þat were of sylu{er}en syȝt & se{er}ved[71] þ{er}-wyth, Lyfte logges þer-ou{er} & on lofte coruen, Pared out of paper & poynted of golde,[72] 1408 Broþe baboynes abof, besttes an-vnder, Foles i{n} foler flakerande bi-twene, & al i{n} asure & ynde enaumayld ryche, [Sidenote: All sorts of musical instruments are heard in the hall.] & al on blonkken bak bere hit on honde. 1412 & ay þe nakeryn noyse, notes of pipes, Ty{m}bres & tabornes, tulket amo{n}g, Sy{m}bales & soneteȝ sware þe noyse, & bougou{n}ȝ busch bat{er}ed so þikke; 1416 So watȝ serued fele syþe þe sale alle aboute, [Sidenote: The king, surrounded by his loves, drinks copiously of wine.] W{i}t{h} solace at þe sere course, bifore þe self lorde, Þer þe lede & alle his loue lenged at þe table. [Sidenote: It gets into his head and stupifies him.] So faste þay weȝed to hi{m} wyne, hit warmed his hert 1420 & breyþed vppe i{n} to his brayn & blemyst his my{n}de, & al waykned his wyt, & wel neȝe he foles, For he wayteȝ onwyde, his wenches he byholdes, & his bolde baronage, aboute bi þe woȝes; 1424 [Sidenote: A cursed thought takes possession of him.] Þe{n}ne a dotage ful depe drof to his hert, & a caytif cou{n}sayl he caȝt bi hy{m} seluen.

[Headnote: BELSHAZZAR BRINGS OUT THE SACRED VESSELS TO DECK THE FESTIVE HALL.]

[Sidenote: He commands his marshal to bring him the vessels taken from the temple by Nebuchadnezzar, and to fill them with wine.] Maynly his marschal þe mayst{er} vpon calles, & comau{n}des hym cofly coferes to lance, 1428 & fech forþe vessel þ{a}t his fader broȝt Nabugo-de-noȝar, noble i{n} his strenþe, Conquerd with his knyȝtes & of kyrk rafte I{n} iude, i{n} i{e}r{usa}l{e}m i{n} gentyle wyse: 1432 “Bry{n}g hem now to my borde, of beu{er}age he{m} fylles, Let þise ladyes of hem lape, I luf he{m} i{n} hert; Þat schal I cortaysly kyþe & þay schi{n} knawe sone, Þer is no bou{n}té i{n} burne lyk baltaȝar þewes.” 1436 [Sidenote: The marshal opens the chests.] Þe{n}ne towched to þe treso{ur} þis tale watȝ sone, & he w{i}t{h} keyes vn-closes kystes ful mony; Mony burþen ful bryȝt watȝ broȝt i{n}-to halle, [Sidenote: [Fol. 77a.]] [Sidenote: Covers the cupboard with vessels.] & cou{er}ed mony a cupborde with cloþes ful quite. 1440 Þe iueles out of i{e}r{u}s{a}l{e}m[73] w{i}t{h} ge{m}mes ful bryȝt, [Sidenote: The Jewels of Jerusalem deck the sides of the hall.] Bi þe syde of þe sale were semely arayed; [Sidenote: The altar and crown, blessed by bishop’s hands, and anointed with the blood of beasts, are set before the bold Belshazzar.] Þe aþel auter of brasse watȝ hade i{n}-to place; Þe gay corou{n} of golde gered on lofte, 1444 Þat hade ben blessed bifore wyth bischopes hondes & wyth besten blod busily anoynted, In þe solempne sacrefyce þat goud sauor hade, Bifore þe lorde of þe lyfte i{n} louy{n}g hy{m} seluen, 1448 Now is sette for to serue satanas þe blake, Bifore þe bolde baltaȝar wyth bost & wyth pryde. [Sidenote: Upon this altar were noble vessels curiously carved, basins of gold, cups arrayed like castles with battlements, and towers with lofty pinnacles.] Houen vpon þis auter watȝ aþel vessel, Þat wyth so[74] curio{us} a crafte coruen watȝ wyly; 1452 Salamon sete him s[eue]n ȝere & a syþe more, W{i}t{h} alle þe syence þat hy{m} sende þe sou{er}ayn lorde, For to compas & kest to haf hem clene wroȝt; For þer wer bassynes ful bryȝt of brende golde clere, 1456 En-aumaylde w{i}t{h} aȝer & eweres of sute; Cou{er}ed cowpes foul[75] clene, as casteles arayed, Enbaned vnder batelment w{i}t{h} bantelles quoy{n}t, & fyled out of fygures of ferlyle[76] schappes. 1460 Þe cop{er}ou{n}es of þe canacles þat on þe cuppe reres, Wer fetysely formed out i{n} fylyoles longe, [Sidenote: Upon them were pourtrayed branches and leaves, the flowers of which were white pearls, and the fruit flaming gems.] Pinacles pyȝt þer apert þat p{ro}fert bitwene, & al boiled abof w{i}t{h} brau{n}ches & leues, 1464 Pyes & papeiayes purtrayed with-i{n}ne, As þay prudly hade piked of pomgarnades; For alle þe blomes of þe boȝes wer blyknande perles & alle þe fruyt i{n} þo formes of flau{m}beande ge{m}mes, 1468 Ande safyres, & sardiners, & semely topace, Alabau{n}derynes, & amarau{n}ȝ & amaffised stones, Casydoynes, & crysolytes, & clere rubies, Penitotes, & pynkardines, ay perles bitwene, 1472 So trayled & tryfled a trau{er}ce wer alle, Bi vche bekyrande þe bolde, þe brurdes al vmbe; Þe gobelotes of golde grauen aboute, [Sidenote: [Fol. 77b.]] [Sidenote: The goblets were ornamented with flowers of gold.] & fyoles fretted w{i}t{h} flores & fleeȝ of golde, 1476 Vpon þat avter watȝ al aliche dresset. [Sidenote: The candlestick was brought in, with its pillars of brass, and ornamental boughs, upon which sat birds of various hues.] Þe candelstik bi a cost watȝ cayred þider sone, [V]pon þe pyleres apyked þat praysed hit mony, Vpon hit baseȝ of brasse þat ber vp þe werkes, 1480 Þe boȝes bryȝt þer abof, brayden of golde, Brau{n}ches bredande þer-on, & bryddes þer seten Of mony kyndes, of fele-kyn hues, As þay w{i}t{h} wy{n}ge vpon wynde hade waged her fyþ{er}es, 1484 [Sidenote: Lights shone bright from the candlestick, which once stood before the “Holy of Holies.”] In-mo{n}g þe leues of þe lampes wer grayþed; & oþ{er} louelych[77] lyȝt þat lemed ful fayre, As mony mort{er}es of wax merkked w{i}t{h}-oute, W{i}t{h} mony a borlych best al of brende golde. 1488 Hit watȝ not wonte i{n} þat wone to wast no serges, Bot i{n} te{m}ple of þe trauþe trwly to stonde; Bifore þe s{an}c{t}a, s{an}c{t}or{um} soþefast dryȝtyn, Expouned his speche sp{irit}ually to special p{ro}phetes. 1492 [Sidenote: The pollution of the sacred vessels is displeasing to God.] Leue þ{o}u wel þat þe lorde þ{a}t þe lyfte ȝemes Displesed much, at þat play i{n} þat plyt stronge, Þat his ineles so gent wyth iaueles wer fouled, Þat p{re}syo{us} i{n} his presens wer proued su{m} whyle. 1496 Soberly i{n} his sacrafyce su{m}me wer anoynted, Þurȝ þe somones of him selfe þat syttes so hyȝe; [Sidenote: For “a boaster on bench” drinks from them till he is as “drunken as the devil.”] Now a bost{er} on benche bibbes þerof Tyl he be dronkken as þe deuel, & dotes þ{er} he syttes; 1500 [Sidenote: God is very angry.] So þe worcher of þis worlde wlates þer-wyth, Þat i{n} þe poynt of her play he poruayes a mynde; [Sidenote: Before harming the revellers He sends them a warning.] Bot er harme hem he wolde i{n} haste of his yre, He wayned hem a warny{n}g þat wonder hem þoȝt. 1504 Nov is alle þis guere geten glotou{n}es to serue; Stad i{n} a ryche stal & stared ful bryȝtȝ,[78]

[Headnote: THE SACRED VESSELS ARE DEFILED.]

