#  Piers Plowman, Passus V 

 



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THE king and his knights · to the church went   
To hear matins of the day · and the mass after.   
Then waked I of my winking · and was woeful withal   
That I had not slept sounder · and so seen more.   
But ere I fared a furlong · faintness me seized,   
I might not go further a foot · for want of my sleep;   
And sat softly adown · and said my Creed   
And as I babbled on my beads · they brought me asleep.  
And then saw I much more · than I before told:  
For I saw the field full of folk · that I before spoke of,   
And how Reason got ready · to preach to the realm,   
And with a cross before the king · began thus to teach.  
  
He proved that these pestilences · were purely for sin,   
And the south-west wind · on Saturday at even   
Was plainly for pure pride · and for no point else.   
Pear-trees and plum-trees · were puffed to the earth   
For example, ye men · that ye should do better.   
Beeches and broad oaks · were blown to the ground,   
Turned upwards their tails · in token of dread   
That deadly sin at doomsday · shall undo them all.  
  
Of this matter I might · mumble full long,   
But I will say as I saw · so God me help!   
How plainly before the people · Reason began to preach.  
  
He bade Waster go work · at what he best could   
And win back his wasting · with some manner of craft.  
  
And prayed Pernel put off · her costly array   
And keep it in her box · for money at her need.  
  
Tow Stowe he taught · to take two staves   
And from women's punishment · bring Phyllis home.   
He warned Wat · his wife was to blame,   
That her hat was worth half a mark · his hood cost not a groat.   
And bade Batt cut down · a bough or even two   
And beat Betty therewith · unless she should work.   
And then he charged chapmen · to chasten their children:  
  
Piers The Plowman, Passus V, p. 34

'Let no wish for wealth spoil them · while they be young,   
Nor for power of the pestilence · please them out of reason.  
My sire said so to me · and so did my dame,   
That the more loved the child · the more teaching it needs,   
And Solomon said the same · that Wisdom made,

*Qui parcit virgae, odit filium.*

The English of this Latin is · whoso will it know,   
Whoso spareth the sprig · spoileth the children.'  
And then he prayed prelates · and priests together,   
'What ye preach to the people · prove it on yourselves   
And do it in deeds · it shall draw you to good;   
If ye live as ye teach us · we'll believe you the better.'  
  
And then he counselled religious · their rule to uphold,   
'Lest the king and his council · your commons curtail   
And be stewards of your steads · till ye be better ruled  
  
Then he counselled the king · the commons to love,   
'They're thy treasure in treason · and help at thy need.'   
And then be prayed the pope · to pity Holy Church,   
And ere he give any grace · to govern first himself.  
  
'And ye that have laws to guard · let truth be your desire   
More than gold or other gifts · if ye will God please;   
For whoso contrarieth truth · he telleth in the gospel,   
That God knoweth him not · nor doth no saint in Heaven:

*Amen dico vobis, nescio vos.*

'And ye that seek Saint James · and the Saints of Rome,   
Seek ye Saint Truth · for he may save you all,   
*Qui cum Patre & Filio* · may fair them befall   
That list to my sermon.' · And thus said Reason.   
Then ran Repentance · and rehearsed his theme   
And made Will to weep · water with his eyes.

***Superbia***

Pernel Proud-heart · leaned her to the earth   
And lay long ere she looked · and 'Lord, mercy!' cried,   
And vowed to him · that us all made   
She should unsew her shift · and wear a hairshirt   
To enfeeble her flesh · that fierce was to sin.   
'Shall never high heart have me · but hold myself lowly   
And suffer myself slighted · and so did I never.   
But now will I be meek · and mercy beseech,   
For all this I have hated · in mine heart.'  
  
Piers The Plowman, Passus V, p. 35

***Luxuria***

Then Lecher said: 'Alas!' · and on our Lady he cried,   
To make mercy for his misdeeds · between God and his soul,   
If he should every Saturday · for seven year thereafter   
Drink but with the duck · and dine only once.  
  
***Invidia***

Envy with heavy heart · asked them for shrift,   
And sadly *mea culpa* · began to repeat.   
He was pale as a stone · in a palsy he seemed,   
And clothed in coarse cloth · which I could not describe;   
In a kilt and a coat · and a knife by his side;   
Of a friar's frock · were the fore-sleeves.   
Like a leek that had lain · too long in the sun,   
So looked he with lean cheeks · lowering foully.  
  
