1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Looue ȝee riȝtwisnesse, that demen the erthe; feeleth of the Lord in goodnesse, and in simplenesse of herte secheth hym. For he is founden of hem, that tempten hym not; he apereth forsothe to them, that feith han in to hym. Shreude forsothe thoȝtis seueren fro God; preued forsothe vertu chastiseth vnwise men. For in to an euell willi soule shal not gon in wisdam; ne shal dwelle in a bodi soget to synnes. An holi spirit forsothe shal flee the feynere of discipline, and shal taken hymself awei fro thoȝtis, that ben without vnderstonding; and he shal be chastisid fro the ouercomende wickidnesse. Benyngne is the spirit of wisdam, and he shal not deliuere the cursid fro his lippis; for of the reenus of hym witnesse is God, and of the herte of hym he is verre serchere, and of the tunge of hym herere. For the Spirit of the Lord fulfilde the rondnesse of londis; and that, that conteneth alle thingus, kunnyng hath of vois. For that he that speketh wicke thingus, mai not lurke; ne chastysende dom shal beside passen hym. In the thoȝtis forsothe of the vnpitous asking shal be. Of the sermounes forsothe of hym heering to God shal come, and to the correcciouns of the wickidnesses of hym; for the ere of the ielous hereth alle thingis, and the noise of grucchingus shal not ben hid. Kepe ȝee thanne ȝou fro grucching, that no thing profiteth, and fro bacbiting spareth to the tunge; for a derc sermoun in veyn shal not go; the mouth forsothe that lieth, sleth the soule. Wileth not loouen deth, in errour of ȝoure lif, ne purchase ȝee perdicioun in the werkis of ȝoure hondis; for God made not deth, ne gladeth in the leesing of men of liue. Forsothe God made, that alle thingus weren; and able to helthe he made the naciouns of the roundnesse of londis. Forsothe ther is not in hem leching of destruccioun, ne the reume of helle is in the erthe. riȝtwisnesse forsothe is perpetuel, and vndeadli; vnriȝtwisnesse forsothe purchasing of deth. Vnpitous men forsothe with hondis and wrdis haunteden it, and eymende it a frend, floweden doun, and behestes they putteden to it; for deth thei ben wrthi, that ben of the part of it.
Forsothe vnpitouse men seiden, thenkende anent hemselue not riȝt, Litil and with noȝe is the time of oure lif; ther is not refreshing in the ende of a man, and ther is not, that be knowen turned aȝeen fro helle. For of noȝt wee ben born, and aftir these thingus wee shul be, as thoȝ wee hadden not ben; for smoke and blast is in oure nose therles, and sermoun of a sparcle to stirn togidere oure herte. For quenchyd ashen shal ben oure bodi, and the spirit shal be held abrod as softe eir; and oure lif shal passe as the step of a cloude, and as a litil cloude ben vnknyt, that is dryuen of the bemes of the sunne, and of the hete of it agreggid. And oure name forȝeting shal take by tyme; and no man shal han mynde of oure werkis. Forsothe the passing of the shadewe is oure tyme, and ther is not turning aȝeen of oure ende; for it is al closid, and no man turneth aȝeen. Cometh thanne, and vse wee the goodis that ben, and vse wee creature, as in oure ȝouthe, swiftli. With precyous win and oynemens fille wee vs; and passe not vs the flour of tyme. Crowne wee vs with roses, er thei welewen; no medwe be, that oure leccherie passe not thurȝ. Noon of vs be withoute lot of oure leccherie; ouer al lefe wee signes of gladnesse; for this is oure part, and this is lot. Oppresse wee the riȝtwis pore man, and spare wee not to the widewe, ne wrshipe wee hoere heres of the olde man of myche time. Be forsothe oure strengthe the lawe of vnriȝtwisnesse; forsothe that that is feble, vnprofitable is founde. Bigile wee thanne the riȝtwis man, for vnprofitable he is to vs, and contrarie to oure werkis; and repreuendeli puttith to vs the synnes of lawe, and defameth aȝen vs the synnes of oure disciplyne. He behoteth hym the kunnyng of God to han, and the sone of God he nempneth hymself. He is mad to vs in to ouerleding of oure thoȝtis. Heuy he is to vs also to seen; for vnlic to othere is the lif of hym, and myche chaungid ben the weies of hym. As trifleres wee ben eymed of hym, and he absteneth hymself fro oure weies, as fro vnclennesses; and he tellith biforn the laste thingus of riȝtwis men, and he glorieth hymself to han God to fader. See wee thanne, if the wrdis of hym ben trewe; and asaȝe wee, what ben to comen to hym; and wee shul wite, what shul ben the laste thingis of hym. If forsothe he is verre sone of God, he shal vndertaken hym, and delyuere hym fro the hondis of the contrariose. With wrong vndernymyng and torment aske wee hym, that wee wite the reuerence of hym, and proue the pacience of hym. Bi most foul deth condempne wee hym; forsothe respit shal be of the wrdis of hym. These thingus thei thoȝten, and erreden; and the malice of hem blendede them. And thei knewen not the sacramens of God, ne hopeden the meede of riȝtwisnesse, ne demeden the wrshepe of holi soules. For God made man vndeadli, and to the ymage of his licnesse made hym. Forsothe thurȝ the enuye of the deuel deth cam in in to the roundnesse of erthis; forsothe thei folewen hym, that ben of the part of hym.
The soules of riȝtwis men ben in the hond of God; and torment of deth shal not touche them. Thei ben seen to the eȝen of vnwise men to dien; tormenting is eymed the issue of hem. And fro a riȝtwis weie thei wenten in to destruccioun, and that of vs ys weie of destruccioun; thei forsothe ben in pes. And if befor men thei suffreden tormentis, the hope of hem is ful of vndeadlynesse. In fewe thingus trauailid, in manye thingus thei shul be weel disposid; for God temptede them, and fond hem wrthi hymself. As gold in furneis he prouede them, and as brent sacrifise of ost he loouwede them; and in time shal ben the biholding of hem. Thei shul shyne riȝtwis, and as sparcles in reeddy places thei shuln renne hider and thider. Thei shul deme naciouns, and lordshipen to puples; and the Lord of hem shal regne in to withoute ende. Who trosten in hym, shuln vnderstonde treuthe; and feithful in looue thei shul assente to hym; for free ȝifte and pes is to the chosen men of hym. Vnpitous men forsothe, aftir that thei thoȝten, vndernymynges shuln han; that dispiseden the riȝtwis, and fro the Lord wenten awei. Wisdam forsothe and discipline who casteth awei, is vnseli; and voide is the hope of hem, and trauailes withoute frut, and vnprofitable the werkis of them, and vnable to dwelle in. The wymmen of them ben vnwise, and most wicke the sonus of hem. Cursid the creature of them; for seli is the bareyn, and the vndefoulid, that kneȝ not the bed in trespas, shal han frut in beholding of holi soulis. And the gelding, that wroȝte not bi his hondis wickidnesse, ne thoȝte aȝen the Lord most wicke thingus; forsothe ther shal ben ȝiue to hym the chosen fre ȝifte of the beleeue, and lot in the temple of God most aloowid. Forsothe of goode trauailes glorious is the frut, and the whiche the roote of wisdam al to-stereth not. The sones forsothe of auoutreres in ending shul ben, and fro the wicke bed the seed shal ben outlawid. And if forsothe of long lif thei shul be, in noȝt thei shul be countid; and withoute wrshipe shal be the laste eelde of hem. And if swiftliere thei shul ben dead, thei shul not han hope, ne in the dai of knouleching speche. Forsothe wicke naciouns ben of hard ending.
