[Jesus College MS.]
[Cotton MS.]
| Jesus College MS. | Cotton MS. |
| Incipit Altercacio inter filomenam ⁊ Bubonem. | |
| I ch wes in one sumere dale. In one swiþe dyele hale. I herde ich holde grete tale. An vle and one nẏhtegale. 5 Þat playd wes· stif· ⁊ starc· ⁊ strong. Sum hwile softe· ⁊ lud among. And eyþer a yeyn oþer swal. And let þat vuele mod vt al. And eyþer seyde of oþres custe. 10 þat alre wrste þat hi ywuste. ⁊ hure ⁊ hure of oþres songe. hi holde playding swiþe stronge. |
I
ch was in one sumere dale.
In one suþe diȝele hale.
I herde ich holde grete tale.
An hule and one niȝtingale.
5
Þat plait was stif ⁊ starc ⁊ strong.
Sum wile softe ⁊ lud among.
An aiþer aȝen oþer sval.
⁊ let þat wole mod ut al.
⁊ eiþer seide of oþeres custe.
10
þat alre worste þat hi wuste.
⁊ hure and hure of oþere |
| Þe Nihtegale bi gon þo speke. In one hurne of one beche. 15 ⁊ sat vp one vayre bowe. þat were abute blostme ynowe. In ore vaste thikke hegge. I meynd myd spire. ⁊ grene segge. He wes þe gladdre. vor þe ryse. 20 ⁊ song a veole cunne wyse. Bet þuhte þe drem. þat he were. of harpe· ⁊ pipe· þan he nere. Bet þuhte þat heo were i shote. of harpe· ⁊ pipe· þan of þrote. 25 Þo stod on old stok. þar bẏ side. Þar þe vle song hire tyde. And wes myd ivi al bi growe. Hit wes þare vle erdingstowe. Þe Nihtegale hi iseyh. 30 ⁊ hi biholdeþ. and ouer seyh. ⁊ þuhte wel ful of þare vle. For me hi halt. lodlich ⁊ fule. | vnwyht heo seide a wey þu fleo. Me is þe wurs. þat ich þe iseo. 35 Iwis for þine wle lete. wel ofte ich my song fur lete Min heorte atflyhþ· ⁊ falt my tunge. hwenne þu art to me i þrunge. Me luste bet speten þane singe. 40 of þine fule howelynge. | Þ e niȝtingale bigon þe speche. In one hurne of one breche. 15 ⁊ sat upone vaire boȝe. þar were abute blosme inoȝe. In ore waste þicke hegge. Imeind mid spire ⁊ grene segge. Ho was þe gladur uor þe rise. 20 ⁊ song auele cunne wise. Bet þuȝte þe dreim þat he were. Of harpe ⁊ pipe þan he nere. Bet þuȝte þat he were ishote. Of harpe ⁊ pipe þan of þrote. 25 [Þ]o stod on old stoc þarbiside. þar þo vle song hire tide. ⁊ was mid iui al bigrowe. Hit was þare hule eardingstowe. [Þ]e niȝtingale hi iseȝ. 30 ⁊ hi bihold ⁊ ouerseȝ. ⁊ þuȝte wel wl of þare hule. For me hi halt lodlich ⁊ fule. vn wiȝt ho sede a wei þu flo. Me is þe wrs þat ich þe so. | I wis for þine wle lete. 36 wel oft ich mine song forlete. Min horte atfliþ ⁊ falt mi tonge. wonne þu art to me iþrunge. Me luste bet speten þane singe. 40 Of þine fule ȝoȝelinge. |
