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Textual Notes to The Castle of Love

Oxford, Bodleian Library MS Eng. Poet. a. 1. (Vernon MS) base text (V)

incipit

Her byginnet . . . lewede mennes byhove. So V. These lines are written in red ink. A and H do not include this four-line introduction.

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1

That. So V, A. H: He þat. V has a thirteen-line decorated initial Þ in blue and faded red-brown on a gold ground. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black. The thorn is partially edged with white and has patterns of white dots and lines within it. A foliate design with crimson and blue vines and red-orange, faded red-brown, and blue leaves interspersed with gold extends from the decorated initial in both directions, continuing an additional eighteen lines below the end of the thorn and reaching to the top of the pages, where it spreads horizontally over columns b and c. The vine is interspersed with sprays of trefoil leaves and gold balls. White traces leaf veins and various patterns within the leaves and vines, including dots, lines, and designs resembling chain links.

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3

For nas. So V, A. H: For þer was.

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5

was. So V, A. H: þer was.

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6

That. So V, A. H: But.

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nas the. So V, A. H: wes.

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8

on eorthe sixt and wost. So V, A. H: auer syst and, with the rest obscured (Halliwell: ever syst and wost [p. 1]).

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9

o. So V, A. H: oon.

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and Thrillihod. So V, A. H: ?in tr; the remainder now illegible (Halliwell: in trinité [p. 1]).

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10

onhod. So V, A. H: vnite.

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12

we oughten over alle thinge. So V, A. H: obscured by staining (Halliwell: we ought ovre all thyng [p. 1]).

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13

Worschupe Him with trewe love. So V, A (Worschipe). H: Worshyp . . . w . . . , with the rest obscured (Halliwell: Worshyp hym with trewe love [p. 1]).

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14

kineworthé Kyng art us above. So V, A. H: crow . . . , with the remainder of the line obscured (Halliwell: crownynd kyng ys us above [p. 1]). Weymouth emends art to ys.

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15

thorw Whom beoth. So V, A. H: illegible due to staining (Halliwell: throwgh whom beth [p. 1]).

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16

Al the. So V, A (Alle). H: Alle. Sajavaara emends to Alle. Weymouth emends to Alle þe.

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goodschipes that we here iseoth. So V, A. H: goodnesses þ . . . , with the rest obscured (Halliwell: goodnesses that we here seth [p. 1]).

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17

leve us thenche and worchen so. So V, A (þenchen). H: grante vs to þenk, with the remainder obscured (Halliwell: graunt us to thencke and worken so [p. 2]); Sajavaara gives H’s reading as graunt vs to thencke in the textual note to this line.

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18

from ure fo. So V, A. H: obscured by staining (Halliwell: fro oure fo [p. 2]).

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19

habbeth to help neode. So V, A. H: to h . . . . Staining in H obscures the remainder (Halliwell: to have helpe we nede [p. 2]). See explanatory note to this line.

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20

That we ne beth. So V, A (beoþ). H: Þawgh we be now[ght] of . . . de, with we written above the line (Halliwell: Thawgh we be not of one thede [p. 2]); what Halliwell reads as t in not looks more like the first part of w in this scribe’s hand.)

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alle of one theode. So V, A. H: obscured by staining (Halliwell: of one thede [p. 2]).

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22

Ne one. So V, A. H: not visible due to damage to the MS (Halliwell: Ne oon [p. 2]).

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23

we. So V, A. H: not.

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24

beth. So V, A. H: ofte beþ.

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25

spechen. So V. A: speche. H: spechyn.

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26

world. So V, A. H: þis world.

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sechen. So V. A: seche. H: sechyn.

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28

As. So V, A. H omits. Horstmann-Furnivall and Sajavaara emend to Ac.

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29

Loftsong syngen. So V, A: Lof song syngen, with an erasure after Lof where the t would have gone. H: Loovyng to synge. Weymouth and Horstmann-Furnivall emend to Lof-song syngen.

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God yerne. So V, A. H: good full ȝorne.

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30

as. So V, A. H: a[s], with the s illegible due to damage. (Halliwell: als [p. 2]).

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31

No monnes mouth ne be idut. So V, A (beo). H: Ne mones ay to [be]n adrede, with some letters obscured by staining (Halliwell: No mones ay ne be adrede [p. 2]), which Weymouth and Horstmann-Furnivall [p. 394n31] each follow in their notes). Sajavaara emends idut to idud. See explanatory note to lines 28–35 for further discussion.

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32

ledene be ihud. V: ledene ihud. A: leodene ihud. H: ledone shall not be hed (be added above line with caret to mark insertion point). I follow Sajavaara in emending to ledene be ihud, which Weymouth also suggests in the textual note to the line. Emended for sense.

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33

serven his. So V, A. H: herien is (Halliwell: herien [p. 2]).

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wroughte. So V. A: wrouhte. H: haþ wrowght.

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34

al the. So V, A. H: illegible due to damage (Halliwell: þys [p. 2]).

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35

On. So V, H. A: In.

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Englisch ichul. So V, A. H: en . . . l with the middle of the line obscured (Halliwell: Englisch I wyl [p. 2]).

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36

him that con not iknowen. So V, A. H: hem . . . iknowe (Halliwell: hem that can not i-knowe [p. 2]).

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38

On. So V. A, H: In. V has a two-line illuminated initial O of gold on a faded crimson ground edged in white with a blue center quartered with double white lines. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black. The ground is decorated with white dots in clusters of three throughout, and a white-dotted blue ball with a tail juts from its left side.

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39

Wherfore the world was iwrouht. So V, A. H: ffor why þ[e] . . . s furst wrowght, with the middle of the line obscured by damage (Halliwell: For-why the world was furst wrowght [p. 2]).

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40

Theraftur. So V. A: And aftur. H: And þer aftur.

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41

to ben. So V, A. H: hade to byn.

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42

With al the merthe. So V, A (murþe). H: The ioy and myrþe.

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43

To wonen and welden. So V, A. H: . . . wonen and it to welde, with the opening of the line illegible due to damage (Halliwell: It to wonen and it to welde [p. 3]).

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ende. So V, A. H: illegible due to damage (Halliwell: ende [p. 3]).

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44

Til that. So V, A. H: illegible due to damage (Halliwell: Til that [p. 3]).

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scholde to hevene. So V, A. H: shulde þer . . . hevyn, with the line partially obscured (Halliwell: shulde ther to hevyn [p. 3]). Sajavaara’s textual note gives H’s reading as þer to.

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45

And. So V, A. H: But.

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hit. So V, A. H: hit all.

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46

hou hit. So V, A. H: ȝe shal here how he.

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47

Kynges Sone. So V, A. H: kyngessone sone.

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49

For His sustren that were toboren. So V, A (weore). H: But þer weren fowre systren iboren.

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50

And. So V, A. H omits.

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prison. So V, A. H: prisoner.

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49–50

For His sustren . . . was forloren. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests transposing these lines (line 50), but Sajavaara disagrees.

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53

castel He alihte. So V, A. H: cas . . . kyng sone lyht. Staining obscures the middle of the line in H, but previous editions disagree on the reading: Halliwell construes castel he sone lyght (p. 3), which Horstmann-Furnivall follows (p. 394n53), whereas Sajavaara gives castel þe kynges sone lyht (possibly Sajavaara read an abbreviation for es after the g, but if so it is no longer legible); Weymouth does not note the variant.

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54

here for us fihte. So V, A. H: here fo . . . , with the remainder obscured (Halliwell: here for us fihte [p. 3]).

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55

That the Marie bodi wes. So V, A. H: This castel . . . [w]es (Halliwell: This castel Marie bodi wes [p. 3]). Staining obscures the middle of the line.

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56

That He alihte and His in ches. So V, A. H: Ther in . . . aly . . . , with the remainder obscured (Halliwell: Therin he alyght and his in ches [p. 3]). Horstmann-Furnivall emends That to Þer. In the textual note Weymouth suggests the same without making the emendation.

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57

And tellen we schulen of Ysay. So V, A (Ysaye). H: And telle ?for . . . , with the remainder obscured (Halliwell: And telle forthe we shul of Ysay [p. 3]).

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58

us tolde trewely. So V, A (trewelye). H: to vs sayd . . . ?ly, with part of the line obscured (Halliwell: to us sayd wysly [p. 3]).

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59

ther. So V, A. H omits.

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61

inempned beon. So V, A (ben). H: byn.

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62

me may iseon. So V, A (isen). H: men . . . , with the end of the line obscured (Halliwell: men may seon [p. 3]).

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63

Mihtful and Rihtwys. So V, A. H: myȝhti and . . . , with the end of the line obscured (Halliwell: myȝhti and rihtwys [p. 3]).

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64

Of. So V, A. H: And of.

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that comen is. So V, A. H: þat . . . ?re . . . ?s, with the second half of the line obscured (Halliwell: that comen is [p. 3]). Horstmann-Furnivall and Sajavaara emend to þat to comen is.

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65

Lord the Fader and Prince of Pes. So V (written as two lines), A. H: ffadur and prince of . . . , with the end of the line obscured (Halliwell: Fadur and Prince of Pes [p. 4]).

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66

Alle theos nomen. So V, A. H: . . . f all þer nomes; the beginning of the line is no longer legible (Halliwell: Off all the nomes [p. 4], which Horstmann-Furnivall follows [p. 394n66]). Sajavaara likewise construes the first word in H as Off and records þe for þer. Weymouth does not note the variant.

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67

Ye schulen iheren and iwiten. So V, A (schul). H: Whe shull ȝow telle þat ȝe shul wyten.

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71

Thauh. V has an eight-line illuminated initial Þ of gold on an embellished ground of alternating crimson and blue edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. White-dotted crimson and blue balls (one with a tail) jut from the outsides of the design in opposing colors to the ground. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black. White interweaves the thorn in a leaf vein design.

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on Englisch be. So V, A. H: be wryten in englysshe.

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72

Ne nabbe. So V, A. H: And have.

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bifore clerk. So V, A. H: aforen a clark. Weymouth, Horstmann-Furnivall, and Sajavaara emend to bifore a clerk.

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75

Ac. So V. A: Ak. H: And.

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76

biholdeth this ilke. So V, A. H: ?bihold . . . ?lke; the middle of the line obscured (Halliwell: biholdeth this ilke [p. 4]).

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77

con that muchel of luitel unlouken. So V, A. H: co . . . l vnlowkyn, with the middle of the line illegible (Halliwell: con that michel of lintel unlouken [p. 4]).

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78

hony of the harde ston souken. So V, A. H: ho . . . , with the remainder illegible (Halliwell: hony of the harde ston souken [p. 4]).

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79

Alle poyntes he fynde may. So V, A. H: Al . . . he fynde . . . , with parts of the line illegible (Halliwell: Alle poyntes he fynden may [p. 4]).

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80

Of ure beleeve and Godes lay. So V, A. H: Of . . . ve and goddys . . . , with parts no longer legible due to staining (Halliwell: oure byleve and Goddes fay [p. 4]). Sajavaara likewise records fay in H and emends based on this reading, though the meanings are similar: “God’s law” (i.e., “Christian religion”) versus “God’s faith” (i.e., “Christian faith”).

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81

godhede. So V, A. H: no longer legible (Halliwell: Godhede [p. 4]).

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82

monhede. So V, A. H: m . . . , with the remainder obscured (Halliwell: monhede [p. 4]).

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83

Ofte. So V, A. H: Ȝef. V has a two-line illuminated initial O of gold on a crimson ground edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black ink. The center of the letter is a blue inlay featuring a spiraling white line that splits into three lines capped with white dots. A single white-dotted blue ball with a green tail juts from the ground’s left side.

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habbeth iherd. So V, A. In A, bbeþ in habbeþ has faded or been erased. H: h . . . d, with the middle portion illegible (Halliwell: habbeth i-herd [p. 4]).

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84

the world imaked. So V, A. H: . . . made is, with portions illegible (Halliwell: the world made is [p. 4]).

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85

Forthi. So V, A. H: The. Halliwell (p. 4), Horstmann-Furnivall (p. 394n85), and Sajavaara all read Tho; Weymouth does not note H’s reading.

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I. So V, A. H omits.

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86

that falleth to. So V, A. H: th . . . f . . . , with the rest illegible (Halliwell: that falleth to [p. 4]).

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87

dayes and seve niht. So V, A. H: . . . ht (Halliwell: dayes and seve nyht [p. 4]).

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88

hedde al the world idiht. So V, A. H: haþ all . . . ht, with the rest illegible (Halliwell: hathe alle the world i-dyht [p. 4]).

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89

tho al was derworthliche ido. So V, A. In A, iche in derworþliche has faded or been erased. H: þo werkys ?d. . . well ido, with staining obscuring the middle of the line (Halliwell: tho al was derworthliche y-do [p. 5]).

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91

Lustneth. V has a two-line illuminated initial L of gold on a ground of alternating crimson and blue edged in white, with white dots in sets of three in the left-hand corners. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black. White dots rim the left side of the L, and a white foliate design appears on the crimson ground in the center of the letter. White-dotted blue balls jut from the ground’s left side.

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me, lordynges. So V, A. H: my talkyng.

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92

begynnynges. So V. A: biginnynges. H: begynnyng.

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93

imaad. So V. A: imad. H: iwrowght.

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ginne. So V, A. H: so mychel gynne.

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94

so briht. So V, A. H: so feyre and bryght and feyre. Sajavaara emends to so briht and feir.

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95

therafter. So V, A. H: aftur.

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96

And. So V, A. H: [An]d (illegible at first part of word).

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97

Lucifer. So V, A. H: [L]ucyfer (illegible at first part of word).

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98

And. So V, A. H: Þat. Weymouth and Horstmann-Furnivall emend based on H.

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anon. So V, A. H: anonryȝht.

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99

tonge mai. So V, A. H: ton[gue ma]y; portions of most missing letters are still visible.

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100

helle. So V, A. H: hel[le], with MS illegible at end of word.

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101

tho. So V, A. H omits.

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seve sythe, iwis. So V, A (seuen siþe). H: sevyn s . . . wis, with damage obscuring some letters (Halliwell: sevyn sythe i-wis [p. 5]).

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102

forsothe. So V, A. H omits.

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103

Also schon the mone. So V, A. H: And allso þe mone shon.

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104

So doth the sonne on. So V, A. H: As þe sonne dethe in.

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105

not. So V. A omits. H: nowght.

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107

Alle. So V, A. H: And alle.

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tho. So V, A. H: shupte.

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110

wes. So V, A. H: w . . . , with end of word illegible (Halliwell: wes [p. 5]).

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111

Alle. V has a two-line illuminated initial A of gold (with a left descender extending an additional two lines) on a ground of alternating crimson and blue edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black ink. White dots run vertically along the right edge of the A, horizontally below its apex, and in an X-shape below the crossbar. White-dotted crimson and blue balls jut from the design’s left side in colors opposing those of the ground.

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ibrouht. So A. V: ibrouh. H: browght. I follow Weymouth, Horstmann-Furnivall, and Sajavaara in emending for sense.

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8–112

That alle thing . . . beoth ifounde. Portions of H are obscured by staining or other damage throughout these lines.

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112

beoth ifounde. So V, A. H: beþ . . . wnde, with some letters illegible (Halliwell: beth i-fownde [p. 5]).

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116

As ichulle ow telle. So V, A. H: And I chull telle yow.

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119

Tho. V has an eight-line illuminated initial Þ of gold on an alternating crimson and blue ground edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black ink. A white leaf vein pattern embellishes the upper left side of the thorn, and a feathered design runs between the two upstrokes. White-centered crimson and blue balls, jut from the left side of the ground in opposing colors.

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120

That. So V (Þat), H. A: At.

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122

oughte to. So V, A. H: shulde.

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124

And. So V, A. H omits.

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127

made. So V, A. H: shope.

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alast. V, A: and last. H: at þe last. I follow Sajavaara’s emendation for sense. Weymouth emends to and-last. Horstmann-Furnivall follows V and A’s reading.

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129

His. So V, A. H: þe. Sajavaara emends based on H.

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Thrillihod. So V, A. H: trynite.

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130

feir and good. So V, A. H: so feyre and fre.

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132

habben. So V, A. H: to have.

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133

ladde him. So V, A. H: hym ladde.

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134

also. So V, A. H: soo.

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137

to wyve. So V, A. H: to byn is wyfe.

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138

helpen. So V, A. H: helpen hym.

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wittes. So V, A. H: is wytte.

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139

that. So V, A. H: þe. Sajavaara emends based on H.

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140

wel Him. So V. A: him wel. H: hem wel. Sajavaara emends based on A.

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143

And1. So V, A. H: That.

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144

hond. So V, A. H: owne honde.

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145

Feirlek. So V, A. H: And feyrelak.

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146

And1. So V, A. H: And all. Sajavaara emends to And al.

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148

and1. So V, A. H omits.

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152

Othat. So V, A. H: And all þo þat.

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weren and-sprong. So V. A: weren at sprong. H: spronge. Weymouth and Sajavaara emend and-sprong to at-sprong, based on A, a reading Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests without emending. The MED entry for an(d)springen (v.) gives this line as its only supporting quotation and lists at-sprong and spronge as variants based on the readings in A and H. All are probably variants of MED, springen (v.), sense 4c. The MED also explains that the prefix and- “has no distinct meaning” (see MED, and- [pref.], etymology).

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153

noumbre. So V, A. H: tale. The meaning of tale is “tally.” See MED, taille (n.), meaning “[a] scored wooden stick used for financial recordkeeping, a tally stick” (sense 3a) and “the record kept by a tally stick” (sense 3e).

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155–56

And whon hit forth com al the stren, / So bright heo scholden iblessed ben. So V, A (streon; briht). H: Tho Adam and his ofprynge shull hevyn aȝeyn fulfylle / So blessed and bryȝht be þowrgh goddys wylle.

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157

So was. So V, A. H: Ryȝht as.

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I er. H: I written above line.

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158

now is. So V, A (nou). H: is nowe by.

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160

To the blisse. So V, A. H: To ioy and blysse.

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163

ilke. So V, A. H omits.

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166

the. So V, A. H: gret.