O! hou fair is chast ieneracioun with clerte; vndeadli forsothe is the mynde of it, for anent God it is knowe, and anent men. Whan present it is, thei folewe; and desiren it, whan it hath lad out itself, and it crouned in to withoute ende berth the victorie, takende bi victorie the meede of the vndefoulid striues. Forsothe the manyfold goten multitude of vnpitouse men shal not ben profitable; and auoutrie plauntingis shul not ȝiue heeȝe rootis, ne stable stedefastnesse setten. And if in the braunchis in the tyme buriounen, vnstabli set of the wind thei shul ben al to-stirid, and of the mychilnesse of windis pullid vp bi the rootis. Forsothe braunchis vnendid shul be tobroken; and the frutis of them vnprofitable, and soure to ete, and to no thing able. Forsothe alle the sonus, that shul ben born of wicke men, witnesses ben of shreudenesses aȝen fader and moder, in ther asking. The riȝtwis forsothe, if he were beforn ocupied bi deth, in refreshing shal ben. The laste age forsothe wrshipeful is not longe durende, ne in noumbre of ȝeres countid; hoere ben the wittis of man, and the age of eelde lijf vndefoulid. The plesing to God mad looued, and lyuyng among synneres is translatid; he is raueshid, lest malice shulde chaunge the vnderstonding of hym, or lest feynyng shulde begile the soule of hym. Forsothe priue desceyuyng of trifling derkneth goode thingus, and vnstablenesse of coueiting ouerturneth wit withoute malice. The ful endid in short fulfilde manye tymes; plesid forsothe to God was the soule of hym; for that he wente to bringen hym out fro the myddel of shreudenesses; puples forsothe seende and not vnderstondende, nouther ben puttende in ther hertes suche thingis. For grace of God and mercy is in to his seyntis, and ferthermor respit in to the chosyn of hym. Forsothe the riȝtwis dead condempneth the vnpitous men on liue; and ȝouthe swiftliere endid, the longe lif of the vnriȝtwis. Forsothe thei shul see the ende of the wise man, and thei shul not vnderstonde, what God hath thoȝt of hym, and whi the Lord mynushte, or made lytil hym. Thei shul seen, and dispisen hym; hem forsothe the Lord shal scorne. And thei shul ben after these thingus falling doun with oute wrshipe, and in wrong blamyng among the deade in to withoute ende. For them inwardli blowen he shal to-breke withoute vois, and stern hem fro the foundemens; and vnto the heȝest thei shul ben desolat. And thei shul be weilende, and the mynde of hem shal pershen. Thei shul comen in the thenking of ther synnes dredful; and shuln ouerleden hem forn aȝen the wickidnesses of hem.
Thanne shul stonde riȝtwis men in gret stedefastnesse aȝen hem that anguyssheden hem, and that token awei the trauailes of hem. Seende thei shul ben disturbid with orrible drede, and shul merueilen in the sodeynesse of the vnhopid helthe, weilende for anguysh of spirit, seiende, withinne themself penaunce doende, and for anguysh of spirit weilende, These ben, whom wee hadden sum tyme in to scorn, and in to licnesse of repref. Wee vnwise eymeden the lif of hem wodnesse, and the ende of them without wrshipe; hou thanne ben thei countid among the sonus of God, and among seyntis the lot of hem is? Therfore wee erreden fro the weie of treuthe, and the liȝt of riȝtwisnesse liȝtede not to vs, and the sunne off vnderstonding is not sprunge to vs. Weri wee ben in the weie of wickidnesse, and of perdicioun; and wee han gon harde weies. The wei forsothe of the Lord wee knewen not; what profitede to vs pride, or bost of richesses what ȝaf it to vs? Alle tho thingus passeden as shadewe, and as a messager rennende biforn. And as a ship, that passeth thurȝ the flowende water, of the whiche whan it is passid, a step is not to finde, ne a path of his botme in the flodis. Or as a brid, that ouerfleth in the eir, of the whiche noon euydence is founden of his weie, but onli the soun of weengis betende the liȝt wind, and kuttende bi fors the eir of the weie, and togidere stirid the weenges ouerfleth, and aftir that no signe is founden of his weie. Or as an arwe sent out in to the ordeyned place, the eir deuydid contynueli is reclosid in it, that the passing of it be vnknowen. So and wee born contynueli lefen to ben, and of vertue noon forsothe signe wee myȝten shewe; in oure wariedhed forsothe wee ben wastid. Such thingus seyden in helle these that synneden. For the hope of the vnpitous is as a wlle loke, or thistildoun that of the wind is taken awei, and as a smal fome that of tempest is sprengd awei, and as smoke that of the wind is held abrod, and as the mynde of a geste of o dai, passende biside. Riȝtwise men forsothe in to withoute ende shul lyue, and anent the Lord is the meede of hem; and the thoȝt of hem anent the heȝest. Therfore thei shul take the reume of wrshipe, and the diademe of fairnesse of the hond of the Lord; for with his riȝt hond he shal couere them, and with his holi arm defenden hem. And the ielouste of hym shal taken armure, and armen creature to the veniyng of enemys. He shal clothen for the brest plate riȝtwisnesse, and he shal take to for the helm certein dom; he shal take the sheeld vnuenkusable equite; he shal sharpe forsothe hard wrathe in to a spere, and the roundnesse of erthis shal fiȝte with hym aȝen the vnwise. The sendingus out of leitis shul gon euene riȝt, and as at the teising the bowe of cloudis bent, thei shul ben outlawid; and to a certeyn place thei shul lepen in. And fro the stony wratheful hailes shul ben sent, and water of the se shal teenden in to them, and flodis shul renne togidere hard. Aȝen hem the spirit of vertue shal stonde, and as a whirle puff of wind deuyden hem; and to wildernesse he shal fulli bringen al the lond of the wickidnesse of hem, and wariedhed shal turne awei the setis of myȝti men.