| Þeos vle abod for hit wes eve. heo ne myhte no leng bileue. vor hire heorte wes so gret. þat wel neyh hire fnast at set. 45 ⁊ warp a word þar after longe. hw þynk þe nu bi mine songe. Wenestu þat ich ne kunne singe. Þe ich ne cunne of wrytelinge. Ilome þu dest me grome. 50 ⁊ seist me boþe teone ⁊ schome. If ich þe heolde on myne vote. So hit bitide þat ich mote. ⁊ þu were vt of þine ryse. þu scholdest singe on oþer wise. | Þ os hule abod fort hit was eve. Ho ne miȝte no leng bileue. vor hire horte was so gret. þat welneȝ hire fnast at schet. 45 ⁊ warp a word þar after longe. Hu þincþe nu bi mine songe. we[n]st þu þat ich ne cunne singe. þeȝ ich ne cunne of writelinge. I lome þu dest me grame 50 ⁊ seist me boþe tone ⁊ schame Ȝif ich þe holde on mine uote. So hit bitide þat ich mote. ⁊ þu were vt of þine rise. þu sholdest singe an oþer wse. |
| 55 Þe Nihtegale ȝaf onsware. If ich me loki wiþ þe bare. ⁊ me schilde wit þe blete. Ne recche ich nouht of þine þrete. If ich me holde in myne hegge 60 Ne recche ich neuer hwat þu segge. Ich wot þat þu art vnmilde. wiþ heom þat ne muwe from þe schilde. And þu tukest wroþe ⁊ vuele Hwar þu myht ouer smale vowele. | vor þi þu art loþ al fowel cunne. 66 ⁊ alle heo þe dryueþ heonne. ⁊ þe bi scrycheþ. ⁊ bi gredeþ ⁊ wel narewe þe by ledeþ. ⁊ ek forþe þe sulue mose 70 hire þonkes wolde þe to tose. þu art lodlich to bi holde. And þu art loþ in monye volde. þi bodi is scort. þi swere is smal. Gretture is þin heued ne þu al. 75 þin éyen beoþ col blake ⁊ brode. Ryht so hi weren ipeynt myd wode þu starest so þu wille abyten Al þat þu myht myd clyure smyten þi bile is stif· ⁊ sarp· ⁊ hoked. 80 Riht as on ewel þat is croked. þar myd þu clechest euer among. And þat is on of þine song. Ac þu þretest to myne vleysse. Mid þine cleures woldest me meysse. 85 þe were i cundere to one frogge. þat sit at Mulne vnder cogge. Snayles. Mus. and fule wihte. Beoþ þine cunde ⁊ þine rihte. Þu sittest a day and flyhst a niht. 90 þu cuþest þat þu art on vnwiht. þu art lodlich· and unclene. Bi þine neste· ich hit mene. And ek bi þine fule brode. Þu vedest on heom a wel ful vode. ...... |
Þ
55
e niȝtingale ȝaf answare.
ȝif ich me loki wit þe bare.
⁊ me schilde wit þe blete.
Ne reche ich noȝt of þine þrete.
ȝif ich me holde in mine hegge.
60
Ne recche ich neuer what þu segge.
Ich wot þat þu art un milde.
Wiþ hom þat ne muȝe from þe schilde.
⁊ þu tukest wroþe ⁊ vuele.
Whar þu miȝt over smale fuȝele.
65
Vorþi þu art loþ al fuel kunne.
⁊ alle ho þe driueþ honne.
⁊ þe bi schricheþ ⁊ bi gredet.
⁊ wel narewe þe bi ledet. |
⁊ ek forþe þe sulue mose.
70
Hire þonkes wolde þe totose.
Þu art lodlich to biholde.
⁊ þu art loþ in monie volde.
þi bodi is short þi swore is. smal.
Grettere is þin heued þan þu al.
75
þin eȝene boþ colblake ⁊ brode.
Riȝt swo ho weren ipeint mid wode.
þu starest so þu wille abiten.
Al þat þu mist mid cliure smiten.
þi bile is stif ⁊ scharp ⁊ hoked.
80
Riȝt so an owel þat is croked.
þar mid þu clackes oft`e´ ⁊ longe.
⁊ þat is on of þine songe.
Ac þu þretest to mine fleshe.
Mid þine cliures woldest me meshe.
85
þe were icundur to one frogge.
[Þat sit at mulne under cogge.]
Snailes, mus ⁊ fule wiȝte.
Boþ þine cunde ⁊ þine riȝte.
