O Manuscrito Regius (poema maçônico, manuscrito real ou manuscrito Halliwell), data de 1390 e é composto originalmente de 794 versos com rima emparelhada em inglês arcaico, e tratam de como os mistérios maçônicos eram praticados na Inglaterra do Século XIV.
Sua autoria não é totalmente esclarecida, sendo atribuído a um sacerdote que provavelmente tenha sido capelão ou secretário da maçonaria.
Publicado em 1840 por James O. Halliwell, é mencionado em 1670 em um inventário da Biblioteca John Theyer. Esta foi vendida a Robert Scott - daí a razão de haver um segundo inventário, em 1678. O Manuscrito pertenceu depois à Biblioteca real até 1757 - daí o seu nome de “Regius” - data na qual o rei Jorge II fez a doação ao Museu Britânico.
Sua autoria não é totalmente esclarecida, sendo atribuído a um sacerdote que provavelmente tenha sido capelão ou secretário da maçonaria.
Publicado em 1840 por James O. Halliwell, é mencionado em 1670 em um inventário da Biblioteca John Theyer. Esta foi vendida a Robert Scott - daí a razão de haver um segundo inventário, em 1678. O Manuscrito pertenceu depois à Biblioteca real até 1757 - daí o seu nome de “Regius” - data na qual o rei Jorge II fez a doação ao Museu Britânico.
O Regius se compõe das seguintes partes:
- Fundação da Maçonaria Egípcia por Euclides.
- Introdução da Maçonaria na Inglaterra sob o reinado de Athelstan, - rei saxão, que reinou entre os anos 925 e 939.
- Os Deveres, em quinze artigos.
- Os Deveres, em quinze pontos.
- Lenda dos Quatro Coroados.
- Lenda da Torre de Babel.
- As Sete Artes Liberais
- Exortação sobre a missa e como se comportar na Igreja.
- Instrução sobre Boas Maneiras.
O Manuscrito Régio, ou Poema Régio, ou Manuscrito Halliwell, é considerado por muito o mais antigo documento maçônico conhecido.
Nota// Há controvérsias em relação a ser ou não ser o Manuscrito Régio o documento maçônico mais antigo. O contraponto é encontrado na Carta de Bolonha, documento que consta de nossa biblioteca digital e que será publicado oportunamente.
O MANUSCRITO PORDE SER LIDO EM INGLÊS ARCAICO SEGUIDO DA RESPECTIVA TRADUÇÃO PARA O INGLÊS MODERNO - VEJA ABAIXO:
The Regius Manuscript
Hic incipiunt constituciones artis gemetriae secundum Eucyldem.
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Here begin the constitutions of the art of Geometry according to Euclid.
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1. Whose wol bothe wel rede and loke,
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1 Whoever will both well read and look
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2. He may fynde wryte yn olde boke
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2 He may find written in old book
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3. Of grete lordys and eke ladyysse,
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3 Of great lords and also ladies,
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4. That hade mony chyldryn y-fere, y-wisse;
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4 That had many children together, y-wisse; (certainly)
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5. And hade no rentys to fynde hem wyth,
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5 And had no income to keep them with,
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6. Nowther yn towne, ny felde, ny fryth:
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6 Neither in town nor field nor frith; (enclosed wood)
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7. A cownsel togeder they cowthe hem take;
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7 A council together they could them take,
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8. To ordeyne for these chyldryn sake,
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8 To ordain for these children's sake,
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9. How they my[g]th best lede here lyfe
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9 How they might best lead their life
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10. Withoute gret desese, care and stryfe;
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10 Without great dis-ease, care, and strife;
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11. And most for the multytude that was comynge
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11 And most for the multitude that was coming
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12. Of here chyldryn after here [g]yndynge.
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12 Of their children after their ending
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13. (They) sende thenne after grete clerkys,
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13 They send them after great clerks,
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14. To techyn hem thenne gode werkys;
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14 To teach them then good works;
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15. And pray we hem, for our Lordys sake,
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15 And pray we them, for our Lord's sake.
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16. To oure chyldryn sum werke to make,
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16 To our children some work to make,
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17. That they my[g]th gete here lyvynge therby,
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17 That they might get their living thereby,
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18. Bothe wel and onestlyche, ful sycurly.
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18 Both well and honestly full securely.
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19. Yn that tyme, thro[g]gh good gemetry,
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19 In that time, through good geometry,
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20. Thys onest craft of good masonry
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20 This honest craft of good masonry
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21. Wes ordeynt and made yn thys manere,
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21 Was ordained and made in this manner,
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22. Y-cownterfetyd of thys clerkys y-fere;
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22 Counterfeited of these clerks together;
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23. At these lordys prayers they cownterfetyd gemetry,
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23 At these lord's prayers they counterfeited geometry,
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24. And [g]af hyt the name of masonry,
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24 And gave it the name of masonry,
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25. For the moste oneste craft of alle.
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25 For the most honest craft of all.
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26. These lordys chyldryn therto dede falle,
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26 These lords' children thereto did fall,
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27. To lurne of hym the craft of gemetry,
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27 To learn of him the craft of geometry,
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28. The wheche he made ful curysly;
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28 The which he made full curiously;
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29. Thro[g]gh fadrys prayers and modrys also,
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29 Through fathers' prayers and mothers' also,
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30. Thys onest craft he putte hem to.
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30 This honest craft he put them to.
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31. He that lerned best, and were of onesté,
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31 He learned best, and was of honesty,
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32. And passud hys felows yn curysté;
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32 And passed his fellows in curiosity,
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33. [G]ef yn that craft he dede hym passe,
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33 If in that craft he did him pass,
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34. He schulde have more worschepe then the lasse.
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34 He should have more worship than the lasse, (less)
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35. Thys grete clerkys name was clept Euclyde,
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35 This great clerk's name was Euclid,
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36. Hys name hyt spradde ful wondur wyde.
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36 His name it spread full wonder wide.
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37. Get thys grete clerke more ordeynt he
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37 Yet this great clerk ordained he
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38. To hym that was herre yn thys degré,
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38 To him that was higher in this degree,
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39. That he schulde teche the synplyst of (wytte)
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39 That he should teach the simplest of wit
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40. Yn that onest craft to be parfytte;
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40 In that honest craft to be parfytte; (perfect)
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41. And so uchon schulle techyn othur,
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41 And so each one shall teach the other,
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42. And love togeder as syster and brothur.
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42 And love together as sister and brother.
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43. Forthermore [g]et that ordeynt he,
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43 Furthermore yet that ordained he,
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44. Mayster y-called so schulde he be;
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44 Master called so should he be;
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45. So that he were most y-worschepede,
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45 So that he were most worshipped,
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46. Thenne sculde he be so y-clepede:
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46 Then should he be so called;
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47. But mason schulde never won other calle,
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47 But masons should never one another call,
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48. Withynne the craft amongus hem alle,
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48 Within the craft amongst them all,
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49. Ny soget, ny servand, my dere brother,
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49 Neither subject nor servant, my dear brother,
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50. Tha[g]ht he be not so perfyt as ys another;
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50 Though he be not so perfect as is another;
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51. Uchon sculle calle other felows by cuthe,
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51 Each shall call other fellows by cuthe, (friendship)
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52. For cause they come of ladyes burthe.
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52 Because they come of ladies' birth.
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53. On thys maner, thro[g] good wytte of gemetry,
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53 On this manner, through good wit of geometry,
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54. Bygan furst the craft of masonry:
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54 Began first the craft of masonry;
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55. The clerk Euclyde on thys wyse hyt fonde,
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55 The clerk Euclid on this wise it found,
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56. Thys craft of gemetry yn Egypte londe.
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56 This craft of geometry in Egypt land.
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57. Yn Egypte he taw[g]hte hyt ful wyde,
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57 In Egypt he taught it full wide,
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58. Yn dyvers londe on every syde;
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58 In divers lands on every side;
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59. Mony erys afterwarde, y understonde,
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59 Many years afterwards, I understand,
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60. [G]er that the craft com ynto thys londe,
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60 Ere that the craft came into this land.
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61. Thys craft com ynto Englond, as y [g]ow say,
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61 This craft came into England, as I you say,
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62. Yn tyme of good kynge Adelstonus day;
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62 In time of good King Athelstane's day;
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63. He made tho bothe halle and eke bowre,
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63 He made then both hall and even bower,
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64. And hye templus of gret honowre,
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64 And high temples of great honour,
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65. To sportyn hym yn bothe day and ny[g]th,
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65 To disport him in both day and night,
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66. An to worschepe hys God with alle hys my[g]th.
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66 And to worship his God with all his might.
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67. Thys goode lorde loved thys craft ful wel,
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67 This good lord loved this craft full well,
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68. And purposud to strenthyn hyt every del,
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68 And purposed to strengthen it every del, (part)
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69. For dyvers defawtys that yn the craft he fonde;
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69 For divers faults that in the craft he found;
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70. He sende about ynto the londe
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70 He sent about into the land
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71. After alle the masonus of the crafte,
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71 After all the masons of the craft,
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72. To come to hym ful evene stra[g]fte,
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72 To come to him full even straghfte, (straight)
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73. For to amende these defautys alle
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73 For to amend these defaults all
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74. By good consel, [g]ef hyt myt[g]th falle.
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74 By good counsel, if it might fall.
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75. A semblé thenne he cowthe let make
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75 An assembly then he could let make
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76. Of dyvers lordis, yn here state,
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76 Of divers lords in their state,
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77. Dukys, erlys, and barnes also,
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77 Dukes, earls, and barons also,
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78. Kyn[g]thys, sqwyers, and mony mo,
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78 Knights, squires and many mo, (more)
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79. And the grete burges of that syté,
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79 And the great burgesses of that city,
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80. They were ther alle yn here degré;
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80 They were there all in their degree;
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81. These were ther uchon algate,
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81 There were there each one algate, (always)
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82. To ordeyne for these masonus astate.
