fol. 148r¶ Verba Translatoristextual note 1Words of the Translator
O yee folkes harde-hertid as a stone,
Wich to thetextual note 2 worlde havetextual note 3 al your advertence,attention
Liche as it shulde laste evere in oone —Like always the same
Where is your witt, wher is your providencewit preparation for the future
line5To setextual note 4 aforntextual note 5 the sodeine violencein advance sudden
Oftextual note 6 cruel Dethe, that bentextual note 7 so wis and sage,prudent
Wiche sleeth, allas, by stroke of pestilence
Bothe yong and olde,textual note 8 of lowe and hytextual note 9 parage?parentage
Deeth sparith nottextual note 10 lowe ne hytextual note 11 degré.status
line10Popes,textual note 12 kynges, ne worthy emperourstextual note 13 —
Whan theitextual note 14 shyne most in felicité,textual note 15prosperity
He can abate the fresshnes of her flours,textual note 16their flowers
Thetextual note 17 bright sonne clipsen with his shours,textual note 18eclipse its showers
Maketextual note 19 hem plunge from hertextual note 20 sees lowe.fall low from their high positions
line15Magré the myght of alle these conquerours,In spite of
Fortune hath hem from her whele ythrowe.themthrown
Considerith this,textual note 21 ye folkes that bentextual note 22 wys,are wise
And it enprentithtextual note 23 in youre memorial,imprint memory
Like the exawmpletextual note 24 wiche that at Parysexplanatory note 1Paris
line20I fonde depict oones intextual note 25 a walonce
Ful notably,textual note 26 as I reherce shal:as I will tell
Ther, of Frensshe clerkis takyngtextual note 27 aqueintaunce,French clerics making
I toke on me to translatyntextual note 28 al,
Oute of the Frensshe, Machabres Daunce.textual note 29textual note 30
fol. 148vBy whostextual note 31 avystextual note 32 and counceil atte the leste,textual note 33advice and counsel at last
line26Thorughtextual note 34 her steryngtextual note 35 and hertextual note 36 mocioun,guidance suggestion
I obeide unto hertextual note 37 requeste,their
Therof to make a playntextual note 38 translaciouncomplete translation
In Englissh tonge, of entenciounfootnote
line30That proude folkes, wiche that bentextual note 39 stout and bold,valiant
As in a mirrour toforntextual note 40 intextual note 41 her resounbefore
Hertextual note 42 ougly fine may cleerlytextual note 43 ther bihold,Their ugly end
Bytextual note 44 exaumpletextual note 45 that thei in hertextual note 46 ententistheir intentions
Amende hertextual note 47 lif in every maner age.every stage of their life
line35The wiche Daunce at Seint Innocentisexplanatory note 2
Portreiedtextual note 48 is with al the surplusagetextual note 49with all the rest
To shewe this worlde is but a pilgrimage
Yeventextual note 50 unto us our lyvestextual note 51 to correcte.Given
And to declaretextual note 52 the fyne of oure passagerelate outcome journey
line40Right anoon my stile I willetextual note 53 directe.stylus
¶ Verba AuctorisWords of the Author
O creatures ye that bentextual note 54 resonablewho are reasonable
The liif desiringtextual note 55 wiche istextual note 56 eternal,
Ye may setextual note 57 here doctrine ful notable,see
Youre lif to lede wich that is mortal,
line45Therby to lerne in especialin particular
Howe ye shultextual note 58 trace the Daunce of Machabre,follow
To man and womman yliche natural,alike
For deth ne spareth hy netextual note 59 lowe degré.does not spare
In this mirrourexplanatory note 3 every wight may findeperson
line50That him bihoveth to gootextual note 60 upon this daunce.That he must go
Who goth toforntextual note 61 or who shal goo behinde,goes first
Al dependith in Goddis ordinaunce.God’s plan
Wherfore echetextual note 62 man lowlytextual note 63 take his chaunce;humbly
Deeth spareth nottextual note 64 pore ne blood royal.textual note 65
line55Echetextual note 66 man therfore have in remembraunce:
Of otextual note 67 mater God hath forged al.footnotetextual note 68
fol. 149r¶ Deeth to the Popetextual note 69
O yeetextual note 70 that bentextual note 71 set most hie in dignitétextual note 72
Of alle estatistextual note 73 in erthe spiritual,footnote
And like as Petir had the soverenitéexplanatory note 4textual note 74
line60Overe the chirche and statis temporal:footnote
Upon this daunce ye firstetextual note 75 bigyn shal,
As moste worthy lorde and governour,
For al the worship of youre astate papalhigh esteem papal estate
And of lordshiptextual note 76 to God is the honour.textual note 77dominion
¶ The Pope aunswerith
line65Firsttextual note 78 me bihoveth this daunce for to ledeit is proper for me
Wich sat in erthe hiest in my see —Who seat of authority
The state ful perilloustextual note 79 hotextual note 80 so takith hede
To occupie Petris dignitétextual note 81 —footnote
But al fortextual note 82 that Deth I may not fle,
line70On his daunce with othertextual note 83 for to trace,to follow
For wich al honour,textual note 84 whotextual note 85 prudentlytextual note 86 can se,
Is litel worth that dothetextual note 87 so sone pace.so soon pass [away]
¶ Deeth to the Emperour
Sir Emperour, lorde of al the ground,earth
Soverein prince and hiest of noblesse:preeminent nobility
line75Ye musttextual note 88 forsake of golde yourtextual note 89 appil round,explanatory note 5
Septre and swerd and al youre hy prowesse.Scepter sword martial deeds
Behindetextual note 90 leve your tresour and ricchesse,textual note 91
And with othir to my daunce obeie.obey
Ageintextual note 92 my myght is worthtextual note 93 noon hardinesse;Against no valor
line80Adamistextual note 94 children alle thei mostentextual note 95 deie.Adam’s children (i.e., humanity) must
¶ The Emperour answerith
I nottextual note 96 to whom that I maytextual note 97 apeleknow not appeal
TouchingDeth wiche doth me so constreine.Concerning compel
Ther is no geintextual note 98 to helpe my querele,aid complaint
But spade and pikois my grave to ateyne,pickaxe reach
line85A simple shete — ther is no more to seyne —explanatory note 6to say
To wrappe in my body and visage,textual note 99face
Therupon sore I may compleinetextual note 100fervently
That lordis grete havetextual note 101 liteltextual note 102 avauntage.advantage
fol. 149v¶ Deeth to the Cardinal
Ye bentextual note 103 abaisshid, it semeth, and in dredeupset full of dread
line90Sir Cardinal — it shewithtextual note 104 bytextual note 105 youre chere —expression
But yit forthy ye folowe shulletextual note 106 in dedeyou shall follow forth in death
With othir folke my daunce for to lere.to learn
Youre grete aray al shal bileventextual note 107 here,fine clothingshall be left
