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THIS IS THE DYALOGUS OR COMMUNYNG BETWIXT THE WYSE KING SALOMON AND MARCOLPHUS |
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(1) Here begynneth the dyalogus or comynicacion betwixt Salomon the king of Jherusalem and Marcolphus that right rude and great of body was but right subtyll and wyse of wyt and full of undrestandyng, as thereafter folowyng men shall here. |
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(1) Cum staret Salomon super solium David patris sui, plenus sapiencia et diviciis, (2) vidit quendam hominem Marcolphum nomine a parte orientis venientem, facie turpissimum et deformem et tamen eloquentissimum. (3) Uxor ejus erat cum eo, que nimis erat terribilis et rustica. (4) Cum eos ambos conspectui suo pariter exhiberi jussisset, stabant ambo ante eum se mutuo conspicientes. |
(1) Upon a season hertofore as King Salomon, full of wisdome and richesse, sate upon the kinges sete or stole that was his fadres Davyd, (2) sawe comyng a man out of th’este that was named Marcolphus, of vysage greatly myshapen and fowle, nevyrthelesse he was right talkatyf, elloquend and wyse. (3) His wif had he wyth hym, whiche was more ferefull and rude to beholde. (4) And as they were bothe comen before King Salomon, he behelde thaym welle. |
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(1) Statura itaque Marcolphi fuit brevis et grossa. (2) Caput habuit grande, frontem latissimam, rubicundam et rugosam, aures pilosas et usque ad medium maxillarum pendentes, (3) oculos grossos et lipposos, labium subcominus quasi caballinum, barbam sordidam et setosam quasi hyrci, (4) manus truncas, digitos breves et grossos, pedes rotundos, (5) nasum spissum et gibbosum, labia magna et grossa, faciem azininam, capillos veluti hyrcorum. (6) Calciamenta pedum ejus rustica erant nimis, pannitiosa atque lutosa pellis; (7) curta tunica usque ad nates, calige repagulate, vestimenta ejus coloris turpissimi erant. |
(1) This Marcolf was of short stature and thykke. (2) The hede had he great, a brode forhede rede and fulle of wrinkelys or frouncys, his erys hery and to the myddys of chekys hangyng, (3) great yes and rennyng, his nether lyppe hangyng lyke an horse, a berde harde and fowle lyke unto a goet, (4) the handes short and blockyssh, his fyngres great and thycke, rownde feet, (5) and the nose thycke and croked, a face lyke an asse, and the here of hys heed lyke the heer of a goet. (6) His shoes on his fete were ovyrmoche chorlysh and rude, and his clothys fowle and dyrty; (7) a shorte kote to the buttockys, his hasyn hynge full of wrynkelys and alle his clothes were of the moost fowle coloure. |
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(1) Uxor quoque ejus erat pusilla et nimis grossa cum mammis grossis. Comam habebat spinosam, (2) supercilia longa, setosa et acuta quasi dorsum porci, barbam ut habet hyrcus, aures asininas, oculos lipposos, aspectum colubrinum, (3) carnem rugosam et nigram, et massa de plumbo ornabat grossas mammas ejus. (4) Digitos habebat breves ornatos anulis ferreis. (5) Nares habebat valde grandes, tibias breves et grossas, in modum urse pilosas; (6) tunica ejus erat pilosa et dirupta. (7) De tali quidem muliere quidam juvenis hos dixit versus:
Femina deformis tenebrarum subdita formis |
(1) His wyf was of short stature, and she was out of mesure thycke wyth great brestys, and the here of hyr hede clustred lyke thystelys. (2) She had longe wynde browes lyke brostelys of a swyne, longe erys lyke an asse, renning yen, berdyd lyke a goet; (3) hyr vysage and skyn blacke and full of wrynkelys, and upon hyr great brestys she had, of span brode, a broche of leed. (4) She had short fyngres, full of yren ryngys. (5) She had right great nosethrylles, hyr leggys short and hery lyke a bere; (6) hyr clothes were rough and broken. (7) Of suche a woman, or of anothre lyke unto hyre, a yonge man hath made thies verses folowyng:
Femina deformis tenebrarum subdita formis(8) That is to saye, an evyll favouryd and a fowle blacke wyf behovyth to shewe the dayes lyght. It is to oure yes medycyne to se that fayre is and fyne. |
N3 T4 T5 N7 N8 |
| [R]ex vero Salomon, cum eos conspexisset, sic exorsus est dicens: “Qui estis et unde est genus vestrum?” | As Kyng Salomon thies two persones thus had seen and beholden, he demaunded of thaym of whens they weryn and of what lynage they were comyn. | (N1a) | |
| Marcolphus respondit: “Dic tu nobis prius genealogiam tuam et patrum tuorum, et tunc indicabo tibi genus nostrum.” [B 1ab] | Marcolphus thereto answeryd: “Saye furste to us youre kynrede and genleagie, and of youre fadres, and than shall I shewe and declare you of oures.” | (T1b) | |
| Salomon: “Ego sum de duodecim generibus patriarcharum: Judas genuit Phares, Phares genuit Esron, Esron genuit Aram, Ara genuit Aminadab, Aminadab genuit Naazon, Naazon genuit Salmon, Salmon genuit Boos, Boos genuit Obeth, Obeth genuit Isay, Isai genuit David regem, David autem genuit Salomonem, et ego sum Salomon rex.” | Salomon: “I am of the xii kyndredes of patryarkes, that is to wete, that Judas gate Phares, Phares gat Esron, Esron gat Aron, Aron genderyd Aminadab, Aminadab gat Naazon, Naazon gat Salmon, Salmon gat Boos, Boos gat Obeth, Obeth gat Ysay, Ysay gat Davyd king, David gat Salomon the king, and that am I.” | (N2a) | |
| Marcolphus respondit: “Ego sum de duodecim generibus rusticorum: Rusticus genuit Rustam, Rusta genuit Rustum, Rustus genuit Rusticellum, Rusticellus genuit Tarcum, Tarcus genuit Tarcol, Tarcol genuit Pharsi, Pharsi genuit Marcuel, Marcuel genuit Marquart, Marquart genuit Marcolphum, et ego sum Marcolphus follus.” | Marcolfus answeryd: “I am of the xii kindred of chorlys: Rusticus gat Rustam, Rusta gat Rustum, Rustus gat Rusticellum, Rusticellus gat Tarcum, Tarcus gat Tarcol, Tarcol gat Pharsi, Pharsi gat Marcuel, Marcuel gat Marquat, Marquat gat Marcolphum and that is I. | (N2b); (T2b) | |
| “Uxor vero mea de duodecim generibus lupicanarum: Lupica genuit Lupicanam, Lupicana genuit Ludiprag, Ludiprag genuit Bonestrung, Bonestrung genuit Boledrut, Boledrut genuit Pladrut, Pladrut genuit Lordam, Lorda genuit Curtam, Curta genuit Curtulam, Curtula genuit Curtellam, Curtella genuit Policam, Polica genuit Policanam, et hec est Policana uxor mea.” [B 2abc] | “And my wyf is comen of the blood and xii kyndredes of untydy wyves, that is to knowe, of Lupica that gat Lupicana, Lupicana gat Ludibrac, Ludibrac gat Bonestrung, Bonestrung gat Boledrut, Boledrut gat Paldrut, Paldrut gat Lordan, Lordan gat Curta, Curta gat Curtula, Curtula gat Curtella, Curtella gat Polica, Polica gat Polycana, and thys is my wyf Polycana.” | (N2c); (T2c) | |
| Salomon dixit: “Audivi te esse verbosum et callidum, quamvis sis rusticus et turpis. Quamobrem inter nos habeamus altercationem. Ego vero te interrogabo, tu vero subsequens responde mihi.” | Salomon sayde: “I have herd of thee that thou kanst right wele clatre and speke, and that thou art subtyle of wyt, although that thou be mysshapyn and chorlyssh. Lete us have betwene us altercacion. I shal make questyons to thee, and thou shalt therto answere.” | (T3a); (N3a) | |
| Marcolphus respondit: “Qui male cantat, primo incipiat.” [B 3ab] | Marcolphus answeryd: “He that singyth worste begynne furste.” | (N3b) | |
| S: “Si per omnia poteris respondere sermonibus meis, te ditabo magnis opibus, et nominatissimus eris in regno meo.” | S: “If thou kanst answere to alle my questyons, I shall make thee ryche, and be named above alle othre withyn my reaume.” | (N4a); (T4a) | |
| M: “Promittit medicus sanitatem, cum non habet potestatem.” [B 4ab] | M: “The phisician promysyth the seeke folke helthe, whan he hath no power.” | ||
| S: “Bene judicavi inter duas meretrices, que in una domo oppresserant infantem.” | S: “I have juged betwixt two light women, whiche dwellyd in oon house and forlaye a chylde.” | (N5a) | |
| M: “Ubi sunt aures ibi sunt cause, ubi mulieres ibi parabole.” [B 5ab] | M: “Were erys are there are causes, where women be there are wordys.” | (N5b) | |
| S: “Dominus dedit sapientiam in ore meo, cum nullus sit mihi similis in cunctis finibus terre.” | S: “God yave wysdam in my mouth, for me lyke is none in alle partys of the worlde.” | (N6a); (T6a) | |
| M: “Qui malos vicinos habet seipsum laudat.” [B 6ab] | M: “He that hath evyll neighborys praysyth hymself.” | (N6b) | |
| S: “Fugit impius nemine subsequente.” | S: “The wykkyd man fleyth, no man folwyng.” | (N7a) | |
| M: “Quando fugit capriolus, albescit ejus culus.” [B 7ab] | M: “Whan the kydde rennyth, men may se his ars.” | (N7b) | |
| S: “Bona mulier et pulchra ornamentum est viro suo.” | S: “A good wyf and a fayre is to hir husbonde a pleasure.” | (N8a) | |
| M: “Olla plena cum lacte bene debet a catto custodiri.” [B 8ab] | M: “A potfull of mylke muste be kept wele from the katte.” | (N8b); (T8b) | |
| S: “Mulier sapiens edificat sibi domum, insipiens constructam destruit manibus.” | S: “A wyse woman byldeth an house, and she that unwyse and a fool is, distroyeth with hir handes that she fyndeth made.” | (N9a) | |
| M: “Olla bene cocta melius durat et qui mundam distemperat mundam bibit.” [B 10ab] | M: “A pot that is wele baken may best endure, and that clene is browyn that may they fayre drinken.” | (N9b) | |
| S: “Mulier timens deum ipsa laudabitur.” | S: “A ferdefull woman shal be praysed.” | (N10a); (T10a) | |
| M: “Cattus cum bona pelle ipse excoriabitur.” [B 11ab] | M: “A catte that hath a good skyn shal be flayne.” | (N10b) | |
| S: “Mulier pudica est multum amanda.” | S: “A shamefast wyf and a fayre is mekyll to be belovyd.” | ||
| M: “Lacticinia sunt pauperi retinenda.” [B 12ab] | M: “To pore men whyte mete are to be kept.” | (N11b) | |
| S: “Mulierem fortem quis inveniet?” | S: “A woman stronge in doyng good, who shall fynde?” | (N12a) | |
| M: “Cattum fidelem super lac quis inveniet?” [B 13ab] | M: “Who shal fynde a catte trewe in kepyng mylke?” | ||
| S: “Nullus.” | S: “Noon.” | ||
| M: “Et mulierem raro.” [B 13cd] | M: “And a woman seldom.” | ||
| S: “Mulier formosa et honesta retinenda est super omnia desiderabilia bona.” | S: “A fayre woman and an honest is to be praysed above alle rychesse that a man fynde may.” | ||
| M: “Mulier pinguis et grossa est largior in dando visa.” [B 14ab] | M: “A fat woman and a great is larger in yevyng than othre.” | (N13b) | |
| S: “Bene peplum album in capite mulieris.” | S: “A whyt kerchyf becomth wele a womans hede.” | ||
| M: “Scriptum est enim, ‘Non sunt talia manice quales pellicia; sub albo peplo sepe latet tinea.”’ [B 16ab] | M: “It standyth wryten that the furre is not all lyke the slevys, and undre a whyte cloth often are hyd mothys.” | (N14b) | |
| S: “Qui seminat iniquitatem metet mala.” | S: “He that sowyth wyckydnesse shal repe evyll.” | (N15ab) | |
| M: “Qui seminat paleas metet miserias.” [B 17ab] | M: “He that sowyth chaf shal porely mowe.” | ||
| S: “Doctrina et sapientia debet in ore sanctorum consistere.” | S: “Out of the mouth of a holy man shal come good lernyng and wysedom.” | ||
| M: “Asellus semper debet esse ubi se pascit, ibi crescit. Ubi pascit unam plantam, quadraginta resumit; ubi caccat ibi fimat; ubi mingit ibi rigat; ubi se volvit frangit glebas.” [B 19ab] | M: “The asse behovyth to be allweye where he fedyth, for ther it growyth. Where he etyth oon gres, there growe xl ayen; where he dungyth, there it fattyth; where he pyssyth, there makyth he wete; and where he wallowyth, there brekyth he the strawe.” | (N16b) | |
| S: “Laudet te alienus.” | S: “Lete an othre preyse thee.” | (N17a) | |
