Alexander and Dindimus/Text
Alexander.
[How alixandre partyd þennys.]
Whan þis weith at his wil · weduring hadde,
Ful raþe rommede he · rydinge þedirre.
To oridrace wiþ his ost · alixandre wendus,
4Alexander comes to the Oxydrace Þere wilde contre was wist · & wondurful peple,
Þat weren proued ful proude · & prys of hem helde.
This people go naked. Of bodi wente thei bar · wiþ-oute any wede,
& hadde graue on þe ground · many grete cauys.
8Þere here wonnynge was · wyntrus & somerus.
No syte nor no sur stede · soþli þei ne hadde,
But holus holwe in þe ground · to hiden hem inne.
and live in caves. They are called the Gymnosphists. Þe proude genosophistiens · were þe gomus called;
12Now þat name to mene · the nakid wise.
Wan the kiddeste of þe cauus · þat was king holde
Hurde tiþinge telle · & toknynge wiste,
Þat alixandre wiþ his ost · atlede þidire,
16To be holden of hem · hure hieȝest prynce,
Their king sends a letter to Alexander, Þanne weies of worschipe · wittie & quainte
Wiþ his lettres he let · to þe lud sende.
Þanne southte þei sone · þe forsaide prynce,
20& to þe schamlese schalk · schewden hur lettres;
which he reads Þanne raþe let þe rink · reden þe sonde,
Þat newe tiþinge [tid] · it tolde in þis wise.
"The Gymnopsophists greet Alexander. "Þe gentil genosophistiens · þat goode were of witte,
24To þe emperour alixandre · here answeruus wreten,
Þat is worschipe of word · worþi to haue,
& is conquerour kid · in contres manie.—
Vs is sertefied, seg · as we soþ heren,
28If you come to fight us, you will get nothing by it. Þat þou hast ment wiþ þi men · amongus vs fare.
But ȝif þou king, to us come · wiþ caire to fiȝhte,
Of us getist þou no good · gome, we þe warne.
For what richesse, rink · vs miȝht þou bi-reue
Whan no wordliche wele · is wiþ us founde?
We ben sengle of us silf · & semen ful bare,
Nouht welde we now · but naked we wende;
We have nothing to lose. & þat we happili her · haven of kynde
36May no man but god · maken us tine.
Þei þou fonde wiþ þi folke · to fiȝhte wiþ us alle,
We schulle us kepe oncauȝt · oure cauus wiþinne;
Neuere werrede we · wiþ wiȝth up-on erþe,
40We shall hide in our caves." For we ben hid in oure holis · or we harm lacche."
Þus saide soþli þe sonde · þat þei sente hadde;
& al so cof as þe king · kende þe sawe,
Newe lettres he let · þe ludus bi-take,
& wiþ his sawus of soþ · he sikurede hen alle,
Þat he wolde fare wiþ his folk · in a faire wise
To bi-holden here hom · & non harm wirke.
So haþ þe king to hem sente & siþenn wiþ his peple
48 Kairus cofli til hem · to kenne of hure fare.
But they are afraid But whan þei sien þe seg · wiþ so manie ryde,
and hide them-selves Þei were a-grisen of his grym · & wende gref þolie.
Faste heiede þei to holis · & hidden hem[1] þere,
52& in cauus hem kepte · fro þe king sterne.
Their wives and children remain visible Þanne weren from hem went · wifis & children,
Wiþ oþur bestus aboute · þat hem bi ferde.
Alexander asks why they too do not hide in caves? Aftur ferde alixandre · & asked hem sone,
56By ludus of þe langage · how þei leue miȝhte?
And ȝif þei ne hadde none holis · on þe holw erþe,
As hadde þe weies þat were · here wordliche makus?
Þanne þei caire wiþ þe king · hur cauus to schewe,
60& kennen þe conquerour · hur costomus alle,
They say that they dwell in the caves too & saide "seg, to us silf · sofisen þis cauus,
Of oþur hous þan her arne · haue we no nede."
Alexander promises to grant that them any boon whatever. Whan alle þei to alixandre · hadde answere i-ȝoulde
64Þe king cortais i-kid · cofliche saide,
"For i haue founde you folk · faiþful of speche
Me to lere of ȝour lif · with-oute les tale
Ȝernes now of my ȝift · þat ȝou leue were,
68& what it be þat ȝe bidde · ȝour bonus i graunte."
They ask for everlasting life. Þanne saide þei, "wordlich weiȝ · we wische of þi[2] ȝifte
Ai-lastinge lif · to lacchen up-on erþe;
Þat us derye no deþ · desire we nouþe,
72For oþur wordliche won · at wille we haue."
He replies that he himself is but mortal "Nai sertus," saide þe noble · "þat may not be graunted
Of me, þat miȝhteles am · my silf so to kepe.
I am silkure of my silf · to suffre min ende;
76I ne haue no lordschipe of lif · to lengþe my daies."
They ask "why then do you want to conquer the world?" "Seg," saide þei again · "syn þou so knowist,
Þat þe is demed þe deþ · to dure nouht longe,
Whi farest þou so fihtinge · folk to distroie,
80& for to winne þe word · wendest so romme?
How miȝht þou kepe þe of sckaþe · with skile & with trouþe
Aȝeins rhyt to bireue · rengnus of kinguus?"
Þanne agayn saide þe gome · wiþ a good chere,
84He says he is king by the Grace of God "Þorou þe grace of god · i gete þat .i. haue.
Þei han demed me, or deþ · þhorou dintus of miȝhte,
Of erþe to be emperour · in euerych a side.[3]
Sin i haue grace of þat graunt · grimmest to worþe,
88I wrouthe wrecheli now · & wraþede drihten,
and must fulfil his destiny Ȝif i for dul of any deþ · my destene fledde,
Þat is markid to me · & to no mo kinguus.
Men seþ wel þat þe see · seseþ & stinteþ,
92[Fol 309, back] But whan þe wind on þe watur · þe wawus arereþ.
So wolde .i. reste me raþe · & ride ferþe,
Neuere to gete more good · no mo gome derie,
Bute as þe heie heuene goodus · wiþ herteli þouhtus
96So a-wecchen my wit · & my wil chaungen,
He cannot rest still anywhere Þat .i. mai stinte no stounde · stille in o place,
Þat i ne am temted ful tid · to turne me þennus.
& sin we wetin hur wil · to worchen[4] on erþe,
100We mowe be soþliche isaid · hur seruauntus hende.
Were all men wise alike Ȝif god sente euery gome · þat goþ up-on molde
Wordliche wisdam · & wittus iliche,
Betur miȝhte no burn · be þan an oþur;
104 Apere miȝhte þe pore · to parte wiþ þe riche.
all would be equal, like beasts Þanne ferde þe worlde as a feld · þat ful were of bestes,
Whan eueri lud liche wel · lyuede up-on erþe.
But some must be kings For þat enchesoun god ches · oþur chef kinguus,
108and Alexander their chief Þat scholde maistrus be maad · ouur mene peple;
And me is markid to be · most of alle oþure,
Whan þis sawe was said · þe semliche prynce
112For þe fore-saide folk · fondes to ride
Þanne he farus to a feld · ful fair & ful large,
Alexander sees some trees,
which bear fruit while the sun shines, Þat stod on an hie stede · a-stored wiþ frutus.
Þere sai he semliche tres · wiþ þe sonne woxe,
116Þat frut baren hem a-boue · on bowus ful þikke.
& al so sone as þe sonne · sesed to schine,
Þat don[5] was þe day · fordon of þe cloudus,
Þe tres seseden of siȝht · & sonken to gronde,
120Þat frekus miȝht no friþ · no no frut kenne.
As raþe as þe sonne ros · & reed gan schine,
but disappear when it is dark. Þat his lem on þe loft ·liȝht ȝaf aboute,
124& grete grouuede frut · on þe grene braunchus.
He sends for some of the fruit Þan comaundede þe king · cofli to feche
Of þat freliche frut · þat þe frekus sie.[6]
Þan [buskede][7] a bokd kniht · & to a bow stirte,
128ÞE sote-sauered frut · sone to pulle.
But al[8] so raþe as þe rink · gan þe ris touche,
The man who attempts to pluck it is slain Doun fel he wiþ dul · ded in þe place;
& siþen sent was a vois · son fro heuene,
132Þat non trinde þe tres · last þe taried were!
In each tree sat a bird. For eueri grene growe tre · that on þe ground spronge
Hadde bremliche a brid · þe braunchus alofte,
Þat whan þer buskede a burn · a bow for to touche,
136 that spaarks of deadly fire Þei spatten sparclus of fir · and spilden him raþe.
[A Picture I.]
He dide him forþ to flod · þat phison is called,
þat writen is in holi wriht · & wrouht so to name.
140a river of Paradise From perlese paradis · passeþ þe stronde;
also called the Gangees. In cost þer þe king was · men called hit gena,
As was þe langage of þe lond · wiþ ludus of inde.
Þere made þe mascedonius king · his men for to stinte,
And bi þe banke of þe strem · he biggede his tentus.
145Þanne þe mascedonius men · in þe men tyme
He see some men beyond the river, Bi-ȝonde phisonus flod · saien folk rome.