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82 To ordain for these masons' estate,
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83. Ther they sow[g]ton by here wytte,
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83 There they sought by their wit,
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84. How they my[g]thyn governe hytte:
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84 How they might govern it;
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85. Fyftene artyculus they ther sow[g]ton
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85 Fifteen articles they there sought,
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86. And fyftene poyntys they wro[g]ton.
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86 And fifteen points there they wrought,
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Hic incipit articulus primus.
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Here begins the first article.
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87. The furste artycul of thys gemetry:--
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87 The first article of this geometry;-
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88. The mayster mason moste be ful securly
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88 The master mason must be full securely
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89. Bothe stedefast, trusty, and trwe,
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89 Both steadfast, trusty and true,
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90. Hyt schal hum never thenne arewe:
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90 It shall him never then rue;
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91. And pay thy felows after the coste,
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91 And pay thy fellows after the cost,
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92. As vytaylys goth thenne, wel thou woste;
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92 As victuals goeth then, well thou woste; (knowest)
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93. And pay them trwly, apon thy fay,
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93 And pay them truly, upon thy fay, (faith)
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94. What that they deserven may;
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94 What they deserven may; (may deserve)
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95. And to her hure take no more,
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95 And to their hire take no more,
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96. But what they mowe serve fore;
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96 But what that they may serve for;
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97. And spare, nowther for love ny drede,
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97 And spare neither for love nor drede, (dread)
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98. Of nowther partys to take no mede;
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98 Of neither parties to take no mede; (bribe)
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99. Of lord ny felow, whether he be,
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99 Of lord nor fellow, whoever he be,
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100. Of hem thou take no maner of fe;
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100 Of them thou take no manner of fee;
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101. And as a jugge stonde upry[g]th,
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101 And as a judge stand upright,
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102. And thenne thou dost to bothe good ry[g]th;
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102 And then thou dost to both good right;
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103. And trwly do thys whersever thou gost,
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103 And truly do this wheresoever thou gost, (goest)
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104. Thy worschep, thy profyt, hyt shcal be most.
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104 Thy worship, thy profit, it shall be most.
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Articulus secundus.
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Second article.
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105. The secunde artycul of good masonry,
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105 The second article of good masonry,
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106. As [g]e mowe hyt here hyr specyaly,
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106 As you must it here hear specially,
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107. That every mayster, that ys a mason,
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107 That every master, that is a mason,
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108. Most ben at the generale congregacyon,
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108 Must be at the general congregation,
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109. So that he hyt resonably y-tolde
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109 So that he it reasonably be told
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110. Where that the semblé schal be holde;
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110 Where that the assembly shall be holde; (held)
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111. And to that semblé he most nede gon,
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111 And to that assembly he must needs gon, (go)
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112. But he have a resenabul skwsacyon,
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112 Unless he have a reasonable skwasacyon, (excuse)
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113. Or but he be unbuxom to that craft,
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113 Or unless he be disobedient to that craft
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114. Or with falssehed ys over-raft,
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114 Or with falsehood is over-raft, (overtaken)
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115. Or ellus sekenes hath hym so stronge,
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115 Or else sickness hath him so strong,
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116. That he may not com hem amonge;
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116 That he may not come them among;
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117. That ys a skwsacyon, good and abulle,
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117 That is an excuse good and able,
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118. To that semblé withoute fabulle.
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118 To that assembly without fable.
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Articulus tercius.
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Third article.
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119. The thrydde artycul for sothe hyt ysse,
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119 The third article forsooth it is,
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120. That the mayster take to no prentysse,
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120 That the master takes to no 'prentice,
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121. but he have good seuerans to dwelle
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121 Unless he have good assurance to dwell
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122. Seven [g]er with hym, as y [g]ow telle,
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122 Seven years with him, as I you tell,
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123. Hys craft to lurne, that ys profytable;
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123 His craft to learn, that is profitable;
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124. Withynne lasse he may not be able
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124 Within less he may not be able
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125. To lordys profyt, ny to his owne,
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125 To lords' profit, nor to his own
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126. As [g]e mowe knowe by good resowne.
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126 As you may know by good reason.
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Articulus quartus.
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Fourth article.
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127. The fowrhe artycul thys moste be
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127 The fourth article this must be,
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128. That the mayster hym wel be-se,
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128 That the master him well besee,
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129. That he no bondemon prentys make,
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129 That he no bondman 'prentice make,
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130. Ny for no covetyse do hym take;
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130 Nor for no covetousness do him take;
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131. For the lord that he ys bonde to,
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131 For the lord that he is bound to,
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132. May fache the prentes whersever he go.
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132 May fetch the 'prentice wheresoever he go.
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133. Gef yn the logge he were y-take,
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133 If in the lodge he were ty-take, (taken)
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134. Muche desese hyt mygth ther make,
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134 Much dis-ease it might there make,
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135. And suche case hyt mygth befalle,
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135 And such case it might befal,
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136. That hyt mygth greve summe or alle.
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136 That it might grieve some or all.
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137. For alle the masonus tht ben there
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137 For all the masons that be there
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138. Wol stonde togedur hol y-fere
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138 Will stand together all y-fere. (together)
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139. Gef suche won yn that craft schulde swelle,
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139 If such one in that craft should dwell,
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140. Of dyvers desesys ge mygth telle:
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140 Of divers dis-eases you might tell;
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141. For more gese thenne, and of honeste,
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141 For more ease then, and of honesty,
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142. Take a prentes of herre degre.
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142 Take a 'prentice of higher degree.
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143. By olde tyme wryten y fynde
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143 By old time written I find
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144. That the prenes schulde be of gentyl kynde;
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144 That the 'prentice should be of gentle kind;
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145. And so symtyme grete lordys blod
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145 And so sometime, great lords' blood
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146. Toke thys gemetry, that ys ful good.
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146 Took this geometry that is full good.
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Articulus quintus.
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Fifth article.
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147. The fyfthe artycul ys swythe good,
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147 The fifth article is very good,
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148. So that the prentes be of lawful blod;
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148 So that the 'prentice be of lawful blood;
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149. The mayster schal not, for no vantage,
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149 The master shall not, for no advantage,
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150. Make no prentes that ys outrage;
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150 Make no 'prentice that is outrage; (deformed)
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151. Hyt ys to mene, as [g]e mowe here,
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151 It is to mean, as you may hear
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152. That he have hys lymes hole alle y-fere;
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152 That he have all his limbs whole all y-fere; (together)
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153. To the craft hyt were gret schame,
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153 To the craft it were great shame,
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154. To make an halt mon and a lame,
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154 To make a halt man and a lame,
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155. For an unperfyt mon of suche blod
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155 For an imperfect man of such blood
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156. Schulde do the craft but lytul good.
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156 Should do the craft but little good.
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157. Thus [g]e mowe knowe everychon,
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157 Thus you may know every one,
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158. The craft wolde have a my[g]hty mon;
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158 The craft would have a mighty man;
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159. A maymed mon he hath no my[g]ht,
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159 A maimed man he hath no might,
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160. [G]e mowe hyt knowe long [g]er ny[g]ht.
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160 You must it know long ere night.
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Articulus sextus.
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Sixth article.
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161. The syxte artycul [g]e mowe not mysse,
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161 The sixth article you must not miss
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162. That the mayster do the lord no pregedysse,
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162 That the master do the lord no prejudice,
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163. To take of the lord, for hyse prentyse,
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163 To take the lord for his 'prentice,
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164. Also muche as hys felows don, yn alle vyse.
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164 As much as his fellows do, in all wise.
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165. For yn that craft they ben ful perfyt,
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165 For in that craft they be full perfect,
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166. So ys not he, [g]e mowe sen hyt.
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166 So is not he, you must see it.
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167. Also hyt were a[g]eynus good reson,
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167 Also it were against good reason,
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168. To take hys, hure as hys felows don.
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168 To take his hire as his fellows don. (do)
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169. Thys same artycul, yn thys casse,
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169 This same article in this case,
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170. Juggythe the prentes to take lasse
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170 Judgeth his prentice to take less
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171. Thenne hys felows, that ben ful perfyt.
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171 Than his fellows, that be full perfect.
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172. Yn dyvers maters, conne qwyte hyt,
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172 In divers matters, know requite it,
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173. The mayster may his prentes so enforme,
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173 The master may his 'prentice so inform,
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174. That hys hure may crese ful [g]urne,
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174 That his hire may increase full soon,
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175. And, ger hys terme come to an ende,
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175 And ere his term come to an end,
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176. Hys hure may ful wel amende.
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176 His hire may full well amend.
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Articulus septimus.
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Seventh article.
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177. The seventhe artycul that ys now here,
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177 The seventh article that is now here,
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178. Ful wel wol telle gow, alle y-fere,
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178 Full well will tell you all y-fere (together)
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179. That no mayster, for favour ny drede,
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179 That no master for favour nor dread,
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180. Schal no thef nowther clothe ny fede.
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180 Shall no thief neither clothe nor feed.
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181. Theves he schal herberon never won,
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181 Thieves he shall harbour never one,
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182. Ny hym that hath y-quellude a mon,
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182 Nor him that hath killed a man,
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183. Wy thylike that hath a febul name,
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183 Nor the same that hath a feeble name,
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184. Lest hyt wolde turne the craft to schame.
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184 Lest it would turn the craft to shame.
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Articulus octavus.