| M: “Si meipsum vituperavero, nulli unquam placebo.” [B 20ab] | M: “Yf I shulde myself dyspreyse, no man shall I please.” | ||
| S: “Multum mel ne comedas.” | S: “Thou shalt ete moche ony.” | (N18a) | |
| M: “Qui apes castrat, digitum suum lingit.” [B 23ab] | M: “That beys dryve lykke faste theyre fyngres.” | ||
| S: “In malivolam animam non intrabit spiritus sapientie.” | S: “In an evylle wylled herte the spyryt of wysedome shalle not entre.” | (N19a) | |
| M: “In lignum durum dum mittis cuneum, cave ne incidat in oculum.” [B 24ab] | M: “As ye smyte wyth an axe in an hard tre, beware that the chippes falle not in youre ye.” | (N19b); (T19b) | |
| S: “Durum est tibi contra stimulum recalcitrare.” | S: “It is hard to spurne ayenst the sharp prykyl.” | (N20a) | |
| M: “Bos recalcitrosus pungi debet vicibus binis.” [B 25ab] | M: “The ox that drawyth bacwarde shal be twyse prycked.” | ||
| S: “Erudi filium tuum et ab infantia doce eum benefacere.” | S: “Fede up youre children and from thayre youthe lerne thaym to do welle.” | (N21a) | |
| M: “Qui suam nutrit vaccam, de lacte sepe manducat.” [B 35ab] | M: “He that fedyth well his cowe etyth often of the mylke.” | (T21b) | |
| S: “Omne genus ad suam naturam revertitur.” | S: “All maner kyndes turne ayen to theyre furste nature.” | ||
| M: “Mappa digesta revertitur ad stuppam.” [B 37ab] | M: “A worne tabyllcloth turnyth ayen to his furste kynde.” | (N22b) | |
| S: “Quicquid novit loquitur judex justicie et veritatis.” | S: “What the juge knowyth of right and trouthe that spekyth he out.” | (N23a) | |
| M: “Episcopus tacens efficitur hostiarius.” [B 39ab] | M: “A bisshop that spekyth not is made a porter of a yate.” | (N23b) | |
| S: “Honor exhibendus est magistro, et virga timenda.” | S: “Honoure is to be yeven to the maistre, and the rodde to be feryd.” | (N24a) | |
| M: “Qui suo judici solet ungere buccam, solet macerare suam azellam.” [B 41ab] | M: “He that is wonte to anointe the juges handes oftyn tymes he makyth his asse lene.” | (N24b) | |
| S: “Contra hominem fortem et potentem et aquam currentem noli contendere.” | S: “Ayenst a stronge and myghty man thou shalt not fyghte, ne stryve ayenst the streme.” | (N25a); (T25a) | |
| M: “Vultur excoriat duram volucrem deplumatque pellem.” [B 43ab] | M: “The vultier takyth the skyn of stronge fowles and makyth thaym neked of theyre fethres.” | (N25b) | |
| S: “Emendemus in melius quod ignoranter peccavimus.” | S: “Lete us amende us in good that unwythyngly we have mysdone.” | ||
| M: “Quando culum tergis nil aliud agis.” [B 44ab] | M: “As a man wypyth his ars he doth nothing ellys.” | ||
| S: “Blandis persuasionibus noli decipere quenquam.” | S: “Wyl thou not disceyve any man wyth fayre word?” | (T27a) | |
| M: “Per ingenium manducat qui manducantem salutat.” [B 45ab] | M: “By wyt he etyth that gretyth the ether.” | (N27b) | |
| S: “Cum homine litigioso non habeas societatem.” | S: “Wyth brawlyng people holde no companye.” | (N28a) | |
| M: “Merito hunc manducant sues, qui se miscet inter furfures.” [B 47ab] | M: “It is reson that he of the swyne ete that medlyth amonge the bren.” | (N28b); (T28b) | |
| S: “Multi sunt qui verecundiam habere nesciunt.” | S: “There be many that kan have no shame.” | ||
| M: “Vivunt cum hominibus qui similes sunt canibus.” [B 49ab] | M: “They lyve undre the men that are lyke to howndes.” | ||
| S: “Multi sunt qui benefacientibus reddunt mala pro bonis.” | S: “There are many that to theyr good doers do evyl for good.” | (N30a) | |
| M: “Qui alieno cani panem suum dederit, mercedem non habebit.” [B 50ab] | M: “He that yevyth bred to anothre manys hownde shall have no thanke.” | ||
| S: “Non est amicus qui non durat in amicicia.” | S: “It is no frende that dureyth not in frendeshyp.” | (N31a) | |
| M: “Merda de vitulo non diu fimat.” [B 51ab] | M: “The dung of a calf stynkyth not longe.” | ||
| S: “Occasiones multas querit qui ab amico recedere velit.” | S: “He sekyth many occasions that wolle departe from his maister.” | (N32a); (T32a) | |
| M: “Mulier que non vult consentire dicit se scabiosum culum habere.” [B 52ab] | M: “A woman that wolle not consente seyth that she hath a skabbyd arse.” | (N32b); (T32b) | |
| S: “Sermo regis debet esse immutabilis.” | S: “A kynges worde shulde be unchaungeable or stedfaste.” | ||
| M: “Cito tedium habet qui cum lupo arat.” [B 53ab] | M: “He is sone wery that plowyth wyth a wolf.” | (N33b) | |
| S: “Radices raphani bone sunt in convivio, fetent in consilio.” | S: “The radissh rotys are good mete but they stynke in the counsell.” | (N34ab); (T34a) | |
| M: “Qui raphanum manducat, ex utraque parte tussit.” [B 54ab] | M: “He that etyth radyssh rotys coughyth above and undyr.” | ||
| S: “Perit auditus, ubi non vigilat sensus.” | S: “It is lost that is spokyn afore people that undrestande not what they here.” | ||
| M: “Perdit suam sagittam qui tripum sagittat.” [B 56ab] | M: “He lesyth his shafte that shetyth in the sande.” | (N35b) | |
| S: “Qui avertit aurem suam a clamore pauperum, ipse clamabit et dominus deus non exaudiet vocem suam.” | S: “He that stoppyth his erys from the crying of the pore people, oure Lord God shall not here hym.” | (N36a) | |
| M: “Perdit lachrimas suas qui coram judice plorat.” [B 57ab] | M: “He that wepyth afore a juge lesyth his terys.” | ||
| S: “Surge, aquilo, et veni, auster, perfla ortum meum, et fluent aromata illius.” | S: “Ryse up, thou northren wynde, and come forth, thou southren wynde, and blowe through my gardeyne, and the wele smellyng herbys shalle growe and multiplie.” | (N37ab) | |
| M: “Quando fluit aquilo, ruit alta domus, Et qui habet hirnia non est bene sanus.” [B 58ab] |
M: “Whanne the northren wyndes blowe, than ben the high howses in great trouble and daunger.” | ||
| S: “Mortem et paupertatem celare noli.” | S: “The deth nor povertye wyll not be hyd.” | ||
| M: “Cui celat hirniam, crescunt ibi majora.” [B 59ab] | M: “A man that is brostyn and hyde it, they growe the more.” | (N38b); (T38b) | |
| S: “Cum sederis ad mensam divitis, diligenter inspice que apponantur tibi.” | S: “As thou syttyst at a riche mans table, beholde diligently what comyth afore thee.” | (N39a) | |
| M: “Universa ministratio per ventrem dirigitur et in ventrem vadit.” [B 63ab] | M: “Alle metys that is ordeyned for the body muste through the bely, and it goth in the stomak.” | ||
| S: “Quando ad mensam sederis, cave ne prius comedas!” | S: “Whan thou syttyst at the tabyll, beware that thou taste not furst.” | (N40a) | |
| M: “Qui in altiori sella sederit, ipse primum locum tenet.” [B 64ab] | M: “He that syttyth in the hyghest sete, he holdyth the uppermost place.” | ||
| S: “Si fortis supervicerit imbecillem, universam substantiam aufert ejus domus.” | S: “As the stronge the weyke wynneth, he takyth all that he hath.” | ||
| M: “Bene videt cattus cui barbam lingit voluntariam.” [B 65ab] | M: “The catte seeth wele whoos berde she lycke shall.” | (N41b) | |
| S: “Quod timet impius veniet super eum.” | S: “That the wycked feryth, that fallyth hym often.” | (N42a); (T42a) | |
| M: “Qui male facit et bene sperat, totum se fallit.” [B 67ab] | M: “He that doth evylle and hopyth good is disceyvyd in thaym bothe.” | (T42b) | |
| S: “Propter frigus piger arare noluit; mendicabit autem et nil dabitur ei.” | S: “For the colde the slouthfull wolde not go to plough; he beggyd his brede, and no man wolde hym yeve.” | (N43a); (T43a) | |
| M: “Nudum culum nemo spoliabit.” [B 68ab] | M: “A nakyd ars no man kan robbe or dispoyle.” | (N43b) | |
| S: “Studium reddit magistrum benivolum.” | S: “Studye makyth a maystre wele wylled.” | ||
| M: “Assuete manus currunt ad caldarium.” [B 73ab] | M: “Th’andys that are usyd in the fyre fere not the ketylle.” | ||
| S: “Projiciendi sunt a consortio bonorum litigiosi et garruli.” | S: “Brawlers and janglers are to be kaste out of alle good companye.” | ||
| M: “Domina irata, fumus, et ratta, patella perforata damnum sunt in casa.” [B 75ab] | M: “An angry howsewyf, the smoke, the ratte, and a broken plater are often tymes unprofytable in an howse.” | (N45b) | |
| S: “Pro amore dei omnis dilectio est adhibenda.” | S: “For Goddys love men are bownden to love othre.” | ||
| M: “Si amas illum qui te non amat, perdis amorem tuum.” [B 79ab] | M: “If thou love hym that lovyth not thee, thou lesyth thyn love.” | ||
| S: “Ne dicas amico tuo ‘vade, cras dabo tibi’, cum statim possis sibi dare.” | S: “Saye not to thy frende, ‘Come tomorowe, I shal yeve thee,’ that thou maiste forthwyth yeve hym.” | (N47a) | |
| M: “‘Ad tempus faciam’ dicit qui non habet aptum utensile.” [B 80ab] | M: “He sayth an othre tyme he shalle doo it, that hath noth wherwyth redy for to do it withalle.” | ||
| S: “Crapulatus a vino non servat tempus in eloquio.” | S: “He that is wyne dronken holdyth nothing that he sayth.” | (N48a) | |
| M: “Culus confractus non habet dominum.” [B 82ab] | M: “An opyn arse hath no lord.” | (N48b) | |
| S: “Multi concupiscunt divicias habere, cum sint in paupertate detenti.” | S: “Many coveyte to have rychesse that with povertye are holden undre.” | ||
| M: “Prande quod habes, et vide quid remaneat.” [B 83ab] | M: “Ete that ye have, and se what shall remaigne.” | ||
| S: “Multi sunt qui famem sustinent et tamen sustinent uxores.” | S: “There are many that susteyne hungyr, and yet fede they theyre wyves.” | (T50a) | |
| M: “Miser homo panem non habebat, et tamen canem sibi comparabat.” [B 84ab] | M: “The pore had ne breed and yet he bought an hownde.” | (N50b) | |
| S: “Stultus respondit secundum suam stulticiam, ne videatur sapiens.” | S: “The fole answeryth aftyr hys folisshnes, for that he shulde not be knowyn wyse.” | (N51a) | |
| M: “Petra quid audivit, cui respondit quercus.” [B 85ab] | M: “What the stone heryth, that shalle the oke answere.” | (N51b); (T51b) | |
| S: “Ira non habet misericordiam, et ideo qui per iram loquitur, comparat malum seu perpetrat.” | S: “Wrathe hath no mercy, and therefore he that angrely spekyth beyth evyle or shrewdly.” | (N52a); (T52a) | |
| M: “Ne dicas amico tuo malum iratus, ne postea peniteas placatus.” [B 86ab] | M: “Saye not in thyn angre to thy frende no evyl, lest thou forthynke it aftreward.” | ||
| S: “Os inimici non loquitur veritatem, nec verum labia ejus personabunt.” | S: “The mouthe of an ennemye kan saye no good, ne hys lyppys shall sownde no trouthe.” | (N53a) | |
| M: “Qui te non amat, ipse te non diffamat.” [B 87ab] | M: “He that lovyth me not doth not diffame me.” | ||
| S: “Quid satis est dormi.” | S: “Slepe as ye have nede.” | (N54a) | |
| M: “Cui licet et non dormit, pigritia nocet illi.” [B 92ab] | M: “He that leyth hym downe to slepe and kan not is not at his hertys ease.” | ||
| S: “Sacietate repleti sumus, referamus deo gratias.” | S: “We have well fyllyd oure bellys, lete us thanke God.” | (N55ab); (T55a) | |
| M: “Jubilat merulus, respondit graculus; non equaliter cantant saturatus et jejunus.” [B 93ab] | M: “As the owsell whystelyth, so answeryth the thrusshe; the hungery and the fulle synge not oon songe.” | ||
| S: “Manducemus et bibemus, omnes enim moriemur.” | S: “Lete us ete and drinke; we shall alle deye.” | ||
| M: “Sic moritur famelicus, sicut et refectus.” [B 94ab] | M: “The hungery dyeth as wele as the full fedd.” | ||
| S: “Quando homo harpat, non potest palogisare.” | S: “As a man playeth upon an harpe, he kan not wele indicte.” | (N57a) | |
| M: “Quando canis cacat, non potest latrare.” [B 95ab] | M: “So whan the hownde shytyth, he berkyth noth.” | ||
| S: “Saciata est iniquitas ventris; nunc eamus dormitum.” | S: “The wretchyd wombe is full; go we now to bedde.” | ||