For-þe bad þe bold king · that burnus of inde
148Scholde talken hem til · & tidliche enquere
Þe name of hure nacion · nedli to knowe;
For miche wilnede þe weiȝht · to witen of here fare.
but cannot reach them for the serpents there. Ride miȝhte nouht þe rink · ouur þe romme stronde
152For þe wormus þat were · bi þe watir founde.
For, out-taken .viij. wokus · of al þe watir founde.
Excpet in July and August, Þat is soþli to saie · þe sesoun of iuli,
And heruest þat hastly aftyr him folweþ—
156 there are dragons Dredful dragonus · drawen hem þiddire,
hippotamuses Addrus & ypotamus · & oþure ille wormus,
and crocodilles there. & careful cocodrillus · þat þe king lette.
For skaþe of þe scorpionus · askape þei ne miȝhte;
160So riue romede þei · þe riuer bi-side.
As prest as þe pris king · sai his pres stinte,
Þat he fer wiþ his folk[9] · fare ne miȝhte,
For þe bestus of bale · þat bi þe watur ferde,
164& harm of þe hound-fich · þat houede þer-inne,
Alexander class to one of the Of þe seggus þat he sai · bi-ȝonde þe side stronde
strangers to come over in a boat Ho dide calle ffor to come · to carpen him tille.
When þei hurden [h]is houp · hastiliche aftur
168A lud to a litil boot · lepus in haste,
[Fol. 210] And raþe to þe reiche king · romwus alone,
And aftur alixandre · askeþ his wille.
A wel-langaged lud · let þe king sone
172 Aspien ful spedliche · bi speche of þe lande,
He asks who they are. In what kyþ wer þei kid · of of what hit called were.
& ho were lord of hur land · & ledere of alle.
They say they are Brahmans, and their king is Dindimus. "We were in bragmanie bred" · saide þe burn þanne,
"& dindimus þe dere king · our demere is holde."
177"Sertus," saide alixandre · "þi sawe me quemus,
Me haþ longe to ȝoour land · liked to wende;
Wiþ ȝou to carpe in þis kiþ · couaited y ȝorne;
180 For miche ludus of ȝour lif · listned ich haue."
Alexander gives the stranger a letter, for Dindimus. Þanne let þe lordliche king · lettres endite,
& þere-on settus his sel · & sithen hem takus
To þe burn on his bot · & bad him in haste
184 To þe king of hur kiþ · carien his sonde.
Þanne whitli þe weiht · ouur þe watur sterus.
And þe lettrus to his lord · ledus ful sone.
As sone as his king say · þat sonde him yprofred,
188He hit lacchus of þe lud · & lokus þer-inne;
Contents of the letter. & ȝif ȝe Ludus haue list · þe lettrus to knowe,
Tendeþ how þis tale is titeled þer-inne.
"Alexander, "Þe kidde king alixandre · þat couþ is in erþe,
192Þat name haþ of noblete · & neuere man dradde,
son of Ammon, Þat grete god amon · in graciouce timus
Bi-gat on olimpias · þe onurable quene.
greets king Dindimus. Dindimus þe dere king · doþ for to grete.
196Þat lord of bragmanus lond · & ledere is holde,
& in þis same wise saiþ & sendeþ him gon,
& til alle þat arn · aftur him þare.—
199We have often heard of you. We han, ludus, of ȝour lif · listned ful ofte,
You never plough, Þat michil ben ȝour manerus · fram oþur men varied.
For ȝe non erthe ne eren[10] · þat erne ȝou miȝhte
Fode for to fare wiþ · as oþur fok[11] vsen.
On se saile ȝe nouht · in sesoun of ȝere,
204nor fish. For to fihche on þe fom · of finde any praie.
But litil leue we þat · lud, i þe warne,
Is this true? For-þi bi-seche y þe, seg · ȝif it soþ were,
207Send me tyþinge[12] tid · & tel me þe soþe,
Þat y may witen of ȝour werk · & of ȝour wonus alle.
If so I never heard of a more wonderful people. For ȝif men saiþ bi ȝow soþ · þe sawe þat y hirde,
Of more meruailouse men · miȝhte i nouht kenne.
Ȝif wisdam or wit · in ȝour werk finde,
212Þat god aloweþ ȝour lif · & likeþ your dedes,
Y schal ȝour costomus, king · couaite to holde,
& fonde for bi[13] miȝht · ȝour fare to sinke.[14]
For fram þe ȝouþe of my ȝer · ȝerned ich haue
216Of wide werkus to wite · & wisdam lere;
We were taught that no people are so holy that they can blame us We weren tauht in oure time · & tendide lorus,
Of oure doctourus dere · demed for wise,
Þat non haþel vndur heuene · so holi is founde,
220Þat mihte a-legge any lak · our lif to reproue.
But for y, ludus, of ȝoure lif · swich a los hurde,
Þat we discorden of dede · don ȝou to knowe
224 Þe best lorus of lif · & lawus of wise,
Tell me your customs. And we ȝou praien, sire prince · prestly me sende
Alle þe lorus of your lif · in lettres a-seled;
And y bi-hote ȝou her · vnharmed to leue.
228 For more may hit, in cas · ȝou menske þan greue;
It cannot harm. Whan may hit greuen a man · þat mich good knowiþ
For þe wers is no weih · wis ȝif he seme,
233 Þouȝ he finde oþur folk · folewen hi dedus.
Take the case of a torch;
Its light is not lessened, though it lights others." Of a torche þat is tend · tak an en-sample;
Þat þouy ludus of þe lem · lihtede an hundred,
Hit scholde nouht lesen his liht · no þe latur brenne,
236 While þe weke & þe waxe[15] · vn-wasteþ lasteþ.
& so it farus bi folk[16] · þat fain is to teche;
Hit wasteþ no wisdam · weihes to lere.
For-þi busiliche, burn · we bidde þe nouþe
240Wiþ-oute tariginge of time · tiþinge sende.
To witen of þe wisdam · þat ȝe wiþ faren."
Whan dereworþe dindimus · þe enditinge hurde
244Dindimus reads the letter, Of alixandre askinge · as he write hadde,
Oþir lettrus he let · of hur lif write,
and sends an answer. & agyn to þe gome · goodliche he sente.
As cof as hit come was · þere þe king dwelde,
248In þis manere dide þe man · þe massage arede.
[A picture. II.]
Þat lord of bragmanus lond · alosed is þare,
"King Dindiums to Alexander, greeting. "To emperour alixandrre · egrest of princis,
252Þat is grimmest igrowe · and grettest of kingus,
Sendeþ letteres of lowe · & to þe lud writes
Miche gretiþinge of grace · & grauntinge of ioie.—
Bi þi message, man · þat þou to me sentest
256When we sisihen þi sonde · wiþ þi sel prented,
We ave discerned your desire. We kendenþi couaitise · & þat þou king, wilnest
Þe rihte-wisnesse wite · þat to a weih longus.
In þat alowe i þe, lud · þat þe lef were
260Þe best lawe to lere · & lorus of witte;
For riht wisdam is worþ · al þe world riche.
Þat wantede wisdam · his wihes to gye,
264Mihte lordschipe lache · of oþur low peple;
But þe loweste þat liuede · his lord mihte woþe,
And wiþ him fare as a fol · þat failede his wittus.
Yet, I warn you, Neþeles, sire noble king · y þe now warne,
268To oure painede peple · in-possible hit semeþ,
you cannot endure our customs. Þat ȝe oure manerus mihte · mekliche endure,
Or in þe lif þat we liue · laste any while.
For oure lif & our law · unlich is to ȝoure,
272And al luþur bi-leue · we loþen in herte.
Al þe dedes þat ȝe don · discorden til oure;
For we ne grete noht þe godus · þat ȝe gode holden.
As to your request, Of þat þou senteste, sire king · to say þe tru[t]he
276 Of al þe lore of our lif · wiþ-oute long dwelle,
pray excuse us. Haþel, for þin hendschipe · haue vs exkused,
For we ne konne þe nouht kenne · our costomus alle.
279 Þouȝh .i. lud of our lif · lettrus þe sende,
Prince, hit profiteþ nouht · to preche of our dedus;
Ȝe ne haue no tome no time · to tende my sawus,
For ȝe so busiliche ben wiþ[17] · aboute þe werre.
But say þou nouht, sire king · for sake of enuie,
284Yet think not I grudge telling you. Þat me were loþ of our lif · ludus to teche;
For as michel as y may · in minde bi-þenke,
Bi þis a-selede sonde · soþliche i telle.
We are poor Brahmans. We, bredde breþurne in god · bragmanus pore,
288Leden clanliche our lif · & libben as simple.
We ne wilne in þis world · to welde[18] no more,
We live a simple life,
in all povety. Bute was we simpleliche our lif · sostaine ,pwe.
291We ben to penance iput · & pouerte drien;
We holde hit nedful to nime · þat nouht may be wastid.
Hit is no leue in oure lawe · þat we land erie
We plough not. Wiþ no scharpede schar · to schape þe forwes;
We sow not. Ne sette solow on þe feld[19] · ne sowe none erþe,
296In ony place of þe plowe · to plokke wiþ oxen;
Ne in no side of þe se · to saile wiþ nettus,
We fish not Of þe finnede fihcs · our fode to lacche.
We hunt not For to hauke ne hunte · haue we no leue,
300Ne foure-fotede best · ferke to kille;
Ne to faren in þe feld · & fonde wiþ slyhþe
For to refe þe brod · of briddus of heuene.