His body bursting with wrath · so that he bit his lips,   
And went wringing with his fists · to wreak himself he thought   
With works or with words · when he saw his time.   
Each sentence he said · was of an adder's tongue,   
Chiding and challenge · was his chief livelihood   
With backbiting and blackguarding · and bearing false witness   
This was all his courtesy · wherever he showed him.  
  
'I'd be shriven,' quoth this wretch · 'and I for shame dare not;   
I'd be gladder, by God · that Gib had mischance   
Than if I'd this week won · weight of Essex cheese.   
I've a neighbour nigh me · whom I've armoyed oft,   
And lied on him to lords · to make him lose his silver,   
And made his friends be his foes · through my false tongue;   
His grace and his good haps · grieve me full sore.   
Between family and family · I make debate oft,   
That both life and Iiinb · is lost through my speech.   
And when I meet him in market · that I most hate,   
I hail him heartily · as I his friend were;   
For he is braver than I · and I dare do no other;   
But had I mastery and might · God wot my will!  
  
And when I come to the church · and should kneel to the rood   
And pray for the people · as the priest teacheth,   
For pilgrims and palmers · and for all people after,   
Then I cry on my knees · that Christ give them sorrow   
Who bare away my bowl · and my ragged sheet.  
  
Piers The Plowman, Passus V, p. 36

Away from the altar then · turn I mine eyes,   
And behold how Helen · hath a new coat:   
I wish then it were mine · and all the webb as well.   
At men's losses I laugh · that liketh mine heart.   
For their winnings I weep · and wail all the time;   
Deem that they do ill · where I do far worse;   
Whoso chides me therefore · I hate him deadly after.   
I would that each wight · were mine own knave,   
For whoso hath more than I · angereth me sore.   
And thus I live loveless · like a lousy dog,   
So that my body bursts · for bitterness of my gall.   
I might not eat many years · as a man ought,   
For envy and ill will · is bad to digest.   
Can no sugar nor sweet thing · assuage my swelling,   
Nor no *diapenidion* · drive it from mine heart,   
Nor neither shrift nor sham · if my maw be not scraped?'  
'Yes, readily,' quoth Repentance · and ruled him from the best.   
'Sorrow for sins is salvation of souls.'  
  
'I am sorry,' quoth the man · 'I am but seldom other,   
And that maketh me thus meagre · for I cannot revenge.   
Among burgesses have I been · dwelling at London,   
And got Backbiting by a broker · to blame men's wares.   
When one sold and I not · then was I ready   
To lie and lower on my neighbour · and slander his goods.   
I will amend this if I may · by the Almighty's might.'  
  
***Ira***

Now awaketh Wrath · with two white eyes   
And snivelling at the nose · and his neck hanging.  
'I am Wrath,' quoth he · 'I was some time a friar  
And the convent's gardener · for to graft shoots.   
On limiters and lectors · lyings I grafted,   
Till they bare leaves of lowly speech · the lords to please;   
And then they blossomed abroad · in bowers to hear shrifts.   
And now is fallen a fruit · that folk much prefer   
To show their sins to them · than be shriven by their parsons.  
  
And now parsons have perceived · that they must share with friars,   
The beneficed ones preach · and the friars defame;   
The friars find them at fault · as folk bear witness,  
  
Piers The Plowman, Passus V, p. 37

That when they preach to the people · in my place about   
I, Wrath, walk with them · and guide them from my looks.   
Thus they speak of the spirit · but either despiseth other   
Till they be both beggars · and by my ministering live,   
Or else all are rich · and ride horses about.   
I, Wrath, rest never · but that I must follow   
This wicked folk · for such is my grace.  
I have an aunt a nun · and an abbess as well;   
Her were liefer swoon or die · than suffer pain.  
  
I've been cook in her kitchen · in the convent served  
Many months with them · and with monks as well.   
I was prioresses' Pottager · and for other poor ladies,   
And made them pottage of prattling · that Dame Joan was a bastard;   
Dame Clarice a knight's daughter · and a cuckold her sire;   
And Dame Pernel a priest's wench · prioress to be never,  
For she childed in cherry-time · as the whole chapter knew.  
  
Of wicked words, I, Wrath · their salads made,  
Till "Thou liest!" and "Thou liest!" · leaped out at once  
And either hit other · under the cheek;   
Had they had knives, by Christ · each had killed other.  
  
Saint Gregory was a good pope · and had good forewit,  
That no prioress should be priest · so he ordained.   
They had else incurred infamy · the very first day   
That they took up their office · they're so ill to keep counsel.  
  
