Robert Henryson
Robert Lekprevik
Anna Caughey
Robert Henryson
Robert Lekprevik
1569
Older Scots
Edinburgh
Decorative wood-cut border
Decorated image of 2 manicules pointing in towards leaves, another leaf below
Leaf
Decorative border of leaf/flower-shaped stamps
Decorative border of leaf/flower-shaped stamps
Leaf The Taill of the Cok, and the Jasp.
₡ The Taill of the Uponl
Leaf The Taill of Schir Chantecleir, and the Fox.
₡ The Taill how the Foxe maid his C
Waitskaith.
Leaf The Taill of the Sone and Air of the foirsaid illegible / 1chars Millegible / 3chars, callillegible / 1chars Millegible / 2chars
Father war. Alswa the Parliament of fourfuttillegible / 1chars Millegible / 2chars beistis,
haldin be the Lyoun.
₡The Taill of the Scheip, and the Doig.
Leaf The Taill of the Lyoun, and the Mous.
₡ The Preiching of the Swallow.
₡ The Taill of the Wolf, that gat the Nekhering, threw the
wrinkis of the Fox, that begylit the Cadgear.
₡ The Taill of the Fox, that begylit the Wolf, illegible / 7chars scha-
dow of the Mone.
₡ The Taill of the Wolf, and the Wedder
₡ The Taill of the Wolf, and the Lamb.
₡ The Taill of the Paddok, and the Mous.
Decorative line with two manicules pointing towards a cross, something underneath resembling a cross?
Stamp or image, indecipherable in EEBO
Line with two manicules pointing towards three stars
1 | THoucht fen3eit Fabillis of ault Poetrie,
2 | Be nocht all groundit vpon treuth: 3it than,
3 | Thait polite termis of sweit Rhetorie,
4 | Richt plesand ar vnto the eir of man.
5 | And also the caus, that that first began,
6 | Wes to repreif the haill misleuing
7 | Of Man, be figure of ane vther thing.
8 | ₡ In lyke maner, as throw the busteous eird,
9 | (Swa it be laubourit with greit diligence)
10 | Springis the flouris, and the corne abreird,
11 | Haillegible / 2charsum and gude to mannis sustenance.
12 | Sa dois spring ane Morall sweit sentence
13 | Out of the subtell dyte of Poetrie:
13 | To gude purpois quha cult it weill applie.
14 | The Nuttis schell thocht it be hard, and teuch,
15 | Haldis the kirnell, and is delectabill.
16 | Sa lyis thair ane doctrine wyse aneuch,
17 | And full of frute, vnder ane fen3eit Fabill.
18 | And Clerkis sayis, it is richt profitabll,
19 | Amangis ernist to ming ane merie sport,
20 | To licht the spreit, and gar the tyme be schort.
21 | Forther mair, ane Bow that is ay bent,
22 | Worthis vnsmart, and dullis on the strong.
23 | Sa gais the man, that is ay diligent
Catchword illegible
24 | In ernistfull thochtis, and in studying,
25 | With sad materis sum merines to ming.
26 | Accordis weill thus Esope said I wis,
27 | Dulcius arrident seria picta iocis.
28 | ₡ Of this Author my Maisteris with 3our leif,
29 | Submitting me in 3our correctioun:
30 | In Mother toung of Latyne I wald preif,
31 | To mak ane mater of Translatioun.
32 | Nocht of my self, for vane presumptioun,
33 | Bot be request, and Precept of ane Lord,
34 | Of quhome the Name it neidis not record.
35 | In hamelie language and in termis rude,
36 | Me neidis wryte: for quhy of Eloquence.
37 | Nor Rethorike, I neuer vnderstude.
38 | Thairfoire meiklie I pray 3our reuerence,
39 | Gif that 3e find it throw my negligence,
40 | Be deminute, or 3it superfluous,
41 | Correct it at 3our willis gratious.
42 | My Author in his Fabillis tellis 3ow,
43 | That brutall beistis spak, and vnderstude.
44 | In to gude purpois dispute, and maid argow.
45 | In Philosophie propone, and eik conclude.
46 | Put in exempill, and in similitude,
47 | How mony men in operatioun,
48 | Ar lyke to beistis in conditioun.
49 | Na meruell is, ane man be lyke ane Beist,
50 | Quhilk lufis ay carnall and foull delyte:
51 | That schame can not him ren3e, nor arreist,
52 | Bot takis all the lust and appetyte,
53 | And that throw custom, and dalyie ryte.
54 | Syne in thair myndis sa fast is Radicate,
55 | That thay in brutall beistis ar transformate.
56 | ₡ This Nobill Clerk, Esope, as I haif tauld,
57 | In gray vestiment, and in facound purpurate,
58 | Be figure wrait his buke: for he nocht wald
59 | Lak the wisedome of hie, nor law estait.
60 | And to begyn, first of ane Cok he wrait,
61 | Seikand his meit, quhilk fand ane Jolie stone,
62 | Of quhome the Fabill 3e shall heir anone.
1 | Ane Cok sumtyme with feddrame fresche and gay
2 | Richt cant, and Crous, albeit he was bot pure:
3 | Flew furth vpon ane dounghill sone beday,
4 | To get his dennar set wes all his cure.
5 | Scraipand amang the as, be auenture,
6 | He fand ane Jolie Jasp, richt precious,
7 | Wes castin furth in sweping of the hous.
8 | As Damysellis wantoun, and Insolent,
9 | That fane wald play, and on the streit be sene.
10 | To swoping of the hous thay tak na tent
11 | Thay cair na thing, swa that the flure be clene.
12 | Jowellis ar tint, as oftymis hes bene sene,
13 | Upon the flure, and swopit furth anone.
14 | Peraduenture, sa wes the samin stone.
15 | Sa meruelland vpon the stand (quod he)
16 | O gentill Jasp: O riche and Nobill thing:
17 | Thocht I the find, thow ganis not for me.
18 | Thow art ane Jowel! for ane Lord, or king.
19 | Pietie it wer, thow suld ly in this midding,
20 | And buryit be thus on this muke on mold,
21 | And thow so fair, and worth sa mekill gold.
22 | ₡ It is pietie I suld the find, for quhy,
23 | Thy greit vertwe, nor 3it thy cullour cleir,
24 | It may me nouther extoll, nor magnifie:
25 | And thow to me may mak bot lytill cheir.
26 | To grait Lordis thocht thow be leif, and deir,
27 | I lufe fer better thing of les auaill,
28 | As draf, or corne, to fill my tume Intraill.
29 | I had leuer haif scraipit heir with my naillis,
30 | Amangis this mow, and luke my lyfis fude,
31 | As draf, or corne, small wormis, or snaillis,
32 | Or ony meit wald do my stomok gude:
33 | Than of Jaspis ane mekill multitude.
34 | And thow againe, vpon the samin wyis,
35 | For thyne auaill may me as now despysis.
36 | Thow is na corne: and thairof haif I neid.
37 | Thy cullour dois bot confort to the sicht.
38 | And that is not aneuch my wame to feid.
39 | For wyfis sayis, lukand werkis ar licht.
40 | I wald haif sum meit, get it gif I micht.
41 | For houngrie men may not leif on lukis:
42 | Had I dry breid, I compt not for na cukis.
43 | Quhar suld thow mak thy habitatioun?
44 | Quhar suld thow dwell, bot in ane Royall Tour?
45 | Quhar suld thow sit, bot on ane Kingis Croun,
46 | Exaltit in worschip and in greit honour?
47 | Ryse gentill Jasp, of all stanis the flour,
48 | Out of this midding, and pas quhar thow suld be,
49 | Thow ganis not for me, nor I for the.
50 | Leuand this Jowell law vpon the ground,
51 | To seik his meit this Cok his wayis went.
Catchword illegible
52 | Bot quhen, or how, or quhome be it wes found,
53 | As now I set to hald na Argument.
54 | Bot of the Inward sentence, and Intent
55 | Of this (as myne Author dois write)
56 | I sall reheirs in rude and hamelie dite.
57 | ₡ This Jolie Jasp had properteis seuin:
58 | The first, of cullour it wes meruelous:
59 | Part lyke the fyre, and part lyke to the heuin.
60 | It makis ane man stark and victorious.
61 | Preseruis also fra cacis perrillous.
62 | Quha hes this stane, sall haif gude hoip to speid,
63 | Or fyre, nor watter him neidis not to dreid.
1 | THis gentill Jasp, richt different of hew,
2 | Betakinnis perfit prudence and cunning.
3 | Ornate with mony deidis of vertew,
4 | Mair excellent, than any eirthlie thing.
5 | Quhilk makis men in honour for to Ring.
6 | Happie, and stark to wyn the victorie
7 | Of all vycis, and Spirituall enemie.
8 | Quha may be hardie, riche, and gratious?
9 | Quha can eschew perrell and auenture?
10 | Quha can Gouerne in ane Realme or hous
11 | Without science, ouer all thing I 3ow assure?
12 | It is riches that euer sall Indure,
13 | Quhilk Maith, nor moyst, nor vther rust can frillegible / 3chars,
14 | To mannis Saull it is Eternall millegible / 3chars
15 | This Cok desyrand mair the sempill coillegible / 2chars
16 | Than any Jasp, may till ane fule be peir.
17 | Quhilk at science makis bot ane mock and scorne,
18 | And na gude cam also lytill will be leir,
19 | His hart wammillis wuse arguments to heir,
20 | As dois ane Sow to quhome men for the nanis
21 | In hir draf trorch wald saw precious stanis.
22 | ₡ Quha is enemie to science and cunning,
23 | Bot Ignorance, that vnderstandis nocht?
24 | Quhilk is sa Nobill, sa precious, and sa ding,
25 | That is may not with eirdlie thing be bocht.
26 | Weill war that man ouer all vther that mocht
27 | All his lyfe dayis in perfite studie wair,
28 | To get science: for him neidis na mair.
29 | But now (allace) science is tint and hid:
30 | We seik it nocht, nor preis it for to find.
31 | Haif we riches, na better lyfe we bid,
32 | Of science thocht the Saull be bair and blind.
33 | Of this mater to speik, it were bot wind.
34 | Thairfoir I ceis, and will na forther say.
35 | Ga seik the Jasp, quha will, for thair it lay.
1 | ESope myne Author makis mentioun,
2 | Of twa Myis, and that wer Sisteris dere.
3 | Of quham ye eldest dwelt in ane Borous toillegible / 2chars
4 | The vther wynnit Uponland weill cleir:
5 | Soliter, quhyle vnder busk, quhyle vnder breir:
6 | Quhylis in the corne, and vther mennis skaith,
7 | As outlawis dois and leuis on thair waitillegible / 1chars.
8 | This rurall Mous in to the wynter tyde,
9 | Had hunger, cauld, and tholit greit distres,
10 | The vther Mous that in the Burgh can byde,
11 | Wes Gild brother and maid ane fre Burges.
12 | Toll fre als but custum mair or les,
13 | And fredome had to ga quhair euer scho list,
14 | Amang the cheis in Ark, and meill in kist.
15 | Ane tyme quhen sho wes full and vnfute sair,
16 | Scho tuke in mynde hir sister vponland,
17 | And langit for to heir of hir weilfair,
18 | To se quhat lyfe scho had vnder the wand.
19 | Bairfute allone with pykestaf in hir hand
20 | As pure Pilgrume scho passit out of toun
21 | To seik hir sister baith ouer daill and doun.
22 | ₡ Furth mony wilsum wayis can scho walk,
23 | Throw mosse & muir throw bakis blak and breir,
24 | Scho ranne with mone ane hiddeous quaik,
25 | Cum furth to me my awin Sister deir,
26 | Cry peip anis, with that the Mous cryit heir,
27 | And knew hir voce as kinnisman will do
28 | Be verray kynd, and furth scho come hir to.
29 | The hartlie ioy God gif 3e had sene,
30 | Beis kith quhen that thir Sisters met,
31 | And greit kyndenes wes schawinthame betuwene,
32 | For quhylis thay leuch, and quhlis for ioy thay gret
33 | Quhyle kissit sweit, quhylis in armis plet,
34 | And this they fure quhill soberit wes thair mind,
35 | Syne fute for fute vnto the chalmer wend.
36 | As I hard say it was ane sober wane
37 | Of fog and fairn full belillie wes maid
B.
38 | Ane sillie scheill vnder ane steidfast stane,
39 | Of quhilk the entres wes not hie nor braid.
40 | And in the samin thay went but mair abaid,
41 | Without fyre or candill birnand bricht,
42 | For commounlie sic pykeris lufis not licht.
43 | Quhen thay were lugit thus thir selie Myse,
44 | The 3oungest sister into her butterie 3eid,
45 | And broucht forth nuttis, and candil in steid of spyce.
46 | Gif this wes gude fair I do it on thame besyde.
47 | The Burges Mous prompit furth in pryde.
48 | And said sister is this 3our daylie fude?
49 | Qyhy not (schod scho) is not this meit rucht gude?
50 | ₡ Na be my saull I think it bot ane scorne.
51 | Madame (quod scho) 3e be the mair to blame,
52 | My mother said sister quhen we were borne,
53 | That I and 3e lay baith within ane wame.
54 | I keip the rate and custume of my dame,
55 | And of my leuing into pouertie,
56 | For landis haif we nane in propertie.
57 | My fair sister (quod scho) haif me excusit
58 | This rude dyet and I can not accord.
59 | To tender meit my stomok is ay vsit,
60 | For quhylis I fair alsweill as ony Lord.
61 | Thir widderit peis, and nuttis or thay be bord
62 | Wil brek my teith, & mak my wame ful sklender,
63 | Quhilk wes befoir vsit to meittis tender.
64 | Weill, weill, sister (quod the rurall Mous),
65 | Gif it pleis 3ow sic thingis as 3e se heir,
66 | Baith meit and drink, harberie and hous,
67 | Salbe 3oure awin will 3e remaine all 3eir.
68 | Ze sall it haif with blyith and merie cheir,
69 | And that suld mak the maissis that are tude,
70 | Amang freindis richt tender and wonder gude.
71 | Quhat plesure is in the Feistis delicate
72 |
The quhilkis ar geuin with ane glowm
73 | Ane gentillhart is better recreat
74 | With blyith curage than seik to hime ane how.
75 | Ane Modicum is mair for till allow,
76 | Swa that gude will be keruer at the dais
77 | Than thrawin will and mony spycit mais.
78 | ₡ For all hir merie exhortatioun,
79 | The Burges Mous had lytill will to sing.
80 | Bot heuilie scho kest her browis doun
81 | For all the daunteis that scho culd hir bring.
82 | Zit at the last scho said half in hething,
83 | Sister, this victuall and 3our royall feist
84 | May weill suffice vnto ane rurall beist.
85 | Lat be this hole and cum into my place
86 | I shall to 3ow schaw be experience,
87 | My gude fryday is better nor 3our Pace,
88 |
My dische welchingis is worth 3our hail exp
89 | I haife housis anew of greit defence,
90 | Of Cat, nor fall trap, I haif na dreid.
91 | I grant (quod scho, and on togidder thay 3eid.
92 | In stubbill array throw gers and corne,
93 | And vnder buskis preuelie couth that creip,
94 | The eldest wes the gyde and vent beforne,
95 | The 3ounger to hir wayis tuke gude keip.
96 | On nicht thay ran, and on the day can sleip,
97 | Quhill in the morning or the Lauerok sang,
B. ii.
98 | Thay found the toun, and in blythlie couth gang.
99 | Not fer fra thyne vnto ane worthie vane,
100 | This burges brocht thame sone quhar thai suld be.
101 | Without God speid thair herberie wes tane
102 | In to ane spence with vittell greit plentie,
103 | Baith Cheis and Butter vpone thair skelfis hie,
104 | And fleshe and fishe aneuch of freshe and salt,
105 | And sekkis full of meill and eik of malt.
106 | ₡ Efter quhen thay disposit wer to dyne,
107 | Withouttin grace thay weshe and went to meit.
108 | With all coursis that Cukis culd deuyne,
109 | Muttoun and beif strikin in tail3es greit.
110 | Ane Lordis fair thus couth thay counterfeit,
111 | Except ane thing thay drank the watter cleir,
112 | In steid of wyne bot 3it thay maid gude cheir.
113 | With blyith vpcast and merie countenance,
114 | The eldest Sister sperit at hir gaist.
115 | Gif that scho be resson fand difference,
116 | Betuix that chalmer and hir sarie nest.
117 | Ze dame ( quod scho ) how lang will this lest?
118 | For euermair I wait and langer to.
119 | Gif it be swa 3e ar at eis ( quod scho).
120 | Til eik thair cheir ane subcharge furth scho brocht,
121 | Ane plait of grotis, and ane dische full of meill
122 | Thraf caikkis also I trow scho spairit nocht,
123 | Aboundantlie about hir for to deill.
124 | And mane full fyne scho brocht in steid of geill,
125 | And ane quhyte candill out of ane coffer stall,
126 | In steid of spyce to gust thair mauth withall.
127 | This maid thay merie quhil thay micht na mair,
And
128 | And haill Zule haill cryit vpon hie
129 | Zit efter ioy oftymes cummis cair,
130 | And troubill efter greit prosperitie,
131 | Thus as thay sat in all thair iolitie,
132 | The spenser come with keyis in his hand,
134 | Oppinnit the dure and thame at denner fand.
135 | ₡ Thay taryit not to wesche as I suppose,
136 | Bot on to ga quha that micht formest win.
137 | The Burges had ane hole, and in scho gois,
138 | Hir sister had na hole to hyde hir in,
139 | To se that selie Mous is wes greit sin
140 | So desolate and will of ane gude reid,
141 | For verray dreid scho fell in swoun neir deid.
142 | Bot as God wald it fell ane happy cace,
143 | The Spenser had na laser for to byde.
144 | Nouther to seik nor serche, to sker nor chace,
145 | Bot in he went, and left the dure vp wyde.
146 | The bald Burges his passing weill hes spyde,
147 | Out of hir hole scho come, and cryit on hie.
148 | How fair 3e sister cry peip quhair euer 3e be.
149 | This rurall Mous lay flatling on the ground
150 | And for the deith scho wes full sair dredand.
151 | For till hir hart straik mony wofull stound,
152 | As in ane feuer scho trimbillit fute and hand.
153 | And quhan hir sister in sic ply hir fand,
154 | For verray pietie scho began to greit,
155 | Syne confort hir with wordis humbill & sweit.
156 | Quhy ly 3e thus ryse vp my sister deir?
157 | Cum to 3our meit, this perril is ouerpast.
158 | The vther answerit hir with heuie cheir,
159 | I may not eit sa sair I am agast.
160 | I had leuer thir fourtie dayis fast,
161 | With watter caill and to gnaw benis or peis,
162 | Than all 3our feist in this dreid and diseis.
163 | ₡ With fair tretie 3it scho gart hir vpryse,
164 | And to the burde thay went and togidder sat,
165 | And scantlie had that drunkin anis or twyse,
166 | Quhen in come Gib hunter our Jolie Cat,
167 | And bad God speid, the Burges vp with that,
168 | And till the hole scho went as fyre on flint,
169 | Bawdronis the vther be the bak hes hint.
170 | Fra fute to fute he kest hir to and fra,
171 | Quhylis vp, quhylis doun, als cant as ony kid.
172 | Quhylis wald he lat hir run vnder the stra,
173 | Quhlis wald he wink, and play with hir buk heid.
174 | Thus to the selie Mous greit pane he did.
175 | Quhill at the last throw fortune and gude hap,
176 | Betuix ane burde and the wall scho crap.
177 | And vp in haist behind ane parrailling,
178 | Scho clam so hie that Gilbert micht not get hir,
179 | Syne be the cluke thair craftelie can hing,
180 | Till he wes gane hir cheir wes all the better.
181 | Syne doun scho lap quhen thair wes nane to let hir.
182 | And to the Burges Mous loud can scho cry,
183 | Fairweill sister thy Feist heir I defy.
184 | Thy mangerie is mingit all with cair,
185 | Thy guse is gude thy gansell sour as gall.
186 | Thy subcharge of the seruice is bot sair,
187 | Sa sall thow find heir efterwart na faill.
188 | I thank 3one courtyne and 3one perpall wall
Of
189 | Of my defence now fra ane crewell beist.
190 | Almychtie God kepi me fra sic ane Feist.
191 | ₡ We I into the kith that I come fra,
192 | For weill nor wo, suld neuer cum agane.
193 | With that scho tuke hir leif and furth can ga,
194 | Quhylis throw the corne, & quhylis throw the plane
195 | Quhen scho wes furth and fre scho wes ful fane.
