The Regius Poemalso known asThe Halliwell Manuscript"A Poem of Moral Duties"
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Regius/Price
Above is a picture of the first page of the original manuscript, and below the calligraphed facsimile created in 1889. You may click on either of the pictures to see them side-by-side. Pages beyond the first have never been placed on the Internet, which is a shame, because the inside pages are in much better condition than this page, which served as the cover until it was bound, first in 1757 when George II gave the Old Royal Library containing it to the British Museum[*], and then rebound into its current binding in c.1839, when Halliwell rediscovered its significance. Notice that the facsimile copies the original writer's use of red for all headings, highlighting the first letter of each line, and indicating rhyming couplets. This facsimile was commissioned by H.J. Whymper, and was the work of calligraphic artist F. Compton Price.
The calligraphed copy is the same size as the original: 4" x 5½". Since your monitor size and screen resolution would alter any dimensions shown on the screen, click here for a visualization of that size. |
Lorion
Page I. Artis gemetrie ƒcd'm Euclýde• 1. Whoƒe wol boþe wel•rede and loke 2. He maý fýnde• wrýte ýn olde boke 3. Of grete lordýs•and eke ladý ýƒƒe 4. Þat hade moný chýldrýn• ý fere ý wýƒƒe 5. And hade no rentýs• to fýnde hem wýth 6. Nowþ~ ýn towne• ný felde ný frýth 7. A cownƒel to geð~• þeý cowþe hem take 8. To ordeýne• for þeƒe chýldrýn ƒake 9. How þeý mýzth beƒt•lede here lýfe 10. Wt oute gret deƒeƒe• care and ƒtrýfe 11. And moƒt for þe multýtude• þt was comýng 12. Of here chýldryn•aft~ here zýndýnge 13. Þeý ƒende þenne• aft~ grete clerkýs 14. To techýn hem þenne• gode werkýs II. 16. To oure chýldrýn•ƒum werke to make• 17. Þtþeý mýzth gete•here lýuýng þer bý• 18. Boþe wel and oueƒtlýche• ful ƒýcurlý• 19. Ýn þat týme•þrozgh good gemetrý• 20. Þýs oneƒt craft•of good maƒonrý• 21. Wes ordeýnt and made•ýn þýs manere• 22. Ý cownt~fetýd• of þýs clerkýs ý fere• 23. At þeƒe lordýs praýers•þeý cownterfetýd gemetrý 24. And zaf hýt þe name•of maƒonrý• 25. For þe moƒte oneƒte•craft of alle• 26. Þeƒe lordýs chýldrýn•þer to dede falle• 27. To lurne of hým•þe craft of gemetrý• 28. Þe wheche• he made ful curýƒlý• III. 30. Þýs oneƒt craft• he putte hem to• 31. He þat lernede beƒt•and were of oneƒte• 32. And paƒƒud hýs felows• ýn curýƒte• 33. Zef ýn þat craft• he dede hým paƒƒe• 34. He ƒchulde haue more worƒchepe•þen þe laƒƒe• 35. Þýs grete clerkýs name•wes clept euclýde• 36. Hýs name hýt ƒpradde•ful wondur wýde• 37. Zet þýs grete clerke• more ordeýnt he• 38. To hým þtwas herre•ýn þýs degre• 39. Þthe ƒchulde teche• þe ƒýmplýƒt of wýtte 40. Ýn þat oneƒt craft• to be parfýtte• 41. And ƒo vchon• ƒchull' rechýn oþur• 42. And loue togeð~•as ƒýƒt~ and broþur• IV. 44. Maýƒt~ ý callud• ƒo ƒchulde he be• 45. So þt he were• moƒt ý worƒcheped'• 46. Þenne ƒculde he•be ƒo ý cleped'• 47. But maƒon ƒchulde•neu~ won oþ~ calle• 48. Wtýnne þe craft•amongus hem alle• 49. Ný ƒoget• ný ƒeruanð• mý dere broþ~• 50. Þazht he be not•ƒo ,p,fýt as ýs anoþ~• 51. Vchon ƒcull' calle oþ~•felows bý cuthe• 52. For cauƒe þeý come•of ladýes burþe• 53. On þýs man~•þroz good wýtte of gemetrý 54. Bý gan furƒt þe craft• of maƒonrý• 55. Þe clerk euclýde•on þýs wýƒe hýt fonde• 56. Þýs craft of gemetrý•ýn egýpte londe• V. 58. Ýn dýuers londe• on euerý ƒýde• 59. Moný erýs aft~warde• ý vnd~ ƒtonde• 60. Zer þtþe craft com•ýn to þýs londe• 61. Þýs craft com•ýn to englond as ý zow ƒaý• 62. Ýn týme of good kýng Aðelƒton9 daý• 63. He made þo boþe•halle and eke bowre• 64. And hýe templus• of gret honowre• 65. To ƒportýn hým ýn•boþe daý and nýzth• 66. An to worƒchepe hýs god•wt alle hýs mýzth• 67. Þýs goode lorde loued•þýs craft ful wel• 68. And p~poƒud to ƒtrenþýn hýt•eu~ý del • 69. For dýuers defawtýs•þt ýn þe craft hefonde• 70. He ƒende aboute•ýn to þe londe• VI. 72. To come to hým• ful euene ƒtrazfte• 73. For to amende•þeƒe defautýs alle• 74. Bý good conƒel•zef hýt mýtzth falle• 75. A ƒemble þenne•he cowþe let make• 76. Of dýuers lordis•ýn here ƒtate• 77. Dukýs•erlýs• and barnes al ƒo• 78. Knýzthýs•ƒqwýers•and moný mo• 79. And þe grete burges• of þat ƒýte• 80. Þeý were þer alle•ýn here degre• 81. Þeƒe were þer• vchon algate• 82. To ordeýne•for þeƒe• maƒon9 aƒtate• 83. Þer þeý ƒowzton• bý here wýtte• 84. How þeý mýzthýn•gou~ne hýtte• VII. 86. And fýftene poýntýs•þer þeý wrozton• Hic incipit articulus p¬mus• 87.¶Þe furƒte artýcul• of þýs gemetrý• 88. Þe maýƒt~ maƒon• moƒte be ful ƒecurlý• 89. boþe ƒtedefaƒt• truƒtý and trwe• 90. Hýt ƒchal hým neu~• þenne a rewe• 91. And paý þý felows• aft~ þe coƒte• 92. As výtaýlýs goth þenne•wel þn woƒte• 93. And paý hem trwlý• apon þý faý• 94. What þt þeý• deƒeruen maý• 95. And to here hure•take no more• 96. But what•þt þeý mowe ƒerue fore• 97. And ƒpare nowþ~•for loue ný drede• VIII. 99. Of lord ný felow•wheþ~ he be• 100. Of hem þou take• no maner of fe• 101. And as a jugge• ƒtonde up rýzth• 102. And þenne þou doƒt•to boþe good rýzth• 103. And trwlý do þýs•wher ƒeu~ þou goƒt• 104. Þý worƒchep• þý ,p,fýt• hýt ƒchal be moƒt• Articulus ƒecundus• – – – 105.¶Þe ƒecunde artýcul• of good maƒonrý• 106. As ze mowe hýt here• hýr ƒpecýalý• 107. Þat euerý maýƒt~• þat ýs amaƒon• 108. Moƒt ben at þe general' congregacýon• 109. So þat he hýt• reƒonablý ý tolde• 110. Where þtþe ƒemble•ƒchal be holde• IX. 112. But he haue•a reƒenabul ƒkwƒacýon• 113. Or but he be•vnbuxom•to þat craft• 114. Or wtfalƒƒe hed• ýs ouer raft• 115. Or ellus ƒekenes•hath hým ƒo ƒtrong• 116. Þat he maýnot come• hem a mong• 117. Þat ýs a ƒkwƒacýon•good and abull'• 118. To þat ƒemble• wt oute fabull'• Articulus tercius• – – – 119.¶Þe þrýdde artýcul•for ƒoþe hýt ýƒƒe• 120. Þat þe maýƒt~ take• to no prentýƒƒe• 121. But he haue good•ƒeuerans to dwelle• 122. Seuen zer wt hým• as ý zow telle• 123. Hýs craft to lurne• þtýs ,p,fýtable• X. 125. To lordýs profýt•ný to hýs owne• 126. As ze mowe knowe• bý good reƒowne• Articulus quartus• – – – 127. Þe fowrþe artýcul• þýs moƒte be• 128. Þat þe maýƒt~•hým wel be ƒe• 129. Þat he no bonde mon• prentýs make• 130. Ný for no couetýƒe•do hým take• 131. For þe lord•þat he ýs bonde to• 132. Maý fache þe prentes•wher ƒeu~he go• 133. Zef ýn þe logge•he were ý take• 134. Muche deƒeƒe•hýt mýzth þer make• 135. And ƒuche caƒe•hýt mýzth be falle• 136. Þat hýt mýzth greue• ƒu'me or alle• XI. 138. Wol ƒtonde to geður• hol ý fere• 139. Zef ƒuche won•ýn þtcraft•ƒchulde dwelle• 140. Of dýuers deƒeƒýs•ze mýzth telle• 141. For more zeƒe þenne• and of honeƒte• 142. Take aprentes•of herre de gre• 143. Bý olde týme•wrýten ý fýnde• 144. Þat þe prentes•ƒchulde be of gentýl kýnde• 145. And ƒo ƒu'týme•grete lordýs blod• 146. Toke þýs gemetrý• þtýs ful good• Articulus quintus• – – – – – 147.¶Þe fýfþe artýcul• ýs ƒwýþe good• 148. So þat þe prentes•be of lawful blod• 149. Þe maýƒt~ ƒchalnot•for no vautage XII. 151. Hýt ýs to mene• as ze mowe here• 152. Þat he hane hýs lýmes•hol' all' ý fere• 153. To þe craft•hýt were gret ƒchame• 154. To make an halt mon•and a lame• 155. For an vn,p,fýt mon• of ƒuche blod• 156. Schulde do þe craft• but lýtul good• 157. Þus ze mowe knowe•euerý chon• 158. Þe craft wolde haue•a mýzhtý mon• 159. A maýmed mon•he hath no mýzht• 160. Ze mowe hýt knowe•longe zer nýzht• Articulus ƒextus 161.¶Þe ƒýxte artýcul•ze mowe not mýƒƒe• XIII. 163. To take of þe lord• for hýƒe prentýƒe• 164. Alƒo muche•as hýs felows don•ýn all' výƒe• 165. For ýn þat craft•þeý ben ful ,p,fýt• 166. So ýs not he• ze mowe ƒen hýt• 167. Alƒo hýt were•azeýn9 good reƒon• 168. To take hýs hure•as hýs felows don• 169. Þýs ƒame artýcul• ýn þýs caƒƒe• 170. Juggýth' þe prentes•to take laƒƒe• 171. Þenne hýs felows•þat ben ful ,p,fýt• 172. Ýn dýuers maters• conne qwýte hýt• 173. Þe maýƒt~ maý•hýs prentes•ƒo enforme• 174. Þat hýs hure•maý creƒe ful zurne• XIV. 176. Hýs hure maý• ful wel amende• Articulus ƒeptimus – – – – 177.¶Þe ƒeuenþe artýcul•þat ýs now here• 178. Ful wel wol telle zow• alle ý fere• 179. Þat no maýƒt~• for fauo~ ný drede• 180. Schal no þef• nowþ~ cloþe ný fede• 181. Þeues•he ƒchal herberon• neu~won• 182. Ný hým þat hath•ý quellud' a mon• 183. Ný þýlke þat hath• a febul name• 184. Leƒt hýt wolde turne•þe craft to ƒchame• Articulus octanus• 185.¶Þe eghte artýcul•ƒchewet zow ƒo• XV. 187. Zef þthe haue•aný mon of crafte• 188. And be not alƒo ,p,fýt• as he auzte• 189. He maý hým change• ƒone a non• 190. And take for hým•a ,p,fýtur mon• 191. Suche a mon•þroze rechelaƒchepe• 192. Mýzth do þe craft•ƒchert worƒchepe• Articulus nonus• – – – – 193.¶Þe nýnþe artýcul•ƒchewet ful well'• 194. Þat þe maýƒt~•be boþe•wýƒe and fell'• 195. Þat no werke• he vndur take• 196. But he conne boþe• hýt ende and make• 197. And þthýt be to•þe lordes ,p,fýt alƒo• XVI. 199. And þat þe grond•be wel ý take• 200. Þat hýt nowþ~•fle ný grake• Articulus decimus• – – – – – 201.¶Þe thenþe artýcul•ýs for to knowe 202. A mong þe craft•to hýe and lowe• 203. Þer ƒchal no maýƒt~•ƒupplante oþer• 204. But be to geð~•as ƒýƒtur and broþer• 205. Ýn þýs curýus craft• all' and ƒom• 206. Þat longuth• to a maýƒtur maƒon• 207. Ný he ƒchalnot•ƒupplante non oþ~ mon• 208. Þat hath ý take•awerke hým vppon• 209. Ýn peýne þer of•þat ýs ƒo ƒtrong• XVII. 211. But zef þat he be•gultý ý fonde• 212. Þat toke furƒt• þe werke on honde• 213. For no mon• ýn maƒonrý• 214. Schalnot ƒupplante• oþur ƒecurlý• 215. But zef þat hýt be•ƒo ý wrozth• 216. Þat hýt turne•þe werke to nozth• 217. Þenne maý amaƒon•þat werk craue• 218. To þe lordes ,p,fýt•hýt for to ƒaue• 219. Ýn ƒuche a caƒe• but hýt do falle• 220. Þer ƒchal no maƒon•medul wtall'• 221. For ƒoþe• he þtbe gýnnýth þe gronde• 222. And he be a maƒon•good and ƒonde• 223. For hath hýt ƒýcurlý•ýn hýs mýnde XVIII. Articulus vndecimus 225.¶Þe eleuenþe artýcul• ý telle þe• 226. Þat he ýs boþe• faýr and fre• 227. For he techýt• bý hýs mýzth• 228. Þat no maƒon• ƒchulde worche be nýzth• 229. But zef hýt be•ýn practeƒýng of wýtte• 230. Zef þat ý cowþe•amende hýtte• Articulus duodecim us – – – 231.¶Þe twelfþe artýcul•ýs of hýe honeƒte• 232. To zeuerý maƒon•wher ƒeuer he be• 233. He ƒchalnot•hýs felows•werk depraue• 234. Zef þat he wol• hýs honeƒte ƒaue• 235. Wt honeƒt wordes•he hýt comende• XIX. 237. But hýt amende•bý al þat þon maý• 238. Bý twýune zow boþe•wtoute naý• Articulus xiii9• – – – 239.¶Þe þrettene artýcul•ƒo god me ƒaue• 240. Ýs zef þtþe maýƒt~•aprentes haue• 241. Enterlýche þenne•þat he hým teche• 242. And meƒerable poýntes•þthe hým reche• 243. Þat he þe craft•abelýche maý conne• 244. Wher ƒeuer he go•vndur þe ƒonne• Articulus xiiii9• – – – – 245.¶Þe fowrtene artýcul•bý good reƒon• 246. Scheweth þe maýƒt~•how he ƒchal don• 247. He ƒchal no prentes• to hým take• XX. 249. Þat he maý•wtýnne hýs terme• 250. Of hým dýuers•poýntes maý lurne• Articulus quindecimus• – – – 251.¶Þe fýftene artýcul•maketh an ende• 252. For to þe maýƒt~•he ýs a frende• 253. To lere hým ƒo• þat for no mon• 254. No fals mantenans•he take hým apon• 255. Ný maýnteme hýs felows•ýn here ƒýnne 256. For no good• þat he mýzth wýnne• 257. Ný no fals ƒware•ƒofre hem to make• 258. For drede of here• ƒowles ƒake• 259.~Leƒt hýt wolde t~ne•þe craft to ƒchame• 260. And hým ƒelf• to mechul blame• XXI. 261. At þýs ƒemble•were poýntes ý ordeýnt mo• 262. Of grete lordýs•and maýƒtrýs alƒo• 263. Þtwhoƒe wol conne þýs craft•and com to aƒtate• 264. He moƒt loue wel god• and holý churche algate• 265. And hýs maýƒt~ alƒo• þthe ýs wýthe• 266. Wher ƒeuer he go•ýn fýlde or frýthe• 267. And þý felows• þon loue al ƒo• 268. For þat þý craft•wol þat þon do• Secundus punctus• – – – – 269.¶Þe ƒecu'de poýnt•as ý zow ƒaý 270. Þat þe maƒon•worche•apon þe werkdaý• 271. Alƒo trwlý•as he con or maý• XXII. 273. And trwlý to labru'•on hýs dede• 274. Wel deƒerue• to haue hýs mede• Tercius punctus• – – – 275.¶Þe þrýdde poýnt•moƒt be ƒeuerel'• 276. Wt þe prentes••knowe hýt wel'• 277. Hýs maýƒt~ conwƒel• he kepe and cloƒe• 278. And hýs felows•bý hýs goode pp~oƒe• 279. Þe preuetýƒe of þe chamb~•telle he no man• 280. Ný ýn þe logge•what ƒeuer þeý don'• 281. What ƒeu~ þou herýƒt•or ƒýƒte hem do• 282. Telle hýt no mon•wher ƒeu~ þou go• 283. Þe conwƒel of halle•and zeke of bowre• XXIII. 285. Leƒt hýt wolde•torne•þý ƒelf to blame• 286. And brýnge þe craft•ýn to gret ƒchame• Quartus punctus• – – – – 287.¶Þe fowrþe poýnt•techýth us alƒe• 288. Þat no mon•to hýs craft•be falƒe• 289. Erro~• he ƒchal maýnteme non'• 290. A zeýn9 þe craft•but let hýt gon'• 291. Ný no p~gedýƒƒe•he ƒchal not do 292. To hýs maýƒt~•ný hýs felows alƒo• 293. And þazth þe p~ntes•be vnd~ awe• 294. Zet he wolde haue•þe ƒame lawe• Quintus punctus• – – – XXIV. 296. Þat whenne þe maƒon•taketh hýs paý• 297. Of þe maýƒt~•ý ordent to hým• 298. Ful mekelý ý take•ƒo moƒt hýt býn• 299. Zet moƒt þe maýƒt~•bý good reƒon'• 300. Warne hem lawfullý•bý fore non'• 301. Zef he nulle okepýe•hem no more• 302. As he hath ý don'•þer bý fore• 303. A zeýn9 þýs ordýr• he maýnot ƒtrýue• 304. Zef he þenke wel•for to þrýue• Sextus punctus• – – – – – 305.¶Þe ƒýxte poýnt•ýs ful zef to knowe• 306. Boþe to hýe•and eke to lowe• XXV. 308. A mong þe maƒon9• ƒu'me or alle• 309. Þrowgh' enuýe•or dedlý hate• 310. Ofte a rýƒeth•ful gret de bate• 311. Þenne owýth þe maƒon•zef þt he maý• 312. Putte hem boþe• vndur a daý• 313. But louedaý zet•ƒchul þeý make non'• 314. Týl þat þe werke daý•be clene a gon'• 315. A pon þe holý daý•ze mowe wel take 316. Leýƒer ý nowzgh•louedaý to make• 317. Leƒt þat hýt wolde•þe werke daý• 318. Lacte here werke•for ƒuche afraý• 319. To ƒuche ende þenne•þt ze hem ðrawe XXVI. Septimus punctus• – – – – 321.¶Þe ƒeuenþe poýnt•he maý wel mene• 322. Of wel longe lýf• þat god vs lene• 323. As hýt dýƒcrýeth•wel opunlý 324. Þou ƒchalnot•bý þý maýƒtres wýf lý• 325. Ný bý þý felows• ýn no man~ wýƒe 326. Leƒt þe craft•wolde þe deƒpýƒe• 327. Ný bý þý felows•concubýne• 328. No more þon woldeƒt•he dede bý þýne• 329. Þe peýne þer of•let hýt be ƒer• 330. Þat he be prentes•ful ƒeuen zer• 331. Zef he forfete•ýn ený of hem• XXVII. 333. Ful mekel' care• mýzth þer be gýnne• 334. For ƒuche a fowle• dedelý ƒýnne• Octauus punctus• – – – – 335.¶Þe eghte poýnt• he maý be ƒure• 336. Zef þou haƒt ý taken• aný cure• 337. Vnd~ þý maýƒt~•þou be trwe• 338. For þat poýnt•þou ƒchalt neu~ arewe• 339. A trwe medýat~•þou moƒt nede be• 340. To þý maýƒt~•and þý felows fre• 341. Do trwlý•algate þat þou mýzth• 342. To boþe partýes•and þtýs good rýzth• Nonus punctus• – – – – XXVIII. 344. Þat he be ƒtwarde•of oure halle• 345. Zef þat ze ben•ýn chambur ý fere• 346. Vchon ƒerue oþ~•wt mýlde chere• 347. Jentul felows• ze moƒte hýt knowe• 348. For to be ƒtwardus• alle o rowe• 349. Weke aft~ weke•wt oute dowte• 350. Stwardus•to ben ƒo alle abowte• 351. Louelýche to ƒeruen•vchon oþur• 352. As þawgh þeý were•ƒýƒt~ and broþ~• 353. Þer ƒchal neuer won•on oþ~ coƒtage• 354. Fre hým ƒelf• to no vantage• 355. But euerý mon•ƒchal be lýche fre• XXIX. 357. Loke þtþou paý wel'•euerý mon algate• 358. Þat þou haƒt ý bowzht•aný výtaýles ate• 359. Þtno crauýng• be ý mad to þe• 360. Ný to þý felows• ýn no de gre• 361. To mon or to wo'mon•wheþ~ he be• 362. Paý hem wel and trwlý•for þtwol we• 363. Þer of on þý felow•trwe record þon take• 364. For þt good paý• as þon doƒt make• 365. Leƒt hýt wolde•þý felows ƒchame• 366. And brýnge þý ƒelf•ýn to gret blame• 367. Zet good a cowntes•he moƒt make• 368. Of ƒuche godes•as he hath ý take• XXX. 370. Wher and how• and to what ende• 371. Suche a cowntes•þon moƒt come to• 372. Whenne þý felows•wollen þtþon do• Decimus punctus• – – – – 373.