| M: “Tornat, retornat, male dormit, qui non manducat.” [B 96ab] | M: “He turnyth and walowyth and slepyth evyl that hath not for to ete.” | ||
| S: “Exiguum munus, cum dat tibi pauper amicus, noli despicere.” | S: “Dyspyse thou not a lytyll yifte that is yeven thee of a trewe frende.” | (N59a) | |
| M: “Quod habet castratus dat vicine sue.” [B 97ab] | M: “That a geldyd man hath, that yevyth he to his neigborwes.” | (N59b) | |
| S: “Ne gradieris cum homine malo vel litigioso, ne forte senties malum propter eum vel periculum.” | S: “Go thou not wyth the evyll man or the brawelyng, lest thou suffre evyll for hym or peryle.” | (N60a) | |
| M: “Apis mortua non caccat mel.” [B 99ab] | M: “A dede bee makyth no hony.” | (N60b) | |
| S: “Si cum homine callido vel malivolo amiciciam firmaveris, magis tibi adversabitur quam auxilium prestet.” | S: “If thou make frendeshipe with a false and evylwylled man, it shal hyndre thee more than proffyte.” | (N61a) | |
| M: “Quod lupus facit, lupe placet.” [B 100ab] | M: “What the wolf doth, that pleasyth the wolfesse.” | ||
| S: “Qui ante respondit quam audiat, stultum se demonstrat.” | S: “He that answeryth afore he is demaundyd shewyth hymself a fole.” | (N62a); (T62a) | |
| M: “Quando te aliquis pungit, subtrahe pedem tuum.” [B 101ab] | M: “Whan a man tredyth, drawe to you youre fete.” | (N62b) | |
| S: “Omne animal simile sibi eligit.” | S: “Evrything chesyth his lyke.” | (N63ab) | |
| M: “Ubi fuerit caballus scabiosus parem sibi querit, et utrique se scabiunt.” [B 102ab] | M: “Where a skabbyd horse is, he sekyth his lyke and eyther of thaym gnappyth othre.” | ||
| S: “Benefacit anime sue ubi est homo misericors.” | S: “A mercyfull man doth wele to his sowle.” | (N64a); (T64a) | |
| M: “Magnum donum despicit qui seipsum non cognoscit.” [B 103ab] | M: “He dyspyseth a great yifte that knowyth not hymself.” | (N64b) | |
| S: “Qui fugit lupo, obviat leoni.” | S: “He that skapyth the wolf metyth the lyon.” | (N65ab); (T65a) | |
| M: “De malo in malum, de coquo ad pistorem.” [B 104ab] | M: “From evyll into worse, as the cooke to a bakere.” | ||
| S: “Cave ne quis faciat tibi malum; si autem fecerit, noli ei facere.” | S: “Ware that no man do thee non evyll; if he do, do it not ayen.” | ||
| M: “Aque non currenti et homini tacenti credere noli.” [B 105ab] | M: “The stylle standyng watyr and the man that spekyth but lytylle, beleve thaym not.” | (N66b) | |
| S: “Non omnes omnia possunt.” | S: “We may not alle be lyke.” | ||
| M: “Scriptum est in casibus, ‘Qui non habet equum, vadat pedibus.’” [B 106ab] | M: “It standeth wryten in a boke, ‘He that hath no horse muste go on fote.’” | (N67b) | |
| S: “Puer centum annorum maledictus erit.” | S: “A chylde of an hundred yere is cursyd.” | (N68ab) | |
| M: “Tarde est veterem canem in ligamen mittere.” [B 110ab] | M: “It is to late an olde hounde in a bande to lede.” | ||
| S: “Modo habenti dabitur et habundabit.” | S: “He that hath, shal be yeven, and shall flowe.” | (N69a) | |
| M: “Ve homini qui non habet panes et habet parentes.” [B 111ab] | M: “Woo to that man that hath frendes and no breed.” | ||
| S: “Ve viro duplici corde et duabus viis incedente.” | S: “Whoo to that man that hath a dowble herte and in bothe weyes wyll wandre.” | (N70ab) | |
| M: “Qui duas vias vult ire, aut culum aut bracam debet rumpere.” [B 113ab] | M: “He that wolle two weyes go muste eythre his ars or his breche tere.” | ||
| S: “Ex habundantia cordis os loquitur.” | S: “Of habundaunce of th’erte the mouth spekyst.” | (N71a) | |
| M: “Ex saturitate ventris triumphat culus.” [B 116ab] | M: “Out of a full wombe th’ars trompyth.” | ||
| S: “Duo boves equaliter trahunt ad unum jugum.” | S: “Two oxen in one yocke drawen lyke.” | ||
| M: “Due vene equaliter vadunt ad unum culum.” [B 117ab] | M: “Two veynes go lyke to oon ars.” | ||
| S: “Mulier pulchra a viro suo amanda.” | S: “A fayre woman is to be lovyd of hire husbande.” | (N73a) | |
| M: “In collo est alba ut columba, in culo nigra et irsuta ut talpa.” [B 118ab] | M: “In the necke is she whyte as a dove, and in the ars blacke and derke lyke a molle.” | (N73b) | |
| S: “In tribu Juda nimia est cognatio mea, et deus patris mei principem me constituit populi sui.” | S: “Out of the generacion of Juda is my moost kyndrede; me the Lord of my fadre hath made governoure ovyr his people.” | (T74a) | |
| M: “Cognosco mappam quia de stuppa facta est.” [B 119ab] | M: “I knowe wele a tabylcloth and of what werke it is made.” | ||
| S: “Necessitas facit hominem justum peccare.” | S: “Nede makyth a right wyse man to do evyll.” | (N75a) | |
| M: “Lupus apprehensus et in custodia positus, aut caccat aut mordet.” [B 120ab] | M: “The wolf that is takyn and set fast, eythre he byteth or shytyth.” | ||
| S: “Sufficeret michi temperaneus honor, si tantummodo deus universum orbem mee ditioni subjugasset.” | S: “Were it so that God alle the world undre my power had set, it shulde suffyse me.” | ||
| M: “Non tantum datur catulo quantum blanditur sua cauda.” [B 122ab] | M: “Men kan not yeve the katte so moche but that she woll hyr tayle wagge.” | (N76b) | |
| S: “Qui tardus venit ad mensam, suspensus est a cibo.” | S: “He that late comyth to dyner, his parte is leest in the mete.” | ||
| M: “Gluto non currit per totum.” [B 123ab] | M: “The glouton kan not se or renne al aboute.” | (N77b) | |
| S: “Cum molesta tibi sit uxor tua, ne timeas.” | S: “Though it be so that thy wif be sowre, fere hir not.” | ||
| M: “Molli bergario lupus non cacat lanam.” [B 124ab] | M: “The shepherde that wakyth welle, ther shall the wolf no wolle shyte.” | (N78b); (T78b) | |
| S: “Non decent stulto verba composita.” | S: “It becomth no foles to speke or to brynge forth any wyse reason.” | (N79a) | |
| M: “Non decet canem sellam portare.” [B 126ab] | M: “It becomyth not a dogge to bere a sadylle.” | (N79b) | |
| S: “Tunde latera filii tui, dum tenera sint.” | S: “Whyles the children are lytyll, reighte theyre lymmes and maners.” | (N80a) | |
| M: “Qui osculat agnum amat et arietem.” [B 127ab] | M: “He that kyssyth the lambe lovyth the shepe.” | ||
| S: “Omnes semite ad unam viam tendunt.” | S: “Alle reyght pathys goon towardes oon weye.” | ||
| M: “Ad culum unum omnes tendunt vene.” [B 129ab] | M: “So done alle the veynes renne towardes the ars.” | ||
| S: “A bono homine bona fit mulier.” | S: “Of a good man comth a good wyf.” | (N82a) | |
| M: “A bono convivio bona fit merda, que calcatur pedibus. Sic et bestiales mulieres debent calcari.” [B 130ab] | M: “Of a good mele comyth a great torde that men wyth theyre fete trede. So muste men also alle the bestyalle wyves trede undre fote.” | (N82b); (T82b) | |
| S: “Bene decet mulier pulchra juxta virum suum.” | S: “A fayre wyf becomyth well by hir husband.” | (T83a) | |
| M: “Bene decet olla plena vino juxta sitientem.” [B 131ab] | M: “A pot full wyth wyne becomth well by the thrusty.” | ||
| S: “Bene decet gladius honestus juxta latus meum.” | S: “Wel becomyth a fayre sworde by my syde.” | ||
| M: “Bene decet strues juxta sepem meam.” [B 132ab] | M: “Wel becomth my hegge a great hepe of stonys.” | (N84b) | |
| S: “Quanto magnus es, tanto humilis sis in omnibus.” | S: “The gretter that ye be, the more meke shulde ye be in alle thyngys.” | (N85a) | |
| M: “Bene equitat qui cum paribus equitat.” [B 133ab] | M: “He rydyth well that ridyth wyth his felawes.” | (N85b) | |
| S: “Filius sapiens letificat patrem suum, insipiens vero mesticia est matris sue.” | S: “The wyse chylde gladyth the fadyr, and the folyssh childe is a sorwe to the modyr.” | (N86a) | |
| M: “Non equaliter cantant tristis et letus.” [B 136ab] | M: “They synge not al oon songe, the glad and the sory.” | ||
| S: “Qui parce seminat parce et metet.” | S: “He that sowyth wyth skaerstye repyth skaersly.” | (N87a) | |
| M: “Quanto plus gelat, tanto plus stringit.” [B 137ab] | M: “The more it fryseth, the more it byndeth.” | ||
| S: “Omnia fac cum consilio, et post factum non penitebis.” | S: “Do alle thynges by counsell, and thou shalt not aftre forthinke it.” | (N88a) | |
| M: “Satis est infirmus qui infirmum trahit.” [B 139ab] | M: “He is seke ynough that the sekenesse drawyth or folowyth.” | ||
| S: “Omnia tempora tempus habent.” | S: “Alle thinges have theyre seasons and tyme.” | ||
| M: “‘Diem hodie, diem cras’ dicit bos qui leporem sequitur.” [B 140ab] | M: “‘Now daye; tomorwe daye,’ sayde the oxe that the hare chacyd.” | (N89b) | |
| S: “Iam fessus loquendo; requiescamus ergo.” | S: “I am wery of spekyng; lete us therefore reste.” | (T90a) | |
| M: “Non obmittam loquelam meam.” [B 141ab] | M: “Therfore shall not Y leve my clapping.” | ||
| S: “Non possum amplius.” | S: “I may no more.” | ||
| M: “Si non potes, humiliter confitere te victum et da quod promisisti.” [B 142ab] | M: “Yf ye maye no more, yelde youreself ovyrcomen and yeve me that ye have promysed.” | ||
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(1) Ad hoc Bananyas, filius Joiade, et Zabus, amicus regis, et Adonias, filius Abde, qui erant super tributa dixerunt ad Marcolphum: (2) “Ergo tu ne eris tercius in regno domini nostri. (3) Sed eruentur tibi tui pessimi oculi de tuo vilissimo capite. (4) Nam melius decet te jacere cum ursis domini nostri quam sublimari aliquo honore.” (5) Quibus Marcolphus ait: “Quis adheret culo nisi pastelli? Quare rex promisit?” (6) Tunc Venthur et Benadachar, Benesia, Bena, Benanudab, Banthaber, Achinadai, Achimaab, Hommia, Josepus, Semes, et Samer, duodecim prepositi regis dixerunt: (7) “Ut quid iste follus infestat dominum regem nostrum? (8) Cur non magnis colaphis maceratur, aut fustibus convictus eicietur de conspectu domini nostri regis?” (9) Ad hoc rex Salomon ait: “Non ita fiat, sed bene saturatus in pace dimittatur.” (10) Tunc Marcolphus recedens ait ad regem: “Satis patior quicquid dixeris. (11) Ego semper dicam, ‘Ibi non est rex, ubi non est lex.’” |
(1) Wyth that spake to Marcolf Hananyas, the sone of Joiade, and Zabus, the kinges frende, and Adonias, the sone of Abde, whiche hadden the charge and governaunce ovyr the kynges tribute, and sayde: (2) “Thou shalt not herefore be the thyrdde in the kingedome of oure soveraigne lord. (3) Men shall rather put bothe thyn worst yen out of thy moost vyle hede, (4) for it becomyth thee bettyr to lye amonge berys than to be exalted to any dignyte or honour.” (5) Than Marcolphus sayde: “Wherfor hath the king than promysed?” (6) Than sayde the kinges xii provostes, that is to wyte, Nenthur, Benadachar, Benesya, Bena, Benanides, Banthabar, Athurady, Bominia, Josephus, Semes, and Samer: (7) “Whereto comth this fole, oure soveraign lorde al thus to trouble and mocke? (8) Why dryve ye hym not out wyth stavys of his syghte?” (9) Tho sayde Salomon: “Not so, but yeve hym wele to ete and drinke and lete hym than goo in pease.” (10) Tho spak Marcolphus goyng his weye to the king: “I suffre ynough what that ye have sayde. (11) I shall alweyes saye, ‘There is no king were no lawe is.’” |
(T1) (N2) (N5) (N6); (T6) (N8) (T9) (T10) (N11); (T11) |
