Fyrst enteryde Wysdome in a Ryche purpull clothe of golde, wyth a mantyll of the same ermynnyde wythin, havynge about his neke a ryall hood furred wyth Ermyn, upon hys hede a cheveler [wig] wyth browys [eye-brows], a berde of golde of Sypres [Cyprus] Curlyde, a Ryche Imperyall Crown therupon, sett wyth precyus stonys and perlys. In his leyfte honde, a balle of golde wyth a cros theruppon, and in hys Ryght honde a Regall schepter [scepter], thus seyng:
5 10 15	WYDSOM   Yff ye wyll wet the propyrté    Ande the resun of my nayme imperyall, I am clepyde of hem that in erthe be    Everlastynge Wysdom, to my noble egalle,    Wyche name accordyt best in especyall,      And most to me ys convenyent.    Allethow eche persone of the Trinyté be wysdom eternall,      And all thre on everlastynge wysdome togedyr present, Nevertheles, forasmoche as wysdom ys propyrly    Applyede to the Sune be resune, And also yt fallyt to hym specyally    Bycause of hys hye generacyon,    Therfor the belovyde Sone hathe this sygnyficacyon,      Custummaly Wysdom, now Gode, now man,    Spous of the chyrche and very patrone,      Wyffe of eche chose soule — thus Wysdom begane.	If; know the meaning; (see note) significance called by those equal to my nobility suits me best appropriate Although; is in; [are] present Attributed; Son; reason belongs birth Customarily true chosen
	Here entrethe Anima as a mayde, in a wyght [white] clothe of gold gyedly purfyled [handsomely bordered] with menyver [fur], a mantyll of blake theruppeon, a cheveler [wig] lyke to Wysdom, wyth a ryche chappelet [coronet] lasyde [fastened] behynde [at the back] hangynge down wyth to [two] knottys of golde and syde tasselys, knelynge down to Wysdom, thus seyng: (see note)
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 96 100 105 110 115 120 125 130 136 140 145 150 155 160	[ANIMA]   “Hanc amavi et exquisivi” —    Fro my yougthe thys have I soute, To have to my spouse most specyally    For a lover of your schappe am I wroute.    Above all hele and bewty that ever was sought,      I have lovyde Wysdom as for my lyght,    For alle goodnes wyth hym ys broughte.      In wysdom I was made all bewty bryghte! Of your name the hye felycyté    No creature knowyt full exposycyon. WYSDAM   “Sapiencia specialior est sole.”1    I am foundon lyghte wythout comparyson,    Of sterrys above all the dysposicyon,      Forsothe of lyght the very bryghtnes,    Meroure of the dyvyne domynacyon,      And the image of hys goodnes. Wysdom ys better than all worldly precyosnes,    And all that may dysyryde be Ys not in comparyschon to my lyknes.    The lengthe of the yerys in my ryght syde be,    Ande in my lefte syde ryches, joy, and prosperyté.      Lo, this ys the worthynes of my name!    ANIMA   A, soveren Wysdom! Yff your benygnyté      Wolde speke of love, that wer a game! WYSDOM   Of my love to speke, yt ys myrable.    Beholde now, Soull, wyth joyfull mynde, How lovely I am, how amyable    To be halsyde and kyssyde of mankynde.    To all clene soulys I am full hende      And ever present wer that they be.    I love my lovers wythoutyn ende      That ther love have stedfast in me. The prerogatyff of my love ys so grett    That wo tastyt therof the lest droppe sure All lustys and lykyngys worldly shall lett;    They shall seme to hym fylthe and ordure.    They that of the hevy burthen of synne hathe cure,      My love dyschargethe and puryfyethe clene.    It strengtheth the mynde, the soull makyt pure,      And gevyt wysdom to hem that perfyghte bene.      Wo takyt me to spouse may veryly wene,        Yff above all thynge ye love me specyally,      That rest and tranquyllyté he shall sene,        And dey in sekyrnes of joy perpetuall. The hey worthynes of my love    Angell nor man can tell playnly; Yt may be felt from experyens above,    But not spoke ne tolde as yt ys veryly.    The godly love no creature can specyfye.      What wrech is that lovyth not this love,    That lovyt hys lovers ever so tendyrly,      That hys syght from them never can remove? ANIMA   O worthy spouse and soveren father,    O swet amyke, our joy, our blys! To your love wo dothe repeyer,    All felycyté yn that creature ys.    Wat may I geve you ageyn for this,      O Creator, lover of your creature?    Though be our freelté we do amys,      Your grett mercy ever sparyth reddure. A, soveren Wysdom, sanctus sanctorum!    Wat may I geve to your most plesaunce? WYSDOM   “Fili, prebe michi cor tuum!”    I aske not ellys of all thi substance;    Thy clene hert, thi meke obeysance,      Geve me that and I am contente. ANIMA   A, soveren joy, my hertys affyance!      The fervoure of my love to you I present, That mekyt my herte, your love so fervent.    Teche me the scolys of your dyvynyté. WYSDOM   Dysyer not to savour in cunnynge to excellent,    But drede and conforme your wyll to me,    For yt ys the heelfull dyscyplyne that in wysdam may be,      The drede of God, that ys begynnynge —    The wedys of synne yt makyt to flee,      And swete vertuus herbys in the soull sprynge. ANIMA   O endles Wysdom, how may I have knowynge    Of thi Godhede incomprehensyble? WYSDOM   By knowynge of yoursylff ye may have felynge    Wat Gode ys in your soule sensyble.    The more knowynge of your selff passyble,      The more veryly ye shall God knowe.    ANIMA   O soveren Auctoure most credyble,      Your lessun I attende as I owe, I that represent here the soull of man.    Wat ys a soull, wyll ye declare? WYSDOM   Yt ys the ymage of Gode that all began,    And not only ymage, but hys lyknes ye are.    Of all creaturys the fayrest ye ware      Into the tyme of Adamys offence. ANIMA   Lord, sythe we, thy soulys, yet nowt wer ther,      Wy of the fyrst man bye we the vyolence? WYSDOM   For every creature that hath ben or shall    Was in natur of the fyrst man, Adame, Of hym takynge the fylthe of synne orygynall,    For of hym all creaturys cam.    Than by hym of reson ye have blame,      And be made the brondys of helle.    Wen ye be bore fyrst of your dame,      Ye may in no wyse in hevyn dwell, For ye be dysvyguryde be hys synne,    Ande dammyde to derknes from Godys syghte. ANIMA   How dothe grace than ageyn begynne?    Wat reformythe the soull to hys fyrste lyght? WYSDOM   Wysdam, that was Gode and man ryght,      Made a fulle sethe to the Fadyr of hevyn    By the dredfull dethe to hym was dyght,      Of wyche dethe spronge the sacramentys sevyn, Wyche sacramentys all synne wasche awey.    Fyrst baptem clensythe synne orygynall, And reformyt the soull in feythe verray true    To the gloryus lyknes of Gode eternall    Ande makyt yt as fayer and as celestyall      As yt never dyffoulyde had be,    Ande ys Crystys own specyall,      Hys restynge place, hys plesant see. ANIMA   In a soule watt thyngys be,    By wyche he hathe his very knowynge? WYSDOM   Tweyn partyes. The on, sensualyté,    Wyche ys clepyde the flechly felynge.    The fyve outewarde wyttys to hym be servynge;      Wan they be not reulyde ordynatly,    The sensualyté than, wythoute lesynge,      Ys made the ymage of synne then of his foly. The other parte, that ys clepyde resone,    Ande that ys the ymage of Gode propyrly, For by that the soull of Gode hath cognycyon,    And be that hym servyt and lovevyt duly.    