THE HOLY BIBLE, CONTAINING THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS, WITH THE APOCRYPHAL BOOKS, IN THE EARLIEST ENGLISH VERSIONS MADE FROM THE LATIN VULGATE BY JOHN WYCLIFFE AND HIS FOLLOWERS; EDITED BY . THE REV. JOSIAH FORSHALL, F.R.S. ETC. LATE FELLOW OF EXETER COLLEGE, AND SIR FREDERIC MADDEN, K.H. F.R.S. ETC. KEEPER OF THE MSS. IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM. VOLUME III. OXFORD, AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS. M.DCCC.L. ^ PROVERBS. [Prologue on the book of Proverbs*:~\ IN these Prouerbis of Salomon is contened myche prudence and vndurstonding, jouen to Salomon bi the Spirit of God, and acordinge in many places with the gospel of Crist. And as Crist techith in his gospel goostli wisdom oonli, so Salomon techith worldli warnesse, how a man owith to gouerne him prudentli in the world, and to be war of perels and mescheues, and to fle nedynesse, and to schewe bi his gouernaunce, that the prudence of God is with him, which is arettid as lijt, and folie is arettid as derknesse. Heere bygyneth the prologe in the booc off Prouerbys*. 'To Cromacie and Eliodere, bishopis, Jerome sendeth greeting1". Joynec the epistil whom ioyneth presthod ; 3he, the chartre twynne not, whom the looue of Crist knytteth. Exposiciouns in Osee, Amos, Zacharie, and Malachie, thed whiche 3ee asken, I shulde han write, if it hadde ben leeful for siknesse. 3ee senden solacys of costis, 3oure notories, and bokis writeres sustenende, that to 3ou most cure6 wit trauaile. And lo ! asidef the hauntende puple of men diuerse thingis askende, as or£ euene it be meh to trauailen, 3ou hungrende, also to othere, or, in resoun of 3yuen thing and taken, to any, saue 3ou, I be bounde. And so thur3 long siknesse brosid, lest fulli this 3eer I shulde be stille, and anent' 3ou I were doumb, the were of thre da3is to 3oure name I sacride ; the remenyng, that is, of thej thre volumes of Salomon, Masloch, that Ebrues Parablis, the comun making Prouerbis clepeth ; Coelech, that Grecli Eclesiasten, Latinli a Spekere wee moun seyn ; Cirasirym, that in to cure tunge is turned Song of Songis. It is told andk Panarethos, the boc of Jhesu, sone of Cirach ; and an other falsly writen, that is inwriten1 the Wisdam of Salamon. Of whichem the rathere I fond Ebru, not Ecclesiasticum, as anent the Latynes, but Parablis beforn notid ; to whom weren ioyned Eclesiastes and the Song of Songis ; that he shulde euene to" the licnesse of Salamon, not onli in noumbre of bokis, but also in maner0 of mateeris. The secounde anent the Ebrues is neuer no wher, for and that maner of speche sauoureth the Grekis faire specheP; and summe of olde writeres afermen this boc to ben of Jew Filon. As thanne Judith, and Tobie, and the bokis of a This prologue is from M. a Heer begynnelh the preface of seynt Jerom in the booc of Prouerbis. EGHI. Here bigynneth the prolog on the Parablis of Salamon. L. No initial rubric in AR. b Jerom sendith greetinge to Cromacie and to Eliodere, bischopis L. c I ioyne R. d Om. u. e joure L. f of the side i. e Om. R. h Om. n. 1 anentis A el E et L passim. J Om. c. k Om. LR. ' writen LR. m the whiche c pr. m. I. n Om. .tui.n. 0 the maner L. P spechis R. VOL. III. 2 PROVERBS. i. i — 13. Macabeis, redeth hem forsothe the chirche, but among the reuleer scnptuns resceyueth not ; so and these two volumes rede hei to the edificacioun of the* puple, not to the autorite of chirche teching* to ben confermed. If to any man forsothe more plese the translacioun of the seuenty remenoures, he hath it sum time amend* of vs Ne forsothe so newe thingis wee maken, that olde thingis wee desire. And 'neuer the latere', whan most diligentli redeth he", wite he oure writen thingis to ben vnderstonde, that ben not coruptid held* into the thridde vessel, but, anoon from the presse most pureli the vessel 3euen, han kept their sauour. Here endith the prolog, and here btgynnen the ParaMs of Salomon". Here-bigynneth the Parablis of Sa- lomon*, CAP. I. i THE parablis of Salamon, sone of Da- auid, king of Irael ; to ben koud wisdam, 3 and discipline ; to ben vnderstonden the woordis of prudence; and to ben vndir- take enformyng of doctrine, ri3twysnesse, 4 and dom, and equite ; that felnesse be 3eue to litle childer, and to the 3unge ful waxen, kunnyng and vnderstonding. 5 Herende the wise wisere shal ben ; and vnderstondende gouernaile he shal welde. e Take he heede the parable, and the re- menyng ; the woordis of wise men, and 7 the derke spechis of hem. The drede of the Lord the? begynnyng of wisdam ; s wisdam and lore foolis dispisen. Here, my sone, the discipline of thi fader, and 9ne leue thou the lawe of thi modir; that ther be added grace to thin hed, and a iobe3ez to thi necke. My sone, if theea synneres fulfiile with mylc, ne assente nthoub to them. If thei sey, Cum thou with vs, waite wee to the blod, hide wee grenes a3en the innocent in veyn ; laswolewe wee hym, as helle the liuende; and hoi as the descendende in to the is lake; alle precious substaunce we shul Here bigynnen the Prouerbis of Sa- lomon*. CAP. I. The parablis of Salomon, the sone of i Dauid, king of Israel ; to kunne wisdom 2 and kunnyng; to vndurstonde the wordiss of prudence; and to take the lernyng of teching ; to take ri3tfulnesse, and dom, and equyte ; that felnessebb* be 3ouun to litle 4 children!, and kunnyng, and vndurstond- hie to a sone wexynee man. A wise nianr. tcAi'rf«™--that • ° is, symple men. heringe schal be wiserec; and a man vn- Lire here, cet durstondinge schal holde gouernails. Hec schal perseyue a parable, and expown- yngd|; the wordis of wise men, and the derk figuratif spechis of hem. The" drede? of the Lord is the bieynning of wisdom ; °J foolis dispisen wisdom and teching. My 8 here. c. sone, here thou the teching of thi fadir§, §/<«/»•,• that and forsake thou not the lawe of thi «>*•, thwto, modir ; that grace be addid, ethir en-s "1*°°^^' creessidf, to thin heed, and a biell to thi 11 ««<*«««,«'«•* . In eld ty me wise necke. Mi sone, if synneris flateren thee, lomen weren . i wont to haiif a asseute thou not to hem. If thei seien, 1 1 gpidun We, in Come thou with vs, sette we aspics to S?lt«S~ bloods, hide we snaris of disseitis a3ens *"*• c- an innocent without cause ; swolowe we 12 him, as helle swolowith a man lyuynge ; and al hool, as goynge doun in to a lake; thereof. Lire q hem L. * Om. LR. » techingis E. * neuer lattere LR. u hem i. ' heeldid AEHILR. w From E. Here endith the prolog of Prouerbis, se now the book. i. Here eendith the prolog, and bigyiuieth the firste c°. L. Here eendith the prolog, and bigynneth the book of Prouerbis of Salamon. R. No final rubric in the other Mss. * From A. Incipit liber Proverbiorum. G. No initial rubric in the other Mss. y is the A. z wrethe B pr. m. a thee souken E pr, m. b thou not E pr. m. b From EM. Here bygynnen the Prouerbis. o. Heere bigynnith the book of Prouerbis. i. Here biginnith the Prouerbis of Salomon, py. No initial rubric in the other Mss. bb telnesse, or tvarnesse v. « the wisere i. d the expownyng i. e Om. i. f cncreesse w. e schede blood i. 1. 14 — 32. PROVERBS. finde, wee sliul fulfillen oure housis with 14 spoilis ; lot ley with vs, o bagge of lamonee be of vs alle ; mi sone, ne go thou with hem ; forfende thi foot fro the 16 sties of hem. Forsothe the feet of hem to euel rennen ; and hee3en that thei I7sheden out blod. In vein forsothe is throwen a net befor the e3en of the isfethered. Thei also a3en ther blod awaiten ; and casten gilys a3en ther 19 soulis. So the pathis of the auerous man raueshen the Hues of the welderes. Wis- 20 dam withouteforth precheth ; in stretis 21 it 3yueth his vois. In the hed of cum- panyes it ofte crieth ; in the doris of the 3atis of the cite he bringeth forth 22 his woordis, seiende, Hou longe, 3ee litle childer, loouen childbed, and foolis tho thingus that ben no3esum to them shul coueiten, and vnprudent0 men shuln 23haten kunnyng? Be 366 conuertid at my correccioun ; lo ! I shal bringe forth to 3ou my spirit, and shewen my woordis. 24 For I clepede, and 366 forsokeri ; I stra3te out myn bond, and ther was not that 2o wolde beholden. 3ee despiseden al my counseil ; and my blarnyngisd 366 ro3ten 20 not of. I forsothe in 3oure deth shal Iaw3he ; and vndermouwe 3ou, whan to 3011 that, that 3ee dredden, shal come. 27 Whan shal falle feerli wrecchidnesse, and deth as tempest shal ajen come ; whan shal come vp on 3ou tribulacioun and an- 28guysh. Thanne thei shul inwardli clepe me, and I shal not ful out heren; erly they shuln rise togidere, and not finde 29 me. For thi that hatesum thei hadden disciplyne, and the drede of the Lord so thei vndertoken not, ne assentiden to my counseil, and bacbitiden to al my correc- 31 cioun. Thei shuln ete therfore the frutis of ther weie ; and with ther counseilis 32 thei shul be fulfild. The turning awei we schulen fynde al preciouse catel, weisf »/>«y/>»,; that schulen fille oure housis with spuylish*; sende1 thou lot with vs, o purs bek of vs 14 {^ alle; my sone, go thou not with hem ; 15 *f«-«- forbede thi foot fro the pathis of hem. net '» signefied in ii f £ T- , disseit of wick- For the feet of hem rennen to yuel; and i old men, and thei hasten to schede out blood. But ai7in'v netf is leid in veynj bifore the i$enj of ™^ briddis, that ban wengis. Also 'thilkeis^y - . ,., '. . &, . benwyngidbi wickid aisseyuens setten1 aspies a3ens her vertu to , . . eschewe it. owne blood ; and maken redi fraudis m Lire here. c. a3ens her soulis. So the pathis of ech i» dil"euiTor dis- auerouse man rauyschenn|| the soulis of '^btfore™1'' hem that welden". Wisdom 5[ prechith20vertuou»ewise 11 men. Ka. with outforth; in stretis it 3yueth his vois. § infor the iym ,, . ., -, . ,, , , ,. that is, bifor It crieth otte in the heed ot cumpenyes ; 21 bri, in the leeues of 3atis of the citee it bringith forth hise wordis, and seith, long, 36? litle men in wit, louen'i 3ong childhod**, and foolis schulen coueyte tho thingis, that ben harmful to hem silf, andr vnprudent men schulen hate kun- nynff ? Be 36 conuertid at my repreu- 23 with out b'gyu- 3 • nyng. prech. yng; lo, Y schal profre5 forth to 3ou my u'h; biprofetis . . _- , , and techeris. spirit, and i schal schewe my wordis. in stretis; for For Y clepideff, and 36 forsoken ; Y helde24ho^)Il8tumtd(a," forth myn bond, and noon was1 that bi- tryn> techen '" * comyn places, helde. 3e dispisidenu al my councel ; and 25 as ajenward ' . thei that han chargiden not my blamyngis. And Y 26 yuei doctryn schal Iei3e in 3oure perisching; and Y schal wchen^priuy c. || rauyschen, etc.; that is, alien thing to helle. Lin here. cua. f Wisdom; that is, God, wisdom scornev sou, whanne that, that 3e dreden, cometh to 3ou. Whanne sodeyne wretch-27hatithl'3*'and • lie cometh not idnesse fallith in, and perischingw bifallith to the ii3t, lest . hise werkis hen as tempest ; whanne tribulacioun and an- repreued, but i ii v mi_ ii • no he that doith gwisch cometh x on 3ou. lhanne thei28truthe;Cometh schulen clepe me, and Y schal not herejf; thei schulen rise eerli, and thei schulen schewid, for tho ben doon in not fynde me. For^ thei hatidenz techinga, 29 God, as Cnst andb thei token riot thec drede of the *oijmn. "Lre' Lord, nether1' assentideii to my councel, 3oJf^A^Aod. and6 depraueden al rnyn amendyriff. Ther-3i that is> wan: • tonnesse. Lire for thei schulen ete the fruytis^ of her Aere. CNVB. weie; and thei schulen be fillid with her that is, L: wise' c vnkunnynge A. d blamynge A. k robries i. » putte i. k be ther i. l thei setten i. that setten s. m fraudis, or gijles i. " rauyschen or taken awey i. ° that is, wisdam K marg. V Om. I. <1 louen je i. r and hou longe i. s brynge ceteri. 4 ther was i. u haue dispisid j. ' bymowe NY. w spillyng i. x comen i. y For cause that i. * hadden i. a teching in hate i. b and for i. ° Om. i. d nether thei i. e and thei i. B2 PROVERBS. i. 33— n. 19- of Htle childer shal slen hem; and the saprosperite of foolis shal leesen hem. Who forsothe me shal heren,withoute ferd shal resten; and abundaunce he shal parfitli vsen, the ferd of euelis taken awey. CAP. II. i My sone, if thou vndertakest my woordis, and my maundementes hidist 2anent thee; that thin ere here wisdam, inwardliche bowe thin herte to ben sknowen wisdam. If forsothe wisdam thou shalt inwardli clepen, and inwardli 4 bowe thin herte to prudence; if thou shalt sechen it as money, and as tresoris sdeluen it out; thanne thou shalt vnder- stonden the drede of the Lord, and the e kunnyng of God finde. For the Lord jyueth wisdam ; and of the mouth of 7hym prudence and kunnyng. He shal kepen the helthe of ri3te men, and de- sfende thegoende symplely; withholdende the pathis of ri3twisnesse, and the weies 9 of halewis kepende. Thanne thou shalt vnderstonde ri3twisnesse, and dom, and loequite, and eche good path. If wisdam shul go in to thin herte, and the kun- nnyng to thi soule plese, counseil shal kepe thee, and prudence shal withholde 12 thee; that thou be pullid out fro an euel wey, and fro a man that speketh shreude isthingus. Thei that forsaken the ri3t go- 14 ing, and wenten bi derke weies ; that for- sothe gladen, whan thei don euele, and 15 ful out iojen in werst thingus; of whom the weies shreude, and yuel losid the go- leingys of hem. That thou be take awey fro an alien womman, and fro a straunge, 17 that softeth hir woordis; and forsaketh IB the ledere of hir childbed, and the coue- naunt of hir God hath for3ete. Forsothe inwardly bowid is to deth the hous of 19 hir, and to helle the pathis of hir. Alle counseils. The turnyng awei of Htle in wit schal sle hem; and the prosperite e/c.,.thatis,fewe of foolis schal leesef hem. But he thatas! herithe me*, schal reste with outen drede; and he schal vse abundaunce, whanne the . tor the tyme of drede of yuels is takun awei. merit is passid, as to deed men, ether for thei CAP. II. thatsynnen . repenten not Mi sone, if thou resseyuest my wordis, i verily, that is, .1 i • At, ii, f°r the loue of and hidist myn heestisf anentis thee; thata good, but oneiy thin eere here wisdom, bowe thin herte to knowe prudence. For if thou inwardli 3 clepist wisdom, and bowist thin herteb to prudence ; peyne. Lire here. c. §§eteth efruyth, etc. ; that is, if thou sekist it as money J, 4 schuien be pu- «<* »« ,• that is, obeyeth to Goddis heestis. abundaunce : Ofgoostii in blis. Lire here. c. •f- and hidist myn heestis ; and diggist it out as tresours ; thanne 5 thou schalt vndirstonde the drede of the Lord, and schalt fynde the kunnyng of God. For the Lord 3yueth wisdom $ ; e and prudence and kunnyng is of his mouth. He schal kepe the heelthe of ri3t-7 ful men, and he schal defende hem that goen sympli. And he schal kepe the a pathis of ri3tfulnesse', and he schal kepe the weies of hooli men. Thanne thou 9 schalt vndirstonde ri3tfulnesse, and dom, and equytee, and ech good path||. wysdom entrith in to thin herte, and kun- nyng plesith thi soule, good councel schal 11 kepe thee, and prudence schal kepe thee ; that thou be delyuered fro an yuel weie^T, I2is propiriy , ~ ., , .,, , knowing of dy- and iro a man that spekith weiward uyn thingis. thingis. Whiche™ forsaken a ri3tful weie, I3?s"kmwingor'' and goen bi derk weies; whiche" ben u '"^1 *'£fls glad, whanne thei ban do yuel, and maken doon- *«"»*»?,• 0 > » isofthmgistobe ful out ioye in worste thingis ; whose 15 whoidun in wit. .7 , , , Lire here. c. weies ben weywerd, and her goymgis ben owen to be comyned to , but in kepinge tho as a preciouse as money; of yuel fame. That thou be delyuered fro an alien womman**, and fro a straunge womman, that makith soft hir wordis ; M an auarouse man sekith money, and as and forsakith the duyk° of hir tyme of 1 7 ?t "gSdhi* mariage, and hath foi^ete the couenaunti8§5'^^;s^m. of hir God. For the hous of hir is bowid fJJ™ fthac' to deeth, and hir pathis to helle. Allei9^ecltffood.Patlti . that is, hij ver- that entren to hirf f , schuien not turne a3en, tu, that l e rijtwise A. f fordo i. 8 tvel herith i. 0 duyk, or ledere i. ere i. '• ri3twisnesse i. The whiche i. n the whiche i. II. so — HI. 17. PROVERBS. that gon in to hir, shul not turne a3een, 20 ne take the sties of lif. That thou go in a good weye, and the pathis of ri3twis 21 men thou kepe. Who forsothe ben ri3te, shul dwelle in the erthe; and the symple 22 shul parfitli wone in it. The vnpitouse forsothe fro the erthe shul be lost ; and that wickidli don, shul be take fro it awei. CAP. III. 1 My sone, ne for3ete thou my lawe ; 2 and thin herte kepe myn hestis. For- sothe lengthe of da3is, and 3eeris of lif, 3 and pes, thei shul ley tof to thee. Mercy and treuthe forsake thei not thee; cum- pase them to thi throte, and descryue in 4 the tablis of thin herte. And thou shalt finde grace, and good discipline befor s God and men. Haue trost in the Lord, of al thin herte; and ne lene thou to thi 6 prudence. In alle thi weies thenc hym, 7 and he shal ri3t reulen thi goingis. Ne be thou wis anent thiself ; dred God, and 8 go awey fro euel. Helthe forsothe shal ben in thi nauele, and watring of thi a bones. Honoure the Lord of thi sub- staunce, and of the cheef of alle thi 10 frutis 3if to pore men ; and thi bernes shul ben fulfild with fulnesse, and with 4 1 1 win thi presses shul rebounden. The discipline of the Lord, my sone, ne caste thou awey; ne faile thou, whan of hym 12 thou art chastisid. Whom forsothe the Lord looueth, he chastiseth ; and as fader in the sone it with pleseth to hym. isBlisful the man that findeth wisdam, u and that flowith prudence. Betere is the purchasing of it, than the chaffering of gold and of siluer; first and most pure is the frutis of it. More precious than alle richesses it is; and alle thingus that be desirid, to it moun not be comparisound. ic Lengthe of da3is in his ri3t half, and in the left half of it richessis and glorie. 17 The weies of it faire, and alle the pathis nether? schulen catche the pathis of lijf. schortiy to biu. That thou go ini a good weie, and kepe 20 «i yL/ wey- the pathis of iust men. Forsothe thei that 21 %£ % idola- bea rijtful, schulen dwelle in the lond ; ** an alien. and symple men schulen perfitli dwelle '"> fro H ther ynne. But vnfeithful men schuleu be 2* alien tm God, lost fro the loond ; and thei that doen wickidli, schulen be takun awey fro it. TTT . J.J.1. daies, and the seeris of liif, and pees. tren '" hir> etc-s _, J that is, for we Merci and treuthe forsake thee not * ; 3 schulen turne bynde thou tho to thi throte, and write8 feith andTnour in the tablis of thin herte. And thou 4 £££ Lire schalt fynde grace, and good teching bi- *n^la^"^ fore God and men. Haue thou trist ins be not forsakun ITI/*II.I -i* °^ thee, for whi the Lord, of al thin herte ; and triste4 thou venues for. Lire here. c. that i8> fro any womman that m. , , , is leecberous, sone, for3ete thou not my lawe; andi ajemis the bid. thyn herte kepe my comaundementis. For 2 uwl0/^^'" thor schulen sette to thee the lengthe of l^^ not to thi prudence. In alle thi weies 6 thenke thouu on hym, and he schal dresse ff he *T,kit,!' * tho. good tech- thi goyngis. Be thou not wijs anentis thi 7 inss ether tem- . ° peraunce and silt 7; drede thou God, and go awei fro oneste m vtir- yuel. For whi helthe schal be in this doun.c°iSre'!a' nawlej, and moisting of thi boonys. *7n thV owne Onoure thou the Lord of thi catel, and of 9 «>Put!foun- K- J in thi nawte ; the beste of alle thi fruytis 3yue thou tins is a figura- to pore men ; and thi bernes schulen be 10 u thTheithTof fillid with abundaunce, and pressoursv schulen flowe with wiyn. My sone, caste u thou not awei the teching of the Lord ; soule in p™- sperites; and bi and faile thou not, whanne thou art chas- moisture of tisid of him. For the Lord chastisithi2dm"tondun" hym, whom he loueth ; and as a fadir in £t££g£ the sone he plesith hym. Blessid is the is f '" ^ere- c- • * It is a tre of man that fyndith wisdom, and whichw %/,-asiiyfwas _, . „ contynnued, bi flowith with prudence. The geting therof 14 the tre of nyf, is betere than the marchaundie of gold dweih-n^Tm and of siluer ; the fruytis therof ben the J^JJSj, firste and clennestex. It is preciouserey is haue passid fro the liyf of than alle richessis ; and alle thingis that kynde to the ... , liyf of glorie, ben desirid, moun not be comparisound to Without deth this. Lengthe of daies is in the ri therof, and richessis and glorie ben in the Prud«" Om. AGH. P nether tliei i. 1 in to A. r thei i. s write hem I. that i. * the clenneste i. J more precious i. * lene i. u Om. i. v thi pressours i. PROVERBS. III. 18 — IV. 3. is of it pesible. The tre of lif it is to them that cacchen it ; and that holden it, ben loblisful. The Lord bi wisdam foundede the erthe; bi prudence stablide heuenes. 20 Bi the wisdam of hym breeken out depe watris ; and the cloudis bi dew togidere 21 waxen. My sone, ne flowe these thingis awei fro thin eje; kep thou my lawe, and 22counseil£; and there shal ben lif to thi zasoule, and grace to thi chekis. Thanne thou shalt go trostli in thi wey; and thi 24 foot shal not offende. If thou shul slepe, thou shalt not drede; thou shalt resten, 25 and sweete shal be thi slep. Ne drede thou with sodeyn gastnesse, and the poweris of the1' vnpitous men fallende 26 on to thee. The Lord forsothe shal ben in thi side; and kepe thi foot, that thou 27 be not take. Wile thou' not forfenden hym that mai wel don ; if thou maist, 28 and thiself wel do. Ne sey thou to thi frend, Go, anc( turne a3een, to moru I shal 3yue to thee ; whan anoon thou rnaist 29jiue. Ne caste thou to thi frend euel, so whan he in thee hath trost. Ne striue thou a3en a mank in veyn, whan he no si thing of euel hath don to thee. Ne enuye thou the vnri3twis man, ne folewe 32 thou the weies of hym. For1 abhomyna- cioun of the Lord is eche gilour; and with the simple the serrnounyrig of hym. ssNede of the Lord in the hous of the vnpitouse; the dwelling placis forsothe of 34ri3twise men shul be blessid. He shal desceyue the desceyueres ; and to the de- ssbonere he shal 3yue grace. Glorie wise men shul welde ; of foolis the out io3ing shenshipe. weies therof the pathis CAP. IV. 1 Here 3ee, sones, the discipline of the fader; and taketh heede, that 3ee knowen 2 prudence. A good 3ifte I shal 3yuen to 33ou ; my lawe ne forsake 3ee. For and I e my counseile A. h Om. A. » Om. . lifthalf therof. The feire weies, and alle ben pesible. that taken it ; and he that holdith it, is blessid. ie/Z 17 a man I liyf of grace to therof the liyf of glo- rie, without It is a tre of lijf* to hemi8detb.0fdediy synne goynge bitwixe, so that The Lord foundide the erthe bii9amancontynue in tho; therfor wisdom ; he stablischide heuenes bi pru- it sueth, and he . , , that holdith it, dence. The depthis of ,watns braken out 20 ;„ b!essid . for bi his wisdom ; and cloudis wexen togi- ^hS^Wto dere biz dewe. My sone, these thingis 2 i^'-j^.™' flete not awey fro thin i3en ; kepe thou faiimge in to dedly synne. my lawe, and my counsel ; and lijf schal 22 the Lord schal , . i « 777, ,1 • be at thi side; be to thi soule, and grace schal be3 to thi thatif henyle chekis. Thanne thou schalt go tristili in 23 ^^^p^ne, thi weie; and thi foot schal not snapere. thu schal i* to tin good, that If thou schalt slepe, thou schalt not drede;24istoexcertiseof thou schalt reste, and thi sleep schal be to merit'of" soft. Drede thou not bib sudeyne feer, and 25 f<,°"e'c-i>re the powers of wickid men fallynee in on * & that bihetith thee. For the Lord schal be at thi side;2Gg<x>d«Tith the , . /. , mouth, that and he schal kepe thi foot, that thou be thenkith yuel thou forbede to do welrj Lire here. c. not takun. Nil him that mai; if thou thou wel. Seie thou not to thi goodis and ' L' maist, andc do Jh* * "' tcimi frend, 28 l)e multiplied , in temporal God, and turne thoue a3en, and to morewe Y schal 3yue to thee ; whanne thou maist 3yue anoon. Ymagyne thou not yuel thi freend, whanne he hath trist in thee. the ful out M. ynge of foolis is Stryue thou not a3ens a man with outso**«»»**ip»i . , that is, ful of cause, whanne he doith^ noon yuel to sciaundre ethir thee. Sue thou not an vniust man, thou not hise weies. For ech is abhomynacioun off the Lord ; and his yueie, and , . . . make:i ful out speking is with simple men. Nedinesseasioyeinworste ts sent of the Lord in the hous of a wickid man; but the dwelling places of iust men schulen be blessidi. 1 scorne scorneris ; and he schal 3yue grace to mylde men. Wise men schulen haue 35 afthe e He scha}34sche'iichiPe\_ for thanne the fiithe of her fou glorie ; enhaunsing of foolis is schen- schipe§. CAP. IV. Sones, here 36 the teching of the*? fadir||; i and perseiue 36, that 30 kunne prudence. Y schal 3yue to 3ou a good 3ifte ; forsake 2 3e not my lawe. For whi and Y wash the 3 here- ?• , || ofthefadir • man, a comelyng tiliere E pr. m. 1 Forsothe AH. the hyndrere partis of an ape aperith more, whanne he stieth an hi; ; and oure Latyn translacioun semeth corupt bi writer! -, for fto i. 8 ymre i. IV. 4— 24- PROVERBS. was the sone of my fader, sum what ten- der, and the onli goten beforn my moder. 4 And he ta3te me, and seide, Take my woordys thin™ herte ; kep thou myn shestis, and thou shalt line. Weld wis- dam, weld prudence ; ne fo^ete thou, ne bowe thou doun fro the woordis of my 6 mouth. Ne leue thou it, and it shal kepe thee; looue it, and it shal withholde thee. 7Begynnyng of wisdam, welde thou wis- dam ; and in al thi possessioun purchacen s prudence. Tac it, and it shal enhaunce thee ; thou shalt be glorified of it, whan 9 thou hast clippid it. It shal 3iue to thin hed encrecis of gracis; and a noble crowne 10 shal defende thee. Here thou, my sone, and vndertac my woordis ; and be ther 11 multeplied to thee 3eris of lif. The weie of wisdam I shal shewe to thee; and lede lathee bi the pathys of equyte. The whiche whan thou shalt gori in, thi goingis shul not be streitid ; and rennende thou shalt 13 not ban letting. Hold discipline, and ne 14 leue thou it ; kep it, for it is thi lyf. Ne delite thou in the pathis of vnpitous men; and to thee plese not the weie of euele is men. Flee" fro it, and passe thou not bi is it; bowe doun, and forsac it. Forsothe they slepen not, but if thei don euele; and slep is not ca3t of hem, but if thei sup- 17 plaunte. Thei eten the bred of vnpi- tousnesse, and the win of wickidnesse? isdrinken. Forsothe the path of rijtwis- men as shynende Ii3t goth forth, and logrowith in to a parfit day. The weie of vnpitous men derki; thei witen not wher 20 thei falle. My sone, hercne my woordis ; 21 and to my spechis bowe in thin ere. Ne go thei awey fro thin e3en; kep thou hem 22 in the myddel of thin herte. Forsothe lif thei ben to the findende hem, and of 23alle flesh the helthe. With alle warde kep thou thin herte, for of it lif goth 24 forth. Remoue from thee a shreude mouth ; and bacbitende lippis be thei sone of my fadir, a tendir sone, and oon this may be 'gendride bifore1 my modir. And my fadir 4 tau3te me, and seide, Thin herte resseyue my wordis; kepe thou myn heestis, and God> cherffa- 1 1,1 ITT , , dir of alle ; and thou schalt lyue. Welde thou wisdom, 5 this leu™ may welde thou prudence; for3ete thou not, ne- deue thou stidefastly to a w'ys techere. welde thou wis- dom; that is, thir bowe thou awey fro the wordis of my mouth. Forsake thou not it, and it schal c ^ecj, kepe thee ; loue thou it, and it schal kepek «FW »/«•«- ,, m, , . e • i *. dom i that '"> thee. 1 he bigynnyng of wisdom*, welde 7 to gete wisdom. ii • j i • i,i« . welde thou ww- thou wisdom; and in al thi possessioun dam, that is, gete thou prudence. Take thou it, and it 8 schal enhaunse thee ; thou schalt be glori- fiedf of it, whanne thou hast biclippid it. It schal 3yue encresyngis of graces to thing heed ; and a noble coroun schal defende thee. Mi sone, here thou, and take my 10 1'ymllsnth<; ;'"" wordis ; that the 3eris of liif be multiplied haue wisdom in heuenli cun- to thee. Y schal schewe to thee the weieu trey, which of wisdom; and Y schal lede thee bi the deer sijt and6 pathis of equyte. In to whiche1 whanne 12! thou hast entrid, thi goyngis schulen not -t & * that is, bifor al be maad streit ; and thou schalt rennen, thing that may _. YTI, be gctun in to and schalt not haue hirtyng. Holde thou 13 tw possessioun. teching™, and forsake it not ; kepe thou {hat ' it, for it is thi lijf. Delite thou not in the 14^ pathis of wyckid men ; and the weie of the fyynnyng of wisdom, bte yuele men plese not thee. Fie thou fro it, 15 thou wisdom ; . , ,,i-i ,1 that is, the bi- and passe thou not therbi ; bowe thou gynnyng to awei, and forsake it. For thei slepen not, 'no but" thei ban do yuele ; and0 sleep is rauyschidP fro hem, noi but thei1' han dis- seyued:):. Thei eten the breed of vnpite, 17 here "wisdom" and* dririkeri the wyn of wickidnesse^. Uyng, gtti Aou But the path of iust men goitb forth asi8?r"1^'";e]ithat o is, uitor alie Iht schynynge, and encreessithll til to per- thiugis that J J J * r moun be boujt, fit dai. The weie of wickid men is derk ; 19 ether moun i>e thei witen not where thei schulen falle. in euy man^r" Mi sone, herkene thou my wordis; and 20 bowe doun thin eeris to my spechis. riot tho* awei fro thyn i3en ; kepe thou id bifor many men for it. hem" in the myddil of thin herte. For 22 Lire here. c. thov ben lijf to men fyndynge thoow, and" heelthe'of al fleiscfay. With al kep- 23 ingz kepe thin herte, for lijf cometh forth ««««»• tha'is> bi ?"** ether seruyce a wixs techere, which is seid Go 21 that 19> thou schalt be onour- m in thin AH. n purchace thou c pr. m. ° Flee thou A. P wickenesse EG pr. m. 1 is derk A. 1 bigotun tofore I. k warishe I. 1 the whiche i. m disciplyne or teching i. n but if i. o neither A sec. m. P take awey i. 1 Om. A sec. m. r if thei i. s and thei i. * thei i. u tho cvw.. Om. FHU. T tho nordis i. w hem i. » and thei len i, y to ech man i. z warde i.. 8 PROVERBS. iv. 25— v. 15. Thin e3en see thei ri3te of it. Remoue thou* a schrewid mouth 24 g ssferr fro thee. __ thingis; and thin e3elidis beforgo thei thi fro thee; and backbitynge lippis be fer i 26 goingis. Ri3t reule the pathis to thi feet, thee. Thin i3en se i^tful thingis; and thin wfij, etc.^gl 27 and alle thi weies be they stablid. Ne J3eliddis go bifore thi steppis. Dresse thou 26 ^ £ta rc bowe thou doun to the ri3t, ne to the pathis to thi feet*, and alle thi weies schu- £3^£* Bowe thou not to the 27 syon. tho ben lift ; turne awei thi foot fro euel. For- sothe the weies that ben on the ri3thalf the Lord knew3 ; shreude forsothe benr, that of the lift ben. He forsothe ri3t shal make thi goingus; thi weies forsothe in pes shul be bro3t forth. CAP. V. 1 My sone, tac heed to my wisdam, and to my prudence bowe thou thin ere ; 2 that thou kepe tho3tis, and discipline thi lippis withholden. Ne8 wile thou not entende to the desceyuyng of womman ; 3 forsothe an hony comb droppende the lippis of a strumpet, and clerere than oile 4 the throte of hir; forsothe the laste of hir bitter as wormod, and the tunge of 6 hir sharp as a twei bitende swerd. The feet of hir gon doun in to deth ; and to1 ehelle the goingis of hir persen. Bi the path of lif thei gon not ; vagaunt ben 7 the goingus of hir, and vnserchable. Now thanne, my sone, here thou me, and ne go thou awei fro the woordis of my s mouth. Aferr mac fro hir thi weie, and ne ne3he thou to the doris'of hir hous. 9 Ne 3yue thou to alienes thi wrshipe, and 10 thi 3eris to the cruel ; lest perauenture be fulfild straungeres with thi strengthis, and thi trauailis ben in anu aliene hous ; u and thou weile inv thi laste, whan thou hast wastid thi flesh, and thi bodi ; and lasey, tWhi wariede I discipline, and to 13 snybbingis assentedew not myn herte ; ne I herde the vois of men techende me, and H to maistris I bowide not myn ere ? Ne3h I was in alle euel, in the myddel of the ischirche, and of the synagoge. Drink watir of thi cisterne, and the flowingus len be stablischid. — — -,.-, ttyf; that is, ben ri3tside |. nether to the leftside ; turne awei thi foot fro yuel. For the Lord} knowith the weies that ben at the ri3t- side ; but the weies ben weiward, that ben at the leftside. Eorsothe he schal make thi goyngis ri3tful ; and thi weies schulen be brou3t forth in pees. CAP. V. cause of liyf of grace, and maken good disposicioun of bodi to hem that kepen tho. Lire here. c. * to thi feet ; that is, to thyn affecciouns. Lire here. CK Na. -)- Bowe thou not to the ritf side, etc. ; that . , is, be thou not Mi sone, perseyue thou my wisdom, i drawun fro the , i . j weye of rijtful- and bowe doun thin eere to my prudence ; ne^e [,£££. that thou kepe thi thou3tis, and thi lippis 2 p^^ kepe techiner. 3yue thou not tent to the "ether [or faire . . K] biheestis, falsnesse of a womman ; for the lippis of 3 nether be thou - 7 , i , brokun bi ad- an hoorej ben an hony coomb droppinge, uersites, nether and hir throte is clerere than oile ; but 4 ™K.™K'. Lm J For the Lord, etc. ; al this til to the ende of i ., TT- j? . the chapitre, is on ech side. Hir feet gon doun in to deeth ; 5 not of the text, the last thingis ben bittir as wormod, and hir tunge is scharp as a swerd keruynge and hir steppis persen to hellis. Tho goon 6 not hi the path of lijf ; hir steppis ben vn- fof'a°'hoore certevn, and moun not be sou?t out. Now? • thertor, my sone, here thou me, and go0 not awei fro the wordis of my mouth. Make fer thi weie fro hir, and nei3e thou 8 not to the doris of hir hous. 3vue thou 9 *• not thin onour to ahens||, and thi 3eeris , , , i . Goddis lawe. K. to the cruel ; lest perauenture straungens 10 f withouten be fillid with thi strengthis, and lest thi as Rabi Sala- mon, ..that "«, to nbaudisand trauels be in an alien0 hous; and thouiid.00"af'ir deeth. Sap. biweile^f in the laste daies, whanne thou hast wastid thi fleschisd, and thi bodi ; and thou* seie, Whif wlatide Y teching, and 12 j myn herte assentide not to blamyngis; nether Y herde the voys of men tedhinffe 13 here- c- _r vse thou with me, and Y bowide not doun myn eere to drede thin maistris? Almest Y was in al yuel, in the u kTpThTre^ro myddis of the chirche, and of the syna- SJjSbwhdB. goge. Drinke thou watir** of thi cisterneff, 15 dren "' ver- tuous loue. K. and the floodis of thi pit. Thi wellis be ie tt i>> <"a/er of * thei ben A. s Om. A. t jn to A. u Om. E pr. m. * Om. c. w assente c. 8 Om. i. b go thou i. c aiiens AIj d fleish j. « Om. i. * Thanne whi i. V. 1 6 — VI. 10. PROVERBS. 9 ic of thi pyt. Ben lad out thi wellis with- oute forth ; and in stretis thi watir de- 17 uyde thou. Haue thou hem alone ; and is be not alienes thi parceneres. Be thi veyne blissid ; and glade thou with the 19 womman of thi ful waxende 3outhe. A most cheerex hynde ; and a most kindeli hert calf. The tetis of hir inwardli make thee drunke alle time ; and in the looue 20 of hire delite thou bisili. Whi art thou bro3t doun, sone myn, of an alien wom- man ; and art fed in the bosum of an 21 othere ? The Lord loketh the weie of a man ; and alle the goingis of hym be- 22 holdithy. His wickenesses2 taken the vn- pitouse; and with the cordis of his synnes 23 he is togidere streyned. He shal dien, for he hadde not discipline ; and in the multitude of his folie he shal ben be- gylyd. CAP. VI. 1 My sone, if thou become bor3 for thi frend; thou hast pi3t doun anent a straun- 2 ger thin hond. Thou art gnarid with the woordis of thi mouth ; and taken with thi 3 proper woordis. Do thanne, my sone, that I seie, and deliuere thi self; for thou hast fallen in to the hond of thi ne3hebore. Ren hider and thider, hee3e, rere vp thi 4 frend ; ne 3iue thou slep to thin e3en, sand nappe not thin e3elidis. Be thou pullid out as aa foun fro the hond ; and as 6 a brid fro the spies of the foulere. Go to the anpte, O ! thou slowe ; and behold 7 the weies of it, and lerne wisdam. The whiche, whan it hath no ledere, ne co- s maundere, ne prince ; it greitheth in the somer mete to hymselfb, and gedereth 9 togidere in time of rip, that it etc. Hou longe, thou slowe, shalt thou slepe ? 10 whanne shalt thou rise fro thi slep ? A litil while thou shalt slepe, a litil while thou shalt nappe; a litil while thou shalt leyn togidere thin hondis, that thou slepe. stremed forth* ; and departe thi watris in dneme; i, vK. stretis. Haue thou aloone vtho watrise ; i^n and aliens be not thi parcenerisf. Thi is veynei be blessid ; and be thou glad with hoo|y «criPt"™'- . A man owith the womman or thi 3ongh wexynge age§. t» departe this An hynde moost dereworthe|| ; and an hert 19 Mi* tat i» calf moost acceptable. Hir teetis fille thee in al tyme ; and delite thou contynueli in 0,":ith to haue • this watir of the loue of hir**. Mi sone, whi art thou 20 wisdom, not disseyued of an alien womman; and art oth fostrid in the bosum of an othere? The 21 SS^ Lord seeth the weie of a man ; and' bi- 8C"™e,r;.8 fnd vnfeithful men. holdith alle hise steppis. The wickid-22c- ,, , ., . , , » thiwettisbe nessis ot a wyckid man taken hym ; and stremed forth ; he is boundun with the roopis of hise be^endrld'of6" synnes. He schal die, for he hadde not 23 ^™ _"£**• lernyngk; and he schal be disseyued in here-^- J ° ' * and departe the mychilnesse of his fooli. M watris, etc. s that is, jyue thou to manage thi children nmn m to a^e. CAP. VI. Lire here. c. •f aliens be not Mi sone, if thou hast bilmt for thii Mpammtrtti ii' i * ' ls> ltePe so ireend ; thou hast fastned thin hoond at a thi wiyc, that straunger. Thou art boundun bi the wordis 2 Of hirl" th'yn", of thi mouth ; and thou art takun with ^£%£™ thin owne wordis1. Therfor, my sone, do 3 ne™ in thi wiyf, nether in thou that that Y seie, and delyuere thi children. Lire silf ; for thou hast fallunm in to the hond i thi veyne; of thi nei3bore. Renne thou aboute, haste chUdrenbonm thou, reise thi freend ; 3yue thou not sleep 4 ofvenmafy- to thin i3en, nether thin i3eliddis nappe. § "»'* ° wom- man of thi ymg Be thou rauyschidff as a doo fro theo wexingeage; hond ; and as a bridde fron aspiyngisP of the foulere. O<>! thou slowe man, go to thee vamte, ether pissemyrer; and biholde thou jjV hise weies, and lerne thou wisdom. Which* 7 most dere- whanne* he hathu no duyk, nethir co- worthe; is maundour, netherv prince; makith redis in somer mete to hym silf, and gaderith togidere in heruest that, that he schal ous dissipie in Goddis lawe ; etc. Hou long schalt thou, slow man, 9 etherbian - i i ,. .1 /• .v- hynde is vndur- slepe ? whanne schalt thou rise tro thi stonde a feith- sleep? A litil thou schalt slepe, a litil 10 thou schalt nappe ; a litil thou schalt ioyne that is> a fei'h- * cleere A. y he beholdith AGH. z wickidnessis AGH. a Om. A. b it silf AH. S hem i. h Om. i. ' and he «. k lernyng ether chastising CEFOKMNPdRsuvya9. discipline or chas- tising i. ! spechis i. m feld CHNUV. D for R. P spiyngis My. 1 A plures. r amte, etfiir npisse- mire NQUW. amte H. amte, ether the spissemire s. pismire, ether ample y. s The which emte i. l thouj i. u haue i. v ne i. VOL. III. C 10 PROVERBS. VI. 1 1 — 30. n And ther shal come to thee as a weie goere, nede ; and porenesse, as a man armed. If forsothe vnslo3 thou shul be, shal come as a welle thi rip ; and nede 12 ferr shal flee fro thee. A man apostata, a man ful of strengthe vnprofitable, goth is with peruertid mouth; he twincleth with the e3enc, he tramplith with the foot, u with the fingir he speketh, with shreude herte he castith euel; and alle times isstriues he sowith. To this anoon shal come his perdicioun, and sodeynli he shall be to-treden; and he shal han no mor lemedecyn. Sixe thingis ben, that the Lord hateth ; and the seuenthe the lif of I7hym warieth. He3e e3en, a tunge Here, hondis shedende out the innocent blod, 18 the herte castende most euel tho3tis, the 19 swifte feet to rennen in to euel, the bringende forth lesingis, the desceyuable witnesse ; and hym that sowith among 2obrether discofdis. Withhold, my sone, the hestis of thi fader ; and ne leue thou 21 the lawe of thi moder. Bind hem bisili in thin herte; and enuyroune to thi throte. 22 Whan thou shalt go, go thei with thee ; whan thou shalt slepe, kepe thei thee ; 23 and wakende speke thou with hem. For the maundernent is a lanterne, and the lawe Ii3td, and the weie of lif the snyb- 24 bing of discipline ; that thei kepe thee fro an euel womman, and fro the flater- ende tunge of the straunge womman. 