303& whan we faren to fed · we finde no faute,
We han so michel at þe mel · þat we no more wilne.
Oþir goodis to gete · giue we no tente,
We desire no dainties Ne oþir dainteys dere · desire we none,
Þan oure modur of mete · may vs[20] forþ bringe,
308Þat we kennen for kinde · & callen þe erþe.
The earth sustains us. Sche vs norscheþ at nede · & i-now sendeþ,
Wiþ-oute swer oþur swink · swich as we hauen.
Hit ne is no leue in our land · þat ludus þer-inne
312We never eat too much/ Scholde more of hure mete · þan mesure take;
For-þi[21] sounde we be seie · & sike in no time,
and are always in health. Bute helþe haue we hir · til we henne passe.
To godus pay is our peple · in bettur point founde,
316Him to louen as hur lord · & like him to serue,
Þan fale oþir folk ben · þat fillen hure wombe,
& nimen more þan i-now · whan no ned were.
We make no medicine, nor need any. We maken no medisine · no no man prayen
320Wiþ ony haþelene help · to helyn oure bodius.
We han a sertaine somme · a-singned of ȝerus,
Whan we schulle lese þis lif · & laste no more;
For we mowe tellen our time · whan þe time fallus.
324For litil lengure a lud · liueþ þan an oþir;
But bi cominnge[22] of kynde · as heuene king demus,
We schal doute þe deþ · whan þe day fallus;
Bi an ordre of oure kinde · whan we holde waxen,
328We grow old and then die and got to heaven. Whan mihte lakken our limus · & lesen our hete,
We schulle for-leten oure lif · & leue þat þe soule
To him þat schop vs to schap · schal fare to blisse.
For no cold þat vs comeþ · in our kinde age,
332We use no fire. We ne faren to no fir · our fingrus to warme;
Of bodi hole we ben · & no bale fele.
We flee lusts. Ay we founden to fle · flechliche lustus;
We maken þorou mekenesse · alle manir þingus
336Þat mihte us soile wiþ sinne · sese in a while.
I rede þe,[23] riche emperour · ful raþe þat þou founde
To ouyr-comen enemis · þat arn þe[24] wiþ-inne;
340None mihte þe nnow · nye wiþ-oute.
Thou fightest against outward foes, But þou fihtest wiþ þi fon · þat faren þe biside,
& hem þat in þi[26] bodi ben · ay berest wiþ þe.
343 But if we ony enimis · wiþ-inne vs aspie,
we slay the foes within us. We nolle sclepe in no scloweþe · til we hem sclain haue;
Þer-for we al ouurcomen · þat arn vs wiþ-inne,
We ne haue fere of no fon · þat faren wiþ-oute,
Ne we agayn hem to[27] · nol no gome procre,
348Ne of no haþel vndur heuene · any help seche;
We fear no one, and desire to conquer none. We ne doute none douhtie · ne no dede sterne,
Ne we no wilne no win · of watur no of londe.
Wiþ trene bowus we ben · on þe body keuered,
352 We eat fruit and drink milk & vs findeþ þe frut · fode at oure nede.
Of mylk haue we miche whon · amongus our peple,
Þat we no wante no wite · of wordliche fode.
[A picture. III.]
356We turnen tid to flod · thabeus is called.
Þer-of we taken a tast · what time þat is nedeþ,
And herie þe heie god · with tounge.
What so we worchen in þis worlde · or waken or slepe,
360Or in erþeliche ese · eten oþur drinke,
We do all for the sake of God. For his sake þat it sente · soþli we worchin,
To sustaine his seruantis · as him-silf likus.
We hopen haue þe lif · þat come schal her-aftur,
364& derely wiþ-oute deþ · dure schal euere.
We bever indulge in tale-bearing Tale tende we non · þat turneþ to harme,
But hit be preched for prow · & procred to goode.
We no spende no speche · but whan we speke weele;
368 We always speak We ne sain but soþ · & sesen by time.
We no recche of no ricchesse · no renoun of landus,
No catelus couaitise · comyþ at oure herte;
For þat is soþliche a sinne · þat seggus haunteþ,
372 & to miche mischef · many men bringeth.
We loathe envy. Al we libben in loue · & loþen enuie,
& hit paieþ our peple · in pouert to libbe.
For we hit rekenen for riche · & redileche finden,
376Þat hit foleweþ oure folk · til þei fare hennus.
We forsake warfare. Ay are we in pes · and armus forsaken,
& to no wikkede werk · woned we be fare.
Þer nis no lawe in oure land · ludus to chaste,
380 For we no dede no don · domus to þolie.
We holden hit a vertu · at hom in oure lande,
We show no mercy Amon þe men of our march · mercy vnknowe;
For we ben meved to no man · mercy to gran[t]e.
384We never do any sin for which we have to ask for mercy. We ne gilte noht god · no no gome here,
Where-fore we mosten haue in minde · mercy to crye,
Þat god scholde of oure gilt · for-giuen vs þe sinne
Of ony wikkede werk · þat we wroute euyre.
388We do not sacrifice to devils. Ne we for sake of our sinne · no sacrifice maken
To oure galfule[28] god · wiþ gold nor wiþ siluer,
As ȝe dulfully don · to deuelus of paine,
To make hem glad of ȝoure gilt · & glose ȝou here!
392We flee lusts. Alle leccheries lust · vs loþeth to founde,
Or to bringe vs in brigge · fore to breke spouce;
Or any mis-dede make · where-fore we miht after
Ben y-punched in paine · & parte [fram] blisse.
396We gainsay your guilty and your false gods & þus we gayn-saie ȝoure gilt · & ȝour godus false,
As ȝe wolde far by ȝoure fon · þat ȝe fals knewe.
We ben rihtful of red · & resoun alowen;
For-þi[29] ne se we no seg · sodainly deie;
400For we ne liȝhte noht our lif · wiþ no luthur dede,
Where-fore we scholde with schame · be schorted of daies.
We dye no cloth. We don deie no cloþ · of diuerse heuys,
403No in no worschipful[30] wede · our wiuus a-tiren,
Where-fore a lud mihte like · to louen hem þe bettere,
Or þei fairere þan a-fore · [tp] folk[31] miht seme;
So to hihten hem her · we holden hit sinne,
To maken hem comelokur corn · þan hur kynde askyþ.
408 Our wvies never paint their faces, Þere-fore þe haten to be hiht · on hed or on face
Wiþ ony wachinge of watur · or ony werk ellus,
Of fonde wiþ fals craft · hure face to enoine,
For to bliken of hur ble · þe bliþure of chere,
412 Or hem schenure to schene · þan þei schape were
nor try to look better than they are by nature. Of him þat lente hem hur lif · & hure limus made.
For þey þat crauen by craft · comelokur seme
Þan þei ben kindeli soren · as heuene king likus,
416God scholde þat him schop · schine by rihte
For his children hem to chese · þat changede his schappus.
For be he burn oþur burde · þat hure bodi hihten
Oþir-wise þan it was · in þis word schape,
420Þey gayn-sain hure sauiour · þat hem so made,
& ben aschamed of his schap · & schewen jem ellis.
Þou douhty doutede king · we don þe to knowe,
We never use a bath Þat oure bodies ne ben · in no baþ wahche.
424We han while we here ben · hete of þe sonne,
& vs by-dewen aday · þe dewus of heuene.
All are equal among us We ben busy of no swink · nor no burn maken
For to wirchen our wil · & wordliche serue.
Vs no likeþ of no lud · lordschipe haue;
Non is sternere of stat · ne stouter þan oþir.
Sin we ben bteþeren of brod · brouht into þis worde,
Alle coruen of a king · þat kid is in blisse,
432Whi scholde any schalk · þat god schop on erþe
Haue maistrie of men · more þan an-oþir?
We have no houses but caves. We ne han none hous bote holus · in þe holou cauus,
Vndur hillus ful hie · to holden us inne;
Þere comeþ no wawe of þe wind · no watur of þe rainus.
Hie boldus[32] to bulde · be we not snelle;
To legge lym oþur ston · loþ is us alle;
We use no tools. Vs ne likeþ no lome · in oure land vse,
440 As oþir erþliche men · owen aboute.
We lin, whan us sclepe list · lowe vndur erþe,
Al wiþ-oute any swink · of ert[h]liche werus;
Our caves keep off the weather. Swich housinge we han · to holde out þe wedures
444 & leden þerinne our lif · þe lengþe of our daies
When god likeþ from lif · lede vs to blisse,
We liggen doun in our den · þere we ded worþen.
Þanne is vs g[r]ayþed no graue · in þe grounde doluen,
448we lie where we lay. But þere lin as we laie · whan we lif hadde.
Wiþ us schineþ euery schalk · in schippus for to saile,
We do not go to sea. For to wine on þe watur · wordliche fode.
For þe þat sailen on þe see · as we soþ knowen,
452 In gret peril ben iput · & perichen ful ofte.
We do not cultivate learning. We ben lered in oure land · lore of no scole,
Ne to no sience i-set · vs silue to wisse,
Þat mihte vs kenne in þis kiþ · to carpen as wise,
456But þat comeþ us by kinde · we konne noht ellus.
We ne faren to no philozofrus · to fonden hure lorus;
For ay longeþ þat lore · to lesinge & iangle.