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167

Two. V has a three-line illuminated initial T of gold on an alternating crimson and blue ground edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black ink. White foliate lines swirl in vine-like patterns within and beside the letter. White-dotted crimson and blue balls jut from the left side of the ground, two with tails, in opposing colors.

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173

that him. So V, A. H: was þat to hym. Weymouth emends to was þat him.

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174

yow never ne et. So V, A. H: he shuld neuer ete.

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175

the. So V, A. H: þat.

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176

He seide; that highte Gode. So V, A. H: hym seyde and hyght gode. Weymouth, Horstmann-Furnivall, and Sajavaara emend for sense to H’s reading. Weymouth’s textual note interprets the line in V and A to mean “So he who was called God said” (italics in original) and suggests it was the result of scribal misunderstanding. But I take that highte Gode to mean “thus (or then) God threatened,” which makes sense of the line as written. See MED, that (adv.), sense 1a (a) “in such a way, thus, so” and (b) “then”; and MED, hoten (v.1), sense 4b (a), “To promise (sth.) as a threat, threaten.”

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177

whon he of the appel ete. So V, A. H: whensoeuer þe appull he ȝete.

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178

he scholde the lyf. So V, A. H: þat lyfe he shulde.

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180

thole thulke. So V, A. H: haue þe same.

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181

riht. So V, A. H: aryȝht.

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182

gaf him. So V, A. H: hym ȝef. Sajavaara emends to him ȝaf.

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185

The seisyn hedde Adam. So V, A (seysin). H: Seyson to Adam delyuered wes.

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188

to. So V, A. H: full.

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hit. So V, A. H: hit all.

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190

And. So H. V, A omit. I follow Weymouth and Sajavaara in emending for sense based on H.

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192

tobrek. So V. A: to breek. H: dede forlete. Sajavaara emends to forlet for the sake of rhyme.

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193–94

The kuyndeliche and the set ek, / Bothe His lawen he tobrek. So V, A (eek; lawes; to breek). Sajavaara’s textual notes say that H adds a line after 192 and omits line 194, but it is more accurate to say that H both reorders and reworks lines 193–94: And seþyn his lawes he breke / Þe lawe of kynde and þe lawe set eke.

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195

he dude. So V, A. H: dede aftur.

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197

Thus. V has an eight-line illuminated initial Þ of gold on an alternating crimson and blue ground edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black. A white leaf vein pattern rests near the top of the thorn’s left upstroke, and white dots run along parts of the thorn’s edges. Two white-dotted blue balls jut from the top left corner.

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Adam. So V, A. H: is Adam.

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reuthful. So V, A. H: rufull (Sajavaara’s textual note recording H’s reading has rufoill).

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198

Was. So V, A. H omits.

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200

world. So V, A. H: þe world.

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202

him. So A. V omits. H: himself. I follow Weymouth and Sajavaara in emending for sense based on A.

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203

icoren. So V, A. H: hym boryn.

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204–05

Now he thorw right hath iloren / The murthe that he mighte haven. So V, A (Nou; riht; mihte). H: Mirth wythryȝht he haþ forloryn / That murthe he myȝht well have.

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206

mai he. So V, A (may). H: shall he now.

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207

Out. So V, A. H omits.

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210

Tho Adam was biswiken so. So V, A. H: That Adam had trespast so.

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211

onde. So V, A. H: hocowre.

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212

he scholde come to that blisful londe. So V, A. H: mon shuld wonyn in þe blessed honowre.

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213

That. So V, A. H: Hit.

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214

therfore. V: there is a hole between þer and fore.

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217

ilived. So V. A: ilyued. H: ilyved here longe.

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218

Atte. So V, A. H: At þe.

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219

no. So V, A. H: here no.

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220

moste. So V, A. H: ne most.

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221

tho. So V, A. H: to. Horstmann-Furnivall and Sajavaara emend for sense based on H, although tho is an early variant of to; see MED, to (prep.).

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222

nolde no. So V, A. H: wold not.

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223

For. So V, A. H: ffull. Sajavaara emends to Ful. The AN poem reads Trop [Most] (Appendix, line 151).

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hit. So V, A. H: he.

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224

thus the. So V, A. H: þis.

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228

But hit out les. V, A: Þat out les. H: But hit peyred. Emended for sense. Sajavaara emends to Þat mihte les, a reading Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests. Out is a normal variant of ME ought (pron.), with the phrase out les meaning “lost something.” Compare nout [nothing] in line 445. See explanatory note to lines 227–30 for more detailed discussion.

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229

For nis no wone on him ilong. So V, A. H: But for þe wonnyng of him hit was not long. See explanatory note to lines 227–30 for discussion.

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230

Yif synne nere. So V, A (neore). H: Nere þat synne was. See explanatory note to lines 227–30.

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232

wonede heore alremiht. So V, A. H: woned here by all his myȝht. The scribe of H seems to have understood woned here to mean something like “resided here” (compare MED, wonen [v.1], sense 1a), rather than “lessened their” (compare MED, wanen [v.], sense 1d).

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233

al is. So V, A. H: is all.

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234

wone dude Adam. So V, A. H: Adam dede wone.

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235

atseet. So V, A. H: breke.

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236

he the appel. So V, A. H: þe appul he.

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237

lees. So V. A: les. H: lost.

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238

in. So V, A. H: to.

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241

Now. V has a two-line illuminated initial N of gold on an alternating blue and crimson ground edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black. White lines swirl inside the letter in a foliate pattern. White-dotted crimson balls jut from the left side of the ground.

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243

freore. So V, A. H: feyror.

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er. So V, A. H omits.

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245

He is. So V, A. H: Now is he.

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theuwe. So V, A. H: is seruant. Horstmann-Furnivall and Sajavaara emend to his þeuwe.

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246

understod. So V, A. H: vnderstondeth.

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247

Whon. So V, A. H: And when.

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in thedome. So V, A. H: þorgh thewdome. Weymouth emends to in þewdome, Sajavaara emends to in þeudom, although the spelling thedome (þedome) is a normal variant that may have been preferred due to the rhyme with fredome in line 248. The spelling of the same word in line 434, theuwedam, does not rhyme as easily.

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248

diyede. So V. A: dyede. H: dede. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should be dede, but the range of variant spellings for MED, dien (v.) shows that the emendation is unnecessary.

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249

theuwe and thral may. So V, A (mai). H: seruise ne þrall þey mow.

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251

is. So V, A. H omits.

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252

His. So V, A. H: So sone his.

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253

In1. So V, A. H: Ne in.

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none. So V, A. H: noo.

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254

ne oughte onswere him, ne undurstonde. So V, A (vndirstonde). H: owed not to answere ne him vnderstonde.

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256

For to schewe. So V. A: fforte schewe. H: That myȝht swewe.

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258

the. So V, A. H: þat. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should be his.

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260

ne eete. So V, A (ete). H: ȝete non.

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261

That he habbe. So V, A. H: And þat haue.

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withinne. So V, A. H: with wynne. Sajavaara emends to wiþ wynne.

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264

thulke. So V, A. H: þe toþer.

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Synays. So V, A. H: of Synays.

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267

non. So V, A. H: mon.

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268

such. So V, A. H: of syche.

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269

thenchen or. So V, A. H: þenk oþer.

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270

That. So V, A. H: Who.

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schowe. So V, A. H: do or showe.

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272

Therof that ich er. So V, A. H: As I before.

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273–74

For nou ichul tellen of the stryf, / That among the foure sustren lith. So V, A (strif; lyþ). H: ffor now is tyme þat I hit telle / ffor it behovyþ to oure spelle. Sajavaara emends: For nou is tyme þat I hit telle, / For hit bihoueþ to vr spelle. Sajavaara argues the changes are “justified on the evidence of the [AN poem]” (p. 379n273–74).

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275

Hit was. So V, A. H: Ther wes. V has a three-line illuminated initial H with upper and lower extenders, all of gold on an alternating crimson and blue square ground edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, extenders, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black. The extenders lengthen the design to a total of twenty-six lines. Inside the H white swirls in a foliate pattern. The upper extender has a white chain-link pattern along its left side, while the lower is rimmed with white dots on the right. White-dotted crimson and blue balls jut from the ground in opposing colors, the two center ones with tails. The lower extender merges into the illuminated initial F in line 289.

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278

such . . . such. So V, A. H: all seche . . . all syche.

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279

Of such strengthe and of. So V, A. H: Of all.

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280

in His manere. So V, A (maneere). H: dere.

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282

studefastschipe. So V, A. H: studfastnes.

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283

weoren outriht. So V, A. H: were ful ryȝht.

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287

Al that was of. V, A: Wiþ wit was, which Horstmann-Furnivall follows. H: All þat was of. I emend for sense based on H. Weymouth and Sajavaara both emend to What þat was of.

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288

wolde. So V, A. H: hit wolde.

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289

Foure. So V, A. H: And foure. V has a two-line illuminated initial F of gold on an alternating crimson and blue ground connected to the lower extender from the illuminated H in line 275. The ground is edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black. White dots rim parts of the F, while a chain link pattern follows its left edge. The top left ground has an embellished white foliate design, and two white-dotted blue balls jut from the ground’s left side.

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the. So V, A. H: þis.

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290

uchone sunderlyng. So V, A. H: vche he wes lovyng.

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291

a. So V, A. H: one.

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292

miht. So V, A. H: wit.

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294

the. So V, A. H: þis.

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298

hit. So V, A. H omits.

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299

nempnen. So V, A. H: nomen.

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300

hette. So V, A. H: is.

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301

doughter. So V, A. H omits.

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303

is cleped. So V, A. H: we clepon.

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304

Pees. So V, A. H: And pes.

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306

Mai. So V. A: May. H: Ther may.

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307

This1. V has a four-line illuminated initial Þ of gold that extends into the bottom margin another approximately four lines. The Þ rests on an alternating crimson and blue ground edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black. White dots run between the thorn’s upstrokes. White-dotted crimson and blue balls jut from the top, left, and bottom in opposing colors to the ground, those below the text sporting green tails. The design is faded in several spots.

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309

strong. So V, A. H: boþe strong.

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310

ivet. So V, A, H. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests “=i-fed, odiosus?”

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311

besiht. So V, A. H: insyȝht.

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312

was. So V, A. H: he wes.

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313

bitaken. So V, A. H: delyuerd.

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314

sore. So V, A. H: in sorewe.

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everichon. So V, A. H: ichoon.

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315

That. So V, A. H: And.

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nedden onde. So V, A. H: hadyn dowte.

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316

him to habben under honde. So V, A. H: hadde him in here rowte.

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317

him duden. So V, A. H: deden him.

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318

sore. So V, A. H omits.

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318a

De Misericordia. So V (written in red). The left margin also has a note, misericoridia, partially obscured by the decorated initial M in line 319. No rubric is included in A or H.

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319

Merci. V has a four-line illuminated initial M with upper and lower extenders, all of gold on an alternating crimson and blue ground edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, extenders, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black. White feathered patterns run between the strokes of the M. The extenders lengthen the design to a total of twenty lines. In the lower extender, white dots rim the left side, and a white chain-link pattern runs along the right. The upper extender reaches into the top margin and ends in a trefoil design comprising a white-dotted crimson ball sprouting three gold balls with green tails. Three gold balls jut from the left midpoint of the ground, two with tails, and white-dotted crimson and blue balls, two with green tails, jut from the left side of the ground in opposing colors.

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iseigh. So V. A: iseiȝ. H: she syȝh.

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320

Hit eode hire. So V, A. H: The prison hede here.

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321

Ne mai hire nothing. So V, A (may). H: She myȝht here no.

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322

Byforen. So V. A: Biforen. H: Tofore.

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324

And to. So V, A. H: ffor to.

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328

milce. So V, A. H: grace.

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swetnes. So V, A. H: goodnesse.

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329

of. So V, A. H: þorgh.

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330

beseche. So A, H. V: beo seche. I follow Weymouth and Sajavaara in emending for sense based on A and H.

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331

wrecche. So V, A. H: sorfull wrecche. Horstmann-Furnivall and Sajavaara emend to sorful wrecche.

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333

amidden. So V, A. H: among.

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334

prison hast. So V, A. H: pyne þu hast him. Weymouth and Horstmann-Furnivall emend to prison þou hast.

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335

him made. So V, A. H: maden him.

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thulke unwreste. So V, A. H: in þeke gret synne. Halliwell expands H’s þeke to theke (p. 15), which Horstmann-Furnivall follows (p. 396n335), whereas Sajavaara’s textual note expands to þelke. Although superscript letters can be contractions, both spellings þelke and þeke are normal variants (see MED, thilk[e] [pron.]), and scribes used suspensions to represent one or more letters.

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336

And biswikede him thorw heor feire beheste. So V, A (feir). H: Thorgh here feyre behest withoute blynne.

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337

seiden him yif. So V, A. H: seyden and. Sajavaara emends to seiden ȝif. In H and functions as a conjunction introducing a conditional statement and means “if” (see MED, and [conj. and adv.], sense 5a).

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338

That whon he hedde al iete. So V, A. H: And Goddis lawes forleten.

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339–40

He scholde habbe . . . was forbode. Sajavaara reorders the lines, saying all three MSS transpose them. The emendation is unnecessary, however, as the original order makes sense: after he has eaten the fruit, Adam will receive God’s power from the forbidden tree.

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340

Of the treo that him was forbode. So V, A (tre). H: Therfore þey seyde þat tre wes him forbode.

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341

begilede. So A. V: begylen. H: lyed to. I follow Weymouth and Sajavaara in emending for sense based on A.

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heo. So V, A. H omits.

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343

And falshede hem. So V, A (falsede). H: Therfore let falsnes.

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344

wrecche prison isold. So V, A. H: the prisonere þou ȝeve (Sajavaara reads ȝoue).

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346

milce. So V, A. H: grace.

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347

I Thi douhter alre. So V, A. H: of all þi dowghtryn I am þe.

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348

alle the othere. So V, A. H: hem alle I am.

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349

Nevere I Thi douhter neore. So V, A (Neuer; nere). H: They dowghter I ne were.

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350

milce. So V, A. H: my swetnesse.

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351

Milce. So V, A. H: Grace.

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352

milce. So V, A. H: swetnes.

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353

For Thin owne swete. So V, A. H: And þorgh þy nowne.

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354

I. So V, A, H. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests omitting I.

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bringe to saveté. So V, A. H: brynge sanite.

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355

milce. So V, A. H: grace.

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356

And have of him milce and ore. So V, A. H: Tyll he haue ifunde þyne ore. Sajavaara emends to Tyll he haue ifunde milce and ore, based on H’s reading, to better align with the AN (p. 380n356), which reads Tant ke merci troverai [Until mercy I find] (Appendix, line 282). Horstmann-Furnivall speculates that “And = until?” but suggests the reading should be O þou.

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356a

De Veritate. So V (written in red). No rubric is included in A or H.

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357

Anon whon Soth this iseigh. So V, A (iseih). H: So sone soþe þis werk syȝth. V has a four-line illuminated A (with a left descender extending an additional four lines) with upper and lower extenders, all of gold on a ground of alternating blue and crimson edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, extenders, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black. The extenders lengthen the overall design to forty-three lines. A white foliate design rests to the left of the A and a similar one below the bottom extender. White dots rim the other three sides of the letter and form an X-shape below its apex, and a partially quartered white square decorates the area below its crossbar. At the midpoint of the ground’s left side juts a crimson ball sprouting a trefoil pattern of three gold balls, two with green tails. White chain-link patterns run along the right side of the upper extender and both sides of the lower one. White-dotted crimson and blue balls jut from the ground’s left in opposing colors, two with tails. A trefoil design with crimson and gold balls — some with tails — continues upward from the top, whereas a trefoil design ending in green, crimson, and blue leaves projects downward from the bottom.

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358

beigh. So V. A: beih. H: ȝyȝth.

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360

him. So V, A. H omits. Sajavaara omits on metrical grounds (p. 380n360).

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endinge. So V, A. H: eynde.

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362

heo stood. So V, A (stod). H: anon vpstode.

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363

I Thee biseche, herkne to me. So V, A. H: I beseche þe to here me.

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364

ne may. So V, A. H: may not.

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hit. So V, A. H omits.

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365

hit. So V, A. H omits.

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a. So V, A. H omits.

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366

Merci my suster wilnyng. So V, A. H: my systere me[r]cyes wylnyng. The reading in H clarifies that suster in V and A is an s-less genitive. This form of the genitive is common in the poem (see, e.g., line 378, Merci herte, for “Mercy’s heart”). For further discussion of this type of construction and a comprehensive list of examples, see explanatory note to line 55.

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367

milsful. So V, A. H: wylsfull.

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368

out. So V, A. H omits.

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369

swithe. So V, A. H: suche.

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ther. So V, A. H: þat.

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371

Thee. So V, A. H omits.

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374

Riht and Sooth thermide. So V, A (Soþ). H: sothe and ryȝht þer with.

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375

And Thow. So V, A (þou). H: Thow. Sajavaara emends to Ȝow.

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378

Merci. So V, A. H: mercies. The reading in V and A is an example of the s-less form of the genitive; see explanatory note to line55 for further discussion.

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379

save. So V, A. H omits.

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380

Al. So V, A. H: Savyn alle.

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381

Never schal be misdede. So V, A (beo). H: Then neuer mysdede shulde byn.

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382

Kyng, schalt. So V, A. H: fadur shuldest.

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douted. So V, A. H: dreded.

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383

Thou art also so trewe a. So V, A. H: And þou art all sothefaste.

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385

Forthi. So V, A. H: Therfore.

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386

togeynes Right. So V, A (Riht). H: aȝeyns me.

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387

con hym. So V, A. H: him con.

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388

He oughte nevere milce to fynde. So V, A (ouhte neuer). H: That he neuer grace ifynde.

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389

Milce and merci he hath forloren. So V, A. H: Grace he haþ all forlore.

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391

me. So V, A. H: we.

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392

nedde of himself pité. So V, A. H: þat pyte of hym self hade.

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393

habbe. So V, A. H: stonde to.

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394a

De Justicia. So V (written in red). No rubric is included in A or H.