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[B 1] (1) [R]ex igitur quadam die cum venatoribus suis et copulis canum de venationum persequutione forte transibat ante hospicium Marcolphi folli, (2) divertit se illuc cum equo suo, et inclinato capite suo sub limine hostii, requirens quis intus esset.(3) Marcolphus respondit regi: “Intus est homo integer, et dimidius, et caput equi, (4) et quanto plus ascendunt, tanto plus descendunt.” (5) Ad hoc Salomon dixit: “Quid est quod dicis?” (6) Marcolphus respondit: “Nam integer ego sum intus sedens, dimidius homo tu es supra equum extra sedens, intus prospiciens inclinatus, (7) caput vero equi caput est tui caballi super quem sedes.” (8) Tunc Salomon dixit: “Qui sunt ascendentes et descendentes?”(9) Marcolphus respondit et ait: “Fabe in olla bulientes.” (10) Salomon: “Ubi sunt tuus pater et tua mater, tua soror et tuus frater?” (11) Marcolphus: “Pater meus facit in campo de uno damno duo damna, (12) mater mea facit vicine sue quod ei amplius non faciet, (13) frater autem meus extra domum sedens, quicquid invenit, occidit. (14) Soror autem in cubiculo sedens plorat risum annualem.” (15) Salomon: “Quid illa significant?” (16) Marcolphus: “Pater meus in campo suo est et semitam per campum transeuntem occupare cupiens, spinas in semitam ponit, et homines venientes scilicet duas vias faciunt nocinas ex una, et ita facit duo damna ex uno. (17) Mater mea vero claudit oculos vicine sue morientis, quod amplius ei non faciet. (18) Frater autem meus extra domum sedens in sole et pelliculas ante tenens, pediclos omnes quos invenit occidit. (19) Soror autem mea preterito anno quendam juvenem adamavit, et inter ludicra, risus, et molles tactus, et basia, (20) quod tunc risit, modo pregnans plorat.” |
(1) Onys upon a tyme the king rode an huntyng wyth his hunterys and howndes and fortunyd hym to come by the house of Marcolf, (2) and turnyd hymself thidrewardes wyth his horse and demaunded, wyth his hede inclyned undre the dorre bowe, who was wythinne. (3) Marcolf answeryd to the king:“Wythin is an hool man, and an half, and an horse hede, (4) and the more that they ascende, the more they downe falle.” (5) To that spak Solomon: “What menyst thou therwithall?” (6) Tho answeryd Marcolphus: “The hole man is myself syttyng wythin, ye are the half man syttyng wythoute upon youre horse, lokyng in wyth youre hede declyned, (7) and the horse hede is the hede of youre horse that ye sytte on.” (8) Than Salomon demaunded of Marcolphus what they were that clymen up and fallyn downe. (9) Marcolph answeryd and sayde: “They are the benys boyllyng in the pott.” (10) Salomon: “Where is thy fadyr, thy modyr, thy sustyr, and thy brothyr?” (11) Marcolph: “My fadyr is in the felde and makyth of oon harme two. (12) My modyr is goon and dooth to hir neighborwe that she nevyr more shall do; (13) my brothyr sytting wythoute the house sleyth alle that he fyndeth. (14) My sustyr syttyth in hire chambre and bewepyth that aforetyme she laughyd.” (15) Salomon: “What betokenth they?” (16) Marcolph: “My fadyr is in the felde and puttyth or settyth thornys in a footpath, and comyng men they make an othre path therby, and so he makyth of oon harme two. (17) My modyr is goon and closyth the yes of hir neyghborwe deying, the whiche she shall nevyr more do. (18) My brothyr sytting withoute the house in the sonne and lowsyth, and alle that he fyndeth, he sleyth. (19) My sustyr the laste yere lovyd a yonge man and wyth kyssyng, laughing, tastyng, japyng, and playing, (20) she was getyn wyth chylde whereof she now travayllyth, and that now she bewepyth sore.” |
(N) (T1) (T6) (T8) |
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[B 2] (1) Ad hoc Salomon ait: “Unde tibi versucia hec venit?” (2) Marcolphus respondit: “Tempore David patris tui, cum essem infantulus, medici patris tui quadam die peragendis medicinis unum vulturem acceperunt, (3) et cum singula membra necessitatibus expendissent, (4) Bethsabea mater tua cor illius accepit, et super crustam ponens in igne assavit ac tibi comedere dedit, (5) mihique qui tunc in coquina eram, crustam post caput projecit. (6) Ego vero crustam vulture perfusam comedi, et inde, ut spero, versucia mea venit, sicut et tibi pro cordis comestione sapientia.” (7) Salomon: “Sic te deus adjuvet! In Gabaa mihi apparuit deus et replevit me sapientia.” (8) Marcolphus: “Talis dicitur esse sapiens qui seipsum habet pro stulto.” (9) Salomon: “Nonne audivisti quales divicias dedit mihi deus insuper et ipsam sapientiam?” (10) Marcolphus: “Audivi. Scio enim quod ubi vult deus ibi pluit.” |
(1) Salomon: “How comyth to thee alle this wysdome and subtyltye?” (2) Marcolfus: “In the tyme of King David youre fadyr, there was a yonge man his phisician, (3) and as he onys had takyn a vulture for to occupye in his medicins and had takyn therof that was to hym expedyent, (4) so toke youre modyr, Barsebea, the herte and leyde it upon a cruste of breed and rostyd it upon the feyre and yave you the herte to ete, (5) and I thanne beyng in the kechin, she kast at my hede the cruste through moysted wyth th’erte of the vulture, (6) and that ete I and therof, I suppose, is comen to me my subtiltie, lyke as to you is comen by etyng of th’erte wysedom.” (7) Salomon: “As verelye God helpe thee! In Gabaa, God appieryd to me and fulfylled me wyth sapience.” (8) Marcolphus: “He is holdyn wyse that reputyth hymself a fole.” (9) Salomon: “Haste thou not herde what rychesse God hath yevyn me aboven that wysedome?” (10) Marcolph: “I have herde it, and I knowe well that where God woll, there reynyth it.” |
(N1) (N2) (T4) |
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[B 3] (1) Ad hoc Salomon subridens ait: “Homines mei extra domum me exspectant foris. (2) Non possum amplius tecum stare, sed dic matri tue ut de meliori quam habet vacca mittat mihi ollam plenam lacte, (3) et ipsam ollam cooperiat de eadem vacca, tuque michi eam portes.” (4) Marcolphus: “Faciam,” inquit. (5) Rex vero Salomon cum ingenti strepitu hominum suorum in Jherusalem veniens in pallacio suo sicut dives et potens dominus receptus. (6) Mater autem Marcolphi, Floscemia nomine, rediens, jussum regis ei patefecit. (7) Tunc Floscemia ollam plenam lactis recipiens et placentam candidam de eodem lacte liniens super ollam posuit, (8) sicque Marcolphum, filium suum, regi transmisit. (9) Marcolphus vero per semitam unius prati incedens et calore estatis estuans vidit basam vacce jacentem, (10) vixque ollam ad terram deponens, placentam comedit, et cum basa vacce ollam contexit. (11) Cumque venisset ante regem ollam tectam cum basa vacce representans, (12) ait rex Salomon: “Cur sic olla cooperta est?” (13) Marcolphus: “Nonne jussisti ut lac vacce de vacca cooperiretur? Et factum est.” (14) Salomon: “Non ita fieri precepi.” (15) Marcolphus:“Sic intellexeram.” (16) Salomon: “Melius fuisset, si placenta lacte fuisset linita.” (17) Marcolphus: “Sic factum fuit, sed fames mutavit ingenium.” (18) Salomon: “Quomodo?” (19) Marcolphus: “Sciebam te non indigere pane et indigens comedi placentam lacte linitam, (20) et pro ipso ingenio mutato basam vacce super ollam posui.” |
(1) To that sayd Salomon alle laughyngly: “My folkys wayte upon me withoute. (2) I may no lengyr wyth thee talke, but saye to thy modyr that she sende me of hir beste cowe a pot full of mylke, (3) and that the pot of the same cowe be coveryd, and bringe thou it to me.” (4) Marcolphus: “It shal be done.” (5) King Salomon wyth his companye rydyng towardys Jerusalem was honourably receyvyd as a riche and moost puyssant king. (6) And whan Floscemya, Marcolphus modyr, was comyn home to hir house, he dede to hir the kinges message. (7) Than she, taking a pot full wyth mylke of hir cowe, and coveryd it wyth a flawne of the same mylke made, (8) and sent it so forth to the king by hir sone. (9) As Marcolphus went ovyr the felde, the wethir was warme of the sonne, sawe lying there a drye bakyn cowe torde, (10) and for haste he unnethe cowde set downe the pot to the erthe but that he had etyn the flawne and toke up the cowe torde and therwyth covyrd the pot, (11) and so covyrd presentyd it before the king. (12) And he askyd: “Why is the pot thus covyrd?” (13) Marcolf: “My lord, have not ye commaunded that the milke shulde be covyrd of the same cowe?” (14) Salomon: “I commaunded not so to be done.” (15) Marcolph: “Thus I undyrstode.” (16) Salomon: “It had ben bettyr coveryd wyth a flawne made wyth the mylke of the same cowe.” (17) Marcolph: “So was it furste done, but hungyr chaungyd wyt.” (18) Salomon: “How?” (19) Marcolph: “I wyste wele that ye had no nede of mete, and I havyng great hungyr ete the flawne wyth mylke anoynted, (20) and for that wyth wyt chungyd, the pot I have thus coveryd wyth a cowe torde.” |
(N2); (T2) (N14) (N17); (T17) (T19) (N20) |
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[B 4] (1) Salomon: “Nunc istud dimittamus, sed si in hac nocte non ita bene vigilaveris sicut ego, in crastino de capite tuo non poteris confidere.” (2) Salomon et Marcolphus consederunt, parvoque intervallo facto Marcolphus dormire cepit et ructare. (3) Cui Salomon ait:“Dormis, Marcolphe?” Marcolphus respondit: “Non dormio, sed penso.” (4) Salomon: “Quid pensas?” Marcolphus: “Penso tot in lepore esse juncturas in cauda quot in spina.” (5) Salomon: “Nisi hoc probaveris, reus mortis eris.” (6) Iterum, Salomone tacente, Marcolphus dormire cepit. Cui Salomon: “Dormis, Marcolphe?” Marcolphus: “Non dormio, sed penso.” (7) Salomon: “Quid pensas?” Marcolphus: “Penso tot pennas albas in pica quot nigras.” (8) Salomon: “Nisi etiam hoc probaveris, reus eris mortis.” (9) Iterum, Salomone tacente, Marcolphus ructare et dormire cepit. Cui Salomon: “Dormis, Marcolphe?” Marcolphus: “Non dormio, sed penso.” (10) Salomon: “Quid pensas?” Marcolphus: “Penso nullam rem sub celo esse candidiorem die.” (11) Salomon: “Nunquid ergo dies candidior est lacte?” Marcolphus: “Est.” Salomon: “Probandum est hoc.” (12) Post hoc Salomone tacente et vigilante Marcolphus dormire et sufflare cepit. (13) Cui Salomon: “Marcolphe, adhuc dormis?” Marcolphus: “Non dormio, sed penso.” (14) Salomon: “Quid pensas?” Marcolphus: “Nihil tute esse credendum mulieri.” Salomon: “Et hoc a te probabitur.” (15) Iterum, Salomone tacente, Marcolphus sufflare et dormire cepit. Cui Salomon: “Iterum dormis?” Marcolphus: “Non dormio, sed penso.” (16) Salomon: “Quid pensas?” Marcolphus: “Penso plus valere naturam quam nutrituram.” Salomon: “Nisi hoc probaveris, cras morieris.” (17) Post hoc, transacta nocte, Salomon fessus vigilando, se in loco suo collocavit. |
(1) Salomon: “Now leve we alle this, and yf that thou thys nyght wake not as wele as I, thou mayste have no truste tomorne of thy hede.” (2) Salomon and Marcolph consentyd bothe, and wythin a lytyll whyle aftyr Marcolph began to rowte. (3) Salomon sayde: “Marcolf, thou slepyst?” Marcolph answeryd: “Lord, I do not. I thinke.” (4) Salomon: “What thinkyst thou?” Marcolf: “I thinke that there are as many joyntys in the tayle of an hare as in hire chyne.” (5) Salomon: “If thou prove not that tomorne, thou arte worthy to deye.” (6) Salomon beyng stylle, began Marcolph to slepe ayen, and sayde to hym: “Thou slepyst?” And he answeryd: “I do not, for I thynke.” (7) Salomon: “What thynkest thou?” Marcolphus: “I thynke that the pye hath as many whyte fethrys as blacke.” (8) Salomon: “But thou also prove that trewe, thou shalt lese thyn hede.” (9) As Salomon ayen began to be stylle, Marcolph began ayen to rowte and to blowe, and Salomon sayd to hym: “Thou slepyst?” Marcolphus: “Nay, I thinke.” (10) Salomon: “What thinkest thou?” Marcolph: “I thinke that undre th’erthe is no clerer thing than the daye.” (11) Salomon: “Is the daye clerer than mylke?” Marcolph: “Ye.” Salomon: “That muste thou prove.” (12) Anone herupon began Marcolphus to slepe. (13) Salomon: “Thou slepyst.” Marcolph: “I slepe not, but I muse.” (14) Salomon: “What musyst thou?” Marcolph: “I muse how that men may not surely truste the women.” Salomon: “And that of thee shal be provyd.” (15) Anon aftyr as Salomon was stylle, began Marcolf ayen to blowe and to slepe. Salomon: “Thou slepyst?” Marcolph: “I do not, but I thinke.” (16) Salomon: “What thinkest thou?” Marcolph: “I thinke how that nature goth afore lernyng.” Salomon: “If thou prove not that trewe, thou shalt lese thyn hede.” (17) Aftyr that the nyght was ovyrpassyd and Salomon, wery of waking, put hymself to reste. |