196 | And merilie markit vnto the mure.
197 | I can not tell how weill thairefter scho fure.
198 | ₡ Bot I hard say scho passit to hir den,
199 | Also warme als weill suppose it wes not greit,
200 | Full bei9nly stuffit, baith but and ben
201 | Of Beinis, and Nuttis, Peis, Ry, and Quheit.
202 | Quhen euer sch list scho had aneuch to eit,
203 | In quyet and eis withoutin ony dreid,
204 | Bot to hir sisteris feist na mair scho 3eid.
1 | FReindis 3e may find an 3e will tak heid,
2 | Into this fabill ane gude moralitie.
3 | As fitchis myngit ar with nobill seid,
4 | Swa intermynglit is aduersitie,
5 | And also troubill, and sum vexatioun,
6 | With eirthlie ioy, swa that na estait is fre,
7 | That ar not content of small possessioun,
8 | And namelie thay quhilk climmis vp maist hie.
9 | Blissit be sempill lyfe withoutin dreid.
10 | Blissit be sober feist in quietie.
11 | Quha hes aneuch of na mair hes he neid,
12 | Thoct it be lytill into quantitie.
13 | Greit aboundance and blind prosperitie,
14 | Oftymes illegible / 3charssis ane euill conclusioun.
15 | The sweitest lyfe thairfoir in this cuntrie,
16 | Is sickernes with small possessioun.
17 | ₡ Thy awin fyre my freind, sa it be not ane gleid,
18 | It warmis weill, and is worth Gold to the.
19 | And Solomon sayis gif that thow will reid,
20 | Under the heuin it can not better be,
21 | Than ay be blyith and leif in honestie,
22 | Quhairfoir I may conclude be this ressoun,
23 | Of eirthly ioy it beiris maist degre.
24 | Blythnes in hart with small possessiillegible / 3chars
1 | THocht brutall beistis be Irrationabill,
2 | That is to say wantand discretioun.
3 | Zit ilk ane in thair kynde naturall
4 | Hes mony diuers inclinatioun.
5 | The Bair busteous, the Wolf; the wylde Lyoun:
6 | The Foxe semis craftie and cautelous:
7 | The Dog to bark on nicht and keip the hous.
8 | Sa different thay ar in properteis,
9 | Unknawin to man, and sa infinite,
10 | In kynde hauand sa fell diuersiteis.
11 | My cunning is excludit for to dyte.
12 | For thy as now I purpose for to wryte.
13 | Ane cais I fand quhilk fell this ather 3eir
14 | Betwuix ane Foxe, and ane gentill Chantecleir.
15 | ₡ illegible / 3chars Wedow dwelt, in till ane drop thay dayis,
16 | illegible / 4charsilk wan hir fude of spinning on hir Rok.
17 | illegible / 4chars na mair had forfillegible / 3chars as the Fabill sayis,
18 | Except of hennis scho had ane lytill flok,
19 | And tham to keip scho had ane iolie Cok:
20 | Richt curageous, that to this wedow ay
21 | Deuydid nicht, and crew befoir the day.
22 | ₡ Ane lytill fra this foirsaid Wedowis hous,
23 | Ane thornie schaw thair wes of greit defence.
24 | Quhairin ane Foxe craftie, and cautelous,
25 | Maid his repair, and daylie residence.
26 | Quhilk to this Wedow did greit violence,
27 | In pyking of pultrie baith day and nicht,
28 | And na way be reuengit on him scho micht.
29 | This wylie Tod quhen that the Lark couth sing,
30 | Full fair hungrie vnto the Toun him drest,
31 | Quhair Cantecleir in the the gray dawing,
32 | Werie for nicht wes flowin fra his nest.
33 | Lowrence this saw, and in his mynde he kest,
34 | The Jeperdie, the wayis, and the wyle,
35 | Be quhat menis he micht this Cok begyle.
36 | Dissimuland in to countenance and cheir,
37 | On kneis fell, and simuland this he said.
38 | Gude morne my maister gentill Chantecleir.
39 | With that the Cok start bakwart in ane braid.
40 | Schir be my Saull, 3e neid not be effrayit,
41 | Nor 3it for me to start or sle abak,
42 | I come bot heir seruice to 3ow to mak.
43 | Wald I not serue to 3ow it we bot blame,
44 | As I haif done to 3our progenitouris.
45 | Zour Father full oft fillit hes my wame,
46 | And send me meit fra midding to the muris.
47 | And at his end I did my besie curis,
Catchword cut off or illegible
48 | To hald his heid, and gif illegible / 5charsnkis warme.
49 | Syne at the last the Sweit swelt in my arme.
50 | ₡ Knew 3e my Father gap reason="illegible" unit="chars" quantity="2"/>od the Cok) and leuch.
51 | Zea my fair Sone, I held up his heid,
52 | Quhen that he deit vnder ane birkin beuch.
53 | Syne said the Dirige quhen that he wes deid,
54 | Betuix vs twa how suld thair be ane feid?
55 | Quhame suld 3e traist bot me 3our Seruitour,
56 | illegible / 3chars to your Father did sa greit honour.
57 | Quhen I behald 3our fedderis fair and gent,
58 | Zour beik, 3our breist, 3our hekill, and 3our came.
59 | Schir be my Saull, and the blissit Sacrament,
60 | My hart is warme me think I am at hame,
61 | To make 3ow blyith, I wald creip on my wame,
62 | In froist and snaw, in wedder wan and weit
63 | And lap my lyart lokkis vnder 3our feit.
64 | This fen3eit Foxe fals and dissumulate,
65 | Maid to this Cok ane cauillatioun.
66 | Ze are me think changit and degenerate
67 | Fra 3our Father of his conditioun,
68 | Of craftie crawing he micht beir the Croun,
69 | For he wald on his tais stand and craw.
70 | This wes na le, I stude besyde and saw.
71 | With that the Cok vpon his tais hie,
72 | Kest vp his beik, and sang with all his micht.
73 | (Quod Schir Lowrence) weill said sa mot I the.
74 | Ze ar 3our Fatheris Sone and air vpricht.
75 | Bot of his cunning 3it 3e want ane slicht.
76 | For (quod the Tod) he wald and haif na dout,
77 | Baith wink, and craw, and turne him thryis about.
The
78 | The Cok infect with wind and fals vaneglore,
79 | That mony puttis vnto confusioun.
80 | Craifting to win ane greit worschip thairfoir,
81 | Unwarlie winkand wawland vp and doun,
82 | And syne to chant and craw he maid him boun.
83 | And suddandlie be he had crawin ane note,
84 | The Foxe we war, and hint him be the throte.
Additional pen mark: Number '10'
85 | ₡ Syne to the woid but tarie with him hyit,
86 | Of that cryme haifand bot lytill dout.
87 | With that Pertok, Sprutok, and Toppok cryit.
88 | The Wedow cryit, and with ane cry come out.
89 | Seand the cace scho sichit and gaif ane schout.
90 | How murther hay with ane hiddeous beir,
91 | Allace now lost is gentill Chantecleir.
92 | As scho were woid, with mony 3ell and cry,
93 | Ryuand hir hair vpon hir breist can beit,
94 | Syne paill of hew half in ane extasie,
95 | Fell doun for cair in swoning, and in sweit.
96 | With that the selie hennis left thair meit.
97 | And quhill this wyfe wes lyand thus in swoun,
98 | Fell in that case in disputatioun.
99 | Allace (quod Pertok) makand sair murning,
100 | With teris greit attour hir cheikis fell.
101 | Zone wes our drowrie, and our dayis darling,
102 | Our Nichtingaill, and also our Orlegebell.
103 | Our walkry (unclear : probably a typo for 's') fe watche vs for the warne and tell,
104 | Quhen that Aurora with hir curcheis gray,
105 | Put vp hir heid betuix the nicht and day.
106 | Quha sall our Lemman be? quha sall vs leid?
107 | Quhen we ar sad quha sall vnto vs sing?
E. ii.
108 | With his sweit Bill he wald brek vs the breid
109 | In all this warld wes thair ane kynder thing.
110 | In paramouris he wald do vs plesing
111 | At his power as nature did him geif.
112 | Now efter him allace how sall we leif?
113 | ₡ Quod Sprutok than, Ceis sister of 3our sorrow
114 | Ze be to mad for him sic murning mais.
115 | We sall fair weill, I find Sanct Johne to borrow,
116 | The Prouerb sayis, als gude lufe cummis as gais.
117 | I will put on my haly dayis claithis,
118 | And mak me fresche agane this Jolie May,
119 | Syne chant this sang wes neuer Wedow sa gay.
120 | He wes angrie and held vs ay in aw,
121 | And woundit with the speir of Jelowsie.
122 | Of chalmerglew Pertok, full weill 3e knaw
123 | Waistie he wes, of Nature cauld and dry.
124 | Sen he is gone thairfoir Sister say I,
125 | Be blyith in baill, for that is best remeid.
126 | Let quik to quik, and deid ga to the deid.
127 | Than Pertok spak, with fen3eit faith befoir
128 | In lust but lufe he set all his delyte.
129 | Sister 3e wait of sic as him ane scoir
130 | Wald not suffice to slaik our appetyte.
131 | I hecht be my hand sen he is quyte,
132 | Within ane oulk for schame, and I durst speik,
133 | To get ane berne suld better claw my breik.
134 | Than Toppok lyke ane Curate spak full crous,
135 | Zone wes ane verray vengeance from the heuin.
136 | He wes sa lous, and sa lecherous.
137 | He had (quod scho) kittokis ma than seuin.
138 | Bot rychteous God haldand the balandis euin,
139 | Smythis richt sair thocht he be patient
140 | For Adulterie, that will thame not repent.
Additional pen number '11'
141 | ₡ Prydefull he wes, and ioyit of his sin,
142 | And comptit not for Goddis fauour nor feid.
143 | But traistit ay to rax, and sa to rin,
144 | Quhill at the last his sinnis can him leid
145 | To schamefull end, and to 3one suddand deid.
146 | Thairfoir it is the verray hand of God,
147 | That causit him be werryit with the Tod.
148 | Quehn this wes said, this Wedow fra hir swoun
149 | Start vp on fute, and on hir kennettis cryit.
150 | Now berk Berrie, Bausie, Broun,
151 | Rype schaw, Rin weill, Curtes, Nuttieclyde,
152 | Togidder all but grunching furth 3e glyde,
153 | Reskew my Nobill Cok or he be slane,
154 | Or ellis to me se 3e cum neuer agane.
155 | With that but baid thay braidit ouer the bent,
156 | As fyre of flint thay ouer the feildis flaw,
157 | Full wichtlie thay throw woid and watteris went,
158 | And ceissit not schir Lowrence quhill thay say.
159 | Bot quhen he saw the Kennettis cum on raw,
160 | Unto the Cok in mynd he said, God sen
161 | That I and thow we fairlie in my den.
162 | Than said the Cok with sum gude Spirit inspyrit:
163 | Do my counsall and I sall warrand the.
164 | Hungrie thow art, and for greit trauell tyrit,
165 | Richt faint of force, and may not ferther fle.
166 | Swyith turne agane, and say, that I and 3e
167 | Freindis ar maid, and fellowis for ane 3eir.
168 | Than will thay stint, I stand for it and not steir.
169 | ₡ This Tod thocht he wes fals and friuolous,
170 | And had freindis his querrell to defend,
171 | Desauit wes by menis richt meruelous.
172 | For falset fail3eis ay at the latter end.
173 | He start about, and cryit as he wes kend.
174 | With that the Cok he braid out of the brich.
175 | Now Juge 3e all quhairat Schir Lowrence leuch.
176 | Begylit thus the Tod vnder the tre
177 | On kneis fell, and said gude Chantecleir.
178 | Cum doun agane, and I but meit or fey
179 | Salbe 3our man and seruand for ane 3eir.
180 | Na fals theif, and reuar, stand not me neir.
181 | My bludie hekill, and my nek sa bla
182 | Hes partit freindschip for euer betwene vs twa.
183 | I wes vnwyse that winkit at thy will,
184 | Quhairthrow almaist I loissit had my heid.
185 | I wes mair fule (quod he) to be sa still,
186 | Quhairthrow almaist I loissit had my heid.
187 | I wes mair fule (quod he) to be sa still,
188 | Quhairthrow to put my play in to pleid.
189 | Fair on fals theif, God keip me fra thy feid.
190 | With that the Cok ouer the feildis tuke his flicht,
191 | And in at the Wedowis Louwer couth he licht.
1 | NOw worthie folk suppose this be ane Fabill,
2 | And ouerheillit with typis figurall.
3 | Zit may 3e find ane sentence richt agreabill,
4 | Under thir fen3it termis textuall.
5 | To our purpose this Cok weill may we call,
6 | Nyse proud men, woid, and vaneglorious,
7 | Of kin and blude quhilk is presumpteous,
8 | ₡ Fy puft vp pryde, thow is full poysonabill.
9 | Quha fauoris the on force man haif ane fall.
10 | Thy strenth is nocht, thy stule standis vnstabill,
11 | Tak witnes of the Feyndis Infernall,
12 | Quhilk houndit doun wes fra that heuinlie hall
13 | To Hellis hole, and to that hiddeous hous.
14 | Because in pryde thay wer presumpteous.
15 | This fen3eit Foxe may weill be figurate,
16 | To flatteraris richt plesand wordis quhyte.
17 | With fals mening and mynd maist toxicate.
18 | To leif and le, that settis thair haill delyte.
19 | All worthie folk at sic suld haif despyte.
20 | For quhair is thair mair perrillous pestilence,
21 | Nor gif to learis haistelie credence.
Penned-in number '12'
22 | Hie wickit mynd and Adulatioun,
23 | Of sucker sweit haifand the similitude,
24 | Bitter as gall, and full of poysoun,
25 | To traist it is quha cleirlie vnderstude.
26 | For thy as now schortlie to conclude,
27 | Thir twa sinnis, flatterie, and vaneglore,
28 | Ar mannis enemeis: gude folk fle thame thair foir.
1 | LEif we this Wedow glaid I 3ow assure
2 | Of Chantecleir, mair blyith than I can tell.
3 | And speik we of the subtell auenture.
4 | And destenie that to this Foxe befell,
5 | Quhilk durst na mair with waiting IntermellMark next to end of line potentially obscuring punctuation?
6 | Als lang as leme or licht was of the day,
7 | Bot bydand nicht full still lurkand he lay.
8 | ₡ Quhill that the Goddes of the flude
9 | Phebus had callit to the harberie.
10 | And Hesperus put vp his cluddie heid,
11 | Schawand his lustie wisage in the sky.
12 | Than Lowrence luikit vp, quhair he couth ly,
13 | And kest his hand vpon his Ee on hicht,
14 | Merie and glaid that cummit wes the nicht.
15 | Out of the wod vnto ane hill he went,
16 | Quhair he micht se the tuinkling sternis cleir.
17 | And all the Planetis of the firmament,
18 | Thair cours, and eik thair mouing in the Spheir.
19 | Sum Retrograde, and sum Stationer.
20 | And of the Zodiak in quhat degre
21 | Thay wer ilk ane, as Lowrence leirnit me.
22 | Than Saturne auld wes enterit in Capricorne,
23 | And Juppiter mouit in Sagittarie.
24 | And Mars vp in the Rammis heid wes borne.
25 | And Phebus in the Lyoun furth can carie.
26 | Uenus the Crab, the Mone wes in Aquarie,
27 | Mercurius the God of Eloquence
28 | Into the Uirgyn maid his residence.
29 | But Astrolab, Quadrant, or Almanak,
30 | Teichit of nature be Instructioun,
31 | The mouing of the heuin this Tod can tak,
32 | Quhat influence and Contellatioun
33 | Wes lyke to fall vpon the eirth adoun.
34 | And to him self he said withoutin mair,
35 | Weill worth my Father, that send me to the lair
Catchword present, but illegible
36 | ₡ My destenie, and eik my weird I ken,
37 | My auentour is cleirlie to me kend.
38 | With mischeif myngit is my mortall Ene,
39 | My misleuing the soner bot gif I mend.
40 | It is reward o (unclear : fading) f sin ane schamefull end.
41 | Thairfoir I will ga seik sum Confessour,
42 | And schryit me clene of my sinnis to this hour.
43 | Allace (quod he) richt waryit ar we theifis.
44 | Our lyfis set ilk nicht in auenture.
45 | Our cursit craft full mony man mischeuis,
46 | For euer we steill, and euer ar lyke pure.
47 | In dreid and schame our dayis we Indure.
48 | Syne widdinek, and Crakcaip callit als,
49 | And till our hyre hangit vp be the hals.
50 | Accusand thus his cankerit conscience,
51 | In to ane Craig he kest about his Ee.
52 | So saw he cummand ane lytill than from hence,
53 | Ane worthie Doctour in diuinitie
54 | Freir Uolf Uaitskaith in science wonder sle.
55 |
To preiche and pray wes new c
56 | With Beidis in hand sayand his Pater noster.
577 | Seand this Uolf this wylie tratour Tod
58 | On kneis fell, with hude in to his nek.
59 | Welcome my Goistlie Father vnder God,
60 | (Quod he) with mony binge and mony bek.
61 | Ha (quod the Uolf) Schir Tod for quhat effek
62 | Mak 3e sic feir, ryse vp put on 3our hyde?
63 | Father (quod he) I haif greit cause to dude.
64 | Ze ar Mirrour, Lanterne, and sicker way,
65 | Suld gyde sic sempill folk as me to grace,
D
66 | Zour bair feit, and 3our Russet Cowll of gray,
67 | Zour lene cheik, 3our paill piteous face,
68 | Schawis to me 3our perfite halines.
69 | For weill wer him that anis in his lyue
70 | Had hap to 3ow his sinnir for to shryue.
71 | ₡ Na selie Lowrence (quod the Uolf) and leuch,
72 | It plesis me that 3e ar penitent.
73 | Of reif and stouth, Schir, I can tell aneuch,
74 | That causis me full sair for the repent.
75 | Bot Father byde still heir vpon the bent,
76 | I 3ow beseik, and heir me to declair
77 | My conscience, that prikkis me sa fair.
78 | Weill (quod the Uolf) sit doun vpon thy kne.
79 | And he doun bair heid sat full humillie.
80 | And syne began with Benedicite,
81 | Quhen I this say, I drew ane lytill by.
82 | For it effeiris nouther to heir, nor spy,
83 | Nor to reueill thing siad vnder that seill,
84 | Unto the Tod this Gait the Uolf couth tell.
85 | Art thow contrite, and sorie in thy Spreit
86 | For thy Trespas? Na Schir, I can not doid,
87 | Me think that hennis ar sa honie sweit,
88 | And Lambis flesche that new ar lettin bluid,
89 | For to repent my mynd can not concluid,
90 | Bot of this thing, that I haif slane sa few.
91 | Weill (quod the Uolf) in faith thow art ane schrew
92 | Sen thow can not forthink thy wickitnes,
93 | Will thow forbeir in tyme to cum and mend.
94 | And I forbeir, how sall I leif allace?
95 | Haifand nane vther craft me to defend.
Catchword cut off and illegible
96 | Neid causis me to steill quhair euer I wend.
97 | I eschame to thig, I can not wirk 3e wait.
98 | Zit wald I fane pretend to gentill stait.
99 |
₡ Weill (quod the Uolf) thow w
100 | Belangand to perfyte Confessioun.
101 | To the thrid part of penitence let vs ga,
102 | Will thow tak pane for thy transgressioun?
103 | Na Schir considder my Complexioun,
104 | Selie and waik, and of my Nature tender,
105 | Lo, will 3e se, I am baith lene and sklender.
106 | Zit neuertheles I wald swa it wer licht,
107 | Schort and not greuand to my tendernes,
108 | Tak part of pane, fulfull it gif I micht,
109 | To set my selie Saull in way of grace.
110 | Thow sall (quod he) forbeir flesche vntill Pasche,
111 | To tame this Corps that cursit Carioun.
112 | And heir I reik the full Remissioun.
113 | I grant thairto, swa 3e will gif me leif,
114 | To eit puddingis, or laip ane lytill blude,
115 | Or heid, or feit, or paynchis let me preif.
116 | In cace I falt of flesche in to my fude.
117 | For greit mister I gif the leif to dude,
118 | Twyse in the oulk, for neid may haif na Law.
119 | God 3eild 3ow Schir, for that Text weill I knaw
120 | Quhen this wes said, the Uolf his wayis went.