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Eighth article.
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185. The eghte artycul schewt [g]ow so,
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185 The eighth article sheweth you so,
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186. That the mayster may hyt wel do,
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186 That the master may it well do.
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187. [G]ef that he have any mon of crafte,
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187 If that he have any man of craft,
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188. And be not also perfyt as he au[g]te,
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188 And he be not so perfect as he ought,
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189. He may hym change sone anon,
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189 He may him change soon anon,
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190. And take for hym a perfytur mon.
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190 And take for him a more perfect man.
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191. Suche a mon, thro[g]e rechelaschepe,
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191 Such a man through rechalaschepe, (recklessness)
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192. My[g]th do the craft schert worschepe.
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192 Might do the craft scant worship.
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Articulus nonus.
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Ninth article.
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193. The nynthe artycul schewet ful welle,
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193 The ninth article sheweth full well,
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194. That the mayster be both wyse and felle;
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194 That the master be both wise and felle; (strong)
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195. That no werke he undurtake,
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195 That he no work undertake,
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196. But he conne bothe hyt ende and make;
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196 Unless he can both it end and make;
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197. And that hyt be to the lordes profyt also,
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197 And that it be to the lords' profit also,
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198. And to hys craft, whersever he go;
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198 And to his craft, wheresoever he go;
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199. And that the grond be wel y-take,
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199 And that the ground be well y-take, (taken)
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200. That hyt nowther fle ny grake.
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200 That it neither flaw nor grake. (crack)
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Articulus decimus.
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Tenth article.
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201. The then the artycul ys for to knowe,
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201 The tenth article is for to know,
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202. Amonge the craft, to hye and lowe,
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202 Among the craft, to high and low,
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203. There schal no mayster supplante other,
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203 There shall no master supplant another,
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204. But be togeder as systur and brother,
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204 But be together as sister and brother,
|
205. Yn thys curyus craft, alle and som,
|
205 In this curious craft, all and some,
|
206. That longuth to a maystur mason.
|
206 That belongeth to a master mason.
|
207. Ny he schal not supplante non other mon,
|
207 Nor shall he supplant no other man,
|
208. That hath y-take a werke hym uppon,
|
208 That hath taken a work him upon,
|
209. Yn peyne therof that ys so stronge,
|
209 In pain thereof that is so strong,
|
210. That peyseth no lasse thenne ten ponge,
|
210 That weigheth no less than ten pounds.
|
211. But [g]ef that he be gulty y-fonde,
|
211 but if that he be guilty found,
|
212. That toke furst the werke on honde;
|
212 That took first the work on hand;
|
213. For no mon yn masonry
|
213 For no man in masonry
|
214. Schal no supplante othur securly,
|
214 Shall not supplant other securely,
|
215. But [g]ef that hyt be so y-wro[g]th,
|
215 But if that it be so wrought,
|
216. That hyt turne the werke to nogth;
|
216 That in turn the work to nought;
|
217. Thenne may a mason that werk crave,
|
217 Then may a mason that work crave,
|
218. To the lordes profyt hyt for to save;
|
218 To the lords' profit for it to save
|
219. Yn suche a case but hyt do falle,
|
219 In such a case if it do fall,
|
220. Ther schal no mason medul withalle.
|
220 There shall no mason meddle withal.
|
221. Forsothe he that begynnyth the gronde,
|
221 Forsooth he that beginneth the ground,
|
222. And he be a mason goode and sonde,
|
222 If he be a mason good and sound,
|
223. For hath hyt sycurly yn hys mynde
|
223 He hath it securely in his mind
|
224. To brynge the werke to ful good ende.
|
224 To bring the work to full good end.
|
Articulus undecimus.
|
Eleventh Article.
|
225. The eleventhe artycul y telle the,
|
225 The eleventh article I tell thee,
|
226. That he ys bothe fayr and fre;
|
226 That he is both fair and free
|
227. For he techyt, by hys my[g]th,
|
227 For he teacheth, by his might,
|
228. That no mason schulde worche be ny[g]th,
|
228 That no Mason should work by night
|
229. But [g]ef hyt be yn practesynge of wytte,
|
229 But if be in practising of wit,
|
230. [G]ef that y cowthe amende hytte.
|
230 If that I could amend it.
|
Articulus duodecimus.
|
Twelfth article.
|
231. The twelfthe artycul ys of hye honesté
|
231 The twelfth article is of high honesty
|
232. To [g]every mason, whersever he be;
|
232 To every mason wheresoever he be,
|
233. He schal not hys felows werk deprave,
|
233 He shall not his fellows' work deprave,
|
234. [G]ef that he wol hys honesté save;
|
234 If that he will his honesty save;
|
235. With honest wordes he hyt comende,
|
235 With honest words he it commend,
|
236. By the wytte that God the dede sende;
|
236 By the wit God did thee send;
|
237. Buy hyt amende by al that thou may,
|
237 But it amend by all that thou may,
|
238. Bytwynne [g]ow bothe withoute nay.
|
238 Between you both without nay. (doubt)
|
Articulus xiijus.
|
Thirteenth article.
|
239. The threttene artycul, so God me save,
|
239 The thirteenth article, so God me save,
|
240. Ys,[g]ef that the mayster a prentes have,
|
240 Is if that the master a 'prentice have,
|
241. Enterlyche thenne that he hym teche,
|
241 Entirely then that he him teach,
|
242. And meserable poyntes that he hym reche,
|
242 And measurable points that he him reche, (tell)
|
243. That he the craft abelyche may conne,
|
243 That he the craft ably may conne, (know)
|
244. Whersever he go undur the sonne.
|
244 Wheresoever he go under the sun.
|
Articulus xiiijus.
|
Fourteenth article.
|
245. The fowrtene artycul, by good reson,
|
245 The fourteenth article by good reason,
|
246. Scheweth the mayster how he schal don;
|
246 Sheweth the master how he shall don; (do)
|
247. He schal no prentes to hym take,
|
247 He shall no 'prentice to him take,
|
248. Byt dyvers crys he have to make,
|
248 Unless diver cares he have to make,
|
249. That he may, withynne hys terme,
|
249 That he may within his term,
|
250. Of hym dyvers poyntes may lurne.
|
250 Of him divers points may learn.
|
Articulus quindecimus.
|
Fifteenth article.
|
251. The fyftene artycul maketh an ende,
|
251 The fifteenth article maketh an end,
|
252. For to the mayster he ys a frende;
|
252 For to the master he is a friend;
|
253. To lere hym so, that for no mon,
|
253 To teach him so, that for no man,
|
254. No fals mantenans he take hym apon,
|
254 No false maintenance he take him upon,
|
255. Ny maynteine hys felows yn here synne,
|
255 Nor maintain his fellows in their sin,
|
256. For no good that he my[g]th wynne;
|
256 For no good that he might win;
|
257. Ny no fals sware sofre hem to make,
|
257 Nor no false oath suffer him to make,
|
258. For drede of here sowles sake;
|
258 For dread of their souls' sake,
|
259. Lest hyt wolde turne the craft to schame,
|
259 Lest it would turn the craft to shame,
|
260. And hymself to mechul blame.
|
260 And himself to very much blame.
|
Plures Constituciones.
|
Plural constitutions.
|
261. At thys semblé were poyntes y-ordeynt mo,
|
261 At this assembly were points ordained mo, (more)
|
262. Of grete lordys and maystrys also,
|
262 Of great lords and masters also.
|
263. That whose wol conne thys craft and com to astate,
|
263 That who will know this craft and come to estate,
|
264. He most love wel God, and holy churche algate,
|
264 He must love well God and holy church algate, (always)
|
265. And hys mayster also, that he ys wythe,
|
265 And his master also that he is with,
|
266. Whersever he go, yn fylde or frythe;
|
266 Wheresoever he go in field or frythe, (enclosed wood)
|
267. And thy felows thou love also,
|
267 And thy fellows thou love also,
|
268. For that they craft wol that thou do.
|
268 For that thy craft will that thou do.
|
Secundus punctus.
|
Second Point.
|
269. The secunde poynt, as y [g]ow say,
|
269 The second point as I you say,
|
270. That the mason worche apon the werk day,
|
270 That the mason work upon the work day,
|
271. Also trwly, as he con or may,
|
271 As truly as he can or may,
|
272. To deserve hys huyre for the halyday,
|
272 To deserve his hire for the holy-day,
|
273. And trwly to labrun on hys dede,
|
273 And truly to labour on his deed,
|
274. Wel deserve to have hys mede.
|
274 Well deserve to have his mede. (reward)
|
Tercius punctus.
|
Third point.
|
275. The thrydde poynt most be severele,
|
275 The third point must be severele, (severely)
|
276. With the prentes knowe hyt wele,
|
276 With the 'prentice know it well,
|
277. Hys mayster conwsel he kepe and close,
|
277 His master's counsel he keep and close,
|
278. And hys felows by hys goode purpose;
|
278 And his fellows by his good purpose;
|
279. The prevetyse of the chamber telle he no man,
|
279 The privities of the chamber tell he no man,
|
280. Ny yn the logge whatsever they done;
|
280 Nor in the lodge whatsoever they don; (do)
|
281. Whatsever thou heryst, or syste hem do,
|
281 Whatsoever thou hearest or seest them do,
|
282. Telle hyt no mon, whersever thou go;
|
282 Tell it no man wheresoever you go;
|
283. The conwsel of halls, and [g]eke of bowre,
|
283 The counsel of hall, and even of bower,
|
284. Kepe hyt wel to gret honowre,
|
284 Keep it well to great honour,
|
285. Lest hyt wolde torne thyself to blame,
|
285 Lest it would turn thyself to blame,
|
286. And brynge the craft ynto gret schame.
|
286 And bring the craft into great shame.
|
Quartus punctus.