þu sittest adai and fliȝ |
| Þ eos word ayaf þe nihtegale. 96 And after þare longe tale. Heo song so lude. ⁊ so scharpe. Ryht so me grulde. schille harpe. þeos vle luste þiderward. 100 ⁊ heold hire eyen neþerward. ⁊ sat to swolle ⁊ to bolewe. so heo hedde one frogge i`s´wolwe. For heo wel wiste. ⁊ was i war. þat heo song hire a bysemar. 105 ⁊ naþeles heo yaf ondsware. hwy nel tu fleon into bare. And schewi hweþer vnker beo. of brihter hewe. of fayrur bleo. No. þu hauest scharpe clawe. 110 Ne kepe ich noht þat þu me clawe. þu hauest clyures swiþe stronge. þu twengest þar mid so doþ a tonge. þu þoutest so doþ þine ilyche. Mid fayre worde me biswike. 115 Ich nolde don þat þu me raddest. Ich wiste wel þat þu me misraddest. schomye þe vor þine vnrede. vn wryen is þi swikehede. schild þi swikedom from þe lyhte. 120 And hud þat wowe a mong þe ryhte. hwanne þu wilt þu vnriht spene. Loke þat hit ne beo isene. | vor swikedom haueþ schome and het If hit is ope. and vnder yete. 125 Ne spedestu nouht mid þin vn wrenche For ich am war. and can blenche. Ne helpeþ noht· þat þu bo· to þriste. Ich wolde vyhte bet myd liste. þan þu mid al þine strengþe. 130 Ich habbe on brede· ⁊ ek on lengþe. Castel god on myne ryse. wel fyht þat wel flyhþ. seyþ þe wise. Ac lete awey þeos cheste. For suche wordes beoþ vnwreste. 135 And fo we on· myd rihte dome. Mid fayre worde. ⁊ myd some. þeyh we ne beon at on acorde. we mawe bet myd fayre worde. wiþ vte cheste· and bute vyhte. 140 Playde mid soþe. ⁊ mid ryhte. ⁊ may vr eyþer hwat he wile. Mid rihte segge. ⁊ myd skile. | Þ os word a ȝaf þe niȝtingale. 96 ⁊ after þare longe tale. He song so lude ⁊ so scharpe. Riȝt so me grulde schille harpe. þos hule luste þiderward. 100 ⁊ hold hire eȝe noþerwa[r]d. ⁊ sat to svolle ⁊ ibolwe. also ho hadde one frogge isuolȝe. for ho wel wiste ⁊ was i war. þat ho song hire a bisemar. 105 ⁊ noþeles ho ȝaf andsuare. whi nel tu flon in to þe bare. ⁊ sewi þare unker bo. Of briȝter howe of uairur blo. No þu hauest wel scharpe clawe. 110 Ne kepich noȝt þat þu me clawe. þu hauest cliuers su þe stronge. þu tuengst þar mid so doþ a tonge. þu þoȝtest so doþ þin ilike. Mid faire worde me bi swike. 115 Ich nolde don þa`t´ þu me raddest. Ich wiste wel þat þu me mis raddest. Schamie þe for þin unrede. vn wroȝen is þi svikelhede. Schild þine svikeldom vram þe liȝte. 120 ⁊ hud þat woȝe amonȝ þe riȝte. þane þu wilt þin unriȝt spene. Loke þat hit ne bo i sene. vor svikedom haued schome ⁊ hete. ȝif hit is ope ⁊ under ȝete. 125 Ne speddestu noȝt mid þine unwrenche. for icham war ⁊ can wel blenche. Ne helpþ noȝt þat þu bo to þriste. | Ich wolde viȝte bet mid liste. þan þu mid all þine strengþe. 130 Ich abbe on brede ⁊ eck on lengþe. Castel god on mine rise. wel fiȝt þat wel fliȝt seiþ þe wise. ac lete we a wei þos cheste. vor suiche wordes boþ unwerste. 135 ⁊ fo we on mid riȝte dome. Mid faire worde ⁊ mid wsome. þeȝ we ne bo at one acorde. we muȝe bet mid fawre worde. wit ute cheste ⁊ bute fiȝte. 140 Plaidi mid foȝe ⁊ mid riȝte. ⁊ mai hure eiþer wat he wile. Mid riȝte segge ⁊ mid sckile. |
| Þ o qwaþ þe vle. hwo schal vs seme. þat cunne ⁊ wille riht vs deme. 145 Ich wot wel quaþ þe nyhtegale. Ne þarf þer of beo no tale. Mayster Nichol· of guldeuorde. he is wis· and war· of worde. he is of worde swyþe glev. 150 And him is loþ eurich vnþeu. he wot insyht in euche songe. hwo singeþ wel. hwo singeþ wronge. And he con schede from þe rihte. Þat wowe. þat þuster from þe lyhte. | Þ o quaþ þe hule wo schal us seme. þat kunne ⁊ wille riȝt us deme. 145 Ich wot wel quaþ þe niȝtingale. Ne þaref þar of bo no tale. Maister nichole of guldeforde. He is wis an war of worde. He is of dome suþe gleu. 150 ⁊ him is loþ eurich unþeu. He wot in siȝt in eche songe. wo singet wel wo singet wronge. ⁊ he can schede vrom þe riȝte. þat woȝe þat þuster from þe liȝte. |