[Sidenote: Belshazzar commands the sacred vessels to be filled with wine.] Baltaȝar i{n} a brayd bede v{us} þ{er}-of. “Weȝe wyn i{n} þis won, wassayl!” he cryes. 1508 Swyfte swaynes ful swyþe swepen þ{er}-tylle, [Sidenote: The cups and bowls are soon filled.] Kyppe kowpes i{n} honde ky{n}geȝ to serue, I{n} bryȝt bolleȝ, ful bayn birlen þise oþ{er}, [Sidenote: [Fol. 78a.]] & vche mon for his mayst{er} machches alone. 1512 [Sidenote: Music of all kind is heard in the hall.] Þer watȝ ry{n}gi{n}g, on ryȝt, of ryche metalles, Quen renkkes i{n} þat ryche rok re{n}nen hit to cache, Clat{er}i{n}g of conacleȝ þat kesten þo burdes, As sonet out of sau[t]{er}ay songe als myry. 1516 Þen þe dotel on dece drank þat he myȝt, [Sidenote: Dukes, princes, concubines, and knights, all are merry.] & þe{n}ne arn dressed dukeȝ & prynces, Concubines & knyȝtes, bi cause of þat m{er}the; As vchon hade hy{m} i{n} helde he haled of þe cuppe, 1520 [Sidenote: Drinking of the sweet liquors they ask favours of their gods, who, although dumb, are as highly praised “as if heaven were theirs.”] So long likked þise lordes þise lykores swete, & gloryed on her falce goddes & her g{ra}ce calles, Þat were of stokkes & stones, stille euer more; Neu{er} steuen hem astel, so stoken is[79] hor tonge, 1524 Alle þe goude golden goddes þe gauleȝ ȝet neuenen, Belfagor & belyal & belssabub als, Heyred hem as hyȝly as heuen wer þayres, Bot hy{m} þat alle goudes giues, þat god þay for-ȝeten, 1528 [Sidenote: A marvel befals the feasters.] For þer a ferly bifel þat fele folk seȝen; [Sidenote: The king first saw it.] Fyrst knew hit þe ky{n}g & alle þe cort aft{er},

[Headnote: THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL.]

[Sidenote: Upon the plain wall, “a palm with pointel in fingers” is seen writing.] I{n} þe palays pryncipale vpon þe playn wowe, I{n} contrary of þe candelstik þat clerest hit schyned. 1532 Þer apered a paume, w{i}t{h} poyntel i{n} fyngres Þat watȝ grysly & gret, & grymly he wrytes, Non oþ{er} forme bot a fust faylande þe wryste, Pared on þe parget, purtrayed lettres. 1536 [Sidenote: The bold Belshazzar becomes frightened.] When þat bolde baltaȝar blusched to þat neue, Such a dasande drede dusched to his hert, Þat al falewed his face & fayled þe chere; Þe stronge strok of þe stonde strayned his ioy{n}tes, 1540 [Sidenote: His knees knock together.] His cnes cachches to close & cluchches his ho{m}mes, & he w{i}t{h} plat-ty{n}g his paumes displayes his lers,[80] [Sidenote: He roars for dread, still beholding the hand, as it wrote on the rough wall.] & romyes as a rad ryth þat roreȝ for drede, Ay biholdand þe honde til hit hade al g{ra}uen, 1544 & rasped on þe roȝ woȝe runisch saueȝ. When hit þe scrypture hade scraped wyth a scrof[81] pe{n}ne, As a colto{ur} i{n} clay cerues þ{o} forȝes, [Sidenote: [Fol. 78b.]] [Sidenote: The hand vanishes but the letters remain.] Þe{n}ne hit vanist v{er}ayly & voyded of syȝt, 1548 Bot þe lettres bileued ful large vpon plast{er}.

[Headnote: THE KING CONSULTS HIS DIVINERS.]

[Sidenote: The king recovers his speech and sends for the “book-learned;” but none of the scholars were wise enough to read it.] Sone so þe ky{n}ge for his care carpi{n}g myȝt wy{n}ne, He bede his burnes boȝ to þat wer{e} bok lered, To wayte þe wryt þat hit wolde & wyt{er} hym to say, 1552 “For al hit frayes my flesche þe fyngres so gry{m}me.” Scoleres skelten þeratte þe skyl forto fynde, Bot þer watȝ neu{er} on so wyse couþe on worde rede, Ne what ledisch lore ne langage nauþ{er} 1556 What tyþy{n}g ne tale tokened þo draȝtes. [Sidenote: Belshazzar is nearly mad.] Þe{n}ne þe bolde baltaȝar bred ner wode. [Sidenote: Commands the city to be searched throughout for the “wise of witchcraft.”] & ede[82] þe Ceté to seche segges þurȝ-out, Þat wer wyse of wyche-crafte & warlaȝes oþ{er}, 1560 Þat con dele wyth dem{er}layk, & deuine lettres: “Calle hem alle to my cort þo calde clerkkes, Vn-folde hem alle þis ferly þat is bifallen here, [Sidenote: He who expounds the strange letters, shall be clothed in “gowns of purple.”] & calle wyth a hiȝe cry; ‘he þat þe ky{n}g wysses, 1564 In expouny{n}g of speche þat spredes i{n} þise lettres, & make þe mat{er} to malt my mynde wyth-i{n}ne, Þat I may wyt{er}ly wyt what þat wryt menes, He schal þe gered ful gaye i{n} gounes of porpre, 1568 [Sidenote: A collar of gold shall encircle his throat.] & a coler of cler golde clos vmbe his þrote; [Sidenote: He shall be the third lord in the realm.] He schal be prymate & prynce of pure clergye, & of my þreuenest lordeȝ þe þrydde he schal & of my reme þe rychest to ryde wyth myseluen, 1572 Out-taken bare two & þe{n}ne he þe þrydde.’” [Sidenote: As soon as this cry was upcast, to the hall came clerks out of Chaldea, witches and diviners, sorcerers and exorcists.] Þis cry watȝ vp-caste, & þer comen mony Clerkes out of caldye þat ke{n}nest wer knauen, As þe sage sathrapas þat sorsory couþe; 1576 Wycheȝ & walkyries wo{n}nen to þat sale, Deuinores of demorlaykes þat dremes cowþe rede, Sorsers & exorsism{us} & fele such clerkes; [Sidenote: But after looking on the letters they were as ignorant as if they had looked into the leather of the left boot.] & alle þat loked on þat lett{er} as lewed þay were, 1580 As þay had loked i{n} þe leþ{er} of my lyft bote. Þe{n}ne cryes þe ky{n}g & kerues his wedes; [Sidenote: The king curses them all and calls them churls.] What! he corsed his clerkes & calde hem chorles, [Sidenote: [Fol. 79a.]] [Sidenote: He orders the harlots to be hanged.] To henge þe harlotes he heȝed ful ofte, 1584 So watȝ þe wyȝe wytles, he wed wel ner. [Sidenote: The queen hears the king chide.] Ho herde hy{m} chyde to þe chambre þat watȝ þe chef quene; [Sidenote: She inquires the cause.] When ho watȝ wyt{er}ed bi wyȝes what watȝ þe cause, Suche a chau{n}gande chau{n}ce i{n} þe chef halle, 1588 Þe lady to lauce[83] þat los þat þe lorde hade, [Sidenote: Goes to the king, kneels before him, and asks why he has rent his robes for grief, when there is one that has the Spirit of God, the counsellor of Nebuchadnezzar, the interpreter of his dreams, through the holy Spirit of God.] Glydes dou{n} by þe grece & gos to þe ky{n}g; Ho kneles on þe colde erþe & carpes to hy{m} seluen, Wordes of worchyp wyth a wys speche. 1592 “Kene ky{n}g,” q{uod} þe quene, “kayser of vrþe, Eu{er} laste þy lyf i{n} lenþe of dayes; Why hatȝ þou rended þy robe for redles here-i{n}ne, Þaȝ þose ledes ben lewed lettres to rede, 1596 & hatȝ a haþel i{n} þy holde, as I haf herde ofte, Þat hatȝ þe gostes of god þat gyes alle soþes; His sawle is ful of syence, saȝes to schawe, To open vch a hide þy{ng} of aunt{er}es vn-cowþe; 1600 Þat is he þat ful ofte hatȝ heuened þy fader Of mony ang{er} ful hote w{i}t{h} his holy speche. When nabugo-de-noȝar watȝ nyed i{n} stou{n}des, He de-vysed his dremes to þe dere trawþe, 1604 He keu{er}ed hy{m} w{i}t{h} his cou{n}sayl of caytyf wyrdes; Alle þat he spured hym i{n} space he expowned clene, Þurȝ þe sped of þe spyryt þat sprad hy{m} w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne, Of þe godelest goddeȝ þat gaynes ay-where. 1608 For his depe diuinité & his dere sawes, [Sidenote: The name of this man is Daniel, who was brought a captive from Judæa.] Þy bolde fader baltaȝar bede by[84] his name, Þat now is demed danyel of derne coni{n}ges, Þat caȝt watȝ i{n} þe captyuidé i{n} cu{n}tre of iues; 1612 Nabuȝardan hy{m} nome & now is he here, A prophete of þat prouince & pryce of þe worlde.