Alle oure sawus ben simple · þat we soþ tellen,
460We never lie. & for to lie is us loþ · or luþurly wirche;
But swiche wordus of wise · we wilnen to lere,
Þere nis no iargoun no iangle · ne iuggeme[n]tis falce.
Vs ne schewiþ no schalk · schamfule tacchus,
464We dislike play and mirth. Wjere-wiþ we mihte mis-do · or ony man gile.
We ne louen in our land · no laik nor no mirthe;
But whanne we meuen our mynde · mirþe to here
We only read romances. We raiken to oure romauncus · & reden þe storrius,
468 þat oure elderne on erþe · or þis time wroute.
When the tale is a merry one, & ehn we tenden any tale · þat turne · to bourde
Þat were game for a gome · or good of to lauȝe,
471 we are sad. We sesen of solas · & sorwen in herte;
& maken mourninge of mirthe · whan men scholde glade.
Of oþur wondrus we witen · in þis word here,
Þat likeþ[33] us to loken on · on þe loft heie;
We sen selkouþe þing · þat is ta sain, heuene,
476Þere as lem is of loft · & lisse to gode;
We observe the sun and the seven stars, Þe sonne set in his cours · & þe seue sterres,
And alle þat seggeus mowe sen · siþen on þe skiuus,
Þat to hure schappere hem schewen · schining rede,
480& siþen liht fro þe loft · to þe land caste.
Þe side se we mow sen · set vp-on erþe,
Þat in kinde colour · a-cordeþ to purpre;
But whan þe watur wiþ þe wind · þe wawus vp casteþ,
484& þouh hit turne any time · to tempest of windus
which has no waves. Hit ne a wecheþ no wawe · nor no watur rereth,
As hit amongus ȝou men · is many tiime founde
488 Þat stiue stormus of þe wind haþ · his hugeste blastus,
Þe clere watur he bi-clipth · & closeþ hit inne.
Þer-inne soþli we sen · selcouþe kindus
Of þe fletinge fihs · þat in þe fom lepen.
492We see therein dolphins and other fish. Þere maken dolfinus dine · & diuerce fihches,
Þat þere swimmen ful swiþe · & swangen aboute.
We han mirthe ful miche · in medus & feldus,
Þere faire placus & plain · han plente of flourus,
496We can feed on the scent of flowers Þat sote sauouron til us; · & wiþ þe siht clene
We ben as fulsom i-founde · as þouȝ we fed were.
Vs is likful and lef · in landus to walke,
Þere won walloþ of watur · in þe well-springus.
500 We love the woods, Miche wilne we wende · in þe wodus thikke,
For to rom vndur ris · þat rig is of leuus;
Þere we mowe graspen on þe grene · & gret ioie here
and the songs of the birds. Of brem briddene song · [in] þe braunchus a-lofte.
504Þis is oure costom of kinde · þat we kyþen alle,
& deliten in no dede · þat doþ men to sinne.
These are our customs. Sire emperour alixandre · þis arn oure lawes,
Boþe oure reule & our riht · þat we þe rede holde.
508Ȝif þou our lif wole alowe · & oure lawe vse,
Hit schal þe profite, prince · whan þi[34] pres faileþ.
Hit is noht long in[35] us, lud · þei hit loþ seme,
For y haue sent þe my sonde · as þou þei-self bade.
512Be not angry But be þou nouht, bolde king · balful no tened,
Þat þou miht trystli trye · þe treweste lawe.
For we schulle minnge þe, man · swiche maner lorus.
Þat þou miht lihtliche, lud · þe beste lawe kenne.
516Whan þou hit wisliche wost · wilne hit in herte,
Men thy life. & lowe þi lordschipe · & þi lif mende.
Asie & aufrik · & europ þe grete
Þou has lowed to þe, lud · in a litil while.
520Thou prevented the sun from shining by thine armies. Þe lem of þe sonne-liht · þou lettest to schine,
So brem bringest þou þi men · alle in bryht armus;
& þe guldene ger · þat þi gomus vsen
Wiþ þe blasinge ble · blenden þe sonne.
524Þou hast robbed wiþ þi rout · ij. riche strondus,
Thou last robbed two streams of gold. Þere þe grauel of þe ground · was of gold ore.
Þat on was called erenus · & þat oþur large
Þe peple callede paccolus · þat þou pore madest;
528So fale folewen þe folk · to fonde þi heste,
Thine armies drink up the Nile. Þat with hure drinkinke drawht · whan þei drie þirsten,
Ȝe maken stinte of his strem · a stronde ful huge,
531Þat nilus þe noble flod · namned is wide.
So miche holdest þou þe, man · of miht & of strenke,
Þat þou might ouur oxian · wiþ þin ost saile.
So wis wenst þou þe be · þat þou by wit mihtest
Thou market
Cerberus to sleep. Þorou þi maistrie miche · maken to sclepe
536 Tricerberus þe helle-hound · þat holden is kene
Boþe wakrong & wikke · & wardain of paine.
Ye never fast Ȝe no fonde no fast · but fillen ȝoure wombis,
Eten euere whan ȝe list · & in ese libben.
540 Ye sacrifice your children. Vn-kinde kiþe ȝe ȝou · to kille ȝour children,
To queme quedfulle godus · þat quenchen ȝour blisse;
& to ȝoure souorain of sinne · sacrifice maken
Wiþ þat vnblisful blod · þat þei bled hauen.
544 Ye make war ever. Miche maugre ȝe maken · among many kingus,
& gret werre in þis world · to waste þe peple.
Many men vp-on molde · ful mek & ful simple
Þorou þe prouede prince · fu; prouede ben woxe.
548Ye cannot have enough. Ȝe wene winne noht i-now · on þis worde one,
But ȝif ȝe heuene miht haue · & holden hit alse.
Your gods used to work all evil. Michel gilte ȝe, gome · bi ȝour godus falce,
As þei were woned in þis word · to wirchen in hure liue.
552 For ensample, bi my sawe · soþ mow ȝe fonge
Of iubiter þe ioilese · iugged to paine.
Jupter was lecherous. He was alosed in his lif · lechourus of kinde,
Þat in his licamus list · as a lie brente.
556 He hadde, while he here was · to hordom i-eged
Gret won in þis word · of wommen aliue.
For-þi[36] ȝe holde him a god · þat in helle lengus,
& þat sorwful sinne · for his sake vsen.
560Propserine was equally wicked. Y prove hit by proserpine · þat ȝe praisen alle,
& holden godesse god · to gien ȝou here;
Hure was lecherie luf· þe while hue liuede alse,
564Many men vp-on molde · made hue[37] by alithe
To haunte hure in hordom · hur hole lif-time.
Ye imitate her Of hure tenful tach · ȝe taken ensample,
& ay wilnen hire wone · in werkus to fonde!
[ A picture IV.]
Ȝe ben luþur of ȝour lif · & lawus ȝe chaunge.
Of more make ȝe auaunt · þan ȝe mow forþen;
Ye esteem flatterers. Wis holde ȝe no whi · but ȝif he wel conne
572Faire tempren his tounge · his tale to schew.
Miche matere of wit · minegeþ ȝour tounge;
But beture holde y a burn · þat bereþ him al stille
Ȝe geduren ȝou gret won · of gol & of siluer,
576Ye like to have many servants & miche likus ȝou lache · lordliche holdeus,
& siþen many seruantis · ȝou-silue to abowe,
To be ketture y-kid · þan any kouþ peple.
& ȝit y liue þat ȝe liue · þorou lasse fode
580Þan oþur seggus þat semen · simple [in] mirthe.
Of richesse & of renoun · romme be ȝe kidde,
& ben baldere y-wist · þan any burn elles;
But oure kinde konninge · ȝou ouure-comeþ nouþe
584We surpass you in all things. In alle dedus þat ȝe don · in ȝoure daies time.
We witen, weies, ful wel · þat ȝe were alle
Bremliche y-brouht forþ · & bred of þat modur
Ye are bu earth-born Þat is stable to stonde · & stonus engendreþ,
588And þe erþe is called · þat euery man helpeþ.
Whan god demeþ ȝou deie · ȝour daies to tine,
Ye build fine tombs. Grauus of gret prys · ȝe grayþe ȝou tille—
& but hit fair be & fin · folie ȝe holden—
592To legge in your licam · þat lodlich[38] is founde.
& so ȝour bodies ȝe buren · þat bettur riht hadde
In rouh erþe to be reke · to roten hure bonus.
And by þe dedeus that men don · to þe dede bodies,
596Ludus keneþ hue hem louen · to hure liuus ende.
We, for love of God, We, for loue of þe lord · þat we leuen inne,
kill no beasts, None bestus i-boren · balfullu kille,
Ne no tidi a-tir · in templus a-araie,
600nor carve idols. No figure of fin gold · fourme þer-inne,
Wher-fore þe heie heuene god · heren us scholde,
Whan any burn to him bad · [h]is bone graunte.[39]
But ȝe,[40] folliche folk · ȝour fals godus alle
604Ye worship your gods, Wil-fully worschipen · wiþ wordliche godus,
For þei scholde hasteli ȝou here · & ȝou help kiþe,
Whan ȝe greden ȝour grace · to graunte ȝour wille,
and sacrifice to devils Whan ȝe for sake of ȝoure sinne · sacrifice maken,
608& quellen any quik best · to queme þe deuelus.