(N1) (T2) (T4) (T9) (T10) (T11) (T14) (T16) (N17) |
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[B 5] (1) Tunc Marcolphus, dimisso rege, festinus cucurrit ad sororem suam, Fudasam nomine, et similans se multum esse tristem, dixit ad eam: (2) “Rex Salomon contrarius est mihi, et non possum pati minas et injurias ejus, sed ego accipio cultellum unum sub veste mea, (3) et hodie, nesciente eo, infigam in cor ejus et sic occidam eum. (4) Nunc autem, chara soror, precor te, ne me accuses, sed omni fide zeles, nec etiam fratri meo Bufrido indices istud.” (5) Cui Fudasa respondit: “Chare frater Marcholphe, nihil dubites, (6) quia pro capite perdendo non te accusarem.” (7) Post hoc Marcolphus caute rediit ad curiam regis. |
(1) Than Marcolf lefte the king and ran hastely to hys sustyr Fudasa and fayned hymself sorwefull and hevy, and sayde to hyre: (2) “The king Salomon is ayenst me, and I may not bere hys threytys and injuries, and but I shall take this knyf and hyde it secretly undyr my clothes, (3) and therewyth thys daye all pryvely, he not knowyng, I shall smyte hym to th’erte and sle hym. (4) Now good dere sustyr, I praye thee, accuse me not but in any wyse kepe it secrete, ne shewe it not to myn owne brothyr Bufrydo.” (5) Fudasa answeryd: “My dere and leevest brothyr Marcolf, put no doubtes therin. (6) I had levyr dye and be brent at a stake rather than I shulde discovre it or accuse thee.” (7) Aftyr that retournyd Marcolf alle pryvely towardys the kynges courte. |
(N1) (N2); (T2) (T4) (T6) (T7) |
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[B 6] (1) Sole autem terram illuminante, curia regis impletur, et Salomon a lecto consurgens sedit in throno pallacii sui. (2) Tunc jussu regis lepus queritur, et in sua presentia defertur, et tot juncture in cauda quot in spina a Marcolpho numerantur. (3) Deinde quesita pica et coram rege illata, tot penne albe quot nigre a Marcolpho numerantur. (4) Tunc rege nesciente Marcolphus lagenam plenam lacte in cubiculo obstruxit ne lux intraret, (5) regemque vocavit. Cumque rex intrare voluisset cubiculum, posuit pedem super lagenam plenam lacte, et lapsus corruisset, nisi manibus se tenuisset. (6) Tunc rex iratus dixit: “Tu fili perditionis, quid est quod fecisti?” (7) Marcolphus: “Irasci ab hac re noli. Nonne dixisti quod lac esset candidius die? Quare non vidisti de lacte, sicut de die vidisses? Equum judica! Nihil tibi peccavi.” (8) Salomon: “Deus tibi parcat! Vestis mea est perfusa, collum debuissem habere confractum de tuo opere, et nihil mihi peccasti?” (9) Marcolphus: “Alia vice custodi te. Sed nunc sedens fac mihi justiciam de proclamatione qua loquor ad te.” |
(1) The sonne rysyng and spredyng hyr beamys ovyr th’erthe illumined and fulfyllyd the kingys palayce, and Salamon, rysyng from his bed, wente and sat in the trone or sete of his palayce. (2) Than commaunded he to bringe afore hym an hare, and as many joyntes in his tayle as in hys chyne were fownden by Marcolph and nombredyd. (3) Thanne was there a pye brought before the king, and as many whyte fethrys as black were fownden by Marcolph. (4) And thanne toke Marcolph a great panne wyth mylke and set it in the kinges bedchambre alle pryvely, and closyd to alle the wyndowes that no lyght myght in come. (5) Thanne kallyd he the king into the chambre, and as he come in he stumblyd at the panne and was nygh fallyn therin. (6) Tho was the king angry and displeasyd and sayd: “Thou fowle evyl body, what is it that thou doost?” (7) Marcolphus answeryd: “Ye ought not herefore to be angry. For have ye not sayd that milke is clerer than the daye? How is it that ye se not as wele by the clerenesse of the mylke as ye do bi the clerenesse of the daye? Juge egaly and ye shall fynde that I have nothyng mysdone unto you.” (8) Salomon: “God foryeve thee! My clothys be alle wyth mylke sprongyn, and nygh I had my necke brokyn and yet thou haste me nothing trespasyd?” (9) Marcolphus answeryd: “Anothre tyme se bettyr tofore you. Nevyrthelesse, sytte downe and do me justyce upon a mater that I shall shewe afore you.” |
(T1) (T2) (T4) (N5) (N7) (T9) |
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[B 7] (1) Cumque rex consedisset, Marcolphus conquerebatur dicens: “Habeo, domine, unam sororem Fudasam nomine, que meretrix effecta, que etiam pregnans dehonestat omnem parentelam meam, et tamen vult habere hereditatem paternam.” (2) Tunc Salomon ait: “Vocetur ante nos soror tua et audiamus quid ipsa velit dicere.” (3) Cunque fuisset vocata Fudasa coram rege, subridens rex Salomon ait: “Bene potest ista esse soror Marcolphi!” (4) Figura autem Fudase curta erat et grossa et impregnata, que ventre grossior erat, (5) et habuit spissas tibias, claudicansque utroque pede, vultu et oculis staturam Marcolpho similem gerens. (6) Rex Salomon ait ad Marcolphum: “Dic, quid conquereris de tua sorore.” (7) Ad hoc Marcolphus consurgens dixit: “Domine rex, proclamationem facio coram te de sorore mea, que meretrix est effecta et pregnans, sicut videre potes, dehonestat omnem parentelam meam, (8) ac insuper vult habere partem hereditatis mee. (9) Quamobrem precor ut jubeas ne ipsa accipiat partem in ipsa hereditate.” (10) Audiens hec Fudasa, repleta furore, prorupit in hanc vocem et dixit: “Pessime leccator, quare non haberem partem in hereditate mea? (11) Nonne, Marcolphe, genuit me Floscemia, que fuit mea mater, sicut et tua?” (12) Marcolphus: “Non habebis hereditatem, quia mediante tua culpa damnabitur tibi hereditas.” (13) Fudasa ad hoc ait: “Non damnabitur mihi hereditas, quia, si peccavi, emendabo, sed juro per deum et per virtutes ejus, (14) nisi me dimiseris in pace, dicam talem rem, pro qua rex te suspensione faciet perire.” (15) Marcolphus: “Sordida meretrix, quid dicere posses? Nil peccavi cuiquam.” (16) Fudasa ait: “Multum peccasti, tu vilis nequam, (17) quia vis occidere dominum regem, et si non credatur mihi, queratur cultellus sub veste tua.” (18) Cumque cultellus a familia quereretur et non inveniretur, (19) Marcolphus ait astantibus et regi: “Nonne verum dixi nil tute esse credendum mulieri?” (20) Cunque omnes elevassent risum, dixit Salomon: “Per ingenium omnia facis, Marcolphe.” (21) Marcolphus: “Non est ingenium, sed quod credidi sorori mee, fraudulenter publicavit, sicut fuisset de veritate.” (22) Salomon: “Et quare dixisti plus valere naturam quam nutrituram?” (23) Marcolphus: “Sustine paululum, et antequam dormias ostendam tibi.” |
(1) Whan he was set, Marcolph complayned and shewyd: “Lord, I have a sustyr that hath to name Fudasa, and she hath yeven hyrself to horedam and is wyth childe wherwyth she shamyth and dishonestyd alle oure bloode and lynage, and yet wolde she parte wyth me in my fathres good and herytage.” (2) Thanne sayde Salomon: “Lete hyr come afore us, and we shall here hyr what she woll saye herto.” (3) As Salomon sawe hyr come from ferre, sayde all laughyngly: “Thys may wele be Marcolphus sustyr!” (4) This Fudasa was short and thycke, and therto was she great with chylde, and thus was she thycker than she was of lenghthe. (5) She had thycke leggys and short, and went on fote lame, wyth vysage, yen, and stature lycke to Marcolph. (6) Salomon sayde to Marcolph: “What complaynest or askyst thou of thy sustyr?” (7) Marcolph answeryd: “My lord, I complayne and shewe opynly afore you of my sustyr, that she is a stronge harlot and a strumpet and is wyth chylde, as ye may se, and alle oure blood and kynrede by hyr is shamyd. (8) That wythstandyng, she wolde dele and parte wyth me in my fathres good and herytage. (9) Wherefore, I requyre you of justyce and that ye commaunde hire that she take no parte ne make no clayme therto.” (10) This heryng, Fudasa, replete wyth angre and woednesse, cryed on hygh and sayde: “Thou fowle mysshapyn harlot, wherefore shulde not I have my parte in oure fadres good and herytage? (11) And is not Floscemya moder to us bothe?” (12) Marcolph: “Thou shalt not have any dele or parte therin, for thin offense jugeth thee clerely therfro.” (13) Fudasa: “Therfore, I may not lese myn herytage. For have I mysdone, I shalle amende it, but oon thyng I promyse thee and swere by God and all hys myght. (14) Yf thou wylt not lete me be in pease and suffre me to have my parte in the land, I shall shewe suche a thyng of thee that the king, or it be nyght, shall do thee to be hangyd.” (15) Marcolphus: “Thou fowle stynkyng hore, what kanst thou saye of me? I have no man mysdone. Saye thy worste, I dyffye thee.” (16) Fudasa: “Thou haste moche misdone, thou fowle facyd knave and rybaulde that thou art. (17) For thou gladly woldyst sle the king, and yf ye beleve not me, seke undyr his cote and ye shall fynde the knyf.” (18) Tho was the knyf sought by the kinges servauntys and it was not fownde. (19) Sayde Marcolph to the king and to the aboutestanders: “And have I not sayde trouthe, that men shulde not put ovyrmoche truste or confidence in the women?” (20) Wyth that they alle began to laughen. Tho sayd Salomon: “Marcolph, thou doost alle thy thynges by crafte and subtyltye.” (21) Marcolph answeryd: “Lord, it is no subtyltye, but that my sustyr had promysed me to have kept it secrete, and she hath falsely discoverd it, as though it had ben of a trouthe.” (22) Salomon: “Wherefore haste thou sayd that arte or nature goth before lernyng?” (23) Marcolph: “Take pacyence a lytyll, and afore or ye go to bedde, I shal shewe you.” |
(T5) (T6) (T11) (T12) (T13) (T14) (T16) (N20) |
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[B 8] (1) Die autem transeunte et hora cene adveniente, rex sedit ad cenam cum maximo apparatu suorum, et Marcolphus sedens cum aliis inclusit tres mures in manicam tunice sue. (2) Fuerat enim in curia regis Salomonis cattus ita nutritus, ut omni nocte rege cenante teneret candelam duobus pedibus coram universis cenantibus stans, et duobus pedibus lucernam tenens. (3) Cum jam bene omnes cenassent, Marcolphus emisit unum de muribus, quem cum cattus respexisset et post illum ire voluisset, nutu regis est retentus. (4) Dumque de secundo mure factum fuisset similiter, Marcolphus emisit murem tercium, quem cum cattus conspexisset, ultra non tenens candelam, sed eandem rejecit, et post murem currens illum apprehendit. (5) Hoc Marcolphus videns dixit ad regem: “Ecce, rex, coram te probavi plus valere naturam quam nutrituram.” (6) Dixit autem Salomon: “Projicite eum de conspectu meo. Si amplius venerit, dimittite super eum canes meos.” (7) Marcolphus: “Nunc pro certo scio et dicere possum, quia ibi est mala curia, ubi non est justicia.” (8) Cunque expulsus fuisset Marcolphus, cepit intra se dicere: “Neque sic neque sic sapiens Salomon de Marcolpho britone pacem habebit.” |