[Headnote: DANIEL IS SENT FOR.]

[Sidenote: The queen tells the king to send for Daniel.] Sende i{n}-to þe ceté to seche hy{m} bylyue, & wy{n}ne hy{m} w{i}t{h} þe worchyp to wayne þe bote, 1616 & þaȝ þe mat{er} be merk þat merked is ȝender, He schal de-clar hit also, as hit on clay stande.” [Sidenote: Her counsel is accepted.] Þat gode cou{n}seyl at þe quene watȝ cached as[85] swyþe, [Sidenote: [Fol. 79b.]] Þe burne byfore baltaȝar watȝ broȝt i{n} a whyle, 1620 [Sidenote: Daniel comes before Belshazzar.] When he com bifore þe ky{n}g & clanly had halsed, Baltaȝar vmbe-brayde hy{m} & “leue s{ir},” he sayde, [Sidenote: The king tells him that he has heard of his wisdom, and his power to discover hidden things, and that he wants to know the meaning of the writing on the wall.] “Hit is tolde me bi tulkes, þat þ{o}u trwe were Profete of þat prouynce þat prayed my fader, 1624 Ande þat þ{o}u hatȝ i{n} þy hert holy co{n}ny{n}g, Of sapyence þi sawle ful soþes to schawe; Goddes gost is þe geuen þat gyes alle þy{n}g{es}, & þ{o}u vnhyles vch hidde þat heuen ky{n}g my{n}tes; 1628 & here is a ferly byfallen, & I fayn wolde Wyt þe wytte of þe wryt, þat on þe wowe clyues, For alle calde clerkes han cowwardely fayled; [Sidenote: Promises him, if he can explain the text of the letters and their interpretation, to clothe him in purple and pall, and put a ring about his neck, and to make him “a baron upon bench.”] If þ{o}u w{i}t{h} quay{n}tyse co{n}quere hit, I quyte þe þy mede. 1632 For if þ{o}u redes hit by ryȝt & hit to resou{n} bry{n}ges, Fyrst telle me þe tyxte of þe tede lettres, & syþen þe mat{er} of þe mode, mene me þ{er}-aft{er}, & I schal halde þe þe hest þat I þe hyȝt haue; 1636 Apyke þe i{n} porpre cloþe, palle alþer-fynest, & þe byȝe of bryȝt golde abowte þy{n} nekke, & þe þryd þryuenest þat þry{n}ges me aft{er}, Þ{o}u schal be barou{n} vpon benche, bede I þe no lasse.” 1640

[Headnote: DANIEL DESCRIBES HOW NEBUCHADNEZZAR WAS PUNISHED FOR HIS PRIDE.]

[Sidenote: Daniel addresses the king, and reminds him how that God supported his father, and gave him power to exalt or abase whomsoever he pleased.] Derfly þe{n}ne danyel deles þyse wordes: “Ryche ky{n}g of þis rengne rede þe oure lorde, Hit is surely soth, þe sou{er}ayn of heuen Fylsened eu{er} þy fader & vpon folde cheryched, 1644 Gart hy{m} grattest to be of gou{er}nores alle, & alle þe worlde i{n} his wylle welde as hy{m} lykes. Who-so wolde wel do, wel hy{m} bityde, & quos deth so he deȝyre he dreped als fast; 1648 Who-so hy{m} lyked to lyft, on lofte watȝ he sone, & quo-so hy{m} lyked to lay, watȝ loȝed bylyue. [Sidenote: Nebuchadnezzar was established on account of his faith in God.] So watȝ noted þe note of nabugo-de-noȝar, Styfly stabled þe rengne bi þe stronge dryȝty{n}, 1652 For of þe hyȝest he hade a hope i{n} his hert, Þat vche pou{er} past out of [þ]at prynce euen; [Sidenote: So long as he remained true, no man was greater.] & whyle þat watȝ cleȝt clos i{n} his hert, Þere watȝ no mon vpon molde of myȝt as hy{m} selue{n}, 1656 [Sidenote: [Fol. 80a.]] [Sidenote: But at last pride touches his heart.] Til hit bitide on a tyme, towched hy{m} pryde For his lordeschyp so large, & his lyf ryche; He hade so huge an insyȝt to his aune dedes, [Sidenote: He forgets the power of God, and blasphemes His name.] Þat þe power of þe hyȝe prynce he purely forȝetes. 1660 Þe{n}ne bly{n}nes he not of blasfemyon to blame þe dryȝty{n}, His myȝt mete to goddes he made w{i}t{h} his wordes: [Sidenote: He says that he is “god of the ground,” and the builder of Babylon.] “I am god of þe grou{n}de, to gye as me lykes, As he þat hyȝe is i{n} heuen his au{n}geles þ{a}t weldes; 1664 If he hatȝ formed þe folde & folk þ{er} vpone, I haf bigged babiloyne, burȝ alþ{er}-rychest, Stabled þer-i{n}ne vche a ston i{n} strenkþe of my{n} armes, Moȝt neu{er} myȝt bot myn make such anoþ{er}.” 1668 [Sidenote: Hardly had Nebuchadnezzar spoken, when God’s voice is heard, saying, “Thy principality is departed.] Watȝ not þis ilke worde wo{n}nen of his mowþe one, Er þe{n}ne þe sou{er}ayn saȝe souned i{n} his eres, “Now nabugo-de-noȝar i{n}noȝe hatȝ spoken, Now is alle þy pryncipalté past at ones, 1672 [Sidenote: Thou, removed from men, must abide on the moor, and walk with wild beasts, eat herbs, and dwell with wolves and asses.”] & þ{o}u, remued fro mo{n}nes su{n}es, on mor most abide, & in wast{ur}ne walk & wyth þe wylde dowelle, As best, byte on þe bent of braken & erbes, W{i}t{h} wroþe wolfes to won & wyth wylde asses.” 1676 In mydde þe poynt of his pryde de-parted he þere, Fro þe soly of his solempneté, his solace he leues, [Sidenote: For his pride he becomes an outcast.] & carfully is out-kast to contré vnknawen, Fer i{n}-to a fyr fryth þere frekes neu{er} comen. 1680 [Sidenote: He believes himself to be a bull or an ox.] His hert heldet vnhole, he hoped non oþ{er} Bot a best þat he be, a bol oþ{er} an oxe. [Sidenote: Goes “on all fours,” like a cow, for seven summers.] He fares forth on alle faure, fogge watȝ his mete, & ete ay as a horce when erbes were fallen, 1684 Þus he cou{n}tes hy{m} a kow, þat watȝ a ky{n}g ryche, Quyle seuen syþeȝ were ou{er}-seyed som{er}es I trawe. [Sidenote: His thighs grew thick.] By þat, mony þik thyȝe þryȝt vmbe his lyre, Þat alle watȝ dubbed & dyȝt i{n} þe dew of heuen; 1688 [Sidenote: His hair became matted and thick, from the shoulders to the toes.] Faxe fylt{er}ed, & felt flosed hy{m} vmbe, Þat schad fro his schulderes to his schyre wykes, & twenty-folde twyna{n}de hit to his tos raȝt Þer mony clyuy as clyde hit clyȝt to-geder. 1692 [Sidenote: His beard touched the earth.] His berde I-brad alle his brest to þe bare vrþe, [Sidenote: [Fol. 80b.]] [Sidenote: His brows were like briars.] His browes bresed as breres aboute his brode chekes; [Sidenote: His eyes were hollow, and grey as the kite’s.] Holȝe were his yȝen & vnder campe hores, & al watȝ gray as þe glede, w{i}t{h} ful gry{m}me clawres 1696 Þat were croked & kene as þe kyte paune;[86] [Sidenote: Eagle-hued he was.] Erne-hwed he watȝ & al ou{er}-brawden, Til he wyst ful wel who wroȝt alle myȝtes, & cowþe vche kyndam tokerue & keu{er} when hy{m} lyked; 1700 [Sidenote: At last he recovered his “wit,” and believed in God.] Þe{n}ne he wayned hy{m} his wyt þat hade wo soffered, Þat he com to knawlach & ke{n}ned hy{m} seluen, Þe{n}ne he laued[87] þat lorde & leued i{n} trawþe, Hit watȝ non oþ{er} þen he þat hade al i{n} honde. 1704 [Sidenote: Then soon was he restored to his seat.] Þe{n}ne sone watȝ he sende agayn, his sete restored; His barou{n}es boȝed hy{m} to, blyþe of his come, Haȝerly i{n} his aune hwe his heued watȝ cou{er}ed, & so ȝeply watȝ ȝarked & ȝolden his state. 1708 [Sidenote: But thou, Belshazzar, hast disregarded these signs, and hast blasphemed the Lord, defiled his vessels, filling them with wine for thy wenches, and praising thy lifeless gods.] Bot þ{o}u baltaȝar his barne & his bolde ayre, Seȝ þese sy{n}gnes w{i}t{h} syȝt & set hem at lyttel, Bot ay hatȝ hofen þy hert agaynes þe hyȝe dryȝt[y]n, W{i}t{h} bobau{n}ce & w{i}t{h} blasfamye bost at hy{m} kest, 1712 & now his vessayles avyled i{n} vanyté vnclene, Þat i{n} his hows hy{m} to hono{ur} were heue{n}ed of fyrst; Bifore þe barou{n}ȝ hatȝ hom broȝt, & byrled þ{er}i{n}ne Wale wyne to þy wenches i{n} waryed stou{n}des; 1716 Bifore þy borde hatȝ þ{o}u broȝt beu{er}age i{n} þede, Þat blyþely were fyrst blest w{i}t{h} bischopes hondes, Louande þeron lese goddeȝ, þat lyf haden neu{er}, Made of stokkes & stoneȝ þat neu{er} styry moȝt. 1720 [Sidenote: For this sin God has sent thee this strange sight, the fist with the fingers writing on the wall.] & for þat froþande fylþe, þe fader of heuen Hatȝ sende[88] i{n}-to þis sale þise syȝtes vncowþe, Þe fyste w{i}t{h} þe fy{n}g{er}es þat flayed þi hert, Þat rasped renyschly þe woȝe w{i}t{h} þe roȝ pe{n}ne. 1724