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395

Riht. V has a four-line illuminated initial R with upper and lower extenders, all of gold on a ground of alternating blue and crimson edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, extenders, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black. A line of white dots rims the right sides of both extenders, which lengthen the design to twenty-four lines. Inside the R white lines trace foliate patterns. From the upper extender and reaching above the top margin, a crimson ball sprouts three gold balls with green tails in a trefoil pattern. From the bottom of the lower extender juts a design comprising buds of half green, half crimson stitched together with small white lines. White-dotted crimson and blue balls, the center two with tails, jut from the ground in opposing colors.

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iherde. So V, A. H: ihereþ.

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396

Anon heo. So V, A. H: And vp her.

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397

heo seith, “I am.” So V, A. H: I am heo seyth.

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398

Kyng, riht. So V, A. H: kyng and ryȝht.

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399

Ther beth rihte domes mitte. So V, A (beoþ). H: Ryȝht domes byth with the. Horstmann-Furnivall and Sajavaara emend to Þe beþ rihte domes mitte. The word mitte is a contraction of mid the, literally “with thee.” In this context beth . . . mitte means “are in thee, come from thee, are characteristic of thee, etc.”; see MED, mid (prep.1), sense 7, which quotes this line.

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400

Alle. So V, A. H: And alle. Sajavaara emends based on H.

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401

mene. V, A: deeþ mene. H: menyn. I emend for sense, following Sajavaara. Only one of the sisters who has spoken so far condemns the prisoner. The emendation is supported by the reading in H and is closer to the meaning in the AN: Celui serf dunt parler oy [This serf of whom I have heard tell] (Appendix, line 317).

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402

dome. So H (see also Halliwell [p. 18]). V, A omit. I emend for sense based on H. Weymouth emends to dom (misreading H, as the textual note makes clear), and Sajavaara emends to doom (without noting the reading in H). Horstmann-Furnivall follows the reading in V and A.

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at ene. So V, A. H: ȝe ȝevyn.

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403

that. So V, A. H omits.

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404

hedde. So V, A. H: hem.

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407

tyed. So V. A: tyȝed. H: betoke.

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408

To wreccheddam and serwe inough. So V, A (wrecchedam; inouh). H: And to synne and wrecchedome his fo.

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410

evere. So V, A. H: for euer.

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411

him the heste hightest. So V, A. H: to him þy hest hestyst.

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412

Thou him the deth dightest. V, A: þou him þe deþ him diȝtest (A: dihtest). H: þen deth to him þou hettyst. Weymouth emends to þu þen þe deþ him diȝtest. Sajavaara emends to þo him þe deþ þou diȝtest. I follow Horstmann-Furnivall in deleting him2 rather than him1, since the word order then echoes that in line 411: Thow him the heste hightest. H includes the following lines after 412: And he dede þi hestes breke / And oon him þou wolldest by ryȝht be wreke (him added above line with caret to mark insertion point).

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415

For. So V, A. H: And.

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418

The. So V, A. H: Then.

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419

for2. So V, A. H: not.

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422

his. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should be heor.

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As wole to his gult bifalle. So V, A. H: Aftur here gult as hit heore doþ befalle.

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423

Soth. V has a one-line decorated initial S colored in in a light tan or faded brown with a slightly darker outline.

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thus. So V, A. H: þis.

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424

And. So V, A. H: And allso.

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juggeth. So V, A. H: þey iuggeþ.

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425

ne. So V, A. H omits.

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426

Ne. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should be nes (though with a question mark indicating uncertainty).

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that. So V, A. H: of hem. Weymouth emends based on H.

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427

Ac. So V. A: Ak. H omits.

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mon. So V, A. H: diswaryed mon.

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428

is misbilad. So V, A. H: his myslad.

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429

wherso. So V, A. H: whersere.

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430

That. So V, A. H: And.

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fo fetteth him. So V, A. H: foon fyȝhtyþ with him. Sajavaara emends to fo him fetteþ.

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431

istrupt him. So V, A. H: han stripte.

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432

al. So V, A. H: him all.

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433

Him1. So V, A. H: And him.

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434

He dude a theuwedam vyl and strong. So V, A. H: They thenkeþ he shall be in prison strong.

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435

And made agult swithe ilome. So V, A. H: His foon maden him agultyn wondur sone. Horstmann-Furnivall and Sajavaara emend agult to agulten based on H’s reading.

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436

com. So V, A. H: comyth.

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437

heo con jugge. So V, A. H: hym heo iuggeþ.

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438

that Soth. So V, A. H: sothe þat.

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439

Ne. So V, A. H: And.

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mot not mid hem. So V, A. H: with hem may not.

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441

bileveth. So V, A. H: ne bydyth.

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442

Wher ther is werre, nuth, and onde. So V. A: Wher þat is werre nuþ and onde. H: Ther as werre is nyȝh honde. Weymouth and Sajavaara emend ther to þat on the basis of A.

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443

mot. So V, A. H: myȝht.

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444

Ac bothe heo beth of londe. So V, A (Ak; beoth). H: And so of londe þey byn.

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445

Nis ther nout in world bileved. So V, A. H: Ther where not in þe world ileuyd.

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446

That nis. So V, A. H: No þyng but it wes.

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448

But. So V, A. H: Saue.

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449

In the schup, and that weoren heo. So V, A. H: In Noe is flood in þe shippe were heo.

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452

nas beleved more. So V, A. H: is þer leved no more.

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453

come. So V, A. H: to come.

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454

the. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should be þet (though with a question mark indicating uncertainty).

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uppon the dredful. So V, A. H: on so drury.

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456a

De Pace. So V (written in red). No rubric is included in A or H.

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457

So. So V, A. H: So longe. V has a four-line illuminated initial S with upper and lower extenders, all of gold on an alternating blue and crimson ground edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, extenders, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black. Inside the letter swirl foliate designs. The extenders increase the length to a total of twenty-nine lines, including flourishes, plus an additional portion that dips into the bottom margin. The left ground includes a white chain-link design along the upper extender, from which jut white-dotted blue and crimson balls with tails. The lower extender has white dots rimming its right side. The bottom terminates in three trefoil designs, two of which extend horizontally to right and left, respectively, while one continues vertically. Each has blue, crimson, gold, and green balls with mostly green tails, and two have a leaf-shape. White-dotted blue and crimson balls jut from the ground’s bottom in opposing colors.

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alast. So V, A. H: atte last.

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458

speek. So V, A. H: she speke.

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459

doughter saught and some. So V, A. H: dowghtur and of þe inome (Sajavaara records H’s spelling as douȝter in the textual note, p. 275n459.).

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460

am I. So V, A. H: I am.

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464

nought ne. So V, A. H: neuer.

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465

For nothing that I mighte. So V, A. H: ffor thing that eny mon may (Sajavaara records H’s spelling as any in the textual note, p. 275n465).

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466

Ne moste Merci. So V, A. H: Mercy myȝht not.

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hem come to. So V, H. A: come hem to.

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467

Ne. So V, A. H: And.

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fey. So V. A: feiȝ. H: þyng.

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468

Ne moste ich hem come neygh. So V, A (neiȝ). H: I myȝht not come hem amyng.

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469

Ak that. So V, A (Ac). H: And þe.

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470

Forthi. So V, A. H: Therfore.

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of. So V, A. H: owt of.

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472

othat. V, A: on þat. H: tyll. I follow Horstmann-Furnivall (o þat) and Sajavaara (oþat) in emending for sense based on H’s reading of tyll. Weymouth does not emend but suggests in the glossary that “[a]s o stands often for on (the numeral one), so here on seems to stand for an entirely different o, viz. o = [OE] oð” (p. 84).

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474

take. So V, H. A: make.

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475

Ac. So V, A. H: And.

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476

That. So V, A. H: Thawgh.

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477

witen wel the pees. So A. V: wite wel þeos. H: wyten and knowe pes. I emend for sense based on A, following Weymouth’s emendation (witē wel þe pees), though Weymouth’s textual note records peos rather than þeos in V, interpreting it as a variant of pees. Horstmann-Furnivall emends to wite wel pees. Sajavaara emends to witen wel þe nom Pees.

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478

hit. So V, A. H: sheo.

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479

In uche dom pees to. So V, A. H: In reste and pes I con.

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480

Schal. So V, A. H: Whi shall.

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481

everiche. So V. A: eueri. H: eny. Sajavaara emends based on A.

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for me. V, A: fourme. H: dede. I follow Horstmann-Furnivall and Sajavaara in emending for sense. Weymouth does not emend but explains in the textual note that fourme should be understood to mean “for me.”

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482

bithouht. So V. A: biþouȝt. H: be in þowght.

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483

Ak he ne lovede me. V: And he ne louede. A: Ak he ne louede. H: But he louyd me. I emend for sense following Weymouth and Sajavaara (who both have Ak he ne louede me). Horstmann-Furnivall emends to And he me louede.

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485

Of. V has a one-line decorated initial O in light tan or faded brown with a slightly darker outline.

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486

oughte. So V, A. H: oweþ.

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487

the. So V, A. H omits. Horstmann-Furnivall emends following H.

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491

ne. So V, A. H omits.

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492

the. So V, A. H: we.

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493

atstonden. So V, A. H: stonden.

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495

foure. So V, A. H: foure fadur.

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496

beoth. So V, A. H: ne byth.

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alle. So V, A. H omits.

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497

Bothe. So V, A. H: But.

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498

beclepeth. So V, A. H: clepyn aȝeyne.

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499

al as Right and Soth wol. So V, A (Riht). H: as soþe and ryȝht wold.

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500

Merci ne me nis hit. So V. A omits. H: To Mercy and me hit doth.

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501

Withouten us ther is bale to breme. So V, H (Withowtyn). A omits.

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502

Forthi, Fader, Thow nime. So V, A (nyme). H: Therfore fadur myne þou hit.

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503

goodschipe. So V. A: goodschupe. H: goodnesse.

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504

Ne fayleth. So V, A. H: Ther wonteþ.

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heo. So V, A. H: pes.

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505

Ne wisdam nis. So V, A (wisdom). H: Wyt ne wysdam is.

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506

Ther Pees fayleth to. So V, A. H: But pes þerwyth be (Sajavaara misreads þat wyth for þerwyth in the textual note, p. 276n506).

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509

oughte ben of good. So V, A. H: oweth to byn of gret.

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510

Prince. So V, A. H: lord.

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511

Forthi Thou oughtest. So V, A (ouhtest). H: Therfore þou owest.

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512

clepeth to. So V, A. H: prayeth.

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516

here. So V. A: ffader here.

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513–17

That the thral . . . clepeth to Thee. H omits these lines.

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518

Til. So V, A. H omits.

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be. So V, A. H: shuld be.

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520

Bote. So V. A: But. H: Tyll. Sajavaara emends to Oþat (both Tyll and Oþat can mean “until”).

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saught and some. So V, A. H: at oone.

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521

The. V has a nine-line illuminated initial Þ with upper and lower extenders, all of gold on an alternating blue and crimson ground edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, extenders, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black. The extenders increase the length of the design to a total of forty-nine lines. White dots rim the right side of the lower extender and part of the left upstroke of the thorn, white leaf vein patterns sprout in several places, and a white line runs between the thorn’s two upstrokes. White-dotted crimson and blue balls (the bottom center one with a tail) jut from the top, left, and bottom of the ground in opposing colors. At the midpoint of the design, three gold balls with tails jut from the ground’s left side. The top of the upper extender ends with a vine with white-dotted leaves of crimson, blue, and green. The bottom of the extender terminates in a design comprising buds of half green, half crimson stitched together with small white lines.

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522

tobeeren. So V, A. H: þo beren (Sajavaara records þe beeren for H in the textual notes, p. 277n522).

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524

al. So V, A. H: were.

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526

Ne mihten heo. So V. A: Heo mihten. H: Thei myȝht. Sajavaara emends based on A.

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528

wone. So V, A. H: wysdome.

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529

And. So V, A. H omits.

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me1. V, A omit. H: men. I follow Weymouth, Horstmann-Furnivall, and Sajavaara in emending for sense.

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530

lovedest. So V, A. H: louest. Sajavaara emends based on H.

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531

for. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should be þorȝ, “through,” and notes the reading from the AN poem. Compare par moy [through Me] in the AN poem (Appendix, line 435).

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532

in. So V, A. H: in þy. I follow Sajavaara in emending based on H.

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broughtest. V: bouȝtest. A: bouhtest. H: browghtest. I emend for sense based on H’s reading, following Weymouth and Sajavaara (who both have brouȝtest); Horstmann-Furnivall’s textual note suggests brouȝtest is a form of MED, brouken (v.), sense 2a, “to use.”

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534

in strengthe, and in. So V, A. H: and strengthe and.

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535

Ichulle al. So V, A. H: All ichull.

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536

Kyng rihtwis. So V, A. H: kyng more of ryȝhtwesnys (of added above line).

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537

So. So V, A. H: In so.

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nyme yeme. So V, A. H: take more ȝeme.

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539

That for the. So V, A. H: Þat furste.

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540

the. So V, A. H: of þe.

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541

Forthi he reweth Me. So V, A. H: And therfore me rueth.

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543

Thou art, Fader. So V, A. H: ffadur þou art.

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milsful. So V. A: mihtifol. H: mekefull.

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544

of alle. So V, A. H: ouer all.

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545

hire wille Ichulle. V, A: ȝe schulen hire wille. H: here wyll ichull. I follow Weymouth (hire wille I chulle) and Sajavaara (hire wille ichulle) in emending for sense based on the reading in H. Horstmann-Furnivall makes a similar emendation to i-chul hire wille. The Son is addressing the Father throughout the passage, not the other Daughters of God, as ȝe schulen would imply. Weymouth’s textual note points out that H more closely retains the sense of the AN poem: Trestut sun voler ore en fray [All her bidding I will now carry out] (Appendix, line 447).

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546

sauhten. So V, A. H: make at oon.

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547

Nimen. So V, A. H: Taken.

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548

hit wolden. So V, A. H: wollen it.

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549

alone Ichul holde. So V, A. H: I all one woll dome.

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550

As. So V, A. H: As a.

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552

cussen. So V, A. H: to cusse.

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saught and some. So V, A. H: sawght sone.

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553

druyven. So V. A: driuen. H: dryvyn. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should be dryuen.

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werre, nuth, and onde. So V, A (oonde). H: werre with myn honde.

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554

the. So V, A. H: thi.

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555

Hose. V has a two-line illuminated initial H of gold on an alternating blue and crimson ground edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black. White dots rim the left side of the H, and a white spiral appears in its center. Four white-dotted crimson balls jut from the ground’s left side.

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forbysene. So V. A: fforbisene. H: afore bese.

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557

tokenynge. So V, A. H: betokenyng.

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558

Godes insiht. So V, A. H: þe insyȝht of god.

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559

Withoute God the Fader nis. V, A: Wiþ God the ffader nis. H: ffadur withoute god is. I follow Horstmann-Furnivall and Sajavaara in emending for sense.

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nouht. So V. A: ouȝt. In A, there is space where the letter n may have been erased. H: nowght.

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560

is. So V, A. H: haþ.

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561

is folfuld. So V, A (fulfild). H: haþ fulled.

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565

giveth. So V, A. H: ȝeue. Horstmann-Furnivall emends to ȝiue.

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567

Ye. V has a two-line illuminated initial Ȝ (with the tail extending another three lines) of gold on a ground of alternating blue and crimson edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black and comprise a total of six lines. The upper left of the design appears damaged or faded. White-dotted crimson and faded blue balls jut from the ground’s left side in opposing colors.

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569

Adam forles. So V, A. H: forlest hit was (t hit was added above line).

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570

World. So V, A. H: The world.

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572

No mon nedde of himself a. So V, A. H: Mon myȝht not himself do.

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573

mighte mon. So V, A (mihte). H: ne myȝht him.

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574

Ne mon mighte. So V, A (mihte). H: And mon myȝht not.

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575

moste. So V, A. H: most it.

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576

God of hevene. So V, A. H: goddys sone shuld.

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577

Mon the. So V, A. H: And mon shuld.

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thorw. So V, A. H: with.

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578

uprysen from. So V, A. H: shuld vp rysen aȝeyn fro.

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579

Elles. So V, A. H: ffor ells. Sajavaara emends to For elles.

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580

ibrouht. So V, A. H: iwrowght.

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581

whuche. V, A: vchone. H: wheche. I follow Weymouth (whuch), Horstmann-Furnivall (whuch), and Sajavaara in emending for sense based on the reading in H.

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and. So V, A. H: wych.

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582

milce and eke. So V, A. H: grace and whiche.

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583

alihten. V, A: alihte and. H: to alyȝht. I follow Horstmann-Furnivall and Weymouth in emending for sense. Sajavaara emends to alihte.

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584

o sele shepe. V, A: o mon. H: oon sele shepe. I emend based on the reading in H, as do Weymouth, Horstmann-Furnivall (O seli shep), and Sajavaara (on sele shepe).

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585

The ninti-nine He levede and. V, A: Þritti ȝeer he liuede and. H: His fadur blysse he leuede and þerfro. I emend for sense, following Weymouth (Þe nīti nine he leuede and), and Sajavaara (Þe ninti nine he leuede and). Horstmann-Furnivall has a similar emendation (Ninti nine he leuede and). Weymouth, who first proposed the emendation, suggests the parable of the lost sheep was unfamiliar to the scribes of the English translation (Weymouth, “Bishop Grosseteste’s Castle,” p. 63). The line in the AN poem reads, Nonaunte nef il lessa [Ninety-nine He left] (Appendix, line 487).

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586

sechen on. So V, A. H: seche þeke shepe.

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587

Thenne nis ther such Herdemon non. So V, A. H: Ther is not seche an.

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588

milsful. V: miȝtful. A: mihtful. H: mercyfull. I follow Horstmann-Furnivall and Sajavaara in emending for sense based on H, since milsful [merciful] fits better in the context of the lost sheep parable.

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589

such. So V, A. H: syche a.

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590

him. So V, A. H: on him.

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591

wolde him. So V, A. H: him wolde.

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592

And sithen deth tholyen. So V, A. H: And sothen suffre deþ.

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593

Er him ouhte the herte tospringe. So V, A (ouȝte). H: Sore he awght his handys to wrynge.

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594

Then he scholde him wraththe. So V, A. H: That þis lord wold greue.