25 Coueite not thin herte the fairnesse of hir ; ne be thou take6 with the beckis of 2<;hir. The price forsothe of the strumpet vnethe is of o lof ; the womman forsothe 27 taketh the precious lif of a man. Whether mai a man hide fir in his bosum, that his 28 clothis brenne not ; or gon vpon colisf, 29 and his solis ben not brent ? So he that goth in to the womman of his ne3hebore ; shal not ben clene, whan he touchith hir. so Not gret is the blame, whan a man stelith; toffidere thin hondis, that thou slepe. Andy n ful spouse, ether o hosebonde. nedynesse, as a weigoere*, schal come to ure here. c. thee ; and pouert, as an armed man. For- sothe if thou art not slow, thi ripe corn schal come as a welle ; and nedynesse schal ^-~Lire fie fer fro thee. A man apostataf, a^ man 12 tt£»4M vnprofitable, he goith with a weiward mouth; he bekeneth with i^en^, he tramp- is ith with the foot, he spekith with the fvneurfi, biz schrewid herte he ymagyneth i4ZireW£ J o 3' • i_ j. *asawei- yuel, and in al tyme he sowith dissen- goere ; that is, ciouns. His perdicioun schal come to hym anoon, and he schal be brokun sodeynli ; and he schal no more haue medecynll. , , _ , - . . ajens it. Lire Sixe thingis bena,whyche the Lord hatith; Where. c. and hise soule cursith the seuenthe thing. Hi3e i3en1[, a tunge Here**, hondis sched- inge out innocent blood, an herte ymagyn-i8™Profital)1<>> ynge worsteb thou3tis, feet swifte to renne J bekeneth u-ith in to yuel, a man bringynge forth lesingis, 19 a fals witnesse ; and him that sowith dis- cordisc among britheren. Mi sone, kepe 20 the comaundementis of thi fadirff ; and for- sake not the lawe of thi modir. Bynde2i thou tho continueli in thin herte; and cum- passe'to thi throted. Whanne thou goist, 22 ?,!' go thoe with thee ; whanne thou slepist, kepe thof thee ; and thou wakynge speke with tho?. For the comaundement o IS is a lanterne, and the lawe is li$t, and the blamyng of techyng'1 is the weie of lijf ; xthat the comaundementis1 kepe thee an yuel womman, and fro a flaterynge that is God. tunge of a straunge womman. Thin herte as^hodi'scrip. coueite not the fairnesse of hir; nether be ture>«*i«rhooii sche gur; that is, with pride. Lire here. CKS. ll no mm haue fs no ^'? here- c- If hi^e i)en ,• that is, opyn customable to dedly leesing. ilr« here. c. thou takun bi the signesk of hir. For the 20 to thi thr°'e ; .. c , . ' f, ,.. thatis,inhold- prys of an hoore is vnnethe of1 o loof \\ ; mgethoin .!..]_., . mynde stide- butm a womman takith11 the preciouse fastii, , soule of a man. Whether1111 a man mai 27' hide fier in his bosum, that hise clothis ?'*;»«<,.«/<>.,• for in slepinge in brenne not; ethir go on colis, and hise 28 t'>e mynde of feet be not brent ? So0 he that entrith to 29 slepist in the the wijf of his nei3bore; schal not be cleene, whanne he hath touchid hir. It? is not<i so *f'e ?/ that is, to hem eye A. d of lijt E pr. m. e not take AE pr. m. H. f the colis AEGH. 7 And thanne i. yy is a I. * with i. a ther ben I. b ful wickid i. c discord i. d with hem i. « thei i. f thei I. S hem i. h discipline i. > that thei i. that, that is, the comaundmentis. Lire here. N sec. m. k beckis i. l the value of i. m forsothe i. ° takith a wey i. •>« Wher ceteri passim. 0 Rijt so i. P And it A. q no FS pr. m. VI. 3i — VII. 14. PROVERBS. 11 forsothe he steleth, that he fulfille the hun- 31 grende soule. Ca}t therewith forsothe he shal 3elde the& seuene fold ; and al the substaunce of his hous he shal take, and 32 deliueren hymself. Who1' forsothe is auou- trer ; for miseise of herte he shal lesen 33 his soule. Filthe and shenshepe he geder- eth to hymself ; and the repref of hym 34 shal not ben don awei. For the ielous- nesse and the wodnesse of the man shal 35 not sparen in the dai of veniaunce, ne assente to the pre3eeris of any man ; and he- shal not take for the a3een bi3ing manye 3iftis. CAP. VII. 1 My sone, kep thou my woordis ; and myne hestis ley vp to thee. Sone, ho- noure thou the Lord, and thou shalt fare wel ; biside hym forsothe thou shalt not 2 dreden' an other. Kep my maundemens, and thou shalt Hue ; and my lawe as the 3 appil of thin 636. Bind it in thi fingris ; 4 wryt it in the tablis of thin herte. Sey to wisdam, My sister thou art ; and pru- 5 dence clep thou thi lemman. That it kepe thee fro a straunge womman ; and fro an alien, that hir woordis maketh sweete. c Fro the windowe forsothe of myn hous bi the latys I beheeld the 3unge man ; 7 and I see litle childer. I beholde the sori shertid 3unge man, that passeth thur3 the stretis, biside the corner; and ne3 the weie oof that hous goth in derc, the dai wax- ende to euen, in the ny3tis dercnessis and 10 mystynesse. And lo ! a womman a3en cam to hym, with strumpet aray befor maad redi to the soulis to be desceyued, 11 a chaterere, and vagaunt of reste, vnpa- cient, ne mowende in the hous abide stille 12 with hir feet; now withouteforth, now in the stretys, now beside the corneresk Ktaspiende. And the ca3te 3unge man she kisseth ; and with wowende chere she uflatereth, seiende, Sacrifises1 of victoriem greet synne*, whanne a man stelith ; for that synnei he stelith to fille an hungri soule. And hesi takun schal 3elde the seuenthe fold ; and he schal 3yue al the catel of his hous, and •'!' a uoutreMe> that makith hir schal delyuere hym silf. But he that is 32 straunge fro . 111 i . hir hosebonde. avouter ; schal leese his soule, for ther po- Lire here. c. uert of hertef. He gaderith filthe, and 33]^", sclaundrith8 to* hym silf; and his schen- schip schal not be don awei|. For feruent loue and strong veniaunce of the man§ schal not spare in the dai of ven- !Hs maad iaunce, nether schal assente to the preieris 35 *£,J of ony; nether schalv take fulw many 3iftis for raunsum. the soule of man i deyned to blis aboue kynde ; but a womman as a sustir of the detiel tak- itii it to auou- trie and damp- Lire CAP. VII. Mi sone, kepe thou my wordis||; andi here c kepex myn heestis to thee. Sone, onourelT * not sreet synne, etc. ; thou the Lord, and thou schalt be my3ti ; that is, thefte but outakun hym drede thou not an alien*', of aumST"' Kepe thou myn heestis, and thou schalt 2 ^e^ere'CK- lyue ; andz my lawe as the appil of thin t pouert of herte ; that is, i3en a. Bynde thou it in thi fyngris** ; 3 [wanting KJ . , .. , , . /• i • i of resoun- CK- write thou it in the tablis ot thin herte. Seie thou to wisdom, Thou art my sistir ; 4 the"peywf of °r and clepe thou prudence thi frendesseb. outen'e^de11 That it kepe thee fro a straunee worn- 5 L ir,e here- c- 9 the man ; manff ; and fro an alien womman, that that is, God. makith hir wordis swete. For whi froe that is, Crist. \. the wyndowjt of myn hous bi the latijs \n7ii{n°getho Y bihelde ; and Y se litle children^. I bi-7 kepTn^'aTa holde a song man coward, that passith bi » preciousere tre- sour. Lire the stretis, bisidisc thed corner ; and he here. c. . , -i • . i * /*!•• * 11 ' Sone. onoure. goith ni3 the weie of hir hous m derko etc.. tnis vers tyme, whanne the dai drawith to ni3t, in the derknessis6 and myst off the ny3t. y «« » tuut i»j And lo ! a womman, maad redi with our- 10 fiiie it in werk. ,. ,. Lire here. ens. nement of an hoore to disseyue souns, ^ a straunge meetith hym, and sche is a ianglere, and goynges about, and vnpacient of reste, 11 ff" and mai not stonde in the hous with hir </««>, etc. ,- that .is, pnuyte of feet ; and now without forth, now in 12 consience. Lire . * \ • .1 1, here. c. stretis, now bisidis cornens sche aspietn". ^Hae children; And sche takith, and kissith the 3ong man ; i3tth£ ^^ and flaterith with wowynge cheer ||||, and «it. Lire here. II || teith wowing Sacrifise A. m victories c pr. m. **mthifyn. ff™* <' that is, K Om. A. h Who so A. i holden E pr. m. k corner AH. ' Om. i. » sclaundre we. t om. c. v he schal i. " Om. i. x gadre in tresour i. J myche worth, " leef i. e biside I. * a I. e derk- and drede thou noon oother but him i. z and kepe i. nesse c. f in c. K a goer i. h spieth c. C2 ije i. 12 PROVERBS. VII. 15 — VIII. 6. for helthe I haue gretli vouwSd ; to dai seith, Y ou5te sacrifices'* for heelthe ; to _ _^ dai Y haue 3olde mv vowis. Ihertor Y is and with out ii I haue 3olde my vouwis. Therfore I wente out in to thin a3en comyng, desirende 16 thee to seen ; and I haue founde. I haue ara3id with cordis my litil bed, and spred 17 with peintid tapitis of Egipt ; I ha" sprengd my Hgging place with myrre, is and aloes, and canell. Cum, and be wee inwardli drunke with tetes, and vse wee the coueitid clippingis ; to the time that 19 the dai waxe Ii3t. There is not a man in hir hous ; he 3ide awei the most ferr 2oweie. The bagge of his monee he toe with hym ; in the dai of the" fulle moone 21 he is to turne a3een in to his hous. She grenede hym with manye woordis ; and with flatering of lippis she fordn>3 hym. 22 Anoon he folewith hir, as an oxe lad to the sacrifise of victorie ; and as a lomb pleiende and vnknowende, that to bondis 23 the fool is drawe, to the time that the arwe thirle thiir3 his mawe. As if a brid hee3e to the grene ; and wot not, that of 24 the? perile of his lif me purposeth. Now thanne, sone myn^, here thou me ; and tac 2otente to the woordis of my mouth. Ne be drawen awei in the weies of hir thi mynde; ne be thou bigilid in the sties of 26 hir. Manye forsothe woundid she threw doun ; and alle the strongester ben slain 27 of hir. The weies of belle the housis of hir; persende in to the innermor thingus of deth. CAP. VIII. 1 Whether not wisdam ofte crieth; and 2 prudence 3iueth his vois ? In the he3est and he3e frountis, aboue the weie, in the smyddel pathis, stondende biside the 3ate of the cite ; in tho 3ate doris it speketh, 4 seiende, O ! men, to 3ou I ofte crie ; and s my vois to the sones of men. Vnder- stondeth, 366 litle childer, witnesse ; and, «3ee vnwise men, taketh heed. Hereth, for of grete thingis I am to speke ; and my lippis shul ben opened, that euene schame. Lire here. c. ide. Lire here. ofsynneand Lire my 3edek out in to thi meetyng, and Y desiride to se thee ; and Y haue founde thee. Y i haue maad my bed with coordis, Y haue i8 in ' amendid, but arayed1 with tapetis peyntid of Egipt ; Y 17 snmme bokis * . , , han, Y auow- haue bispreynt my bed with myrre, and aloes, and canel. Come thou, be we fillid i with tetisf, and vse we collyngis that ben '" coueitid ; til the dai bigynne to be tetis. 'Lire here. c. cleer. For myn hosebonde is not in his is $ sche toond . . f, i i TT '"'" ! that is, hows; he is goon a ful long weie. He 20 withhelde an'd took with hym a bagge of money; he ft*^ schal turne a3en in to his hous in the dai fleisch, as in a ' f net. Lire of ful moone. Sche boonde hym J with 21 here. c. many wordis ; and sche drow forth hym with flateryngis of lippis. Anoon he as an oxe led to slayn sacrifice sueth hir, and as a ioli lomb and vnkunnynge" ; and the fool woot not, that he is drawun to bondys§, til an arowe perse0 his As if a brid hastith|| to the snare; and woot not, that it is don of the perel of his neth '« w'the snare of synne, liif. Now therfor, my sone, here thou me; 24 and in to the J, ' ,. ' ., dethofhelle, and perseyue the wordis or my mouth, for couetise of Lest thi soule be drawun awei in the weies 25 weoman! °L« of hir ; nether be thou disseyued in the hJ?re\ c- * ^[ scne cdstifte pathis of hir. For sche castide'1 doun*ir 26 *"" •• fro the staat of grace ; many woundid men ; and alle strongeste many woundid men weren slayn of hir**. The weies of 27 wo'u'nde of* helle is hir hous; and persen in to'i ynnere thingis of deeth. is t^"" in » snare, for the coueytiseofa litil meete, so mawe. 23 he that is Vn- fleischli couey- tise. Lire here. c. ** strmtgeste men weren slayen of hir i as it is opyn of Adam, the niosti' man, for he was in the staat of inno- cence, and was . .-.-.... ful of kunnyng myddis of pathis, and it stondith bisidis 3 and verm, and ., /. ., .. . ., .,, ^ • ofSampson.the the 3ate of the citee, in thilke closyngis, and spekith, and seith, A ! 36 men, Y crie 4 ofte to 3ou ; and my vois /* to the sones of men. CAP. VIII. Whether wisdom crieth not ofte ; and i prudence 3yueth hisr vois? In souereyn-2 estesf f and hi3 coppis, aboue the weie, in the 5trongeste man, ma". and °f .i • Salamon, the Litle children}!, vndirstonde 36 wis-5 wisesteman, . . . . and of manv and 3e vnwise men, perseyue wts- mo in the , dom ; dom\ Here 36, for Y schal speke of grete 6 thingis ; and my lippis schulen be openyd, n han AGH. haue E. ° this x. P Om. c. 1 Om. XGH. T strengthid A. 1 sacrifice A. k wente i. 1 araied it K. m Om. celerl. " vnknowynge i. o perishe i. P hath cast i. 1 to the i. r hir i. » souereyne A sec. m. moust souereyne i. 4 perseyueth in herte i. perseyue wisdam. Lire here. N text. VIII. 7 — 28. PROVERBS. 13 Tthingus thei preche. Treuthe my fhrote shal sweteli hethenke; and mylippis shul swlate the vnpitouse. Ri3twise ben alle my sermownes ; ther is not in hem any 9 thing shreude, ne peruertid. Ri3te thei ben to vnderstondende men; and euene to 10 men findende kunnyng. Taketh my dis- cypline, and not money ; doctrine mor 11 than tresor cheseth. Betere is wisdam than alle the most precious richessis ; and al desirable thing to it mai not be corn- is parisound. I, wisdam, dwelle in coun- 13 sell; and am among to lerned tho3tis. The drede of the Lord hateth euel ; enhaunc- ing, and pride, and the shreude weie, and the mouth of the twisil tunge I wlate. 14 Myn is counseil, and equite ; myn is. pru- isdence, myn is and strengthe. By me kingus regnen ; andmakeris of lawis ri3te 16 thingus deraen. Bi me princis comaund- 17 en ; and my3ti men deme ri3twisnesse. I men loouende me looue ; and that erli is waken at me, shul finde me. With8 me ben richessis, and glorie; and proud plen- loteuousnessis, and ri3twisnesse. Betere is my frut than gold, and than precious ston ; and my buriounyngis than chosen 2osiluer. In the weies of ri3twisnesse I go, 21 in1 the myddel of pathis of dom ; that I make riche men loouende me, and fulfille 22 the tresores of hem. The Lord weldide me in the begynnyng of his weies; er any thing shulde be maad, of the firste cause. 23 Of the euere lastende I am ordeyned ; and of the olde, er the erthe shulde be maad. 24 Not 3it weren the depthis of watir; and I now was conceyued. And not 3it the wellis 25 of watris hadden broken out, ne 3it the mounteynes" in heuy mykilnesse hadden 26 ben maad ; er the hillis I was born. 3it the erthe he hadde not maad ; and flodis, and the utmostv poyntys of the round- 27nesse of the erthe. Whan he greithede heuenes, I was thereat ; whan in certein lawe and cumpas he closide the depriesse 28 of watris. Whan the eir he fastnede aboue; to preche ri3tful thingis. My throte schal 7 in pn>r«i» and , . , , , holi doctouriit. bitnenke treuthe ; and my hppis schulen Lire here. c. curse a wickid man. My wordis ben hist; a drm'-'ihatis, no schrewid thing, nether weiward isu in /^feof7't' L"e thov. "My wordis™ ben r^tful to hem that 9 vndurstonden ; and benx euene to hem that fynden kunnyng. Take 30 my chastisyng, 10 and not money ; chese 30 teching more than tresour. For wisdom is betere thann alle richessis moost preciouse ; and al de- sirable thing mai not be comparisound therto. Y, wisdom, dwelle in counsel*; 12 * wisdom dwe/te _r . in councel ; for and Y am among lernyd thoivjtis. drede of the Lord hatith yuel ; Y curse boost, and pride, and a schrewid weie, and wise th°u*£s comen forth 01 a double tungid mouth. Counseil is myn, I4wi8domand °. encreessen it. and equyte is myrtf ; prudence is myn, Lire here. c. and strengthens mynz. Kyngis regnen biis me; and thea makeris of lawis demen iust thingis bi me. Princis comaunden bi me ; 16 and my3ti men demen ri3tfulnesse bi me. I loue hem that louen me ; and thei that 17 waken eerli to me, schulen fynde me. With is me ben rychessis, and glorie ; souereyn richessis, and ri3tfulnesse. My fruyt is 19 betere than gold, and precyouse stoon ; + the Lord and my seedis ben betere than chosun ™e/**? \etc-; * here balamon siluer. Y go in the weies of ristfulneSSe. 208Pekithofwi!'- l . /. 1 • K /• 1 d"m Vnmaad, in the myddis of pathis" of doom ; that 21 that is, of the Y make riche hem that louen me, and so^neinm. that Y fille her tresouris. The Lord weld- 22 %%$$ U idet me in the bieynnyne: of hise weies; soneofGod, °J * with cute bi- bifore that he made ony thing, at the gynnyngand bigynnyng. Fro with out bigynnyng Y 23 Of hise weyet ,- was ordeined ; and fro elde tymes, bifor werkls'. ° that the erthe was maad. Depthis of \va- ^c<mseyve^;- for as a word in vs, tris weren not 3it ; and Y was conseyued of soule, so and thanne. The wellis of watris hadden not in dyiiyn brokun out 3it, and hillis stoden not to- 25 wdrfTs the gidere 5it bi sad heuynesse ; bifor litil hillis Y was born. Bit he hadde not maad26dr!dof the fadir. erthe; and floodis, and thee herrisd of the <A«/WW,- that world. Whanne he made redi heuenes, 27 pal partis of the -mr 11 • i world, that ben i was present ; whanne he cumpasside the e^ and the depthis of watris bi certeyn lawe and cumpas. Whanne he made stidfast the eir 28 here- c 8 To E. 'andin^GH. u hillis E pr. m. v vttermoost AGH. 11 ther is i. v hem i. " Thei i. » thei ben i. 7 Om. i. z Om. i. a Om. i. t> the pathis i. Om. ci. d erthis a. 14 PROVERBS. VIII. 29 — IX. il. 39 and we3ede the wellis of watris. Whan he cumpaside to the se his terme; and lawe putte to watris, that thei passe not there coostis. Whan he heengw vp the 30 foundemens of the erthe; with hym I was, alle thingis puttende togidere. And I de- litede bi alle da3es, beforn hym alle time, 31 pleiende in to the roundnesse of erthis ; and my delicis to be with the sones of 3i- men. Now thanne, sones, hereth me ; ssblisful that kepen my weies. Hereth discipline, and beth wise men ; and wileth 34 not casten it awei. Blisful the man that hereth me, and that waketh at my 3ate dores al dai ; and that waitith at the 30 postis of my dorex. Who me shal finde, shal finde lif ; and drawen helthe of the scLord. Who forsothe in me shal synnen, shal hurten his soule ; alle that hateden? me, loouen deth. CAP. IX. i Wisdam bilde out to hym an hous ; 2heewz out seuen pileris, offride his sacri- fises of victorie, mengde win, and sette 3 forth his bord. He sente his hand wym- men, that thei shulde clepe to the hei3te ; 4 and to the wallis of the cite. If any is a litil child; come he to me. And to vnwise 5 men hea spac, Cometh, etith my bred ; and drinketh win, that I mengde to 3ou. e Forsaketh childbed, and liuethb; and goth 7 bi the weies of prudence. Who lerneth a scornere, doth wrong he to hymself ; and who vndernemeth the vnpitouse, to a hymself a wem gendrith. Wile thou not vndernyme the scornere; lest he shul hate thee. Vndirnym the wise man ; and he a shal looue thee. 3if to the wise man oca- sioun ; and ther shal ben addid to hym wisdam. Tech the ri3twis man ; and he 10 shall hee3e to take. The begynnyng of wisdam the drede of the Lord ; and the nkuunyng of halewis prudence. Forsothe aboue; and weiede the wellis of watris. * Wisdom,etc.; . that is, Goddis Whanne he cumpasside to the see ms29sone, i marke; and settide lawe to watris, that thod schulden not passe her coostis. Whanne he peiside the foundementis of which he biid- . ide bi word erthe; Y was making alle thingis with so and. him. And Y delitide bi alle daies, and pleiede bifore hym in al tyme, pleiede in the world ; and my delices ben to be with the sones of men. Now ther- '• , , . , . ,7 . vii.sacramentis, for, sones, here 36 me ; blessid ben met bi that kepen my weies. Here 36 teching, 33 [ and be 36 wise men ; and nile 36 caste it awei. Blessid is the man that herith me, 34 hmmif in the cros, which is and that wakith at my 3atis al dai ; and seid sacrifices, ' a n r\ V 3 1 ""• P'lertsS thai 6 18,vii.3iftisof kepith at the postis of my dore. He fyndith me, schal fynde lijf ; and schal drawe helthe of the Lord. But he that 36 the memorial of this sacrifice, synneth a3ens me, schal hurte his soule ; alle that haten me, louen deeth. is the sacra- ment of the auter. medlid wyn } that is, jaf to vs his blood which is sacrid in wyn raed- dlid with water. and CAP. IX. Wisdom* bildide an hous to him silf;i he hewide out seuene pileris, he offride 2 his slayn sacrifices, he medlide wijn, and settide forth his table. He sente hise hand- 3 maidesf, that thei schuldeu clepe to the *'"• to the feith of tour; and to the wallis of the citee. If ony 4 out, and to . . tho thingis that man is htils ; come he to me. And wisdom ben anne»d i . /~, to the articlia spak to vnwise men, Come 36, ete 36 mys Of the feith. breed ; and drynke 3eh the wiyn, which1 Y haue medlid to 3ou. Forsake 36 3ong G ™v breed ; that •> / is, my bodi childbed, and lyue 36 ; and go 30 bi the etc. ; that is, tn tho f,,iti, ,Lt' weyesk of prudence. jouun vndur TT j.\. T--.ii- - the licnesse of He that techith a 7 breed. scorneref, doith wrong to him silf; and "sT^biood ' he that vndirnymmeth a wickid man, gen- v"dur the »P><* * of wyn, wher. drith a wem to him silf. Nile thou vndir- s yn"e water is . medlid ; bi eld nyme a scornere; lest he hate thee. Vndir- nyme thou a wise man ; and he schal loue thee. 3yue thou occasioun to a wise man ; 9 and wisdom schal be encreessid to hym. scheding out I eche thou a mst man ; and he schal haste of the blood, to take1. The bigynnyng of wisdom z^i^toiewid'men"11 them dreed of the Lord ; and prudence is rfK^H tymecristen men comyn- eden in e'uer bi me shul be multiplied thic da3es ; and the kunnyng of seyntis. For" thi that is, vnpro- w hangide ABGH. x dores c her A. >' haten AH. * hewide a sche c sec. m. b cometh E pr. m. d thei i. e he schal i. f handmaidens i. g litil, that is, meek. Lire here. KNa. k wey i. I take it i. m Om. i. n Forsothe i. Om. r. » that i. IX. 12 — X. PROVERBS. 15 12 ben added to thee the jerys of lif. If a wis man thou shul be; to thiself thou shalt be, and to thi ne3heboris. If for- sothe a gilere; alone thou shalt bern euel. is A fool womman, and crious, and ful of euele dra3tis to delicis, and no thing 14 outerli kunnende, sat in the 3ate doris of hir hous, vpon a sete, in the he3e place la of the cite; that she my3te clepe men passende bi the weie, and men goende in 16 ther gate. Who is a litil child ; bowe he doun to me. And to the sory hertid she 17 spac, Stoln watris ben swettere, and hid is bred more swete. And he knew not that there ben ieauntis ; and in the depthis of helle thed gestis of hir. Who forsothe shal be ioyned to hir ; shal falle doun in to helle. For whi he that goth awey from hir ; shal be saued. CAP. X i A wys sone gladeth thec fader ; for- sothe a sone fool, the sorewe is of his 2modir. No thing shal profiten the tre- sores of vnpitousnesse ; ri3twisnesse for- ssothe shal deliuere fro deth. The Lord shal not tormente thur3 hungir the soule of the ri3twise ; and the spies of the vnpitous men he shal turn vpso doun. 4 Nedynesse wercheth the slowe hond ; the bond forsothe of stronge men greitheth richessis. Who forsothe vseth lesingis, this fedeth windis ; the same folewith sfleende briddes. Who gedereth in rep, is a wis sone ; who forsothe routeth in 'isomerf, is the sone of confusioun. The blissing of God vpon the bed of the ri3t- wis ; the mouth forsothe of vnpitous men 7 wickidnesse couereth. The mynde of the ri3twise with preisingis ; and the name of vnpitous^ men shal waxe stinkinge. 8 The wise man in herte shal kepen the ahestis; the fool is beten with lippis. Who goth simpleli, goth trostli ; who forsothe schulen be multiplied bi me ; and jeeris of lijf schulen be encreessid to thee. art wijs ; thou schalt be0 to thi silf * and , , i . . , . to thi nei3bons. Forsothe if thou art a , i i , , scornere ; tnouP aloone schalt here yuel. A fonned womman, and ful of cry, and ful of vnleueful lustis, and that kan no etc* £ tor nc thing outirli, sittith in the doris of hir I48tiritht°e , . scornere to do nous, on a seete, mi an hi3 place of the wrong to him. •j_ i *i*i Lire here. c. cite; to clepe men passinge bi the weie, 15 • to thinif; fitabie ami If thou 12/7,^ £g!s- «"«*•<>/>•«• dence ; that is, ofcomaunde- mentis and counceiisof and men goynge in her iournei. Who is a litil man ^ofwitr; bowe he to me. And pri.nciPaly. aftirward to sche spak to a coward, Watris of thefte 17 othere men. , , . . , . afonnyd wo ben swettere, and breed hid is swettere9. man ; that i And wiste4 not that giauntis ben there: laSS^" and the gestis" vof hirv ben in the depthis of helle. Sotheli he that schal be applied, ether fastned, to hirw; schal go doun to hellis. For whi he that goith awei fro hirw ; schal be saued. CAP. X. The parablis of Salomon. A wijs sonei g (h Tot no but wordis. vnleueful lustis ; for not onely it graunt- ith, but also bringith to siche lustis. kan no thing ; for so litil of truthe is there, that it is aret- l'nd ,Vforth • Tresouris of 2 ^rn*|.c!ie doc" wickidnessef schulen not profite ; but rist- *• J autorite. brodeSweye of makith glad thex fadir ; but a fonned sone is the sorewe of his modir. fulnesse schal delyuere fro deth. The Lord s schal not turmente the soule? of a iust man with hungur ; and he schal distrie the tresouns of vnpitouse men. A slow 4 that,!l - - the fersnesse of hond hath wrou3t nedynesse ; but the her coueitise. hond of stronge men makith redi rich- essis. Forsothe he that enforsith to gete *ony thing1 bia leesyngis, fedith theb wyndisj ; sotheli the same man sueth a coward ; that is, to him that sueth lustis. of thefte; that is, fals doctryn. breed hid, etc, ; the herere of fals doctryne. briddis fleynffe. He that gaderith togi-a geauntis, that . .* . .. ' , is,ofendis. dere in heruest, is a wijs sone; but he in the depthis that slepith in sommer, is a sone of con- °£ ^ >jhtahtat fusioun. The blessing of God is ouerc thee ™Jt?'.'3t and fillid bi sich heed of a iust man ; but wickidnesse hilith doctryne goen the mouth of wickid men. The mynde of? peyne of heiie, a iust man schal be with preisingis ; and the name of wickid men schal wexe rotun. A wijs man schal resseyue comaunde-s ' . mentis with herte§ ; a fool is betun with wickidnesse; that is, d Om. AGH. e liis AGH. { the somer AEGH. S the vnpitous AGH. 0 be wijs r. P forsothe thou i. Q on ex. r in wit i. of wit. Lire here. N text. s esier to ete i. * I wiste ; I, the heerere of fals doctrin wiste. Lire here. N text. " gistis A. felawis i. T therof p/ures. w it plures. * his r. 1 lijf i. z ait}l i. any thing. Lire here. N text, a with i. b Om. i. c Om. cm. 16 PROVERBS. x. beshrewith his weies, shal be maad opene. 10 Who twinclith with e$e, shal 3iue so- rewe ; the fool with lippis shal be bete. 11 The veyne of lif the mouth of the1 ri3t- wis ; the mouth forsothe of vnpitous 12 men couereth wickidnesse. Hate rereth striues ; and alle giltis charite couereth. 13 In the lippis of the wis man is founde wisdam ; and a 3erde in the rigge of hym u that is uedi in herte. Wise men hiden kunnyng ; the mouth forsothe of the fool 15 is next to confusioun. The substaunce of the riche man the cite of his strengthe ; the ferd of pore men the nedynesse of 16 hem. The were of the ri3twis man to lif; the frut forsothe of the vnpitous to i;synne. The weie of lif to thek kepende discipline ; who forsothe vndernemyngis isforsaketh, erreth. Liende lippis hiden1 hate ; who speketh"1 wrongful blarnyng, 19 is an vnwis man. In myche speche shal not lacke syrine ; who forsothe temperth 20 his lippis, is most prudent. Chosen siluer the tunge of the ri3twis ; the herte of 21 vnpitous men for no3t. The lippis of the ri3twise techen manye ; who forsothe ben vnta3t, in the nedynesse of herte shul die. 22 The blessing of the Lord maketh riche men ; ne shal be felashipid to them tor- asmenting. As by k^hing the fool werch- ith hidous trespas ; wisdam forsothe is to 24 a man purueing. That that the vnpitouse dredeth, shal come vpon hym ; ther" de- 25 sir to ri3twis men shal be 3iue. As tem- pest passende, shal be the vnpitouse ; the ri3twise forsothe as euere durende ground. 26 As eisel to teeth, and smoke to e3en ; so the slowe to hem that senten hym in the 27 weie. The drede of the Lord leith to da3es ; and the 3eris of vnpitous men shul 28 be shortid. The biding of ri3twismen gladnesse ; the hope forsothe of vnpitous 29 men shal pershen. The strengthe of the simple the weie of the Lord ; and ferd so to them that werken euel. The ri3twis into withoute ende shal not be moued ; n.ii> CKN. liopis*. He that goith simpli, goith tristili;o getu 0 ° here. but he that makith schrewid hise weies, schut TT ,-, . i i ,1 -,. profile; for tho schal be opyn. He that bekeneth with 10 ben the i3e, schal 5yue sorewe ; a fool schal be betun with lippis. The veyne of liif &>nifi)e1nauilce sueth not, and the mouth of a iust man ; but the mouth ofte of temporal , ... , .1-1 TT deth. Lire of vvickid men hihth wickidnesse. Ha- \2 here. c. g, is trede reisith6 chidingis ; and charite hilith alle synnes. Wisdom is foundun in the is t*'aug]th his lippis of a wise man ; and a 3erd inf the "">< *leP'"> «'» bak of him that is nedi of herte. Wise u he that is idii ' men hidenf kunnyng ; but the mouth of a fool is nexte to confusioun. The catel of i5 a riche man is the citee of his strensrthe ; L(re here- c- § herte; that the drede of pore men is the nedynesse of is> >« obeying hem. The werk of a iust man is to lijf ; IG her™™. " but the fruyt of a wickid man is to synne. * ,"/^*f "" The weie of lijf is to him that kepith I7l°r.he.are"ith ' betingis, the chastising** ; but he that forsakith blam- ... T-, , ,. • i • , , blamyng. Lire yngis, ernth. b alse lippis hiden hatrede ; is here. c. he that bringith forth dispisinge is vn- ;s, fro scorn" wijs. Synne schal not faile in myche 19^ L"'ehere- spekyng ; but he that mesurith hise lippis, is moost prudent. Chosun siluer is the 20 tunge of a iust man ; the herte of wickid men is for nou3t±. The lippis of a iust 21 + for n man techen ful manye men ; but thei that t^' ben vnlerned, schulen die in nedinesse of here' c- herte. The blessing of the Lord makith 22 riche$ men ; and turment schal not be fe- f "<*«> «'c- .• lowschipid to hem. A fool worchith wick- 23 H idnesse as bi Iei3yng ; but Visdom is pru- dence to ah man. That that a wickid man 24 M l^1' ric,h: essis nan. lAre dredith, schal come on hym ; the desire of here- c- iust men schalbe 3ouun to hem. As 325 tempeste passynge, a wickid man schal not be ; but a iust man schal be as an euer- lastynge foundement. As vynegre noiethw the teeth, and smoke noieth1 the i3en ; so a slow man noieth hem that senten hym in the weie. The drede of the Lord en- 27 creesith daies ; and the 3eeris of wickid men schulen be maad schort. Abiding of aa iust men is gladnesse ; but the hope of wickid men schal perische. The strengthe 29 of a symple man is the weie of the Lord ; » Om. A. k Om. AGH. 1 hidith A. ^ speketh or bryngeth forth E pr, m. n his E pr, m. « reisith up i. f is founde in i. K chastisyngis E. h prudence is to a wijs i. i Om. !. X. 3i— XI. PROVERBS. 17 vnpitouse forsothe shul not dwelle vp on 31 erthe. The mouth of the rijtwis shal here wisdam ; the tunge of shrewis shal 32pershen. The lippis of the ri3twis be- holden plesid thingis ; and the mouth of vnpitouse peruertid thingis. CAP. XI. 1 A treacherous we3e abominaciouri is anent God0; and an euen00 wei3t the wil 2 of hym. Wher shal be pride, there shal be wrongful blamyng ; wher forsothe is smecnesse, and there wisdam. Simple- nesse of ri3twis men shal ri3t reule them ; and supplaunting of peruertid men shal 4 waste them. Richessis shul not profiten in the day of veniaunce; forsothe irjtwis- 5 nesse shal deliuere fro deth. Ri3twisnesse of the simple shal ri3t reulen his weie ; and the vnpitous in his vnpitousnesse c shal falle. The ri3twisnesse of ri3t men shal deliuere them ; and wicke? men in 7 ther aspies shul be take. The vnpytous man dead, noon hope shal ben ouer ; and the abiding of bisy men shal pershe. 8 The ri3twis fro anguysh is deliuered ; and shal be take the vnpitous for hym. 9 The feynere in mouth desceyueth his frend ; ri3twis men forsothe shul ben de- 10 liuered with kunnyng. In goodis of ri3t- wis men shal ben euhauncid the cite ; and in the leesing of vnpitousPP men'J shal 11 ben preising. Thur3 the blessing of ri3t- wis men shal ben enhauncid the cite ; and bi the mouth of vnpitous men it shal 12 be turned vp so doun. Who desceyueth his frend, is nedi in herte ; the prudent is man forsothe shal be stille. Who goth gilendeli, shewith priue thingus ; who forsothe is feithful, hilith the gilte of u the frend. Wher is not a gouernour, the puple fallith ; helthe forsothe, wher ben ismanye counselis. He shal be tormentid and drede to hem that worchen yuel. A 30 * not be mouyd iust man schal not be moued* with outen ende ; but wickid men schulen not dwelle on the erthef . The mouth of a iust man schal bringe forth wisdom ; the tunge of schrewis schal perische. The lippis of iust man biholden pleasaunt thingis ; and the mouth of wickid men byholdith wei- ward thingis'. that is, fro the stablenesse of vertu. CKM. •f not dwelle on the erthf ,• that is, on the erthtr of hem that lynen in blii. that and to goode men. weyward thing- is, etc. ; that is, blasfemyes ajenusOod,and wrongis a;enu> the neijbore. Lire here. c. CAP. XI. A gileful balaunce is abhominacioun i anentis God ; and an euene wei3te is his wille. Where pride is, there also dispis-2 ing schal be ; but where rneeknesse is, there also /* wisdom. The simplenesse of3 iust men schal dresse hem ; and the dis- seyuyng of weiward men schal destrie hem. Richessis schulen not profite in the 4 dai of veniaunce ; but ri3tfulnesse schal delyuere fro deth. The ri3tfulnesse of as simple man schal dresse his weie ; and a wickid man schal falle in his wickidnesse. The ri3tfulnesse of ri3tful men schal dely-c uere hem ; and wickid men schulen be takun in her aspiyngis. Whanne a wickid 7 man is deed, noon hope schal be fer- therj ; and abidyng of bisy menk± schal t </**«»»«», J " * etc. ; that is, perische. A iust man is delyuered from 8 of hem that . . . . , i i i_ serueden bisily angwisch ; and a wickid man schal be a wickid man, 3ouun for hym. A feynere bi mouth dis-9 seyueth his freend ; but iust men schulen be deliuered bi kunnyng. A citee schal 10 that is, blamed be enhaunsid in the goodis of iust men ; and preysyng schal be in the perdicioun of wickid men. A citee schal be enhaunsid n bi blessing of iust men ; and it schal be distried bi the mouth of wickid men. He 12 that dispisith his freend, is nedi in herte ; but a prudent man schal be stille. He that is goith gilefuli, schewith priuetees ; but he that is feithful, helith the priuetee of a freend. Where a gouernour is1 not, the 14 puple schal falle ; but helthe *of the pu- nlem ismm, where ben many counsels^. Hem etc.; that is * J obhgacioun. that makith feith|| for a straunger, schal CKN. in the gospel. K. § many coun. sels ; bi whiche bothe yueis ben 0 the Lord c pr. m. °° trevve c pr. m. P wickid AGH. PP the vnpitous A. °. man A. 1 thing i. J ferther oj him i. k men in euel A sec.m. ' ther is i. "' Om. i. "°m M. Lire here. N text. VOL. III. D 18 PROVERBS. XI. 16 XII. 2. with euel, that doth feith for a stranger ; who forsothe shoneth grenes, shal be si- lekir. A gracious womman shal finden glo- rie; and stronge men shuln han richessis. 17 Wei doth to his soule the merciful man ; who forsothe is cruel, casteth awei nee3h is men. The vnpitouse maketh were vn- stable ; to the sowende forsothe ri3twis- 19 nesse feithfullr mede. Noble mercy shal greithe lif ; and folewing of euelis deth. 2oAbhominable a" shreude herte to the Lord ; and his wil in hem, that simply aigon. Hond in bond, shal not ben inno- cent the euele man ; the sed forsothe of 22ri3twis men shal be saued. A goldene cercle in the nosethirlis of a souwe, a 23 fair womman and a fool. The desir of rijtwis men alle good thing is ; the abid- 24 ing of vnpitous men wodnesse. Othere men deuyden proper thingus, and ben maad richere ; othere reuen not their owne, and euermor ben in nedynesse. 25 The lif that blisseth, shal ben inwardli fattid ; and he that maketh inwardli drunken, also hymself shal ben inwardli 20 maad drunken. He that hideth whete in time, shal be cursid in puplis ; blessing 27 forsothe vp on the hed of silleris. Wei riseth erli, that secheth goodis ; who for- sothe is enserchere of euelis, of hem shal 28 be oppressid. Who trosteth in his rieh- essis, shal falle ; ri3twis men forsothe as 293 greene lef shul burioune. Who distur- bith his hous, shal han windis ; and he that is a fool, shal seruen to the wise so man. The frut of the ri3twise the tree of lif ; and he that vndertaketh soulis, is 31 a wis man. Jf the ri3twise in the erthe resceyueth, myche more the vnpitous, and the synnere. CAP. XII. 1 Who looueth discipline, looueth kun- nyng ; who forsothe hateth blamyngus, is 2 vnwis. Who forsothe is good, shal drawe to hym grace of the Lord ; who forsothe be turmentid with yuel ; but he that eschewith snaris, schal be sikur. A gra- ic ciouse womman* schal fynde glorie ; and stronge men schulen haue riehessis. A 17 merciful man doith wel to his soule ; but he that is cruel, castith awei, 3he, kynnes- men. A wickid man makith vnstableis werk ; but feithful mede is to hym, that sowith ri3tfulnesse. Merci schal make in redi lijf ; and the suyng of yuelsn ' schal make redi0 deth. A schrewid herte isw abhomynable to the Lord ; and his wille is in hem, that goen symply. Thou^ bond 21 be? in thei bond, an yuel manf schal not be innocent ; but the seed of iust men schal be sauyd. A goldun 'sercle, ether* 22 ryng, in the 'nose thrillis* of a sowe, a womman fair and fool. The desir of iust 23 men is al good ; abiding of wickid men is woodnesse. Sum men departen her owne 24 thingis, and ben maad richere ; other men rauyschen thingis, that ben not hern, and benu euere in nedynesse. A soule that 25 blessith, schal be maad fatj; and he that fillithT§, schal be fillid also. He that hidith 20 wheete vin tymew, schal be cursid among the puplis ; but blessyng schal come on the heed of silleris. Wel he risith eerli,27 that sekith good thingis ; but he that is a serchere of yuels, schal be oppressid of tho. He that tristith in hise riehessis, schal 28 falle; but iust men schulen buriowne as a greene leef. He that disturblith his 29 hows, schal haue wyndis|| in possessioun ; and he that is a fool, schal serue a wijs man. The fruyt of a ri3tful man is the so tre of lijf ^f; and he that takith soulis**, is a wijs manff. If a iust man receyuethsi in erthe^, how miche more an vnfeithful man, and synnere ". CAP. XII. He that loueth chastisyng, loueth kun- i nyng ; but he that hatith blamyngis, is vnwijs§§. He that is good, schal drawe to 2 hym silf grace of the Lord ; but he that * a granouse womman ; that is, onest and schamefast. c. f thouj he worcheth no thing, but bold, eth the too hond in the tothir, thiuketh yuel. K. £ bi fatnesse of grace. K. § his neijbore with good tech. ing. K. |1 of wraththe and tempta- cioun. K. 5f the tre of lijf; that is, Crist in blisful sijt ; for the werk of a iust man liringith herto. c. **takilh soulis,- that is, the cure of soulis. CK. •f--f" is a wiys man ; that is, owith to be a wiys man ; for asGreg.seithin his Pastorals, " the craft of craftis is the gouernail of soulis. c. £J erthe ; that is, turmentis of God. Lire here. KJT. §§ is en «•;//•>' ,• for he is liyk a wood man, that eschewith heelful medi- cyn. Lire here. c. r is feithful A. 9 is a A. n yuel i. " Oin. i. P is A pr. m. c et plures. nese thorlis E. nose thirllis p el alii. « thei ben i. <l Om. A sec. m. F sec. m. i. r Om. i. * nostris CN. v fulljth A. w Om. A pr. m. cu pr. m. * a synnere i. . XII. 3 — 19- PROVERBS. 