Ȝe ne vndurstonde nouht þat stounde · þe storie of þis wordus
God hears not man because of sacrifices. Þat god hereþ no gome · but for his goode dedus,
& for no bestene blod · þat any burn quelleþ
612Noþin of kide, noþur of calf · noþur of kild oxe.
But he hereþ euery haþel þat hertely biddeþ,
& wiþ mekenesse of minde · minegeþ his nede.
Godus worþliche[41] word · as we wel trowen,
616God's Word is the Son of Man. Is sone soþliche of man · þat in him-silf dwelleþ,
By which molde is y-maad · & man vp-on erþe,
& al þat weihes in þis word · scholde wiþ fare;
Al bestus þer-by · þat lif bere mowe,
620All are sustained by Him. Ben soþliche i-sustained · as him-slif likus;
Þat ilke worþliche word · we worschipen alle,
& hit lelliche louen · as our lif likus.
God is a Spirit. God is spedful in speche · & a spryt clene,
624Boþe blessed & blyþe · þat blendeþ alle sorwe.
He clameþ nought but clennesse · & clepeþ to [h]is ioie
Clene-minded men · þat meke ben founde.
Ye are all fools, Where-fore we holde ȝou folk · folus echone,
628Þat ȝe ne leuen in þat lord · þat lengeþ in blisse,
& lede clanly ȝour lif · & no luþur wirche,
As ȝe haþ of us herd · holly þe dedus.
and live in lust. But ȝe in lechoures lust · al ȝour lif spende,
632And serue sory idolus · þat ȝou in sinne brynge.
Wiþ oþur folies fale · ȝe foulen ȝour soulen;
After death ye will suffer pain & so ȝe duren in ȝour dede · til ȝe ded worþeþ.
Þanne schulle ȝe[42] for ȝour sinne · soffre paine.
636For ȝe[43] unclene bi cleped · & cleuen in ȝour sinne.
Þere may ȝow borewen of bale · no bost no no pride,
No no god þat ȝe giuen · to ȝour godus falce,
No sacrifice of beasts will help ypu No no sory sacrifice · þat ȝe so maken
640Wiþ any bestene blod · þat euire burn schadde.
Ȝe ne herien nouht herteli · þe heie god alone,
Þat heuene holdeþ & haþ · to hus hole regne,
Ye have as many false gods as a man has limbs. But al so fale falce godus · ȝe fonden to queme
644As a burn bereþ now · in his body membrys.
For ȝe liknen a lud · to a litil wordle,
& this sawe ȝe sain · soþliche echone,
Þat many as a man · haþ membrys y-schape,
648Him falleþ al so fale godus · faiþfuly herie;
& so ȝe sacrifice don · to selkouþe fendus!
Every limb is dedicated to some god. For euery lime þat a lud · longeþ to haue,
Ȝe kyþen carefule · godus · & kallen hem nowþe,
652Aftur dedeus þat þei dede · diuerse names.
Michel holde ȝe of miht · minuera þe falce,
For hue[44] foundede first · folies manye;
Minerva sprang out of Jupiter's head, & þis is seggus ȝour sawe · as ȝe sain alle.
Hue was engendred wiþ gin · of iubiterus hede;
660For—þi[45] ȝe holden hure wis · & hollyche segge,
Þat hue þe hilþe of þe heed · haþ for to kepe.
Þe iaudewin iubiter · ioiful ȝe holde;
Jupiter was wrathful,
and gaurds the seat of wrath, the heart For he was wraþful i-wrouht · & wried in angur,
Gomus holden him god · þat gieþ þe herte;
For þere ariseþ in a rink · þe rotus of wraþþe.
A god mihtful of main · martis ȝe holden;
664For he was fihtere fel · & foundur of werre,
Mars is lord of the 'breast'. He is alosed in lande · lord of þe breste;
For þere þe miht of a man · most is i-sene.
Mecury is god of the tongue; For mercurie miche spak · to mentaine iangle,
Ȝe holden him galful & god · & god of þe tounge.
Hercules, with his dozen of wonders For hercules þe endelese · þat euere is in paine,
Diuisede here on his day · a dosain of wondrus,
672Þat a man moste do · wiþ mihte of his armus,
A god holde ȝe him · helplich of grace,
presides over the arms. Þat haþ ȝour armus to ȝeme · & may ȝou ȝiue strenke.
Bacchus the drunkard, For bacus þe bollere · þat ȝe abowen alle,
676Englaymed was in glotenye · & glad to be drounke,
over the throat Ȝe callen him kepere of þe þrote · & kinde god holden,
[Fol. 213] & wis witiere of win · þat alle won bryngus.
Of Cupid, ye say Cupidus þe corsede · þat is in care punched,
680Ȝe worchen al worschipe · & in þis wise tellen—
[A picture. V.]
And þat folie fur · foundede on erþe,
A bryht btenninge brond · he bereþ on his hondis,
684And alle lechurus lust · of þe lem tendeþ.
And so ȝe sain þat he is · a soþ god iproued,
and presides over the stomach Þat haþ þe stomak in stat · stifly to kepe;
For þere þe hete þat men han · is holden wiþ-inne,
688 Þat enforceþ þe flech · folie to wirche!
Ceres, over the womb. Also, seggus, ȝe sain · þat ceres þe falce
Is a goodesse god · & gieþ þe wombe;
For hue tilede in hur time · on þe touh erþe,
692& whete soþliche sew · or any seggus ellus.
Venus, over the priory members. Ful verrai of vertue · venus ȝe holden;
& for hue lady was alosed · of leccherous dedeus,
Ȝe holden hure a goodesse god · þat haþ for to kepe
Þe preuey[46] membrus of a man · þat marke is of kingus.
697Iuno þe ioilese · ȝe iuggen for noble;
foretell things to come. & wei-huus sain þat he witeþ · in his worde one,
A spild spirit of þe air · þat may speke wondrus,
700& telle what bi-tide schal · of tene oþur of welþe.
Apollo, who practiised medicine and minstrelsy, is god of hands. Ȝe leuen alle in appolin · & also ȝe tellen
Þat, for he medisine made · & minstralus craftus,
Ȝe holde hin giour ful good · & god of þe handus.
704 Se þer leueþ no lime · lasse no more,
Þat in ȝour power is put · but parted to fendus.
Ȝe ne leuen not on a lord · that lengus in heuene,
Þat al þe membrus of a man · made at his wille.
708 Your false gods only grieve you. And þouȝ ȝe falce godus folk · founden to serue,
Þei ne graunte no grace · but greuen ȝou ofte,
& taken of ȝou tribit · þat traie is to paie,
Of ȝoure offringus alle · ofte in þe ȝere.
712 To Mars, ye offer a boar; To martis þe mihtelese · men ofren in time
A gret bor & a bold · as burnus han vsed.
To Bacchus, a kid; To bacus þe balful · men bringen in temple
A kide, as is costum · of comine peple.
716To Juno a peacock; A fair pokok of pris · men paien to iuno,
& him wirchen þer-wiþ · worschipe vn erþe.
To Apollo, a white swan; Þe offrin of appolin · as ȝe alle knowe,
Ys a swan swiþe whit · swich as ȝe bryngen.
720 To Venu, a dove; Ȝe schullen bi ordre of vse[47] · offren to venus,[48]
A ful derworþe douue · on his den take.
To Minerva, a bat; Minerua men worschipen · in oþur maner alse,
& bringen hure a niht-brid · a bakke or an oule.
724To Ceres, Corn; To ceres þe sorwful · ȝe sacrifice maken,
& carien bi costum · corn to hure temple.
Ȝe mensken alle mercurie[49] · wiþ mirthe & wiþ ioie,
& him a chalis ful chois · wiþ good chere bringen.
728Ye put boughs on Hercules' altar; Þe hauter of he[r]cules · alle ȝe hihten,
& hit spreden wiþ spraiuus · of springinge braunchus.
and flowers on Cupid's Cupies þe corsed · wiþ comeliche flourus
Ȝe herien ful hertely · & hihten [h]is temple.
733Þus manye mihteles godus · & mo þan y telle,
For þe hope of hur help · ȝe herien on erþe.
Ye cannot serve them all at once. & ȝit may þer no man · in any maner wise
Wiþ solepne sacrifice · serue hem at onus,
736 But eueri wile of a wehy · his owene wone haue,
Be it bole oþur bor · betur oþur werse.
Of swiche bestus þat ben · of burnus y of reed,
739Þei han miht vp-on molde · & of no mo þingys.
Why do ye belive in false gods? Whi fauuree ȝe þanne falce godus · & folliche seggen
Þat þei ne han miht of no mor · nor no maistrie on erþe,
But of hur owne offringe · & onliche of bestes?
744For youe sins, For ȝour errours on erþe · sire emperour riche,
& for þe dedus vn-dingnge · þat ȝe don alle,
As ȝe ben worþi[50] of wo · whan þe word failus,
ye shalle be punished Ȝe schulle be punched & put · in paine for euere!
748Ȝour godus ful of gile ben · þat ȝe so good holden,
On hem is help of non harm · no hap of no grace,
Your gods are butchers. But bochours ben þei echon · ȝour body to dismembre,
& euerich pinchen his part · þere paine is vnended.