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595

Herkeneth. V has a four-line illuminated initial H with upper and lower extenders, all of gold on a ground of alternating blue and crimson edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, extenders, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black. The extenders increase the overall size of the design to forty-two lines. White dots rim the upper right portion of the lower extender. The center of the H features a white foliate design. The lower extender contains a white chain-link pattern on the left side of the ground. Throughout the design, white-dotted blue and crimson balls jut from the left side of the ground in opposing colors, three with green tails. The top ends in a trefoil design consisting of red, blue, and gold balls with green tails, whereas the bottom terminates in a design of green and crimson buds stitched together with white ink.

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atte. So V, A. H: at þis.

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596

ur Saveor. So V, A (sauiour). H: this sheperd.

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601

Daniel. So V, A. H: Ant Danyell.

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602

David. So V, A. H: And Davyd.

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603

Eliseu. Both Weymouth and Horstmann-Furnivall record V’s reading as Elisen and emend to Eliseu, whereas Sajavaara reads Eliseu, with no need for emendation. The letters u and n are not always distinguishable from one another; in this case the minims resemble n more than u in V but not in A.

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604

Siggeth. So V, A. H: Thei seyn.

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wel. So V, A. H: ryȝht well.

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605

Wonder. So V, A. H: Long. Sajavaara emends based on H.

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hem. So V, A. H: of hem.

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606

Ac. So V. A: Ak. H: But.

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606a

Puer natus est nobis, filius datus est nobis. So V (written in red). No rubric is included in A or H.

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610

thus. So V, A. H: þis.

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612

Redeful. So V, A. H: rewfull.

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613

al. So V, A. H omits.

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614

Prince. So V, A. H: And prince.

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616

Him. So V, A. H: to him.

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619

nas. So V, A. H: wes.

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in sawe. So V, A. H: ny saye.

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620

schal bi none dawe. So V, A. H: weryn by nomon is day. Sajavaara transcribes H: weryn by nomen is day; Horstmann-Furnivall’s note (based on Halliwell’s edition of H) reads weryn by no monis day (p. 397n620).

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621

tyme. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should be þinge.

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For no tyme that ever. So V, A. H: Ne neuer.

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622

God of hevene. So V, A. H: was when God.

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623

Exemplum abbreviated in the left margin in V and A.

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627

foot or hond. So V, A. H: his fote or his hond.

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628

bothe so. So V, A. H: so bothe.

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630

forsothe, neoren heo no. So V, A. H: sotheli þei nere not soo.

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631

the on. So V, A. H: þawgh þe toon.

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kuynde overmeth. So V, A. H: of kynde to myche.

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632

so hit geth. So V, A. H: beþ of diuerse lyche.

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633

Ac. So V. A: Ak. H: Ȝet.

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nede. So V, A. H omits.

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634

forschipte streon. So V, A. H: forshapon lym (Sajavaara records hym in the textual notes).

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635

Ak. So V, A. H: And.

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Exemplum abbreviated in the left margin in V and A.

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636

eny. So V, A. H: seche a mon (with a added above line; Sajavaara records simply seche mon). Horstmann-Furnivall emends to eny mon.

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637

monnes kuynde hedde al ariht. So V, A. H: monkynde hade vwtryȝht.

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638

him neore to luite ne to muche wiht. So V, A. H: he nere to mychill ne to lytyll in syȝht.

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640

forschippyng. So V, A. H: forshapon thyng.

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641

a. So H, with a added above line with a caret to indicate the addition. V, A omit. Emended for sense.

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643

a such gederyng. So V, A. H: seche a shapyng.

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644

wonder. So V, A. H: wonderfull.

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645

is. So V, A. H: is hit.

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648

soth God and soth mon. So V, A. H: sothefast god and monne.

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649

ne. So V, A. H omits.

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650

And. So V, A. H: And eke.

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is al thing. So V, A (alle). H: all þyng is.

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651

Him is synne. So V, A. H: synne he is. Weymouth and Sajavaara emend based on H. See explanatory note to lines 651–53 for discussion.

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652

wone. So V, A. H: wone þerof. Weymouth emends based on H.

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653

no schaft thorw Him mighte lees. So V, A (mihte). H: shap þerto non nes.

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655

then He that hevene dihte. So V, A. H: non þen he þat is of so gret myȝht. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading for dihte should be drihte.

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656

hevene dude. So V, A. H: hevyn to erthe. Sajavaara emends to heuene to erþe.

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658

al. So V, A. H omits.

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mon. So V, A. H: mon wes.

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659

wolde alles. So V, A. H: als wolde.

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661

Thulke schaft. So V, A. H: That same shap.

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663

God nolde alihte. So V, A. H: And god myȝht not. V has a two-line illuminated initial G of gold on a crimson ground with a blue center edged with single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black. A white dotted line spirals inside the G. A white-dotted blue ball with a tail juts from the left side.

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664

But. So V, A. H: Alyȝht bote.

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in2. So V. A and H omit.

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665

siker hit. So V, A. H: he.

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666

almihti His in. So V, A. H: inne to alyȝhte.

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667

wel. So V, A. H: þat is.

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668

Muche and feir and loveliche. So V, A. H: Mychell and louelych (Sajavaara records lonelych, p. 282n668). The meaning of feir here is “strong” or “sound” (see MED, fere [adj.]; compare Horstmann-Furnivall’s note to this line); Sajavaara’s emendation to fere may be intended to clarify the sense, but the spelling is the same in line 703, where the word again means “strong” or “sound” (siker and feir abouten). The AN reads Bien ferm [Very strong] (Appendix, line 572); see AND, ferm (adj.), sense 1, “steadfast, strong, constant (of object).” Both Boulton (p. 71) and Mackie (p. 166) translate as “well fortified,” perhaps because Murray’s published edition has fermé (line 572), the past participle of AND, fermer2 (v.) sense 2, “to fortify; to strengthen, make strong”; see fermer2 (p.p. as adj.), sense 1, “fortified, made solid.”

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669

That. So V, A. H: This.

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of alle. So V, A. H: mychell of þe.

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671

mere. So V, A. H: meere. Horstmann-Furnivall emends to Merc, which is defined as “border” in the textual note, but mere also means “border” (see MED, mere [n.3], sense 1.a).

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672

Ne hath he. So V, A. H: He haþ no.

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for. So V, H. A: of.

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673

tour. So V, A. H: toure. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests tour is equivalent to Castel.

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674

So. So V, A. H: And so.

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675

That none kunnes. So V, A. H: That us maner (us added above line with caret to mark insertion point).

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676

derven. So V, A. H: harme.

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678

And. So V, A, H. Horstmann-Furnivall emends to Þat.

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into the. So V, A. H: from rofe to.

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679

That ther ne mai wone. So V, A (may). H: Ther may.

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680

Ne derve no gynnes castyng. So V, A (ginnes). H: Ther to do eny grevyng.

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681

thauh he be. So V, A (beo). H: eke hit is.

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682

He is. So V, A. H omits.

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hateliche. So V, A. H: comlyche.

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683

thulke. So V, A. H: tho.

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685

Foure. So H. V, A: ffor. I emend based on H, as do Weymouth, Horstmann-Furnivall (ffour), and Sajavaara (Four).

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toures. So V, A. H: toure.

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ther. So H (þer). V, A: þat. I emend for sense based on H, following Weymouth, Horstmann-Furnivall, and Sajavaara (who all emend to þer).

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686

heihe. So V. A: heiȝe. H: hole.

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687

Seththe. So V, A. H: And allso þer.

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688

So. So V, A. H omits.

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690

Ne may no mon the. So V, A (mai). H: Ther may no man here.

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691

ne2. So V, A. H omits.

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692

thenche. So V, A. H: it þenk.

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spelle. So V, A. H: it spelle.

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694

beth bicaste. So V, A (beoþ). H: all becast.

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695

so. So V, A. H omits.

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701

Never schal fo him stonde. So V, A. H: Ther shall neuer fo stonde him.

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704

is al depeynted withouten. So V, A. H: all peynted is abowte.

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705

heowes. So V, A. H: colours.

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706

So is the foundement. So V, A. H: Þe furst þe fondement is.

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708

that ther. So V, A. H: him þat þis.

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710

heuh ne leoseth. So V, A (heuȝ). H: colur lesseth.

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711

Seththen. So V, A. H: And sethyn.

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abouten. So V. A: aboute. H omits. Sajavaara emends to aboue, a reading Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests.

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712

So is inde and eke. So V, A. H: Is bothe ynde and.

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714

schyneth so feire and so. So V, A. H: hit shyneth ouer all feyre and.

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719

evere. So V. A: euer. H omits.

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720

That thuncheth as. So V, A. H: Hit semyth.

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722

So. So V. A, H: As. Sajavaara emends to As based on A.

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the snowh that is sneuwynge. So V, A (sneuȝwynge). H: is the swan when heo is swymbyng.

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723

that. So V, A. H: þe.

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724

Afterlong. So V. A: Afturlong. H: Enlong on. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should be Andelong.

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725

That. So V, A. H: Ther.

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cometh ther. So V, A. H: there comyth.

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726

Ac. So V, A. H: But.

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727–28

heighe tour is springynge / A welle that evere is eornynge. So V, A (springinge). H: toure a walle dede sprynge / That neuer is drye but ernynge.

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730

uppon. So V, A. H: on.

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733

Ne dar he seche. So V. A: Ne þar him seche. H: That man nedeth. Only Weymouth notes A’s reading.

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734

riht. So V, A. H: aryȝht.

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737

Of whit ivori. So V, A (yuori). H: As white as yvory.

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738

hee. V: heo corrected to hee. A: he. H: heo.

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741

so. So V, A, H. Horstmann-Furnivall emends to oo based on misreading oo in H.

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with ordre itiyed. So V, A (ityȝed). H: in ordere i ioyned.

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742

Feiror thing in world. So V, A. H: So feyre þyng in erthe.

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743

abouten. So V, A. H: abowte it.

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744

him. So V, A. H: to him.

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745

Nevere. So V, A. H: Ther nes neuer.

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chayyere. So V, A. H: a chayere.

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746

Nedde kyng ne. So V, A. H: To kyng ne to.

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747

Muche. So V, A. H: But meche.

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feirschupe inough. So V, A (feirschipe). H: worschip.

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748

almighten His in. So V, A. H: to alyȝht.

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749

Thenne nis ther such castel. So V. A: Þenne nis þer such a castel. H: Suche a casstell is þer. Weymouth emends to follow A.

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750

nas. So V, A. H: wes.

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on. So V. A: al on. H: oon.

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751

after. So V. A (aftur). H: here aftur.

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ne2. So V, A. H omits.

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753

hit himself and. So V, A. H: himself and hit.

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754

in. So V, A. H: himself in.

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feyre. So V. A: feire. H omits.

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755

kindam. So V. A: kyngdom. H: kyndam. Horstmann-Furnivall emends to kinedam.

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757

This. So V, A. H: That.

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759

of hele, of. So V, A. H: and hele and.

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761

This. V has an eleven-line illuminated initial Þ with upper and lower extenders, all of gold on an alternating blue and crimson ground edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, extenders, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black. Complex white patterns of dots, lines, and branches trace the ground around the thorn. White-dotted blue and crimson balls jut from the left side of the ground in opposing colors. The extenders increase the overall size of the design to forty-one lines. White dots run along the left edge of the lower extender, and a foliate patterns inhabits the ground between the thorn and the extender. The top has a trefoil design of a white-dotted blue ball sprouting three gold balls with green tails, and the bottom has a trefoil design with two white-dotted red leaves and a single red and green leaf stitched with white ink.

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Maydenes bodi. V, A: mayden. H: maydons body. Weymouth emends to Mayden bodi. I follow Horstmann-Furnivall and Sajavaara in emending for sense. Although the genitive ending is frequently omitted in the poem (see, for example, line 55: That the Marie bodi wes), I use it here because it is included elsewhere in this passage on Mary (line 770: Maydenes herte; line 777: Maydenes bileeve).

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762

Ther. So H. V, A: Þat. I emend for sense based on H, following Weymouth, Horstmann-Furnivall, and Sajavaara (who all emend to Þer).

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nas. So V, A. H omits.

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763

wes. So V, A. H: was. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should be nes.

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765

mere. So V, H. A: mes written above mere. As in line 671, Horstmann-Furnivall emends to Merc (see the textual note to line 671, above).

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766

Heo schilde us alle. So V, A. H: That hoe shuld vs shylde. Weymouth emends to Þat heo schilde vs alle.

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767

us. So V, A. H omits.

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768

Heo us helpeth with al hire miht. H adds the following lines after 768: ffor hoe may aller best / and hoe woll aller blyvest.

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770

herte. So V, A. H: body.

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forthi. So V, A. H omits.

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771

never synne ther-withinne. So V, A. H: þerin neuer synne.

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772

Ac heo. So V, A (Ak). H: And.

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hire. So V, A. H: here hert shoe.

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773

hire. So V, A. H: here. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests omitting.

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with muche boxumnesse. So V, A. H: maydenhode with bucsonnesse.

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774

Hire maidenhod. So V, A. H: With grace and.

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775

faste to the roche. So V, A. H: to þe roche fast.

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777

Is the. V, A: Þe. H: That is the. I follow Horstmann-Furnivall’s emendation (is þe) for sense. Weymouth and Sajavaara emend to Þat is þe.

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779

that. So V, A. H omits.

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780

is. So V, A. H: hit is.

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evere newe. So V. A: euere is newe. H: newe.

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781

bileeve. V, A: hire bileeue. H: beleue. I follow Weymouth (bi-leeue) and Sajavaara (bileeue) in emending for sense based on H’s reading, since this is a general statement about belief rather than a specific one about Mary’s belief. (Compare the AN, Appendix, line 685).

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782

Of. So V, A. H: To.

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foundement. So V, A. H: and fundement.

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786

In. So V, A. H: That in. Weymouth emends to Þat in.

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as so yong thing. So V, A. H: wes her lyvyng.

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787

Was so. So V, A. H: Hoe wes so. Weymouth emends to Heo was so. Horstmann-Furnivall emends to Heo was oo.

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788

in. So V, A. H: with.

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789

and the on ovemast. So V. A: and þe ouemast. H: on ovemast.

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A blue pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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792

Nis. So V, A. H: Ther is.

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795

And. So V, A. H: And shoe is.

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796

God that is hire above. So V, A. H: here god aboue.

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797

The. V has a six-line illuminated initial Þ of gold on a ground of alternating crimson and blue edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in faded black. White dots run between the thorn’s upstrokes, and white feathered lines appear to its lower right. White-dotted crimson and blue ink balls jut from the ground’s left side in opposing colors. The Þ connects to the decorated initial A in line 805.

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798

witeth. V, A: wiþ. H: kepyn. I emend for sense, following Weymouth, Horstmann-Furnivall, and Sajavaara (who all emend to witeþ).

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799

that. So V, A. H omits.

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me. So H. V, A: omit. I follow Horstmann-Furnivall’s emendation for sense based on H. See explanatory note to line 799 for discussion.

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800

ther. So V, A. H: thei. Weymouth and Sajavaara emend to þat. Horstmann-Furnivall emends to þei.

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802

Rihtfulnesse. So V, A. H: Ryȝhtwesnes.

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Worschupe. So V. A: Worschipe. H: warship. Horstmann-Furnivall emends to Warschupe and Sajavaara to warschupe, an unnecessary change, since spellings with o are listed as standard variations of MED, warshipe (n). See also explanatory note to lines 801–02.

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803

with1. So V, A. H: haþ. Sajavaara emends based on H.

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804

may non uvel. So V, A (euel). H: non evyll þer may.

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therinne. So V, A. H: withinne.

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805

And. V has a four-line illuminated initial A of gold on a ground of alternating crimson and blue, edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in faded black. White dots run horizontally just below the apex of the A, form an X-shape below its crossbar, and trace its right side. White-dotted crimson and blue ink balls jut from the ground’s left side in opposing colors. The A connects to the decorated initial Þ in line 797 above.

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the. So H (þe). V, A: omit. I emend for sense based on H, following Weymouth, Horstmann-Furnivall, and Sajavaara (who all emend to þe).

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806

wel. So V, A. H: feyre.

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807

icast. So V, A. H: þrowen.

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808

heihe. So V. A: heiȝe. H: hoole.

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809

Bote. So A, H. V has space marked out for a decorated initial B that was never filled in. I follow Weymouth, Horstmann-Furnivall, and Sajavaara in emending for sense.

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810

Bitokneth. So V, A. H: That betokynth.

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813

The. V has a five-line illuminated initial Þ of gold set on a ground of alternating crimson and blue edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in faded black. White dots rim the thorn’s right side. White-dotted crimson and blue ink balls jut from the ground’s left side in opposing colors.

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815

outemaste. V, A: ouemaste [uppermost]. H: otmast. I follow Weymouth, Horstmann-Furnivall, and Sajavaara in emending for sense. MED, ovemest (adj. and n.), sense 1c, cites this line as an error for outmost (adj.), meaning “outermost.”

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816

holy. So V, A. H: hoole.

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817

Riht. So V, A. H: ffull ryȝht.

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clepeth hem. So V, A. H: hem clepeþ.

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forthi. So V, A. H: thre.

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818

heo. So V, A. H omits.

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here. So V. A: hire. H omits.

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819

That hireself, one. So V, A. H: ffor hoe hereself is.

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820

Is. So V, A. H: ffor shoe is.

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821

Thorw. So V, A. H: Thorwgh, with r written above word with caret to mark insertion point.

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teon. So V, A. H: in.

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822

on ende. So V, A. H: to an ende (to written above line with caret to mark insertion point).

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823

The. So V, A (both written Þe). H: And þe. Sajavaara emends based on H. V has a five-line illuminated initial Þ of gold on a ground of alternating crimson and blue edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in faded black. White dots run between the thorn’s upstrokes. White-dotted crimson and blue ink balls with tails jut from the ground’s left side in opposing colors. The design has suffered some damage.

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berbicans. V, A: carnels. H: barbacanes. I follow Weymouth, Horstmann-Furnivall, and Sajavaara in emending for sense. The words refer to different structures: the “outer fortification of a city or castle” (MED, barbican [n.], sense 1) versus “battlements” (MED, carnel [n.1], sense 1b.). Note also the previous mention in line 697 was to “[s]eve berbicans.”