19 trostith in his tho3tis, vnpitously doth. 3 A man shal not be strengthid of vnpi- tousnesse ; arid the roote of ri3twis men* 4 shal not ben al moued. A bisi womman a croune is to hir man ; and stinc in the bones of hir, that berth thingus wrthi sconfusioun. The tho3tis of ri3twis men domes ; and counseilis of vnpitous men Ggilesum. The woordis of vnpitous men spieu to blod ; the mouth of ri3twis 7 men shal deliuere them. Turne vnpitous men, and thei shul not be ; the housis forsothe of ri3twis men shal abide stille. sBi his doctrine shal be knowen a man; who forsothe is veyn and herteles, shal 9 ben open to despising. Betere is a pore man, and suffisaunt to hymself, than a 10 glorious, and nedi bred. The ri3twis knew3 the liues of his helpeli bestis ; the bowelis forsothe of vnpitous men cruel. n Who" werketh his lond, shal be fulfild with loues ; who forsothe folewith idel reste, most fool is. Who is sweete, liueth in tempringis ; in his monestingis he for- I2saketh wrongful blamyngisv. The desir of the vnpitous is the myndeful place of werst thingis ; the roote forsothe of ri3t- iswis men shal profiten. For the synnes of lippis falling ne3heth to the euel man ; forsothe the ri3twis man shal fleen out of u anguysh. Of the frut of his mouth echew shal be fulfild of goodis ; and after the werkis of his hondis it shal be 3olde to ishym. The weie of the fool ri3t in the C3en of hym ; who forsothe is a wis IB man, hereth counseilis. The fool shewith anoon his wrathe; who forsothe dissymu- i;lith wrongus, is fel. Who that he knewj, speketh, domes man of ri3twisnesse is ; who forsothe lieth, is a gileful witnesse. isTher is that behoteth, and as with a swerd is pungid to the conscience ; the tunge forsothe of wise men is helthe. 19 The lippe of truthe shal be fast in to withoute ende ; who forsothe is a feerli witnesse, maketh a tunge of lesing. tristith in hise thou3tis, doith wickidli. A man schal not be maad strong by 3 wyckidnesse ; and the root of iust men schal not be moued. A diligent womman 4 is a coroun to hir hoseboud ; and rot is in the boonys of that womman, that doith thingis worth i of confusioun. Thethou3tiss of iust men ben domes; and the counselis of wickid men ben gileful. The wordise of wickid men setten tresoun to blood ; the mouth of iust men schal delyuere hem. Turne thou* wickid men, and thei schu- 7 len not bef ; but the housis of iust men schulen dwelle perfitli. A man schal be a knowun bi his teching ; but he that is veyn and hertles, schal be open to dispis- ing. Betere is a pore man, and sufficient 9 to him silf, than a gloriouse man, and nedi of breed. A iust man knowith the>' soulisz 10 of hise werk beestis^: ; but the* entrailis of wickid men ben cruel. He that worchith u his lond, schal be fillid with looues ; but he that sueth idilnesse, is moost fool. He that is sweteb, lyueth in temperaunces; and in hise monestyngis he forsakith dis- pisyngis. The desir of a wickid man is 12 the memorial of worste thingis ; but the roote of iust men schal encreesse. For the is synnes of lippis 'falling dounc uei3eth to an yuel man ; but a iust man schal scape fro angwisch. Of the fruyt of his mouth u ech man schal be fillid with goodis; and bid the werkis of hise hondis it schal be 3oldun to him. The weie of a fool /* ri3t-io ful in hise i3en ; but he that is wijs, herith counsels. A fool schewith anoon his ire;ie but he that dissymelith wrongis, is wijs. He that spekith that, that he knowith, is 17 a iuge of ri3tfulnesse ; but he that lieth, is a gileful witnesse. A man is that bi-i« hetith§, and he is prickid as with the swerd of conscience ; but the tunge of wise men is helthe. The lippe of treuthe schal 19 be stidfast with outen ende ; but he that is a sudeyn witnesse, makith redi the tunge of leesyng. Gile is in the herte of hem 20 * that is, to goodnesse. K. •f- wickid, or dampned. K. J werk Iteestin ; that is, of hid seruaunti*. Lire hen. IKS. § Lilitlilli ; and payeth not. Lire here. cxa. * Om. AGH. " Who so A. v blamyng AG pr. m. H. w ech on AEGH. TOm. c. Mijuesi. &Om.Apr.m. b softe or esy i. swete, that is, mylde KNU. c ruyne or myschefi. daftiri. D 2 PROVERBS. XII. 20 XIII. 9. aoTreccberie in the herte of men thenk- ende euelys ; who forsothe gon* in to the 21 counseilis of pes, hem folewith io3e. Shal not holli sorewen? the ri3twis man, what euere thing shal falle to hym ; vnpitous men forsothe shul be fulfildz of euel. 22 Abomynaciouri is to the Lord Hende lippis ; who forsothe feithfulli don, ple- 23 sen to hym. A man turned to deceit, hilith kunnyng ; the herte of vnwise 24 men stireth to folie. The bond of stronge men shal lordshepen ; the whiche for- 25 sothe is slo3, shal serue to tributis. Morn- yng in the herte of the ri3twis man shal meken hym ; and with a good woord he 26sharbe maad glad3. Whodispisith harm for a frend, is ri3twis ; the weie forsothe 27 of vnpitous men shal desceytie them. The gileful man shal not finde wynnyng ; and the substaunce of a man shal be the pris 28 of gold. In the path of ri3twisnesseb lif ; the going out wei forsothe ledeth to deth. CAP. XIII. 1 The wise sone the doctrine of the fa- der ; who forsothe is a gilere, hereth not, 2 whan he is vndernomyn. Of the frut of his mouth a man shal be fild with goodis; the soule forsothe of 'the lawe brekeriV swicke. Who kepeth his mouth, kepeth his soule ; who forsothe is vnauysid to 4 speken, shal felen euelis. The slowe wile, and wile not; the soule forsothe of werk- ende men shal ben inwardliche fattid. 5 A lesing woord the ri3twis man shal wlaten ; the vnpitous d man forsothe eshendeth, and shal be shent. Ri3twis- nesse kepeth the weie of the innocent ; vnpitousnesse forsothe supplauntith the 7Synnere. Ther is as a riche man, whan no thing he hath; and ther is as a pore man, whan in many richesses she is. The a3een biyng of the soule of a man his richessis ; who forsothe is a 9 pore man, blamyng suffreth not. The *<«*/>'«<* harm ; that is, chargith not Lirc that thenken yuels ; but ioye sueth hem, that maken counsels of pees. What euere 21 bifallith to a iust man, it schal not make hym sori ; but wickid men schulen be fillid with yuel. False lippis is abhominacioun22 to the Lord ; but thei that don feithfuli, plesen him. A fele man hilith kunnyne; 23 t '*«»«*- * ° slaunce ; that and the herte of vnwise men stirith foli. is, !iyt. Lire The bond of stronge men schal haue lord- schip ; but the bond that is slow, schal serue to tributis. Morenynge in the herte 23 Jthan gold- Lire of a iust man schal make hym meke; and §«•<>/« «n</ he schal be maad glad bi a good word, he wole ' He that dispisith harm* for a frend, is 32 iust man ; but the weie of wickid men luffreUtheetrayl< schal disseyue hem. A srileful man schal 27 ue| whii;h >» axid herto, and not fynde wynnyng; and the substauncef sohenyie of man schal be the prijs of gold+. Lijfsa is in the path of ri3tfulnessef ; but the wrong weie leedith to deeth. theieshees- chewith to putte hise feet in to the water. Lire here. c. that is, wole haue prosperite CAP. XIII. in this world and ioie in A wijs sone is the teching of the fadir ; i heue"> but he spedily; therfor the wole not tra- w'e vertuousli , . i A therfore. K. he is repreuyd. A man schal be filhd with 2 u a man is a* but he that is a scornere,herith not,whanne goodis of the fruit of his mouth ; but the soule of vnpitouse men is wickid. He that 3 W1hi'chieiah"h' kepith his mouth, kepith his soule ; but . . he that is vnwar to speke, schal feel yuels. A slow man wole, and wole not$ ; but the 4 soule of hem that worchen schal be maad tid M no"3t, suffisith to him sm. Lire f tbath, hut fat. A iust man schal wlate a fals word ; 5 no° more- i • i • i as pore, etc. ; but a wickid man schendith, and schal be thisisanaua- schent. Ri3tfulnesse kepith the weie ofe whom'notUiv an innocent man ; but wickidnesse dis- seyueth a synnere. A man is as riche||, 7 whanne he hath no thing^f ; and a man is as pore**, whanne he is in many richessis. Redempcioun of the soule of 8 man is hise richessis ; but he that is ^er P.rosPerite- JjtTC l\E T€, C K N8 pore, suffrith not blamyng. The Iht of 9 »'«*«A <//«rf ,- . , , the peple, for lustff men makith glad ; but the Ian- thei vsen wei terne of wickid men schal be quenchid. paied, hut crieth, Bryng, Bring. K. * gpth AGH. y serue E pr. m. z fild AGH. a gladen E pr m c vnpitouse men K pr. m. d vnri3twis A. men AG. n^twys man //. e fool A sec. m. f rijtwisnesse i. XIII. io — XIV. 2. PROVERBS. 21 of ri3twis men maketh glad ; the lan- terne forsothe of vnpitous men shal ben loquenchid. Among proude men euermor ben striues ; who forsothe alle thingis don with counsel!, ben gouerned with n wisdam. Substaunce hastid shal be las- sid ; that forsothe litilmelee is gedered, 12 with hond shal be multeplied. Hope that is deferrid, tormenteth the soule ; 13 the tree of lif desir comyngeee. Who bac- biteth to any thing, he oblisheth hymself in to thef time to come ; who forsothe 14 dredeth the heste, in pes shal wone. The lawe of a wis man the welle of lif ; that he bowe awei fro the falling of deth. is Good doctrine shal 3yue grace ; in the i6weye of dispiseris a swolw3- A witti man alle thingis? doth with counseil ; who forsothe is a fool, shall opene folie. 17 The messager of the vnpitous shal falle in to euel ; the feithful sent is helthe. laNedynesse and shenshipe to hym that forsaketh discipline ; who forsothe as- senteth to the vndernymere, shal ben i!) glorified. Desir, if it be fulfild, delitith the soule ; foolis wlaten hem that flen 2oeuelis. Who with wise goth, a wis man shal ben ; the frend of folis lie shal 21 be maad. Synneres euel pursueth ; and to rijtwis men goode thingis shul be 223olde. A good man leueth eiris sones, and sonys sones ; and is kept to the ri3t- wise the substaunce of the synnere. 2sManye metis in the newidh feeldis of fadris ; and to othere men thei ben ge- 24dered withoute dom. Who spareth to the 3erde, hatith his sone ; who forsothe 2slooueth hym, bisili techeth. The ri3twis eteth, and fulfillith his soule ; the wombe forsothe of vnpitous' vnfilable. CAP. XIV. i The wise womman bildeth vp hir hous; the vnwise the maad outk forsothe with 2hondis shal destro3e. The goende in ri3t weie, and drederide God, is dispisid Stryues ben euere a rnong proude men ; 10 but thei that don alle thingis with coun- sel, ben gouerned bi wisdom. Hastid * 1 1 •• catel ha,tid; catel schal be maad lesse ; but that that il^uy"'^!" is gaderid litil and litil with hond, schal raucy" et!T bi vsure. icitn be multiplied. Hope whichs is dilaied, i2A"n</- thati»> . . . getun bi iiint turmentith the soule ; a tre of lijf is desir ""««*. Lire comyng. He that bacbitith ony thing, is''" byndith hyrn silf in to tyme to comynge ; but he that dredithf the comaundement, t >ire,nih, tic. ; schal lyue in pees. The lawe of a wise u brcki'ng'of man is a welle of lijf ; that he bowe awei ?'Kl<il8 hee"tis- 9 Lire here. c. fro the falling of detht. Good techineis* <!/"**<*,• that , ° i», of synne and schal 3yue grace ; a swolowe ts in the of h^«. Lire weie of dispiseris$. A fel man doith alle is /<%>£«»•;*,• ,,t thingis with counsel ; but he that is a fcTidlS fool, schal opene foli. The rnessaneer of i7frosyn"e.into synnc. I .> * > a wickid man schal falle in to yuel ; a here- c- feithful messanger is helthe. Nedynesseis and schenschip is to him that forsakith techyng ; but he that assentith || to a blamere, schal be glorified. Desir, if it is 19 fillid, delitith the soule ; foolis wlaten hem "^eiy. Lire here. c. that fleen yuels. He that goith with wijs 20 men^[, schal be wijs ; the freend of foolis i ««/A <«>« schal be maad lijk hem. Yuel pursueth 21 Jb! synneris ; and goodis schulen be 3oldunh to iust men. A good man schal leeue affirm him eiris, sones, and the sones of sones ; and the catel of a synnere is kept to a iust man. Many meetis ben in the new 23 tilid feeldis of fadris ; and ben gaderid to othere men with out doom**. He that 24 *' doom sparith the 3erde, hatith his sone ; but he that loueth him, techith bisili. A iust 25 man etith, and fillith his soule ; but the wombe of wickid rnen /* vnable to be „„.,,, tt tote ///«/; nllldjj. for tho thingis that lien set forth suffisen not to hem, but, euere more thei seken delicat thingis. Lire here. c. asimtuk, that ) with out her trauei. Lire *"*'°' CAP. XIV. A wijs womman bildith hir hous ; and i an unwijs womman schal distrie with hondistt an hous bildid. A man goynge2 ::««• _ . . , . that is, with hir in ri3tful weie, and dredinge God, is dis- yude werkis. Lire here. CK. « with litilmel A. ee comende c pr. m. f Om. AEGII. S thing AC. h .precious E pr. m. ' the vnri3t- wijs A. the vnpitous GH. k Om. A. vp GH. g that i. the which a. h joue i. 22 PROVERBS. XIV. 3 — 23. of hym, that goth in the euel losid weie. sin the mouth of the fool a 3erde of pride ; the lippis of wise men keperi 4 hem. Wher ben not oxen, the cracche is voide ; wher forsothe aperen many tilthis, there is open maad the strengthe 5 of the oxe. A feithful witnesse shal not lien ; the trecherous witnesse speketh elesing. The scornere seketh wisdam, and findeth not ; the doctrine of prudent men 7 Ii3t. Go a3en the fol1 ; and he shal not eknowe the lippis of prudence. The wis- dam of the witti man is to vnderstonde his weie ; and the'11 vnprudence of foolis 9 erring. The fool scorneth synne; among iori3twis men grace shal wone. The herte that knew the bitternesse of his soule ; ' 1036 to hym shal not be togidere in vn- 11 mengd a straunger. The hous of pitous men shal be don awei ; the taber- naclis of ri3twis men shal burioune. 12 Ther is forsothe a weie, that semeth to a man ri3twis; the laste thingus forsothe 13 of it bringen" doun to deth. Law3ing with sorewe shal be mengd ; and the 14 endis of io3e weiling ocupieth. With his weies shal be fulfild the fol ; and aboue 15 hym shal be a good man. The innocent trowith to eche woord ; the witti behold- iceth his goingis. The wise man dredeth, and bowith doun fro euel ; the fol ouer- 17 lepeth, and trosteth. The vnpacient shal werche folie ; and the desseyuable man is is hateful. Litle childer shul welde folie; iu and witti men shul abide kunnyng. Euel men shul lyn befor good men ; and vn- pitous men befor the 3atis of ri3twis men. 20 Also to his ne3hebore the0 pore man hateful shal be; the frendis forsothe of 2iriche men manye. Who despisith his ne3hebore, synneth ; who forsothe doth merci to the pore man, shal be blisful. Who leeueth in the Lord, looueth merci ; •22thei erren, that werchen euel. Mercy 23 and treuthe greithen goodis ; in alle good were plente shal be. Wher forsothe pisid of hym, that goith in a' weie of yuel fame. The 3erde of pride* is in the 3 mouth of a fool ; the lippis of wijs men kepen hem. cratche is void ; but where ful many proud correccion. K. . , + OJcis hen not ; Where oxisk ben noty, the 4 that is, where cornes .1 apperen, there the strengthe of , ther ben fewe feith- ful men. Lire oxe' is opyn. A feithful witnesse schal 5 here. CK. . • i /• i t ° scornere ; not lie ; a gileful witnesse bringitn forth a he is seid a leesing. A scornere j sekith wisdom, ande dispisUh'to»e he fyndith- not; the teching of prudent e^eje'nfa8n°df men is esy. Go thou a3ens a man a fool ; 7 i)ileueth .*» * iynde wisdom and he schal not knowe the lippis of pru- hi his wit, but . p p i • ne fyndith not, dence^. The wisdom of a fel man is to 8 for pride biynd- vndirstonde his weie ; and the vnwarnesse 5^'™' Ltre of foolis errith. A fool scorneth synne|| ; 9 ^"^'J?6 grace schal dwelle among iust men. The 10 sceyue heuenii . . — T- p i . wisdom. K. herte that knowith the bittirnesse^] or his n scomyth soule ; a straunger schal not be meddlid in hath? ' the ioie therof. The hous of wickid menii^ schal be don awei; the tabernaclis of iust f bitterness ,• tliat is, for men schulen buriowne. Sotheli a weie is, 12 contncioun of synne passid. that semeth iust to a man ; but the laste thingis therof leden forth to deth. Lei3- 1; yng schal be medlid with sorewe; and ^ fAfh'a^g'*rf" morenynar ocupieth the laste thingis of remyssknm of . , , . synne, and of ioye. A fool schal be nllid with hiseHhopeofgione. . i i 1111 leden forth to weies ; and a good man schal be a boue deeth . tnat -a, hym. An innocent man bileueth to echeisthe weyf.<* » Sy I lilts lllilt word ; a felle man biholdith hise goyngis. semeth iust to a , . synnere, ledith A wijs man dredith, and bowith awei fro IB to deth of synne . , , . ... j. j . . .... andofhelle. yuel ; a fool skippith** oner, and tnstith. an innocent A man vnpacient schal worche foli; andiT^i^nyng a gileful man is odiouse. Litle men o f\& raan> that ,Han v not deme bi wit schulen holde foli ; and felle men twixe a good councel and schulen abide kunnyng. Yuel men schulen 19 yuel. Lire here. ligge bifor goode men; and vnpitouse *»a/00;swp. men bifor the 3atis of iust men. A pore 20 ff • rem»yng * hjtly fro synne man schal be hateful, 5he, to his nei^- in to syniie- U I t A- C • V ^tristith;^ bore ; but many men ben frendis of riche gete foneue- men. He that dispisith his nei3bore, doith 21 ny^ete> which synne ; but he that doith merci to a pore man, schal be blessid. He that bileueth in the Lord, loueth merci ; thei erren 22 that worchen yuel. Merci and treuthe maken redi goodis ; abundaunce 'schal 23 ben in ech° good werk. Sotheli where ful 1 fol man E pr. m. m Om. AGH. D bringith A. ° a AGH. the c. k oxen Ip i oxen A tj,e oxe K m fn(j;tij # j n Qm. c. ° eueri y. XIV. 24 — XV. ;• PROVERBS. ben manye woordis, there nedynesse ofte. 24 The croune of wise men the richesses of 25 hem ; the folie of foolis vnprudence. A feithfnl witnesse deliuereth soulis ; and 26speketh lesingus the peruertid. In the drede of the Lord trost of strengthe ; and 27 to the sones of hym shal ben hope. The drede of the Lord the welle of lif ; that 28 he bowe doun fro falling of deth. In the multitude of puple the dignete of the king ; and in fewenesse of folc the shen- 29shipe of the prince. Who is pacient, is gouerned with myche wisdam ; who for- sothe is vnpacient, enhaunceth hys folie. 30 The lif of flesh helthe of herte ; the si stink of bones enuye. Who wrongfulli chalengeth the nedi, mysseith to his makere ; he honoureth hym forsothe, 32 that hath reuthe of the pore. In hys malice is put out the vnpitous ; the ri3t- sswis forsothe hopeth in his deth. In the herte of the prudent man shal reste wis- dam ; and vntajt men also? it shal lerne. 34 Ri3twisnesse rereth vp folci ; wreccheful ssmaketh puplis synne. Alowid is to the king an vnderstondende seruaunt ; the plente of his wrathe the vnprofitable shal suffre. CAP. XV. 1 A nesshe answere breketh wrathe ; 2 an hard woord rereth woodnesse. The tunge of wise men enhourneth kunnyng ; 3 the mouth of foolis boilith1" out folie. In alle place the e3en of the Lord beholden8 4 goode men, and euele. A plesable* tunge the tree of lif ; whiche forsothe is vn- stemprid, shal defoule the spirit. The fol scorneth the discipline of his fader; who forsothe kepith blamyngis, shal be more witti. In plenteeuous ri3twisnesse is most vertue ; tho3tys forsothe of vnpitous 6 men shul be pullid out bi the roote. The hous of the ri3twise myche strengthe ; and in the frutis of vnpitouse al dis- Vturbaunce. The lippis of wise men shul many wordis ben, there nedynesse is ofte. The coroun of wise men is the richessi8*24 ' of hem ; the fooli of foolis is vnwarnesse. L'nd venue? A feithful witnesse delyuereth soulis; and «» SITauSbr a fals man bringith forth leesyneis. In 21; tliei '""' foolig> 0 Jo for thei bifor- the drede of the Lord ts triste of strengthe • •een not thingi« _ , i-iii to comynire. and hope schal be to the sones of it?. The 27 Lire hire. <.-. drede of the Lord is a welle of lijf ; that it bowe awei fro the fallyng of deth. The 28 1 bomy,; that dignite of the king is in the multitude of l puple; and the schenschipe of a'" prince is en" on tno* in the fewnesse of puple. He that is2uAere-c- . B t vnduralontl- pacient, is gouerned bir myche wisdom; *"ge ; that is, but he that is vnpacient, enhaunsith his i» acceptable to foli. Helthe of herte is the lijf of 30^"^" fleischis5; enuye is rot of boonyst. He M J™1 Prelat. s.<;;ha' * 'be punyschid of that falsli chalengith a nedi man, dispisith him «*arpiy. Lire here c. his maker ; but he that hath merci on a § ourneth kun. • . i ,1 , t nyng ; that is, pore man, onourith that* makere. A 32 jt bringith forth wickid man is put out for his malice; but a iust man hopith in his deth. Wisdom 33 uuyhth out ; restith in the herte of a wijs man; and that is, brin . , . forth feruently he schal teche alle vnlerned men. Ri3t- 34 and feraiy. c. fulnesse reisith a folc ; synne makith pu- plis wretchis. A mynystre" yneel is acceptable to a kyng; a myn- and ententif to preyer anentis ystren vnprofitable schal suffre the wrath- God, to piese fulnesse of . him. ,-s „ 'tre of %/,- for as bodily n A T> VT7 liyfiscontynu- C A P. XV. ed bi the tre of liyf, so goostly A soft answere brekith ire ; an hard i ''yf » eontyim- ed bi sich a word reisith woodnesse. I he tunge of 2 tunge. wise men ourneth v kunnyng^; the mouth toTp^eke™ of foolis buylith out foli. In ech places gJ<JJg^r the i3en of the Lord biholden good men, synne schal not faile in myche and yuel men. A plesaunt tunge|| is the 4 speche. Un tre of lijf; but the tunge which"' is vn- *[fha mesurable, schal defoule the spirit. A 5 fool scorneth the techyne of his fadir ; Sll.f- * o wis but he that kepith blamyngis^f, schal be . maad wisere. Moost vertu schal be in . « , , .1 ,1 . . in plesaunt plenteuouse ri3trulnesse ; but the tnou3tis of wickid men schulen be drawun vp bi the roote. The hous of a iust man is 6 cmmceis. strengthe : for moost" strengthe; and disturbling is in the Lord schal „,. ,. . defendeit. the fruitis of a wickid man. The lippis? Lire here. c. . wisere ; m yuelis to com- V cche E pr. m. <\ the nedy E pr. m. r bolkith A. * beholdith A. *• pesable c. P him i. 'i Om. CN. T with i. 9 fleish I. ' his I. u seruaunt i. v onourneth A pr. m. honourith i. onjurith u. w that i. * ful gret i. 24 PROVERBS. XV. 8 — 27. sowen abrod kunnyrig ; the herte of foolis avnlic shal ben. The sacrifise of victorie of vnpitous men wlatesum to the Lord ; the vouwis of rijtwys men plesable. s Abominacioun is to the Lord the lif of the vnpitous ; who folewith ri3twisnesse, 10 shal be looued of hym. Etiel doctrine to the forsakende the weie of lif; who nblamyngis hateth, shal dien. Helle and perdicioun befor the Lord ; myche more 12 the hertis of the sonus of men. The bacbitere looueth not hym that chastis- iseth hym; ne to wise men goth. The io3ende herte maketh out gladsum the face ; in mornyng of inwit shal be uthrowe doun the spirit. The herte of the wise man shal seche doctrine ; and the mouth of foolis is fed with vnwis- 15 dam. Alle the da3is of the pore euele ; a sikir mynde as a contynuel feste. 16 Betere is a litil with the drede of the Lord, than grete tresoris and vnfillable. 17 Betere is to be clepid to wrtis with ischarite, than to a fat calf with hate. A man ful of wrathe stirith striues ; who 19 is pacient", swageth the vprered. The weie of slowe men as heggis of thornes ; the weie of rijtwis men withoute thing 20 of hurting. A wis sone rnaketh glad the fader ; and a fool man despisethv his 21 moder. Folie is {036 to the fool ; and a prudent man shal ri}t reulen his goingus. 22Tho3tis ben to-scatered, wher is not counseil ; wher forsothe ben manye 23 counsel leris, thei ben confermed. A man gladeth in the sentence of his mouth ; 24 and the spedful sermoun is best. The path of lif vp on the ta3t man ; that he 25bowe doun fro the last helle. The hous of proude men the Lord shal destro3e ; and stedefast he shal make the termes of 26 the widewe. Abominacioun of the Lord euele tho3tis ; a pure sermoun most fair 27 shal be fastned of hym. He al disturb- ith his hous, that folewith auarice ; who of wise men schulen sowe abrood kun- nyng ; the herte of foolis schal be vnlijc. The sacrifices of wickyd men ben abho-8 mynable to the Lord ; avowis? of iust men ben plesaunt. The lijf of thez vnpitouse*o *vnpitouse, . ,, . * ,, T , , efc. ,• for it is man is abhomynacioun to the Lord ; he that sueth ri3tfulnesse, schal be loued of h°auemerey,and the Lord. Yuel teching is of men for- 10 sakin£ea the weie of lijf ; he that hatith nacioun of an blamyngis, schal die. Helle and perdi-n vnpitouse man. . 7 i •/• ,1 T i i schal die; that cioun ben open bitor the Lord ; hou is, t,; deth of myche moreb the hertis of sones of men. A man ful of pestilence loueth not hymi2deth- Lire r J here. c. that repreueth him; and he goith not to wyse men. A ioiful herte makith glad 13 the face ; the spirit is cast doun in thec morenyng of soule. The herte of a wijs 14 man sekith techyng ; and the mouth of foolis is fedf with vnkunnyng. Alle the is t fed ,- that is, , . /. 7 , j delititb in spek- daies of a pore man ben yuele"; a sikir ingefonned soule is ae contynuel feeste. Betere is ai6^n|j^fe. bi litil with thef drede of the Lord, than rele of I*9rne' tor pouert is de- many tresouris and vnfillable^. It is betere 17 faute of th>ngi» , , ., . . , , . , nedeful to sus- to be clepid to wortis with chante, than with hatrede to a calf maad fat. A wrath-i ful man reisith chidyngis ; he that is pa- cierit, swagith chidyngis reisidh. The weie lu more of slow men is an' hegge of thornes ; the the weye of • r • • • j i i i • , slowe ; for a weie of iust men is with out hirtyng. A 20 s]ow man dred. wise sone makith glad thek fadir; and a fonned man dispisith his modir. Foli is 21'" the we7e- Lire here. c. ioye to a fool ; and1 a prudent man schal dresse hise steppis. Thou3tis ben distried,22 wherem no counsel is ; but where many counselerisj benn, tho° ben confermyd. A 23 + man is glad in the sentence of his mouth fy; and a couenable word is best. The path 24 '*n bro"?t to etfect. Lire of lijf is on a lernyd man; that he bowe *«•«•<;. 5 o/Ais mouth; awei fro the laste helle. The Lord schal 25 that is, distrie the hows? of proude men ; and he schal make stidefast the coostis of a wi- dewe. luele thou3tis is abhomynacioun ae of the Lord ; and a cleene word moost fair schal be maad stidfast of hym. He 27 that sueth aueryce, disturblith his hous ; u pacient forsothe c pr.m. E pr. m. v desceyueth E pr.m. y the avowis i. * an i. a that forsaken i. b more rather i. c Om. i. d disesy i. e as a A sec. m. I Om. i. e vnprofitable i. h that tveren reisid i. > as an A sec. m. k his i. l but i. m there i. n ther hen i. o thei i. P housis i. XV. 28 XVI. ii. PROVERBS. 25 forsothe hatith 3iftis, shal line. Bi merci and feith ben purgyd synnes ; bi the drede forsotbe of the Lord bowith doun aseche man fro euel. The mynde of the ri3twis sweteli thenketh wisdam ; the mouth of vnpitous men reboundeth to 29euelis. Ferr is the Lord fro vnpitous men ; and the orisounsw of ri3twis men so he shal ful out heren. The Ii3t of e3en maketh glad the soule ; good los in- siwardli fattith bones. The ere that her- eth blamyngus of lif, in the myddel of 32 wise men shal al abide. Who casteth awei discipline, despiseth his soule ; who forsothe assenteth to vndirnymyngis, ssweldere is of herte. The drede of the Lord discipline of wisdam ; and mecnesse goth befor glorie. CAP. XVI. i Off a man is to make redy the inwit ; and of the Lord to gouerne the tunge. 2Alle the weies of man ben opene to the C3en of hym ; of spiritis the peisere is 3 the Lord. Shewe to the Lord thi werkis; 4 and ri3t reulid shul ben thi tho3tis. Alle thingus for hymself wro3te the Lord ; 5 also the vnpitouse to the euele dai. Abo- minacioun is of the Lord eche proud man; also if bond at hond were, he 'shal not bex innocent. The begynnyng of the good wey to do ri3twyssnesse; is^ alouwid canentz God, more than to offre ostis. Bi merci and treuthe wickidnesse is forbo3t; and in drede of the Lord is bowid awei 7 fro euel. Whan shul plese to the Lord the weies of man, the enemys forsothe a of hym he shal turne to pes. Betere is a litil with ri3twisnesse, than manye ofrutis with wickidnesse. The herte of man shal disposen his weie ; but of the 10 Lord is to ri3t reulen his goingis. De- uynyng in the lippis of the king ; in udom his mouth shal not erre. Wei3te and balaunce ben the domes of the Lord ; the soule. *. but he that hatith jiftis schal lyue. Synnes ben purgid bi merci and feith; ech man bowith awei fro yuel bi the drede of the Lord. The soule of a iustas man bithenkith obedience ; the mouth of wickid men is ful of yuelis. The Lord is 29 fer fro wickid men ; and he schal here the preyers of iust men. The Ii3t of i3enso makith glad the soule ; good fame makith fat* the booriys. The eere that herith si */«<,- that «, the blamyngis of lijf, schal dwelle in the myddis of wise men. He that castith 32 awei chastisyng, dispisith his soule ; but forvert»Pr«»'(» cncrccsitu. LATG he that assentith to blamyngis, isi pesible *«•«•.<:. holdere of the herte. The drede of thesaeth hu vmu^, Lord is teching of wisdom ; and mekenesse goith bifore glorie. CAP. XVI. It perteyneth to man to make redi the i soule ; and it perteyneth to the Lord to gouerne the tunge. Alle the weies ofa men ben opyn to the i3en of God ; the Lord is a weiere of spiritisf. Schewe this werkys to the Lord ; and thi thou5tis schulen be dressidr. The Lord wrou3te4 alle thingis for hym silf ; and he made redi a wickid man to the yuel dai. Abho-5 mynacioun of the Lord is ech proude man ; 3he, thou3 the hond isrr to the hond, he schal not be innocent. The bigynnyng of good weie is to do ri3twisnesses ; for- sothe it. is more acceptable at* God, than to offre sacrifices. Wickidnesse is a3ene boirjt bi merci and treuthe ; and me bow- ith awei fro yuel bi the" drede of the Lord. Whanne the weyes of man plesen 7 the Lord, he schal conuerte, 3he, hise ene- myes to pees. Betere is a litil with ri3t-8 fulnesse, than many fruytis with wickid- nesse. The herte of a man schal dispose 9 his weie ; but it perteyneth to the Lord to dresse hise steppis. Dyuynyng^: is inio the lippis of a king ; his mouth schal not t that is, of willis, gelding to man aftir his desseruin«is- *• that is, reding in hooii scrfp- ture, therfor in jmi.c°ofDeut. book of Goddis daies of his liy that he lerne for to drede '' scripture, and dredith God. c. w orisoun A. * is not E pr. m. T Om. c pr. m. z anentis E passim. <l is a i. r dressid, into good issu. Lire here. N text. " be r. » i^tfulnesse plures. * anentis i. « Om. i. VOL. III. E 26 PROVERBS. XVI. 12 — 32. and his werkis alle the stones of the 12 world. Abominable to the king, that don vnpitously ; for bi ri3twisnesse is fastned 13 the kingis dignete. The wil of the king ri3twis lippis ; that ri3t thingus speketh, nshal be ri3t reulid. The indignacioun of the king messageres of deth ; and a iswis man shal don aseeth to hym. In gladnesse of the chere of the king lif ; and the noble mercy of hym as euetidz icweder. Weld wisdam, for betere it is than gold ; and purchase prudence, for 17 it is mor precious than siluer. The path of ri3twis men bowith awei euelis ; the kepere of his soule holdeth faste his isweye. Pride goth befor contricioun ; and befor falling the spirit shal ben en- lohauncid. Betere is to be mekea with mylde men, than to deuyde spoilis with 20proude men. • The lerned in woord shal finde goodis ; and that hopeth in the 21 Lord is blisful. Who is wis in herte, shal be clepid prudent ; and who is sweete in fair speche, more thingis shal 22 finde. The welle of lif the lernyng of the weldere ; the doctrine of foolis folie. 23 The herte of the wise man shal lerne the mouth of hyrn ; and to the lippis of hym 24 it shal adde grace. The comb of hony wel set woordis ; swetnesse of soule is 2ohelthe of bones. Ther is a weie that semeth to a man ri3t ; and the last 20 thingis of it lederib to deth. The soule of the trauailere trauaileth to hymself ; 27 for hys mouth compellide hym. An un- wis man delueth euel ; and inc the lippis 28 of hym fyr brenneth. A man peruertid rereth striues ; and the man ful of 29 woordis seuereth princis. The wicked man flatereth his frend ; and ledeth hym 30 bi a weie not good. That with stone3id e3en thenketh shreude thingis, bitende si hise lippis parformeth euel. The croune of dignete elde, that in the weief of n'3t- 32wisnesse shal be founde. Betere is the pacient, than a strong man ; and that erre in doom. The domes of the Lord 11 ben wehte and a balaunce ; and hise werkis bulaunee ; that ben alle the stoonys of the world. Thei i2jS,Gddisdomes that don wickidli ben abhomynable to the king ; for the trone of the rewme is maad stidfast bi rhtfulnesse. The wille of i3 kingis. kyneris is iust lippis; he that spekith ri3t- asareyn; for J ° . T . as reyn com- ful thingis, schal be dressid*. Indigna- u ynge iate is cioun of the kyng is messangeris of deth ; and a wijs man schal plese him. Lijf z'* thev gladnesse of the 'cheer of the n ! king 'is good to hem that han nede to remys- ' " . . king"' ; and his merci ts as ax reyn com- yrige late. Welde thou wisdom, for it is betere than gold; and gete thou prudence, for it is^ precyousere than siluer. Thei7end- Lire here. path of iust men bowith awei yuelis ; the kepere of his soule kepith his weie. Pride is goith bifore sorewe ; and the spirit schal be enhaunsid byfor fallyng. It is betere is to be maad meke with mylde rnen, than to departe spuylis with proude men. A 20 lerned man in word schal fynde goodis ; and he that liopith in the Lord is blessid. He that is wijs in herte, schal be clepid 21 pi'udent ; and he that is swete in speche, t wisdam and wille to teche schal fynde grettere thingis. The welle 22 Goddis pie- of lijf is the lernyng of him that weld- j that is, sad- itht; the techyng of foolis ig foli. herte of a wijs man schal teche his mouth ; and schal encreesse grace to hise lippis. kerfnginthe erthe bi couet- Wordis wel set togidere is a coomb of24i«e. K. hony ; helthe of boonys^ is the swetnesse forP ' of soule. A weye isz that semeth ri3tful to a man ; and the laste thingis therof "J *°. the mouth of gloterouse leden to deth. The soule of a manS tra- 20 laborers. K. T Til- i, -irn f u- "(liffffithyuel; uehnge trauehth to hym silf || ; for his that is, sekith ,, . . * . . . _ it with clili- mouth^f compellide hym. An vnwijs man 27 gence. ^ diggith** yuelff; and fiertf brenneth in ^fS^L hise lippis. A weiward man reisith stryues 528 and of pride. * Lire here. c. and a man ful of wordis departith princis. tt that is, A wickid man flaterith his frend ; and 20 wiseii and out ledith hym bi a weie not good. that thenkith schrewid thingis with i?en and distemper- aunce. K. astonyed, bitith hise lippis, and parform- J§ parformeth iirr A /• j- • 11 *""'»' &**•!*> eth yueljjf. A coroun of dignyte is eelde, 31 ymagyneth to that schal be fouridun in the weies of ^rr^™e 2 an euetid c. • meked ^EGH. b ledith A. c Om. A. d vvickyd A. e with A. f weies AEGH. v Om. i. w kingis chere I. x Om. i. y is more i. z ther is i. XVI. 33 — XVII. 1 6. PROVERBS. 27 lordshipeth to his wil, than an ouer- ascomere of cites. Lotis ben put in to the bosum ; but of the Lord thei ben temprid. CAP. XVII. i Betere is a drie morsel with io3e, than an hous ful of sacrifises of victorie with 2strif. A wis seruaunt shal lordshipen to sones foolis ; and among bretheren seritage he shal deuyde. As bi fyr is proued sillier, and gold bi the chymney, 4 so hertes the Lord preueth. The euele man obesheth to the wicke tunge ; and the desceyuable consenteth to the liende slippis. Who dispiseth a pore man, mys- seyth to his inakere ; and who gladeth in the falling of an other, shal not ben vn- epunshid. The croune of olde men sones of sones ; and the glorie of sones the 7fadris of hem. There semeth not the fool faire set woordis ; ne the prince a 8 liende lippe. Most kinde iemme the abiding of the abidere ; whider euere he turneths hymself, prudentli he vnder- 9Stanth. Who helith the gilte, secheth frenshipis ; who with an other sermoun loreherceth, seuereth the federed'. Mor profiteth correccioun anent the prudent, than an hundrid veniauiices anent the nfol. Euermor striues secheth the euel man ; the cruel forsothe aungil shal be 12 sent a3en hym. It spedeth mor to a3en come to a she here, whan hir whelpis ben take awey, than to a fol trostende is to hymself in his folie. Who 3eldeth euelis for goodis, shal not go awei euel 14 fro his hous. Who leueth water, bed is of striues ; and er he suffre wrong blam- 15 yng, dom he forsaketh. And who iuste- fieth the vnpitouse, and who condemp- neth the ri3twise, abominable is either IB anent God. What profiteth to the fol to ban richessis, whan wisdam bie he mai ri3tfulnesse. A pacient man is betere than 32 • a stronge man ; and he that Ms lord" of t^j^ ^ hisb soule*, is betere than an ouercomere of citees. LottisJ ben sent into the bosum ; :a *<• but thoc ben temperid of the Lordf 1 1mm defmudid of iu» } whannc God /~i A T» -viTi-r chesith whirh CAP. XVII. hewole. K. Betere is a drie mussel with ioye, than i il an hous ful of sacrifices with chidyng. A wijs seruaunt schal be lord of fonned2 sones ; and he schal departe eritage among *:'"' britheren. As siluer is preued bi fier, s *'<»»< .that u, and gold is preued bi a chymnei, so the Lord preueth hertis. An yuel man obei-4 eth to a wickid tunge|| ; andd a fals man obeieth to false lippis. He that dispisith 5 , that he he not a pore man, repreueth his maker ; and he that is glad in the fallyng of another man, schal not be vnpunyschid. The coroun c, ^le'ias'ting, f((r of elde men /* the sones of sones ; and the "'idl • "'•*" marchaunt the glorie of sones is the fadris of hem. «ol(1« «i that lie _IT . hadde, and Wordis wel set togidere bisemen not a? boujte it. .MI. fool; and a liynge lippe bicometh not a "•"of«hver- prince. A preciouse stoon^[ moost accept- a able is the abiding** of hym that sekith ; whidur euere he turneth hym silf, he vn- durstondith prudentli. He that helith o trespas, sekith frenschipis ; he that re- hersith|||| bi an hi3 word, departith hem, that ben knyt togidere in pees. A blam-io'""-' *«'»> drynkith oner yng profitith more at a prudent man, than strong wyn. an hundryd woundis at a fool. Euere an 1 1 thaTrdi of yuel man sekith stryues ; forsothe a cruel %?j£%%£ auneel schal be sent a^ens hym. It sped-^*0"?- '" .'','"• 1 ing his neijhore ith more to meete a femal here, whanne with <«it cause. thee whelpis ben rauyschid f, than a fool j» that is, he , . . i •!/* * i_ • /* i* -rr i that letteth wa* tnstynge to hym silf in his foil. Yuel I3terremieforthj schal not go a wei fro the hous of hym, ^n^"."^}''" that 3eldith yuels for goodis. He that u d«>n lijk leeueths watirff, is heedh of stryues|f. and » bifor that he suffrith wrong, he forsakith dom. Bothe he that iustifieth a wickid 15 man, and he that condempneth a iust to good but to yuel, and may man, euer ethir is abhomynable at' God. not gete wis- dom bi tlin. What profitithf^ it to a fool to haue ic un Here. c. crowne of lijf. llil that nher,. with out hist cause. Lire here. c. ft bevelh tea- !f hes . l federed or boundun in loue c sec. m. marg. B sec. in. marg. AGH. g turne AEGH. h vnderstondeth a hath power i. b his owne r. c thei i. d Om. i. « her i. f take awey i. 8 leeueth, or lat go i. k-tteth Ka. h the heed a. 5 to c. E2 28 PROVERBS. XVII. 17 — XVIII. 5. not ? Who hei3 maketh his hous, sech- eth falling; and who shoneth to lerne, i7falleth in to euelis. Alle time looueth, that is a frend ; and a brother in an- isguysshis is preuedk. A fool man shal for io3e flappe with hondis, whan he 19 shal behoten for his frend. Who sweteli thenketh discordis, looueth striues ; and who enhauncith his herte, secheth fall- 20 ing. Who is of peruertid herte, findeth not good ; and who turneth the tnnge, 21 shal falle in to1 euel. Born is the fool in his shenshipe ; but nem the fader" in 22 the fol shal glade. Io3ende inwit mak- eth bri3t age ; a drery spirit ful out dri- 23eth bones. 3iftis of the bosum the vn- pitous taketh, that he peruerte the pathis 24 of dom. In the face of the prudent shyneth wisdam ; the e3en of foolis in 25 the endis of erthe. The wrathe of the fader a sone fol ; the sorewe of the mo- 26 dir that gat hym. It is not good to hern in harm to the «3twis ; ne to smyte a 27 prince that ri3t demeth. Who tempreth his woordis, ta3t and prudent is ; and of 28 precious0 spirit the man lerned. The fool forsothe, if he holde his pes, wis shal ben holde ; if he threste togidere his lippis, vnderstondende. CAP. XVIII. 1 Ocasioun secheth, that wil gon awei fro a frend ; alle time wariable he shal 2 be. A fol resceiueth not the woordis of prudence ; but tho thingis thouP shul seyn, that ben ofte turned in his herte. 3 The vnpitous, whan in to depthe of synnei shal1' come, dispiseth ; and ther folewith hym shenshipe and repreff. 