Be the neyther parte of reson he knowyt dyscretly      All erthely thyngys, how they shall be usyde,    What suffysyth to hys myghtys bodely,      Ande wat nedyt not to be refusyde. Thes tweyn do signyfye    Your dysgysynge and your aray, Blake and wyght, foull and fayer, vereyly,    Every soull here — this ys no nay;    Blake, by sterynge of synne that cummyth all day,      Wyche felynge cummythe of sensualyté,    And wyght, be knowenge of reson veray      Of the blyssyede infenyt Deyté. Thus a soule ys both foulle and fayer:    Foull as a best, be felynge of synne, Fayer as angell, of hevyn the ayer,    By knowynge of Gode by hys reson wythin. ANIMA   Than may I sey thus and begynne      With fyve prudent vyrgyns of my reme —    Thow be the fyve wyttys of my soull wythinne —      “Nigra sum sed formosa, filia Jerusalem.”2	[SOUL] Her have I loved and sought (Wisdom 8:2); (see note) From; sought appearance; created health (see note) has full understanding created display Truly Mirror nothing If; kindness pleasure wonderful embraced ready at hand where who tastes desires; leave garbage [need of] cure strengthens gives Who; understand see die; certainty high spiritual experience; (see note) spoken of; truly describe beloved who; turn because of our frailty punishment holy of holies What; greatest pleasure Son, give me your heart (Proverbs 23:26) obedience Give greatest display makes meek doctrines too complex healthy weeds; causes grow some sense [Of] what [which is] possible truly Creator ought (see note) were Until since Why; pay for (see note) Then because of him reasonably firebrands When; born; mother disfigured by atonement [which] was ordained (see note) baptism defiled; been intimate seat true knowledge; (see note) Two parts; sense called; fleshly senses ruled properly falsehood because of knowledge because of that; loves By; lower; individually ought to be bodily needs costume white; truly undeniable stirring true infinite beast heir realm Those; senses
	Her enteryd fyve vyrgynes wyth kertyllys [overskirts] and mantelys wyth chevelers [wigs] and chapelettys [coronets], and syng: “Nigra sum sed formosa, filia Jerusalem, sicut tabernacula cedar et sicut pelles Salomonis.”3
166 170 175 180 185 190 195 200 205 210 215 220 225 230 235 240 246 250 255 260 265 270 275 280 285 290 295 300 305 310 315 320	ANIMA   The doughters of Jerusalem me not lak,    For this dyrke schadow I bere of humanyté That, as the tabernacull of Cedar wythout, yt ys blake,    Ande wythine as the skyn of Salamone, full of bewty.    “Quod fusca sum, nolite considerare me,      Quia decoloravit me sol Jovis.”4 WISDOM    Thus all the soulys that in this lyff be      Stondynge in grace, be lyke to thys. A, quinque prudentes — your wyttys fyve —    Kepe you clene, and ye shall never deface, Ye Goddys ymage never shall ryve,    For the clene soull ys Godys restynge place.    Thre myghtys every Cresten soull has,      Wyche bethe applyede to the Trinyté. MYNDE   All thre here, lo, byfor your face:      Mynde, WYLL        Wyll, UNDYRSTONDYNGE     And Undyrstondynge, we thre! WYSDAM   Ye thre declare than thys,    Your sygnyfycacyon and your propyrté. MENDE   I am Mynde, that in the soule ys    The veray fygure of the Deyté.    Wen in myselff I have mynde and se      The benefyttys of Gode and hys worthynes,    How holl I was mayde, how fayere, how fre,      How gloryus, how jentyll to hys lyknes, Thys insyght bryngyt to my mynde    Wat grates I ough to God ageyn, That thus hathe ordenyde wythout ende    Me in hys blys ever for to regne.    Than myn insuffycyens ys to me peyn,      That I have not werof to yelde my dett,    Thynkynge myselff creature most veyne.      Than for sorow my bren I knett. Wen in my mynde I brynge togedyr    The yerys and dayes of my synfullnes, The unstabullnes of my mynde hedyr and thedyr,    My oreble fallynge and freellnes,    Myselff ryght nought than I confes;      For by myselff I may not ryse    Wythout specyall grace of Godys goodnes.      Thus, mynde makyt me myselff to dyspyse. I seke and fynde nowere comforte,    But only in Gode, my Creature; Than onto hym I do resorte    Ande say, “Have mynde of me, my Savour!”    Thus mynde to mynde bryngyth that favoure;      Thus, by mynde of me, Gode I kan know.    Goode mynde, of Gode yt ys the fygure,      Ande thys mynde to have, all Crysten ow. WYLL   And I of the soull am the wyll.    Of the Godhede lyknes and a fygure; Wyth goode wyll no man may spyll,    Nor wythout goode wyll of blys be sure.    Wat soule wyll gret mede recure,      He must grett wyll have in thought or dede,    Vertuusly sett wyth consyens pure,      For in wyll stondyt only mannys dede. Wyll for dede oft ys take;    Therfor the wyll must weell be dysposyde. Than ther begynnyt all grace to wake,    Yff wyth synne yt be not anosyde.    Therfor the wyll must be wele apposyde,      Or that yt to the mevynge geve consent;    The lybrary of reson must be unclosyde,      Ande aftyr hys domys to take entent. Our wyll in Gode must be only sett,    And for Gode to do wylfully; Wan gode wyll resythe, God ys in us knett,    Ande he performyt the dede veryly.    Of hym cummyth all wyll sett perfyghtly,      For of ourselff we have ryght nought    But syne, wrechydnes, and foly.      He ys begynner and gronde of wyll and thought. Than this goode wyll seyde before    Ys behovefulle to yche creature, Iff he cast hym to restore    The soule that he hath take of cure,    Wyche of God ys the fygure,      As longe as the fygure ys kept fayer,    Ande ordenyde ever to endure nobr>     In blys, of wyche ys he the veray hayer. UNDYRSTONDYNGE   The thyrde parte of the soule ys undyrstondynge.    For by understondyng I beholde wat Gode ys In hymselff, begynnyng wythout begynnynge,    Ande ende wythout ende, that shall never mys.    Incomprehensyble in hymselff he ys;      Hys werkys in me I kan not comprehende,    How shulde I holly hym than, that wrought all this?      Thus, by knowynge of me, to knowynge of Gode I assende. I know in angelys he ys desyderable,    For hym to beholde thei dysyer soverenly; In hys seyntys, most dylectable,    For in hymm thei joy assyduly;    In creaturys hys werkys ben most wondyrly,      For all ys made by hys myght,    By hys wysdom governyde most soverenly,      And his benygnyté inspyryt all soullys wyth lyght. Of all creaturys he ys lovyde sovereyn,    For he ys Gode of yche creature, And they be his peple that ever shall reynge,    In wom he dwellyt as his tempull sure.    Wan I of thys knowynge make reporture,      Ande se the love he hathe for me wrought,    Yt bryngyt me to love that Prynce most pure,      For, for love, that Lorde made man of nought. Thys ys that love wyche ys clepyde charyté;    For Gode ys charyté, as autors tellys, Ande woo ys in charyté, in Gode dwellyt he,    Ande Gode, that is charyté, in hym dwellys.    Thus, undyrstondynge of Gode compellys      To cum to charyté — than have hys lyknes, lo!    Blyssyde ys that soull that this speche spellys:      “Et qui creavit me requievit in tabernaculo meo.”5 WYSDOM   Lo, thes thre myghtys in on soule be:    Mynde, Wyll, and Undyrstondynge. By Mynde, of Gode the Fadyr knowyng have ye;    By Undyrstondynge, of Gode the Sone ye have knowynge;    By Wyll, wyche turnyt into love brennynge,      Gode the Holy Gost, that clepyde ys Love,    Not thre Godys, but on Gode in beynge.      Thus eche clene soule ys symylytude of Gode above. By Mynde, feythe in the Father have we;    Hoppe in our Lorde Jhesu by Undyrstondynge; Ande be Wyll, in the Holy Gost, charyté.    Lo, thes thre pryncypall vertus of you thre sprynge.    Thys the clene soule stondyth as a kynge;      Ande above all this ye have free wyll.    Of that be ware befor all thynge,      For yff that perverte, all this dothe spylle. Ye have thre enmyes, of hem beware:    The Worlde, the Flesche, and the Fende. Your fyve wyttys from hem ye spare,    That the sensualyté they brynge not to mynde.    Nothynge shulde offende Gode in no kynde,      Ande yff ther do, se that the nether parte of resone    In no wys therto lende;      Than the over parte shall have fre domynacyon. Wan suggestyon to the Mynde doth apere,    Undyrstondynge, delyght not ye therin! Consent not, Wyll, yll lessons to lere!    Ande than suche steryngys by no syn;    Thei do but purge the soule wer ys such contraversye.      Thus in me, Wysdom, your werkys begynne;    Fyght, and ye shall have the crown of glory,      That ys everlastynge joy to be parteners therinne! ANIMA   Soveren Lorde, I am bounde to thee!    