Among monks I might be · but oft times I shun them,   
For there be many strict ones · mine affairs to espy,   
Both prior and subprior and · our *pater abbas*.   
If I tell any tales · they counsel together   
And make me fast Fridays · on bread and water;   
I'm charged in the chapter-house · as if I a child were  
And beaten on my backside · no breeches between,   
So have I no liking · with those men to dwell.   
I eat there stale stockfish · and feeble ale drink.   
At other time, when wine cometh · when I drink wine at eve   
I have a flux of a foul mouth · a good five days after.   
All the wickedness I know of · by any of our brethren,   
I tell it in the cloister · till the whole convent knows.'  
  
'Now repent ye,' quoth Repentence · 'and rehearse thou never   
Counsel that thou knowest · by favour or by right.   
And drink not over delicately · nor too deep neither,  
  
Piers The Plowman, Passus V, p. 38

Lest thy will because thereof · to wrath might be turned.'   
'*Esto sobrius*,' he said · and absolved me after   
And bade me wish to weep · my wickedness to amend.

***Avaricia***

And then came Covetousness · I can him not describe,   
So hungry and hollow · Sir Harvey him looked.   
He was beetle-browed · and blubber-lipped too,   
With two bleared eyes · as a blind hog;   
And as a leather purse · lolled his cheeks   
Yet lower than his chin · trembling with age;   
And as a bondman's with bacon · his beard was bedraggled.  
With an hood on his head · a lousy hat above,   
And in a tawny tabard · of twelve winters' age,   
All tattered and dirty · and full of lice creeping --   
But if a louse could not · have leaped with the best   
She could not have walked there · so threadbare the stuff.  
'I have been covetous,' quoth this caitiff · 'I acknowledge it here.   
For some time I served · Sim-at-the-stile   
And was his prentice · pledged his profit to serve.   
First I learned to lie · for a leaf or two;   
Wickedly to weigh · was my first lesson.   
To Weyhill and Winchester · I went to the fair,   
With many manner of merchandise · as my master me bade,   
And had not grace of Guile · gone in with my wares   
They had been unsold this seven years · so help me God!  
  
Then tarried I amongst drapers · my grammar to learn;   
To draw the selvedge along · the longer it seemed;   
Among the rich ranged cloths · rendered a lesson,   
To pierce them with a pack-needle · and plait them together,   
Put them in a press · and pin them therein   
Till ten yards or twelve · had tolled out to thirteen.  
  
My wife was a weaver · and woollen cloth made.   
She spoke to the spinsters · to spin it all out,   
But the pound that she paid by · poised a quartern more  
Than did mine own balance · whoso weighed true.  
  
I bought her barley malt · she brewed it to sell.   
Penny-ale and pudding-ale · she poured together   
For tabourers and for low folk · that was kept by itself.  
  
The best ale lay in my bower · or in my bedchamber,  
  
Piers The Plowman, Passus V, p. 39

And whoso tasted thereof · bought it thereafter   
A gallon for a groat · no less, God knows:   
And 'twas measure in cupfuls · this craft my wife used.   
Rose the Retailer · was her right name;   
She hath holden huckstering · all through her lifetime.  
But I swear now, may I thrive! · that sin will I stop,   
And never wickedly weigh · nor wicked chaffer use.   
But wend to Walsingham · and my wife also   
And pray the Rood of Bromholm · bring me out of debt.'  
  
'Repentedest thou ever,' quoth Repentance · 'or restitution madest?'   
'Yes, once I was barboured · with an heap of chapmen;   
I rose when they were at rest · and rifled their bags.'  
  
'That was no restitution · but a robber's theft.  
Thou haddest be better worthy · to be hanged there for  
Than for all that · that thou hast here showed.'  
  
'I weened rifling were restitution · for I've not learned in books   
And I know no French, i'faith · but of furthest end of Norfolk.'  
  
'Usedest thou every usury · in all thy life-time?'  
  
'Nay, soothly,' he said · 'save in my youth.   
I learned a lesson · among Jews and Lombards,   
To weigh pence with a weight · and pare down the heaviest;   
And lend it for love of the Cross · for a pledge, to be lost;   
Such deeds I did write · lest he due day miss.   
I have more money through arrears · than through *miseretur et commodat*.   
I have lent lords · and ladies my goods,   
And been their broker after · and bought it myself.   
Exchanges and contracts · with much chaffer I deal;   
Lend to folk that will lose · of every noble a part.   
And with Lombard's letters · I lend gold to Rome,   
Here took it by tally · and told it there less.'  
  
'Lentest ever to lords · for love of protection?'  
  
'Yea, I have lent to lords · who loved me never after,   
And have made many a knight · both mercer and draper   
That paid for his prenticehood · not a pair of gloves even.'  
  