4 Deep water woordis of the mouth of a man ; and a stef strem the reboundende & welle of wisdam. To alouwen the per- sone of the vnpitouse in dom, is not good, that thou bowe awei fro the sothfast- richessis, sithenk he mai not bie wisdom ? He that makith his hous* 1m, sekith •ofyudgeten good. K. falling! ; and he that eschewith1 to lerne, t disserueth schal falle in to yuels. He that is a frend, 17 K. In loueth in al tyme ; and a brother is preuyd in angwischis. A fonned man is schal make ioie with hondis, whanne he hath bihi3t for his frend. He that bi- 19 thenkith discordis, loueth chidingis ; and1™ he that enhaunsith t his mouth, sekith t in boosting m and other curs- fallyng. He that is of weiward herte, 20 ea speche. K. schal not fynde good ; and he that turn- eth the tunge$, schal falle in to yuel. fool is borun in his schenschipe ; but ne- ther the fadir schal be glad in a fool. A 22 deffam«k "> absence of a ioiful soule makith likinge age; a sore w- man. Lire here. ful spirit makith drie boonys. A A 21 the atun . t ..i • *», • p j.i i_ siouns ; that is, man takith 3iftis fro the bosurn, to mys feyne turne the pathis of doom. Wisdom schyn-24 eth in the face of a prudent man ; the loore and *• amaundement. i3en of foolis ben in the endis of erthe. A 25 xa. fonned sone is the ire of the fadir, and that Is? the " the sorewe of the modir that gendride" ™^£™ hvm. It is not good to brynge in harm26nynsandvertu> • * conteynen deep to a iust man ; nether to srnyte the prince sentence, to ,.,.,. TT i • i which not ech that demeth njtrllll. He that mesunth 27 man may lijtiy his wordis, is wijs and prudent ; and a lerud man is of preciouse spirit. Also foole, if he is stille, schal be gessid a wijs man ; and, if he pressith togidre hise lippis, Tie *schal be0 gessid an vndurstoridynge man. CAP. XVIII. welle the watir He that wole go a wei fro a frend, i of wisdom ;s . . . iii broujt out to sekith occasiouns|| ; in al tyme he schal othere men. be dispisable. A fool resseyueth not the 2 otheref men" wordis of prudence ; vno butP thou seie 'Ste^dmtbie tho thingis, that ben turned in his herte. <«»^; that f ° naterith in pre- A wickid man, whanne he cometh in to 3 sence, and bac- depthe of synnes, dispffeith^[; but sclaun- dre and schenschipe sueth hym. Deep 4 watir** is the wordis of the mouth of a a strondeflow- inge oner ; in to othere men bi good teching. is the welle of wisdom, in the soule of a wise man, frowhiche sence. of the wombe ; that is, til to the herte. drede ; this vers til thidur he that is neische, is not welle of wisdom. It as not good to take 5 ;n Ebreu. Lire the persoone of a wickid man in doom, that thou bowe awei fro the treuthe of man ; and a stronde fletinge ouerff is the k aproued E. 1 Om. A. m Om. A. n faders A. ° the precious A. PheAEpr.m. <1 synnes AGH. r he shal c pr. in. k sith i passim. l ethchewith i passim. m Om. A pr. m. M. n baar i. o is i. p but if i. XVIII. 6 22. PROVERBS. 29 enesse of dom. The lippis of ther fol shul menge themself with striues ; and 7 the mouth of hym debatis stireth. The mouth of the fool Ho-treding8 of hym ; and the lippis of hym the falling of his ssoule. The woordis of the twisil tunge as simple4; and tho thur3 comen vnto the entrailis of the wombe. The slowe drede threw3u doun ; the soulis forsothe 9 of wommanysh men shul hungren. Who is nesshe, and dissolut in his werk, bro- ther is of the man scaterende his werkes. 10 The most strong tour the name of the Lord ; to it renneth the rijtwise, and he ushal ben enhauncid. The substaunce of the riche man the cite of his strengthe ; and as a strong wal cumpassende hym. 12 Er it be to-treden, is enhauncid the herte of a man ; and er it be glorified, it is ismekid. Who rathere answereth than he hereth, a fool hymself to ben he shew- u ith ; and confusioun wrthi. The spirit of the man susteneth his feblenesse ; the spirit forsothe Ii3t to wrathen, who shal 15 moun sustene ? The herte of the pru- dent shal welde kunnyng ; and the ere 10 of wise men secheth doctrine. The free 3ifte of a man spredeth abrod his weie ; and befor princis space to hym maketh. 17 The ri3twis rathere is the acusere of hymself ; ther cometh his frend, and he 18 shal enserchen hym. A3enseiyngus lot thresteth togidere ; and among my3ti 19 menv also dyuersly demeth. The brother that is holpen of the brother, as a stef cite ; and the domes as barris of cites. 20 Of the frut of the mouth of a man shal be fulfild his wombe ; and the burioun- yngis of the lippis of hym shul fulfillen 21 hym. Deth and lif in the hondis of the tunge ; who loouenw it, shuln etc the 22frutis of it. Who findeth a good worn- man, findeth good ; and shal drawen merthe of the Lord. Who putteth out a good womman, putteth out good ; who forsothe holdeth avoutresse, is a fool and * that i*, to dom. The lippis of a fool medlen hem 8 silf with chidyngis ; and his mouth ex- citithi stryues. The mouth of a fool ^s^ defoulyng of hym; and hise lippis ben the fallynge of his soule. The wordis of 8 a double tungid man ben as symple ; and thor comen vtil to8 the ynnere thingis of the wombe*. Drede castith doun a slowe manf ; forsothe the soulis of men turned in to wymmens condicioun schulen haue hungur. He that is neisch, and vnstid-9 , " . him doun to fast1 in his werk, is the brother of a man wgynnyngof , . , . 1 . . . good werk. distnynge hise werkis. A strongeste" tour io<owymm«w is the name of the Lord ; a iust man renneth to hym, and schal be enhaunsid. The catel of a riche man is the citee of 1 1 worche good. the catel of a his strengthe; and as a stronge wal cum- ncheman,etc.; _,. , ,. . that is, he trist- passmge hym. Ihe herte or manv is en- 12 ith in hise haunsid, bifor that it be. brokun ; and it is maad meke, bifore that it be glorified. He that answerith bifore that he herith, is "> this, c shewith hym silf to be a fool ; and worthi of schenschipe. The spirit of a man sus-u teyneth his feblenesse ; but who may sus- teyne a spirit Ii3t to be wrooth ? The is herte of a prudent man schal holde stid- fastli kunnyng ; and the eere of wise men sekith techyng. The 3ift of a man alarg- 1« J ° J to God and ith his weie ; and makith space to hym to a true frend. bifore princes. A iust man is the first 17 ^ordeynyng accuserej of hym silf; his frend cometh, and schal serche hym<). Lot ceessith a3en-i8K seiyngis ; and demeth also among mi3ti wombe; that is, men. A brother that is helpid w of a brothir, is as a stidfast citee ; and domes ben as the barris of citees. A mannus|| wombe^I schal be fillid of the fruit of his thatis,detKof synne is in the mouth ; and the seedis of hise lippis mysvsing of the schulen fille hym. Deth and lijf ben in 21 u""^-' g^ce is" the werkis of tunge ; thei that louen it, "ri^SSof. schulen ete the fruytis therOf. He that 22 ^^r; fyndith a good womman, fyndith a good mynde, or his * ..... desire, shal be thing ; and of the Lord he schal drawe vp myrthe. He that puttith a wey a good womman, puttith awei a good thing; but he that holdith auowtresse, is a fool and | a mannus fulfilled for his vertuous word- is ; of thi word- be xii- K- ' a AGU. s the to-treding AH. * tormentis E pr. m. u throwith A. v Om. AGII. w loueth A. q stirith i. r thei i. " vnto i. * dissolute, ether vnstidfast CEFGHiKMNpQKSUxva?. " ful strong i. T a man i. w holpun i. 30 PROVERBS. XVIII. 23 — XIX. 17. asvnwis. With obsecraciouns speketh the pore man; and a riche man shal speke out 24ruggidli. A man amyable to felashipe inor a freud shal be, than a brother. CAP. XIX. 1 Betere is a pore man, that goth in simplenes, than a riche man tormentende 2 his lippis, and vnwis. Wher is not kun- nyng of soule, is not good ; and who is shastif, with feett stumblith. The folie of a man supplanntith hise goirigis ; and 4 a3en God boileth in his inwit. Richesses adden manye frendis ; fro the pore for- sothe and tho that he hadde, ben seuered. 5 A fals witnesse shal not ben vnpunshid; and he that lesing speketh, shal not eascapen. Manye herienx the persone of the my3ti ; and frendis ben of the 3iuende 73iftis. The brethern of the pore man hateden hym ; ferthermor and frendis aferr wenten awei fro hym. Who onli woordis folewith, no thing shal ban ; iiwho forsothe weldere is of the mynde, looueth his soule, and the kepere of pru- i> dence shal finde goodis. The false wit- nesse shal not ben vnpunshid ; and that 10 speketh lesing, shal pershen. Delicis semen not the fool ; ne the seruaunt to nlordshipen to princis. The doctrine of a man bi pacience is knowe; and the glo- rie of hym is to go biside wicke thingys. 1-2 As the gnasting of a leoun, so and^ the wrathe of the king ; and as deu vpon iserbe, so and the gladnesse of hym. The sorewe of the fader, the sone a fol ; and rooues contynuelli thur3 droppende, a uwomman ful of strif. Housis and rich- essis ben 3eue of the fadris ; of the Lord is forsothe properli a prudent wif. Slouthe sendeth in slep; and a dissolut soule shal ifihungre. Who kepeth the maundement, kepeth his soule ; who forsothe despisith '7 his weie, shal be maad dead. He vsureth to the Lord, that hath reuthe of the pore ; and his while he shal 3elde to hym. vnwiis. A pore man schal speke with 23 * that is, < •> .11 heedli hise bisechmgis ; and a riche man schal speke werkis. K. sterneli. A man freendli to felouschipe 24 thaUs^bi vn- schal more be a frend, than a brothir. K^out in to the blasfemye C* A TJ VTY of God. Lire CAP. XIX. here CK .,, . i . J not ascape ; Betere is a pore man, that goitn in his i Goddis doom, simplenesse, than a riche man bitynge hise lippis, and vnwijs. Where is not 2 kunnyng of the soule, isx not good ; and he that is hasti*, in feet hirtith. The 3 foli of a man disseyueth hise steppis ; and he brenneth in his soule a3ens Godf . Richessis encreessen ful many freendis ; 4 forsothe also thei ben departid fro a pore man, whiche he hadde. schal not be vnpunyschid ; and he that spekith leesingis, schal not ascape:):. Manye men onouren the persoone of a my3ti man; and ben^ frendis of hym that deelith 3iftis. myche more of a leesing. c. § u'ordis oneli ; that is, a dissiple that loueth more the fairnesse of wordis than the good sentence, reportith no Af . . thing of truthe fals Witnesses of the techere, ethir thus, a techere that hath onely n-ti , . . i f _ wordis and no The bntheren of a pore man haten hym ; 7 goode dediS; ferthermore and the freendis 3eden awei ferz fro hym. He that suetha word is schal gete no mede of G<xi. goodis; of grace in present tyme, oonli§, schal haue nothing; but he thats and of giorie in holdith stabli the mynde ||, loueth his ynge. soule, and the kepere of prudence schal ^ fynde goodis. A fals witnesse schal noto Goddis venue. Lire here. KNa. be vnpunyschid ; and he that spekith H *no(«u» bi . . , , . . „ ,. , . pacience; that leesyngis, schal pensche. Deuces bicomen 10 ;», the teching not a fool ; nether 'it bicomethb a seruaunt to be lord of princes. The teching of man is knowun bi patience ^[; and his thechirohe,was . . knowun bi this, glorie is to passe ouere wickid thingis. that they dred- . , . . 011 i,i> den not to die As the gnasting ot a noun, so and the irei2forjt. iopasse of thec king ; and as deewe on eerbe, so ZT^fthat and the gladnesse of the kyng. The so- is is>. V.do,n.ot . wickid thingis, rewe of the fadir is a formed sone ; and but more to , , , . . suffre peyne. roofes droppynge contynueh is a womman tire here. c. ful of chiding. Housis and richessis ben 14 suffr""^l. '" 3ouun of fadir and modir ; but a prudent ^J^8. ofa^J)Stly wiif is •s.ouun propirli of the Lord. Slouth 15 ofte of bodUy . . i . . goodis. bnngithd in sleep ; and a negligent soule AW weye ; that schal haue hungur**. He that kepith the 16 "f' GoddiT comaundement of God, kepith his soule ; but he that chargith not his weie, schal 0 and of helle. be slayn. He that hath mercy on a pore 17 Lire here. c. slayn . * worschipen A. J Om. A. tlier is i, y thei ben i. z Om. c. a sowith a. D Om. i. <= a i. d sendith CEFHNPUY. XIX. l8 XX. 5. PROVERBS. 31 18 Lerne thou thi some, ne despeire thou ; to the sla3ter forsothe of hym ne poote 13 thou thi soule. Who forsothe is vripa- cyent, shal suffre harm ; and whan he shall cacche, other thing he shal putte 20 to. Here thou counsel], and vndertac discipline ; that thou be wijs in thi laste 21 thingis. Manye tho3tis in the herte of a man ; the wil forsothe of the Lord shal 22 abide stille. A man nedi is merciful ; and betere the pore man ri3twis, than a 23 man Here. The drede of the Lord to lif ; and in plenteuousnessez it shal abide stille, withoute visiting of the werste. 24 The slowe hideth hiszz hond vnder the arm pit ; ne to his mouth he leith it. 25 The 'man ful of pestilence3 scourgid, a fool the wisere shal ben. If forsothe thou chastise the wise man, he shal vnder- 26stonde discipline. Who tormentith the fader, and fleeth the modir, shenful shal 27 be, and vnblisful. Cese thou not, sone, to here doctrine ; ue vnknowe thou the 28woordis of kunnyng. The wicke wyt- nesse scorneth dom ; and the mouth of vnpitous men deuoureth wickidnesse. 29 Greithid ben to scorneres domes ; and smytende hameres to the bodies of foolis. CAP. XX. 1 A leccherous thing win, and noiseful drunkenesse ; who so euere in these 2 thingis delitith, shal not be wis. As the roring of a leoun, so andb the ferd of the king ; who terreth hym, synneth a3en 3 his soule. Wrshipe is to the man that seuereth hym fro striues ; allec forsothe foolis shul be mengd with wrong blam- 4yngis. For cold the slowe wolde not eren ; thanne he shal begge in somer, 5 and it shal not ben 3iue to hym. As dep watir, so counseil in the herte of a man, leeneth to the Lord; and he schal *the dred« "f , , i . ... the Lord and 3elde his while to hym. Teche thi sone*, i8hi»iawe. «. and dispeire thou notf ; but sette thou not:): thi soule to the sleyng of hym. For-i sothe he that is vnpacient, schal suffre Mhern«mi , the bigynnyiiK, narm ; and whanne he hath ranyschid, for ofte «chc he schal leie to anothir thing. Here thou2oVe\i£nea7n counsel, and take thou doctryn ; that thou IhlThe'iJrne be wijs in thi laste thingis. Many thou3tis2i ""^ th* '|j- bene in the herte of a man ; but the wille /..IT , , , , ., techmge, and of the Lord schal dwelle. A nedi man is 22 he shal merciful ; and betere is a pore iust man, than af man lieref The? drede of the231Kngoftechin*: Lord ledith to lijf1 'of blis'; and he'fhttt 5 «««»«<«,• that is, than a dredith God^ schal dwelle in plentee, with mystiman that outen visityng1 'of the worste"1. A alowMfroifeMbMM, man hidith his hond vndur then armpit ; and putteth0 it not to his mouth. Whanne a man ful of pestilence is betun, a fool schal be? wisere. If thou blarnist a wijs man, he schal vndurstonde techyng. that turmentith thei fadir, and fleeth fro the"! modir, schal be ful of yuel fame, and £j."g'cLire schal be cursid. Sone, ceesse thou not to 27 II deuourith ; here techyng ; and knowe thou the wordis in no ™aner may neijc thidur. of kunnyng. A wickid witnesse scorneth 28 doom ; and the mouth of vnpitouse men deuourith|| wickidnesse. Domes ben maad 29 Lire her* redi to scorneris ; and hameris smytynge ben maad redi to the bodies of foolis^f. Wherfor Loth, the drynk- CAP. XX. Wiyn is a letcherouse thing **, and i drunkenesse /* ful of noise ; who euere delitith in these, schal not be wijs. As 2 the roryng of a lioun, so and the drede of the1' kyng ; he that territh hym to ire, synneth a3ens his owne lijf8. It is onours to a man that departith hyn> silf fro stryuyngis ; but fonned men ben medlid with dispisyngis. A slow man nolde* ere 4 for coold ; therfor he schal begge in somer, and me schal not 3yue to hym. As deep watir, so counsel is in the herte 5 nesse. c. ** iryn « le- cherouse thing ; that is, makith lecherie; wher- for .Fen MI i seith, a wombe brennynge of wyu, spueth out soone. in of Gen. delitith in these ; that is, vriys ; for euer either deuour- ith resoun, and cansith dul- z the plenteousnesse AOH. c men E pr, m. e ther ben i. f a riche i. 1 ful yuel visityng i. m Om. not i. zz the c pr. m. a bacbitore E pr. m. man of pestilence c. b Otn. A. e Om. i. h the lijf a. ! Om. i. ofblis. Lire here. N text. k Om. r. " his i. ° dressith i. P be the i. 1 his i. r a i. s soule i. l wolde 32 PROVERBS. XX. 6 — 26. man ; but a wis man shal drawe it out. <> Manye men merciful ben clepid ; a feith- 7 ful man forsothe who shal finde? The ri3twis forsothe that goth in his simple- nesse, blisful sones aftir hym shal leuen. 8 The king that sitd in the see of dom, scatereth alle euelis6 in his clere loking. 9 Who mai sey, Clene is myn herte ; pure lowithoute synne ? Peis and peis, mesure and mesure, either is abhominablef anent 11 God. Of his* studies is the child vnder- stonde, if ri3t ben and clene the workis 12 of hym. The herende ere, and the seende laeje, the Lord made euer either. Wile thou not looue slep, lest thee nedynesseh opresse; opene thin e3en, and be thou ufulfild with loues. Euel it is, euel it is, seith eche biere; and whan he goth awei, lothanne he shal glorien. Gold, and the multitude of iemmes, and precious ves- icsel, the lippis of kunnyng. Tac the cloth of hym, that boi'3 was of the' alien ; and for straungeres tac awei the wed fro hyrn. 17 Swete is to a man the bred of lesing ; and aftir shal be fulfild the mouth of is hym with a litil pibbil ston. Thetis bi counseilis ben strengthid ; and bi go- luuernailis batailis ben to be tretid. To hym that openeth priuetes, and goth gilendeli, and spredeth abrod his lippis, 20 ne be thou togidere mengd. Who cursith to his fader and moder, shal be quenchid 21 his Ii3t in myddyl dercnesses. Eritage to the whiche is hee3id in the begynnyng, 22 in the laste shal lacke blissing. Ne sey thou, I shal 3elde euel for euel ; abid the 23 Lord, and he shal deliuere thee. Abo- minacioun is anent God wei3te and wei3te; 24 a treeccherous balaunce is not good. Of the Lord ben ri3t reulid the goingis of a man ; who forsothe of men mai vnder- 25 stonde his wei ? Falling is of men ofte to Vouwe tok seintis, and aftir the vouwis 2oa3een drawe. Scatereth vnpitous men a of a man ; but a wijs man* schal drawe » a „«<, man , it out. Many men ben clepid merciful ;G but who schal fynde a feithful man? Forsothe a iust man that goith in his 7 schal drawe it out ; in axinge of him dili- gently and simplenesse, schal leeue blessid sones attir wariy. Lire hym. A king that sittith in the seete of 8 doom, distrieth al yuel bi hislokyng. Who 9 may seie, Myn herte is clene ; Y am clene of svnne? A wei3tef and a wei3te, a me-i • . . . sure and a mesure, euer eithir is abhomy- nable at God. A child is vndurstondun bi hise studies, yf his werkis ben ri3tful and cleerie. An eere heringe, and an i3e se-i2f°rje™mseith ' feyned hooly- vnere, God made euere eithir. Nyle thou is nesse ether : ° ,1 equyte, is loue sleep, lest nedynesse oppresse thee ; double wickid- opene thin i3en, and be thou fillid with looues. Ech biere seith, It is yuel, it fc vuel ; and whanne he hath go awey, '>»•• that is, * ° be thou wakir, thanne he schal haue glorie. Gold, and is and diligent in . , , , . . , « . , . thi werkis. c. the multitude of iemmes, and a preciouse + the breed of vessel, ben the lippis of kunnyng. TakeioJJg^ *% thou awei the cloth of hym, that was i«»mg. to a man ; here. borewe of an othere man ; and for straun- wuhrikenyng s . i r- i m« bi bittirnesse of gens take thou awei a wed fro hym. The 17 penaunce, for breed of a leesingt is sweet to a man ; and aftirward his mouth schal be fillid that is, pru- with rikenvns:. Thou3tis ben maad strong isdence, coun- " 8 .° eel, andexpe- bi counsehs ; and bateils schulen be tretid rience, and not bi gouernals. Be thou not medlid with 19 him that schewith pryuetees§, and goith *^tn<£°' gylefulli, and alargith hise lippis. The 20 maden ^ 'he °J . . world «»et to Ii3t of hym that cursith his fadir and mo- hem silf bi dir, schal be quenchid in the myddis of derknessis. Eritage to which me haastith 21 in the bigynnyng, schal wante blessing in ^™'ah^nwa the laste tyme. Seie thou not, Y schal 22 with outen 3elde yuel for yuel ; abide thou the Lord, here. c. and he schal delyuere thee. Abhomyna- 23 cioun at" God is wei3te and wei3te ; a gile- ful balaunce is not good. The steppis of 24 1 5 nesse. manv ben dressid of the Lord ; who for- schewinge fren- .. . , i i_ • • i schipe, whanne sothe or men mai vndurstonde his weie t he is an enemy Falling of man is to make auow to seyntis, 25 ^"fij^Thft and aftirward to withdrawe thew vowis. is, bihetith grate thingis, and wis king; and he bowith in vpon hem A wijs kyng scaterith wickid men; and 20 fiiiuh litie ethir d sitteth AEGH. e euel . taken awei deuocioun fro E pr. m. f abominacioun c. 8 the A. h the nedynes A. * Om. A. k to anentis i. v a man i. w tho c. XX. 27 — XXI. PROVERBS. 33 27 a stonene bowe. The lanterne of the Lord the brething place of a man, that enserchith alle the priuetes of the wombe. 28 Mercy and treuthe kepen the king ; and his trone is strengthid with noble mercy. 29 The ful out io3ing of 5unge men the strengthe of hem ; and the dignete of soolde men hornesse. The wannesse of wounde shal dense awei euelis, and woundis in the1 priuyere1" partys of the wombe. CAP. XXI. 1 As deueseouns of watris, so the herte of the king in the hond of the Lord ; whider euere he wile, he shal bowe it. 2 Eche weie of a man ri3t to hym semeth ; 3 the Lord forsothe peiseth the hertis. To do mercy and dom, more pleseth to the 4 Lord, than sacrifises of victorie. The enhauncing of e3en is the larging of the herte ; the lanterne of vnpitous men ssynne. The tho3tis of the strong man euermor in plente ; eche forsothe slou3n eeuermor is in nedynesse. Who gedereth tresores with the tunge of lesing, vein and herteles is ; and he shal be 'put in0 7 to the grenes of deth. Raueynes of vn- pitous men shul drawe them doun ; for s thei wolden not do dom. The peruertid weie of a man alien is fro God ; who for- sothe is clene, ri3t is the were of hym. 9 Betere is? to sitte in the corner of the hous, than with the womman ful of strif, 10 and in the hous of feste. The soule of the vnpitousei desireth euel ; he shal not nhan merci to his ne3hebore. Punshid the bacbitere, the wisere shal be the litle child ; and if he folewe the wise man, he 12 shal take kunnyng. The ri3twis bethenk- ith of the hous of the vnpitous, that he 13 drawe awei vnpitous men fro euel. Who stoppeth his ere at the cri of the pore, and he shal crie, and shal not ben herd. 14 3ifte hyd quencheth wrathis; and fre 3ifte noujt. bowith a bouwe of victorie1* ouer hem. The lanternef of the Lord is the spirit man, that sekith out alle the priuetees of the wombe. Merci and treuthet kepen a 28 R1*"*™ ich*1 i j i • . luffre peyue kyng ; and his trone is maad strong bi »ftir deth, and mekenesse. The ful out ioiyng of men is the strengthe of hem ; and the dignyte of elde men is hoornesse§. The so *^- c- wannesse of wounde schal wipe aweie 8to°" iwuwe. *. , , ,. . ^, . t The lanterne; yuels, and woundis in the priuyere thingis of the wombe. CAP. XXI. for kindly li-,t of resoun is sum preenting of Goddis II'H. of the wombe; that is, herte. Lire here. c. As departyngis of watris, so the herte i * M^<v of the kyng is in the power of the Lord ; whidur euer he wole, he schal bowe it. treuthe ; for merci without ri;tfulnesse, is cowardise, and Ech weye of a man semeth ristful to 2 ^"J,"^^, hym silf ; but the Lord peisith the hertis. »crueite, for ' * tho distnen a To do merci and doom||, plesith more thes king and Lord, than sacrifices doeri*. Enhaunsyng4 here. c. with 1 of the heed. The wannesse of i3en is alargyng of the herte; the Ian- that «, the dd, terne of wickid men is synne. The thomtis 5 nesse and ?"?• • nesse of wittis, of a stronge man ben euere in abundaunce; but ech slow man is euere in nedynesse. He that gaderith tresours bi the tunge of 6 a leesingz^[, is veyne, and with outen herte; and he schal be hurtlidzz to the snaris of yerki»- £«« here. c. deth. The raueyns of vnpitouse men 7 ll mercy and schulen drawe hem doun ; for thei nolden* the werkis at do doom. The weiward weie of a mans is alien fro God ; but the werk of hym '''tfilin*'8 °f that is cleeneb, is ri3tful. It is betere to 9 d0011 to "»» oppressid, plese sitte in the corner of an hous with oute more God than roof, than with a womman ful of chydyng, foTcristTn wi' and in a comyn hous. The soule of an 10 ™^™bt"8tb^h vnpitouse man desirith yuel ; he schal not werkig, as he f * seith in XXT. haue merci on his nei3bore. Whanne a iic°. of Math. ... .... i* synne ; that man ful of pestilence is punyschid, a mil is, thei kunnen man of wit schal be the wisere ; and if he sueth a wijs man, he schal take kunnyng. A iust man of the hous of a wickid maniaJeremye thenkith, to withdrawe wickid men fro yuel. He that stoppith his eere at the cry of a pore man, schal crye also, andc schal not be herd. A 3ift hid quenchith in mi. c . strongman. 1 Om. AGH. m priuye H. n slowe man A. ° inwardly saitid E pr. m. P it is AEGH. 1 vnpitous man A. * a victorie a. y Om. i. z leesing makcre i. " hurlid i. » \roJdcn not i. b cleene of synne c sec. m. c and he i. VOL. III. f PROVERBS. XXI. 15 XXII. 3. is in the bosum most iudignacioun. loye to the ri3twis is to don dom ; and ferd to Hi nii-ii werkende wickidnesse. The man that erreth fro the weie of doctrine, in 17 the felashipe of ieauntis shal wone. Whor looueth deynte metis, in nedynesse shall be ; who looueth win and fatte thingus, is shall not be maad riche. For the ri3twise shal ben 30110 the vnpitouse ; and for the igri3t man the wicke. Betere is to dwelle in desert lond, than with a ianglende 20 womman, and wratheful. Desyrable tre- sor and oile in the dwelling place of the njtwis ; and the vnprudent man shal aiscateren it. Who folewith ri3twisnesse and mercy, shal finde lif and ri3twisnesse 22 and glorie. The cite of stronge men the wise man ste3ede vp, and destro3ide the 23 strengthe of the trost of it. Who kepeth his mouth arid his tunge, kepeth his soule 24 fro anguysshis. The proud man and the" enhaunsende hymself is clepid vnta3t, the 25whiche in wrathe wercheth pride. De- sires slen the slowe ; wolden not forsothe the hondis of hym any thing werchen5. 26 Al dai he coueitith and desireth ; who forsothe is ri3twis, shal 3elde, and not 27 cese. The ostis of vnpitous men abomi- 28 nable, that ben offrid of hidous gilte. A witnesse Here shal pershe ; the obeisaunt 29 man shall speke victorie. The vnpitous man wowendeli stablith his chere ; who so forsothe is ri3t, mendeth his weie. Ther is not wisdarn, ther is not prudence, 31 ther is not counseil a3en the Lord. An hors is maad redi to the dai of bataile ; the Lord forsothe helthe shal 3eelden. CAP. XXII. 1 Betere is a good name, than manye richessis; ouer siluer forsothe and gold 2 good grace. The riche man and the pore metten togidere ; the werkere of euer 3 either is the Lord. The felle man seeth euel, and hideth hymself ; and the inno- chidyngis; and a 3ift in bosum quenchith leesmg; as . , j .... . Ti • • flatereris of the" moost mdignacioun. It is loye to ai5rjchemenau<i iust man to make doome* ; and it is drede f^vocatis to hem that worchen wickidnesse. A man 16 vev* •' «hat is> voide of vertu. that errith fro the weie of doctryn, schal and with maen ,,..., ,, . ,. , TT herte;{orhe dwelle in the cumpariy or giauntisy. Hei7suffrithdefaute that loueth metis:]:, schal be in nedynesse; jf he that loueth wiyn and fatte thingis, °/ * synne, and of schal not be maad riche. An vnpitouse is iieiie. £«»</<>«»»,• , . L tohelle. nolden man schal be 3ouun tor a iust man(j ; and eforfoom.-thatis, . , . , 777 p • if i ly"e iustli with a wickid man schal be ^ouun for a rytful tue neisbore. man. It is betere to dwelle in a desert ID *'tr0e^rkee c' lond, than with a womman ful of chidyner, *>om>' that is, to parforme and wrathful. Desirable^ tresoure and oile 20 Hjtfuinesse. .,,,,. , he • drede ; for thei is in the dwelling places" or a iust man ; dreden enere to and an vnprudent man schal distrie it. tnne^t He that sueth ri3tfulnesse and mercy, schal 21 fvnde liif and glorie. A wiis man sti ./ . J, is,gooddoctryn. in to1 the citee or stronge men, and di- Lire here. c. , .-.,1 .1 i* L • t ii i* TT 1" yintintis; that striede the strengthe of tnst therof. Heaau.ofmenyueie that kepith his mouth and his tunge, ^^ of kepith his soule from angwischis. A 24 + metisi that is> vnmesurably. proude man and boosteere is clepid a fool, Lirehere.cKxn. ., , .,, .... -r» • • i Sforaiiist that worchith pride in ire. Desms sleen 25 »,«»,- that is, a slow man; for hise hondis noldenk worche pTyne^oon °' ony thing. Al dai he coueitith and de- 20 to a lust man> -1 an vnpitouse sirith ; but he that is a iust man, schal »»<«», that aide ,11 rr, . . that 5'uel) SChal 3yue, and1 schal not ceesse. The offnngis 27 ie 3o««» to of wickid men, that ben offrid of greet trespas||, ben abhomynable. A fals nesse schal perische ; a man obedient schal of raueyn, ether of thefte. Lire speke victorie^[. A wickid man makith 20 here. c. sad his cheer vnscharnefastli ; but he that he^akith'the* is ri3tful, amendith his weie. No wis- so ^Sun, dom ism, no prudence is1", no counsel isra and thls. is ^e moste victorie. a3ens the Lord. An hors is maad redi to 3i amendith his the dai of batel ; but the Lord schal 3yue ofiitie defautis i ,,, whiche he doith neltne. inthisliyf,thouj CAP. XXII. he be ful iust. Lire here. c. Betere is a good name, than manyi ** A riche man, J etc. ; God mak- richessis ; for good grace ts aboue siluer uu a pore man, j , , A • i jtjt. i *Qat he haue and gold. A riche man** and a pore man 2 merit of Pa- metten hem silf ; the Lord is worchere of euer eithir. A felle man seeth yuel, and 3 man> that. h« * haue merit of hidith him silf ; and an innocent man mersy, in heip- ingeaporeman. Lire here. c. r Who so A. rr Om. c pr. m. s Om. A. d Om. i. 1 and he i. e iust doom i. m ther is i. *toi. e Desiderable ca. h place A sec. m. i. ' vnto i. k wolden not i. XXII. 4 -I PROVERBS. 35 cent passede, and is tormentid with harm. 4 The ende of manernesse the dred of the 5 Lord; richessis, and glorie, and lif. Armes and swerdis in the weie of the proud ; the kepere forsothe of his soule ferr goth 6 awei fro hem. A prouerbe is, A 3ung ful waxen man aftyr his weie, and whan he yeldeth, shal not gon awei fro it. The riche man to pore men comaundeth ; and he that taketh borewing, seruaunt is of s the vsurer. Who sowith wickidnesse*, shal repen euelis ; and the 3erde of his wrathe ushal be ful endid. Who redi is to mercy, shal be blissid ; of his loues forsothe he jaf to the pore. Victorie and worshipe shal purchace, that 3eueth 3iftis; for- sothe he taketh awei the soule of the loresceyueres. Cast awey the scornere, and with hym shal gon out strif ; and causis iishul cese, and wrong blamyngis. Who looueth clemiesse of herte, for the grace of his lippis shal ban the king frend. 12 The e3en of the Lord kepe kunnyng ; and supplauntyd ben the woordis of the 13 wicke. The slowe shal seyen, A leoun is withoute ; in the myddel of the stretes 14 1 am to be slain. A dep dich the mouth of the alien womman ; to whom the Lord is is wroth, shal falle in to hir. Folie is bounde togidere in the herte of the child; and the 3erde off discipline shal driuen IG awei it. Who wrong chalengeth the pore, that he eeche his richessis, he shal 3yue 17 to a richere, and neden. My sone, bowe in thin ere, and here the woordis of wise men ; lei to forsothe herte to my doctrine. IH The whiche fair shal be to thee, whan thou kepist it in thi wombe, and shal lorebouride in thi lippis. That in the Lord be thyn trost ; wherfore and I shal shewe 20 to thee it to dai. Lo ! I haue discriued it thre wise, in tho3tus and kunnyng, 21 that I shulde shewe to thee stedefast- nesse ; and faire spechis of treuthe thou shuldest answere of these thingis to them passid", and he was turmentid bi° harm. The ende of temperaunce is the drede of 4 the Lord; richessis, and elorye, and liif * '««'nge rich. A -3 ,. i . e««is, glorie of Armuris and swerdis ben in the weie of as «eynti», and weiward man ; but the kepere of his soule goith awey fer fro tho. It is a prouerbe, o A 3ong wexynge man bisidis? his weie, and whanne he hath wexei elde, he schal /ro lh" •• . ,, .. i», fro royming not go awei fro it. A riche man co-7 of tho. maundith to pore men ; and he that takith borewyng, is ther seruaunt of the leenere. He that sowith wickidnes t, 8 t'0"''* «"'<*- taneme ; that schal repe yuels ; and the 3erde of his yre '»• r*1* ««»>• i_ i i j-j TT ii t • 1- ing, diwen- schal be endid. He that is redi8 to merci,9 cioun, and schal be blessid ; for of his looues he 3af to a pore man. He that 3yueth 3iftist, schal eete victorie and oriour; forsothe he ire; *•""». B the power bi takith awei the soule of the takeris. Caste 10 which he dide thou out a scornere, and strijf schal go Tere'c. ' out with hym; and causis and dispisyngis ly^'^i, ; schulen ceesse. He that loueth the clen-uth!*verV' thiimr, Laste nesse of herte, schal haue the kyrig a thou out, etc., . ° is not in Ebreu. freend, for' theu grace of hise lippis. The 12 Lire here. c. i3en of the Lord kepen kunnyng^; and the wordis of a wickid man ben disseyued. A slow man schal seie, A lioun is without- is ^hi^h]i» of , the helthe of forth ; Y schal be slayn in the myddis of soule. Lire the stretis. The mouth of an alien || wom-14 ,| ne mouth of man is av deep diche; he to whom the °s" oVfTis dot' Lord is wrooth, schal falle in to it. Foli is g£>hf£ *e is boundun togidere in the herte of a depthe of heiie. wrooth ; for hi child ; and a 3erde of chastisyng schal ir ti i < /*ii* i i '.ii,,,. man. he with dryue it awey. He that falsli chalengithiodrawithfro a pore man, to encreesse hise owne rich- essis, schal 3yue to a richere man, andw J* in to synne, schal be nedi. My sone, bowe doun thin '7 and ofte into , ..... fals doctryn eere, and here thou the wordis ot wise men; but sette thou the* herte to my techyng. That schal be fair to thee, whanne thou hast kept it in thin herte, oftheEide . . m* Testament, and it schal flowe a3en in thi lippis. i hat ii>that ben the thi trist be in the Lord ; wherfor and Y haue schewid it to thee to dai. Lo ! Y haue 20 j^** discryued it in thre maneres^[, in thou3tis jjjj*,1'^*' and kunnyng, that Y schulde schewe to2i«od,etherhe * " spekith this in wickenesse E. n passid, bi a perdous place. Lire here. N text. ° with i. P aftir A sec. m. marg. i text. 1 vvoxen i. 1 Om. I. 8 enclinaunt, ether redi CEOHKMNpQBauxva. enclynaunt, or boivith i. v the c. w and he i. x Om. A sec. m. F 2 36 PROVERBS. XXII. 22 XXIII. 10. 22 that senten thee. Do thou not violence to the pore, for he is pore ; ne to-trede 23 thou the nedy in the 3ate. For the Lord shal deme the cause of hym, and he shal stike them, that stekeden the lif of hym. 24 Wile thou not be frend to a man ful of wrathe, ne go thou with a wood man ; 25 lest parauenture thou lerne the pathis of hym, and take sclaunder to thi soule. 26 Wile thou not be with them that ficche doun ther hondis, and that borewis offren 27 hemself for dettis ; if forsothe thou hast wherof thou restore, what of cause is, that" thou take coueryng frov thi bed ? 28 Ne ouerpasse thou olde terrnes, the 29whiche thi fadris setteden. Hast thou seen a swift man in his were ? befor kingis he shal stonde, ne he shal ben beforn vn noble men. CAP. XXIII. 1 Whan thou shal sitte, that thou ete with a prince, besili tac heede that ben 2 set befor thi face, and set a culter in thi throte. If 'ner the laterevv thou haue 3 power in to thi soule, ne desire thou of the metis of hym, in the whiche is the 4 bred of lesing. Wile thou not trauailen that thou be riche, but to thi prudence 5 put marier. Ne rere thou thin e3en to richessis, that thou maist not han ; for thei make to them federis, as of an egle, cand thei shul flee in to heuerie. Ne ete thou with an enuyous man, and ne de- 7 sire thou the metisw of hym ; for in lic- nesse of a deuynour and of a fals castere, he eymeth that he knowith not. Et and drink, he shal sei to thee ; and the mynde a of hym is not with thee. The metes that thou hast eten, thou shalt spewen out ; uand thou shalt leesen thi faire wrdis. In the eres of vnwise men speke thou not ; for thei shul dispisen the doctrine of thi lospeche. Ne ateyne thou the termes of a"d y«el> and what is leueful and vnieuefui. thee the sadnesse and spechis of trewthe ; his ow"e J?er- • soone of his to answere of these thingis to hem, that thre bokis, -r-. . Prouerbis, Ec- senten thee. Do thou not violence to a 22 desiastes, and pore man, for he is pore ; nethir defoule thou a nedi man in the 3ate. For the Lord schal deme his cause, and he schal tur- mente hem, that turmentiden his soule. Nyle thou be freend to a wrathful ma nether go thou with a wood man; lest 25^ perauenture thou lerne hise weies, and and thus the sentence is take sclaundir to thi soule. Nyle thou be 20 pieyn. c. with hem that oblischeny her hondis, and that proferen hem silf z borewis for dettis; for if he hath not wherof he schal restore, 27 what of cause isa, that thou take awei hilyngb froc thi bed? Go thou not ouer28 the elde markisd, whiche thi faders han set. Thou hast seyn a man smert in his 2» werk ; he schal stonde bifore kyngis, and he schal not be bifor vnnoble men. CAP. XXIII. Whanne thou sittist, to ete with the i prince, perseyue thou diligentli what thingis ben set bifore thi face, and sette2 thou a withholding6 in thi throte. If ne- theles thou hast power on thi soule, desires thou not of his metis, in whom is the breed of 'a leesingf*. Nyle thou trauele4 to be maad riche, but sette thou mesure to thi prudence. ReiseS not thin i3en to a richessis, whiche thou maist not haue ; for tho schulen make to hem silf pennes, as of an egle, and thoh schulen flee in to heuene. Ete thou not with an enuyouse e man, and desire thou not hise metis; for 7 at the licnesse of a fals dyuynour and of a coniecteref, he gessith that, that he knowith not. He schal seie to thee, Ete thou and drinke ; and his soule is not with theej. Thou schalt brake1 out thes metisk, whiche thou hast ete ; and thou schalt leese thi faire wordis. Speke thou 9 not in the eeris of vnwise men ; for thei schulen dispise the teching of thi speche. * breed of a leesing ; that is, getun hi a leesing. riche ; oner dwe mesure. mesure ; of iust resoun. to thi pru- dence ; that is, sutilte ether felnesse in geting. Lire here. c. + coniectere ; that is, ex- pownere of dremes. Lire here. ex. J with thee ; that is, he sekith not thi profiyt. Lire here. c. u if A. v for A. TV neuerthelater A et alii. w meet AGH. y fastnen, ether oblischen CEFGHKMNPQRsuxya. fastnen, or bynden i. z silf to be i. a ther is i. hilyng i. c of i. d termes, ether markis CEFGHiKMNPQRSuxva. e cultre, or a withholding i. f liyng s Reise thou i. t> thei i. i spue CEGHKMNpQRsuxva. caste F pr. m. i. k mete P. the e i. XXIII. II 2t> PROVERBS. 37 litlex childer ; and the feeld of moderles uchilder go^ thou not in. The nee3h for- sothe of them is strong, and he shal i2demen 33611 thee the causes of hem. Go in to doctrine thin herte, and thin eris 13 to the wrdis of kunnyng. Wile thou not withdrawe fro a child discipline ; if for- sothe thou smytez hym with 3erdea, he 14 shal not die. Thou with a 3erde shalt smite hym, and the soule of hym fro is helle thou shalt deliueren. My sone, if wijs were thin inwit, mynb herte shal i6io5en with thee ; and ful out shuln io3en myc reenes, whan thi lippis shul speke i7ri3t. Ne enuyed thin herte synneres ; but in the drede of the Lord be thou al is dai. For thou shalt han hope in the laste, and thin abiding shal not ben taken 19 awei. Heere, my sone, and be thou wijs;, and rrjt reule in the weie thin inwit. 