¶Þe tenþe poýnt•p~ƒentýth wel god lýf• 374. To lýuen wtoute•care and ƒtrýf• 375. For and þe maƒon•lýue a mýƒƒe• 376. And ýn hýs werk•be falƒe ý wýƒƒe• 377. And þrowz ƒuche•a falƒe ƒkewýƒaƒýon 378. Maý ƒclawndren hýs felows•oute reƒon• 379. Þrowz falƒe ƒclawnd~•of ƒuche fame• XXXI. 381. Zef he do þe craft• ƒuche výlaný• 382. Do hým no fauo~•þenne ƒecurlý• 383. Ný maýnteme not hým•ýn wýked lýf• 384. Leƒt hýt wolde tu~e•to care and ƒtrýf• 385. But zet hým•ze ƒchulnot de laýme• 386. But þtze ƒchullen•hým conƒtraýne• 387. For to apere•wher ƒeuor ze wýlle• 388. Whar þtze wolen•lowde or ƒtýlle• 389. To þe nexte ƒemble•ze ƒchul hým calle• 390. To a pere•bý fore hýs felows alle• 391. And but zef he wýl•bý fore hem pere• XXXII. 393. He ƒchal þenne be chaƒted•aft~ þe lawe• 394. Þat was ý fownded• bý olde dawe• Punctus vndecimus• – – – – 395.¶Þe eleuenþe poýnt• ýs of good dýƒcrecýon'• 396. As ze mowe knowe• bý good reƒon'• 397. A maƒon•and he•þýs craft wel con• 398. Þat ƒýzth hýs felow• hewen on a ƒton• 399. And ýs ýn poýnt•to ƒpýlle þat ƒton• 400. Amende hýt ƒone•zef þat þon con• 401. And teche hým þenne•hýt to amende• 402. Þat þe hole werke•be not ý ƒchende• 403. And teche hým eƒelý• hýt to amende• XXXIII. 405. For hýs ƒake• þat ƒýtte a boue• 406. Wtƒwete wordes•noreƒche hým loue• Punctus duodecimus 407.¶Þe twelþe poýnt ýs•of gret rýolte• 408. Þer as þe ƒemble•ý holde ƒchal be• 409. Þer ƒchul be maýƒtrýs•and felows alƒo• 410. And oþ~ grete lordes•moný mo• 411. Þer ƒchal be þe ƒcheref•of þat contre• 412. And alƒo þe meýr•of þat ƒýte• 413. Knýztes•and ƒqwýers•þer ƒchul be• 414. And oþ~ alder men• as ze ƒchul ƒe• 415. Suche ordýnance•as þeý maken þere• XXXIV. 417. A zeýn9 þat mon•what ƒeu~ he be• 418. Þat longuth to þe craft•boþe faýr a' fre• 419. Zef he aný ƒtrýf•a zeþn9 hem make• 420. Ýn to here warde•he ƒchal be take• Xiii9 punctus• – – – – 421.¶Þe þrenteþe poýnt ýs•to vs ful luf• 422. He ƒchal ƒwere•neu~ to be no þef• 423. Ný ƒoker hým•ýn hýs fals craft• 424. For no good•þat he hath bý raft• 425. And þon mowe•hýt knowe or ƒýn• 426. Nowþ~ for hýs good•ný for hýs kýn• Xiiii9 punctus• – – – XXXV. 428. To hým þat wol ben• vnd~ awe• 429. A good trwe oþe•he moƒt þer ƒwere• 430. To hýs maýƒt~•and hýs felows þt ben þere• 431. He moƒt be ƒtedefaƒt•and trwe alƒo• 432. To alle þýs ordýnance• wher ƒeu~ he go• 433. And to hýs lýge• lord þe kýng• 434. To be trwe to hým• ou~ all' þýng• 435. And all' þeƒe poýntes•hýr be fore• 436. To hem•þon moƒt•nede be ý ƒwore• 437. And all' ƒchul ƒwere•þe ƒame ogth• 438. Of þe maƒon9•ben þeý luf ben þeý loght• 439. To alle þeƒe poýntes•hýr bý fore• XXXVI. 441. And þeý ƒchul enquere•euerý mon'• 442. On hýs ,p,tý•as wýl as he con'• 443. Zef aný mon mowe•be ý fownde gultý• 444. Ýn aný of þeƒe poýntes• ƒpeƒýalý• 445. And whað he be•let hým be ƒowzht• 446. And to þe ƒemble•let hým be browzht• Quindecimus punctus• – – 447.¶Þe fýfteþe poýnt•ýs of ful good lore• 448. For hem þtƒchul ben•þer ý ƒwore• 449. Suche ordýnance•at þe ƒemble wes laýd• 450. Of grete lordes•and maýƒtres bý fore ƒaýd• 451. For þýlke þtben•vnbuxom ý wýƒƒe• XXXVII. 453. Of þeƒe artýculus• þtwere ý mened þere• 454. Of grete lordes•and maƒon9 al ý fere• 455. And zef þeý ben•ý preued opu'lý• 456. Bý fore þtƒemble• bý an bý• 457. And for here gultes•no mendýs wol make• 458. Þenne moƒt þeý nede•þe craft for ƒake• 459. And ƒo maƒon9 craft•þeý ƒchul refuƒe• 460. And ƒwere hýt•neu~ more for to vƒe• 461. But zef þat þeý•wol mendýs make• 462. A zaýn to þe craft•þeý ƒchul neu~ take• 463. And zef þt þeý• nulnot do ƒo• 464. Þe ƒcheref•ƒchal come hem ƒone to• XXXVIII. 466. For þe treƒpaƒƒe•þat þeý han ý don• 467. And take here goodes•and here catell'• 468. Ýn to þe kýnges hond•euerý dell'• 469. And lete hem dwelle• þer ful ƒtýlle• 470. Týl hýt be• oure lege kýnges wýlle• Alia ordinacio artis gemetriæ 471.¶Þeý ordent þer• a ƒemble to be ý holde• 472. Euerý zer•wher ƒeuer• þeý wolde• 473. To amende þe defautes•zef aný were fonde• 474. Among þe craft•wt ýnne þe londe• 475. Vche zer• or þrýdde zer•hýt ƒchuld be holde• XXXIX. 477. Týme and place•moƒt be ordeýnt alƒo• 478. Ýn what place•þeý ƒchul ƒemble to• 479. Alle þe men of craft•þer þeý moƒt ben• 480. And oþ~ grete lordes• as ze mowe ƒen• 481. To mende þe fautes•þat buth þ~ ý ƒpoke• 482. Zef þat ený of hem•ben þenne ý broke• 483. Þer þeý ƒchullen•ben alle ý ƒwore• 484. Þat longuth•to þýs craftes lore• 485. To kepe þeƒe ƒtatutes•euerý chon• 486. Þat ben ý ordeýnt•bý kýng alðelƒton• 487. Þeƒe ƒtatutes•þtý hane hýr ý fonde• XL. 489. For þe worƒche•of mý rýgol te• 490. Þat ý hane• bý mý dýgnýte• 491. Alƒo at euerý ƒemble•þtze holde• 492. Þat ze come to zowre•lýge kýng bolde• 493. Bý ƒechýng hým•of hýs hýe grace• 494. To ƒtonde wt zow•ýn euerý place• 495. To conferme•þe ƒtatutes of kýng Aðelƒton• 496. Þat he ordeýnt to þýs craft•bý good reƒon• Ars quatuor coronator¿ 497.¶Praý we now•to god al mýzht 498. And to hýs swete moð~•marý brýzht• XLI. 500. And þeƒe poýntes•wel al ý fere• 501. As dede þeƒe holý•martýres•fowre• 502. Þat ýn þýs craft•were of gret honoure 503. Þeý were as gode maƒon9•as on erþe ƒchul go• 504. Grauers•and ýmage makers•þeý were alƒo 505. For þeý were•werke men•of þe beƒte• 506. Þe em,p,o~ hade•to hem gret luƒte• 507. He wýlned of hem•a ýmage to make• 508. Þtmowzh be worƒcheped•for hýs ƒake• 509. Suche mawmetýs•he hade ýn hýs dawe• 510. To turne þe pepul'•from crýƒt9 lawe• XLII. 512. And to here craft• wt outen naý• 513. Þeý loued wel god•and all' hýs lore• 514. And weren•ýn hýs ƒerues•eu~ more• 515. Trwe men þeý were•ýn þat dawe• 516. And lýued wel•ý goddus lawe• 517. Þeý þozght no mawmetýs•for to make• 518. For nogood þat þeý•mýzth take• 519. To lenýn on þt mawmetýs•for here god• 520. Þeý nolde do ƒo• þawz he were woð• 521. For þeý nolde not•for ƒake here trw faý• XLIII. 523. Þe em,p,o~•let take hem ƒone anon'• 524. And putte hem• ýn to a dep preƒon'• 525. Þe ƒarre he peneƒt•hem ýn þtplaƒe• 526. Þe more ýoýe•wes to hem of c'ƒt9 g^ce• 527. Þenne when he ƒýe•no noþ~ won• 528. To deþe he lette hem þenne gon• 529. Whoƒe wol of here lýf•zet mor knowe• 530. Bý þe bok• he maý hýt ƒchowe• 531. Jn þe legent•of ƒcanctor¿• 532. Þe names•of quatuor•coronator¿• XLIV. 534. Aft~ alle halwen• þe eýght daý• 535.¶Ze mow here• as ý do rede 536. Þat moný zeres aft~•for gret drede• 537. Þt noees flod• wes all' ý ronne• 538. Þe tow~ of babýloýne•wes be gonne• 539. Alƒo plaýne werk•of lýme a' ƒton• 540. As aný mon ƒchulde•loke vppon• 541. So long a' brod•hýt was be gonne 542. Senen mýle•þe hezghte ƒchadweþ þe ƒo'ne• 543. Kýng nabogodonoƒor•let hýt make• 544. To gret ƒtrenþe•for monn9 ƒake• XLV. 546. Ou~ þe werke hýt ƒchulde not nome• 547. For þeý hadde•ƒo hý p¬de• wtƒtro'g boƒt• 548. All' þtwerke•þ~fore•was ý loƒt• 549. An angel ƒmot hem ƒo•wtdýu~es ƒpeche• 550. Þat neu~ won wýƒte•what oþ~ ƒchuld reche• 551. Moný eres aft~•þe goode clerk euclýde• 552. Tazghte þe craft•of gemet¬ wond~ wýde• 553. So he dede þttýme•oþ~ al ƒo• 554. Of dýuers•craftes moný mo• 555. Þrozgh hýe g^ce•of c'ƒt ýn heuen• 556. He comenƒed•ýn þe ƒýens ƒeueu• XLVI. 558. Dialetica þe ƒecu'de•ƒo haue ý blýƒƒe• 559. Rethorica þe þrýdde•wt oute naý• 560. Muƒica ýs þe fowrþe•as ý zow ƒaý• 561. Aƒtromia ýs þe v•bý mý ƒnowte• 562. Ars metica þe vi•wt oute dowte• 563. Gemet¬a þe ƒeuenþe makeþ an ende• 564. For he ýs boþe• meke and hende• 565. Gramer for ƒoþe• ýs þe rote• 566. Whoƒe wýl lurne•on þe boke• 567. But art paƒƒeþ•ýn hýs degre 568. As þe frýte doþ•þe rote of þe tre• XLVII. 570. And muƒýke hýt ýs•a ƒwete ƒong• 571. Aƒt^mý nombreþ•mý dere brother• 572. Ars metýk•ƒcheweþ won þý'g•þt ýs anoþ~• 573. Gemet¬ þe ƒeuenþe ƒýens hýt ýƒƒe• 574. Þat con de,p,te fals hed•from trewþe ý wýs• 575. Þeƒe ben þe ƒýens• ƒeuen• 576. Whoƒe vƒeþ hem wel•he maý han heuen• 577. Now dere chýldren•bý zowre wýtte• 578. P¬de a' couetýƒe•þtze leuen hýtte• 579. And takeþ hede• to goode dýƒcrecýon• 580. And to good nort~•wher ƒeu~ ze com• 581.¶Now ý praý zow take good hede• XLVIII. 583. But muche more• ze moƒte wýten• 584. Þenne ze fýnden• hýr ý wrýten• 585. Zef þe faýle•þer to wýtte• 586. Praý to god•to ƒende þe hýtte• 587. For c¬ƒt hým ƒelf• he techet ous• 588. Þat holý churche•ýs goddes hous• 589. Þat ýs ý mad• for noþýng ellus• 590. But for to praý ýn• as þe bok tellus• 591. Þer þe pepul•ƒchal geður ýnne• 592. To praý and wepe•for here ƒýnne• 593. Loke þn come not• to churche late• 594. For to ƒpeke harlotrý•bý þe gate• XLIX. 596. Haue ýn þý mýnde• euer mare• 597. To worƒchepe þý lord god•boþe daý a' nýzth• 598. Wt all þý wýttes•a' eke þý mýzth• 599. To þe churche dore•when þndoƒt come• 600. Of þt holý wat~ þer• ƒu' þon nome• 601. For euerý drope•þn feluƒt þer• 602. Qwenchet a venýal ƒý'ne•be þn ƒer• 603. But furƒt•þu moƒt•do down þý hod'• 604. For hýƒe loue• þt dýed on þe rod'• 605. Jnto þe churche•when þn doƒt gon• 606. Pull' vppe•þý herte•to c¬ƒt• a non• L. 608. And kuele down faýre•on boþe þý knen• 609. Þen p^ý to hým•ƒo hýr to worche• 610. Aft~ þe lawe• of holý churche• 611. For to kepe•þe comandement ten• 612. Þat god zaf•to alle men• 613. And praý to hým•wt mýlde ƒteuen 614. To kepe þe• from þe ƒýnnes ƒeuen• 615. Þat þu hýr mowe• ýn þý lýue• 616. Kepe þe wel•from care and ƒtrýue• 617. Forþ~ more• he grante þe grace• 618. Inheuen blýƒƒe•to han a place• LI. 620. Of lewed ƒpeche• and fowle bordes• 621. And putte a waý• all' vanýte• 622. And ƒaý þý pat~ noƒt~•a' þýn aue• 623.~Loke alƒo• þon make no bere• 624. But aý to be• ýn þý praýere• 625. Zef þon wolt not•þý ƒelue praý• 626.~Latte non oþ~ mon• bý no waý• 627. In þtplace• nowþ~ ƒýtte ný ƒtonde• 628. But knele faýr down•on þe grnde• 629. And when þe goƒpel• me rede ƒchal• LII. 631. And bleƒƒe þe faýre•zef þtþn co'ne• 632. When gloria t¬•ýs be gonne• 633. And when þe goƒpel•ýs ý don'• 634. A zaýn þn mýzth•knele a down• 635. On boþe þý kuen•down þn falle 636. For hýƒe loue•þtbowzht vs alle• 637. And when þnhereƒt•þe belle rýnge• 638. To þat holý• ƒakerýnge• 639. Knele ze moƒt•boþe zýnge a' olde• 640. And boþe zor hondes•faýr vp holde• 641. And ƒaý þenne•ýn þýs manere• LIII. 643.¶Ihu' lord welcom•þon be• 644. Ýn forme of bred• as ý þe ƒe• 645. Now Jhu' for þýn holý name• 646. Schulde me•from ƒýnne a' ƒchame• 647. Schrýff a' hoƒel• þngrant me bo• 648. Zer þtý ƒchal•hennus go• 649. And verý contrýcýon•of mý ƒýnne 650. Þt ý neuer lord•dýe þer ýnne• 651. And as þn were•of amaýde ý bore• 652. Sofre me neu~•to be ý lore• 653. But when ý ƒchal• henn9 wende• LIV. 655. Amen amen• ƒo mot hýt be• 656. Now ƒwete ladý•praý for me• 657.¶Þus þon mýzht ƒaý• or ƒu' oþ~ þýng• 658. When þon kneluƒt•at þe ƒakerýng• 659. For couetýƒe aft~ good• ƒpare þu nouh't• 660. To worƒchepe hým•þt all' hath wroght• 661. For glad maý amon• þtdaý ben• 662. Þtmason9 ýn þe daý•maý hým ƒen• 663.~Hýt ýs ƒo muche worþe•wtoute naý• 664. Þe v~tu þ~of•no mon telle maý• 665. But ƒo meche good doth þt Sýht• LV. 667. Þtdaý þou ƒýƒt•goddus bodý• 668. Þou ƒchalt haue•þeƒe ful ƒecurlý• 669. Mete a' drýnke• at þý nede• 670. Non þtdaý• ƒchal þe gnede• 671. Ýdul oþes• an wordes bo• 672. God for zeueth• þe alƒo• 673. Soden deth• þat ýlke daý 674. Þe darnot drede bý no waý• 675. Alƒo þtdaý• ý þe plýht• 676. Þn ƒchalt not•leƒe•þý eýe ƒýht• 677. And vche fote•þt þon goƒt þeu• LVI. 679. Þeý ƒchul be told•to ƒtonde ýn ƒtede• 680. When þou haƒt•þer to gret nede• 681. Þtmeƒƒongere•þe angel' gabrýell'• 682. Wol kepe hem•to þe ful well'• 683. From þýs mat~ now•ý maý paƒƒe• 684. To telle mo medýs•of þe maƒƒe• 685. To churche•come zet•zef þn maý• 686. And here þý maƒƒe• vche daý• 687. Zef þn mowe not•come to churche• 688. Wher þteu~•þou doƒte worche• 689. When þnhereƒt•to maƒƒe knýlle• LVII. 691. To zeue þe part•of þt ƒeruýƒe• 692. Þt ýn churche•þer don ýƒe• 693.¶Forþ~ more zet•ý wol zow p~che• 694. To zowre felows•hýt forto teche• 695. When þncomeƒt•bý fore a lord'• 696. Ýn halle•ýn bowre•or at þe bord'• 697. Hod or cappe•þt þon of do• 698. Zer þon come•hým allýng to• 699. Twýes or þrýes•wt oute dowte• 700. To þt lord• þon moƒte lowte• 701. Wt þý rýzth kne•let hýt be do• LVIII. 703. Holde of þý cappe• and hod alƒo• 704. Týl þn haue leue•hýt on to do• 705. Al þe whýle•þon ƒpekeƒt wt hým• 706. Faýre a' louelýche•bere vp þý chýn• 707. So afft~ þe nort~• of þe boke• 708. Ýn hýs face• louelý þou loke• 709. Fot a' hond• þon kepe ful ƒtýlle• 710. From clawýng•a' trýppýng ýs ƒckýlle• 711. From ƒpýttýng•a' ƒnýftýng kepe þe alƒo• 712. Bý p¬uý a voýdans•let hýt go• 713. And zef þtþu•be wýƒe and felle• LIX. 715. Ýn to þe halle•when þon doƒt wende• 716. A mong•þe genteles•good a' hende• 717. P~ƒume not to hýe• for no þýng• 718. For þýn hýe blod• ný þý connýng• 719. Nowþ~ to ƒýtte•ný to lene• 720. Þat ýs nort~•good and clene• 721. Let not þý cowntena's•þ~fore abate 722. For ƒoþe good nort~•wol ƒaue þý ƒtate• 723. Fað~ and moð~•what ƒeu~ þeý be• 724. Wel ýs þe chýld• þtwel maý þe• 725. Ýn halle•ýn chamb~•wher þudoƒt gon• LX. 727. To þe nepte degre•loke wýƒlý• 728. To do hem reuerans• bý a' bý• 729. Do hem zet•no reuerans al ozowe• 730. But zef þt þou• do hem knowe• 731. To þe mete•when þon art ý ƒette• 732. Faýre a' oneƒtelýche•þn ete hýtte• 733. Fýrƒt loke•þt þýn honden ben clene• 734. And þtþý knýf•be ƒcharpe a' kene• 735. And kette þý bred•al at þý mete• 736. Rýzth as hýt maý•be þer ý ete• 737. Zef þon ƒýtte•bý aworþþýo~ mon• LXI. 739. Sofre hým fýrƒt•to toýche þe mete• 740. Zer þý ƒelf• to hýt reche• 741. To þe faýreƒt moƒƒel•þumýzht not ƒt¬ke• 742. Þaght þtþon•do hýt wel lýke• 743. Kepe þýn hondes•faýr and wel• 744. From fowle ƒmogýng•of þý towel• 745. Þer on þnƒchalt not•þý neƒe ƒnýte• 746. Ný at þe mete•þý toþe þn pýke• 747. To depe ýn þe coppe•þnmýzght not ƒýnke• 748. Þagh þn haue•good wýl to drýnke• 749. Leƒt þýn euýn•wolde wattrýn þ~bý LXII. 751. Loke ýn þý mowþ• þer be no mete 752. When þn begýnnýƒt•to drýnke or ƒpeke• 753. When þon ƒýƒt•aný mon drýnkýng• 754. Þat takeþ hed• to þý carpýng• 755. Sone anon'• þon ƒeƒe þý tale• 756. Wheþ~ he drýnke•wýn oþ~ ale• 757. Loke alƒo•þon ƒcorne no mon• 758. Ýn what degre•þu ƒýƒt hým gon• 759. Ný þon ƒchalt•nomon de praue• 760. Zef þon wolt•þý worƒchepe ƒaue• 761. For ƒuche worde•mýzht þ~out berƒte• LXIII. 763. Cloƒe þý hond• ýn þý fýƒte• 764. And kepe þe wel•fro hadý wýƒte• 765. Ýn chamb~ a mo'g•þe ladýes brýght• 766. Holde þý tonge• a' ƒpende þý ƒýght• 767. Lawze þnnot•wtno gret crý• 768. Ný make• no ragýng•wt rýbodý• 769. Plaý þn not•but wt þý peres• 770. Ný tel þn not al•þtþon heres• 771. Dýƒkeu~ þnnot• þýn owne dede• 772. For no merþe•ný for no mede• 773. Wtfaýr ƒpeche•þn mýght hane þý wýlle• 774. Wt hýt þn mýght•þý ƒeluen ƒpýlle• LXIV. 776. Cappe a' hod•þon holle not on• 777. Ýn churche•ýn cheþýns•or ýn þe gate• 778. Do hým reueras• aft~ hýs ƒtate• 779. Zef þngoƒt•wt a worþýor mon• 780. Þen þý ƒeluen•þon art won• 781. Let þý forþ~ ƒchuld~•ƒewe hýs backe• 782. For þat ýs nort~er•wt oute lacke• 783. When he doþ ƒpeke• holte þe ƒtýlle 784. When he hath don• ƒpeke þon þý wýlle• 785. Ýn þý ƒpeche•þat þon be felle• 786. And what þuƒaýƒt•avýƒe þe well'• 787. But bý ref þnnot•hým hýs tale• 788. Nowþ~ at þe wýn•ný at þe ale• 789. Crýƒt þen of hýs hýe grace• 790. Zeue zow boþe•wýtte a' ƒpace• 791. Wel þýs boke•to conne a' rede• 792. Heuen to haue•for zowre mede• 793. Ame' amen•ƒo mot hýt be• 794. Saý we ƒo alle• p~ charýte• |
Halliwell/Speth