Wan I was nought, thou made me thus gloryus, Wan I perysschede thorow synne, thou savyde me,    Wen I was in grett perell, thou kept me, Cristus,    Wen I erryde, thou reducyde me, Jhesus,      Wen I was ignorant, thou taut me truthe,    Wen I synnyde, thou corecte me thus,      Wen I was hevy, thou comfortede me by ruthe. Wan I stonde in grace, thou holdyste me that tyde,    Wen I fall, thou reysyst me myghtyly, Wen I go wyll, thou art my gyde,    Wen I cum, thou receyvyste me most lovynly.    Thou hast anoyntyde me with the oyll of mercy,      Thy benefyttys, Lorde, be innumerable.    Werfor, laude endeles to thee I crye,      Recomendynge me to thin endles powre durable.	[find] no flaw in me Because of; dark five prudent ones be disfigured tear apart powers are associated with; (see note) meaning; nature (see note) true When whole; noble What gratitude I owe reign inadequacy nothing; pay my debt vain brows I knit When horrible failure and frailty [to be] utterly worthless Creator unto Be mindful by my own mind ought be lost What; obtain a great reward in will alone stands man’s deed deed; understood be well-disposed [in virtue] harmed examined Before; action judgments; advice When; rises; entwined truly nothing at all sin basis mentioned appropriate to each intends taken into his care heir what fail worship ascend among; desirable above all else assiduously wonderful kindness beloved each reign whom When; declaration see (see note) authors who compels [us] utters (see note) each one pure; image Hope Thus the pure careful go astray; perish Devil; (see note) senses; protect manner see; lower participate Then the higher; full control When evil; learn impulses be where When wandered; led me back corrected sad; with pity lifted me up go astray lovingly (see note) praise everlasting
	Here in the goynge out, the fyve wyttys [senses] synge: “Tota pulcra es, et cetera,”6 they goyng befor, Anima next, and her folowynge, Wysdom, and aftyr hym, Mynde, Wyll, and Undyrstondynge, all thre in wight [white] cloth of golde, cheveleryde [wigged] and crestyde [crowned] in sute [in the same manner]. And aftyr the songe, entreth Lucyfer in a devellys aray wythout, and wythin as a prowde galonte [fashionable man], seynge thus on thys wyse: (see note)
326 330 335 340 345 350 355 360 365 370 375 380 386 390 395 400 405 410 416 420 425 432 435 440 444 451 455 460 465 470 475 480 486 490 495 501 505 510 515 520 525 530 535 540 545 551 555 560 566 570 575 581 585 590 595 601 605 611 615 619 623 630 635 640 645 650 655 659 663 670 675 681 685 691	LUCYFER   Out, harow, I rore! For envy I lore. My place to restore,    God hath made man! All cum thei not thore, Woode and they wore, I shall tempte hem so sorre,    For I am he that syn begane! I was a angell of lyghte, Lucyfeer I hyght, Presumynge in Goddys syght,    Werfor I am lowest in hell! In reformynge of my place ys dyght Man, whom I have in most dyspyght, Ever castynge me wyth hem for to fyght,    In that hevynly place he shulde not dwell. I am as wyly now as than, The knowynge that I hade, yet I can; I know all compleccyons of man,    Werto he ys most dysposyde. Ande therin I tempte hym ay-whan; I marre hys myndys to ther wan, That whoo ys hym that God hym began!    Many a holy man wyth me ys mosyde! Of Gode, man ys the fygure, Hys symylytude, hys pyctoure, Gloryosest of ony creature    That ever was wrought. Wyche I wyll dysvygure Be my fals conjecture! Yff he tende my reporture,    I shall brynge hym to nought! In the Soule ben thre partyes, iwys: Mynde, Wyll, Undyrstondynge of blys — Fygure of the Godhede — I know wele thys!    And the flesche of man that ys so changeable, That wyll I tempte, as I gees; Thou that I pervert, synne noon is But yff the Soule consent to mys,    For in the Wyll of the Soule the dedys ben damnable. To the Mynde of the Soule I shall mak suggestyun, Ande brynge hys Undyrstondynge to dylectacyon, So that hys Wyll make confyrmacyon.    Than am I sekyr inowe That dede shall sew of damnacyon! Than of the Soull the Devll hath dominacyon. I wyll go make hys examynacyon,    To all the devllys of helle I make a vowe! But, for to tempte man in my lyknes, Yt wolde brynge hym to grett feerfullnes! I wyll change me into bryghtnes,    And so hym to begyle. Sen I shall schew hym perfyghtnes, And vertu, prove yt wykkydnes.7 Thus undyr colors, all thynge perverse.    I shall never rest tyll the Soule I defyle! Her Lucyfer devoydyth, and cummyth in ageyn as a goodly galont. MYNDE   My mynde ys ever on Jhesu That enduyde us wyth vertu; Hys doctrine to sue    Ever I purpose. UNDYRSTONDYNGE   My undyrstondynge ys in trew, That wyth feyth us dyd renew. Hys laws to pursew    Ys swetter to me than savoure of the rose. WYLL   And my wyll ys hys wyll, veraly, That made us hys creaturys so specyally, Yeldynge unto hym laude and glory    For his goodnes. LUCYFER   Ye fonnyde fathers, founders of foly, Vt quid hic statis tota die ociosi?8 Ye wyll perysche or ye yt aspye;    The Devyll hath acumberyde you expres! Mynde, Mynde, ser, have in mynde thys! MYNDE   He ys not ydyll that wyth Gode ys. LUCYFER   No, ser, I prove well yis!    Thys ys my suggestyun: All thynge hat dew tymes — Prayer, fastynge, labour — all thes; Wan tyme ys not kept, that dede is amys.    The more pleynerly to your informacyon. [To a member of the audience.] Here ys a man that lyvyt wordly, Hathe wyffe, chylderne, and servantys besy, And other chargys that I not specyfye!    Ys yt leeffull to this man To leve hys labour usyde truly?9 Hys chargys perysche, that Gode gaff duly, Ande geve hym to preyer and es of body?    Woso do thus, wyth God ys not than! Mertha plesyde Gode grettly thore. MYNDE   Ye, but Maria plesyde hymm moche more! LUCYFER   Yet the lest hade blys for evermore —    Ys not this anow? MYNDE   Contemplatyff lyff ys sett befor. LUCYFER   I may not beleve that in my lore, For God hymselff, wan he was man borre,    Wat lyff lede he? Answer thou now! Was he ever in contemplacyon? MYNDE   I suppos not, be my relacyon. LUCYFER   And all hys lyff was informacyon    Ande example to man! Sumtyme wyth synners he had conversacyon, Sumtyme with holy also comunycacyon, Sumtyme he laboryde, preyde; sumtyme tribulacyon.    Thys was vita mixta, that Gode here began, And that lyff shulde ye here sewe. MYNDE   I kan not beleve thys ys trewe. LUCYFER   Contemplatyff lyff for to sewe,    Yt ys grett drede, and se cause why: They must fast, wake, and prey ever new, Use harde lyvynge, and goynge wyth dyscyplyne dew, Kepe sylence, wepe, and surphettys eschewe;    Ande yff they fayll of thys, they offende Gode hyghly. Wan they have wastyde be feyntnes, Than febyll ther wyttys and fallyn to fondnes, Sum into dyspeyer and sum into madnes.    Wet yt well, God ys not plesyde wyth thys! Leve, leve such syngler besynes! Be in the worlde! Use thyngys nesesse! The comyn ys best expres.    Who clymyt hye, hys fall gret ys! MYNDE   Truly, me seme ye have reson. LUCYFER   Aplye you then to this conclusyun. MYNDE   I kan make no replicacyon,    Your resons be grete! I kan not forgett this informacyon. LUCYFER   Thynke theruppon, yt ys your salvacyon! Now, and Undyrstondynge wolde have delectacyon,    All syngler devocyons he wolde lett. Your fyve wyttys abrode lett sprede! Se how comly to man ys precyus wede; Wat worschype yt ys to be manfull in dede.    That bryngyt in dominacyon! Of the symple, what profyght yt to tak hede? Beholde how ryches dystroyt nede! It makyt man fayer, hym wele for to fede    And of lust and lykynge commyth generacyon! Undyrstondynge, tender ye this informacyon? UNDYRSTONDYNGE   In thys I fele in manere of dylectacyon! LUCYFER   A ha, ser! Then ther make a pawsacyon!    Se and beholde the worlde aboute! Lytyll thynge suffysyt to salvacyon. All maner synnys dystroyt contryscyon, They that dyspeyer mercy have grett compunccyon!    Gode plesyde best wyth goode wyll, no dowte! Therfor, Wyll, I rede you inclyne. Leve your stodyes, thow ben dyvyn — Your prayers, your penance, of ipocryttys the syne —    Ande lede a comun lyff! What synne ys in met? In ale? In wyn? Wat synne ys in ryches? In clothynge fyne? All thynge Gode ordenyde to man to inclyne.    