'Hast thou pity on poor men · that must needs borrow?'  
  
'I have as much pity of poor men · as hath pedlar of cats  
He would kill if he could · for the sake of their skins.'  
  
'Art thou generous to thy neighbours · with thy meat and drink?'  
  
'I am holden as kind · as a hound in the kitchen;   
Among my neighbours especially · I have such a name.'  
  
Piers The Plowman, Passus V, p. 40

'Now God never grant thee · but thou soon repent,   
His grace on this ground · thy goods well to bestow,   
Nor thine heirs after thee · to have joy of thy winnings,   
Nor executors spend well · the silver thou leavest;   
That which by wrong was won · by wicked men to be spent.   
For were I friar of that house · where is good faith and charity,   
I'd not clothe us with thy cash · nor our church amend,   
Nor have for our pittance · penn'orth of thine   
For the best book in our house · though bright gold were leaves,  
If I knew indeed · thou wert such as thou tellest,   
Or if I could know it · in any sure way.

*Servus es alterius cum fercula pinguia quaeris,*   
*Pane tuo potius vescere, liber eris.*

Thou art an unkindly creature · I cannot absolve thee   
Till thou make restitution · reckon up with them all;   
And till Reason enrol · in the register of Heaven   
That thou hast made each man good · I may not absolve thee --

*Non dimittitur peccatum, donec restituatur oblatum, etc.*

For all that have aught of thy goods · so God have my truth!   
Will be held at the high Day of Doom · to help thee to restore.   
And whoso believeth not this · let him look in the Psalter,   
*In Miserere mei Deus* · whether I speak truth;

*Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti, etc.*

Shall never workman in this world · thrive with what thou winnest;   
*Cum sancto Sanctus eris* · construe me that in English.'  
Then drooped the scamp in despair · and would have himself hanged,   
Had not Repentance the rather · recomforted him in this manner,  
'Have mercy in thy mind · and with thy mouth ask it,   
For God his mercy is more · than all his other works;

*Misericordia ejus super omnia opera ejus, etc.*

And all the wickedness in this world · that man might work or think  
Is no more to the mercy of God · than a live coal in the sea;

*Omnis iniquitas quantum ad misericordiam Dei,*   
*est quasi scintilla in media maris.*

Therefore have mercy in mind · and in merchandise, trust it:   
For thou hast no good ground · to get thee a cake with,   
Unless it were with thy tongue · or else with thy two hands.   
For the goods thou hast gotten · began all with falsehood,   
And whilst thou livest therewith · thou payest not, but borrowest.   
And if thou know never to which · nor to whom to restore,   
Bear it to the bishop · and bid him of his grace

Piers The Plowman, Passus V, p. 41

Bestow it himself · as is best for thy soul.   
For for thee shall be answer · at the high Day of Doom;   
For thee and many more · shall that man give a reckoning.   
What he taught you in Lent · believe thou none other,   
What he gave of our Lord's goods · to lead you from sin.'

***Gula***

Now beginneth Glutton · for to go to shrift   
And carries him to kirk-ward · his fault there to show.   
But Betty the brewster · bade him good-morrow   
And asked of him with that · whitherward he would.  
'To holy church,' quoth he · 'for to hear mass,   
And after will be shriven · and then sin no more.'  
  
'Gossip, I've good ale,' quoth she · 'Glutton, wilt thou try it?'  
  
'Hast thou aught in thy bag? · Any hot spices?'  
  
'I have pepper and peony · and a pound too of garlic,   
And a farthing's worth of fennel-seed · for fasting days.'  
  
Then goeth Glutton in · and great oaths come after.   
Cis the shoe-seller · sat on the bench,   
Wat the game-keeper · and his wife too,   
Tim the tinker · and two of his prentices,   
Hick the horsedealer · and Hugh the needle-seller,   
Clarice of Cock lane · and the clerk of the church,   
Davy the ditcher · and a dozen other;   
Sir Piers the priest · and Pernel of Flanders,   
A fiddler, a rat-catcher · the street sweeper of Chepe,   
A roper, a riding-man · and Rose the dish-seller,   
Godfrey of Garlickithe · and Griffith the Welshman,   
And old-clothesmen a heap · early in the morning   
Give Glutton with glad cheer · good ale for himself.  
  