Page I. gemetriae secundum Eucyldem 1. Whose wol bothe wel rede and loke, 2. He may fynde wryte yn olde boke 3. Of grete lordys and eke ladyysse, 4. That hade mony chyldryn y-fere, y-wisse; 5. And hade no rentys to fynde hem wyth, 6. Nowther yn towne, ny felde, ny fryth: 7. A cownsel togeder they cowthe hem take; 8. To ordeyne for these chyldryn sake, 9. How they myzth best lede here lyfe 10. Withoute gret desese, care and stryfe; 11. And most for the multytude that was comynge 12. Of here chyldryn after here zyndynge. 13. (They) sende thenne after grete clerkys, 14. To techyn hem thenne gode werkys; II. 16. To oure chyldryn sum werke to make, 17. That they myzth gete here lyvynge therby, 18. Bothe wel and onestlyche, ful sycurly. 19. Yn that tyme, throzgh good gemetry, 20. Thys onest craft of good masonry 21. Wes ordeynt and made yn thys manere, 22. Y-cownterfetyd of thys clerkys y-fere; 23. At these lordys prayers they cownterfetyd gemetry, 24. And zaf hyt the name of masonry, 25. For the moste oneste craft of alle. 26. These lordys chyldryn therto dede falle, 27. To lurne of hym the craft of gemetry, 28. The wheche he made ful curysly; III. 30. Thys onest craft he putte hem to. 31. He that lernede best, and were of onesté, 32. And passud hys felows yn curysté; 33. Zef yn that craft he dede hym passe, 34. He schulde have more worschepe then the lasse. 35. Thys grete clerkys name wes clept Euclyde, 36. Hys name hyt spradde ful wondur wyde. 37. Zet thys grete clerke more ordeynt he 38. To hym that was herre yn thys degré, 39. That he schulde teche the symplyst of (wytte) 40. Yn that onest craft to be parfytte; 41. And so uchon schulle techyn othur, 42. And love togeder as syster and brothur. IV. 44. Mayster y-called so schulde he be; 45. So that he were most y-worschepede, 46. Thenne sculde he be so y-clepede: 47. But mason schulde never won other calle, 48. Withynne the craft amongus hem alle, 49. Ny soget, ny servand, my dere brother, 50. Thazht he be not so perfyt as ys another; 51. Uchon sculle calle other felows by cuthe, 52. For cause they come of ladyes burthe. 53. On thys maner, throz good wytte of gemetry, 54. Bygan furst the craft of masonry: 55. The clerk Euclyde on thys wyse hyt fonde, 56. Thys craft of gemetry yn Egypte londe. V. 58. Yn dyvers londe on every syde; 59. Mony erys afterwarde, y understonde, 60. Zer that the craft com ynto thys londe, 61. Thys craft com ynto Englond, as y zow say, 62. Yn tyme of good kynge Adelstonus day; 63. He made tho bothe halle and eke bowre, 64. And hye templus of gret honowre, 65. To sportyn hym yn bothe day and nyzth, 66. An to worschepe hys God with alle hys myzth. 67. Thys goode lorde loved thys craft ful wel, 68. And purposud to strenthyn hyt every del, 69. For dyvers defawtys that yn the craft he fonde; 70. He sende about ynto the londe VI. 72. To come to hym ful evene strazfte, 73. For to amende these defautys alle 74. By good consel, zef hyt mytzth falle. 75. A semblé thenne he cowthe let make 76. Of dyvers lordis, yn here state, 77. Dukys, erlys, and barnes also, 78. Knyzthys, sqwyers, and mony mo, 79. And the grete burges of that syté, 80. They were ther alle yn here degré; 81. These were ther uchon algate, 82. To ordeyne for these masonus astate. 83. Ther they sowzton by here wytte, 84. How they myzthyn governe hytte: VII. 86. And fyftene poyntys ther they wrozton. Hic incipit articulus primus. 87. The furste artycul of thys gemetry:— 88. The mayster mason moste be ful securly 89. bothe stedefast, trusty, and trwe, 90. Hyt schal hym never thenne arewe: 91. And pay thy felows after the coste, 92. As vytaylys goth thenne, wel thou woste; 93. And pay them trwly, apon thy fay, 94. What that they deserven may; 95. And to her hure take no more, 96. But what that they mowe serve fore; 97. And spare, nowther for love ny drede, VIII. 99. Of lord ny felow, whether he be, 100. Of hem thou take no maner of fe; 101. And as a jugge stonde upryzth, 102. And thenne thou dost to bothe good ryzth; 103. And trwly do thys whersever thou gost, 104. Thy worschep, thy profyt, hyt schal be most. Articulus secundus. 105. The secunde artycul of good masonry, 106. As ze mowe hyt here hyr specyaly, 107. That every mayster, that ys a mason, 108. Most ben at the generale congregacyon, 109. So that he hyt resonably y-tolde 110. Where that the semblé schal be holde; IX. 112. But he have a resenabul skwsacyon, 113. Or but he be unbuxom to that craft, 114. Or with falssehed ys over-raft, 115. Or ellus sekenes hath hym so stronge, 116. That he may not come hem amonge; 117. That ys a skwsacyon, good and abulle, 118. To that semblé withoute fabulle. Articulus tercius. 119. The thrydde artycul for sothe hyt ysse, 120. That the mayster take to no prentysse, 121. But he have good seuerans to dwelle 122. Seven zer with hym, as y zow telle, 123. Hys craft to lurne, that ys profytable; X. 125. To lordys profyt, ny to his owne, 126. As ze mowe knowe by good resowne. Articulus quartus. 127. The fowrthe artycul thys moste be, 128. That the mayster hym wel be-se, 129. That he no bondemon prentys make, 130. Ny for no covetyse do hym take; 131. For the lord that he ys bonde to, 132. May fache the prentes whersever he go. 133. Zef yn the logge he were y-take, 134. Muche desese hyt myzth ther make, 135. And suche case hyt myzth befalle, 136. That hyt myzth greve summe or alle. XI. 138. Wol stonde togedur hol y-fere. 139. Zef suche won yn that craft schulde dwelle, 140. Of dyvers desesys ze myzth telle: 141. For more zese thenne, and of honesté, 142. Take a prentes of herre degré. 143. By olde tyme wryten y fynde 144. That the prentes schulde be of gentyl kynde; 145. And so sumtyme grete lordys blod 146. Toke thys gemetry, that ys ful good. Articulus quintus. 147. The fyfthe artycul ys swythe good, 148. So that the prentes be of lawful blod; 149. The mayster schal not, for no vantage, XII. 151. Hyt ys to mene, as ze mowe here, 152. That he have hys lymes hole alle y-fere; 153. To the craft hyt were gret schame, 154. To make an halt mon and a lame, 155. For an unperfyt mon of suche blod 156. Schulde do the craft but lytul good. 157. Thus ze mowe knowe everychon, 158. The craft wolde have a myzhty mon; 159. A maymed mon he hath no myzht, 160. Ze mowe hyt knowe long zer nyzht. Articulus sextus. 161. The syxte artycul ze mowe not mysse, XIII. 163. To take of the lord, for hyse prentyse, 164. Also muche as hys felows don, yn alle vyse. 165. For yn that craft they ben ful perfyt, 166. So ys not he, ze mowe sen hyt. 167. Also hyt were azeynus good reson, 168. To take hys hure, as hys felows don. 169. Thys same artycul, yn thys casse, 170. Juggythe the prentes to take lasse 171. Thenne hys felows, that ben ful perfyt. 172. Yn dyvers maters, conne qwyte hyt, 173. The mayster may his prentes so enforme, 174. That hys hure may crese ful zurne, XIV. 176. Hys hure may ful wel amende. Articulus septimus. 177. The seventhe artycul that ys now here, 178. Ful wel wol telle zow, alle y-fere, 179. That no mayster, for favour ny drede, 180. Schal no thef nowther clothe ny fede. 181. Theves he schal herberon never won, 182. Ny hym that hath y-quellude a mon, 183. Ny thylke that hath a febul name, 184. Lest hyt wolde turne the craft to schame. Articulus octavus. 185. The eghte artycul schewet zow so, XV. 187. Zef that he have any mon of crafte, 188. And be not also perfyt as he auzte, 189. He may hym change sone anon, 190. And take for hym a perfytur mon. 191. Suche a mon, throze rechelaschepe, 192. Myzth do the craft schert worschepe. Articulus nonus. 193. The nynthe artycul schewet ful welle, 194. That the mayster be both wyse and felle; 195. That no werke he undurtake, 196. But he conne bothe hyt ende and make; 197. And that hyt be to the lordes profyt also, XVI. 199. And that the grond be wel y-take, 200. That hyt nowther fle ny grake. Articulus decimus. 201. The thenthe artycul ys for to knowe, 202. Amonge the craft, to hye and lowe, 203. Ther schal no mayster supplante other, 204. But be togeder as systur and brother, 205. Yn thys curyus craft, alle and som, 206. That longuth to a maystur mason. 207. Ny he schal not supplante non other mon, 208. That hath y-take a werke hym uppon, 209. Yn peyne therof that ys so stronge, XVII. 211. But zef that he be gulty y-fonde, 212. That toke furst the werke on honde; 213. For no mon yn masonry 214. Schal not supplante othur securly, 215. But zef that hyt be so y-wrozth, 216. That hyt turne the werke to nozth; 217. Thenne may a mason that werk crave, 218. To the lordes profyt hyt for to save; 219. Yn suche a case but hyt do falle, 220. Ther schal no mason medul withalle. 221. Forsothe he that begynnyth the gronde, 222. And he be a mason goode and sonde, 223. For hath hyt sycurly yn hys mynde XVIII. Articulus undecimus. 225. The eleventhe artycul y telle the, 226. That he ys bothe fayr and fre; 227. For he techyt, by hys myzth, 228. That no mason schulde worche be nyzth, 229. But zef hyt be yn practesynge of wytte, 230. Zef that y cowthe amende hytte. Articulus duodecimus. 231. The twelfthe artycul ys of hye honesté 232. To zevery mason, whersever he be; 233. He schal not hys felows werk deprave, 234. Zef that he wol hys honesté save; 235. With honest wordes he hyt comende, XIX. 237. But hyt amende by al that thou may, 238. Bytwynne zow bothe withoute nay. Articulus xiijus. 239. The threttene artycul, so God me save, 240. Ys, zef that the mayster a prentes have, 241. Enterlyche thenne that he hym teche, 242. And meserable poyntes that he hym reche, 243. That he the craft abelyche may conne, 244. Whersever he go undur the sonne. Articulus xiiijus. 245. The fowrtene artycul, by good reson, 246. Scheweth the mayster how he schal don; 247. He schal no prentes to hym take, XX. 249. That he may, withynne hys terme, 250. Of hym dyvers poyntes may lurne. Articulus quindecimus. 251. The fyftene artycul maketh an ende, 252. For to the mayster he ys a frende; 253. To lere hym so, that for no mon, 254. No fals mantenans he take hym apon, 255. Ny maynteine hys felows yn here synne, 256. For no good that he myzth wynne; 257. Ny no fals sware sofre hem to make, 258. For drede of here sowles sake; 259. Lest hyt wolde turne the craft to schame, 260. And hymself to mechul blame. XXI. 261. At thys semblé were poyntes y-ordeynt mo, 262. Of grete lordys and maystrys also, 263. That whose wol conne thys craft and com to astate, 264. He most love wel God, and holy churche algate, 265. And hys mayster also, that he ys wythe, 266. Whersever he go, yn fylde or frythe; 267. And thy felows thou love also, 268. For that thy craft wol that thou do. Secundus punctus. 269. The secunde poynt, as y zow say, 270. That the mason worche apon the werk day, 271. Also trwly, as he con or may, XXII. 273. And trwly to labrun on hys dede, 274. Wel deserve to have hys mede. Tercius punctus. 275. The thrydde poynt most be severele, 276. With the prentes knowe hyt wele, 277. Hys mayster conwsel he kepe and close, 278. And hys felows by hys goode purpose; 279. The prevetyse of the chamber telle he no man, 280. Ny yn the logge whatsever they done; 281. Whatsever thou heryst, or syste hem do, 282. Telle hyt no mon, whersever thou go; 283. The conwsel of halle, and zeke of bowre, XXIII. 285. Lest hyt wolde torne thyself to blame, 286. And brynge the craft ynto gret schame. Quartus punctus. 287. The fowrthe poynt techyth us alse, 288. That no mon to hys craft be false; 289. Errour he schal maynteine none 290. Azeynus the craft, but let hyt gone; 291. Ny no pregedysse he schal not do 292. To hys mayster, ny hys felows also; 293. And thazth the prentes be under awe, 294. Zet he wolde have the same lawe. Quintus punctus. XXIV. 296. That whenne the mason taketh hys pay 297. Of the mayster, y-ordent to hym, 298. Ful mekely y-take so most hyt byn; 299. Zet most the mayster, by good resone, 300. Warne hem lawfully byfore none, 301. Zef he nulle okepye hem no more, 302. As he hath y-done ther byfore; 303. Azeynus thys ordyr he may not stryve, 304. Zef he thenke wel for to thryve. Sextus punctus. 305. The syxte poynt ys ful zef to knowe, 306. Bothe to hye and eke to lowe, XXV. 308. Amonge the masonus, summe or alle, 309. Throwghe envye, or dedly hate, 310. Ofte aryseth ful gret debate. 311. Thenne owyth the mason, zef that he may, 312. Putte hem bothe under a day; 313. But loveday zet schul they make none, 314. Tyl that the werke day be clene a-gone; 315. Apon the holyday ze mowe wel take 316. Leyser y-nowzgh loveday to make, 317. Lest that hyt wolde the werke day 318. Latte here werke for suche afray; 319. To suche ende thenne that ze hem drawe, XXVI. Septimus punctus. 321. The seventhe poynt he may wel mene, 322. Of wel longe lyf that God us lene, 323. As hyt dyscryeth wel opunly, 324. Thou schal not by thy maystres wyf ly, 325. Ny by thy felows, yn no maner wyse, 326. Lest the craft wolde the despyse; 327. Ny by thy felows concubyne, 328. No more thou woldest he dede by thyne. 329. The peyne thereof let hyt be ser, 330. That he be prentes ful seven zer, 331. Zef he forfete yn eny of hem, XXVII. 333. Ful mekele care myzth ther begynne, 334. For suche a fowle dedely synne. Octavus punctus. 335. The eghte poynt, he may be sure, 336. Zef thou hast y-taken any cure, 337. Under thy mayster thou be trwe, 338. For that pynt thou schalt never arewe; 339. A trwe medyater thou most nede be 340. To thy mayster, and thy felows fre; 341. Do trwly al....that thou myzth, 342. To both partyes, and that ys good ryzth. Nonus punctus. XXVIII. 344. That he be stwarde of oure halle, 345. Zef that ze ben yn chambur y-fere, 346. Uchon serve other, with mylde chere; 347. Jentul felows, ze moste hyt knowe, 348. For to be stwardus alle o rowe, 349. Weke after weke withoute dowte, 350. Stwardus to ben so alle abowte, 351. Lovelyche to serven uchon othur, 352. As thawgh they were syster and brother; 353. Ther schal never won on other costage 354. Fre hymself to no vantage, 355. But every mon schal be lyche fre XXIX. 357. Loke that thou pay wele every mon algate, 358. That thou hast y-bowzht any vytayles ate, 359. That no cravynge be y-mad to the, 360. Ny to thy felows, yn no degré, 361. To mon or to wommon, whether he be, 362. Pay hem wel and trwly, for that wol we; 363. Therof on thy felow trwe record thou take, 364. For that good pay as thou dost make, 365. Lest hyt wolde thy felowe schame, 366. And brynge thyself ynto gret blame. 367. Zet good acowntes he most make 368. Of suche godes as he hath y-take, XXX. 370. Wher, and how, and to what ende; 371. Suche acowntes thou most come to, 372. Whenne thy felows wollen that thou do. Decimus punctus. 373. The tenthe poynt presentyth wel god lyf, 374. To lyven withoute care and stryf; 375. For and the mason lyve amysse, 376. And yn hys werk be false, y-wysse, 377. And throwz suche a false skewysasyon 378. May sclawndren hys felows oute reson, 379. Throwz false sclawnder of suche fame XXXI. 381. Zef he do the craft suche vylany, 382. Do hym no favour thenne securly, 383. Ny maynteine not hym yn wyked lyf, 384. Lest hyt wolde turne to care and stryf; 385. But zet hym ze schul not delayme, 386. But that ze schullen hym constrayne, 387. For to apere whersevor ze wylle, 388. Whar that ze wolen, lowde or stylle; 389. To the nexte semblé ze schul hym calle, 390. To apere byfore hys felows alle, 391. And but zef he wyl byfore hem pere, XXXII. 393. He schal thenne be chasted after the lawe 394. That was y-fownded by olde dawe. Punctus undecimus. 395. The eleventhe poynt ys of good dyscrecyoun, 396. As ze mowe knowe by good resoun; 397. A mason, and he thys craft wel con, 398. That syzth hys felow hewen on a ston, 399. And ys yn poynt to spylle that ston, 400. Amende hyt sone, zef that thou con, 401. And teche hym thenne hyt to amende, 402. That the l(ordys) werke be not y-schende, 403. And teche hym esely hyt to amende, XXXIII. 