Youre hatte of reed,explanatory note 7 youre vesture of grete cost.red hat [ecclesiastical] garment
line95Alle these thingis rekenydtextual note 108 wele yfere:footnotetextual note 109
In greet honourtextual note 110 good avis is lost.judgment
¶ The Cardinal answerith
I have grete cause — certis this is no faille —certainly mistake
To bentextual note 111 abaisshid and greetlytextual note 112 drede me,upset to have great dread
Sithentextual note 113Deeth is come me sodeinly to assaille,Because to attack me suddenly
line100That I shal nevere heraftir clothed betextual note 114
In grys netextual note 115 ermyn like to my degré,textual note 116gray fur (possibly squirrel) ermine
Mytextual note 117 hatte of reed leve eke in distresse,leave also
By wiche I have lernedtextual note 118 wel and see
Howe that altextual note 119 joie endith in hevynesse.sorrow
¶ Deeth to the Kyng
line105O noble kyng, moste worthi of renoun,renown
Come forthe anone for al youre worthinesse,at once nobility
That somtyme hadtextual note 120 aboute yow envirountextual note 121on all sides
Greet rialté and passing hy noblesse.royalty very high nobility
But right anoone al youre gretetextual note 122 hynestextual note 123immediately great status
line110Sool fro youre men in hast ye shultextual note 124 it lete.footnote
Who moste aboundith here in greet ricchesabounds
Shal bere with hym but a sengle shete.explanatory note 8
¶ The Kynge answerith
I have not lernyd here aforntextual note 125 to daunceheretofore
No daunce in soothtextual note 126 of footyngtextual note 127 so savage,in truth frenzied
line115Wherfore I see by clere demonstraunce:by clear proof
What pride is worth force ortextual note 128 hy lynage?power noble birth
Deeth al fordothe — this is his usage —destroys practice
Greettextual note 129 and smale that in this worlde sojourne.
Whotextual note 130 is most meke I hold he istextual note 131 most sage,meek wise
line120For wetextual note 132 shal al to dede asshestextual note 133 tourne.
fol. 150r¶ Deeth to the Patriarke
Sir Patriarke,explanatory note 9 alletextual note 134 youre humble chereattitude
Ne quitetextual note 135 yow not, netextual note 136 youre humilité.Do not acquit you
Youre double crosse of gold and stones clere,explanatory note 10double cross
Youre power hoole, and al youre dignitétextual note 137whole rank
line125Some othir shal of verrey equitéin accordance with divine law
Possede anoone, as I reherce can.as I can say
Trustith nevere that ye shaltextual note 138 pope be,explanatory note 11
For foly hope deceiveth many a man.explanatory note 12foolish
¶ The Patriarke aunswereth
Worldly honour, greet tresour, and richesse
line130Havetextual note 139 me deceivid sothfastly in dede.truly in death
Myn olde joies bentextual note 140 turned totextual note 141 tristesse.sadness
What vailith ittextual note 142 suchetextual note 143 tresour to possede?What use is it possess
Hy clymbyng up a falle hath for his mede;for its reward
Grete estates folke wasten oute oftextual note 144 noumbre.footnote
line135Who mountith hy — it is sure and no drede —rises high
Greet berthentextual note 145 dothe hymtextual note 146 oftetextual note 147 encoumbre.burden
¶ Deeth to the Constabletextual note 148
It is my righttextual note 149 totextual note 150 restetextual note 151 and yow constreinetextual note 152arrest detain
With us to daunce, my maister Sirtextual note 153Constable,explanatory note 13textual note 154
For more strongtextual note 155 than evere was Charlemayneexplanatory note 14textual note 156Charlemagne
line140Deeth hath aforcedtextual note 157 and more worshipable,forced worthy of respect
For hardines, netextual note 158 knyghthood — this istextual note 159 no fable —
Ne stronge armuretextual note 160 of platestextual note 161 ne of mayle.plate armor chainmail
What geyneth armes of folkestextual note 162 moste notableWhat gain is
Whan cruel Deeth lustetextual note 163 hem to assaile?desires them
¶ The Constable answerithtextual note 164
line145My purpos was and hool entenciounentire intent
To assailletextual note 165 castelles and mighty forteresses,textual note 166
And bringe folke untotextual note 167 subjeccioun,
To seketextual note 168 honour, fame,textual note 169 and grete richesses.
But I se wel that al worldlytextual note 170 prowessestextual note 171see clearly earthly valor
line150Deeth can abate, wich is a grete dispite.demolishvengeance
To himtextual note 172 aloone sorwetextual note 173 and eke swetnesses,textual note 174alone also
For ageintextual note 175Deeth is foundedtextual note 176 no respite.against is found reprieve
fol. 150v¶ Deeth to the Archebisshop
Sir Archebisshoppe, whi do ye yowtextual note 177 withdraweretreat
So frowardly as it were by disdeyn?insolently with contempt
line155Ye mustetextual note 178 aproche totextual note 179 my mortel lawe:draw near to
It to contrarietextual note 180 it weretextual note 181 not buttextual note 182 in veyn.to oppose
For day by day,textual note 183 ther is noon othir geyn,textual note 184
Deeth attextual note 185 hande pursueth every coost.course of action
Prest and dette motetextual note 186 be yolde agein,footnotetextual note 187
line160And at o day men countentextual note 188 with hertextual note 189 oost.the last day reckon host
¶The Archibisshoppe answereth
Allas, I wootetextual note 190 not what partietextual note 191 for to flee,don’t know where to flee
For drede of Dethe I have so grete distresse,textual note 192
To ascapetextual note 193 his myght I can no refute se.footnote
That who so knewe his constreint and duresse,whoever oppression cruelty
line165He wolde take resoun to maistresse.mistress
Adewe, my tresour, my pompe, and pride also,Goodbye
My peintid chaumbres,textual note 194 my port, and my fresshnesse,
For thing that bihoveth nedes musttextual note 195 be do.footnote
¶ Deth to the Baroun
Ye that amonge lordistextual note 196 and barounstextual note 197
line170Havtextual note 198 had so longe worship and renoun,
Forgete youre trumpetistextual note 199 and youre clariouns.textual note 200
This is no dreme ne simulacioun.deception
Somtime youre custome and entencioundesire
Was with ladies to dauncetextual note 201 in the shade,
line175But ofte it happith, in conclusioun,
That otextual note 202 man brekith that anothir made.explanatory note 15one breaks
¶ The Baroun or the Knyht answerith
Ful ofte sithetextual note 203 I have bene auctorisedtextual note 204times authorized
To hie emprises and thinges of greet fame.enterprises
Of hie and lowe my thanketextual note 205 also devised,gratitude contrived
line180Cherisshed with ladies and wymmen hie of name.