Clement the cobbler · cast off his cloak   
And named it for sale · at the `new fair' game.  
Hick the horse dealer · heaved his hood after   
And bade Bart the butcher · be on his side.   
There were chapmen chosen · the goods to appraise;   
Whoso hath the hood · should have amends for the cloak.   
Two rose up quickly · and whispered together   
And priced these pennyworths · apart by themselves.   
They could not in their conscience · agree on a value,

Piers The Plowman, Passus V, p. 42

Till Robin the roper · arose for the truth   
And named himself umpire · to avoid a debate   
And to settle this business · betwixt them three.  
Hickey the hostler · he had the cloak,   
In covenant that Clement · should the cup fill   
And have Hick hostler's hood · and hold himself served;   
And whoso sooner repented · should arise after   
And give to Sir Glutton · a gallon of ale.  
  
There was laughing and lowering · and 'Let go the cup!'   
They sat so till evensong · singing now and then,   
Till Glutton had gulped down · a gallon and a gill.   
His guts 'gan to grumble · like two greedy sows;   
He pissed a pot-full · in a paternoster-while;   
And blew with the bugle · at his backbone's end,   
That all hearing that horn · held their nose after   
And wished it were stopped up · with a wisp of furze.  
  
He could neither step nor stand · before he had his staff;   
Then began he to go · like a gleeman's bitch,   
Sometimes aside · sometimes astern   
As whoso layeth lines · for to snare fowl.  
  
And when he drew to the door · then dimmed his eyes;   
He stumbled on threshold · and fell to the earth.   
Clement the cobbler · caught him by the middle   
For to lift him aloft · and laid him on his knees;   
Glutton was a great lout · and lumpish to lift   
And coughed up a caudle · in Clement's lap:   
No hound is so hungry · in Hertfordshire   
Dare lap up those leavings · so unlovely they smelt.  
  
With all the woe of this world · his wife and his wench  
Bare him home to his bed and · brought him therein.   
And after all his excess he had · such a head   
He slept Saturday and Sunday · till the sun went to rest.   
Then waked he of his winking · and wiped his eyes;   
The first word that he said · was: 'Where is the bowl?'   
His wife began to reproach him · for how wickedly he lived,   
And Repentance right so · rebuked him that time:   
'As thou with words and works · hast wrought evil in thy life,   
Shrive thee and be shamed therefore · and show it with thy mouth.'  
  
'I, Glutton,' quoth the wretch · 'confess me guilty,   
That I have trespassed with my tongue · I can not tell how oft:   
Sworn "by God's soul and · so help me, God and his saints,"  
  
Piers The Plowman, Passus V, p. 43

Where there was no need · over nine hundred times.   
And surfeited me at supper · and sometimes at noon,   
That I, Glutton, threw it up · ere I'd gone a mile   
And spilt what might be spared · and spent on some hungry one.   
Over-delicately on fasting-days · drunken and eaten,   
And sometimes sat so long I · slept and ate together.   
For love of tales dined I · in taverns to drink more,   
And hurried to meat ere noon · when fasting-days were.'  
'This shewing of shrift,' quoth Repentance · 'shall merit to thee.'  
  
Began Glutton to cry · and great dole to make   
For his evil life · that he had so lived;   
And vowed to fast · 'for hunger as for thirst   
Shall never fish on Friday · digest in my womb,   
Till Abstinence mine aunt · hath given me leave;   
And yet have I hated her · all my life long.'  
  
***Accidia***

Then came Sloth all beslobbered · with two slimey eyes.   
'I must sit,' said the fellow · 'or else should I nap.   
I cannot stand nor stoop · nor without a stool kneel.   
But were I put to bed · unless my tail made me,   
Should no ringing make me rise · ere I were ripe to dine.'   
He began *Benedicite* with a belch · and knocked on his breast   
And stretched and snored · and slumbered at last.   
'Awake, wretch!' quoth Repentance · 'and run thee to shrift.'   
'Should I die on this day · I'd not trouble to look.   
I know not *Paternoster* · as the priest it singeth,   
But I know rhymes of Robin Hood · and Earl Randolph of Chester,   
But of our Lord or our Lady · not the least ever made.   
I have made forty vows · and forgot them at morning;   
I performed never penance · as the priest me bade,   
Nor right sorry for my sins · yet was I never.   
If I pray any prayers · except it be in wrath,   
What I tell with my tongue · is two miles from mine heart.   
I am occupied each day · holidays and other,   
With idle tales in the alehouse · and sometimes in churches.   
God's pain and his passion · seldom think I thereon.   
I visited never feeble men · nor fettered folk in jail;   
I had liefer hear an harlotry · or cobbler's summer games,