|
Fourth point.
|
287. The fowrthe poynt techyth us alse,
|
287 The fourth point teacheth us alse, (also)
|
288. That no mon to hys craft be false;
|
288 That no man to his craft be false;
|
289. Errour he schal maynteine none
|
289 Error he shall maintain none
|
290. A[g]eynus the craft, but let hyt gone;
|
290 Against the craft, but let it gone; (go)
|
291. Ny no pregedysse he schal not do
|
291 Nor no prejudice he shall not do
|
292. To hys mayster, ny hys felows also;
|
292 To his master, nor his fellow also;
|
293. And that[g]th the prentes be under awe,
|
293 And though the 'prentice be under awe,
|
294. [G]et he wolde have the same lawe.
|
294 Yet he would have the same law.
|
Quintus punctus.
|
Fifth point.
|
295. The fyfthe poynte ys, withoute nay,
|
295 The fifth point is without nay, (doubt)
|
296. That whenne the mason taketh hys pay
|
296 That when the mason taketh his pay
|
297. Of the mayster, y-ordent to hym,
|
297 Of the master, ordained to him,
|
298. Ful mekely y-take so most hyt byn;
|
298 Full meekly taken so must it byn; (be)
|
299. [G]et most the mayster, by good resone,
|
299 Yet must the master by good reason,
|
300. Warne hem lawfully byfore none,
|
300 Warn him lawfully before noon,
|
301. [G]ef he nulle okepye hem no more,
|
301 If he will not occupy him no more,
|
302. As he hath y-done ther byfore;
|
302 As he hath done there before;
|
303. A[g]eynus thys ordyr he may not stryve,
|
303 Against this order he may not strive,
|
304. [G]ef he thenke wel for to thryve.
|
304 If he think well for to thrive.
|
Sextus punctus.
|
Sixth Point.
|
305. The syxte poynt ys ful [g]ef to knowe,
|
305 The sixth point is full given to know,
|
306. Bothe to hye and eke to lowe,
|
306 Both to high and even to low
|
307. For suche case hyt my[g]th befalle,
|
307 For such case it might befall;
|
308. Amonge the masonus, summe or alle,
|
308 Among the masons some or all,
|
309. Throwghe envye, or dedly hate,
|
309 Through envy or deadly hate
|
310. Ofte aryseth ful gret debate.
|
310 Oft ariseth full great debate.
|
311. Thenne owyth the mason, [g]ef that he may,
|
311 Then ought the mason if that he may,
|
312. Putte hem bothe under a day;
|
312 Put them both under a day;
|
313. But loveday [g]et schul they make none;
|
313 But loveday yet shall they make none,
|
314. Tyl that the werke day be clene a-gone;
|
314 Till that the work-day be clean gone
|
315. Apon the holyday [g]e mowe wel take
|
315 Upon the holy-day you must well take
|
316. Leyser y-now[g]gth loveday to make,
|
316 Leisure enough loveday to make,
|
317. Lest that hyt wolde the werke day
|
317 Lest that it would the work-day
|
318. Latte here werke for suche afray;
|
318 Hinder their work for such a fray;
|
319. To suche ende thenne that hem drawe,
|
319 To such end then that you them draw.
|
320. That they stonde wel yn Goddes lawe.
|
320 That they stand well in God's Law
|
Septimus punctus.
|
Seventh point.
|
321. The seventhe poynt he may wel mene,
|
321 The seventh point he may well mean
|
322. Of wel longe lyf that God us lene,
|
322 Of well long life that God us lene, (lend)
|
323. As hyt dyscryeth wel opunly,
|
323 As it descrieth well openly
|
324. Thou schal not by thy maysters wyf ly,
|
324 Thou shalt not by thy master's wife lie,
|
325. Ny by the felows, yn no maner wyse,
|
325 Nor by thy fellow's, in no manner wise
|
326. Lest the craft wolde the despyse;
|
326 Lest the craft would thee despise;
|
327. Ny by the felows concubyne,
|
327 Nor by the fellow's concubine
|
328. No more thou woldest he dede by thyne.
|
328 No more thou wouldst he did by thine.
|
329. The peyne thereof let hyt be ser,
|
329 The pain thereof, let it be sure
|
330. That he prentes ful seven [g]er,
|
330 That he be 'prentice full seven year,
|
331. [G]ef he forfete yn eny of hem,
|
331 If he forfeit in any of them
|
332. So y-chasted thenne most he ben;
|
332 So chastised then must he ben; (be)
|
333. Ful mekele care my[g]th ther begynne,
|
333 Full much care might there begin,
|
334. For suche a fowle dedely synne.
|
334 For such a foul deadly sin.
|
Octavus punctus.
|
Eighth point.
|
335. The eghte poynt, he may be sure,
|
335 The eighth point, he may be sure,
|
336. [G]ef thou hast y-taken any cure,
|
336 If thou hast taken any cure,
|
337. Under thy mayster thou be trwe,
|
337 Under thy master thou be true,
|
338. For that pynt thou schalt never arewe;
|
338 For that point thou shalt never rue;
|
339. A trwe medyater thou most nede be
|
339 A true mediator thou must needs be
|
340. To thy mayster, and thy felows fre;
|
340 To thy master, and thy fellows free;
|
341. Do trwly al....that thou my[g]th,
|
341 Do truly all that thou might,
|
342. To both partyes, and that ys good ry[g]th.
|
342 To both parties, and that is good right.
|
Nonus punctus.
|
Ninth point.
|
343. The nynthe poynt we schul hym calle,
|
343 The ninth point we shall him call,
|
344. That he be stwarde of oure halle,
|
344 That he be steward of our hall,
|
345. Gef that ge ben yn chambur y-fere,
|
345 If that you be in chamber y-fere, (together)
|
346. Uchon serve other, with mylde chere;
|
346 Each one serve other with mild cheer;
|
347. Jentul felows, ge moste hyt knowe,
|
347 Gentle fellows, you must it know,
|
348. For to be stwardus alle o rowe,
|
348 For to be stewards all o-rowe, (in turn)
|
349. Weke after weke withoute dowte,
|
349 Week after week without doubt,
|
350. Stwardus to ben so alle abowte,
|
350 Stewards to be so all in turn about,
|
351. Lovelyche to serven uchon othur,
|
351 Amiably to serve each one other,
|
352. As thawgh they were syster and brother;
|
352 As though they were sister and brother;
|
353. Ther schal never won on other costage
|
353 There shall never one another costage (cost)
|
354. Fre hymself to no vantage,
|
354 Free himself to no advantage,
|
355. But every mon schal be lyche fre
|
355 But every man shall be equally free
|
356. Yn that costage, so moste hyt be;
|
356 In that cost, so must it be;
|
357. Loke that thou pay wele every mon algate,
|
357 Look that thou pay well every man algate, (always)
|
358. That thou hsat y-bow[g]ht any vytayles ate,
|
358 That thou hast bought any victuals ate, (eaten)
|
359. That no cravynge be y-mad to the,
|
359 That no craving be made to thee,
|
360. Ny to thy felows, yn no degré,
|
360 Nor to thy fellows in no degree,
|
361. To mon or to wommon, whether he be,
|
361 To man or to woman, whoever he be,
|
362. Pay hem wel and trwly, for that wol we;
|
362 Pay them well and truly, for that will we;
|
363. Therof on thy felow trwe record thou take,
|
363 Thereof on thy fellow true record thou take,
|
364. For that good pay as thou dost make,
|
364 For that good pay as thou dost make,
|
365. Lest hyt wolde thy felowe schame,
|
365 Lest it would thy fellow shame,
|
366. Any brynge thyself ynto gret blame.
|
366 And bring thyself into great blame.
|
367. [G]et good acowntes he most make
|
367 Yet good accounts he must make
|
368. Of suche godes as he hath y-take,
|
368 Of such goods as he hath y-take (taken)
|
369. Of thy felows goodes that thou hast spende,
|
369 Of thy fellows' goods that thou hast spende, (spent)
|
370. Wher, and how, and to what ende;
|
370 Where and how and to what end;
|
371. Suche acowntes thou most come to,
|
371 Such accounts thou must come to,
|
372. Whenne thy felows wollen that thou do.
|
372 When thy fellows wish that thou do.
|
Decimus punctus.
|
Tenth point.
|
373. The tenthe poynt presentyeth wel god lyf,
|
373 The tenth point presenteth well good life,
|
374. To lyven withoute care and stryf;
|
374 To live without care and strife;
|
375. For and the mason lyve amysse,
|
375 For if the mason live amiss,
|
376. And yn hys werk be false, y-wysse,
|
376 And in his work be false y-wisse, (I know)
|
377. And thorw[g] suche a false skewysasyon
|
377 And through such a false skewsasyon (excuse)
|
378. May sclawndren hys felows oute reson,
|
378 May slander his fellows without reason,
|
379. Throw[g] false sclawnder of suche fame
|
379 Through false slander of such fame.
|
380. May make the craft kachone blame.
|
380 May make the craft acquire blame.
|
381. [G]ef he do the craft suche vylany,
|
381 If he do the craft such villainy,
|
382. Do hym no favour thenne securly.
|
382 Do him no favour then securely,
|
383. Ny maynteine not hym yn wyked lyf,
|
383 Nor maintain not him in wicked life,
|
384. Lest hyt wolde turne to care and stryf;
|
384 Lest it would turn to care and strife;
|
385. But get hym [g]e schul not delayme,
|
385 But yet him you shall not delayme, (delay)
|
386. But that [g]e schullen hym constrayne,
|
386 Unless that you shall him constrain,
|
387. For to apere whersevor [g]e wylle,
|
387 For to appear wheresoever you will,
|
388. Whar that [g]e wolen, lowde, or stylle;
|
388 Where that you will, loud, or still;
|
389. To the nexte semblé [g]e schul hym calle,
|
389 To the next assembly you shall him call,
|
390. To apere byfore hys felows alle,
|
390 To appear before his fellows all,
|
391. And but [g]ef he wyl byfore hem pere,
|
391 And unless he will before them appear,
|
392. The crafte he moste nede forswere;
|
392 The craft he must need forswear;
|
393. He schal thenne be chasted after the lawe
|
393 He shall then be punished after the law
|
394. That was y-fownded by olde dawe.
|
394 That was founded by old dawe. (day)
|
Punctus undecimus.