Betere is wisdam than strengthis, and a man prudent more than a strong man. Hereth thanne, ȝee kingis, and vndirstondith; lerneth, ȝee domes men of the coestes of the erthe. Ȝiueth eres, ȝee that holden togidere multitudis, and plesen to ȝou in cumpanyes of naciouns; for ther is ȝouen of the Lord power to ȝou, and vertue of the heiȝeste, that shal aske ȝoure werkis, and thoȝtis serchen. For whan ȝee weren mynestres of his reume, not riȝtli ȝee demeden, ne kepten the lawe of riȝtwisnesse, ne aftir the wil of God ȝee wenten. Orribleli and soone he shal apere to ȝou; for most hard dom shal ben don in hem, that ben biforn. Forsothe to the litle is grauntid mercy; myȝty men forsothe myȝtili tormentis shul suffre. Forsothe he shal not withdrawe the persone of any man, the Lord, that is lordshipere of alle thingus, and he shal not drede the mykilnesse of any man; for litil and gret he made, and euenli cure is to hym of alle. To the strengere forsothe strengere stant in tormenting. To ȝou thanne, kingus, ben these my wrdis, that ȝee lerne wisdam, and that ȝee falle not of. Who forsothe shul kepe riȝtwisnesse, riȝtly shul be demed; and that shul lerne riȝt thingus, shul finde, what thei answere. Coueiteth thanne my wrdys, and looueth hem; and ȝee shuln han disciplyne. Wisdam is cler, and that neuere welewith; and liȝtli is seen of hem that loouen it, and is founde of hem that sechen it. It beforn ocupieth that coueyteth it, that to them rathere he shewe hymself. Who fro liȝt shal wake to it, shal not trauailen; forsothe he shal finde it sittende in his ȝates. Thanne to thenken of it is ful endid wit, and he that shal wake for it, soone shal be sikir. For it goth aboute sechende the wrthi itself; and in his weis it shal shewe itself to them, and gladsumli in alle prouydence or bifore ordeynyng it shal aȝen come to them. The bigynnyng forsothe of it is most verre coueityng of discipline. Thanne cure of discipline is loouyng; and loouyng is keping of his lawis. Keping forsothe of lawes is ful ending of vncorupcioun; vncorupcioun forsothe makith next to God to ben. And so coueiting of wisdam shal lede forth to the euerlastende kingdam. If thanne ȝee deliten in setes, and in kingus dignetees, O! ȝee kingis of the puple, looueth wisdam, that in to withoute ende ȝee regne. Looueth the liȝt of wisdam, alle ȝee, that ben toforn to puplis. What is forsothe wisdam, and hou it be mad, I shal telle; and I shal not hide fro ȝou the sacramentis of God; but fro the bigynnyng of birthe I shal enserche, and putten in to liȝt the kunnyng of it, and I shal not passe biside the treuthe. Ne with the quyterende enuye weie I shal han; for such a man shal not ben parcener of wisdam. The multitude forsothe of wise men helthe is of the roundnesse of erthis; and a wis king is the stablete of the puple. Thanne takith discipline bi my wrdis, and it shal profite to ȝou.
I am forsothe and a deadli man, lic to men, and of the erthi kinde of hym that rathere is mad, and in the wombe of the modir figured I am flesh. In time of ten monethis cruddid I am in to blod, of the sed of man, and of couenable deliting of slep. And I born toc comun eir, and lic maner fel doun in to the mad erthe; and the firste vois, lic alle, I putte out weping. I was nurshid in swathing clothis, and in grete besynesses; no man forsothe of kingis other hath bigynnyng of birthe. Oon entre is to alle to lif, and lijc issue. For that I desirede, and there is ȝiue to me wit; and I inwardli clepide, and there cam in me the spirit of wisdam. And I putte it biforn to reumes, and setes; and richesses I seide no thing to ben in comparisoun of it, ne I comparisounede to it a precious ston; for alle gold in comparisoun of it is a litil grauel, and as clei siluer shal ben eymed in the siȝte of it. Ouer helthe and fairnesse I loouede it; and I purposide for liȝt to han it, for vnquenchable is the lyȝt of it. Forsothe there camen to me alle goodis togidere with it; and vnnoumbrable honeste by the hondis of it. And I gladede in alle thingus; for this wisdam wente befor me, and I kneȝ not, for of alle goodis it is moder. For withoute feynyng I lernede, and withoute enuye I comune; and the oneste of it I hidde not. Forsothe tresor it is withoute ende to men, the whiche who useden, parcener ben mad of the frenshipe of God, commendid for the ȝiftis of discipline. To me forsothe God ȝaf to seyn of sentence, and to take bifore the wrthi thingis of these that ben ȝiue to me; for he is duk of wisdam, and the mendere of wise men. In the hond forsothe of hym and wee, and oure wrdis, and alle wisdam, and disciplyne of the kunnyng of werkes. He forsothe ȝaf to me verre kunnyng of these that ben, that I wite the disposicioun of the roundnesse of erthis, and the vertues of elemens; the begynnyng, and the ende, and the myddil of tymes; the chaungingus of whilemelis, and the endingus of times; the chaungingus of maneris, and deuyseouns of times; the coursis of the ȝeer, and the disposicioun of sterres; the kindis of bestes, and the wrathis of noȝous bestis; the strengthe of windis, and the thoȝtis of men; the differences of ȝunge trees, and vertues of rootis. And what euere thing be hid and vnpurueid, I lernede; forsothe the craftus man of alle thingus taȝte me bi wisdam. Forsothe ther is in it the spirit of vnderstonding, hoeli, many fold, onli, sotile, manerli, faire spekende, mouable, vndefoulid, certeyn, sweete, loouende good deede, that no thing forfendith to do weel; manli, benygne, stable, sikir, alle hauende vertue, alle thingus beholdende, and that taketh alle intelligible spiritis, clene, sotile. Thanne alle forsothe mouable thingis mor mouable is wisdam; forsothe it ateyneth ouer al, for his clennesse. Forsothe the humour of the vertu of God it is, and the maner going out is a clene clernesse of the Almyȝti God; and therfore no thing defoulid renneth in to it. Forsothe whitnesse it is of the euerlastende liȝt, and a merour withoute wem of the maieste of God, and an ymage of the goodnesse of hym. And sithen it is oon, alle thingus it mai; and abidende stille in itself, alle thingus it neweth, and bi naciouns to hoeli soules it berth ouer itself; the frendis of God and profetes it ordeyneth. No man forsothe God looueth, but hym that dwellith with wisdam. Forsothe this is fairere than the sunne, and ouer al disposicioun of sterres; to liȝt comparysouned, it is founde rathere. To it forsothe nyȝt goth doun; wisdam forsothe malice ouercometh not.
Therfore it ateyneth from ende vnto ende strongli, and disposeth alle thingus sweeteli. This I loouede, and soȝte it out fro my ȝouthe; and I soȝte to taken it a spouse to me, and loouere I am mad of the foorme of it. It hauende the cumpanye of God, glorifieth the ientilnesse of it; but and of alle thingis the Lord loouede it. Forsothe the techeresse it is of the discipline of God, and the cheseresse of the werkis of hym. And if richesses ben desirid in the lif, what richere than wisdam, that wercheth alle thingis? If forsothe wit wercheth, who of these that ben, more is crafti man than it? And if riȝtwisnesse a man looueth, the trauailes of this han grete vertues; sobrenesse forsothe and prudence it techeth, and riȝtwisnesse, and vertue; than the whiche more profitable no thing is in lif to men. And if multitude of kunnyng desireth a man, it knowith the passid thingus, and of the to comen it eymeth; it knowith the felnesse of wrdis, and the soilingis off argumentis; the toknes and wndris it knowith, er thei ben don; and the chaunsis of tymes and of worldis. Thanne I purposide this to bringe to me, to festeye with me; witende for with me it shal comune of goodis, and ther shal be togidere speche of thenking, and of myn anoȝe. I haue for this to cumpanyes clernesse, and wrshipe anent the elderes; ȝung and sharp I shal be founde in dom, and in the siȝte of myȝti men merueilous I shal be, and the faces of princes shul merueilen me. Thei shul sustene me, beende stille, and me spekende, beholden; and me sermounende manye thingis, hondis to ther mouth thei shul putte. Ferthermor I haue bi this vndeadlynesse; and euere lastende mynde to them, that after me ben to come, I shal lefe. I shal dispose puples; and naciouns to me shul ben soget. Ferful kingus herende me shul dreden; and in multitude good I shal be seen, and in bataile stronge. Entrende in to myn hous, I shal reste with it; forsothe the conuersacioun of it hath not bitternesse, ne noȝe the with lyuyng of it, but gladnesse and ioȝe. These thingus thenkende anent me, and togidere membrende in myn herte; for vndeadli is wisdam in thenking, and in the frenshipe of it good delitende; and in the werkus of the hondis of it honeste with oute failing, and in the strif of the speche of it wisdam; and gret openyng in comunycacioun of the wrdis of it; I wente aboute, sechende that to me it I shulde take. A child forsothe I was witti, and bi lot hauende a good soule. And whan I was more good, I cam to a bodi vndefoulid. And as I wiste, for other wise I mai not ben contenent, but God ȝeue, and that selue was wisdam, to knowen of whom was that ȝifte; I wente to the Lord, and preȝede hym, and seide, of alle the entrailis of myn herte.