121 | The Foxe on fute he fure vnto the flude,
123 | To fang him fische haillelie wes his intent.
124 | But quhen he saw the watter, and wallis wod,
125 | Astonist all in still to ane stair he stude.
126 | And seid, better that I had biddin at hame,
D. 4.
127 | Nor bene ane Fischar in the Deuillis Name.
128 | ₡ Now man I scraip my meit out of the sand,
129 | And I haif nouth (unclear : fading) er boiteis, nor 3it Net.
130 | As he wes thus for falt of meit murnand,
131 | Lukand about his leuing for to get.
132 | Under ane tre he was ane trip of Gait.
133 | Than wes he blyith, and in ane heuch him hid,
134 | And fra the Gait he stall ane lytill Kid.
135 | ₡ Syne ouer the heuch into the see he hyis,
136 | And tuke the Kid be the hornis twane,
137 | And in the watter outher twyis of thryis
138 | He dowkit him, and till him can he sayne.
139 |
Ga doun Schir Kid, c
140 | Quhill he wes deid syne to the land him dreuch,
141 | And of that new maid Salmond eit aneuch.
142 | Thus fynelie fillit with 3oung tender meit,
143 | Unto ane derne for dreid he him addrest,
144 | Under ane busk, quhair that the sone can beit.
145 | To beik his breist and bellie he thocht best.
145 | And rekleslie he said quhair he did rest,
146 | Straikand his wame aganis the sonis heit,
147 | Upon this wame set wer ane bolt full meit.
148 | Quhen this wes said the keipar of the Gait,
149 | Cairfull in hart his Kid wes st (unclear : fading) ollin away,
150 | On euerilk syde full warlie couth he wait,
151 | Quhill at the last, he saw quhair Lowrence law.
152 | Ane Bow he bent, ane flane with f (unclear : fading) edderis gray,
153 | He haillit to the heid and or he steird,
154 | The Foxe he prikkit fast vnto the eird.
₡ Now
155 | ₡ Now (quod the Foxe) allace, and wellaway.
156 | Gorit I am, and may na forther gang,
157 | Me think na man may speik ane word in play,
158 | Bot now on dayis, in ernist it is tane.
159 | He harlit him, and out he drew his flane.
160 | And for his Kid, and vther violence,
161 | He tuke his skyn, and maid ane recompence.
1 | THis suddand deith, and vnproysit end
2 | Of this fals Tod, without prouisioun,
3 | Exempill is exhortand folk to amend,
4 | For dreid of sic ane lyke confusioun.
5 | For mony now hes gude professioun,
6 | Zit not repentis, nor for thair sinnis greit,
7 | Because thay think thair lustie lyfe sa sweit.
8 | Sume bene also throw consuetude and ryte,
9 | Uincust with carnall sensualitie.
10 | Suppose thay be as for the tyme contryte,
11 | Can not forebeir, nor fra thair sinnis fle.
12 | Use drawis Nature swa in propertie
13 | Of beist and man, that neidlingis thay man do,
14 | As that of lang tyme hes bene hantit to.
15 | Be war gude folk and feir this suddane schoit,
16 | Quhilt smytis sair withouttin resistence.
17 | Attend wyislie, and in 3our hartis noit,
18 | Againis deith may na man mak defence.
19 | Ceis of 3our sin, Remord 3our conscience,
20 | Obey vnto 3our God and 3e sall wend
21 | Efter 3our deith, to blis withouttin end.
1 | THis foirsaid Foxe, that deit for his misdeid,
2 | Had not ane barne wes gottin richteouslie,
3 | Till airschip be Law that micht succeid,
4 | Except ane Sone, quhilk in Adulterie,
5 | He gottin had in purches priuelie.
6 | And till his Name wes callit Fatherwar,
7 | That lufit weill with pultrie to tig and tar.
8 | It followis weill be resoun naturall,
9 | And gre be gre, of richt comparisoun:
10 | Of euill cummis war: of war cummis werst of all,
11 | Of wrangous geir cummis fals possessioun.
12 | This Foxe Bastard of generatioun,
13 | Of verray kynde behufit to be fals.
14 | Swa wes his Father, and his Granschir als.
15 | As Nature will seikand his meit be sent,
16 | Of cace he fand his Fatheris Carioun,
17 | Nakid, new slane, and till him hes he went,
18 | Tuke vp his heid, and on his kne fell doun,
19 | Thankand greit God of that conclusioun.
20 | And said, now sall I bruke sen I am air,
21 | The boundis quhair thow wes wont for to repair.
22 | Fy Couetice vnkynd, and venemous.
23 | The Sone wes fane he fand his Father deid,
24 | Be suddand schot, for deidis odious,
25 | That he micht regne, and rare in till his steid.
26 | Dreid and na think the samin lyfe to leid,
In
27 | In thift, and reif, as did his Father befoir.
28 | Bot to the end attent he tuke no moir.
29 | ₡ Zit neuertheles throw Naturall pietie,
30 | The Carioun vpon his bak he rais.
31 | Now find I weill the Prouerb trew (quod he)
32 | Ay rinnis the Foxe, als lang as he fute has.
33 | Syne with the Corps vnto ane peitpoit gais,
34 | Of watter full, and kest him in the deip.
35 | And to the Deuill he gaif his banis to keip.
Penned-in number 16
36 | O fulische man plungit in warldlines,
37 | To conqueis warldlie gude, gold and rent.
38 | To put thy Saull in pane, or heuines,
39 | To riche thy air, quhilk efter thow art went,
40 | Haif he thy gude, he takis bot small tent
41 | To execute, to do, to satisfie,
42 | Thy letter will, thy det, and legacie.
43 | ₡ This Tod to rest him, he passit to ane Craig,
44 | And thair he hard ane buisteous Bugill blaw.
45 | Quhilk as he thocht, maid all the warld to wag.
46 | Ane Unicorne come lansand ouer ane Law.
47 | Than start he vp, quhen he this hard and saw,
48 | With horne in hand, an bill in breist he bure.
49 | An Pursephant semelie I 3ow assure.
50 | Unto ane bank quhair he micht se about,
51 | On euerilk sude in haist he culd him hy.
52 | Schot out his voce, full schill, and gaif ane schout.
53 | And on this wyis twyse or thryse did cry.
54 | With that the beistis in the feild thairby,
55 | All merueland, quhat sic ane thing suld mene.
56 | Greitlie agast thay gadderit on ane grene.
57 | ₡ Out of his buist ane bill sone can he braid,
58 | And red the Text withoutein taryinng.
59 | Commandand silence, sadlie thus he said.
60 | The Nobill Lyoun, of all beistis the king,
61 | Greting to God helth euerlesting.
62 | To brutall beistis, and Irrationall,
63 | I send, as to my subiectis greit and small.
64 | My Celsitude, and hie magnificence,
65 | Lattis 3ow to wit, that euin incontinent,
66 | Thinkis the morne with Royall diligence,
67 | Upon this hill to hald ane Parliament.
68 | Straitlie thairfoir I gif commandement,
69 | For to compeir befoire my Tribunall,
70 | Under all pane, and perrel that may fall.
71 | ₡ The morrow come, and Phebus with his bemis
72 | Confuillegible / 1charsnit had the mistie cluddis gray.
73 | The ground wes grene, and as gold it glemis,
74 | With gers growand and gudelie, greit, and gay.
75 | The spyce the spred to spring on euerilk spray.
76 | The Lark, the Maueis, and the Merll full hie.
77 | Sweitlie can sing creipand fra tre to tre.
78 | The Leopardis come with Croun of massie gold,
79 | Beirand thay brocht vnto that hillis hicht,
80 | With Japis Jonit, and Royall Rubeis rold,
81 | And mony diueris Dyamontis dicht,
82 | With powis proud ane Pal3eon doun thay picht.
83 | And in that Throne, thair sat ane wild Lyoun,
84 | In Rob Royal, with Sceptour, Swerd, & Croun.
85 | Efter the tennour of the cry befoir,
86 | That gais on all fourfuttit beistis in eirth.
87 | As thay commandit wer withottin moir,
88 | Befoir thair Lord the Lyoun thay appeirit.
89 | And quhat thay wer to me as Lowrence leirit.
90 | I sall reheirs ane part of euerilk kynd,
91 | Als far as now occurris to my mynd.
Pen marking '17'
92 | The Minotaur, ane Monster meruelous,
93 | Bellerophont that beist of Bastardrie.
94 | The Warwolf, and the Pegase perillous,
95 | Transfo4rmit be assent of sorcerie.
96 | The Linx, the Tiger full of Tirannie:
97 | The Elephant: and eik the Dromedarie:
98 | The Cameill with his Cran nek furth can carie.
99 | ₡ The Leopard, as I haif tauld beforne:
100 | The Anteloip: the Sparth furth couth speid:
101 | The payntit Pantheir: and the Unicorne:
102 | The Rayndeir Ran throw Reueir, Rone, and Reid.
103 | The Jolie Gillet, and the gentill Steid:
104 | The Asse: the Mule: the Hors of euerilk kynd,
105 | The Da: the Ra: the hornit Hart: the Hynd.
106 | The Bull: the Beir: the Bugill: and the Bair:
107 | The Tame Cat: Uildcat: & the Uildwod Swyne:
108 |
The Hardbakkit Hurcheon: and the Hirpl
109 | Baith Otter, and Aip: and Pennit Porcupyne:
110 | The Gukit Gait: the selie Scheip: the Swyne:
111 | The wyld Once: the Buk: the Uillegible / 1charsterand Brok:
112 | The Fowmart, with the Fibert furth can flok.
113 |
The gray Grewhound, with Sleitho
slyde
114 | With Doggis all diuers and different.
115 | The Rattoun ran, the Glebard furth can glyde.
116 | The quhrynand Quhitret, with the Quhaisill went,
E
117 | The Feitho that hes furrit mony fent.
118 | The Mertrik: with the Cunning: and the Con:
119 | The Bouranbane: and eik the Lerioun.
120 | ₡ The Marmysset: the Mowdewart couth leid,
121 | Because that Nature denyit had hir sicht.
122 | Thus dressit thay all furth, for dreid of deid,
123 | The Musk, the lytill Mous with all hir micht,
124 | With haist scho haikit vnto that hill of hicht.
125 | And mony kynd of beistis I couth not knaw,
126 | Befoire thair Lord the Lyoun thay loutit law.
127 | Seing thir beistis all at his bidding boun,
128 | He gaif ane braid, and lukit him about.
129 | Than flatlingis to his feit thay fell all doun,
130 | For dreid of deith, thay droupit all in doubt.
131 | He lukit quhen that he saw tham lout,
132 | And bad thame with ane countenance full sweit,
133 | Be not effeirit, bot stand vp on 3our feit.
134 | I let 3ow wit, my micht is merciabill,
135 | And steiris nane that ar to me prostrait.
136 | Angrie, austerne, and als vnamyabill,
139 | To all that strandfray ar to myne estait.
140 | I rug, I reif, all beistis that makis debait.
141 | Aganis the micht of my Magnificence,
142 | Se nane pretend to pryde in my presence.
143 | My Celsitude, and my hie Maiestie,
144 | With micht, and mercie myngit sall be ay.
145 | The lawest hart I can full sone vp hie,
146 | And mak him maister ouer 3ow all I may.
147 | The Dromedarie gif he will mak deray,
148 | The greit Cameill, thocht he we neuer sa crous,
I Can
149 | I can him law als lytill as ane Mous.
150 | ₡ Se neir be twentie mylis quhair I am,
151 | The kid ga saiflie be the gaittis syde.
152 | The Tod Lowrie luke not to the lam.
153 | Na reuand beistis nouther Ryn, nor ryde.
154 | Thay couchit all efter that this wes cryde.
155 | The Justice bad the Court for to gar fence,
156 | The sutis callit, and foirfalt all absence.
157 | The Panther with his payntit Coit Armour
158 | Fensit the Court, as of the Law effeirit.
159 | Than Tod Lowrie lukit quhair he couth lour,
160 | And start on fute, all stonist and all steird,
161 | Ryifand his hair, he cryit with ane reird,
162 | Quaikand for dreid, and sichand couth he say,
163 | Allace this hour, allace this dulefull day.
164 | I wait this suddand Semble that I se,
165 | Haifand the pointis of ane Parliament,
166 | Is maid to mar sic misdoaris as me.
167 | Thairfoir gif I me schaw I will be schent,
168 | I will be socht, and I be red absent.
169 | To byde, or fle, it makis not remeid,
170 | All is alyse, thair followis not but deid.
171 | Perplexit thus in his hart can he mene,
172 | Throw falset how he micht him self defend.
173 | His Hude he drew laich attour his Ene,
174 | And winkand with an Eye furth he wend.
175 | Clinscheand he come, that he micht not be kend,
176 | And for dreddour that he suld bene arreist,
177 | He playit bukhude behind, fra beist to beist.
E.ii
178 | ₡ O fylit Spreit, and cankerit Conscheince,
179 | Befoire ane Roy Ren3eit with richteousnes,
180 | Blakinillegible / 1charsit cheikis, and schamefull contenance.
181 | Fairweill thy fame defylit for ay is,
182 | The Phillegible / 2charsnomie, the fauour of thy face,
183 | For thy defence is foull and disfigurate,
184 | Brillegible / 1charscht to the licht blasit, blunt, and blait.
185 | Be thow atteichit with thift, or with tressoun,
186 | For thy misdeid wrangous, and wickit fay.
187 | The cheir changis Lowrence, thou man luke doun,
188 | Thy worschip of this warld is went away.
189 | Luke to this Told how he wes in effray,
190 | And fle the furth of falset I the reid,
191 | Quhairthrow thair fallowis syn, & schameful deid.
192 | Comperand thus befoir thair Lord and king.
193 | In ordour set as to thair estait effeird.
194 | Of euerilk kynd he gart ane part furthbring,
195 | And awfullie he spak, and at thame speird,
196 | Gif thair wes only kynd of beistis in erd,
197 | Absent, and than to gart thame deiplie sweir,
198 | And thay said nane, except ane Stude gray Meir.
199 | Ga make ane message sone vnto that Stude,
200 | The Court than cryit, now see quha sall it be,
201 | Cum furth Lowrie lurkand vnder thy hude,
202 | Aa Schir, mercie, low I haif bot ane Ee,
203 | Hurt in the heid, and cruikit as 3e may se.
204 | The Uolf is better in Ambassatrie,
205 | And mair cunning in Clergie fer than I.
206 | Rampand he said, gafurth brybouris baith.
207 | And thay to ga withouttin tarying,
Ouer
208 | Ouer Ron and Rute thay ran togidder rait,
209 | And fand the Meir at hir meit in the morning.
210 | Now (quod the Tod) Madame cum to the king,
211 | The Court is callit, and 3e ar Contumax,
212 | Let me Lowrence (quod scho) 3our Courtlie knax.
213 | ₡ Maistres (quod he) cum to the Court 3e mon,
214 | The Lyoun hes commandit so in deid.
215 | Schir Tod tak 3e the Flyrdome, and the Fon,
216 | I haif respite ane 3eir, and 3e will reid.
217 | I can not spell (quod he) sa God me speid,
218 | Heir is the Uolf, ane Nobill Clerk at all,
219 | And of this Message is maid principall.
220 | He is Autentik, and ane man of age,
221 | And hes greit practik of the Chancellarie.
222 | Let him ga luke, and reid 3our Priuilege,
223 | And I saillegible / 1charsl stand, and beir witnes 3ow by.
224 | Quhair is thy Respite (quod the Uolf) in hy?
225 | Schir it is heir vnder my hufe weill hid.
226 | Hald vp thy heill (quod he) and so scho did.
227 | Thocht he wes blindit with pryde, 3it he presumis
228 | To luke doun law, quhair that hir letter lay.
229 | With that the Meir gird him vpon the gumis,
230 | And straik the hattrell of his heid away,
231 | Half out of lyif thair lenand doun he lay.
232 | Allace (quod Lowrence) Lupe, thow art loist.
233 | His cunning (quod the Meir) wes worth sum coist.
234 | Lowrence (quod scho) wil thow luke on my letter,
235 | Sen that the Uolf na thing thairof can wyn?
236 | Na be Sanct Bryde (quod he) me think it better,
237 | To sleip in haill, nor in ane hurt skyn.
238 | Ane skrow I fand and this wes writtin in,
239 | For fiue schillingis I wald not anis forfault him,
240 | (foreign language la) Felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum.
241 | ₡ With broikin skap, and bludie cheirkis reid,
243 | This wretchit Uolf weipand, thus on he went,
244 | Of his men3e markand to get remeid,
245 | To tell the King the cace wes his Intent.
246 | Schir (quod the Tod) byde still vpon this bent,
247 | And fra 3our browis wesche away the blude.
248 | And tak ane drink, for it will do 3ow gude.
249 | To feche watter this fraudfull Foxe furth fure,
250 | Sydelingis abak he soucht vnto ane slyke.
251 | On cace he meittis cummand fra the mure,
252 | Ane Trip of Lambis dansand on ane dyke.
253 | This Tratour Tod, this Tirrane, and this Tyke,
254 | The fattest of this flock, he fellit hais.
255 | And eit his fill, syne to the Uolf he gais.
256 | Thay drank togidder, & syne thair Journey takis,
257 | Befoir the King, syne kneillit on thair kne.
258 | Quhair is 3one Meir, Schir Tod, wes Contumax?
259 | Than Lowrence said, my Lord, speir not at me.
260 | Speir at 3our Doctour of Diuinitie,
261 | With his reid Cap can tell 3ow weill aneuch.
262 | With that the Lyoun, and all the laif thay leuch.
263 | Tell on the cais, now Lowrence let vs heir.
264 | This wittie Uolf (quod he) this Clerk of age,
265 | On 3our behalf he had the Meir compeir.
266 | And scho allegit to ane priuilege,
267 | Cum neir, and se, and 3e sall haif 3our wage.
268 | Because he red his respite plane and weill,
Zone
269 | Zone reid Bonat scho raucht him with hir heill.
270 | ₡ The Lyoun said, be 3one reid Cap I ken,
271 | This Taill is trew, quha tend vnto it takis.
272 | The greitest Clerkis ar not the wysest men.
273 | The hurt of ane happie the vther makis.
274 | As thay wer carpand in this cais, and knakis,
275 | And all the Court in merines and in gam.
276 | Swa come the Zow the Mother of the Lam.
Pened-in number 20
277 | Befoire the Justice on hir kneis fell,
278 | Put out hir playnt on this wyise wofullie.
279 | This harlet huresone, and this hound of hell.
280 | Deuorit hes my Lamb full doggitlie,
281 | Within ane myle, in contrair to 3our cry.
282 | For Goddis lyfe, my Lord, gif me the Law
283 | Of this lurker, with that Lowrence let draw.
284 | Byde (quod the Lyoun) Lymmer let vs se,
285 | Gif it be suthe the selie Zow hes said.
286 | Aa Souerance Lord, said 3our mercie (quod he.)
287 | My purpose wes with him for to haif playid.
288 | Causles he fled as he had bene effrayid,
289 | For dreid of deith, he duschit ouer ane dyke,
290 | And brake his nek. Thow leis (quod scho) fals tyke.
291 | His deith be practik may be preuit eith,
292 | Thy gorie gumis, and thy bludie snout.
293 | The woll, the flesche 3it stikkis on thy teith,
294 | And that is euidence aneuch but dout.
295 | The Justice bad ga cheis ane Assyis about.
296 | And so thay did, and fand that he wes fals
297 | Of Murther, thift, pyking, and tresson als.
298 | ₡ Thay band him fast, the Justice bad belyit
299 | To git the dome, and tak of all his claithis.
300 | The Uolf that new maid Doctour couth him schryif,
301 | Syne furth him led and to the Gallous gais,
302 | And at the ledder fute his leif he rais.
303 | The Aip was Boucher, and bad him sone ascend.
304 | And hangit him, and thus he maid his end.
1 | RIcht as the Mynour in his Minorall,
2 | Fair gold with fyre may fra the Leid well wyn
3 | Richt so vnder ane Fabill figurall,
4 | Sad sentence men may seik: and efter fyne
5 | As daylie dois the Doctouris of Deuyne,
6 | That to our leuing full weill can apply
7 | And paynt thair mater furth be Poetry.
8 | The Lyoun is the warld be likenes,
9 | To quhome loutis baith Empriour, and King,
10 | And thinkis of this warld to get Incres,
11 | Thinkand daylie to get mair leuing.
12 | Sum for to reull: and sum to raxe and Ring.