| Þ 155 e vle. one hwile hi bihouhte. And after þan þis word up brouhte. | Ich graunti wel þa`t´ he vs deme. For þeyh he were hwile breme. ⁊ leof him wre Nihtingale. 160 And oþer wyhte gent ⁊ smale. Ich wot. he is nu þe acoled. Nis he vor þe nouht afoled. þat he vor þine olde luue. Me a dun legge ⁊ þe a buue. 165 N[e] schaltu. neuer so him queme. þat he vor þe fals dom deme. he is nv ripe. ⁊ fast rede. Ne luste hym nv to non vnrede. Nv him ne lust namore pleye 170 he wile gon a rihte weye. | Þ 155 o hule one wile hi bi þoȝte. ⁊ after þan þis word up broȝte. Ich granti wel þat he us deme. vor þeȝ he were wile breme. ⁊ lof him were niȝtingale. 160 ⁊ oþer wiȝte gente ⁊ smale. Ich wot he is nu suþe acoled. | Nis he vor þe noȝt afoled. þat he for þine olde lo`u´ue. Me adun legge ⁊ þe buue. 165 Ne schaltu neure so him queme. þat he forþe fals dom deme. He is him ripe ⁊ fastrede. Ne lust him nu to none unrede. Nu him ne lust na more pleie. 170 He wile gon a riȝte weie. |
| Þ e nihtegale· wes al ware. heo hedde ileorned· wel ihware. vle heo seyde seye me soþ. hwi dostu þat vnwihtes doþ. 175 þu singest a nyht ⁊ nouht a day. And al þi song is way laway. þu miht mid þine songe afere. Alle þat hereþ þine ibere. Þ scrichest ⁊ yollest to þine fere 180 þat hit is gryslich to ihere. hit þincheþ boþe wise ⁊ snepe. Nouht þat þu singe. at þu wepe. þu flyhst a nyht and noht a day. þar of ich wundri ⁊ wel may. 185 For vych þing þat schonyeþ riht. hit luuyeþ þuster ⁊ hateþ lyht. ⁊ euych þing. þat luueþ misdede. hi luueþ þuster to his dede. ...... | Þ e niȝtingale was al ȝare. Ho hadde ilorned wel aiware. Hule ho sede seie me soþ. wi dostu þat un wiȝtis doþ. 175 þu singist aniȝt ⁊ noȝt adai. ⁊ al þi song is wailawai. þu miȝt mid þine songe afere. alle þat ihereþ þine ibere. þu schirchest ⁊ ȝollest to þine fere. 180 þat hit is grislich to ihere. Hit þinchest boþe wise ⁊ snepe. Noȝt þat þu singe ac þat þu wepe. þu fliȝst a niȝt ⁊ noȝt adai. þar of ich wndri ⁊ wel mai. 185 vor eurich þing þat schuniet riȝt. Hit luueþ þuster ⁊ hatiet liȝt. ⁊ eurich þing þat is lof misdede. Hit luueþ þuster to his dede. ...... |
| Þ eos vle luste swiþe longe. 190 ⁊ wes of teoned swiþe stronge. heo quaþ. þu hattest Nihtegale. þu mihtest bet hote galegale. vor þu hauest to monye tale. let þine tunge habbe spale. 195 þu wenest þat þes day beo þin owe. let me nv habbe myne þrowe. Beo nv stille ⁊ let me speke. Ich wile beo of þe a wreke. ⁊ lust hw ich con me bi telle. 200 Mid rihte soþe wiþ vte spelle. þu seyst þat ich me hude a day þar to ne segge ich nyk no nay ⁊ lust ich telle hwer vore Al hwi hit is ⁊ hware vore. | Ich habbe bile stif ⁊ stronge. 206 ⁊ gode cleures scharp ⁊ longe. So hit bycumeþ to hauekes cunne. hit is myn hyhte· ⁊ my ynne. þat ich me drawe to mine cunde. 210 Ne may me no mon þar for sende. on me hit is wel i sene. For rihte cunde ich am so kene. vor þi ich am loþ smale vowele. Þat fleoþ bi grunde ⁊ bi þuuele. 215 hi me bichirmeþ ⁊ bi gredeþ. ⁊ heore flockes to me ledeþ. Me is leof to habbe reste. And sitte stille in myne neste. ...... | Þ os hule luste suþe longe. 