God of my fadris, and Lord of mercy, that madest alle thingus with thi wrd, and with thi wisdam ordeynedest man, that he shulde lordshepen of creature, that of thee is mad, that he dispose the roundnesse of londis in equyte and riȝtwisnesse, and in riȝt reuling of herte he deme dom; ȝif to me wisdam, the neeȝh stondere of thi setis; and wile thou not me repreuen of thi childer. For I am thi seruaunt, and the sone of thin hand woman; a feble man, and of litil time, and lasse to the vndirstonding of dom and of lawes. And if any man shul ben ful endid of the sonus of men, if fro hym flee wisdam, in to noȝt he shal be countid. Thou forsothe chose me king to thi puple, and domysman of thi sonus and doȝtris; and thou seidist, me to bilden a temple in thin holi hil, and in the cite of thi dwelling an auter; the licnesse of thin holi tabernacle, that thou greithedist fro the begynnyng. And with thee thi wisdam, that kneȝ thi werkis, the whiche and was at thanne, whan the roundnesse of erthis thou shuldist make, and he wist that, that was plesaunt to thin eȝen, and that, that is riȝt in thin hestis. Send fro thin holi heuenes it, and fro the sete of thi mychilnesse, that with me it be, and with me trauaile; and I wite what be aloouwid anent thee. Forsothe it wot alle thingus, and vndirstandith; and shal leden me forth in my werkes sobrely, and kepen me in his power. And my werkys shul ben aloouwid, and I shal disposen thi puple riȝtwisly, and I shal ben wrthi the setes of my fader. Who forsothe of men shal moun wite the counseil of God? or who shal moun thenke, what God wile? The thoȝtis forsothe of deadli men dredful, and vncerteyn oure purueauncis. Forsothe the body that is corumpid, greeueth the soule; and ertheli indwelling presseth doun the wit, manye thingus thenkende. And of hard wee eymen, that ben in the erthe; and that in ferr siȝte ben, we finden with trauaile. That forsothe in heuenus ben, who shal enserche? Thi wit forsothe who shal knowe, but if thou shul ȝyue wisdam, and sende thin Holi Spirit fro heȝest thingus? And so amendid ben the pathis of hem, that ben in erthis, and that to thee pleseden, men lerneden. For whi bi wisdam thei ben helid, who so euer pleseden to thee, Lord, fro the bygynnyng.
This hym, that first is foormed of God, the fader of the roundnesse of erthis, whan alone he was foormed, kepte. And ladde hym out fro his gilte, and broȝte hym out of the slym of erthe, and ȝaf to hym vertue of hauynge alle thingus. Fro this as the vnriȝtwise wente awei in his wrathe, bi the wrathe of manslaȝter pershede fraternyte. For the whiche whan water shulde don awei the erthe, he helede eftsoone bi wisdam; bi the dispisable tree gouernende the riȝtwis man. This and in the consenting of pride, whan naciouns rereden hemself, knew the riȝtwis, and kepte withoute blame to God; and in the sones gret merci kepte. This the riȝtwis fro the pershende vnpitous men deliuerede fleende, fijr descendende in to the regioun of fiue citees. To the whiche, in to the witnessing of shreudenesse, the desert erthe is knowen ful of smoking, and in certeyn time the trees hauende frutes; and of the mysbeleeued soule the mynde stondende is the foormyng of salt. Forsothe passende biside wisdam, not onli in that ben slyden, that thei vnknowen gode thingis, but and of ther vnwisdam thei han laft to men mynde, that in tho thingus, that thei synneden, thei myȝten not lurken. Wisdam forsothe them, that it kepen, al aboute fro sorewes shal delyuere. This forsothe the ferr fugitif, or fleynge riȝtwis fro the wrathe of the brother, ladde awei bi riȝt weies; and shewede to hym the kingdam of God, and ȝaf to hym the kunnyng of seyntis; it honestede hym in trauailes, and fulfilde the trauailes of hym. In the gile of the men comende aboute to hym, it was nyȝ, and honest made hym. It kepte hym fro enemys, and fro desceyueres defendide hym; and a strong strif it ȝaf to hym, that he shulde ouercome, and wite, for of alle thingis the myȝtiere is wisdam. This this olde riȝtwis man forsoc not, but fro synneres deliuerede hym; and it descendide with hym in to the dich; and in bondis forsoc not hym, to the time that it shulde bringe to hym the dignete of the reume, and myȝt aȝen hem that hym thresteden doun; and lieres he shewide, that defouleden hym, and he ȝaf to hym euere lastende clernesse. This the riȝtwis puple, and hoely withoute blame, delyuerede fro naciouns, that it opresseden. It entride in to the soule of the seruaunt of God, and stod aȝen grisful kingus, in grete wndris and signes. And it ȝeeld to the riȝtwis men the meede of ther trauailes, and broȝte them thennes in a merueylous weie; and it was to them in the coueryng of the day, and in liȝt of sterres bi the nyȝt. And he bar them ouer thurȝ the rede se; and he ouercariede them thurȝ ful myche water. The enemys forsothe of hem he drenchide in the se; and fro the depnesse of helle he ladde them out. Therfore riȝtwis men token awei the spoiles of vnpitous men; and heeȝli sungen, Lord, thin holi name, and thin hond ouercomere thei preiseden togidere. For wisdam openede the mouth of doumbe men, and the tunges of vnspekende childer made faire spekende.