405. For hys sake that sytte above, 406. With swete wordes noresche hym love. Punctus duodecimus. 407. The twelthe poynt ys of gret ryolté, 408. Ther as the semblé y-holde schal be, 409. Ther schul be maystrys and felows also, 410. And other grete lordes mony mo; 411. There schal be the scheref of that contré, 412. And also the meyr of that syté, 413. Knyztes and sqwyers ther schul be, 414. And other aldermen, as ze schul se; 415. Suche ordynance as they maken there, XXXIV. 417. Azeynus that mon, whatsever he be, 418. That longuth to the craft bothe fayr and fre. 419. Zef he any stryf azeynus hem make, 420. Ynto here warde he schal be take. Xiijus punctus. 421. The threntethe poynt ys to us ful luf, 422. He schal swere never to be no thef, 423. Ny soker hym yn hys fals craft, 424. For no good that he hath byraft, 425. And thou mowe hyt knowe or syn, 426. Nowther for hys good, ny for hys kyn. Xiiijus punctus. XXXV. 428. To hym that wold ben under awe; 429. A good trwe othe he most ther swere 430. To hys mayster and hys felows that ben there; 431. He most be stedefast and trwe also 432. To alle thys ordynance, whersever he go, 433. And to hys lyge lord the kynge, 434. To be trwe to hym, over alle thynge. 435. And alle these poyntes hyr before 436. To hem thou most nede be y-swore, 437. And alle schul swere the same ogth 438. Of the masonus, ben they luf, ben they loght, 439. To alle these poyntes hyr byfore, XXXVI. 441. And they schul enquere every mon 442. On his party, as wyl as he con, 443. Zef any mon mowe be y-fownde gulty 444. Yn any of these poyntes spesyaly; 445. And whad he be, let hym be sowzht, 446. And to the semblé let hym be browzht. Quindecimus punctus. 447. The fyftethe poynt ys of ful good lore, 448. For hem that schul ben ther y-swore, 449. Suche ordynance at the semblé wes layd 450. Of grete lordes and maystres byforesayd; 451. For thylke that ben unbuxom, y-wysse, XXXVII. 453. Of these artyculus, that were y-meved there, 454. Of grete lordes and masonus al y-fere. 455. And zef they ben y-preved opunly 456. Byfore that semblé, by an by, 457. And for here gultes no mendys wol make, 458. Thenne most they nede the craft forsake; 459. And so masonus craft they schul refuse, 460. And swere hyt never more for to use. 461. But zef that they wol mendys make, 462. Azayn to the craft they schul never take; 463. And zef that they nul not do so, 464. The scheref schal come hem sone to, XXXVIII. 466. For the trespasse that they hav y-don, 467. And take here goodes and here cattelle 468. Ynto the kynges hond, every delle, 469. And lete hem dwelle there ful stylle, 470. Tyl hyt be oure lege kynges wylle. Alia ordinacio artis gemetriæ. 471. They ordent ther a semblé to be y-holde 472. Every zer, whersever they wolde, 473. To amende the defautes, zef any where fonde 474. Amonge the craft withynne the londe; 475. Uche zer or thrydde zer hyt schuld be holde, XXXIX. 477. Tyme and place most be ordeynt also, 478. Yn what place they schul semble to. 479. Alle the men of craft ther they most ben, 480. And other grete lordes, as ze mowe sen, 481. To mende the fautes that buth ther y-spoke, 482. Zef that eny of hem ben thenne y-broke. 483. Ther they schullen ben alle y-swore, 484. That longuth to thys craftes lore, 485. To kepe these statutes everychon, 486. That ben y-ordeynt by kynge Aldelston; 487. These statutes that y have hyr y-fonde XL. 489. For the worsché of my rygolté, 490. That y have by my dygnyté. 491. Also at every semblé that ze holde, 492. That ze come to zowre lyge kyng bolde, 493. Bysechynge hym of hys hye grace, 494. To stonde with zow yn every place, 495. To conferme the statutes of kynge Adelston, 496. That he ordeydnt to thys craft by good reson. Ars quatuor coronatorum. 497. Pray we now to God almyzht, 498. And to hys swete moder Mary bryzht, XLI. 500. And these poynts wel al y-fere, 501. As dede these holy martyres fowre, 502. That yn thys craft were of gret honoure; 503. They were as gode masonus as on erthe schul go, 504. Gravers and ymage-makers they were also. 505. For they were werkemen of the beste. 506. The emperour hade to hem gret luste; 507. He wylned of hem a ymage to make, 508. That mowzh be worscheped for his sake; 509. Suche mawmetys he hade yn hys dawe, 510. To turne the pepul from Crystus lawe. XLII. 512. And to here craft, withouten nay; 513. They loved wel God and alle hys lore, 514. And weren yn hys serves ever more. 515. Trwe men they were yn that dawe, 516. And lyved wel y Goddus lawe; 517. They thozght no mawmetys for to make, 518. For no good that they myzth take, 519. To levyn on that mawmetys for here God, 520. They nolde do so, thawz he were wod; 521. For they nolde not forsake here trw fay, XLIII. 523. The emperour let take hem sone anone, 524. And putte hem ynto a dep presone; 525. The sarre he penest hem yn that plase, 526. The more yoye wes to hem of Cristus grace. 527. Thenne when he sye no nother won, 528. To dethe he lette hem thenne gon; 529. Whose wol of here lyf zet mor knowe, 530. By the bok he may hyt schowe, 531. In the legent of scanctorum, 532. The names of quatuor coronatorum. XLIV. 534. After Alle Halwen the eyght day. 535. Ze mow here as y do rede, 536. That mony zeres after, for gret drede 537. That Noees flod wes alle y-ronne, 538. The tower of Babyloyne was begonne, 539. Also playne werke of lyme and ston, 540. As any mon schulde loke uppon; 541. So long and brod hyt was begonne, 542. Seven myle the hezghte schadweth the sonne. 543. Kyng Nabogodonosor let hyt make, 544. To gret strenthe for monus sake, XLV. 546. Over the werke hyt schulde not nome; 547. For they hadde so hy pride, with stronge bost, 548. Alle that werke therfore was y-lost; 549. An angele smot hem so with dyveres speche, 550. That never won wyste what other schuld reche. 551. Mony eres after, the goode clerk Euclyde 552. Tazghte the craft of gemetré wonder wyde, 553. So he dede that tyme other also, 554. Of dyvers craftes mony mo. 555. Throzgh hye grace of Crist yn heven, 556. He commensed yn the syens seven; XLVI. 558. Dialetica the secunde, so have y blysse, 559. Rethorica the thrydde, withoute nay, 560. Musica ys the fowrth, as y zow say, 561. Astromia ys the V, by my snowte, 562. Arsmetica the Vi, withoute dowte, 563. Gemetria the seventhe maketh an ende, 564. For he ys bothe meke and hende. 565. Gramer forsothe ys the rote, 566. Whose wyl lurne on the boke; 567. But art passeth yn hys degré, 568. As the fryte doth the rote of the tre; XLVII. 570. And musyke hyt ys a swete songe; 571. Astronomy nombreth, my dere brother, 572. Arsmetyk scheweth won thyng that ys another, 573. Gemetré the seventhe syens hyt ysse, 574. That con deperte falshed from trewthe y-wys. 575. These ben the syens seven, 576. Whose useth hem wel, he may han heven. 577. Now dere chyldren, by zowre wytte, 578. Pride and covetyse that ze leven hytte, 579. And taketh hede to goode dyscrecyon, 580. And to good norter, whersever ze com. 581. Now y pray zow take good hede, XLVIII. 583. But muche more ze moste wyten, 584. Thenne ze fynden hyr y-wryten. 585. Zef the fayle therto wytte, 586. Pray to God to sende the hytte; 587. For Crist hymself, he techet ous 588. That holy churche ys Goddes hous, 589. That ys y-mad for nothynge ellus 590. But for to pray yn, as the bok tellus; 591. Ther the pepul schal gedur ynne, 592. To pray and wepe for here synne. 593. Loke thou come not to churche late, 594. For to speke harlotry by the gate; XLIX. 596. Have yn thy mynde ever mare 597. To worschepe thy lord God bothe day and nyzth, 598. With all thy wyttes, and eke thy myzth. 599. To the churche dore when thou dost come, 600. Of that holy water ther sum thow nome, 601. For every drope thou felust ther 602. Qwenchet a venyal synne, be thou ser. 603. But furst thou most do down thy hode, 604. For hyse love that dyed on the rode. 605. Into the churche when thou dost gon, 606. Pulle uppe thy herte to Crist, anon; L. 608. And knele down fayre on bothe thy knen; 609. Then pray to hym so hyr to worche, 610. After the lawe of holy churche, 611. For to kepe the comandementes ten, 612. That God zaf to alle men; 613. And pray to hym with mylde steven 614. To kepe the from the synnes seven, 615. That thou hyr mowe, yn thy lyve, 616. Kepe the wel from care and stryve; 617. Forthermore he grante the grace, 618. In heven blysse to hav a place. LI. 620. Of lewed speche, and fowle bordes, 621. And putte away alle vanyté, 622. And say thy pater noster and thyn ave; 623. Loke also thou make no bere, 624. But ay to be yn thy prayere; 625. Zef thou wolt not thyselve pray, 626. Latte non other mon by no way. 627. In that place nowther sytte ny stonde, 628. But knele fayre down on the gronde, 629. And, when the Gospel me rede schal, LII. 631. And blesse the fayre, zef that thou conne, 632. When gloria tibi is begonne; 633. And when the gospel ys y-done, 634. Azayn thou myzth knele adown; 635. On bothe thy knen down thou falle, 636. For hyse love that bowzht us alle; 637. And when thou herest the belle rynge 638. To that holy sakerynge, 639. Knele ze most, bothe zynge and olde, 640. And bothe zor hondes fayr upholde, 641. And say thenne yn thys manere, LIII. 643. "Jhesu Lord, welcom thou be, 644. Yn forme of bred, as y the se. 645. Now Jhesu, for thyn holy name, 646. Schulde me from synne and schame, 647. Schryff and hosel thou grant me bo, 648. Zer that y schal hennus go, 649. And very contrycyon of my synne, 650. That y never, Lord, dye therynne; 651. And, as thou were of a mayde y-bore, 652. Sofre me never to be y-lore; 653. But when y schal hennus wende, LIV. 655. Amen! amen! so mot hyt be! 656. Now, swete lady, pray for me." 657. Thus thou myzht say, or sum other thynge, 658. When thou knelust at the sakerynge. 659. For covetyse after good, spare thou nought 660. To worschepe hym that alle hath wroght; 661. For glad may a mon that day ben, 662. That onus yn the day may hym sen; 663. Hyt ys so muche worthe, withoute nay, 664. The vertu therof no mon telle may; 665. But so meche good doth that syht, LV. 667. That day thou syst Goddus body, 668. Thou schalt have these, ful securly:— 669. Mete and drynke at thy nede, 670. Non that day schal the gnede; 671. Ydul othes, an wordes bo, 672. God forzeveth the also; 673. Soden deth, that ylke day, 674. The dar not drede by no way; 675. Also that day, y the plyht, 676. Thou schalt not lese thy eye syht; 677. And uche fote that thou gost then, LVI. 679. They schul be told to stonde yn stede, 680. When thou hast therto gret nede; 681. That messongere, the angele Gabryelle, 682. Wol kepe hem to the ful welle. 683. From thys mater now y may passe, 684. To telle mo medys of the masse: 685. To churche come zet, zef thou may, 686. And here thy masse uche day; 687. Zef thou mowe not come to churche, 688. Wher that ever thou doste worche, 689. When thou herest to masse knylle, LVII. 691. To zeve the part of that servyse, 692. That yn churche ther don yse. 693. Forthermore zet, y wol zow preche 694. To zowre felows, hyt for to teche, 695. When thou comest byfore a lorde, 696. Yn halle, yn bowre, or at the borde, 697. Hod or cappe that thou of do, 698. Zer thou come hym allynge to; 699. Twyes or thryes, withoute dowte, 700. To that lord thou moste lowte; 701. With thy ryzth kne let hyt be do, LVIII. 703. Holde of thy cappe, and hod also, 704. Tyl thou have leve hyt on to do. 705. Al the whyle thou spekest with hym, 706. Fayre and lovelyche bere up thy chyn; 707. So, affter the norter of the boke, 708. Yn hys face lovely thou loke. 709. Fot and hond, thou kepe ful stylle 710. From clawynge and trypynge, ys sckylle; 711. From spyttynge and snyftynge kepe the also, 712. By privy avoydans let hyt go. 713. And zef that thou be wyse and felle, LIX. 715. Ynto the halle when thou dost wende, 716. Amonges the genteles, good and hende, 717. Presume not to hye for nothynge, 718. For thyn hye blod, ny thy connynge; 719. Nowther to sytte, ny to lene, 720. That ys norther good and clene. 721. Let not thy cowntenans therfore abate, 722. Forsothe, good norter wol save thy state. 723. Fader and moder, whatsever they be, 724. Wel ys the chyld that wel may the, 725. Yn halle, yn chamber, wher thou dost gon; LX. 727. To the nexte degré loke wysly, 728. To do hem reverans by and by; 729. Do hem zet no reverans al o-rowe, 730. But zef that thou do hem knowe. 731. To the mete when thou art y-sette, 732. Fayre and onestelyche thou ete hytte; 733. Fyrst loke that thyn honden be clene, 734. And that thy knyf be scharpe and kene; 735. And kette thy bred al at thy mete, 736. Ryzth as hyt may be ther y-ete. 737. Zef thou sytte by a worththyur mon, LXI. 739. Sofre hym fyrst to toyche the mete, 740. Zer thyself to hyt reche. 741. To the fayrest mossel thou myzht not strike, 742. Thaght that thou do hyt wel lyke; 743. Kepe thyn hondes, fayr and wel, 744. From fowle smogynge of thy towel; 745. Theron thou schalt not thy nese snyte, 746. Ny at the mete thy tothe thou pyke; 747. To depe yn the coppe thou myzght not synke, 748. Thagh thou have good wyl to drynke, 749. Lest thyn enyn wolde wattryn therby — LXII. 751. Loke yn thy mowth ther be no mete, 752. When thou begynnyst to drynke or speke. 753. When thou syst any mon drynkynge, 754. That taketh hed to thy carpynge, 755. Sone anonn thou sese thy tale, 756. Whether he drynke wyn other ale. 757. Loke also thou scorne no mon, 758. Yn what degré thou syst hym gon; 759. Ny thou schalt no mon deprave, 760. Zef thou wolt thy worschepe save, 761. For suche worde myzht ther outberste, LXIII. 763. Close thy honde yn thy fyste, 764. And kepe the wel fro "had-y-wyste." 765. Yn chamber, amonge the ladyes bryght, 766. Holde thy tonge and spende thy syght; 767. Lawze thou not with no gret cry, 768. Ny make no ragynge with rybody. 769. Play thou not but with thy peres, 770. Ny tel thou not al that thou heres; 771. Dyskever thou not thyn owne dede, 772. For no merthe, ny for no mede; 773. With fayr speche thou myght have thy wylle, 774. With hyt thou myght thy selven spylle. LXIV. 776. Cappe and hod thou holle not on; 777. Yn churche, yn chepyns, or yn the gate, 778. Do hym revera(n)s after hys state. 779. Zef thou gost with a worthyor mon 780. Then thyselven thou art won, 781. Let thy forther schulder sewe hys backe, 782. For that ys norter withoute lacke; 783. When he doth speke, holte the stylle, 784. When he hath don, sey for thy wylle, 785. Yn thy speche that thou be felle, 786. And what thou sayst avyse the welle; 787. But byref thou not hym hys tale, 788. Nowther at the wyn, ny at the ale. 789. Cryst then of hys hye grace, 790. Zeve zow bothe wytte and space, 791. Wel thys boke to conne and rede, 792. Heven to have for zowre mede. 793. Amen! amen! so mot hyt be! 794. Say we so alle per charyté. |
Baxter