13 | Sum gadderis geir: sum gold: sum vther gude
14 | To wyn this warld, sum wirkis as thay wer wod.
15 | The Meir is Men of gude conditioun,
16 | As Pilgrymes walkand in this wildernes
17 | Approuand that for richt Religioun
18 | Thair God onlie to pleis in euerilk place,
19 | Abstractit from this warldis wretchitnes,
20 | Fechtand with lust, presumptioun and pryde,
21 | And fra this warld in mynd ar mortyfyde.
22 | This Uolf I likkin to Sensualitie,
23 | As quhen lyke brutall beistis we accord
24 | Our mynd all to this warldis vanitie,
25 | Lyking to tak, and loif him as our Lord.
26 | Fle fast thairfra, gif thow will richt remord,
27 | Than sall Ressoun rise, Rax, and Ring,
28 | And for thy Saull thair is na better thing.
29 | ₡ Hir Hufe I likkin to the thocht of deid.
30 | Uill thow remember, Man, that thow man de,
31 | Thow may brek Sensualiteis heid,
32 | And fleshlie lust a way fra the sall fle,
33 | Fra thow begin thy mynd to mortifie.
34 | Salomonis saying thow may persaif heirin,
35 | Think on thy end, thow sall not glaidlie sin.
Penned-in number 21
36 | This Tod I likkin to Temptationis,
37 | Beirand to mynd mony thochtis vane,
38 | Assaultant men with sweit persuasionis,
39 | Ay reddie for to trap thame in ane trayne.
40 | Zit gif thay se Sensualitie neir slane
41 | And suddand deith draw neir with panis sore,
42 | Thay go abak,and temptis thame no moir.
43 | O Mediatour mercifull, and meik,
44 | Thow Souerane Lord, and King Celestiall.
45 | The Celsitude maist humillie we beseik,
46 | Us to defend fra pane and perrellis all,
47 | And help vs vp vnto thy heuinlie hall,
48 | In gloir, quhair we may se the face of God.
49 | And thus endis the talking of the Tod.
Catchword unclear, possibly 'F'
1 | illegible / 1charsope ane Taill puttis in memorie,
2 | How that ane Doig, because that he wes pure,
3 | Callit ane Scheip to the Consistorie,
4 | illegible / 1charsne certain breid fra him for to recure.
5 | Ane fraudfull Uolf wes Juge that tyme, and bure
6 | Authoritie, and Jurisdictioun.
7 | And on the Scheip send furth ane strait summoun.
8 | ₡ For be the vse, and cours, and commoun style
9 | On this maner maid his Citatioun.
10 | I Maister Uolf partles of fraud and gyle,
11 | Under the pa (unclear : fading) nis of hie Suspensioun,
12 | Of greit Cursing and Interdictioun,
13 | Schir Scheip, I charge the, for to compeir,
14 | And answer to ane Doig befoir me heir.
15 | Schir Corbie Rauin wes maid Apparitour,
16 | Quha pykis had full mony Scheipis Ee.
17 | The charge hes tane, and on the letteris bure,
18 | Summonit the Scheip befoir the Uolf, that he
19 | Peremptourlie within twa dayis, or thre,
20 | Compeir vnder the panis in this bill,
21 | To heir quhat Perrie Doig will say the till.
22 | This Summondis maid befoir witnes anew,
23 | The Rauin as to his office weill effeird,
24 | Indorsat hes the write, and on he flew.
25 | The selie Scheip durst lay na mouth on eird,
26 | Till he befoire the awfull Juge apperid.
27 | The hour of cause, quhilk that the Juge vsit than,
28 | Quhen Hesperus to schaw his face began.
29 | The Foxe wes Clerk, and Noter in the cause.
30 | The Gled, the Graip at the Bar couth stand,
As
31 | As Aduocatis expert in to the Lawis,
32 | The Doggis pley togidder tuke on hand,
33 | Quhilk wer con (unclear : blurring) sidderit straitlie in ane band,
34 | Aganis the Scheip to procure the sentence.
35 | Thocht it was fals thay had na conscience.
Penned in number "22"
36 | ₡ The Clerk callit the Scheip, and he wes thair.
37 | The Aduocatis on this wyse couth propone.
38 | Ane certane breid, worth fyue schilling or mair,
39 | Thow aw the Doig, of quhilk the terme is gone.
40 | Of his awin heid but Aduocate allone,
41 | The Scheip auysitlie gaif answer in the cace.
42 | Heir I declayne the Juge, the tyme, the place.
43 | This is my cause, in motiue and effect.
44 | The Law sayis, it is richt perrillous,
45 | Till enter in play befoire an Juge suspect.
46 | And 3e Schir Uolf, hes bene richt odious
47 | To me, for with 3our Tuskis rauenous.
48 | Hes slane full mony kinnismen of myne.
49 | Thairfoir Juge, as suspect, I 3ow declyne.
50 | And schortlie, of thie Court 3e memberis all,
51 | Baith Assessouris, Clerk, and Aduocate,
52 | To me and myne ar enemeis mortall,
53 | And ay hes bene, thocht I mucht not it lat.
54 | The place is fer, the tyme is insperate This word is not in DSL: Parkinson gives 'feriate'.
55 | Quhairfoir na Juge suld sit in Consistorie,
56 | Sa lait at euin, I 3ow accuse for thy.
57 | Quhen that the Juge on this wyse wes accusit,
58 | He bad the parteis cheis with ane assent,
59 | Twa Arbiteris, as in the Law is vsit,
60 | For to declair, and gif Arbitrement,
F. ii.
61 | Quhidder the scheip suld answer in Jugement,
62 | Befoire the Uolf: and so thay did but weir,
63 | Of quhome the Namis efterwart 3e sall heir.
64 | ₡ The Beir, the Brok, the mater tuke on hand,
65 | For the decyde, gif this exceptioun
66 | Wes of na strenth, nor lauchfullie mycht stand.
67 | And thairupon as Jugis thay sat doun,
68 | And held ane lang quhile disputatioun,
69 | Seikand full mony Decreitis of the Law,
70 | And Glosis als, the veritie to knaw.
71 | Of Ciuile Law volumis full mony that reuolve,
72 | The Codies, and Digestes new and ald.
73 | Constrait, Prostrait Argumentis thay resolue.
74 | Sum obiecting, and sum can hald.
75 | For prayer, or price, trow 3e that thay wald fald?
76 | Both had the glose, and Text of the Decreis,
77 | As trew Jugis. I beschrew thame ay that leis.
78 | Schortlie to mak ane end of this debait,
79 | The Arbiteris than did sweir full plane.
80 | The sentence gaif, and proces fulminat,
81 | The Scheip suld pas befoir the Uolf againe,
82 | And end his pley. Than wes he nathing fane,
83 | For fra thair sentence couth he not appeill.
84 | On Clerkis I do it, gif this sentence wes leill.
85 | ₡ The Scheip agane befoire the Uolf dillegible / 5charseit,
86 | But Aduocate abasitlie couth stand.
87 | Up rais the doig, and on the Scheip thus plen3eit,
88 | Ane soume I payit haif befoir the hand,
89 | For certane breid thairto ane Borrow he fand,
90 | That wrangouslie the Scheip did hald the breid,
Quhilk
of Esope.
91 | Quhilk he denyit: and thair began the pleid.
92 | ₡ And quhen the Scheip this stuf had contestait,
93 | The Justice in the cause furth can proceid.
94 | Lowrence the actis, and the proces wrait,
95 | And thus the pley vnto the end thay speid.
96 | This Cursit Court corruptit all for meid,
97 | Againis gude faith, Law and eik consience,
98 | For this fale Doig pronuncit the sentence.
Penned-in number '23'
99 | And it to put to executioun,
100 | The Uolf chargit the Scheip without delay,
101 | Under the panis of Interdictioun,
102 | The soume of siluer, or the breid to pay.
103 | Of this sentence (allace) quhat sall I say?
104 | Quhilk dampnit hes the selie Innocent,
105 | And Justifyit the wrangous Jugement.
106 | The Scheip dreidand mair executioun,
107 | Obeyand to the sentence, he couth tak
108 | His way vnto ane Merchand of the Toun,
109 | And sauld the woillegible / 2chars that he bure on his bak.
110 | Syne bocht the breid, and to the Doig couth mak
111 | Reddie payment as it commandit was.
112 | Nakit and bair syne to the feild couth pas.
1 | THis selie Scheip may present the figure,
2 | Of pure commounis thaillegible / 1chars daylie is opprest,
3 | Be Tirrane men, quhilkis settis all thair cure,
4 | Be fals menis, to mak ane wrang conqueist,
5 | In hope, this present lyfe suld euer lest.
6 | Bot all begylit, thay will in schort tyme end,
7 | And efter deith to lestand panis wend.
8 | ₡ This Uolf, I likkin to ane Schiref stout,
9 | Quhilk byis ane forfait at the Kingis hand.
10 | And hes with him ane cursit Assyis about,
11 | And dytis all the pure men vp on land.
12 | Fra the Crownar haif laid on him his wand,
13 | Thocht he we trew as euer wes Sanct Johne,
14 | Slane sall he be, or with the Juge compone.
15 | This Rauin, I likkin to ane fals Crownar,
16 | Quhilk hes ane portioun of the Inditement,
17 | And passis furth befoire the Justice Air,
18 | All misdoaris to bring to Jugement.
19 | Bot luke gif he wes of ane trew Intent,
20 | To Scraip out Johne, and wryte in Will, or Wat,
21 | And swa ane bud at baith the pateis tak.
22 | Of this fals Tod of quhilk I spak befoir,
23 | And of this Gled, quhat thay micht signifie.
24 | Of that nature, as now I spek no moir.
25 | Bot of the Scheip, and of his cairfull cry,
26 | I sall reheirs, for as I passit by,
27 | Quhair that he lay on cais I lukit doun,
28 | And hard him mak sair lamentatioun.
29 | Allace (quod he) this cursit Consistorie,
30 | In middis of the winter now is maid,
31 | Quhen Boreas with blaistis bitterlie,
32 | And hard froistis, thir flouris doun can faid.
33 | On bankis bair now may I mak na baid.
34 | And with that word in to ane coif he crap,
35 | Fra sair wedder, and froistis him to hap.
36 | Quaikand for cauld, sair murnand ay amang,
37 | Kest vp his Ee vnto the heuinnis hicht.
38 | And said, Lord God, quhy sleipis thow sa lang:
39 | Walk, and discerne my cause groundit on richt.
40 | Se how I am be fraud, maistrie, and slicht,
41 | Peillit full bair, and so is mony one,
42 | Now in this warld, richt wonder wobegone.
Penned number '24'
43 | Se how this cursit sone of couetice,
44 | Loist hes baith lawtie, and eik Law.
45 | Now few, or nane will execute Justice,
46 | In falt of quhome, the pure man is ouerthraw.
47 | The veritie suppois the Juge it knaw,
48 | He is so blindit with affectioun,
49 | But dreid for micht he lettis the richt go doun.
50 | Seis thow not (Lord) this warld ouerturnit is,
51 | As quha wald change gude gold in leid or tyn?
52 | The pure is peillit, the Lord may do na mis.
53 | And Simonie is haldin for na syn.
54 | Now is he blyith with okker maist may win,
55 | Gentrice is slane, and pietie is ago.
56 | Allace (gude Lord) quhy tholis thow it so?
57 | Thow tholis this euin for our greit offence,
58 | Thow sendis vs troubill, and plaigis soir.
59 | As hunger, derth, greit weir, or Pestilence.
60 | Bot few amndis now thair lyfe thairfoir.
61 | We pure pepill as now may do no moir,
62 | Bot pray to the, sen that we ar opprest
63 | In to this eirth, grant vs in heuin gude rest.
1 | IN middis of June, that sweit seasoun,
Quhen that fair Phebus with his bemis bricht,
2 | Had dryit vp the dew fra daill and doun,
3 | And all the land maid with his bemis licht.
4 | In ane morning betuix mid day, and nicht,
5 | I rais, and put all sleuth, and sleip asyde.
6 | And to ane wod I went allone but gyde.
7 | ₡ Sweit wes the smel of flouris quhyte and reid.
8 | The noyes of birdis richt deli (unclear : fading) tious.
9 | The b (unclear : fading) owis braid blomit abone my heid.
10 | The ground growand with gers gratious.
11 | Of all plesance, that place wes plenteous,
12 | With sweit odouris, and birdis harmonie,
13 | The Murning Myld, my mirth wes mair for thy.
14 | The Rosis reid arrayit on Rone and Ryce.
15 | The Prymeros, and the Purpor Uiola.
16 | To heir it wes ane poynt of Paradice,
17 | Sic Mirth the Mauis, and the Merle couth ma.
18 | The blossummis blyith brak vp on bank and bra,
19 | The smell of Hillegible / 1charsrbis, and of foullis cry,
20 | Contending quha suld haif the victorie.
21 | Me to conserue than fra the sonis heit,
22 | Under the schadow of ane Hawthorne grene,
23 | I lenit (unclear : damage) doun amang the flouris sweit,
24 | Syne cled my heid, and closit baith my Ene.
25 | On sleip I fell amang thir bewis bene.
26 | And in my dr (unclear : damage) eme, me thocht come throw the schaw,
27 | The fairest man that euer befoir I saw.
28 | His gowne wes of ane claith, als quhyte as milk.
29 | His Chemeis wes of Chamb (unclear : fading) elate Purpour Broun.
30 | His hude of Scarlet bordourit weill with silk,
31 | On hekillit wyis vntill his girdill doun.
His
32 | His Bonat round, and of the auld fassoun
33 | His heid wes quhyte, his Ene wes greit and gray,
34 | With lokker hair, quhilk ouer his schulderis lay.
Penned-in number 25
35 | ₡ Ane Roll of paper in his hand he bair.
36 | Ane Swannis pen stikand vnder his ere.
37 | Ane Inkhorne, with ane prettie gilt Pennair,
38 | Ane bag of silk, all at his belt can beir.
39 | Thus was he gudelie graithit in his geir,
40 | Of stature large, and with ane feirfull face.
41 | Euin quhair I lay he come ane sturdie pace.
42 | And said, God speid my sone: and I wes fane
43 | Of that couth word, and of his cumpanie.
44 | With reuerence I salusit him agane,
45 | Welcome Father: and he sat doun me by.
46 | Displeis 3ow not my gude maister, thocht I
47 | Demand 3our birth, 3our facultie, and name,
48 | Quhy 3e come heir, or quhair 3e dwell at hame?
49 | My sone (said he) I am of gentill blude.
50 | My natiue land is Rome withouttin nay.
51 | And to the Towne first to the Sculis I 3ude,
52 | In Ciuile Law studyit full mony ane day.
53 | And now my winning is in Heuin for ay.
54 | Is couth and kend to mony cunning Clerk,
55 | Esope I hecht, my wryting and my werk,
56 | O Maister Esope Poet Laureate,
57 | God wait 3e ar full deir welcum to me.
58 | Ar 3e not he that all thir Fabillis wrait,
59 | Quhilk in effect suppois thay fen3eit be,
60 | Ar full of prudence and moralitie?
61 | Fair sone (said he) I am the samin man.
G
62 | God wait gif that my hert wes merie than.
63 | ₡ I said, Esope my Maister Uenerabill.
64 | I 3ow beseik hartlie for cheritie,
65 | Ze wald not disdayne to tell ane prettie Fabill,
66 | Concludand with ane gude Moralitie.
67 | Schaikand his heid, he said, by sone lat be,
68 | For quhat is it worth to tell ane fen3eie taill,
69 | Quhen haly preiching may na thing auaill?
70 | Now in this warld me think richt few or nane,
71 | To Goddis word that hes deuotioun.
72 | The eir is deif, the hard is hard as stane.
73 | Now oppin sin without corectioun.
74 | The eir Inclynand to the eirth ay doun.
75 | Sa roustie is the warld with canker blak,
76 | That now my taillis may lytill succour mak.
77 | Zis gentill Schir (said I) for my requeist,
78 | Not to displeis 3our Fatherheid, I pray,
79 | Under the figure of ane brutall beist,
80 | Ane morall Fabill 3e wald den3e to say.
81 | Quha wait, nor I may leir and beir away
82 | Sum thing thairbut heirefter may auaill?
83 | I grant (quod he) and thus begouth ane tail
(unclear : ink-blurring) l.
1 | ANe Lyoun at his Pray verray foirrun,
2 | To recreat his limmis and to rest,
3 | Beikand his breist, and bellie at the Sone,
4 | Under ane tre lay in the fair Forest.
5 | Swa come ane trip of Myis out of thair nest,
Rycht
6 | Rycht tait and trig, all dansand in ane gys,
7 | And ouer the Lyoun thy dansit twyis, or thryis.
Penned-in number 26
8 | ₡ He lay so still, the Myis wes not effeird,
9 | Bot to and fro out ouer him tuke thair trace.
10 | Sum tirllit at the Campis of his beird,
11 | Sum spairit not to claw him on the face,
12 | Merie and glaid, thus dansit thay ane space,
13 | Till at the last, the Nobill Lyoun woke,
14 | And with his pow, the maister Mous he tuke.
15 | Scho gaif ane cry, and all the laif agaist,
16 | Thair dansing left, and hid thame heir and thair.
17 | Scho that wes tane, cryit and weipit fast,
18 | And said allace oftymes that scho come thair.
19 | Now am I tane ane wofull presonair,
20 | And for my gilt traistis Incontinent,
21 | Of lyfe and eith, to thoill the Jugement.
22 | Than spak the Lyoun to that cairfull Mous.
23 | Thow Catiue wreiche, and vile vn worthie thing,
24 | Ouer malapert, and eik presumpteous
25 | Thow wes, to make out ouer me thy tripping.
26 | Knew thow not weill. I wes baith Lord and King
27 | Of beistis all. Zes (quod the Mous) I knaw.
28 | Bot I misknew, because 3e lay so law.
29 | Lord, I beseik thy Kinglie Royaltie,
30 | Heir quhat I say, and tak in pacience.
31 | Considder first my simple pouertie,
32 | And syne thy mychtie hie Magnificence,
33 | Se als how thingis done of Neglicence,
34 | Nouther of malice, nor of presumptioun,
35 | The rather suld haif grace and Remissioun.
G. ii.
36 | ₡ We wer repleit, and had greit aboundanillegible / 2chars
37 | Of alkin things, sic as to vs effeird.
38 | The sweit sesoun prouokis vs to dance,
39 | And mak sic mirth, as nature to vs leird.
40 | Ze lay so still, and law vpon the eird,
41 | That be my saull, we weind 3e had bene deid.
42 | Ellis wald we not haif dancit ouer 3our heid.
43 | The false excuse, the Loun said agane,
44 | Sall not availl ane myte I vnderta.
45 | I put the case, I had bene deid, or slane,
46 | And syne my skyn bene stoppit full of stra.
47 | Thocht thow had found my figure lyand swa,
48 | Because it bair the prent of my persoun,
49 | Thow suld for feir on kneis haif fallin doun.
50 | For thy trespas thow sall make na defence,
51 | My Nobill persoun thus to vilipend.
52 | Of thy heiris, nor thy awin negligence,
53 | For to excuse thow can na cause pretend.
54 | Thairfoir thow suffer sall ane schamefull end,
55 | And deith, sic as to tressoun is decreit,
56 | Upon the Gallous hangit be the feit.
57 | Na mercie Lord, at thy gentrice I ase,
58 | As thow art King of beistis Coronat,
59 | Sober thy wraith, and let it ouerpas,
60 | And mak thy mynd to mercy Inclynat.
61 | I grant offence is done to thyne estait,
62 | Quhairfoir I worthie am to suffer deid,
63 | Bot gif thy cumlie mercie reik remeid.
64 | In euerie Juge mercy and reuth suld be,
65 | As Assessouris, and Collaterall.
Without
66 | Without mercie Justice is crueltie,
67 | As said is in the Lawis speciall.
68 | Quhen Rigour sittis in the Tribunall,
69 | The equitie of Law quha may sustene?
70 | Richt few or nane but mercie gang betwene.
71 | ₡ Alswa 3e knaw the honour Triumphall,
72 | Of all Uictour, vpon the strenth dependis
73 | Of his compair, quhilk manlie in battell
74 | Throw Jeopardie of weir lang defendis.
75 | Quhat price or louing quhen the battell endis,
76 | Is said of him, that ouercummis ane man,
77 | Him to defend quhilk nouther may, nor can?
78 | Ane thousand Myis to kill, and eik deuoir,
79 | Is lytill manheid to ane strang Lyoun.