190 ⁊ was of toned suþ`e´ stronge. quaþ Ho þu `h´attest niȝtingale. Þu miȝtest bet hoten galegale. Vor þu hauest to monie tale. Lat þine tunge habbe spale. 195 þu wenest þat þes dai bo þinoȝe. Lat me nu habbe mine þroȝe. Bo nu stille ⁊ lat me speke. Ich wille bon of þe awreke. ⁊ lust hu ich con me bitelle. 200 Mid riȝte soþe wit ute spelle. þu seist þat ich me hude adai. þar to ne segge ich nich ne nai. ⁊ lust ich telle þe wareuore. al wi hit is ⁊ wareuore. 205 Ich habbe bile stif ⁊ stronge. ⁊ gode cliuers scharp ⁊ longe. So hit bi cumeþ to hauekes cunne. Hit is min hiȝte hit is mi wune. þat ich me draȝe to mine cunde. | Ne mai noman þareuore schende. 211 On me hit is wel isene. vor riȝte cunde ich am so kene. vor þi ich am loþ smale foȝle. þat floþ bi grunde an bi þuuele. 215 Hi me bichermet ⁊ bigredeþ. ⁊ hore flockes to `m´e ledeþ. Me is lof to habbe reste. ⁊ sitte stille in mine neste. ...... |
| wenestu þat hauek beo þe wrse. 220 Þe crowe bi grede him bi þe mersche. ⁊ goþ to him myd heore chyrme. Riht so hi wille. wiþ him schirme. þe hauek foleweþ gode rede. He flyhþ his wey ⁊ let hi grede. | wenestu þat haueck bo þe worse. 220 þoȝ crowe bi grede him bi þe mershe. ⁊ goþ to him mid hore chirme. Riȝt so hi wille wit him schirme. þe hauec folȝeþ gode rede. | ⁊ fliȝt his wei ⁊ lat hem grede. |
| Þ 225 et þu me seyst of oþer þinge. ⁊ tellest þat ich ne can nouht singe. Ac al my reorde is wonyng. And to ihere gryslych þing. þat nis nouht soþ. ich singe efne. 230 Mid fulle dreme· ⁊ lude stefne. þu wenest þat eoch song beo grislich. þat þine pipinge nis ilich. Mi stefne is bold· ⁊ nouht vnorne. heo is ilich one grete horne. 235 ⁊ þin is iliche one pype. of one smale weode vnripe. Ich [singe] bet þan þu dest. Þu chaterest so doþ on yris prest. Ich singe an efne. a ryhte time. 240 ⁊ seþþe hwenne hit is bedtime. þe þridde syþe a middel nyhte. ⁊ so ich myne songe a dihte. hwenne ich iseo arise veorre oþer day rewe· oþer day steorre. 245 Ic do god myd myne þrote. And warny men to heore note. Ac þu singest alle longe nyht. From eue þat hit is day liht. ⁊ euer lesteþ þin o song, 250 so longe so þe nyht is long. ⁊ euer croweþ þi wrecche crey. Þat he ne swikeþ nyht ne day. | Mid þine pipinge þu adunest. þas monnes eren. þar þu wunest. 255 ⁊ makest þi song, so vnwiht. þat me ne telleþ. of þe nowiht. | Ȝ 225 et þu me seist of oþer þinge. ⁊ telst þat ich ne can noȝt singe Ac al mi rorde is woning ⁊ to `i´hire grislich þing þat nis noȝt soþ ich singe efne. 230 Mid fulle dreme ⁊ lude stefne. þu wenist þat ech song bo grislich. þat þine pipinge nis ilich. Mi stefne is bold ⁊ noȝt un orne. ho is ilich one grete horne. 235 ⁊ þin is ilich one pipe. Of one smale w`e´ode un ripe. Ich singe bet þan þu dest. Þu chaterest so doþ on irish pr`e´ost. Ich singe an eue ariȝte time 240 ⁊ soþþe won hit is bedtime. þe þridde siþe ad middelniȝte. ⁊ so ich mine song adiȝte. wone ich i so arise vorre. Oþer dairim oþer daisterre. 245 Ich do god mid mine þrote. ⁊ warni men to hore note. Ac þu singest alle longe niȝt. From eue fort hit is dailiȝt. ⁊ eure seist þin o song. 250 So longe so þe niȝt is long. ⁊ eure croweþ þi wrecche crei. þat he ne swikeþ niȝt ne dai. Mid þine pipinge þu a dunest. þas monnes earen þar þu wunest. 255 ⁊ makest þine song so unwrþ. þa`t´ me ne telþ of þar noȝt wrþ. |