|
< point. Eleventh>
|
395. The eleventhe poynt ys of good dyscrecyoun,
|
395 The eleventh point is of good discretion,
|
396. As [g]e mowe knowe by good resoun;
|
396 As you must know by good reason;
|
397. A mason, and he thys craft wel con,
|
397 A mason, if he this craft well con, (know,
|
398. That sy[g]th hys felow hewen on a ston,
|
398 That seeth his fellow hew on a stone,
|
399. And ys yn poynt to spylle that ston,
|
399 And is in point to spoil that stone,
|
400. Amende hyt sone, [g]ef that thou con,
|
400 Amend it soon if that thou can,
|
401. And teche hym thenne hyt to amende,
|
401 And teach him then it to amend,
|
402. That the l(ordys) werke be not y-schende,
|
402 That the lords' work be not y-schende, (spoiled)
|
403. And teche hym esely hyt to amende,
|
403 And teach him easily it to amend,
|
404. With fayre wordes, that God the hath lende;
|
404 With fair words, that God thee hath lende; (lent)
|
405. For hys sake that sytte above,
|
405 For his sake that sit above,
|
406. With swete wordes noresche hym love.
|
406 With sweet words nourish his love.
|
Punctus duodecimus.
|
Twelfth point.
|
407. The twelthe poynt of gret ryolté,
|
407 The twelfth point is of great royalty,
|
408. Ther as the semblé y-hole schal be,
|
408 There as the assembly held shall be,
|
409. Ther schul be maystrys and felows also,
|
409 There shall be masters and fellows also,
|
410. And other grete lordes mony mo;
|
410 And other great lords many mo; (more)
|
411. There schal be the scheref of that contré,
|
411 There shall be the sheriff of that country,
|
412. And also the meyr of that syté,
|
412 And also the mayor of that city,
|
413. Kny[g]tes and sqwyers ther schul be,
|
413 Knights and squires there shall be,
|
414. And other aldermen, as [g]e schul se;
|
414 And also aldermen, as you shall see;
|
415. Suche ordynance as they maken there,
|
415 Such ordinance as they make there,
|
416. They schul maynté hyt hol y-fere
|
416 They shall maintain it all y-fere (together)
|
417. A[g]eynus that mon, whatsever he be,
|
417 Against that man, whatsoever he be,
|
418. That longuth to the craft bothe fayr and fre.
|
418 That belongeth to the craft both fair and free.
|
419. [G]ef he any stryf a[g]eynus hem make,
|
419 If he any strife against them make,
|
420. Ynto here warde he schal be take.
|
420 Into their custody he shall be take. (taken)
|
xiijus punctus.
|
Thirteenth point.
|
421. The threnteth poynt ys to us ful luf.
|
421 The thirteenth point is to us full lief,
|
422. He schal swere never to be no thef,
|
422 He shall swear never to be no thief,
|
423. Ny soker hym yn hys fals craft,
|
423 Nor succour him in his false craft,
|
424. For no good that he hath byraft,
|
424 For no good that he hath byraft; (bereft)
|
425. And thou mowe hyt knowe or syn,
|
425 And thou must it know or sin,
|
426. Nowther for hys good, ny for hys kyn.
|
426 Neither for his good, nor for his kin.
|
xiiijus punctus.
|
Fourteenth point.
|
427. The fowrtethe poynt ys ful good lawe
|
427 The fourteenth point is full good law
|
428. To hym that wold ben under awe;
|
428 To him that would be under awe;
|
429. A good trwe othe he most ther swere
|
429 A good true oath he must there swear
|
430. To hys mayster and hys felows that ben there;
|
430 To his master and his fellows that be there;
|
431. He most be stedefast and trwe also
|
431 He must be steadfast and also true
|
432. To alle thys ordynance, whersever he go,
|
432 To all this ordinance, wheresoever he go,
|
433. And to hys lyge lord the kynge,
|
433 And to his liege lord the king,
|
434. To be trwe to hym, over alle thynge.
|
434 To be true to him over all thing.
|
435. And alle these poyntes hyr before
|
435 And all these points here before
|
436. To hem thou most nede by y-swore,
|
436 To them thou must need be y-swore, (sworn)
|
437. And alle schul swere the same ogth
|
437 And all shall swear the same oath
|
438. Of the masonus, be they luf, ben they loght,
|
438 Of the masons, be they lief be they loath.
|
439. To alle these poyntes hyr byfore,
|
439 To all these points here before,
|
440. That hath ben ordeynt by ful good lore.
|
440 That hath been ordained by full good lore.
|
441. And they schul enquere every mon
|
441 And they shall enquire every man
|
442. On his party, as wyl as he con,
|
442 Of his party, as well as he can,
|
443. [G]ef any mon mowe be y-fownde gulty
|
443 If any man may be found guilty
|
444. Yn any of these poyntes spesyaly;
|
444 In any of these points specially;
|
445. And whad he be, let hym be sow[g]ht,
|
445 And who he be, let him be sought,
|
446. And to the sembl&3233; let hym be brow[g]ht.
|
446 And to the assembly let him be brought.
|
Quindecimus punctus.
|
Fifteen point.
|
447. The fiftethe poynt ys of ful good lore,
|
447 The fifteenth point is of full good lore,
|
448. For hem that schul ben ther y-swore,
|
448 For them that shall be there y-swore, (sworn)
|
449. Suche ordyance at the semblé wes layd
|
449 Such ordinance at the assembly was laid
|
450. Of grete lordes and maystres byforesayd;
|
450 Of great lords and masters before said;
|
451. For thelke that be unbuxom, y-wysse,
|
451 For the same that be disobedient, y-wisse, (I know)
|
452. A[g]eynus the ordynance that ther ysse
|
452 Against the ordinance that there is,
|
453. Of these artyculus, that were y-meved there,
|
453 Of these articles that were moved there,
|
454. Of grete lordes and masonus al y-fere.
|
454 Of great lords and masons all y-fere, (together)
|
455. And [g]ef they ben y-preved opunly
|
455 And if they be proved openly
|
456. Byfore that semblé, by an by,
|
456 Before that assembly, by and by,
|
457. And for here gultes no mendys wol make,
|
457 And for their guilt's no amends will make,
|
458. Thenne most they nede the crafy forsake;
|
458 Then must they need the craft forsake;
|
459. And so masonus craft they schul refuse,
|
459 And no masons craft they shall refuse,
|
460. And swere hyt never more for to use.
|
460 And swear it never more to use.
|
461. But [g]ef that they wol mendys make,
|
461 But if that they will amends make,
|
462. A[g]ayn to the craft they schul never take;
|
462 Again to the craft they shall never take;
|
463. And [g]ef that they nul not do so,
|
463 And if that they will not do so,
|
464. The scheref schal come hem sone to,
|
464 The sheriff shall come them soon to,
|
465. And putte here bodyes yn duppe prison,
|
465 And put their bodies in deep prison,
|
466. For the trespasse that they hav y-don,
|
466 For the trespass that they have done,
|
467. And take here goodes and here cattelle
|
467 And take their goods and their cattle
|
468. Ynto the kynges hond, everyt delle,
|
468 Into the king's hand, every delle, (part)
|
469. And lete hem dwelle ther full stylle,
|
469 And let them dwell there full still,
|
470. Tyl hyt be oure lege kynges wylle.
|
470 Till it be our liege king's will.
|
Alia ordinacio artis gematriae.
|
Another ordinance of the art of geometry.
|
471. They ordent ther a semblé to be y-holde
|
471 They ordained there an assembly to be y-holde, (hold)
|
472. Every [g]er, whersever they wolde,
|
472 Every year, wheresoever they would,
|
473. To amende the defautes, [g]ef any where fonde
|
473 To amend the defaults, if any were found
|
474. Amonge the craft withynne the londe;
|
474 Among the craft within the land;
|
475. Uche [g]er or thrydde [g]er hyt schuld be holde,
|
475 Each year or third year it should be holde, (held)
|
476. Yn every place whersever they wolde;
|
476 In every place weresoever they would;
|
477. Tyme and place most be ordeynt also,
|
477 Time and place must be ordained also,
|
478. Yn what place they schul semble to.
|
478 In what place they should assemble to,
|
479. Alle the men of craft tehr they most ben,
|
479 All the men of craft there they must be,
|
480. And other grete lordes, as [g]e mowe sen,
|
480 And other great lords, as you must see,
|
481. To mende the fautes that buth ther y-spoke,
|
481 To mend the faults that he there spoken,
|
482. [G]ef that eny of hem ben thenne y-broke.