80 | Full lytill worschip haif 3e wyn thairfoir,
81 | To quhais strenth is na comparisoun:
82 | It will degraid sum part of 3our renoun,
83 | To sla ane Mous, quhilk may mak na defence,
84 | Bot askand mercie at 3our excellence.
85 | Also, it semis not 3our Celsitude,
86 | Quhilk vsis daylie meittis delicious,
87 | To fyle 3our teith, or lippis with my blude,
88 | Quhilk to 3our stomok is contagious.
89 | Unhailsum meit is of ane sarie Mous,
90 | And that namelie vntill ane strang Lyoun,
91 | Uont till be fed with gentill Uennisoun.
92 | My lyfe is lytill worth, my deith is les.
93 | Zit and I leif, I may peraduenture
94 | Supple 3our hienes beand in distres.
95 | For oft is sene, ane man of small stature,
96 | Reskewit hes ane Lord of hie honour,
97 | Keipit that wes in point to be ouerthrawin.
98 | Throw misfortune, sic cace may be 3our awin.
99 | ₡ Quhen this wes said, the Lyoun his language
100 | Paissit, and thocht according to ressoun.
101 | And gart mercie his cruell Ire asswage,
102 | And to the Mous grantit Remissioun.
103 | Oppinnit his Poll, and scho on kneis fell doun,
104 | And baith hir handis vnto the heuin vpheld,
105 | Cryand, Almychtie God mot 3ow for3eild.
106 | Quhen scho wes gone, the Lyoun held to hunt,
107 | For he had nocht, bot leuit on his Pray
108 | And slew baith tayme and wyld, as he wes wont,
109 | And in the cuntrie maid ane greit deray.
110 | Till at the last, the pepill land the way,
111 | This cruell Lyoun how that they mucht tak.
112 | Of Hempyn cordis strang Nettis couth that mak.
113 | And in ane Rod, quhair he wes wont to ryn,
114 | With Raipis rude fra tre to tre it band.
115 | Syne kest ane Range on raw the woid within,
116 | With hornis blast, and Kennettis fast calland.
117 | The Lyoun fled, and throw the Ron rynnand,
118 | Fell in the Net, and hankit fute and heid,
119 | For all his strenth he couth mak na remeid.
120 | Uelterand about with hiddeous rummissing,
121 | Quhyle to, quhyle fra, quhil he mycht fuerouillegible / 1chars get.
122 | Bot all in vane, it vaillegible / 5chars him na thing.
123 | The mair he flang, the faster wes the Net,
124 | The Raipis rude wes sa aboillegible / 3chars him illegible / 4chars,
125 | On euerilk sude, that succour saw hillegible / 1chars nane,
Bot
126 | Bot still lyand, and myrnand maid his mane.
127 | ₡ O lainit Lyoun liggand heir sa law,
128 | Quhair is the mycht of thy Magnificence?
129 | Of quhome all brutall beist in eird stude aw,
130 | And dred to luke vpon thy Excellence.
131 | But hoip, or help, but succour or defence,
132 | In bandis strang heir man I ly (allace)
133 | Till I be slane, I se nane vther grace.
134 | Thair is na wy that will my harmis wreik,
135 | Nor creature do confort to my Croun.
136 | Quha sall me tane? quha sall my bandis brek?
137 | Quha sall me put fra pane of this Presoun?
138 | Be he had maid this lamentatioun,
139 | Throw auenture, the lytill Mous come neir,
140 | And of the Lyoun hard the pietuous beir.
141 | And suddandlie it come in till hir mynd,
142 | That, is suld be the Lyoun did hir grace,
143 | And said, now were I fals, and richt vnkynd,
144 | Bot gif I quit sumpart of thy gentrice
145 | Thow did to me: and on this way scho gais
146 | To hir fellowis and on tham fast can cry.
147 | Cum help, cum help, and thay come all in hy.
148 | Lo (quod the Mous) this is the samin Lyoun,
149 | That grantit grace to me, quhen I wes tane.
150 | And now is illegible / .5lines
151 | illegible / 3lines
152 | Go lous him sone, and thay said, 3ea, gude brotherillegible / 1chars
153 | ₡ Thay tuke na knyfe, thair teith wes scharp e-
(neuch
154 |
To se that sicht, forsuit it wes greit w
155 | How that thay ran amang the raipis reuch.
156 | Befoire, behind, sum 3eid about, sum vnder.
157 | And schuir the raipis of the Mast in schunder.
158 | Syne bad him ryse, and he start vp anone,
159 | And thankis thame, syne on his way is gone,
160 | Now is the Lyoun fre of all dangre,
161 | Lous and deliuerit to his libertie,
162 | Be lytill beistis of ane small power.
163 | As 3e haif hard, because he had pietie.
164 | (Quod I), Maister is thair ane moralitie
165 | In this Fabill? 3ea sone (he said) richt gude.
166 | I pray 3ow Schir (quod I) 3e wald conclude.
1 | AS I suppois, this mychtie gay Lyoun,
2 | Ane Potestate, or 3it ane king with Croun,
3 | Quhilk suld be illegible / 8chars gyde, and Gouernous,
4 | May signifie ane Prince or Empriour
5 | Of his pepill that takis na labour
6 | To reule and steir the land and Justice keip,
7 | But lyis still in lustis, sleith, and sleip.
8 | The fair Forest with leuis lowne and le,
9 | With foullis sang and flouris ferlie sweit
10 | Is bot the warld and his prosperitie,
11 | As fals plesance myngit with cair repleit.
12 | Rycht as the Rois with froist, and wynter weit
13 | Faidis, swa dois the warld, and thame desauis,
14 | Quhilk in thair lustis maist confidence hauis.
15 | The lytill Myce, ar for the commoillegible / 10chars
Uantoun,
16 | Uantoun, vnwyse, without correctioun.
17 | Thair Lordis, and Princis quhen that thay se,
18 | Of Justice mak nane executioun,
19 | Thay dreid na thing to mak Rebellioun,
20 | And disobey: for quhy thay stand nane aw.
21 | That garris thame thair Soueranis misknaw.
Penned-in number '29'
22 | Be this Fabill, 3e Lordis of Prudence
23 | May considder the vertew of Pietie.
24 | And to remit sumtyme ane greit offence,
25 | And mitigate with mercy crueltie.
26 | Oftymis is sene ane man of small degre,
27 | Hes quit ane turne baith for gude and euill,
28 | As Lord hes done Rigour, or grace him till.
29 | Quha wait how sone ane Lord of greit Renoun,
30 | Rolland in warldlie lust, and vane pleasance,
31 | May be ouerthrawin, destroyit, and put doun,
32 | Throw fals fortoun? quhilk of all variance
33 | Is haill maistres, and leidar of the dance
34 | Till Iniust men, and blindis thame so soir.
35 | That thay na perrell can prouyde befoir.
36 | Thir cruell men, that stentit hes the Net,
37 | In quhilk the Lyoun suddandlie wes tane:
38 | Uaittit alway amendis for to get.
39 | (For hurt men wrytis in the Marbill stane)
40 | Mair till expound, as now I let allane.
41 | Bot King and Lord may weill wit quhat I mene:
42 | Figure heirof oftymis hes bene sene.
41 | Quhen this wes said (quod Esope) my fair child
42 | I 3ow beseik, and all men for to pray,
H
43 | That tressoun of this cuntrie be exyld,
44 | And Justice Regne, and Lordis keip thair fay
45 | Unto thair Souerane Lord baith nicht and day.
46 | And with that word he vanist, and I woke.
47 | Syne throw the Schaw my Journey hamewart
(tuke.
1 | THe hie Prudence, and wirking meruelous,
2 | The profound wit of God omnipotent,
3 | Is sa perfyte, and sa Ingenious,
4 | Excellent far all mannis Jugement.
5 | For quhy to him all thing is ay present,
6 | Richt as it is, or ony tyme sall be,
7 | Befoire the sicht of his Diuinitie.
8 | Thairfoir our Saull with Sensualtie
9 | So fetterit is in presoun Corporall,
10 | We may not cleir vnderstand, nor se
11 | God, as he is, nor thingis Celestiall.
12 | Our mirk and deidlie corps Naturall,
13 | Blindis the Spirituall operatioun,
14 | Lyke as ane man wer bundin in presoun.
15 | ₡ In Metaphisik Aristotell sayis,
16 | That mannis Saull is lyke ane Bakkis Ee,
17 | Quhilk lurkis still, als lang as licht of day is,
18 | And in the gloming cummis furth to fle.
19 | Hir Ene ar waik: the Sone scho may not se.
20 | Sa is our Saill with fantasie opprest,
21 | To knaw the thingis in nature manifest.
22 | For God is in his power Infinite:
23 | And mannis Saull is febill, and ouer small,
24 | Of vnderstanding waik, and vnperfite
25 | To comprehend him that contenis all.
26 | Nor suld presume be ressoun naturall
27 | To seirch the secreittis of the Trinitie,
28 | Bot trow fermelie, and lat all ressoun be.
Penned number "31"
29 | ₡ Zit neuertheles we may haif knawlegeing
30 | of God almychtie, be his Creaturis.
31 | That he is gude, fair, wyis and bening,
32 | Exempill tak be thir Jolie flouris,
33 | Rycht sweit of smell, and plesant of colouris.
34 | Sum grene, sum blew, sum purpour, quhyte, & reid,
35 | This distribute be gift of his Godheid.
36 | The firmament payntit with sternis cleir,
37 | From eist to west rolland in cirkill round.
38 | And euerilk Planet in his proper Spheir,
39 | In mouing makand Harmonie and sound.
40 | The Fyre, the Air, the watter, and the ground,
41 | Till vnderstand it is aneuch, I wis,
42 | That God in all his wekis wittie is.
43 | Luke weill the fische that swimmis in the se.
44 | Luke weill in eirth all kynd of bestiall.
45 | The foullis fair sa forcelie that fle,
46 | Scheddand the air with pennis greit and small.
47 | Syne like to man, that he maid last of all,
48 | Lyke to his Image, and his similitude,
49 | Be thir we knaw, that God is fair and gude.
50 | All Creature he maid for the behufe
51 | Of man, and to his supportatioun,
52 | In to this eirth, baith vnder and abufe,
H.ii
53 | In number, wecht, and dew proportioun,
54 | The difference of tyme, and ilk seasoun,
55 | Concordand till our oportunitie.
56 | As daylie be experience we may se.
57 | ₡ The Somer with his Jolie mantill of grene,
58 | With flouris fair furrit on euerilk fent.
59 | Quhilk Flora Goddes of the flouris Quene,
60 | Hes to that Lord as for his seasoun lent.
61 | And Phebus with his goldin bemis gent,
62 | Hes purfellit and payntit plesandlie,
63 | With heit and moysture stilland from the sky.
64 | Syne Haruest hait, quhen Ceres that Goddes
65 | Hir barnit bewit hes with abundance.
66 | And Bacchus God of wyne renewit hes
67 | The tume Pyipis, in Italie, and France,
68 | With wynis wicht, and liquour of plesance.
69 | And (foreign language la) Copia temporis to fill hir horne,
70 | That neuer wes full of quheit, nor vther corne.
71 | Syne wynter wan, quhen Austerne Eolus,
72 | God of the wynd with blastis boreall,
73 | The grene garment of Somer glorious,
74 | Hes all to rent, and reuin in pecis small.
75 | Than flouris fair faidit with froist, man fall.
76 | And burdis blyith changit thair noitis sweit.
77 | In still murning, neir slane with snaw, and sleit.
78 | Thir dalis deip with dubbis drownit is.
79 | Baith hill and hold heilit with froistis hair,
80 | Thir dalis deip with dubbis drownit is.
81 | Baith hill and holt heillit with frostis hair.
82 | And bewis bene ar baissit bair of blis,
83 | Be wickit windis of the wickit wair.
84 | All wyld beistis than from the bentis bair
Drawis
85 | Drawis for dreid vnto thair dennis deip,
86 | Coucheand for cauld in coifis thame to keip.
87 | ₡ Syne cummis Uer, quhen winter is away,
88 | The Secretar of Somer with his Seill.
89 | Quhen Columbie vp keikis throw the clay,
90 | Quhilk fleit wes befoir with frostis fell.
91 | The Mauis, and the Merle beginnis to mell:
92 | The Lark on loft, with vther birdis small,
93 | Than drawis furth fra derne, ouer doun and daill.
94 | That samin seasoun, in to ane soft morning,
95 | Richt blyith that bitter blastis wer ago,
96 | Unto the wod to se the flouris spring,
97 | And heir the Maueis sing, and birdis mo.
98 | I passit furth, syne lukit to and fro
99 | To se the Soill, that we richt sessonabill,
100 | Sappie, and to resaif all seidis abill.
101 | Mouing thusgait greit mirth I tuke in mynd
102 | Of lauboraris to se the besines.
103 | Sum makand dyke, and sum the pleuch can wynd,
104 | Sum sawand seidis fast from place to place.
105 | The Harrowis hoppand in the saweris trace.
106 | It wes greit Joy to him that lufit corne,
107 | To se thame laubour, bait an euin and morne.
108 | And as I baid vnder ane bank full bene,
109 | In hard greitlie reiosit of that sicht.
110 | Unto ane hedge, vnder ane Hawthorne grene
111 | Of small birdis thair come ane ferlie flicht.
112 | And doun belyif can on the leifis licht,
113 | On euerlik syde about me quhair I stude,
114 | Richt meruelous ane mekill multitide.
115 | Amang the quhilk, ane Swallow loud couth cry,
116 | On that Hawthorne hie in the croip sittand.
117 | O 3e Birdis, on leiffis, heir me by,
118 | Ze sall weill knaw, and wyislie vnderstand,
119 | Quhair danger is, or perrell appeirand,
120 | It is greit wisedome to prouyde befoir,
121 | It is deuoid, for dreid it hurt 3ow moir.
122 | Schir Swallow (quod the Lark) againe & leuch,
123 | Quhat haif 3e seiene, that causis 3ow to dreid?
124 | Se 3e 3one Churll (quod scho) be3ond 3one pleuch,
125 | Fast sawand hemp, lose, and linger seid.
126 | Zone lint will grow in lytill tyme in deid,
127 | And thairof will 3one Churll his Nettis mak,
128 | Under the quhilk he thinkis vs to tak.
129 | Thairfoire I reid we pas quhen he is gone,
130 | At euin, and with our naillis scharp and small,
131 | Out of the eirth scraip we 3one seid anone,
132 | And eit it vp, for gif it growis, we sall
133 | Haif cause to weip heirefter ane and all.
134 | Se we remeid thairfoir furth with Instante,
135 | (foreign language la) Nam levius ledit quicquid preuiūenimus ante.
136 | For Clerkis sayis, it is nocht sufficient,
137 | To considder that is befoir thyne Ee.
138 | Bot prudence is ane inwart Argument,
139 | That garris ane man prouyde and foirse,
140 | Quhat gude, quhat euill is liklie for to be,
141 | Of euerilk thing euin at the finall end.
142 | And saw fra perrell the better him defend.
143 |
The Lark lauchand
144 | And said scho fischit lang befoire the Net.
The
145 | The barne is eith to busk that is vnborne.
146 | All growis nocht, that in the ground is set.
147 | The nek to stoup quhen it the straik sall get,
148 | Is sone aneuch: deith on the fayest fall.
149 | Thus scornit that the Swallow ane and all.
Penned number "32"
150 | ₡ Despysing thus hir helthsum document
151 | The foullis ferlie tuke thair flicht anone,
152 | Sume with ane bir thay braidit ouer the bent:
153 | And sum agane ar to the grene wo (unclear : fading) id gone.
154 | Upon the land quhair I wes left allone,
155 | I tuke my club, and hamewart couth I carie
156 | Swa ferliaud, as I had sene ane farie.
157 | Thus passit furth quhill June that Jolie tyde,
158 | And seidis that were sawin of beforne,
159 | Wer growin hie, that Hairis micht thame hyde:
160 | And als the Quail3e craikand in the corne.
161 | I louit furth betuix midday and morne,
162 | Unto the hedge vnder the Hawthorne grene,
163 | Quhair I befoire the said birdis had sene.
164 | And as I stude be auenture and cace,
165 | The samin birdis as I haif said 3ow air,
166 | I hoip, because it wes thair hanting place,
167 | Mair of souccour, or 3it mair solitair,
168 | Thay lychtit doun: and quhen thay lychtit war,
169 | The Swallow swyith put furthe ane pietuous pyme.
170 | Said, wo is him, can not be war in tyme.
171 | O blind birdis, and full of negigence,
172 | Unmynndfull of 3our awin prosperitie.
173 | Luft vp 3our sicht, and take gude aduertence,
174 | Luke to the Lint, that growis on 3one le.
175 | Zone is the thing I bad forsuit, that we
176 | Quhill it wes seid suld rute forth of the eird.
177 | Now it is Lint: now it is hie on breird.
178 | ₡ Go 3it, quhil it is tender and small,
179 | And pull it vp, let it na mair Incres.
180 | My flesche growis, my bodie quakis all,
181 | Thinkand on it I may not sleip in peis.
182 | Thay cryit all, and bad the Swallow ceis.
183 | And said, 3one Lint heirefter will do gude,
184 | For linget is to lytill birdis fude.
185 | We think quhen that 3one lint bollis ar ryip,
186 | To mak vs Feist, and fill vs of the leid,
187 | Magre 3one Churll, and on it sing and pyip.
188 | Weill (quod the Swallow) freindis hardlie beid,
189 | Do as 3e will, bot certane sair I dreid,
190 | Heirefter 3e sall find als sour, as sweit,
191 | Quhen 3e are speldit on 3one Carlit speit.
192 | The awner of 3one lint, ane fouler is,
193 | Richt cautelous, and full of subteltie.
194 | His pray full sendill tymis will he mis,
195 | Bot gif we birdis all the warrer be.
196 | Full mony of our kin he hes gart de
197 | And thocht it bot ane sport to spill thair blude.
198 | God kept me fra him, and the ha (unclear : fading) lie Rude.
199 | Thir small birdis haifand bot lytill thocht
200 | Of perrell, that micht fall be auenture,
201 | The counsell of the Swallow set at nocht,
202 | Bot tuke thair flicht, and furth togidder fure.
203 | Sum to the woid, sum markit to the Mure.
204 | I tuke my staf, quhen this wes said and done,
And
205 | And walkit hame, for it drew neir the none.
206 | ₡ The Lint ryipit, the Carll pullit the Lyne:
207 | Rippillit the bollis, and in beitis set.
208 | It steipit in the burn, and dryit syne:
209 | And with ane Betill knokkit it, and bet (unclear : ambiguous punctuation) :
210 | Syne swingillit it weill, and hekkillit in the flet.
211 | His wyfe it span, and twynit in in to threid.
212 | Of quh:lk the Fowlar Nettis maid in deid.
Penned-in number "33"
213 | The wynter come, the wickit wind can blaw:
214 | The woddis grene wer wallowit with the weit,
215 | Baith firth and fell with froistis wer maid faw,
216 | Slonkis and slaik maid slidderie with the sleit.
217 | The foullis fair for falt thay fell of feit.
218 | On bewis bair it wes na bute to byde,
219 | Bot hyit vnto housis thame to hyde.
220 | Sum in the barn, sum in the stak of corne,
221 | Thair lugeing tuke, and maid thair residence.
222 | The Fowlar saw, and greit aithis hes sworne,
223 | Thay suld be tane trewlie for thair expence.
224 | His Nettis hes he set with diligence,
225 | And in the snaw he scholit hes ane plane,
226 | And heillit it all ouer with calf agane.
227 | Thir small birdis seand the calf wes glaid.
228 | Trowand it had bene corne, that lychtit doun.
229 | Bot of the Nettis na presume thay had,
230 | Nor of the Fowlaris fals Intentioun.
231 | To scraip, and seik thair meit thay maid thame illegible / 4chars
232 | The Swallow on ane lytill branche neir by,
233 | Dreidand for gyle, thus loud on thame couth cry.
I
234 | ₡ In to that calf scraip quhill 3our naillis bleid,
235 | Thair is na corne, 3e labour all in vane.
236 | Trow 3e 3one Churll for pietie will 3ow feid.
237 | Na, na, he hes it heir layit for ane trane.
238 | Remoue I reid, or ellis 3e will be slade.
239 | His Nettis he hes set full priuely.
230 | Reddie to draw: in tyme be war for thy.
231 | Greit fule is he that puttis in dangeir
232 | His lyfe, his honour, for ane thing of nocht.