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824

gret. So V, A. H: so gret.

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825

witeth this. So V, A. H: kepyn þese.

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826

With1. So V, A (both as wiþ), H. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the meaning is “against.”

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827

the. So V, A. H omits.

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with. So V, A. H: þat han wyth.

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828

To. So V, A. H omits.

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829

A blue pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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831

Al maat. So V, A. H: The whiche al matyd. Sajavaara emends to Þat al maat.

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833

A blue pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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834

A red pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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835

fle. So V, A. H: to fle.

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A blue pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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836

Thorw. So A. V: Þouȝ. H: Thorgh. I emend based on A, following Weymouth and Sajavaara (who both emend to Þorw). Horstmann-Furnivall emends to Þoruȝ.

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837

al was. So A. V: was was. H: all so she. I follow Weymouth and Sajavaara in emending for sense based on A. Horstmann-Furnivall emends to was.

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A red pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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838

hire. So V, A. H omits.

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A blue pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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839

evere. So A. V: eueri. H: euer more. I emend based on A, following Weymouth, Horstmann-Furnivall, and Sajavaara (who all emend to euere).

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A red pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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840

Mekenesse. So V, A. H: pacyens. Sajavaara emends to pacience.

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842

thorw. So V, A. H: in.

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843

The. V has a six-line illuminated initial Þ of gold on a ground of alternating crimson and blue edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in faded black. White dots run between the thorn’s upstrokes and along its lower right side. White-dotted crimson and blue ink balls jut from the ground’s left side in opposing colors. The design has suffered some damage.

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of alle. So V, A. H: all of.

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844

a. So V, A. H omits.

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845

todeleth this. So V, A. H: so deled is.

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846

meth with al. So V, A. H: goodnes as.

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847

Ac. So V. A: Ak. H: And.

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848

The folle of grace He hire gaf. So V, A (fulle). H: That he heere ȝeue full grace.

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849

the grace that overfleot. So V, A. H: grace withoute let.

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850

Socoureth. So V, A. H: Socur.

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851

Forthi. So V, A. H: Therfore.

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852

O blessed Ladi. So V, A. H: One iblessed. Sajavaara emends to O blessed, noting, “Weymouth and Horstmann take the line as an exclamation, which it hardly is on the evidence of H and the [AN poem]” (p. 387n852). The AN corresponding to lines 851–52 reads Pur ceo est a dreit clamee / Sur tutes autres benuree [For this reason is she justly called / Blessed above all others] (Appendix, lines 755–56).

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853

what. So V, A. H: whiche.

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A blue pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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854

tholemode poverté. So V, A. H: pouerte þat heo wes inne.

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855

That nones kunnes assaylyng. So V, A. In A the nes of nones has faded or been erased. H: Ther was no mon kynnes assaylyng. Sajavaara emends to Þer was nones kunnes assaylyng. Note that line 855 is the same as line 675: That none kunnes asaylyng. Horstmann-Furnivall’s textual note suggests kunnes should perhaps be ginnes based on the lines in the AN poem: Dunt nul engin ne put geter / Ke le chastel pusse grever [Because of which no siege engine could hurl / [Anything] that could harm the castle] (Appendix, lines 759–60).

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856

Ne may derve the tour for. So V, A (mai). H: That myȝht dere þe castell of. Sajavaara emends to Þat miȝt derue þe castel.

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857

whom. So V, A, H. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the word should perhaps be whon.

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is overcomen. So V, A. H: was overcome.

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858

al. So V, A. H: him all.

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859

For. V has a three-line illuminated initial F of gold on a ground of alternating crimson and blue edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in faded black. Inside the upper part of the F is a white partly quartered square, and a white feather design appears directly below the cross stroke. White-dotted crimson and blue ink balls jut from the ground’s left side in opposing colors.

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so. So V, A. H omits.

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860

seide. So V, A. H: spak.

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861

blyve. So H. V: blyþe. A: bliþe. I emend for rhyme based on H, following Weymouth and Sajavaara (who both emend to blyue).

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862

hed. So H. V, A: pouste. I follow Sajavaara in emending for sense based on H. Although pousté [power] could make sense, the allusion to Genesis 3:15 would be lost. The AN poem has chef [head] (Appendix, line 770). See explanatory note to this line.

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863

this. So V, A. H: heo þis.

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866

That. So V, A. H: Therfore.

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bodi. So V, A. H: soule. Sajavaara in emends based on H. The AN poem likewise reads alme [soul] (Appendix, line 774).

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867

To. So V, A. H: And to.

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868–69

hire to bringe / His folk. So V, A. H: hire so ȝyng / To brynge him.

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871

and1. So V, A. H omits.

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and fre. So V, H. A omits.

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872

Whon heo. So V. A: Whon he. H: Whill heo.

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873

eny schaft that. So V, A. H: oþer þat euer made.

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874

Forthi. So V, A. H: And þo.

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Rihtwys Sonne. V, A: Rihtwys sone. H: sonne of ryȝhtwesnes. Sajavaara emends to sonne of rihtwysnesse. Weymouth and Horstmann-Furnivall do not emend but note H’s reading. The AN poem reads le Solail de Dreiture [the Sun of Righteousness] (Appendix, line 782). Since the spelling sone in V and A normally refers to Jesus rather than to the sun, the line does not make sense as written; Jesus does not overshadow and “inflame” Mary at his own conception. See explanatory note to lines 874–76 for discussion of the metaphor.

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875

schadewede on hire in wolde. So V, A. H: on heere when he shadowe wolde. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests that wolde either should be interpreted to mean “virtue” or that the correct reading should be holde, with the meaning “flesh,” although MED, hold (n.3), sense 1, gives the meaning “corpse.” I take wolde to mean “might” or “strength” (see MED, weld [n.], sense 1c, which quotes this line).

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876

And. So V, A. H: He.

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877

Thorw. So A. V: Þouȝ with r added above the line and a caret to indicate its placement. Horstmann-Furnivall and Sajavaara accept this correction and emend to Þoruȝ. I follow Weymouth’s emendation for sense based on A, as þorw is the usual spelling of this word in V.

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878

And at. So V, A. H: At. Sajavaara emends based on H.

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lette faste. So V, A. H: lette hit fast. Horstmann-Furnivall and Sajavaara emend to lette hit faste, but eliding the pronoun is not an unusual construction.

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beo. So V, A. H: be. Sajavaara has be, which appears to be a misreading of V and A rather than an emendation, since it ruins the rhyme with inteo, no emendation is noted, and no variant is recorded for H’s spelling.

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879

beo we. So V, A. H: let we be.

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881

A. V has a three-line illuminated initial A of gold (with a left descender extending an additional two lines) on a ground of alternating crimson and blue edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in faded black. A white chain link pattern runs along the A’s right side, and a white foliate pattern appears in below its apex with another below the crossbar. White-dotted crimson and blue ink balls jut from the ground’s left side in opposing colors.

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882

helpeth. So V, A. H: helpest. Horstmann-Furnivall emends based on H.

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884

bat and loude doth. So V, A. H: knocked and loude con.

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885

Bat. So V, A. H: He knockeþ.

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gon. So V, A. H: con.

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886

Helpe me. So V, with me added above line with caret to mark insertion point. A: Help me. H: Help. Sajavaara emends based on A. Weymouth and Horstmann-Furnivall include me without note.

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887

Undo, Ladi. So V, A. H: Thi welle ondo.

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888

Thou. So V, A. H: And þerof þou.

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a luitel cleche. So V, A. H: cleche.

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889

grace. So H. V, A omit. I follow Weymouth, Horstmann-Furnivall, and Sajavaara in emending for sense based on H.

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alle frovere. So V, A. H: alle is thoore. Horstmann-Furnivall emends to alle con frouere.

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890

That gostliche beoth in herte povere. So V, A. H: To hem þat in herte gostly byth poore.

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891

Lo. So V, A. H: Bese.

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892

With. So V, A. H: Of.

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893

The. So V, A. H: That is þe.

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894

The. So V, A. H: And the.

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my. So V, A. H: and my.

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ne. H omits.

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895

Withouten eny meth. So V, A. H: Withoute ene mystre [Without any need] (see MED, mister [n.], sense 5a). Sajavaara emends to Wiþoute eny meþ.

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898

furst is. So V, A (as line 897). H: is formest. Sajavaara emends to is furst.

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897–98

Gret parlement . . . is forth icome. A transposes these lines.

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898

A red pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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901

me hath with two hostes. So V, A. H: with too ostys haþ me.

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A blue pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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902

and Onde. So V, A. H: and hate he wold me fonde.

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903

A red pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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904

Glotenye. So A. V: gotenye. H: glotenie. I follow Sajavaara in emending for sense based on A. (Weymouth and Horstmann-Furnivall do not note the missing letter l in V.)

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uvel. So V. A: euel. H: foule.

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905

wraththe. So V. A: waþþe. H: fyȝht.

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906

as. So V, A. H: as a.

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907

Mayde. So V, A. H: swete mayde.

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908

the. So V, A. H: all þe.

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909–10

Thow . . . dyches cleche. V and A omit; these lines supplied from H. Sajavaara adds the lines but slightly emends the spelling (Þou; diches). Weymouth adds the lines into the text in brackets but skips them in the lineation; Horstmann-Furnivall includes the lines in a marginal note to line 908 rather than as part of the poem. The line numbers in Weymouth and Horstmann-Furnivall thus do not match those in this edition after line 908.

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911

Ther. So V. A: Þer þer. H: Ther as.

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faste and. So V, A. H: so.

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912

And. So V, A. H omits.

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is. So V, A. H: is there.

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913

Of. V has a three-line illuminated initial O of gold on a ground of alternating crimson and blue edged with single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in faded black. In the center of the O appears a finely decorated white cross with dots in sets of three in the quarters. A white-dotted blue ball with a tail juts from the ground’s left side. The design has suffered some damage.

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914

Ac. So V, A. H: And.

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a. So V, A. H: by a.

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915

godschupes. So V, A. H: goodnes.

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916

Out. So V, A. H omits.

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917

God, hevene Drihte. V, A: God heuene dihte. H: godallmyȝht. I follow Weymouth (line 915), Horstmann-Furnivall (line 915), and Sajavaara in emending dihte to drihte for sense.

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919

nom of hire. So V, A. H: hyre he nome.

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920

whom. So V, A, H. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the word should perhaps be whon (line 918).

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wrey. So V. A: wreyh. H: keuerd.

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921

bereth. So V, A. H: bar. Sajavaara emends based on H.

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922

That1. So V, A. H: The.

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923

the. So V, A. H: þat.

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924

And. So V, A. H: A.

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925

And nis He. So V, A. H: I trowe þis be.

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926

Whon He is thus for us. So V, A. H: That he for he for vs was þus.

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927

wonder nis. So V, A. H: wondur iknowe.

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928

togeder. So V, A. H: in oon to.

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930

Habbe that wole to heom bifalle. So V, A (hem). H: Haþ þat þat shulde to him falle.

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931

That. So V, A. H: And.

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ne wonte no wiht. So V, A. H: wonteth here myȝht.

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932

Ac that either habbe al his. So V, A (the bbe in habbe is faded in A). H: But eþer of hem han here.

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933

That. So V, A. H: This.

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935

saughten. So V. A: sauhten. H: make at oon.

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toboren. So V, A. H: at woore.

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936

And dilyveren. So V, A (deliueren). H: ffor.

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937

we witen. So V, A. H: I wotte.

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938

That. So V, A. H: for.

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soth . . . soth. So V, A. H: sothefast . . . suthfast.

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939

Bihold. V has a three-line illuminated initial B of gold on a ground of alternating blue and crimson edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in faded black. Inside the B swirl two white foliate designs. White-dotted crimson and blue ink balls jut from the ground’s left side in opposing colors. The design has suffered some damage.

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940

His deden hou heo beoth. So V, A; A may read dedes instead of deden (the final two letters have faded or been erased). H: the ende of his dedyn.

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diht. So V, A. H: idyȝht. Sajavaara emends to idiht.

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941

That thou aboute nouht fer se. So V, A. H: And þis all abowte þou well bese.

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942

Ac. So V. A: Ak. H: And.

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943

of. So V, A. H: of a.

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946

saveté. So V, A. H: heele euer.

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948

seith thus to us. So V, A. H: calleþ mon his.

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949

mislyken and al foryemed. So V, A (forȝemet). H: myslyche igon and vnȝemed.

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952

hast of thiself no. So V, A. H: mayst not of þiself ha.

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953

Ne beo. So V, A. H: Be.

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954

Ac ful. So V, A (Ak). H: And.

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thou beo theron. So V, A. H: be þou hereoon.

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955

Yif thou. So V, A. H: That he þat.

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loven. So V, A. H: leve. Sajavaara emends to leuen, which Horstmann-Furnivall’s note (line 953) suggests is the correct reading based on H and the AN poem. Compare the AN verse, si crere moy volez [if you are willing to believe in Me] (Appendix, line 931).

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956

thee bringe into thin. So V, A. H: him brynge and lede to is.

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957

Ententyfliche thou herken. So V, A (Ententifliche; herkne). H: And soone herkyn þou.

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959

Mi. So V, A. H: ffor my.

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960

light. So V. A: liht. H: is lyȝht.

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961

Merci bihove. So V, A. H: Mercies bone.

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962

I am for thee. So V, A. H: for þe I am.

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963

Ich thee. So V, A. H: I.

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964

Ichulle. So V. A: Ichul. H: And ichull.

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nyme. So V, A. H: take.

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967

For. So V, A. H: ffor now.

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Icham. So V. A, H: I am. A has an erasure where the ch of Icham would be.

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968

I may. So V, A. H: Therfore ichull.

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969

Icham of freo nacion. So V. A: I am of freo nacion. In A there is an erasure where the ch of icham would be. H: am fre of byrth in euery towne.

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970

oughte. So A. V: oute, which Horstmann-Furnivall follows (line 968). H: owghton. I follow Weymouth and Sajavaara in emending for sense based on A.

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ihere. So V, A. H: to here.

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971

iwust. So V, A. H: kept.

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974

And. So H. V, A: ffor. I follow Weymouth (line 972) and Sajavaara in emending for sense based on H. Horstmann-Furnivall instead omits ffor without adding And in its place (line 972).

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beo thou of ful. So V, A. H: make þe of.

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975

an ende overcome. So V, A (ouurcome). H: ouer alle.

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976

todreynen al thi. So V, A. H: þe maystry haue all with. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests dereynen [prove] is meant (line 974).

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977

darstou on erthe. So V, A (eorþe). H: on erthe þow nedest to.

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979

Lord. V has a three-line illuminated initial L of gold on a ground of alternating blue and crimson edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in faded black. The L’s center features two white cross patterns atop one another, and a line of white dots traces its right edge. Two white-dotted blue balls jut from the top left corner of the ground. The design has suffered some damage.

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freschipe. V: frenschipe. A: frendschip. H: fresship. I follow Horstmann-Furnivall (line 977) in emending to freschipe based on H and the AN verse; Sajavaara emends to freschip on the same basis (p. 388n979). The AN verse reads franchise [generosity] (Appendix, line 953); see AND, franchise (n.), sense 3, “nobility (of character), distinction, excellence; considerateness, kindness, generosity.”

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nome. So V, A. H: takeþ.

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980

He that welde al thing and al mai. So V, A (walde). H: God all þys world shall.

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981

Us. So V, A. H: That vs.

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such frenschip and. So V, A (frendschip). H: so meche.

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982

a forbysne. So V, A. H: so gret vertu.

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983

Ac. So V, A. H: And.

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forbisne. So V. A: forbysne. H: bysenes.

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984

iseghen, ne yore hath. So V, A. H: þis vertu is. Horstmann-Furnivall emends to is I-seȝen, ne ȝore haþ (line 982). Sajavaara emends to iseȝen ne.

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987

Ac. So V, A. H: And.

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of tholemodnesse. So V, A (þolmodnes). H: and pacyens.

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988

goodschipe. So V. A: godschipe. H: mekenesse.

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989

to the world him geveth the mon. So V, A (ȝiueþ). H: a mon ȝevyth him to þe worldys weele.

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990

the worldes good him waxeth on. So V, A. H: goodys fall yn to him mony and fele.

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991

ne thenketh on God ne non other thynge. So V, A (oþur þinge). H: þenkeþ on good in maner þyng. Horstmann-Furnivall reads no in place of on in H (p. 399n989).

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992

bringe. So V, A. H: to bryng.

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993

the catel hath. So V, A. H: worldly godys han.

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alast. So V, A. H omits.

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994

Hit. So H. V, A: Þat hit. I follow Weymouth (line 992), Horstmann-Furnivall (line 992), and Sajavaara in emending for sense based on H.

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is in his cofre biloke so fast. So V, A. H: maketh mon so rebell and hye (Sajavaara reads hys for hye).

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995

al he bicometh overgart. So V, A. H: he waxeth wonder.

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996

bothe. So V, A. H omits.

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997

Nothing ne wilneth he. So V, A. H: He wylneþ no þyng of.

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999

forbysne. So V, A. H: vertu of.

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1001

Theose ne mowen Jhesu suwen with. So V, A. H: Thes synnes mow not crist sue.

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1002

heore dede al tolyth. So V, A. H: thei beþ of evyll vertue.

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1003

Ne His red ne leeveth heo. So V, A. H: And whos his vertu levyth.

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1004

thenne wolden heo wilnen. So V, A. H: schuld he wyllen.

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1005

heritage. So V, A. H: his eritage.

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1006

Thaugh He in batayle the ple biwon. So V, A. H: That he þorgh plee and bataylle wonne.

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1007

Whon heo doth al that He forbat. So V, A (forbad). H: And euer aȝeyns his byddyng woll do. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading for forbat should be forbet (line 1005).

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1008

nothing doth of that He hat. So V, A. H: aȝeyns here soulys allso. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading for hat should be het (line 1006).

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1009

Ac. So V, A. H: And.

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1010

Ne biddeth. So V. A: Ne kepeþ. H: And loueþ.

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heo nought of. So V, A. H: no þyng.

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1011

Forthi. So V. A: þerfore. H: Therfore.