[Headnote: THE INTERPRETATION OF THE HANDWRITING.]

[Sidenote: These are the words: “Mene, Tekel, Peres.] Þise ar þe wordes here wryten w{i}t{h}-oute werk more, By vch fygure, as I fynde, as oure fader lykes. “Mane, techal, phares, merked i{n} þry{n}ne, Þat þretes þe of þy{n} vnþryfte vpon þre wyse; 1728 Now expowne þe þis speche spedly I þenk. [Sidenote: [Fol. 81a.]] [Sidenote: Mene.-- God has counted thy kingdom and finished it.] Mane menes als much as, maynful gode Hatȝ cou{n}ted þy kyndam bi a clene nou{m}bre, & ful-fylled hit i{n} fayth to þe fyrre ende. 1732 [Sidenote: Tekel.-- Thy reign is weighed and is found wanting in deeds of faith.] To teche þe of techal, þat terme þ{us} menes, Þy wale rengne is walt i{n} weȝtes to heng, & is fu{n}de ful fewe of hit fayth dedes. & phares folȝes for þose fawtes to frayst þe trawþe, 1736 [Sidenote: Peres.-- Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Persians.] In phares fynde I forsoþe þise felle saȝes; De-parted is þy pryncipalté, depryued þ{o}u worþes, Þy rengne rafte is þe fro, & raȝt is þe perses, [Sidenote: The Medes shall be masters here.”] Þe medes schal be mayst{er}es here, & þ{o}u of menske schowued.” 1740 [Sidenote: The king commands Daniel to be clothed in a frock of fine cloth.] Þe ky{n}g comau{n}ded anon to cleþe þ{a}t wyse, In frokkes of fyn cloþ, as forward hit asked; [Sidenote: Soon is he arrayed in purple, with a chain about his neck.] Þe{n}ne sone watȝ danyel dubbed i{n} ful dere porpor & a coler[89] of cler golde kest vmbe his swyre. 1744 Þe{n} watȝ demed a de-cre bi þe duk seluen, [Sidenote: A decree is made, that all should bow to him, as the third lord that followed Belshazzar.] Bolde baltaȝa[r] bed þat hy{m} bowe schulde Þe comynes a lof calde þat to þe ky{n}g lo{n}ged, As to þe prynce pryuyest preued þe þrydde, 1748 Heȝest of alle oþ{er}, saf onelych tweyne, To boȝ aft{er} baltaȝar i{n} borȝe & i{n} felde. [Sidenote: The decree was made known, and all were glad.] Þys watȝ cryed & knawen i{n} cort als fast, & alle þe folk þer-of fayn þat folȝed hy{m} tylle; 1752 [Sidenote: The day, however, past.] Bot how-so danyel watȝ dyȝt, þat day ou{er}-ȝede, [Sidenote: Night came on.] Nyȝt neȝed ryȝt now w{i}t{h} nyes fol mony, [Sidenote: Before another day dawned, Daniel’s words were fulfilled.] For daȝed neu{er} an oþ{er} day þat ilk derk aft{er}, Er dalt were þat ilk dome þat danyel deuysed, 1756 [Sidenote: The feast lasts till the sun falls.] Þe solace of þe solempneté i{n} þat sale dured Of þat farand fest, tyl fayled þe su{n}ne; [Sidenote: The skies become dark.] Þe{n}ne blykned[90] þe ble of þe bryȝt skwes, Mo{ur}kenes þe mery weder, & þe myst dryues 1760 Þorȝ þe lyst of þe lyfte, bi þe loȝ medoes; [Sidenote: Each noble hies home to his supper.] Vche haþel to his home hyȝes ful fast, Seten at her sop{er} & songen þ{er}-aft{er}, Þen fou{n}deȝ vch a felaȝschyp fyrre at forþ naȝtes. 1764 [Sidenote: Belshazzar is carried to bed, but never rises from it, for his foes are seeking to destroy his land, and are assembled suddenly.] Baltaȝar to his bedd with blysse watȝ caryed, [Sidenote: [Fol. 81b.]] Reche þe rest as hy{m} lyst, he ros neu{er} þer-aft{er}; For his foes i{n} þe felde i{n} flokkes ful grete Þat longe hade layted þat lede his londes to strye, 1768 Now ar þay sodenly assembled at þe self tyme, Of hem wyst no wyȝe þat i{n} þat won dowelled.

[Headnote: DARIUS LAYS SIEGE TO BABYLON.]