| Eurych mureþe may so longe leste. þat heo schal liki wel vnwreste. for harpe. ⁊ pipe. ⁊ foweles song. 260 Mislikeþ. if hit is to long. Ne beo þe song ne so murie. þat he ne sal þinche vnmurie. If he i lesteþ ouer vnwille. So þu myht þi song aspille. 265 for hit is soþ Alured hit seyde. ⁊ me hit. may in boke rede. Eurich þing may lesen his godhede. Mid vnmeþe and ouerdede. ...... | Eurich murȝþe mai so longe ileste. þat ho shal liki wel unwreste. vor harpe ⁊ pipe ⁊ fuȝeles songe. 260 Mislikeþ ȝif hit is to long. Ne bo þe song neuer so murie. þat he ne shal þinche wel unmurie. ȝef he ilesteþ ouer unwille. So þu miȝt þine song aspille. 265 vor hit is soþ alured hit seide. ⁊ me hit mai ine boke rede. Eurich þing mai losen his godhede Mid unmeþe ⁊ mid ouerdede. ...... |
| Þ e nyhtegale in hire þouhte. 270 At heold al þis. ⁊ longe þouhte. hwat heo þar after myhte segge, vor heo ne myhte noht a legge. þat þe vle hedde hire i seyd. vor ho spak boþe riht ⁊ red. 275 ⁊ hire of þuhte þat heo hadde. þe speche so feor uorþ iladde. ⁊ wes aferd þat hire answare Ne wrþe nouht a riht ivare. Ac noþeles heo spak boldeliche 280 vor heo is wis þat hardeliche. wiþ his fo berþ grete ilete. þat he for arehþe hit ne for lete. vor suych worþ bold if þu flyhst. þa`t´ wile fleo if þu swykst. | If he isihþ þat þu nart areh. 286 he wile of bore wurche bareh. ⁊ for þi· þey `þe´ nyhtegale. Were a ferd· heo spak bolde tale. | Þ e niȝtingale in hire þoȝte. 270 Athold al þis ⁊ longe þoȝte. wat ho þare after miȝte segge. vor ho ne miȝte noȝt alegge. þat þe hule hadde hire ised. vor he spac boþe riȝt an red. 275 An hire ofþuȝte þat ho hadde. þe speche so foruorþ iladde. An was oferd þat hire answare. Ne wrþe noȝt ariȝt i fare. Ac noþeles he spac boldeliche. 280 vor he is wis þat hardeliche. wiþ is uo berþ grete ilete. þat he uor areȝþe hit ne forlete. vor suich worþ bold ȝif þu fliȝste. þat wle flo ȝif þu svicst. 285 Ȝif he isiþ þat þu nart areȝ. He wile of bore wrchen bareȝ. ⁊ forþi þeȝ þe niȝtingale. | were aferd ho spac bolde tale |
| H vle heo seyde· hwi dostu so. 290 þu singest a wynter wolawo. þu singest so doþ hen a snowe. Al þat heo singeþ hit is for wowe. A winter þu singest wroþe ⁊ yomere. ⁊ euer þu art. dumb a sumere. 295 hit is for þine fule nyþe þat þu ne myht. myd vs be bliþe. vor þu forbernest· neyh for onde. hwenne vre blisse cumeþ to londe. þu farest so doþ þe ille. 300 Euer ich blisse him is vnwille. Grucching· ⁊· luryng. him beoþ rade. If he iseoþ. þat men beoþ glade. he wolde þat he iseye. Teres in eueriche monnes eye. 305 Ne roughte þe. þeyh flockes were. Imeynd bi toppes· ⁊ bi here. Al so þu dost on þire syde. For hwanne snouh liþ þikke ⁊ wide. ⁊ alle wihtes habbeþ sorewe. 310 þu singest from eue to amorewe. Ac ich mid me alle blisse bringe. Ech wiht is glad· for myne þinge. ⁊ blesseþ hit· hwenne ich cume. ⁊ hihteþ a yeyn myne cume. 315 þe blostme. gynneþ springe ⁊ sprede. Boþe in treo ⁊ ek in mede. þe lilie myd hire fayre wlite. welcomeþ me þeyh þu hit wite. Bid me myd hire fayre bleo. | þat ich schulle to hire fleo. 321 þe rose also myd hire rude. þat cumeþ of þe þorne wode. Bit me þat ich schulle singe. For hire luue one skentynge. ...... | H ule ho seide wi dostu so. 290 þu singest awinter wolawo. þu singest so doþ hen asnowe. Al þat ho singeþ hit is for wowe. A wintere þu singest wroþe and ȝomere. An`d´ eure þu art dumb a sumere. 