Leve your nyse chastyté, and take a wyff! Better ys fayer frut than foull pollucyon! What seyth sensualité to this conclusyon? WYLL   As the fyve wyttys gyff informacyon,    Yt semyth your resons be goode. LUCYFER   The Wyll of the Soule hathe fre dominacyon, Dyspute not to moche in this wyth reson, Yet the nethyr parte to this taketh sum instruccyon,    And so shulde the over parte, but he were woode. WYLL   Me seme, as ye sey, in body and soule, Man may be in the worlde, and be ryght goode. LUCYFER   Ya, ser, by Sent Powle! But trust not thes prechors, for they be not goode, For they flatere and lye as they wore wood —    Ther ys a wolffe in a lombys skyn! WYLL   Ya, I woll no more row ageyn the floode.    I woll sett my soule on a mery pynne! LUCYFER   Be my trouthe, than do ye wyslye! Gode lovyt a clene soull and a mery! Acorde you thre togedyr by,    And ye may not mysfare. MYNDE   To this suggestyon agre we! UNDYRSTONDYNGE   Delyght therin I have truly! WYLL   And I consent therto frelye! LUCYFER   A, ser! All mery than, awey care! Go in the worlde, se that aboute! Geet goode frely, cast no doute! To the ryche ye se men lowly lought!    Geve to your body that ys nede, Ande ever be mery! Let revell route! MYNDE   Ya, ellys I beschrew my snoute! UNDYRSTONDYNGE   And yff I care, cache I the goute! WYLL   And yff I spare, the Devyll me spede! LUCYFER   Go your wey than, and do wysly. Change that syde aray! MYNDE                    I yt defye! UNDYRSTONDYNGE   We woll be fresche, and it hap La plu joly!    Farwell, penance! MYNDE               To worschyppys I wyll my mynde aplye! UNDYRSTONDYNGE   Myn undyrstondynge in worschyppys and glory! WYLLE   And I in lustys of lechery,    As was sumtyme gyse of Fraunce!      Wyth “Wy, wyppe!      Farwell,” quod I, “the Devyll ys uppe!” Exient. LUCYFER   Of my dysyere now have I summe! Wer onys brought into custume, Then farwell, consyens, he wer clumme    I shulde have all my wyll! Resone I have made both deff and dumme, Grace ys out and put arome, Wethyr I wyll have, he shall cum,    So, at the last, I shall hym spyll! I shall now stere his mynde To that syne made me a fende, Pryde, wyche ys ageyn kynde,    And of synnys hede. So to covetyse he shall wende, For that enduryth to the last ende, And onto lechery, and I may hymm rende!    Than am I seker the Soule ys dede! That Soule Gode made incomparable, To hys lyknes most amyable, I shall make yt most reprovable,    Evyn lyke to a fende of hell. At hys deth I shall apere informable, Schewynge hym all hys synnys abhomynable, Prevynge his Soule dampnable,    So wyth dyspeyer I shall hym quell. Wyll clennes ys in mankyn, Verely, the Soule God ys wythin, Ande wen yt ys in dedly synne,    Yt ys veryly the Develys place. Thus by colours and false gynne Many a soule to hell I wynn; Wyde to go, I may not blyne,    Wyth this fals boy — God gyff hym evell grace! Her he takyt a schrewede boy wyth hym and goth hys wey, cryenge. MYNDE   Lo, me here in a newe aray! Wyppe, wyrre, care awey!    Farwell, perfeccyon! Me semyt myselff most lykly, ay! It ys but honest, no pryde, no nay. I wyll be freshest by my fay,    For that acordyt wyth my complexccyon. UNDYRSTONDYNGE   Ande have here me as fresche as you! All mery, mery and glade now! I have get goode, God wott how!    For joy I sprynge, I sckyppe! Goode makyt on mery, to God a vowe! Farewell, consyens, I know not you! I am at eas, hade I inowe.    Truthe on syde I lett hym slyppe. WYLL   Lo, here on as jolye as ye! I am so lykynge, me seme I fle! I have atastyde lust! Farwell, chastité!    My hert ys evermore lyght! I am full of felycyté! My delyght ys all in bewté. Ther ys no joy but that in me.    A woman me semyth a hevynly syght! MYNDE   Ande thes ben my synglere solace: Kynde, fortune, and grace. Kynde, nobley of kynrede me gevyn hase,    Ande that makyt me soleyn. Fortune in worldys worschyppe me doth lace; Grace gevyt curryus eloquens, and that mase    That alle oncunnynge I dysdeyn! UNDYRSTONDYNGE   And my joy ys especyall To hurde uppe ryches for fer to fall, To se yt, to handyll it, to tell yt all —    And streightly to spare! To be holde ryche and reyall I bost, I avaunt wer I shall. Ryches makyt a man equall    To hem sumtyme hys sovereyngys were. WYLL   To me ys joy most laudable Fresche dysgysynge to seme amyable, Spekynge wordys delectable    Perteynynge onto love! It ys joy of joys inestymable To halse, to kys the affyable! A lover ys son perceyvable    Be the smylynge on me wan yt doth remove! MYNDE   To avaunte thus, me semeth no schame, For galontys now be in most fame. Curtely personys men hem proclame.    Moche we be sett bye! UNDYRSTONDYNGE   The ryche covetouse, wo dare blame Off govell and symony thow he bere the name? To be fals, men report yt game!    Yt ys clepyde wysdom! “Ware that,” quod Ser Wyly! WYLL   Ande of lechory to make avaunte, Men fors it no more than drynke ataunt. Thes thyngys be now so conversant,    We seme yt no schame. MYNDE   Curyous aray I wyll ever hante! UNDYRSTONDYNGE   Ande I falsnes, to be passante! WYLL   Ande I in lust my flesche to daunte!    No man dyspyes thes — they be but game! MYNDE   I rejoys of thes, now let us synge! UNDYRSTONDYNGE   Ande yff I spar, evell joy me wrynge! WYLL   Have at, quod I! Lo, howe I sprynge!    Lust makyth me wondyr wylde! MYNDE   A tenour to you bothe I brynge. UNDYRSTONDYNGE   And I a mene for ony kynge! WYLL   And but a trebull I outwrynge,    The Devell hym spede that myrth exyled! Et cantent. MYNDE   How be this trow ye nowe? UNDYRSTONDYNGE   At the best, to God a vowe! WYLL   As mery as the byrde on bow,    I take no thought! MYNDE   The welfare of this worlde ys in us, I avowe! UNDYRSTONDYNGE   Lett eche man tell hys condycyons howe. WYLL   Begynne ye, ande have at yow!    For I am aschamyde of ryght nought. MYNDE   Thys ys a cause of my worschyppe: I serve myghty lordeschyppe, Ande am in grett tenderschyppe;    Therfor moche folke me dredys. Men sew to my frendeschyppe For meyntnance of her shendeschyppe. I support hem by lordeschyppe    For, to get good, this a grett spede ys! UNDYRSTONDYNGE   And I use joroury, Enbrace questys of perjury, Choppe and chonge with symonye,    And take large geftys! Be the cause never so try, I preve yt fals — I swere, I lye! — Wyth a quest of myn affye.    The redy wey this now to thryfte ys! WYLL   And wat trow ye be me? More than I take, spende I threys thre! Sumtyme I geff, sumtyme they me,    Ande am ever fresche and gay! Few placys now ther be But onclennes we shall ther see. It ys holde but a nysyté,    Lust ys now cumun as the way! MYNDE   Law procedyth not for meyntnance. UNDYRSTONDYNGE   Trouthe recurythe not for habundance.10 WYLL   And lust ys in so grett usance,    We fors yt nought. MYNDE   In us the worlde hath most affyance. UNDYRSTONDYNGE   Non thre be in so grett aqueynttance. WYLL   Few ther be outhe of our allyance;    Wyll the worlde ys thus, take we no thought! MYNDE   Thought? Nay, therageyn stryve I! UNDYRSTONDYNGE   We have that nedyt us, so thryve I! WYLL   And yff that I care, never wyve I!    Lett hem care that hathe for to sewe! MYNDE   Wo lordschyppe shall sew must yt bye! UNDYRSTONDYNGE   Wo wyll have law must have monye! WYLL   Ther povert ys the malewrye,    Thow right be, he shall never renewe. MYNDE   Wronge ys born upe boldly, Thow all the worlde know yt opynly; Mayntnance ys now so myghty,    Ande all is for mede! UNDYRSTONDYNGE   The lawe ys so coloryde falsly By sleyttys and by perjury, Brybys be so gredy,    That to the pore trouth is take ryght non hede! WYLL   Wo gett or loose, ye be ay wynnande! Mayntnance and perjury now stande: Thei wer never so moche reynande    Seth Gode was bore! MYNDE   Ande lechery was never more usande Of lernyde and lewyde in this lande! UNDYRSTONDYNGE   So we thre be now in hande! WYLL   Ya, and most usyde everywere! MYNDE   Now wyll we thre do make a dance Of thow that longe to our retenance, Cummynge in by contenance,    This were a dysporte! UNDYRSTONDYNGE   Therto I geve acordance Of thow that ben of myn affyance. WYLL   Let se betyme, ye, Meyntnance!    