It riȝt reulede the werkis of hem, in the hondus of the holi profete. Weie thei maden bi desertis, that ben not dwellid in; and in desert places thei maden litil cotes. Thei stoden aȝen enemys, and of the enemys thei venieden hemself. Thei thristeden, and inwardli clepeden thee; and ther is ȝoue to them water of the heȝest ston, and reste of thrist of the harde ston. Bi tho thingis forsothe that the enemys of hem suffreden peynes, fro the defauting of ther drinc, and whan the sones of Irael hadden plente, gladeden; bi these thingus, whan to them hadden failid, wel with them is don. Forwhi forsothe for the welle of the euerlastende flod, mannys blod thou ȝeue to vnriȝtwis men. The whiche whan thei weren mynusht, in the ouerleding of the slayne litle childer, thou ȝeue to them abundende water in maner not hopid; shewende bi the thrist, that thanne was, hou thine thou shuldest enhauncen, and the aduersaries of hem slen. Whan forsothe thei weren temptid, forsothe and with mercy disciplyne thei token; thei wisten, hou with wrathe vnpitous men demed, tormentis shulden suffre. These forsothe as a fader warnende, thou prouedest; hem forsothe as an hard king askende, thou condempnedist. Forsothe the absent men and the present lic maner weren tormentid. Forsothe double noȝe hadde taken hem, and weiling with the mynde of the passid thingis. Whan forsothe thei herden, bi ther tormentis wel with them to ben do, thei membreden the Lord, merueilende in to the ende of the going out. Whom forsothe in a shreude putting out thei scorneden cast aferr, in to the ende of that that fel, merueileden; not lic maner to riȝtwis men doende. For vnwis thoȝtis forsothe the wickidnessis of hem, that summe errende herieden doumbe edderes, and ouer veyne bestes, thou sentist in to them a multitude of doumbe bestes, in to veniaunce; that thei shulden witen, for bi tho thingus that a man synneth, bi tho thingus also he shal be tormentid. Forsothe not inpossible was thin almyȝti hond, that made the roundnesse of erthis of mater vnseen, to senden in to them a multitude of beres, or hardi leouns, or of newe kinde vnknowen bestes, and ful of wrathe, or spittende brething of fires, or bringende forth smel of smoke, or puttende out grisful sparkes fro eȝen; of whiche not onli the hurting hadde mouȝt destroȝed them, but and the looking bi drede slen. But and withoute these with o spirit thei myȝten ben slayn, suffrid persecucioun of ther deedis self, and scatered bi the spirit of hys vertue. But and alle thingus in mesure, and noumbre, and peis thou disposedist; forsothe myche to moun, to thee alone ouer was euermore; and to the vertue of thin arm who shal aȝenstonde? For as a poynt of a balaunce, so is befor thee the roundnesse of erthis; and as a drope of morutid dew, that goth doun in to the erthe. And thou hast merci of alle, for alle thingus thou maist; and thou forberist the synnes of men, for penaunce. Forsothe thou loouest alle thingus that ben, and no thing thou hatedest of hem, that thou madist; ne forsothe hatende any thing thou ordeynedest, or madist. Hou forsothe myȝte any thing abide stille, but thou haddest wold? or that of thee were not clepid, shulde ben kept? Thou sparist forsothe to alle; for thine thei ben, Lord, that loouest soulis.
O! hou good, and hou swete, Lord, is thi Spirit in vs; therfore them that out erren in parties, thou chastisist; and of the whiche thingus thei synnen, thou warnest, and spekest to, that, the malice laft, thei leeuen in thee, Lord. Forsothe tho olde dwelleris of thin holi lond, the which thou grisedist; for hateful werkis thei diden to thee, bi lechingus, and sacrifises vnriȝtwise; and the sleeres of ther sonus, withoute mercy, and the eteres of the boweles of men, and the deuoureres of blod; and the fadris and modris, autoures of the soules vnholpen, leese thou woldist not fro thi myddel sacrament, bi the hondis of ther fadris and modris; that the wrthi pilgrimaging of the childer of God thei shulden parceyue, the whiche is a lond more cheere to thee of alle. But and to these as to men thou sparedist, and sentist waspis, beforgoeres of thin ost, that them litilmel thei shulden destroȝen. Not for thou were vnmyȝti in bataile to sogeten vnpitous men to riȝtwis men, or bi cruel bestes, or bi hard wrd to destroȝe togidere; but bi parties demende, thou ȝaue place of penaunce, not vnknowende, for shreude is the nacioun of hem, and kindely the malice of them, and for the thoȝt of them myȝte not ben chaungid in to euermor. The sed forsothe was cursid fro the bigynnyng. Ne dredende any man, forȝyuenesse thou ȝeue to the synnes of them. Who forsothe shal sey to thee, What madist thou? or who shal stonde aȝen thi dom? or who in thi siȝte shal comen, veniere of wicke men? or who shal wijte to thee, if naciouns pershen, that thou hast mad? Forsothe there is noon other God than thou, to whom is cure of alle, that thou shewe, for not vnriȝtwisly thou demest dom. Ne forsothe king ne tiraunt in thi siȝte shul enserche of these thingus, that thou hast destroȝed. Sithen thanne thou art riȝtwis, alle thingis riȝtwisly thou disposist; hym also, O! fader, that owith not to be punshid, condempnende, and straunge thou eymest fro thi vertue. Forsothe thi vertue is the bigynnyng of riȝtwisnesse; and for that, that of alle thou art lord, to alle thou makest thee to sparen. Forsothe vertue shewist thou, that art not beleeued to ben in vertue ful endid; and hem that knowen not thee, in hardynesse thou ouerledist. Thou forsothe, lordshipere of vertue, with pesiblenesse demest, and with gret reuerence disposist vs; forsothe ther vnderlith to thee, whan thou wilt, to moun. Forsothe thou taȝtist thi puple bi suche werkis, for it behoueth to ben riȝtwis, and manly; and thou madist thi sones of good hope, for demende thou ȝyuest place of penaunce in synnes. If forsothe the enemys of thi seruauns, and due to deth, with so myche tentifnesse thou tormentedist, and deliueredest, ȝiuende time and place, bi the whiche thei myȝten be chaungid fro malice; with hou myche diligence demest thou thi sones, to whos fadris and modris, othis and couenauntis thou ȝeue of goode behestes? Thanne whan thou ȝiuest to vs discipline, oure enemys manyfold thou scourgist, that thi goodnesse demende, wee thenken; and whan of vs is demed, wee hope thi merci. Wherfore and to them, that in ther lif vnwisly and vnriȝtfulli lyueden, bi tho thingus, that thei herieden, thou ȝeue grettest tormentis. Forsothe in the weie of errour lengere thei erreden, eymende goddis tho thingis that in bestes ben ouer veyne, liuende bi maner of vnwise ȝunge childer. For that as to vnwise childer thou ȝeue dom, in to scorn; who forsothe with repreues and blamyngus ben not mendid, the wrthi dom of God ben expert or feliden. In these thingus forsothe that thei suffreden, heuyli thei beeren, in the whiche suffring thei endeyneden; bi tho thingis that thei wenden goddis, in hem whan thei weren distroȝid, seende hym, whom sum tyme thei denyeden hem to han knowen, verre God thei knewen; for the whiche and the ende of the condempnyng of hem shal come on hem.
Veyne forsothe ben alle men, in whiche vnderlith not the kunnyng of God; and of tho that ben seen goode thingus, thei myȝten not vndirstonde hym, that is, ne to the werkis takende heed, knewen who was craftis man; but or fyr, or spirit, or swift eir, or cumpas of sterres, or ful myche watir, or sunne, or moone, the gouernoures of the roundnesse of londis goddis wenden; in whos fairnesse delitid, if thei wenden goddis, wite they, hou myche than these the lordshipere of hem is the fairere; the getere forsothe of fairnesse alle these thingus ordeynede. Or if the vertue and werkis of them thei wndreden, vnderstonde they of tho thingis, for he that made these thingis, is strengere than tho; forsothe of the mykilnesse of fairnesse, and of creature, knowendeli shal moun the creatour of these ben seen. But ner the latere ȝit in these lasse pleynt is; and these forsothe parauenture erren, sechende God, and willende to finden. And forsothe in the werkys of hym whan thei ben often turnende, and sechen, and ful shewid han, for goode thingis ben, that ben seen. Eft forsoothe ne to these owith to be forȝouen. If forsothe so myche thei myȝten kunne, that the world thei myȝten eymen, hou the lord of this liȝtliere thei founden not? Vnseli forsothe thei ben, and among the deade the hope of them is, that clepeden goddis the werkis of the hondis of men, gold, and siluer, the finding of craft, and the licnesses of bestes, or vnprofitable ston, the werc of the olde hond. Or if any crafti man, forgere, hewe of the wode an euene tree, and of this taȝtli pare awei al the rinde, and, vsid his craft diligentli, forge a vessel vnprofitable in to conuersacioun of lif; the tother forsothe of his werk to the making of mete vse; and the tother of these thingis, that to noon vse, a crokid tree, and ful of knarres, he maketh, that he graue diligentli bi his voidenesse, and bi the kunnyng of his craft figure it, and licne it to an ymage of man, or to sum of bestes it he comparisoune, thurȝ drawende with a reuler, and make the colour of it with red, and broun, and eche spot, that is in it, ful daubende with erthe, and make it a wrthi dwelling, puttende it in a wal, and fastnende with iren, lest parauenture it falle; beholdende to it, witende, for it mai not helpen theself; forsothe an ymage it is, and nede is to it helpe. And of his substaunce, and of his sones, and of sposailes, makende auow, ensercheth; he shameth not to speke with it, that withoute soule is; and for helthe forsothe the feble he besecheth, and for lif he preȝeth the deade, and in to helpe he inwardli clepeth the vnprofitable. And for the going asketh of it, that may not go; and of purchasing, and of werching, and of the chauns of alle thingus he asketh of it, that in alle thingys ys vnprofitable.