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A red pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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1012

Fel from hevene adoun to helle. H adds the following lines after 1012: And all so I dowt for hem þat aftur hym don / Lest þey shullen þe way aftur hym gon.

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1013

And also I drede heo scholden an ende. So V, A. H: But ȝef thei hem amende. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading for scholden should be schullen (line 1011).

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1014

Thulke that such werkes doth, aftur him wende. So V, A (suche). H: Of þat that þey dude god afende.

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1015

Ac I ne sigge hit, not for thon. So V, A (Ak). H: But to þis I graunte well þon.

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1016

mai ful wel everiche goode. So V, A (may; god). H: hit may befalle to a.

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1017

Habbe. So V, A. H: To haue.

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heighnesse. So V, A. H: gret hyenesse.

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1018

toures. So V, A. H: townes. Sajavaara emends to tounes, presumably based on H, and also notes, “Most [AN] manuscripts have burks [towns], a few bois [woods]. The VA reading is corrupt” (p. 389n1018); note that, although Sajavaara claims the reading is more common, Mackie-Chasteu’s textual note to line 996 lists just six MSS with “towns” out of eighteen collated. The AN for this line reads Chasteaus e boys de grant largesce [Castles and forests of great breadth] (Appendix, line 992).

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1019

wel don and Godes wille holde. V, A: welden and godes wille holde. H: ȝet goddis wylle don and holde. I follow Weymouth (line 1017), Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1017), and Sajavaara in emending for sense.

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1020

God to queme wel, yif. So V, A. H: well God to plese and.

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1021

Yif he lyveth. So V, A (liueþ). H: And byn.

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love. V, A: londe. H: charyte. I follow Weymouth (line 1019), Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1019), and Sajavaara (who all emend to loue) in emending for sense based on the reading in H.

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1022

sothschupe. So V, A. H: sothenesse.

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1023

wilneth nothing. So V, A. H: wyllyt not els.

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1024

al. So V, A. H omits.

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with trewe love and. So V, A. H: and his love so.

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1025

Nou. V has a three-line illuminated initial N of gold on a ground of alternating blue and crimson edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in faded black. A white foliate design curls in on itself in the N’s center. White-dotted crimson and blue ink balls jut from the ground’s left side in opposing colors.

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1026

wolde God. So V, A. H: that wolde.

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1027

Hou. So V, A. H: And how. Sajavaara emends to And hou.

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1028

won. So V, A. H: by whom.

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and the Fend overcom. V, A: and a fend ouurcom. H: aȝeyn come. I emend, following Horstmann-Furnivall (þe, line 1026).

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1031

Tho. So V, A. H: Tho þat.

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1033

riht nought. So V, A. H: noþyng.

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1034

Ac. V, A: As. H: But. I follow Weymouth (line 1032), Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1032), and Sajavaara in emending for sense based on the reading in H.

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beo. So V, A. H: ha be.

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yit evere he. So V, A. H: was his. Sajavaara leaves out yit evere for the sake of meter (p. 389n1034). Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading for evere should perhaps be eiwher (line 1032).

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1035

hedde ben, ac. So V, A. H: ere was but.

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1036

that. So V, A. H omits.

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into. So V, A. H: in.

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icome. So V, A. H: was come.

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1037

Him seigh in. So V, A (seih). H: sye hym mon and in.

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weeden. So V, A. H: wede.

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1038

Ac he nust. So V, A (nuste). H: But he wyst not.

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whuch weren His deden. So V, A (were). H: of what dede.

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1039

Him seigh wel. So V. A: seiȝ him wel. H: sey him. Sajavaara emends based on A.

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and. So V, H. A omits.

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icomen. So V, A. H: knewe þat he was.

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1040

evere in the world He livede withoute sinne. So V, A (synne). H: neuer to synne cryst had myende.

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1041

Fend. So V, A. H: deuyll.

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swithe. So V, A. H omits.

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1042

Wher. So V, A. H: Wheþer.

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art icomen. So V, A. H: comyn art. Sajavaara emends to icomen art.

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1043

wyde. So V, A. H omits. Sajavaara also omits, following H.

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1044

So that. So V, A. H: And. Sajavaara emends to ȝif.

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bouwe. So V A: bowe. H: wolle abowe. Sajavaara reads abouwe for abowe.

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honoure. So V, A. H: worship. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should be adore (line 1042).

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1044a

Respondit Jesus. So V. Not included in A or H. Weymouth (line 1042a) and Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1042a) include all dialogue rubrics in their respective presentations of the poem’s text; Sajavaara notes this rubric and others in the textual apparatus only.

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1046

Thi kuynde Lord. So V, A. H: I am þy lord. Sajavaara emends to omit kuynde.

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ne schalt thow fonde so. So V. A: ne schaltou fonde so. H: þou shalt fynde me so.

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1046a

Diabolus dicit. So V. A, H omit. Weymouth (line 1044a) and Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1044a) include in poem; Sajavaara has in textual notes.

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1047

wenestou. So V, A. H: þenketh þe.

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I ne mowe. So V, A. H: mayst þou not. Sajavaara emends to Maiȝt þou not.

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1048

That icham. So V. A: þ I am. H: Seyde þe fynde I am.

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prince and lord of. So V, A. H: lord of alle.

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1049

in the. So V, A. H: therof in.

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habbe longe ibe. So V, A. H: longe I ha be.

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1050

grant. So V. A: graunt. H: ȝeve.

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1051

seo. So V, A. H: knowe.

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1052

of Thi. V, A: one þi. H: of þe ny of þy.

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1053

Thou. So V, A. H: Sykur þou.

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1055

nabbe miht. So V, A. H: na no pouer.

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1057

thorw. So V, A. H omits.

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1058

Faste. So V, A. H: ffull fast.

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is congraffet, apliht. So V, A. H: þei con it dyȝht.

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1059

passede. So V, A. H: breke.

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hose passede Godes heste. V repeats this portion of line 1059 on the next line.

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1060

be. So V. A: beo. H: euer be. Sajavaara emends to euere be.

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leste. So V, A. H: lest, but Sajavaara reads left.

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1061

An ende dyen thorw hard deth inouh. So V, A. H: And on endeles dethe he shuld dye.

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1062

nul do no wouh. So V, A (nil). H: of ryȝht nyl not wrye.

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1063

wenestou. So V, A. H: woldest þou.

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1064

ispeke. So V, A. H: bespeke.

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1064a

Respondit Jhesus. So V. A, H omit. Weymouth (line 1062a) and Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1062a) include in poem; Sajavaara has in textual notes.

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1066

That foreward on ende. So V, A (forward). H: And seyde þat foreward.

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wel was iholde. V: god wel was iholde. A: god wol wel holde. H: myȝht not be holde. I follow Weymouth (line 1064) and Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1064) in emending for sense. Sajavaara records holde wel for wel holde in A.

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1067

Ac thou hit bigonne formast to. So V, A. H: Thow þi self formest dedest hit.

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1069

that treo him was. So V, A. H: þe tre was him.

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1071

Ac. So V. A: Ak. H: And ȝef.

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1072

Thenne, thou seidest, he hedde igete. So V, A. H: And wolde goddys beheste lete.

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1073

For. So V, A. H omits. Sajavaara emends following H.

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1074

And. So V, A. H omits.

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never die forthon. So V, A (dye). H: deþ suffre neuer non.

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1075

and elles he wer skere. So V, A (were). H: or ells he hede be sker.

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1076

Understond My reson: yif hit skile were. So V, A (Vndurstond; resun). H: I trowe reson hit nere.

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1077

That. So H. V: Þauȝ. A: Þauh. I follow Weymouth (line 1075), Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1075), and Sajavaara in emending for sense based on H.

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1078

thou noldest holden hem, as anont thee. So V, A. H: woldest not holde anont the. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests omitting hem (line 1076).

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H adds the following lines after 1078: The covenand þat þou shuldest ha do / Þou foule fynde monis fo.

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1078a

Diabolus dicit. So V. A, H omit. Weymouth (line 1076a) and Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1076a) include in poem; Sajavaara has in textual notes.

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1083

baldeliche darst nymen Thee. So V, A. H: bold darst be.

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1084

Forte. So V, A. H: To.

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1085

iloren al. So V, A. H: all iloren.

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1086

Ac. V, A: And. H: But. I follow Weymouth (line 1084), Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1084), and Sajavaara in emending for sense based on the reading in H.

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ne may hit. So V, A (mai). H: hit may.

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1088

Thorw whom he. So V, A (Þor). H: That. Horstmann-Furnivall emends to Þorw whon he (line 1086).

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1090

He ne oughte from wo. So V, A (ouhte). H: I wot not with whom I shuld. Sajavaara emends He to I, citing the AN poem (p. 389n1090). See explanatory note to this line for discussion.

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1090a

Respondit Jesus. So V. A, H omit. Weymouth (line 1088a) and Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1088a) include in poem; Sajavaara has in textual notes.

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1091

Tho swete Jhesu to him. So V, A. H: Swete ihesu tho.

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1093

bugge to his feore. So V, A. H: buggen here. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests feore should be glossed as “price” (line 1091).

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1096

As. So V, A. H: Bote as.

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er thenne. So V, A. H: heere þat.

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1098

skile. So V, A. H: ryȝht.

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good. So V, A. H omits.

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1099

Ne kep I nought. So V, A (nouht). H: I keþe no þyng.

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1100

Thorw. So V, A. H: Ne thorgh.

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no wiht. So V, A. H: hit.

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1100a

Diabolus dicit. So V. A, H omit. Weymouth (line 1098a) and Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1098a) include in poem; Sajavaara has in textual notes.

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1101

No, ac. So V, A. H: Quod þe fynde and.

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1102

also muche. So V. A: as muche. H: as myche worþ. Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1100), Sajavaara emend to also muche worþ.

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1103

nou. So V, A. H omits. Weymouth (line 1101) emends following H.

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worth. So H. V, A omit. I emend based on H, following Weymouth (line 1101), Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1101), and Sajavaara (who all emend to worþ).

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atte. So V, A. H: at þys.

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1104a

Jhesus dixit. So V. A, H omit. Weymouth (line 1102a) and Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1102a) include in poem; Sajavaara has in textual notes.

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A red pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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1105

al. So V, A. H omits.

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1106

luttel. So V. A: leste. H: lytill. Sajavaara does not note A’s reading. Sajavaara mistakenly indicates that H reads to Jhesu þo in his textual note to this line, but the reading comes from line 1109.

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1108a

Diabolus dicit. So V. A, H omit. Weymouth (line 1106a) and Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1106a) include in poem; Sajavaara omits from textual notes.

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1109

tho to Jhesu. So V, A. H: to ihesu þo.

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1110

seo. So V, A. H: wot.

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1111

Thou maight al the world demen and dihte. So V, A. H: all þe world deme þou myȝht.

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1112

For. So V, A, H. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should be But (line 1110).

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nou over Thee nabbe I no mihte. So V, A. H: of the my pouere is lost by ryȝht.

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1113

Thi fynger geve. So V, A (ȝiue). H: ȝeve þi fyngur.

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A blue pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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1114

unworth and so vyl. So V, A (vil). H: fowle and vnworþy.

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1114a

Respondit Jesus. So V. A, H omit. Weymouth (line 1112a) and Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1112a) include in poem; Sajavaara records Respondi Jesus in textual notes.

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1115

Ye. So V, A. H: O quod ihesu. Sajavaara emends to “Ȝe,” quod Jhesus.

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for. So V, A. H: to.

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A red pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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1116

him habbe. So V, A. H: han him.

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1117

yit. So V, A. H omits, which Sajavaara follows.

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him habbe. So V, A. H: haue him. Sajavaara emends to habbe him.

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A blue pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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1118

Tholen. So V, A. H: Thow most suffre.

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wandrethe. So V, A. H: wondur.

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1120

deth tholen. So V, A. H: suffre deþ.

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strong. So V, A. H omits.

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1121

tho2. So V, A. H: to. Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1119), Sajavaara emend based on H.

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A red pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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1122

that. So A, H. V: þat þat. I emend for sense, following Weymouth (line 1120) and Sajavaara (both emend to þat).

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al2. So V, A. H: hit.

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1123

ben. So V, A. H: to be.

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1124

and gef. So H. V, A omit. I emend for sense, following Weymouth (line 1122), Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1122), and Sajavaara (who all emend to and ȝef).

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1125

don. So V, A. H: ȝet don.

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1126

the thral. So V, A. H: þat thrall (Sajavaara records thral for thrall).

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1127

Tho was the Fend siker and wende wel ethe. So V, A. H: Tho þe fynde wyst well þis.

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1128

Forte have biyeten thorw His dethe. So V, A. H: Þat thorwgh is deþ mon shulld ha blys.

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1129

Ac he was caught and overcomen. So V, A (Ak). H: And so þe fynde wes ouercome.

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1131

That, whon. So V, A. H: And.

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he. So V, A. H omits.

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alast. So V, A. H: at þe last.

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1132

He. So V, A. H: Then he.

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1133

A. So V, A. H: O. V has a three-line illuminated initial A (with a left descender extending an additional two lines) with upper and lower extenders, all of gold on a blue and crimson ground edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, extenders, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in faded black. A white wavy line punctuated by sets of three dots in each dip borders the upper extender’s left side, whereas a white chain-link pattern runs along the ground on its right, as well as on the left side of the lower extender. A white foliate pattern decorates the A’s apex with another resting next to its left descender, and below the crossbar lies a partly quartered white square. The extenders lengthen the overall design to twenty-seven lines. White-dotted crimson and blue ink balls jut from the ground’s left side in opposing colors.

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nim yeme. So V, A (nym). H: take hede.

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thee. So V, A. H: me.

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1134

fynliche. So V, A. H: truly.

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1135

deth tholen thorw. So V, A (þoruȝ). H: thole deth and.

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1136

of. So V, A. H: and.

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1137

gult. So V, A. H: misdede.

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1138

lodliche. So V, A. H: euyll.

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1140

Ne never nas with fulthe. So V, A. H: Ne with fylth was.

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1141

In. So V, A. H: ffor.

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hath the. So V, A. H: euer hade.

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1142

formest sunne bigon. So V, A. H: to syenge furst (e1 in syenge added above word with caret to mark insertion point).

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1143

Wolde. So V, A. H: He wolde.

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alle. So V, A. H omits. Sajavaara reads all in V and A.

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1144

al. So V, A. H omits.

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1145

unwrestschupe. So V. A: vnwresteschipe. H: gret gult.

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1146

The. So V, A. H: A.

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thornes. So V, A. H: þorne.

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1147

ure fol eye. V, A: vre folye, which Weymouth follows. H: oure syȝht mysspende allso. I follow Sajavaara (vre fol eȝe) in emending to preserve the symbolic relation to the following line, where Jesus is blindfolded; Horstmann-Furnivall also suggests the corrected reading (line 1145).

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1149

was. So V, A. H omits.

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bifoulet. So V, A. H: defouled.

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1150

eke. So V, A. H: allso with.

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among me. So V, A. H: they. Sajavaara emends to me.

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1151

unwreste and. So V, A. H: so.

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1152

Atter heo Him dude to drinke, imeynt with. So V, A (imeyn). H: They ȝevyn him galle to dryng and. Sajavaara emends to omit imeynt.

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H adds the following lines after 1152: The Iewes deden þis to him for gret vylny / Bote he suffred hit all pacyently. See explanatory note to this line for discussion.

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1153

For. So H. V, A omit. I follow Sajavaara in emending for sense based on H. Weymouth likewise suggests the emendation in a note (pp. 55–56n16).

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the otewyse werkes as there. So V, A (þer). H: vnlawfull werk vs.

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abonden. V, A: anonden. H: anonde. I follow Sajavaara’s emendation, which the MED likewise suggests (see odious [adj.], where this line is quoted under sense 1d). Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should be anonde (line 1151), though without clarifying what this would mean. Weymouth (line 1151) and Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1151) each record H’s reading as avonde. See the explanatory note to this line for further discussion.

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1154

lette bothe thurlen His feet and honden. So V, A (fet). H: was peersed þorgh foot and honde (was added above line with caret to mark insertion). Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading for honden should be honde (line 1151).

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1155

woke. So V, A. H: evyll.

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smerte. So V, A. H: ful smert.

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1156

That me His syde thurlede right to the herte. So V, A (riht). H: A speere was smyte þorgh is syde to is hert. Sajavaara emends to omit right.

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1157

do for us. So V, A. H: for vs do.

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1158

that fore. So V, A. H: his soore. Sajavaara emends to þat sore. The MED cites the line under fore (n.), sense 1a, “The act of going, departure, expedition, journey; fig. death.” This line in the AN poem reads, Launge ne put taunt retrere [Tongue cannot so relate] (Appendix, line 1132). See also explanatory note to lines 1158–60 for discussion.

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1159

ne mihte thenche. So V, A (miȝte þenchen). H: may thenk hit.

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1160

As He tholede for us pyne. So V, A. H: Syche peyne he þoled.

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1161

is that ne. So V, A. H: is hit but he.

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1162

frendschupe and. So V, A (frendschipe). H: a frynde þat hade so gre.

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1164

tholede. So V, A. H: suffred.

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1165

Ac He. So V, A (Ak). H: And he. Horstmann-Furnivall emends to Ac þo he (line 1163).

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ben. So V, A. H: to be.

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1167

tholede He. So V, A. H: he suffred. Sajavaara emends to he þolede.

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1168

Serwe. So V, A. H: Of sorewe.

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tho. So V, A. H: when.

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1169

the. So V, A. H: eny.

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1170

hond. So V, A. H omits.

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1171

loveth. So V, A. H: lovyd.

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1172

That nevere heo nule him wende fro. So V, A. H: That he on neþe wold weynde hit fro.

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1173

sore. So V, A. H: no soore. Sajavaara emends to no sore.

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1174

Thauh me hit tohewe. So V, A (Þauȝ). H: That he wes hurt and peyned with.

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1175

Er the. So V, A. H: Tyll his.

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ben. So V, A. H: were. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should perhaps be han (line 1173).

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1176

vertue. So V, A. H: strength.

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1177

the . . . the. So V, A. H: his . . . his.

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1178

The . . . the. So V, A. H: His . . . his.

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1179

the felynge he schal leosen. So V, A. H: his felyng wes browght to.