Page I. of Geometry according to Euclid. 1. Whoever will both well read and look 2. He may find written in old book 3. Of great lords and also ladies, 4. That had many children together, certainly; ( ) 5. And had no income to keep them with, 6. Neither in town nor field nor enclosed wood; ( ) 7. A council together they could them take, 8. To ordain for these children's sake, 9. How they might best lead their life 10. Without great disease, care, and strife; 11. And most for the multitude that was coming 12. Of their children after their ending. 13. They sent them after great clerks, 14. To teach them then good works; II. 16. To our children some work to make, 17. That they might get their living thereby, 18. Both well and honestly full securely. 19. In that time, through good geometry, 20. This honest craft of good masonry 21. Was ordained and made in this manner, 22. Counterfeited of these clerks together; 23. At these lord's prayers they counterfeited geometry, 24. And gave it the name of masonry, 25. For the most honest craft of all. 26. These lords' children thereto did fall, 27. To learn of him the craft of geometry, 28. The which he made full curiously; III. 30. This honest craft he put them to. 31. He that learned best, and was of honesty, 32. And passed his fellows in curiosity, 33. If in that craft he did him pass, 34. He should have more worship than the less. ( ) 35. This great clerk's name was called Euclid, 36. His name it spread full wonder wide. 37. Yet this great clerk more ordained he 38. To him that was higher in this degree, 39. That he should teach the simplest of wit 40. In that honest craft to be perfect; ( ) 41. And so each one shall teach the other, 42. And love together as sister and brother. IV. 44. Master called so should he be; 45. So that he were most worshipped, 46. Then should he be so called: 47. But masons should never one another call, 48. Within the craft amongst them all, 49. Neither subject nor servant, my dear brother, 50. Though he be not so perfect as is another; 51. Each shall call other fellows by friendship, ( ) 52. Because they come of ladies' birth. 53. On this manner, through good wit of geometry, 54. Began first the craft of masonry: 55. The clerk Euclid on this wise it found, 56. This craft of geometry in Egypt land. V. 58. In divers lands on every side; 59. Many years afterwards, I understand, 60. Ere that the craft came into this land. 61. This craft came into England, as I you say, 62. In time of good King Athelstane's day; 63. He made then both hall and even bower, 64. And high temples of great honour, 65. To disport him in both day and night, 66. And to worship his God with all his might. 67. This good lord loved this craft full well, 68. And purposed to strengthen it every part, ( ) 69. For divers faults that in the craft he found; 70. He sent about into the land VI. 72. To come to him full even straight, ( ) 73. For to amend these defaults all 74. By good counsel, if it might fall. 75. An assembly then he could let make 76. Of divers lords in their state, 77. Dukes, earls, and barons also, 78. Knights, squires and many more, ( ) 79. And the great burgesses of that city, 80. They were there all in their degree; 81. These were there each one always, ( ) 82. To ordain for these masons' estate, 83. There they sought by their wit, 84. How they might govern it: VII. 86. And fifteen points there they wrought. Here begins the first article. 87. The first article of this geometry;— 88. The master mason must be full securely 89. Both steadfast, trusty and true, 90. It shall him never then rue: 91. And pay thy fellows after the cost, 92. As victuals goeth then, well thou knowest; ( ) 93. And pay them truly, upon thy faith, ( ) 94. What they may deserve; ( ) 95. And to their hire take no more, 96. But what that they may serve for; 97. And spare neither for love nor dread, ( ) VIII. 99. Of lord nor fellow, whoever he be, 100. Of them thou take no manner of fee; 101. And as a judge stand upright, 102. And then thou dost to both good right; 103. And truly do this wheresoever thou goest, ( ) 104. Thy worship, thy profit, it shall be most. Second article. 105. The second article of good masonry, 106. As you must it here hear specially, 107. That every master, that is a mason, 108. Must be at the general congregation, 109. So that he it reasonably be told 110. Where that the assembly shall be held; ( ) IX. 112. Unless he have a reasonable excuse, ( ) 113. Or unless he be disobedient to that craft 114. Or with falsehood is overtaken, ( ) 115. Or else sickness hath him so strong, 116. That he may not come them among; 117. That is an excuse good and able, 118. To that assembly without fable. Third article. 119. The third article forsooth it is, 120. That the master takes to no 'prentice, 121. Unless he have good assurance to dwell 122. Seven years with him, as I you tell, 123. His craft to learn, that is profitable; X. 125. To lords' profit, nor to his own 126. As you may know by good reason. Fourth article. 127. The fourth article this must be, 128. That the master him well besee, 129. That he no bondman 'prentice make, 130. Nor for no covetousness do him take; 131. For the lord that he is bound to, 132. May fetch the 'prentice wheresoever he go. 133. If in the lodge he were taken, ( ) 134. Much disease it might there make, 135. And such case it might befall, 136. That it might grieve some or all. XI. 138. Will stand together all together. ( ) 139. If such one in that craft should dwell, 140. Of divers diseases you might tell: 141. For more ease then, and of honesty, 142. Take a 'prentice of higher degree. 143. By old time written I find 144. That the 'prentice should be of gentle kind; 145. And so sometime, great lords' blood 146. Took this geometry that is full good. Fifth article. 147. The fifth article is very good, 148. So that the 'prentice be of lawful blood; 149. The master shall not, for no advantage, XII. 151. It is to mean, as you may hear, 152. That he have his limbs whole all together; ( ) 153. To the craft it were great shame, 154. To make a halt man and a lame, 155. For an imperfect man of such blood 156. Should do the craft but little good. 157. Thus you may know every one, 158. The craft would have a mighty man; 159. A maimed man he hath no might, 160. You must it know long ere night. Sixth article. 161. The sixth article you must not miss XIII. 163. To take the lord for his 'prentice, 164. As much as his fellows do, in all wise. 165. For in that craft they be full perfect, 166. So is not he, you must see it. 167. Also it were against good reason, 168. To take his hire as his fellows do. ( ) 169. This same article in this case, 170. Judgeth his 'prentice to take less 171. Than his fellows, that be full perfect. 172. In divers matters, know requite it, 173. The master may his 'prentice so inform, 174. That his hire may increase full soon, XIV. 176. His hire may full well amend. Seventh article. 177. The seventh article that is now here, 178. Full well will tell you all together, ( ) 179. That no master for favour nor dread, 180. Shall no thief neither clothe nor feed. 181. Thieves he shall harbour never one, 182. Nor him that hath killed a man, 183. Nor the same that hath a feeble name, 184. Lest it would turn the craft to shame. Eighth article. 185. The eighth article sheweth you so, XV. 187. If that he have any man of craft, 188. And he be not so perfect as he ought, 189. He may him change soon anon, 190. And take for him a more perfect man. 191. Such a man through recklessness, ( ) 192. Might do the craft scant worship. Ninth article. 193. The ninth article sheweth full well, 194. That the master be both wise and strong; ( ) 195. That he no work undertake, 196. Unless he can both it end and make; 197. And that it be to the lords' profit also, XVI. 199. And that the ground be well taken, ( ) 200. That it neither flaw nor crack. ( ) Tenth article. 201. The tenth article is for to know, 202. Among the craft, to high and low, 203. There shall no master supplant another, 204. But be together as sister and brother, 205. In this curious craft, all and some, 206. That belongeth to a master mason. 207. Nor he shall not supplant no other man, 208. That hath taken a work him upon, 209. In pain thereof that is so strong, XVII. 211. but if that he be guilty found, 212. That took first the work on hand; 213. For no man in masonry 214. Shall not supplant other securely, 215. But if that it be so wrought, 216. That it turn the work to nought; 217. Then may a mason that work crave, 218. To the lords' profit for it to save 219. In such a case if it do fall, 220. There shall no mason meddle withal. 221. Forsooth he that beginneth the ground, 222. If he be a mason good and sound, 223. He hath it securely in his mind XVIII. Eleventh article. 225. The eleventh article I tell thee, 226. That he is both fair and free; 227. For he teacheth, by his might, 228. That no mason should work by night, 229. But if it be in practising of wit, 230. If that I could amend it. Twelfth article. 231. The twelfth article is of high honesty 232. To every mason wheresoever he be, 233. He shall not his fellows' work deprave, 234. If that he will his honesty save; 235. With honest words he it commend, XIX. 237. But it amend by all that thou may, 238. Between you both without doubt. ( ) Thirteenth article. 239. The thirteenth article, so God me save, 240. Is if that the master a 'prentice have, 241. Entirely then that he him teach, 242. And measurable points that he him tell, ( ) 243. That he the craft ably may know, ( ) 244. Wheresoever he go under the sun. Fourteenth article. 245. The fourteenth article by good reason, 246. Sheweth the master how he shall do; ( ) 247. He shall no 'prentice to him take, XX. 249. That he may within his term, 250. Of him divers points may learn. Fifteenth article. 251. The fifteenth article maketh an end, 252. For to the master he is a friend; 253. To teach him so, that for no man, 254. No false maintenance he take him upon, 255. Nor maintain his fellows in their sin, 256. For no good that he might win; 257. Nor no false oath suffer him to make, 258. For dread of their souls' sake, 259. Lest it would turn the craft to shame, 260. And himself to very much blame. XXI. 261. At this assembly were points ordained more, ( ) 262. Of great lords and masters also, 263. That who will know this craft and come to estate, 264. He must love well God and holy church always, ( ) 265. And his master also that he is with, 266. Wheresoever he go in field or enclosed wood, ( ) 267. And thy fellows thou love also, 268. For that thy craft will that thou do. Second Point. 269. The second point as I you say, 270. That the mason work upon the work day, 271. As truly as he can or may, XXII. 273. And truly to labour on his deed, 274. Well deserve to have his reward. ( ) Third point. 275. The third point must be severely, ( ) 276. With the 'prentice know it well, 277. His master's counsel he keep and close, 278. And his fellows by his good purpose; 279. The privities of the chamber tell he no man, 280. Nor in the lodge whatsoever they do; ( ) 281. Whatsoever thou hearest or seest them do, 282. Tell it no man wheresoever you go; 283. The counsel of hall, and even of bower, XXIII. 285. Lest it would turn thyself to blame, 286. And bring the craft into great shame. Fourth point. 287. The fourth point teacheth us also, ( ) 288. That no man to his craft be false; 289. Error he shall maintain none 290. Against the craft, but let it go; ( ) 291. Nor no prejudice he shall not do 292. To his master, nor his fellow also; 293. And though the 'prentice be under awe, 294. Yet he would have the same law. Fifth point. XXIV. 296. That when the mason taketh his pay 297. Of the master, ordained to him, 298. Full meekly taken so must it be; ( ) 299. Yet must the master by good reason, 300. Warn him lawfully before noon, 301. If he will not occupy him no more, 302. As he hath done there before; 303. Against this order he may not strive, 304. If he think well for to thrive. Sixth point. 305. The sixth point is full given to know, 306. Both to high and even to low, XXV. 308. Among the masons some or all, 309. Through envy or deadly hate, 310. Oft ariseth full great debate. 311. Then ought the mason if that he may, 312. Put them both under a day; 313. But loveday yet shall they make none, 314. Till that the work-day be clean agone; 315. Upon the holy-day you must well take 316. Leisure enough loveday to make, 317. Lest that it would the work-day 318. Hinder their work for such a fray; 319. To such end then that you them draw, XXVI. Seventh point. 321. The seventh point he may well mean, 322. Of well long life that God us lend, ( ) 323. As it descrieth well openly, 324. Thou shalt not by thy master's wife lie, 325. Nor by thy fellows', in no manner wise, 326. Lest the craft would thee despise; 327. Nor by thy fellows' concubine, 328. No more thou wouldst he did by thine. 329. The pain thereof let it be sure, 330. That he be 'prentice full seven year, 331. If he forfeit in any of them XXVII. 333. Full much care might there begin, 334. For such a foul deadly sin. Eighth point. 335. The eighth point, he may be sure, 336. If thou hast taken any cure, 337. Under thy master thou be true, 338. For that point thou shalt never rue; 339. A true mediator thou must needs be 340. To thy master, and thy fellows free; 341. Do truly all that thou might, 342. To both parties, and that is good right. Ninth point. XXVIII. 344. That he be steward of our hall, 345. If that you be in chamber together, ( ) 346. Each one serve other with mild cheer; 347. Gentle fellows, you must it know, 348. For to be stewards all in turn, ( ) 349. Week after week without doubt, 350. Stewards to be so all in turn about, 351. Amiably to serve each one other, 352. As though they were sister and brother; 353. There shall never one another cost ( ) 354. Free himself to no advantage, 355. But every man shall be equally free XXIX. 357. Look that thou pay well every man always, ( ) 358. That thou hast bought any victuals eaten, ( ) 359. That no craving be made to thee, 360. Nor to thy fellows in no degree, 361. To man or to woman, whoever he be, 362. Pay them well and truly, for that will we; 363. Thereof on thy fellow true record thou take, 364. For that good pay as thou dost make, 365. Lest it would thy fellow shame, 366. And bring thyself into great blame. 367. Yet good accounts he must make 368. Of such goods as he hath taken, ( ) XXX. 370. Where and how and to what end; 371. Such accounts thou must come to, 372. When thy fellows wish that thou do. Tenth point. 373. The tenth point presenteth well good life, 374. To live without care and strife; 375. For if the mason live amiss, 376. And in his work be false I know, ( ) 377. And through such a false excuse ( ) 378. May slander his fellows without reason, 379. Through false slander of such fame XXXI. 381. If he do the craft such villainy, 382. Do him no favour then securely, 383. Nor maintain not him in wicked life, 384. Lest it would turn to care and strife; 385. But yet him you shall not delay, ( ) 386. Unless that you shall him constrain, 387. For to appear wheresoever you will, 388. Where that you will, loud, or still; 389. To the next assembly you shall him call, 390. To appear before his fellows all, 391. And unless he will before them appear, XXXII. 393. He shall then be punished after the law 394. That was founded by old day. ( ) Eleventh point. 395. The eleventh point is of good discretion, 396. As you must know by good reason; 397. A mason, if he this craft well know, ( ) 398. That seeth his fellow hew on a stone, 399. And is in point to spoil that stone, 400. Amend it soon if that thou can, 401. And teach him then it to amend, 402. That the lords' work be not spoiled, ( ) 403. And teach him easily it to amend, XXXIII. 405. For his sake that sit above, 406. With sweet words nourish his love. Twelfth point. 407. The twelfth point is of great royalty, 408. There as the assembly held shall be, 409. There shall be masters and fellows also, 410. And other great lords many more; ( ) 411. There shall be the sheriff of that country, 412. And also the mayor of that city, 413. Knights and squires there shall be, 414. And also aldermen, as you shall see; 415. Such ordinance as they make there, XXXIV. 