Clepe in fyrst your resorte!	(see note) frown (lour) (see note) If they do not all come there Mad; were them most sorely was called placed hold in greatest contempt devoting myself [So that] in crafty; (see note) knowledge; still (see note) inclined whenever confuse; weakness woe; created deceived image disfigure By; trickery If; listens to my speech parts, indeed intend Though; pervert [it], [it] is no sin Unless; sin deeds pleasure certain enough result in [I will] pervert all things under false pretenses exits; gallant; (see note) (see note) endowed follow intend the true God truly foolish (see note) before; notice overwhelmed you surely yes things have appropriate; (see note) When; action is wrong obviously for lives worldly busy I will not lawful [To let] his dependents comfort Whoever does there; (see note) (see note) lesser enough higher learning when; born as man by what I can say instruction holy [men] the mixed life; (see note) follow follow; (see note) very difficult; see the reason continually; (see note) appropriate excess [become] feeble; foolishness despair Know curious behavior necessary ordinary; certainly climbs it seems to me; (see note) Consider reply if; pleasure; (see note) special; leave senses fine clothing What honor leads to to pay attention himself; feed from desire; pleasure; procreation value a sort of pleasure pause All kinds of; contrition anxiety is pleased; (see note) advise you to listen studies, those that are hypocrites the sign food; (see note) accept foolish fruit senses; (see note) lower higher; unless; insane It seems to me St. Paul (see note) were mad lamb’s; (see note) against mood; (see note) loves; (see note) Agree look around goods see; bow down low necessary run riot curse may I catch long garment; (see note) The most beautiful; (see note) riches riches; (see note) custom Why, quickly They leave Were it once; habit [if] he were silent (see note) at a distance Wherever I want him destroy direct against nature chief turn; (see note) if I may lead him certain reprehensible with information Proving destroy While innocence; (see note) Truly when truly deceit; strategy Far; cease mischievous; (see note) garment; (see note) Quick, hurry; (see note) handsome, yes the truth; denying faith suits; temperament here is goods; knows Goods; one would be; if I had enough let it slip aside one happy, it seems to me I fly tasted seems to me particular pleasures Nature nobility of kindred haughty wrap subtle; causes ignorance hoard; fear of a count frugally; save considered brag wherever I want those who once were his superiors clothing; friendly embrace; lover soon apparent when it arouses passion boast; it seems to me gallants Courtly We are highly regarded who usury; accusation; (see note) call it sport; (see note) called; Beware of; Wily consider; in excess common We consider it Elaborate clothing; use stylish satisfy despises; sport refrain; hurt Go on; dance wonderfully (see note) middle part [good enough] for unless an upper part I squeeze out And they sing think Terrific bough I haven’t a care reasons Go ahead nothing at all the reason for stewardship many people fear me seek; (see note) support; shameful behavior goods; very successful bear false witness; (see note) jury of inquiry Bargain and trade bribes certain jury I have bought prosperity what do you think of [give] to me lechery trivial thing common because of bribery usage regard reliance so well known out While; we have no care against that what we need I’ll never marry who need to sue Who; sue; pay for Who poverty; misfortune Though his cause be right; recover supported Unjust Support bribery perverted tricks Who; always winning Unjust Support in control Since; born being practiced By; uneducated agreement (see note) those; belong; retinues with masks those; company Let’s see immediately Call; retinue
	Here entur six dysgysed in the sute [livery] of Mynde, wyth rede berdys, and lyouns rampaunt on here crestys [badges], and yche a warder [staff] in hys honde; her [their] mynstrallys, trumpes [trumpets]. Eche answere for hys name. (see note)
695 700 705 711 715 720	MYNDE   Let se, cum in Indignacyon and Sturdynes! Males also, and Hastynes! Wreche and Dyscorde expres!    And the sevente am I, Mayntennance! Seven ys a numbyr of discorde and inperfyghtnes; Lo, here ys a yomandrye wyth loveday to dres! Ande the Devle hade swore yt, they wolde ber up falsnes,    Ande maynten yt at the best. This ys the Devllys dance! Ande here menstrellys be convenyent, For trumpys shulde blow to the jugemente! Off batell also yt ys on instrumente,    Gevynge comfort to fyght. Therfor they be expedyente To thes meny of Mayntement. Blow! Lett see Madam Regent,    Ande daunce, ye laddys, your hertys be lyght! [They dance.] Lo, that other spare, thes meny wyll spende! UNDYRSTONDYNGE   Ya, wo ys hym shall hem offende! WYLL   Wo wyll not to hem condescende,    He shall have threttys! MYNDE   They spyll that law wolde amende! UNDYRSTONDYNGE   Yit Mayntnance no man dare reprehende. WYLL   Thes meny thre synnys comprehende:    Pryde, Invy, and Wrathe in hys hestys! UNDYRSTONDYNGE   Now wyll I than begyn my traces. Jorour in on hoode beer to facys: Fayer speche and falsehede in on space ys!    Is it not ruthe? The quest of Holborn cum into this placys, Ageyn the ryght ever ther rechase ys; Of wom they holde not, harde hys grace ys.    Many a tyme have dammyde truthe.	Stubbornness Malice; Rashness Vengeance; for certain Unjust Support imperfection; (see note) yeomanry to decorate (dress) a loveday; (see note) If; commanded appropriate trumpets; at a an in a fight useful this retinue of Unjust Support (see note) that which others save, this retinue woe Who threats destroy those whom This retinue; comprises Envy; demands my dance one; bears two; (see note) one a pity inquest (jury); (see note) Against; judicial review Whomever they rule against they have condemned
	Here entrethe six jorours in a sute [matching livery], gownyde, wyth hodys [hoods] about her nekys, hattys of Meyntenance therupon, vyseryde [masked] diversly; here [their] myn­strell, a bagpype. (see note)
725 730 734 741 745 750	UNDYRSTONDYNGE   Let se, fyrst Wronge and Sleyght! Dobullnes and Falsnes, schew your myght! Now Raveyn and Dyscheyit!    Now holde you here togydyr! This menys consyens ys so streytt That they report as mede yevyt beyght! Here ys the quest of Holborn, an evyll endyrecte.    They daunce all the londe, hydyr and thedyr!      And I, Perjury, your founder!      Now dance on, us all! The worlde doth on us wondyr! [They dance.] Lo, here ys a meyné love wellfare! MYNDE   Ye, they spende that tru men spare! WYLL   Have they a brybe, have they no care    Wo hath wronge or ryght! MYNDE   They fors not to swere and starre. WYLL   Though all be false, les and mare. UNDYRSTONDYNGE   Wyche wey to the woode wyll the hare?    They knewe, and they at rest sett als tyghte!      Some seme hem wyse      For the fadyr of us, Covetyse. WYLL   Now Meyntnance and Perjury Hathe schewyde the trace of ther cumpeny, Ye shall se a sprynge of Lechery,    That to me attende! Here forme ys of the stewys clene rebaldry! They wene sey soth wen that they lye! Of the comyn they synge, eche wyke by and by!    They may sey wyth tenker, I trow, ‘Lat amende!’	Duplicity Plunder and Deceit retinue’s; limited they report being bought as earnings a crooked (dishonest) evil; (see note) all of us retinue [that] loves that which; save Who think nothing of (see note) know; sit tight [and wait] seem to them Covetousness Unjust Support dance dance Their; brothel’s pure think they tell the truth Regularly; each week continually tinker; Get it fixed
	Here entreth six women in sut [matching liveries], thre dysgysyde as galontes [gallants] and thre as matrones, wyth wondyrfull vysurs [masks] conregent [similar]; here [their] myn­strell, an hornepype. (see note)