|
482 If that any of them be then broken.
|
483. Ther they schullen ben alle y-swore,
|
483 There they shall be all y-swore, (sworn)
|
484. That longuth to thys craftes lore,
|
484 That belongeth to this craft's lore,
|
485. To kepe these statutes everychon,
|
485 To keep their statutes every one
|
486. That ben y-ordeynt by kynge Aldelston;
|
486 That were ordained by King Athelstane;
|
487. These statutes that y have hyr y-fonde
|
487 These statutes that I have here found
|
488. Y chulle they ben holde thro[g]h my londe,
|
488 I ordain they be held through my land,
|
489. For the worsche of my ry[g]olté,
|
489 For the worship of my royalty,
|
490. That y have by my dygnyté.
|
490 That I have by my dignity.
|
491. Also at every semblé that [g]e holde,
|
491 Also at every assembly that you hold,
|
492. That ge come to [g]owre lyge kyng bolde,
|
492 That you come to your liege king bold,
|
493. Bysechynge hym of hys hye grace,
|
493 Beseeching him of his high grace,
|
494. To stonde with [g]ow yn every place,
|
494 To stand with you in every place,
|
495. To conferme the statutes of kynge Adelston,
|
495 To confirm the statutes of King Athelstane,
|
496. That he ordeydnt to thys craft by good reson,
|
496 That he ordained to this craft by good reason.
|
Ars quatuor coronatorum.
|
The art of the four crowned ones.