20 Wile thou not ben in the festis of drink- eris, ne in the meteshipis of hem, that 21 flesh to eten bringen. For thei tendende to drinkis, and 3iuende scot, shul ben wastid, and napping shal be clad" with 22clothis. Heere thou thi fader, that gat thee ; and ne dispise thou, vwhan shal 23eelden thi moderf. Bie treuthe, and wile thou not selle wisdam, and doctrine, and 24 vnderstonding. Ful out io3eth with io3e the fader of the ri3twise ; that a wis man 25 gat, shal gladen in hym. 1036 thi fader and thi moder, andff ful out io3e, that gat 20 thee. 3i£ sone myn, thin herte to me, 27 and thin e3en my weies kepe thei. A dep dich forsothe is£ a strumpet, and a streit 28 pit an alien womman. She waiteth in the weie, as a thef; and whom vnslei3 29 she seeth, she shal slen. To whom wo? to whos fader wo? to whom strif? to Tout-he thou not the termes of litle dren ; and entre thou not in to the feeld of fadirles and modirles children. For the n i" 7* ^* "**«W t •• nei3bore of hem is strong, and he schal toout«nnere , , goudii) that ben deme her cause a3ens thee. Thin herte 12 «I*;'<M <» entre to techyng, and thin eeris'ie redi} to the wordis of kunnyng. Nile thou i withdrawe chastisyng fro a child ; for ^1'>t " "da thorn thou srayte"1 hym with a ?erde, he «"<*<*/A;«; 11 i • mi i tllat '•' witn schal not die. Thou schalt smyte hymuviieciothi»; with a 3erde, and thou schalt delyuere his soule fro helle. Mi sone, if thi soule is i wijs, myn herte schal haue ioye with thee; 5° 'Jj'"8 1*hal • • dtvelle to thee and my reynes* schulen make ful out le*^",1^ <*"? ioye, whanne thi lippis speken ri3tful thing. Thin herte sue not synneris ; but be thou in then drede of the Lord al dai. For0 thou schalt haue hope at the laste, IB thou "lle '"'• dom and tfch- and thin abidyng schal not be don awei. «»*,• for it M, . . . . . owith to be sone, here thou, and be thou? wijs, i93ouunfreiy, and dresse thi soule in the weie. Nyle20plIJMithrjprivs thou be in the feestis of drinkeris, nether °/ money> "*• theles a techere in the ofte etyngis of hem, that bryngen of wisdom may /. e ' ° takeliyflode togidere fleischis to ete. For men 3yuynge 21 and clothing tent to drinkis, and 3yuyng mussels togi- ,he, iib dere, schulen be waastidf, and napping ^, schal be clothid with clothis. Here thi 22 £e. P"**'5 of Egipt, that fadir, that gendridei thee ; and dispise not studieden in ,, . i- i i • 11 -n- XL filosofie, weren thi modir, whanne sche is eld. Bie thou23«usteynedof treuthe, and nyle thou sille wisdom, andr doctryn, andr vndurstonding. The fadir 24 **]£• cjkerte . of a iust man ioieth ful out with ioie ; he *» then,k.e on my techmg. that gendrides a wijs man, schal be glad m« weyes ; in in hym. Thi fadir and thi modir haue 25 t ioye, and he that gendride8 thee, make ful out ioye. My sone, 3yue thin herte J me, and thin i?en kepe my weyes. For an 27 man may go j i- i j v outtherof. hoore is a deep diche, and an alien worn- vnutar, that .. ., <-, , , , • , i • • kunnen not man is a streit pit. Sche settith aspie in 28 deme bit the weie, as a theef ; and sche schal sle cause hem, whiche sche schal se vnwar. To 29 *£*?>££ [al ^ of whom is wo§? to whos fadir is wo? tlmmm* whom dichis? to whom withoute woundis? to whom Christine out^ of helle; in Ebreu it is, schal adde displserin in men ; that is, schal multiplie dispiseris of God among men. Also this lettre mai be expowned of a bodili hoore, which is seid a deep dich, for many songe men and elde fallen in to it ; also sche is seid a streit pit ; for a man goith not out of the synne of lecchene, no but with hardnesse. And sche settith aspies, in drawinge vnchast men bi flatteringis and cossis. c. § is wo ; that is, cursing and myshap. rficAi*,- that is, prisouns vndur the erthe. without cause; that is, not maad bi swerd, but bi her owne falling, putting out ; that is, feblmg and derkmg of the isen. Lire here. c. 1 thi litle c. y ne go G sec. m. z smytyst ^IEGH. a a jeerde A. b thyn AE pr. m. H. c thy E pr. m. d orfolotve c sec. m. marg. E sec. m. marg. enuye orfoletve AGH. e clothid AEGH. { thi moder, whanne she shal eelde A. K Om. c pr. m. B Om. c pr. m. es stiflyng E pr. m. 9 gaat i. i. m smytist CFOKMNQRUXY. n Ora. i. ° And thanne i. P Om. i. q gaat i. r ne i. 38 PROVERBS. XXIII. 30 — XXIV. II. 3oe3en? Whether not to them, that dwellen in win, and studien to chalices to ben 31 drunken vp ? Ne beholde thou the win, whan it floureth, whan shal shine in the saverr the colour of it. It shal gon in softe, but inh the laste it shal bite as a shadewe eddere, and as a kokatrice ve- ssnymys shal heelden abrod. Thin e3en shul beholde straunge wymen, and thin 34herte shal speke peruertid thingus. And thou shalt ben as slepende in the myddil se, and as the steris man al forslept, the 35 steer staf lost. And thou shalt sey, Thei beeten me, but I sorewide not ; thei drowen me, and I felide not ; whanne shal I wake, and eft wines finden ? CAP. XXIV. 1 Ne enuye' thou euele men, ne desire 2 thou to ben with them. For raueynes sweteli thenketh the mynde of hem, and 3giles the lippis of hem speken. Bi wis- dam shal thek hous ben bild, and bi pru- 4dence it shul be strengthid. In doctrine shul be fulfild1 the celeris, with alle pre- 5 cious substaunce and most fair. A wis man is strong, and a ta3t man is stal- es wrthe and my3ti. For with disposicioun me goth in to bataile; and helthe shal ben, 7 wher ben many counseilis. Ful hee3 to the fool wisdam ; in"1 the 3ate he shal snot openen his mouth. Who thenketh iieuelis to don, a fool shal ben clepid. The thenking of the fool is synne ; and abho- lominacioun of men the bacbitere. If slyden thou despeire, in the dai of anguysh" n'shal benn vmaadlitil° thi strengthe. Deli- uere hem, that ben lad to deth ; and that ben drawen to diyng, to deliuere ne cese drunkun ouere myche. as an addre, etc. ; for it wastith tem- kynde, and goodis of grace, foritindusith to vices, and most of l to whom ben chidingis ? to whom ben ' dichis ? tO Whom ben WOUlldlS With OUt ~ •. . rt . -i cause ? to whom ts puttyng out or i3en ? Whether not to hem, that dwellen wyn*, and studien to drynke al of cuppis? * * _ Biholde thou not wyn, whanne it spar- ,. , , clith, whanne the colour therof schyneth in a ver. It entrith swetli, but at the laste 32 it schal bite as an eddre doitW, and as a thecouetiseof lecnene bynd- cocatrice it schal schede abrood venyms. »th the resoun and wit. of the Thin i3en schuleri se straunge wymmenf, 33 see ,- that is, of and thi herte schal speke weiwerd thingis. it' And thou schalt be as a man slepinge in 34 the myddis of the see, and as a gouernour and of vices- a gouernour aslepid, whanne the steere11:): is lost. And 35 aslepid ; the thou schalt seie, Thei beeten me, but Y schip, the soule is the gouern- our; the smile is seid aslepid, whanne it is boundun with sleep ether with lust of lecche- rie. Lire here. c. hadde not sorewe ; thei drowen me, and Y feelide not ; whanne schal Y wake out, andv Y schal fynde wynes eft ? CAP. XXIV. Sue thou not yuele men, desire thou not i to be with hem. For the soule of hem bi-2 is> hooris and auoutressis. thenkith raueyns, and her lippis speken Lire here. c. fraudis. An hous schal be bildid bi wis- 3 & dom, andw schal be maad strong bi pru- dence^. Celeris schulen be fillid in tech- 4 fhe s.leeP e*er lust is passid. ing, al" riches preciouse and ful fair. A 5 thei beeten me, . etc. ; for as a wijs man is strong, and a lerned man is man stalworth and mi3ti. For whi batel is bi-c gunnun with ordenaunce, and helthe schal be, where many counsels ben. Wisdom ^s^ thanne, thous he is smytun 1113 to a fool ; in the 3ate he schal not ether drawun, opene his mouth. He that thenkith to do 8 hoidun with yuels, schal be clepid a fool. The thou3tea SJe'rfe'per- of a fool is synne ; and a bacbitere is sey"eth not * thanne the abhomynacioun of men. If thou that>" hast 10 y«eis of synne TJ , j- • • 4.11 • xu j • f • T. andofpeyne, slide', dispeirista|| in the dai of angwisch, intowhichehe thi strengthe schal be maad lesse. Dely- 1 1 y^waA-ej etc. ,- uere thou hem, that ben led to deth ; and ceesse thou not to delyuere hem, that ben goith ajeu to drawun to deth^[. If thou seist, Strengthis 12 drynking soone aftir waking, and is enclyned herto bi yuel custom, so he that is customable to leccherie, thouj he wakith sumtyme, turneth ajen to his spuyng, for the yuel custom ether corrupcioun of fleisch hurlinge him therto. Lire here. c. § prudence ; that is, good goueruayl. Celeris ; that is, the hertis of hereris. ful fair ; for goostly richessis ben euer preciouse, and ful faire, but bodily richessis han sumtyme filthe knyt to tho. hi) to a fool ; for he mai not ateyne therto. Lire here. c. || dispeirist ; of ascaping of perel. Lire here. c. ^ to deth ; vniustly. Lire here. c. h at AH. » orfolowe c sec.m. marg. E sec. m. marg. folewe A. enuy orfoletve GH. k thin A. l fild A. m and in A. n veniaunce AH. Dn Om. c pr. m. ° founden E pr. m. 1 Om. i. » steere [steerne N], ether [the EPY] instrument of gouernail CEFGHKMxpQRSuxYa. steere of gouernail i. v and whanne i. w and it i. x with al i. y Om. omnes prater c. z yslide i. a and dispeirist KX. XXIV. 12 3 PROVERBS. 12 thou. If thou shul seyri, Strengthis semen not ; he that is the imvard be- holdere of herte, vnderstondith, and the kepere of thi soule no thing begilith, and shall jelde to a man after his werkis. 13 Et, sorie, hony for good ; and the most I4swete honycomb to thi throte. So and the doctrine of wisdam to thi soule ; the whiche whan thou findist, thou shalt han in the laste thingus hope ; and thin hope is shal not pershe. Ne aspie thou, and seche vnpitousnesse in the hous of the ri3twis, ne waste thou the reste of hym. icSeuene sithes forsothe shal falle the ri3t- wis, and risen ; the vnpitouse forsothe 17 shal fallen in to euel. Whan thin enemy fallith, ne {036 thou ; and in the falling is of hym ful out io3e not thin herte; lest perauenture the Lord see, and it displese to hym, and he take awei fro hym his 19 wrathe. Striue thou not with the werste men, and enuyei" thou not vnpitosei men. 20 For euele men han not hope of thingus to come, and the lanterne of vnpitous 21 men shal be quenchid. Dreed God, sone myn, and the king ; and with bacbiteres 22 be thou not mengd. For sodeynli at ones shal rise the perdicioun of hem, and the falling of euer either who knew3 ? 23 These thingus forsothe to wise men. To knowen persone in dom is not good. 24 Who seith to the vnpitous, Thou art ri3twis, puples shal cursen to hym ; and 25 linages shul wlaten hym. Who vnder- nymyn, shul ben preisid ; and vp on hem 20 shal corne blessing. Lippes shal kisse, 27 that ri;t wrdis ansiverth. Greithe out forth thi were, and bisili enhaunte thi feeld, that aftir thou bilde vp thin hous. 28 Be thou not a witnesse in idil a3en thi ne3hebore ; and ne flatere thou any man 29 with thi lippes. Ne sey thou, As he dide to me, so I shal do to hym, and I shal :i<>3elde to eche man after his were. Bi the feld of the slowe man I passede, and bi si the vyne of the fool man ; and lo ! al world to com- yep- •»«*«*- suffisen not ; he that is biholdere of the 'found* ,• that herte, vndirstondith, and no thing dis- t^VfifSk seyueth the kepere of thi soule, and he SS«5ft schal 3elde to a man bib hise werkis. Mi ttfyS1**** sone, ete thou hony, for it is good ; and anc honycomb fuld swete to thi throte. 'So and6 the techyng of wisdom is good to i thi soule ; and whanne thou hast founde* it, thou schalt haue hope in the laste <""»«,• that is, . , . . - , . . . ofte, for pre- thingis, and thin hope schal not pensche. sent Hyf may Aspie thou not, and sekef not wickidnesse is D° in the hous of a iust man, nether waste thou his reste. For a iust man schal falle i6™tll<™tamend: seuene sithis in the dot, and schal rise *"»•• and , • i • i i, turne it on but wickid men schulen falle m to thee, for the yuele. Whanne thin enemye fallith, haue thou not ioye ; and thin herte haue not ful out ioiyng in his fal ; lest perauenture i8with vncor- ' . rigible men bi the Lord se, and it displese hym, and he take awei his ire fro hym. Stryue thou 19 owth not with 'the worete* men, nether sue thou wickid men. For whi yuele men han 20 tl\e( ** refj"eyn- ed fro yuel, and not hope of thineis to comynee1', and the oth<* men b« , * 5 maad aferd. lo lanterne or wickid men schal be quenchid. wise mm ; that My sone, drede thou God, and the kyng;2ito'menuf^na!! and be thou not medlid with bacbiteris. reforme pees, whos signe is kissing to gi- dere. Make redi thi tcerk ; For her perdicioun schal rise togidere 22 1 to i • persoone \n sudenli, and who knowith the fal of euer doom; that is, , , . . , 7 to fauore him either? Also these thingis that suen ben 23 more than is to wise men. It is not good to knowef a Ji'myHariJe!"13 persoone in doom. Puplis schulen curse 24^ hem, that seien to a wickid man, Thou art iust ; and lynagis schulen holde hem abhomynable. Thei that repreuen iustli synners1, schulen be preisid ; and blessing schal come on hem. He that answerithactheeoffeddis, and vynens, rhtful wordis, schal kisse lippis. Make 27 and othere ne- . /• i j i_ cessaries to redi thi werk with outforth, and worcne i;yf. &/<& /Ayn thi feelde dilygentli, that thou bilde thin JUJi^'"' hous aftirward. Be thou not a wftneweisgjjgjj'^ with out resonable cause a3ens thi nei3- thus, em stu- . , die thou hooly bore ; nether flatere thou ony man with writ, and se the thi lippis. Seie thou not, As he dide to 20 me, so Y schal do to him, and Y schal 3elde to ech man aftir his werk. I passide so P^^™'- bi the feeld of a slow man, and bi the Lire here. c. aftirward make to thee dissi- P orfolorve E sec. m. marg. folewe A. enuye or sen GH. 1 to vnpitose E pr. m. b aftir i. cthei. <*for it is ful I. « Ri3t so i. 'sekethoua. e ful wickid i. h come i. ' syn- ners. Lire here. N text. 40 PROVERBS. XXIV. 32 — XXV. 13. netlis hadden fulfild, thornes hadden co- uered the vtmostx of it, and the wal of 32 stones was destro3ed. The whiche whan I hadde see, I putte in myn herte, and 33 bi exsaumple lernede discipline. Hou longe, slowe, thou slepist ? hou longe fro slep thou shalt rise ? A litil forsothe thou shalt slepe, a litil while thou shalt nappe, a litil thin hondis thou shalt lei 34 togidere, that thou reste ; and ther shal come to thee as a corour thi nedynesse, and thi beggingnesse as a man armyd. 1 These forsothe the^ Parablis of Salamon, the whiche translateden the men of Eze- chie, king of Juda. CAP. XXV. 2 The glorie of God is to hilyn a wrd ; and the glorie of kingis to enserchen a ssermoun. He.uene aboue, and erthez be- nethe, and the herte of kingus vnserch- 4 able. Do awei rust from siluer, and ther shal gon out a most pure vessel. 5 Do awei vnpitousnesse fro the chere of the king, and bi ri3twisnesse shal ben efastned the trone of hym. Ne glorious apere thou befor the king, and in place* 7 of grete men stonde thou not. Betere isb forsothe, that it be seid to thee, Ste3e vp hidir, than that thou be mekid be- oforn a prince. That thin e3en se3en, ne speke thou soone in strif ; lest parauen- ture thou mowe not amende, whan thou 9 hast dishonestid thi frend. Thi cause trete with thi frend, and priuyte to a 10 straunger opene thou not ; lest perauen- ture he asaile to thee, whan he shal heren, and to repreuen cese not. Grace and frendshipe delyueren, the whiche kepe thou to thee, lest thou be maad 1 1 repreuable. A goldene cheke bon in sil- uerene beddis, that speketh a wrd in his i2tyme. A goldene erering, and a mar- garite shynende, that vndernemeth a wis 13 man, and an ere obedient. As cold of sno3 in the dai of rep, soc an feithful messager to hym that sente hym ; the vvner of a fonned man; and, lo! nettlis 31 *<«*"»£ < : wise J i men sene the hadden fillid al, thornes hadden hilid the men seynge the „ , ., , ,, slowe men, and hi3ere part therof. and the wal of stoonys offooiis, ben with out morter was distried. And whanne 32 j Y hadde seyn this thing, Y settide in myn herte, and bi ensaumple Y lernyde tech- w the feeid and yng . „ vyner, is vn- Hou longe slepist thou, slow man ? 33 durstondun the whanne schalt thou ryse fro sleep? Sotheli thou schalt slepe a litil, thou schalt nappe a litil, thou schalt ioyne togidere the hondis a litil, to take reste ; nedynesse as a currour schal come to thee, and thi beggerie as an armed man. is fillid with . dyuerse vices ; and k thi 34 and wise men that biholden this, ben bisiere to purge her owne con- sience. Lire here. c. t The glorie of God is to hele a that is, CAP. XXV. Also these ben the Parablis of Salomon, i whiche the men of Ezechie, kyng of Juda, translatiden. The glorie of God is to hele 2 a wordf; and the glorie of kyngis is to seke out a word. Heuene aboue, and the 3 erthe bynethe, and the herte of kyngis is vnserchable. Do thou a wei rust fro sil-4 uer, and a ful cleene vessel schal1 go out. yenfuiofstu- die be ocupied, Do thou awei vnpite fro the cheer of the s and wondre on the depthe of kvng, and his trone schal be maad stidrast Goddis wisdom. * «5 ' > • ••*** A A i A i • seke out a word: bi ri3tfulnesse. Appere thou not glori-c that is, the sen- Esechiel ben jonun priueiy, ether bi helincr, that vnfeithfui ynge 5 vnhonest ; that is, telle thou not soone to othere men the pryuy yuels of thi neijbore, lest thou maist ouset bifore the kyng, and stonde thou not in the place of grete men. For it is 7 Pri"eiy. Lire here. c. betere, that it be seid to thee, Stie thou hidur, than that thou be maad low bifore the prince. Brynge thou not forth soone « tho thingis in strijf, whiche thin i3en sien m ; lest aftirward thou maist not amende, whanne thou hast maad thi frend vnhonest $. Trete thi cause with this frend, and schewe thou not priuyte to a straunge man; lest perauenture he haue ionot 5eldeK°od fame to thi ioye of thi fal, whanne he hath herde, neijbore, which , . fame thou hast and ceesse not to do schenschipe to thee. hirt. Lire here. Grace|| and frenschip delyueren, whiche" c\\ Grace; this kepe thou to thee, that thou be not maad ve™ '" tmdur' a goldun pomel, repreuable. A goldun pomel in beddis of n elc-> isni>t in Ebreu. Lire siluer ts he, that spekith a word in his here. c. . , , , . f the coold of time. A goldun eere ryng, and a° scnin- 12 „,,,«,. thatis, ynge peerle is he, that repreueth a wijs man, and an eere obeiynge. of snow^[ in the? dai of heruest, so a As the coold i3I"anerof ™°ld of snow. Lire x vttermoost AGH. J ben the A. z the erthe EH. • the place AGH. b it is EG sec.m. c Om. AG pr.m. H. k and thanne i. 1 ther shal i. m sawjen i. n the whiche i. ° Om. c. P Om. i. XXV. 14 XXVI. 1. PROVERBS. 41 soule of hym to resteri he maketh. 14 Cloud and wind, and reines not folew- ende, a man glorious, and the behestes 15 not fulfillende. Bi pacience shal ben maad softe the prince ; and a nesshe ictunge shal to-breke hardnesse. Hony thou hast founden, ett that suffiseth to thee ; lest parauenture fulfild thou spewe 17 it out. Withdra3 thi foot fro the hous of thi ne3hebore; lest any time fulfild, he isshul hate thee. Spere. and swerd, and sharp arwe, a man that speketh ajen his I9ne3hebore fals witnesse. A roten toth, and a foot sliden, that hopith vpon the 2ovnfeithful in the dai of anguysh, and leeseth the mantil in the dai of cold. Eisel in glas, that singeth dites with peruertid herte. As a mo3hed to the cloth, and a werm to the tree, so sorewe 21 of a man no^eth to the herte. If thin enemy shul hungren, feed hym ; if he 22thristith, jif hym watir to drinke ; for- sothe colis thou shalt gadere togidere vp on the bed of hym ; and the Lord shal 233elde to thee. A northerne wind scater- eth reynes ; and a dreri face the bac- 24bitende tunge. Betere is to sitte in a corner of a roof, than with a womman 25 ful of strif, in the hous of a feste. Cold watir to the threstende soule; and a good 2cmessager fro a ferr lond. A welle tru- blid bi foot, and a veyne corupt, the 27 ri3twis fallende beforn the vnpitous. As he that etith myche hony, and it is not to hym good ; so that6 is a serchere of 28 mageste, shal ben opressid of glorie. As an opyn cite, and withoute enuyrounyng of wallis ; so a man that mai not in speking chastisen his spirit. veMel '» • Md& »!',«!!,«' feithful messanger to hym that sente Hhilke messanger^, makith his soule to haue reste. A cloude and wind, and reyn not suynge, is a gloriouse man, and not fillynge biheestis. A prince schal be maad soft bi pacience; and a soft tunge schal breke hardnesse. Thou hast founde hony, etc thou that that suffisith to thee: lest perauenture thou be fillid, and brake1" it out. Withdrawe thi foot fro the hous of thi nei3bore ; lest sum tyme he be fillid8*, and hate thee. A dart, and a swerd, and is^ a scharp arowe, a man that spekith fals m°™ « and » stiriil to witnessing a3ens his ne^bore. A rotun 19 d'»py»mgi». tooth, and a feynt foot is he, that hopith on an vnfeithful man in the dai of an- gwisch, and leesith his mentil in the dai 20 of coold. Vyneffre in a vessel t of salt is . , . he, that singith songis to the worste herte. As a mou3te noieth a cloth, and a worm noieth*- a tree, so the sorewe of a man noieth the herte. If thin enemy hungrith, feede thou him i ; if he thirstith, ?vue n>mi« for the charite of the thou watir to hym to drinke; for" thou22nei3bore; in schalt gadere togidere coolis on his heed ; that '*• thou schalt induce him to do re- CAP. XXVI. i What maner sno3 in somer, and reyn in rep time ; so vnsemende is to the fool and the Lord schal 3elde to thee. north wind scaterethv reynes ; and a sorew- Lire here- c- . . . . 5 A ">elle • tr°- ful face distrieth a tunge bacbitinge. It 24 uiid leesith fair- . . ., c t nesse hi a litil is betere to sitte in the corner ot an hous mouyng, a without roof, than with a womman ful of chidyng, and in a comyn hous. Coold 25 j watir to a thirsti man; and a good mes- is, doinge synne . bifor a wickid sanger fro a fer lond. A welle 5 dis- 26 man, for he de- turblid with foot, and a veyne brokun, a iust man fallinge bifore a wickid man. As it is not good to hym that etith myche hony ; so he that is a serchere of maiestel!, II a serchere of * . . maieste; that schal be put doun fro glorie. As a citee 28 ;„, woie mesure . , , n , , • • d vuyn thiiuns opyn, and with out cuinpas or wains; so is a man that mai not refreyne his spirit in speking. CAP. XXVI. rir ; that is, schal falle in to errour. as a , . , citee opyn, etc.; As snow^f m somer, and reyn in her- 1 that is, as the uest ; so glorie is vnsemeli to a fool. For 2 0^.^ac'ii«s ben opyn to hem that wolen entre, so the priuytes of sich a man ben opyn to othere men. Lire here. c. H as snow ; is vnsemely. in somer; for it is ajenu« the kynde of the tyme. in heruist ; for it peirith the ripe corn, and disposith to corrtipcioun. glorie ; that is, onour, to be jouun m opyn plat word/orwAi is not in Ebreu, but it sneth thus, a* a arid, etc. so cursing brou)t forth with out resonable cause schal not come; that is, on nun m to whom it is broujt forth, as a bird vnstable of abiding, that fleeth ouer to a certeyn place, turneth not ajen. Lire here. c. d iin)ii-,th A. mo\v3te E. e he that A. qhimi. r SpUe CBP />r. m. OHlKMNPQRSUXYa. • full therof i. * Om. i. » for so i. v SCaterith abrod i. VOL. III. O PROVERBS. XXVI. 2 — 19. 2glorie. For as a brid to he3e thingus ouerfleende, and a sparewef whider hyra list goende ; so curs in veyn spoken in s to sum man shal comen ouer. A scourge to an hors, and a bernacle to an asse ; and a jerde in the reg of vnprudent men. 4Answere thou not to a fool aftir his folie, lest thou be maad out lie to hym. 5 Answere to a fool aftir his folie, lest he c seme to ben wis to hymself. Halt in feet, and drinkende wickidnesse, that 7 sendith wordus bi a fool messager. What maner the halte hath in veyn faire leggis ; so vnsemende thing is in the s mouth of foolis a parable. As he that sendith a ston in to an hep of monee ; so he that 3iueth to an vnwis man wrshipe. 9 What maner if a thorun be growen in the hond of the drunken ; so a parable in 10 the mouth of foolis. Dem determyneth causes ; and he that puttith silence to a 11 fool, swageth wrathis. As an hound that tourneth 336611 to his vome ; so an vnprudent man, that reherseth his folie. 12 Hast thou seen a man wis to be seen to hymself? more than he an vnwis man 13 shal han hope. The slowe seith, A leoun is in the weie, ands a leounesse is in the ugatis. As a dore is turned in his heeng; 15 so a slo3 man in his litle bed. A slo3 man hidith hish hondis vnder his arm pit ; and trauailith, if to his mouth he 16 shal turne' them. Wisere to hymself the slowe semeth, than seuene men spekende 17 sentences. As he that cachith bi the eres a dogge ; so he that passeth, and vnpacient shal be mengd withk to the isstrif of an other. As gilti he is, that 19 sendith speres and arwes in to deth ; so the man that gilendeli uo3eth to his frend, and whan he were ca3t, shal sey, foiy, as he spai folily. answen thou a foot, etc., «"<*«*>««« ,• that is, drynk noyfuitohim ailf. Lire here c. whi as a brid fliynge ouer to hi3 thingis, andw a sparowe goynge in to vncerteyn ; so cursing brou3t forth with out resonable cause schal come aboue in to sum man. Beting" to an hors, and a bernacle to ans asse; and a 3erde in? the bak of vnpru- dent men. Answere thou not* to a fool 4 biyy his foli, lest thou be maad lijk hymz. Answere thou a fool bia his fooli, lest he 5 seme to him silf to be wijs. An haltinge c man in feet, and drinkinge wickidnessef, he that sendith wordis by a fonned mes- sanger. As an haltinge man hath faire? leggis in veyn ; so a parable} is vnsemeli in the mouth of foolis. As he that cast- a pieimheonw . - of this idol. ethb a stoon in to an heep of mercunej ; onour to an m _ - .-, . . wise man : foi so he that 3yueth onour to an vnwijs man. euer either As if a thorn growith in the hond of a 9 p™"-*10"; c? in r,iii t.'ii iiius drunkun man ; soc a parable in the mouth He that send* a stoon m to A of foolis. Doom determyneth causis || ; }o brood place of . i .1 r i ^e slynge, etc and he that settith silence to a tool, swag- that is, a »too cd vnsemeiy. u § sendith a ith irisd. As a dogge that turneth to his spuyng ; so is an vnprudent man, of th that rehersith his fooli^f. Thou hast sevn 12 «> onour 3°«» . . to an vnwise a man seme wijs to hym silf; an vnkun- man, isajenu , , i .1 resonn, sither nyng man schal haue hope more than he. ;t ow;ti, to \# A slow man seith, A lioun is in the weie, is^ ^j3" a liounnesse is in the foot pathis. As au'*0™' MB drunkun mai dore is turned in hise hengis' ; so a slow hauynge a i • i_ i A i L'j'iU !_• thorn in his man in his bed. A slow man hidith hise 15 hond, prickiti hondis vndur his armpit; and hetrauelith, othere'ine'^i if he turneth tho* to his mouth. A slowi6doi'haf00' techmge ethn man semeth wysere** to hym silf, than prechinge. L here. c. seuene men spekynge sentensis. As he 17 n «<>«;«,• th that takith a dogge bi the eeris ; so he that passith, and /* vnpacient, and is med- dlid with the chiding of anothir manff. fi>iy, ether m 1 ' hce, that mal As he is gilti, that sendith speris and is ith him •!• , . mynahletoG arowis in to deth ; so a man that anoi- 19 an'a men. an eth gilefuli his frend, and whanne he is ^T'tha'tii takun, he schal seie, Y dide pleiynge. Lire here. c. ** semeth wisere ; in sekinge the reste of his fleisch, than excelent wise men. Lire here. c. ft chiding of anothir man ; that is, he that f rith no wrong of an othir man, excitith him with whom he chidith with out cause, to bite him hi word ether dede. Y dide pleynge ; whanne may not excuse the opyn malice of dede, he denyeth the malice of entent which is hid. to the ynneste thingis of the herte ; that is, he feyneth him speke tor the loue of rijtfulnesse, ether for the good of him to whom he spekith, ether of whom he spekith ; but he purposith to anoye til to the ha with foul silver ; that is, with the dros of siluer, as it is in Ebreu. bolnynge lippis ; that is, spekinge with bolnyng of pride, for vii. wickidnet spare c. 8 Om. c. h Om. AEH. * chaungen E pr. m. k Om. AG pr. m. H. w and as i. * Beting ben i. y to i. yy aftir i. z to him Ka. a aftir i. b sendith CBFHNPUV. c so is i. '1 wraththis i. e the R. f herre, ether heengis CEFGHiKMNPQRSuxva. £ hem up i. XXVI. 20 — XXVII. 9- PROVERBS. 43 2oPIeiende I dide. Whan wodis shuln failen, the fyr shal hen queynt1 ; and the groynere withdrawen, striues togi- 21 dere resten. As deade colis to quyke colis, and wode to fyr ; so a wratheful 22 man rereth striues. The wrdis of a groynere as simple; and thei comen thiii'3 23tom the inmostis of the herte. What maner as with foul siluer thou wilt ho- noure britil vessel ; so swellende lippis 24 with werst herte felashipid. In his lippis is vndirstoiide the enemy, whan in 25 herte he hath tretid treccheries. Whan he shal vndirputte his vois, ne 3iue thou credence to hym ; for seuene wickid- 26 nesses ben in the herte of hym. Who couereth hate gilendeli, shal ben opened 27 the malice of hym in counseil. Who delueth a dich, shal falle in to it; and who ouirturneth a ston, it shal ben a3een 28 turned to hym. A deseyuable tunge looueth not the treuthe ; and the slideri" mouth werchith fallingis. CAP. XXVII. i Ne glorie0 thou in to the moru, vn- knowende what the dai to ouercorne 2bringe forth. Preise thee an alien, and not thi mouth ; a straunger, and not athi lippis. Heuy is the ston, and chari- ous is the grauel ; but the wrathe of the 4 fool is heuyere than either. Wrathe hath not mercy, ne brekende out wod- nesse ; and the bure of the stirid spirit sbern who shall moun ? Betere is open 6 amending, than hid looue. Betere ben the woundis of the loouere, than the 7gileful kosses of the hatere. The soule fulfild shal to-trede the hony comb ; the soule forsothe hungrende also bitter for ssweete shal take. As a brid ouerpass- ende fro his nest, so a man that forsak- geth his place. With oynement and di- uers smellis deliteth the herte ; and with goode counseilis of the frend the soule is hi, Whanne trees failen, the fier schal be 20 ten quenchid ; and whanne a priuy bacbitere is withdrawun, stryues resten. As deed2iofmalic«'«th'r ••• . .. of wickidnewe. coons at quic coolis, and trees at the fier ; « <««* delueth t ''"' so a wrathful man reisith chidyngis. The22n*iy wordis of a pryuei bacbitere ben as syrn- ple ; and tho comen tilh to the vnneste' tl"lt kei)ith "°» ... * pnuyte. iror- thingis of the herte. As if thou woltk 23 fA<"' /«&«?•« ; ourne1 a vessel of erthe with foul siluer ; so ben bolnynge lippis felouschipid with 'the werste"1 herte. An enemy is vndir-24 stondun bi hise lippis, whanne he tretith giles in the" herte. Whanne he >makith2s low0 his vois, bileue thou not to hym; for seuene wickidnessis ben in his herte. The malice of hym that hilith hatrede 20 '?' fftorie °" the morewe ; gilefuli, schal be schewid in a counsel, that is, dilaye TT , j , thou not a good He that delueth a diche, schal falle in to 27 werk, vndur it ; and if a man walewith a stoon, it schal turne a3en to hym. A fals tungi loueth not treuth ; and a slidirP mouth worchith fallyngis. 1 1 tint' t nesse ; no man may si i If re this, no but ful wiys and pacient. Lire here. c. •f opyn reprett- y»g ; bi which repreuyng good cometh to him that '» re- preuyed. than hue hid; that CAP. XXVII. Haue thou not glorie oni the morewe*, i 'not knowynger what thing the dai to8 cornynge schal bringe forth. Another 2 man, and not thi mouth preise thee ; a straunger, and not thi lippis ^nreise thee1. thatisioued. ' l * tcoundis of the A stoon is heuy, and grauel is chariouse;s 'ouyere; that , , -«._...« ben doon to but the ire of a fool is heuyere than euer amending of eithir. Ire hath no merci, and" wood- 4 nesse brekynge out ''hath no merciv; and who mai suffre the fersnesse of a spirit stiridw? Betere is opyn repreuyngf, than 5 kissed.. loue hid. Betere ben the woundis of hyniG [hat is/ that loueth, than the gileful cossis of hym that hatith. A man fillid schal dispise? n"oftb'c!:iT- of hem ; and bi an hony coomb ; but an hungri man schal take, 3he, bittir thing for swete. As as brid passinge ouer fro his nest, so is a man that forsakith his place. The herte 9 delitith in oynement, and dyuerse odours ; and a soule is maad swete bi the good disseyuing of him that is th« is stondun the malice of a pre- lat, dispisynge the cure ether and offices of erthely tlungis. Lire here. c. 1 quenchid AEGII. m unto AEGH. n slyper A. ° ioye A. hOm.a. ' ynnere M. innerest PY. k woldist i. ' onouren PY. honoure a. m a ful wickid i. n his i. » sendith doun, ether makith lorn CEFGHiKMNpQHSuxYa. P sliper M. 1 of i, r that knowist not I. • Om. CGI. * Om. i. u ne i. v Oin. i. * yuel stirid i . G 2 PROVERBS. XXVII. 10 — 25. loswetid. Thi frend, and the frend of thi fader, ne leue thou ; and the hous of thi brother go thou not in, in the dai of thi tormenting. Betere is a ne3hebore bi- 11 side, than a brother aferr. Studie to wisdara, sone myn, and glade thou myn herte ; that thou mowe to the repreuere laanswern a wrd. The felle seende euel is hid ; litle childer forth passende suf- isfreden hannys. Tac the clothing of hym, that behotith for a straunger ; and for an alien tac awei to hym a wed. 14 Who blissith to his ne3hebore with a gret vois, fro ny3t risende, to the cursere io shal be lie. Rooues thur3 droppende in the dai of cold, and a womman ful of lestrif ben comparisound togidere. Who holdith hir, as he heelde wind ; and the0 17 oile of his ri3t side he auoide out. Iren with iren is whettid out ; and a man iswhettith out the face of his frend. Who kepith a fige tree, shal ete the frutis of it ; and who kepere is of his lord, shal 19 ben glorified. What maner wise in wa- tris a3een shinen the cheres of men lok- ende ; so the hertes of men ben opened 20 to prudent men. Helle and perdicioun neuere ben fulfild ; and the e3en of men 21 vnfillable. What maner wise siluer is preued in the 3eting vessel, and gold in the furneis ; so is preued a man in the mouth of preiseris. The herte of the wicke sechith out euelis ; the ri3t for- 22sothe herte secheth out kunnyng. If thou bete togidere a fool in a morter, as hoolid barli smytende there vp on the pestel ; shal not ben take awei fro hym 23 his folie. Bisili knowe thou the chere of thi beeste ; and thi flockis behold. 24Forsothe thou shalt not ban continuelli power ; but a croune shal be 3olde to thee 25 in ieneracioun of ieneraciouns. Opened ben the medwis, and apereden greene erbis ; and gedered ben heys fro the hillis. counsels of a frend. Forsake thou not 10 * answers « thi frend, and the frend of thi fadir; and \nsere ; that* is, entre thou not in to the hous of thi bro- thir, in the dai of thi turment. Betere is a neisbore nv3> than a brothir afer. Miiiynge himre- ' •" sonably. Lire sone, studie thou a boute wisdom, and here. c. make thou glad myn herte; that thou hu,ete.saLt maist answere a word to a dispisere*. i^&"££a>' A fel man seynge yuel was hid ; litle men 12 **»'*.*«»«'.• J o J ^ that is, doith of wit passinge forth suffriden harmes. this Msm. Lire Take thou awei his clooth, that bihi3tei3 iwith 'holdith; for a straunger ; and take thou awei ax itiftcTwith™ wed fro hym for an alien man. He that 14 holde fro, h,!,r , • nysete. holdith blessith his f nei3bore with greet vois ; «*«<*,- and this ...... , , .-it > is inpossible, and risith bi 11131, schal be hjk hym that ether fui hard. cursith. Roouys droppynge in the dai of i5,.,y/^/{ f"r coold, and a womman ful of chidyng ben "he ri^hond" comparisondy. He that withholdith i hir, i6beitstreyned neuere so as if he holdith2 wynd ; and auoidith the tarde, g«ith .,-..- ,_ . out; so a nvse oile of his ri3t hond. Yrun is whettid bi" 17 womman, how irun ; and a man whettith the face of his "^ £eei™ frend. He that kepith a fige tre, schal is "reyned, fynd- ith weyes to do ete the fruytis therof ; and he that is a yeie. Lire hcTCt C. kepere of his lord, schal be glorified. As 19 § so and the the cheris of men biholdinge schynen in watris ; so the hertis of men ben opyn to prudent men. Helle and perdicioun 20 for whi coueyt- ise is not de- schulen not be fillid ; so and the i3en of creessid, but r L u £11 -j A -i • encreesid bi men$ moun not be fillid. As siluer is 21 thingis getun. preuyd in a wellyng place, and gold ',* $££$* preuedb in a furneys ; so a man is preued h<? bi '* af.Per: • • ith, wher he is bi the mouth of preyseris. The herte II veniivertuouse, .... ... ether nay, if he of a wickid man sekith out yuels ; but a is not enhauns- ri3tful herte sekith out kunnyng. Thou3 22 bi'th'e "reusing thou beetistc a fool^[ in a morter, as with j",™/^1"' a pestel smytynge aboue dried barli ; his betere> the, ' ' truthe of the foil schal not be don awei fro him. vertui Ure Kuowe thou diligentli the cheere of thi 23 eL- beeste**; and biholde thou thi flockis. For 24 |£ thou schalt not haue power contynueli ; but a coroun schal be 3ouun to thee in II the herte ; . . • -» r *n^s vers is no* generacioun and in to generacioun. Mede- 25 ;n Ebreu. Lire wis ben openyd, and greene eerbis apper- amendid, bi what euer chastising ethir beting moun. Lire here. c. iden ; and hey is gaderid fro hillis. *)f / "£', he schal not be ** the cheer of thi beeste ; this is expowned of prelatis that ban cure of soulis thus, knowe thou diligently the cheer of thi beeste ; that is, the>liyf and condiciouns of men suget to thee. for thou 'schalt not haue pou-er to amende hem contynuely ; that is, aftir deth. but a coroun, of glorie, schal be )ouun to thee, if thou vsist w " vsist well the power bitakun to thee. Lire here. c. 0 as the E pr. m. * the i. y likned to gidre i. z holde i. » with i. b Om. i. c beestist A. pownedist i. XXVII. 26 — XXVIII. PROVERBS. 45 aeLombis ben to thi clothing; and geet to Lambren be tod thi clothing- and kid is 20 • be to the" prijs off feeld*. The mylke 27 of geete suffice to thee for thi* meetis ; in to the necessarie thingis of thin hous, and to lijflode toh thin handmaidis'f. 27 the pris of the feeld. Suffise to thee the mylc of got in to thi metes ; in to the necessaries of thin hous, and to liflode to thin hond wymmen. CAP. XXVIII. i The vnpitouse fleeth, no man pursu- ende ; the ri3twis forsothe as a leoun 2trostende without ferd shal be. For the synnes of the erthe manye princis of it ; and for the wisdam of a man, and the kunnyng of these thingus that ben seid, 3 the lif of a duk shal ben lengere. A man pore chalengende pore men, lie is to hidous weder, in whiche is greithid 4 hunger. Who forsaken the lawe, preisen the vnpitous ; who kepen, shul ben tend avp a3en hym. Euele men thenken not dorn ; who forsothe a3een sechen the cLord, taken to heed alle thingus. Betere is a pore man goende in his simplenesse, than a riche man in his shreude weies. 7 Who kepith the lawe, a wis sone is ; who forsothe glotounes fedith, shendith s his fader. Who kepith togidere richesses with vsures, and with free wynnyng of vsure, in to pore men he gedereth hem 9 togidere. Who bowith doun his eres, that he here not the lawe ; his orisoun 10 shal be maad cursful. Who desceyueth ri3te men in an euel weie, in his deth shal falle ; and simple men shuln welden 1 1 his goodis. A wis man to hymself is seen a riche man ; the pore forsothe 12 prudent shal enserchen hym. In the ful out io3ing of ri3twis men myche glorie? is ; regnende vnpitous men, fallingus ben 13 of men. Who hidith his hidous giltis, shal not ben ri3t reulid ; who forsothe knoulechith and forsakith, mercy shal ugete. Blisful the man, that euermor is priys of tlio, laliir that thou tile fceldis now had ; and bi lambren and kidii ben vn- durstondun here, aim othere beestis nedeful to liyflode. Lire here. c. t liyflode to For the synnes of the lond benk many 2 may<n»; that princis therof1; and for the wisdom of a man, and for the kunnyng of these thingis fi that ben seid, the liif of the "yflode, and of J thyn hows, be duyk schal be lengere111. A pore man 3 thou "<* *>'•> /•IT to seke othere talsh calengynge pore men, is lyk a thingis more CAP. XXVIII. A wickid man fleeth, whanne no man i pursueth ; but a iust man as a lioun tristyngej schal be with out ferdfulnesse. grete reyn, wherynne hungur is maad redi. Thei that forsaken the lawe, preisen 4 tristing. inth(. an wickid man ; thei that kepen "the lawe0, ben kyndlidP|| a3ens hym. Wickid 5 men thenken noti doom ; but thei that seken the Lord, perseyuen alle thingis^[. Betere is a pore man goynge in his sym-fi ?-'"i0011' pilnesse, than a riche man in schrewid weies. He that kepith the lawe, is a 7 wijs sone ; but he that fedith** glotouns, schendith his fadir. He that gaderiths togidere richessis bi vsuris, and fre en- «//>' thingis ; creesf f , gaderith thor togidere a3ens pore that ben ned TT . , . , ful to execu- men. His preyer schal be maad cursid, 9 sioun, ethir that bowith awei his eereJt 5 that he here n*tfuh!esseg 0< not the lawe. He that disseyueth iust 10 «7A^™erf^ . men in an yuel weye, schal falle in his in 8P«nding hi catel therynne, perisching ; and iuste men schulen welde hise goodis. A ryche man semeth wijs to 1 1 him silf ; but a pore man prudent schal serche him§§. In enhaunsing of iust men 12 is miche glorie ; whanne wickid men out couenaunt. Lire here. c. regnen, fallyngis8 of men ben*. He that is :: tha, hidith hise grete trespassis||||, schal not be maad ri3tful ; but he that knoulechith and forsakith thou, schal gete merci. Lire here. c. tt and fre en- ether Blessidi4fuUy>andwi.th out remors ether biting of con- sience ; for it cometh of greet lust to do synne, that a man nyle kunne the lawe, lest bi kunnyng therof he be lettid of synne, ether withdrawun therfro. in an yuel weye ; that is, drawith hem to yuel, bi his councel. perisching; of dedly synne, and of hells. Lire here. c. Aim ; that is, schal knovre his councel. Lire here', c. |||| that hidith his grete trespassis ; in the doom of consience, that is confessioun. Ltre here. c. P ioje E pr. m. '1 in to i. « Om. M. f of the INQ pr. m. of thi KX. S Om. s. b of i. ' hond maidens ixsa. k there ben i. 1 of it j. m the lengere i. n the i. ° it i. P leendid or stirid i. 1 not on i. r Om. i. " myscheues i. * ther ben i. " hem i. 46 PROVERBS. XXVIII. 