Netextual note 206 nevere on me was put no defamefootnote
In lordis court,textual note 207 wiche that was notable.
But Deethis strook hath made me so lame —stroke helpless
Undre hevene in erthe is nothing stable.explanatory note 16
fol. 151r¶ Deeth to the Lady of Grete Astateexplanatory note 17textual note 208Estate
line185Come forthe anone, my lady and princesse,
Ye mustetextual note 209 also gootextual note 210 upon this daunce.
Nowttextual note 211 may availle youre grete straungenesse,No help will be haughtiness
Nouther youre beauté,textual note 212 ne youre greet plesaunce,textual note 213Neither charm
Youre riche aray, ne youre daliaunce,fancy clothes flirting
line190That sumtyme cowde so many holdetextual note 214 ontextual note 215 hondecould hold in your sway
In love for al youre double variaunce.duplicity
Yetextual note 216 motetextual note 217 as nowe this footing undirstonde.
¶ The Lady answerithtextual note 218
Allas, I see ther is none othir boote.remedy
Deeth hath in erthe no lady netextual note 219 maistresse,textual note 220mistress
line195And on histextual note 221 daunce yit mustetextual note 222 Itextual note 223 nedis foote.yet step
For ther nystextual note 224 qwene, contesse, ne duchessetextual note 225
Flouringe in beautétextual note 226 ne in fairnesseFlourishing fair appearance
That she of Deethtextual note 227 motetextual note 228Dethes trace sewe.dance behold
For to youretextual note 229 bewté and countirfeettextual note 230 fresshnessetextual note 231false youthfulness
line200Owretextual note 232 rympledtextual note 233 agetextual note 234 seith farewele, adewe.Our wrinkled age goodbye
¶ Deeth to the Bisshoppe
My lorde sir Bisshoppe, with youre mytre and croos,miter and cross
For al youre ricchesse, sothly I ensure,textual note 235truly I assure you
For altextual note 236 youre tresour so longe kept in cloos,privately owned
Youre worldly goodes and goodes of nature,footnoteexplanatory note 18
line205And of youre sheep thetextual note 237 gostli dredefultextual note 238 cure,flock spiritual pastoral duty
With charge committid to youre prelacie,prelacy (i.e., office of bishop)
For to acountetextual note 239 ye shulletextual note 240 be broughte to lure.brought under control
No wight is sure that clymbeth overe hie.person secure
¶ The Bisshoppe answerith
Mytextual note 241 herte truly istextual note 242 nouthertextual note 243 glad ne myrieneither happy
line210Of sodein tidingestextual note 244 wiche that ye bring.textual note 245Because of the unexpected news
My festistextual note 246 turned intotextual note 247 simple feryetextual note 248food (fare)
That for discomfort me list nothing syng;textual note 249textual note 250desire
The worlde contrarie nowetextual note 251 totextual note 252 me intextual note 253 workyng
That alle folkes can so disherite.disinherit
line215He that al withhalt,explanatory note 19 allas, at oure parting,textual note 254withholds
And altextual note 255 shal passe save only oure merite.footnote
fol. 151v¶ Deeth to the Squier
Come forth Sir Squier, right fresshe oftextual note 256 youre aray,youthfulattire
That can of daunces al the newe gise:knows new fashion
Though ye bare armes fressh horsed yisterday,
line220With spere and shelde at youre unkouthe devise,footnote
And toke on yow so many hy emprise,undertaking
Daunceth with us, it wiltextual note 257 no bettir be;
Ther is no socour in no manere wise,assistance of any kind
For no man may frotextual note 258Dethes stroke fle.
¶ The Squier aunswerith
line225Sithentextual note 259 that Dethetextual note 260 me holdith in histextual note 261 lace,Because snare
Yet shal Y speke o worde or Y pace:textual note 262I one before go
Adieu, al myrthe, adieu nowe,textual note 263 al solace;
Adieu,textual note 264 my ladies, somtime so fressh of face;youthful
Adieu, beuté,textual note 265 plesaunce, and solace!textual note 266charm
line230Of Dethes chaunge every day is prime;a new beginning
Thinkethtextual note 267 on youre soules or that Deth manace,before Death threatens
For al shal rote, and no man wotetextual note 268 what tyme.decay knows
¶ Deeth to the Abbot
Come forth, Sir Abbot, with youre brood hatte,broad
Beeth not abaisshedtextual note 269 (thoughtextual note 270 ye have right).upset good reason
line235Greet is your hede,textual note 271 youre bely large and fatte;belly
Ye motetextual note 272 come daunce though ye be nothing light.must
Levethtextual note 273 youre abbey to some othir wight,person
Youre eir is of age youre state to occupie.heir position
Whotextual note 274 that is fattest,textual note 275 I have hymtextual note 276 behight,designated
line240In his grave shaltextual note 277 sonnest putrefie.textual note 278soonest decay
¶ The Abbot answerith
Of thi thretistextual note 279 have Itextual note 280 noon enviethreats grudge
That I shal nowe levetextual note 281 altextual note 282 governaunce.