417. Against that man, whatsoever he be, 418. That belongeth to the craft both fair and free. 419. If he any strife against them make, 420. Into their custody he shall be taken. ( ) Thirteenth point. 421. The thirteenth point is to us full lief, 422. He shall swear never to be no thief, 423. Nor succour him in his false craft, 424. For no good that he hath bereft, ( ) 425. And thou must it know or sin, 426. Neither for his good, nor for his kin. Fourteenth point. XXXV. 428. To him that would be under awe; 429. A good true oath he must there swear 430. To his master and his fellows that be there; 431. He must steadfast be and true also 432. To all this ordinance, wheresoever he go, 433. And to his liege lord the king, 434. To be true to him over all thing. 435. And all these points here before 436. To them thou must need be sworn, ( ) 437. And all shall swear the same oath 438. Of the masons, be they lief be they loath, 439. To all these points here before, XXXVI. 441. And they shall enquire every man 442. Of his party, as well as he can, 443. If any man may be found guilty 444. In any of these points specially; 445. And who he be, let him be sought, 446. And to the assembly let him be brought. Fifteenth point. 447. The fifteenth point is full good lore, 448. For them that shall be there sworn, ( ) 449. Such ordinance at the assembly was laid 450. Of great lords and masters before said; 451. For the same that be disobedient, I know, ( ) XXXVII. 453. Of these articles that were moved there, 454. Of great lords and masons all together. ( ) 455. And if they be proved openly 456. Before that assembly, by and by, 457. And for their guilts no amends will make, 458. Then must they need the craft forsake; 459. And no masons craft they shall refuse, 460. And swear it never more to use. 461. But if that they will amends make, 462. Again to the craft they shall never take; 463. And if that they will not do so, 464. The sheriff shall come them soon to, XXXVIII. 466. For the trespass that they have done, 467. And take their goods and their cattle 468. Into the king's hand, every part, ( ) 469. And let them dwell there full still, 470. Till it be our liege king's will. Another ordinance of the art of geometry. 471. They ordained there an assembly to be held, ( ) 472. Every year, wheresoever they would, 473. To amend the defaults, if any were found 474. Among the craft within the land; 475. Each year or third year it should be held, ( ) XXXIX. 477. Time and place must be ordained also, 478. In what place they should assemble to. 479. All the men of craft there they must be, 480. And other great lords, as you must see, 481. To mend the faults that be there spoken, 482. If that any of them be then broken. 483. There they shall be all sworn, ( ) 484. That belongeth to this craft's lore, 485. To keep their statutes every one 486. That were ordained by King Althelstane; 487. These statutes that I have here found XL. 489. For the worship of my royalty, 490. That I have by my dignity. 491. Also at every assembly that you hold, 492. That you come to your liege king bold, 493. Beseeching him of his high grace, 494. To stand with you in every place, 495. To confirm the statutes of King Athelstane, 496. That he ordained to this craft by good reason. The art of the four crowned ones. 497. Pray we now to God almighty, ( ) 498. And to his mother Mary bright, XLI. 500. And these points well all together, ( ) 501. As did these holy martyrs four, 502. That in this craft were of great honour; 503. They were as good masons as on earth shall go, 504. Gravers and image-makers they were also. 505. For they were workmen of the best, 506. The emperor had to them great liking; ( ) 507. He willed of them an image to make 508. That might be worshipped for his sake; 509. Such monuments he had in his day, ( ) 510. To turn the people from Christ's law. XLII. 512. And to their craft without doubt; ( ) 513. They loved well God and all his lore, 514. And were in his service ever more. 515. True men they were in that day, ( ) 516. And lived well in God's law; 517. They thought no monuments for to make, 518. For no good that they might take, 519. To believe on that monument for their God, 520. They would not do so, though he was furious; ( ) 521. For they would not forsake their true faith, ( ) XLIII. 523. The emperor let take them soon anon, 524. And put them in a deep prison; 525. The more sorely he punished them in that place, 526. The more joy was to them of Christ's grace. 527. Then when he saw no other one, 528. To death he let them then go; ( ) 529. Whose will of their life yet more know 530. By the book he might it show 531. In the legend of holy ones, ( ) 532. The names of the four crowned ones. ( ) XLIV. 534. After Hallow-e'en the eighth day. 535. You may hear as I do read, 536. That many years after, for great dread 537. That Noah's flood was all run, 538. The tower of Babylon was begun, 539. As plain work of lime and stone, 540. As any man should look upon; 541. So long and broad it was begun, 542. Seven miles the height shadoweth the sun. 543. King Nebuchadnezzar let it make 544. To great strength for man's sake, XLV. 546. Over the work it should not take; ( ) 547. For they had so high pride, with strong boast 548. All that work therefore was lost; 549. An angel smote them so with divers speech, 550. That never one knew what the other should tell. ( ) 551. Many years after, the good clerk Euclid 552. Taught the craft of geometry full wonder wide, 553. So he did that other time also, 554. Of divers crafts many more. ( ) 555. Through high grace of Christ in heaven, 556. He commenced in the sciences seven; XLVI. 558. Dialect the second, so have I bliss, 559. Rhetoric the third without doubt, ( ) 560. Music is the fourth, as I you say, 561. Astronomy is the fifth, by my snout, 562. Arithmetic the sixth, without doubt, 563. Geometry the seventh maketh an end, 564. For he is both meek and courteous. ( ) 565. Grammar forsooth is the root, 566. Whoever will learn on the book; 567. But art passeth in his degree, 568. As the fruit doth the root of the tree; XLVII. 570. And music it is a sweet song; 571. Astronomy numbereth, my dear brother, 572. Arithmetic sheweth one thing that is another, 573. Geometry the seventh science it is, 574. That can separate falsehood from truth, I know. ( ) 575. These be the sciences seven, 576. Who useth them well he may have heaven. 577. Now dear children by your wit 578. Pride and covetousness that you leave it, 579. And taketh heed to good discretion, 580. And to good nurture, wheresoever you come. 581. Now I pray you take good heed, XLVIII. 583. But much more you must know, ( ) 584. Than you find here written. 585. If thee fail there, to wit, 586. Pray to God to send thee it; 587. For Christ himself, he teacheth us ( ) 588. That holy church is God's house, 589. That is made for nothing else ( ) 590. But for to pray in, as the book tells us; ( ) 591. There the people shall gather in, 592. To pray and weep for their sin. 593. Look thou come not to church late, 594. For to speak harlotry by the gate; XLIX. 596. Have in thy mind ever more ( ) 597. To worship thy lord God both day and night, 598. With all thy wits and even thy might. 599. To the church door when thou dost come 600. Of that holy water there some thou take, ( ) 601. For every drop thou feelest there 602. Quencheth a venial sin, be thou sure. ( ) 603. But first thou must do down thy hood, 604. For his love that died on the rood. 605. Into the church when thou dost go, ( ) 606. Pull up thy heart to Christ, anon; L. 608. And kneel down fair upon thy knees, ( ) 609. Then pray to him so here to work, ( ) 610. After the law of holy church, 611. For to keep the commandments ten, 612. That God gave to all men; 613. And pray to him with mild voice ( ) 614. To keep thee from the sins seven, 615. That thou here may, in this life, 616. Keep thee well from care and strife; 617. Furthermore he grant thee grace, 618. In heaven's bliss to have a place. LI. 620. Of lewd speech and foul jests, ( ) 621. And put away all vanity, 622. And say thy pater noster and thine ave; 623. Look also that thou make no noise, ( ) 624. But always to be in thy prayer; 625. If thou wilt not thyself pray, 626. Hinder no other man by no way. 627. In that place neither sit nor stand, 628. But kneel fair down on the ground, 629. And when the Gospel me read shall, LII. 631. And bless the fare if that thou can, 632. When gloria tibi is begun; 633. And when the gospel is done, 634. Again thou might kneel down, 635. On both thy knees down thou fall, 636. For his love that bought us all; 637. And when thou hearest the bell ring 638. To that holy sacrament, ( ) 639. Kneel you must both young and old, 640. And both your hands fair uphold, 641. And say then in this manner, LIII. 643. "Jesu Lord welcome thou be, 644. In form of bread as I thee see, 645. Now Jesu for thine holy name, 646. Shield me from sin and shame; 647. Shrift and Eucharist thou grant me both, ( ) 648. Ere that I shall hence go, 649. And very contrition for my sin, 650. That I never, Lord, die therein; 651. And as thou were of maid born, ( ) 652. Suffer me never to be lost; ( ) 653. But when I shall hence wend, LIV. 655. Amen! Amen! so mote it be! 656. Now sweet lady pray for me." 657. Thus thou might say, or some other thing, 658. When thou kneelest at the sacrament. ( ) 659. For covetousness after good, spare thou naught 660. To worship him that all hath wrought; 661. For glad may a man that day be, 662. That once in the day may him see; 663. It is so much worth, without doubt, ( ) 664. The virtue thereof no man tell may; 665. But so much good doth that sight, LV. 667. That day thou seest God's body, 668. Thou shalt have these full securely:- 669. Meat and drink at thy need, 670. None that day shalt thou lack; ( ) 671. Idle oaths and words both, ( ) 672. God forgiveth thee also; 673. Sudden death that same day 674. Thee dare not dread by no way; 675. Also that day, I thee plight, 676. Thou shalt not lose thy eye sight; 677. And each foot that thou goest then, LVI. 679. They shall be told to stand instead, 680. When thou hast thereto great need; 681. That messenger, the angel Gabriel, 682. Will keep them to thee full well. 683. From this matter now I may pass, 684. To tell more benefits of the mass: 685. To church come yet, if thou may, 686. And hear the mass each day; 687. If thou may not come to church, 688. Where that ever thou dost work, ( ) 689. When thou hearest the mass toll, ( ) LVII. 691. To give thee part of that service, 692. That in church there done is. 693. Furthermore yet, I will you preach 694. To your fellows, it for to teach, 695. When thou comest before a lord, 696. In hall, in bower, or at the board, 697. Hood or cap that thou off do, 698. Ere thou come him entirely to; 699. Twice or thrice, without doubt, 700. To that lord thou must bow; ( ) 701. With thy right knee let it be done, ( ) LVIII. 703. Hold off thy cap and hood also, 704. Till thou have leave it on to put. ( ) 705. All the time thou speakest with him, 706. Fair and amiably hold up thy chin; 707. So, after the nurture of the book, 708. In his face kindly thou look. 709. Foot and hand thou keep full still, 710. For clawing and tripping, is skill; 711. From spitting and sniffling keep thee also, 712. By private expulsion let it go. 713. And if that thou be wise and discrete, ( ) LIX. 715. Into the hall when thou dost wend, 716. Amongst the gentles, good and courteous, ( ) 717. Presume not too high for nothing, 718. For thine high blood, nor thy cunning, 719. Neither to sit nor to lean, 720. That is nurture good and clean. 721. Let not thy countenance therefore abate, 722. Forsooth good nurture will save thy state. 723. Father and mother, whatsoever they be, 724. Well is the child that well may thee, 725. In hall, in chamber, where thou dost go; ( ) LX. 727. To the next degree look wisely, 728. To do them reverence by and by; 729. Do them yet no reverence all in turn, ( ) 730. Unless that thou do them know. 731. To the meat when thou art set, 732. Fair and honestly thou eat it; 733. First look that thine hands be clean, 734. And that thy knife be sharp and keen, 735. And cut thy bread all at thy meat, 736. Right as it may be there eaten, ( ) 737. If thou sit by a worthier man, LXI. 739. Suffer him first to touch the meat, 740. Ere thyself to it reach. 741. To the fairest morsel thou might not strike, 742. Though that thou do it well like; 743. Keep thine hands fair and well, 744. From foul smudging of thy towel; 745. Thereon thou shalt not thy nose blow, ( ) 746. Nor at the meat thy tooth thou pick; ( ) 747. Too deep in cup thou might not sink, 748. Though thou have good will to drink, 749. Lest thine eyes would water thereby- LXII. 751. Look in thy mouth there be no meat, 752. When thou beginnest to drink or speak. 753. When thou seest any man drinking, 754. That taketh heed to thy speech, ( ) 755. Soon anon thou cease thy tale, 756. Whether he drink wine or ale, 757. Look also thou scorn no man, 758. In what degree thou seest him gone; 759. Nor thou shalt no man deprave, 760. If thou wilt thy worship save; 761. For such word might there outburst. LXIII. 763. Close thy hand in thy fist, 764. And keep thee well from "had I known." ( ) 765. In chamber, among the ladies bright, 766. Hold thy tongue and spend thy sight; 767. Laugh thou not with no great cry, 768. Nor make no lewd sport and ribaldry. 769. Play thou not but with thy peers, 770. Nor tell thou not all that thou hears; 771. Discover thou not thine own deed, 772. For no mirth, nor for no reward; ( ) 773. With fair speech thou might have thy will, 774. With it thou might thy self spoil. ( ) LXIV. 776. Cap and hood thou hold not on; 777. In church, in market, or in the gate, 778. Do him reverence after his state. 779. If thou goest with a worthier man 780. Then thyself thou art one, 781. Let thy foremost shoulder follow his back, 782. For that is nurture without lack; 783. When he doth speak, hold thee still, 784. When he hath done, say for thy will, 785. In thy speech that thou be discreet, ( ) 786. And what thou sayest consider thee well; 787. But deprive thou not him his tale, 788. Neither at the wine nor at the ale. 789. Christ then of his high grace, 790. Save you both wit and space, 791. Well this book to know and read, 792. Heaven to have for your reward. ( ) 793. Amen! Amen! so mote it be! 794. So say we all for charity. |
Hunter/Church
