And the fraunchise of holi churche hii laten ligge slepe
ful stille;
Al to manye ther beth swiche, if hit were Godes wille.
Glossary.—27. wed, pledge.—28. muchel a wrecche, great a wretch. sholen be, shall be.—29. stille, quietly.—34. doren hii, dare they.—35. thurw, through.—36. everich, every one. biwreied, accused.—38. Siththen, since.—39. piler, pillar.—40. slouwe, slothful. kunnen, know how.—41. i-wis, truely, in truth.—43. i-wite, know. ȝeme, care (take ȝeme, pay attention).—44. queme, pleasure.—45. gaderen, gather. to hepe, in a heap.
And thise ersedeknes that ben set to visite holi churche,
Everich fondeth hu he may shrewedelichest worche; 50
He wole take mede of that on and that other,
And late the parsoun have a wyf, and the prest another,
at wille;