[Sidenote: The enemy is Darius, leader of the Medes.] Hit watȝ þe dere daryus þe duk of þise medes, Þe prowde prynce of perce & porros of ynde, 1772 [Sidenote: He has legions of armed men.] W{i}t{h} mony a legiou{n} ful large, w{i}t{h} ledes of armes, Þat now hatȝ spyed a space to spoyle caldeeȝ. [Sidenote: Under cover of the darkness, they cross the river.] Þay þrongen þeder i{n} þe þest{er} on þrawen hepes, Asscaped ou{er} þe skyre watt{er}es & scaþed þe walles, 1776 [Sidenote: By means of ladders they get upon the walls, and within an hour enter the city, without disturbing any of the watch.] Lyfte laddres ful longe & vpon lofte wonen, Stelen stylly þe tou{n} er any steue{n} rysed, W{i}t{h}-i{n}ne an oure of þe nyȝt[91] an entré þay hade; Ȝet afrayed þay no freke, fyrre þay passen, 1780 & to þe palays pry{n}cipal þay aproched ful stylle; [Sidenote: They run into the palace, and raise a great cry.] Þe{n}ne ran þay i{n} on a res, on rowtes ful grete, Blastes out of bryȝt brasse brestes so hyȝe, Ascry scarred on þe scue þat scomfyted mony. 1784 [Sidenote: Men are slain in their beds.] Segges slepande were slayne er þay slyppe myȝt, Vche ho{us} heyred watȝ, w{i}t{h}-i{n}ne a honde-whyle;

[Headnote: BELSHAZZAR IS BEATEN TO DEATH.]

[Sidenote: Belshazzar is beaten to death, and caught by the heels, is foully cast into a ditch.] Baltaȝar i{n} his bed watȝ beten to deþe, Þat boþe his blod & his brayn blende on þe cloþes; 1788 The ky{n}g i{n} his cortyn watȝ kaȝt bi þe heles, Feryed out bi þe fete & fowle dispysed; Þat watȝ so doȝty þat day & drank of þe vessayl, Now is a dogge al so dere þat in a dych lygges; 1792 [Sidenote: Darius is crowned king, and makes peace with the barons.] For þe mayst{er} of þyse medes on þe morne ryses, Dere daryo{us} þat day dyȝt vpon trone, Þat ceté seses ful sou{n}de, & saȝtly{n}g makes Wyth alle þe barou{n}ȝ þ{er}-aboute, þat bowed hy{m} aft{er}. 1796 [Sidenote: Thus the land was lost for the king’s sin.] & þ{us} watȝ þat londe lost for þe lordes sy{n}ne, & þe fylþe of þe freke þat defowled hade Þe orne-mentes of goddeȝ ho{us} þat holy were maked; [Sidenote: He was cursed for his uncleanness, and deprived of his honour, as well as of the joys of heaven.] He watȝ corsed for his vn-cla{n}nes, & cached þ{er}-i{n}ne, 1800 Done dou{n} of his dy{n}gneté for dedeȝ vnfayre, & of þyse worldes worchyp wrast out for eu{er}, & ȝet of lyky{n}ges on lofte letted, I trowe, [Sidenote: Thus in three ways has it been shown, that uncleanness makes God angry.] To loke on oure lofly lorde late bitydes. 1804 Þus vpon þry{n}ne wyses I haf yow þro schewed, Þat vn-cla{n}nes to-cleues i{n} corage dere Of þat wy{n}nelych lorde þat wonyes i{n} heuen, Entyses hy{m} to be tene, telled[92] vp his wrake; 1808 [Sidenote: Cleanness is His comfort.] Ande cla{n}nes is his comfort, & coyntyse he louyes, [Sidenote: The seemly shall see his face.] & þose þat seme arn & swete schy{n} se his face. [Sidenote: God give us grace to serve in His sight!] Þat we gon gay i{n} oure gere þat g{ra}ce he v{us} sende, Þat we may serue i{n} his syȝt, þ{er} solace neu{er} bly{n}neȝ. Amen.

[Sidenote 68: _þing_ (?).] [Sidenote 69: _þore_ (?).] [Sidenote 70: MS. þe þe.] [Sidenote 71: MS. sev{er}ed.] [Sidenote 72: MS. _glolde_ (?).] [Sidenote 73: MS. i{e}s{u}r{a}l{e}m.] [Sidenote 74: MS. _fo_.] [Sidenote 75: _ful_ (?).] [Sidenote 76: _ferlyke_ (?).] [Sidenote 77: Looks like _louflych_.] [Sidenote 78: ? _bryȝte_.] [Sidenote 79: MS. īs.] [Sidenote 80: MS. ler{n}s.] [Sidenote 81: MS. _strof_.] [Sidenote 82: _bede_ (?).] [Sidenote 83: _lance_ (?).] [Sidenote 84: _be_ (?).] [Sidenote 85: MS. _as as_.] [Sidenote 86: ? _panne_.] [Sidenote 87: _loued_ (?).] [Sidenote 88: MS. _hatȝ sende hatȝ sende_.] [Sidenote 89: MS. _cloler_.] [Sidenote 90: _blaykned_ (?)] [Sidenote 91: MS. _myȝt_.] [Sidenote 92: _telles_ (?).]

NOTES: _Cleanness_.

P. 37.

l. 3 _forering_ = _for-bering_. (?) 10 _reken_, reverently, solemnly. 12 _cleche gret mede_, take great reward. 16 _& hym to greme cachen_, and him to wrath drive. 18 _hagherlych_, fitly, decently. 21 _scoymous & skyg_, scrupulous and particular; _skyg_ implies dread, fear, shyness. 23 _in a carp_, in a discourse. 24 _heuened aȝt happeȝ_, exhibited eight blessings. 25 _me myneȝ_, I remember.

P. 38.

l. 27 _hapeneȝ_, is happy, blessed. 29 _as so saytȝ_, as one says. 32 _May not byde þat burne_ (? _burre_) _þat hit his body neȝen_, May not abide (suffer) that man (? blow), that it (? he) should approach his body. 39 _helded_, approached. 41 _toteȝ_ = _totȝ_ = toes. 49 _worþlych_, worshipful (? _worldlych_, worldly). 50 _in her_ (? _herin_). 52 _here dere_, beloved heir. 54 _comly quoyntis_, comely attire. 56 _with sclaȝt_, against (for) slaughter. 59 _roþeled_, ready prepared, literally hastened. 62 _skyly_, device, excuse.

P. 39.

l. 65 _nayed_, refused; _nurned_, uttered. 71 _a-dreȝ_, aback, aside. 76 _More to wyte is her wrange, þen any wylle gentyl_, More to blame is their fault, than any forlorn gentile. _Wylle_ has the significations of wandering, astray; as “_wyl dremes_,” wandering dreams, “_wylle of wone_,” astray from human habitations, having lost one’s way; and hence _wylle_ is often used to denote uncertainty, bewilderment. 81 _laþeȝ_, invite. 90 _styȝtled_, established, placed. 91 _þe marchal_, i.e. the marshal of the hall, whose duty it was, at public festivals, to place every person according to his rank and station. 95 _at þi banne_, at thy command. 96 _renischche renkeȝ_, strange men. 97 _layteȝ ȝet ferre_, search yet farther.

P. 40.

l. 99 _wayteȝ_, watch. 103 _balterande cruppeleȝ_, limping cripples. _Balter_ signifies to jump, skip, hop, etc. 110 _demed_, decreed. 112 _Hit weren not alle on wyueȝ suneȝ, wonen with on fader_, They were not all one wife’s sons, begotten with one father. 127 _& rehayte rekenly þe riche & þe poueren_, And cheer, prince-like (nobly), the rich and the poor. _Rehete_ is the most common form of the word: “Him would I comforte and _rehete_.” --Rom. Rose, l. 6509. 131 _syled fyrre_, proceeded farther. 132 _Tron fro table to table_, went from table to table. _Tron_ is the pret. of the verb _tryne_, to go, walk.

P. 41.

l. 134 _Hit watȝ not_, there was one (who) was not. 135 _þryȝt_, thrust; _unþryuandely_, badly. 144 _ratted_, rent, torn. 145 _goun febele_. Cf. _feble wede_, bad or poor clothing. --Havelok the Dane, l. 418. 149 _broþe wordeȝ_, angry (fierce) words. 150 _Hurkele_, cower, hang. _Hurkele_ signifies, literally, to squat, nestle, rest. 153 _laled_, spoke (quickly). 164 _fulȝed_, baptised. 166 _harme lache_, take hurt.

P. 42.

l. 179 _As_, also; _bolnande priyde_, swelling pride. 180 _Þroly in-to þe deueleȝ þrote man þryngeȝ bylyue_, Roughly into the devil’s throat man is thrust soon. 181 _colwarde_, deceitful, treacherous. I have not been able to meet with the word _colle_ used as noun or verb in any writer of the 14th or 15th century. _Col_ occurs, however, as a prefix, in _Col-prophet_ (false prophet), _Col-fox_ (crafty fox), used by Chaucer; _Col-knyfe_ (treacherous knife), which occurs in the “Townley Mysteries.” 200 _hatel of his wylle_, anger of his will.