As many mihtelese godus · as ȝe on molde seruen.
[Fol. 213,back] As fale painus in fir · ȝou fallus to drie.
Your idols make you sin. For ȝour ydil idolus · don ȝou wille wirche;
755 Summe to lechorus lust · ȝour likinge turneþ,
Summe ȝou strenkþen to striue · & straiten ȝour minde,
& somme eggen in ese · to eten & to drinke.
Þei by-sette ȝou so · in sinne & in gile,
Ye work their will. Þat ȝe wirchen hur wil · & worchipen alle.
760&, seggus for ȝe so don · ȝe semen vn-wise,
Ye serve them by sin. Hem to seruen in sinne · þat mowe no seg helpe.
Þei beþ vn-mihtful y-mad · men for to wisse,
And kun nat saue hem-self · fro sorwful painus.
764 When ȝe hem greden of griþ · to graunte ȝour bone,
Wheþur hey hit heren of nouht · to harme hit ȝou turnus.
When ye prey,
they harm you Whan ȝe hem praiere profre · ȝif þey prest heren,
Þei casten in ȝoure conscience · corsede þouhtous.
768And, ludus, ȝif hem loþ be · to listne ȝoure bonus,
Hit ȝou norcheþ any · for þei ȝou nouht heren.
Whether they hear you or not, ye suffer So wheþur þei graunte hit or gruche · þei greuen ȝou ofte,
For eueri time hit ȝou turneþ · to tene & to harme.
772 Þo ben ȝoure gostliche godous · þat gon to do wreche
After ludene lif · for hure luþur werkus.
For þei schulle in þis word · wirche for sinne,
Whan þat burnus ar bured · þat balfully wrouthe
776Your elders spake of torment to come. Tokne of þat turment · tolde ȝoure eldren,
How wreche scholde ben wrouht · for wrongful dedes,
& dul aftur þe deþ · ȝour doctourus saide,
Þat seggus scholde for sinne · suffre in þis worde;
780& ȝe ben soþlie þe same · of wham þei so tolde,
Ye shall dwell in
endless torment Þat scholde lenge aftur lif · in lastinge paine.
For ȝif ȝe seggus ȝou[r] lif ·soþli bi-þenke,
Wers wirchen no folk · þan ȝe weiȝes alle.
For sake of ȝoure sauyour · ȝe ne soffre no paine,
But liuen in ȝoure likinge · & luþurli wirchen;
Ȝe waken for wikkednesse · & wirchen but ille.
ye commit murder Ȝe speden for to spille men · & spouce-breche fonden;
788adultery, Ȝour is lechurie luf · & liben wiþ stalþe.
and theft. To robbe men of hure riht · ful redy ben alle.
Ȝe ben glotounius gle · glad for to haunte,
& han no mesure on molde · of mete ne of drynke.
792ȜE ben to þe helle-hond · holliche i-like,
Ye are like Cerberus. Tri-cerberus þe tenful · of wham i tolde haue;
Foure hedus ben on him · þat haþ but on wombe.
& so it fareþ by ȝou folk · þat fillen ȝou siluen;
796For alle þe godus þat ȝe geten · of gomus vp-on erþe
Seruen for to sustaine · ȝour vnsely wombe.
There is an adder in hall called Hydra, Also ȝoure docturus sain · in sawus ful olde,
Þat an addre is in helle · þat yydra is called,
800 To cache is couaitous · corsede soulus;
never glutted. & fonde he fewe oþur fale · fule is he neuere.
Ye are like him. Þanne mow ȝe ludus of lif · be likned him tille;
For ȝe ben couaitouse kid · & kunne nouht blinne,
804But euere wenden to winne · wordliche godus,
& al is burnus aboute · ȝoure body for to fede.
Alle þe foliuus, folk · þat ȝe fain[51] wirchen,
Ben purchas of penance · whan ȝe parte hennus.
808 To bale were ye þanne[52] bore · for bannede werkus,
Ye were born to morrow." Þat schullen schamly be schent · & schapen to paine.
Þus dindimus þe dere king · enditeþ his sonde,
& god by-secheþ to saue · þe soueraine prinse."—
812When Alexander heard this, Whan emperour alixandre · wiþ erene hit hirde,
& tendede þe tiþinge · þat y told haue,
he was wroth. He was wroþ, for þe writ · of wrong gan a-lose
His godus þat he held · to gyen þe peple.
Sone sente he again · his sel & his letterus.
Wiþ-oute tariynge tid · þis tiþingus come
Tod dindimus þe dere king · þat þe dite radde.
Hear it! Now liþus, ȝe þat listene wele · þe lettrus to þe ende,
821For þus redely þe rink · a-radde þe sonde.
[A picture. VI.]
Þat noble is & name-kouþ · & neuere man dradde,
824son of Ammon, Þat grete god amon · in graciouse timus
By-gat on olimpias · þe onorable quene,
to Dindimus, greeting Ful derely to dindimus · enditeþ his sonde,
827& his sawe to the seg · saiþ in þis wise.—
If all is ture, ye are very good men. Ȝif alle þe lorus þat þou, lud · in lettrus me sentest
Ben trewe to be trowen on · & trysty to leue,
Þanne by ye sykur[53] to be saf · for sake of ȝoure werkus.
For ȝe ben burnus of lif · best vp-on erþe,
832[Fol. 214] Ȝif ȝe nouht wirche but wel · in þis word here;
Hit comeþ ȝou bi custum · so clanly to libbe.
WHy deem ye that we sin? Whi deme þanne þat we don · ne dede vp-on erþe
But sinne þat is sorwful · oure soule to spille?
836Whi seye ȝe seggus also · þat sinne ȝe holden
Any werkus to wirche · of wordliche craftus?
Why blame the works of man? Whi be ȝe, ludus, so lef · to lakke þe werkus
Þat man-kinde haþ y-mad · on molde to be vsed?
840Ȝif hit be soþ þat ȝe sain · hit semeþ , by ȝoure dedes,
Þat ȝe no giuen of no gome · no none godus trowe,
Ye are envious. Or ȝe en[u]ye to hem han · & hatien hur sondus,
For to libbe in ȝour land · as ludus aboute.
844Many wondurful wonus · wisli we knowen,
Þat ȝe amongus ȝou men · in ȝour march vsen.
Ye say that ye plough not. Ȝe telle vs þat ȝe tende nauht · to tulye þe erþe,
Ne place erie wiþ plow · no plaunte winus,
848nor build. Ne bulde boldus an hih · for burnus to wonye,
Ne non erthely note · nedfully wirchen.
In þat þou leredest me, lud, þat ȝe no land erien,
Ye have no iron. Ȝe ben exkused echon · for iren ȝou wantus,
852Where-wiþ mihte ye men · maken any boldus,
Or tren plaunten in place · or any plow dryue.
Ye have no tools. Whan ȝe mow take no tol · to tilien on erþe,
No swiche werkus to swinke · as oþur swainus vsen,
856Ye must live hard. For-þii bi-houus ȝou, haþel · harde to libbe,
& wo drie in þis word · for wante & for nede!
So mowe ȝe · ludus, ȝour lif · leden as bestus,
In gret mischef of mete · as ȝe mote nede.
860A hungry wolf must eat the earth. Ȝe witen wel, whan a wolf · wanteþ [h]is fode,
Þat he ne fundeþ no flech · to feden him vppe,
Of þe erþe he et · for ellus he scholde
863Be wiþ hungur y-holde · & happily sterue.
Þanne mowe ȝe weies to þe wolf · ful wel ben y-likned;
Ye have to do the same. Þat, for ȝe finde no fode · as oþur folk vsen,
Swich hungur as ȝe han · by houus ȝou þolie,
&, be ȝou lef oþur loþ · libben in wante.
868Þere-fore no like no lud · of his luþur fare,
No hope for his harde lif · to haue no mede.
Ye do no alms. For almus-dede do ȝe non · as ȝe demen alle,
871But skarsete & skaþe · vn-skilfully fonden.
Our beasts would scorn your life! Ȝif we lengede in ȝoure land · ful loþ were our bestus
To ben so simple of vs silf · & suffre þat tene!
We scholde folewe oþur folk · & fonden echone
To a-corde of oure costom · wiþ comine peple;
876But ȝe han dainte in dul · ȝoure daies to spene,
& ben y-sustained so · wiþ sorwe in þis wode.
Ye are not to be praised. But ȝe ben litil to a-lowe · of ȝoure luþur fare;
For nouht but nisete · nedful you makus!
880 Ȝoure owne folie, folk · doþ ȝou ful ofte
In hungur & in hard lif · to holde ȝoure people.
Your wives use no gay apparel, Also ȝe sain in ȝour sonde · þat soþly ȝoure wiuus
Ne gon in go gay tyr · as gise of oþure,
884and no man commits adultery & þat ludus in ȝoure land · no lechurie haunten,
But sparen alle spouse-breche · þe space of hure liuus;
& þou ȝe wonde swich werk · me wondrus ful lite!
How can he, with such fare? How miht ȝe lechurie loue · or likinge haue,
888Whan luþur fare haþ alaid · ȝour lustus echone,
Þat ȝe megre ben maad · wiþ mischef & hungur?
For ȝe so simple ben seie · & semen so pore,
Ȝou wantus wordliche won · ȝour wiuus to hihte.