Eft an other thenkende to seilen, bi hidous flodis bigynnende to make weie, the tree berende hym, inwardli clepeth a more frele tree. That forsothe coueitise of wynnyng thoȝte out; and a craftisman forgede bi his wisdam. Thou forsothe, fader, gouernest bi prouydence, for thou hast ȝoue in the se weie, and among flodis most stedefast path; shewende, for thou art myȝti of alle thingus to helen, also if withoute ship a man go to the se; but that the werkis of thi wisdam weren not voide, for that also men takende ther liues to a litil tree, and passende the se, bi a ship ben deliuered. But fro the bygynnyng, whan proude ieauntis persheden, the hope of the roundnesse of erthis to a ship fleende, sente aȝeen to the world sed of birthe, that bi thin hond was gouerned. Blissid forsothe is the tree, bi the whiche is do riȝtwisnesse. The maumet forsothe, that is maad bi hondys, is cursid, and it, and he that made it, for he forsothe wroȝte vnleefulnesse; that forsothe, whan it was britil, is nempned God. Lic maner forsothe to hate ben to God the vnpytouse, and the vnpitousnesse of hym. Forsothe that is mad, with hym that made, tormentus shal suffre. For that and to the maumetis of naciouns shal not ben reward; for the creaturis of God in to hate ben mad, and tempting to the soule of men, and in to a mouscacche to the feet of vnwise men. The bigynnyng forsothe of fornycacioun is the outseching of maumetis, and the finding of hem is corupcioun of lyf. Forsothe thei weren not fro the bigynnyng, ne shul ben in to with oute ende. The oueruoidenesse forsothe of men these thingis fond in to the roundnesse of erthis; and therfore short the ende of hem is founden. Forsothe with bitter weiling the fader sorewende, soone of the raueshid sone made an ymage; and hym, that thanne as a man was dead, now as god he begynneth to herien; and ordeynede among his seruauns templis and sacrifises. Aftirward in the mene comende time waxende shreude custum, this errour as lawe is kept, and bi maundemens of tirauntis false werkis ben heried. These whom in opene men myȝten not wrshipen, for that aferr thei weren, from aferr the figure of them is broȝt; the euydent ymage of the king, whom wrshipen thei wolden, thei maden; that hym that was aferr, as present thei shulden herien with ther bisynesse. Forsothe the grete diligence of the craftis man droȝ to the heriyng of hem and hem, that vnknewen. He forsothe wilnende more to plesen to hym, that hym toc, trauailede out bi his craft, that the licnesse in to betere he shulde figuren. Forsothe the multitude of men, disceyued bi the fairnesse of the werk, hym that bifor time as a man was wrshipid, now god thei eymeden. And this was disceyuyng of mannys lif; for to afeccioun, or to kingus men deseruyng, the vncomunycable name to stones and trees thei putten. And it suffisede not, them to han erred aboute the kunnyng of God; but and in gret bataile of vnkunnyng liuende, so fele and so grete eueles pes thei clepen. Or forsothe ther sones sacrifiende, or derke sacrifises makende, or hauende ful wacchis of wodnesse, ne lif, ne clene sposailis now thei kepen; but an other an other bi enuye sleth, or auoutrende sorewith. And alle thingus ben mengd togidere, blod, manslaȝter, thefte, and feynyng, corupcioun, vnfeithfulnesse, disturbing, and forswering, strif, the vnmynding of the goodes of the Lord, the defouling of soules, the mischaunging of birthe, the vnstablenesse of bridales, the vnordeynyng of leccherie and of vnclennesse. Forsothe the heriyng of cursid maumetis is the cause of alle euel, and bigynnyng, and ende. Or forsothe, whil thei gladen, thei waxen wod; or certis thei profecien false thingus, or liuen vnriȝtwisly, or forswern soone. Whil forsothe thei trosten in maumetus, that ben withoute soule, euele swerende, thei hopen not themself to ben noȝed. Eithir thanne to them comen wrthili; for euele thei feleden of God, takende heed to maumetis, and sworen vnriȝtwisly in the maumet, dispisende riȝtwisnesse. Forsothe of men swerende is not vertue, but the peyne of synneres thurȝ goth euermor, in to the lawe breking of riȝtwis thingus.
Thou forsothe, oure God, sweete, and verre, and pacient, and in mercy disposende alle thingis. Forsothe if wee synnen, thine wee ben, witende thi mykilnesse; and if wee synnen not, wee witen, for anent thee wee ben countid. Forsothe to han knowen thee, is ful endid riȝtwisnesse; and to witen riȝtwisnesse and thi vertu, roote is of vndeadlynesse. Forsothe not in to errour inladde vs the oute thenking of the euele craft of men, ne the shadewe of peynting trauaile withoute frut, the grauen licnesse bi dyuers coloures; whos siȝte to the vnwise ȝyueth coueiting, and looueth the licnesse of the deade ymage withoute soule. The looueres of euelis ben wrthi deth, that hope han in suche thingus; and that don hem, and that loouen, and that herien. But and the crockere, the nesshe erthe threstende, trauailously maketh to oure vses eche vessel; and of the same clei he made that ben clene vesselis in to vse, and also that to them ben contrarious; forsothe of these vesselis what is the vse, domesman is the crockere. And with veyn trauaile god he maketh of the same cley, he that a litil biforn of erthe was mad; and aftir a litil he ledith hymselfe whennes he is taken, aȝeen askid the dette of the soule that he hadde. But and ther is cure to hym, not for he is to trauailen, ne for his lif is short, but that me spute with gold smythis, and siluer smythis; but and metal makeres he folewith, and glorie he berth biforn; for thingus ouer voide he maketh. Asken forsothe is the herte of hym, and erthe ouer voide the hope of hym, and foulere than cley the lif of hym. For he kneȝ not that made hym, and that enspirede to hym a soule; and looueth that he wroȝte; and that bleȝ in to hym a lifli spirit. But thei eymeden a pleiyng place to ben the lif of hem, and the conuersacioun of lif mad to wynnyng, and to bihouen also on eche side, of euel to purchasen. This forsothe wot hymself ouer alle men to trespassen, that of the mater of erthe britel vesselis and grauen maketh. Forsothe alle the vnwise men and vnsely ouer maner of ther soule ben proude, enemys of thi puple, and mysseiende to it; for alle the maumetis of naciouns godis thei eymeden, to the whiche nouther siȝte of eȝen is to seen, ne nose therlis to parceyue spirit, ne eres to heren, ne fingris of hondis to gropen, but and the feet of hem slowe to gon. A man forsothe made them, and that the spirit borewide, he feynede them; no man forsothe mai maken a god lic to hym. Whan forsothe he be deadli, the deade he makith with wicke hondis; betere forsothe is he than these, that he herieth; for he forsothe liuede, whan he was deadli, thei forsothe neuere. But and thei most wrecchid herien bestes; witles forsothe, comparisouned to these, ben wers than tho. But neither with siȝte any thing of these bestes mai beholden goode thyngis; forsothe they fledden the preisyng of God, and the blessing of hym.