(1) The daye passyd ovyr and the tyme of souper cam on. The king sat to sowper and othre wyth whom sat Marcolph and had alle pryvely put into hys sleve thre quyk myse. (2) There was norysshyd in the kinges house a catte, that every nyght as the king sat at sowper was wont to holde betwyxt hyre forefeet a brennyng kandell upon the tabyll. (3) Thanne lete Marcolph oon of the myse go out of his sleve. As the catte that saugh, she wolde have lept aftyr, but the king yave hyr a wynke or countenaunce that she bode stylle syttyng and removyd not. (4) And in lyke wyse dede she of the secunde mowse. Thanne lete Marcolph the thrydde mowse go, and as the katte sawe she cowde no lenger abyde, but kaste the kandell awaye, and lept aftyr the mowse and toke it. (5) And as Marcolph that sawe, sayde to the king: “Here I have now provyd before you that nature goth afore lernyng.” (6) Tho commaunded Salomon his servauntes: “Have thys man out of my syghte, and if he come hythre any more, set my howndes upon hym.” (7) Marcolphus: “Now for certayne I knowe and may saye that where as the hede is seke and evyll at ease, there is no lawe.” (8) As Marcolph was thus out dryven, he seyde to hymself: “Neythre so nor so shall the wyse Salomon of Marcolf be quyte.” |
(N) (T4) (N8); (T8) |
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[B 9] (1) Insequenti autem die de lectulo consurgens cogitavit quomodo curiam regis intrare posset, sic ut canes regis eum non devorarent. (2) Et abiens emit unum vivum leporem et posuit sub veste sua, sicque reversus est ad curiam regis. (3) Quem cum servi Salomonis vidissent, canes super eum ejecerunt. Marcolphus vero leporem emisit. Protinus canes Marcolphum relinquentes leporem invaserunt, et sic Marcolphus venit ad regem. (4) Cunque rex vidisset eum, dixit: “Quis te huc intromisit?” (5) Marcolphus respondit: “Calliditas non parva.” |
(1) On the next mornyng folowyng as he was out of his couche or kenel rysen, he bethoughte hym in his mynde how he myght beste gete hym ayen into the kinges courte wythout hurte or devouryng of the howndes. (2) He went and bought a quyk hare and put it undre his clothis, and yede ayen to the courte. (3) And whan the kinges servauntes had syghte of hym, they set upon hym alle the howndes, and forthwyth he caste the hare from hym, and the howndes aftre, and lefte Marcolph, and thus came he ayen be the king. (4) And as he sawe hym, he askyd who had letyn hym in. (5) Marcolph answeryd: “Wyth great sutyltie am I in comen.” | |
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[B 10] (1) Salomon: “Cave ne hodie mittas salivam de ore tuo nisi super terram.” (2) Pallacium autem erat stratum tapetis, et parietes erant cooperti cortinis. (3) Cumque Marcolphus nimiam tussim haberet, et inter colloquia ejus saliva nimia in ore ejus habundaret, respiciens circa se vidit hominem calvum juxta regem stantem. (4) Tunc in angustia grandi positus, cum non videret nudam terram, super quam screare posset, collegit salivam in ore cum magno impetu, et screavit in frontem calvi hominis. (5) Mox calvus iste nimio rubore perfusus frontem suam detersit et se ad pedes regis prostravit, et proclamationem de Marcolpho fecit. (6) Salomon: “Quare fedasti frontem calvi hujus?” (7) Marcolphus: “Non fedavi, sed fimavi. In sterili enim terra fimus ponitur, ut segetes in ea abundantius multiplicentur.” (8) Salomon: “Et hoc quid pertinet ad calvum hominem?” (9) Marcolphus: “Nonne prohibuisti ut hodie non screarem nisi super terram nudam? Vidi enim frontem nudam capillis et credens esse nudam terram ideo screavi in eam. (10) Non irasci debet rex pro hac re, quia pro suo proficuo feci. Si frons ejus frequenter sic fuisset rigata, capilli reverterentur.” (11) Salomon: “Deus te confundat! Nam calvi homines sunt ceteris honestiores, quia calvitium enim non est vicium, sed honoris initium.” (12) Marcolphus: “Calvicium est magis muscarum ludibrium. Non conspiceo, rex, quomodo musce insequuntur frontem illius calvi magis quam ceterorum frontes capillorum? (13) Putant namque esse aliquod vas tornatile pleno aliquo bono potu aut esse aliquem lapidem delinitum aliqua dulcedine, et ideo infestant nudam frontem ejus.” (14) Ad hec coram rege calvus ait: “Ut quid vilissimus nequam intromittitur ante regem nos vituperare? Eiciatur foras!” (15) Marcolphus: “Et fiat pax in virtute tua, et tacebo!” |
(1) Salomon: “Beware that thys daye thou spytte not but upon the bare grownde.” (2) The palayce was all coveryd wyth tapettys, and the walles hangyd wyth riche clothys. (3) Marcolf wythin short space aftyr wyth his talkyng and clateryng wyth othre, his mouth was full of spytyll, began to cough and reche up, (4) beholdyng al aboute hym where he myght best spytte and cowd fynde no bare erthe, sawe a ballyd man stondyng by the king barehedyd, and spatyld evyn upon his forehede. (5) The ballyd man was therwyth ashamyd, made clene his forehede, and fyll on kneyes before the kingys fete, and made a complaynt upon Marcolph. (6) Salomon: “Wherefore haste thou made fowle the forehede of this man?” (7) Marcolph: “I have not made it fowle, but I have dungyd it or made it fat. For on a bareyne grownde, it behovyth dunge to be layde, that the corne that is theron sowyn may the bettyr growe and multiplye.” (8) Salomon: “What is that to this man?” (9) Marcolph: “My lord, have ye not forbedyn me that this daye I shulde not spytte but upon the bare erthe? And I sawe his forehede alle bare of herys, and thynkyng it be bare erthe, and therefore I spyttyd upon it. (10) The king shall not be angry for this thing for I have done it for the manys proffyte, for and if his forehede were thus usyd to be made fat, the herys shulde ayen encrease and multiplye.” (11) Salomon: “God yeve thee shame! For the ballyd men aught to be aboven othre men in honure, for balydnesse is no shame, but a begynnyng of worshipe. (12) Marcolphus: “Balydnesse is a flyes nest. Beholde I not, syre, how the flyes folowe more his forehede than alle the othre that ben wythin thys house? (13) Forwhy they trowen that it be a vessell turnyng full wyth som good drinke or ellys to be a stone anoynted wyth any swete thyng, and therfore they haste thaym to his bare forehede.” (14) To this sayd the ballyd man afore the king: “Wherto is this moost vyle rybaulde sufferyd in the kinges presence us to rebuke and shame? Lete hym be kast out!” (15) Marcolph: “And be it pease in thy vertu, and I shal be stylle.” |
(N1) (T3) (T8) (T11) (N12) (T14) (N15); (T15) |
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[B 11] (1) Interea venerunt due mulieres ferentes unum vivum puerum, de quo coram rege contendebant. (2) Nam una dixit: “Meus est infans.” Altera: “Non, sed meus est.” Sed una earum dormiens suum oppresserat filium, unde coram Salomone pro vivo puero contendebant. Nam una dixit: “Meus est,” etc. (3) Ad hoc Salomon dixit servis: “Afferte gladium et dividite infantem, et unaqueque mulier accipiat partem infantis.” (4) Quod audiens mulier cujus vivebat filius ad regem dixit: “Obsecro, domine, date illi infantem vivum. Hec est enim mater ejus.” |
(1) Herewythall come yn two women bryngyng wyth thaym a lyving chylde, for the wyche they afore the king began to stryve. (2) For the oon sayde it belongyd to hyre, but the oon of thaym had forlayne hyre chylde slepyng so that they were in stryve for the levyng chylde. (3) Salomon sayd to oon of his servauntis: “Take a sworde and departe thys chylde in two pecys, and yeve eyther of thaym the oon half.” (4) That heryng, the naturall modyr of the lyvyng chylde sayde to the king: “Lord, I beseche you, yeve it to that woman all hool lyvyng for she his the verraye modyr therof.” Than sayde Salomon that she was the modyr of the chylde and yave it to hire. |
(N1) (T4) |
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[B 12] (1) Marcolphus querit a rege: “Quomodo nosti hanc esse matrem pueri?” (2) Salomon: “Ex affectione et mutatione vultus et effusione lachrimarum.” (3) Marcolphus: “Non bene. An credis lacrimis femine? Tu sapiens nescis artes mulierum? (4) Dum femina plorat oculis, corde ridet; plorat uno oculo, ridet altero; (5) ostendit vultu quod non habet affectu; loquitur ore quod non cogitat mente; (6) hoc sepe promittit quod implere non cupit; sed immutatur vultus, per varia ejus ingenia cursitat cogitatus.(7) Innumeras artes habet femina.” (8) Salomon: “Quot habet artes, tot habet probitates.” (9) Marcolphus: “Non dic probitates, sed pravitates et deceptiones.” (10) Salomon: “Vere illa fuit meretrix, que talem genuit filium.” Marcolphus: “Cur hoc dicis, domine rex?” (11) Salomon: “Quia tu vituperas muliebrem sexum. Est enim mulier honesta, concupiscibilis, honorabilis et amabilis.” (12) Marcolphus: “Adhuc potes adiungere quod sit fragilis et flexibilis.” (13) Salomon: “Si est fragilis, per humanam conditionem talis est, si flexibilis, per delectationem talis est. (14) Mulier enim de costa hominis est facta, et homini in bonum adjutorium et delectamentum data. (15) Nam mulier potest dici quasi mollis res.” (16) Marcolphus: “Similiter mulier potest dici quasi mollis error.” (17) Salomon: “Mentiris, nequam pessime. Pessimus enim esse potes, omnia mala loquens de muliere. (18) De muliere enim nascitur omnis homo, et qui ergo dehonestat muliebrem sexum, nimium est vituperandus. (19) Unde quid divicie, quid regna, quid possessiones, quid aurum, quid argentum, quid preciose vestes, quid preciosi lapides, quid sumptuosa convivia, quid leta tempora, quid delicie valent sine femina? (20) Vere potest vocari mundo mortuus, qui est ab hoc sexu segregatus. (21) Femina enim generat filios et filias, nutrit et diligit eos, amplectitur, optat salutem eorum. (22) Femina regit domum, sollicita est pro salute mariti et familie. (23) Femina est delectatio rerum omnium, femina est dulcedo juvenum, femina est consolatio senum, exhilaratio puerorum. (24) Femina est gaudium diei, solacium noctis, laborum alleviatio, omnium rerum tristium oblivio. (25) Femina servit sine dolo, servetque introitus et exitus meos.” (26) Ad hoc Marcolphus ait: “Verum dicit, qui dixit: ‘Quod in corde, hoc est in ore.’ (27) Multum amas feminas et ideo laudas eas. Divicie, nobilitas, pulchritudo et sapientia concordant tibi, et ideo amores tibi concordant mulierum. (28) Sed dico tibi quam nunc laudas eas, et antequam tu dormias vituperabis eas.” (29) Cui Salomon: “Mentiris, quia omnibus diebus vite mee mulieres amavi, amo et amabo. (30) Sed nunc discede a me et vide ne amplius in conspectu meo male loquaris de muliere.” |
(1) Marcolph demaunded of the king how he the modyr knewe. (2) Salomon: “By chaungyng of hir colure and affection, and by effusyon of terys.” (3) Marcolphus: “Ye myghthe so be disceyved, for beleve ye the wepyng of the women, and are so wyse and knowe the crafte of thaym no bettyr? (4) Whyllys a woman wepyth, she laughyth wyth th’erte. They kan wepe wyth oon yie and lawgh wyth the othyr. (5) They make contenaunce wyth the vysage that they thinke not. They speke wyth the tunge that they mene not wyth th’erte. (6) They promyse many tymes that they parforme not, but they chaunge theyre contenaunces as theyre myndes renne. (7) The women have innumerable craftes.” (8) Salomon: “As many craftes as they have, so many good condicyons and propyrtyes they have.” (9) Marcolphus: “Saye not good condicyons or propyrtyes, but saye shrewdnessys and decepcyons.” (10) Salomon: “Surely she was an hore that bare suche a sone.” Marcolph: “Wherefore saye ye so?” (11) Salomon: “For thou blamyst alle women, and they are honest, chaste, meke, lovyng, and curtayse.” (12) Marcolf: “To that myght ye adde and saye that they are brotyll and mutable.” (13) Salomon: “If they be brotyll, that have they of manys condicyon; yf they be chaungeable, that have they by delectacioun. (14) Woman is though made of mannys rybbe and yeven unto hym for his helpe and comfort. (15) For woman is as moche to saye as a ‘weyke erthe’ or a ‘weyke thynge.’” (16) Marcolph: “In like wyse it is as moche to saye as a ‘softe erroure.’” (17) Salomon: “There lyest thou, false kaytyf. Thou muste nedys be evyll and onhappy that sayst so moche shame and harme of women. (18) For of women we are alle comen, and therfore he that seyth evylle of the kynde of women is greatly to be blamyd. (19) For what is rychesse, wat is kingdomes, what is possessions, what is goold, what is sylver, what is costely clothyng or preciouse stonys, what is costely metys or drinkes, what is good companye or solace, what is myrthe withoute women? (20) On trouthe, they may kalle wele the world deed that from women are exiled or banysshed. (21) For women muste bere the chyldren, they fede and norysshe thaym up, and love thaym welle. She desyryth thayre helthys. (22) She governyth the household. She forwyth the helthe of hyr husband and household. (23) Women is the dilectacioun of alle thinges. She is the swetnesse of youthe. She is the solace or joye of age. She is gladnesse of childre. (24) She is joye of the daye. She is solace of the nyght. She is the glad ynd of laboure. Of alle hevynesses she is the forgeter. (25) She servyth withhoute grutchyng, and she shall watche my goyng out, and myn incomyng.” (26) Therupon answeryd Marcolphus: “He seyth trouthe that thinkyth wyth his herte as he spekyth wyth his mowth. (27) Ye have the women in great favoure, and therfore ye prayse thaym. Rychesse, nobylnesse, fayrenesse, and wysedom be in you, and therfore it behovyth you to love women. (28) But Y assure you one thyng, albeit that ye now prayse thaym ovyr moche, or ye slepe ye shal dysprayse thaym as faste.” (29) Salomon: “Therof thou shalt lye, for alle my lyve dayes I have lovyd women and shall duryng my lyf. (30) But now go from me and se wele to that before me thou nevyr speke evyll of women.” |