Piers The Plowman, Passus V, p. 44

Or lyings to laugh at · and belying my neighbour,   
Than all that ever Mark made · Matthew, John and Luke.   
And vigils and fasting days · all these I let pass,   
And lie abed in Lent · my wench in my arms,   
Till matins and mass be done · then I go to the friars;  
Come I to *Ite, missa est* · I hold myself served.   
I'm not shriven for a long time · unless sickness make me,  
Not twice in two years · and then confession is a guess.  
I have been priest and a parson · passing thirty winters,   
Yet can I not sing *sol-fa* · nor read the saints' lives;   
But I can find in a field · or a furrow an hare,   
Better than in *Beatus vir* · or *Beati omnes*   
Construe one clause well · and teach my parishioners.   
I can hold love-days · and hear a reeve's reckoning,   
But in the canon or decretals · I can not read a line.   
If I buy on tick · unless it be tallied   
I forget it as soon · and if men me it ask,   
Six times or seven · I deny it with oaths,   
And thus trouble I true men · ten hundred times.  
  
And my servants' salary · a long time is behind;  
Rueful is the reckoning · when we render account.   
So with wicked will and wrath · my workmen I pay.  
  
If man doth me a benefit · or helpeth me at need,   
I am unkind to his courtesy · and can not understand it;   
For I have, and have had · something of a hawk's manner:   
I am not lured with love · unless there lie aught under the thumb.  
  
Kindness my fellow Christians · accorded me formerly,   
Sixty times I, Sloth · have forgot it since.   
In speech, and in sparing speech · I waste many a time   
Both flesh and fish · and much other victual;   
Both bread and ale · butter, milk and cheese,   
I spoiled in my service · so it might serve no man.  
  
I ran about in my youth · and set myself not to learn,   
And ever since have been beggared · for my foul sloth:

*Heu mihi, quod sterilem vitam duxi juvenilem.*'

'Repentest thou not?' quoth Repentance · and right with that he swooned,   
Till *Vigilate* the vigilant · fetched water from his eyes   
And flooded his face · and fast on him cried   
And said, 'Beware of Despair · who would thee betray.

Piers The Plowman, Passus V, p. 45

"I am sorry for my sins," · say so to thyself,   
Beat thyself on the breast · and beseech of him grace:   
For is no guilt there so great · that his goodness is not more.'  
Then sat Sloth up · and crossed himself   
And made a vow to God · 'gainst his foul sloth:   
'Shall no Sunday be for seven year · unless sickness me stop,   
That I go not before dawn · to the dear church   
And matins hear and mass · as though I were a monk.   
No ale after meat · shall hold me thence   
Till evensong I've heard · I vow it to the rood.   
Moreover will I pay back · if I it have,   
All I've wickedly won · since I had wit.  
  
Though I lack livelihood · stop will I not   
Till each man shall have his · ere that I go hence;   
And with the residue · and remnant by the Rood of Chester!   
I shall seek Truth first · before I see Rome.'  
  
Robert the Robber · on *Reddite* looked;   
He'd naught to pay with · and wept full sore.   
But yet the sinful wretch · said to himself,   
'Christ, that on Calvary · upon the cross died,   
When Dismas my brother · besought you of grace,   
Then haddest mercy on that man · for *memento*'s sake   
Have pity on this robber · that cannot repay   
And may never hope to win · with work what I owe.   
But for thy much mercy · mitigation I beseech;   
Damn me not at doomsday · for that I did ill.'   
What fell to this felon · I can not fairly show;   
Well I wot he wept water · fast with both eyes,   
And acknowledged his guilt · right soon after to Christ,   
That his pike of penitence · he should polish anew   
And use it on pilgrimage · all his life-time,   
For he had lain with Latro · Lucifer's aunt.  
  
Then had Repentance ruth · and bade them all kneel:   
'For I shall beseech for all sinners · our Saviour of grace   
To amend us of misdeeds · and do mercy to all.  
  
Now God,' quoth he, 'that of thy goodness · didst the world make  
And of naught madest aught · and man most like to thyself,   
And since suffered him to sin · a sickness to us all,   
Yet for the best -- as I hold · whatever the Book telleth,

*O felix culpa! O necessarium peccatum Adae I etc.*

Piers The Plowman, Passus V, p. 46

For through that sin thy son · sent was to this earth,  
And became man of a maid · mankind to save,  
And thyself with thy son · was made like to us sinners:

*Faciamus hominen ad imaginem et similitudinem nostram;*   
*Et alibi:*   
*Qui manet in caritate, in Dea manet, & Deus in eo.*

And then with thy Son's self · in our suit died   
On Good Friday for man's sake · at full time of day,   
Where thyself nor thy Son no · sorrow felt in death,   
But in ourselves was the sorrow · and thy Son it led