233 | Greit fule is he, that will not glaidlie heir
234 | Counsall in tyme, quhill it auaill him mocht.
235 | Greit fule is he, that hes na thing in thocht,
236 | Bot thing present: and efter quhat may fall,
237 | Nor of the end hes na memoriall.
238 | Thir small birdis for hunger famischit neir,
239 | Full besie scraipand for to seik thair fude.
240 | The counsall of the Swallow wald not heir.
241 | Suppois thair la (unclear : ambiguous) ubour did thame lytill gude.
242 | Quhen scho thair fulische hartis vnderstude
243 | Sa Indurate, vp in ane tre scho flew.
244 | With that this Churll ouer thame his Nettis drew.
245 | Allace it wes greit hart sair for to se
246 | That bludie Boucheour bet thay birdis doun.
247 | And for till heir, quhen thay wist weill to de,
248 | Thair cairfull sang and lamentatioun,
249 | Sum with ane staf he straik to eirth on swoun:
250 | Of sum the heid he straik: of sum he brak the crag:
251 | Sum half on lyfe, he stoppit in his bag.
252 | And quehn the Swallow saw that thay wer deid.
253 | Lo (quod scho) thus it happinnis mony syis,
On
254 | On thame that will not tak counsall, nor reid
255 | Of Prudent men, or Clerkis that ar wyis.
256 | This grete perrell I tauld thame mair than thryis.
257 | Now ar thay deid, and wo is me thairfoir.
258 | Scho tuke hir flicht, bot I hir saw no moire.
Penned-in numeral "34"
1 | LO worthie folk Esope that Nobill Clerk,
2 | Ane Poet worthie to be Lareat.
3 |
Quhen that he wailkit from mair aut
4 | With vther ma, this foirsaid Fabill wrait.
5 | Quhilk at this tyme may weill be applicat,
6 | To gude morall edificatioun,
7 | Haifand ane sentence, according to ressoun.
8 | This Carll, and Bond of gentrice spoliat,
9 | Sawand this calf, thir small birdis to sla
10 | It is the Feind, quhilk fra the Angelike stait
11 | Exylit is, as fals Apostata.
12 | Quhilk day and nicht weryis not for to ga,
13 | Sawand poysoun in mony wickit thocht,
14 | In mannis Saull, quhilk Christ full deir hes bocht.
15 | And quhen the Saull, as seid in the the eird,
16 | Geuis consent unto delectioun,
17 | The wickit thocht beginnis for to breird,
18 | In deidlie sin, quhilk is dampnatioun.
19 | Ressoun is blindit with affectioun.
2- | And carnall lust growis full grene and gay,
21 | Throw consuetude hantit from day to day.
22 | Proceding furth be vse and consuetude,
23 | The sin ryipis, and schame is set on syde.
24 | The Feynd plettis his Nettis scharp and rude,
I. ii.
25 | And vnder plesance preuilie dois hyde,
26 | Syne on the feild he sawis calf full wyde,
27 | Quhilk is bot tume and verray vanitie,
28 | Of fleschlie lust, and vaine prosperitie.
29 | ₡ Thir hungrie birdis, wretchis we may call,
30 | Ay scraipand in the warldis plesance.
31 | Gredie to gadder gudis temporall,
32 | Quhil as the calf, are tume without substance.
33 | Lytill of auaill, and full of variance.
34 | Lyke to the mow, befoire the face of wind
35 | Quhilkis away, and makis wretchis blind.
36 | This Swallow quhilk eschaipit is the snair.
37 | The halie Preicheour weill may signifie.
38 | Exhortand folk to walk, and ay be war
39 | Fra Nettis of our wickit enemie.
40 | Quha sleipis not, bot eyer is reddie,
41 | Quhen wretchis in the warld calf dois scraip,
42 | To draw his Net, that thay may not eschaip.
43 | Allace quhat cair, quhat weiping is and wo,
44 | Quehn Saull and bodie departit ar in twane?
45 | The bodie to the wormis Keiching go:
46 | The Saull to Fyre to euerlestand pane.
47 | Quhat help is than this calf, thir gudis vane?
48 | Quhen thow art put in Luciferis bag,
49 | And brocht to hell, and hangit be the crag?
50 | Thir hid Nettis for to persaue and se,
51 | This sarie calf wyislie to understand:
52 | Beist is, be war in maist prosperitie,
53 | For in this warld thair is na thing lestand,
54 | As na man wait how lang his stait will stand,
His
55 | His lyfe will lest, nor how that he sall end:
56 | Efter his deith nor quhidder he sall wend.
Penned-in number "35"
57 | ₡ Pray we thairfoir quhill we are in this lyfe,
58 | For four thingis: the first, fra sin remufe.
59 | The secund is, fra all weir and stryfe,
60 | Thir thrid is, perfite cheritie and lufe.
61 | The feird thing is, and maist for our behufe,
62 | That is in blis with Angellis to be fallow.
63 | And thus endis the preiching of the Swallow.
1 | QUhylum thair wynnit in ane wildernes,
2 | (As myne Author expreslie can declair)
3 | Ane reuand Uolf, that leuit vpon cais,
4 | On bestiall, and maid him weill to fair.
5 | Was nane sa big about him he wald spair,
6 | And he war hungrie, outher for fauour, or feid,
7 | Bot in his breith he weryit thame to deid.
8 | Swa happinnit him in watching as he went,
9 | To meit ane Foxe in middis of the way.
10 | He him foirsaw, and fen3eit to be schene,
11 | And with ane bek, he bad the Uolf gude day.
12 | Welcum to me (quod he) thow Russell gray.
13 | Syne loutit doun, and tuke him be the hand.
14 | Ryse vp Lowrence, I leif the for to stand.
15 | Quhair hes thow bene this sesoun fra my sicht>
16 | Thow sall beir office, and my Stewart be.
17 | For thow can knap doun Caponis on the nicht,
18 | And lourand law thow can gar hennis de.
19 | Schir (said the Foxe) that ganis nocht for me.
20 | And I am raid, gif thay me se on far,
21 | That ay my figure, beist and bird wil skar.
22 | ₡ Na (quod the Wolf) thow can in couert creip
23 | Upon thy wame, and hint thame be the heid.
24 | And mak ane suddand schow vpon ane scheip,
25 | Syne with thy wappinnis wirrie him to deid.
26 | Schir (said the Foxe) 3e knaw my Roib is reid.
27 | And thairfoir thair will na beist abyde me,
28 | Thocht I wald be sa fals as for to hyde me.
29 | Zis (quod the Wolf) throw buskis & throw barys,Odd-looking long 's'
30 | Law can thow lour, to cum to thy Intent.
31 | Schir (said the Foxe) 3e wait weill how it gais,
32 | Ane lang space fra thame that will seill my sent.
33 | Than will thay eschaip, suppois I suld be schent.
34 | And I am schamefull for to cum behind thame,
35 | In to the feild thocht I suld sleipand find thame.
36 | Na (quod the Uolf) thow can cum on the wind,
37 | For euerie wrink forsuit thow hes ane wyle.
38 | Schir (said the Foxe) that beist 3e micht call blind,
39 | That micht not eschaip than fra me ane myle.
40 | How micht I ane of thame that wyise begyle?
41 | My tippit twa eiris, and my twa gray Ene
42 | Garris me be kend, quhair I wes neuer sene.
43 | Than (said the Uolf) Lowrence, I heir the le,
44 | And castis for perrellis thy ginnis to defend.
45 | But all thy son3eis sall not auaill the,
46 | About the busk with wayis thocht thow wend.
47 | Falset will fail3e ay at the latter end.
48 | To bow at bidding, and byde not quhill thow brest,
49 | Thairfoir I gif the counsall for the best.
50 | ₡ Schir (said the Foxe) it is Lentris 3e se,
51 | And I can nouther fische, with huke, nor Net,
52 | To tak ane Banestikill, thocht we baith suld de.
53 | I had ane vther craft to win my meit.
54 | Bot wer it Pasche, that men suld pultrie eit,
55 | As Kiddis, Lambis, or Caponis in to ply.
56 | To beir 3our office than wald I not set by.
57 | Than (said the Uolf) in wrait wenis thow with
(wylis,
58 | And with the mony mowis me to mat.
59 | It is ane auld Dog doutles that thow begylis:
60 | Thow wenis to draw the stra befoir the cat.
61 | Schir (said the Foxe) God wait, I mene not that,
62 | For an I did, it wer weill worth that 3e
63 | In ane reid Raip had tyit me till ane tre.
64 | Bot now I se, he is ane fule perfay,
65 | That with his maister fallis in ressoning.
66 | I did bot till assay quhat 3e wald say,
67 | God wait my mynd wes on ane vther thing.
68 | I sall fulfill in all thing 3our bidding,
69 | Quhat euer 3e charge on nichtis or on dayis.
70 | Weill (quod the Uolf) I heir weill quhat thow sayis.
71 | Bot 3it I will, thow mak to me ane aith
72 | For to be leill attour all leuand leid
73 | Schir (said the Foxe) that ane word maks Odd-looking long 's' me wraith
74 | For now I se, 3e haif me at ane dreid.
75 | Zit fall I sweir, suppois it be not neid.
76 | Be Juppiter, and on pane of my heid,
77 | I sall be trew to 3ow, quhill I be deid.
78 | With that ane Cadgear with capill, & with creillis,
79 | Come carpand furth: than drew this Boucheour by.
80 | The Foxe the flewer of the fresche hering feillis,
81 | And to the Uolf he roundis priuelie.
82 | Schir, 3one ar hering the Cadgear caryis by.
83 | Thairfoir I reid, that we se for sum wayis,
84 | To get sum fische aganis thir fasting dayis.
85 | ₡ Sen I am Stewart, I wald we had sum stuf.
86 | And 3e ar siluer seik, I wait richt weill.
87 | Thocht we wald thig, 3one verray Churlische chuf,
88 | He will not gif vs ane hering of his Creill,
89 | Befoire 3one Churle on kneis thocht we wald kneill.
90 | Bot 3it I trow alsone that 3e sall se,
91 | Gif I can traist, to bleir 3one Carllis Ee.
92 | Schir, ane thing is, and we get of 3one pelf,
93 | Ze man take trauell, and mak vs sum supple.
94 | For he that will not laubour, and help him self,
95 | In to thir dayis he is not worth ane fle.
96 | I think to work also besie as ane Be.
97 | And 3e sall follow ane lytill efterwart,
98 | And gadder hering, for that sall be 3our part.
99 | With that he kest ane cumpas far about,
100 | And straucht him doun in middis of the way,
101 | As he war deid, he fen3eit him but dout.
102 | And than vpon ane lang unliklie bray,
103 | The quhyte of his Ene he turnit vp in tway.
104 | His toung out hang ane handbreid of his heid.
105 | And still he lay, als straucht as he wer deid.
₡The
106 | ₡ The Cadgear fand the Foxe, and he wes fane.
107 | And till him self, thus softlie can he say.
108 | At the nixt bait in faith 3e sall be slane,
109 | And of 3our skyn I sall mak mittennis twa.
110 | He lap full lichtlie about him quhair he lay,
111 | And all the trace he trippit on his tais,
112 | As he had hard an pyper play, he gais.
Penned-in number 37
113 | Heir lyis the Deuill (quod he) deid in ane dyke.
114 | Sic ane selcouth saw I not this seuin 3eir.
115 | I trow 3e haif bene tussillit with sum tyke,
116 | That garris 3ow ly sa still withouttin steir.
117 | Schir Foxe in faith 3e are deir welcum heir.
118 | It is sum wyfis malisone, I trow,
119 | For pultrie pyking that lychtit hes on 3ow.
120 | Thair sall na Pedder, for pur, not 3it for glufis,
121 | Not 3it for poyntis pyke 3our pellet fra me.
122 | I sall of it mak mittennis to my luifis,
123 | Till hald my handis hait quhair euer I be.
124 | Till Flanderis sall it neuer saill the se.
125 | With that in hy, he hint him be the heillis,
126 | And with ane swak he swang him on the creillis.
127 | Syne be the heid the hors in hy hes hint.
128 | The fraudfull Foxe thairto gude tent hes tane.
129 | And with his teith the stoppell or he stint,
130 | Pullit out, and syne the hering ane, and ane
131 | Out of the creillis he swakkit doun gude wane (unclear : blurring) .
132 | The Uolf wes war, and gadderit spedilie.
133 | The Cadgear sang, huntis vp, vp vpon hie.
134 | Zit at ane burne the Cadgear lukit about.
135 | With that the Foxe lap quyte the creillis fra.
Catch letter present, but illegible - K?
136 | The Cadgear wald haif raucht the Foxe ane rout:
137 | Than with ane schout, thus can the Cadgear say.
138 | Bot all for nocht, he wan his hoill that day.
139 | Abyde, and thow ane Nekhering sall haif,
140 | Is worth my Capill, Creillis, and all the laif.
141 | Now (quod the Foxe) I schrew me, and we meit.
142 | I hard quhat thow hecht to do with my skyn.
143 | Thy handis sall neuer in thay mittennis tak heit,
144 | And thow wer hangit Carll, and all thy kyn.
145 | Do furth thy mercat, at me thow sall nocht wyn,
146 | And fell thy hering thow hes thair, till hie price
147 | Ellis thow sall wyn nocht on thy merchandice.
148 |
The Cadgear tre
149 | It is weill worthie (quod he) I want 3one tyke,
150 | That had nocht in my hand sa mekill gude,
151 | As staf, or sting, 3one truker for the stryke.
152 | With that lychtlie he lap outouer ane dyke.
153 | And snakkit doun ane staf, for he wes tene.
154 | That heuie wes, and of the Holyne grene.
155 | With that the Foxe vnto the Uolf couth wend.
156 | And fand him be the hering, quhair he lyis.
157 | Schir (said he than) maid I not fair defend.
158 | Ane wicht man wantit neur, and he wer wyis.
159 | Ane hardie hard is hard for to suppryis.
160 | (Than said the Uolf) thow art ane Berne full bald (unclear : blurring) .
161 | And wyse at will, in gude tyme be it tald.
162 | Bot quhat wes 3one the Carll cryit on hie,
163 | And schike his heid, quhen that he saw thow fell?
164 | Schir (said the Foxe) that I can tell trewlie.
165 | He said, the Nekherring wes in till the creill.
166 | Kennis thow that hering: 3e Schir, I ken it weill.
167 | And at the creill mouth I had it thryis but dout.
168 | The wecht of it neir tit my tuskis out.
Penned-in number "38"
169 |
₡ Now suithlie Schir, micht we that hering f
170 | It wald befische to vs thir fourtie dayis.
171 | Than (said the Uolf) now God nor that I hang,
172 | Bot to be thair, I wald gif all my clais.
173 | To se gif that my wappinnis mycht it rais.
174 | Schir (said the Foxe) God wait, I wischit 3ow oft,
175 | Quhen that my pith micht not beir it on loft.
176 | It is ane syde of Salmond, as it wer,
177 | And callour, pyand lyke ane Pertrik Ee.
178 | It is worth all the hering 3e haif thair.
179 | Ze and we had it swa, is it worth sic thre.
180 | Than (said the Uolf) quhat counsell geuis thow me?
181 | Schir (said the Foxe) wirk efter my deuyis,
182 | And 3e sall haif it, and tak 3ow na suppryis.
183 | First, 3e man cast ane cumpas far about.
184 | Syne straucht 3ow doun in middis of the way.
185 | Baith heid, and feit, and taill 3e man streik out.
186 | Hing furth 3our toung, & clois weill 3our Ene tway.
187 | Syne se 3our heid on ane hard place 3e lay.
188 | And dout not nor na perrell may appeir,
189 |
Bot hald 3ow clois, quh
190 | And thocht 3e se ane staf, haif 3e na dout.
191 | Bot half 3ow wonder still in to that steid.
192 | And luke 3our Ene be clois, as thay wer out.
193 | And se that 3e schrink nouther fute, nor heid
194 | Than will the Cadgear Carll trow 3e be deid,
195 | And in till haist will hont 3ow be the heillis,
K.ij.
196 | As he did me, and swak 3ow on his creillis.
197 | ₡ Now (quod the Uolf) I sweir the be my thrift,
198 | I trow, 3one Cadgear Carll dow not me beir.
199 | Schir (said the Foxe) on loft he will 3ow lift,
200 | Upon his creillis, and do him lytill deir.
201 | Bot ane thing dar I suthlie to 3ow sweir,
202 | Get 3e that hering sicker in sum place,
203 | Ze sall not fair in fiching mair quhill Pasche.
204 | I sall say (foreign language la) in principio vpon 3ow,
205 | And croce 3our corps, from the top, to ta.
206 | Wend quhen 3e will, I dar be warrand now,
207 | That 3e sall de na suddand deith this day.
208 | With that the Uolf gird vp sone, and to ga,
209 | And caist ane cumpas about the Cagear far.
210 | Syne straucht him in the gait, or he come nair.
211 | He laid his halfheid sicker, hard, and sad.
212 | Syne straught he four feit fra him, and his heid.
213 | And hang his toung furth as the Foxe him bad.
214 | Also still he lay, as he wer verray deid.
215 | Rakkand na thing of the Carllis fauour nor feid.
216 | Bot euer vpon the Nekhering he thinkis,
217 | And qute forgettis the Foxe, and all his wrinkis.
218 | With that the Cadgear als wraith as ony wind,
219 | Come tyrand on the laid, for it wes licht.
220 | Thinkand ay on the Foxe that wes be (unclear : fading) hnd,
221 | Upon quhat wyse, reuenge him best he micht.
222 | And at the last, of the Uolf gat ane sicht,
223 | Quhair he in lenth lay streikit in the gait.
224 | Bot gif he lichtit doun, or nocht, God wait.
₡Softlie
225 | ₡ Softlie he said, I wes begylit anis,
226 | Be I begylit twyis, I schrew vs baith.
227 | That euill bot it sall licht vpon thy banis,
228 | He suld haif had, that hes done me the skaith.
229 | On hicht he houit the staf for he wes wraith,
230 | And hit him with sic will vpon the heid,
231 | Quhill neir he swonit, and swelt in to that steid.
232 | The battis he bure, or he his feit mycht find.
233 | Bot 3it the Uolf wes wicht, and wan away.
234 | He micht not se, he wes sa verray blind.
235 | Nor wit reddilie quhether it wes nicht or day.
236 | The Foxe beheld that seruice quhair he lay,
237 | And leuch on loft, quhen he the Uolf sa seis,
238 | Baith deif, and dosinnit, fall swonand on his kneis.
239 | He that of ressoun can not be content,
240 | But couetis all, is abill all to tyne.
241 | The Foxe, quhen that he saw the Uolf wes schent,
242 | Said to him self, thir hering sall be myne.
243 | I le, or ellis he wes efterwart syne,
244 | That fand sic wayis his Maister for to greif,
245 | With all the fische thus Lowrence tuke his leif.
246 | ₡ The Wolf was neir weill dungin to the deid,
247 | That vneis with his lyfe away he wan.
248 | For with the Bastoun weill brokin wes his heid.
249 | The Foxe in to his den sone drew him than,
250 | That had betraiillegible / 2charst his Maister, and the man.
251 | The ane, wantit the hering of his creillis.
252 | The vtheris blude wes rynnand ouer his heillis.
1 | THis Taill is myngit with Moralitie,
2 | As I sall schaw sumquhat, or that I ceis.
3 | The Foxe, vnto the warld may likkinnit be.
4 | The reuand Uolf, vnto ane man but leis.
5 | The Cadgear Deith, quhome vnder all man preis,
6 | That euer tyke lyfe, throw cours of kynd man dee.
7 | As man, and beist, and fische in to the see.
8 | ₡ The warlde 3e wait, is Stewart to the man.
9 | Quhilk may mak man to haif na mynd of Deid.
10 | Bot settis for winning all the craftis thay can.
11 | The Hering, I likkin vnto the gold sa reid,
12 | Quhilk gart the Uolf in perrell put his heid.
13 | Richt saw the gold garris Land certeis,
14 | With weir, be waistit daylie as men seis.
15 | And as the Foxe with dissumulance and gyle,
16 | Gart the Uolf wene to haif worschip for euer.
17 | Richt swa, this warld with vane glore for ane quhyle
18 | Flatteris with folk, as that suld fail3e neuer.
19 | Zit suddandlie men seis it oft disseuer
20 | With thame, that trowis oft to fill the sek.
21 | Deith cummis behind, and nippis thame be the nek.
22 | The micht of gold makis mony men sa blind,
23 | That settis on Auarice thair felicitie.