P. 43.

l. 207 _attled_, endowed. 215 _metȝ_ = _mess_ (?), pity. 216 _tynt þe tyþe dool_, lost the tenth part. 222 _weued_, cut off. _swap_, blow. 230 _þe wrech saȝtled_, appeased the vengeance. 231 _wylnesful_, wilfulness. 233 _For-þy þaȝ þe rape were rank, þe rawþe watȝ lyttel_, Wherefore, though the blow were smart, the sorrow was little. 237 _in obedyent_ = _in-obedyent_ (?), disobedient.

P. 44.

l. 246 _drepe_, destroy (slay). 257 _forme-foster_ should be _forme-fostereȝ_, being in apposition with _auncetereȝ_. 261 For _lede_ read _ledeȝ_ (?). 270 _deȝter of þe douþe_, the daughters of the mighty (doughty) ones. 271 _on folken wyse_, after the manner of men.

P. 45.

l. 273 _meþeleȝ_, immoderate, intemperate. 274 _alosed_, (? noted). 298 _þryuen_, grown up, adult. 306 _nwyed_ = annoyed, _i.e._ displeased.

P. 46.

l. 320 _dutande_, shutting. 321 _halkeȝ_, recesses. 331 _þis meyny of aȝte_, this company (household) of eight. 335 _horwed_, unclean.

P. 47.

l. 350 _with-outen þrep_, without contradiction, gainsaying. 354 _a rowtande ryge_, a rattling shower. 359 _stysteȝ_ = _stynteȝ_ stops, ceases. 362 _& alle woned in þe whichche_, and all abode in the ark. _Whichche_ is another (and genuine) form of _hutch_. 364 _Waltes out vch walle-heued, in ful wode stremeȝ_, Bursts out each well-head (spring, fountain) in full wild streams. 365 _brymme_, stream. 366 _þe mukel lauande loghe_, the great flowing deep. 369 _fon_, ceased. 373 _moon_, moan, sorrow. 374 _dowed_, availed. 375 _wylger_, wilder, fiercer. 376 _dowelled_ = _dwelled_. 377 _feng to þe flyȝt_, took to flight. 378 _Vuche burde with her barne_, each woman with her child (bairn).

P. 48.

l. 379 _bowed_, hastened; _brentest_, highest, steepest. 380 _heterly_, quickly, (hotly); _haled_, rushed. 381 _Bot al watȝ nedleȝ her note_, but their device was altogether in vain. 382 _þe roȝe raynande ryg_, the rough raining shower; _raykande waweȝ_, flowing waves. 383 _boþom_, a _bottom_ or valley. 384 _demmed_, collected, accumulated. 391 _þe hyȝe_, the heights, high grounds. 392 _bauseneȝ_, badgers. 394 _re-coverer_, succour, refuge. 395 _Þat amounted_, etc., read _Þat amounted þe mase_, etc., that the astonishment increased. (Professor Child). 397 _Bi þat_, by that time. This phrase is still preserved in the North of England. 399 _Frendeȝ, fellen in fere, faþmed to-geder_. Friends, fallen in company, _embraced_ (fathomed) together. The verb _faþme_ in Early English also signifies to _grope_. 400 _dryȝ_, suffer; _delful_, doleful. 404 _freten_, devoured; _waȝeȝ_, waves. 406 _hurkled_, rested. This word is still preserved in the local dialects of the North of England, with the sense of “to cower,” “squat.” 407 _mourkne_, rotten. 409 _here_, company. 411 _aȝt-sum_, in care, sorrowful. 413 _hurlande goteȝ_, rushing streams. 414 _kytheȝ vncouþe_, unknown regions.

P. 49.

l. 421 _flyt_, current, flitting. 424 _lumpen_, the passive participle of _lympen_, to befal, happen. 430 _yreȝ_ is evidently an error for _yþeȝ_, waves. 433 _Rac_, moving clouds, mists. Still in provincial use. 436 _meth_, pity, mercy. 438 _lasned_, lessened, became smaller. 439 _stac vp þe stangeȝ_, closed up the pools. _Stang_ = _stanc_, _stank_, a word still used in the North of England. 441 _loȝ_ = _logh_, deep. 443 _lome_ = _loom_, i.e., the ark. 446 _rasse_ = the provincial _raise_, a mound. 449 _kyste_ = chest (ark); _wern_ = _were_ (?).

P. 50.

l. 451 _eggeȝ_, _edges_, banks, hills; _vnhuled_, uncovered. 452 _bynne_, within. Cf. _boute_, without. 461 _smach_ smack, scent; _smoltes_ (? _smolte_, i.e. smelt). 463 _ȝederly_, quickly, soon; _steuen_, command, literally voice. 466 _fodeȝ_, persons; _elleȝ_, provided that. 469 _doune_ = _dovene_, a female dove (see line 481). 476 _dreȝly_, drearily, sorrowfully. 480 _naytly_, dexterously (neatly). 482 _borne_ = _burne_, stream. 483 _skwe_, sky, cloud; _skowteȝ_, looks.

P. 51.

l. 485 _downe_ = _dovene_ (see ll. 469, 481). 487 _What!_ lo! 490 _saȝtlyng_, reconciliation. 496 _woned_ = _waned_, decreased, gone down. 498 _tyned_, enclosed. 499 _godeȝ glam_, God’s message (word); _glod_, came, literally glided. 501 _walt_ _wafte_ (?) (see B. l. 857). 504 _þroly þrublande in þronge_, quickly pressing in throng (crowd), _i.e._, huddling together. 509 _breþe_, steam, savour. 511 _spedeȝ & spylleȝ_, prospers (speeds) and spoils. 517 _barnage_, childhood.

P. 52.

l. 525 _sadde_, sharp, bitter. 529 _þen watȝ a skylly skyualde_, then was a design (purpose) manifested (ordered). 531 _nayte_, use, employ. 533 _wryþeȝ_, crawl, creep. 534 _folmarde_, polecat. 536 _lake ryftes_, fissures of the lake. 537 _Herneȝ_ = _erneȝ_, eagles. 539 _at a brayde_, in a moment.

P. 53.

l. 558 _merked_, ordained. 561 _raȝt_, extended to, gave. 566 _syt_, fault. 567 _quykeȝ_, living (things); _qued_, wickedness. 573 _vnhappen glette_, unfortunate filth, unhappy sin. 579 _heþyng of seluen_, contempt of [God’s] self. 583 _steppe yȝe_, bright eye; _steppe_ = _stepe_ is often explained by steep, deep set; but we often meet with such phrases as “_stepe_ stones,” bright stones, “_stepe_ starres,” bright stars. 586 _losed þe listen_, lost the hearing; _lysten_, in O.E. has frequently the meaning of _to hear_. 587 _trave_ = _trawe_, trow, believe. 588 _þer is no dede so derne þat ditteȝ his yȝen_. There is no deed so secret that closes His eyes (_i.e._ that He does not see).

P. 54.

l. 591 _gropande_, searching, examining. 592 _Rypande of vche a ring þe reynyeȝ & hert_ Trying (probing) the reins and heart of every man. _Rype_ is still used in the North of England in the sense of to plunder. Cf. our modern use of the word _ransack_ with its earlier meanings of to try, probe, search. 596 _honyseȝ_, disgraces, ruins, destroys. 598 _scarreȝ_, literally _scares_, is frightened, startled. 599 _to drawe allyt_ = _to draw a lyte_ = to draw back a little. 603 _blykked_, shone, glared. 605 _schunt_, aside, from _schunt_, to slip away, retreat.

P. 55.

l. 623 _orppedly_, quickly, hastily. 626 _happe_, cover, still in use in the north provincial dialects. 627 _som quat fat_, some sort of a vessel; _þe fyr bete_, make up the fire; _bete_ signifies, literally, to mend. 632 _deruely_ = _derfely_, quickly. 635 _þerue kakeȝ_ = _therfe_ or _tharfe_ cakes, _i.e._, cakes made without leaven. 646 _mensk_, thanks. 648 _leþe_, cease. 652 _ȝark_, select, chosen. 653 _for busmar_, in scorn. 655 _May þou traw for tykel þat þou tonne moȝteȝ_, Mayst thou trow (believe) for the uncertainty (of such a thing) that thou mightest conceive; _for tykel_, on account of the uncertainty. 654 _sothly_ = truly (? _sotly_, foolishly or _softly_).

