PART II.]
II. THE PLOWMANS TALE.
163
What is Antichrist to say
But evin Christes advérsary?
495Such hath now ben many a day
To Christes bidding full contráry,
That from the trouthë clenë vary;
Out of the wayë they ben wend;
And Christes people untruely cary;
500God, for his pitè, it amend!
But evin Christes advérsary?
495Such hath now ben many a day
To Christes bidding full contráry,
That from the trouthë clenë vary;
Out of the wayë they ben wend;
And Christes people untruely cary;
500God, for his pitè, it amend!
That liven contráry to Christes lyf,
In hye pride agaynst mekenesse;
Agaynst suffraunce they usen stryf,
And angre ayenst sobrenesse;
505Agaynst wisdom, wilfulnesse;
To Christes tales litell tend;
Agaynst mesúre, outragiousnesse;
But whan god woll, it may amend!
In hye pride agaynst mekenesse;
Agaynst suffraunce they usen stryf,
And angre ayenst sobrenesse;
505Agaynst wisdom, wilfulnesse;
To Christes tales litell tend;
Agaynst mesúre, outragiousnesse;
But whan god woll, it may amend!
Lordly lyf ayenst lowlinesse,
510And demin all without mercy;
And covetyse ayenst largesse,
Agaynst trewth[e], trechery;
And agaynst almesse, envy;
Agaynst Christ they comprehend.
515For chastitè, they maynteyn lechery;
God, for his gracë, this amend!
510And demin all without mercy;
And covetyse ayenst largesse,
Agaynst trewth[e], trechery;
And agaynst almesse, envy;
Agaynst Christ they comprehend.
515For chastitè, they maynteyn lechery;
God, for his gracë, this amend!
Ayenst penaunce they use delytes,
Ayenst suffraunce, strong defence;
Ayenst god they use yvel rightes,
520Agaynst pitè, punishments;
Open yvell ayenst continence;
Hir wicked winning wors dispend;
Sobrenesse they sette in-to dispence;
But god, for his goodnesse, it amend!
Ayenst suffraunce, strong defence;
Ayenst god they use yvel rightes,
520Agaynst pitè, punishments;
Open yvell ayenst continence;
Hir wicked winning wors dispend;
Sobrenesse they sette in-to dispence;
But god, for his goodnesse, it amend!
493. saye. 495. Suche hathe nowe. 497. varry. 498. wende. 500. pytie; amende. 501. lyfe. 503. sufferaunce; stryfe. 505. wysedome. 506. tende. 507. measure. 508. maye amende. 509. lyfe. 514. comprehende. 515. maynteyne. 516. amende. 517. delyghtes. 518. stronge. 519. vsen. 520. Agaynste pytie punishementes. 522. Her; worse dispende. 524. amende.