Page I. of geometry according to Euclid. 1. Whosoever will both read well and look, 2. He may find written in an old book, 3. Of great lords, and also ladies, 4. Who had many children together, certainly; 5. And had no revenues to support them with, 6. Neither in town, nor in field, nor park; 7. They determined a counsel together, betook themselves, 8. To ordain for the sake of these children, 9. How they might best lead their life 10. Without great disease, care and strife; 11. And chiefly for the multitude that was coming 12. Of their children after their ending. 13. They sent then for great teachers, 14. To teach them good works; II. 16. To make some work for our children, 17. That they can get their living thereby, 18. Both well and honestly, full securely." 19. In that time, through good geometry, 20. This honest craft of good masonry 21. Was established and made in this manner: 22. By imitation of these teachers together; 23. At the prayers of these lords, they demonstrated geometry, 24. And gave it the name of masonry, 25. For the most honest craft of all. 26. These lords' children did fall thereto 27. To learn from him[†] the craft of geometry, 28. Which he practicesed most zealously; III. 30. He put them to this honest craft. 31. He who learned best and was of honesty, 32. And passed his fellows in zeal; 33. If he did pass them into that craft, 34. He should have more worship than less. 35. This great clerk's name was (called) Euclid. 36. The wonder of his name was spread far and wide. 37. Now this great teacher ordained 38. To him who was higher in this degree, 39. That he should teach the simpler of wit 40. In that honest craft to be perfect; 41. And so each should teach the other, 42. And love one another as sister and brother. IV. 44. Should be called Master; 45. In order that he who was most worshipped 46. Should be so named; 47. But masons should never call one another 48. Within the craft among them all 49. Servant nor subject, my dear brother, 50. Though he be not as perfect as is another; 51. Each shall call his fellows by acquaintanceship, 52. Because they (all) are of gentle birth. 53. On this manner, through the good knowledge of geometry, 54. Began first the craft of masonry; 55. The teacher Euclid in this manner founded it, 56. This craft of geometry in the land of Egypt. V. 58. In divers lands on every side 59. Many years afterwards, I understand, 60. Before the craft came into this land. 61. This craft came into England, as I say to you, 62. In the time of the good King Aethelstane; 63. He made then both halls and also bowers, 64. And high temples of great honor, 65. For his sport both day and night, 66. And to worship his God with all his might. 67. This good lord loved this craft full well, 68. And purposed to strengthen every part of it, 69. For he found various defects in it; 70. He sent about the country VI. 72. To come to him immediately 73. In order to amend these defects 74. By good counsel, if it could be done. 75. An assembly he then called 76. Of various lords, in their state, 77. Dukes, earls, and barons also, 78. Knights, squires, and many more, 79. And the great burghers of that city. 80. They were all there in their degree; 81. There were there, each one in every way, 82. To establish the estate of these masons. 83. There they sought by their knowledge, 84. How they might govern it. VII. 86. And fifteen points there they wrought, Here begins the first article. 87. The first article of this geometry:— 88. The master mason must be fully and surely 89. Steadfast, trusty and true. 90. He shall never then be sorry for it. 91. And pay thy fellows according to the price 92. Of the materials[†], you know it well; 93. And pay them truly, in thy faith, 94. What they deserve. 95. And hire no more men 96. Than they can use. 97. And refrain from taking bribery either for love or dread VIII. 99. From lord nor fellow, whatever he be, 100. From them take thou no manner of fee; 101. And like a judge, stand upright; 102. And then you do right to both. 103. Do this truly wheresoever thou goest 104. And it shall be greatly to your praise and profit. Second article 105. The second article of good masonry, 106. As ye may hear it here specially, 107. (Is) that every master, who is a mason, 108. Must be at the general congregation, 109. If he has reasonably been told 110. Where the assembly is to be held. IX. 112. Unless he have a reasonable excuse. 113. Otherwise unless he be[†] discourteous to that craft 114. Or be overtaken with falsehood, 115. Or else sickness has him so strongly 116. That he cannot come among them; 117. That is an excuse, good and able, 118. (Satisfactory) to that assembly, without talk( ) Third article 119. The third article is, in truth, 120. That the master shall take no apprentice 121. Unless he has good assurance of dwelling 122. Seven years with him, as I tell you, 123. To learn his craft, which is profitable; X. 125. To his lord's profit, nor to his own 126. As ye may know with good cause. Fourth article 127. The fourth article must be this, 128. That the master shall look well to himself 129. That he makes no bondsman( ) an apprentice, 130. Nor take him (into the lodge) because of avarice; 131. Because the lord to whom he is bound, 132. May fetch the prentice then wheresoever he may go. 133. If he were taken into the lodge, 134. It might make much inconvenience there, 135. And in such a case it might befall 136. That it might grieve some or all. XI. 138. Will stand together in whole fellowship. 139. If such a person should be in the craft, 140. One could tell of various inconveniences. 141. For more ease, then, and in honesty, 142. Take an apprentice of higher degree. 143. It is found written in old times 144. That the apprentice should be of gentle state; 145. And so sometimes the blood of great lords 146. Took this geometry; that is full well. Fifth article 147. The fifth article is very good, 148. Inasmuch as the apprentice is of lawful blood;( ) 149. The master shall not, for any advantage( ) XII. 151. This is to mean, as ye may hear, 152. That he have his limbs all whole together; 153. It would be a great shame to the craft 154. To take in a halt or lame man, 155. For an imperfect man of such blood 156. Would do the craft but little good. 157. Thus ye may know, everyone, 158. The craft wants to have a mighty man; 159. A maimed man, he has no might, 160. Ye may know it long before night. Sixth article 161. The sixth article ye can not miss; XIII. 163. To take from the lord for his apprentice 164. Even as much as his fellows do, in all ways. 165. For in that craft they are fully perfect, 166. So is not he, ye can see it. 167. Also, it were against good reason, 168. To take his hire, as his fellows do. 169. This same article, in this case, 170. Judgeth the apprentice to take less 171. Than his fellows, who are fully perfect. 172. In various matters, it can requite 173. The master may his apprentice so inform, 174. That his hire may increase quite early, XIV. 176. His hire may well amend. Seventh article 177. The seventh article that is now here, 178. Will tell you well, all together, 179. That no master, for favor nor for dread, 180. Shall either clothe or feed a thief. 181. Of thieves, he shall harbor nary a one, 182. Nor him, who has killed a man, 183. Nor the like who hath a feeble name, 184. Lest it should bring the craft to shame. Eighth article 185. The eighth article shows you so, XV. 187. If he has any man of ability( ) 188. And he is not even as perfect as he should be, 189. He may change him immediately 190. And take for him a better man. 191. Such a man, through recklessness, 192. Might( ) do the craft short( ) worship. Ninth article 193. The ninth article shows full well 194. That the master must be both wise and valiant( ). 195. That he must not undertake any work 196. Unless he can do it and finish it; 197. And that it should be to the lord's profit also, XVI. 199. And that the ground be well taken,( ) 200. So that it neither moves( ) nor cracks. Tenth article 201. The tenth article is to make known 202. Among the craft, to high and low, 203. That no master shall supplant another, 204. But (all) shall be together as sister and brother 205. In this zealous craft, all and some, 206. Who long( ) to be a master mason. 207. Nor shall he supplant any other man 208. Who has taken a work upon himself, 209. In pain thereof( ) that is so strong XVII. 211. Unless he be found guilty 212. Who first took the work on hand; 213. For no man in masonry 214. Shall supplant another certainly, 215. Unless the work is so done 216. That it will come to nought; 217. Then may a mason request that work 218. In order to save it for the profit of the lord; 219. Unless such a case occurs, 220. No mason shall meddle with it. 221. For in truth, he who begins the ground, 222. If he is a good and sound mason, 223. He has it securely in his mind XVIII. Eleventh article 225. The eleventh article tells thee 226. That it is both fair and free; 227. For it teaches, by its might 228. That no mason should work at night 229. Unless it be in the practising of knowledge, 230. If that can better the work. Twelfth article 231. The twelfth article is of high worth 232. To every mason, wheresoever he be; 233. He shall not depreciate his fellow's work, 234. If he desires to preserve his (own) worth; 235. He should commend it with honest words, XIX. 237. However thou should better it by all that thou can 238. Between you both without dispute. Thirteenth article 239. The thirteenth article, so God save me, 240. Is: if a master has an apprentice, 241. Then he should teach him completely 242. And explain to him measurable points, 243. So that he may know the craft ably, 244. Wheresoever he goes under the sun. Fourteenth article 245. The fourteenth article by good reason 246. Shows the master how he shall do: 247. He shall take no apprentice XX. 249. That the apprentice can, within his term 250. Learn from him the various points. Fifteenth article 251. The fifteenth article makes an end. 252. And to the master it is a friend 253. To teach him so: that for no man 254. Shall he maintain his himself unrightly, 255. Nor maintain his fellows in their sin, 256. For any profit that he might gain; 257. Nor suffer them to make false oaths, 258. For dread of their souls' sake; 259. Lest it should bring the craft to shame, 260. And himself to much blame. XXI. 261. At this meeting were more points ordained, 262. By the great lords and masters also, 263. That whosoever wants to know this craft and come to (its) estate, 264. He must love God well and the holy church always, 265. And his master also, whom he is with, 266. Wherever he goes, in field or wood; 267. And love also thy fellows 268. Because thy craft desires that thou do (so). Second point 269. The second point, as I say to you, 270. (Is) that the mason work upon the work day 271. As truly as he knows and can, XXII. 273. And truly to labor in his work, 274. So that he deserves well to have his reward. Third point 275. The third point must be several 276. Among the apprentices it should be known well 277. That his master's counsel he keeps close, 278. And his fellow's with his good purpose; 279. The privatenesses of the chamber he shall tell no man, 280. Nor whatever they do in the lodge; 281. Whatsoever thou hear or see them do, 282. Tell it to no man, wherever thou go; 283. The counsel of the hall and also of the bower, XXIII. 285. Lest it should bring you to blame, 286. And bring the craft into great shame. Fourth point 287. The fourth point teaches us also 288. That no man be false to his craft; 289. He shall maintain no error 290. Against the craft, but let it go; 291. Nor shall he do prejudice 292. To his master nor to his fellows; 293. And though the apprentice be in awe, 294. Yet he should have the same law. Fifth point XXIV. 296. That when the mason takes his pay 297. Ordained to him from his master, 298. Fully meekly must it be taken; 299. And by good reason, the master must 300. Not deprive him lawfully before anyone, 301. If he does not want to occupy him any more, 302. As he has done there before; 303. Against this order he may not strive, 304. If he thinks to thrive well. Sixth point 305. The sixth point is fully given to be known 306. Both to high and also to low. XXV. 308. Among the masons, some or all, 309. Through envy or deadly hate 310. Often arises great argument. 311. Then the mason is obliged, if he can, 312. To put the settling off to a certain day; 313. But they shall make no loveday 314. Until the workday is entirely gone; 315. Upon a holiday you can easily take 316. Leisure enough to make a loveday, 317. Lest it should on the workday 318. Delay their work for such quarrel; 319. Draw them, then, to such an end XXVI. Seventh point 321. The seventh point can well mean 322. That God will reward us for a good long life. 323. For it describes clearly 324. That thou shalt not lie with thy master's wife, 325. Nor by thy fellow's, in any manner, 326. Lest the craft should despise thee; 327. Nor by thy fellow's concubine, 328. No more than you would want him to do so with yours. 329. The penalty therefore, let it be severe( ) 330. That he be 'prentice full seven year, 331. If he forfeit in any of them. XXVII. 333. A great deal of trouble could begin 334. With such a foul deadly sin. Eighth point 335. The eighth point, it may be sure, 336. If you have taken any care 337. To be true to your master 338. Then for that point you shall never be sorry. 339. A true mediator you must be 340. To your master and to your fellows free; 341. Do truly all that you can 342. For both parties, and that is good right. Ninth point XXVIII. 344. To be the steward of our hall. 345. If you are in the hall together, 346. Each one must serve the other with good cheer. 347. It takes gentle fellows, as you must know, 348. To be stewards all the time, 349. Week after week without doubt 350. To be all about so, 351. To serve each other lovingly, 352. As though they were sister and brother. 353. There no one shall put a charge on another, 354. But every man shall be free alike 355. (To) Free[†] himself to a profit, XXIX. 357. See to it that you pay well every man always 358. From whom you have bought any victuals, 359. So that no charges be brought against you, 360. Nor to your fellows, in any degree. 361. To any man or woman, whoever he be, 362. Pay him well and truly, for that is what we want. 363. And take from your fellow a true record 364. For the good payment which you make, 365. Lest it should shame your fellow 366. And bring yourself to great blame. 367. For he must make good accounts 368. Of such goods as he has taken, XXX. 370. Where and how and to what end. 371. Such accounts you must come to making 372. Whenever your fellows desire it. Tenth point 373. The tenth point presents the good life, 374. To live without care and strife; 375. For if the mason lives unrightly 376. And if false in his work, certainly, 377. Through such false practices 378. He can slander his fellows without reason; 379. Through false slander of such frequency XXXI. 381. If he does such villainy to the craft, 382. Then surely do him no favor, 383. Nor maintain him in his wicked life 384. Lest it should turn to care and strife. 385. However you shall not delay him, 386. Except to constrain him 387. To appear wherever you will, 388. Where you want, loud or still; 389. You shall call him to the next assembly 390. To appear before all his fellows; 391. And unless he will appear before them, XXXII. 393. Then he shall be punished according to the law 394. Which was founded in the old days. Eleventh point 395. The eleventh point is of good discretion, 396. As you may know with good reason. 397. A mason who knows this craft well 398. And who sees his fellow hewing a stone, 399. And about to spoil that stone, 400. Should amend it immediately, if you can, 401. And teach him then to fix it, 402. So that the whole work be not ruined. 403. But teach him gently to better his work, XXXIII. 405. For His sake Who sits above, 406. Let love nourish him with sweet words. Twelfth point 407. The twelfth point is of great royalty. 408. There where the assembly shall be held, 409. There shall be masters and fellows also, 410. And many more other great lords. 411. The sheriff of that country shall be there, 412. And also the mayor of that city. 413. There shall be knights and squires 414. And other aldermen, as you shall see. 415. Such ordinances as they make there, XXXIV. 