fol. 185r Herkneth alle gode men, and stylle sitteth adun, And ich ou wile tellen a lutel soth sermun. Wel we wuten alle, they ich ou nouht ne telle, Hw Adam ure vorme-fader adun feol into helle.

line5 Schomeliche he forles the blisse that he hedde To yvernesse and prude — none neode he nedde! He nom than appel of the treo that him forbode was, So reuthful dede idon never non nas!

He made him into helle falle,line10 And, after him, his children alle. Ther he wes, fort ure Drihte Hyne bouhte myd his myhte. He hine alesede myd his blode That he schedde upon the rode.line15 To dethe he yef him for us alle Tho we weren so strong atfalle.

Alle bakbytares, heo wendeth to helle, Robbares and revares and the monquelle, Lechurs and horlyngs, thider schulleth wende,line20 And ther heo schulle wunye ever buten ende.

Alle theos false chapmen, the Feond heom wule habbe, Bakares and breowares, for alle men heo gabbe. Lowe heo holdeth heore galun; mid beorme heo hine fulleth, And ever of the purse that seolver heo tulleth.

line25 Bothe heo maketh feble heore bred and heore ale — Habbe heo that seolver, ne telleth heo never tale! Gode men, for Godes luve, bileveth sucche sunne, For at then ende hit binymeth heveriche wunne.

Alle preostes wives, ich wot heo beoth forlore;line30 Thes persones, ich wene, ne beoth heo nouht forbore, Ne theos prude yonge men that luvyeth Malekyn,fol. 185v And theos prude maydenes that luvyeth Janekyn.

At chireche and at chepyng, hwanne heo togadere come, Heo runeth togaderes and speketh of derne luve.line35 Hwenne heo to chirche cumeth to thon holy daye, Everuych wile his leof iseo ther yef he may.

Heo biholdeth Watekin mid swithe gled eye; At hom is hire Paternoster, biloken in hire teye. Masses and matynes ne kepeth heo nouht,line40 For Wilekyn and Watekyn beoth in hire thouht.

Robyn wule Gilothe leden to than ale, And sitten ther togederes and tellen heore tale. He may quyten hire ale and seoththe don that gome; An eve to go myd him no thincheth hire no schome.

line45 Hire syre and hire dame threteth hire to bete; Nule heo furgo Robyn for al heore threte. Ever heo wule hire skere ne com hire no mon neyh, Forte that hire wombe up aryse an heyh.

Gode men, for Godes luve, bileveth oure sunne,line50 For at thon ende hit binymeth heoveryche wunne. Bidde we Seynte Marie for hire milde mode, For the theres that heo weop for hire Sune blode.

Al so wis so he god is, for hire erendynge, To the blysse of heovene he us alle brynge. Amen.

fol. 185r Hearken all good men, and sit down quietly, And I will tell you a little true sermon. We all know well, though I didn’t tell you, How Adam our first father fell down into hell.

line5 Shamefully he forfeited the bliss that he had To avarice and pride — no need had he! He took the apple from the tree forbidden to him, So pitiful a deed was never done!

He made him fall into hell,line10 And, after him, all his children. There he was, until our Lord Bought them with his power. He freed them with his blood That he shed on the cross.line15 He gave himself to death for us all When we were utterly fallen.

All backbiters, they shall go to hell, Robbers and thieves and the murderers, Lechers and whoremongers, thither shall they go,line20 And there they’ll dwell forever without end.

All these false merchants, the Fiend will have them, Bakers and brewers, for they deceive all people. They measure their gallon low; they fill it with froth, And always they wheedle silver from the purse.

line25 Both of them weaken their bread and their ale — Once they have silver, they don’t care at all! Good men, for God’s love, abandon such sin, For in the end it forfeits heavenly joy.

All priests’ wives, I know they’ll be lost;line30 These parsons, I think, they’ll not be spared, Nor these proud young men who love Malkin,fol. 185v And these proud maidens who love Jankin. At church and at market, when they come together, They whisper together and speak of secret love.line35 When they come to church on a holy day, Each wants to see his sweetheart there if he can.

She looks at Watkin with a very flirty eye; Her Paternoster is at home, locked in her box. She pays no attention to masses and matins,line40 For Wilkin and Watkin occupy her thoughts.

Robin wishes to lead Giloth to the alehouse, And they sit together and spin their tales. He may pay for her ale and later play that game; To go with him at night she thinks it no shame.

line45 Her father and her mother threaten to beat her; She won’t give up Robin for all their threats. Always will she claim no man came near her, Until it happens that her womb rises up high.

Good men, for God’s love, abandon your sin,line50 For in the end it forfeits heavenly joy. Let us pray to Saint Mary for her gracious manner, For the tears she weeps for her Son’s blood.

As wise as he is good, through her intercession, May he bring us all to the bliss of heaven. Amen.