755 759 765 770 775 779 785 790 795 799 805 810 815 821 825 831 835 841 845 850 855 859 863 871 875 881 885 890 895 900	WYLL   Cum slepers, Rekleshede and Idyllnes, All in, all — Surfet and Gredynes, For the flesche, Spousebreche and Mastres,    Wyth jentyll Fornycacyon. Your mynstrell a hornepype mete That foull ys in hymselff but to the erys swete. Thre fortherers of love: “Hem shrew I!” quod Bete.    Thys dance of this damesellys ys thorow this regyn. [They dance.] MYNDE   Ye may not endure wythout my meyntenance. UNDYRSTONDYNGE   That ys bought wyth a brybe of our substance. WYLL   Whow, breydest thou us of thin aqueyntance?    I sett thee at nought! MYNDE   On that worde I woll tak vengeaunce! Wer vycys be gederyde, ever ys sum myschance. Hurle hens thes harlottys! Here gyse ys of France.    They shall abey bytterly, by hym that all wrought! UNDYRSTONDYNGE   Ill spede thee ande thou spare! Thi longe body bare To bett I not spare.    Have thee ageyn! WYLL   Holde me not! Let me go! Ware! I dynge, I dasche! Ther, go ther! Dompe devys, can ye not dare?    I tell yow, outwarde, on and tweyn! Exient. MYNDE   Now I schrew yow thus dansaunde! UNDERSTONDYNGE   Ye, and evyll be thou thryvande! WYLL   No more let us be stryvande.    Nowe all at on! MYNDE   Here was a meny onthryvande! UNDYRSTONDYNGE   To the Devll be they dryvande. WYLL   He that ys yll wyvande,    Wo hys hym, by the bon! MYNDE   Leve then this dalyance Ande set we a ordenance Off better chevesaunce    How we may thryve. UNDYRSTONDYNGE   At Westmyster, wythout varyance, The nex terme shall me sore avaunce, For retornys, for enbraces, for recordaunce.    Lyghtlyer to get goode kan no man on lyve! MYNDE   Ande at the parvyse I wyll be A Powlys betwyn to ande thre, Wyth a menye folowynge me,    Entret, juge-partynge, and to-supporte. WYLL   Ande ever the latter, the lever me. Wen I com lat to the cyté I walke all lanys and weys to myn affynyté.    And I spede no ther, to the stews I resort. MYNDE   Ther gettys thou nouhte, but spendys. WYLL   Yis, sumtyme I take amendys Of hem that nought offendys,    I engrose upe here purs. MYNDE   And I arest ther no drede ys, Preve forfett ther no mede ys, Ande take to me that nede ys.    I reke not thow they curs. UNDYRSTONDYNGE   Thow they curs, nether the wers I fare. Thys day I endyght them I herde of never are. To-morow I wyll aquyt them, yff nede were.    Thys lede I my lyff. WYLL   Ye, but of us thre I have lest care. Met and drynke and ease, I aske no mare, And a praty wench, to se here bare!    I reke but lytyll be sche mayde or wyffe. MYNDE   Thys on a soper I wyll be seen rycher, Set a noble wyth goode chere    Redyly to spende. UNDYRSTONDYNGE   And I tweyn, be this feer, To moque at a goode dyner. I hoope of a goode yer,    For ever I trost Gode wyll send. WYLL   And best we have wyne, Ande a cosyn of myn Wyth us for to dyne.    Thre nobles wyll I spende frely. MYNDE   We shall acorde well and fyne. UNDYRSTONDYNGE   Nay, I wyll not passe schylyngys nyne. WYLL   No, thou was never but a swyn.    I woll be holdyn jentyll, by Sent Audre of Ely! Ande now in my mynde I have My cosyn Jenet N., so Gode me save. Sche mornyth wyth a chorle, a very knave,    And never kan be mery. I pley me ther wen I lyst rave; Than the chorle wyll here dysprave. How myght make hym thys to lawe,    I wolde onys have hym in the wyrry. MYNDE   For thys I kan a remedye: I shall rebuk hym thus so dyspytuusly That of hys lyff he shall wery    And quak for very fere. Ande yff he wyll not leve therby, On hys bodye he shall abye Tyll he leve that jelousy.    Nay, suche chorlys I kan lere! UNDYRSTONDYNGE   Nay, I kan better hym quytte: Arest hym fyrst to pes for fyght, Than in another schere hym endyght,    He ne shall wete by wom ne howe! Have hym in the Marschalsi seyn aryght, Than to the Amralté, for they wyll byght, A prevenire facias than have as tyght,    Ande thou shalt hurle hym so that he shall have inow. WYLL   Wat and thes wrongys be espyede? UNDYRSTONDYNGE   Wyth the crose and the pyll I shall wrye yt, That ther shall never man dyscrey yt    That may me appeyere. MYNDE   Ther ys no craft but we may trye it. UNDYRSTONDYNGE   Mede stoppyt, be yt never so allyede. WYLL   Wyth you tweyn wo ys replyede,    He may sey he hathe a schrewde seyer. MYNDE   Thou woldyst have wondyr of sleyghtys that be. UNDYRSTONDYNGE   Thys make sume ryche and summe never thé. WYLL   They must nedys grett goodys gett thee!    Now go we to the wyne! MYNDE   In treuthe I grante, have at wyth thee! UNDYRSTONDYNGE   Ande for a peny or to, I wyll not fle. WYLL   Mery, mery, all mery than be we!    Who that us tarythe, curs have he and myn! [Enter Wisdom.] WYSDOM   O thou Mynde, remembyr thee!    Turne thi weys, thou gost amyse. Se what thi ende ys, thou myght not fle.    Dethe to every creature certen ys. They that lyve well, they shall have blys;    Thay that endyn yll, they goo to hell! I am Wysdom, sent to tell you thys.    Se in what stat thou doyst indwell. MYNDE   To my mynde yt cummyth from farre    That doutles man shall dey! Ande thes weys we go, we erre.    Undyrstondynge, wat do ye sey? UNDYRSTONDYNGE   I sey, man, holde forthe thi wey!      The lyff we lede ys sekyr ynowe.    I wyll no undyrstondynge shall lett my pley.      Wyll, frende, how seyst thou? WYLL   I wyll not thynke theron, to Gode a vowe!         We be yit but tender of age.      Schulde we leve this lyve? Ya, whowe?         We may amende wen we be sage. WYSDOM   Thus many on unabylythe hym to grace;    They wyll not loke, but slumber and wynke. They take not drede before ther face,    Howe horryble ther synnys stynke.    Wen they be on the pyttys brynke,      Than shall they trymbull and quake for drede.    Yit Mynde, I sey, you bethynke      In what perell ye be now! Take hede! Se howe ye have dysvyguryde your soule!    Beholde yourselff; loke veryly in mynde!	Carelessness Every one in Adultery; Mistress appropriate ears I curse him; (see note) these; region support Whoa, reproach; (see note) (see note) Where; assembled Throw out; Their manner suffer if you delay To beat I will Have at Beware beat; strike Dumb show; shut up forward, one and two They [the dancers] leave; (see note) curse; dancing may you thrive evilly fighting as one a useless retinue going badly married Woe is; bone; (see note) playing plot profit Westminster; question; (see note) next [law] period; greatly advance writ payments; bribery; false testimony More easily; goods church door; (see note) At St. Paul’s; two retinue jury-bribery (judge-bribery); illegal support the better for When; late [at night] street; with my companions If I succeed not; brothels nothing fines have done nothing wrong take possession of; (see note) fear Take forfeit; reward necessary care not though Though; (see note) indict those I’ve never heard of before Thus least Food pretty; see her I don’t care [I’ll put] this [coin]; supper Put forth; (see note) two [nobles]; company enjoy ourselves Three gold coins spend more than anything but considered noble, by St. Audrey; (see note) (see note) suffers; churl, a true want to Then the churl; slander her How I can take him to court over this then; by the throat know insultingly stop pay for it churls; teach repay keep the peace for fighting; (see note) county indict him whom nor appear in the Knight-Marshal’s court; (see note) Lord Admiral’s court; be severe; (see note) A writ of praemunire facias; tightly; (see note) harass; enough What if; noticed heads and tails; conceal; (see note) So that; perceive So that I might have to appear before the court Bribery stops [the law]; well-connected whoever you reply to clever lawyer at the tricks prosper (see note) delays See; you dwell in It seems to me If what stay on your path secure enough hinder life; how; (see note) change when; aged one makes himself unfit for sleep When; the edge of the pit consider (see note) truly into your mind
	Here Anima apperythe in the most horrybull wyse [manner], foulere than a fende.