417. Against that[†] man, whatever he be, 418. Who belongs to the craft both fair and free. 419. If he makes any strife against them 420. He shall be taken into their custody. Thirteenth point 421. The thirteenth point is very dear to us. 422. He shall swear never to be a thief, 423. Nor to succor one in his false craft 424. For any good which he has stolen 425. And you know of it; and sin 426. Neither for his good; nor for his family. Fourteeth point XXXV. 428. To him who should be in awe. 429. A good true oath there he must swear 430. To his master and to his fellows that are there. 431. He must be steadfast and also true 432. To all these ordinances, wherever he may go, 433. And to his liege lord the king, 434. Be true to him, over all things. 435. And to all these points here before, 436. You must needs be sworn to them; 437. And all shall swear the same oath 438. Of the masons, whether they are pleased or loath 439. To all these points here before, XXXVI. 441. And they shall inquire, each man 442. In his party, as well as he can, 443. Whether any man can be found guilty 444. In any of these points particularly, 445. And what he be; let him be sought, 446. And to the assembly let him be brought. Fifteenth point 447. The fifteenth point is of very good teaching. 448. For those who were there sworn, 449. Such ordinance was laid at the assembly 450. Of great lords and masters beforesaid; 451. For, those who are disobediant, certainly, XXXVII. 453. Of these articles which were moved there, 454. By the great lords and masons all together. 455. And if they are openly proved 456. Before that assembly, immediately, 457. And will make no amends for their guilt, 458. Then they must forsake the craft. 459. Therefore, mason's craft they shall refuse, 460. And swear to use it nevermore. 461. For unless they will make amends 462. They shall never take again to the craft. 463. And if they will not do so( ) 464. The sheriff shall come to them immediately XXXVIII. 466. For the trespass that they have done, 467. And take their goods and wealth 468. Into the king's hand, every part, 469. And let them dwell there quite still, 470. Until it be our liege king's will. (to let them out) Another ordinance of the art of geometry. 471. They ordained there an assembly to be held 472. Every year, wherever they wanted it, 473. To amend the defects, if anywhere found 474. Among the craft in the land. 475. It was to be held each year or third year, XXXIX. 477. Time and place had to be ordained also, 478. In what place they were to meet. 479. All the men of craft had to be there, 480. And other great lords, as you must see, 481. To mend the faults that be there spoken 482. Whether any of them were broken then. 483. There they all had to be sworn, 484. All who belong to the teachings of this craft, 485. To keep every one of these statutes, 486. Which were ordained by King Aethelstane; 487. "These statutes that I have here founded, XL. 489. For the worship of my royalty, 490. That I have by my high office. 491. Also at every meeting which you hold 492. (I will) That you come to your bold, liege king, 493. Beseeching him of his high grace, 494. To stand with you in every place 495. To confirm the statutes of King Aethelstane, 496. Which he ordained to this craft for good reasons. Ars quatour coronatorum( ) 497. Let us pray now to God almighty, 498. And to his mother, Mary bright, XLI. 500. And these points well, all together, 501. As did these four holy martyrs, 502. Who were of great honor in this craft; 503. They were as good masons as on earth shall go. 504. They were also engravers and image-makers. 505. For they were workmen of the best. 506. The emperor had a great liking for them; 507. He desired that they make an image, 508. That could be worshipped for his sake; 509. Such idols he had in his day, 510. To turn the people from Christ's law. XLII. 512. And to their craft without denial; 513. They loved God well and all his teaching 514. And were ever more in His service. 515. True men they were in that day, 516. And lived well in God's law; 517. They had no mind to make idols 518. For any good they might receive, 519. Or to believe in idols instead of their God; 520. They would not do so, though he[†] were raging; 521. For they would not forsake their true faith, XLIII. 523. Then the emperor had them taken 524. And put them into a deep prison; 525. The more sorely he punished them in that place, 526. The more joy it was to them in Christ's grace, 527. Then when he saw no other way, 528. He had them put to death; 529. Whoever wants to know yet more of their life, 530. He may see it in the book, 531. In the legend of saints, 532. The names of the four martyrs. XLIV. 534. The eighth day after Allhallows. 535. You can hear as I have read, 536. That many years afterward, because of a great doubt 537. That Noah's flood was completely run out, 538. The tower of Babylon was begun 539. Like unto a plain, the work of lime and stone 540. such as any man should look upon 541. So long and broad it was begun. 542. For seven miles the height shadowed the sun. 543. King Nebuchadnezzar had it made 544. Of great strength for man's sake, XLV. 546. It should not overtake the work; 547. Because they had so high a pride, with such strong boast, 548. All that work was therefore lost; 549. An angel smote them with a varied speech 550. So that one never knew what the other would say. 551. Many years afterward the good scholar Euclid 552. Taught the craft of geometry wonderously far and wide. 553. He did so with other (subjects) also at that time, 554. Of various crafts many more. 555. Through the high grace of Christ in heaven, 556. He commenced with the seven sciences: XLVI. 558. Dialectic, the second, so have I pleasure, 559. Rhetoric, the third, without denial, 560. Music is the fourth, as I say to you, 561. Astronomy is the fifth, by my snout, 562. Arithmetic the sixth, without a doubt, 563. Geometry the seventh makes an end, 564. For it is both meek and courteous. 565. Grammar truly is the root 566. For whoever will learn in the book; 567. But art passes it in degree 568. Even as the fruit does the root of the tree; XLVII. 570. And music, it is a sweet song; 571. Astronomy enumerates, my dear brother, 572. Arithmetic shows one thing that is another, 573. Geometry is the seventh science, 574. That can divide surely falsehood from truth. 575. These are the seven sciences. 576. Whosoever uses them well, he may have heaven. 577. Now dear children, with your knowledge, 578. Take leave of pride and covetousness, 579. And take good heed of discretion, 580. And to good nurture,[†] wherever you go. 581. Now I pray you to take good heed, XLVIII. 583. But you should know much more 584. Than you find written here. 585. If your knowledge is lacking, 586. Pray to God to send it to you; 587. For Christ himself teaches us 588. That the holy church is God's house, 589. That is made for nothing else 590. Except to pray in, as the book tells. 591. There the people shall gather within 592. To pray and weep for their sins. 593. Look to it that you come not late to church 594. Because of jesting on the way; XLIX. 596. Have in your mind ever more 597. To worship your Lord both day and night, 598. With all your mind and also your strength. 599. When you come to the church door, 600. Take some of the holy water there. 601. For every drop that you touch there 602. Quenches a venial sin, you may be sure. 603. But first you must put down your hood 604. For the love of Him who died on the cross. 605. When you go into the church 606. Pull your heart up to Christ at once. L. 608. And kneel down fairly upon both your knees; 609. Then pray to Him to work so here 610. After the law of the holy church, 611. In order to keep the ten commandments, 612. That God gave to all men; 613. And pray to Him in a soft voice 614. To keep you from the seven sins. 615. So that you here may, in your life, 616. Keep yourself well from care and strife; 617. Furthermore that he grant you grace 618. To have a place heaven's bliss. LI. 620. Of ignorant speech and foul words, 621. And put away all vanity, 622. And say your pater noster and your ave; 623. See also that you make no noise, 624. But be ever in your prayers. 625. If you do not want to pray, 626. In no way hinder any other man. 627. Neither sit nor stand in that place, 628. But kneel down fairly on the ground, 629. And when the Gospel shall be read, LII. 631. And bless yourself fairly if you know how, 632. When the gloria tibi is begun; 633. And when the gospel is done, 634. You can kneel down again, 635. Fall down on both your knees 636. For his love that bows us all; 637. And when you hear the bell ring, 638. To that holy sakerynge,( ) 639. You must kneel, both young and old, 640. And both your hands hold up fairly, 641. And say then in this manner, LIII. 643. "Lord Jesus, Thou art welcome 644. As I see Thee, in the form of bread! 645. Now Jesus, with thy holy name, 646. Shield me from sin and shame; 647. Grant to me both Absolution and Holy Eucharist, 648. Before I go hence, 649. And true contrition for my sins 650. So that I never, Lord, die therein; 651. And, even as Thou wert born of virgin, 652. Suffer me never to be lost; 653. But when I shall go from here, LIV. 655. Amen! Amen! so may it be! 656. Now, sweet lady, pray for me." 657. Such words you could say, or some other thing, 658. When you kneel at the sacrament. 659. Desiring good, spare nothing 660. In order to worship Him that has wrought all; 661. For a man may be glad for the day 662. That once in the day he may see Him; 663. It is worth so much, without denial, 664. That no man can tell the virtue thereof; 665. But that sight does so much good, LV. 667. That the day you see God's body, 668. You shall surely have these:— 669. Food and drink according to your need, 670. Nothing that day shall be wanting to you; 671. Both empty oaths and words 672. God forgives you also; 673. Sudden death that same day 674. Dare not affright you in any way; 675. Also that day, I promise you, 676. you shall not lose your eyesight; 677. And each foot that you go on then LVI. 679. They shall be told to stand in stead, 680. When you have great need thereto. 681. That messenger, the angel Gabriel, 682. Will keep them to you full well. 683. I can now pass from this matter, 684. To tell more rewards of the mass; 685. Come to church now, if you can, 686. And hear your mass each day; 687. If you can not come to church, 688. Where you work, 689. When you hear the (bell) knell for mass, LVII. 691. To give (to you) the part of that service, 692. That is done there in the church. 693. Furthermore yet, I will preach to you 694. So that you may teach it to your fellows, 695. When you come before a lord, 696. In hall, in bower, or at table, 697. That you should put off your cap or hood, 698. Before you come all the way up to him; 699. Twice or thrice, without doubt, 700. You must make obeisance to that lord; 701. Let it be done with your right knee, LVIII. 703. Keep off your cap and hood also, 704. Unil you have leave to put it on. 705. All the time you speak with him, 706. Fairly and lovely hold up your chin; 707. So, according to the nurture of the book, 708. That you look lovely in his face. 709. Keep foot and hand quite still 710. For clawing and tripping, that is reason; 711. Keep yourself from spitting and snuffling also, 712. By private expulsion let it go. 713. And if that you be wise and discreet.[†] LIX. 715. When you go into the hall, 716. Among the gentility, good and courteous, 717. Presume not too high for anything, 718. Neither for your high blood nor your cunning 719. Neither to sit, nor to lean, 720. That is nurture good and clean. 721. Therefore, let not your bearing slacken, 722. Truely, good breeding will preserve your dignity. 723. Whatever the father and mother, 724. Well is the child who can well prosper, 725. In hall, in chamber, where you go, LX. 727. Look wisely to the next rank, 728. In order to do reverence to them individually; 729. Yet do them no reverence all in a row, 730. Unless you know them. 731. When you are sat down to food, 732. Eat it fairly and honestly; 733. First see that your hands are clean; 734. And that your knife is sharp and keen; 735. And cut your bread all with your food, 736. Just as it may be eaten there. 737. If you sit by a worthier man, LXI. 739. Suffer him to touch the food first, 740. Before you reach for it yourself. 741. You should not strike[†] for the best morsel, 742. Though you like it well; 743. Keep your hands fair and well 744. From the foul smudging on your towel; 745. You should not wipe your nose thereon, 746. Nor pick your tooth at the table; 747. You should not sink (your face) too deep in your cup, 748. Though you have good will to drink, 749. Lest your eyes should water thereby— LXII. 751. See that there is no food in your mouth, 752. When you begin to drink or speak. 753. When you see any man drinking, 754. That takes heed to thy speech, 755. Immediately cease your tale, 756. Whether he is drinking wine or ale. 757. Look also that you scorn no man, 758. In whatever degree you see him go; 759. Nor shall you depreciate any man 760. If you want to save your own dignity; 761. For such words might break out LXIII. 763. Close your hand in your fist, 764. And keep yourself away from "If I had only known...." 765. In the chamber among bright ladies, 766. Hold your tongue and spend your sight; 767. Laugh not with a great cry, 768. Nor make any wantonness with ribaldry. 769. Play not except with your equals, 770. Nor tell all that you hear; 771. Speak not of your own deed, 772. Neither for pleasure nor for reward; 773. With fair speech you might have your will, (or) 774. With it you might destroy yourself (as well). LXIV. 776. Keep not your cap and hood on; 777. In the church, in the markets, or in the street, 778. Do reverance to him according to his rank. 779. If you walk with a worthier man 780. Then you are yourself, 781. Your should walk behind him 782. For that is not lack (of courtesy). 783. When he speaks, hold yourself still, 784. Then when he has done, speak your will; 785. In your speech be valiant, 786. And what you say consider well; 787. But do not rob him of his story, 788. Neither at the wine, nor at the ale. 789. Christ then of his high grace, 790. Give you both wit and space, 791. To know and read this book well, 792. To have heaven for your reward! 793. Amen! Amen! so may it be! 794. We say so all with charity. |
Mirk, et al.
Page I. 1. Whoso will of nurture learn, 2. Hearken to me, and ye shall hear 3. When thou comest before a lord, 4. In hall, in bower, or at the board, 5. Hood or cap, thou off-pull, 6. Ere thou come up to him full; 7. Twice or thrice, without a doubt, 8. To that lord, thou must boweth; 9. With thy right knee, let it be done 10. Thy worthyness thou may show thus 11. Hold off thy cap, and thy hood too 12. Till thou be bidden it on to do 13. All the while thou speakest with him 14. Fair and firmly hold up your chin 15. So after the nurture of the book 16. In his face firmly look 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80. 81. 82. 83. 84. 85. 86. 87. 88. 89. 90. 91. 92. 93. 94. 95. 96. 97. 98. 99. 100. |
Many websites have errors in their copies of these poems, as detailed in Appendix IV. They were too numerous to indicate in these files, but where entire lines were elided, they are indicated in blue in this file, for the benefit of webmasters who would like to correct the copies on their websites.