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an. So V, H. A: and.

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1180

he wole. So V, A. H: þe soule.

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wende. So V. A: weende. H: wolde wynde.

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1181

ne may. So V, A. H: myȝht.

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nothinge. So V, A. H: no maner þyng.

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1182

Tholen her the tithelynge. So V, A. H: Han suffred þe halfondele of þat peynyng [Have suffered the half portion of that torment]. Sajavaara records þe þeynyng for þat peynyng in H. Sajavaara emends tithelynge to todelynge for sense (p. 390n1182); Horstmann-Furnivall’s note similarly suggests the correct reading should perhaps be to-delinge (line 1180). Weymouth (line 1180) does not emend or add a note on the text but defines the word as “tithe, tenth part” in the glossary (p. 88). See the explanatory note to this line for more details.

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1183

Ac. So V. A: Ak. H: But.

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1185

pynede. So V, A. H: honged. Sajavaara emends following H. The AN poem reads pendi [hung] (Appendix, line 1159).

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1186

He gaf His soule with loud. So V, A. H: To þe fadur his soule he ȝyf with mylde.

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1188

dude. So V, A. H: payed.

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1189

bodi yit. So V. A: these words have faded to illegibility and may have been erased. H: body ȝet.

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1191–92

Kuynde ne mihte . . . never legen on. H omits.

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1193

A. V, A: And. H: And euer. I follow Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1191) and Sajavaara in emending for sense, as the following section is a direct address in V, A (although not in H). V has a three-line illuminated initial A (with a left descender extending an additional two lines) with upper and lower extenders, all of gold on a ground of alternating crimson and blue edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, extenders, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in faded black. A white foliate pattern appears below the A’s crossbar, with a leaf design below the apex, and white dots edge the right sides of the letter and upper extender. Including the extenders, the design takes up twenty-eight lines. White-dotted crimson and blue ink balls jut from the ground’s left side in opposing colors, the top one sporting a tail. The design has suffered some damage.

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1194

Mihtful. So V, A. H: Mercyfull.

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1195

mungen I ne may. So V, A. H: I may not hit say.

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1196

thou tholedest. So V, A. H: hoe þoled.

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1197

Ac. So V, A. H: But.

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1198

tho bi. So V, A. H omits.

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1199

with. So V, A. H: hit were with a.

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1200

Thi soule heddest tho ful bitter. V, A: Þou heddest þo ful bitter. H: Thorgh here sowle she hade gret. Sajavaara emends to Þorw þe soule þou heddest ful bitter. Emended for sense, as the allusion to Luke 2:34–35 specifies Mary’s soul being pierced (see explanatory note to lines 1197–1200).

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1201

Ac thi. So V, A (Ak). H: But here.

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1202

He. So V, A. H: here sone.

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uprysen. So V, A. H: aryse.

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1203

worth weore His. So V, A (were). H: nere þe.

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1205

Thou. So V. A: Þow. H: She.

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in. So V, A. H omits.

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1206

the. So V, A. H: and þe.

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1207

Whom. So V, A. H: þe whiche. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should perhaps be whon (line 1205).

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1209

The trouthe of us and the. So V, A. H: Oure trowth and oure.

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1210

Forsothe bilevede al in thee. So A. V: Bileuede al in þe. H: Stode all in oure laydy. Weymouth (line 1208) and Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1208) follow V. I follow Sajavaara (Forsoþe bileuede al in þe) in emending for sense based on A.

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1211

weore His disciples. So V, A. H: þe dysciplys were.

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1212

thou weore. So V, A. H: oure lady wes.

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studefast. So V, A. H omits (but this is due to the reworking of the following two lines; see textual note to lines 1213–14, below).

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1213–14

Ne mighte thee nothing tornen out; / In trewe bileve evere thou weore, stille and loud. So V, A (turnen; mihte; were). H inverts and reworks these lines: In fast beleve boþe stylle and lowde / Ther myȝht no þyng brynge here owte.

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1215

of. So V, A. H: full of.

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1216

ful of alle bounté. So V, A. H: clene full of bewte.

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1217

bileeve was tho in thee, iwis. So V, A. H: belove in heere þo wis.

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1219

thou biseche thi. So V, A (þow). H: sheo beseche heere.

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1220

so on Rode forbought us. So V, A (forbouht). H: vs forbowght of þrall þus.

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1221

Ye. V has a three-line illuminated initial Ȝ (with the tail extending an additional line) with upper and lower extenders, all of gold on a ground of alternating blue and crimson edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, extenders, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in faded black. The extenders increase the size of the design to twenty-two lines. White foliate designs swirl around inside both upper and lower parts of the yogh. A white-dotted crimson ball juts from left ground of the upper extender.

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of. So V, A. H: now of.

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1223

redeth. So V, A. H: conselth.

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1224

wolde. So V, A. H: dede.

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1226

hit overcom. So V, A. H: ouercome hit to.

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1227

Nas this a good Redesmon. So V, A. H: Ther nes neuer nomon.

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1228

That. So A (Þat), H. V: Þas. I follow Weymouth (line 1226), Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1226), and Sajavaara in emending for sense based on A.

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1229

hath. So V, A. H: he haþ.

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irud. So V, A, H. Horstmann-Furnivall glosses as “prepare” (line 1227).

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1230

uchone of us that wole, he may. So V, A. H: we ichon come may.

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1231

come. So V, A. H: abovone.

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1233

nou. So V, A. H omits.

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1243

that. So V, A. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests omitting (line 1241).

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A blue pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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1246

were. V, A omit. I follow Sajavaara’s emendation for sense. Weymouth adds weore after monhede (line 1244); Horstmann-Furnivall adds Were at the beginning of the line (line 1244).

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1247

Exemplum. Abbreviated in the left margin in V and A.

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1260

brenneth. So A. V: brande. I emend for sense, following Weymouth (line 1258) and Sajavaara (both emend to brenneþ).

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1265

of. So V, A. Weymouth emends to he schewede (line 1263).

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this. So V, A. Sajavaara emends to his.

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privee. V: princee or priucee. A: priuete. I emend for sense, taking into consideration the readings in A and the AN poem. Sajavaara reads priutee in V. Weymouth (line 1263) emends to priuete based on A and adds he schewede to make sense of the line. The AN poem reads As nuces de un sun privé [At the wedding of an intimate friend of his] (Appendix, line 1239). The MED quotes solely this line for privete (n.), sense 4, “a relative.” I read the word as an error for MED, prive (n.), sense 3a, “an intimate, a friend, confidant.” In Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1263) the word is princee, meaning “governor” or “official,” which is possible, depending on how one interprets the minims, but less likely (see MED, prince [n.], sense 2a). The word “privacy” is not attested in ME; the earliest known instances are from the sixteenth century (see OED, privacy [n.], senses 1 and 2).

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1271

As mon. V, A: Anon. I emend for sense, following Weymouth (line 1269), Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1269), and Sajavaara. The change is necessary to preserve the contrast with as God in the next line.

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1235–74

And ye mouwe . . . sothfast mon. H omits these lines. Halliwell reconstructed these lines and those in damaged sections based on V for his edition of the H-text (Sajavaara, pp. 102, 129).

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1275

elleswher ther. So V, A. H: owhere þat.

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1276

Muche. So V, A. H omits.

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of feole theode. So V, A (fele). H: boþe euyll and goode.

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1277

That. So V, A. H omits.

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men. So V, A. H: folk.

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hath iset. So V, A. H: fed. Sajavaara: emends to haþ fed.

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1278

And with fyve loves and twey fissches hem fed. So V. A: And fiue loues and twei fissches hem fed. H: Wyþ tweye fysshes and fyve loovys of bred. Sajavaara emends to Wiþ tweie fisches and fiue loues of bred. The word order in V and A follows that in the AN poem (p. 390n1277–78), which reads De cinc pains e de pessuns deus [From five loaves and two fish] (Appendix, line 1252).

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1279

levede. So V, A. H: left.

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1280

weoren. So V. A: weren. H: þer were.

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1281

the. So V, A. H: þat.

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1282

hath. So V, A. H omits.

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1283

A red pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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1285

he leigh along. So V, A. H: long.

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1286

In the buriles. So V, A (Buriels). H: Lay in is towmbe.

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1289

Riht. So V, A. H omits.

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him to. So V, A. H: to him. Horstmann-Furnivall has to him without noting the original reading in V or the variant reading in H (line 1287).

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1290

arerede. So V, A. H: areysed.

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also. So A. V, H omit. I follow Weymouth’s emendation (line 1288) for sense. Sajavaara emends to so.

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1292

is God. So V, H. A: was god and is.

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1293

Thulke. So V, A. H: That.

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dihte. So V, A. H: made and dyȝht.

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1296

treuthe and ure hope. So V, A (trouþe). H: hoþe and oure trowþe.

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1297

Persones threo. So V, A. H: He is þre persons.

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1298

onhod. So V, A. H: vnite.

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1299

Nou. V has a three-line illuminated initial N with upper and lower extenders, all of gold on a ground of alternating blue and crimson edged with single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, extenders, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black. The full design takes up twelve lines. Inside the N swirl white foliate designs, and white dots trace its left edge and the left edges of both upper and lower extenders. Three white-dotted blue balls jut from the ground’s left side. The design has suffered some damage.

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1301

Ac. So V, A. H: And.

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ne may non. So V. A: may non. H: no man may.

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1302

Herte. So V, A. H: Ne thowght.

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1303

the. So V, A. H: þis.

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1306

In erthe. So H. V, A: Abouen. I emend for sense. Sajavaara’s emendation (eorþe) is likewise based on the reading in H. Compare the AN poem: Ou en tere, ou en abime [Or on earth, or in the abyss] (Appendix, line 1280).

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1308

ther ne may hit telle non. So V, A. H: þis vertu no mon telle con.

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1309

His miht and. So V, A. H: Of his myȝht ne of.

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1310

a mon the. So V, A. H: mon þat a.

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1311

A blue pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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1312

that. So V, A. H: that þat.

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1314

Hevene and eorthe and paradyses winne. So V, A (paradys). H: The blys of paradys and hevynne.

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1317

For whom. V, A: ffor whon. H: But for monkynde. I follow Weymouth (line 1315), Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1315), and Sajavaara in emending for sense.

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furst. So V, A. H omits.

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1318

He. So V, A. H: And þe fynde.

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1321

nas non. So V, A. H: was no mon.

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1324

That the Fend ne. So V, A. H: But ȝet þe fynde.

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1325

Ac. V, A: And. H: But. I follow Weymouth (line 1323), Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1323), and Sajavaara in emending for sense based on the readings in H and the AN poem, which has Mes [But] (Appendix, line 1299).

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1327

imat. So V, A. H: shent.

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he was. So V, H. A: was he.

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1328

of Him to. So V, A. H: with him to ha.

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1329

hedde don. So V, A. H: dede.

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1331

herbifore. So V, A. H omits, which Sajavaara follows.

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1332

And into. So V, A. H: In.

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con. V, A: com. H: þat he myȝht. I follow Weymouth (line 1330), Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1330), and Sajavaara in emending for sense.

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1333

as Cryst honged. So H. V, A omit. I follow Sajavaara in emending for sense.

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A red pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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1334

habben His soule. So V, A. H: his soule ha.

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1335

Ac. So V, A. H: But ȝet.

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1336

tour. So V, A. H: anowre.

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1337

Godes. So V, A. H: the.

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1338

ibounden. So V, A. H: there ibonden him.

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1340

Thidere for Hise. So V, A. H: To helle for hem.

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1341

yore. So V, A. H: longe.

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1342

Him mide. So V, A (myde). H: out of that styde.

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1345

A gret bite He bot, of helle nom. So V, A. H: The maystri of helle he hede anon. Sajavaara emends nom to anon, which Weymouth’s note (line 1343) suggests is the correct reading.

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1346

alle Hise out. So V, A. H: out all hisen.

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1347

leeveden. So V, A. H: beleved.

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nome. So V, A. H: comyng. Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1345) and Sajavaara emend to come.

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1348

trewe. So V, A. H: trysti and true.

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1349

nas. So V, A. H: wes.

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1350

schal. So V, A. H: shall be.

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1352

the2. So V, A. H: þis.

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1353

He was enarmed. So V, A. H: The fynde was armed. Sajavaara emends to Þe fend was armed.

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1354

That his gat. So V, A. H: And.

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1355

Ac tho the strengore. So V, A (Ak). H: Bote cryst with his strengthe.

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him. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests perhaps omitting (line 1353).

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1356

Gret. So V, A. H: And his gret.

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He. So V, H. A omits.

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1357

him seith wel. So V, A. H: þus seyth.

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A red pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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1358

seith. So V, A. H: prophecyeþ.

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1359

Mihtfol. V: myldefol. A: myldeful. H: myȝhtfull. The V and A readings mean “merciful.” I follow Weymouth (line 1357), Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1357), and Sajavaara in emending based on the reading in H to preserve the allusion to Isaias 9:6 (see explanatory note to lines 57–66).

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1360

may no mon iseon. So V, A. H: no mon may thenke ny syn.

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1361

ne2. So V, A. H omits.

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1362

thought. So V, A. H: hert. Sajavaara emends to herte. Although the narrator does use herte at line 1159 in a similar passage, he also uses thought in lines 691–92. See explanatory note to lines 690–92 for discussion of the proverbial nature of these lines.

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1363

drede. So V, A. H: to drede.

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A blue pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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1364

love ful. So V, A. H: to love.

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1365

This. So V, A. H: He.

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child. So V, A. H: shild. Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1363) and Sajavaara emend to schild, but child is a variant spelling for “shield” (see MED, sheld [n.]).

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1366

ure2. So V, A. H: all oure.

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1370

He. So V, A. H: That he.

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1373

Sumdel. V has a three-line illuminated S with upper and lower extenders, all of gold on a ground of alternating blue and crimson edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. The letter, extenders, ground, and decorative elements are all outlined in black. The extenders lengthen the design to nineteen lines. A white feathered design appears in the upper part of the S, and a foliate pattern in the lower. White-dotted crimson and blue ink balls jut from the ground’s left side in opposing colors. The design has suffered some damage.

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1375

Ac. So V. A: Ak. H: But.

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1376

cleped. So V. A: clepeþ. H: clepud.

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1377

scholde. So V, A. H: is to.

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1378

For while He walkede her, atte frome. So V, A. H: Whill he on erthe here to walk nome.

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1380

biddynge. V, A: bigynnynge. H: byddyng. I follow Weymouth (byddynge, line 1378), Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1378), and Sajavaara in emending for sense based on the reading in H.

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1381

Hou. So V, A. H: Now.

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1382

istreoned. So V. A: istrened. H: iholpe.

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1383

furst. So V, A. H omits.

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1385

we. So V, A. H: þat. Sajavaara emends based on H.

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of him istreoned. So V, A (istrened). H: þorgh Adam is kynde gete.

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1386

we. So V, A. H omits. Sajavaara emends based on H.

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1387

we. So V, A. H: þey. Sajavaara emends to heo.

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the curs. So V, A. H: his cors.

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1388

ne might hit. So V, A. H: hit myȝht not.

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bifalle. So V, A. H: falle.

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1389

forme. So V, A. H: furst.

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A blue pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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1390

streoned us. So V, A. H: of him we comy.

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1391

Ac thulke fleschliche streonynge. So V (flescliche), A (Ak). H: And for þe synne þat Adam in paradys dede. I emend flescliche to fleschliche based on A for sense.

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1392

Beere us bale and serwynge. So V, A (Beer). H: All we þat of him come shuld ha byn in sory stede (the word in is added above the line).

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1394

us strenede. So V. A: vs streone. H: vs ȝeynbowght.

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thorw. V, A omit. H: þorgh. I emend for sense based on H, following Weymouth (line 1392), Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1392), and Sajavaara (who all emend to þorw).

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1395

A red pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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1397

ariht. So V, A. H: by all ryȝht.

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1398

And so goodliche us. So V, A. H: That vs so helpeth and vs so.

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1399

He. So V, A. H omits.

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waschede. V, A: waked. H: wassheth. I follow Weymouth (line 1397), Horstmann-Furnivall (washed, line 1397), and Sajavaara in emending based on the reading in H. Although it is possible to make sense of being waked (i.e., “awakened”) from sin, the usual metaphor involves being washed of sin with Christ’s blood. Compare the AN text (Appendix, line 1373).

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1400

brought. So V, A. H: forbowght. Sajavaara emends to forbouȝt.

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out of wo to winne. So V, A. H: hevyn to wynne.

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1401

Never. So V, A. H: Ther was neuer.

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for no. So V, A. H: to his.

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1402

nas so freo ne. So V, A. In A the o in freo has faded or been erased. H: so meke and.

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1403

That. So V, A. H: For. Weymouth emends to Wan on the notion that A and V were copied from a manuscript containing the OE letter wynn (ƿ) in place of w, which the scribe who copied both V and A then mistook for thorn (þ), resulting in þan, which then was changed to þat, “a conjunction more fitly corresponding to the so in the preceding line” (line 1401). Horstmann-Furnivall does not emend but proposes the correct reading should perhaps be þan (line 1401). Sajavaara emends to For based on H.

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1406

Othat. V, A: Þo þat. H: Er that. I emend for sense, following Weymouth (O þat, line 1404), Horstmann-Furnivall (O þat, line 1404), and Sajavaara (Oþat).

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uprisen. So V, A. H: to aryse.

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1407

That was. So V, A. H: Ȝet he rose vp.

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1408

uppon. So V, A. H: in þe marnyng on.

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1409

Tho. So V, A. H: When.

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1410

So seide. So V, A. H: This beryȝth.

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tho he. So V, A. H: wytnes and þus doþ. Sajavaara expands H’s reading to þer rather than þus, but the abbreviation appears to support thus, which Halliwell (p. 62) and Horstmann-Furnivall (p. 401n1408) likewise have. Weymouth does not note the variant.

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1411

With Him He. So V, A. H: And Cryst with him.

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1412

That. So V (Þat), H. A: Þo þat.

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diyeden. So V. A: dyeden. H: levedyn.

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1414

Othat. V, A: Þat. H: And þen. I emend for sense, following Horstmann-Furnivall (O þat, line 1412) and Sajavaara (Oþat).

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upros. So V, H. A: aros.