892Ye are chaste perforce. Þere-fore as bestus ȝe ben · & of body chaste,
Vn-mihty, for mischef · to medle wiþ burdus
Þat nis no chariteuus chois · so schast for to libbe;
Sin ȝe maugray ȝour miht · mote hit wiþ-drawe!
896 Also ȝe sente vs to saie · in þe same time
Of oþur manerus mo · miche for to lakke;
Ye never study; Þat ȝe no stidie in no stounde · ne no stat wilne
Of clergie þat clene is · to claimen in scole;
900 and neither expect nor shew mercy. & þat ȝe mercy on molde · in no maner wilne,
No mercy don to no man · a-mongus ȝou founde.
Þanne hi semeþ by ȝoure sawe · ȝif ȝe soþ tellen,
Þat kindely ȝoure consience · a-cordeþ to bestus.
904Ye are as beasts. For as bestes ȝe ben · by no skile reuled,
Ne hem of kinde no comeþ · no konninge of witte;
So be ȝe, ludus, by-lad · & lawe-les alse,
Þat han no reward to riht · but red-lese wirchen.
908 We are wise. But we faiþful folk · þat faren as wise,
Ben y-demed to do · dedus of rihte.
Forþy vs kenneþ our kinde · to a-corde in trowþe,
In swiche lawus liue · þatt longen to gode;
912We sow and plant. For to sowe & to sette · in þe sad erþe,
& oþur wordliche werk · wisly to founde.
Sin man-kinde is y-maad · so michel & so riue,
915 Among so perles a peple · in-possible hit were—
But somme were reuled by ryht · as resoun hit axeþ—
Some men ought to work. Hem-self to sostaine · wiþ selkowþe þingus,
For to liue by þe land · as ludus ben schape
To haue welþe aftur wo · as þe word farus.
920After work some pleasure. For tenen sum-time tid · & sumtime mirthe;
& aftur swaginge of swinc[54] · swiþe comeþ ioie.
Seasons change. But so, weihuus, as ȝe witen · þat weduringe chaungeþ,
Now broun & now briht · & now breme stormys,
224[Fol. 214, back] So is þe wit & þe wil · of wordliche peple
In selkouþe sesounus · seen[55] for to chaunge.
In fair weather,
men are merry Whan wedur waxeþ al bryht · þat wel is to like,
227Mirie ben men of mod · in minde & in herte;
but in dim days, sad. But whan þe daies dimme ben · hit doþ hem to mourne,
For siht of þe sesoun · þat semus vnliþe.
Ȝit chaungeþ wit of a weih · in oþur-wise alse,
Man changes according to his age. Þorou þe grete de-gre · þat groweþ in age.
932For when he is innocent · þat ille can lite,
Þanne haþ he solas of him-silf · simple to worþe;
In youth, he plays with a ball. For betur likede him to a bal · þan a borou riche;
& he is hardy to non harm · but hauntus his gamus.
936In riper years, he shows his valour. Whan he is eldure of age · þat auht is his strenke,
Þanne wol he prouen his wil · & wikke to staunche.
In old age, he is quiet. Whan he is fare so forþ · fer in his age,
940Þan[56] stoute is he, stedefast · & stille of his herte.
Who would look for hardiness in an infant? Hwo wole a cherched child · chese for hardy,
Or a ȝoung man meek · þat mirthe couaiteþ?
Huo wolde wene þat a weih · woxen on elde
944Were wist for vnstedefast · of word or of dede?
Ye omit many joys, Manie mirþus on molde · þat oþur men vsen,
Ȝe leuen þorou ȝour luþur wit · þat longen to peple.
os sight, savour, Summe in siht þat we sen · & sauur of mouþe,
948handling, bearing, Summe in handlinge of hond · & heringe of ere,
and smiling. Summe þat longen to a lud · of likinge smellus,
& queminge of quaintise · þat quencheþ our tene,
952In tendere touchinge of þing · & tastinge of swete.
We enjoy fruit. & sin we frekus ben so fre · þat we frut hauen,
& al þat growus in þe ground · of graciouce þingus;
We finde fihch in þe se · þat vs fedeþ alle;
956 We lachen likinge y-now · of þe lof briddus;
& ȝif ȝe wonde pf þat won · to winne ȝoure fode,
Ȝe schulle be demed þat ȝe don · dispit to þo kindus.
Ye dishnour the Creator. Þanne schewe ȝe to hur schappere · schame for his sondus.
Þat so schinden his schap · þat e ȝou scheweþ here.
961 Or ȝe han hertely hate · to oure hole peple,
For we ben beture of our lif · & swich bote finden;
Sin swiche godus as we sen · ben sen[t] to us alle,
964& nouht so to[57] ȝou now · nedful burnus.
Your deeds are fully." Alle þe dedus þat ȝe don · y deme þat it turnus
More to folie þan to faiþ · of any ful witte."
His sonde þat y said haue · sire alixandre riche
968Let bringe wiþ his brode sel · to bragmanus prince,
& raþe wahn hit rad was · ful redy wiþ oþur
Dindimus replies. To þis adoutede duk · dindimus sente.
Whan hit was sent to þe seg · he dide hit sone red;
972hear his reply! No how hit goodly by-gan · men, giuus tente!
[A picture. VII.]
Þat lord of bragmanus land · & ledere is holde,
to Alexander greeting. To emperour alixandre · egrest of princes,
Þat is grymmest y-growe · & grettest[58] of princes,
Ioie graiþus wiþ grace · & gretinge of mouþe,
As to þe kiddeste y-core · þat corone weldus!
979We do þe namkouþe king · to kenne & to here,
We do not always live in this world. Þat in þis wastinge word · we ne wone nouht euere;
For erþe is nouht our eritage · þat euere schal laste,
Ne we ben nouht ibor · to abide þer-inne.
But we ben pore pilegrimus · put in þis worde,
984For we by destene of dome · schulle deþ þolie;
Þanne schulle we hie to þe hous · þat hie is in blysse,
& karre to oure kinus nie · to kenne of oure fare,
& karre to oure kinus nie · to kenne of oure fare.
We are pilgrims on earth. We ben of-set wiþ no sinne · for vnsely godus,
988Ne we sitte in no sete · þere sinne is y-hanteþ.
But for oure kinde consience · þat kenneþ vs to goode,
We wonde wikkede werk · & wende fro skaþe.
We ne sain noukt, king, be þou sur · for sake of our pride,
992It is not pride or envy that makes us such as we are. Þat we bolde godus ben · burnus to gie,
No enuye to hem han · ne hate in þis worde.
For we ne giue vs to no gilt · þat scholde god wraþe,
Ne nouht nien him her · by niht no by day.
996God mae men of many kinds. God, þat alle gomus schop · & alle gode þingus,
Made here vp-on molde · many manere choisus;
For maad mihte hit nouht be · þere men scholde dwelle
Wiþ-oute diuerce dedus · of many done þingus.
1000He who avoids evil. But al þat badde is for a burn · here abouen erþe,
Huo so haþ chaunce to echue · & chese þe betture—
[Fol. 215] As men han wit for to wite · þe wikke & þe gode—
He may nouht claime to be cleped · clene god of mihte,
1004is God's friend. But godus frend may þe freke · frely be called;
For we leden wel our lif · & louen to be simple.
Ye say we are as gods. In ȝoure sonde, sire king · ȝe saide þis wordus;—
Þat we alle godus arn · as ȝe deme nouþe,
1008Or euere elles til hem · enuye we haue.
But þe same þat ȝe so · by vs silf trowe
Longeþ, ludus, to ȝou · þat liuen so in ese.
But ye are so rather, For ȝe leden ȝoure lif · in lordschipe & in myrthe,
1012Of noble kind for ȝe come · & kid ben of grete.
being rich, and gaily clad. In clene cloþus ȝe gon · & claimen to be riche;
Al ȝoure minde is on mirþe · & most vp-on goodus.
Ȝoure fingrus of fin gold · ȝe fullen wiþ ryngus,
1016As is wommenus wone · for wordliche glose.
Your boastful deeds will make you proud. But, burnus, be ye ful sur · þo bostful dedeus,
Where-fore ȝe holde ȝou her · hiest on erþe,
1019Schal ȝou procre to pryde · & to no profit ellus,
But skaþe for ȝoure vn-skile · whan ȝe skapen hennus.
Gold feeds no one. Gold fedeþ no gome · ne no good soule;
But we þat selkouþus sen · & soþus mow knowe,
And kenne þe kinde of þe gold · þat corsed is founde,
1024We faren alle to þe flod · þere we finde mowe
Gret plente of fold · on þe ground ligge.
We spurn it. Þanne we wollen of þe watur · wilfully drinke,
& de-foule wiþ our fet · þe fine gold schene.
1028For gold, þouh it gay be · hit gaynus ful lite
Of hard hongur and þirst · to helpe any peple.
A hungry man eats meat, not gold. Haue a man neuere so miche · mischef of houngur,
He may hit staunche wiþ mete · & menden his paine.
A thirsty man drinks water. Þouh þirst dreche him wiþ drouhþe · drink may him helpe,
1033A litil wetinge of watur · his wo wol amende.
Ȝif gold were to a gome · so goode of his kinde,
Whan men hit helde in here hand · of hadde in here warde.