P. 56.

l. 659 _byene_ = _ben_, been or _bycame_. The sense would require _hade_ before _byene_, if _byene_ = _ben_. 668 _Þat for lot þat þay lansed ho laȝed neuer_, That for (any) sound that they uttered, she never laughed; _lot_ = late, in the sense of _sound_, is not very common in Old English authors. 670 _a-loȝ_ = lowly, softly. 686 _blod_, child. 687 _bos_, behoves. 688 _atlyng_, intention, purpose; _vn-haspe_, disclose.

P. 57.

l. 696 _fylter_, join. 698 _amed_, placed; _oddely dere_, singularly dear. _Oddely_ occurs in some northern works with the sense of illustriously, nobly. 699 _drwry_, love; _doole alþer-swettest_, the sweetest of all gifts; gift the sweetest of all. 703 _conne_ is probably an error for _come_, but it may signify, be kindled, produced, begotten. 706 _stollen_, stealthy, secret. 711 _smod_ = the Scotch _smot_, _smad_, stain, filth. 719 _þe worre half_, the weaker portion, literally, the worse half. 723 _laue_, law.

P. 58.

l. 732 _smolt_, be at peace. 740 _for hortyng_, for hurting = for fear of hurting. This sense of _for_ is very common in writers of the 16th and 17th centuries. 743 _fryst_, delay, put off. 747 _vsle_, ashes, cinders. 752 _leþe_, destroy. 754 _I schal my þro steke_, I shall moderate (literally, shut up) my anger. 756 _reken_, wise.

P. 59.

l. 764 _mese þy mode_, temper thy wrath. 778 _mere_, boundary, _meer_. 784 _lened_ = leaned, reclined; but we may read _leued_ = _beleued_, remained.

P. 60.

l. 796 _vnder-ȝede_ = _vnder-ȝete_, understood. 801 _knaueȝ kote_, servant’s house. It looks at first sight like _kuchieȝ kote_. 802 _fatte_ = _vat_, vessel. 803 _norne_ = _nurne_, request. 810 _gruȝt_, gruched = begrudged. 813 _couþe_, knew. 814 _haylsed_, saluted. 824 _boute_, without. 830 _of glam debonere_, of pleasant, courteous conversation. 831 _wela-wynnely_, very joyfully.

P. 61.

l. 832 _woȝe_ = _wowe_, wall. 835 _wakker_ comp. _wayk_, weak. 836 _vmbe-lyȝe_, surround. 838 _scowte-wach_, sentinel; _asscry_, cry, shout, noise. 846 _ȝeȝed_ = chattered, gaggled; _ȝestande sorȝe_, afflicting (or frothing) sorrow. 848 _brych_ = what is low, vile, filthy (? _bryth_, breath); _vpbraydeȝ_, raises. 849 _glyfte with þat glam_, was frightened at that speech. 855 _wonded no woþe_, avoided no danger (hurt). 859 _meled_, spoke. 860 _hendelayk_, courtesy, civility.

P. 62.

l. 871 _tayt_ = lively. 874 _aȝly_ = _awly_, fearfully. 876 _out-comlyng_, a stranger. In this form it is still known in the North of England. _Comlyng_ is the more usual form of the word in our early literature; _carle = churl_. 881 _ȝornen_, ran. 882 _wapped_, beat. 885 _in blande_ = together (?); _banned_, cursed. 888 _nyteled_, laboured, toiled. 889 _of tayt_, from fear. _Teyt_, fear, alarm, occurs in the northern romance of Alexander. 890 _roþeled_, hastened. 892 _vglokest vnhap_, the most dreadful misfortune. 893 _Ruddon of þe day-rawe ros vpon vȝten_. The light of the day-break rose on the morn. 894 _merk_, darkness. 895 _ruþen_, rouse. 901 _cayre tid of þis kythe_, depart quickly from this land.

P. 63.

l. 905 _stemme no stepe_, stop (keep back), no step. Cf. our modern phrase “_stem_ the tide.” 909 _losen_, destroy. 911 _gorde_, rush. 912 _clater_, shatter. 915 _kynned_, kindled. 916 _þe brath of his breth_, the fierceness of his wrath. 918 _foo-schip_, enmity. 921 _walle_ = _wale_, choose; _wonnyng_, dwelling, abode. 927 _vtter_, without. 928 _wore_ = _ware_ = were. Cf. _thore_ = _thare_ = there. 931 _agayn-tote_, looking back; _tote_ (toot) occurs frequently with the sense of “to peep,” “look,” in Early English.

P. 64.

l. 944 _Loke ȝe bowe now bi bot_, Look ye go now by (according to) command. 947 _greme_, wrath. 948 _wakan_, arouse, stir up. 950 _flytande_, chiding, murmuring. 955 _smachande_, savouring, smelling. 964 _riftes_, fissures. 965 _cloutes_, pieces. 969 _Rydelles_ = _redeless_ = without counsel, helpless; _rowtes_, companies. 971 _Such a ȝomerly ȝarm of ȝellyng þer rysed_, Such a mournful (pitiful) outcry of yelling there rose.

P. 65.

l. 976 _Trynande ay a hyȝe trot_, going ever (at) a great pace. 987 _loueȝ_, not _loaves_, but = the provincial _looves_ = hands. 989 _dampped_ = _dumped_, beaten down. 991 _malscrande mere_, accursed lake. 992 _on a lawe_, on a hill. 1000 _& alle lyste on hir lik_ (i.e. _lick_) _þat arn on launde bestes._ “Als so sco loked hir behind, A stan sco standes bi þat way And sua sal do to domesday; In a salt stan men seis hir stand Þat best likes o þat land; Þat anes o þe wok day, Þan is sco liked al away And þan þai find hir on þe morn, Hale als sco was ar beforn.” (Cott. MS. Vesp. A. iii. fol. 17b.) 1002 _niye_, anguish.

P. 66.

l. 1009 _a roþun of a reche_, a rush of smoke, a mass of vapour; _blake_, the black (pit). 1011 _flot_, fat, grease. 1016 _drouy_, turbid, from _droue_, to trouble. 1024 _costeȝ of kynde_ = natural properties. 1030 _boþem broþely_, filthy pit. 1031 _losyng_, perdition. 1033 _coosteȝ_ = properties. 1035 _alkaran_, Mandeville employs the term _alkatran_; _angré_ = poisonous or grievous, or _augre_ = _aigre_, sharp. 1036 _saundyuer_ = _sandiver_, glass-gall. 1037 _waxlokes_, waves. 1038 _spuniande_, cleaving, sticky. 1039 _se halues_, sea coasts. 1041 _terne_ = _tarne_, lake. 1044 _apple garnade_ = pomegranate.

P. 67.

l. 1072 _kynned_, conceived. 1076 _a schepon_ = a stable.

P. 68.

l. 1079 _reflayr_, smell, odour; _rote_, decay. 1082 _þe reken fyþel_, the merry fiddle. 1094 _lomerande blynde_, the hesitating (slow, creeping), blind. The primitive meaning of _lomerande_ seems to be that of _slow_, sluggish. 1108 _tyȝt_, endeavour.

P. 69.

l. 1113 _fenny_, dirty, filthy, and hence sinful. 1118 _to dele_, to exchange. 1123 For “_& wax euer_,” etc., the sense seems to require that we should read “_& wax ho euer_,” etc. 1124 _in pyese_ = whole. 1126 _blyndes of ble_, becomes dull of hue, loses its colour. 1127 _No-bot_, only. 1141 _lastes_, vices. 1142 _þewes_ = _þeues_ (?), thieves, or _unþewes_, vices (?)

P. 70.

l. 1153 _tyȝt me a tom_ = give me an opportunity; _tom_ has the sense of _leisure_ and not of _time_. 1167 _fylsened_, helped, aided. 1172 _lat_, late, slow. 1178 _þorpes_, cities.