But that I shal as a cloistrer dye —cloistered monk
This doth to me passinge grete grevaunce.causes me exceedingly great offense
line245Mi liberté nortextual note 283 my greet habondauncefootnote
What may availe in any manere wise?help in any kind of way
Yit axe Itextual note 284 mercy with hertly repentaunce,ask heartfelt
Thoughtextual note 285 in diynge too late mentextual note 286 hem avise.textual note 287examine themselves
fol. 152r¶ Deeth to the Abbesse
And ye, my lady gentiltextual note 288 Dame Abbesse,explanatory note 20of noble rank or birth
line250With youre mantelstextual note 289 furred large and wide,sleeveless overgarment
Youre veile, youre wymple passinge oftextual note 290 greet richesse,footnotetextual note 291
And beddis softe ye motetextual note 292 nowe leietextual note 293 aside,textual note 294bedding discard
For to this daunce I shaltextual note 295 be youre guyde.
Though ye be tendre and born of gentil blood,delicate noble
line255While that ye lyve for youresilfe provide,textual note 296prepare yourself
For aftir Deeth no mantextual note 297 hath no good.possessions
¶ The Abbesse answerith
Allas, that Deeth hath thus for me ordeined
That in no wise I may it nottextual note 298 declyne,way avoid
Though it so be ful ofte I have constreynedvery often compelled
line260Brest and throte my notes out to twyne,to sing
My chekes round vernysshed for to shyne,coated (i.e., as with a cosmetic)
Ungirt ful ofte totextual note 299 walke atte largetextual note 300 —Ungirdled out and about
Thus cruel Dethe dothe al estates fyne.textual note 301bring to an end
Who hath no ship motetextual note 302 rowe yn bote or barge.must boat
¶ Deeth to the Bally
line265Come forthe, Sir Bailly,explanatory note 21 that knowentextual note 303 al the gise,ways
By youre office, of trouthe and rightwisnes.textual note 304
Ye musttextual note 305 come to a newe assisesession of civil court
Extorciouns and wronges to redres.
Ye bentextual note 306 somonydtextual note 307 as lawe bittextual note 308 expres,summoned as required by law
line270To yeldetextual note 309 acountes,textual note 310 the Juge woletextual note 311 yow charge,give accounts
Wiche hath ordeyned, to exclude al falsnes,
That every man shal bere his ownetextual note 312 charge.accept responsibility for
¶ The Bayly answerith
O thou, Lorde God, thistextual note 313 is an hard journé,
To whichetextual note 314 afornetextual note 315 I tooketextual note 316 but litel hede.before paid little attention
line275Mi chaungetextual note 317 is turned and that forthinkith me.fortuneunsettles me
Sumtyme with juges what me listtextual note 318 to spedeliked to accomplish
Lay in my myght bytextual note 319 favour or fortextual note 320 mede.power through favors or bribes
But sithen ther is no rescusetextual note 321 bytextual note 322 bataille,Because deliverance by battle
I holde hym wys that cowde see indede
line280Ageintextual note 323Deeth that none apele may vaille.textual note 324no appeal will prevail
fol. 152v¶ Deeth to the Astronomere
Come forthe, maister, that lokentextual note 325 up so ferre
With instrumentistextual note 326 of astronomy
To take the grees and heighte of every sterre.degrees and height
What may availe al youre astrologie,help
line285Sethen oftextual note 327Adam alletextual note 328 the genolagie,Since descendants
Made fersttextual note 329 of God to walketextual note 330 uppon the grounde,
Deeth dooth areste?textual note 331 Thus seithtextual note 332 theologie,textual note 333
And al shal die for an appil round.explanatory note 22
¶ The Astronomere answerith
For al my craft, kunnynge, ortextual note 334 scienceknowledge
line290I cannot finde no provisioun,provision (i.e., against Death)
Ne in the sterris serche oute notextual note 335 defence,
By domefiyngetextual note 336 netextual note 337 calculacioun,By locating the position of the stars
Safetextual note 338 finally — in conclusioun —Except
For to discrive oure kunnyng every dele,explain in every aspect
line295Ther is no more by sentence of resoun:by doctrine
Whotextual note 339 lyveth aright motetextual note 340 nedis dye wele.explanatory note 23must necessarily die well
¶ Deeth to the Burgeys
Sir Burgeis,explanatory note 24 what do ye lenger tarielonger delay
For al youre avertextual note 341 and youre greettextual note 342 ricchesse?possessions
Though ye be straunge,textual note 343 deynous, and contrarie,haughty, scornful cross
line300To this daunce ye mote yowtextual note 344 nedis dresse,you must necessarily prepare yourself
For youre tresour, plenté, and largesseplenty abundance
From othere it camtextual note 345 and shal unto straungers.
He is a fool that in suche bysynestextual note 346business
Woot not for whom he stuffith his garners.Knows storerooms
¶ The Burgeis aunswerith
line305Certistextual note 347 to me it is greet displesaunceCertainly displeasure
To leve al this and may it nottextual note 348 assure.I may not secure it
Houses, rentes, tresour, and substaunce:material goods
Deeth al fordothe,textual note 349 suche is his nature.destroys
Therfore wys istextual note 350 no creature
line310That set his herte on good that moottextual note 351 dissevere.must fall away
The worlde it lente,textual note 352 and he willetextual note 353 it recovere,footnotetextual note 354
And who most hath lothest dieth evere.loathes to die always
fol. 153r¶ Deeth to the Chanountextual note 355
And ye, Sir Chanoun, with manytextual note 356 grete prebende,explanatory note 25textual note 357
Ye may no lenger have distribuciouna share [of alms]
line315Of golde and silver largely to dispende,extravagantly to squander
For thertextual note 358 is nowe no consolacioun,
But daunce with us for al youre hie renoun,lofty reputation
For ye of deeth stonde uppon the brink.
Ye may therof have no dilacioun,textual note 359postponement
line320Deeth comyth aytextual note 360 whan men lest on him think.always least
¶ The Chanoun answerith
My beneficestextual note 361 with many a personage,explanatory note 26textual note 362parsonage
God wote, ful litetextual note 363 may me nowe comforte.textual note 364knows, very little
Deeth hath oftextual note 365 me so grete avauntage;
Al my ricches may me nottextual note 366 disporte.cheer me up
line325Amys of grys,explanatory note 27textual note 367 thei willetextual note 368 ageintextual note 369 resorteGarments of gray again return
Unto the worlde, surplysexplanatory note 28 and prebende;surplice
Al is veinglorie, truly to reporte,
To die wel eche man shuldetextual note 370 entende.