1036So scholde it be to a burn · bote of his nede,
His corsede couaytise · cofly to sese,
The more gold a man has, the more he wants. But now, þe more þat a man · may þer-of winne,
Þe more ȝernus he[59] ȝit · to ȝeme at his wille;
1040 & he is mensked þe mor · amongus ȝou alle,
For wel louus euery lud · þat liche is him tille.
Your gods cannot heal the dead. We sain þat ȝour sory godes · of wham ȝe so helpe,
Mow no manyr ded þing · þorou hure miht hele.
1044Ȝe tenden michil in ȝour time · templus to bulde,
& riche auterus riue · rere þere-inne;
Þanne founde ȝe ȝour falce godus · with sorw for to here,
& quellen for to quemen hem · of ȝour quike bestus;
1048Yet ye sacrifices to them. & in þat same sacrifice · ȝe seggen þe name
Of what burn þat hit be · þat wolde bone haue.
Þin aldur-fadur, alixandre · al þis haþ vsed,
& alle kydde of ȝour kin · kenden þis dedus,
1052þis is amongus ȝou men · in þis manere knowe ;
Ye err, ye know not how much. For þus ȝe erren echon · in erþliche werkus.
How luþurly ȝe liuen her · litil ȝe knowen;
1056Þow ȝe wiþ sinne be of-set · suffre ȝe[60] nolle,
Þat we by-wepe in þis word · ȝour wikkede dedus!
& miche, þinkeþ vs, a man · menskeþ anoþur,
For ho so woneþ in þis word · & wol nouh[t] y-knowe
He who ignores death should be struck down by lightning, Þat him is demed to deie · & doom schal abide,
Hit is riht þat þe rink · be reufully ended,
& smite to þe smeþe ground · wiþ a smart poudur;
1064as Saloneus was." As on sinful was weie · þat salonienus hiȝte,
& euyl endid on erþe · and wrout ful foule.
For þe lud on his lif · a-losed him so noble,
Þat he heuene hadde miht · with handus to reche;
1069For-þi[61] boþe for hur bost · ben y-brend nouþe,
Wiþ fir in þe fir-hil · to fendus by-tauhte.
Þus mowe ȝe finden in fablus · of philozofrus olde,
Þat spoken how þo spild men · spenden hur time."
1072This was Dindimus' last letter Þus was þe lettere of þe lud · þat he last sente,
& mascedonius mihty king · menskliche hit radde.
Whan he þe sonde hadde seye · he sent forþ newe,
Þat was to bragmanye brouht · & prest for to rede.
1076Alxander thus replies. Þanne radde cofly þe king · þis karied sonde,
Þat þus tiþinge tolde · & tauhte þis wordus:—
[A picture. VIII.]
Þat noble is & name-kouþ · & neuere man dradde,
1080[Fol, 215, back] By godus chance þat ys chose · chef ouur kingus,
& of burnus y-bore · baldest of mihte,
sone of Ammon, to Dindimus Þat amon þe grete god · in graciose timus
By-gat on olimpas · þe onurable quene,
1084By-kenneþ king dindimus · in kiþ þere he dwellus,
His a-seled[62] sonde · & saith in þis wise.—
Ȝe sain, burnus, þat ȝe ben · best echone,
Þat in ȝoure loþ-liche land · libben by kynde.
1088Ye are so set in an island,
that no strangers come to you. For so, seggus, ȝe ben · by-set in an yle,
Þat þer may comen in ȝour kiþ · non vnkouþe peple;
Ne ȝe ne mowe of þat march · in no manere wende,
But, be you loþ oþur lef · lenge þer-inne.
1092& for ȝe, weihuus, of þat won · wende no mowe,
Wel a-lowe ȝe ȝoure lif · and ȝour land alse!
Ye say ye suffer by choice Al þe nede & þe noy · þat ȝe now suffren
By a-sent of ȝour-silf · ȝe sain þat ȝe dryen;
1096& by þe sawe þat ȝe sente · to segge of ȝoure fare,
Ye are like wrecthed prisoners. Ȝe arn liche of ȝour lif · to swiche loþe burnus,
Þat ben in dep presoun don · al hure daies time,
& han mirþus on molde · missed ful clene!
1100 But lawe lereþ vs & skile · þat ȝe ben leþur alle,
& mow for ȝoure mischef · no mede haue;
It is natural to you to live in sorrow For it comeþ ȝou of kinde · in care to libbe.
Sin ȝe wonen in þat won · þere wante is of goodus,
1104Þanne, seggus, semeþ hit nouht · þat ȝe so wirchen
For sake of þe same god · þat sittus in blisse.
Þere-for to wo þat is wers · wenden ȝe schulle,
Ye shall suffer pain hereafter Whanne ȝe parten fro þis paine · þat pinncheþ ȝou here.
1108Þanne be ȝe men vp-on molde · most to be-wepe,
Þat here to schame ben schape · & ay schulle aftur.
Ȝit wolen wikkede men · in þis word glade,
Þouȝ þei ben damned to dul · whan hure day endus!
1112Þo þat ludus in oure land · a-losed arn wise
Ȝe holde folus in faiþ · & falce of by-leue;
Hit longeþ, ludus, til us · ȝour lif to by-wepe,
1116For wers faren no folk · founde vp-on erþe.
Þan frekus þat no frut han · frely to libbe.
God has decreed your pain hereafter. God þat iuge is of ioie · haþ iugged ȝou alle
To lenge aftur ȝour lif · in lastinge paine;
1120and misery in the present life. & he haþ marked ȝou men · mischef on erþe,
Þouh ȝe wene ȝou wise · & wittie of lorus!
Þere-fore, seggus, as y saide · for sake of ȝour dedus
Mede mowe ȝe of god · in no manere fonge;
1124Ȝe ben vn-blessed of lif · for, burnus, y warne
Your deeds are but misery to you." Þat ȝe holden so her · holsome dedes
Gret wante is of wo · & wikkede paine,
Þe whiche þe heie godus haten · & hure hole peple
1228Now tende we to touche more · of þis tale aftur;
Thus ends the letter. For of þis egre emperour · þus endeþ þe lettere.
What þis makelese man · þat most was adouted,
Þe romme riden alixandre · richest of kingus,
Hadde le[n]gged þere longe · & lettrus þe while
Endited to dindimus · as him dere þoute,
Alexander bids his men build a pillar of marble; Þere his burnus he bad · bulden of marbre
A piler sadliche i-picht · or he passe wolde;
& þat þei wrouhten a wrȝte · & writen þer-aboute:—
"Hidur haue ich, alixandre · wiþ myn help fare"
Whan graue was þe graie ston · þe grime king rydus,
1139and departs them & alle meven his men · fro þe marke euene.
How alixandre picht a pelyr of marbyl þere.
[ A picture. IX.]
- ↑ MS. hiddem, an error for hidden hem
- ↑ MS. 'þei'
- ↑ MS. 'saide'
- ↑ MS. 'worschen'
- ↑ MS. 'þat siȝt don'
- ↑ MS. 'siee'
- ↑ A word omitted; see l. 135.
- ↑ MS. 'as'; see l. 117
- ↑ MS. 'flok'
- ↑ MS. cren
- ↑ MS 'flok'
- ↑ Ms 'tyinge'; see l. 240.
- ↑ Sic; 'mi'?
- ↑ Sic; 'sewe'?
- ↑ MS. 'waxs'
- ↑ MS. 'flok'
- ↑ Sic; 'wis'?
- ↑ MS. 'wolde'
- ↑ MS. 'fled'
- ↑ MS. 'vus'
- ↑ MS. 'For-þei'
- ↑ Ms. obscure; 'co—ge' with 8 downstrokes between o and g.
- ↑ MS. 'þat þe,' where þat is superfluous.
- ↑ MS. 'ȝe'
- ↑ MS. 'þei'
- ↑ MS. 'þei'
- ↑ MS. 'do'
- ↑ MS. 'galsule'; cf. l. 688.
- ↑ MS. 'For-þei
- ↑ MS. 'worchipful'
- ↑ MS. 'tolk'
- ↑ MS. 'holdus'; see l. 848.
- ↑ MS. 'lileþ'
- ↑ MS 'þei'
- ↑ Sic. Read 'of'(?)
- ↑ MS. 'Forþei'
- ↑ MS. 'hure'
- ↑ MS. 'bodilech'
- ↑ MS. 'graunde'; see l. 764.
- ↑ MS. 'so'
- ↑ MS. 'wordliche'; see l. 621.
- ↑ MS. 'sclulle we'
- ↑ Ms. 'we'
- ↑ MS. 'he'; see l. 656.
- ↑ MS. 'For-þei'
- ↑ MS. 'He proueþ'
- ↑ MS. 'of on vs'
- ↑ MS. 'to vectus'
- ↑ MS. 'mereurie'
- ↑ MS. 'worþei'
- ↑ MS. 'sain'
- ↑ MS. 'panne'
- ↑ MS. 'sylur'
- ↑ MS. 'swine'
- ↑ Ms. 'fain'
- ↑ MS. 'þat'
- ↑ MS. 'do'
- ↑ MS. 'greftest'
- ↑ MS. 'be'
- ↑ Ms. 'ne'
- ↑ MS. 'For þei'
- ↑ MS. 'a fledde' (!). See l. 286.