295 Hit is for þine fule niþe. þat þu ne miȝt mid us be bliþe. vor þu forbernest welneȝ for onde, wane ure blisse cumeþ to londe. þu farest so doþ þe ille. 300 Evrich blisse him is un wille. Grucching ⁊ luring him boþ rade. Ȝif he isoþ þat men boþ glade. he wolde þat he iseȝe. Teres in evrich monnes eȝe. 305 Ne roȝte he þeȝ flockes were. Imeind bi toppes ⁊ bi here. Al so þu dost on þire side. vor wanne snov liþ þicke ⁊ wide. an`d´ alle wiȝtes habbeþ sorȝe. 310 þu singest from eue fort amorȝe. Ac ich alle blisse mid me bringe. Ech wiȝt is glad for mine þinge. ⁊ blisseþ hit wanne ich cume. ⁊ hiȝteþ aȝen mine kume. 315 þe blostme ginneþ springe ⁊ sprede Boþe ine tro ⁊ ek on mede. þe lilie mid hire faire wlite. Wolcumeþ me þat þu hit wte. Bit me mid hire faire blo. 320 Þat ich shulle to hire flo. þe rose al so mid hire rude. | þat cumeþ ut of þe þorne wode. Bit me þat ich shulle singe vor hire luue one skentinge. ...... |
| [V]le þu axest me heo seyde. 326 [I]f ich con eny oþer dede. Bute syngen in sume tyde. ⁊ bringe blisse veor ⁊ wyde. hwy axestu of craftes myne. 330 Beter is myn on þan alle þine. Beter is o song of myne muþe. þan al þat þi kun kuþe. ⁊ lust. ich telle þe hwar vore. wostu to hwan· mon wes ibore. 335 To þare blisse of heueryche. | þar euer is song. ⁊ Murehþe ilyche. þider fundeþ euer ich man. þat eny þing of gode can. for þi me syngþ in holy chireche. 340 ⁊ clerekes gynneþ songes wrche. þat mon yþenche. bi þe songe. hwider he shal. ⁊ þar beon longe. þat he þe murehþe ne vor yete. Ac þar of þenche. ⁊ bi gete. 345 ⁊ nyme yeme of chirche stefne. hw Murie is þe blisse of heuene. Clerekes· Munekes· ⁊ canúnes. þar beoþ þos gode wike tunes. Ariseþ vp to middel nyhte. 350 ⁊ singeþ of þon heuene lyhte. ⁊ preostes vpe londe singeþ. [Hwenne þe liht of daye springeþ.] ⁊ ich heom helpe hwat ic may. ...... | H 325 ule þu axest me ho seide. ȝif ich kon eni oþer dede. Bute singen in sume tide. an bringe blisse for ⁊ wide. wi axestu of craftes mine. 330 Betere is min on þan alle þine. Betere is o song of mine muþe. þan al þat eure þi kun kuþe. An lust ich telle þe wareuore. | wostu to wan man was ibore. 335 To þare blisse of houene riche. þar euer is song ⁊ murȝþe iliche. þider fundeþ eurich man. þat eniþing of gode kan. vor þi me singþ in holi chirche. 340 an clerkes ginneþ songes wirche. þat man iþenche biþe songe. wider he shal ⁊ þar bon longe. þat he þe murȝþe ne uorȝete. Ac þar of þenche and bi ȝete. 345 An nime ȝeme of chirche steuene. Hu murie is þe blisse of houene. Clerkes munekes ⁊ kanunes. þar boþ þos gode wicke tunes. Ariseþ up to midel niȝte. 350 An singeþ of þe houene liȝte. An prostes upe londe singeþ. wane þe liȝt of daie springeþ. An ich hom helpe wat i mai. ...... |
| Þ e Nihtegale myd sweche worde. 355 for monymon myd speres orde. haueþ lutle strengþe. ⁊ mid his schelde. Ah naþeles in one felde. þurh belde worde ⁊ myd ilete. Deþ his iuo· for arehþe swete. 360 þe wrenne for heo cuþe singe. þar com in þare moreweninge. To helpe þare nyhtegale. vor heo hadde stefne smale. heo hadde gode þrote ⁊ schille. 365 ⁊ fale monne song a wille. þe wrenne· wes wel wis iholde. vor þeih heo nere ibred a wolde. heo wes itowen. among mankunne ⁊ hire wisdom brouhte þenne. 370 heo myhte speke hwar heo wolde. To fore þe kinge· þah heo scholde. lusteþ· heo queþ· leteþ me speke. hwat wille ye. þis pays to breke. ⁊ do þan [kinge] such schome. 375 yet nys heo nouþer ded ne lome. hunke schal i tyde harm ⁊ schonde. If we doþ gryþ bruche on his londe. Leteþ beo and beoþ isome. ⁊ fareþ riht to eure dome. 380 ⁊ leteþ dom þis playd to breke. Al so hit wes erure bi speke. |
Þ
e niȝtegale mid swucche worde.
355
for moniman mid speres orde.