15 — XXIX. I. ferdful ; who forsothe is of hard mynde, 15 shal falle in to euel. A leoun rorende, and a here hurigrende, an vnpitous prince 16 on*! a pore puple. A nedi duk of pru- dence manye shal opresse bi chalenge ; who forsothe hatith auarice, long shul 17 be made the da3es of hym. The man that wrongfulli chalengith to the soule, the blod of hym, if vn to the lake he is shul flee, no man susteneth1". Who goth simpleli, shal ben saaf ; who in peruertid weies shal go, shal falle togidere at ones. 19 Who werchith his erthe, shal be fulfild with loeues; who folewith idil reste, shal 20 ben fulfild with nedynesse. A man feithful myche shal ben preisid; who forsothe hee3- eth to be maad riche, shal not ben inno- 21 cent. Who8 knowith in dom face, he this doth not wel ; and for a morsel of bred 22 he forsaketh the treuthe. The man that hee3eth to be maad riche, and to othere men enuyeth ; vnknowith that nedinesse 23 come vp on to hym. Who chastiseth a man, grace aftir shal find anent hym ; more than he that bi flateringus of tunge 24bigilith. Who withdrawith any thing fro his fader and moder, and seith that not to ben synne, parcener is of a man 25sleere. Who bostith of hymself, and spredeth abrod, sterith striues ; who for- sothe hopeth in the Lord, shal be saued. 26 Who trostith in his herte, is a fool ; who forsothe goth wisly, he* shal ben preisid. 27 Who 3iueth to the pore, shal not neden ; who dispiseth the preiere louli, shal suf- 28fre scarnesse. Whan vnpitous men shuln risen, men shul ben hid ; and whan thei ban pershid, the ri3twise shul ben mul- tiplied. chargith not of trespas ajeniis Goddis lawe, schal falle in to is the man, which is euere dredeful*; * euer« dred- ful ; lest he but he that is harde of soulev, schal falley offende God in . . , ony thing. Lire in to yuel. A rorynge noun ;, and an is here. c. hungry here, is a wickid prince on a pore puple. A duyk nedi of prudence schal oppresse^ many men bi fals chalenge ; but the daies of hym that hatith aueryce, schulen be maad longe. No man sus- teynethw a man that falsly chalengith the blood II of a man, if he fleeth vtil tox the li°un> <*••• » " a houn deuour- lake. He that goith simpli^i, schal be is ith beestis, so a saaf; he that goith bi weiward weies, Ipuiith h'ise schal falle doun onys**. He that worch- 19 £Sj ^er ith his lond, schal be fillid with looues ; mounnotajen stonde him. he that sueth ydelnesse, schal be fillid Lire here. c. with nedynesse. A feithful man schal be 20 presse, etc. ; preisid myche ; but he that hastithf f to be maad riche, schal not be innocent J". He that knowith a face in doomif, doith2i Hce,and hekan not perseyue. not wel ; this man forsakith treuthe, 3he, Lire here. c. for a mussel of breed. A man that hast- 22 that^is, «ekith ith to be maad riche, and hath enuye to dertTofa'inan othere men ; woot not that nedinesse schal Lire here. c. f symph ; that come on hym. He that repreuetn a man,23is, schal fynde grace aftirward atz hym; more than he that disseyueth bi flateryngis of tunge. He that withdrawith ony thing 24 fro his fadir and fro his modir, and seith *«•«. . . ft that hastith, that this is no synne, is parcener of a etc.; coueytinge manquellere. He that auauntith^ hym 25°"' silf, and alargith, reisith3 stryues ; but he ^ that hopith in the Lord, schal be sauvd. £ai . J for smguler fa- He that tristith in his herte||||, is a fool ; 26 myiiante, more , , , . , . .. , . . than is rijtful. but he that goith wiseli, schal be preysid. 27 Lire here. c. He that 3yueth to a pore man, schal not be f* nmgnenynge nedi ; he that dispisith v« pore man* bi- £;lseer "^"Ts sechynge, schal suffre nedynesse. Whanne 28 ether dedis. vnpitouse men risen, men schulen be hid ; whanne0 thod ''vnpitouse mene ban perisch- id, iust men schulen be multiplied. ** schai /«//<?' Lire here. c. lljl tristitli in his herte ; that is, ouer myche in his owne wit. is a fool ; for he is presump- tuouse and proud, and _._- , pride makith Sodeyn penschyng^Hl schal come on i biyndthevn- that man, that with hard nol dispisith a L^Tere"^. ^H[ Sndeyn pe- rischynff ; of body and of soule. with hard nol ; that is, an ohstynat soule. helthe schal not sue him ; for his synne is vncurable, for it is a spice of synne ajenus the Hooly Goost, which synne is seid vnable to be fonouun, that is, is not able to be forjouun eseli, ethir of ful hard to be forjouun. Lire here. c. CAP. XXIX. i To the man, that the chastisere with hard noil dispisith, feerli deth shal come CAP. XXIX. up on AEGH. r shal susteynen E pr. m. s Who forsothe E pr. m. * Om. v of hard herte i. w susteyne i. * vn to i. y giltlees i. z anentis i. c and whanne i. d thei i. the s. * Om. i. reisith up i. b him i. XXIX. 2 — 19. PROVERBS. 47 blamere; and helth schal not sue hym. •ane,,elc.t The comynalte schal be glad in the inulti- 2 h°[ h< ^"j-','^,, pliyng of iust men ; whanne wickid men !" hi."e werki*' , . i . . in withdraw- han take prinshod, the puple schal weyle. ingefrohimthe A man that loueth wisdom, makith glad 3 heh! his fadir ; but he that nurschith 'an hooref, schal leese catels. A iust kine4 <>f ne|k. Aiu" . , man knotnth ; reisith the lond ; an auerouse man schal tbat u> «nf»r«- distrie it. A man that spekith bi (later- s ynge and feyned wordis to his frend ; spredith abrood a net* to hise steppis. me'n ^u^"1 A snare schal wlappe a wickid man do-c notdowel- 1 Lire here. c. ynge synne ; and a iust man schal preise, and schalh make ioye. A iust man know- 7 ith the cause of pore men ; an' vnpitouse ^ „ man knowith not kunnyng. Men ful ofs * vp on to hym ; and hym helthe shal not afolewe. In the multepliyng of ri3twis men shal gladen the comun ; and whan vnpitous men ban taken princehed, the 3 puple shal weilen. The man that loou- eth wisdam, gladith his fader ; who for- sothe nurshith an hoore, shal leese sub- 4staunce. A ri3twis king rereth vp the lond ; an auerous man shal destro3en it. 5 The man that with flateryng and feyned wrdis spekith to his frend ; a net spred- 6 ith to his goingis. The sinnende wicke man a grene shal inwrappe ; and the 7ri3twise shal preisen, and io3en. The ri3twise kne3 the cause of pore men ; the vnpitous vnknowith kunnyng men. » Bacbitende scateren the cite ; wise men 9 forsothe turnen awei wodnesse. A wis man if with a fool shul striue ; whethir he Ia3he, or wrathe, he shal not finde icreste. Men of blodis hateden the sim- ple ; ri3twis men forsothe sechen the 1 1 soule of hym. Al his spirit bringeth forth the fool ; a wis man berth ouer, 12 and kepith vnto afterward. A prince that gladli hereth the wrdis of lesing ; isalle the mynystris hath vnpitouse. The pore and the creaunsour metten togi- dere ; of either the Ii3tnere is the Lord. H The king that demeth in treuthe pore men ; the trone of hym in to withoute isende shal be fastned. 3erde and correc- cioun shal 3elde wisdam ; the child for- sothe, that is laft to his wil, confoundith 16 his modir. In the multipliyng of vnpit- ous men shuln ben multiplied hidous giltis ; and the fallingis" of hem ri3twis 1 7 men shul see. Lerne thi sone, and he shal refreshen thee ; and he shal 3iue isdelices to his soule. Whan prophecie shal faile, the puple shal ben scaterid ; who forsothe kepith the lawe, is blisful. 19 The seruaunt in wrdis mai not ben lerned ; for that that thou seist, he vn- releeue the pore man ; and wille to the pore man, to preye for the riche man. Lire here. c. II A seruaunt ; vnbuxum and rebel. Lire Here. c. n falling A. * a strumpett i. « his catel i. h Om. i. i and an cs. as Q. k wher CEGHMNPQRUXY. ' is not CEGH KMNPQBSUX pr. TO. Ya. is x sec. m. "» wher he leijith CEGHIKMNPQRUXY. or leije i. whether he lei;- ith sa. n Om. i. ° his seruauntis i. P vnpitous x sec. m. marg. 1 tbat i. r omen wille i. s and he i. t Om. i. pestilence distryen a citee ; but wise men the fo01- wher . ' . ' .. >*l that is, the turnen awei woodnesse. It a wijs man 9 wise man. « stryueth with a foolf ; whetherk he be1 wrooth, 'ether he Iei3ithm, he schal not fynde reste. Menquelleris haten a simple u swetely. reite ; man; but iust men seken his soule. A 1 1 that is, amend- fool bringith forth al his spirit; a wise Menquelleris; man dilaieth, and reserueth in to tyme bk>odis™that is, comynge afterward. A prince that herith 12 wilfuli the wordis of a" leesyngj:; schal haue alle mynystris0 vnfeithfulP. A pore man ; that is, , .... ., doublenesse of man and a leenere metten hem silt ; the giie. teken AW Lord is Ii3tnere§ of euer ethir. If kyng demeth pore men in treuthe; his alle,'"%'!yft'j * " vnfeithful; for trone schal be maad stidfast with outen th<>y «*en to ... , plese him, and ende. A 3erde and chastisyng schal 3yuei5suehimofsiche . , i.ii i • i ,. • i i-. . i • wordis of flat«r- wisdom ; but a child, which0- is left to his yng and Of bac- willer, schendith his modir. Grete taw-MJjjSJHjS passis schulen be multiplied in the mul- Saul, that pur- suede Dauytb, tipliyng of wickid men ; and iust men for 'he flater- schuleri se the fallyngis of hem. Techei7andotheremen thi sone, and he schal coumforte thee ; ^ c. ' and he schal 3yue delicis to thi soule. j^^^.' Whanne prophesie faylith, the puple schal w that it, of Hater- ing and of bac- be distried ; but he that kepith the lawe, biting. Lire is blessid. A seruaunt|| mai not be tau3t 19 § a* Lord « bi wordis ; for he vndirstondith that that fo'r''hTen/»/pirith thou seist, and8 dispisith for1 to answere. 48 PROVERBS. XXIX. 20 XXX. 6. dirstantw, and to answern he dispisith. 20 Hast thou seen a man swift to speken? folie more is to ben hopid than the cor- 21 reccioun of hym. Who delicatli fro childbed* nurshith his seruaunt ; after- 22 ward shal feelen hym vnobeisaunt. The man wratheful stireth striues ; and he that is Ii3t to han indignacioun, shal be 23 to synnes more redi. The proude man lounesse folewitfay; and the meke man in 24 spirit glorie shal resceyue. Who with a theef is parcener, hatith his soule ; the adiurere he hereth, and not she with. 25 Who dredith a man, soone shal falle; who hopith in the Lord, shal ben vp rerid. 26 Manye sechen the face of the prince ; and dom of echez shal gon out fro the 27 Lord. Ri3twis men wlaten the vnpitous man ; and vnpitous men wlaten hem, that ben in the ri3t weie. The sone kepende the wrd shal ben out of perdi- i cioun. The wrdis of the gederere, vo- mende sone. CAP. XXX. The viseoun that a man spac, with whiche is God, and that, God with hym 2wonende, coumfortid, seith, Most fool I am of men ; and the wisdam of men is 3 not with me. I lernede not wisdam ; and 4 1 knew3 the kunnyng of seintus. Who ste3ide vp in to heuene, and who cam doun ? Who with heeld spirit in his hondis ? who bond togidere watris as in a cloth ? Who rerede alle the termes of the erthe ? What name is of hym ? and what name of the sone of hym, if thou a knewe ? Eche sermoun of God firida, a tisheld it is to alle hoperis in itself. Ne adde thou any thing to the wordis of hym b ; and thou be vndernome, and Thou hast seyn a man swift to speke ; foli2o* He that tak- ith part with a schal be hopid more than his amendyng. iheef, etc. ,• in He that nurschith his seruaunt delicatli 21 fro childhod ; schal fynde hym rebel aftir- ward. A wrathful man territh chidingis; o2 firste 0 man and he that is Ii3t to haue indignacioun, UK hi T ether suget to schal be more enclynaunt to synnes. Low- 23 do thefte ; the nesse sueth a proude man; and glorie schal vp take a meke man of spirit. ' takith part with a theef*, He that24g?retodothefte< iii. in consent- hatith his inge, where . it schulde not chargynge f be don with out soule ; he herith a man greetli, and schewith not. He that dred- 25 Jjj* ith a man, schal falle soonu; he that |)1 clslllgtj d hopith in the Lord, shal be reisid. Many2ctheef. ether a raueynonr; v. men seken the face of the prince ; and the in ressettinge a , , - ., /• .1 theef, ether his doom of alle men schal go forth or the thefte ;vi. in Lord. lust men han abhomynacioun of 27 ^hTunVh'"8' a wickid man ; and wickid men han abho- mynacioun of hem, that ben in a ri3tful weye. A sone kepyngej a word, schal be out of perdicioun. CAP. XXX. seeth thefte doon, which he my;te lette bi speking, ether cry ; vii. in not putting forth him silf and lettinge not thefte, whanne he is holdun herto, as a iuge, ether kepere of the lond ; viii. whanne, aftir quering is maad therof, that it befoundun,and heknowithsum thing therof, and schewith ^thcefte" Lire \ -chargmge; that is, enquer- ing thefte, The wordis of hym that gaderith§, ofi * the sone spuynge. The prophesiev whichw a man spak, with whom God was, and" which man y was z coumfortid bi God dwellyng with hym, anda seide, Y am 2 the moost fool|) of men; and the wisdom of men is not with me. Y lernede not 3 wisdom ; and Y knew not the kunnyng of -.IT, , . , , , dur the peyne hooh men. Who stiede in to heuene, and 4 Of curs, ether in cam doun ? Who helde togidere the spirit other maner' in hise hondis ? who bonde togidere wa- tris as in a cloth ? Who reiside alle the endis of erthe ? What is nameb of hym ? and what is the name of his sone, if thou knowist? Ech word of God is a schelds set a fiere, to alle that hopen in hym. Lire here. c. + a sone kep- iny, etc. ,* this vers is not in Ebreu. Lire here. c. § that gader~ ith, etc. ,• Salo- and spuynge, to signefie the greetnesse of wisdom gaderid in him, and the excelence of his teching. Lire here. c. || Y am the moste fool; Salomon hi the Hooly Goost bifor si;, that simple men not lettrid schulden be lijtned of God in thingis that perteynen to helthe of sonlis ; and this in the tyme of Crist ; and of sich a symple man seith Salomon, Y am the moste fool of men, that is, vnlettrid and symple. and the wisdom of men ; that is, wisdom of temporal gouernail of inennus thingis, w not with me. Y lernede not wisdom ; that is, kunnyng of filosotie. and Y knew not the kunnyng of seyntis ; that disposith to euerlastinge helthe. Who stiede in to heuene and cam doun ; that is, it is God that gouerneth heuenly thingis and erthli thiiigis, and God the Fadir, and God his Sone, hen with out bigynnyng and ende. And a filosofore may not knowe this bi worldly wisdom, but this is knowun oneli by Goddis wisdom. Lire here. c. w vndurstondith AH. * his childbed E pr. m. y hatith E sec. m. z echon AEGH. a is firid A. Mt E pr. m. u soone fro rtyfulnesse N. v visioun ether profecie CEFGHKMNpQRSuxva. visioun i. w that i. * the i. y a man A pr. m. T. z Qm. i. a Om. i. b the name i. XXX. 7— 23- PROVERBS. 49 7 founde a liere. Two thingus I prejede to thee ; ne denien thou to me, er I die. sVanyte and lesing wrdisc fer do awei fro me ; beggerie arid richessis ne 3iue thou to me ; 3if orili to my liflode nede- »ful thingus ; lest par auenture I fulfild, be draweii to denyen, and seie, Who is the Lord ? and thui-3 nede constreyried, stele, 10 and forswere the name of my God. Ne acuse thou a seruaunt to his lord, lest par auenture he curse to thee, and thou 1 1 falle. Jeneracioun is, that to his fader cursith, and that to his moder blisseth 12 not. Jeneracioun that to hymself clene is seen, and neuer the latere it is not iswasshe fro his filthis. Jeneracioun of the whiche ben the e3en and the 636 lidis of u it in to he3e thingus vp rerid. Jenera- cioun that for teth hath swerdis, and chewith with his wang teth ; that he ete helpelescc fro the erthe, and pore men is fro men. Waterlechis two ben do3tris, seiende, Bring on, bring on. Thre thingus ben vnfillable, and the ferthe, that seith neuermore d, It suffisith ; i«helle, and the mouth of a womman wombe, and the erthe that neuer is fild with water ; fijr forsothe neuermore I7seithf, It suffiseth. The 636 that scorn- eth the fader, and that dispiseth the birthe of his moder, pecken hym out crowis of the stremes ; and ete hym the issonus of the egle. Thre thingus ben hard to me, and the ferthe outerli I 19 knowe not ; the weie of an egle in he- uene, the weie of the shadewe eddere oi\« a ston, the weie of a ship in the myd'1 se, and the weie of a man in his 20 waxende 3outhe'. Such is the weie of thej womman auoutresse, that etith, and wip- ende hir mouth, seith, I haue not wro3t -.'I euel. Bi thre thingus is moued the erthe, 2-2 and the ferthe itk mai not sustene ; bi a seruaunt, whan he regneth ; bi a fool, •z:\ whan he were fulfild with mete ; bi an word- mo"" '* addid wel and Adde thou not* ony thing to the wordis e of hym, and' thoud be repreued, and be foundun a liere. I preiede* thee twei? thingis ; denye not thouf to me, bifor that ir i- •»«• i /• i die. Make thou rer fro me vanytes and wordis of leesyng ; 3yue thou not to me beggeryKf and richessis; 3yue'' thou v • ,..a , , ipekith thii in oneh necessaries to my hjflode ; lest per- 9 the pei-wone of auenture Y be fillid1, and be drawun to denye, andk seie, Who is the Lord ? and lest Y1 cornpellid bi nedynesse, stele™, and P"de< nether ' ad.iereite with torswere the name ot my God. Accuseioomgrucching. thou notj a seruaunt to his lord, lest per- j Acaueihou auenture he curse thee, and thou falle j^'io'but fw a doun. A generacioun that cursith his 1 1 !"" C8""e- Ure fadir, and that blessith not his modir. A 12 generacioun that semeth cleene to it silf, and netheles is not waischun fro hise filthis. A generacioun whose i3en ben 13opMi wittTwt hi3&, and the he liddis therof ben reisid forth, in the J ... . 'J*11 &n" hppis. in to hi3 thingis. A generacioun that u Lire here. c. hath swerdis for teeth, and etith with hise *./ th« h, The watir Iechei5!'fn"eue.refill~ id. Lire here. c. seiynsre, Brynee, that is, and couetise. K. ' that were wank teeth ; that it ete nedi men of erthe, and the porails of men. r hath twei" dou3tris II, . . bnnge. Thre thingis ben vnable to be H heiie, etc.; fillid, and the fourthe, that seith neuere, It suffisith; belief, and the mouth of the wombe, and the erthe which0 is neuere fillid with water ; but fier seith neuere, It suffisith. Crowis of the stronde picke out thilke 136, that scorneth the fadir, and that dispisith the child beryng of his modir ; and the briddis of an egle ete that 136. dra,Te ^ne to himsilf. of the wombe ,- ™*n-Li" of Crist, in hi» . assencion. teeye Thre thingis ben hard to me, is of a serpent ; and outirli Y knowe not the fourthe tauTiM^ thing; the weye of an egle** in heuene.w^^j the weie of a serpent on a stoon, the weie *"_*?•' t.ha' ''> * 01 Crist, in his of a schip in the myddil of the see, and . the weie of a man in 3ong wexynge age. Siche is the weie of a womman auow- 20 tresse, which? etith, and wipith hir mouth, and seith, Y wrou3te not yuel. The erthe 21 is moued bi thre thingis, aridi the fourthe , . Virgyn. Lire thing, which it may not susteyne ; bi a Where, c. conuersacioun in the world. of a man; that c wordis c sec. m. cc the helpeles A. d euermore A. e Om. E pr. m. f that seith not E pr. m. 8 up on AEGH. h myddel AEGH. ' 3ongth A passim. J a AEGH. k that it E pr. m. «and*oi. dQm. i. e preie BPY. f thou hem i. g beggyng i. hj«/3yuei. ' fultillid i. k and Y c. 1 Y be i. m and stele i. n two i passim. ° that i. P that i. 1 and bi i. VOL. III. H 50 PROVERBS. XXX. 24 — XXXI. 8. hateful womman, whan she were taken in to matrimoyne ; and bi an hand wom- niaii, whan she were eir of hir ladi. 24Foure thingus ther ben the leste of erthe1, and thei ben wisere than wise 25 men ; amptis, a feble puple, that greithen 26 in rep time mete to them ; a litil hare, a folc vnmy3ti, that in a ston his bed set- 27 tith ; a king the locuste hath not, and it 28 goth out alle bi cumpanyes ; a lisard with hondis cleueth, and he dwellith in 29 the housis of a king. Thre thingus benra, that weel gon, and the ferthe, that goth 30 welsumly. A leoun, most strong of bestes, at Va3en coomyng" of noon sbal dreden ; 31 a cok gyrd vp the leendis, and a ram, and ther is not that withstonde to hym. 32 And that fool shal seme, aftir that he is rerid vp in to hee3 ; if forsothe he hadde vnderstonden, to his mouth he hadde put 33 on hond. Who forsothe strongli threst- eth tetes, to drawen out mylc, threstith out buttere ; and who hugeli srnytetb, drawith out blod ; and who terreth i wrathis, bringeth forth discordis. The wrdis of Lamuel, the ° king ; the si3te in 2whicheP hisi moder ta3te hyrn. What my leef ? what my leef of my wombe ? what my leef of my vouwis ? CAP. XXXI. s Ne 3iue thou to wirnmen thi sub- staunce, andr this richesses to ben don 4 awei kingus. Wile thou not to kingus, O ! Lamuel, wile thou not to kingus 3iue win ; for no priuyte is, where drunke- snesse regneth. Lest par auenture thei drinken,and foi^eten dornes,and chaungen tithe cause of the sonus of the pore. 3iueth cither to mornende men, and win to hem 7 that ben in bitter inwit. Drinke thei, and for3ete thei of ther nedynesse ; and of ther sorewe* recorde thei no more. aOpene thi mouth to the doumbe, and to and this acordith betere to the lettre suynge. Lire here. c. that is, drynk able to make dmnkun. Lire here. c. seruaunt, whanne he regneth ; bi a fool, * A noun . . slronyesle of whanne he is nlhd with mete ; bi an 23 beestis ,- that is, hateful womman, whanne sche is takun in matrymonye ; and bi an handmaide, whanne sche is eir of hir ladi. Foure ben 24'**, thei of Perseys, ne- the leeste thingis of erthe, and tho ben theies cok is not ,. , , in Ebreu. a wisere than wise men; amtis, a teble 25 ram . ,nat „, puple, that maken redi mete in heruest to hem silf ; ar hare, a puple vnmy3ti, that2ejhret settith his bed in a stoon; a locust h&thw king aw* whom no man no kyng, and al goith out bi cumpanyes ; schai reise the an euete enforsith with hondis, and dwell- as j8inEbrea* ith in the housis of kingis. Thre thingis 29 'yhom'no'man bens, that goon wel, and the fourthe thing, schal moun B asenstonde; that goith richeli *. A lioun, strongeste of so and this signe- , , fieth the rewme beestis*, schal not drede at the meetyng of ony man ; a cok gird the leendis, and 31 \ a ram, and noon is" that schal a3enstonde him. Hef that apperith a fool, aftir he is reisid an hi3 ; for if he hadde vn- durstonde, he hadde sett hond on his mouth. Forsothe he that thristith strongli teetis, to drawe out mylk, thristith out botere $ ; and he that smytith greetli, drawith out blood ; and he that stirith iris, bringith forth discordis. 'he ™wmes bi- lorgomge. ap- foli i more in a fool, whanne he is set in an hi} he hadde be stille vnauauns- id. Lire here. c. ' han here and he, in Ebreu is not and ; for the sentence of this vers is not couplid to that, that goith lii- fore. Lire here, c. t botere ; that is, mater sad- CAP. XXXI. The wordis of Lamuel, the king $ ; the i visioun|| bi which his modir tai^te hym. What my derlyng ? what the derlyng of 2 * • that schulde not my wombe ? what the derlyng of my be thnstid out. . . _ . Lire here. c. desiris ? 3yue thou not thi catel to wym-s § Lamuel, the men, and thi richessis to do awei kyngis^[. Salomon, i!* thou 3iue wyn** muel is in- terpretid, with whom God is, for God was with Salomon in the bigyn- nyng of his rewme. Lire here. c. \\ the vinoun ; that is, tething wyn to hem that ben of bitter soule. ether biamyng. Drinke thei, and for3ete thei her nedi-; nesse ; and thenke thei no more on her A! Lamuel, nyle thou 3iue wyn** to 4 kingis ; for no pryuete isv, where drunke- nesse regneth. Lest perauenture thei 5 drynke, and for3ete domes, and chaunge the cause of the sones of a pore man. 3vue 5e sidurif to hem that inorenen, and 6 •'•> ' Lire here. c. wyn, etc. ; that is, to drynke ouer mesure. Lire here. c. kyngi*; Ebrevs seye,,, to make fatte kingis ; •(••(• yyue }e s'ulur ; 1 the erthe AEGH. m there ben A. n the 33611 comyng AGH. ° Om. c. P the vvhiche AEGH. <1 is c. r ne AG pr. m. H. s Om. A. t sorewis A. sorewen GH. r an i. s ther ben i. * richeli, ether bi prospcrite CKFGHKMNpQRSuxva. richeli, or ivelsumly i. u ther is i. v ther is i. XXXI. 9 — 28. PROVERBS. 51 a the causes of alle sones that passen, operie thou thi mouth. Deme that is n'3twis, and venge the helpeles and the pore. \oAleph. A strong womman who shal finde? aferr andu fro the utmostv endis lithe pris of hir. Beth. Trosteth in hir the herte of hir man ; and spoiles he 12 shal not neden. Gimel. She shal 3elde to hyra good, and not euel, alle the da3es is of hir lif. Deleth. She so3te wile and flax ; and wro3te bi the counseil of hir u hondis. He. She is mad as a ship of a marchaund, fro aferr bringende hir 10 bred. Van. And fro the ny3t she ros, and 3af prei to hir homli men, and metis 16 to hir hand wymmen. Zay. She beheeld a feeld, and bo3te it ; of the frut of hir i7hondisw she plauntide a vyne. Heth. She girde to with strengthe hir leendis, and is made stalwrthe hir arm. Teth. She tastide, and 533, for good is the chaffar- ing of hir ; shall not ben quenchid in the iyny3t the lanterne of hir. Joth. Hir bond she putte to stronge thingus, and 20 hir fingris ca3ten the spindle. Ccif. Hir hond she openede to the helpeles, and hir paumes she stra3te out to the pore. 21 Lameth. She shal not drede to hir hous of coldys of sno3 ; alle forsothe hir homlix men ben? cladz with double. 22 Men. A rai cloth she made to hir ; bijs and purpre the clothing of hir. 23 Num. Noble in the 3ates the man of hir, whan he shal sitte with the senatoures 24 of the erthe. Sameth. Sendel she made, and solde ; and a litil girdil she toe to 2aCanane. Ayn. Strengthe and fairnesse the clothing of hir ; and she shal Ia3hen 26 in the laste dai. Fee. Hir mouth she openede to wisdam ; and the lawe of noble merci in the tunge of hir. Sade. 27 She beheeld the pathis of hir hous ; and as idil bred she eet not. Cof. Ther risen the sones of hir, and most blisful prech- Hre here. c. ** to a Cananey ; Ebreys seven, sorewe. Opene thi mouth* for a doumb 8 • opene u,i man, and opene thi mouth for the causes o of alle sones that passen forthf. Deme thou that that is iust, and derne thou a tlmt '*"" not - . , plete in hi> nedi manf and a pore man. Who schaliocauw. Lire fynde a stronge womman $? the prijs of >?7ha't'p<u,m her is fer, and fro the laste endis. The ) i^.JJJ' herte of hir hosebond tristith in hir: and K™nBe'ho">u the lond. l.irr schew schal not haue nede to spuylis*. *«•«•<:. a -L i_ i i i i t deme thou a oche schal 3elde to hym good, and not yuel, i2n«</i man, etc.; in alle the daies of hir lijf. Sche 8003* W wolle and flex ; and wrou3te bi the coun- sel of hir hondis. Sche is maud as the 14 P°.re> that han a iust cause. schip of a marchaunt, that berith his Lire here. c. breed fro fer. And sche roos bi ny3t, and is womman; Cn». 3af prey|| to hir meyneals, and metis to hir handmaidisy. Sche bihelde a and bou3te it; of the fruyt of hir hondis ende,ofhooiy . chirche, which sche plauntide a vyner. Sche girdez hir 17 w leendis with strengthe, and made strong hir arm. Sche taastide, and si3a, that hir is ^ |;irc marchaundie was good ; hir lanterne schal *)ir 80"es ; and dotijtns ben not be quenchid in the ni3t. Sche putte lu Oisten men 1-1 I. i-'^r 11- ail<^ wymmen ; hir hondis to stronge thmgis^), and hir and this is the fyngris token the spyndil. Sche openyde 20 standing" u hir hond to ab nedi man, and stretchide forth hir hondis to a pore man. Sche2iisresonable» • . and set opmly schal not drede for hir hous of the cooldis in the comyn' of snow ; for alle hir meyneals ben clothid Salomon seith, with double clothis. Sche made to hir 22 a ray cloth ; bijsc and purpur is the cloth of hir. Hir hosebonde is noble in the23thehosebonde of this wom- 3atis, whanne he sittith with the senatours man, is a stu. of erthe. Sche made lynnund cloth, and 24 m°hody scn> selde- and 3af a girdil to a Chananei**. Strengthe and fairnesse is theee clothing hir; and sche schal leise in the laste dai. wymmen weren . ful studiouse in Sche openyde hir mouth to wisdom ; and 26 hooly Scripture. . . . i . o u Lire here. c. the lawe of merci is in hir tunge. Sche 27 „ 3af prey, bihelde the pathis of hir hous ; and sche eet not breed idili. Hir sones risidenf, 28 Lire ltere- c- H to strange and prechiden hir moost blessid ; hir Mngis; in . . , , Ebreu it is, to hosebonde roos, and preiside hir. Many 29 the dou3tris gaderiden richessis ; thou pass- ith wel herto. to a marchaunt ; and this acordith more to the lettre l>iforgoing*. Lire here. c. » Om. A. v vttermoost AGH. w hond c. * deboner E pr. m. y she A. z clothide AGH. w he I. « robries I. y handmaidens I. z girdide i. a sauj I passim. b the i. c bijs, ether ti'tnyt silk CEFOHKMNpQRUXYa. <• a lynun c. e solde it i. ee in the B. { risen E. resen up i. H 2 52 PROVERBS XXXI. 29 31. eden ; and the man of hir preiside hir. 29 Rets. Manie do3tris gedereden richesses ; aothou ouerpassedist alle. Syn. Desceyu- able grace and veyn is fairnesse ; the wormnan dredende the Lord, she shal be 3i preisid. Thau. 3iueth to hir of the frut of hir hondis ; and preisen hir in the 3ates hir werkis. idist*? alle. Fairnesse is disseiuable grace, 30 and veyn ; thilke womman, that dredith the Lord, schal be preisid. 3yue 36 to 31 hir of the fruyth of hir hondis ; and hir werkis preise hir in the 3atis. Here endith the book of Prouerbis, and here biginneth Ecclesiastes1. 8 hast ouer passid i. h frutis E. ' From CHNSX. Here enden Prouerbis, and here bygynneth Ecclesiastes. f. Here endith the book of Prouerbis, and bigynneth a prolog on Ecclesiasles. G. Heere endith the book of Prouerbis, and biginnith Ecclesiastes. IQ. Here eendeth the booc of Prouerbis ; se now the prolog in the booc of Ecclesiasles, that is toseie, booc of lalkere to thepuple,ortogidere calle\re]. K. Here endith the book of Prouerbis, and here bigynneth the book of Ecclesiastes, that tretilh also of wisdom and prudence, and nedilh noon other prologe. M. Here endith the Prouerbis, and here bigynneth Ecclesiastes. u. Here eend. ith the Parablis, and bigynneth the prolog on Ecclesiastes. a. No final rubric in AEPRY. ECCLESIASTES. Heere gynneth* the prologe in the hoc of Ecclesiastes, that is to sey, bocb of talker to the puple, or togidere clepere. THIS almost the fifte 3eer, whan jit I was at Rome, that Eclesiasten I shulde reden to Seint Blesill, that hir I shulde stire to thec dispising of thesd world, and that she shulde sett al that in the world she beholdith6, to ben for nojt, Iee haue mynde, me prejid of hir, that in to* maner of ah short exposicioun alle the hard thingus I shulde clerli expoune, that, withoute me, she myjte vnderstonde that1 she radde ; and so for j in the firste greithing of oure were, she withdrawen with sodeyn deth, andk, O ! Paule and Eustoche, wee deserueden not to1 ham such a felawe of oure lif, and with so myche wounde smyten, thanne I becam doumb. Now in Bethlem set, that is, inn a streitere0 cite, I 3eelde that I owe and to the mynde of hir and to jou ; this shortli doende to witen, that the autorite of no man I folewede, but translatende? fro Ebru most I con- foormede me to the custum of the Seuenti Remenoures, in these thingus onli that not myche fro Ebruesi they discordedenr. Otherwhile also I recordid of Aquile, also and of Simake, and of Theodocian", that I shulde not feren1 the studi of the redere with to myche newenesse, ne, onu the otherv side, the welle of treuthe left, ajen my concience I shulde togidere folewen the stremes of opinyouns. Here endeth the prolog of Ecclesiastes ; se now the boocw. » begynnelh AEGII. ^ the book A. c Om. c. d the c pr. in. e behalt c pr. tit. ee and I L. f for ILR. g two L. h Om. LR. > that that i. J fro L. k Om. i. ! Om. A. m han ABGH. haue ILR. » Om. i. o streijt /. P ful translatynge H. q Ebrew A. r discorden i. s Theodosi L. ' seete L. "inn. » tother AGIIILR. w From i. Here eendith the prolog, and biginneth the firsts chapitre. L. Heere eendith the prolog, and bigynneth Ecclesiastes. R. No final rubric in the other Mas. ECCLESIASTES. i. 1—13. Here bigynnetk Ecclesiastes3- CAP. I. * The worths ; for many men erriden in the mater of blis of The wordis* of Ecclesiastesf, sone ofi Dauid, the" kyng of Jerusalem. The*"* vanyte i of vanytees, seide Ecclesiastes; • • theb vanyte of vanytees, and alle thingis " Hcer gynneth the booc*. CAP. I. i The wrdis of Ecclesiastes, sone of aDauid, king of Jerusalem. Vanite of vanites, seide Eclesiastes ; vanite of va- anytes, and alle thingus vanyte. What hath a man more ouer ofb al his tra- uaile, that he trauaileth vnder the sunne? 4 Jeneracioun goth, and ieneraciouncometh; the erthe forsothe in to with oute ende n stantc. The sunne risith vp, and goth doun, and to his place turneth a3een ; (iand there 336611 risende goth aboute bi the south, and turneth 336611 to the north. Entiyrounemle alle thingus the spirit in cumpas passeth, and in to his cercles 7 turneth a3een. Alle flodis entren in to the se, and the se redound ith not ; to the place whennes the flodis wenten out, thei turnen a3een, that eft thei flowen sout. Alle thingus harde, and a man mai not them tellen out pleynli with wrd ; the 636 is not fild with si3te, ne fulfild is !i the ere with heering. What is that was, it that is to come? What is that is 10 mad, it that is to be maad ? No thing vnder the sunne newe, ne any man mai seyn, Lo ! this is fresh newe ; now for- sothe it wente beforn in worldis, the n whiche weren beforn vs. Ther is not mynde of the rathere thingus, but and of tho thingis forsothe, that ben aftir to come, shal not ben recording anentd hem 12 that be to come in the laste time. I Eclesiastes was king of Irael in Jerusa- lem ; and I purposide in myn inwit to seche and enserchen wisli of alle thingus, that ben mad vnder sunnee. This werste ocupacioun 3aff God to the sonus of men, Lire here. c. § The spirit, etc. ; that is, the sunne ; not for k hath a soule, but for it causith liyf in these lowere thingis. Lire here. c. \\ ben harde ; to be vndurstondun. Lire here. c. 51 t^iat u'as .' bothe in thingis and in opynyouns of men. schal come ; thouj in the meene tyme it ceessith and is forjetun. Lire here. c. ** this wonte ocupacioun ,• in Ebreu it is yuel ocupacioun ; for tliou; kunnyng getun bi mannus weye is good in it silf, netheles it is yuel, in as myche as it hath trauel and turment of studie knyt therto, and for sumtyme it is a letting of more good, that is, of deuocioun and of preyer. Lire here. c. richessis, othen men seiden in delices, othere men seiden in ben vanite. What hath a man more of alle 3 onours, and so his trauel, bi which he traueilith vndur thec sunne ? Generaciound passith awei, in present tyme ande generacioun cometh ; but the erthe hi mannus tra- . i i mi ue' ' therfoi' stondith with outen ende. 1 he sunne 5 Salomon nchew. risith, and goith doun, and turneth a3en that"mwin^«lk' to his place; and there it risith 33611, ande !'lis ?'<»«»'* not in siche goodis, cumpassith bi the south, and turneth a3en but in God, which is good to the north. The spirit§ cumpassynge with outen alle thingis goith 'in cumpasf, and turneth ^he'preueA a3en in to hise cerclis. Alle floodis entren 7 in to the see, and the see fletith not ouer the markis set of God ; the floodis turnen a3en to the place fro whennus tho§ comen forth, that tho" flowe' eft. Alle thingis 8 **££%*. ben hard || ; a man may not declare tho thingis bi word ; the i3e is not fillid bi si3t, nether the eere is fillid bi hering. in kunnyng, for kunnyng getun bi inannus weye is vnprofit and diseseful, and Lire here. c. t of Ecclesi- astes ; that is, of Salomon, for Ecclesiastes is What is that thing that was^[, that that 9 t,? the 3r schal come ? What is that thing that is ^ T/^anyie maad, that that schal be maad ? No thing 10 ele- •• th<>t >'», ' the moste va- vndir the sunne is newe, nether ony man nyte. anduiie; , .1 • .1 • • c thingis in may seie, Lo ! this thing is newe ; for now whiche fake it 3ede bifore in worldis, that weren bifore ™ vs. Mynde of the formere thingis is not, uthat is'ful7 * _ veyne. vndur but sotheli nether thenkyng of tho thingis, the sunne; , ' that is, in pre- that schulen come arterward, schal be at tentiiyf; utf hem that schulen come in the last tyme. I Ecclesiastes was king of Israel in Jeru- 12 salem ; and Y purposide in my soule to 13 "<* of his tra- 1 . i • • no but seke and enserche wiseli of alle thingis, vnstabie good that ben maad vndur the sunne. God 3af kxt, nameii, w this werste ocupacioun** to the sones of a Ecclesiastes. A. Heer begynnelh the book. E. No initial rubric in GH. anentis E passim. e the sunne Om. c stondith AH. a From AG Here biginneth the bok of Ecclesiastes. EPY. No initial rubric in the other Mss. b Om. i. bbOm. i. c Om. plures. d A generacioun i. e an oother i. f aboute i. g thei i. h thei i. ' flowe out c. 4 — II. 8. ECCLESIASTES. 55 14 that thei shulden ben ocupied in it. I sa3 alle thingus that ben mad vrider the sunne, and, lo ! alle thingus vanite and 15 tormenting of spirit. Peruertid men of hard ben amendid ; and withoute ende 16 is the noumbre of foolis. I spac in myn herte, seiende, Lo ! gret I am mad, and I wente beforn alle in wisdam, that weren beforn me in Jerusalem ; and my mynde beheeld manye thingus wisli, and I lern- nede. And I 3af myn herte, that I knewe prudence and doctrine, and errouris and folie. And I knew3e that in these thingis also was trauaile and tormenting of spi- is rit ; for thi that in myche wisdam is myche indignacioun, and that addith kun- nyng, addeth and trauaile. CAP. II. 1 I seide in myn herte, I shal go, and flowef delices?, and I shal take the frutis inh goodis ; and I sa3 also that that was 2 vanyte. And lajhing I heeld errour, and to io3e I seide, Wherto in veyn thou art sbigilid? I tho3te in myn herte to with- drawe fro wyn my flesh, and myn inwit to bern oner to wisdam, and that I shulde eschewe folie, to the tyme that I shulde seen, what were profitable to the sonus of men ; the whiche thing don, nede is to ther lif in the noumbre of da3es vnder •i the sunne. I magnefiede iny werkis, I bilde to me houses, and plauntide vynes ; .•>! made gardynes and appil gardynes, and I plauntide them with the trees of oalle kinde; and I made out to me cys- ternes1 of watris, that I shulde watren 7 the wode of the buriounynge tres. I weldide seruauns and hand wyma^«B,< and mychek meyne I hadde; droues'also, and grete flockis of sheep, ouer alle men Kthat weren befor me in Jerusalem. I hepede to me siluer and gold, and sub- staunces of kingus and of prouynces ; I made to me singeris and singeresses, and the delices of sonus of men, cuppis and men, that thei schulden be ocupied ther- ynne. I si3 alle thingis that ben rnaad u vndur the sunne, and lo ! alle thingis ben vanyte and turment of spirit. Weiwardis men ben amendidk of hard ; and the noum- bre of foolis is greet with outen ende. 1 10 spak in myn herte, and Y seide, Lo ! Y am made greet, and Y passide in wisdom alle men, that weren bifore me in Jerusa- lem ; and my soule si3 many thingis wiseli, and Y lernede. And Y 3af myn herte, that 17 Y schulde knowe prudence* and doctryn, * that Y and errours and foli. And Y knew that in these tbingis also was trauel and turment of spirit; for in myche wisdomf is myche niworthitol>e . . doon. and doe- mdignacioun, and he that encressith kun- tryn ,• that u, .,, . nyng, encreessith also traueli. n A T> T T \_/ A A . 11. the vertu of Goddis lawe. ami erronrH ; alipute dyuyn thingis. and foly ; abo'ite us thing™, Therfor Y seide in myn hertefi, Y schal i j IT- i i a • j i- • i IT- to eschewe and go, and Y schal tlowe in dehcis, and Y impyngne riche schal vse goodis ; and Y si3 also that this tM^Unhtn. was vanyte. And Iei3yng Y arrettide er-2 £ in myehe wii_ rour, and Y seide to ioye, What1 art thou disseyued in veyn ? I thou3te in myn 3 herte to withdrawe my fleisch fro wyn, that Y schulde lede ouer my soule to wis- dom, and that Y schuldem eschewe foli, til Y schulde se, what were profitable to the *»».