*Captivam duxit captivitatem.*

The sun thereof for sorrow · lost sight for a time   
About midday, when most light is · the meal time of saints,   
When thou didst feed with thy fresh blood · our forefathers in darkness:

*Populus qui ambulabat in tenebris, vidit Iticem magnam;*

Through the light that leaped from thee · Lucifer was blinded,  
And all thy Blessed blown · into Paradise bliss.   
The third day after · thou goest in our guise;   
A sinful Mary saw thee · before Saint Mary thy mother,  
And all to solace the sinful · thou sufferedest it so:

*Non veni vocare justos, sed peccatores ad poenitentiam.*

And all that Mark hath written · Matthew, John and Luke,  
Of thy doughtiest deeds · were done beneath our arms:

*Verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis.*

And by so much, meseemeth · the more surely we may  
Pray and beseech · if it be thy will,   
That art our father and brother · to be merciful to us;   
And to have pity on those ribalds · that repent them here sore   
That they wrathed thee in this world · in word, thought or deeds.'

Then grasped Hope an horn · of, *Deus, tu conversus vivificabis nos*,  
And blew it with *Beati quorum · remissae sunt iniquitate*   
So that all saints in Heaven · sang loudly together:

*Homines & jumenta salvabis, quem admodum misericordiam tuam, Deus, etc.*

A thousand men then · came thronging together,  
Who cried upward to Christ · and to his clean Mother  
To have grace to go with them · Truth for to seek.  
But there was no wight so wise that · he knew the way thither  
But blundered like beasts · over banks and on hills  
A long time, till 'twas late · that they a man met  
  
Piers The Plowman, Passus V, p. 47

Apparelled as a Paynim · in a pilgrim's wise.   
He bare a staff bound · with a broad strip   
In bindweed wise · wound about.   
A bowl and a bag · he bare by his side;   
An hundred ampullas · on his hat set,   
Signs of Sinai · and shells of Galicia,   
Many a cross on his cloak · keys also of Rome   
And the vernicle in front · so that men should know   
And see by his signs what · shrines he had sought.  
This folk asked him first · from whence he did come.  
  
'From Sinai,' he said · 'and from our Lord's sepulchre;   
Bethlehem and Babylon · I have been in both;   
In Armenia, in Ajexandria · and many other places.   
Ye may see by my signs · that sit on my hat   
That I've walked full wide · in wet and in dry,   
And have sought good saints · for my soul's health.'  
  
'Knowest thou aught of a saint · that men call Truth?   
Could'st thou show us the way · where that wight dwelleth?'  
  
'Nay, so help me · God!' said the man then,   
'I saw never palmer · with pike nor with scrip   
Ask after him, till · now in this place.'  
  
'Peter!" quoth a plowman · and put forth his head,   
'I know him as well · as a clerk doth his books.   
Conscience and Mother-Wit · made known his place   
And made me swear surely · to serve him for ever   
Both in sowing and setting · so long as I work.   
I have been his follower · all these ffty winters,   
Both sown his seed · and driven his beasts,   
And watched over his profit · within and without.   
I dike and I delve · and do what Truth biddeth:   
Sometimes I sow · and sometimes I thresh;   
In tailor's and tinker's craft · what Truth can devise;   
I weave and I wind · and do what Truth biddeth.   
For though I say it myself · I serve him to his pleasure;   
I have good hire of him · and oftentimes more.   
He is the readiest payer · that a poor man knoweth;   
He withholds not his hire · from his servants at even.   
He is lowly as a lamb · and lovely of speech,   
And if ye are wishful to know · where that he dwelleth,   
I shall show you surely · the way to his place.'  
  
Piers The Plowman, Passus V, p. 48

'Yea, dear Piers,' quoth these pilgrims · and proffered him hire   
For to wend with them · to Truth's dwelling-place.  
'Nay, by my soul's health!' quoth Piers · and began for to swear,   
'I would not take a farthing · for Saint Thomas's shrine!   
Truth Would love me the less · a long time thereafter!  
  
But if ye will to wend well · this is the way thither,   
That I shall say to you · and set you in the path.   
Ye must go through Meekness · both men and their wives,   
Till ye come into Conscience · let Christ know the truth   
That ye love our lord God · the best of all things;   
And then your neighbours next · in no wise use   
Otherwise than thou wouldest · be wrought to thyself.  
  