(N3) (T6) (T10) (N15) (T19) (T23) (T25) (N26) (N28) |
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[B 13] (1) Tunc Marcolphus pallacium regis exiens vocavit ad se meretricem illam, cui restitutus fuit filius vivus, et dixit ad illam: “Scis quid actum sit in curia regis?” (2) At illa respondit: “Filius meus mihi concessus est vivus, sed quid factum sit prorsus ignoro.” (3) Cui Marcolphus: “Rex precepit ut crastina die tu voceris et socia tua, et dabitur tibi media pars filii tui, et illi altera similiter.” (4) Ad hoc mulier ait: “O quam malus rex et quam male et inique sententie ejus!” (5) Tunc Marcolphus dixit: “Adhuc graviora dicam tibi et deteriora. (6) Nam rex et consiliarii sui statuerunt ut unusquisque vir accipiat septem uxores. Unde pensa quid de eis faciendum sit. (7) Quia si unus vir septem habuerit uxores, nunquam erit domus in pace. (8) Una namque amabitur, altera despicietur. Quia illa que magis viro placuerit, cum marito frequentius erit, que vero minus placuerit, cum marito rarius erit. (9) Una ergo bene vestietur, altera nuda relinquetur. Dilecta habebit anulos, monilia, argentum, et aurum, varium et sericum. (10) Custodiet claves domus, honorabitur a familia, et vocabitur domina. Omnes divicie mariti cedunt ei. (11) Cumque sic una amabitur, quid alie sex dicture sunt? Si due, quid alie quinque? Si quatuor, quid alie tres? Si quinque, quid alie due? Si sex, quid una? (12) Tunc osculabitur, amplexabitur et marito sociabitur. (13) Que videntes, [quid] dicture sunt aut referant? Nec enim vidue nec maritate, nec cum marito nec sine marito erunt. Penitebit enim eas perdidisse virginitatem. (14) Ire, rixe, contentiones, emulationes et invidie inter eas semper erunt, perpetuum odium inter eas regnabit, et nisi prohibitum fuerit hoc malum, una preparabit alteri venenum. (15) Quamobrem, quia femina es et nosti muliebrem sexum, festina nunciare dominabus omnibus quibus potes hujus civitatis, et dic eis ut omnino non consentiant, sed contradicant regi et consiliariis ejus.” |
(1) Than Marcolphus, goyng out of the kynges palayce, kallyd to hym the woman that had hir childe to hyre yeven ayen by the king and sayd to hyre: “Knowyst thou not what is done and concluded in the kingys counsell todaye?”(2) She answeryd: “My chylde is yevyn me ayen alyve, what ellys there is done, that knowe not I.” (3) Tho sayd Marcolph: “The king hath commaunded and is uttyrly determyned that tomorwe thou and thy felawe shall come ayen afore hym, and that thou shalt have the one half of thy chylde and thy felawe the othre half.” (4) Than sayde the woman: “O what evyll king, and what false and untrewe sentence yevyth he!” (5) Marcolph sayde: “Yet shall I shewe thee grettyr matiers and more chargeable, and of grettyr weyghte. (6) The king and his counseyle hath ordeyned that evyr man shall have vii wyves, therfor remembre and thinke what therin is best to be done. (7) For as one man hath vii wyves, so shall ther nevyr more be reste or pease in th’ouse. (8) One shal be belovyd, anothre shall displease hym. For hir that he lovyth shal be moost wyth hym, and the othre nevyr or seldom. (9) She shal be wele clothyd, and the othre shal be forgetyn. Hyr that he lovyth best shall have ryngys, jowellys, goold, sylvyr, furres, and were sylkys. (10) She shal kepe the keyes of alle the house, she shal be honouryd of alle the servauntys and be kallyd ‘Mastres.’ Alle his goodes shall falle to hire. (11) What shall than saye the othre vi? And yf he love tweyne, what shall the othre v saye? And yf he love thre, what shal saye the othre iiii? and yf he love iiii what shall the othre iii do, etc.? (12) That he lovyth best, he shall alwayes have by hym and kysse hire and halse hyre. (13) The othyr shall nowe saye that they are neythre wydowes nor weddyd, nor yit unweddyd, nor wythoute husbande. They shal nowe well forthynke that they have theyre maydenhede loste. (14) There shall evyr stryff, angre, envye, and brawelyng reigne, and if there be not fownde a remedy herefore, many great inconvenyencys shall growe thereof. (15) And by cause that thou arte a woman, and well acqueynted wyth the condicyons of women, haste thee and shewe thys to alle the ladyes and women wythin this citie, and advyse thaym that they consente not to it in any wyse, but wythstande it and saye ayenst the king and his counseyll.” |
(N1); (T1) (T3) (T5) (T11) (T13) (N14) |
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[B 14] (1) Cunque Marcolphus caute rediisset ad curiam regis Salomonis et consedisset in angulo pallacii, (2) illa meretrix, credens verba ejus esse vera, transvolans per medium urbis et palmas suas pectusque suum quatiens, verba que audierat undique divulgabat. (3) Et sic concursus matronarum fiebat, vicina referebat vicine, et oriebatur ingens tumultus mulierum. Et sub parva hora quasi omnes femine seu mulieres totius urbis in unum congregebantur. (4) Quibus congregatis placuit eis consilium, et agmine facto magno, iverunt ad pallacium regis Salomonis. Venientes itaque ad curiam regis Salomonis quasi septem milia mulierum vallaverunt pallacium sive aulam regis Salomonis, et impetu facto fregerunt valvas ejus, et convicia horrenda ei inferebant et consiliariis ejus. Una vero plus, altera minus, omnes simul coram rege voces emittebant. |
(1) Marcolf retourned and went ayen to the courte and pryvely hyd hym in a corner. (2) And the woman trowyd his wordys to be trewe, ranne trough the citie, and clappyd hire handys togydre, and cryed wyth opyn mowthe and shewyd all that she had herd and more. (3) And eche neyghborwe or gossyp saide it forth to anothre, so that in short tyme there was a great assemble or gaderyng of women, wel nigh that alle the women that weren wythin the citie, (4) and so gadred, went to the kynges palayse well by the nombre of vi thousand women, and brak up dorys and ovyrwent the kyng and his counsell wyth great malyce and lowde crying. | (N4); (T4) |
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[B 15] (1) Tandem rex, vix imperato silentio, requisivit quenam esset causa tanti tumultus. Ad hoc una que inter omnes constantior et eloquentior ceteris videbatur, dixit ad regem: (2) “Tu rex, cui aurum et argentum et lapides preciosi omnesque divicie terrarum deferuntur, facis omnes voluntates tuas et nullus voluntatibus tuis resistit. (3) Habes reginam et reginas plures, super hoc inducis concubinas innumerabiles quot vis. Es unicuique quantum vis, quia habes omne id quicquid vis. (4) Hec facere omnes non possunt.” (5) Salomon respondit: “Unxit me deus in regem in Israhel, et non potero exequi voluntates meas?” (6) Ad hec mulier inquit: “Satis fac voluntatibus tuis de tuis, de nobis cur faceres? Nos nobiles de genere Abrahe sumus et legem Moysi tenemus. (7) Quare vis immutare legem nostram? Qui debes facere justiciam, cur facis injusticiam?” (8) Ad hoc Salomon furore repletus ait: “Quam exerceo injusticiam, pudibunda mulier?” (9) Mulier ait: “Maxima injusticia est quia vis constituere, quod unusquisque mas septem uxores accipiat. Certe non fiet istud. (10) Non est dux neque comes neque princeps, qui sit tantarum diviciarum seu potentiarum, qui uni soli uxori suas impleat voluntates. (11) Quid faciet, si septem uxores habuerit? Supra vires hominum est istud facere. Melius est enim ut unaqueque habeat septem viros.” (12) Ad hec Salomon rex subridens dixit suis: “Non estimabam numerum hominum posse equari multitudine mulierum.” (13) Tunc omnes mulieres Jherosolimitane una voce clamaverunt: “Vere malus rex es tu et injuste sentencie tue. (14) Nunc vero scimus quia vera sunt que audivimus. Malum tractas de nobis, et derides nos coram nobis. (15) O deus! quam hora mala prius Saul regnavit super nos, quam pejus David, quam pessime iste Salomon regnavit!” |
(1) The king, as he this herde, axyd what the cause was of thayre gaderyng. To that, oon woman that wyser and more eloquent than the othre sayde unto the king: (2) “Moost myghty prynce to whom goold, sylver, preciouse stones, and alle rychesse of the world to you are brought, ye do alle thyng as ye woll, and non ayensayth youre pleasure. (3) Ye have a quene and many quenys, and ovyr that ye have concubynes or paramours wythoute nombre or as many as you pleasyth, for ye have all that ye wol. (4) So may not every man do.” (5) Salomon answeryd: “God hath anoynted and made me king in Israhel. May I not than do and accomplyssh all my wylle?” (6) She answeryd: “Do youre wylle wyth youre owne, and medle not wyth us. We are of the noble blood of Abraham and holde Moyses lawe. (7) Wherfor woll ye thane that chaunge and altre? Ye are bownden to do right and justyce. Wherefore do ye unryght?” (8) Tho sayde Salomon wyth great unpacyence: “Thou shamfull wyf, what unright or wronge do Y?” (9) She answeryd: “As great unright do ye as kan be thought or ymagined. For ye have ordeyned that every man shal have nowe lawefully vii wyves, and certaynli that shall not be. (10) For there is not that prynce, duke, or erle that so riche and puyssaunt is, but that oon woman alone shall now fullfylle alle his desyres and wylle. (11) What thanne shulde he do wyth vii wyves? It is aboven any mannys myght or power. It were bettyr ordeyned that oon woman shulde have vii husbondes.” (12) Than sayd Salomon all laughyngly: “I had not trowed that of men had ben fewer in nombre than of women.” (13) Tho kryed alle the women as mad people wythoute any reason: “Ye are an evyle king and youre sentences ben false and unrightfull. (14) Now may we wel here and se that it is trouthe that we have herd of you, and that ye have of us sayde evyll, and therto ye skorne and mocke us before oure vysages that we se it. (15) O Lord God, who was so evyle as Saule that regnyd ovyr us furste? Yet Davyd was worse, and now this Salomon werst of alle!” |
(T2) (T3) (T6) (N7); (T7) (T9) (N10); (T10) (N13); (T13) (T14) (N15) |