-«fman. is myche \ndty- nadoun ,• for siche kunnyng pride, and a proud man is lijtli stirid to indignacionn. L/ire here. c. J also trauel ; for men that ban dedeyn and ben vnpa- sones of men ; in which dede the noumbre of daies of her" lijf vndur the sunne is nedeful. Y magnefiede0 my werkis, Y bild-4 ide housis to me, and Y plauntide vynes ; Y made 3erdis and orcherdis, and Y set- & Lire here. c. ... _ § Y seide in tideP thoiwith ther trees of al kynde ; andc mynheneiia • /» , • /• ii. c°. Salomon Y made cisternes of watris, tor to watre schewith, that the wode of trees growynge. I hadde in; possessioun seruauntis and handmaidis8 ; and Y hadde myche meynee, and droues of grete beestis, and grete flockis of scheep, ouer alle men that weren bifore me in Jerusalem. Y gaderide togidere to me sil- a uer and gold, and the castels of kingis and of prouyncis ; Y made to me syngeris and syngeressis1, and delicis of the sones of men, and cuppis and vessels in seruyce, of Inxli. Lire here. c. c. ffolowe^. 8 with delices AEGH. ^ofAGpr.m.n. » fishpondis c pr. m. E pr. m. k mychel E. k mendid i. ' Wherto t. m wolde i. n Om. c. ° magnefiede, ether made greet c et plures. P sette i. 1 hem N. r Om. ci. s handmaidens in. l syngsters i. 56 ECCLESIASTES. II. 9 — 19. pottis in seruise, to wynes to ben held ; »and I passede in richesses alle, that be- foru me weren in Jerusalem. Wisdam 10 also abod stillewith me, and alle thingus that desireden myn e3en, I denyede not to them ; ne I forfendide1 myn herte, but that of alle voluptuouste he shulde take frut, and al delicen hym self in these thingus that I hadde greithid ; and this I alouwide my part, for I shulde vsen limy trauaile. And whan me I hadde turned to alle the werkis that myn hondis hadden don, and to the™1 trauailes in whiche in veyn I hadde swat, I 333 in alle thingus vanyte and tormenting of inwit, and no thing to dwelle stille vnder 12 the sunne. I passede, and to ben be- holden wisdam, and erroures, and folie ; what is forsothe a man, that he mowe isfolewen the king, his makere? And I sa3, that so myche wisdam wente beforn folie, hou myche Ii3t is in difference fro 14 dercnesses. Of the wise man the e3en in his lied, the fool goth in dercnesses ; and I lernede, that o diyng was of euere i.- either. And I seide in myn herte, If oon and of the fool and my diyng shal be, what to me profiteth, that more bisy- nesse I 3af to wisdam ? And spoken with my mynde, I toe heed, that that also was i<; vanyte. Forsothe ther shal not be themm myude of the wise man, lie maner as of the fool in to withoute ende, and the times to corne with faceting alle thingus shul couere togidere ; the ta3t man dieth 17 also and the vnta3t. And therfore it no3ede me of my lif, seende alle euelis to ben vnder the sunne, and alle thingus va- isnytes" and tormenting of spirit. Eft I wlatede alle my bisynesse, that vnder the sunne most studiousli I trauailede, to han° 10 an eir after me, whom I knoweP not, whe- ther wis or fool he be to ben ; and shal lordshipen in my trauailes, in the whiche lustful liyf. my part ; that is, blis ; for he kunnyng, and most in dyuyn thingis, which is seid wisdom to helde out wynes; and Y passide ino * wisdom dwell. ide, etc. ; til richessis alle men, that weren bitor me in that he was Jerusalem. Also wisdom dwellide* stabli with me, and alle thingis whicheu myn i i3en desiriden, Y denyede not to hem ; nether Y refreynede myn herte, that ne it vside al lust, and delitide it silf in these thingis whiche I hadde maad redi ; and Y demyde this my partf, if Y vside my trauel. And whanne Y hadde turned me ni'r« *<»•«• c- I Y passide to to alle werkisv whiche myn hondys had- biholde wisdom; . . i_. i TT that is, Y bi- den maad, and to the trauels in whiche i heide that tra- hadde swetw in veyn, Y si3 in alle thingis j£ J^* vanyte and turment of thex soule, and that no thing vndir sunne dwellith stabli. I passide? to biholde wisdom:):, erroursz, 12 propiriy. "of and foli ; Y seide, What is a man, that he may sue the king, his maker ? And Y si3, that wisdom 3ede so mych bifor foli, as * . m the ende ; miche as Ii3t is dyuerse fro derknessis. but it semeth j . -i • i j p that this pe- The 13611 of a wijs man ben in his heedj, i4nauncewasnot a fool goith in derknessis|| ; and Y lernede, that o perisching was of euer either. And Y seide in myn herte, If o deth schal be bothe of the fool and of me, what pro- fitith it to me, that Y 3af more bisynesse to wisdom ? And Y spak with my soule, and perseyuede, that this also was vanyte. * ' . that he may For mynde* of a wijs man schal not be, in iGateyne to God .... , <./•,•! bi the knowing hjk maner as nether of a fool with outen ofcreaturis. ende, and tymes to comynge schulen hile ith^tehi'this alle thingis togidere with for3etyng ; a lerned man dieth in lijk maner andb an otheremen, - . . not oneli that vnlerned man. And therfor it anoiede meiTseyen truthe, of my lijf, seynge that alle thingis vndur emn.'that the sunne ben yuele, and that alle thingis n^'lTbi'Sm" ben vanyte and turment of the spirit. Eft is trades kid to. * gidere. Lire Y curside al my bisynesse, bi which Y trauelide moost studiousli vndur sunne, and Y schal haue an eir after me, whom Y knowebb not, whether he schal be wijs ether a fool ; and he schal be lord in my trauels, for whichec Y swatte greetli, and whiche he hadde maad, as Y seide ful- liere in xxx. c°. of Prouerbis. u-hat is a man, etc. ; that is, of what vertu, re here. c. heed; that is, was bisi ; and isd ony thing so veyn ? that jyueth tent to con- templacioun of dyuyn thingis. Lire here. c. || in derk- nessis ; for he thenkith erthely thingis aloone and sensible, whiche comparisound to God ben derknessis. was of euer either ; that is, of the wise man and of the fool. Salomon seith this in the persoone of hem that denyeden vndedlynesse of mannus soule. ben yuel ; that is, defautif. and turment of the spirit ; Salomon asoilith not here this obieccioun maad ajenus the truthe, for obieccioun takith opinli fals, and for a wiys man and iust schal haue roecde, and a fool schal haue peyne with outen ende. Lire here. c. 1 forfendide not E pr. m. m Om. A. mmOm.cpr.m. n vanyte ^GH. ° haunge E pr. m. Pknewe^GH. u that i. v the werkis i. w swat i. * Om. i. y passide forth i. * and errours A sec. m. a the mynde i. b as i. b° knew E. c the whiche i. d is ther i. II. 20 III. 6. ECCLESIASTES. 57 I haue myche swat, and ben bisy; and 20 alle thing? 'is sol veyn. Wherfore I cesede, and myn herte forsoc more to trauailen 21 vnder the sunne. For whan an other shal trauailen in wisdam, and doctrine, and besynesse, and to an idil man the purchasid thingus lefeth ; and that thanne 22vanyter, and gret euel. What forsothe shal profile to a man of al his trauaile, and of the tormenting of spirit, that vnder 23 the sunne he is tormentid? Alle the da3es of hym of sorewes and myseyse s ben ful, and bi the ny3t in mynde he resteth not ; and whether is not that vanyte ? 24 Whether is it* not betere to eten and drinke", and to shewe to his lif the goodis of his trauailes ? and that is of the bond 25 of God. Who shal sov deuouren, and de- 26licis flowen, as I ? To a good man in his si3te God 3af wisdam, and kunnyng, and vnderstonding ; to the synnere forsothe he 3af tormenting, and wast bisynesse, that he adde, and gedere togidere, and take to hym that shal plesen to God ; but and this vanite, and wastw besynesse of mynde. CAP. III. 1 Alle thingus ban time, and in ther spaces passen alle thingus vnder the 2 sunne. Time of hauyng birthe, and time of diyng ; time of plauriting, and time of 3 pulling vp that is plauntid. Time of sleying, and time of heling ; time of de- 4 sinking, and time of bilding. Time of weping, and time of Ia3hing ; time of swelling, and time of leping. Time of sprenging abrod stones, and time of ga- dering togidere ; time of clipping, and time to ben maad aferr fro clippingus. 6 Time of purchasing, and time of leesing ; time of keping, and time of casting awei. Wherfor Y ceesside, and myn herte for- 20 * «"»*'« .• th«t sook for to trauele ferthere vnder sunne. For whi whanne another man trauelith inai fi^" wisdom, and techyng, and bisynesse, he i"*' c- . .... T to ete arui leeueth thmgis getun to an idel man ; and ^"^ •• th«t therfor this is vanyte, and greet yuel. For 22 "*nai,il 'w °" whi what schal it profite to a man of al his trauel, and turment of spirit, bie which he was turmentid vndur sunne? Alle hise 23 of the K00<li8 . . m the werki. daies ben tul or sorewis and meschefs, of Pitee and of j i • .1 ...i liberalte. and and bi ny3t he restith not in soule ; and M»i,0fthe whether this isf not vanyte*? Whether **££ it is not betere to ete and drynkef, and ^M^A°\» n to schewe to hise soule goodis of hise «> greet good, trauels& ? and this thing is of" the bond of nus bii*. Lire God. Who schal deuoure so, and schal 25 {In flowe in delicisj, asYdide1? God 3af wisdom, and kunnyng, and gladnesse^ to a good man in his si3t; but he 3af tur- ment, and superflu bisynesse to- a synnere, that he encreesse, and gadere togidere, and 3yue to hym that plesith God|| ; but also this is vanyte, and veyn bisynesse of soule, CAP. III. here. c. § and glad- ii r .m' ; that is, glad liyf in vsinge wel temporal goodis. /.•/•• here. c. || and vim to him that plesith God ; not that he jyueth wil- fuly to goode men ; but for whanne he is deed, siche Alle thingis ban tymelT, and alle thingis i K00"1'8 ben * * jouun to goode vndur sunne passen bi her spaces. Tyme 2 men M ofte, - ... . . ., j. as whanne Na- of birthe, and time of diyng ; tyme to bai was deed, plaunte, and tyme to drawe vp that that is plauntid. Tyme to sle**, and tyme to 3 make hool ; tyme to distrie, and tyme to bilde. Tyme to wepe, and tyme to Iei3e ; 4 tyme to biweile, and tyme to daunse. Tyme to scatere stoonys, and tyme tos eadere toeidere ; tyme to colleHf, and not, but ben 8 ' ' ' jouun to othere tyme to be fer fro collyngis. Tyme toe men. Lire here. wynne1, and tyme to leese ; tyme to kepe, ^ and tyme to caste awei. Tyme to kitte, 7 „„' and tyme to sewe togidere; tyme to be J^jf/,^ which long liyf is wont to be desirid of men, outakun feweste men and ful perfit, as Poul desiride to be deed, and to be with Crist. Lire here. c. Jo™*10 */* •' adtiersaries of rijtfulnesse ether of comynalte. Lire here. c. ft tyme to colle; that is, to 3yue tent to generacioun, in 3ong age of hem that weddid. tyme to be fer t that is, in eelde, whanne the vertu of gendring failith, and whanne comyn turment is of the puple ; tnertor weren chast in the arke in the grete flood of Noe, as Ebreys seyen. Lire here. c. P thingus c. qalso^. r gret vanyte E pr. m, s of miseyse c pr. m. *• Om. AG pr.m.a. "to drinke E. v thanne A. w brosed E pr. m. ' with i. ' be I. K trauel s. h jn M. Qm. E el plures. » haue i. k colle ether biclippe c el pluret. colle eithir to-clippe a. ] gete i. VOL. III. I 58 ECCLESIASTES. III. 7 — 21. 7 Time of kutting, and time of souwing to- gidere ; time of holding pes, and time of sspeking. Time of loouing, and time of hate ; time of bataile, and time of pes. 9 What hath a man more of his trauaile ? 10 1 sa3 the affliccioun, that God jaf to the sonus of men, that thei be tormentid in it. 11 Alle thingus he made goode in ther time, and the world he toe tox the? disputisoun7 of them, that a man finde not the were that God wro3te fro the bigynnyng to 12 the ende. And I kne3 that ther was uota betere, but to gladen, and to do good lain ther lif. Eche man forsothe that etith and drinketh, and seeth good of his u trauaile ; that the 3ifte of God is. I lern- ede that alle werkis, that God made, dwellen stille in to with oute ende ; wee moun not to them any thing adden, or taken awei, that God made, that he be isdrad. That is maad, it dwellith stille; that ben to come, now weren ; and God lerestoreth that, that 3ide awei. I sa$ vnder sunneb in thec place of dom vnpi- tousnesse ; and in thed place of ri3twis- 17 nesse wickidnesse. And I seide in myn herte, The ri3twise and the vnpitouse the Lord shal demen ; and tyme of alle thing isthanne shal be. I seide in rnyn herte of the sonus of men, that God shulde prouen hem, and shewen to ben lie to bestis. 19 Therfore oon is the diyng of men and of bestis, and euene the condicioun of euere either ; as a man dieth, so and tho dien ; lie maner brethen alle thingus, and no thing hath a man more than a beste. 20 Alle thingus vnderlin to vanyte, and alle thingus gon to oe place ; of erthe thei ben maad, and in to erthe togidere thei 21 turnen a3een. Who kne3, if the spiritf of the sonus of Adam ste3e vp aboue, and stille, and tyme to speke. Tyme of m loue,s * what hath" * man more ; no and tyrne of hatrede ; tyme of batel, and but vncerteyme of kunnyng. of tyme of pees. What hath a man more* 9 A« trauel ,• in of his trauel? I si3 the turment, which 10 God 3af to the sones of men, that thei be occupied therynne. God made alle thingis n for tho»3 men J " lyuen neuere good in her tymef, and 3af the world to so longe, they - , ' /• j atteynen not to disputyng of hem, that a man tynde not perrit . the werk which" God hath wrou3t fro the bigynnyng 'til in to0 the ende. And Y 12 knew that no thing was betere "to a marif, . Mimic, tenica 'no buti to be glad, and to do good werkis God j«/<o the ,.,..„, , . m .1 x'j/L ...'ones of men ; in his lyft- For win ech man that etith I3inasinychea8 and drinkith, and seeth good of his trauel; vnd^tondin'g, this is the nfte of God. I haue lerned u«?enquere_ sicne thingis. that alle werkisr, whiche8 God made, lasten Lire here. c. ... . , -f- God made stidfastli til in toe with outen ende; we Me thingis moun not adde$ ony thing to thou, nether ^e"th*tis, take awei fro tho thingis, whiche God ^^T-Tat made, that he be dred. That thing that is is, of men. 0 fynde not, etc. ; is maad, dwellith pernth ; tho thingis that in knowynge . , i * ,• i / • i that werk par- schulen come, weren birore ; and God re- fitiy> thou3 he storith that, that is goon. I si3 vnduriejft"^1^ sunne || vnfeithfulnesse in the place of Lireh^re-^ t "* nts hyfs doom ; and wickidnesse in the place of that is, to lyue . . . _ . . • couenabli and ri3ttulnesse. And Y seide in inyn herte, 17 vertuousiy, w The Lord schal deme a iust man, and an k^nde"™ that vnfeithful man ; and the tyme of ech h* !* [W6*1 » with the terme thinff schal be thanne. I seide in myn is of liyf, which _ the kynde jaf herte of the sones^i of men, that God to him. etith Perflu bis>'; nesse. good of hatrami-, in schulde preue hem, and schewe that thei ben lijk vnresonable* beestis. Therfor oon is the perisching of man and of beestis, and euene condicioun is of euer eithir ; as a man dieth, 'so and thow beestis dien; alle beestis* brethen in lijk maner, and a man hath no thing more than a beeste. Alle 20 Pa.rt>" m.erci-, fuly. yfleof thingis ben suget to vanyte, and alle God ; that >"> , . . good in pre- thingis goen to* o place ; tho ben maad sent tyme. Li of erthe, and tho turnen a3en togidere in to erthe. Who knowith, if the spirit of 21 not owen to be apayed with the terme of oure liyf, and to be not bisi of encreessing hi the lengthe of liyf. Lire here. c. || Y «s vndur sunne, etc. ; that is, in the dwellinge place of men. vnfeithfulnesse in the place, etc. ; that is, where rijtful doom was wont to be 30111111, is jouun wickid doom. Lire here. C. ^f Y seide in myn herte of the sones, etc.; Salomon spekith this in the persooue of vnfeithful men, that denyen liyf to comyn in blis ether peyne aftir deth. Lire here. c. * in to AGH. y Om. A. * disposicioun E. a no AEGH. b the sunne G sec. m. c Om. AGH. d Om. GH. e oon E passim. { spiritis AGH. m to I. n that i. o vnto r. P Om. i. to man N. q than i. r the werkis i. 8 that i. * vn to i. tho rverkis i. v Om. i. w rijt so i. » tho i. y til N. HI. 22 IV. II. ECCLESIASTES. 59 if the spirit of bestis go doun bynethe? the sones of Adam stieth vpward, and if1 •«•«.«**.. the spirit of beestis goitha dounward ? to^'w^k"" And Y perseyuede that no thing is betere, 22 ^TjT'' ' , , T that ben doon than that a man be glad in his werk*, and that this be his part; for who schal brynge hym, that he knowe thingis that schulen come after hym ? 22 And I parceyuede no thing to ben betere, than a man to gladen in his were, and that to ben the part of hym ; who for- sothe hym shal leden to, that aftir hym he knowe thingis to comes ? CAP. IV. i I turnede me to othere thingus, and I 533 chalenges, that vnder the sunne ben don, and the teres of innocens, and no man coumfortende ; ne to mounh with- stonde the violence of them, benomen the ahelpe of alle. And I preisede more the a deade than the liuende ; and I demede hym welsumere than either, that 3it is not born, ne 533 the euelis that ben don 4 vnder the sunne. Eft I beheeld alle the trauailis of men, and the besynesses I tooc heed to ben opened to the enuye of nejhebore' ; and in that thanne vanyte, 5 and wast besynesse is. The fool foldeth togidere his hondis, and eteth hisk flesh, eseiende, Betere is a litil handful with reste, than ful either hond with trauaile 7 and tormenting of inwit. Beholdende I founde and an other vanyte vndir the a sunne ; oon is, and the secunde hath not ; nouther sone, ne brother ; and ner the latere to trauailen he ceseth not, and ner the latere his e3en ben not fild with richesses ; ne he thenketh a3een, seiende, To whom trauaile I, and begile my soule of goodis? In1 that also ys 9 vanyte, and werst tormenting. Betere is 'that two"1 ben togidere than oon ; forsothe thei ban auauntage of ther fela- loshipe. If oon shul fallen, of the tother he shal ben holden vp ; wo to the alone, for whan he shal fallen, he hath not a 11 man rerende hym vp. If two shul slepe, thei shul ben nurshid togidere ; oon, what vndw **f funne ; in ijii. «"• he preueth TV IV. in lordichlp, for it hath myche diwse and tra- uel and perel ofsynne. Lire I turnede me to othere thingis, and Y i i than euer si3 fals chalengis, that ben don vndur the kLe'wrecchid' sunnef , and the teeris of innocentisb, and |^ deeT'and no man coumfortour ; and that thei for- f" y"d man lyuyngej for sakunc of the help of alle men, moun not he **** '» d» a3enstonde the violence of hem. And Ya diethinori- preiside more deed men than lyuynge men ; and Y demyde hym, that was not 3 borun 3it, and si3d not the yuels that ben don vndur the sunne, to be blisfulere6 than euer eithir|. Eft Y bihelde alle the tra-4 uelis of men, and bisynesses ; and Y per- seyuede that tho ben opyn to thef enuye of nei3bore&; and therfor in this is va- nyte, and superflu bisynesse. A fool fold- 5 ith togidere hise hondis, and etith hise fleischish§, and seith, Betere is an handful e with reste, than euer either hondful with hath more de- litable liyf, than he in;.-,:.- lianc in present liyf, as alle doctours seven, that speken of hem that dien in origenal synne onely. Lire here. c. §etithhue es<*?wijh 'ra- uel, he bath trauel and turment of soule. I bihelde? 1!til to ete> and so hise fleiachis and foond also another vanytee || vndir k ben maad the1 sunne; oon isk, and he hath not as secounde ; not1 a sone, not™ a brother ; and netheles he ceesith not for" to trauele, nether hise i3en ben fillid with0 richessis ; nether he bithenkithP, and seith, To whom trauele Y, and disseyue my soule in goodis? In this also is vanyte, and thei worster turment. Therfor it is betere, that tweyne8 9 !t whoueth him • spende sum- be togidere than oon ; for thei han profite thing, and ne- of her felouschipe. If oon fallith doun, he 10 Sith not to gete schal be vndurset of the tothere1; wo to p^et turment hym that is aloone^f, for whanne he fallith, ^^^ ** he hath noon reisynge" himv. And if \\ tweyne be to ., . . , . . ., J«fer«,-thatis, tweyne slepen || an other va- nyte, etc. ; that is, the wrecchid- nesse of an auarouse man. hath not a »e- ctinde ,• for he (let-til to haue meynee and frenschipe with ony man, lest . w, thei schulen be nurschid that many men be ioyned togi- dere in I'n-n- •chip and felouschipe. Lire here. c. H wo to him that is aloone ; that is, hath not felouschipe and frenschip with ony man. Lire here. c. ? comynge AGH. h mow E passim. » the neijbour A. k Om. AGH. ' And c. m thanne two to c. zQm. c. a goon s. b the giltlees i. » destitut, ether forsakun c el plures. destitute, or failinge i. •» Y sij CMC. • more blessid i. f Om. i. 8 the nei3bore i. h fleishe r. ' Om. IN pr. m. " ther is r. 'nether i. m ne i. « Om. r. ° of i. P bithenkith him i. q Om. i. r ful yuel i. oother i. " to reise i. T him up i. w slepen to gidre i. I 2 two i. 60 ECCLESIASTES. IV. 12 — V. 6. 12 maner shal he be maad hot ? If any man haue the ouere bond a3en oon, two™ with- stonden to hym ; a thre fold corde hard is is to-broken. Betere is a child pore and wis than a king old and fool, that can- H not seen beforn in to aftir. That and fro prisoun and cheynes otherwhile sum man goth out to a reume; and an other born into a reume with myseise is wastid. 15! 533 alle liuende men that gon vnder the sunne, with the 3unge ful waxynge the lesecunde, that shal rise for hym. With oute ende is the noumbre of puple11, of alle that weren beforn hym, and that aftir0 ben to comen, shul not gladen in hym ; but and this vanyte and torment- 17 ing of spirit. Kep thou thi foot, goende in to the hous of God, and ne3he that thou heere ; forsothe myche betere is obeisaunce than victorie sacrifisesP of togidere* ; hou schal oon be maad hoot ? * nurschid ta. , . ,. 1,1 • , • gidere ; herbi And if ony man hath maistri a3ens oon, 12 ;n r tweyne a3en stonden hym ; a threfolde corde is brokun of hard. A pore mams' many men in and wiis is betere than an eld kyng and ° 'one. hoot; m J . charite. a thre fool, that kan not bifore se in to tyme to fold coonie, -r-. ..i '•//•.,- that is. comynge. For sum tyme a man goithi4asmycheas' out bothe fro prysoun and chaynes to a rewme ; and anothir borun in to a rewme is wastid bi nedynesse. I si3 alle menf i lyuynge that goen vndur the sunne, with the secounde 3ong wexynge man, that schal rise for hym. The noumbre of pu- ie pie, of alle that weren bifore hym, is greet with outen mesure, and thei that schulen come aftirward, schulen not be glad in hym ; but also this is vanyte and turment of the spirit. hous of God, kepe thi footj, and nei3e thou i0?"6*1 t in frenschipe, bisomychethe staatofhemis ameudid. Lire ^"'^ allf ""™-' thatis' many men. with "<« ««- cunde ; that is, the sone of the king that schal regne aftir him. ' Thou that entrist in to thei7that.is'g°thou not in boost- fuly nether for to here; for whi myche betere is obe- Jnyjty men of foolis, that.wite not what thei don of dience"^ than the sacrifices? of foolis, that ben enhaunrid1 witen not what yuel thei don. Speke thou i !" her P°wer> / ben wont to not ony thing folilyll, nether thin herte do- "ewthout *, * '' to prestis and be swift to brynge forth a word bifore God ; for2 God is in heuene, and thou art on erthe, therfor thi wordis be fewe. Dremes suen many bisynessis, and foli 2 schal be foundun in many wordis. If thou 3 § betere « i -j xu- r\ j • xi dience; in the hast avowid ony thing to God, tane thou kepinge of Lire euel. CAP. V. 1 And speke thou not folili any thing, ne thin herte be swift to bringe forth a wrd beforn God; God forsothe in heuene, and thou vpW on erthe, and therfore fewe 2 be thi wrdis. Sweuenus folewen manye besynesses, and in manye wrdis shal ben sfounde folie. If any thing thou hauei vouwid to God, ne tarie thou to 3elde ; forsothe displesith to hym vnfeithful and fool beheste; but what euere thou auouw- 4 ist, 3eeld ; and myche betere it is tor not auouwen, than aftir the vow the bihestis 5 to not 3elde. Ne 3iue thou thi mouth, that thou make thi flesh to synnen ; ne sey thou biforri the aungil, There is not purueying; lest parauenture the Lord, wroth vp on thi wrdis, scatere alle the e werkis of thin hondis. Wher many sweuenes ben, many vanytes, and wrdis synne. Lire here. c. || Speke thou not ony thing folili ; of God ether of hise domes, in repreuynge tho. Lire here. c. H vnfeithful and fonned biheest ; it is seid vnfeithful, whanne aftir a vow maad in the tyme of nede, the purpos is chaungid anoon whanne the nede ceessith; it is seid a fonned biheest, whanne it is of a thing vnleueful ether vndifferent, as if a man makith a vow, to reise a stre fro erthe. for this turneth not in ony thing to the oiiour of God, ethir if a vow is maad of a good thing, netheles impossible to him that makith a vow. Lire here. c. ** thi mouth ; in openynge it ouer myche to glotenye. to do synne ; bi the vice of leccherie. Lire here. c. not to 3eldea ; for an vnfeithful and fonned biheest^I displesith hym; but ^elde thoub what euer thine: thou hast avowidc it is myche betere to make not a vowe, .1 /... . , ,1-1 , • A than aftir a vowe to 3elde not biheestisd. 3yue thou not thi mouth**, that thou make s ]^n'ta0npdlese thi fleisch to do synne ; nether seie thou * bifor an aungel, No puruyaunce ise ; lest , T , perauenture the Lord be wrooth on' thi wordis, and distruye alle the werkis of thin hondis. Where ben many dremes.e they ben biy • id, and kun- ben ful many vanytees, and wordis with out noumbre; but drede thou God. If 7 and* brekens of the lawe, that dredennotto breke Goddis heestis bi her hym bi of- frmgis and sa- orifices, witen »io* what yuel thei dam, for nen not knowe tweyne AEGH. n the puple A. ° after hym A. P sacrifise c. PP Om. c pr. m. ihast^EGH. r Om. A. * the obedience M. y sacrifice A. z sothly i. a jelde it I. b Om. i. c auowid to God, jelde thou it i. a the biheestis i. « ther is i. f of i. V. 7—19- ECCLESIASTES. 61 vnnoumbreable ; thou forsothe dred God. 7 If thou shalt seen wronger chalengis of nedi men, and violent domes, and ri3t- wisnesse to be turned vpso doun in pro- uynce8, wndre* thou not vp on this nede ; for than the hee3 an other is he3ere, and vp on these othere also ben he3ere stond- s ende ; and ferthermore the king of al oerthe comaundith to the seruende. The auerouse shall not ben fulfild with monee; and that looueth richesses, frut shal not take of them ; and this thanne vanyte. loWher ben many richesses, and manye that eten hem ; and" what profiteth to the weldere, but that he seeth the rich- 11 esses with his e3en? Swete is slep to the werchere, whether litil or mychev he ete ; fulnesse forsothe of the riche man suf- 12 frith hym not to slepen. Ther is and an other infirmyte werst, that I sa} vndir the sunne ; richesses kept in to euelw of 13 his lord. Forsothe thei pershen in the werste tormenting ; 'he gat" a sone, that 14 in he3est nedynesse shal be. As he wente out nakid of the wombe of his moder, so he shal turne a3een ; and no thing he shal take with hym of his trauaile. isWreccheful forsothe infirmyte; what maner he cam, so he shal turne a3een. What thanne profiteth to^ hym, that he 10 trauailede in to wind ? Alle the da3es of his lif he eet in dercnesses, and in many besynesses, and in myseise, and sorewe. 17 And so this to me is seen good, that a man ete, and drinke, and vse gladnesse of his trauaile, that he trauailede vnder the sunne, in noumbre of the da3es of his lif, 'the whiche* God 3af to hym ; and this is is his part. And to eche man, to whom God 3af richesses, and substaunce, and power he 3af to hym, that he ete of hem, and take the frut of his part, and glade of his trauaile ; this is the 3ifte of God. 19 Forsothe not 'a seeth* he shal recorde of the da3es of his lif, ther thur3 that God ocupie in delicys his herte. r Om. c pr. m. s prouyncis A. * ne wondre E pr. 1 Om. c pr. m. thei iendren E pr. m. he begat AK sec AE sec. m. marg. an. ? hem i. h ther ben i. ' Om. i. k ete i. nessis a. 9 of c. r thenke i. thou seest false chalengis of nedi men, and violent domes, and that ri3tfulnesse is dis- tried in the prouynce, wondre thou not on this doyng ; for another is hi3ere than an hi3 man, and also othere men ben more hi3e aboue these men ; and ferthermore s the kyng of al erthe comaundith to the seruaunt*. * to the «««•- PAP V V™ .'i'.* An auerousef man schal not be fillid of a monei ; and he that loueth richessis schal vaunt ; that is, to ech creature not take fruytis of tho&; and therfor this et?-'< • _ ginneth the is vanyte. Where ben" many richessis, 10 ^. c°. M Jerom, 7 i _ and in this c°. also many men benn, that eten tho ; and Salomon schew. what profitith it to the haldere, no' but Ltu£S, that he seeth richessis with hise i3en? notin temporal nchessis. serial Slepe is swete to hvm that worchith, whe- n n»t take, «'«•»• • that is, that ther he etithK litil ether myche ; but the loueth ric e •, n n, .,! , ! as an auarousc fulnesse ot a ryche man sunrith not hym man , to slepe. Also anothir sijknesse is ful yuel, which1 Y sn vndur the sunne ; rich- *°r his auar! * ' suffrith him essis ben kept in to the yuelm of her lordj. not to vse tho. -r, , . . , , Lire here. c. tor thei penschen in the worste turment; I3j jnto he gendride" a sone, that schal be in soue- reyn nedynesse. As he 3ede nakid out of u ueynmirs and * * J couetouse men his modris wombe, so he schal turne 33011 ; s«"en tresoun to riche men, and he schal take awei with hyrn no thing and thei ben „,. , *~* .• i' •* • i u • i stranglid for of his trauel. Outirh it is a wretcnid 15 her richessis. sijknesse; as he cam, so he schal turne Lire here. c. a3en. What therfor0 profitith it to hym, that he trauelide in to the wynde§ ? Ini6^™J^*se.f alle the daies of his lijf he eet in derk- heseye, no ... . thing ; for hi nessis, and in many bisinessis, and in nedy- trauel profi nesseP, andi sorewe. Therfor this semydei7nethir good to me, that a man ete, and drynke, and vse gladnesse of his trauel, in which he trauelide vndir the sunne, in the noum- bre of daies of his lijf, which God 3af to hym ; and this is his part. And to ech is man, to whom God 3af richessis, and catel, and 3af power to hym to ete of tho, and to vse his part, and to be glad of his trauel ; this is the 3ifte of God. For he 19 schal not bithenker miche on the daies of his lijf, for God ocupieth his herte with delicis. m. u Om. CG sec. m. v mychel E. w the euel AGH. . m. GH. y Om. c pr. m. z that c pr. m. B ynowj that i. ra harm i. n gaat i. ° Om. c. P nedi ECCLESIASTES. VI. 1 VII. l. CAP. VI. i Ther is and an other euel, that I 533 vnder the sunne ; and forsothe ofte anentis imen. A man to whom God 3af richesses, and substaunce, and wrshepe ; and no thing lacketh to his soule of alle thingis that he desireth ; and God 3yueth not power to hym, that he ete of it, but a straunge man shal deuouren it. This is 3 vanyte, and gret wrecchidnesse. If any man geete an hundred free childer, and Hue many 3eris, and many da3es of his age hadde, and the soule of hym vse nott the goodis of his substaunce, and lacke sepulture ; of that I pronounce, that betere than he be maud 'a dead bornz. 4 In veyn forsothe he cam, and wente to dercnesses ; and bi fo^eting shal be don 5 awei the name of hym. Hea 533 not the sunne, ne kne3 the distaunce of good and e euel ; also if two thousend 3eer he shulde Hue, and hadde not ful vsid the goodis ; 7 whether not to o place gon alle ? Al the trauaile of man in the mouth of hym, but the soule of hym shal not be fulfild s with goodis. What more hath a wis man than a fool ? and what a pore, but 9 that he go thider, wher is lif? Betere is to seen that thou coueitist, than to desire that thou wost not ; but and this is va- lonyte, and presumpcioun of spirit. Who is to come, now is clepid the name of hym, and is knowen, that he be a man, and rnai not a3en a strengere than hym- u self striuen with inb dom. Wrdis ben manye, and myche in disputing vanyte hauende. CAP. VII. i What nede is to a man more thingus than hymself to sechen ; whan he vn- knowith, what it bringe to hym in his * God tyueth not power, etc. ; for God draw- CAP. VI. Also another yuel is8, which' Y si3 vndur the sunne ; and certis it is oft vsid anentis men. Au man is", to whom God 2 3af w richessis, and catel, and onour ; and no thing failithx to his soule? of alle thingis whichz he desirith; and God3yueth not power* to hym, that he ete therof, but a straunge man shal deuoure it. This is vanyte3, and a greet wretchidnesse. If 3 a man gendrithb an hundridf frec sones, and lyueth many 3eris, and hath many daies of age, and his soule vsith not the goodis of his catel, and wantith biriyng ; Y pronounce of this man, that a deed ...,., ... , ^ , hisowneper- borun child is betere than he. For he 4 soone, the cometh in veyn|, and goith to derknessis ; 8eatei.adttd and his name schal be don awei bi for- pre-.ent liyf. Lire here. c. •^ If a man yendrith an hundrid, etc. ; defaute that cometh of aua- rice HIM ki tli a man wrecchid, she, thoU3 he hath richessis and many othere thingis that hen de- sirid in present liyf. and hit soule ; that is, he him silf. vsith not, in He si} not the sunne, nether 5 n°°n yuel of present liyf, knew dyuersyted of good and of yuel ; and hath liyf , , i -i .1 , more delitable also thou3 he lyueth6 twei thousyndee than is this 3eeris, and vsith not goodis §; whether alle thingis hasten notll to o place? Al? " the trauel of a man ts in his mouth^f, but the soule of hym schal not be fillid with goodis. What hath a wijs man mores than a fool ? and what hath a pore man, ^/°ule' Li" nof but that he go thidur, where is liif **? * *« cometh i» . veyn ; to birthe, It is betere to se that, that thou coueitist, 9 and goith to than an auarouse man, fpr in ai his not no b^t' than to desire that, that thou knowist not; but also this is vanyte, and presumpcioun of spirit. The name of hym that schal ioeuereyueis,a« • if he seide, clepid now, and it is knowun, come, s . . fitith no thing that he is a man, and he mai not stryueft to him, but in doom a3ens a strongere than hym silf. Wordis ben ful manye, and ban myche ll vanyte in? dispuytinge. What nede is it i '"*> «'«• 7 } . . is, alle cor- to a man to seke grettere thingis than hym silf; sithenh he knowith not, what schal bifalle to hym in his Hjf, in the noumbre of daies of his pilgrimage, and ruptible thingis hasten bi deth to the erthe, fro whennus tho weren takun. Lire here. c. f Al the trawl of a man is in his mouth; that is, for couenable sustenaunce of mannus liyf. but the soule of him ; that is, of the auarouse man bifor seid. schal not be fillid with goodis ; for he schal not vse his richessis, and therfor he hath richessis in veyn. Lire here. c. ** where is liyf; that is, to blis to comynge, where deth hath no place. Lire here. c. •(••{• he may not stryue, etc.; that is, alegge resonably ajenus God, that it perteyneth to man to knowe thingis to comynge that ben vncerteyn, and not teld in hooly writ, wordis ben ful, etc.; of dyuynyngis aboute thingis to comyng, to seke grettere, etc.; that is, kunnyng that passith his vndurstonding. sithen he knoieith not, etc. ; that is, what is profitable to him in present liyf. z an abortif E pr. m. » I AG pr. m. H. b Om. A. 8 ther is i. ' that i. « Sum i. v if,er js T. w hath joue i. » a vanyte A. b getith i. Coffrei. d the dyuersite i. e lyue i. * ther failith i. T lijf i. * that i. f Om. i. ? and c. n sith i passim. VII. 2— 1S. ECCLESIASTES. 63 lif, bi noumbre of da^es of his pilgrim- age, and bi time that as shadewe passede? or who to hym shal moun shewen, what after hym be to come vnder the sunne ? 2 Betere is a good name than precious oynementes ; and the dai of deth than a the dai of birthe. Betere is to go to the hous of weiling, than to the hous of a feste ; in it forsothe the ende of alle men is warned, and liuende he thenketh, what 4 be to come. Betere is wrathe than fil- ing ; for bi sorewe of the chere the wil s of the trespasere is amendid. The herte of wise men where is sorewe ; and the o herte of foolis where is gladnesse. Betere is to be chastisid of a wis man, than bi 7 flatering of foolis to be desceyued ; for as the soun of brennende thornes vnder a spot, so the Ia3hing of a fool. But and this vanyte. Chaleng disturbeth the wise man, and shal leesen the strengthe of his ij herte. Betere is forsothe the ende of ori- sounc than the begynnyng. Betere is ad pacient man than the enhauncende hym- 10 self. Be thou not swift to wrathen ; for wrathe in the bosum of a fool restith. 1 1 Ne seye thou, What wenest thou of cause is, that the rathere tymes betere weren than now ben ? folie forsothe is such a igmaner asking. Profitablere forsothe is wisdam with richesses, and more pro- is fitith to men seende the sunne. Forsothe as wisdam defendith, so" monee ; this forsothe more hath lernyng and wisdam, u that lif thei 3eelden to ther weldere. Be- hold the werkes of God, that no man mai 15 amende, whom he despiside. In the goode dai vse goodes, and the euele dai be war biforn ; as forsothe this, so and ether who may, in the tyme that passith as schadowe ? ether who may schewe to hym, what thing vndur sunne schal come aftir hym ? here- c- • *A good name i that cometh of CAP. VII. onestliyf. i, betere than pre- A good name* is betere than preciouse 2 m""«* f here oynementis ; and the dai of deth is betere f£°^ "^f* than the dai of birthe. It is betere to sros blis> that 8tolld- ith in God to the hous of morenyngf, than to the aioone, and iu hous of a' feeste; for in that hous 'o/* anVknowing, and loue ; and the disposicionn of blis stomlita in meedeful is to comynge. Yre is betere than lei^yng : 4 w«rk> for whi . hope is certeyn for the soule or a trespassour is amendid™1 abiding of biis bi the" heuynesse of cheer. The herte of 5 wise men is where0 sorewe is ; and the herte of foolis is where gladnesseP is. Itc is betere to be repreued of a wijs man, than to1! be disseyued bi ther flateryng of morenyng* the ende of alle men is mo- nestid1, and a man lyuynge thenkith, what liyf is a manor of bigynnyng of parfit blis. foolis; for as the sown of thornes bren-7 In'the day of* nynge vndur a pot, so is the leijyng of a fool. But also this is vanyte. Fals cha-s verily, and . . . . therfor the day lengej disturbhth a wijs man, and it schal of deth Of hooiy leese8 the strengthe^ of his herte. For- 9 sothe the ende of preyer is betere|| than the bigynnyng. A pacient man is betere OJ * than a proud man. « . . > . r yn£ *s niaa bewrooth; for ire1 restith in the bosumu^[ for deed men. of a fool. Seie thou not, What gessistiij£J^'. tvher^ thou is of T cause, that the formere tymes ^f^y]™16 weren betere than ben now ? for whi °/te doon> and the synne of siche axyng is fonned. Forsothe wisdom 12 leccherie sueth t hou>s °f mornyng ; Be thou not swift to 10 where moren- with richessis is more profitable**, and profitith more to men seyngeff the sunne. For as wisdom defendith, so money «fe-i318,wrootl!> * whanne he fendith\\; but lernyng and wisdom^ hath" seeth him do v folily ; but a this more, that" tho 3yuen hjf to her straunger, that welderev. Biholde thou the werkis of God, i-*him, le^ithof that" no man may amende hym, whom jjere^c' L"e J Fab caleng ; • that is, greuouse wrong, disturblith, etc. ; netheles it castith not him doun anoon fro the vertu of stidefastnesse. Lire here. c. 5 *^ schal leese the strengthe, etc.; that is, the vertu of stidefastnesse, if the trebling wexith strong; therfor a wiys man owith to arme him silf bi preyer. Lire here. c. \\ the ende nf preyer is betere, etc. ; for it bigynneth of sorewe for wrong doon, and it is endid in coumfort jouun of God, bi which a man is maad pacient in aduersites. Lire here. c. \ in the bosum ; that is, in his herte. Lire here. c. ** wisdom with richessis is more profitable; therfor Ambrose on Luk seith, As richessis ben lettingis to yuele men, so to goode men tho ben helpis. Lire here. c. tf and profitilh more to men teynge, etc. ; that is, wisdom is betere with richessis, than with out richessis ; and this is soth, whanne othere vertues ben euene in a riche man and a pore man ; for a wise man hauynge richessis may do werkis of pitee and of liberalte, whiche he that hath no richessis, may not do. Lire here. c. Jt to money defendith ; that is, mynystrith spensis ajenus visible enemyes, and it defendith ajenus vnuysible enemyes, by meedeful werkis of pitee and of liberalte. Lire here. c. 55 i>ui lernyng and wisdom, etc.; that is, liyf of grace, and of glorie to a wiys man, and without richessis, but richessis without wisdom moun not jyue this. C. c the orisoun AGII. d the A. e so and c pr. m. so defendith G sec. m. » o c. k Om. i. 1 warned i. m corectid i. n Om. i. ° where that i. vfoly gladnesse i. <i Om. u. f Om. cix. s fordo i. * wraththe i. u herte i lext. or bosum i marg. v the c sec. m. EFOHIKMPQ w ban i. * ouer that i. y hem that han hem i. z and se that i. 64 ECCLESIASTES. VII. 16 — 29. it God made, that a man finde not iG hym ri3twis pleyntes. These thingus also I saw3 in the da3es of my birthe ; the ri3twis pershede in his ri3t\visnesse, and the vnpitous myche time liueth, and in 17 his malice. Wile thou not ben myche ri3twis, ne more sauourenf than is nede ; is lest thou become stoneid. Ne myche vn- pytousli do thou, and wile thou not ben a fool; lest thou die in theff time not thin. 19 Good is, thee to sustenen the ri3twis ; but and fro hym ne withdrawe thou thin bond ; for who dredeth God, no thing 20 necgligentli leueth. Wisdam coumfortede the wise, ouer ten princes of the cite. 21 Ther is not forsothe a ri3twis man in the erthe, that do good, and not synne. 