|
497. Pray we now to God almy[g]ht,
|
497 Pray we now to God almight, (almighty)
|
498. And to hys moder Mary bry[g]ht,
|
498 And to his mother Mary bright,
|
499. That we mowe keepe these artyculus here,
|
499 That we may keep these articles here,
|
500. And these poynts wel al y-fere,
|
500 And these points well all y-fere, (together)
|
501. As dede these holy martyres fowre,
|
501 As did these holy martyrs four,
|
502. That yn thys craft were of gret honoure;
|
502 That in this craft were of great honour;
|
503. They were as gode masonus as on erthe schul go,
|
503 They were as good masons as on earth shall go,
|
504. Gravers and ymage-makers they were also.
|
504 Gravers and image-makers they were also.
|
505. For they were werkemen of the beste,
|
505 For they were workmen of the best,
|
506. The emperour hade to hem gret luste;
|
506 The emperor had to them great luste; (liking)
|
507. He wylned of hem a ymage to make,
|
507 He willed of them an image to make
|
508. That mow[g]h be worscheped for his sake;
|
508 That might be worshipped for his sake;
|
509. Suche mawmetys he hade yn hys dawe,
|
509 Such monuments he had in his dawe, (day)
|
510. To turne the pepul from Crystus lawe.
|
510 To turn the people from Christ's law.
|
511. But they were stedefast yn Crystes lay,
|
511 But they were steadfast in Christ's lay, (law)
|
512. And to here craft, withouten nay;
|
512 And to their craft without nay; (doubt)
|
513. They loved wel God and alle hys lore,
|
513 They loved well God and all his lore,
|
514. And weren yn hys serves ever more.
|
514 And were in his service ever more.
|
515. Trwe men they were yn that dawe,
|
515 True men they were in that dawe, (day)
|
516. And lyved wel y Goddus lawe;
|
516 And lived well in God's law;
|
517. They tho[g]ght no mawmetys for to make,
|
517 They thought no monuments for to make,
|
518. For no good that they my[g]th take,
|
518 For no good that they might take,
|
519. To levyn on that mawmetys for here God,
|
519 To believe on that monument for their God,
|
520. They nolde do so thaw[g] he were wod;
|
520 They would not do so, though he were wod; (furious)
|
521. For they nolde not forsake here trw fay,
|
521 For they would not forsake their true fay, (faith)
|
522. An beyleve on hys falsse lay.
|
522 And believe on his false lay, (law)
|
523. The emperour let take hem sone anone,
|
523 The emperor let take them soon anon,
|
524. And putte hem ynto a dep presone;
|
524 And put them in a deep prison;
|
525. The sarre he penest hem yn that plase,
|
525 The more sorely he punished them in that place,
|
526. The more yoye wes to hem of Cristus grace.
|
526 The more joy was to them of Christ's grace,
|
527. Thenne when he sye no nother won,
|
527 Then when he saw no other one,
|
528. To dethe he lette hem thenne gon;
|
528 To death he let them then gon; (go)
|
529. Whose wol of here lyf [g]et mor knowe,
|
529 Whose will of their life yet more know
|
530. By the bok he may kyt schowe,
|
530 By the book he might it show
|
531. In the legent of scanctorum,
|
531 In the legend of sanctorum (holy ones)
|
532. The name of quatour coronatorum.
|
532 The names of the quatuor coronatorum.
|
533. Here fest wol be, withoute nay,
|
533 Their feast will be without nay, (doubt)
|
534. After Alle Halwen the eyght day.
|
534 After Hallow-e'en the eighth day.
|
535. [G]e mow here as y do rede,
|
535 You may hear as I do read,
|
536. That mony [g]eres after, for gret drede
|
536 That many years after, for great dread
|
537. That Noees flod wes alle y-ronne,
|
537 That Noah's flood was all run,
|
538. The tower of Babyloyne was begonne,
|
538 The tower of Babylon was begun,
|
539. Also playne werke of lyme and ston,
|
539 As plain work of lime and stone,
|
540. As any mon schulde loke uppon;
|
540 As any man should look upon;
|
541. So long and brod hyt was begonne,
|
541 So long and broad it was begun,
|
542. Seven myle the he[g]ghte schadweth the sonne.
|
542 Seven miles the height shadoweth the sun.
|
543. King Nabogodonosor let hyt make,
|
543 King Nebuchadnezzar let it make
|
544. To gret strenthe for monus sake,
|
544 To great strength for man's sake,
|
545. Tha[g]gh suche a flod a[g]ayne schulde come,
|
545 Though such a flood again should come,
|
546. Over the werke hyt schulde not nome;
|
546 Over the work it should not nome; (take)
|
547. For they hadde so hy pride, with stronge bost,
|
547 For they had so high pride, with strong boast
|
548. Alle that werke therfore was y-lost;
|
548 All that work therefore was lost;
|
549. An angele smot hem so with dyveres speche,
|
549 An angel smote them so with divers speech,
|
550. That never won wyste what other schuld reche.
|
550 That never one knew what the other should reche. (tell)
|
551. Mony eres after, the goode clerk Euclyde
|
551 Many years after, the good clerk Euclid
|
552. Ta[g]ghte the craft of gemetré wonder wyde,
|
552 Taught the craft of geometry full wonder wide,
|
553. So he ded that tyme other also,
|
553 So he did that other time also,
|
554. Of dyvers craftes mony mo.
|
554 Of divers crafts many mo. (more)
|
555. Thro[g]gh hye grace of Crist yn heven,
|
555 Through high grace of Christ in heaven,
|
556. He commensed yn the syens seven;
|
556 He commenced in the sciences seven;
|
557. Gramatica ys the furste syens y-wysse,
|
557 Grammar is the first science I know,
|
558. Dialetica the secunde, so have y blysse,
|
558 Dialect the second, so I have I bliss,
|
559. Rethorica the thrydde, withoute nay,
|
559 Rhetoric the third without nay, (doubt)
|
560. Musica ys the fowrth, as y [g]ow say,
|
560 Music is the fourth, as I you say,
|
561. Astromia ys the v, by my snowte,
|
561 Astronomy is the fifth, by my snout,
|
562. Arsmetica the vi, withoute dowte
|
562 Arithmetic the sixth, without doubt,
|
563. Gemetria the seventhe maketh an ende,
|
563 Geometry the seventh maketh an end,
|
564. For he ys bothe make and hende,
|
564 For he is both meek and hende, (courteous)
|
565. Gramer forsothe ys the rote,
|
565 Grammar forsooth is the root,
|
566. Whose wyl lurne on the boke;
|
566 Whoever will learn on the book;
|
567. But art passeth yn hys degré,
|
567 But art passeth in his degree,
|
568. As the fryte doth the rote of the tre;
|
568 As the fruit doth the root of the tree;
|
569. Rethoryk metryth with orne speche amonge,
|
569 Rhetoric measureth with ornate speech among,
|
570. And musyke hyt ys a swete song;
|
570 And music it is a sweet song;
|
571. Astronomy nombreth, my dere brother,
|
571 Astronomy numbereth, my dear brother,
|
572. Arsmetyk scheweth won thyng that ys another,
|
572 Arithmetic sheweth one thing that is another,
|
573. Gemetré the seventh syens hyt ysse,
|
573 Geometry the seventh science it is,
|
574. That con deperte falshed from trewthe y-wys.
|
574 That can separate falsehood from truth, y-wis. (I know)
|
575. These bene the syens seven,
|
575 These be the sciences seven,
|
576. Whose useth hem wel, he may han heven.
|
576 Who useth them well he may have heaven.
|
577. Now dere chyldren, by [g]owre wytte,
|
577 Now dear children by your wit
|
578. Pride and covetyse that [g]e leven, hytte,
|
578 Pride and covetousness that you leave it,
|
579. And taketh hede to goode dyscrecyon,
|
579 And taketh heed to good discretion,
|
580. And to good norter, whersever [g]e com.
|
580 And to good nurture, wheresoever you come.
|
581. Now y pray [g]ow take good hede,
|
581 Now I pray you take good heed,
|
582. For thys [g]e most kenne nede,
|
582 For this you must know nede, (needs)
|
583. But much more [g]e moste wyten,
|
583 But much more you must wyten, (know)
|
584. Thenne [g]e fynden hyr y-wryten.
|
584 Than you find here written.
|
585. [G]ef the fayle therto wytte,
|
585 If thee fail thereto wit,
|
586. Pray to God to send the hytte;
|
586 Pray to God to send thee it:
|
587. For Crist hymself, he techet ous
|
587 For Christ himself, he teacheth ous (us)
|
588. That holy churche ys Goddes hous,
|
588 That holy church is God's house,
|
589. That ys y-mad for nothynge ellus
|
589 That is made for nothing ellus (else)
|
590. but for to pray yn, as the bok tellus;