¶ Deeth to the Marchaunt
Ye riche marchaunt,textual note 371 ye motetextual note 372 loke hiderwarde,must over here
line330That passid have ful manytextual note 373 diverstextual note 374 londe,various
On hors, on foot, havynge moste rewardesteem
To lucre and wynnyng, as I undirstond:To profit and wealth
But nowe to daunce ye motetextual note 375 yevetextual note 376 me youre honde,must give
For al youre laboure ful litel availeth now.textual note 377helps
line335Adieu, veinglorie, bothe of free and bonde!master and servant
No more coveitetextual note 378 thantextual note 379 thei that havetextual note 380 ynow.covet enough
¶ The Marchaunt answerith
By manie an hil and many a straunge valeforeign valley
I have traveilid with my marchandise,textual note 381
Overe the see do carie many a balesea measurement of goods
line340To sundry iles,textual note 382 mo than I can devise.tell
Mytextual note 383 hertetextual note 384 inwarde ay frettextual note 385 with covetise,always loaded
But al for nought — nowe Deeth doth metextual note 386 constreinetextual note 387 —detain
By wiche I seie,textual note 388 by recorde of the wise,
Who al enbracethtextual note 389 litel shal restreine.textual note 390embraces restrain
fol. 153v¶ Deeth to the ChartereuxCarthusian
line345Yevetextual note 391 me youre hond with chekis dede and pale,Give
Causid of wacche and longetextual note 392 abstinence,wakefulness (i.e., for a vigil)
Sir Chartereux,explanatory note 29textual note 393 and youresilfetextual note 394 avalehelp yourself
Unto this daunce with humble pacience.
To stryve ageintextual note 395 may be no resistence;against
line350Lenger to lyve set nottextual note 396 youre memorie.direct not your attention
Thow I be lothsom as intextual note 397 apparence,loathsome
Above alle men Deth hath the victorie.
¶ The Chartereux aunswerith
Unto thetextual note 398 worlde I was dede longe agoneago
By mytextual note 399 ordre and my professioun.[Carthusian] order
line355Though every man, be he nevere so stronge,
Dredith to die by kindly mociounnatural instinct
Aftir his flesshlytextual note 400 inclinacioun,
But plese it to God my soule for to borowe
From fendis myght and from dampnacioun;textual note 401the Devil’s power damnation
line360Some benetextual note 402 todaytextual note 403 that shulletextual note 404 not betextual note 405 tomorwe.are
¶ Deeth to the Sergaunt
Come forthe, Sir Sergant with youre statly mace;explanatory note 30
Make no defence ne no rebellioun.
Nottextual note 406 may availe to grucche in this cace,aid complain case
Though ye be deynous of condicioun,arrogant by nature
line365For nouther peletextual note 407 ne protecciounappeal
May yow fraunchise to do nature wrong.empower
For ther is noone so sturdy champioun;textual note 408
Though he be myghty, anothertextual note 409 is as stronge.
¶ The Sergeant answereth
Howe dare this Dethetextual note 410 sette on me areste,take me into custody
line370That amtextual note 411 the kinges chosen officere,Who
Wiche yisterday bothe west and estetextual note 412
Min office dide ful surquidous oftextual note 413 chere?haughty attitude
But nowe this day I am arestid heredetained
And may not flee, though Itextual note 414 hadde it sworn.explanatory note 31
line375Eche man is lothe to die, ferre andtextual note 415 nere,unwilling
That hath not lerned for to die aforn.before
fol. 154r¶ Deeth to the Monke
Sir Monketextual note 416 also, with youre blak habite,explanatory note 32black habit
Ye may notextual note 417 lenger holde here sojour.textual note 418sojourn
Ther istextual note 419 nothing that may yow heretextual note 420 respite,reprieve
line380Ageintextual note 421 my myght yow for to dotextual note 422 socour.Against to render assistance
Ye mote acountetextual note 423 touching youre labour,must concerning
Howe ye have spent ittextual note 424 in dede, worde,textual note 425 and thought.
To erthe and asshes turneth every flour;
The life of man is but a thing of nought.textual note 426
¶ The Monke answerith
line385I hadde levere in thetextual note 427 cloistre betextual note 428would rather cloister
At my book and studie my service,the Mass
Wiche is a place contemplatif to se,
But I have spent my life in many vice,textual note 429
Liche as a fool dissoluttextual note 430 and nyce.Like frivolous
line390God of his mercy graunt me repentaunce,
By chere outwarde harde totextual note 431 devise.appearance
Alle betextual note 432 not mery wich that men setextual note 433 daunce.see
¶ Deeth to the Usurere
Thoutextual note 434Usurer,explanatory note 33 loke up and biholde:
Unto wynnynge youtextual note 435 settist al thitextual note 436 peine,profit effort
line395Whos covetise wexith nevere colde.grows
Thy gredy thrusttextual note 437 so sore thee doth constreine,thirst powerfully
But youtextual note 438 shalt nevere thi desire ateyne.
Such an etik thin herte frete shalconsuming passion devour
That, but of pité God his hande refreine,unless stay
line400O perillous strook shal make thee lese al.One dreadful lose
¶ The Usurere answerith
Nowe me bihoveth sodeinly to deyfootnote
Wiche is to me grete peine and greet grevaunce.textual note 439
Socour to finde I see no maner wey,Assistance
Of golde netextual note 440 silver by no chevesaunce.textual note 441relief
line405Deeth thorughtextual note 442 his haste abittextual note 443 no parveauncetextual note 444makes no provisions
Of folkes blinde, that cannot looktextual note 445 wel.
Ful ofte happithtextual note 446 by kinde or fatal chauncenature accident
Some havetextual note 447 faire eyghen that seetextual note 448 nevere adele.good eyes a bit
fol. 154v¶ The Pore Man to the Usurere
Usuré to God is ful grete offence
line410And in his sight a grete abusioun.abuse
The pore borwithtextual note 449 par cas for indigence,borrow because of
The riche lenttextual note 450 by fals colluciounlend conspiracy
Only for lucre in his entencioun.profit
Deeth shal hem bothe to acountestextual note 451 sette,textual note 452take to account
line415To make rekenynge by computacioun;settle accounts counting
No mantextual note 453 is quit that is bihinde of dette.textual note 454textual note 455discharged [from debt] behind
¶ Deeth to the FisicianPhysician
Maister of phisik, wiche ontextual note 456 youre urynemedicine who urine
So loke and gase and stare ageintextual note 457 the sonne,explanatory note 34gaze against
For al youre craft and studie of medicine,textual note 458
line420Altextual note 459 the practyk and sience that ye konne,practical and theoretical knowledge
Your lyves cours so ferforthe is ironne.to a great extent run
Ageintextual note 460 my myght youre craft may not endure
For al the golde that ye therby havetextual note 461 wonne.