For these, and lic thingus to these, wrthily thei suffreden tormentis, and bi multitude of bestes thei ben destroȝed. For whyche tormentis thou disposidist wel thi puple, bi whiche thou ȝeue coueiting of ther delit a newe sauour, greithende curleeu mete to them. That thei forsothe coueitende mete, for tho thingus that to them ben shewid, and sent, also fro nedeful coueiting thei shulden be turned awei; these forsothe nedi mad in short, tasteden newe mete. Forsothe it bihouede to them, hauntende tiraundise, deth to comen on with oute excusacioun; to them forsothe onli to shewen, hou the enemys of them weren destroȝid. Forsothe whan to them cam on the cruel wrathe of bestis, bi the bityngis of shreude shadewe edderes thei weren distroȝid. But not in to euermor thi wrathe abod stille; but to the correccioun in short thei ben disturbid, tocne hauende of helthe, to the remembring of the maundement of thi lawe. Who forsothe is turned, not bi that that he saȝ, he was heled, but bi thee, saueour of alle. In that forsothe thou shewdist to oure enemys, for thou art, that delyuerest fro alle euel. Hem forsothe the bityngis of fleȝes and of locustis slowen, and ther is not founden helthe to the soule of hem; for wrthi thei weren of suche thingus to ben destroȝed. Thi sonus forsothe, nouther the teth of dragounes, ne of venymed thingus ouercamen; forsothe thi mercy comende to, helede them. In the mynde forsothe of thi wrdis thei weren distroȝid, and swiftli thei weren saued; lest in to heeȝ forȝeting fallende, thei myȝten not vse thin helpe. Forsothe neither erbe, ne plastre helde them; but thi wrd, Lord, that heleth alle thingus. Thou art, Lord, that of lif and deth hast power; and bringest doun to the ȝatis of deth, and aȝeen bringest. A man forsothe sleth bi malice forsothe his soule; and whan the spirit goth out, he shal not turne aȝeen, ne the soule, that is resceyued, shal aȝeen clepen; but thyn hond to fleen is vnpossible. Vnpitouse men forsothe, denyynge to han knowen thee, bi the strengthe of thin arm ben scourgid; with newe watris, and hailis, and reynes, they suffreden persecucioun, and bi fijr ben wastid. That forsothe was merueylous, in water, that alle thingis quencheth, more the fir myȝte; the world forsothe is veniere of riȝtwis men. Forsothe sum tyme the fyr was tamed, that the bestes, that weren sent to vnpitous men, weren not brent; but that thei seende shulden witen, for bi the dom of God thei suffren persecucioun. And sum tyme in water, aboue vertue, fyr brende out on either side, that the wicke nacioun of the lond it shulde destroȝen. For the whiche with the mete of aungelis thou nurshedist thi puple, and thou ȝeue to them bred mad redi fro heuene, with oute trauaile; hauende alle deliting in itself, and swetnesse of alle sauour. Forsothe thi substaunce, and thi swetnesse, that in to sones thou hast, thou shewedist; and deseruende to the wil of echone, to what eche wolde, it was conuertid. Snoȝ forsothe and ijs suffreden the strengthe of fyr, and floweden not; that thei shulden witen, for brennende fyr, leiting in hail and reyn, destroȝede the frutes of the enemys. That forsothe eft, that the riȝtwis man shulde ben nurshid, the fyr also forȝat his vertue. Forsothe the creature to thee makere deseruende, brenneth out in to torment aȝen vnriȝtwis men, and softere is mad to weel don, for them that trosten in thee. For that and thanne thi graces deserueden in to alle thingus, transfigured to the vertue of alle, at the wil of them, that of thee ben desired; that thi sones, whom thou loouedyst, Lord, shulden wite, for not the frut of birthe fedde men, but thi wrd kepte them, that in thee leeueden. That forsothe that of fijr myȝte not ben destroȝed, anoon of a litil bem of sunne chaufid, flowede; that it were knowen to alle, for it byhoueth to comen beforn the sunne to thi blessing, and at the springing of liȝt to honoure thee. Forsothe the hope of the vnkinde as cold ijs shal flowen, and dispershen as watir ouer voide.
Forsothe grete ben thi domes, Lord, and vntellable thi wrdis; for these the vndisciplyned soulis erreden. Whil forsothe wicke men han ful preued, to moun lordshipen to the holy nacioun, in bondis of dercnesses, and of long nyȝt gyued, enclosid vnder rooues, fugitif to perpetuel prouydence, pleseden. And whil thei wenen them to lurken in derk synnes, bi the derc veil of forȝeting thei ben scatered, dredende grisfulli, and with ful myche wndring disturbid. Ne forsothe the den that heeld hem, with oute drede kepte; for descendende soun disturbide them, and dreri persones aperende to them, ȝeuen inward fere to them. And no strengthe forsothe of the fijr myȝte to them ȝyuen liȝt, ne the cleer flaumes of sterres myȝten liȝten that grisful nyȝt. Forsothe ther aperede to them sodeyn fyr, ful of drede; and smyten with the drede of that face, that was not seen, thei eymeden werse to ben, that weren seen. And of deuyning craft the scornes weren leid to, and the glorie of wisdam correccioun with strif. Thei forsothe, that bihiȝten dredes and perturbaciouns them to putten out fro the languysshende soule, these with scorn ful, of drede languyssheden. For and if no thing hem of the wndris disturbide, bi passing of bestis, and hissing of edderes stirid, ferful thei persheden; and the eir, that bi no resoun a man myȝte flee, denyende themself seeȝen; ofte forsothe they beforn ocupien werst thingis, the concience vndernemende. Whan forsothe ther is ferful shreudenesse, it is ȝouen in to the condepnacioun of alle thingus; euermor presumeth cruel thingis a conscience disturbid. No thing forsothe is drede, but helpe of presumpcioun, betraȝyng of the helpis of thoȝt. And whil fro withinne lasse is the abiding, the more it weneth the power of his cause, of the whiche torment it ȝyueth. Thei forsothe, that verreli the vnmyȝti nyȝt, and slepende the same slep, ouercomende from the lowest, and fro the heȝest, otherwhile thei weren stirid hider and thider, bi the drede of the wndris, otherwhile the lyues faileden bi ouerleding; forsothe to them sodeyn and vnhopid drede ouercam. Theraftir if any of hem hadde falle doun, he was kept in prisoun, with oute iren, reclosid; if forsothe a cherl who were, or a shepperde, or a werchere of feeldis, were beforn ocupied, vnscapable, or that myȝt not be fled, nede he suffrede. With oon forsothe cheyne of dercnesses alle thei weren bounde togidere; or puffende wind, or sweet soun of briddes among thicke braunchis of tres, or strengthe of ful myche rennende doun water, or strong soun of stones fallid doun, or the vnseen cours of pleiende bestes, or the stronge vois of loowende bestes, or the aȝeen sounende rebounding of soun fro the heȝest hillis, maden them failende for drede. Forsothe al the roundnesse of erthis was liȝtid with cler liȝt, and contened in werkis not lettid. Forsothe only to them was ouerset a greuous nyȝt, ymage of dercnesses, that was to come on to them; thanne thei to themself weren mor greuous than the dercnessis.