haueþ lutle strencþe ⁊ mid his |
| Ich vnne wel queþ þe Nihtegale. Ah wrenne· nouht for þine tale. Ac do for myre lauhfulnesse. 385 Ic nolde þat vnrihtfulnesse. Me at þen ende· me ouercome. Ic nam of dred. of none dome. Bi hote ic habbe· soþ hit is. þat maẏster Nichole. þ̵ is wis. 390 Bi twihen eu deme schulle. ⁊ yet ic wene þat he wulle. | Ah war myhte we hine fynde. þe wrenne sat in hore lynde. hwat mihte yet quaþ heo his hom. 395 heo wuneþ at portes hom. At one tune in dorsete. Bi þare séé in ore vt lete. þar he demeþ mony riht dom. ⁊ diht ⁊ wryt mony wisdom. 400 ⁊ þurh his muþe. ⁊ þurh his honde. hit is þe betere in to scotlonde. To seche hyne. is lyhtlych þing. he naueþ buten o wunyng. þ̵ is biscopen muchel schame. 405 ⁊ alle þan þ̵ of his nome. habbeþ iherd. ⁊ of his dede. hwi nulleþ hi nymen heom to rede. þ̵ he were myd heom ilome. vor teche heom of his wisdome. 410 ⁊ yeue him rente on vale stude. þ̵ he myhte ilome heom beo myde. | I ch an wel cwað þe niȝtegale. Ah wranne nawt for þire tale. Ah do for mire lahfulnesse. 385 Ich nolde þ̵ unriht fulnesse. Me at þen ende ouer kome. Ich nam of drad of none dome. Bi hote ich habbe soþ hit is. þat maister nichole þ̵ is wis. 390 Bi tuxen vs deme schulde. An ȝef ich wene þ̵ he wule. Ah war mihte we hine finde. þe wranne sat in ore linde. Hwat nuȝte ȝe cwaþ heo his hom. 395 He wuneþ at portes hom. At one tune ine dorsete. Bi þare see in ore ut lete. þar he demeþ manie riȝte dom. An diht ⁊ writ mani wisdom. 400 An þurh his muþe ⁊ þurh his honde. Hit is þe betere into scot londe. To seche hine is lihtlich þing. He naueþ bute one woning. þ̵ his bischopen muchel schame. 405 An alle þan þ̵ of his nome. Habbeþ ihert. ⁊ of his dede. Hwi nulleþ hi nimen heom to rede. þ̵ he were mid heom ilome. for teche heom of his wis dome. 410 An ȝiue him rente auale stude. þ̵ he miȝte heom ilome be mide. |
| Certes quaþ þe vle. þat is soþ. þeos riche men· Muchele mys doþ. þat leteþ þane gode man. 415 þat of so fele þinge can. ⁊ yeueþ rente wel mislyche. ⁊ of him leteþ wel lyhtliche. wiþ heore kunne heo beoþ Mildre. ⁊ yeueþ rente lutle childre. 420 so heore wit hi demeþ adwole. þ̵ euer abit Mayster Nichole. Ah vte we þah· to him fare, vor þat is vnker dom al yare | Certes cwaþ þe hule þ̵ is soð. | þeos riche men wel muche misdoð. þ̵ leteþ þane godemon. 415 þ̵ of so feole þinge con. An ȝiueþ rente wel misliche. An of him leteþ wel lihtliche. wið heore cunne heo beoþ mildre. An ȝeueþ rente litle childre. 420 swo heore wit hi demþ adwole. þ̵ euer abid maistre nichole. Ah ute we þah to him fare. For þar is unker dom al ȝare. |
| Do we þe Nihtegale seyde. 425 Ah hwo schal vnker speche rede. ⁊ telle to vore vnker dome. | Do we þe niȝtegale seide. 425 ah wa schal unker speche rede. An telle to uore unker deme. |
| þar of ic schal þe wel iqueme Queþ þe vle. for al ende of orde. | Telle ic con. word after worde. 430 ⁊ if þe þinkþ þat ic mis rempe. þu stond ayeyn and do me crempe. Mid þisse worde forþ hi ferden. Al bute here and bute verde. To portes ham. þer hi bicome. 435 Ah hw heo spedde of heore dome. Ne can ic eu namore telle. her nys namore of þisse spelle. Explicit. | Þ ar of ich schal þe wel icweme. Cwaþ þe houle for al ende of orde. Telle ich con word after worde. 430 An ȝef þe þincþ þ̵ ich mis rempe. þu stond aȝein ⁊ do me crempe. Mid þisse worde forþ hi ferden. Al bute here and bute uerde. To portes ham þ̵ heo bi come. 435 Ah hu heo spedde of heore dome. Ne can ich eu namore telle. Her nis na more of þis spelle. |
[ XXI. THE BESTIARY]
“Arundel 292, British Museum: on vellum, 200 × 130 mm.: late thirteenth century.... The Bestiary is written continuously, but the initials of the lines and, in the long metres, of the half lines are mostly rubricated.... Latin headings are in red, some are on the margin, the others at the head of their sections. As will be seen from the footnotes, the manuscript was much corrected or altered over erasures, and that after it was finished, for the substituted words do not always fill the gaps left by the scraper. The first leaves of the exemplar were probably damaged at the lower margin, since defective or difficult passages occur at regular intervals, so l. 32, ll. 89-92, 120, 121, 143, 144, 173, 200, 201.”
Line indentations, including those of ll. 504-515, are as printed. Headings are shown in red, as described above.
Natura leonis ia.
Ð
e leun stant on hille . ⁊ he man hunten here.
Oðer ðurg his nese smel . Smake ðat he negge.