Goodtextual note 462 leche is he that can himsilfe recure.explanatory note 35textual note 463doctor cure
¶ The Fisician answerith
line425Ful longe agontextual note 464 that I unto phisikago medicine
Sette my witt and my dilligence,
In speculatif and also intextual note 465 practik,theorizing practice
To getetextual note 466 a name thorughtextual note 467 myn excellence,
To finde oute agenstextual note 468 pestilenceexplanatory note 36
line430Preservativestextual note 469 to staunche it and to fine,Protections stop end (it)
But I dar seie, shortly in sentence,concisely
Agenstextual note 470Deeth is worth no medicine.
¶ Deeth to the Amerous Squiertextual note 471
Ye that betextual note 472 gentil,textual note 473 so fresshe and amerous,textual note 474noble youthful amorous
Of yeres yonge, flouringe in youre grenetextual note 475 age,
line435Lusty, free of herte,textual note 476 and eke desirous,textual note 477Vigorous also filled with desire
Ful of devises and chaunge in youre corage,intrigues inconstancy heart
Plesaunt of port, of look, and of visagetextual note 478 —deportment appearance
But al shal turne into asshestextual note 479 dede,
For al bewtétextual note 480 is but a feint ymage,beauty unreliable image
line440Wiche stelith aweye or folkes can take hede.steals away before take notice
fol. 155r¶ The Squier answerith
Allas, allas I can nowe no socourknow assistance
Agenstextual note 481Dethe for mysilfe provide.textual note 482
Adieu, of youthe the lusty fresshe flour,lively youthful
Adieu, veinglorie of bewté and of pride,beauty
line445Adieu, al servicetextual note 483 of the god Cupide,
Adieu, my ladies, so fressh, so wel besein,textual note 484youthful good looking
For ageintextual note 485Dethe nothing may abide,
And windes grete gontextual note 486 doun with litil reyn.footnoteexplanatory note 37
¶ Deeth to the Gentilwomman Amerousexplanatory note 38textual note 487
Come forthe, maistresse, of yeris yonge and grenemistress fresh
line450Wiche holdetextual note 488 youresilfe of bewté sovereyne.preeminent
As faire as yee was somtyme Polycene,explanatory note 39textual note 489fair once Polyxena
Penolope,textual note 490 and the quene Eleyne,explanatory note 40Helen
Yit on this daunce thei wentetextual note 491 bothe tweine,explanatory note 41Yet both of them
And so shulletextual note 492 ye for al youretextual note 493 straungenesse.despite haughtiness
line455Though daunger longe in love hathtextual note 494 lad youre reine,resistance reign
Arestidtextual note 495 is youre chaunge of doubilnesse.textual note 496Halted faithlessness
¶ The Gentilwomman answerith
O cruel Deeth that sparest none estate,
To old and yonge thou art indifferent.
To my bewté thou hasttextual note 497 yseidetextual note 498 chekmate,
line460So hasty is thi mortal jugement.swift
For in my youthe this was myn entent,
To my service many a mantextual note 499 to havetextual note 500 lured.
But she is a fool,textual note 501 shortly in sentement,textual note 502concisely
That in hir bewté is too moche assurid.textual note 503
¶ Deeth to the Man of Lawetextual note 504
line465Sir Advocate,explanatory note 42 short processe for to make,legal argument
Yetextual note 505 mote come plete afore the highe Juge.textual note 506plead your case before
Many a quarel ye have undirtakecomplaint
And for lucre to do folke refuge,profit legal redress
But my fraunchise is so large and hugebody of legal rights
line470That counceile none availe maytextual note 507 but trouthe.
He skapith wisly of Deeth the greet delugeescapes flood
Toforetextual note 508 the doom who is not teint with slouthe.Before judgment tainted
fol. 155v¶ The Man of Lawe answerith
Of right and resoun by Naturis lawe,
I cannottextual note 509 putte ageintextual note 510Deeth no defence,
line475Ne by no sleighte me kepetextual note 511 netextual note 512 withdrawecunning protect nor excuse myself
For al my wit and my greet prudence
To make apele from his dredful sentence.appeal
Nothingtextual note 513 in erthe may a man preserve
Ageinstextual note 514 His myght to make resistence;textual note 515
line480God quitetextual note 516 al men like as thei deserve.repays
¶ Deeth to the Jourrourexplanatory note 43
Maister Jurrour, wiche that attextual note 517 assisetextual note 518Juror sessions of civil court
And attetextual note 519 shires questes dostetextual note 520 embrace,shire’s inquests illegally influence
Departist londetextual note 521 like to thi devise,textual note 522Divided scheme
And who most yaf moste stode in thi grace:gave (i.e., bribed)
line485The pore man lost londe and place;position
For golde thou cowdesttextual note 523 folkestextual note 524 disherite.disinherit
But nowe letetextual note 525 se, with thi teint face,see guilty
Tofore the Juge howe thou cansttextual note 526 thee quite.Before acquit yourself
¶ The Jourour answerith
Somtyme I was clepid in my cuntrécalled country
line490The bellewedir,textual note 527 and that wastextual note 528 not a lite.bellwether small thing
Noughttextual note 529 loved but drad of lowe and hietextual note 530 degré,feared by
For whom me listtextual note 531 by crafte I coude endite,I pleased cunning convict
And hangetextual note 532 the trewe and the theef respite;textual note 533reprieve
Al the cuntré by my worde was lad.textual note 534led
line495But I dar sey, shortly for to writequickly
Of my dethe many a man is glad.
¶ Deeth to the Minstral
O thou mynstral,textual note 535 that cansttextual note 536 so note and pipesing
Unto folkes for to dotextual note 537 plesaunce,delight
By the right honde I shal anoonetextual note 538 theetextual note 539 gripe
line500With these othertextual note 540 to gootextual note 541 upon my daunce.