P. 71.

l. 1186 _skete skarmoch_, _skelt_, brisk skirmish, hastened (came on quickly). 1190 _brutage_ = _bretage_, parapets of a wall. 1202 _blench_, stratagem. 1205 _at-wappe_, escape. 1206 _skelt_, spread. 1208 _ruþed_, roused. 1209 _hard hattes_, (?) hats made of tow; _herd_, _hard_ (_harden_, _hards_), in O. English signify cloth made of tow.

P. 72.

l. 1219 _faynest_, gladdest. 1224 _dreȝe þer his wyrdes_, endure there his destiny. 1246 _to þe bronde_, to the sword.

P. 73.

l. 1254 _on capeles_, on horses. 1255 _fole wombes_, bellies of foals. 1259 _to cayre at þe kart & þe kuy mylke_, to drag at the cart and milk the cows. 1265 _plat of_, strike off. 1284 _hamppred_ = _hampered_, packed up for removal.

P. 74.

l. 1290 _hyȝtled_, ornamented. 1303 _modey_ = _moody_, proud. 1313 _sesed_, took possession of.

P. 75.

l. 1327 _bi-cnv_ = _bicneu_, acknowledged. 1330 _heldes_, descends. 1332 _grauen_, buried. 1334 _stalled in his stud_, placed in his stead (position). 1342 _tre_, wood; _telded_, raised. 1344 _gered_, covered, decked. 1346 _reden_, advise. 1354 _notyng_, devising, contriving; _gettes_, devices.

P. 76.

l. 1358 _avayment_, exhibition. 1361 _banne_, proclamation. 1362 _callyng_, decree. 1366 _vche a kythyn kyng_, every king of countries. 1375 _ludisch lordes_, lords of nations. 1379 _plek_, spot (plot of ground).

P. 77.

l. 1396 _Stepe stayred_ [_þe_] _stones of his stoute throne_, Bright shone the stones of his firm throne. 1397 _hiled_ = covered. 1398 _bounet_, went about. 1402 _strake steuen_ = struck up sound. 1403 _wrasten krakkes_, sounds (notes) are raised. 1410 _foles_, fowls, birds. _flakerande_, flickering, fluttering. 1412 _on blonkken bak_, on the back of horses. In lines 1407-1412 we have evidently an allusion to the “table subtilties” of the fourteenth century. 1420 _weȝed_, served. 1425 _dotage_, folly.

P. 78.

l. 1435 _schin_, shall. 1446 _besten blod_, blood of beasts; _busily_, laboriously. 1462 _fylyoles_, round towers.

P. 79.

l. 1472 Penitotes. So in MS., but read _Peritotes_. 1478 _cost_, contrivance. 1495 _iaueles_ = worthless wretches, used by Hall and Spenser.

P. 80.

l. 1501 _wlates_, is disgusted. 1504 _wayned_, granted. 1505 _glotoun_, a general term of reproach. 1507 _vus_ = _use_, drink. 1510 _kyppe_, take, seize, catch up. 1511 _birlen_, pour out. 1517 _dotel_, fool. 1520 as each one was disposed so tossed he off the cup.

P. 81.

l. 1537 _neue_, fist. 1542 _lers_, features, but (?) _fers_, fears. 1543 _as a rad ryth_, as a frightened hound (literally mastiff). 1545 _runisch saueȝ_, strange words. 1554 _skelten_, hasten. 1557 _þo draȝtes_, the characters. 1559 _ede_ = went, but _bede_, bade, commanded. 1560 _warlaȝes_, wizards. 1566 _malt_, to soothe. 1568 _gered_, clothed.

P. 82.

l. 1585 _he wed wel ner_, he became nearly mad. 1603 _in stoundes_, at times.

P. 83.

l. 1606 _spured_, asked, enquired of. 1634 _tede_ = _tene_, ten (?) 1637 _apyke_, adorn, clothe.

P. 84.

l. 1650 _loȝed_, made low. 1654 _pouer_, power. 1674 _wasterne_, wilderness; _dowelle_, dwelle. 1675 _braken_, fern.

P. 85.

l. 1678 _soly_, seat. 1684 _ay_ (?) = hay. 1686 _ouer-seyed_, passed over. 1690 _wykes_, members. 1692 _clyde_, plaister (?). 1694 _bresed_, rough, bristly; Sir F. Madden interprets it _broken_. 1695 _campe hores_, shaggy hairs. 1697 _glede_, kite. 1701 _wayned_, recovered. 1707 _haȝerly_, properly.

P. 86.

l. 1713 _auyled_, defiled. 1716 _wale wyne_, choice wine; _in waryed stoundes_, in accursed moments.

P. 87.

l. 1755 _daȝed_, dawned. 1759 _blykned_ = _blaykned_, became dark, blackened. 1760 _Mourkenes_, becomes murky. 1761 _lyst_, path. 1768 _layted_, sought. 1773 _ledes of armes_, men of arms. 1775 _þester_, darkness.

P. 88.

l. 1785 _slyppe_, escape. 1786 _honde-whyle_, a moment. 1788 _blende_, mingled. 1792 _now is a dogge also dere_, now is as valuable as a dog. 1808 _telled_ = raised (?) _telles_ = raises. 1811 _gere_, clothing.

Errata (noted by transcriber)

Line 91 text: w{i}t{h} marchal Note to line 91: þe marchal [_Each line printed as shown_]

Minor spelling variations-- such as added or missing final “e”-- between the main text and endnotes were left as printed.

[Sidenote 9] _fowle_ (?). [_fowle_ (?),] [65 Sidenote] ... “pull in the plough.” [plough,”] [263 Sidenote] No law was laid upon them.] [them,] [320 Sidenote] ... door in the side, together with ... [side. together] [349 Sidenote] ... to destroy all flesh. [flesh,] [577 Sidenote] [Fol. 65a.] [Fol. 65.] [614 Sidenote] ... wash their feet, and bring ... [feet. and] [667] Þe{n}ne swenged forth saré & swer by hir trawþe, [swer hy hir _but 1864 edition has “by”_] [721 Sidenote] [Fol. 67a.] [Fol, 67a] [937 Sidenote] [Fol. 70a.] [Fol. 70a,] [937 Sidenote] ... “preach to them the peril” of delay. [“preach to them the peril” of delay.”] [1674] & in wast{er}ne walk [wast{ur}ne _corrected from Notes and 1864 edition_] [1737 Sidenote] ... divided, and given ... [divided. and]

ORPHANED QUOTATION MARKS [211] “I schal telde vp my trone i{n} þe tra mou{n}tayne [682] “How myȝt I hyde myn hert fro habraham þe trwe, [899] “Wyth þy wyf & þy wyȝeȝ & þy wlone deȝtters, [1642] “Ryche ky{n}g of þis rengne rede þe oure lorde,

NOTES 365 [364] 414 kytheȝ vncouþe [kytheȝ, vncouþe] 449 ... _wern_ = _were_ (?). [_second note numbered 448 and printed on previous line_] 461 _smach_ smack, scent [_definition printed in italics_] 501 ... (see B. l. 857). [_Printed as shown, with superfluous “B.”_] 654 _sothly_ = truly (? _sotly_, foolishly or _softly_). [_Note is numbered 655 and printed after longer note for 655. The word “sothely” also occurs in 657, but the text note (“sotly...”) refers to 654._] 1358 _avayment_, exhibition. [_body text has two words “a vayment”_] 1696 [1697] 1792 _Now is a dogge also dere_ [_body text has two words “al so”_]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

PATIENCE.

[Headnotes: PATIENCE IS TO BE COMMENDED. JONAH IS SENT TO NINEVEH. HE SAILS FOR TARSHISH. HE IS OVERTAKEN BY A TEMPEST. JONAH IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH, AND IS CAST OVERBOARD. A WILD WHALE SWALLOWS JONAH. THE WHALE WANDERS ABOUT. JONAH PRAYS FOR HIS DELIVERANCE. THE WHALE VOMITS UP JONAH. THE PROPHET PREACHES AGAINST NINEVEH. GOD’S MERCY DISPLEASES JONAH. JONAH IS SHELTERED BY A WOODBINE. HE LAMENTS ITS DESTRUCTION. GOD JUSTIFIES HIS MERCY AND FORBEARANCE.]

[Headnote: PATIENCE IS TO BE COMMENDED.]