To thi seyntes forsothe was most liȝt, and the vois forsothe of these the enemys herden, but the figure thei seȝen not; and for not and thei bi the same thingus hadden suffrid, thei magnefieden thee. And for biforn hurt thei weren, for thei weren not hurt, graces thei diden to thee; and that ther were difference, thee, God, thei askeden. For the whiche thei hadden to the vnknowe lif ledere, a brennende piler of fyr; and thou ȝeue the sunne, withoute hurting of good herberewe. Wrthi forsothe thei to lacken liȝt, and to suffrin prisoun of dercnesses, that enclosid kepten thin holi sones; bi whom the vncorupt liȝt of lawe bigan to ben ȝouen to the world. Whan thei thoȝten to slen the fauntis of riȝtwis men; and oon sone leid out, and deliuered, and in to the ouerleding of them, thou tooke awei the multitude of sones, and togidere them thou spildist in strong water. That forsothe nyȝt is knowen biforn of oure fadris, that verreli witende bi what othis thei leeueden, thei shulden ben mor stedefast. Forsothe ther is taken of thi puple helthe, forsothe of riȝtwis men; of vnriȝtwis men forsothe destroȝing. Forsothe as thou hurtedest oure aduersaries, so and vs sterende, thou magnefiedist. Hidendely forsothe the riȝtwis childer of goode men sacrifieden, and the lawe of ryȝtwisnesse thei disposeden to acord; lic maner riȝtwis men goodes and eueles to resceyuen, noble preisingus to the fader of alle singende. Forsothe the vncouenable vois of enemyes sounede, and wepful weiling of bewepte ȝunge childer was herd. Lic peyne forsothe the seruaunt with the lord is tormentid; and a man of the puple to the king lic thyngis suffrede. Thanne lic maner alle with o name of deth hadden vnnoumbrable deade men, ne the quyke forsothe suffiseden to birien; for o moment the nacioun of hem, that was mor cler, is distroȝed. Of alle forsothe they not leeuende for the benefetes, thanne whan first was the deth of the first goten, thei bihiȝten hemself the puple of God to ben. Whan forsothe quyete silence contenede alle thingus, and the nyȝt in his cours hadde the mene weie, thin almyȝti wrd, Lord, goende out fro heuene, fro the kingus setes cam; an hard ouercomere it is, in to the myddel lond of deth; leep forth a sharp swerd berende in to thi licned empire; and stondende fulfilde alle thingus with deth, and vnto heuene ateynede, stondende in the erthe. Thanne anoon the siȝte of euele sweuenes disturbide them, and dredes oncamen vnhopid. And an other elleswher cast forth half on lyue, for what cause of deth he diede, he shewede. Forsothe the viseouns that disturbeden hem, these thingus biforn warneden, that thei shulden not pershen vnkunnynge, whi thei suffreden eueles. Thanne forsothe touchede and riȝtwismen the temptacioun of deth, and ther is mad of the multitude a stiring in wildernesse; but not longe abod stille thi wrathe. A man forsothe goende withoute blame to preȝen for puples, bringende forth of hys seruyse the sheeld an orisoun, and bi encens preȝing aleggyng, withstod to the wrathe, and ende putte to the nede, shewende for thi seruaunt he is. Forsothe he ouercam cumpanys, not in vertue of body, ne in armure of power; but in wrd hym that ouertrauailede hym, he vndircaste, remembrende the othis of fadris, and testament. Whan forsothe now hipyllmelum thei hadden fallen dead, either vp on other, he stod betwen, and kutte awei the bure, and deuydede that weie, that to the men on lyue ladde. Forsothe in the clothing of the preest coepe, that he hadde, was al the roundnesse of erthis; and the grete thingus of fadris weren grauen in foure ordres of stones; and thi grete doyng in the dyademe of hys hed was writen. To these forsothe he ȝaf stede, that distroȝede, and these thingus he ful out dredde; forsothe ther was alone suffycyent temptyng of wrathe.
To the vnpitouse forsothe and to the laste withoute mercy wrathe cam vpon; forsothe he knew biforn and the thingis to comen of hem. For whan thei weren turned, and hadden suffrid, that thei shulden lede them, and with gret bisynesse thei hadden sent them beforn, ther folewede forsothe them the deede of penaunce. Ȝit forsothe among the hondys hauende weiling, and weping at the monumentes of the deade, an other thynking of vnkunnyng thei token to them; and whom preȝende thei hadden throwen awei, them as fugitifes thei pursueden. Forsothe ther ladde them to that ende wrthi necessite, and of these thingis that hadden fallen, the mynde thei losten, that that lackeden of tormentis, punshyng shulde fulfillen, and thi puple forsothe merueylously shulde passe; thei forsothe newe deth shulden fynde. Eche creature forsothe to his kinde fro the bigynnyng was aȝeen figured, deseruend to thin hestes, that thi childer shulden be kept vnhurt. For a cloude shadewede the tentes of hem, and in the water that was biforn, the erthe aperede drie; and in the rede se weie with oute lettyng, and a buriounende feeld of ful gret depthe; bi the whiche alle nacioun passede, that was couered with thin hond; seende forsothe thi merueiles and wndris. As hors forsothe thei gnowen mete, and as lombis thei ful out ioȝeden, magnefiende thee, Lord, for thou delyueredest hem. Forsothe myndeful they weren ȝit of tho thingus, that were don in the comeling wonyng of hem; as for the nacioun of bestes, the erthe broȝte out fleeȝes, and for the fisshes, the flod bolkede out multitude of frogges. At the laste forsothe they seȝen a newe creature of briddes, whan, lad bi lust, thei askeden metes of delicious eting. In the speche forsothe of the desir, steȝede vp to them fro the se a curlu; and trauailes to synneres camen vp on, not withoute tho euydences, that weren mad bi the fors of flodis. Riȝtwisly forsothe thei suffreden, aftir their shreudenesses; forsothe in to abhominable hospitalite thei stoden in. Othere forsothe vnknowen comelingus resceyueden not; othere forsothe goode gestes in to seruage token. And not onli these thingus, but an other forsothe respit of hem was, for maugre theires thei resceyueden straungeres. Who forsothe with gladnesse resceyueden them, that hadden vsid the same enformyngus, with most cruel sorewes thei tormenteden. Smyte forsothe thei ben with blindnesse, as thei in the ȝates of the riȝtwise, with sodeyn dercnesses, whan thei ben couered; eche oon soȝte the passing out of his dore. In to them self forsothe whil the elemens ben turned, as in an orgne of qualite the soun is chaungid, and alle kepen ther soun; wherfore of that serteyn siȝte it may be eymed. Feeldi wilde thingus in to watri ben turned; whateuere weren swymmende, in the erthe passeden. Fyr in the watir hadde strengthe ouer his vertue; and water forȝat his quenchende kinde. Flaumes aȝeenward trauaileden not the flesh of the coruptible bestes goende togidere; ne dissoluede it, that liȝtli was dissolued as ijs, good mete. In alle thingus forsothe thou magnefiedist thi puple, Lord, and wrshepedist; and dispisedist not, in alle tyme and in alle place stondende nyȝ to them.
Copyright © 2013–2026 Jeremy J. Johnson. All rights reserved.