905 910	MYNDE   Out! I tremble for drede, by Sent Powle!    Thys ys fouler than ony fend. WYSDOM   Wy art thou creature so onkynde,    Thus to defoule Godys own place That was made so gloryus wythout ende?    Thou hast made the Devylls rechace. As many dedly synnys as ye have usyde,    So many devllys in your soule be. Beholde wat ys therin reclusyde!    Alas, man, of thi Soule have pyté!	St. Paul any Why; unnatural called up the Devil; (see note) what; hidden
	Here rennyt out from undyr the horrybyll mantyll of the Soull six small boys in the lyknes of devyllys and so retorne ageyn. (see note)
915 920 925 930 935 941 945 950 955 960 965 970 975 980 985 990 995	WYSDAM   What have I do? Why lovyste thou not me?    Why cherysyste thi enmye? Why hatyst thou thi frende? Myght I have don ony more for thee?    But love may brynge drede to mynde. Thou hast made thee a bronde of hell    Whom I made the ymage of lyght. Yff the Devll myght, he wolde thee qwell But that mercy expellyt hys myght. Wy doyst thou, Soule, me all dyspyght?    Why gevyst thou myn enmy that I have wrought? Why werkyst thou hys consell; by myn settys lyght?    Why hatyst thou vertu? Why lovyst that ys nought? MYNDE   A, lorde, now I brynge to mynde    My horryble synnys and myn offens, I se how I have defoulyde the noble kynde    That was lyke to thee by intellygens.    Undyrstondynge, I schew to your presens      Our lyff wyche that ys most synfull.    Sek you remedye, do your dylygens      To clense the Soull wyche ys this foull. UNDYRSTONDYNGE   By you, Mynde, I have very knowenge    That grettly Gode we have offendyde; Endles peyn worthyi be our dysyrvynge    Wyche be ourselff never may be amendyde    Wythout Gode, in whom all ys comprehendyde.      Therfor to hym let us resort —    He lefte up them that be descendyde.      He ys resurreccyon and lyve; to hem, Wyll, resort! WYLL   My wyll was full gove to syne,    By wyche the Soule ys so abhomynable. I wyll retorne to Gode and new begynne    Ande in hym gronde my wyll stable,    That of hys mercy he wyll me able      To have the giffte of hys specyall grace,    How hys seke Soule may be recurable      At the jugment before hys face. ANIMA   Than wyth you thre the Soule dothe crye,    “Mercy, Gode!” Why change I nowte, I that thus horryble in synne lye,    Sythe Mynde, Wyll, and Undyrstondynge be brought    To have knowynge they ill wrought?      What ys that shall make me clene?    Put yt, Lorde, into my thowte!      Thi olde mercy let me remene. WYSDOM   Thow the soule mynde take    Ande undyrstondynge of hys synnys allwey, Beynge in wyll, yt forsake,    Yit thes do not only synnys awey,    But very contrycyon, who that have may,      That ys purger and clenser of synne.    A tere of the ey, wyth sorow veray,      That rubbyt and waschyt the Soule wythin. All the penance that may be wrought,    Ne all the preyer that seyde be kan, Wythout sorowe of hert relesyt nought.    That in especyall reformyth man    Ande makyt hym as clene as when he begane.      Go seke this medsyne, Soull. That beseke    Wyth veray feythe, and be ye sekyr than      The vengeaunce of Gode ys made full meke. By Undyrstondynge have very contrycyon,    Wyth Mynde of your synne confessyon make, Wyth Wyll yeldynge du satysfaccyon.    Than your soule be clene, I undyrtake. ANIMA   I wepe for sorowe, Lorde! I begyn awake,      I that this longe hath slumberyde in syne. Hic recedunt demones. WYSDOM   Lo, how contrycyon avoydyth the devllys blake! Dedly synne ys non you wythin! For Gode ye have offendyde hyghly    Ande your modyr, Holy Chyrche so mylde, Therfor Gode ye must aske mercy,    By Holy Chyrch to be reconsylyde,    Trustynge verely ye shall never be revylyde      Yff ye have your charter of pardon by confessyon.    Now have ye forgeffnes that were fylyde.      Go prey your modyr Chyrche of her proteccyon. ANIMA   O Fadyr of mercy ande of comfort,    Wyth wepynge ey and hert contryte To our modyr, Holy Chyrche, I wyll resort,    My lyff pleyn schewenge to here syght.    Wyth Mynde, Undyrstondynge, and Wyll ryght,      Wyche of my Soull the partyes be,    To the domys of the Chyrche we shall us dyght,      Wyth veray contricyon thus compleynnyng we.	done do you cherish your enemy any firebrand destroy Unless; drives away Why; injure give; that which pay no attention to mine that which is nothing see; defiled; nature because of life Seek so foul true knowledge (see note) by ourselves lifts; have fallen life given ground enable gift sick; curable not at all Since did ill remember Although forsake it (sin) alone [take] true tear; eye; true scrubs and washes remits nothing in particular seek; medicine true; certain true; (see note) yielding will be; promise Here the demons exit drives out [of] God truly; reviled (see note) defiled (see note) eye My life openly displayed parts judgement; put lamenting
	Here they go out, and in the goynge the Soule syngyth in the most lamentabull wyse [manner], wyth drawte notys [long drawn-out notes] as yt ys songyn in the passyon wyke [Easter Week]:
1000 1005 1010 1015 1020 1025 1030 1035 1040 1045 1050 1055 1060 1065	ANIMA   Magna velud mare contricio, contricio tua: quis consoletur tui? Plorans ploravit in nocte, et lacrime ejus in maxillis ejus.11 WYSDOM   Thus seth Gode mankynde tyll    The nyne poyntys ples hym all other before. “Gyff a peny in thy lyve wyth goode wyll    To the pore, and that plesythe Gode more    Than mouyntenys into golde tramposyde wore      Ande aftyr thy dethe for thee dysposyde.”    Ande all the goodys thou hast in store      Shulde not profyght so moche wan thi body ys closyde. The secunde poynt, Gode sethe thus,    “Wepe on tere for my love hertyly, Or for the passyon of me, Jhesus,    Ande that plesyt me more specyally    Than yff thou wepte for thi frendys or goodys worldly      As moche water as the se conteynys.”    Lo, contrycyon ys a soveren remedy      That dystroythe synnys, that relessyt peynys. The thyrde, Gode sethe, “Suffyr pacyenly for my love    Of thi neybure a worde of repreve, Ande that to mercy mor dothe me move    Than thou dyscyplynyde thi body wyth peynys greve    Wyth as many roddys as myght grow or thryve      In the space of a days jornyé.”    Lo, who suffyryth most for Gode ys most leve,      Slandyr, repreve, ony adversyté. The fourte, Gode sethe, “Wake on ouyr for the love of me,    And that to me ys more plesaunce Than yff thou sent twelve kyngys free    To my sepulkyr wyth grett puysschaunce    For my dethe to take vengeaunce.”      Lo, wakynge ys a holy thynge.    Ther yt ys hade wyth goode usance,      Many gracys of yt doth sprynge. The fyfte, Gode sethe, “Have pyté and compassyon    Of thi neybur wyche ys seke and nedy, And that to me ys more dylectacyon    Than thou fastyde forty yer by and by    Thre days in the weke, as streytly      As thou cowdys in water and brede.”    