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1415

ilome. So V, A. H: sone.

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1416

eode. So V, A. H: and ȝode.

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1418

Godes kineriche. So V, A. H: his lawes sycurli.

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1419

Uppon Holy Thoresday, ther on His nome. So V, A (þorsday). H: Opon a day þe dysciplis were. Sajavaara emends Uppon to Oþþon on metrical grounds (p. 391n1419), based on Horstmann-Furnivall’s suggestion to emend to O þon, defined as “Till the” (line 1417).

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1420

Heo weren igedered alle isome. So V, A. H: Igedred togedre all in fere.

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1421

Uppon a stude. So V, A. H: In a certeyn place.

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He among hem. So V, A. H: hem among he.

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1422

And of. So V, A. H: Of.

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misbileve hem. So V. A: misbileue he hem. H: here mysbeleve hem he.

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1424

Yit heo. So V, A. H: And ȝet þey. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should be Þet hed (line 1422).

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alyve, a. So V, A. H omits (Sajavaara does not note the omission of a here). Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading for alyve should be aryse (line 1422). Sajavaara accepts this suggestion and emends to aryse a on metrical grounds and consideration of the reading in the AN poem (p. 391n1424). The AN reads resuscité [resurrected or raised from the dead] (Appendix, line 1399).

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1425

Tho. So V, A. H omits. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should be Þe (line 1423).

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ne. So V, A. H omits.

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1426

Riht to sothe. So V, A. H: Verely.

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1427

Ac. So V, A. H: But ȝet.

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was ure biheve. So V, A (biheeue). H: to vs doþ beheve.

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1428

And. So V, A. H: ffor hit.

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1429

muche us dude sikernesse. So V, A. H: to vs þis dowte is sicurnesse as I fynde.

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1430

Thomas misbilevenesse. So V, A. H: the misbeleve of Thomas of Iynde (Sajavaara records Thomas Iynde).

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1432

He ded and arisen. So V, A. H: cryst aȝeyn rysen. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests deleting ded and (line 1430). Sajavaara emends to he arisen because the reading in the AN poem “indicates that ded and must be omitted” (p. 391n1432), presumably because it only mentions la Resurrection (Appendix, line 1406).

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1433

Ar. So V, A. H: Tyll.

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the wounde so. So V, A. H: is wondes (Sajavaara records his).

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1435

the. So V. H: his.

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1436

Whuche that weoren on honden and. So V. H: That he hade with nayles þorgh þe.

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1435–36

And seon . . . honden and feet. A omits these lines.

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1437

Tho. V has a nine-line illuminated Þ of gold on a ground of alternating blue and crimson edged with double and single white lines, with white dots in sets of three in some corners. A white wavy line punctuated by sets of three dots in each dip runs between the thorn’s two upstrokes. White-dotted crimson and blue ink balls jut from the ground’s left side in opposing colors. The design has suffered some damage.

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1437–38

Tho schewed . . . on His syde. H omits.

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1440

God and my Lord. So V, A. H: lord and my god.

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1442

hit levest. So V, A. H: levyst þis.

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1443

Alle heo moten iblessed. So V, A. H: Iblessed mote all þo.

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1444

hit leeven, thaugh heo hit. So V, A (þauh). H: þis belevyþ and don hit. Sajavaara emends to hit leeuen and doth hit.

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1445

He made thulke day. So V, A. H: þyke same day.

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1446

siker. So V, A. H: sycor he made.

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fay. So H. V, A: lay. I follow Weymouth (line 1444) and Sajavaara in emending for sense.

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1447

A blue pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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1449

to gon. So V, A. H: togedur to gon.

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1450

Yond al. So V, A. H: Thorgh.

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uchon. So V, A. H: vche mon.

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1453

in Him. So V, A. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should be he (line 1451).

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1451–54

To alle schaft . . . folwede Him. Sajavaara asserts in the textual note that H omits lines 1453–54, but I suggest rather that lines 1451–54 have been combined and distilled into two lines in H: That þey shuld belevyn in god allmyȝht / And his lawes folewyn as hit is ryȝht. H follows the rhyme scheme of lines 1451–52 (wihte; rihte), but the meaning echoes more closely lines 1453–54 in V and A: That heo bileeven in Godes Sone, that is in Him, / And that uche mon folwede Him (A: byleeuen).

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1454

folwede Him. So V, A. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should be fulwed be (line 1452).

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1455

Fader and in. So V, A. H: Fadur nome and. Horstmann-Furnivall emends to ffader nome and in (line 1453). Sajavaara emends to Fader nome and.

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1456

Holygost. So V. A: holigost. H: holigostys. Sajavaara emends to Holygostes.

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glit of Hem bo. So V, A. H: procedit hem fro.

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1457

For hose neore iboren eft, at the frome. So V, A (atte frome). H: Thawgh a mon were now iboren.

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1458

ne mighte he never. So V. A: mihte he neuer. H: he myȝht not.

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1459

Ac thulke that beth ifulwed in riht bileeve. So V, A (Ak; beoþ; bileue). H: But he beleve in God ryȝht welle.

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1460

Schulen beo brought in Godes biheve. So V, A. H: And þat shall him save fro helle. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading for Godes should be gode (line 1458).

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A red pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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H adds the following lines after 1460: Ȝef he ifolewed be and be in good lyfe / Thawgh he dye his soule shall be in no stryfe.

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1461

Wel. So V, A. H: ffull.

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therfore. So V, A. H: beforen.

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1462

eft. So V, A. H: twyes be.

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1463

we schulen eft. So V, A. H: he shull twyes.

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1464

We mote comen of sume streon. V, A: We mote comen of sunne streon. H: Ones of oure modur furst we mot be boryn (Sajavaara records Ony for Ones [p. 309n1464], and Horstmann-Furnivall expands the abbreviation as us: Onus [p. 402n1462]). I follow Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1462) and Sajavaara in emending sunne to sume for sense.

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1465

That is. So V, A. H: And efte of.

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1466

us gostliche streneth. So V, A. H: to vs ordeyned.

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1467

And whon He us hath so strened. So V, A (streoned). H: When we þis crystendam han.

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1468

Forsothe ure. So V, A. H: Vr sotheli.

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thenne. So A. V omits. H: þen. I emend for sense, following Weymouth (line 1466) and Sajavaara (who both emend to þenne).

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1469

thenne we alle. So V, A. H: we alle þen.

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1470

Sikerliche unwrestliche. So V, A (vnwrestlyche). H: Sykor vnkyndely.

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1471

Fader ne loveth. So V, A. H: a fadur loveþ not.

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1472

ne eet of the appel. So V, A. H: of þe appull ȝete neuer.

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1474

rihtes. So V, A. H: herytage.

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1476

ne hath He. So V, A. H: þerof he haþ not.

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1477

That. So V, A. H: Ther.

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1478

Er. So V, A. H: Hent [until; before].

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1479

forme. So V, A. H: furst.

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that. So V, A. H: þat euer.

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A blue pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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1480

Brought. So V. A: Brouht. H: He browght.

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binom. So V, A. H: vs benome.

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1481

That othur Mon from hevene com with meyn. So V, A. H: But anoþer þat come fro hevyn without feyn. Sajavaara emends to omit Mon.

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A red pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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1482

And hath iyolden. So V, A. H: He haþ vs get.

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1483

forme. So V, A. H: furst.

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A blue pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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1485

out. So V, A. H omits.

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1487

Ac. So V. A: Ak. H: But. Sajavaara’s textual note identifies the line as 1478.

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A blue pilcrow appears in the left margin in V.

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1488

Us bryngeth. So V, A. H: Browght vs.

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1489

He that. So V, A. H: When he downe.

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1490

an. So V, A. H: to.

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1491

That. So V, A. H: He þat.

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eorthe he geth. So V, A. H: þe erthe him beyȝh.

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1492

That. So V, A. H: He þat.

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1493

ther al the folk. So V, A. H: þat all folk him.

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1494

Whuche that stoden abouten him. So V, A. H: That by him stode full.

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1495

He made us to lede. So V, A. H: to vs he made iwys.

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1496

Thorw the skewes ther He eode. So V, A. H: When he steyȝh to hevyn þat holi blysse.

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1497

With sothnesse and wey. So V, A (wei). H: A soþefast way and.

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and lif. V, A: of liþ. H: to euer duryng lyfe. I follow Sajavaara in emending for sense. Weymouth’s note suggests the passage is either corrupt or misunderstood by the translator and points out the allusion to John 14:6 (line 1495). See explanatory note to this line.

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1498

The. So V, A. H: His. Sajavaara emends based on H.

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cumpanye. So V, A. H: prey [spiritual captives]. Sajavaara reads H as þery, whereas Halliwell expands to pray (p. 66), which Horstmann-Furnivall follows (p. 402n1496). The word is abbreviated in H, and thorn (þ) and p in that MS are sometimes difficult to distinguish.

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Him ladde. So V, A. H: he ladde him. Halliwell reads he hadde him (p. 66), which Horstmann-Furnivall follows (p. 402n1496).

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1499

nom. So V, A. H: with him nome.

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1500

That to muche blisse. So V, A. H: To meche ioy and blys he made hem.

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1501

thulke blisse. So V, A. H: þat ioy and blysse. Sajavaara reads þe in place of þat in H.

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1502

That ever lasteth. So V, A. H: Ther to lyvyn.

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1504

o God. So V, A. H: and byth oon god. Sajavaara reads con instead of oon in H; Halliwell (p. 66) and Horstmann-Furnivall (p. 402n1502) both read oon. Weymouth does not note the variant.

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1505

Persones threo. So V, A. H: Thre persons.

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Thrillihod. So V. A: þillyhod. H: trinite.

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1506

thaugh in onhod. So V, A. H: in vnite.

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1507

mon. So V, A. H: well.

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1509

Thauh. So V. A: Þauȝ. H: And þawgh.

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1510

Be sinderliche seid. V: Sinderliche. A: Synderliche. H: Byn syndry seyd. I follow Weymouth’s emendation (Be sinderliche seyd, line 1508) for sense. Horstmann-Furnivall emends to Sinderliche be seid (line 1508). Sajavaara emends to Be sinderliche.

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He. So V, A. H: þey.

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1511

care. So V, A. H: dowte.

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1512

Of alle schaftes Schuppare. So V, A. H: Maker of all þis world withinne and without.

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1513

To Whom joye and honour bicome. So V, A. H: Ioy honoure worship and lovyng.

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1514

Withouten ende, the holy Gome. So V, A (eende). H: Be to þat God oure hevyn kyng.

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V and A supply the following conclusion after line 1514 (spelling as in V; variants noted parenthetically for A):

Now biseche we God for his merci Such lyf her leden (A: leden her) and so trusti Þat we his heste holden so long Þulke pes vs wonye among Þat he sende from heuene to monkinne (A: monkynne) And þat he wone with vs withinne And aftur (A: after) þis lyf to ioye wende (A: weende) Þis writ in god nimeþ (A: nymeþ) nou ende (A: eende) Þer is ende and byginnynge (A: biginnynge) So holy writ seyþ (A: seiþ) of alle þinge God leeue (A: leue) vs here so ende Þat we ben worþi to heuene wende (A: weende) Amen

There are echoes in these lines with the final twelve lines of the AN poem (Appendix, lines 1749–61). See explanatory note to line 1862 of the ME poem.

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Oxford, Bodleian Library MS Additional B. 107 base text (H)

1515 ff.

H supplies the remaining text for this edition. Since I did not have direct access to the manuscript, descriptions of colors for the decorated initials and pilcrows in H comes from the description of the manuscript online at the Bodleian (“Oxford, Bodleian Library, Add. B. 107,” Manuscripts of the West Midlands), save for those on folio 39r, since that folio is available to view digitally from the Bodleian Library (see Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS Additional B. 107). Sajavaara likewise includes the lines from H in the poem, but Weymouth and Horstmann-Furnivall do not. Horstmann-Furnivall, however, records variant readings from H (pp. 394–402) and prints a portion of the missing lines (lines 1515–1820, pp. 403–406) in the chapter “Various Readings to XXXVIII from Halliwell’s MS,” but these appear to have come from Halliwell’s edition of H rather than directly from the manuscript. Since Horstmann-Furnivall sometimes emends or offers suggested readings, I continue to record these where relevant.

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1515

Lusteneth. H has a two-line decorated blue initial L with a foliate design embellishing the center. Red penwork flourishes extend into the margin above and below. The initial appears smudged or damaged.

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1518

how He is. So H. Sajavaara reads how is.

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1540

and. H: and and. I follow Sajavaara’s emendation for sense.

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1541

Thet. H: t added above line with caret to indicate the addition.

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1594

byrynes. So H. Sajavaara emends to byryles, but both words mean “tomb” or “grave,” so the emendation seems unnecessary.

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here soules they shull abyde. So H. Sajavaara emends to her soules shull abyde, but they is crucial to the sense of the line, since the souls do not wait at the grave, but rather the bones of uche ded mon (line 1591) await the souls there.

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1602

elementis. So H. Halliwell has elementes (p. 70), which Horstmann-Furnivall follows (line 1600), and Sajavaara has elements, both of which are also valid expansions of the abbreviation.

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byn. H omits. I emend for sense.

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1527–1609

Blue pilcrows appear in the left margin outlined and surrounded by red penwork flourishes at lines 1527, 1531, 1533, 1543, 1547, 1551, 1555, 1559, 1579, 1583, 1589, 1591, 1595, 1599, and 1609.

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1621

thus. H: þis. I follow Sajavaara’s emendation for sense and to restore the rhyme.

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1634

suffre. So H. Horstmann-Furnivall (line 1632) and Sajavaara emend to suffred, but the present tense works.

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1635

us no. H: þer no. Emended for sense. Sajavaara emends to þe no. Since line 1637 refers to us, it does not make sense to emend ther to thee in this line.

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1655

fayne. So H. Sajavaara reads sayne.

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1663

receyved. So H. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should be reysed (line 1661).

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1667

upreceyveng. So H. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should be reysyng (line 1665n1).

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1672

When. So H. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should be O þat (line 1670).

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1678

discerved. So H. Halliwell has disserved (p. 73), which Horstmann-Furnivall follows (line 1676); Sajavaara reads diserued.

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1684

they. H: þe. I emend for sense based on Horstmann-Furnivall, who emends to thei (line 1682) and Sajavaara, who emends to þey.

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1689

Ye, more. So H. Sajavaara emends to Mor.

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1693

they byth. So H. Sajavaara emends to hit is, referring to Seche joy God hath igrethed there (line 1691), but the reading makes perfectly good sense as is — they refers rather to hem that han loved Him here (line 1692) and anticipates the contrast with theke that byth into helle inome in line 1695.

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1697

dethe-pytte. So H. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should be dep pytte (line 1695).

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1707

foure. So H. Horstmann-Furnivall emends to fourthe (line 1705).

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1723

whad. So H. Horstmann-Furnivall emends to what (line 1721).

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1727

mi nowne. H: nowne. Emended for sense. Horstmann-Furnivall emends to mi-nowne (line 1725). Sajavaara emends to min owne.

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1729

Ye, but. So H. Sajavaara emends to But.

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1731

forstyflyd. H: for styfyd. Emended for sense. Sajavaara reads sor and emends to sor stykyd. Although the MED lists ?forstifled (ppl.) as a separate entry, meaning “Stifled, choked,” this line from H is the only example cited. Horstmann-Furnivall likewise suggests the meaning is “stifled” (line 1729). It is probably a variant or late development of ME stuflen (see MED, stuflen [v.], “In phrase: ben stufled, to have difficulty breathing because of heat, stifle; also, suffocate by drowning, drown”), with the prefix added to intensify the meaning as well as lengthen the line.

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1735

ther sete. So H. Horstmann-Furnivall reads the fete and emends to ther sete (line 1733).

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1736

leftyn. So H. Horstmann-Furnivall emends to lestyn.

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1747

Jhesu. H has a four-line enlarged and rubricated I in blue. Red penwork flourishes extend into the margin above and below. The initial appears damaged or smudged.

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1748

Is. So H. Horstmann-Furnivall reads As and emends to Is.

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1749

falle. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should be faile (line 1747).

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1767

Made. So H. Horstmann-Furnivall emends to maide.

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1779

Ye, more. So H. Sajavaara emends to Mor.

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1810

forere. So H. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the correct reading should be so clere (line 1808).

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1811

sunne. So H. Horstmann-Furnivall reads sinne and emends to sonne (line 1809).

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1812

They shull. So H. Horstmann-Furnivall’s note suggests the reading should be That shall (line 1810), which Sajavaara follows. Emending They to That is not necessary to make sense of the line, however, as line 1811 says there is no need for the sun, because they (i.e., the saved) shall shine seven times brighter than the sun currently does; the narrator refers again to all thei that shull be so bryght in line 1813, making clear that They is not a mistake here. See explanatory note to lines 1809–16.

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1823

bryghtest. H: bryȝhtes. I follow Sajavaara’s emendation (bryȝhtest) for sense.

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1831

heo. H: he. The pronoun refers to the Virgin Mary, as is clear from the reference back to Mary’s feyrenesse from line 1827. Compare the AN (Appendix, line 1717). Although he can mean “she,” as MED, he (pron.2) makes clear, I emend for clarity.

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1857

Yet. H: Ȝe. I follow Sajavaara’s emendation (Ȝet) for sense.

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1861

thowght. H: þowgh. I follow Sajavaara’s emendation (þowght) for sense.

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1820–62

In diverse joyes . . . thenkyn owght? Following Halliwell’s 1849 printing of H, Horstmann-Furnivall does not include these lines, instead ending with Halliwell’s substituted lines, In which ioyes God, of his hiȝ grace, / In hevyn ȝeve ȝow alle a place. Amen / Here endyth the Castel of Love, / Made i-wys for lewde mennis behove (Horstmann-Furnivall, lines 1819–22; compare Halliwell, p. 80).

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1862

Of Goddis feyrenes thenkyn owght? The poem ends abruptly here due to a missing leaf (which was “cut out,” according to the description of the MS, “Oxford, Bodleian Library, Add. B. 107,” Manuscripts of the West Midlands). The missing lines would have corresponded to the final twelve lines of the AN poem (Appendix, lines 1749–60).

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