Ther is no scape neither avoidauncetextual note 542escape
On no side to contrarie my sentence,resist judgment
For in musik, by craft and acordaunce,harmony
Who maistertextual note 543 is shewetextual note 544 his science.textual note 545knowledge
fol. 156r¶ The Minstral answerith
line505This newetextual note 546 daunce is to me so straunge,
Wondir diverse and passinglytextual note 547 contrarie.Extraordinarily unusual very inconsistent
The dredful fotyng doth so ofte chaunge,hazardous steps
And the mesures so ofte sithestextual note 548 varie,patterns continually vary
Wiche nowe to me istextual note 549 nothing necessarie,Which is to me not at all profitable
line510If it were so that I myght asterte,escape
But many a man (if I shal not tarietextual note 550)delay
Oftetextual note 551 daunceth but nothing oftextual note 552 herte.although his heart’s not in it
¶ Deeth to the TregetourCourt magician
Maister John Rikele,textual note 553 sometyme Tregetourexplanatory note 44
Of noble Harry,textual note 554 Kyng of Engelondtextual note 555England
line515And of Fraunce the mighty conquerour:
For alle the sleightestextual note 556 and turnyng of thin hondhand
Thou musttextual note 557 come ner thistextual note 558 daunce to undirstond.textual note 559near
Noughttextual note 560 may availe al thi conclusions,help intentions
For Deeth shortly, nouthertextual note 561 ontextual note 562 see netextual note 563 lond,in brief sea
line520Is noughttextual note 564 deceivid by nonetextual note 565 illusions.any
¶ The Tregetour answerith
What may availe magik natural,explanatory note 45sorcery
Or anytextual note 566 craft shewid by apparence,conjuring
Or cours of sterres above celestial,
Or of the hevenetextual note 567 al the influence,textual note 568
line525Ageinstextual note 569Deeth to stonde at defence?textual note 570
Legerdemeyntextual note 571 nowe helpith me right nought.Sleight of hand
Farewel, my craft and al suche sapience,wisdom
For Deth mootextual note 572 maistries yit thantextual note 573 I hathtextual note 574 wrought.footnote
¶ Deeth to the Parsoun
O Sir Curatexplanatory note 46 that benetextual note 575 nowe heretextual note 576 present,
line530That had youre wordly inclinacioun,
Youre herte entire, youre studie, and entent
Moste on youre tithes and oblacioun,offerings
Wiche shulde have bene of conversacioun,manner of living
Mirrour unto othir, light and exaumplarie:example
line535Liketextual note 577 youre desert shal be youre guerdoun,worth reward
Andtextual note 578 to eche labour dewe is the salarie.explanatory note 47due
fol. 156v¶ The Persoun answerith
Maugré my wille I musttextual note 579 condiscende,Despite acquiesce
For Deeth assailith every liflytextual note 580 thing.living
Here in this worlde who can comprehende
line540His sodein stroke and his unware comyng?sudden unforeseen
Farewele, tithis, andtextual note 581 farewel, myn offryng,tithes
I motetextual note 582 goo countetextual note 583 in ordre by and by,go to judgment
And for my shepe maketextual note 584 a just rekenyng;explanatory note 48
Whom He aquyteth I holde he istextual note 585 happy.believe
¶ Deeth to the Laborer
line545Thou,textual note 586 laborer, wiche in sorwe and peine
Hast ladtextual note 587 thi life in ful greet travaile,toil
Thoutextual note 588 mostetextual note 589 eketextual note 590 daunce and therfore not disdeyne,also do not be angry
For iftextual note 591 thou do, it may thee not availe.help
And cause why that I thee assaileattack
line550Is oonlytextual note 592 this: from theetextual note 593 to dissevereto separate
Thetextual note 594 fals worlde that can so folketextual note 595 faile.textual note 596
He is a fooltextual note 597 that weneth to lyve evere.desires
¶ The Laborer answerith
I have wisshedtextual note 598 aftir Deeth ful ofte,
Al be thattextual note 599 I wolde havetextual note 600 fled hym now —Although
line555I had levere to havetextual note 601 leyntextual note 602 unsofterather uncomfortable
In winde and reyntextual note 603 andtextual note 604 have gone attextual note 605 plow,
With spade and pikoys andtextual note 606 labourid for my prow,pickaxe fortune
Dolvetextual note 607 and dichedtextual note 608 and at the cartetextual note 609 goone.Worked hard at manual labor
For I may seie and telle pleinly howe
line560In this worlde here ther is reste none.
¶ Deeth to the Frere Minour
Sir Cordeler,explanatory note 49 to yow myntextual note 610 hand is raughtextended
To this daunce yow to conveie and lede,
Wiche in youre preching havetextual note 611 ful ofte itaught:textual note 612taught
Howe thattextual note 613 I amtextual note 614 moste gastfultextual note 615 forto dredetextual note 616terrifying
line565(Al be that folke take therof noon hede).Although
Yit is thertextual note 617 noon so stronge netextual note 618 so hardy,no one fearless
But Deth dare restetextual note 619 and let for no mede,capture free compensation
For Deeth eche hour is present and redy.textual note 620
fol. 157r¶ The Frere answerith
What may this be that in this world no man
line570Here to abide may have no sureté?textual note 621certainty
Strengthe,textual note 622 ricchesse, ne what sotextual note 623 that he can,nor anything else he can do
Worldlytextual note 624 wisdom: al is but vanité.vanity
In grete astate ne in povertéestate
Is nothing found that may frotextual note 625Dethe defende.explanatory note 50
line575For wiche I seie, to hie and lowe degré,
Wys is that synner that dooth his life amende.
¶ Deeth to the Childetextual note 626
Litel enfaunte that were but late borne,textual note 627infant recently
Shape in this worlde to have no plesaunce,Created delight
Thou musttextual note 628 with other that goone here toforntextual note 629before
line580Be ladtextual note 630 in haste by fataltextual note 631 ordinaunce.led predetermined judgment
Lerne of newe to gootextual note 632 ontextual note 633 my daunce,again
Ther may noon age escape in sothtextual note 634 therfroo.escape in truth there from
Lete everytextual note 635 wight have this in remembraunce:person
Who lengest lyveth moosttextual note 636 shal suffre woo.explanatory note 51
¶ The Childe answerith
line585A, A, A — otextual note 637 worde I cannottextual note 638 speke.one
I am so yonge, I was boretextual note 639 yisterday.