Lo, pyté God plesyth grettly,      Ande yt ys a vertu soveren, as clerkys rede. The sixte, Gode seth on this wyse,    “Refreyn thy speche for my reverens, Lett not thy tonge thy eveyn-Crysten dyspyse,    Ande than plesyst thou more myn excellens    Than yff thou laberyde wyth grett dylygens      Upon thy nakyde feet and bare    Tyll the blode folwude for peyn and vyolens      Ande aftyr eche stepe yt sene were.” The sevente, Cryst seth in this maner,    “Thy neybur to evyll ne sterre not thou, But all thynge torne into vertu chere,    And than more plesyst thou me now    Then yf a thousende tymys thou renne thorow      A busche of thornys that scharpe were    Tyll thi nakyde body were all rough      Ande evyn rent to the bonys bare.” The eyghte, Gode sethe this man till,    “Oftyn pray and aske of me, And that plesythe me more onto my wyll    Than yf my modyr and all sentys preyde for thee.” The nynte, God sethe, “Love me soverenly,    Ande that to me more plesant ys Than yf thou went upon a pyler of tre    That wer sett full of scharpe prykkys    So that thou cut thi flesche into the smale partys.”      Lo, Gode ys plesyde more wyth the dedys of charyté    Than all the peynys man may suffer iwys.      Remembyr thes poyntys, man, in thi felycité!	saith; to (see note) mountains; converted spent for your sake when; buried one sea supreme sets [the soul] free from pains patiently neighbor; reproof grievous pains (see note) journey dear any Keep a vigil one hour noble; (see note) force keeping vigil done properly continually strictly could supreme Restrain fellow-Christians slander (see note) flowed visible incite virtuous behavior run through torn to man above all else wooden pillar spikes little pieces pains; indeed
	Here entrethe Anima, wyth the Fyve Wyttys [Senses] goynge before, Mynde on the on [one] syde and Undyrstondynge on the other syde and Wyll folowyng, all in here fyrst clothynge, her chapplettys [coronets] and crestys [badges], and all havyng on crownys, syngynge in here [their] commynge in: “Quid retribuam Domino pro omnibus que retribuit mihi? Calicem salutaris accipiam et nomen Domini invocabo.”12 (see note)
1070 1075 1080 1085 1090 1095 1100 1105 1110 1115 1120 1125 1130 1135 1140 1145 1150 1155 1160 1165	ANIMA   O meke Jhesu, to thee I crye!    O swet Jhesu, my delectacyon! O Jhesu, the sune of Vyrgyne Marye,    Full of mercy and compassyon!    My soule ys waschede by thy passyon      Fro the synnys cummynge by sensualyté.    A, be thee I have a new resurreccyon.      The lyght of grace I fele in me. In tweyn myghtes of my soule I thee offendyde:    The on by my inwarde wyttys, thow ben gostly; The other by my outwarde wyttys comprehendyde,    Tho be the fyve wyttys bodyly,    Wyth the wyche tweyn myghtys mercy I crye.      My modyr, Holy Chyrche, hath gove me grace,    Whom ye fyrst toke to your mercy,      Yet of myselff I may not satysfye my trespas. Magna est misericordia tua!    Wyth full feyth of foryevenes to thee, Lorde, I come. WYSDOM   Vulnerasti cor meum, soror mea, sponsa,     In uno ictu oculorum tuorum.13 Ye have wondyde my hert, syster, spouse dere,    In the tweyn syghtys of your ey, By the recognycyon ye have clere,    Ande by the hye love ye have godly.    It perrysschyt my hert to here you crye,      Now ye have forsake synne and be contryte.    Ye were never so leve to me verelye.      Now be ye reformyde to your bewtys bryght. Ande ther your fyve wyttys offendyde has,    Ande to mak asythe be impotent, My fyve wyttys, that never dyde trespas    Hathe made asythe to the Father suffycyent.    Wyth my syght I se the people vyolent,      I herde hem vengeaunce onto me call,    I smelte the stenche of caren here present,      I tastyde the drynke mengylde wyth gall. By touchynge I felte peyns smerte,    My handys sprede abrode to halse thi swyre, My fete naylyde to abyde wyth thee, swet herte,    My hert clovyn for thi love most dere.    Myn hede bowhede down to kys thee here,      My body full of holys as a dovehous.    In thys ye be reformyde, Soule, my plesere,      Ande now ye be the very temple of Jhesus. Fyrst ye were reformyde by baptyme of ygnorans    And clensyde from the synnys orygynall. Ande now ye be reformyde by the sakyrment of penance    Ande clensyde from the synnys actuall.    Now ye be fayrest, Crystys own specyall!      Dysfygure you never to the lyknes of the fende!    Now ye have receyvyde the crownnys victoryall      To regne in blys wythoutyn ende. MYNDE   Have mynde, Soule, wat Gode hath do,    Reformyde you in feyth veryly. Nolite conformari huic seculo    Sed reformamini in novitate spiritus sensus vestri:14    Conforme you not to this pompyus glory      But reforme in gostly felynge.    Ye that were dammyde by synn endelesly,      Mercy hathe reformyde you ande crownyde as a kynge. UNDYRSTONDYNGE   Take understondynge, Soule, now ye    Wyth contynuall hope in Godys behest. Renovamini spiritu mentis vestre    Et induite novum hominem, qui secundum Deum creatus est:15    Ye be reformyde in felynge, not only as a best,      But also in the over parte of your reasun,    Be wyche ye have lyknes of Gode mest      Ande of that mercyfull very cognycyon. WYLL   Now the Soule yn charyté reformyde ys,    Wyche charyté ys Gode verely. Exspoliantem veterem hominem cum actibus suis:    Et induite novum qui renovatur in agnicionem dei.16    Spoyll you of your olde synnys and foly      Ande be renuyde in Godys knowynge ageyn,    That enduyde wyth grace so specyally,      Conservynge in peyn, ever in blys for to reyn. ANIMA   Then wyth you thre I may sey this    Of Our Lorde, soveren person, Jhesus: Suavis est Dominus universis,    Et miseraciones ejus super omnia opera ejus.17    O thou hye soveren Wysdam, my joy, Cristus,      Hevyn, erthe, and eche creature    Yelde you reverens, for grace pleyntuus      Ye geff to mann, ever to induyr. Now wyth Sent Powle we may sey thus    That be reformyde thorow feyth in Jhesum, We have peas and acorde betwyx Gode and us,    Justificati ex fide pacem habemus ad Deum.18    Now to Salamonys conclusyon I com:      Timor Domini inicium sapiencie.19 [WISDOM]   Vobis qui timetis Deum      Orietur sol justicie.20 The tru son of ryghtusnes,    Wyche that ys Our Lorde Jhesu, Shall sprynge in hem that drede hys meknes.    Nowe ye mut every soule renewe    In grace, and vycys to eschew.      Ande so to ende wyth perfeccyon,    That the doctryne of Wysdom we may sew:      Sapiencia Patris, graunt that for hys passyon! AMEN!	delight son From through thee feel two powers one; those which are spiritual Those; senses two powers given on my own Your mercy is great forgiveness wounded two glances acknowledgment; clearly destroys dear; truly returned; beauty senses; have atonement are senses; (see note) atonement see carrion mixed sharp embrace thy neck split as full of holes; (see note) restored; (see note) restored by baptism restored Do not disfigure yourself crowns of victory what; done Restored; truly ostentatious spiritual; (see note) beast higher most true knowledge truly (see note) Divest yourself restored; knowledge That is endowed reign plentiful give; last St. Paul peace Solomon’s (see note) (see note) must vices follow The Wisdom of the Father