24 | That thay for3et the Cadgear cummis behind,
25 | To strike thame, of quhat stait sa euer thay be.
26 | Quhat is mair dirk, than blind prosperitie?
27 | Quhairfoir, I counsell mychtie men to haif mynd,
28 | Of the Nekhering Interpreit in this kynd.
₡IN
1 | IN Elderis dayis, as Esope can declair,
2 | Thair wes an Husband, quhilk had ane pleuch
(to steir.
3 | His vse wes ay, in morning to ryse air.
4 | Sa happinnit him in streiking tyme of 3eir,
5 | Airlie in the morning to follow furth his feir,
6 | Unto the pleuch, bot his gadman and he.
7 | His stottis he straucht with Benedicite.
Penned-in number "40"
8 | The Caller cryit, how, haik, vpon hicht,
9 | Hald draught my dowis, syne broddit thame full fair.
10 | The Oxin wes vnwsit 3oung and licht,
11 | And for fersnes thay couth the fur forfair.
12 | The Husband than woxe angrie as ane hair.
13 | Syne cryit, and caist his Patill, and greit stanis.
14 | The Uolf (quod he) mot haif 3ow all at atanis.
15 | Bot 3it the Uolf wes neirar nor he wend,
16 | For in ane busk he lay, and Lowrence baith,
17 | In anre Rouch Rone wes at the furris end.
18 | And hard the hecht: than Lowrence leuch full raith.
19 | To tak 3one bud (quod he) it we na skaith.
20 | Weill (quod the Uolf) I hecht the be my hand,
21 | Zone Carllis word as he wer King sall stand.
22 | The Oxin eirit mair reullie at the last.
23 | Syne efter thay lousit, fra that it worthit weill lait.
24 | The Husband hamewart with his cattell past.
25 | Than sone the Uolf come hirpilland in his gait,
26 | Befoir the Oxin, and schupe to mak debait.
27 | The Husband saw him, and worthit sumdeill agast.
28 | And bakwart with his beistis wald haif past.
29 | The Uolf said, quhether dryuis thow this Pray?
30 | I challenge it, for nane of thame ar thyne.
31 | The man thairof wes in ane felloun fray.
32 | And soberlie to the Uolf answerit syne.
33 | Schir, by my Saull, thir oxin ar all myne.
34 | Thairfore I studie, quhy 3e suld stop me.
35 | Sen that I faltit neuer to 3ow trewlie.
36 | The Uolf said, Carll, gaif thow not me this drift
37 | Airlie, quhen thow wes eirand on 3one bank?
38 | And is thair oucht (sayis thow) frear than gift?
39 | This tarying will tyne the all thy thank.
40 | Far better is frelie for to gif ane plank,
41 | Nor be compellit on force, to gif ane mark.
42 | Fy on the fredome, that cummis not with hart.
43 |
Schir (quod the husband) ane ma
44 | And syne ganesay fra he auise and se.
45 | I hecht to steill, am I thairfoir ane theif?
46 | God forbid, Schir, all hechtis suld haldin be.
47 | Gaif I my hand or oblissing (quod he)
48 | Or haif 3e witnes, or writ for to schaw.
49 | Schir reif me not, bot go and seik the Law.
50 | Carll (quod the Uolf) ane Lord and he be leill,
51 | That schrinkis for schame, or doutis to be reprufit,
52 | His saw is ay also sickker as his Seill.
53 | Fy on the Leid, that is not leill and lufit.
54 | Thy argument is fals, and eik contrufit
55 | For it is said in Prouerb: But lawte
56 | All vther vertew is ar nocht worth ane fle.
57 | Schir, said the husband, remember of this thing.
58 | Ane leill man is not tane at half ane taill.
59 | I maysay, and ganesay, I am na King.
60 | Quhar is 3our witnes, yat hard I hecht thame (unclear : blurring) haille
Than
61 | Than said the Uolf, thairfoir it sall nocht faill.
62 | Lowrence (quod he) cum hidder of that Schaw,
63 | And say na thinkg, bot as thow hard and saw.
Penned-in numeral "41"
64 | ₡ Lowrence come lourand, for he lufit neuer licht,
65 | And sone appeirit befoire thame in that place.
66 | The man leuch na thing, quhen he saw that sicht.
67 |
Lowr
68 | Quhairof we sall schaw the suith in schort space.
69 | I callit on the leill witnes for to beir.
70 | Quhat hard thow that this man hecht me lang eir?
71 | Schir (said the Tod) I can not hastelie
72 | Swa sone as now gif sentence finall.
73 | Bot wald 3e baith submit 3ow heir to me,
74 | To stand at my decreit perpetuall.
75 | To pleis baith I suld preif, gift it may fall.
76 | Weill (quod the Uolf) I am content for me.
77 | The man said, swa am I, how euer it be.
78 | Than schew thay furth thair allegeance but fabill,
79 | And baith proponit thair pley to him complete.
80 | (Quod Lowrence) now I am ane Juge amycabill.
81 | Ze sall be sworne to stand at my decreit.
82 | Quh (unclear : blurring) eather beit efter 3e think it soure or sweit.
83 | The Uolf braid furth his fute, the man his hand:
84 | And on the Toddis Taill sworne thay are to stand.
85 | Than take the Tod the man furth till ane syde.
86 | And said him, illegible / 4chars thow art in blunder brocht.
87 | The Uolf will not forgif the ane Oxe hyde.
88 | Zit wald my self fane help the, and I mocht.
89 | Bot I am laith to hurt my conscience ocht.
90 | illegible / 6charsnot the querrel in thy awin defence,
91 | This will not throw but greit coist and expence.
92 | ₡ Seis thow not Buddis beris Bernis throw:
93 | And giltis garris crukis materis hald full ein?
94 | Sumtymis ane nedill haldis ane man in ane kow.
95 | All are not halie, that heifis thair handis to heuin.
96 | Schir (said the man) 3e sall haif sex or seuin
97 | Richt of the fattest hennis of all the floik.
98 | I compt not all the alif, leif me the Coik.
99 | I am ane Juge (quod Lowrence than) and leuch.
100 | Thair is na Buddis suld beir me by the richt.
101 | I may tak hennis and Caponis weill aneuch,
102 | For God is gane to sleip as for this nycht.
103 | Sic small thingis as not sene in to his sycht.
104 | Thir hennis (quod he) sall mak thy querrell sure
105 | With emptie hand na man suld Halkis lure.
106 | Concord in this than Lowrence tuke his leif,
107 | And to the Uolf he went in to ane ling.
108 | Syne priuelie, he plukkit him be the sleif,
109 | Is this in ernist (quod he) 3e ask sic thing?
110 | No be my Saull, I trow it be in he (unclear : blurring) thing.
111 | Than said the Uolf, Lowrence, quhy layis thow sa?
112 | Thow lard the hecht thy sell, that he couth ma.
113 | The hecht (quod he) 3one man maid at the pleuch,
114 | Is that the cause quhy 3e the cattell craif?
115 | Half in to heithing (said Lowrence than) and leuch.
116 | Schir, be the Rude, unroikkit now 3e raif.
117 | The Deuill ane illegible / 1charsrk taill thairfoir sall ye haif
118 | Wald I tak it vpon my conscience,
119 | To do sa pure ane man as 3one offenillegible / 1charse.
Catchword present, but illegible
120 | ₡ Zit haif I commonit with the Carll (quod he)
121 | We ar concordit vpon this cunnand.
122 | Quyte of all clamis swa 3e will make him fre,
123 | Ze sall ane Cabok haif in to 3our hand.
124 | That sic ane sall not be in all this land.
125 | For it is Somer Cheis, baith fresche and fair.
126 | He sayis it weyis ane stane, and sumdeill mair.
Penned-in number"42"
127 | Is that thy counsell (quod the Uolf) I do,
128 | That 3one Carll for ane Cabok suld be fre?
129 | Ze be my Saull, and I wer sworne 3ow to,
130 | Ze suld nane vther counsell haif for me.
131 | For gang 3e to the maist extremitie,
132 | It will not wyn 3ow worth ene widderit neip.
133 | Schir trow 3e nocht, I haif ane Saull to keip (unclear : blurring) e.
134 | Weill (quod the Uolf) it is aganis my will,
135 | That 3one Carll for ane Cabok suld ga quyte.
136 | Schir (quod the Tod) 3e tak in in nane euill.
137 | For be my Saull 3our self had all the wyte.
138 | Than (said the Uolf) I bid na mair to flyte.
139 | Bot I wald se 3one Cabok of sic pryis.
140 | Schir (said the Tod) he tauld me quhair it lyis.
141 | Than hand in hand that held vnto ane hill.
142 | The Husband till his illegible / 7chars hes tane the way,
143 | For he wes fane (unclear : blurring) be schapit from thair euil,
144 | And on his feit woke the dury quhill day.
145 | Now will we turne vnto the vther tway.
146 | Throw woddis waist thir freikis on fute can fair,
147 | Fra illegible / 12chars quhill neir midnycht and mair.
148 | Lowrence wes euer remembring vpon wrinkis,
149 | And subtelteis the Uolf for to begyle.
150 | That he had hecht ane Cabok, he forthinkis.
151 | Zit at the last, he findis furth ane wyle.
152 | Than at him self softlie couth he smyle.
153 | The Uolf sayis, Lowrence, thow playis bellie blind.
154 | We seik all mycht, bot na thing can we find.
155 | ₡ Schir (said the Tod) we ar at it almaist.
156 | Soft 3ow ane lytill, and se sall se it sone.
157 | Than to ane Manure place thay hyit in haist.
158 | The nycht was lycht, and pennyfull the Mone.
159 | Than til ane draw wel thir Sen3eours past but hone.
160 | Quhar that twa bukkettis seuerall suithlie hang.
161 | As ane come vp, ane vther doun wald gang.
162 | The schadow of the Mone schone in the well.
163 | Schir (said Lowrence) anis 3e sall find me leill.
164 | Now se 3e nat the Caboik weill 3our sell,
165 | Quhyte as ane Neip and als round as ane schell.
166 | He hang it 3onder, that na man suld it steill.
167 | Schir, traist 3e weill, 3one Caboik 3e se hing,
168 | Micht be ane presend to our Lord the King.
169 | Na (quod the Uolf) mycht I 3one Caboik haif,
170 | On the dry land, as I it 3onder se.
171 | I wald quitclane the Carll of all the laif.
172 | His dart Oxin I compt thame not ane fle.
173 | Zone wer mair meit for sic ane man as me.
174 | Lowrence (quod he) leip in the bukker sone,
175 | And I sall half the ane, quhill thow haif done.
176 | Lowrence gird dount baith sone, and subtellie.
177 | The uther baid abufe, and held the flaill.
178 | It is sa mekill (quod Lowrence) it maisteris me.
179 | On all my tais it hes not left ane naill.
180 | Ze man mak help vpwart, and it haill.
181 | Leip in the vther bukket haistelie.
182 | And cum sone doun, and mak me sum supple.
183 | ₡ Than lychtlie in the bukket lap the loun,
184 | His wecht but weir the vther end gart ryis.
185 | The Tod come hailland vp, the Uolf 3eid doun.
186 | Than angerlie the Uolf vpon him cryis.
187 |
I c
188 | Schir (quod the Tod) thus fairis it of Fortoun,
189 | As ane cummis vp, scho quheillis ane vther doun.
Penned-in number "43"
190 | Than to the ground sone zeid the Uolf in haist.
191 | The Tod lap on land, als blyith as ony bell.
192 | And left the Uolf in watter to the waist.
193 | Quha haillit him out I wait not of the well.
194 | Heir endis the Text, thair is na mair to tell.
195 | Zit men may find agane moralitie,
196 | In this sentence, thocht it ane Fabill be.
1 | THis Uolf, I likkin to ane wickit man,
2 | Quhilk dois the pure oppres in euerie place:
3 | And pykis at thame all querrellis that he can,
4 | Be Rigour, reit, and vther wickitnes.
5 | The Foxe, the Feynd I call in to this cais,
6 | Arctand ilk man to ryn vnrychteous rinkis,
7 | Thinkand thairthrow to lok him in his linkis.
8 | The Husband may be callit ane godlie man,
9 | With quhome the Feynd falt findis (as Cleirkis reidadded 's'
10 | Besie to tempt him, with all wayis that he can.
11 | The hennis, ar warkis, yat fra ferme faith proceidis.
12 | Quhar sic sproutis speidis, y[e] euill spreit yair not speids
13 | Bot wendis vnto the wickit man agane.
14 | That he hes tent his illegible / 18chars
15 | ₡ The woddpenned-in 's' waist, quharin wes the Uolf wyld
16 | Ar wickit riches, quhilk all men gaipis to get:
17 | Quha traistis in the Trusterie, ar oft begyld.
18 | For Mammon may be callit the Deuillis Net,
19 | Quhilk Sathanas for all sinfull hes set.
20 | With proud plesour quha settis his traist thairin,
21 | But speciall grace lychtlie can not outwin.
22 | The Cabok, may be callit Couetyce,
23 | Quhilk blomis braid in mony mannis Ee.
24 | Ua worth the well of that wickit vyce,
25 | For it is all bot fraud, and fantasie.
26 | Dryuand ilk man to leip in the buttrie,
27 | That downwart drawis vnto the pane of hell
28 | Christ keip all Christianis from that wickit well.
1 | Quhylum thair wes (as Esope can Report)
2 | Ane scheiphird dwelland be ane Forrest neir.
3 |
Quhilk had ane illegible /
4chars yat did him greit c
4 | Full war he wes to walk his Fault but weir,
5 | That nouther Uolf, nor Uildcat durst appeir,
6 | Nor Foxe on feild; nor 3it no vther beist,
7 | Bot he thame slew, or chaissit at the leist.
8 | So happinnit it (as euerilk beist man de)
9 | This Hound of suddand seiknes to be deid.
10 | Bot than (God wait) the keipar of the fe,
11 | For verray wo woxe illegible / 5chars nor the weid.
12 | Allace (quod he) now se I na remeid,
13 | To saif the selie beistis that I keip,
14 | For wit the Uolf, werryit beis all my scheip.
15 | ₡ It wald haif maid ane mannis hart sair to se
16 | The selie scheiphirdis lamentatioun.
17 | Now is my Darling deid, allace (quod he)
18 | For now to beg my breid I may be boun,
19 | With pyikstaf, and with scrip to fair of toun.
20 | For all the beistis befoir bandonit bene,
21 | Will schute vpon my beistis with Ire and tene.
Penned-in number "44"
22 | With that ane Uedder wrechitlie wan on fute:
23 | Maister (quod he) mak merie, and be blyith.
24 | To brek 3our hart for baill, it is na bute.
25 | For ane deid Doig 3e na cais on 3ow kyith.
26 | Go feche him hithor, and fla his skyn of swyith.
27 | Syne sew in on me: and luke that it be meit,
28 | Baith heid, and crag, bodie, taill, and feit.
29 | Than will the Uolf know, that I am he.
30 | For I sall follow him fast quhar euer he fair.
31 | All haill the cure I tak it vpon me.
32 | Zour scheip to keip at midday, laid, and air.
33 | And he persew, be God, I sall not spair
34 | To follow him also fast as did 3our Doig.
35 | Swa that I warrand, 3e sall not want ane hoig.
36 |
Th
37 | The counsall is baith sikker, leill and trew,
38 | Quha sayis ane scheip is daft, thay lieit of it.
39 | With that in hy, the Goddis skyn of he flew,
40 | And on the scheip rycht softlie couth it sew.
41 | Than worth the Uedder wantoun of his weid.
42 | Now of the Uolf (quod he) I haif na dreid.
43 | ₡ In all thingis he counterfait the Dog,
44 | For all the nicht he stude, and tuke na sleip.
45 | Swa that weill lang thair wantit not ane Hog,
46 | Swa war he wes, and walkryfe thame to keip,
47 | That Lowrence durst not luke vpon ane scheip.
48 | For and he did, he followit him sa fast,
49 | That of his lyfe he maid him all agast.
50 | Was nouther Uolf, Uildcat, nor 3it Tod,
51 | Durst cum within thay boundis all about:
52 | Bot he wald chace thame baith throw rouch & snod.
53 | Thay bailfull beistis had of thair lyuis sic dout.
54 | For he wes mekill, and semit to be stout.
55 | That euerilk beist that dred him as the deid,
56 | Within that woid that nane durst hald thair heid.
57 | Zit happinnit thair ane hungrie Uolf to slyde
58 | Out throw his scheip, quhair thay law on ane le,
59 | I sall haif ane (quod he) quhat euer betyde,
60 | Thocht I be werryit, for hunger or I de.
61 | With that ane Lamb in till his cluke hint he.
62 | The laif start vp, for thay wer all agast.
63 | Bot (God wait) gif the Uedder followit fast.
64 | Went neuer Hound mair haistelie fra the hand,
65 | Quhen he wes rynnand maist raklie at the Ra,
66 | Nor went this Uedder baith ouer Mois and strand,
67 | And stoppit nowther at bank, busk, nor bra.
68 | Bot followit ay sa ferlie on his fa,
69 | With sic ane drift, quhil dust and dirt ouerdraif him.
70 | And maid ane wow to God, that he suld haif him,
₡ With
71 | ₡ With that the Uolf let out his Taill on lenth,
72 | For he wes hungrie, and it drew neir the euin.
73 | And schupe him for to ryn with all his strenth,
74 | Fra he the Uedder sa neir cummand had sene,
75 | He dred his lyfe, and he ouertane had bene.
76 | Thairfoir he spairit nouther busk, nor boig.
77 | For weill he kennit the cumming of the Doig.
Penned-in number '45', very faint in EEBO
78 | To mak him lycht, he kest the Lamb him fra.
79 | Syne lap ouer leis, and draif throw dub and myre.
80 | Na (quod the wedder) in Faith we part not swa.
81 | It is not the Lamb, not the, that I desyre.
82 | I sall cum neir, for now I se the tyre.
83 | The Uolf ran till ane rekill stude behind him,
84 | Bot ay the neirar the Uedder to couth wyn him.
85 | Sone efter that, he followit him sa neir,
86 | Quhill that the Uolf for fleidnes fylit the feild.
87 | Syne left the gait, and ran throw busk, and breir,
88 | And schup him fra the schawis for to scheild.
89 | He ran restles, for he wist of na weild.
90 | The wedder followit him, baith out, and in,
91 | Quhill that ane breir busk raif rudelie of the skyn.
92 | The Uolf wes wer, and blenkit him behind,
93 |
And saw the Uedder come thraw
94 | Syne saw the Doggis skyn hingang on his lind.
95 | Na (quod he) is this ze, that is sa neir?
96 |
Richt now ane Ho
97 | I fled ouer fer, and I had kennit the cais.
98 | To God I wow, that 3e sall rew this rais.
99 | Quhat wes the cause 3e gaif me sic ane chace?
100 | With that in hy he hint him be the norne.
Catchword includes 'M' but that is all that's visible
101 | For all 3oue mowis, 3e met anis with 3our mache,
102 | Suppois 3e leuch me all this 3eir to scorne.
103 | For quhat enchessoun this Doggis skyn haif 3e borne?
104 | Maister (quod he) bot to haif playit with 3ow,
105 | I 3ow requyre, that 3e nane vther trow.
106 | ₡ Is this 3our bourding in ernist than ( quod he)
107 | For I am verray effeirit, and on flocht.
108 | Cum bak againe, and I sall let 3ow se.
109 | Than quhar the gait wes grimmit he him brocht.
110 | Quehether call 3e this fair play, or nocht?
111 | To set 3our Maister in sa fell effray,
112 | Quhill he for feiritnes hes fylit vp the way.
113 | Thryis (be my Saull) 3e gart me schute behind,
114 | Upon my hoichis the fen3eis may be sene.
115 | As feiritnes full oft I fylit the wind.
116 | Now is this 3e: na bot ane Hound, I wene.
117 | Me think 3our teith ouer schort to be sa kene.
118 | Blissit be the busk, that reft 3ow 3our array.
119 | Ellis fleand, bursin had I bene this day.
120 | Schir (quod the Uedder) suppois I ran in hy,
121 | My mynd wes neuer to do 3our persoun euill.
122 | Ane flear gettis ane follower commounlie,
123 | In play or ernist, preif quha sa euer will.
124 | Sen I bot playit, be gracious me till.
125 | And I sall gar my freindis blis 3our banis.
126 | Ane full gude seruand will crab his Maister anis.
127 | I haif bene oftymis set in greit effray,
128 | Bot (be the Rude) sa rad 3it wes I neuer.
129 | As thow hes maid me with thy prettie play.