22 But and to alle wrdis, that ben seid, ne leeue thou& thin herte ; lest parauenture thou heere a seruaunt cursende to thee ; 23 thi conscience forsothe wot, for and thou 24ofte sithes cursedist to othere. Alle thingis I sa3edeh in wisdam ; I seide, Wis I shal be maad, and it ferthere wente 25 awei fro me, myche more than it was ; 26 and hee3 depnesse, who shal finde it ? I cumpassede alle thingus in myn inwit, that I shulde witen, and beholde, and sechen wisdam and resoun, and that I shulde knowe the vnpitousnes of the fool, 27 and the errour of vnprudent men. And I fond a womman bitterere than deth, the whiche is the grene of hunteres, and a net the herte of hir, bondis ben the hondis of hir ; who plesith to God, shal ascapen hir, who forsothe is a synnere, 28 shal be ca3t of hir. Lo ! this I fond, seide Eclesiastes, oon and other, that I 29 shulde finde resoun, that 3it sechith my soule ; and I fond not. A man of a thou- send oon I fond, a womman of alle I fond God hath dispisid*. In a good day vse ia * «*o»» God , .„ , hath dispisid ; thou goodis, and bilore escnewe thou an that is, hath yng ether priuy T j - Q more to pu- lynyscheso, 3he, by deth, if his trespas axith this, that the ami^ be hfre- £• , f in the dates, yuel day; for God made so this dai as that dai, that a man fynde not iust 3 * inrsiuuiig is, plavnvngis asens hvm. Also Y sha these i6thehardnesse J J ° * in yuel ; bro- thingis in the daiesf of my natyuyte" ; therfs a iust man perischith in his ri3tfulnesse, and a wickid man lyueth myche tyme in his malice. Nyle thou be iust mychect, i78feth^isbr°- ' • ther obstynat nether vndurstonde thou more than is in synne, but /• T-» tne 'u£e owith nederul ; lest thou be astonyed. Do thou is not not wickidli myche$, and nyle thou be a fool ; lest thou die in a tyme not thin. is good, that thou susteyne a iust man; but also withdrawe thou not thin bond from hym ; for he that dredith God, is not necli- gent of ony thing. Wisdom hath coum- fortid a wise man, ouer ten pryncis|| of a citee. Forsothe no iust man isd in erthe, 21 etc.; that is, that doith good, and synneth not. But 22 that puddi also 3yue thou not thin herte to alle h™*™™ b° wordis6, that ben seid ; lest perauenture vh^Jte^. Lire thou here thi seruaunt cursynge thee; for 23* Nyle thou be , . , iust myche ; thi conscience woot, that also thou hast cursid ofte othere men. I asayede thingis in wisdom^[ ; Yf seide, I schal be maad wijs, and it 3ede awei ferthere fro " astonyed; in me, myche more than it was; and the25jyuyngeacruei depthe is hty**, who schal fynde it? 1 26 rTotlusT' iir« cumpasside alle thingis inh my soule, to kunne, and biholde1, and seke wisdom and resoun, and to knowe the wickidnesse of a fool, and thek errour of vnprudent men. And Y foond a womman bittereref f than 27 deth, which1 is the snare of hunteris, and enemyteSj it hir herte is a net, and hir hondis ben s"eth' "** thou be a fool, boondis ; he that plesith God schal ascape «'«• notthyn; , . - , . in hastinee thi nir, but he that is a synnere, schal be deeth bi ene- takun of hir. Lo ! Y foondft this, seide 28 S* in df Ecclesiastes, oon and other, that Yschulde [^"fftfJH1 fynde resoun, which"1 my soule sekith ?it;29"esse Lire here. c. ouer ten that is, more than eny power of man. Lire here. c. H in wisdom ; that is, for wisdom to lie getun. it $ede; in my reputacioun. Lire that is, in pu- wlckidly myche; for cruelte is a greet wickid- nesse, and for it makith a man to erre, and to gete to him silf dedly prynces here. c in an hi the body. wit to ech thing. Lire here. c. f sauere E. sauere thou ^GH. ff Om. c. pr. m. e thou not E pr. m. h asai3ede G. R saw3 i passim. t> birthe i. c Ouer myche i. d ther is i. e the wordis i. f and Y i. S lowe i. 11 with i. i to beholde i. k Om. c. ' the which i. m that ,. VII. 30— VIII. 12. ECCLESIASTES. 65 so not. Onli this I fond, that God made man Ti$t ; and he hymself mengde with questiouns with oute ende. Who suchh oon as the wise is? and who kne3 the solucioun of the' wrd ? CAP. VIII. 1 The wisdam of a man Ii3tnethj in the chere of hym ; and the most myjti the 2 face of hym shal chaungen. I the mouth of the king kepe, and hestes and the othis 3 of God. Ne he3e thou to gon awei fro the face of hym, ne abide thou stille in euel were. For al that he wille, he shal 4 do; and the sermoun of hym is ful of power, ne any man mai sey to hym, Whi 5 dost thou thus ? Who kepeth the hest, shal not ben expertk any thing yof euelkk; time and answering the herte of the 6 wise man vnderstant1. To alle nede time ism and couenablenesse ; and myche tor- 7inentyng of a man, that vnknowith the passide thingus, and the11 to comen bi no smessager he may wite. It is not in a mannys power to defende the spirit, ne he hath power in the dai of deth, ne it is suffrid to resten, bataile a3encomende ; ne vnpitousnesse shal saue the vnpitouse. 9 Alle these thingus I beheeld, and 3af myn herte in alle werkis, that ben mad vnder sunnenn. Otherwhile a man lordshipeth to 10 a man, in to his euel. I 333 vnpitous men biried, that alsoo, whan 3it thei liueden, 'in holi place0 weren ; and thei weren preised in the cite, as of ri3twis werkis ; 11 but and this is vanyte. Forsothe for ther is not bro3t forth anoon00 a3en euele men sentence, withoute any drede the i2sones of men werchen eueles. And ner the latere the synnere, of that, that an hundrid sithes he doth euel, and bi pa- and Y foond n not*. I foond o man of * and Y fond a thousynde ; Y° foond not a? womman a * Jerfec- of alle. I foond this oonli, that God made so a man ri3tful ; and he medlide hym silf with questiouns with out noumbre. Who is siche as a wijs man ? and who knowith the expownyngi of a wordf ? The wisdom i of a man schyneth in his cheer ; and the my3tieste schal chaunge his face. a t/iousinde ; that is, ful fewe men ben foundun ver- tuouse in com- :ro vertu, for the noumbre of foolis is greet with wit noum- bre. Y foond not a womman of alle; that "g°vwom" CAP. VIII. I kepe the mouth of the kyngj, and the 2 comaundementis and sweryngis of God. Haste thou not to go aweifi fro his face, 3 ouse, butfor . fewe in com- and dwelle thou not in yuel werk. For parisoun of he schal do al thing, that he wole ; and 4 his word is ful of power, and no man mai seie to hym, Whi doist thou so ? kepith the comaundement of God Vw this lijfr, schal not feele ony8 thing of yuel ; the herte of a wijs man vndurstondith tyme and answer. Tyme and* cesounu is 6 ^^with^ues- to ech werk ; and myche turment is of a tiouns •' that * is, bardnessis man, for he knowith not thingis passid, 7 aboute the get- ... . , , i . ing of siencet and he mai not knowe bi ony messanger thingis to comyngev. It is not in thes power of man to forbede the spirit ||, nethir he hath power in the dai of deth, nethir he is suffrid to haue reste, whanne the batel nei3eth w ; nethir wickidnesse schal sane a wickid man. thes thingis, and Y 3af myn herte in alle werkis, that ben don vndur the sunne. Sum tyme a man is lord of a man, to his yuel*[[. Y si3 wickid men biryed, which, in whanne thei lyueden 3it, weren in hooli place ; and thei weren preisid in the citee, as men of iust werkis ; but also this is vanyte. Forsothe x for the sentence** isn not brou3t forth soone a3ens yuele men, the sones of menff doon yuels with outen /ace'- that is> in the rising He that 5 in ,the chir?he> whanne ful fewe men ben there, in com- parisoun of the multitude that is wont to come and vertues. Who is sich ; that is, so wor- thi to be preisid among men, as a wiys man ; that is, a ver- tuouse man bi vertues and vn- durstonding; he I bihelde alle 9 *$££? liyf and trewe vndurstonding, is ful excelent among men. Lire here. c. . 'tat is, of a pnuy word> seye, noon, no ajen, whanne he schal jyue to him a gloriouse face. Lire here. c. J Y kepe the mouth, etc. ; that is, the comaundement is broujt forth of his mouth, and this is seid in the persoone of a trewe obeiere to God. Lire here. c. § to go awey ; that is, in brekinge his heestis. Lire here. c. || spirit ; that is, his soule, fro goyng out fro the bodi. Lire here. c. ^f to hit yuel ; that is, to the yuel of the Lord, whanne herbi he is reisid ajenus God. Lire here. c. ** the sentence ; of Goddis punyschyng. Lire here. c. tt the sones of men ; that is, that ben nurschid in fleisly lustis, that ben the sones of men, and not of God. Lire here. c. h sechith A. » Om. c pr. m. J lijteth E pr. m. k expert, or feele AEGH. kk Om. c pr. m. 1 vnderstondeth AEH. m Om. A. n the thingis A. tho G. nn the sunne c pr. m. ° Om. c pr, m. 00 Om. c pr. m. " foond it i. o and Y c. P oo Y. 1 soilyng, ether [the is] expomnyng c el ceteri. r Om. i. in his liffa. * of ony c. * eyther s. u leiser, ether cesoun c et celeri. v come i. w nei3eth nij i. * Sothly i. VOL. III. K 66 ECCLESIASTES. vm. 13 2. cience is sustened, I kne3 that ther was good to men dredende God, that reue- isrentli dreden the face of hym. Be ther not good to the vnpitouse, ne be ther aferr longid the dajes of hym ; but as shadewe passe they, that dreden not the 14 face of the Lord. Ther is and an other vanyte, that is don vpP on erthe. Ther ben ri3twis men, to the?? whiche eueles comen forth, as werkes thei diden of vn- pitous men ; and ther ben vnpitous men, that ben so sikir, as tho3i thei hadden the deedis of ri3twis men ; but and this la most veyn I deme. I preisede therfore gladnesse, that ther was not to man good vnder sunne, but that he ete, and drinke, and io3e ; and that onli with hym he take of hisii trauaile, in the da3es of his lif, that God 3af to hym vnder the ie sunne. And I leide to myn herte, that I wite wisdam, and vnderstande distin- cioun, that gothr on erthe. Ther is a man, that da3es and ni3tus slep taketh 17 not to his e3en. And I vnderstod, that of alle the werkis of God, no resoun of them mai a man finde, that ben mad vnder the sunne ; and hou myche more he trauailede to sechen, so myche lasse he shal finde ; also if the wise manrr shal sei hymself to han knowen, he shal not 1 moun finde. Alle these thingus I tretede in myn herte, that I vndirstonde cury- ously. CAP. IX. Ther ben ri3twise and wise men, and the werkis of hem in the bond of God ; and ner the latere a man wot not, whe- 2 ther looue or hate he be wrthi. But alle thingus in to time to come ben kept vncerteyn ; for thi that alle thingus euenli comen to the ri3twis and to the vnpitous, to the goode and to the euele, to the clene and to the vnclene, to the offrende ostis and victorie sacrifises, and to the despisende sacrifises ; as a good man, temporal Pro- ony drede. Netheles of that, that a syn- 12 * Good be not, • . J . etc. ; that :- nere doith yuel? an hundrid sithis, and is suffrid bi pacience, Y knew that good schal2 be to men dredynge God, that re- uerensen his facea. Good be not* to thei3occasiounof multipliyng of wickid man, nethir hise daies be maad synnes. 'Lire longe ; but passe thei as schadewe, that ^ moost veynf dreden not the face of the Lord. Also u that is' moost another vanyte isb, which0 is don on erthe. lust men bend, to whiche6 yuels comen, as if thei diden the werkis of wickid men ; and wickid men benf, that ben so? sikur, as if thei hanh the dedis of iust men ; but ( y mis Y deme also this moost veynt. Therfor 15 '*• etc- ; that * is, lustful h'yf. Y preysid gladnesse j, that no good was to a man vndur the sunne, no' but to ete, vnresonable ; and he spekith here in the persoone of a fleisly man and vnfeithful, that thenkith not on peynes and meedis to com- and drynke, and to be ioiful ; and that he schulde bere awei with hyrn silf oneli this of his trauel, in the daies of his lijf^, whiche to vndurstonde the departing ; aboute the tri- bulacioun of vniust men, and the pros- perite of wickid men. Lire God 3af to hym vndur thek sunne. And 10 ?" Y settide myn herte to knowe wisdom, \ and to vndurstonde the departing, which f0fhistrauei is turned in erthe. A man is, that bi daies «'» the dayes of . , i . his liyf, etc. ; and nrjtis takith not sleep with1 i3en. And 17 of this it is Y vndurstood, that of allem the werkis of d'n spekith God, a man may fynde no resoun of tho ^™ ^ thingis, that ben don vndur the sunne ; ™an; .that, thenkith of and in as myche as he traueilith more to present liyf i . ii i i •• j i onely. And Y seke, bi so myche he schal rynde Jesse ; 3he, thou3 a wijs man seith" that he knowith, he schal not mow fynde. CAP. IX. |fl tretide alle these thingis in myn herte, i to vndirstonde diligentli. lust men, and wise men0 benP, and her werkis ben in the bond of God ; and netheles a man noofi, whether he isr worthi of loue or8 of ha- trede'^f. But alle thingis ben kept vncer-2 teyn in to tymeu to comynge ; for alle thingis bifallen euenli to a iust man and to a wickid man, to a good man and to an yuel man, to a cleene man and to an vnclene man, to a man offrynge offryngis and sacrifices, and to a man dispisynge settide myn herte, etc.; this, that God suf- frith iust men to be set in tri- bulacioun in present liyf, and vniust men to haue pro- sperite, per- teyneth to the iust domes of God, hut priuy to vs ; and therfor siche thingis owen not to be soujt chosnn men ; wherfor God schal be glorified in alle thingis, and it is worthi to obeye to hise comaundementis. Lire here. c. the ix. c°; in Enreu. Lire here. e. H ether of hatrede ; of God. Lire here, c. P Om. c pr. m. PP Om..e pr. m. 1 thof E passim. 11 al his E pr. m* r gon c pr. m. rr Om. AGH. J yuelis M. z it shal i. a face or presence i. b ther is i. c that i. d ther ben i. e whom i. f ther ben i. S as i. b hadden I. >' Om. i. k Om. i. 1 with his i. m Om. c. n sey i. ° Om. s. P ther bea i. <!. woot not i. not s pr.,m. wot not s sec. m. r be i.. s ether ceteri. * hate M. B the tyme c. knowe in ge- neral, bi feith and hooly scripture, that siche thingis that bifallen here, be ordeyn- ed bi Goddis wisdom, to the glorie of him, and also of Here bigynneth IX. 3 — 1 ECCLESIASTES. so and a synnere ; as a forsworn, so and she that soth swerth. This is the werste among alle thingis, that vnder the sunne ben don, for the same thingus to alle men fallen ; wherfore and the hertes of the sonus of men ben fulfild with malice and with dispising in ther lif; and aftir these8 to helle thei shul ben bn>3t doun. 4 No man is, that euermor liue, and that of this thing haue trost ; betere is a quyc sdogge thanne a leoun dead. Lyuende men forsothe witen themself to be to dien ; deade forsothe no thing knewen more, ne han ouer meede ; for to for- 63eting taken is the mynde of hem. Looue also, and hate, and enuyes togidere per- sheden ; and thei han not part in this world, and in the werk that vnder the 7 sunne is don. Go thanne, and ett in gladnesse thi bred, and drinc with 1030 thi win ; for to God plesen thi werkis. s Alle times be thi clothis white, and oile 9 fro thin bed faile not. Parfitli vse lif with the wif that thou loouest, alle the da3es of thi lif of thin vnstablenesse, that ben 3yue to thee vnder sunne4, al the time of thi vanyte ; this is forsothe part in lif, and in thi trauaile, that thou ictrauailist vnder sunne4. What euere thing mai thin bond don, besili were ; for nouther were, ne resoun, ne wisdam, ne kunriyng is anent helle, whider thou ugost. I turnede me to an other thing, and" I 533 vnder sunne neither cours to ben of swifte men, ne bataile of stronge men, ne bred of wise men, ne richesses of ta3t men, ne grace offcraftis men; but 12 time and chauns in alle thingus. A man wot not his ende ; but as fisshis ben take with the hoc, and as briddes benv ca3t with the grene, so beri taken men in euel * betere it a It?., lyoun yuele men, that is, a quyk syn- nere is of betere condicioun than a deed synnere, for he that lyueth good, her mynde is jouun God, for he penaunce.thouj they ben in his mynde to pu- nysche hem, and they know- en no thing, sacrifices ; as a good man, so and a syn- nere ; as a forsworun man, sov andw he that greetli swerith treuthe. This things is the worste among alle thingis, that ben don vndur the sunne, that the same thingis bifallen to alle men ; wherfor and the hertis of the sones of men ben fillid with malice and* dispisyng in her lijf ; and aftir these thingis thei schulen be led doun to? hellis. No man is", that lyueth euere, and that 4 hath trist of this thing ; betere is a quik dogge* than a deed lioun. For thei that 5 lyuen witen that thei schulen die ; but deed men knowen no thing more, nether han meede ferthere ; for her mynde is 3ouun to for3etyng. Also the loue, ande hatrede, and enuye perischiden togidere ; and thei han no partf in this world, and in the werk that is don vndur thea sunne. . Lire here. c. Therfor go thou, mst man, and ete thi 7 \andtheihm breed in gladnesse, and drynke thi wiyn with ioie ; for thi werkis plesen God. In 8 ech tyme thi clothis be whitej, and oile faile not fro thin heed. Vse thou lijf with thea wijf which thou louest, in alle theb daies of lijfc of thin vnstablenesse, that ben 3ouun to thee vndur sunned, in al the tyme of thi vanyte ; for this is thi part in thi lijf and trauel, bi which thou tra- uelist vndur the sunne. Worche thou 10 ^ ; , bisili^, what euer thing thin bond mai do ; for nether werk, nether resoun, nethire kun- vndurstonding, nyng, nether6 wisdom schulen be at hellis, which is heed in the myjtis of whidir thou haastist. I turnede me toiithesouie; that another thing, and Y si3 vndur sunne, that rennyng is not of swift men, nethir batel is of stronge men, nether breed is of wise men, nether richessis ben of techeris, nef grace is of crafti men ; but tyme and hap is in alle thingis||. A man knowith not 12'* his ende ; but as fischis ben takun with """"to* .tho"3 they knowen many °there thingis. thaisin suf- aimes whiche quyke dede men ; al this profitith not to hem that dien out of charite. Lire here. c. J thi clothis be white ; that is, thi liyf be hooly that i drawe not his grace fro thee. with the wiyf which thou louest ; tliat is, with the wis- go°d "»".<*«• ith this wisdom to be his wiyf, as it is seid in viii. c°. of Wisdom, in the dayes ofliyfofthyn vnstableness ; that is, of present liyf, which is vnstable, and owith to be spendid in the ocnpacioun of Goddis lawe. this is thi part, etc. ; that is, thou schalt here these thingis with thee fro present liyf, and not temporal goodis. Lire here. c. 5 Worche thou bisili, etc. ; that is, as myche as thou maist, do thou bisili meedeful werkis. Lire here. c. || hap is in alle thingis ; that is, vncerteynte, that owith refreyne a man fro pride. Lire here. c. 8 Om. c pr. m. * the sunne c pr. m. u that A. v Om. c pr. m. » rijt so i. w Om. i. * and with i. y in to c. * ther is i. » Om. I. b Om. celeri. c the lijf I. the sunne cosa. e ne i. f nether celeri. K 2 68 ECCLESIASTES. IX. 13— X. 9. an hook, and as briddis ben takun with * in yuel tyme; • 1 4. * thSt '8> 'n thC a snare, so men ben takun in yuel tyme*, tyme of deth, whanne it cometh sudeynli on hem. Alsois^'^6'^™ Ysi3 thiss wisdom vridur the sunne, and ^Alitaeitee> Y preuede it the mooste. A litil citeef, 14 etc. ; this my3te be doon to the and ah fewe men ther ynne ; a greet kyng lettre, as a wiys . , ., ... ,. womman sau- cam a3ens it, and cumpassioe it with palis, yde the citee expownen this comynli of Crist and hooly chirche ; bi the citee is vndur- and he bildide1 strengthisk bi cumpas ; and1 bisegyngwas maad perfitm. And a pore is ^ docwilli man and a wijs was foundun ther ynne ; and he delyuerede the citee bi his wisdom, and no man bithou3te aftirward on that pore man. And Y seide, that wisdom is betere than strengthe ; hou therfor is the wisdom of a pore man dispisid, and hise wordis ben not herd ? The wordis of wise men ben herd in silence, more than the cry of a prince among foolis. kyng biseginge it, is the deuel and his malice ; Crist, that ledde a pore liyf, and as myche as per- teyiieth to him, he bi his wis- dom delyueride mple fro time, whan to them sodeynli it cometh isouer. This also vnder sunne I sa3 wis- 14 dam, and prouede the moste. A litil cite, and fewe men in it ; ther cam a3en it a gret king, and besegede it, and made out strengthis bi enuyroun ; and ful mad is 15 the sege. And ther is founden in it a pore man and a wis ; he delyuerede the cite bi his wisdam, and no man therafter icrecordede of that pore man. And I seide, betere to ben wisdam than strengthe ; what maner thanne the wisdam of the pore man is despisid, and the wrdis of 17 hym ben not herd ? The wrdis of wise men ben herd in silence, more than the iscri of a prince among foolis. Betere is wisdam than armes for bataile ; and who in oon shal synnen, many goodis shal leese. CAP. X. i Fle3is diende leesen the swotnesse of the oynement. More precious is wisdam s and litil glorie at tyme, than folie. The herte of the wise man in the ri3thalf of hyrn ; and the herte of the fool in the slifthalf of hym. But and in the weie a fool goende, whan he be an vnwis man, 4alle foolis eymeth. If the spirit of the hauende power ste3e vp vp on thee, thi place ne lefe thou ; for kuring maketh to scese most synnes. Ther is euel, that I 533 vnder the sunne, as bi errour goende 6 out fro the face of the prince ; a fool set in hee3 dignete, and riche men to seete 7 benethe. I 533 seruauntis in hors, and princes goende as seruauns vp on erthe. a Who delueth a dich, fallith in to it ; and who scatereth the hegg, shal biten hym uthe shadewe eddere. Who berth ouer stones, shal be tormentid in hem ; and that distrieth an heffffe^T. He that berith 9 wisdom and glorie, which wisdom and glorie to be vile ofte in a famouse persoone. Lire here. c. Netheles oure Latyn lettre is thus, wisdom and litil glorie is preciousere § // the spirit ; that is, the violent stiring. of him that hath power ; that is, of the fostring of synne, ether of the fend. i thee i m hurhnge ether stiringe thee violently to synne. forsake thou not thi place ; that is, stidefastnesse of vertu. and heeling ; that is, itondmg a3enus temptaciouns, which is seid helthe of soule, schal make moste synnes to ceesse. Lire here. c. || an addre • that is, the deuel. Lire here. c. H an hegge ; that is, the lore of oneste, taujt of wise men. Lire here. c. CAP. X. Betere is wisdom than armuris of batel ; and he that synneth in o thingj, schal leese many goodis. Flies 'that dien, leesen11 1 on that P°re man ; that is, the swetnesse of oynement. Litil0 foli at f«i fewe ben „ , , . , , kynde in com- a? tyme is preciouserei than wisdom and parisoun of glorie. The herte of a wijs man is in his 2 Ind^hfsev™!n> ri3t side ; and the herte of a fool is in his kyndenesse * cometh of foly. left side. But also a fool sroynffe in the 3 Lire h«r«- c. , . .. & ... ,, I that synneth weie, whanne he is vnwijs, gessith alle mo thing, etc.; men foolis. If the spirit^ of hym, that 4 synne aithey hath power, stieth onr thee, forsake thou not thi place; for heeling8 schal make gretteste synnes to ceesse. An yuel is1, 5 which" Y si3 vndur the sunne, and goithv out as bi errour fro the face of the prince; a fool set in hi3 dignyte, and riche menc sitte bynethe. I si3 seruauntis on horsis, 7 teuyere than _ . wisdom and and princes as seruauntis goynge on the glorie, that is, a erthe. He that diggith a diche, schal falles in to it ; and an eddre|| schal bite hym, hee!p of me- ntis biforgo- inge is lost. Litil foly at a tyme, etc. ; this lettre must be takun thus bi the Ebreu, where it is thus, is mf9m-C- , Om' ce(en- l bildide it with c. k strengthis, ether engyns c et ceteri. » diynge fordon i. o A litil r> p sum , q more precious , r „ n r heelyng c et plures. curyng, or takyng hede i. * ther is i. * that i. v govnge i 1 and the i. K ether X. TO XI. 2. ECCLESIASTES. 69 who hewith trees, shal be woundid of 10 hem. If a3een smytenv were the iren, and that not as bifore, but were bluntid, with myche trauaile shall be whettid out ; and aftir the besynesse shal folewe nwisdam. If the eddere bijte in silence, no thing lasse than he hath, that priueli 12 bacbiteth. Thew wrdis of the wise mouth grace ; and the lippis of the vnwise shuln isstumblen hym doun. The bigynnyng of the wrdis of hym folie ; and the last thing u of the mouth of hym werst errour. A fool multeplieth wrdes ; a man vnknowith what beforn hym was, and what after is to come, who to hym shal moun I5shewe? The labour of foolys shal tor- menten hem, that kunnen not in to the 16 cite gon. Wo to thee, thou lond, whos king is a child, and whos princes erli 17 eten. Blisful the lond, whos king is noble ; and whos princes eten in therx is time, to filleny, and not to leccherie. In slouthis shal be mekid the ioynyng of sparres ; and in infirmytez of hondis the ishous shal droppe thurj. In k^hing thei make bred and wyn, that* thei etc drink- ende ; and to monee obeshen alle thingus. 20 In thi thenking ne bacbite thou to the king, and in the priuyte of thi bed, ne curse thou to the riche man ; for and the foulis of heuene shuln bern thi vois, and that hath federes, shal telle out sen- tence. ouer stoonys, schal be turmentid in tho ; * that and he that kittith trees *, schal be woundid of tho. If yrun is foldid a3en, 10 S and thisw is not as bifore, but is maad of suffre peynng blunt, it schal be maad scharp with ofsouie. Lire myche trauel ; and wisdom schal sue aftir t aftir bisynessef . If a serpent bitith, it* bitith \\ in silence ; he that bacbitith priueli, hath no thing lesse than it. The word is of the 12 a/tir myche di- 0 . ligense to reky- mouth of a wijs man ts? grace; and the ,. . ,. .. , T lippis of an vnwijs man schulen caste hym doun. The bigynnyng of &»* wordis is foli ; and the laste thing of his mouth is the worste errour. A fool u Mhoide the dedis of wise multiplieth wordis ; a man nootz, what menbiforgoinge. , . ~ i , i . t llnil that schal was; bifore hym, and who mai schewe come, etc.; that .to hym that, that schal come aftir hym? here. c. The trauel of foolis shal turment hem, 15 the fool is not worthi to sich Lire here. c. in to the citee; and yuele con- diuoun ; for that kunnen not go in to the citee. Lond, i wo to thee, whos kyng is a child, and whose princes eten eerli. Blessid is the i lond, whos kyng is noble ; and whose princis eten in her tyme, to susteyne the8 kynde, and not to wasteb. The hi3nesseiaherbisugetis of housis schal be maad low in slouthis ; and ^ces°ben' and the hpus schal droppe^ in the feble- manifold, eten nesse of hondis. In Iei3yng thei dis- 19 eer*' j. ,thatjj!> •** out of du ordre. posenll breed and wyn, that thei drynk- >s noble; that . . is, in vertues ynge ete largeli; and alle thmgis obeien andkyn. Lire to monei^[. In thi thou3t bacbite thou 20 < /»>«>« not the kyng, and in the priuete of thi bed, curse thou not a riche man ; for the CAP. XI. i Send thi bred vp on men passende watris, for after manye times thou shalt 2finden it. 3if partis seuene, and also ei3te; for thou knowist not, what be to schal droppe, etc. ; that is, in the slouthe of hondis fro goode werkis. Lire here. c. || In lei^ing thei disposyn, etc. ; that is, vnco- uenable myrthe. Lire here. c. 5[ obeien to mo- ii i'!l ; that is, for thei han ' briddis** of heuene schulen bere thi vois, and he that hath pennysf f , schal telle the sentence. CAP. XI. Sende thi breed on watris \\ passyngei forth, for aftir many tymes thou schalt fynde it. 3yue thou partis seuene§§, and 2 also ei3te ; for thou woost not, what yuel therfor thei distrien doom for the jiftis of riche men. Lire here. c. ** the briddis, etc.; that is, telleris of wordis. schulen bere thi vois ; to thyn accusing. Lire here. c. ft he that hath pennes ; that is, a swift tellere of wordis. schal telle the sentence ; that is, thi wordis, to thi dampnyng ; ether bi him that hath pennes, is vndurstondun an yuel iuge, which is ouer swift to brynge forth hard sentence ajenus symple men spekinge lijtli. Lire here. c. JJ Sende thi breed on watris ; that is, iyue thou mete and drinke to nedi men. fynde it ; in resseyiiynge meede in tyme to comynge, and sum tyme in present liyf. Lire here. c. {§ 3y«« thou partis vii. etc.; that is, jyue thou largeli of thi goodis to nedy men. yuel schal come on erthe ; that is, in present liyf, and thou maist be delyuerid therfro bi werkis of pyttee jouun to nedi men. if a tre fallith doun to the south; that is, if a man dieth, and goith to the part of chosun men. ether to the north; that is, to the part of repreuable men. there it schal be; that is, vn- chaungably ; and therfor in present liyf a man owith to be bisi aboute the werkis of pitee, as myche as he may disserue. Lire here. c. bluntid E pr. m. w In the A, * Om. A. J fulfillen AGH. z infirmytes c. " and A+ * it l. * he I. J ben i. * wot not i. a her l. b lecchcrie A sec. m. marg. i. 70 ECCLESIASTES. XI. 3 — XII. 2. scomen of euelis vp on erthe. If the cloudis weren fulfild, weder vp on erthe thei shul heelden out ; if the tree shul falle to the south, or to the north, in what euere place it shul falle, there it 4 shal be. Who waiteth wind, sowith not ; and who biholdith cloudis, neuermore 5 shal repe. What maner wise thou know- est not, what be the weie of the spirit, and bi what resoun bones ben ioyned in the wombe of the womman with childe, so thou wost not the werkes of God, that 6 is forgere of alle thingus. Erli sowe thi seed, and at eueb ne cese thin bond ; for thou wost neuer, whiche more growe, this or that ; and if either togidere, the' 7 betere shal be. Sweete the tree, and de- slitable is to e3en to seen the sunne. If manye 3eres a "man lyuede, and in alle these thingus were glad, he owith to ban mynde of the derke tyme, and of many da3es ; the whiche whan thei shul come, of vanyte shul ben vndernomen the pass- oed tymes. Thanne glade thou, 3unge man, in thi waxende age, and in good be thin herte in the da3es of thi 3outhe, and go in the weies of thin herte, and in the si3te of thin e3en ; and wite thou, that for alle these thingus God shal lobringe thee in to dom. Do awei wrathe fro thin herte, and put awei malice fro thi flesh ; forsothe waxende age and vo- luptuouste ben veyn. CAP. XII. i Haue mynde of thi creatour in the da3is of thi 3outhe, and er timed come of tormenting, and ne3hen the 3eres, of the whiche thou seye, Thei plesen not to me. aEr the sunne waxe derc, and Ii3t, and6 sterres, and moonef; and the cloudis schal come on erthe. If cloudis ben fill- 3 ed, thoc schulen schede out reyn on the erthe ; if a tre fallith doun to the south, ether to the north, in what euer place it fallith doun, there it schal be. He that 4 aspieth the wynd*, sowith not ; and he that biholdith the cloudis, schal neuere repe. As thou knowist not, which is the 5 weye of the spirit, and bi what resoun boonys ben ioyned togidere in the wombe of a womman with childe, so thou know- ist not the werkis of God, which is makere of alle thingis. Eerli sowef thi seed, and e thin bond ceesse not in the euentid ; for thou woost not, what schal come forth ;c more, this ethir that ; and if euer eithir * He that aspi- eth the wynd ; that is, dilayeth to sowe, for the wynd, and di- layeth to repe, for the schew- ing of cloudis, so thei that ahiden an ablere tyme and lengthe of liyf, tfpj^f- Lire t Eerii sowe, CtC- «' thSt 'S> bigynne thou cee>senot; to do werkis of pitee. in the euentid; that is, eeide, wher- eof* forth togidere, it schal be the betere. The Ii3t is sweet, and delitable? hard- <A»« woost not what to the i3en to se the sunne. If a mans schai come forth , . , j • ii more; lyueth many 3eens, and is glad in alle schai that is, these, he owith to haue mynde of derk TG^^ tyme:]:, and of many daies; and whanne tho ttmUs'Tac!*' schulen come, thineris passidS schulen be ceptabietoGod. the betere ; bi repreued of vanyte. Therfor, thou 3onge 9 the fruyt of man, be glad|| in thi 3ongthe, and thin herte be in good6 in the daies of thi 3ongthe, and go thou in the weies^[ of thin herte, and in the biholdyng of thin i3en ; arid wite thou, that for alle these thingis God shal brynge thee in to doom. Do thou awei ire fro thin herte, and remoue thou malice** fro thi fleisch ; for whi meede. Lire here. c. J of derk tyme; that is, of deth. of many daies ; that is, of tyme, that hath noon ende after deth. Lire here. c. jongthe and lust ben veyne thingis. CAP. XII. litable thingis of this liyf, that passiden as schadewe. Lire here. c. || thou ;<"i.'/ man, be glad, etc.; Ebreys seyen, that this Haue thou mynde on thi creatourff ini '» seidby scorn, • and this semeth the daies of thi 3ongthe, bifore that the tyme of thi turment come, and the 3eris of thi deth neiye, of whichef thou schalt seie, Tho plesen not me£. 'Haue thou 2 mynde on thi creatour*, bifor that the that is, in su- Lire here. c. f go thou in the . wille. btholdtng ynge the styr- mg of coueitise. Lire here. c. •• remoue thou malice; that is, lecherie. jongthe and lust; that is, jongthe sekinge veniaunce, and lust hauntmge lecchery, passen awey soone, and leden to an yuel ende. Lire here. c. ft thi creatour; that is, God, that made thee of noujt to his ymage and licnesse. Lire here. c. euen AGH. c Om. AEGH. d the tyme A. « Om. A. f the mone AH. thei i. a come I. e goodnes CFGiKMNQHSxa9. f the which i. g to me i. h Om. i. xn. 3 — 13. ECCLESIASTES. 71 * after reyn; that is, aftir the is, ijen, keperig of the body, lii- gynnen to faile, and to be dullid. and strongeste men ; that is, hipis and leggis. andseeris; that is, ijen, set bi- twixe the holts of the heed, the doris in the thingis 5 Sse^the pleyn place of the face. Lire here. c. •\voisofabrid; that is, the cok. doutfris of sony; that is, ct-ris, that deliten in melodie. c. be aferd in part of soule, and the lowen sturnen a3een after reyn. Whan shul be moued the keperes of the hous, and the most strong men wageren ; and idil shuln ben the wyrnmen grindende in a litil noumbre, and seende bi holes shul 4 waxe derc ; and closen the dores in the strete, in the meknesse of the vois of hir grindende ; and thei shul rise at the vois of the brid, and alle the do3tris of the a song shul become doumb. He3e thingus also shul dreden, and quaken in the weie ; the alinaunder shal flouren, and the locust shal be mad fat, and the erbe caperis shal be scatered ; for a man shal gon in to the hous of his euerlasting- nesse, and men weilende shul gon aboute 6 in the strete. Er be to-broke the sil- ueren corde, and a3een come the goldene filet, and the stene be to-brosid vp on the welle, and to-broke be the wheel vp 7 on the cisterne ; and pouder turne a3een in to his erthe, whenes he was, and the a spirit go a3een to God, that 3af it. Va- nyte of vanytes, seide Eclesiastes, va- nyte of vanytes, and alle thingus vanyte. 9 And whan Eclesiastes was most wis, he ta3te the puple, and tolde out what 'he iohadde£ do, and enserchende made manye parablis ; he so3te profitable wrdis, and wrot most ri}t sermounes, arid ful of iitreuthe. The wrdis of wise men as prickes, and as nailes in to hei3te pi3t, that bi the counseilesh of maistris ben i23iuen of oon' shepperde. More than these, sone rnyn, ne seche thou ; of making manye bokis is noon ende, and ofte bethenking is tormenting of the is flesh. Eende of speking alle heere wee togidere. Dred God, and his hestis uuuu cuut u nj man.c mau^ uwn.m, aim ,,„ , that is, on the ioynyng togi- dere of othere membris on the herte. the sisterne ; that is, the heed on the herte. and dust; that is, the body. Lire here, c. f Ecclesiasles was most wiys ; that is, Salomon was wiseste of alle men of his tyme. Lire here. c. ** o schepparde; that is, God, that rulith and feedith alle thingis. Lire here. c. ft maistris ; that is, of the persoones in Trynyte, ether of hooli aungels. seke thou nomore than these ; that is, than the bokis of hooli scripture; netheles herbi ben not excludid othere bokis, that ben nedeful to the vndurstonding of hooly scripture, but oneli tho bokis that ben not nedeful to helthe ; of whiche bokis it sueth, noon ende is to make many bokis, for newe hardnessis risen euere in siche thingis. ofte thenking ; aboute aich thingis. ii turment of Jleisch; that is, makith turment of fleisch, and is with out profit, sithen it is of thingis that ben not nedeful to helthe, and lettith the knowing of nedeful thingis; therfor a man owith with alle myjtis and bisynessis jyue tent to tho thingis that ben nedeful to the helthe of soule. Lire here. c. sunne be derk, and the Ii3t, and sterrys, and the mone; and1 cloudek turne a3en after reyn*. Whanne the keperis of the 3 hous schulen1 be mouyd, and strongeste men schulen tremble ; and grynderis schu- len be idel, whanne the noumbre schal be maad lesse, and seeris bi the hoolis schulen wexe derk ; and schulen close the doris 4 in the street, in the lownesse of vois of a gryndere ; and thei schulen rise at the vois of a bridf, and alle the dou3tris of song schulen wexe deef. And h schulen drede, and schulen be aferd in the weie:]: ; anm alemaunde tre schal floure, a locuste schal be maad fat, and capparis^ schal be distried ; for a man schal go in to the hous of his euerlastyngnesse, and weileris schulen go aboute in the 0 . the weie ; that street. Haue thou mynde on thi creatour,s is, the byfore that a siluerne roop|| be brokun, and a goldun lace renne a3en, and a watir pot be al to-brokun on the welle, and a wheele be brokun togidere on the cisterne ; and 7 dust turne a3en in to his erthe, wherof it was, and the spirit turneP 33611 to God, that 3af it. The vanyte of vanytees, seide 8 Ecclesiastes, the vanyte of vanytees, and * * locuste; that is, alle thingis ben vanyte. And whanne 9 the wombe. ... capparis ; that Ecclesiastes was moost wijs^f, he tau3te ;s, coueitise of the puple, and he telde out the thingis whiche he dide, and he sou3te out wisdom, 10 and made many parablis ; he sou3te pro- fitable wordis, and he wroot moost i^tful wordis, and ful of treuthe. The wordis n _ of wise men ben as prickis, and as uailis j! " t'^atls fastned deepe, whichei ben 3ouun of o fading in the ' bodi lyuynge, scheepherde** bi the counsels of maistrisf f . be brokun u deth. a goldun My sone, seke thou no more than these ; 1-2 iaee ,• thatis, noon ende isr to make many bookis, and the bodi ; for alle men dreden kyndly the deth neijinge, and to go out of the weye of present livf. an ale- *""»> <«en to present liyf. Lire here. c. K it shulde E pr. m. k counseile AGH. ' Om. A, 1 and the EPH. k cloudis ceteri. 1 Om. s. m and an c. P go CEFOHiKMNPQRSuxa. <l the whiche i. * ther is I. ECCLESIASTES. XII. 14. u kep ; that is, eche man. Alle thingus that benk mad, he shal bringe in to dom ; for eche errid thing, whether good or euel it be. ofte thenkyng is turment of fleisch. Alle 13 we here togydere the ende of spekyng. Drede thou God, and kepe hise heestis ; 'that is to seie, ech man8*. God schalu brynge alle thingis in to dom, that ben don ; for ech thing don bi errour, whether it be good, ether4 yuel. Here endith Ecclesiastes, and here Here endith Ecclesiastes, and here bigynneth the book, that is clepid bigynneth the Song of Songis11. Soongis of Soongis, of the bridalis of Crist and of the Chirche1. k he A. l From A. Explicit E. Explicit Ecclesiastes, GH. No final rubric in c. 8 this is, al man coeKMNQsuxa. this is, eueri man EP. that is to mite, euery man i. this al man H. * or i passim, sa. ™ Here endith the book of Ecclesiastes, and here bygynneth the book of Songii. F. Here endith Ecclesiastes, and bygynneth the prolog on Song of Songis. G. Heere endith Ecclesiastes, and bigynneth Song of Songis. isxa. flere endeth the booc of Ecclesiastes; se now the book of Song of Songis. K. Here endith the book of Ecclesiastes, and here bigynneth the book of Song of Songis, that tveren maad of Salomon, to be sungen in the temple of the Lord, in to euerlastinge tvurschiping, and nedith noon other prologe. M. Here