And so bend round by a brook · Be-humble-of-speech,   
Till ye find a ford called · Honour-your-fathers:

*Honora patrem et matrem, etc.*

Wade in that water · and wash you well there,   
And you shall leap the lighter · all your lifetime.   
And so shalt thou see Swear-not- · but-it-be-for-need-   
Especially-not-idly- · by-God-Almighty's-name.  
Then shalt thou come by a croft · but come not therein;   
That croft is called Covet-not- · men's-cattle-nor-their-wives-   
Nor-none-of-their-servants- · that-might-them-annoy.   
Look ye break no boughs there · unless it be your own.  
  
Two stocks there standeth · but stay ye not there;   
They're called Steal-not and Slay-not · strike forth by both   
And leave them on thy left hand · and look not thereafter   
But hold well thine holiday · holy till even.  
  
Then shalt thou turn at a tump · Bear-no-false-witness   
He is fenced with florins · and other fees many;   
Look that thou pluck no plant there · for peril of thy soul;  
  
Then shall ye see Say-sooth- · as-it-is-to-be-done-   
And-in-no-manner-else- · for-any-man's-bidding.  
  
Then shalt thou come to a court · as clear as the sun;   
The moat is of Mercy · the manor about,   
And its walls are of Wit · to hold the Will out,   
Crenellated with Christendom · mankind to save,   
Buttressed with Believe-so- · or-thou-beest-not-saved.   
And all the houses are covered · the halls and the chambers,   
With no lead but with Love · and Low-speech-of-brethren.   
The bridge is of Pray-well- · the-better-mayest-thou-speed;   
Each pillar is of Penance · and of Prayers to saints;  
  
Piers The Plowman, Passus V, p. 49

Of alms-deeds are the hooks · whereon the gates hang.  
Grace is the gateward · a good man forsooth;   
His man is Amend-you · many men him know:   
Tell him this token · that Truth may know sooth:   
"I performed the penance · the priest me enjoined,   
And full sorry for my sins · and so shall be ever   
When I think thereon · though I were a pope."  
  
Bid Amend-you full meekly · his master to ask   
To draw up the wicket · that the woman shut   
When Adam and Eve · ate apples unroasted:

*Per Evam cunctis clausa est, & per Mariam virginem iterem patefacia est.*

For he hath key and catch · though the king sleep.  
And if Grace grant thee · to go in this wise,   
Thou shalt see in thyself · Truth sit in thine heart   
In a chain of charity · as thou a child were   
To suffer him and say naught · against thy Sire's will.  
  
But beware then of Wrath-thee · that is a wicked wretch;   
He hath envy for him · that in thine heart sitteth,   
And putteth forth Pride · for praise of thyself.   
Boldness of thy benefactions · then maketh thee blind   
And thou'lt be driven out as dew · and the door closed,   
Keyed and clamped up · to keep thee without;   
And hundred winters haply · ere ever thou enter.   
So thus might thou lose his love · by uplifting thyself,   
And never enter haply again · unless thou have grace.  
  
But there are seven sisters · that ever serve Truth   
And are porters of the posterns · that belong to the place;   
One is called Abstinence · and Humility another;   
Charity and Chastity · be his chief maidens;   
Patience and Peace · much people they help;   
The lady Largesse · hath let in full many:   
She hath helped thousands · out from the Devil's pinfold.   
He who is kin to this seven · so help me God!   
He is wondrously welcome · and fairly received;   
And unless ye be kin · to some of these seven,   
'Tis full hard, by my head! · for any of you all   
To get in at any gate · unless grace be given.'  
  
'Now, by Christ!' quoth a cutpurse · 'I have no kin here!'  
'Nor I,' quoth an apeward · 'for aught that I know!'  
'God knows,' quoth a waferer · 'knew I this for sooth  
  
Piers The Plowman, Passus V, p. 50

I'd go no foot further · for any friar's preaching.'  
'Yes,' quoth Piers the Plowman · and pushed them towards good,   
'Mercy is a maiden there · hath might over all;   
She is cousin.to all sinners · and her Son also;   
Through help of them two · (hope not in none other)   
Thou might get grace there · if thou go betimes.'  
  
'By Saint Paul,' quoth a pardoner · 'perchance I'm not known there.   
I'll fetch my box with my briefs · bishop's letters and a bull!'  
'By Christ!' quoth a common woman · 'thy company I'll follow,   
Thou shalt say I'm thy sister · I know not where they've gone!'  
  
   
  
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\[This text is from William Langland, *The Book Concerning Piers the Plowman*, tr. Donald and Rachel Attwater, ed. Rachel Attwater. London and New York. 1957; printed with the permission of the publisher.\]