Deeth is so hasty on me to betextual note 640 wreketextual note 641eager to do me harm
And listtextual note 642 no lengertextual note 643 to make no delay.desires
I camtextual note 644 but nowe and nowe I goo my way,
line590Of me no more no taletextual note 645 shal be told.
The wiltextual note 646 of God no man withstonde may,
As sone dieth a yonge man as an old.soon
¶ Deeth to the Clerketextual note 647
O ye Sirtextual note 648Clerke, suppose ye to be free
Fro my daunce ortextual note 649 youreselfe defende,textual note 650
line595That wende havetextual note 651 rysen untotextual note 652 hie degréthought to position
Of beneficestextual note 653 ortextual note 654 some greet prebende?explanatory note 52textual note 655
Who clymbeth hiesttextual note 656 sometyme shal dissende.descend
Lat no man grucche agenstextual note 657 his fortune,complain against
But take in gree whatevere God hym sende,good will
line600Wich ponisshethtextual note 658 al whan tyme is oportune.Who punishes
fol. 157v¶ The Clerkeexplanatory note 53 answerith
Shal I that am so yonge a clerke nowe deye
Fro my service and have no bettirtextual note 659 guerdoun?reward
Is ther notextual note 660 geyntextual note 661 netextual note 662 no bettirtextual note 663 weye,scheme
No suretextual note 664 fraunchise ne proteccioun?privilege
line605Deeth makith alweie a short conclusioun.always a quick end
Too late ware whan men benetextual note 665 on the brinke;aware
The worlde shal faile and al possessioun,footnote
For moche faileth of thing that foles thinke.fools
¶ Deeth to the Hermyte
Ye that have lived longe in wildernesseexplanatory note 54
line610And ther contynued longe in abstinence;
Attetextual note 666 laste yet ye motetextual note 667 yow dressetextual note 668must prepare
Of my daunce to have experience,
For ther ageintextual note 669 istextual note 670 no recistence.
Take nowe leve of thin ermytage.hermitage
line615Wherfore eche man adverte thistextual note 671 sentence:take note of wisdom
That thistextual note 672 life here istextual note 673 no sure heritage.inheritance
¶ The Hermite answerith
Life in desert callid solitariesolitary
May ageintextual note 674Dethe have no respitetextual note 675 ne space.reprieve
At unset ourtextual note 676 his comyng dothtextual note 677 nottextual note 678 tarie,unspecified hour delay
line620And for my part welcome betextual note 679Goddes grace,
Thonkyng hym with humble chere and faceThanking attitude
Of al his yiftes and greet haboundaunce,gifts abundance
Fynally affermynge in this place,
No man is riche that lackith suffisaunce.explanatory note 55contentment
¶ Deeth ayein to the Hermite
line625That is wel seide, and thus shulde every wightperson
Thanke his God and alle his wittis dressedirect
To love and drede Hym with al his hertetextual note 680 and myght,
Sethtextual note 681Deeth to ascape may be no sikernesse.Since certainty
As men deservetextual note 682God quittextual note 683 of rightwisnesserepays
line630Totextual note 684 riche and pore uppon every side.
A bettir lessoun ther can no clerke expresse,
Than til tomorwe is no man sure totextual note 685 abide.textual note 686
fol. 158r¶ The Kyng ligging dead and eten of wormesexplanatory note 56textual note 687
Ye folketextual note 688 that lokyn upon this portrature,explanatory note 57textual note 689
Biholdyng here alle the estatestextual note 690 daunce,
line635Seethtextual note 691 what ye bene and what is youre nature:See are
Mete unto wormes, nottextual note 692 ellis in substaunce.Meat nothing else
And have this mirrour evere in remembraunce,
Howe Itextual note 693 lie here somtyme crownyd kyng,textual note 694once
To alle estates a trewe resemblaunce
line640That wormes foodexplanatory note 58 is fynetextual note 695 of oure lyvyng.final end
¶ Machabre the Doctourtextual note 696
Man is nottextual note 697 ellis, platly forto thinke,nothing else plainly
But as a winde wichetextual note 698 is transitorie,
Passinge ay forthe, whethertextual note 699 hetextual note 700 wake or winke,always sleep
Towarde this Daunce. Have this in memorie,
line645Remembringe aytextual note 701 ther is no bettextual note 702 victoriealways better
In this life here than fle synne at thetextual note 703 leste.fleeing at least
Than shultextual note 704 ye regne in Paradys with glorie;shall
Happy is he that maketh in hevenetextual note 705 his feste.feast
Yit ther be folke mo than six or sevene,Yet more
line650Reckles of liif in many maner wise,many different ways
Like as ther were helle none netextual note 706hevene.neither hell nor heaven
Suche false errour lete every man dispice.despise
For hooly seintis and oolde clerkis wise
Writen contrarie her falsnes to deface.their falseness refute
line655To lyve weltextual note 707 — take thistextual note 708 for besttextual note 709 emprice —undertaking
Istextual note 710 moche worth whan men shultextual note 711 hens pace.textual note 712much hence
¶ Lenvoye de Translatortextual note 713The envoy of the Translator
O ye, my lordistextual note 714 and maistrestextual note 715 alle in ferealtogether
Of aventure that shal this Daunce rede,By chance
Lowly I preie with al myntextual note 716 herte entereHumbly entire
line660To correcte whereas ye see nede.
For nought ellis I asketextual note 717 for my mede,reward
But goodlytextual note 718 support of thistextual note 719 translacioun
And with favour to sowpouaile drede,textual note 720encourage reverence
Benignelytextual note 721 in youre correccioun.With good will
line665Out of the Frensshe I drewetextual note 722 it of entente,with purpose
Not worde bytextual note 723 worde but folwyng the substaunce.explanatory note 59
And fro Paris to Engelondetextual note 724 it sente
Oonly of purpos yow to do plesaunce.delight
Rude of langage (I was not born in Fraunce),explanatory note 60
line670Havetextual note 725 me excusid; my name is John Lidgate.textual note 726
Of hertextual note 727 tunge I have no suffisauncetheir language fluency
Hertextual note 728 corious metris in Englisshe to translate.explanatory note 61Their unfamiliar meters