130 | I schot behind quehn thow ouertuke me euer.
131 | Bot sickerlie now sall we not disseuer.
132 | Than be the crag bane smertlie he him tuke,
133 | Or euer he ceissit, and it in schunder schuke.
1 | ESope that Poet first Father of this Fabill,
2 | Wrait this Parabole quhilk is conuenient.
3 | Because the sentence wes fructuous & agreabill,
4 | In Moralitie exemplative prudent.
5 | Quhais problemes bene verray excellent,
6 | Throw similitude of figuris to this day,
7 | Geuis doctrine to the Redaris of it ay.
8 | Heir may thow se, that riches of array,
9 | Will cause pure men presumpteous for to be.
10 | Thay think thay hald of nane be thay als gay,
11 | Bot counterfute ane Lord in all degre.
12 | Out of thair cais in pryde thy clym sa hie,
13 | That thay forbeir thair better in na steid,
14 | Quhill sum man tit thair heillis ouer thair heid.
15 | Richt saw in seruice vther sum exceidis,
16 | And thay haif withgang, welth, and cherissing,
17 | That that will lychtlie Lordis in thair deidis,
18 | And likis not to thair blude, nor thair offpring.
19 | Bot 3it, na wait, how lang that reull will ring.
20 | Bot he was wyse, that had his Sone considder.
21 | Bewar in welth, for Hall benkis ar rycht slidder.
22 | Thairfoir I counsell men of euerilk stait,
23 | To know thame self, and quhome thay suld forbeir,
24 | And fall not with thair better in debait,
25 | Suppois thay be als galland in thair geir.
26 | It settis sa naruand for to vphald weir,
M. ii.
27 | Nor clym sa hie, quhill he fall of the ledder.
28 | Bot think vpon the Uolf, and on the wedder.
1 | Ane cruell Uolf, richt reuenous, and fell,
2 | Upon ane tyme past to an Reuer.
3 | Descending from ane Roche, vnto ane well.
4 | To slaik his thrist, drank of the watter cleir.
5 | Swa vpon cace, ane selie Lamb come neir.
6 | Bot of his fa, the Uolf, na thing he wist.
7 | And in the streme laipit, to cule his thrist.
8 | Thus drank thay baith, bot not of ane Intent.
9 | The Uolfis thocht wes all of wickitnes.
10 | The selie Lamb, wes meik, and Innocent,
11 | Upon the Reuer, in ane vther place,
12 | Beneth the Uolf, he drank ane lytill space,
13 | Quhill he thocht gude, beleuand thair nane euill.
14 | The Uolf him saw, and Rampand come him till.
15 | With girnand teith, and awfull angrie luk,
16 | Said to the Lamb, thow Catiue wretchit thing.
17 | How durst thow be sa bald, to fyle this Bruk,
18 | Quhar I suld drink with thy foull slauering?
19 | It wer Almous the for the draw and hing,
20 | That suld presume, with thy foull lippis wyle,
21 | To glar my drink, and this fair watter fyle.
22 | The selie Lamb auaikand for verray dreid,
23 | On kneis fell, and said, Schir, with 3our leif.
24 | Suppois, I dar not say, thairof 3e leid:
25 | Bot be my Soull, I wait 3e can nocht preif,
26 | That I did (unclear : blurring) ony thing, that suld 3ow greif.
27 | Ze wait alswa that 3our accusatioun,
28 | Fail3es fra treuth, and contrair is to ressoun.
29 | ₡ Thocht I can nocht, Nature will me defend,
30 | And of the deid perfyte epxerience.
31 | All heuie thing, man of the self discend.
32 | Bot gif sum thing on force mak resistence.
33 | Than may the streme on ma way mak ascence,
34 | Nor ryn bakwart: I drank beneth 3ow far.
35 | (foreign language la) Ergo, for me, 3our Bruke wes neuer the war.
36 | Alswa, my lippis sen that I wes ane Lamb,
37 | Tuichit na thing that wes contagious.
38 | Bot soukkit milk, from Pappis of my dame,
39 | Richt Naturall, sweit, and als delitious.
40 | Weill (quod the Uolf) thy language Rigorous
41 | Cummis the of kynd: swa thy Father before
42 | Held me at bait, baith with boist, and schore.
43 | He wraithit me, and than I culd him warne,
44 | Within ane 3eir, and I brukit my heid,
45 | I suld be wrokkin on him, or on his barne,
46 | For his exhorbitant and frawart pleid.
47 | Thow sall doutles for his deidis be deid.
48 | Schir, it is wrang, that for the Fatheris gilt,
49 | The saikles sone suld punist be, or spilt.
50 | Haif 3e not hard, quhat halie Scriptire sayis,
51 | Endytit with the mouth of God Almycht?
52 | Of his awin deidis ilk man sall beir the prais,
53 | As pane for sin, reward for werkis rycht.
54 | For my trespas, quhy suld my sone haif plycht?
55 | Quha did the mis, let him sustene the pane.
56 | Zaa (quod the Uolf) 3it pleyis thow agane.
57 | ₡ I let the wit, quhen that the Father offendis,
58 | I will chereis nane of his Successioun.
59 | And of his barnis, I may weill tak amendis,
60 | Unto the twentie degre descending doun.
61 | Thy Father thocht to mak ane strang presoun,
62 | And with his mouth in to my watter spew.
63 | Schir (quod the Lamb) thay twa ar nouther trew.
64 | The Law sayis, and ze will vnderstand:
65 | Thair suld na man for wrang, nor violence,
66 | His awin sair punis at his awin hand,
67 | Without proces of Law, and euidence.
68 | Quhilk suld haif leif to mak lawfull defence,
69 | And thairupon Summondis peremptourlie,
70 | For to propone, contrairie, or reply.
71 | Set me ane lauchfull Court, I sall compeir,
72 | Befoire the Lyoun, Lord, and leill Justice.
73 | And be my hand I oblis me rycht heir,
74 | That I sall byde ane unsuspect Assyis.
75 | This is the Law: this is the Instant vse:
76 | Ze suld present thairfoir ane Summondis mak,
77 | Againis that day, to gif ressoun, and tak.
78 | Na (quod the Uolf) thow wald Intruse ressoun,
79 | Quhar wrang, and reif suld dwell in propertie.
80 | That is ane poynt, and part of fals tressoun,
81 | For to gar reuth remane with crueltie,
82 | Be his woundis, fals tratour, thow sall de,
83 | For thy trespas, and for thy Fatheris als.
84 | With that anone he hint him be the hals.
₡ The
85 | ₡ The selie Lambe culd do na thing bot blait.
86 | Sone wes he deid: the Uolf wald do na grace.
87 | Syne drank his blude, and of his flesche can eit,
88 | Quhill he wes full, and went his way on pace.
89 | Of his murther quhat sall we say, allace?
90 | Wes not this reuth, wes not this greit pietie?
91 | To gar this selie Lamb but gilt thus de.
1 | The pure pepill, this Lamb may signifie,
2 | As Maill men, Merchandis, & all lauboureris.
3 | Of quhome the lyfe, is half ane Purgatorie,
4 | To wyn with lautie leuing as effe (unclear : blurring) iris.
5 | The Uolf betakinnis fals extortioneris,
6 | And oppressouris of pure men, as we se,
7 | Be violence, or craft in facultie.
8 | ₡ Thre kynd of Uolfis, in the warld now Ring:
9 | The first, ar fals peruerteris of the Lawis.
10 | Quhilk vnder Poet termis, falset mingis,
11 | Lettand that all wer Gospell, that he schawis.
12 | Bot for ane bud the pure man he ouerthrawis,
13 | Smoirand the richt, garrand the wrang proceid.
14 | Of sic Uolfis hellis fyre sall be thair meid.
15 | O man of Law, let be that subteltie,
16 | With nyce gimpis, and fraudis Intricate:
17 | And think that God in his Diuinitie,
18 | The wrang, the rycht, of all thy werkis wait.
19 | For prayer, price, for hie, nor law estait,
20 | Of fals querrellis se thow mak na defence.
21 | Hald with the tycht, hurt not thy conscience.
22 | Ane vther kynd of Uolfis Rauenous,
23 | Ar mychtie men, haifand aneuch plentie.
24 | Quhilkis ar sa gredie, and sa couetous,
25 | Thay will not thoill the pure in pece to be.
26 | Suppois he, and his houshald baith suld de,
27 | For falt of fude, thairof thay gar na rak,
28 | Bot ouer his heid his mailling will thay tak.
29 | ₡ O man but mercie, quhat is in thy thocht?
30 | War than ane Uolf, and thow culd vnderstand,
31 | Thow hes aneuch, the pure husband richt nocht,
32 | Bot croip, and calf, vpon ane clout of land.
33 | For Goddis aw, how durst thow tak on hand,
34 | And thow in Barn, and Byre sa bene, and big,
35 | To put him fra his tak, and gar him thig?
36 | The thrid Uolf, ar men of heritage:
37 | As Lordis, that hes land be Godis lane.
38 | And settis to the Mailleris ane Uillage:
39 | And for ane tyme Gressome payit and tane,
40 | Syne vexis him, of half his terme be gane,
41 | With pykie querrellis, for to mak him fane
42 | To flit, or pay his Gressome new agane.
43 | His Hors, his Meir len to the Laird,
44 | To drug, and draw, in Court, or in Cariage.
45 | His seruand, or his self may not be spaird,
46 | To swing, and sweit, without in illegible / 7chars wage,
47 | Thus how he standis in laubour, and bondage,
48 | That scantlie may he purches by his maill,
49 | To leue vpon dry breid, and watter caill.
50 | He thow not reuth to gar thy tennentis sweit,
51 | Into the laubour, with laynt, and hungrie wame?
52 | And syne hes lytyill gude to drillegible / 8chars
53 | With his men3e, at euin quhen he cummis hame.
54 | Thow suld dreid, for rychteous Goddis blame.
55 | For it cryis ane vengeance vnto the heuinnis hie,
56 | To gar ane pure man wirk, but Meit, or fe
57 | ₡ O thow greit Lord, that riches hes and rent:
58 | Thow art ane Uolf, thus to deuoir the pure.
59 | Think that na thing cruell, nor violent,
60 | May in this warld perpetuallie Indure.
61 | This sall thow trow, and sikkerlie assure,
62 | For till oppres, thow sall haif als greit pane,
63 | As thow the pure had with thy awin hand slane.
64 | God keip the Lamb, quhilk is the Innocent,
65 | From Wolfis byit, and men exortioneris.
66 | God grant, that wrangous men of fals Intent,
67 | Be manifestit, and punischit as effeiris.
68 | And God, as thow all rychteous prayer heiris,
69 | Most saif our King, and gif him hart and hand,
70 | All sic Uolfis to banis out of the land.
1 | UPon ane tyme (as Esope culd Report)
2 | Ane lytill Mous come till ane Reuer syde.
3 |
Scho micht not waid, hir sch
4 | Scho culd not swym, scho had na hors to ryde.
5 | Of verray force behouit hir to byde.
6 | And to, and fra, besyde that Reuer deip,
7 | Scho ran, cryand, with mony pietuous peip.
8 | Help ouer, help ouer, this sille Mous can cry,
9 | For Goddis lufe, sum bodie ouer the brym
10 | With that ane Paddok in the watter by,
11 | Put vp hir heid, and on the bank can clym.
12 | Quhilk be nature culd dowk, and gaylie swym.
13 | With voce full rauk, scho said on this maneir.
14 | Gude morne (schir Mous) quhat is 3our erand heir?
15 | ₡ Seis thow (quod scho) of corne 3one Jolie flat
16 | Of ryip Aittis, of Barlie, Peis and Quheit.
17 | I am hungrie, and fane wald be thairat.
18 | Bot I am stoppit be this watter deip.
19 | And on this syde, I get na thing till eit,
20 | Bot hard Nuttis, quhilkis with my teith I bore.
21 | Wer I be3ond, my feist wer fer the more.
22 | I haif na doit, heir is na Marineris:
23 | How can thow fleit without fedder or fyn?
24 | This Reuer is sa deip, and dangerous,
25 | Me think, that thow suld drownit be thairin.
26 | Tell me thairfor, quhat facultie or gyn,
27 | Thow hes to bring the ouer this watter? Than
28 | Thus to declair the Paddok sone began.
29 | With my twa feit (quod scho) lukkin and braid,
30 | In steid of Air, I row the streme full still.
31 | And thocht the brym be perrillous to waid,
32 | Baith to and fra, I row at my awin will.
33 | I may not droun, for quhy my oppin Gill
34 | Deuoidis ay the watter I resaif.
35 | Thairfoir to droun forsuit na dreid I haif.
36 | The Mous beheld vnto hir fronsit face,
37 | Hir runkillit cheikis, and hir lippis sude:
38 | Hir hingand browis, and hir illegible / 10chars
39 | Hir loggerand leggis, and hir harsky hyde.
40 | Scho ran abak, and on the Paddok cryde.
41 | Gif I can ony skill of Phisnomie,
42 | Thow hes sumpart of falset, and Invuie.
Penned-in numeral "50"
43 | For Clerkis sayis, the Inclinatioun
44 | Of mannis thocht, preceidis commounlie,
45 | Efter the Corporall complexioun,
46 | To gude, or euill, as Nature will apply.
47 | Ane thrawert vult, ane thrawert Phisnomy.
48 | The auild Prouerb is witness of this (foreign language la) Lorent
49 | (foreign language la) Distortum vultim sequitur distortio morum.
50 | Na (quod the Taid) that Prouerb is not trew:
51 | For fair thinkis oftmis ar fundin faikyn.
52 | The Bla berryis thocht that be sad of hew,
53 | Ar gadderit vp, quhen Primeros is forsakin.
54 | The face may faill, to be the hartis takin.
55 | Thairfor I find this Scipture in all place,
56 | Thow suld not Judge ane man efter his face.
57 | Thocht I vnhalsum be to luke vpon,
58 | I haif na cause, quhy I suld lakkit be,
59 | Wer I als fair, as Jolie Absolon,
60 | I am na causer of that greit beutie.
61 | This difference in forme, and qualitie,
62 | Almychtie God hes causit dame Nature
63 | to prent and set in euerilk creature.
64 | Of sum the face may be full flurischeand,
65 | Of silkin toung, and cheir rycht amorous,
66 | With mynd Inconstant, fals and wariand,
67 | Full of desait, and menis Cautelous.
68 | Let be thy preiching (quod the hungrie Mous)
69 | And be quhar craft thow gar me vnderstand.
That thow wald gyde me to 3one 3onder land?
70 | ₡ Thow wait (quod scho) ane bodie that hes neid,
71 | To help tham self, suld mony wayis cast.
72 | Thairfoir ga tak ane dowbill tuynit threid,
73 | And bind thy leg to myne with knottis fast.
74 | I sall the leir to swym, be not agast,
75 | Als weill as I. As thow (than quod the Mous)
76 | To preif that play, it wer rycht perrillous.
77 | Suld I be bund, and fast, quhar I am fre,
78 | In hoip of help, na than I schrew vs baith.
79 | For I mycht lois baith lyfe and libertie,
80 | Gif it wer swa, quha suld amend the skaith?
81 | Bot gif thow swelt to me the murhour aith,
82 | But fraud, or gyle, to bring me ouer this flude,
83 | But hurt, or harme. In faith (quod scho) I dude.
84 | Scho goikit vp, and to the heuin can cry:
85 | O Juppiter, of Nature God and King.
86 | I mak ane aith trewlie to the, that I
87 | This lytill Mous sall ouer this watter bring.
88 | This aith wes maid. The Mous by persauing
89 | The fals Ingyne of this foull crappald Taid,
90 | Tuke threid, and band her leg, as scho hir bad.
91 | Than fute, for fute, thay lap baith in the brym (unclear : blurring) ,
92 | Bot in thair myndis that wer rycht different.
93 | The Mous thocht of na thing, bot for to swym:
94 | The Paddok for to droun set hir Intent.
95 | Quhen thay in midwart of the streme wer went,
96 | With all hir force the Paddok preissit doun,
97 | And thocht, the Mous without mercie to droun.
Catchword illegible
98 | ₡ Persauand this, the Mous on hir can cry,
99 | Tratour to God, and manesworne vnto me.
100 | Thow swore the murthour aith richt now, that I
101 | But hurt, or harme, suld ferryit be and fre.
102 | And quhen scho saw thair wes bot do, or de,
103 | With all hir mycht scho forcit hir to swym:
104 | And preissit vpon the Taiddis bak to clym.
Penned-in numeral="51"
105 | The dreid of deith hir strenthis gart Incres,
106 | And forcit hir defend, with mycht, and mane.
107 | The Mous vpwart: the Paddok doun can preis:
108 | Quhyle to, quhyle fra, wuhyle dowkit vp agane.
109 | This sillie Mous plungit in to greit pane,
110 | Gan fecht als lang as breith wes in hir breist
111 | Till at the last, scho cryit for ane Preist.
112 | Fechtand thusgait the Gled sat on ane twist,
113 | And to this wretchit battell tuke gude heid.
114 | And with ane wisk, or ony of thame wist,
115 | He claucht his cluke betuix thame in the threid.
116 | Syne to the land he flew with thame gude speid,
117 | Fane of that fang, pypand with mony pew:
118 | Syne lowsit thame, and baith but pietie slew.
119 | Syne bowellit yame, yat Boucheour with his bill
120 | And belliflaucht full fettillie thame flaid.
121 | Bot all thair flesche wald scant be half ane fill,
122 | And guttis als vnto the gredie glaid
123 | Of thair debait, thus quhen I hard outraid,
124 | He tuke his flicht, and ouer the feildis flaw.
125 | Gif this be trew, speir 3e at thame that saw.
Leaf-shaped virguleMORALITAS
1 | MY Brother, gif thow will tak aduertence,
Be this Fabill thow may persaue and se.
2 | It passes fer all kynd of Pestilence,
3 | Ane wickit mynd, with wordis fair and sle.
4 | Be war thairfoir, with quhome thow fallowis the.
5 | To the wer better beir the stane barrow,
6 | For all thy dayis to delf quhill thow may dre,
7 | Than to be machit with ane wickit marrow.
8 | ₡ Ane fals Intent vnder ane fair presence,
9 | Hes causit mony Innocent for to de.
10 | Greit folie is to gif ouer sone credence,
11 | To all that speikis fairlie vnto the.
12 | Ane silkin toung, ane hart of crueltie,
13 | Smythis morefore, than ony schot of arrow.
14 | Brother gif thow be wyse, I reid the sle,
15 | Than mache the with ane thrawart fenneit marrow.
16 | I warne the als, it is greit negligence,
17 | To bind the fast, wuhar thow wes frank and fre.
18 | Fra thow be bund, thow may mak na defence,
19 | To said thy lyfe, nor 3it thy libertie.
20 | This simpill counsall, brother, tak of me,
21 | And it to cun perqueir, se thow not tarrow.
22 | Better but stryfe to leif allane in le,
23 | Than to be machit with ane wickit marrow.
24 | This hald in mynd, richt more I sall the tell,
25 | Quharby thir beistis may be figurate.
26 | The Paddok vsand in the flude to dwell,
27 | Is mannis bodie, swymand arr and late,
28 | In to this warld with cairis Implicait.
29 | Now hie, now law, quhylis plungit up, quhylis doun
30 | Ay in perrell, and reddie for to droun.
31 | This lytill Mous, heir knit thus be the illegible / 5chars
32 | The Saull of man betakin may in deid.
33 | Bundin, and fra the bodie may not wyn,
34 | Quhill cruell deith cum brek of lyfe the threid.
35 | The quhilk to droun suld euer stand in dreid,
36 | Of Carnall lust be the Suggestioun:
37 | Quhilk drawis ay the Saull, and druggis doun.
38 | The Gled is Deith, that cummins suddandlie,
39 | As dois ane theif, and cuttis sone the battall.
40 | Be vigilant thairfoir, and ay reddie,
41 | For mannis lyfe is brukill, and ay mortall.
42 | My freind thairfoir, mak the ane strang Castell
43 | Of Faith in Christ: for deith will the affay:
44 | Thow wait not quhen, euin, morrow, or midday.
45 | Adew my freind: and gif that ony speiris,
46 | Of this Fabill, sa schortlie I conclude.
47 | Say thow, I left the laif vnto the Freiris,
48 | To mak exempill, and ane similitude.
49 | Now Christ for vs that deit on the Rude,
50 | Of Saull, and lyfe, as thow art Saluiour:
51 | Grant vs till pas, in till ane blissit hour.