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[B 16] (1) Tunc rex in iram prorumpens dixit: “Non est caput nequius super caput colubri, et non est ira super iram mulieris. Commorari leoni et draconi magis placebit quam habitare cum muliere nequam. (2) Brevis est omnis malicia et minor super maliciam mulieris. (3) Sors peccatorum cadit super eam, sicut ascensus arenosus in pedibus veterum, sicque mulier linguosa mulierisque ira et irreverentia confusio magna est. (4) Mulier si primatum habet, contraria est viro suo. (5) Cor humile, facies tristis et plaga mortis mulier nequam est. (6) Mulier enim initium est peccati et per illam omnes morimur. Dolor cordis et luctus mulier zelotipa. In muliere infideli flagellum lingue omnibus communicans. (7) Fornicatio mulierum in excellentia oculorum et in palpebris illius agnoscetur. Ab omni reverentia oculi ejus sunt, et ne mireris, si te neglexerint.” |
(1) Than the king beyng full of wrathe sayde: “There is no hede more worse than the serpent, and there is no malyce to the malyce of a woman, for it were bettyr to dwelle wyth serpentys and lyons, than wyth a wyckyd woman. (2) Alle evylles are but lytyl to the cursydnesse of a shrewd woman. (3) Alle wyckydnesse falle upon women as the sande fallyth in the shoes of the oolde people goyng up an hylle. So a talkatyf woman and dishobedyent is a great confusyon. (4) That wyf that is hir husbondes maister is evyr contrarye to hym. (5) An evyl wyf makyth a pacient herte, and a sory vysage and is as plage of the deth. (6) A woman was the begynnyng of synne, and through hire we dye alle. (7) The woman that is luxuriouse may men knowen in the uppermest of hire yes, and by hir browes. For hire yes are wythoute revyrence and ther nede no man wondre although she forgete hir husbonde.” |
(N1); (T1) (N2); (T2) (N4); (T4) (N5); (T5) (N6) (N7) |
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[B 17] (1) Talia rege referente Nathan propheta assurgens dixit: “Cur dominus meus rex confundit facies omnium Jherosolomitarum mulierum?” (2) Salomon: “Nonne audisti quanta vituperia sine mea culpa mihi injecerunt?” (3) Continuo Nathan respondit: “Cecus, surdus et mutus ad tempus debet esse, qui in pace cum subjectis esse desiderat.” (4) Salomon respondit: “Respondendum est stulto secundum suam stulticiam.” (5) Tunc saliens Marcolphus de loco suo in quo sedebat dixit ad regem: “Bene loquutus es voluntatem meam, Salomon. Quoniam heri laudasti feminas multum, modo vituperas eas. (6) Hoc ego volebam, semper enim me facis veracem.” (7) Salomon: “Quid est hoc, furcifer? Numquid cognosti tumultum istum?” (8) Marcolphus: “Non ego, sed pusillanimitates earum. Non debes credere quicquid audieris.” (9) Tunc rex ait: “Discede a me, et cave ne amplius videam te in mediis oculis.” (10) Confestim Marcolphus ejectus est de pallacio regis. |
(1) As the king al thus had sayd, so spak Nathan the prophete and sayde: “My lord, why rebuke ye and shame ye thus alle thies women of Jherusalem?” (2) Salomon: “Have ye not herd what dishonoure they have sayd of me wythoute deservyng?” (3) Nathan answeryd: “He that woll wyth hys subgiettys lyve in reste and pease, he muste som tyme be blynde, dumme, and deef.” (4) Salomon: “It is to be answeryd to a fole aftyr his folysshnes.” (5) Tho sprange Marcolph out of the corner that he sat in and sayde to the king: “Now have ye spokyn aftyr myn intent. For ones thys daye ye praysed women out of alle mesure, and now have ye dispraysed thaym as moche. (6) That is it that I sought, alwayes ye make my saying trewe.” (7) Salomon: “Thou fowle evyle body, knowyst thou of this commocion?” (8) Marcolph: “Nay. Nevyrthelesse, ye shulde not yeve credence to alle thing that ye here.” (9) Tho sayd the king Salomon: “Go from hens out of my syghte, and I charge thee that I se thee no more betwixt the yes.” (10) Forthwith was Marcolph kast out of the kinges palayse. |
(N5) (N9); (T9) |
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[B 18] (1) Illi autem, qui regi astabant, dixerunt: “Loquatur dominus noster rex in auribus mulierum istarum ut dimittantur.” (2) Tunc rex conversus dixit mulieribus: “Sciat dulcedo vestra me innocentem esse coram vobis, et sine culpa esse de oppositis. Ille callidus leccator, quem modo vidistis, hec omnia confinxit. (3) Unusquisque vir uxorem suam habeat, et illam cum fide et honestate diligat. (4) Quid vero dixi de muliere, nisi de muliere nequam dixi? De bona muliere quis diceret mala? (5) Pars enim bona mulier bona. (6) Gratia mulieris sedule delectabit suum virum et ossa illius inpinguabit disciplina illius. (7) Datum est dei. Mulier sensata et tacita gratia super omnem gratiam. (8) Mulier pudica sicut sol oriens in altissimis dei. Sic mulieris bone species est ornamentum domus sue. (9) Lucerna splendens super candelabrum et species super etatem stabilem. (10) Columne auree super bases argenteas et pedes firmi super plantas, stabilis mulieris fundamentum eternum super petram solidam, et mandata dei in corde mulieris. (11) Sanctus dominus deus Israhel ipse benedicat vos, et multiplicet semen vestrum in generationibus seculorum.” (12) Cunque respondissent omnes ‘Amen’, adorato rege, recesserunt. |
(1) Thanne they that stoden by the king sayden: “My lord, speke to thiese women sumwhat that may please thaym to here to th’entent that they may departe.” (2) Than turnyd the king towardes thaym and sayd: “Youre goodnesse shal undrestande that I am not to be blamyd in that that ye laye to my charge. That evyl sayer, Marcolf, that ye here late sawe, hath out of hymself alle this matier surmysed and fayned. (3) And every man shall have hys owne wyf and hyr, wyth faythe and honestie, love and cherysshe. (4) That I have spokyn ayenst the wyves, I have not sayde it but ayenst the froward wyves. Who shulde of the good wyves speke any evyll? (5) For a good wyf makyth hyr husbande glad and blythe wyth hyre goodnesse. (6) She is a parte the lyvyng of hyre husbond upon erthe, and hyr lernyng advauntagyth or forthryth hys body. (7) She is a yifte of God. A wyse wyf and a stylle is a grace aboven graces. (8) A good, shamefast and an honeste wyf is lyke the sonne clymmyng up to God. A wyf of good condicyons is the ornament or apparayle of the house. (9) She is a lyght shynyng bryghther than the lyght of candellys. (10) She is lyke the goolden pyller standyng upon hir feet, and an ovyrfaste fundament grwnded upon a sure stone wythoute mutacions and the commandemantys of God evyr in hyr mynde. (11) The Hooly God of Israhel blesse you and multiplye youre sede and kynderede unto the ende of the worlde.” (12) Tho sayde they alle ‘Amen’ and toke leve of the king and went theyre weyes. |
(N5) (N6) (N7) (N8); (T8) (T10) (T11) |
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[B 19] (1) Marcolphus vero moleste ferens injuriam sibi de rege factam, et quod jusserat ut eum amplius in mediis oculis non videret, cogitabat quid ageret. (2) Deinde, nocte insequuta, nix multa de celo in terram cecidit. (3) Tunc Marcolphus cepit cribrum unum in manu una, et pedem ursi in manu altera, et calciamenta sua transversa, et quasi bestia quatuor pedibus per plateas urbis cepit ire. (4) Cum autem venisset extra civitatem invenit furnum unum, et intravit in eum. (5) Nocte autem abeunte, dies venit, et familiares regis surgentes tramitem Marcolphi invenerunt, et estimantes esse tramitem alicujus mirabilis bestie, regi nunciaverunt. (6) Tunc rex cum copula canum, et cum venatoribus suis, cepit prosequi vestigia Marcolphi. Cum autem venissent ante furnum et vestigia defecissent, (7) descendunt ad os furni inspicere. (8) Marcolphus vero latebat in facie sua curvatus, et deposuit bracam suam apparebantque ei nates, et culus, et curgulio, et testiculi. (9) Que videns rex ait:“Quis est qui ibi jacet?” (10) “Marcolphus ego sum,” respondit. (11) Salomon: “Quomodo,” inquit, “ita jaces?” (12) Marcolphus: “Tu precepisti mihi, ne amplius me videres in mediis oculis. Nunc autem si non vis me videre in mediis oculis, videas me in medio culi.” |
(1) Marcolph, beryng in his mynde of the unkyndnesse that the king had commanded hym that he shulde no more se hym betwixt the yes, thought in hymself what was best to do. (2) It happenyd that the next nyght folowyng fyll a great snowe. (3) Marcolphus toke a lytyll cyve or temse in his oon hande, and a foot of a bere in the othre hande, and he turnyd hys shoes that stode forwardes upon his feet bakward, and upon the mornyng erly he began to go lyke a beste upon alle fowre feet through the strete. (4) And whan he was comen a lytyll wythouthe the towne, he fownde an olde ovyn and crept into it. (5) And as the lyght of the daye was on comen, oon of the kingys servauntys founde the footstappys of Marcolph and thougt that it was the trace or stappys of a merveylous beste, and in alle haste went and shewyd it to the king. (6) Thanne incontynent wyth huntres and howndes, he wente to hunte and seke the sayd wondrefull beeste and folowed it unto they comen before the oven where they had loste and fownde no more of the steppys. (7) The king Salomon discended from hys hors and began to loke into the oven. (8) Marcolphus laye all crokyd, hys vysage from hymwardes, had put downe hys breche into hys hammes that he myght se hys arshole and alle hys othre fowle gere. (9) As the kyng Salomon, that seyng, demawnded what laye there, (10) Marcolph answeryd: “I am here.” (11) Salomon: “Wherefore lyest thou thus?” (12) Marcolf: “For ye have commaunded me that ye shulde no more se me betwyxt myn yes. Now and ye woll not se me betwyxt myn yes, ye may se me betwene my buttockys in the myddes of myn arsehole.” |
(T1) (N2) (T3) (T5) (T6) (N8); (T8) (T12) |
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[B 20] (1) Ad hoc rex Salomon confusus ait servis: “Apprehendite et suspendite eum in ligno.” (2) Apprehensus autem Marcolphus dixit ad regem: “Domine mi rex, tantummodo mihi impendere potes, ut in illo ligno quod elegero, suspendar.” (3) Salomon rex ait: “Fiat quod petisti, mihi enim pro minimo est in quo suspendaris ligno.” (4) Tunc ministri regis Marcolphum capientes, duxerunt extra civitatem et pertranseuntes vallem Josaphat, et clivum Montis Oliveti pervenerunt usque Jhericho, et nullam arborem invenire potuerunt, quam Marcolphus suo suspendio eligeret. (5) Inde transeuntes Jordanem, et peragentes omnem Arabiam, et iterum nullam arborem Marcolphus elegit. Inde circumeuntes saltum Carmeli, et cedros Libani, et solitudinem campestrium circa Mare Rubrum, (6) et nunquam Marcolphus aliquam arborem elegit. (7) Et sic evasit manus regis Salomonis. Post hoc domum remeans quievit in pace.
per me Gerardum Leeu |
(1) Than was the king sore meovyd, commaunded his servauntys to take hym and hange hym upon a tre. (2) Marcolph, so takyn, sayde to the kyng: “My lord, will it please you to yeve me leve to chose the tre wherupon that I shalle hange?” (3) Salomon sayde: “Be it as thou haste desyred, for it forcyth not on what tre that thou be hangyd.” (4) Than the kinges servauntes token and leddyn Marcolph wythoute the citie, and through the Valé of Josaphath, and ovyr the hyghte of the hylle of Olyvete, from thens to Jericho and cowde fynde no tre that Marcolf wolde chese to be hanged on. (5) From thens went they ovyr the Flome Jordane and alle Arabye through, and so forth all the great wyldernesse unto the Rede See. (6) And nevyrmore cowde Marcolph fynde a tre that he wolde chese to hange on. (7) And thus he askapyd out of the dawnger and handes of King Salomon, and turnyd ayen unto hys howse, and levyd in pease and joye. (8) And so mote we alle do aboven wyth the Fadre of Heven. Amen.
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(N2); (T2) (T4) (N7) |