|
590 But for to pray in, as the book tellus; (tells us)
|
591. Ther the pepul schal gedur ynne,
|
591 There the people shall gather in,
|
592. To pray and wepe for here synne.
|
592 To pray and weep for their sin.
|
593. Loke thou come not to churche late,
|
593 Look thou come not to church late,
|
594. For to speke harlotry by the gate;
|
594 For to speak harlotry by the gate;
|
595. Thenne to churche when thou dost fare,
|
595 Then to church when thou dost fare,
|
596. Have yn thy mynde ever mare
|
596 Have in thy mind ever mare (more)
|
597. To worschepe thy lord God bothe day and ny[g]th,
|
597 To worship thy lord God both day and night,
|
598. With all thy wyttes, and eke thy my[g]th.
|
598 With all thy wits and even thy might.
|
599. To the churche dore when tou dost come,
|
599 To the church door when thou dost come
|
600. Of that holy water ther sum thow nome,
|
600 Of that holy water there some thou nome, (take)
|
601. For every drope thou felust ther
|
601 For every drop thou feelest there
|
602. Qwenchet a venyal synne, be thou ser.
|
602 Quencheth a venial sin, be thou ser. (sure)
|
603. But furst thou most do down thy hode,
|
603 But first thou must do down thy hood,
|
604. For hyse love that dyed on the rode.
|
604 For his love that died on the rood.
|
605. Into the churche when thou dost gon,
|
605 Into the church when thou dost gon, (go)
|
606. Pulle uppe thy herte to Crist, anon;
|
606 Pull up thy heart to Christ, anon;
|
607. Uppon the rode thou loke uppe then,
|
607 Upon the rood thou look up then,
|
608. And knele down fayre on bothe thy knen;
|
608 And kneel down fair upon thy knen, (knees)
|
609. Then pray to hym so hyr to worche,
|
609 Then pray to him so here to worche (work)
|
610. After the lawe of holy churche,
|
610 After the law of holy church,
|
611. For to kepe the comandementes ten,
|
611 For to keep the commandments ten,
|
612. That God [g]af to alle men;
|
612 That God gave to all men;
|
613. And pray to hym with mylde steven
|
613 And pray to him with mild steven (voice)
|
614. To kepe the from the synnes seven,
|
614 To keep thee from the sins seven,
|
615. That thou hyr mowe, yn thy lyve,
|
615 That thou here may, in this life,
|
616. Kepe the wel from care and stryve,
|
616 Keep thee well from care and strife;
|
617. Forthermore he grante the grace,
|
617 Furthermore he grant thee grace,
|
618. In heven blysse to hav a place.
|
618 In heaven's bliss to have a place.
|
619. In holy churche lef nyse wordes
|
619 In holy church leave trifling words
|
620. Of lewed speche, and fowle bordes,
|
620 Of lewd speech and foul bordes, (jests)
|
621. And putte away alle vanyté,
|
621 And put away all vanity,
|
622. And say thy pater noster and thyn ave;
|
622 And say thy pater noster and thine ave;
|
623. Loke also thou make no bere,
|
623 Look also that thou make no bere, (noise)
|
624. But ay to be yn thy prayere;
|
624 But always to be in thy prayer;
|
625. [G]ef thou wolt not thyselve pray,
|
625 If thou wilt not thyself pray,
|
626. Latte non other mon by no way.
|
626 Hinder no other man by no way.
|
627. In that place nowther sytte ny stonde,
|
627 In that place neither sit nor stand,
|
628. But knele fayre down on the gronde,
|
628 But kneel fair down on the ground,
|
629. And, when the Gospel me rede schal,
|
629 And when the Gospel me read shall,
|
630. Fayre thou stonde up fro the wal,
|
630 Fairly thou stand up from the wall,
|
631. And blesse the fayre, [g]ef that thou conne,
|
631 And bless the fare if that thou can,
|
632. When gloria tibi is begonne;
|
632 When gloria tibi is begun;
|
633. And when the gospel ys y-done,
|
633 And when the gospel is done,
|
634. A[g]ayn thou my[g]th knele adown;
|
634 Again thou might kneel down,
|
635. On bothe thy knen down thou falle,
|
635 On both knees down thou fall,
|
636. For hyse love that bow[g]ht us alle;
|
636 For his love that bought us all;
|
637. And when thou herest the belle rynge
|
637 And when thou hearest the bell ring
|
638. To that holy sakerynge,
|
638 To that holy sakerynge, (sacrament)
|
639. Knele [g]e most, bothe [g]yn[g]e and olde,
|
639 Kneel you must both young and old,
|
640. And bothe [g]or hondes fayr upholde,
|
640 And both your hands fair uphold,
|
641. And say thenne yn thys manere,
|
641 And say then in this manner,
|
642. Fayr and softe, withoute bere;
|
642 Fair and soft without noise;
|
643. "Jhesu Lord, welcom thou be,
|
643 "Jesu Lord welcome thou be,
|
644. Yn forme of bred, as y the se.
|
644 In form of bread as I thee see,
|
645. Now Jhesu, for thyn holy name,
|
645 Now Jesu for thine holy name,
|
646. Schulde me from synne and schame,
|
646 Shield me from sin and shame;
|
647. Schryff and hosel thou grant me bo,
|
647 Shrift and Eucharist thou grant me bo, (both)
|
648. [G]er that y schal hennus go,
|
648 Ere that I shall hence go,
|
649. And vey contrycyon of my synne,
|
649 And very contrition for my sin,
|
650. Tath y never, Lord, dye therynne;
|
650 That I never, Lord, die therein;
|
651. And, as thou were of a mayde y-bore,
|
651 And as thou were of maid y-bore (born)
|
652. Sofre me never to be y-lore;
|
652 Suffer me never to be y-lore; (lost)
|
653. But when y schal hennus wende,
|
653 But when I shall hence wend,
|
654. Grante me the blysse withoute ende;
|
654 Grant me the bliss without end;
|
655. Amen! amen! so mot hyt be!
|
655 Amen! Amen! so mote it be!
|
656. Now, swete lady, pray for me."
|
656 Now sweet lady pray for me."
|
657. Thus thou my[g]ht say, or sum other thynge,
|
657 Thus thou might say, or some other thing,
|
658. When thou knelust at the sakerynge.
|
658 When thou kneelest at the sakerynge. (sacrament)
|
659. For covetyse after good, spare thou nought
|
659 For covetousness after good, spare thou not
|
660. To worschepe hym that alle hath wrought;
|
660 To worship him that all hath wrought;
|
661. For glad may a mon that day ben,
|
661 For glad may a man that day be,
|
662. That onus yn the day may hym sen;
|
662 That once in the day may him see;
|
663. Hyt ys so muche worthe, withoute nay,
|
663 It is so much worth, without nay, (doubt)
|
664. The vertu therof no mon telle may;
|
664 The virtue thereof no man tell may;
|
665. But so meche good doth that syht,
|
665 But so much good doth that sight,
|
666. As seynt Austyn telluth ful ryht,
|
666 That Saint Austin telleth full right,
|
667. That day thou syst Goddus body,
|
667 That day thou seest God's body,
|
668. Thou schalt have these, ful securly:-
|
668 Thou shalt have these full securely:-
|
669. Mete and drynke at thy nede,
|
669 Meet and drink at thy need,
|
670. Non that day schal the gnede;
|
670 None that day shalt thou gnede; (lack)
|
671. Ydul othes, an wordes bo,
|
671 Idle oaths and words bo, (both)
|
672. God for[g]eveth the also;
|
672 God forgiveth thee also;
|
673. Soden deth, that ylke day,
|
673 Sudden death that same day
|
674. The dar not drede by no way;
|
674 Thee dare not dread by no way;
|
675. Also that day, y the plyht,
|
675 Also that day, I thee plight,
|
676. Thou schalt not lese thy eye syht;
|
676 Thou shalt not lose thy eye sight;
|
677. And uche fote that thou gost then,
|
677 And each foot that thou goest then,
|
678. That holy syht for to sen,
|
678 That holy sight for to sen, (see)
|
679. They schul be told to stonde yn stede,
|
679 They shall be told to stand instead,
|
680. When thou hast therto gret nede;
|
680 When thou hast thereto great need;
|
681. That messongere, the angele Gabryelle,
|
681 That messenger the angel Gabriel,
|
682. Wol kepe hem to the ful welle.
|
682 Will keep them to thee full well.
|
683. From thys mater now y may passe,
|
683 From this matter now I may pass,
|
684. To telle mo medys of the masse:
|
684 To tell more benefits of the mass:
|
685. To churche come [g]et, [g]ef thou may,
|
685 To church come yet, if thou may,
|
686. And here thy masse uche day;
|
686 And hear the mass each day;
|
687. [G]ef thou mowe not come to churche,
|
687 If thou may not come to church,
|
688. Wher that ever thou doste worche,
|
688 Where that ever thou dost worche, (work)
|
689. When thou herest to masse knylle,
|
689 When thou hearest the mass knylle, (toll)
|
690. Pray to God with herte stylle,
|
690 Pray to God with heart still,
|
691. To [g]eve the part of that servyse,
|
691 To give they part of that service,
|
692. That yn churche ther don yse.
|
692 That in church there done is.
|
693. Forthermore [g]et, y wol [g]ow preche
|
693 Furthermore yet, I will you preach
|
694. To [g]owre felows, hyt for to teche,
|
694 To your fellows, it for to teach,
|
695. When thou comest byfore a lorde,
|
695 When thou comest before a lord,
|
696. Yn halle, yn bowre, or at the borde,
|
696 In hall, in bower, or at the board,
|
697. Hod or cappe that thou of do,
|
697 Hood or cap that thou off do,
|
698. [G]er thou come hym allynge to;
|
698 Ere thou come him entirely to;
|
699. Twyes or thryes, without dowte,
|
699 Twice or thrice, without doubt,
|
700. To that lord thou moste lowte;
|
700 To that lord thou must lowte; (bow)
|
701. With thy ry[g]th kne let hyt be do,
|
701 With thy right knee let it be do, (done)
|
702. Thyn owne worschepe tou save so.
|
702 Thine own worship thou save so.
|
703. Holde of thy cappe, and hod also,
|
703 Hold off thy cap and hood also,
|
704. Tyl thou have leve hyt on to do.
|
704 Till thou have leave it on to do. (put)
|
705. Al the whyle thou spekest with hym,
|
705 All the time thou speakest with him,
|
706. Fayre and lovelyche bere up thy chyn;
|
706 Fair and amiably hold up thy chin;
|
707. So, after the norter of the boke,
|
707 So after the nurture of the book,
|
708. Yn hys face lovely thou loke.
|
708 In his face kindly thou look.
|
709. Fot and hond, thou kepe ful stylle
|
709 Foot and hand thou keep full still,
|
710. From clawynge and trypynge, ys sckylle;
|
710 For clawing and tripping, is skill;
|
711. From spyttynge and snyftynge kepe the also,
|
711 From spitting and sniffling keep thee also,
|
712. By privy avoydans let hyt go.
|
712 By private expulsion let it go,
|
713. And [g]ef that thou be wyse and felle,
|
713 And if that thou be wise and felle, (discrete)
|
714. Thou hast gret nede to governe the welle.
|
714 Thou has great need to govern thee well.
|
715. Ynto the halle when thou dost wende,
|
715 Into the hall when thou dost wend,
|
716. Amonges the genteles, good and hende,
|
716 Amongst the gentles, good and hende, (courteous)
|
717. Presume not to hye for nothynge,
|
717 Presume not too high for nothing,
|
718. For thyn hye blod, ny thy connynge,
|
718 For thine high blood, nor thy cunning,
|
719. Nowther to sytte, ny to lene,
|
719 Neither to sit nor to lean,
|
720. That ys norther good and clene.
|
720 That is nurture good and clean.
|
721. Let not thy cowntenans therfore abate,
|
721 Let not thy countenance therefore abate,
|
722. Forsothe, good norter wol save thy state.
|
722 Forsooth good nurture will save thy state.
|
723. Fader and moder, whatsever they be,
|
723 Father and mother, whatsoever they be,
|
724. Wel ys the chyld that wel may the,
|
724 Well is the child that well may thee,
|
725. Yn halle, yn chamber, wher thou dost gon;
|
725 In hall, in chamber, where thou dost gon; (go)
|
726. Gode maneres maken a mon.
|
726 Good manners make a man.
|
727. To the nexte degré loke wysly,
|
727 To the next degree look wisely,
|
728. To do hem reverans by and by;
|
728 To do them reverence by and by;
|
729. Do hem [g]et no reverans al o-rowe,
|
729 Do them yet no reverence all o-rowe, (in turn)
|
730. But [g]ef that thou do hem know.
|
730 Unless that thou do them know.
|
731. To the mete when thou art y-sette,
|
731 To the meat when thou art set,
|
732. Fayre and onestelyche thou ete hytte;
|
732 Fair and honestly thou eat it;
|
733. Fyrst loke that thyn honden be clene,
|
733 First look that thine hands be clean,
|
734. And that thy knyf be scharpe and kene;
|
734 And that thy knife be sharp and keen,
|
735. And kette thy bred al at thy mete,
|
735 And cut thy bread all at thy meat,
|
736. Ry[g]th as hyt may be ther y-ete.
|
736 Right as it may be there y-ete. (eaten)
|
737. [G]ef thou sytte by a worththyur mon.
|
737 If thou sit by a worthier man,
|
738. Then thy selven thou art won,
|
738 Then thy self thou art one,
|
739. Sofre hym fyrst to toyche the mete,
|
739 Suffer him first to touch the meat,
|
740. [G]er thyself to hyt reche.
|
740 Ere thyself to it reach.
|
741. To the fayrest mossel thou my[g]ht not strike,
|
741 To the fairest morsel thou might not strike,
|
742. Thaght that thou do hyt wel lyke;
|
742 Though that thou do it well like;
|
743. Kepe thyn hondes, fayr and wel,
|
743 Keep thine hands fair and well,
|
744. From fowle smogynge of thy towel;
|
744 From foul smudging of thy towel;
|
745. Theron thou schalt not thy nese snyte,
|
745 Thereon thou shalt not thy nose smite. (blow)
|
746. Ny at the mete thy tothe thou pyke;
|
746 Nor at the meat thy tooth thou pike; (pick)
|
747. To depe yn the coppe thou my[g]ght not synke,
|
747 Too deep in cup thou might not sink,
|
748. Thagh thou have good wyl to drynke,
|
748 Though thou have good will to drink,
|
749. Lest thyn enyn wolde wattryn therby_
|
749 Lest thine eyes would water thereby-
|
750. Then were hyt no curtesy
|
750 Then were it no courtesy.
|
751. Loke yn thy mowth ther be no mete,
|
751 Look in thy mouth there be no meat,
|
752. When thou begynnyst to drynke or speke.
|
752 When thou beginnest to drink or speak.
|
753. When thou syst any mon drynkynge,
|
753 When thou seest any man drinking,
|
754. That taketh hed to thy carpynge,
|
754 That taketh heed to thy carpynge, (speech)
|
755. Sone anonn thou sese thy tale,
|
755 Soon anon thou cease thy tale,
|
756. Whether he drynke wyn other ale.
|
756 Whether he drink wine or ale,
|
757. Loke also thou scorne no mon,
|
757 Look also thou scorn no man,
|
758. Yn what degré thou syst hym gon;
|
758 In what degree thou seest him gone;
|
759. Ny thou schalt no mon deprave,
|
759 Nor thou shalt no man deprave,
|
760. [G]ef thou wolt thy worschepe save;
|
760 If thou wilt thy worship save;
|
761. For suche worde my[g]ht ther outberste,
|
761 For such word might there outburst.
|
762. That myg[h]t make the sytte yn evel reste,
|
762 That might make thee sit in evil rest.
|
763. Close thy honde yn thy fyste,
|
763 Close thy hand in thy fist,
|
764. And kepe the wel from "had-y-wyste."
|
764 And keep thee well from "had-y-wiste." ("had I known")
|
765. Yn chamber amonge the ladyes bryght,
|
765 In chamber, among the ladies bright,
|
766. Holde thy tonge and spende thy syght;
|
766 Hold thy tongue and spend thy sight;
|
767. Law[g]e thou not with no gret cry,
|
767 Laugh thou not with no great cry,
|
768. Ny make no ragynge with rybody.
|
768 Nor make no lewd sport and ribaldry.
|
769. Play thou not buyt with thy peres,
|
769 Play thou not but with thy peers,
|
770. Ny tel thou not al that thou heres;
|
770 Nor tell thou not all that thou hears;
|
771. Dyskever thou not thyn owne dede,
|
771 Discover thou not thine own deed,
|
772. For no merthe, ny for no mede;
|
772 For no mirth, nor for no mede: (reward)
|
773. With fayr speche thou myght have thy wylle,
|
773 With fair speech thou might have thy will,
|
774. With hyt thou myght thy selven spylle.
|
774 With it thou might thy self spylle. (spoil)
|
775. When thou metyst a worthy mon,
|
775 When thou meetest a worthy man,
|
776. Cappe and hod thou holle not on;
|
776 Cap and hood thou hold not on;
|
777. Yn churche, yn chepyns, or yn the gate,
|
777 In church, in market, or in the gate,
|
778. Do hym revera(n)s after hys state.
|
778 Do him reverence after his state.
|
779. [G]ef thou gost with a worthyor mon
|
779 If thou goest with a worthier man
|
780. Then thyselven thou art won,
|
780 Then thyself thou art one,
|
781. Let thy forther schulder sewe hys backe,
|
781 Let thy foremost shoulder follow his back,
|
782. For that ys norter withoute lacke;
|
782 For that is nurture without lack;
|
783. When he doth speke, holte the stylle,
|
783 When he doth speak, hold thee still,
|
784. When he hath don, sey for thy wylle;
|
784 When he hath done, say for thy will,
|
785. Yn thy speche that thou be felle,
|
785 In thy speech that thou be felle, (discreet)
|
786. And what thou sayst avyse the welle;
|
786 And what thou sayest consider thee well;
|
787. But byref thou not hym hys tale,
|
787 But deprive thou not him his tale,
|
788. Nowther at the wyn, ny at the ale.
|
788 Neither at the wine nor at the ale.
|
789. Cryst then of hys hye grace,
|
789 Christ then of his high grace,
|
790. [G]eve [g]ow bothe wytte and space,
|
790 Save you both wit and space,
|
791. Wel thys boke to conne and rede,
|
791 Well this book to know and read,
|
792. Heven to have for [g]owre mede.
|
792 Heaven to have for your mede. (reward)
|
793. Amen! amen! so mot hyt be!
|
793 Amen! Amen! so mote it be!
|
794. Say we so all per charyté.
|
794 So say we all for charity.
|
END
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